this is bbc news. we will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour straight after this programme. confession time. we'd recorded tonight's episode of newscast and then i went to the pub to have... ah! ..it turns out two thirds of a pint with a friend. then, of course, my phone went mad because loads of developments happened in the downing street sacking saga. so, i've popped back, laura never left. what's happened tonight? well, as one mp said to me, "it's not a downing street nightmare, it's a downing street meltdown!" and let's say, we are now recording this at 8:15. in the last couple of hours, the prime minister's policy chief has quit. the prime minister's director

of communications has quit. the prime minister's chief of staff has quit. the prime minister's principal private secretary... i always worry about getting that out correctly. civil servant. ..has also quit. so, four of the most senior people in downing street are on their way out. we were expecting a bit of a clear—out. one of them, we were not expecting. and it all makes everything feel like my wobblyjenga tower i talk about every week... yeah. ..suddenly got a lot more woogly. or shoogly, as we'd say in glasgow. shoogly! exactly. pretty shoogly. so, the news has changed a bit, but the analysis of what's going on with thejenga tower is basically still the same as we recorded a little while ago. so here's an episode of newscast we made earlier. i've always wanted to say that! newscast. newscast, from the bbc. hello, it's adam in the studio. and laura in the same studio.

and chris in stormont, in belfast, where the downpour of news has been even bigger than the downpour of rain. yes, we will come on to what's been happening in northern ireland in a couple of minutes in this episode of newscast. but first, what has been happening in downing street just this afternoon, on thursday afternoon? so, laura, the first person that resigned out of a couple was a woman called munira mirza. yes. do you want to tell us who she was and why she was so important to borisjohnson? so, munira mirza was the boss of the policy unit in number10. now, they're not the people who are making the day—to—day decisions about everything that's happening in government, but they are kind of the downing street thinking department, if you like. and munira mirza was particularly critical because she was described to me today by a former colleague of hers as "boris johnson's brain". and she worked for him

for more than ten years. she's pretty much the only person who was left in downing street with borisjohnson who'd been there since his city hall days, and she chose to resign this afternoon not quietly, but very, very dramatically indeed. and ijust think it's really important to understand the context — that her departure and her decision to be critical of boris johnson, and i think we'll show you a bit of her letter in a second, is so significant because of her personal closeness to him. and somebody who knows her well and knows him welljust said he will be in sort of emotional turmoil over this. they said, "you can't spin it. this is devastating for borisjohnson sort of personally, not just professionally." and the reason she's given for her resignation is that comment borisjohnson made

to keir starmer the other day there when parliament was debating the sue gray report — which was only a couple of days ago — and he talked about how keir starmer in his previous life as director of public prosecutions had prosecuted morejournalists than he had prosecuted jimmy savile, which was a very controversial statement... and the reason she's given for her resignation is that comment borisjohnson made to keir starmer the other day there when parliament was debating the sue gray report — which was only a couple of days ago —

and he talked about how keir starmer in his previous life as director of public prosecutions had prosecuted morejournalists than he had prosecuted jimmy savile, which was a very controversial statement... well, it's false. ..because it's not, it's not actually what happened. and so, munira mirza wrote a letter of resignation that was leaked to the spectator magazine. i mean, it's an amazing letter, but here is one of the most kind of devastating paragraphs. she says directly to borisjohnson... since we recorded this, jack doyle — since we recorded this, jack doyle also resigned and so now there _ doyle also resigned and so now there are — doyle also resigned and so now there are resignations happening all sides. the director _ happening all sides. the director of _ happening all sides. tie: director of communications at number 10 is very important. it is a really importantjob in downing street. jack doyle is one of the people under fire for how the prime minister handled the fiasco around parties, starting with a message that there were not any parties is a net that evolved and evolved and evolved. not surprising that jack doyle is one of the people on his way

out but for it to happen like this, just a few hours after mirza was gone, it creates instability and a sense of what was next. i had a message from somebody who knows both of them this afternoon, giving a sense of what mirza's departure, and listen to the sense of foreboding.— listen to the sense of forebodina. ., , ., , ,, listen to the sense of forebodina. ., , ,, , foreboding. the apocalypse is - receded foreboding. the apocalypse is preceded by _ foreboding. the apocalypse is preceded by all _ foreboding. the apocalypse is preceded by all things - foreboding. the apocalypse is preceded by all things that i foreboding. the apocalypse is| preceded by all things that you don't _ preceded by all things that you don't expect to happening. mirza — don't expect to happening. mirza leaving boris had to be on such— mirza leaving boris had to be on such a _ mirza leaving boris had to be on such a list. we mirza leaving boris had to be on such a list.— mirza leaving boris had to be on such a list. we need to look at what colour _ on such a list. we need to look at what colour the _ on such a list. we need to look at what colour the moonies! i on such a list. we need to lookl at what colour the moonies! but boris _ at what colour the moonies! but borisjohrrson _ at what colour the moonies! but borisjohnson said _ at what colour the moonies! but boris johnson said to _ at what colour the moonies! but borisjohnson said to his- at what colour the moonies! but borisjohnson said to his is- at what colour the moonies! but borisjohnson said to his is a - borisjohnson said to his is a monday— borisjohnson said to his is a monday night _ borisjohnson said to his is a monday night and _ borisjohnson said to his is a monday night and anything i borisjohnson said to his is a i monday night and anything that had to— monday night and anything that had to save _ monday night and anything that had to save his _ monday night and anything that had to save his skin _ monday night and anything that had to save his skin that - had to save his skin that night, _ had to save his skin that night, he _ had to save his skin that night, he said _ had to save his skin that night, he said don't- had to save his skin that. night, he said don't worry, there — night, he said don't worry, there will— night, he said don't worry, there will be _ night, he said don't worry, there will be a _ night, he said don't worry, there will be a rowdy- night, he said don't worry, i there will be a rowdy number night, he said don't worry, - there will be a rowdy number 10 and he _ there will be a rowdy number 10 and he said _ there will be a rowdy number 10 and he said would _ there will be a rowdy number 10 and he said would bring - there will be a rowdy number 10 and he said would bring in-

there will be a rowdy number 10 and he said would bring in new. and he said would bring in new people. — and he said would bring in new peorrte. art— and he said would bring in new peorrte. art is_ and he said would bring in new people, art isjust _ and he said would bring in new people, art is just two - and he said would bring in new people, art isjust two people. people, art isjust two people who— people, art isjust two people who you _ people, art isjust two people who you thought _ people, art isjust two people who you thought would - people, art isjust two people who you thought would not. people, art isjust two peoplel who you thought would not be people, art isjust two people i who you thought would not be in their— who you thought would not be in their hit— who you thought would not be in their hit um — who you thought would not be in their hit list? but— who you thought would not be in their hit list?— their hit list? but they are their hit list? but they are the hit list. _ their hit list? but they are the hit list. we _ their hit list? but they are the hit list. we don't - their hit list? but they are | the hit list. we don't quite know what happened with jack doyle but i think it was fair to say he had a target on his back for some time and he may have thought he did not want to hang around and we don't know yet the private conversations yet. but the munira mirza is different because she chose to publicly attack him.— publicly attack him. cannot sin publicly attack him. cannot spin that — publicly attack him. cannot spin that anyway? - publicly attack him. cannot spin that anyway? that - publicly attack him. cannot - spin that anyway? that munira mirza — spin that anyway? that munira mirza naturally. _ spin that anyway? that munira mirza naturally. she _ spin that anyway? that munira mirza naturally. she cannot. spin that anyway? that muniral mirza naturally. she cannot say she was— mirza naturally. she cannot say she was disgruntled _ mirza naturally. she cannot say she was disgruntled or- mirza naturally. she cannot say she was disgruntled or didn't. she was disgruntled or didn't like him. _ she was disgruntled or didn't like him, none _ she was disgruntled or didn't like him, none of— she was disgruntled or didn't like him, none of those - she was disgruntled or didn't. like him, none of those things wash — like him, none of those things wash. �* like him, none of those things wash. . ., ., ., ., ., wash. and one format or advisor said that, _ wash. and one format or advisor said that, saying _ wash. and one format or advisor said that, saying you _ wash. and one format or advisor said that, saying you cannot - said that, saying you cannot spin this because his last one of those annuity very well and an ally and this is criticism is damning, coming from within and he simply cannot paint that as nonsense from the media or

his political opponents. what about his political neighbours? rishi sunak had a very busy day today — rishi sunak had a very busy day today he — rishi sunak had a very busy day today. he did a statement in parliament, a press conference on tv— parliament, a press conference on tv and _ parliament, a press conference on tv and an interview with the bbc political editor! and some very interesting bits in there that— very interesting bits in there that we _ very interesting bits in there that we did not get elsewhere! and some instagram chat but the reason _ and some instagram chat but the reason he — and some instagram chat but the reason he was talking was because _ reason he was talking was because ofjan was announcing the new— because ofjan was announcing the new energy price and it will— the new energy price and it will go _ the new energy price and it will go up by more than 50%, taking — will go up by more than 50%, taking up— will go up by more than 50%, taking up to £1971 a year, which _ taking up to £1971 a year, which is _ taking up to £1971 a year, which is several pounds higher than _ which is several pounds higher thah it— which is several pounds higher than it was before and it will be painful for a lot of people and the _ be painful for a lot of people and the government is trying to spread — and the government is trying to spread some of the pain a little _ spread some of the pain a little bit _ spread some of the pain a little bit and make the pain a little — little bit and make the pain a little bit _ little bit and make the pain a little bit less bad. there are two — little bit less bad. there are two things going on, three things. _ two things going on, three things, £200 rebate on everyone's bills in october which _ everyone's bills in october

which people will pay back in 40 quid _ which people will pay back in 40 quid instalments over the next — 40 quid instalments over the next five _ 40 quid instalments over the next five years when governments, they hope that gas prices _ governments, they hope that gas prices have gone down. this second _ prices have gone down. this second it _ prices have gone down. this second it is a rebate on people's council tax bills on people _ people's council tax bills on people who have people tax bills — people who have people tax hills in — people who have people tax bills in bands a—d. and also to give _ bills in bands a—d. and also to give money to people who don't have _ give money to people who don't have discounts on other things. £9 ttittioh— have discounts on other things. £9 billion in total which is a huge package but no question at all that people will fill the cost of living is something they're really struggling to cope within the next few months. i think the chancellors very well aware of that and it was one of the things he tried to get across this morning but still a very tricky position for any government to be in because people are really going to get hammered. this because people are really going to get hammered.— to get hammered. this is the -h sical to get hammered. this is the physical approach _ to get hammered. this is the physical approach to - to get hammered. this is the physical approach to this - to get hammered. this is the physical approach to this to l to get hammered. this is the i physical approach to this to my point _ physical approach to this to my point of— physical approach to this to my point of view. there are two

points, _ point of view. there are two points, one of the misery payable, _ points, one of the misery payable, the £200 rebate the people — payable, the £200 rebate the people received in october and that witt— people received in october and that will be repaid but over five — that will be repaid but over five years starting next april at £40 — five years starting next april at £40 a _ five years starting next april at £40 a year, this will pay for itself— at £40 a year, this will pay for itself and the other component of it which is direct cash _ component of it which is direct cash to— component of it which is direct cash to families is genuinely i-off— cash to families is genuinely i-off and _ cash to families is genuinely 1—off and you expect me in all my planning to make provisions for things— my planning to make provisions for things like this. that is when _ for things like this. that is when i _ for things like this. that is when i talk about the importance on borrowing debt down — importance on borrowing debt down and part of the reason i talk— down and part of the reason i talk about it is to respond when _ talk about it is to respond when we need to inspect situations like this. but in future years _ situations like this. but in future years this - situations like this. but in future years this will - situations like this. but in future years this will have situations like this. but in i future years this will have to be paid back, what happens to energy prices stay high? taking a step back _ energy prices stay high? taking a step back is — energy prices stay high? taking a step back is important - energy prices stay high? taking a step back is important to - a step back is important to think— a step back is important to think about why are we in this situation _ think about why are we in this situation and the fact is entirely global in nature. we had a — entirely global in nature. we had a very difficult winter tast— had a very difficult winter last year, depleting gas stores. _ last year, depleting gas stores, disruptions to other sources— stores, disruptions to other sources of energy, like nuclear and wind, _ sources of energy, like nuclear and wind, and our rapid demand for gas— and wind, and our rapid demand for gas in— and wind, and our rapid demand for gas in asia. sadly, i don't have — for gas in asia. sadly, i don't have the _ for gas in asia. sadly, i don't have the ability to control any

of these — have the ability to control any of these things and i don't have — of these things and i don't have a _ of these things and i don't have a crystal ball about what may— have a crystal ball about what may happen in the future but, it would — may happen in the future but, it would be wrong and dishonest for me _ it would be wrong and dishonest for me to — it would be wrong and dishonest for me to stand and say to people _ for me to stand and say to people that we don't have to adjust — people that we don't have to adjust higher energy prices. we have _ adjust higher energy prices. we have to — adjust higher energy prices. we have to unfortunately but what government can do is take the sting — government can do is take the sting out — government can do is take the sting out of the judgement to make — sting out of the judgement to make sure the increase is smaller— make sure the increase is smaller initially and spread over— smaller initially and spread over years and that is what the rebate — over years and that is what the rebate does today. but over years and that is what the rebate does today.— rebate does today. but not everybody _ rebate does today. but not everybody needs _ rebate does today. but not everybody needs an - rebate does today. but not everybody needs an extra. rebate does today. but not - everybody needs an extra £200 of help with bills, with respect, you don't to help with your bills, wise is going to everyone rather than focusing more help on people who really need it? ~ �* ., ., need it? we're doing both of those things. _ need it? we're doing both of those things. the _ need it? we're doing both of those things. the £200 - need it? we're doing both of- those things. the £200 universe ball those things. the £200 universe hall ttut— those things. the £200 universe ball but that is repayable over time — ball but that is repayable over time we _ ball but that is repayable over time. we will all receive a £200 _ time. we will all receive a £200 rebate on energy bills and that will be repayable over five — that will be repayable over five years, helping families to adjust — five years, helping families to adjust to— five years, helping families to adjust to the price increase in slower— adjust to the price increase in slower time, adjust to the price increase in slowertime, making it more manageable for people's finances and the other component is targeted to those

in need — component is targeted to those in need it— component is targeted to those in need it most, £150 for the vast — in need it most, £150 for the vast majority of families, four out of— vast majority of families, four out of five _ vast majority of families, four out of five households will get £150 _ out of five households will get £150 ih — out of five households will get £150 in april as a discount to their— £150 in april as a discount to their council tax bills. we have _ their council tax bills. we have deliberately not just on that— have deliberately not just on that to — have deliberately not just on that to people on benefits. this— that to people on benefits. this is— that to people on benefits. this is a _ that to people on benefits. this is a price shock which is significant _ this is a price shock which is significant enough to even those _ significant enough to even those on middle incomes or feel the pinch — those on middle incomes or feel the pinch and wanted to make sure _ the pinch and wanted to make sure we — the pinch and wanted to make sure we did something to help those — sure we did something to help those that is why we will cover four— those that is why we will cover four out — those that is why we will cover four out of— those that is why we will cover four out of five households. you've _ four out of five households. you've always said you would be straight with people and people will feel the pinch next few months, can you be honest about that today?— that today? yes, and that i know people _ that today? yes, and that i know people will _ that today? yes, and that i know people will be - that today? yes, and that i | know people will be worried about — know people will be worried about that and people are worried _ about that and people are worried about the cost of living _ worried about the cost of living and rising energy prices but what _ living and rising energy prices but what they will see today is a government listening to that and responding to what i think is targeted, proportionate and fair to— is targeted, proportionate and fair to help them and £350 on an energy rebate will make a complete difference to those to lessen — complete difference to those to lessen anxieties. if complete difference to those to lessen anxieties.— lessen anxieties. if you think --eole lessen anxieties. if you think people feel _ lessen anxieties. if you think people feel the _ lessen anxieties. if you think people feelthe pinch, - lessen anxieties. if you think

people feel the pinch, why . lessen anxieties. if you think. people feel the pinch, why are you going ahead with raising national insurance in april? i know that money has been specifically put aside for the health service. are there other ways of finding that money? there are not, actually an people's— there are not, actually an people's number one priority, i know— people's number one priority, i know that _ people's number one priority, i know that people's number one priority— know that people's number one priority when it comes to public— priority when it comes to public service is the nhs. right _ public service is the nhs. right now the nhs is contracted with backlogs and is an unacceptable situation that we want _ unacceptable situation that we want to — unacceptable situation that we want to address. at the same time — want to address. at the same time we — want to address. at the same time we want to do what governments have not done for many— governments have not done for many years and that is reform social— many years and that is reform social care _ many years and that is reform social care and the prime minister— social care and the prime minister deserves credit for tackling _ minister deserves credit for tackling the challenge. he cannot— tackling the challenge. he cannot take a challenge like that — cannot take a challenge like that without finding unsustainably and that is what this new— unsustainably and that is what this new levy does. if any levy and people should feel reassured that every they pay will go — reassured that every they pay will go directly to the thing they— will go directly to the thing they feel mostly about which is they feel mostly about which is the nhs, — they feel mostly about which is the nhs, and is a responsible and fair— the nhs, and is a responsible and fair way the nhs, and is a responsible and fairway to the nhs, and is a responsible and fair way to do that. but the nhs, and is a responsible and fair way to do that.- and fair way to do that. but it does not _ and fair way to do that. but it does not make _ and fair way to do that. but it does not make you _ and fair way to do that. but it does not make you the - and fair way to do that. but it does not make you the low i and fair way to do that. but it | does not make you the low tax man that you claim to be. are you comfortable with a

government intervention that has happened in treasury, high tax and high spending? m50 has happened in treasury, high tax and high spending? also the chancellor has _ tax and high spending? also the chancellor has to _ tax and high spending? also the chancellor has to grapple - tax and high spending? also the chancellor has to grapple with i chancellor has to grapple with a once — chancellor has to grapple with a once in— chancellor has to grapple with a once in a sentry pandemic, the biggest shock in years, skyrocketing levels and i need to take — skyrocketing levels and i need to take the world on a path to rebuild — to take the world on a path to rebuild the economy after coronavirus and were getting on with borrowing back to responsible levels. you were workini responsible levels. you were working in — responsible levels. you were working in a _ responsible levels. you were working in a building - responsible levels. you were working in a building with - responsible levels. you were working in a building with all| working in a building with all multiple gatherings during lockdown, were you aware of these? ., ., , �* lockdown, were you aware of these? ., �* ,, ., these? no, iwasn't. i know many things— these? no, iwasn't. i know many things that _ these? no, iwasn't. i know many things that i - these? no, iwasn't. i know many things that i spent - these? no, iwasn't. i knowj many things that i spent my time — many things that i spent my time staring out the window but during _ time staring out the window but during the time i was working on all— during the time i was working on all these things we have been — on all these things we have been talking about, setting up the furlough scheme, supporting businesses, helping people through what was a very difficult period. for through what was a very difficult period.- difficult period. for the record. _ difficult period. for the record, you _ difficult period. for the record, you knew- difficult period. for the i record, you knew nothing difficult period. for the - record, you knew nothing of these gatherings that were happening outside that window, you knew nothing quickly as i said, people think that i spent

half my time looking at that window, i spent a lot of time in treasury but what i was focused on at that time, as are many people was making sure we could help the country through a of enormous anxiety. thud could help the country through a of enormous anxiety.- a of enormous anxiety. and it was incredibly _ a of enormous anxiety. and it was incredibly busy _ a of enormous anxiety. and it was incredibly busy and - a of enormous anxiety. and it was incredibly busy and that i was incredibly busy and that was — was incredibly busy and that was my— was incredibly busy and that was my focus and, helping people _ was my focus and, helping people through tough times and supporting theirjobs and that is my— supporting theirjobs and that is my priority today. it supporting theirjobs and that is my priority today.— is my priority today. it was reported — is my priority today. it was reported that _ is my priority today. it was reported that you - is my priority today. it was reported that you walked l is my priority today. it was i reported that you walked into the cabinet room at the end of boris johnson's the cabinet room at the end of borisjohnson's birthdays celebration. i boris johnson's birthdays celebration.— boris johnson's birthdays celebration. ., ,, ., celebration. i walked into the cabinet room, _ celebration. i walked into the cabinet room, much - celebration. i walked into the cabinet room, much like - celebration. i walked into the l cabinet room, much like many celebration. i walked into the - cabinet room, much like many of the 100m — cabinet room, much like many of the 100---— the 100... what did you see then? these _ the 100... what did you see then? these are _ the 100... what did you see then? these are currently i the 100... what did you see - then? these are currently being investigated.— investigated. you asking me about something _ investigated. you asking me about something that - investigated. you asking me - about something that happened almost — about something that happened almost two years ago and i went to the _ almost two years ago and i went to the cabinet room, as i did for many— to the cabinet room, as i did for many times for covid meetings and it is right that we allow this investigation. what — we allow this investigation. what did you see? were there? what did you see? were there? what did you see? were there? what did you see? you what did you see? were there? what did you see?— what did you see? were there? what did you see? you asked me about something _ what did you see? you asked me about something that _ what did you see? you asked me about something that happened l about something that happened two years ago and i walked into a meeting — two years ago and i walked into

a meeting with a group of people _ a meeting with a group of people as i do all the time and i people as i do all the time and i know— people as i do all the time and i know this is frustrating for people _ i know this is frustrating for people that we are having to wait — people that we are having to wait for _ people that we are having to wait for all these things... but — wait for all these things... but you _ wait for all these things... but you could tell us on that instance, what did you see and did you walk in and think there are too many people in here? this doesn't feel right? i have been part _ this doesn't feel right? i have been part of _ this doesn't feel right? i have been part of hundreds - this doesn't feel right? i have been part of hundreds of - this doesn't feel right? i have l been part of hundreds of covid meetings that do involve lots of people because it is a complicated issue and we were grappling with it a lot. but the broader point are these are subject— the broader point are these are subject to — the broader point are these are subject to a police investigation and it's frustrating for me and you and everybody that it is taking time _ everybody that it is taking time but it's important for people _ time but it's important for people to understand that like in any— people to understand that like in any other police investigation, whether it is this— investigation, whether it is this or— investigation, whether it is this or anything else, it is right— this or anything else, it is right it _ this or anything else, it is right it is _ this or anything else, it is right it is allowed to carry on independently. but, chancellor, also, you know there is no legal reason why people couldn't clear these things up right now. no charges have been laid, no arrests have been made. at the end of the day, this is likely, if anything,

to result in people getting fixed penalty notices. there is no legal reason why you can't tell us what you remember happening in the building where you work and live. yes, but... which i'm happy to and i said i don't... i don't spend my time staring out of that window. i was spending my time focused on doing the things that hopefully people can remember and made a difference to them and a part of why i think the economy is in quite a strong position today and as recovered well from coronavirus. that's what i was focused on at the time. are you comfortable with how your next—door neighbour has handled all of this? i think it's right that the prime minister's apologised, as he's done in parliament, and has committed to taking on board all the suggestions in sue gray's report and making those changes. of course, that report makes for difficult reading. i share people's frustration and anger about the situation. of course i do, but i'm glad that he's apologised. i'm glad that he's making the changes that he is. many of our viewers and many of your colleagues believe that borisjohnson doesn't always tell the truth. do you think he always tells the truth? yes, of course he does. he's the prime minister of the united kingdom. and you think that he's always told you the 100% truth? yeah, of course he does. he's the prime minister, i support him and we work hard

delivering on the things that we were elected to do. and that's, i think, what people would expect from me — is to support him in delivering that agenda. but some of your colleagues want the prime minister to go. if that were to happen, would you run to replace him? no, that's not what i'm focused on. and, of course... that's not my question — would you do it? no... some of your colleagues want you to. well, that's very kind of them to suggest that. but what i think people want from me and what your viewers will want from me is to focus on myjob. and myjob right now is to help them with the cost of living and in particular, rising energy bills. they would have seen today me and the government taking action with the energy bills rebate, £350 of support, done in a fair, proportionate, targeted way, a responsible way to help them. and that's what i've done for the last year and a half that i've had thisjob. that's what i'll continue to focus on going forward. forgive me for pushing you on this because this is no longer a hypothetical situation because there are conservative mp who are pushing for a vote of no confidence in the conservative leader. would you rule out running to replace him if we end up in that situation? again, i think it is a hypothetical situation. it's not a hypothetical situation. it is, laura.

i mean, i know a few of my colleagues have said that, and they'll have their reasons for doing that. but, you know, i don't think that's the situation we're in. the prime minister has my full support, and what people want from me is to be getting on with myjob, which is what i'm doing. it's why we're announcing what we are doing today. it's more than enough for me to focus on helping people with the cost of living and rebuilding our economy after the biggest shock in 300 years. believe me, you know, i've got a lot to focus on and myjob is to deliver that. you've also built up a pretty sort of glossy, full social media profile, which is unusual, the first chancellor to do that. who do you follow on instagram or who do you look at? who do i look at? well, you know... do you have time? maybe you don't and somebody else does it for you. no, no... well, i probably spent time doing it. i don't spend as much time... i flick through at the end of most days and most of my colleagues, to be honest, actually. and ijust have a good round of what my colleagues are up. oh, right, so the cabinet's all on insta late at night. the cabinet is in step. butjust actually mps being being out and about.

i do also follow, i mean, you know, whether it's my... there's lots of fitness things i follow as well. so there's that. what kind of thing? well, you know, i get in trouble when i talk about these things, but in general, so the various peloton instructors and everyone else that i that i follow. so peloton rather thanjoe wicks? high end! i do some joe wicks as well, yeah. and then during lockdown, we were doing a lot of these tiktok dances as well at home. so there was that, but there's no time for that any more, so... that's all past, is it? these family tiktok dances were fun. ok, chancellor, thank you very much. thanks very much. yeah. laura, i don't know if he'll put a peloton subscription in our basket of goods because i think it's a quite niche, kind of rich person's kind of thing. i don't think that that would be something that most newscasters or most people would find a necessary item. but it is interesting. i mean, it'sjust striking. you know, aside from inflation, that's one particular thing. the amount that people are going to have to pay over and above what they've been paying the last couple of years isjust huge. and there was some pretty dreary stuff from the bank of england today about actually how tough the pinch is going

to be for millions of people. and do you remember all that chat around the tory conference about our high wage economy? it's like where is that gone, you know?! and you wouldn't find a government minister saying that today and energy, chris, has become this huge sort of totem for all of this, hasn't it? completely. absolutely, and i should chip in, actually, as we always keep an eye, don't we, on how things are varied around the uk? i know we're going to come on and talk about northern ireland. there's been a huge amount of politics here in northern ireland over the last couple of hours. there is a separate arrangement here, as far as cost of living. massive issue here as well, of course, and what happens around protection or help for bills. and one of the last acts of the first and deputy first minister — sorting out a deal to try and help those, in particular lower income families, those on benefits with an additional £200 of support. so a different picture here in northern ireland, but attempting to dream up a package that is, if not exactly the same, then trying to address the very same issues around cost of living.

laura, did rishi sunak seem like somebody who's got the kind of the weight of the economic world on his shoulders? now, chris, you are in belfast, where the weather looks lovely, i have to say! and you're there to do an episode of any questions on radio 4 on friday, which is only sort of the third most exciting thing that's been happening in northern ireland, politically, the last day or so. do you want to just fill us in on some of the other big developments that have been happening there today? yes, so i'm off to portaferry on the ards peninsula in county down tomorrow for pm and any questions. by complete coincidence, i was coming anyway. and then there's been this absolute deluge of news here, with a resignation of the first minister. so not just advisers, as we're hearing about at westminster, but the first minister, paul givan. if you're watching on bbc one, pretty much now is the point at which he stops being first minister, at midnight thursday into friday. it means michelle o'neill, the deputy first minister, also no longer in post. and, of course, all of this bubbling up as a result of one of the conversations we've had

for yonks on newscast and brexitcast, around the whole business of the northern ireland protocol. edwin poots, the agriculture minister, saying yesterday that he didn't think that the whole business of the checks on goods coming over the irish sea into northern ireland should be continuing and we've seen a response from the government at westminster, haven't we? saying that, actually, well, hang on a minute, they didn't know this was coming. we should try and reach some sort of arrangement. the european commission not happy. they've been talking to the foreign secretary, so politics absolutely all happening here. as i landed here a couple of hours ago, paul givan was on his feet, resigning. thenjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the democratic unionist party, was giving a news conference, as were sinn fein. so huge turbulence yet again here at stormont, as far as governance in northern ireland is concerned. and, chris, if you haven't been following it closely and if everyone isn't as sad as us and have spent months and months talking about the protocol — to ask a really simple question, why does it really sort of matter? of course, it's of huge importance to people who live in northern ireland. but in the bigger picture,

why does it matter? because it does matter hugely. but why? how would you summarise it? yeah, it's a good question, isn't it? because protocol is probably one of the dullest words in the english language, isn't it? speak for yourself! and yet it really matters here, really matters, because it was the... you could pull out a few more from your binders, actually, adam, couldn't you? but right at the heart of the brexit deal was this idea, wasn't there, of the the northern ireland protocol. trying to square that really difficult circle about how you keep the border on the island of ireland here open between northern ireland here in the uk, the republic down the way in the eu. how do you keep that border open, which was part of the deal from the good friday agreement going back 20 years, whilst accepting that the uk is out of the european union and out of the structures of the european union, the customs union and the single market, and obviously the republic down the way isn't. so, the deal for northern ireland was cooked up, keeping northern ireland in the single market for goods and, crucially, having checks on stuff crossing the water, crossing the irish sea from great britain into northern ireland.

but, of course, that is something that if you're a unionist here and you really cherish the connections between northern ireland and the rest of the uk, with england, scotland, wales, you absolutely detest and it's what the unionists absolutely hate and they've been threatening for ages... when i was last here in the autumn with any questions, it was a big topic then. they were threatening for ages to pull down the structures of devolved government, to pull out of the assembly, first and deputy first minister, because the deputy first minister from sinn fein has to stand down if the first minister of the dup stands down. and that is now what is happening. so it's that kind of fundamental, isn't it, laura, about how the uk holds together? and if you're a unionist in northern ireland, you absolutely do not want to see anything that separates you here in northern ireland from the rest of the uk. gosh, it's complicated but also so fundamental to everything, isn't it, really? and, you know, a long running conversation that has actually all those warnings and threats,

actually becoming real under the storm clouds of stormont. yeah, the literal storm clouds because chris looks really wet in his mac there. anyway, that's all for this episode of newscast. thank you very much for watching and listening. and if you want to listen to more, you can subscribe to our daily podcast on bbc sounds. although, next week, i'm actually going on holiday. i don't want any of you thinking that i've resigned too! bye. bye— bye. bye. newscast... newscast from the bbc. hello. we're seeing a real change in weather type at the moment, as a cold front is spreading its way across the uk, and that will be bringing us a colder and windier spell of weather into friday, with some wintry showers around, too. here's the cold air streaming in behind this cold front, which is working gradually south—eastwards. still bringing some rain,

even some sleet and some snow on the back edge of that, too — particularly for the likes of the pennines, the peak district, and over the high ground of wales, as well. but mainly to the south of that, it's going to be falling as rain. but a cold morning friday morning across scotland, northern ireland and northern england. so, some icy stretches around and wintry showers falling on that cold ground. so, do be prepared for some icy stretches on any untreated surfaces during friday morning. but some sunshine working in across parts of northern england, wales, and the southwest, and eventually that rain and sleetiness will clear away from the southeast, too. so, then, we're all in the clearer spells on friday — some sunshine, but also plenty of showers streaming in on that brisk wind. so, gusts will be about 30—40 mph, perhaps as high as 50 mph in the north—west. and wintry showers over the higher ground of scotland, northern ireland, and northern england in particular. temperatures between only about 4—9 celsius, and feeling colder when you add on the wind chill, as well. overnight friday night, we've got clearer skies, 1—2 wintry showers, some rain and hill snow working into the northwest later in the night. but under those clear skies, we'll be seeing quite a cold start to your weekend, with quite a widespread frost. so, heading on into

saturday, then, after that cold start, the next weather front streams in from the atlantic — and you can see quite a long weather front here, the first area here bringing some wet and windy weather initially to the northwest of the uk on saturday, and this frontal system marks the divide between milder air in the south and colder conditions towards the north. so, with the arrival of that wet and windy weather, there'll be some snow once again over the higher ground of scotland, patchy rain working slowly south into england and wales, but probably east anglia and the south—east remaining dry all day with temperatures around 10—11 celsius here, but turning colder with more snow showers packing in across the north. into sunday, and wintry showers once again across the northwest of the uk. early rain should clear away from parts of southern england to leave us all in sunnier skies, but feeling colder once again with that northwesterly breeze and highs around about 5—11 celsius on sunday. bye— bye.

welcome to bbc news. i'm nuala mcgovern. our top stories: president biden gives details of how the head of the islamic state group was killed during a raid by us special forces in syria. he chose below, to blow up the third floor rather than face justice to the crimes he has committed. taking several members of his family with him. let the games begin — the opening ceremony for beijing's winter olympics takes place on friday, amid excitement and controversy. and, downing street in turmoil after four senior aides to borisjohnson resign within hours of each other.