this is bbc news. the headlines... christopher pincher is suspended from the conservative party after allegations of sexual assault. 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. uk supreme court will rule whether to ban protests outside abortion clinics. the man accused of murder in london appears at the old bailey. coming up in half an hour and ciders

view of events in the uk and around the world in dateline. the conservative party has suspended the mp chris pincher, who stood down from his government role following allegations he assaulted two men at a private members club on wednesday night. he quit his post yesterday, saying in a resignation letter he "drank far too much". two senior female conservative mps, caroline noakes and karen bradley, had joined labour in calling for his suspension from the party — and said there should be a new code of conduct for mp's. with the latest from westminster here's our correspondent nick eardley.

last night chris pincher resigned his government role after allegations that he had grouped two men. he had been drinking here, a private scope in london, with other conservative politicians. he admitted drinking too much and said he had embarrassed himself. we take over the things _ he had embarrassed himself. we take over the things incredibly _ he had embarrassed himself. we take over the things incredibly serious. - over the things incredibly serious. i first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again. we need to make sure we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. the things properly from the point of view of the victims.— view of the victims. the prime minister was _ view of the victims. the prime minister was back _ view of the victims. the prime minister was back in _ view of the victims. the prime minister was back in downing | view of the victims. the prime - minister was back in downing street today meeting the new zealand premiere. numberio insisted boris johnson had not been aware of specific allegations about mr pincher when he was promoted earlier

this year. but a conservative mp said concerns had been raised with downing street. chris pincher was one of the conservative mps who helped boris johnson one of the conservative mps who helped borisjohnson keep hisjob earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of grouping emerged last night there was considerable pressure from senior tories for a zero tolerance approach. tonight it was confirmed mr peintre would be suspended from the tory party and parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said... some parliamentary staff have raised concerns about general allegations not being taken seriously enough. henry and angus both work for mps. as a staff in permanent we know about these rumours and who these

people are and receiving mucking around every day. if we now they have been doing these things, how do we know it is a safe place to work? no one was to work in a workplace where _ no one was to work in a workplace where those around you more senior than you _ where those around you more senior than you are — where those around you more senior than you are accused of quite serious — than you are accused of quite serious misconduct.— than you are accused of quite serious misconduct. after having the web susnended _ serious misconduct. after having the web suspended chris _ serious misconduct. after having the web suspended chris pincher- serious misconduct. after having the web suspended chris pincher is - serious misconduct. after having the web suspended chris pincher is now| web suspended chris pincher is now sitting as an independent mp. the behaviour of elected representatives is in the spotlight again. the number of people catching covid is on the rise again in the uk. with little testing going on — the most reliable way to find out how many people have coronavirus is from the weekly survey by the office for national statistics. and the latest estimates today suggest the numbers havejumped by almost a third in a week, to two—point—three million. our health editor hugh pym has the details. there are further sharp increases in covid infections, driven by variants of omicron known

as baa and ba5 which spread more rapidly. case rates rose in all the uk's nations, with scotland still the highest. but if you look back at previous covid numbers, the latest level of infections is still less than half what it was in march, and lower than january. so where will it go from here? portugal had a big rise in infection, that is coming down, the second feature may be to do with our behaviour and interaction with many schools are about to break up, they have done so in scotland, and we will see that elsewhere in the uk, and we have seen when schools are on holiday, just because of the interactions we have,

that over that holiday period the infection rates may go down. total numbers have gone up, the most up—to—date figures are for england, there are currentlyjust under 9,000 covid patients, some are there because of another health issue, that is still below april's number of over 16,500. nhs staff say the virus is making life more difficult at a time of high pressure. health care workers are vulnerable to pick up covid 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, where what we are seeing is lots of staff are off. that is creating problems that we don't have enough beds to look after patients coming through. vaccines are continuing including at this centre at bath racecourse. health officials are urging those who qualified for a second booster to come forward. in the autumn, those aged 65 and over are set to get a fourth dose, they have been calls for that to be reduced to 50. officials want to stress that

covid hasn't gone away, and their message is it is sensible to use hand gel, and wear a face covering, in crowded indoor spaces. abortion in northern ireland was decriminalised more than two years ago, but services are still limited and last year more than 160 women still flew to england for terminations. many who choose to have abortions in northern ireland have to contend with protestors as they arrive at clinics. later this month the uk's supreme court will decide whether or not to ban such protests amid calls for more protection for staff and women who use abortion clinics. here's our ireland correspondent, emma vardy. have mercy on us and on the whole world. a prayer and a protest. this has become a regular sight outside some of northern ireland's main hospitals. they're here because daisy

hill hospital in newry provides a clinic for women to access abortion services. what we have found, and what people have told us, is that it's really intimidating coming up to these gates. fiona and cara have started a voluntary service to chaperone women in. if you were going in there to access any sort of treatment — this is a multiuse site, it's intimidating and harassing. people who are going in for counselling after having miscarriages and stillbirths, and then are met by graphic images. more than 100 women a year from northern ireland still fly to england to access abortions. despite the change in the law here, only limited services have been set up. those that do access clinics often encounter protesters. you don't want to be confronted by men, some women, but mostly men, who are pushing placards in yourface, who are praying at you. the anti—abortion protests also take

place at ashleigh topley�*s local hospital in craigavon. she was denied an abortion after being told here her baby wouldn't survive. those appointments, when i was here, some of them were very very difficult any way, and had i had to run the gauntlet of protesters just prior to that appointment, it would have made them even worse. because abortion had not yet been decriminalised, ashleigh had to continue with the pregnancy. having to go through the trauma of waiting and waiting and waiting, like that was just hardship, unnecessary hardship on top of the most awful period of our lives. so many times i feel like marching down there to say, listen, this is what happened to me, for those people that need to have abortions. it is just so cruel. so cruel. the supreme court ruling in america, which overturned women's right to an abortion, has re—energised campaigns on both sides of the argument here. northern ireland's new law to create safe spaces,

so—called exclusion zones, outside clinics and hospitals has been referred to the uk's supreme court. if the exclusion zone legislation goes through, groups like this would be required to move some 100 metres or so away from the entrance to a hospital or a clinic. but there is also questions over whether this conflicts with legislation around human rights and the right to free speech. what do you think this actually achieves? we are informing the public. john mitchel place in newry ran an abortion clinic there. it's closed, because we were there. but do you think about how women feel, who walk in through these doors? yes. they may have already been dealing with the fact their baby is not going to survive. a sign like "abortion is murder", how does that help them? because it is murder. it is a living part of life. the women that are coming here are already in trauma. doesn't this make it worse? no, no, because they have a decision to make — do they have their baby,

or do they murder their baby? that is the question. is this compassion? it is compassion. it's compassion for the baby, the baby doesn't have a say, it can't shout out "i don't want to be aborted." but northern ireland's health service is expected to be compelled to provide more abortion services in future. what's now in the hands of british judges is what kind of experience women will face when they come through these gates. emma vardy, bbc news. the man accused of the murder, attempted rape and robbery of zara aleena in east london has been remanded in custody after appearing at the old bailey. jordan mcsweeney, allegedly killed the 35—year—old as she walked home from a night out in the early hours of sunday morning. today the family of the newly trained solicitor spoke of her "fearless" and "independent" spirit asjune kelly reports. zara aleena, her mother's only child and described today by her aunt

as part of a family of strong women. 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. and so, you know, she was encouraged by all of us to pursue her dreams. and at five years old, she said, i want to be a lawyer. last weekend, the life of this young woman at the start of her legal career was suddenly ended when she was attacked close to where she lived in ilford in east london, on her way home from a night out. zara was already using her legal training to help people. she worked with resettling refugees, fleeing violence. she had a really big heart. tomorrow, in the neighbourhood zara

knew so well and where her life was taken, her family and friends will lead a walk to remember her, to be a silent, somber walk. and we will hold her in our hearts. and we walk, as a woman should be allowed to, as a woman should have the entitlement to, and we walk her home. that was zara's aunt ending that report byjune kelly. joining midnight is martin lipton and emma will. ——joining me tonight. the very first editions of

the weekend papers. the headlines on bbc news... the senior conservative mp chris pincher is suspended from the party over allegations of sexual salt. doctors are whenever shortage of beds as covid cases across the uk jumped by 32% in weight. uk thinkable segment whether or not to ban protests amid close more women 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, shejin—ping, says his country has brought true democracy to the territory. he's been visiting hong kong to swear—in its new leader. our world affairs editor john simpson reports.

hong kong still seems to make the chinese leadership nervous. when president xi jinping arrived by train from the mainland yesterday, he wasn't planning to stay long. he soon retreated back into china proper to spend the night, then came back again this morning. mr xi told the hong kong people that after reuniting with the motherland they'd become masters of their own city. hong kong's true democracy started from there, he said. 25 years ago, when britain handed hong kong back to the chinese, it was richer per capita

than britain and was the most transparent economy in the world. the approach which china promised to follow was "one country, two systems", meaning hong kong would be part of china but would keep its freedoms. what do you feel when you think back 25 years ago on leaving hong kong? i was incredibly sad. i was quite proud of the way we left hong kong, but maybe slightly... a little bit deluded in thinking that the chinese would behave properly. because they haven't? i think they've behaved appallingly badly. the chinese leadership was worried that the waves of protest in hong kong might spread to the mainland. under hong kong's draconian national security law, more than 200 politicians, journalists and lawyers are now injail.

nathan law, a leading opposition figure, is in exile in britain. we're talking about a whole civil society being demolished in one and a half years, the speed of which was incredible and people were so upset about it. now hong kong is changing right in front of our eyes. the famous skyline may look the same but hundreds of thousands of people have left and they are often the best and brightest. china doesn't mind. it would much rather have a quiet, obedient hong kong than the exciting, vibrant place it used to be. john simpson, bbc news. dozens d oze ns of dozens of police officers in scotland are with refusing to work extra unpaid hours and a dispute over pay. the head of the scottish police federation with reference around 17,000 officers as insisted

public safety will not be put at risk. erin clark reports. this morning on the north of glasgow police are investigating if a woman was found unwell by the road. just another day another ship. but from five o'clock this afternoon police officers who cannot finish their shift sometime will claim overtime, instructed by their federation to claim every penny they are entitled to. even with pay talks now back on from monday federation is standing firm on this withdrawal of goodwill. we are back to the negotiating table but we do not yet have a formal offer and as a result it is pretty important our members are able to continue to demonstrate frustration. hopefully that will act as a reminder during the discussion starter hopefully kicking off on mondayjust how important notices for police officers. the mondayjust how important notices for police officers.— for police officers. the federation sa s for police officers. the federation says officers _ for police officers. the federation says officers are _ for police officers. the federation says officers are already - for police officers. the federation | says officers are already dismayed by the current pay offer of £560

around 1.4%. officers they argue who have risen to the challenge of policing massive events like cop 26 and working through the pandemic. they expect offices across scotland to report the action but sight will not affect police operations. by law they cannot take industrial action or refuse to work extra if it is needed. they will now resolutely claim cash for it. the spectre of a staggering in scotland expects the chief constable will put the bill for such overtime in line with the regulations. for such overtime in line with the regulations-_ regulations. critical thing for me is when you're — regulations. critical thing for me is when you're looking at - regulations. critical thing for me i is when you're looking at proposals by the federation does not harm the public safety? no. will it be more expensive for a period of time? potentially. but not significantly but there will be a bit of grit and a system for a while while this action is being taken. shift changes at olice action is being taken. shift changes at police stations _ action is being taken. shift changes at police stations are _ action is being taken. shift changes at police stations are excited - action is being taken. shift changes at police stations are excited to - action is being taken. shift changes at police stations are excited to be| at police stations are excited to be an example of that as officers will no longer routinely arrive a little bit early and labour little bit later to enable smooth handovers.

just hours after the action started tomorrow sees a traditionally busy time for glasgow police as it is the main dive for orange order parade through the city with thousands of marchers taking part and dozens of road closures in place. a spokesman police cotton said they do make it as the considerable goodwill that officers bring to their role and that they remain committed to finding a settlement. scottish police authority and scottish government will be were presented as negotiations and say they will await the outcome of the discussions. hence thousands of people will be marching at pride events on my part of the uk to celebrate the lgbt plus metis. it is 50 years since the gay liberation front organised its first ever bright in london hitting lightly gay rights movement. or not has been speaking to some of the

groups. it's an explosion of culture, celebration and protest. pride is back where it began with those who started it 50 years ago. the gay liberation front was formed in the early 1970s by a group of students and young activists in london demanding equality and a change in society. i was here on the first march. i was a 16—year—old who had just been thrown out of school for being gay. it was something new, it had never been done before. we were incredibly nervous, we feared arrest and gay bashing but we march defiantly. we are still here today- and in the interim we had gay marriage, civil partnerships, - legal protection, and a real change in the public's attitude - towards lgbt people and most importantly a sense of dignity we have known for ourselves. j

glf lit a spark that would burn for the next five decades, but those years also saw huge trials. like the aids crisis in the 1980s. so don't die of ignorance. and monumental milestones reached like equal marriage. the gay liberation front will lead tomorrow's parade in london. it was pride as a process that brought them together 50 years ago and that that unites them today, a fight for a quality they say it has still yet to be won and that flags are passed down to the next generation. my first pride but i think it's important to pay our respects to them because pride has become

like a big party which i understand, we have a lot to celebrate but we still have a lot to fight for. we are here, we are comfortable, |trans people and people of colourj should be able to walk around . comfortably and that is the rights we deserve wherever we are. pride has become a global movement with millions of people taking part every year, continuing the campaign for lgbt voices to be heard. lauren moss, bbc news. at 7:30pm it's dateline london, but first a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. what a busy day of sport not least to wimbledon where two stood going. cameron norrie hasjust made it through to the fourth round as we have gone to air. good evening.

british fans have had plenty to cheer at wimbledon today. earlier heather watson reached the last 16 of a slam for the first time in her career, saying the atmosphere on court one was everything. joe wilson was there for us. spot the british tennis player heading to wimbledon. is that cameron norrie? we'll see you later on centre. however you do it, keep moving. heather watson was a junior grand slam winner. ups and downs inevitably followed, but here she was at 30. striving, delivering. her greatest strength was her experience, against an up and coming slovenian opponent watson often was stretched but produced shotsjuvan could not quite believe. she's made that. wow. the first set was a tie break. the second, a celebration eventually. six—two. heather, for the first time ever, you're in the fourth round.

playing here at home in front of all of you guys, the atmosphere is... is everything. i love you too. so please, can all of you come back for my fourth round? oh, they'll be there. nearest the camera here is the woman plenty believe could become the champion. tunisia's annjabeur into round four without dropping a set. beautiful line. at 5:23, cameron norrie was walking onto centre court. he's taken influences from many countries in his life. he's won four tournaments on the world tour. he was playing a very experienced american, and stevejohnson appeared to be beatable. he's the first british man in five years

to reach the fourth round. american tommy paul awaits the in the last 16. a gripping opening day to the final test match between england and india at edgbaston, with the touring side recovering from a poor start to just about claim the upper hand. this match was rearranged from last year due to covid and after putting india in to bat, james anderson and matthew potts impressed to reduce india to 98—5. but wicketkeeper rishabh pant dazzled with some aggressive and unorthodox strokeplay to seize back control for india, before eventually departing for 146. but ravindra jadeja has stayed put to play his part in the innings and he's 83 not out, with the tourists 338—7 at close. india lead the series 2—1. after rain interrupted first practice for the british grand prix, the sun came out at silverstone for the second, with ferrari's carlos sainz quickest and some encouragement for lewis hamilton after a difficult season.

he was second fastest in his mercedes, ahead of mclaren's lando norris. championship leader max verstappen was fourth quickest, with more rain forecast for qualifying tomorrow, so it could get interesting. the 2022 tour de france is underway. slightly different location for the grand depart in copenhagen he later discarded his jacket but still finished 25 seconds of the pace. liverpool striker mo salah says it's a happy day for everyone after signing a new contract at anfield. it'll keep him at he club until 2025 — with his wages believed to be in excess of £350,000, making him the highest earner in liverpool's history. the egyptian was entering the final year of his deal with liverpool — having helped them to a domestic cup

double last season. salah is staying on merseyside, but everton's richarlison is not. he's on his way to tottenham in a deal worth up to £60 million. he'll link up with his new teammates in north london next week. in the last hour it's been confirmed that derby county are out of adminstration after property developer david clowes completed his deal to buy the league one club. the club, who were relegated from the championship after a 12 points deduction, have been in administration for nine months. clowes, a lifelong rams fan, stepped in after a proposed takeover by us businessman chris kirchener fell through. wayne rooney resigned as manager a week ago. liam rosenior has been put in interim charge. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. tonight the showers fade temporarily but more rain spreads in a

crossroads of scotland. further east he should stay dry. temperatures as low as around seven or eight. bright start. rain and drizzle from yorkshire through towards cornwall. that band pushes remittance. sometimes showers developing to the north. the northern have a scotland... outbreaks of rain and drizzle. cool for this stage of july. a little bit warmer on sunday but into next week high pressure hills with further south and east, sunnier and warmer.

hello and welcome to the programme, which brings together leading uk commentators with a foreign correspondence who wrote and broadcast to audiences back home from _ broadcast to audiences back home from the _ broadcast to audiences back home from the dateline london. this broadcast to audiences back home from the dateline london.- from the dateline london. this is our 1937 moment, _ from the dateline london. this is our 1937 moment, at _ from the dateline london. this is our 1937 moment, at least - from the dateline london. this is i our 1937 moment, at least according to general sir patrick saunders, newly appointed head of the british

army. his speech this