this is bbc news. i'm frankie mccamley. the headlines: downing street insists boris johnson was not aware of "specific allegations" against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party — after allegations he groped two men at a private members�* club. opposition parties call for an investigation. i'm afraid to say this shows there is a pattern of behaviour of scandal and poor behaviour and is a pattern of behaviour of scandal and poor behaviou— is a pattern of behaviour of scandal and poor behaviour and low standards of ublic and poor behaviour and low standards of public behaviour— and poor behaviour and low standards of public behaviour of _ and poor behaviour and low standards of public behaviour of a _ and poor behaviour and low standards of public behaviour of a range - and poor behaviour and low standards of public behaviour of a range of - of public behaviour of a range of sorts and chris pincher is admitting to poor behaviour. covid cases rise across the uk — up by 32% in a week. china celebrates the 25th

anniversary of taking hong kong back from britain — and claims the territory now has true democracy. ukrainian officials say at least 19 people have been killed by russian missile strikes in and around the city of odesa. 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. good afternoon.

borisjohnson is facing calls to suspend one of his mps who's alleged to have groped two men. chris pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after admitting he had "drunk far too much" at the carlton club, the conservative party members' club in london. labour have questioned why he's being allowed to sit as a tory mp. they say it shows the conservative party is "mired in sleaze and scandal." our political correspondent iain watson reports. are you drowning in sleaze? after striding the world stage, borisjohnson is back in britain and the spotlight has moved on to problems in his party, one of his closest allies has resigned following serious allegations about his conduct. chris pincher worked hard to keep borisjohnson in office during partygate. he became deputy chief whip in february and was responsible

for party discipline. but his own lack of discipline on wednesday led to this letter of resignation on thursday. chris pincher was said by witnesses to be drinking heavily at a reception at this conservative private members' club in central london. the more serious allegation that came to light is that he groped two men. downing street does not believe that further action is necessary following the resignation and he can continue as mp but critics say he should be shown the door. government ministers insist the allegations are being taken seriously. all i want to say and i want to stress this, is we take all of these things incredibly seriously. my first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again in this position.

it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. questions have been raised here at westminster questions have been raised about the prime minister's judgment. chris pincher had been cleared of allegations of misconduct back in 2017 following a conservative party inquiry. but the bbc has been told that further concerns about his behaviour were raised before he was appointed as a government whip back in february. and the liberal democrats and labour are now calling for an investigation. in relation to chris pincher, these are allegations at this point, but he himself has apologised for what amounts to at the very least poor behaviour. i urge the conservative party to think about what it's doing to the reputation of parliament as a whole, to ensure that if any adequate investigations are carried out, swiftly, and if necessary, to consider whether further sanctions should apply.

two former conservative ministers caroline noakes and karen bradley have written to the chief whip calling for a policy of zero tolerance when any allegations of sexual misconduct are made and ensure a thorough investigation. they added, anyone being investigated should not be allowed to sit as a conservative mp. you can see why the prime minister might not want chris pincher to resign. his party lost the wakefield by—election to labour a week ago following the imprisonment of the previous conservative mp for sexual assault. and the lib dems took tiverton after the conservative mp resigned after viewing pornography in the house of commons. the prime minister has returned to another growing political storm at westminster. ian watson of bbc news. our political correspondent, helen catt is in westminster. this lunchtime at the deputy official spokesperson of the prime minister has been defending the decision to appoint chris pincher in

february as the deputy chief whip and there have been concerns in westminster for a while but the spokesman said the prime minister had not been aware before the appointment of any specific allegations and he said the process for appointing him had gone through the process that all ministerial appointments go through, the vetting process, and in the absence of any formal complaint it was not appropriate to stop an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations. he said at the time the prime minister had considered chris pincher to be the best fit for the role. also holding the line that there is no plan in government to investigate this but as we heard in the report there is a lot of pressure growing this afternoon from opposition mps and some within the conservative party more privately, thatis conservative party more privately, that is likely to mean that that line may not hold.—

that is likely to mean that that line may not hold. thank you very much. it is 25 years since britain ended its rule in hong kong and handed the colony back to china. since that handover, critics have accused china of stifling freedom in hong kong and suppressing opposition. but china's president, xijinping, says his country has brought true democracy to the territory. he's been visiting hong kong to swear—in its new leader. from there, martin yip reports. a day of celebration under bad weather. just like 25 years ago when britain returned hong kong to china. beijing promised then to keep the one country, two systems principle for at least 50 years, after the 1997 handover, meaning hong kong would remain part of china but be free to govern itself. lord patten was the last governor of hong kong and was at the handover ceremony in 1997.

he told the bbc that china broke its promise. the words i spoke then saying it was now hong kong's destiny to be run by the people of hong kong, have turned to ashes, because hong kong was once one of the freest, arguably the freest and most open society in asia. and it has now been turned into a police state. in the past few years beijing has cracked down on dissent in hong kong, introducing a national security law in 2020 that critics say has stifled free speech. pro—democracy news outlets have also been shut down and a zero covid policy makes life here uneasy. there are those who are pro—beijing who are happy. and there are those who are very, very angry and worried or even scared. and there are thousands of people, including members of my party, in prison. despite a recent overhaul

of the election system, the incoming leaderjohn lee was the only candidate to run in this race. the ceremony today marks president xi's first visit outside mainland china for nearly two and a half years since the start of the pandemic. you can't quite control the weather, but in beijing's perspective, it is all about regaining control over hong kong, and about the great rejuvenation of the chinese race, and that is what president xi jinping has been talking about in his speech. | translation: the practice of one | country, two systems has achieved the success in hong kong recognised by all since its return to the motherland. president xi will be hoping his visit convinces hong kongers and the world that stability on these shores following his crackdown in hong kong, and that it will usher in a revival of the global financial centres�*s bruised economy.

martin yip, bbc news. the rate of people testing positive for covid—19 has continued to increase across the uk, the office for national statistics says. in both england and wales, data suggests that around one in 30 people had coronavirus in the week ending 2ajune. in northern ireland, the figure was 1 in 25 and in scotland the rate was1 in 18. with me in the studio now is our health correspondentjim reed. how concerning are these figures? this is a significant weekly increase in the level of covid infections but we should point out because some people might be thinking, are we even testing for it any more? this is the office for national statistics that go out and randomly test tens of thousands of people each week to see if they have covid so it is not based on people coming forward with symptoms, so it is seen as the most accurate reading we have of infections across the country and it shows in the last

week they have gone up from 1.7 million people to around 2.3 million people which is across the uk as a whole. in scotland in particular, one in 18 people probably had covid last week, and across the uk as a whole it is one in 35. you can see how we have come down from the pics caused by the original omicron variant around christmas —— from the peaks. and then you can see the increase on the bottom right of the graph, it has been increasing since the end of may, really, partly because of the growth of the new offshoot of the omicron variant. fire offshoot of the omicron variant. are we seeinu offshoot of the omicron variant. are we seeing this translate into hospitals? we seeing this translate into hospitals?— we seeing this translate into hositals? . , ~ , hospitals? that is the key thing that policymakers _ hospitals? that is the key thing that policymakers and - hospitals? that is the key thing that policymakers and mps - hospitals? that is the key thing that policymakers and mps are | that policymakers and mps are looking at. what is going on in england, we have seen a corresponding increase in hospitalisations but still quite low compared with where we were. if you

look back at january 2021, look how many people were in hospital with covid. the increase at the moment is again on the bottom right hand side of the graph, roughly 9000 people, in hospital in england with covid. around two thirds of those would have been admitted to hospital not for covid but something else and it could have been a broken hip or ankle, and they would have tested positive when they were inside and they are included in the figures, so only about a third of people currently registering as being in hospital with covid were actually admitted for that reason. thanks for “oininu us. admitted for that reason. thanks for joining us- we _ admitted for that reason. thanks for joining us. we will _ admitted for that reason. thanks for joining us. we will keep _ admitted for that reason. thanks for joining us. we will keep you - joining us. we will keep you updated. joining me now is dr adrian boyle, vp of the royal college of emergency medicine. is the increase in cases, is that being reflected in hospitals based on what your members are saying?

yes. we are seeing this. i was working yesterday evening and we had to close off one area of my department because we had a lot of covid cases and although they were not very sick, they were definitely around and some of them needed to come into hospital. the big problem is not necessarily the modest rise in hospitalisations, it is the issues here, it is a workforce problem so if we are talking about england, one in 30 having covid at the moment, they are people who can't work and health care workers are vulnerable to picking up covid because of their environment and they do a lot of work which is people facing so you then create a workforce problem. lots of staff are off. that is creating problems on awards and we don't have enough beds for patients, and this is translating into lots of people at the hospitals and the emergency

departments become full and we end “p departments become full and we end up with a long waits in the emergency department and ambulances waiting outside and people waiting for a long time for an ambulance. this should be a time that hospitals are playing catch up and it is a bit of recovery time as we go into summer?— of recovery time as we go into summer? , , , ., ~ , summer? yes. this is making us anxious because _ summer? yes. this is making us anxious because the _ summer? yes. this is making us anxious because the long - summer? yes. this is making us anxious because the long waits l summer? yes. this is making us i anxious because the long waits we are seeing now are worse than we would have seen in any previous winter, so it feels a bit like a winter, so it feels a bit like a winter in terms of performance, and the weights we are having in the emergency departments in april and may have been much longer than we have seen in, say, winter is over in previous years —— winters over previous years —— winters over previous years. do previous years -- winters over previous yew-— previous years -- winters over previous veere— previous years -- winters over previous years. do you think there should be any _ previous years. do you think there should be any measures _ previous years. do you think there - should be any measures implemented, like mask wearing? i should be any measures implemented, like mask wearing?— like mask wearing? i don't think the ublic like mask wearing? i don't think the public appetite _ like mask wearing? i don't think the public appetite or _ like mask wearing? i don't think the public appetite or the _ like mask wearing? i don't think the public appetite or the wider - like mask wearing? i don't think the public appetite or the wider needs l public appetite or the wider needs of the population are served by a

lockdown and i don't think that would be tenable and i'm not sure how effective it would be. within hospitals and public buildings, mask wearing would be a sensible thing to do and there's a lot about people just being a bit sensible. if you have a cough and a fever and you have a cough and a fever and you have a cough and a fever and you have a runny nose and you think you have a runny nose and you think you have a runny nose and you think you have a cold, don't go out and mingle with lots of people. we have got to appreciate the pandemic is not over and it has a very long nasty tail which is just and it has a very long nasty tail which isjust going on and it has a very long nasty tail which is just going on and and it has a very long nasty tail which isjust going on and on and it has a very long nasty tail which is just going on and on and on. we are now at the level where the population needs to be sensible and not infect other people. you mention staff, _ and not infect other people. you mention staff, and _ and not infect other people. you mention staff, and there are a lot of staff in your hospitals, are they worried about burn—out and stress? yes. we have all found the pandemic difficult, even if you are not working in a hospital, it has been tough and tedious and frightening at

times and frustrating and boring. people who work in hospitals are on a different level and we have seen older people reducing their hours, bringing forward their retirement, but i'm worried about nursing staff getting pretty fed up and walking away from hospitals because they recognise they can get betterjobs working in the community or the private sector. we are worried about burn—out and the effects on staff but this was beginning to happen before the pandemic, the pandemic has accelerated existing fracture lines. ., ., ., , the headlines on bbc news...

covid cases rise across the uk by up to 32%. that happened in a week. officials in southern ukraine say at least 19 people, including a child, have been killed in two russian missile strikes in and around the port of odesa. in two russian missile strikes the missiles are thought to have been launched from russian warplanes over the black sea, hitting an apartment block and a resort. moscow has fired dozens of missiles on ukrainian cities in the past few days. let's get the latest from our correspondent in kyiv, joe inwood. another strike on civilian buildings. another strike on civilian buildings-— another strike on civilian buildings. another strike on civilian buildinus. ~ , ~ ., buildings. absolutely. at one in the mornin: , buildings. absolutely. at one in the morning. this _ buildings. absolutely. at one in the morning, this happened, _ buildings. absolutely. at one in the

morning, this happened, in - buildings. absolutely. at one in the morning, this happened, in a - buildings. absolutely. at one in the| morning, this happened, in a resort to the south—west of odesa, a nine story apartment building completely destroyed by one missile, 16 people have died at least and another missile hit a holiday resort and another four people died there with more people being searched for. rescue crews are going through the rubble. this happened just a few hours after russian forces had left snake island. it is important to understand that snake island is a strategic but also symbolically important place in the black sea and at the start of this war it became iconic after the ukrainian defenders of snake island told the flagship of the russian black fleet to go away in rather more colourful terms. ever since it has been fought over and yesterday the ukrainians finally and with huge barrage is, pushed the russian forces of the island. it had been hoped that would ease the pressure on places like odesa and the black sea coast but it seems the attacks last night have shattered those hopes.

attacks last night have shattered those hopes-— attacks last night have shattered those hoes. ., ., ., , a man accused of murdering a woman in a street attack in east london has appeared at the old bailey. 35 year old zara aleena was walking in ilford, ten minutes from her home, when she was attacked in the early hours of sunday. this morning herfamily paid tribute to her fearlessness and independence. jon donnison reports. zara aleena, the latest young woman to be killed on the streets of london. all week people have been paying tribute to the 35—year—old law graduate, described by herfriends as soft, gentle and a lifeline to her family. this morning they spoke publicly for the first time since she died. zara was incredibly giving, supportive, insightful as to what people needed around her,

empathic and fearless. she had... the one word that would describe zara, if i had to use one word, i would say independent. that was what she valued more than anything, her independence. zara, heraunt said, was as happy as she'd ever been, having just started a newjob at the royal courts ofjustice in central london. she made herself at home wherever she was. so wherever zara walked, it was home, that was home for her, because she knew everybody. hundreds of people that have come to our house, that have called us, that have sent a letter saying, "you don't know me but we knew zara." police are continuing to appeal for any potential witnesses to come forward. this morning a 29—year—old man,

jordan mcsweeney, from dagenham, was remanded in custody after a court hearing in london. he's been charged with the murder, attempted rape and robbery of zara aleena. jon donnison, bbc news. unlike foster care as they get little or no financial help from the government in england and wales. charities say some children are at risk of being put into the care system. wendy and her grandchildren have a very special bond. her daughter was unable to cope with looking after them. so they've lived with wendy since they were babies. why do you call wendy "mum"? because she, like, does everything like a mum. what do you mean? like, she cooks me dinner. she washes my clothes. she just does everything.

like many kinship carers, wendy was told by social services she could not work. because they're often vulnerable, the expectation is that children need more time with carers. i had a nice office job, reasonably well paid, and overnight i've found myself without a job, not allowed to work, all of my pension rights gone and just a kinship carer. wendy gets by on donated food at this community centre. she's noticed the cost of everything going up. coffee, a jar of coffee, that's gone up by 50p from one week to the next. if she was a foster carer she'd be entitled to £137 a week, but there's no such guarantee for kinship carers. kinship carers have been struggling financially for many, many years. they don't have the same rights as foster carers

to a financial allowance, so many of them give up work. they don't get an allowance, and of course they are plunged into poverty. what's worse now is there is a cost of living crisis, so it's more urgent than ever that the government steps in. laura was 27 when she got a call from social services, asking her to take in her half brother and half sister. their mother had died. it was really hard. i went from working 60—hour weeks ito working none and doing school. runs and doing hair in the morning. ok, let's go. laura was told by social workers to stop working. the last few years have been a financial struggle. she also now has her own five—year—old daughter. woo—hoo! my children are happy, _ they're healthy, if you were to meet them you wouldn't even know they were kinship children - and they'd probably say _ i'm their mum, and we have enjoyed

every moment of it and i i wouldn't be anywhere else. an independent review of social care has recommended that kinship carers are paid the same allowance as foster carers. the government says that later this year it will respond in full to the recommendations, including how to support kinship carers further. zoe conway, bbc news. police in scotland are preparing to withdraw their goodwill in a dispute over pay. they are not allowed to go on strike but instead the action which will begin at five o'clock this afternoon will include not starting shifts early or taking radio equipment home. the scottish police federation said it was the most overt demonstration of action in more than a century and police scotland says it is committed to seeking a settlement. a bulgarian woman has been placed on the fbi's top ten most wanted list for allegedly running a crypto currency scam. she became known as the

missing crypto queen anne has been accused of defrauding victims out of more than £3.2 billion —— accused of defrauding victims out of more than £3.2 billion -- queen and has been accused. universities gave out more than £121 million to help students in financial difficulty last year, the bbc has found — almost double the year before. the number of students asking for emergency hardship cash nearly tripled between 2018 to 19 and 2020 to 21 — that's figures from freedom of information requests. 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 speak now to rachael sampson — she has personal experience of this when she was at university. thanks forjoining us. what is your experience, what led you to apply for this funding? i experience, what led you to apply for this funding?— experience, what led you to apply for this funding? i saved up for the course of my _

for this funding? i saved up for the course of my dreams _ for this funding? i saved up for the course of my dreams for _ for this funding? i saved up for the course of my dreams for two - for this funding? i saved up for the course of my dreams for two years| course of my dreams for two years and within two months i could not find a job so i had to apply for the hardship fund. i needed help drastically and i applied for it and i got rejected the first time because they said they could see money in my account but they said leave it until the last minute because this process takes time. they said we can see money is in your account and i said yes, i have got rent and bills coming up, but they rejected me then and that was a confusing contradiction but luckily i applied again and they did give me some help but it was bittersweet because it was a bit too late and i had already lost my home at this point. had already lost my home at this oint. , ~' had already lost my home at this oint. , ~ ., '. point. sounds like a difficult time and it sounds _ point. sounds like a difficult time and it sounds like _ point. sounds like a difficult time and it sounds like the _ point. sounds like a difficult time and it sounds like the process - point. sounds like a difficult time| and it sounds like the process was quite difficult.— quite difficult. yes, you have to send a lot _ quite difficult. yes, you have to send a lot of— quite difficult. yes, you have to send a lot of documents - quite difficult. yes, you have to send a lot of documents to - quite difficult. yes, you have to | send a lot of documents to prove quite difficult. yes, you have to - send a lot of documents to prove you need help and that is understandable, and said a big personal statement but that is not really the problem. —— and send a big personal. but it is the waiting, for the response, every day you are

closer to the edge of the cliff and you are about to fall off, but i had to call them at times, tell them, i was about to lose my home, but i did not get a response and then afterwards when i lost it, it was just, that's the way it happened. there are a lot of students and a lot of types of funding you can apply for and so many students are applying for this but for this funding, did you feel there was any stigma attached?— funding, did you feel there was any stigma attached? definitely. i don't want to have _ stigma attached? definitely. i don't want to have to _ stigma attached? definitely. i don't want to have to ask _ stigma attached? definitely. i don't want to have to ask the _ stigma attached? definitely. i don't want to have to ask the help - stigma attached? definitely. i don't want to have to ask the help and i want to have to ask the help and there shouldn't be a stigma but there shouldn't be a stigma but there is. i already felt different at that school because there are a lot of privileged people and i'm not one of those but they should be no shame in asking for help. just because i have less money in my account, it doesn't mean that my dreams are less valid so hopefully me doing that is breaking the stigma a little bit. mas me doing that is breaking the stigma a little bit. ~ ., , ., , a little bit. was there any wider government _ a little bit. was there any wider government support _ a little bit. was there any wider government support available? | a little bit. was there any wider - government support available? there was nothing- —

government support available? there was nothing. you _ government support available? there was nothing. you can't _ government support available? ii—ii” was nothing. you can't apply for universal credit because you have student status and you are already indebted with your loan and 95% of that line went straight to the school so i did not see that anna someone who has paid tax before, —— someone who has paid tax before, —— so i did not see that, and as someone who has paid tax before, i would like to have had the benefit of universal credit. they sent me to citizens advice but there was nothing they could do for me. they would just say, there's nothing we can do. the hardship fund was the make or break point for me. what can do. the hardship fund was the make or break point for me. what are ou doinu make or break point for me. what are you doing now? _ make or break point for me. what are you doing now? have _ make or break point for me. what are you doing now? have you _ make or break point for me. what are you doing now? have you gone - make or break point for me. what are you doing now? have you gone into . you doing now? have you gone into employment? mr; you doing now? have you gone into employment?— you doing now? have you gone into emlo ment? g , ., ., ., employment? my situation has changed drastically and — employment? my situation has changed drastically and i — employment? my situation has changed drastically and i graduated _ employment? my situation has changed drastically and i graduated with - employment? my situation has changed drastically and i graduated with a - drastically and i graduated with a distinction in screenwriting and i'm now a screenwriter and i have just come off set from three amazing days in whitby filming a short film which is so surreal and things are looking

up is so surreal and things are looking up for me and that is all in the rear—view mirror. up for me and that is all in the rear-view mirror.— up for me and that is all in the rear-view mirror. wonderful. thanks for “oininr rear-view mirror. wonderful. thanks forjoining us— rear-view mirror. wonderful. thanks forjoining us and _ rear-view mirror. wonderful. thanks forjoining us and good _ rear-view mirror. wonderful. thanks forjoining us and good luck - rear-view mirror. wonderful. thanks forjoining us and good luck in - rear-view mirror. wonderful. thanks forjoining us and good luck in the i forjoining us and good luck in the future. sounds like you don't even need it. . ~ future. sounds like you don't even need it. ., ,, , ., now it's time for a look at the weather. another day of sunshine and showers for the uk at the moment and the heaviest as we head through the evening will be in eastern areas and fewer in western parts of the uk where it will feel a bit cooler in the breeze but we finished the day with outbreaks of rain there, spreading widely over northern ireland. heavy and persistent for a while and then that will spread into central and southern scotland, wales and the south—west turning a bit more showery overnight. further south and east, it will be dry overnight, with clear skies and sunny spells into the morning, temperatures 10—11 for most and it should stay dry through the day for the south and east. through the day, they will be some rain are pushing

through, getting close to the east by the end of the afternoon. the showers could affect silverstone and the cricket at edgbaston, but more persistent rain in northern scotland. as for sunday, a brighter day with fewer showers and dry are still on monday but a cool breeze in the north. —— drier.

this is bbc news. i'm frankie mccamley. the headlines: downing street insist borisjohnson was not aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party after allegations he groped two men at a private members' club. oppoistion parties call for an investigation. covid cases rise across the uk —

up by 32% in a week. china celebrates the 25th anniversary of taking hong kong back from britain and claims the territory now has true democracy. ukrainian officials say at least 19 people have been killed by russian missile strikes in and around the city of odesa. more than1 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. sport now, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. are very busy day at wimbledon? good afternoon. lots to bring you from wimbledon, with some big third round matches taking place. much drama on court no

one right now, with heather watson going well — and hoping to make the last 16 for the first time in her career. chetan pathak is there for us. chetan, how is she getting on? really well. it's been an inspired performance from heather watson trying to reach the last 16 of the grand slam for the first time. it was really close in the first set. watson herself was broken early doors. kaja juvan really holding her own at times. we went to a tie—break, and there heather watson found herself with three set points. in the end she managed to get herself over the line. it was a double fault that allowed heather watson to win that first set in the end, and a set like i said in which watson was broken, then broken back, but the second set was a completely different story. total domination from heather watson. these are live pictures we can bring you our number one, and you can see how she is closing in on her place in the

second week of these championships. watson then trying to serve away and bagel this set againstjuvan. watson had a hamstring issue coming into these championships, we weren't really sure what to expect. watson has played every single day of these championships because her matches have carried over into a second day on both occasions, but you can see there juvan really seems to on both occasions, but you can see therejuvan really seems to have lost the plot in this second, but she has an opportunity at least to get one break on the cards in this second set. it may not change the dynamics entirely. we are holding onto these pictures in case heather watson gets herself over the line here and now. let me tell you what is happening with ons jabeur as we jump is happening with ons jabeur as we jump over to centre court if we can because ons jabeur is the world number two now. that is the highest

north african or arabic player has ever been in tennis. she took the first set against diane parry 6—2 and it looks like at the moment it is going with serve, so parry up in the second set. ons jabeur one of the second set. ons jabeur one of the favourites for the championships here. she reached the quarterfinals last year, can she go any better this time round? she's looking good at the moment. all eyes on centre court later, with cameron norrie hoping to make the fourth round for the first time too. how much expectation on him later? yes, for heather watson we were saying looking for her first place in the second week of the grand slam, that is what it would be for cameron norrie. he has never made it past the third round. he will play stevejohnson. i think he will fancy his chances. he is the ninth seed,

it is an opportunity in the centre court in the prime time slot. it was out on centre court last year but facing roger federer and that was a straight setsjob for facing roger federer and that was a straight sets job for roger federer on that occasion. this time round the draw is much kinderfor cameron norrie with expectations on his shoulders. before that, we will see the world number one novak djokovic looking to defend his title, he will be playing a fellow serbian. thank ou ve be playing a fellow serbian. thank you very much _ be playing a fellow serbian. thank you very much indeed. _ be playing a fellow serbian. thank you very much indeed. all - be playing a fellow serbian. thank you very much indeed. all the - be playing a fellow serbian. thank you very much indeed. all the action from wimbledon as it is happening. england are back out after lunch, and a rain delay on the first day of their fifth test against india at edgbaston. it's a match postponed from last september due to a covid outbreak in the indian squad and it completes last summer's series which india lead 2—1. james anderson — back in the side in place ofjamie overton — has taken two wickets. shubman gil and cheteshwar pujura. india reached 53 for 2 before rain stopped play and the players took an early lunch.

it's currently 70—11. matthew potts with the third. there's commentary on test match special and on radio 5 live sports extra. and in—play highlights on bbc sport website and app. valtteri bottas was fastest for alfa romeo in first practice for sunday's british grand prix at a rain—soaked silverstone. the mercedes of former world champion lewis hamilton was second quickest in the session. carlos sainz clocked the third fastest time in his ferrari. second practice begins at 4 o'clock. it's a huge sporting weekend with plenty going on. more from silverstone on the bbc sport website. plus the tour de france gets under way today — actually beginning in denmark within the next hour. it's a time trial and you can follow all the latest online. just go to the bbc website. all the latest online. thank all the latest online. you very much. gavin in the sports thank you very much. gavin in the sports centre there. ambulances services are appealing

for the public�*s help to find 70,000 defibrillator devices scattered in community locations around the uk. the machines can be a life—saver for people having a cardiac arrest. most of the devices, which deliver an electric shock to the heart will be in public places such as sports clubs and supermarkets. let's speak to adam fletcher from the british heart foundation. how many of these defibrillators do we think are missing?— we think are missing? there's robabl we think are missing? there's probably tens _ we think are missing? there's probably tens of _ we think are missing? there's probably tens of thousands i we think are missing? there's probably tens of thousands of| we think are missing? there's i probably tens of thousands of them across the uk not known to ambulance services at the moment which means they might not be able to be accessed as quickly as needed in an emergency. find accessed as quickly as needed in an emergency-— emergency. and how did they go missin: ? emergency. and how did they go missing? they — emergency. and how did they go missing? they have _ emergency. and how did they go missing? they have not - emergency. and how did they go missing? they have not gone i emergency. and how did they go i missing? they have not gone missing, i su ose missing? they have not gone missing, i suppose over — missing? they have not gone missing, i suppose over time _ missing? they have not gone missing, i suppose over time lots _ missing? they have not gone missing, i suppose over time lots of _ missing? they have not gone missing, i suppose over time lots of people i i suppose over time lots of people have bought defibrillators for their communities and other settings and they have not registered them. that's why we have worked with the ambulance services to establish the circuit which makes it as easy as

possible for everyone to register a defibrillator wherever they are in the uk, and it means the call handlers will always know where the defibrillator is.— defibrillator is. because these machines are _ defibrillator is. because these machines are a _ defibrillator is. because these machines are a life-saver, i defibrillator is. because these i machines are a life-saver, aren't machines are a life—saver, aren't they? machines are a life-saver, aren't the ? ~ , , ., they? absolutely. they are life-saving _ they? absolutely. they are life-saving devices. - they? absolutely. they are life-saving devices. at i they? absolutely. they are life-saving devices. at the | they? absolutely. they are - life-saving devices. at the moment life—saving devices. at the moment it's about 30,000 out—of—hospital cardiac arrests in the uk, but fewer than 10% of people survive. we know a lot more people would survive if people get cpr and defibrillation quickly in the community, so we need to make sure all defibrillators are registered in the future on the circuit, and we can get that survival rate up along way we think. from what you are saying, it sounds like people haven't survived. have we heard about people who have needed those defibrillators are not been able to find them when they have needed them the most? we have certainly heard — have needed them the most? we have certainly heard stories _ have needed them the most? we have certainly heard stories in _ have needed them the most? we have certainly heard stories in the _ have needed them the most? we have certainly heard stories in the past, i certainly heard stories in the past, stories of where people have found out after the event that there was a

defibrillator near an incident but it hadn't been registered and therefore the call handler couldn't direct people to it. that is exactly why we have worked with all our partners, the ambulance services, ordnance survey and other partners to establish a circuit. that is what drove this innovation project and that's why it is more important than ever that we can get every single defib on the map and map them as precisely as possible.— defib on the map and map them as precisely as possible. when you find the defibrillators, _ precisely as possible. when you find the defibrillators, what _ precisely as possible. when you find the defibrillators, what condition i the defibrillators, what condition are they in? do you know? br; are they in? do you know? el: registering it on the circuit, are they in? do you know? by registering it on the circuit, it helps people be aware of when they need to kind of change the pads for example, check the battery and so on. it also performs a kind of support in terms of the maintenance of defib, but a lot of the time there defib are in perfect working order. theyjust haven't been registered with the ambulance service so therefore they cannot always be accessed as quickly as we

need them to be at the moment. that's why we are asking people to go online and if they are responsible for a defib they can register it. responsible for a defib they can register it— register it. just finally, should an one register it. just finally, should anyone ever — register it. just finally, should anyone ever need _ register it. just finally, should anyone ever need to - register it. just finally, should anyone ever need to use i register it. just finally, should anyone ever need to use one. register it. just finally, should l anyone ever need to use one of these, sometimes you see them in phone boxes, how easy are they to use? ., , , ., , phone boxes, how easy are they to use? ,., , ._ use? people should be really confident _ use? people should be really confident to _ use? people should be really confident to go _ use? people should be really confident to go and - use? people should be really confident to go and get i use? people should be really confident to go and get a i use? people should be really. confident to go and get a defib use? people should be really i confident to go and get a defib and use it. you don't need any training. you can get it out and it will talk you through exactly what you need to do. you cannot do more harm than good. it will not shock someone if they don't need to be shocked so people should be confident to go and get one. people should be confident to go and net one. . ~ people should be confident to go and net one. ., ~' ,, people should be confident to go and net one. ., ,, i. ,., people should be confident to go and net one. ., ,, i. . ~ ., get one. thank you so much, adam fletcher from _ get one. thank you so much, adam fletcher from the _ get one. thank you so much, adam fletcher from the british _ get one. thank you so much, adam fletcher from the british heart i fletcher from the british heart foundation there.— the lead negotiator for network rail says talks with the rmt union since last week's train 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. the rmt union says it's "not

in any rush" to call for further strikes this month. mr shoveller said both sides were being pragmatic. 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 holiday—makers after months of disruption at airports here. so, how much disruption might travellers face this summer? ben boulous has been finding out.

in airports around the uk this week, 400 flights have been cancelled. that is up 158% compared to the same seven—day period in 2019. it might sound a lot, but it is important to note that 400 is out of nearly 16,000 flights that were planned. so the reality is that is 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 for some travellers who were planning to fly out of heathrow yesterday. these were the scenes there, where passengers complained about queues and total chaos. heathrow asked airlines to cut the number of flights because they expected passenger numbers were too high for it to be able to cope. in terms of figures, it was 30 flights out of a scheduled 1,200 that were cancelled.

some passages said they didn't find out until they got to the airport. heathrow said the cancellations were necessary for safety and it was a one—off. passengers flying through the uk's busiest airport can expect more disruption this summer. 700, mainly british airways staff and ground crew, will go on strike over pay and those dates have been confirmed yet. we know that staffing issues have caused problems at the airport. —— at other airports. gatwick airport is planning to reduce the 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 intojuly and august, i have never seen quite this scale of disruption in any previous summer. it is all to do with the lack of resilience in aviation, to get you and hopefully your luggage off the ground and safely to your destination requires dozens of aviation professionals

being in the right place at the right time and all getting theirjobs done. and a lot of those people have wandered away from the aviation industry, which is why we are so stretched right now. and the disruption isn't only affecting flights leaving the uk. there 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 really interesting. the appetitive travel is still very significant. we have seen our members every week, their bookings are ahead where they expected to be versus 2019.

one of the big changes we see, one of the trends is the increase in consumers looking to book through their local travel agent. and also what are they a booking, more packages — and really that is about trying to give them even more reassuring even more reassurance because if you book a package and that flight or any part of that holiday is disrupted, the principles that have been put through is obligated that you have an alternative flight. the important thing to remember 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. the headlines on bbc news... downing street insists borisjohnson was not aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from

the conservative party after allegations he groped two men at a private members club. opposition parties called for an investigation. covid—19 cases rise across the uk, up covid—19 cases rise across the uk, up by 32% in a week. more than1 million people are expected to take to the streets of london 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 pride march. our 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 osmond 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, i 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. officers 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 their 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 had 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 involved 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 march for the right| to walk down the aisle. 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. i would emphasise our history, or they will take it for granted. j 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 is 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.

nearly a century ago, battersea power station helped to keep london going. now, its art deco control room has been restored to its former glory. you might have caught a glimpse of some original features in films like the king's speech. but soon, visitors will have the chance to see it up close, as bhavani vadde reports. it's what you expect from the grandeur of a ballroom rather than the beating heart of a coal—fired power station. from the gold painted ceiling to the teak parquet floor, this is the first peek at control room a, which has now been fully restored to its art deco glory. it's here that the energy created in the power station and turned into electricity there was distributed all over london. and you can actually see that from the names on some of these distribution boards here. all of the equipment is on display. this is the antithesis of digital. you can see it all, and you can see all the dials, but it is also the most amazing stylistic architectural tour de force.

because it is very, very art deco. and to marry those two up is very exciting. built in the 1930s, control room a was an original part of the grade—ii listed power station. until 1975, it dispersed electricity generated by the turbines to large parts of the city, as well as some of our most famous landmarks. carnaby street 2 was the code name for buckingham palace so hardly anyone knew that power to the palace was being sent from here. the rest of these gauges and dials distributed electricity to a fifth of the capital. the restoration was painstaking. experts used 3d printing to recreate missing dials and levers, as well as digital colour scanning to match the original paintjob. the room has also featured in a number of films, including as a bbc studio in the oscar—winning the king's speech, and it was the backdrop for this rather surreal scene in the monty python film

the meaning of life. in the autumn it will open as an event space within battersea power station which has been transformed into a housing and shopping complex. this is the jewel in the crown of this development. it is a total unique snapshot in the history of this city, to see how people worked 80 years ago. this was a control room for a power station, it has parquet flooring, art deco ceilings, albeit a bomb did drop through the ceiling in 1944 but luckily, it didn't go off. the quality of the finishes and the engineering show the country in a very different point of its evolution. as well are taking in the room's art deco features, it is hoped visitors will get an insight into how london was once powered. bhavani vadde, bbc news.

now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. hello. another day of ever—changing and at times fairly dramatic skies out there, sunshine and showers across a good part of the uk. this area of cloud bringing persistent rain particularly across shetland, you have cloud cover gathering in the west tomorrow, with the speckle nature of the cloud, an indication that we see showers around quite widely, particularly into the evening. heaviest across eastern areas, further rumbles of thunder and a little bit on the cool side when the showers push in. a wet end to the day in northern ireland. those outbreaks of rain spreading across scotland and northern england, wales and south—west into the night and the morning. south and east of that should stay dry once evening showers have cleared and temperatures in double figures to start saturday. a lot of cloud around for saturday, we have this weather feature across the country. the cool front itself will lie through yorkshire down towards the south—west, it could take all day before it reaches wimbledon so optimistic that very few interruptions expected on saturday for play there. but the front itself will reach the grand prix circuit at silverstone

and we could see some showers for the qualifying throughout saturday afternoon. here is to start the day. it will work its way south and east. before that cloud increases. turning to sunshine and showers for northern england and wales, scotland and northern ireland. cloud in the far north of scotland will see outbreaks of rain all day long coming and going. more of a breeze further south and that weather fronts will make it to east anglia and south east as we head towards evening. a cool day for this stage injuly in the breeze and showers. the breeze helps push those weather fronts on as we go through the night into sunday. still the dregs of one across the country on sunday bringing cloud and showery rain east across england and wales, but more of you will be dry on sunday, a better chance of sunny spells. claudia st in the highlands and

islands of scotland. and we will have more of the breeze on sunday with a few showers dotted around. 13, 14 degrees, feeling warmer than saturday the further south and east you go. next week, high pressure will start to push in. lots of cloud and a few showers around, sunnier and warmer the further south and east you go.

0k this is bbc news — i'm frankie mccamley. the headlines: downing street insist boris johnson was not aware of "specific allegations" against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party — after allegations he groped two men at a private members' club. opposition parties call for an investigation. i'm afraid to say this shows there is a pattern of behaviour, of scandal and poor behaviour and low standards of public behaviour of a range of sorts, and chris pincher is admitting to poor behaviour. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due to covid related staff sickness — as cases across the uk jump by 32% in a week.

a lot of staff are off and that is creating problems because we don't have enough people to look after the patients coming through and this is translating into the hospitals being full. china celebrates the 25th anniversary of taking hong kong back from britain — and claims the territory now has true democracy. ukrainian officials say at least 19 people have been killed by russian missile strikes in and around the city of odesa. 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.

good afternoon. downing street has insisted that boris johnson was not aware of "specific allegations" against chris pincher before he appointed him as the conservative party's deputy chief whip. the prime minister is also facing calls to suspend the mp — who's alleged to have groped two men. chris pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after admitting he had "drunk far too much" at the carlton club, the conservative party members' club in london. labour have questioned why he's being allowed to sit as a tory mp. they say it shows the conservative party is "mired in sleaze and scandal." our political correspondent iain watson reports. are you drowning in sleaze? after striding the world stage, borisjohnson is back in britain and the spotlight has moved on to problems in his party, one of his closest allies has resigned following serious allegations about his conduct. chris pincher worked hard to keep borisjohnson in office during partygate.

he became deputy chief whip in february and was responsible for party discipline. but his own lack of discipline on wednesday led to this letter of resignation on thursday. chris pincher was said by witnesses to be drinking heavily at a reception at this conservative private members' club in central london. the more serious allegation that came to light is that he groped two men. downing street does not believe that further action is necessary following the resignation and he can continue as mp but critics say he should be shown the door. government ministers insist the allegations are being taken seriously. all i want to say and i really want to stress this,

is we take all of these things incredibly seriously. my first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again in this position. it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. questions have been raised here at westminster about the prime minister's judgment. chris pincher had been cleared of allegations of misconduct back in 2017 following a conservative party inquiry. but the bbc has been told that further concerns about his behaviour were raised before he was appointed as a government whip back in february. and the liberal democrats and labour are now calling for an investigation. in relation to chris pincher, these are allegations at this point, but he himself has apologised for what amounts to at the very and the liberal democrats and labour are now calling in relation to chris pincher,

these are allegations at this point, but he himself has apologised for what amounts to at the very least poor behaviour. i urge the conservative party to think about what it's doing to the reputation of parliament as a whole, to ensure that if any adequate investigations are carried out, swiftly, and if necessary, to consider whether further sanctions should apply. two former conservative ministers caroline noakes and karen bradley have written to the chief whip calling for a policy of zero tolerance when any allegations of sexual misconduct are made and ensure a thorough investigation. they added, anyone being investigated in this way should not be allowed to sit as a conservative mp. you can see why the prime minister might not want chris pincher to resign. his party lost the wakefield by—election to labour a week ago following the imprisonment of the previous conservative mp for sexual assault. and the lib dems took tiverton after the conservative mp there resigned after viewing pornography in the house of commons. the prime minister has returned to another growing political storm at westminster. iain watson, bbc news. our political correspondent helen catt has been

following developments in westminster. this lunchtime the deputy official spokesperson of the prime minister has been defending the decision to appoint chris pincher in february as the deputy chief whip. there had been concerns in westminster for a while but the spokesman said the prime minister had not been aware before the appointment of any specific allegations and he said the process for appointing him had gone through the process that all ministerial appointments go through, the vetting process, and in the absence of any formal complaint it was not appropriate to stop an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations. he also said at the time the prime minister had considered chris pincher to be the best fit for the role. they are also holding the line that there is no planned government

investigation into this but as we heard in the report there is a lot of pressure growing this afternoon from opposition mps and some within the conservative party more privately, that is likely to mean that that line may not hold. the rate of people testing positive for covid—19 has continued to increase across the uk, the office for national statistics says. in both england and wales, data suggests that around one in 30 people had coronavirus in the week ending 24june. in northern ireland, the figure was 1 in 25 and in scotland the rate was1 in 18. with me in the studio now is our health correspondentjim reed. how concerned should we be? most --eole how concerned should we be? most people watching this _ how concerned should we be? i’j�*if?3ii people watching this will think this is no surprise because anecdotally everyone has got friends, neighbours, relatives, that seem to be testing positive and this is what is reflected in the data. the number of people who had covid last week according to this office for

national statistics survey was roughly 2.3 million people across the whole of the uk, up from 1.7 million the week before, so a fairly significant increase, and in scotland one in 18 people would have had the virus. this data, because people might think, we are not really testing for covid in the same way we were before, but this is coming from the weekly office for national statistics survey, sampling tens of thousands of people at random at rather than asking people with symptoms to come forward and it is seen as the most accurate picture of what is going on. as for the reasons why, we have seen a switch to a new offshoot of the omicron variant which is increasing in transmission across the uk. it is thought to be transmitting more easily than earlier offshoots and it also affects people who have had omicron in the past but then can pick up this offshoot more easily.

that is one reason why we are seeing this increase. i5 that is one reason why we are seeing this increase-— this increase. is the numbers translating — this increase. is the numbers translating into _ this increase. is the numbers translating into the _ this increase. is the numbers translating into the numbers| this increase. is the numbers i translating into the numbers in hospital? translating into the numbers in hosital? . , ~ , translating into the numbers in hosital? . , , ., hospital? that is the key question and as we can _ hospital? that is the key question and as we can see _ hospital? that is the key question and as we can see here, - hospital? that is the key question and as we can see here, we i hospital? that is the key question and as we can see here, we have| hospital? that is the key question i and as we can see here, we have seen and as we can see here, we have seen an increase in hospitalisations in england but from a fairly low base. if you look at the bottom right hand side, we are about 9000 people in hospital with covid in england, far below the 35,000 we had at the peak of the second wave injanuary below the 35,000 we had at the peak of the second wave in january 2021 but roughly a third of people who test positive for covid would have been admitted for that reason alone and two thirds admitted for something else, like a broken hip, and then tested positive while in hospital, so you have got to take that into account.— hospital, so you have got to take that into account. thank you very much. that into account. thank you very much- jim _ that into account. thank you very much. jim reed, _ that into account. thank you very much. jim reed, our— that into account. thank you very much. jim reed, our health i much. jim reed, our health correspondent. dr adrian boyle is from the royal college of emergency medicine and is based in cambridge.

i asked him if the increase in covid infections is being reflected in hospital admissions. it isa it is a workforce problem in some ways most of all, because we have people who can't work and health care workers are vulnerable to picking up covid because of the environment they work in and because they do a lot of work which is people facing, so you then create a workforce problem and we are seeing lots of staff are off and that is creating lots of problems, we don't have enough beds to look after the patients, and this is translating

into lots of people at the hospitals being full, and the emergency departments get full and we end up with long waits in the emergency department and we end up with ambulances waiting outside and people waiting a long time for an ambulance. people waiting a long time for an ambulance-— people waiting a long time for an ambulance. , ., , , ., , ., ambulance. this really should be a time that hospitals _ ambulance. this really should be a time that hospitals are _ ambulance. this really should be a time that hospitals are playing i time that hospitals are playing catch up because this is a recovery time in the summer months? this is what is making _ time in the summer months? this is what is making us _ time in the summer months? this is what is making us anxious _ time in the summer months? this is what is making us anxious because l what is making us anxious because these long waits are worse than any previous winter, so it feels like winter in terms of performance and the weights we are having at the moment in april and may have been much longer than we have seen in say, winters over the winter period in previous years. do say, winters over the winter period in previous years.— in previous years. do you think we could be looking _ in previous years. do you think we could be looking at _ in previous years. do you think we could be looking at another - in previous years. do you think we i could be looking at another lockdown or that they should be measures implemented, like mask wearing? i don't think the public appetite or

the wider needs of the population would be served by a lockdown and i don't think it would be tenable and i'm not sure how necessarily effective it would be. within hospitals and public buildings, i think mask wearing would be a sensible thing to do. there is a lot about people just being a bit more sensible, and if you have got a cough and a fever and you have a runny nose and you think you have a cold, don't go out and mingle with lots of other people. we have got to appreciate the pandemic is not over, this has a very long and nasty tail which is just this has a very long and nasty tail which isjust going on this has a very long and nasty tail which is just going on and this has a very long and nasty tail which isjust going on and on this has a very long and nasty tail which is just going on and on and on. we are now at the level where we need the population to just be sensible around not infecting other people. sensible around not infecting other --eole. ., sensible around not infecting other eo le. ., ., sensible around not infecting other --eole. ., ., , ., sensible around not infecting other --eole. ., ., ., ., people. you mentioned staff a moment auo. a lot people. you mentioned staff a moment ago- a lot of— people. you mentioned staff a moment ago. a lot of staff _ people. you mentioned staff a moment ago. a lot of staff and _ people. you mentioned staff a moment ago. a lot of staff and a _ people. you mentioned staff a moment ago. a lot of staff and a lot _ people. you mentioned staff a moment ago. a lot of staff and a lot of - ago. a lot of staff and a lot of your members, are they worried about burn—out and stress? yes.

your members, are they worried about burn-out and stress?— burn-out and stress? yes. we have all found the _ burn-out and stress? yes. we have all found the pandemic _ burn-out and stress? yes. we have all found the pandemic difficult, i all found the pandemic difficult, whatever you do, even if you are not working in the hospital, it has been tough and tedious, frightening at times, frustrating and boring, and people who work in hospitals are no different and we are certainly seeing a lot of older people at the end of their careers reducing their hours and bringing forward retirement and i'm worried about nursing staff who work in hospitals getting pretty fed up and beginning to walk away from hospitals because they can get betterjob working in the community or in the private sector, so we are very worried about burn—out and the effects on staff. but this was beginning to happen before the pandemic at the pandemic has accelerated existing fracture lines. it is 25 years since britain ended its rule in hong kong and handed the colony back to china. since that handover, critics have accused china of stifling freedom in hong kong and suppressing opposition. but china's president, xijinping, says his country has brought true

democracy to the territory. he's been visiting hong kong to swear—in its new leader. from there, martin yip reports. a day of celebration under bad weather. just like 25 years ago when britain returned hong kong to china. beijing promised then to keep the one country, two systems principle for at least 50 years, after the 1997 handover, meaning hong kong would remain part of china but be free to govern itself. lord patten was the last governor of hong kong and was at the handover ceremony in 1997. he told the bbc that china broke its promise. the words i spoke then saying it was now hong kong's destiny to be run by the people of hong kong, have turned to ashes, because hong kong was once one of the freest, arguably the freest and most open society in asia.

and it has now been turned into a police state. in the past few years beijing has cracked down on dissent in hong kong, introducing a national security law in 2020 that critics say has stifled free speech. pro—democracy news outlets have also been shut down and a zero covid policy makes life here uneasy. there are those who are pro—beijing who are happy. and there are those who are very, very angry and worried or even scared. and there are thousands of people, including members of my party, in prison. despite a recent overhaul of the election system, the incoming leaderjohn lee was the only candidate to run in this race. the ceremony today marks president xi's first visit outside mainland china for nearly two and a half years since the start of the pandemic. you can't quite control the weather,

but in beijing's perspective, it is all about regaining control over hong kong, and about the great rejuvenation of the chinese race, and that is what president xi jinping has been talking about in his speech. | translation: the practice of one | country, two systems has achieved the success in hong kong recognised by all since its return to the motherland. president xi will be hoping his visit convinces hong kongers and the world that stability on these shores following his crackdown in hong kong, and that it will usher in a revival of the global financial centres�*s bruised economy. martin yip, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news...

downing street insist borisjohnson was not aware of �*specific allegations�* against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party after allegations he groped two men at a private members�* club. opposition parties call for an investigation. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due to covid related staff sickness — as cases across the uk jump by 32% in a week. officials in southern ukraine say at least 19 people, including a child, have been killed in two russian missile strikes in and around the port of odesa. the missiles are thought to have been launched from russian warplanes over the black sea, hitting an apartment block and a resort. moscow has fired dozens of missiles on ukrainian cities in the past few days. earlier i spoke to our correspondent, joe inwood about the extent of the damage by the missile strike.

at one in the morning, this happened, in a resort to the south—west of odesa, a nine storey apartment building completely destroyed by one missile, 16 people have died at least this happened just a few hours after russian forces had left snake island. it is important to understand that snake island is a strategic but also symbolically important place in the black sea. at the start of this war it became iconic after the ukrainian defenders of snake island told the flagship of the russian black fleet to go away in rather more colourful terms. ever since it has been fought over and yesterday the ukrainians finally and with huge barrages, pushed the russian forces off the island. it had been hoped that would ease the pressure on places like odesa and the black sea coast but it seems the attacks last night have shattered those hopes.

a man accused of murdering a woman in a street attack in east london has appeared at the old bailey. 35 year old zara aleena was walking in ilford, ten minutes from her home, when she was attacked in the early hours of sunday. this morning herfamily paid tribute to her fearlessness and independence. jon donnison reports. zara aleena, the latest young woman to be killed on the streets of london. all week people have been paying tribute to the 35—year—old law graduate, described by herfriends as soft, gentle and a lifeline to her family. this morning they spoke publicly for the first time since she died. zara was incredibly giving, supportive, insightful as to what people needed around her, empathic and fearless. she had...

the one word that would describe zara, if i had to use one word, i would say independent. that was what she valued more than anything, her independence. zara, heraunt said, was as happy as she�*d ever been, having just started a newjob at the royal courts ofjustice in central london. she made herself at home wherever she was. so wherever zara walked, it was home, that was home for her, because she knew everybody. hundreds of people that have come to our house, that have called us, that have sent a letter saying, "you don�*t know me but we knew zara." police are continuing to appeal for any potential witnesses to come forward. this morning a 29—year—old man, jordan mcsweeney, from dagenham, was remanded in custody after a court hearing in london. he�*s been charged with

the murder, attempted rape and robbery of zara aleena. jon donnison, bbc news. french prosecutors have charged nine men over their involvement in a failed migrant crossing in the channel between britain and france — in which 27 people drowned. french judicial sources told the bbc that the nine had been placed under formal investigation on charges including involuntary manslaughter and people trafficking. it brings the total number of people charged over the incident to ten. wikileaks founderjulian assange has submitted an appeal to fight the decision to extradite him to the united states. home secretary priti patel approved his extradition last month. mr assange is wanted by american authorities over leaked documents which the us says broke the law and endangered lives. the documents are related to the iraq and afghanistan wars.

there�*s a warning today that the rising cost of living is hurting people who take in the children of relatives and keep them out of the care system. unlike foster carers, they get little or no financial support from the government in england and wales. as zoe conway reports, charities say it means some children are at risk of being put into care. wendy and her grandchildren have a very special bond. her daughter was unable to cope with looking after them. so they�*ve lived with wendy since they were babies. why do you call wendy "mum"? because she, like, does everything like a mum. what do you mean? like, she cooks me dinner. she washes my clothes. she just does everything. like many kinship carers, wendy was told by social services she could not work. because they�*re often vulnerable, the expectation is that children need more time with carers.

i had a nice office job, reasonably well paid, and overnight i've found myself without a job, not allowed to work, all of my pension rights gone and just a kinship carer. wendy gets by on donated food at this community centre. she�*s noticed the cost of everything going up. coffee, a jar of coffee, that's gone up by 50p from one week to the next. if she was a foster carer she�*d be entitled to £137 a week, but there�*s no such guarantee for kinship carers. kinship carers have been struggling financially for many, many years. they don�*t have the same rights as foster carers to a financial allowance, so many of them give up work. they don�*t get an allowance, and of course they are plunged into poverty. what�*s worse now is there is a cost of living crisis, so it�*s more urgent than ever that the government steps in.

laura was 27 when she got a call from social services, asking her to take in her half brother and half sister. their mother had died. it was really hard. i went from working 60—hour weeks ito working none and doing school. runs and doing hair in the morning. ok, let's go. laura was told by social workers to stop working. the last few years have been a financial struggle. she also now has her own five—year—old daughter. woo—hoo! my children are happy, _ they're healthy, if you were to meet them you wouldn't even know they were kinship children i and they'd probably say _ i'm their mum, and we have enjoyed every moment of it and i i wouldn't be anywhere else. an independent review of social care has recommended that kinship carers are paid the same allowance as foster carers. the government says that later this year it will respond in full to the recommendations, including how to support

kinship carers further. zoe conway, bbc news. the documents provide evidence to employers about the patient�*s condition and ability to work and the new system applies to england, scotland and wales with northern ireland expected to follow. police officers in scotland are preparing to "withdraw their goodwill" in a dispute about pay. they aren�*t allowed to go on strike, instead the action — which will begin at five o�*clock this afternoon, will include not starting shifts early or taking radio equipment home. the scottish police federation described it as the "most overt demonstration of action" in more than a century. police scotland says it�*s committed to seeking a settlement. a bulgarian woman has been placed on the fbi�*s top ten most wanted list for allegedly running a cryptocurrency scam. ignatova — who became known

as �*the missing cryptoqueen�* has been accused of defrauding victims out of more than £3.2 billion. she�*s been missing since 2017. battersea power station is now a place which has featured in films and soon visitors will have a chance to up close.

it�*s what you expect from the grandeur of a ballroom rather than the beating heart of a coal—fired power station. from the gold ceiling to the teak parquet floor, this is the first peek at control room a, which has now been fully restored to its art deco glory. it is here that the energy created in the power station and turned into electricity was distributed all over london. and you can actually see that from the names on some of these distribution boards here. all of the equipment is on display. this is the antithesis of digital. you can see it all, and you can see all the dials, but it is also the most amazing stylistic architectural tour de force. because it is very, very art deco. and to marry those two up is very exciting. built in the 1930s, control room a was an original part of the grade—ii listed power station. until 1975, it dispersed electricity generated by the turbines to large parts of the city, as well as some of our most famous landmarks. carnaby street 2 was the code name for buckingham palace so hardly anyone knew that power to the palace was being sent from here. the rest of these gauges and dials distributed electricity to a fifth of the capital. the restoration was painstaking. experts used 3d printing to recreate missing dials and levers, as well as digital colour scanning

to match the original paintjob. the room has also featured in a number of films, including as a bbc studio in the oscar—winning the king�*s speech and it was the backdrop for this rather surreal scene in the monty python film the meaning of life. in the autumn it will open as an event space within battersea power station which has been transformed into a housing and shopping complex. this is the jewel in the crown of this development. it's a totally unique snapshot in the history of this city, to see how people worked 80 years ago. this was a control room for a power station, it has parquet flooring, art deco ceilings, albeit a bomb did drop through the ceiling in 1944 but luckily, it didn't go off. the quality of the finishing and the engineering show the country in a very different point in its evolution. as well are taking in the room�*s art deco features, it is hoped

visitors will get an insight into how london was once powered. bhavani vadde, bbc news. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with matt. another day of sunshine and showers for the uk at the moment. heaviest as we head through the evening will be in eastern areas but fewer in western parts of the uk where it will feel a bit cooler in the breeze but we finish the day with outbreaks of rain there, spreading widely over northern ireland. heavy and persistent for a while and then that will spread into central and southern scotland, wales and the south—west turning a bit more showery overnight. further south and east, it will be dry overnight, with clear skies and sunny spells into the morning, temperatures 10—11 for most and it should stay dry through the day for the south—east and east.

through the day, there will be some rain pushing through elsewhere, getting close to the east by the end of the afternoon. the showers could affect silverstone and the cricket at edgbaston, but more persistent rain in northern scotland. as for sunday, a brighter day with fewer showers and drier still on monday but a cool breeze in the north.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: downing street insist boris johnson was not aware of "specific allegations" against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party — after allegations he groped two men at a private members�* club. opposition parties call for an investigation. covid cases rise across the uk — up by 32% in a week — as doctors warn of a shortage

of beds due to staff sickness. china celebrates the 25th anniversary of taking hong kong back from britain and claims the territory now has true democracy. ukrainian officials say at least 19 people have been killed by russian missile strikes in and around the city of odesa. 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. sport now and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here�*s gavin. and it�*s a big day at wimbledon, isn�*t it?

one place to start — that�*s at wimbledon, and a bit of history for heather watson... she�*s into the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time, after beating kaja juvan this afternoon. also through to the fourth round is tunisian ons jabuer. she�*s the the number three seed in the women�*s draw and that showed as she brushed aside wimbledon debutaunt diane parry of france. last up on centre court today is cameron norrie. high hopes for the ninth seed and british number one who takes on america�*s stevejohnson later on. also hoping to reach the fourth round of wimbledon for the first time after novak djokovic, who is playing right now on centre court. he�*s not having any problems, he is 5—0 up in the first set so it

could be over very quickly indeed. this is uncharted territory for his opponent at wimbledon. novak djokovic is going for a fourth wimbledon title in a row, and who would bet against that at the moment? james anderson — back in the side in place ofjamie overton — has taken two wickets. they are out now and hungry for wickets. this match was postponed from last september due to a covid—19 outbreak in the indian squad and complete last summer�*s series which india lead to— one. tottenham have completed the signing of brazil forward richarlison from everton in a deal believed to be worth 60 million pounds.

the 25—year—old forward underwent medical checks ahead of flying to london early next week, with his new club set to start their pre—season on monday. spurs will pay an initial 55 million pounds with a further five million in add—ons. valtteri bottas was fastest for alfa romeo in first practice for sunday�*s british grand prix at a rain—soaked silverstone. the mercedes of former world champion lewis hamilton was second quickest. carlos sainz clocked the third fastest time in his ferrari. second practice begins at four o�*clock. it�*s a huge sporting weekend with plenty going on. more from silverstone on the bbc sport website. plus the tour de france gets under way today — actually beginning in denmark. it�*s a time trial and you can follow all the latest online. thank all the latest online. you very much. gavin reportir there thank you very much. gavin reporting there from the sports centre. the rate of people testing positive for covid—19 has continued to increase across the uk, the office for national statistics says. in both england and wales, data suggests that around one in 30 people had coronavirus in the week

ending 24june. in northern ireland, the figure was one in 25 and in scotland the rate was one in 18. joining me now to discuss the increase in cases and the impact of the new omicron sub—variant is danny altmann, professor of immunology at imperial college london and lead on the long covid study. these new figures, are they concerning?— these new figures, are they concerning? these new figures, are they concerninr? , . ., ., concerning? yes. we are not winning at the moment- _ concerning? yes. we are not winning at the moment. they _ concerning? yes. we are not winning at the moment. they are _ concerning? yes. we are not winning at the moment. they are not - concerning? yes. we are not winning at the moment. they are not in i concerning? yes. we are not winning at the moment. they are not in a i at the moment. they are not in a particularly good place. [30 at the moment. they are not in a particularly good place.— particularly good place. do you think new _ particularly good place. do you think new measures _ particularly good place. do you think new measures should i particularly good place. do you think new measures should be | particularly good place. do you i think new measures should be put in place? i think new measures should be put in lace? ~ . . think new measures should be put in lace? ~' , . ., , place? i think it such hard times because people _ place? i think it such hard times because people are _ place? i think it such hard times because people are so _ place? i think it such hard times because people are so covid i because people are so covid fatigued. our policymakers and public are covid fatigued and there is no appetite to do anything about it. it is hard to live with it because if you have got... depending

on where you are in the country, one in 29 infected it any given time, it makes it hard to keep your shops, factories, schools open and functioning normally before you can consider long covid. i guess my plea is sure we don�*t need to go back to lock down or anything draconian but let�*s try to going back to being sensible, get everyone vaccinated and boosted and doing social distancing in a sensible way and wearing masks in public. otherwise wearing masks in public. otherwise we can�*t get out of this. you we can't get out of this. you mentioned _ we can't get out of this. you mentioned getting - we can't get out of this. you mentioned getting everyone immunised and wearing masks, so do you think people should be wearing masks in shops and at events? we have people coming to london for pride week. yes, i can�*t understand the reluctance to wear masks. getting infected in the current wave his russian roulette because people are very commonly getting infected and reinvented over and over again. you

just don�*t know. you might be someone who feels awful seven rright days later or gets disabled with long covid and you can�*t predict which of those people you will be, so for the sake of a mask, why take the chance? irate so for the sake of a mask, why take the chance?— so for the sake of a mask, why take the chance? ~ ., ., ,, ., the chance? we are talking about the new omicron — the chance? we are talking about the new omicron variant, _ the chance? we are talking about the new omicron variant, the _ the chance? we are talking about the new omicron variant, the sum - the chance? we are talking about the j new omicron variant, the sum variant ba3, how does it compare to the other variants? i ba3, how does it compare to the other variants?— ba3, how does it compare to the other variants? , . ., ., other variants? i remember coming on the bbc in november— other variants? i remember coming on the bbc in november when _ other variants? i remember coming on the bbc in november when we - other variants? i remember coming on the bbc in november when we first i the bbc in november when we first got the sequence of ba1, and i saw how it was peppered with mutations that made it very good at evading immunity. i thought that was one of the most terrific things i had ever seen or ever would see. here i am six months later talking about something even worse because it

really is quantum level at evading immunity and most of us frankly are walking round with almost no effective immunity even if we have been three times vaccinated. i�*m not saying get a vaccine because it doesn�*t help, sure it helps to some extent because we are not packing out hospitals like we were one or two years ago, and yet it is not protecting us from getting infected and some will get ill from the infection. ~ . and some will get ill from the infection-— and some will get ill from the infection. ~ ., ., infection. what are you finding in our infection. what are you finding in your study _ infection. what are you finding in your study about _ infection. what are you finding in your study about long _ infection. what are you finding in your study about long covid? i infection. what are you finding in your study about long covid? we| infection. what are you finding in i your study about long covid? we are in the fairly — your study about long covid? we are in the fairly early _ your study about long covid? we are in the fairly early days _ your study about long covid? we are in the fairly early days of _ your study about long covid? we are in the fairly early days of the - in the fairly early days of the first few volunteers giving blood samples. we would love more people who have got long covid to volunteer and give us their blood samples. for us the overarching challenge is that people criticise long covid for being self—reported and yet we all know it is a very real thing and a devastating thing, so if we can design a blood test to define it, we can get people into care pathways, get it on to their health records,

into clinical trials and hopefully get treatments for them so that�*s where we are hoping to be headed in the next little while. 50 where we are hoping to be headed in the next little while.— the next little while. so you are callin: the next little while. so you are calling for— the next little while. so you are calling for more _ the next little while. so you are calling for more people - the next little while. so you are calling for more people to i the next little while. so you are| calling for more people to come forward and have blood tests if they have long covid?— forward and have blood tests if they have long covid? come and see us, we would love to — have long covid? come and see us, we would love to see _ have long covid? come and see us, we would love to see you. _ have long covid? come and see us, we would love to see you. and _ have long covid? come and see us, we would love to see you. and more i would love to see you. and more --eole would love to see you. and more people suffering _ would love to see you. and more people suffering now _ would love to see you. and more people suffering now from i would love to see you. and more people suffering now from the i people suffering now from the omicron variant than previous variants? ~ ., ., ., omicron variant than previous variants?— omicron variant than previous variants? ~ ., ., ., , , variants? we have got to be very kind of fleet _ variants? we have got to be very kind of fleet of _ variants? we have got to be very kind of fleet of foot _ variants? we have got to be very kind of fleet of foot how - variants? we have got to be very kind of fleet of foot how we i variants? we have got to be very} kind of fleet of foot how we think about this because at the beginning we were told that omicron was milder, and yes it is kind of milder in the sense that the death toll luckily is not zooming up the way that it did two years ago, and yet if you have something that is so prevalent that you are seeing cases all around you and one in 30 of all the people you know are infected at any given time, even if a low proportion of those people, perhaps the very elderly or clinically vulnerable end up in hospital or being ventilated, that is still a

large number of people. finally, what advice _ large number of people. finally, what advice would _ large number of people. finally, what advice would you _ large number of people. finally, what advice would you give - large number of people. finally, what advice would you give to i large number of people. finally, - what advice would you give to people who may have come into contact with someone with this new variant of or may know someone who has been in with covid at the moment? my advice is this, the temptation _ with covid at the moment? my advice is this, the temptation is _ with covid at the moment? my advice is this, the temptation is to _ with covid at the moment? my advice is this, the temptation is to brush - is this, the temptation is to brush it and off try to live with it and not worry about it, try to talk it down as if it is no worse than a cold or hay fever. potentially it really is, and you owe it to yourself and people around you to get the lateral flow test, do it responsibly if you are positive and stay at home, watch some tv until you are negative again.— you are negative again. thank you very much- _ danny altmann there.

universities gave out more than £121 million to help students in financial difficulty last year, the bbc has found — almost double the year before. the number of students asking for emergency hardship cash nearly tripled between 2018—19 and 2020 to 21 — that's figures from freedom of information requests. 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". earlier i spoke to rachael sampson about her experience at university. i saved up for the course of my dreams for two years, and then within two months i couldn't land a job. so i had to apply for the hardship fund and i needed help drastically and i applied for it. and i actually got rejected the first time because they said they could see money in my account, but they said don't leave it to last minute. so because obviously this process takes time. and so they said, but we can see there's money in your account. iwas like, "well, yes, i've got my rent and bills coming up." so they rejected me then. and that was just a very

confusing contradiction. but luckily i applied again and they did give me some help. but unfortunately it was rather bittersweet because it was a bit too late. i'd already lost my home at this point. that sounds like it was a very difficult time for you, and it sounds like the process was quite difficult too. yeah, you have to kind of send a lot of documents to prove that you need the help, and obviously that's understandable and send a big personal statement. but that's not really the problem. it's the waiting — waiting for a response, because every single day you're a step closer to the edge of the cliff and you just feel like you're about to fall off. i had to prod them at times, like, hi, just to let you know, it's about two weeks before i'm going to lose my home. but yeah, i didn't get a response and then afterwards when i lost it, it'sjust, you know, that's the way it happened. and we know there are a lot of students, there are a lot of different types of funding that you can apply for, and so many students are applying for it. but for this funding, did you feel that there was any stigma attached to it? well, definitely, because it's...| don't want to have to ask for help. there shouldn't be a stigma, but there is. i already felt kind of different

about school because there's a lot of privileged people there and unfortunately i'm not one of them. but there should be no shame in asking for the help. you know, just because i have less money in my account, that doesn't mean my dreams are less valid. so hopefully me even just doing this is kind of breaking that stigma a little bit. and you obviously got that grant, but was there any wider government support available did you find? yeah, there was nothing. you can't apply for universal credit if you have a student status, as you are already indebted with your loan. but 90% of that loan for me went straight to the school. so i didn't see that. and as someone who has paid tax before and universal credit is for vulnerable people, it would have been nice to have the benefit of that because i needed help. then they sent me to citizens advice who said i just slipped through the net and there was nothing they could do for me. but if they could see students looking through the net, then why didn't they sew it up? why were they just like, there's nothing we can do? and then they said, your last chance is university. so the hardship fund

was the make or break point for me. and for you now, rachel, what are you doing? has your situation changed ? have you gone into employment? yeah, my situation situation has changed drastically. i graduated with a distinction in screenwriting and i'm now a screenwriter. i've just come off set from three amazing days in whitby filming my short film. so i'm just glad that things are looking up for me now, and that's kind of all in the rear—view mirror. rachel sampson, a former student who applied for the hardship loan. the headlines... downing street insists borisjohnson was not headlines... downing street insists boris johnson was not aware headlines... downing street insists borisjohnson was not aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party — after allegations he groped two men at a private members' club. opposition parties call for an investigation. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due to covert related staff sickness as cases across the uk

jumped by 32% in a week. —— covid—related. 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, 400 flights have been cancelled. 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 for some travellers

who were planning to fly out of heathrow airport yesterday. these were the scenes there, where passengers complained about queues and total chaos. heathrow asked airlines to cut the number of flights because the expected passenger numbers were just too high for it to be able to cope. in terms of figures there, it was 30 flights out of a scheduled 1,200 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 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 august. so, if you are flying this summer, how worried should you be? i have to be absolutely honest and say that going intojuly

and august, i have never seen quite this scale of disruption in any previous summer. of course, it is all to do with the lack of resilience in aviation. to get you and your luggage off the ground and safely to your destination requires dozens of aviation professionals being in the right place at the right time, and all getting theirjobs done. a lot of those people have wandered away from the aviation industry, which is why we are so stretched right now. and the disruption is not only affecting flights leaving the uk. there 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 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 versus 2019. one of the big changes 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. the lead negotiator

for network rail says talks with the rmt union since last week's train 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. the rmt union says it's "not in any rush" to call for further strikes this month. mr shoveller said both sides were being pragmatic. 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. more than1 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, paving the way for the gay rights movement. our lgbt and identity correspondent lauren moss has been speaking to some of the group's founding members. her report contains some flash photography. it's 1972. 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. we had a mass kiss—in. by the time we'd finished snogging each other, one turned around and the police had completely disappeared. the glf lit a spark that 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'd died, the family would sweep in and throw them out of the flat or whatever. it was a time of real despair and bitterness. progression came later. steps towards righting the wrongs of the past, and equality. legally husband... cheering. # we marched for the right to walk down the aisle #. pride has undergone many changes over the years. what started off as a protest

of around 700 people is now a march of thousands. 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 is by perpetually struggling to keep them. no victory is ever forever unless you make it forever. pride as a protest is what united them back them. a desire to keep it alive is what brings them together today. lauren moss, bbc news. ukrainian circus performers will be touring britain this summer. 16 of them came to the uk under the homes for ukrainians scheme after spending three months hiding from russian forces. emma boor has been to meet them. my name is dania and i'm 23 years old and i'm ukrainian. in the circus, i am a dancer and i really enjoy it.

i think that that's why i came to this world. but that world was turned upside down when war broke out. tania was caught in kharkiv, seeking shelter from the bombs. every day was worse and worse and every night was worse and worse and every day, i was more exhausted. you are scared so much and you don't know what to do and i did not eat the first day, i didn't sleep and i was scared to sleep at night because i was afraid that i would not hear any sirens or explosions and i would not wake up next morning. viktor was given special leave as an artist to flee ukraine with his wife and son. it's very dangerous, very dangerous all the time, there are rockets and everything. and when we left, we... i not remember how many

days, wejust one place after the other place. i am very happy to come with all of my family. the circus is like a second family. also we are safe here. my child going school. my wife work with me. we all together here. of course, we will see if the public like this. i am also in my heart, i like it. i want to give it more. the circus's co—founder says it's given a lifeline. i think it's very important to keep it as normal as possible for all of them and this is what they trained to do, what they love doing. and the more they're not thinking about the bad things, it's better for their mental health. these positive emotions are getting

stage is helping them through difficult times. it's to show how strong we are, that the disaster happened in our country and we still can go on stage, we can smile, even if it's difficult. we can smile and we can make people happy and we can show how talented, hard—working and how strong we are. emma baugh, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. another day of ever—changing and at times fairly dramatic skies out there, sunshine and showers across a good part of the uk. this area of cloud bringing persistent rain particularly across shetland, you have cloud cover gathering in the west tomorrow, but the speckled nature of the cloud an indication that we see showers around quite widely, particularly into the evening. heaviest across eastern areas, further rumbles of thunder and a little bit on the cool side when the showers push in. a wet end to the day though in northern ireland. those outbreaks of rain spreading across scotland into northern england, wales and south—west

into the night and the morning. south and east of that should stay dry once evening showers have cleared, and temperatures in double figures to start saturday. a lot of cloud around for saturday. we have got this weather feature across the country. the cool front itself will lie through yorkshire down towards the south—west, it could take all day before it reaches wimbledon so optimistic that very few interruptions expected on saturday for play there. but the front itself will reach the grand prix circuit at silverstone and we could see some showers for the qualifying throughout saturday afternoon. here it is to start the day. it will work its way south and east. a lovely bright start before the cloud gradually increases. turning to sunshine and showers for northern england and wales, scotland and northern ireland. cloudiest in the far north of scotland, we'll see outbreaks of rain all day long coming and going.

more of a breeze further south and that weather front will make it to east anglia and south east as we head towards evening. a cool day for this stage injuly, especially in the breeze and showers. the breeze helps push those weather fronts on as we go through the night into sunday. still the dregs of one though across the country on sunday bringing cloud and showery rain eastwards across england and wales, but more of you will be dry on sunday, a better chance of sunny spells. cloudiest in the highlands and islands of scotland. and we will have more of the breeze on sunday with a few showers dotted around. 13, 1a degrees, feeling warmer than saturday the further south and east you go. next week, high pressure will start to push in. lots of cloud and a few showers around, sunnier and warmer the further south and east you go.

this is bbc news. the headlines. downing street insist borisjohnson was not aware of "specific allegations" against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party, after allegations he groped two men at a private members' club. former tory mp neil parish, who lost the whip after watching porn in parliament, is among them. immediately the whip was withdrawn from me. i believe it to be total double standards. i can't believe what the chief whip is thinking about, what the party is thinking about. the whip should be suspended immediately from christopher pincher. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due to covid related staff sickness —

as cases across the uk jump by 32% in a week. lots of staff are off, and that's creating lots of problems that we can't open wards, we don't have enough beds to look after the patients that are coming through, and this is translating into lots of people, the hospitals being full. police officers in scotland — will stop carrying out extra, unpaid work from five o'clock today — unless ordered to do so, amid a pay dispute. and britain's heather watson is through to the last 16 of wimbledon after beating kaja juvan in straight sets. good afternoon. downing street has insisted that boris johnson was not aware of "specific allegations" against chris pincher before

he appointed him as the conservative party's deputy chief whip. the prime minister is also facing calls to suspend the mp — who's alleged to have groped two men. chris pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after admitting he had "drunk far too much" at the carlton club, the conservative party members' club in london. labour have questioned why he's being allowed to sit as a tory mp. they say it shows the conservative party is "mired in sleaze and scandal." our political correspondent iain watson reports. are you drowning in sleaze? after striding the world stage, borisjohnson is back in britain and the spotlight has moved on to problems in his party, one of his closest allies has resigned following serious allegations about his conduct. chris pincher worked hard to keep borisjohnson in office during partygate. he became deputy chief whip in february and was responsible for party discipline. but his own lack of discipline on wednesday led to this letter of resignation on thursday.

chris pincher was said by witnesses to be drinking heavily at a reception at this conservative private members' club in central london. the more serious allegation that came to light is that he groped two men. downing street does not believe that further action is necessary following the resignation and he can continue as mp but critics say he should be shown the door. government ministers insist the allegations are being taken seriously. all i want to say and i want to stress this, is we take all of these things incredibly seriously. my first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again in this position.

it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. questions have been raised here at westminster about the prime minister's judgment. chris pincher had been cleared of allegations of misconduct back in 2017 following a conservative party inquiry. but the bbc has been told that further concerns about his behaviour were raised before he was appointed as a government whip back in february. and the liberal democrats and labour are now calling for an investigation. in relation to chris pincher, these are allegations at this point, but he himself has apologised for what amounts to at the very least poor behaviour. i urge the conservative party to think about what it's doing to the reputation of parliament as a whole, to ensure that if any adequate investigations are carried out, swiftly, and if necessary, to consider whether further sanctions should apply. two former conservative ministers

caroline noakes and karen bradley have written to the chief whip calling for a policy of zero tolerance when any allegations of sexual misconduct are made and ensure a thorough investigation. they added, anyone being investigated should not be allowed to sit as a conservative mp. you can see why the prime minister might not want chris pincher to resign. his party lost the wakefield by—election to labour a week ago following the imprisonment of the previous conservative mp for sexual assault. and the lib dems took tiverton after the conservative mp resigned after viewing pornography in the house of commons. the prime minister has returned to another growing political storm at westminster. iain watson, bbc news. our political correspondent helen catt has been following developments in westminster. this lunchtime the deputy official spokesperson of the prime minister has been defending the decision to appoint chris pincher in february as the deputy chief whip.

there had been concerns in westminster for a while but the spokesman said the prime minister had not been aware before the appointment of any specific allegations and he said the process for appointing him had gone through the process that all ministerial appointments go through, the vetting process, and in the absence of any formal complaint it was not appropriate to stop an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations. he also said at the time the prime minister had considered chris pincher to be the best fit for the role. they are also holding the line that there is no planned government investigation into this but as we heard in the report there is a lot of pressure growing this afternoon from opposition mps and some within the conservative party more privately, that is likely to mean that that line may not hold.

neil parish has said the conservatives cannot show double standards and must remove the whip from chris pincher. the former conservative mp, who formally resigned in may after admitting he had watched pornography twice on his phonein had watched pornography twice on his phone in parliament, suggested that he believes the party whip could be withdrawn from mr pincher before the end of saturday.— end of saturday. immediately, the whi was end of saturday. immediately, the whip was withdrawn _ end of saturday. immediately, the whip was withdrawn from - end of saturday. immediately, the whip was withdrawn from me. - end of saturday. immediately, the whip was withdrawn from me. i . whip was withdrawn from me. i believe it to be total double standards. i can't believe what the chief whip is thinking about, what the party is thinking about. the whip should be suspended immediately from christopher pincher and then he can refer himself to a standard sport and it can be investigated or he can resign. that will be his decision —— a standards board. the idea the parties and taking away the whip, i cannot believe such double

standards. joining me now is kate maltby, a columnist for the ipaper and a campaigner on sexual harassment issues in parliament. thank you forjoining us. how did you feel when you heard about this latest report? i you feel when you heard about this latest report?— latest report? i think all those of us who have _ latest report? i think all those of us who have campaigned - latest report? i think all those of us who have campaigned on - latest report? i think all those of us who have campaigned on this| latest report? i think all those of - us who have campaigned on this issue just felt exasperated, but i have to say, i did not feel surprised to hear that there was an allegation about chris pincher coming out. i just felt tired, we all felt tired. i've listened to your report and your correspondent has talked quite a bit about the question of whether there were rumours circulating around chris pincher before this story came out. of course there were but i think one of the things that's really important to stress is that there is a real problem with sexual predation by powerful men and by some women in westminster. one of

the party processes participants to clean that up is the whips' office and i would say that i as someone who has a history of campaigning on these issues, and many other people like me, had been repeatedly told by tory high command including to my face by senior conservative ministers that the whips' office is now a suitable place to direct anyone who has a complaint against anyone who has a complaint against an mp. the problem is, if which is why chris pincher are participating in this kind of behaviour, or are close colleagues and close friends are people against whom the complaint might be made, frankly no one trusts the system and still no one trusts the system and still no one trusts the system and still no one trust the system within politics to discipline their own. and it's a real scandal that chris pincher was the deputy chief whip at a time when his office was supposed to look into matters of sexual harassment. do you acce -t his matters of sexual harassment. do you accept his resignation? _ matters of sexual harassment. do you accept his resignation? he's _ accept his resignation? he's resiuned accept his resignation? he's resigned as _ accept his resignation? he's resigned as a _ accept his resignation? he's resigned as a whip, - accept his resignation? he's resigned as a whip, he - accept his resignation? he�*s resigned as a whip, he hasn't resigned as a whip, he hasn't

resigned as a whip, he hasn't resigned as an mp and i don't think there is a place in parliament for people who continue to behave like this because if you look back, pincher is someone who has faced allegations before, back in 2017. the conservative party process at that time found he hadn't broken the code of conduct and of course we have to accept that. but he raced back up the tory party, he became a whip again, he became deputy chief whip again, he became deputy chief whip and i think there's a real problem but there are these people who resign from governmentjobs but don't resign from the party, who hang around, are still drinking with their old buddies, still employing staff in their offices and still have very serious power over the young staff simply because they are mps. and theyjust remain part of the system, even if they've had a demotion. it’s the system, even if they've had a demotion. �* , ., , the system, even if they've had a demotion-— demotion. it's not 'ust the conservatives, _ demotion. it's notjust the conservatives, there - demotion. it's notjust the conservatives, there are l demotion. it's notjust the - conservatives, there are issues in labour too. conservatives, there are issues in labourtoo. do conservatives, there are issues in labour too. do you think this is a systematic failure in westminster? i think there is a clear systematic failure and i think anyone who's

watched this now has to accept that there is a systematic problem with sexual predation within british politics. there is a specific problem with the conservative party at the moment and i am someone who has previously made a complaint against the conservative mp so i look at that party particularly closely, but i think actually a lot of that has to do with the fact the party has been in powerfor 12 years, which means there are more people knocking around who had power to abuse, there is a great culture of entitlement that always comes when a party is in power. but you have to remember, the lib dems dealt with the scandal surrounding the former party treasurer very, very badly. there have been a number of scandals in labour so it's a question of all of the parties having problems and whoever has power of the longest doing the worst things with that power. thank power of the longest doing the worst things with that power.— the rate of people testing positive for covid—19 has continued to increase across the uk, the office for national

statistics says. in both england and wales, data suggests that around one in 30 people had coronavirus in the week ending 2lijune. in northern ireland, the figure was one in 25 and in scotland the rate was one in 18. earlier i spoke to our health correspondentjim reed about what this means. anecdotally, everyone has got friends, neighbours, relatives, that seem to be testing positive and this is what is reflected in the data. the number of people who had covid last week according to this office for national statistics survey was roughly 2.3 million people across the whole of the uk, up from 1.7 million the week before, so a fairly significant increase, and in scotland one in 18 people would have had the virus. this data, because people might think, we are not really testing for covid in the same way we were before, but this is coming from the weekly office for national statistics survey, sampling tens of thousands of people at random at rather than asking people with symptoms to come forward

and it is seen as the most accurate picture of what is going on. as for the reasons why, we have seen a switch to a new offshoot of the omicron variant which is increasing in transmission across the uk. it is thought to be transmitting more easily than earlier offshoots and it also affects people who have had omicron in the past but then can pick up this offshoot more easily. that is one reason why we are seeing this increase. are the numbers translating into the numbers in hospital? that is the key question and as we can see here, we have seen an increase in hospitalisations in england but from a fairly low base. if you look at the bottom right hand side, we are about 9,000 people in hospital with covid in england, far below the 35,000 we had at the peak of the second wave

in january 2021 but roughly a third of people who test positive for covid in a hospital would've been admitted for that reason alone, two thirds admitted for something else, like a broken hip, and then tested positive while in hospital, so you've got to take these figures with that in mind, really. dr adrian boyle is from the royal college of emergency medicine and is based in cambridge. i asked him if the increase in covid infections is being reflected in hospital admissions. so, we are certainly seeing quite a bit. i was working clinically yesterday evening and we had to close off one area of our department because we had a lot of covid cases. they weren't very sick but they were definitely around and some of them needed to come into hospital. to my mind, the big problem is not

necessarily the modest rise in hospitalisations, it is actually two issues. first, it is a workplace problem. one in 30 people in england have covid at the moment, there is a people who can't work and health care workers are particularly vulnerable because of the environment they work in, because they do a lot of work which is people facing. so, you then create this workforce problem. we are seeing lots of staff are off and that's creating lots of problems, we can't open wards, we don't have enough beds to look after patients coming through, and this is translating to lots of people, to hospitals being full and as a result the emergency departments get full and then we end up with long waits in the emergency department and ambulances waiting outside and people waiting for a long time for an ambulance. the headlines on bbc news. downing street insists borisjohnson wasn't aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before

appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend bnp from the conservative party after allegations he groped two men at private members club —— to suspend the mp. neil parish lost the whip after watching paul in parliament is among them. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due to covid related staff sickness is cases across the uk jumped by 32% in a week. police officers in scotland are preparing to "withdraw their goodwill" in a dispute about pay. they aren't allowed to go on strike, instead the action, which will begin at five o'clock this afternoon, will include not starting shifts early or taking radio equipment home. the scottish police federation described it as the "most overt demonstration of action" in more than a century. police scotland says it's committed to seeking a settlement. let's talk to our correspondent in scotland alexandra mackenzie.

as in scotland alexandra mackenzie. you said, yes, pl law as you said, yes, police officers by law cannot go on strike so this is not strike action that's beginning at 5p and this evening. but the police federation, which represents police officers here in scotland, what they said is they are describing this as a withdrawal of goodwill, in what has been described as the most overt action that we've seenin as the most overt action that we've seen in a century. and in the words of the scottish police federation, this shows the utter contempt that police officers have had for the pay offer that's been made. this is a pay offer of £565, around 1.4%. that's a pay offer that's been made to officers and has been rejected by the governing body, the scottish police federation, which represents the rank and file officers. now,

what does withdrawing goodwill mean? now, it means that police officers won't be starting shifts early, so they may have turned up slightly earlier to help out other officers or to start their work early, that's not going to happen. they will also be ending shifts at the correct time or they had been asked to claim every minute of overtime, so if the job is running over or if they are out on a job that hasn't quite finished, they will be claiming overtime now, which they may not have done in the past. they've also been asked not to take protective equipment home, no matter what time dare shift starts or finishes. so, that may involve an extra job of going to get that protective equipment to go to a job. they've also been asked not to charge police equipment like radios at home, so again, that's going to take possibly more time at the start or end of a shift and also it's going to be

saving on their own electricity at home if they are not going to be charging radio is a time. this starts at five o'clock this evening, as police officers in scotland will be withdrawing their goodwill. that's not a strike because they are not allowed to strike.— 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 plus community. this year's event marks 50 years since the gay liberation front organised the uk's first ever pride march — paving the way for the gay rights movement. our lgbt and identity correspondent lauren moss has been speaking to some of the group's founding members. her report contains some flash photography. it's 1972. 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. we had a mass kiss—in. by the time we'd finished snogging each other one turned around and the police had completely disappeared. the glf lit a spark that 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'd died, the family would sweep in and throw them out of the flat or whatever. it was a time of real despair and bitterness. progression came later. steps towards righting the wrongs

of the past, and equality. legally husband... cheering. # we marched for the right to walk down the aisle #. pride has undergone many changes over the years. what started off as a protest of around 700 people is now a march of thousands. still today, a third of all lgbt+ people in britain been victims of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic violence. the only way you keep rights is by perpetually struggling to keep them. no victory is ever forever unless you make it forever. pride as a protest is what united them back them. a desire to keep it alive is what brings them together today. lauren moss, bbc news. i'm joined now by charlie craggs, trans rights activist and campaigner. thank you forjoining us. we are

approaching 50 years of pride, how are you feeling ahead of this huge celebration? it is are you feeling ahead of this huge celebration?— celebration? it is really exciting, to see how _ celebration? it is really exciting, to see how far _ celebration? it is really exciting, to see how far we've _ celebration? it is really exciting, to see how far we've come - celebration? it is really exciting, to see how far we've come but i celebration? it is really exciting, i to see how far we've come but it's also really important to talk about how far we have to go. for me, this year has been, not to be depressing but i was spot—on on the tube earlier this year. i'm a londoner born and bred, london are supposed to be one of the most cosmopolitan places you can live but there's still a lot that needs to be done. a; still a lot that needs to be done. a lot of charities are calling for more support, more inclusion. what do you think the focus of this year's movement will be about? you've hit the nail on the head, it's about inclusion and making sure, because there's a lot of infighting at the moment, it's a small minority who want to remove from lgbt and it's so important that doesn't happen because we are stronger as a unit, we've always been a unit, the same people who hate them hate and vice versa. it's

so important this doesn't happen so i really hope inclusion is at the heart of this next year. you 'ust talked about �* heart of this next year. you 'ust talked about being i heart of this next year. you 'ust talked about being spat i heart of this next year. you 'ust talked about being spat at h heart of this next year. you just talked about being spat at in i heart of this next year. you just| talked about being spat at in the streets, how does that make you feel and is the support around you when something like that happens? it went viral on social— something like that happens? it went viral on social media _ something like that happens? it went viral on social media and _ something like that happens? it went viral on social media and i _ something like that happens? it went viral on social media and i think- viral on social media and i think people were more shocked than i was. i'm not really faced, it was at my local tube station, i get off there every day and i wasn't that phased by it but it's because it's been a normal part of my life, i transitioned ten years ago. not being spot—on but laughed at, commented on, physically attacked, sexually, it's part of everyday life every trans person i know. it's no surprise to me but ijust hope that in the video going viral and the discussions we are having, i'm so grateful to be heard today, that it's going to show people how novel thatis it's going to show people how novel that is and it's only going to change when people change. down

recent change when people change. down regent street _ change when people change. down regent street just _ change when people change. down regent streetjust near— change when people change. down regent streetjust near to - change when people change. down regent street just near to this regent streetjust near to this office, we are seeing a whole new flag that really focuses on inclusivity. 50 flag that really focuses on inclusivity.— flag that really focuses on inclusivity. flag that really focuses on inclusivi . ., ., , inclusivity. so important. it really touched me _ inclusivity. so important. it really touched me when _ inclusivity. so important. it really touched me when i _ inclusivity. so important. it really touched me when i saw _ inclusivity. so important. it really touched me when i saw it, - inclusivity. so important. it really touched me when i saw it, it's - inclusivity. so important. it really touched me when i saw it, it's so | touched me when i saw it, it's so important we are being inclusive within the conversations about pride because so often they get focused on the mainstream and often more, i mean it's the majority, but the gay voices on the white forces. on a white person, we do need to be sent to ourselves and look at his struggling, notjust in our community but in ourfamily and we need to lift up those people more. the politicians have a part to play? absolutely. i would like to see politicians giving their opinion on what is a woman once a week it feels like sometimes and can you just do yourjob, babe, idon't like sometimes and can you just do yourjob, babe, i don't really care what you think of me, most of the public don't care if you think i'm a real woman or not. maybe focus on brexit, get that done for us, you

know? fix. brexit, get that done for us, you know? �* ., , ., , , ., know? a real focus for this year, what would _ know? a real focus for this year, what would you _ know? a real focus for this year, what would you say _ know? a real focus for this year, what would you say it _ know? a real focus for this year, what would you say it is - know? a real focus for this year, what would you say it is if - know? a real focus for this year, what would you say it is if you i what would you say it is if you could sum it up?— what would you say it is if you could sum it up? stop spitting on trans people- _ could sum it up? stop spitting on trans people. no, _ could sum it up? stop spitting on trans people. no, just _ could sum it up? stop spitting on trans people. no, just like - trans people. no, just like inclusion and compassion. we don't need an ma in gender studies to see that right is right and wrong is wrong. that's it.— that right is right and wrong is wrong. that's it. thank you very much, charlie _ wrong. that's it. thank you very much, charlie craggs _ wrong. that's it. thank you very much, charlie craggs joining - wrong. that's it. thank you veryj much, charlie craggs joining us. freedom of information requests by bbc news have found the number of students asking for emergency cash nearly tripled at 95 uk universities during the pandemic. universities gave out more than £121 million to help students in financial difficulty last year. some students said they couldn't afford rent when work dried up during lockdowns. universities say they have stepped up efforts to help in "difficult times". joining me now is nasra roble, vice president at student union, university of london institute in paris. thank you forjoining us. thank you

thank you for 'oining us. thank you for havin: thank you forjoining us. thank you for having me. _ thank you forjoining us. thank you for having me, frankie. _ thank you forjoining us. thank you for having me, frankie. you're - for having me, frankie. you're welcome- _ for having me, frankie. you're welcome. how— for having me, frankie. you're welcome. how are _ for having me, frankie. you're welcome. how are you - for having me, frankie. you're welcome. how are you finding | for having me, frankie. you're - welcome. how are you finding things? are you seeking this rise in people asking for help? it’s are you seeking this rise in people asking for help?— are you seeking this rise in people asking for help? it's been crazy. in the ast asking for help? it's been crazy. in the past 12 — asking for help? it's been crazy. in the past 12 months, _ asking for help? it's been crazy. in the past 12 months, inflation - asking for help? it's been crazy. in the past 12 months, inflation has. the past 12 months, inflation has gone up by 9%, food prices skyrocketing, nobody can essentially buy food any more all the things they like any more, they are having to choose between paying bills, paying the rent, buying groceries, which should never be the case to anyone. i know some people who have had to cut down to one meal a day, which is honestly shocking and something that no one should ever have to go through. there is honestly so much going on that we need to unpack.— need to unpack. let's start unpack it a bit. need to unpack. let's start unpack it a bit- we've _ need to unpack. let's start unpack it a bit. we've been _ need to unpack. let's start unpack it a bit. we've been through - it a bit. we've been through hardship, talk to me about what that was like, especially at university. and currently studying at university in france, the british institute

with the campus in france, we've had to look at lots of things like the cost of travel, we pay £9,000 a year which is appalling if you had to add on hundreds to pay expenses such as getting to and from campus. it's appalling. i also understand that 20 years ago universities were mostly free for people and so it's easy to see why our plight has been unheard and looked over because this government is run by people who have never experienced having to pay £9,000, take out student loans, grants or asking for extra financial help. i know that our university currently has a grant that offers £800 but some universities don't and

a lot of students at choosing to study at universities that do offer grants in order to help their own academic careers, but this might essentially take away from their own ambitions in the long run. i think it's time for the government to generally take action. food prices are increasing, we can't afford it. it's appalling. we are having to take up to two jobs, it's taking away from our education which no one would like to do generally stop what you mentioned a few things but what do you think, how do you think this could be prevented? how could students be helped? it's honestly tricky. food, transport, living costs, the maintenance loan is meant to cover that but inflation has made it that we are having to find other sources of income to fund our student lifestyle. if we can get food prices to a point where it's

affordable for everyone, it would be perfect. a lot of problems would be solved, notjust for perfect. a lot of problems would be solved, not just for students perfect. a lot of problems would be solved, notjust for students but for people who are experiencing hardships post—pandemic. for people who are experiencing hardships post-pandemic. thank you ve much, hardships post-pandemic. thank you very much. nasra — hardships post-pandemic. thank you very much, nasra roble. _ now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. it still feels cooler in the breeze but we finished the day with outbreaks of rain, spending quite widely across northern ireland. persistent for a while then spreading into parts of central, southern scotland, northern england, wales and the south—west any showery as it goes. further south it will stay dry over night with clear skies and sunny spells into the morning. temperatures around 11—12. it should stay dry through the day across east anglia and the south—east but this were the south—east but this weather

front will slide out of northern england, north and west wales. get close towards the south—east by the end of the afternoon. occasional showers and that could affect silverstone. the cricket at edgbaston as well. more persistent rain in northern scotland. as for sunday, a brighter day with fewer showers and dry are still on monday but cool in the breeze across the north. this is bbc news. i'm frankie mccamley. the headlines: downing street insist borisjohnson was not aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party after allegations he groped two men at a private members' club. former tory mp neil parish, who lost the whip after watching porn in parliament, is among them. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due

to covid—related staff sickness as cases across the uk jump by 32% in a week. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre here's ben. it isa it is a very good time at wimbledon? it is a very good time at wimbledon? it is a very good afternoon at wimbledon. if you are heather watson! let's head straight there. it's been a good friday so far for the brits, and it's been an historic day for heather watson?— and it's been an historic day for heather watson? yes, for the first time in her — heather watson? yes, for the first time in her career _ heather watson? yes, for the first time in her career she _ heather watson? yes, for the first time in her career she is _ heather watson? yes, for the first time in her career she is into - heather watson? yes, for the first time in her career she is into the l time in her career she is into the last 16 of a grand slam. she has had to play every single day of the championships so far because her first and second round matches were played across two days because she was last up on court and we have had rain pretty much every day of the championships so far. but she was first up today and got the job done in straight sets as it turned out

against kaja juvan. the first set was a close one, both exchanging some good shots. heather watson consistent throughout, and the first set in the end went to a tie—break. heather watson had more set points, she didn't take her first or second attempt at them, but did get herself over the line in the first set against kaja juvan, a player ranked higher than heather watson. in the second said she was running away with it, she was 5—0 up. juvan staged what looked like a mini comeback but it was too little, too late, and watson got herself over the line in straight sets. it's been an emotional yearfor the line in straight sets. it's been an emotional year for her. the line in straight sets. it's been an emotional yearfor her. she herself has been saying she is thrilled to be in the last 16. herself has been saying she is thrilled to be in the last16. it thrilled to be in the last 16. it wouldn't be me if there wasn't a bit of drama _ wouldn't be me if there wasn't a bit of drama at— wouldn't be me if there wasn't a bit of drama at the end! and wow, what an atmosphere. there is nowhere i

would _ an atmosphere. there is nowhere i would rather make... applause you guys are what got me over the line at the end but i felt like she was playing her best tennis at the end. j was playing her best tennis at the end. ., . ., , was playing her best tennis at the end. ._ �* was playing her best tennis at the end. .,y �* ., was playing her best tennis at the end. .,y ., .,, end. i actually wasn't that nervous, but es, end. i actually wasn't that nervous, but yes. first _ end. i actually wasn't that nervous, but yes, first time _ end. i actually wasn't that nervous, but yes, first time in _ end. i actually wasn't that nervous, but yes, first time in the _ end. i actually wasn't that nervous, but yes, first time in the fourth - but yes, first time in the fourth round, — but yes, first time in the fourth round, i'm _ but yes, first time in the fourth round, i'm so happy.— but yes, first time in the fourth round, i'm so happy. very happy heather watson. _ round, i'm so happy. very happy heather watson. also _ round, i'm so happy. very happy heather watson. also happy - round, i'm so happy. very happy| heather watson. also happy here round, i'm so happy. very happy. heather watson. also happy here is ons jabeur, one of the most popular players on the men's and women's tour. the north africa woman representing notjust tunisia but the arab world. no other player from that part of the world has been as high as number two in the world which is where she is now. taking on diane parry on the centre court, she hasn't dropped a set throughout the championships and that continues for ons jabeur. you wouldn't bet against her as a serious contender for the title. ., ., ., ~ title. on centre court novak d'okovic title. on centre court novak djokovic is _ title. on centre court novak djokovic is playing _ title. on centre court novak djokovic is playing at - title. on centre court novak djokovic is playing at the - title. on centre court novak- djokovic is playing at the moment and later on we have cameron norrie as well? we and later on we have cameron norrie as well? ~ ., �* ,

as well? we have, so the british fans have _ as well? we have, so the british fans have seen _ as well? we have, so the british fans have seen heather- as well? we have, so the british fans have seen heather watson| as well? we have, so the british - fans have seen heather watson reach the last 16 for the first time in her career, now can cameron norrie do the same? it will get the british prime time andy murray slot this friday. he will be playing steve johnson, the american, the same guy who put out ryan peniston in the last round. cam norrie has been looking really good on the grass, many people wondering when he would make the step up. he has all the potential to reach the last eight. one man who we are not expecting to just reach the last eight but the final itself if not when the whole thing was novak djokovic, looking supreme in his second—round match. he is playing his fellow countryman of serbia, miomir kecmanovic. novak djokovic overwhelmingly in charge of this one. he took his first set 6—0. in the second set, 6—3 and it looks to be going with serve in the third set. miomir kecmanovic on the board

in the third set, but novak djokovic feels like he's back to the swing of things on that service on the centre court. not beating here since 2017, sailing through surely to the next round. it sailing through surely to the next round. ., ., ., sailing through surely to the next round. ., ., ~ we're into the afternoon session, of england's opening day of their fifth test against india, at edgbaston. james anderson, back in the side, has been back to his best. three wickets for him. and two for matthew potts... radio 5 live has commentary of that one. liverpool no seller has committed his future to liverpool. he was in his final year but has now signed a deal with the club until

2025. he said it was a happy day for everyone —— mo salah. it is one of those bumper sporting weekends. second practice is under way at formula one. plus the tour de france is underway today. it's a time trial and you can follow all the latest online. you can get more on the website. then, thank you. let's get more now on our top story. opposition parties are calling for a conservative mp to be suspended by his party at westminster after allegations that he groped two men at a private club. chris pincher, who was responsible for party discipline, resigned from the government last night, saying he had "embarrassed himself". i'm joined now by the labour mpjess phillips. thank you so much forjoining us this afternoon. he has resigned, isn't that enough? h0. this afternoon. he has resigned, isn't that enough?—

isn't that enough? no, it's not enou:h. isn't that enough? no, it's not enough- this _ isn't that enough? no, it's not enough. this is _ isn't that enough? no, it's not enough. this is a _ isn't that enough? no, it's not enough. this is a man - isn't that enough? no, it's not enough. this is a man who - isn't that enough? no, it's not| enough. this is a man who will isn't that enough? no, it's not - enough. this is a man who will still be in westminster. he hasn't resigned as an mp, my members of staff still have to work in the same building as this man. borisjohnson shouldn't be waiting for people to say i'm sorry, i embarrassed myself, which is interesting terminology for groping somebody, i don't think it is an embarrassment, i think it is criminal. but the issue does not rest, and borisjohnson should take the weight off him immediately. find the weight off him immediately. and take the weight of him, do you think there should be an investigation into this as well? at}?! there should be an investigation into this as well?— there should be an investigation into this as well? of course there should be, _ into this as well? of course there should be, but— into this as well? of course there should be, but not _ into this as well? of course there should be, but notjust _ into this as well? of course there should be, but notjust an - should be, but notjust an investigation into this, an investigation into this, an investigation into this, an investigation into how chris pincher ended up as the deputy chief whip in the first place. borisjohnson is today claiming he had no idea about any allegations or problems with chris pincher, apart from the fact this is the second time chris pincher has had to resign from a position in the whip's office over claims of sexual misdemeanours and

sexual harassment. so it's funny that boris johnson sexual harassment. so it's funny that borisjohnson didn't know, and if he didn't know he would have been the only person in westminster who didn't know. it the only person in westminster who didn't know-— didn't know. it was found that he didn't know. it was found that he didn't break— didn't know. it was found that he didn't break the _ didn't know. it was found that he didn't break the ministerial- didn't know. it was found that he didn't break the ministerial code | didn't know. it was found that he l didn't break the ministerial code of conduct there, but what do you think downing street should do next? i think downing street has to start an investigation, and while it is ongoing, without doubt chris pincher has to have the whip removed from him. if downing street do that, the conservative members who are continually members of parliament who are continually having their barty, not a barty i support but a barty, not a barty i support but a barty i think it used to have good standing, dragged through the mod should do whatever they can to make sure the prime minister does the right thing. if he doesn't do the right thing. if he doesn't do the right thing, they should get rid of him. ., ,., right thing, they should get rid of him. ., , ., , right thing, they should get rid of him. ., , ., ., ., , him. there also been allegations in the labour party. _ him. there also been allegations in the labour party. do _ him. there also been allegations in the labour party. do you _ him. there also been allegations in the labour party. do you think - him. there also been allegations in the labour party. do you think this| the labour party. do you think this is a westminster wide issue? it is. is a westminster wide issue? it is, and it is a countrywide _

is a westminster wide issue? it is, and it is a countrywide issue, - is a westminsterwide issue? it 3 and it is a countrywide issue, but in the labour party, and i know because i was in almost every single one of the conversations, i don't sit here and pretend this is a problem across every political spectrum, but what we did in the labour party was to instigate rules about independent investigations and make sure this wouldn't happen. i can guarantee chris pincher would have had the whip removed from him if he was a labour mp. but boris johnson is his friend and will prop him up. johnson is his friend and will prop him u -. . ~ johnson is his friend and will prop him u. ., ~ i. johnson is his friend and will prop himu. ., , . johnson is his friend and will prop himu. . , . ., johnson is his friend and will prop himu. ., , . ., , him up. thank you very much. that is the labour— him up. thank you very much. that is the labour mp _ him up. thank you very much. that is the labour mp jess _ him up. thank you very much. that is the labour mp jess phillips _ him up. thank you very much. that is the labour mp jess phillips for - him up. thank you very much. that is the labour mp jess phillips for us. i with me is sienna rodgers, senior writer at house magazine, and tony grew parliamentary journalist. tony, your reaction. it's another shocking revelation of an mp

misbehaving, another sexual impropriety, and i'm actually really shocked that the conservative party haven't consistently applied their own rules. neil parish is no longer a conservative mp pending an investigation and then he resigned. downing street's line seems to be chris pincher sexually harassed and assaulted two people last night but apparently he has apologised so that makes it ok and we need to draw a line under it, classic line from the government, and move on. what i find interesting is it is conservative members of parliament expressing their unhappiness with the fact chris pincher has been allowed to just resign and not have the whip suspended or withdrawn from him. it's actually female conservative mps who are making some of the running in that. caroline bradley and caroline noakes, both senior members of the conservative party, have both written to the publicity about that i believe today. neil

parish himself has been on television questioning this double standard. this is a consistent issue with the government, is they don't think the rules apply to them. i remember when mr harrison was found to have broken the rules and they recommended the government look at it again undermining the entire process of standards in the house of commons. so it's not the best first day back in britain for the prime minister. , , , , ., minister. just bringing you in, sienna, minister. just bringing you in, sienna. do — minister. just bringing you in, sienna, do you _ minister. just bringing you in, sienna, do you agree - minister. just bringing you in, sienna, do you agree this - minister. just bringing you in, sienna, do you agree this is l minister. just bringing you in, - sienna, do you agree this is double standards? i sienna, do you agree this is double standards? ~ , , sienna, do you agree this is double standards? ~' , , ., standards? i think the issue here at the moment — standards? i think the issue here at the moment is _ standards? i think the issue here at the moment is particularly - standards? i think the issue here at the moment is particularly that - standards? i think the issue here at the moment is particularly that neil parish— the moment is particularly that neil parish has— the moment is particularly that neil parish has set a new standard. if an mp does— parish has set a new standard. if an mp does anything equal to or worse than watching porn in the commons chamber— than watching porn in the commons chamber and than watching porn in the commons chamberand is named than watching porn in the commons chamber and is named publicly, then the mp_ chamber and is named publicly, then the mp should have the whip suspended and then should resign. that is— suspended and then should resign. that is the — suspended and then should resign. that is the standard that has now been _ that is the standard that has now been set — that is the standard that has now been set. chris pincher not having the whip _ been set. chris pincher not having the whip removed so far is creating an awful—

the whip removed so far is creating an awful lot— the whip removed so far is creating an awful lot of bad feeling within the conservative party as well as a westminster more widely, both among senlar— westminster more widely, both among senior women as tony was mentioning there like _ senior women as tony was mentioning there like karen bradley and caroline _ there like karen bradley and caroline noakes, but also among those _ caroline noakes, but also among those who— caroline noakes, but also among those who think it is indefensible politically because they don't know whym _ politically because they don't know why... they know why people are probably— why... they know why people are probably being treated differently, because, you know, chris pincher appears _ because, you know, chris pincher appears to— because, you know, chris pincher appears to be a very strong ally of the prime — appears to be a very strong ally of the prime minister's and defended him, the prime minister's and defended him. but _ the prime minister's and defended him. but it— the prime minister's and defended him, but it creates real uncertainty and concern — him, but it creates real uncertainty and concern about borisjohnson's political— and concern about borisjohnson's politicaljudgment. the fact that he is allowing or even causing essentially the inevitable because everyone — essentially the inevitable because everyone in westminster thinks chris pincher— everyone in westminster thinks chris pincher will— everyone in westminster thinks chris pincher will eventually have the whip _ pincher will eventually have the whip removed, he is causing that inevitable — whip removed, he is causing that inevitable kind of course of action to be _ inevitable kind of course of action to be delayed because of this ally ship _ to be delayed because of this ally ship it— to be delayed because of this ally ship. it seems as if that is a big mistake — ship. it seems as if that is a big mistake on— ship. it seems as if that is a big mistake on so many levels according to conservative mps. find mistake on so many levels according to conservative mps.— to conservative mps. and 'ust on that, we

to conservative mps. and 'ust on that. we fl to conservative mps. and 'ust on that, we are looking h to conservative mps. and 'ust on that, we are looking at h to conservative mps. and 'ust on that, we are looking at a h to conservative mps. and just on that, we are looking at a lot - to conservative mps. and just on that, we are looking at a lot of i that, we are looking at a lot of different levels here and this goes to the top. tony, do you think boris johnson is safe? ida. to the top. tony, do you think boris johnson is safe?— to the top. tony, do you think boris johnson is safe? no, absolutely not. i remember— johnson is safe? no, absolutely not. i remember a _ johnson is safe? no, absolutely not. i remember a couple _ johnson is safe? no, absolutely not. i remember a couple of _ johnson is safe? no, absolutely not. i remember a couple of months - johnson is safe? no, absolutely not. i remember a couple of months ago | i remember a couple of months ago the prime minister said he was confident he would be prime minister in six months. when a prime minister says things like that, they are probably not going to be. there are a third of conservative mps who never wanted him as leader, but there are a third who are deeply wedded to his leadership, principally because they feel they owe their seats to him, but the barty has been very unhappy notjust about partygate and the perception the prime minister has been less than honest both with the british public and with parliament but also there has been issues over policy direction the government is taking. the government introduced its northern ireland legacy and reconciliation bill into parliament this week. no northern ireland barty supports that but most importantly

most of the tory backbenchers completely condemned it. there was just a general... borisjohnson's big selling point is that he is unlike any other politician, that he can directly connect with the voters. wejust can directly connect with the voters. we just had two by—elections last week in which the conservative party lost. wakefield was to be expected but we also lost tippett and one of their safest seats. honington and tiverton. the two by—elections make it less of a credible argument for his continuing leadership. credible argument for his continuing leadershi -. ,, ., credible argument for his continuing leadershi. ,, ., ., ., ., leadership. sienna, another dent for the conservatives. _ leadership. sienna, another dent for the conservatives. what _ leadership. sienna, another dent for the conservatives. what are - leadership. sienna, another dent for the conservatives. what are your - the conservatives. what are your thoughts? is borisjohnson safe? i don't think we can say he is safe. boris _ don't think we can say he is safe. borisjohnson won the don't think we can say he is safe. boris johnson won the confidence vote recently but it was a poor result — vote recently but it was a poor result and _ vote recently but it was a poor result and this 1922 committee, the committee — result and this 1922 committee, the committee that oversees confidence votes _ committee that oversees confidence votes and _ committee that oversees confidence votes and leadership elections in

the conservative party, there is no codified _ the conservative party, there is no codified rule book for them, they have _ codified rule book for them, they have lots— codified rule book for them, they have lots of flexibility in their rules — have lots of flexibility in their rules. there is a role there is a 12 month— rules. there is a role there is a 12 month grace _ rules. there is a role there is a 12 month grace period between confidence votes but it was nearly reduced _ confidence votes but it was nearly reduced to — confidence votes but it was nearly reduced to six months under theresa may they— reduced to six months under theresa may they held a vote on it but they persuaded — may they held a vote on it but they persuaded her to stand down so they didn't— persuaded her to stand down so they didn't have _ persuaded her to stand down so they didn't have to count the ballots of the vote _ didn't have to count the ballots of the vote but it was very nearly changed _ the vote but it was very nearly changed. so you cannot say he is safe from — changed. so you cannot say he is safe from another confidence vote at the moment. ithink safe from another confidence vote at the moment. i think right now his being _ the moment. i think right now his being saved by the fact the conservative party is so deeply divided. — conservative party is so deeply divided, that some believe it is ungovernable and would be more so under— ungovernable and would be more so under any— ungovernable and would be more so underany other ungovernable and would be more so under any other leader. but the more there _ under any other leader. but the more there are _ under any other leader. but the more there are unforced errors such as today— there are unforced errors such as today with — there are unforced errors such as today with chris pincher, more mess around _ today with chris pincher, more mess around that, — today with chris pincher, more mess around that, around disciplinary issues _ around that, around disciplinary issues and _ around that, around disciplinary issues and the lack of disciplinary action— issues and the lack of disciplinary action there, but also the pressure that comes — action there, but also the pressure that comes from the cost of living crisis _ that comes from the cost of living crisis and — that comes from the cost of living crisis and whether that was handled well or— crisis and whether that was handled well or whether they keep announcing new measures that don't seem to be enough _ new measures that don't seem to be enough each time and then they have

to make _ enough each time and then they have to make a _ enough each time and then they have to make a new announcement. all these _ to make a new announcement. all these things accumulate and more pressure _ these things accumulate and more pressure is — these things accumulate and more pressure is going to build. i think certainly— pressure is going to build. i think certainly after summer recess, that conservative confidence, there is a lot of— conservative confidence, there is a lot of pressure on that. it will have — lot of pressure on that. it will have to — lot of pressure on that. it will have to be _ lot of pressure on that. it will have to be impressive and going to have to be impressive and going to have to _ have to be impressive and going to have to be — have to be impressive and going to have to be more thanjust a message from the _ have to be more thanjust a message from the lord emir zelensky supporting borisjohnson i think for that pressure on him to be alleviated.— that pressure on him to be alleviated. �* �* ., _ ., alleviated. and boris johnson will be t in: alleviated. and boris johnson will be trying to _ alleviated. and boris johnson will be trying to move _ alleviated. and boris johnson will be trying to move this _ alleviated. and boris johnson will. be trying to move this conversation on, the cost of living crisis, ukraine. do you think you can get past this? he ukraine. do you think you can get ast this? ., , ., , ., ~ past this? he wants to be talking about ukraine _ past this? he wants to be talking about ukraine because _ past this? he wants to be talking about ukraine because he - past this? he wants to be talking about ukraine because he clearlyj past this? he wants to be talking - about ukraine because he clearly has formed _ about ukraine because he clearly has formed a _ about ukraine because he clearly has formed a good relationship with zelensky. it's important to him and strong, _ zelensky. it's important to him and strong, but — zelensky. it's important to him and strong, but uk inflation is right now higher than it's ever been in my life and _ now higher than it's ever been in my life and it _ now higher than it's ever been in my life and it has hit a 40 year high. food _ life and it has hit a 40 year high. food prices— life and it has hit a 40 year high. food prices are surging which is partly— food prices are surging which is partly due — food prices are surging which is partly due to ukraine. and pay also failing _

partly due to ukraine. and pay also failing to _ partly due to ukraine. and pay also failing to keep up with inflation, so we _ failing to keep up with inflation, so we will— failing to keep up with inflation, so we will probably see more threats of industrial action, notjust in the rail— of industrial action, notjust in the rail sector but in all other sectors _ the rail sector but in all other sectors. all of these kind of, you know. _ sectors. all of these kind of, you know. boris— sectors. all of these kind of, you know, borisjohnson was sectors. all of these kind of, you know, boris johnson was talked about v shaped _ know, boris johnson was talked about v shaped economic recovery. that's not what _ v shaped economic recovery. that's not what is — v shaped economic recovery. that's not what is happening. food prices are going _ not what is happening. food prices are going up, pay is not keeping up with inflation, and with all of these — with inflation, and with all of these pressures it's not possible to keep the _ these pressures it's not possible to keep the conversation on what boris johnson _ keep the conversation on what boris johnson needs to be talking about. tony. _ johnson needs to be talking about. tony. do— johnson needs to be talking about. tony, do you think he can move the conversation on? the tony, do you think he can move the conversation on?— tony, do you think he can move the conversation on? the prime minister has not conversation on? the prime minister has got some — conversation on? the prime minister has got some powers _ conversation on? the prime minister has got some powers and _ conversation on? the prime minister has got some powers and by - conversation on? the prime minister has got some powers and by the - conversation on? the prime minister has got some powers and by the way it's notjust about has got some powers and by the way it's not just about the 1922 committee. if the cabinet decided to remove him as prime minister, they could. the prime minister can now, because of a change in the law, call a general election whenever he wants. there is a small possibility parliament will going to summer recess in three weeks and never come back. it could be dissolved over the summer and we could have a —— an

election as early as september. it is something to keep in mind, he could basically turn to his party say "i'm going to go to the country". say "i'm going to go to the countrv'-— it is 25 years since britain ended its rule in hong kong and handed the colony back to china. since that handover, critics have accused china of stifling freedom in hong kong and suppressing opposition. but china's president, xijinping, says his country has brought true democracy to the territory. he's been visiting hong kong to swear in its new leader. from there, martin yip reports. a day of celebration under bad weather. just like 25 years ago when britain returned hong kong to china. beijing promised then to keep the one country, two system principle for at least 50 years, after the 1997 handover, meaning hong kong would remain part of china but be free to govern itself.

lord patten was the last governor of hong kong and was at the handover ceremony in 1997. he told the bbc that china broke its promise. the words i spoke then saying it was now hong kong's destiny 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. it has now been turned into a police state. in the past few years, beijing has cracked down on dissent in hong kong, introducing a national security law in 2020 that critics say has stifled free speech. pro—democracy news outlets have also been shut down and a zero—covid policy makes life here uneasy. there are those who are pro—beijing who are happy. and those who are very, very anguished and worried or even scared. and there are thousands

of people, including members of my party, in prison. despite a recent overhaul of the election system, the incoming leaderjohn lee was the only candidate to run in this race. today's ceremonies marked president xi's first steps outside mainland china for nearly two and a half years since the start of the pandemic. you can't quite control the weather, but in beijing's perspective, today's all about regaining control over hong kong, and about the great rejuvenation of the chinese race, and that is what president xi jinping has been talking about. translation: the practice of one country, two systems, _ has achieved the success in hong kong recognised by all since its return to the motherland. president xi will be hoping his visit convinces hong kongers and the world that stability on these shores following his crackdown in hong kong, and that it will usher in a revival of the global financial

centres�*s bruised economy. martin yip, bbc news, hong kong. to afghanistan now, where the taliban is holding a summit of religious leaders from around the country in the capital kabul. the group's leader told the all—male gathering that an islamic system had been achieved in afghanistan with many sacrifices, referring to taliban seizing power in kabul last august. more on this from our south asia correspondent yogita limaye, who spoke to afghan activist and doctor naila mirza in kabul and began by asking what she wanted from the international community. as a woman, as a woman, you know, suffering one complete year in this society, in this community

with these new guys, as a woman i wish to say that the world should not recognise these people. but if the world doesn't recognise them, do you think that will make any difference? i think that the pressure will change things. the pressure upon these guys. the pressure will make them to act a little bit differently. in the women rights area, in the young girls area, in the part of working women. they will act different. you know, there is a saying that we should look at their actions, not their words. since now they have talked too much, but they have showed different actions. this is not ok. do you think the international community is doing enough for afghan women? i personally think that afghanistan has, you know, everyone has forget about this country. they are bored of us. and we all should not forget the women and girls behind because we are the victims. every government come and go, and we are the only victims

in the men's war. there is a big gathering of the taliban under way in kabul. no women have been included in the meeting. how do you feel about that? of course, this is our right. this is every woman, every political woman's right to speak for herself, to speak for the other women, and to, you know, just talk about her own and the other women's right and has a role in the country's future, to have a role in country's, you know, educationalfuture, political future. but i want to have hope. i want to, you know, keep faith in this. but it looks very hard sometimes. it looks very difficult to keep hope in this situation and to, you know, to wish for the best, because it's very obvious that they are treating women like trash. we need educated, you know, people, educated men,

educated women in this government for the future of this country, for rebuilding this country. we need educated people. and we clearly can see that they are trying to erase women, educated women. it looks like they don't need us in this country. i think that this country belongs to women as well. a man accused of murdering a woman in a street attack in east london has appeared at the old bailey. 35—year—old zara aleena was walking in ilford, ten minutes from her home, when she was attacked in the early hours of sunday. this morning herfamily paid tribute to her fearlessness and independence. jon donnison reports. zara aleena, the latest young woman to be killed on the streets of london. all week people have been paying tribute to the 35—year—old law graduate, described by herfriends as soft, gentle and a lifeline to her family.

this morning they spoke publicly for the first time since she died. zara was incredibly giving, supportive, insightful as to what people needed around her, empathic and fearless. she had... the one word that would describe zara, if i had to use one word, i would say independent. that was what she valued more than anything, her independence. zara, heraunt said, was as happy as she'd ever been, having just started a newjob at the royal courts ofjustice in central london. she made herself at home wherever she was. so wherever zara walked, it was home, that was home for her, because she knew everybody. hundreds of people that

have come to our house, that have called us, that have sent a letter saying, "you don't know me but we knew zara." police are continuing to appeal for any potential witnesses to come forward. this morning a 29—year—old man, jordan mcsweeney, from dagenham, was remanded in custody after a court hearing in london. he's been charged with the murder, attempted rape and robbery of zara aleena. jon donnison, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. another day of ever—changing and at times fairly dramatic skies out there, sunshine and showers across a good part of the uk. this area of cloud bringing persistent rain, particularly across shetland, you have cloud cover gathering in the west tomorrow, but the speckled nature of the cloud an indication that we see showers around quite widely, continuing into the evening. heaviest across eastern areas, further rumbles of thunder and a little bit on the cool side when the showers push in.

a wet end to the day though in northern ireland. those outbreaks of rain spreading across scotland into northern england, wales and south—west into the night and the morning. south and east of that should stay dry once evening showers have cleared, and temperatures widely in double figures to start saturday. a lot of cloud around for saturday. we have got this weather feature across the country. with feature across the country. it, a bit more breeze ar the cool front itself will lie through yorkshire down towards the south—west, it could take all day before it reaches wimbledon so optimistic that very few interruptions expected on saturday for play there. but the front itself will reach the grand prix circuit at silverstone and we could see some showers for the qualifying throughout saturday afternoon. here it is to start the day. it will work its way south and east. a lovely bright start before the cloud gradually increases. turning to sunshine and showers for northern england and wales, scotland and northern ireland. cloudiest in the far north of scotland, we'll see outbreaks of rain all day long

coming and going. more of a breeze further south and that weather front will make it to east anglia and south east as we head towards evening. a cool day for this stage injuly, especially in the breeze and showers. the breeze helps push those weather fronts on as we go through the night into sunday. still the dregs of one though across the country on sunday bringing cloud and showery rain eastwards across england and wales, but more of you will be dry on sunday, a better chance of sunny spells. cloudiest in the highlands and islands of scotland. and we will have more of the breeze on sunday with a few showers dotted around. 13, 14 degrees, feeling warmer than saturday the further south and east you go. next week, high pressure will start to push in. lots of cloud and a few showers around, sunnier and warmer the further south and east you go.

this is bbc news — i'm ben brown. the headlines at 5:00. downing street insists borisjohnson was not aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party, after allegations he groped two men at a private members' club. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due to covid related staff sickness — as cases across the uk jump by 32% in a week. lots of staff are off, and that's creating lots of problems that we can't open wards, we don't have enough beds to look after the patients that are coming through, and this is translating into lots of people, the hospitals being full. police officers in scotland — will stop carrying out extra,

unpaid work from five o'clock today — unless ordered to do so,