today at five: the new independent group in the house of commons is joined by three conservative mps, all highly critical of the government's handling of brexit. the three left the conservative benches and were welcomed to their new seats by the former labour mps on the other side of the commons. and at a news conference, they urged like—minded mps to join the new grouping. you win in politics when you are with a team and in that team with shared values and principles. and i believe mine are no longer welcome in the conservative party. during the day, theresa may left to go to brussels to seek more concessions from the eu on the brexit deal. we'll have the details and reaction. the other main stories on bbc news at 5:

the family of the british teenager whojoined is in syria say they will challenge the government's decision to revoke her uk citizenship. and the final piece of territory held by the so—called islamic state in syria is falling — the village of baghouz was the caliphate‘s last remaining stronghold. it's five o'clock. our main story is that three conservative mps have resigned from the party to join an independent group set up by former labour mps. sarah wollaston, anna soubry and heidi allen wrote a joint letter to theresa may to confirm their departure. the prime minister said she was ‘saddened' after the three criticised what they called the government's ‘disastrous handling' of brexit, and said it had undone

‘all the efforts to modernise‘ the conservatives. theyjoin the eight former labour mps who resigned from labour over its handling of brexit and allegations of anti—semitism in the party. our political correspondent nick eardley has the latest, his report contains some flash photography. this might look fairly normal, but it's a big deal here. these three should turn left, but turning right shows they have just resigned from the conservative party, taking their seats in a new political home, anna soubry, sarah wollaston and heidi allen with the independent group. it feels different on these benches today. politics at westminster is so often tribal. there are signs of shifting sands. in brexit britain, they have become allies. the three former tories said it wasn't an easy decision but they feel no longer the party represents them.

the right wing, the hardline, anti—eu awkward squad that has destroyed every leader for the last a0 years, are now running the conservative party from top to toe. i can no longer represent a government and a party who can't open their eyes to the suffering endured by the most vulnerable. suffering we have deepened whilst having the power to fix. if i wouldn't stand to be a conservative mp, if i wouldn't encourage others to vote conservative in a general election, then how can i possibly continue with the conservative whip? the deputy chairman james cleverly was told of the resignations live on air. those three resigned from the conservative party, your reaction? obviously, it is disappointing, very sad and disappointing. this began on monday when seven labour mps quit their party. they have now been joined

by an eighth, joan ryan, there are warnings more could follow. i can no longer ask people to vote forjeremy corbyn to be prime minister of this country because i don't believe he is fit to be prime minister. the resignations were an elephant in the room at prime minister's questions, two leaders facing accusations their party has drifted. mr corbyn promised he was committed to tackling anti—semitism. the pm said she was saddened by today but determined to lead a moderate party. this is no longer a one—party issue, labour mps and conservatives are both saying they have had enough and can no longer support the party they have been members of for years. the impact this will ultimately have on the political landscape won't be clear for months, but what is clear is the historical allegiances in parliament are fraying. will there be more conservative and labour mps joining forces soon?

at a turbulent time, more questions about the future with answers that are far from clear. nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. our chief political correspondent vicki young is at westminster. let's start with the latest defections today. how significant are they coming from the conservative benches? they are, because it shows they have more of a ci’oss because it shows they have more of a cross party support. purely in terms of the numbers, being a block of ii, if it were to rise further, in a hung parliament, a group like that could further down the line become pretty influential. today was about more thanjust pretty influential. today was about more than just the numbers. it was about the direction of the conservative party, according to the three mps who defected today. they wa nted three mps who defected today. they wanted to talk about compassionate conservatism, the the modernisation of the conservative party. the

reaction from conservative mps, some of them sounding pretty sympathetic and appalled that three mps with those views felt that was not the home for them any longer. in the longer term, for this group of mps, this independent group, can it go to the next stage and form a political party? can they get funding, have a ma nifesto party? can they get funding, have a manifesto with policies they agree on? none of that can be known at this point, but it is a significant day. we just don't know how significant it might be further down the track. months of pent up anger from mps from both the main parties, but the question is whether there is a pent up appetite from voters for a new party. this was largely ignored that prime minister's questions, but it has been featuring in some of the exchanges. it was surreal at times, we thought we might get to the end

without any mention of it whatsoever, partly because it is a problem for both party leaders, so easy for them to try to ignore it. there was a debate about anti—semitism in the house of commons, and from the labourfront bench, there has been a response and an apology to lucy berger, who resigned tojoin an apology to lucy berger, who resigned to join this group. here, i wa nt resigned to join this group. here, i want to speak specifically about the disgraceful treatment of my honourable friend, the member for liverpool waiver tree. i regret deeply that she has left the party. i regret all the anti—semitic abuse that made her feel it was necessary to do so. i have not always shared her political judgments, but to do so. i have not always shared her politicaljudgments, but she is a strong woman and a kind and loving person who has been bullied by anti—semites toa person who has been bullied by anti—semites to a point where most

of us would not have had the strength to bear it. i wish she had stayed and helped us defeat the evil in our party, but whichever party we stand for in this parliament, she should have our unqualified solidarity as she stands against her aggressors. of course, the question eve ryo ne aggressors. of course, the question everyone is asking is whether there are likely to be more defections. one conservative minister said he thought that was unlikely, but on the labour side, there are maybe more who feel they cannot stay in the labour party on thejeremy corbyn any longer. thanks again. joining me the central lobby inside the palace of westminster is the conservative business minister claire perry. thank you so much forjoining us. thank you so much forjoining us. thank you. first of all, what is your thought on what has happened to three of yourformer your thought on what has happened to three of your former colleagues today? my earpiece is slipping. to

be honest, i am really side. i have worked alongside and campaigned with three fine ladies now for almost a decade, and i am really sad that we have lost them from the party. you will see as we get towards brexit, delivering on the manifesto we were all elected on, some people have just felt that they cannot put up with some of the problems any longer. of course, you will know anna soubry has been subjected to appalling abuse and had to have police protection just to express her views. i am police protection just to express her views. iam incredibly police protection just to express her views. i am incredibly sad to see them go, and i would love to think there will be a time when they can rejoin us. you suggest that you can rejoin us. you suggest that you can partly understand some of the reasons why they made this decision. i think what you've seen in the last few months is the party system when it comes to brexit has become a

little bit frayed. a number of the people who joined this independent group have been campaigning together for things like gay people's vote. they have co—signed motions in the house and have voted together. i think you are seeing an expression of that coming forward. but also i think many of us feel this sense of frustration that the narrative in the media are always about brexit, andi the media are always about brexit, and i would rather be talking about the environmental portfolio, where we had tens of thousands of children protesting last week. we have to get through brexit, we have a potential deal that can be done, to vote for the deal, which i don't think any of the deal, which i don't think any of the people who have left have done in the past few months, is the way to get brexit done, if you like. and then we can get on to talking about all the things that they campaigned so all the things that they campaigned so readily for and which i absolutely share as our priorities. they were very tough in terms of their view on the brexit process and their view on the brexit process and the government's disastrous handling, to use one of the phrases.

we understand you want to focus on your portfolio, but if the government had sorted this out rather more competently, as they would see it, this would be something we wouldn't be dealing with at this stage. the government has been clear in its negotiating strategy. we have a deal that delivers on brexit that was put before the house of commons several months ago, and if you like, it has been parliament and individual votes being cast that have delayed the deal, so i don't accept that this is the government's handling of brexit. i think what has happened is that brexit has become a fault line which it shouldn't be in british politics, and it has led to expressions of all kinds of extremist views, let's be clear. what has been striking about the new group is, whilst i think my collea g u es the new group is, whilst i think my colleagues have left over this strong sense of brexit policy, you have to filthy stain of anti—semitism in the labour party which you can see from the people

who have exited that party. it has been a fundamental question of values for them in some cases, so there are a number of things coming together in this. i'm basicallyjust very sad to see them go, and i have a very sleepy earpiece. you are doing brilliantly with it. are you still with us? could you repeat that? you are doing brilliantly with the earpiece, well done. in terms of divisions, lots of people are saying today very clearly that your problem isa today very clearly that your problem is a party is that you have a party within a party. the er g, as it is known, they are the most enthusiastic brexit heres, causing the prime minister problems — do you accept that? i don't. ithink the prime minister problems — do you accept that? i don't. i think there are some hardline members of that group whose life work is to deliver an exit from the eu for the uk. there are others who may have voted ina there are others who may have voted in a particular way who will reflect very sensibly and soundly the views

of their constituents, the people who gave us that vote in the first place. we all want to deliver brexit in the most orderly way possible. i don't accept that the er g is in charge. the prime minister and her government are in charge. ultimately, when you have about an issue like brexit that splits party lines like this, you will always have more power given to some of these minority groups. thank you for being with us. no problem. thank you. it is 13 minutes past five. let's step back a little and see how this is seen from the view of an expert. joining me from glasgow is john curtice, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde. thanks forjoining us. good evening. this pattern of defections, three conservatives added to the mix today — what is your reading of it? how significant is that? the first thing to say is that this is the first

time in modern british politics where we have seen both parties suffer defections to a new group at the same time. the sdp back in 1981, which looked like the nearest precedent to what we have seen in the last 72 hours, was a break within the labour party. there was one conservative mp, but only one, who moved towards the sdp. now we have a group of mps who have come from both the labour and conservative ranks. they have disparate reasons for doing so, and much of what they have said is simply an expression of dislike of various aspect of their political parties. the thing that unites them is their perspective on brexit. the truth is that there has always been a question as to whether or not there was a space in british politics for a party that you might wa nt to politics for a party that you might want to call centrist in terms of economic issues, but above all was distinctive in its attitude to

brexit, in other words, against it. it isa brexit, in other words, against it. it is a space that the lib dems you might have expected to be able to occupy, but it seems that in the wa ke occupy, but it seems that in the wake of the coalition they have not been able to do so. the question now is whether this group becomes a party that says we should reverse brexit. although labour has attracted the support of many a remain voter, the labour party itself is still committed to delivering brexit, and it is whether or not labour can hang onto that pro remain, pro—eu vote. it has always been the $64,000 question, and that has become more pressing for labour in the wake of the developments of the last three days. some momentum behind it this week, but what does it need to do in practical terms in order to boost its momentum into, let's be honest, making a very

meaningful intervention in the political landscape? above all, it has to think about what it will do outside the palace of westminster. pictures of tory mps sitting on the opposition benches is all well and good, but it is now substitute for organisation. they need two things. they have to move on from the story of why we have moved, to the story of why we have moved, to the story of what they propose to do now that they have come together. i have already implied that i think in the short run, given the pressing nature of the issue, the decisions that have come forward, they probably have come forward, they probably have to make remain their central feature, in the hope of getting that element of the conservative vote thatis element of the conservative vote that is pro—business and concerned about the way in which the conservative party is handling brexit, and that is what this group potentially brings to the independent group, together with those labour mps. secondly, they have to realise that the liberal democrats are there, they occupy

much the same ground idea logically, and above all, the lib dems do have some foot soldiers, fewer than they once had, but they have some, some kind of organisation across the whole of the country, and i think this group will face the question that the sdp faced rapidly, which is what the relationship with the lib dems will be. difficult that this group will set up —— set out by elections in the next three years. they will probably have to fight them. at some point, this group will have to decide how to deal more in the long term with vince cable and his party. and then there is the whole issue of who becomes the figurehead, what kind of party policy manifesto do they come forward with? there was a lot of work to be done with and this is early stages. very early. will they be able to agree amongst themselves as to who should be the leader? there have been some reports in the press that may be chris leslie and

chuka ummuna haven't been entirely agreed about that. my guess is that chuka ummuna is the person most likely to be spokesperson. at the moment, on their website, we have a broad set of statements of values and not much beyond that. a political party needs to have a programme of policies as well as an organisation. an awful lot of work to do. one very serious risk that they face, and one presumably possible consequence of the day is that this group will vote against the government if indeed there is a vote of no confidence in the next couple of weeks. the one thing they cannot afford is an early general election. they are not in any state to fight it. it would be difficult for them to continue to vote for the government, particularly if it is a government, particularly if it is a government that is still leaving at that point in time with no deal on the table. it may be a difficult decision to make in parliament in

the next few weeks. john, good to talk to you, as ever. the prime minister will arrive in brussels in a short while to continue brexit negotiations with the european union. she is trying to renegotiate the irish backstop, the guarantee of no customs checks on the irish border. mrs may is expected to request legally—binding assurances that the backstop will not extend indefinitely. however, the european commission president, jean—claude juncker, has said he does not expect a ‘breakthrough' in talks. that statement came from the president's offers a few moments ago, reported by some of the news agencies, with jean—claude junker saying he had no expectations of a brexit breakthrough when he meets theresa may this evening. with that

in mind, let's talk to gavin lee, our europe correspondent, in brussels. hardly a no specialist doctor these talks, gavin. now, when you have low expectations of a breakthrough today, the expectation and motivation to continue to get some kind of deal which will lead to the house of commons agreeing to theresa may's plan, but they are pushing it, downing street. theresa may is about to arrive in a few minutes, and she will be hoping the momentum is with her. she wants a change to the backstop, and it is the second time she will have seen jean—claude junker since the deal was voted down. another change here tonight as well, we are used to seeing protesters in westminster, but it is becoming more familiar here. we have some unicorns that have just arrived. these are pro—european, some english, some italian, some germans, who said to mea italian, some germans, who said to me a short while ago, if theresa may wa nts to me a short while ago, if theresa may wants to find a unicorn, she will

only find it within the eu. they are making their voices clear. i'm sure to may will see the merriment. there was a protester who tried to get on last time to the prime ministerial motorcade and was quickly moved away by security. a bit of a funfair, a brief interlude before to reason ir arrives, and it may be the most dramatic moment. expectations are low. jean—claude junker has appeared ata low. jean—claude junker has appeared at a brief press conference in the last few minutes. he is with the slovenian president and was supporting a plaster on his cheek. he was asked what it was, and he said it was nothing to do with to reason my‘s visit. i cut myself shaving. he said he doesn't expect a breakthrough but he is waiting to see what theresa may has to say. the family of the london teenager shamima begum, who wants to return to the uk after living with the islamic state

group in syria, says it will challenge the decision to revoke her british citizenship. the family's lawyers says the 19—year—old has never had a bangladeshi passport, and is not a dual citizen , contrary to reports that she was. but whitehall officials insist that shamima begum has not been ‘left stateless.‘ 0ur correspondent simonjones reports. she wants to return home, but she‘s been told she is not welcome. shamima begum says she is shocked and heartbroken by the government‘s decision. the east londoner remains in a refugee camp in syria. she joined the islamic state group when she was 15, but has now fled fierce fighting, and hasjust given birth. i just want forgiveness, really, from the uk. everything i‘ve been through, i didn‘t expect i would go through that. she‘s been accused of showing no remorse after she equated the children killed in the manchester bombing two years ago with people being bombed by coalition forces in is—held areas of syria. are you sure that shamima begum won't be left

stateless, home secretary? the home secretary says his priority is the safety and security of britain. deprivation is a powerful tool that can only be used to keep the most dangerous individuals out of this country, and we do not use it lightly. when someone turns their back on the fundamental values, and supports terror, they do not have an automatic right to return to the uk. in order to deprive someone of their british citizenship, the home secretary needs to be satisfied that it‘s conducive to the public good, and that they‘ve conducted themselves in a manner seriously prejudicial to the interests of the uk. he must also be sure they are able to become a national of another country. the home office believes shamima begum is eligible for bangladeshi citizenship, as her mother is thought to be a bangladeshi national. officials insist she will not be left stateless. her family is considering all legal avenues to contest the decision. the next steps would be, i assume,

that miss begum is going to appeal against the decision to the special immigration appeals commission, and that process can be very, very lengthy. and complex. and one of the greatest problems that i have with the system is that much of the evidence against an individual is in closed procedures, meaning that neither miss begum nor her lawyers will have access to it, or will be able to challenge it in open court. the question of her citizenship is a matterfor the british authorities, according to the bangladeshi foreign secretary. miss begum has told journalists she may try for citizenship via her dutch husband. any appeal could take years, so, this refugee camps is likely to remain her home for foreseeable future. 0ur correspondent quentin sommerville — who spoke to shamima begum a few days ago — has been talking again to the london teenager, who has said she thought the government would be more sympathetic because of her

situation and that it was wrong for the uk to revoke her citizenship without speaking to her first. they‘re making this decision based on interviews i did withjournalists and stuff. they haven‘t sent someone from the home secretary to speak to me personally and interview me. i was hoping that britain would understand that i made a mistake, quite a big mistake, because i was young and naive and i was newly practising. i didn‘t know what islam was. ijust practising. i didn‘t know what islam was. i just saw this, practising. i didn‘t know what islam was. ijust saw this, you know, big thing on the news, islamic state. i got tricked. the syrian observatory for human rights say all the militants in the last village in syria still held by the islamic state group have now surrendered. baghouz, a tiny village on the banks of the euphrates, had been under siege for the last two weeks by the syrian democratic

forces backed by the us. a little earlier our correspondent mark lowen gave us the latest from erbil in iraq. this last patch of territory that was about less than half a square mile, held by is, has finally fallen, has finally been captured. there were extensive negotiations over the last few days to try to get the is fighters holed up there to surrender, and civilians who were being held as human shields to be evacuated. that has now happened, and therefore the last bit of territory heard by the islamic state group has fallen. it‘s extremely symbolic. remember that at its height, is held territory the size of britain and controlled 8 million people across to iraq and syria. but this is not the end of the islamic state group, remember. some of the is fighters who were holed up there in that last patch of territory we understand have escaped through tunnels into the desert. there are still sleeper cells across iraq and

syria, and the fear that after so much war, so much damage, so much poverty in these two countries, that there could be a resurgence of is in the next few months and years if it is not... if sustained pressure is not brought to bear against them. the competition watchdog has dealt a potentially fatal blow to a planned merger beween sainsbury‘s and asda — warning it could push up prices and cut choice for shoppers. the £10 billion deal, which was announced last year, would create the uk‘s biggest supermarket group, overtaking tesco. shares in sainsbury‘s have slumped this morning in response to the competition and markets authority‘s findings. our business correspondent simon gompertz reports. drive around a place like watford, and you see the problem with this giant merger. here is the sainsbury‘s, and not far off, competing with it at the moment, a big asda. joined together, would they charge us more? nearby, there is also the market leader, tesco.

these three companies control 60% of uk grocery sales would go down to two. i don‘t think it will be an advantage to the shopper. it is more for them than for us. as long as their standards don't drop, i don't mind. long term, they will need to do it, long term. the big supermarkets are pushing little people out. the competition authority has identified 629 areas where there would be substantial lessening of competition. the petrol forecourt is overlapping in 132 places, so, there is concern about fuel competition, plus hundreds of spots where online shopping might be affected. essentially, we are concerned that this may not be a good deal for shoppers or motorists because we think it is likely that prices will rise, service levels will deteriorate or both, and the reason we believe that is because of the reduced competition in grocery shopping in supermarkets, grocery shopping online, and purchases of fuel at the petrol filling stations. the competition authority have two

possible solutions in mind. the first is for sainsbury‘s and asda to sell off a block of their supermarkets and possibly one of their names to create a new, viable competitor. but the cma doubts whether that would work. the other possible remedy, to block the merger entirely. sainsbury‘s says discounters like aldi and lidl have changed the game, and would cut prices. they have applied price criteria which are unprecedented in the uk, and i would argue unprecedented in the world, so, in the end, they are taking money out of customers‘ pockets. but as uk plc, with brexit looming and a different set of competition rules, who would invest in this country? this is outrageous.

this isn‘t the last word. sainsbury‘s and asda still have a few weeks to make their case, but then leapfrogging tesco lea pfrogging tesco could leapfrogging tesco could be too big a merger to go ahead. simon gompertz. let‘s have a look at the weather. a bit more sunshine in what has been a great night in many parts. it is in the north—east of scotland where we will see temperatures drop tonight. patchy rain and drizzle, particularly through central and western parts of the uk. away from that corner of scotland, a mild night. on thursday, fairly cloudy, new morning commute could be damp. parts of northern ireland, for

scotland. most of that will fade away. a good part of scotland will see some hazy sunshine with our air coming all the way from the topics, temperatures will peak at 13 quite widely. parts of the country could hit 17 degrees. 0n widely. parts of the country could hit 17 degrees. on friday, increased amount of sunshine after early fog. that drive fine weather contains the most into the weekend. he this is bbc news. the headlines: three conservative mps quit the party over the government‘s handling of brexit. today theyjoined the new independent group on the other side of the commons. at a news conference, they urged like—minded mps to join the new grouping. during the day, theresa may left to go to brussels to seek more concessions from the eu on the brexit deal.

that catch up with all the day‘s spot. let‘s start with manchester city because they will be at the overwhelming favourites to go through the champions league quarterfinals, first finished second in the bundesliga last year but they have struggled for form this season. the season, pep guardiola had urged their side to focus on themselves rather than the opposition. we want to also to have huge personality and charisma for ourselves to play on the biggest stage like a champions league. that is what we have to do. we are confident. we arrived with many dreams in our heads to do with the competition. chelsea manager said that winning matches is the

only solution as his future remains in the spotlight. chelsea were knocked out of the fa cup by manchester united on monday and i have got to six in the league after three straight defeats. they face manchester city in sunday‘s league cup final. now we are in trouble so ican cup final. now we are in trouble so i can understand very well. but there isn't another way. we have only to have good performances and good results. to think that i will be the manager of chelsea for a long time, otherwise, icannot be the manager of chelsea for a long time, otherwise, i cannot work. the deadline for cardiff city to make the first element of the £50 million tra nsfer the first element of the £50 million transfer fee for a sala the first element of the £50 million transferfee for a sala has been extended for another week. the argentine striker remains missing.

-- £15 argentine striker remains missing. —— £15 million. the french club sent a letter look requesting payments. cardiff are withholding payment while they seek clarification i want to wait until crash investigations are complete. the west indies won the toss and are our batting any one—day international against england in barbados. it is an importing stage en route to the world cup the summer. you can follow the whole 0di series via the bbc sport website, and after each day‘s play, you can also download the podcast via your particular provider. england‘s in women side go up provider. england‘s in women side go up against india in 31—day internationals for getting on friday. it also includes a three t 20s against india at a series in sri

lanka. it is the first time england have played sri lanka since beating them in the semifinals of the wow t20 is them in the semifinals of the wow t20is| them in the semifinals of the wow t20 is i guess you can take confidence from previous games. obviously, it was a big one so eve ryo ne obviously, it was a big one so everyone was very confident on the back of that. playing in india is a lwa ys back of that. playing in india is always very challenging as we have never won a series out here. we are very aware for that, equally, our prep has been brilliant and all the girls are feeling confident. looking forward to it. an emotional steve stricker was close to tears on wednesday when he told a news conference what it means to be handed the task of regaining the ryder cup. he is to lead the usa tea m ryder cup. he is to lead the usa team in his home state of wisconsin as the american captain. some people see this and they do not think i‘m very passionate about playing the

game of golf at what i do for a living. but, deep down, i‘m very competitive. we want to win this more than ever and i‘m here to help in any way i can force i‘m very blessed and happy to be here. thank you. that is all yours but for now. you can find plenty more on the stories on the bbc sport website. let‘s return to our top story that three mps have resigned from the conservative party. sarah wollaston, anna soubry and heidi allen arejoining the eight mps who left labour to form a new independent group in the house of commons. the prime minister said she was "saddened" after the three criticised what they called the government‘s "disastrous handling" of brexit, and said it had undone "all the efforts to modernise" the conservatives. earlier, the three mps held a press conference to explain ther actions. let‘s hear a flavour of what they had to say — starting with heidi allen.

ican no i can no longer represent a party who can‘t open their eyes to suffering which we have deepened while having the power to fix. the conservatives were always recognised as the party of economic competence but when we allowed a cabinet minister to say f business, and we have a prime minister bullied into submission, by the erg, and is now dragging the country and parliament kicking and screaming to the edge of a no—deal abyss — i‘m done. and i think what we now see is a party that was once the most trusted on the economy and business, is now marching us towards the cliff edge of a no—deal brexit. i have been saying for weeks if it became main party policy to deliver no deal, then, i would have to leave. i am afraid there comes a point when running down the clock is in effect the same thing,

and none of us are prepared to wait until our toes are at the cliff edge before we can take a stand. to remind people who feel abandoned and not represented by the two parties, we shout your dreams and aspirations. we three have never been your so—called typical tory. like everyone, we are tired of labels, tired of tribalism, and we are tired of british politics being dominated from its extremes. it is time for change, and we are a team come up with your support, that will deliver that change. well, let‘s get some commentary on this now. matthew parris, columnist at the times, and isabel hardman, asistant editor of the spectator, are with me now. thank you forjoining us. quite a day, we will all agree. what do these latest defections mean? they

are obviously uncomfortable for the conservative party. previously, it could claim that labour was splitting up but now there is a splinter group from the tories. i think it is less damaging for the tories than labour, much is because there are fewer that have gone over, but because of the mps that decided to go. heidi allen and sarah wollaston have been sort of semi—detached conservatives for a little while now. anna soubry, a much more tribal tory, but obviously deeply unhappy with how her party has handled brexit so none of the resignations were surprising. but they were deeply critical, notjust of the party and the way it has change, but also the way theresa may has failed to deliver her agenda. they talked about their desire to see the burning issues in a society addressed. matthew, your take on what happened. do you think because

of the difficulties from the government party and theresa may is pretty ha rd government party and theresa may is pretty hard up in parliamentary numbers, it is remarkably damaging? i think it is deeply damaging for the conservative party and it will be worrying nearly 30 and the whips a great deal. they now, the party leadership, that these three represent an undercurrent of deep unhappiness among a lot of tory mps out of the way the party appears to have been captured by erg. isabel is quite right, these are the usual suspects. they are the first, but will there be more? suspects. they are the first, but willthere be more? philip the suspects. they are the first, but will there be more? philip the film on the radio today said that he wasn't going to leave, he is going to watch and see what happens. but thatis to watch and see what happens. but that is not a vote of confidence. to watch and see what happens. but that is not a vote of confidencelj think that is not a vote of confidence.” think there could be more. i think

some conservative and labour mps have been uncomfortable about that what we are just looking out of these live images from brussels. as i mentioned earlier, the prime minister has been on how way for these latest set of talks with john flood a younger. as the pm reaches the building in brussels, show will be aware thatjean—claude juncker has already put out a statement he does not expect any kind of breakthrough in the talks today. the prime minister looking for some kind of reassurance, if not a redefinition possibly, of parts of the so—called backstop on the future of the irish border. just a reminder, this is the great shadow over all of these events. in labour, it is the separate and very serious issue of anti—semitism. in terms of the brexit issue that look at the

prime minister arriving, just a welcoming party. making her way into the commission building itself. michel barnier, jean—claude juncker ready to assure the prime minister into these talks. that‘s see how warm and smiley it is. not terribly. in they go to the talks. yes, the prime minister... the forced smile said it all, in terms of the tension. these defections tell us that the prime minister problems are not decreasing, they aren‘t out increasing. she walks into these

meetings in brussels in order to try and persuade the eu that she could get the backing of a majority in the house of commons if they give her little tweaks here and there. she does so as three members of her party departs. it was strange watching prime minister questions today, the defections were not discussed at all. the only defection mentioned was maria caulfield talking about a labour councillor in britain who defected to the tories which theresa may was really happy about. they went so much ignoring the elephant in the room but wrong lines and dancing around it. these images, three crossing overfrom one side of the house to the other. they are greeted by the independent group. let‘s talk about less independent group. what will take less grip beyond the news this week into a more serious electoral

proposition? i think they need to know what they stand for. at the moment, they sun for leaving their parties and imposing some things they find objectionable in those parties. they have all said, my values have not changed, my party has. logically, that means you have two groups who are different within this new independent group, unless their values are exactly the same as one another, which i find very hard to believe. anna soubry said today that the coalition government had done a marvellous job and raise economic decisions made. i think it will be very difficult for chris leslie, luciana berger, who has cut out against tory cuts to mental health services, to really go along with. they have to work out whether they can talk about their heritage from the different parties and then come together on different issues. how will they vote on a budget, for instance? they don‘t help whips, they don‘t have leaders, everything is very fluid. they need to

consolidate so that they can act as a force in parliament. which is why you suppose they have the comparisons are very misleading in some way. previous instances of this we re very some way. previous instances of this were very well organised, with plans. there seem to be no plans here. there are parallels between 1983, both sides, this time, are a very unhappy with its leadership. last time, it was labour abbey. these people, anna soubry, everyone on the labour side have been talking to each other for some time. chris leslie has since talked to tories, tories out to chris leslie. they have had some practice at cooperating. i think where a group politicians are more or less on the ce ntre politicians are more or less on the centre ground want to be friends, they can find ways to be friends. when you see the comments from views and responses, one question comes up all the time, which is, is this a

new party? will this transition into a formal new party? it could do one of the things. it could be a new party, as the sdp was. it could fizzle out, it still might. or, what it could do, especially if it gets a few more recruits from both sides is frighted need to parties from which people come into steering a little bit more into the centre. the first or the last i think, would be seen as those whojoined or the last i think, would be seen as those who joined it, or the last i think, would be seen as those whojoined it, as a success. i think it could have the opposite effect. a fourth effect. who could force the two main parties towards each team is a bit more. you see labour hardening its response to its defectors. people like tom watson saying that we need to listen, watch the leadership has started talking about making it easierfor

started talking about making it easier for voters started talking about making it easierfor voters to call by—elections against mps who defied. i wonder if they are moving to the edges of the left and right, i thought of, knee jerk reactions. john major made exactly that point ina john major made exactly that point in a speech in scotland last night. we don't want one sign parties and tomb matte ones. we want two or three sane parties with a manifesto which isn't crazy. his thesis is that the conservative party had been taking over by the erg, in his view. he was very clear about that. clearly, the erg are still a very powerful and influential group within the party. the may has decided, for now, to listen to them. it's interesting to listen to her. whenever somebody flexes their muscles, she says it is helping to

placate them. generally, it has been the erg. now it is the reminder who flex their muscles. let's see when she comes back is that cuckoo into the remainer, that would be her habit. she has to keep the group happy in some way. she relies on the dup even more now. will we see this asa dup even more now. will we see this as a major change in the prime minister bus strategy on how to get an agreement around the brexit agreement? well this prop that all not? you can't get a coalition around the brexit agreement, unless the erg cave in, which i don't think they won't. i think she has left it too late. now you see trade unions say that she could have talked about this a year ago. the three defectors have said that they have not been consulted on things, i think people feel left out. thank you forjoining

us. i site to test the water now in anna soubry bus because that future of beeston, where we can talk to the bbc‘s political editor for the east midlands, tony roe. tony, what is your reading of opinion on their on what anna soubry has decided to do here? the consistency is one that she narrowly hung on to the last election. not sure if she will be expected to be the next conservative candidate. today, she has said, in effect, nothing has changed. she sent out an open letter and an e—mail out to her constituency saying she will carry on working for them. which means she does not intend to stand down for a by—election. she said, if you can, i

hope you might send me your support. it will be interesting to see what kind of reaction she does get from constituents who respond to her request. it must be pointed out that she has been subjected to an awful lot of abuse over her use, and this is the culmination, really. she has left the party and joined that independent group along with a neighbouring mp, chris leslie from labour. what are your thoughts on the kind of pressure that anna soubry will come under. in terms of the machinery, political machinery, how will that change? i'm not sure how will that change? i'm not sure how much it will change here. because she was out at the weekend canvassing with conservative perspective councillors on the streets of blocks now. they will have to carry on with that. i spoke with the local association chairman,

he said the next it will be a select a candidate for the next general election as soon as possible. so, they are moving on from anna soubry already. so, theresa may has arrived in brussels — she‘s holding talks with jean claude juncker behind closed doors now. heidi hautala is the vice president of the european parliament — shejoins me from brussels. just a thought for you, heidi, on a theresa may preparing for this meeting today, having been told that john meeting today, having been told that jothunger meeting today, having been told that john junger has said meeting today, having been told that jothunger has said that he does not see any breakthrough on the horizon. are those the kind of positive dynamics? i think the issue is that the eu has to be very consistent. so, maya

is that the eu has to be very consistent. so, may a miracle can happen but i don‘t see any sign of that, so probably, the talk will be very friendly and a hodge and curry will be very kind and understanding. until i see something else, i believe the message will be the scene, the 27 that will stick to the agreement and the only way is to then bring this back to the house of commons, may be the sum declarations. i haven‘t seen any declarations. i haven‘t seen any declaration that would really bring a change to the northern ireland border issue. that is the thing, whatever declaration could be fashion, it would need to be of sufficient legal stand for it to it through the commons with the support of loss of the people who have been unhappy so far. do you think that is realistic? i do not think it is realistic. i think it is time to

start thinking about plan b, which i think is to consult the people. we discussed this before. theresa may has set her face against any kind of people‘s vote, and there is no sense at the moment that momentum is building in the house of commons. outside the house of commons, there isa campaign. outside the house of commons, there is a campaign. you therefore think it isa is a campaign. you therefore think it is a realistic thing to put forward ? it is a realistic thing to put forward? if we think about the steps that might lead to something like that, i think the eu is very open to discussing an extension of the negotiation period. and give the british house of commons and the british house of commons and the british people the possibility to really decide what they want now that it really decide what they want now thatitis really decide what they want now that it is very obvious what brexit actually means. i think that might bea actually means. i think that might

be a step to that direction. we will have to see, but i think there is an openness to this idea that may be the uk needs more time to know what it wants. that's the timely question, isn‘t it? is it your all view, when you have observed this process now, that we are at the time where they will need to be a decision made on whether this process is extended ? decision made on whether this process is extended?” decision made on whether this process is extended? i think that will be the safest one, otherwise, we are rushing toward the cliff that nobody wants. at least, not in the eu. just your reading of how ready the european commission, the european parliament, how ready you would be to make the decision to agree to an extension? could that be fairly smooth or would it involve masses of negotiation and a very complex timescale as well?” masses of negotiation and a very complex timescale as well? i don't think it will be complex at all. the only thing is that such a request

foran only thing is that such a request for an extension would need to have a meaning. we have been talking a lot about meaningful bouts and decisions, but an extension would need to be meaningful. i‘m sure it would be a smooth process from the eu side. what is your sense, at the moment, the kind of temperature in these talks between the junker and theresa may. it has clearly been a difficult process for both sides, what is your sense of goodwill been on the site? i think there is a lot of goodwill, to build a very close relationship in the future, whatever that means, remain or leave. clearly, there are no dynamics in this process, so there is no breakthrough. let‘s see if tonight will bring something new, i doubt, but miracles do happen. but not very often. thank you forjoining us.

some breaking news, because the government of bangladesh are saying that there is no question of shamima begum being allowed to enter bangladesh. the significance of this is as follows, the home secretary has already decided to revoke her british citizenship. 0ne has already decided to revoke her british citizenship. one of the factors there is that she is said to have dual citizenship between the uk and bangladesh, the family were disputing that la today. but that was part of the reason given by the home office. but now we have the authorities in bangladesh saying that there is no question of how being allowed to enter into bangladesh. 0ne being allowed to enter into bangladesh. one of the key issues here is without this teenage girl is to be ina here is without this teenage girl is to be in a stateless condition,

because that is not the condition that she could be in under international law. she cannot be made stateless. that she could then become house, home, or looked after by bangladesh because of that dual citizenship. however, that option now seems to be diminishing because bangladesh are saying there is no question of shamima begum being allowed to enter into the country. that debate will continue with some energy i‘m sure and there will be more reaction coming up on bbc news at six. let‘s catch up with the weather with matt once again. this dome of caribbean air being pushed across the atlantic. i cannot promise you at the clear

blue skies ahead, it can offer some unseasonal one on thursday and friday. temperatures in parts of scotland, england and wales approaching 17 or 18 degrees. short of our february record which is close to 20 degrees. a big improvement to what some have seen today. this is the satellite image from this afternoon. how brings out brea ks from this afternoon. how brings out breaks down for scotland. we will see some for the breaks in the cloud tonight. in north—east scotland, it would be good enough for a touch of frost. south—west winds bring that caribbean air away, continue to push in. lots of cloud and act which will produce some patchy rain, in the west and central parts. temperatures around 6—10d. the amounts that to your commute. there will be some drizzle around this thing, but again, a better kind of day. a few spots of drizzle in the west but for

most, some hazy sunshine. temperatures wildly into the teens. parts of north scotland, east england likely to see 17 degrees, maybe a little bit more as well. that south—westerly wind is still with us, pushing in from the south—west. into friday, at lightest in the south—east corner where we could see some mist and fog to begin with. foremost, it will be a day of clear blue skies across the country. a bit more hot shot mcleod in northern ireland, patchy rain in the far north—east of scotland. some changes through friday, an area of high pressure is for east which result in doing so, it will draw air from a different direction, still a very warm from a different direction, still a very warm sauce, coming up from a different direction, still a very warm sauce, coming up from the canaries, north africa. temperatures are still in the teens and plenty of sunshine around as well. that will last into monday, temperatures may dipa last into monday, temperatures may dip a little bit but should rise

again as we go into the middle part of next week. three mps quit describing theresa may‘s handling of brexit as disastrous. they‘ve joined the breakaway labour mps in the commons and blamed brexiteers. the hardline, anti eu awkward squad that have destroyed every leader for the last 40 years are now running the conservative party from top to toe. they‘re calling for more mps to join the newly formed independent group in parliament, which now numbers 11. we‘ll get reaction from voters. also tonight... islamic state bride shamima begum reacts to plans to revoke her british passport, she tells the bbc she expected more sympathy. doubts over the proposed merger between sainsbury‘s and asda,

the competition watchdog says it