this is bbc news, i'm rachel schofield. the headlines at 8pm. theresa may has sacked kevin williamson as defence secretary, blaming him for leaking information from the national security council meeting. he will be replaced by penny martin. in a letter to the prime minister, williamson strenuously denies he was the source of the leak about the uk adopting sg technology from chinese firm huawei will stop words that he echoed when speaking to the bbc yesterday about the leak. i never have leaked anything from the national security council, nor would i ever leak anything from the national security council. that's not how theresa may sees council. that's not how theresa may sees it, she says there is compelling evidence against kevin williamson. but he is not going

quietly. in other news, there will bea by quietly. in other news, there will be a by election in peterborough after almost 20,000 people signed a recall petition to remove the city's disgraced mp. double 0lympic recall petition to remove the city's disgraced mp. double olympic gold medallist has lost her landmark appeal against rules restricting testosterone levels in female runners. she says she has been targeted and will not be slowed down. 50 weeks in prison for the wikileaks founder, julian sanchez, for breaching his bailfor hiding in the ecuadorian embassy for seven yea rs. the ecuadorian embassy for seven years. 0pposition protests again in the streets of caracas. the us says it is prepared to take military action. russia tells mike pompeo that aggressive steps could face the greatest of consequences. a new scheme in leads to change the way children are brought up is having a dramatic effect on child obesity.

good evening. kevin williamson has been sacked as defence secretary and... downing street said the prime minister had lost confidence in his ability to serve, and penny morton to replace him in the role. in a letter to former cabinet colleague, theresa may said... she continued... she went on to say... in reply, gavin williamson has said he strenuously denies that he was the

source of that leak from the national security council. he issued his own letter responding to the prime minister on twitter. let's ta ke prime minister on twitter. let's take a closer look at what it says. mr williamson writes, "i'm sorry you feel recent leaks mr williamson writes, "i'm sorry you feel recent lea ks originated mr williamson writes, "i'm sorry you feel recent leaks originated in this department. i emphatically believe this was not the case will stop a strenuously denied that i was in any way involved in this leak, and i'm confident that a thorough inquiry will vindicate my position." he stresses that he trusts the staff around him and believes the assurances they have given. he goes on to say that the reason he refused theresa may's invitation for him to resign is because he would have to admit that he or his department or staff were responsible, something he continues to deny. jonathan bill spoke to kevin williamson just yesterday, and he denied leaking information. here's what he had to

say in the interview. i never have lea ked say in the interview. i never have leaked anything from the national security council, nor will i ever lea k security council, nor will i ever leak anything from the national security council. do you admit that you are one of the people under suspicion? as i said, never would and never have. there have been some calls tonight for criminal investigation into the matter. scotla nd investigation into the matter. scotland yard has just issued a statement saying, "we are aware of the media reports in relation to the leak, and that is a matter for the national security council in the cabinet office to look at." at this time, they say they are not carrying out an investigation. clearly if at any stage they receive any information that would suggest criminal offences have been committed, they will look into it. let's cross now to vicki young who is in central lobby for us this evening, where it has certainly been an eventful evening? westminster is used to being shocked, but this really ca m e used to being shocked, but this really came out of the blue. the news that theresa may sacked kevin

williamson, she says that she has compelling evidence which came from the inquiry being led by the most senior civil servant in government, sirmark senior civil servant in government, sir mark settable. there are two sides of the story, and immediately williamson and his friends came out fighting, saying he absently denies all of this. they feel he has been stitched up. they point to an acrimonious relationship with sir mark said will, and they think that thatis mark said will, and they think that that is why this has happened. earlier, rory stewart, the man who has a cabinetjob out of all of this, was asked what he made of what's been going on. that was an investigation conducted by the cabinet secretary national secretary adviser, whom i've known for you many years since afghanistan. he is a very serious man and that is a very serious investigation, and i have full confidence in the investigation. that is not how gavin filion -- investigation. that is not how gavin filion —— kevin williamson's friend

see it. they think the inquiry left a lot to be desired. you can hear that coming from the letter from mr williamson, saying he's confident a thorough and formal inquiry would have indicated his position. now we understand that the evidence we think as it is is a record of a phone call between mr williamson and the journalist who reported the leak. i think what they would say is that you can't prove what they were talking about, and you have that denial there from kevin williamson. of course this is the national security council, and it discusses net —— matters of national interest, that which is why this was such a serious leak at the time. today, deputy‘s labour leader said it is time for the police to get involved. it's the most brutal sacking letter of any it's the most brutal sacking letter ofany men it's the most brutal sacking letter of any men —— i've seen it's the most brutal sacking letter ofany men —— i've seen in my lifetime. the magnitude of the allegations against gavin are very serious. what the prime minister is saying is that he has breached the

official secrets act. that's a very serious allegation and a crime. he denies it, he deserves to have his voice heard, and the way to do that is in voice heard, and the way to do that isina voice heard, and the way to do that is in a clip —— criminal inquiry given that it appears the law has been broken in this case. sir tom -- tom watson they're making it clear how fraud all this is. do you have any idea what might happen next? it doesn't sound like it will go away ina doesn't sound like it will go away in a hurry. it doesn't, i think the fa ct in a hurry. it doesn't, i think the fact that mr williamson is coming out fighting so hard will be a bit ofa out fighting so hard will be a bit of a headache for downing street. now they say that the evidence was compelling, the investigation was carried out completely and properly, and they feel it's the end of the matter. but that is clearly not the case. i think the pressure now on downing street is to show what evidence that they have. now they will be very reluctant to do that, but it will be pretty difficult. kevin williamson is a close ally of theresa may, he was her chief

weapon, the person and party charge discharge of party discipline. i just want to talk to one minister, who says he has a reputation as a minister who speaks very readily to the press. and when this leak happened, there were lots of tory mps who came out quite quickly and pointed the finger at mr williamson before there was any evidence whatsoever. and so we will have to see what he decides to do next, but he clearly does want to clear his name. and in terms of the wider situation for theresa may, clearly she's already got an awful lot in her intro, brexit causing her a number of headaches. this isjust another blow to her, although she's lost someone she feels has misbehaved and done something potentially very serious. but it leaves her with shuffling again and more on “— leaves her with shuffling again and more on —— instability at a leadership level? she has lost so many cabinet members in the last two

yea rs many cabinet members in the last two years for various reasons, including brexit. so the idea she's had to sack and another one nowjust brexit. so the idea she's had to sack and another one now just as things had gone a little bit quiet is clearly not going to be helpful. now some say this allows her to look strong for the first time. lots of people said she didn't have the authority to do any kind of cabinet reshuffle or sack anyone no matter what they did. that has proven not to be the case. what she's done is use this as an opportunity to promote a woman, so penny mordaunt will be the first female defence secretary the uk has ever had, and some who felt that she couldn't —— should have gotten the job some who felt that she couldn't —— should have gotten thejob in some who felt that she couldn't —— should have gotten the job in the first place. that's a promotion from rory stewart, who's been incredibly loyal to the prime minister and has been out betting for her brexit deal, trying to persuade colleagues and spending lots of time going out on the media making the case for her brexit deal and his loyalty has been rewarded. vicki, thanks so much for bringing us up to speed there. vicki

young live in westminster. we can speak now to the leader of the liberal democrats, sir vince cable joins me life. thank you very much for being with us. what you make of this evening's unfolding events? it's absolutely extraordinary. not just the prime minister sacking the defence secretary in such a forthright way, effectively accusing him of breaching the official secrets act, as well as being a liar. this is quite extraordinary. i agree with the comments of tom watson a few months ago, this is clearly a police matter. if it had been an ordinary service man or woman responsible for these leaks, they would now be in police custody. the metropolitan police are going to have to get involved as quickly as possible. if i make, have to get involved as quickly as possible. ifi make, let's investigate that a little more. there's been lots of discussion about this issue of whether these lea ks could potentially

about this issue of whether these leaks could potentially be criminal. some people say the leaks did not in themselves reveal secrets, this was not a classified document in what was leaked was a sense of who said what at a meeting and who was in agreement and disagreement. does that move us into criminal territory? i think what makes it different from the kind of leaks which have now become habitualfrom the cabinet is that it places the intelligence services who are supposed to be secret — and identifies them and the role and the advice they've been given. they simply cannot function on that basis. i was in the cabinet for five yea rs, basis. i was in the cabinet for five years, i attended basis. i was in the cabinet for five years, iattended national security council meetings, but it would never have occurred to my colleagues in the lib dems or the conservatives to have gone anywhere near the press on national security council meetings. and to preach that taboo is extra nearly serious in terms of the

integrity of intelligence information. some people making the point that the decision was essentially leaked was a decision that would've been refuted in due course anyways. but that is not an argument? indeed, ithink the decision the prime minister made, certainly on the basis of the experience i had in the government dealing with this, was eminently sensible. but the problem is here is that at a meeting attended by the top brass of the military and intelligence services, its inner workings have just been exposed to the outside world. they simply cannot operate on that basis. and this is probably more serious than just handing out a piece of paper which is regarded as secret or confidential. that's what we normally regard as a breach of the official secrets act, but describing the workings of government as a fact... is a very serious matter. i'm notan

fact... is a very serious matter. i'm not an expert on criminal law, but i would be amazed if this did not fall within the workings of the police. given the police have issued a statement at the moment saying this is not a matter they're looking at, and given mr williamson's strenuous denial and that he's contesting this, what should happen next? i think given that it's the cabinet secretary who has carried out these, the response abilities now with him with the political backing of the prime minister to involve the police. i think that's the sequence of events that needs to happen now. but if mr williamson's continuing to deny it, it leads to the question, who on earth has done this? it would appear that his cabinet colleagues have been exonerated and nothing untoward took place. but if you didn't do it, who did? sir vince cable, thank you very much for your time this evening.

think you. meanwhile the chair of the defence committee, doctorjuliet —— julian lewis mp, the defence committee, doctorjuliet ——julian lewis mp, says the defence committee, doctorjuliet —— julian lewis mp, says while the lea k —— julian lewis mp, says while the leak was not the most serious incident, it could still be seen as a career destroying moment. incident, it could still be seen as a career destroying momentlj incident, it could still be seen as a career destroying moment. i don't condone a leak of that sort, but no secret information was leaked. what appears to have been leaked was the fa ct appears to have been leaked was the fact that the home secretary, the defence secretary and foreign secretary all believe that it's a security risk for hallway to be involved in our 56 network. once more, they're absolutely right —— huawei. they're being overruled by ministers from other departments. it's one thing to leaked political information of that sort, quite another to leaked classified information about the technicalities of sacred equipment. so am i right in suggesting that you feel this lea k in suggesting that you feel this leak was not the kind that would suggest someone losing theirjob? no, ithink suggest someone losing theirjob? no, i think it was inevitable that if someone is caught bang to rights the king from any cabinet committee,

it isa the king from any cabinet committee, it is a career destroying moment. doctorjulian lewis it is a career destroying moment. doctor julian lewis mp. it is a career destroying moment. doctorjulian lewis mp. let's speak now to michael clark, an associate director of the royal united service institute. thank you so much for coming in, it's been a whirlwind evening. what you make of the developments? it's extraordinary, this is a brutal sacking. but even more extraordinary is that a senior minister should deny it. he's essentially saying in his letter to the promised her that a formal and thorough investigation would clear him, implying that the investigation was neither formal nor thorough, which is a direct criticism of the cabinet secretary who conducted the investigation will stop mr williamson is going down fighting, and maintaining in effect that they have the wrong man. that's a co ro nary have the wrong man. that's a coronary for a senior minister to be in that position, and the prior minister — they say there is an error ofjudgement and minister — they say there is an error of judgement and incompatible. but this was basically saying that

eve ryo ne but this was basically saying that everyone else cooperated, you were shifty, i present you with the evidence this afternoon and you didn't accept it. but that's amazing. what do we know if anything much about this investigation and the format take? it was extraordinary that mark said will required all the ministers to sign a letter to say that they had not leaked, and it is then reported that he wanted their telephones. he told them to give him their mobile phones. 0ne them to give him their mobile phones. one guesses — them to give him their mobile phones. 0ne guesses — whatever happened, it was probably not deliberate, but loose talk to somebody else, and somebody else talk to someone at the telegraph, and the telegraph, instead of taking it as and the telegraph, instead of taking itasa and the telegraph, instead of taking it as a background piece of information, made a scoop out of it. that's how these things happen. one suggestion i heard this evening was that it might not of been one person, but several cabinet members who are on the telephone giving a general overview, and a journalist has piece this together and put

forward a story and put together at the feet of one man. that's possible, but if that were the case, the investigation would have found that out and they would have handled it differently. theresa may had it gavin williamson in this afternoon and offered him a revolver. he said no, he was obvious he going to take it on. so in the middle of everything else going wrong for this government, we now have a spat over who said what to whom between the prior minister in the previously senior member of the government. the focus of this is on the national security council, and the rather holy of holies the nature of that body. do you see that as very significant that the leak has come from a committee which is normally shrouded in secrecy, and should be kept very much sacrosanct aside from the normal political lea ks kept very much sacrosanct aside from the normal political leaks we see as a routine? for sure. it's not shrouded in secrecy, it leaks every week, the prior minister chairs at all the time —— meets every week. we

have a fair idea of what the agendas are and how it works. but it is the case that because all the intelligence agencies go into it as well as the military, plus the senior members of government, that they discuss intelligence they've got from the americans, and the americans are very upset about this leak. not the substance, but the fa ct leak. not the substance, but the fact that it leaked. it includes intelligence from the five eyes, and our own intelligence people. this is the place where ministers and officials in the military speak absolutely clearly and openly about what they know and don't know, and what they know and don't know, and what they know and don't know, and what they could do and what the consequences might be. so it is in the nature — is the holy of holies, because if there is one place that should remain absurdly confidential to those who are there, it is this. there are one or two officials present, but the minister's own officials are not there. the chief officials are not there. the chief of defence staff is there, just by himself. this is a really top level

meeting about britain's national security, and as we say the substance of this leak is not important, but the fact of the leak is important and it matters to our allies. given the division between the substance and the fact of the leak, could this result in a criminal inquiry? 0rdo leak, could this result in a criminal inquiry? or do you think because of the information coming out was not going to be covered by the national secrets act?|j out was not going to be covered by the national secrets act? i suspect it won't. most politicians will say it won't. most politicians will say it would because it gives them some leverage over this. but i suspect not only because in this case... this broke ministerial code, it is not clear to me that it broke the official secrets act. what went on there was a matter of government that night would be hard picked to see this as a criminal matter. just a final thought, penny mordaunt will ta ke a final thought, penny mordaunt will take over. what is thought about that appointment? penny mordaunt is

a minister of for foreign aid, before that... i saw her on that committee a lot, and she didn't know a great deal about defence when she started. but my goodness, she did towards the end. she represents portsmouth north, so she has a knack for naval affairs. she's really developed her interest in defence and foreign affairs through the department for international development. michael clark, good to have you with us, very much indeed. penny mordaunt said, "i'm delighted to be back at the ministry of defence. it is an honour and privilege to work with the best armed forces and defence civilians in the world". that's coming in from the new defence secretary, penny mordaunt. thank you so much for coming in to talk to us. there's plenty more on all this on our

website, you can see there on our bbc news website, we have all the reaction and more on the inquiry that has resulted in the sacking of gavin williamson. to other news now, peterborough is to have a by election after more than 27% of registered voters signed a recall election. she was originally elected to the micro as a labour mp, but she was... the labour party expelled fiona onasa nya following was... the labour party expelled fiona onasanya following her conviction. crossing out of peterborough, we can get more on the result of that recall from alex for sight. how exactly has this whole system worked? —— alex forsyth. sight. how exactly has this whole system worked? -- alex forsyth. this isa system worked? -- alex forsyth. this is a significant moment because fiona onasa nya is a significant moment because fiona onasanya has been the first mp to lose receipt as a result of a

public petition. this is a fairly new process. it was a law which was introduced following the expenses scandal, if you can remember that, to give public more say on whether they should remove their mp given wrongdoing. in this case, the process was triggered because she was jailed for perverting the court ofjustice discourse was jailed for perverting the court of justice discourse of justice after misleading police over a speeding offence, saying she wasn't behind the wheel of the cart when the speeding fine was issued. that meant that over the course of the last six weeks, residents have been able to go and put their name to a position if they choose to say she should be removed. that process finished at 5pm today, and a notice was pinned on the board saying that more than 19,000 people had signed that petition. that is well in excess of the 10% threshold that was needed to trigger it by election. that means that fiona onasanya has now lost her seat. there will be a

by election in this constituency. labour has said that it will start the process for that by election so we should expect that in a few weeks or so. that will be a fiercely fought contest because this is a marginal seat here in peterborough. as we know with their tumultuous world of politics at the moment, every party needs every mp it can. thank you very much indeed, alex forsyth in peterborough. julian assad has been sentenced to a year in prison for breaching his bail conditions. he took refuge in the ecuadorian embassy in london seven yea rs ecuadorian embassy in london seven years ago to avoid extradition to sweden over sexual assault allegations, which he has denied. the former black cab taxi driver john radford, who used to be known asjohn warboys, has been charged with four sexual senses. he faces two counts of administering a stupefying drug to commit rape or indecent assault, and two of

administering a substance with intent to commit sexual offence. scotla nd intent to commit sexual offence. scotland yard says the doctor offences were committed between 2000-2008. far left offences were committed between 2000—2008. far left activists have clashed violently with police during trade unions and made a protest in paris. they started fires and book shop windows, propelling —— pelting police with bottles and stones. police have responded with tear gas and baton charges. yellow vest activists have also the south have been arrested. the south african at fleet custis and enya has lost in a landmark case against new rules. a double gold world olympian has a condition meaning she has unusually high levels of the hormone. it means she is classified as intersex or having dst,

differences in sexual development. she will not have to take drugs to lower her level of testosterone if she wants to compete. natalie perks reports. here comes custis and enya. but every step she is taken has led her here. to a decision that could have changed women's sport forever. in a statement, she said... the governing body has always said this was never personal. they believe women with dsd, differences of sexual development, enjoy a performance advantage and should take drugs to lower their testosterone. the court today agreed such rules, whilst discriminatory, are necessary. such discrimination is a necessary

and proportionate means of achieving the iaaf‘s objective of preserving the integrity of female athletics. as the news broke, i was with semenya's mentor, who she calls dad. it's a sad day for athletics and women's sport, and i emphasise women's sport, in the world. very disappointing. it's a row that's been rumbling on for years. semenya burst onto the scene in 2009, aged 18, after winning world 800 metres gold, but herjoy was short—lived as news leaked she was made to take a humiliating gender verification test. results were not made public but it's thought it found she was intersex, with both male and female characteristics. in a rare interview four years ago, she spoke out about dealing with the whispers of fellow athletes. if you have a problem, you have to tell me.

i can't stop because of people saying, oh, she looks like a man, this and that. it's their problem, not mine. this is where semenya trains in pretoria and where she was protected from the media after that gender verification test. they are fiercely protective of her here, and the nation has looked on aghast at how she has been treated. the introduction of these iaaf regulations tramples on her dignity, on her rights, and so do they trample on other women athletes' rights. this goes beyond semenya. with the tokyo 2020 games fast approaching, the international olympic committee is likely to announce similar testosterone rules for transgender athletes. as sport grapples with issues of ethics and gender, some back the iaaf stance.

i think it's the right decision and i think it's about time that cas looked after the majority and thought about how to protect female sport. she just she wanted to run naturally, the way she was born. natalie perks, bbc news, johannesburg. we'll find out how that story and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:a0pm this evening in the papers. my guests tonight are rachel cunliffe, and the westminster editor of the daily record, rhetorical crying. the department for transport has cancelled its no—deal brexit contracts, at an estimated cost of £50 million to the taxpayer. the government had been buying space on fairies in the event the uk left the eu without an agreement in order to guarantee the supply of medicine and food into the uk. campaigners trying

to block a third runway at heathrow have lost a series of high court challenges against the expansion. a group including councils, residents and the mayor of london argued that the plans would have severe consequences for londoners. their case was different —— dismissed this morning. more to come, let's have a look at the weather was with test with louise. good evening. the best of the dry inside your moments where cross eastern england. further west we saw shari outbreaks of rain at times. it's continuing to push its way steadily eastward, weakening significant lee. you might see the odd spot or two of shower he rain through the early hours of thursday morning. behind it, clearskies interpreters falling away to single figures. they've been patchy. breeze developing further north of scotland asa developing further north of scotland as a weather front starts to approach, that will introduce some

cold air. disappointing afternoon in the far northeast of scotland. elsewhere, sunny spells put into the afternoon, plenty of showers with some of these possibly thunder. highs of16 some of these possibly thunder. highs of 16 celsius but 7—9dc in the far northeast. this cold will win out as we approach the bank holiday weekend, with lots of dry weather around but a noticeable northerly wind feeling chilly. you're watching bbc news, time for the look in our headlines. theresa may has sacked gavin williamson as defence secretary, blaming him for leaking information from a national security council meeting. you will be replaced by penny mordaunt. in a letter to the prime minister, mr straight —— denies he was the source of the leak about the uk adopting 5g technology from huawei. where is that he echoed when speaking to the

bbc yesterday about the leak.|j never have leaked anything from the national security council, nor would i ever leak anything from the national security council. labour call for a police inquiry into whether or not gavin williamson reached the official secrets act. scotla nd reached the official secrets act. scotland yard state they are not carrying out an investigation at this time in other news, there'll be aby this time in other news, there'll be a by election in peterborough after almost 20,000 people a recall petition to remove fiona onasanya. development olympic gold medallist has lost her landmark appeal against the rules restricting testosterone levels in female runners. she says she has been targeted and will not be slowed down. 50 weeks in prison for the wikileaks be slowed down. 50 weeks in prison for the wikilea ks founder be slowed down. 50 weeks in prison for the wikileaks founderjulian solms for breaching his bail by hiding in the ecuadorian embassy for seven hiding in the ecuadorian embassy for seve n yea rs hiding in the ecuadorian embassy for seven yea rs “— hiding in the ecuadorian embassy for seven years —— julian of psalms.

thanks indeed good evening. liver in the champions league semifinals at the champions league semifinals at the new camp but they have been pegged back by a familiar name. it is lewis who has got the opening goal there on a familiar face, that come up against and of course a former liverpool player, and his first competitive game against around 30 minutes gone, the report you can see, the former real madrid has been taken to hospital after suffering heart problems of current club. the 37—year—old is in a stable concession and remains under observation, to world cup glory in 2010, and two years later, the

european championship. bolton will play the fixture with the nottingham forest and the association, provide a loan to cover part of the unpaid wages, last week's match was cancelled after players refused to play after having been paid in march or april. they said they would prove that the required funds will com plete that the required funds will complete the plans to take over. after writing joint favourite to victory in the top, widely regarded as one of the finest in history and 2a year career, he read over 200 and a half thousand winners, more than any other he also won the grand national twice. the head of the now rebranded team cycle has defended radcliffe with protests expected on the opening day of the

tour tomorrow over the compa ny‘s practises, that become the new principal backer but have faced criticism from environmental campaigners for its operations, speaking on the eve of the race, he added will be a 0—tolerance policy over drugs use. we looked at all of that, we talked about it, and for the record, i have absolutely no interest in any of that, the day that any of that enters our world, will be exiting that world. what is the point of winning the race if you cheat, there is no point of that. i also believe that if you have the best athletes in the world, you don't need enhancements. he is into the semifinals of the snooker championships. he beats stephen maguire, 7—1 lead after yesterday,

playing for friends, maguire, 7—1 lead after yesterday, playing forfriends, including maguire, 7—1 lead after yesterday, playing for friends, including a 110 break but tromped romantic in control and put in place in the next round tonight. the world heavyweight boxing champion anthonyjoshua will face in his first fight in new york. joshua was due to face jarrell miller onjune joshua was due to face jarrell miller on june the 1st that joshua was due to face jarrell miller onjune the 1st that madison square garden after he built two drugs tests, there will be to fight the auntie wilder and tyson furey, he is not avoiding the tougher tests. it seems that in my short career i am making offers to dante wilder, theory, these fights that have not happened not on our record, we made good offers for these guys, move forward, we're looking at the next person on june move forward, we're looking at the next person onjune one, the date goes ahead and it is time to announce myself. other names that

boxing fans would like to see him in the ring up against. that is all this but for now, plenty more to come, that is at half past ten. let us return now to our top story. gavin williamson has been sacked by the defence secretary inquiring a lea k of the defence secretary inquiring a leak of national security council meeting. downing street said the prime minister had lost confidence in his ability to serve and mordant will replace and in the role. he saidi will replace and in the role. he said i am delighted to be back in the ministry of defence, it is an honour and a privilege to work with the best armed forces and civilians in the world. we cross now to our chief political correspondent who is in central lobby for us on what is turning out to be a rather busy evening. a sudden dismissal for gavin williamson, the news broke just before six o'clock this

evening, we understand the prime minister was briefed this afternoon when she spoke to miss williamson on the comments in the office, according to her letter, she says that there was a compelling evidence suggesting his responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure and this was from the national security council of course, a collection of senior cabinet ministers to get together with the security forces and others to discuss highly confidential matters, there was a lea k confidential matters, there was a leak on this occasion about the chinese telecoms form huawei getting involved in 5g production here in britain. she does say there are no other credible versions to explain this leak and that has been absolutely dismissed by gavin williamson. he has said that he did not do it, he would never do such a thing, he has a swipe at the inquiry

in the investigation is being led by the civil servant and in his letter to the prime minister, he said i am confident that a formal and inquiry would have indicated my position and he has been stitched up talking about rather acrimonious relationships between those two men and they think that he has been stitched up and has not done it and he will continue to defend himself. in other reshuffle. it has been, she will be the first female defence secretary and that the uk has had. it isa secretary and that the uk has had. it is a privilege to be back in the ministry of defence and to work with the best armed forces and the world andl the best armed forces and the world and i am very much looking forward to getting the job. your predecessor is denying that he was behind this. do you believe him? and if not, what

should happen next? should there be a criminal inquiry? they have made their decision. what i am focused on is getting all of the job, it is a privileged to work with the best on forces in the world. choosing not to a nswer forces in the world. choosing not to answer whether there should be a criminal inquiry but many people are raising that question. yes, because ministers have to sign the official secrets act and if that is broken and there is an argument for the police to be involved. there is an issue here, williamson absolutely strenuously denying that he did this, that he is responsible or any of his team are responsible for this leak. we understand that there has been a phone record showing him and the other journalist who been a phone record showing him and the otherjournalist who got been a phone record showing him and the other journalist who got the leak, but that does not prove that they were talking about and lots of ministers and mps speak to journalists all the time. so downing

street, because he is denying the so emphatically is coming up with the compelling evidence. there is no side of at the moment but this may be the end of the matter, but if he does not go quietly, it is hard to see how it will be. life for us in westminster. we can speak now to anthony, the director of the centre for security and intelligence studies at the university of buckingham. very good of you to join us this evening, it is been a very busy evening, what do you make of it? thesis is a very serious matter, —— this is a very serious matter, a crisis for the government and very grave crisis for the governors because the governors of the united kingdom because the national security council sits right at the apex of the national security machinery. a leak from apex of the national security machinery. a leakfrom it apex of the national security machinery. a leak from it is a very

damaging thing for the credibility of our government and the way we are perceived throughout the world. the fa ct perceived throughout the world. the fact that this was a leak about the security issues posed by allowing huawei to get into the proposed network, so an inquiry, a discussion ofa network, so an inquiry, a discussion of a security problem with huawei which itself was leaked, that is a terrible thing and the chinese are just going to be laughing themselves silly. and many other reasons too, it was clear that as their only two people in the national security council, it was either they would do the leaking or the ministers. the lea k the leaking or the ministers. the leak was deeply and various into the prime minister because it implied that she had decided to proceed even

though the united states of america was saying that it would deny us access to the secret intelligence on which the country relies on. so usually for our own national security, that has an offer we make to demonstrate that we have global reach outside the united kingdom. so you would call it in shambles, it is ha rd to you would call it in shambles, it is hard to exaggerate the very dark place we are in tonight. you clearly see this is very severe, others are saying obviously a leak in itself is something to be troubled by, but the actual substance of this leak was not confidential or classified, it was more to do with the discussion that went on in the disagreement of

cabinet colleagues, so the material that was released in a sense was not ofa that was released in a sense was not of a secret nature. i would say to that, first of all you got the reaction of the united states of america, which is very serious and i believe they only withheld intelligence from us once in 1970. and that was very serious when it happened. so for that reason, if the lea k happened. so for that reason, if the leak is correct, theresa may was going with huawei, then the consequences of our relationship with the united states of america are very severe with the united states of america are very severe indeed. but look at it the other way. there's also a brexit to this. gavin williamson, who became a very keen brexiteers to be replaced by mordaunt, and she is also a brexiteer. and while we leak was in the telegraph story, so it

its own way, this crisis that has been created this evening, not only calls into question the judgement of our prime minister in respect of huawei, thejudgement of our prime minister in respect of huawei, the judgement of our prime minister in respect of whom she makes as our defence minister, but it also calls into question the way in which brexit seems to be this great black hole into which all policy considerations fall and which causes us such huge damage and we should not and underestimate, america is opposed to this policy, the chinese as i say, think we are ridiculous, the rest of the world will think we are ridiculous and theresa may has not been secured by replacing one person who opposes her policy with another. this is that implication for the national council itself, it has brought more members

of the cabinet into the intelligence community i suppose to make them more involved in discussions of that nature but a committee like that, there is more risk. i think the national security council set up, it was an innovation in a way to override thejoint was an innovation in a way to override the joint intelligence committee which had been the previous way of doing this. but what it signified was the absolutely critical importance to our national policymaking of the intelligence and put into it. you could not have a clearer statement on how important intelligence led security activity has become to the united kingdom. whether it is in the fight against islamism, or otherforms

whether it is in the fight against islamism, or other forms of extremism, or keeping us safe from potential threats from russia or china or anywhere else in the world. that is, that is the eye of the storm, that national security council. and if it cannot deliver its secrets, if those who are in charge of making secret policy on our behalf cannot keep those secrets to governments to the decision—makers, if they cannot be confident that the truths that they believe that they have are spoken to those with power, the prime minister, without there being a fear of leak, then they simply will not be able to do theirjob and if they can't do theirjob, then one of the co re can't do theirjob, then one of the core duties of government to keep us safe, is thrown to the wayside, that is why it is so very serious. very good to give us your analysis this evening. us secretary has said the united states is prepared to take

military action and the ongoing turmoil in venezuela. juan guaido has called for people to take to the streets calling for the largest demonstration in the countries history. was this a dress rehearsal ora history. was this a dress rehearsal or a failed uprising? yesterday's chaotic scenes never did look like a regime and collapse, venezuela has had lots of this in recent years. but on the streets, some clearly believed this was a decisive moment. the country is ours, we need to go out of the streets, he is the leader in charge, he has a plan. streets are way out of this, but the political leadership and in support of the people here, ithink political leadership and in support of the people here, i think we can win. the opposition leader talking about a final phase.

phase" in his effort to replace nicolas maduro. he seemed to have some support from elements of the national guard — soldiers wearing blue ribbons mingling with the crowds — but the army did not switch sides and, at the end of the day, mr guaido had this plea. translation: i am calling on the armed forces to continue their march in operation freedom, in the rescue of the dignity of our people, our families. this is the challenge. that's why, tomorrow, may 1st, we continue in the streets but mr maduro's supporters were also on the streets, answering a call to gather outside the presidential palace. and when their man finally appeared on camera, the pictures seemed designed to show a government and military holding firm. translation: with the truth as a sword, as a shield, we faced so many attacks and so many lies and, thanks to it, we have emerged victorious in every situation and will continue to emerge victorious in any difficulty that we face from now on. but was there a moment amid the chaos when mr maduro was losing his grip, preparing to flee his own country? the trump administration wants

everyone to think so. he was ready to go, he had made a decision that we had been urging him to make for quite some time and then he was diverted from that action by the russians. we hope he'll reconsider and get back on that plane. russia says this is nonsense, but all eyes today will be on the streets. will the opposition feel emboldened by yesterday's scenes and come out in even bigger numbers? japan has ushered in a new imperial era, in english, the beautiful harmony. the new emperor ascended to the throne and his ceremony and the imperial palace in tokyo. from there, he reports. japan's new emperor does not wear a crown. instead today, he was formally presented with japan's most

important state treasurer. an ancient sword in a box containing a gemstone. then finallyjoined by his wife, the new empress and the other royal women, he addressed the nation. when i think about the important role i have assumed, i am awed at the responsibility. outside, crowds have been gathering, sharing in the mood of excitement. this is the limousine carrying the new emperor and empress as they leave the imperial palace behind me, you can see the crowds that are turned out for this first chance to get a glimpse of the new royal couple. there is tremendous excitement here about the new

imperial era, but once this moment passes, once all of the excitement dies down, the new emperor and empress, there are many challenges ahead.japan empress, there are many challenges ahead. japan now has the most cosmopolitan royal couple and it's very long history. the empress may be the most highly educated royal concert in the world, but life inside the royal household has taken a heavy psychological toll on her. they have changed completely by being in the imperial family, they have changed completely by being in the imperialfamily, so i feel for her. being in the imperialfamily, so i feelfor her. i am being in the imperialfamily, so i feel for her. i am around the same e, feel for her. i am around the same age, soi feel for her. i am around the same age, so i feel really close to her. because of her illness, i think she will be more sympathetic to the people and i have great hope for her asa people and i have great hope for her as a former diplomat. the new emperor and empress have only one child, as a woman, she is prohibited from inheriting the throne. so the

whole future of japan's royal dynasty sits on the shoulders of his 12—year—old nephew. some think it is time for that to change. closer to home now obesity is one of the biggest health challenges facing the biggest health challenges facing the uk. particularly among children, now the city of leeds believes it has come up with a solution to the problem. they have a programme for families that focuses on good parenting for good results. it seems to be working. over a three—year period, child obesity and the biggest areas, and other places its did the same, what is the key to success ? when it comes to stopping children being overweight, leeds is getting it right. special classes across the city, paid for with public funds, are being partially credited with helping.

the parents of these children recently completed the course... ..and are now confident about child versus food. they are allowed crisps but there's a price. you have to be good all weekend. be good all week, at the weekend when you're watching the movie, you could have a packet of popcorn or you can have that chocolate. try it, it's there. play with it, put it on the floor, lick it, it doesn't matter. i'll feed it to us if you want. that's ok too. and it's having the confidence to know that is ok. it's ok if she doesn't eat it. not lecturing, but giving parents strategies appears to be the key. it would be things like, "do you want broccoli or carrots with your tea," rather than just, "what do you want for tea?" that already sort of gets rid of the oven chips. and, "do you want to go out and do some activity, do you want to go to the park, do you want to go on the swings?" again, that already restricts them from thinking about, "well, do i want to use the computer or watch tv? " and the effect is measurable. if we put it in real terms,

that means that about 625 fewer children are starting school already obese, just in the city of leeds. i think that gives us some hope that, actually, this problem can be turned around. the brownlee brothers trained around here? yes, so i've actually been in the gym with them... but it's not just about special classes. this vicar runs a playgroup, and says the community benefits, health—wise, from local sports heroes. the impact of sport locally, and the profile of sport, has really gone up. i think that makes a big difference because so many people think about what they're doing physically and how they're achieving. the hope is that the example of leeds can be duplicated elsewhere. it needs to be if childhood obesity is to be tackled. from today, beavers are a protected species in scotland. they were

reintroduced a decade ago, some farmers and landowners feel that beavers will cause damage to agricultural land. i was scotland correspondent reports. for hundreds of years, beavers were absent from scotland's rivers and streams. but now they're back, and it's not hard to spot the signs of where the animals have set up home. they're busy creatures, foraging here, taking down the trees, using it for theirfood, but also as construction materials. beavers are known as ecosystem engineers. their dams alter their watery landscape, catching silt and pollutants and helping support a web of life, of insects and birds. now beavers have been added to the list of protected species in scotland, making it an offence to kill them without a licence. unofficial release of the animals here led to some drainage dishes costing crops and money. adrian ivory will now need a licence

to clear any dams beavers build from his land. he recognises, though, that beavers are here to stay. last year, when the beavers obviously set up home here, so we are involved in a mitigation trial with snh with the scottish government whereby we are going to put a device known as a beaver deceiver or a beaver gate into the water, near the mouth of the river. and where all attempts to limit the damage beavers cause don't work, licenses can be issued to allow for their culling. around 20 have been granted. there are calls for close monitoring of how many end up being killed. the balancing act of protecting beavers while also protecting crops now set in law, to allow for the species to spread in scotland. karen is on her way with outside source but let's have a look at the weather. good evening. parts of central and inverness also on the best sunshine and warmth today, and that is allowed for beautiful displays a couple of weeks earlier than they

should be really, so if you can get out and enjoy them in the early sunshine on thursday. we will start to see some showers developing and will become quite heavy and widespread with thunder into the afternoon. if you dodge the showers and keep the sunshine, it's afternoon. if you dodge the showers and keep the sunshine, its peak at 16 degrees per corridor in the far north, a sight of what's to come. a cold front that's going to push its way etc to steadily south, and it will produce more colder air and will produce more colder air and will strengthen. different feel of the weather by the middle of friday afternoon, early around six or 7 degrees for some area ahead of that front, we should peak at 1a or 15 degrees. at the front will move off to the near continent for the start of the bank holiday weekend, that will allow that court flow to spell right across the country, wendy is ha rd to right across the country, wendy is hard to start saturday morning. and gardeners and growers, they might be worth bearing in mind the temperatures could fall low enough for a touch of frost for the first

thing on saturday. it is going to be a cold start to the weekend with some night—time frosts, but not all doom and gloom as a good deal of dry weather and forecasted this weekend. so for starters on saturday, the wind is certainly a feature and that is going to drive in some showers, particularly on the east coast and further in land, it will feel quite chilly out there. sheltered west, will see the best of the brightness and temperatures peaking in at 13 degrees, but those temperatures generally way down on this time a year. high pressure will build as you move into sunday, that is going to kill off some of the showers and with the ice opening up, the winds will be a little bit later as well, so maybe sunday will deal of degree are so warmer and we should see a deal of dry weather, fewer showers and temperature should peak at around 13 degrees, so still below where we should be really. bank holiday monday, we keep the dry theme going, we keep those light winds, may be a bit more sunshine around and temperature should peak

at 14 around and temperature should peak at 1a celsius. so it will be a core bank holiday weekend in comparison to easter but a good deal of dry weather to come.

hello, i'm karin giannone, this is outside source. britain's defence secretary gavin williamson is sacked over a leak of information from a national security council meeting. the labour party calls for a criminal inquiry. with the prime minister is saying that he's breached the official sequence that i breached the official sequence tobacco secrets act. that's a very serious allegation. william barr defends his handling of the inquiry into russian interference in the us 2016 election. venezuelan opposition protests take over the streets of caracas. the united states criticises russia for backing the venezuelan