this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning the mp chris pincher�*s behaviour — directly contradicting the account from downing street. i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person, because that official told me so at the time. today's revelations will put fresh pressure on the prime minister — with number ten accused of changing their story and still not telling the truth. ministers are defending the prime ministers position the distinction that is being drawn as awareness of the complaint or an

allegation that may have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, it's the threshold for former disciplinary action. a man is arrested by police in the us state of illinois — after six people were shot dead at an independence day parade. 50,000 people have been put on evacuation alert as floods hit sydney for the third time this year. a bbc investigation has found that children as young as 11 have been housed in temporary accomodation as record numbers are placed into care. the world's first fully working sand battery is installed in finland, with developers calling it a major breakthrough for green energy. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world.

borisjohnson�*s decision to appoint chris pincher as deputy chief whip is facing further scrutiny as a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald, writes to the parliamentary standards commissioner this morning, saying that borisjohnson was briefed in person about an investigation into chris pincher�*s conduct as a foreign office minister. downing street had previously claimed that the prime minister wasn't aware of any specific allegations against mr pincher when he was appointed in february. but the bbc learned last night that boris johnson and the foreign secretary at the time, dominic raab, both knew about the issue. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last thursday and was suspended as a conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. chris pincher was appointed a foreign office minister injuly 2019 by mrjohnson, and stayed in the post until february 2020. during his time as a foreign office minister, an official complaint was raised about mr pincher

for "inappropriate behaviour". this triggered a process, overseen by the cabinet office, which resulted in a report that confirmed misconduct. yesterday, number ten reiterated that the prime minister was not aware of any specific allegations being looked at, and said that in the absence of a formal complaint it would not be appropriate to stop the appointment. however, lord mcdonald says downing street is not telling the truth and that borisjohnson was briefed in person about the initiation and outcome of the investigation into mr pincher, when mr pincher was a foreign office minister this this morning the former civil servant published his letter, alongside a tweet saying, "this morning i have written "to the parliamentary commissioner for standards because number ten "keep changing their story and are still not telling telling the truth." sir simon mcdonald was asked on the today programme this mornig how the information he provided about chris pincher reached boris johnson.

i briefed to the relevant senior official in the cabinet office, you will understand that such complaints about ministers are very rare, very sensitive. they are dealt with at the very top level. and so i had the help and support of the cabinet office through the investigation. and are you convinced, are you sure, that the cabinet office in person told mrjohnson about it? i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person because that official told me so at the time. so there's no question in your mind that mrjohnson knew in person, had been told in person about what happened at the foreign office? correct. so when will quince, the children's minister, said to us yesterday, "i've been given a categoric "assurance that the prime minister was not aware of any specific "allegations or complaints relating to the former deputy chief whip," that's not

true, is it? the categorical assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. it is very unusual for a retired official to do what i have done this morning. i did it by myself because what i have seen and read over the last few days i knew to be wrong, and things get to a point where you have to do the right thing. where do you think this leaves ten downing street? what do you need to hear? what do we all need to hear, do you think? i think they need to come clean. i think that the language is ambiguous. it's sort of... the sort of telling the truth and crossing your fingers at the same time and hoping that people are not too forensic

in their subsequent questioning. and i think that is not working. the deputy prime minister domic raab was being interviewed on bbc breakfast as simon mcdonald published his letter. i don't know, and that is news to me that the prime minister was briefed on the specific complaint that was made and then the outcome, precisely because it didn't lead to a formal disciplinary grievance process, let alone formal action. and i don't know how sir simon would know that, but if he does know that, he was briefed directly, that's news to me. and i think the distinction that is being drawn is awareness of a complaint that may have been... ..or an allegation that may have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, meets the threshold for formal disciplinary action. and there was none taken here. and, indeed, that was the advice of sir simon in this case,

and i remember it very clearly. ben wright is in westminster for us. good morning. an extraordinary publication of this letter, as he said himself, not a very usual thing to do, and the consequences pretty significant? fix, to do, and the consequences pretty siunificant? �* , ., to do, and the consequences pretty siunificant? �* , . ., significant? a dynamite letter and really unusual— significant? a dynamite letter and really unusual for _ significant? a dynamite letter and really unusual for a _ significant? a dynamite letter and really unusual for a former - significant? a dynamite letter and | really unusual for a former serving civil servant to speak out in these terms and publish a letter like this, and extraordinary, we headed there, that dominic raab, now deputy prime minister but foreign secretary in 2019, did not know as he went out to talk about this saga this morning that the prime minister had received a briefing and had been told that chris pincher was the subject of an internal investigation back in 2019 when he was a foreign office minister, the fact about was broken

this morning when lord mcdonald published his letter was extraordinary, but he is not the first minister put on a tricky position over the last two or three days. right back to friday ministers have been trying to explain number ten pubs version of events which has frankly attacked and changed as events have passed. 0n frankly attacked and changed as events have passed. on friday the prime minister's official spokesman said borisjohnson was not aware of allegations about chris pincher�*s behaviour before his appointment as deputy chief waited february, that position had shifted by yesterday afternoon —— as deputy chief with in february. the position was blown out of the water by lord mcdonald today. given the explanation from 10 downing street, how damaging is this? ., , , downing street, how damaging is this? . , , ., ., this? cumulatively very damaging, for conservative _ this? cumulatively very damaging, for conservative mps _ this? cumulatively very damaging, for conservative mps who - this? cumulatively very damaging, for conservative mps who had - this? cumulatively very damaging, for conservative mps who had for i for conservative mps who had for several months despite of boris johnson's leadership, i think what

it says about the prime minister's judgment, it only confirms that view. i think people in the cabinet will be upset, to say the least, about how the last few days have unfolded. the question is where any of that takes us in terms of boris johnson's future and chris pincher�*s feature as an mp, there are no signs of him resigning and triggering a by—election. i don't think number ten one patch and chris pincher shows no signs of that happening, but questions are piling up for number ten on the prime answer about precisely what he knew and when when the appointment was made in february and how he can justify giving a very seniorjob in charge of conservative party discipline and the welfare of tory mps to a man around whom there are so many rumours about behaviour and as we know now somebody who had been

subject of a formal investigation into 2019 that led to officials and the then foreign secretary dominic raab giving him a pretty stern telling off. he apologised at the time but that will certainly not draw a line under this. ben wright, thank ou draw a line under this. ben wright, thank you for— draw a line under this. ben wright, thank you for this, _ draw a line under this. ben wright, thank you for this, ben _ draw a line under this. ben wright, thank you for this, ben live - draw a line under this. ben wright, thank you for this, ben live in - thank you for this, ben live in westminster. we will now wait for the next response from downing street. response number three or four depending on how you count it. and later in the programme we'll be hearing from jamesjohnson, he previously ran the polling operation at number ten under theresa may. us police have arrested a 22—year—old man who they believe killed six people in a mass shooting at an independence day parade near chicago. 2a others were injured in yesterday's attack after a high—powered rifle was fired multiple times from a rooftop in the suburb of highland park. the suspect has been named as robert crimo iii. from the scene, our correspondent

nomia iqbal sent this report. the streets where celebrations had been taking place quickly turned into a hunting ground as police searched for a killer. a man who brought terror to an independence day parade. americans in this wealthy chicago suburb had been out in the sunshine for the symbolic day of the 11th ofjuly. a few minutes into the parade, shots rang out, creating shock, confusion and panic. people moved quickly for safety. i thought that it was the navy that was saluting the flag with rifles, but when i saw people running, i picked up my son, and i started running. at first, the police found the gun but not the gunman. it took until the evening for them to eventually arrest robert crimo iii. the person of interest has now been taken to the highland park police department where we are going to begin the next

phase of the investigation and speak with this person to make sure or see if, in fact, he is connected to this incident. social media firms have suspended accounts apparently owned by him. all events were cancelled as police spent hours looking for the 22—year—old. and so another address to the nation on yet another mass shooting. president biden cautiously questioned the direction his country is heading in. there is nothing guaranteed about our democracy, nothing guaranteed about our way of life. we have to fight for it, defend it and earn it by voting. there has been a mass shooting in america every week this year. recently, major legislation was passed to address gun violence, but this proves that there is no part of american life that is untouched by gun violence. it happens in schools and in supermarkets, and on independence day, one of the most important days in america's history.

well, earlier i spoke to cbs correspondent bradley blackburn from highland park in illinois. he told me more about the person that was arrested. we know this person has been called a person of interest by authorities, his name is robert crimo iii, he is 21. police are not yet saying why they believe he decided to do this, allegedly decided to do this, but they say he used a high—powered rifle, took a position on top of one of these commercial buildings along the parade route and fired on people in the crowd, sending families scrambling for cover. they are combing through this person of interest�*s digital footprint, looking at previous posts he did online, apparently styled himself as some sort of rapper and sometimes posted violent videos on the internet but it is not clear at this point why he took this action. for viewers in the uk

who might not know where you are, tell us a bit about the area you are in the us. this is a suburban community just north of chicago, an upscale community about 25 miles north of the city. about 30,000 people live here. it is striking to see the chaos left behind when the shooting started, families were lining the parade route and they left behind lawn chairs, strollers and kids' bicycles when they started scrambling for cover. this community is reeling, mourning these deaths and struggling with the injuries as a result of the shooting, but people are also pointing to moments of unity that came after this attack, how individuals welcomed strangers into their homes to take shelter. this entire community was told to be on lockdown, shelter in place for nine hours while the alleged gunman was still on the run. this is not an isolated incident

in the us, we are up to a mass shooting roughly every week and we have covered a lot of bbc news. is there any sense of anything changing in the political mood? one per week by some counts, more than 300, according to one tracking organisation, since the start of this year, shooting after shooting. i covered the story in buffalo outside the grocery store, the mass shooting that happened there, the awful shooting in uvalde, texas at an elementary school, they were just in the last few months. authorities passed one of the most significant pieces of gun control legislation in years but as you say it is clear that this epidemic of violence continues. bradley, thank you very much for talking us through that. about 50,000 australians have been urged to evacuate their homes after parts of sydney received

about eight months of rain in four days. roads have been cut off, some houses are underwater and thousands have been left without power. the downpour is expected to begin easing in sydney today, but gale force winds are also forecast, bringing a risk of falling trees and power lines. here's the bbc�*s shaimaa khalil with an update. the rain has not been letting up and the waterjust keeps rising. i'm in a neighbourhood in south windsor, a town north—west of sydney, and this is the third major flooding event they've had in the last 18 months. if ijust move out here, just to show you. this is actually one of the main roads, connecting this side of the neighbourhood to the other and the only way to get through now was by boat. earlier, one of the locals on this side was rowing his boat, getting food and supplies for people who were stuck on the other side. he said, "this is the only way to get through now." the house just over here, some of the residents were rescued by rescue services earlier today.

they were stuck, they couldn't move. others have evacuated and theyjust told me, "we've been without power through the night and we were just going to pack and leave". others have said that they're going to stay at home, pray that they don't get stuck, pray that the water doesn't come even higher. but almost everyone here has told me how exhausting it's been. i've been speaking to chloe, one local here, who's been telling me how those last three days have been for her. it's crazy being told that you have to leave your home and just grab what you can. you know, a lot of stuff was left behind. we don't really know what we're really going to go back to. so we're just hoping that our house is safe and all our belongings and whatnot are going to be there when get back and try and get back to being normal. and time and time again, people tell you, look,

dealing with one catastrophic flood is hard enough. the shock, the trauma, the fact that you have to leave your house. dealing with three or even four, for some, in less than two years has just been devastating. the rain is still going, the wind is still going. we now have more than 100 evacuation orders that is affecting at least 115,000 people in sydney and the surrounding areas. people have been told that unless you are told to evacuate, unless there has been an evacuation order, people should stay home and those who are evacuating should consider multiple routes because, as you can see behind me, sometimes you want to leave your house, like those people over there in that property, and theyjust can't. so people are also being told to make sure that they can leave safely and that they have somewhere to go and now more evacuation centres have opened in this area and around it as well.

thanks to shaimaa khalil for that update. president putin has ordered his forces to push ahead with their offensive in eastern ukraine, after seizing control of the entire luhansk region, following the withdrawal of ukrainian troops from lysychansk. russian troops are now stepping up their bombardment of cities in the neighbouring donetsk region, as our security correspondent gordon correra explains. the fighting in recent months has been concentrated in the east of the country, the region known as the donbas. over the weekend, ukrainian forces withdrew from lysychansk in the luhansk region. that came after the fall of another strategic city, severodonetsk, a few weeks ago. that's given the russians effective control of the whole of luhansk. their sights are now thought to be set on taking the neighbouring donetsk region with the towns of slovyansk and kramatorsk likely their next targets. overall, it now means russia controls more than a fifth of ukraine and looks to be seeking more.

russia might still want to take the coast, building on its seizure of crimea in 2014 by taking 0desa and cutting off ukraine from the black sea. but that may be a step too far since they were recently pushed off the symbolically important snake island. so, is russia now winning the war? despite early setbacks, russia certainly has had real tactical victories in recent weeks in the east, but it has been slow going with significant losses. and the real question is, will russia be able to maintain this progress? it certainly has the manpower and firepower to keep going, but ukraine is hoping it can slow the russians and then launch counter—offensives to push back. crucial to that is the arrival of weaponry from the west, like this and other long—range artillery systems which are now slowly making their way to the battlefield. they could help shift the balance.

so, russia has made gains recently, but we may now be entering a new phase in the war where the outcome is less clear and it may depend on each side's ability to sustain the fight for the long haul. thanks to gordon. 0ur ukraine correspondent joe inwood is in kyiv. he said the ukrainian army saw the supply of advanced weaponry as crucial to their success — especially the advanced missile system known as himars. they are very, very high accuracy long—range missile systems, or medium to long range missile systems and they are getting here but only in small numbers. you see videos emerging on social media put out by the ukrainians of vehicles being driven, firing and then driving off, and i think they are having an impact but only in small numbers. the ukrainians say they need around 100 of these systems in order to really turn the tide and at the moment they're getting a handful. as gordon was talking about there, the key battleground now

is the donetsk region, and specifically the towns of slovya nsk and kramatorsk. slovyansk was where the uprising started in 2014, these russian inspired uprisings in the annexation of crimea. when that happened there was a different prime minister of the country, yesterday i did a fairly long interview with him and one of the points he made that i thought was really interesting was that has been a policy of appeasement with president putin going all the way back to 2008, he traced this crisis we are talking about now all the way back to that. let's listen to him. sometimes we were deaf, putin was very vocal in 2008, saying he was very ready to restore the soviet union. and that the biggest tragedy was the fall of the soviet union. do and that the biggest tragedy was the fall of the soviet union.— fall of the soviet union. do you think this could _ fall of the soviet union. do you think this could still— fall of the soviet union. do you think this could still turn - fall of the soviet union. do you think this could still turn into . fall of the soviet union. do you think this could still turn into a | think this could still turn into a third world war?

i believe right now we are in a hybrid war. it is not conventional, it does not seem like the second world war, but i expect that the new global order will emerge, otherwise autocrats and dictators will take over this world. fascinating listening to him, especially the use of language, lots of people around international conferences talking about a new version of a cold war, obviously it is not so much a cold conflict not far from where you are. how significant do you think this reshaping of the global world order could be? i think the point he was making as we don't know which direction this will go in and in a way the actions of the collective west over the next coming months and years will shape art. —— will shape that. he was basically setting out two

possible versions of the future, one in which ukraine gets integrated into the west and to some extent you get a reinvigoration of natoand the european union and what he sees as progressive powers or western powers maintaining their influence in the world. there was the other version he was setting out, the much more pessimistic one from his perspective, where russia wins and it really boosts autocratic regimes. i think for him we are at an inflection point and what happens both here and in europe and north america over the next months and years will decide the future path of the world, as he sees it. thank you, joe inwood in kyiv. meanwhile, in the last hour, nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg has said that the process to ratify sweden and finland as members of nato has been formally launched. it marks an historic step brought on by russia's invasion of ukraine. last week in madrid, allied leaders agreed to invite finland and sweden to join the alliance following the agreement of a trilateral memorandum

between turkiye, finland and sweden. so today we will formally sign the protocols of accession. this marks the start of the ratification process. nato's door remains open to european democracies who are ready to and willing to contribute to our shared security. this is a good day for finland and sweden and a good day for nato. with 32 nations around the table, we will be able to be even stronger and our people will be even safer as we face the biggest security crisis in decades. jens stoltenberg. now we come back to the uk. six years ago, actor michael sheen presented a petition to the welsh government calling for children in care not to be housed in bed and breakfast accommodation while they wait for a suitable

foster placement or children's home. now in a new follow—up documentary, children's charities have warned that many young people in care in the uk still feel they're not getting the support they need. paul heaney reports. so these are all the photos i've got from the majority of my childhood. hope's mum wasn't able to look after her, but she has really good memories growing up with her grandparents. i think, at that point, i really wanted to be in the police, when i was little. things changed when she was 13. exploited by older people, nan and grandad agreed foster care was best for her own safety. but that placement later broke down. hope ran away and slept rough before the council offered her a place in a hostel. she says it was under the same roof as someone who'd assaulted her. i had clothes stolen from me, i had bus passes stolen from me. the girls used to gang up.

wrexham council said it always aimed to keep children safe, that its children's services had since been transformed and it would use hope's comments to improve things further. we asked councils in wales, using the freedom of information act, what kind of places they were using to house young people. our investigation has found that, even now, children are still being placed in bed—and—breakfasts and other temporary accommodation here in wales. that's despite the welsh government saying it wanted to stop that six years ago. most are 16 or 17 years old, but some are even younger. one example was an 11—year—old placed in an airbnb with support workers because there was nowhere else for them to go. the actor michael sheen presented a petition to the welsh government, calling for unregulated accommodation for children to be banned. in a bbc documentary tonight, he hears from hope and others in care who say they were let down

by the system designed to protect them. it'sjust heartbreaking, heartbreaking, and infuriating that we, as a society, are allowing this to happen to children. 0ne children's charity now wants more fundamental changes to the care system. young people say, - why are we not loved? why doesn't the care system love us? what does love look like for us? and these are the - questions we are asking government to think about, really. the body representing councils in wales told us that in the face of growing demand and more complicated cases, they are doing their best but they need more money. the welsh government says children should not be placed in b&bs. most children in care, it says, do have a positive experience and it is investing more in foster care and specialist accommodation while trying to help families sooner. hope is now trying to move on from a difficult time in care. rock climbing helps

her mental health. there's no room for anything else to come into your mind when you're climbing. she's determined to improve the care system for those who come after her. i will fight to make sure that this process doesn't happen in the same way it happened to me. paul heaney, bbc news. a premier league and international footballer has been arrested in north london on suspicion of rape. 0ur correspondent louisa pilbeam is outside scotland yard this morning. the 29—year—old man is a premier league and international footballer. he was arrested in barnet in north london yesterday on suspicion of rape. now, police haven't named the man for legal reasons and they haven't said what club or what country he plays for. now, officers have been questioning the man over an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s. the rape allegedly happened last month. now, the man was taken into custody

and police say inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. 0ur our thanks to louisa for that. one person has died and three others were taken to hospital after a major gas explosion and fire at a block of flats in bedford. an investigation is underway and authorities say some people are still unaccounted for, so more bodies could be discovered in the coming days as emergency services work through the wreckage. you are watching bbc news, the headlines: more heavy rainfall predicted for sydney — as people are warned the flooding is far from over. president putin orders his forces to push on with their offensive in eastern ukraine, after seizing control of the entire luhansk region. and the world's first fully working sand battery is installed in finland, with developers calling it a major

breakthrough for green energy. back now to our top story here in the uk — borisjohnson is facing further scrutiny over what he knew about mp, chris pincher, when he appointed him as deputy chief whip in february. a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald, now says mrjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint and investigation into mr pincher�*s behaviour. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last thursday and was suspended as a conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. i'm joined by sir roger gale, conservative mp for north thanet. good morning. good morning. what is our good morning. good morning. what is your reaction — good morning. good morning. what is your reaction to _ good morning. good morning. what is your reaction to this _ good morning. good morning. what is your reaction to this letter— good morning. good morning. what is your reaction to this letter and - good morning. good morning. what is your reaction to this letter and the - your reaction to this letter and the revelations in it?— revelations in it? sadly, i'm not remotely surprised _ revelations in it? sadly, i'm not remotely surprised but -

revelations in it? sadly, i'm not remotely surprised but i - revelations in it? sadly, i'm not remotely surprised but i am - remotely surprised but i am completely horrified. i am not surprised because time after time, downing street has had to revise a story that initially has been a denial and then has been turned into some sort of admission. what we are seeing now is a highly reputable and trusted former very senior civil servant, lord mcdonald, kicking the bottom completely out of the line that was originally peddled by downing street by the prime minister. that is absolutely unforgivable.— minister. that is absolutely unforuivable. , , , unforgivable. they could possibly sa there unforgivable. they could possibly say there was _ unforgivable. they could possibly say there was no _ unforgivable. they could possibly say there was no formal- unforgivable. they could possibly i say there was no formal disciplinary action taken against mr pincher and so therefore the matter didn't reach a threshold to take any action now. simon mcdonald in his letter, which i have read very carefully, makes it absolutely plain that he does not

accept the downing street line and he's gone to the length, which is an extraordinary length, is making his view known to the parliamentary commissioner for standards, because he clearly feels so outraged in the manner in which he had the actions he took have been misrepresented by mrjohnson. mrjohnson has for three days now been sending ministers, in one case a cabinet minister on sunday morning, out to defend the indefensible. effectively to lie on his behalf. that cannot be allowed to continue. his behalf. that cannot be allowed to continue-— to continue. that is a very strong word and a _ to continue. that is a very strong word and a very _ to continue. that is a very strong word and a very strong _ to continue. that is a very strong word and a very strong sentence | to continue. that is a very strong . word and a very strong sentence you have just said. i word and a very strong sentence you have just said-— have just said. i said it very carefully — have just said. i said it very carefully and _ have just said. i said it very carefully and very - have just said. i said it very - carefully and very deliberately. how damauuin carefully and very deliberately. how damaging is — carefully and very deliberately. how damaging is this for boris johnson? damaging is this for borisjohnson? well, you begin to wonder, don't you, whether anything will persuade this prime minister that he cannot go on any longer? but, for me, it

merely underscores a concern i have had about the prime minister's lack ofjudgment over the whole of his time in office.— ofjudgment over the whole of his time in office. how much damage is bein: time in office. how much damage is being done. — time in office. how much damage is being done. do _ time in office. how much damage is being done, do you _ time in office. how much damage is being done, do you think, _ time in office. how much damage is being done, do you think, to - time in office. how much damage is being done, do you think, to the . being done, do you think, to the conservative party, the brand of the conservative party, the brand of the conservative party, the brand of the conservative party and the conservative party and the conservative party and the conservative party in the eyes of voters? mr; conservative party in the eyes of voters? g , ., , , voters? my personal view is this prime minister _ voters? my personal view is this prime minister has _ voters? my personal view is this prime minister has trashed - voters? my personal view is this prime minister has trashed the l prime minister has trashed the reputation of a proud and honourable party for honesty and decency and thatis party for honesty and decency and that is not acceptable. it cannot go on like this. i've been saying for days now that i was not in favour of changing the rules of the 1922 committee to permit another vote of no confidence within the one year timescale. lord mcdonald's letter has changed my view. it is so

blatant a lie that it has to be acted upon as swiftly as possible by my party. bud acted upon as swiftly as possible by m -a . �* " ., my party. and the 1922 committee obviously is _ my party. and the 1922 committee obviously is a _ my party. and the 1922 committee obviously is a group _ my party. and the 1922 committee obviously is a group of _ my party. and the 1922 committee obviously is a group of backbenchl obviously is a group of backbench mps who control the party mechanisms of the conservative party. do you think it likely any of those rule changes will go ahead and action will be taken? i changes will go ahead and action will be taken?— changes will go ahead and action will be taken? i had thought not. i'm will be taken? i had thought not. i'm revising _ will be taken? i had thought not. i'm revising that _ will be taken? i had thought not. i'm revising that view. _ will be taken? i had thought not. i'm revising that view. 0k, - will be taken? i had thought not. i'm revising that view. 0k, we i will be taken? i had thought not. i i'm revising that view. 0k, we must leave it there. _ i'm revising that view. 0k, we must leave it there, thank _ i'm revising that view. 0k, we must leave it there, thank you _ i'm revising that view. 0k, we must leave it there, thank you for - i'm revising that view. 0k, we mustj leave it there, thank you for coming onto the programme and talking to us, we appreciate your time, thank you. i'm joined now byjamesjohnson, the co—founder of polling firm jl partners who previously ran the polling operation at no 10 under theresa may. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme._ it. thank you very much for coming on | the programme._ it is the programme. good morning. it is an extraordinary _ the programme. good morning. it is an extraordinary morning _ the programme. good morning. it is an extraordinary morning already. . an extraordinary morning already. what do you make of it? i an extraordinary morning already. what do you make of it?— what do you make of it? i think it underlines _ what do you make of it? i think it underlines what _ what do you make of it? i think it underlines what we _ what do you make of it? i think it underlines what we have - what do you make of it? i think it underlines what we have known l what do you make of it? i think it - underlines what we have known since mid—january, that as far as the public are concerned, borisjohnson

has not been straight with them, first over pa rtygate has not been straight with them, first over partygate and now over this issue because of it's interesting in terms of how public opinion response to these things. the individual story they might not be that angry about. i suspect in this first landed, a lot of the public shrugged their shoulders and said another mp guilty of wrongdoing or being investigated for wrongdoing. but actually, it is the cover—up since which incenses voters. cover-up since which incenses voters. ., , , , cover-up since which incenses voters. . , , ., , voters. that presumes people outside westminster— voters. that presumes people outside westminster are _ voters. that presumes people outside westminster are following _ voters. that presumes people outside westminster are following every - westminster are following every development, every slight shift of nuance of the lines out of number 10 downing street to stop to people up and down the country really follow it that closely?— it that closely? they don't follow it that closely? they don't follow it closely and _ it that closely? they don't follow it closely and you _ it that closely? they don't follow it closely and you are _ it that closely? they don't follow it closely and you are quite - it that closely? they don't follow| it closely and you are quite right, they are not following every single up they are not following every single up and down but they did... form of view of the prime minister around partygate which cut through and a lot of voters did notice and that view is now very hard to shift. for

those that notice a story like this, and it's been leading the news in the uk for the last week or so, they will see this as a confirmation of their view. we asked voters for one word that they would use to sum up the prime minister back in april. that most common word was a liar and i don't think this is going to change of that, i think it will reinforce those views are make it more difficult for the prime minister. �* ., more difficult for the prime minister-— more difficult for the prime minister. �* ., . minister. and how much will the prime minister _ minister. and how much will the prime minister know, _ minister. and how much will the prime minister know, what - minister. and how much will the prime minister know, what you | minister. and how much will the . prime minister know, what you said about polling on that presumably there are people inside the operation now doing what you did when you were in number 10 downing street and passing similar information on to the prime minister?— information on to the prime minister? ~ , , ~ ., , information on to the prime minister? ~ , ~ ., , ., minister? absolutely. and that is a frank and open _ minister? absolutely. and that is a frank and open exchange, - minister? absolutely. and that is a frank and open exchange, then - minister? absolutely. and that is a frank and open exchange, then he | frank and open exchange, then he would be very aware of that. both in terms of views of him and of the wider conservative party in the way its reputation is being eroded. but you don't need private polling to work that out. look at the local

election results, the by—election losses in wakefield and tiverton and honiton, uc voters going against the prime minister and the longer this goes on, the conservative party as well. i think there's a chance for the conservatives to turn this around. labour remains weak in the eyes of the public but with this prime minister, i see it has no chance of happening. a bit like jeremy corbyn in 2019, although people like individual policies, with boris johnson people like individual policies, with borisjohnson they have seen time and time again they have lied to him and they doubt the ability to trust him on policies they might even agree with. that is very difficult when a political leader gets into that territory with the public. gets into that territory with the ublic. g . , , ., public. 0k, james, we must leave it there that thank _ public. 0k, james, we must leave it there that thank you _ public. 0k, james, we must leave it there that thank you for _ public. 0k, james, we must leave it there that thank you for coming - public. 0k, james, we must leave it there that thank you for coming on i there that thank you for coming on and talking us through your thoughts, thank you. complaints from customers have hit their highest level on record and it's costing businesses more than £9 billion every month in lost staff time, according to new research from the institute of customer service. earlier, i spoke to the ceo of the institute of customer service, jo causon, who gave us more insight into the survey and the

issues customers face. so we have been undertaking the survey now since 2008 and as you correctly say, the number of complaints, issues and problems is at its highest level. interestingly, complaint handling is better, but the numbers have we've got are far too high. the sorts of issues that organisations or employees and customers are experiencing are around quality, so the quality of the product or the service experience, the suitability, so whether the product or service is suitable, and availability. so some really quite significant issues there. and any thoughts on why we are hitting records now? i think it will be a combination of things. we're obviously coming out of covid but still impacted by covid and clearly the cost of living crisis is impacting.

but as organisations try to be a bit more front foot and really looking at our resource planning and trying to build better connections with our customers, being more transparent, all of those things are going to really matter as we try to build better relationships with our customers and manage through this particularly challenging time. when we're talking about complaints, is this a whole range of things? is this being frustrated because you are on hold for a little bit or is it absolutely fundamental breakdown of services? it will be a range of issues, but again if we come back to the kind of key issues, it does seem to be around the quality. and quality really matters. and about value. even though we are facing the financial challenges that we are, price isn't everything. it is about the quality of that experience and those organisations that are doing this well have really reached out to their customer base, really understand what their issues

and challenges are and look to be able to help them with that, whether that's around debt scheduling or management, looking at budgeting, but also outreach connection are really important from an organisational viewpoint to the customer. for those organisations or businesses or whatever they are, there is a financial incentive too for themselves which is their staff and organisation is losing a huge amount of time and money in dealing with all of this? completely. we know that on average organisations are spending around three and half days a month trying to resolve customer service issues. that's a whopping £9 billion. so that is a terrible waste of energy when actually we want to try and make sure we're getting it right first time. so it's good that we've got better at dealing with issues, but that's just about service recovery. what we really want is organisations to think about the end customer

experience and trying to stop these issues from happening in the first place. the women's euro 2022 championship starts tomorrow when hosts england take on austria in front of a 71,000 sell—out crowd at old trafford. if you are in the uk, you can watch that match live on bbc one. natasha jonas is a professional boxer and sister of england forward nikita parris. we can speak to her now. good morning. we can speak to her now. good morninu. ,., ., we can speak to her now. good mornin _ ,., ., ., we can speak to her now. good morning-_ you i we can speak to her now. good. morning._ you are we can speak to her now. good - morning._ you are quite morning. good morning. you are quite the sporting — morning. good morning. you are quite the sporting family _ morning. good morning. you are quite the sporting family we _ morning. good morning. you are quite the sporting family we will— morning. good morning. you are quite the sporting family we will get - morning. good morning. you are quite the sporting family we will get onto i the sporting family we will get onto in a moment that we start with the football. this could potentially be a huge tournament for women's sport, women's football, especially here in england. women's football, especially here in encland. , ., women's football, especially here in encland. , ,, ., �*, england. yes, ithink women's football and _ england. yes, ithink women's football and boxing _ england. yes, ithink women's football and boxing at - england. yes, ithink women's football and boxing at the - england. yes, i think women's. football and boxing at the same

england. yes, i think women's - football and boxing at the same time is riding the crest of a wave at the minute and you have to keep that momentum going. it's more visible, more accessible. more successful at the minute. so yes, you have to keep that going forward and using it positively to grow the sport. bud positively to grow the sport. and ou will positively to grow the sport. and you will have _ positively to grow the sport. and you will have seen over the last years, given yourfamily you will have seen over the last years, given your family connection, watching the increase in attention, as it were just talking about there, but also the standard and you watch any sport, if you watch closely, that drives up standards. the standards of the women's game is now so much better and what you are expecting out of england and their performance in this championship? well, i wait expect them to win, i always want them to win, i ways hope they will win. but they have belief in the team. a couple of years at the last tournament, they were a little bit... they were kind of the new proud and the team had been over

—— overhauled a few years ago that they are now more experienced in coming off the back of three good wins and they will want to keep that momentum going. they have had a great world cup last year, a great europeans the year before. i think the team has gelled really well, they are a lot more experienced and coming into their own.— coming into their own. fascinating, that bodes pretty — coming into their own. fascinating, that bodes pretty well— coming into their own. fascinating, that bodes pretty well for _ coming into their own. fascinating, that bodes pretty well for the - coming into their own. fascinating, l that bodes pretty well for the games coming up, doesn't it? speaking to your sister, what kind of mood is there in the camp? i your sister, what kind of mood is there in the camp?— your sister, what kind of mood is there in the camp? i think they are 'ust read there in the camp? i think they are just ready to _ there in the camp? i think they are just ready to get — there in the camp? i think they are just ready to get going. _ there in the camp? i think they are just ready to get going. they - there in the camp? i think they are just ready to get going. they want | just ready to get going. they want to be supported and they want to do well in front of their home crowd, which is the natural thing. if you have home advantage it also comes with a lot of pressure but there is a lot of good sides in the tournament and they are definitely there as one of them. aha, tournament and they are definitely there as one of them. b. lat tournament and they are definitely there as one of them.— tournament and they are definitely there as one of them. a lot of good sides but england _ there as one of them. a lot of good sides but england are _ there as one of them. a lot of good sides but england are expected - there as one of them. a lot of good sides but england are expected to l sides but england are expected to beat austria tomorrow, with the kick off in front of a capacity crowd at old trafford. 0n bbc one, lots of people will be watching, the opening of the tournament, you have to get

that right and england have to win, don't they? i that right and england have to win, don't the ? ., ., that right and england have to win, don't the ? ~ ., ., , don't they? i think that goes without saying, _ don't they? i think that goes without saying, yeah. - don't they? i think that goes without saying, yeah. it's i don't they? i think that goes without saying, yeah. it's a l don't they? i think that goes i without saying, yeah. it's a match they are expected to win and a match they are expected to win and a match they want to win, just to get themselves going and it takes a lot of pressure off with the other two. not that they want to lose the other two but it puts you in good stead. 0ther two but it puts you in good stead. other than england, who should people watching be looking out for, who has a chance of winning the whole thing? i who has a chance of winning the whole thing?— who has a chance of winning the whole thin ? ~ ., ._ ~ whole thing? i think norway, i think it was our quite _ whole thing? i think norway, i think it was our quite a _ whole thing? i think norway, i think it was our quite a good _ whole thing? i think norway, i think it was our quite a good team - whole thing? i think norway, i think it was our quite a good team and i it was our quite a good team and spain as well. so, yes, there are a couple of good teams but i think norway and spain are probably the two biggest threats. bud norway and spain are probably the two biggest threats.— norway and spain are probably the two biggest threats. and no doubt of cause who you _ two biggest threats. and no doubt of cause who you will— two biggest threats. and no doubt of cause who you will be _ two biggest threats. and no doubt of cause who you will be rooting - two biggest threats. and no doubt of cause who you will be rooting for. i cause who you will be rooting for. great to have you won, so much for coming on and speaking to us and good luck to everyone involved in the england camp and theirfamilies. thank you very much, natasha jones. new research has found that the effects of the pandemic

on mental health in britain has remained for many people. lots of britons admitted to feel �*isolation overhang' and nearly two thirds are said to feel nervous of going outdoors. paula radcliffe is a former british long distance runner. iam very i am very pleased to say we can speak to her. good morning. goad speak to her. good morning. good morninu. speak to her. good morning. good morning. lovely _ speak to her. good morning. good morning. lovely to _ speak to her. good morning. good morning. lovely to speak - speak to her. good morning. good morning. lovely to speak to i speak to her. good morning. good morning. lovely to speak to you. i morning. lovely to speak to you. what is your— morning. lovely to speak to you. what is your reaction _ morning. lovely to speak to you. what is your reaction to - morning. lovely to speak to you. what is your reaction to this i what is your reaction to this survey, that people understandably perhaps are still feeling the kind of social effects of the pandemic and lockdowns?— of social effects of the pandemic and lockdowns? absolutely, i think my reaction — and lockdowns? absolutely, i think my reaction is _ and lockdowns? absolutely, i think my reaction is exactly _ and lockdowns? absolutely, i think my reaction is exactly that, - and lockdowns? absolutely, i think my reaction is exactly that, a i and lockdowns? absolutely, i think my reaction is exactly that, a huge | my reaction is exactly that, a huge amount of understanding and compassion and recognition that the impact of the pandemic is still ongoing. it is far wider than probably a lot of us imagined going into it. so the research has been carried out by a big sporting events platform called let's do this. they found nine out of ten people are almost afraid to get back into social activity but really, really miss that social interaction. seven

out of ten people say they feel is missing from the life and i know from big events how important it is. it is kind of what inspired me to get into running in the first place, just going along to watch my dad take part in the london marathon and just feeling the buzz, feeling the magic and the atmosphere of that event and wanting to be a part of it. it's about now encouraging people to festival talk about those feelings, address what they can in terms of making them feel safer. taking that first step and then kind of encourage them to take those first steps safely and to be able to reap the mental health benefits of getting involved in sporting events which are enormous. brute getting involved in sporting events which are enormous.— which are enormous. we are not talkin: which are enormous. we are not talking about — which are enormous. we are not talking about reaching _ which are enormous. we are not talking about reaching your i which are enormous. we are not i talking about reaching your standard but getting out and doing whatever sport it is together? absolutely, it's about that _ sport it is together? absolutely, it's about that social _ sport it is together? absolutely, i it's about that social connectivity. it's about the camaraderie. that is unique to big sporting events, nothing quite beats the buzz about

getting into a big event, a big triathlon event or running event and running along with like—minded people, finding and making friends and feeling a big part of that huge spirit and camaraderie of the day. and you finish it with a big smile on yourface and and you finish it with a big smile on your face and you've achieved your goal but also gained a lot in terms of being a part of something in that buzz carries on for a long time and keeps people signing up for the event. i think at the moment, peoplejust the event. i think at the moment, people just need the event. i think at the moment, peoplejust need a the event. i think at the moment, people just need a little support and understanding and help in getting to that first start line because once i think you have done that and you start to feel those big benefits again, it's like anything, when you get it back again, having missed it, you realise how much you missed it, you realise how much you missed it, you realise how much you missed it and you start to kind of move on and to heal. i think the big sporting events can have a huge role in helping people overcome the isolation impact of the pandemic. it isolation impact of the pandemic. it is that hard thing of breaking the habit. we all kind of can sit back and recognise, yes, i know if i do that i will feel elated, feel

wonderful and benefit but still getting there and getting off the couch and making that first movie is often the hardest bit.— often the hardest bit. absolutely. peole often the hardest bit. absolutely. people talk _ often the hardest bit. absolutely. people talk about _ often the hardest bit. absolutely. people talk about the _ often the hardest bit. absolutely. people talk about the fact - often the hardest bit. absolutely. people talk about the fact a i often the hardest bit. absolutely. l people talk about the fact a quarter said they feel more lazy since the pandemic began, three quarters have turned into an indoor person. it's about turning that on its head. it is scary and outside of your comfort zone but it will help you to re—gain those things that are actually missing from your life and help you... missing from your life and help ou... ~ , �* you... inaudible 0h, you. . . inaudible 0h, paul, - you. . . inaudible 0h, paul, we i you. . . inaudible 0h, paul, wejustj you... inaudible - 0h, paul, wejust lost you you... inaudible _ 0h, paul, we just lost you there, 0h, paul, wejust lost you there, i'm afraid. thank you very much. if you can still hear me, you've frozen on our screens. thank you for coming on our screens. thank you for coming on and explaining all of that for us. paula radcliffe for us there. the world's first fully working "sand battery", has been installed in finland. it's a device which can store sustainably produced heat for months at a time and could be used to keep homes warm in winter. it works by charging a—hundred tonnes of sand with heat generated by solar or wind—powered electricity.

0ur environment correspondent matt mcgrath has more details. 0oh! i'm here in the municipal swimming pool in kankaanpaa in western finland. it's a beautiful pool, very balmy all year round. but the heat that's in here comes from a rather surprising source — from sand. the sand in question sits inside this silo, in a power plant on the edge of this small finnish town. it's the first commercial installation of a potentially important technology that works in a surprisingly simple way. we are heating the sand battery with clean electricity, and then storing the heat there, and taking up for use it later on. transfer that time that it's more useful. electricity from wind or solar power

is converted into heat, which warms the sand up to around 500 degrees celsius. crucially, the sand can keep this heat without loss, potentially for months. here in kankaanpaa, the heat in the sand battery is then used to help power the district heating system, keeping homes, offices and indeed swimming pools warm all year round. heat is the biggest end use for energy all over the world. it's also critically important for survival in a country like finland, where the winter is long, cold and dark. and the recent move by russia to cut off supplies of gas and electricity in response to finland joining nato has caused concern. so ideas like the sand storage battery, which began life at this former pulp mill in the city of tampere, have been backed enthusiastically by local government. the power demand is so high.

it can be really expensive to provide that power in the middle of the winter. if we have some stations that are just there for a few weeks, few hours in the wintertime when it's the coldest, it's going to be extremely expensive. if we have this sort of solutions that provide flexibility for the storage of heat, that would help a lot in there. as the world has shifted to green energy, there's been a huge focus in recent years on developing ways of storing that power for the days when the sun doesn't show and the wind doesn't blow. much attention has been paid to lithium batteries. but according to those who have invested in the new finnish system, sand has many advantages. what made you think that this might actually work? i mean, it's a bit of a left—field idea. it's a bit strange, but it's cheap. it's easy to get. and you can get to really high temperatures, maybe 500 degrees, while with water, you can only get to 100.

so you get a lot of heat stored in a small, small space. the finns now plan to massively expand their sand system, making it 1,000 times bigger. the researchers hope the world can quickly benefit. they say the sands of time have run out for fossil fuels, and it's now time for sand. yeah, it's cheap and easy to build. and we really like to license this technology and give it for a good use as widely as possible. this idea still faces big challenges. can it store electricity as well as heat? if that can be done economically, sand could well be a simple solution to a global problem. matt mcgrath, bbc news, finland. this is certainly shaping up to be quite a summer of sport. wimbledon is well underway and the european women's football championship starts on wednesday.

but perhaps the jewel in the sporting crown is an event that's been taking place in a field in southwest england — as the bbc�*s tim allman explains. this is where horticulture meets motor racing. a sort of high—speed gardening, if you will. how else can you put it than ready, steady, mow! these are the lawnmower world championships, an annual event that dates back nearly half a century, which would be an awful lot of cut grass, except they take the blades out, just to be on the safe side. there are enough crazy people out there who want to jump on a mower, tweak it up and go hurtling around

the field during the summer months. and long may it last!— and long may it last! there are vafious and long may it last! there are various different _ and long may it last! there are various different categories i and long may it last! there are various different categories ofl various different categories of lawnmower, with some bigger than others, but this is fundamentally a very egalitarian kind of sport. it doesn't drive like anything that you've ever driven before, so you have to learn it from scratch. all the engines are the same, the equipment is pretty much all the same. so everyone is on a level. the weather was not ideal but over the course of two days, we witnessed some pretty high endurance lawnmowing. this is grassroots motorsports. quite literally. brilliant stuff, i have a new favourite sport, apparently. that is it from me, thank you for watching. this is bbc news, bye—bye.

hello again. as we go through the next few days, for many of us, it is going to stay dry. now, across the north and the west at times there will be weather fronts and they'll introduce some rain. but for all of us, it is going to become warmer. in fact, by the time we get to sunday, somewhere in the southeast could well reach the dizzy heights of 29 degrees, possibly even a little bit more than that. but widely, we'll be looking at the low to the mid 20s at least. now, we've got this ridge of high pressure with this today. also a weather front coming in from the west, that's going to bring in some rain. and you can see from the isobars in the north—west, here it is quite windy. we've also got cloud moving across northern ireland, wales, the midlands, down towards the south—east. that will be thick enough here and there for the odd spot

of drizzle or light rain. but it will continue to break up, and a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine with the weather front bringing in some rain across northern ireland and western scotland later. here too, we've got the windier conditions. highs 13 to 23 degrees, and we're looking at pollen levels either high or very high for most of the uk today. now, as we head on in through the evening and overnight, we eventually lose the remnants of that cloud in the south—east. there'll be some clear skies, but the rain across scotland turns that bit heavier and more persistent as it starts to sweep southwards with its cloud. increasingly, it's going to feel muggier across the north and the west, and it will also be quite windy across the far north of scotland. so there goes our weather front tomorrow and you can see too the isobars are still close together. so still quite windy in the north, high pressure really establishing itself across the south. so, translated, quite a bit of cloud around tomorrow, sinking southwards, taking some spots of rain with it, more rain coming in across western scotland, but the cloud continuing

to break so more of us will see some sunshine as we go through the course of the afternoon, and the temperatures will respond accordingly. we've got 13 to 2a degrees. increasingly, too, it's going to feel muggy. now wednesday into thursday, we still have high pressure with us. and you can see how the weather fronts are moving across the top of it. but the weather fronts coming in will still introduce some rain at times in the north and also the west, whereas for the rest of the uk it will become largely dry and settled, lighter winds and also getting that bit warmer.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11... a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning inappropriate behaviour by the mp chris pincher — directly contradicting the account from downing street i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person, because that official told me so at the time. today's revelations will put fresh pressure on the prime minister as he takes a cabinet meeting — number 10 has been accused of changing its story and not telling the truth. ministers are defending the prime ministers position a distinction that is being drawn as awareness of a complaint that may have been, of an allegation that may have been, of an allegation that may have been, of an allegation that may

have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, meet the threshold for formal disciplinary action. a man is arrested by police in the us state of illinois — after six people were shot dead at an independence day parade. a bbc investigation has found that children as young as 11 have been housed in temporary accommodation as record numbers are placed into care. 50,000 people have been put on evacuation alert as floods hit sydney for the third time this year. president putin orders his forces to push on with their offensive in eastern ukraine — after seizing control of the entire luhansk region. and england chase victory over india at edgbaston to win the fifth test.

borisjohnson's decision to appoint chris pincher as deputy chief whip is facing further scrutiny — as a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald writes to the parliamentary standards commissioner this morning, saying that borisjohnson was briefed "in person" about an investigation into chris pincher�*s conduct as a foreign office minister. downing street had previously claimed the prime minister wasn't aware of any specific allegations against mr pincher when he was appointed in february. but the bbc learned last night that boris johnson and the foreign secretary at the time — dominic raab — both knew about the issue.

mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last thursday and was suspended as a conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. chris pincher was appointed a foreign office minister injuly 2019 by mrjohnson, and stayed in the post until february 2020. during his time as a foreign office minister, an official complaint was raised about mr pincher for "inappropriate behaviour". this triggered a process, overseen by the cabinet office, which resulted in a report that confirmed misconduct. yesterday, number 10 reiterated that the prime minister was not aware of any "specific allegations" being looked at, and said that in the "absence of a formal complaint it would not be appropriate to stop the appointment". however lord mcdonald says downing street is "not telling the truth" and that borisjohnson was briefed in person about the initiation and outcome of the investigation" into mr pincher, when mr pincher was a foreign office minister. this morning the former civil servant published his letter, alongside a tweet saying "this morning i have written to the parliamentary commissioner for standards — because number 10 keep changing their story and are still not

telling the truth." sir simon mcdonald was asked on the today programme this mornig how the information he provided about chris pincher reached boris johnson. i briefed the relevant senior official in the cabinet office. you will understand that such complaints about ministers are very rare, very sensitive. they are dealt with at the very top level, and so i had the help and support of the cabinet office through the investigation. and are you convinced, are you sure, that the cabinet office, in person, told mrjohnson about it? i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person because that official told me so at the time. so there's no question in your mind that mrjohnson knew in person, had been told in person about what happened at the foreign office? correct. so when will quince,

the children's minister, said to us yesterday, "i've been given a categoric "assurance that the prime minister was not aware of any specific "allegations or complaints relating to the former "deputy chief whip," that's not true, is it? the categorical assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. it is very unusual for a retired official to do what i have done this morning. i did it by myself because what i have seen and read over the last few days i knew to be wrong, and things get to a point where you have to do the right thing. where do you think this leaves ten downing street? what do you need to hear? what do we all need to hear, do you think? i think they need to come clean.

i think that the language is ambiguous. it's sort of... the sort of telling the truth and crossing your fingers at the same time and hoping that people are not too forensic in their subsequent questioning. and i think that is not working. the deputy prime minister domic raab was being interviewed on bbc breakfast as simon mcdonald published his letter. i don't know, and that is news to me, that the prime minister was briefed on the specific complaint that was made and then the outcome precisely because it didn't lead to a formal disciplinary grievance process, let alone formal action, and i don't know how sir simon would know that, but if he does know how he was briefed directly that's news to me and i think the distinction thatis to me and i think the distinction that is being drawn is awareness of a complaint that may have been, or

an allegation that may have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, meets the threshold for formal disciplinary action, and there was none taken here and, indeed, that was the advice force are simon and i remember it very clearly. dominic raab speaking _ remember it very clearly. dominic raab speaking on _ remember it very clearly. dominic raab speaking on bbc _ remember it very clearly. dominic raab speaking on bbc breakfast l remember it very clearly. dominic i raab speaking on bbc breakfast early this morning. any more developments and is in the last hour or so?— last hour or so? cabinets has been meetin: last hour or so? cabinets has been meeting in — last hour or so? cabinets has been meeting in boris _ last hour or so? cabinets has been meeting in boris johnson - last hour or so? cabinets has been meeting in boris johnson will- last hour or so? cabinets has been meeting in boris johnson will be i meeting in borisjohnson will be facing some of those cabinet ministers he has in effect been sending out to speak to the media in the past few days with briefings that were not exactly as they were set out. we were allowed to film the cabinet meeting this morning and you can see some of the faces around that table, although we were not allowed to ask questions, and i think there is a degree of frustration among mps, certainly, about the fact that here we are once

again talking aboutjudgment and the truth of things that come out of number ten. truth of things that come out of numberten. in truth of things that come out of number ten. in the terms of that second one, that is because that line from number ten has moved over the course of the weekend. 0n line from number ten has moved over the course of the weekend. on friday they were saying there were no specific allegations, the prime minister wasn't aware of any specific allegations. as i say, cabinet ministers out of the weekend saying that the media and then yesterday that line slightly changing to say the pm had been aware of media reports in some allegations about mr pincher�*s conduct that were either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint and that, of course, leads on to the other issue around judgment when you talk about things being resolved and what simon mcdonald is recurve bow does not mean that in this particular case mr pincher had been 80 and this means lots of questions being asked to mps at thejudgment call the lots of questions being asked to mps at the judgment call the prime minister made their saying this was enough to go on ahead to appoint him

win a all involved in the discipline of mps and also their welfare. has the prime minister himself said anything about this and will be here from him directly? he anything about this and will be here from him directly?— anything about this and will be here from him directly? he hasn't, no. we don't know— from him directly? he hasn't, no. we don't know if— from him directly? he hasn't, no. we don't know if he _ from him directly? he hasn't, no. we don't know if he would _ from him directly? he hasn't, no. we don't know if he would hear— from him directly? he hasn't, no. we don't know if he would hear from i from him directly? he hasn't, no. we don't know if he would hear from himj don't know if he would hear from him directly but his official spokesman journalists and we will get that later this morning —— does a daily briefing to journalists. later this morning —— does a daily briefing tojournalists. in later this morning -- does a daily briefing to journalists.— later this morning -- does a daily briefing to journalists. briefing to “ournalists. in terms of where we briefing to journalists. in terms of where we are _ briefing to journalists. in terms of where we are up _ briefing to journalists. in terms of where we are up to _ briefing to journalists. in terms of where we are up to with _ briefing to journalists. in terms of where we are up to with the i where we are up to with the investigation into the latest allegations we know that chris pincher had the party whip removed on friday. where does that leave him in his position now? you on friday. where does that leave him in his position now?— in his position now? you are right, he had the — in his position now? you are right, he had the party — in his position now? you are right, he had the party whip _ in his position now? you are right, he had the party whip removed i he had the party whip removed meaning he is suspended from sitting as a conservative mp. he has been asked to stay away from parliament and has agreed to do that while he was investigated by parliament's independent complaints and even scheme and that relate specifically to delegations from last week at the carlton club. she himself says he is

seeking professional medical support now he hopes to attend constituency duty scene. now he hopes to attend constituency du scene. ., now he hopes to attend constituency du scene. . ., duty scene. helen catt there at westminster. _ he makes out that the allegations he made were of the civil nature and the prime minister chosen the circumstances to continue that minister is quite extraordinary not only for the prime minister was not judgment but also for the safety of civil servants. you judgment but also for the safety of civil servants.— civil servants. you cannot imagine in any other— civil servants. you cannot imagine in any other circumstances i civil servants. you cannot imagine in any other circumstances and i in any other circumstances and employee _ in any other circumstances and employee being found guilty of such charges _ employee being found guilty of such charges are remaining in the post and that's— charges are remaining in the post and that's it simply with the prime minister_ and that's it simply with the prime minister because only the prime minister— minister because only the prime

minister can launch an investigation of the _ minister can launch an investigation of the ministerial code and only the prime _ of the ministerial code and only the prime minister can appoint or sack a ministen _ prime minister can appoint or sack a ministen we — prime minister can appoint or sack a minister. ~ , ., , . ., ., minister. we should be clear that in lord mcdonnell's _ minister. we should be clear that in lord mcdonnell's letter _ minister. we should be clear that in lord mcdonnell's letter he - minister. we should be clear that in lord mcdonnell's letter he says i minister. we should be clear that in lord mcdonnell's letter he says in l lord mcdonnell's letter he says in substance the early allegations were similar to those made about his behaviour at the club. he doesn't say the exactly the same but he does say the exactly the same but he does say the exactly the same but he does say the previous one the investigation about the complaint. given this very public letter from a very formless senior civil servant, the top civil servant at the foreign office, had you known any kind of office, had you known any kind of intervention at this kind of level and openly not an anonymous source? yes, and i think she has made the point _ yes, and i think she has made the point himself that this is an extraordinary intervention from a former_ extraordinary intervention from a former secretary and this is not usual— former secretary and this is not usual behaviour for those who leave the civil— usual behaviour for those who leave the civil service. the only analogous situation i can remember is sir— analogous situation i can remember is sir philip's botman's allegation around _ is sir philip's botman's allegation around building of building nets

home _ around building of building nets home secretary sol around building of building nets home secretary so i think we have to ask ourselves why is it that famous civil servants find themselves in a situation — civil servants find themselves in a situation where they had to take it own reactions to being who think the public— own reactions to being who think the public domain. there is a responsibility on prime minister and government to be honest it shouldn't require _ government to be honest it shouldn't require from civil servants we put in in _ require from civil servants we put in in invidious position of having to contradict the prime minister. what _ to contradict the prime minister. what we — to contradict the prime minister. what we need to know he was the truth _ what we need to know he was the truth and — what we need to know he was the truth and it— what we need to know he was the truth and it is really important... they— truth and it is really important... they know— truth and it is really important... they know that a minister has been subject— they know that a minister has been subject to _ they know that a minister has been subject to allegations and proven. in subject to allegations and proven. in any— subject to allegations and proven. in any other circumstances, an employer— in any other circumstances, an employer would have to act to protect — employer would have to act to protect their employees and instead, because _ protect their employees and instead, because of— protect their employees and instead, because of political experiences, the prime — because of political experiences, the prime minister continues with these _ the prime minister continues with these appointments. what the prime minister continues with these appointments.— these appointments. what is the feelinu , these appointments. what is the feeling, without _ these appointments. what is the feeling, without referencing i feeling, without referencing individuals and names, what is the feeling among civil servants about all this and the accusations and

situations landing on this —— situations landing on this —— situation is around all this. this is reminiscent _ situation is around all this. this is reminiscent of— situation is around all this. this is reminiscent of the _ situation is around all this. this is reminiscent of the time there were _ is reminiscent of the time there were allegations found to be true as well that— were allegations found to be true as well that the home secretary had bullied _ well that the home secretary had bullied civil servants and each time the prime — bullied civil servants and each time the prime minister fails to act. he has sole _ the prime minister fails to act. he has sole discretion over these matters — has sole discretion over these matters about ministers because these _ matters about ministers because these are — matters about ministers because these are political appointments but he has _ these are political appointments but he has to— these are political appointments but he has to be held accountable for decisions — he has to be held accountable for decisions and despite the recommendations they should be a fully independent process and he should _ fully independent process and he should not have the power of veto over investigations he has chosen to retain— over investigations he has chosen to retain that — over investigations he has chosen to retain that. that is his decision but what — retain that. that is his decision but what that means is that is where the book— but what that means is that is where the book stops and the prime minister's decision was not to conduct — minister's decision was not to conduct an investigation into these allegations about a minister under the ministerial code and it is the prime _ the ministerial code and it is the prime minister's decision not to keep— prime minister's decision not to keep him — prime minister's decision not to keep him as a minister does mac not to dismiss— keep him as a minister does mac not to dismiss him but to keep him as a minister— to dismiss him but to keep him as a ministerand— to dismiss him but to keep him as a minister and therefore the prime minister— minister and therefore the prime minister has to be accountable to the public.

minister has to be accountable to the ublic. �* ., minister has to be accountable to the ublic. ~ ., . minister has to be accountable to the ublic. �* ., . , . the public. fta of the civil service union, the public. fta of the civil service union. thanks _ the public. fta of the civil service union, thanks very _ the public. fta of the civil service union, thanks very much - the public. fta of the civil service union, thanks very much for- the public. fta of the civil service i union, thanks very much for speaking to bbc news. that was dave penman, general secretary of the fda, the civil servants union us police have arrested a 22—year—old man who they believe killed six people in a mass shooting at an independence day parade near chicago. 2a others were injured in yesterday's attack after a high—powered rifle was fired multiple times from a rooftop in the suburb of highland park. the suspect has been named as robert crimo the third. from the scene, our correspondent nomia iqbal sent this report. the streets where celebrations had been taking place quickly turned into a hunting ground as police searched for a killer. a man who brought terror to an independence day parade. americans in this wealthy chicago suburb had been out in the sunshine for the symbolic day of the 4th ofjuly. a few minutes into the parade, shots rang out, creating shock, confusion and panic.

people moved quickly for safety. i thought that it was the navy that was saluting the flag with rifles, but when i saw people running, i picked up my son, and i started running. at first, the police found the gun but not the gunman. it took until the evening for them to eventually arrest robert crimo iii. the person of interest has now been taken to the highland park police department where we are going to begin the next phase of the investigation and speak with this person to make sure or see if, in fact, he is connected to this incident. social media firms have suspended accounts apparently owned by him. all events were cancelled as police spent hours looking for the 22—year—old. and so another address to the nation on yet another mass shooting. president biden cautiously questioned the direction his country is heading in.

there is nothing guaranteed about our democracy, nothing guaranteed about our way of life. we have to fight for it, defend it and earn it by voting. there has been a mass shooting in america every week this year. recently, major legislation was passed to address gun violence, but this proves that there is no part of american life that is untouched by gun violence. it happens in schools and in supermarkets, and on independence day, one of the most important days in america's history. the headlines on bbc news... a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning inappropriate behaviour by the mp chris pincher — directly contradicting the account from downing street a man is arrested by police

in the us state of illinois — after six people were shot dead at an independence day parade. the world's first fully working sand battery is installed in finland, with developers calling it a major breakthrough for green energy president putin has ordered his forces to push ahead with their offensive in eastern ukraine, after seizing control of the entire luhansk region , following the withdrawal of ukrainian troops from lysy—chansk. russian troops are now stepping up their bombardment of cities in the donetsk region, including slovi—ansk — where at least six people were killed over the weekend, according to the city's mayor. so how serious is the situation for ukrainian forces? 0ur security correspondent gordon corera looks at the current state of play. the fighting in recent months has been concentrated in the east of the country, the region known as the donbas.

over the weekend, ukrainian forces withdrew from lysychansk in the luhansk region. that came after the fall of another strategic city, severodonetsk, a few weeks ago. that's given the russians effective control of the whole of luhansk. their sights are now thought to be set on taking the neighbouring donetsk region with the towns of slovyansk and kramatorsk likely their next targets. overall, it now means russia controls more than a fifth of ukraine and looks to be seeking more. russia might still want to take the coast, building on its seizure of crimea in 2014 by taking 0desa and cutting off ukraine from the black sea. but that may be a step too far since they were recently pushed off the symbolically important snake island. so, is russia now winning the war? despite early setbacks, russia certainly has had real tactical victories in recent weeks

in the east, but it has been slow going with significant losses. and the real question is, will russia be able to maintain this progress? it certainly has the manpower and firepower to keep going, but ukraine is hoping it can slow the russians and then launch counter—offensives to push back. crucial to that is the arrival of weaponry from the west, like this and other long—range artillery systems which are now slowly making their way to the battlefield. they could help shift the balance. so, russia has made gains recently, but we may now be entering a new phase in the war where the outcome is less clear and it may depend on each side's ability to sustain the fight for the long haul. 0ur ukraine correspondent joe inwood is in kyiv just picking up on what gordon said there, russian troops now

controlling, what, a fifth of the land territory of ukraine presumably that was a problem for ukraine because it gives them a springboard to try and make further incursions now. , ., , ., ., ., now. yes, it does, and a large amount of— now. yes, it does, and a large amount of that _ now. yes, it does, and a large amount of that territory i now. yes, it does, and a large amount of that territory is i now. yes, it does, and a large amount of that territory is in l now. yes, it does, and a large l amount of that territory is in the south around kherson and going all the way across to my view poll. what is interesting is a lot of that territory is now in places where the russians and i were on the defensive slightly —— mariupol it is only really in the south and east where they are making territorial advances although wishes they were given a platform if they wanted to try and push for example from the south. they would have an opportunity there. they got quite large amounts of territory that would give them opportunity to come from a number of different positions of them in areas where the ukrainians are in the offences i think it is for me not going to be an option at that point really is in the east where tracks are going to be focused. in the east

is all started. it was russian backed uprisings in east that really lead us to the point me about today and yesterday speaking to former prime minister of ukraine and he was telling me that there are strategic errors going back for years and years and if we want to understand that we need to look at the policy of appeasement that is go this point. i believe we are now in a new hybrid world _ i believe we are now in a new hybrid world war— i believe we are now in a new hybrid world war iii. it is not a conventional one, it is not similar to a conventional war, but... conventional one, it is not similar to a conventionalwar, but... i expect— to a conventionalwar, but... i expect that _ to a conventionalwar, but... i expect that the new global order is

to emerge. otherwise autocrats and dictators _ to emerge. otherwise autocrats and dictators will take over this world. there was a distinct weariness in his voice in that interview, joe, wasn't there, and ijust wonder whether there was a sense of preparing for the long haul this is something that is going to turn into a very long drawn—out conflict, even more than it has already? i a very long drawn-out conflict, even more than it has already?— more than it has already? i think that is a fair— more than it has already? i think that is a fair assessment. i i more than it has already? i think that is a fair assessment. i think| that is a fair assessment. i think people of this country know this is not going to be over quickly. i think they are determined, they determined that when it is over they will be victorious but they know that in russia they face an opponent which has huge resources, resources which has huge resources, resources which are increasing all the time as a consequence of the oil and gas they sell and they know they are going to have to be in what is really turning into an attritional what needs to this country in particular. it is a grinding war and it is a war about who can last the longest and i think they know that both sides have the capacity to

restrict this out. the great hope of ukrainians is that as a russian forces to great, as their equipment is worn down and they struggle to replace it because of sanctions —— as russian forces degrade. they're hoping that after this supply is coming in from the western world and north america and europe will start to notjust restock ukrainian forces but enhance the capacities and we are starting to see that in the form of things like these long to medium range multiple launch rocket systems which are much more accurate than anything ukrainians have got so far and are starting to make their impact felt on the battlefield but it is going to take a very long time. i don't think anyone thinks that this war will be over any time soon although president zelensky did just recently say he wants it to be over by christmas although people with knowledge of history will know there was before where people said it will be over by christmas and those lasted many, many years. thank

ou for that those lasted many, many years. thank you for that assessment. _ nato's secretary general, jens stoltenberg, says the process to ratify sweden and finland's membership of the alliance has formally begun. it marks a historic step for nato, provoked by russia's invasion of ukraine. last, we can madrid, we've had the agreement of the trilateral memorandum so today we will formally sign the protocols of accession. this marks the start of the ratification process. nato's door remains open to european democracies. we are ready to and willing to contribute to our shared security. this is a good day for finland and sweden and a good day for nato. with 32 nations around the table we will be even stronger and our people will be even safer as we

face the biggest security crisis in decades. , , ,, ., , decades. jens stoltenberg there, the secretary general _ decades. jens stoltenberg there, the secretary general of _ decades. jens stoltenberg there, the secretary general of nato. _ six years ago, actor michael sheen presented a petition to the welsh government, calling for children in care not to be housed in bed and breakfast accommodation, while they wait for a suitable foster placement or children's home. now in a new follow—up documentary, children's charities have warned that many young people in care in the uk still feel they're not getting the support they need. paul heaney reports. so these are all the photos i've got from the majority of my childhood. hope's mum wasn't able to look after her, but she has really good memories growing up with her grandparents. i think, at that point, i really wanted to be in the police, when i was little. she laughs. things changed when she was 13. exploited by older people, nan and grandad agreed foster care was best for her own safety.

but that placement later broke down. hope ran away and slept rough before the council offered her a place in a hostel. she says it was under the same roof as someone who'd assaulted her. i had clothes stolen from me, i had bus passes stolen from me. the girls used to gang up. wrexham council said it always aimed to keep children safe, that its children's services had since been transformed and it would use hope's comments to improve things further. we asked councils in wales, using the freedom of information act, what kind of places they were using to house young people. our investigation has found that, even now, children are still being placed in bed—and—breakfasts and other temporary accommodation here in wales. that's despite the welsh government saying it wanted to stop that six years ago. most are 16 or 17 years old,

but some are even younger. one example was an 11—year—old placed in an airbnb with support workers because there was nowhere else for them to go. the actor michael sheen presented a petition to the welsh government, calling for unregulated accommodation for children to be banned. in a bbc documentary tonight, he hears from hope and others in care who say they were let down by the system designed to protect them. it'sjust heartbreaking, heartbreaking, and infuriating and infuriating that we, as a society, are allowing this to happen to children. one children's charity now wants more fundamental changes to the care system. young people say, i why are we not loved? why doesn't the care system love us? what does love look like for us? and these are the questions we're

asking government to, kind of, i think about, really. the body representing councils in wales told us that in the face of growing demand and more complicated cases, they're doing their best but they need more money. the welsh government says children should not be placed in b&bs. most children in care, it says, do have a positive experience and it is investing more in foster care and specialist accommodation while trying to help families sooner. hope is now trying to move on from a difficult time in care. rock climbing helps her mental health. there's no room for anything else to come into your mind when you're climbing. she's determined to improve the care system for those who come after her. i will fight to make sure that this process doesn't happen in the same way it happened to me. paul heaney, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol hello again. for many of us over the next few days, pollen levels

are going to be high or very high. it's also going to turn warmer. what we've got at the moment is cloud moving across northern ireland, through parts of england and wales, sinking south. sunshine behind, but thicker cloud will bring some rain in across northern ireland and also into western scotland later. it's also going to be quite windy. temperatures today, 13—23 degrees. now, that rain turns heavier and more persistent as it moves southwards and eastwards tonight, taking its cloud with it, some clear skies in the far south and still windy in the north and it will start to feel muggier across the north and the west. these are our overnight lows, between 10—15 degrees. so tomorrow, we still have this rain crossing scotland. quite a bit of cloud around but some breaks developing in that cloud. windy in the north, gusty winds in eastern scotland and to the east of the pennines and our temperatures 13—24 degrees.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines: a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning inappropriate behaviour by the mp chris pincher — directly contradicting the account from downing street. i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person, because that official told me so at the time. today's revelations will put fresh pressure on the prime minister as he takes a cabinet meeting — number 10 has been accused of changing its story and not telling the truth. ministers are defending the prime ministers position. the distinction that is being drawn is awareness of a complaint that may have been, or an allegation that may have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, to meet the threshold for formal disciplinary action. a man is arrested by police in the us state of illinois after six people were shot dead

at an independence day parade. a bbc investigation has found that children as young as 11 have been housed in temporary accomodation as record numbers are placed into care. the world's first fully working sand battery is installed in finland, with developers calling it a major breakthrough for green energy. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's ollie foster. good morning. it's the first of the quarterfinals at wimbledon, the men's and women's favourites novak djokovic and ons jabeur are on centre court but british fans will focussing on court one later — that's where cameron norrie is taking on david goffin. norrie is the ninth seed at this year's championships but this is the furthest he's ever been at a grand slam. he will be favourite against the experienced belgian and should benefit from the home support, just as he did in his last match which was on centre.

the atmosphere's definitely improved match by match, so hopefully they can keep upping it. and i'm enjoying that. and i think especially in the bigger moments today, when i was trying to serve the match out there, they got behind me and i was able to get some adrenalin in the system and i was able to to serve it out and stay calm enough to do so. so i think it's definitely an advantage, and i'm trying to use it to my advantage. on the other side of the draw, rafa nadal is through to the quarters, the two—time wimbledon champion beat the dutch player botic van de zandschulp. nadal is still on for a calendar grand slam. he's got a day off today but will face the 11th seed taylor fritz tomorrow. play has already begun over on court number two today where we have the first of the women's doubles quarterfinals. america's nicole melichar—martinez and her australian partner ellen perez are taking on second seeds barbora krejcikova and katerina siniakova from the czech republic.

you can follow everything on the bbc sport website as well. england's cricketers are closing in on a sensational victory over india in the re—arranged fifth and final test in birmingham. england need 378 for victory to level the series. that would be their highest successful run chase in tests. they resumed on 325—3, withjoe root

and jonny bairstow at the crease, they are still there, root has brought up his third century of the summer, bairstow, his fourth in the space of three tests. women's european championship starts tomorrow with england facing austria at a sold out old trafford. england also face norway and northern ireland in their group, the top two go through to the quarterfinals. sweden, france and defending champions the netherlands are among the favourites, but with home advantage many are backing the lionesses to go a long way in the tournament and that would be huge boost for the women's game. i think it is a really significant moment and i think we have made great progress but the express and i am using is this will turbo—charge everything, from grass roots, through to the professional game. we learned in london, the gold medals mattered to the british public. so

winning would be enormous for us. but hosting it, doing it well, raising the profile of the women's game, there will be some fantastic competition, it will be great sport but also a happy and great environment. i hope people come, enjoy it, and recognise it is a great family experience to go and watch it weren't�*s game. i will great family experience to go and watch it weren't's game.- watch it weren't's game. i will be back with another _ watch it weren't's game. i will be back with another update i watch it weren't's game. i will be back with another update in i watch it weren't's game. i will be back with another update in the i watch it weren't's game. i will be i back with another update in the next hour. plenty more on the bbc sport website. all the tennis on there, and you can keep up—to—date with the cricket, the final test for england against india, which it looks like england are going to win. back now to our top story here in the uk — borisjohnson is facing further scrutiny over what he knew about mp, chris pincher, when he appointed him as deputy chief whip in february. a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald now says mrjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint and investigation into mr pincher�*s behaviour.

mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last thursday and was suspended as a conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. i'm joined by crossbench peer lord kerslake, who is a former head of the civil service, and recently worked with labour party. i want to get your thoughts on this rather extraordinary intervention from lord mcdonald, what do you make of it? i from lord mcdonald, what do you make of it? .. from lord mcdonald, what do you make of it? ~ , , of it? i think it is entirely welcome- _ of it? i think it is entirely welcome. the _ of it? i think it is entirely welcome. the letter- of it? i think it is entirely| welcome. the letter from of it? i think it is entirely i welcome. the letter from simon welcome. the letterfrom simon mcdonald is a model of clarity and accuracy. he has got through what have been days of misleading, changing and i am afraid, inaccurate statements coming out of number 10. what i think is essential now is the prime minister and number 10 come clean, as simon said, tell the full story of what they knew and did not know, about chris pincher, and explain why actions were taken to

continue to give him roles, as simon says, we owe this as a duty to the victims of these investigations. as much as anything else. what he very clearly says is this was not about rumours or claims, it was about allegations and it was not about resolving these issues, it was actually finding clear evidence and upholding of those claims of inappropriate behaviour, and we really must get to the bottom of this now. it matters a lot to the integrity of government that we do. how do you think we can best get to the root of all of this? given, as lord mcdonald said, there seem to be differing accounts and different versions of it coming out of number 10. i versions of it coming out of number 10. 4' versions of it coming out of number 10. ~ ., , ., , 10. i think a number of things need to happen- — 10. i think a number of things need

to happen- first— 10. i think a number of things need to happen. first of— 10. i think a number of things need to happen. first of all— 10. i think a number of things need to happen. first of all we _ 10. i think a number of things need to happen. first of all we need i 10. i think a number of things need to happen. first of all we need the| to happen. first of all we need the investigation by the parliamentary commissioner to proceed quickly. so we can find out exactly what the situation in relation to the most recent allegations. secondly, number 10 need to tell the story about previous situations, where there have been allegations, and what happened and why action was or was not taken in relation to them. we need a chronology here of what has happened. albeit confidential, so individuals' situations are protected. thirdly, we need an explanation from the prime minister as to why on earth he put someone who had an upholding of a claim against him, allegation against him come into the whips office, a place where the role is the well—being of mps. so we need to have those three things, and very soon, in my view.

there was a cabinet meeting this morning, cameras were allowed in, we do not like to ask any questions which we would have done if we could. if you are at that cabinet meeting what would you say to the prime minister about what he needs to do now? iii prime minister about what he needs to do now? ., , ., prime minister about what he needs to do now? . , ., , to do now? if i was a cabinet minister— to do now? if i was a cabinet minister and _ to do now? if i was a cabinet minister and not _ to do now? if i was a cabinet minister and not necessarily| to do now? if i was a cabinet. minister and not necessarily a cabinet secretary or head of the civil service, cabinet secretary or head of the civilservice, i cabinet secretary or head of the civil service, i would cabinet secretary or head of the civil service, iwould be cabinet secretary or head of the civil service, i would be very direct in saying we cannot keep carrying on like this. the day after day of news stories and new information, ministers going out and doing their best to defend the prime minister but then been undermined by new information. this cannot carry on. the operation needs to get sorted in number 10. on. the operation needs to get sorted in number10. in on. the operation needs to get sorted in number 10. in particular i would be saying, we have enormous challenges in this country, huge backlogs in the health service, cost of living crisis, stagnating economy. and we cannot afford to be

carrying on being distracted by these issues. self—created issues, these issues. self—created issues, the prime minister could have closed this down a lot quicker than he has done. ., , ., ,, ., ., done. 0k, lord kerslake, former head ofthe done. 0k, lord kerslake, former head of the civil service, _ done. 0k, lord kerslake, former head of the civil service, thank _ done. 0k, lord kerslake, former head of the civil service, thank you - done. 0k, lord kerslake, former head of the civil service, thank you very i of the civil service, thank you very much for speaking to us this morning. we can speak to cbs correspondent bradley blackburn let's return now to chicago where police have arrested a 22—year—old man they believe killed six people in a gun attack during an independence day parade at a fourth ofjuly parade in the chicago suburb of highland park were a teacher at a synagogue and a man in his 70s who came from mexico to visit his family. we can speak to cbs correspondent bradley blackburn who is in highland park in illinois. this was a time when people were out and enjoying themselves and celebrating. tell us more about the arrest, what more details do we have? we know the suspect, robert primo, said to be 21 years old, he has been called a person of interest

still by authorities, not yet been formally charged but publicly they are quite confident they have the gunman in custody.— are quite confident they have the gunman in custody. there are still t in: to gunman in custody. there are still trying to determine _ gunman in custody. there are still trying to determine what - gunman in custody. there are still trying to determine what his i gunman in custody. there are still i trying to determine what his motive was, why he would have taken a high—powered assault rifle and fired on the crowd below, we are going through social media presence. asking him questions. overnight, his uncle spoke to our colleagues at cbs news and said he had no idea his nephew, who lived with him, even had a weapon and is at a loss as to why he would do this. he is heartbroken for the victims and the stinking of that family members. tell for the victims and the stinking of that family members.— for the victims and the stinking of that family members. tell us more about what — that family members. tell us more about what the _ that family members. tell us more about what the mood _ that family members. tell us more about what the mood is _ that family members. tell us more about what the mood is like. i i about what the mood is like. i imagine people are shocked, unsettled by this but as well as the inevitable fear there were also extreme acts of kindness on display in the middle of all this. absolutely. so many families were lining the parade route i am standing on right now, what is

striking this morning is to see the chaos that was left behind when the shooting started. i don't know it you can see behind me, the abandoned bicycles, children's strollers, lawn chairsjust bicycles, children's strollers, lawn chairs just left behind when they ran for cover. in those frantic moments after the shooting, they were told to take shelter anywhere that they could go. and we are hearing stories about neighbours that welcome strangers into their homes to take shelter and to try and find a safe place and stories about people who helped reunite kids with parents who are separated and that chaos. and so as this community mourns six people who died and dozens of others injured, there are also focusing on moments of brightness like that. 0k, ok, bradley blackburn from cbs news, thank you very much. a premier league and international footballer has been arrested in north london

on suspicion of rape. police say a 29—year—old man was taken into custody at an address in barnet. officers are questioning him over an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s, which is alleged to have happened last month. we will have more on that for you a little later. our correspondent louisa pilbeam is outside scotland yard this morning. the 29—year—old man is a premier league and international footballer. he was arrested in barnet in north london yesterday on suspicion of rape. police have not named the man for legal reasons and they have not said what club he plays for or which country. officers have questioned the man over an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s. the rape allegedly happened last month. the man was taken into custody. police say inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.

louisa pilbeam from outside scotland yard. you are watching bbc news. that return to the story surrounding the mp chris pincher. and those allegations against him. and the revolution this morning from a former senior civil servant. let's hear it from emily thornberry, the shadow attorney general who gave her reaction to the developments. lute reaction to the developments. we a . ain reaction to the developments. - again have a situation where we have the prime minister, who, his first instinct when cornered as to tell a lie and when the facts are coming in on him he tells another lie and another and another. this undermines

our system of democracy. if you really cannot believe what the prime minister says, where are we as a country? but also when it comes to this case, everyone is forgetting the victims. these are brave people who came forward and complained about inappropriate behaviour, whatever that means, it takes bravery to do that, against a powerful man. and they have just been pushed aside and told, on the one hand, oh, they werejust unsubstantiated allegations, or they were not allegations that happen to be live at the time, they cannot haveit be live at the time, they cannot have it both ways. it is terrible. it is about time these people were held to account and about time powerful men if they abuse people and behave in ways that are inappropriate, they are held to account and you should not have the prime minister prepared to lie in order to defend them. downing street has said the prime minister was not aware of any

complaints that were not either resolved or formally brought forward, this one we've heard about was resolved so in a sense, that is accurate. ., .. , was resolved so in a sense, that is accurate. ., , , was resolved so in a sense, that is accurate. . , ., ., accurate. so, if a case is ongoing, it is not to — accurate. so, if a case is ongoing, it is not to be _ accurate. so, if a case is ongoing, it is not to be taken _ accurate. so, if a case is ongoing, it is not to be taken seriously i it is not to be taken seriously because it is ongoing. if it has been resolved, it is not to be taken seriously because it has been resolved. in other words, you can do whatever you like and people can complain, there can be inquiries but it is never important and it never needs to be thought about. that is what their defence is. you mention this is a bit — what their defence is. you mention this is a bit standards, _ what their defence is. you mention this is a bit standards, to _ what their defence is. you mention this is a bit standards, to people i this is a bit standards, to people looking on in thinking this is westminster talking about itself, it's all happening in the bubble. people are trying to get a boris johnson when he keeps saying he wants to get on with the job. what would you make of that point of view? ~ ., ~ , would you make of that point of view? ~ . ~ , ., view? we need a prime minister who --eole view? we need a prime minister who people believe _ view? we need a prime minister who people believe and _ view? we need a prime minister who people believe and to _ view? we need a prime minister who people believe and to when - view? we need a prime minister who people believe and to when he i view? we need a prime minister who people believe and to when he says i people believe and to when he says something, you do not expect a civil

servant to contradict him or the media to investigate and discover he's been telling lies. we should have a prime minister people can follow and trust and is trustworthy. we do not have that in this current prime minister. of course we cannot move on. , w prime minister. of course we cannot moveon. , ,.,, prime minister. of course we cannot moveon. , ,., , move on. this case shows something worse, move on. this case shows something worse. not — move on. this case shows something worse. not only _ move on. this case shows something worse. not only is — move on. this case shows something worse, not only is he _ move on. this case shows something worse, not only is he prepared - move on. this case shows something worse, not only is he prepared to - worse, not only is he prepared to lie, he is prepared to defend people whose behaviour is appalling. it is whose behaviour is appalling. it is about time _ whose behaviour is appalling. it 3 about time these powerful men realise they cannot just about time these powerful men realise they cannotjust do whatever they like, they have to be held to account and be they like, they have to be held to account and he stood up to. they have to be exposed. account and be stood up to. they have to be exposed.— have to be exposed. putting that aside, is this _ have to be exposed. putting that aside, is this a _ have to be exposed. putting that aside, is this a problem - have to be exposed. putting that aside, is this a problem that - have to be exposed. putting that| aside, is this a problem that goes beyond the conservative party, do you accept there are issues at westminster as a whole in terms of standards and behaviour?— standards and behaviour? without doubt within _ standards and behaviour? without doubt within parliament _ standards and behaviour? without doubt within parliament there - standards and behaviour? without doubt within parliament there is i standards and behaviour? without doubt within parliament there is a | doubt within parliament there is a bullying culture, misogyny. i've been there for 18 years and that is there without a doubt and within a minority of people there is also at this feeling of entitlement, you can abuse your power and powerful men

thinking they can behave whatever way they want, and they cannot. on our state we have problem, not as much as the conservatives because mathematically we are half women in the culture does change when you have half of the benches are filled with women, the boys club culture changes. it is still not perfect but it is so much better.— changes. it is still not perfect but it is so much better. going back to the initial point _ it is so much better. going back to the initial point again, _ it is so much better. going back to the initial point again, does - it is so much better. going back to the initial point again, does any i it is so much better. going back to the initial point again, does any of| the initial point again, does any of the initial point again, does any of the surprise you shock you? former permanent secretary openly criticising downing street for not telling the truth. 1 criticising downing street for not telling the truth.— telling the truth. i believe we've not to a telling the truth. i believe we've got to a new _ telling the truth. i believe we've got to a new low. _ telling the truth. i believe we've got to a new low. we _ telling the truth. i believe we've got to a new low. we keep - telling the truth. i believe we've - got to a new low. we keep stumbling in thinking this is the lowest that can get. and then we fall lower and far lower and all of this and that boris johnson's watch. far lower and all of this and that borisjohnson's watch. it is disgraceful. we cannot do anything about this on the opposition benches. we can call it out but the only people who can get rid of boris johnson are the conservative party

and the question they have to ask themselves is that this is not bad enough to get rid of him, what is? what do you want? how bad must it be before you decide to get another leader in the country gets another prime minister? shall we put that question to dominic grieve, a former conservative mp and critic of boris johnson. in answer to emily's question, what will it take? it’s question, what will it take? it's very difficult — question, what will it take? it�*s very difficult to tell. one constantly hears that former conservative colleagues are appalled at the behaviour ofjohnson but it's right to say when the opportunity to remove them only 148 voted to do it and 210 chose to back him. of course they face a problem if he goes but they face a problem if he goes but the need to grasp this particular metal. this is yet another example of the prime minister been completely trustworthy. and being directly contradicted by a senior civil servant and we at number 10

has not only put out whole misleading information about the prime minister at�*s prior state of knowledge about mr pinchot�*s behaviour, but appears to have sent out ministers to mislead the public on his behalf. so it really could not be more serious in terms of trust and it is notjust an isolated incident. it's an accumulation of such incidents over time and i very much hope my colleagues in the parliamentary party will simply say enough is enough. i know there is now a problem of not being able to hold a vote but they can, cabinet ministers should see the prime minister and say it is over. you've got to go. i minister and say it is over. you've got to go— minister and say it is over. you've got to go-— minister and say it is over. you've aaottoo. ., ., got to go. i wonder what you make the situation _ got to go. i wonder what you make the situation this _ got to go. i wonder what you make the situation this morning, - got to go. i wonder what you make the situation this morning, the - the situation this morning, the rather extreme institution with a senior cabinet minister, deputy prime minister was on defending the prime minister was on defending the prime minister, the fennec number

time at —— the fennec number 10 at the same time these serious allegations from lord macdonald were being made. it is reaching a point where those senior cabinet members. two feel that batsmen are being sent out only to find out their hats have been broken by the team captain? yes but as i been broken by the team captain? 19:3 but as i sate the been broken by the team captain? 193 but as i sate the remedy been broken by the team captain? 19:3 but as i sate the remedy lies been broken by the team captain? 193 but as i sate the remedy lies in their hands. if i was the deputy prime minister i would go and see the prime minister at lunchtime today and say i am very sorry, you have got to design. and if you don't resign i am resigning from the government immediately. —— you've got to resign. if government immediately. -- you've got to resign-— got to resign. if you feel that stron al got to resign. if you feel that strongly why _ got to resign. if you feel that strongly why are _ got to resign. if you feel that strongly why are they - got to resign. if you feel that strongly why are they not - got to resign. if you feel that - strongly why are they not feeling that strong that? you strongly why are they not feeling that strong that?— strongly why are they not feeling that strong that? you would have to ask them. that strong that? you would have to ask them- one _ that strong that? you would have to ask them. one can _ that strong that? you would have to ask them. one can speculate, - that strong that? you would have to ask them. one can speculate, one l that strong that? you would have to | ask them. one can speculate, one of them as they are very concerned if johnson goes, there will be great difficulty in identifying and that dough around whom the party can rally and bring them together.

and they are concerned about the disruption that will ensue. those are legitimate considerations but they pale into insignificance compared to keeping in number 10 downing st point minister who is manifestly unfit to hold office. an he's shown this over and over again. that risk to them as they cling on to him in the conservative party will be progressively more and more damaged and the recent by—election results show it is incurring that damage. this prime minister, if he stays in office until the next general election, is taking the conservative party down a hole from which i think it may never recover. they've got to have the courage to just say to him, time is up, you're not fit to hold this office and you've got to go. they will discover when they've done this there will be some disruption in difficulty and they will breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why on earth didn't we do it earlier? : :, it earlier? dominic grieve, former conservative _ it earlier? dominic grieve, former conservative mp, _

it earlier? dominic grieve, former conservative mp, thank _ it earlier? dominic grieve, former conservative mp, thank you - it earlier? dominic grieve, former conservative mp, thank you for i conservative mp, thank you for speaking to us. we should say an urgent question has been granted to angela rayner on this issue, urgent commons question. we will bring that to you when it happens. the bank of england has warned the global economic outlook has deteriorated markedly since december. it's just announced the results of its latest financial stability report, which found banks would still be able to continue to lend, even if the economic outlook darkened. let's get more on this from our economics correspondent andy verity. does this mean we can feel calm and relaxed about the state of our banks? :, :, ~' relaxed about the state of our banks? :, :, ~ :, ,:, relaxed about the state of our banks? :, :, ~ :, banks? you make about the banks, whether you _ banks? you make about the banks, whether you feel— banks? you make about the banks, whether you feel relaxed _ banks? you make about the banks, whether you feel relaxed about - banks? you make about the banks, whether you feel relaxed about the | whether you feel relaxed about the global economy is another matter, especially at the petrol station. there is a global inflationary pressures the bank of england is acknowledging, not really telling us anything we've not reported already. the situation has deteriorated

markedly, there were inflationary pressures because of the pandemic and then the war in ukraine made it worse. what it says as far as the stability of the financial system, the concern in the global financial crisis in 14 years ago that the banks would under is not a worry. they've got plenty of resilience and they should still be able to lend to households and businesses who want to borrow but there is pressure those households and businesses, the bank is saying is that it will struggle if monetary conditions tighten further, if interest rates go up. it says households are ok. they've not seen a significant increase in the amount households are paying to service their debts partly because of the emergency cost of living measures announced a few weeks back. that softened the blow as far as trouble with debt for households is concerned. thanks very much. officials at edgbaston have apologised and are investigating allegations of racist behaviour by members of the crowd during the ongoing test

between england and india. yesterday a number of india fans said that they had been subjected to abuse. the ecb has said it is concerned by the reports and that there was — in its words — no place for racism in cricket. i'm joined now by shaista aziz, journalist and anti—racism campaigner. she's one of the co—directors of the three hijabis, who launched a petititon to stop racism in football after the euros finale and got over a million signatures. she was at edgbaston yesterday. you were at edgbaston yesterday. what was your experience? 1 was you were at edgbaston yesterday. what was your experience? i was at ed . baston what was your experience? i was at edgbaston yesterday. _ what was your experience? i was at edgbaston yesterday. it _ what was your experience? i was at edgbaston yesterday. it was - what was your experience? i was at edgbaston yesterday. it was a - edgbaston yesterday. it was a fantastic game of cricket. if you are an england fan it was extra special, great to see so many people having fun, so many young british indians there as well enjoying themselves but there was something going on at that i could not completely understand at the time. there was an announcement made to explain clearly that discrimination in any form would not be tolerated

in any form would not be tolerated in the ground. spectators were being encouraged to report anything via an app. i then saw a build—up of and police officers in a particular stand where there were allegations of racism. and then when i left the ground with my friend who happens to be a white englishman, we walked out the ground for about ten minutes and turned the corner and we were trying to find somewhere to eat and there were a couple of, three white english guys, i stopped to talk to them and asked if they could direct us and the tool us they were not locals, the game to watch the cricket and we spoke about the cricket and we spoke about the cricket and we spoke about the cricket and one of the men leaned towards my friend and whispered very loudly the p word and said the problem was people like me and then used the p word again. i decided to walk away because i didn't want to hear that and i felt intimidated and

also was worried about my friend who was standing up to this man and asking him why he was being racist. i asked my friend to move away as well and we went and find somewhere to eat. we didn't want this incident to eat. we didn't want this incident to overshadow a fantastic day of cricket. : :, :, , : cricket. and a wonderful experience. what can be — cricket. and a wonderful experience. what can be done _ cricket. and a wonderful experience. what can be done to _ cricket. and a wonderful experience. what can be done to try _ cricket. and a wonderful experience. what can be done to try and - cricket. and a wonderful experience. what can be done to try and avoid i what can be done to try and avoid that situation for others in future? it is shocking this is going on in this day and age but we know it goes on. we've had high—profile cases of as team -- is in the ecb has come out and condemn racism which is right but the ecb is to roll up its sleeves and get working. i believe cricket wants to get its house in order but what we need is an action plan from the ecb and we need to know what resources

they are committing to tackling racism and we need to understand racism and we need to understand racism isn't a one—off incident, not —— it is about a system that allows this type of behaviour. the other thing ifound really interesting this type of behaviour. the other thing i found really interesting and horrifying is the number of women who have come forward to say they suffered racism and ifeel who have come forward to say they suffered racism and i feel in the incident i have described in relation to what happened to me i believe might visibility as a muslim woman with a headscarf, a hijab was part of that man's attempt to abuse me. ~ , :, , part of that man's attempt to abuse me, ~ , :, , :, " me. we must leave it there but thank ou ve me. we must leave it there but thank you very much. _ me. we must leave it there but thank you very much, shaista _ me. we must leave it there but thank you very much, shaista aziz. - hello again. for many of us over the next few days, pollen levels are going to be high or very high. it's also going to turn warmer. what we've got at the moment is cloud moving across northern ireland, through parts of england and wales, sinking south.

sunshine behind, but thicker cloud will bring some rain in across northern ireland and also into western scotland later. it's also going to be quite windy. temperatures today, 13—23 degrees. now, that rain turns heavier and more persistent as it moves southwards and eastwards tonight, taking its cloud with it, some clear skies in the far south and still windy in the north and it will start to feel muggier across the north and the west. these are our overnight lows, between 10—15 degrees. so tomorrow, we still have this rain crossing scotland. quite a bit of cloud around but some breaks developing in that cloud. windy in the north, gusty winds in eastern scotland and to the east of the pennines and our temperatures 13—24 degrees.

this is bbc news. the headlines... a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning inappropriate behaviour by the mp chris pincher — directly contradicting the account from downing street i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person, because that official told me so at the time. today's revelations will put fresh pressure on the prime minister as he takes a cabinet meeting — number 10 has been accused of changing its story and not telling the truth. ministers are defending the prime ministers position

a distinction that is being drawn is awareness of a complaint that may have been, of an allegation that may have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, meet the threshold for formal disciplinary action. we'll be live in the house of commons for the next hour — where deputy leader of the oppostion angela rayner has been granted an urgent question on the pincher row a man is arrested by police in the us state of illinois — after six people were shot dead at an independence day parade. 50,000 people have been put on evacuation alert as floods hit sydney for the third time this year. and england chase victory over india at edgbaston to win the fifth test.

borisjohnson's decision to appoint chris pincher as deputy chief whip is facing further scrutiny — after a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald, wrote to the parliamentary standards commissioner this morning, saying borisjohnson was briefed "in person" about an investigation into chris pincher�*s conduct as a foreign office minister. downing street had previously claimed the prime minister wasn't aware of any specific allegations against mr pincher when he was appointed in february. but the bbc learned last night that boris johnson and the foreign secretary at the time — dominic raab — both knew about the issue. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last thursday and was suspended as a conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. chris pincher was appointed a foreign office minister injuly 2019 by mrjohnson, and stayed in the post until february 2020. during his time as a foreign office minister, an official complaint was raised about mr pincher for "inappropriate behaviour".

this triggered a process, overseen by the cabinet office, which resulted in a report that confirmed misconduct. yesterday, number 10 reiterated that the prime minister was not aware of any "specific allegations" being looked at, and said that in the "absence of a formal complaint it would not be appropriate to stop the appointment". however lord mcdonald says downing street is "not telling the truth" and that borisjohnson was briefed in person about the initiation and outcome of the investigation" into mr pincher, when mr pincher was a foreign office minister. this morning the former civil servant published his letter, alongside a tweet saying, "this morning i have written "to the parliamentary commissioner for standards — because number 10 "keep changing their story and are still not telling the truth." sir simon mcdonald was asked on the today programme this mornig how the information he provided about chris pincher reached boris johnson. i briefed the relevant senior official in the cabinet office.

you will understand that such complaints about ministers are very rare, very sensitive. they are dealt with at the very top level, and so i had the help and support of the cabinet office through the investigation. and are you convinced, are you sure, that the cabinet office, in person, told mrjohnson about it? i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person because that official told me so at the time. so there's no question in your mind that mrjohnson knew in person, had been told in person about what happened at the foreign office? correct. so when will quince, the children's minister, said to us yesterday, "i've been given a categoric "assurance that the prime minister was not aware of any specific "allegations or complaints relating to the former "deputy chief whip," that's not true, is it?

the categorical assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. it is very unusual for a retired official to do what i have done this morning. i did it by myself because what i have seen and read over the last few days i knew to be wrong, and things get to a point where you have to do the right thing. where do you think this leaves 10 downing street? what do you need to hear? what do we all need to hear, do you think? i think they need to come clean. i think that the language is ambiguous. it's sort of... the sort of telling the truth and crossing your fingers at the same time and hoping that people are not too forensic

in their subsequent questioning. and i think that is not working. the deputy prime minister domic raab was being interviewed on bbc breakfast as simon mcdonald published his letter. i don't know, and that is news to me, that the prime minister was briefed on the specific complaint that was made and then the outcome, precisely because it didn't lead to a formal disciplinary grievance process, let alone formal action, and i don't know how sir simon would know that, but if he does know how he was briefed directly that's news to me and i think the distinction that is being drawn is awareness of a complaint that may have been, or an allegation that may have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, meets the threshold for formal disciplinary action, and there was none taken here, and,

indeed, that was the advice of sir simon, in this case, and i remember it very clearly. dominic raab speaking on bbc breakfast early this morning. earlier, the shadow attorney general, labour mp emily thornberry, gave her reaction to the story we yet again have a situation where we have a prime minister whose first instinct when he is cornered is to tell a lie, and then when the facts are, kind of, coming in on him, he tells another lie and then he tells another. i mean, this undermines our system of democracy. if you really can't ever believe what the prime minister says, where are we as a country? but, also, when it comes to this case, everyone is forgetting the victims here. these are brave people who came forward and complained about... about inappropriate behaviour, whatever that means, but it takes a lot of bravery to do that against a powerful man. and they've just been pushed aside, told, you know, on the one hand,

"oh, they were just unsubstantiated allegations," or they weren't allegations that happened to be live at the time. i mean, they can't have it both ways. it's terrible and it's about time these people were held to account. it's about time that powerful men, if they abuse people, if they behave in a way which is inappropriate, that they are held to account, and we certainly shouldn't have a prime minister who is prepared to lie in order to defend them. dave penman is the general secretary of the civil servants' union, the fda. he says lord mcdonald's intervention may be unique. this is not usual behaviour for those who leave the civil service. the only analogous situation i can remember is a resignation around the allegations of bullying against home secretary and i think we have to ask ourselves why is it that former civil servants find themselves in a position where they have to take these extraordinary actions to bring truth into the public domain.

there's of responsibility on the prime minister and on government to be honest and it shouldn't require former civil servants to be put in an invidious position of having to contradict the prime minister. what we read to note here is the truth and there is a really important question here. the prime minister is ministerfor the civil question here. the prime minister is minister for the civil service. this is potentially putting people in harms way if they know they have been subject allegations that have been subject allegations that have been proven. in any other circumstances and employer would have to act to protect other employees and instead because of political expediency of the prime minister continues with his appointments. a little earlier, our political correspondent helen catt told me about the developments so far this morning. the cabinet has been meeting this morning, so borisjohnson will be facing some of those cabinet ministers who has, in effect, set out over the last few days to speak to the media with briefings which have subsequently turned out not to quite be as they set out and we are

allowed into film this morning into the cabinet meeting. you can see some of the faces around that table although we are not allowed to ask questions and i think there is, you know, a degree of frustration among mps, certainly, that the fact that here we are once again talking about judgment and the truth of things that come out of number ten and in terms of that second one, that is because that line from number ten has moved over the course of the weekend. on friday, they were saying there were no specific allegations, there were no specific allegations, the prior minister wasn't aware of any specific allegations. as i said, the cabinet officials out to the media and yesterday that line slightly changing to say they were aware of allegations about mr pincher�*s conduct that were either dissolved or did not present atomic progress to a formal complaint. but of course lead and that the dish aboutjudgment. we talk about of course lead and that the dish about judgment. we talk about these being resolved but what simon mcdonald was very clear about what it does not mean in this particular case mr pincher had been exaggerated

and so there is going to be lots of questions being asked by mps about thejudgment call the questions being asked by mps about the judgment call the prime minister made their and saying that this is not enough to go ahead and appoint him to a it doesn't really agree with the discipline of mps and also their welfare. with the discipline of mps and also theirwelfare. 15 with the discipline of mps and also their welfare.— with the discipline of mps and also their welfare. is the prime minister himself said _ their welfare. is the prime minister himself said anything _ their welfare. is the prime minister himself said anything about - their welfare. is the prime minister himself said anything about him . their welfare. is the prime minister| himself said anything about him and will we hearfrom him directly? she will we hear from him directly? she hasn't today- _ will we hear from him directly? s19 hasn't today. we don't know if we would hearfrom him directly but his official spokesman does a daily briefing to journalists and we will get that later this morning so certainly we will hear from number ten today, yes. in certainly we will hear from number ten today. yes-— certainly we will hear from number ten today, yes. in terms of where we are u- to ten today, yes. in terms of where we are up to with — ten today, yes. in terms of where we are up to with the _ ten today, yes. in terms of where we are up to with the investigation - are up to with the investigation into the latest allegations, we know that chris pincher had the party whip removed on friday. where does that leave him in his position now? you are right, he had the party whip removed which means he is suspended from sitting as a conservative mp. we also know that he has been asked to stay away from parliament and he

has agreed to do that while he is investigated by parliament's investigated by pa rliament�*s independent investigated by parliament's independent complaints and grievance scheme and that relate specifically to the allegations from last week at the carlton club. he himself has said that he is seeking professional medical support and that he hopes to turn to constituency duties seen. helen catt therefore is at westminster and we will be crossing to westminster a little later, the house of commons, in fact. that is missing their life now. the deputy leader of the labour party and rayner has been granted an urgent question on this issue. we are expecting that at some point within this hour. as soon as it happens, we will cost about to bring it to you and, by convention, a minister is expected to respond to the urgent question. we don't know who that minister will be but we shall find out and we will bring that to you as it happens here on bbc news.

we can bring you some breaking news now and a public man inquiry has concluded that an unarmed man was lawfully killed when he was shot at close range by police. a public inquiry concluding he was unlawfully killed. this was when he was involved in a foiled prison break plot in 2015 but the inquiry also found there were numerous failures throughout the operation. jermaine baker was shot by an unnamed officer driving an attempt to free an inmate from a prison van near wood green crown court in december 2015. a police marksman, identified only as w80, fired a single fatal shot. a public inquiry then took place to establish the circumstances. the police marksman said he thought the jermaine baker had been reaching for a gun. this public inquiry concluding that the firing of that shot was [awful killing of unarmed

jermaine baker. that is the detail we have at the moment bbc news. —— public inquiry concluding he was lawfully killed. us police have arrested a 22—year—old man who they believe killed six people in a mass shooting at an independence day parade near chicago. 24 others were injured in yesterday's attack after a high—powered rifle was fired multiple times from a rooftop in the suburb of highland park. the suspect has been named as robert crimo iii. from the scene, our correspondent nomia iqbal sent this report. the streets where celebrations had been taking place quickly turned into a hunting ground as police searched for a killer. a man who brought terror to an independence day parade. americans in this wealthy chicago suburb had been out in the sunshine for the symbolic day of the 4th ofjuly.

a few minutes into the parade, shots rang out, creating shock, confusion and panic. people moved quickly for safety. i thought that it was the navy that was saluting the flag with rifles, but when i saw people running, i picked up my son, and i started running. at first, the police found the gun but not the gunman. it took until the evening for them to eventually arrest robert crimo iii. the person of interest has now been taken to the highland park police department where we are going to begin the next phase of the investigation and speak with this person to make sure or see if, in fact, he is connected to this incident. social media firms have suspended accounts apparently owned by him. all events were cancelled as police spent hours looking for the 22—year—old. and so another address to the nation on yet another mass shooting. president biden cautiously questioned the direction his country is heading in.

there is nothing guaranteed about our democracy, nothing guaranteed about our way of life. we have to fight for it, defend it and earn it by voting. there has been a mass shooting in america every week this year. recently, major legislation was passed to address gun violence, but this proves that there is no part of american life that is untouched by gun violence. it happens in schools and in supermarkets, and on independence day, one of the most important days in america's history. nomia iqbal, bbc news, highland park, chicago. well earlier i spoke to cbs correspondent bradley blackburn from highland park in illinois. he told me more about the person that was arrested. . .. we know the suspect, robert crimo iii, is said to be 21 years old.

at this point i should say he has been called a person of interest still by authorities, he's not yet been formally charged, but publicly they are quite confident they have the gunman in custody. they are still trying to determine what his motive was, why he would have taken a high—powered assault rifle and fired on the crowd below, they're coming through his social media presence, asking him questions. overnight, his uncle spoke to our colleagues at cbs news and said that he had no idea his nephew, who lived with him, even had a weapon and is at a loss as to why he would do this. he's heartbroken for the victims and is thinking of the family members. tell us more about what the mood is like. i imagine people are shocked, unsettled by this but as well as the inevitable fear there were also extreme acts of kindness on display in the middle of all this. absolutely. so many families were lining

the parade route that i'm standing on right now, and what is striking this morning is to see the chaos that was left behind when the shooting started. i don't know it you can see behind me, but they abandoned bicycles, children's strollers, lawn chairs that theyjust left behind when they ran for cover. in those frantic moments after the shooting, they were told to take shelter anywhere that they could go, and we are hearing stories about neighbours that welcomed strangers into their homes to take shelter and to try and find a safe place and stories about people who helped reunite kids with parents who were separated in the chaos. and so as this community mourns six people who died and dozens of others who were injured, they are also focusing on moments of brightness like that. bradley blackburn from cbs news.

sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. in the last couple of minutes , england's cricketers have completed a sensational victory over india. they won the rearranged final test by 7 wickets at edgbaston to level the series. they easily reached the 378 runs required, their highest successful run chase in tests. they resumed on 259 for three with joe root and jonny bairstow at the crease and they saw england home, root unbeaten on 142, bairstow 114, his second century of the match and fourth in three tests. it's been a brillaint start under new coach brendon mcullum and captain ben stokes, after the whitewash against new zealand, this is their 4th test win in a row. it's the first of the quarterfinals at wimbledon, the men's and women's favourites novak djokovic and ons jabeur are on centre court later but british fans will be focussing on court one — that's where cameron norrie is taking on david goffin

norrie is the ninth seed at this year's championships but this is the furthest he's ever been at a grand slam. he will be favourite against the experienced belgian and should benefit from the home support, just as he did in his last match. play has already begun over on court number two today where we have the first of the women's doubles quarter—finals. america's nicole melichar—martinez and her australian partner ellen perez are taking on second seeds barbora krejcikova and katerina siniakova from the czech republic. you can watch that on the bbc sport website. here's a look at some of the highlights at wimbledon today. novak djokovic will open things up on centre court against italian jannik sinner. britain's cameron norrie against david goffin, as we mentioned before, will be second court number one following the ladies singles between tatjana maria and jule niemeier in the ladies singles quarterfinals. the women's european championship starts tomorrow with england facing

austria at a sold—out old trafford. england also face norway and northern ireland in their group over the next eight or nine days or so. the top two go through to the quarterfinals. sweden, france and defending champions the netherlands are among the favourites, but with home advantage many are backing the lionesses to go a long way in the tournament and that would be huge boost for the women's game. i think it's really significant moment and i think we've made great progress but the expression i'm using as this will turbo—charge everything fathers right from grassroots through to the professional games. we learnt in london, you know, those gold metals distract those gold medals matter to the british public so winning it would be enormous for us butjust doing well, raising the profile of the women's game. there will be some fantastic competition, it will be great spots, but it will also be happy, great environment sol great spots, but it will also be happy, great environment so i hope

people come, enjoy it, and recognise that it's a great family experience to go and watch the women's game. finally, a bit of breaking football news we have been expecting for a little while. this has been expected for a long time, mauricio pochettino has finally left paris saint—germain. the league 1 champions confirmed his departure the last hour, the former spurs boss, had 18 months in paris, during which he won his first trophies as a manager, but it was their failure in the champions league that proved to be his undoing despite an array of attacking talents at his disposal, neymar, mbappe and messi. former nice boss christophe galtier is expected to take over that's all the sport for now. i will be back with a full update after the one o'clock news about half past one. see then. studio:. we will look forward to it. see then. thanks so much.

about 50,000 australians have been urged to evacuate their homes after parts of sydney received about eight months of rain in four after parts of sydney received about eight months of rain in four days. roads have been cut off, some houses are underwater and thousands have been left without power. the downpour is expected to begin easing in sydney today, but gale—force winds are also forecast, bringing a risk of falling trees and power lines. here's the bbc�*s shaimaa khalil with an update. the rain has not been letting up and the waterjust keeps rising. i'm in a neighbourhood in south windsor, a town north—west of sydney, and this is the third major flooding event they've had in the last 18 months. if ijust move out here, just to show you. this is actually one of the main roads, connecting this side of the neighbourhood to the other and the only way to get through now was by boat. earlier, one of the locals on this side was rowing his boat, getting food and supplies for people who were stuck on the other side. he said, "this is the only way to get through now." the house just over here, some of the residents were rescued by rescue services earlier today.

they were stuck, they couldn't move. others have evacuated and theyjust told me, "we've been without power through the night and we were just going to pack and leave". others have said that they're going to stay at home, pray that they don't get stuck, pray that the water doesn't come even higher. but almost everyone here has told me how exhausting it's been. i've been speaking to chloe, one local here, who's been telling me how those last three days have been for her. it's crazy being told that you have to leave your home and just grab what you can. you know, a lot of stuff was left behind. we don't really know what we're really going to go back to. so we're just hoping that our house is safe and all our belongings and whatnot are going to be there when get back and try and get back to being normal. and time and time again, people tell you, look, dealing with one catastrophic flood

is hard enough. the shock, the trauma, the fact that you have to leave your house. dealing with three or even four, for some, in less than two years has just been devastating. the rain is still going, the wind is still going. we now have more than 100 evacuation orders that is affecting at least 45,000 people in sydney and the surrounding areas. people have been told that unless you are told to evacuate, unless there has been an evacuation order, people should stay home and those who are evacuating should consider multiple routes because, as you can see behind me, sometimes you want to leave your house, like those people over there in that property, and theyjust can't. so people are also being told to make sure that they can leave safely and that they have somewhere to go and now more evacuation centres have opened in this area and around it as well. back now to our top story here in the uk — borisjohnson is facing further

scrutiny over what he knew about mp, chris pincher, when he appointed him as deputy chief whip in february. a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald now says mrjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint and investigation into mr pincher�*s behaviour. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last our correspondent danny savage joins us now. quite close to the city centre on the main york vote comes up centre on the main york vote comes up of the city, quite a large block of flats there several stories high and it would appear this one—year—old boy fell from a window in a block of flats about it —— main york road. this happened on saturday and only said today now and tuesday the police have announced he has died so he was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries but sadly since died. what west yorkshire police are saying is a sudden and unexpected death in childhood and is pushing the family involved at the moment. doesn't

appear to be any suspicious circumstances at present but police are investigating and it appears to be a tragic accident and of course absolutely awful for the family involved but their tabular, their one—year—old somehow managed to fall from a great height and then has triggered this inquiry which has taken place today so we have only had formal confirmation in the last hour or so that the sound has died but a police investigation under way to see if there are indeed suspicious circumstances surrounding this at the moment. thank you much, danny savage our correspondent. we now return to our top story. boris johnson has been facing further scrutiny over what he knew about the mp chris pincher when he appointed him as deputy chief whip in february. formertop him as deputy chief whip in february. former top civil service at the foreign office now says mr johnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint and investigation into mr pincher�*s behaviour. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief

whip last thursday and was suspended as conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. joining us now as alexander brown, a political cover is abundant at the scotsman newspaper who has himself been the victim of sexual harassment while covering politics. inasmuch as you feel comfortable talking about your experience, alex, just your thoughts on what you've heard today and, sort of, how that's affected you given your past experience? well, it'sjust you given your past experience? well, it's just a you given your past experience? well, it'sjust a reminder of how un—seriously political parties take these things. we were told personally he wasn't aware of any specific allegations or he didn't have any serious specific allegations in the stories kept changing when nearly this is the case where we know we should find out what the prime minister is things and we should say we were dealing with it, we were slow to dealing with it, we were slow to deal with it and they apologise. in my own experiences, i cannot watch

enough... when i first went to a conservative party conference and events quite senior started talking to me and i thought it was good contact building and he then proceeded to grab me by my fate and tell me he would be going home and thinking of me for the rest of his evening set up me by my throat. at the time a kind of laughed it off but i think it is only as this happened and the scandals in a few months made me go actually, that is really not ok, is it? where as in parliament i have people say that they would laminate my social media post to enjoy them, they've just grabbed mejust in the commons, in the canteen area just come over and grab me or stop me as i've gone past in meetings and made comments about my appearance saying i'm not worth knowing is a journalist but mirth known due to my appearance which is, in isolation, quite old —— worth

knowing due to my parents. together, it is not necessarily proper working environment and i wrote about this before and i did say i was inundated with messages from people who have had experiences far more severe and found worse than mine who are scared to come forward, and when you look at the response from number ten on this why did anyone come forward because they are so, so slow with anything. as i said, it is one was against anyone else's and they valley and the party rather than actually dealing with and protecting people. this map rally round the party. people. this map rally round the .a . . ., people. this map rally round the party. what you're describing is . uite party. what you're describing is quite astonishing _ party. what you're describing is quite astonishing particularly i party. what you're describing is quite astonishing particularly in| party. what you're describing is l quite astonishing particularly in a open place like it canteen for someone to feel emboldened to carry on in that sort of way. what did you do about it? what did you feel you could do about it? at the time, and this perhaps feels cowardly but i thought laugh it off,

it does not really impact me and physically i am not really at risk. i know i can stop anything happening. but since then, i've spoken to people and warned them about these sorts of people. i would not feel comfortable reporting it. it is the nature of working in a parliament instead of being able to deport people because you do not feel comfortable or safe with the measures in place, you can only warn others. i know people, mentioning the canteen, who know mps who come over and give them a shoulder massage and start talking to them about things and there is absolutely no justification for that whatsoever and theyjust no justification for that whatsoever and they just try and avoid no justification for that whatsoever and theyjust try and avoid them and if they see that person try and avoid them. i know people who have had meetings cancelled on them and been sent lewd photographs as an apology and not knowing what to do because it is so absurd and such an unprofessional workplace. it seems

like if you send it to anyone it almost seems laughable, but anyone could behave like that but they do. it is widespread. i've been offered support by some of my peers, i can make a report, but i do not think anyone who followed the chris pincher case or anything in the past few months or if we include david warburton who continued to sit as an mp despite facing some serious allegations, why would i report anything? it shows no sign of being dealt with are coming to fruition. alex, thank you very much for speaking to us and sharing your experiences. ajournalist speaking to us and sharing your experiences. a journalist at the scotsman newspaper. we are keeping a keen eye on events in the house of commons. the reason being the deputy leader of the labour party angela rayner has been granted an urgent question this very issue we are discussing. we expect that in the

next few minutes, as soon as it happens we will bring that to you here on bbc news. it also merit a ministerial answer. we do not know which ministers will respond but we know the government must provide a minister to respond to the urgent question been granted. we will bring that to you as soon as it happens live on bbc news. in the meantime why don't we find out what is happening with the weather with carol. hello again. for many of us over the next few days, pollen levels are going to be high or very high. it's also going to turn warmer. what we've got at the moment is cloud moving across northern ireland, through parts of england and wales, sinking south. sunshine behind, but thicker cloud will bring some rain in across northern ireland and also into western scotland later. it's also going to be quite windy. temperatures today, 13—23 degrees. now, that rain turns heavier and more persistent as it moves southwards and eastwards tonight, taking its cloud with it, some clear skies in the far south and still windy in the north and it

will start to feel muggier across the north and the west. these are our overnight lows, between 10—15 degrees. so tomorrow, we still have this rain crossing scotland. quite a bit of cloud around but some breaks developing in that cloud. windy in the north, gusty winds in eastern scotland and to the east of the pennines and our temperatures 13—24 degrees. this is bbc news. we are going straight to the comments per angela rayner, deputy leader of the labour party, is asking a question on it chris pincher developments. has he had further conversations _ chris pincher developments. has he had further conversations with - chris pincher developments. has he had further conversations with the l had further conversations with the prime _ had further conversations with the prime minister and is that still his position? — prime minister and is that still his osition? :, , :, .,

mr speaker, could i have a reassurance from her majesty's government any proposal for an independence referendum coming forward _ independence referendum coming forward from the scottish government or indeed _ forward from the scottish government or indeed proposed extrapolation of a general— or indeed proposed extrapolation of a general election result will be closely— a general election result will be closely examined within the context of the _ closely examined within the context of the united kingdom law? | closely examined within the context of the united kingdom law? i can reassure him _ of the united kingdom law? i can reassure him that _ of the united kingdom law? i can reassure him that the _ of the united kingdom law? 199.1 reassure him that the government's position has not changed and we do not think now is the right time, given all the challenges and pressures, for a second referendum, what i think the people of scotland want to see is both of that governments in edinburgh and westminster working very closely together. westminster working very closely touether. �* :, , :, together. before the urgent question those who need _ together. before the urgent question those who need to _ together. before the urgent question those who need to leave _ together. before the urgent question those who need to leave i _ together. before the urgent question those who need to leave i will- together. before the urgent question those who need to leave i will allow i those who need to leave i will allow them _ those who need to leave i will allow them to _ those who need to leave i will allow them to do— those who need to leave i will allow them to do so _

them to do so. that— them to do so. that was- them to do so. i that was dominic them to do so. - that was dominic raab, them to do — that was dominic raab, deputy prime minister, responding to a question from chris bryant, the labour mp. dominic raab having done broadcast interviews this morning. let's go back to the commons where we are about to hear that arjun question. angela rayner. about to hear that ar'un question. angela raynenh angela rayner. thank you, mr seaker. angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker- to — angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker. to ask _ angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker. to ask the _ angela rayner. thank you, mr| speaker. to ask the chancellor angela rayner. thank you, mr. speaker. to ask the chancellor of the duchy— speaker. to ask the chancellor of the duchy of lancaster if he will update — the duchy of lancaster if he will update the house on the mechanisms for upholding standards in public life. :, ~' for upholding standards in public life. :, ~ i. for upholding standards in public life. :, ~ ,, y for upholding standards in public life. :, ~ , . for upholding standards in public life. :, , . life. thank you very much. it's a leasure life. thank you very much. it's a pleasure to _ life. thank you very much. it's a pleasure to appear— life. thank you very much. it's a pleasure to appear before - life. thank you very much. it's a pleasure to appear before you i life. thank you very much. it's a l pleasure to appear before you and the spouse on this important matter. mr speaker, we are fortunate in this country to have a sophisticated and robust system for upholding public standards. and the system is multifaceted. it is made up of

interlocking and complementary elements. it is of course founded on the principles of public life which have been in place for a quarter of a century. and which provide the overarching qualities and standards of behaviour as unexpected. mr speaker, i have some time to run through all of the mechanisms that underpin the seven principles but i will touch on something else first and that is this. it is something with regard to the potential victims in any case where there are allegations of impropriety of any sort. i was a barrister in criminal practice for 17 years before being elected to this house and i know how difficult it is for individuals to come forward. it is a very important that we do not prejudge any individual case. it is also right the system at this house created and

relatively recently, namely the independent complaints and grievances scheme, is allowed to work its course. mr speaker, there are additional rules and guidance to help ensure consistency of approach, for example, in relation to public appointments, corporate governance and business appointments when individuals move to roles outside of government. there are independent bodies that provide a broad oversight of standards. the right honourable lady in the deputy leader of the labour party has asked about the mechanisms for upholding the standards and they exist as a result of the decisions of this house. there are bodies and officeholders with a role in overseeing specific aspects of public life. such is the parliamentary commissioner on standards, civil service commission, commission or public appointments, and alongside these there are regimes for the publication of

government transparency data and information on those who lobby government. we have a parliament, as you know, mr speaker, that upholds standards to cover all of those in public life. it is incumbent upon us not to prejudge these decisions. ministers, public office holders, officials and all their activities must maintain the confidentiality of those who wish to make complaints crossed the lifetime of their involvement. let me say no system can replace the fundamental importance of personal responsibility. we all know this to be true, oversight bodies are they are to guide us but we all ultimately in public life must choose for ourselves for how to act. we now go to angela rayner. thank

ou, mr we now go to angela rayner. thank you. mr speaker- — we now go to angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker. this _ we now go to angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker. this constant - you, mr speaker. this constant charades — you, mr speaker. this constant charadesjust will not you, mr speaker. this constant charades just will not wash. these latest _ charades just will not wash. these latest disturbing allegations about the ministerial misconduct are all about— the ministerial misconduct are all about abuse of power. and there is one common fault with the system currently— one common fault with the system currently the minister spoke about. that is_ currently the minister spoke about. that is the — currently the minister spoke about. that is the power granted by this prime _ that is the power granted by this prime minister. the minister spoke about— prime minister. the minister spoke about personal responsibility. will the minister —— the minister needs to remind — the minister —— the minister needs to remind the prime minister of his personal— to remind the prime minister of his personal responsibility. last week the prime — personal responsibility. last week the prime minister said he knew nothing — the prime minister said he knew nothing specific allegations about misconduct by the member for tamworth, then he claimed he only had been _ tamworth, then he claimed he only had been aware of reports and speculation. but the truth is out today— speculation. but the truth is out today and — speculation. but the truth is out today and that defence has been completely blown apart. lord macdonald said the prime minister was informed about the complaint, that was— was informed about the complaint, that was upheld, of inappropriate behaviour— that was upheld, of inappropriate behaviour against the then minister.

does the _ behaviour against the then minister. does the minister accept lord mcdonald is telling the truth or is he telling — mcdonald is telling the truth or is he telling us the prime minister was not aware? — he telling us the prime minister was not aware? what happened to the complaint — not aware? what happened to the complaint and why was nothing done at the _ complaint and why was nothing done at the time? the minister of state at the time? the minister of state at the _ at the time? the minister of state at the foreign office has a deeply sensitive — at the foreign office has a deeply sensitive role in national security. was this— sensitive role in national security. was this issue even raised are brought— was this issue even raised are brought up in the vetting process and was — brought up in the vetting process and was the prime minister informed? why was— and was the prime minister informed? why was this conduct not considered a breach— why was this conduct not considered a breach of— why was this conduct not considered a breach of the ministerial code? why did — a breach of the ministerial code? why did the prime minister allow him to stay— why did the prime minister allow him to stay in— why did the prime minister allow him to stay in post? this goes to the heart _ to stay in post? this goes to the heart of— to stay in post? this goes to the heart of why there are issues and the public— heart of why there are issues and the public have had enough. since the public have had enough. since the resignation of yet another of the resignation of yet another of the prime — the resignation of yet another of the prime minister at's ethics advisors _ the prime minister at's ethics advisors last month there has been an even— advisors last month there has been an even bigger ethical vacuum in downing — an even bigger ethical vacuum in downing street, with no accountability in place. how can the

minister— accountability in place. how can the minister come here today and say this simplyjust would not happen again? _ this simplyjust would not happen again? the prime ministerwas personally informed about these allegations and yet he was either negligent or complicit. what message, mr speaker, does this send about— message, mr speaker, does this send about the _ message, mr speaker, does this send about the standards of this government and what they set? what message _ government and what they set? what message does this send to the british— message does this send to the british people are facing a cost of living _ british people are facing a cost of living crisis while their government is paralysed with scandal? when will this minister stop defending the indefensible and say enough is enough? — enough? mr- enough? mr speaker, the matter of enough? — mr speaker, the matter of what happened with regard to the member for tamworth is now under investigation. and it is possible that a police investigation may follow. it me. so it is clear that the rules should apply to individual

cases, both because of the interest ofjustice cases, both because of the interest of justice to everyone cases, both because of the interest ofjustice to everyone concerned both to those accused and those who are potential victims. so the rules should apply very much to this but with regards the appointment the right honourable mentions to the whips office in february, appointments in government a subject course to advice on matters of propriety. not to veto but they are subject to advice and in addition the usual reshuffle procedures were followed by government. i ask the house to accept billing in mind the member in question had been reappointed to government by a previous prime minister in 2018 and then he had been appointed in 2019 as a foreign office minister and then he was appointed for a third time in february, i doubt whether anyone could in knowledge of those facts say this prime minister should

have acted otherwise than he did. it is the morally fair thing to do in any case to assess the situation based on evidence. not unsubstantiated rumour. it is incumbent on all of us in this house as it is in society generally, to act fairly. if there is no evidence at the time, if there is no live complaint, no ongoing investigation, surely it is not unreasonable to consider making an appointment? i have made some initial inquiries, subject to... this is subject to further assessment. subject to... this is subject to furtherassessment. in subject to... this is subject to further assessment. in the limited time, my understanding is as follows. in october 2019, time, my understanding is as follows. in october2019, officials raised concerns with the permanent secretary, concerning the member in

question. the permanent secretary commissioned work to establish facts. that was undertaken on his behalf by the cabinet office. this exercise reported in due course to the then permanent secretary, who agreed to its terms. the exercise established while the minister meant no harm, what had occurred caused a high level of discomfort. this is what the exercise established. the minister apologised and those raising the concern accepted the resolution. the prime minister was made aware of this issue, in late 2019. he was told that the permanent secretary had taken the necessary action, no issue therefore arose about remaining as a minister and

last week, when fresh allegations arose, the prime minister did not immediately recall the conversation in late 2019 about this incident, as soon as he was reminded, the number 10 press office corrected their public lines. the position is quite clear. further inquiries will be made but at the position is the prime minister acted with probity at all times. it is not appropriate, whether in a private life or in public life, to act on unsubstantiated rumour. haste public life, to act on unsubstantiated rumour. ~ :, unsubstantiated rumour. we now come to the chair- -- — unsubstantiated rumour. we now come to the chair... thank _ unsubstantiated rumour. we now come to the chair... thank you, _ unsubstantiated rumour. we now come to the chair... thank you, mr _ to the chair... thank you, mr speaker- _ to the chair... thank you, mr speaker- my _ to the chair... thank you, mr speaker. my honourable - to the chair... thank you, mr i speaker. my honourable friend mentions — speaker. my honourable friend mentions the _ speaker. my honourable friend mentions the sophisticated - speaker. my honourable friend| mentions the sophisticated and robust — mentions the sophisticated and robust systems— mentions the sophisticated and robust systems for— mentions the sophisticated and robust systems for upholding .

robust systems for upholding standards _ robust systems for upholding standards in— robust systems for upholding standards in public— robust systems for upholding standards in public life. - robust systems for upholding i standards in public life. those systems — standards in public life. those systems are _ standards in public life. those systems are on _ standards in public life. those systems are on the _ standards in public life. those systems are on the whole - standards in public life. those - systems are on the whole irrelevant if the _ systems are on the whole irrelevant if the participants _ systems are on the whole irrelevant if the participants have _ systems are on the whole irrelevant if the participants have no— systems are on the whole irrelevant if the participants have no regard i if the participants have no regard for them — if the participants have no regard for them the _ if the participants have no regard for them. the question _ if the participants have no regard for them. the question facing - if the participants have no regardi for them. the question facing that government, _ for them. the question facing that government, and _ for them. the question facing that government, and i— for them. the question facing that government, and i would - for them. the question facing that government, and i would suggest| for them. the question facing that. government, and i would suggest my honourable _ government, and i would suggest my honourable and — government, and i would suggest my honourable and right _ government, and i would suggest my honourable and right honourable - honourable and right honourable friends _ honourable and right honourable friends on — honourable and right honourable friends on the _ honourable and right honourable friends on the front _ honourable and right honourable friends on the front bench, - honourable and right honourable friends on the front bench, who l honourable and right honourable friends on the front bench, who i| friends on the front bench, who i notice _ friends on the front bench, who i notice a — friends on the front bench, who i notice a great _ friends on the front bench, who i notice a great degree _ notice a great degree of propensity of government _ notice a great degree of propensity of government whips _ notice a great degree of propensity of government whips other- notice a great degree of propensity of government whips other than i notice a great degree of propensityj of government whips other than —— other— of government whips other than —— other than— of government whips other than —— other than government _ of government whips other than —— other than government ministers. i of government whips other than —— l other than government ministers. as for them _ other than government ministers. as for them to— other than government ministers. as for them to consider— other than government ministers. as for them to consider what _ other than government ministers. as for them to consider what they - other than government ministers. as for them to consider what they are i for them to consider what they are being _ for them to consider what they are being asked — for them to consider what they are being asked to _ for them to consider what they are being asked to say— for them to consider what they are being asked to say in— for them to consider what they are being asked to say in public, - for them to consider what they arej being asked to say in public, which changes— being asked to say in public, which changes similar— being asked to say in public, which changes similar by— being asked to say in public, which changes similar by the _ being asked to say in public, which changes similar by the hour, - being asked to say in public, which changes similar by the hour, i- being asked to say in public, which. changes similar by the hour, i would ask them _ changes similar by the hour, i would ask them to — changes similar by the hour, i would ask them to consider _ changes similar by the hour, i would ask them to consider the _ changes similar by the hour, i would ask them to consider the of - changes similar by the hour, i would ask them to consider the of decencyj ask them to consider the of decency that i_ ask them to consider the of decency that i know— ask them to consider the of decency that i know the _ ask them to consider the of decency that i know the vast _ ask them to consider the of decency that i know the vast majority - ask them to consider the of decency that i know the vast majority of - that i know the vast majority of them _ that i know the vast majority of them have, _ that i know the vast majority of them have, and— that i know the vast majority of them have, and ask— that i know the vast majority of| them have, and ask themselves that i know the vast majority of. them have, and ask themselves if they can _ them have, and ask themselves if they can any— them have, and ask themselves if they can any longer— them have, and ask themselves if they can any longer tolerate - them have, and ask themselves if| they can any longer tolerate being part of— they can any longer tolerate being part of a _ they can any longer tolerate being part of a government _ they can any longer tolerate being part of a government which - they can any longer tolerate being part of a government which for. part of a government which for better— part of a government which for better or— part of a government which for better or worse _ part of a government which for better or worse is _ part of a government which for better or worse is widely- part of a government which for. better or worse is widely regarded as having — better or worse is widely regarded as having lost _ better or worse is widely regarded as having lost its _ better or worse is widely regarded as having lost its sense _ better or worse is widely regarded as having lost its sense of- as having lost its sense of direction, _ as having lost its sense of direction, it— as having lost its sense of direction, it is— as having lost its sense of direction, it is for- as having lost its sense of direction, it is for them i as having lost its sense ofj direction, it is for them to consider— direction, it is for them to consider their— direction, it is for them to consider their position, i direction, it is for them to consider their position, it| direction, it is for them to. consider their position, it is direction, it is for them to i consider their position, it is not direction, it is for them to - consider their position, it is not a question— consider their position, it is not a

question of— consider their position, it is not a question of systems, _ consider their position, it is not a question of systems, it _ consider their position, it is not a question of systems, it is- consider their position, it is not a question of systems, it is a - question of systems, it is a question— question of systems, it is a question of— question of systems, it is a question of political- question of systems, it is a i question of politicaljudgment, question of systems, it is a - question of politicaljudgment, and that political— question of politicaljudgment, and that politicaljudgment— question of politicaljudgment, and that politicaljudgment cannot i question of politicaljudgment, and that politicaljudgment cannot be l that politicaljudgment cannot be delegated — delegated. well, - delegated. well, my. delegated. - well, my honourable delegated. — well, my honourable friend is quite wrong _ well, my honourable friend is quite wrong the — well, my honourable friend is quite wrong. the fact of the matter at this is— wrong. the fact of the matter at this is a — wrong. the fact of the matter at this is a government that knows its direction _ this is a government that knows its direction and that is to serve the british— direction and that is to serve the british people in dealing with the issues _ british people in dealing with the issues that matter to them, including _ issues that matter to them, including cost of living, the crisis including cost of living, the crisis in ukraine — including cost of living, the crisis in ukraine and those other issues including — in ukraine and those other issues including the pandemic which this prime _ including the pandemic which this prime minister and this government have dealt— prime minister and this government have dealt with in an exemplary fashion — have dealt with in an exemplary fashion. �* :, �* ., ., have dealt with in an exemplary fashion.— herel have dealt with in an exemplary i fashion.— here we are fashion. brendan o'hara. here we are aaain. fashion. brendan o'hara. here we are again- once — fashion. brendan o'hara. here we are again- once again _ fashion. brendan o'hara. here we are again. once again the _ fashion. brendan o'hara. here we are again. once again the minister - fashion. brendan o'hara. here we are again. once again the minister for i again. once again the minister for defending the indefensible set out to defend his boss but even he must realise the speed at which we reconvene in this place to question the veracity of the prime minister's

version of events, it's like being on a merry—go—round that gets faster and faster. today it is the turn of lord mcdonald the former senior serve it, to call out the claim of the prime minister that he was unaware of any specific allegations against the member for unaware of any specific allegations against the memberfor tamworth unaware of any specific allegations against the member for tamworth when appointing him to deputy chief whip. his letter to the commission of standards lord mcdonald is unequivocal in saying three years ago and put it in 19 the prime minister was a priest in person about the initiation and the —— was briefed in question. this letterfrom —— was briefed in question. this letter from lord —— was briefed in question. this letterfrom lord mcdonald demolishes the claims of the prime minister but he did not know and raises serious concerns whether he's broken the ministerial code. how much longer will we have to endure this similarly endless merry—go—round and well the secretary of state commit to holding a full investigation into this matter are perhaps finally

allowing the people of the united kingdom to get off this appalling merry—go—round. i realise the honourable gentleman from scotland wishes to make political — from scotland wishes to make political hay out of the situation but it _ political hay out of the situation but it really does not wash. it's not indefensible to defend natural justice. _ not indefensible to defend natural justice, naturaljustice means justice, natural justice means acting — justice, natural justice means acting on— justice, naturaljustice means acting on evidence, not on gossip, rumour— acting on evidence, not on gossip, rumour and — acting on evidence, not on gossip, rumour and innuendo. acting on evidence, not on gossip, rumourand innuendo. it is acting on evidence, not on gossip, rumour and innuendo. it is a fact that— rumour and innuendo. it is a fact that in— rumour and innuendo. it is a fact that in this — rumour and innuendo. it is a fact that in this place there are rumours. _ that in this place there are rumours, gossip and innuendo about a multitude _ rumours, gossip and innuendo about a multitude of— rumours, gossip and innuendo about a multitude of issues and multitude of people _ multitude of issues and multitude of people. the reasonjournalists do not report— people. the reasonjournalists do not report that is because they cannot— not report that is because they cannot stand it up with evidence. the reason — cannot stand it up with evidence. the reason why others do not act many _ the reason why others do not act many cases— the reason why others do not act many cases because they have not got evidence _ many cases because they have not got evidence. and it is not indefensible to defend _ evidence. and it is not indefensible to defend the principles of natural justice _ to defend the principles of natural justice and not expect people to

act, to— justice and not expect people to act, to the — justice and not expect people to act, to the finish straight individuals without proof. that's the difference. there is periodically much discussion— there is periodically much discussion in— there is periodically much discussion in this - there is periodically much discussion in this place i there is periodically muchi discussion in this place and there is periodically much - discussion in this place and about this place — discussion in this place and about this place about _ discussion in this place and about this place about how— discussion in this place and about this place about how we - discussion in this place and about this place about how we should i this place about how we should address— this place about how we should address the _ this place about how we should address the culture _ this place about how we should address the culture of - this place about how we should address the culture of this i this place about how we shouldl address the culture of this place that seems— address the culture of this place that seems to _ address the culture of this place that seems to give _ address the culture of this place that seems to give permission i address the culture of this place i that seems to give permission for the wrong — that seems to give permission for the wrong attitudes _ that seems to give permission for the wrong attitudes and _ that seems to give permission for the wrong attitudes and wrong i the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours _ the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours. how— the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours. how does - the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours. how does it - the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours. how does it help. the wrong attitudes and wrong| behaviours. how does it help if the wrong attitudes and wrong i behaviours. how does it help if our own political— behaviours. how does it help if our own political leaders— behaviours. how does it help if our own political leaders in— behaviours. how does it help if our own political leaders in all- own political leaders in all political— own political leaders in all political parties _ own political leaders in all political parties finish i own political leaders in all political parties finish up i political parties finish up promoting _ political parties finish up promoting people - political parties finish up promoting people with i political parties finish up i promoting people with the political parties finish up - promoting people with the wrong attitudes— promoting people with the wrong attitudes and _ promoting people with the wrong attitudes and wrong _ promoting people with the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours. i attitudes and wrong behaviours. isn't that — attitudes and wrong behaviours. isn't that exactly _ attitudes and wrong behaviours. isn't that exactly what _ attitudes and wrong behaviours. isn't that exactly what gives i isn't that exactly what gives permission _ isn't that exactly what gives permission for— isn't that exactly what gives permission for the - isn't that exactly what gives permission for the wrong i isn't that exactly what gives - permission for the wrong attitudes and wrong — permission for the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours _ permission for the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours to _ permission for the wrong attitudes and wrong behaviours to persist? i and wrong behaviours to persist? might _ and wrong behaviours to persist? might write — and wrong behaviours to persist? might write honourable _ and wrong behaviours to persist? might write honourable friend i and wrong behaviours to persist? i might write honourable friend would be right, _ might write honourable friend would be right, if he were working under the assumption that those making the appointment new the individual in question— appointment new the individual in question had the wrong behaviours and attitudes. submitting that it is

and attitudes. submitting that it is a possibility is not sufficient. there — a possibility is not sufficient. there are _ a possibility is not sufficient. there are rumours, that would not be sufficient _ there are rumours, that would not be sufficient. that is the crux of the difference — difference. i _ difference. i hope one day the minister difference. — i hope one day the minister plays these _ i hope one day the minister plays these things _ i hope one day the minister plays these things back _ i hope one day the minister plays these things back to _ i hope one day the minister plays these things back to himself i i hope one day the minister plays these things back to himself and | these things back to himself and listens— these things back to himself and listens to — these things back to himself and listens to himself. _ these things back to himself and listens to himself. i— these things back to himself and listens to himself. i do - these things back to himself and listens to himself. i do not - these things back to himself and listens to himself. i do not think| listens to himself. i do not think he will_ listens to himself. i do not think he will be — listens to himself. i do not think he will be proud _ listens to himself. i do not think he will be proud of _ listens to himself. i do not think he will be proud of himself- listens to himself. i do not think he will be proud of himself in. listens to himself. i do not think. he will be proud of himself in later days and _ he will be proud of himself in later days and i— he will be proud of himself in later days and i know— he will be proud of himself in later days and i know many _ he will be proud of himself in later. days and i know many conservative, decent _ days and i know many conservative, decent conservative _ days and i know many conservative, decent conservative mps _ days and i know many conservative, decent conservative mps feel- decent conservative mps feel terribly — decent conservative mps feel terribly ashamed _ decent conservative mps feel terribly ashamed by - decent conservative mps feel. terribly ashamed by everything decent conservative mps feel- terribly ashamed by everything that has happened — terribly ashamed by everything that has happened in— terribly ashamed by everything that has happened in this _ terribly ashamed by everything that has happened in this sordid - terribly ashamed by everything thatj has happened in this sordid process but isn't _ has happened in this sordid process but isn't the — has happened in this sordid process but isn't the real— has happened in this sordid process but isn't the real problem _ has happened in this sordid process but isn't the real problem here i has happened in this sordid process but isn't the real problem here that| but isn't the real problem here that if the _ but isn't the real problem here that if the boss — but isn't the real problem here that if the boss is — but isn't the real problem here that if the boss is somebody— but isn't the real problem here that if the boss is somebody who - but isn't the real problem here that if the boss is somebody who spentl if the boss is somebody who spent all their political— if the boss is somebody who spent all their political career— if the boss is somebody who spent all their political career trying i if the boss is somebody who spent all their political career trying to l all their political career trying to .et all their political career trying to get away— all their political career trying to get away with _ all their political career trying to get away with things, _ all their political career trying to get away with things, and - all their political career trying toi get away with things, and finding themselves— get away with things, and finding themselves innocent— get away with things, and finding themselves innocent and - get away with things, and finding themselves innocent and the i get away with things, and finding i themselves innocent and the court of their own _ themselves innocent and the court of their own opinion, _ themselves innocent and the court of their own opinion, if— themselves innocent and the court of their own opinion, if their— themselves innocent and the court of their own opinion, if their boss - themselves innocent and the court of their own opinion, if their boss is i their own opinion, if their boss is somebody— their own opinion, if their boss is somebody who _ their own opinion, if their boss is somebody who bows _ their own opinion, if their boss is somebody who bows to - their own opinion, if their boss isl somebody who bows to everybody their own opinion, if their boss is - somebody who bows to everybody that all the _ somebody who bows to everybody that all the sex _ somebody who bows to everybody that all the sex pest— somebody who bows to everybody that all the sex pest support _ somebody who bows to everybody that all the sex pest support him _ somebody who bows to everybody that all the sex pest support him for- somebody who bows to everybody that all the sex pest support him for the i all the sex pest support him for the leadership— all the sex pest support him for the leadership -- — all the sex pest support him for the leadership —— boasts— all the sex pest support him for the leadership —— boasts to _ all the sex pest support him for the leadership —— boasts to everybody. | leadership —— boasts to everybody. if the _ leadership —— boasts to everybody. if the boss— leadership —— boasts to everybody. if the boss tries _ leadership —— boasts to everybody. if the boss tries to _ leadership —— boasts to everybody. if the boss tries to destroy - leadership —— boasts to everybody. if the boss tries to destroy the - if the boss tries to destroy the system — if the boss tries to destroy the system when _ if the boss tries to destroy the system when he _ if the boss tries to destroy the system when he got _ if the boss tries to destroy the system when he got into- if the boss tries to destroy the i system when he got into trouble, if the boss tries to destroy the - system when he got into trouble, the truth is _ system when he got into trouble, the truth is att— system when he got into trouble, the truth is all his— system when he got into trouble, the truth is all his allies _ system when he got into trouble, the truth is all his allies will _ truth is all his allies will endlessly— truth is all his allies will endlessly take -

truth is all his allies will endlessly take liberties| truth is all his allies will - endlessly take liberties and it truth is all his allies will _ endlessly take liberties and it does not feet— endlessly take liberties and it does not feet like — endlessly take liberties and it does not feet like a _ endlessly take liberties and it does not feel like a government - endlessly take liberties and it does not feel like a government that - endlessly take liberties and it does not feel like a government that is. not feel like a government that is trying _ not feel like a government that is trying to— not feel like a government that is trying to serve _ not feel like a government that is trying to serve the _ not feel like a government that is trying to serve the british - not feel like a government that is| trying to serve the british people. it trying to serve the british people. it feels _ trying to serve the british people. it feels like — trying to serve the british people. it feels like a _ trying to serve the british people. it feels like a government - trying to serve the british people. it feels like a government that. trying to serve the british people. it feels like a government that is| it feels like a government that is trying _ it feels like a government that is trying to— it feels like a government that is trying to help _ it feels like a government that is trying to help itself. _ trying to help itself. mr— trying to help itself. mr speaker, - trying to help itself. mr speaker, the - trying to help itself. - mr speaker, the honourable trying to help itself. _ mr speaker, the honourable gentleman takes a _ mr speaker, the honourable gentleman takes a sanctimonious tone. he wishes — takes a sanctimonious tone. he wishes to— takes a sanctimonious tone. he wishes to set himself up when it comes— wishes to set himself up when it comes to — wishes to set himself up when it comes to this government, set himself— comes to this government, set himself up— comes to this government, set himself up asjudge, comes to this government, set himself up as judge, jury and executioner. the reality of the matter— executioner. the reality of the matter is _ executioner. the reality of the matter is taking the moral high ground — matter is taking the moral high ground is— matter is taking the moral high ground is not something that i think fits well _ ground is not something that i think fits well. what he should bear in mind _ fits well. what he should bear in mind as — fits well. what he should bear in mind as it— fits well. what he should bear in mind as it is also moral to treat people — mind as it is also moral to treat people fairly. and that includes victims — people fairly. and that includes victims and the accused. and that is what _ victims and the accused. and that is what i _ victims and the accused. and that is what i have — victims and the accused. and that is what i have done and what i seek to do. the do. - the minister do. — the minister rightly do. the minister ri-htly pointed out the minister rightly pointed out that the — the minister rightly pointed out that the seven principles - the minister rightly pointed out that the seven principles of- that the seven principles of integrity of public -

that the seven principles of integrity of public life run, i integrity of public life run, underpin— integrity of public life run, underpin all— integrity of public life run, underpin all the _ integrity of public life run, underpin all the way- integrity of public life run, . underpin all the way through integrity of public life run, - underpin all the way through the ministerial— underpin all the way through the ministerial code _ underpin all the way through the ministerial code but— underpin all the way through the ministerial code but it _ underpin all the way through the ministerial code but it is - underpin all the way through the ministerial code but it is clear. ministerial code but it is clear from — ministerial code but it is clear from lord _ ministerial code but it is clear from lord mcdonald's - ministerial code but it is clear from lord mcdonald's letter. ministerial code but it is clear- from lord mcdonald's letter today number— from lord mcdonald's letter today number 10 — from lord mcdonald's letter today number10 have _ from lord mcdonald's letter today number10 have not— from lord mcdonald's letter today number 10 have not been - from lord mcdonald's letter today number 10 have not been honesti from lord mcdonald's letter todayi number 10 have not been honest in what they— number 10 have not been honest in what they have _ number 10 have not been honest in what they have said, _ number 10 have not been honest in what they have said, that _ number 10 have not been honest in what they have said, that is - number 10 have not been honest in what they have said, that is what i what they have said, that is what lord mcdonald _ what they have said, that is what lord mcdonald says _ what they have said, that is what lord mcdonald says in— what they have said, that is what lord mcdonald says in terms, - what they have said, that is whatl lord mcdonald says in terms, one what they have said, that is what - lord mcdonald says in terms, one of the principles— lord mcdonald says in terms, one of the principles is— lord mcdonald says in terms, one of the principles is honesty. _ lord mcdonald says in terms, one of the principles is honesty. number. lord mcdonald says in terms, one of the principles is honesty. number 10 previously— the principles is honesty. number 10 previously was — the principles is honesty. number 10 previously was accused _ the principles is honesty. number 10 previously was accused without - previously was accused without rebuttal — previously was accused without rebuttal of _ previously was accused without rebuttal of lacking _ previously was accused without rebuttal of lacking leadership l previously was accused withoutl rebuttal of lacking leadership by sue gray— rebuttal of lacking leadership by sue gray irr— rebuttal of lacking leadership by sue gray in her— rebuttal of lacking leadership by sue gray in her report _ rebuttal of lacking leadership by sue gray in her report of- rebuttal of lacking leadership by sue gray in her report of what . rebuttal of lacking leadership by. sue gray in her report of what went on over— sue gray in her report of what went on over partygate. _ sue gray in her report of what went on over partygate. how— sue gray in her report of what went on over partygate. how many- sue gray in her report of what went on over partygate. how many more sue gray in her report of what went. on over partygate. how many more of the seven— on over partygate. how many more of the seven principles _ on over partygate. how many more of the seven principles will— on over partygate. how many more of the seven principles will they- on over partygate. how many more of the seven principles will they have - the seven principles will they have to breach — the seven principles will they have to breach before _ the seven principles will they have to breach before the _ the seven principles will they have to breach before the honourable . to breach before the honourable friend _ to breach before the honourable friend stands _ to breach before the honourable friend stands up— to breach before the honourable friend stands up and _ to breach before the honourable friend stands up and says - to breach before the honourablei friend stands up and says enough to breach before the honourable . friend stands up and says enough is enough? _ enough? i - enough? ido- enough? i do noti enough? - i do not accept the enough? — i do not accept the premise of his question — i do not accept the premise of his question. the fact of the matter is, he will— question. the fact of the matter is, he will notes, after the exercise, investigation i referred to a few moments — investigation i referred to a few moments ago, when the appointment was made. _ moments ago, when the appointment was made. i_ moments ago, when the appointment was made, i am not aware of the

former— was made, i am not aware of the former minister in question to the department for levelling up, and then to _ department for levelling up, and then to the whips office, i am not aware _ then to the whips office, i am not aware any— then to the whips office, i am not aware any further objections was made _ aware any further objections was made from its senior civil servant in question — made from its senior civil servant in question. so i think that is something from which he can draw a note _ something from which he can draw a note this _ something from which he can draw a note. �* , something from which he can draw a note. . , , ., , ,, ., note. as men in this house know i served as — note. as men in this house know i served as the _ note. as men in this house know i served as the former _ note. as men in this house know i served as the former police - note. as men in this house know i | served as the former police officer but something _ served as the former police officer but something that _ served as the former police officer but something that is _ served as the former police officer but something that is important. served as the former police officer| but something that is important as mps is _ but something that is important as mps is our— but something that is important as mps is our responsibilities- but something that is important as mps is our responsibilities for- mps is our responsibilities for safeguarding _ mps is our responsibilities for safeguarding an _ mps is our responsibilities for safeguarding an relentless i mps is our responsibilities for- safeguarding an relentless estate and out _ safeguarding an relentless estate and out and — safeguarding an relentless estate and out and constituencies. - safeguarding an relentless estate and out and constituencies. if- safeguarding an relentless estate and out and constituencies. if i l and out and constituencies. if i received — and out and constituencies. if i received an— and out and constituencies. if i received an unsubstantiated i received an unsubstantiated allegation— received an unsubstantiated allegation i— received an unsubstantiated allegation i would _ received an unsubstantiated allegation i would do- received an unsubstantiated allegation i would do my- received an unsubstantiated. allegation i would do my best received an unsubstantiated - allegation i would do my best to find out — allegation i would do my best to find out as— allegation i would do my best to find out as much _ allegation i would do my best to find out as much as _ allegation i would do my best to find out as much as i could - allegation i would do my best toi find out as much as i could about it, find out as much as i could about it. not— find out as much as i could about it. notiust — find out as much as i could about it. notiust for— find out as much as i could about it, not just for curiosity _ find out as much as i could about it, not just for curiosity but - find out as much as i could about it, not just for curiosity but to - it, not just for curiosity but to ensure — it, not just for curiosity but to ensure people _ it, not just for curiosity but to ensure people are _ it, not just for curiosity but to ensure people are safe. - it, not just for curiosity but to ensure people are safe. whatj it, not just for curiosity but to - ensure people are safe. what has failed _ ensure people are safe. what has failed here — ensure people are safe. what has failed here is— ensure people are safe. what has failed here is a _ ensure people are safe. what has failed here is a failure _ ensure people are safe. what has failed here is a failure of- ensure people are safe. what hasj failed here is a failure of process, integrity. — failed here is a failure of process, integrity. or— failed here is a failure of process, integrity, or both. _ failed here is a failure of process, integrity, or both. h0. _ failed here is a failure of process, integrity, or both.— integrity, or both. no. asi articulated, _ integrity, or both. no. asi articulated, there - integrity, or both. no. asi articulated, there was - integrity, or both. no. asi articulated, there was an l integrity, or both. no. as i - articulated, there was an exercise within— articulated, there was an exercise within the — articulated, there was an exercise within the foreign & commonwealth office _ within the foreign & commonwealth office but— within the foreign & commonwealth office but the matter which i believe — office but the matter which i believe went on for several weeks.

-- about— believe went on for several weeks. -- about the — believe went on for several weeks. —— about the matter. i need to confirm — —— about the matter. i need to confirm the _ —— about the matter. i need to confirm the details because i have had insufficient time but as i said, there _ had insufficient time but as i said, there was— had insufficient time but as i said, there was an exercise and that concluded _ there was an exercise and that concluded to the satisfaction of all involved — concluded to the satisfaction of all involved. that is within the department and it appears to me to be before _ department and it appears to me to be before the prime minister was made _ be before the prime minister was made aware of. i remember recently there was a brexit— i remember recently there was a brexit opportunity debates here, there _ brexit opportunity debates here, there were no liberal democrats, there _ there were no liberal democrats, there are — there were no liberal democrats, there are virtually no labour members. there are virtually no labour members-— there are virtually no labour members. ., , , , members. the only time they turn up is to bash boris. _ members. the only time they turn up is to bash boris. it— members. the only time they turn up is to bash boris. it seems... - members. the only time they turn up is to bash boris. it seems... can - members. the only time they turn up is to bash boris. it seems... can i- is to bash boris. it seems... can i ask, _ is to bash boris. it seems... can i ask, mr— is to bash boris. it seems... can i ask. mr speaker, _ is to bash boris. it seems... can i ask, mr speaker, right— is to bash boris. it seems... can ii ask, mr speaker, right honourable member, — ask, mr speaker, right honourable member, in— ask, mr speaker, right honourable member, in northamptonshire - ask, mr speaker, right honourable member, in northamptonshire do| ask, mr speaker, right honourable . member, in northamptonshire do you think our— member, in northamptonshire do you think our constituents— member, in northamptonshire do you think our constituents are _ member, in northamptonshire do you think our constituents are more - think our constituents are more concerned — think our constituents are more concerned about— think our constituents are more concerned about an _ think our constituents are more concerned about an mp - think our constituents are more concerned about an mp they've| think our constituents are more - concerned about an mp they've never heard _ concerned about an mp they've never heard about, — concerned about an mp they've never heard about, are _ concerned about an mp they've never heard about, are the _ concerned about an mp they've never heard about, are the biggest- concerned about an mp they've never heard about, are the biggest tax - heard about, are the biggest tax reduction — heard about, are the biggest tax reduction in _ heard about, are the biggest tax reduction in decades— heard about, are the biggest tax reduction in decades which - heard about, are the biggest tax reduction in decades which is- heard about, are the biggest tax i reduction in decades which is going to happen — reduction in decades which is going to happen tomorrow? _

reduction in decades which is going to happen tomorrow? he _ reduction in decades which is going to happen tomorrow?— reduction in decades which is going to happen tomorrow? he hits the nail on the head — to happen tomorrow? he hits the nail on the head as _ to happen tomorrow? he hits the nail on the head as usual. _ to happen tomorrow? he hits the nail on the head as usual. the _ to happen tomorrow? he hits the nail on the head as usual. the fact - to happen tomorrow? he hits the nail on the head as usual. the fact of- on the head as usual. the fact of the matter— on the head as usual. the fact of the matter is the party opposite have _ the matter is the party opposite have made frequent request for business — have made frequent request for business in this house to be separated over from what our constituents care about primarily, to personalities. personality is because — to personalities. personality is because when it comes to policies, they do— because when it comes to policies, they do not— because when it comes to policies, they do not raise the issues because when _ they do not raise the issues because when they— they do not raise the issues because when they do they lose. that they do not raise the issues because when they do they lose.— when they do they lose. that is the cabinet office _ when they do they lose. that is the cabinet office minister _ when they do they lose. that is the cabinet office minister michael - cabinet office minister michael ellis responding to that urgent question from the labour party. more coming up. time now for a look at the weather. continue to warm up this week, particularly across england and wales. pretty similar across most of the country with sunniest weather across england and wales. this is

where the weather front working into northern ireland and western scotland as we move into this evening bring thicker cloud and rain. turning heavy and persistent for the north—west of scotland. drier by the night for northern ireland. the clearest skies across south and south—east where we could see temperatures in single digits out of town but quite a warm and muqqy out of town but quite a warm and muggy night. similar story on wednesday. thickest cloud across northern half of the country. england and wales with the lion's share of the sunshine and best of the temperatures. could be up to 25 celsius in the warmer spots. further north it is the mid to high teens and more of a breeze. pollen levels are low across the north of the uk, more further south. one or two spots in expansion could see very high pollen levels. play continues through wednesday pretty much

uninterrupted. variable cloud, summer sunshine, uninterrupted. variable cloud, summersunshine, light uninterrupted. variable cloud, summer sunshine, light breeze from the west. thursday, so that story. plenty of sunshine, england and wales, variable cloud, thickest of the cloud for scotland and northern ireland and the odd spot of rain for western hills. high teens for many in the north, up to 26 celsius in the south—east. friday, similar study. thicker cloud outbreaks of rain, more of a breeze for north and west scotland. temperatures up across the board. up to 21 celsius in belfast and may be 27 in the south—east. this high pressure continuing to win out as we move into the weekend. weather front all was still plaguing the far north with rain and strong breeze. more cloud are generally, northern ireland is well over the weekend. still quite warm but further south more sunshine around and a lot

warmer, particularly in the south—east. chris pincher — accusing number ten of not telling the truth about what they knew. number 10 had previously said mrjohnson thought allegations were either resolved or not made into a formal complaint — but the former civil servant simon mcdonald says that's not true. they need to come clean. i think that the language is ambiguous. the sort of telling the truth and crossing your fingers at the same time and hoping that people are not too forensic in their subsequent questioning and i think that is not working. trying to move on from the issue in cabinet this morning — but questions are now swirling about the account given to senior ministers who've defended the prime minister in public. we'll bring you all the latest on a crisis that is deepening