it's not delicate about directors. it's not delicate about something else, it has nothing to do with my— something else, it has nothing to do with my expertise of being an mp. the other— with my expertise of being an mp. the other suggestion he made is that they can't_ the other suggestion he made is that they can't do so much work, whether paid or— they can't do so much work, whether paid or unpaid, that would interfere with their— paid or unpaid, that would interfere with their duties — which again is quite _ with their duties — which again is quite interesting because they have lots of _ quite interesting because they have lots of mps who do work in addition to their— lots of mps who do work in addition to their constituency were, we call the ministers, or shadow ministers, or people _ the ministers, or shadow ministers, or people who sit on various select committees. so there is a sense already— committees. so there is a sense already that constituency mp work can be _ already that constituency mp work can be something that you do alongside something else. we all obviously— alongside something else. we all obviously want ministers, that's fine, _ obviously want ministers, that's fine, but — obviously want ministers, that's fine, but putting time limits on that and — fine, but putting time limits on that and wondering how much time you should _ that and wondering how much time you should be _ that and wondering how much time you should be spending holding constituency surgeries are doing casework- — constituency surgeries are doing casework— that's quite tricky when

you get _ casework— that's quite tricky when you get down to the detail of it. so again. _ you get down to the detail of it. so again. this — you get down to the detail of it. so again, this will all be debated again— again, this will all be debated again when the papers come out towards — again when the papers come out towards the end ofjanuary. so basically — towards the end ofjanuary. so basically what he's done is major that we _ basically what he's done is major that we continue talking about it for the _ that we continue talking about it for the next months.— for the next months. taking our attention onto _ for the next months. taking our attention onto the _ for the next months. taking our attention onto the front - for the next months. taking our attention onto the front page i for the next months. taking our attention onto the front page ofj for the next months. taking our - attention onto the front page of the ft — you said the electoral goldust, there will only be a problem if mps start to feel that is no longer working its magic. i wonder whether this watered down rail plan, which a lot of people in the north of england and the midlands are saying doesn't deliver what was originally promised, whether that'll provoke anger from promised, whether that'll provoke angerfrom mps in the region, voters in the region, and that may be a fact of perhaps a fight on a whole new front? i fact of perhaps a fight on a whole new front?— new front? i really think it will, and this may — new front? i really think it will, and this may be _ new front? i really think it will, and this may be another - new front? i really think it will, i and this may be another decision new front? i really think it will, - and this may be another decision the government has to revisit in the future because this railway

commitment has been talked about for a very long time, it's been promised - i a very long time, it's been promised — i think we were talking about this even when i was in number ten a few years ago, about a line that connects the north a bit better. so this is been a long time coming. and for it now to just be briefed out and people being told that it's not going to happen will be a real issue. in the government will say this will be ok because they're investing a record amount of money and this is about fasterjourney times — but if you actually talk to people who need the services, it's not about time, it's about capacity and quality of trains. sol not about time, it's about capacity and quality of trains. so i do think the challenge then is you have these redwall mps who have been elected on promises of leveling up, more investment, better connectivity — they've got to have something to show to their constituents, something that makes people feel there is a difference in their everyday lives. if the government doesn't deliver that, there will be an impact on the next election.

rachel, how much anger do you think there will be over this? the government says it can deliver the benefits more quickly by upgrading certain parts of the lines rather than building whole new ones? i keep thinkin: of than building whole new ones? i keep thinking of that _ than building whole new ones? i keep thinking of that line _ than building whole new ones? i keep thinking of that line from _ than building whole new ones? i keep thinking of that line from hamilton, george _ thinking of that line from hamilton, george washington to hamilton, "winning — george washington to hamilton, "winning was easy, governing was harden" _ "winning was easy, governing was harder." borisjohnson won "winning was easy, governing was harder." boris johnson won the redwatt— harder." boris johnson won the redwall on the promise of leveling up redwall on the promise of leveling up and _ redwall on the promise of leveling up and new investment — and we've been _ up and new investment — and we've been talking — up and new investment — and we've been talking about increased rail capacity— been talking about increased rail capacity in the north for i would say a _ capacity in the north for i would say a decade of various proposals, and it— say a decade of various proposals, and it never— say a decade of various proposals, and it never quite happens because the treasury looks at the numbers and says— the treasury looks at the numbers and says the investment isn't worth it, and says the investment isn't worth it. and _ and says the investment isn't worth it, and there's questions as to how the treasury — it, and there's questions as to how the treasury comes up with that calculation. but what tends to happen— calculation. but what tends to happen is people in the north are continually disappointed by these plans— continually disappointed by these plans failing to materialise. yes, the government is investing some money— the government is investing some money in — the government is investing some money in it, but one of the crucial aspects _ money in it, but one of the crucial aspects of— money in it, but one of the crucial aspects of this rail plan wasn't

'ust aspects of this rail plan wasn't just a — aspects of this rail plan wasn't just a north—south route to better connect _ just a north—south route to better connect cities like manchester, leeds— connect cities like manchester, leeds and liverpool to london, but east-west — leeds and liverpool to london, but east—west capacity meaning that you could have _ east—west capacity meaning that you could have a northern regional hub because _ could have a northern regional hub because you won't be able to travel between _ because you won't be able to travel between these cities and a much easier— between these cities and a much easier way. between these cities and a much easierway. it between these cities and a much easier way. it is about capacity and speed. _ easier way. it is about capacity and speed. but— easier way. it is about capacity and speed, but it's also about creating that ecosystem what you can't do with the — that ecosystem what you can't do with the current transport links, and just— with the current transport links, and just improving the available services — and just improving the available services really doesn't do that. so yes, it _ services really doesn't do that. so yes, it might be more effective and quicker, _ yes, it might be more effective and quicker, but— yes, it might be more effective and quicker, but it doesn't achieve one of the _ quicker, but it doesn't achieve one of the fundamental aims of the plans — of the fundamental aims of the lans. . . , . of the fundamental aims of the lans. . ., . ., plans. indeed, and as a fellow hamilton _ plans. indeed, and as a fellow hamilton fan, _ plans. indeed, and as a fellow hamilton fan, i— plans. indeed, and as a fellow hamilton fan, i must - plans. indeed, and as a fellow hamilton fan, i must say - plans. indeed, and as a fellow hamilton fan, i must say it'll. plans. indeed, and as a fellow. hamilton fan, i must say it'll be interesting to be in the room where it all happens, wouldn't it? we can only guess at the conversations that went on behind—the—scenes. ijust want to move on to another major story in the guardian — changes to the social care cap. we were talking about this earlier this evening, and it is a slight technical change but

one that has huge ramifications. if you've got a grasp on this, give us the essence of what this change is? so this is about the catholic government has proposed that people would have to pay towards social care costs, which is a £6,000. and the feeling was, the expectation was this would include any means tested funding from councils that people would be getting, as well. but yesterday the health department put out something that said it would just be private contributions. now clearly a lot of things are going on this week, there will be a vote on this week, there will be a vote on this next week and that'll be one to watch because critics looking at this will say, "well... " this goes back to the north—south divide we were just talking about and the impact this will have on redwall constituencies because there a line in here that says, "if you had a house in burnley from 19,000, you would pay the same as someone living

in surrey who had a house worth 250,000." we need to see the details but that doesn't seem very much in the spirit of leveling up. and i don't think it will translate that way either to the people who do live in these parts of the country. the dilemma with _ in these parts of the country. the dilemma with everything to do with social care is that it is expensive, and people don't want to sell their homes. but equally the alternative in some cases might be higher national insurance, higher tax that falls on the shoulders of people who don't even own their own home. i was about to make — don't even own their own home. i was about to make that _ don't even own their own home. i was about to make that exact _ don't even own their own home. i was about to make that exact point. the guardian— about to make that exact point. the guardian story sets up poor pensioners who have homes against wealthier— pensioners who have homes against wealthier pensioners who have homes. it wealthier pensioners who have homes. it doesn't _ wealthier pensioners who have homes. it doesn't mention that the tax increase — it doesn't mention that the tax increase of 1.25%, which equals a 10% rise — increase of1.25%, which equals a 10% rise in— increase of 1.25%, which equals a 10% rise in national insurance, will be paid _ 10% rise in national insurance, will be paid by— 10% rise in national insurance, will be paid by all working people, including young people who don't even _ including young people who don't even have — including young people who don't even have a hope of ever owning a home. _

even have a hope of ever owning a home, and — even have a hope of ever owning a home, and they would be subsidising the care _ home, and they would be subsidising the care cost of anyone who wants to keep their— the care cost of anyone who wants to keep their property and pass it on to their— keep their property and pass it on to their children — which is a completely worthy and valuable thing to want _ completely worthy and valuable thing to want to _ completely worthy and valuable thing to want to do, but it does mean that renters _ to want to do, but it does mean that renters on _ to want to do, but it does mean that renters on the minimum wage will be subsidising _ renters on the minimum wage will be subsidising the inheritance of those whose _ subsidising the inheritance of those whose parents ultimately have impounded houses, which was extraordinarily unfair when it was introduced — extraordinarily unfair when it was introduced and it's a point that unfortunately no one seems to want to make _ unfortunately no one seems to want to make. we unfortunately no one seems to want to make. ~ . ., . to make. we will have to leave it there. to make. we will have to leave it there- the _ to make. we will have to leave it there. the front _ to make. we will have to leave it there. the front page _ to make. we will have to leave it there. the front page of - to make. we will have to leave it there. the front page of the - there. the front page of the metro has a picture of the queen returning to her duties, first royal engagement since her back injury that the palace told us about, good to see her back on her feet and returning to royal duties. we will leave it there, but i'll ask you both to return to your duties at 11:30pm for the next round of the papers, and we look forward to seeing you then. i hope you'll be back too, see you soon.

good evening. this is the latest from the bbc sport centre. the former yorkshire cricketer, azeem rafiq, has told the bbc his evidence to mp5 yesterday about racism in the sport was more powerful than anything he could have done on the pitch. he says he hopes it will have "woken a lot of people up," and that both cricket and society should seize the moment as an opportunity for change. yesterday, mr rafiq gave details to a commons committee about the racial slurs he'd been subjected to when he played for yorkshire. he's been talking to our sports editor, dan roan. he's gone from county cricketer to game—changing whistle—blower and, a day after taking his allegations of institutional racism to westminster, azeem rafiq told me he'd been overwhelmed by the response he'd received. i'm incredibly relieved. it felt like a massive weight off my shoulders. i spoke to my dad last night. what did he say? he was just really proud of me and he said, look, no runs or wickets could have done

what i did yesterday and i should be really proud of myself. rafiq's harrowing testimony to mp5 laid bare the racism he suffered at his former club. i'm very determined that this is going to be looked back as the moment where not only sport, but society as a whole, went in a different direction to where it's been going. it's really important that we don't let this moment go and try and use this moment as real watershed moment for the future. the ecb has been criticised for their handling of the crisis. chief executive tom harrison admitting to the committee that the sport he runs was facing an emergency over diversity. he's probably got a few months where we need to see some tangible changes, and i think if there's not something that changes in the next few months, then i think the patience is going to run out. on a chastening day for cricket, several high—profile names,

including two former yorkshire stars, matthew hoggard and tim bresnan, both of whom have apologised to rafiq, were dragged into the scandal. tonight, ex—england batsman alex hales categorically denied any racial connotation in naming his dog, as alleged by rafiq yesterday. former england captain and now top pundit michael vaughan had already denied rafiq's claim that he made a racist remark to a group of asian players in 2009, so what does the whistle—blower think should now happen to his old yorkshire team—mates? people who apologise, they deserve a second chance. people in denial, unfortunately, i think there's got to be a level of accountability there and it's for their employers to send out a message whether they are going to give the green light to racism or they're going to stamp it out. with the crisis engulfing yorkshire, more than 1,000 people have contacted an independent commission for equity in cricket

since it was launched last week. you're going to be heard, and whether anyone else stands by you or not, i'll stand by you. many hope this episode proves a wake—up call for the game's authorities, but regaining trust will not be easy. dan roan, bbc news. to football now — arsenal continued their fine form with a 3—0 win over danish side hb koge in the women's champions league group game. caitlin foord got them off the mark after 15 minutes, and it took them until the second half to make the game safe. two late goals from lotte wubben—moy and this vivianne miedema wrapped things up for the gunners. arsenal look set to seal second place and a place in the quarter finals with a draw in their remaining two games. dean smith has told the norwich fans he can keep the club in the premier league. having returned to management just a week after he was sacked by aston villa, smith believes there's enough quality in the squad to survive. if i thought it was a risk, i wouldn't have taken it.

we've got 27 games left. there is a lot of points to play for. we're just on the back of a win. i've seen how progressive this club has been. yes it's been difficult in the premier league so far, and mine and craig'sjob is to keep us in the league. that's firmly what we believe we can do. cameron norrie had a whirlwind day at the atp tour finals in turin. he was called into the tournament at lunchtime as a replacement for the injured stefanos tsitsipas. hours later, norrie, the british number one, was on court against casper ruud. but he lost in three sets and can't now qualify for the semi finals, and faces world number one novak djokovic next in the group stages. well, djokovic is already through to the semi—finals after beating russian andrey rublev in straight sets. the world number one was in complete control throughout, taking the first set 6—3 before serving out the match with an ace, 6—2 in the second. djokovic�*s 50th win of the year also ensures that he will

top the green group. george ford has called his decision to leave leicester tigers at the end of the season to join sale sharks, the "most difficult of his career". the england fly—half has had two stints with leicester, re—joining in 2017 from bath — and has helped the side win eight from eight as they top the premiership. ford added that he's "excited to play rugby for his local club". and south africa's director of rugby rassie erasmus has been banned from all rugby activity for two months. it's because he made an hour—long video criticising officials afterjuly�*s defeat in the first test against the british and irish lions. and that's all the sport from us for now. hello there. we're likely to see some cooler weather as we head through the weekend, but for the here and now, things are still very mild for the time of year. thursday brings us another mild, breezy—feeling day. quite a lot of cloud around and dry for most places. not everywhere, though. we have got a weather front that's going to continue to bring some rain across the west

and northwest of scotland. a little bit of drizzle around western coasts and hills elsewhere, but generally quite a cloudy but largely dry picture. some sunshine for southeast england, east anglia, up towards the east of scotland too, where we could see temperatures as high as 16 or even 17 celsius. widely, temperatures up in the mid—teens, well above average for this time of year. thursday night and into friday, we keep a lot of cloud and the largely dry weather. could be some hill fog and the odd spot of drizzle, particularly in the north and the west too, but a frost—free start to friday, with temperatures for many of us in double figures from the word go. friday looks mild, as does saturday, too. we're still looking at temperatures in double figures. but then things will turn much colderfor all of us by the time we get to sunday. bye for now.

welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore. i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines: two men convicted of murdering the us civil rights activist malcom x more than 50 years ago are set to have their convictions overturned. borisjohnson admits he made mistakes in handling the conservative lobbying scandal, but he doesn't apologise. the committee will agree that i've accepted that it was a mistake and that it was my mistake. everybody else has apologised for him, but he won't apologise for himself. a coward, not a leader! ahead of the first north american leaders' summit in five years, we hear about the thousands

of migrants making their way through central america to try to get to the us.