against hope that cam norrie can find something here, but again he is doing enough tojust find something here, but again he is doing enough to just keep find something here, but again he is doing enough tojust keep in find something here, but again he is doing enough to just keep in this set, and we have talked about the pressure and about what is at stake the way that i have acted on it and he had not continued because i’m he had not continued because i'm afraid as he had not continued because i“n afraid as far as we can see, they behaved very badly.— afraid as far as we can see, they behaved very badly. police say the man arrested _ behaved very badly. police say the man arrested in _ behaved very badly. police say the man arrested in illinois _ behaved very badly. police say the man arrested in illinois after - behaved very badly. police say the man arrested in illinois after six i man arrested in illinois after six people were shot dead planned the attack for several weeks. keep people were shot dead planned the attack for several weeks.— people were shot dead planned the attack for several weeks. keep on a high-powered _ attack for several weeks. keep on a high-powered rifle _ attack for several weeks. keep on a high-powered rifle to _ attack for several weeks. keep on a

high-powered rifle to this _ attack for several weeks. keep on a high-powered rifle to this parade. l high—powered rifle to this parade. -- he _ high—powered rifle to this parade. —— he brought. 50,000 people have been put on evacuation alert as floods sit hit evacuation alert as floods sit itifi sydney evacuation alert as floods si sydney for evacuation alert as floods sit ti t sydney for the third evacuation alert as floods sit “i t sydney for the third time this year. the prime minister said he made a bad mistake appointing the mp chris pincher. hejust the mp chris pincher. he just told the mp chris pincher. he just told the bbc in hindsight, it was the

wrong thing to do and there was no place in the government for predatory behaviour. chris pincher resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct and he's now been suspended from the conservative party. since the allegations emerged, there's been a growing row over when mrjohnson was aware of the allegations. it was confirmed today by one minister that mr johnson had been told before appointing him. the prime minister made the comments to chris mason. do you accept this was a grave error? , . i think it was a mistake and i apologise. in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do. i apologise to everyone who's been badly affected by it. ijust want everyone who's been badly affected by it. i just want to everyone who's been badly affected by it. ijust want to make absolutely clear that there is no

place in this government for anybody who is predatory and abuses their position of power. did who is predatory and abuses their position of power.— who is predatory and abuses their position of power. did you want to 'oke position of power. did you want to joke pincher— position of power. did you want to joke pincher by — position of power. did you want to joke pincher by name, _ position of power. did you want to joke pincher by name, pincher- position of power. did you want to joke pincher by name, pincher by| joke pincher by name, pincher by nature is although why i regret it so much is nature is although why i regret it so much , ., nature is although why i regret it so much _, , ., ,., ., so much is about three years ago, there was a _ so much is about three years ago, there was a complaint _ so much is about three years ago, there was a complaint made - so much is about three years ago, l there was a complaint made against chris pincher. he apologised, it was raised with me orally. i was briefed on what had happened, and if i had my again, i would think back on it and recognise that he wasn't going to learn fulsome this and recognise that he wasn't going to learn fulsome— to learn fulsome this is about truth. to learn fulsome this is about truth- this — to learn fulsome this is about truth. this about _ to learn fulsome this is about truth. this about whether - to learn fulsome this is about. truth. this about whether people to learn fulsome this is about - truth. this about whether people who can believe what you say. we now

know that those who speak for you have said things that have turned out to be untrue. let have said things that have turned out to be untrue.— out to be untrue. let me explain what happened. _ out to be untrue. let me explain what happened. this _ out to be untrue. let me explain what happened. this is... - out to be untrue. let me explain what happened. this is... we're| what happened. this is... we're talking about a series of events over a series of appointments over several years. chris pincher came into government before i became prime minister. he was moved into the foreign office, he then went on to be a ministerfor housing. we then moved him back to be deputy chief whip. about two and a half years ago, i got this complaint. it was something that was only raised personally, but i wish i had acted on it and he had not continued. he then went on to behave, according to

then went on to behave, according to the allegations, very, very badly. your official spokesman said you were not aware of specific elevations. that wasn't true, was it? y ., ., , it? let me tell you what is true. i was aware _ it? let me tell you what is true. i was aware in _ it? let me tell you what is true. i was aware in 2019 _ it? let me tell you what is true. i was aware in 2019 of— it? let me tell you what is true. i was aware in 2019 of a _ was aware in 2019 of a specific allegation against chris pincher that was resolved.— allegation against chris pincher that was resolved. your spokesman said ou that was resolved. your spokesman said you were _ that was resolved. your spokesman said you were not _ that was resolved. your spokesman said you were not aware. _ that was resolved. your spokesman said you were not aware. i've - that was resolved. your spokesman said you were not aware. i've been| said you were not aware. i've been informed that you didn't know about the specific allegation, but you did. he the specific allegation, but you did. ., the specific allegation, but you did. . , ., ., , did. he had been given a category assurance you _ did. he had been given a category

assurance you weren't _ did. he had been given a category assurance you weren't aware. - did. he had been given a category assurance you weren't aware. i'm| assurance you weren't aware. i'm afraid focusing on other things at the time... what i'm telling you now is my recollection of events. my recollection it is it was raised with me specifically... there were other rumours and innuendo, but one particular thing raised was forgotten... it was a long time ago. it was only raised already with me. but that, chris, is no excuse and i should have acted on and major that we drew the proper conclusion, and what i wanted was to give chris pincher. �* ~ .,

pincher. awkward interview with the prime minister. _ pincher. awkward interview with the prime minister. the _ pincher. awkward interview with the prime minister. the news _ pincher. awkward interview with the prime minister. the news that - pincher. awkward interview with the prime minister. the news that the l prime minister. the news that the health secretary has just resigned. our political, respondent is read. some very damning comments in it. the vote of no—confidence showed a large number of colleagues agreed. it is clear that the situation will not change, and you have therefore lost my confidence." he goes on to say, "it is three years since you entered downing street, you will forever be credited with seeing off the threat of communism and breaking the... you have shown a welcome

light, but the point is that sajid javid has lost confidence in the prime minister. fist javid has lost confidence in the prime minister.— javid has lost confidence in the prime minister. at his resignation is a big and _ prime minister. at his resignation is a big and difficult _ prime minister. at his resignation is a big and difficult moment - prime minister. at his resignation is a big and difficult moment for l is a big and difficult moment for borisjohnson. eversince is a big and difficult moment for borisjohnson. ever since the prime minister won, borisjohnson. ever since the prime ministerwon, recently, but albeit with about minister won, recently, but albeit with about 40% ministerwon, recently, but albeit with about 40% of his own mps voting against him. he has been immune to any formal challenge to his leadership, so those critics within the party have been looking around for other means as a way to potentially remove him from office and replace them. every term, they said the only real trigger party has would be resignations from the cabinet and senior figures. sajid javid has become the first cabinet minister to resign. there may not be

any more, but there is a sin —— it is a significant moment, especially given the reasons he has set out in that letter to borisjohnson, which he read a portion ofjust there. he tweeted in the last few minutes saying he's spoken to the prime minister to tender his resignation. "it's been an enormous privilege, but i regret i can no longer continue in good conscience." sajid javid is seen as a big beast and cabinet. he's a former home secretary, former chancellor, he resigned or at least did not continue in thejob resigned or at least did not continue in the job when there was a cabinet reshuffle because he didn't want to agree to sharing advisers between number ten and number 11 downing st. an independent minded individual that was brought back by borisjohnson when matt hancock resigned as the healthjerry, but now he has taken this decision to resign. will any others follow or

will this be alone figure? —— health secretary. i will this be alone figure? -- health secreta . , , ., ., secretary. i believe this would not have been done _ secretary. i believe this would not have been done in _ secretary. i believe this would not have been done in isolation. - secretary. i believe this would not i have been done in isolation. perhaps not. we have been done in isolation. perhaps not- we don't — have been done in isolation. perhaps not. we don't know _ have been done in isolation. perhaps not. we don't know if _ have been done in isolation. perhaps not. we don't know if there - have been done in isolation. perhaps not. we don't know if there is - have been done in isolation. perhaps not. we don't know if there is any . not. we don't know if there is any coordinated efforts going on. we had no hint of this today. there are figures talked about in government who might be wavering. people thought to be on the edge of resignation considering their position, but sajid javid has not been one of those who was seen as a person who would put their head above the parapet and step down. so, we will see in the coming hours whether this is part of a coordinated move by others in government as well to destabilise and potentially challenge boris johnson's leadership. sajid javid makes no reference to colleagues

feeling the same. he... it seems he is on the face of it taking this action alone. it's clear he has very serious concerns about the level of trust and confidence not only in the party, but in the wider public have now in borisjohnson and if mr johnson was hoping that that interview he gave, which we were hearing just now, would draw a line under this affair with the resignation of chris pincher and the way it's been handled, while a cabinet resignation is about the trauma signal that it hasn't —— strongest signal. just trauma signal that it hasn't -- strongest signal.— trauma signal that it hasn't -- strongest signal. just remind us, because the _ strongest signal. just remind us, because the confidence - strongest signal. just remind us, because the confidence votes - strongest signal. just remind us, l because the confidence votes boris johnson won, with less support than theresa may, but crucially now, the i922 theresa may, but crucially now, the 1922 committee members are up for reelection i think this week, and

that could change the way that these matters are dealt with and the timeframe. matters are dealt with and the timeframe— matters are dealt with and the timeframe. . , timeframe. under the current rules, once a leader _ timeframe. under the current rules, once a leader has _ timeframe. under the current rules, once a leader has faced _ timeframe. under the current rules, once a leader has faced a _ timeframe. under the current rules, once a leader has faced a vote - timeframe. under the current rules, once a leader has faced a vote of. once a leader has faced a vote of confidence and won, they are safe from any such challenge for 12 months. so borisjohnson would not even, if all the conservative mps were to write a letter calling for a vote of confidence, would not under current rules face a vote and any subsequent leadership challenge. but there have been moves by critics of borisjohnson to get elected to the committee of the 1922 backbench committee, which is effectively in charge of overseeing any leadership challenge, to potentially change the rules or orchestrate a challenge to his leadership outside the current rules. one mp said today that the way downing street was going about things in the last few days would only serve to hasten that process, but there has also been in operation

by boris johnson's but there has also been in operation by borisjohnson�*s supporters that not too many of his critics get elected. , ., , i. elected. sorry to interrupt you. rishi sunak _ elected. sorry to interrupt you. rishi sunak has _ elected. sorry to interrupt you. rishi sunak has just _ elected. sorry to interrupt you. rishi sunak hasjust announced elected. sorry to interrupt you. . rishi sunak hasjust announced his resignation as well. the government to be conducted properly, completely and seriously. i recognise this may be my last ministerialjob, but i believe these standards are worth fighting for, and that is why i am resigning." the letter below that to the prime minister. jonathan, i'm not sure if you have got access to this, but my goodness, of the chancellor.— this, but my goodness, of the chancellor. �* , ., ., , ., , chancellor. it's about as bad as it could have _ chancellor. it's about as bad as it

could have been. _ chancellor. it's about as bad as it could have been. it— chancellor. it's about as bad as it could have been. it appears- chancellor. it's about as bad as it could have been. it appears to i chancellor. it's about as bad as it| could have been. it appears to be a corridor needed move by cabinet figures to leave government, resign and send a message that they clearly don't have confidence in his leadership and don't feel that they can serve in the cabinet under his leadership any longer. rishi sunak was, until recently, seen as the man most likely to take over from boris johnson if there were to be a leadership contest that he ran into both on if you'll give me a moment, i'm being handed what i think is rishi sunak�*s letter of resignation as long —— alongside sajid javid's and has taken the decision to resign. he says at the end of the letter, he firmly believes the

public are ready to hear the truth and our people know if something is too good to be true, it's not true. whilst there's a path to a better future, it's not an easy one. he is talking here. which was a big moment in the diary, something of a reset for borisjohnson�*s premiership. he is talking there about matters of policy, but there may will be matters of principle at play. he signs but —— signed off to say he's sad to leave government but came to the conclusion that they cannot continue like that.— the conclusion that they cannot continue like that. there with me. you're watching _ continue like that. there with me. you're watching bbc— continue like that. there with me. you're watching bbc news. - continue like that. there with me. you're watching bbc news. we i continue like that. there with me. - you're watching bbc news. we welcome at this moment... viewers from our bbc world news channel. a dramatic moment in british politics. the

british health secretary and the british health secretary and the british chancellor have resigned from the cabinet of borisjohnson. a moment of great seriousness, great gravity for number ten and boris johnson. he had just conducted an interview with the bbc, talking about... somebody who had been the subject of sexual allegations. something that downing street and number ten, the prime minister had denied he had been aware of. some four days later, the prime minister has came out and given an interview saying he had been briefed about the nature of the allegations against chris pincher, the man who is the deputy chief whip. he apologised.

about the integrity of borisjohnson and his own parties' belief. in fact the chris pincher story was punctured. the prime minister had indeed been brief, they said, since then. dramatic events in downing street with the resignation of sajid javid and the chancellor. he felt many months have been considered as a possible successor to the prime minister borisjohnson. jonathan, minister boris johnson. jonathan, momentous events, minister borisjohnson. jonathan, momentous events, and it was —— it would seem terminal ovens for a prime minister like this. this would seem terminal ovens for a prime minister like this.- would seem terminal ovens for a prime minister like this. this is a very precarious _ prime minister like this. this is a very precarious position - prime minister like this. this is a very precarious position for - prime minister like this. this is a very precarious position for boris johnson, who will be receiving the

news of two cabinet resignations in the wake of what has been an incredibly difficult few days for the prime minister and this government, and wondering now whether he can continue with any kind of authority. to lose one cabinet minister might have been survivable, but to lose two of the biggestjobs in government, somebody who has at times display different types of politicians. promoted into the job when sajid javid was sacked in a reshuffle effectively. jonathan, i have to stop you there. we are crossing to my colleague, george alagiah.

breaking news this evening the chancellor rishi sunak and health secretary sajid javid resign from the cabinet telling the prime minister at the tone he sets reflects on his colleagues and party. hours after attending this morning's cabinet, he said the conservatives are no longer seen to be acting in the national interest. the resignation comes as the prime minister admits it was a mistake to promote the mp chris pincher, despite knowing of previous complaints about him. it was a mistake and i apologise for it and in hindsight it was the wrong thing to do. but for days, the prime minister's colleagues have been telling us he didn't know about the allegations. day after day people speaking on your behalf and it was rubbish. i am afraid i your behalf and it was rubbish. i am afraid i was — your behalf and it was rubbish. i am afraid i was focusing _ your behalf and it was rubbish. i am afraid i was focusing on other things— afraid i was focusing on other things at— afraid i was focusing on other things at the time. we'll be looking at where this shock resignation leaves the prime minister.

marched at gunpoint towards an execution — the inside story of a russian atrocity in ukraine from a man left for dead. another 50,000 people told to evacuate their homes in sydney — the australian city has had eight months of rain in just four days. they made it look so easy — england smash their way to a record chase of 378 to beat india at edgbaston. and a forgotten part of london gets a revamp. and coming up on the bbc news channel. it's the final countdown for england's women. one day to go until they open up the european championship at home to austria at old trafford. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. in the last few minutes the

chancellor rishi sunak and health secretary sajid javid have resigned. it comes after borisjohnson admitted he knew there had been a previous official complaint about chris pincher when he promoted the tamworth mp to the post of deputy chief whip in february. in the last few days at number ten had been accused of misleading us about exactly when and what he knew about those complaints of harassment. this morning a former senior civil servant said mrjohnson had been briefed at the time of the previous complaint. after that revelation labour's deputy leader angela rayner said the prime minister was either "negligent or complicit", adding that there was an ethical vacuum at the heart of downing street. here's our political editor chris mason. what is playing out before us

tonight is the potential collapse of the government. two cabinet resignations in the space of the last half are in sterling terms with resignation letters from the chancellor and health secretary saying they cannot in all good conscience continue to serve the government. and this matters because if these resignations continue it could make it very difficult for borisjohnson to carry on as prime minister. here is the story of the date that brought us to this moment. this is all about truth. can you believe what you hear from the prime minister and those who work for him? number ten has started inviting us into film the start of cabinet meetings. into film the start of cabinet meetings-— into film the start of cabinet meetinus. ~ . ., ,.,, ., into film the start of cabinet meetins. . ., . ., ., meetings. we are in a position to continue to _ meetings. we are in a position to continue to help _ meetings. we are in a position to continue to help people - meetings. we are in a position to continue to help people through l meetings. we are in a position to i continue to help people through the current difficult times. we continue to help people through the current difficult times.— current difficult times. we cannot as questions _ current difficult times. we cannot as questions but _ current difficult times. we cannot as questions but the _ current difficult times. we cannot as questions but the pictures - current difficult times. we cannot as questions but the pictures do i current difficult times. we cannot i as questions but the pictures do the talking sometimes. just look at their faces talking sometimes. just look at theirfaces and hear talking sometimes. just look at their faces and hear is why commit they had just heard what you are

about the year, a former senior civil servant who says that downing street has not been telling the truth. , ., _, . ., ., truth. they need to come clean and i think the language _ truth. they need to come clean and i think the language is _ truth. they need to come clean and i think the language is ambiguous - truth. they need to come clean and i think the language is ambiguous and j think the language is ambiguous and sort of telling the truth and crossing your fingers at the same time and helping people are not forensic in the questioning. and i think that is not working. here's why lord macdonald is so angry after chris pincher�*s resignation on thursday evening we've had a constantly changing story about what the prime minister knew and when. on friday, borisjohnson's official spokesman told us the prime minister was not aware of specific allegations about mr pincher before his appointment as deputy chief whip in february. the spokesman added, in the absence of any formal complaint, it was not appropriate to stop an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations. and on sunday, a cabinet minister was sent out to answer questions.

i've been informed this morning he did not know about specific allegations. who has told you with certainty the prime minister didn't know about the allegations? somebody from the number 10 press office. yesterday, more ministers were sent out to defend the line. i have been given a categorical assurance that the prime minister was not aware of any specific allegation or complaint made against the former deputy chief whip chris pincher. but hours later, downing street changed their tune, saying the prime minister was aware of media reports and some allegations that were either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint. by this morning, lord macdonald was categoric. mrjohnson was briefed in person. there was a formal complaint. do you accept it was a grave error to appoint chris pincher to your government? i to appoint chris pincher to your government?— to appoint chris pincher to your covernment? ~ . , ., , ., ~ government? i think it was a mistake and i government? i think it was a mistake

and i apologise _ government? i think it was a mistake and i apologise for— government? i think it was a mistake and i apologise for it _ government? i think it was a mistake and i apologise for it is _ government? i think it was a mistake and i apologise for it is in _ and i apologise for it is in hindsight it was the wrong thing to do. i apologise to everyone who has been badly affected by it and i want to make clear there is no place in this government for anyone who is predatory or who abuses their position of power.— predatory or who abuses their position of power. predatory or who abuses their osition of ower. ., , , ., ., position of power. your spokesman on frida said position of power. your spokesman on friday said you — position of power. your spokesman on friday said you were _ position of power. your spokesman on friday said you were not _ position of power. your spokesman on friday said you were not aware - position of power. your spokesman on friday said you were not aware of - friday said you were not aware of any specific allegation and i was informed this morning that no one knew about any specific allegation but you did. and yesterday another minister said he had been given a categorical assurance you are not aware of a specific allegation. day after day people speaking on your behalf, talking rubbish. i’m after day people speaking on your behalf, talking rubbish.— behalf, talking rubbish. i'm afraid i was behalf, talking rubbish. i'm afraid i was focusing _ behalf, talking rubbish. i'm afraid i was focusing on _ behalf, talking rubbish. i'm afraid i was focusing on other _ behalf, talking rubbish. i'm afraid i was focusing on other things - behalf, talking rubbish. i'm afraid i was focusing on other things at. i was focusing on other things at the time but what i'm telling you now is my recollection of events. and my recollection is that there was one complaint that was raised

with me specifically. there was rumour and innuendo but one particular thing that was raised. but she had forgotten about? it was a lona time but she had forgotten about? it was a long time ago- _ but she had forgotten about? it was a long time ago. because _ but she had forgotten about? it was a long time ago. because pension . but she had forgotten about? it was i a long time ago. because pension has denied the allegations _ a long time ago. because pension has denied the allegations against - a long time ago. because pension has denied the allegations against him. i denied the allegations against him. that chris pincher. earlier in the commons labour expressed their outrage at what has happened. idelimit outrage at what has happened. what messaue outrage at what has happened. what message does _ outrage at what has happened. what message does it _ outrage at what has happened. what message does it send to the british people _ message does it send to the british people facing a cost of living crisis — people facing a cost of living crisis while the government is paralysed with scandal? some conservative _ paralysed with scandal? some conservative backbenchers - paralysed with scandal? some l conservative backbenchers said paralysed with scandal? some - conservative backbenchers said in public what many others are saying in private. brute public what many others are saying in rivate. ~ ., public what many others are saying in rivate. ~ . ., , in private. we have a problem here that we have _ in private. we have a problem here that we have had _ in private. we have a problem here that we have had a _ in private. we have a problem here that we have had a succession, - in private. we have a problem here| that we have had a succession, half a dozen variations now of degrees of honesty with which the knowledge of these events has been addressed by number ten. these events has been addressed by number tem— these events has been addressed by numberten. ~ ., ., ., , number ten. what you say to a person listenin: to number ten. what you say to a person listening to our — number ten. what you say to a person listening to our conversation _ listening to our conversation tonight who simply says i cannot trust the prime minister any more,

he'sjust not trust the prime minister any more, he's just not telling the truth. i’m he'sjust not telling the truth. i'm aaivin ou he'sjust not telling the truth. in giving you the absolute proof as far as i can remember about what happened. can people trust you? of course they can. i'm telling you exactly what happened and i am coming out to explain it because i'm fed up with people saying things on my behalf. or trying to say things about what i knew i did not know and i'm trying to explain to you exactly what happened as i remember it. that was the prime — what happened as i remember it. that was the prime minister talking in the past hour. letsjoin was the prime minister talking in the past hour. lets join chris again. just glancing at the racic nation letterfrom sajid again. just glancing at the racic nation letter from sajid javid, and there we have rishi sunak again. that's my current resignation letter. .. g . that's my current resignation letter. .. . ., ., letter. said javid the former health letter. sajid javid the former health secretary _ letter. sajid javid the former health secretary said - letter. sajid javid the former health secretary said in - letter. sajid javid the former health secretary said in his. letter. sajid javid the former - health secretary said in his letter i can longer in good conscious carry on serving in this government. the

british people rightly expect integrity from the government. and from rishi sunak, the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly and competently and seriously. the implication that the former chancellor does not think any of those things apply to boris johnson's administration and the adds we cannot continue like this. he also adds he did not think he could stand alongside the prime minister in a big speech scheduled for this time last week where the pair of them were going to set out the government economic strategy on the government economic strategy on the hugely important issue of the cost of living such was the gap between them on policy. so notjust on conduct but policy and now the former chancellor rishi sunak is saying staying government was simply incompatible for him. find saying staying government was simply incompatible for him.— incompatible for him. and these are not 'ust incompatible for him. and these are not just any — incompatible for him. and these are notjust any ministers _ incompatible for him. and these are notjust any ministers but _ incompatible for him. and these are notjust any ministers but two - incompatible for him. and these are notjust any ministers but two of- notjust any ministers but two of the most senior cabinet ministers. what do you think the impact will be? people are going to say others

may follow?— may follow? tonight the prime minister faces _ may follow? tonight the prime minister faces the _ may follow? tonight the prime minister faces the most - may follow? tonight the prime l minister faces the most perilous evening of his time in downing street. others around the cabinet table can now determine for how long he carries on as prime minister. we've had to resignations, will there be any more? tonight we're hearing it does not look like the deputy prime minister dominic raab or home secretary priti patel are likely to walk. the word fever is thrown around at westminster quite loosely sometimes but tonight it will define the mood here as mps on the conservative side and those in government grapple with whether they want to keep borisjohnson or get rid of him. want to keep boris johnson or get rid of him. , a, ,., ., ~ want to keep boris johnson or get rid of him. , ., ~ rid of him. chris mason, thank you and the prime minister claremont that is where we will leave george alagiah and the rest of the team. in particularfor the prime minister, borisjohnson. this chancellor has resigned and sajid

javid has also resigned just a few moments before. earlier, the prime minister admitted making a bad mistake in appointing chris pincher, and he apologised to those who have been affected by the decision. he told the bbc that in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip. the issue facing the prime minister and the government is integrity, who is telling the truth and when is the truth being told. following the allegations about chris pincher. on friday, downing street said the prime minister was not aware of any previous history

involving this man and it took five daysin involving this man and it took five days in the intervention of that senior foreign office mandarin to say the prime minister had been personally briefed. we have just had this reaction as well from terraced armour, the leader of the opposition, and he... has made a forceful intervention, of course, about what has happened in the past few minutes. i think we can in fact now talk to kate, the journalist who can give us her reaction to these extraordinary and golfing events it would seem. this

is an golfing events it would seem. “i“i 3 is an extraordinary day in politics, isn't a? i think it's important to recognise that there are two broad issues coming together, two very long term problems in westminster that have come to a head today. the first is a very long—running issue of the culture of sexual harassment, particularly the cover—up committee abuse and cover—up in government. that something that me and myself has been raising concerns about for five years, they need to move men the harvey weinstein moment across the harvey weinstein moment across the pond, and actually before that. separately before that, however, and they say that because we have to remember the crisis for boris johnson this week is really about what he did and didn't know about someone who is now accused of multiple counts of sexual harassment, and we have to remember that they are victims of this, real people at the heart of the story. secondly, of course, the particular issue of ethics that has dogged borisjohnson as an individual can

as a leader of government for, well, for a long time, but really has been the running story, politically of this government ever since they were there before christmas last year, your viewers will remember the lobbying scandal, and in particular... ijust want lobbying scandal, and in particular... i just want to entrap because we have just heard from an ally of liz truss that she is 100% behind the prime minister following of course the resignation of the health secretary and the chancellor. liz truss now saying she is 100% interested to see which of cabinet ministers come out and how quickly on this one as well. if i mayjust take you back to the shock of the resignation, you spent a lot of time at westminster, you hear the gossip. did anyone see this coming from sajid javid in particular? what i have been told very recently was that people were expecting sajid javid to keep it quiet because although he has re—signed on

principle before coming have to remember that he was someone who refused to work effectively with dominic cummings and was respected by a lot of people for resigning from borisjohnson's government recently. when he came back, it was widely considered that he had been damaged by his own admission that previously while he was networking in politics, he held nine time status, and i think a lot of people were expecting him to be a leadership contender and were expecting to be someone who would be bolder, braver in confronting boris johnson earlier, and then there were questions about whether or not he was a wounded figure, whether he was strong enough after that revelation, and it is interesting to see that he has clearly made a decision. rishi other on the hand can if you read the letter closely, and i have looked carefully at both of these letters, his letter really focuses on the economy. he really highlights strong disagreements that he clearly has with borisjohnson over that, and he says that he would have been uncomfortable getting a joint

announcement on the economy next week. so there is a different type of letter, and actually what it reads like at first glance is that rishi someone is who had been thinking carefully about those economic disagreements preparing to resign over them possibly mulling that and then sajid javid has come out, doneness, designed on principal over the much broader ethical issues. and he has had to follow very quickly. issues. and he has had to follow very quickly-— very quickly. mark harper, the former chief _ very quickly. mark harper, the former chief web _ very quickly. mark harper, the former chief web who - very quickly. mark harper, the former chief web who has - very quickly. mark harper, the| former chief web who has been very quickly. mark harper, the i former chief web who has been a vocal critic of the prime minister since then has just spoken about the resignations honourable's decisions made by honourable men, conservative party still has so much to offer it to our country, it is time for a fresh start. butjust talk us through for our viewers now, how the party brings about a fresh start. it's clear or has been until today that boris johnson it's clear or has been until today that borisjohnson had no intention of resigning, and the pretty roses they exist at the moment mean that he wouldn't have to do so. i think

we are seeing a real failing, actually, the conservative party system here. whatever happens, whenever there is a new leader, i would be very surprised at the 19 22 committee reels don't change, because at the moment, as it stands, the conservative party mentor a party cannot get rid of boris for another year unless they change the rules of that backbench committee. well, if you could just remind me of the rest of your question. the well, if you could just remind me of the rest of your question.— the rest of your question. the point is that itoris — the rest of your question. the point is that boris johnson _ the rest of your question. the point is that boris johnson has _ the rest of your question. the point is that boris johnson has said - is that borisjohnson has said he will not resign will stop you have the membership of the 1922 committee up, i think this week sometime, critics and rebels against boris johnson said they want to fill those press to change the rules but i'm saying that until tenant dashed until then, the system as it exists at the moment and let the conservative party is that the prime minister having lost his chancellor andindeed minister having lost his chancellor and indeed his health secretary, is able to carry on and appoint new

people stop the i think that represents political crises for the whole country. it's a constitutional problem, notjust a problem for the conservative party, and frank they'd ratherfeels conservative party, and frank they'd rather feels is that the entire country, the economy is being held hostage by the organisation rules of the conservative parliamentary party because boris johnson, the conservative parliamentary party because borisjohnson, of course, has to replace those two ministers, health secretary, chancellor, those are big jobs to fail at a time and it increasingly seems like he cannot, and the confidence of what sounds now take a majority of his parliamentary party. so will be —— will anyone be prepared to fill those jobs because make will anyone be prepared to fill thosejobs because make it there is hardly anyone to serve in his government, he will still be prime minister because the parliamentary party isn't able to get rid of him until they change the rules in that committee. of course his supporters would say why should he consider his position because mikey is the prime minister, he came with a huge majority of 80 back in 2019, incidentally, we have heard from somebody speaking for liz truss. we

have also heard from somebody speaking for ben wallace, the defence secretary that he is not considering resigning. so, those two positions are clear. when it comes to integrity and the conventions and parliaments about to miss leading parliaments, when is never allowed for our theories on bbc world were never allowed to accuse somebody of lying, but one could mislead the house, and if you mislead the house, thatis house, and if you mislead the house, that is normally a resigning offence, isn't it. how many times has that happened, do we think? i would also point out that they know lend principles of public life require that ministers should be honest. and we all know of course that boris johnson honest. and we all know of course that borisjohnson himself has been responsible for watering down the ministerial code, and now he is the ultimate arbitrator of that, so we are still stuck in that position where the conservative party and its government changing the rules means

that we can no longer rely on some of those basic norms of british public life. i would reiterate that i think it's a real problem that there are broader constitutional norms and there are parliamentary norms, but then there are the very precise and particular bylaws of independent political parties, and the labour party as it sees it can be very arcane as well. and we have seen the problems that happen when people try to get rid ofjeremy corbyn as leader. so once again, we are at this point in britain where our entire nation and its political future is really held hostage to whether or not people can find loopholes in these very arcane, very insular, specific laws can have subcultures that are our political parties. subcultures that are our political arties. ., subcultures that are our political arties. . ., ~ subcultures that are our political arties. . ., ,, , ., , parties. 0k, kate, thank you very much indeed. _ parties. 0k, kate, thank you very much indeed. you _ parties. 0k, kate, thank you very much indeed. you are _ parties. 0k, kate, thank you very much indeed. you are watching . parties. 0k, kate, thank you very i much indeed. you are watching bbc news. if you've just much indeed. you are watching bbc news. if you'vejustjoined us, we have had dramatic news here at number ten and have had dramatic news here at numberten and in have had dramatic news here at number ten and in westminster in the last a0 minutes or so at the

resignations of the chancellor rishi and the health secretary, sajid javid, who reassigned tojust and the health secretary, sajid javid, who reassigned to just a few moments before the chancellor, boris johnson has regretted and apologised for the decision of making chris penn share a deputy chief webb, number ten headset on friday that they had no knowledge of the fact that there had been of sexual misconduct against them. dashed chief webb. today transpired from a former senior foreign office that in fact the prime minister had been personally briefed back in 2019 about the allegations against chris penn share. let's catch up with all of these dramatic events in the latest indeed from other cabinet ministers with our political correspondent, jonathan blake, who has been speaking in the last few minutes, dammit that nextjonathan. we are attempting to establish who is staying and who is going, bluntly, after those two bombs shall cabinet to resignations this evening

from the health secretary, sajid javid and that chancellor of the exchequer, rishi. as far as we can establish so far, i am told that the justice secretary, dominic raab, is remaining loyal to the prime minister. priti patel, the home secretary, is expected to stay in her post, as is the department for international trade, secretary anne—marie trevelyan. there are several, though, that on accounted for this evening and we await the potential of further resignations or expressions of support and loyalty to the prime minister at what is a very precarious time for boris johnson. there are questions over michael both of the leveling up secretary committee education secretary himself tipped as a possible leadership contender. there is also to be scruffy, the wreck and pension secretary, grant chaps from the transport secretary, brandon lewis for northern ireland and simon

the well secretary among others who are we are waiting to hear from tonight and they will be deciding whether this is the moment to stand down, the moment perhaps to tell borisjohnson down, the moment perhaps to tell boris johnson that down, the moment perhaps to tell borisjohnson that his time is up, or whether it is possible for them to tough it out and for the prime minister to write it out. but to make mental mistake, this is of a situation dashed very serious situation dashed very serious situation for the planet is janice government. you have two very senior cabinet ministers resigning seemingly in a coordinated fashion saying that they cannot in good conscience continue in their post. they do not of the prime minister and have, as we have seen this evening resign. so, we'll dare resignations trigger more? will this be a collapse abounds borisjohnson which leaves them with no alternatives? but to step down himself or give notice of his own resignation or will it be a very

difficult period which he attempts to recover from and attempts to continue? frankly, this evening, it looks like it could go either way. as of yet, only those two cabinet ministers have resigned. brute as of yet, only those two cabinet ministers have resigned. we have seen the letters _ ministers have resigned. we have seen the letters of _ ministers have resigned. we have seen the letters of resignation - ministers have resigned. we have i seen the letters of resignation from sajid javid and indeed from rishi. there is normally an exchange of letters. have we seen the response from number ten yet because make it will be interesting to see how a number ten reacts to that. ida number ten reacts to that. no response _ number ten reacts to that. ijr> response that we have seen so far. i would imagine that the letters were released pretty swiftly, in fact, borisjohnson was recording that interview with our political editor, chris meese and, shortly before six o'clock, sometime between five and six, and it was only as we were broadcasting thatjust six, and it was only as we were broadcasting that just after six o'clock this evening that these letter is where he tweeted out by the minister is considered and it looks like that was done as they were being delivered, and that's partsjohnson had a bit more of a heads up and they went to see him earlier on, but he looked pretty

downcast in that interview and was talking in pretty candid terms about what he saw as an error ofjudgment in hind sight in appointing chris pincher as deputy chief went, but that seems like old news now, frankly, and not quite irrelevant detail, but it certainly a moment that has given ministers pause for thought and given two very senior minister as it seems reason to be signed this evening, putting boris johnson in a very difficult and very dangerous position for his premiership. dangerous position for his premiership-— dangerous position for his premiership. dangerous position for his --remiershi. ., ., , . ., premiership. you have been chained to that chair — premiership. you have been chained to that chair since _ premiership. you have been chained to that chair since this _ premiership. you have been chained to that chair since this news - premiership. you have been chained to that chair since this news broke, l to that chair since this news broke, as have i, knowing you would be out speaking to mps in the bar is now. just from the conversations you have that over the past 2a—a8 hours, what is the lid of the party vis—a—vis their leader at the moment, bearing in mind he did when that confidence vote, but with a lower figure than

teresa may, his predecessor. he still has teresa may, his predecessor. he: still has some support, just to bring you the very latest, we hear from a couple of other cabinet ministers who are staying put, alisterjack, brandon lewis, both confirmed they are staying in their post. simon hart, the well secretary to come in a couple of otherjunior ministers, mark spencer and chris philip. this is not a complete collapse of the government for their several ministries, the majority can back to our billing at this point to stay in post and to help boris johnson tried to tough this out, but to answer your question about the mood in the party. it is not good. it's pretty grand, frankly, after what is that of a difficulty days with downing street's handling of the resignation of chris pincher, as deputy chief went on. he's had the whip taken away as well and suspended as a conservative mp over the last few days. downing street has to shift its position as new

allegations came to light, and