today at five, 3 man and woman are in a critical condition — after being exposed to an unknown substance in wiltshire. counter terrorism police are investigating. tests are being carried out at the porton down chemicalfacility, after the pair were found unconscious on saturday. further testing is now on going to establish the substance which led to these patients becoming ill. at this stage, it is not yet clear if a crime has been committed. the events are taking place some eight miles from the scene of the russian spy poisoning in march. we'll have the latest. the other main stories on bbc news at five. police are continuing to question a nurse on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to kill another six. police on the scottish island of bute have launched a murder investigation following the death of six—year—old alesha macphail. work and pensions secretary esther mcvey apologises

for "inadvertently misleading" the house of commons over universal credit. and almost 2a million people tune in to see a stunning penalty shoot out result for england making it the most watched five minutes of television in six years. it's five o'clock. our main story is that a man and woman — are in a critical condition after being exposed to an unknown substance in amesbury in wiltshire. counter terrorism officers are investigating after the pair, both in their 40s, were found unconscious on saturday. it is understood tests are being carried out on a substance at a government chemical weapons laboratory. amesbury is about eight miles from the site of an alleged russian poisoning attack in march

when the former russian spy sergei skripal and his daughter yulia were poisoned with novichok — a suspected military nerve agent. the government's emergency committee — cobra — has been in session to discuss the events in amesbury, our correspondent duncan kennedy has the latest. (tx) the property where the man and woman we re the property where the man and woman were found was today sealed off by police. just one site in amesbury thatis police. just one site in amesbury that is being searched. the couple we re that is being searched. the couple were suspected of being exposed to an unknown substance. on saturday night, it was even busier here with seven fire appliances. firefighters put on protective suits but, we're told, only as a precaution. ambulances, fire engines, more and more kept turning up, pitting on the suits.

they were connecting hose pipes, so we thought there was gas. wiltshire police say they first thought a contaminated batch of cocaine or heroin could have been the couple ill, but say they have now carried out father tests and they are keeping an open mind. understandably, residents have been making comparison to the nerve agent attack in salisbury exactly four months ago today. sergei and yulia skripal when exposed to the toxic substance and spent weeks in hospital. oh, not again. it is close to home again. but we do not know any more than that at the moment. when things like that happen a few yards away from your own home. but i am not saying a single thing, because i don't know. police have also sealed off this baptist church in amesbury, with several officers and vehicles in place. and this boots chemist in the town. there were also investigation is

there this morning. this afternoon, police have confirmed that they are working with larger place in this instrument. any statement, they said, given events in salisbury, we are working with what's police, and as they have stated, they are keeping an open mind the incident here in amesbury. it has been reported that the substance found has been sent to the porton down laboratory nearby. there is no suggestion that the latest incident is comparable to the skripal case. the man and woman from amesbury are being treated in the same hospital as sergei skripal and his daughter yulia skripal. public health england says that there is no wider risk to the general public. a short while ago

deputy chief constable paul mills of wiltshire police made a statement to the waiting media about the condition of the two people who have been affected. the woman, aged 44, and the man, aged a5, who are both local to the wiltshire area and are british and ‘s are currently receiving treatment for a suspected exposure to an unknown substance at salisbury district hospital. they remain in a critical condition. it was initially believed that the two patients fell ill after potentially using contaminated illegal drugs. however, further testing is now ongoing to establish the substance which led to these patients being ill. at this stage, it is not yet clear if a

crime has been committed. our enquiries are supported by local partner agencies and the counter terror is as policing network are ongoing. a full multi—agency response has been coordinated which currently consists of 12 partner agencies. we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances regarding this incident and will continue to work closely with partners to progress our enquiries. a number of scenes, believed to be the areas that the individuals frequented before they fell ill, have been cordoned off in the amesbury and salisbury areas, as a precautionary measure. these include queen elizabeth gardens in salisbury, a property atjohn baker house, wollaston street salisbury. a property at muggleton road amesbury.

boots the chemist, stonehenge walk amesbury and the amesbury baptist centre on potter ‘s field —— on butterfield drive, amesbury. the public can expect to see an increased police presence in these areas and in amesbury and salisbury. i'd like to thank the public for respecting these cordons and their ongoing respect and support. we continue to work closely with experts from public health england who are based on the number of people affected have said that they do not believe there is a wider threat to the public. this will be continued to be assessed as more information comes to light. at present, no one else is receiving treatment as a result of this incident. our priority at this time

remains to understand the circumstances as to how these two individuals became unwell. salisbury hospital is open as usual and is advising people to attend to attend appointments unless they are contacted and told otherwise. we understand the concern this is understandably causing within our communities and to that end we have set up to dedicated phone numbers with anyone for concerns related to these incidents. those are freephone zero 800 092 01110. these incidents. those are freephone zero 800 092 0410. if these incidents. those are freephone zero 800 092 01110. if people do not have access to freephone facilities, 02 071580124. these numbers are now up and running

and will be available from 8am to 8pm daily. i would like to appeal to anyone who might have information concerning the circumstances surrounding this incident to come forward and we remain committed to updating the public as this incident on false and will do this when further information becomes available. that statement just further information becomes available. that statementjust a short while ago by deputy chief kvist and paul paul mills of wiltshire police. —— deputy chief co nst. more on that coming up in about 15 minutes' time. let's move on to the rest of the day ‘s news. a woman held on suspicion

of the murder of eight babies and the attempted murder of six others at a hospital in chester has been named as a 28—year—old nurse lucy letby. she was arrested yesterday as part of an investigation into events at the countess of chester hospital. detectives are also investigating 15 non—fatal collapses at the neonatal unit between march 2015 and july 2016. our correspondent judith moritz reports. lucy letby once said she enjoyed nursing babies as she could see them progress and support their families. now the 28—year—old is under arrest on suspicion of murdering eight infants and trying to kill another six. yesterday police arrived at the nurse's home. forensic officers searched the house and also took away items from a car for further examination. detectives confirmed that a health care professional was in custody, being questions about the alleged murders and attempted murders. police say that their investigation

is focusing on what happened to 32 babies on the neonatal unit at the countess of chester hospital between march 2015 and july 2016. hospital managers called in the police because they couldn't explain the unusual number of baby deaths and near—death emergencies on the neonatal unit. in 2015, this hospital had the highest number of neonatal deaths out of 43 trusts of a similar size. the following year, it stopped providing care for very premature infants, and now only looks after babies born later than 32 weeks pregnancy. managers here say they are confident that the unit is safe to continue. the police say they know the impact their investigation will be having on staff and patients at the hospital. the families of the babies involved are being supported and kept informed. two bereaved families

said they were reassured that the investigation was continuing, and they hope it will give them the answers they need. judith moritz, bbc news, chester. police on the isle of bute have confirmed that the six—year—old schoolgirl alesha macphail was murdered. the case has become a murder inquiry, following a post—mortem examination although detectives have yet to say how she died. alesha's body was found by a member of the public in woodland on the site of a former hotel on monday. she had been staying at her grandmother's house but was reported missing early in the morning. police are are urging people on the island to be vigilant about the safety of their children. our correspondent james shaw sent us this report. ales ha alesha macphail‘s body was found by a member of the public in woodland. at first police described her death as unexplained but after a postmortem examination they said the nature of their enquiry had changed. we are treating her death as a

murder investigation. this has progressed over the last couple of daysin progressed over the last couple of days in relation to investigations that have been carried out here on bute. herfamily that have been carried out here on bute. her family is utterly devastated by what had happened and the news that we had to give them this evening. extra officers have been drafted onto bute to reassure the public and warning people to be mindful of the safety of their loved ones and the security of their homes. a police presence, you do not know if it makes you feel safe or actually makes you feel worse. we are allunder actually makes you feel worse. we are all under the spotlight, we are all scared, panicked. i just are all under the spotlight, we are all scared, panicked. ijust think it is such a bad time. we are all nervous because of it. just scared. ales ha nervous because of it. just scared. alesha macphail was on holiday with the island staying with family. at her school in north lanarkshire her

headteacher said she was smiling and happy and considerate and happy being ina happy and considerate and happy being in a group. there were many expressions of sympathy and sadness on bute. the revelation that she was murdered will be a further shock to the inhabitants of the island. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the bbc news at five. bbc news has been told that the official group which campaigned for brexit in the eu referendum is expected to be found guilty of four charges of breaking electoral law. the draft of an investigation into vote leave concludes that it broke spending limits and failed to comply with some rules. vote leave's former chief executive matthew elliott said he believed they'd acted both within the spirit and the letter of the law — and a 500 page dossier, rebutting the claims, had been submitted to the electoral commission. a huge moorfire which has been burning for more than a week is now being investigated as arson,

greater manchester police say. police said a lit bonfire was seen on the moors near stalybridge on 24th june, shortly before a call was made to the fire service. hundreds of firefighters have been working on the blaze, which spread to nearby saddleworth moor. the bbc understands that kevin spacey is facing further allegations of sexual assault in britain. the metropolitan police are understood to be investigating complaints from three more men, in addition to the three already known about. the american actor and director has always denied all claims against him. england's footballers have begun preparing for a world cup quarter—final against sweden — after last night's dramatic victory over colombia. it's the first time england have won a penalty shootout at a world cup — and nearly 2a million people saw the win on television, the england team is now back at base at repino, near st petersburg — from where david ornstein sent this report. one shots to make history.

commentator: england win a world cup penalty shoot out for the first time ever! a sight many thought they might never see. the cause of so much agony now a source of unbridled ecstasy. england and gareth southgate finally conquering their footballing nemesis. we are trying to write our own history. i have talked to the players that they write their own stories, we don't have to be bound by the pressure of the past, and they have done that. the way they played, the style in which they played. so if you can choose to win that way, you will choose to win it every time. a key part of colombia's plan was to contain harry kane. easier said than done. their hostile tactics penalised, and then punished. commentator: high cool, harry kane. capa leading his team and the race

for the golden boot with his sixth goal of the tongue. —— kane leading. in the closing minutes, england were saved by their last line of defence, jordan pickford appearing to have sealed a famous victory with an astonishing stop. only for the resulting corner to connect with the head ofjerry mina. heartbreakfor the men in red. is this really happening again? extra time came and went, and the inevitable loomed. could southgate complete his road to redemption after the horrors of euro 96? when jordan henderson was denied that familiar sinking feeling was back. but this is a new england, well—prepa red and unscarred by past failures. pickford to the rescue, and a chance to finally bury the ghost, a chance under intense pressure, taken calmly by eric dyer. the nation able to rejoice at long last. we were so well—prepared, i feel like there was a calmness about us.

i think that showed in the penalties. a buoyant england return to their base early this morning, their focus immediately switching to sweden on saturday, and an opportunity of a lifetime. now that they can relish, enjoy and go on another step, we are against sweden, it is a team that doesn't hold any fear for us, but we won't be complacent. the miracle of moscow will live long in the memory but england will hope these scenes of celebration are merely a sign of things to come. the headlines on bbc news — tests are being carried out on an unknown substance at the porton down chemical lab, after two people are criticially ill in hospital in wiltshire after the pair were found unconscious on saturday. police are continuing to question a nurse, after arresting her on suspicion of murdering eight babies —

and attempting to murder another six. police on the scottish island of bute have launched a murder investigation following the death of six—year—old alesha macphail. and in sport after all the nerves and euphoria, it is back to training for gareth southgate and england where it is all eyes now an england's quarterfinal against sweden on saturday. roger federer cruised through to the third round at wimbledon. his quest for a ninth title still alive. and right now on centre court, easy—going for serena williams who has dropped just one game in her opening set. that is live on bbc two right now. we will be in russia and at wimbledon for more on those stories after 5:30pm. thai officials have released a new video — of the 12 boys

and their football coach trapped in a flooded cave system. the group — found on monday — nine days after they went missing are reportedly in good health and have been given enough food to prepare them for a rescue attempt. as pumps continue to lower the water level in the caves — rescuers have been staging a rehearsal. our correspondent richard galpin reports. the boys and their football coach remain trapped here on this mound above the floodwater, deep inside the cave. but at least they're now getting some basic supplies, including these emergency blankets and some food, brought in by thai navy divers who are staying with them and treating them for minor injuries. it seems the boys are in reasonably good health. but today officials said they would not rush into trying to get the group out of the cave because the operation, however it is done, will be complex and dangerous. translation: we need to be 100% confident in order

to get the boys out, and it does not have to happen all at one time. it all depends on the situation. we are assessing the situation now. if there is a risk, we will not move them out. what the rescue teams are doing is pumping out as much of the floodwater from the cave as they can to make it easier to get the boys out. but its slow going, so they're also teaching them how to swim and scuba dive so they can get back to the entrance via several flooded areas. one is so narrow that rescuers are trying to drill into the rock and mud to widen it. these pictures just released by thai navy divers show just these pictures just released by thai navy divers showjust how cramped and dangerous the route is in places. on the ground nearby, where the operation‘s being coordinated, medical teams have today been carrying out drills. they're practising how they'd move the boys to ambulances if and when they eventually emerge

from the cave, and how they would deal with any injuries. also nearby, the parents and relatives of many of the boys — at least now they can watch videos of their children inside the cave filmed by rescue divers, providing some reassurance. this family still have the cake they bought for their son's birthday, which was on the day he and his team—mates entered the cave. they're keeping it ready for when they hope to be reunited with him. how long they'll have to wait is very unclear. richard galpin, bbc news. the crisis on the high street could see 100,000 shops empty within a decade, according to an independent review. the author of the report, bill grimsey, the former head of wickes and iceland, said retailers should no longer be relied upon to prop up town centres, and that high streets need to be "repopulated and re—fashioned" with libraries and public spaces. our business correspondent

sean farrington reports from stockton—on—tees. it's been a year that's seen some of our biggest retailers close hundreds of stores across the country, but should the high street forget about shopping? that is the conclusion made by bill grimsey, former chief executive of wickes and iceland, as he launches his second review into the future of our town centres, five years after his first. we can't resurrect the high street as a retail destination — we shouldn't do that. technology has moved on, consumers have moved on, we want different things from our shopping experience. what we need to do to make the high street successful in the future is reinvent it as a place for people to visit, to have fun in an experience, and to congregate. # football's coming home... world cup fever and the great weather we've had recently might have got us spending a bit more at the moment, but that is not

something that towns like stockton—on—tees can rely on in the long term. now, despite marks & spencer's and new look closing here, they've actually implemented some of the suggestions made in this review to try and help boost smaller businesses. since the regeneration, like, the town looks amazing, and people are often surprised when they come to stockton, who haven't been for a long time, of how nice the town is. there's a whole programme of events on all the time, the council are very supportive to businesses, there's always help available. it's the buzz, it's the meeting people, it's the creating an experience to draw people into the high street. people love community, people love the experience. last year across the uk, 4000 shops opened on our high streets, but nearly 6000 closed. this year, 22,000 retail jobs are either at risk or have already been lost. so are our towns and cities moving fast enough? i suspect that they probably won't, because this needsjoined up thinking at governmental and local governmental level. we need a minister of high streets. this needs to get serious focus

at the very highest levels, because it's a huge employer, and it's absolutely essential to our communities. the 700—year—old market here in the centre of stockton will have seen its fair share of change over the centuries, but the issue now of how big a role retail will have on our high streets may be its biggest challenge yet. sean farrington, bbc news. the time is 25 past five. we are going to catch up with the latest on the situation in amesbury in wiltshire. a man and woman are in a critical condition after being exposed to an unknown substance. it's just it'sjust eight it's just eight miles from the scene of the alleged russian spy poisoning which took place in march. we heard just a short while ago from the deputy chief comes to pull paul mills telling us that the two people we re mills telling us that the two people were still being treated, were in a

critical condition, but he said in a pretty firm way that they couldn't put any specific detail yet on what the substance might and might not have been and, indeed, went in a position to say whether any crime had been committed at this stage. quite a lot of details to be filled m, quite a lot of details to be filled in, to put it mildly. there has been a lot of concern and the cabinet's emergency committee cobra has been meeting to discuss the situation because this is obviously potentially very hazardous. margaret strange is the mayor of amesbury, and joins me now. thank you so much for talking to others. what is your understanding of what is going on there now? what have you been told? we believe that two people might have been exposed to an unknown substance at amesbury at the weekend. they are receiving treatment at salisbury district hospital and are in a critical

condition. the police are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding this incident and a police investigation is under way. a full multi—agency response has been coordinated. a number of areas have been cordoned off around amesbury and salisbury, just as a precautionary measure. wiltshire police have been keeping the town council up—to—date as regularly as possible. the public should be assured that they can go about their business safely, as usual. p h e of england have currently said that they do not believe it is a significant health risk. that is really all i know. i'm here because ijust want really all i know. i'm here because i just want to be some kind really all i know. i'm here because ijust want to be some kind of, not convert exactly, reassurance to the residents because there are quite a

number of residents on this estate. a number of them are children and rumours go flying around like anything and we don't want that to happen. that is the reason for me talking to you because you will get all the information you want later on from the press and the police. all that is understood, thank you for underlining it. given that you said areas have been cordoned off, it's understandable that people are concerned. not just it's understandable that people are concerned. notjust people with children but anyone in the local area. absolutely. wejust children but anyone in the local area. absolutely. we just want to reassure them at the moment it is considered safe to move around exceptin considered safe to move around except in the cordoned off areas. we just have too abide by that. if we go along as calmly as we possibly can, this, we hope, might resolve itself quickly. what kind of areas are cordoned off? it's, more or

less, the pathways and entrances to the estate. a number of it is not. the main route to the estate is open and anyone can drive up it. have you had a police briefing yourself or not? yes. we had a briefing about half an hour ago from the deputy commissioner and he gave a full briefing which no doubt you will all seeing in due course. i'm here because i represent the town and i wa nt because i represent the town and i want us to keep as calm as we can and go about our daily business until we know more. what is the advice that you are giving to local people? a device about what they should do at this point. what are you saying to them? carry on as normal and if there is anything to know, we will certainly let them know. it is very difficult to carry

on as normal when there is a big police presence and parts of the town are cordoned off. you're telling me. it is but we are british and we know how to get on with this. when did this start to develop? when did you first get the sense of what is going on? last night at a town council meeting. and what happens there? that is... one of our councillors said that he happen to be in his car that particular time, and he's also an ambulance and police. he did not tell us until we we re police. he did not tell us until we were at a full council meeting, and then we knew about it, but we didn't know the details or anything really until this morning. understood, know the details or anything really untilthis morning. understood, so do you have more details today than you had last night or not many? more

today. what has been added today, then? what has been added today? what you mean? yesterday, we were aware that a incident had taken place. we did not quite know the degree. and today, we have heard that it has been classed as a major incident. yesterday, we did not know that. and as i said in the introduction, it isjust that. and as i said in the introduction, it is just eight miles away from salisbury, and clearly, people are going to be concerned and that kind of link. do you making that kind of link. do you think they are right or wrong to do that? i would think they are very right, because if this had not happened and salisbury, we wouldn't probably be, sorry, we wouldn't be at this stage. and i think that we have got to do this. this is all pa rt have got to do this. this is all part of keeping people safe. we don't know, but something similar is

happening, so that we have got to react. councillor strange. thank you very much for talking to us. margaret strange that the male of amesbury. right kind of hard to talk to us. we are just getting some details. councillor strange, the mayor of amesbury. time for a look at the weather, with matt taylor. another sunny day across many parts of the uk, but some cards with some rain. you can see the bulk of the rain. you can see the bulk of the rain and the radar charts. that is now working its way toward east wales. it will fizzle out a little bit in towards the rest of the

evening. elsewhere it is a dry night. temperatures today reaching 29th in parts of scotland and northern ireland. overnight this area of cloud will push into the west, dropping temperatures late into the night. a night which some temperatures will stay in the teens. a bit more cloud for scotland on thursday. cooler feeling, temperatures could be a 10 degrees lower than they were today. england and wales a bit warmer than today, just a chance of one or two thundery downpours. temperatures will rise, and further into friday, the weekend perhaps getting up to 15 degrees. this is bbc news. the headlines: tests are being carried out on an unknown substance at the porton down chemical weapons lab, after two people are criticially ill in hospital.

in wiltshire after the pair were found unconscious on saturday. further testing is now undergoing to establish the substance which led to these patients becoming ill. at this stage, it is not yet clear if a crime has been committed. police are continuing to question a nurse, after arresting her on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to murder another six. police on the scottish island of bute have launched a murder investigation following the death of six—year—old alesha macphail. the time is 5:34pm. let's catch up on the day's sport. what a magical night we had last night, about ten

miles away. england in knocking out columbia ina miles away. england in knocking out columbia in a penalty shoot out. they are that it —— back at their training camp in repino. the players that started against colombia given training. including marcus rashford, who scored england's‘s second penalty, in what is now a historic shoot out. the match is at saturday —— at 3pm on saturday, live on bbc one. fabian delph will miss that match for the birth of his daughter, but he is heading back. a slight question mark overjamie vardy. he did not take part in the penalty shoot out, that is because he is nursing a groin injury. his availability for that sweden game, the quarterfinal, is in doubt. let's hear now from the former england

defender, martin keown, who has been so impressed by england's fortitude, thinking that is what made the difference. i am sure that gareth southgate would have looked at everything, but nothing can prepare you for that. be prepared as best you for that. be prepared as best you can. it is more about emotion. that is why we talk about fear and love. if you love it, your bracelet, but if you are fearful, things go wrong. look at the pressure that was on harry kane, columbia players trying to scuff up the penalty spot, but harry kane just taking his moment, saying this is the moment i have waited for all of my life. it looks like that. they want to learn from the previous difficult experiences and take it to a level. the team and their fans now head towards samara at the weekend. we are going to head to the all—england

club, now, holly hamilton is there on day three at the championships. thank you, right here in london, the drama has continued at wimbledon. of course on day three, serena williams in action in action along with caroline wozniacki. earlier, roger federer took to centre court. the fa ns were federer took to centre court. the fans were very vocal and glad to see him. very comfortably enjoy it a victory. 6—4, 6—4, 6—1. we did not face a single break point. a straightforward win, and extending his winning streak in wimbledon successive sets. before that, on centre court, victoria azarenka enjoyed victory. perhaps a shock victory. she was beaten by karolina pliskova. it was a straight sets

victory. pliskova has now reached the third round for the first time. elsewhere, venus williams was on form earlier on. coming back from a set down against her remaining opponent. she won the second and third with ease. 6— zero. another williams sister in action right now on centre court was weak —— court. we can go live there. serena williams serving for the match against tomova. the first set was very one sided, serena comfortably winning. the second a bit of a battle in skewed, but serena has taken it. she is through to the third round. in the end, a

co mforta ble third round. in the end, a comfortable victory against tomova in straight sets. great to see her backin in straight sets. great to see her back in action. of course, we will have much more from you in sports day from wimbledon and russia and the world cup. coming up at 6:30pm. head over to the website, you can get all of the results on bbc.co.uk/sport. smack thank you. -- thank you. let's return to our top story: a man and woman are in a critical condition after being exposed to an unknown substance in amesbury in wiltshire. counter—terrorism officers are investigating and tests are being carried out on the substance at a government chemical weapons laboratory. let's discuss this with the chemical weapons analyst hamish de bretton—gordon, who joins me from amesbury. hamish, thank you very much for

joining us. what is your reading of what is going on there, now? well, i think, first of all, people are busy concerned that if amesbury was not five miles from salisbury, i don't suppose there would be such a commotion about what is going on. i think, quite rightly be —— the mayor of amesbury is making sure that people don't get and julie worried. i think she's right. i probably no more than most. it has some link, sums “— more than most. it has some link, sums —— some people think that it could have some length, and quite rightly that the authorities are taking no risks. i agree that there is little risk continuing to the public, but until they sample the test, and one of the assumptions might be that it could be a toxic

agents like novichok, and should be treated as such. we don't know, and i think the ongoing threat is very low to the public. it is that phrase, isn't it, and known substance, and as you say because it so close to salisbury, but if it is not something like mother—child, unknown substance could cover a range of options. what would you be looking at —— not something like another chocs, unknown substance could cover a range of options? exactly. it could be some sort of contaminated drugs, but a middle aged churchgoer don't seem to be the people who take these drugs that could cause this sort of injury. so it could be a toxic substance. there are similarities, certainly the way that they were found to what we saw in salisbury three months ago, so there must be a small chance that it might be, it could be, you know,

just a couple of molecules of novichok, and is incredibly unlikely. none of us in visit a follow—up action like that, but it is not as such. the authorities must treat it as such, and that is why we are doing this detailed sampling at porton down, and why we have got cordons. until we get the answer, action can't go forward. for the friends and family of the people injured, they are in salisbury hospital, which has chosen proven how good they are at treating toxic injuries, as we saw with the skripals, so they are in the right place. i would like to see a bit more information coming out from the government at the moment to lie people's fears, to tell people not to worry in my view is not good enough. in my expertise, i think they are right, but the key lesson from salisbury was informing the public with as much information as possible, and at the moment, i think that that is a little bit light, but

they are waiting for the confirmation of exactly what that chemical is so that they can take that action. we will wait that confirmation, and it is important not to be alarmist and anyway, and i'm just wondering, how do members of the public they assure themselves that it of the public they assure themselves thatitis of the public they assure themselves that it is not a threat to the public, because clearly, in lots of people's minds, something related to another truck would be a threat to the public. it is a difficult one. i think that is why the government are...i think that is why the government are... i would like them to give out more information, but i think they wa nt to more information, but i think they want to be absolutely certain. there could be a couple of molecules of novichok, which is a minute amount, and most of that is still contained in the sites that have been contaminated. we don't know yet

where this couple picked up this toxin from, and there are lots of stories and conjecture going round at the moment, and i think wejust need to wait to go through all those samples. if it does prove to be a novichok collateral from salisbury, it isa novichok collateral from salisbury, it is a one in novichok collateral from salisbury, it isa one ina novichok collateral from salisbury, it is a one in a zillion chance, and thatis it is a one in a zillion chance, and that is why i am confident that there is no remaining threat. although, these novichok claims are consistent, if there is any residue left, we a re consistent, if there is any residue left, we are three months down the line so they will be losing their toxicity very quickly. giving your expertise in this area, how soon could be get some word from porton down about the results?” could be get some word from porton down about the results? i would say pretty soon if it is not tonight, it will be tomorrow. the samples from the site, presumably, biomedical samples, porton down will be able to assess them pretty quickly, i would

think, and we should have an answer relatively soon. tomorrow, probably, but possibly tonight. thank you very much forjoining us. and forgiving us much forjoining us. and forgiving us your analysis there in amesbury. thank you very much. hamish de bretton—gordon. the conservative chief whip has met around fifty of the party's brexit—supporting mps to try to reassure them about the new customs arrangements plan to be discussed by the cabinet on friday. ahead of the talks at chequers, the leading tory brexiteer, jacob rees—mogg, warned that it would be a "serious mistake" for britain to remain in regulatory alignment with brussels, on the trade in goods, after it leaves the eu. but that is just one of the elements

in this entire process. owen paterson is conservative mp for north shropshire and is a member of pro—brexit group leave means leave — he joins me from westminster. good of you to join us. could you enlighten us on what these chats with the chief whip entails and what message you can invade? good evening. this was a meeting this morning, following a animated meeting last night, and we had a long and very sensible discussion with the chief whip, many of us congratulating him first of all on the work that he had done in getting what is now the european withdrawal act through, which is now a massive step. and a major advance. what i would like to discuss is whether any of the rim and swelling around on what might be the end state are true, —— rumours swelling around our true. in my view, put in the daily telegraph article this morning,

parliament gave a decision to the british people about whether they wa nt to british people about whether they want to stay in the eu. there was a huge vote, a large bridge 80 to leave, and many of the votes went to the two main parties. they clearly said that they are honouring the result, leaving the customs union and leaving the agreement on the european court of justice. and leaving the agreement on the european court ofjustice. some of these ideas that are floating around, some sort of botched customs arrangement where there is some exemption for goods and not for others, none of those will really deliver that, and economically, they will be good —— won't be good either. this was driven in part by the producers who are very interested in the 12% of the gdp, whereas we are interested in the 100% of citizens who would benefit if we had no tariffs regime. so we could bring in materials from all over the world, which would estimate

a benefit of tea hut —— not of pounds a year to each family. he has assured us that it is the absolutely the government's intention to stick the government's intention to stick the manifesto and leave the customs union and leave the ecj. that was confirmed again today, and i raised it with the prime minister in prime minister's questions. i pointed out that emmanuel macron is subjecting people to a performance review, and suggested that when each person speaks up, she judges that contribution, and ultimately judges the whole deal which they finally agree on against those three very simple criteria. will we be losing the customs union? absolutely leaving the single market to take advantage of cheap materials around the world, and trade ills with growing part of the world which cloud sadly according to the

european union in‘s owner now has —— own analysis... the way that you have reacted to this report of what you call a botched deal or compromise according to some of your colleagues, you are clearly taking that potential very seriously. you are that potential very seriously. you a re clearly that potential very seriously. you are clearly taking those reports very seriously. is it your view that thatis very seriously. is it your view that that is what it is about at the moment? neither you nori know. we don't know what is in the papers that will be submitted to the cabinet. just forget the economics completely, the other point is the political point. the british people we re political point. the british people were given an absolute deciding vote, and for the first time in history, this is a constitutional phenomenon, every referendum up to now, they have gone along with what the establishment wanted. the scottish, welsh, northern ireland and the av referendum, the people

helpfully endorse what the establishment wanted. this time, to the horror of the establishment, they have gone against it. we have got a phenomenon. it was endorsed again by the referendum result, 85% of the results went to conservative and labour who said that we would have to leave the single market and the ecj. if that is not done, it would be catastrophic to the integrity of the whole political process. who will ever believe politicians again? who will ever decided his worth voting? all sorts of unpleasant things could come out of unpleasant things could come out of the woodwork. it is incumbent on those cabinet ministers to think long and hard on what they agree on friday. they have got to honour the ma nifesto friday. they have got to honour the manifesto commitment, because what we saw in the local elections is that the leave vote is as strong as ever. you are being very forceful on

this, the simple reason that you feel this is the prime minister —— what the prime minister wants to do? i don't think you are being fair. we respect what the prime minister and the chief that —— chief whip have done to get it through. it is a hugely historic step. it was very clear as the meeting last night, we are concerned, and some are alarmed at the reports that have come out. some of the stuff on blogs and websites that have been reported. you are quite right, that has disturbed people, and it was good of the chief whip to come round this morning. i suppose about 50 people turned up and pretty short notice. it was significant in its own right. you are right, we are concerned. we would not have bothered if we had not been concern. but he has delivered, as has the prime minister, delivered with the act, and she reassured me and the whole house in question is, that we will

be delivering the proper withdrawal from the customs union, single market and the ecj. we are all waiting with bated breath. thank you very much. owen paterson talking to us very much. owen paterson talking to us at westminster about the latest on the brexit process. the work and pensions secretary esther mcvey has apologised for "inadvertently misleading" the house of commons over universal credit. the national audit office accused the minister of making a number of incorrect statements, in the commons after a critical report about welfare reforms. ms mcvey acknowelged she'd made an error. i want to apologise to you and the house for inadvertently misleading you. what i meant to say was that the nag you. what i meant to say was that the nao had said there was no practical alternative to continuing with universal credit. therefore,

the point that i was trying to make was that the calls from the party opposite to pause it seemed to fly in the face of this particular conclusions. tomorrow marks 70 years since the nhs was formed and all week we've been looking back at some of the experiences of staff and patients over the years. i'm pleased to bejoined by an nhs veteran. cecilia brown came to england from grenada in 1966 to train as a nurse. she spent nearly a0 years working in nhs hospitals in london before retiring in 2005. it is fantastic to have you here this evening. it is a pleasure to talk to you. a0 years. this evening. it is a pleasure to talk to you. 40 years. yes. was it all enjoyable? very much so. ifi had not enjoyed it and would not

have stayed it long, i took pride andi have stayed it long, i took pride and i worked. it was very satisfactory. is go back to your decision to come to train. what bob did that, and how did you view what must have seemed like a very big adventure as a young woman looking ahead and thinking about the rest of life? what prompted that? when i was in grenada as a little girl, i used to do good deeds of kindness. for other people. they said, you are very kind, you are nice and gentle, and you would make a good nurse. this stuck in my mind. very nice. i am looking at some lovely images. can you see the screen? can you see yourself on there? this is, i think this is going back probably 30 or a0 yea rs this is going back probably 30 or a0 years now. yes. at this point, when you think about the health service then,

and when you think about the health service now, or at least the one that you met if you —— left a few yea rs that you met if you —— left a few years ago, what were the main changes that you saw chris mac lot of changes. my training in st george ‘s. lots of training, the changes in the nursing procedure, procedure in nursing in the training school, all of this has changed. the doctors, the way they care for the patients. everything has changed. uniform has changed. is that good or bad? bad. with the uniforms that think it was bad, because when you are in a nice dress with your aprons and your cap, you look so professional, and people respect you, but now the doctors come in withjust respect you, but now the doctors come in with just musty, respect you, but now the doctors come in withjust musty, and no more code and so on. it is important. you know? when you look at the way that the health service has developed, first of all, let's have your

thoughts on the health service? what do you think of it? it is a very, very nice organisation. i am very proud to work in the nhs. very, very proud, and i think we people now should really boost the nhs, and instead of stigmatising it and say things that are really not nice. because it is there to help you. it is there when you are sick, you have the nhs to look after you, and i think it is one of the best organisations. and you know something? the world envies the nhs. what you say to those people who say it needs more money? that is quite true. but, we workers must try and help and boost. of course it needs more money, because there are many, many more people around. so, my green leaves more money, but we need to get people to work to put into the system and this would be a great

boost. when you look back over 40 yea rs, boost. when you look back over 40 years, what were the best times?” have so much experiences, would you like to know the best one? the best experience i ever remembered in my life, ira member nursing a lady who was in gross congestive cardiac failure. she was very, very ill. i was looking after every day. the doctor used to —— the daughter would meet you by her bedside, everyday, caring for her mum. unfortunately, we lost our. about three weeks after we lost our. about three weeks after we lost our. about three weeks after we lost her, a letter was written to me, a beautiful letter, expressing her gratitude, how well we had looked after her mum. a very nice letter, plus some money as well. i gave the letter to sister. she read

it, she took it to the matron. the witch and came up to me and she said nurse brown, these letters, letters like this we need, thank you very much. and she put it on to the notice board, where everybody could see and read. and you know, ifelt really, really, very nice in me. i had looked after her, and the daughter was pleased. it was a boost, for the ward and also for the hospital. can i just boost, for the ward and also for the hospital. can ijust say i would try to say thank you, as well. thank you very much for coming in. thank you. that also happy birthday to the national health service. happy birthday, and i hope that the nhs goes on for many years to come. lovely to talk to you. thank you for having me. cecilia brown there, take just two mat for the weather.

sun splashes of rain pushing through london. heavy strain in south—east wales. it rained very sarri in nature, pushing its way northwards into tonight, but generally fading away. just one or two showers left over. elsewhere, we will see cards pushing into northern ireland. a big change on the way tomorrow. temperatures in double figures for most, and a more humid night across the south compared with yesterday. take a look at thursday, more cars in scotland and northern ireland. temperatures drop around 10 degrees the sun. what does and had fighting and in wales and a warm day across the south, but one or two mat showers here and there. maybe some thunder. temperatures climbing up into the high 20s. into the weekend, more details on that next. counter terrorism police are brought

in as two people are left critically ill in hospital after being exposed to an unknown substance in wiltshire. it was first thought that dawn sturgess and charlie rowley had had a drug overdose but after further tests, a major incident was declared. they were both found at a property in amesbury, just eight miles from salisbury where a former russian spy and his daughter were poisoned. based on the number of casualties affected, it is not believed that there is a significant health risk to the wider public. police say the pair have no connection with russia or the skripals. we'll have the latest from the scene. also tonight... police continue to question a nurse, 28—year—old lucy letby, on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting