this is bbc news. i'm ben thompson. the headlines... the deadlock in stormont continues. the deadlock in stormont continues. the dup are set to block the formation of a power—sharing government over post—brexit trading arrangements. i believe that we need to send a very clear message to the european union and to our government that we are serious about getting this protocol sorted out. borisjohnson boris johnson wants to borisjohnson wants to cut more than 90,000 civil servicejobs, a fifth of the total workforce to save money and raise funds to tackle the cost of living crisis. ukrainian forces destroyed nearly all of russia's battalions armoured vehicles is an attempt to cross a

river in the east of the country. coleen rooney has taken the stand on four of the rebekah vardy libel trial. and the queen is all smiles as attends the annual royal windsor horse show. good afternoon and welcome to the programme. the democratic unionist party will not agree to the election of a new stormont speaker today, its leader sirjeffrey donaldson has said. without the election of a speaker there can be no functioning assembly. the dup has been protesting

against post—brexit trading arrangements which keep northern ireland as part of the eu single market for goods. last week's vote saw the nationalist sinn fein become the largest party at stormont. today they've accused the dup of holding the public to ransom. charlotte gallagher reports from belfast. today is supposed to be about getting back to business. instead, there'll be little business at all. the dup's announcement that it won't vote for a new stormont speaker means the assembly will effectively lie dormant. the leader of the dup, sirjeffrey donaldson, says the northern ireland protocol has left him with little choice. we are serious about getting this protocol sorted out. because of the harm it is doing, undermining political stability, damaging the agreements that have formed the basis of the political progress made in northern ireland, harming our economy, contributing to the cost—of—living crisis. this matter needs to be dealt with. but for sinn fein — now the largest party in stormont — it's an insult to voters, with michelle o'neill saying

the assembly "should be forming an executive to put money in people's pockets" and "fix our health service. the dup has confirmed they will punish the public and not turn up. they are disgracefully holding the public to ransom over their brexit mess." if stormont isn't functioning, it means issues like the cost of living, the energy crisis and health aren't being tackled. well, we've had experience of that before, as you know, for three years. and the impact is the difficulties in making really difficult decisions on how to reconfigure and change our health service in northern ireland. and also, how to establish long—term budgets and long—term funding to bring about those significant changes. for the dup, though, the northern ireland protocol is a red line — in particular, the checks made on some goods travelling from the rest of the uk to northern ireland.

this is why they're happening. when we left the eu, it was agreed that goods arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk would be monitored to make sure they met eu standards. that's because northern ireland shares a land border with eu member ireland, and an open border between ireland and northern ireland is seen as an essential part of the peace process. the dup and borisjohnson want significant changes to the protocol, but the irish foreign minister, simon coveney, says the uk knew what it was signing up to. i think the eu has been trying to show flexibility for the last 12 months now, but it's never enough for the british government — at least, so far. maros sefcovic and i spoke to him for a0 minutes last night — after he spoke to secretary liz truss yesterday — and, again, we were talking about how to accommodate legitimate concerns within the unionist community

in northern ireland. today undoubtedly puts more pressure on the uk government and the eu, because the dup say you can't have a functioning stormont and the northern ireland protocol. charlotte gallagher, bbc news, belfast. let's get more from our ireland correspondent, chris page. he spent the morning at stormont. at various times in the past, when critical crises here at stormont have reached a crunch point, something unexpected has happened that has rescued everything, brought people back from the brink and provided a breakthrough. i really don't think this will be one of those occasions. the democratic unionist party is insistent it will stick to its position that there can't be a power—sharing devolved government or a power—sharing assembly here while the northern ireland protocol, that trade barrier with the rest of the uk, continues in its present form. so for the last

hour assembly members have been signing the register, whenever they come back after lunchtime they will sit down in their seats and then proceedings will move to the election of a speaker. the dup, though, will prevent that from happening. it will be a very short sitting and the politicians will rise again not knowing when they will be able to come back into the assembly chamber. if there had been a speaker elected, then there could have been more debates, individual members could have brought forward individual pieces of legislation, there could be committee hearings. all of that will now not be possible. instead we have a deepening sense of deadlock with no real deadline. chris page there at stormont. borisjohnson has told his cabinet to cut up to 91,000 civil service jobs to free up cash for measures to ease the cost of living. it amounts to a fifth of the current workforce. the prime minister wants to reduce staffing levels to where they were in 2016. he described a suggested saving of £3.75 billion

a year as realistic. but a civil service union called the plan ill—thought—out and warned it could affect services. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley reports. jobs, jobs, jobs is the answer. that's his solution when it comes to the cost of living, but the prime minister now says the government employs too many people. he wants to cut 90,000 civil service jobs in the next three years and has told ministers to draw up plans within weeks. you should always spend taxpayers' money as efficiently as possible. governments have no money of their own, it is only money taken from hard—working taxpayers, who provide the funds that the state expends. but during an issue with the cost of living and with inflation, you need to have control of budgets. this man is the uk's top civil servant, simon case. he wrote to government departments last night, telling them, "the size of the civil service workforce has grown substantially since 2016." he wants to return to 2016 levels.

he adds that this will be "challenging", but tells departments, "it will need imagination". there could be a freeze on recruitment across the civil service. ministers would have to approve any newjobs. downing street hopes that enough people will leave to bring numbers down, but redundancies haven't been ruled out. according to the institute for government, these are the biggest employers. work and pensions, justice, the taxman — covering almost 70% of civil servants. but these aren't all justjobs in whitehall. they also cover things like the delivery of benefits in job centres around the uk. unions sayjob cuts will mean cuts to services too, and they're ministers argue that the government should be tightening its belt too. they reckon this plan could save £3.75 billion every year. remember the big picture, borisjohnson wants

to cut taxes before the next general election. if he's going to do that, he has to save some money in the government budget. but unions say that if you cutjobs, services will inevitably be cut too and they are threatening strike action. the government has said to the civil service, here's extra work, and the numbers of staff have increased to deal with that extra work. so if you want to cut back to some arbitrary number, you need to say, well, we can't undo brexit, we can't undo covid, so what else are you actually going to cut? and i think that's the difficulty. downing street says this isn't an ideological decision, it's about good housekeeping, but it's highly controversial and details of how the cuts will work far from clear. new british intelligence suggests russia's advance in eastern ukraine is faltering. little progress is being made in the donbas region and ukrainian troops have reportedly fought off an attempted river crossing by a russian battalion,

seeing it lose almost all of its armoured vehicles. the mod says the russian operation was "highly risky" and shows its commanders are under pressure to advance. speaking at a g7 meeting in germany, the foreign secretary liz truss said president putin was "humiliating himself on the world stage". joe inwood reports from ukraine. it was a gamble that seems to have backfired spectacularly. this russian column was trying to cross the river siverskyi donets, flanking ukrainian positions. it seems they knew they were coming. massive artillery barrages took out what appears to be an entire battalion tactical group. more than 70 tanks, armoured personnel carriers and trucks, not to mention bridging teams. this footage was all released by the ukrainian military. whereas this was released by the russians on the very same day, showing what they say was a successful operation by their forces. there is a propaganda war in full

swing here. a battle for who controls the narrative. it's notjust the physical war both sides are trying to declare victories in. as the british foreign secretary accused him of humiliating himself, president putin claimed the international sanctions were failing. translation: the economic sanctions, which are guided l by short—sightedness, inflated political ambitions and by russophobia, deal a much harder blow to their author's own national interests, their own economies and the well—being their own citizens. but it's notjust sanctions that the west is using to target moscow. they are also providing ukrainians with heavy weaponry, and it is making a difference. the russians have tried to stop it with targeted strikes, on places like lviv, but it seems it's still getting through. and today, the ukrainian foreign minister has asked for more. but there is no hope that any weapons will get to mariupol, where it seems the fighters are making a final stand. they released this footage showing what appears to be a counterattack

on russian positions. there is little prospect for them to be rescued, but it seems they are determined not to go down without a fight. joe inwood, bbc news, lviv. coleen rooney has taken the stand at the high court in london. she has been sued for libel by rebekah vardy after being accused of leaking private stories to newspapers. colin paterson was in court to see her take the stand. well, it is lunch on day four of the seven day trial so to use a football analogy, it is half time. coleen rooney took to this stand and she was cross examined by rebekah vardy�*s barrister. she referred to the post from october 2019 in which she made the accusations of rebekah vardy being the leak as her last resort, saying she wanted private information about her in the newspapers to stop.

she said she was surprised by the amount of reaction there had been to the post and that by the end of that day, she had received a letter from rebekah vardy�*s legal team. coleen rooney denied having put up that post in the hope that rebekah vardy would be abused and she said the reason she had not asked people to stop trolling rebekah vardy was because she didn't want to do anything unless instructed to by her legal team. earlier in the day, rebekah vardy had been in the witness box giving her final pieces of evidence, and for the third day in a row, she cried, saying that having answered questions for four days, it had left her feeling bullied and manipulated. and that the reason she had taken this case to the high court was because she had not done anything wrong and she wanted to clear her name for herself and for her children. that is colin patterson at the high court. more than half a million elderly and disabled adults in england are now waiting for social care, according

to the body that runs local authority care. it's up by almost two thirds on last year. ministers say they're investing billions of pounds in the care system. but the association of directors of adult social services say there's a growing shortage of care workers, made worse by low pay rates and the cost—of—living crisis. here's our social affairs editor, alison holt. hello! are you all right? this is one of the four care visits a day that ralph and pat rely on. you had a nice morning, ralph? he has parkinson's, and they wouldn't cope in their own home near redcar without this support. you rely on your carers to look after him properly, don't you? you know? 50~ ~~ - i mean, it's something i couldn't do. i can't handle him at all. there'll be time to look after myself now. just the two tablets this afternoon, ralph, all right? but today's research by council bosses says an increasing number of people who are older or disabled are having to wait for care services like this. one reason is a shortage of care staff. right, we'll pop

your chair up a bit. both sadie and karen love what they do, but understand why — with the cost of living rising — some don't want to do a job that, in their case, pays less than £10 an hour. that's it. a little bit more, ralph. mostly, it's to do with pay. people with families, or trying to get on the housing ladder, with the cost of living, they just can't afford to be in a job like this, because it doesn't pay enough for them to be able to live as well. i think care workers should be paid more for doing, because we don'tjust go in and make cups of teas, what people think we do. we actually go in and we turn people's lives around. according to the directors who run council care services in england, last september, an estimated 294,000 people were waiting for assessment, reviews or care from local authorities. we are going to take you straight to downing street. we are expecting to hear from downing street. we are expecting to hearfrom nazanin downing street. we are expecting to hear from nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and herfamily. they have been

meeting with the british prime minister today for the first time since her release from the six—year detention in iran. also there you will see mp tulip siddique. let's listen to what they are saying. ... listen to what they are saying. relaxed and _ listen to what they are saying. relaxed and the mainjob is done. we talked, you know, nazanin asked, why did it take so long? and we talked through some of the complications and attempt he had made as a foreign secretary and complications as a prime minister. ijust want secretary and complications as a prime minister. i just want you secretary and complications as a prime minister. ijust want you to know the mistake, the comments from 2017 had a lasting impact, she said, and before her last day they brought up, just tell us now because your prime minister reveals what you are doing, you can tell us what you are

really doing, we know it wasn't a holiday. she said she lived with that mistake and it lingered. did he a oloaise that mistake and it lingered. did he apologise for— that mistake and it lingered. did he apologise for that? _ that mistake and it lingered. did he apologise for that? not _ apologise for that? not specifically. _ apologise for that? not specifically. then - apologise for that? not specifically. then we i apologise for that? iirrt specifically. then we talk freely about the risks for others, you know? it is over for us. about the risks for others, you know? it is overfor us. we about the risks for others, you know? it is over for us. we are home, you can see i am happier and fatter again, life is picking up. but there are others left in harm's way. there have been two french people picked up this week, a swedish guy and one on death row. we asked specifically please do what you can. when they are really threatening to execute someone, that is a real red line and a warning signal that if they are willing to kill one person, everyone is not safe, so please do what you can for the brits but also for all of those being held. he said i wasn't aware of the case but i will do what i can. of course he hasjust come back from sweden so fresh in the mind. you know, warm and we had what, the

best part of an hour? fine you know, warm and we had what, the best part of an hour?— best part of an hour? one of the thins best part of an hour? one of the things nazanin _ best part of an hour? one of the things nazanin and _ best part of an hour? one of the things nazanin and richard - best part of an hour? one of the| things nazanin and richard asked best part of an hour? one of the - things nazanin and richard asked the prime _ things nazanin and richard asked the prime minister is whether he would consider_ prime minister is whether he would consider giving evidence to the foreign— consider giving evidence to the foreign affairs select committee which _ foreign affairs select committee which is — foreign affairs select committee which is doing an inquiry into nazahih's _ which is doing an inquiry into nazanin's case and why it took so lon- nazanin's case and why it took so long and — nazanin's case and why it took so long and the steps up to her being reieased~ — long and the steps up to her being released. we asked if the prime mihisier— released. we asked if the prime minister would give evidence, and he said he _ minister would give evidence, and he said he would look into that. i was really— said he would look into that. i was really proud of nazanin. she was sitting _ really proud of nazanin. she was sitting next to the prime minister and she _ sitting next to the prime minister and she told him clearly and categorically that his words had had a bi- categorically that his words had had a big impact on herand categorically that his words had had a big impact on her and that she lived _ a big impact on her and that she lived in — a big impact on her and that she lived in the _ a big impact on her and that she lived in the shadow of his words for the best_ lived in the shadow of his words for the best part of four and a half years — the best part of four and a half years i— the best part of four and a half years. i have to say the prime mihisier— years. i have to say the prime minister looked quite shocked when she said _ minister looked quite shocked when she said that but i was really proud she said that but i was really proud she did _ she said that but i was really proud she did say— she said that but i was really proud she did say that because she wanted to make _ she did say that because she wanted to make it_ she did say that because she wanted to make it clear to him she is happy now, _ to make it clear to him she is happy now. she _ to make it clear to him she is happy now. she is — to make it clear to him she is happy now, she is grateful, she appreciates the fact she is home now but there _ appreciates the fact she is home now but there was a time when the words had a _ but there was a time when the words had a big _ but there was a time when the words had a big impact. the other thing i raised _ had a big impact. the other thing i raised is _ had a big impact. the other thing i raised is that another man was still

in raised is that another man was still ih irah— raised is that another man was still in irah and — raised is that another man was still in iran and wanted to come home so we have _ in iran and wanted to come home so we have got— in iran and wanted to come home so we have got to make sure he comes back _ we have got to make sure he comes back. ., , ., , we have got to make sure he comes back. ., , . , ., , back. you must have felt very angry all these years _ back. you must have felt very angry all these years that _ back. you must have felt very angry all these years that the _ back. you must have felt very angry all these years that the prime - all these years that the prime minister's words had such a big impact on your wife in iran? ida. minister's words had such a big impact on your wife in iran? no, i am pleased _ impact on your wife in iran? no, i am pleased she _ impact on your wife in iran? no, i am pleased she is _ impact on your wife in iran? no, i am pleased she is home. - impact on your wife in iran? no, i am pleased she is home. there . impact on your wife in iran? no, i am pleased she is home. there is impact on your wife in iran? no, i i am pleased she is home. there is a process— am pleased she is home. there is a process to — am pleased she is home. there is a process to dig through what went wrong. _ process to dig through what went wrong, what might have gone better and what _ wrong, what might have gone better and what could done to protect people — and what could done to protect people better going forwards. it's not easy— people better going forwards. it's not easy to talk about with an open regime _ not easy to talk about with an open regime how you do that for others citizens _ regime how you do that for others citizens. the prime minister thanked nazahih _ citizens. the prime minister thanked nazanin. she had made a hat for wilfred. — nazanin. she had made a hat for wilfred, his son, so thanked herfor things— wilfred, his son, so thanked herfor things she — wilfred, his son, so thanked herfor things she had sent and talked about how wilfred is two and the new daughter. how wilfred is two and the new dau:hter. ~' , ., how wilfred is two and the new dau:hter. ~ , ., .,, how wilfred is two and the new i dalighter-_ and daughter. like gabriella was. and it's nice to — daughter. like gabriella was. and it's nice to be _ daughter. like gabriella was. and it's nice to be a _ daughter. like gabriella was. and it's nice to be a family _ daughter. like gabriella was. and it's nice to be a family back- it's nice to be a family back together _ it's nice to be a family back together-— it's nice to be a family back touether. , i. ., ,, ., , ., together. did you talk a bit about how our

together. did you talk a bit about how your family _ together. did you talk a bit about how your family is _ together. did you talk a bit about how your family is rebuilding, - together. did you talk a bit aboutj how your family is rebuilding, did how yourfamily is rebuilding, did gabriella say anything to the prime minister? , ., ., , minister? gabriella was given the resent of minister? gabriella was given the present of the — minister? gabriella was given the present of the jigsaw _ minister? gabriella was given the present of the jigsaw and - minister? gabriella was given the present of the jigsaw and took i minister? gabriella was given the present of the jigsaw and took to | present of the jigsaw and took to making _ present of the jigsaw and took to making it — present of the jigsaw and took to making it quite promptly. ithink she's— making it quite promptly. ithink she's had — making it quite promptly. ithink she's had enough of grown—up chat and time _ she's had enough of grown—up chat and time to— she's had enough of grown—up chat and time to focus on more pressing tasks _ and time to focus on more pressing tasks it— and time to focus on more pressing tasks~ it was— and time to focus on more pressing tasks. it was what, two years ago i stood _ tasks. it was what, two years ago i stood here — tasks. it was what, two years ago i stood here having been to see the prime _ stood here having been to see the prime minister and came out fairly, you know. — prime minister and came out fairly, you know, forlorn in the sense we were _ you know, forlorn in the sense we were having — you know, forlorn in the sense we were having to battle. i stand here now with _ were having to battle. i stand here now with the battle over for us. there _ now with the battle over for us. there are — now with the battle over for us. there are lessons to learn, there's a widerm — there are lessons to learn, there's a wider... yes, a wider problem. there _ a wider... yes, a wider problem. there were — a wider... yes, a wider problem. there were mistakes made at the end. it there were mistakes made at the end. it was _ there were mistakes made at the end. it was rough _ there were mistakes made at the end. it was rough at the end and i think that needs — it was rough at the end and i think that needs to be, when nazanin is ready— that needs to be, when nazanin is ready to _ that needs to be, when nazanin is ready to talk about it, something to id ready to talk about it, something to go through. but no, i think it's not like when — go through. but no, i think it's not like when this is over that you feel angry _ like when this is over that you feel angry i_ like when this is over that you feel angry. i think relief. you like when this is over that you feel angry. i think relief.— angry. i think relief. you said the prime minister _

angry. i think relief. you said the prime minister didn't _ angry. i think relief. you said the prime minister didn't explicitly i prime minister didn't explicitly apologise but do you feel he accepts he made a huge mistake and that it had a big impact? i he made a huge mistake and that it had a big impact?— had a big impact? i think it is undeniable _ had a big impact? i think it is undeniable that, _ had a big impact? i think it is undeniable that, you - had a big impact? i think it is undeniable that, you know, l had a big impact? i think it is| undeniable that, you know, it had a big impact? i think it is. undeniable that, you know, it is had a big impact? i think it is- undeniable that, you know, it is so public _ undeniable that, you know, it is so public she — undeniable that, you know, it is so public. she said it openly. it has been _ public. she said it openly. it has been said — public. she said it openly. it has been said on the telly many times and we _ been said on the telly many times and we have all seen it. i said to him. _ and we have all seen it. i said to him. i_ and we have all seen it. i said to him. i mean. _ and we have all seen it. i said to him, i mean, you know, we often said better— him, i mean, you know, we often said better late _ him, i mean, you know, we often said better late than never. six years is a long _ better late than never. six years is a long time. — better late than never. six years is a long time, but late is a lot better— a long time, but late is a lot better than never, it really is. i'm glad _ better than never, it really is. i'm glad they— better than never, it really is. i'm glad they settled it, i'm glad she is home — glad they settled it, i'm glad she is home and in the end they paid the money _ is home and in the end they paid the mone . r is home and in the end they paid the mone . . , ., is home and in the end they paid the mone .~ ., ., money. and you hope that he now hels money. and you hope that he now helps others _ money. and you hope that he now helps others still _ money. and you hope that he now helps others still stranded - money. and you hope that he now helps others still stranded there? | helps others still stranded there? that's right, we raised morad tahbaz and nazanin — that's right, we raised morad tahbaz and nazanin also _ that's right, we raised morad tahbaz and nazanin also raised _ that's right, we raised morad tahbaz and nazanin also raised the - that's right, we raised morad tahbaz and nazanin also raised the case i that's right, we raised morad tahbaz and nazanin also raised the case of. and nazanin also raised the case of and nazanin also raised the case of a man— and nazanin also raised the case of a man on— and nazanin also raised the case of a man on death _ and nazanin also raised the case of a man on death row— and nazanin also raised the case of a man on death row from _ and nazanin also raised the case of a man on death row from sweden. i a man on death row from sweden. nazanin _ a man on death row from sweden. nazanin kept — a man on death row from sweden. nazanin kept making _ a man on death row from sweden. nazanin kept making the - a man on death row from sweden. nazanin kept making the point- a man on death row from sweden. i nazanin kept making the point that people _ nazanin kept making the point that people who — nazanin kept making the point that people who went _ nazanin kept making the point that people who went in _ nazanin kept making the point that people who went in quite _ nazanin kept making the point that people who went in quite soon i nazanin kept making the point that i people who went in quite soon around the time _ people who went in quite soon around the time she — people who went in quite soon around the time she went _ people who went in quite soon around the time she went in, _ people who went in quite soon around the time she went in, they— people who went in quite soon around the time she went in, they are - people who went in quite soon around the time she went in, they are not i the time she went in, they are not home _ the time she went in, they are not home yet— the time she went in, they are not home yet and _ the time she went in, they are not home yet and she _ the time she went in, they are not home yet and she is _ the time she went in, they are not home yet and she is home - the time she went in, they are not home yet and she is home and i the time she went in, they are not| home yet and she is home and she feels _ home yet and she is home and she feels guilty — home yet and she is home and she feels guilty about _ home yet and she is home and she feels guilty about that. _ home yet and she is home and she

feels guilty about that. she - home yet and she is home and she feels guilty about that. she wantsl feels guilty about that. she wants them _ feels guilty about that. she wants them to— feels guilty about that. she wants them to be — feels guilty about that. she wants them to be back— feels guilty about that. she wants them to be back as— feels guilty about that. she wants them to be back as well— feels guilty about that. she wants them to be back as well and - feels guilty about that. she wants them to be back as well and she i them to be back as well and she can't _ them to be back as well and she can't sit — them to be back as well and she can't sit here _ them to be back as well and she can't sit here enjoying _ them to be back as well and she can't sit here enjoying her- them to be back as well and she can't sit here enjoying her life i can't sit here enjoying her life knowing — can't sit here enjoying her life knowing there _ can't sit here enjoying her life knowing there are _ can't sit here enjoying her life knowing there are people i can't sit here enjoying her life i knowing there are people going through— knowing there are people going through the _ knowing there are people going through the same _ knowing there are people going through the same conditions i knowing there are people going i through the same conditions she knowing there are people going - through the same conditions she went through _ through the same conditions she went through she— through the same conditions she went through. she talked _ through the same conditions she went through. she talked about _ through the same conditions she went through. she talked about what - through the same conditions she went through. she talked about what she i through. she talked about what she went through — through. she talked about what she went through when _ through. she talked about what she went through when she _ through. she talked about what she went through when she was - through. she talked about what she went through when she was in i through. she talked about what she went through when she was injaill went through when she was in jail and it— went through when she was in jail and it was— went through when she was in jail and it was quite _ went through when she was in jail and it was quite difficult - went through when she was in jail and it was quite difficult to - went through when she was in jail and it was quite difficult to hear. and it was quite difficult to hear actually — and it was quite difficult to hear actually to — and it was quite difficult to hear actually to listen _ and it was quite difficult to hear actually to listen to _ and it was quite difficult to hear actually to listen to it. - and it was quite difficult to hear actually to listen to it. it's - and it was quite difficult to hear actually to listen to it. it's not l actually to listen to it. it's not like i— actually to listen to it. it's not like i don't _ actually to listen to it. it's not like i don't know— actually to listen to it. it's not like i don't know the - actually to listen to it. it's not like i don't know the details. actually to listen to it. it's not i like i don't know the details but in the manner— like i don't know the details but in the manner she _ like i don't know the details but in the manner she was _ like i don't know the details but in the manner she was laying - like i don't know the details but in the manner she was laying it- like i don't know the details but in the manner she was laying it out i like i don't know the details but ml the manner she was laying it out it is difficult — the manner she was laying it out it is difficult to — the manner she was laying it out it is difficult to hear. _ the manner she was laying it out it is difficult to hear. so _ the manner she was laying it out it is difficult to hear.— is difficult to hear. so not an easy time for the _ is difficult to hear. so not an easy time for the prime _ is difficult to hear. so not an easy time for the prime minister i is difficult to hear. so not an easy time for the prime minister overi is difficult to hear. so not an easy i time for the prime minister over the last hour, hearing her testimony and the important issues you raised. i think you found it interesting actually _ think you found it interesting actually. i think he enjoyed meeting her, actually. i think he enjoyed meeting her. he _ actually. i think he enjoyed meeting her, he found it interesting, and it wasn't _ her, he found it interesting, and it wasn't anything he hadn't heard before — wasn't anything he hadn't heard before in— wasn't anything he hadn't heard before in a sense. i wasn't anything he hadn't heard before in a sense.— wasn't anything he hadn't heard before in a sense. i don't think it was an abrasive _ before in a sense. i don't think it was an abrasive meeting. - before in a sense. i don't think it was an abrasive meeting. we i before in a sense. i don't think it| was an abrasive meeting. we are before in a sense. i don't think it i was an abrasive meeting. we are here in happier circumstances than previous meetings and i'm glad. abs, previous meetings and i'm glad. a sense of closure? perhaps - previous meetings and i'm glad. a sense of closure? perhaps not i sense of closure? perhaps not closure. sense of closure? perhaps not closure- l— sense of closure? perhaps not closure. i did _ sense of closure? perhaps not closure. i did mean _ sense of closure? perhaps not closure. i did mean it- sense of closure? perhaps not closure. i did mean it when i. sense of closure? perhaps not i closure. i did mean it when i asked him please do try and give evidence. he said he would look at it. he has been a part of our case in different roles, it's important his perspective is shared honestly with

parliament and that parliament does the job to parliament and that parliament does thejob to dig into parliament and that parliament does the job to dig into government and work out what were the lessons so it doesn't happen again, and let's hope that goes somewhere.— that goes somewhere. thank you. thanks. so there we will leave events in downing street, hearing there from richard, the husband of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. and you can see the rest of the family gathering alongside local mp tulip siddique. after that meeting, we were told an hour—long meeting with the prime minister this afternoon, and it was tulip siddique who said the prime minister deserves to hear directly from nazanin. and remember this is the first time the two have come face—to—face since borisjohnson, who was then foreign secretary, claimed in 2017 that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe had been training journalists. that was at the time of her arrest in 2016. his comments were then later cited as proof by

the authorities that nazanin was engaged in propaganda against the regime. so a full and frank meeting, we are told, between the two of them. we are told the prime minister didn't apologise but richard explaining it was undeniable that the prime minister understands the implications of what had transpired. you will remember that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was freed in march after being detained for so long. there was a further detail too because mps are hoping to stage an inquiry into the events that led to her detention and then subsequent release. nonetheless a meeting that has been going on for the last hour or so, just leaving downing street, the first time the two of them have been able to meet face—to—face since her release. more on that for you a little later.

since the start of the war, coleen rooney has taken the stand at the high court in london. hundreds of children fleeing ukraine have been enrolled in schools across the uk. school leaders have welcomed the arrival of the new pupils but say extra counselling and language tuition is needed to help support them. 0ur education correspondent elaine dunkley reports. marharyta arrived in manchester a month ago with her family. she couldn't speak any english. eyes. she's keen to learn. lip. like many children, she had to leave behind so much that she loved. ah, beautiful face. marharyta has just been offered a place at a local primary school, and it can't come soon enough. war has taken its toll on young lives. those things which ukrainian children saw... ..i don't believe, um, that it will be without any traumas. this is what childhood should be.

nine—year—old alisa is from a city in the south of ukraine which is close to intense fighting. she's just started at st martin's church of england primary in norfolk. alisa speaks very little english, but her new friend poppy is determined to make her feel as welcome as possible. do you understand each other? sometimes. ijust point at her and do a thumbs up. i've written a poem for alisa. it was about the war, and in the end i said, "we are your friends and you are safe here." it's been lovely having alisa here. it's been really good for the class to kind of rally together. we're starting to see smiles and laughter and communicating and joking with her friends. of course, at first we weren't seeing that. we are now, and that is telling us that she is feeling welcome and enjoying her time in school. label it with your ruler

and write the word... the department for education says it's working closely with local authorities to understand the costs of supporting children from ukraine. many councils are offering additional help with english. and children who arrive here on the homes for ukraine scheme will receive a grant for a school uniform. but one of the biggest challenges is emotional support. for now, marharyta attends saturday school at the ukrainian centre in manchester. the war has taken so much, but marharyta still has her dreams. she said, "mama, i need to be very good in school, because i want to be doctor." and i said, "it's not so difficult, if it's your dream." elaine dunkley, bbc news. the queen has made an appearance at the royal windsor horse show. her majesty, who's 96, was driven to the grounds to watch

her horses in the parade ring. she appeared to be in good spirits. after missing the state opening of parliament earlier this week, there had been speculation that she would not attend the annual event. but she did, and with us as our royal correspondent. there was a lot of relief, nice to see her in public. of relief, nice to see her in ublic. ,, , ., ., , , public. she will be a reassuring siaht public. she will be a reassuring si . ht for public. she will be a reassuring sight for people. _ public. she will be a reassuring sight for people. there - public. she will be a reassuring sight for people. there were i sight for people. there were anxieties about her health and she had to pull out of events such as the state 0pening had to pull out of events such as the state opening of parliament. here she was, looking very perky, and i think smiling and chatting to people, and looking very relaxed. i think it shows maybe the restorative power of horses but also the fact she didn't have to stand up very much. she was driven there and the mobility issues weren't such a big thing when she could stay seated. and she has a busy few weeks coming up. and she has a busy few weeks coming

u -. , . and she has a busy few weeks coming u . _ . , , and she has a busy few weeks coming u -. , , , ., ., and she has a busy few weeks coming u -. g , , ., ., ,., and she has a busy few weeks coming up. the jubilee is looming so that will be a packed _ up. the jubilee is looming so that will be a packed schedule, - up. the jubilee is looming so that will be a packed schedule, and i up. the jubilee is looming so that will be a packed schedule, and al up. the jubilee is looming so that i will be a packed schedule, and a lot of attention to what she can make. hopefully if there is good fun continues, we will see more of her, but perhaps this suggests she might be sitting down rather than standing up. we be sitting down rather than standing u -. ~ be sitting down rather than standing u, . ~' , be sitting down rather than standing u . _ . ~' , ., be sitting down rather than standing up. we will keep a close eye on that, up. we will keep a close eye on that. and _ up. we will keep a close eye on that, and the _ up. we will keep a close eye on that, and the celebrations i up. we will keep a close eye on | that, and the celebrations begin up. we will keep a close eye on i that, and the celebrations begin to gear up very soon. for now, thank you. there was some lovely dry weather in winter. what is it doing where you are? tomasz schafernaker has the details. it are? tomasz schafernaker has the details. . . . are? tomasz schafernaker has the details. . , ., . ., , ., details. it was a little cloudy for some of us _ details. it was a little cloudy for some of us earlier _ details. it was a little cloudy for some of us earlier today. i details. it was a little cloudy for some of us earlier today. the i some of us earlier today. the sunshine is becoming more prevalent now across the country and really quite warm in the south and south—east, 23 degrees, but fresher and cloudier conditions across parts of scotland with some showers as well. tonight it's going to be dry across england and wales, a bit of mist and murk forming, perhaps some drizzly showers in western areas of scotland. not particularly cold, in

city centres typically around 7 degrees. tomorrow i fine day with prolonged spells of sunshine throughout much of the uk. temperatures will reach 22 in london, matching that in hull as well, fresher in western scotland, around 1a, so overall a fine saturday on the way. we could have thundery showers across southern parts of the uk. this is bbc news, the headline s... a power—sharing government has been blocked over post—brexit trading agreements that keeps northern ireland part of the eu single market. borisjohnson wants to cut more than 90,000 civil service jobs, thatis more than 90,000 civil service jobs, that is one fifth of the total workforce, to save money and raise

funds to tackle the cost of living crisis. and naomi all of a battalion's vehicle has been... coleen rooney has taken a stand on day four of the rebekah vadim trial. and the queen is all smiles as she attends the royal windsor. is all smiles as she attends the royalwindsor. —— is all smiles as she attends the royal windsor. —— the rebekah vardy trial. so, just after 2:30pm, let's get all the latest sports news and results. i'm your canon has today announced his retirement from boxing some 18 years after bursting onto the scene as a teenager at the athens 0lympics.

—— amir khan has announced his retirement from boxing... 18 years after he burst on to the scene as a teenager at the athens 0lympics. his eventual professional career brought a world title. but it's ended at the age of 35. eleanor roper is our reporter. he did it all, unified a title, fought all around you all travelling from his home in bolton to vegas, everywhere, taking on all kinds of fights, he recently lost against kell brook in manchester. and it is from taking time off the back of that defeat that he has decided to call it a day. he is a name who has transcended boxing and done so much for the sport. after the race between the two for a champions league spot tightened, spurs boss antonio conte has told his arsenal counterpart mikel arteta to stop complaining. arteta said he'd be banned for six months if he said what he wanted to after the north london derby went spurs' way. decisively so at the spurs stadium last night. it started badly for arsenal when cedric soares conceded a penalty converted by harry kane who added a second later on. the fouls kept on coming particularly from rob holding who was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on son hyeung min

with the korean going on to seal the 3—0 win which takes spurs to just a point behind arsenal with two games to go. he has to be focused more on esteem and not to complain because he has just started this work and i think that he has to continue to work and be calm because he is very good but to listen to a coach complain a lot of the time is not good. liverpool have a weekend off from the intensity of a tight premier league title race as they attempt to win the second of what could still be four trophies this season. it's the fa cup final tomorrow against chelsea at wembley where alan shearer will be part of the bbc coverage. and he says the reason liverpool

are in the hunt for a quadruple at this late stage of the season is their strength in depth. 0ver over the years, juergen has attempted to put out weakened sides in the fa cup but this season with the size of their squad and a number of good the reason why they are they are still, still going really well, and still, still going really well, and still have the opportunity of creating history. ——jurgen has put out really strong squads. i'm sure we will switch it around again tomorrow particularly with the options he has upfront so it will be interesting to see who will start but whoever he does, let's hope this goes —— there's goals from both teams, it should be a great occasion and a great weekend. sergio aguero's been marking his own moment of history this morning with manchester city unveiling a statue commemorating the goal he scored to win them their first premier league title. 10 years ago today. it's probably the most famous moment in the league's history when aguero made it city 3 qpr 2 beating manchester united to the title on goal difference. he was back at the etihad

to see the shirt—twirling celebration immortalised, a goal described by the club chairman as the moment that changed everything for a team that could be about to win a fifth premier league since. for me, we have a reason because the next year we would wind the title and we don't know what happened if we lose the title that year, so it changed everything because the next year we started to wind more titles. that's all the sport for now. backin back in an hour. look forward to it. you just want to take you to event at stormont, a very busy day there and this is what is happening currently, we are hearing from the currently, we are hearing from the current speaker of the northern ireland assembly, who was elected

backin ireland assembly, who was elected back injanuary of ireland assembly, who was elected back in january of 2020. ireland assembly, who was elected back injanuary of 2020. we know that the democratic unionist party said they will not agree to elect a new speaker at stormont and this is the concern is to do with the northern ireland protocol, those trading arrangements that keep northern ireland as part of the eu single market for goods after brexit. we are told that we have heard from mr maskey speaking a bit earlier who said we will stay on as speaker if a new one is not elected. there are questions about what that means for the functioning of the executive and the assembly there because without the election of a new speaker, there can be no functioning assembly and you will remember the vote just last saw sinn fein become the largest party at stormont and again already this evening those new members have been welcomed to the assembly. let's take you to our reporter standing by

outside stormont. afternoon to you. as we said, hearing now from the current speaker who said we will remain as speaker if, as expected, a new one is not elected today and i wonder what you can tell us about whether that means the assembly can now continue and what role that plays on the overall mix of the assembly, just explain a little for us. assembly, 'ust explain a little for us. ... assembly, 'ust explain a little for us. . . , . , assembly, 'ust explain a little for us. , ., assembly, 'ust explain a little for us. ~ assembly, 'ust explain a little for us. he can stay on, alex maskey, and a caretaker — us. he can stay on, alex maskey, and a caretaker -- — us. he can stay on, alex maskey, and a caretaker -- in _ us. he can stay on, alex maskey, and a caretaker -- in a _ us. he can stay on, alex maskey, and a caretaker -- in a caretaker - a caretaker —— in a caretaker capacity but until a new speaker is elected, stormont cannot run as it is meant to, so the new ministers have not been elected either, so the old one can stay on as a caretaker but until you get that new team in, it will not run properly so that means things like health, education, the cost of living crisis, the energy crisis, those cannot be addressed properly and bills cannot be properly scrutinised with measures not properly acted upon

because stormont is not running properly, so as a caretaker capacity, there are some sense of continuity and things working a little bit but they do need this new team to come in and we've heard from sinn fein today and obviousl or they are now the largest party in stormont, they are absolutely furious with the dup's measures, saying they are holding society to ransom over what they call the brexit mess but the dup say this is not a political squabble, wejust cannot go on with the situation and the protocol, and if few hours ago, so jeffrey donaldson the protocol, and if few hours ago, sojeffrey donaldson spoke to the press and said not electing a new speaker is about sending a clear message to borisjohnson, you need to do something about the northern ireland protocol with the eu, so obviously very angry and it is a bit of a risk, really, because what happens now? how long will they dup stay out of stormont? how will voters react to that? it is a

political gamble but when they felt they had to do. haifa political gamble but when they felt they had to do-_ political gamble but when they felt they had to do. how much frustration is there that — they had to do. how much frustration is there that quite _ they had to do. how much frustration is there that quite clearly _ they had to do. how much frustration is there that quite clearly this - they had to do. how much frustration is there that quite clearly this is i is there that quite clearly this is a big issue? it is an issue that seems at the moment without a resolution on and as you describe, there are so many day to day issues that have been held up, they've not been able to be addressed, be it health care issues, housing, the cost of living crisis, all of it held up because there is such an impasse on this one single issue. it is weird because i think people are very frustrated, very angry, a lot of people, but they are also kind of resigned to it, they felt today... i will interrupt you because we need to head straight back inside to stormont to yourfrom to head straight back inside to stormont to your from alex maskey speaking about the events of the last week, we will come back to you in a moment. i5 last week, we will come back to you in a moment-— last week, we will come back to you in a moment. is required by standing orderllo. i in a moment. is required by standing order14. iwill_ in a moment. is required by standing order14. i will then _ in a moment. is required by standing order 14. i will then verify _ in a moment. is required by standing order 14. i will then verify that i order 1a. i will then verify that the member is willing to accept a

nomination and i will then ask for further proposals and follow the same procedure for each. when it appears there are no further proposals, i will make it really proposals, i will make it really proposals has passed and if members indicate they wish to speak, a debate relevant to the election may then take place during which members will have up to five minutes to speak. at the conclusion of this debate, orthe speak. at the conclusion of this debate, or the conclusion of nominations if there is no request to speak, i shall put the question at the memberfirst to speak, i shall put the question at the member first proposed shall be speak of this assembly and the focus will be on a cross community basis. if a proposal is not carried, i will put the question in relation to the next nominee and so on until all nominations are exhausted. 0nce all nominations are exhausted. once all nominations are exhausted. once a speaker is elected, all other nominations will automatically fall. do i have any proposals for the official speaker for this assembly? need to bear with me now to sort this out. who have we got?

i called doug beattie. i propose mike nesbitt. — do you have a second for that proposal? yes. so, mike nesbitt has been proposed and seconded, and can i ask the order standing order 1a —— ask that

understanding order 1a... does the member accept the proposal to be speaker? i member accept the proposal to be seaker? . .. . member accept the proposal to be seaker? . .. , ., ., member accept the proposal to be seaker? , ., ., ., ., speaker? i accept and i am honoured, mr speaker- — speaker? i accept and i am honoured, mr speaker- do _ speaker? i accept and i am honoured, mr speaker. do we _ speaker? i accept and i am honoured, mr speaker. do we have _ speaker? i accept and i am honoured, mr speaker. do we have matthew- mr speaker. do we have matthew o'toole? l _ mr speaker. do we have matthew o'toole? i oppose _ mr speaker. do we have matthew o'toole? i oppose patsy - mr speaker. do we have matthewl o'toole? i oppose patsy mcglone. mr speaker. do we have matthew- o'toole? i oppose patsy mcglone. do ou have a o'toole? i oppose patsy mcglone. do you have a seconder? _ o'toole? i oppose patsy mcglone. do you have a seconder? yes. _ o'toole? i oppose patsy mcglone. do you have a seconder? yes. does i o'toole? i oppose patsy mcglone. do| you have a seconder? yes. does patsy mcglone wish to accept the nomination? i mcglone wish to accept the nomination?— mcglone wish to accept the nomination? . .. , ., ~ , ., mcglone wish to accept the nomination? . .. , ., ~ m nomination? i accept. thank you. any further proposals? _ nomination? i accept. thank you. any further proposals? for— nomination? i accept. thank you. any further proposals? for a _ nomination? i accept. thank you. any further proposals? for a speaker? i nomination? i accept. thank you. any further proposals? for a speaker? no further proposals? for a speaker? no further proposals? for a speaker? no further proposals for speakers. so we have two members nominated, mike nesbitt and we will open it up to

any speakers for the house. —— mike nesbitt and patsy mcglone. flan any speakers for the house. —— mike nesbitt and patsy mcglone. can i congratulate _ nesbitt and patsy mcglone. can i congratulate all— nesbitt and patsy mcglone. can i congratulate all colleagues i nesbitt and patsy mcglone. can i congratulate all colleagues across the chamber today on your successful election— the chamber today on your successful election results and welcome to everybody to this assembly and we look forward to working together any time ahead, it's truly a special order— time ahead, it's truly a special order for— time ahead, it's truly a special order for any of us to hold elected office _ order for any of us to hold elected office to _ order for any of us to hold elected office to represent the communities from which — office to represent the communities from which we all come. i think we carry— from which we all come. i think we carry the _ from which we all come. i think we carry the hopes and the expectations of workers. — carry the hopes and the expectations of workers, families, and businesses that are _ of workers, families, and businesses that are relying on us to work together— that are relying on us to work together in a spirit of cooperation and to— together in a spirit of cooperation and to deliver real change. the public— and to deliver real change. the public will— and to deliver real change. the public will be rightly watching on today— public will be rightly watching on today as — public will be rightly watching on today as theyjuggle their work and family— today as theyjuggle their work and family responsibilities and they struggle to manage their household budgets. _ struggle to manage their household budgets, and they are walking that make _ budgets, and they are walking that make watching on the new hope that the parties _ make watching on the new hope that the parties in this chamber have the maturity— the parties in this chamber have the maturity and the courage to shoulder our responsibilities and get down to business _ our responsibilities and get down to business and acts in the common good _ business and acts in the common good. there is absolute the no reason why we should be any role crisis. _ the no reason why we should be any role crisis, even for one second.

over— role crisis, even for one second. over the — role crisis, even for one second. over the past two years, this 0ver the past two years, this assembly— over the past two years, this assembly and this executive has delivered — assembly and this executive has delivered and we have proved that politics _ delivered and we have proved that politics and power sharing here can work when we give leadership, deliver a good public service _ leadership, deliver a good public service and champion indifference and inclusion but oppose division. these _ and inclusion but oppose division. these are — and inclusion but oppose division. these are my values also. new democratic outcome of the selection must now— democratic outcome of the selection must now be respected. today i stand ready. _ must now be respected. today i stand ready. we _ must now be respected. today i stand ready, we stand ready to elect a speaker. — ready, we stand ready to elect a speaker, form an exec event take on the leadership of the northern lreland — the leadership of the northern ireland executive. as a first minister— ireland executive. as a first minister for all and a government that works — minister for all and a government that works for all of the people. it is the _ that works for all of the people. it is the job— that works for all of the people. it is the job of our heroic doctors, nurses— is the job of our heroic doctors, nurses and _ is the job of our heroic doctors, nurses and nhs staff to treat and care for— nurses and nhs staff to treat and care for patients but it is ourjob as politicians to properly fund that service _ as politicians to properly fund that service it — as politicians to properly fund that service. it is time to agree a three-year— service. it is time to agree a three—year budget and immediately invest— three—year budget and immediately invest an _ three—year budget and immediately invest an extra £1 billion on our health— invest an extra £1 billion on our health service. workers and families are facing _ health service. workers and families are facing really hard times because of the _ are facing really hard times because of the cost — are facing really hard times because of the cost of living crisis and that — of the cost of living crisis and that the _ of the cost of living crisis and that the man is our immediate action. — that the man is our immediate action. not— that the man is our immediate action, not protest, mr speaker,

this is— action, not protest, mr speaker, this is our— action, not protest, mr speaker, this is our hour of decision. not tomorrow. _ this is our hour of decision. not tomorrow, and not for a moment longer. _ tomorrow, and not for a moment longer. can— tomorrow, and not for a moment longer, can you dup deny democracy, punish _ longer, can you dup deny democracy, punish the _ longer, can you dup deny democracy, punish the public and boycott the assembly— punish the public and boycott the assembly and executive, and prevent us from _ assembly and executive, and prevent us from putting money into people was my— us from putting money into people was my pockets. every party in the chamber— was my pockets. every party in the chamber told the electorate that they would turn up on day one, well they would turn up on day one, well they dup _ they would turn up on day one, well they dup have failed on day one. the people _ they dup have failed on day one. the people and _ they dup have failed on day one. the people and the business here want to have confidence and they want to have _ have confidence and they want to have hope — have confidence and they want to have hope for the future so it is now _ have hope for the future so it is now time — have hope for the future so it is now time to look forward, not backwards. we and sinn fein will continue — backwards. we and sinn fein will continue to— backwards. we and sinn fein will continue to turn up, to work in partnership— continue to turn up, to work in partnership with willing partners, to deliver— partnership with willing partners, to deliver four people today and everyday — to deliver four people today and everyday. finally, mr speaker, let me say— everyday. finally, mr speaker, let me say a — everyday. finally, mr speaker, let me say a few words just to yourself in terms _ me say a few words just to yourself in terms of— me say a few words just to yourself in terms of your last sitting at the assembly — in terms of your last sitting at the assembly. let me take this opportunity to thank you for the civility— opportunity to thank you for the civility and exercise of a stranger encouraged us all throughout your tenure _ encouraged us all throughout your tenure in — encouraged us all throughout your tenure in your role as speaker. helping — tenure in your role as speaker. helping to _ tenure in your role as speaker. helping to moderate better community relations— helping to moderate better community relations inside but also important

to the _ relations inside but also important to the outside on a wider community. your four— to the outside on a wider community. your four decades of dedicated public— your four decades of dedicated public service leave a legacy for which _ public service leave a legacy for which many politicians would rightly be proud _ which many politicians would rightly be proud and we thank you for that, and may— be proud and we thank you for that, and may i_ be proud and we thank you for that, and may i also acknowledge your good wife also _ and may i also acknowledge your good wife also in _ and may i also acknowledge your good wife also in the gallery today because _ wife also in the gallery today because as we all know when you are in elected _ because as we all know when you are in elected live, it can be very challenging and we all need a family support— challenging and we all need a family support and we very much recognise that so— support and we very much recognise that so thank you for everything you have done — that so thank you for everything you have done i— that so thank you for everything you have done. ... that so thank you for everything you have done. . . ., that so thank you for everything you have done._ thankl have done. i call paul given. thank ou and have done. i call paul given. thank you and can _ have done. i call paul given. thank you and can i _ have done. i call paul given. thank you and can i thank _ have done. i call paul given. thank you and can i thank you _ have done. i call paul given. thank you and can i thank you for- have done. i call paul given. thank you and can i thank you for a i you and can i thank you for a speaker as this assembly not only with the 90 members guiding people but also when it came to private members bill which i had one and your advice, members bill which i had one and youradvice, i members bill which i had one and your advice, i wish you well and the class of 98, now reduces too i think only three members who are in the chamber today who were they are back all those years ago. mr speaker, in october 2019, at a time when sinn fein help northern ireland to ransom for three years in refusing to form

a government, this assembly sought to elect a speaker and a leader of the sdlp then, colin eastwood, said we will not be able to have an executive, northern ireland assembly or north, south ministerial council. it is our clear view, it is the good friday agreement was a clear view that the best way to effect any change to any legislation is to do it within the confines of those structures and that it will not happen as part of a shadow assembly at all. but will lead only to the fundamental destruction of the good friday agreement. the irish sea border has fundamentally undermined the belfast agreement. it has changed our relationship with the united kingdom. not one unionist elected to this assembly supports the northern ireland protocol. we do not consent. that is a fundamental

cornerstone of the belfast agreement, the principle of consent. and that is gone as a result of the northern ireland protocol. last september, we outlined the problems. we gave forward our solutions, we were patient, we have been reasonable. we allowed space for the united kingdom and european union to engage in negotiations and top, and so the talks went on and on as we continued to be patient. whilst others in this place acted in a divisive manner and called for rigorous implementation at a time when we had a cost of living crisis, members of this house want to drive up members of this house want to drive up the cost of transportation, they want to harm people as a result of the northern ireland protocol and we do not and we want to put forward pragmatic solutions. the democratic unionist party received a mandate in the assembly elections, a mandate to

remove the irish sea border, and our mandate will be given respect. we have engaged with the prime minister this week, the foreign secretary, the secretary of state, and our message is now clear. it is time for action. words will no longer suffice. and it is because we believe in the revolution and it is because we want the sustainability of these institutions to endure that we are taking the action we are taking today. i will. you like i thank the member for giving way and we will know that the house will know that the dup end and leave unionism has a very clear mandate to deal with the irish sea border. with that respect, does the member find it quite bizarre that the words power sharing were missing from the lips of the leader of sinn fein, michelle o'neill? and the fact that many in this house now call for majority rule. with the member agree that these institutions can only exist if they have consent from all

not corners of the house. yes exist if they have consent from all not corners of the house.- not corners of the house. yes the member is _ not corners of the house. yes the member is right _ not corners of the house. yes the member is right that _ not corners of the house. yes the member is right that northern . member is right that northern ireland works best and we work together and those who now call for majority rule need to recommit themselves and i challenge sinn fein in particular because they need to recommit themselves to the principles of the belfast agreement and to power—sharing. because we will not be dictated to. we will be treated with respect and equality. we are committed to devolution. we do want these institutions to work with the protocol and the belfast agreement being incompatible, you cannot have both. now is the time for action, cannot have both. now is the time foraction, not cannot have both. now is the time for action, not for cannot have both. now is the time foraction, not forfurther cannot have both. now is the time for action, not for further delay for action, not for further delay for procrastination, the democratic unionist party's position is resolute. we are determined to succeed in the approach we are taking. because we want this

executive to be built on solid foundations that will endure and deliver for the people of northern ireland. . ~ deliver for the people of northern ireland. ., ~ i. ., , ireland. thank you. can i first thank you _ ireland. thank you. can i first thank you for _ ireland. thank you. can i first thank you for presiding - ireland. thank you. can i first thank you for presiding over l ireland. thank you. can i first i thank you for presiding over the operations of this chamber over the last number of years? i think you are fair, yourfurnace last number of years? i think you are fair, your furnace and last number of years? i think you are fair, yourfurnace and in passivity a speaker reflected both on the changes made to our procedures in order to ensure independent members and smaller groupings would have a full opportunity to participate but was also reflected in the fact that as you said yourself, you help the parliaments both for the youth and also for pensioners, for disabled persons and then also for women. it is important that this chamber reflects the entirety of our society and is inclusive, and you play an important role in that. you also

steered us through covid and hybrid working on one of the most legislative timetable is any speaker has resided over, not least of all in terms of the number of pieces of legislation and private members bills that came through at the end of the session. i want to pay particular tribute, of the session. i want to pay particulartribute, if of the session. i want to pay particular tribute, if i may, to your handling of the apology, hugely sensitive matter for all involved and one of which you discharge your duties with real dignity. thank you to your staff and especially to francis lenehan who i know has now retired. with respect to the election of the future speaker, i want to wish both mike nesbitt and patsy mcglone well. i think both are able and capable of taking up that role and we would be happy to support either and probably will end “p support either and probably will end up supporting both given the way things are likely to break down in the chamber later. in truth, either could do the job the chamber later. in truth, either could do thejob but the chamber later. in truth, either could do the job but our priority is that someone does the job because we are here today in order to elect a

speaker so that the assembly can go about its business and so those who have been elected can serve the people who have elected them and in order that those items that we can proceed with in the next few weeks can be moved forward, we come here with a can—do attitude and a commitment to serve the people who elected us and i hope others do likewise. the dup have said in the press that they will not support the election of a speaker here today. there is, however, still time to reflect on that position, notwithstanding what the former first minister has just said and it's worth remembering when we talk about consent and equality that many of us in this chamber represent people who did not consent to brexit in the first place, and yet we turned up for work. we turned up for work. we also do not all have equality. some in this chamber are more equal than others and myself and my 16 colleagues mvotes will count for a lesson this next

election and everyone else in this chamber so if we are really committed to equality, we will also be committed to reforming these institutions so that anomaly will be brought to an end. however, if you believe in devolution, as mr given claims he does, you do not gamble with it at such a important juncture. you make it work for the people who elected you. we accept there are issues with the protocol. we accept they should be resolved but nothing that the protocol does to harm northern ireland will be helped at all by the lack of a functioning government. in conclusion, to turn up here, to sign in, to take salaries, and refused to take seat is a slap in the face for every family that struggles to make ends meet, for every person who sits on waiting lists and i would appeal to the dup to think long and hard before they insult the electorate by doing so today. j

before they insult the electorate by doing so today-— before they insult the electorate by doing so today. i thank the member and i called — doing so today. i thank the member and i called doug _ doing so today. i thank the member and i called doug beattie. _ doing so today. i thank the member and i called doug beattie. thank- and i called doug beattie. thank ou, mr and i called doug beattie. thank you, mr speaker. _ silence. the same silence we were subjected — silence. the same silence we were subjected to for three years when sinn fein— subjected to for three years when sinn fein walked out. the same silence — sinn fein walked out. the same silence we — sinn fein walked out. the same silence we are now going to be subjected to if the dup don't swoon— subjected to if the dup don't support a speaker. people will go cold and — support a speaker. people will go cold and hungry in their homes and from _ cold and hungry in their homes and from this— cold and hungry in their homes and from this place, there will be silence _ from this place, there will be silence. people will die on waiting lists and _ silence. people will die on waiting lists and from this house, there will be — lists and from this house, there will be silence. people will be desperately calling for an ambulance

and from _ desperately calling for an ambulance and from this place there will be silence — and from this place there will be silence. 0ur and from this place there will be silence. our children will go to school— silence. our children will go to school hungry. they will not be able to afford _ school hungry. they will not be able to afford uniforms. and from this house. _ to afford uniforms. and from this house, they will be silence. the only— house, they will be silence. the only thing — house, they will be silence. the only thing that will be a constant after_ only thing that will be a constant after today will be silence from us. the rest _ after today will be silence from us. the rest will be screaming for help and we _ the rest will be screaming for help and we will — the rest will be screaming for help and we will be silent. today, we can at least _ and we will be silent. today, we can at least do _ and we will be silent. today, we can at least do something. we can elect at least do something. we can elect a speaken — at least do something. we can elect a speaker. it allows us to do part of the _ a speaker. it allows us to do part of the business that we can do, it allows— of the business that we can do, it allows us— of the business that we can do, it allows us to — of the business that we can do, it allows us to move within the budget is that— allows us to move within the budget is that we _ allows us to move within the budget is that we have got. we can do something to end the silence, without— something to end the silence, without compromising the dup's position— without compromising the dup's position on the protocol, which is

an issue — position on the protocol, which is an issue if— position on the protocol, which is an issue. if we elect a speaker. if we do _ an issue. if we elect a speaker. if we do not. — an issue. if we elect a speaker. if we do not, silence. that same uncomfortable silence you all felt when _ uncomfortable silence you all felt when i _ uncomfortable silence you all felt when i first stood up. that is what you will— when i first stood up. that is what you will feel from this moment on. as the _ you will feel from this moment on. as the people of this country stare at us _ as the people of this country stare at us and — as the people of this country stare at us and we give them nothing. so we can— at us and we give them nothing. so we can elect— at us and we give them nothing. so we can elect a speaker. and i've put forward _ we can elect a speaker. and i've put forward a _ we can elect a speaker. and i've put forward a speaker, a man of integrity. _ forward a speaker, a man of integrity, a man of compassion, a nran— integrity, a man of compassion, a man who — integrity, a man of compassion, a man who can— integrity, a man of compassion, a man who can wreak every single corner— man who can wreak every single corner of— man who can wreak every single corner of this assembly, you know him and _ corner of this assembly, you know him and he — corner of this assembly, you know him and he is somebody who you can speak— him and he is somebody who you can speak to _ him and he is somebody who you can speak to with honesty, someone who can reach— speak to with honesty, someone who can reach out beyond this assembly in mike _ can reach out beyond this assembly in mike nesbitt, a man who also acted _ in mike nesbitt, a man who also acted as— in mike nesbitt, a man who also acted as a — in mike nesbitt, a man who also acted as a victims commission or so he knows _ acted as a victims commission or so he knows the — acted as a victims commission or so he knows the heartache that is out there _ he knows the heartache that is out there we —

he knows the heartache that is out there. we can to day make the point we need _ there. we can to day make the point we need to— there. we can to day make the point we need to make in regards to the protocol— we need to make in regards to the protocol but also elect a speaker in order— protocol but also elect a speaker in order to _ protocol but also elect a speaker in order to do — protocol but also elect a speaker in order to do some business so we do not have _ order to do some business so we do not have silence. otherwise we walk out of _ not have silence. otherwise we walk out of here — not have silence. otherwise we walk out of here and the moment is lost. and we _ out of here and the moment is lost. and we cannot allow that. nobody here can _ and we cannot allow that. nobody here can allow that. individually, you cannot — here can allow that. individually, you cannot allow that. moral courage will tell— you cannot allow that. moral courage will tell you _ you cannot allow that. moral courage will tell you not to allow that. and standing _ will tell you not to allow that. and standing to nominate mike nesbitt, i standing to nominate mike nesbitt, i stand understanding the limitations of what _ stand understanding the limitations of what we can do but understand also that — of what we can do but understand also that it's the right thing to do so we _ also that it's the right thing to do so we can— also that it's the right thing to do so we can at least help in part the people _ so we can at least help in part the people at— so we can at least help in part the people at their who need our help. thank— people at their who need our help. thank you — people at their who need our help. thank you-— thank you. thank you and i call matthew o'toole. _ thank you. thank you and i call matthew o'toole. thank - thank you. thank you and i call matthew o'toole. thank you. l thank you. thank you and i call i matthew o'toole. thank you. can thank you. thank you and i call - matthew o'toole. thank you. can i first will start — matthew o'toole. thank you. can i first will start on _ matthew o'toole. thank you. can i first will start on behalf _ matthew o'toole. thank you. can i first will start on behalf of - matthew o'toole. thank you. can i first will start on behalf of the - first will start on behalf of the social democratic and labour party

tjy social democratic and labour party by welcoming all newly elected mlas to this chamber and can i thank you, mr speaker, for your work over the past 2.5 years, i hope you can finish it in because of worked hard for all of us over the past two and a half years and you deserve your retirement. the choice to us today is whether we allow you to retire and elect a successor. there is nothing more profound in public life and being entrusted with the responsibility of service by the electorate. the first act in this new assembly, my first access to proudly nominate our friend to break pattern alone to the role speaker. it is an important role that oversees the chamber and executive and private member wasn't business and private member wasn't business and act as a representative for the whole institution in all our diversity and we believe patsy is uniquely qualified to act as a speaker at this moment. i have lots in the speech about why patsy is qualified and everyone in the chamber who has served with patsy knows how qualified he is. he has

over the past three decades embodied social democratic politics, constitutional irish nationalism but critically cross community politics, a member of the chamberfor critically cross community politics, a member of the chamber for nearly 20 years, a former chair of cookstown council and in a sense, today all of my words are largely in vain. because the dup, a party which has the word democratic in name has decided to thwart its democracy. not only are we thwarting democracy but they are demeaning democracy. they demean the process that all of us have spent the past six weeks engaging. all of us who knocked on the door, went to a hustings, made our case to our constituents, they are demeaning that entire process. during the six weeks of campaigning, i have countless people from all backgrounds telling me that they were considering not voting. they became so tired of gridlock and

dysfunction that they didn't want to hear about the democratic process. a woman described herself to me as a small u unionist wouldn't vote because her trust had been destroyed. another told me about the relative weighting in an ambulance, if you want to do something about it, itold her, vote. ialways if you want to do something about it, i told her, vote. i always take the time to convince people to cast the time to convince people to cast the vote, but that woman is now not just a voter, she is my constituent. what do i tell her but the shameful spectacle the dup is inflicting on her and all of us today? i would like to ask the leader of the dup that now hasn't taken a seat, but i can't. in stifling notjust the creation of an executive but even the appointment of a speaker to allow basic debate and hold caretaker ministers to account, the

dup has demeaned the entire democratic process. shame on them, and i say to them don't blame the protocol, don't blame the eu, the irish government. this is your responsibility. i designated today as a social democrat and a nationalist because my party has always been more than a constitutional party. there are many people whose views on the constitution have evolved, many simply want to live in a society at peace with itself and with a functioning government delivering on their needs. if the dup seeks the constitutional status quo as it says it does, then i say to them, why are you so determined to make the status quo so unappealing? mr speaker, when we finally have a functioning assembly, i hope again to be nominating the outstanding candidate for the job, nominating the outstanding candidate for thejob, when nominating the outstanding candidate for the job, when the nominating the outstanding candidate for thejob, when the dup decides nominating the outstanding candidate for the job, when the dup decides to finally stop holding the people of northern ireland to ransom.

mr speaker, there is no reason about the characteristics of personalities of either mike nesbitt or patsy mcglone that they would not make a perfectly adequate speaker. for one very simple reason... in politics when a community is downtrodden, when a community is downtrodden, when a community is downtrodden, when a community is ignored, when it is —— its legitimate protests are trampled underfoot, then that community is entitled, indeed it must use whatever legitimate leverage it has to extricate the situation. we are in the situation

as unionists in northern ireland where we are being expected to live under the unbearable. the protocol which degrees and operates under the basis that great britain is a foreign country. that is something that no unionist can ever come to terms with. and therefore all unionists should be on the side of exercising the leverage that is available to seek to force a change to that situation. and that is why, since the leverage is in respect of this assembly... in a moment. in respect of this assembly, that is why the mendacious prime minister that we have has to be brought to the point of choice. does he want to save the protocol, or does he want to save these institutions? it is as simple as that. if there is, and i

trust there is unrelenting unionist resolve that that choice must be made, then we are in a situation that until this protocol becomes moribund, then this assembly must be moribund. that is abundant. i appreciate that the protocol fanatics cannot come to terms with the fact that they have embraced a system that is supposed to have at its heart consent, but do not wish to live by that system. who seem to think that unionist concerns are there to be trampled on. everyone else's concerns are there to be adhered to. i'm sorry. the 65 unionist votes i have, i'm not going to allow anyone to trample unions concerns —— unionist concerns and i will make sure they are heard and listened to in this house. i will make sure they are heard and listened to in this house.- listened to in this house. i thank the member— listened to in this house. i thank the member for _ listened to in this house. i thank the member for giving _ listened to in this house. i thank the member for giving way. - listened to in this house. i thank l the member for giving way. would listened to in this house. i thank - the member for giving way. would he not agree _ the member for giving way. would he not agree the real average is not these _ not agree the real average is not these institutions, the real average

being _ these institutions, the real average being exercised here is the pain of the public— being exercised here is the pain of the public of northern ireland. that is not _ the public of northern ireland. that is not that— the public of northern ireland. that is not that these institutions will be harmed and unionism should think lon- be harmed and unionism should think long and _ be harmed and unionism should think long and hard by the way about upsetting the institutions because of the _ upsetting the institutions because of the damage it could do to their own cars. — of the damage it could do to their own cars, but it is the pain being inflicted — own cars, but it is the pain being inflicted on — own cars, but it is the pain being inflicted on the public should cause the member concerned.— the member concerned. order, members. _ the member concerned. order, members, order. _ the member concerned. order, members, order. the - the member concerned. order, members, order. the member| the member concerned. order, - members, order. the member speaks in an irrational way — members, order. the member speaks in an irrational way because _ members, order. the member speaks in an irrational way because the _ members, order. the member speaks in an irrational way because the very - an irrational way because the very protocol itself is causing pain. it is adding excessive cost to the cost of living through transport costs. it is causing businesses which hitherto supplied trade to our supermarket shelves to cease to trade. so the member is very selective in her approach. but the fundamental is yes, we have a prime minister who will have to choose, and yes we have parties in this house who will have to choose. do

they want these institutions or do they want these institutions or do they want the protocol? it is a choice for you all. as far as i'm concerned, and i trust it is the continuing resolve of everyone else, you cannot and will not have both. make up your mind. i you cannot and will not have both. make up your mind.— make up your mind. i call, i called--- — make up your mind. i call, i called... order. _ make up your mind. i call, i called... order. order, - make up your mind. i call, i- called... order. order, members. order, members. let's continue as we began, respectfully— let's continue as we began, respectfully in— let's continue as we began, respectfully in order. - let's continue as we began, respectfully in order. i- let's continue as we began, respectfully in order.- let's continue as we began, respectfully in order. i want to wish ou respectfully in order. i want to wish you well, _ respectfully in order. i want to wish you well, i _ respectfully in order. i want to wish you well, i was _ respectfully in order. i want to wish you well, i was going - respectfully in order. i want to wish you well, i was going to l respectfully in order. i want to i wish you well, i was going to say respectfully in order. i want to - wish you well, i was going to say in your retirement but i somehow think your retirement but i somehow think you may not be able to retire not only from this place but from politics but i wish you well and thank you for your service. i also want to thank the people of west belfast for returning me to this assembly and i'm happy to take the baton to hold any incumbent executive to account and by will it be needed if it is formed. 0ur communities are struggling with swollen energy and fuel bills, and

truth be told when the executive was sitting they ignored the plight of those struggling which is why we are seeing triangles links are —— translink workers taking action next week. our message is quite simple, if bills are rapidly rising, then so should workers of�* wagers. no more below inflation pay offer is, they are unacceptable. what we have to do today, call it the actions of the dup and the obstruction —— call out their actions. dup and the obstruction —— call out theiractions. poll dup and the obstruction —— call out their actions. poll after poll has shown it isn't a priority or the number one issue people are vexed about. we need to ask ourselves as unionists or whatever else, in many ways it is a manufactured crisis. the dup tried to cause panic and fear and whip people up based on fear and whip people up based on

fear and whip people up based on fear and division in odyssey of their own seats. the vast majority of people should not be held to ransom by the dup's self—serving actions. they have been a continual barrier to progress in this place and there is no democratic rationale or reason for the dup to boycott the position of deputy first minister. sinn fein shouldn't be blocked from the position of first minister because they are a national party or because they are a national party or because of games over the protocol. but let's be honest, real change in our society will come from within this building —— will not, but it will be out on the streets and on picket lines with workers who are catholic, protestant, migrant and catholic, protestant, migrantand people who catholic, protestant, migrant and people who are catholic, protestant, migrantand people who are classed as other in this part of the world. that's why i will be here next week regardless of whether this place is reconvened or not. . ~' , .,

could we clarify whether or not there _ could we clarify whether or not there will— could we clarify whether or not there will be a translation or is this the — there will be a translation or is this the moment in time to use headsets? _ this the moment in time to use headsets? i think would be helpful for all— headsets? i think would be helpful for all members. with headsets? i think would be helpful for all members.— for all members. with respect, i think members _ for all members. with respect, i think members were _ for all members. with respect, i think members were given - for all members. with respect, i | think members were given notice for all members. with respect, i - think members were given notice as to how this would be conducted. this person is indicating that she is speaking in irish... brute person is indicating that she is speaking in irish...— person is indicating that she is speaking in irish... we are going to leave events _ speaking in irish... we are going to leave events there _ speaking in irish... we are going to leave events there in _ speaking in irish... we are going to leave events there in stormont - speaking in irish... we are going to leave events there in stormont andj leave events there in stormont and there is full coverage of that over on bbc parliament if you would like to continue watching events there, as there is an attempt to continue with that election of a speaker. we

are going to speak to charlotte gallagher who is standing by outside stormont for us. thank you for your patience. you have been listening to that. lots of criticism from all around the assembly there of the unionist refusal to elect a speaker, and they focused particularly on the problems that creates as far as the every day living standards, the cost of living crisis is concerned. what do you make of what you have heard and the criticism of the unionists who are seemingly in their words holding up the whole process? it is holding up the whole process? it is interestint holding up the whole process? it 3 interesting because i actually think the strongest criticism of the dup actually came from another unionist party, the ulster unionist party. its leaderjim beattie furious in the chamber saying what will happen if we just greet everything with silence? people needing hospital, waiting lists, education, and just silence, silence, silence. from the

politicians they have elected and are being paid to do theirjob but they are not doing it. so i think interestingly he was one of the strongest critics in there. but yes, all around the chamber, sinn fein, alliance, sdlp, really angry with the dup about the refusal to elect a new speaker in stormont effectively blocking anything from happening in the building behind me. lots of the other parties were talking about different issues, notjust the northern ireland protocol. so education, health. but the dup is so focused on the protocol, they think theyjust focused on the protocol, they think they just cannot continue focused on the protocol, they think theyjust cannot continue unless it has gone completely. i think what we will see and hear today from inside the building behind me is more of the building behind me is more of the same. people arguing basically about what will happen in the future, and i think a lot of voters who are watching this, people in northern ireland are probably feeling pretty fed up today, thinking when are we ever going to get past this and have a functioning

devolved government? so things we really care about get solved. that is notjust the protocol, it is everything going on in society. things like buses, when will they get fixed? that will be the frustration of a lot of people watching at home, a feeling of resignation really. but the dup said they are doing this to send a message to borisjohnson that he needs to do something about this protocol with the eu. it is a risk for them but they are hoping it will pay off. for them but they are hoping it will -a off. , . for them but they are hoping it will .a off. , ., , pay off. yes, and interesting we heard from _ pay off. yes, and interesting we heard from the _ pay off. yes, and interesting we heard from the alliance - pay off. yes, and interesting we heard from the alliance party i pay off. yes, and interesting we - heard from the alliance party leader talking about the pain inflicted on the public as a result of this impasse. but then, as you said, we heard fromjim impasse. but then, as you said, we heard from jim alistair, the trade unionist voice, traditionalist unionist voice i should say, saying actually the problem with this is pain is being inflicted on the public already has a result of this protocol. public already has a result of this rotocol. , . ~ public already has a result of this rotocol. , . ,, ., , protocol. yes, and i think that is one of the _ protocol. yes, and i think that is one of the problem _ protocol. yes, and i think that is one of the problem is _

protocol. yes, and i think that is one of the problem is that - protocol. yes, and i think that is | one of the problem is that parties inside there just cannot agree and cannot get past this protocol. i heard someone on the radio describing sinn fein and the dup is being trapped in a loveless marriage and that is kind of the sense you get when you see and hear the events going on in stormont behind me, that there isn't going to be any progress at this time unless something is done on the protocol. a lot of people that voted, the ones that voted for sinn fein really have no problem with the protocol. this is a dup and unionist issue.— dup and unionist issue. charlotte, thank you- — dup and unionist issue. charlotte, thank you. let's _ dup and unionist issue. charlotte, thank you. let's head _ dup and unionist issue. charlotte, thank you. let's head straight - dup and unionist issue. charlotte, | thank you. let's head straight back inside into that chamber. a speaker for the dup is on his feet, let's have a listen.— for the dup is on his feet, let's have a listen. michelle o'neill in 2019 opposed — have a listen. michelle o'neill in 2019 opposed to _ have a listen. michelle o'neill in 2019 opposed to the _ have a listen. michelle o'neill in 2019 opposed to the election - have a listen. michelle o'neill in 2019 opposed to the election of| have a listen. michelle o'neill in | 2019 opposed to the election of a speaker. — 2019 opposed to the election of a speaker, she came today and talked about— speaker, she came today and talked about the _ speaker, she came today and talked about the need to have courage to .et about the need to have courage to get on _ about the need to have courage to get on with— about the need to have courage to get on with the job and that we shouldn't— get on with the job and that we shouldn't deny democracy, but of course _ shouldn't deny democracy, but of course for— shouldn't deny democracy, but of course for three years sinn fein

stopped — course for three years sinn fein stopped the assembly and the executive operating. and she said she would — executive operating. and she said she would not be coming into this assembly— she would not be coming into this assembly until there was an executive established. and of course mr eastwood said there will not be an executive formed today, and if that is— an executive formed today, and if that is the — an executive formed today, and if that is the case we will be in no position— that is the case we will be in no position to _ that is the case we will be in no position to support a speaker and allow— position to support a speaker and allow for— position to support a speaker and allow for the undermining of the good _ allow for the undermining of the good friday agreement. what has changed _ good friday agreement. what has changed in that time? i will give way in _ changed in that time? i will give way in a — changed in that time? i will give way in a moment. well, maybe we should _ way in a moment. well, maybe we should look— way in a moment. well, maybe we should look at the words that came next from — should look at the words that came next from mr eastwood. he said we will not _ next from mr eastwood. he said we will not support a speaker and allow for an— will not support a speaker and allow foran undermining of will not support a speaker and allow for an undermining of the good friday— for an undermining of the good friday agreement through a unionist dominated shadow assembly. so that is what _ dominated shadow assembly. so that is what has _ dominated shadow assembly. so that is what has changed. today there has been talk— is what has changed. today there has been talk about trust in politics. what _ been talk about trust in politics. what does it do for trust in politics— what does it do for trust in politics but they are not wanting to

elect a _ politics but they are not wanting to elect a speaker today? that is consistent inconsistent from the sdlp~~ — consistent inconsistent from the sdlp... they are shaking their head, they don't— sdlp... they are shaking their head, they don't like it. sdlp. .. they are shaking their head, they don't like it.— they don't like it. order, please. proceed. that _ they don't like it. order, please. proceed. that is _ they don't like it. order, please. proceed. that is the _ they don't like it. order, please. proceed. that is the difficulty . they don't like it. order, please. j proceed. that is the difficulty for the baddies _ proceed. that is the difficulty for the baddies today _ proceed. that is the difficulty for the baddies today because - proceed. that is the difficulty for the baddies today because they. proceed. that is the difficulty for i the baddies today because they had one position in 2019 and they have changed _ one position in 2019 and they have changed it — one position in 2019 and they have changed it. they are all shaking their— changed it. they are all shaking their heads, it's the truth. you all had the _ their heads, it's the truth. you all had the opportunity to come here in october— had the opportunity to come here in october 2019. the sdlp turned up and said they— october 2019. the sdlp turned up and said they weren't going to do it. order, — said they weren't going to do it. order, order, members. we are nearly there. _ order, order, members. we are nearly there. lets— order, order, members. we are nearly there. lets keep— order, order, members. we are nearly there, let's keep the _ order, order, members. we are nearly there, let's keep the order, _ order, order, members. we are nearly there, let's keep the order, keep- there, let's keep the order, keep there, let's keep the order, keep the business _ there, let's keep the order, keep the business respectful. - there, let's keep the order, keep the business respectful. it’s- there, let's keep the order, keep the business respectful. it's going to be a very _ the business respectful. it's going to be a very difficult _ the business respectful. it's going to be a very difficult mandate - the business respectful. it's going to be a very difficult mandate if. to be a very difficult mandate if the members cannot accept the truth when it— the members cannot accept the truth when it is— the members cannot accept the truth when it is in— the members cannot accept the truth when it is in black and white on hansard — when it is in black and white on hansard what happened. with the member except _ hansard what happened. with the member except it _ hansard what happened. with the member except it isn't _ hansard what happened. with the member except it isn't just - hansard what happened. with the member except it isn'tjust a - hansard what happened. with the i member except it isn'tjust a change in the balance between unionism and nationalism that has changed if we

are going to talk about truth and transparency? but it is a fact that there are ministers in office at this point who are desirous of scrutiny, who havejobs to this point who are desirous of scrutiny, who have jobs to do and who need a functioning chamber in order to do it. farfrom being a pointless talking shop as in october 2019 what we would have in this context is a functioning assembly with ministers able to be held to account. perhaps if we want to talk about truth, we could start with the whole truth and nothing but. the fact remains _ whole truth and nothing but. the fact remains she had the opportunity to turn— fact remains she had the opportunity to turn up— fact remains she had the opportunity to turn up in— fact remains she had the opportunity to turn up in october 2019 and did not take _ to turn up in october 2019 and did not take that opportunity to come here _ not take that opportunity to come here so. — not take that opportunity to come here. so, mr speaker, let me make it very clear~ _ here. so, mr speaker, let me make it very clear~ i _ here. so, mr speaker, let me make it very clear. i want us to have devolution, but i wanted to be stable — devolution, but i wanted to be stable and i would make the point, imagine for a second that we had on irish border— imagine for a second that we had on irish border what we currently have in the _ irish border what we currently have in the irish— irish border what we currently have in the irish sea. checks, control

posts, _ in the irish sea. checks, control posts, and _ in the irish sea. checks, control posts, and in the future under ocr regulations, charges. if there were checks, _ regulations, charges. if there were checks, control posts and charges on the border, _ checks, control posts and charges on the border, that would not be a recipe — the border, that would not be a recipe for— the border, that would not be a recipe for political stability in this place, and it is not a recipe for political _ this place, and it is not a recipe for political stability when those things— for political stability when those things are taking place in the irish sea. things are taking place in the irish sea we _ things are taking place in the irish sea. we need to see the change, we need _ sea. we need to see the change, we need to— sea. we need to see the change, we need to recognise there is significant and serious concerns that members on this side of the household. so i want to see that stable _ household. so i want to see that stable foundation. it is up to the government to take action, but i hope _ government to take action, but i hope all— government to take action, but i hope all parties in this house would recognise _ hope all parties in this house would recognise the concerns that exist and press — recognise the concerns that exist and press for the changes we all need _ and press for the changes we all need to— and press for the changes we all need to see. thank you. that and press for the changes we all need to see. thank you.- need to see. thank you. that is gordon lyons — need to see. thank you. that is gordon lyons at _ need to see. thank you. that is gordon lyons at the _ need to see. thank you. that is gordon lyons at the dup i need to see. thank you. that is gordon lyons at the dup as i need to see. thank you. that is gordon lyons at the dup as the debates continue. but as we know, the dup has said it will not elect a speaker which means there is no executive formed in northern ireland despite the elections that took place last week. we will stay across

those events because we are expecting the procedure to play out in a few minutes. let me bring in the director at pivotal, think tank for northern ireland, and it is good to have you with us. thank you for your patience this afternoon. talk to me about the implications of not forming an executive. we have heard there around the chamber that it is there around the chamber that it is the people of northern ireland who will suffer. pain inflicted on the public we heard there from the alliance party leader. is that how you see it?— you see it? yes, it's not 'ust that there want i you see it? yes, it's not 'ust that there won't be i you see it? yes, it's not 'ust that there won't be an i you see it? yes, it's notjust that there won't be an executive, i you see it? yes, it's notjust that there won't be an executive, but| there won't be an executive, but it's also in use today there won't be an assembly either to provide scrutiny of what ministers are doing. in practice what that means is there won't be a fully functioning government in northern ireland. so there will be ministers heading up departments and they will be a health minister, finance minister, an education minister but there will be no executive committee overall providing the crosscutting

decision—making for northern ireland as a whole. so it will be like a shadow government, a caretaker government, in —— and an inadequate government. we government, in -- and an inadequate government-— government. we heard about those takint government. we heard about those takin: a government. we heard about those taking a salary _ government. we heard about those taking a salary but _ government. we heard about those taking a salary but refusing - government. we heard about those taking a salary but refusing to i government. we heard about those taking a salary but refusing to take | taking a salary but refusing to take part. talk about what needs to be dealt with but sadly will not get dealt with but sadly will not get dealt with but sadly will not get dealt with if an executive is not formed. . ., , ., formed. the context is northern ireland faces — formed. the context is northern ireland faces a _ formed. the context is northern ireland faces a multitude - formed. the context is northern ireland faces a multitude of- formed. the context is northern i ireland faces a multitude of policy challenges. they were mentioned a lot during the election campaign, so for example our health waiting lists are the longest in the uk by far. northern ireland is facing a cost of living crisis, like others across the uk and ireland and the world. we face problems with overly stretched

school budgets and the most vulnerable children suffering as a result of that. so there's big decisions that need to be made by a properly functioning government, and unfortunately we are not going to have that so those things are going to be left to drift. the biggest implication in an immediate sense of not having proper government is that there cannot be a budget agreed for there cannot be a budget agreed for the coming year, and if you can't agree a budget then you can't take the action that you might want to do to address those long health waiting lists to helpful noble families with the cost of living or to address the issues in with schools budgets. so the executive won't exist. the ministers will be able to make some decisions, but bigger crosscutting significant controversial decisions won't be able to be made. yes. significant controversial decisions won't be able to be made. yes, and how lont won't be able to be made. yes, and how long can _ won't be able to be made. yes, and how long can these _ won't be able to be made. yes, and how long can these institutions i how long can these institutions continue without that sort of leadership?—

continue without that sort of leadership? continue without that sort of leadershi - ? . , , ., . ., leadership? there has been a change in legislation — leadership? there has been a change in legislation recently _ leadership? there has been a change in legislation recently which - leadership? there has been a change in legislation recently which means i in legislation recently which means the parties have up to 26 weeks to establish an executive. what i would expect to happen now is the parties will go into a period of discussions about how to restore devolution, that can last up to 26 weeks which takes us to the end of october. if then an executive is established, government would be restored. if not, the secretary of state from northern ireland has an obligation to call another election, having just had an election, so that would have to happen byjanuary, so it is really looking at the period from now in may through the spring and summer into the autumn and then by the end of october is the end of the period where the parties need to have found some kind of resolution to these difficulties. do you see a short—term solution here? ititfhtztt to these difficulties. do you see a short-term solution here? what needs to chance? short-term solution here? what needs to change? i— short-term solution here? what needs to change? i think _ short-term solution here? what needs to change? i think the _ short-term solution here? what needs to change? i think the big _ short-term solution here? what needs to change? i think the big issue - to change? i think the big issue causint to change? i think the big issue causing the _

to change? i think the big issue causing the stalemate - to change? i think the big issue causing the stalemate is - to change? i think the big issue causing the stalemate is the i causing the stalemate is the protocol. that is a relationship between the uk government and the eu, so the big focus is there on whether there would be movement on the protocol which is to the satisfaction of all the parties in northern ireland, so that is the big issue. i think the challenge for the uk government is to think about its role as a co—guarantor of the good friday agreement along with the irish government and think about how it can work here to try to help bring some resolution that it re—establishes the institutions and allows government to be restored here. �* , . , allows government to be restored here. �*, ., , allows government to be restored here. �*, ., ., here. it's really good to have your thouthts, here. it's really good to have your thoughts. and _ here. it's really good to have your thoughts, and thank _ here. it's really good to have your thoughts, and thank you - here. it's really good to have your thoughts, and thank you for- thoughts, and thank you for explaining some of the big issues facing the executive if it is able to be formed. thank you, that is anne watt, director of the think tank pivotal. let's bring in the commentator alex kane. it is good to

have you too and thank you for your patience this afternoon. the stalemate looks set to continue for a while. we were hearing about some of the implications of that. do you agree with how little can get done given that we are not able to form an executive?— an executive? yes, very little will tet done an executive? yes, very little will get done because _ an executive? yes, very little will get done because anne _ an executive? yes, very little will get done because anne was i an executive? yes, very little will| get done because anne was right. an executive? yes, very little will i get done because anne was right. we have had problems like this before. they have been many moments in the assembly where the dup and sinn fein have had disputes and the smaller parties take one side or the other, trying to remain as neutral as they can. but in the background the assembly has always been functioning in some form or another. it's been able to meet, to have debates and calling witnesses for the difficulties we are facing. it's usually had some budget that has been previously agreed. anne is right, we have never been in this particular territory before and it is fraught with difficulty because with no assembly, no executive and

no shadow committees, with no budget, it is almost impossible, well in fact it is possible for the assembly to do anything at all and that will cause problems with the general public, it will be angry simply because the cost of living crisis in northern ireland is absolutely horrendous. health lists are huge and we have education problems, economy problems, unemployment problems, none of which can be dealt with. there's also this difficulty of how long you let it run on and the dup has taken two calculated risks and the whole strategy will depend on this. the first is they base the 130,000, about a quarter of a million without and hope that base will not put any pressure on them. but they are also desperate for boris johnson pressure on them. but they are also desperate for borisjohnson to give them something because the dup wants to go back into government. it is worth stressing that. both the

parties have invested in getting the assembly back up and running but jeffrey donaldson needs something he can sell, something palpable, something demonstrable, something he can say to the 66,000 odd people who voted for the tuv, something he can say the organisers of the rally is in the run—up to the campaign, he needs to be able to say to them that after 18 months of promises from liz truss, from borisjohnson, he needs to be able to finally say, look, here is something that i think is strong enough to take us back into the executive. he seems to be convinced that is coming. i'm not so sure. if borisjohnson does not deliverfor him, not sure. if borisjohnson does not deliver for him, not only is donaldson in trouble, but i don't want to sound can pessimistic about this, but we could for the first time in 25 years be looking at the situation where this assembly will go down and won't come back up again.

go down and won't come back up atain. ., ., �* ., again. you are in belfast, what sense do _ again. you are in belfast, what sense do you _ again. you are in belfast, what sense do you get _ again. you are in belfast, what sense do you get from - again. you are in belfast, what sense do you get from the i again. you are in belfast, what. sense do you get from the public about how they see this? is there a frustration they went to the polls last week, they elected their new representatives, and yet still here we are once again with stalemate in the executive that could deliver some of the things they wanted their elected representatives to deliver for them? the elected representatives to deliver for them? , ., , , elected representatives to deliver forthem? , ., , , , for them? the thing is that yes they went to the — for them? the thing is that yes they went to the election, _ for them? the thing is that yes they went to the election, and _ for them? the thing is that yes they went to the election, and when i for them? the thing is that yes they went to the election, and when you | went to the election, and when you ask in opinion polls indicated that when you asked what their priorities were, they talked about cost of living and the economy, health and education, all the things you would expect them to talk about. if you ask is there any sense of surprise, that people my goodness me we didn't expect this, the party is not working together, that is astonishing, i think they fully expected this. 264,000 people voted for the four unionist parties, and in every single one of the manifestos there were issues about the protocol. it needed to be addressed and resolved. there may be

issues between the dup and tuv but still all the four parties involved one resolution to this. most of the people who voted for them were not expecting any particular movement. it is worth bearing in mind that evenif it is worth bearing in mind that even if borisjohnson was in some way to say to jeffrey donaldson, here, can you sell that? there is a good chance sinn fein will look at the proposals and say no, this is british interference. we will not accept this and we could come back in three orfour accept this and we could come back in three or four months' time and you will be asking me to explain why sinn fein won't be nominating a speaker or first minister. it's one of those things, there is no easy solution to this. there is no situation where the prime minister can say here it is, are you happy with this? because the sinn fein, the sdlp and alliance party favour the sdlp and alliance party favour the protocol. they think it is

probably the best we will get, but if that is messed about with, if that egg is scrambled in the next few weeks, you will have very angry people who are angry with jeffrey donaldson and will be angry with the british government and will say, no, we will not play along with this game. we will not play along with this tame. �* , , we will not play along with this t ame, �* , , ., we will not play along with this tame. �* , , . , ., game. it's interesting earlier you talked about _ game. it's interesting earlier you talked about the _ game. it's interesting earlier you talked about the challenges i game. it's interesting earlier you i talked about the challenges feeling different this time from some of the obstacles that have been overcome in the past. it's interesting we heard from the current speaker who said we have faced difficulty before, particularly referring to 1998, but as you were telling me, this time things feel different, not least some of the practical realities of what they are dealing with. i have watched this very closely and have been moments of crisis, moment sweeping been yearning and down from cliff edges to the bottom and straight back up again and i always thought all the way through there is

a solution in this and the route may be difficult but if you have one side doing it and once i doing that, thatis side doing it and once i doing that, that is the problem. need mandatory coalition, mandatory consent and mandatory veto. unless both sides are happy, nothing happens but there are happy, nothing happens but there are always moments when i thought both the settled, and i don't see that this time. it is a dup thing and can get what it wants. really good to get your thoughts. the political commentator in belfast. let's take you back inside stormont and have a listen to what was unfolding there. not that they are responding to issues and making things worse. and bring the place

for into disrepute.— for into disrepute. thank you. it should come — for into disrepute. thank you. it should come as _ for into disrepute. thank you. it should come as no _ for into disrepute. thank you. it should come as no surprise i for into disrepute. thank you. it should come as no surprise to l should come as no surprise to anybody in the chamber i need anybody in the chamber i need anybody watching this or northern ireland that the dup is very much serious when it comes to dealing with the northern ireland protocol. 0ver with the northern ireland protocol. over the past two years, time and time again, and the irish government reiterated the concerns of notjust the unionists but the... unsurprisingly, with what was meant today, the laughing, the sniggering, the dismissal of unionist concerns as if they are a less than than anybody else... as if they are a less than than anybody else. . .— anybody else... discussions continue. — anybody else... discussions continue, that _ anybody else... discussions continue, that is _ anybody else... discussions continue, that is the - anybody else... discussions continue, that is the dup i anybody else... discussions continue, that is the dup in j anybody else... discussions i continue, that is the dup in the assembly as they try to come to some sort of arrangement but the impasse does not seem to be resolving any time soon. speaking to charlotte gallagher who is standing by outside

stormont. there is a lot of talk going on, a lot of criticism all around that chamber right now, we are expecting the process to unfold in that process would involve one vote but we understand that vote will not happen. what might we expect to see on here? 50. will not happen. what might we expect to see on here?- will not happen. what might we expect to see on here? so, for the moment, expect to see on here? so, for the moment. and _ expect to see on here? so, for the moment, and they _ expect to see on here? so, for the moment, and they continue i expect to see on here? so, for the moment, and they continue to i expect to see on here? so, for the i moment, and they continue to debate, got very cross and very heated in you have the retiring speaker say i don't want to bring this place into disrepute, we are going round the houses but there is a lot of strong feeling and it's essentially the dup versus mainly everyone else on this issue, saying they cannot go on duty protocol party saying they have to because they're so much else to do with the northern ireland and interestingly there are also saying we know there are issues but he cannotjust we know there are issues but he cannot just focus on we know there are issues but he cannotjust focus on that, we have to look at health, education, etc, things like that so they will

continued with this debate, no vote for the new speaker because there is no point, the dup said they will not vote on that and following that vote, if it went ahead, they would then have voted in the first minister and deputy first minister but that will not happen either. what see after they come out of the chamber is them speaking to the press, especially michelle o'neill, sinn fein vice president faffing to be first minister but in terms of parliament business, it is pretty much done for the day, there's not much done for the day, there's not much else they can really do because they are not having this vote. thank ou, i they are not having this vote. thank you. i know — they are not having this vote. thank you. i know right — they are not having this vote. thank you, i know right up _ they are not having this vote. thank you, i know right up to _ they are not having this vote. thank you, i know right up to date - they are not having this vote. thank you, i know right up to date on i you, i know right up to date on events there as they unfold even though, as you say, it's unlikely much will happen in the millions of hours. —— in the coming hours. if there is anything worth bringing

you, we are keeping an eye out and we'll bring you and there is full coverage on bbc parliament. but let's bring you up—to—date with all the stories because coleen rooney has taken the stand in the high court in london being sued for libel by rebekah vardy after rooney accused vardy of leaking private stories to newspapers. we can head to the high court to speak to andrew planter. let's bring you up—to—date on what the court has been hearing this afternoon. i think it's worth just a very quick recap of how even got to this point here at the high court in this libel case here in london, it is back in 2018—19 that coleen rooney became convinced. not a public one, a private one with a round about 300 was taking them and essentially feeding it to journalists and it was appearing to make headlines in the newspaper so she conducted what they call here in court today a sting operation,

limiting who could see her post, putting up a false post and seeing which ones of those appeared in any newspaper headlines and then very publicly across our social media accounts back in 2019 declared it is rebekah vardy�*s account and for the past three hours or so, she has been being questioned about that post by rebekah vardy�*s legal team and specifically about the fact that she was not the only person with that account access. rebekah vardy... it was said that other people can control celebrity social media accounts for example your brother controls yours. coleen rooney said yes and he said so you have no idea whether someone having rebekah vardy�*s account could be abusing it. she replied no and he said you do not have any evidence to link rebekah vardy to the leaks and coleen rooney said yes, i believe i do, i believe it came from that account and that rebekah vardy knew about it and rebekah vardy was

embarrassed this is what you believe is not evidence. you might believe that derby county could wind newly in two years but that is not evidence. and that is a really important point because the defence against the libel, against damaging the reputation is truth, that is a legal defence in court if what you said is true and you can prove that, thatis said is true and you can prove that, that is fine. there has been lots of evidence over the past few days, 13 hours or so and the legal team put it to her that she had consistently played fast and loose with other people's privacy, for example they produced a photo of all the wives and girlfriends during the 2018 world cup, of them leaving a restaurant saying she had to off the press, for the paparazzi were to get exactly the right time to get the photo but that she has consistently denied doing that and saying she is not buying any of the leaks and as we say, they will have to prove that

the accusation is true otherwise she could be found guilty of libel here and that will be up to the judge here at the high court to decide that and she will have to choose based on what she has heard whether it is rebecca vardy —— rebekah vardy or coleen rooney in the right ear. thank you for keeping us up—to—date. elsewhere, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has held a meeting with the government, addressing some of the comments made by nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was her husband during the time mrjohnson was foreign secretary and he has been criticised for making a misleading statement about nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe teaching people journalism in iran, the statement of herfamily —— make a journalism in iran, the statement of her family —— make a statement of family end employer said was untrue at the time. it is

family end employer said was untrue at the time. , ., , family end employer said was untrue at the time-— at the time. it is undeniable that it's so public. — at the time. it is undeniable that it's so public, she _ at the time. it is undeniable that it's so public, she said _ at the time. it is undeniable that it's so public, she said it - at the time. it is undeniable that it's so public, she said it openly, j it's so public, she said it openly, it's so public, she said it openly, it's been said on the tv many times and we've all seen it. i said to him that you're better late than never, six years is a long time but light is better than never, it really is and i'm glad they settled that, she is home and in the end, they... what might you hope you will help others you're still stranded there. that is right, they raised the case of a man on death row who is from sweden and the prime minister has just come back from sweden and we've said that... the point was made that people who went in soon around the time she went in are not home yet and she is so much she feels very guilty about that, she wants them to be back as well and she cannot sit here and enjoy her life knowing there people go through the same condition she went to and she spoke about what she went through when she

was injailand it about what she went through when she was injail and it was quite difficult to hear, to sit and listen to, it's not that i don't know the details but to talk about them in the manner that we did is difficult to hear. , ., ., to hear. yes, hearing some of the important — to hear. yes, hearing some of the important issues _ to hear. yes, hearing some of the important issues raised. - to hear. yes, hearing some of the important issues raised. i - to hear. yes, hearing some of the important issues raised. i think i to hear. yes, hearing some of the l important issues raised. i think you find it interesting, he _ important issues raised. i think you find it interesting, he enjoyed... i find it interesting, he enjoyed... found it interesting and i don't think it's anything he had not heard before. it think it's anything he had not heard before. . , think it's anything he had not heard before. ., , ., ., , ., , . ., before. it was not abrasive. we are here in happier— before. it was not abrasive. we are here in happier circumstances i before. it was not abrasive. we are here in happier circumstances than | here in happier circumstances than previous meetings and i'm glad we are. a, previous meetings and i'm glad we are. �* , , previous meetings and i'm glad we are. . , , ., previous meetings and i'm glad we are. n , ., previous meetings and i'm glad we are. . , , ., not are. a sense of closure? not closure- _ are. a sense of closure? not closure- l— are. a sense of closure? not closure. i did _ are. a sense of closure? not closure. i did mean - are. a sense of closure? not closure. i did mean it- are. a sense of closure? not closure. i did mean it when l are. a sense of closure? not closure. i did mean it when i| are. a sense of closure? not i closure. i did mean it when i asked him to— closure. i did mean it when i asked him to try— closure. i did mean it when i asked him to try and give evidence, he said he — him to try and give evidence, he said he would look at it and i think he's been — said he would look at it and i think he's been part of the case in different— he's been part of the case in different roles, and it's important his perspective is shared and the parliament does the job to dig into government and work out what the lessons _ government and work out what the lessons were so it does not happen

again— lessons were so it does not happen again and _ lessons were so it does not happen again and let's hope that go somewhere.— again and let's hope that go somewhere. , ., ., ., somewhere. elsewhere, more than half a million elderly _ somewhere. elsewhere, more than half a million elderly and _ somewhere. elsewhere, more than half a million elderly and disabled _ somewhere. elsewhere, more than half a million elderly and disabled adult i a million elderly and disabled adult and england are waiting for social care according to the body that runs local authority care. it's up by nearly two thirds on last year. they say they are investing billions and the association of directors of aduu the association of directors of adult social services say there is a growing shortage of care workers and that they say is made worse by low pay rates and the cost of living crisis, heroes are social affairs correspondent. hello! are you all right? this is one of the four care visits a day that ralph and pat rely on. you had a nice morning, ralph? he has parkinson's, and they wouldn't cope in their own home near redcar without this support. you rely on your carers to look after him properly, don't you? you know? 50~ ~~ - i mean, it's something i couldn't do. i can't handle him at all.

there'll be time to look after myself now. just the two tablets this afternoon, ralph, all right? but today's research by council bosses says an increasing number of people who are older or disabled are having to wait for care services like this. one reason is a shortage of care staff. we arejust going we are just going to interrupt that report and take you back to stormont. we have heard about the event selecting the outer try and elect a speaker, the room starting to clear, a lot of frustrating this afternoon, criticism on both sides about whether the unionists are holding up the process of being able to get on with everyday functions of government, being able to deal with the cost of living crisis, one of the cost of living crisis, one of the huge priorities and waiting times for medical help. we've just been hearing from the current speaker who has said he is prepared to stay on in an interim measure until a new speaker is elected, but there is quite clearly some frustration but for the unionists and particularly dup, they said they will not elect a speaker to the assembly until there is change on the northern ireland protocol and you will know that is the arrangement that currently is in place to deal with trade and it puts a border between northern ireland and the rest of the uk and they say northern ireland is at a disadvantage when it comes to trade

and economic growth due to that. let's bring in our correspondence who is standing by for us this afternoon outside stormont. as you predicted just 20 minutes or so ago, very little likely to happen, that impasse it seems are still there. yes, an early finish for stormont now, there's nothing really else to do today. i'm sure a lot of the members will want to speak to journalists and express their frustrations but as far as business, devolved government business, it is over and we don't really know when it will continue because without this new speaker, thingsjust it will continue because without this new speaker, things just cannot be done here. stormont is a parliament essentially only on paper. frustrating for a lot of parties and sinn fein now the leading party in stormont, saying the dup is holding society in northern ireland to ransom but the dup remains focused. they say they

are blocking the appointment of the new speaker to send a message to borisjohnson that he needs to go —— it needs to go, basically. they want the uk government and the eu to come to some kind of solution because they feel as unionists that they are being cut off from the rest of the uk because of the sea border and for them, that is simply not acceptable and they've shown today that it they will not work with it so they are basically saying now that you can have the protocol or stormont, we will not let you have both. figs have the protocol or stormont, we will not let you have both.- will not let you have both. as you said, frustration _ will not let you have both. as you said, frustration from _ will not let you have both. as you said, frustration from the - said, frustration from the politicians but i would imagine also voters who just last week elected a new representatives.— new representatives. exactly and voters in northern _ new representatives. exactly and voters in northern ireland - new representatives. exactly and voters in northern ireland have i new representatives. exactly and l voters in northern ireland have the same concerns as everybody else in another part of the uk and for a lot of people, the protocol will not be

“p of people, the protocol will not be up there, things like education, hospital waiting list, transport, policing, it is not the protocol and so it was interesting, the ulster unionist party obviously inside stormont said people want answers about what will happen here and they willjust be greeted with silence from the people they've elected into this building, people who are being paid of course because they are still taking your salaries but they will not give answers or solutions to voters so i think a lot of people in northern ireland will be frustrated and also angry. thank you and our frustrated and also angry. thank you and your head _ frustrated and also angry. thank you and your head back— frustrated and also angry. thank you and your head back inside _ frustrated and also angry. thank you and your head back inside now. - frustrated and also angry. thank you and your head back inside now. fast| and your head back inside now. fast changing events this afternoon as you would expect in wet year once again from the current speaker alex maskey.

soa so a hush has descended there over the chamber. what we understand is currently happening as we are waiting for the tellers to come forward with the results of a vote but as charlotte was telling us, we expect little to change us afternoon after the opposition to actually voting to elect a speaker and a bit early if you're with us, you know we heard from all the main parties, sinn fein now the largest party after those elections last week we heard from them criticising the fact that its ordinary voters, everyday

people who would suffer as a result of this then from unionists saying it was the northern ireland protocol itself that has caused so much frustration for many people across northern ireland just a week after electing their new members. we heard from alex maskey, the speaker who said we will stay on an interim capacity but as we heard this afternoon, that brings all sorts of logistical issues in everyday business for the assembly that will just not get done. hearing from frustrations of voters around things like health care, dental care but quite clearly also the cost of living crisis that is such a... so let's listen and once again to the outgoing speaker alex maskey. thank ou, tells outgoing speaker alex maskey. thank you, tells appointed, _ outgoing speaker alex maskey. thank you, tells appointed, the _ outgoing speaker alex maskey. t�*ua�*ué you, tells appointed, the ayes are... clearly will be, the assembly will divide. after my —— ayes to my

right and noes tim either. —— noes to my left. right and noes tim either. -- noes to my left-— to my left. wet bring in charlie gallaaher to my left. wet bring in charlie gallagher once _ to my left. wet bring in charlie gallagher once more _ to my left. wet bring in charlie gallagher once more his - to my left. wet bring in charlie i gallagher once more his standing to my left. wet bring in charlie - gallagher once more his standing by at stormont. very helpful to have you with us this afternoon to make sense of events inside that chamber, i know you're listening in, too. we are going to hear once again from the outgoing speaker so explain a bit about what has been going on. well, essentially today was meant to be about getting back to business at stormont and the first thing that had to be done was electing the new speaker who controls the rate, helps members scrutinise bills and we from early on in the day that the dup were going to block that and nothing we've heard over the last hour or so inside the chamber seems to tell us that has changed. they made completely fixed in their view they cannot continue in stormont until

the protocol is scrapped or significantly altered. for them they feel they are being cut adrift from the rest of the uk and that is not something that they can deal with, frankly. they want to remain close to the rest of the uk as part of their identity and they feel like their identity and they feel like the sea border is going against that, so not much else is expected to happen. other parties want to vote for a new speaker but it has to be a cross—party vote essentially so without the dup voting, it does not mean anything so unless something astonishing has happened while i've been talking to you, i expect we will still be in the same position in the next ten minutes or so. fine in the next ten minutes or so. one ofthe in the next ten minutes or so. one of the key — in the next ten minutes or so. one of the key criticisms _ in the next ten minutes or so. one of the key criticisms coming from the sdlp was actually that the dup, the sdlp was actually that the dup, the democratic unionist party, was sorting democracy even though democratic was in their party title, and that will be the frustration one would assume of many voters. yes. would assume of many voters. yes, because if you _ would assume of many voters. yes, because if you vote _ would assume of many voters. yes, because if you vote for _ would assume of many voters. ines because if you vote for someone would assume of many voters. i;e:3 because if you vote for someone in

an election, you are expecting them to stand up for you and say the things you are concerned about and help deal with problems facing your area but if stormont is not working, that simply cannot be done but a lot of people that will have voted for the dup will agree with their stance on getting rid of the protocol. and we cannot see them dealing with anything else until it is over so some of their own voters might be a bit... so wejust some of their own voters might be a bit... so we just have to wait and see how long they will hold out or if a political breakthrough can come so we've heard from a uk government that they are not against essentially ripping up the protocol, so we need to see, something obviously has to happen otherwise stormontjust obviously has to happen otherwise stormont just will not function and you cannot run northern ireland without it.

you cannot run northern ireland without it— without it. the dup saying what the 've without it. the dup saying what they've tried — without it. the dup saying what they've tried to _ without it. the dup saying what they've tried to do _ without it. the dup saying what they've tried to do is _ without it. the dup saying what they've tried to do is send - without it. the dup saying what they've tried to do is send a - without it. the dup saying what. they've tried to do is send a clear message, a message to westminster and they message to brussels that the post—brexit trading agreement needs to change but as yet we see very little movement on that from either westminster or from brussels. brussels say you signed up to this, you knew what you're signing and this is of the brexit deal that you got with the uk obviously not thinking... saying it threatens stability in northern ireland and america very concerned at this point, we hear some top—level officials from the us are coming to london next week to talk about volley to ministers about the protocol and about how it is affecting stability in northern ireland, so there is concern not just in the uk and eu but in the us as well. i don't think this will be something salt over the weekend, it could run for quite a long time but like you said you dup saying you're

sending a message to borisjohnson, we want this fix but for other parties inside stormont, they are banging our heads on the table saying they need to get on with the job that we were elected for and being paid for. we had initially from alex maskey, the outgoing speaker, said we will stay on in interim capacity saying they've faced challenges like this before and are currently in a very difficult situation politically but has refer to 1998 when they face a very difficult political situation. yes, politics in northern ireland is always unpredictable, you never make safe predictions about what will happen in the course there have been so many issues in the past. there is a deadlock moment where something

really has to happen, there needs to be breakthrough of either the dup going, fine, ok, the protocol is still a big issue, and the brussels reaching some kind of agreement, the uk going off on its own saying the border has gone. we uk going off on its own saying the border has gone.— uk going off on its own saying the border has gone. we don't know what will happen. — border has gone. we don't know what will happen. but _ border has gone. we don't know what will happen, but surely _ border has gone. we don't know what will happen, but surely something - will happen, but surely something has to change of stormont will continue running. in continuing coverage of your time there, put this into context, face difficulty before. as it face the difficulty of this degree and one which, at the moment, has very few answers. at times northern ireland has come under direct rule from westminster and i don't think there's any sign of that happening here at this moment, i think

the party is all really want this to continue working and northern ireland, as you said, this follicle crisis, right through the years, they always manage to get through it and perhaps onto the next one but they do manage to keep working together and i think you will have heard on the today, a lot of the members bringing up other instances in the past where they've been able to form a government. and they have always come through it. it will take always come through it. it will take a long time to fix but they think i will get back to normal now. talk is about some of challenges facing northern ireland as a whole. we talked about the cost of living crisis which is clearly replicated in many parts of the world right now. but there are also things like waiting lists which are a huge

problem and something people voted to deal with in that election of last week and we understand, we are told that nothing can happen if there is no progress in that chamber. michelle o'neill, the first minister in waiting, obviously of sinn fein, she said part of the reason why she needs to get down to business is to invest a lot more money in the nhs because of the waiting list and the hangover from the pandemic but that cannot be done, it literally cannot be done until they get a new speaker in there so she can be appointed first minister and other ministers can be appointed. so there is frustrations about things like health and need to be sorted than the cost of living crisis is affecting everybody, right across the uk and things like wage increases, inflation, energy prices, all of those things need to be dealt with. you don't always get the

answers you want but at least if you feel they are talking about it and debating about it, may be moving forward, but if they are not talking about it at all, what can be done? stay with us, let's show you events that because what is actually happening if you're just tuning in, this is events at stormont in northern ireland and what we are seeing is members of the assembly voting on whether to elect mike nesbitt. as speaker. the vote is currently under way. let's just have a little listen because we can also you're from alex maskey, the outgoing speaker. 5&1 you're from alex maskey, the outgoing speaker. you're from alex maskey, the outuaoin seaker. , , ., outgoing speaker. 54 members voted, of which 28 voted _ outgoing speaker. 54 members voted, of which 28 voted aye, _ outgoing speaker. 54 members voted, of which 28 voted aye, zero _ of which 28 voted aye, zero nationalists voted. 36 unionist voted, 27.8%. 18 others voted of which 18 voted aye, 100%. seven

members who voted in both hobbies are not included in these results, the emotion is negative. emotion is neuative. the emotion is negative. emotion is negative. unfastening _ the emotion is negative. emotion is negative. unfastening those - the emotion is negative. emotion is| negative. unfastening those copies. —— unfastening the doors. the question— —— unfastening the doors. the question has not been agreed and will he _ question has not been agreed and will be taken to the second candidate. the question is that palsy— candidate. the question is that patsy mcglone be speaker for the assembly. as many as are of the opinion, — assembly. as many as are of the opinion. say— assembly. as many as are of the opinion, say "aye". to the contrary, "n0"~ _ opinion, say "aye". to the contrary, "n0"~ the _ opinion, say "aye". to the contrary, "no". the house will divide. i've been _ "no". the house will divide. i've been advised by the party whips in accordance with the standing order 27 one _ accordance with the standing order 27 one a _ accordance with the standing order 27 one a b— accordance with the standing order 27 one a b that there is an agreement to dispense with only three _ agreement to dispense with only three minutes and move straight to advising _ three minutes and move straight to advising cycle for telus. do we have tellers? _ advising cycle for telus. do we have tellers? so — advising cycle for telus. do we have tellers? , ... advising cycle for telus. do we have tellers? , , ,, ., tellers? so the second process now beains. as

tellers? so the second process now begins- as your _ tellers? so the second process now begins. as your hearing _ tellers? so the second process now begins. as your hearing voting - tellers? so the second process now begins. as your hearing voting on l begins. as your hearing voting on mike nesbitt did not pass so we are now going on to patsy mcglone of sdlp. this procedure or action will play out of the afternoon, as your hearing from correspondence, we are not expecting to hear much more in terms of progress over the course of the afternoon. what we will do is keep a close eye on whether there are any further —— is any further information to bring you. it is unlikely there will be much change in this continuing coverage from stormont iran bbc parliament. if you want to continue to follow events there but we willjust breakjust before 4pm, just stepping away from stormont and checking out the weather and i have all your headlines for you at four o'clock but let's get the where the first of all. let's see what the weather is

like for the rest of the day, predominantly driver some of the cloud thinning and now to for the sunny spells to develop and quite breezy in places, particularly across north—western part of the uk, fairly close to an area of low pressure with a weather front and high pressure starting to build in from the south so this is where the weather becomes more settled than from the satellite picture, not a gloriously sunny day and these are medium level cloud so they do tend to hang around. these are the temperatures at the end of the afternoon, quite warm and the south—east, in the north—west fresh in the winds remained strong, little bit of rain bearing clouds there as well in the western isles and northern scotland, elsewhere a dry night with a bit of mist and fog in the morning with temperatures first thing around 7—8 c in most towns and cities. around that area of high pressure, here it is centred around

belgium and holland but notice the blobs of blue there with the showers which are heading our way saturday night into sunday but saturday itself i think if you have any plans outdoors, which are british might be doing, it is looking pretty good so saturday is a mostly sunny day, pleasant temperatures across england and wales, not bad at all in eastern scotland as well, up to around 18 and temperatures in belfast are you not to the high teens so saturday on the way in saturday night, notice these heavy showers drifting across these heavy showers drifting across the southern parts of the uk, so the lightning bolt as they are to indicate a risk of thunder, and particularly across southern and south—eastern areas, through the course of sunday, what is left of the thundery showers will probably drift a bit further towards the north and then it dries out so saturday night into sunday could be some storms in the south, bit of rain and then it should once again turned mostly sunny on sunday, so a bit of a mixed weekend but overall generally quite a nice one and it

stays firmly one for the first half of the week but dwelt in quite unsettled in the of the uk as the week goes on. this is bbc news. i'm ben thompson. the headlines... a stalemate at stormont. the dup block the resumption of power—sharing in northern ireland until the uk government changes post—brexit trading arrangements. i believe that we need to send a very clear message to the european union and to our government that we are serious about getting this protocol sorted out. every party in this chamber told the electorate _ every party in this chamber told the electorate that they would turn up on day _ electorate that they would turn up on day one — electorate that they would turn up on day one and the dup have failed on day one and the dup have failed on day— on day one and the dup have failed

on day one — on day one and the dup have failed on day one. in on day one and the dup have failed on day one-— on day one. in other news this afternoon... _ borisjohnson wants to cut more than 90,000 civil servicejobs, a fifth of the total workforce, to save money and raise funds to tackle the cost of living crisis. ukrainian forces destroyed nearly all of russia's battalions armoured vehicles as it attempts to cross a river in the east of the country. coleen rooney has taken the stand on day four of the rebekah vardy libel trial. good afternoon and welcome to the programme. it is just after four o'clock, and this afternoon we are following events at stormont, it is the northern ireland assembly meeting for the first time since those elections of last week when sinn

fein became the largest party. we will take you there now, let's show you events happening in the chamber where a vote is currently taking place to elect a speaker. but we know the dup has said it will not help in this process or block the election of a speaker. that of course just the first stage before even elections for the first minister and deputy first minister. the speaker responsible for some of the procedural, the logistical operation of the northern ireland assembly. currently we are waiting for the results of a second vote, a second vote for the second of the two people nominated to be speaker. let's take you to stormont, just outside now is our reporter. charlotte, you have been with us through the afternoon following events, and as i say events unfolding, not much is happening. yes, there is a lot of talking and not much action because as you said,

they are voting on something but the new speaker has to be a cross—party election and we know the dup will block it, so nothing will come of this boat essentially unless something absolutely astonishing has happened in the last few minutes. we will be at the same place we were an hour or so ago which means the first day of stormont when it should be back to business after the election, a historic election because of course for the first time ever sinn fein emerged as the largest party in northern ireland so it should have been very much back to work today and instead very little work at all. there's been a lot of talk, a lot of anger inside the chamber from members from different parties. it was mainly, to be honest, everyone against the dup and their point of blocking the speaker and refusing to engage with work at stormont at the moment. but it is notjust a procedural thing, the appointment of

the new speaker, it means this building cannot run so things that need to be decided unlike the health care and budget. that cannot be agreed and money cannot be given to services, money which is needed in northern ireland as people face the cost of living crisis, energy bills, waiting lists at hospitals. none of those things can be dealt with until things are resolved in that building, in a small room in that building. untilthings are building, in a small room in that building. until things are resolved in there, things outside of it cannot happen. so the dup has said we are going to send a message to borisjohnson that we are going to send a message to boris johnson that unless we are going to send a message to borisjohnson that unless the protocol is fixed, we are not going to engage. so there has to be a political breakthrough now for things to get back to normal in northern ireland. we things to get back to normal in northern ireland.— things to get back to normal in northern ireland. we are watching ictures northern ireland. we are watching pictures from _ northern ireland. we are watching pictures from inside _ northern ireland. we are watching pictures from inside the _ northern ireland. we are watching pictures from inside the chamber. northern ireland. we are watching l pictures from inside the chamber as we speak and it interesting as you lay out some of the procedural stuff that needs to get done, that seems will not happen, and may be just

explain a little. this isjust the first stage before we even get to the possibility of electing a first minister or deputy first minister. yes, because until you have the new speaker, you can't elect the ministers and the first minister and the deputy first minister, so michelle o'neill on course to be first minister, sinn fein first minister, the first time that has ever happened in northern ireland. that can't happen. so it needs, this new speaker needs to come into power at some point soon, otherwise this building will be a parliament on paper essentially. nothing will be done there. ministers can stay on in a caretaking capacity, the outgoing ministers, but they don't have the power to do things. so private members bills cannot be brought forward, bills cannot be scrutinised, and things cannot be passed, like i said the health care

budget which is something people in northern ireland really care about. so a lot of frustration but a lot of people very resigned to this. they did think this was going to happen today, at the dup would block the speaker appointment and we would be in this position. however, a lot of people voted for the dup, they have a strong voter base in northern ireland. it is unforgivable as they see it being split from the rest of the uk by the sea border so they will agree mainly with what the dup are doing. i will agree mainly with what the dup are doinu. . ., will agree mainly with what the dup are doin.. . ., ., ., are doing. i wanted to ask about that because _ are doing. i wanted to ask about that because it _ are doing. i wanted to ask about that because it is _ are doing. i wanted to ask about that because it is very _ are doing. i wanted to ask about that because it is very easy - are doing. i wanted to ask about that because it is very easy to i are doing. i wanted to ask about i that because it is very easy to look at events and criticism from other parties aimed at the dup for blocking this process, but as you said the dup also getting a lot of votes in the election i've just last week and they say they are trying to send a message to westminster and brussels about the trading arrangements.—

brussels about the trading arranrements. �* �*, ., , ., arrangements. and it's a strong message. _ arrangements. and it's a strong message. isn't _ arrangements. and it's a strong message, isn't it, _ arrangements. and it's a strong message, isn't it, because - message, isn't it, because essentially they are saying politics cannot work in northern ireland unless you get rid of the protocol so you cannot have both. a nightmare situation for the uk government and the eu. neither of them want to be seen as being responsible for political instability in northern ireland. it is probably one of the last card is the dup can play... sorry to interrupt, let'sjust last card is the dup can play... sorry to interrupt, let's just head back inside the chamber. this is somewhat procedural but let's hear the votes for the second nominated possible speaker. 8? the votes for the second nominated possible speaker.— the votes for the second nominated possible speaker. 87 members voted, of which 62 voted _ possible speaker. 87 members voted, of which 62 voted aye, _ possible speaker. 87 members voted, of which 62 voted aye, 34 _ of which 62 voted aye, 34 nationalists voted aye, 35 unionist voted of which ten voted grow to. 18 others voted of which 18 voted aye. the motion is negative.—

others voted of which 18 voted aye. the motion is negative. unfasten the doors please- — the motion is negative. unfasten the doors please. members, _ the motion is negative. unfasten the doors please. members, the - the motion is negative. unfasten the i doors please. members, the assembly has been _ doors please. members, the assembly has been unable — doors please. members, the assembly has been unable to— doors please. members, the assembly has been unable to elect— doors please. members, the assembly has been unable to elect a _ doors please. members, the assembly has been unable to elect a speaker- has been unable to elect a speaker today— has been unable to elect a speaker today and — has been unable to elect a speaker today and therefore _ has been unable to elect a speaker today and therefore we _ has been unable to elect a speaker today and therefore we are - has been unable to elect a speaker today and therefore we are unable | has been unable to elect a speaker. today and therefore we are unable to conduct _ today and therefore we are unable to conduct our — today and therefore we are unable to conduct our first _ today and therefore we are unable to conduct our first item _ today and therefore we are unable to conduct our first item of— today and therefore we are unable to conduct our first item of business. i conduct our first item of business. therefore — conduct our first item of business. therefore we _ conduct our first item of business. therefore we can— conduct our first item of business. therefore we can proceed - conduct our first item of business. therefore we can proceed no - conduct our first item of business. i therefore we can proceed no further. any further— therefore we can proceed no further. any further sittings— therefore we can proceed no further. any further sittings of— therefore we can proceed no further. any further sittings of the _ therefore we can proceed no further. any further sittings of the assemblyl any further sittings of the assembly can only— any further sittings of the assembly can only be — any further sittings of the assembly can only be held _ any further sittings of the assembly can only be held to _ any further sittings of the assembly can only be held to first _ any further sittings of the assembly can only be held to first elect - can only be held to first elect speakers— can only be held to first elect speakers and _ can only be held to first elect speakers and deputy - can only be held to first elect i speakers and deputy speakers. can only be held to first elect. speakers and deputy speakers. i remain— speakers and deputy speakers. i remain in— speakers and deputy speakers. i remain in office _ speakers and deputy speakers. i remain in office until— speakers and deputy speakers. i remain in office until my- speakers and deputy speakers. i i remain in office until my successor is elected. — remain in office until my successor is elected. and _ remain in office until my successor is elected, and particularly- remain in office until my successor is elected, and particularly to - is elected, and particularly to carry— is elected, and particularly to carry out— is elected, and particularly to carry out in— is elected, and particularly to carry out in these _ is elected, and particularly to i carry out in these circumstances is elected, and particularly to - carry out in these circumstances and particularly — carry out in these circumstances and particularly that _ carry out in these circumstances and particularly that it _ carry out in these circumstances and particularly that it is _ carry out in these circumstances and particularly that it is my— particularly that it is my responsibility— particularly that it is my responsibility to - particularly that it is myj responsibility to engage particularly that it is my- responsibility to engage with parties — responsibility to engage with parties and _ responsibility to engage with parties and bring _ responsibility to engage with parties and bring parties - responsibility to engage with| parties and bring parties back responsibility to engage with . parties and bring parties back to elect _ parties and bring parties back to elect a _ parties and bring parties back to elect a speaker— parties and bring parties back to elect a speaker and _ parties and bring parties back to elect a speaker and deputy- parties and bring parties back to - elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would _ elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would prefer— elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would prefer that _ elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would prefer that to _ elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would prefer that to be _ elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would prefer that to be as - elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would prefer that to be as soon - elect a speaker and deputy speaker. i would prefer that to be as soon asi i would prefer that to be as soon as possible _ i would prefer that to be as soon as possible and — i would prefer that to be as soon as possible and will— i would prefer that to be as soon as possible and will continue - i would prefer that to be as soon as possible and will continue to - i would prefer that to be as soon asi possible and will continue to engage with parties— possible and will continue to engage with parties to — possible and will continue to engage with parties to ensure _ possible and will continue to engage with parties to ensure a _ possible and will continue to engage with parties to ensure a further- with parties to ensure a further sitting — with parties to ensure a further sitting can _ with parties to ensure a further sitting can happen— with parties to ensure a further sitting can happen as _ with parties to ensure a further sitting can happen as soon - with parties to ensure a further sitting can happen as soon as l sitting can happen as soon as possible _ sitting can happen as soon as possible i_ sitting can happen as soon as possible. i therefore - sitting can happen as soon as possible. itherefore proposej sitting can happen as soon as . possible. i therefore propose to adjourn — possible. i therefore propose to adjourn the _ possible. i therefore propose to adjourn the city— possible. i therefore propose to adjourn the city until _ possible. i therefore propose to adjourn the city until a - possible. i therefore propose to adjourn the city until a further l adjourn the city until a further future — adjourn the city until a further future date _ adjourn the city until a further future date, the _ adjourn the city until a further future date, the details - adjourn the city until a further future date, the details of- adjourn the city until a further i future date, the details of which will be _ future date, the details of which will be communicated _ future date, the details of which will be communicated to - future date, the details of which i will be communicated to members future date, the details of which - will be communicated to members in due course — will be communicated to members in due course i— will be communicated to members in due course lam _ will be communicated to members in

due course. i am conscious— will be communicated to members in due course. i am conscious that - due course. i am conscious that there _ due course. i am conscious that there nray— due course. i am conscious that there may be _ due course. i am conscious that there may be some _ due course. i am conscious that there may be some points - due course. i am conscious that there may be some points of. due course. i am conscious that i there may be some points of order following _ there may be some points of order following today's _ there may be some points of order following today's decision. - there may be some points of order following today's decision. it - there may be some points of order following today's decision. it is - following today's decision. it is unlikely— following today's decision. it is unlikely i— following today's decision. it is unlikely i would _ following today's decision. it is unlikely i would say— following today's decision. it is unlikely i would say that - following today's decision. it is unlikely i would say that these | following today's decision. it is - unlikely i would say that these will be for— unlikely i would say that these will be for me — unlikely i would say that these will be for me to — unlikely i would say that these will be for me to address, _ unlikely i would say that these will be for me to address, but - unlikely i would say that these will be for me to address, but there i unlikely i would say that these will be for me to address, but there is| be for me to address, but there is no provision — be for me to address, but there is no provision for— be for me to address, but there is no provision for debate _ be for me to address, but there is no provision for debate in - no provision for debate in particular— no provision for debate in particular at— no provision for debate in particular at this - no provision for debate in particular at this stage. i no provision for debate in i particular at this stage. but i no provision for debate in - particular at this stage. but i am conscious— particular at this stage. but i am conscious of— particular at this stage. but i am conscious of the _ particular at this stage. but i am conscious of the circumstance i particular at this stage. but i am i conscious of the circumstance that we are _ conscious of the circumstance that we are in— conscious of the circumstance that we are in so— conscious of the circumstance that we are in so therefore _ conscious of the circumstance that we are in so therefore i'm - conscious of the circumstance thatl we are in so therefore i'm prepared to give _ we are in so therefore i'm prepared to give a _ we are in so therefore i'm prepared to give a short _ we are in so therefore i'm prepared to give a short period _ we are in so therefore i'm prepared to give a short period of— we are in so therefore i'm prepared to give a short period of time - we are in so therefore i'm prepared to give a short period of time if- to give a short period of time if members — to give a short period of time if members wish _ to give a short period of time if members wish to _ to give a short period of time if members wish to make - to give a short period of time if members wish to make a - to give a short period of time if members wish to make a few. to give a short period of time if. members wish to make a few brief remarks _ members wish to make a few brief remarks for— members wish to make a few brief remarks for the _ members wish to make a few brief remarks for the record. _ members wish to make a few brief remarks for the record. it - members wish to make a few brief remarks for the record. it is - members wish to make a few brief remarks for the record. it is not i remarks for the record. it is not compulsory— remarks for the record. it is not compulsory but _ remarks for the record. it is not compulsory but members - remarks for the record. it is not compulsory but members are l remarks for the record. it is not i compulsory but members are free remarks for the record. it is not - compulsory but members are free to say a _ compulsory but members are free to say a few— compulsory but members are free to say a few words _ compulsory but members are free to say a few words-— compulsory but members are free to say a few words. thank you, speaker. i 'ust want say a few words. thank you, speaker. ijust want to — say a few words. thank you, speaker. ijust want to put _ say a few words. thank you, speaker. i just want to put on _ say a few words. thank you, speaker. i just want to put on the _ say a few words. thank you, speaker. i just want to put on the record - i just want to put on the record again deep frustration and disappointment on behalf i think of all the people of northern ireland that we are not forming a government today. can i ask mr speakerfor your advice on two matters. one in the absence of even a shadow caretaker assembly, are the mlas allowed to ask whether written questions are an order, whether they can be submitted, and second is a party which qualifies for opposition, what

consideration will be given to those parties are organising themselves into an opposition in order to challenge those caretaker ministers that hold them to account? fin challenge those caretaker ministers that hold them to account?- that hold them to account? on the second question, _ that hold them to account? on the second question, i _ that hold them to account? on the second question, i mean _ that hold them to account? on the second question, i mean we - that hold them to account? on the second question, i mean we will i that hold them to account? on the i second question, i mean we will look at that— second question, i mean we will look at that but— second question, i mean we will look at that but assembly cannot do any further— at that but assembly cannot do any further business so in a way we are very limited — further business so in a way we are very limited to what we can actually do. members however can submit written _ do. members however can submit written questions to ministers, and i think— written questions to ministers, and i think that — written questions to ministers, and i think that is five questions per day _ i think that is five questions per day i_ i think that is five questions per day i think— i think that is five questions per day. i think they were advised that on wednesday morning past, but if not i will— on wednesday morning past, but if not i will do so. was there somebody else? _ not i will do so. was there somebody else? did _ not i will do so. was there somebody else? did i_ not i will do so. was there somebody else? did i see another? no other contributions?— else? did i see another? no other contributions? that was the current outuaoin contributions? that was the current outgoing speaker— contributions? that was the current outgoing speaker at _ contributions? that was the current outgoing speaker at the _ contributions? that was the current outgoing speaker at the assembly i outgoing speaker at the assembly just reiterating there will be no further sittings, just reiterating there will be no furthersittings, but just reiterating there will be no further sittings, but he will remain in office until the time comes that

a new speaker is elected. let's go back to charlotte gallagher standing by in stormont. just explain a little bit about what we heard there and crucially what could happen next. ., ., , .., , next. for the moment it is complete deadlock in — next. for the moment it is complete deadlock in stormont. _ next. for the moment it is complete deadlock in stormont. the _ next. for the moment it is complete deadlock in stormont. the new - deadlock in stormont. the new speaker cannot be elected until the dup say they will take part in the process, and for the moment they said they are not going to do that until the issues with the protocol are resolved. what you heard the retiring speaker say there was that he will stay in in a caretaker basis, so not having the same powers, and the assembly won't meet properly until they have elected a new speaker, so that means really business can't be done in stormont until that happens. for the moment, as i said it is very much deadlock in there, and obviously they will want to get a date in quickly to have another vote. but if the dup are still saying they won't take

part in that until the protocol is resolved, it kind of seems fairly pointless. so really what we are waiting for is either for the dup to say they will come back and deal with domestic issues like health care, education whilst still keeping focused on the fact they want it gone or some kind of agreement to be reached with the uk and brussels or the uk just decides to take independent action on the protocol. we don't know which one of those will happen, but something really has to happen here for it to get back to normal, for politics to resume as normal in northern ireland and start dealing with things that matter to people here. health care, education, policing, all the things that need to be dealt with. charlotte, good to have your thoughts. let's head straight back inside stormont. michelle o'neill, sinn fein leader there. it is inside stormont. michelle o'neill, sinn fein leader there.— sinn fein leader there. it is eight da s ost

sinn fein leader there. it is eight days post election _ sinn fein leader there. it is eight days post election day, _ sinn fein leader there. it is eight days post election day, when - sinn fein leader there. it is eight days post election day, when thej days post election day, when the voters had their say. they elected us to work together, they elected us to turn up here on the first day. the rest of the parties have turned up the rest of the parties have turned up to do business today but regrettably the dup have chosen not and even further than that, they have boycotted an executive being formed. they have punished the public and it is not good enough. my attention turns now to continue to work with the other parties to try to find a way to finalise a programme. the public deserve the politicians to work together, they deserve a three—year budget that puts £1 billion extra into the health service, they deserve us putting money into workers and families' pocket to address the cost of living crisis but the dup have prevented all of that today and stopped the rest of us being able to do our business. on another point,

we obviously now, that position of the minister for the department of infrastructure now falls to sinn fein and i appointjim o'dowd to take that as a caretaker capacity for however long it takes for a fully functioning executive to get up fully functioning executive to get up and running. he will bring all his energy to that post in the time ahead. ., , , ., ., ahead. unionists have said for weeks now, ahead. unionists have said for weeks now. months — ahead. unionists have said for weeks now, months now _ ahead. unionists have said for weeks now, months now that _ ahead. unionists have said for weeks now, months now that they - ahead. unionists have said for weeks now, months now that they are - now, months now that they are against — now, months now that they are against the protocol. you can't be shocked _ against the protocol. you can't be shocked about what happened here today _ shocked about what happened here today i _ shocked about what happened here toda . ., �* ~' . shocked about what happened here toda . ., �* ~ ., ., , today. i don't think anyone would be shocked by the _ today. i don't think anyone would be shocked by the dup's _ today. i don't think anyone would be shocked by the dup's antics - today. i don't think anyone would be shocked by the dup's antics today i shocked by the dup's antics today but it is not good enough. the public gave us all a mandate to invest in our health service. every party talked about prioritising health, but the dup have blocked an executive being formed today that would prioritise health and put additional money into the health service, so i don't think we are surprised but we are still entitled to be shocked, as will the public,

that in the middle of the cost of living crisis, when we can do something to help people, the dup have boycotted an executive being formed and they are punishing the public. fortheirantics, formed and they are punishing the public. for their antics, they have brought about the hardest possible brexit. i am determined on behalf of the people that gave us a mandate to try to work with others to try to form an executive and i'm not going to give up on that.— to give up on that. people on the outside might — to give up on that. people on the outside might look _ to give up on that. people on the outside might look and _ to give up on that. people on the outside might look and think - outside might look and think stormont _ outside might look and think stormont hasn't _ outside might look and think stormont hasn't got - outside might look and think stormont hasn't got a - outside might look and think stormont hasn't got a future j outside might look and think - stormont hasn't got a future because it is failing _ stormont hasn't got a future because it is failing people _ stormont hasn't got a future because it is failing people again. _ stormont hasn't got a future because it is failing people again. they- stormont hasn't got a future because it is failing people again. they are . it is failing people again. they are ending _ it is failing people again. they are ending up — it is failing people again. they are ending up with— it is failing people again. they are ending up with no— it is failing people again. they are ending up with no government - it is failing people again. they arei ending up with no government and it is failing people again. they are - ending up with no government and no si-n ending up with no government and no sign of— ending up with no government and no sign of any— ending up with no government and no sign of any progress _ ending up with no government and no sign of any progress. he _ ending up with no government and no sign of any progress. he talked - sign of any progress. he talked about— sign of any progress. he talked about northern _ sign of any progress. he talked about northern ireland - sign of any progress. he talked about northern ireland in- sign of any progress. he talked about northern ireland in there today. — about northern ireland in there today. is— about northern ireland in there today. is that _ about northern ireland in there today, is that a _ about northern ireland in there today, is that a first _ about northern ireland in there today, is that a first for- about northern ireland in there today, is that a first for you - about northern ireland in there i today, is that a first for you even using _ today, is that a first for you even using the — today, is that a first for you even using the phrase _ today, is that a first for you even using the phrase of— today, is that a first for you even using the phrase of northern - using the phrase of northern ireland? _ using the phrase of northern ireland? and _ using the phrase of northern ireland? and that— using the phrase of northern ireland? and that is- using the phrase of northern i ireland? and that is something using the phrase of northern - ireland? and that is something we can expect — ireland? and that is something we can expect from _ ireland? and that is something we can expect from now— ireland? and that is something we can expect from now on? - ireland? and that is something we can expect from now on? i- ireland? and that is something we can expect from now on? i am“ - ireland? and that is something we can expect from now on?— can expect from now on? i am the first minister _ can expect from now on? i am the first minister designated - can expect from now on? i am the first minister designated for - can expect from now on? i am the first minister designated for the i first minister designated for the northern ireland executive, though some people say northern ireland, some people say northern ireland,

some people say ignore of ireland, isn't that the beauty of the good friday agreement that we can all be comfortable with that? but what i would say is the public came out in record numbers to elect politicians to work together because they won this executive to function and they want the priority to be the health service, they want public in their pockets to put food on the table and heat their homes, but the dup are preventing that by their actions today so i again would tell the dup today so i again would tell the dup today to get real, to understand that we need to be in this executive together, working together for the people that have elected us. and if the protocol issues can be resolved alongside that. unfortunately, i regret the fact that we are being a pawn in the middle of a battle between the british government and the eu and that is not good enough for the people we serve. inaudible.

i'm disappointed _ for the people we serve. inaudible. i'm disappointed and _ for the people we serve. inaudible. i'm disappointed and quite _ for the people we serve. inaudible. i'm disappointed and quite frankly i i'm disappointed and quite frankly angry for the public because they came out in record numbers to elect us, they wanted us in the chamber agreeing policies, putting money in the health service. the public deserve better than this, so i again repeat my message to the dup. the rest of the parties, two thirds of the parties here all bar the dup wanted to form an executive today, and the dup has held society to a ransom. inaudible. ~ , . inaudible. i think it is ridiculous that we haven't _ inaudible. i think it is ridiculous that we haven't found _ inaudible. i think it is ridiculous that we haven't found an - inaudible. i think it is ridiculous | that we haven't found an executive today. the public asked us to work together in the public deserve an executive prioritising their needs. this shouldn't be dragged out process. encourage all parties to

the protocol to find ways to smooth facilitation, we have always been up for that, facilitation, we have always been up forthat, but facilitation, we have always been up for that, but the protocol is here to stay. let's use this time to work together to smooth implementation, but that should not stop functioning executive, that should not stop the rest of us working together. i wanted an executive today, i will work with the other parties and articulate the need for that every day until we have one. sorry? yes, ithink day until we have one. sorry? yes, i think all of those things have to be looked at. we cannot continue in this perpetual state of uncertainty. the dup are holding the public to ransom and thatis holding the public to ransom and that is not good enough. inaudible. so i have this — that is not good enough. inaudible. so i have this week _ that is not good enough. inaudible. so i have this week spoken _ that is not good enough. inaudible. so i have this week spoken to - that is not good enough. inaudible. so i have this week spoken to the - so i have this week spoken to the taoiseach minister simon coveney, i have spoken with borisjohnson himself. he himself will be here on

monday. they intend to put it to him directly that he needs to stop pandering to the dup, to get on and work with the commission and smooth the facilitation of the protocol and stop holding us to ransom for their game playing. they are playing a game playing. they are playing a game with chicken and we are caught in the middle, and that is not good enough for us. i think my message to the public would be not to give up hope because i am determined to make politics work. i believe that is what the public have voted us all in for, so we have got work to do. i meet with borisjohnson on monday, i will meet with the taoiseach again and all the other party leaders here. we have work to do to agree on a budget, that is what we are elected to do and i will be here every day to do that with this strong team. is there any way to go around the dup or— is there any way to go around the dup or is — is there any way to go around the dup or is the _ is there any way to go around the dup or is the stormont _ is there any way to go around the i dup or is the stormont government paralysed? — dup or is the stormont government paralysed? and _ dup or is the stormont government paralysed? and what _ dup or is the stormont government paralysed? and what can _ dup or is the stormont government paralysed? and what can the - paralysed? and what can the administration _ paralysed? and what can the administration do _ paralysed? and what can the administration do to -

paralysed? and what can the administration do to help? i paralysed? and what can the administration do to help? [i paralysed? and what can the administration do to help? i note there will be _ administration do to help? i note there will be a _ administration do to help? i note there will be a delegation - there will be a delegation travelling from the united states and i very much welcome that delegation because they've always been good friends of the good friday agreement. we have been caught up in a battle between the british government and european commission. britain have reneged constantly on international agreement which they themselves signed up to and before themselves signed up to and before the ink was dry on the paper, they are starting to unravel that. if britain wants to see a trade war or a future trade deal with the american administration, they need to on of the good friday agreement and stop messing with it because quite frankly that is what they are doing now. the rules are the rules in terms of the system of governance here. sometimes i think the focus should be on the political will to make it work. we want to work with all the parties that have been elected to the assembly because we get much more work done if we work together but we cannot get to that goal until the dup have finished

boycotting the executive. so that is michelle o'neill, the sinn fein stormont leader. sinn fein now of course the largest party in the northern ireland assembly but meeting for the first time after those elections of last week, the assembly failing to elect a new speaker. that is because the dup said it will not support the process. let's also know here, we can head back to naomi long, the alliance party leader. shat can head back to naomi long, the alliance party leader.— alliance party leader. at least get the assembly _ alliance party leader. at least get the assembly up _ alliance party leader. at least get the assembly up and _ alliance party leader. at least get the assembly up and working - alliance party leader. at least get i the assembly up and working today, back to _ the assembly up and working today, back to scrutinising ministers, back to doing _ back to scrutinising ministers, back to doing the things the assembly can do. to doing the things the assembly can do and _ to doing the things the assembly can do and yet _ to doing the things the assembly can do. and yet despite the fact the vast majority of people in northern ireland _ vast majority of people in northern ireland voted for parties that wanted — ireland voted for parties that wanted to return to government and wanted _ wanted to return to government and wanted to— wanted to return to government and wanted to see the assembly work, and despite _ wanted to see the assembly work, and despite the _ wanted to see the assembly work, and despite the fact that even those who voted _ despite the fact that even those who voted for— despite the fact that even those who voted for the dup gave them no mandate — voted for the dup gave them no mandate to block a return to the assembly. — mandate to block a return to the assembly, we have found ourselves in that situation today. on whilst this is a sad _ that situation today. on whilst this is a sad day— that situation today. on whilst this is a sad day for the people of northern— is a sad day for the people of northern ireland, it is a shameful

day for— northern ireland, it is a shameful day for the — northern ireland, it is a shameful day for the dup. today the dup came to stormont, signed the register, took their— to stormont, signed the register, took their salaries but refused to take their— took their salaries but refused to take their seats and do the work to earn it~ _ take their seats and do the work to earn it i_ take their seats and do the work to earn it. i don't think that is ever acceptable _ earn it. i don't think that is ever acceptable but it is particularly unacceptable when people in our constituencies are struggling to feed their families, struggling to heat their homes, worried for their futures, _ heat their homes, worried for their futures, and — heat their homes, worried for their futures, and it puts all of us as politicians _ futures, and it puts all of us as politicians in a place which is embarrassing yet again, where we want _ embarrassing yet again, where we want to— embarrassing yet again, where we want to solve the public but are prevented from doing so. make no mistake. _ prevented from doing so. make no mistake, the gulf between those who .ot mistake, the gulf between those who got up _ mistake, the gulf between those who got up in _ mistake, the gulf between those who got up in the chamber today and among _ got up in the chamber today and among the cost of food in marks & spencer. _ among the cost of food in marks & spencer, and those who i represent who get— spencer, and those who i represent who get their food from food banks 'ust who get their food from food banks just showed the detachment varies between _ just showed the detachment varies between those who come to the chamber— between those who come to the chamber only interested in their

party's — chamber only interested in their party's self interest and those who come _ party's self interest and those who come here — party's self interest and those who come here to serve. i'm appalled that we _ come here to serve. i'm appalled that we could not even challenge the person _ that we could not even challenge the person who made this decision because — person who made this decision because having been returned as an mla only— because having been returned as an mla only a — because having been returned as an mla only a week ago, he has disappeared off to his safety net in parliament, to the comfy green benches — parliament, to the comfy green benches rather than come here and do the job— benches rather than come here and do the job that _ benches rather than come here and do the job that only one week ago he promised — the job that only one week ago he promised people he would do. so this is a shameful day for the dup. but despite _ is a shameful day for the dup. but despite all— is a shameful day for the dup. but despite all of that, we are here ready— despite all of that, we are here ready to — despite all of that, we are here ready to work. we may not be ready to go _ ready to work. we may not be ready to go into _ ready to work. we may not be ready to go into the chamber and do the work— to go into the chamber and do the work as— to go into the chamber and do the work as we — to go into the chamber and do the work as we intended, but we will be in our— work as we intended, but we will be in our constituencies working for the people who elected us. i will be in my— the people who elected us. i will be in my ministerial office working for the people — in my ministerial office working for the people who elected me, and we will continue to do all we can to make _ will continue to do all we can to make life — will continue to do all we can to make life better for the people of northern— make life better for the people of northern ireland irrespective of those _ northern ireland irrespective of those who have nothing to offer but more _ those who have nothing to offer but more drama, more division and more disruption _ more drama, more division and more disruption it— more drama, more division and more disruption. it is now time for them to call— disruption. it is now time for them to call this — disruption. it is now time for them to call this to a close, allow us to

.et to call this to a close, allow us to get a _ to call this to a close, allow us to get a speaker, allow us to move on and allow— get a speaker, allow us to move on and allow northern ireland to move forward _ and allow northern ireland to move forward. thank you. so and allow northern ireland to move forward. thank you.— and allow northern ireland to move forward. thank you. so there you got a sense of some _ forward. thank you. so there you got a sense of some of _ forward. thank you. so there you got a sense of some of the _ forward. thank you. so there you got a sense of some of the frustration i a sense of some of the frustration and anger. that was naomi long, the alliance party leader. before that we were hearing from michelle o'neill, the sinn fein stormont leader. let's listening now. we will stay at stormont, clearly lots of reaction this afternoon. in northern ireland where _ reaction this afternoon. in northern ireland where all— reaction this afternoon. in northern ireland where all of— reaction this afternoon. in northern ireland where all of the _ reaction this afternoon. in northern ireland where all of the people - reaction this afternoon. in northern ireland where all of the people are| ireland where all of the people are going _ ireland where all of the people are going to _ ireland where all of the people are going to suffer— ireland where all of the people are going to suffer because _ ireland where all of the people are going to suffer because we - ireland where all of the people are going to suffer because we cannot| going to suffer because we cannot elect _ going to suffer because we cannot elect the — going to suffer because we cannot elect the speaker— going to suffer because we cannot elect the speaker or— going to suffer because we cannot elect the speaker or we _ going to suffer because we cannot elect the speaker or we cannot. going to suffer because we cannot| elect the speaker or we cannot get an executive — elect the speaker or we cannot get an executive up— elect the speaker or we cannot get an executive up and _ elect the speaker or we cannot get an executive up and running, - elect the speaker or we cannot get an executive up and running, and i elect the speaker or we cannot get i an executive up and running, and we can argue _ an executive up and running, and we can argue all — an executive up and running, and we can argue all we _ an executive up and running, and we can argue all we wish, _ an executive up and running, and we can argue all we wish, we _ an executive up and running, and we can argue all we wish, we can- an executive up and running, and we can argue all we wish, we can go- can argue all we wish, we can go through— can argue all we wish, we can go through those _ can argue all we wish, we can go through those circular— can argue all we wish, we can go. through those circular arguments, but the _ through those circular arguments, but the reality_ through those circular arguments, but the reality is _ through those circular arguments, but the reality is from _ through those circular arguments, but the reality is from stormont . through those circular arguments, l but the reality is from stormont we are now _ but the reality is from stormont we are now going _ but the reality is from stormont we are now going to _ but the reality is from stormont we are now going to have _ but the reality is from stormont we are now going to have silence. - but the reality is from stormont we. are now going to have silence. when people _ are now going to have silence. when people suffer, — are now going to have silence. when people suffer, from _ are now going to have silence. when people suffer, from stormont - are now going to have silence. when people suffer, from stormont therel people suffer, from stormont there will be _ people suffer, from stormont there will be silent — people suffer, from stormont there will be silent. when— people suffer, from stormont there will be silent. when people - people suffer, from stormont there will be silent. when people can't i will be silent. when people can't put fuel— will be silent. when people can't put fuel in— will be silent. when people can't put fuel in their _ will be silent. when people can't put fuel in their car, _ will be silent. when people can't put fuel in their car, cannot - will be silent. when people can't put fuel in their car, cannot heat| put fuel in their car, cannot heat their— put fuel in their car, cannot heat their homes, _ put fuel in their car, cannot heat their homes, cannot _ put fuel in their car, cannot heat their homes, cannot feed - put fuel in their car, cannot heat their homes, cannot feed their. their homes, cannot feed their children— their homes, cannot feed their children before _ their homes, cannot feed their children before they— their homes, cannot feed their children before they go - their homes, cannot feed their children before they go to -

their homes, cannot feed their. children before they go to school, from _ children before they go to school, from stormont _ children before they go to school, from stormont we _ children before they go to school, from stormont we will _ children before they go to school, from stormont we will have - children before they go to school, i from stormont we will have silence. and it _ from stormont we will have silence. and it is _ from stormont we will have silence. and it is absolutely _ from stormont we will have silence. and it is absolutely shameful, - from stormont we will have silence. and it is absolutely shameful, and i and it is absolutely shameful, and it doesn't— and it is absolutely shameful, and it doesn't have _ and it is absolutely shameful, and it doesn't have to _ and it is absolutely shameful, and it doesn't have to be _ and it is absolutely shameful, and it doesn't have to be like - and it is absolutely shameful, and it doesn't have to be like this. - it doesn't have to be like this. there — it doesn't have to be like this. there is— it doesn't have to be like this. there is an _ it doesn't have to be like this. there is an issue _ it doesn't have to be like this. there is an issue with - it doesn't have to be like this. there is an issue with the - it doesn't have to be like this. - there is an issue with the northern ireland _ there is an issue with the northern ireland protocol, _ there is an issue with the northern ireland protocol, there _ there is an issue with the northern ireland protocol, there is _ there is an issue with the northern ireland protocol, there is a - there is an issue with the northern ireland protocol, there is a landing| ireland protocol, there is a landing zone for— ireland protocol, there is a landing zone for that — ireland protocol, there is a landing zone for that northern _ ireland protocol, there is a landing zone for that northern ireland - zone for that northern ireland protocol, _ zone for that northern ireland protocol, and _ zone for that northern ireland protocol, and we _ zone for that northern ireland protocol, and we spoke - zone for that northern ireland protocol, and we spoke to - zone for that northern ireland i protocol, and we spoke to maros sefcovic — protocol, and we spoke to maros sefcovic in — protocol, and we spoke to maros sefcovic in brussels, _ protocol, and we spoke to maros sefcovic in brussels, we - protocol, and we spoke to maros sefcovic in brussels, we spoke i protocol, and we spoke to maros| sefcovic in brussels, we spoke to london _ sefcovic in brussels, we spoke to london and — sefcovic in brussels, we spoke to london and dublin, _ sefcovic in brussels, we spoke to london and dublin, and - sefcovic in brussels, we spoke to london and dublin, and they- sefcovic in brussels, we spoke to london and dublin, and they all. sefcovic in brussels, we spoke to- london and dublin, and they all know what the _ london and dublin, and they all know what the landing _ london and dublin, and they all know what the landing zone _ london and dublin, and they all know what the landing zone is. _ london and dublin, and they all know what the landing zone is. when- london and dublin, and they all know what the landing zone is. when i- what the landing zone is. when i last wrote — what the landing zone is. when i last wrote to _ what the landing zone is. when i last wrote to the _ what the landing zone is. when i last wrote to the foreign - what the landing zone is. when i. last wrote to the foreign secretary liz last wrote to the foreign secretary liz truss _ last wrote to the foreign secretary liz truss in — last wrote to the foreign secretary liz truss in february, _ last wrote to the foreign secretary liz truss in february, i— last wrote to the foreign secretary liz truss in february, i said - last wrote to the foreign secretary liz truss in february, i said to- liz truss in february, i said to them — liz truss in february, i said to them if— liz truss in february, i said to them if they— liz truss in february, i said to them if they don't _ liz truss in february, i said to them if they don't do - liz truss in february, i said to. them if they don't do something liz truss in february, i said to- them if they don't do something on them if they don't do something on the protocol— them if they don't do something on the protocol before _ them if they don't do something on the protocol before the _ them if they don't do something on the protocol before the election, i the protocol before the election, there _ the protocol before the election, there will— the protocol before the election, there will be _ the protocol before the election, there will be nothing _ the protocol before the election, there will be nothing to - the protocol before the election, there will be nothing to salvage i there will be nothing to salvage after— there will be nothing to salvage after the — there will be nothing to salvage after the election. _ there will be nothing to salvage after the election. and - there will be nothing to salvage after the election. and do- there will be nothing to salvage after the election. and do you i there will be nothing to salvage - after the election. and do you know what? _ after the election. and do you know what? we _ after the election. and do you know what? we have _ after the election. and do you know what? we have nothing _ after the election. and do you know what? we have nothing to - after the election. and do you know what? we have nothing to salvage. | what? we have nothing to salvage. and that _ what? we have nothing to salvage. and that is — what? we have nothing to salvage. and that is what _ what? we have nothing to salvage. and that is what we _ what? we have nothing to salvage. and that is what we are _ what? we have nothing to salvage. and that is what we are finding - and that is what we are finding ourselves— and that is what we are finding ourselves now, _ and that is what we are finding ourselves now, today- and that is what we are finding ourselves now, today with - and that is what we are finding ourselves now, today with a i and that is what we are finding - ourselves now, today with a problem that could _ ourselves now, today with a problem that could have _ ourselves now, today with a problem that could have been _ ourselves now, today with a problem that could have been fixed _ ourselves now, today with a problem that could have been fixed long - that could have been fixed long before — that could have been fixed long before now _ that could have been fixed long before now. but— that could have been fixed long before now. but we _ that could have been fixed long before now. but we are - that could have been fixed long before now. but we are back. that could have been fixed long before now. but we are back toj before now. but we are back to collective — before now. but we are back to collective punishment, - before now. but we are back to collective punishment, and - before now. but we are back to| collective punishment, and that before now. but we are back to - collective punishment, and that will be meted _ collective punishment, and that will be meted out— collective punishment, and that will be meted out to _ collective punishment, and that will be meted out to all _ collective punishment, and that will be meted out to all of _ collective punishment, and that will be meted out to all of the _ collective punishment, and that will be meted out to all of the people i collective punishment, and that will be meted out to all of the people of

northern— be meted out to all of the people of northern ireland, _ be meted out to all of the people of northern ireland, every— be meted out to all of the people of northern ireland, every corner- be meted out to all of the people of northern ireland, every corner of. northern ireland, every corner of our society _ northern ireland, every corner of our society. and _ northern ireland, every corner of our society. and yet _ northern ireland, every corner of our society. and yet some - northern ireland, every corner of our society. and yet some of - northern ireland, every corner of our society. and yet some of us. our society. and yet some of us wanted — our society. and yet some of us wanted to— our society. and yet some of us wanted to work, _ our society. and yet some of us wanted to work, some - our society. and yet some of us wanted to work, some of - our society. and yet some of us wanted to work, some of us - our society. and yet some of us - wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage _ wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage some — wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage some of— wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage some of us _ wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage, some of us wanted _ wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage, some of us wanted to - wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage, some of us wanted to fix - wanted to work, some of us wanted to engage, some of us wanted to fix the| engage, some of us wanted to fix the problems— engage, some of us wanted to fix the problems like — engage, some of us wanted to fix the problems like adults. _ engage, some of us wanted to fix the problems like adults. yet _ engage, some of us wanted to fix the problems like adults. yet today- engage, some of us wanted to fix the problems like adults. yet today we i problems like adults. yet today we had an— problems like adults. yet today we had an absolute _ problems like adults. yet today we had an absolute pantomime, - problems like adults. yet today we had an absolute pantomime, a - problems like adults. yet today we i had an absolute pantomime, a circus where _ had an absolute pantomime, a circus where we _ had an absolute pantomime, a circus where we couldn't _ had an absolute pantomime, a circus where we couldn't even _ had an absolute pantomime, a circus where we couldn't even elect - had an absolute pantomime, a circus where we couldn't even elect a - where we couldn't even elect a speaker~ — where we couldn't even elect a speaker. truly— where we couldn't even elect a speaker. truly shameful, - where we couldn't even elect a speaker. truly shameful, truly| speaker. truly shameful, truly shameful— speaker. truly shameful, truly shameful on— speaker. truly shameful, truly shameful on these _ speaker. truly shameful, trulyl shameful on these institutions, truly— shameful on these institutions, truly shameful— shameful on these institutions, truly shameful on— shameful on these institutions, truly shameful on those - shameful on these institutions, truly shameful on those who i shameful on these institutions, i truly shameful on those who are blocking — truly shameful on those who are blocking us_ truly shameful on those who are blocking us being _ truly shameful on those who are blocking us being able _ truly shameful on those who are blocking us being able to - truly shameful on those who are blocking us being able to help . truly shameful on those who are i blocking us being able to help the people _ blocking us being able to help the people who — blocking us being able to help the people who need _ blocking us being able to help the people who need help. _ blocking us being able to help the people who need help. thank- blocking us being able to help the| people who need help. thank you. inaudible — people who need help. thank you. inaudible mp— people who need help. thank you. inaudible— inaudible. my message to boris johnson inaudible. my message to boris johnson will— inaudible. my message to boris johnson will be _ inaudible. my message to boris johnson will be the _ inaudible. my message to boris johnson will be the same - inaudible. my message to boris johnson will be the same as - inaudible. my message to boris johnson will be the same as i - inaudible. my message to boris| johnson will be the same as i was johnson will be the same as i was telling _ johnson will be the same as i was telling them _ johnson will be the same as i was telling them from _ johnson will be the same as i was telling them from 2019, - johnson will be the same as i was telling them from 2019, let's - johnson will be the same as i was telling them from 2019, let's do i telling them from 2019, let's do something — telling them from 2019, let's do something to _ telling them from 2019, let's do something to get _ telling them from 2019, let's do something to get to _ telling them from 2019, let's do something to get to that - telling them from 2019, let's do| something to get to that landing zone: _ something to get to that landing zone. and — something to get to that landing zone. and the _ something to get to that landing zone, and the landing _ something to get to that landing zone, and the landing zone - something to get to that landing zone, and the landing zone is. something to get to that landing. zone, and the landing zone is quite simple _ zone, and the landing zone is quite simple there _ zone, and the landing zone is quite simple. there does _ zone, and the landing zone is quite simple. there does not _ zone, and the landing zone is quite simple. there does not need - zone, and the landing zone is quite simple. there does not need to- zone, and the landing zone is quite simple. there does not need to be| simple. there does not need to be checks— simple. there does not need to be checks on— simple. there does not need to be checks on goods _ simple. there does not need to be checks on goods that _ simple. there does not need to be checks on goods that are - simple. there does not need to be checks on goods that are coming l simple. there does not need to be| checks on goods that are coming to northern— checks on goods that are coming to northern ireland _ checks on goods that are coming to northern ireland if— checks on goods that are coming to northern ireland if they— checks on goods that are coming to northern ireland if they are - northern ireland if they are remaining _ northern ireland if they are remaining in— northern ireland if they are remaining in northern- northern ireland if they are i remaining in northern ireland. northern ireland if they are - remaining in northern ireland. the sharing _ remaining in northern ireland. the sharing of— remaining in northern ireland. the sharing of data _ remaining in northern ireland. the sharing of data started _ remaining in northern ireland. the sharing of data started this -

remaining in northern ireland. the sharing of data started this year, l sharing of data started this year, there _ sharing of data started this year, there is— sharing of data started this year, there is no— sharing of data started this year, there is no excuse _ sharing of data started this year, there is no excuse for— sharing of data started this year, there is no excuse for this. - sharing of data started this year, there is no excuse for this. they| there is no excuse for this. they should _ there is no excuse for this. they should do— there is no excuse for this. they should do something, _ there is no excuse for this. they should do something, and - there is no excuse for this. they should do something, and if- there is no excuse for this. theyi should do something, and if they there is no excuse for this. they- should do something, and if they are standing _ should do something, and if they are standing trying — should do something, and if they are standing trying to _ should do something, and if they are standing trying to bolster— should do something, and if they are standing trying to bolster one - standing trying to bolster one political — standing trying to bolster one political party _ standing trying to bolster one political party or— standing trying to bolster one political party or another, - standing trying to bolster one political party or another, or. standing trying to bolster one - political party or another, or using northern— political party or another, or using northern ireland _ political party or another, or using northern ireland as— political party or another, or using northern ireland as a _ political party or another, or using northern ireland as a stick- political party or another, or using northern ireland as a stick to - political party or another, or usingi northern ireland as a stick to whip the eu _ northern ireland as a stick to whip the eu with. — northern ireland as a stick to whip the eu with, that— northern ireland as a stick to whip the eu with, that is— northern ireland as a stick to whip the eu with, that is shameful. - northern ireland as a stick to whip the eu with, that is shameful. the same _ the eu with, that is shameful. the same goes — the eu with, that is shameful. the same goes with _ the eu with, that is shameful. the same goes with the _ the eu with, that is shameful. the same goes with the eu, _ the eu with, that is shameful. the same goes with the eu, if - the eu with, that is shameful. the same goes with the eu, if the - the eu with, that is shameful. the same goes with the eu, if the eu. same goes with the eu, if the eu know— same goes with the eu, if the eu know what— same goes with the eu, if the eu know what the _ same goes with the eu, if the eu know what the landing _ same goes with the eu, if the eu know what the landing zone - same goes with the eu, if the eu know what the landing zone is i same goes with the eu, if the eui know what the landing zone is and have done — know what the landing zone is and have done nothing, _ know what the landing zone is and have done nothing, then - know what the landing zone is and have done nothing, then shame i know what the landing zone is and| have done nothing, then shame on them _ have done nothing, then shame on them as— have done nothing, then shame on them as well— have done nothing, then shame on them as well because _ have done nothing, then shame on them as well because the - have done nothing, then shame on them as well because the only- have done nothing, then shame on. them as well because the only people suffering _ them as well because the only people suffering are — them as well because the only people suffering are those _ them as well because the only people suffering are those who _ them as well because the only people suffering are those who are _ them as well because the only people suffering are those who are stuck- them as well because the only people suffering are those who are stuck in l suffering are those who are stuck in the middle. — suffering are those who are stuck in the middle, and _ suffering are those who are stuck in the middle, and they— suffering are those who are stuck in the middle, and they are _ suffering are those who are stuck in the middle, and they are the - the middle, and they are the citizens— the middle, and they are the citizens of— the middle, and they are the citizens of northern - the middle, and they are the citizens of northern ireland, | the middle, and they are the - citizens of northern ireland, and they will— citizens of northern ireland, and they will continue _ citizens of northern ireland, and they will continue to _ citizens of northern ireland, and they will continue to suffer- citizens of northern ireland, and they will continue to suffer until| they will continue to suffer until we get — they will continue to suffer until we get grown-up— they will continue to suffer until we get grown—up politics - they will continue to suffer until we get grown—up politics from i they will continue to suffer until . we get grown—up politics from the they will continue to suffer until - we get grown—up politics from the eu and the _ we get grown—up politics from the eu and the uk _ we get grown—up politics from the eu and the uk government. _ we get grown—up politics from the eu and the uk government. thank- we get grown—up politics from the eu and the uk government. thank you. i and the uk government. thank you. that was— and the uk government. thank you. that was the — and the uk government. thank you. that was the view— and the uk government. thank you. that was the view from _ and the uk government. thank you. that was the view from the - and the uk government. thank you. that was the view from the ulster. that was the view from the ulster unionist party. once again the frustration in the first meeting of the northern ireland assembly today. lots of frustration that they weren't able to elect a speaker. remember, the speakerjust the first in a rather lengthy process that will now play out before a speaker is elected very little can get done, then that should pave the way to

nominating a first minister and deputy first minister. we have been hearing from all sides. remember sinn fein now the largest party in the assembly, and michelle o'neill pointed out the health crisis, the cost of living, she said the dup is simply preventing progress. she said theissue simply preventing progress. she said the issue they have come a rejection of the concerns they have about post—brexit trading arrangement, the northern ireland protocol, say will not be resolved in the executive and michelle o'neill saying westminster is playing a game of chicken with brussels and northern ireland is caught in the middle. for the dup's part, it says it is simply trying to send a message to both westminster and to brussels that there needs to be a change to the northern ireland protocol. they say that at the moment puts northern ireland at a disadvantage when it comes to trade

and economy. the point of that of course is just to keep and economy. the point of that of course isjust to keep northern ireland in line with the eu's single markets, particularly when it comes to trade and goods crossing the border. so quite fast—moving events this afternoon in stormont. as we have said, we've got to this point where in some respects very little has changed but we have heard from all sides the frustration and anger they have that an election that took place just last week is already at a stalemate. our reporter charlotte gallagher is at stormont and has been explaining exactly what the northern ireland protocol is and how it might work. it northern ireland protocol is and how it might work-— it might work. it was agreed goods arrivin: in it might work. it was agreed goods arriving in northern _ it might work. it was agreed goods arriving in northern ireland - it might work. it was agreed goods arriving in northern ireland from i arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk would be monitored to make sure they met eu standards, that is because northern ireland shares a land border with eu member island, and an open border between ireland and northern ireland is seen as an essential part of the peace process. 50

is seen as an essential part of the peace process— is seen as an essential part of the peace process. so that is a look at the northern _ peace process. so that is a look at the northern ireland _ peace process. so that is a look at the northern ireland protocol- peace process. so that is a look at the northern ireland protocol and| the northern ireland protocol and what it could mean. let's beat to the head of the federation of small businesses in northern ireland. what do you make of what we have heard over the last sort of hour or so? we are here, very little has changed in some respects but the frustration and anger from all sides about how little they could get done on the meeting. i about how little they could get done on the meeting-— about how little they could get done on the meeting. i have two thoughts, one is that we — on the meeting. i have two thoughts, one is that we finished _ on the meeting. i have two thoughts, one is that we finished quite - one is that we finished quite lengthy election campaign, not a pleasant one and it seems like people have all carried over the antipathy of what has happened and it has not quelled. i'm not superstitious but today is friday the 13th and maybe it was too much to expect an agreement to break out within eight days of the election but i'm also struck by the contrast because i'm your debar moral show, the largest agriculture show in

northern ireland and most come through here on the four days there is a huge sense of optimism and positivity, yes there is a struggle with the cost of living but people are looking at how to get through that sew on the one hand we have the negativity of what you've just heard and also the positivity of the business world and the contrast could not be starker.— business world and the contrast could not be starker. while there is that positivity. _ could not be starker. while there is that positivity. i— could not be starker. while there is that positivity, i wonder _ could not be starker. while there is that positivity, i wonder if - could not be starker. while there is that positivity, i wonder if what - that positivity, i wonder if what that positivity, i wonder if what that means regarding decision—making. i assume it will affect your members, be it financial, economical or dealing with the cost of living crisis. there is a remarkable confluence there with the policy and regional government so between the eu in the uk is the international protocol and all the ways of moving through the tca, the way brexit was done, you then have the national government for smack and that sees the cause of

that. it is things like the health and education skills and infrastructure spending that is set out and after the asked humans, we have environment will pass here and it is a huge opportunity for the planet but also a huge opportunity for business and we do not have an executive now to put in place incentives, processes, regulations to turn that into effect so there is an awful lot of opportunity being squandered simply by not being able to get on with regional government but it is understandable perhaps why we are here and there was a lot of reference are made to the good friday agreement and one of the things about that as the good friday agreement set out to protect minorities and the protocol as it currently is operating is very negatively impacting a significant minority of businesses so we need to see that the minority—owned businesses being affected a new protocol and that we are looked after and really we are calling on all of the minorities... all the people you interviewed as well or

agree with things that can be done, there is a landing rights and so on but they are somehow not talking to each other in the right way to that and get as we are now tour we are nowjury need to be.— nowjury need to be. interesting when ou nowjury need to be. interesting when you talk— nowjury need to be. interesting when you talk about _ nowjury need to be. interesting when you talk about the - nowjury need to be. interesting when you talk about the impact | nowjury need to be. interesting i when you talk about the impact on business, michelle o'neill, the sinn fein stormont new reader saying they are playing a game of chicken and northern ireland is caught in the middle of the uk and brussels. as at how your members feel, day that these are problems outside of their control and they are caught up in their everyday?— their everyday? there is a frustration _ their everyday? there is a frustration that _ their everyday? there is a frustration that these - their everyday? there is a frustration that these are | their everyday? there is a - frustration that these are things that cannot be so fixed and we had in america no taxation without representation and here we are seeing the regular chin without presentation —— a no regulation without representation. the regulation will be made in brussels and the effect of the northern ireland with no democratic voice expressed in the process so these are the sorts of little issues with the protocol that could become very big issues if not fixed now and what

you're arguing about is what is the best means of resolving them? is it argument or dialogue? the concern is the dialogue has been going on for 16 months now and we're still not sorted so i suppose the party is looking at what other way you can ratchet up the pressure on that negotiation to which they are not direct parties themselves. really aood to direct parties themselves. really good to have _ direct parties themselves. really good to have you _ direct parties themselves. really good to have you with _ direct parties themselves. really good to have you with us - direct parties themselves. really good to have you with us this - good to have you with us this afternoon and once again thank you for your patience as there has been a lot to get through this afternoon but thank you. more reaction to those events at stormont coming up in just those events at stormont coming up injust a those events at stormont coming up in just a few moments but let's pause now and get this court, a full round—up and lizzie has the details. good afternoon.|t�*s an historic weekend of football with both fa cup finals taking place for the first time and both at wembley. liverpool take—on chelsea

in the men's match on saturday and chelsea are also involved in the women's game against man city on sunday with over 50,000 tickes sold so far. if that's the case, i think it breaks the record if i'm not wrong. which is outstanding, and josh shows that the game is moving in the right direction. we played in the final last year which was a different feel with no support is there so this will be amazing and there is no better place to see a pretty full wembley, the atmosphere will be great and it's really nice and special for the players of both teams to be able to celebrate that with their supporters and their families well. in the men's, thomas tuchel�*s chelsea side will be looking to win their first trophy of the season. with liverpool and jurgen klopp still in the running for an historic quadruple after winning the league cup against chelsea already earlier this season. we know how good chelsea is and so we expect another tough one, so that is it but again it is the fa cup final in both teams will go before they have and that is what i expect

from chelsea, and especially from us, and what we really love about the carabao cup as we realised that what a unique location wembley is in this moment with all the people in and it is outstanding and we want to have that again of course. it’s a have that again of course. it's a secial have that again of course. it's a special momentum _ have that again of course. it's a special momentum that - have that again of course. it's a special momentum that you - have that again of course. it's a special momentum that you have to catch and _ special momentum that you have to catch and for sure you need a piece of lot— catch and for sure you need a piece of lot to _ catch and for sure you need a piece of lot to go — catch and for sure you need a piece of lot to go away with a trophy. we are aware — of lot to go away with a trophy. we are aware of— of lot to go away with a trophy. we are aware of that but we feel again well—prepared and the atmosphere is right, _ well—prepared and the atmosphere is right, the _ well—prepared and the atmosphere is right, the momentum is ok after the reaction _ right, the momentum is ok after the reaction and everyone knows what we are up _ reaction and everyone knows what we are up to _ reaction and everyone knows what we are up to and we want to arrive of course _ are up to and we want to arrive of course to — are up to and we want to arrive of course to give liverpool a hard fight~ — there's still plenty of chat about last night's north london derby. tottenham beat arsenal 3—nil to move just a point behind them in the race for the final champions league spot with 2 games to play... afterwards spurs' manager antonio conte told arsenal's boss mikel arteta to stop complaining.

while arteta said he'd be banned for six months if he'd said what he wanted to after the match. yes, he has to be focused more on his team _ yes, he has to be focused more on his team and — yes, he has to be focused more on his team and not to complain, because — his team and not to complain, because he hasjust started this work— because he hasjust started this work and — because he hasjust started this work and i— because he hasjust started this work and i think that he has to be calm _ work and i think that he has to be calm and — work and i think that he has to be calm and to— work and i think that he has to be calm and to try to continue to work because _ calm and to try to continue to work because he — calm and to try to continue to work because he is very good but he has combined — because he is very good but he has combined a — because he is very good but he has combined a lot of time and that is not good — former boxing world champion amir khan has announced he's retiring at the age of 35. khan made his name as a teenager taking silver at the athens olympics. during his 17 year professional career he was the unified world welterweight champion. our reporter eleanor roper has more. it was in 2004 that he was the only boxing _ it was in 2004 that he was the only boxing representative for team gb at the athens— boxing representative for team gb at the athens games, coming away with a silver medal, went on to turn

professional and to unify the light welterweight division so he did it all, welterweight division so he did it all. he _ welterweight division so he did it all, he fought all around the world travelling — all, he fought all around the world travelling from his home in bolton to vegas, — travelling from his home in bolton to vegas, to everywhere, taking all kinds _ to vegas, to everywhere, taking all kinds of— to vegas, to everywhere, taking all kinds of fights and most recently he lost against kell brook in manchester, an old rival of his and he took— manchester, an old rival of his and he took some time off the back of that defeat to call it a day. a name that defeat to call it a day. a name that transcended the sport of boxing and has _ that transcended the sport of boxing and has done so much for the sport. the legendary staying flat horse stradivarius won his 4th yorkshire cup at york today. the 8 year old stallion eeked out another famous victory under jockey frankie dettori. it's stradivarius�* final year in training and he'll now head to royal ascot where he'll attempt to win a fourth gold cup. that's all the sport for now. thank you very much, we will see a little later. in other news today, borisjohnson has told his cabinet to cut up to 91,000 civil service jobs to free up cash and ease the cost of living. you want to reduce

staffing levels to where they were in 2016 and he described a suggested saving of £3.75 billion per year is realistic but a civil service union called the plan ill thought out and thought it could affect services with our political correspondent with our political correspondent with reporting. jobs, jobs, jobs. the cost of living. but he says the government and voice to many people. jobs, jobs, jobs is the answer. that's his solution when it comes to the cost of living, but the prime minister now says the government employs too many people. he wants to cut 90,000 civil service jobs in the next three years and has told ministers to draw up plans within weeks. you should always spend taxpayers' money as efficiently as possible. governments have no money of their own, it is only money taken from hard—working taxpayers,

who provide the funds that the state expends. but during an issue with the cost of living and with inflation, you need to have control of budgets. this man is the uk's top civil servant, simon case. he wrote to government departments last night, telling them, "the size of the civil service workforce has grown substantially since 2016." he wants to return to 2016 levels. he adds that this will be "challenging", but tells departments, "it will need imagination". there could be a freeze on recruitment across the civil service. ministers would have to approve any newjobs. downing street hopes that enough people will leave to bring numbers down, but redundancies haven't been ruled out. according to the institute for government, these are the biggest employers. work and pensions, justice, the taxman — covering almost 70% of civil servants. but these aren't all justjobs in whitehall. they also cover things like the delivery of benefits in job centres around the uk. unions sayjob cuts will mean cuts to services too, and they're threatening strike action.

the government has said to the civil service, here's extra work, and the numbers of staff have increased to deal with that extra work. so if you want to cut back to some arbitrary number, you need to say, well, we can't undo brexit, we can't undo covid, so what else are you actually going to cut? and i think that's the difficulty. downing street says this isn't an ideological decision, it's about good housekeeping, but it's highly controversial and details of how the cuts will work far from clear. downing street says this is not an ideological decision and is about good housekeeping but it's highly controversial and details of how the cuts will work far from clear. let's speak to general secretary of the trade union representing civil service. good to have you with us.

the proposals would take the civil service back to 2016, about getting back to normal, isn't it? it afternoon and can i start by saying that a number of weeks ago, the government claimed like most of us to be outraged that p and o ferries would announce the sacking of 800 people and this morning have the —— have a million civil servants and theirfamilies have have a million civil servants and their families have woken up with no notice, consultation, nothing from their managers to hear one in five of them will losejobs their managers to hear one in five of them will lose jobs of the next two years. that's a disgraceful way to treat people during a pandemic you deliver the national minimum wage, the furlough scheme, kept up ordersjust the system wage, the furlough scheme, kept up orders just the system and the reward this year is a 6% cut in living standards and now one in five, 91,000 of them facing losing theirjobs and that is disgraceful. it is ideology gone mad and it's happening at a time when the

government is complaining that passports are taking ages, the driving licences taking ages, how they think sacking 15 the workforce will go beggars belief. the they think sacking 15 the workforce will go beggars belief.— they think sacking 15 the workforce will go beggars belief. the p and 0 case was an _ will go beggars belief. the p and 0 case was an immediate _ will go beggars belief. the p and 0 case was an immediate departure i will go beggars belief. the p and 0 i case was an immediate departure and there's no suggestion this will happen immediately. the government said it will look at where it may cut these jobs but it also said it needs to save could save as a result of these cuts £3.75 billion that it wants to spend on easing the cost of living crisis, most people would welcome the help as prices hit a 30 year high. to welcome the help as prices hit a 30 ear hiuh. ., , welcome the help as prices hit a 30 ear hiuh. .,, . . ., welcome the help as prices hit a 30 ear hiuh. ... . . ., ., welcome the help as prices hit a 30 earhiah. .,, . . ., ., year high. to be clear, no one has been sacked _ year high. to be clear, no one has been sacked today _ year high. to be clear, no one has been sacked today like _ year high. to be clear, no one has been sacked today like p - year high. to be clear, no one has been sacked today like p and - year high. to be clear, no one has been sacked today like p and 0 i year high. to be clear, no one has| been sacked today like p and 0 but half a million people now havejob uncertainty and i might be 0, two weeks ago the government wrote to the unions to say they wanted to cut redundant pay by 30%. two weeks on, they say 90,000 people will lose their jobs so they say 90,000 people will lose theirjobs so it's pretty despicable treatment but let's be clear, already under immense pressure, what we see as delays in passports, delays in the courts, we see £1

billion worth of money underpaid to pensioners who are not getting the correct level of pensions, people needing universal credit more, national minimum wage support, front line public sector workers needed to do all that so any man of immense wealth would probably never uses his services tells us this is about good housekeeping, he should be honest because what he means it would be longer for because what he means it would be longerfor you because what he means it would be longer for you to the payment, longer for you to the payment, longerfor you to see longer for you to the payment, longer for you to see advice about work, longerto longer for you to see advice about work, longer to get your case is heard, longerto work, longer to get your case is heard, longer to get through airports and all of the services that rely on front line workers will worsen if there is one in five less of them to do that.— worsen if there is one in five less of them to do that. those that are alread in of them to do that. those that are already in place. _ of them to do that. those that are already in place. as _ of them to do that. those that are already in place. as he _ of them to do that. those that are already in place. as he said, - of them to do that. those that are already in place. as he said, up i already in place. as he said, up sharply from 384,026 but even with those extra staff, still dies in queues. notjust about headcount, is

it? it queues. not 'ust about headcount, is it? , , , ., it? it is in the sense that the staff we have _ it? it is in the sense that the staff we have is _ it? it is in the sense that the staff we have is not - it? it is in the sense that the staff we have is not enough, j it? it is in the sense that the - staff we have is not enough, let's be clear, we're not saying there shouldn't be cuts, we need thousands more people because there is already huge problems with the system and is not surprising we had a global pandemic, an economic catastrophe, millions more people requiring to claim benefits, people need more support and help, not less of it. isn't this about improving procedures to make applications for passports and getting through borders and airports more efficient and improve productivity for existing staff rather than throwing more people and won money at the problem? more people and won money at the roblem? ., , , ., . problem? now because if it was about that, what problem? now because if it was about that. what the — problem? now because if it was about that, what the government _ problem? now because if it was about that, what the government would - problem? now because if it was about | that, what the government would have said as we are making cut and this is how we will do it but what they did yesterday was to write to every government department and say please come up with good ideas to cut one job in five. it is the government throwing out red meat to its core supporters to cover up the shambolic

operation that it presides over every single day and if you want passports on time, if you want to cut into the half a million queue for driving tests, if you want to get through our borders faster, it's obvious that we need more dedicated front line professionals to do it and you will not get that by cutting jobs, particularly when you do not have a clue how to do it and what jacob rees—mogg really should accept as in 2016, where he wants to go back to, the numbers in the civil service then are the smallest since the second world war and there are already huge problems in the system. we need more people because we need more people to get support, the length and breadth of the country during difficult times, not less and thatis during difficult times, not less and that is what the government is doing today, notjust disgraceful to the 90,000 people and their families who are now worrying, is disgraceful to everyone in this country whose claims the minimum wage, benefit, use ourjustice system or wants to go on holiday and they need to train staff to support them, not threats,

90,000 people losing theirjobs. iterate 90,000 people losing theirjobs. we demanded a meeting and we have been clear that if the government insists on cutting people because i can come by 6% this year and threatening to cut one in five jobs, i by 6% this year and threatening to cut one in fivejobs, i think by 6% this year and threatening to cut one in five jobs, i think it's inevitable that our members will be asked and will vote for industrial action in the autumn but let's hope it doesn't come to that because we will get you some sense and the government all start governing properly, not the shambles that we have now. good to have you with us. more than half a million elderly and disabled adults in england are now waiting for social care according to the body that runs local authority care. that up by nearly two thirds on last year and ministers say they are investing billions of pounds in the care system but the association

of directors of adult social services say there is a growing shortage of care workers that has been made worse by low pay rates and the cost of living crisis. here's our social affairs editor. this is one of the four care visits per day thatis one of the four care visits per day that is relied on. ralph has parkinson's and they would not cope on their own home near redcar without the support. you rely on your carers to look after him properly, don't you? you rely on your carers to look after him properly, don't you? you know? so ~~ - i mean, it's something i couldn't do. i can't handle him at all. there'll be time to look after myself now. just the two tablets this afternoon, ralph, all right? but today's research by council bosses says an increasing number of people who are older or disabled are having to wait for care services like this. one reason is

a shortage of care staff. right, we'll pop your chair up a bit. both sadie and karen love what they do, but understand why — with the cost of living rising — some don't want to do a job that, in their case, pays less than £10 an hour. that's it. a little bit more, ralph. mostly, it's to do with pay. people with families, or trying to get on the housing ladder, with the cost of living, they just can't afford to be in a job like this, because it doesn't pay enough for them to be able to live as well. i think care workers should be paid more for doing, because we don'tjust go in and make cups of teas, what people think we do. we actually go in and we turn people's lives around. according to the directors who run council care services in england, last september, an estimated 294,000 people were waiting for assessment, reviews or care from local authorities. by the end of february this year, that number had risen to more than 500,000. care leaders say councils need extra money urgently — to meet growing demand and pay those providing care more. we need urgent action to address unmet need. we need more money into social care sooner. we can't afford for social care to be an afterthought... and, er...

..because thatjust creates this vicious cycle, where people deteriorate and need more help, more health and care. and its family carers like tania who feel the strain when it's hard to get help. lee is 37. he's quadriplegic and he has multiple and complex disabilities. lee requires 24—hour care, really. and so, that's provided — the majority of it is provided by me and his dad, brian — and then we have paid carers. one of their care workers left injanuary, because she needed to earn more money. tania manages lee's care, which is nhs—funded, and she's had just four applications for thejob. none were suitable. are you going to talk to me, lee? are you? — it makes it really difficult because i have my own health needs, which makes physically caring for lee difficult because it causes me a lot of pain. my husband is self—employed

because he needs to be accessible and available if i need to call him to come and help with lee. one step. but at the end of the day, he's our son so, you know, we'll do what lee needs. tania has little confidence they will find the help they need any time soon. the government says reforming the care system is a priority, and that it's investing billions of pounds in improving the way it works for families and staff. alison holt, bbc news. we will speak to joyce. harrowing stories of people facing real difficulty as far as care is concerned, do any of these statistics apprise you? h0. concerned, do any of these statistics apprise you? no, they do not statistics apprise you? no, they do rrot surprise _ statistics apprise you? no, they do not surprise me _ statistics apprise you? no, they do not surprise me whatsoever. - statistics apprise you? no, they do not surprise me whatsoever. it's i not surprise me whatsoever. it's

been long known for many years now that we have a depleted workforce and social care with the demographics we've got more and more people who are going to need care and also not only in the older population with younger people with far more complex health needs so they need care as well. where are we going to find the workforce from? that's very difficult indeed, care providers have been trying to get the workforce recruitment, retention is also a big problem and we will also cannot bring people into the workforce, the pay is low, add to that at the moment we got the cost of living, the school costs which takes an enormous impact on care services —— fuel costs. where we will find the workforce, i don't know. we really need far more money into the sector so we can pay our workforce a proper wage, a wage that hopefully could be in parity with

the nhs. we are there supporting social carers, supporting the nhs. we help not only preventing people go to hospitals but also looking after people when they come out of hospital so it is not only those with very long term care that is needed, but those on the rehabilitation side of coming out of hospital and preventative, should be far more valued, we just don't know how people will cope in the future, there will be millions of unmet care needsif there will be millions of unmet care needs if something does not happen in the social care sector to find that workforce. to help the most vulnerable people in society. as you suggest, it seems like the problem will get much worse with an ageing population needing more care but at the same time very few newjoiners into the industry given the reasons that you've highlighted. clearly a

sign from just pay to attract more workers into the industry, what needs to change? is this a perception, recognition of being a carer is a career and a profession, and thejob we carer is a career and a profession, and the job we desperately need and should be treated perhaps with a bit more respect?— more respect? mortar -- most definitely- — more respect? mortar -- most definitely. it _ more respect? mortar -- most definitely. it is _ more respect? mortar -- most definitely. it is not _ more respect? mortar -- most definitely. it is not perceived i more respect? mortar -- most| definitely. it is not perceived as having a pathway either so we need career progression is to be out there, to be advertised, social care can be a job for life and there is career progression out there so you can go through the system and it can even lead on to many of the other different sectors of social care whether social worker going into the nhs and if you have that grounding in social care, coming on as a carer, looking after people, you get that good grounding and of course we need good training which does progress as well through as you go

through your career progression, through your career progression, through the value care to be able to see there is progression and debate progression, we do need to be able to pay a really... living wage which in this day and age will not get any better so we do need to encourage funding, the finding that local authority of the care providers has an they have to be really dependent on government funding and anything they can get locally but of course we need that money to come through to the front line. social care funding is often not ring fenced so we need the funding, it is already going to the local authorities as well as more money put into the sector and getting to the front line so we can pay our wonderful care workers for doing these fantastic jobs on such a low pay and not being

valued, we do need to pay them an adequate wage, the cost of living in parity with the nhs. as we saw, the impact of those needing care is all too evident and i wonder what the impact is on the carers themselves. given the pressure they are facing in the growing demand for what they do, they are being stretched more thinly everyday. most certainly, whether in home care, in a care home facility, this workforce shortage is making the present care workers we have worked tirelessly and that is also a workforce shortage and exacerbated and of course by brexit and covid all hitting at the same time so the care workers we have have been working tirelessly over the past two years and then you have —— many of them are burnt out

totally, they've been working long shifts, rememberthis totally, they've been working long shifts, remember this is a shift pattern, not a job that is monday to friday, 925 or that you can work from home. —— nine till five. care is 24 7,365 days per year so you do have to be prepared to work social care in unsocial hours and for very little wages. you can get better. we are really facing the problem of being able to recruit into the care sector, it is well paid. thanks for explaining, so many repercussions. joyce binfield, head of the

association. bbc news at five up in a few moments with all the latest headlines but before that lets have a look at the weather with thomas. —— lets look at the weather with tomasz. not much happening on the weather front, tomasz. not much happening on the weatherfront, outside, may be a tomasz. not much happening on the weather front, outside, may be a few showers in the western isles and thatis showers in the western isles and that is it. morning temperatures ranging from six in newcastle to 11 in cardiff. sun for most of us. then scattered farewell a crowd through the afternoon, lighter winds in the north also and the temperatures will range from 18 in aberdeen and belfast to 22 in birmingham and london but saturday night into sunday we think thundery showers will sweep into the south of the uk and the risk of thunder and lightning is higher the further east

you are and those showers could rumble into morning on sunday as well but i think eventually the sun should come out.

today at five — a stalemate at stormont — the dup block the resumption of power—sharing in northern ireland until the uk government changes post—brexit trading arrangements. i believe that we need to send a very clear message to the european union and to our government that we are serious about getting this protocol sorted out.— are serious about getting this protocol sorted out. they have actually boycotted _ protocol sorted out. they have actually boycotted an - protocol sorted out. they have| actually boycotted an executive being _ actually boycotted an executive being formed, they have opposed the public— being formed, they have opposed the public for— being formed, they have opposed the public for their own selfish interest— public for their own selfish interest and that is not tolerable, it is not— interest and that is not tolerable, it is not good enough. rs interest and that is not tolerable, it is not good enough. rs johnson is exected it is not good enough. rs johnson is expected to — it is not good enough. rs johnson is expected to travel _ it is not good enough. rs johnson is expected to travel to _ it is not good enough. rs johnson is expected to travel to stormont - it is not good enough. rs johnson is expected to travel to stormont on . expected to travel to stormont on monday to speak to party levers. we will speak live asking what they

need to hear from