this is bbc news, i'mjane hill. the headlines at 5pm... the bbc says a complaint against the former radio 1 dj tim westwood had previously been referred to the police. he denies the allegations. borisjohnson was aware of "reports and speculation" about chris pincher�*s behaviour before he appointed him deputy chief whip in february. a 22—year—old man suspected of shooting dead three people in a copenhagen shopping centre has been charged with murder and remanded to a psychiatric hospital. president putin orders his forces to push ahead with their offensive in eastern ukraine after seizing control of the entire luhansk region. sir keir starmer prepares to make a major speech outlining his party's stance on brexit, as he seeks to draw a line under his past support

for a second referendum. we want to go forwards, not backwards. and therefore, this is not about rejoining the eu, it's not about going back into the single market or customs union, and it's not about bringing back freedom of movement. and shortages and rising costs drive foods like chicken and beef off school dinner menus. good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. the bbc has received six complaints about alleged bullying or sexual misconduct by the former radio 1 dj tim westwood. at least one of the complaints, which was referred to the police, was made before an investigation by bbc news and the guardian

in april, which revealed accounts of the dj's predatory sexual behaviour. the bbc said at that time that "no evidence of complaints" had been found. tim westwood, who left the bbc in 2013, has previously denied allegations of sexual misconduct. our correspondent chi chi izundu has this report. these are some of the seven women who allege unexpected and unwanted sexual touching and sexual misconduct against the former bbc dj, tim westwood. it's westwood! we are live on bbc two, welcome to the radio 1 rap show. this is isabel's story — she was 19 when she travelled from the midlands to meet westwood in london. when i got there, he was in a car and the next thing, he has undone his trousers. he actually tapped me to turn around and look at the fact he is exposing himself, so i looked and i have seen and i am

like, "oh, no, my god." tim westwood strenuously denied all the allegations, but as well as an international club dj, the 64—year—old had a nearly 20—year career at the bbc, fronting shows on radio i and i xtra. in april, in a statement to our investigation the bbc said... the very next day, the director general tim davie went on to say... i have seen no evidence of complaints. - of complaints, i have asked. we looked at our records, - and we have seen no evidence. this is now awkward for the bbc, who claimed it did not have any relevant information and now has six complaints of sexual misconduct or bullying against tim westwood. so far, the corporation has declined to clarify whether five of those complaints were received after the broadcast of our documentary.

it has confirmed that the police referral is historic. the bbc says tim westwood was also spoken to following one of the other complaints, and said tim davie set out his position as he knew it at the time. the corporation confirmed it is still digging to find any more information regarding the behaviour of tim westwood during his employment. tim westwood has not responded to any of our requests for comment. it is about to get real hectic up here! now, the corporation is under pressure to answer questions about its record—keeping and reveal what it did and did not know about tim westwood's behaviour. chi chi izundu, bbc news. downing street has admitted the prime minister was aware of "reports and speculation" about the alleged sexual misconduct of the former deputy chief whip, chris pincher, before his appointment in february. mr pincher has been suspended from the conservative parliamentary party after a complaint he groped

two men last week, and has since faced a series of fresh historical claims, which he denies. live to westminster, and the latest from our political correspondent jonathan blake. jonathan is following all this at westminster and trying to keep up with that. where we now with continuing situation?- with that. where we now with continuing situation? while jane, downin: continuing situation? while jane, downing street's _ continuing situation? while jane, downing street's position - continuing situation? while jane, downing street's position has - downing street's position has definitely shifted and not for the first time since these allegations were first made last week. and very soon after chris pincher resigned from his role in government as deputy chief weapon and subsequently was suspended as a conservative mp, questioned instant were asked about boris johnson's questioned instant were asked about borisjohnson�*sjudgment questioned instant were asked about borisjohnson�*s judgment in boris johnson's judgment in appointing him borisjohnson�*s judgment in appointing him to that role —— deputy chief whip. responsible for maintaining party discipline in the first place, downing street had set until today that the prime minister was not aware of any specific allegations against mr pincher. in a

briefing earlier today, the prime minister's official spokesman said that borisjohnson was indeed aware of allegations that had been resolved or had not been pressed a formal complaint, going on to say it was deemed not appropriate to stop an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations. we are also told that the prime minister did seek advice from a local colleagues about mr pincher and accusations against him, and also from a civil service too, and the cabinet office propriety and ethics team. but it seems those concerns, those unsubstantiated claims downing street has put it as were balanced with what we were told where his considerable skills and experience in determining whether he was the right man for thejob. as in determining whether he was the right man for the job. as you say, there have been various other accusations made over the weekend, chris pincher has denied those to the news papers which reported them and, in a statement, he said that he is seeking medical help. but he's

also said that he hopes to return to his job as also said that he hopes to return to hisjob as a also said that he hopes to return to his job as a constituency mp as soon as possible. find his job as a constituency mp as soon as possible-— as possible. and a brief thought about what _ as possible. and a brief thought about what else _ as possible. and a brief thought about what else the _ as possible. and a brief thought about what else the prime - as possible. and a brief thought i about what else the prime minister has been doing? because there's been a lot of overseas trips to update them on, of course.— a lot of overseas trips to update them on, of course. yes, while all this was happening, _ them on, of course. yes, while all this was happening, the _ them on, of course. yes, while all this was happening, the prime - this was happening, the prime minister was coming to the end of his marathon trip abroad visiting the commonwealth heads of government meeting, the g7 summit, and the nato leaders summit, as well thought out so he's been out of the country for much of the last couple of weeks, really, but facing no questions about his domestic troubles in the commons this afternoon, he was updating mps about the achievements of those summits and he spoke about uk defence spending efforts with the uk's allies to show solidarity with ukraine and further arm the country to counter russia's invasion, as well. let's have a listen into some of what he had to say. at

well. let's have a listen into some of what he had to say.— of what he had to say. at the madrid summit, of what he had to say. at the madrid summit. nato _ of what he had to say. at the madrid summit, nato exceeded _ of what he had to say. at the madrid summit, nato exceeded all- summit, nato exceeded all expectations in the unity and single resolve _ expectations in the unity and single resolve of— expectations in the unity and single resolve of the alliance to support ukraine _ resolve of the alliance to support ukraine for as long as it takes and to explode — ukraine for as long as it takes and to explode the myth that western democracies lack the staying power for prolonged crisis. all of us understand that if vladimir putin is not stopped in ukraine, he will find new targets for his attacks. and we are not— new targets for his attacks. and we are not defending some abstract ideal. _ are not defending some abstract ideal. but— are not defending some abstract ideal, but the first principle of a peaceful— ideal, but the first principle of a peaceful world which is at large and powerful _ peaceful world which is at large and powerful countries cannot be allowed to dismembertheir powerful countries cannot be allowed to dismember their neighbours. sir keir to dismember their neighbours. keir starmer to dismember their neighbours. s " keir starmer had something of a joke at borisjohnson�*s extent the micro expense. he said, i would go absence makes the heart grow fonder," and he wished him luck, referring him to

the knot in considerable trouble that boris johnson the knot in considerable trouble that borisjohnson has the knot in considerable trouble that boris johnson has faced the knot in considerable trouble that borisjohnson has faced not least from conservative backbenchers. but the agenda will quickly return to domestic affairs when borisjohnson faces quickly return to domestic affairs when boris johnson faces sustained questioning later when borisjohnson faces sustained questioning later on in the week. plenty to keep you busy, thank you very much, jonathan. the labour leader sir keir starmer is preparing to give a speech explaining how he could make brexit work better for the uk. he's expected to renew pledges not to take the uk back into the eu single market or customs union if he becomes prime minister. earlier, the labour leader told the bbc�*s political editor chris mason that these were "steps for the future". we want to go forwards, not backwards. and therefore, this is not about rejoining the eu, it's not about going back into the single market or the customs union, and it's not about bringing back freedom of movement. it's going forward — so these are steps for the future,

sorting out the protocol in northern ireland, removing trade barriers that are hindering businesses, sorting out mutual recognition when it comes to services, a much better set of security arrangements, which i'm — obviously, having been five years as director of public prosecution, very keen to see that — but also about investing here in britain. so it's a forward—looking plan, it's not about going backward. why should we believe that your approach to brexit in government as prime minister would be any more successful in un—gumming some of the problems with brexit than the government's attempts to do just that? because we're not trading on the divisions. the government is trying to reopen the old wounds. every time the government gets into a mess, it tries to reopen old wounds to get people talking about other things than the state of the economy, which is absolutely stagnant. but there's another ingredient, and i saw this very closely — i was in dublin and belfastjust 2—3 weeks ago — i'm absolutely convinced we can make progress on the protocol, but the the missing ingredient at the moment is trust.

there's no trust in what the government is doing. and, you know, the the uk government, uk prime ministers have been the honest broker for years in northern ireland, and this prime minister has vandalised that. so yes, there are practical steps that could be taken. we want a veterinary agreement, we want to improve the way that we recognise qualifications, we want to unburden, take down the barriers that don't need to be there — you can see what's happening at dover, you can see the difficulties with the protocol, the difficulties of accessing the market. we want to remove that, but there is this ingredient of being a trusted, respected negotiator, and that is... in northern ireland, the protocol negotiations would be going very much more quickly if there was trust in the prime minister, but it's missing. is that it, as far as the uk's relationship with the eu is concerned and going back in, as far as you see it in our lifetimes? the uk's future is permanently outside of the eu, despite what you were saying a matter of a couple of years ago?

we've got to make brexit work. and that means going forwards, and not backwards. so there's no case for reopening all those divisions. ever? no case from going back in the single market, the customs union or freedom of movement — that would be to go backwards, we need to go forwards with a better deal that unblocks the blockages that are there, allows us to trade more successfully, and grows oui’ economy. because 12 years of stagnation have led to the economy we've got now with low wages but high prices. so never, under a labour government, under your leadership, would any of those fundamentals about our relationship with the eu be opened up again? nope, we're going forwards, not backwards. your career is still in the hands of durham police. we're awaiting theirjudgment. do you contemplate that any given day could be you're your last day as labour leader? well, i'm confident there were no breach the rules, obviously durham police will make their decision. but there's nothing really to add to what i've said

consistently about this. which is that you wait for their verdict, and in the meantime, you know, your career is on pause, really, you're waiting for that moment. i'm confident there's been no breach of the rules. and obviously, the police will have to make their decision. so there's nothing new, i'm afraid. keir starmer is due to be making that speech and a couple hours from now. sadiq khan, the labour mayor of london, has disagreed with the party's position on brexit, saying that he believes london and the uk is best served by being a member of the single market. he spoke to the bbc a little earlier today. well, look, the key thing is to accept we've left the european union, brexit has happened — but what sort of relationships do we have the european union? i think it's possible to be outside the eu but be members of the single market. in fact, many of those who campaigned to leave the eu said the same thing. and the good thing about keir starmer's speech today

is he's setting out a pathway to our future post—brexit, from the government for the last few years which just dithered and delayed — we've seen the fiasco of the northern ireland protocol, and it's really reassuring to me, as a patriot, to see at least one of our leaders to set out a vision of our country post—brexit. it sounds like you disagree slightly — do you think keir has got it wrong on brexit? look, keir starmer is the leader of the labour party. myjob is to be the mayor of london. that will mean on many occasions, i agree with the labour party, on some occasions i may disagree. london has elected me to be their champion and advocate. i believe that our city and our country's future is best served being members of the single market. i'm not the leader of the labour party, i don't speak for the labour party — but when i see the businesses who can't recruit, when i see the challenges we have in the finance and professional services, and construction and tech, and film and music — i know that our future is more prosperous or, you know, less poor being members of the single market. we can't go back into the european union, the british public have spoken — what we can do though is make sure we have the least worst option. and for me, that's being members

of the single market. the mayor of london speaking. and we'll be hearing from the labour mp hilary benn, who was chair of parliament's brexit select committee, in the next half an hour. a reminder of the latest headlines on bbc news... the bbc says a complaint against the former radio i dj tim westwood had previously been referred to the police. he denies the allegations. borisjohnson was aware of "reports and speculation" about chris pincher�*s behaviour before he appointed him deputy chief whip in february. president putin orders his forces to push ahead with their offensive in eastern ukraine after seizing control of the entire luhansk region.

ina in a critical condition after the incident at the fields shopping centre in the south of the city. police say the suspect has a history of mental health problems, and they've said there's no indication that the shooting was anything to do with terrorism. the 22—year—old will be held at a secure psychiatric facility. our europe correspondent jessica parker is in the danish capital — and a warning, her report contains some distressing images from the start. gunshot screaming panic and fear, as gunshots rang out at a shopping mall in denmark's capital. the rush to escape a deadly attack. two i7—year—olds and a 47—year—old russian man who lives in denmark were killed. four others left in serious condition.

i have spoken to my daughters, they were in the restaurant where the perpetrator was firing the shots, but they managed to get out, so now they are hiding an apartment. they saw a guy coming up the escalator, starting to fire with an automatic gun. and so they of course just ran as quick as they could. sobbing a short time later, the father and daughter reunited. this, a chilling image of the alleged gunman. a 22—year—old man, described as an ethnic dane, was arrested minutes after the shooting. police say he was known to mental health services. translation: there was nothing in our investigation _ of the documents we have been looking at or the items we found other witness statements we have that indicate this was an act of terror. the fields mall is one of denmark's biggest shopping centres, located on the outskirts of copenhagen to the south.

a music concert by harry styles at a nearby arena was cancelled. on social media, the british singer said... denmark's prime minister, mette frederiksen, said the country had suffered a cruel attack, one that has left its capital city reeling. jessica parker, bbc news, copenhagen. ukraine's president zelensky has promised to win back control of the eastern region of luhansk, with the help of new western weaponry. russian troops won control of the region yesterday, when ukraine withdrew its forces from the key city of lysychansk, following days of heavy fighting. our correspondent in kyiv, joe inwood, told us more about the importance of russia's capture of lysycha nsk. more symbolic than strategic.

lysychansk was the last major city in the luhansk region. that is one of the two regions that makes up this area called the donbas, which we talk about so often. which president putin gave the liberation, as he put it, of that area as a main reason for this war. so for them, taking lysychansk means they have taken the luhansk region and for the russians, that is a symbolic victory. strategically important, too, it is worth saying, it is in quite a defensible position. the ukrainians said they could have held it. i have just got off the phone with serhiy haidai the governor of luhansk, a man with nothing to govern. and he says they have made a strategic withdrawal.

translation: our military could have held the city for a long time, _ but russia currently has a huge advantage in artillery and ammunition. they would have simply destroyed the city from a distance, so there was no point in staying. we would have been surrounded and had to sit there while the city was being shelled. therefore, we decided not to allow an encirclement. what they realised is the russians were looking to encircle them and would have done so and if they had been encircled, i think that would have been really disastrous. what it turns out has happened, from the ukrainian perspectives, is over the last few days, they have pull troops out to get back to the west to more defensible positions. they say they have done it without leaving anyone behind and without losing people which really, if true, and we should say this as only come from ukrainian source, is really remarkable. i think it tallies with what we saw happened because they had been an expectation that this fight might last a long time as the battle for severodonetsk did, fierce street fighting one hesitant time, but it looks like the russians have just walked into the city, released videos showing them walking around unopposed so it seems to tally with what governor haidai said but despite the fact the ukrainian said they decided

to withdraw they have decided to withdraw because of the russian advances so it is a military success strategically important, but more importantly i think symbolically for the russians. three people including a firefighter have been taken to hospital, one suffering serious injuries, after a gas explosion caused an "inferno" at a block of flats in bedford this morning. fire crews say the blast engulfed the three—storey building, and that a large part of the roof has collapsed. the incident is now under control — but road closures remain in the area. breaking news coming out of the states on independence day, we are hearing reports of a shooting and independence day parade north of chicago. this is highland park,

north of chicago. the parade was halted as hundreds of people ran for safety. witnesses reported hearing multiple shots fired. details have been emerging over the last hour or so perhaps, and there are reports of a number of people injured. that is really as much as we have in terms of information about casualties. a local mayor has been tweeting about this... so 4th ofjuly celebrations cancelled after the shooting. we'll bring you more information as we

hear it from chicago. easyjet has announced that its chief operating officer, peter bellew, has resigned. it comes amid growing pressure on the airline to reduce flight disruptions. the airline has been one of the worst hit for cancellations in recent months and has axed thousands of flights, including many on the day they were due to depart. our transport correspondent katy austin explained more about the reasons for his departure. a fairly senior role there, someone resigning, what does all this mean? easyjet has said he's resigned to pursue other business opportunities and the boss at easyjet said everyone should rely on road relaying a responsible and safe operation. it's not the only business has been struggling as passengers come back following the end of covid restrictions, but there are lots of issues facing the sector

like staff shortages, and easyjet has had to make thousands of cancellations, including some in advance over the busy summer period. it says that's both in response to caps imposed by some airports it uses, gatwick and amsterdam, but also just to make things more resilient, to try to prevent the last—minute disruption over the summer, preventing people from turning up at the airport to find out theirflight is turning up at the airport to find out their flight is cancelled. but it means disruption to lots of people who had been hoping to get on these long plan getaways. you people who had been hoping to get on these long plan getaways.— these long plan getaways. you talk to --eole these long plan getaways. you talk to peeple in _ these long plan getaways. you talk to peeple in the — these long plan getaways. you talk to people in the earth _ these long plan getaways. you talk to people in the earth around - these long plan getaways. you talk to people in the earth around the l to people in the earth around the time, people very close to school holidays, people are very worried and anxious. what's your assessment, what do you hear insiders about how they feel it's going to pan out? we know a lot of it was just about not enough staff in some places. what's happening with recruitment, what are they say to you? with recruitment, what are they say to ou? . ,_ with recruitment, what are they say to ou? . ., , with recruitment, what are they say to ou? . ., y,�* to you? easyjet certainly isn't the only company _

to you? easyjet certainly isn't the only company to _ to you? easyjet certainly isn't the only company to have _ to you? easyjet certainly isn't the only company to have problems, | only company to have problems, british airways is another one that's taken and asked to its schedules over the summers to make them more resilient. but when you speak to airports, airlines and other businesses involved in making flights take off, they say it has been a really tough environment for staffing and recruitment. they say it's improving in some areas, airports say they recruited hundreds of new security staff for example, but it does take a long time for them to get through their training and their security clearance to start those roles. a lot are saying that started to come through and they are starting to get into the jobs and face customers, checking out those handling luggage. so they are saying we shouldn't see quite as bad queuing incidences as we saw around easter, though it might not be perfect, but there are other areas as well that have emerged as areas as well that have emerged as areas of concern, like ground handling, including the baggage handlers — that's been something recruiters have said it's been a struggle to get staff in place. but when you speak to businesses, they

say things are improving. still not perfect and they are giving advice to passengers, such as turn up three hours before your flight, to passengers, such as turn up three hours before yourflight, but to passengers, such as turn up three hours before your flight, but not too early because if you show up too early you're just adding to the queues at the airports.- early you're just adding to the queues at the airports. that's a lot of rules. queues at the airports. that's a lot of rules- it — queues at the airports. that's a lot of rules. it is, _ queues at the airports. that's a lot of rules. it is, but _ queues at the airports. that's a lot of rules. it is, but what _ queues at the airports. that's a lot of rules. it is, but what they - queues at the airports. that's a lot of rules. it is, but what they are i of rules. it is, but what they are sa in: is of rules. it is, but what they are saying is it's _ of rules. it is, but what they are saying is it's just _ of rules. it is, but what they are saying is it's just the _ of rules. it is, but what they are saying is it's just the standard . saying is it's just the standard check, but they are saying get there early enough, not too early, and they say where possible they're trying to make cancellations well in advanced so people aren't having on the day stress. advanced so people aren't having on the day stress-— advanced so people aren't having on the day stress. school caterers have told the bbc that rising food prices are changing what they provide for children's lunches in england and wales. some firms are using cheaper, imported meats, and changing the fruit and vegetables on offer. catering companies say the cost of basic groceries has increased by as much as 30%, and they're calling for the money for school dinners to be ring—fenced. our education editor

branwen jeffreys reports. caterers have told the bbc prices are going up, driving changes on school meal menus. in are going up, driving changes on school meal menus. in plymouth we've had to look very _ school meal menus. in plymouth we've had to look very carefully _ school meal menus. in plymouth we've had to look very carefully at _ school meal menus. in plymouth we've had to look very carefully at the - had to look very carefully at the meat that we buy, so we've taken brief off the menu, we had been buying that from farms in cornwall. we've replaced it with gammon, we've reduced the amount of chicken we use and replace that with turkey. this wholesaler _ and replace that with turkey. this wholesaler down _ and replace that with turkey. this wholesaler down the road supplies the plymouth school caterers. rising fuel costs are just one of their

headaches. they've faced sudden shortages of some fruit and veg, and the war in ukraine has made prices unpredictable. the war in ukraine has made prices unpredictable-— the war in ukraine has made prices unpredictable. since january, we've never experienced _ unpredictable. since january, we've never experienced what _ unpredictable. since january, we've never experienced what we've - unpredictable. since january, we've never experienced what we've sawl never experienced what we've saw seen _ never experienced what we've saw seen the _ never experienced what we've saw seen the last few months. luckily now, _ seen the last few months. luckily now, things on the produce side, considering — now, things on the produce side, considering it's a lot that's local coming — considering it's a lot that's local coming through.— considering it's a lot that's local coming through. everything in these crates is destined _ coming through. everything in these crates is destined for _ coming through. everything in these crates is destined for local _ crates is destined for local schools. at the moment prices are quite stable because we are into the british growing season. but the fear is that this autumn and winter could see further big price hikes. yea. see further big price hikes. yea, let the showtime _ see further big price hikes. yea, let the showtime begin! - see further big price hikes. yea, let the showtime begin! for - see further big price hikes. yea, i let the showtime begin! for school caterin: let the showtime begin! for school catering teams. — let the showtime begin! for school catering teams, it's _ let the showtime begin! for school catering teams, it's getting - let the showtime begin! for school catering teams, it's getting harder| catering teams, it's getting harder to make everything go up. four plus four is eight. — to make everything go up. four plus four is eight, and _ to make everything go up. four plus four is eight, and eight _ to make everything go up. four plus four is eight, and eight plus - to make everything go up. four plus four is eight, and eight plus eight i four is eight, and eight plus eight is 16! ., ., is 16! children might have to get used to more — is 16! children might have to get used to more changes _ is 16! children might have to get used to more changes on - is 16! children might have to get used to more changes on their. is 16! children might have to get - used to more changes on their plate, even though most like familiar foods. what do you like most about

school dinners?— foods. what do you like most about school dinners?_ i i school dinners? roast chicken. i love the potatoes! _ school dinners? roast chicken. i love the potatoes! dylan, - school dinners? roast chicken. i love the potatoes! dylan, you i school dinners? roast chicken. i. love the potatoes! dylan, you have cleaned your _ love the potatoes! dylan, you have cleaned your plate. _ love the potatoes! dylan, you have cleaned your plate. what _ love the potatoes! dylan, you have cleaned your plate. what do - love the potatoes! dylan, you have cleaned your plate. what do you i love the potatoes! dylan, you have. cleaned your plate. what do you like about school dinners? i like cleaned your plate. what do you like about school dinners?_ about school dinners? i like the taste of the _ about school dinners? i like the taste of the food, _ about school dinners? i like the taste of the food, and - about school dinners? i like the taste of the food, and also - about school dinners? i like the taste of the food, and also the | taste of the food, and also the vegetables. taste of the food, and also the vegetables-— taste of the food, and also the venetables. ~ ., . vegetables. with half the children here getting _ vegetables. with half the children here getting free _ vegetables. with half the children here getting free school— vegetables. with half the children here getting free school meals, i vegetables. with half the children i here getting free school meals, good food matters. just losing beef off the menu has had an effect. sometimes is not until you do something like that that you realise the impact — for example, some children stopped having roast dinner, and we are saying, why is that? i really like the roast beef and yorkshire pudding. that's sad because with the roast meat comes a lot of offer around vegetables that they might not otherwise try. the number of children who need free school meals has gone up. in england, more money has gone into meals for the very youngest, with the government giving 7p a child

extra per day. a welcome injury that i could increase but one that could be overtaken by prices. bronwyn jeffries, bbc news, plymouth. we're going to take a few well—deserved minutes to stay with education, talking about schools and pupils, and education in a very interesting and education in a very interesting and upbeat term, because the poet, playwright and authorjoseph grillo has been named the new children's laureate. he's with me now, which is a bonus. it celebrates... joseph, lovely to have you in the studio. you are supporting the new children's laureate metal. you have to net that children's laureate metal. you have to get that for _ children's laureate metal. you have to get that for the _ children's laureate metal. you have to get that for the next _ children's laureate metal. you have to get that for the next few - children's laureate metal. you have to get that for the next few years. l to get that for the next few years. it's your very own olympic medal, that's your equivalent. your

children's laureate for two years, you are playwright, but is it fair to say you're particularly known poetry, is that what you want to bring to the post?— bring to the post? poetry is my first hi, i started _ bring to the post? poetry is my first hi, i started out _ bring to the post? poetry is my first hi, i started out as - bring to the post? poetry is my first hi, i started out as a - first hi, i started out as a performance poet, then going into theatre. after 12 years of trying to get published, i got published in books. now i write across the board poetry, middle grade right up to why a. but i've always said poetry is run at the heart of everything i write. , , ., ,, write. does this mean you spend years travelling _ write. does this mean you spend years travelling around - write. does this mean you spend years travelling around going - write. does this mean you spend| years travelling around going into schools — that's a big task to say congratulations, joseph, for the next two years we want you to go and inspire the nation's children. where do you start?— do you start? each laureate puts their own stamp _ do you start? each laureate puts their own stamp on _ do you start? each laureate puts their own stamp on it. _ do you start? each laureate puts their own stamp on it. for- do you start? each laureate puts| their own stamp on it. for me, i'll be focusing on three things — the poetry prompts, which will be about inspiring the nation to write poems, i believe if we can get people realising that they are poets, then we can engender a passion for poetry, so i'll be doing that. also

be celebrating authors and illustrators through a bookmaker part of my delicate tenure ship, i believe all kids should have a chance to see themselves as a writer, illustrator or poet. and i'll be celebrating libraries of and down the country. we i'll be celebrating libraries of and down the country.— i'll be celebrating libraries of and down the country. i'll be celebrating libraries of and down the count . ~ ., down the country. we might have time to come onto — down the country. we might have time to come onto that. _ down the country. we might have time to come onto that. i _ down the country. we might have time to come onto that. i love _ down the country. we might have time to come onto that. i love the _ down the country. we might have time to come onto that. i love the idea - to come onto that. i love the idea that of course you want to go in and inspire children, and you are such an open personality that i can see how you would do that. but to what extent do you still come up against the idea that poetry is difficult? it's not like reading a novel, there is something that we don't quite i'll understand about poetry, that it's a harder artform. how do you persuade young people and their teachers it is something they can engage in?— teachers it is something they can enauaein? ., , , , engage in? poetry comes with this ban aa . e, engage in? poetry comes with this baggage. and _ engage in? poetry comes with this baggage. and often _ engage in? poetry comes with this baggage, and often because - engage in? poetry comes with this| baggage, and often because poetry has been done to us from an early age, i think it's about introducing young people, as well as adults,

because i have the same discussions with many adults, which introduces them to the truth of poetry which is at times analysing a poem — i love analysing a good poem, but it's letting them know that there's not a right or wrong answer, it's about what you bring to the poem and also that you are a poet. poems can be fun, funny, nonsensical, they can make you laugh or cry. but poetry is there to be enjoyed, to be read aloud, to be read. so it's notjust about words on the page and very strict formal structures — i love formal structures but is notjust about that. so formal structures but is not 'ust about thatfi formal structures but is not 'ust aboutthat. ., ., ., , about that. so you do want to listen to children performing _ about that. so you do want to listen to children performing their - about that. so you do want to listen to children performing their work, l to children performing their work, as well, it's about that? i to children performing their work, as well, it's about that?— as well, it's about that? i want to encourage _ as well, it's about that? i want to encourage young _ as well, it's about that? i want to encourage young people - as well, it's about that? i want to encourage young people to - as well, it's about that? i want to encourage young people to write | encourage young people to write poems. the poetry prompts will be a regular series of fun, enticing, poetic suggestions to get young people, young and old, writing and sharing their poetry. what people, young and old, writing and sharing their poetry.— sharing their poetry. what do you

feel that brings _ sharing their poetry. what do you feel that brings to _ sharing their poetry. what do you feel that brings to someone - sharing their poetry. what do you | feel that brings to someone who's still at school, still learning? perhaps their subject is history or geography, orscience, perhaps their subject is history or geography, or science, and they think poetry has nothing to do with any of those. you honestly feel that enriches them as a whole, i wonder what you say to them about that, how you convince them it's part of their life? ., .., ,., , you convince them it's part of their life? ., , ., life? you can write poetry about an hinu , life? you can write poetry about anything. you — life? you can write poetry about anything. you can _ life? you can write poetry about anything, you can enjoy - life? you can write poetry about anything, you can enjoy and - life? you can write poetry about| anything, you can enjoy and read poems about every single subject. i remember being in school and when i started off as a performance poet, they would often bring me teacher where there were students who are struggling with reading and writing, and i remember there was a young lad stuck at the front of the class because he was struggling, and he said to me he wasn't in the poetry, he didn't want to write anything in the teacher told me he might not write anything. i asked him what he did on the weekends? he said football. i told him he could write about football. his eyes lit up, and he wrote a couple of sentences for his poem about football. so it's about allowing young people to

connect to that passion. whatever they are interested in, their passions are valid. find they are interested in, their passions are valid.- they are interested in, their passions are valid. and tell me about libraries, _ passions are valid. and tell me about libraries, what _ passions are valid. and tell me about libraries, what will - passions are valid. and tell me about libraries, what will you l passions are valid. and tell me | about libraries, what will you be doing about that? for about libraries, what will you be doing about that?— about libraries, what will you be doing about that? for part of my tenure, doing about that? for part of my tenure. ill— doing about that? for part of my tenure, i'll be _ doing about that? for part of my tenure, i'll be creating _ doing about that? for part of my tenure, i'll be creating the - doing about that? for part of my| tenure, i'll be creating the library marathon. i started this pre—pandemic. i gave myself the challenge ofjoining a library in every uk authority and discovered there are 209 uk authorities. bitten off a big chunk- _ there are 209 uk authorities. bitten off a big chunk. but _ there are 209 uk authorities. bitten off a big chunk. but i _ there are 209 uk authorities. bitten off a big chunk. but i got _ there are 209 uk authorities. bitten off a big chunk. but i got 140 - off a big chunk. but i got 140 libraries joined _ off a big chunk. but i got 140 libraries joined up, _ off a big chunk. but i got 140 libraries joined up, got- off a big chunk. but i got 140 libraries joined up, got a - off a big chunk. but i got 140. libraries joined up, got a card, off a big chunk. but i got 140 i libraries joined up, got a card, i librariesjoined up, got a card, i have 140 library cards. i've borrowed books, spoken to library staff, highlighted books i was highlighting and encouraged people to get through the doors and join up — or if they weren't really members, to get borrowing more books. i've got about 70 odd left to do with a few extra added for good luck, and i'll bejoining those few extra added for good luck, and i'll be joining those libraries during my tenure reading poems, sharing stories, connecting with families and young readers, and getting people through the doors of

the library. getting people through the doors of the libra ., .,. . getting people through the doors of the libra .g .,, , _, getting people through the doors of the libra .g , _, ., ,, ., the library. joseph, i could talk to ou for the library. joseph, i could talk to you for much _ the library. joseph, i could talk to you for much longer— the library. joseph, i could talk to you for much longer but - the library. joseph, i could talk to you for much longer but it's - you for much longer but it's an absolute pleasure to have you in the studio. i hope we can talk as your two years progress— if you have time, you'll be clearly busy. think you so much, lovely to see you and congratulations. that is the new children's laureate for the next two years, inspiring children up and down the country. let's look at the weather prospects with louise. getting warmer which at this time of year is the story we all want to hear. music to our ears, poetry to our ears. but as we go through the day tomorrow, there'll a good day of —— deal of dry weather in the forecasts. this high—pressure starting to dominate. this weather front introducing more in the way of cloud, maybe the odd spot or two of light rain as we move through the day. but generally speaking you could be a fine, dry start, the best

of any sunshine out to east. cloud thicker, we could see patchy mist on merck along south west england, may be a bit of showery rain into north ireland by the end of the day. not as warm here, 15 celsius, but we should see temperatures peaking between 20—23 c across england in particular. as we move into wednesday, still have high pressure with us. this weather front will bring some rain, clearing out to the east during the day, maybe stay quite showery to the far northwest of scotland, but generally speaking financially with some time breaking through across central and southern parts of england and wales. as a degree or so, it will be warmer with top temperatures around 23—24 c by the middle of wednesday afternoon. thank you. that was the weather prospects. let's turn our attention to the sports news as well, plenty happening at wimbledon and elsewhere.

all eyes have been on nick krygios this afternoon — following his controversial win at the weekend... and he's been involved in a 5—set battle today, that's kept us all hooked, against brandon nakashima. he has made it through to the last eight — but it wasn't plain sailing. chetan pathak is there for us. not as much heat and venom as his last match — but krygios will be relieved to get through this one. he through this one. will be relieved, especially with the he will be relieved, especially with the shoulder problems that he had during the match. no circus act today, it was fairly straightforward in the end coming the deciding sets, it was taken to five by the 20—year—old the american who really made him work for it for most of this match, credits to the 20—year—old american, but it was a disciplined performance, really, not often that i say that from even with shoulder issues can be getting the job done in five sets. that final set, regular physio— treatment, he will now be in just a second wimbledon quarterfinal, his first

grand slam quarterfinalfor seven grand slam quarterfinal for seven years. grand slam quarterfinalfor seven years. kristin awaits nick, the chilean who has not been desperate —— far in this championship, being australia's alex and five epic sets. he will now face another ozzie. i think he has to be the clear favourite for that one. a potential semifinal with ralph and a doll in his long vision. can he make that happen? the american rail number 14 yet to drop a set that these championships. he is through to beat jason in straight sets and he will play ned doll. the dutch player who is to come later. let's show you what is happening at the moment on centre court. the only grand slam champion come only wimbledon champion come only wimbledon champion left in the women's drive. at the moment, the fourth seed, fourth in the world. she's knocked out petra already here. lots tojody branch at eastbourne, but it is this

picture at the moment, the 16th seat, the remaining term of the 2019 champion who has boston thing so far, taking a first set six games to one. shall be taken to court one? that's where we find harmony who knocked out katie in the last round in less than an hour, who beat serena williams in the first round. taking america's amanda. she came from a set down to beat coco in the last round. amanda, the world number 25 plotting this on at the moment against not looking too pleased. it is amanda with her nose and from there. i will round up all of this for you and the doubles on sportsday at 6:30 p:m., but for now, back to you. at 6:30 p:m. , but for now, back to ou. . ~' at 6:30 p:m. , but for now, back to ou. . ~ , ., y at 6:30 p:m. , but for now, back to ou. . ~' ,, , . you. thank you very much indeed, lookin: you. thank you very much indeed, looking forward _ you. thank you very much indeed, looking forward to _ you. thank you very much indeed, looking forward to it. _ england have their sights set, on what would be an unlikely win against india — in the fifth test at edgbaston. they're chasing 378 to win — after bowling the visitors out for 245 in their second innings on day 4. they took care of the lower order shortly after lunch, after a good morning session. captain ben stokes, getting his sentience

counterpart jasprit bumrah — one of four wickets for him. england began brightly — opener alex lees making his 50 and with zak crawley brought up their opening stand of 100 in just under 20 overs, the fastest in england test history, before crawley went to bumrah. lees was later was run out, amid some confusion withjoe root. ollie pope was out first ball after tea, for zero. but it'sjonny bairstow and root still in at the moment. and the score — a short while ago, 174 for three england after that magic total of 378, if they�* re to win this test, ultimately draw this delayed series. that is how it stands at the moment there. arsenal have signed brazil forward gabrieljesus from manchester city , on a long—term dealfor £45m. the 25—year—old forward scored 95 goals in 236 appearances in all competitions during his five seasons at city. . .. jesus will wear the no nine shirt — recently vacated by alexandre lacazette, who left for lyon on a free transfer.

that's all the sport for now. gavin, i like to keep up with. thank you very much indeed. it is 5:42pm. a busy 20 minutes coming up because i will be talking to hilary about labour and brexit. we will also be talking more about the consultation around childcare, potential changes to childcare ratios certainly in england, but before i talk to my guests on those topics, i do want to take you to chicago, because it is 4th ofjuly, independence day in the united states, and we have been hearing in the last hour or so about a shooting at a 4th ofjuly parade in chicago. now, specifically, if you know the area, this is a suburb called highland park. over the last hour, police are on the scene, this

will move around a bit, the shots rang out is what witnesses are saying and that hundreds of people ran for cover and ran away from the area. now, the independence parade in the area has been cancelled and the local mayor has said please avoid the area. eyewitnesses say that the parade was suddenly halted when shots were fired on the about ten minutes after it began. i apologise for the fairly unusual nature of these shots, it is just camera operators trying to frame up on various areas, this is really just the best live images that are coming to us at the moment. but suggestions from local media, including the main newspaper in the area say that one person certainly appears to have been badly injured. i must stress this is very early days and we don't have specifics in

terms of injuries. those are the initial reports that are coming out, so we will bring you more on that. certainly there does seem to be a lot of concern about white might have happened in that suburb of chicago and certainly the 4th of july parade cancelled there. we will keep an eye on that. lots of big stories domestically around today, let's talk a little bit more about childcare. a consultation has begun on increasing the number of children that can be looked after by a single childcare worker in england. currently, one adult can be in charge of four children, but the government wants to change that to five. the government hopes it will cut the costs of childcare, but there are fears the quality of care would drop if the plan is adopted. sanchia berg reports.

well for more on this i'm nowjoined by lucy thornton who is the founder and owner of little angels nursery in uppingham. hello, lucy, thank you so much for waiting to talk to us. i know you have been waiting patiently. it's been a busy hour and we are glad to have you with us. in terms of how you cope, of how your staff cope, just practically, what sort of difference would that make it that shifted from that ratio, one to four shifting to one to five?— shifted from that ratio, one to four shifting to one to five? thanks, and no worries at _ shifting to one to five? thanks, and no worries at all. _ shifting to one to five? thanks, and no worries at all. i _ shifting to one to five? thanks, and no worries at all. i suppose - shifting to one to five? thanks, and no worries at all. i suppose for- shifting to one to five? thanks, and no worries at all. i suppose for us i no worries at all. i suppose for us what's really interesting is it's not going to have that dramatic impact that i think definitely the government are kind of implying that that change will make. significantly for us and my setting, a full time equivalent place for a two—year—old is about 2.8 children. so actually, we are not asking for them to increase their workload by one, they

are looking at potentially increasing their workload by three families to meet that full—time equivalent of just families to meet that full—time equivalent ofjust one child. now, this is a work force that is already kind of facing a recruitment and retention crisis, so i speak for my team when i say that, you know, things have been really, really difficult and tricky. ijust things have been really, really difficult and tricky. i just think if it was the magic solution, if it would dramatically reduce childcare costs of which 95% of my workforce are working families, then i would wholeheartedly support it, but it just seems really kneejerk reaction, almost kind of headline chasing policy rather than something that's actually going to have a massive difference stuff like ok, so you don't think it would make a huge difference, the point of the government saying they would bring costs down, the one to five is already the ratio in scotland, isn't it? it absolutely is. it works quite

well for them. internationally, you know, it has worked hugely successfully in some kind of scandinavian countries, the differences they have a different work for a strategy in place and education strategy, so for me, just kind of adding a plaster to a wider problem, and i can only speakfor the impact it would have on my setting alone, but it does not going to change the cost to the parents at all, whatsoever. so to change the cost to the parents at all, whatsoever.— all, whatsoever. so it doesn't chance all, whatsoever. so it doesn't change the — all, whatsoever. so it doesn't change the cost _ all, whatsoever. so it doesn't change the cost to _ all, whatsoever. so it doesn't change the cost to the - all, whatsoever. so it doesn't l change the cost to the parents. that's what you believe. he talked a lot about problems with recruitment and retention. what are the starting blocks? what are your issues there? so, in a class to upscale our work for us, which i 100% support, we had real changes to the way of what we could call a qualified member of staff, most notably, the introduction of gcs e level a to see introduction of gcs e level a to see in the old style. to my own setting,

this is educated impact, i've got three educators to on that day to day job, three educators to on that day to dayjob, meeting the needs of children, knowing that early years foundation and actually being able to do their role, they are absolutely outstanding. now, however, two of them are due to finish on time, one is actually a young girland finish on time, one is actually a young girl and hasn't been able to complete her qualification for the two years because she cannot pass the maps gcs e. she can't do algebra, you know, she can talk to al about how children zero to five require mathematical knowledge, how they can produce and measure quantity and do maps in the early years, but she cannot do algebra. every time she sets that test, she doesn't get a grade c, and it is really heartbreaking to watch somebody who is amazing at herjob be considered unqualified. that somebody who is amazing at her 'ob

be considered unqualifiedi be considered unqualified. that is art of be considered unqualified. that is part of your _ be considered unqualified. that is part of your recruitment - be considered unqualified. that isj part of your recruitment problem. thank you so much, lucy. there is so much more i could ask you, but you have certainly put that across very clearly. thank you, all the best, the founder and hope that neck owner of little angel's nursery in buckingham. now, we are at 11 minutes to 6pm and going to turn our attentions to labour and direct sets, because as we have been saying, six year starmer will be making a speech in the next hour or two explaining how he could make brexit work better for the uk. as promised, we will discuss this with the labour mp, hillary, another guest waiting patiently, chair of parliament's brexit select committee. he's a former shadow foreign secretary is welcome thank you very much for talking to us. good afternoon.— you very much for talking to us. good afternoon. you well know, we have outlined _ good afternoon. you well know, we have outlined their _ good afternoon. you well know, we have outlined their what _ good afternoon. you well know, we have outlined their what we - good afternoon. you well know, we have outlined their what we think i have outlined their what we think you're starmer is going to stay in the next couple of hours. you will

know that the mayor of london, and menswear of your party has said that he thinks london and the country as a whole would be better off staying in the common market. so who is right in the customs union? fiut. in the common market. so who is right in the customs union? out, we would undoubtedly _ right in the customs union? out, we would undoubtedly be _ right in the customs union? out, we would undoubtedly be better - right in the customs union? out, we would undoubtedly be better off- right in the customs union? out, we would undoubtedly be better off if. would undoubtedly be better off if brexit hadn't happened, and i haven't changed my view about it, but we lost. and we have to deal with the situation as it is now. and kier starmer is saying very clearly that if a labour government is elected at the next election, we will not seek to be during the customs unit or the european union. my customs unit or the european union. my view is for any of those things to happen, you would require another referendum. i don't think there is public appetite for a referendum, and all the divisions that it brought. but the brexit deal that the government negotiated isn't working. it's causing harm to the economy. it's making life more difficult, especially for small businesses, for artists who want to perform in europe, for scientists to

want to cooperate with their european colleagues, and we need to turn our attention now, not go back to the past, to what is the new question, how do we build a new but different economic and political relationship with our biggest, nearest and most important trading partners? and that is what kier starmer will be talking about this evening. fin starmer will be talking about this evenina. . starmer will be talking about this evenin. ., , ., evening. on a practical level, how do ou evening. on a practical level, how do you do — evening. on a practical level, how do you do that? _ evening. on a practical level, how do you do that? because - evening. on a practical level, how do you do that? because brexit i evening. on a practical level, how do you do that? because brexit is| do you do that? because brexit is done. we are very are, politicians of all colours are fond of saying. what concrete proposals are there that could make a difference for the people of this country?— people of this country? welcome i will cive people of this country? welcome i will give you _ people of this country? welcome i will give you some _ people of this country? welcome i will give you some examples. - people of this country? welcome i will give you some examples. the| will give you some examples. the first would be to reach a veterinary agreement with the european union, because by and large, we are still producing standards, food, to the exact same standards as we were when we were members of the eu, and if you can get a veterinary agreement, then that would ease the problems across the i receive at the northern

ireland protocol which the government has made such a mess up. between dover and calais, we should negotiate an agreement which allows wonderful british performers, artists, touring companies musicians to go to europe and to her and for european musicians and artists to come to britain into her. should be working together on scientific research. we should be reaching a long—term agreement on how we handle data to deal with short—term business visits to try to make customs procedures less onerous, because the government has dumped a huge bucket load of red tape, bureaucracy and cost on british businesses, which is making it harderfor them businesses, which is making it harder for them to export to britain, and that is why the office for budget responsibility has said britain is missing out on the recovery and global experts, it is why it says that brexit is going to damage our gdp, and the problem

we've got at the moment is that the government is in a state of complete denialfor the government is in a state of complete denial for the consequences of the policy that they proceeded, and i think it's going to take a change of governments to sit down with the eu and say the past has happened, now, how can we work together to our mutual advantage and interest to make trade between our two economies easier, and i think a lot of people would welcome that.— easier, and i think a lot of people would welcome that. thank you so much, would welcome that. thank you so much. apologies — would welcome that. thank you so much, apologies to _ would welcome that. thank you so much, apologies to cut _ would welcome that. thank you so much, apologies to cut our- much, apologies to cut our conversation short as well, but thank you very much for your time for labour, of course. i have to move on because we are just hearing and updates following that fire in bedford that we were talking about earlier in the day, very, very big fire and we are hearing that at least one person has died as a result of that fire. that has come through in the last few moments. we know a number of people were taken to hospital. eyewitnesses describe

the fire as an inferno and it took hold in a back—up —— block of flats this morning. please have been holding a news conference in the last little while. fire crews saying the blast involved a 3—story building and that a large part of the roof collapsed. i should stress the roof collapsed. i should stress the incident is now under control, but as we say, just in the last few moments, that update, that at least one person has died in that fire at a block of flats in bedford. the time edging up to five to 6pm. a new species of giant water lily has been discovered by scientists — and it breaks the record as the largest in the world. the huge plant had been hiding in plain sight for 177 years — but it was mistakenly identified as another species. that was until the team at kew gardens in london, realised there may be more below the surface. our science editor

rebecca morelle reports. they're a marvel of the botanical world — giant water lilies dominating the pond in kew gardens. but these aren't just extraordinary to look at — they're also a species that's new to science. they are huge, aren't they? and they feel so strong. yeah. when you press down on them. under the path there is a network of nerves and they're filled with air, so basically it's like a floating mat. for years these plants have masqueraded as another species, but carlos magdelana, one of the world's leader water lily experts, long suspected this wasn't the case. when you think this is a new species, you have to demonstrate it, and this is what we have done. it's one of those things i canopt put into words. i believe it is the highlight of my career. and this new species is called victoria boliviana, named after bolivia, where it grows in the wild. standing here, you really get a sense ofjust how huge this is. this is one plant and

it's still growing. not only is this the first discovery of a new giant water lily species in more than 100 years, it is also now the biggest water lily in the world, with leaves that grow to more than three metres — that's 10 feet — in size. astonishingly, the new species had been hiding in kew's archives for more than 150 years. a specimen was collected and dried and stored, but wrongly identified. the discovery now brings the number of giant water lily species to three and a key part of studying them is to make detailed botanical drawings, where the differences start to stand out. this is the open flower of the new species. i think it's one of the most — maybe i'm biased — but out of three species i think it is one of the most beautiful flowers. drawings of the different water lilies reveal their unique features.

i could, as an illustrator, highlight those differences i saw. and in fact when i was drawing those differences they became even stronger in my mind and i found new ways of telling them apart. the water lily house was built in the 1800s to showcase kew's extensive collection. water lilies were a natural wonder of the victorian age. but this new discovery shows these giants, even today, hold some surprises and scientists say they still have much to learn about these remarkable plants. rebecca morelle, bbc news. much more coming up on all of today's strays on the six o'clock news, but right now, it is the weather from news, but right now, it is the weatherfrom louise lear. hi there, jane. that afternoon. i hope you've been enjoying yourself today. we have been chasing catamounts, but on the whole it's been dry, and for many in the southeast and it's been pleasantly warm as well. you can see how much cloud we have had. this is a week whether front that moving south and

east as we speak. as we go through the evening hours and overnight, i suspect on the whole, it will stay largely fine and dry. wind direction coming from the northwest around this high pressure that is trying to build them from the atlantic. that could continue to produce a few rogue showers running down through northern ireland down through the irish sea and into the cheshire gap as well. elsewhere, we will have clear skies and temperatures in rural parts of eastern areas, could fall as low as six or 7 degrees, that's on the chilly side, really for this time of year, but generally in towns and cities holding up into double figures. we start off tomorrow in a largely quiet note once again. a little more cloud, could be quite murky across south mustang in wales for a time, whether french is bringing some showery ran into the far northwest of scotland. top temperatures, highs of 23 celsius into the afternoon.

today at six — pressure grows on the pm about what he knew when about his former deputy chief whip, who's been suspended over alleged sexual misconduct. having previously denied he knew of specific allegations about chris pincher, now borisjohnson says he was aware of reports and speculation. and an alleged victim speaks out. he's feeling my leg and saying you must be muscular, like that. now, that immediately makes me worried and thinking, you know, that's not right. so, touching me there, i don't think he should be doing that to someone who he's onlyjust met. interest only denies the claims

saying another member of staff was