this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 8pm. the senior conservative mp chris pincher is suspended from the party over 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. the uk's supreme court will decide whether or not to ban protests amid calls for more protection for staff and women who use abortion clinics. a man accused of murdering a woman in a street attack in east london has appeared at the old bailey. china celebrates the 25th anniversary of taking hong kong back from britain — and claims the territory now has true democracy. coming up on tonight's news watch,

ofcom says the bbc has an impartiality. does it? jonas tonight at 8:45pm here on bbc news. —— join us tonight. good evening and welcome to bbc news. 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 mps. with the latest from

westminster here's our correspondent nick eardley. this is chris pincher. until yesterday, hisjob was this is chris pincher. until yesterday, his job was to enforce discipline among conservative mps. but last night he resigned his government role after allegations that he had groped two men. mr chris pincher had been drinking here, a private members club in london with the conservative politicians. he admitted drinking too much and said he had embarrassed himself. we take all of these things _ he had embarrassed himself. we take all of these things incredibly - all of these things incredibly seriously. nobody... my first reaction to when i heard this last night was one of sadness but here we have again in this country. it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. the prime minister was back

in downing street today, meeting new zealand's premier. will you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted borisjohnson 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 borisjohnson keep his job earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of groping emerged last night, there was considerable pressure from senior tories, for a zero—tolerance approach, and tonight it was confirmed that mr pincher would be suspended from the tory party in parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said having heard that a formal complaint has been made, the prime minister has agreed with the chief whip that the whip should be suspended from chris pincher, while the investigation is ongoing. but some parliamentary staff have raised concerns about general allegation,

not being taken seriously enough. henry and angus work for mps. as staff in parliament, we know about _ as staff in parliament, we know about these rumours and we know who these _ about these rumours and we know who these people are and we see them walking _ these people are and we see them walking around every day and, you know, _ walking around every day and, you know. if_ walking around every day and, you know. if we — walking around every day and, you know, if we know that they have been giving these _ know, if we know that they have been giving these things, how would we know_ giving these things, how would we know the _ giving these things, how would we know the there's a safe place to work? _ know the there's a safe place to work? ., ,., , know the there's a safe place to work? ., , ., , ., ., ~ know the there's a safe place to work? , ., , ., ., ~ ., work? nobody wants to work in a worklace work? nobody wants to work in a workplace where _ work? nobody wants to work in a workplace where those _ work? nobody wants to work in a workplace where those around i work? nobody wants to work in a i workplace where those around you, especially _ workplace where those around you, especially those _ workplace where those around you, especially those most _ workplace where those around you, especially those most senior- workplace where those around you, | especially those most senior venue, are accused — especially those most senior venue, are accused of— especially those most senior venue, are accused of quite _ especially those most senior venue, are accused of quite serious - are accused of quite serious misconduct _ are accused of quite serious misconduct -- _ are accused of quite serious misconduct. —— those - are accused of quite serious misconduct. —— those more| are accused of quite serious - misconduct. —— those more senior than _ misconduct. —— those more senior than you — misconduct. -- those more senior than ou. �* misconduct. -- those more senior than yon-— than you. after having the whip susnended _ than you. after having the whip suspended chris _ than you. after having the whip suspended chris pincher - than you. after having the whip suspended chris pincher is - than you. after having the whip i suspended chris pincher is lasting as an independent mp and the behaviour of elected representatives is now in the spotlight again.

nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. let's talk to our political correspondent, jonathan blake. frustrating certainly since we are now in a position many saw as inevitable and as the air was warm and it certainly seemed to be a case of when not if the decision would be taken to suspend the whip from him leaving him as effectively an independent mp in parliament. downing street clearly to attempt to draw a line under the affair after he wrote that frank letter of resignation last night the prime minister apologising for drinking too much, embarrassing himself and others, saying designing is the right thing to do. he did not in that letter addressed the claims that letter addressed the claims that he groped two other men but really questions begin almost immediately not only from labour and other opposition parties about whether it was sustainable for him to stay as a conservative mp but also privately and publicly from conservative colleagues is his who saw this as an unsustainable position and that is why i think we

are where we are this evening. a formal complaint seemingly having been made to the independent complaints and grievance scheme in parliament and the prime minister having taken the decision in discussion with the chief whip chris heaton—harris, chris pincher�*s former boss, to suspend the whip. let's speak with a former downing street adviser under david cameron, sean worth — he's in reading. thank you very much a being with us this evening. yet another unhappy set of circumstances that in a sense someone has brought on themselves but it is a challenge for a political party both in terms of straightforward discipline amongst its own mps but also about the signals it sends.— its own mps but also about the signals it sends. yes, i mean, it is astonishing. _ signals it sends. yes, i mean, it is astonishing, isn't— signals it sends. yes, i mean, it is astonishing, isn't it? _ signals it sends. yes, i mean, it is astonishing, isn't it? we - signals it sends. yes, i mean, it is astonishing, isn't it? we are - astonishing, isn't it? we are listening to another one of these tales of sleaze. the only thing i

would say in terms of chris pincher�*s resignation is that, you know, obviously he has done the right thing and referred himself to an investigation. interesting thing is how these allegations are and what was actually happening, because he's had the whip withdrawn so he is still an mp but he is an independent one, not a conservative. he can't have the whip restored. the prime minister doesn't need to do that for any reason, he has got big majority, so he will only get it restored if i imagine these are very low—grade things and nobody really complains about them but if they don't you're sitting there as an independent mp and the argument is he was elected as a conservative so why is he still in parliament and will there be pressure for him to stand down altogether? ads, pressure for him to stand down altogether?— altogether? a of this will presumably depend - altogether? a of this will presumably depend on i altogether? a of this will. presumably depend on what altogether? a of this will _ presumably depend on what happens over the coming days, whether allegations are made, whether they are in any wayjustified by or whether it becomes a source of

gossip. he has acknowledged he has got some issues he has to address. presumably the difficulty for the party, though, is they can withdraw the whip and my never give it back to him which means he couldn't stand for the party at the next election but inevitably she will still be associated with the party whether or not he happens to be in receipt of the parliamentary whip. yes and it might look to people like the party is not being strong enough or why didn't they do anything before we have to remember with allegations like this westminster is just a sack of rats at the best of times and there is gossip flying around everywhere and unless there are really specific things you can't really... especially if they are the sort of sexual minority like gay people, you can't listen to gossip and say, right, you're not having yourjob then we'll kick you out of this thing. you know, they've got to be specific allegations and specific move and i think on balance number

ten is probably about right to act. for a while i felt they weren't going to act quickly enough because of course the previous neil parish mp that wasn't kicked out for looking at and save your make material in house of commons, —— unsavoury material, he was jumped on immediately and chris pincher doesn't seem to have the same treatment while he is obviously a whip but they did do the right thing to withdraw his status as a conservative mp. but to withdraw his status as a conservative mp.- to withdraw his status as a conservative mp. �* . , , . ~ to withdraw his status as a conservative mp. �* . , , .~' _ conservative mp. but i was struck by was the number _ conservative mp. but i was struck by was the number of _ conservative mp. but i was struck by was the number of tory _ conservative mp. but i was struck by was the number of tory mps - was the number of tory mps apparently saying, look, we raised concerns about his suitability to be in thejob. we concerns about his suitability to be in the job. we should probablyjust clarify for people, the deputy chief whip, although it is the number two, is actually the person who is day to day running the voting operation, so what they like to show it might call the floor show of westminster and who turns up on everybody. chief whip is in charge but basically they are hands a man and woman. —— man or woman. it is incredibly important

role particularly when borisjohnson is leading quite a fractious party when it comes to its voting habits and different pressure groups within the party has been formed. the zuma blitz is the kind ofjob where you actually need someone that kind of us is above reproach —— presumably it is the kind ofjob... us is above reproach -- presumably it is the kind ofjob...— it is the kind of “0b... yes, you do, but it is the kind of “0b... yes, you do. but as— it is the kind of “0b... yes, you do. but as i — it is the kind ofjob... yes, you do, but as i say, _ it is the kind ofjob... yes, you do, but as i say, if— it is the kind ofjob... yes, you do, but as i say, if these - it is the kind ofjob... yes, you do, but as i say, if these are i do, but as i say, if these are salacious bits of gossip there are gossip about every people, all members, it is gossip and journalists so, you know, unless there is evidence you can't discriminate against people is what i think i'm trying to say on the basis of gossip.— i think i'm trying to say on the basis of gossip. i think i'm trying to say on the basis of aossi -. �* ., , ., i. basis of gossip. and nor should you discriminate, _ basis of gossip. and nor should you discriminate, as _ basis of gossip. and nor should you discriminate, as you _ basis of gossip. and nor should you discriminate, as you say, _ basis of gossip. and nor should you discriminate, as you say, on - basis of gossip. and nor should you discriminate, as you say, on the - discriminate, as you say, on the basis of sexuality but it is about relationships with other people as they staffer said, isn't it? the bottom line is this weekend from yourjudgment given what has happened with other mps in the last couple of years, do thinks he is in prospect of fighting an election again as a conservative? i mean, how

high aren't? it depends how serious the allegations are. there is a thing called it the collector is well where everything mps guilty of something very bad for local people can get them out anyway —— there is a thing called the rico act. he is going to be sitting as an independent and really there is no great authority to be there as an independent because he wasn't elected as an independent, he was elected as an independent, he was elected as a conservative so conservative local people will be curious because obviously removes a conservative mp from the constituency, which is tamworth, which has been conservative since 2012, 2010. it reduces the party's majority by another one and shouldn't be in the case at all if these allegations are serious. if it is that they are not serious of a dis - ute. is that they are not serious of a disnute- is _ is that they are not serious of a dispute. is that _ is that they are not serious of a dispute. is that we, _ is that they are not serious of a dispute. is that we, yes. - is that they are not serious of a dispute. is that we, yes. it - is that they are not serious of a l dispute. is that we, yes. it looks re dispute. is that we, yes. it looks pretty bad _ dispute. is that we, yes. it looks pretty bad because _ dispute. is that we, yes. it looks pretty bad because he _ dispute. is that we, yes. it looks pretty bad because he obviously| pretty bad because he obviously immediately the next morning at the hanover rate resignation letter

saying he had done something very stupid and embarrassing so it doesn't look great.— stupid and embarrassing so it doesn't look great. former downing street adviser _ doesn't look great. former downing street adviser working _ doesn't look great. former downing street adviser working for _ doesn't look great. former downing street adviser working for david - street adviser working for david cameron's government, thank you very much the giving of your insight and it will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of days. thanks we much for that. we might get some sense of whether or not the situation is settling down for the mp only look at tomorrow's front pages at 10:30pm and 11:30pm. i'm going to bejoined by... are martin lipton, chief sports reporter at the sun and emma woolf, writer and columnist 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 2.3 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 ba.5 which spread more rapidly. case rates rose in all the uk's nations, with scotland still the highest, where one in 18 people had the virus last week. 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 what factors might influence where things go from here? portugal, looking at our european neighbour, had a big rise in infections that's now coming down, the second feature may be to do with our behaviour and interaction and 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, 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. and that's creating lots of problems that we can't open wards, we don't have enough beds to look after patients coming through. vaccines are continuing including at this centre at bath racecourse. as infections rise, health officials are urging all 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.

there have been calls for that to be reduced to 50. officials want to stress that covid hasn't gone away, and their message that it's sensible to use hand gel, and wear a face covering, in crowded indoor spaces. we can speak to statistics ambassadorfor the royal statistical society, michael dunne—willows. michael, thank you very much for being with us. i'm intrigued by the context of a statistics ambassador. presumably part of yourjob is to take some of the mystery out of it and help people understand the value of statistics in day—to—day life. how will its this survey regarded as in some ways been more useful than perhaps some of the very raw models we had one people were being tested more regularly?— more regularly? well, i guess the first thing to _ more regularly? well, i guess the first thing to say _ more regularly? well, i guess the first thing to say is _ more regularly? well, i guess the first thing to say is that _ more regularly? well, i guess the first thing to say is that we - more regularly? well, i guess the first thing to say is that we are . first thing to say is that we are seeing the lot of these quite scary figures in the headlines, 30% increase, half a million increase,

etc. i guess what it is very important to the first of all is put these figures into perspective so it is very important to understand that this doesn't mean another 30% of the uk population has covid—i9. it certainly doesn't mean that 30% in total have covid—i9, for example. much better way to look at it, actually, is to say that last week perhaps we had one in a0 positive cases, one in a0 people testing positive, now we have one in 30. approximately in of course it does vary region by region but that is a better way of showing the general idea of the trend that has been going on in the uk. find idea of the trend that has been going on in the uk.— idea of the trend that has been going on in the uk. and trend is uuite going on in the uk. and trend is quite important _ going on in the uk. and trend is quite important in _ going on in the uk. and trend is quite important in the _ going on in the uk. and trend is quite important in the context i going on in the uk. and trend is| quite important in the context of something like this, isn't it, when you're taking about a pandemic and surges and plateaus in terms of infection? ., , surges and plateaus in terms of infection? . , ., infection? yeah, definitely, and in particular. — infection? yeah, definitely, and in particular. as _ infection? yeah, definitely, and in particular, as you _ infection? yeah, definitely, and in particular, as you mentioned, - particular, as you mentioned, scotland does seem to be getting the worst of this according to the most recent data with a positive rate of about 5% or 6% which means close to one and 18 people testing positive.

the good news is, though, and again on the topic of trends, we are seeing a levelling off at that rate in scotland as well, according to the most recent data, that is, and thatis the most recent data, that is, and that is certainly good news. in fact, if we see that reflected in the rest of the uk then, you know, it is looking like the level should actually remain, you know, much lower than what was seen in the past, certainly levels which triggered blocked and other extreme measures as well. ads, triggered blocked and other extreme measures as well.— measures as well. a los of this kind of statistical — measures as well. a los of this kind of statistical work _ measures as well. a los of this kind of statistical work and _ measures as well. a los of this kind of statistical work and surveying - measures as well. a los of this kind of statistical work and surveying of| of statistical work and surveying of opinion, or of experience is perhaps the best way to put it, it does rely, though, and people giving accurate accounts of things like their infection and whether they are infected or not. it relies also on people knowing, doesn't it, because they draw we know the legs and so on even a testing where you may be positive and it is a few days before you get the positive test results and in the meantime you are infectious —— there may be lax. i wonder how useful these kind of

measures are when you're relying on self reporting?— measures are when you're relying on self reporting? absolutely. what you are highlighting _ self reporting? absolutely. what you are highlighting there _ self reporting? absolutely. what you are highlighting there is _ self reporting? absolutely. what you are highlighting there is the - are highlighting there is the uncertainty that is or was attached with any sort of statistics. there is always uncertainty their innovative variants. the whole point is statistics really could be said to address, quantify and reduce this uncertainty as much as possible and that level of uncertainty is actually why a lot of the estimates that we have are backdated by a number of weeks. in particular, the r number which was quite popular over the pandemic measures roughly how much a virus is spreading, that is actually usually quoted about 2—3 weeks retrospectively so for that reason it is likely very difficult to get an idea of what the r number is to date until we have data which won't be available for another two, three, four weeks down the line. we alwa s three, four weeks down the line. we always know what it was like but we don't know what it is like, in a sense. the royal statistical society's statistics ambassador,

thank you very much. that was really enlightening. thanks for much of your time. 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. 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 your face, 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 anyway, 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 wasjust 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's just so cruel. so cruel. the supreme court ruling in america, which overturned women's 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's 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's not going to survive. a sign like "abortion is murder", how does that help them? because it is murder. it's 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 the womb, "0i — 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,

it will be a silent, sombre 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. it's 25 years since britain ended its rule of hong kong and returned the colony 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. 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? because 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 it 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're 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. to discuss more on today's anniversary we are joined by simon cheng, the founder of an organisation, hong kongers in britain, a network for former residents of the region. that was a network for those living in this country having made the decision to leave in some cases been

forced out. thank you very much for being the dozen talking to us. it must be kind of bittersweet when you see events in hong kong which, after all, is your home, but you are no longer able to be part of those for those who are celebrating orjust marking the occasion? yes. those who are celebrating or 'ust marking the occasion? yes, indeed. that, of marking the occasion? yes, indeed. that. of course. _ marking the occasion? yes, indeed. that, of course, now _ marking the occasion? yes, indeed. that, of course, now we _ marking the occasion? yes, indeed. that, of course, now we see - marking the occasion? yes, indeed. that, of course, now we see back i marking the occasion? yes, indeed. j that, of course, now we see back to what happens in hong kong, that is only one way for celebration in the proposed way by officials but also many of those hong kong is now leaving hong kong, leaving their home town, and some of those coming to the uk is exactly the day we mourned the death of freedom happening in hong kong. many of those in hong kong munched so might once had good faith to believe beijing in the past decade is that the powerful invasion could live up to the promised to keep our hong kong system intact but the changes now to the basic law and joint declaration with the uk will be

quickly evaporated due to the recent development of hong kong after the draconian and repressive national security law and many more to come such as the fake news low which were imposed and will be in the future. what do you make of how successive british governments have handed this period in the last 25 years? have they acted as they should have done to kind of keep the pressure up on china? or, ina to kind of keep the pressure up on china? or, in a sense, has the british behaviour been a kind of recognition of the realpolitik? it is close to mainland china, whether people in hong kong want it to be or not, it is always going to be more influenced by china than by a country like britain, and with all the historical reasons why the british were originally there it is quite hard, isn't it, the british government to challenge china and what it is doing in hong kong? i

what it is doing in hong kong? i think it is always difficult as china is a big country and, of course, it is the same china but is still strictly a one—party dictatorship over there and if we look back to history, that time in the uk, i think that this, you know, that we could understand that the uk government at that time believed that they would have a dialogue with china, to make compromises china. as well as quite many hong kongers at that time we believe that, that for example we would look beyond 1997 to paint long—term observations to see our new master living in beijing that they will live up to the promise. but the thing is, after decades, we obviously see they haven't lived up to the promise and thatis haven't lived up to the promise and that is why it would be piling up contrary evidence to the uk government and also around the world. let's not forget that the joint declaration between china and the uk, this declaration had been

registered by the united nations so i do feel that it is also the duty of the international community to unite to halt the human rights abuses and halt any part of the country that hasn't promised international law to account so that is why i think there is more we should do, more we should improve. simon, we're going to have to leave it, butjust one last thought. when you see the situation at the moment, do you ever feel that there will come a time when you can return home, or had given your own mind now kind said that's past and my future will never be in the place i was born in? ~ ~ ., born in? well, i think that we definitely _ born in? well, i think that we definitely come _ born in? well, i think that we definitely come as _ born in? well, i think that we definitely come as activists, i born in? well, i think that we i definitely come as activists, we have unconditional faith that we will be back to hometowns one day. as chinese leader xi jinping will be back to hometowns one day. as chinese leader xijinping said, hong kong is a phoenix reborn from

fire, but not yet and not today. what president xi said is actually a scorched church policy in hong kong and dedicating systems were checks and dedicating systems were checks and balances are broken down the recent —— scorched earth policy, checks and balances broken down by abusing power. we can see many parts of it already today but what will happen in hong kong is also a very precedent and significant leather lesson to learn why and how to stop the domino effect from hong kong to taiwan and other neighbouring countries. recent consensus and later was a good beginning why economic security alliance, liberal democracy to safeguard a rules —based international border could be the first step for the date when we as an exile community from hong kong could be back one date with democracy and freedom. simon, thank ou ve democracy and freedom. simon, thank you very much — democracy and freedom. simon, thank you very much on _ democracy and freedom. simon, thank you very much on this _ democracy and freedom. simon, thank you very much on this day _ democracy and freedom. simon, thank you very much on this day of— democracy and freedom. simon, thank you very much on this day of mixed - you very much on this day of mixed emotions. thank you very much for

joining us on bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. more showers to come. the showers fade temporarily but more rain spreads in. the further east you are, you should stay dry to the morning and once the evening showers have faded and temperatures seven or 8 degrees. a lovely bright start. the south—east stays dry until the evening but rain and drizzle from yorkshire to cornwall. but will push its way through the midlands during the morning and early afternoon. sunshine and showers developing north of it. in northern ireland, a day of sunshine and showers about the northern have of scotland, plenty of cloud and outbreaks of rain a breezy day and overall, a very cool day for this stage in july. a little bit brighter, fewer showers and a little warmer on

sunday but next week, high—pressure bills and the further south and east you are, the sunnier and warmer it will be. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... the former deputy chief whip chris pincher has been suspended as a conservative mp after allegations he groped two men. 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. police officers in scotland — have stopped carrying out extra, unpaid work— unless ordered to do so, amid a pay dispute. chinese president xijinping defends his country's model of ruling hong kong — during a visit to mark 25 years since britain handed over control — but the territory's final governor, chris patten, labels the comments �*absurd'.

thousands of police officers in scotland are withdrawing what they call "goodwill" — and refusing to work extra unpaid hours, in a dispute about pay. the head of the scottish police federation, which represents around 17,000 officers, has insisted that public safety will not be put at risk. aileen clarke reports. this morning in the north of glasgow, police are investigating after a woman was found and well by the road. just another day, another shift. but from a 5pm this afternoon, police officers who cannot finish their shift on time will claim overtime, instructed by theirfederation will claim overtime, instructed by their federation to claim every penny they are entitled to. even with pay talks back on from monday, the federation is standing firm on this withdrawal of goodwill. taste the federation is standing firm on this withdrawal of goodwill. we are back to the negotiating _ this withdrawal of goodwill. we are back to the negotiating table - this withdrawal of goodwill. we are back to the negotiating table but i this withdrawal of goodwill. we are | back to the negotiating table but we do not yet have a formal offer. as a

result, it's pretty important that our members are able to continue to demonstrate that their frustrated. hopefully that will act as a reminder during the discussions on monday afternoon atjust how important an issue this is for police officers.— important an issue this is for police officers. important an issue this is for olice officers. ., ., _ , police officers. the federation says officers are — police officers. the federation says officers are very — police officers. the federation says officers are very dismayed - police officers. the federation says officers are very dismayed by - police officers. the federation says officers are very dismayed by the l officers are very dismayed by the current pay offer of 506 to £5, around 1.a%. officers, they argue who has risen to the challenge of policing massive events like cop26 and working through the pandemic. the expect officers across scotland to support the action but said it will not affect police operations. by will not affect police operations. by law they cannot take industrial action or refused to work extra if needed. they will though now resolutely claim cash for it. the inspector of constabulary in scotland expects chief constable will foot the bill for such overtime in line with the regulations. the critical thing _ in line with the regulations. the critical thing for _ in line with the regulations. tie: critical thing for me is, in line with the regulations. ti9 critical thing for me is, when you're looking at the proposals by the federation, is, does that harm

public safety? no, it doesn't. would it be more experience for a period of time? potentially, but not significant. there will be a great in the 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 expected - action is being taken. shift changes at police stations are expected to i at police stations are expected to be an example of that is officers will no longer routinely arrive a little early and leave a little later to enable a smooth handover. just hours after the action started, tomorrow sees a traditionally busy time for glasgow police as it is the main day for orange order parade through the city with thousands of marchers taking part and dozens of road closures in place. a spokesman said they do recognise the considerable goodwill that officers bring to their role and that they remain committed to finding a settlement through the police negotiating board. likewise, the scottish police authority and scottish police authority and scottish government who will be represented at those negotiations and say they await the outcome of the discussions.

this weekend tens of thousands of people will be marching at pride events in many parts of the uk to celebrate the lgbt+ community. it's 50 years since the �*gay liberation front�* organised the uk's first ever pride parade in london — paving the way for the gay rights movement. matthew todd, author of "pride" a book telling the stories of the lgbtq+ community, joins me now. there is a lot of history. lots of photographs in a public this because in some ways, the visuals have been a really important part of what this march meant at the beginning and what it has continued to mean? what what it has continued to mean? what was interesting _ what it has continued to mean? what was interesting was _ what it has continued to mean? twist was interesting was that it what it has continued to mean? "misgt was interesting was that it was hard to find pictures because we didn't have the internet or phones or digital cameras so many of those pictures were kept away and hidden photographers who worked for gay magazines, we went rifling for their

pictures. it was hard to put together. pictures. it was hard to put together-— pictures. it was hard to put touether. ~ . , :, together. what was the purpose for that original — together. what was the purpose for that original first _ together. what was the purpose for that original first public— that original first public demonstration of a collective gay identity on the streets of london? ads, identity on the streets of london? real pivotal time, 19 city seven was when the uk partially decriminalised homosexual to and the first match was in 72. there was a smaller march in november 1970 but it was very small though this was the first big march gay liberation front were talking about emancipation of women and people of colour and it was the turn of games and lesbians. we didn't talk about bisexual people at that point but it is about being out and proud and being visible. i watched all of your reports earlier people were saying that not everybody wanted to go on the march because people were scared of that time. you could easily be fired from yourjob for being gay or sub—lesbian women could have their children taken into care, it was

absolutely horrendous also these are not people, this is not gossip, there are document cases? when i was 2223, i went to work at stonewall and we would frequently take calls from people saying, i have been with my partner for 20 years, he has from people saying, i have been with my partnerfor 20 years, he has been in a car crash and the family won't let me near the bedside. they would bar people from going to funerals. people have lived through some real horror, so we needed to change the laws and change society. ilrrul’ith horror, so we needed to change the laws and change society.— laws and change society. with this very recent _ laws and change society. with this very recent murder— laws and change society. with this very recent murder case _ laws and change society. with this very recent murder case where - laws and change society. with this very recent murder case where a l very recent murder case where a killer was targeting young gay men, a reminderfrom some of killer was targeting young gay men, a reminder from some of those peoples families and partners how sometimes, institutionally, we are very poor at recognising the equality that is written into law. yes, that was a catastrophic failure by the met police to investigate those crimes and some of those young men would still be alive today, so it shows there is still a long way

to go. it shows there is still a long way to to. g , :, it shows there is still a long way to no, , :, ., it shows there is still a long way to o, . , :, ., ., it shows there is still a long way toao. , :, ., ., , to go. just on that, that is interesting _ to go. just on that, that is interesting part _ to go. just on that, that is interesting part that - to go. just on that, that is | interesting part that comes to go. just on that, that is - interesting part that comes across interesting part that comes across in what you have been writing about, this in part started as a kind of, because of hostility perceived in the policing of the gay community, even though it had been legalised before, that was part of the trigger for it and we are talking about theseissues for it and we are talking about these issues again now. some people would find that a bit depressing. yes, the country feels like it is moving to the right a lot of the moment. we know hate crimes against lgbt people are going up. things of course are so much better and there's a lot to celebrate and people will be celebrating, 1 million people of the streets of london tomorrow and it is right but it is also a reminder that there is a long way to go. it is also a reminder that there is a long way to go— it is also a reminder that there is a long way to go. there are some problems- _ a long way to go. there are some problems- has — a long way to go. there are some problems. has it _ a long way to go. there are some problems. has it changed - a long way to go. there are some problems. has it changed as - a long way to go. there are some problems. has it changed as an i problems. has it changed as an event? i wonder if it has become a broader event, notjust because more groups of people from the gay community took about people wanted

to be part of it but also people who are heterosexual and don't particularly have an interest in gay issues but actually want to celebrate a big event which lots of people feeling they want to be part of? , , ., ., people feeling they want to be part of? , , ., :, :, of? yes, when i started going to ride in of? yes, when i started going to pride in 1992. — of? yes, when i started going to pride in 1992, you _ of? yes, when i started going to pride in 1992, you would - of? yes, when i started going to pride in 1992, you would see - of? yes, when i started going to - pride in 1992, you would see people making horrible gestures, being rude. policeman very homophobic. it has changed and you see straight people there with families and i think it is wonderful. allies, friends, different people, it is wider. there's maybe banks and oil companies involved and that is something worth talking about. we see signs in the street saying, we love you gay people, and they may be banks like barclays, so it is mixed messages, quite difficult and mixed up. irate messages, quite difficult and mixed u, : ., messages, quite difficult and mixed

u . _ : ., :, messages, quite difficult and mixed up. we are out of time but the book is out now. — up. we are out of time but the book is out now, available _ up. we are out of time but the book is out now, available for— up. we are out of time but the book is out now, available for those - up. we are out of time but the book is out now, available for those who | is out now, available for those who want to read the history of it. you will be submitting tomorrow and you will be submitting tomorrow and you will be submitting tomorrow and you will be expecting it to carry on for another a0 years? the will be expecting it to carry on for another 40 years? the environment is fallin: to another 40 years? the environment is falling to bits — another 40 years? the environment is falling to bits and _ another 40 years? the environment is falling to bits and that _ another 40 years? the environment is falling to bits and that is _ another 40 years? the environment is falling to bits and that is a _ another 40 years? the environment is falling to bits and that is a real - falling to bits and that is a real threat to everybody. i'm not sure we will be here in 50 years but hopefully we will go from strength to strength and i don't think it is guaranteed in this climate of the moment. more than forty years after it first began on the bbc — steve wright in the afternoon is coming to an end. the 67—year—old dj told his listeners this afternoon that he would be leaving his show in the autumn. scott mills takes over that slot. his show on sunday continues. with remembering, in marking his a1 years that the programme began on radio one and moved then to radio two, and

he has been at it ever since and i feel he will be broadcasting somehow, quite a remarkable career. congratulations to steve wright. i hope he enjoys his retirement. time now for newswatch. welcome to the programme. coming up, ofcom says the bbc has a problem with impartiality. does it? how will bbc news has upset both sides in the abortion debate in its use of language. the british summer brings with it a number of pleasures was up such as wimbledon which started this week. and the glastonbury festival which returned last week after two years absence. devotees have been able to

enjoy coverage across the bbc and