the town of paradise. their bodies were found in burnt—out cars. tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes. yemeni forces, backed by the saudi—led coalition which is supported by the us and the uk, have launched a major offensive to take full control of yemen's port city of hodeidah. aid agencies say it could trigger a famine. britain's prime minister theresa may and the french president, emmanuel macron, have laid a wreath at the thiepval memorial in france as part of ceremonies marking 100 years since the end of the first world war. the two leaders honoured more than 72,000 men from britain and the commonwealth who died at the somme and have no known grave. those are the headlines. jo johnson, the former transport minister and boris johnson's brother, has resigned from the government, branding theresa may's brexit plan a terrible mistake

and calling for the public to have a fresh say on leaving the european union. the prime minister's alliance with the democratic unionist party is also under strain after it accused her of betrayal in the negotiations when a leaked letter indicated that northern ireland could follow different customs rules to the rest of the uk. the government has insisted it won't do anything to put the unity of the united kingdom at risk. more details from our political correspondent, alex forsyth. sorry about that, mind out. watch your back. "watch your back" — fateful words perhaps, uttered earlier this year by a man who's now delivered a blow to theresa may. jo johnson was, until today, the transport minister, but tonight, he quit hisjob, with a scathing assessment of the prime minister's brexit plan. crucially he called for another vote, saying the current proposal was deeply flawed. it's not going to deliver trade deals. our ability to strike meaningful trade deals is going to be greatly reduced. it's not going to lead to us becoming a singaporean turbo—charged economy on the edge

of europe, farfrom it. we're going to be signing up to all of the rules and regulations over which we'll no longer have a say. at present, the deal is incoherent on its own terms, and that's why it's so important for the public to have a say, so it can confirm that this is really the brexit that it wants. the brother of boris johnson, he had, unlike his sibling, backed remain in the referendum, but said he'd respect the result. now, though, he says the government's brexit plan is taking britain to the brink of the greatest crisis since the second world war. his decision to quit drew praise from his brother, who said: for the prime minister, with her european counterparts at armistice events, it's another brexit headache on a day she's already facing criticism from supposed allies. the dup, who support her in government, fear she could sign up to an exit deal which might mean northern ireland trades on different terms to the rest of the uk in future. it's not a question of trusting

the prime minister. it's a question of what her proposals are for exiting the european union. she has sent us where she believes she is currently at and remember this is before she goes to brussels to negotiate with them on what they believe is possible, but currently, as it stands, we could not support her proposals. so it's still the irish border, and how to keep trade flowing no matter what, that's proving the hardest part of this negotiation. every possible compromise, it seems, drawing some criticism. at a summit meant to cement british—irish relations today, ministers were quick to try to reassure. the prime minister has been absolutely clear that she's not prepared to see the break—up of the constitutional economic integrity of the united kingdom in any deal. now, we're working intensely now to getting that deal and securing that deal, and i think what we need to do now is calm heads, cool heads, let's get down,

get the deal, and then people can comment on it when they see it. but in parliament, there are plenty who aren't waiting for the detail before warning against the exit deal. getting something agreed then signed off here is looking increasingly fraught. now on bbc news, in the wake of the brutal murder ofjournalist jamal khashoggi, the future of crown prince mohammed bin salman, saudi arabia's de facto ruler, is being questioned. our world reveals that close associates of the prince have been involved in torture and murder in the past. the horrific murder of jamal khashoggi shocked the world. the finger of suspicion has been pointed at this man. though he's condemned the killing. but a secret informant inside the

kingdom tells the bbc thatjamal khashoggi's murder wasn't the first killing to be carried out by people close to the crown prince, mohammed bin salman. and this lawyer, well known within saudi royal circles, says he has evidence supporting that claim. in this programme, we investigate the behaviour of the crown prince, and we ask, can he survive the fury overjamal khashoggi? he will forever be shadowed and tarnished in the eyes of the world for this killing. the future of a nation, notjust one man, will be shaped by the battle now on the way. it's very important that a price be played here. the result could have a huge impact on saudi arabia, the richest and most powerful country in

the arab world. jamal khashoggi walked into the saudi consulate in istanbul on the second of october. the blurry images of his killers, and their target, have since been played countless times. lou reed accounts of a bloodbath inside the consulate have now been confirmed by the turkish authorities ash —— lurid. they also said the order to kill came from the highest levels of the saudi government. saudi arabia's protestations, first of innocence then ignorance at the top, have prompted confusion. these could have been rogue killers. then condemnation.

it's a very serious situation for us and for this white house. it's put alliances under great pressure. while for those close to khashoggi, it's been devastating. jamal khashoggi's fiance waited outside the consulate for four hours, unaware of the horrific events taking place only a few metres away. his critics say the order to kill can only have come from the de facto ruler of saudi arabia himself. but is there evidence of the crown prince's complicity? we can reveal new allegations of criminality

within his inner circle. the bbc has learned that the murder ofjamal the bbc has learned that the murder of jamal khashoggi may not be the first killing alleged to have been carried out by associates of mbs. previously there had been a series of kidnappings and violent incidents. then, 12 months ago, another step. a death in custody. in november, 2017, the saudi elite was gripped by panic. the crown prince ordered more than 200 princes, businessmen and government officials to be detained at the luxury ritz—carlton hotel in riyadh. it was described as an anticorruption it was described as an anticorru ption drive. it was described as an anticorruption drive. an audacious move that seemed to play well outside the kingdom, especially in the white house. i have great confidence in king salman and the

crown prince of saudi arabia. they know exactly what they're doing. some of those they're harshly treating have been milking their country for years. back then, mbs was talked of almost asa saudi... back then, mbs was talked of almost as a saudi... the bbc interviewed jamal khashoggi about the events. the message from mohammed bin salman to these people seems to be quite simple, we want the money back. yes, andl simple, we want the money back. yes, and i think the saudis should give him the benefit of the doubt. but at the same time, shouldn't that be discussed in a consultative body? yes, we need to crush corruption, but it is being done by i—man rule. khashoggi's concerns seem to be supported by the allegations emerging from the ritz—carlton, allegations that the detainees hadn't just been allegations that the detainees hadn'tjust been stripped of their wealth, some had been tortured. a key figure in the interrogations was this man. 12 months later, the

saudis themselves would implicate him in the killing of khashoggi. now demoted, he was described as the crown prince's fixer and enforcer. during the interrogations of multibillionaire prince, one of his beans, business contacts was summoned to riyadh but saud al-qahtani believed he could help the prince to co—operate. saud al-qahtani was bragging about torturing those so—called royals, that's. .. they are torturing those so—called royals, that's... they are not real royals, that's... they are not real royals, that's what he said. he said we will treat them like dogs. saud al-qahtani questioned him via a video link. 0nce saud al-qahtani questioned him via a video link. once the interrogation was over, a royal visitor arrived. mohammed bin salman showed up

minutes after we sat down with a big smile on his face, which led me to believe he was watching the whole thing. i noticed four cameras in the corners of that sweet. so i believe that he was watching the whole thing. our after almost three months detention, he was released on. another detainee was treated more harshly. according to a lawyer who's worked for several princes, he's also a long—standing critic of the saudi regime. he said punishment was meted out to the prince, former commander of the national guard, and mbs‘s cousin. he says family members told him what happened. a secret informant inside the kingdom has alleged to the bbc that the abuse didn't stop at torture. he says one man was beaten to death. we can't independently verify his story, but it tallies with at least

two other accounts of what took place. using an encrypted messaging system, the source says the victim is this man, major general ali al-qahtani. a senior officer in the saudi national guard and an aide to one of the princes who been detained. mahmood says he's heard about this killing from those close to general al-qahtani. he says the general‘s attackers believed he held damaging information about the crown prince and his circle. he describes this

secret information as a black box. david kirkpatrick is a new york times reporter with special knowledge of the middle east. he's investigated what happened at the ritz—carlton. investigated what happened at the ritz-carlton. i have a very high degree of confidence that there was torture and physical abuse taking place at the ritz—carlton, at least 17 people were taken to a hospital for treatment for injuries they sustained on their interrogation. at least one person, general al-qahtani, died as a result of that abuse. someone who saw the body and other doctors at the hospital who treated him told us he had a broken neck and his body showed many signs of swelling and other forms of physical abuse, probably through torture. the ritz—carlton victims were all high profile saudis. it's alleged the attacks could only have been authorised at the highest level. al-qahtani wouldn't dare to take such steps into a plan of this magnitude without the record of mbs,

and he only reports to mbs. in connection with a separate incident, a tweet that was posted in 2017, on al-qahtani's account, stating he is a loyal servant who follows orders from the top. the bbc asked the crown prince's office weather mohammed bin salman had ever sanctioned torture and killing. they said "we categorically denied these false claims... " the killing of jamal

the killing ofjamal khashoggi and these allegations of lusty‘s board —— purge have focused attention on the 33—year—old crown prince. so who exactly is mbs? and how does a thirtysomething come to be running saudi arabia? we have become very good friends over a fairly short period of time. powerful friends what the crown prince most needs right now. since the murder ofjamal khashoggi mbs has been widely cast as the possible mastermind. his carefully nurtured image as a liberal reformer has been shredded. it isa liberal reformer has been shredded. it is a sudden change of fortune. because, up until now, the world are pretty much conformed to his wishes. he grew up as the favourite son of his father. recently estimated the

control of a fortunate estimated at $70 billion. the crown prince has an extraordinary family tree. the saudi royalfamily, extraordinary family tree. the saudi royal family, though less than a century old, now numbers more than 5000. mbs is the grandson of saudi's first king, abdul, but then so are more than 3000 other princes. a wealthy socialite who knows his family well provides a rare personal insight into this secret world. her voice and identity have been disguised. there are also accounts of macro's

alleged dark side. a senior prince has told us, on condition of immunity, ofan has told us, on condition of immunity, of an incident when mbs was just immunity, of an incident when mbs wasjust 16 —— immunity, of an incident when mbs was just 16 —— mohammed immunity, of an incident when mbs wasjust 16 —— mohammed bin salman. his voice as bidders go to protect his identity. —— has been altered. the crown prince is a fairly recent arrival on the world stage. in 2016 he gave his first ever interview to a specialist in middle east economics and left a lasting impression. he filled the room. there was quite senior people amongst them. it was his voice that

dominated. he is vast. he towers over all his courtiers and he has these huge hands, which he uses to make his point is. the conversation turned to how, only the day before, more than a0 people, some said to be terrorists, were said to be executed in saudi arabia. there was one chilling statement he said at the time, which was execution is a language that my people understand. if he was going to retain control and think it was clear at that point that death was going to be an instrument of policy. what made jamal khashoggi a candidate for assassination? it was in insider in saudi royal circles, but with a global network of friends and clint hu rtt global network of friends and clint hurtt —— concerts. by nine in 1958, his grandfather had been personal position to be first saudi king —— macca. he is cool, a billionaire

arms dealer, was in the 1980s labelled the richest man in the world. —— his uncle. jamal khashoggi's first cousin was dodi al fayed, boyfriend of diana, princess of wales. as a young foreign correspondent he gained the trust of 0sama bin laden, interviewing him several times when linard and was fighting the soviets in afghanistan. —— when 0sama bin laden. it first welcome was mohammed bin salman might bring to saudi arabia. but by 2017, as he made clear in a bbc interview, he had revised his opinion. to date it is ruled by only one man, not even within the family, he has no one close to him, even within the family, he is the sole leader of saudi arabia. 1—man rule is always a problem. it always ends with a disaster, whether in germany

or in iraq will saudi arabia. riyadh has now accepted the murder of jamal khashoggi was premeditated. but who authorised it? anybody who takes a decision in the kingdom defers to mbs before they act. is it conceivable that they could have been intelligence operatives, members of the security establishment trying to impress their master and miscalculated? possibly. saudi arabia has stated that the operation was carried out bya that the operation was carried out by a team acting without the knowledge or authorisation of the royal court. however, the saudis themselves now accuse saud al-qahtani comedy trusted sermons of mohammed bin salman, at hill indicated in the ritz carlton abuses, of playing a role in the jamal khashoggi killing. they say he was in charge of the team sent to istanbul. the bbc has established

that saud al-qahtani has not been back to his office since the death ofjamal back to his office since the death of jamal khashoggi. saudi back to his office since the death ofjamal khashoggi. saudi media say he has been fired, along with two other officials. we asked saud al-qahtani to comment on the allegations made in this film. he has not responded. however, the saudi government has told the bbc its investigation into jamal khashoggi's death will be... was now lies in store for mohammed

bin salman? yum panetta served as defence secretary and also director of the cia under president 0bama —— leon panetta. isner the crown prince on several occasions. i think it is very important at a price be paid here for the horrendous murder that took place in that consulate. it's took place in that consulate. it's to the crown prince to make clear what occurred here, it was, let's they said, bottom line is his credibility has been damaged that make its up to the crown prince. with his reputation badly tarnished overseas, how much support does the crown prince still command at home? right now the royal family is enormously unhappy with crown prince mohammed bin salman. 0ne enormously unhappy with crown prince mohammed bin salman. one of the distinctive features of his rise to power is a crackdown on the privileges that the royal family has enjoyed. so the royalfamily

privileges that the royal family has enjoyed. so the royal family really hated him before jamal khashoggi and continues to hate him. the question is, do they have any power to do anything about it? in 2017, jamal khashoggi told the bbc that his ambitions were modest. yes, he could influence how people thought, but, after all, he was just a writer. jamal khashoggi's ambition can no longer be filled. but will anybody be held accountable? —— fulfilled. it's too soon to say who will be

tried in connection with the killing. but in the court of world opinion a trial is already under way and the defence are on the ropes. despite the tens of millions reportedly spent lobbying in the us, the savagery meted out to jamal khashoggi has wiped away the smiles that used to greet mohammed bin salman. and the man whose interview helped to bring mohammed bin salman to the world's attentions of the brand has lost its lustre. what you can say at the moment is inside the kingdom he still looks the

pre—eminent force. i think i will remain, for the foreseeable future, but he will be a very different ruler, he will be someone who will be very nervous about his position, he won't feel that he enjoys the confidence of the international community. his economic vision is already in doubt, but it will be placed even further in doubt. it relied heavily on foreign investment and it is very hard to see how foreigners are going to take a punt on saudi arabia in the coming months and years. saudi arabia's recent actions have attracted massive global attention. most of it hostile. ironically, jamal khashoggi's death has subjected the saudi government and the man who ru ns saudi government and the man who runs it to the sort of scrutiny nothing he wrote could ever have achieved. hello. with the weekend now upon us, the weather is looking rather mixed the next few days. we had heavy rain around during the day on friday. this was taken by a weather watcher in warwickshire. big shower clouds around there.

through the weekend we keep that unsettled theme to things. the most persistent rain is clearing, but it will be a weekend of sunny spells and blustery showers, which at times will bring the threat of hail and thunder. the reason things are so unsettled is the area of low pressure sitting to the north—west of the uk. showers feeding in a round that. fairly tightly spaced isobars leads to a blustery feel to the weather on saturday. the most persistent rain on this front will clear away towards the east. a chilly, fresh start to the day with sunny spells. plenty of scattered showers moving in on that south—westerly wind. there will be affecting parts of southern and south—western england, wales, north—west england into southern scotland as well. nowhere really immune to catching a shower through the day on saturday. pretty mild still with the southerly or south—westerly winds. 11—1a degrees. the showers is a little bit through saturday evening, but then the next lot feeding in again as we head into the early hours of sunday morning. sunny spells are around, showers into the middle of the week, temperatures should stay on the mild side, 1a—15 degrees. bye— bye. welcome to bbc news.

i'm reged ahmad. our top stories: wildfires burning out of control in california claim nine lives. tens of thousands of people are forced to evacuate. we're hearing disturbing reports from inside paradise itself about many deaths and injuries there. yemeni forces attack key positions in a major port city. aid agencies say the increased fighting could trigger a famine. together in remembrance. the leaders of france and britain honour those killed in the great war. and a moving remembrance in london, marking 100 years since the end of the first world war.