and adults across england are being urged to grab a covid jab, with hundreds of walk—in centres open this weekend. now on bbc news, dateline london. hello and welcome to the programme that brings together leading british columnists and the foreign correspondence who write from the dateline, london. borisjohnson and the art of political cross—dressing and electoral cockroaches began

stripping him bare? is it safer to eat a british sausage then meet a british tourist and as india warned there is a delta plus variant, what would a world living with covid long—term look like? see richards has been analysing politics for 30 years and thomas has spent the last half—century writing about british politics and more recently british history trying to explain the british to his fellow native germans. welcome to you and to have sarah greene is proudest call herself a cockroach. she ousted the conservatives, the scale of her victory has alarmed some of boris johnson's allies. she represents our leafy community on the north—west fringe and is of london. not bad for a party nearly annihilated by voters during borisjohnson�*s general

during boris johnson's general election during borisjohnson�*s general election triumph of 18 months ago. but like cockroaches, they are still there, she says. another by—election looms thursday, days after the health secretary was caught mixing business with pleasure and not observing the covid rules he is responsible for. has the prime minister with an 80 seat majority got much to worry about if the order by—election goes against him? i think he has, because boris johnson's omnipotent is almost complete control over this government, is because he is perceived as an election winner. even his most ardent fan would not say he's a great master of detail who implements policy with rigid focus but he appears to be this great vote winner who will not only allow them to keep their seats at an election, but perhaps make more games in the north of england. that by—election where the conservatives

lost by an unexpectedly big margin at least challenges that picture. evenif at least challenges that picture. even if the conservatives gain as many think they will the by—election next week in a red wall area of england, batley and spend, there will be a slight qualification on one level it's an epic triumph to make games meant term but it will be seen as 0k, we are doing extraordinarily well in those areas that were once labour. how do we maintain a coalition stuffed full of contradictory elements. i do think it was significant. fin contradictory elements. i do think it was significant.— contradictory elements. i do think it was significant. on the one hand he has made _ it was significant. on the one hand he has made extraordinary - it was significant. on the one hand he has made extraordinary gains i it was significant. on the one hand | he has made extraordinary gains in english midlands and northland seats that were traditionally labour although as steve would know, batley

and spend has been conservative in the past, and labour at different times. it's labour at the moment. these seats are also seats that he has in his backyard as it were, southern england. is it possible for him to continue this successful act to satisfy both constituents? i think it will be very difficult. when — think it will be very difficult. when parties are in power, the longer— when parties are in power, the longer they spend for the less palatable they are for voters. so far, palatable they are for voters. so far. he _ palatable they are for voters. so far. he has, _ palatable they are for voters. so far, he has, borisjohnson has benefited _ far, he has, borisjohnson has benefited from delivering brexit, being _ benefited from delivering brexit, being in— benefited from delivering brexit, being in total control of the management of the pandemic with all its mistakes but it means he is leading — its mistakes but it means he is leading charge of communication strategy— leading charge of communication strategy of the pandemic. millions of people — strategy of the pandemic. millions of people unfurlough, thousands of companies being held by the british government and successful vaccine roll-out _ government and successful vaccine

roll—out programme. all of that benefits — roll—out programme. all of that benefits the conservatives. but it's not going _ benefits the conservatives. but it's not going to last until the next election— not going to last until the next election and that is when the problems will start for boris johnson _ problems will start for boris johnson. we started to see as we saw at the _ johnson. we started to see as we saw at the last_ johnson. we started to see as we saw at the last by—election in chesham and amersham how the liberal democrats are starting to kind of break _ democrats are starting to kind of break the — democrats are starting to kind of break the blue wall in seats. in typical— break the blue wall in seats. in typical safe conservative seats. and as steve _ typical safe conservative seats. and as steve has said, it's difficult to create _ as steve has said, it's difficult to create a — as steve has said, it's difficult to create a platform that satisfies two very different sets of voters. here the big _ very different sets of voters. here the big issue was a promise to build more _ the big issue was a promise to build more housing, voters in leafy and wealthy— more housing, voters in leafy and wealthy areas are not they feel neglected and at the same time, they number_ neglected and at the same time, they number fear the neglected and at the same time, they numberfearthe labour neglected and at the same time, they number fear the labour party and a lahour— number fear the labour party and a labour government that in 2019 the

threat _ labour government that in 2019 the threat was — labour government that in 2019 the threat was a labour government led by threat was a labour government led hyjeremy_ threat was a labour government led byjeremy corbyn, that is no longer there. _ byjeremy corbyn, that is no longer there. so_ byjeremy corbyn, that is no longer there, so those seats are under threat _ there, so those seats are under threat and _ there, so those seats are under threat and political scientists estimate around 23 seats in southern england _ estimate around 23 seats in southern england the liberal democrats can wind ., . , england the liberal democrats can wind ., :: wind thomas, you will recall 20 ears wind thomas, you will recall 20 years ago _ wind thomas, you will recall 20 years ago the — wind thomas, you will recall 20 years ago the lib _ wind thomas, you will recall 20 years ago the lib dems - wind thomas, you will recall 20 years ago the lib dems did - wind thomas, you will recall 20j years ago the lib dems did very wind thomas, you will recall 20 - years ago the lib dems did very well in this country, in by—elections againstjohn major, a conservative government. at the moment, is boris johnson's biggest advance labour's continued perceived weakness? hot johnson's biggest advance labour's continued perceived weakness? not so much weakness _ continued perceived weakness? not so much weakness but _ continued perceived weakness? not so much weakness but the _ continued perceived weakness? not so much weakness but the absence - continued perceived weakness? not so much weakness but the absence of- much weakness but the absence of public attention on a thing allowing the pandemic. he is lucky in the sense that there is a majority that steve referred to and secondly there is this overriding issue of the covid crisis which keeps everyone on tenterhooks how it will end. you don't change horses in the middle of

a virus attacking you on a daily basis. our predictability is ruined, i'm reminded of an old jewishjoke which says if you want to make god laugh, tell him your plans. this is so much our situation. nothing will be as you planned it. that is hard luck for keir starmer because to carve out a profile for his party at a time when no one is really listening to anything other than the current crisis is very tough on him. also the old labour refused to be so prominent in blue's time and he arrived at the end of the long tory cycle. nothing like that obtains at the moment. we have a new political ball game. and the attachment of individuals to parties are very brittle and unpredictable. boris can write his luck a little longer yet, i'm sure. . write his luck a little longer yet, i'm sure. ,, . ., ,

i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond _ i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england _ i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england in - i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england in the - i'm sure. steve richards, the wider situation beyond england in the uk| situation beyond england in the uk is very interesting. there are signs of perhaps a strengthening of welsh nationalism, labour seems to be pretty secure in wales, judging by the results in the welsh parliamentary and welsh assembly elections, the senate, we have scotland and the pressures on scottish independence. hard to know what that will have on the wider uk. in northern ireland you have a parallel system where none of the parties have a presence and therefore arguably governments don't take northern ireland voters that seriously. the whole package is very, very fluid at the moment. it’s very, very fluid at the moment. it's incredibl very, very fluid at the moment. it�*s incredibly fluid and there are not really parallels with the 805, beyond the fact that this is another long survey conservative government for the reasons you suggest. in the 19805, it's easy to forget, all power and effect was centralised at

westminster. there was no scottish parliament. there was no northern ireland and wales a55embly. now we have this very diverse and fractured picture. which add5 have this very diverse and fractured picture. which adds to the uncertainty the other guests have been exploring at the moment. you have this bizarre situation. where the tories are triumphing in 5eat5 the tories are triumphing in seats that were solidly labour once and labour actually in those local elections la5t labour actually in those local elections last month were on the whole doing badly, making substantial gains in areas that were solidly conservative in england and meanwhile a5 solidly conservative in england and meanwhile as you suggest, you have these other developments and one reason why wee dram over brexit and the northern ireland protocol which we won't have time to go into, —— why the drama over. the traditional parties don't really conte5t tho5e 5eat5 so there isn't as much highly charged fervour around it. you

accurately convey a picture without precedent, we are not used to this. the outcome is very uncertain in terms of the next election. i’m the outcome is very uncertain in terms of the next election. i'm glad ou terms of the next election. i'm glad you mentioned _ terms of the next election. i'm glad you mentioned the _ terms of the next election. i'm glad you mentioned the northern - terms of the next election. i'm glad| you mentioned the northern ireland protocol. it's such a complicated subject. we did have a meeting of the british iri5h council this week, for the first time in two years they have sat down, we had simon cove any, the foreign minister have sat down, we had simon cove any, the foreign mini5terfor ireland suggesting .do . do you detect any signs of a willingness in brussels to look for a compromise on this? because arguably, the di5trust and bad politics between bru55el5 arguably, the di5trust and bad politics between brussels and london could have really damaging consequences on the ground in northern ireland if it is not dealt with 5oon. northern ireland if it is not dealt with soon. if northern ireland if it is not dealt with soon-— northern ireland if it is not dealt with soon. , ., ., , with soon. if there is going to be, if there is an _ with soon. if there is going to be, if there is an atmosphere - with soon. if there is going to be, if there is an atmosphere of - with soon. if there is going to be, | if there is an atmosphere of trust, i do if there is an atmosphere of trust, i do not _ if there is an atmosphere of trust, i do not know. there was a real upbeat —

i do not know. there was a real upbeat mood and mood between the irish foreign secretary and the northern— irish foreign secretary and the northern ireland minister for the uk. northern ireland minister for the uk there — northern ireland minister for the uk. there was the expressed desire to have _ uk. there was the expressed desire to have more of these meetings and they are _ to have more of these meetings and they are necessary to keep good hilateral— they are necessary to keep good bilateral relations. but with regards _ bilateral relations. but with regards to the northern ireland protocol. — regards to the northern ireland protocol, i think the eu and president macron expressed it very eloquently at the last g7 summit, there _ eloquently at the last g7 summit, there is— eloquently at the last g7 summit, there is a — eloquently at the last g7 summit, there is a very great fatigue with brexit _ there is a very great fatigue with brexit. the eu has spent four years painstakingly negotiating first at withdrawal agreement, then a new cooperation agreement between the uk and european union. forthe uk within— and european union. forthe uk within months or days of signing that agreement or weeks, two starting — that agreement or weeks, two starting to remain on some of those compromises so when the new united kingdom _ compromises so when the new united kingdom government decided to

unilaterally extend the grace period. — unilaterally extend the grace period, of the application of the northern— period, of the application of the northern ireland protocol, while at the same _ northern ireland protocol, while at the same time, it refused to recognise... this was all great irritants — recognise... this was all great irritants. the eu might concede another— irritants. the eu might concede another grace period of three months where _ another grace period of three months where the _ another grace period of three months where the protocol is not applied for the _ where the protocol is not applied for the meat, the famous sausage war, _ for the meat, the famous sausage war. and _ for the meat, the famous sausage war, and this is very much in line with— war, and this is very much in line with what— war, and this is very much in line with what the eu does so well which is kicking _ with what the eu does so well which is kicking the can down the road, hoping _ is kicking the can down the road, hoping for— is kicking the can down the road, hoping for the problem not to be sorted _ hoping for the problem not to be sorted. this is essentially the classic— sorted. this is essentially the classic way the eu solves its problems. but there is a very strong fatigue _ problems. but there is a very strong fatigue the — problems. but there is a very strong fatigue. the eu wants to focus on other— fatigue. the eu wants to focus on other things and it also fears extending the wrong sides. it's starting — extending the wrong sides. it's starting to feel that the uk is not serious _ starting to feel that the uk is not serious about its commitments in its relationship — serious about its commitments in its relationship with the european union — relationship with the european union. and it's also worried about

what _ union. and it's also worried about what kind — union. and it's also worried about what kind of message is it sending to countries like switzerland and norway — to countries like switzerland and norway and iceland, with which the eu has— norway and iceland, with which the eu has very— norway and iceland, with which the eu has very strong relations. these are countries that are part of the european — are countries that are part of the european economic area, switzerland is a kind _ european economic area, switzerland is a kind of— european economic area, switzerland is a kind of not differ active but in real— is a kind of not differ active but in real end _ is a kind of not differ active but in real end reality, is a member of the single — in real end reality, is a member of the single market, enjoys the benefits— the single market, enjoys the benefits and these countries might say we _ benefits and these countries might say we also want bespoke agreements where _ say we also want bespoke agreements where we _ say we also want bespoke agreements where we want a bit of this and a bit where we want a bit of this and a hit of— where we want a bit of this and a hit of that, — where we want a bit of this and a bit of that, because this is essentially what the british government is trying to do. having its cake _ government is trying to do. having its cake and — government is trying to do. having its cake and eating it. i think brussels _ its cake and eating it. i think brussels are starting to be tired of having _ brussels are starting to be tired of having the — brussels are starting to be tired of having the same conversation over and over — having the same conversation over and over. , ., , , and over. there is something absurd about this, thomas, _ and over. there is something absurd about this, thomas, no _ and over. there is something absurd about this, thomas, no one - and over. there is something absurd | about this, thomas, no one seriously about this, thoma5, no one seriously thinks a sausage coming from great britain into northern ireland is going to end up in portugal to be eaten by a portuguese innocently in terrible food poisoning or something offer happens. people in brussels are angry that bori5

offer happens. people in brussels are angry that borisjohnson appears to be signing and not honouring it. we don't want to reward him but there is a danger of not seeing the wood for the trees. surely what's more important is stability in a place like northern ireland, the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland, stability that could be threatened and people would say actually the eu in the uk and the irish all have an interest in ensuring that doesn't happen? isn't that the basis why perhap5 isn't that the basis why perhaps some might take a more statesman—like truancy actually even if we appear to be rewarding bori5 johnson's bad behaviour, the bigger picture is more important, stability. picture is more important, stability-— picture is more important, stabili . �*, ., ., stability. it's not about rewarding either side for _ stability. it's not about rewarding either side for sticking _ stability. it's not about rewarding either side for sticking to - stability. it's not about rewarding either side for sticking to the - either side for sticking to the negotiating outcome, this is a deal signed by the british and you can reasonably assume, but the eu kicking the can in the grass and waiting for something to happen, the british also have a way of doing business which is muddling through. the downing street plan as it were

never really focused on what the eu is, they have no understanding, they think it's the an idea plucked from the sky to have an integrated market as it were. thi5 the sky to have an integrated market as it were. this is the be all and end all for the eu as a trading area. so compromise has to be made, but so does bori5 area. so compromise has to be made, but so does borisjohnson have to consider compromising. so far, he is making look like it would be a dental british pride if you gave one iota and that's the danger, that will really inflame motivations and feelings all over. if he portray5 feeling5 all over. if he portrays the need for compromise on his side as relinquishing british a5 relinquishing british sovereignty, as relinquishing british sovereignty, that is playing with fire. that is where he has to educate his people, something has to give. it’s educate his people, something has to rive. �* , . educate his people, something has to .ive, ,,, educate his people, something has to iive, ,,, give. it's an opportunity because he has anela give. it's an opportunity because he has angela merkel _ give. it's an opportunity because he has angela merkel coming - give. it's an opportunity because he has angela merkel coming to - give. it's an opportunity because he has angela merkel coming to check| has angela merkel coming to check his country... she has angela merkel coming to check his country- - -_

his country... she is coming in a week to discuss _ his country... she is coming in a week to discuss trade _ his country... she is coming in a week to discuss trade areas, - his country... she is coming in a i week to discuss trade areas, trade problems and of course vaccinations and the rest of it. but boris johnson has to get off his high horse, his grandstanding of sovereignty and british pride and what have you. if you have compromise with your partner and that dents your very standing in the world. the opposite is the case. if you can eat humble pie in small area it will benefit him greatly and won't endanger his success with the british public opinion at all. he could serve sausage and mash for a lunch i suppose steve but seriously is there a way that borisjohnson could say ok, we will follow the eu veterinary standards for an unspecified period, he could do that and get away with it without brexiteers, people supporting brexit, crying betrayal? ida. brexiteers, people supporting brexit, crying betrayal?- brexiteers, people supporting brexit, crying betrayal? no, ithink all hell would _ brexit, crying betrayal? no, ithink all hell would break _ brexit, crying betrayal? no, ithink all hell would break loose. - brexit, crying betrayal? no, ithink all hell would break loose. it's- all hell would break loose. it's relatively minor sounding because the uk are theoretically committed

to high standards. but this is the brexiteer case. if they tie themselves to what is called equivalence with the eu, it defeats the whole point of brexit which is to have the freedom to negotiate trade deals elsewhere, unencumbered by legal commitments to the european union so i think it will be difficult because it would be a challenge to the organs he has framed. the arguments are strange because any trade deal is, the one with australia involves compromise and rules etc but they have made such a thing about being freed completely from the european union that i think all hell will break loose. however, there is no other solution because as thomas suggests, the purity of that single market and

it's not about out of date sausage ending up in portugal, it's about protecting that because britain has left so it's a really big problem, even though the examples sound trivial. . , ~ . ~ even though the examples sound trivial. . , ,, ., ,, ., trivial. last week, we talked about the g7 nations _ trivial. last week, we talked about the g7 nations pledging _ trivial. last week, we talked about the g7 nations pledging to - trivial. last week, we talked about the g7 nations pledging to help - trivial. last week, we talked about| the g7 nations pledging to help the poorest by providing vaccine. this week, covax are priced out, half of them already running out undermining them already running out undermining the effectiveness of vaccination as a route out of pandemic. south africa's president accused the rich of vaccine hoarding. india says it has identified cases called dealt a plus. a5 has identified cases called dealt a plus. as it evolves, so must vaccines. south africa say they are trying to get production on the continent of africa, because they are vanishingly small. is it enough

for rich countries to say let's wave patents laws and people talked about that as an option or for the g7 countries to see lookout generous we are providing 1 million, 1 billion doses over the next year or so. is that any adequate response to the sort of problems being identified by a scheme like covax? ida. sort of problems being identified by a scheme like covax?— a scheme like covax? no, the response _ a scheme like covax? no, the response of— a scheme like covax? no, the response of the _ a scheme like covax? no, the response of the west - a scheme like covax? no, the response of the west has - a scheme like covax? no, the | response of the west has been a scheme like covax? no, the - response of the west has been not only inadequate, it has been profoundly unethical because what happened was that as you said, the rich countries hoarded all the vaccines— rich countries hoarded all the vaccines leaving the developing world _ vaccines leaving the developing world without any choice and actually _ world without any choice and actually paying a very high price for the — actually paying a very high price for the few vaccines that remain available — for the few vaccines that remain available, so i think the whole way in which _ available, so i think the whole way in which the distribution of vaccinations were arranged in the last six— vaccinations were arranged in the last six months or even last year because — last six months or even last year because the british government actually— because the british government actually bought its doses of vaccines _ actually bought its doses of vaccines last summer, it showed it's

actually— vaccines last summer, it showed it's actually very — vaccines last summer, it showed it's actually very important to have a production— actually very important to have a production side with in your region of the _ production side with in your region of the world, because otherwise you are not— of the world, because otherwise you are not able — of the world, because otherwise you are not able to access any vaccines and i_ are not able to access any vaccines and i think— are not able to access any vaccines and i think south africa is having the help— and i think south africa is having the help and the support of the world _ the help and the support of the world health organization, because the whole question of patents that has to— the whole question of patents that has to be — the whole question of patents that has to be reviewed, this is almost a form _ has to be reviewed, this is almost a form of— has to be reviewed, this is almost a form of neocolonialism, a way in which _ form of neocolonialism, a way in which the — form of neocolonialism, a way in which the super wealthy big multinational companies in the west ensured _ multinational companies in the west ensured that the developing countries remain extremely poor. the pharmaceutical companies are profoundly hypocritical on this. because — profoundly hypocritical on this. because the pharmaceutical companies that develop the vaccines in the west— that develop the vaccines in the west are — that develop the vaccines in the west are so reliant on public investment. in the united states alone _ investment. in the united states alone, over $12 billion of public funds— alone, over $12 billion of public funds were invested in the research of the _ funds were invested in the research of the vaccines, which the commercial pharmaceutical companies are now— commercial pharmaceutical companies are now reaping the benefits. so

this is— are now reaping the benefits. so this is a — are now reaping the benefits. so this is a world problem, a pandemic that has— this is a world problem, a pandemic that has as — this is a world problem, a pandemic that has as the name says, affected the entire _ that has as the name says, affected the entire world, patents laws have to be, _ the entire world, patents laws have to be have — the entire world, patents laws have to be, have no place in this situation _ to be, have no place in this situation because the pandemic well only disappear when the whole world is vaccinated and when the pandemic is vaccinated and when the pandemic is under— is vaccinated and when the pandemic is under control all over the world. since _ is under control all over the world. since we _ is under control all over the world. since we are — is under control all over the world. since we are not in that position steve, and it doesn't look like we will be any time soon, how do we square that with the kind of huge public pressure that is appearing notjust in the uk though it's very visible in the uk, we see it obviously in international sporting events where we had people going, english fans going last month to porto, for the football for the champions league final when large numbers of infections reported there, countries like italy say we will have quarantine against angus travellers, the english meanwhile inviting uefa fans to come and watch

the european euros at wembley. we seem to have a kind of contradictory message on public health against pressures, whether it is for tourism, orfor big sporting events orfor the needs of tourism, orfor big sporting events or for the needs of business. ijust wonder how we're going to thing our way through this? it is wonder how we're going to thing our way through this?— way through this? it is nessie than that. you highlighted _ way through this? it is nessie than that. you highlighted the - way through this? it is nessie than that. you highlighted the football. that. you highlighted the football whereby crowds going to come further finals of the tournament whereas festivals for music are being, even outdoor ones are being cancelled. theatres and concert halls are still struggling with social—distance audiences. so it is all over the place. the answer is that i think it will remain a mess for some time. i remember during the g7, by the way, if they were going to announce bigger contributions then they won't happen, that was the stage to do it, people like gordon brown warning we won't be free of this until everyone is vaccinated. there is a massive

self interest in getting the vaccinations across the globe. but it didn't happen and it's not going to. that will have the consequences of us in navigating through this maze of contradictory messages for some time to come. in a maze of contradictory messages for some time to come.— some time to come. in a sense, thomas italy — some time to come. in a sense, thomas italy streets _ some time to come. in a sense, thomas italy streets a - some time to come. in a sense, thomas italy streets a problem | some time to come. in a sense, i thomas italy streets a problem the prime minister is experiencing with his health secretary at the moment, the public saying it is do as i say, not as i do because that seems to be the case. then there's a big international event we want to host the g7 or the football final, we kind of player the rules. we find exemptions, reasons or justifications for not doing what we have said everybody else has to do. it would be possible to live with his contradictions for a little while, if they were more understanding of what the ordinary citizen this summer, last summer, need to feel happy again to be able to travel, go on holiday. you are

quite right in pointing out, the bigger problem at the moment is the lack of community in europe and i hear the eu, plus the uk, about each other�*s consulting what to do with the virus and so forth. it's an unconscionable situation. at the moment, when britain puts mortar on the green list —— malta, malta itself responds by barring british tourists from coming to their country, what does that say about the ability of politicians to foresight and foresee calamities down the road and an order to avoid that get—together, nowjohnson, merkel is coming tojohnson to see him at chequers, he should have done that and much earlier. they should have sought each other�*s counsel. how to allow certain conditions to occur so people can travel. for angela merkel to parade herself as the proselytiser to stop britain

from entering their continent is the worst situation the german chancellor of all people could be in. she should instead overcome her anxiety that she has, rightfully about the coronavirus, the indian virus and consider how and the double vaccination that british holiday—makers now mostly would bring to europe, a certain corridor of travel might be allowed. even the risks involved can be coped with by sticking to the statutory rules. instead, she goes around making, trying to make friends by making enemies with britain of all countries. so there should not be a shoot—out between the uk and the eu about how to deal with a vaccination with a travel problem, you should come together and devise a common policy, common approach, how to help the european citizen to get some kind of holiday time in this year. let's hope that the football on

tuesday between england and germany sets a precedent of good co—operation after a lively competition. thank you all for a lively contribution. thanks very much for watching. that's dateline until next week. goodbye. hello. it may not feel like it for some of you at the moment, but i'm optimistic that all of us will see sunshine at some point through this weekend. with it today, they will be punctuated by a few showers, but tomorrow it's in southern counties of england and potentially south wales later on we could see some more persistent rain arrive from the south. more on that in a second. it's all due to the area of low pressure developing through the bay of biscay in northern france. weather front still wrapped

around that across the uk, this brought the cloud and a few showers this an old weather front across parts of southern scotland, northern england and east of northern ireland. rather grey and misty for some, the rest of today light rain and drizzle. the breeze not as strong as yesterday but still feeling rather cold. sunny spells more widely into the afternoon across england, wales, but that could be enough as temperatures climb to 22, set off one or two showers, not as lively as yesterday. when they come along, they may temporarily dampen down what will be high or very high pollen levels for england and wales, especially. i'm sure many in wales will have their eyes on amsterdam this afternoon and for the players over there, the weather is more typically british, compared to what we saw in rome, temperatures low 205, small chance of a shower. more persistent rain towards the south—west of the uk. first channel islands, then devon and cornwall, away from that lots of cloud to the east of the country, one or two showers possible, mostly dry, clearest of the sky is the north and west.

temperatures may dip down to single figures, but mild enough start to sunday morning. here is the chart for sunday. areas of low pressure becoming becoming a bit more established across western france. that will help to throw a weather front more our way. rain on and off in the channel islands, brightening in the afternoon, rain throughout across parts of devon and cornwall. even after a bright start, it looks like things will turn wet here. rain could be heavy and thundery. into the afternoon, everywhere south of the m4 likely to see rain at some point, north of it dry, one or two showers, best of the sunshine in the west. temperatures 18s, low 205. into next week, low pressure still close by to the southern half, showers on and off. some heavy and thundery. sunshine in between. north and west, some across northern ireland, western scotland will barely see a drop of rain all week. it means for wimbledon potential for interruptions, especially the first half of the week, but still dry and warm weather too.

good afternoon. criticism is mounting on the health secretary, matt hancock, to resign after pictures emerged of him kissing an aide in his office — in breach of coronavirus guidance on social distancing. mr hancock said he was "very sorry" for letting people down. downing street has said borisjohnson has accepted his apology and considered the matter closed. our political correspondent helen catt reports.