this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at seven. tens of thousands of football fans in madrid havejust one hour to wait for the kick off of the champion's league final between liverpool and tottenham. the wait is almost over, the metropolitano stadium is feeling good up, history of waits for either totte n ha m good up, history of waits for either tottenham or liverpool. president trump defies protocol, ahead of his state visit to britain, as he praises borisjohnson and his bid to become prime minister. i've always liked him. i don't know whether he's going to be chosen, but i think he's a very good guy, a very talented person. a call to expel peter willsman from the labour party, from formerjustice secretary and labour peer lord falconer. nine incidents of small boats carrying migrants off the kent

coast are being dealt with by the coastguard. and in rugby union, saracens do the double — beating exeter in a thrilling premiership final. good evening. thousands of liverpool and tottenham hotspur supporters are gathering at atletico madrid's metropolitano stadium — for only the second ever champions league final to feature two english clubs. if tottenham win, they'll lift their first european cup — liverpool will be hoping they can win their sixth. david ornstein is there. this match has so many potential

first. yes, the bit up has been long and exciting, but now it is just an hour to go until we find out the outcome of the match we have talked about so much, liverpool aiming for about so much, liverpool aiming for a six european cup. they have a prior history in this competition come but their managerjurgen klopp has lost its last six finals in all competitions. he will be desperate to make amends. tottenham the underdogs, never one or even been in the european cup final, they do have some european pedigree but not at this level. both sites were fortu nate this level. both sites were fortunate just to get out of the group stage of this years competition but since then and the knockout stages, they have come into their own with quite incredible comebacks in the semifinals, and now they meet to decide who will be champion of europe. both sides will fa ncy champion of europe. both sides will fancy their chances, both sides have done remarkable things during the domestic season. liverpool pushing manchester city all the way for the

premier league title, tottenham squeezing into the top four places despite having a squad that only featured when signing since january 2018, liverpool on the other hand have invested heavily, also a great day for the supporters, reports about the supporters, reports of up to 100,000 from tottenham and liverpool into madrid city centre. only officially there will be 17,000 from each side inside of the metropolitano stadium however you can expect many more to have got their hands on tickets. we can report it has been good—natured, no incidents that we know of us up some are very excited fans as history beckons for both clubs whoever wins will hold a victory parade tomorrow and either london or liverpool. the sta kes a re and either london or liverpool. the stakes are high and it is not long until kick—off. stakes are high and it is not long until kick-off. thank you, david. and you can see all the build—up to the game here on the news channel, and then listen to live commentary on bbc radio five live at eight o'clock tonight.

donald trump has said borisjohnson would be an "excellent" choice for the conservative party leadership. in an interview with the sun ahead of his visit to the uk, mr trump said: "i think boris would do a very good job." the us president said other candidates had sought his endorsement, adding: "i could help anybody." i'm joined now by david dunn — head of the department of political science and international studies at the university of birmingham. thank you for speaking to us. would you want help from donald trump? that is the big question of course most of this the trump endorsement actually help your candidacy or perhaps even hinder it. or more likely effect of the just make no difference at all. trump flight or some stuff i think his endorsement can makea some stuff i think his endorsement can make a a0 or 50 point difference. —— flatters himself also that might work in west virginia or alabama but doesn't work in the uk. i think his endorsement will be minimal in terms of the impact it

has on the conservative party race. but it may actually be about his reliability and collectibility as a partner in politics. obviously, next week we have the visit, he will be spending time in the united kingdom, what big issues is he likely to put on the agenda? state business are meant to be symbolic and they are meant to be symbolic and they are meant to be about reaffirming the deep political relationships between the states. —— state business are. trump has proved to be incapable of actually raising controversial issues. —— state visits. there are major differences in this administration approached us up very much an america first agenda, so for example his pushing for harder line against iran, he didn't like the fa ct against iran, he didn't like the fact that michael gove describes him as sabre rattling over the iran relationship. differences of a climate policy, differences over

trade policies with regard to china. he is saying go front challenging the five either intelligence sharing arrangement that britain is had with the united states since 19a0s saying if you go with a wild in another form, you risk losing access to american intelligence. —— with huawei in another form, american intelligence. —— with huawei in anotherform, you risk losing access to american intelligence. —— with huawei. also pushing forward the board. an american president who has very different agendas and one that very much focused on getting what is good for america rather than thinking about systemic international relations and global government issues more broadly. bearing that it might come of the front runners currently, which individuals taking their characteristics into consideration would be best suited to work with donald trump? he is very erratic and unpredictable. as far as very erratic and unpredictable. as farasa very erratic and unpredictable. as far as a trump's is concerned he is slighted by the factjoe johnson has said nice things about him. and

supporting because trump would rather work with you or where america individual power relationship has a better chance of getting a good deal. —— more shots and force up then with filling the block. as far as trump is concerned, he likes to be disrupted and lights of the disruptive. he likes it shake things up sec‘s things about the he certainly has done that to the international system. —— shake things up. whether those qualities are best mirrored by british prime minister is a different thing. and more steady hand and a more constant force, a more stable and predictable prime minister may be a more co nsta nt prime minister may be a more constant response to somebody who is erratic. thank you very much. in a moment ,clive myrie and martine croxall will be here with the national news — but first... the formerjustice secretary, the labour peer lord falconer, says the party should expel a prominent party member who was suspended yesterday. peter willsman is accused of saying

the israeli embassy was "almost certainly" behind complaints of anti—semitism. lord falconer is leading labour's inquiry into the claims. earlier today he spoke to the bbc about the current position of the claims and the process. well, first of all, my task is now effectively being done by the equalities commission, that are launching a full—blown investigation into allegations of anti—semitism in the labour party. the issue of peter willsman is an acid test for the labour party. peter willsman has, in this recording that was published by a radio station yesterday, said that the allegations of anti—semitism in the labour party are, in effect, orchestrated by the israeli embassy. that is a conspiracy theory which has absolutely no foundation whatsoever. if you were a member of the jewish community, it would give you little hope that the labour party would deal fairly with allegations of anti—semitism, if somebody on its main ruling body —

the national executive committee — had those views. it's right that he's been suspended, but the next step for the labour party is to deal with the disciplinary case against him as quickly as possible because, otherwise, people will have little confidence in our setting ourface strongly against anti—semitism.

good evening. we are alive in a scorching hot madrid, where, for the only second time in history, two english clubs will be competing for the highest prize in english club football. and what an amazing atmosphere there is here for the liverpool tottenham game, and for the 32,000 or so fans

who have managed to make the journey from the uk to get into that stadium there, and the a0,000 fans who are spilling out in clubs and bars in downtown madrid. a lot of fear and a lot of excitement between them all. let's get the latest now from our sports correspondent natalie pirks. this could be, by my kids being born, the greatest day in my life is what they are the luckiest tickets in town. this ticket queue only leads to lager. right now, no one seems to care. watching tottenham on a wednesday night! we feel destined to win it, it is our year this year. it is the biggest game in our tournament's history, i'm so excited. i've gone through it so many times in my mind, i will sit on the floor and cry if we win. for livable fans there is a burning sense of injustice from the final they lost 12 months ago, and a feeling that tonight will deliver redemption. we are going to

absolutely hammer it this year, 3—0, no problem. i was there last year with the family, but we have a keeper this year, centre half, the three faster strikers, we are on form, i feel good. this time we are going to do it. come on, livable! after the drama of both semifinals, today has been a day of serenity, smiles and selfies at the team hotel. fernando llorente wasn't born the last time liverpool won, but ossie ardiles was. so micro i hope we can finish winning the game tonight, and that will be absolutely wonderful, a dream come true. to the influx of fans will net madrid are next omitted 60 million euros, but for those who simply had to be here this weekend, ticket or no ticket, tonight could be priceless. fans have needed no excuse to start

the party early. spurs in their first champions league final, livable in their ninth. the celebrations for the winning team at least might go on while. what a feeling, what a night! natalie pirks, bbc news, madrid. let's get a little bit more perspective from our sports editor, dan roan. i was on the plane with some of the fans coming over. you see these grown men, they are like children at christmas time. we know how important this game is for the fans. how important is it for both sides? there is a huge amount at sta ke for sides? there is a huge amount at stake for both sides, but for different reasons. success is part of what makes liverpool, and if they prevail here this evening, it will bea prevail here this evening, it will be a sixth european crown, and that could really reaffirm their status among the giants of the sport. and i think as well it would be a huge relief to a club which lost the final last year, which lost byjust

one point, the premier league title race this season to manchester city, there is a real sense building around that club that for all of the undoubted progress underjuergen kl°pp, undoubted progress underjuergen klopp, now is the time to have some silverware to show for it, after all he has lost his last six cup finals. for spurs it is different, this is uncharted territory for the north london club, they have never played on stage like this before. they finished 26 points behind their opponents in the premier league this season, opponents in the premier league this season, so opponents in the premier league this season, so it would be a surprise if they could pull it off, but were they could pull it off, but were they to do so, it has the potential to be transformative for a club which, let's remember, hasn't spent a penny in the transfer market, has spent most of the season playing at wembley while their new stadium was built. 17 years to bring it on spurs, they played england captain harry came after an ankle injury, thatis harry came after an ankle injury, that is a big call by coach richard —— mauricio pochettino. this is one of the greatest games their club has

ever seen. for some of of the greatest games their club has ever seen. for some of those fans who haven't managed to get into the stadium, some bars in madrid are not staying open late in orderfor stadium, some bars in madrid are not staying open late in order for those fa ns to staying open late in order for those fans to watch the game, so a bit of bad luck for them. but for those who are here, history awaits, no question about that. clive, thank you very much, see you later. president trump has broken diplomatic convention by publicly commenting on the conservative leadership race. ahead of next week's state visit, he told the sun newspaper that boris johnson would make an "excellent" prime minister. he also commended the foreign secretary jeremy hunt, who's also running for leader, but was critical of another candidate, michael gove. here's our political correspondent iain watson. politics, like comedy, can be all about timing. donald trump's three—day state visit will come just ahead of the conservative leadership contest, and perhaps unsurprisingly, he's been signalling support for blonde haired and occasionally gaffe

prone big beast, telling a uk newspaper that boris johnson prone big beast, telling a uk newspaper that borisjohnson would be excellent. i've always liked him. i don't know that he's going to be chosen, but i think he is a very good guy, a very talented person. he's been very positive about me and our country. and the president claimed that other candidates have asked for his support. other people have asked me for an endorsement, i haven't been asked for endorsements. state visits are supposed to be diplomatic, not political occasions, but diplomacy and etiquette aren't really donald trump's strong points, and he's not alone in this, because four years ago as london mayor, borisjohnson four years ago as london mayor, boris johnson accused four years ago as london mayor, borisjohnson accused donald trump of stupefying ignorance, and suggested he wasn't fit to hold the office of us president. how things change. there is a conservative leadership contender said in any case an endorsement from donald trump could be seen in a more negative light. i think you have to

ask boris whether that helps or hinders boris's campaign, but what i would say is that i am very proud as foreign secretary that we have the best relationship with the united states. and another runner in the conservative leadership race didn't get the thumbs up from the president. he was annoyed by michael gove's suggestion that he had been sabre rattling over iran's nuclear programme. the white house insists that donald trump hasn't formally endorsed a leadership candidate, but some aspiring s of number —— occu pa nts of some aspiring s of number —— occupants of number 10 won't be sure whether they want to be buried in praised by the outspoken us president. iain watson, bbc news, westminster. a man described as a disgruntled employee has shot dead 12 people at a local government building in the us state of virginia. all but one of the victims were colleagues of his. police described the scene of the shooting at the complex in virginia beach as "a war zone".

chris buckler reports. the police had no choice but to run to the line of fire. but little could have prepared them for the carnage they discovered inside this local government building. the office workers were finishing up for the weekend when one of their collea g u es the weekend when one of their colleagues walked in and started firing a shot after shot, indiscriminately killing a dozen people. they said to stay in there until the cops got there to let us come out. there was probably about 20 of us in an office, we barricaded the door. for those who managed to escape, the relief was obvious as others were airlifted to hospital, and so far the only explanation that has been offered for all of these deaths and injuries is that the gunman was a disgruntled employee. the suspect, and this will be the only time that we will announce his name, is dewayne craddock. authorities are determined to focus on the victims are not the killer,

one of them had worked there for four decades, anotherjust 11 one of them had worked there for four decades, another just 11 weeks. this was a long—term, lack of any other term, running gun battle with this individual. vigils after shootings like this in america have become almost a custom, but nothing can prepare people for an attack on their community. my mum works down that she was there, just trying to call everyone and make sure that everyone is ok. itjust doesn't seem real. this is the 150th mass shooting in the us this year, but in the aftermath of these murders, many people here didn't want to talk about tighter gun controls. a large number of americans still believe in the constitutional right to bear arms, despite the obvious evidence about what easy access to guns allow‘s. chris buckler, bbc news, virginia beach. northern ireland's chief constable says there was an attempt to murder one of his officers in belfast this afternoon. a bomb was found under

a car at a golf club in the east of the city. the officer had been playing at the club and was preparing to leave. the club has been evacuated and other vehicles in the car park have been checked. the uk border force says it's dealing with a number of incidents following reports of boats carrying migrants off the coast of kent. the coastguard said they'd helped with nine vessels. last month a record 1a0 migrants crossed the english channel. the former former arsenal player jose antonio reyes has died in a car accident in spain at the age of 35. reyes spent three seasons at arsenal and was part of the famous "invincibles" side which won the 200a premier league title without a single defeat. he also had spells with atletico madrid, real madrid and sevilla. european champions saracens have retained their premiership title by beating exeter in a thrilling final at twickenham. saracens were 11 points behind in the second half, but the defending champions pulled off a great comeback to win 37—3a and take their fourth title in five years. it's the second time the club have won the european and domestic double.

anthony van dyck has won the epsom derby — a seventh victory in this race for trainer aidan o'brien. for jockey seamie heffernan it was his 12th attempt at winning the derby. madhmoon finished second, with japan in third place in the mile and a half—long race. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. we're back with the late news at 10:20. now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. goodbye.

hello. this is bbc news with lukwesa burak. let's get more now on the champions league final which kicks off in around a0 minutes. with me is simonjones,

who is at a pub with tottenham fans in north london. also i'm joined our correspondent, stuart flinders, is at an event in the heart of liverpool that is being held in association with bt sport. let's start off in a london. how are things going there? i can see the fa ns things going there? i can see the fans below you. yes, the atmosphere is really building come if you couldn't get tickets to madrid and you are a spurs fan, where better to be then here come a pub in north london? the site has been shining throughout the afternoon, a lot of pints of beer had been drunk, and the crowd getting very excited but nerves setting into at the kick—off approaches. —— the sun has been shiny. let's talk to a few of the anxious may be spurs fans. will and ben. how are you feeling? more nervous than i was. i was really excited to come. i came all the way from motor. just spending their time here with the fans, kick off in a

little bit nervous to be honest. you flew in. so you can enjoy the atmosphere here in north london. absolutely. i come here all the time for the game. i absolutely. i come here all the time forthe game. i haven't absolutely. i come here all the time for the game. i haven't been for a few years since i live abroad, but todayis few years since i live abroad, but today is special coming back in a really good feeling care. the trophy is london's for sure. we know so tea m is london's for sure. we know so team news, harry kane will start. what do you think of that? hasn't played for quite a few games now, let's hope he is not too rusty. and not having more a start, interesting but. he was the hero last time around. i'm sure we have trust in what they are doing and they will turnit what they are doing and they will turn it around hopefully. so nervous for us. i turn it around hopefully. so nervous for us. lam bricking. turn it around hopefully. so nervous for us. i am bricking. here, you have to be shared the whole expanse with everybody. it is good. down the lane, a few blue players going off, it is looking relatively tame here in comparison. great atmosphere. ——

blue players. everybody is here for a good time. can't see many redshirts down there either. you will be bravely got out there in a red shirt. what do you think score will be? i will say 3-2 because every game, the spurs. it is been so close. how about you? i will go to neil spurs. they will be there and headlights. they will not know what hit them. they are the favourites, liverpool. i would say they are the other favourites. but we had a really good games against them, we had a draw and a close one where it wasjust one deal. we played them before and know what they are like but this is where it is time for us. anyway, the spurs would never really expected to get this far. quite a road to get to the final. expected to get this far. quite a road to get to the finallj expected to get this far. quite a road to get to the final. i have to agree. i was reading it in the paper. we had a 1% chance of getting

into the final, like a .001 chance of winning the final. anything can happen though. we know the team we are against. a little bit of an underdog, but i think it is 60—40 nothing bigger than that. we heard the math, 60a0, certain percentages but the fans down here, just hoping for a spurs victory. simon, thank you. let's cross over to liverpool. we had the stats there. those spurs fa ns we had the stats there. those spurs fans think that it is ready in the stars for them. it is pretty lively here. the crowd is finally when his voice come every time we see a liverpool player of the screen, big chairand liverpool player of the screen, big chair and blues every time somebody like harry kane pops up. this event has proved so popular, 11,000 fans are expected to be here to my three venues on the waterfront tonight. event organised by bt sport, who are

the tv rights holder. so popular that the there are people outside set of tickets. must talk to a few people who manage to get tickets for the event. hello there. starting to warm up in here now. the atmosphere is fantastic. loving it. the next next to being in madrid. is fantastic. loving it. the next next to being in madridlj is fantastic. loving it. the next next to being in madrid. i gather that your brother is in madrid. yes. can you get a ticket but he is over there. trying to get in. but we got tickets to come here. they do not fa ncy tickets to come here. they do not fancy going with them? well, make too expensive. maybe this is the next mex thing. absolutely. we will win tonight. we have to win. it is not an option to lose. he said that last year. look what happened. no, no, no. it is our night tonight. we will win. ican no. it is our night tonight. we will win. i can feel it. we have to win tonight. so excited. iwonder win. i can feel it. we have to win tonight. so excited. i wonder what it would be like in here if liverpool do score i'm told people start throwing beer around. not sure

you are looking forward to that. start throwing beer around. not sure you are looking forward to thatm will be mental. absolutely mental. it will be broke it. give me a prediction force is the score? 2-0, liverpool. same. very confident. let's hope it stays that way. thank you for talking to us. there you are. confidence is brimming over here. let's see if it is still that way with the game starts in half an hour. thank you. gavin lee is in central madrid, where liverpool fans are making their way to the stadium. some of those fans are starting to make their way to the stadium. not quite come up in the semi, 70,000 fa ns quite come up in the semi, 70,000 fans who have tickets from tottenham and liverpool to get inside the stadium probably are in or getting there as we speak, i have seen big crowds on both fans owns this a very, making sharp exits and in the

two fa n very, making sharp exits and in the two fan zones we have seen liverpool, a lot of the bars are stopping people from watching the match if they haven't got tickets and bury in mind, people behind me here are a musty 20,000 people who will go through this q who have not got tickets who want to suck up the atmosphere, going to the jamesjoyce bar here and bear in mind, passing the watershed here, you may hear some fruity language. let's hope not. we have the vip bar, a good atmosphere. a lot of beer being consumed from businesses here. and kegs of beer. industry. about 60 million euros will be made. £55 million. just from the weekend of all of the fans being care. look at here. vip. where they all packing. liverpool fans trying to watch the match. it is difficult getting in. extremely difficult getting in. extremely difficult getting in. extremely difficult. i don't know what else to go. i walked around the entire block at that i would find a bar but today i did expected. entire block at that i would find a bar but today i did expectedm entire block at that i would find a bar but today i did expected. it is

crazy. liverpool fan christmas barcelona fan. i expected them to win. i booked my flight to madrid. ——iama win. i booked my flight to madrid. —— i am a barcelona fan. they lost the second leg. i figure i might as well anyway. so many, the biggest league european price, most coveted. good luck tonight getting into a bar. we will come this way. they could to get this where essential that way. this is vip. if you fans enjoy the gay. you will see. rules here. a lot either saying you cannot drink. —— enjoying the game. or you can watch the game from a distance or not at all. rules in place. quick word on the policing. a500 police officers. they believe it is the biggest surveillance operation and spanish words, drones in the air, they believe it is pretty peaceful and quiet. pretty good atmosphere here. master class in managing football fans, thank you. time for a look at the weather.

here is a