this is bbc news. i'm jane hill at westminster. in the last hour two of the prime minister's top advisers — nick timothy and fiona hill — have resigned. nick timothy sad he regretted not including a pledge to cap total social care costs — and that the party hadn't talked to the people who decided to vote labour. they went following what the bbc understands were demands from some conservative mps that mrs may would face a leadership challenge if they were not sacked by this weekend. nick timothy has been a good servant of the conservative party, but politics is a rough business. to shore up her government, mrs may is preparing for talks with the democratic unionist party next week. i'm not going to support any legislation that i would regard as socially illiberal or taking this country backwards. its part of what makes this country that we are and i'm sure the dup understand that.

labour urges mrs may to "make way" for it to form a government. some mps who'd opposed jeremy corbyn‘s leadership have urged colleagues to get behind him. we'll bring you the latest reaction from westminster, belfast and glasgow as questions remain about how long mrs may can remain as prime minister. the other headlines this lunchtime. police reveal the london bridge terror attackers tried to hire a seven and a half tonne lorry — but their credit cards were declined. petrol bombs and blow torches were found in the van they did use. police say they had pink ceramic knives tied to their wrists. good afternoon and

welcome to bbc news. good afternoon from westminster. theresa may's top two downing street aides have resigned in the wake of the conservative election failure. their departure comes after the bbc understands that conservative mps demanded mrs may sack them or face a leadership challenge. nick timothy has issued a statement following his resignation saying: and went on to say: i take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme. in particular, i regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care.

that was a substantial amount of his resignation statement. as news broke, i was talking to the conservative alistair burt and asked for his election. it's not for me to see who the prime minister should appoint or not. that set it in context, she won a majority of the share of votes, she won more seats in the house of commons and anyone else, so she's working hard on forming a government. both fiona hilland nick forming a government. both fiona hill and nick timothy have worked her for years and have been steadfastly loyal, but for a long time, there have been of concern and advice to the prime minister that the circle she needed to run the home office was not the same circle she needed to run the government, and it had to be wider. i suppose what the election campaign did was bring that out before and have those concerns more demonstrable, because of the pattern of the campaign at what happened. the prime minister is

using the opportunity to widen the circle of advice to her more inclusive to the party as a whole. i'm sure that'll be the right thing. the conservative alistair burt, who are speaking to as news emerged of the resignation. we havejust had a statement from fiona hill. let's get the thoughts of our political correspondent ben wright on this busy and fast—moving afternoon. within an hour, we have had the resignation of two people, who it's fair to say a lot of people in the conservative party really didn't like and thought were corrosive influence. what's the

impact? the immediate impact is it demonstrates theresa may's willingness to survive this crisis, that she is willing to see cut adrift her two most important advisers. it is hard to overstate. we talk about government advisers, but it's hard to overstate how important these two are to theresa may. they have been with her three yea rs, may. they have been with her three years, fiercely loyal to theresa may throughout her years at the home office, making enemies as they went, across whitehall, in their defence for may through thick and thin. they been the key or part of the key to theresa may's survival and success over the last few years. they're not your normal advisers. in the course of their careers, they have made enemies. they were hugely powerful. they've been with a long time. in 2006, nick timothy went to work for her, having spent some time in the

conservative research department when he was younger. he spent time in the private sector between the rules. the two of them, with fiona hill, bound together as her chief lieutenants. hugely power full in number ten. if you talk to any minister, there was frustration that no decision can be made across government unless those two have been involved and sounded off and approved it. ithink been involved and sounded off and approved it. i think that was beginning to cause some frustration. the manifesto was very much the work of nick timothy. he talks about his role in it in his resignation statement. he distances himself from the social care debacle, saying it wasn't entirely his responsibility, but it had his character role over that. he's a working—class boy from birmingham, he went to grammar school, all the stuff in the ma nifesto school, all the stuff in the manifesto about social mobility and people being freed from the backgrounds they were born into, at

assault the voice of nick timothy. he certainly shake the manifesto, because it wasn'tjust he certainly shake the manifesto, because it wasn't just about social care, there was more than it than that. but as the manifesto came in for more criticism, tory mps started to talk again about the reach and the power of nick timothy and fiona hill. there were private concerns within the tory party about how the campaign was going. my feeling was that even if the tories had won this election, there would still have been cause, not necessarily to get rid of the two of them, but certainly to broaden the number of people that theresa may is drawing on for advice, to open at number ten, to open the windows, to allow decision—making to be more inclusive. to bring people in, to involve the cabinet more. that would have happened anyway, but clearly, not having achieved a majority, the work finished. theresa may had to

allow them to go. rb in a position this afternoon, where what this has done is give theresa may time, but still in the short—term, because even those conservatives who think our position is not sustainable might say... someone said this morning, this is really not a good time. because the brexit talks are just too important. i think that's correct, and it was clear earlier, we we re correct, and it was clear earlier, we were talking to a tory mps, and while there was dismay and anger about how the campaign had been run, nobody wanted a leadership contest. it is not a clear leader waiting to ta ke it is not a clear leader waiting to take place. and we're about to start the brexit talks. that is the appetite for the general election, thatis appetite for the general election, that is no appetite at the moment for the leadership contest. there have been those pressures from tory mps over the last 2a hours for nick timothy and fiona hill cycle. there

isa timothy and fiona hill cycle. there is a meeting of tory mps at the beginning of next week, where this would've been raised if it had not been dealt with. i sculpted tory mp charles walker, who is a senior person on the backbench committee and he said it's a sorry day when you make to advisers responsible for the outcome of the election instead of taking responsibility as members of taking responsibility as members of parliament. it is quite extraordinary that we are ready on from a general election, and where are the government ministers and the tory mps? no one is explaining how this government is going to continue, what sort of arrangement they should be with the dup, what they should be with the dup, what the political priorities should be going forward. there is silence! we haveis going forward. there is silence! we have is the news that to advisers have is the news that to advisers have gone. it's a very bizarre situation. don't go away, because we'll be talking again in the course of the afternoon. who knows what awaits? then mentioned tops of the

dup. we know the conservative chief whip has travelled to northern ireland to begin discussions. senior sinn fein leaders say they're concerned that a deal between the dup and the conservatives could put the northern ireland peace process at risk. power sharing in stormont broke down in january and nationalists say they expect the british government to remain neutral in efforts to revive it. one area of concern for people are the dup‘s socially conservative policies, for example, their opposition to gay marriage. it's an issue raised by the scottish conservative leader ruth davidson

yesterday, who urged theresa may not to allow that to be a factor in the discussions, to encourage lgb t writes here in northern ireland. speaking just a while ago, conservative mp ed vaizey was asked if he had concerns about potential concessions that might have to be given to the dup to secure their support? i come from the liberal wing of the tory party and i'm not going to support any legislation that regard as socially liberal or taking this country backwards. this isa taking this country backwards. this is a party that doesn't support same—sex marriage “— is a party that doesn't support same—sex marriage —— same—sex marriage, which was one of david cameron's protest achievements. there were people in my party who

voted against it, but they remained collea g u es voted against it, but they remained colleagues of mine and we can achieve good things for the country. idid notjump achieve good things for the country. i did notjump up and down in the past and say i don't want your vote. they are democratically elected mps who represent the immunities. i don't think michael backwards in terms of social legislation, is part of our dna now in it's part of what makes us the great country we are. i'm sure the dup understand that.|j should i'm sure the dup understand that.” should say that, talking to people today, although concerns have been expressed about the dup‘s opinions on things like gay marriage, i don't get any sense that the dup will be bringing those sorts of issues to the table, that they'll be using those in any way as a bargaining chip. but obviously, it's something theresa may will be bearing in mind during these discussions with the dup. she'll also be hearing and bearing in mind the concerns expressed by republicans and

nationalists he's in ireland, about the potential neutrality of the conservative party in any discussion that will be going on, to try and restore the power—sharing assembly at stormont, which collapsed earlier this year. senior sinn fein figures have been saying to the tory party that the government has to be eight neutral broker in any of these discussions. we will reflect on it. it argued for some considerable time that the british government have been working in cahoots with the dup to the disadvantage of the political process here. in fact, they cold orthodoxy to re—establish old institutions. the british public should actually have close scrutiny of the dup and what that party represents. michael reagan belfast keeping an

eye on that. —— my colleague in belfast keeping an eye on that. let's talk about some of what ruth davidson has been saying, dismissing reports that the scottish tories might break away from the main uk party. she has been tweeting that she fought an election campaign opposing the idea of a separate organisation in scotland. katrina rentonjoins me. villas in for those who have not been glued to social media this morning. explain a bit more about what's going on here. lots to tell you. the issue you have brought up, i'll try to get on to explain a little about that in a minute, that's about autonomy in the

scottish conservative party. what ruth davidson said, it was a newspaper report that suggested the scottish conservatives might break away from the maimed tory party in the uk. ruth davidson has dismissed back, saying they already have autonomy in the areas where they need it. they have little own reader and make their own policies at holyrood. she has dismissed that, but there's a lot else to talk about. we're here in the shadow of sterling cassel, a phenomenal historic building in scotland, dating back to the 12th century. many kings and queens had the coordination is here. this is the place of history, and the scottish conservatives meet his study on thursday, they got the biggest vote in scotland, 13 seats, since my immediately. by then, this has been a real breakthrough and it has also given them quite a bit of leveraged in what is going on at downing street. with gains of 12 seats, they will feel they have a strong voice

in talking to theresa may about her agenda for going forward. of course, what came out yesterday evening was when ruth davidson said she would go to theresa may with concerns about the alliance with the dup, with their track records on equal lgbt rights. the dup is opposed to gay marriage. ruth davidson is a relationship with a woman, who she is go to marry. this matters to her. she said to theresa may that there are things that matter to her more than the party, and lgbt rights are pa rt than the party, and lgbt rights are part of that. she said she would work to advance progression of these rights in northern ireland, so that's one of the issues that has come up in the last 2a hours, but also there is ruth davidson's position on brexit. the scottish

conservatives campaigned to remain within the eu. this will be no doubt an area where ruth davidson has some weather is there. she has said in the past she wants to remain as much as possible, with the best relationship as possible, with the single market. so that's another issue that is bound to be on the table when these negotiations,. if you look at the numbers, the the scottish conservatives gained seats, while those in england lost seats. that's something they can bring to the party. they're part of the reasons why theresa may is still in downing street might know. ruth davidson is going to come and meet with all 13 of our mps. we'll hear more about what their agenda is then. we certainly have some lines ahead of the meeting. what she will say is her party will seek to deliver, not divide. i think that's a reference to many of events we

have seen over the last 2a hours within the conservative party. she will see that our mps will work hard to do the best they can to represent scots at westminster. thanks for explaining that and unravelling that. a very busy afternoon for you as well. lots of strands there to ta ke as well. lots of strands there to take in. that was katrina renton in sterling. one of the elements is concerns that have been expressed by ruth davidson and other conservatives about some policies espoused by the dup, as the prime minister has to go into conversations with them, because of the size of her majority. she needs them in order to continue governing. downing street says the chief whip is already in belfast for some of those initial tops. let's discuss all of that and what might lie ahead. for more on this i'm joined

by professorjon tonge from the university of liverpool. we are all losing our voices. 48 hours of talking about the dup. the grateful that you're prepared to persist. the initial conversation is clearly happening. that's not surprising, because time is not on anyone's side. it's a case of needs must for theresa may. there are no other allies for the conservative party, so she doesn't get the support of the dup, she would get the green's speech through parliament and there will be the nightmare spectre of another election within a few months. there has to be some sort of confidence and supply arrangement with the dup. but it means the price tag will be

higher. how high do you think the price tag will be? there is a huge financial price tag, because what the dup will want is to reward their country with infrastructure projects. that's easy enough to do, but it's beyond that there be getting two more controversial areas. because the dup will want their veto to continue in terms of same—sex marriage, which they blocked several times in northern ireland assembly debates. the dup will want a continuing veto on that. they will want to continue to block any liberalisation of abortion in northern ireland. there's also the issue of continuing prosecutions for the actions of british soldiers in the actions of british soldiers in the troubles in northern ireland. the dup are very unhappy about those investigations and would prefer an

amnesty for british soldiers. these are very controversial areas that the dup will want to have a say on. it is also the march as season. the dup doesn't like the commission that regulates the parades. they might have something to say on that. that isa have something to say on that. that is a pretty substantial list. what about the idea that the government should remain neutral in matters around northern ireland, because nothing has been happening at stormont for months. doesn't any element of the day, given that is the situation, are they meant to be an honest broker and step back and negotiate in egalitarian fashion, if that's ever going to get back on its feet? i think the old days of the government being an honest broker, the good friday agreement days, are over. the majority of dup members still say they would vote against the good friday agreement if it came

up the good friday agreement if it came up tomorrow. it's a question of needs must. the question is how far would arlene foster as leader really push the government? i think arlene foster is sensible enough not to offer a huge public shopping list, which would alienate men many on the conservative side. she's not interested in changing legislation for the rest of the uk, just protecting the interests of northern ireland. so stuff on social media about ruth davidson being worried about ruth davidson being worried about the infringement of lgbt rights in scotland, that'sjust about the infringement of lgbt rights in scotland, that's just not going to happen. the dup are useful in terms of supporting the conservatives on brexit. they are both pro—brexit parties. but the dup don't want the return of a hard border either. they are dramatic,

they want a soft border between the north and south for obvious trading purposes. the conservative government, the dup, the irish government, the dup, the irish government, they all wanted. but what the dup don't want, they don't wa nt what the dup don't want, they don't want special status for northern ireland. the dup says that the slippery slope to a united island. and in northern ireland doesn't want to be dragged out of the eu against their will. very interesting to see what emerges. thank you so much for putting your voice box or torture. thank you so much. if you are just if you arejustjoining us, is if you are justjoining us, is worth reminding you that events have moved quickly, both nick timothy and fiona hill have resigned in the last hour, theresa may's special advisers who

been working with over many years. let's bring you again some of nick timothy's resignation statement, because it's worth reflecting on some of it. it's quite a lengthy statement, but nick timothy talks at some length about the reasons he has decided to go. and also what the election result meant generally. he says the reason for the disappointing results... interesting note about the ma nifesto. that is part of the resignation

statement thereby nick timothy. he has indeed resigned this afternoon, as has fiona hill. let's find out what lucy fisher makes of it. this isn't the first time we have had problems with nick and fiona. there are very aggressive style, authoritarian, acting as barriers to the prime minister, that's annoyed a lot of senior elected figures as well as senior party staffers. lots of people following the coverage have never heard of these two. they might be thinking, everyone has gatekeepers, the ceo of a big

company has a gatekeeper, every politician has, why shouldn't theresa may have one? what makes this situation different? i think it was her refusal to consult more widely her cabinet about setting proposals, and the manifesto is a perfect microcosm of this system of governance. it is too tight fit. she feels to check the social care policy that nick timothy came up with. he distances himself from that. he says he was involved, but he's trying to say, that specific policy was not 100% his idea. that's true, in his statement, he tries to correct the information that it was his pet project. he says it was the result of many months of work in whitehall. but it was something he had pushed. many cabinet ministers have said privately they were not consulted before the manifesto went to press, but that was in it. so

they had to go out there and explained this policy to the public. days later, theresa may did a u—turn and then they had scrotal explained ina public and then they had scrotal explained in a public why it had changed. this afternoon's events, how much time has that bought theresa may? it's certainly a price that was demanded by her limping on, incredibly weak and. she has lost 12 seats, she's lost her majority. i think it would be unsustainable for her chief of staff to stay on, but it's important to realise how much she relied on them for personal reassurance as well as counsel. she doesn't have close allies in the cabinet who she can rely on now that they're gone. the coming weeks and months, crystal ball time, brexit talks have to be the priority. that's why we are where we are, because the talks are imminent. that's right. the conservative party are known for their fast—moving conservative party are known for theirfast—moving nature conservative party are known for their fast—moving nature of wendy

sends weakness. regicide is one of the things the party is known for. already, people are talking about who the content designed to replace theresa may. borisjohnson, david davis, amber rudd, a lot of people looking to be the next prime minister. lucy fisher, thanks very much forjoining us. much more from an unexpectedly busy westminster. we'll pause now to catch up with the weather prospects whenever you are in the country. let's get all the details. the low pressure is driving the weather system across the uk. there is some rain to be had below that. lovely sunny and warm afternoon in the south—eastern corner. a scattering of showers

creeps into scotland and northern ireland later on. temperatures doing well. the rain does start to drift further east this evening and overnight but the rain becomes light and patchy. a scattering of showers in scotland and northern ireland. temperatures no lower than about 14. we could be no lower than 16 or 17 in some parts of the south—east, so quite a close night here. a fair bit of cloud in east anglia and the south—east. light rain and drizzle on and off. the showers in scotland and northern ireland will be frequent tomorrow. 16 and 17 for belfast, 20 and 21 in the south—eastern corner.