this is bbc news. land or these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a prime minister on the brink. borisjohnson clings on after two of his most senior ministers quit within 10 minutes of each other. both rishi sunak and sajid javid attacked mrjohnson�*s leadership and integrity but he remained defiant, appointing nadhim zahawi as chancellor and stephen barclay as health secretary. the new chancellor nadhim zahawi says he's looking forward to the new role with nothing off the table. i will be looking at where else can i make sure the economy remains competitive and dynamic with, you know, our european neighbours and, of course, the rest of the world as well? nothing's off the table.

the children's minister will quince and ministerfor schools robin walker among the latest to hand in their resignations. developments coming thick and fast in the last hour i'm annita mcveigh in the last hour i'm annita mcveigh in downing street to keep you up—to—date with all the latest developments. the july 4th shootings in illinois took weeks to plan and the suspect dressed as a woman to escape, say police. a 21—year—old has been charged with seven counts of murder. the british number one cameron norrie is to face novak djokovic in semi—finals at wimbledon. the women's european championships will kick off this evening with england taking on austria.

hello and welcome back to downing street. as you join us again i'm just looking at a letter that has been sent by robert halfon mp which reads, "in my last statement, i said that if governance doesn't improve i will have reached the end of the road. i haven't had a chance even yet to read through all the details of this letter... "but he is clearly expressing that he is no longer able to support the prime minister. he says, "if there is a vote for a change in leadership i will now vote for that change." he said he is "naturally a loyal conservative but things have reached a state where he is no longer able to support the prime minister." we have had as well today a number of resignations already this morning. will quincy stepped down as an education minister and laura trott quit as a ministerial aide at the

transport department. rememberjust transport department. remember just on transport department. rememberjust on monday will quince was defending the prime minister's position but he said in his resignation statement he was saying what he believed to be the case and then found out it wasn't. this was in relation to what the prime minister, what number 10 had said about the chris pincher affairand affair and the groping allegations. also going, school standards minister robin walker. so they are the latest to go. the departures began with two unexpected and very high profile resignations yesterday. so let's take a closer look at the story so far. boris johnson lost both his chancellor and health secretary last night in the space of just a few minutes. both men attacked his handling of claims around chris pincher. chris pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week over the groping allegations. it emerged yesterday borisjohnson had been briefed in 2019 about earlier concerns over mr pincher�*s conduct. a government minister said mr johnson had initially forgotten this

when the story arose last week. the high—profile departures meant the prime minister was forced to reshuffle his cabinet. key new appointments include nadhim zahawi as chancellor. and steve barclay takes on the role of health secretary but there's evidence of wider discontent health secretary but there's evidence of wider discontent in the tory party over borisjohnson�*s leadership, with several other resignations at more junior levels. as we have been mentioning. let's recap those for you. we have had laura trott, will quince and robin walker quitting from their respective positions. more challenges today for borisjohnson. there may be more he has to face. he does have to face pmqs at midday which will be a difficult session. and later today he will be questioned by senior mps at the liaison committee hearing.

we are going to have full coverage of those events for you. let's get an assessment right now from our political correspondent david wallace lockhart. two influential cabinet ministers who decided they'd had enough. within minutes of one another, rishi sunak resigned as chancellor, and sajid javid resigned as health secretary. mrjavid remained tight—lipped when he returned home yesterday evening. i'm just going to go and spend some time with my family. but the reasons were there in black and white when the pair submitted resignation letters. the outgoing chancellor said... "the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. i believe these standards are worth fighting for, and that is why i am resigning." the outgoing health secretary said... "the british people rightly expect integrity from their government. we may not have always been popular, but we have been competent. sadly, the public are concluding that we are now neither."

their exits, along with various junior government figures, came swiftly, after borisjohnson apologised for his handling of appointing chris pincher to a new government position in february. it emerged borisjohnson had been told about a formal complaint previously made about mr pincher when he was a foreign 0ffice minister. that was something number ten had previously denied. i apologise for... ..uh, for it. i think, in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do. i apologise to everybody who's been badly affected by it. so can mrjohnson survive? perhaps unsurprisingly, the labour leader wants him gone. they backed him when he broke the law. they backed him when he lied. they backed him when he mocked the sacrifices of the british people. so they have been complicit as he has disgraced his office and let down his country. allies of the prime minister insist he can carry on.

well, i am fully supportive of the prime minister. i think that he is the right man for thejob. he has a very significant mandate from the british people, a majority of 80, onlyjust over two and a half years ago. these sort of squalls happen in politics, but the best politicians carry on calmly. for now, borisjohnson is intent on staying put, with a new top team around him. nadhim zahawi will take over as chancellor, moving on from education secretary. michelle donelan will take over that role. and steve barclay is the new health secretary. this morning, borisjohnson�*s position looks tricky. but he's previously ridden out calls to step down. he seems determined to do so again. david wallace—lockhart, bbc news, westminster. the new chancellor, nadhim zahawi, has called for unity in the conservative party. he was out doing interviews earlier.

he arrived at the treasury building this morning for his first day in the job — and said he would be looking at all options to rebuild the economy, including the possibility of tax cuts. the prime minister wants to make sure that we, you know... ..we have fiscal discipline — i share that focus with him, because if we let inflation get out of control, it is deeply damaging for those very same people that we're trying to help today with that £37 billion of help over the next 12 months. but, of course, i will be looking at where else can i make sure the economy remains competitive and dynamic with, you know, our european neighbours and, of course, the rest of the world as well? nothing's off the table. just to let you know we will be

talking to our personal finance correspondent in just a few minutes to look at, with a new chancellor in position, what that might mean in terms of dealing with the cost of living crisis and the possibility of tax cuts that has been mooted and so on. let's look at more of the reaction, there has been plenty of it, from politicians across the political spectrum to those big resignations yesterday evening. culture secretary and loyal member of boris johnson's culture secretary and loyal member of borisjohnson�*s cabinet nadine dorries said, "i'm100% behind the pm who consistently gets all the big decisions right." "feels like the end might be nigh forjohnson — not a moment too soon. the whole rotten lot need to go," said scottish first minister nicola sturgeon. are you defending the indefensible? just bear— are you defending the indefensible? just bear with us. is are you defending the indefensible? just bear with us.— just bear with us. is this the end came for just bear with us. is this the end game for boris _ just bear with us. is this the end game for boris johnson? - just bear with us. is this the end | game for boris johnson? defence secretary ben _ game for boris johnson? defence secretary ben wallace _ game for boris johnson? defence secretary ben wallace just - game for boris johnson? defence i secretary ben wallace just leaving. he's been in there for about 30

minutes at number 10. i shouted across to him when he went in, "are you still backing the prime minister?" he said he was last night, but no reply to my question, or indeed the numerous questions shouted out by members of the media here. let's get right up to date. things seem to be moving at quite a pace. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley is with me here. 50m; nick eardley is with me here. sorry to shout over _ nick eardley is with me here. sorry to shout over you. _ nick eardley is with me here. sorry to shout over you. it's _ nick eardley is with me here. sorry to shout over you. it's fine, - nick eardley is with me here. sorry to shout over you. it's fine, i - nick eardley is with me here. sorry to shout over you. it's fine, i did i to shout over you. it's fine, i did that with somebody _ to shout over you. it's fine, i did that with somebody i _ to shout over you. it's fine, i did that with somebody i was - that with somebody i was interviewing earlier and i had to apologise but we have to do that on occasions like this. it is always worth asking the question when you have somebody just across the street from you. but no answer. but we are hearing from lots of other politicians today, aren't we? both those who hold morejunior ministerial positions, some who don't who are backbenchers like robert halfon, and i read out a little bit of his letter a short while ago. that's important as well, isn't it? those backbenchers can wield a lot of influence on what happens next.

wield a lot of influence on what happens next-— wield a lot of influence on what ha ens next. ., ., , happens next. there are two things ha enin: happens next. there are two things happening this _ happens next. there are two things happening this morning. _ happens next. there are two things happening this morning. one - happens next. there are two things happening this morning. one is - happens next. there are two things| happening this morning. one is that more members of the government are deciding they have had enough, that they have sat by for too long and that they can no longer go on defending the decisions being made in number 10. defending the decisions being made in number10. the defending the decisions being made in number 10. the second thing is the new tory mps are coming out and saying they think it is game over, that borisjohnson cannot continue in downing street and that there needs to be a change of leader. now, exactly how that might happen is complex. it might take a few days. but i've got to say there is a growing mood within the conservative party that that will happen, that the end for the prime minister is pretty close, and it's a question of when and not if. now, insiders in their will dispute that. they are absolutely determined that the prime minister is going to keep going. i was speaking to a source close to the pm this morning, and he said the prime minister wants to get on with thejob, he has a mandate from prime minister wants to get on with the job, he has a mandate from the general election in 2019 and he is

absolutely determined to deliver what he promised then. but it feels to me this morning like what happened yesterday is continuing today, a growing number of the people boris johnson today, a growing number of the people borisjohnson relies on to stay in power are deciding that it is game over, and they are going to spend the next few days trying to force him out. he spend the next few days trying to force him out.— spend the next few days trying to force him out. he told them, didn't he come after— force him out. he told them, didn't he come after winning _ force him out. he told them, didn't he come after winning that - he come after winning that confidence vote a month ago today that he wouldn't undergo some sort of psychological transformation. so, various mps, including some of those who did vote for him in the confidence vote, to support him have said, he's got one more chance. and it feels like their patience has run out, that he's had that chance and they are saying no more. it is worth mullin: they are saying no more. it is worth mulling over— they are saying no more. it is worth mulling over what _ they are saying no more. it is worth mulling over what has _ they are saying no more. it is worth mulling over what has happened . they are saying no more. it is worth mulling over what has happened in | mulling over what has happened in that month as well, because quite a lot has gone on. if he had one more chance you may have burnt it already, the resignation of lord kite, the ethics adviser, the two by—elections the conservatives lost, the chris pincher allegations and

the chris pincher allegations and the massive row over whether this place told the public the truth about what the prime minister knew, and then those resignations last night of senior ministers. look, exactly how the next few days plays out is not certain. borisjohnson has defied political gravity before. it is one of his selling points. his team are defiant this morning. they have not changed their minds yet about his future. but speaking to tory mps this morning, looking at those ministerial letters, looking at the tory mps who are now coming out and saying that it is game over, it feels that that's the direction of travel. and if borisjohnson does manage to cling on now until the summer holidays it will be his greatest escape act so far. that's what his team are adamant that he is going to do. but there is a growing number of tory mps who think that's just completely untenable. we will hear from just completely untenable. we will hearfrom more of just completely untenable. we will hear from more of them, just completely untenable. we will hearfrom more of them, i'm sure, over the course of the day. we have pmqs at midday and then we have

sajid javid, the former health secretary, he will make his resignation statement in parliament, outlining exactly why he thought he had to go. b. outlining exactly why he thought he had to no. �* ., ., ., had to go. a lot more powerful than 'ust had to go. a lot more powerful than just reading — had to go. a lot more powerful than just reading it _ had to go. a lot more powerful than just reading it on _ had to go. a lot more powerful than just reading it on twitter _ had to go. a lot more powerful than just reading it on twitter or- just reading it on twitter or wherever, to hear it directly from him. , , ., , him. yes, it will be a significant moment- _ him. yes, it will be a significant moment- i _ him. yes, it will be a significant moment. i want _ him. yes, it will be a significant moment. i want to _ him. yes, it will be a significant moment. i want to ask - him. yes, it will be a significant moment. i want to ask about i him. yes, it will be a significant - moment. i want to ask about pmqs in a bit more detail. _ moment. i want to ask about pmqs in a bit more detail. it _ moment. i want to ask about pmqs in a bit more detail. it is _ moment. i want to ask about pmqs in a bit more detail. it is going _ moment. i want to ask about pmqs in a bit more detail. it is going to - moment. i want to ask about pmqs in a bit more detail. it is going to be - a bit more detail. it is going to be a bit more detail. it is going to be a really big event, it is a big point in the political week anyway, isn't it, but really big today. how do you think the prime minister is going to approach it and how do you think keir starmer is going to approach it? i think keir starmer is going to approach it?— think keir starmer is going to a- roach it? ~' , ., , approach it? i think there is only one option _ approach it? i think there is only one option for _ approach it? i think there is only one option for boris _ approach it? i think there is only one option for boris johnson, . approach it? i think there is only | one option for boris johnson, and one option for borisjohnson, and that's to come out all guns blazing, to be as bullish as possible, to try and persuade his party that there is still life in his government yet, that he is determined to get on with it. ithink that he is determined to get on with it. i think keir starmer will have a bit of an open goal actually given the number of tory mps are saying that it the number of tory mps are saying thatitis the number of tory mps are saying that it is game over for the prime minister. forthe that it is game over for the prime minister. for the labour leader it is pretty easy for him to attack the

prime minister today. i would also watch out for whether there are tory mps who feel that they need to speak up mps who feel that they need to speak up at pmqs as well, who decide that they need to make it clear on the floor of the house of commons that they think the prime minister's time is up. we have seen that slow stream of resignations continue this morning. it's quite possible that there will be more to come. there are certain people we have been speaking to this morning who are just not making it clear whether they are going to stay in government, it's possible over the rest of the morning before pmqs and hour and 45 minutes that there are more resignations. this is an incredibly perilous day for the prime minister. if he gets to the end of it unscathed he will be happy. but even if that happens there is going to be manoeuvres over there is going to be manoeuvres over the next few days to try and get the prime minister out, many of them will be from his own mps. if prime minister out, many of them will be from his own mps.- will be from his own mps. if the 1922 committee _ will be from his own mps. if the 1922 committee of— will be from his own mps. if the | 1922 committee of backbenchers decide to act and change the rules, that could all happen quite quickly,

couldn't it? ., ., , couldn't it? there are two things that could _ couldn't it? there are two things that could happen _ couldn't it? there are two things that could happen on _ couldn't it? there are two things that could happen on that - couldn't it? there are two things that could happen on that front, | couldn't it? there are two things - that could happen on that front, one is the 1922 committee gets so many letters that they don't have confidence in the prime minister. just to be absolutely clear to our viewers, this is the committee that can control what happens with the future of any given prime minister. there are two things that could happen, one is graham brady, the chair of that committee, decides so many mps have come to him saying they want a change of leadership that he comes here and tells the prime minister that the so—called men in grey suits of the conservative party who have told prime ministers to go before. the second thing, and we may hear more details about this this afternoon, there is an election for the executive of the 1922 committee, the 18 people who decide how that operates, they will be elected within the next few days. we will find a timetable for that this afternoon. they could decide to change the rules to mean there is another confidence vote in the prime minister potentially within days. potentially before the summer holidays. my sense is that at the

moment if that were to happen it is hard to see how borisjohnson would win. hard to see how boris johnson would win. . ~ �* hard to see how boris johnson would win. w' �* . ~ hard to see how boris johnson would win. �* ., ,, ., ., , win. ok, nick, we'll talk again very soon no doubt, _ win. ok, nick, we'll talk again very soon no doubt, but _ win. ok, nick, we'll talk again very soon no doubt, but thank - win. ok, nick, we'll talk again very soon no doubt, but thank you - win. ok, nick, we'll talk again very soon no doubt, but thank you for. soon no doubt, but thank you for now, nick eardley, our political correspondent. the 1922 committee, checks and balances system, if you like, within the conservative party, definitely one to watch and to look out for, whether the chairperson of the 1922 committee sir graham brady appears at number 10 at that famous door at some point today. the agenda is already looking pretty packed for the prime minister with pmqs. he is then in front of senior mps on the liaison committee answering their questions. but a lot can happen in 24 questions. but a lot can happen in 2a hours in politics as the last 2a hours has clearly demonstrated. but borisjohnson is determined to fight on, those who know him who know his personality say that is no surprise. he wants this job, he wants to stay in thisjob, and he tried to get

he wants this job, he wants to stay in this job, and he tried to get on with business as much as he could last night after those two big resignations of rishi sunak and sajid javid, with nadhim zahawi taking over as the new chancellor. he's been doing interviews today. lots to talk about their including taxation and the cost of living crisis. so let's have a word now with personal correspondent kevin peachey. kevin, hello. what challenges does the new chancellor face? the cost of living crisis front and centre of that, of course. clearly the most pressing issues prices rising at their fastest rate for a0 years, and that's particularly food and fuel, the necessities for all of us. there is also rising energy bills. everybody will know about that, but we have the latest estimate today seen by the latest estimate today seen by the bbc which suggests that that could see a typical bill in england, wales and scotland go up to £3000 a yearfrom this wales and scotland go up to £3000 a year from this winter. and then there is the issue of pay of course.

the public sector pay, that will be coming very quickly to the chancellor's desk. and then we have just got to see whether how he looks at the economy as a whole, how can he stimulate growth, but not saddle the government with extra debt? nadhim zahawi, he has been talking about tax cuts, but do you think thatis about tax cuts, but do you think that is likely. some of the newspapers' front pages this morning have boris johnson newspapers' front pages this morning have borisjohnson saying i can make tax cuts now, tax cuts that rishi sunak didn't want him to make. how likely are we to see that, kevin? there were clearly some tensions between the prime minister and the former chancellor over the approach, over the policy. now with a new chancellor in place, will that change? there are certainly some suggestions this morning from the new chancellor that nothing is off the table, he said, which raises the prospect of tax cuts. it may mean cancelling potential tax rises, so we have corporation tax rise coming

down the line. that could be looked at as well. clearly there is a balancing act here. the chancellor and the prime minister will need to look at how to assimilate the economy, but also not to create something which in itself is inflationary. clearly these are the issues that are being grappled with by the treasury and number 10, and that's not going to change. there are still the same issues here, whether the approach changes, well, that may well come with a new chancellor. aha, that may well come with a new chancellor.— chancellor. a lot of people, especially _ chancellor. a lot of people, especially low-income - chancellor. a lot of people, - especially low-income families, will especially low—income families, will be looking at all this drama, kevin, and saying, what we want to focus on is what is the government of the day doing to help us? find is what is the government of the day doing to help us?— doing to help us? and actually something _ doing to help us? and actually something is _ doing to help us? and actually something is happening - doing to help us? and actually| something is happening today, amongst all this drama there is actually something practical happening, if you like, which is that national insurance changes are coming in today into effect. in april, if you remember, we saw 1.2 5p april, if you remember, we saw 1.2 5p in the pound added to people's

national insurance bill, employees, employers and the self—employed, and that was a decision by rishi sunak which created somewhat of a backlash, and as a result he said, ok, we are going to raise the 0k, we are going to raise the threshold, raise the amount people can earn before they start paying national insurance. and that changes taking effect today, so it means that you can earn £12,500, just over that, instead ofjust under £10,000, before you start paying national insurance, and so that means, in practical terms that you are earning less than £3a,000 and you will now be paying less national insurance than you did last year.— be paying less national insurance than you did last year. kevin, thank ou ve than you did last year. kevin, thank you very much. _ than you did last year. kevin, thank you very much, kevin _ than you did last year. kevin, thank you very much, kevin peachey, - than you did last year. kevin, thank you very much, kevin peachey, our| you very much, kevin peachey, our personal finance correspondent. the personal finance correspondent. the person walking in through the door of number 10 just a second goal was the prime minister's pps, one of the closest members of his team, studiously avoiding answering any

questions. let mejust studiously avoiding answering any questions. let me just to studiously avoiding answering any questions. let mejust to recap studiously avoiding answering any questions. let me just to recap for you. so far today we have had three further resignations ofjunior further resignations of junior ministers. further resignations ofjunior ministers. we have also had another long—standing backbencher say that if there was a vote in the leadership, he could no longer support, the prime minister, despite being what he calls a loyal conservative, and now we have news of more resignations, i believe, am i right in saying? hat of more resignations, i believe, am i right in saying?— i right in saying? not resignations but what we _ i right in saying? not resignations but what we are _ i right in saying? not resignations but what we are seeing _ i right in saying? not resignations but what we are seeing now - i right in saying? not resignations but what we are seeing now is - i right in saying? not resignations but what we are seeing now is a l but what we are seeing now is a steady stream of tory mps who have previously been loyal to the prime minister withdrawing their support. more from backbenchers? the latest one has come _ more from backbenchers? the latest one has come through _ more from backbenchers? the latest one has come through from - more from backbenchers? the latest one has come through from lee - one has come through from lee anderson, one of the former red wall mps, a conservative who has been pretty bullish in his support of the prime minister, saying his position has changed over the last few days because of the incidents involving chris pincher, the allegations against him, and the handling of that by number 10. another one in

the last five minutes from chris skidmore, another mp who says that this is an extremely grave situation, tantamount to a cover—up of sexual abuse that would never ever be tolerated in any normal functioning workplace. remember that chris pincher has denied the allegations that have appeared in the newspapers. he said that his lawyers have said he denies all those allegations. but what we are seeing this morning is a growing number of tory mps coming out publicly saying that the prime minister needs to go. it is adding to the consensus on the party this morning that the game is up for borisjohnson. morning that the game is up for boris johnson.— boris johnson. there are the allegations, _ boris johnson. there are the allegations, and _ boris johnson. there are the allegations, and then - boris johnson. there are the allegations, and then you i boris johnson. there are the i allegations, and then you have boris johnson. there are the - allegations, and then you have the handling of those allegations. it does seem, according to the, either resignations we have had to take a more backbenchers saying they can no longer support the prime minister, that the prime minister with this seems to have burned through a lot of political capital, what remaining political capital he had left,

although clearly the people who remain loyal to him will say he can go on, that he has that mandate from the public in the last general election. . �* , the public in the last general election. ., �* , ., election. that's the argument we have heard _ election. that's the argument we have heard from _ election. that's the argument we have heard from number - election. that's the argument we have heard from number 10 - election. that's the argument we have heard from number 10 this| have heard from number 10 this morning, sources saying that the prime minister is determined to get on with thejob prime minister is determined to get on with the job and will not be distracted by all of this. but it does feel like this is just becoming more and more of a crisis that boris johnson is going to struggle to get out of. those ministerial resignations continuing this morning. the slow drip now of tory mps, just speeding up now actually come of tory mps are saying the prime minister doesn't have the confidence any more. as we were saying a few minutes ago, if there is another vote, if the rules are changed and there is another confidence vote in the prime minister, it's becoming increasingly difficult to see how he would win it. the question that will be being weighed up, joy morrissey, the prime minister's parliamentary aide, an mp whojust walked in folsom prime minister's questions preparation, the question they will be asking ahead of pmqs, as does the prime

minister still have enough support in his own party to get on with the job? in his own party to get on with the “ob? . ~ . , in his own party to get on with the 'ob? .~' ., , ., ~' in his own party to get on with the 'ob? x' ., , ., ~' ,., in his own party to get on with the 'ob? .~' ., , ., ~' i., , job? nick eardley, thank you very much, job? nick eardley, thank you very much. our _ job? nick eardley, thank you very much, our political _ job? nick eardley, thank you veryl much, our political correspondent. the whole idea of getting on with the job, the whole idea of getting on with thejob, and lots of the whole idea of getting on with the job, and lots of people will be asking questions, how can this government govern effectively when so much of their time and effort is taken up talking about the position of the prime minister himself? so it is focused on him and his personality and not with the business of actually governing. nick mentioned pmqs at noon today, prime minister's questions afternoon bst. also, liaison committee, committee of senior mps questioning the prime minister later. we will be carrying those events live and we will keep up—to—date with any developments before then as well. for the moment, it is back to rebecca in the studio. thank you, talk to you in a little

while. suspects in the ath ofjuly shooting on monday has been charged with seven counts of first—degree murder. they said these were just the first of many charges to come. they will demand the maximum sentence for 21—year—old robert crimo, who is alleged to have killed seven and injured dozens more afterfiring 70 bullets from a rooftop in highland park. 0ur correspondent nomia iqbal has this report. an ordinary american high street littered with the normality of family life. families had been celebrating the day their nation found independence, when gunshots rang out. gunfire a traditional event in this country has been destroyed by what is becoming another american tradition — a mass shooting. some escaped. i heard a bullet ricochet off the brick above me.

my girlfriend kind of got immobilised, so i had to keep turning around and pulling her and pulling her, because she just kind of froze. and now a 21—year—old has been charged with bringing terror to this town. robert crimo has been accused of carrying out what authorities say was a well—orchestrated and carefully planned crime. today, the lake county state's attorney's office has charged robert crimo iii with seven counts of first—degree murder for the killing spree that he has unleashed against our community. these are just the first of many charges that will be filed against mr crimo. more details have come out about the victims. nicolas toledo's family had taken him out for celebrations. jackie sundheim was described as a beloved member of the local synagogue where she worked. investigations by police and the fbi have shown that robert crimo dressed up as a woman as he fled the scene of the crime. this happened just down

the road behind me. police say the gunman climbed the roof top with his gun, overlooking the parade, and shot 70 rounds. he then disappeared. it was hours later when the police caught him on the motorway in a car. recently, major gun legislation was passed in the us to tackle gun violence, although it would not have stopped him as he had legally purchased his rifle. a clash of two american traditions. a wonderful tradition of families, athjuly, a horrible tradition of mass shootings. are mass shootings now a tradition in america? i don't want it to be but it is becoming one. if crimo is convicted, authorities here say they will make sure he is jailed for life without parole. nomia iqbal, bbc news, highland park, chicago. residents in the embattled ukrainian region of donetsk have been urged to leave the area, as russia steps up its efforts to control the whole of the eastern donbas, the country's industrial hub.

earlier in the week it consolidated its hold over neighbouring luhansk. the city of slovyansk continues to bear the brunt of russian artillery. 0ur correspondentjoe inwood is in the country's capital kyiv and has more now on what's happening on the ground. the city of sloviansk seems to be bracing itself for what's coming next after the capture of lysychansk and pretty much all of the luhnask region. they donetsk region seems to be next on russia target list and sloviansk and kramatorsk, the two big cities in the north of that region, seem to be right at the top of it. they was shelling overnight. a number of people were killed when a market was hit and caught fire and the regional governor has told everyone that can to leave the city. now russia has said it needs time for its troops to rest and recuperate after really what were quite punishing battles to take the luhnask region. but i think it seems like an inevitability that they are going to continue their push into the donetsk region

to take the entirety of this old industrial area known as the donbas. as i say, people have been urged to leave. many that could, or wanted to, will have already done so. the exodus that we've seen from the donbas has been going on for months. indeed, when i was there a few months ago, i saw thousands, tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands of cars coming in the other direction. people have known for a long time what is most likely coming and it seems those fears are now coming true. jo inwood there, our correspondent in kyiv. the headlines on bbc news... a prime minister on the brink... borisjohnson clings on after two of his most senior ministers quit within ten minutes of each other. both rishi sunak and sajid javid attacked mrjohnson's leadership and integrity but he remained defiant — appointing nadhim zahawi as chancellor and stephen barclay as health secretary. the children's minister will quince

and minister for schools standards robin walker among the latest to hand in their resignations. thejuly ath shootings in illinois took weeks to plan and the suspect dressed as a woman to escape, say police — a 21—year—old has been charged with seven counts of murder. yes, hello, welcome back to downing street. lots of developments already today, as we follow on from those resignations, those two big resignations, those two big resignations from boris johnson's cabinet yesterday. rishi sunak standing down as chancellor and sajid javid as health secretary. the prime minister moved quickly to appoint new ministers into those positions but that reshuffle, that mini reshuffle if you like, hasn't stopped the drip drip drip effect today with the number of resignations and a number of mps,

backbench mps saying they no longer have confidence in the prime minister and if there was a vote on his leadership, they would vote against him. let's look at some of those who have resigned. the children's minister will quince has stepped down from the department of resignation saying he was asked to defend borisjohnson on monday with inaccurate information from downing street. we have had two morejunior ministers resign this morning, as well as several conservative mps who were previously loyal to the prime minister officially withdrawing their support. lee anderson, who very publicly supported boris johnson in that confidence vote exactly one month ago today. and chris skidmore. laura trott and robin walker are those two other junior ministers who have resigned. as i mentioned last night, the chancellor, now former chancellor rishi sunak and former health secretary sajid javid quit within minutes of each other and attacked

the prime minister's leadership saying the people wanted competence and integrity. those other resignations followed, mainly among junior ministers. a downing street source has insisted the prime minister will not be distracted by questions about his future. the new chancellor nadhim zahawi said on bbc breakfast that the focus has to be on the economy. my focus is very much around making sure we rebuild the economy after the pandemic and of course war raging on our continent and the battle against inflation and to grow the economy. we have good growth this year, second fastest growth in the g7, but also in 202a returning to growth, but a challenge in 2023 which i focus on at the moment because inflation, if allowed to get out of control, deeply damaging, especially

for the most disadvantaged. my first day in the job, we have delivered the biggest personal tax cut in a decade. £330 for 30 million people, which is a good start and i thank rishi sunak for everything he has done. we will talk about economic policy in a moment, particularly the cost of living because it matters to all viewers. can we talk about last night? how you ended up in this position of chancellor. i suspect that the circumstances surrounding your promotion are not exactly what you would have chosen. you were in with the prime minister last night as the resignations came through. another crisis for boris johnson. what was his mood? his focus was round the second half of this parliament, on delivery. how do we rebuild the economy as we have now come out of the global pandemic and, of course, how do we make sure the economy is resilient with the energy price shock because of putin's illegal

invasion of ukraine, and how do we deal with inflation as well as bearing down on taxes? personal tax cut, the first in a decade delivered today. what more can we do to make sure we continue to be on the side of people? we have put in place £37 billion of help over the next 12 months because of people who are struggling with the weekly shop, energy bills. i will continue to do that. what i am... what i am fascinated to know, i am sorry to interrupt, i am fascinated to know what is going through borisjohnson's head. he gets these blistering letters from rishi sunak and sajid javid attacking his honesty and his competence and his integrity. and the trust they have in him. was he looking at himself, was he asking any questions about the way he does things, or committing to behaving in a different way?

was there any self—examination at all last night? the first thing to say on that is the prime minister did that interview and said, look, with the benefit of hindsight he made a mistake appointing chris pincher to the role of deputy chief. he is right to apologise. he makes decisions at warp speed, as a prime minister, cabinet ministers. the prime minister was at the commonwealth summit, nato summit, the g7 summit. he is right to say, i have made a mistake, i am sorry. and take collective responsibility. i am sorry we made that mistake but we make decisions at warp speed and do not always get them right. the way i would sum up the prime minister's focus is in three words. delivery, delivery, delivery. he wants to ensure each and every

one of us is delivering for the british people, rebuilding the economy and growing the economy is my task. this is the first day in the job. i will be happy to come back once i have reviewed everything to share with you the evidence as to how we will continue to bear down on inflation, how we will focus on rebuilding the economy and bringing taxes down. today is the first personal tax cut in a decade, as i said. you are a man who watches public opinion. you set up yougov, the opinion polling organisation and a yougov poll today said 69% of the public do not want borisjohnson in there any longer. you have taken on this job and are backing him. you have effectively saved him because if he had not been able to fill thatjob, if you had walked out, he would not be in there now. it is a responsibility you have got. you will know that polling is a snapshot of public

opinion at that moment. at the moment, look at the people who are egging us on to be divided and to change leader, people like alistair campbell. all i would say to my colleagues, wherever alistair campbell is we need to be on the other side of that argument. we need to unite, we need to focus on delivery. if we do that and do it well, whether it be in my work at the treasury, of course, the work that the foreign secretary and the defence secretary are doing in terms of national security and the work of the home secretary in terms of security at home, safer streets or in the nhs with stephen barclay cutting down those waiting lists, and in education, the skills agenda. t levels, runways for careers to take off on. if we focus on delivery, people willjudge us on that and i am convinced if we deliver on that people will feel differently in two years to the snapshot poll

you have just mentioned by yougov, my old company. nadhim zahawi, the new chancellor talking to my colleague on bbc breakfast earlier. he said the prime minister was focused on delivery, delivery, delivery. they call it the power of three, don't they, when you repeat a word or phrase three times? but can this prime minister, with what is happening around him right now, does he have the confidence to deliver on policy already stated policies or indeed new policies? nadhim zahawi are insisting boris johnson is focused on the second half of this parliament, although i suspect his focus right now is on the very immediate future today, prime minister's questions at noon and his appearance before senior mps on the liaison committee later when they will question him. let's try and get an insight now into a little

more of what the prime minister might be thinking right now. and why he is doing what he's doing. we can speak now to sonia purnell, biographer of boris johnson. her book is entitled blonde ambition. thank you forjoining us today. from what you know if the prime minister, give us a sense of how long he has wanted this job, wanted to be in power in number 10? he has a ways wanted this job. i've known him 30 years, used to be his deputy when we were both reporters on the telegraph for the eu in the 90s. back then even as a journalist it was clear he had political ambitions. my first piece about him wanting to be prime minister was in the independent on sunday in 2002. so it's been obvious to me for a very long time and that is why actually he spends 99.9% of his time strategising as to how to stay being prime minister. so while the entire

country is in crisis, economic crisis, health, cost of living, education and the rest of it, boris johnson our prime minister is primarily if not exclusively thinking how can you brazenness out today and again tomorrow and so on for ever. 50 today and again tomorrow and so on for ever. , ., today and again tomorrow and so on for ever. i. .,, ., today and again tomorrow and so on for ever. ,, .,, ., ., , for ever. so in your opinion, does that ut for ever. so in your opinion, does that put him _ for ever. so in your opinion, does that put him in — for ever. so in your opinion, does that put him in any _ for ever. so in your opinion, does that put him in any sort _ for ever. so in your opinion, does that put him in any sort of- for ever. so in your opinion, does l that put him in any sort of position to concentrate on matters of governance?— to concentrate on matters of covernance? ., ., , , ., governance? no, absolutely not. i 'ust heard governance? no, absolutely not. i just heard nadhim _ governance? no, absolutely not. i just heard nadhim zahawi - governance? no, absolutely not. i just heard nadhim zahawi talk- governance? no, absolutely not. i. just heard nadhim zahawi talk about delivery. but how can you do that when you are losing ministers half the time? when you know a lot of your backbenchers are against you, when you have lost the public question that there is a poll saying something like 70% of us feel he should now resign. in any case, his dna, he's not really suited to government. the fact is he is a great campaigner and he always wanted to become prime minister but being prime minister, the sheer graft and slog and everyday pressure of it does not really suit him and

never does. he's not really that interested in policy, either, only what grabs the headlines. how many times have we seen a headline about a policy only for it to be reversed almost immediately if the reaction is unfavourable? so, you know, this is unfavourable? so, you know, this is unbelievably important. it is unbelievably dangerous was that we are effectively a country that isn't being governed. we have a constitutional crisis, an existential crisis because we have a prime minister at the top who is not doing thejob, who is not capable of doing thejob, who is not capable of doing thejob but doing thejob, who is not capable of doing the job but won't leave the job. his resignation i don't think comes into his head, it simply not part of his mindset. and we have heard, haven't we, numerous times over the last few months the phrase any other prime minister at this point would have gone, would have resigned? so when he won that confidence vote in a

month ago, exactly a month ago, albeit with a smaller majority than when theresa may survived her confidence vote, now over the chris pincher affair, why do you think despite all of these daily struggles that go into as you say strategising to keep himself in thejob, why does he do that? who; to keep himself in the “ob, why does he do that? ~ , ., , to keep himself in the “ob, why does he do than— to keep himself in the “ob, why does he do that? ~ , ., , ,, , ., he do that? why does he keep going? because what — he do that? why does he keep going? because what else _ he do that? why does he keep going? because what else is _ he do that? why does he keep going? because what else is he _ he do that? why does he keep going? because what else is he going - he do that? why does he keep going? because what else is he going to - he do that? why does he keep going? because what else is he going to do? | because what else is he going to do? this is the job because what else is he going to do? this is thejob he because what else is he going to do? this is the job he always wanted. anything else is a step down. i think is actually quite frightened about life after number 10. maybe he will get a column somewhere, maybe get a chat show somewhere but not the well met hero he perhaps thought he would be. maybe he won't make the gazillions he thought he might be able to. the fact is, who apart from the deluded or the desperate will really won't have anything to do with him in the future? his brand, the boris brand, which was once so powerful and shiny, and it is a

brand, is tarnished. he is known to speak untruths, he is known to be incompetent. he presided over an economy which is going to be the worst in the western world, in the 620, worst in the western world, in the g20, apart from russia. so he is not going to be someone in future everyone will flock to. so what is he going to do? of course he is going to try and stay where he is because resignation involves a certain humility, a certain self—sacrifice, and admission if you like of guilt or failure and that is something simply that he will find very, very hard if not impossible to do. but he clearly had great appeal for the voters at the last general election and we are looking here at the reaction of the westminster village, aren't we? but do you think actually out and about and around the country that there are still plenty of voters who like boris johnson, who like their personality and two are not really bothered about this drama and theyjust want him to get on with the job and the

rest of the cabinet to get on with the job of rest of the cabinet to get on with thejob of governing? the job of governing? i'm thejob of governing? i'm sure there are still some people who like borisjohnson and still think of him in that way. he did get a great majority in 2019 but i think subsequently, people have got to know him better. i have always said that the closer you get to a person, the more you get to know him the less and like him and i think that has happened a lot with the voters. we have seen that in recent by—elections. but the other thing that has changed is that lies matter because our very sort of existence is now sort of under threat. people cannot afford to eat and heat. they are worrying about what their kids are worrying about what their kids are going to be able to do. they are really worried about this winter and bill is going to be rising once again. the economy is really tanking with no future hope of growth. where is that growth going to come from? so suddenlyjust being an amusing fellow on telly is not good enough. we need someone who can actually help us all because really our

futures are at stake here and our kids' futures, too. 0k, thank you very much forjoining us. former colleague of boris johnson when he was a journalist, sonia purnell, biographer of the prime minister. saying there how much borisjohnson has a ways wanted thisjob and much borisjohnson has a ways wanted this job and therefore wants to stay in thisjob for as this job and therefore wants to stay in this job for as long as is possible. so right now it is probably a day by day situation. that is certainly what it feels like at the moment. let me just check the tally we have had of resignations or mps saying they could no longer support the prime minister. six more today to add to yesterday's tally. laura trott, will quince, robin walker all resigning from their positions. junior positions. then rub in lee anderson, a reminder he publicly supported borisjohnson at that supported boris johnson at that confidence vote exactly a month ago, and chris skidmore all saying that

they no longer have confidence in his leadership. meanwhile, at number 10 just behind me there, the prime minister no doubt with his team preparing for what is going to be one of the most important prime minister's questions that he has faced in his time in office. nick eardley said he probably has no choice but to come out in really bullish energetic mode and try to work his way through this latest crisis. we have course will bring that to you live and bring you right up that to you live and bring you right up to date with any further developments throughout the day. back to you, rebecca, for the moment. absolutely, many thanks for that. a police operation across five european countries has resulted in the arrests of a 39 people, accused of trafficking migrants to britain. the main focus of the co—ordinated raids was the german city of 0snabruck, which police say was one of the hubs of the illegal network. i'm joined now by danield sandford, our home affairs correspondent.

tell us more about the operation and has significantly are. the tell us more about the operation and has significantly are.— has significantly are. the raids took place _ has significantly are. the raids took place yesterday. - has significantly are. the raids took place yesterday. they - has significantly are. the raids - took place yesterday. they happened in germany, france. we went out with the national crime agency in london. a total of 39 people arrested. it is really the biggest international operation to try and tackle the problem of people crossing the channel in small boats and it was an operation to tackle what is believed to be one of the biggest organised crime groups involved in smuggling people across the channel in small boats. 0ne estimate is up to 10,000 people were moved across the channel by this single organised crime group in 12-18 by this single organised crime group in 12—18 months. in the raids, they found 150 boats, 1200 life jackets, 50 engines. if all 150 of those boats had managed to get across the channel with 50 migrants on board per boat, that would have been another 7500 migrants. they also seized a5,000 euros in cash, some firearms were seized. this group is

believed to have been involved in some shoot—out between rival gangs in the last 12 months. so it does look like this is a really, really significant raid. we will obviously have to watch and see how many of those arrested get charged but certainly this does look like it's been a very, very significant operation yesterday, with the details of itjust being announced in the last half an hour. what details of itjust being announced in the last half an hour.— details of itjust being announced in the last half an hour. what do we know about — in the last half an hour. what do we know about those _ in the last half an hour. what do we know about those people _ in the last half an hour. what do we know about those people who - in the last half an hour. what do we know about those people who have | know about those people who have been arrested? mine know about those people who have been arrested?— know about those people who have been arrested? nine were arrested in france, 18 been arrested? nine were arrested in france. 18 in — been arrested? nine were arrested in france, 18 in germany, _ been arrested? nine were arrested in france, 18 in germany, six _ been arrested? nine were arrested in france, 18 in germany, six in - been arrested? nine were arrested in france, 18 in germany, six in the - france, 18 in germany, six in the netherlands, six people arrested in the uk as well. 0nly netherlands, six people arrested in the uk as well. only two of those suspected of being involved directly in people smuggling. essentially they were running the whole service, thatis they were running the whole service, that is the allegation. so the boats are all being kept in germany, with the life jackets and the outboard motors. then when somebody had a group of migrants who wanted to cross the channel, then one, two or three boats would be moved forward from germany down to the beaches in france. people would be loaded onto the boat there, so that they none of

the boat there, so that they none of the material for the people smuggling operation has been kept in france, where a lot of the law enforcement focus has been. and the boats were being brought in from turkey. so coming in from turkey in large lorries, stored in germany and then being moved forward to france as and when needed in very small numbers. a, .., , as and when needed in very small numbers. a, , ., as and when needed in very small numbers. , ., ., ., numbers. basically to avoid detection- _ detection. tell us a little more about what difference the authorities think this will make to the number of migrants who are coming to the uk? they think this is possibly the most significant organised crime group involved in this trade, if not the most then one of the most. they are convinced this will make a dent in the people smuggling operation across the channel in small boats but they conceded in briefings that we went to yesterday that it will only be a dent. there are other groups already in this trade and of course they will try to expand to meet the demand. so is certainly its thought to be a very significant operation but it's not going to end

the trade completely. i should say the trade completely. i should say the french were very grumpy with the germans at the back end of last year about the lack of german work to try and stop what was happening out in germany in terms of the people smuggling trade. the french much happier today that the french have stepped up with a significant operation. stepped up with a significant operation-— stepped up with a significant oeration. , ., , ., operation. any reaction yet from the british government _ operation. any reaction yet from the british government or— operation. any reaction yet from the british government or is _ operation. any reaction yet from the british government or is it _ operation. any reaction yet from the british government or is it too - british government or is it too early? british government or is it too earl ? ., ., british government or is it too earl? ., ., ., �* , early? no reaction from the british government _ early? no reaction from the british government but _ early? no reaction from the british government but the _ early? no reaction from the british government but the national- early? no reaction from the british| government but the national crime agency were very significant in providing intelligence into this operation and they are certainly very pleased with the cooperation they got with the europeans on this. they really feel this has been a very significant success.- very significant success. daniel sandford, _ very significant success. daniel sandford, many _ very significant success. daniel sandford, many thanks - very significant success. daniel sandford, many thanks for - very significant success. daniell sandford, many thanks for that, very significant success. daniel- sandford, many thanks for that, our home affairs correspondent. thank you. more than a hundred evacuation orders are in force, as heavy flooding continues to affect australia's biggest city sydney with some 50,000 people asked to leave their homes.

more than eight months of rain have fallen there in four days, shaimaa khalil in sydney has this update. the rain is letting up a little bit here in windsor, in north western sydney, and the water is receding quite a bit. just to give you an idea about how inundated this one street was, the water had gone up past that fence behind me in that house. and we now know that extreme wet weather is moving further north in new south wales. the prime minister anthony albanese was here in windsor a little earlier and he heard from locals who were visibly frustrated and fatigued by this flood. they said this has happened again and again and we go through this evacuation, cleaning, rebuilding only for us to be hit by another extreme flood — the third time this has happened, and the fourth for some people, in 18 months. i was speaking to the family who actually own this housejust behind me. jodie and her family were hoping to come back and clean up, but they couldn't and they have

to face another night away from their home. so we came home hoping that the water had receded. the water hasn't really gone down that much, as you can see. so we have to spend another night in a hotel which is draining financially, emotionally taxing, and, yeah, it's the third time this year that we're flooded. so we're kind of over it at this stage. what's it been like, andrew? completely devastating. like one time you could sort of recover from, but five times — it's beyond the joke. and the worst part is that it was preventable, too. so, you know, if the dam levels were managed better, we wouldn't be put in this position yet again. and, of course, now you want to go back and clean up and then what? then renovations again. we've already spent $40,000 since the last flood and, you know, taken time off work. we have no leave left. it's just a constant struggle

to get the house livable. the mould is, you know, it's not healthy for the kids, but what other option do you have? you can't sell a house that's under water! so, you know... and i know your sons have been helping out in the clean—up. you guys have done this so much now, haven't you? absolutely. i mean, it's what everyone says, but just at this stage, tiring and draining. you go through it so many times in such a short period of time. you don't expect to go through any disasters in your lifetime, then just have five come through it's... really, at this point, tiring is the word that comes to mind, yeah. what about you ? you've been helping out with the cleaning up. yeah, it's really bad, i because every time this happens, it happened, - like, five times, wejust... whenever we try to sell the house, it comes back through, _ and then we have to, i like, sleep somewhere, and then we have to, like, clean up.

and it takes like, - more than, like, weeks. and i know that some of the locals were saying that a lot of things linger — the smell, the insects, things like that? yeah, the smell is horrible. this water is near the shoreline, so it's contaminated as well as the bugs and that that comes with it. it takes about a month for the smell to go away. absolutely. and that's outside, not indoors. thank you so much for speaking to us. this is the thing that you keep hearing time and time again — the fact that people want to go back to their homes, they want to start cleaning up, they want to start rebuilding. but in the back of everyone's mind is the fear that this will happen again. 0ur reporter shaimaa khalil there. a three—legged tortoise that was seized from a smuggler�*s suitcase in hong kong has a new home here in the uk. this is hope —

the male ploughshare tortoise — whose rollers will help him stay upright and mobile around chester zoo. ploughshares are the rarest breed in the world, just 300 remain in the wild. you're watching bbc news. hello again. for some of us it's been a rather wet start to the day, for others it's been a fairly cloudy start. we've got this ridge of high pressure settling things down in southern areas but weather fronts moving across the top of it bringing in some rain and the isobars telling you it's going to be windy across the northern half of the country today. but only light winds at wimbledon, temperatures up a touch on yesterday and although there'll be quite a bit of cloud to start with, we'll see that break and sunny spells will develop as we go through the course of the afternoon and into the evening. for the rest of us, the heavy rain across scotland moving into the north sea. but you can see more rain coming in across the west. northern ireland, western parts of england and wales seeing a bit more cloud with the odd spot of rain coming out of it at times. but inland across england and also wales, we'll see

the sunshine developed. temperatures, 13—25 degrees, gusty winds especially in eastern scotland and to the east of the pennines. pollen levels today are high or very high, except for across northern and western scotland, where they are low. as we head on through the evening and overnight, the cloud in the north sinks steadily southwards. again, you could get the odd spot of rain coming out of it. behind it, clearer skies and it will be breezy down the north sea coastline as well. temperatures falling away between 9—16 degrees and it will actually feel quite muggy tonight across southern parts of the country. that leads us nicely into tomorrow. tomorrow we start off with all this cloud but through the day it will break. brighter skies with some sunshine for scotland and northern england and for a time for northern ireland, before the next weak weather front comes in and introduces some thicker cloud. down the north sea coastline with the onshore breeze, it will feel cooler but inland, we're looking at temperatures up to 25.

then on friday, well, again, quite a lot of cloud to start the day. we've got some rain coming in across scotland and northern ireland. the cloud breaking and then we'll see the sunshine and it will feel quite humid as well. temperatures climbing, we're looking 13—27 degrees north to south. for the weekend, high pressure still very much with us. we still have fronts toppling around the top of it. so across parts of northern ireland and also northern and western scotland and the northern isles, we're more prone to that cloud and rain. come further south, we're back into the sunshine and warmer.

a prime minister on the brink... borisjohnson clings on after two of his most senior ministers quit within ten minutes of each other. both rishi sunak and sajid javid attacked mrjohnson's leadership and integrity but he remained defiant — appointing nadhim zahawi as chancellor and stephen barclay as health secretary. new chancellor nadhim zahawi says he's looking forward to the new role with nothing off the table. i will be looking at where else can i make sure the economy remains competitive and dynamic with, you know, our european neighbours and, of course, the rest of the world as well? nothing's off the table. childrens minister will quince and minister for schools standards

robin walker among the latest to hand in their resignations. hello and welcome back to downing street, that famous door behind me, number 10, street, that famous door behind me, number10, and street, that famous door behind me, number 10, and borisjohnson stood by minister after a pretty turbulent 2a—hour is. no end to the turbulence today. more resignations have come, also more backbench mps saying that they no longer have confidence in they no longer have confidence in the prime minister if there was about on his leadership right now, they would vote against him. along

canada's premier to keep going for? he and those close to him say he remains determined to stay in power, that he is looking ahead to the next two years of this parliament but he has got some hurdles to get through percival including injust has got some hurdles to get through percival including in just under an hour, this week's prime minister's questions. ijust want hour, this week's prime minister's questions. i just want to bring hour, this week's prime minister's questions. ijust want to bring in a tweet i have been seeing from james forsyth the political editor of the spectator and he says one senior figure on the 1922 committee, the committee of backbench mps, not ministers, who essentially control the fate of a prime minister should they choose it, one senior figure on that committee is telling james forsyth they now favour a delegation from the committee going to tell borisjohnson it is over and that

they would change the rules if he won't resign. i heard that from my first guest earlier today sebastian payne from the financial times, nick eardley has also been telling me thatis eardley has also been telling me that is a possibility and something to keep close eye on today. let's take a closer look at the story so far. this morning laura trott quit as a ministerial aide at the transport department. and will quince stepped down as an education minister. he was one of the ministers defending number 10 on the airwaves this week. he said he was really disappointed that what he had been told was factually correct was not the case. and we have also seen the departure of the school standards minister robin walker. these all follow two high—profile resignations yesterday. last night borisjohnson

lost both his chancellor and his health secretary in the space of a few minutes. both men attacked his handling of claims around chris pincher. chris pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week over groping allegations. he denies those allegations. it emerged yesterday that borisjohnson had been briefed in 2019 about earlier concerns over chris pincher�*s conduct. a government minister said mrjohnson had initially forgotten this when the story arose last week. the high—profile departures meant that the pm was forced to reshuffle his cabinet. key new appointments include nadhim zahawi as chancellor. and steve barclay takes on the role

of health secretary. but there's evidence of wider discontent in the tory party over borisjohnson's leadership, with several other resignations at morejunior levels. more challenges today for borisjohnson — in an hour's time he has to face pmqs. it will be a dramatic one today. watch out for how the labour leader server clears stammer handle that situation. we are saying some police outriders on their motorbikes comment to downing street and everyone here, the assembled media,, watching to see when the prime

minister leaves for pmqs. and later today he will be questioned by senior mps at the liaison committee hearing. that will be around 3pm this afternoon, bst. we will have full coverage of both of those events for you. we will keep a close eye on the movements of the prime minister. let's get this assessment from our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart. two influential cabinet ministers who decided they'd had enough. within minutes of one another, rishi sunak resigned as chancellor, and sajid javid resigned as health secretary. mrjavid remained tight—lipped when he returned home yesterday evening. i'm just going to go and spend some time with my family. but the reasons were there in black and white when the pair submitted resignation letters. the outgoing chancellor said...

"the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. i believe these standards are worth fighting for, and that is why i am resigning." the outgoing health secretary said... "the british people rightly expect integrity from their government. we may not have always been popular, but we have been competent. sadly, the public are concluding that we are now neither." their exits, along with various junior government figures, came swiftly, after borisjohnson apologised for his handling of appointing chris pincher to a new government position in february. it emerged borisjohnson had been told about a formal complaint previously made about mr pincher when he was a foreign 0ffice minister. that was something number ten had previously denied. i apologise for... ..eh, for it. i think, in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do. i apologise to everybody who's been badly affected by it. so can mrjohnson survive?

perhaps unsurprisingly, the labour leader wants him gone. they backed him when he broke the law. they backed him when he lied. they backed him when he mocked the sacrifices of the british people. so they have been complicit as he has disgraced his office and let down his country. allies of the prime minister insist he can carry on. well, i am fully supportive of the prime minister. i think that he is the right man for thejob. he has a very significant mandate from the british people, a majority of 80, onlyjust over two and a half years ago. these sort of schools happen in politics, but the best politicians carry on calmly. for now, borisjohnson is intent on staying put, with a new top team around him. nadhim zahawi will take over as chancellor, moving on from education secretary. michelle donelan will take over that role. and steve barclay is the new health secretary.

this morning, borisjohnson's position looks tricky. but he's previously ridden out calls to step down. he seems determined to do so again. david wallace—lockhart, bbc news, westminster. we arejust we are just getting use of another resignation from the government, with all the details of that... let's talk to our political correspondent nick eardley. within the last few seconds another minister has gone, a treasury minister, john glenn, who has posted his relegation —— resignation letter on twitter. he says, "after much thought and with deep regret i must inform you i have made the difficult decision to resign from the government. it has been a huge privilege to serve but i can do longer reconcile my commitment to the role and to the financial

services sector with the complete lack of confidence i have in your continuing leadership of the country." quite a scathing letter. , a complete lack of confidence. another one of the last few seconds, another ministerial aide felicity buchan who was a parliamentary private secretary to quasi—quoting the secretary committee has resigned, saying, the prime minister has us the confidence harbour constituents and of her and the current situation is untenable. we have had a steady stream of these resignations this morning. junior ministers and ministerial aides all saying they think the game is up for the prime minister. what will also be really worrying number 10 this morning as a number of mps who have posted letters on social media saying they don't think the prime minister can continue. it feels like a dam has bused this morning with

more and more people being prepared to say they think the primers and needs to go. he is on his feet in the commons injust under an hour, feeling more pressure than he has ever felt as prime minister. feeling more pressure than he has everfelt as prime minister. you ever felt as prime minister. you have to wonder _ ever felt as prime minister. you have to wonder with _ ever felt as prime minister. you have to wonder with an ion the timing just before prime minister is question is whether there will be more resignations, by my count that is five resignation so far today, as well as three backbench mps, some of whom have very publicly supported the prime minister in the past, saying they no longer have confidence in him, if there was about they would be putting against him. there is really building. what if anything at this point do you think the prime minister can do to try to get on the front foot or try to survive, to live another day as it were? ~ , ., , ' it were? when you see him in 15 minutes he _ it were? when you see him in 15 minutes he will— it were? when you see him in 15 minutes he will be _ it were? when you see him in 15 minutes he will be bullish - it were? when you see him in 15 minutes he will be bullish in - it were? when you see him in 15 minutes he will be bullish in the j minutes he will be bullish in the house of commons. his job minutes he will be bullish in the house of commons. hisjob is minutes he will be bullish in the house of commons. his job is to try and persuade his backbenchers that

he can still do this, but he still has the figure tomic the job, that he can win them over. shutting two tory mps both on and off the record it feels increasingly like a number of them have decided that this is it, we are entering the last stages of boris johnson's it, we are entering the last stages of borisjohnson's time as by minister, there is an increasing feeling within the party it is a matter of when and not if the prime minister goes. i think his team are going to try and turn that around, they were adamant this morning that he is going nowhere, that he still wants to go on with the job and he has a mandate from 2019, but there are increasing number of conservatives who don't think that is the case stop there is a meeting this evening of the 1922 committee of tory backbenchers, the executive that decides the rules if there is going to be another confidence vote.

i know there are some on that committee who want the change of the rules immediately to allow another confidence vote to take place. even if they don't it is possible there could be a change in a rose in the next couple of weeks. standing here this afternoon and chatting to tory mps it is very hard to see if there is another confidence about how the prime minister would win it. there also some suggestions _ prime minister would win it. there also some suggestions that - prime minister would win it. there also some suggestions that it - prime minister would win it. there also some suggestions that it might not get as far as that if it is the intention of the 1922 committee to change the rules, they might even go to the trimester today. some are saying. and saying there are enough backbenchers and mps who do not support you, please go. whether the prime minister would respond to that or challenge the committee to change the rules in order to remove him a lot of people are saying boris

johnson is determined to hang on to this role and therefore he would rebuff that sort of approach and challenge the committee to change the rules. we will say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. thanks for watching. just to pick up on that thought, do think it is likely we will see the chair of the committee and other members approaching the prime minister to say to him his time is up? i prime minister to say to him his time is up?— time is up? i think it is quite possible- — time is up? i think it is quite possible. you _ time is up? i think it is quite possible. you might - time is up? i think it is quite possible. you might have i time is up? i think it is quite i possible. you might have heard before of the men in grey suits in the conservative party who have brought down by ministers in the past. they told theresa may her time was up or they would change the rules. if sir graham brady, the chair of that committee, has enough letters saying the premise needs to 90, letters saying the premise needs to go, he may feel the need to

communicate that to the pm and say we think you should fall on your sword now, go with some sort of dignity rather than be forced out by another rule change. borisjohnson is not someone to go likely. a number of incidents would probally have brought down other prime ministers in the last month alone borisjohnson has decided he was to try and raise this out. this one feels like there are a number of ministers who have made the decision tojump and resign, there are ministers who have made the decision to jump and resign, there are tory mps who have been loyal to the prime minister until now who have decided they can't do it any more, something has changed, they don't feel they can him any more. because of that it does feel this is a really perilous moment for the prime minister. it is definitely the most danger he has beenin definitely the most danger he has been in as prime minister and the question is whether he still thinks

he has got the ability to brazen it out. he has often been said to be someone who can defy political gravity. if he were to do that now it would be his greatest escape act so far. the feeling in parliament is that might be one stretch too many for borisjohnson and his days are coming to an end. for boris johnson and his days are coming to an end.— we are watching the prime minister leaving for premises questions, we will keep a watch on that. jill rutter is a former senior civil servant, and brexit specialist at uk in a changing europe. is the prime minister's position tenable right now, it depends how you ask. it tenable right now, it depends how ou ask. . . , tenable right now, it depends how ouask. . ._ , , ., tenable right now, it depends how ouask. ..y , , ., you ask. it clearly depends who you ask. you ask. it clearly depends who you

ask- clearly — you ask. it clearly depends who you ask. clearly things _ you ask. it clearly depends who you ask. clearly things he _ you ask. it clearly depends who you ask. clearly things he can _ you ask. it clearly depends who you ask. clearly things he can hang - you ask. it clearly depends who you ask. clearly things he can hang on | ask. clearly things he can hang on but ultimately as we have said, the finaljudgment lies on whether to remove a prime minister between elections lies with the conservative party, with the cabinet, and we saw the effect of the resignations starting yesterday. and then with the mps who sit behind him. i think we are seeing that pressure who are asking for another confidence vote or should regard his time as being of. . ~ , or should regard his time as being of. ., ~' , ., or should regard his time as being of. m , ., of. talk us through the possible mechanism _ of. talk us through the possible mechanism now _ of. talk us through the possible mechanism now if _ of. talk us through the possible mechanism now if enough - of. talk us through the possible mechanism now if enough mps| of. talk us through the possible - mechanism now if enough mps want to remove him. that potentially might not go as far as another confidence about. it not go as far as another confidence about. , ' . ., ., about. it is difficult. the formal rules at the _ about. it is difficult. the formal rules at the moment _ about. it is difficult. the formal rules at the moment to - about. it is difficult. the formal rules at the moment to say - about. it is difficult. the formal rules at the moment to say the | about. it is difficult. the formal- rules at the moment to say the prime minister is safe for a year after that last confidence vote, we're supposed to have a 11 month grace

period but that is why nick eardley was talking about looking at those informal processes, that is what happened with theresa may when it looked as though her premiership was terminal, the 1922 committee go and say prime minister, you need to go gracefully now or we look into changing the rules so you face another confidence vote. 0ne changing the rules so you face another confidence vote. one of the things about the 1922 committee and its rules is it is very much their own rules, they are not published. it is all quite private so we don't really know what is going on. but i think we will have to watch developments and we will no doubt be glued to the front door of downing street to see who was going in and out. ~ , , ., ., , ., out. members of the cabinet are t in: to out. members of the cabinet are trying to get _ out. members of the cabinet are trying to get on _ out. members of the cabinet are trying to get on and _ out. members of the cabinet are trying to get on and talk- out. members of the cabinet are trying to get on and talk about i trying to get on and talk about policy rather than personality.

nadeem is how weak the new chancellor talking about what he might do to try to help the economy and deal with the cost of living. —— zahawi. he was asked about the possibility of cutting taxes, is it something he can do, one of my earlier guests talked about giving a sugar rush to mps and voters, is not something he can do without potentially risking inflation going even higher? that potentially risking inflation going even higher?— even higher? that is a very interesting _ even higher? that is a very interesting question. - even higher? that is a very interesting question. lotsl even higher? that is a very. interesting question. lots of debates about whether it makes sense to put more money into the economy when we have got a problem of supply. that is why we are seeing all these bottlenecks people can get on planes or get staff to do things, does it make sense to inject a load of money and that is why the previous chancellor rishi sunak chose to do things, targeted help in

his second package, the people who are really struggling who needed help to pay those energy bills would say that is not inflationary because i help they are getting will go on those energy bills which are going to go up anyway so it is really interesting step really interesting thing about rishi sunak cosmic resignation letter yesterday as opposed many deals we have seen is he not only went on about standards in public life but hinted at very big policy differences between him and the official treasury on what was a sensible course for the economy and the prime minister and that was why they were tussling with this long—tailed joint economic speech and rishi sunak said they couldn't agree what to put into it. interesting to see if a get a chance, if he is around one, whether nadeem zahawi changes direction there. . , nadeem zahawi changes direction there. ., , ., ., ,, ., ., ,, there. really good to talk to. thank ou. there. really good to talk to. thank

you- some — there. really good to talk to. thank you- some cars _ there. really good to talk to. thank you. some cars being _ there. really good to talk to. thank you. some cars being moved - there. really good to talk to. thank| you. some cars being moved around possibly getting into position here at downing street so we do anticipate that means the prime minister will be reading for premises questions fairly soon. —— prime minister's questions. nick eardley is in the lobby and the houses of parliament. what news do you have for us?— houses of parliament. what news do you have for us? there are a few mps e eina you have for us? there are a few mps eyeing around — you have for us? there are a few mps eyeing around so _ you have for us? there are a few mps eyeing around so we _ you have for us? there are a few mps eyeing around so we will _ you have for us? there are a few mps eyeing around so we will try - you have for us? there are a few mps eyeing around so we will try and - eyeing around so we will try and grab some to get a sense with the mood, chatting privately to tory mps it feels like things have changed, it feels like things have changed, it feels like potentially this could be the end for borisjohnson. he wants to stay on. the word from number 10 is they will keep going no matter what, that the prime minister is determined to deliver. robert elstone is here. you have said this morning you have changed your mind. what has changed and is this game over? ., ., ., ., ., over? two weeks ago i voted for the rime i over? two weeks ago i voted for the prime i said —

over? two weeks ago i voted for the prime i said to _ over? two weeks ago i voted for the prime i said to my — over? two weeks ago i voted for the prime i said to my whips _ over? two weeks ago i voted for the prime i said to my whips at - over? two weeks ago i voted for the prime i said to my whips at the - over? two weeks ago i voted for the prime i said to my whips at the time j prime i said to my whips at the time that this _ prime i said to my whips at the time that this is _ prime i said to my whips at the time that this is the last time. ijust think— that this is the last time. ijust think the — that this is the last time. ijust think the latest scandal and the misleading statements that have come from downing street are enough is enough _ from downing street are enough is enough and this has been one thing after another. the problem is we are not delivering for our constituents. the hospital programme is mired in bureaucracy. we have 1.7 million bureaucracy. we have1.7 million children— bureaucracy. we have1.7 million children not— bureaucracy. we have 1.7 million children not in schools and schools reopened — children not in schools and schools reopened i— children not in schools and schools reopened. i felt enough was enough. we need _ reopened. i felt enough was enough. we need a _ reopened. i felt enough was enough. we need a clean break. you reopened. i felt enough was enough. we need a clean break.— reopened. i felt enough was enough. we need a clean break. you know your -a well we need a clean break. you know your party well and — we need a clean break. you know your party well and speak— we need a clean break. you know your party well and speak a _ we need a clean break. you know your party well and speak a lot _ we need a clean break. you know your party well and speak a lot of _ we need a clean break. you know your party well and speak a lot of your - party well and speak a lot of your colleagues regularly. is it all over for borisjohnson? i colleagues regularly. is it all over for boris johnson?— for boris johnson? i don't know. i didn't discuss _ for boris johnson? i don't know. i didn't discuss this _ for boris johnson? i don't know. i didn't discuss this with _ for boris johnson? i don't know. i didn't discuss this with anyone i didn't discuss this with anyone apart— didn't discuss this with anyone apart from my office. before putting this statement out. i slept on it overnight _ this statement out. i slept on it overnight. i woke up in the morning feeling _ overnight. i woke up in the morning feeling even more angry. there is a huge _ feeling even more angry. there is a huge loss— feeling even more angry. there is a huge loss of— feeling even more angry. there is a huge loss of trust sadly in the government and i think the public want _ government and i think the public want a _ government and i think the public want a change at the party wanted

change _ want a change at the party wanted change and it has to happen. the word from _ change and it has to happen. tie: word from number 10 change and it has to happen. ti2 word from number 10 this morning was at the prime minister is determined to get on with the job. he is not being distracted by all this. is borisjohnson taking this seriously enough? i boris johnson taking this seriously enou~h? .�* boris johnson taking this seriously enou~h? ., �* ~ ., boris johnson taking this seriously enou~h? .�* «'., , boris johnson taking this seriously enou~h? ., �* ~ ., ., enough? i don't know. it is a matter for him. enough? i don't know. it is a matter for him- the — enough? i don't know. it is a matter for him. the parliamentary - enough? i don't know. it is a matter for him. the parliamentary party - enough? i don't know. it is a matterj for him. the parliamentary party are really— for him. the parliamentary party are really unhappy, even people who are supporting _ really unhappy, even people who are supporting the prime minister, was people _ supporting the prime minister, was people unless you are hard—core in a team _ people unless you are hard—core in a team and _ people unless you are hard—core in a team and most people are unhappy of what is _ team and most people are unhappy of what is going on. i have never done this before, — what is going on. i have never done this before, it is not in my nature to go— this before, it is not in my nature to go on— this before, it is not in my nature to go on about prime ministers, i challenge — to go on about prime ministers, i challenge them on policy rather than personality but i think we have reached — personality but i think we have reached an end point and i feel i have _ reached an end point and i feel i have been— reached an end point and i feel i have been misled about what has gone on and _ have been misled about what has gone on and i_ have been misled about what has gone on and i feel— have been misled about what has gone on and i feel the public have been misled _ on and i feel the public have been misled i— on and i feel the public have been misled. i feel we're just talking about— misled. i feel we're just talking about this and else yet again and that is— about this and else yet again and that is why i had to put out a statement in the way that i have. you have — statement in the way that i have. you have just a couple of weeks until parliament breaks up for the summer holidays. do you expect boris

johnson to still be prime minister by the time recess begins? ii i johnson to still be prime minister by the time recess begins? if i was a fortune-teller _ by the time recess begins? if i was a fortune-teller i _ by the time recess begins? if i was a fortune-teller i would _ by the time recess begins? if i was a fortune-teller i would probably i by the time recess begins? if i was| a fortune-teller i would probably be a fortune—teller i would probably be a fortune—teller i would probably be a much _ a fortune—teller i would probably be a much richer person but i have no idea what— a much richer person but i have no idea what is— a much richer person but i have no idea what is going to happen. i think— idea what is going to happen. i think they— idea what is going to happen. i think they know now the extent, if you have _ think they know now the extent, if you have someone like me who is fairly— you have someone like me who is fairly moderate and not an agitator against _ fairly moderate and not an agitator against the prime minister doing this i_ against the prime minister doing this i think they know it is pretty serious — this i think they know it is pretty serious. ~ ., ., ., this i think they know it is pretty serious. ., ., ., ., ., i] serious. who do want to take over? i have no idea — serious. who do want to take over? i have no idea who _ serious. who do want to take over? i have no idea who will— serious. who do want to take over? i have no idea who will stand - serious. who do want to take over? i have no idea who will stand and - have no idea who will stand and secondly — have no idea who will stand and secondly i — have no idea who will stand and secondly i want to know what they will stand — secondly i want to know what they will stand for. i think the country wants— will stand for. i think the country wants to — will stand for. i think the country wants to know. i will make my mind up wants to know. i will make my mind up if that— wants to know. i will make my mind up if that happens. i wants to know. i will make my mind up if that happens.— up if that happens. i will let you to. up if that happens. i will let you go- thanks _ up if that happens. i will let you go- thanks for _ up if that happens. i will let you go. thanks for talking _ up if that happens. i will let you go. thanks for talking to - up if that happens. i will let you go. thanks for talking to us. - up if that happens. i will let you | go. thanks for talking to us. that is the view from one mp who has changed is mind about borisjohnson this morning. there are plenty more and this feels like a very dangerous moment for borisjohnson. and this feels like a very dangerous moment for boris johnson.- and this feels like a very dangerous moment for boris johnson. let's talk to tony blair's former head of communications, alastair campbell, now a political

commentator. i apologise in advance if i have to suddenly turn around and shout in the middle of our interview in the direction of the prime minister as he leaves for prime minister's questions but let's try and get as much of our conversation done. i am sure you're well aware you got it name check from the new chancellor nadeem zahawi when he said the people who are egging a song to get rid of our leaders are people like alistair campbell. i rid of our leaders are people like alistair campbell.— rid of our leaders are people like alistair campbell. i thought it was one of the most _ alistair campbell. i thought it was one of the most bizarre _ alistair campbell. i thought it was one of the most bizarre topline i one of the most bizarre topline messages from a ministerial interview ever. the new chancellor of the exchequer, a cost of living crisis, a global economy that is spluttering, a political party and a leader in crisis and your big thing is to go on and say that a guy who worked in downing street 19 years ago as a cause of all their problems. it was pathetic and it shows me that he is not up to the job and i should warn him, is financial business interests are going to come very closely under scrutiny very quickly assuming boris

johnson survives much longer. he doesn't deserve to survive another minute, he is the worst prime minister in our history. we have the worst cabinet in our history. none of the chance of the country faces are being addressed because this guy cares only about his own survival. is it no surprise to you then that he is still digging in, still hanging on in there? ida he is still digging in, still hanging on in there? he is still digging in, still hanuain on in there? ., , , , ., hanging on in there? no surprise to me at all. hanging on in there? no surprise to me at all- he _ hanging on in there? no surprise to me at all. he will— hanging on in there? no surprise to me at all. he will be _ hanging on in there? no surprise to me at all. he will be dragged - hanging on in there? no surprise to me at all. he will be dragged out i me at all. he will be dragged out kicking and screaming and i think he will be eventually. that guy doesn't care about public service and that might sound harsh about someone who has been in politics for young time and who was a journalist before that, is entire life has been about himself, about getting into scrapes and showing he can get out of them and showing he can get out of them and i think the british public are ahead of the politicians on this. to be fair to be tory mps they did stand up for themselves and both against him in huge numbers, 75% of backbenchers in the vote of no confidence, to be carted them rishi

sunak or sajid javid belatedly, they have spent far too long defending the indefensible, they all know how bad this guy is and all know that he is a liar and that he doesn't care about other people and that the entire machinery of government as we have seen today is in the throw to one man's ego and marxism and worst of all is doing massive damage to the country —— and the ability to meet the challenges the country faces. —— ego and narcissism. do meet the challenges the country faces. -- ego and narcissism. do you think itoris — faces. -- ego and narcissism. do you think boris johnson _ faces. -- ego and narcissism. do you think boris johnson is _ faces. -- ego and narcissism. do you think boris johnson is listening - faces. -- ego and narcissism. do you think boris johnson is listening to - think borisjohnson is listening to his advisers and that advisers might be saying to him the time is up? i don't have any evidence they are saying that to him. my sense is part of his leadership style has been to surround himself with people who frankly are just nodding dogs. surround himself with people who frankly arejust nodding dogs. if surround himself with people who frankly are just nodding dogs. if i was in that building now i would feel sympathy for the genuine civil servants because they are employed to serve the government of the day. a lot of them are close is and i respect the fact they feel they have

to do their best to serve the government. but on the political side of things... government. but on the political side of things. . .— government. but on the political side of things. .. what should labour do now? on — side of things. .. what should labour do now? on the _ side of things. .. what should labour do now? on the political— side of things. .. what should labour do now? on the political side - side of things. .. what should labour do now? on the political side i- side of things. .. what should labour do now? on the political side i have| do now? on the political side i have no resect do now? on the political side i have no respect whatsoever _ do now? on the political side i have no respect whatsoever for _ do now? on the political side i have no respect whatsoever for people i do now? on the political side i have i no respect whatsoever for people who continue to prop him up. what labour should do is try to bring the government down and try to force a general election because the country has had enough of this and the country has a change direction. there is an argument that says let them hang themselves but i don't agree. it is never enough for your opponents to fail, you have to have a positive vision and agenda yourself. it is very hard for the labour party to get heard amid this chaotic trumpian soap opera that borisjohnson chaotic trumpian soap opera that boris johnson surrounds chaotic trumpian soap opera that borisjohnson surrounds himself chaotic trumpian soap opera that boris johnson surrounds himself with because it is more difficult to do the difficult step to take your country forward. johnson is destroying himself and the sooner thatis destroying himself and the sooner that is completed the better and then the labour party have to hope they will face a new leader, they have been in powerfor 12 years now,

these people, 12 years of austerity, brexit going wrong, covid being usually mismanaged. i don't think they have done anything well. labour should be kicking these people all over the place and the whole lot of that cabinet who propped him up frankly have got to go.— frankly have got to go. alistair campbell. _ frankly have got to go. alistair campbell, thank _ frankly have got to go. alistair campbell, thank you - frankly have got to go. alistair campbell, thank you for - frankly have got to go. alistair campbell, thank you for your i frankly have got to go. alistair - campbell, thank you for your time today. certainly knows a thing or two about the workings of what goes on behind that famous door at number 10. we are waiting to see if the prime minister appears to head off, the shortjourney to the houses of parliament for prime minister's questions. i asked alistair campbell what should labour do now because some commentators are saying they should be an open goal for starmer today at pmqs. it will be interesting to see how he handles this given the borrower around the prime minister right now with those

resignations and expressions of no confidence from his own party. let's see what pmqs brings. for the moment from downing street i will hand you over to my colleagues on politics live. because we are going to welcome viewers from the bbc news channel to this programme today, another day of drama in westminster. i have said that so many times but it is really true. i will reintroduce our guests, conservative mp miriam cates, labour mp jess conservative mp miriam cates, labour mpjess phillips, from the mailjohn stevens and from the financial times, sebastian payne. we will go to central lobby. we will talk to one of the mps who has called for borisjohnson to go and withdrew his confidence at the last vote, andrew bridge. he is still here, borisjohnson, and we have had a whole slew of resignations including two members

of the cabinet and borisjohnson has filled of those posts. what are you going to do now? i filled of those posts. what are you going to do now?— filled of those posts. what are you going to do now? i think we will see the resignations _ going to do now? i think we will see the resignations continue _ going to do now? i think we will see the resignations continue to - going to do now? i think we will see the resignations continue to trickle | the resignations continue to trickle in. nominations for the 1922 committee executive open i believe this evening and i think the vote will be next week and we will reconstitute the executive of the 1922 and consider a rule change. i think if we wanted to set the bar as high as 180 letters, we could get those in 2a hours. we are no longer the rebels, we are the mainstream. borisjohnson has pushed the patience of the parliamentary party and most of the british public belong its layout —— beyond its elastic limit and it is time for him to go. elastic limit and it is time for him to to. ~ ., , ., elastic limit and it is time for him toao. ~ ., ~' elastic limit and it is time for him to .o, . ., y., 4' ., elastic limit and it is time for him to io, . ., y., 4' ., ., to go. would you like him to go riht to go. would you like him to go right now? _ to go. would you like him to go right now? you _ to go. would you like him to go right now? you would - to go. would you like him to go right now? you would like - to go. would you like him to go right now? you would like to i right now? you would like to literally stand up and resign today? if he was going to do it at the dispatch box he could leave with a modicum of decency, otherwise we will have to throw him out next week. ~ ., ~ .,

week. we have miriam here in the studio, week. we have miriam here in the studio. your _ week. we have miriam here in the studio, your colleague _ week. we have miriam here in the studio, your colleague and - week. we have miriam here in the studio, your colleague and she i week. we have miriam here in the| studio, your colleague and she has said there are still questions to answer. he won a confidence vote a month ago and yes, a lot of comp —— colleagues have changed their minds since a few weeks ago but he has one and has a huge mandate from the country with an 80 seat majority, so what do you say to her? i country with an 80 seat ma'ority, so what do you say to her?_ what do you say to her? i voted for boris what do you say to her? i voted for itoris johnson _ what do you say to her? i voted for boris johnson and _ what do you say to her? i voted for boris johnson and leader _ what do you say to her? i voted for boris johnson and leader and - boris johnson and leader and campaign borisjohnson and leader and campaign for borisjohnson and leader and campaignfor him, borisjohnson and leader and campaign for him, but we are aware of his character deficiencies and i thought those in number ten would hold him to a higher standard in what has happened is he has corrupted those around him as we saw during the affairs over partygate and it is not sustainable or tenable in the country deserves better than this, the parliament deserves better than this and the conservative party deserves better than this and we can have better than this post boris johnson. ~ ., ., i. have better than this post boris johnson. ~ ., ., . ,, have better than this post boris johnson. ~ ., ., ., , johnson. who would you back in any leadership contest? _ johnson. who would you back in any leadership contest? i _ johnson. who would you back in any leadership contest? i won't - johnson. who would you back in any leadership contest? i won't get - leadership contest? i won't get involved in _ leadership contest? i won't get involved in that _ leadership contest? i won't get involved in that sort _ leadership contest? i won't get involved in that sort of - involved in that sort of speculation.— involved in that sort of seculation. , ., �* involved in that sort of seculation. ~ , ., �* , , speculation. why not? i've been very bad at selecting _ speculation. why not? i've been very bad at selecting leaders, _ speculation. why not? i've been very bad at selecting leaders, i _ speculation. why not? i've been very

bad at selecting leaders, i voted - bad at selecting leaders, i voted for david davis, not david cameron, andrea leadsom, not theresa may, and i did vote for borisjohnson and now i'm trying to put it right. in terms of changing the rules, is it fair, as some of your colleagues who had no confidence in the prime minister have criticised this idea of changing those rules midway through, to use the analogy, of the game? i would appeal to the prime minister for once to put the country first, the interest of the country above his own ambition and stand down but if he won't do that it's up to conservative backbenchers to put the country first and remove boris johnson with a rule change. nadhim zahawi is the _ johnson with a rule change. nadhim zahawi is the chancellor _ johnson with a rule change. nadhim zahawi is the chancellor and - johnson with a rule change. nadhim| zahawi is the chancellor and decided to stay in the government. steve barclay is the health secretary and michelle donnellan is stepping up to be education secretary. are they all wrong? be education secretary. are they all wron ? , be education secretary. are they all wroni ? , ., ., ., ,, ., wrong? they have to make their own decisions and — wrong? they have to make their own decisions and see _ wrong? they have to make their own decisions and see how _ wrong? they have to make their own decisions and see how history - wrong? they have to make their own decisions and see how historyjudgesj decisions and see how historyjudges them and the public. the next conservative leader, and we will be

having a leadership election during the summer, the leader has to have integrity, courage and show leadership and i don't think staying committed to borisjohnson is showing those qualities. i am all for loyalty, but it has to run in both directions and with boris johnson it only runs in one. do you know of any _ johnson it only runs in one. do you know of any other _ johnson it only runs in one. do you know of any other government - know of any other government ministers who might be considering resigning? i ministers who might be considering resiiniin ? ., , , ., ministers who might be considering resiiniin? ., , , ., ., resigning? i am sure they are all lookini resigning? i am sure they are all looking into _ resigning? i am sure they are all looking into their— resigning? i am sure they are all looking into their own _ resigning? i am sure they are all. looking into their own consciences and heart sampled on to the right decision for them.— and heart sampled on to the right decision for them. thank you very much. decision for them. thank you very much- just _ decision for them. thank you very much. just listening _ decision for them. thank you very much. just listening to _ decision for them. thank you very much. just listening to that - decision for them. thank you very | much. just listening to that again, miriam, on the issue of integrity, sajid javid said clearly in his resignation letter that the government has lost all integrity. you said borisjohnson has not changed and everybody knew what he was like but there is an accumulation here, clearly, for many of your colleagues. can you sit here in the studio and say that you trust the word of the prime minister? that you think he is a man of honesty and integrity following on from the most

recent allegations about the deputy chief whip and the changing story of number ten and the prime minister? i think the communications yesterday were handled very badly and it took a long time to get a kind of... handled badly, people were saying they lied. i’m handled badly, people were saying the lied. �* ., , ., , they lied. i'm not denying it was handled badly _ they lied. i'm not denying it was handled badly and _ they lied. i'm not denying it was handled badly and the _ they lied. i'm not denying it was handled badly and the story - they lied. i'm not denying it was - handled badly and the story changed, and will quins said he has gone because was asked to represent a position that turned out to be not true, and you said earlier about it happening gradually and it does feel like this who are for the specific purpose of boris johnson are some of those who are most outrageous changing the rules for owen paterson and there were those who are most outraged about the idea of a second referendum overturning the will of the british people on brexit and i think we should reflect on that. there is an opinion out there in the country that those of us in the ruling class like to change the rules when it

suits us and i am wary that way, the conservative party, are falling into that trap. conservative party, are falling into that tra i. ., conservative party, are falling into that trai. ., . conservative party, are falling into that trap-_ we - conservative party, are falling into that trap._ we have - conservative party, are falling into that trap._ we have put| that trap. you are in. we have put off people — that trap. you are in. we have put off people in _ that trap. you are in. we have put off people in the _ that trap. you are in. we have put off people in the red _ that trap. you are in. we have put off people in the red wall- that trap. you are in. we have put off people in the red wall and - that trap. you are in. we have put off people in the red wall and the | off people in the red wall and the new coalition of voters... let off people in the red wall and the new coalition of voters. . .- new coalition of voters. .. let me 'ust new coalition of voters. .. let me just breaking _ new coalition of voters. .. let me just breaking because _ new coalition of voters. .. let me just breaking because a - new coalition of voters. .. let me just breaking because a numberl new coalition of voters. .. let me | just breaking because a number of people who were elected in 2019 in those seats have said they have no confidence and i have to bring you the news that victoria adkins who was sitting here last wednesday, the justice minister, has quit as well and if i can keep the tally going we are at about and if i can keep the tally going we are atabout16, and if i can keep the tally going we are at about 16, i think, ministers, politicians on the payroll who have quit. politicians on the payroll who have iuit. . �* . politicians on the payroll who have iuit. ., �* , ., politicians on the payroll who have iuit. ., �*, ., politicians on the payroll who have quit. that's right to come back to the point. _ quit. that's right to come back to the point. this— quit. that's right to come back to the point, this was _ quit. that's right to come back to the point, this was such - quit. that's right to come back to the point, this was such a - quit. that's right to come back to the point, this was such a broad. the point, this was such a broad spectrum — the point, this was such a broad spectrum of people losing confidence in boris _ spectrum of people losing confidence in borisjohnson when spectrum of people losing confidence in boris johnson when you have victoria — in boris johnson when you have victoria atkins on the left of the tory— victoria atkins on the left of the tory party— victoria atkins on the left of the tory party and jonathan gallas the most _ tory party and jonathan gallas the most red — tory party and jonathan gallas the most red wall of red wall tory mps and you _ most red wall of red wall tory mps and you have that, that shows that the game — and you have that, that shows that the game is — and you have that, that shows that the game is probably up for boris johnson —

the game is probably up for boris johnson but this point about the election. — johnson but this point about the election, we live in a parliamentary democracy— election, we live in a parliamentary democracy and we are not a presidential system and people did not vote _ presidential system and people did not vote for boris johnson personally, they voted for the conservative party and conservative mps and _ conservative party and conservative mps and those mps each have an individual— mps and those mps each have an individual mandate. you have your own mandate from your constituency and they— own mandate from your constituency and they have a duty as well to represent _ and they have a duty as well to represent their constituency so it is not _ represent their constituency so it is notjust— represent their constituency so it is notjust all about represent their constituency so it is not just all about who voted for boris _ is not just all about who voted for borisjohnson personally. i is notjust all about who voted for boris johnson personally. i accept that and you _ boris johnson personally. i accept that and you are _ boris johnson personally. i accept that and you are right, _ boris johnson personally. i accept that and you are right, we - boris johnson personally. i accept that and you are right, we are - boris johnson personally. i accept that and you are right, we are not in a presidential system but most political commentators will accept that a large part of the conservative party's victory was boris johnson's conservative party's victory was borisjohnson's leadership and i know people in my constituency who were surprised he was not on the ballot paper, but i accept that, and thatis ballot paper, but i accept that, and that is why i fully respect all of my colleagues who make these decisions about resignations and no confidence. that is their prerogative and i accept that. can i iut to ou prerogative and i accept that. can i put to you that _ prerogative and i accept that. can i put to you that you _ prerogative and i accept that. can i put to you that you think— prerogative and i accept that. can i put to you that you think your reputation is at risk of being trashed in the way that some of your

colleagues are saying that the conservative party's reputation is being trashed and that is why they could no longer have confidence in borisjohnson? i could no longer have confidence in boris johnson?— boris johnson? i think that is a fair question _ boris johnson? i think that is a fair question and _ boris johnson? i think that is a fair question and i'm _ boris johnson? i think that is a fair question and i'm clearly i boris johnson? i think that is a fair question and i'm clearly in | boris johnson? i think that is a l fair question and i'm clearly in a minority in this room and i would like to represent a different opinion otherwise you would have a very boring show. iriat opinion otherwise you would have a very boring show.— opinion otherwise you would have a very boring show. not that boring, i don't think- — very boring show. not that boring, i don't think- i— very boring show. not that boring, i don't think. i can _ very boring show. not that boring, i don't think. i can jazz _ very boring show. not that boring, i don't think. i can jazz it _ very boring show. not that boring, i don't think. i can jazz it up - very boring show. not that boring, i don't think. i can jazz it up if- don't think. i can “azz it up if ou'd don't think. i can “azz it up if you-d like h don't think. i can “azz it up if you-d like to _ don't think. i can “azz it up if you'd like to go i don't think. i can jazz it up if you'd like to go for - don't think. i can jazz it up if you'd like to go for no i don't think. i can jazz it up if- you'd like to go for no confidence. i you'd like to go for no confidence. i didn't— you'd like to go for no confidence. i didn't come into politics to protect my own representation because i came in to say what i wanted to say what i believe in represent a position of common sense and i think we've departed from that in political culture and our political culture is in danger of responding to outraged... did you iet into responding to outraged... did you get into politics _ responding to outraged... did you get into politics to _ responding to outraged... did you get into politics to defend - responding to outraged... did you get into politics to defend and i get into politics to defend and protect — get into politics to defend and protect a man who has been found in some _ protect a man who has been found in some cases. — protect a man who has been found in some cases, but also now accused, of multiple _ some cases, but also now accused, of multiple sexually harmful behaviours and that _ multiple sexually harmful behaviours and that the prime minister would cover— and that the prime minister would cover for— and that the prime minister would cover for him and create a culture that basically said that rules don't apply— that basically said that rules don't apply to _ that basically said that rules don't apply to us and fill your boots. did

you come — apply to us and fill your boots. did you come into politics for that? neither— you come into politics for that? neither did victoria atkins. i�*m you come into politics for that? neither did victoria atkins. i'm not defendini neither did victoria atkins. i'm not defending behaviour _ neither did victoria atkins. i'm not defending behaviour by _ neither did victoria atkins. i'm not defending behaviour by boris i neither did victoria atkins. i'm not i defending behaviour by boris johnson defending behaviour by borisjohnson thatis defending behaviour by borisjohnson that is wrong. and let's be clear, anyone who commits a sexual assault is responsible for their own actions but we should also look at the appointment process. i'm not defending that at all. what i am doing is putting an alternative position, which is to say, let's look at the bigger picture and our political culture and what this means for any future leader, conservative or labour. let's say we have an election and you win and keir starmer becomes prime minister and let's say certain members of your back benches they don't like and they want him out and they stop at nothing and look up every decision they have ever made and every appointment they have ever made... ii every appointment they have ever made... ., ., ., a, , made... if he had done what boris johnson did _ made... if he had done what boris johnson did with _ made... if he had done what boris johnson did with him _ made... if he had done what boris johnson did with him there, - made... if he had done what boris johnson did with him there, the i johnson did with him there, the first person college or his resignation would be made. i�*m resignation would be made. i'm askini us resignation would be made. i'm asking us to _ resignation would be made. tn asking us to reflect on this as a

bigger picture. flan asking us to reflect on this as a bigger picture-— asking us to reflect on this as a bigger picture. can i briefly refer to the fairly _ bigger picture. can i briefly refer to the fairly recent _ bigger picture. can i briefly refer to the fairly recent past - bigger picture. can i briefly refer to the fairly recent past when i bigger picture. can i briefly refer. to the fairly recent past when there was a party leader who did not have the support and confidence, of his party, jeremy corbyn, but he did up the support of party members and there were many labour mps who sat with me in the studio and struggled. they carried on supporting jeremy corbyn. they carried on supporting jeremy corb n. . they carried on supporting jeremy corb n. , ., ._ �* corbyn. there is no way... i didn't have confidence _ corbyn. there is no way... i didn't have confidence in _ corbyn. there is no way... i didn't have confidence in jeremy - corbyn. there is no way... i didn't have confidence in jeremy corbyn | corbyn. there is no way... i didn't i have confidence in jeremy corbyn and i have confidence in jeremy corbyn and i carried _ have confidence in jeremy corbyn and i carried on— have confidence in jeremy corbyn and i carried on being a member of parliament for birmingham yardley and spoke — parliament for birmingham yardley and spoke out fiercely against jeremy— and spoke out fiercely against jeremy corbyn and the myth that boris _ jeremy corbyn and the myth that borisjohnson was jeremy corbyn and the myth that boris johnson was supremely popular, he's been _ boris johnson was supremely popular, he's been very lucky with opposition both in_ he's been very lucky with opposition both in the — he's been very lucky with opposition both in the london mayoralty and when _ both in the london mayoralty and when he — both in the london mayoralty and when he was taken to the country, so the idea _ when he was taken to the country, so the idea that — when he was taken to the country, so the idea that he is uniquely popular amongst _ the idea that he is uniquely popular amongst the country is a myth. what about now. — amongst the country is a myth. what about now. the _ amongst the country is a myth. what about now, the talk _ amongst the country is a myth. what about now, the talk of _ amongst the country is a myth. what about now, the talk of a _ amongst the country is a myth. twat about now, the talk of a general election. keir starmer interestingly said yes, bring it on, let's have a snap election but in reality, how many people really want an election

right now when their own seeds are at risk? i right now when their own seeds are at risk? ., �* ~' �* , right now when their own seeds are at risk? ., �* ~ �* , ., , at risk? i don't think there's many iieole in at risk? i don't think there's many people in miriam's _ at risk? i don't think there's many people in miriam's ranks - at risk? i don't think there's many people in miriam's ranks you i at risk? i don't think there's many people in miriam's ranks you want at risk? i don't think there's many i people in miriam's ranks you want a general— people in miriam's ranks you want a general election— people in miriam's ranks you want a general election and _ people in miriam's ranks you want a general election and if— people in miriam's ranks you want a general election and if we _ people in miriam's ranks you want a general election and if we did - people in miriam's ranks you want a general election and if we did see i general election and if we did see suggestions — general election and if we did see suggestions that— general election and if we did see suggestions that boris _ general election and if we did see suggestions that boris johnson i general election and if we did see i suggestions that boris johnson was seriously— suggestions that boris johnson was seriously considering _ suggestions that boris johnson was seriously considering that - suggestions that boris johnson was seriously considering that i- suggestions that boris johnson was seriously considering that i think i seriously considering that i think the i922— seriously considering that i think the 1922 rules _ seriously considering that i think the 1922 rules will _ seriously considering that i think the 1922 rules will be _ seriously considering that i think the 1922 rules will be out - seriously considering that i think the 1922 rules will be out the i the 1922 rules will be out the window— the 1922 rules will be out the window immediately- the 1922 rules will be out the window immediately and i the 1922 rules will be out the window immediately and he i the 1922 rules will be out the - window immediately and he would be gone _ window immediately and he would be ione. �* . . ~' window immediately and he would be ione. �*, ., ~' ., window immediately and he would be ione. h . ~' ., ~ gone. let's talk to lee anderson, the conservative _ gone. let's talk to lee anderson, the conservative mp _ gone. let's talk to lee anderson, the conservative mp for - gone. let's talk to lee anderson, the conservative mp for ashfield | gone. let's talk to lee anderson, i the conservative mp for ashfield who has withdrawn his confidence in the prime minister, a key supporter of borisjohnson, right up until probably the last half hour or so. what has changed your mind? thank ou. i'm a what has changed your mind? thank you. i'm a massive _ what has changed your mind? thank you. i'm a massive supporter - what has changed your mind? thank you. i'm a massive supporter of i what has changed your mind? tiag�*ia. you. i'm a massive supporter of what he was elected to do in 2019 and he has got the big calls right, he got brexit done i was good through the pandemic, really, really good and in the ukraine war but this last incident in the past week has really done it for me. i can accept some stories coming out, it's notjust the prime minister, it's the whole operation and how we get communication so wrong and then there are denials, then add

emissions and at the end of the day we have a man who has been suspended for inappropriate behaviour. allegations he has denied, the recent allegations.— allegations he has denied, the recent allegations. there have been alleiations recent allegations. there have been allegations and _ recent allegations. there have been allegations and complaints - recent allegations. there have been allegations and complaints in - recent allegations. there have been allegations and complaints in the i allegations and complaints in the past and it looks to the public and to some of us it has been swept under the carpet and i cannot look in the mirror in the morning and go with that sort of behaviour in this place. we are supposed to set standards, we are supposed to have the moral high ground in this place and when we allow that sort of behaviour to go on and actually promote people who have had complaints about these sorts of behaviour, we are in a bad place and i can't support that. i am gutted for the prime minister because he's done a greatjob and i'm a massive supporter of him but at the end of the day we cannot allow this sort of stuff to go on. the day we cannot allow this sort of stuff to go on-_ stuff to go on. you say you are iutted stuff to go on. you say you are gutted and — stuff to go on. you say you are gutted and it — stuff to go on. you say you are gutted and it was _ stuff to go on. you say you are gutted and it was obviously i stuff to go on. you say you are gutted and it was obviously a i stuff to go on. you say you are i gutted and it was obviously a big decision. did you have to really wrestle with your conscience over withdrawing your support for boris johnson? . . withdrawing your support for boris johnson? ., , , ., johnson? that is exactly the word, conscience. _ johnson? that is exactly the word, conscience. a _ johnson? that is exactly the word, conscience, a matter— johnson? that is exactly the word, conscience, a matter of _ johnson? that is exactly the word, j conscience, a matter of conscience because he has been a good prime

minister and had my support through thick and thin and done a greatjob and at the end of the day we should live by our morals and my moral compass is pretty spot on, i think, and when we have behaviour like we've had in the last week it sends the wrong message to people who work here, people around mps and people who socialise with mps and we have to stamp it out and if we don't, we are not fit for office.— are not fit for office. louis anderson. _ are not fit for office. louis anderson, we _ are not fit for office. louis anderson, we are - are not fit for office. louis - anderson, we are showing pictures are not fit for office. louis _ anderson, we are showing pictures of the prime minister's convoy leaving for pmqs in 15 minutes' time. what will the atmosphere be behind boris johnson in the chamber? i will the atmosphere be behind boris johnson in the chamber?— johnson in the chamber? i don't know, it johnson in the chamber? i don't know. it will _ johnson in the chamber? i don't know, it will be _ johnson in the chamber? i don't know, it will be strange, - johnson in the chamber? i don't. know, it will be strange, because johnson in the chamber? i don't i know, it will be strange, because i am a supporter of the prime minister, i have been, and ifeel like i am letting him down and letting my colleagues down, but i need to put the people of ashfield first and the people of this country first and the people of this country first and the people of this country first and more importantly the people who work in this place every single day. we have to live and work by certain standards and over the past few days we have fallen short of that. ~ ., ., i.

past few days we have fallen short of that. ~ ., ., ,, ~' past few days we have fallen short of that. ~ ., ., i. ~ ., past few days we have fallen short of that. ~ ., ., ~ ., ., of that. what would you like to hear from the prime _ of that. what would you like to hear from the prime minister _ of that. what would you like to hear from the prime minister today? i i from the prime minister today? i would like to hear him answering some questions at the dispatch box, but i don't know what the mood will be like. it will be subdued and the labour party and the snp will be on the front foot, and they will be baying for blood like you have in the last two and a half years and it will be good theatre today. i feel for the prime minister. i like the man and have a huge amount of respect for the man but i cannot let this pass. respect for the man but i cannot let this iass. ., . ~ respect for the man but i cannot let this iass. ., ., ~ ., this pass. you talked about your moral compass _ this pass. you talked about your moral compass and _ this pass. you talked about your moral compass and you - this pass. you talked about your moral compass and you talked i this pass. you talked about your- moral compass and you talked about your conscience. there will be many people who will feel that perhaps you should have thought about that post pa rtygate, you should have thought about that post partygate, post some of the previous behaviour of the prime minister that many people felt he had not told the truth before, that he had misled parliament. so why this sudden finding of your moral compass, people might say. i don't know if you — compass, people might say. i don't know if you paid — compass, people might say. i don't know if you paid any _ compass, people might say. i don't know if you paid any attention i compass, people might say. i don't know if you paid any attention to i know if you paid any attention to what i or listen to the last couple of minutes. i what i or listen to the last couple of minutes-_ what i or listen to the last couple of minutes.- this - what i or listen to the last couple

of minutes.- this is - what i or listen to the last couple of minutes.- this is totally of minutes. i have. this is totally different. this _ of minutes. i have. this is totally different. this is _ of minutes. i have. this is totally different. this is a _ of minutes. i have. this is totally different. this is a person - different. this is a person investigated in the past for inappropriate conduct and a number ten was made aware of this and denied and now they say they have forgotten and i cannot accept that. in terms of a replacement for boris johnson, is that something you have had time to consider because you say, you had been an ardent supporter of the prime minister up until literally this morning, so who could you see as the next leader i have not thought about it, i have not had that conversation.- not had that conversation. there will be peeple — not had that conversation. there will be people jockeying - not had that conversation. there will be people jockeying for - will be people jockeying for position. i do not want to come out early and support anybody. fire position. i do not want to come out early and support anybody. are you auoin into early and support anybody. are you going into the _ early and support anybody. are you going into the chamber? _ early and support anybody. are you going into the chamber? yes, - early and support anybody. are you | going into the chamber? yes, when ou let going into the chamber? yes, when you let me — going into the chamber? yes, when you let me go. _ going into the chamber? yes, when you let me go. i— going into the chamber? yes, when you let me go, i am _ going into the chamber? yes, when you let me go, i am going straight. you let me go, i am going straight in. i you let me go, i am going straight in. , ., ., ~ ,., in. i will let you go, lee anderson, thank you- — in. i will let you go, lee anderson, thank you. what _ in. i will let you go, lee anderson, thank you. what did _ in. i will let you go, lee anderson, thank you. what did you _ in. i will let you go, lee anderson, thank you. what did you make - in. i will let you go, lee anderson, thank you. what did you make of. thank you. what did you make of that? �* , ., thank you. what did you make of that? �* ,., , thank you. what did you make of that? ~ ,,, thank you. what did you make of that? ~ ,, , a, that? lee anderson is probably one ofthe that? lee anderson is probably one of the most — that? lee anderson is probably one of the most ardent _ that? lee anderson is probably one of the most ardent defenders - that? lee anderson is probably one of the most ardent defenders of. that? lee anderson is probably one| of the most ardent defenders of the prime _ of the most ardent defenders of the prime minister. he was a crucial brick_ prime minister. he was a crucial brick in — prime minister. he was a crucial brick in the _ prime minister. he was a crucial brick in the red wall in the former

labour— brick in the red wall in the former labour heartland, ashfield, winning the seat _ labour heartland, ashfield, winning the seat for the first time for the conservative party. the red wall tories, _ conservative party. the red wall tories, the — conservative party. the red wall tories, the fact they are going is more _ tories, the fact they are going is more significant than the junior minister— more significant than the junior minister resignations because some of those _ minister resignations because some of those are not on the prime minister's _ of those are not on the prime minister's wing of the party but also mps — minister's wing of the party but also mps if borisjohnson minister's wing of the party but also mps if boris johnson called an election. _ also mps if boris johnson called an election, those would be probably the ones — election, those would be probably the ones losing their seats first. if you _ the ones losing their seats first. if you look— the ones losing their seats first. if you look at the polling, where the prime — if you look at the polling, where the prime minister lost most popularity is in the red wall seats are not— popularity is in the red wall seats are not the traditional southern heartland. the election, we talk attout— heartland. the election, we talk about him — heartland. the election, we talk about him deciding he might call it. buckingham palace might have something to say because the fixed—term parliaments act has been withdrawn _ fixed—term parliaments act has been withdrawn and we go back to a convention from 1951. sells convention from 1951. sells convention who wrote a letter to the times— convention who wrote a letter to the times which— convention who wrote a letter to the times which is an unwritten part of the constitution that sets three tests— the constitution that sets three tests where the monarch cannot allow

an election _ tests where the monarch cannot allow an election to be called, if it would — an election to be called, if it would damage the economy. we will talk about the _ would damage the economy. we will talk about the economy _ would damage the economy. we will talk about the economy at _ would damage the economy. we will talk about the economy at the - talk about the economy at the moment. ., , ., ., moment. two, if there is another candidate that _ moment. two, if there is another candidate that can _ moment. two, if there is another candidate that can command - moment. two, if there is another candidate that can command a i candidate that can command a majority — candidate that can command a majority in parliament. and candidate that can command a majority in parliament. ma'ority in parliament. and three, i do majority in parliament. and three, i do not know- _ majority in parliament. and three, i do not know. it _ majority in parliament. and three, i do not know. it is _ majority in parliament. and three, i do not know. it is good _ majority in parliament. and three, i do not know. it is good when - majority in parliament. and three, i do not know. it is good when you i majority in parliament. and three, i| do not know. it is good when you do three things. i cannot help you with the third. the three things. i cannot help you with the third. , the third. the third is if parliament _ the third. the third is if parliament is _ the third. the third is if parliament is still i the third. the third is if- parliament is still functioning. i think— parliament is still functioning. i think in— parliament is still functioning. i think in this instance those tests would _ think in this instance those tests would be — think in this instance those tests would be met and in that situation, he could _ would be met and in that situation, he could not call an election. jacob rees-moog _ he could not call an election. jacob rees-moog cited _ he could not call an election. jacob rees-mogg cited the _ he could not call an election. jacob rees-mogg cited the third - he could not call an election. jacrra�*. rees—mogg cited the third reason yesterday. it reminded me. isaid rees—mogg cited the third reason yesterday. it reminded me. i said we would talk about the economy because importantly nadhim zahawi. is now the new chancellor. he has been on the new chancellor. he has been on the airwaves today. not only defending the prime minister, but also trying to set out what he may do in that post because you may

remember rishi sunak in his letter cited more about a different approach towards the economy he had with boris johnson approach towards the economy he had with borisjohnson and that was why he could not stay. let's listen. the prime minister wants to make sure we have fiscal discipline, i share that focus with him, - because if we let inflation get out of control, it is deeply damaging for those very same people i that we are trying to help today with that £37 billion of help i over the next 12 months. but, of course, i will be looking at where else can i make sure i the economy remains competitive and dynamic with our european i neighbours and, of course, l the rest of the world as well. nothing is off the table. nadhim zahawi.. what did you make of the appointment? there was talk last night that he was in conversations about becoming chancellor. others would have liked to have seen liz

truss perhaps. how long do you think he will be there for? who truss perhaps. how long do you think he will be there for?— truss perhaps. how long do you think he will be there for? who knows? you listen to him — he will be there for? who knows? you listen to him on _ he will be there for? who knows? you listen to him on the _ he will be there for? who knows? you listen to him on the radio, _ he will be there for? who knows? you listen to him on the radio, he - he will be there for? who knows? you listen to him on the radio, he said i listen to him on the radio, he said he was determined to cut taxes and everything was on the table, possibly personal and business taxes. borisjohnson said last night to a group of tory mps he thought it would be now easier to cut taxes now rishi sunak is gone. that might be the case because rishi sunak was resisting tax cuts because of the deficit. the truth remains the economy is a basket case. we still have the problems. i am not sure we will see the government agreed to a massive increase in borrowing, to agree to tax cuts. irate massive increase in borrowing, to agree to tax cuts.— agree to tax cuts. we can look at the bbc news — agree to tax cuts. we can look at the bbc news headline. - agree to tax cuts. we can look at the bbc news headline. you said agree to tax cuts. we can look at i the bbc news headline. you said the economy is a basket case and the economic backdrop is worsening with the pound sliding against the dollar. predictions of inflation up to 11%. today sees 30 million

workers seeing a pay rise because they can earn more before paying national insurance contributions as the tax threshold is raised. does it make any difference about who is chancellor at this moment? is the talk of tax cuts music to your ears? it could make a difference provided the government survives and he is imposed a significant period of time which is up in the air. coming back to what you said about the opposition to boris being only on integrity, i disagree. there is the integrity, i disagree. there is the integrity question but lots are calling into question economic policy and whether we are governing as a conservative party with conservative economic policies. we are fighting inflation but also recession which is why tax cuts should be looked at, perhaps not instantly but in the near future because most of the economic

forecasters think inflation will peak next year and at that moment we need to be growing. i think we should look at tax cuts and it is possible the treasury was an obstacle. i think it is an exciting appointment. d0 obstacle. i think it is an exciting appointment-— obstacle. i think it is an exciting appointment. obstacle. i think it is an exciting a--ointment. ,, ., appointment. do you think there are olicies appointment. do you think there are policies that — appointment. do you think there are policies that labour _ appointment. do you think there are policies that labour will _ appointment. do you think there are policies that labour will have - appointment. do you think there are policies that labour will have to i policies that labour will have to counter depending on the length of time the government is in place? when it comes to things like tax cuts. cost of living is the number one issue. cuts. cost of living is the number one issue-— one issue. cost of living, tax of livina , it one issue. cost of living, tax of living, it seems _ one issue. cost of living, tax of living, it seems like _ one issue. cost of living, tax of living, it seems like the - one issue. cost of living, tax of living, it seems like the same i living, it seems like the same thing — living, it seems like the same thing it— living, it seems like the same thing it is— living, it seems like the same thing. it is the number one issue and the — thing. it is the number one issue and the labour party have frequently said this _ and the labour party have frequently said this was not the time for example _ said this was not the time for example for the national insurance rise. example for the national insurance rise and _ example for the national insurance rise. and some of the tax cuts this week_ rise. and some of the tax cuts this week will— rise. and some of the tax cuts this week will only counterbalance the tax rise _ week will only counterbalance the tax rise that has already happened. people _ tax rise that has already happened. people in _ tax rise that has already happened. people in our constituencies, miriam, _ people in our constituencies, miriam, suddenly will not feel super rich from _ miriam, suddenly will not feel super rich from that. for a long time it

felt like — rich from that. for a long time it felt like the government does not have long—term economic plan. i remember— have long—term economic plan. i remember that is literally all george — remember that is literally all george osborne used to say, long—term economic plan. it is like a drinking — long—term economic plan. it is like a drinking game, every time he said that _ a drinking game, every time he said that and _ a drinking game, every time he said that. and the reason was partially not even — that. and the reason was partially not even because the economy is a basket— not even because the economy is a basket case, the global problems, the years— basket case, the global problems, the years of tory government that have led _ the years of tory government that have led to low growth and wage is being _ have led to low growth and wage is being squeezed. it is because they do not _ being squeezed. it is because they do not focus on it. they have focused _ do not focus on it. they have focused too much on borisjohnson and his— focused too much on borisjohnson and his misdemeanours. the focused too much on boris johnson and his misdemeanours. the economy is ke . and his misdemeanours. the economy is key- nadhim — and his misdemeanours. the economy is key. nadhim zahawi. _ and his misdemeanours. the economy is key. nadhim zahawi. is _ and his misdemeanours. the economy is key. nadhim zahawi. is indicating i is key. nadhim zahawi. is indicating he might do some of the things boris johnson would prefer, which is cutting taxes, going for growth. but will that jeopardise any

cutting taxes, going for growth. but will thatjeopardise any reputation the conservatives have had when we look at what rishi sunak said in his resignation statement? that he firmly believes the public are ready to learn the truth... the problem is it is notjust the approach of borisjohnson and rishi sunak but borisjohnson versus the rest of the party. the prime minister loves to spend and last week announced £55 billion of spending on defence. i have no idea where it will come from. plus the £22 million package recently to help the cost of living crisis. many conservative mps will look at that and say why are we not doing tax cuts? what the thing to watch for is corporation tax with a massive rise due to come in. very disliked in the

city of london. my paper the financial times said it was bad. we need business investment and have to encourage growth but the danger is if we get into the territory of unfunded tax cuts which seems to be suggested here, fiscal policy is loosened, it means the bank of england has to increase interest rates and the market could take flight and if that happens the conservative party loses the reputation but once again conservative mps will think these are not our economics.— are not our economics. economic instability tends _ are not our economics. economic instability tends to _ are not our economics. economic instability tends to stem - are not our economics. economic instability tends to stem from i instability tends to stem from political instability. is that what is happening in our? i political instability. is that what is happening in our?— political instability. is that what is happening in our? i am sure that is happening in our? i am sure that is the case — is happening in our? i am sure that is the case in _ is happening in our? i am sure that is the case in some _ is happening in our? i am sure that is the case in some situations. i is happening in our? i am sure that is the case in some situations. but| is the case in some situations. but the global— is the case in some situations. but the global economic circumstances we are in _ the global economic circumstances we are in the _ the global economic circumstances we are in. the covid debt. £400 billion borrowed _ are in. the covid debt. £400 billion borrowed during covid to prop up the economy _ borrowed during covid to prop up the economy. people on all wings of politics— economy. people on all wings of politics wanted that and some wanted more _ politics wanted that and some wanted more it— politics wanted that and some wanted more. it has happened and we have to deal with— more. it has happened and we have to deal with it _ more. it has happened and we have to deal with it. there are global

forces — deal with it. there are global forces beyond our control. we have told the _ forces beyond our control. we have told the public the truth and the public— told the public the truth and the public understand that. we are in a tricky— public understand that. we are in a tricky situation. what we do has to be balanced between stimulating the economy— be balanced between stimulating the economy and not borrowing more. appointing — economy and not borrowing more. appointing the new chancellor is the opportunity for a reset and perhaps to introduce a long—term plan. it is a chance for a reset and could possibly— a chance for a reset and could possibly allay some tory fears on conservative economic policy. you started b conservative economic policy. mt, started by saying rishi sunak was a respected colleague. but you just said we need a reset from him. he was very respected and is, he has done _ was very respected and is, he has done a _ was very respected and is, he has done a phenomenaljob during covid. who else _ done a phenomenaljob during covid. who else would have rolled out the furlough _ who else would have rolled out the furlough scheme that quickly? i am not criticising him. all i am saying is perhaps— not criticising him. all i am saying is perhaps it — not criticising him. all i am saying is perhaps it is an opportunity for a reset— is perhaps it is an opportunity for a reset economically which my colleagues have called for. | a reset economically which my colleagues have called for. i could ut the colleagues have called for. i could put the question _ colleagues have called for. i could put the question that _ colleagues have called for. i could

put the question that nadhim i colleagues have called for. i could i put the question that nadhim zahawi. accepted the role of chancellor because it would be a good platform in any subsequent leadership contest. and that sajid javid and rishi sunak have decided better to quit and perhaps launch their own leadership bids from outside government.— leadership bids from outside covernment. ~ . ., ., ~ government. what about that? i think nadhim zahawi. — government. what about that? i think nadhim zahawi. has _ government. what about that? i think nadhim zahawi. has boosted - government. what about that? i think nadhim zahawi. has boosted his i nadhim zahawi. has boosted his public profile. a lot of people watching now might not have heard of him before today and will now be more familiar with him. the problem borisjohnson has is we have to weeks until summer recess. if he gets through the next few days, he has to weeks to save his job. can you start flinging out economic policy on the hoof? we will see him at the liaison committee today and they will discuss the cost of living crisis. will he really start making announcements on the hoof? you mentioned _ announcements on the hoof? you mentioned the _ announcements on the hoof? you mentioned the liaison committee which does not sound exciting but it

is important. once borisjohnson gets through prime minister's questions, notjust from the labour leader but also questions from his own side and other opposition benches, we might be able to dip into the chamber. i can see it is filling up. the prime minister is not there. jess phillips assures me. i cannot quite see. we expect the resignation statement from sajid javid. we thought it would come pretty swiftly after pm hughes. we understand there will be a ministerial statement after prime minister's questions. —— pmqs. calls for finland and sweden to nato. and then the liaison committee with senior mps, heads of select committees grilling the prime minister. it is a good time to speak to vicki young. this tweet appeared in front of me from a journalist, a

tory source says 1922 committee, thatis tory source says 1922 committee, that is the backbench committee of conservative mps, the head of which is graham brady, drawing up contingency plans for leadership hustings to start on monday. would allow time to complete run off before recess with members voting on the final two in august but would require the prime minister to be gone this week. it require the prime minister to be gone this week.— require the prime minister to be one this week. , , ., , , gone this week. it sounds plausible. i have not gone this week. it sounds plausible. l have not had _ gone this week. it sounds plausible. i have not had that _ gone this week. it sounds plausible. i have not had that sourced - gone this week. it sounds plausible. i have not had that sourced but i i have not had that sourced but speaking to people on the 1922 committee it is clear they thought things were moving swiftly. what they do is they reflect what is going on in the party. numerous times yesterday tory mps said there are no rules. if it gets to the point where it is clear enough people have changed public position against borisjohnson, that would mean he would lose a vote, or if the letters which are going in all the time, some published by mps, if they

stack up to a point where graham brady decides he will go to the prime minister and say the majority of your mps do not want you any more. you can hang on as much as you like but we now think it is time to have another vote of confidence. they have to be confident things have changed enough to justify that. there are some mps queasy about changing rules so a leader can be challenged at any time. it is not a stable position. it seems possible. you do not need a new election of executives. they could do it tonight when they meet at five o'clock. and then you could see it happen quickly if they decide, if they go to the prime minister and tell him the game is up and he goes. i am prime minister and tell him the game is up and he goes-— is up and he goes. i am not sure exactly when — is up and he goes. i am not sure exactly when prime _ is up and he goes. i am not sure exactly when prime minister's i exactly when prime minister's questions will start because we have not seen boris johnson questions will start because we have not seen borisjohnson in the chamber but your response to that tweet from jason grace. it is chamber but your response to that tweet from jason grace.— tweet from jason grace. it is quite likel to tweet from jason grace. it is quite likely tory mps — tweet from jason grace. it is quite likely tory mps will _ tweet from jason grace. it is quite likely tory mps will look _ tweet from jason grace. it is quite likely tory mps will look at - likely tory mps will look at changing the rules and get rid of

him as— changing the rules and get rid of him as sooner they can. speaking to people _ him as sooner they can. speaking to people a _ him as sooner they can. speaking to people a week ago, tory mps said they did _ people a week ago, tory mps said they did feel uncomfortable for the reason _ they did feel uncomfortable for the reason is _ they did feel uncomfortable for the reason is about changing rules in the middle of the game but those same _ the middle of the game but those same people last night, they said those _ same people last night, they said those concerns had suddenly gone and they were _ those concerns had suddenly gone and they were happy to see the rules change _ they were happy to see the rules change and wanted it done as soon as possible _ change and wanted it done as soon as possible. and change and wanted it done as soon as ossible. . ., ,., ~._ ., change and wanted it done as soon as ossible. . ., ., ., possible. and also theresa may had a confidence vote _ possible. and also theresa may had a confidence vote at _ possible. and also theresa may had a confidence vote at the _ possible. and also theresa may had a confidence vote at the end _ possible. and also theresa may had a confidence vote at the end of - possible. and also theresa may had a confidence vote at the end of 2018 i confidence vote at the end of 2018 and then after she lost those big brexit votes, graham brady, the chair of the 1922 committee said the game is up, we can change the rules and challenge you or we can —— you can leave in a dignified way. tory said graham brady may visit boris johnson with the metaphorical equivalent of a glass of whiskey and a garden and that borisjohnson would drink the whiskey and then use the gun on graham brady. i think the prime minister will cling on. a cabinet minister i spoke to said his

fingernails are in the window frames of downing street and he will have to be dragged out. the committee might try to do whatever it once but he will not go quietly. it might try to do whatever it once but he will not go quietly.— he will not go quietly. it sounds ainful. he will not go quietly. it sounds painful. vicki _ he will not go quietly. it sounds painful. vicki young, _ he will not go quietly. it sounds painful. vicki young, keir- he will not go quietly. it sounds i painful. vicki young, keir starmer is in the chamber. here it goes. that is real money for real people and i'm sure the house willjoin me in wishing the best of luck to england and northern ireland who are competing in the uefa women's euro

2022 tournament which starts today, and i'm sure they will both make the nation proud. this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this house, i expect i shall have further such meetings later today. shall have further such meetings later today-— shall have further such meetings later toda . . , ~ ., . shall have further such meetings later toda . . , ,, ., . ., later today. last week we launched a new approach — later today. last week we launched a new approach to _ later today. last week we launched a new approach to combating - later today. last week we launched a new approach to combating knife i new approach to combating knife crime in milton keynes which means increased use of stop and search, traffic charging and custody and tougher sentencing, faster youth diversion and more work with parents and communities. would the prime minister agreed with me that if you carry a knife in milton keynes, you should expect to end up behind bars? i thank my honourable friend for what he is doing to campaign for tougher sentencing is in milton keynes and his campaign against knife crime and as a result of what the conservatives have done, adults

who are convicted of certain offences involving a knife, including threatening with a knife or a second offence of possession face a minimum sentence of six months in prison and guess who voted against tougher sentences for knife crime? we against tougher sentences for knife crime? ~ ., .., ., ., against tougher sentences for knife crime? ~ ., ., ., ., crime? we now come to the leader of the opposition. _ crime? we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir— crime? we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. - crime? we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. thank l the opposition, keir starmer. thank ou, mr the opposition, keir starmer. thank you. mr speaker- — the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. today _ the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. today is _ the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. today is the i the opposition, keir starmer. t�*ufii�*us’. you, mr speaker. today is the start of the women's euro is and i know the whole house will the lionesses the whole house will the lionesses the best of luck in bringing football home. mr speaker, it is also being 40 years since the death of terence higgins. he worked at hansard by day and heaven by night before he sadly died of aids. the labour party and the terence higgins

trust are committed to ending new cases of hiv by 2030. together, we can. mr speaker, last week a government minister was accused of sexually assaulting a young man. i want to quote the victims account. he says, open quote he grabbed my bottom and then he moved his hand down in front of my groin. i froze. i accept that is not easy listening. but it is a reminder to all of those propping up this prime ministerjust how serious the situation is. he knew the accused minister had previously showed predatory behaviour but he promoted him to a position of power anyway. why? mr speaker, that individual, the member for tamworth no longer has the conservative whip and he no longer

has a job. as soon as i was made aware of the allegation he has just read out and the complaint that was made, he lost his status as a conservative mp, and he is now the subject of an independent investigation into the complaints and grievances panel, and that is entirely right, and i want to say to him that i our poor bullying and abuse of power anywhere in parliament, in this party or any other party. parliament, in this party or any other party-— parliament, in this party or any other -a . ., ., ., , ., , other party. none of that explains wh he other party. none of that explains why he promoted _ other party. none of that explains why he promoted him _ other party. none of that explains why he promoted him in - other party. none of that explains why he promoted him in the i other party. none of that explains why he promoted him in the first. why he promoted him in the first place. and we have heard it all before. we know who he really is. before he was found out he is reported to have said he is handsy. that is the problem. pincher by

name, pincher by nature. has the prime minister ever said those words? i'm not asking for bluster or half—truths, yes or no? i am words? i'm not asking for bluster or half-truths, yes or no?— half-truths, yes or no? i am not auoin to half-truths, yes or no? i am not going to trivialise _ half-truths, yes or no? i am not going to trivialise what - half-truths, yes or no? i am not going to trivialise what has i going to trivialise what has happened. and yes, mr speaker, it's a very serious complaint raised against the memberfor tamworth a very serious complaint raised against the member for tamworth and they are now being investigated. it is true that a complaint was raised when he was in the foreign office and the matter was resolved, and it is absolutely true that it was raised with me. i greatly regret but he continued in office, and i have said that before. i have said that before, mr speaker. but it is now the subject of an independent investigation. and that is the right thing. frankly, ithink investigation. and that is the right thing. frankly, i think the people of this country would like also to

hear about other jobs of this country would like also to hear about otherjobs that are held by people in this country, not least the 500,000 people we got off welfare into work in the last six months alone. those are things that are making differences to the lives of people up and down the country, and i am proud of it. ihla of people up and down the country, and i am proud of it.— of people up and down the country, and i am proud of it. no denial. and he sa s and i am proud of it. no denial. and he says the — and i am proud of it. no denial. and he says the matter _ and i am proud of it. no denial. and he says the matter was _ and i am proud of it. no denial. and he says the matter was resolved i and i am proud of it. no denial. and l he says the matter was resolved when he says the matter was resolved when he means it was upheld. and they are all sitting there as if this is normal behaviour. when that young man reported his attack to a government whip, she asked him if he was gay. when he said that he was, he said, that doesn't make it straightforward. that comment will sicken anyone who has experienced sexual assault and then be made to feel like they somehow asked for it or worry that prejudice means their complaint will not be taken seriously. will he apologise for

those disgraceful comments on behalf of his government? i those disgraceful comments on behalf of his government?— of his government? i have already said that i regret _ of his government? i have already said that i regret very _ of his government? i have already said that i regret very much i of his government? i have already said that i regret very much that l said that i regret very much that the memberfor tamworth said that i regret very much that the member for tamworth continued to hold office after the complaint was made against him in the foreign office, and it was resolved in the foreign office and his apology was accepted. clearly that was not enough. and with hindsight, i should have realised he would not change. however, when it came to the friday of last week, and when i was given the information that he has read out about the complaint that was made against the honourable member, i acted immediately and i took the whip away from him, and we will not tolerate that kind of behaviour in this or any other party. and what we also want to do is to help people up and down the country with the things that also matter to them, like cutting their taxes by £330 this year, which is what we are doing.

doesn't that just sum him year, which is what we are doing. doesn't thatjust sum him up? orfor behaviour, unacceptable in any walk of life, it's therefore all to see but he ignores it —— awful behaviour. it was the same when his ally was on the take from the lobbyists. it was the same when his home secretary was bullying staff. it was the same when taxpayer money was being abused. and it was the same when he and his mates partied their way through lockdown. anyone quitting now after defending all that hasn't got a shred of integrity. isn't this the first recorded case of the sinking ships fleeing the rat? he recorded case of the sinking ships fleeing the rat?— fleeing the rat? he talks... he should hear— fleeing the rat? he talks... he should hear what _ fleeing the rat? he talks... he should hear what his _ fleeing the rat? he talks... he should hear what his lot - fleeing the rat? he talks... he should hear what his lot say i fleeing the rat? he talks... he - should hear what his lot say about him. he talks about integrity. he wanted to install the memberfor islington north into number ten. that is what he wanted to do.

imagine what our country and what the world would be like now. he talks about integrity. he voted 48 times to overturn the will of the british people and take us back into the european union, and by the way, listening to his muddled speech the other day, that is exactly what he would do again. he talks about integrity, but he has voted time and time again against sanctions on criminals that would put them behind bars. this is the government, i'm sorry, he talks about integrity, he is himself facing a criminal investigation over which he asked me to resign. investigation over which he asked me to resin. ~ . . . to resign. what a pathetic spectacle- _ to resign. what a pathetic spectacle. the _ to resign. what a pathetic spectacle. the dying - to resign. what a pathetic spectacle. the dying act l to resign. what a pathetic| spectacle. the dying act of to resign. what a pathetic- spectacle. the dying act of his political career is to para that nonsense. and as for those who are left, only in office because no one else is prepared to debase

themselves any longer, the charge of themselves any longer, the charge of the lightweight brigade. have some self respect. for a week he has had them defending his decision to promote a sexual predator. every day the lines he has forced them to take have been untrue. first that he was unaware of any allegation. untrue. then he was unaware of any specific allegation. untrue. then he was unaware of any serious specific allegation. and now he wants them to go out and say that he simply forgot. that his whip was a sexual predator. anyone with anything about them would be long gone from his front bench. in the middle of a crisis, doesn't the country deserve better than a z list cast of nodding

dogs? mr better than a 2 list cast of nodding dois? ~ ,, ., ~' better than a 2 list cast of nodding dos? ~ �*, , dogs? mr speaker, it's exactly when times are tough _ dogs? mr speaker, it's exactly when times are tough and _ dogs? mr speaker, it's exactly when times are tough and when _ dogs? mr speaker, it's exactly when times are tough and when the - dogs? mr speaker, it's exactly when l times are tough and when the country faces pressures on the economy and pressures on their budgets, and when we have the biggest war in europe for 80 years, that is exactly the moment that you would expect a government to continue with its work, not to walk away and to get on with ourjob and to focus on the things that matter to the people of this country. so we are not only cutting taxes today, mr speaker, we are putting £1200 into every one of the 8 million most vulnerable households in the country thanks to the strength of our economy and thanks to the decisions we took, which he opposed at the time. the onl thin which he opposed at the time. tue only thing he which he opposed at the time. tte only thing he is which he opposed at the time. t'te only thing he is delivering which he opposed at the time. tte only thing he is delivering is chaos. i started this session with a quote from the young victim in all

of this. how he froze when he was attacked. when i was prosecuting rapists, i heard that from victims all the time. victims said they froze because it's not about sex, it is about power. and the power the disgraced government minister had was handed to him by that prime minister. and he is only in power because he is being propped up for months by a corrupted party defending the indefensible. so it's no longer a case of of swapping the person at the top, isn't it clear that the only way the country can get the fresh start it deserves is by getting rid of the lot of them? mr speaker, the difference... we've aot mr speaker, the difference... we've not to net mr speaker, the difference... we've got to get through _ mr speaker, the difference... we've got to get through prime _ mr speaker, the difference... we've got to get through prime minister's questions. prime minister. the

difference _ questions. prime minister. tte: difference between this questions. prime minister. tt9 difference between this government and that opposition is we have a plan, and they do not. and we are getting on with it. they want to focus on this type of issue, but we will get on with ourjobs. we will control prices by not giving in to the union barons. they are paid by the union barons. they are paid by the union barons and they are proud of it. we were the first european country to arm the ukrainians, and i am proud of that, and those guys, the party opposite, not only do they want to putjeremy corbyn in number ten, the memberfor islington north, but eight of them, including the shadow foreign secretary, the shadow deputy leader and six others voted to get rid of our independent nuclear deterrent. today we are cutting taxes, we are helping half a million people into work and thanks to the strength of our economy, we are helping people up and down the country and we are going to continue to deliver on the mandate that i was

given. johnny mercer. thank you. on monday night, the northern ireland legacy bill reached its third reading. with it the beginning of the end of the journey to make sure the service and sacrifice of those who served in iraq, afghanistan and now northern ireland is not rewritten by those who seek only to line their own pockets. would he agree that never again can we allow such a gulf to open up between this place and those who served? never again must they be made to feel like we are not on their side and will he redouble commitments to make sure this is the best country in the world to serve in the military and be a veteran? t in the military and be a veteran? i thank him. and for all the work he has done for veterans. this bill will give them the certainty they deserve and we are fulfilling their manifesto pledge to end the cycle of

investigations and at the same time making sure families can get the answers they need about what happened to their loved ones. we now come to the — happened to their loved ones. we now come to the leader _ happened to their loved ones. we now come to the leader of _ happened to their loved ones. we now come to the leader of the _ happened to their loved ones. we now come to the leader of the snp, - happened to their loved ones. we now come to the leader of the snp, ian - come to the leader of the snp, ian blackforu — come to the leader of the snp, ian blackford. :, , , , blackford. can i give every best wish to the _ blackford. can i give every best wish to the england _ blackford. can i give every best wish to the england and - blackford. can i give every best l wish to the england and northern ireland ladies football teams as they approached the euro championships. can we commemorate the passing 40 years ago of terence higgins and those who have died from aids. i am sure the housejoins me in passing condolences to the family and friends of the scottish football goalkeeping legend who passed two early last weekend. he will long live in the memory as the best goalkeeper many of us have seen. it is easy to forget that ten days ago, the prime minister was dreaming of a third term. it is often said a week is a long time in politics but it

turns out ten days is truly a lifetime. because it is a minor miracle the prime minister has even made it through to prime minister's questions. he ought to see the faces behind him because prime minister, it really is. he is clinging on to his own fantasy but the public cannot afford to put up with this farce of a government a minute longer. today we should talk about the cost of living crisis, soaring inflation and growing cost of brexit. but instead, it is always about him. how many more ministers need to quit before he finally picks up need to quit before he finally picks up his pen and writes his own resignation letter? perhaps that is what he is doing now. t resignation letter? perhaps that is what he is doing now.— what he is doing now. i was 'ust 'ottin: what he is doing now. i was 'ust jotting down fl what he is doing now. i was 'ust jotting down notes i what he is doing now. i was 'ust jotting down notes on i what he is doing now. i was 'ust jotting down notes on his h what he is doing now. i wasjust i jotting down notes on his question which i thought was excellent when he was talking about the economy because that is the issue the country faces. that is where this

government is introducing i think the most important things. helping families up and down the country with £1200 going into their bank accounts right now. cutting taxes for 30 million people and helping half a million into work. that is a fantastic thing to be getting on and doing and is the priority of the government. that is what i will focus on and i am glad he likes it. my focus on and i am glad he likes it. my goodness. nothing to see, we should all move on if we live in the world of the prime minister. a few weeks ago i compared the prime minister to monty python's black knight. but i was wrong. he is actually the dead parrot. whether he knows it or not he is now an ex prime minister. i hope the

dishonestly of his leadership follows him out of downing street doors. the other legacy is brexit which will stay because i'm sad to say that the labour party now fully supports. mr speaker, scotland once a different future notjust a different prime minister. if he will not resign, will he call a general election and allows scotland a choice of an independent future free from the control of westminster? t from the control of westminster? i notice in his remark the labour party have given up on the european union. it is not true. they want to go back injust as he does. that is a terrible mistake and would be anti—democratic. as for the referendum he wants, we had one of them as i told him before in 2014.

does the prime minister think there are any circumstances in which he should resign? laughter. if there were circumstances i felt it was impossible for the government to go on and discharge the mandate we have been given, or if i felt for instance it would be reflected in our desire to support the ukrainian people, but frankly the job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances when he has been handed a colossal mandate is to keep going and that is what i will do. there you have it, mr speaker. once again, the prime minister, he puts political survival before public duty. but people can see, even if he goes, and it is not and if, it is and when, in the same westminster

arrogance will continue to dictate our future is arrogance will continue to dictate ourfuture is in wales. does he want a medalfor being the best recruiting sergeant for independence we could wish for?— we could wish for? when i look around the _ we could wish for? when i look around the united _ we could wish for? when i look around the united kingdom - we could wish for? when i look| around the united kingdom and we could wish for? when i look. around the united kingdom and i we could wish for? when i look- around the united kingdom and i had around the united kingdom and i had a great talk with mark drakeford as well as talking to nicola sturgeon, i see the bond of our union strength of the whole time. and i am confident they will continue to do so. : ~' confident they will continue to do so. . ~ , ., confident they will continue to do so. : ~ , ., ,., , so. flick drummond. governments levellin: so. flick drummond. governments levelling up _ so. flick drummond. governments levelling up funds _ so. flick drummond. governments levelling up funds have _ so. flick drummond. governments levelling up funds have been - levelling up funds have been successful around the country but there are town centres such as water —— waterlooville have not managed to get a scheme into the present round of funding. can he assure me that future funds will be available to help declining high streets become fit for the 21st century and survive

the post—pandemic? t fit for the 21st century and survive the post-pandemic?— fit for the 21st century and survive the post-pandemic? i thank her and she is a champion _ the post-pandemic? i thank her and she is a champion for _ the post-pandemic? i thank her and she is a champion for her _ the post-pandemic? i thank her and she is a champion for her area - the post-pandemic? i thank her and she is a champion for her area and l the post-pandemic? i thank her and she is a champion for her area and i | she is a champion for her area and i will ensure she gets a meeting with the minister for levelling up at the earliest opportunity. mark weston. -- weston- — earliest opportunity. mark weston. -- weston- the — earliest opportunity. mark weston. -- weston. the public _ earliest opportunity. mark weston. -- weston. the public clearly - earliest opportunity. mark weston. | -- weston. the public clearly thinks —— weston. the public clearly thinks the government has lost the plot over the cost of living crisis. he may be aware the average salary for a nurse is £36,000 in primary teacher £38,000. they and working people everywhere are struggling to pay rent and mortgage. given they can barely afford £150,000 mortgage on a new home, can he say how he could afford £150,000 tree house? what i can tell him is up and down the country, rather than talking about fantasy infrastructure i can

talk about real. we are helping to unite and level up the people of this country with £650 billion of investment and helping to live the aspirations of people and it is thanks to the strength of our economy, we are helping the people he describes with £1200 going into their bank accounts to help them with the cost of living pressure. the prime minister knows that while he is prime minister i want him to do all the good he can. can i refer to the goring gap, the department of levelling up, the land to the goring gap, the department of levelling up, the [and above goring station, the farm that was fully protected and will be when another inspector said worthing council protection will happen. can i ask him to tell the government to withdraw the objections to the worthing council appeal against the

absurd decision by a planning inspector to allow homes to go on the green line in this area? t inspector to allow homes to go on the green line in this area? i thank him very much- — the green line in this area? i thank him very much. he _ the green line in this area? i thank him very much. he campaigns - the green line in this area? i thank him very much. he campaigns on i the green line in this area? i thank. him very much. he campaigns on this issue. i will make sure he gets a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss the development. fin meeting with the relevant minister to discuss the development. on the 21st ofjanuary _ to discuss the development. on the 21st of january the _ to discuss the development. on the 21st of january the government - 21st of january the government committed £100 million from the automotive transformation fund to a gigafactory in my constituency. as of today, not a penny has been received by the company. it jeopardises up to 8000 much—needed jobs. the tension between the prime minister and former chancellor have

sadly now been much exposed. i am telling you, the betrayal of my constituents cannot be another broken promise in this government. give them a nudge. instruct to make sure the chequers in the post afternoon because who knows who will be in that seat this time this afternoon, never mind next week. find afternoon, never mind next week. and i congratulate — afternoon, never mind next week. and i congratulate him on the passion with which she advocates investment. i share his enthusiasm. i want to thank my honourable friend for blythe valley who is a heroic campaigner. the letter was sent last night. and in principle offer of support for this project. hang on in there, mr speaker, that is what i am

going to do. the there, mr speaker, that is what i am going to do-— going to do. the world is facing a ulobal going to do. the world is facing a global food _ going to do. the world is facing a global food crisis _ going to do. the world is facing a global food crisis in _ going to do. the world is facing a global food crisis in which - going to do. the world is facing a global food crisis in which the - global food crisis in which the poorest nations face catastrophic consequences. will he take all possible action to negotiate and facilitate access to the grain source stranded in ukraine? we have a limited opportunity to avoid famine in developing nations and the uk must play its part using resources at our disposal. tie uk must play its part using resources at our disposal. he is completely _ resources at our disposal. he is completely right. _ resources at our disposal. he is completely right. there - resources at our disposal. he is completely right. there are - resources at our disposal. he is completely right. there are 25. completely right. there are 25 million tonnes of wheat basically held hostage by putin. the equivalent to the annual consumption of many of the least developed countries. we are helping to lift that blockade. notjust by negotiation but by supplying equipment and insurance for commercial ships that might be involved and also 10 million to help to improve the railway infrastructure necessary to get the grain out by rail.—

grain out by rail. yesterday, the prime minister _ grain out by rail. yesterday, the prime minister said _ grain out by rail. yesterday, the prime minister said he - grain out by rail. yesterday, the prime minister said he is - grain out by rail. yesterday, the prime minister said he is fed - grain out by rail. yesterday, the prime minister said he is fed up| grain out by rail. yesterday, the i prime minister said he is fed up of people saying things on his behalf. it is notjust him who is fed up, so are the british people and ministers who are resigning. they are sick of being sent out by him to say things that are not true. is the real problem him or them for believing him in the first place? t problem him or them for believing him in the first place?— problem him or them for believing him in the first place? i thank him. i want to be _ him in the first place? i thank him. i want to be clear. _ him in the first place? i thank him. i want to be clear. what _ him in the first place? i thank him. i want to be clear. what i - him in the first place? i thank him. i want to be clear. what i want - him in the first place? i thank him. i want to be clear. what i want to l i want to be clear. what i want to say, and i say it again, i regret the way the appointment happened. i was clear with the house about what i knew at the time, but i want to stress i take this matter extremely seriously. i am very sorry for the impact it has had on the victims. the individual, the memberfor tamworth, is now subject to an independent complaints and grievance procedure. as soon as that began,

the complaint was made, i should say, the whip was taken away. can t say, the whip was taken away. can i say, the whip was taken away. can i sa we do say, the whip was taken away. can i say we do not _ say, the whip was taken away. can i say we do not know— say, the whip was taken away. can i say we do not know that _ say, the whip was taken away. can i say we do not know that is - say, the whip was taken away. can i say we do not know that is the case. it is confidential and i think we have _ it is confidential and i think we have to — it is confidential and i think we have to stop referring to something we do _ have to stop referring to something we do not _ have to stop referring to something we do not know. i want to put the house _ we do not know. i want to put the house on — we do not know. i want to put the house on notice we do not mention it. , , ., ., ., house on notice we do not mention it. just over a fortnight ago, two horrific fatal _ it. just over a fortnight ago, two horrific fatal stabbings _ it. just over a fortnight ago, two horrific fatal stabbings took - it. just over a fortnight ago, two | horrific fatal stabbings took place in a quiet street in east barnet. with the metropolitan police in special measures for the first time, well the prime minister urged arab london to start living up to his responsibilities? he needs to get a grip on crime and give barnet its fair share of new officers and needs to abandon plans to sell barnet police station. t to abandon plans to sell barnet police station.— police station. i do -- urge the ma or police station. i do -- urge the mayor of— police station. i do -- urge the mayor of london _ police station. i do -- urge the mayor of london to _ police station. i do -- urge the mayor of london to live - police station. i do -- urge the mayor of london to live up - police station. i do -- urge the mayor of london to live up to l police station. i do -- urge the i mayor of london to live up to his responsibilities. they voted

opposite again stop and search and increase funding for the police. and as for the labour mayor of london he would do better to get out of california and take control of crime in his city. california and take control of crime inhisci ., california and take control of crime in hisci . ., ,, in his city. according to the nhs confederation, _ in his city. according to the nhs confederation, not _ in his city. according to the nhs confederation, not a _ in his city. according to the nhs confederation, not a single - in his city. according to the nhs confederation, not a single one| in his city. according to the nhs l confederation, not a single one of the 40 new hospitals the prime minister promised at the election will be built by 2024. two of those new hospitals in my constituency. hammersmith opened in 1902 and charing cross in 1818. they are not new hospitals and there is no building going on. like all his promises, they exist only in his warped imagination. as this is likely to be his last prime minister's questions, will he finally tell the truth? tt minister's questions, will he finally tell the truth?- minister's questions, will he finally tell the truth? if he looks at what we _ finally tell the truth? if he looks at what we promised _ finally tell the truth? if he looks at what we promised and - finally tell the truth? if he looks - at what we promised and delivered, we said we would get 20,000 police on the streets and we have 13,500

more already. we said 50,000 more nurses and we are on track and he is wrong about the pledge on hospitals. we will deliver them by 2013. the only reason we can do that is because we are putting funding into our nhs, which he and his party opposed. yesterday in an attempt to boost morale in the tearoom, there were seven mps in the carlton club in one of them should have tried to intervene to stop chris from drinking so much as if that wasn't insulting enough to the people who did try and intervene that night, and also to the victims that drink was the problem. isn't it the example that is the prime minister constantly tries to deflect from the issue and always tries to blame other people small mistakes and there is nothing left for him to do other than to take responsibility

and resign. flan other than to take responsibility and resign-— other than to take responsibility and resin. :, , :, and resign. can i 'ust say you ought to be and resign. can ijust say you ought to be embarrassed _ and resign. can ijust say you ought to be embarrassed by _ and resign. can ijust say you ought to be embarrassed by clapping. - and resign. can ijust say you ought| to be embarrassed by clapping. this is not _ to be embarrassed by clapping. this is not a _ to be embarrassed by clapping. this is not a debating society. this is prime _ is not a debating society. this is prime minister's questions. i want to get— prime minister's questions. i want to get through the questions as other— to get through the questions as other people want to catch my eye and the _ other people want to catch my eye and the way to do it is not by clapping _ and the way to do it is not by clapping-— and the way to do it is not by clapping. there is a simple reason wh the clapping. there is a simple reason why they want _ clapping. there is a simple reason why they want me _ clapping. there is a simple reason why they want me out, _ clapping. there is a simple reason why they want me out, and - clapping. there is a simple reason why they want me out, and that l clapping. there is a simple reason why they want me out, and that is because they know that otherwise we are going to get on and deliver our mandate and win another general election, and that is the reality. the prime minister once wrote, it is a wonderful and necessary fact of political biology that we never know when our time is up. long after it is obvious to everyone that we are goners, we continue to believe our

duty is to hang on to the perks and privileges of our post. in reality, we are just terrified of the come—down. so, for the sake of this great country, will the prime minister heed the advice of his former self, minister heed the advice of his formerself, get minister heed the advice of his former self, get over his terror, and do the decent thing? itrulith former self, get over his terror, and do the decent thing? with great resect, i and do the decent thing? with great respect. i refer— and do the decent thing? with great respect, i refer the _ and do the decent thing? with great respect, i refer the honourable - and do the decent thing? with great respect, i refer the honourable lady| respect, i refer the honourable lady to the answer i have just given. when things are tough, of course people turn their fire on the leader of the country, but it is myjob to get on and deliver our manifesto, which we are, and deliver on the mandate on which i was elected and to get this country through tough times, just as we got it through coronavirus, that is what i will do. i apologise. around 1000 delegates from 100 countries are at the freedom of religion or belief ministerial conference over the...

there is still time for honourable members to visit. but will the prime minister agree with me that this significant conference will count for nothing unless it results in concerted global action to promote and protect freedom of religion and belief around the world? t and protect freedom of religion and belief around the world?— and protect freedom of religion and belief around the world? i thank you ve much belief around the world? i thank you very much and _ belief around the world? i thank you very much and freedom _ belief around the world? i thank you very much and freedom of _ belief around the world? i thank you very much and freedom of religion l very much and freedom of religion and belief is integral to people and identity and their sense of self and freedom and security and i thank her for the work she is doing is my own envoy on that subject and for the wonderful conference that she has organised and it was great to talk to her about it yesterday. itrul’itt organised and it was great to talk to her about it yesterday. will the prime minister _ to her about it yesterday. will the prime ministerjoined _ to her about it yesterday. will the prime ministerjoined me - to her about it yesterday. will the prime ministerjoined me and - prime ministerjoined me and expressing my deepest condolences to those injured at the explosion on the block of flats in bedford on monday which has led to the death of one resident with others yet to be

accounted for. this is a timely reminder of the dangerous work undertaken by the fire service, so will the prime ministerjoin me in praising the emergency services who were at the scene, and also reconsider his 2% pay offer when firefighters have enjoyed in real terms a pay cut of 12% over the last decade? t terms a pay cut of 12% over the last decade? :, ~ , terms a pay cut of 12% over the last decade? ., ~ , . ., decade? i thank him very much and i share very much _ decade? i thank him very much and i share very much his _ decade? i thank him very much and i share very much his support - decade? i thank him very much and i share very much his support for - decade? i thank him very much and i share very much his support for the l share very much his support for the firefighters of our country who do an incrediblejob, and overall, it is a testament to their work that deaths from fire over a long period have on average been decreasing thanks to the work that they put in and we will do our best to look at the public sector pay review body offer and do our best to fund it as much as we can, but everybody knows the inflationary pressures that the country is now under and we don't want to have pay increases that are simply swallowed by price increases.

north malton in my constituency was dubbed britton's kind this village because... wait for it, because this 160 home village committed to take 50 ukrainian refugees and they are all with them now. in the gallery today there are a group of the hosts and some of the ukrainians they are hosting, including two young people who hope to go into ukrainian politics in the future. well my right honourable friend join me in welcoming them to this place and in thanking north malton for their efforts? t thanking north malton for their efforts? :, ~ , thanking north malton for their efforts? ., ~ , . ., efforts? i thank him very much for what he is — efforts? i thank him very much for what he is doing _ efforts? i thank him very much for what he is doing to _ efforts? i thank him very much for what he is doing to host _ efforts? i thank him very much for what he is doing to host our- efforts? i thank him very much forj what he is doing to host our young ukrainians and thank everybody in this house who is looking after ukrainians and i think a lot of people are doing that, and can i say, i believe it is the wish of the entire house that those young people should grow up to live in a free, independent, democratic and sovereign ukraine.—

independent, democratic and sovereign ukraine. given that the prime minister _ sovereign ukraine. given that the prime minister doesn't _ sovereign ukraine. given that the prime minister doesn't like - prime minister doesn't like walk—outs and strikes, what legislation will he be introducing to stop further walk—outs and strikes amongst his cabinet colleagues and junior ministers? t colleagues and junior ministers? i think that the whole house will have observed the brilliant performance on the radio by the new chancellor, and that is no disrespect to the former chancellor of the exchequer, but what i think it shows is that in common with many sectors of the uk economy there is a ready supply of skilled labour in the upper reaches of the conservative party. t skilled labour in the upper reaches of the conservative party.- of the conservative party. i would like to draw _ of the conservative party. i would like to draw the _ of the conservative party. i would like to draw the prime _ of the conservative party. i would like to draw the prime minister'sl like to draw the prime minister's attention to the words he used in response to my right honourable

friend the memberfor response to my right honourable friend the member for worthing when he asked a question earlier. six months ago i called on the prime minister to resign because even then it was clear that his approach to leadership and integrity was already creating a pipeline of problems that will paralyse proper government. today i ask him to do the honourable thing, to put the interests of the nation before his own interests and before, in his own words, it does become impossible for government to do itsjob. t become impossible for government to do its 'ob. :, ~ , become impossible for government to do its 'ob. ., ~ , . do its “oh. i thank him very much for do its job. i thank him very much for the do its job. i thank him very much forthe point _ do its job. i thank him very much for the point he _ do its job. i thank him very much for the point he has _ do its job. i thank him very much for the point he has made. - do its job. i thank him very much for the point he has made. and | do its job. i thank him very much. for the point he has made. and he has made again. i couldn't disagree with him more. look at what the government is doing today. cutting taxes for 30 million people. we have just completed a programme to get half a million people off welfare into work, and thanks to the strength of our economy and the strength of our economy and the strength we are now in is because of decisions that we took that they opposed, and neverforget we

decisions that we took that they opposed, and never forget we are able to give £1200 to 8 million of the poorest and most vulnerable families in this country. that is the right thing to do. we are getting on with it, and we will continue with our active and energetic programme for the benefit of this country, uniting and levelling up and unleashing the prosperity of the entire nation. the local prosperity of the entire nation. tt9: local government prosperity of the entire nation. tt9 local government association has told us that over 400 families who have come to this country from ukraine under the family scheme have subsequently presented themselves as homeless to local authorities because the local authorities haven't got enough accommodation, those people will end up in temporary accommodation. there is a simple answer. local authorities could be allowed to contact the many thousands of people who have volunteered to provide homes under the homes for ukraine scheme. the problem is, the government doesn't allow families to transfer from the family scheme to the home scheme.

when will the prime minister act to ensure people who have gone thousands of miles to this country are not placed in temporary accommodation but we take on the generosity of those families who are willing to offer them a home? t willing to offer them a home? i thank him very much for the valuable point he raised and we will make sure that families are able to cross over from one scheme to another and to simplify and speed up the process, but i don't think that should take away from the generosity of this country in welcoming ukrainian people, 135,000 visas have so far been issued through our uncapped scheme, both the family scheme and the homes for ukraine scheme. it is changing the lives of those ukrainians, and i think we should all be proud of what we are that brings us to the end of prime minister's questions but the speaker is now going to sajid javid. yesterday, we began our day

together, you, i, my right honourable friend, the prime minister and members across the house when we broke read together at the parliamentary breakfast, and we listened all of us to the words of reverend les isaac who spoke about the fact that responsibility comes with leadership. the responsibility to serve the interests of others above your own. and to seek common ground in your party, your community, and above all, your country. colleagues will be forgiven for my sense of deja vu. despite what it might seem, i am not one of life's quitters. i did not quit when i was told that boys like me don't do maths. i didn't quit when i was told old school bankers said i didn't have the right school ties. and i didn't quit when people in my community said that i should not marry the love of my life. i cared deeply about public service. and giving back to this country that has

given me so much. that is why, when i got the call from my right honourable friend, the prime minister, just over a year ago, i did not hesitate to serve again. it was a critical time for our country. tough decisions needed to be made about when we were going to come out of lockdown, about supporting the national health service and the care sector under unprecedented strain. it has been an absolute privilege of my life to have been trusted with these responsibilities, and i can only hope that my best has been good enough. it has undoubtedly also been one of the toughest roles that i have had so far. the gravity of home office decisions, the scale of treasury decisions, but nothing matters more than the health of your people, of the british people, especially in the wake of a pandemic. caring for peoples health

and well—being is truly a noble vocation, so i would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of those across the country working in health and care sectors, as well as those that i worked so closely with in my old department, dhs c, and in the nhs. there is so much that i planned for the long term, for the long—term reform of our health and care systems and it is a wrench to leave at important work behind. now, when i last gave a personal statement from the seat, i spoke about the importance of institutions and conventions. today, it is about the importance of integrity. and, don't worry, there won't be a series of these. institutions and integrity are both central pillars that underpin our great democracy. it doesn't matter what your political perspective is in this house, i believe that we are

all motivated by the national interest, and that the public expects us all, all of us, to maintain honesty and to maintain integrity in whatever we do. this is not an abstract matter. we have seen in great democracy is what happens when divisions are entrenched and not bridged. we cannot allow that to happen here. we must bring the country together as one nation. effective governance inevitably requires loyalty and collective responsibility, of course it does. and i am instinctively a team player and i have completely focused on governing effectively over the last year. but treading the tight rope between loyalty and integrity has become impossible in recent months. and, mr speaker, iwill become impossible in recent months. and, mr speaker, i will never risk losing my integrity. i also believe a team is as good as its team captain, and that a captain is as

good as his or her team. so loyalty must go both ways. the events of recent months have made it increasingly difficult to be in that team. it's not fair on ministerial colleagues to go out every morning defending lines that don't stand up and don't hold up. it's not fair on my parliamentary colleagues, who bear the brunt of constituent dismay in their inboxes and on their doorsteps in recent elections, and it is not fair on conservative members and voters who rightly expect better standards from the party they supported. when the first stories of parties in downing street emerged late last year i was personally assured at the most senior level by my right honourable friend's then team, and i quote, that they had been no parties in downing street are no rules were broken. so, i gave the benefit of

doubt. and i went on those media rounds to say that i had had those assurances from the most senior level of the prime minister's team. then we had more stories. we had the sue gray report and a new downing street team and i continued to give the benefit of the doubt. and now this week again, we have reason to question the truth and integrity of what we have all been told. at some point we have to conclude enough is enough. i believe that point is now. i welcome the prime minister's public acknowledgement that matters could have been handled better in who he appointed and what was said about what he knew when. i appreciated his kind and humble words and his humble spirit when i went to see him yesterday and the kind letter he has sent me. but i

fear the reset button could only work so many times. there is so many times you can turn the machine on and off before you realise that something is fundamentally wrong. last month, i gave the benefit of doubt one last time. but i have not —— had not concluded the problem starts at the top. that is not going to change. i have concluded that the problem starts at the top and i believe that is not going to change. that means it is for those of us in a position who have responsibility to make that change. i wish my cabinet colleagues well. i can see they have decided to remain in the cabinet. they will have their own reasons. but it is a choice. i know just how difficult that choice is.

but let's be clear, not doing something is an active decision. i am deeply concerned about how the next generation will see the conservative party on our current course. our reputation, after 12 years in government, depends on regaining the public�*s trust. this is notjust regaining the public�*s trust. this is not just a regaining the public�*s trust. this is notjust a personal matter. the philosophy and perception of conservatives depends on it. it is central to the conservative ideal that we believe in decency, personal responsibility and in socialjustice enabled by conventions and the rule of law. the conservative mission to extend freedom and prosperity and opportunity is all at risk if we cannot uphold that ideal. and, mr speaker, it is not... the conservative party is not the only great institution in urgent need of repair. like everyone in this house

i have been dismayed by the drip of stories of harassment and worse by members of this house. i am concerned about how the next generation will see this house and the health of our democracy. in recent years, trust in our roles has been undermined through a series of scandals. but the one thing we can control is our own values and behaviour. so it is incumbent on all of us to set high standards for ourselves and to take action when they are not met by others. mr speaker, i am gratefulfor the messages of support i have heard from many members of the house and beyond. i got into politics to do something, not to be somebody. so it is hard in one way but not in another. being a good father, husband, son and citizen is good enough for me. and if i can continue

to contribute to public life and my party from the backbenches, it will be a privilege to do so. can party from the backbenches, it will be a privilege to do so.— be a privilege to do so. can i say to the house _ be a privilege to do so. can i say to the house there _ be a privilege to do so. can i say to the house there will— be a privilege to do so. can i say to the house there will be - be a privilege to do so. can i say to the house there will be no - be a privilege to do so. can i say l to the house there will be no more personal— to the house there will be no more personal statements today. goodbye, boris! . stud|01 boris! - stud|01 and boris! — studio: and that brings us to the end of that pretty devastating statement as you would imagine from sajid javid. one of the two senior cabinet ministers who quit yesterday. he got to give that resignation statement straight after prime minister's questions. he said he had given the prime minister the benefit of doubt one last time, but he had concluded the problem starts at the top. obviously with boris johnson. and that it was not going to change. those of us in a position who have responsibility to make that change, obviously an appeal to his former cabinet colleagues. rishi sunak as former chancellor has also

quit. there are now 18 in total resignations from the government, ministers on the payroll, who have decided they either no longer have confidence in borisjohnson and they certainly cannot serve in his government. let me introduce guests for the remainder of the programme. we have for the government the northern ireland ministerfor labour conor burns. and steve reed and vicki young. in terms of giving a sense of what happens now in terms of borisjohnson, it was sense of what happens now in terms of boris johnson, it was fighting of borisjohnson, it was fighting talk, or his critics would of boris johnson, it was fighting talk, or his critics would say deluded torque, from him during prime minister's questions in which he said in response to questions from his own side, never mind keir starmer, the labour leader, he will hang on in there and keep going and that with the grim faces behind him in the chamber. of course flanked by

nadhim zahawi. fishd in the chamber. of course flanked by nadhim zahawi.— in the chamber. of course flanked by nadhim zahawi. and the deputy prime minister dominic— nadhim zahawi. and the deputy prime minister dominic raab. _ nadhim zahawi. and the deputy prime minister dominic raab. support - nadhim zahawi. and the deputy prime minister dominic raab. support is - minister dominic raab. support is draining extremely quickly at all levels of the party and all rings from the park —— from the party. there have been critics and they are among those coming out today but there are others and that will be most worrying for him and he can say he will carry on and fight till the next election. i cannot imagine any prime minister can really withstand that level of opposition from his own side. people talk about him defying political gravity. i cannot see it happening in this situation, extremely difficult to do so in a country has a lot of things that need sorting. there is the question about how long this takes and the mechanism that will do that, but it seems pretty inevitable. i think the problem is criticism is coming from all of these people, talking about

integrity, decency, respect. it is about him. when you listen to what sajid javid said, as many tory mps have said, they are worried notjust about losing seats, they are worried about losing seats, they are worried about the reputation of the party and the reputation of the office of prime minister. they feel they are being tarnished by this. you can see a clear thread today from keir starmer and also sajid javid, saying to those still sitting in cabinet, look, this is a choice you have to make. and, really making them squirm. make. and, really making them suuirm. : , :, make. and, really making them suuirm. : , make. and, really making them suuirm. , ., ., squirm. are you squirming, conor burns? you _ squirm. are you squirming, conor burns? you listen _ squirm. are you squirming, conor burns? you listen to _ squirm. are you squirming, conor burns? you listen to sajid - squirm. are you squirming, conor burns? you listen to sajid javid i burns? you listen to sajid javid make the devastating statement. itrulhat make the devastating statement. what did ou make the devastating statement. what did you make — make the devastating statement. what did you make of— make the devastating statement. what did you make of it? _ make the devastating statement. what did you make of it? i _ make the devastating statement. what did you make of it? i am sorry to see him— did you make of it? i am sorry to see him resign again. iwas disappointed in what he said. he is somebody— disappointed in what he said. he is somebody i have a good relationship with. somebody i have a good relationship with the _ somebody i have a good relationship with. the prime minister is focused

on delivering on the mandate he was given— on delivering on the mandate he was given by— on delivering on the mandate he was given by the british people two and a half_ given by the british people two and a half years ago, 2019. a personal mandate — a half years ago, 2019. a personal mandate i— a half years ago, 2019. a personal mandate. i remember how broken our politics— mandate. i remember how broken our politics appeared to be before he became — politics appeared to be before he became prime minister. we lost our majority— became prime minister. we lost our majority under theresa may. parliament was turning the will of the british people and boris got a significant mandate and he is determined to feel that. the main message — determined to feel that. the main message to colleagues is to calm down _ message to colleagues is to calm down. : , ., .,. message to colleagues is to calm down. : , ., .. i. down. are they overreacting, in your view? be very _ down. are they overreacting, in your view? be very careful _ down. are they overreacting, in your view? be very careful where - down. are they overreacting, in your view? be very careful where we - down. are they overreacting, in your view? be very careful where we go l view? be very careful where we go and be careful— view? be very careful where we go and be careful about _ view? be very careful where we go and be careful about bringing - view? be very careful where we go | and be careful about bringing down view? be very careful where we go i and be careful about bringing down a prime _ and be careful about bringing down a prime minister who won a personal mandate _ prime minister who won a personal mandate from british people. we what happened _ mandate from british people. we what happened when mrs thatcher was removed — happened when mrs thatcher was removed and the toxicity injected into the _ removed and the toxicity injected into the tory party bloodstream and it took— into the tory party bloodstream and it took a _ into the tory party bloodstream and it took a decade or more for that to

work through. be careful about bringing — work through. be careful about bringing down a democratically elected — bringing down a democratically elected prime minister. absolutely devastatina elected prime minister. absolutely devastating speech _ elected prime minister. absolutely devastating speech by _ elected prime minister. absolutely devastating speech by one - elected prime minister. absolutely devastating speech by one of- elected prime minister. absolutely devastating speech by one of the l devastating speech by one of the prime minister's closest allies to this point but did not tell us anything we did not already know, that this is a prime minister with no regard for standards in public life and no regard for decency. this is a prime minister who has trashed trust in politics. it was the conservatives who [it the touch paper on a bomb exploding in their faces now. first when they elected him as leader and secondly when they had the chance to get rid of him a few weeks ago and chose to prop him up few weeks ago and chose to prop him up in power. we have had this month. ten months i think since they trooped through the lobbies to cover up trooped through the lobbies to cover up the rule breaking lobbying by owen paterson and then partygate, when we got lie after lie and they trooped out to the media to cover it up. and now we find out he lied about promoting a sex pest, abuser,

to deputy chief whip in which role he is in charge of dealing with complaints about that kind of sexual abuse. they cover up this prime minister's lying and lawbreaking time after time and frankly the country has had enough and time he went. : :, , :, country has had enough and time he went. .., , ., ., , country has had enough and time he went. .., , ., .,, , went. the complaint was upheld auainst went. the complaint was upheld against chris _ went. the complaint was upheld against chris pincher— went. the complaint was upheld against chris pincher but - went. the complaint was upheld against chris pincher but he - went. the complaint was upheld i against chris pincher but he denies subsequent allegations. tie subsequent allegations. he resigned reviousl subsequent allegations. he resigned previously and _ subsequent allegations. he resigned previously and was _ subsequent allegations. he resigned previously and was brought - subsequent allegations. he resigned previously and was brought back - subsequent allegations. he resignedj previously and was brought back into government by theresa may, chris pinchen _ government by theresa may, chris pinchen he — government by theresa may, chris pincher. he was moved to another role in _ pincher. he was moved to another role in government at a time when there _ role in government at a time when there were — role in government at a time when there were no live investigations. you know — there were no live investigations. you know his nickname was bottom pincher. ~ , .., . pincher. the prime minister conceded this was a mistake _ pincher. the prime minister conceded this was a mistake to _ pincher. the prime minister conceded this was a mistake to appoint - pincher. the prime minister conceded this was a mistake to appoint him - pincher. the prime minister conceded this was a mistake to appoint him to i this was a mistake to appoint him to that role _ this was a mistake to appoint him to that role. but this was a mistake to appoint him to that role. �* ~ , that role. but the prime minister knew about _ that role. but the prime minister knew about that _ that role. but the prime minister knew about that complaint - that role. but the prime minister knew about that complaint that l that role. but the prime minister i knew about that complaint that was upheld. that knew about that complaint that was u - held. : , . upheld. at the time chris pincher was appointed — upheld. at the time chris pincher was appointed there _ upheld. at the time chris pincher was appointed there were - upheld. at the time chris pincher was appointed there were no - upheld. at the time chris pincher was appointed there were no live j was appointed there were no live inquiries — was appointed there were no live inquiries. but was appointed there were no live inuuiries. �* : was appointed there were no live inuuiries. �* ., ., was appointed there were no live inuuiries. �* ., , ., ., , inquiries. but a complaint had been uheld inquiries. but a complaint had been upheld against _ inquiries. but a complaint had been upheld against him. _ inquiries. but a complaint had been upheld against him. the _ inquiries. but a complaint had been upheld against him. the prime - upheld against him. the prime minister was _ upheld against him. the prime minister was clear _ upheld against him. the prime minister was clear that - upheld against him. the prime minister was clear that was - upheld against him. the prime minister was clear that was a l minister was clear that was a

mistake _ minister was clear that was a mistake. you have been emotive for what you _ mistake. you have been emotive for what you have said.— what you have said. because i care about our country. _ what you have said. because i care about our country. you _ what you have said. because i care about our country. you want - what you have said. because i care about our country. you want a - about our country. you want a marxist, — about our country. you want a marxist, jeremy _ about our country. you want a marxist, jeremy corbyn, - about our country. you want a marxist, jeremy corbyn, to i about our country. you want a marxist, jeremy corbyn, to be about our country. you want a i marxist, jeremy corbyn, to be prime minister~ _ marxist, jeremy corbyn, to be prime minister. :, marxist, jeremy corbyn, to be prime minister. ., marxist, jeremy corbyn, to be prime minister. :, minister. you can pay... somebody who hates — minister. you can pay... somebody who hates our _ minister. you can pay... somebody who hates our country. _ minister. you can pay... somebody who hates our country. that - minister. you can pay... somebody who hates our country. that is i minister. you can pay... somebody who hates our country. that is not l who hates our country. that is not today's focus and you know it. the prime minister did not actually deny, he said the words put to him by keir starmer about chris pincher. pincher by name, pincher by nature. it looks to many people notjust the opposition that the prime minister lied. the prime minister has been accused of misleading parliament over pa rtygate. accused of misleading parliament over partygate. are you not tarnished with the reputation of the prime minister like the rest of the conservative party? the prime minister like the rest of the conservative party?— conservative party? the prime minister made _ conservative party? the prime minister made it _ conservative party? the prime minister made it clear - conservative party? the prime minister made it clear he i conservative party? the prime minister made it clear he has i minister made it clear he has apologised for that appointment. he said he _ apologised for that appointment. he said he should not have put chris pincher— said he should not have put chris pincher into that role. the prime minister— pincher into that role. the prime minister has acknowledged it was a

misjudgment. it is minister has acknowledged it was a misjudgment— minister has acknowledged it was a mis'udament. , ., ., misjudgment. it is the endgame. you can defend the _ misjudgment. it is the endgame. you can defend the prime _ misjudgment. it is the endgame. you can defend the prime minister- misjudgment. it is the endgame. you can defend the prime minister and i can defend the prime minister and your colleague miriam cates was there doing the same. but even she had to admit he is hanging by a thread. we have had two senior cabinet ministers quit and minister after minister also leaving their jobs and resigning as we sit here. we have had people on his own side who supported him weeks ago now saying it is over. bhd who supported him weeks ago now saying it is over.— saying it is over. and it is over. i campaigned _ saying it is over. and it is over. i campaigned to — saying it is over. and it is over. i campaigned to help _ saying it is over. and it is over. i campaigned to help boris - saying it is over. and it is over. i i campaigned to help boris become prime _ campaigned to help boris become prime minister. i was with him at his side _ prime minister. i was with him at his side when he was foreign secretary— his side when he was foreign secretary and in the year after he resigned — secretary and in the year after he resigned. he won a general election and i_ resigned. he won a general election and i still— resigned. he won a general election and i still support the prime minister~ _ and i still support the prime minister. if the charge loyalty to the prime — minister. if the charge loyalty to the prime minister, to my friend, i plead _ the prime minister, to my friend, i plead guilty. the prime minister, to my friend, i plead guilty-—

plead guilty. you are complicit. what ou plead guilty. you are complicit. what you say — plead guilty. you are complicit. what you say to _ plead guilty. you are complicit. what you say to that? - plead guilty. you are complicit. what you say to that? i - plead guilty. you are complicit. what you say to that? i am i plead guilty. you are complicit. | what you say to that? i am loyal plead guilty. you are complicit. i what you say to that? i am loyal to the prime — what you say to that? i am loyal to the prime minister. who was given a massive _ the prime minister. who was given a massive mandate by the british people — massive mandate by the british people and it is the british people who should determine whether the prime _ who should determine whether the prime minister remains as prime minister~ — prime minister remains as prime minister. : prime minister remains as prime minister. ., ., ., ., minister. there are a lot of your colleagues _ minister. there are a lot of your colleagues who _ minister. there are a lot of your colleagues who do _ minister. there are a lot of your colleagues who do accept i minister. there are a lot of your colleagues who do accept if i minister. there are a lot of your colleagues who do accept if you | colleagues who do accept if you think— colleagues who do accept if you think back— colleagues who do accept if you think back to _ colleagues who do accept if you think back to when _ colleagues who do accept if you think back to when boris - colleagues who do accept if you i think back to when boris johnson colleagues who do accept if you - think back to when boris johnson was elected _ think back to when boris johnson was elected leader. — think back to when boris johnson was elected leader, there _ think back to when boris johnson was elected leader, there was _ think back to when boris johnson was elected leader, there was an- think back to when boris johnson was| elected leader, there was an impasse in parliament. — elected leader, there was an impasse in parliament, things _ elected leader, there was an impasse in parliament, things needed - elected leader, there was an impasse in parliament, things needed movingl in parliament, things needed moving and he _ in parliament, things needed moving and he delivered _ in parliament, things needed moving and he delivered a _ in parliament, things needed moving and he delivered a democratic- in parliament, things needed moving and he delivered a democratic vote. i and he delivered a democratic vote. those _ and he delivered a democratic vote. those things — and he delivered a democratic vote. those things they _ and he delivered a democratic vote. those things they think— and he delivered a democratic vote. those things they think he - and he delivered a democratic vote. those things they think he should i and he delivered a democratic vote. | those things they think he should be praised _ those things they think he should be praised for. — those things they think he should be praised for. but— those things they think he should be praised for, but since _ those things they think he should be praised for, but since he _ those things they think he should be praised for, but since he has- those things they think he should be praised for, but since he has been. praised for, but since he has been in power. — praised for, but since he has been in power. and _ praised for, but since he has been in power, and obviously— praised for, but since he has been in power, and obviously put - praised for, but since he has been in power, and obviously put off. in power, and obviously put off track— in power, and obviously put off track by— in power, and obviously put off track by a _ in power, and obviously put off track by a pandemic, _ in power, and obviously put off track by a pandemic, but- in power, and obviously put off track by a pandemic, but since| in power, and obviously put off- track by a pandemic, but since then there _ track by a pandemic, but since then there has— track by a pandemic, but since then there has been— track by a pandemic, but since then there has been a _ track by a pandemic, but since then there has been a lot _ track by a pandemic, but since then there has been a lot of— track by a pandemic, but since then there has been a lot of apologies. l there has been a lot of apologies. but actually — there has been a lot of apologies. but actually not _ there has been a lot of apologies. but actually not delivering - there has been a lot of apologies. but actually not delivering much i but actually not delivering much else in _ but actually not delivering much else in government. _ but actually not delivering much else in government. there - but actually not delivering much else in government. there is i but actually not delivering much else in government. there is no| else in government. there is no stability — else in government. there is no stabili . else in government. there is no stabili , stability. sa'id javid paid tribute to the stability. sajid javid paid tribute to the vaccine _ stability. sajid javid paid tribute to the vaccine roll-out - stability. sajid javid paid tribute to the vaccine roll-out in i stability. sajid javid paid tribute l to the vaccine roll-out in financial to the vaccine roll—out in financial support _ to the vaccine roll—out in financial support given to businesses and individuals. he support given to businesses and individuals-— support given to businesses and individuals. ., ., individuals. he got them right. that is the end of— individuals. he got them right. that is the end of the _ individuals. he got them right. that is the end of the programme. i individuals. he got them right. that is the end of the programme. a - is the end of the programme. a dramatic day in westminster. i will

be back tomorrow at 11:1i5am. a slightly earlier time. goodbye.

the prime minister remains defiant, saying he'll get on with his job despite a steady stream of ministerial resignations. boris johnson tells a packed and ready prime minister's questions that he is not working away despite the resignation of two senior members of the cabinet and 16 junior government and party figures. the the cabinet and 16 'unior government and party figures.— and party figures. the 'ob of a prime minister fi and party figures. the 'ob of a prime minister in _ and party figures. the job of a prime minister in difficult - prime minister in difficult circumstances when he is being handed a colossal mandate. and that's what i'm going to do. labour's sir keir starmer said the prime minister was in the dying act of his career. anyone quitting now, after defending all that,

hasn't got a shred of integrity.