the house of commons as watching the house of commons as penny mordaunt is still in there taking questions. >> indeed, we're looking at the end leaders questions, which end of leaders questions, which is going to move in to community secretary, sometimes known as levelling up secretary michael gove, because this is the plan today to name a new definition of extremism, which has already been released this morning. and then from the chamber of the house of commons, telling the commons first what groups are going to be added to the list of extremists. this is a big deal. >> it is indeed. and michael gove was on the channel earlier and he was asked about potential difficulties with broadening this definition of extremism , this definition of extremism, and he was asked about the question of free speech. will it inhibit free speech in this country? he says it absolutely won't. it will not curtail your free speech. in fact, it will uphold free speech and democracy by pinpointing exactly who these extremist groups are. we were

talking earlier about how there are already many groups coming out to say that this is absolutely the wrong thing for the government to do to broaden this definition , to name and this definition, to name and shame groups that they deem to be extreme list. we've had muslim groups saying that the government is seeking a problem or seeking a solution to a problem that does not exist. we've had civil liberties groups talking about free speech are. >> and here's michael gove. >> and here's michael gove. >> yes . >> yes. >> yes. >> in the government's strategy to counter extremism and to build greater national resilience and social cohesion, the united kingdom is a success story. a multinational, multi—ethnic, multi—faith democracy is stronger because of our diversity, but our democracy and our values of inclusivity and our values of inclusivity and tolerance are under challenge from extremist groups, which are radicalising our young people and driving greater polarisation within and between communities to further their own ends. communities to further their own ends . in communities to further their own ends. in order to communities to further their own ends . in order to protect our ends. in order to protect our democratic values and enhance

social cohesion, it is important both to reinforce what we all have in common and to be clear and precise in identifying the dangers posed by extremism as our new definition makes clear that extremism can lead to the radicalisation of individuals, deny people their full rights and opportunities , suppress and opportunities, suppress freedom of expression, incite hatred , weaken social cohesion hatred, weaken social cohesion and ultimately it can lead to acts of terrorism. most extremist materials and activities are not illegal and do not need to. terrorism or national security threshold. for example, islamist and neo—nazi groups in britain are operating lawfully, but they advocate and work towards the replacement of democracy with an islamist or nazi society. the department for levelling up, housing and communities has been working with local authorities, civil society and faith groups, especially where especially in those areas where social cohesion is most under strain to de—escalate tensions and to explore the most constructive support that we can offer . from constructive support that we can offer. from our engagement, we hear widespread unease over the

safety and security of community organisations, political candidates and elected officials. councillors have been threatened with violence. council meetings have been disrupted, council officers and elected members talk of walking a tightrope , terrified of a tightrope, terrified of inadvertently saying the wrong thing of offending one side or another. many choose to remain silent , to take no action. mr silent, to take no action. mr speaken silent, to take no action. mr speaker, such is the chilling effect of these extremist groups on our democracy . it is, of on our democracy. it is, of course, gravely concerning that the conflict in the middle east is driving further polarisation. we've seen a terrible increase in and anti—muslim in anti—semitic and anti—muslim hate crime, as well as a very significant increase in radicalisation. troublingly. there is also evidence that some islamists and extreme right wing groups , and others who seek to groups, and others who seek to tear our society apart, are working together to maximise the reach of their message and cause . and that is why the work of civil society organisations such as the community security trust and tell mama as well as muslims

against anti—semitism, the educational charity solutions not sides and the forum for discussion of israel and palestine is so important. we have provided additional funding for the cst and tell mama to counter anti—semitism and anti—muslim hatred, and we will do more . we will shortly do more. we will shortly establish a new fund to provide additional direct and tangible support for grassroots organisations. building bridges and fighting division. i wish to commend those doing so much to counter prejudice in working with civil society. it's critically important that we do not unwittingly or through ignorance, fund or otherwise support organisations or individuals who are themselves extremist. in the past, it has unfortunately been the case that extremist groups and actors have sought to present themselves as moderate representative moderate voices, representative of majority or mainstream opinion. the government has had a definition of extremism since 2011. it has helped inform our prevent counter—terrorism work, and was designed to assist the government in engagement . but in

government in engagement. but in a considerable number of cases, organisations and individuals with views which are clearly extreme have nevertheless benefited from state engagement, endorsement and support, and furthermore have exploited that association to further their extremist agendas. association to further their extremist agendas . among the extremist agendas. among the most significant was shakeel begg, who was labelled an islamist extremist by a judge. mr begg, an nhs chaplain and regular speaker at state schools, ran the lewisham islamic centre and was on both the metropolitan police's independent advisory group in lewisham and lewisham standing advisory on religious advisory committee on religious education. in 2016, mr begg sued the when they described him the bbc when they described him accurately as an extremist. the judge in the case, mrjustice haddon—cave, conducted his own scrupulous research , identifying scrupulous research, identifying many occasions where mr begg had advocated positions, advocated extreme positions, including promoting and encouraging religious violence by telling a muslim audience that violence in support of islam would constitute a man's greatest deed. not only did mr justice haddon—cave dismiss mr begg's claim, he drew specific attention the danger of attention to the danger of extremists exploiting sponsorship state

sponsorship from state institutions , and he outlined institutions, and he outlined the need for an updated and more precise definition of extremism to engagement by to guide engagement by government and we government and others. and we have since seen how figures of potential concern have potential extremism concern have been able to work with the crown prosecution and the prosecution service and the metropolitan , co—opt metropolitan police, co—opt charities benefit metropolitan police, co—opt chari' public benefit metropolitan police, co—opt chari'public funding benefit metropolitan police, co—opt chari'public funding and efit metropolitan police, co—opt chari'public funding and we know from public funding and we know from public funding and we know from william shawcross's excellent independent review of prevent that such engagement has inadvertently provided a platform , funding or legitimacy platform, funding or legitimacy for groups or individuals who oppose our shared values. this apparent legitimising of their views can lead extremists of all ideologies to be emboldened and to exert greater influence. that is why today my department is publishing an updated, more precise rigorous definition publishing an updated, more pr

plans drawn up in close collaboration with the home office, will enable the government to express more clearly than ever before which groups within extremism groups fall within the extremism definition , and we can point to definition, and we can point to the explain the the evidence and explain the funding engagement funding and engagement consequences. they will also support national efforts to counter the work of extremists who promote their ideologies, both online and offline. the new definition will strengthen vital frontline counter—radicalisation work, and the new centre of excellence also help us to excellence will also help us to understand the role played by state state linked state actors and state linked organisations in extremist activity, which taking place organisations in extremist ac'oury, which taking place organisations in extremist ac'our country taking place organisations in extremist ac'our country , taking place organisations in extremist ac'our country , and.ing place organisations in extremist ac'our country , and the place organisations in extremist ac'our country , and the wider in our country, and the wider knowledge of what constitutes extremist and who is extremist behaviour and who is behind it, will, i hope, help all of us to identify potential threats and to take steps to challenge marginalise them challenge and marginalise them critically, rights we critically, the rights that we enjoy kingdom enjoy in the united kingdom extend to everyone freedom of expression, freedom of religion and belief, the rule of law, upholding democracy and equal rights. these are the cornerstones of our civilised society , which as a government, society, which as a government, as a parliament on every side of this house we strive always to

uphold. so let me be clear our definition will not affect gender critical campaigners , gender critical campaigners, those with conservative religious beliefs, trans activists, environmental protest groups or those exercising their proper right to free speech. the government is taking every possible precaution to strike a balance in drawing up the new definition between protecting fundamental and fundamental rights and safeguarding citizens. our definition on the work of definition draws on the work of dame sara khan, the government's independent reviewer of social cohesion, and sir mark rowley, the metropolitan police commissioner , before his commissioner, before his appointment that the appointment to that post. the proposed definition will hold that extremism is the promotion or ideology or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance aims to negate intolerance that aims to negate or destroy the fundamental, fundamental rights and freedoms of others or undermine, overturn or system of or replace the uk's system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic or and democratic rights, or intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve these results , others to achieve these results, it is important to stress that we are in no way intending to restrict freedom of expression, religion or belief, but the government cannot be in a

position where, unwittingly or not, we sponsor, subsidise or support in any way. organisations and individuals opposed to the freedoms we hold dear across this house. i am sure that we would agree that organisations such as the british national socialist movement and patriotic alternative, who promote neo— nazi alternative, who promote neo—nazi ideology , argue for neo—nazi ideology, argue for forced repatriation. a white ethnostate and the targeting of minority groups for intimidation are precisely the type of groups about which we should be concerned and whose activities we will assess against the new definition. the activities of these extreme right of the extreme right wing are a growing worry, the targeting of both muslim and jewish communities and by these groups and individuals by these groups is a profound concern, requiring concerted action. and it is important, just as with our definition of extremism, to be precise in the use of language, when discussing islamism, islamism should never be confused with islam. islam is a great faith , a religion of peace great faith, a religion of peace which provides spiritual nourishment to millions ,

nourishment to millions, inspires countless acts of charity, and celebrates virtues of generosity, compassion and kindness. islamic ism is a totalitarian ideology which seeks to divide calls for the establishment of an islamic state governed by sharia law , state governed by sharia law, and seeks the overthrow of liberal democratic principles. it has its roots in the thinking of the founder of the muslim brotherhood , hassan al—banna, brotherhood, hassan al—banna, the of jamaat islami the founder of jamaat e islami abul ala maududi and the muslim brotherhood ideologue sayyid kutub. the palestinian branch of the muslim brotherhood is , of the muslim brotherhood is, of course, hamas. organisations such as the muslim association of britain, which is the british affiliate of the muslim brotherhood, and other groups such as cage and mend , give rise such as cage and mend, give rise to concern for their islamist orientation and views . we will orientation and views. we will be holding these and other organisations to account to assess if they meet our definition of extremism and will take action as appropriate. there are, of course, further steps that we will take in the coming days and weeks to marginalise extremist groups and to support and strengthen those communities extremists are

communities where extremists are most active and spreading division. include division. this will include responding to dame sarah khan's forthcoming report on social cohesion and democratic resilience, and lord walden's independent of how to independent review of how to counter political violence and disruption. in this debate. we must never forget about the experiences of victims of extremism who are targeted by extremist groups, and the severe and distressing impact it has on their lives. so am pleased their lives. so i am pleased that sarah khan will that dame sarah khan will be addressing her addressing this in her forthcoming . as the prime forthcoming report. as the prime minister has said, the time has come for us all to stand together to combat the forces of division and to beat this poison, the liberties that we hold indeed the hold dear and indeed the democratic principles were all sent uphold, require to sent here to uphold, require to us counter and challenge the extremists who seek to intimidate , to coerce, and to intimidate, to coerce, and to divide. we have to be clear eyed about the threat we face, precise about where that threat comes from, and rigorous in defending that defending our democracy. that means upholding freedom of expression, religion, and belief. when they are threatened, facing down harassment supporting

harassment and hate, supporting the communities facing the greatest challenge from extremist activity and ensuring this house and this country are safe, free and united. i commend this statement the house. this statement to the house. >> i now call the shadow secretary of state, angela rayner. raynen >> thank you, mr speaker. can i start by thanking the secretary of state for advance sight of this statement and for his briefing yesterday? hateful extremism threatens the safety of our communities and the unity of our communities and the unity of our communities and the unity of our country. everyone across this house can agree that this is a serious problem which demands a serious response. so i want to begin by saying from the outset, when it comes to our national security , when it comes national security, when it comes to the threat of radicalisation , to the threat of radicalisation, when it comes to the toxic scourge of islamophobia , scourge of islamophobia, neo—nazism, anti—semitism or any other corrosive hatred, the whole house can and should work together the way the government

does. this work matters, and the language that we all use is important . and i want to welcome important. and i want to welcome the secretary of state's opening words that it is our diversity and our values, which make our country stronger. indeed, the secretary of state is right to raise the concerns about the dangers facing our elected representatives. we must be free to represent the views of our constituents. we all have a responsibility to work to extinguish the flames of division and never to fan them . division and never to fan them. while it may be part of the nature of our politics for passion to sometimes take centre stage, and while we may challenge and probe these plans today, if the secretary of state wants to engage going forward, he has my word that we can do so in good faith and the reason that i say challenge is because i do believe he has made a mistake in the way that this policy has been trailed in the last week. so i am glad that he has now come to the house to give clarification. but it is

not right have spent the not right that we have spent the last days poring over a last few days poring over a possible definition the possible new definition in the papers , and it is not right that papers, and it is not right that the department has leaked the names of groups that may or may not be covered by this definition. when he rightly says this work should be based on due diligence, and it is not right that each stage of the recruitment of a new islamophobia adviser has been mired in controversy . so can the mired in controversy. so can the secretary of state confirm he has now appointed an adviser ? so has now appointed an adviser? so on today's announcement, mr speaker , we will scrutinise this speaker, we will scrutinise this new definition and it will be crucial to see the way it is appued crucial to see the way it is applied in practice. but can i ask the secretary of state to set out today how the new centre of excellence will operate and how it will be resourced , and how it will be resourced, and can he confirm how this new definition will work in practice? how exactly will it restrict the government's engagement? and can you explain

whether these restrictions will only relate to government engagement or later extended to other public bodies, such as the police and universities ? given police and universities? given this new definition , the public this new definition, the public will rightly be alarmed at the idea that government ministers could already have met with extremist groups. can the secretary of state shed some light on this ? renewed vigilance light on this? renewed vigilance and diligence is welcome, particularly in the current climate. but if his own department now needs to cut ties with extremist groups, it begs the question why they were working with them in the first place. and given, he says this will not affect gender critical campaigners, those with conservative religious beliefs, trans activists and environmental protest groups, or those exercising their proper right to free speech. can the secretary of state explain which groups this new definition will affect and where the government has chosen to draw the line ? mr

has chosen to draw the line? mr speaken has chosen to draw the line? mr speaker, this is not the first time that the government has identified this risk or promised to act as the secretary of state mentions in his opening at the beginning of 2011. well, back then , the conservative home then, the conservative home secretary told the house that if organisations do not support the values of democracy, human rights, equality before law, participation in society , we participation in society, we will not work with them and we will not work with them and we will not work with them and we will not fund them . it begs the will not fund them. it begs the question why has it taken the government 13 years to address this? the secretary of state says that organisations which are clearly extreme have benefited from government engagement, endorsement and support, and even suggests that those groups have exploited government engagement. can he understand how deeply concerned this is to hear he must explain exactly how this has been allowed to happen . mr speaker, allowed to happen. mr speaker, we know that there has been a

huge surge in online extremism . huge surge in online extremism. and can the secretary of state give assurance on how this will be dealt with? what action is taken to work across government to assess and confront online hate? we know that extremism does not exist in a vacuum, and we need political leadership on this, but a quality of good leadership is to empower others. the secretary of state says that the department has been working with faith groups, civil society and local councils, and i agree that they all have a crucial role to play in tackling extremism. but what forms that consultation taken, and will he pubush consultation taken, and will he publish the findings of that consultation? and on the wider work now needed? can the secretary of state set out if this work will be underpinned by a new cross—government counter extremism strategy? given the last one is now nine years out of date , will it include action of date, will it include action to rebuild the resilience and cohesion of our communities? and he mentions new funding. how much will that funding be and

how will it be allocated , and how will it be allocated, and how will it be allocated, and how will it interact with other funding streams, including the multi—faith dialogue? mr speaken multi—faith dialogue? mr speaker, i also want to raise the point about hate crime and how important this is to tackling anti anti extremism. we have seen an appalling surge of anti—semitism and anti—semitic ism and islamophobia in recent months, and the previous strategy is now four years out of date. can i ask the secretary of date. can i ask the secretary of state when will he have an updated hate crime action plan and have ministers abandon plans to bring forward a new hate crime strategy and can i ask the minister, why is the anti—muslim hatred working group and the anti—semitism working group no longer meeting? we need much stronger action to tackle the corrosive forms of hatred that devastate lives and corrode communities. but today's statement does not go far enough. and regardless of how workable and effective this new definition and centre of excellence is, this announcement

will not be enough. i want to finish by echoing the words of the archbishops of canterbury and york and their warnings that against the backdrop of growing divisions , it is for political divisions, it is for political leaders to provide a conciliatory tone and to pursue policies that bring us together , policies that bring us together, not risk dividing us apart. i look forward to working with the secretary of state on this tree of state. >> well, i'm very grateful to the shadow secretary of state for the constructive, detailed and consensual approach that she is taking to what are inevitably challenging and difficult issues.i challenging and difficult issues. i enjoy the opportunity to talk to her and other labour colleagues yesterday. i look forward to working together in the future and i know it is the role of the opposition to challenge constructive challenge and the constructive way challenge has been way in which challenge has been issued. which issued. today is something which i wholeheartedly welcome. can i also say that i agree with the shadow secretary of state that the danger to elected representatives is growing, and it is something which my right

hon. friend, the security minister has invested time, care and money counter. and can and to money counter. and can i also say, of course, passion , also say, of course, passion, vigour, determination, is part of the meat of our politics and nothing in anything that we have said today should take away from , our desire to see free speech exercised as energetically as possible, the shadow secretary of state mentioned the leaking of state mentioned the leaking of some information relating to our work on this. i deprecate that leaking . it is. it is that leaking. it is. it is fundamentally a challenge to the effective operation of government. and a leak inquiry has been commissioned in order to see how some of the information about our statement today was shared. but, mr speaken today was shared. but, mr speaker, there is an opportunity for all of us as a result of my having given this statement, to scrutinise the detail. the shadow state talks shadow secretary of state talks about the centre of excellence, how it would be staffed, how it would funded, impartial, with would be funded, impartial, with

civil servants with in civil servants with training in this supplemented this area will be supplemented in their work studies by in their work by studies by academics academic bodies. academics and academic bodies. and of course, we will work with the existing expertise in the homeland security analysis and intelligence unit within the home in order to ensure home office in order to ensure that all our work is rigorous and we will make sure that if a decision is made to list an organisation as extremist, that we will show our working, as it were, that the evidence which leads us to that conclusion and the that we have the judgement that we have made, will everyone to will be there for everyone to see. the shadow secretary of state asked, of course, why was the case that in the past government or arms of the state had unwittingly involved themselves or been engaged with extremist organisations? it's because the definition, while well—intentioned and drawn up with care, was perhaps insufficiently precise and perhaps insufficiently policed. that we thought it was appropriate to update that definition . and this follows on, definition. and this follows on, of course, from the shaquille beg case from william shawcross, independent review of prevent, and other examples that were

brought government's brought to government's intention. think real intention. and i think the real sin would be having been told by independent figures, by the courts and by william shawcross, that we needed to look again at our approach. the real sin, i think, would have been not to and to have stuck to a course which had led to mistakes in the past. and they, of course, the shadow secretary of state asks about wider work on resilience. we will be publishing a more detailed plan, will detailed action plan, which will include commitments to include funding commitments to support organisations the support organisations on the ground up a ground which do build up a greater degree of community resilience, look forward resilience, and i look forward to working and others to working with her and others in to achieve in local government to achieve that . that valuable end. >> part the house of pizza >> part of the house of pizza bottom . bottom. >> well, there we go. >> well, there we go. >> well, there we go. >> we were listening to michael gove and before him, angela rayner set out this new definition of extremism. we heard the levelling up secretary, michael gove, name several organisations that will be being looked at by a new centre for excellence within his department. they will set out

which organisations do not get to interact with government, do not get the endorsement or indeed the funds of government. some of the organisations that he listed that could end up on this list include the muslim brotherhood and its affiliates, cage, mend . these groups that cage, mend. these groups that are known to be perhaps sympathetic , stick to aims and sympathetic, stick to aims and values of islamism, but also he mentioned the patriotic alternative, a far right group , alternative, a far right group, yes, and the britain british national socialist movement. >> so michael gove tried to make very clear, at least in his mind, that this will not suppress freedom of speech. and this is actually about upholding freedom of speech and democracy in this country. so that's what he had to say. angela rayner questioned him on some of the detail on that. she also spoke about whether they've appointed an islamophobia adviser. yet after one name was leaked to the press and then he pulled out, he didn't answer that one. no, he

didn't answer that one. no, he did not. >> i thought angela rayner seemed like she's sort of had the of her belly the fire taken out of her belly there. , she hasn't there. of course, she hasn't been appearing the for been appearing in the media for the last. i think it's 42 days now. ever since the scandal over whether or not she paid tax for a second property that she owned, that question has owned, that big question has sort perhaps been dogging her sort of perhaps been dogging her a little. and i thought normally , normally she's much more vigorous than we heard her today i >> perhaps this isn't her area of expertise. well maybe it's that maybe she's a shadow minister. she is indeed. but it covers a whole lot of different policy areas, doesn't it? >> i've heard a lot of. i was at the trade union congress in september, where angela rayner gave the keynote speech, she gave the keynote speech, and she brought house down. she was brought the house down. she was passionate. she was shouting. she she can be an she was she she can be an amazing public speaker. but what we there in the house of we saw there in the house of commons was diminished angela raynen >> yes, it did amuse me when she said, let's not fan the flames of division in the house of commons or whatever. and of course , angela rayner usually course, angela rayner usually doesn't it comes

doesn't hold back when it comes to of thing. to that sort of thing. >> do you think she's had a talking to maybe starmer? talking to maybe keir starmer? >> think >> i think so. >> i think so. >> we're in an election year. she's told, oh, don't be she's been told, oh, don't be too angela. too passionate, angela. >> down. i don't know, >> calm down. i don't know, maybe. can't that . maybe. well, you can't say that. >> well, maybe, maybe, maybe someone labour someone in the senior labour leader's opposition office has said, . that was said, calm down, dear. that was that was a scandal from the. >> one thing also to note is that he did make clear that the definition affect terfs definition will not affect terfs or gender critical women. it won't affect environmental protesters and it won't affect there was one other group they said won't affect trans said it won't affect trans activists, trans activists too. said it won't affect trans actyou s, trans activists too. said it won't affect trans actyou are ans activists too. said it won't affect trans actyou are stillactivists too. said it won't affect trans actyou are still allowedtoo. said it won't affect trans actyou are still allowed to. so you are still allowed to protest. should we get the thoughts of our political editor , hope, christopher , , christopher hope, christopher, do you think michael gove gave us enough detail? do we know exactly what this definition will be and how it will affect. >> yeah, we know what the definition is, don't we? i mean, i think he what i struck by was he named those groups , on the he named those groups, on the right of political campaigning or even society patriotic alternative. the british

national socialist movement neo—nazi group amongst on on the left, i suppose you could say the muslim association of britain. cage and men. there are five groups he named there , in five groups he named there, in parliament, of course, with full privilege , allowing him to say privilege, allowing him to say that they'll be looked at under the new extremism definition, and they'll be assessed whether they should face this band called extremists, and they can't get money from, central government. some of those groups have received charitable funding, and that's part of the problem . and it may mean that problem. and it may mean that when you're named. and we'll see more in the detail. but when your names are an extremist group, you then can't receive charitable and that charitable funding, and that could way of squeezing the could be a way of squeezing the money going them. those are money going to them. those are perhaps the less perhaps more the less controversial names he mentioned. when this list is published, think in a few published, i think in a few weeks time it will be deeply controversial. there'll be some names edges which names around the edges which some look at that names around the edges which som go, look at that names around the edges which som go, well, look at that names around the edges which som go, well, why look at that names around the edges which som go, well, why are ok at that names around the edges which som go, well, why are they that and go, well, why are they called extremist? why is the government restricting the right of involving

of freedom of speech involving those is that right? those people? and is that right? and is this a thin end of the wedge? and what safeguards are there stop future there to stop a future government, the government, tightening the ratchet on freedom of speech in this country? those are the issues i think will seem to be played out, the next few weeks. >> i think a lot of people will feel that it's incredible that pubuc feel that it's incredible that public money has been going to some of these groups that have been mentioned here. we know that , for example, cage, the that, for example, cage, the research director of that group called jihadi john, a beautiful young man some years ago. this group has still been welcomed into civic society. and we heard the case, the case study that michael gove went into some detail of the lewisham islamic centre , which had been going centre, which had been going into schools, been going into state schools in lewisham, saying that islamic violence is legitimate . legitimate. >> and that's right. i think

what the government is trying to do is to recognise the concern that this definition from 2011 hasn't really captured these other groups, other people who are saying this kind of thing and they are attracting public money now, i don't think yet. charities are banned from supporting those. but certainly if a group called an if a group is called an extremist by central government, that will make the trustees of charities very nervous about giving that group money and make it harder to justify, by the way, you both mentioned that angela rayner, she may be looking a bit pensive because she's about to do a what's called a press gallery lunch in westminster , tom and emily. and westminster, tom and emily. and that means she's she's she'll make a speech , but she'll make make a speech, but she'll make half an hour of questions by about 50 journalists. and that won't easy, given she's won't be easy, given she's barely appeared in public since the about her the question marks about her second home appeared in the mail on about four weeks ago. on sunday about four weeks ago. >> good point, >> that's a very good point, christopher. yes, we we'll be looking to that a little looking forward to that a little later on the room. later on in the room. >> catherine should say going >> catherine i should say going to that lunch and we'll be speaking in the

speaking to her later in the programme. chris, yes. programme. but chris, yes. >> going to say, forgive >> i was going to say, forgive me that we are we are across our gb news and my colleague, katherine forster is getting a nice lunch for her, but she'll be back with the hot takes from that as soon as she can get her pudding down. that as soon as she can get her pucand down. that as soon as she can get her pucand it own. that as soon as she can get her pucand it is'n. that as soon as she can get her pucand it is fascinating because >> and it is fascinating because this going on for this story has been going on for some was uncovered, in some time. it was uncovered, in the mail sunday. i the mail on sunday. first, i believe , which is that there has believe, which is that there has been a big, big question mark over thousands of pounds in tax that angela rayner has allegedly not paid , do you think, chris, not paid, do you think, chris, that basically all the questions here are going to be for angela rayner on this scandal that seems to be quite suppressed in a lot of the media? >> well, it's been covered in what you might call the right of centre papers. i mean, the story originally emerged from a forthcoming biography by michael ashcroft, lord ashcroft, the former tory party donor , at some former tory party donor, at some point he was a treasurer, deputy chairman back in the day, so

labour originally dismissed this story as muckraking by a conservative, but i think the pubuc conservative, but i think the public record does support some of what he's been saying. and i think he she's got to explain that when that house was sold many years ago was capital gains tax due on it, and if so, was it paid and if not, why not? i think the numbers we're talking about, tom and emily are quite low. i don't think if there were a capital gain, it's quite a small gain. was was that small gain. but was was that paid was it not paid? i paid and was it not paid? i mean, this is kind of mean, this is the kind of scrutiny, i think, which, all labour politicians are going to get as we forward into get as we go forward into election. polls suggest they election. the polls suggest they are to win a majority, and are going to win a majority, and you will find journalists going back the profile, back over the high profile, ministers, ministers or shadow ministers, ministers or shadow ministers and see what's in their past. and that's all part of the way that we weigh up the character and whether the labour party and its leaders are fit for government. and that's why she's getting a scrutiny. and hopefully we'll hear more from her today about that.

>> when the story came >> yes. when the story came to light , it was >> yes. when the story came to light, it was sort passed light, it was sort of, passed off, wasn't between the off, wasn't it? between the different press offices, between angela rayner's office, between the party press office, the labour party press office, she'll to very much answer she'll have to very much answer the questions, in the questions, perhaps in a little this little more detail this afternoon. we'll you up afternoon. but we'll keep you up to date with katherine forster going to it. thank you very much, christopher. hope our political westminster. well, up, we're going >> well, coming up, we're going to get reaction from prominent to get reaction from a prominent conservative of conservative member of parliament on all of this. and what does this mean for people at home? could you be labelled an extremist? but before all of that hits your headlines with sam . sam. >> tom. emily, thanks very much. it's just gone 12:30. i'm sam francis in the gb newsroom, and we start with a recap of that news that tom and emily have been covering that michael gove has outlined a new definition of extremism , which he says will extremism, which he says will mean the government can express more ever which more clearly than ever which groups pose a risk to britain's security. delivering that

statement in the commons just moments ago, the community secretary said that the new definition precise and definition is more precise and rigorous than the previous one. it's intended used to it's intended to be used to assess whether extremist groups should be blocked public should be blocked from public funding . mr gove said it will funding. mr gove said it will make vital frontline anti—radicalisation work in communities more effective. we have to be clear eyed about the threat we face precise about where that threat comes from and rigorous in defending our democracy. >> that means upholding freedom of expression , religion and of expression, religion and belief when they are threatened, facing down harassment and hate, supporting the communities facing the greatest challenge from extremist activity, and ensuring this and this ensuring this house and this country are safe, free and united. >> well, michael gove insisted that the new definition will not affect people's proper right to free speech. deputy labour leader angela rayner said that it was important that elected representatives worked together to tackle the issue. when it comes to our national security, when it comes to the threat of

radicalisation, when it comes to the toxic scourge of islamophobia, neo nazism, anti—semitism or any other corrosive hatred, the whole house can and should work together . and finally, to house can and should work together. and finally, to some royal news, the prince of wales and duke of sussex are set to attend an awards ceremony in honour of their late mother, princess diana, princess prince william will make an appearance in person at the diana legacy awards this evening. however, it's reported the brothers won't cross paths with prince harry joining via video call only after william has left the ceremony. meanwhile, the princess of wales , kate princess of wales, kate middleton, has been crowned britain's favourite royal in a survey conducted before the recent photo editing controversy . those are the headlines. plenty more to come throughout the afternoon, and in the meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen, or go to our gbnews.com/alerts

i >> -- >> good afternoon. britain. it's 30 minutes. 12:37. there we go. got that right in the end. and this afternoon in the house of commons, michael gove has named a number of organisations that could end up on the british list of extremists. these would be people precluded from interacting with government or indeed accepting public money. they include the muslim brotherhood, cage mend, patriotic alternative and the british national socialist group. >> yes, they do indeed. so shall we speak to conservative mp sir michael fabricant, who is waiting on the line? michael, thank you very much indeed for joining us. you were listening to michael gove there and angela rayner's response . yes. so

rayner's response. yes. so michael gove insisted very strongly that this would have no impact on freedom of speech . he impact on freedom of speech. he did go as far as to name and shame. i think it's about eight groups, those on the far right and islamist groups, two or those that may have extremist extremists within them areas, groups of concern. i think he called them, do you think it's true that freedom of speech won't be impacted at all? we've heard from a number of groups that they're very concerned . that they're very concerned. >> well, the freedom of speech to hate will certainly be to preach hate will certainly be affected, and quite rightly so , affected, and quite rightly so, look, this is a very, very delicate matter. and government after government of all political shades have failed to tackle it. it's like if you like the grooming gangs in rochdale, which is a different issue, but you know, there the police didn't want to tackle it for fear of upsetting certain groups or being accused of being racist . but it does need to be tackled. we've seen an increased amount of anti—semitism in the

country and islamophobia to, and this issue does need to be addressed. and at last, a government minister is addressing it. so i welcome what he had to say. but i will say this. although angela rayner did support the generality of it all, i'm pretty sure that from what she was saying that when it comes to actual organisations being proscribed or being named by the government to not receive funding, we'll see a howl of outrage from the labour party because that's invariably what happens. >> it's interesting . angela >> it's interesting. angela rayner didn't necessarily she sort of sidestepped the issue of naming these groups. she criticised the process, criticised the process, criticised the process, criticised the leaking , criticised the leaking, criticised the leaking, criticised how it had been discussed in the newspapers when it came to the announcement. she studiously avoided being critical or landing one side of the fence or the other side of the fence or the other side of the fence or the other side of the fence on the actuality of it. but some of these groups, michael fabricant, have come out

today and said, or at least a coalition of muslim groups has said that this is a solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist. there's already a lot of denial about the problem of extremism. >> yes, well, they would do, wouldn't they? particularly some groups who have been preaching hate. and it's been remarkable. we heard an example of how in lewisham, you know, the council has been supporting a group which has been going into schools and preaching hate and division, not just against jews , division, not just against jews, but also against other muslims who are not of the same muslim sect as they are. and what was made very clear by michael gove is that if any organisation station is listed, then they will publish in great detail the reasons why. it's something , you reasons why. it's something, you know in this country we've steered clear from for so many years, hoping things would get better. sadly they've got worse and at long last we're anticipating that we need to do

something. and about time too , i something. and about time too, i say there wasn't really talk of any specific sanctions other than not receiving public money or being involved with the government in any way, is this guidance? what exactly is this guidance? what exactly is this guidance there to do? because the government presumably shouldn't be working with these types organisations anyway , types of organisations anyway, it seems is this just to spur a debate rather than to actually lead to any substantial crackdown ? crackdown? >> well, i can understand your thinking that, but, look, it's not just government. it's local government as well. and we've seen local government involved with some incredibly shady organisations. so someone's got to get a grip of it. and this is exactly what michael gove is trying to achieve . it's not trying to achieve. it's not going to be easy. it's something that we've not done before . that we've not done before. look, if it turns out that they've actually broken the law , they've actually broken the law, then the full weight of the law will come down on them. but what the difficulty has been is that those who are just inside the

law yet by preaching hate, could lead indirectly to various people and organisations actually breaking the law and committing acts of terror in this country. and that's completely unacceptable . and completely unacceptable. and because it's so delicate, because it's so delicate, because it's so sensitive. government after government, as i said earlier , has avoided i said earlier, has avoided tackling this issue. so i'm very pleased now that michael gove and the government is going to tackle this issue. but you can bet your bottom dollar we'll see. objections in the detail from angela rayner. but we'll also see some organisations and they've already said this going to judicial review and arguing in the court why they think possibly that the government is being unfair for detailing them, just, michael, angela did raise something else, which perhaps has caused a little bit of embarrassing for the government. the issue of this islamophobia adviser, anti—muslim hatred adviser, anti—muslim hatred

adviser . there adviser, anti—muslim hatred adviser. there was a name leaked to the press, and then it to us. leaked to us? yes. leaked to gb news. and then he came out pretty quickly saying, actually, well, quitting the role before he'd even started, is there anyone waiting in the wings to take this job? he complained that it wasn't very well paid and well, believe me, i think everybody who's in government service will argue they're not very well paid, but i haven't. >> i just don't know. actually i'm not in the i'm not in the department. and, you're going to have to ask michael gove that one. >> michael fabricant, another story that's in the press today are the rumours, the growing rumours of vultures circling around rishi sunak. supposedly we learned that cabinet ministers have been meeting to see what could be done and perhaps face the extraordinary position of a sixth prime minister, a sixth conservative prime minister since 2016. >> well, cabinet ministers are

always speaking to each other about different things . about different things. >> i mean, that goes on all the time. it's the nature actually of the house of commons. and mps get invited to meetings with cabinet ministers and all the rest of it. of course, there'll be sort talking about, well, be sort of talking about, well, how improve our election how can we improve our election chances ? but, as say, tom, chances? but, as you say, tom, it would absolutely it would be absolutely extraordinary if not mad, if we were now to replace one prime minister with another. i mean , i minister with another. i mean, i often see on social media people saying, bring back boris and i'm a great boris fan, but, you know, you can't have someone who's not a member of parliament becoming prime minister unless you do something like, the 18th century, where you had, lords who were prime minister, i don't think that's going to happen. >> although michael fabricant, when alec douglas hume became prime minister, he was originally a member of the house of lords, he had to become a member of parliament in order to take prime minister's questions

and all the rest of it. >> there were few when >> there were a few days when technically member of technically he was a member of neither and was technical neither house and was technical prime without having prime minister without having a seat the commons or seat in either the commons or the lords. >> there's hope for you . >> there's hope for you. >> there's hope for you. >> well, i can tell that tom has done a good political degree at durham university with a first remembering all that. >> and it's true, but i don't think that's going to happen again. and look, alec douglas—home is one of the shortest serving prime ministers. there was. and it brought in a labour government. so don't think that's a good idea. >> well i'm glad we got in the trivia , but but yes i do. trivia, but but yes i do. i completely take your point. the last, the last proper prime minister from the from the lords was was victorian. it was salisbury i think so. so that was long, long time ago . i was a long, long time ago. i think have moved think we probably have moved on, michael you michael fabricant, thank you very much for joining michael fabricant, thank you very much forjoining us here on good afternoon britain. >> you, michael, >> yes. thank you, michael, i seem that there seem to think that perhaps there are conversations are these types of conversations going on, but nothing to much to bother about. >> when you're when you're >> well, when you're when you're when points in when you're 20 points in the polls, you're to talk

polls, you're going to talk about aren't lower about it, aren't you? even lower than that, i suppose. yes. things ridiculous. things sound ridiculous. it sounds to have a sixth prime sounds mad to have a sixth prime minister. it also sounds mad looking some of polls looking at some of the polls that seats that to lose that many seats that to lose that many seats that you below seats that take you below 100 seats even, got plenty even, well, we've got plenty more you in. more to bring you in. >> the to michael >> the reaction to michael gove's big

>> good afternoon. britain. it's coming up to 10 to 1. and let's dive in further with what it means to be an extremist in britain. and how extremist groups might be affected from this day on, we're joined with political commentator peter spencer . and, peter, i political commentator peter spencer. and, peter, i know you've been listening to what michael gove had to say. he's been referring he will be referring now some named groups to his own department for potential addition to this list. what happens then ? what happens then? >> they crack on with it little

by little . but i do find over, by little. but i do find over, oven by little. but i do find over, over, over as an overarching thing perspective on all this. i very much take the point made by sir michael fabricant. mickey used to call him back in the day, but letting that us, he said, look, it's very delicate andifs said, look, it's very delicate and it's very sensitive and indeed so it is. there has been a sharp uptick in anti—semitic incidents since october the 7th, andindeed incidents since october the 7th, and indeed a sharp rise in sharp, a rise in islamophobic , sharp, a rise in islamophobic, instances. couple that with the fact that there is a very clear and present danger to the lives of a reason of a significant slice of members of parliament. so this is not a thing to be messed around with, which is why i think that michael gove has very sensibly it some say, has gone too far. some say it hasn't gone too far. some say it hasn't gone far enough, which suggests to me is getting it sort of more or less about right. and as for rachel reeves performance, i

mean, there's a great deal mean, there's been a great deal of you know, well, of talk about you know, well, scandals her. i scandals surrounding her. and i just happened here just think what's happened here is that she is determined also to the tempo down because to keep the tempo down because it's too serious for messing around with. i mean, it's not every day you see an outburst of common the palace of common sense in the palace of westminster. indeed, it has the charm of novelty, i think charm of novelty, but i think that's we're at. there >> how much cut f how much cut m >> and how much cut through do you think all has with the you think this all has with the pubuc you think this all has with the public sukh? you imagine that public sukh? do you imagine that there overwhelming there will be overwhelming support for this type of conversation, for redefining the definition of extremism, for naming and shaming these groups in the house of commons? how much do you think the general pubuc much do you think the general public will at this and public will look at this and think, well, the conservatives, they're on it. they're getting a grip on it. >> will be a >> i think there will be a certain of interest, but certain amount of interest, but i don't think it'll really get people going except those who are possibly on the receiving end indeed giving end of end or indeed the giving end of extremist behaviour. i think far more through comes from the more cut through comes from the complete and utter shambles that the conservative party seems to be in over so many other aspects

of what it's trying to do, notably what rishi sunak is trying and failing to do. >> yes, it's interesting, peter, you mention perhaps the unique level headedness of the discussion we saw in the house of commons. it stands in contrast to the chaos we're seeing, frankly, in so many, many other areas of government policy. and that brings me on to a question, which we've seen raised in the press today, this morning, about cabinet ministers is, supposedly having quiet conversations in nooks and crannies and corners of the corridors of power about potentially removing the prime minister >> yes. and i'm sure these conversations are going on, and i'm sure they've been going on for some time. an awful lot of it is just chatter. but the thing has been brought, i think, into sharper focus in into even sharper focus in recent days with the huge controversy over the conservative party donor frank hester, and the £10 million or first of all, the hateful and

grotesque things that he appears to have said about diane abbott and indeed, the £10 million that he has given to the conservative party, which sunak is under a great deal of pressure to give back. now, i think what we have here is the problem of the fact that rishi sunak has only been an mp for under ten years and his background is finance , it's his background is finance, it's not in politics and he made a pretty good fist to my mind of the exchequer when he was a chancellor there. remember when he was dishy rishi and sorting out the furlough scheme? but now that he's in number 10, he's moved next door? i think he's i think his basic shortcoming is he's not all that good at politics, which is. yeah. i mean, shall i continue or do you want to ask me another question? >> no, i was just basically what you were getting on to. does he have the personality? does he have the personality? does he have authority be a good have the authority to be a good prime minister if his cabinet ministers having these ministers are having all these hush about hush hush conversations about

ousting mean, i think there's >> well, i mean, i think there's no question authority is no question his authority is bleeding much by the bleeding away pretty much by the day. and, and there is that sense that he doesn't really know what he's doing when it comes to making these strategic, these political judgements. and when i would draw an analogy with a young lad that's just passed his driving test and he's shooting around and skidding around when it's just been raining and stuff and boring aduu raining and stuff and boring adult adults say, listen, if you had a bit experience , you had a bit more experience, you wouldn't do that. and you know it's not a matter of calibrating the risk. it's just a matter of having something like a sixth sense about it. so let us sense about it. and so let us look at the specifically the frank hester example where rishi sunak said, well, peter, i'm afraid we're not going to have time to go into the example, but really appreciate your time here. >> we're running up to the end of the hour, but next hour we will hearing from the prime will be hearing from the prime minister himself. don't go anywhere. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb

news. >> welcome to your latest weather update from the met office for gb news. most of us will see a bit of rain today, but across eastern england it may well stay mostly dry. and that's where we'll see some pretty high temperatures as well . low pressure though, is still controlling weather and controlling our weather and these fronts are these two weather fronts are moving country. both moving across the country. both providing some outbreaks of rain. persistent rain through central scotland , a central and southern scotland, a 509931 central and southern scotland, a soggy old afternoon here, a bit of likely the tops of of snow likely on the tops of the but much of the the hills, but much of the highlands. northern isles highlands. the northern isles will stay dry bright and will stay dry and bright and mostly across east anglia in mostly dry across east anglia in the south—east, although we will see lots more cloud coming in but showery rain for wales and southwest look southwest england. look at the temperature though, england southwest england. look at the tem wales.e though, england southwest england. look at the tem wales. very jgh, england southwest england. look at the tem wales. very mild england southwest england. look at the tem wales. very mild withand and wales. very mild 16 with a bit of brightness. we could reach celsius. feeling cold reach 17 celsius. feeling cold though that persistent rain though with that persistent rain over scotland, though with that persistent rain over rain scotland, though with that persistent rain over rain does scotland, though with that persistent rain over rain does linger'ycotland, though with that persistent rain over rain does linger through that rain does linger through much of tonight as well. more showers to come for northern ireland. there'll be some showery rain england and showery rain for england and

wales, then through the wales, and then through the second of the night we'll second half of the night we'll see rain coming see some heavier rain coming into wales, far into wales, and the far south—west may have the odd rumble thunder in with rumble of thunder mixed in with that. pretty mild night, that. another pretty mild night, certainly and wales. certainly for england and wales. a a one in the far a bit of a chilly one in the far north scotland, where the north of scotland, where the winds are coming in the winds are coming in from the north, still providing bit north, still providing a bit of snow tops of hills. snow over the tops of the hills. another day for another fairly damp day for scotland. heavy, showery scotland. some heavy, showery rain and the m25 rain along the m4 and the m25 early friday that will clear early on friday that will clear away, left with a away, and then we're left with a mixture bright or sunny mixture of bright or sunny spells, but plenty of showers to come well . again fairly mild come as well. again fairly mild across england and wales, though it breezier . another it will be breezier. another pretty in scotland. pretty chilly one in scotland. >> feeling inside from >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on

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britain. now let's get straight to it, shall we? from the to it, shall we? hear from the prime he's been prime minister? he's been speaking for last few minutes. >> what he said was wrong and racist. i've made that clear. and it's right that he's apologised for that. and we're. remorse i think that remorse is shown. i think that should accepted . should be accepted. >> if money hasn't been >> but if money hasn't been spent, you return ? spent, will you return? >> i said on the show, i said what i said when someone has expressed genuine remorse and contrition what they've expressed genuine remorse and contritwhich what they've expressed genuine remorse and contritwhich is'hat they've expressed genuine remorse and contritwhich is he they've expressed genuine remorse and contritwhich is he hasy've expressed genuine remorse and contritwhich is he has is'e expressed genuine remorse and contritwhich is he has is the done, which is he has is the right thing to do to accept that. and comments, i that. and the comments, as i said, were wrong. they were racist. that he's now racist. it's right that he's now apologised them. do you apologised for them. do you think mp think that suggesting an mp should is extremism ? should be shot is extremism? well, the extremist strategy will outlined in a in a will be outlined in a in a couple of hours in parliament. and it's right that we wait for the community secretary to do that. said the that. but what i said on the steps downing street a few steps of downing street a few weeks that been a weeks ago, that that has been a worrying in extremist worrying rise in extremist activity which seeking to activity, which is seeking to undermine democracy, our undermine our democracy, our values and stir division. and it's important that government has the tools that it needs to protect against that threat. that's what the strategy is

about. and the community secretary will be outlining further details in parliament later today, but suggesting an mp should be shot. >> that extremism? >> is that extremism? >> is that extremism? >> said the community >> i said the community secretary will outlining the secretary will be outlining the strategy parliament strategy broadly in parliament today, but do you have a view on that? >> well, it's important that these things are done in a objective considered manner , objective and considered manner, evidence based. the community sector be outlining details sector will be outlining details of how this will work, and this is about organisations that the government with and government engages with and making that those making sure that those organisations not ones that organisations are not ones that we would consider to be, as i said, not supporting british values, undermining our democracy, that there will be an objective set of things that will be worked through to come to with the to those deliberations with the community. to those deliberations with the commu those in outline those details in parliament. wouldn't parliament. it wouldn't be right for about it in for me to talk about it in advance of that. >> so you'll be putting out this definition, but there won't be any powers, the any statutory powers, and the police won't use it. >> what's point is that >> so what's the point is that the steps of downing street a few ago, has been a few weeks ago, there has been a rise extremist activity that rise in extremist activity that is division, is stirring, division, undermining values and undermining our values and liberal parliamentary democracy.

that's not right. and it's important that government has the tools that needs the tools that it needs to protect against that . that's protect us against that. that's what the strategy will outline. but it hasn't been but again, it hasn't been outlined yet. that will happen rightly parliament later, and rightly in parliament later, and it be right for me to it wouldn't be right for me to speculate that before it happens. >> but there won't any >> but there won't be any statutory powers. >> i right saying, as >> am i right in saying, as i said, the community secretary will this in will be outlining this in parliament few hours time. parliament in a few hours time. it be appropriate for it wouldn't be appropriate for me to about it in advance me to talk about it in advance of estimation, is >> in your estimation, what is the threat the biggest extremist threat to this the moment? this country at the moment? as i said, from the steps of downing street, seen different street, we've seen different groups undermine our groups try and undermine our parliamentary stir parliamentary democracy, stir division and hate what the community secretary will set out later is making sure that government has the that it government has the tools that it needs to deal with those threats and make sure government is not engaging with organisations that are things that are threatening the things that we dear. we hold dear. >> but as i said, community secretary is making those announcements in parliament. it would wait for that. would be right to wait for that. >> you're here >> finally, you're here campaigning an and what campaigning with an mp and what is key target seat used to be is a key target seat used to be a seat. there a

a labour seat. will there be a general time soon? general election any time soon? will out a may election ? >> well, 7— >> well, i've 7 >> well, i've said at the start of this my working of this year my working assumption we'd have an assumption was we'd have an election the second of election in the second half of this has this year and nothing has changed since i said that. and what doing here what richard is doing here in gloucester a fantastic gloucester is a fantastic job. actually, visiting the actually, i'm here visiting the rugby club, which doing an rugby club, which is doing an incredible the community. incredible job in the community. it's to able say well it's nice to be able to say well done them for that, but also done to them for that, but also wish their game wish them luck for their game tomorrow. but more generally, talk across talk to people across gloucestershire country gloucestershire and the country about budget and if about the recent budget and if we our plan, we'll be we stick to our plan, we'll be able and £900 able to give pensioners and £900 increase pension in increase in the state pension in a few weeks time, but also cut taxes for people with our nics cut worth £900 as well, making progress towards our goal of ending the double taxation on work, which is unfair, and ensuring a brighter future for everyone . and in contrast, we've everyone. and in contrast, we've now seen that labour is opposed to cut, which means to that tax cut, which means higher people, less higher taxes for people, less money pockets. that's money in their pockets. that's the opposite we want to the opposite of what we want to do. if we stick the plan, do. and if we stick to the plan, £900 increase for pensioners and a tax cut for everyone in work. >> final question, andrew

jenkins, one of your mps on the radio this morning. like radio this morning. she'd like to you replaced. your party to see you replaced. your party isn't is it? isn't reunited, is it? >> i think actually the >> i said, i think actually the party is united wanting to party is united and wanting to make we don't have a make sure that we don't have a labour make sure that we don't have a labods make sure that we don't have a laboiis right for the plan is the right one for the country. and actually, we've been difficult couple been through a difficult couple of course, that's of years. of course, that's the case, with covid case, whether it's with covid recovering that, impact recovering from that, the impact of ukraine. but the of the war in ukraine. but the start this year, we really start of this year, we really have turned corner and we're have turned a corner and we're now right now pointing in the right direction. you can see that most clearly economy clearly with the economy inflation down from 11% to 4, mortgage falling, energy mortgage rates falling, energy bills falling by up to almost £250 in a few weeks time. wages have been rising. and because of all of that, and because of our plan, that is working, we'll be able to increase the state pension by £900 a few weeks pension by £900 in a few weeks time cut taxes by £900 for time and cut taxes by £900 for millions of people, helping to alleviate the unfairness of the double taxation on work. that's our plan . labour opposed to it. our plan. labour opposed to it. and that's the contrast at the next election. >> rishi sunak. >> rishi sunak. >> well, there you go. rishi sunak taking a few questions >> well, there you go. rishi suna gloucesterfew questions >> well, there you go. rishi suna gloucester rugbyzstions >> well, there you go. rishi suna gloucester rugby club,; from gloucester rugby club, which is nice. he was pushed

quite whether he thinks quite a bit on whether he thinks frank hester, the tory donor, whether comments were whether his comments were extreme and whether he's an extremist. tory donor who extremist. the tory donor who said, of course, that diane abbott should be shot. i couldn't just help thinking what a good scrum half he might make, but our political editor, christopher been christopher hope, has been listening conversation listening to that conversation and joins us once more. christopher, what do you make of, rishi sunak's defence, particularly over this donation? he's sticking by his guns. >> yes. hi. hi hi, tom. hi, emily hand. yeah, he is sticking by his guns. he's trying to move on there. he says that, when he's remorse has been shown, as it was by frank hester. that should be accepted. and we move on. that's the line they've adopted since about wednesday on this story, since the report, the comments from frank hester in 2019 were reported by in 2019 were first reported by the . and i was struck the guardian. and i was struck that though i thought it was quite interesting, what we call a clip, i mean, guys a pool clip, i mean, the guys kept going him. i mean, that kept going at him. i mean, that doesn't happen these

doesn't normally happen in these pool get three pool clips. we get three questions door. questions or out the door. so, hats the journalist hats off to the journalist who was questions. was asking those questions. i thought, thought thought, i thought when he sticking plan, he kept sticking to the plan, he kept talking about the £900 increase in pension for in the state pension for pensioners coming in april, that to me is good. they're saying that because about eight days, nine days too late, because they allowed the budget to get out the door last thursday, a week ago , and everyone was saying how ago, and everyone was saying how pensioners are being crucified by this because they're being caught by the by freezing in caught by the by the freezing in the what no one the tax thresholds. what no one said and should have said on the government there is government side is there is a big this 8% increase big increase. this 8% increase in the state pension because of the triple lock coming up at the beginning of april. and clearly, clearly, that's the new the new line going forward is we're going to increase the state pension pensioners by £900 pension for pensioners by £900 and insurance for and cut national insurance for everyone else in by another everyone else in work by another £900, nice kind of balance £900, a nice kind of balance there with those numbers, although they're same although they're not the same numbers, a good numbers, but there's a good balance you can see when you when describe i think when you describe them. i think they've their, they've now got their, their lines show.

lines right on that show. they weren't there eight days ago. >> good point. >> it's a good point. >> it's a good point. >> it's a good point. >> it a fantastic .point.you >> it is a fantastic .point. you and emily gloria de piero and i, emily and gloria de piero were sitting together on were all sitting together on listening to that budget and seeing coming into seeing the emails coming into the gb views inbox where they were saying, what's there for pensioners what's pensioners? what's there for pensioners? what's there for pensioners? as we pensioners? but emily, as we pointed out , pensioners? but emily, as we pointed out, we pensioners? but emily, as we pointed out , we announced that pointed out, we announced that earlier. >> yes. why didn't they make a thing of it in the budget? >> yes. why didn't they make a thiryeah.t in the budget? >> yes. why didn't they make a thiryeah.t in the buctom navalny >> yeah. well, tom, tom navalny the , i mean, i did say on the reason, i mean, i did say on air with you that there is this big increase from the triple lock coming up in april, the reason it wasn't mentioned, reason why it wasn't mentioned, and it was announced and is because it was announced in autumn statement in the november autumn statement and the convention that and the convention is that things november things announced in the november statement are not repeated in the budget, that that the march budget, but that that that doesn't mean you can't talk about it. and i don't know why jeremy hunt have jeremy hunt didn't have one paragraph speech say , paragraph in that speech to say, we've sorted out pensioners last november. and just to remind you , the £900 increase in the state pension in a few weeks time, why they didn't say that was an own goal because it allowed the headunes goal because it allowed the headlines to race away from goal because it allowed the headli it s to race away from goal because it allowed the headli it is:o race away from goal because it allowed the headli it is still:e away from

goal because it allowed the headli it is still true ay from goal because it allowed the headli it is still true thatom goal because it allowed the headli it is still true that many them. it is still true that many pensioners are caught by freezing income tax freezing of income tax thresholds if they're paying income tax, but but many more benefit from this increase in state pension. and finally they've ducks a row they've got their ducks in a row on line. on that line. >> yeah i know really really fascinating they didn't fascinating that they didn't have as a, a quick have this as a, as a, as a quick response or even as sort of a literature to put out. i've seen so graphics online of look, so many graphics online of look, look what was in the budget. and it's all lots of things for working and then all of working people. and then all of the responses well, what the responses are, well, what about for the pensioners, the people have paid people that have paid in all their lives? what for the their lives? what about for the people feel like they, people that feel like they, deserve but they are. deserve some? but they are. they are getting bad comms. >> isn't it? >> bad comms, isn't it? christopher should we ask you a little bit about whole little bit about the whole extremism michael extremism discussion? michael gove's speech the commons two gove's speech in the commons two rishi about that rishi sunak asked about that more in the context of what frank hester said about diane abbott. but even so , judging by abbott. but even so, judging by some of the public feedback we've had from our viewers and listeners, there's still a bit of confusion over exactly what it means to be an extremist. yes, there were some groups

named that they're going to be looking but whether looking into, but whether there's going to be serious action taken, some people have their doubts . their doubts. >> yes. i'm looking at my notes to remind myself of the definition . it's the new definition. it's the new definition. it's the new definition means if you want to destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, undermine, overturn or replace the uk system of liberal democracy, or create a permissive environment for others to do so, you'll be you'll be called an extremist. those are the three, the three things you must qualify for. so what michael gove was saying in the chamber earlier, they're the chamber earlier, how they're trying that trying to take that away. that means that, know, you can means that, you know, you can protest abortion protest outside an abortion clinic want to, or you clinic if you want to, or you can on march in london if can go on a march in london if you but you mustn't try you want to. but you mustn't try to undermine to seek to undermine our democratic values. that's what that's certainly michael that's certainly what michael gove was saying. we heard him list, didn't we? a couple of neo—nazi groups and three, muslim groups as groups that will be looked at, that what they're trying to do in the government, i think, is to squeeze the funding for these

groups. if you called groups. if you are called extremists. when the new list is published michael gove and published by michael gove and james 3 weeks james cleverly in 2 or 3 weeks time, will mean is time, what that will mean is that government that central government can't give money, think give you any money, and i think that mean making much that will mean making much harder for charities, trustees to money going to them, to sanction money going to them, although you probably can do it certainly all the trustees do these things. they try and abide charity law. they'll be following best practice. if this group is called an extremist, and i think it'd be quite hard to money from charities. so to give money from charities. so they're the they're trying to squeeze the funding. i think of groups around margins who have around the margins who have been been on areas which been a bit on the areas which were government kind of were in a government kind of say, by the way, just from that clip earlier, i meant to say to you, this, then, he did you, just this, then, he did again repeat the line that there's election on his there's no election on his working assumption is until the second year, second half of the year, and that important because that is quite important because in time in about ten days, time is a deadune in about ten days, time is a deadline for the may, the second budget for the may 2nd election. i think next week, the next ten days, lots of days, there'll be lots of speculation in the in the newspapers we'll be talking about on air on gb news. but it

does seem to me that he is definitely turning his face against 2nd election. tom. against a may 2nd election. tom. emily. thanks, chris. >> really? >> yeah, really? really. >> yeah, really? really. >> say one thing. i just >> i just say one thing. i just say, think what's going to say, i think what's going to be one most difficult things one of the most difficult things is civil service is getting the civil service the home government home office, government and everyone agree on everyone involved to agree on whether certain groups are extremists because have extremists because people have such different views. so you may take of these muslim groups, take one of these muslim groups, someone may think, absolutely not. any not. they don't have any extremism. everything say extremism. everything they say is another is legitimate. another person, perhaps or in perhaps in the home office or in government, may think the exact reverse is it's so reverse how. this is why it's so difficult come up with difficult to come up with a succinct definition of extremism. >> subjective . who sits on the >> subjective. who sits on the counter extremism centre for excellence that michael gove announced. but in the last few minutes, the labour party leader, sir keir starmer, has been talking. he was asked first on abbott. have on diane abbott. let's have a listen . listen. >> the comments that have been made about diane abbott by the tory donor, hester were abhorrent. they're racist, they're misogyny . istic and the they're misogyny. istic and the prime minister should do the

right thing, which is to return the £10 million that he's taken from this individual donor. this is a test for the prime minister and at the moment he is failing that test. there is a separate issue, which is about the investigation into diane abbott herself . that's an independent herself. that's an independent labour party process. nothing to do with the leader of the labour party. i'm independent of that. that will have to be resolved. but i think it's wrong just to simply the two. diane simply conflate the two. diane abbott suffered an abbott has suffered an incredible amount of abuse over many, many years and we must support her. but the two issues are separate . are separate. >> the ford report said unduly lengthy investigations disproportionately affected black women. >> after a year long investigation into an eight line letter for which diane abbott apologised . apologised. >> are you not in danger of allowing these investigations to effectively end her as effectively end her career as a labour mp? the ford report, which i set up, was describing

the problems before i became leader of the labour party. >> including what was happening with the complaints procedure as a result , i with the complaints procedure as a result, i completely overhauled the procedure and took the leader of the labour party out. so it's an independent process . that's the independent process. that's the right change that we've made. i'm glad we've made that change. so the ford report was describing what happened before i became leader. i've now changed it . changed it. >> do you think anything the tory party has done recently could be counted as extremist? >> i think the debate about extremism has to be taken very, very seriously , only because very seriously, only because there hasn't really been a review of extremism now for a number of years. there are new threats . yes. and it is threats. yes. and it is important, therefore, that we all come together to look at the question of extremism and what action is now needed. what i would say is that this will only work if it is truly cross—party and not divisive . and that's the

and not divisive. and that's the spirit in which i want to enter this discussion in relation to extremism . extremism. >> and elected officials will be able to decide a group as extremists through a subjective metric. are you worried about this abused by this or this being abused by this or future governments? >> to see the full >> we need to see the full details . we need to see the work details. we need to see the work of this unit . details. we need to see the work of this unit. but do we need to review the situation? yes we do. are there new threats? yes there are. but what's most important is that this is truly cross—party and this will be the test of the government. are they really reaching out to other parties to make something? this is something which can go forward as a matter of consensus, or are they going to try and use this for party political process? you know , political process? you know, point scoring as we go into the election, it has to be the first. and that's the spirit in which i've entered into this work . work. >> interesting. on the question of whether diane abbott should have the whip, reinstated , of have the whip, reinstated, of course, she was suspended for

racist comments herself or what were alleged racist comments. >> and 27 days ago, so what's been going on there? well, apparently some sort of independent investigation , but independent investigation, but 327 days for what was i think it was around 200 words, a 200 word letter to the guardian . and it's letter to the guardian. and it's taken the best part of a year to supposedly investigate this. i think perhaps a cynic might suggest there's no investigation at all. or if there is one, it is being drawn out. so very slowly so that the labour party can sort of subtly drop diane abbott as a candidate with without having to make a decision. >> i think you might be right on that one, tom does. she also praised chairman mao. am i right in thinking that i sounds sounds like something she'd do ? like something she'd do? >> yeah, i don't have the quote before me, but, but what she remember writing over was saying that jewish people don't suffer racism in the way that black

people suffer racism. she compared anti—jewish racism to people making fun of ginger people making fun of ginger people . people. >> and i can safely say, not the same as a redhead myself, if >> and i can safely say, not the same as a redhead myself , if not same as a redhead myself, if not the same. although 100% of gingers have been bullied at least once in their lives . gingers have been bullied at least once in their lives. no, it's a really very serious face when i talk about it, but also only a ginger can call another ginger. >> ginger? oh well, there you go. >> redhead. strawberry blonde. >> redhead. strawberry blonde. >> let's have a look at >> well, let's have a look at the the land in the real the lay of the land in the real country. now, we've heard from the politicians. what the the politicians. what about the people? tank more in people? the think tank more in common reporting that common is reporting that over a quarter of the public think the uk is forjews and for muslims. >> yes. after hamas attacked israel on the 7th of october, people have become increasingly concerned with the rise in hate and intimidation towards minority groups. was both minority groups. this was both echoed by michael gove in the chamber of course, angela chamber and, of course, angela rayner too. now they want the police take tougher action so police to take tougher action so to break this down, the uk director of more in common, luke tryl, is here with us. luke, thank joining us on the thank you for joining us on the show. concerning statistics

show. very concerning statistics there, it may come as there, it may not come as a surprise because we've seen time and time again, the statistics rise every month. really, since those attacks, we've seen statistics, you know, 467% increase in anti—semitic hate crimes, huge increases in islamophobia crimes. do you think what michael gove announced today will in any way help the situation when it comes to community cohesion ? to community cohesion? >> well, i think what michael gove announced today is an important first step, in, doing that , it absolutely important first step, in, doing that, it absolutely can't be important first step, in, doing that , it absolutely can't be the that, it absolutely can't be the case that the government is lending a platform to or funding, extremists because, you know, as our data shows, you know, as our data shows, you know, increasing numbers of the pubuc know, increasing numbers of the public are worried that we are becoming an unsafe country. for people from muslim and jewish backgrounds. we also found that 70, nearly 70% of the country are worried about the threat of islamist terror, over 60%

worried about far right extremism. so this isn't just some academic debate . in some academic debate. in westminster. it's something the pubuc westminster. it's something the public are really concerned about. public are really concerned about . right. and i think the about. right. and i think the pubuc about. right. and i think the public should be able to have a legitimate expectation that the government isn't giving a platform or funding organisations promoting organisations who are promoting extremism and trying to undermine values. >> it's interesting you mentioned 70% of country. we mentioned 70% of the country. we are about islamist are worried about islamist terror . i are worried about islamist terror. i imagine perhaps even more than 70% of the country would be frankly, gobsmacked that the government has been, in some instances , funding and some instances, funding and platforming, at least in the form of local government groups that have been promoting, islamic violence. >> yeah. well, absolutely , the i >> yeah. well, absolutely, the i mean, no doubt that the government shouldn't be doing that. i think that. and i think what's important today's important about today's definition is that it gives more clarity focus to previous

clarity and focus to previous definitions. i think there's an acknowledgement that what was used under the prevent strategy from know, gave from 2011, you know, gave a bafis from 2011, you know, gave a basis but was quite fuzzy. what this has actually done in some ways is raised the bar. so you're not capturing sort of genuine, you know, sort of free speech. and, michael gove was very didn't apply to very clear. this didn't apply to gender activists, trans gender critical activists, trans activists , you know, christians, activists, you know, christians, eco warriors , as you might call eco warriors, as you might call them. all of the it's not about those groups. it's about groups who are trying to undermine the tenets of our democracy. and, you know, we just can't be funding you know, in some funding them. you know, in some ways, you might say we're doing their them if we're their job for them if we're supporting who trying supporting groups who are trying to of our to undermine the tenets of our democracy. just one democracy. but this is just one step, also found step, right? what we also found in that polling is that people have an appetite for the police to go much further on those marchers in terms of tackling people promoting hate , in terms people promoting hate, in terms of making sure they minimises disruption , changing routes, all

disruption, changing routes, all of that. they support the right to protest . and that's it's to protest. and that's it's really important, british. right. but they want the police to be taking action. so this is one thing in parliament today , one thing in parliament today, but there's more to do across the board. >> i'm really interesting stuff there. luke miall uk director of more in common. i know you sit with these focus groups. you read information knowing read this information knowing what public think what the public really think is so this issue. so important on this issue. thanks for joining so important on this issue. thanks forjoining us. thank you thanks for joining us. thank you . well, after the break, we'll be crossing over to the united states. why? an enormous rocket is about launch . this is elon is about to launch. this is elon musk's starship now . two launch musk's starship now. two launch attempts haven't gone exactly according to plan . you might according to plan. you might remember the last time this rocket blew up . will it rocket flew, it blew up. will it will it successfully launch into orbit today? well, we'll find out in just four minutes time. fingers crossed

i >> -- >> it's okay. 5mm hum >> it's okay. it is 124. let's cross over to the launch of elon musk's £2.4 billion starship rocket as it launches into orbit. or does it? >> well, we can see that there's one minute and 18 seconds left one minute and 18 seconds left on that countdown. now, we'll remember that this is the starship. the most starship. this is the most powerful rocket in the world. a rocket designed to take people to the moon and take people to mars. something that's never happened before. of course we should explain. no people are on board this one. it's still in animals. experimental phase. no animals. experimental phase. no animals . just some wait just to animals. just some wait just to see. so this is a test launch. this is a very expensive test. >> a very boca chica in texas . >> a very boca chica in texas. >> a very boca chica in texas. >> it is. it's right down on the tip of texas because when you are closer to the equator, you're more likely to be able to get up into orbit easily. so that's why all of the launches happen close to equator, happen as close to the equator, either florida the either the tip of florida or the tip texas . and in this case, tip of texas. and in this case, elon musk has based his starship

building facility in boca chica less than 30s to go. >> what's that steam coming out the side that'll be cooling. >> cooling. so because there's going to be the most enormous, huge reaction taking place here to launch what is an incredible, incredibly heavy rocket . the incredibly heavy rocket. the last time this launched it blew up. but let's look at the countdown now and see if this successfully launches in five, four three, two, one fire. >> all intact. >> all intact. >> there. so far. now, it was around a minute into the flight

last time that there was what's known as a rapid, unscheduled disassembly. >> well, we can't look away now. then. >> now a rapid unscheduled disassembly might sound like technical what does technical jargon. what does it actually mean? it means blew actually mean? it means it blew up. one? not yet up. but this one? not yet blowing up. we're looking at one of the gridfins here, articulated gridfins to help the rocket come back down to earth and as so many spacex rockets do, land so it can be reused. although this test will not be reused , it will test how the reused, it will test how the rocket can not only go up, but come back down to earth. >> and if you're a billionaire and your rocket blows up, it's probably quite a knock the ego. >> well, i don't know if it necessarily is, because the whole thing about spacex and its iterative design project is unlike design unlike nasa, where they design everything in computers for years years and years and years and years and make sure the final thing is perfect. spacex are a lot more bolshie with it. they'll knock something together, see if it works, and if it doesn't, they'll have so many tests on it, why didn't it, they'll see why it didn't work. last that flew,

work. so the last one that flew, that up , that wasn't a that blew up, that wasn't a failure because they learned why it blew up. it's full of all of these different instruments and measurements learn measurements so that they learn what what doesn't in a what works and what doesn't in a real setting. real world setting. >> know how fast it's going. >> w- w— w is a that is a very >> oh, that is a that is a very good question. will be going, good question. it will be going, a very, very high speed the most, how fast element of this is when it gets through the lower stage of the atmosphere, because that's the sort of toughest any rocket. but toughest bit for any rocket. but of as it gets higher, of course, as it gets higher, the itself gets lighter the rocket itself gets lighter because less it. because there's less fuel in it. and the atmosphere gets thinner, meaning it goes faster and faster and faster. so it will be accelerating at quite a speed at the moment. and you know what? >> it was delayed, actually. did you know this ? it was delayed you know this? it was delayed because the engineers were battling winds and battling high winds and boats had to cleared the gulf had to be cleared from the gulf of so there's been quite of mexico. so there's been quite a lot work into this. absolutely. >> there's a launch window. i think launch was from think the launch window was from around this morning through around 1130 this morning through to perhaps an hour or so from now, but it's going 1000km/h.

that remarkable . 1000km. and that is remarkable. 1000km. and it looks this is a lot more successful than the previous test, by my reckoning. we're looking here at, what looks like a very, very high altitude indeed. this is a lesson for us all. >> this is a lesson for us all. if you fail, try , try, try again. >> this is the third time lucky. perhaps, but his stage separation, the bottom stage of the rocket successfully leaving the rocket successfully leaving the top stage. and this is where the top stage. and this is where the really went the first test really went wrong. separate wrong. it didn't separate cleanly . they fell together. it cleanly. they fell together. it went they have fixed that went wrong. they have fixed that problem and the lower stage has separated, while the upper stage is there above the earth. as we speak, i find this remarkable live pictures . of the top stage live pictures. of the top stage of starship rocket of elon musk's most powerful rocket even musk's most powerful rocket ever. just floating there above the earth. >> it's supposed to go to >> it's supposed to take go to the and then off to mars. the moon and then off to mars. is it? >> it won't on this test. this

test is to go around the earth. but the rocket is designed. one that precisely this that looks precisely like this will be taking people to the moon people to mars. will be taking people to the mooidea people to mars. will be taking people to the mooidea is people to mars. will be taking people to the mooidea is within)eople to mars. will be taking people to the mooidea is within thele to mars. will be taking people to the mooidea is within the next mars. will be taking people to the mooidea is within the next ten rs. years. >> oh, i'd absolutely love that. >> oh, i'd absolutely love that. >> i think it will be such a moment to see people finally get back on the moon, back on mars. the last time man landed on the moon, it was 1972. >> do you think space travel will ever be like popping on a flight on ryanair? >> know what that's. it's >> do you know what that's. it's funny mentioned because funny you mentioned that because this rocket isn't just this rocket here isn't just designed people to mars this rocket here isn't just desithed people to mars this rocket here isn't just desi the moon people to mars this rocket here isn't just desi the moon , people to mars this rocket here isn't just desi the moon , it's ople to mars this rocket here isn't just desi the moon , it's designed.ars this rocket here isn't just desi the moon , it's designed to; and the moon, it's designed to take people also around the world in what is known as. 30 minute hops from any part of the world to another part in 30 or 45 minutes. wow. because you're not going through the atmosphere. if you go up into space and then go around the earth and then land back down, suddenly ten hour suddenly what was a ten hour flight just half an hour. flight is just half an hour. >> imagine that. wonder

>> well imagine that. i wonder how would set how much the tickets would set you a few few you back a few grand, few hundred few hundred thousand pounds, a few million. it depends if. million. anyway it depends if. >> stop them. >> just stop oil, stop them. >> just stop oil, stop them. >> there'll a maybe >> maybe there'll be a maybe there'll ryanair there'll be a jet two ryanair version a few decades. version soon. in a few decades. anyway, coming up, a debate. should princess of should we leave the princess of wales? catherine alone and just should we leave the princess of walethezatherine alone and just should we leave the princess of walethe speculation ne and just stop the speculation about her health? getting wild in the health? it's getting wild in the united states. that's after the bulletins. >> tom. emily, thanks very much. it's just gone. 130 remarkable pictures there from spacex launch. pictures there from spacex launch . do stay with us launch. do stay with us throughout the afternoon. we'll keep across that for you. but in the back here on the meantime, back here on earth, gove has unveiled earth, michael gove has unveiled a of extremism a new definition of extremism amid described as a amid what he described as a growing and profound concern over extremist behaviour from all ideologies. the communities minister said. all ideologies. the communities minister said . the government's minister said. the government's new definition is more precise and rigorous and clear than ever before. it will be used to assess which groups should be blocked public but blocked from public funding. but michael insists it won't michael gove insists it won't

affect gender critical campaigners religious campaigners concerned religious groups or transgender activists among others. delivering the statement in the commons earlier, mr gove said it will make vital frontline anti radicalisation radicalisation rather more effective . rather work more effective. >> we have to be clear eyed about the threat we face, precise about where that threat comes from and rigorous in defending our democracy. that means upholding freedom of expression, religion and belief when they are threatened, facing down harassment and hate, supporting the communities facing the greatest challenge from extremist activity and ensuring this house and this country and united. >> well, some conservative backbenchers have that backbenchers have suggested that . the new definition lands in no man's land, saying it's neither strong enough to tackle true extremists or protect opposing views. angela rayner views. labour's angela rayner also the government also accused the government of taking too to act. taking too long to act. >> it begs question why has >> it begs the question why has it taken the government 13 years

to address this? the secretary of state says that organisations which are clearly extreme have benefited from government engagement, endorsement and support, and even suggests that those groups have exploited government engagement . government engagement. >> and finally, some latest developments in news we covered this morning. developments in news we covered this morning . at least two this morning. at least two firefighters we understand have been . tackling a large been injured. tackling a large blaze at a high rise block of flats in edinburgh which forced 100 people, including a member of scottish parliament, to of the scottish parliament, to flee their homes. around 70 firefighters with 12 fire engines and specialist resources, have been battling the early hours the blaze since the early hours of morning. other emergency of this morning. other emergency services scene , services are on the scene, providing support and assistance to have been to those whose homes have been affected. those are the headlines. plenty more still to come. and in the meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code your scanning the code on your screen, to gb news. com screen, or go to gb news. com slash .

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i >> -- >> well, princess catherine has been crowned britain's favourite royal. but the survey was taken before the princess of wales. recent photo editing scandal and weeks of speculation over her health. >> we've seen weeks of controversy, speculation and

onune controversy, speculation and online conspiracy theories following the princess's major abdominal surgery, but is it time to give kate a break? >> has it all gone a bit too far? i mean, the chat shows in the united states, they've been going overboard on this. joining us now is entrepreneur and social commentator joanna jarjue, should social commentator joanna jarjue, in should social commentator joanna jarjue, in the should social commentator joanna jarjue, in the spotlight should social commentator joanna jarjue, in the spotlight .hould social commentator joanna jarjue, in the spotlight . joanna, remain in the spotlight. joanna, why do you say that? surely no woman on earth could put up with this amount of speculation and conspiracy over their health. shouldn't she just be left to recover ? recover? >> well, i think that kate was being to recover and to an being left to recover and to an extent until the royal family actually created this storm that we're witnessing at the moment. >> i think that the people over in the us and the press over there are actually doing their job, and it's actually exposing a lot of, you know, this secret relationship that this royal family has had with the press over time that has basically meant that they can have their cake and eat it. i would have no problem with this if a standard hadnt problem with this if a standard

hadn't been set when it hadn't already been set when it comes to meghan markle, but it seems one rule for seems as if it's one rule for meghan and harry, and meghan markle and harry, and another kate. another rule for princess kate. and really, the royal family have themselves favours have done themselves no favours whatsoever with the editing, with certain with not disclosing certain information when you've got, the king talking about his cancer diagnosis. but it's all hush hush with kate. they've created this storm and actually is the general public who pay for the royal family. we have every right to know what's going on behind closed doors. >> joanna, that's a bit of a harsh to look at it, isn't harsh way to look at it, isn't it? markle has it? oh, meghan markle has suffered a lot by the british press. therefore, should suffered a lot by the british press. “with fore, should suffered a lot by the british press. “with fore, two should suffered a lot by the british press. “with fore, two wrongs put up with it. do two wrongs make a right? >> the thing is, when >> well, the thing is, when meghan markle was going through that, who were defenders that, people who were defenders of, of, princess kate and of william were saying, this is what we, you know, this is what you signed up for. this is part of the job. you don't get to pick and choose when you get privacy. and then now it's completely changed when it comes to kate. and like i said, a lot completely changed when it comes to thise. and like i said, a lot completely changed when it comes to this has d like i said, a lot completely changed when it comes to this has actuallysaid, a lot completely changed when it comes

to this has actually beena lot of this has actually been instigated the family instigated by the royal family with with not, you with their lies or with not, you know, being in a position where they're with they're not forthcoming with certain of information. they're not forthcoming with certaihave of information. they're not forthcoming with certaihave causedyrmation. they're not forthcoming with certaihave caused this. ion. if they have caused this. and if anything should anybody anything should lay anybody should kate. it should should lay off kate. it should actually people within actually be the people within the seems be the institution. he seems to be laying the blame on, on laying all the blame on, on kate's doorstep when it comes to things like editing pictures. clearly they're more interested in protecting the in actually protecting the institution than protecting kate herself, which should be part of their responsibility. >> i find it just extraordinary that the royal family needed to move away from their age old mantra of never complain, never explain. the big furore of conspiracy all kicked up when a photo was released after the royal family initially said you're not going to see princess catherine until easter, if they'd have just stuck with that, then perhaps wouldn't that, then perhaps this wouldn't have fever pitch have reached the fever pitch that it has. >> well, look, this is the same thing that i was just talking about. they want it one way, but then they also want it the other

way. you've got the king disclosing about, the, prostate cancen disclosing about, the, prostate cancer. then you've got him disclosing again that he's been, diagnosed type diagnosed with a different type of not really of cancer, but then not really telling us what that of telling us what that type of cancer then you've got cancer is. and then you've got them telling about this them telling us about this apparent, planned apparent, you know, planned operation was having, operation that kate was having, but to know but we're not allowed to know the rest . they set this the rest. they set this precedent soon they had precedent as soon as they had women within the royal family five hours after giving birth, standing on a doorstep and parading themselves in front of a crowd so they can't pick and choose. and actually, you know, they they owe us that responsibility to actually give us the information. we're the ones that are paying for them. >> but, joanna, you said the journalists the states journalists in the united states are job by, are doing theirjob by, investing , getting these investing, getting these conspiracies, but really, they're just gossiping. i mean, i've clips from talk shows i've seen clips from talk shows in states, where they're in the states, where they're just laying out any conspiracy theory they can think of. they're pontificating over, catherine and william's marriage. they're talking about whether the royal family are hiding somewhere. you know, hiding her somewhere. you know, whether things are more serious. they're talking about all sorts.

surely that's not an appropriate way to behave. surely. >> well, look, there's a certain line, obviously, isn't there, when it comes to conspiracy theories, but also there's the difference where you, you know, doing a complete 180 and you're not looking into anything at all. i for one, am not going to sit here and drink whatever kool—aid the royal family decide to serve and i'm not going to serve me, and i'm not going to serve me, and i'm not going to gaslighted about certain to be gaslighted about certain things. being things. if a picture is being edhed things. if a picture is being edited and it's obvious that it's edited, then really it's been edited, then really the over it. in the uk, the press over it. in the uk, who were, you know, supposed to be journalists on behalf of all of us that are taxpayers should be looking into things and should be demanding that we get certain but why is it certain answers. but why is it that they just their that they can just have their cake it , and that they can just have their cake it, and we're just cake and eat it, and we're just supposed to lap up whatever story that they decide to give us? but the difference is now they're slipping up and they're slipping up quite badly, to be honest. embarrassing honest. and it's embarrassing really, the world stage. >> i mean, we're looking at some of the pictures of this edited photo here. the rumours are that

sort of she wasn't in it. it's all old. it's all i mean, to me, this looks like it's very simply photos that were taken in quick succession that have been stitched together really, so that like a nice that it looks like a nice photograph. i mean, we saw the we saw a very clear line between sort of half of her zip and the other half of her zip. those are two photos taken in quick succession been succession that have been stitched together. is there stitched together. why is there so conspiracy so much conspiracy over something fairly something that is fairly standard practice in family portraiture? that is not portraiture? no that is not standard practice. >> okay, you might have a bit of blurring. maybe they could have put the saturation up if kate was looking a bit pale and unwell. it unwell. they have literally it looks like copied and pasted extended charlotte's skirt on completely unnecessary things and gone to complete lengths that nobody else would go to just to put up a completely standard. >> if you have fidgety kids in a picture, a professional photographer. do you know tom? >> how on earth do you know what they've done with the picture? you do not know. you're

speculating just as much as anyone to happen. anyone else to happen. >> and seen, like everyone >> and i've seen, like everyone else in this country, has seen all of the adverts from various mobile mobile phone manufacturers that take manufacturers that say, take this you pick this picture and you can pick the best face of each. people will take six pictures and pick the and and the best one and swap and whatever. it happens all the time , tom, the press team over time, tom, the press team over at kensington palace and william and kate are smart enough to know that this photo is probably the most important. apart from their wedding picture , and the their wedding picture, and the baby's is probably the most important picture they've baby's is probably the most impyto ant picture they've baby's is probably the most impyto produce re they've baby's is probably the most impyto produce .e they've baby's is probably the most impyto produce . so they've baby's is probably the most impyto produce . so then ay've baby's is probably the most impyto produce . so then to ve baby's is probably the most impyto produce . so then to put had to produce. so then to put a picture that, you know is clearly doctored in some clearly been doctored in some way, to actually way, and then to actually specify was a week ago, specify that it was a week ago, thatis specify that it was a week ago, that is obviously saying this is our official statement to show you at what health, kate is at, at the moment. and i think it completely contradicts itself. anyway because if kate is sat there in skinny jeans looking , there in skinny jeans looking, you know, a bill of health, you know, her arms around her kids, then from a taxpayer's perspective and from the general

public's perspective, why are you not doing zoom calls if it was the rest of us, the government would be saying, get off the dole and get back to work, at least remotely. work, or at least work remotely. >> joanna, lot of a lot >> well, joanna, a lot of a lot of are. a lot of people of people are. a lot of people are saying, why doesn't why don't just film a, you don't they just film a, you know, short clip of the know, a short little clip of the princess so everyone knows she's okay because that's like a hostage video. >> is that really? >> is that really? >> well, i mean, what's happening now is that you have people throwing out all sorts of conspiracy theories. you have so much speculation, social media is saying all sorts of nasty things about her. very easy to just prove that, you know, that she's recovering from a surgery, but perhaps that's too much of a perhaps that's not very nice, actually. if she's in, you know, if she's recovery mode, you if she's in recovery mode, you don't you don't necessarily want to don't know, i think one to i don't know, i think one thing true is the thing that's true is that the institution is going to protect the institution. institution is going to protect the and itution. institution is going to protect the and obviously it's to >> and obviously it's awful to see some of the more horrible comments against kate online. you know , i would never i would you know, i would never i would completely condemn like completely condemn things like that. the institution

that. but also the institution are not doing a very good job of actually protecting her, throwing the bus, even throwing her under the bus, even if the who actually if she was the one who actually edhed if she was the one who actually edited picture. why would edited that picture. why would you her take that you have her take that responsibility? one be responsibility? and the one be the that's actually being the one that's actually being basically to the dogs or basically thrown to the dogs or thrown to the wolves for more people say , oh, it's kate's people to say, oh, it's kate's editing, then you've got people on taking her on twitter that are taking her quotes and saying, oh, as an amateur , and then amateur photographer, and then copying and pasting and photoshopping other stuff on the picture, it's actually made kate a mockery. and i think that the royal family would probably go to lengths whatsoever to to any lengths whatsoever to protect william to protect protect william and to protect the we've seen that the institution. we've seen that when it comes to meghan and harry, and i don't think it's any different it comes to any different when it comes to princess kate. and in that sense, quite sense, i actually feel quite sorry she's sorry for her because she's probably out probably we've seen polling out this catherine this week that shows catherine princess catherine is the most popular royal. >> so if it's all a big plot from the royals to say , let's from the royals to say, let's make her the fall guy, it's spectacularly backfired . spectacularly backfired. >> and she might be the most popular, but she is not the king

in waiting. she's not the monarch in waiting. and i think the royal family will go to any lengths, how popular the royal family will go to any lengis.;, how popular the royal family will go to any lengis. she's how popular the royal family will go to any lengis. she's still how popular the royal family will go to any lengis. she's still in|ow popular the royal family will go to any lengis. she's still in william'sar she is. she's still in william's shadow. >> we've run out of time, >> well, we've run out of time, but thank much for but thank you so much for putting your across. putting your case across. really, good hear , really, really good to hear, even if i think we can even if, even if i think we can all agree, we wish her the very best health, so coming best of health, so coming up, speaking exclusively to gb news, defence secretary grant shapps urges donald trump not to cut aid to ukraine if he wins the us presidential election. we'll bnng presidential election. we'll bring you that

break. >> good afternoon. britain. it's coming up to ten minutes to two. and the defence secretary is urging donald trump not to cut aid to ukraine. if he wins the us presidential election. yes. >> speaking exclusively to gb news in poland as he watched uk troops take part in a nato exercise, grant shapps warned the former united states president it's cheaper by half

the price to absolutely back ukraine now. >> well, let's speak with defence analyst chris newton because, chris, a lot of people in the defence community in and around nato are quite worried about what the prospect of a donald trump presidency means. but of course, there are others on the other side of the coin that says, actually there are lots of countries in europe that have not been paying their way, perhaps a belligerent voice in the white house is who's needed to encourage some of these countries to start paying properly for their own defence. good afternoon, you're you're right in the sense that there's a complete , really absence of a complete, really absence of leadership in the west on both sides of, of the atlantic, we have biden's weakness, although, you know, he has been providing aid, but then you have trump as well, not, you know, with his

comments on ukraine, as you mentioned , but also on this side mentioned, but also on this side of the atlantic as well, with with leaders such as schultz, you know, hesitating in terms of providing aid, as well. and and you make a fair point with, you know, you you do need, us leadership , to, to provide leadership, to, to provide a kind of a jolt to, to the europeans in order to, to provide the aid. >> the problem with trump , of >> the problem with trump, of course, is that he said he's you know, he's indicating that he will curtail or cut the aid and that's no good either, because, because that will give russia the, you know, pretty much free rein to, to, to take more ukrainian territory. >> and, chris, a lot of people are concerned by just how long this war has now been raging and whether ukraine are making adequate progress, how how do you see things as they are now ?

you see things as they are now? >> yes, i mean, at the moment, things are worrying. we've seen recent russian slow advances, but their advances nonetheless . but their advances nonetheless. and russia has recently captured a, so and although they've been trying to capture that for months and years. so, so things are concerning , months and years. so, so things are concerning, and but but the ukrainians are you know, we're not seeing kind of massive russian advances or a major breakthrough. so so the ukrainians still have a chance, still have the opportunity in this war of attrition to, to, to to, hold back the russians. but thatis to, hold back the russians. but that is dependent on the west providing aid on the west, providing aid on the west, providing them with the ammunition, with, with equipment and so forth . as we're seeing at and so forth. as we're seeing at the moment, if there's a hesitation in that, in that regard, that's when you see the russians using their, advantages in artillery to, to effectively obliterate, tactical objectives

and make further advances . so and make further advances. so ukrainian success is dependent on the west ability to, to, to provide aid. and there are consequences because if russia does succeed and achieve their aims, there's consequences for ukrainians, but also for the wider international system and international order as well. >> looking at the size of the economy of the european union, it's it sees itself in many ways economically as a competitor to the united states, as a, as a bloc in and of itself. but but when it comes to defence, it's just simply nowhere near. we've seen so many countries refuse, frankly refuse to meet their 2% target for nato spending, for defence spending as a membership, as a member of nato, i frankly perhaps what europe needs to do is look itself in the mirror here, and you're right, i completely agree with that. and some european countries are stepping up to the

plate. you you have poland with, you know, pledging 4% of gdp on on defence. and the countries in eastern europe, the countries, you know, nearer to russia, you know, they have, you know, a real incentive to increase defence spending and to look at their defence policies . but it's their defence policies. but it's their defence policies. but it's the countries in western europe that that need , you know, with, that that need, you know, with, with the bigger economies that that need to also reflect and, and, and look at their own defence spending and their defence spending and their defence policies. now if, if a major conventional war isn't a wake up call to everybody, i'm not quite sure what is so , so in not quite sure what is so, so in that sense, you know, it's, you know , it really is time. know, it really is time. >> absolutely, absolutely. well thank you very much indeed, chris newton for joining thank you very much indeed, chris newton forjoining us. defence analyst of course. >> well, should kids be doing homework for their parents. find out after this really happening . out after this really happening. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar , the sponsors of weather

solar, the sponsors of weather on gb news. >> welcome to your latest weather update from the met office for gb news. most of us will see a bit of rain today, but across eastern england it may well stay mostly dry. and that's where we'll see some pretty high temperatures as well. low pressure though, is still controlling our weather well. low pressure though, is stilltheseylling our weather well. low pressure though, is stillthese two; our weather well. low pressure though, is stillthese two weatherather well. low pressure though, is stillthese two weather fronts are and these two weather fronts are moving the country , both moving across the country, both providing outbreaks of providing some outbreaks of rain. through rain. persistent rain through central and southern scotland. soggy old afternoon bit soggy old afternoon here, a bit of snow , likely on the tops of of snow, likely on the tops of the hills, much of the the hills, but much of the highlands. the northern isles will bright and will stay dry and bright and mostly dry across east anglia in the south—east, although we will see lots more cloud coming in but showery rain for wales and southwest look the southwest england. look at the temperatures though, for england and 16 with a and wales. very mild 16 with a bit brightness. bit of brightness. we could reach celsius. feeling reach 17 celsius. feeling cold though, persistent though, with that persistent rain over the central belt of scotland, rain does linger scotland, that rain does linger through of tonight as well. through much of tonight as well. more come for more showers to come for northern ireland. there'll be some rain england some showery rain for england and wales, then through the

and wales, and then through the second of the night we'll second half of the night we'll see rain coming see some heavier rain coming into and far into wales, and the far southwest may the odd southwest may have the odd rumble in with rumble of thunder mixed in with that. mild night, that. another pretty mild night, certainly and wales. certainly for england and wales. a of chilly in the far a bit of a chilly one in the far north scotland , where the north of scotland, where the winds coming in the winds are coming in from the north, still providing a bit of snow tops the hills. snow over the tops of the hills. another fairly for another fairly damp day for scotland. showery scotland. some heavy, showery rain along the m4 and the m25 early friday that will clear early on friday that will clear away, and then we're left with a mixture of bright or sunny spells, but plenty of showers to come well. again fairly mild come as well. again fairly mild across england and wales, though it will be breezier. another pretty one in scotland. pretty chilly one in scotland. >> feeling inside from >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on

gb news. >> good afternoon. britain. it's

2:00 on thursday, the 14th of march. >> extremism crackdown. the government unveils a more precise and rigorous definition , precise and rigorous definition, with michael gove telling mps the time has come for us to all stand together to combat the forces of division and to beat this poison. >> nursing degree fraud groups of teens online are admitting to doing their relatives degree coursework. relatives who can't speak english could under—qualified medics put people's lives in jeopardy and aid for ukraine? >> defence secretary warns donald trump not to cut funding for ukraine if he is to be successful in the presidential election , saying it's cheaper by election, saying it's cheaper by half the price to absolutely back now . back ukraine. now. >> this announcement from michael gove today has set lots of different quarters alight. you have some people who have

been very critical of it on civil liberties grounds, but then you've had another coalition of groups of muslim groups denying that there's a problem with extremism in the first place, which is rather problematic. >> and concerning at least. but i do agree with michael gove that in order to protect freedom of speech in order to protect our civil liberties and our liberal democracy, you have to clamp down on extremism. you can't live in a society where extremists are able to run rampant and still claim to have freedom of speech for all, and the worst thing is the examples that michael gove gave of local authorities and different arms and branches of government giving money to extremist groups, supporting extremist groups, supporting extremist groups, inviting extremists into our schools. >> we heard about the lewisham islamic centre, which sent a speaker into schools who had, promoted islamic violence. i mean, this stuff is clearly wrong. and it's not even

necessarily about freedom of speech because it's not even saying these people should be locked up and the key thrown away. it's saying that these people not be given people should not be given taxpayers money. people should not be given taijell,; money. people should not be given taijell,; |mean, people should not be given taijell,; mean, it boggles the >> well, i mean, it boggles the mind is even mind that this is even happening, forgive if i'm happening, but forgive me if i'm a little bit sceptical over whether this will huge whether this will have a huge impact, but if it does, you know, i'll bite my tongue, hold my hands up. >> well, mean, ultimately, but >> well, i mean, ultimately, but i that this is just i do think that this is just centring around public funding. >> already have lots of >> we do already have lots of laws about harassment, extremism, violence, intimidation and racism. all all sorts of things. perhaps the government should be looking at how those laws are enforced before they try and, you know, draft all this guidance which may or may not make a difference. >> although there's this added, i suppose, societal bonus if an organisation is on the government's official do not engage with list, perhaps civic society shun society would also shun that organisation too. but much more to your headlines to come after your headlines with sam .

with sam. >> tom. emily, thanks very much. good afternoon from the newsroom. it'sjust good afternoon from the newsroom. it's just gone 2:00. the headlines this hour , michael the headlines this hour, michael gove has unveiled a new definition of extremism amid what he described as growing and profound concerns over behaviour from all ideologies. the community secretary said the government's new definition is more precise , rigorous and clear more precise, rigorous and clear than ever before. it will be used to assess which groups should be blocked from public funding . but michael gove funding. but michael gove insists it won't affect gender critical campaigners , critical campaigners, conservative religious groups or transgender activists . here's mr transgender activists. here's mr gove delivering that statement in the commons earlier. >> we have to be clear eyed about the threat we face precise about the threat we face precise about where that threat comes from and rigorous in defending our democracy. that means upholding freedom of expression , upholding freedom of expression, religion and belief when they are threatened, facing down harassment and hate, supporting the communities facing the greatest challenge from extremist activity, and ensuring this and country are this house and this country are safe , free and united.

safe, free and united. >> in response to that statement , some conservative backbenchers suggested that the new definition lands in no man's land, saying it's neither strong enough to tackle true extremists nor protect opposing views . nor protect opposing views. labour leader sir keir starmer has said that there are new threats which must be tackled together with debate about together with the debate about extremism has to be taken very, very seriously because there hasn't really been a review of extremism now for a number of years. >> there are new threats and it is important, therefore, that we all come together to look at the question of extremism and what action is now needed. what i would say is that this will only work if it is truly cross—party and not divisive . and that's the and not divisive. and that's the spirit in which i want to enter this discussion in relation to extremism . extremism. >> well, i just want to bring you some breaking news we've been getting from government sources into us here gb news sources into us here at gb news that has been accused of

that russia has been accused of disrupting the signal on the disrupting the gps signal on the defence secretary's plane while he was en route to poland . we he was en route to poland. we understand the incident occurred as the raf jet. he was on board flew close to the edge of kaliningrad . gps navigation and kaliningrad. gps navigation and internet access was lost for around 30 minutes during that flight. the pilots, though, have confirmed the aircraft was never at risk. that incident happened as grant shapps is visiting british troops in poland who are participating in nato exercises . participating in nato exercises. diane abbott has accused both major political parties of failing to tackle racism, writing in the guardian today, the independent mp criticised the independent mp criticised the commons speaker, sir lindsay hoyle, after she wasn't called to speak in parliament yesterday. it left rishi sunak and sir keir starmer to debate comments made about her. it's after the prime minister faced calls to return a £10 million donation made by the conservatives biggest donor , conservatives biggest donor, frank hester, after comments he made about miss abbott were

widely seen to be racist. well, in other news, at least two firefighters have been injured while tackling a large blaze at a high rise block of flats in edinburgh which forced some 100 people, including a member of the scottish parliament, to flee their homes. around 70 firefighters, with 12 fire engines have been battling the blaze since the early hours of this morning. other emergency services are still on the scene, providing support and assistance to those whose homes have been affected more than half of first time buyers teamed up with someone else to buy their home last year. that's according to data from tsb. it found that 57% of purchases were made with someone else, with just 46% going it alone. more buyers are also stretching out their home loans for longer, as affordability of housing becomes increasingly difficult for many house hunters . increasingly difficult for many house hunters. china's foreign ministry has criticised a plan in the us to force the owner of

tiktok to sell the social media app.the tiktok to sell the social media app. the bill, which passed with bipartisan support yesterday, aims to address concerns over the chinese government's influence on the algorithm that's behind the video app, which is used by 170 million people in the us alone . a people in the us alone. a spokesperson for china's foreign ministry, though, described those plans as unfair. and finally, some news for gardeners. if you're grappling with snug slugs and snails, well, we're being urged to make peace with the slippery garden grubs. the royal horticultural society is partnering with the wildlife trust to change the perception of the little creatures they've long been seen as the gardeners worst enemy due to their appetite for chomping through the leaves of prized blooms. but experts say that out of 150 species, only a small few pose any threats to your garden. they say that they're actually an essential part of our ecosystem, feeding on rotting plants and recycling the nutrients back into your soil . nutrients back into your soil. those are the headlines. plenty more still to come, but in the

meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen. or go to gb news alerts gbnews.com forward slash alerts. now it's back to tom and . emily. >> it's 208. welcome back to good afternoon britain with me, emily and tom. now westminster is awash with rumours this afternoon that there actually could be a may election. let's speak to our political editor, christopher hope to find out more. a christopher, is there truth to this rumour? could it actually be that we may see an election called as early as may? >> well, there's literally truth in the rumour , emily and tom, in the rumour, emily and tom, but whether it happens is a different matter altogether. now we've heard from the prime minister today in gloucestershire. he said that the working assumption the the working assumption is the election held in the election will be held in the second half of this year. so after the end of june and that's what he said, didn't he, in january? he hasn't moved from that. but i've been doing some

work gb news viewers and you work for gb news viewers and you both to find out what's really going on. what i'm being told are are two factions in are there are two factions in downing a spring and an downing street, a spring and an autumn faction, and there is a genuine . this is, according to genuine. this is, according to tory mps, a genuine tug of war about when to have the election. now some mps have told me they think the pm could call an election as soon as wednesday or thursday next week, allowing time for a wash up in parliament, and then a dissolution of parliament on the 26th of march. so the view is in amongst some tory mps that this could be the weekend when the pm decides whether to have the election again. also to be very clear, whenever i ask number 10, they always indicate really clearly it's going to be in the second half of the year and is not going to be a may election, and they repeatedly deny it. so that to be quite clear, to viewers and listeners, that's what's said what's happening. having said that, i'm old enough to remember the general when

the 2017 general election when i think theresa may denied an election, having an election in that times, and then that june, three times, and then she one. so i'm not going to she had one. so i'm not going to i don't want anyone to spill their cups of tea over lunch or coffee. i'm just saying to that is what is being said in in parliament at the moment at tory mps this is the mps feel that this is the weekend when the issues weekend when the pm issues issues , a go or a stop notice on issues, a go or a stop notice on this speculation, because he's not saying it won't be in may. that's the crucial point . the that's the crucial point. the clip we had earlier on your program an hour ago, it's almost as it's almost as important as what he didn't say as what he did say. >> and christopher, clear >> and christopher, it's clear they're laying the groundwork in case one could called. i was case one could be called. i was speaking to some sources in the house of lords yesterday who said that conservative peers have been told to give their private email addresses to conservative campaign headquarters because when an election is called, they won't be to use their be able to use their governmental email addresses and also , conservative members of also, conservative members of the house of lords have been told by their party to say

whether or not they're up for knocking on doors. well, i mean, okay, let's play devil's advocate . advocate. >> i mean, the argument for having a may election is that, you know, you get the rwanda bill through on monday in ping pongin bill through on monday in ping pong in a house of lords. you then go to the country saying, we've got the plan, but labour's going it. don't let going to scrap it. don't let them scrap it before can see them scrap it before we can see if going work. the risk if it's going to work. the risk of means if the rwanda of delaying means if the rwanda plan doesn't work and you don't send people back to to the the rwanda november, it's rwanda by november, then it's seen a dead duck and it seen to be a dead duck and it will be rightly put out of its misery. the hope of rwanda misery. so the hope of rwanda working and labour axing it is a reason to go. maybe we're turning the corner. with the economy, they don't want to have another flow of small boats across the channel this summer. and that looks bad. of course, electorally you go along there, you allow the economy to turn around. more interest rates will have fallen. mortgages might feel better. himself

feel better. mr sunak himself gets two years as prime minister, which is better than 18 months for his legacy. if he's out the door anyway , after he's out the door anyway, after the next election, you know, there are all sorts of reasons that he might go long, but there are some reasons to go short. and i think that is the debate being held in in number 10. and i was surprised to hear this . i i was surprised to hear this. i can tell you, by the way, that labour mps were told to get their addresses in. their election addresses in. that's the that's the official , that's the that's the official, leaflet they had that they have that to homes. their that goes to homes. their addresses were put in two days ago. labour mps have now ago. so labour mps have now submitted their election addresses for a may general election. all this plays into the hands of the of the labour party because they've been saying they think there might be a may election repeatedly on our, on our, our channel and elsewhere because they want to show pm is being bit show the pm is being a bit scared of having an election. so when doesn't they when he doesn't hold one, they can clinging to can say he's clinging on to power. there's of games power. so there's lots of games at don't know yet at play. we don't know yet what's happening, but this is a live conversation westminster live conversation in westminster . i thought that viewers and

. i thought that the viewers and listeners hear about christopher. >> the labour party ready christopher. >> an the labour party ready christopher. >> an election? ur party ready christopher. >> an election? they rty ready christopher. >> an election? they mayeady christopher. >> an election? they may say for an election? they may say they but where are they they are, but where are they with their manifesto ? with their manifesto? >> well, they aren't yet the time for signing off their manifesto. they've had a they've had a series of policy groups meeting, and was going to meeting, and that was going to meet, may or june to meet, i think in may orjune to sign off ahead of what could be the autumn election. but keir starmer has been very clear they are if the pm calls are ready to go if the pm calls an election, they ready to an election, they are ready to go can organise and go and you can organise and manifesto short order. manifesto in short order. it happenedin manifesto in short order. it happened in 2017, and 2019. in fact, those are the last two elections that were not meant to be called then. this is the first election since 2015 when we know roughly the two winners want to be held, that other two were surprised, elections, triggered by the chaos caused by brexit. so the difference here is that we know that we know that they're going to have to have an election in the next 7 or months. or 8 months. >> well, my money's on november. i don't if yours still is. i don't know if yours still is. chris. should go? chris. should i go? >> or may? chris. should i go? >> no, or may? chris. should i go? >> no, it r may? chris. should i go? >> no, it isviay?

chris. should i go? >> no, it is my? chris. should i go? >> no, it is my money is definitely on. i'm with you, tom, it's always wise to be with you, tom, on everything, but i'm particularly with you on this one. definitely in november. >> it's interesting framing >> it's interesting the framing of the rwanda bill. of this around the rwanda bill. i whatever happens with of this around the rwanda bill. i rwandaitever happens with of this around the rwanda bill. i rwanda biller happens with of this around the rwanda bill. i rwanda bill is1appens with of this around the rwanda bill. i rwanda bill is thatans with of this around the rwanda bill. i rwanda bill is that reallyth the rwanda bill is that really what are to, vote what people are going to, vote on when it comes to a general election? >> the size of the issue that brexit was that worked so well for johnson. but for boris johnson. but christopher very christopher hope, thank you very much and bringing much forjoining us and bringing us what's being whispered in the corridors power to corridors of power live to our tv screens. yes. >> well, earlier, community secretary named secretary michael gove named group, outlined new group, says he outlined new extremism in the extremism definition in the commons. shall we hear from the founder oxford institute founder of the oxford institute for british islam, doctor taj hargey? thank you very much indeed for joining hargey? thank you very much indeed forjoining us. taj, good to speak to you again, your reaction to what michael gove had to say and the fact that he did name a number of muslim organisations that may have cause for concern . cause for concern. >> yeah. i think this announcement by michael gove is announcement by michael gove is a problematic for many muslims ,

a problematic for many muslims, because, for example, he mentioned some groups. i don't need to repeat it now, but, and admitted others. so the question then is for the muslim public, which is a so—called, kosher halal, organised ation, which is not, i think we need a greater clarity there. and i think this definition, this , revived, definition, this, revived, revamped definition doesn't really address the issue. for example, what about sexism and racism? are those also outlawed or is it just, some ideologies that the government , deems or is it just, some ideologies that the government, deems as, as , inappropriate? i think we as, inappropriate? i think we need to have a definition that's, that's consistent in principle. we supposed to be a nafion principle. we supposed to be a nation that values and extols free speech and, and free expression. so when are we going to what is the line that i want to what is the line that i want to know, taj? >> i mean, they have given a

definition. >> perhaps you think this is still too vague, says extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance negates or destroys the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, undermines , overturns of others, undermines, overturns or replaces the uk system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights? i don't have an issue with that. >> is go further. and that's where the problem is . i mean, where the problem is. i mean, for example, the issue of anti—semitism. so so, is anti—semitism. so so, is anti—semitism , to do with the anti—semitism, to do with the individual person in this country or to do about criticising israel? i mean, for example, can i criticise india or the united states or argentina ? and there'd be no argentina? and there'd be no hassle. but the moment i want to criticise israeli policies , then criticise israeli policies, then i'm automatically anti—semite. >> but taj , that's not what this >> but taj, that's not what this discussion touched on today in the house of commons. michael gove made that was gove made clear that this was supporting, speech , supporting, freedom of speech, made clear that whether you fell on one particular side of an argument, you wouldn't be touched by this. this is about

specific organisations wanting to parliamentary democracy. >> so, so talked about >> right. so, so he talked about i don't have issues without those things . we need really to, those things. we need really to, to find i mean, for example, if we're going to gun and i want to gun all of these, fanatical fundamentalist and fruitcake muslims, i'm, i'm the number one on the barricades there. so that's not the issue here. the issue here is now can, for example , the ultra right wing example, the ultra right wing netanyahu government has rallied these troops worldwide to say, listen, the moment anyone, attacks israel, that's automatically anti—semitic. that's the issue here. and i'm not sure that's i'm not sure that's skirting the issues here. >> i'm not sure that's fair. and i'm not sure, whether this guidance will in any way, speak to that, but are you are you aware are you aware ? aware are you aware? >> aware are you aware? >> okay. hang on, let me. so the palestinian solidarity committee, group or whatever, has been now been accused of

being anti—semitic . why? okay, being anti—semitic. why? okay, so the question is, emily, that we really need to understand , we really need to understand, you know, that, yes. anti—semitism is wrong, but can we have anti—israeli , we have anti—israeli, perspectives? i guess the line is there if you're supportive of a proscribed terrorist group. >> so, for example , if someone >> so, for example, if someone expressed support for hamas , expressed support for hamas, then that might be seen as trying to undermine . trying to undermine. >> but but is it notable that in the house of commons today and we heard this live on, on gb news, michael gove said hamas, that, it wasn't he didn't mention the palestinian solidarity campaign. he mentioned the muslim brotherhood, the sort of gaza branch of which is hamas. he mentioned hamas. he mentioned the muslim brotherhood, he mentioned cage, he mentioned mend . he didn't mention the mend. he didn't mention the palestine solidarity, but this is a thin edge of the wedge. >> okay . i think he was right to

>> okay. i think he was right to call out the muslim council of , call out the muslim council of, muslim association of britain about men and engage in all other . i about men and engage in all other. i don't about men and engage in all other . i don't have issues with other. i don't have issues with that. but the point is, where are we going to draw the line? that's the issue here. and the point haven't really point is we haven't really discussed when is discussed as a nation, when is it to criticise it the legitimate to criticise israeli policies as opposed to being anti—semitic ? the two are being anti—semitic? the two are not the same. >> i think that would come under the whole debate that the government has had in the past about what exactly the definition of anti—semitism should and what exactly the should be, and what exactly the definition of islamophobia and anti—muslim hatred should be. and i agree with you that it is a very difficult thing to define in law to and apply equally to people. and i completely accept your accept your point there, do your accept your point there, do you think the government should just give up on trying to define what exactly extremism is? do you think our country, which has all sorts of different people in it, can all agree on one definition of what extremism is to one person, something might

be extreme to another it might not be. >> no. i think the definition has been revived and revamped. there's some merit to it, you know, promotion of an ideology that fosters violence, intolerance and hatred. i think we can all agree on that. but the point then is, the proof of the point then is, the proof of the pudding is in the nitty gritty . so what about groups gritty. so what about groups like the palestinian palestinian solidarity committee and others? because for some people, this group is just anti—semitic. and for other people , this group is for other people, this group is calling for justice for other people, this group is calling forjustice and peace in, in, in gaza. so the question is, how do we reconcile this, well, of course, what michael gove would say to that is that the counter extremism centre of excellence within his department will be a neutral arbiter of all of these things. i suppose we'll have to wait and see what actually happens. but for now, taji of the oxford institute for british you very british islam, thank you very much for joining british islam, thank you very much forjoining us on good

much for joining us on good afternoon britain. >> wouldn't it be nice if we could all agree on what extremism and what it is and extremism is and what it is and isn't acceptable? wouldn't it be in democracy that in a liberal democracy that would be nice, wouldn't it, if we could all agree on lots of things that i personally agree with, i think the would with, i think the world would be a place. like a much better place. i like disagreeing you. it's fun. disagreeing with you. it's fun. coming revelations coming up, shocking revelations concerning nursing degree fraud with publicly with groups online publicly admitting to doing their parents homework. could this mean homework. what could this mean for our nhs? more

soon. it's 224, and, have you ever had help on your coursework or your homework ? maybe you've had your homework? maybe you've had your parents do it. or even your children . children. >> well, nursing fraud concerns have been raised after dozens of young britons have admitted to helping older relatives pass nursing degrees and other health care qualifications. >> surely not. well gb news

reporter charlie peters joins us now who's been doing some digging into this. charlie, what have you found? well the truth is, emily, the digging wasn't so difficult because so many of these claims, these brazen admissions were just posted online. >> earlier in the week, someone posted on x to say that they were aware of this as a trend. >> and it soon followed that so many people admitted that they had done the same. >> their mum's assignments were handedin >> their mum's assignments were handed in by virtue of their support, that they felt as though they could have taken some of the tests in person, that they were supporting them with maths and english, and also other clinical assessments remotely. one even said that there are 4 or 5 degrees in the family that they felt as a child. they had contributed to significantly, one had said onune significantly, one had said online deleted after we got in touch that they felt as though their name should be on the certificate. well, this trend and this discussion also went over to tiktok and we have a

clip we can show you now with that discussion, i suspect, of the man in question doing his mum's uni work. >> you guys are out here doing and you guys, because i read through the comments, you guys are out here doing your parents work. >> someone said, yeah, i was a mental health nurse. >> by 16 his mum was african. they really think they must really just think we're sort of robot . we're just some sort of robot. when they hired us they thought, yep' when they hired us they thought, yep, now i've just got help for life. get favours. life. i get favours. >> parents you doing >> your parents have you doing degrees them ? degrees for them? >> health nurse by 16. >> a mental health nurse by 16. because of all the support that commenter was giving to their parents? well, as you can imagine , this has raised an imagine, this has raised an enormous amount of concern with doctors we've spoken to, with one telling me anonymously, of course , that they were course, that they were especially concerned about how this could be putting lives in jeopardy, going on to say that what assessments had these trainee nurses being put through asking us what could they possibly be missing out on by

virtue of having their children run the assessment? when we reached out to the nursing and midwifery council, they thanked us for raising this issue. but said that they hadn't seen anything formally on their records. they're not aware of this trend. and they did also stress that those who go through approved educational institutions for their nursing training have some 2300 hours of practical and other clinical training. but regardless of all that, it's certainly the case that, it's certainly the case that we saw dozens of admissions amid this viral conversation about potential nursing degree fraud . fraud. >> it is remarkable, charlie, to hear this story because , as we hear this story because, as we said in the introduction, it's normally that we hear it's parents helping out their kids, people whose brains are still developing . but clearly, developing. but clearly, clearly, it's the other way around. and the only thing that i of in terms of how i can think of in terms of how this possibly the case this could possibly be the case is perhaps are is that perhaps the kids are better the language better at speaking the language than the parents. and now that

has some clinical implications , has some clinical implications, surely, with regard to communication. >> yeah, some people did say that they were supporting mostly on maths and english work. but as you say, tom, being able to communicate effectively as a nurse or a medical professional is absolutely vital. and to think that some people applying for those nursing qualifications or having that assessment are, in effect, cheating and putting forward their child's work and not their own, has raised significant concern among some medics that we've been speaking to. one also told us that many of the options they'd been in as a doctor in hospitals in london made more sense as a consequence of seeing so many of these posts onune of seeing so many of these posts online issues that previously seemed strange or didn't make much sense . they now thought, much sense. they now thought, well, if a teenager was writing that assessment on that relevant situation, well, i can perfectly understand why that nurse might have made that choice . thank you

have made that choice. thank you very much indeed. charlie peters, gb news reporter i mean, there is one alternative that these children or teenagers are just sort of overegging it. and they, you know, they think it's all they're all exaggerating, boasting that they do their parents homework. >> but every single one of them's going, yeah, yeah, yeah. i mean, there's got to be a kernel of truth there. >> oh no. absolutely and, charlie's done his homework. si king done his homework. speaking to at the nhs, does he to people at the nhs, does he have children who've have any secret children who've been homework for him? been doing his homework for him? >> just think , you know, >> i, i just think, you know, teenagers do say a lot of things, don't they? teenagers do say a lot of thirand don't they? teenagers do say a lot of thirand they they? teenagers do say a lot of thirand they like ? teenagers do say a lot of thirand they like to big >> and they like to big themselves sometimes. yes. so >> and they like to big thcouldves sometimes. yes. so >> and they like to big thcould be sometimes. yes. so >> and they like to big thcould be like ;ometimes. yes. so >> and they like to big thcould be like ,ymetimes. yes. so >> and they like to big thcould be like , youimes. yes. so >> and they like to big thcould be like , you know, (es. so it could be like, you know, their parent was stuck on a particular thing. and they came over and said, oh, i know how to do it. >> yeah, but that's the wrong way round. i mean, surely i mean, people's parents shouldn't be children's homework be doing children's homework enhen be doing children's homework either. teenager either. age of young teenager doom, really, really doom, no, really, really concerning stuff, but but also points to this issue within the nhs. we've had how many thousand

more nurses? how many thousand more nurses? how many thousand more people on the front line of the nhs. and things haven't seemed to be improving . i mean, seemed to be improving. i mean, obviously small part of obviously a very small part of the but but perhaps part the puzzle, but but perhaps part of puzzle this scandal of that puzzle is this scandal certainly investigating certainly worth investigating ing now, the defence secretary, grant shapps, says donald trump should cut aid to ukraine if should not cut aid to ukraine if he wins presidential he wins the presidential election. and that plane that you can see in the background there, apparently tampered with by russia, find out how after this . this. >> good afternoon. from the gb newsroom 230. the headlines this half hour. michael gove has now named some of the groups to be investigated under new investigated under a new definition extremism, which investigated under a new de1says»n extremism, which investigated under a new de1says will extremism, which investigated under a new de1says will mean nism, which investigated under a new de1says will mean the], which investigated under a new de1says will mean the government he says will mean the government can express more clearly than ever who poses a risk to britain's security. the groups include the muslim association of britain, cage and mend, which are alleged to have islamist views, and the british national movement and patriotic

alternative, which are described as neo—nazi by today's new extremism definition, will be used to assess which groups should be blocked from public funding . but michael gove has funding. but michael gove has insisted it's not about silencing those with private and peaceful beliefs . a boy has peaceful beliefs. a boy has admitted killing 15 year old euanne admitted killing 15 year old elianne andam near a school in croydon . she was stabbed to croydon. she was stabbed to death after meeting friends on her way to school in september of last year. the 17 year old suspect, who can't be identified because of his age , has pleaded because of his age, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murdering elian. prosecutors haven't, though, accepted his plea and he will go on trial later this year. russia has been accused of disrupting the gps signal on the defence secretary's plane en route to poland. the incident occurred as the raf jet flew close to the edge of kaliningrad. gps navigation and internet access was lost for on board around 30 minutes during the flight. the pilots have confirmed the aircraft was never at risk. the

incident happened as grant shapps visits the british troops participating in nato exercises in poland, and a review into air traffic control issues that caused widespread chaos during last august's bank holiday weekend , has found that weekend, has found that a significant lack of pre—planning took place . nearly 750,000 took place. nearly 750,000 passengers were disrupted when flights were grounded at uk airports on the 28th of august. it was after the national air traffic services suffered a technical glitch, an interim report has found that a lack of rehearsal for such incidents of that nature and scale, those are the headlines for more. you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen, or go to gbnews.com/alerts

i >> -- >> good afternoon. britain. it's 2:36. and to return now to our exclusive interview with the defence secretary, grant shapps. it's emerged in the last half an hour that russia jammed a flight navigation system of the raf plane carrying mr shapps to visit nato exercises in poland. >> yes, the only broadcast journalist you may recognise him on that flight with the defence secretary was our very own ray addison there, who joins us now in he's back , ray in the studio. he's back, ray made it alive. >> he made it alive ? >> he made it alive? >> he made it alive? >> yeah, absolutely. >> yeah, absolutely. >> well, it was it was an interesting flight, >> well, it was it was an interesting flight , to say the interesting flight, to say the least. that was, obviously in the company of the defence secretary, grant shapps, from the through to poland and, the uk through to poland and, right from the takeoff to to, the landing. >> it was certainly an eventful flight . flight. >> and why was this eventful? were you aware during that flight that there was some tampering going on and frankly, did you know where the tampering

was coming from? >> well , was coming from? >> well, questions were certainly raised because i noficed certainly raised because i noticed obviously we had we did have internet on that flight, and both on the and i noticed both on the outward journey and the return leg that intermittently that internet would stop working. and we were informed as we were coming back to the united kingdom from poland, that that was most likely down to russians , the russian government blocking the signal as we flew over kaliningrad, now, of course, this is a russian enclave that they're in control of between poland and lithuania. and we were told that very much like, russian forces will block signals in ukraine, ukraine being one of the most, blocked countries in the world, one of the most jammed signal countries in the world. they are doing the same with kaliningrad as well. and that affected the gps of our plane, which i guess is the most significant part of the story. internet's one thing, gps of internet's one thing, but gps of the flight is certainly very significant. >> yes . and, ray, do we have an

>> yes. and, ray, do we have an idea of whether the russian government deliberately targeted this particular flight? and the defence secretary himself? >> well, i think the understanding is that the this is a process that the russian government tends to do in general. so they do it in ukraine. they do it wherever they have military operations in place. so it wasn't what we understand to deliberately block the flight of the defence secretary. it's just a side effect, as it were, of the, the general blocking of the territories that they are in control of now. luckily there was no risk. we were told to us or to the flight because obviously we have , you know, obviously we have, you know, very, very well trained raf pilots and they were able to use other measures to navigate, although the details of exactly what that was was not explained to us. >> it's almost as if you'd expect in a modern battlefield setting there would be contingencies. have contingencies. they will have been for this sort of

been trained for this sort of field of exercise. but but ray, getting to the reason you actually went to poland with the defence secretary, this was to view a nato exercise and, and presumably to send a strong signal to the world that the uk has foursquare behind nato. >> yeah, absolutely. we have, thousands of soldiers from all of the nato countries taking part in this operation and the operation we saw in particular, which will show exclusive details of here on gb news tomorrow, was between poland and the united kingdom. and of course, grant shapps was there to view that exercise to meet the troops and give them, you know, some encouragement as well and find out how that training is going on and that that team there is able to deploy within 48 hours to respond to any threat that may pose itself. and obviously, they're working across, you know, many different languages, many different countries and so they have these exercises to make sure that if

the worst does happen, they're able to respond as quickly as possible . possible. >> and ray, we understand you also asked the defence secretary about trump. should we have a watch ? watch? >> it is very important and will cost us a lot less money if we understand that defeating russia , and putin, in ukraine is a lot less expensive than him moving further to the west, either to the rest of ukraine or worse still, to places like poland . still, to places like poland. >> strong words there from the defence secretary, ray . defence secretary, ray. >> yeah. i mean, grant shapps was saying, look, it's a it's certainly a long time until the, the results of the us election will be determined. obviously, it's going to be taking place in november of this year, and a lot can happen between now and then. he was saying, however, he does trust despite all the trust that despite all the rhetoric from donald trump about ending the war between ukraine and russia within 24 hours, and and russia within 24 hours, and

a lot of people are taking that to mean that he could essentially stop funding ukraine and force , president zelenskyy and force, president zelenskyy to hand territory over to president putin. in that way, he's saying that he doesn't think so. he he believes that donald trump likes to back a winner and wouldn't like to be seen as weak by other nations. and therefore, he does feel that that support will continue. >> it's interesting. you can always see the triangulation thatis always see the triangulation that is taking place in the event that donald trump does win . he's leading in polls . he's leading in the polls currently united states , currently in the united states, and i suppose britain will have to try and rather than shout at him and harangue him and tell him and harangue him and tell him and harangue him and tell him a nasty man, orange him he's a nasty man, orange man, bad , they'll sort man, bad, they'll have to sort of come on, let's of say, look, come on, let's let's work with this together. and, perhaps and, and perhaps through a carrot rather than a stick. >> yeah. i mean absolutely. and it wouldn't be for the first time obviously. you know, he is the president the the former president of the united reasonably united states, had a reasonably good relationship with the united kingdom during that time, although no trade deal was

agreed. that's something they'd certainly be pushing for. but obviously, know, often, you obviously, you know, often, you know, we focus know, as journalists, we focus on the big story of the day as the government, they're looking months and years in advance. and obviously, one of the considerations they'll be factoring in what happens if joe biden continues as president or what happens if donald trump takes over and they'll be factoring all of that into a lot of their decisions? >> well, thank you very much indeed , ray, nice to have indeed, ray, and nice to have you in the studio you safely back in the studio where belong. thank ray where you belong. thank you. ray addison gosh addison gb news reporter. gosh it's interesting that you here, after you've already arrived safely. something happened safely. that something happened while you mid—air. and then while you were mid—air. and then it together while the it all fits together while the wi—fi why the, you wi—fi was down. why the, you know, with gps and of know, issues with gps and all of that ? that? >> gosh, learning stuff. >> oh, gosh, learning stuff. but, up on the programme, but, coming up on the programme, we'll be looking at the royal rift between prince william and prince harry that shows signs of continuing brothers are to continuing the brothers are to attend a memorial event for their mother, princess diana

>> it's 246. and prince harry and prince william will address and prince william will address a memorial for their late mother, princess diana, tonight . mother, princess diana, tonight. but the brothers won't be appearing at the same time. cunous appearing at the same time. curious the prince of wales is set to give a speech in person , set to give a speech in person, whilst prince harry will make a virtual appearance by video call after his brother has left the event. >> giving signs that the royal rift rumbles on. >> well , for more on this, shall >> well, for more on this, shall we bring in our royal correspondent cameron walker, who has the latest for us. >> cameron, is this deliberate that they don't want to be involved in the same event at the same time? what's going on? >> well, of course , we'd never >> well, of course, we'd never get confirmation, emily, but i think anyone giving an educated guess would that guess would draw that conclusion. what we know is conclusion. so what we know is that it conclusion. so what we know is thatitis conclusion. so what we know is that it is the 25th anniversary of the diana legacy awards. it was set up with princess diana's

belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better, which of course is kind of a cause close to prince william and harry's heart. and princess diana's legacy clearly rubs off on both of them. however, despite the fact it's the 25th anniversary, prince william will be there in person this evening at the science museum for the award ceremony. he will give a speech and he will be presenting the awards to the winners. but it won't until after william's won't be until after william's left that prince harry will appear virtually via video call to a meet. the winners virtually and perhaps will give a speech as well, although that's not been confirmed. but what it does is highlight the clearly continued rifts between the two brothers that they're not, it appears. i'm not saying this is true, but it appears that they are unwilling to be joining the same events at the same time . same events at the same time. >> and yet, cameron, there will be those that say , prince harry be those that say, prince harry is thousands of miles away . he's

is thousands of miles away. he's in the united states of america. might we not expect them to sort of one appear by video link and one appear in person? is this all a mountain being made out of all a mountain being made out of a molehill? >> well, it's not the fact that one's appearing video link one's appearing via video link and one's appearing in person. it's fact that it's the fact that it's happening completely separate happening at completely separate times. easy times. i think it's pretty easy for stand on a for prince william to stand on a stage, prince to stage, and prince harry to appear behind him appear on the screen behind him at time , logistically. at the same time, logistically. but terms of but in terms of the relationships , it appears relationships, it appears because we haven't, because according to lots of reports, that's not going to happen. and prince harry is only taking part after prince william has left, or at least in a private room . or at least in a private room. so it highlighting that rift so it is highlighting that rift as i say. but what it also does is show the determination of prince william and harry, despite the perhaps personal rift between them, that they want to honour the legacy of their mother by taking part in this award ceremony , something this award ceremony, something they have done many years in the past 2017. i think they were pictured together on the stage giving out the awards to those

young people, those recipients . young people, those recipients. but clearly it's not happened since then. i think they're since then. but i think they're both determined to honour their mother's let's mother's legacy. well, let's be frank. >> w- @ that they , the >> it suggests that they, the two brothers, very much don't want anything with want to have anything to do with each really. each other. really. >> well, you've look at >> well, you've got to look at what's over the last what's happened over the last few first, we megxit few years. first, we had megxit that sandringham summit in prince harry's memoir spare, and in subsequent interviews for it, he alleges that prince william was screaming was shouting and screaming at him in sandringham that him in sandringham during that summit, kensington summit, something kensington palace about. palace has never talked about. then we had the whole book and everything else. other everything else. all the other allegations in book and of allegations in the book and of course netflix documentary course the netflix documentary as well, and the royal family are incredibly private . but are incredibly private. but harry and meghan have become a bit of a headache, or at least over the last three years they have been, and would have have been, and that would have really hurt as as really deeply hurt william as as someone will be king one someone who will be king one day. and we haven't really seen any sign of any contacts between the brothers, even when harry flew back across the atlantic last minute following the king's cancer diagnosis, william and him did not meet up. now we were

told by someone in kensington palace , a source in kensington palace, a source in kensington palace, a source in kensington palace, that there were no plans to meet up. but clearly you think if your brother is flying across the atlantic, perhaps you would and it would make that happen. and it clearly happened. we clearly hasn't happened. we don't. we're never going to be given the exact reason why. but as i said, think you can make as i said, i think you can make as i said, i think you can make a pretty educated guess. as i said, i think you can make a pyes' educated guess. as i said, i think you can make a pyes ,educated guess. as i said, i think you can make a pyes , it's:ated guess. as i said, i think you can make a pyes , it's sadi guess. as i said, i think you can make a pyes , it's sad thatess. as i said, i think you can make a pyes , it's sad that they can't >> yes, it's sad that they can't even together for such an even get together for such an occasion as this their late occasion as this for their late mother. you very much . mother. but thank you very much. cameron walker, our royal correspondent. good to speak to you. we finish up with a you. shall we finish up with a few everything that's few views on everything that's been during the been going on during during the show, about michael gove. firstly yes, you've been getting in touch and jim has said, gove is absolutely right. >> everyone knows there are islamic extremists and right wing extremists. >> no, pam says, i think this is interesting and i think she's probably right. unfortunately. mr gove has named several organisations which will not receive government funding, etc. is it mr gove being a tad naive? these organisations just

these organisations will just change their the people change their names. the people pulling will be pulling the strings will be the same they'll change same and they'll also change their think might their names. i think you might be actually, with be right actually, because with some groups, some of these extremist groups, they do splinter groups and they do have splinter groups and they do have splinter groups and they change their names to they can change their names to then perceived moderate then be perceived as moderate for , and then they get for a while, and then they get found and they change found out and then they change again. think that is actually again. i think that is actually quite practice. quite common practice. >> i think the point >> but but i think the point that pam might miss here is that there will now be an official list these groups that have list of these groups that have been determined to be extremist. and so if you're a group that's wanting to seem as you're not extremist, hiring someone who has previously worked at one of the groups that has been mentioned here, whether it's whether it's those that might go on the list, the ones that michael under parliamentary michael gove under parliamentary privilege of privilege in the house of commons today suggested, commons earlier today suggested, whether they're the muslim brotherhood, or indeed brotherhood, cage mend or indeed the far right groups patriotic alternative and british national socialist group. if you've worked for one of those, suddenly that's on your record. >> yes, but how long does it take for them to go through all the rigmarole, make they've

the rigmarole, make sure they've got completely it got it completely right, get it signed all the various signed off by all the various officials and the government ministers and all this. it's going to take a long time. they'll always be playing catch up, although always be playing, they'll always be playing catch up,says.yugh always be playing, he says. >> all those parties and people who extremist are obviously who are extremist are obviously in mode and against the in panic mode and against the new, definition . so new, clearer definition. so i think michael gove has got it right. we all know why he's done it. so they should shut up and putyes, well there you go. keep >> yes, well there you go. keep your views in. martin's your views coming in. martin's going be up next very going to be up next very shortly. got shortly. i'm sure he's got a cracking show lined up. he'll be delving into this extremism definition. perhaps martin, tell us what is coming up on your show . show. >> yeah. bang on guys. yeah. this definition of extremism, what does it actually mean ? what does it actually mean? >> and the naming of two far right groups. can you imagine my surprise? while the british national socialist movement hasn't existed since 1968, was dnven hasn't existed since 1968, was driven out of london by a riot by communists, are they overegging the pudding on the threat of the far right? we'll

have the full details on that. we'll talk to police and crime commissioner for her evidence of this extremism at grass roots level. >> at last, grant shapps decided to spend 3% on defence. what took him so long? >> putin is spending 8. >> putin is spending 8. >> meanwhile, we've got the smallest army since the napoleonic times, the smallest raf in history. and the navy is more concerned about pronouns and climate change than actually get involved in wars. and an exclusive shock report into the state of the nhs reveals that only 50% of nhs staff are now medically qualified, proving that the nhs is now an army of pen pushers. and guess what? 29% increase in doctors since brexit. do you remember? we were told that we would have no doctors left in this country . doctors left in this country. another project, fear myth has been completely dispel and that's all kind of on my show. 3

to 6 pm. martin daubney show. but first, it's time for your latest weather forecast . latest weather forecast. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> welcome to your latest weather update from the met office for gb news. most of us will see a bit of rain today, but across eastern england it may well stay mostly dry. and that's where we'll see some pretty high temperatures as well. though, is well. low pressure though, is still controlling our weather, and two fronts are and these two weather fronts are moving across the country, both providing some outbreaks of rain. through rain. persistent rain through central and southern scotland. soggy afternoon here, a bit soggy old afternoon here, a bit of snow, likely on the tops of the hills, but much of the highlands. the northern isles will stay dry bright and will stay dry and bright and mostly dry across east anglia in the south—east, although will the south—east, although we will see more coming in. see lots more cloud coming in. but rain for wales but showery rain for wales and southwest england. look the southwest england. look at the temperatures though england temperatures though for england and mild. with and wales. very mild. 16 with a bit brightness could reach bit of brightness we could reach 17 feeling cold though,

17 celsius. feeling cold though, with that persistent rain over the scotland . the central belt of scotland. that rain does linger through much well. more much of tonight as well. more showers come for northern showers to come for northern ireland. there'll be some showery for england showery rain for england and wales , and then through the wales, and then through the second the night we'll second half of the night we'll see heavier rain coming see some heavier rain coming into and the into wales, and the far south—west have odd south—west may have the odd rumble of thunder mixed in with that. another mild night, that. another pretty mild night, certainly and wales. certainly for england and wales. a chilly in the far a bit of a chilly one in the far north of scotland, where the winds are coming in the winds are coming in from the north, still providing bit north, still providing a bit of snow tops of hills. snow over the tops of the hills. another fairly day for another fairly damp day for scotland. showery scotland. some heavy, showery rain and the m25 rain along the m4 and the m25 early friday that will clear early on friday that will clear away, then left with a away, and then we're left with a mixture bright or sunny mixture of bright or sunny spells, but plenty of showers to come well . again fairly mild come as well. again fairly mild across wales, across england and wales, though it breezier . another it will be breezier. another pretty chilly one in scotland. that feeling inside from that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on . gb news. on. gb news. >> good afternoon britain, good afternoon britain. weekdays from

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>> a very good afternoon to you. >> it's 3 pm. and welcome to the martin daubney show on gb news. broadcasting live from the heart of westminster all across the uk. today, the government has announced its long awaited crackdown on extremism, and michael gove has named five groups, including three muslim organisations , which he said organisations, which he said could be investigated . and could be investigated. and there's the extraordinary story of the russians jamming the navigation systems of the raf jet carrying defence secretary grant shapps and gb news reporter ray addison . next up, reporter ray addison. next up, william and harry will appear at the same event tonight , but the same event tonight, but there's no sign whatsoever of there's no sign whatsoever of the royal rift coming to an end. and there's the 101 year old who's woman who's leading the fight to get what's been branded the most potholed road in england fixed. what an absolute trooper she is. and that's all coming up in your next hour