this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak with the headlines at 9. 19 young children and two teachers are killed in a shooting at a primary school in texas. details are still emerging, but we know some of the victims are as young as nine years old. president biden has pleaded for tighter gun laws. why? why are we willing to live with this carnage? why do we keep letting this happen? where in god's name is our backbone? in other news, the long awaited report into downing street lockdown parties by senior civil servant sue gray is expected to be published today. railway workers vote to go on national strike,

threatening major travel disruption across the uk. and the takeover of chelsea football club is approved. a deal worth £4.25 billion will see a consortium led by american businessman todd boehly become the new owners. good morning. a gunman has shot dead at least 19 schoolchildren and two teachers at a primary school in the us state of texas. the pupils were between the ages of seven and ten years old. the mass shooting was in the small town of uvalde — west of san antonio — at the robb elementary school,

which is made up of children from a largely hispanic community. it is america's deadliest school shooting since 20 children and six adults were killed at sandy hook school in connecticut a decade ago. authorities say the gunman was an 18—year—old man, salvador ramos. he was shot dead by law enforcement officers. he is believed to have purchased two military—grade rifles and shot his grandmother, before heading to the school. david willis reports. in the final week of the summer term, a student, at a suburban elementary school, wielding weapons he'd bought on his birthday, barricaded himself inside the building and went classroom to classroom on a killing spree. my heart was broken today. we're a small community. we will need your prayers to get us through this. thank you. 18—year—old salvador ramos was himself shot dead by law

enforcement officers but not before he'd inflicted the deadliest shooting of its kind since the sandy hook massacre nearly a decade ago. let me assure you, the intruder is deceased and we are not actively looking for another individual or any other suspects in this case. we definitely ask you all to keep the families that are involved in your prayers. with flags lowered to half mast at the white house and other public buildings as a mark of respect for the victims, president biden declared himself sick and tired of the carnage caused by gun violence and called out one of the country's most powerful lobby groups. good evening. as a nation, we have to ask, when in god's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby? when in god's name will we do what we all know in our gut needs to be done? as word of the massacre spread, a senator representing the state in which the sandy hook massacre took place pleaded with his colleagues for tighter gun controls.

but i'm here on this floor to beg... to literally get down on my hands and knees and beg my colleagues. find a path forward here. work with us to find a way to pass laws that make this less likely. yet despite enjoying bipartisan support at the time, a bill that would have tightened america's gun laws in the wake of the sandy hook massacre failed to garner the votes it needed to pass into law. and there remain those who bitterly oppose any legislation that could compromise americans' constitutional right to bear arms. you see democrats and a lot of folks in the media whose immediate solution is to try to restrict the constitutional rights of law—abiding citizens. that doesn't work. it's not effective. it doesn't prevent crime. we know what does prevent crime,

which is going after felons and fugitives and those with serious mental illness. the motive for this latest rampage still isn't known. meanwhile, the national rifle association is due to hold its annual meeting in texas this coming weekend. david willis, bbc news. the names and photographs of those killed in this attack are starting to emerge — along with heartbreaking details of their lives. the family of xavier lopez have confirmed that he died in the school. he was ten years old. his cousin told american news outlets that xavier's mum had attended his awards ceremonyjust hours before the shooting. a gofundme page has been set up by one of his relatives to help his family pay for his funeral. uziyah garcia was nine, and would have turned ten this summer. his aunt nikki cross confirmed his death and shared his photo.

his grandmother described him as "the sweetest little boy that i've ever known". the father of ten—year—old ameriejo garza confirmed that his daughter was one of the pupils killed as she attended school yesterday. and teacher eva mireles also died. she'd been a teacher for 17 years, according to her profile at robb elementary school. one of her relatives told american reporters that she was "trying to protect her students" from the gunman before she died. her aunt said she was an avid hiker, who took pride in teaching students of latino heritage. she described her niece as "the life of the party". in a televised address, presidentjoe biden said it was time to stand up to america's gun lobby. his words drew on his own experience of grief. the president lost his first wife and young daughter in a car accident in 1972,

and his son to cancer in 2015. another massacre. uvalde, texas. an elementary school. beautiful, innocent, second, third, fourth graders. and how many scores of little children who witnessed what happened, seeing their friends die as if they are on a battlefield, for god's sake! to lose a child is like having a piece of your soul ripped away. there is a hollowness in your chest. you feel like you are being sucked into it. and you're never going to be able to get out. it's suffocating. and it's never quite the same. it's a feeling shared by the siblings and the grandparents

and the family members and the community that is left behind. i am sick and tired. we have to act. and don't tell me we can't have an impact on this carnage. the idea that an 18—year—old kid can walk into a gun store and buy two assault weapons, it's just wrong. what in god's name do you need an assault weapon for except to kill someone? these kinds of mass shootings rarely happen anywhere else in the world. why? they have mental health problems. they have domestic disputes in other countries. they have people who are lost. but these kinds of mass shootings never happen with the kind of frequency they happen in america. why? why are we willing to live with this carnage? why do we keep letting this happen?

where in god's name is our backbone? to have the courage to deal with it and stand up to the lobbies. it's time to turn this pain into action. for every parent, for every citizen of this country, we have to make it clear to every elected official in this country, it is time to act! it's time for those who obstruct or delay or block the common—sense gun laws, we need to let you know that we will not forget. we can do so much more. we have to do more. our north america editor sarah smith is in uvalde. this is the community centre in uvalde where parents had to come to find out whether their children had been injured and taken to hospital or receive the devastating news that they had been killed. the young victims were all between seven and ten years old, and two of their teachers

were shot as well. it is a profoundly shocking tragedy that at the same time is depressingly familiar in america. the gunman was an 18—year—old local high school student who is believed to have shot his grandmother before he then went to the school to attack it with a handgun and a semiautomatic rifle. in an emotional address from the white house, president biden said he was sick and tired of these repeated mass shootings in america and that it was time to find the courage to change gun laws. but democrats here have been trying and failing to do that for years, and in their response to this tragic shooting here in texas, republicans don't seem to be showing any signs at all of changing their opposition to making it harderfor people to get hold of guns. they say it is not the guns that are the problem. you have to tackle the criminals and the felons. and the attorney general

here in texas has even suggested that arming teachers would be a better idea to try and prevent school shootings, making sure that teachers in the classroom had guns. so it seems very unlikely that there would be any major change in the law here or any agreement over gun control as a result of this shooting here. we'll bring you more on this in a few minutes' time. the senior civil servant sue gray is expected to hand over her final report on lockdown parties at westminster to downing street this morning. it'll then be up to number 10 to decide the timeframe for its publication and the prime minister's subsequent address to the house of commons. the report could be published within hours, with borisjohnson addressing mps as soon as this afternoon. my colleague geeta guru—murthy is in downing street.

thank you and good morning from downing street. we are here with the team all day, we think, as we wait for the publication of the sue gray report. we are expecting it within hours. there are some reports that number 10 behind me has already had hard copies in the last few minutes. we can't confirm that as yet. but we do know that number 10 say that they are hoping at some point to publish it, we still don't have a timeline on that. of course, there is prime minister's questions at midday and it is possible borisjohnson will make a statement after that, meet his own mps later and possibly do a press conference. the question of course is what is contained in this report that has been discussed ad nauseam for six months? is the excuse over other tory mps to hide behind sue gray? will it have a killer blow? 0r behind sue gray? will it have a killer blow? or has the anger dissipated from it already? will tory mps act or will they keep boris

johnson in post at downing street? 0ur chief political correspondent adam fleming is with me. what do we know at the moment?— adam fleming is with me. what do we know at the moment? well, number10 sources are denying _ know at the moment? well, number10 sources are denying they _ know at the moment? well, number10 sources are denying they have - sources are denying they have received the report and they are expecting it at around ten o'clock but that is just something we are doing to pass the time until we actually get the contents because thatis actually get the contents because that is what matters. there is two schools of thought about what this will do. one school of thought, the one you get in there, is it will draw a line under the whole saga, and people will be able to see the details and just firm up the conclusions they have already reached and then the government can move on, perhaps as soon as tomorrow, with some help with the cost of living and people's energy bills. the other school of thought is that this will reignite the anger people felt about partygate throughout, it will reignite the doubts that a sizeable number of conservative mps had about their leader and it could ultimately lead to some kind of vote of confidence in borisjohnson. in the words of one tory grandee to me last night, either borisjohnson will be facing a leadership contest by the end of the week or he will be home and dry

by the weekend. a little quirk of parliamentary time, they are going into recess and have a break for a week from friday, so the window for any action if there is going to be any action if there is going to be any is quite small. find any action if there is going to be any is quite small.— any action if there is going to be any is quite small. and in terms of the mood of— any is quite small. and in terms of the mood of tory _ any is quite small. and in terms of the mood of tory mps, _ any is quite small. and in terms of the mood of tory mps, there - any is quite small. and in terms of the mood of tory mps, there is . the mood of tory mps, there is already a sense the heat has gone out of it and this will be damaging, you know, but not necessarily so damaging that they feel the public pressure is for them to act. it is interesting _ pressure is for them to act. it is interesting because _ pressure is for them to act. it 3 interesting because last week, when the metropolitan police closed their investigation and ultimately, all borisjohnson was receiving was one fine, and all rishi sunak and his neighbour received was one fun, lots of civil servants and more junior people receiving sometimes multiple fines, the sense among the parliamentary conservative party was that it was over but what has changed in the last 2a hours is that the photos have emerged of one of the photos have emerged of one of the drinks parties with boris johnson there with a glass of wine, clearly taking part if only briefly and also something about the inevitable kind of choreography

around this report arriving and the drama of us being here and counting down to the report arriving and then seeing what the prime minister will behave, i think that has reignited some doubts amongst people. i was speaking to another conservative mp last night who has submitted a vote of no confidence in the prime minister who said he is absolutely flabbergasted that they have not hit the number yet because he said the mood was getting a little bit more rebellious. find mood was getting a little bit more rebellious. �* , , ~ mood was getting a little bit more rebellious. �* , , ., mood was getting a little bit more rebellious. , , ., , rebellious. and public opinion, is it already settled, _ rebellious. and public opinion, is it already settled, basically? - rebellious. and public opinion, is i it already settled, basically? when you look at the polls and we always have to be very careful with opinion polls but it always seems that the majority at the moment believe that the prime minister was not honest about this and that he should resign and yet it is not in a public�*s hands yet, is it? it is only in the hands yet, is it? it is only in the hands of tory mps and if they feel that boris johnson hands of tory mps and if they feel that borisjohnson is a liability, more than any other potential challengers, will they act? this is the thing cover— challengers, will they act? this is the thing cover the _ challengers, will they act? this is the thing cover the public, - challengers, will they act? this is the thing cover the public, the . challengers, will they act? this is i the thing cover the public, the only time they get to have a say is at a general election which is two years away in the current trajectory but you're also right that opinion polls

show this has damaged boris johnson's relationship with the public. tory mps think that is probably permanent but not necessarily fatal for him or the party but definitely kind of permanent tarnishing of his reputation. you are also totally right that the only people who could remove the prime minister are conservative mps. you would need 5a of them to write a letter of no confidence to graham brady, the chair of the 1922 backbench parliamentary committee which would then trigger a vote of confidence in then trigger a vote of confidence in the prime minister and you would need a simple majority of tory mps, 180, to unseat borisjohnson. 0ne need a simple majority of tory mps, 180, to unseat borisjohnson. one of the big things they are thinking about is that there is no obvious successor, since rishi sunak... well, there isn't, theresa may, john major, you look back even in recent history, people emerge, don't they? but having spoken to a couple of mps i bumped into earlier today, the majority of them are opponents of borisjohnson and they majority of them are opponents of boris johnson and they say that their colleagues in the middle are

scared, scared that there is nobody who could replace him who would make sure that there eats and constituencies were safe for them and i think that is in a lot of peoples minds.— and i think that is in a lot of peoples minds. and i think that is in a lot of --eoles minds. �* . ., peoples minds. adam fleming, for now, peoples minds. adam fleming, for new. thank— peoples minds. adam fleming, for now. thank you — peoples minds. adam fleming, for now, thank you very _ peoples minds. adam fleming, for now, thank you very much - peoples minds. adam fleming, for now, thank you very much and - peoples minds. adam fleming, for. now, thank you very much and adam will update us if we hear more. with me now are sebastian payne, whitehall editor for the financial times and sir roger gale mp, conservative mp for north thanet. thank you forjoining us. sebastien, if i could start with you, in terms of how damaging this report is going to be, what is your sense? is the damage effectively already baked in or is the reality of seeing the words and images potentially going to shift the dial on borisjohnson's future? to shift the dial on boris johnson's future? ~ . ., , ., , future? well, fundamentally, nobody knows for sure _ future? well, fundamentally, nobody knows for sure what _ future? well, fundamentally, nobody knows for sure what actually - future? well, fundamentally, nobody knows for sure what actually is - future? well, fundamentally, nobody knows for sure what actually is in - knows for sure what actually is in the report and the only person is soo great and we have had weeks, if not months of briefing from all sides about how damaging it is going to be. will it do for borisjohnson or simon case, the cabinet

secretary? the whole thing has turned into something of a circular firing squad. i think everyone can agree it is going to be damaging for british politics, for almost everybody at the top of government. adam was just saying before, whether fundamentally, it comes down to tory mps, and what they see and feel about it, and the fact is that the end of the police investigation, it drew a line in their mind, to say, ok, we're going to move on now but i 0k, we're going to move on now but i think the photos that appeared in the past couple of days have certainly clarified in their mind just how bad this could be and we will have to see how critical sue gray is of the prime minister personally, we expect she is going to cast the net quite wide and point the finger at many civil servants, including simon case, who i mentioned before, and martin reynolds, who was borisjohnson's private secretary and i think what will matter a lot today is how the prime minister reacts to this, how apologetic is he? because in the past, he has done a full mere culpa

at the dispatch box and then a bit more bullish behind closed doors with conservative mps. if he wants to survive this, it is going to have to survive this, it is going to have to be humble pie throughout every moment of the day, to say that he accepts what has gone wrong and if he gets that wrong, i think conservative mps' mood could change very quickly. 5ir conservative mps' mood could change very quickly-— very quickly. sir roger gale, what is our very quickly. sir roger gale, what is your sense _ very quickly. sir roger gale, what is your sense amongst _ very quickly. sir roger gale, what is your sense amongst your - is your sense amongst your parliamentary colleagues on this? well, before i answer that question, can i well, before i answer that question, can i simply— well, before i answer that question, can i simply say that given the news that is— can i simply say that given the news that is coming out of uvalde in texas — that is coming out of uvalde in texas this— that is coming out of uvalde in texas this morning and out of the donhas— texas this morning and out of the donhas in— texas this morning and out of the donbas in ukraine, that this seems almost _ donbas in ukraine, that this seems almost like — donbas in ukraine, that this seems almost like a trivial issue but of course, — almost like a trivial issue but of course, we _ almost like a trivial issue but of course, we are talking about the honesty — course, we are talking about the honesty of — course, we are talking about the honesty of the prime minister of the uk and _ honesty of the prime minister of the uk and that does matter in the international context as well as in the national context. a lot of my colleagues have been saying for months. — colleagues have been saying for months, we will wait until the publication of the sue gray report and then— publication of the sue gray report and then we will decide what to do. well, _ and then we will decide what to do. well, it— and then we will decide what to do. well, it looks as though today is

going _ well, it looks as though today is going to — well, it looks as though today is going to be decision day. many of us of course _ going to be decision day. many of us of course have already made up our minds _ of course have already made up our minds i_ of course have already made up our minds. i made up my mind 18 months a-o, minds. i made up my mind 18 months ago. tong _ minds. i made up my mind 18 months ago, long before partygate. that the prime _ ago, long before partygate. that the prime minister was not a fit person to he _ prime minister was not a fit person to he the _ prime minister was not a fit person to be the prime minister of the united — to be the prime minister of the united kingdom but i was a minority of one. _ united kingdom but i was a minority of one, then and now there are a lot more _ of one, then and now there are a lot more how— of one, then and now there are a lot more. how many more, we shall know in reaction _ more. how many more, we shall know in reaction to _ more. how many more, we shall know in reaction to the report. we more. how many more, we shall know in reaction to the report.— in reaction to the report. we have had information _ in reaction to the report. we have had information obviously - in reaction to the report. we have had information obviously in - in reaction to the report. we have had information obviously in the l had information obviously in the last 2a hours, bbc panorama, laura kuenssberg speaking to junior staff anonymously, who were very critical of the prime minister, it seems, for apparently passing the buck to them and not taking responsibility, that was the sense of the programme last night. the daily mirror has published a fresh photograph. how damaging are these ongoing revelation is likely to be? i think this is damaging _ revelation is likely to be? i think this is damaging to _ revelation is likely to be? i think this is damaging to the - revelation is likely to be? i think this is damaging to the prime i this is damaging to the prime minister. _ this is damaging to the prime minister, certainly but for my money, — minister, certainly but for my money, it— minister, certainly but for my money, it is more important that it is damaging — money, it is more important that it is damaging to the whole business of politics— is damaging to the whole business of politics on— is damaging to the whole business of politics on both sides of the house

of commons, that our reputations are on the _ of commons, that our reputations are on the line _ of commons, that our reputations are on the line. we have to decide what to do— on the line. we have to decide what to do and _ on the line. we have to decide what to do and we have to do the right thing _ to do and we have to do the right thing and — to do and we have to do the right thing and for me, the right thing is to acknowledge the fact that we are dealing _ to acknowledge the fact that we are dealing with a man who is effectively without shame, who is prepared — effectively without shame, who is prepared to fight to the last drop of everybody else's light in order to hang — of everybody else's light in order to hang on — of everybody else's light in order to hang on to the door handle of number— to hang on to the door handle of number 10 and to hang on to the door handle of number10 and that to hang on to the door handle of number 10 and that has to change —— everybody— number 10 and that has to change —— everybody else's blood. but as i say, _ everybody else's blood. but as i say, i _ everybody else's blood. but as i say, ithink— everybody else's blood. but as i say, i think it is down to my colleagues now to determine whether or not _ colleagues now to determine whether or not they _ colleagues now to determine whether or not they choose to trigger a vote of no—confidence in the prime minister— of no—confidence in the prime minister and of no—confidence in the prime ministerand of of no—confidence in the prime minister and of course, it is by means— minister and of course, it is by means certain that the prime minister— means certain that the prime minister would lose that vote. there may he _ minister would lose that vote. there may be sufficient members on my benches, — may be sufficient members on my benches, our benches, to keep him in office _ benches, our benches, to keep him in office and _ benches, our benches, to keep him in office and if— benches, our benches, to keep him in office and if that is so, then i am a democrat— office and if that is so, then i am a democrat and i have to accept the results _ a democrat and i have to accept the results but— a democrat and i have to accept the results. but my position is absolutely clear. do results. but my position is absolutely clear.— results. but my position is absolutely clear. results. but my position is absolutel clear. ~ absolutely clear. do you think he has loecome _ absolutely clear. do you think he has become an _ absolutely clear. do you think he has become an electoral - absolutely clear. do you think he | has become an electoral liability? because that is the question, we are going to see that tested in by—elections next month and the

impact of today's report will be felt untested then. —— and tested then. i felt untested then. -- and tested then. , . , ~ felt untested then. -- and tested then. , ., , ,, ., , then. i personally think that he is now an electoral— then. i personally think that he is now an electoral liability - then. i personally think that he is now an electoral liability and - then. i personally think that he is now an electoral liability and i - now an electoral liability and i think— now an electoral liability and i think you _ now an electoral liability and i think you are right to say that... i asked _ think you are right to say that... i asked in— think you are right to say that... i asked in the — think you are right to say that... i asked in the tea room this morning whether— asked in the tea room this morning whether we — asked in the tea room this morning whether we had selected an electoral sacrifice _ whether we had selected an electoral sacrifice to _ whether we had selected an electoral sacrifice to fight on a ten in devon and i_ sacrifice to fight on a ten in devon and i am — sacrifice to fight on a ten in devon and i am told that we have. i would not wish _ and i am told that we have. i would not wish to— and i am told that we have. i would not wish to be fighting, i have thought— not wish to be fighting, i have thought by—elections myself, they are not— thought by—elections myself, they are not easy and i think this one will he _ are not easy and i think this one will be particularly difficult but obviously i hope the conservative candidate — obviously i hope the conservative candidate wins but i think she has an uphill— candidate wins but i think she has an uphill struggle. if i could just say in _ an uphill struggle. if i could just say in response to something adam fleming _ say in response to something adam fleming said in the introduction, at the moment, there is no clear alternative to mrjohnson, but there are at— alternative to mrjohnson, but there are at least— alternative to mrjohnson, but there are at least half a dozen, we are almost _ are at least half a dozen, we are almost spoilt for choice, and that is part— almost spoilt for choice, and that is part of— almost spoilt for choice, and that is part of the problem, i think, there _ is part of the problem, i think, there are — is part of the problem, i think, there are at least half a dozen people. — there are at least half a dozen people, any one of whom could do the 'ob people, any one of whom could do the job and _ people, any one of whom could do the job and do— people, any one of whom could do the job and do it _ people, any one of whom could do the job and do it well. that person will emerge _ job and do it well. that person will emerge once there is a vacancy. at the moment, there is no vacancy. gk,

the moment, there is no vacancy. 0k, let me bring — the moment, there is no vacancy. 0k, let me bring in — the moment, there is no vacancy. ii, let me bring in sebastien payne again, we don't know exactly whether downing street have received the report, it might be at 10am, we don't know how staff might also be able to read it for themselves. of course, we know that behind—the—scenes, dominic cummings and those who left downing street has been speaking to journalists, potentially giving information to journalists and we don't know exactly where all of the briefings have come from. the question really is ongoing, how much damage can this prime minister take, both from within his own staff and from outside, and for how long will the tories stick with him? will they perhaps ride it out in the coming weeks and months, only to perhaps try to unseat boris johnson weeks and months, only to perhaps try to unseat borisjohnson before an election if they feel their seats are at risk?— are at risk? well, as i said earlier. — are at risk? well, as i said earlier, the _ are at risk? well, as i said

earlier, the immediate - are at risk? well, as i said - earlier, the immediate question is how the prime minister response to the sue gray report and i think the test that could still tip letters over to the crucial 5a threshold and into a confidence vote will be when the prime minister has potently misled parliament or not. —— whether the prime minister. borisjohnson did correct the record when he was fined by the met police but i think if there is more evidence in this report today that suggests that people can say, hang on, things that he said not true, that obviously becomes pretty difficult. but the fact is, you know, this isjust one element of several very problematic issues facing boris johnson's government. you issues facing borisjohnson's government. you have issues facing boris johnson's government. you have obviously got the cost of living crisis and it is no coincidence that a support package is being brought together at the last moment that is probably going to come tomorrow to try to move the conversation on. but i think if he does survive this immediate moment, the question for conservative mps will probably be about this autumn time when they can see how the government has dealt with the cost of living crisis, as partygate come to an end and what

kind of long—term damage has boris johnson sustained? how have those by—elections gone that you have mentioned? everyone in westminster is expecting a general election probably in 2024 so the end of this year, beginning of next up is probably the last chance to change by minister and allow him or her to get bedded in before that point and after that, get bedded in before that point and afterthat, people get bedded in before that point and after that, people will be too jittery about that exact thing. you know, you would say with boris johnson, he is of course the teflon prime minister, he has withstood far more damaging, far more scrapes than many others and has often been described by people in conservative circles as the greased piglet, who manages to slip out of slippery situations, but i think today is going to be the trickiest of them all and the situation where he will have to prove whether he is indeed the greased piglet. fiifi have to prove whether he is indeed the greased piglet.— have to prove whether he is indeed the greased piglet. 0k, we will have to leave it there. _ the greased piglet. 0k, we will have to leave it there. thank _ the greased piglet. 0k, we will have to leave it there. thank you - the greased piglet. 0k, we will have to leave it there. thank you for - to leave it there. thank you for joining us. we will maybe speak to you later in the day once the report has been published. 0f

you later in the day once the report has been published. of course, we don't know whether the information in it itself will have the killer blow or whether it will prove so corrosive that tory mps will feel that they have to take action against the prime minister, and also the privileges committee report ahead and we will see whether the information from sue gray might influence that work, the whole question of whether borisjohnson misled parliament which is a resignation offence. for now, from downing street, back to the studio. thank you. the government has approved the £4.25 billion takeover of chelsea by a consortium led by the la dodgers co—owner todd boehly. the london club was put up for sale in march before owner roman abramovich was sanctioned over his links to russian president vladimir putin. chelsea have been operating under a special government licence which expires on the 31st may. none of the proceeds will be going

to roman abramovich. there are fears of widespread disruption on britain's railways this summer, after workers at network rail and 13 train operators voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action. nearly 90% of rmt union members approved the walk—outs, with a turnout of more than 70%. 0ur transport correspondent, katy austin joins us now from london euston. the threat of widespread disruption, what do we know about discussions so far, where are we on this? we what do we know about discussions so far, where are we on this?— far, where are we on this? we know that if workers _ far, where are we on this? we know that if workers at _ far, where are we on this? we know that if workers at those _ far, where are we on this? we know that if workers at those 13 _ far, where are we on this? we know that if workers at those 13 train - that if workers at those 13 train companies around the country and staff at network rail, whose staff include signallers, if they did all walk out, there would be significant disruption to passenger services and also to freight services. you could not run many trains at all if the signal is walked out in particular. we know that emergency planning is

going on to come up with measures to try to mitigate the impact of that, to keep goods and people flowing, going around the country as much as possible. the rmt union says that this dispute is about pay and it is around jobs. this dispute is about pay and it is aroundjobs. it this dispute is about pay and it is around jobs. it has accused network rail of planning to cut 2500 jobs. but network rail has said no firm proposals had been tabled yet. the industry has accused the union of running this ballot prematurely, but this is what the union told us this morning. this is a major set of industrial action if we end up calling it, i mean, but it is a last resort. you have got to remember, our members are feeling the pinch, too. we don't want to take them out and make them lose money if we can get a settlement. so we are hoping this will focus minds where they need to be focused and we think there is an opportunity now for us to sit down and negotiate a settlement that's reasonable, that gives people a pay rise and just protects theirjobs. that's not much to ask for in the current circumstances, is it? the railways are under pressure to

cut costs, following the financial impact of the pandemic. the government poured £16 billion of taxpayers money in to keep services running, it says, and passenger numbersjust running, it says, and passenger numbers just haven't recovered to what they were before the pandemic. the industry says that reform is needed, and a strike would hurt the railways' recovery, costing it even more money. i think the important thing, you know, a strike is... you know, by balloting to strike is not going to help anybody, particularly not staff at the front end and not customers. the industry has got to recover from the pandemic and as your reporter said, you know, there is already £16 billion of taxpayers' money been paid. we need to look at how we reform the industry and the only way we can do that is talking with the rmt and making sure that we have sensible discussions, and one thing we can't continue to do is keep on _ taking money from the taxpayer. we've got to be able to look and fund ourselves and as you highlighted, the number of customers that we have lost during the pandemic, they are not returning.

so we need to look differently at what the future looks like for our staff and our customers. the rmt union has not set a date yet for when strike action would happen and we don't know how long it would last, exactly what form it would take. at the union has talked about it potentially starting in mid june. but everyone involved in this dispute is now calling for talks to try to reach a settlement to prevent a strike actually going ahead. kati; a strike actually going ahead. katy austin, a strike actually going ahead. katy austin. thank— a strike actually going ahead. katy austin, thank you very much. reporting there from london euston. we are going to bring you breaking news concerning one of the main stories today, the release of sue gray's report. the cabinet secretary, this has been reported by chris mason, our political correspondent, the cabinet secretary has said... simon case, the cabinet secretary, the country's most senior

civil servant, secretary, the country's most senior civilservant, is secretary, the country's most senior civil servant, is not resigning, and will not be sacked. 0f civil servant, is not resigning, and will not be sacked. of course, he was also facing criticism about gatherings at whitehall, at number 10. he handed the case over to sue gray. so confirmation here from the cabinet secretary, saying that simon caseis cabinet secretary, saying that simon case is not resigning and will not be sacked. we are monitoring events and the release of the sue gray report here on bbc news. let's go back to number —— we are at number 10 and we will bring you the latest as and when it happens. in the meantime, time for the weather. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol it has been a wet start to the day in the west. a weather front is pushing south—eastwards as you can see. it is weakening as it pushes

towards the south—east, a lot of cloud, and behind it, bright spells, sunshine and some showers. it is going to be blustery, gusty winds along the english channel coast line, temperatures 11 degrees to 17 degrees. this evening, the front goes south, clear skies, showers fading, by the end of the night, more cloud across the west and rain in northern ireland and south—west scotland. tomorrow, the rain continues in northern ireland, south—west scotland, north—west england and wales, getting into the at times, weak as it thinks south. behind it, bright skies, sunshine, showers across the far north, and some wintry showers in the high ground over scotland.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines: 19 young children and 2 teachers are killed in a shooting at a primary school in texas. in other news, the long awaited report into downing street lockdown parties, by senior civil servant sue gray — is expected to be published imminently. railway workers vote to go on national strike, threatening major travel disruption across the uk. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, a12 a 12 week saga is over after the government approved the takeover of chelsea this morning by todd boehly. it was put up for sale in march before the abramovic was sanctioned

following the invasion of ukraine. there were fears the deal could collapse but a government statement said they are satisfied he will not benefit from the sale and the proceeds will go toward supporting the victims of the war in ukraine as promised. the purchase will be the most expensive in sports history. the government confirmed, they said this morning... brings certainty which the club has not had in recent weeks. liverpool boss jurgen not had in recent weeks. liverpool bossjurgen klopp has been named premier league manager of the year by the league managers association. the wsl award was won by emma hayes.

despite missing out on the premier league title by one point, liverpool won the fa cup and league cup and have the championship final on saturday. it is voted by other managers and makes it the most important prize you can get. in the next hour, the top british pair will be back in action at the french open. emma raducanu faces a 0pen. emma raducanu faces a player she lost to n her first match after becoming us open champion last year. no chances of surprising her opponent this time after last year. she says she has been turning to the gym to improve her performance. the british number one, the tenth seed, faces the australian qualifier french of the back of winning his maiden tour level title on clay in france on saturday. there are set to be a huge shake—up in one of the

most traditional 0lympic events. monkey bars and a tsunami bowl will be among the chances of facing athletes as part of the changes to modern pentathlon. showjumping was removed after last year tokyo 0lympics when a horse dropped after refusing tojump. pentathlon united said the sport is in crisis and needs independent investigation. 0bstacle needs independent investigation. obstacle course racing is going to be a test event in turkey next month and could be introduced as a replacement at the olympics from the 2028 olympic games in los angeles. that is all from me for now. let's head back to downing street now, as the final report on lockdown parties is due to be handed over to the prime minister. my colleague geeta guru—murthy is there thank you very much. 0ne

thank you very much. one suggestion is that the report might be landing around ten o'clock. we are not sure when it will be made public. prime minister questions is due at 12 o'clock. he could make a statement after that. the timing might work. we are not clear as to when and if it is going to be published. we have had no official confirmation. 0ur political editor has said that his understanding is that the cabinet secretary is not going to resign. whether that decision has been made before they have seen the report or whether they have already had siting of it and they do not think it is damaging enough to warrant his resignation, i again, damaging enough to warrant his resignation, iagain, we damaging enough to warrant his resignation, i again, we will aim to find out. joining me now joining me now is lord finkelstein, conservative peer and columnist for the times. he is also chair of the conservative political think tank 0nward. is borisjohnson at risk from the

report or have tory mps already decided to stick with him no matter what? decided to stick with him no matter what? is decided to stick with him no matter what? , ., ., ., what? is more the latter than the former. what? is more the latter than the former- lt — what? is more the latter than the former- it is _ what? is more the latter than the former. it is more _ what? is more the latter than the former. it is more they _ what? is more the latter than the former. it is more they have - what? is more the latter than the i former. it is more they have decided to stick with him than he is in danger. it would be wrong to say he is not in any danger at all, there is not in any danger at all, there is a danger that he would be seen as having not told the truth in parliament, this report may his defence difficult, and it is possible that accumulated evidence makes it harder for conservative mps to defend this already very hard to defend set of activities. but it does look to me as though that moment of danger has passed. i am afraid tactically, i was very strongly of the view that he should resign over this, a big mistake was made by people calling for the police to investigate. i was not very comfortable with people asking the police to prosecute another set in this country. it does not make me very comfortable anyway. but it was a political mistake and ended up with the police intervening in such

a way as to make the thing last for ever. the picture we have all seen this week, if that picture had arrived at the height of the scandal when people were saying let's wait for sue great, that would not stabilise borisjohnson but now i think he will survive. brute stabilise boris johnson but now i think he will survive.— stabilise boris johnson but now i think he will survive. we have heard in the last 24 _ think he will survive. we have heard in the last 24 hours, _ think he will survive. we have heard in the last 24 hours, junior - think he will survive. we have heard in the last 24 hours, junior staff- in the last 24 hours, junior staff talking to bbc panorama, saying they were surprised that the prime minister was denying that he knew there was a party, saying that he was present, that he was complicit in a number of events that were not within the rules. do you think a prime minister can survive being fined and called out by hisjunior staff and a very damaging report that we might get hold of today? flan that we might get hold of today? can he or should he are different. the story is obvious, the story told what happened. in my view, that is a

resigning matter. that is a different question as to whether or not conservative mps decide it is a resigning matterfor them. there are other things they are worried about, who would be a better person than borisjohnson to lead them into the next election? they still think he is an electoral asset, i do not think that is the case any more, but they still think he will be an electoral asset.— they still think he will be an electoral asset. ~ , ., , ~ electoral asset. why do they think that riven electoral asset. why do they think that given the _ electoral asset. why do they think that given the opinion _ electoral asset. why do they think that given the opinion poll- electoral asset. why do they think that given the opinion poll is - that given the opinion poll is damaging for borisjohnson? we can see the public have lost faith in him on matters like trust. it is maaical him on matters like trust. it is magicalthinking. _ him on matters like trust. it is magical thinking. the - him on matters like trust. it 3 magical thinking. the argument is borisjohnson is politically very robust, he has shown he has got a personality that appeals, this is certainly true, he will tend to forget political things that happen, they don't retain them for a long period of time, it is a long time until the next general election, two years, i think this is not... will

prove incorrect, people have assimilated what has happened into their view of borisjohnson which will be hard to shift, it does damage that part of his personality people like, people are angry with him. conservative mps are to some extent fooling themselves. the fact that they are, if you are trying to analyse what will happen as to propose to what i think should happen you take into account. ianthem happen you take into account. when ou look at happen you take into account. when you look at the _ happen you take into account. when you look at the behaviour _ happen you take into account. when you look at the behaviour of - happen you take into account. when you look at the behaviour of the metropolitan police, the briefing between number ten and sue gray, how much of this in your view will settle within the public view are well it passed by the time we get an election? i well it passed by the time we get an election? , , , . ., , election? i suspect it will not be at the top _ election? i suspect it will not be at the top of _ election? i suspect it will not be at the top of people's _ election? i suspect it will not be at the top of people's mines. i at the top of people's mines. the economy will because that is the way politics tends to work. it is quite a long time. the distance between

the scandal that nearly brought down margaret thatcher and the subsequent general election that she won. it will be part of people's view. the affair however scandalous it was at the time, it was a big political fuss rather than one people cared about in their daily lives. he will find it hard to move theirs although it's not at the top of people's mines. that is a judgment that mps will make for themselves. is it possible. _ will make for themselves. is it possible. sorry _ will make for themselves. is it possible, sorry to _ will make for themselves. is it possible, sorry to interrupt, that the detail in this report could provide materialfor the detail in this report could provide material for the the detail in this report could provide materialfor the privileges committee which is deciding whether borisjohnson has misled parliament. if he has, although it is a high bar, that is a resignation offence. that is correct. that is the danger for borisjohnson now. it may take some time, but that will be more

difficult to negotiate, and as we have seen with this, it is all about timing. if this privileges committee were brought to the moment of relative political tranquillity for borisjohnson, it may be that mps, despite the principal that no one should lie to the house of commons knowingly, despite the privileges committee, they will overlook it, that could easily happen. at the same time, it could come after a bad by—election result, or another political problem, and it could contribute to his downfall. that is what we have to watch out for. that is the danger of the sue great report. there is a small chance, not higher than that, that the force of the things that are set in the report is sufficiently great that it alters the calculation of conservative mps. more than just... 0nce his resignation. ballot, but

gets a majority of tory mps, that is somewhat less likely. the other possibility it does, as you suggest, provides the evidence for the privileges committee. is the reason why this is not over even as an immediate sharp issue. it will never be over as a chronic one.— be over as a chronic one. thank you very much — be over as a chronic one. thank you very much indeed _ be over as a chronic one. thank you very much indeed for— be over as a chronic one. thank you very much indeed forjoining - be over as a chronic one. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. i very much indeed forjoining us. more from here as soon as we hear on the sue great report. more on our top story, the mass shooting at an elementary school in texas that's killed at least 19 children and two teachers. the pupils were between the ages of seven and ten years old. let's cross now to cbs correspondent, danya bacchus, who is in uvalde. what more do we know

about what happened? a community in shock, heartbroken, morning. uvalde is a small tight—knit community, 16,000 people live here, we have found it seems like everyone knows somebody here in this community. everyone is impacted by what happened here. we know that the police are still investigating at this moment behind me at the school. they are trying to find a motive for the shooting and a lot of questions that need to be answered as to the exact timeline of what happened, how this shooter was able to access the guns that he had and we are still waiting to learn more about those details. in we are still waiting to learn more about those details.— about those details. in the meantime. _ about those details. in the meantime, we _ about those details. in the meantime, we are - about those details. in the| meantime, we are learning about those details. in the i meantime, we are learning the heartbreaking stories of some of his victims. can you hear me? i will try

one more time. can you hear me? that is a shame. we have lost our connection in uvalde. she was updating us with the latest details underscoring that the community is in shock, and as you would expect, and ongoing investigation taking place by the security services. there have been emotional appeals for tighter gun regulations. it's near the end of the basketball season in the us, and the coach of one of the biggest teams in the sport expressed his anger, when he spoke to reporters before last night's match. the last ten days we have had elderly black people killed in a supermarket in buffalo. we've had asian churchgoers killed in southern california. and now we have children

murdered at school. when are we going to do something? i'm tired. i'm so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there. i'm so tired, i'm sorry, i'm tired of moments of silence. enough! there's 50 senators right now who refuse to vote on hr8, which is a background check rule that the house passed a couple of years ago. it's been sitting there for two years, and there's a reason they won't vote on it — to hold onto power. so i ask you, mitch mcconnell, i ask all of you senators who refuse to do anything about the violence in school shootings and supermarket shootings, i ask you, are you going to put your own desire for power ahead of the lives of our children and our elderly and our churchgoers?

because that's what it looks like. lang, the reaction to the mass shooting that took place yesterday in the elementary school in uvalde in the elementary school in uvalde in texas. a survey suggests three—quarters of women of colour in the uk have experienced racism at work, with many changing their names and appearances to fit in. it's the largest research of its kind looking at how black, asian and other women from ethnic minority groups are treated in the workplace. let's get some more from our community affairs correspondent adina campbell. can you take us through in terms of what this report is detailing? what what this report is detailing? what is significant _ what this report is detailing? what is significant about _ what this report is detailing? what is significant about the _ what this report is detailing? twat is significant about the research what this report is detailing? ltdrisgt is significant about the research as it is the largest study of its kind so far to date in the uk looking at the way women of colour in the uk are treated, the way they act and the way they behave in the

workplace. this will come as no surprise to these women who say this is what they are accustomed to, it is what they are accustomed to, it is part of their everyday reality. the survey spoke to 2000 women, it was looked at by the race equality think tank and the gender equality group. it found that two thirds of women of colour from black, group. it found that two thirds of women of colourfrom black, asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds said they made changes in the workplace. examples being the way the talk, what they talked about, the food they eat and in other cases how they look. made changes to their appearance, they way they style their hair, the clothes they wear, some going as far as to changing their names. the most worrying problem to come out of the report was reports of racism and thatis report was reports of racism and that is what equality campaigners say is not acceptable. it is leading to these women having their careers cut short, not being promoted, and

walking out ofjobs. the report makes a number of recommendations, employers and the government need to make sure there are clear and transparent processes when it comes to these women reporting racism. it also wants to see a plan of action when it comes to gender and equality and pay gaps. the government has said that this is part of their inclusive britain strategy which was released earlier this year, it wants to promote a fair workplace and there is a plan in place to tackle those ethnicity and gender pay gaps. thank you very much. let's talk to dr halima begum, chief executive and director of the runnymede trust, the uk's leading race equality think tank, who were involved in the study. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. what finally led to this being looked at? abs,

news. what finally led to this being looked at? �* .., ., news. what finally led to this being looked at? . _, ., ., ., looked at? a recognition that women of colour face — looked at? a recognition that women of colour face racism _ looked at? a recognition that women of colour face racism in _ looked at? a recognition that women of colour face racism in quite - looked at? a recognition that women of colour face racism in quite a i of colour face racism in quite a different way to maine, i suppose, and white women who face sexism in the workplace. we looked at the notion of double jeopardy. 28% of white women face barriers within the workplace but over 40% for women of colour who face similar barriers. we wanted to draw attention to the experience of women of colour and what they face in the reality of the workplace. this is a landmark report looking at p and progression of women of colour.— looking at p and progression of women of colour. a, , , ., , ., women of colour. many people would say racism. — women of colour. many people would say racism. many _ women of colour. many people would say racism, many people _ women of colour. many people would say racism, many people do - women of colour. many people would say racism, many people do not i say racism, many people do not believe it happens, let's be honest. how do you prove cases of racism at work even when it comes down to promotion or pay? the work even when it comes down to promotion or pay?— work even when it comes down to promotion or pay? the way to prove racism is happening _ promotion or pay? the way to prove racism is happening is _ promotion or pay? the way to prove racism is happening is to _ promotion or pay? the way to prove racism is happening is to show i promotion or pay? the way to prove racism is happening is to show the l racism is happening is to show the data and use the evidence from the company as employer that is showing

incidences of racism. what you are pointing to is proving something that has already happened in a more systematic way. organisations and companies have to have clear transparent reporting mechanisms that they have confidence in and staff have confidence in and that is why one of the recommendations we put forward is to make sure there are clear reporting structures around reporting racism and clear investigation on how it is taking place and how it can be stopped in the workplace. place and how it can be stopped in the workplace-— the workplace. having recommendations i the workplace. having recommendations in l the workplace. having i recommendations in places the workplace. having - recommendations in places one the workplace. having _ recommendations in places one thing but when you are that women in the workspace and you are told it is safe to go unreported, what have women been telling you about how they feel about reporting incidents or talking or raising an issue? by]!!! or talking or raising an issue? fill employees know raising issues around billing —— bullying or sexism or racism, employers have to create safe spaces. one of the problems of reporting failure is is that you

risk being known a troublemaker. employees —— employers have to create safe spaces and we do not see enough of them or accountable reporting mechanisms in place and thatis reporting mechanisms in place and that is why we are using our report to shine a light on what needs to happen so that when a woman raises a concern, it does not lead to her leaving, it means that employers make if more fair workplace. we hope we provide suggestions of how to do that well to support many women that we have spoken to. one of the reasons of the research is to amplify experiences of women when facing racism at the workplace so they do not end up leaving and it feels safe for them to use the data to bring about change within their workplace. is to bring about change within their worklace. , ,, ., , to bring about change within their worklace. , ,, ., ., workplace. is less a case of filling the quarters? _ workplace. is less a case of filling the quarters? that _ workplace. is less a case of filling the quarters? that does - workplace. is less a case of filling the quarters? that does not i workplace. is less a case of filling the quarters? that does not go i workplace. is less a case of filling i the quarters? that does not go down well, does it? the quarters? that does not go down well. does it?— well, does it? filling the quarters? tacklin: well, does it? filling the quarters? tackling racism? _ well, does it? filling the quarters? tackling racism? we _ well, does it? filling the quarters? tackling racism? we are _ well, does it? filling the quarters? | tackling racism? we are suggesting that employers have our action plan

with measurable targets, like ensuring what their reporting mechanisms are in place and are followed up. we ensure targets that look at career profession of women at every level of the workplace. entry—level jobs, at every level of the workplace. entry—leveljobs, mid—career level jobs, senior leadership leveljobs and making sure the targets are met. there are plenty of women who more than meet the standards required, they don't get those jobs in the first place. they don't get those “obs in the first pleat they don't get those “obs in the first preset they don't get those “obs in the first lace. ., ~' , . first place. thank you very much. very interesting. _ the fame islands — off the northumberland coast — are home to one of the largest populations of puffins in the uk. but since the start of the pandemic, scientists haven't been able to visit to monitor their numbers. now, national trust rangers have finally been able to return — and our reporterjonathan swingler has gone with them. a trip to the farne islands

is popular for many visitors in northumberland. the wildlife here brings in the tourists, but scientists are concerned about the puffin population. it's declining in other countries. yes. so we have to be worried. if the populations elsewhere are being affected, you know, is itjust a matter of time before the puffins here start getting affected? and if we're not doing something about it, what's going to happen? are we just going to watch the puffins sort of disappear? you know, we've done that with other species. i would have said that it was occupied. 0k. today, the national trust rangers started their survey of the number of puffins that are here. for occupied burrows, we are looking for fresh droppings near the burrows, orfresh digging, or sandhills near the burrow entrance, orfeathers near the burrow entrance. and if we can't tell from the outside if the burrow is occupied or not, then we can very gently put a hand inside the burrow. when we do this, we risk getting

a bit of a nip from an adult puffin or getting the puffin toilet. but if we're lucky, we'll get an egg, or best event is getting a puffling in there. have you been bitten by a puffin? yes, i have been bitten by a puffin quite a few times. what's that like? sore. i have one or two scars from puffin bites. to come and see them in real life on an island that's kind ofjust a couple of miles off the coast of northumberland, like, i think it's an absolute joy to see, really. they're here in their thousands, but the world is changing. could we see a dramatic reduction in their numbers in years to come? i don't think it's going to happen in the nearfuture, but they are in decline. so what are our children going to have to see? what our children's children going to have to see? and i think that legacy is really important. and we need to be doing something now. it looks like it's global climate change is going to be the biggest threat to these birds. and we need to be

doing stuff like that. for the rangers, carrying out this survey is important work. for now, visitors are enjoying the chance to see thousands of these birds. jonathan swingler, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. good morning. it is been a wet start to the day for some of us, in the northern and western parts of the country. the rain is going to continue to push south and east through the day courtesy of the weather front. through the day courtesy of the weatherfront. it through the day courtesy of the weather front. it will weaken so it will be lighter by the time it gets to the south—east. a blustery day, winds around the english channel coast line. the rain we've already had, it will continue to push south and east, lot of cloud. blustery, as the rain pushes south it will brighten behind it and will will see some sunny intervals and a few

showers. in the sunshine, temperature is 18 celsius, fresh air as we push north, 12 celsius. the weather front clears tonight, some fog around the south west of england. the showers will disappear, some clear skies and then the cloud builds out towards the west, some rain coming and across northern ireland and south—west scotland by the end of the night. there are two weather fronts pushing south and east through the day, getting weaker, and from the isobars you can see it is going to be windy wherever you are tomorrow. the first weather front brings rain across northern england and wales, the second out of northern ireland and southern scotland and going into england and wales with a lot of cloud. on the other side, some sunshine, wales with a lot of cloud. on the otherside, some sunshine, in wales with a lot of cloud. on the other side, some sunshine, in a few showers in the north of scotland, and on the highest ground, the showers could be wintry.

temperatures 11 degrees in the north and 21 in the south. on friday, some early cloud, the weather front is moving away, some hill fog across north—west england, the clyde breaking up, more sunshine on friday, but a weather front across northern scotland produces some showers. temperatures 12 celsius to 21 celsius. the weekend, high pressure takes charge. the wind moving north or north—east early, meaning it will be cooler along the north sea coastal counties, and there will be more cloud through the course of the isolated showers. going west, there is more settled weather and we will see some sunshine with temperatures between 15 celsius and 21 celsius.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. 19 young children and two teachers are killed in a shooting at a primary school in texas. details are still emerging, but we know some of the victims are as young as nine years old. police later named the gunman as salvador ramos, who was shot dead at the scene. president biden has pleaded for tighter gun laws. why? why are we willing to live with this carnage? why do we keep letting this happen? where in god's name is our backbone? in the uk, the long awaited report into downing street lockdown parties is expected to be published imminently. the bbc understands that the country's top civil