this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh. the headlines. the conservative mp chris pincher resigns as a deputy chief whip, responsible for party discipline — saying he's �*embarrassed himself�* as a newspaper alleges he groped two men at a private members�* club. ukrainian officials say at least 17 people have been killed by russian missile strikes in and around the city of odesa. xijinping defends china�*s model of ruling hong kong during a visit to the territory to mark 25 years since britain handed over control of the city. more than a million people are expected to take to the streets of london this weekend for pride as the lgbt+ community marks 50 years since the first march. are you celebrating pride this weekend? and how much do you think things have changed for the lbgt

plus community over the last 50 years? get in touch with me on @annitabbc or using the hashtag bbc your questions. and, two british hopefuls, cameron norrie and heather watson, will both be in action today at wimbledon. the mp chris pincher has resigned as government deputy chief whip, after a newspaper alleged he groped two men at a private members�* club. he has apologised to the prime minister and said he had embarrassed himself and others. the role of the government whips is to enforce party discipline. our political correspondent jonathan blake reports.

chris pincher had been deputy chief whip, responsible for discipline among tory mps, since february. but now it�*s his own conduct that has fallen short. there were complaints about his behaviour on wednesday night at the carlton club, a private members�* club in central london, where he is reported to have groped two men. in a letter to the prime minister yesterday, mr pincher said... as things stand, chris pincher won�*t face any further action. a senior government source said he was a loyal conservative who recognised he had behaved badly. labour say there are serious questions about how he can remain as a conservative mp. and chris pincher�*s resignation will again raise the issue of standards of conduct at westminster. jonathan blake, bbc news.

our political correspondent iain watson is in westminster. good morning. a government source saying as things stand mr pincher won�*t face any further action, but will this align hold, and is there a risk that the prime minister is putting himself in a position of not taking the allegations seriously enough. taking the allegations seriously enou:h. . , ,, enough. certainly downing street told me this _ enough. certainly downing street told me this morning _ enough. certainly downing street told me this morning they - enough. certainly downing street| told me this morning they thought enough. certainly downing street - told me this morning they thought no further action was necessary under government source said last night when the news broke that they believed he had done the right thing by resigning as deputy chief whip and they say he is a loyal conservative mp. he is certainly loyal to borisjohnson because chris pincher was part of what was known at westminster as a shadow whipping operation when the allegations around party gate surfaced towards the end of last year in the mirror

newspaper and letters of no confidence were going in for boris johnson and he was one of a number of people close to the prime minister who tried to organise support for the prime minister at that stage and it was seen as something of a reward when he became the deputy chief whip back in february so it looks as though it is the instinct of 10 downing street not to stand by him and say he�*s done something wrong and he has resigned but not to take any further action. whether that holds inside the party remains to be seen. the cabinet minister, simon hart, the welsh secretary was on the bbc this morning and told the today programme that the allegations were being taken seriously. i really do think we would not be fulfilling — i really do think we would not be fulfilling our obligations and dutles— fulfilling our obligations and duties to the victims in this if we were _ duties to the victims in this if we were to — duties to the victims in this if we were to speculate about where it might _ were to speculate about where it might all— were to speculate about where it might all end. all i want to say and iwenl— might all end. all i want to say and iwant to— might all end. all i want to say and i want to stress this, is that we take _ i want to stress this, is that we take all— i want to stress this, is that we take all of— i want to stress this, is that we take all of these things incredibly seriously — take all of these things incredibly seriously. my first reaction when i

heard _ seriously. my first reaction when i heard this — seriously. my first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness — heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again _ sadness and frustration that here we are again in — sadness and frustration that here we are again in this position where it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that _ is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things pmperly— sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. it is so tempting for me to _ the victims. it is so tempting for me to he — the victims. it is so tempting for me to be able to in a sense give you all of— me to be able to in a sense give you all of the _ me to be able to in a sense give you all of the answers you want because that's— all of the answers you want because that's the _ all of the answers you want because that's the easy thing to do, but if i that's the easy thing to do, but if i was _ that's the easy thing to do, but if i was to— that's the easy thing to do, but if i was to do— that's the easy thing to do, but if i was to do that i would make a complicated situation worse and we would _ complicated situation worse and we would he _ complicated situation worse and we would be back here tomorrow and you would _ would be back here tomorrow and you would he _ would be back here tomorrow and you would be rightly holding me to account— would be rightly holding me to account for that. he would be rightly holding me to account for that.— would be rightly holding me to account for that. ., account for that. he was also saying he believed — account for that. he was also saying he believed the _ account for that. he was also saying he believed the chief— account for that. he was also saying he believed the chief whip, - he believed the chief whip, effectively chris pincher�*s old boss, would be having conversations about what to do and it remains to be seen whether there will be further pressure on him from conservative mps but certainly labour are piling on the pressure this morning on the shadow home secretary yvette cooper for example suggesting that the whip should be withdrawn and there should be a proper investigation. this

withdrawn and there should be a proper investigation.— proper investigation. this is a total disgrace, _ proper investigation. this is a total disgrace, the _ proper investigation. this is a total disgrace, the response i proper investigation. this is a - total disgrace, the response from boris _ total disgrace, the response from borisjohnson on the total disgrace, the response from boris johnson on the government to this. boris johnson on the government to this these — boris johnson on the government to this. these allegations are really serious _ this. these allegations are really serious and this is about sexual assault— serious and this is about sexual assault and it comes after we have had the _ assault and it comes after we have had the wakefield and tiverton by—elections which were as a result of serious _ by—elections which were as a result of serious incidents involving conservative mps so the idea that the response we have seen that the prime _ the response we have seen that the prime minister thinks he has done the decent — prime minister thinks he has done the decent thing by resigning and there _ the decent thing by resigning and there is— the decent thing by resigning and there is no need for an investigation, that is a total disgrace _ investigation, that is a total disgrace. the whip's office are responsible for discipline and standards amongst conservative mps but boris _ standards amongst conservative mps but borisjohnson standards amongst conservative mps but boris johnson chose this mp to be but boris johnson chose this mp to he deputy— but boris johnson chose this mp to be deputy chief whip because he was a friend _ be deputy chief whip because he was a friend and ally, despite the fact he had _ a friend and ally, despite the fact he had to— a friend and ally, despite the fact he had to resign five years ago from the office _ he had to resign five years ago from the office due to similar sounding allegations. of course there has to be a allegations. of course there has to he a full— allegations. of course there has to be a full investigation now, and of course _ be a full investigation now, and of course he — be a full investigation now, and of course he should have the whip suspended. possibly not the end of the story but we should point out that yvette cooper said he had resigned from the whips office five years ago, and thatis whips office five years ago, and that is true, pending an investigation, but the investigation

carried out by the conservative party but via an independent lawyer cleared chris pincher at the time, so the allegations of wrongdoing were not upheld at that point. nonetheless, rumours have persisted at westminster about his conduct and clearly the allegations that were being made on wednesday are serious. we are yet to see whether this line that we can now effectively move on from this, the line that 10 downing street are suggesting, will last the day. street are suggesting, will last the da . . ~ street are suggesting, will last the da . ., ~' , ., , street are suggesting, will last the da . ., ,, , ., , . street are suggesting, will last the da. ., , . ., street are suggesting, will last the da. .mg , . ., ., day. thank you very much for that. if ou day. thank you very much for that. if you want — day. thank you very much for that. if you want to _ day. thank you very much for that. if you want to get _ day. thank you very much for that. if you want to get in _ day. thank you very much for that. if you want to get in touch - day. thank you very much for that. if you want to get in touch you - day. thank you very much for that. if you want to get in touch you can | if you want to get in touch you can do that on twitter and the hashtag bbc your questions. the chinese president, xijinping, has led a ceremony marking 25 years since the end of british colonial rule in hong kong. in a speech, he said true democracy began after the territory was handed back to china. mr xi also swore in hong kong�*s new leader, john lee,

who praised the new security law that�*s been used to crush pro—democracy protests. britain and the us have accused beijing of failing to live up to the promises it made in 1997 to respect hong kong�*s freedoms. mark lobel reports. president xi�*s first steps out of china since the start of the pandemic, it is also 25 years since the british handover to chinese rule. | translation: the practice of one i country, two systems has achieved success in hong kong, recognised by all. but after scenes like these, britain now fears that agreement

has gone up in smoke. what we simply cannot avoid the fact that for some time now, beijing has been failing to comply with its obligations. friday marked another handover, the swearing in of hong kong �*s leader, john lee, a former police officer under the watchful eye of the president. translation: the rulel of law is the cornerstone of hong kong�*s success. he was the first winner of elections in which only those loyal to china could run in an increasingly divided hong kong. there are those who are pro beijing who are happy, and there are those who are very, very anguished and very worried or even scared, and there are thousands of people, including members of my party, in prison. in addition, pro—democracy news outlets have been shut down and a zero covid policy makes life here uneasy. thatis that is not to everybody�*s liking.

more than 130,000 people have left hong kong since the start of the year, that doesn�*t bother this pro=beijing lawmaker. we will always have some loss or people coming in and out. it doesn�*t really matter. president xi�*s hailing for a new era for the city can also be regarded as a show of defiance for china�*s regional ambitions as well. it influence is rising in the pacific thanks to a security pact with the solomon islands. and last month, its defence minister vowed to crush any effort by taiwan to pursue independence. they are really preparing in full force in a military or quasi— military option in solving the taiwan question, and so making hong kong fully in control. i don�*t think they care too much about taiwan�*s reaction anymore. president xi will be helping this visit covinces hongkongers

and the world there is stability on these shores after his crackdown on hong kong and that it would usher in a revival of the global financial centre�*s bruised economy. mark lobel, bbc news. we will be speaking to lord chris patten, the last governor of hong kongin patten, the last governor of hong kong in about half an hour�*s time. the ukrainian authorities say a russian missile has hit an apartment block in 0desa, killing at least 17 people. a spokesman for the regional adminstration said the missile was launched from an aircraft over the black sea. ukraine had hoped that the russian withdrawal on thursday from the strategically important snake island would ease the threat to 0desa. we can now talk tojoe inwood who is in kyiv for more. sadly, those hopes with regard to snake island and what it meant for 0desa were false hopes, because this attack followed the russian withdrawal from the island. attack followed the russian withdrawalfrom the island. what more can you tell us about what happened to that apartment block and the people in it? yes.

happened to that apartment block and the peeple in it?— the people in it? yes, those hopes were shattered _ the people in it? yes, those hopes were shattered in _ the people in it? yes, those hopes were shattered in the _ the people in it? yes, those hopes were shattered in the most - the people in it? yes, those hopes were shattered in the most brutal| were shattered in the most brutal way at 1am and we understand at least three russian missiles, old soviet ex 22 cruise missiles crashed into three different locations around 0desa and one of them hit a nine story apartment block killing 14 nine story apartment block killing 1a people and wounding 31 more and another three people were killed in another three people were killed in a nearby resort complex of some form. what is interesting is that these missiles landed just hours after the russians had been forced off the snake island, which people might remember was iconic at the start of the invasion when the border guards told the flagship to go away and more colourful language and that, and ever since that it became a bit of an iconic symbol of this resistance and it is on stamps, t—shirts, and you see the icon along with explicit words and they had been hoping that the fact that their huge bombardments had forced the

russians off snake island and would offer respite to the people of the south of ukraine and that was not the case last night but the consequences of russia being. snake island will be felt over the course of weeks and months rather than hours and days. in of weeks and months rather than hours and days.— hours and days. in this latest attack underscores _ hours and days. in this latest attack underscores president j attack underscores president zelensky�*s call for more defences. we had the nato and g7 summit ending in the past week. what will we see in the past week. what will we see in terms of the words of support translating into a difference on the ground in ukraine?— translating into a difference on the ground in ukraine? there's always a disari ground in ukraine? there's always a disparity between _ ground in ukraine? there's always a disparity between the _ ground in ukraine? there's always a disparity between the two _ ground in ukraine? there's always a disparity between the two things. i the question has always been about how support gets to the front line and it�*s fair to say a large amount

has. we see american donated howitzers on the front lines and we see missile systems, very advanced and valuable guided missile systems in action. but not in the numbers that ukrainian say they need and if you look at what is happening in the east, the battle around where the russian invasion is now focused, you can see why. they are losing on the battlefield in on points and what we need to see is the former transfer to the latter and they need the equipment, especially air defence systems, to get to the front lines and they need it quicker than it is. the conservative mp chris pincher resigns as a deputy chief whip, responsible for party discipline —

saying he�*s �*embarrassed himself�* — as a newspaper alleges he groped two men at a private members�* club. ukrainian officials say at least seventeen people have been killed by russian missile strikes in and around the city of 0desa. xijinping defends china�*s model of ruling hong kong — during a visit to the territory to mark 25 years since britain handed over control of the city. a report in the times this morning says ministers are considering a cut to vat to ease the cost of living crisis. a second report in the telegraph says the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, wants the government to give teachers a pay rise of as much as nine per cent. both measures are suggested as ways to help people cope with high inflation — the rate at which prices are rising. but they come amid fears in the treasury that pay rises, or tax cuts, could stoke even higher prices in the shops.

so what should ministers do? i�*m joined by pauljohnson, director of the institute for fiscal studies — an independent research institute into how governments tax and spend. good to have you with us to talk all of this. let�*s begin with the issue of this. let�*s begin with the issue of tax cuts and the idea being floated of cutting vat. would that, in the long run help with the cost of living crisis, or would it lead to even higher inflation? i think there's a danger— to even higher inflation? i think there's a danger it _ to even higher inflation? i think there's a danger it would - to even higher inflation? i think there's a danger it would lead l to even higher inflation? i think| there's a danger it would lead to there�*s a danger it would lead to higher inflation. clearly if you cut vat now then you will reduce prices in the shops, so supposing if we were to reduce vat by two and a half percent, you would get a little reduction in prices. but the whole idea is that it would be temporary and it would go up again so it wouldn�*t do it long—term but the exact problem we are facing and this is something andrew bailey, the governor of the bank of england was talking about yesterday, is that demand is too high. that is what is driving up inflation. if you cut vat

now you push demand high and you probably push inflation higher in the long run. if the government borrows and put more money in the economy today, that will result in inflation lasting for a long period of time, from what we understand, the treasury is pushing back on the idea and i think the treasury is dead right on this one. so idea and i think the treasury is dead right on this one. 50 it idea and i think the treasury is dead right on this one. so it would be pepular— dead right on this one. so it would be penular in _ dead right on this one. so it would be penular in the _ dead right on this one. so it would be popular in the short _ dead right on this one. so it would be popular in the short term - dead right on this one. so it would be popular in the short term but . be popular in the short term but would come with a sting in the tail? i think it would be a terrible policy, if i�*m absolutely honest. there�*s no point mincing words. cutting vat at a time when we have a massive excess demand in the economy, that is partly what is driving the prices, what you don�*t want to do when you have a fire is to throw petrol on it, and we have a fire at the moment, inflation, and it�*s partly driven by high levels of consumer demand and an economy where we have very few vacancies and, sorry, lots of vacancies and very

few people looking for work. everything is pushing prices up and if you pour more money into that mixture, you have a danger you push inflation up further and that will create a lot more pain in the long run. 50 create a lot more pain in the long run. ., ., i. create a lot more pain in the long run. ., ., ., , ., run. so how do you dampen down the demand? the — run. so how do you dampen down the demand? the bank— run. so how do you dampen down the demand? the bank of _ run. so how do you dampen down the demand? the bank of england - run. so how do you dampen down the demand? the bank of england needs| run. so how do you dampen down the l demand? the bank of england needs to act more firmly- — demand? the bank of england needs to act more firmly. i _ demand? the bank of england needs to act more firmly. ithink— demand? the bank of england needs to act more firmly. i think broadly - act more firmly. i think broadly speaking where the government is is not far off. it has produced some very generous additional payments to people on low incomes but to most people on low incomes but to most people whilst having some tax rises for higher earners and promising some quite big tax rises down the road. so i think broadly speaking, there is not an enormous amount more that the government can do in this

situation without really hurting people a lot further. it�*s a terribly difficult balancing act between providing support at the moment and not putting much money on the economy and therefore pushing inflation further and getting the public finances right. hand inflation further and getting the public finances right. and speaking of balancing _ public finances right. and speaking of balancing act — public finances right. and speaking of balancing act the _ public finances right. and speaking of balancing act the other - public finances right. and speaking of balancing act the other part - public finances right. and speaking of balancing act the other part that we mentioned in the introduction is that the education secretary is asking the treasury to give teachers pay rises of up to 9% and the strikes very much in the news and different things happening over potential strike action and nobody wants to see further disruption to education after the disruption of the pandemic but the treasury has been putting out a very different line let�*s not get carried away with pay increases, so how do you square that circle? . pay increases, so how do you square that circle?— that circle? that will be the most difficult to square _ that circle? that will be the most difficult to square this _ that circle? that will be the most

difficult to square this year. - that circle? that will be the most difficult to square this year. the | difficult to square this year. the problem teachers face and there is a lot of public sector workers face their pay is lower than ten or 20 years ago which is unprecedented. so senior teachers are earning eight to 10% less than they were in 2010 and thatis 10% less than they were in 2010 and that is an extraordinary statement. and we know in the health service and also in teaching jobs there are lots of vacancies and real problems recruiting people into these kinds of roles and if you only give as the government suggested to the pay review body is a 3% pay increase this year you are going to be resulting in pay cuts over 12 years of something more like 12 or 15%, which isjust of something more like 12 or 15%, which is just extraordinary and you might be causing more problems with vacancies. so there is a strong case for giving teachers, nurses and so

on, something like inflation —related rises, on the other hand. the amount of money that the chancellor has made available through the spending review last year means unless he increased that, higher pay rises would mean fewer teachers or fewer nurses or cutbacks elsewhere or if he could fund it through additional borrowing which puts more money in the economy, and i think the other thing that is probably worried about more than the relatively small amount of additional money is, is this giving additional money is, is this giving a signal to people in the private sector that their pay raises are coming, and in the end we are going to end up with a compromise were teachers get more than the 3% and i think that is implausible that we end up with a 3% pay rise but i suspect most teachers are not going to get the 9% that is being asked for. fit. to get the 996 that is being asked for. r , to get the 996 that is being asked for. a complicated picture whichever ou look at for. a complicated picture whichever you look at it- _ for. a complicated picture whichever you look at it. thank _ for. a complicated picture whichever you look at it. thank you _ for. a complicated picture whichever you look at it. thank you for - for. a complicated picture whichever you look at it. thank you for your - you look at it. thank you for your thoughts today.

nurses and some pharmacists can now certify sick notes, to help reduce the pressure on gps. the documents — now called �*fit notes�* provide evidence to employers about a patient�*s condition and ability to work. the new system applies to england, scotland and wales, with northern ireland expected to follow. the children�*s charity, the nspcc, says a child safeguarding review should leave "no stone unturned", following the murder of five—year—old logan mwangi. logan�*s mother, stepfather and a 14—year—old boy will start life sentences today, for killing logan and dumping his body in a river. this report from frances read contains distressing content. he is unconscious! why is he unconscious? 0n the face of it, a mother terrified for her son�*s life. in reality, it was all an act by a couple who had committed the most heinous crime. he needs me. he needs warm clothes. he needs mum.

here, angharad williamson already knew her son was dead. after being attacked in his house by his mother�*s partner and his stepson, logan�*s body was then dumped in a nearby river. logan mwangi was described by his community as a bright and energetic boy, who was caring and loving. experts found 56 external injuries on the five—year—old�*s body, with internal injuries more likely to be seen in a high impact car crash. you're under arrest on suspicion of murder, 0k? i haven�*t done anything wrong! 0k. logan�*s mother was convicted of murdering the little boy in july last year, along with her partner john cole and his 14—year—old stepson, craig mulligan. all will serve life sentences. the hole that has been left in the hearts of all who knew and loved him will never be filled. no amount of time can heal the wounds that have been inflicted. the wonderful memories i have of my son will never be tarnished.

they will forever be in my heart and soul. the local safeguarding board says it�*s undertaking a child practice review, examining agencies�* involvement with logan and his family. a report will be submitted to the welsh government this autumn. there were concerns about his safety, and he had a rather dysfunctional family background. the issue here, of course, is, as we all know, during the pandemic, especially, there has been an incredible degree of difficulty from all the front line agencies — so whether it's health, police, social services — in actually addressing all the work that they have to do. 51,000 children in the uk are considered to be in an at risk category, while 350,000 more are considered to be in need. logan had been in both of these categories in his short life. questions now as to whether or not that life could have been saved. frances read, bbc news.

universities gave out more than £120 million to help students in financial difficulty last year — almost double the year before. the bbc has found the number of students asking for emergency cash nearly tripled between 2018 and 2021, according to freedom of information responses. students have told the bbc they struggled to pay rent when bar and retail work dried up in the pandemic. universities say they have stepped up efforts to help in "difficult times". let�*s get more on this now with our education correspondent hazel shearing. tell us more about the details that have come out of these freedom of information requests? in total, 132 higher education institutions responded to bbc freedom of information requests with data about their hardship funds for the past three academic years. their responses suggest the total cash distributed by these universities nearly tripled

in three years. let�*s look at those stats in a bit more detail. the total cash distributed by 132 institutions rose by 75 million in three years, going from more than £a5.9 million in 2018/19, to more than £61.2m in 2019/20, then to more than £121.2m in 2020/21. of those 132 institutions, 95 confirmed to the bbc how many students applied for hardship funding, and how many of them were successful. their responses suggest that the number of students applying for hardship funding at these universities almost tripled in three years — rising by over 78,000. the number of students enrolled in uk higher education also rose in those three years, according to the higher education statistics agency.

but the number of students overall increased at a slower rate than the number of students applying for hardship. 0k, ok, so 0k, soa ok, so a lot of facts and figures, but we get the big picture. tell us a bit more about some of the personal stories that students have shared with you. it�*s personal stories that students have shared with you.— shared with you. it's clear from what students _ shared with you. it's clear from what students have _ shared with you. it's clear from what students have told - shared with you. it's clear from what students have told me - shared with you. it's clear from | what students have told me that there are two main frustrations, the first that many students thought they would be able to support their studies by getting part—timejobs but during the pandemic a lot of bar and retail work dried up and that was not possible. 0ne and retail work dried up and that was not possible. one student told me she applied for around 70 jobs and did not get anything and in the end she found herself scanning read through the, pretending, scanning read through the supermarket checkouts in order to eat. in the second big frustration is that some students were paying rent in their university towns or cities, where ever they had moved to, but the

lectures were online and another student who spoke to the bbc for this story said that she was tempted to move back in with herfamily when she found that her rent was building up she found that her rent was building up and that actually she was just studying online but there was always the chance that in—person teaching could resume, that was the issue and it�*s important to note that some universities did pay for some rent, but for other students this was not an option. but for other students this was not an 0 tion. �* ,., but for other students this was not an otion. . , , but for other students this was not an otion. �* , , ., an option. and some students would have been tied _ an option. and some students would have been tied into _ an option. and some students would have been tied into a _ an option. and some students would have been tied into a contract - an option. and some students would have been tied into a contract where| have been tied into a contract where the lectures were online but they had to pay the rent anyway. what is the response been from universities? in any given year they have a certain amount of money set aside in a hardship fund, certain amount of money set aside in a hardshipfund, as certain amount of money set aside in a hardship fund, as it is called, so were they dividing that up and giving more people a smaller slice of the pie in effect, or were they adding to those funds? although the number of students _ adding to those funds? although the number of students applying - number of students applying dramatically increased, the amount we have seen from the responses from 95 institutions, the average amount given fell, but at a slower rate and

thatis given fell, but at a slower rate and that is because the office of students in england where most of the universities were based gave an extra £70 million to universities just for hardship funding in the last academic year. the university said that the institution stepped up their efforts to support students during the pandemic flu hardship funding and other means, but also warned that these difficult times, continuing difficult times for students with the rising cost of living, meant the universities minister in england said that £256 million was available to help students in england this financial year and that was in addition to university hardship funds. hazel, thank ou university hardship funds. hazel, thank you very — university hardship funds. hazel, thank you very much. _ now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. it is another day of sunshine and showers about the showers should move through a lot quicker today than they did yesterday and there will be a breeze. showers developed through the course of the afternoon and we

could catch one at wimbledon and we have rain coming across northern ireland and pushing into the far north—east of scotland. temperatures today 13 to 22 degrees north to south. as we head through the evening and overnight, the reigning northern ireland spreads across wales and continues to push steadily eastwards affecting scotland and also south—west england, the midlands and northern england. temperatures falling away to between about ten and 20 —— ten and 13 degrees. tomorrow we start with that rain and we can see it nicely here. it is weakening as it pushes south east, a lot of dry weather ahead of it and later in the day we will see more persistent rain push steadily eastwards affecting scotland and also south—west england, the midlands and northern england. temperatures falling away to between about ten and 20 —— ten and 13 degrees. tomorrow we start with that rain and we can see it nicely here. it is weakening as it pushes south east, a lot of dry weather ahead of it and later in the day we will see more persistent rain pushing across the far north—west of scotland. in between, sunshine and showers with highs up to 20.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... the conservative mp chris pincher resigns as a deputy chief whip, responsible for party discipline, saying he�*s "embarrassed himself", as a newspaper alleges he groped two men at a private members�* club. ukrainian officials say at least 17 people have been killed by russian missile strikes in and around the city of 0desa. xi jinping defends china�*s model of ruling hong kong during a visit to the territory to mark 25 years since britain

handed over control of the city. more than a million people are expected to take to the streets of london this weekend for pride, as the lgbt plus community marks 50 years since the first march. and, two british hopefuls — cameron norrie and heather watson — will both be in action today at wimbledon. sport now, and a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. so, from the bbc sport centre. we are starting with th. day so, we are starting with that big day at wimbledon. heather watson is first on court number one, and then cameron norrie is third on centre court before he plays novak djokovic taking on fellow serbian. joy fort liam broady and katie boulter yesterday who both made it through to round three. the big centre court entrance. you walk on these days and it�*s dramatic. it is. instinctively, karolina pliskova turned left, like she did for last year�*s final.

katie boulter knew better, straight ahead for her occasion. having lost the first set, boulter, nearest the camera, then showed her best tennis against the number six seed. oh, my goodness! boulter had beaten the czech player earlier this month, but that was eastbourne. this was everything. a victory the world could see, and a family occasion. my, my gran passed away two days ago, and i�*d just like to dedicate that to her today. i have got hopefully many more matches to play, and if i can have you guys behind me for those, then hopefully i can go a long way so thank you so much, thank you. it�*s another third round for heather watson. she resumed and won it quickly on court 18. court three, an extraordinary adventure for the next british player. liam broady lost 11 games in a row but prevailed. why not, he asked? why not, he proved.

five sets to beat the number 12 seed, argentina�*s diego schwartzman. and the greatest win of broady�*s career. well, in the evening, it did begin raining, but do you see the rainbow over the top of the roof? at wimbledon these days, there�*s always a solution. britain�*s jack draper, at the bottom of the screen, played indoors on court1 against alex de minaur of australia. some of their rallies were staggering. all of that, and then draper lost the point. not this time. de minaur is seeded 20, talented. watch this shot and then notice who�*s watching on court. yeah, katie boulter, his girlfriend. draper was gallant to the last, but over four sets, alex de minaur was just that bit better. joe wilson, bbc news, wimbledon. let�*s ta ke let�*s take a look at what is in store for centre court later on.

all eyes on the jock of each match, for sure. and heather watson is first up on court number one. —— the novak djokovic match. tottenham have completed the signing of brazil forward richarlison from everton in a deal believed to be worth £60 million. spurs will pay an initial £50 million with a further £10 million in add—ons. england have completed their playing preparations ahead of the womens european championship, with a 4—0 win over switzerland in zurich. the lionesses�* most experienced playerjill scott came off the bench to get in on the act, after goals from alessia russo, georgia stanway and beth england. england�*s euros campaign kicks off on wednesday night at old trafford against austria.

britain�*s dina asher—smith won the women�*s 200 metres at the diamond league meeting in stockholm. the 2019 world championship gold medallist finished a fraction of a second ahead of mujinga kambundji of switzerland. denmark�*s ida karstoft was third. 0lympic pole vault champion armand duplantis gave the home crowd something to cheer as he broke his own outdoor world record by one centimetre with 6.16 metres. it�*s still four centimetres short of his indoor record and he said it felt "quite amazing, but really wasn�*t that much "of a surprise for me". that�*s all the sport for now. just a reminder that india and england play a postponed match from last september because of a coronavirus outbreak in the indian squad. there is commentary of that on test match special on radio five

live, and highlights on the bbc sport website. the lead negotiator for network rail says talks with the rmt union since last week�*s rail strikes have been "constructive". speaking on the today programme, tim shoveller said a formal consultation on compulsory redundancies, one of the main causes of concern for the rmt would no longer be starting today. cautiously optimistic. we have got to remain positive throughout these types of negotiations because there are moments when it feels like progress is being made, and then sometimes there is a setback. but cautiously optimistic is a good phrase because we are determined to find a solution. we desperately want to make sure that we best provide services for passengers, and with the price of fuel as high as it is at the moment, that makes the railway a really attractive option. so the quicker we can get this

resolved to encourage passengers to come back to the railway, the better. airline and airport staff in some of europe�*s busiest destinations are going on strike this weekend. it�*s the latest blow for holidaymakers after months of disruption at airports here. so how much disruption might travellers face this summer? ben boulous has been finding out. at airports around the uk this week, it might sound a lot, but it�*s important to note that 400 is out of nearly 16,000 flights that were planned. so, the reality is that was just 2.5% that were grounded. a lot of the cancellations were also made in advance, giving passengers some notice to change their plans. no such notice though folsom travellers, who are planning to fly out of heathrow airport yesterday. these were the scenes yesterday,

where passengers complained about cues and total chaos. heathrow asked airlines to cut the number of flights because the expected passenger numbers to be too high for it to be able to cope. in terms of figures there, it was 30 flights out of a scheduled 1200 that were cancelled. some passengers said they did not find out until they got to the airport. heathrow said the cancellations were necessary for safety, and that it was a one—off. but passengers flying through the uk �*s busiest airport can expect more disruption this summer. 700, mainly british airways check—in staff and ground crew will go on strike over pat’- ground crew will go on strike over pay. crucially, those dates have not been confirmed yet. we know that staffing issues have caused problems at other airports as well. gatwick airport is planning to reduce the number of flights injuly and number of flights in july and august. number of flights injuly and august. so, if you are flying this summer, how worried should you be? i have to be absolutely honest and say that going _ have to be absolutely honest and say that going intojuly and august, i

have _ that going intojuly and august, i have never— that going intojuly and august, i have never seen quite this scale of disruption — have never seen quite this scale of disruption in any previous summer. of disruption in any previous summer. of course, — disruption in any previous summer. of course, it— disruption in any previous summer. of course, it is all to do with the of course, it is all to do with the lack— of course, it is all to do with the lack of— of course, it is all to do with the lack of resilience in aviation. to -et lack of resilience in aviation. to get you — lack of resilience in aviation. to get you and _ lack of resilience in aviation. to get you and your luggage off the ground _ get you and your luggage off the ground and safely to your destination requires dozens of aviation— destination requires dozens of aviation professionals being in the i’ili'it aviation professionals being in the right place at the right time, and all getting theirjobs done. a lot of those — all getting theirjobs done. a lot of those people have wandered away from the _ of those people have wandered away from the aviation industry, which is why we _ from the aviation industry, which is why we are — from the aviation industry, which is why we are so stretched right now. and the _ why we are so stretched right now. and the disruption is not only affecting flights leaving the uk. they have already been strikes by cabin crew, baggage handlers and check—in staff across europe. in spain, portugal, italy, belgium and france, and more are scheduled for this weekend in both france and spain. so, has all this disruption affected our confidence in the industry, and the number of people booking flights? it�*s industry, and the number of people booking flights?— booking flights? it's really interesting, _ booking flights? it's really interesting, what - booking flights? it's really interesting, what we - booking flights? it's really interesting, what we have| booking flights? it's really -

interesting, what we have seen is the appetite to travel is still very significant. we are seeing our members every week, their bookings are ahead where they expected to be against 2019. one of the big challenges we have seen and one of the trends we have seen is the increase of consumers looking to book through their local travel agent, and also what they are booking. they are booking more package holidays, and really that is about trying to give them even more reassurance because if you book a package and that flight or any element of that holiday is disrupted, the principles of the tour operator that you have booked through, it is obligated to make sure that you have an alternative flight. the important thing to remember here is that, despite those pictures of queues at airports and reports of strikes and cancellations, the numbers are still very low. the risk may be higher than in previous years, but the vast majority of people will still manage to get away on holiday as planned. let�*s return now to hong kong where chinese president, xijinping,

has led a ceremony marking 25 years since the end of british colonial rule in hong kong. in a speech, he said true democracy began after the territory was handed back but the government has been cracking down on free speech in recent years — in direct opposition to the agreement signed in 1997. i�*m joined now by lord chris patten, who was the last governor of hong kong and was at that handover ceremony in 1997. thank you forjoining us today. let�*s begin by going back 25 years, and your reflections on that time, and your reflections on that time, and what your hopes and expectations were for hong kong. itrefoil. and what your hopes and expectations were for hong kong.— were for hong kong. well, the words i soke were for hong kong. well, the words l spoke them. _ were for hong kong. well, the words i spoke them, saying _ were for hong kong. well, the words i spoke them, saying that _ were for hong kong. well, the words i spoke them, saying that it - were for hong kong. well, the words i spoke them, saying that it was - were for hong kong. well, the words i spoke them, saying that it was now| i spoke them, saying that it was now hong kong �*s def need to be run by the people of hong kong have turned to ashes because hong kong was once one of the freest, probably arguably the freest and most open society in

asia, and it has now been turned into a police state, as several of our newspapers have said. there�*s a number of journalists working our newspapers have said. there�*s a number ofjournalists working here number of journalists working here and number ofjournalists working here and elsewhere who were in hong kong and elsewhere who were in hong kong and know that is true. when xi jinping, who did not of course have the courage even to stay in hong kong overnight for some reason, when xijinping talks about kong overnight for some reason, when xi jinping talks about democracy starting with china �*s take i�*m reminded of what was once said to the foreign affairs about democracy, he said the chinese don�*t dislike democratic elections, theyjust like to know the result in advance, which is rather the point, i think. what happened in hong kong, it is not just locking up democrats, it�*s not just locking up democrats, it�*s not just making sure that the elections couldn�*t produce a result which represented the opinions of people in the city and the territory, it�*s notjust in the city and the territory, it�*s not just that. in the city and the territory, it�*s notjust that. is the attack on

freedom of speech, is the attacks on civil society. this year, people were not allowed to take part in the tradition of vigils for those murdered in tiananmen square because the chinese want to pretend that never happened.— the chinese want to pretend that never happened. when i read the introduction, _ never happened. when i read the introduction, and _ never happened. when i read the introduction, and i _ never happened. when i read the introduction, and i referenced - never happened. when i read the i introduction, and i referenced what xijinping had said, that true democracy began after the territory was handed back, i could sense a shudderfrom youth when was handed back, i could sense a shudder from youth when i was handed back, i could sense a shudderfrom youth when i read was handed back, i could sense a shudder from youth when i read that. yes, well it was completely absurd. i don�*t think xi jinping would yes, well it was completely absurd. i don�*t think xijinping would know a democratic election if it hit him over the head with a police truncheon. the truth is that one of the reasons why the chinese communists past what is called the national security law, which in effect put hong kong into handcuffs, another reason they did that was because they were terrified of the likely outcome of legislative

outcome elections in 2020. what likely outcome of legislative outcome elections in 2020. what were the protections — outcome elections in 2020. what were the protections supposed _ outcome elections in 2020. what were the protections supposed to _ outcome elections in 2020. what were the protections supposed to be? - the protections supposed to be? well, they largely depended on the chinese communist sticking to their word in thejoint chinese communist sticking to their word in the joint declaration. the joint declaration was an international treaty lodged at the un in which they guaranteed to retain the freedoms and way of life of hong kong for 50 years after 1997. one of my main critics when i was in hong kong was a former diplomat who once said memorably, "the chinese may be thuggish dictators, but they are men off their word". well, now in the first part of that is true and what about the last part was what they have broken their agreement again and again, notjust in relation to hong kong, in relation to world trade organization, the who, the fortification of islands in the south china sea. unfortunately, you can�*t trust them. we do have to find

ways in which we can cope with this regime until it eventually implodes. what are your thoughts as well on john lee who has taken over from carrie lam in charge of hong kong, and he has praised the security law, that hugely controversial security law we have covered here on bbc news the protests and arrests around that, the arrest of pro—democracy supporters, and he has praised that law which has been used to stifle dissent. he law which has been used to stifle dissent. , , ., ., dissent. he is thuggish and he got the 'ob dissent. he is thuggish and he got the job because _ dissent. he is thuggish and he got the job because he _ dissent. he is thuggish and he got the job because he was _ dissent. he is thuggish and he got| the job because he was responsible thejob because he was responsible for the policing of the huge demonstrations in 2019 against an extradition treaty, which was going to enable hong kong to send people off to mainland china to be tried if the chinese wanted them. so he got the chinese wanted them. so he got the job because of the very, very tough policing there, tasers, plastic bat in rounds, tear gas,

instead of trying to talk to people and find a political settlement. borisjohnson has said, "we are not giving up on hong kong". what do you think the uk government should do now in relation to hong kong? something it is not doing already. i think the hong kong government, sorry, i think the hong kong government is a bunch of quislings. i�*m not always without my criticism of the british covenant, but they have done pretty well by hong kong in the last couple of years. providing a roof for people who wanted to come and live here, i think that has been important. i would like that to be slightly extended so that younger people can come here as well. and what�*s important is to go on saying to our friends, the americans, the europeans, australians and others that we should always go on speaking out about hong kong. but that we should always go on speaking out about hong kong.— out about hong kong. but in terms of effectin: out about hong kong. but in terms of effecting change _ out about hong kong. but in terms of effecting change in _ out about hong kong. but in terms of effecting change in hong _ out about hong kong. but in terms of effecting change in hong kong - effecting change in hong kong itself, that looks like a pretty dim

prospects, doesn�*t it? it�*s prospects, doesn't it? it's difficult to _ prospects, doesn't it? it's difficult to do _ prospects, doesn't it? it�*s difficult to do without a change happening in beijing. and we have limited ability to secure that. but there is no question that we have to go on speaking out about hong kong when things are going wrong there. and if we don�*t anticipate a change in beijing, the long—term prospects for hong kong then? do you imagine it is going to ever get back to even being an iota of what it was when you were there? the being an iota of what it was when you were there?— being an iota of what it was when you were there? the one truth about totalitarian state _ you were there? the one truth about totalitarian state is _ you were there? the one truth about totalitarian state is they _ you were there? the one truth about totalitarian state is they implode - totalitarian state is they implode eventually, and when they implode it all happens very quickly, as happened with the soviet union. so i think that the arc of history is on the side of economic and political freedom. what we have to do is go on working together as liberal democracies to point out when china and russia are behaving badly, and to make sure that, without trying to contain them, because that would not

be a sensible thing to do, we constrain their bad behaviour. part of constraining their bad behaviour is to point out whenever they behave appallingly badly in hong kong. lord chris patten, the last governor of hong kong, thank you for your time today. more than a million people are expected to take to the streets of the capital this weekend for london pride, a celebration of the lgbt+ community. this year�*s event marks 50 years since the �*gay liberation front�* organised the uk�*s first ever pride march. 0ur lgbt and identity correspondent lauren moss has been to meet several members of the group, to hear about their fight for equality. it's 1972. the miners�* strike first turns off the lights. ted heath is prime minister. donny 0smond is top of the pops. # puppy love...# and on screen, gay representation looks something like this. oh, it�*s the masked stranger!

take my body but leave my jewels alone. gay people regularly face arrest and same—sex attraction is still classified as a mental illness. but in the basement of a london university, a revolution is under way and making itself heard in protests across the capital. injuly, pride in the uk is born. that first pride was about visibility. it was terrifying, daring. i wanted to change the world. to claim public space for queer people. the freedom, the ability to be yourself. we are here, we are queer, and you better get used to it. having a good time, really. everyone with long hair, - of course, including myself. we were really being very daring coming out in public in the street.

it taught me that i was a survivor. we had a mass kiss—in. kissing between same—sex couples back then was an arrestable offence. the police were all lined up on the side of the park. 0fficers did come over, and warn us to stop kissing, but there were too many of us. by the time we finished snogging each other, one turned round and the police had completely disappeared, they were so disgusted with what was happening. and so powerless. after 50 years, some of the original glf have reunited where it all began, in the old lecture theatre in the london school of economics. the glf was telling us about coming out and how important it was for us to stand up, and be recognised, and that we weren�*t, you know, the monsters that the press and the psychiatrists and everyone else was telling the world we were.

i was only, what, 21. i left home because my parents disapproved of me being gay, i'd run away, moved in with my girlfriend. i was brought up in india and the whole idea of gayness was just not in your consciousness. because back in those days, - most lgbt+ people were ashamed and guilty, they were closeted, they dared not show _ their name in public. in a way i had no self—worth, and i had no gay pride or anything like that, because i had been hiding who i was. medical options included seeing a lot of psychiatrists, and convincing them that you were notjust mad. i ended up as a drag queen living in a commune in notting hill, and that was so unexpected but when i got there, it made perfect sense. the glf lit a spark which would burn for the next five decades.

but those years also saw huge trials. so don't die of ignorance. when aids came along, the partners of the ones who died, the families would sweep in and throw them out of the flat or whatever. it was a time of real despair and bitterness. we�*re over that one now with the recognition of gay partnerships, with the civil partnership. and people can�*t do that to their children any more. but there was still more fighting to be done after teaching about homosexuality was banned in schools. children who need to be taught to respect traditional, moral values are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay. the way that the community came back together over clause 28 was incredible. in the house of lords... shouting. _ in the late 1980s, section 28

protesters stormed the bbc. but then once it was got rid of, yeah, good riddance and a complete and utter waste of time it was. progression came later. steps towards righting the wrongs of the past, and equality. legally, husbands. it was a monumental vote. it gave that equality in terms of the law. we marched for the rights to walk down the aisle. i pride has undergone many changes over the years. what started off as a protest of around 700 people is now a march of thousands. but what does it stand for today? there is still a need for protest. it's a fightback, it's a celebration. and i would emphasise our history, i or they will take it for granted. . we have a massive issues in terms of international sport, that to be seen publicly as gay is a bad thing and damaging, which is astonishing. even the friends of ours are now

being very wary about, what can you say, what's respectable enough to say? gradually, they are trying to divide us all up. we need tojoin together even more. shout till we're hoarse, | until conversion therapy is banned for all. still today, a third of all lgbt+ people in britain have been victims of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic violence. the only way you keep rights by perpetually struggling to keep them. no victory is ever forever unless you make it forever. the next chapter in the glf history will be written on friday when they march here once again, 50 years after starting a revolution that changed so much for so many. lauren moss, bbc news. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood.

hello. it is another day forjust taking your brolly with you because we are looking at a day of sunshine and showers, but with a brisk breeze, the showers should move through more readily. we have a weather front bringing rain up through more readily. we have a weatherfront bringing rain up into the northern islands, and another bringing rain by the end of the day into northern ireland. for wimbledon today, there will be a lot of dry weather around, some bright spells and sunny intervals, but we are not immune to a shower. if we do catch one, it�*s going to be lighter than yesterday and it will move through that bit quicker on the brisk breeze. this afternoon for the rest of us, further showers developing and some across north—east england, central and eastern scotland, could prove to be heavy and thundery. rain will push up into the northern isles, and another band of rain will come in across northern ireland. but there will be a lot of dry weather and some of us will see some sunshine. it may stay dry in places. 13-22 north sunshine. it may stay dry in places. 13—22 north to south. pollen levels across wales and much of england are

high, but the rest of us they are low or moderate. this evening and overnight, the rain in northern ireland spreads in across scotland, northern england, wales, and into the south—west. it is pushing steadily eastwards will stop overnight lows similar to last night, 11—13 c. overnight lows similar to last night, 11—13 c. into saturday, we do still have this curl of rain, and it is turning more showery in nature, weakening as it pushes south where there will be a lot of dry weather. behind it a there will be a lot of dry weather. behind ita mix there will be a lot of dry weather. behind it a mix of sunshine and showers. later in the day, more persistent rain pushing in across the far north of scotland. temperatures, if anything down a touch on today, 14—20 c. as we head into sunday, high pressure is trying to build in from the south—west, so we will see a lot of dry weather in the south—west and many of us will see a fair bit of dry weather but showers push down towards east anglia. some showers across parts of

scotland, northern ireland and northern england. temperatures 13-22 c. northern england. temperatures 13—22 c. high northern england. temperatures 13—22 c. high pressure then starts to establish itself as we head on into the new working week. we could see some rain at times across the north and the west, but a lot of dry weather and getting that bit warmer, especially in the south.

this is bbc news. this i'm annita mcveigh. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. xijinping defends china�*s model of ruling hong kong — during a visit to mark 25 years since britain handed over control of the city — but the territory�*s final governor, chris patten, labels the comments �*absurd�*. it is of course completely absurd. i don�*t think xijinping it is of course completely absurd. i don�*t think xi jinping would democratic election if it hit him over the head with a police truncheon. the uk conservative mp chris pincher resigns as a deputy chief whip, responsible for party discipline — saying he�*s �*embarrassed himself�* — as a newspaper alleges he groped two men at a private members�* club.

ukrainian officials say at least 19 people have been