gb news. >> good afternoon britain. it's 12:00 on monday the 26th of february. >> lee anderson fights back the islamophobia row at the heart of the conservative party hots up as the party's former deputy chairman releases a statement defending himself and attacking sadiq khan's record . sadiq khan's record. >> and these are live pictures of a blockade in brussels. chaos has erupted in the european capital as farmers breach police cordons and stormed the city centre in protest of eu farming policy and generation sick note people in their 20s are more likely to be out of work due to ill health than those in their 40s, a study finds . 40s, a study finds. >> young people claim a mental disorder more than any other age group. why is that?

>> well, this islamophobia row is a fascinating, fascinating row from many different angles , row from many different angles, mainly because there's this equivalence that many people are trying to draw between the anti—semitism . in the labour anti—semitism. in the labour party and the alleged islamophobia of the conservative party. but there's a big problem in all of this. and that's the word islamophobia. >> yeah, the word islamophobia. now, we've had this debate before, years . ago, we were before, years. ago, we were discussing the definition of islamophobia and the concerns were that using the word islamophobia instead of, say, anti—muslim hatred did would mean that essentially you're not allowed to say anything negative about the religion of islam. and thatis about the religion of islam. and that is absolutely ridiculous. you should be able to criticise any religion, christianity, judaism , zoroastrianism ,

judaism, zoroastrianism, buddhism, hinduism, scientology. you should be able to. there shouldn't be special treatment for religion. very for one religion. that's very different from anti—muslim hatred, which is going after individuals simply because they are muslim. so there you go. there's a difference between attacking individuals and attacking individuals and attacking ideas and one of the risks here is if we use the terms islamophobia are we introducing through the back door some sort of new blasphemy code in the way that we speak? >> if we can't criticise ideas , >> if we can't criticise ideas, philosophy, religions, if we can't do that, have we reintroduced blasphemy laws to the united kingdom? we want to hear your views. gb views news at gbnews.com is the address to get in touch with. yes. >> should we ditch the terms islamophobia in favour of anti—muslim hatred? let us know. let's get to the headlines with sofia . sofia. >> thanks , emily. good >> thanks, emily. good afternoon. it's 12:02. >> thanks, emily. good afternoon. it's12:02. i'm sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom. top . story this hour.

newsroom. top. story this hour. lee anderson has accused the mayor of london of having double standards for political benefit in his handling of pro—palestinian marches as a row over comments he made on gb news deepens. over comments he made on gb news deepens . the former tory deputy deepens. the former tory deputy chairman released a statement this morning aimed at clarifying remarks he made on this network when that islamists when he suggested that islamists had got control of the mayor of london. he said that while some people found his comments divisive, politics is divisive and his intention was to point out what he called failures by sadiq khan, the prime minister described the remarks as unacceptable and wrong, while the london mayor said he was pounng the london mayor said he was pouring fuel on the fire of anti—muslim hatred. the north and the midlands are to receive billions of pounds worth of investment in public transport, as the government outlines plans to redirect funds from the cancelled northern leg of the hsz cancelled northern leg of the hs2 rail project. it's understood the money will be used to expand mass transit systems, refurbish rail and bus station and repair potholes. it will be up to local councils to

allocate the funds, though it's not expected to be made available until april next year. months the next general months after the next general election. the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham , manchester, andy burnham, dismissed the plan, saying the money had already been promised ten years ago but transport secretary mark harper says the government is empowering local communities . communities. >> his 2.5 billion for the north, 2.2 billion for the midlands. that money is going to local councils. it's for them to spend on the local priorities that they set, that they think are important to their local communities , they'll reach are important to their local commconclusions they'll reach are important to their local commconclusions by|ey'll reach are important to their local commconclusions by consulting those conclusions by consulting those conclusions by consulting those communities, but also talking very importantly to their of parliament their members of parliament about what those important local transport priorities are. the whole point is, it's not for ministers to set those priorities. it's for councils to set them. we think those decisions are better made and closer people closer to the people that are going benefit them . going to benefit from them. >> transport secretary , mark >> the transport secretary, mark harper, speaking there now, the housing regulator, warns that significant intervention is required after persistent

shortfalls in the number of new homes being built. the competition and markets authority says complex and unpredictable rules unpredictable planning rules across the uk are partly to blame for new home targets being missed. it's also raising concerns over the quality of new build housing, with developers often focusing on price rather than the needs of a particular area. and there'll be an investigation after evidence was found suggesting that eight house builders may be sharing commercially sensitive information . meanwhile, sir keir information. meanwhile, sir keir starmer says his party will deliver what he called a future built in britain by britain. if labour wins the next election. he's expected to unveil a plan to run a so—called patriotic economy , which he says would economy, which he says would include boosting home ownership and establishing the next generation of new towns. housing minister lee rowley described the plan as empty, but chair of the plan as empty, but chair of the labour party, anneliese dodds, told gb news she says it's the change britain's economy needs kind of expectations that people in our

country used to have, you know , country used to have, you know, that their kids would be better off than they were, that they'd have at least slightly better have at least a slightly better quality of life, you know , all quality of life, you know, all of those dreams are just completely out of reach for very many people in our country. >> and keir starmer is absolutely determined to change that for the future , for getting that for the future, for getting britain building, actually making sure we have those good jobs up and down the country, reforming the planning system , reforming the planning system, the many changes that he is setting out today would make that big difference to british people all. >> in other news, there are angry scenes on the streets of brussels this morning as farmers set to fire piles of tires. riot police were seen firing water cannons as more than 100 tractors parked around eu buildings as ministers arrived for meetings. they're demanding action from the european union amid growing fury over free trade agreements . it's, they say trade agreements. it's, they say it's to led cheap supermarket prices, which they blame for damaging european farming . it's damaging european farming. it's the latest in a series of similar protests across the bloc

, with the eu already moving to weaken some aspects of its green deal. weaken some aspects of its green deal . and young people are more deal. and young people are more likely to be off work due to ill health than those in their 40s. that's according to a new report. the resolution foundation says it's radically different from the past, when work absences tended to increase with age . it cited a rise in with age. it cited a rise in mental health struggles among young people as a possible factor, with 34% of young people aged 18 to 24 reporting struggles in 2022. that's compared to just 24% in the year 2000. and. and for the latest story , sign up to gb news alerts story, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to gbnews.com slash alerts. now it's back to tom and . emily. it's. alerts. now it's back to tom and . emily. it's . 12:07 and lee . emily. it's. 12:07 and lee anderson has come out fighting , anderson has come out fighting, releasing a new statement

exclusively to gb news following his suspension from the conservative party >> the statement, written on saturday, is what he would have said had the tory party not demanded a personal apology. sadiq khan for his comments. let's remind ourselves of the offending remarks made on gb news on friday. >> i don't actually believe that these islamists have got control of our country , but what i do of our country, but what i do believe is they've got control of corn and they've got control of corn and they've got control of london, and they've got control of storm as well. >> and we've seen the shocking scenes in parliament scenes played out in parliament just a few nights back, where starmer crumbled. >> pressure on the >> he put pressure on the speaker to alter the rules. if you like, for the nature of the debate and the ultimate voting. and this this is a result of weak leadership . weak leadership. >> it's interesting, isn't it, there that he says that the islamists have control of keir starmer. yeah. >> he said khan london and starmer. although all of the conversation around this is only focussed on sadiq khan, although that was one third of the of the

interesting things he said. >> well, in his newly released statement, anderson has statement, lee anderson has written i made some comments yesterday that some people thought were divisive . live thought were divisive. live politics divisive and i am politics is divisive and i am just incredibly frustrated about the abject failures of the mayor of khan, continued. >> khan called for an immediate ceasefire weeks ago with no conditions , while the hostages conditions, while the hostages were still being at were still being held at gunpoint a terrorist gunpoint by a terrorist organisation . hundreds of people organisation. hundreds of people had arrested for racist had been arrested for racist abuse on these marches and we barely hear a peep from the mayor if these marches were about something less fashionable, sadiq khan would have the first to call for have been the first to call for them cancelled . them to be cancelled. >> he goes on it's double standards political benefit. standards for political benefit. sadiq london sadiq khan is failing london across board on transport across the board on transport with ulez and the strikes which he pledged to end on crime he pledged to end on knife crime and women and and violence against women and girls . the endless . girls. the list is endless. >> well, that statement has now been released. but of course lee anderson wanted to release it on saturday. what has been the hold up? let's join now. our political editor, christopher hope, with all the details .

hope, with all the details. christopher, why has lee anderson only just released this statement today? now to gb news and not on . saturday and not on. saturday >> well hi, tom. hi, emily. that's right. this statement was drafted by lee anderson on saturday morning after the row about those remarks. the gb news on friday night. now the remark, the statement from the lee janzen didn't go as far as cchq wanted it to go . they wanted an wanted it to go. they wanted an apology to sadiq khan and lee anderson is refusing to do so. he's taking issue with the way that the police are policing the protests. he says there's a double standard in that there's not enough people being arrested for anti—jewish, anti—israel remarks. and he's saying there's a double standard there. of course, sadiq khan is in is known in control of the met police force in london. he's told us today. lee anderson has told us today. lee anderson has told gb news today, if you are wrong , apologising is not a sign wrong, apologising is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of

strength. but when you think you're right, as lee anderson does , you should never apologise does, you should never apologise because to do so will be a sign of weakness. so there's essentially a face off between lee anderson , now an independent lee anderson, now an independent mp, no longer a tory mp, and sadiq khan, who's london mayor. i should say . london mayor sadiq khan, who's london mayor. i should say. london mayor has written in the standard and we're expecting to see that full statement dropping today. that's the london evening standard at 1230 today. but a bit of it has appeared already on the standard's website. i'll read it out to you now in the standard, the london mayor sadiq khan, says facing some very says we are facing some very difficult times with the politics of extremism division and blame becoming more mainstream . um, but i remain mainstream. um, but i remain hopeful because i know that the decent majority in our city and country believe in our british values of equality, openness and respect for diversity. he goes on. that's why i'm confident that working together will be able to stamp out anti semitism and islamophobia , stop the march

and islamophobia, stop the march of hard right populism and show that hope, unity and love will always trump fear , division and always trump fear, division and hatred . hatred. >> hmm. interesting now of course, a lot was made over the weekend of lee anderson's comments in particular relating to the mayor of london, accusations that they were racist, islamophobic and bigoted. but of course, he did say that islamists are in control of keir starmer as well. not too many people seem to note that. not too many people seem to note that . yes. that. yes. >> i mean, lee anderson is making very clear he is not a racist. he tells us he's not anti—muslim. he has many muslim friends. um, he's got this problem. he thinks, by the way , problem. he thinks, by the way, that the, um, the these marches are being policed. it's showing too much deference to people making, uh, dreadful remarks and statements about israel and about the jewish people . and it about the jewish people. and it was really triggered for him by that. from the to river the sea, palestine will be free. the idea

that israel could be swept away by, um, an attack on the israeli state and jewish people here, and that was projected onto the elizabeth where big ben elizabeth tower, where big ben is on wednesday night. so is housed on wednesday night. so it to then. um, it all goes back to then. um, and that's his concern. >> yet those same protests >> and yet those same protests have targeted many labour politicians . is it really politicians. is it really credible for the former deputy chair of the conservative party to say that keir starmer is controlled by islamists when keir starmer seems to be hounded by islamists on an almost day to day basis . day basis. >> yeah, i think that is definitely less credible about sir keir starmer. i don't really quite follow the argument now. i certainly i can see why he's saying it the london saying it about the london mayor, mayor would mayor, the london mayor would definitely with it, definitely disagree with it, but he's because he he is he's saying it because he he is seeing a standards in the seeing a double standards in the policing of these protests. and he says the line buck stops he says the line the buck stops with of london and with the mayor of london and that's saying and that's why he's saying it. and of course, although chris, chris, metropolitan chris, the metropolitan police are independent, are operationally independent, whilst the mayor of london acts

as the sort of police and crime commissioner, they're accountable to him. >> he can't determine how they police can he ? police can he? >> no, they can't . and that's >> no, they can't. and that's a statement, a point actually, which i took up on air with lee anderson on friday in that long interview with michael mike martin daubney. he did say there very thought the very clearly he thought the government should take over policing in capital. and policing in the capital. and i said, well, that just can't happen, because in happen, lee, because we live in a we have mps like a country where we have mps like yourself anderson, make yourself, lee anderson, who make these it's up the these laws, but it's up to the police enforce them. so police to enforce them. so there's choices being made on there's choices being made on the ground by police. and if they're ignored, being law, they're ignored, being the law, which can't protect which says you can't protect a method the parliament, method onto the parliament, that's a matter the police. that's a matter for the police. but have these new police but we do have these new police and crime commissioners across the england wales and that's the england and wales and that's the england and wales and that's the which sadiq khan has. the role which sadiq khan has. so think is legitimate to so i think it is legitimate to ask sadiq khan sadiq khan why he's not speaking out more about the policing. but as you say, tom and emily correctly, that they, they, they, they, they can't these choices on the can't make these choices on the ground police . ground for the police. >> mhm. no.

>> emm- >> that's a really important distinction make. course >> that's a really important distmayor make. course >> that's a really important distmayor london course >> that's a really important distmayor london can)urse >> that's a really important distmayor london can sort of the mayor of london can sort of make calls make make these calls and make pronouncements, but he can't directly control police directly control what the police do. christopher thank do. but christopher hope, thank you very much talking us you very much for talking us through story through that developing story and new exclusive and that new exclusive statement. well joining us now is conservative mp for crawley , is conservative mp for crawley, henry smith. >> henry, thank you very much for joining us of course, the weekend's news has been dominated by lee anderson's comments and the subsequent withdrawal of the whip from him. we've now now heard a longer statement from lee anderson. what are your thoughts ? do you what are your thoughts? do you believe it's right that rishi sunak lee took this tough stance with him ? with him? >> well, i wouldn't have used the words that lee anderson used the words that lee anderson used the other day . i certainly the other day. i certainly think, though, that that the london mayor, sadiq khan , and london mayor, sadiq khan, and the labour leader, keir starmer , the labour leader, keir starmer, are guilty of being, um, incompetent and inconsistent . incompetent and inconsistent. and i think really, what the row over the weekend has been is

reflecting the fact that we do have this growing divisiveness in our politics and mps and other politic organs who are afraid to take actions because they worry about the cost , they worry about the cost, chances of being lobbied , uh, chances of being lobbied, uh, principally by muslim constituents. so there is an issue we saw that last wednesday in the house of commons where the speaker you know, broke precedent, changed standing orders , um, because he was leant orders, um, because he was leant upon by the labour leader. um, that's their sort of modus operandi . and they did that operandi. and they did that because they didn't want labour members of parliament to be put in in a difficult position with their constituents . their constituents. >> this isn't the problem, henry isn't the problem, henry, that we were having a discussion about that very, very important issue of mps safety and potentially our democracy , um, potentially our democracy, um, being very much impacted by threats to mps. and then lee

anderson goes on the television and makes these comments, and then the whole conversation, the whole public debate is now on whether the conservative party is islamophobic or not. well, i think there's a lot of inconsistency , uh, here i've inconsistency, uh, here i've heard many labour mps make what i would describe as unacceptable comments . comments. >> they're free to make them, um , free speech is very important . , free speech is very important. uh, but there does seem to be a double standard when it comes to how some conservative mps are treated when they make comments that are controversial but nevertheless are legitimate . uh, nevertheless are legitimate. uh, free speech. uh and the way that some labour politicians and members of parliament are treated like sadiq khan and other members of parliament, uh, for example , um, with regard to for example, um, with regard to the uh, rotherham um grooming gang case, where one labour mp said that those who were seeking to highlight that case should

shut up for the sake of diversity. uh, so i think i think that might have been a tweet that was, uh , retracted tweet that was, uh, retracted after it was sent. >> we should make that clear. um but, henry, i do want to ask your question on the issue of keir starmer, because in the clip that we heard the original comments, lee anderson said the islamists have control of khan, they have control of starmer . they have control of starmer. and yet every single headline in every single newspaper has been only about one of the two gentlemen that were mentioned. there why do think that was ? there why do you think that was? >> well, i can only speculate as to why newspaper editors focus on one part of a story and not another. i think part of it might be the fact that sadiq khan is, of course, muslim himself. um, and therefore , uh, himself. um, and therefore, uh, perhaps that is why he has been more of a focus. i think another factor has been that keir starmer has kept very quiet, actually , uh, around this issue, actually, uh, around this issue, um, because he fears to get involved in controversial issues

. he runs away from those, whereas sadiq khan has chosen to really challenge lee anderson's comments head on. um, so i suspect that's the reason why. but it's very important. i think that there is a focus on the labour leader, because in the last week, less than the last week, this is a man who has , um, week, this is a man who has, um, effectively bullied the speaker of the house of commons into changing standing orders to try and dodge a very difficult vote for his members of parliament. and if that is somebody who aspires to be prime minister, if that's the way that they operate, then there should be alarm bells ringing across the country not london. henry country, not just london. henry just very quickly, do you think that lee anderson will get the whip back? look, i've never been in whips office, so i don't in the whips office, so i don't know , uh, the, uh, process , uh, know, uh, the, uh, process, uh, but i suspect the whip will be restored . and, uh, lee's restored. and, uh, lee's somebody who who is very forthright in the way that he

expresses himself . uh, and i expresses himself. uh, and i think there's nothing wrong with being forthright in our politics. um, i'm a big fan of introducing something like the us first amendment, uh, to , to us first amendment, uh, to, to our politics, because and to everyone's right of free speech because unless there's challenge, unless we hear things that we find uncomfortable , uh, that we find uncomfortable, uh, then free, free speech dies and democratic, democratic choice dies. and that would be extremely dangerous, uh, for our country and our future. >> well, thank you very much indeed for your time. henry smith , conservative mp for smith, conservative mp for crawley . crawley. >> well, joining us now is the senior political commentator for gb news, nigel nelson. nigel, what do you make of what henry smith to say that he's smith had to say there that he's expecting the whip will expecting that the whip will be given anderson in given back to lee anderson in the fullness of time? >> yeah, i'd be a bit surprised about that because the prime minister this morning has gone even his deputy, even further than his deputy, oliver dowden. >> yesterday by by saying that lee anderson's comments were wrong. they shouldn't have been made. and that's why the whip

was withdrawn . oliver dowden was withdrawn. oliver dowden yesterday was saying that it had. lee apologised , seized the had. lee apologised, seized the whip, wouldn't have been taken away. well, the prime minister has gone further than that. so even now, should lee apologies for his comments and we can see he's got he's shown no sign of doing so. um, that still wouldn't get the whip back. so at the moment it looks like lee won't be the conservative candidate for ashfield at the election , then that's a election, then that's a significant, significant issue. >> and i suppose it really does rely on what the intent behind lee anderson's comments were. and whether or not he's completely implacably opposed to apologising for any elements of them. the interesting point here, perhaps, is that it wasn't just khan that he was talking about. it was the whole of the labour party. it sir keir labour party. it was sir keir starmer and yet the starmer as well. and yet the conversation only focussed conversation has only focussed on sadiq khan. might that be a mitigating factor for lee anderson, even if what he was saying was probably rather

outlandish, it's unlikely the entire labour party is in the grip of islamists. i think that's probably a very silly thing to say, but given that he said not just about sadiq said it not just about sadiq khan, said about sir keir khan, he said it about sir keir starmer, who's a man with no muslim background and with no faith . um, does does that not faith. um, does does that not suggest that perhaps he wasn't targeting muslims ? targeting muslims? >> well, i mean, the mere fact he mentioned mentioned starmer and that hasn't been highlighted , as you say, i found a bit bit odd as well. tom. um, the other point here is bear in mind that suella braverman khan made very similar comments and they were actually aimed at keir starmer in a daily telegraph article last week. and what she accused the labour leader of being, as she put it in hock to islam lists. now, what is weird here is that, um, lee makes similar, similar comments. is that, um, lee makes similar, similar comments . suella similar comments. suella braverman retains the whip for saying something which is pretty identical . so certain saying something which is pretty identical. so certain amount of double standard here in the tory

party >> um, yes, it does . it does >> um, yes, it does. it does appear that way. and we've got, uh, richard tice from reform party saying that their support has surged as a result of lee anderson having the whip withdrawn . sean withdrawn. sean >> well, i mean, nigel farage has suggested that lee anderson actually joins the reform party . actually joins the reform party. um, that's obviously a matter for him if he's not likely to be a conservative candidate in the next election , he might well do next election, he might well do so. i'd imagine lee anderson will feel more at home with reform than he does with it, with a conservative. >> atives hmm. interesting point. well, nigel nelson, thank you very much for joining us here on good afternoon britain. really appreciate it. >> yes. >> yes. >> coming ea“ >> well, coming up, generation sicknote . so get this. young sicknote. so get this. young people are increasingly blaming mental issues for not mental health issues for not being at work. is that fair enough or is it another example of snowflakes . of snowflakes. >> why lake erie ? >> why lake erie? >> why lake erie? >> great work. this is good afternoon britain on gb news britain's election .

radio. >> it's 1226. you're watching and listening to good afternoon britain. now a shocking new report says young people are increasingly blaming mental health problems for being jobless , with the number of 18 jobless, with the number of 18 to 24 year olds who are economically inactive due to health issues , more than health issues, more than doubung health issues, more than doubling just in the past decade, rising . from 93,000 to decade, rising. from 93,000 to 190,000. well, two thirds report suffering poor mental health and 4 in 10 list it as their main reason for not working . reason for not working. >> that's shocking, but we're asking the young people just need to get on with it. >> well, to the point as always, let's pose that question to wellbeing expert and founder of the mind tribe, angie mcgrandle . the mind tribe, angie mcgrandle. angie, thank you very much for joining us. now, a lot of older

people, i would guess , looking people, i would guess, looking at these statistics and seeing that, what was that? 4 in 10 young people have some kind of mental 4 in 10 list. mental health as the main reason for them not working. they'll look at that and think , oh, come on, at that and think, oh, come on, just get on with it . go to work. just get on with it. go to work. that with your mental that will help with your mental health. the day, health. back in the day, we didn't worry about this. what do you say? >> well, as report has >> well, as the report has shown, young people now have the poorest mental health of any age group. and this a reversal group. and this is a reversal from two decades ago. and i think covid will have definitely impacted this age group. this age group in particular will have gaps in their education in their skill sets . um, the way their skill sets. um, the way they will have studied during this period would have impacted their social skills as well . and their social skills as well. and i think it's fair to say that we live in an always on culture. this is a generation that's always plugged in from a tech perspective as well. from the moment they wake up to the point that they go to bed , you know,

that they go to bed, you know, their brain is absorbing information at such a fast high state and having this constant stimulation, this constant connectivity can affect the balance of the neurotransmitters in our brains , such as dopamine in our brains, such as dopamine and adrenaline . and these and adrenaline. and these neurotransmitters play a role in regulating our mood. our attention and arousal levels, and excessive stimulation, particularly from digital sources, can lead to dysregulation of these neurotransmitters , and that neurotransmitters, and that impacts our mental health, our general wellbeing . so while , you general wellbeing. so while, you know, generally older generations can say, get back into work, i think there are a number of things that have played a role in why this 18 to 24 age group in particular is reported as having higher, um, poor mental health than ever. >> but this is all self—reported, of course, and perhaps that gets to a nub of one of these issues. i mean , it one of these issues. i mean, it could be that there is a lot more issue with young people's

mental health, or it could be that they're just more aware, better of it, and perhaps to some extent aware of it, some extent hyper aware of it, maybe aware of it. because maybe over aware of it. because if you look at the hard data, the really quite sad data of suicides in this country, it's not young people that are suffering it's middle suffering the most. it's middle aged . aged men. >> yeah, yeah you're right. um, i mean, we are more acutely aware of mental health than ever before. the conversation around mental health is more open . it's mental health is more open. it's growing again. this is due to covid. covid has definitely stimulated that conversation. um from a workplace perspective , from a workplace perspective, there are more and more employers looking to support their staff with access to tools, training , counselling, tools, training, counselling, etc. so, you know, the conversation around and around mental health is there. but as you said, it's how it's measured . and, um, you know, how you categorise certain kinds of mental health. so angie, do we

risk. >> sorry to interrupt. sorry to interrupt because we don't have long, but do risk sometimes long, but do we risk sometimes over diagnosing because we see so many statistics about how many young people are on drugs for depression and any other mental disorders that they may be suffering do. sometimes we over diagnose when actually there could be other ways of helping people with their mental health. i mean, there are so many available to young many tools available to young people when it comes to improving their mental health. what's stopping them? what's what's stopping them? well i think when it comes, um , well i think when it comes, um, to mental health and if you think from like from a medical perspective of the resources that are available to young people, well , to anybody really people, well, to anybody really is dependent on, um, your gp, um, where you live , the waiting times. >> so , so i think sometimes gps >> so, so i think sometimes gps are, um, guilty of prescribing, um, medication when there are

other things that we can do, other things that we can do, other tools that we can try . but other tools that we can try. but again, this is down to where you live, the waiting times, the type of gp you have . type of gp you have. >> um, you know, you're absolutely right . it is >> um, you know, you're absolutely right. it is a it is absolutely right. it is a it is a bit of a postcode lottery, isn't it. but thank you so much. sorry to have to leave it there, angie. who the angie. mcgrandles who is the founder mind tribe and founder of the mind tribe and a wellbeing expert. to great speak to you. >> well, coming up, we'll be live brussels as european live in brussels as european farmers their protests live in brussels as european farmerof their protests live in brussels as european farmerof crunch their protests live in brussels as european farmerof crunch talks. protests live in brussels as european farmerof crunch talks. thesets live in brussels as european farmerof crunch talks. these are ahead of crunch talks. these are the live pictures of scenes from brussels right now . police brussels right now. police cordons being erected across the city and indeed water cannon being prepared for use. >> looks like there's some smoke or something in the air there. i'm not sure what that's caused by. oh gosh, gosh, yes. >> so we'll be having more of these pictures throughout the afternoon asking the afternoon and asking the question , could we be seeing question, could we be seeing scenes like this in the uk very soon? all that to come after your news headlines . thanks

soon? all that to come after your news headlines. thanks tom. >> it's 1232. your news headlines. thanks tom. >> it's1232. i'm your news headlines. thanks tom. >> it's 1232. i'm sofia wenzler in the gb newsroom. your headlines, lee anderson has accused the mayor of london of having double standards for political benefit in his handung political benefit in his handling of pro—palestinian marches as a row over comments he made on gb news deepens. the former tory deputy chairman released a statement this morning aimed at clarifying remarks he made on this network when he suggested that islamists had got control of the mayor of london, sadiq khan, said he was pounng london, sadiq khan, said he was pouring fuel on fire of pouring fuel on the fire of anti—muslim hatred, while the prime minister described the comments unacceptable and comments as unacceptable and wrong. but reform party leader richard tice said mr anderson speaks for millions of people who are appalled by pro—palestine protests, accusing the london mayor of allowing what he called pro—hamas hate filled marches . as in other filled marches. as in other news, the prime minister says news, the prime minister says new investment in transport for the north of england and the midlands is levelling up in action. it's after the government outlined plans for the reallocation of funds

following the cancellation of hs2's northern leg . it will be hs2's northern leg. it will be up to local councils to allocate the funds, but the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, dismissed the plan , burnham, dismissed the plan, saying the money had already been promised ten years ago . the been promised ten years ago. the housing regulator warns that significant intervention is required after persistent shortfalls in the number of new homes being built. the competition and markets authority says complex and unpredictable planning rules across the uk are partly to blame for new build targets being missed means , while sir being missed means, while sir keir starmer says his party will deliver what he called a future built in britain by britain if labour wins the next election , labour wins the next election, he's expected to unveil a plan to run a so—called patriotic economy, which he says would include boosting home ownership and establishing the next generation of new towns. housing minister leigh rowley described labour's plan as empty, promising to stick with the government's plan, which he says is working . and for the latest

is working. and for the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen, or go to gbnews.com slash alerts

radio. some breaking news for you now. >> the reform party leader, richard tice, is accusing sadiq khan of losing our streets and says that lee anderson speaks for many . for many. >> well, wading into the row surrounding ashfield mps islamist comments about the london mayor. uh well, what he said about the london mayor anyway , mr tice says many in the anyway, mr tice says many in the media have asked me about lee anderson's comments . truth anderson's comments. the truth is speaks millions is that lee speaks for millions of are appalled by of people who are appalled by what happening to our what is happening to our country. he continued. >> this gutless >> between them, this gutless government and mayor of government and the mayor of london to lost london appear to have lost control streets . the

control of our streets. the projecting of a vile anti—semitic slogan onto our houses of parliament last week is a shocking illustration of the breakdown of law and order in his role as london's police and crime commissioner. sadiq khan responsible london's khan is responsible for london's security, along sir mark security, along with sir mark rowley. he has totally failed in that capacity week in, week out, he and the police have allowed pro—hamas hate filled, anti—semitic marches to continue. i first called for these ugly demonstrations to be banned on october the 11th, having seen first hand the awful behaviour on the 1st march. >> on october the 9th, it took place before israel had even responded horrors of responded to the horrors of october 7th. fast forward to october the 7th. fast forward to today, and thanks to a woefully weak leadership on part of weak leadership on the part of our authorities extreme our authorities, extreme islamists a sense islamists are creating a sense of fear and intimidation in our caphal of fear and intimidation in our capital. with every failure to crack their behaviour, crack down on their behaviour, they become emboldened . they become emboldened. >> richard continues to say >> richard tice continues to say the jewish continue community is scared. londoners are scared. mps are scared. the speaker is scared. even the police appear too scared to do what they're

supposed to do to maintain the peace in our capital. arrest those who demonstrably break the law, he goes on. >> lee anderson may have been clumsy in his precise choice of words, but his sentiments are supported by millions british supported by millions of british citizens, including myself , he supported by millions of british citize neverluding myself , he supported by millions of british citize never hasng myself , he supported by millions of british citize never has westminsterie supported by millions of british citize never has westminster and says. never has westminster and the craven, left leaning establishment been so out of touch with ordinary people . all touch with ordinary people. all i not and will not give i do not and will not give a running commentary on any discussions any mps, running commentary on any disclhoseis any mps, running commentary on any discthose mps any mps, running commentary on any discthose mps have any mps, running commentary on any discthose mps have myany mps, running commentary on any discthose mps have my number. but those mps have my number. hmm, he finishes there quite a long statement though . quite a long statement though. quite a long statement though. quite a long statement. hope you hope you, uh, you know, kept up with it. >> well, should we should we discuss with political discuss it with our political edhon discuss it with our political editor, hope ? uh, editor, christopher hope? uh, christopher, basically , what christopher, basically, what richard tice here is doing is saying lee anderson did nothing wrong, and he's free to join the reform party . reform party. >> that's right. tom. emily, you're correct in saying i read this as a about a 400 word invite. invite to lee anderson. now without a party to join the reform party , of course, that

reform party, of course, that party had its conference on saturday, came across with new measures on on cutting income tax. and there's no question that that line at the end, which no one i mean, no one even asked richard tice about whether he's talking to lee anderson, but he just says out of nowhere, i do not and will not give a running commentary on any discussions i have with any mps, but they've got my number now. no one asked you about that, mr tice. why are you about that, mr tice. why are you telling us? >> it's an interesting question, christopher, because ultimately , christopher, because ultimately, lee, many people will see what lee, many people will see what lee anderson said as very hurtful, very hurtful to particularly the muslim community in this country, even though he did say this of keir starmer. he said this of sadiq khan, a muslim mayor, a moderate man , um, and accused him of man, um, and accused him of being controlled by islamists . being controlled by islamists. so many people have seen that as something that is rooted in anti—muslim hate . anti—muslim hate. >> yeah. and that language it says here is clumsy. emily

anderson has said something similar . lee anderson has said something similar. lee anderson won't apologise to the mayor of london. he's been very clear saying that he doesn't feel he's got anything to say. sorry about the language clumsy the words. language was clumsy on islamists, but on the issue of islamists, but the point he's trying to make is a point. lee anderson a political point. lee anderson is saying why? why is this, um, this policing , this ignoring of this policing, this ignoring of this policing, this ignoring of this language being projected onto the parliament, not being called out by the mayor of london, who notionally in london, who is notionally in charge, or at least the, the, the commissioner of the met police answers to them and therefore you can actually say something and isn't saying it. um, and the concern and um, and that's the concern and the frustration is for many of us and the public, is that we were beginning to have an important discussion about the threat of islamist extremism on our streets and to our democracy. >> we were having a conversation about mps safety and the safety of the rest of us. and then it gets bulldozed by lee anderson's comments . comments. >> that's right. and he, of

course, was responding to an article by suella braverman, the telegraph , which said something telegraph, which said something similar and that came, of course, after the police weren't seen to be taking a tougher line on those on that chanting and that projection remarks that projection of remarks on wednesday. yes , built up and wednesday. so, yes, built up and don't issue . the don't forget the issue. the pressure speaker hasn't pressure on the speaker hasn't gone away. there's edm, gone away. there's an edm, a motion of no confidence in him. um, i am expecting more names to be added to that list as snp mps return to parliament, uh, many of whom apparently couldn't actually work the online system to your name to this motion to add your name to this motion of no confidence in the speaker. and goes to that and that goes back to that debate wednesday. tom debate from last wednesday. tom and emily, when of course, the speaker allowed from speaker allowed mps from the labour to on their labour party to vote on their own gaza rather than own policy on gaza rather than support either the lib dem or snp alternatives . so this support either the lib dem or snp alternatives. so this is the lee anderson issue is a, well, really a side issue to the big threat facing the speaker at the moment. >> this is something you don't normally hear from a politician that we heard from lee anderson saying, if you are wrong, apologise is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength

. think you are . but when you think you are right, never right, you should never apologise, to do so apologise, because to do so would of weakness. we would be a sign of weakness. we do the time see empty do a lot of the time see empty apology from our politicians for apology from our politicians for a lot of a lot of people in this country probably will welcome the fact that actually, he said what means means what he says i >> -- >> yeah , if you go on my on my >> yeah, if you go on my on my social media timelines, um , social media timelines, um, which of course is not representative of the entire country, but many people are saying that lee, lee anderson, if he thinks he's right, don't apologise. what people do hate if he thinks he's right, don't apthisiise. what people do hate if he thinks he's right, don't apthis kind vhat people do hate if he thinks he's right, don't apthis kind ofat people do hate if he thinks he's right, don't apthis kind of i'maople do hate if he thinks he's right, don't apthis kind of i'm sorry do hate if he thinks he's right, don't apthis kind of i'm sorry you'ree is this kind of i'm sorry you're upset apology. people hate that kind of language. they want to high say thing or high people to say one thing or the other . high people to say one thing or the other. um, high people to say one thing or the other . um, lee anderson high people to say one thing or the other. um, lee anderson is known straight talking, known for his straight talking, and he's not doing anything less than why would it be >> but, chris, why would it be so hard for him to say , i'm so hard for him to say, i'm sorry, siddiq, i didn't mean you were by islamists. were controlled by islamists. i meant that you're a weak man, a weak mayor who is not standing up to islamists in the way that the mayor of london should. that would a very easy statement would be a very easy statement to which would say , i

to make, which would both say, i messed on the language there. messed up on the language there. and talking about a muslim mayor as if he's controlled by islamists is wrong to say, but you can very easily call the mayor weak . mayor of london weak. >> yeah, i mean, he says in his statement, didn't he, tom? my words may have been clumsy, but my words are borne out of a sheer frustration at what's happening to our beautiful capital city. and then he made the point. we've got to get khan out the elections in may. and out at the elections in may. and that context these that is the context of all these remarks. khan is seeking remarks. sadiq khan is seeking an unprecedented third tum as london mayor in the mayoral elections. he's running, being run close by susan hall, run quite close by susan hall, who was the tory candidate. now she's quite a weak candidate, but the way that the new system is in london now, it's a first past the post system. so it might be very, very tight. i think both candidates admit that. and this, this kind of remarks before the remarks were made before the 2016. um, uh , london mayoral 2016. um, uh, london mayoral elections, the first time that sadiq khan by both david cameron in the house of commons and zac goldsmith, article in the

goldsmith, in an article in the daily mail, made remarks about claims about sadiq khan showing platforms in the past with extremists those at that extremists and those at that point. sadiq khan, sorry, zac goldsmith and david cameron, they didn't lose any, any party whips and certainly friends of, um, anderson are telling me um, mr anderson are telling me that there's a double standard here, that it's okay for posh boys to say it , for example, in boys to say it, for example, in the past, but when a working class lad who says he's a tory, he's a tory, says it, he loses the whip. how is that fair? >> guess he didn't >> yes, i guess he didn't substantiate it with any solid examples . but thank you very examples. but thank you very much indeed, christopher hope, our political there our political editor. there i mean, that's a very good point. david cameron has made links with sadiq khan to extremists before. goldsmith did too . before. zac goldsmith did too. and were they chastised at the time, zac goldsmith was. i remember sadiq khan met some remember sadiq khan has met some of these fruity groups in the past , but of these fruity groups in the past, but that of these fruity groups in the past , but that doesn't, of past, but that doesn't, of course, mean that agrees with course, mean that he agrees with groups meets with. course, mean that he agrees with gro but meets with. course, mean that he agrees with gro but perhaps neets with. course, mean that he agrees with gro but perhaps the :s with. course, mean that he agrees with gro but perhaps the fault1. course, mean that he agrees with gro but perhaps the fault of lee >> but perhaps the fault of lee anderson there is clumsy wording not backing it up, as you say, with evidence . i mean, i come

with evidence. i mean, i come back to this point, would it really hard to say, look, really be so hard to say, look, i'm sorry, i didn't mean you were controlled by islamists. i just you're weak just mean that you're a weak mayor up in mayor who isn't standing up in the way that one should. >> well, interesting . let us >> well, interesting. let us know what you think. vaiews@gbnews.com. but the church of england has told its parishes to do more to tackle racial injustice , to draw up racial injustice, to draw up some kind of plan . i heard we'll some kind of plan. i heard we'll be digging into this later. we'll be discussing whether race or faith should be the church's priority . or can they do both? priority. or can they do both? >> yes, because they said they said the priority should be, uh, standing for this new racial standing up for this new racial policy rather than , i don't policy rather than, i don't know, praying or sort of religion or the godly things. no, it's all about race relations. apparently but, um, well, there you go. all of that to come. you're watching good

radio. >> well, joining us now with the

latest is our political editor, christopher hope, who has some breaking news for us. christopher . christopher. >> now from sadiq khan , he's >> now from sadiq khan, he's written in the london evening standard newspaper. um tom and emily. and a statement here from um sadiq khan in an article in the london evening standard in response, really, to the row over the past two days from caused by the lanson comments about this idea of this islamist takeover of the mayoralty. he says here that more than two days on from the adelson's vile racist anti muslim and islamophobic remarks , we have islamophobic remarks, we have yet to hear the prime minister call it for what it is islamophobia , sick, anti—muslim, islamophobia, sick, anti—muslim, hate and racist racist remarks . hate and racist racist remarks. rishi sunak released a statement yesterday on um on hatred in politics, but failed to mention azeem anti—muslim statement at all. then his deputy, oliver dowden, who of course, was on gb news as well, yesterday repeatedly refused to accept that anderson's remarks were racist, anti—muslim or

islamophobic. this speaks volumes. he goes on. it shouldn't be hard to call out comments that are so unambiguously ignorant, prejudiced and racist . unambiguously ignorant, prejudiced and racist. but unambiguously ignorant, prejudiced and racist . but yet prejudiced and racist. but yet those at the top of the tory party are stubbornly refusing to do so. there's a tacit endorsement of anti—muslim hatred , and can only lead to the hatred, and can only lead to the conclusion that anti—muslim bigotry and racism are not taken seriously. just finally, racism is racism. is racism and should always be called out. what ever minority it is targeted against it. there can be no hierarchy now. it's a much longer statement on the standard website and in the newspaper today. website and in the newspaper today . but that's the feeling. today. but that's the feeling. i think you've got to hear the london mayor trying to it london mayor trying to make it an rishi sunak an issue about rishi sunak control, his authority and what he would say. that's that's, um, mr khan, that there's an issue of islamophobia in the tory party. that, of course, is denied by the party. that's an excoriating statement , chris, excoriating statement, chris, and i suppose it puts , uh, it and i suppose it puts, uh, it puts in plain sight the position of rishi sunak almost standing

in the middle here. >> he's got all the kit back from the right for suspending lee anderson, but because he won't say what the comments were, racist , he'll only say were, racist, he'll only say that were wrong. he's that they were wrong. he's getting kickback from , um, getting the kickback from, um, sadiq khan and the labour party as well. it's almost as if he's standing in the middle of the road being hit by traffic road and being hit by traffic from sides . is from both sides. is >> that's right. he's on a very delicate ledge , isn't he, tom? delicate ledge, isn't he, tom? so in the in the lobby briefing that we journalists get from the government when we can ask them anything, we like this the, the spokesman told this to reporters . the pm has been clear that we don't tolerate any anti—muslim hatred in any form and will combat that and any sort of discrimination of that kind , as discrimination of that kind, as we do in any racism, prejudice and intolerance wherever it occurs. but they won't say whether he answers. comments were islamophobic. so they're saying in general we're against it, but they won't comment on the anderson's comments and that is a very narrow ledge to stand on for the tory party and rishi sunak lunchtime .

sunak this lunchtime. >> it's difficult for the >> um, it's difficult for the conservative leadership to know what . so rishi sunak has what to do. so rishi sunak has given this statement. they shouldn't be. >> i mean, you sorry. >> go on. will you say that, emily, i don't think. >> i don't think it should be that if you if you that difficult if you if you have taken the whip away from the anderson, you don't like his comments, them comments, then why not call them out they are? if that's out for what they are? if that's what you see, they are instead, what you see, they are instead, what happen what appears to happen is they've anderson, what appears to happen is they've willing anderson, what appears to happen is they've willing to anderson, what appears to happen is they've willing to go anderson, what appears to happen is they've willing to go any derson, but not willing to go any further and criticise him. maybe because they're concerned that many on the tory right, many redwallers don't see problem redwallers don't see a problem with the anderson said with what the anderson said in the so go after the first place. so to go after the first place. so to go after the further would the anderson any further would inflame the party the anderson any further would infleperhaps the party the anderson any further would infleperhaps they the party the anderson any further would infleperhaps they want party the anderson any further would infleperhaps they want him y the anderson any further would infleperhaps they want him back and perhaps they want him back that their suspension is a is a couple of months in the sin bin before he's brought back to in stand again as a conservative at the next election. >> i suppose they're leaving that wide open . but for that option wide open. but for now, christopher hope, thank you so that so much for bringing us that statement from sadiq khan following from following the statement from richard . following richard tice. following the statement lee anderson. statement from lee anderson. it's been a show of statements

so today, but the news is so far today, but the news is moving well. >> which was >> tell us which was your favourite statement of the favourite statement out of the above? lee anderson, sadiq khan or richard tice ? there you go. or richard tice? there you go. we'll have more reaction after this very short break. you're watching and listening to good afternoon britain on gb news. we are britain's election . channel are britain's election. channel >> a brighter outlook with box sponsors of weather on . gb news. sponsors of weather on. gb news. hello. good afternoon. welcome to your latest gb news weather update with me, annie, from the met office. it should be staying dry many areas through the dry for many areas through the rest of day, with some late rest of the day, with some late sunshine it sunshine to come. however it will cold tonight . will be a cold night tonight. that's pressure is that's as high pressure is building from the south and building in from the south and west, that will things west, so that will settle things down the of the down through the rest of the night. however, north and night. however, in the north and west to see some west we'll start to see some thicker cloud and rain arrive by tomorrow winds tomorrow morning. so the winds should ease tonight, allowing for to dip down for temperatures to dip down quite early on, and we should see some mist and fog developing

mainly across central and southeastern areas. could mainly across central and sotquite tern areas. could mainly across central and sotquite slowareas. could mainly across central and sotquite slow to as. could mainly across central and sotquite slow to clear could mainly across central and sotquite slow to clear tomorrow be quite slow to clear tomorrow morning, but away from any mist and fog it will turn frosty, particularly for inland areas of wales , england, northern england wales, england, northern england as well . further north west, as well. further north and west, though, see some wet though, we'll see some wet weather tomorrow weather arrive by tomorrow morning . quite blustery morning. quite a blustery band of rain will push through around rush north western rush hour for north western areas of scotland and into northern that could northern ireland, two that could bnng northern ireland, two that could bring snow to the high bring some snow to the high ground of scotland and that ground of scotland and then that rain push parts of rain will push into parts of northern parts of northern england and parts of wales, wet wales, as well, to bring a wet afternoon for these areas further south and though further south and east. though it should stay dry, but it will be cloudier than be a much cloudier day than today, temperatures around today, and temperatures around average for the time of year 7 or 8 degrees through wednesday , or 8 degrees through wednesday, we'll see another, probably misty murky start the misty and murky start to the day before see the next batch of before we see the next batch of rain arrive from the west , but rain arrive from the west, but this time this will pick up the temperatures so it will turn milder course milder through the course of wednesday thursday , wednesday and into thursday, with further rain arriving into parts north and west. it parts of the north and west. it looks a little bit colder to end the week again, though. see you later. that warm feeling inside

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gb news. >> good afternoon britain. it is coming up to 1:00 on monday. the 26th of february. well uh, what is we saying? >> a war of words in the tory islamophobe zero sadiq khan has hit out at lee anderson, saying he's poured petrol on the fires of hatred. it followed lee anderson's statement attacking the london mayor's record. >> we're going live now to >> and we're going live now to pictures of farmers protests in both madrid and brussels. chaos has erupted in both these european capitals as farmers breach police cordons and storm the city centres in protest of eu anti—farming policy as they see it, a massive march there in

madrid , but also more chaotic madrid, but also more chaotic scenes in brussels with smoke billowing out and police cordons being breached . firecrackers on being breached. firecrackers on the road and the use of water cannon. two this is a pretty extraordinary scene that will be covering in greater depth later in the programme. >> yes, indeed , and generation >> yes, indeed, and generation sick notes people in their 20s are more likely to be out of work due to ill health than those in their 40s. a study finds. young people claim a mental disorder more than any other age group. why could that . be well, as we were just seeing , well, as we were just seeing, things are absolutely kicking off in both madrid and brussels. the farmer protests there. here we go. as you can see, people are protests marching through the centre of madrid on your

left hand side. and then on the right it's brussels billowing smoke. you can see tractors in the background, police having to cordon off streets . cordon off streets. >> yes. whilst the spanish farmer protests looks more order free for the moment it's the belgian protest at the heart of the eu, the capital of the eu, that seems to have turned a little bit violent. this afternoon. as we've been mentioning , these police cordons mentioning, these police cordons in some areas have been breached. the city centre in many parts has had to be evacuated and clearly there has been a lot of disruption there. we'll be coming back to this throughout the programme , but we throughout the programme, but we want to know what you have to say, uh, about these farmer protests and crucially, could they be coming to britain? >> well, yes, that remind ourselves this is against, uh, some of the eu environmental laws and of course, cheap imports that they say are undercutting their livelihoods. so let us know what you make of it all. gb views gb news. com could we such things on the

could we see such things on the streets of the united kingdom ? streets of the united kingdom? but first the headlines . thanks emily. >> it's 1:02. emily. >> it's1:02. i'm sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom. your top story this hour. sadiq khan says comments made by lee anderson on gb news were vile, racist , gb news were vile, racist, anti—muslim and islamophobic. in anti—muslim and islamophobic. in an editorial published in the evening standard in the last 30 minutes, the mayor of london also criticised the prime minister for failing to mention anti—muslim sentiment when he condemned mr anderson's comments. the former tory deputy chairman released a statement this morning aimed at clarifying remarks he made on this network when he suggested that islamists had got control of the mayor of london. admitting his words were clumsy. he said that they were intended highlight what he intended to highlight what he believes is mr khan's failure to tackle pro—palestine protests. the prime minister said this morning that the comments were unacceptable and wrong . the

unacceptable and wrong. the prime minister says new investment in transport for the nonh investment in transport for the north of england and the midlands is levelling up in action. it's after the government outlined plans for the reallocation of funds following the cancellation of hs2's northern leg. it will be up to local councils to allocate the funds . the mayor of greater the funds. the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham , manchester, andy burnham, dismissed the plan, though, saying that the money had already been promised ten years ago. transport secretary ago. but transport secretary mark harper says the government is empowering communities. is empowering local communities. >> 2.5 billion for the north, 2.2 billion for the midlands. that money is going to local councils. it's for them to spend on the local priorities that they set, that they think are important to their local communities , and they'll reach communities, and they'll reach those conclusions by consulting those conclusions by consulting those communities, but also talking very importantly to their members of parliament about what those important local transport priorities are. the whole point is, it's not for ministers to set those priorities. it's for councils to set them. we think those decisions are better made closer

to the people that are going to benefit them . benefit from them. >> the transport secretary , mark >> the transport secretary, mark harper, speaking now , the harper, speaking there now, the housing regulator warns that significant intervention is required after persistent shortfalls in the number of new homes being built. the competition and markets authority says complex and unpredictable planning rules across the uk are partly to blame for new home targets being missed. it's also raising concerns over the quality of new build housing, with developers often focusing on price rather than the needs of particular areas. and there'll be an investigation after evidence was found, suggests that eight house builders may be sharing commercially sensitive information . meanwhile, sir keir information. meanwhile, sir keir starmer says his party will deliver what he called a future built in britain by britain . if built in britain by britain. if labour wins the next election. he's expected to unveil a plan to run a so—called patriotic economy, which he says would include boosting home ownership and establishing the next generation of new towns . as generation of new towns. as housing minister lee rowley

described the plan as empty, but chair of the labour party anneliese dodds told gb news she says it's the change britain's economy needs kind of expectations that people in our country used to have , you know, country used to have, you know, that their kids would be better off than they were, that they'd have at least a slightly better quality of life. >> you know, all of those dreams are just completely out of reach for very many people in our country. and keir starmer is absolutely determined to change that for the future . getting that for the future. getting britain building actually making sure we have those good jobs up and down the country, reforming the planning system, the many changes that he is setting out today would make that big difference to british people . difference to british people. >> in other news, there are angry scenes on the streets of brussels this morning as farmers set fire to piles of tires. riot police were seen firing water cannons as more than 100 tractors parked around eu buildings as ministers arrived for meetings. buildings as ministers arrived for meetings . they're buildings as ministers arrived for meetings. they're demanding action from the european union

amid growing fury over free trade agreements. they say it's led to cheap supermarket prices , led to cheap supermarket prices, which they're blaming for damaging european farming. it's the latest in a series of similar protests across the bloc, with the eu already moving to weaken some of its green policy laws and young people are more likely to be off work due to ill health than those in their 40s. that's according to a new report. the resolute foundation says it's radically different from the past when work absences tended to increase with age. it cited a rise in mental health struggles among young people as a possible factor , with 34% of young people factor, with 34% of young people aged 18 to 24 reporting struggles in 2022. and that's compared to just 24% in the year 2000 and for the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to gb news. common alerts . now

screen or go to gb news. common alerts. now it's screen or go to gb news. common alerts . now it's back to tom screen or go to gb news. common alerts. now it's back to tom and . emily >> good afternoon britain. it's 1:07, and the islamophobic row over lee anderson's comments about sadiq khan being controlled by islamists has intensified . lee anderson hit intensified. lee anderson hit back this morning, sticking up by his comments and attacking the london mayor's record. but in the past half hour, we've heard from sadiq khan himself . heard from sadiq khan himself. he's issued a statement accusing lee anderson of fuelling the fires of hatred. >> yes, he's now calling on the prime minister, rishi sunak , to prime minister, rishi sunak, to condemn what he says are racist and islamophobic remarks , adding and islamophobic remarks, adding that the conservative government are not taking anti—muslim bigotry and racism seriously. well joining us now with the very latest is our political edhon very latest is our political editor, christopher hope to run through what has happened today. >> because, chris, there's been a lot really we've heard a statement, a new statement from lee, but also from the mayor.

now to. >> yeah, i've got these , um, >> yeah, i've got these, um, statements here. it's the morning of statements for you, tom and emily. um, afternoon again. that's right. we heard from lee anderson. so let's just rewind slightly what happened rewind slightly to what happened over weekend. on friday over the weekend. on friday night. lee anderson made some comments, admits were comments, which he admits were clumsy claiming was clumsy, claiming that there was an islamist takeover of of an islamist takeover of the of the mayoralty of the way that the mayoralty of the way that the and he's reflecting on the course the policing as he saw it on wednesday when people were protesting was um shining words onto parliament, which were anti—israel and would have deeply offensive to jewish people from the river to the sea, the idea of destruction of the jewish state. he was reacting to that on friday. the following day, saturday, he lost the because refused the whip because he refused to apologise . he had a statement apologise. he had a statement written and was sent to cchq q but wasn't issued because it but it wasn't issued because it didn't for the didn't go far enough for the tory he then released that tory party he then released that statement to gb news this morning. we've been reporting on it all he says. here it's it all day, he says. here it's on our website in full, but in in says he made some

in summary, he says he made some comments yesterday that people thought were divisive, but politics is divisive and divisive , and he's frustrated by divisive, and he's frustrated by the way sadiq khan is running london. the context, of course, here is a mayoral elections coming in about 2 or 3 months time, so he may he's issued this statement refusing to apologise . statement refusing to apologise. and that's prompted, um , more and that's prompted, um, more anger here from um sadiq khan had written in the standard this lunchtime in london, the london london newspaper , putting it london newspaper, putting it back on rishi sunak for not being going, being tougher on what says is islamophobic what he says is islamophobic remarks. and this idea of islamophobia in the tory party so it really is carrying on. and this and also beyond all that , this and also beyond all that, we've still got questions about the speaker of the house of commons more mps might sign a vote of no confidence in his behaviour week during that behaviour last week during that debate on gaza. so it is all debate on on gaza. so it is all kicking off in westminster today. >> well, thank you very much indeed, christopher. hope for running through that. we'll running us through that. we'll be with actually be back with chris actually later on in show. he'll later on in the show. he'll bnng later on in the show. he'll bring any updates as and when

bring us any updates as and when we get but joining us now we get them, but joining us now in is the labour in the studio is the labour member of parliament for leeds nonh member of parliament for leeds north shadow north east and former shadow minister fabian hamilton. >> fabian, thank you so much for joining us here in the studio. um, first of all, your reaction , um, first of all, your reaction, ian, to what has taken place over the weekend because some people are calling it an almost mirror image of what happened within your party the previous weekend . weekend. >> i wouldn't go that far. >> i wouldn't go that far. >> in fact, i think that's a gross exaggeration . ian. i think gross exaggeration. ian. i think there is no place in our society, in our polity for hatred. by all means, criticise the record of the mayor. if you don't like some of the things he's done. but where is the evidence this supposed evidence for this supposed islamophobic this islamic islamophobic story? this islamic plot by extremists? there is no evidence. it's simply lee anderson's opinion. and he's entirely wrong . if we're going entirely wrong. if we're going to argue, let's argue on political grounds. let's try and defeat the candidates we don't like and vote for the ones we do. don't start shouting do. but don't start shouting names and conspiracy theories that really doesn't help any of us. frankly

>> well, this of course, his comments were in the context of continuous protests on the streets of london that he clearly believes haven't been policed properly . and he clearly policed properly. and he clearly believes that the mayor of london hasn't taken a tough enough stance on. would you concede on that? no i wouldn't, i there is a place in our i think there is a place in our society for legitimate demonstrations . demonstrations. >> there is no place for hatred. and where we've had the slogans and the anti semitic chants that rightly should be dealt with by the police. >> wasn't, though. well, >> it wasn't, though. well, we had projection ben had the projection on big ben and wasn't dealt with by and it wasn't dealt with by nobody where comes nobody knows where that comes from. palestine solidarity >> the palestine solidarity campaign all knowledge of campaign denied all knowledge of that. we don't know it that. we don't know where it came from. but does that mean there's an islamist conspiracy going on? no, isn't. the going on? no, there isn't. the freedom to demonstrate, even if i don't agree with the demonstrators, fundamental demonstrators, is a fundamental right in our democracy. and to say because like say that because i don't like what they're demonstrating on that some kind of that means there's some kind of plot just not plot. i'm sorry. that's just not acceptable . acceptable. >> no, i think i think you raised some good points >> no, i think i think you raisecabout�* good points >> no, i think i think you raisecabout the good points >> no, i think i think you raisec about the gocthat ints there about the idea that there's sort islamist

there's some sort of islamist control of any politician in that, that , that that goes far that, that, that that goes far into the realm of conspiracy. but there were questions raised about , about but there were questions raised about, about and perhaps it was clumsy language, but is there is there a point here to the idea that what lee anderson was saying is that there are members of parliament and indeed elected officials who feel perhaps intimidated by some of the protests that we've seen. we saw the speaker of the house of commons changed the standing orders, or the way that they work order sort of appease work in order to sort of appease perhaps protests . perhaps some of those protests. >> look, no elected representative and no member of the public should ever be intimidated right to intimidated by the right to protest. those protesters protest. and if those protesters are far, we the are going too far, we need the legislation. if it's not available, is to deal available, i think it is to deal with those extreme is. but with with those extreme is. but this is a fraction of the people who come out on the streets in a heartfelt way to demonstrate for anidea heartfelt way to demonstrate for an idea whose policies and arguments that they want to put forward, and everybody should have that right. and if lee

anderson is not happy with that and not happy with what the mayor doing, he should stand mayor is doing, he should stand for and and for mayor himself and try and get necessary to win get the votes necessary to win and himself , get the votes necessary to win and himself, and not and change it himself, and not just stand on the sidelines and spout but a lot of spout hatred, sure, but a lot of people are very worried about islamism and extremism on our streets. >> and terrorism and such things. there was a debate being started about these matters relating to mps safety, but also the threat in general, and because of lee anderson's comments, perhaps that seems to have been pushed to one side. and now the conversation is solely on lee anderson and islamophobes here in the conservative party, when many people, and i'm sure many of your constituents are your constituents too, are deeply about the threat deeply worried about the threat of extremism on our streets, people are worried it's not just islamism, it's far right conspiracy theorists as well. >> it's anybody who peddles hatred . you know, we have hatred. you know, we have a country with with 2 million muslims who are peace loving people in this country. we have three about 300,000 jewish people, some of whom do feel

intimidated. i represent both communities in my constituency . communities in my constituency. i'm very fortunate. but let's live in peace together. let's accept one another. that's what this country is all about. it's not about the extremes. it's not about shouting, abuse and, and trying to garner hatred. it's about saying we can live together in peace . and if people together in peace. and if people step outside those margins, we have the legislation to deal with it. and if we don't, we need to have that legislation. parliament can do that. but no mp, no representing no. >> do you believe that it's adequately being dealt with? because look m15's because if you look at m15's caseload, for example, it is awash cases of islamist awash with cases of islamist extremists and the terror threat there is very real. yes, there is also a threat from the far right too, but it's much less so. it's much less of the caseload. so what can we do better? what would a labour government combat government do better to combat extremism ? extremism? >> not a spokesperson >> well, i'm not a spokesperson for whoever's on the front bench deaung for whoever's on the front bench dealing with security issues. i think stan jarvis, my colleague who's absolutely excellent . and who's absolutely excellent. and i'm we'll come up with some i'm sure we'll come up with some

very policies. very good policies. but logically, it seems me we logically, it seems to me we need parliament needs to need to give parliament needs to give legislation necessary give the legislation necessary and to the and the resources to the security agencies . we have to security agencies. we have to have the personnel . we have to have the personnel. we have to have the personnel. we have to have the personnel. we have to have the intelligence, both the electronic intelligence and the people on the ground . we need to people on the ground. we need to ensure that children in schools aren't persuaded that these ideologies are acceptable , all ideologies are acceptable, all in modern british society . in modern british society. they're simply not. and the vast majority of our citizens would not agree with any of those extremes. whether islamist or whether there are far right conspiracy theories to zoom back to lee anderson's comments for a second, he, the mayor of london today has said that saying that sadiq khan is controlled by islamists is racist, is islamophobic, lee anderson also said that keir starmer was controlled by islamists in the same sort of list. >> is that racist ? yes. same sort of list. >> is that racist? yes. is that racist? is that islamophobic? >> well, it's islamophobic , i >> well, it's islamophobic, i mean, obviously keir starmer why it's islamophobic to say that keir starmer is well controlled

by islamists. >> i come from a jewish background , and when people say background, and when people say to me it's jewish conspiracy, to me it's a jewish conspiracy, as they in the past, that as they have in the past, that the jews control all the finances this country and finances in this country and throughout or the throughout the world, or the media it whatever media or whatever it whatever people to suggest they people want to suggest they control, utter nonsense. control, it's utter nonsense. and of course, there are muslims in positions of authority as there should be. and there are jews too. does that mean they control it? that some kind control it? that it's some kind of conspiratorial aim to take over society? does not. and i over society? it does not. and i think it deeper , deeply think it is deeper, deeply unpledged comte and destructive to the harmony of our society. for people, especially elected members , to go around saying members, to go around saying actually , these islamists actually, these islamists control all of you lot when they said it about the jews, it was anti—semitic. >> but language is important and there is a difference between islamists and muslims. >> yes, of course , it's very >> yes, of course, it's very important to highlight and i think with some of this conversation, people have been using those two words interchangeably, which absolutely not be happening. >> as i should say, they do with

zionism and jews. you know, i mean, most jewish people are believe the state of israel. believe in the state of israel. some do not. does mean that some do not. does that mean that all israelis are zionists? all jews zionists and all jews are zionists and all zionists are jews? it does not. there are many in this there are many people in this society believe in the state society who believe in the state of israel who not. of israel who are not. >> although although that >> although although given that 90 jewish people 90 plus percent of jewish people believe in the state israel 90 plus percent of jewish people beliythein the state israel 90 plus percent of jewish people beliythe in thetotate israel 90 plus percent of jewish people beliythein theto exist, israel 90 plus percent of jewish people beliythein theto exist, perhaps and the right to exist, perhaps it's a little different and it's a little bit different and can't compare zionism with can't quite compare zionism with islamism islamism tiny islamism. islamism is a tiny proportion muslims, and it's proportion of muslims, and it's almost it comes almost the reverse when it comes to and i'm afraid to zionists and jews. i'm afraid we of time. but we have run out of time. but fabian really fabian hamilton really, really do and do appreciate you coming in and talking through these thorny issues important issues with us. very important conversations have. conversations to have. >> but on, >> yes, indeed. but moving on, the church of england has told its parishes draw up race its parishes to draw up a race action to address issues of action plan to address issues of racial injustice . racial injustice. >> the general synod passed the motion last night after it was filed by its first black female bishop , hudson—wilkin . it bishop, rose hudson—wilkin. it also calls for a better data collection to monitor diversity levels across parishes. >> well , let's speak to levels across parishes. >> well, let's speak to khadija khan, who's a journalist and member of advisory council at

the organisation. don't divide us. khadija, thank you very much for joining us. what's your forjoining us. what's your reaction to this ? so race action reaction to this? so race action plan for parishes under the church of england . church of england. >> thank you so much for having me. >> um , they are embracing a woke >> um, they are embracing a woke ideology under the guise of race, action plan. and regardless of the literal meaning of walk, woke is a cultish ideology in all its manifestation . and we see that manifestation. and we see that people who are very much, you know , they are. they claim to be know, they are. they claim to be tortured bearer of this ideology. they are very much absolutists . they are very much absolutists. they are very much cultish in their attitudes and just imagine for a moment if this sort of ideology comes from a place of religion , it's an a place of religion, it's an open secret that people , people open secret that people, people follow religion, not for all reasonable reasons. follow religion, not for all reasonable reasons . they follow reasonable reasons. they follow religion because they want to follow. they follow it by heart. and when this kind of cultish

attitude or ideology comes from attitude or ideology comes from a place of religion , it should a place of religion, it should be worrisome for everyone . be worrisome for everyone. >> what if the church would say that this is just about reaching out to more communities , that out to more communities, that they want more people to join their flock? why shouldn't they have an action plan to try and perhaps recruit more converts ? perhaps recruit more converts? >> there should be no problem if people want to, um, introduce or explore more programs or networks to socialise. there should be no problem about that. but when they do it under the guise of, um, you know, being woke, uh, in the current context, then of course there is a problem and it is very typical for the church of england to use a religious, uh, language to, to attract people when they call it the being woke has been declared a, a sin . uh, in the current a, a sin. uh, in the current context , by the left, it's

context, by the left, it's ironic that, uh, left is the first victim of this more cultish ideology. and now we see that they are attracting people, uh, in the name of, uh, embracing something that is , uh, embracing something that is, uh, like standing against racial injustice in the society . but injustice in the society. but the semantics are being used in this whole situations are very much divisive , in my opinion, much divisive, in my opinion, because , uh, if you look at the because, uh, if you look at the plan they are addressing mainly to the ethnic minorities , the to the ethnic minorities, the mainstream society has been, uh, you know, isolate in this, uh, you know, isolate in this, uh, you can say, struggle to, to eliminate racial injustice . so eliminate racial injustice. so in my opinion, you cannot resolve issues related to race or , or any other thing in the or, or any other thing in the society or any other issue that we are facing at the moment. uh, when you isolate ethnic minorities from the mainstream society, you believe they should have had a much broader sort of,

uh, call to society as a whole. >> khadijah khan, i'm afraid that's all we've got time for. but thank you so much for talking to us here on good afternoon, britain. appreciate afternoon, britain. i appreciate your you very much indeed. >> thank you very much indeed. now heard the word now we've heard the word islamophobia the islamophobia many times over the past the past few days. indeed, over the past, hour or so on past, uh, what hour or so on this show. but after the break, we'll be debating whether it's time ditch the terms in time to ditch the terms in favour anti—muslim hatred. favour of anti—muslim hatred. you're good afternoon. you're watching. good afternoon. britain on

>> you're listening to give news . radio. >> good afternoon britain. it's 1:25. and the equalities minister kemi badenoch has claimed that labour would risk creating a blasphemy law with its definition of islamophobia . its definition of islamophobia. >> she said it's best to use the terms anti—muslim hatred to protect both religious freedom and the freedom to criticise religion. well >> this comes as labour's shadow equalities secretary, anneliese dodds, attacked the tories for

failing to call out islamophobia. in her words, in light of lee anderson's suspension from the party. >> well, joining us now is human rights and lgbt campaigner peter tatchell, who opposes terms tatchell, who opposes the terms islamophobia and human rights campaigner ayesha ali khan , who campaigner ayesha ali khan, who thinks the terms should not be dropped . um, peter, shall we dropped. um, peter, shall we start with you ? peter? why? start with you? peter? why? where are your concerns about the terms islam phobia? do you believe it needs to be replaced by something else? what's your view ? view? >> well, my starting point is that we must protect muslim people against prejudice, discrimination and hate crime. >> we must protect people. >> we must protect people. >> but islam is an idea. and like all ideas, it should be open to criticism. >> so strictly meaning islamophobia means fear of islam. >> now , if you're a gay person >> now, if you're a gay person or a woman , there are some or a woman, there are some aspects of islam or some interpretations of islam which rightly make you fearful . if you

rightly make you fearful. if you live in an islamic majority country, most of them are dictatorships with appalling human rights records. so i want to say, let's use the terms anti—muslim prejudice to focus on protecting muslim people, not protecting the idea of islam, because cause, like all ideas, it should be open to scrutiny and criticism . and criticism. >> aisha. that's a fair point , >> aisha. that's a fair point, isn't it? the word islamophobia could be a critical, could be criminalising to some extent people who are critical of islam . i don't agree with what peter has just said. >> uh, for me, as a practising muslim , it's not just an muslim, it's not just an ideology , it's actually my ideology, it's actually my religion. it's my way of life. and i think that the fact that we've got definition that's been adopted by the labour party, the lib dems , um, and many of the lib dems, um, and many of the people , by the way, um, it people, by the way, um, it protects us, uh, from hatred from acts of hatred that are targeted towards us simply because we are muslim . and i'll

because we are muslim. and i'll give you an example right now , give you an example right now, uh, recently we had , um, an uh, recently we had, um, an example of a pig's head thrown into a home of a muslim person. in the past, we've had, um, similar acts where we've had bacon left in the mosque, in a mosque. we've had , um, people mosque. we've had, um, people playing loud music when it's times of prayer. playing loud music when it's times of prayer . these are these times of prayer. these are these these are just examples. obviously, these acts are, um, designed to harass, intimidate, cause harm , um, to muslims. uh, cause harm, um, to muslims. uh, they might not necessarily be something that offends, um, say , something that offends, um, say, non—muslims, but it's definitely something that would that muslims would find offensive. so i definitely think that we need to keep the terme. it's something that we've spent many years, um, campaigning on. um, we had a report that was published in 2019 which set out criteria, and it was adopted by the labour party. it was adopted by the lib dems. as i've said , by the lib dems. as i've said, uh, because it set out ways that muslims would feel intimidated

and harassed , but also, um , and harassed, but also, um, identifying that that, um, as muslims living in the, in the uk , we are, uh, visible we, you know, we so what what peter's point though. >> sorry. sorry to interrupt. aisha. what sir peter's point that there might be some people in the united kingdom who are genuinely of islam. genuinely fearful of islam. there might be some refugees in the united kingdom who've fled muslim majority countries because they'd be persecuted there for their sexuality . no absolutely. >> and as as a human rights campaigner and a women's rights campaigner, i've always stood up for people, for people who've been oppressed. um, i've even people obviously, uh , uh, people obviously, uh, uh, oppressed and targeted by islamists and so on. but i do feel that this these are tiny minority as as, um , fabian minority as as, um, fabian hamilton, the mp has had on said the actions and behaviours and beliefs of a tiny minority should not be used to target

everybody . um, should not be used to target everybody. um, as you can should not be used to target everybody . um, as you can see, should not be used to target everybody. um, as you can see, i don't wear a headscarf, but i will, and i have campaigned and argued for everybody to have the right to wear and dress as they want to, regardless of your religious backgrounds. this is just example of living in a just an example of living in a tolerant society . and there are tolerant society. and there are many other people like me. but sadly, we are constantly tarnished because of the actions of a minority of people. and where then we are then left to apologise or to say not in our name and so on. and it's really unfair, uh, by the way. but coming back to the, to this, this issue , i just come back in this issue, i just come back in a minute. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> let's, let's peter to come in. >> yeah. yeah. i mean in.— >> yeah. yeah. i mean , in. >> yeah. yeah. i mean , the >> yeah. yeah. i mean, the examples that aisha has given are all examples of attacks and threats against muslim people, against people not against an idea, against people . idea, against people. >> and i oppose that. and i stand with the muslim community against that prejudice, hatred and hostility . see, that is and hostility. see, that is absolutely wrong . but i think absolutely wrong. but i think what, as i said, what's wrong

with the turm? islamophobia is it focuses on the idea , the of it focuses on the idea, the of islam , not on muslim people . and islam, not on muslim people. and we need to protect muslim people . well, not to protect any particular idea. and i say that in including my own ideas, my ideas should be open to scrutiny and criticism . i don't want and criticism. i don't want special protection . i want special protection. i want everybody to have the right to free speech. and of course , when free speech. and of course, when it comes to oppression of muslim people, in some cases , because people, in some cases, because muslims are oppressed by other muslims. so i know liberal, progressive muslims who don't share all the aspects of islamic teaching. um, some are ex—muslim . they have suffered terrible persecution from other muslims, but it's not about the idea per se . it's about them as people . i se. it's about them as people. i say focus on muslim people . say focus on muslim people. protect them, don't protect an idea rather than the religion . idea rather than the religion. >> um, aisha, would you see it as islamophobia if someone criticised the contents of the quran or criticised the prophet

or some of the beliefs that are in the, um, islamic faith? would you consider that islamophobe ? you consider that islamophobe? yeah. no i wouldn't actually. >> i think it's important that everybody is allowed to challenge things that they don't understand or they don't agree with. um, and i also believe that as muslims, we should be able to , to, um, stand up to you able to, to, um, stand up to you know, those challenges and not to stand up them, but accept those challenges and be able to communicate and have an open dialogue . communicate and have an open dialogue. um, i mean, i've watched over the years i've seen what has happened, um, the terror attacks in paris, for example, the charlie hebdo, uh, um, incident. uh, i've just given you an example right there . um, i don't believe that people should be targeted, uh, for, um, for whatever religious beliefs that they believe in, but also, i think there has to be some kind of understanding, um, and acceptance and tolerance of people. and that goes both ways. so as a muslim, i, i

accept that there are people that are elements in my own religion that should be more tolerant towards lgbtq and other communities . really. communities. really. >> sorry, aisha, but we're going to have to end it there because we've come up to the break. but really great to get your view on all of this. aisha ali khan and of course, peter tatchell, human rights there rights campaigner, i wish there you go time there. >> getting into that. >> we're just getting into that. but know what? but you know what? >> to leave people >> we've got to leave people wanting more. >> we've got to leave people warabsolutely. coming up, >> absolutely. well, coming up, european farmers continue their protests crunch talks protests ahead of crunch talks will live will be looking at these live pictures, very feisty in pictures, very feisty scenes in brussels and much more brussels and madrid. much more of come after your of this to come after your headunes. of this to come after your headlines . it's 133. headlines. it's 133. >> i'm sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom. your headlines sadiq khan says comments made by lee anderson on gb news were vile , anderson on gb news were vile, racist, anti—muslim and islamophobic. in an editorial published in the evening standard this afternoon, the mayor of london also criticised the prime minister for failing

to mention anti—muslim sentiment when he condemned mr anderson's comments. the former tory deputy chairman released a statement this morning aimed at clarifying remarks he made on this network when he suggested that islamists had control of the mayor of had got control of the mayor of london. admitting his words were clumsy, he said that he was intending to highlight what he believes is mr khan's failure to tackle pro—palestine protests . tackle pro—palestine protests. the prime minister said this morning that the comments were unacceptable and wrong . new unacceptable and wrong. new investment in transport for the north of england and the midlands is levelling up in action. that's according to rishi sunak. it's after the government outlined plans for the reallocation of funds following the cancellation of hs2's northern leg. the money could be used to expand mass transit systems, refurbished rail and bus stations and repair potholes. it will be up to local councils to allocate the funds, but the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, dismissed the plan , saying the dismissed the plan, saying the money was already promised ten years ago and farmers are

descending on the streets of brussels, setting fire to tyres and blocking streets with their tractors . it's in a protest tractors. it's in a protest against cheap supermarket prices. riot police were seen firing water cannons as eu ministers arrived for meetings at the growing crisis. the farmers are demanding action from the european union on free trade agreements, which they say are blaming, which they blame are blaming, which they blame are damaging european farming . are damaging european farming. it's the latest in a series of similar protests across the bloc , with the eu already moving to weaken some of its green policies . and for the latest policies. and for the latest story , sign up to gb news alerts story, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen, or go to gbnews.com slash alerts . slash alerts. >> for a valuable legacy your family can own gold coins will always shine bright. rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report , and news financial report, and here's a quick snapshot of

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listening to gb news radio. >> good afternoon britain . it's >> good afternoon britain. it's 1:39 and these are the scenes from both madrid and brussels where farmers are pro testing in numbers. >> yes , they are indeed. it >> yes, they are indeed. it comes as eu agricultural ministers meet to discuss responses to the current crisis that the sector is facing . now. that the sector is facing. now. farmers are breaching police cordons. you've got them storming city centres. you can see on the left that is in

madrid, huge numbers of protesting farmers, a massive tractor going through the middle of the main city centre . there of the main city centre. there they're protesting eu anti—farming policy . anti—farming policy. >> well, what exactly does . this >> well, what exactly does. this all mean? why are they out there? and could we see this happening in the uk to. so let's discuss this now with andrew meredith who is the editor of farmers weekly. andrew you meredith who is the editor of far much weekly. andrew you meredith who is the editor of farmuch forekly. andrew you meredith who is the editor of farmuch for joining drew you meredith who is the editor of farmuch for joining dreyhere. you so much forjoining us here. first all, what are the first of all, what are the grievances that european farmers have? farmers have? and to british farmers feel the same way ? feel the same way? >> good afternoon. thank you for having me. the european farmers and the british farmers have similar but not identical grievances. i think over in europe we've seen the protests since the beginning of january over a multitude of issues , over a multitude of issues, effectively a collective howl . effectively a collective howl. that the process, the . business that the process, the. business of producing food, is becoming harder and they're getting less money for it. whether that's because supermarkets are

imposing harder on them or imposing harder terms on them or because regulatory burden because the regulatory burden of environmental red tape is getting higher, or getting higher and higher, or because from because the trade deals from outside the letting in outside of the eu are letting in food that it costs less to . food that it costs less to. produce. all of that is coming together . and i produce. all of that is coming together. and i think what now that the genie is out of the bottle with protest having taken place, the threshold for more protest taking place gets lower place, the threshold for more protylowerzing place gets lower place, the threshold for more protylowerzing ptime.]ets lower place, the threshold for more protylowerzing ptime. hereower place, the threshold for more protylowerzing ptime. here iner place, the threshold for more protylowerzing ptime. here in the and lower each time. here in the uk, we're predicting or we're heanng uk, we're predicting or we're hearing be hearing that there could be a protest to 15,000 welsh protest of up to 15,000 welsh farmers in cardiff. this wednesday. watch space farmers in cardiff. this weto esday. watch space farmers in cardiff. this weto whether watch space farmers in cardiff. this weto whether those h space farmers in cardiff. this weto whether those ambitious:e as to whether those ambitious projections from the organisers come pass , or whether it will come to pass, or whether it will be a much more muted affair. but farmers will be gathering outside of the senedd cardiff outside of the senedd in cardiff bay this wednesday. that's what we're hearing today. >> so could see 15,000, >> wow. so we could see 15,000, up to 15,000 welsh farmers . up to 15,000 welsh farmers. protesting to demonstrate scenes like this with their tractors, perhaps . perhaps. >> i don't know the extent to which they will seek to disrupt .

which they will seek to disrupt. in this way. i certainly wouldn't anticipate that they're going to be careering through police barricades or disrupting the peace in general. i you know, protests so far have know, the protests so far have been , very law been very peaceful, very law abiding. . they'll be abiding. i'd imagine. they'll be on foot around the parliament building there, rather than blocking the roads, by and large. but we have seen small scale tractor protests other scale tractor protests in other parts wales the last week parts of wales in the last week or days. but no indication or ten days. but no indication and appetite the and no appetite from the organisers speak to organisers that i speak to anyway, want to anyway, that they want to escalate in the that escalate things in the way that has seen in france or here has been seen in france or here in today. andrew we saw in brussels today. andrew we saw rishi prime minister rishi sunak, the prime minister join farmer join one of these welsh farmer protests last week . protests last week. >> pretty extraordinary scenes . >> pretty extraordinary scenes. why is it that welsh farmers seem to be more irate than engush seem to be more irate than english farmers ? so since english farmers? so since brexit, agricultural policy . by brexit, agricultural policy. by and large, apart from trade policy is devolved. >> so the policy kc that the welsh labour government is

formulating is different to the tory government in westminster. uh, why ? while the english uh, why? while the english government is further down the line and imposing some quite harsh cuts as they transition on to a new type of environmental policy , here english farmers can policy, here english farmers can see much more detail about what's coming down the road, and they've had longer to prepare for in it's . been a for it. in wales, it's. been a much messier affair. there's been three consultation runs now on the environmental policy that will provide money to farmers in the dip in three the future. dip in three consultation because nobody can agree on what they want to do, how much money they're willing to pay these actions. to pay for these actions. and the case projections the worst case projections in wales the in its wales are that the scheme in its current iteration , although it's current iteration, although it's not , would see not been finalised, would see money taken out of farming, projected job losses and an altogether weakened farming system in wales, and farmers are just really, really worried about the future. their livelihoods and their ability to hand on their farming businesses to the next generation.

>> and andrew, we've also seen very recently actually see, um, farmers . on their tractors farmers. on their tractors staging a slow go protest, um, by dover in . the port of dover, by dover in. the port of dover, haven't we? so we've already seen a start of these types of protests. it's in england. >> we have my analysis. farmers weekly is analysis of it. is that anger on average here in england, as i say, is much lower. but that does not mean it is non—exist that protest in dover was very much focussed around trade issues as, uh, we signed trade deals. obviously since brexit with australia and new zealand with different terms, and it will gradually become almost unfettered access , become almost unfettered access, uh, for australian beef and new zealand lamb. were those negotiations taking place today, i wonder , would the government i wonder, would the government have had the courage to sign it on the basis that they did? i would be very interested to look through those sliding doors into an alternate reality and see if they'd delayed , whether

they'd been delayed, whether they'd been delayed, whether they have got over the they would have got over the line. boris johnson line. the boris johnson government signed government obviously signed those . uh rishi sunak. he government obviously signed those. uh rishi sunak. he has struck quite a different tone with the farmers. boris johnson was quite dismissive number was quite dismissive on a number of occasions, but rishi sunak really to make political really trying to make political hay out of the fact that hay now out of the fact that a labour government in wales has really upset the farmers. he wants that rural vote of the general election. so he's doing all he can put his arms all he can to put his arms around rural voters and farmers in . particular at the moment. in. particular at the moment. >> yeah, it's fascinating. you say that both england and wales are pursuing these sort of environmental these environmental policies, these replacements common replacements for the common agricultural in agricultural policy. but in england to be less england it seems to be less harsh at least more harsh or at least more predictable than the worries in wales. you think that's wales. do you think that's because rishi represents because rishi sunak represents a very constituency in very rural constituency in richmond in north yorkshire? or why is it that england and the government here has seemed to have gotit government here has seemed to have got it better with farmers than the welsh government ?

than the welsh government? >> the formulation of these goes right back to 2018 or even before, when michael gove sat in the department of environment , the department of environment, secretary of state's chair and when, uh, um, uh , there was, uh, when, uh, um, uh, there was, uh, tories, uh thingummybob. that's how many prime ministers i can't remember a surname now. theresa may. there we go. theresa may was the prime minister. uh, so, um, look, we've had longer to prepare . there are some harsh prepare. there are some harsh cuts of farmer . that prepare. there are some harsh cuts of farmer. that was earning, uh, £40,000 in, um, area payments three years ago. will have got £25,000 in last december in their annual payment by 2028, those area payments will have completely gone . but will have completely gone. but what is mollifying? arable farmers in particular, is the fact that they can see this suite of options, whether it's planting wild bird food, whether it's, um, farming in an environmental kind of way by doing ploughing, for doing less ploughing, for example, reducing emissions example, reducing fuel emissions . they know the payments.

they're going to get for that. and they have access to that detail, as i say. but the upland farmers in england, they are so concerned , there is much less on concerned, there is much less on offer for them. and so there is still a few hurdles for the government to clear here, i think, before they can conclude that farmers are really are happy with how things are going. >> meredith, editor happy with how things are going. >>farmers meredith, editor happy with how things are going. >>farmers ivreallyh, editor of farmers weekly really appreciate thank you appreciate your time. thank you for through those for talking us through those thorny facing farmers. >> i can't condone belgian farmers at farmers spraying manure at police, , i must say. and police, though, i must say. and that's what they have been quite funny. yes, but if they would just stop oil activists, you'd be it. be fuming about it. >> true. no, lawless >> that's true. no, lawless protests never, never be encouraged. >> although the police are baton wielding. >> but it is. it is. fascinating, though, the way in which these policies can be implemented and predictability can matter so much. ultimately, i anyone appreciates i don't think anyone appreciates the eu system of just paying the old eu system of just paying people simply a farm, people simply for having a farm, rather than the way in which you conduct i mean, it's conduct your farm. i mean, it's almost giving people more for money owning that was money owning more land. that was

a terrible system. so i think we're to more rational we're moving to a more rational system, perhaps, but clearly not in wales. there he said. >> @ farmers could take to >> 15,000 farmers could take to the , take roads the streets, take to the roads in protest . the streets, take to the roads in protest. uh, we shall the streets, take to the roads in protest . uh, we shall see in protest. uh, we shall see what happens with that one. but, uh, coming up, generation sick note people are note young people are increasingly blaming mental health for not being at health issues for not being at work . but is there more to it work. but is there more to it than, uh, simple laziness? tom well, i guess we'll find out sooi'i. 500“. >> soon. >> this is good afternoon, britain on gb news, britain's

radio. >> it's 151. radio. >> it's151. you're watching and listening to good afternoon britain. now, a new report says young people are increasingly blaming their mental health for being jobless , with the number being jobless, with the number of 18 to 24 year olds who are economically inactive to economically inactive due to health more than health issues. more than doubung health issues. more than doubling in the past decade . doubling in the past decade. >> well, in light of these figures, asking the young figures, we're asking the young people suck it up people just need to suck it up and get on with it. let's pose

this to the writer and this question to the writer and mental advocate mental health advocate ambassador scene and rethink ambassador for scene and rethink mental illness is rachel kelly. rachel, thank you so much for joining us here on the program. um, um, firstly , is there a is um, um, firstly, is there a is there a massively much larger problem with young people compared to older people, or is this just an issue of perhaps over reporting in younger generations as well ? generations as well? >> uh, it definitely is more of an issue for younger people. >> we've seen that in the report that out today in terms of that came out today in terms of are we over reporting eating? >> are we imagining a problem where perhaps there isn't one? it is tricky with mental health because we don't have the same diagnostic tools as we do with physical health. >> we don't have a blood test or a brain scan that can say, for sure that someone is suffering from a mental health problem. >> there is always going to >> so there is always going to be this of the exact, be this problem of the exact, uh, know , certainty. but my uh, you know, certainty. but my view and my experience of

working with mental health charities is that, yes, of course , there's going be course, there's going to be a few people you mentioned your few people you mentioned in your intro are intro the idea that people are being lazy, who may or may not have a mental health problem , have a mental health problem, but do . but the vast majority do. >> it's very concerning to see so many young people not in work because they've got a mental health disorder. um, what are the most prevalent conditions for young people that are stopping them from being able to work? because most people would assume that having a job will help people with their mental health, but actually, it seems to be turning people away from work. are they that badly affected ? affected? >> well, you're absolutely right . and being in employment, we know, is preventative and it's good for your mental health. >> so it is a tragedy that these young people aren't working because actually getting into work, sense of purpose, work, having a sense of purpose, having up in the having a reason to get up in the morning very good your morning is very good for your mental health. so i think one of the is, around words the problems is, is around words and definitions. the word and definitions. so the word

mental health now embraces a very broad spectrum. and when we're thinking about what people are suffering , the vast majority are suffering, the vast majority across all cases of mental health problems are anxiety and depression. so and this is a spectrum from people who suffer mild anxiety, which might not be diagnosable or seen as a mental health condition right through to very severe , disabling, to very severe, disabling, severe depressive disorders. so there is a very broad spectrum, but it all is given the name mental health at the very far end of the spectrum are people who suffer things we don't hear nearly so much about. so things like psychosis, schizophrenia , like psychosis, schizophrenia, very serious mental health conditions , but that's about conditions, but that's about a kind of 5% across this very broad range . so most of the broad range. so most of the young people who are not working are suffering from anxiety or depression . depression. >> thank you very much indeed. we're going to have to leave it there, unfortunately. but great to get your view on all of this. rachel kelly, ambassador for sane and rethink mental illness. i for i mean, this is not good for economy our economy economy, for our economy and

society. so many young society. that so many young people in work people simply aren't in work because of mental health. i mean , the pandemic? is it as , is it the pandemic? is it as you said, reporting , very, you said, over reporting, very, very worrying indeed . reid. very worrying indeed. reid. >> well, coming up, we'll be back on that islamophobia row. should that be the word that we're using ? and do you agree we're using? and do you agree with what lee anderson said? well, much more on that after the break. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb solar sponsors of weather on. gb news. hello good afternoon. welcome to your latest gb news weather update with me, annie, from the met office. it should be staying dry for many areas through rest of day with through the rest of the day with some sunshine to come. some late sunshine to come. however, be a night however, it will be a cold night tonight high pressure tonight that's as high pressure is building in from the south and that will settle and west so that will settle things through rest of things down through the rest of the night. in the north the night. however, in the north and we'll start see some and west we'll start to see some thicker arrive by thicker cloud and rain arrive by tomorrow winds tomorrow morning, so the winds should tonight, allowing should ease tonight, allowing for to dip down

for temperatures to dip down quite early on. and we should see mist and fog developing see some mist and fog developing mainly and mainly across central and southeastern areas. that could be slow to clear tomorrow be quite slow to clear tomorrow morning, away from any mist morning, but away from any mist and fog it will turn frosty, particularly for inland areas of wales, england, northern england as . further north west, as well. further north and west, though, some wet though, we'll see some wet weather by tomorrow weather arrive by tomorrow morning . quite blustery band morning. quite a blustery band of rain will push through around rush for north western rush hour for north western areas of scotland and into northern too. that could northern ireland too. that could bnng northern ireland too. that could bring to the high bring some snow to the high ground scotland that ground of scotland and then that rain will into parts of rain will push into parts of northern and parts northern england and parts of wales, well, to bring a wet wales, as well, to bring a wet afternoon for these areas further though further south and east. though it dry, but will it should stay dry, but it will be cloudier day than be a much cloudier day than today, temperatures around today, and temperatures around average for the time of year 7 or 8 degrees through wednesday , or 8 degrees through wednesday, we'll see another, probably misty murky start day misty and murky start to the day before see the next batch of before we see the next batch of rain arrive from the west , but rain arrive from the west, but this time this will pick up the temperatures so will turn temperatures so it will turn milder course of milder through the course of wednesday and into thursday, with into with further rain arriving into parts of the north and west. it looks a little bit colder to end

the week again, see you the week again, though. see you later. that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> good afternoon britain. it's 2:00 on monday. the 26th of february. a war of words in the tory islamophobia row sadiq khan has hit out at lee anderson, saying he's poured petrol on the fires of hatred . fires of hatred. >> this follows lee anderson's statement attacking the london mayor's record. we're expecting to hear from both sir keir starmer and rishi sunak in this hour and live pictures from brussels as tension boils over on the continent, with farmers storming city centres fighting with police causing mass disruption all ahead of crunch talks in the eu to tackle the crisis that the agricultural

sector is facing and generation sicknote people in their 20s are more likely to be out of work due to ill health than those in their 40s. as a study finds. young people claim a mental disorder more than any other age group . group. >> now, we've been asking for your views on our conversation of the day. islamophobia is that the right word to be using when we're talking about hatred or prejudice towards muslims? >> yes. well michael says islamophobia doesn't protect muslims from attack . it protects muslims from attack. it protects their religious ideas from attacks and criticism. yes, that's exactly the point that peter tatchell was making earlier on. you should be free to criticise a religion and its and the beliefs . and the beliefs. >> well, andy agrees, he says i have a couple of thoughts to share on this subject. firstly speaking islam is not

speaking against islam is not racist because islam is an ideology, not a race. and i suppose there's a fair bit of truth in that. >> yes, we can't have blasphemy laws in this country. thank you very much, natasha says the very nature of not being able to scrutinise causes hate scrutinise is what causes hate and education and division. education is key to so there she goes on to peace. so there she goes on in, um, uh, virginia says we need to stop using all these anti—something words and getting rid of all of these so—called hate crimes . hate crimes. >> it's stopping open discussion and labelling all disagreements as hatred. uh, i'm not sure i quite agree with that one. i mean, when it comes to anti—semitism, that is the word for anti—jewish racism , right? for anti—jewish racism, right? so, so, so that that i think is different. but that's talking about a people, not a, not a set of ideas. it's not like if you criticise something in the torah, anti—semite, torah, you're an anti—semite, right . but, but, but if you right. but, but, but if you criticise something in the quran that be seen as that could be seen as islamophobic and that's the key difference they're difference. that's why they're very, different things . yes. >> there's been argument, >> and there's been argument, an argument exact argument over what exact definition to adopt of

islamophobia . the conservatives islamophobia. the conservatives seem to have a different view from every other party on this. they pushed back on broadening that description of what it means islamophobia. but again, the debate is very much back as anneliese dodson and also conservative mps have been using the terms islamophobia instead of anti—muslim hatred or prejudice. yeah but we do want more of your views on this. >> should we ditch the word islamophobia? and are you worried about a new government coming in and making it law that islamophobia, that definition, that new widened definition could become law? is that a is that a worry when it comes to blasphemy laws? well gb views at gb news. com all off your headunes gb news. com all off your headlines severe . headlines with severe. >> tom. thank you. good afternoon . it's 2:00. i'm sophia afternoon. it's 2:00. i'm sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom. sadiq khan says comments made by lee anderson on gb news were vile, racist, anti—muslim and islamophobic in an editorial

published in the evening standard this afternoon, the mayor of london also criticised the prime minister for failing to mention anti—muslim sentiment when he condemned mr anderson's comments. the former tory deputy chairman released a statement this morning aimed at clarifying remarks he made on this network when he suggested that islamists had control of the mayor of had got control of the mayor of london. admitting his words were clumsy, he said that he was intending to highlight what he believes is mr khan's failure to tackle pro—palestine protests . tackle pro—palestine protests. the prime minister has refused to describe the comments as islamophobic , but said this islamophobic, but said this morning they were morning that they were unacceptable wrong . the unacceptable and wrong. the prime minister says new investment in transport for the north of england and the midlands is levelling up action. it's after the government outlined plans for the reallocation of funds following the cancellation of hs2's northern leg. it will be up to local councils to allocate the funds. the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, dismissed the plan , saying the dismissed the plan, saying the money had already been promised ten years ago but transport

secretary mark harper says the government is empowering local communities as 2.5 billion for the north, 2.2 billion for the midlands. >> that money is going to local councils. it's for them to spend on the local priorities that they set , that they think are they set, that they think are important to their local communities, and they'll reach those conclusions by consulting those conclusions by consulting those communities , but also those communities, but also talking very importantly to their members of parliament about what those important local transport priorities are. the whole point is, it's for not ministers to set those priorities . it's for councils to priorities. it's for councils to set them. we think those decisions closer decisions are better made closer to the people that are going to benefit from them . benefit from them. >> the transport secretary, mark harper , speaking there now harper, speaking there now owners of leasehold properties often face high and unclear charges from the management of communal facilities, with protection from consumers often providing to be inadequate. that's according to a report by the competition and markets authority. it found that management companies often fail to properly inform homeowners of

important details relating to the maintenance of common areas . the maintenance of common areas. it also found that bills are often quite high and unpredictable , with vague unpredictable, with vague so—called management charges making up to 50% or more of the bill. the watchdog also found that many home owners are unable to switch management companies they're calling on the government to bring better accountability to the sector . accountability to the sector. meanwhile, sir keir starmer says his party will deliver what he called a future built in britain by britain if labour wins the next election. he's unveiling a plan to run a so—called patriotic economy, which he says would include boosting home ownership and establishing the next generation of new towns. housing minister leigh rowley described the plan as empty, but chair of the labour party, anneliese dodds, told gb news it's the change britain needs kind of expectations that people in our country used to have, you know, that their kids would be better off than they were that they'd have at least a slightly better quality of life .

better quality of life. >> you know, all of those dreams are just completely out of reach for very many people in our country . and keir starmer is country. and keir starmer is absolutely determined wind to change that for the future , for change that for the future, for getting britain building, actually making sure we have those good jobs up and down the country, reforming the planning system, the many changes that he is setting out today. would make that big difference to british people . people. >> in other news, farmers are descending on the streets of brussels, setting fire to tires and blocking streets with their tractors in a protest . in tractors in a protest. in a protest against cheap supermarket prices, riot police were seen firing water cannons as eu ministers arrived for meetings on the growing crisis. the farmers are demanding action from the european union on free trade agreements, which they say are blaming for damaging of european farming. it's the latest in a series of similar protests across the bloc, with the eu already moving to weaken some of its green policies . and

some of its green policies. and young people are more likely to be off work due to ill health than those in their 40s. that's according to a new report. the resolution foundation says it's radically different from the past, when work absences tended to increase with age. it cited . to increase with age. it cited. a rise in mental health struggles among young people as a possible factor, with 34% of young people aged 18 to 24 reporting struggles in 2022. that's compared to just 24% in the year 2000. and for the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to gb news .com/ alerts . now it's back news .com/ alerts. now it's back to tom and . emily to tom and. emily >> it's 208 and the islamophobia row over comments made by lee anderson continue , argues the anderson continue, argues the london mayor, sadiq khan , has london mayor, sadiq khan, has accused the former deputy chair of the conservative party of fuelling the fires hatred and

fuelling the fires of hatred and well, this comes as the ashfield member parliament, who of member of parliament, who of course lost conservative course lost the conservative whip, mr whip, fights back, claiming mr khan has lost control of our streets and is failing the caphal streets and is failing the capital. right. well, let's speak to political correspondent for spectator, hale . for the spectator, james hale. james, thank you very much indeed for joining james, thank you very much indeed forjoining us. now, before we get on to lee anderson and his comments and all the statements that have come out in the last hour or so, i want to ask you about something curious that's been going on in tory whatsapp groups with a with tobias ellwood. what's going on there ? there? >> yes. this is one of >> yes. so this is one of several rows that broke out over the weekend, emily. >> and this one i reported on first was about, um, a really a row that broke out between one of the more liberal members of the conservative party and probably of more sort of probably one of its more sort of conservative, which was john hayes posted the hayes posted in one of the conservative backbench groups over uh , over the weekend that, uh, islamist terror was one was the biggest facing the united biggest threat facing the united kingdom. then kingdom. and tobias ellwood then replied immediately, replied almost immediately, asking john hayes to delete asking sirjohn hayes to delete that message. it prompted that message. and it prompted a bit a mass pile with

bit of a mass pile on with various wingers across various right wingers across different , different strands of thought, all ellwood . all criticising tobias ellwood. and i think for me this shows that the row, uh, often is about not just the substance of the issue, but also about personalities involved. so i think that there's a of think that there's a lot of tory mps who, frankly, don't really like tobias after his like tobias ellwood after his his which was his video last summer, which was very as very, very very seen as very, very favourable to the taliban regime in afghanistan . and so i think in afghanistan. and so i think this lee anderson this shows how the lee anderson route isn't just confined to the pros merits strengths pros and merits and strengths and lee anderson's and weaknesses of lee anderson's comments. it's also about other things. as things. so it's serving as displacement activity for a lot of within the of tension within the conservative party that's bubbung bubbling over right now. >> yes. and scoop really >> yes. and your scoop really revealed this sort of division that over in the that is boiling over in the conservative party on almost that is boiling over in the conseissue. party on almost that is boiling over in the conseissue. butty on almost that is boiling over in the conse issue. but we n almost that is boiling over in the conse issue. but we also nost that is boiling over in the conseissue. but we also learn every issue. but we also learn about messages about more whatsapp messages where tory mps are rowing in almost behind lee anderson saying to ministers not not to condemn the comments as islamophobic or racist because their inboxes are full of people who agree with him .

who agree with him. >> yes, and i think it's not surprise , really. lee anderson surprise, really. lee anderson has a lot of friends in the conservative party, and i think that's the thing we need to remember here is often if you suspend a member of a party, a lot of their are going lot of their friends are going to pretty annoyed by it. and to be pretty annoyed by it. and so to so i've been speaking to a couple members of the tory couple of members of the tory right and they've right today, and they've been saying, well, you know, i disagree what anderson disagree with what lee anderson said and the way he said it, but also i'm concerned that a precedent set and precedent has now been set and really the so—called precedent has now been set and realwing the so—called precedent has now been set and realwing of the so—called precedent has now been set and realwing of the the so—called precedent has now been set and realwing of the conservatived wet wing of the conservative party, going emboldened party, is going to be emboldened by think that it's no by this. so i think that it's no surprise that people both surprise that people are both personally, um, their personally, um, sending their support to lee anderson within the the the conservative party on the right party, but also right of the party, but also there are private concerns that this be the first of this is going to be the first of other suspensions. and it's no surprise, that today we've surprise, tom, that today we've seen double seen labour go out and double down for liz to down and call for liz truss to be well. so there's be suspended as well. so there's a element, perhaps, of a sort of element, perhaps, of what churchill and churchill what churchill and the churchill and feeding the crocodiles with this is that one suspension is never going to be enough for the labour party. want others never going to be enough for the laiwell. 'arty. want others never going to be enough for the laiwell. 'artjwhere want others never going to be enough for the laiwell. 'artjwhere want rishi �*s as well. so where does rishi sunak here? sunak go from here? >> we've sadiq khan has >> we've seen sadiq khan has made his, uh, his voice and

made his, uh, his voice loud and clear in evening standard made his, uh, his voice loud and clear i one evening standard made his, uh, his voice loud and clear i one eveiago,standard made his, uh, his voice loud and clear i one eveiago, he'sjard today, one hour ago, he's written a long piece on this. he says we are yet to hear the prime minister call lee anderson's remarks. what? they are islamophobic , anti—muslim, are islamophobic, anti—muslim, hate and race. rishi sunak won't want to concede on that, will he ? >> 7- >> no. of ? >> no. of course not. 7 >> no. of course not. and i think that it's notable , think that it's notable, perhaps, that the decision was taken without rishi sunak making a statement to camera. he was. it was announced that he was suspended on saturday. um, and i think that there'd be a real keenness for rishi sunak not to confront lee anderson camera. confront lee anderson on camera. not least, of course, because just uh , 5 or 6 weeks ago, just what, uh, 5 or 6 weeks ago, lee anderson was the deputy party chairman, and the two of them together in an them starred together in an onune them starred together in an online advert . so online conservative advert. so i think that it would be a suboptimal call in whitehall parlance to have the prime minister attack lee anderson in this way, or criticise his comments in that way. um, but i do think obviously are do think obviously labour are very keep up the very keen to keep up the pressure on all of this and you can easily see, that how can easily see, emily, that how on afternoon a lot

on wednesday afternoon a lot of labour mps probably labour mps will probably be prepped bring this prepped to try and bring this up at i suspect at pmqs. so i suspect rishi sunak or other sunak at some point or other will to make an on camera will have to make an on camera statement will have to make an on camera statltnent will have to make an on camera stat it will be a pmqs to watch. >> it will be a pmqs to watch. but james, do you think there's a back for anderson? do a way back for lee anderson? do you think reason why the you think the reason why the prime perhaps prime minister perhaps is holding that direct holding back from that direct criticism that really, this criticism is that really, this suspension a permanent suspension isn't a permanent thing at all? it's a bit of time in the sin bin. >> i think perhaps that, you know, i think it's a recognition of rishi sunak relative political weakness in one sense. you know, obviously it'll be very different if, say, he was in keir starmer's position with a 20 lead in the polls. at a 20 point lead in the polls. at that leader is that point, the leader is emboldened and to do almost emboldened and able to do almost anything. perhaps was emboldened and able to do almost anytia�*ig. perhaps was emboldened and able to do almost anytia sense perhaps was emboldened and able to do almost anytia sense thatperhaps was emboldened and able to do almost anytia sense that we1aps was emboldened and able to do almost anytia sense that we are was emboldened and able to do almost anytia sense that we are onlyas also a sense that we are only six or 7 or 8 weeks or so away from the london mayoral election, and that i think that a lot of conservative mps are going to be very to going to be very keen to criticise sadiq khan. the key thing they don't do what thing is that they don't do what the allison and use this the allison did and use this kind clumsy language. kind of clumsy language. um, that he did. so i think it's perhaps warning for the perhaps a warning for the others. the tories obviously perhaps a warning for the others. muche tories obviously perhaps a warning for the others. muche toriekeeniously perhaps a warning for the others. muche torie keen t01sly

perhaps a warning for the others. muche toriekeen to make are very much more keen to make it splits and keep it about labour splits and keep up things with yaser ali rao ahead of rochdale's thursday by—election. um, rather than talking their own woes. so talking about their own woes. so it's surprise then, that both it's no surprise then, that both parties fingers at parties are pointing fingers at each of course, there is a >> but of course, there is a narrative building that the conservative party harbours. lots and anti lots of islamophobia and anti muslims . muslims. >> well, yes. and you've seen people like saeed kwasi, the former chairman of the conservative party, come out and say this hasn't been properly deau say this hasn't been properly dealt with before. there's long standing of standing issues. remember, of course , lot commentary course, a lot of commentary around similar claims back in 2019 when boris johnson was accused of islamophobia. so it's not anywhere any time not going anywhere any time soon. and i think really it's going to be something that the conservative party really has to watch themselves, and it reminds all now at a time all tory mps right now at a time when to make when both parties want to make their splits a key their opposition splits a key part election part of their election narrative, the importance, if you're something, you're going to say something, make you evidence for make sure you have evidence for it otherwise it leads to it because otherwise it leads to your party leader having face your party leader having to face days about and days of questions about it and you've the last you've seen emily in the last 48, 72 hours or so. both oliver

dowd and an grant shapps who are two of the more impressive media performances tory front performances on the tory front bench, struggle with some performances on the tory front bethese struggle with some performances on the tory front bethese questions gle with some performances on the tory front bethese questions because some performances on the tory front bethese questions because they�* of these questions because they are difficult ones. tories are very difficult ones. tories always criticising other are very difficult ones. tories alwayson criticising other are very difficult ones. tories alwayson air. riticising other are very difficult ones. tories alwayson air. um,sing other are very difficult ones. tories alwayson air. um, but other are very difficult ones. tories alwayson air. um, but it's er tories on air. um, but it's something they're going to have more of, i suspect, as the election doubt . election approaches, no doubt. >> well, james heale, thank you so joining so much forjoining us, political the political correspondent for the spectator magazine. really appreciate . uh, now, emily, appreciate it. uh, now, emily, i think that one of the fascinating things here is that james was right. if you're going to say something , have evidence to say something, have evidence for are lots of things for it. there are lots of things that anderson could have that lee anderson could have said about khan, about his said about sadiq khan, about his record, um, perhaps record, about his, um, perhaps perceived weakness in the face of some of these groups. without saying he's control called by islamists. >> yes , indeed. he really, uh . >> yes, indeed. he really, uh. yeah. well, he got himself into this trouble, of course, with what he said is how he gets out of it. will he get out of it? will he be back? will he have the tory whip restored? you think so, don't you? i think he will. i think this is just temporary sin bin. >> has written to temporary sin bin.

>> that has written to temporary sin bin. >> that lee has written to temporary sin bin. >> that lee andersonen to temporary sin bin. >> that lee anderson has to temporary sin bin. >> that lee anderson has spoken say that lee anderson has spoken his mind and has suffered for this, rich coming this, saying a bit rich coming from stoked from khan, seeing as he's stoked racial racial hatred. so of racial racial hatred. so some of people really people in the inbox are really on the side of lee anderson here. >> yeah, absolutely. so we've heard from the london mayor on lee anderson's comments. let's now the labour now hear from the labour leader, sir this interview sir keir starmer. this interview has come in, ford. has just come in, ford. >> it's islamophobia and the prime minister should call it out for what it is . the reason out for what it is. the reason he won't is because he's so weak . they're divided, they're chaotic. uh, and if they're re—elected, we're going to have five more years of this . it is five more years of this. it is only labour now that can unite the country , bring people the country, bring people together, turn a page on this and actually usher in you know, the sort of society the sort of future that people desperately want. but the prime minister lacks the strength. he's too weak . he lacks the strength. he's too weak. he can't call it out for what it is. that's how weak he is . is. >> but there is a huge problem with extremism now, isn't there?

>> we've seen it . >> we've seen it. >> we've seen it. >> um, the protesters last week saying they wanted parliament to have to lock the doors. they from the river to the sea, projected on big ben. you've got divisions within your own party too. we've got a rochdale by—election with out a labour candidate because of anti—semitic comments . the anti—semitic comments. the conservatives aren't the only ones having problems with this, are they ? are they? >> this is really basic islamophobia is something which should be called out by every political leader . and the prime political leader. and the prime minister isn't calling it two week. i don't think anybody can make excuses for this. prime minister and say it's all too difficult. it's very straightforward, he lacks the backbone to call this out for what it is, because he's leading a divided . party a chaotic a divided. party a chaotic party, and it's no wonder that people have just had enough of this. after 14 years and desperately want change. >> he didn't really answer the question there, did he, about

the divisions within the labour party and also about extremism on our streets with regards to pro—palestine protest sites. and of course, this all does divert from the whole scandal that engulfed last week about the speaken >> yeah, and indeed the scandal about rochdale. and as for ali, the candidate of the labour party, who then was not the candidate of the labour party but is still on the ballot with the labour party's name written next to him and was lunching last friday with party last friday with labour party candidates let's candidates. but let's, let's talk about all of that, that keir starmer was talking about with our political editor, christopher christopher, christopher hope. christopher, what did learn from sir keir what did we learn from sir keir starmer there? he seems to be doubung starmer there? he seems to be doubling down on. >> yeah, he is isn't he. and hi, emily. hi, tom. that's that's right. i mean in a sense the labour leader there is echoing what sadiq khan has been saying in the evening standard this lunchtime. here in london, saying that these remarks were racist, anti—muslim or islamophobic and why, why weren't they called out as such

by the party leadership? now, those remarks that, that that that characterisation are denied by lee anderson, clearly by lee anderson, but clearly it's all about trying to drive home the idea. there's an islamophobia problem within the tory party, and that's been an issue around the party for years. and years and years. it fell away when the anti—semitism issue in labour under issue arose in labour under jeremy corbyn. there's a risk here, i think, for the party leadership that unless they can get be a bit more tougher on this and the suggestion of it, it will start to hurt them electorally. >> uh, certainly, certainly an issue . but i suppose this >> uh, certainly, certainly an issue. but i suppose this is an issue. but i suppose this is an issue that , um, focuses on both issue that, um, focuses on both parties , really, because there parties, really, because there have been accusations for a long time about the labour party's approach to anti—semitism . um, approach to anti—semitism. um, and they almost to some extent mirror the conservative conservative party's accusations around islamophobia, although the tory chairman today has been adamant that there was a review into anti islamophobia in the tory party that cleared it .

tory party that cleared it. >> and that's right. there's a definition of islamophobia. it's opposing is lam if a political means and that definition has not yet has not been adopted by the tory party. and of course, the tory party. and of course, the idea of definitions are important. saw, didn't we? important. we saw, didn't we? what anti—semitism ? what what was anti—semitism? what did it under jeremy corbyn? it mean under jeremy corbyn? that the ihrc that definition, the ihrc definition, was not accepted for years, really. in sense, years, really. so in a sense, i think this is does threaten to become for . the tory become a problem for. the tory party unless they can grip it. and that's why they've acted on, on lee anderson. but today in the house of commons, the the house of commons, in the parliament, the lobby briefing for was for lobby journalists, it was made not made clear that they're not trying that lee anderson trying to say that lee anderson was anti—islam. was was was anti—islam. he was racist. that racist. they're saying that they deplore any comments be deplore any comments that can be seen such. they're trying to seen as such. they're trying to leave a small way back in for lee anderson to the tory party but i for one, i can't really see it. i think others others might get the whip might see he'll get the whip back but i think this back this week, but i think this is into what is almost turning into what could be a permanent break between the between lee anderson and the party 2019 to party he joined only in 2019 to become mp. become an mp. >> hmm. interesting indeed. >> hmm. very interesting indeed. thank christopher our

thank you. christopher hope, our political there outside political editor there outside westminster . now, did political editor there outside westminster. now, did mention westminster. now, we did mention one the one of the candidates in the rochdale so here one of the candidates in the rocthe.e so here one of the candidates in the rocthe candidates so here one of the candidates in the rocthe candidates , so here one of the candidates in the rocthe candidates , aziza here one of the candidates in the rocthe candidates , aziza ali.e are the candidates, aziza ali. >> of course, he's suspended by the labour party, but amazingly still appearing as labour on the ballot this by—election, of course, taking place on thursday. there's also mark coleman, who's standing an coleman, who's standing as an independent, simon danczuk for reform ian donaldson, a reform uk, ian donaldson, a liberal democrat . paul ellison, liberal democrat. paul ellison, a conservative. >> george galloway, workers party of britain michael howarth, independent. william howarth, independent. william howarth independent. otten, howarth, independent. guy otten, green . raven roden, green party. raven roden, sebby's corner, official monster raving loony and david tully , an raving loony and david tully, an independent. really independent. no, really fascinating this by—election. >> it's perhaps one of most >> it's perhaps one of the most unpredictable elections that unpredictable by elections that we've seen a long, long time. we've seen in a long, long time. do you know what, emily? i'm going to be up all night. >> you are indeed ending that by—election program here gb news. >> well, i'm sleeping okay. sleeping, sweetie . in bed. sleeping, sweetie. in bed. >> i don't know who's got the rougher end of the deal there, to be honest, but i don't know, i know. i don't know. >> we're going be bringing >> we're going to be bringing you on

you the very latest on everything with everything to do with lee anderson. suspension anderson. and his suspension from but study from the tory party. but a study also finds young people are also finds that young people are claiming disorder to be claiming a mental disorder to be out any other out of work more than any other age they under more age group. are they under more stress than everyone else, or are perhaps more lazy? are they perhaps more lazy? you're afternoon you're watching. good afternoon britain we're the britain on gb news. we're the people's .

radio. it's 225. >> you're watching and listening to. good afternoon britain. now a new report says young people are increasingly blaming mental health problems for being jobless. the number of 18 to 24 year olds who are economically inactive due to health issues has more than in the has more than doubled in the past decade. >> light of these >> well, in light of these figures , we're asking young figures, we're asking the young people just need to suck it up and get on with it. well, joining us in the studio is tv presenter and author tonia buxton, who thinks young buxton, who thinks that young people up and get

people need to man up and get into work and broadcast journalist giuditta da silva, who it is necessary to who believes it is necessary to care for one's state of mind. >> well, excellent. we've got two the argument on two sides of the argument on this uh, tonya, why do this one. uh, tonya, why do young need man up? i'm young people need to man up? i'm not if you say that not sure if you can say that anymore. it's not politically correct. i don't care, as you know. >> i don't care. >>— >> i don't care. >> what are you allowed to say? >> what are you allowed to say? >> reality is, is that. >> and i blame parents. i don't just the kids. blame just blame the kids. i blame parents. i, children have all parents. i, my children have all had chores , whether they like it had chores, whether they like it or not. parents are now too busy trying to. >> molly coddle and pander to their children instead of actually setting up for life. >> one the things m the things >> one of the things that we know children had know that children who have had chores adolescence chores in their adolescence actually make happier adults. so the simple just make the simple fact. so just make your do stuff when they your kids do stuff when they say, i can't be bothered. get them bed, them wash them out of bed, make them wash them out of bed, make them wash the all . the things that we the car all. the things that we had to do when we were young, get them to do it. but i have to add a little caveat to that

lockdown, not covid, because covid didn't affect kids. they were fine. lockdown done were fine. lockdown has done a lot and do have lot of damage and so we do have to something to make up for to do something to make up for the damage we these 18 to the damage we did to these 18 to 24 olds during 24 year olds during that lockdown i more lockdown period. so i have more sympathy would have had sympathy than i would have had had not lockdown, had we have not had lockdown, but are where we are but i think we are where we are because of lockdown. >> both bad parenting. >> so it's both bad parenting. and then also with the and then also coupled with the impact lockdown mental impact of lockdown on mental health that. health and things like that. judha health and things like that. judita view? health and things like that. jud ia view? health and things like that. jud ia it's view? health and things like that. jud ia it's like view? health and things like that. jud ia it's like the ? >> i think it's like the situation we now when situation we have now is when the pendulum swings completely in because the pendulum swings completely in you because the pendulum swings completely in you at because the pendulum swings completely in you at previous|use when you look at previous generations, whether it's parents grandparents, parents or grandparents, they were the were kind of stoicism was the only order on the menu. but then you had a generation that was operating level operating with like a pow level of psycho emotional trauma that they . what they couldn't articulate. what you've done is given people a vernacular and a vocabulary to talk about how feel, which talk about how they feel, which is necessary , particularly is very necessary, particularly young that are constantly young people that are constantly struggling articulating struggling with articulating what the growing pains of life if someone can actually say, i have problem , i'm the greatest have a problem, i'm the greatest hurdle been scaled. now what hurdle has been scaled. now what you have is the degree to which they do that, because you have to able to temper what is

to be able to temper what is truly what is just truly a problem or what is just the basic struggles of existing in the world. >> the problems, though, that they yes, they have all the words, yes, they have all the words, yes, they talk precisely all the they can talk precisely all the time sorry , depressed. time and sorry, i'm depressed. sorry, anxiety . i sorry, i've got anxiety. i couldn't possibly go to work . couldn't possibly go to work. sometimes they're taking the mick. >> it's not that it's almost like giving a kid too much candy. don't blame them if they eat it and get it. get on. >> well, it's like the point you said don't have the patience with them. >> but it's regulation. >> no, but it's regulation. if you access to something, you give me access to something, i'm going to try out. it i'm going to try it out. and it might the best thing for might not be the best thing for me. you to take the me. what? you have to take the responsibility is responsibility for, which is kind parenting is kind of like good parenting is yes, you can talk about how you feel, must realise that feel, but you must realise that sometimes work sometimes when you go to work and not to you, and they're not nice to you, that's life. and they're not nice to you, tha yeah.e. and they're not nice to you, tha yeah. and literally, you >> yeah. and literally, you know, before i would anxiety know, before i would get anxiety going, it wasn't going, but i didn't it wasn't in my as anxiety. going, but i didn't it wasn't in my it's as anxiety. going, but i didn't it wasn't in my it's called1xiety. going, but i didn't it wasn't in my it's called nerves. it's >> it's called nerves. it's called excitement. called called excitement. it's called all that you have all the pressures that you have to something. you know, to do something. you know, i can't take any exams. it makes me well, are me too anxious. well, what are you about? that's what you talking about? that's what exams are there for. to make you worry i can't

worry and stress. oh, i can't go to interview or i can't go to that interview or i can't go and because it makes and do anything because it makes me too anxious. but that's part of it. >> e- e“ >> anxiety begets anxiety. you get spiral about get into a sort of spiral about it. perhaps if there if there were a more reasoned and moderate conversation in this area, people wouldn't almost be thinking themselves into problems. >> i do agree with that, because you have to let someone feel i can speak , but no, when it's can speak, but no, when it's necessary to speak . and that's necessary to speak. and that's when you it's the it's the discourse about it. it's introduce the language also introduce the language but also introduce the language but also introduce understanding of introduce an understanding of the application of the language. if someone says it's affecting my health, simply ask my mental health, simply ask them . how and if they them why and. how and if they cannot justify it, then they begin to understand that, oh, maybe this is isn't a mental health issue, but also, there health issue, but also, is there an a lot of young an issue that a lot of young people you very people have, you know, very strong feelings. >> could be that they're >> so it could be that they're feeling very down about something . they could be feeling something. they could be feeling quite . um, but quite a lot of anxiety. um, but then we tell them that they've got a condition when actually those are genuine feelings and they come from somewhere. so it

might be that they've got a big exam. it might be that they're worried about the of worried about the future of their life, you know, existential questions. it could be they're really be that they're feeling really down persisted. but down and it's persisted. but then we slap on, know, the down and it's persisted. but then 101 slap on, know, the down and it's persisted. but then 101 depression know, the down and it's persisted. but then 101 depression or> @ we're going e— way. >> we're going to pause >> well, we're going to pause for here a second because we've just heard from rishi sunak just heard word from rishi sunak after, starmer after, of course, keir starmer has accused him of leading a divided and chaotic party. let's hear divided and chaotic party. let's heawell, we're announcing >> well, today we're announcing significant uplift in funding for local areas as a result of the decision that we made on hs2 two. so £4.7 billion that we are now reallocate across the north and midlands as promised. >> money is specific and midlands as promised. >> smaller money is specific and midlands as promised. >> smaller townsey is specific and midlands as promised. >> smaller towns , is specific and midlands as promised.

>> smaller towns , rural ecific and midlands as promised. >> smaller towns , rural areas for smaller towns, rural areas for smaller towns, rural areas for the first time are going to be treated like the big cities. >> they're going to get a huge amount of extra funding, almost nine more. they nine times more. what they normally receive and multi—year certainty crucially, local certainty and crucially, local people charge of how people will be in charge of how to that money. not to invest that money. not someone sitting whitehall, someone sitting in whitehall, whitehall. of whitehall. so as an example of levelling in action, it's us levelling up in action, it's us delivering plan that we delivering on the plan that we set that is making a set out and that is making a huge difference across the northern midlands. >> of lee anderson, >> the words of lee anderson, would you regard them as islamophobic ? islamophobic? >> well, i've been very >> nick well, i've been very clear what lee said was wrong. >> it was unacceptable. and that's why we suspended the whip andifs that's why we suspended the whip and it's important that everybody but particularly elected politicians . are careful elected politicians. are careful with their words and do not inflame tensions. >> but there's a difference between wrong and islamophobe phobic. >> were they islamophobic? well i think most important thing i think the most important thing is the words were wrong. is that the words were wrong. >> were ill judged. they >> they were ill judged. they were and were unacceptable. and that's what and that's what i believe. and that's why the been suspended. and the whip has been suspended. and i think everyone can i think, i think everyone can see tensions already see that tensions are already running high. and what i want to do, i think what the country

wants is the heat taken wants to see is the heat taken out this debate . and i think out of this debate. and i think that's the right thing to do. if he were to apologise, would you welcome him back into the party? okay. >> we literally have just had these comments. >> said, don't think >> as i said, i don't think they're they're they're right. they're not acceptable. whip acceptable. that's why the whip has suspended that's has been suspended and that's where we are now. >> not him though, is >> it's not just him though, is it? braverman, for it? suella braverman, for instance, about the instance, has talked about the islamists, extremists and instance, has talked about the isla anti—semitesremists and instance, has talked about the isla anti—semites being; and instance, has talked about the isla anti—semites being in nd control. >> this is someone you appointed as secretary. >> this is someone you appointed as um, secretary. >> this is someone you appointed as um, what'stary. >> this is someone you appointed as um, what's going on inside >> um, what's going on inside your >> um, what's going on inside youwell, i think as those >> well, i think as those comments were about an comments were not about an individual in particular, there is that some of is a broader point that some of the scenes that we have been witnessing on our streets in recent times are unacceptable. and we're now having a situation where whether it's private mps meetings, council meetings or indeed what happened to in parliament last week , where the parliament last week, where the normal democratic process is that we are used to in this country, are being impacted , country, are being impacted, threatened and disrupted aggressively and in an intimidating fashion? i don't

think that's right. i don't think that's right. i don't think anyone thinks that. that's right. and i think it's important that we call out that kind of behaviour as wrong, and that we to that we do everything we can to stamp out. stamp it out. >> thank you. that's the end of the very much. the pool. thank you very much. >> we have it. we >> well, there we have it. we have a distinction there from the saying the prime minister saying islamists are in control in the abstract act as suella braverman did. is apparently fine. but saying that sadiq khan is controlled by islamists is not fine. there's a line being drawn there. well, we're still joined by our fantastic panel. and tanya, what did you make of that? >> it's gobbledegook language again, isn't it? ultimately it's freedom of speech that's being stopped. got to stopped. and i think it's got to do fact that lee do with the fact that lee anderson is your working class kind right kind of doesn't have the right accent others before him accent because others before him have same and have said the same thing and not had whip away from had the whip taken away from them. most important them. and the most important thing that we to in thing that we have to guard in britain west is britain and in the west is freedom we might not freedom of speech. we might not like being said, but we like what's being said, but we have to be to debate what's have to be able to debate what's being said without right being said without saying right now you're out because you're not allowed to speak. >> suppose the

>> but judyta, i suppose the issue here is that this was an attack against individual. attack against an individual. i think struck think that what kind of struck me straight away from looking, looking is that can looking at that is that you can tell a bunker with tell he's been in a bunker with his crisis management team, and it's when they tell you his crisis management team, and it's go when they tell you his crisis management team, and it's go near1en they tell you his crisis management team, and it's go near hotthey tell you his crisis management team, and it's go near hot buttonll you his crisis management team, and it's go near hot button words, don't go near hot button words, don't go near hot button words, do say islamophobic, do not do not say islamophobic, do not say homophobic, not anti—semite. >> around it and say >> just hover around it and say i taken an it was i have taken an action. it was a bad thing. >> word soup basically. >> word soup basically. >> and it's like it's yeah, extremely careful. >> so careful. extremely careful. >> and areful. extremely careful. >> and arefuword politics means >> and that word politics means that he he knows. which is why this the key thing in all this is the key thing in all governments, particularly here in have said in america. should he have said islamophobic? you open the islamophobic? then you open the floodgates them to police floodgates for them to police every thing that's said by every thing that's been said by everyone before to rebrand it again. it's like , do not open again. so it's like, do not open that door . that door. >> absolutely. thank you very much indeed. you do. ta da silva. and of course, tanya buxton. it's headlines. buxton. it's your headlines. >> it's 234. i'm sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom . sadiq khan in the gb newsroom. sadiq khan says comments made by lee

anderson on gb news were vile, racist, anti—muslim and islamophobic in an editorial published in the evening standard this afternoon, the mayor of london also criticised the prime minister for failing to mention anti—muslim sentiment when he condemned mr anderson's comments. the former tory deputy chairman released a statement this morning aimed at clarifying remarks he made on this network when he suggested that islamists had got control of the mayor of london. admitting his words were clumsy, he said that he was intending to highlight what he believes khan's failure to believes is mr khan's failure to tackle pro—palestine protests . tackle pro—palestine protests. the prime minister has refused to describe the comments as islamophobic , but said this islamophobic, but said this morning that they were unacceptable and wrong . new unacceptable and wrong. new investment in transport for the nonh investment in transport for the north of england and the midlands is levelling up in action. that's to according rishi sunak. it's after the government outlined plans for the reallocation of funds following the cancellation of

hs2's . northern leg. the money hs2's. northern leg. the money could be used to expand mass transit systems , refurbish rail transit systems, refurbish rail and bus stations and repair potholes. it will be up to local councils to allocate the funds, but the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, dismissed the plan, saying the money was already promised ten years ago and farmers are on the streets of brussels this afternoon, setting fire to tyres and blocking streets with their tractors. it's in a protest against cheap supermarket prices. riot police . were seen prices. riot police. were seen firing water cannons as eu ministers arrived for meetings on the growing crisis. the farmers are demanding action from the european union on free trade agreements, which they blame damaging european blame for damaging european farming. it's the latest in a series of similar protests across the bloc, with the eu already moving to weaken some of its green policies . and for the its green policies. and for the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen, or go to gbnews.com slash alerts

listening to gb news radio. >> it's 2:39 and we're crossing to our political editor , to our political editor, christopher hope, who's got news from westminster. chris, what's happening . happening. >> hi, tom. hi, amy. thanks for having me back on again. very briefly. yes. the number of mps calling , saying they've got no calling, saying they've got no confidence in speaker sir lindsay hoyle has climbed by 6 to 78. now um, 78. sign it. but 77 one withdrew it. so 77 mps have now said they've got no confidence in lindsay hoyle up by six. three tory mps and three snp mps have signed it. don't forget this goes back to last wednesday. um, when the speaker allowed an unusual second amendment to an opposition day debate allowing labour mps to

vote for their policy on gaza rather than having to support either the government position or the snp. the mp signing it today are stephen bonnar from the snp. um doctor , philippa the snp. um doctor, philippa whitford from the snp and stewart hosie. all the snp and tory mps rachel mclean , vicky tory mps rachel mclean, vicky ford, sally—ann hart. so the problems have not gone away for the speaker , they're getting the speaker, they're getting worse and i was told on friday that if this number gets towards 97, which is which is 15% of the whole of the house of commons in terms of mps, he'll be in some trouble. so he's got to get all mps supporting him. if this guy, if the speaker loses the confidence of the house, his days are numbered. it's getting worse, for the worse, not better for the speaken worse, not better for the speaker, sir. >> very much indeed >> thank you very much indeed for christopher for that update. christopher hope editor hope there. our political editor for all that, then solidly for all of that, then solidly more than 10% of the house of commons now, no confidence in the chair of the house of 1,515% is just it's a it's a statistic

thatis is just it's a it's a statistic that is measurable . that is measurable. >> i don't think there's a special there's no special mechanism. there is no mechanism by which you can remove the speaken by which you can remove the speaker. you can sort of do motions measurable . that's motions of measurable. that's true. sounds a lot true. 15 just sounds a lot bigger doesn't it >> 1,515% of mps. and then something happens that is a considerable amount . i mean, of considerable amount. i mean, of course, the distraction lee course, the distraction of lee addison's then the addison's comments and then the row islamophobia and row over islamophobia and everything has taken everything else has taken people's eyes off the future of the speaker. but there you go. 77 number has gone up. 77 mps. that number has gone up. >> i'm thinking 15 might be the percentage under the rules of the 1922 committee, we the percentage of tory mps needed to call a ballot of no confidence in the in the leader of the conservative party. of course, that doesn't apply to parliament as whole. that only applies to as a whole. that only applies to one but suppose you one party, but i suppose you could the same principle could apply the same principle that then it becomes difficult at but, that then it becomes difficult at if but, that then it becomes difficult at if you but, that then it becomes difficult at if you imagine but, that then it becomes difficult at if you imagine 77 but, that then it becomes difficult at if you imagine 77 members of but if you imagine 77 members of parliament, it's a huge it's bigger than the third largest party as a group, bigger than the third largest party as a group , these would be party as a group, these would be the third largest party in

parliament by quite a considerable distance. it's only about 10, though. >> over 10. about 10, though. >> well, over 10. about 10, though. >> well, 65 over 10. about 10, though. >> well, 65 would 0. about 10, though. >> well, 65 would be 10. 65 or actually it wouldn't be 65 because you'd have to discount the sinn fein mps and the speaker . so would be, would speaker. so it would be, would it be 62 or something? well anyway, councils in the north and the midlands are to receive billions of pounds to improve their services their transport services as well. £4.7 billion has been saved from scrapping the second leg of hs2. and that's going to be really located to the local authorities . authorities. >> yes. the prime minister says the announcement represented levelling action. we're levelling up in action. we're joined by joe rukin, who is the founder of stop hs2. will this, uh, money make up for hs2? not going to plan ? going to plan? >> well, it'll be far more useful to the north and midlands than hs2 ever would have been. >> hs2 was all about dragging more economic activity to london. we've said right from the start if you want to, you know, rebalance the economy or , know, rebalance the economy or, you know, recreate, uh, sorry ,

you know, recreate, uh, sorry, heal you know, recreate, uh, sorry, heal, i should say the north—south divide, which is what it was 15 years ago. they were talking about. you need to spend that money in the north, in the midlands, you don't need a faster railway line that is going to just drag more economic activity to london. and the thing is that we have said, say right from the start, if you want to deliver benefits to people, you have to invest best in the transport infrastructure they use every day in the every day stuff that will get people in and around the cities and towns in which they live, opposed to, you know, pandering to a fast train to fat cats, something that is just going to, you know, drag more people into london and benefit the society, the people that were backing hs2 included the these the northern mayor andy burnham, it included of course, uh, andy street as well, the mayor of the west midlands. >> these are people that really do care about their regions and say that it's vital capacity because currently the connections between birmingham

and manchester and many else besides just don't have capacity to take the number of people that want to travel between these places . these places. >> well, this is simply not the case. >> the capacity argument has always been overblown right from the and the simple fact the start, and the simple fact is if you invest in the is that if you invest in the pinch points which andy pinch points, which now andy street andy burnham are street and andy burnham are saying you should do between manchester and birmingham , you manchester and birmingham, you can capacity at a can deliver capacity at a fraction of the cost on the existing lines there. are there are several issues wrong with the existing west coast main line can be addressed very easily and if you're looking at getting people into to the into into leeds, into the east midlands and yorkshire, then there are very few capacity constraints on the midland main line and the east coast main line. hs2 was all about basically just chucking money at the construction industry and both andy street and andy burnham are very heavily lobbied by the construction industry , as by the construction industry, as indeed are the all the

mainstream political parties. there are a lot of there's a lot of political donors give money to parties who are from the construction industry . and this construction industry. and this has always been about lining their pockets. >> and of course, they were told this huge numbers this would create huge numbers of and the of it. and of jobs and the rest of it. and i now the question is, how i guess now the question is, how will these local councils use the money? that's all we've got time for. unfortunately joe rukin, the founder of stop hs2, he's got his t shirt on there. absolutely stop hs2 . thank you absolutely stop hs2. thank you very much for, uh, for talking to us. there you go. it is up to now councils to spend now the local councils to spend the local people's i the money in local people's i think i think it's a disgrace that hs2 reached, what, over £100 billion. >> but originally it was only meant to cost just over 20 billion between 20 and 30 billion. yeah, but then they. but then what happened was the government changing government kept changing the plan, more it in plan, kept putting more of it in tunnels and nature tunnels and cuttings and nature reserves and cycle tracks and all the rest of it all alongside badger tunnels. just everything that you could possibly add to make this thing the most expensive railway per mile than just about anything in the

world. >> historic trees, didn't they? uh but coming up, we're going to get your views whole lee get your views on the whole lee anderson islamophobe hero as the labour keir starmer says labour leader, keir starmer says the prime minister is leading a divided and chaotic party. that's what keir starmer has to

radio. >> good afternoon britain. it's ten minutes to three and there were shocking scenes in bradford over the weekend as a violent brawl erupted outside a kebab shop with pro—palestine protesters demanding the owner boycott coca—cola . boycott coca—cola. >> yes. the footage, which surfaced on snapchat late last night, shows a group of more than 50 people engaging in a violent altercation in, of course, amid the ongoing tensions in gaza. so for men there, you can see with the batons or sticks or something with the flag, there . ba.2 this with the flag, there. ba.2 this is all four men have since been

arrested for this. now this shop owner was targeted because he's selling coca—cola now , some selling coca—cola now, some pro—palestine protesters are demanding that everyone boycott coca—cola on the grounds that what it sold in, uh, occupied territories, it sold in the state of israel . state of israel. >> i'm reading this is an age old conflict , the coca—cola arab old conflict, the coca—cola arab conflict , which old conflict, the coca—cola arab conflict, which apparently began in 1967 because coca—cola company built a bottling plant in israel . and that kicked all in israel. and that kicked all of this off. and this is extraordinary. >> i mean, and this is an example of how well, how the pro—palestine cause can erupt into mob like anger. these people targeting this shop owner simply because he wants to sell coca—cola in his shop, he may not have even been aware of the calls to boycott coca—cola. i mean, we've seen people protesting outside m&s , we've protesting outside m&s, we've seen people protesting outside mcdonald's . you had mcdonald's mcdonald's. you had mcdonald's having to have police outside

mcdonald's because , again, mcdonald's because, again, pro—palestine protesters are saying that they have to be boycotted . boycotted. >> and there's so much fake news and frankly, political mischief around this. i'm on the coca—cola company website here where a whole faq . where they have a whole faq. does coca—cola send its profits to the israeli army? the answer, of course . no. coca—cola does of course. no. coca—cola does not military operations in not fund military operations in any country. they have to have this on their website now , this on their website now, because of the amount of fake news that has spread around this company. is the problem with >> and this is the problem with social media as well. and the way it's used with regards way it's being used with regards to particular, to this conflict in particular, what have is have people what you have is you have people whipping up boycotts whipping up these boycotts against based against companies. often based on spurious and frankly untrue grounds . and then what do you grounds. and then what do you see in bradford , groups of men see in bradford, groups of men targeting a shopkeeper because he's selling coca—cola? i mean, it's one of the most popular brands ever. >> it's outrageous. and intimidating and frankly , intimidating and frankly, baffling because you have so

many shops . i can't i can't many shops. i can't i can't think of a single shop in this country that doesn't sell coca—cola. quite frankly . coca—cola. quite frankly. >> i mean, this is our politicians should be addressing this. i mean, the people living in that area must be absolutely terrified to see that outside their high street, terrified to see that outside their high street , just outside their high street, just outside a random kebab shop, their high street, just outside a random kebab shop , to be a random kebab shop, to be targeted in this way, waving flags around, hitting each other with sticks. i mean, it's absolutely barbaric. yes. >> and we don't want to be seeing this sort of street violence on the streets of the united kingdom. it seems like there's violence that is happening here that that didn't used to happen here. >> yeah. so he's being threatened to stop selling coca cola. i mean, the mind boggles , cola. i mean, the mind boggles, really. if i saw that outside my window , i'd be absolutely window, i'd be absolutely terrified. horrified >> but a lot of you have been getting in touch on our main story of today. which of course, is about the comments of lee anderson, former deputy anderson, the former deputy chair party, anderson, the former deputy chai|has party, anderson, the former deputy chai|has had party, anderson, the former deputy chai|has had the party, anderson, the former deputy chai|has had the whip party, anderson, the former deputy chai|has had the whip suspended who has had the whip suspended from natasha has got in from him. and natasha has got in touch to say lee anderson should

have every right to voice his opinion through through free speech, thus should not be sanctioned in any way. although i don't think there's anyone saying that there should be sort of repercussions. of legal repercussions. there's an internal conservative party repercussion , and peter says, i repercussion, and peter says, i don't often agree with peter tatchell, tatchell. don't often agree with peter tat< we l, tatchell. don't often agree with peter tat we spoke to earlier about this, agree with this, but on this i agree with him. some people are genuinely afraid of this ideology and the extremists tracks well, this is the . should you able to the thing. should you be able to criticise a religion, any religion in any way really , religion in any way really, without being accused of islamophobe here? should there be a different definition ? yeah. be a different definition? yeah. i mean attacking and assaults muslims on the basis of their religion is already very much against. >> yeah, against. and this is the fundamental difference. it should be absolutely fine to attack ideas , philosophies, attack ideas, philosophies, religions, but not to attack individuals. and perhaps that's where lee anderson crossed the line. but it's up next. it's martin what's coming up martin daubney. what's coming up on your show? martin hi guys . on your show? martin hi guys. >> fantastic show. yeah, i'll

have all the latest on the lee anderson, um, fiasco . anderson, um, fiasco. >> so kicked off on my show friday, 5:00. spoke to the guy friday, 5:00. i spoke to the guy very shortly ago. in the very shortly ago. he was in the studio. he apologise? studio. would he apologise? >> stay should he >> should he stay or should he go? >> should rishi have him back? is red dead without is the red wall dead without him? have an him? plus, we'll have an exclusive with a exclusive interview with a councillor whose meeting was stormed in stoke by pro—palestinian protesters. he'll share his terrifying ordeal. all that come in. but first, here's your latest weather forecast . weather forecast. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hello. good afternoon. welcome to your latest gb news weather update with me, annie from the met office. it should be dry for many areas be staying dry for many areas through the rest of the day, be staying dry for many areas throtsomee rest of the day, be staying dry for many areas throtsomee res sunshine ay, come. with some late sunshine to come. however it will be a cold night tonight as high pressure tonight that's as high pressure is south is building in from the south and that will settle and west, so that will settle things the rest things down through the rest of the . however, north the night. however, in the north and we'll to see some and west we'll start to see some thicker and rain arrive by thicker cloud and rain arrive by tomorrow morning, so the winds

should tonight, allowing should ease tonight, allowing for to dip down for temperatures to dip down quite early on and we should see some mist and fog developing mainly and mainly across central and southeastern areas that could be quite clear tomorrow quite slow to clear tomorrow morning, away from any mist morning, but away from any mist and fog it will turn frosty, particularly for inland areas of wales, england, northern england as . further north and west, as well. further north and west, though, see wet though, we'll see some wet weather arrive by tomorrow morning. blustery band morning. quite a blustery band of rain will push through around rush for north western rush hour for north western areas scotland into areas of scotland and into northern ireland that could northern ireland too. that could bnng northern ireland too. that could bring to high bring some snow to the high ground and then that ground of scotland and then that rain push into parts of rain will push into parts of northern england and parts of wales, , to bring a wet wales, as well, to bring a wet afternoon for these areas further south and so further south and east. so it should stay but it will be should stay dry, but it will be a cloudier today a much cloudier day than today and temperatures around average for the time of year 7 or 8 degrees through wednesday . we'll degrees through wednesday. we'll see another probably misty and murky start to before we murky start to the day before we see the next batch of rain arrive from west. but this arrive from the west. but this time this will pick up the temperatures. will turn temperatures. it will turn milder the of milder through the course of wednesday thursday , wednesday and into thursday, with arriving into

with further rain arriving into parts of the north and west. it looks a little bit colder to end the week though. see you the week again, though. see you later. warm feeling inside later. that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> good afternoon and a very happy monday to you. it's 3 pm. welcome to the martin daubney show on gb news broadcasting live from the heart of westminster. all across the uk. >> today . >> today. >> today. >> lee anderson fights back the islamophobia row at the heart of the conservative party hots up as it kicks off on this show on 5:00 on friday. as you recall, and the party's former deputy chairman releases a statement defending himself and attacking sadiq khan's record. london mayor has hit back and the labour leader has now waded into the row. sir keir starmer , it's

the row. sir keir starmer, it's all kicking off.