this is bbc news. i'm chris rogers and these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world... breaking news this hour — japan's former prime minister shinzo abe has died after being shot while delivering a speech at a campaign event. police say a 41—year—old man suspected of carrying out the shooting with an improvised gun was arrested at the scene. the battle to replace borisjohnson as the uk's conservative party leader begins after he admits his time is up. are you going to be the next prime minister? attention now turns to who might replace him — with some mps remaining tight—lipped over whether they willjoin the race. meanwhile, mps tom tugendhat and suella braverman confirmed their intention to run.

it is really quite downing street today compared to the last few days but that campaigning to be your next prime minister is under way. we will talk to supporters of some of those who are running or likely to run. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the formerjapanese prime minister, shinzo abe has died after being shot while giving a speech at a campaign event. eye witnesses say mr abe was shot twice from behind while giving a speech in the street.

the country's current prime minister fumio kishida has condemned the shooting — calling it an act of brutality and world leaders have expressed their shock. a man was detained after the shooting, which happened in the city of nara in western japan. let's go straight to our correspondent mariko oi, who's in singapore. incredibly shocking, notjust because violence is so rare in japan, it has been for such a long time, it's very difficult to get hold of a gun but shinzo abe, we must remain our viewers, he remains a very powerful man injapan, he was a very powerful man injapan, he was a hugely influentialfigure. a very powerful man in japan, he was a hugely influential figure.— a hugely influential figure. indeed, he comes from _ a hugely influential figure. indeed, he comes from a _ a hugely influential figure. indeed, he comes from a political- a hugely influential figure. indeed, he comes from a political family i a hugely influential figure. indeed, l he comes from a political family and he comes from a political family and he has been, he was japan's longest

serving prime minister, only stepped down in 2020. as you said, he still has a huge influence over the current administration. for example, when russia invaded ukraine mr abe said japan need to increase military spending and chocolate after you start hearing from the current prime minister at fumio kishida echoing the sentiment. you can see how still very influential he is and it came as a huge shock, only four or heard the news he was shot at around 11:30am at local time injapan, in the city of nara. japan has an upper house election coming up on sunday which is why he was out on the streets, giving a speech, supporting one of the candidates in the city. apparently that the visit was only confirmed late last night so how the suspect managed to find out about it and prepared his attack, it remains to be seen. as you say, a

41—year—old man who lives in the city of nara has been in police custody, courted by a couple of media reports saying he had disagreements with mr abe's policies and decided to attack him. this kind of violence is extremely rare and it comes as a huge shock to everyone in japan. and it has been confined by the ruling liberal democratic party that he has passed away. it is also shocking because political violence is incredibly rare in japan political violence is incredibly rare injapan as well. i've just noticed world leaders around the world, very quick to come out and express their shock. he was notjust a popular leader injapan, he was a popular leader on the international stage. yes, i mean, a couple of decades ago japan was known for a revolving door of ministers, then shinzo abe, for

the second time he became prime minister, served for many years and as a result became the face of japanese politics, became very close friends with for example vladimir putin, he had a very close ties with him and since russia's invasion of ukraine mrabe has him and since russia's invasion of ukraine mr abe has come under some criticism for that. he is also known for is a very nationalistic views, he at first it relationships with countries like china and south korea when he was prime minister. he was a divisive figure while his economic policy has been cheered by lots of investors, his foreign policy has been quite controversial and as a result some of the relationship japan has with its neighbours were somewhat strained as well. fiur somewhat strained as well. our colleagues _ somewhat strained as well. our colleagues at — somewhat strained as well. our colleagues at bbc _ somewhat strained as well. our colleagues at bbc monitoring noticed in china leaders have expressed their shock and paying tribute to shinzo abe but online they're not as in lots of chinese nationalists are

celebrating his death, showing how divisive he was there, he did not have friends everywhere. how do you think he would like to be remembered? you been reporting on his careerfor some time remembered? you been reporting on his career for some time now. remembered? you been reporting on his careerfor some time now. well. his career for some time now. well, he was a politician _ his career for some time now. well, he was a politician who _ his career for some time now. well, he was a politician who pushed - his career for some time now. -ii he was a politician who pushed for that constitution. japan has the pacifist constitution since the end of the second world war. he wanted that to be changed and he's been pushing for that since he was in office. and even after he stepped down he has been quite vocal about japan's military spending and how japan's military spending and how japan needs to work with its allies when it comes to for example the russian invasion of ukraine at the current government of fumio kishida has been quite proactive in working with the united states and some other western allies to put pressure on russia, which did not happen in 2014. as i said, he was a very

influentialfigure. even though he might not have been the most popular politician in japan, might not have been the most popular politician injapan, especially among those on the left, this attack comes as a huge shock and we're now seeing a lot of pictures of him as a young child because of course his grandfather was a prime minister, his father was a senior politician in the liberal democratic party as well. so lots of very old footage of him, i guess climbing up the political ladder, if you like, of japanese politics, has been played many times on a local media as people remember his legacy. just to remind ou people remember his legacy. just to remind you of— people remember his legacy. just to remind you of a _ people remember his legacy. just to remind you of a breaking _ people remember his legacy. just to remind you of a breaking news - people remember his legacy. just to remind you of a breaking news if - people remember his legacy. just to | remind you of a breaking news if you have justjoined us whenever you're watching the bbc, formerjapanese prime minister shinzo abe has died after being shot when giving a speech at a campaign event. eyewitnesses says mr abe was shot twice from behind while giving a

speech in that street at a campaign event. the prime minister calling it an act of brutality. mariko 0i is with me in singapore. perhaps you can remind us what we know so far about the shooting, close analysis of the weapon seems to show this is not confirmed, that it was an improvised weapon. it is shocking because this just does not happen in japan, does it? because thisjust does not happen in japan. does it?— japan, does it? indeed. it's been reorted japan, does it? indeed. it's been reported the _ japan, does it? indeed. it's been reported the suspect, _ japan, does it? indeed. it's been. reported the suspect, 41-year-old reported the suspect, 41—year—old man, had two guns, one of which was home—made. that was somewhat speculated earlier on because some of the bystanders took some footage of the bystanders took some footage of the bystanders took some footage of the shooting and you could see the weapon that he was holding. it was a very chunky, it look very awkward, and since then we've heard from the police in nara it may have been home—made. as you said, gun control is very, very strict and

thatis control is very, very strict and that is why a lot of questions have been asked how he got hold of this. and also how he managed to plan it. at the same time, the security, because japan rarely sees gun violence like this, even though there were security guards are round, mr abe at the time of the attack they did not exactly, they were not exactly used to this kind of thing and even though people heard two gunshots, they probably did not react to it as if they were gunshots because you just rarely experience anything like that. so it really comes as a huge shop and we are now seeing live pictures of the hospital where mr abe has been treated. i guess the doctor treating him is about to speak about what had happened but as we reported it's now been confirmed by an official, by the ruling liberal democratic party

that mr abe has died after being shotin that mr abe has died after being shot in the city of nara during an election campaign this morning. there will be a lot of people watching who do not live injapan it will be wondering why anybody would want him dead, why anybody would want him dead, why anybody would want to carry out this assassination. way too early to speculate but what is important to emphasise isjust speculate but what is important to emphasise is just how influential he remained out of office. so influential that i understand sometimes in the current prime ministerfound it very sometimes in the current prime minister found it very difficult to get some of the policies through. yeah, absolutely. he still had that huge influence over the current administration as well as the previous administration of, he was the prime minister during the tokyo 0lympics which had to take place during the pandemic. you hear reports about how mr abe give advice, the prime minister, current

prime minister went to seek his advice and all those reports. you can see how influential mr abe remained. at the same time, while this kind of crime is very rare, he was a very controversial figure. 0bviously what people say on social media, online, is not exactly what they would do but in terms of some of that threat is that i have personally read against mr abe when he was prime minister, they could be quite violent. at the same time, people might write something so violent and aggressive online but they do not act on it. as a result, people do not take it seriously but unfortunately in this incident someone did act on it and unfortunately this time mr abe is confirmed to have died from that gunshot injury. can you stay with us as we continue to bring our reviewers this breaking news from japan but now would be a

really good time to look at the career of shinzo abe. this report from gareth barlow. he was japan's longest serving post—war prime minister and for shinzo abe, a career in politics was surely his destiny. by the time he was just ten years old, his grandfather and great uncle had both held the post that he would one day secure for himself. born in 1954, by the late 1970s, the young shinzo abe left university in tokyo to study political science in the united states. on his return tojapan, two years later, he joined kobe steel and shortly after worked for his father, who was, by that time, the country's foreign minister. it was in 1993 that shinzo abe won his first parliamentary seat and he would later go on to hold a series of government posts. domestically, as prime minister, he sought to bolster national identity and historical traditions.

under his watch, the position of emperor in civic life was reaffirmed and he sought, albeit unsuccessfully, to revise the country's post—war constitution. but it was his economic plan, or abenomics, that was perhaps the most high—profile policy of his time in office. 0n the international stage, shinzo abe took a tough stance towards north korea, avoided a trade war with the united states under donald trump, and signed a host of partnerships with regional and western allies. he also worked to strengthen japan's defences and boost military spending. despite winning general elections in 2014 and 2017 with sizable majorities, shinzo abe's personal approval rating suffered in the latter years of his time in office. a series of damaging corruption scandals and a mixed record in confronting the covid—19 crisis damaged his reputation. japan's hosting of the delayed olympic games was unpopular among many in the country as the world

continued to grapple with covid—19. and a visit to a memorial that honours japan's military dead, which includes the remains of people convicted of war crimes during the second world war, drew anger from regional neighbours. in 2020, the then 65—year—old announced he would resign from his post as prime minister for health reasons. for many years, he suffered from inflammatory bowel disease but with the condition worsening, prime minister abe said it was time to step down, sincerely apologising to the people of japan for doing so. translation: | needed to fight. against the disease and be treated. and still i have to make important political decisions. i cannot make any mistakes in terms of important decision—making. i cannot do this and so i made the decision not to continue myjob as the prime minister. after a lifetime in politics, shinzo abe will be remembered

for not only his historic tenure and time in office, but also for ushering in a new era in both japanese politics and public life. 0ur breaking news this hour is the former prime minister ofjapan has died. he was shot at campaign event, shinzo abe, he was giving a speech at the time, the current prime minister fumio kishida has denounced the attack saying we cannot accept this violent act took place during an election. the condition of democracy in the strongest terms, i condemn this act. we will get a lot more from japan. let's speak now to victor teo — he is assistant professor in the department of japanese studies at the university of hong kong. imean, it i mean, it would be great to get your reaction initially, notjust as a professor but as a person who has studied this region, knows so much

about that, to the death of such popular and such an authoritative and influentialformer popular and such an authoritative and influential former leader of japan. and influential former leader of jaan. ., ~ and influential former leader of jaan. ., and influential former leader of jaan, ., ~' ., and influential former leader of jaan. . ., ., japan. thank you for having me. i 'ust want japan. thank you for having me. i just want to _ japan. thank you for having me. i just want to state _ japan. thank you for having me. i just want to state i _ japan. thank you for having me. i just want to state i have - japan. thank you for having me. i just want to state i have left - japan. thank you for having me. i just want to state i have left the i just want to state i have left the university of hong kong two years ago. but as a person who studied japan for almost 20 years i would say mr abe is one of the most outstanding politicians injapan and as a person i am very saddened by that loss of his life. i would say for the most part abe has galvanised the nation of japan for the most part abe has galvanised the nation ofjapan during this for the most part abe has galvanised the nation of japan during this past decade or so and has led japan to greater heights. it's a very sad day five of the injapan. hour greater heights. it's a very sad day five of the in japan.— five of the in japan. how did he do it forjapan — five of the in japan. how did he do it forjapan -- _ five of the in japan. how did he do it forjapan -- sad _ five of the in japan. how did he do it forjapan -- sad date _ five of the in japan. how did he do it forjapan -- sad date for- it forjapan —— sad date for everyone injapan. it forjapan -- sad date for everyone in japan.- it forjapan -- sad date for everyone in japan. one thing he manaued everyone in japan. one thing he managed to _ everyone in japan. one thing he managed to do _ everyone in japan. one thing he managed to do is _ everyone in japan. one thing he managed to do is he _ everyone in japan. one thing he managed to do is he has - everyone in japan. one thing he managed to do is he has led - everyone in japan. one thing he i managed to do is he has led japan everyone in japan. one thing he - managed to do is he has led japan on a course that has sort of united

japan and led japan forward, mobilising its resources towards becoming a more normal nation and thatis becoming a more normal nation and that is trying to get japan to overcome the shackles imposed after the second world war. abe was doing his utmost to try and, if you like, improve the security situation for japan through militarisation of japan, to the advocating of greater global presence through foreign policies. and strengthening the us— japan alliance. i think this is where the real treatment of abe lies. ~ , ., ., where the real treatment of abe lies. ~ ., ., ., , lies. when you read autobiographies of former world _ lies. when you read autobiographies of former world leaders _ lies. when you read autobiographies of former world leaders and - lies. when you read autobiographies of former world leaders and when i lies. when you read autobiographies. of former world leaders and when you hear them speak about shinzo abe today and in the past, they speak particularly warmly of him. they are not just particularly warmly of him. they are notjust doing the drill, why do you think there is so much affection for

him among current and former world leaders? i him among current and former world leaders? ~' ., him among current and former world leaders? ~ ., ., .,, leaders? i think one of the most important _ leaders? i think one of the most important things _ leaders? i think one of the most important things about - leaders? i think one of the most important things about abe - leaders? i think one of the most important things about abe is i leaders? i think one of the most | important things about abe is his longevity as prime minister in japan, most of the world leaders today, i mean, anybody who studies japanese politics will know prior to abe there's been a series of revolving door prime ministers, prime ministers who served a very short tenure is, mostly, five of them, a year, around a year or less. abe estate on as the longest running prime minister —— abe stayed on. he was able to propose policies and act on them and actually work with a range of leaders in other countries in both asia and the rest of the world. abe has come to make many friends across the world, in the united states as well as in east asia. i would say he has a presence on the global stage and he is a well

liked in some quarters. hat on the global stage and he is a well liked in some quarters.— liked in some quarters. not all, in some. liked in some quarters. not all, in some- stay _ liked in some quarters. not all, in some. stay with _ liked in some quarters. not all, in some. stay with me _ liked in some quarters. not all, in some. stay with me for _ liked in some quarters. not all, in some. stay with me for a - liked in some quarters. not all, in| some. stay with me for a moment. liked in some quarters. not all, in i some. stay with me for a moment. we are getting details of what journalists in japan are getting details of what journalists injapan have been told at a press conference, —— at the nara medical hospital. doctors saying he sustained wounds around the right side of his neck. 0bviously they had been working relentlessly to try and save his life. but the said first set was bleeding profusely and unfortunately doctors could not save him —— abe was bleeding profusely. looking at pictures of the device, while not confirmed, it looks home—made. we know guns are particularly hard to hold in japan know guns are particularly hard to hold injapan and there are strict gun control there and therefore political violence or violence of

any kind involving firearms has been any kind involving firearms has been a very rare since the late 1980s and early 1990s injapan. with me as an expert on the region and we were just talking about how celebrated shinzo abe's career will be by world leaders and people around the world. he had a huge profile as japan's prime minister. how do you think people injapan will be reacting today, as they hear that news from the hospital? this was a shoot to kill, the person behind this wanted him dead. i kill, the person behind this wanted him dead. ~ , .,, him dead. i think most people in ja an do him dead. i think most people in japan do not _ him dead. i think most people in japan do not condone _ him dead. i think most people in japan do not condone violence i him dead. i think most people in j japan do not condone violence of him dead. i think most people in i japan do not condone violence of any sort so i think regardless of one's political views this news will not be welcomed by the people of japan. secondly, japan has actually lost a very popular statesman, not everybody in japan very popular statesman, not everybody injapan supports and but for the most part people acknowledge abe has been a strong and in many

ways popular leader ofjapan at ways popular leader of japan at least ways popular leader ofjapan at least for the last decade. he steered japan through some very difficult times and i think you'll fondly remembered by many japanese people. indeed. many thanks for your time and your analysis and your insight. thank you for holding your video camera for so long as well but really good to to you. thank you. i really good to to you. thank you.— really good to to you. thank ou. . , ., , really good to to you. thank ou. . , ., ,, thank you. i am still able to speak to mariko oi, _ thank you. i am still able to speak to mariko oi, our— thank you. i am still able to speak to mariko oi, our correspondent i thank you. i am still able to speak to mariko oi, our correspondent in to mariko 0i, our correspondent in singapore. a difficult one for you, as you've done so much work on shinzo abe. a difficult time for the region. don't you think this is a worrying, is this a worrying development, is there something happening here?— development, is there something happening here? well, i don't think this means that _ happening here? well, i don't think this means that the _ happening here? well, i don't think this means that the crime _ happening here? well, i don't think this means that the crime rate i happening here? well, i don't think this means that the crime rate willl this means that the crime rate will go this means that the crime rate will 9° up this means that the crime rate will go up injapan or anything like

that. at the same time i was looking at some reaction on social media and some people have been saying japanese way of election campaigning, a very senior politicians out on the street with one two security guards actually making those speeches, may be a bit too risky. so i think there will be some reviews as to how this should be done, whether the rules may change and so on. but it is just an attack shocked at this moment. as you said the doctor who has been treating mr abe has been holding a press conference and giving us some details of how his injury had resulted in his death. the reaction, regardless of your political view on whether or not you agreed with his policies, a lot of shock because this is a country where this kind of crime hardly ever happens and it is

still remaining to be seen how the suspect has actually managed to get hold of a gun and, art, created one himself, because that would be quite worrying. presumably that will be further investigations into whether more protection is needed forjapan's politicians. the current prime minister has called this a deplorable attack on democracy. that will be without worry, won't it, while we cannot really speculate who or why this act took place or who was behind it, if it is an attack on democracy that could be a very worrying trend —— this will be their worry. worrying trend -- this will be their wor . ~' worrying trend -- this will be their wor . ~ .. worrying trend -- this will be their wor . ~ ., , , worry. i think the fact it happened literall a worry. i think the fact it happened literally a few _ worry. i think the fact it happened literally a few days _ worry. i think the fact it happened literally a few days before - worry. i think the fact it happened literally a few days before the i literally a few days before the national election, that's a very concerning. also, iwas national election, that's a very concerning. also, i was reading some lawmakers on social media saying when he was speaking on that street, ahead of this election, he was just

told to die and he tweeted saying evenif told to die and he tweeted saying even if you do not agree with my policies, one should not say things like that. and honestly one should not act upon it. i think up this moment, not many people had ever even imagined there is a violent words you hear and read on social media would actually happen in real life. and that is what is really shocking everyone injapan at the moment. indeed, mariko 0i, we will leave that for now. there is much more on this on the bbc news website, with live updates from mariko and other colleagues in the regency on the bbc. world leaders are also reacting, many will have spoke to shinzo abe on many occasions, the longest serving prime minister in japan. 0ne longest serving prime minister in japan. one of the world leaders, while he remains a leader is boris

johnson saying he is incredibly sad to hear the news of a shinzo abe's death. he was shot while making a speech during a political campaign, supporting a candidate and was rushed to the nearest hospital but doctors have confirmed in the last hour or so they were unable to save his life. let's focus now on the latest in british politics and the future of the conservative party — after prime minister borisjohnson resigned yesterday after weeks of pressure. let's go to victoria derbyshire in downing street. trying to get more insight on who might replace him while the government continues to try to do itsjob. no doubt they will be digesting that awful news about shinzo abe as well. but the race to replace borisjohnson has started, following the prime minister's

resignation as conservative party leader — after days of mutiny within his government. some mps have already begun to launch their campaigns. the chairman of the foreign affairs committee tom tugendhat is the latest to bid for leadership, joining the attorney general suella braverman. other senior figures are understood to be gathering support behind the scenes. but there is anger among some tories — that the prime minister will remain in post until his successor is appointed — that could be in october. the former prime minister sirjohn major has also expressed his concern. 0ur political correspondent ione wells reports. behind the doors of number ten this morning, things are very different from yesterday. on wednesday night, the message was that the prime minister was going to fight on. by 9am on thursday, he was going to step down as conservative party leader. tory mps have spent weeks frustrated at number ten changing their line, whether that be over downing street

parties or what the prime minister knew about sexual misconduct allegations against his former deputy chief whip, chris pincher. but this time, the change of line was welcomed by many of them. it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister. so i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019 — many of them voting conservative for the first time — thank you for that incredible mandate. in the end, it was his own mps that pushed him. as we've seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful. and when the herd moves, it moves. and, my friends, in politics, no—one is remotely indispensable. not even the prime minister himself. with so many of his ministers

resigning from government, many questioned if there would be enough tory mps left to replace them. but replace them he did, in a swift cabinet reshuffle yesterday morning. he's conceded this cabinet won't be making big changes, more just holding the fort until a successor is announced. a timetable for that tory leadership contest will be announced next week by the backbench 1922 committee of tory mps. but, unofficially, it's already under way. backbench mp tom tugendhat has declared he will be running. the attorney general, suella braverman, says she'll throw her hat in the ring. reporter: do you regret standing by the prime minister for so long? | arch brexiteer steve baker has hinted as much, too. it's understood the former chancellor, rishi sunak, and the man who took over from him, nadhim zahawi, have campaigns under way, and that sajid javid,

who resigned as health secretary and transport secretary, grant shapps, are seriously considering a pop at the top job. thank you all very much. thank you. a new leader, who will become prime minister, is expected by september. they'll first need the backing of enough tory mps. the final two will fight it out for votes from tory members. in the meantime, borisjohnson remains behind these doors, home for now with his wife and children. he'll still host cabinet with his new set of ministers. but this isn't the end of the tory discontent. some of his mps think he should have resigned as prime minister, too, and left immediately to let someone else steer the ship that he can no longer summon the authority to captain. ione wells, bbc news. so so who are at the other potential candidates to be leader of the conservative party and your next

prime minister. at cabinet on tuesday, borisjohnson was circled by possible successors. some have been campaigning quietly for months, eyeing up the topjob, waiting for the gun to be fired. you could be hearing a lot from these names over the summer. the next prime minister will be picked by the tory party and it's likely to be a crowded field with no obvious front runner. so who might enter the race? well, there's rishi sunak, chancellor of the exchequer, until he quit on tuesday. he is believed to be putting a leadership team together, but some tory mps are cross he didn't cut taxes. sajid javid has stood for leader before and was the first cabinet minister to resign this week. the foreign secretary liz truss has never hidden her intentions. she voted remain in 2016 but has been a fierce defender of brexit ever since. the grass roots seem to like her. penny mordaunt is a royal navy reservist, and defence secretary under theresa may, now widely thought to be gunning

for the topjob. and there's nadhim zahawi, appointed chancellor this week and ambitious, as they all are. the government's top legal officer, suella braverman, has already put her hat in the ring, and was gently teased about it by labour. and can i say what an honour it is to be at this dispatch box it is to be at this despatch box facing the next prime minister, as she awaits her call from the palace. attorney general. i know the right honourable lady loves to degrade these these question sessions to petty politics. i'm not going to lower myself to her standards. the list goes on. there's a lot of chat about ben wallace, the defence secretary, and grant shapps, the transport secretary, is also seriously considering a run for leader. then there are the dark horses. backbencher tom tugendhat launches his leadership bid in the daily telegraph. and there are more. i've had enough experience within government to know i can chair the meetings, i can lead the people, i have,

the ideas, i can mobilise secretaries of state to do what needs to be done. i'm absolutely confident, if i seize power, i'd do a good job. borisjohnson plans to stick around as prime minister, while tory mps and party members plough through the process of picking a new leader. but the rules for this election are not nailed down yet, and there are tory mps who want to see mr johnson out sooner. i think what we need to do is appoint a caretaker this weekend, somebody who won't run to be leader. i really worry, otherwise, we're going to get into a febrile, hotjuly coronation of somebody in a hurry. and are you going to have a crack at it? no, i won't be running, but i will be working this summer to make sure we get the right person. this is crucial. we're in the last chance saloon. this party is packed with talent. the public haven't seen enough of it. restoring some calm after the chaos, rebuilding trust in political standards, the candidates will argue about the direction of the tory party, but they will all agree the culture of leadership has to change. ben wright, bbc news, westminster.

i want to show you larry, i don't know if you can see him in the shot, this is literally the only action going on in downing street this morning, larry the cat being escorted into number ten by a police officer! laughter duncan kennedy is in worthing — where the local mp had called for borisjohnson to resign. good morning, duncan. good morning, victoria, good morning, duncan. good morning, victoria. and — good morning, duncan. good morning, victoria, and welcome _ good morning, duncan. good morning, victoria, and welcome to _ good morning, duncan. good morning, victoria, and welcome to this _ victoria, and welcome to this beautiful day on the beautiful south coast in worthing, full of conservative held seat, chip chichester, worthing and brighton and eastbourne. 110,000 population and eastbourne. 110,000 population and a rather nice pier built in 1862, a real victorian seaside town. it has actually won pier of the year twice in the last few years although

world war ii engineers stopped germans in using it as a landing post was right up to date with two people who have joined post was right up to date with two people who havejoined us, laura and colin. i will ask those critical questions. firstly, we are a day or so on, but do you think boris should have resigned, what is your view? yes, i think he should have resigned. i yes, i think he should have resigned-— yes, i think he should have resi ned. . , . , . yes, i think he should have resiuned. . , . , . ., resigned. i was never a big fan of boris, resigned. i was never a big fan of boris. never _ resigned. i was never a big fan of boris, never really _ resigned. i was never a big fan of boris, never really trusted i resigned. i was never a big fan of boris, never really trusted him. l boris, never really trusted him. ever_ boris, never really trusted him. ever since — boris, never really trusted him. ever since brexit, he would never have _ ever since brexit, he would never have got— ever since brexit, he would never have got my vote. since then. i am very pleased — have got my vote. since then. i am very pleased he has gone. we had a little drink— very pleased he has gone. we had a little drink to celebrate, in fact. what _ little drink to celebrate, in fact. what about the idea of him staying on a hit _ what about the idea of him staying on a hit to— what about the idea of him staying on a bit to let his successor get organised? seems a bit strange to me, organised? seems a bit strange to me. are _ organised? seems a bit strange to me, are necessary. once you have made _ me, are necessary. once you have made that— me, are necessary. once you have made that decision, it is time to probably— made that decision, it is time to probablyjust move on and let somebody else have a go. any ideas on who should _ somebody else have a go. any ideas on who should have _ somebody else have a go. any ideas on who should have another- somebody else have a go. any ideas on who should have another go, i on who should have another go, success is? i am not a big fan of any of the contenders. aha, success is? i am not a big fan of any of the contenders.— success is? i am not a big fan of any of the contenders. a lot of them that i any of the contenders. a lot of them that i have — any of the contenders. a lot of them that i have certainly _

any of the contenders. a lot of them that i have certainly read _ any of the contenders. a lot of them that i have certainly read about i any of the contenders. a lot of them that i have certainly read about our. that i have certainly read about our brexiteers — that i have certainly read about our brexiteers. —— successes. rishi sunak— brexiteers. —— successes. rishi sunak is— brexiteers. —— successes. rishi sunak is quite popular. any mordant may he _ sunak is quite popular. any mordant may be but— sunak is quite popular. any mordant may be but i— sunak is quite popular. any mordant may be but i would like to see may a woman _ may be but i would like to see may a woman i_ may be but i would like to see may a woman i am — may be but i would like to see may a woman. lam not may be but i would like to see may a woman. i am not sure. may be but i would like to see may a woman. lam not sure. —— penny woman. iam not sure. —— penny mordant— woman. lam not sure. —— penny mordant maybe. woman. i am not sure. -- penny mordant maybe.— woman. i am not sure. -- penny mordant maybe. next door to you is colin, mordant maybe. next door to you is colin. retired _ mordant maybe. next door to you is colin, retired and _ mordant maybe. next door to you is colin, retired and living _ mordant maybe. next door to you is colin, retired and living on - mordant maybe. next door to you is colin, retired and living on the i colin, retired and living on the south coast, same sort of questions, what about boris johnson's resignation? i what about boris johnson's resignation?— what about boris johnson's resianation? ., , resignation? i was quite relieved because i don't _ resignation? i was quite relieved because i don't think _ resignation? i was quite relieved because i don't think he - resignation? i was quite relieved because i don't think he has i resignation? i was quite relieved | because i don't think he has done resignation? i was quite relieved i because i don't think he has done a good _ because i don't think he has done a good joh— because i don't think he has done a good job overall. _ because i don't think he has done a good job overall, led _ because i don't think he has done a good job overall, led us _ because i don't think he has done a good job overall, led us into- good job overall, led us into brexit. _ good job overall, led us into brexit, which— good job overall, led us into brexit, which has— good job overall, led us into brexit, which has been- good job overall, led us into brexit, which has been a i good job overall, led us into- brexit, which has been a disaster. quite _ brexit, which has been a disaster. quite honestly— brexit, which has been a disaster. quite honestly when _ brexit, which has been a disaster. quite honestly when he _ brexit, which has been a disaster. quite honestly when he was - brexit, which has been a disaster. quite honestly when he was first i quite honestly when he was first appointed, — quite honestly when he was first appointed, my— quite honestly when he was first appointed, my wife _ quite honestly when he was first appointed, my wife and - quite honestly when he was first appointed, my wife and i- quite honestly when he was first appointed, my wife and ijust- appointed, my wife and ijust laughed _ appointed, my wife and ijust laughed out— appointed, my wife and ijust laughed out loud _ appointed, my wife and ijust laughed out loud because i appointed, my wife and ijust laughed out loud because wej appointed, my wife and ijust- laughed out loud because we couldn't believe _ laughed out loud because we couldn't believe they— laughed out loud because we couldn't believe they chose _ laughed out loud because we couldn't believe they chose him! _ laughed out loud because we couldn't believe they chose him! in _ laughed out loud because we couldn't believe they chose him! in a - laughed out loud because we couldn't believe they chose him! in a way, i. believe they chose him! in a way, i am quite _ believe they chose him! in a way, i am quite glad _ believe they chose him! in a way, i am quite glad somebody— believe they chose him! in a way, i am quite glad somebody a - believe they chose him! in a way, i am quite glad somebody a bit- believe they chose him! in a way, i| am quite glad somebody a bit more level-headed — am quite glad somebody a bit more level—headed can _ am quite glad somebody a bit more level—headed can take _ am quite glad somebody a bit more level—headed can take over. - am quite glad somebody a bit more level— headed can take over. let’s i level-headed can take over. let's come to that _ level-headed can take over. let's come to that in _ level-headed can take over. let's come to that in one _ level-headed can take over. let's come to that in one second. i level—headed can take over. come to that in one second. him holding on for a month or two or three whilst this is all sorted out? he has a perfectly good deputy and he should stand aside and let the

deputy take care of things for the next couple of months. politically, you see yourself as an independent, what about his successor, any thoughts, any name that leaps out at you? ida thoughts, any name that leaps out at ou? ., . , . thoughts, any name that leaps out at ou? ., ., , ., .,, thoughts, any name that leaps out at ou? ., . , . . , ., thoughts, any name that leaps out at ou? ., ., , ., ., ., you? no names have leapt out at me. i am independent, _ you? no names have leapt out at me. i am independent, as _ you? no names have leapt out at me. i am independent, as you _ you? no names have leapt out at me. i am independent, as you say. - you? no names have leapt out at me. i am independent, as you say. i- you? no names have leapt out at me. i am independent, as you say. i will. i am independent, as you say. i will wait until— i am independent, as you say. i will wait until people _ i am independent, as you say. i will wait until people have _ i am independent, as you say. i will wait until people have volunteeredl wait until people have volunteered for the _ wait until people have volunteered for the job, — wait until people have volunteered fortheioh. put— wait until people have volunteered for the job, put their— wait until people have volunteered for the job, put their names - for the job, put their names forward, _ for the job, put their names forward, and _ for the job, put their names forward, and then— for the job, put their names forward, and then see - for the job, put their names forward, and then see what| forward, and then see what statements _ forward, and then see what statements they _ forward, and then see what statements they come i forward, and then see what statements they come out i forward, and then see what i statements they come outwith, forward, and then see what - statements they come out with, to statements they come outwith, to see what _ statements they come outwith, to see what sort — statements they come out with, to see what sort of— statements they come outwith, to see what sort of leader _ statements they come out with, to see what sort of leader they- statements they come outwith, to see what sort of leader they are i see what sort of leader they are going _ see what sort of leader they are going to — see what sort of leader they are going to he _ see what sort of leader they are going to toe-— see what sort of leader they are going to be. does that sort of say there is nobody _ going to be. does that sort of say there is nobody obvious - going to be. does that sort of say there is nobody obvious to - going to be. does that sort of say there is nobody obvious to take i going to be. does that sort of say i there is nobody obvious to take over from boris, which is one of his reasons for saying why he should stay in power. reasons for saying why he should stay in power-— stay in power. there is nobody obvious from _ stay in power. there is nobody obvious from my _ stay in power. there is nobody obvious from my point - stay in power. there is nobody obvious from my point of i stay in power. there is nobody| obvious from my point of view. stay in power. there is nobody i obvious from my point of view. boris knows _ obvious from my point of view. boris knows people — obvious from my point of view. boris knows people better— obvious from my point of view. boris knows people better than _ obvious from my point of view. boris knows people better than i - obvious from my point of view. boris knows people better than i do! - obvious from my point of view. boris knows people better than i do! but. obvious from my point of view. boris knows people better than i do! but i| knows people better than i do! but i think _ knows people better than i do! but i think i_ knows people better than i do! but i think lam — knows people better than i do! but i think... i am prepared _ knows people better than i do! but i think... i am prepared to _ knows people better than i do! but i think... i am prepared to wait. i- knows people better than i do! but i think... i am prepared to wait. i am| think... i am prepared to wait. i am sure— think... i am prepared to wait. i am sure there— think... i am prepared to wait. i am sure there is — think... i am prepared to wait. i am sure there is somebody— think... i am prepared to wait. i am sure there is somebody waiting i think... i am prepared to wait. i am sure there is somebody waiting in i sure there is somebody waiting in the wings — sure there is somebody waiting in the wings we _ sure there is somebody waiting in the wings. we will— sure there is somebody waiting in the wings. we will have _ sure there is somebody waiting in the wings. we will have to - sure there is somebody waiting in the wings. we will have to see i sure there is somebody waiting in. the wings. we will have to see who it is _ the wings. we will have to see who it is. ., ., , the wings. we will have to see who it is. . . , ., the wings. we will have to see who it is. . ., , ., ., , it is. laura, first of all, in terms ofthe it is. laura, first of all, in terms of the issues, _ it is. laura, first of all, in terms of the issues, whoever - it is. laura, first of all, in terms of the issues, whoever takes i it is. laura, first of all, in terms i of the issues, whoever takes over, what should be the priority?-

what should be the priority? gosh! brinauin what should be the priority? gosh! bringing the _ what should be the priority? gosh! bringing the country _ what should be the priority? gosh! bringing the country back - what should be the priority? gosh! bringing the country back a - what should be the priority? gosh! bringing the country back a bit of stability— bringing the country back a bit of stability after covid. with inflation, people are just struggling generally in there so i think— struggling generally in there so i think we — struggling generally in there so i think we need some stability. that's probably— think we need some stability. that's probably the main thing. climate change. — probably the main thing. climate change, that is important to me, i would _ change, that is important to me, i would he — change, that is important to me, i would be keen to see some buddy who has good _ would be keen to see some buddy who has good policies around that. quickly, — has good policies around that. quickly, colin, cost of living, is that a priority?— that a priority? cost of living is certainly one — that a priority? cost of living is certainly one of— that a priority? cost of living is certainly one of the _ that a priority? cost of living is certainly one of the priorities l that a priority? cost of living is i certainly one of the priorities and climate _ certainly one of the priorities and climate change _ certainly one of the priorities and climate change is _ certainly one of the priorities and climate change is what _ certainly one of the priorities and climate change is what we - certainly one of the priorities and climate change is what we said. i certainly one of the priorities and i climate change is what we said. and ithink— climate change is what we said. and i think one _ climate change is what we said. and i think one or— climate change is what we said. and i think one or two _ climate change is what we said. and i think one or two other— climate change is what we said. and i think one or two other things - i think one or two other things where — i think one or two other things where he _ i think one or two other things where he has _ i think one or two other things where he has made _ i think one or two other things where he has made mistakes, j i think one or two other thingsi where he has made mistakes, i i think one or two other things - where he has made mistakes, ithink can he _ where he has made mistakes, ithink can be corrected _ where he has made mistakes, ithink can be corrected now. _ where he has made mistakes, i think can be corrected now.— where he has made mistakes, i think can be corrected now. thank you very much indeed- — can be corrected now. thank you very much indeed- i— can be corrected now. thank you very much indeed. i know _ can be corrected now. thank you very much indeed. i know you _ can be corrected now. thank you very much indeed. i know you are - can be corrected now. thank you very much indeed. i know you are off- can be corrected now. thank you very much indeed. i know you are off for l much indeed. i know you are off for a bus ride, you are enjoying the sea front, laura, thank you for your time. as i say, we are in conservative heartland and where i am standing the conservative majority is about 7000 and just along the way, it is about 15,000. as you get a sense, not scientific,

but you get a sense, victoria, that some people here not too happy with borisjohnson. but not some people here not too happy with boris johnson. but not yet some people here not too happy with borisjohnson. but not yet clear about what should come next. absolutely, thank you very much, duncan, thank you. dr catherine haddon, is a senior fellow at the independent thinktank the institute for government. her research focuses on changes of government and ministers, and the workings of the constitution. let me ask you about that first of all, doctor catherine haddon, there has been lots of talk about the constitution. we don't have a written constitution in this country, do we just go on previous examples of what has gone before? we do examples of what has gone before? - do have some aspects of it written down. what we are dealing with at the moment is written down in the cabinet manual, it talks about what happens when prime minister is ostensibly lost the support of his party. therefore, the confidence of mps. and that there should be some restrictions on the kind of activities, they try and avoid using

the word caretaker but ostensibly, thatis the word caretaker but ostensibly, that is what it is. but this period is showing up the problems in that. because the cabinet manual is just a guide. it is based on convention. yes, it is based on past historical examples and precedent but a lot of it in terms of interpretation comes down to people inside government understanding the principles and working out what that means when it comes to individual decisions

and that the workings of government and our democracy. to have pushed it to the limit where a lot of people are not saying i don't see any other option, it is in a sense quite ironic. in terms of the next few months, decisions can be made. you properly heard james cleverly on the radio this morning who said there will be stuff to do, there will be decisions taken, borisjohnson has made clear he will not do anything radical. we've sort of been here before although there are differences because previous prime ministers left about policy at would as that seems to about —— seems to

be about the integrity. as that seems to about -- seems to be about the integrity.— be about the integrity. theresa may had lost the — be about the integrity. theresa may had lost the confidence _ be about the integrity. theresa may had lost the confidence of _ be about the integrity. theresa may had lost the confidence of her i had lost the confidence of her party, policy was a huge part of that but also her suitability and capability. in a sense it was similar because there was that loss of confidence of her party. she already was serving a minority government so it was difficult anyway to get anything through parliament. now it is much more about discretion and there are other rules in place in the run—up to a general election but it is not even you don't have parliament sitting, there is no parliament, so the rules are much stricter about what governments can and can't do. it's basically a holding pattern. with the current one it's more about discretion because things happen and the economy being the way it is, big questions about energy, fuel, pate disputes, there will be pressure points on the government. james cleverly is quite right the government still needs to govern and make decisions but what they need to

do is think about, what is not going to be controversial in the context of a leadership battle going on, borisjohnson said to cabinet yesterday he did not want to tie the hands of any of his successors. it's about not making massive long—term decisions but we are still waiting to see what that means in terms of a lot of what the government had on its agenda, even to push through parliament in the next couple of weeks. we may not know until next weeks. we may not know until next week what they mean in practice. thank you for talking to us. i'm joined now by former conservative government minister and former brexit party mep, ann widdecombe. good morning to you, ann widdecombe, who would you like to be your next leader? ,., ., ., | who would you like to be your next leader?_ i said i who would you like to be your next leader?_ i said who | leader? good morning. i said who would ou leader? good morning. i said who would you like _ leader? good morning. i said who would you like to _ leader? good morning. i said who would you like to be _ leader? good morning. i said who would you like to be the - leader? good morning. i said who would you like to be the next i would you like to be the next conservative party leader in and uk prime minister?— conservative party leader in and uk prime minister? �* , ., ., , prime minister? anybody who answered that ruestion prime minister? anybody who answered that question is — prime minister? anybody who answered that question is an _ prime minister? anybody who answered that question is an idiot _ prime minister? anybody who answered that question is an idiot because - prime minister? anybody who answered that question is an idiot because it i that question is an idiot because it is too premature, we need to see

what the line—up is. i am looking for a brexiteer, probably nadhim zahawi and may be rishi though i think there are issues to be addressed. i am looking for a brexiteer and somebody who has proved themselves. certainly, you can say that about nadhim zahawi, with his background in coming here and how well he has done. but i am looking... you won't get me pronouncing any time soon who i think it ought to be.— pronouncing any time soon who i think it ought to be. when you say rishi sunak _ think it ought to be. when you say rishi sunak has _ think it ought to be. when you say rishi sunak has issues, _ think it ought to be. when you say rishi sunak has issues, what i think it ought to be. when you say rishi sunak has issues, what do i think it ought to be. when you say i rishi sunak has issues, what do you mean? ~ �* ., ., ~ rishi sunak has issues, what do you mean? ~ �* ., ., mean? well, i'm looking at all the roblems mean? well, i'm looking at all the problems about _ mean? well, i'm looking at all the problems about his _ mean? well, i'm looking at all the problems about his wife's - mean? well, i'm looking at all the problems about his wife's tax i problems about his wife's tax status, etc. itend problems about his wife's tax status, etc. i tend to think, 0k, status, etc. i tend to think, ok, that status, etc. i tend to think, 0k, thatis status, etc. i tend to think, ok, that is over, that is done with but i know very well how your profession works and where he'd to become the prime minister, the whole issue would be reopened and the press would be reopened and the press would go dirty digging, they would find every last thing. and so ijust have a slight reservation. i may

have a slight reservation. i may have overcome that reservation by the time, you know, we are anywhere neara the time, you know, we are anywhere near a final. but i am not there yet. near a final. but i am not there et. �* , , ., , ., near a final. but i am not there et. �*, , ., yet. it's interesting that you say ou are yet. it's interesting that you say you are still _ yet. it's interesting that you say you are still looking _ yet. it's interesting that you say you are still looking towards i yet. it's interesting that you say you are still looking towards a l you are still looking towards a brexiteer. you are still looking towards a iarexiteer-_ you are still looking towards a brexiteer.- for _ you are still looking towards a brexiteer. yes. forsome you are still looking towards a brexiteer. yes. for some people, that issue — brexiteer. yes. for some people, that issue is _ brexiteer. yes. for some people, that issue is done, _ brexiteer. jazz for some people, that issue is done, it's in the past, now. it that issue is done, it's in the past. now-— that issue is done, it's in the ast, now. , ., , , ., past, now. it should be. it should be done. past, now. it should be. it should be done- and _ past, now. it should be. it should be done. and i _ past, now. it should be. it should be done. and i had _ past, now. it should be. it should be done. and i had made - past, now. it should be. it should be done. and i had made the i be done. and i had made the mistake... 50 be done. and i had made the mistake- - -— be done. and i had made the mistake... , ., , mistake... so why do you still need a brexiteer? _ mistake... so why do you still need a brexiteer? well, _ mistake... so why do you still need a brexiteer? well, can _ mistake... so why do you still need a brexiteer? well, can i _ mistake... so why do you still need a brexiteer? well, can i finish i mistake... so why do you still need a brexiteer? well, can i finish my. a brexiteer? well, can i finish my answer? of _ a brexiteer? well, can i finish my answer? of course. _ a brexiteer? well, can i finish my answer? of course. i— a brexiteer? well, can i finish my answer? of course. i had - a brexiteer? well, can i finish my answer? of course. i had thought a brexiteer? well, can i finish my. answer? of course. i had thought it was done. answer? of course. i had thought it was done- and _ answer? of course. i had thought it was done. and i _ answer? of course. i had thought it was done. and i had _ answer? of course. i had thought it was done. and i had made - answer? of course. i had thought it was done. and i had made that - was done. and i had made that mistake until very recently, when the conversation changed. people like tobias ellwood and michael heseltine and others were saying, well, you know, if boris goes, brexit can go. i don't want to see it reopened. i believe it is done at the way to make sure it is not reopened is to have a brexiteer whose attitude is, "let'sjust reopened is to have a brexiteer whose attitude is, "let's just get on with it" and not revisit the whole question. there are two ways of revisiting brexit, one which i

don't expect to see, that we go back in and anybody proposing that. secondly, to try and concede too much to the eu at the various sensitive negotiations going on. it is important to me. i take your point, a few weeks ago i would have said exactly what you had said, it is done and dusted but it has raised its ugly head again.— its ugly head again. thank you very much for talking _ its ugly head again. thank you very much for talking to _ its ugly head again. thank you very much for talking to us _ its ugly head again. thank you very much for talking to us here - its ugly head again. thank you very much for talking to us here on - its ugly head again. thank you very much for talking to us here on bbc| much for talking to us here on bbc news, thanks for your time, ann widdecombe talking to us from devon. let's go back to chris, who is in the studio. victoria, thank you for that. you can always rely on ann widdecombe for a lively one, can't you? breaking news, this hour. really quite sad news, it really is, very shocking, in fact. something thatis very shocking, in fact. something that is almost unheard of nowadays, particularly injapan. the formerjapanese prime minister, shinzo abe, has died after being shot

while giving a speech at a campaign event. in nara injapan. world leaders are expressing shock and disbelief over the attack. including prime minister boris johnson. indian prime minister narendra modi tweeteed: he had not long leftjapan. india has also announced a day of national mourning as a mark of respect.

that just shows thatjust shows how he is celebrated and liked the world over by world leaders and the people they lead. joining us now michael penn, author and president of the shingetsu news agency. you may not have agreed with everything he stood for but he brought stability to japan. he was incredibly popular as you can tell from the messages from world leaders. he was very popular, very liked. ., , ., ., ., ., , liked. certainly among world leaders he was liked — liked. certainly among world leaders he was liked and _ liked. certainly among world leaders he was liked and known. _ liked. certainly among world leaders he was liked and known. you - liked. certainly among world leaders he was liked and known. you know, | he was liked and known. you know, before he came into power, there was a bad six consecutive years of one prime minister every year. everybody was saying japan had lost a lot of its credibility around the world, the fact that people couldn't even remember the name of the japanese prime minister at any particular

time. abe was definitely the person who stopped that. he had more than eight years, the longest consecutive premiership in all ofjapanese premiership in all of japanese history, premiership in all ofjapanese history, going back to the beginning of the prime ministerial cabinet system in 1885. definitely he had a profile. he was well known. and among world leaders in particular, there is no doubt that he was a japanese person they knew the most and had seen the most often. it was and had seen the most often. it was more than consistency, _ and had seen the most often. it was more than consistency, surely? - and had seen the most often. it was more than consistency, surely? a i and had seen the most often. it was| more than consistency, surely? a lot of world leaders speak very warmly of world leaders speak very warmly of him, they clearly had a relationship with him. but also we must remind ourselves that even out of office, which is why noranda modi would have wanted to meet him on his recent visit, he was incredibly powerful. —— noranda until his death today he was the

second most powerful man injapan even after he resigned the premiership. even after he resigned the premiership-— even after he resigned the premiership. he even after he resigned the --remiershi. ~ , ., m premiership. why was that? he was the head of— premiership. why was that? he was the head of the _ premiership. why was that? he was the head of the largest _ premiership. why was that? he was the head of the largest faction - premiership. why was that? he was the head of the largest faction of. the head of the largest faction of the head of the largest faction of the ruling party, 95 lawmakers who are basically directly loyal to him inside the japanese parliament. that was part of it. he definitely represented a certain point of view, which was the hard right conservative point of view that was very eager to have japan revise its constitution and re—militarise and be deeply engaged in security affairs in east asia. and for those who supported those views and support those views, he was very much a heroic figure. disliked by those who didn't like that policy. indeed, sadly according to bbc monitoring, some of those people have been very quick to take to social media to celebrate his death,

particularly chinese nationalists. although we should say chinese leaders have expressed their shock and sadness over his death. yes, divisive in some quarters but should we be worried about his death? is this an ugly cornerjapanese politics and democracy is turning? it's interesting, in the debate, if you hear the japanese reactions to his shooting and more recently his death, the word "democracy" comes out quite often. many people in japan are worried that this is something that will shake their democracy. they are not used to violence being used in domestic politics, at least not in recent and past decades is a different story. certainly that is an issue. my own senseis certainly that is an issue. my own sense is that if we look back some years in the future, this will look more like an aberration than the beginning of a new movement. japan is an ageing society. it is not a society where political violence is particularly endemic. this is

really, i think, particularly endemic. this is really, ithink, an particularly endemic. this is really, i think, an exceptional event. and probably not leading to a darker age in that sense injapanese politics. darker age in that sense in japanese olitics. ~ ~ ., darker age in that sense in japanese olitics. ~ . ., ., ., darker age in that sense in japanese olitics. ~ . ., ., darker age in that sense in japanese olitics. a ., ., ., ~ ., politics. michael, good to talk to ou, politics. michael, good to talk to you. michael— politics. michael, good to talk to you, michael penn, _ politics. michael, good to talk to you, michael penn, president. politics. michael, good to talk to you, michael penn, president of| politics. michael, good to talk to i you, michael penn, president of the shingetsu news agency. emanuel macron has also now reacted to the death of shinzo abe, who was shot just a few hours ago while making a speech. emmanuel macron says that france expresses its full solidarity with japan after the killing of the formerjapanese prime minister, shinzo abe. more reaction coming in. that is by the french foreign affairs ministry. indeed, many world leaders are reacting to the news, including borisjohnson, who took time out from speaking to his new cabinet and trying to move on from

events of yesterday to express his sadness at the death of shinzo abe, saying that the uk stands firm with the people of japan and saying that the uk stands firm with the people ofjapan and shinzo saying that the uk stands firm with the people of japan and shinzo abe's family. let's get more now on the latest on british politics, after the prime minister resignation yesterday as leader of the conservative party. he says he wants to stay on as prime minister until a replacement is found. that could be october. there are concerns from teaching unions over the lack of stability at the top of the government. just in the last five different years, there have been five education secretaries! let's speak to one of those who has voiced their concerns — geoff barton, general secretary at the association of school & college leaders. you have released an article this morning expressing your concern about how many education secretaries there might be until october. i

suppose every education secretary wants to make their mark. it is not just a continuation of a policy for british education, it is what that education secretary wants to do. absolutely, what the past 48 hours have reminded us of is that we have a kind of politicalfootball whereby positions of significant authority are allocated and removed at the whim of the prime minister. i got a phone call from a journalist yesterday just phone call from a journalist yesterdayjust before midday saying it has been six hours, we haven't had almost anybody running education in the department for education, how are your members feeling? they are getting on and running our schools and colleges. the message for here is, can we have less tinkering and leave our school leaders and college leaders to get on with the most important stuff? equally, it is important stuff? equally, it is important to remind ourselves there are some big decisions pending above are some big decisions pending above a very big one over teachers�* pay full so it would be unthinkable not having somebody make that decision

next week. the average tenure of an education secretary is 19 months. what is that really saying in terms of the value that the government has given to education? that it is seen as something you have as a stepping stone to a future role?— stone to a future role? decisions aren't going _ stone to a future role? decisions aren't going to — stone to a future role? decisions aren't going to be _ stone to a future role? decisions aren't going to be made - stone to a future role? decisions aren't going to be made like - stone to a future role? decisionsj aren't going to be made like that aren�*t going to be made like that until there is a new prime minister who will probably want to bring in their own cabinet. so, what are you asking for? for whoever is put in position now, whoever is the education secretary now, to remain education secretary now, to remain education secretary now, to remain education secretary after october? no, i am education secretary after october? no, iam not education secretary after october? no, i am not saying that. i welcome the fact there is a so—called caretaker incumbent in this role that i had a conversation with james cleverly, he talked to all the union leaders yesterday. simply made the point to him however long you will be in position, there are two things. one, we don�*t need a swathe of new ideas, thank you very much. on the other hand, there are some important decisions that need to be made. the one about teachers�* pay, as i reminded him, really needs to be made before the summer holidays because the people i represent,

school and college leaders, with their governors need to set budgets for next year and they need to know two things. what will be salaries be for teachers, two things. what will be salaries be forteachers, new two things. what will be salaries be for teachers, new teachers, teachers who have been around for a while, and leaders. that is a decision we are waiting for. secondly, is that going to be fully funded? if it is not fully funded, you will see redundancies of teaching assistants and teachers. i made that point to him and said there is an urgency to this. doing the media rounds this morning, he was reflecting that back and it makes me more optimistic... we have got... ijust want to interrupted very briefly. literally ten seconds, yes or no answer, do you have faith injames cleverly ten seconds, yes or no answer, do you have faith in james cleverly as an education secretary? it is you have faith in james cleverly as an education secretary?— an education secretary? it is too earl to an education secretary? it is too early to say. _ an education secretary? it is too early to say. i — an education secretary? it is too early to say, i have _ an education secretary? it is too early to say, i have had - an education secretary? it is too early to say, i have had one - early to say, i have had one conversation with him. thank you for our time, conversation with him. thank you for your time. we _ conversation with him. thank you for your time, we must _ conversation with him. thank you for your time, we must leave _ conversation with him. thank you for your time, we must leave it - conversation with him. thank you for your time, we must leave it there. . your time, we must leave it there. we will have the very latest on our top stories in a few moments time after the latest weather. our top story does remain that shinzo abe, the former prime minister ofjapan has died after being shot at an election rally injapan. we will

keep you updated. hello, everyone. well, we are expecting temperatures to rise significantly over the next couple of days. we�*ve been talking about it for a while now. we�*re seeing more in the way of sunshine. in fact, since first like this morning, we�*ve had some lovely weather watchers�* pictures that have been sent in to us. this is the situation. we have this area of high pressure. it�*s trying to build. a couple of things to mention, though, this weak weather front to the north introducing more in the way of clouds and some patchy rain as well into northern parts. what does that look like on the close up view?

well, like this, it�*ll introduce more of a breeze as well across northern parts, western parts of scotland, we�*re seeing thicker clouds here through northern ireland, into northern parts of england as well, whereas further south, we�*re seeing more in the way of that sunshine and indeed higher temperatures. we could get to 27 or 28 celsius today across some southeastern parts. whereas, further north and further west, it is cooler, especially where we see a bit of that cloud, maybe a bit of light rain or drizzle as well. we also have to talk about uv levels, which are high or very high in places across southern parts. we have this gradient, then, up towards the northwest, where it becomes medium and then low. pollen levels also high or very high at the moment. the bbc weather app has all the very latest wherever you are as far as that�*s concerned. let�*s move on, then. so, the high pressure is now establishing itself as we look towards the weekend. if you like, dry weather, well, it�*s good news. we still have a couple of weak weather fronts close to northern parts. and, again, these will introduce thicker cloud and a bit more of a breeze. today, it�*ll be quite breezy across northern parts of scotland. we�*ll see that easing a bit as we head through tomorrow. plenty of dry weather, plenty of sunshine across much of england and wales in particular.

across southern parts, cooler further north and again cloudier here, but hopefully more in the way of drier weather across scotland, as we look towards tomorrow. as for sunday, a very similar sort of thing, but i think we�*ll tend to see the cloud thinning and breaking more readily across northern ireland and across parts of scotland. the hebrides, the western isles still cooler and cloudier, but for the majority, if you like your sunshine, it�*s good news. we�*ll see plenty of that. but if you don�*t like warm weather, not such great news. again, those temperatures just now starting to move towards 30 celsius. and it�*s this stage we�*re starting to move towards the heatwave territory, the high pressure and a couple of weak weather fronts nearby then over the next couple of days, but not very much relief as far as those temperatures go. we�*ll keep you posted. stay safe. see you soon.

this is bbc news. i�*m joanna gosling and these are the latest headlines at 11... japan�*s former prime minister shinzo abe has been assassinated while delivering a speech at a campaign event. police say a 41—year—old man suspected of carrying out the shooting with an improvised gun was arrested at the scene. tributes pour in from around the world with borisjohnson describing his death as incredibly sad. here at downing street, a very quiet downing street compared to the last few days, the race to succeed boris johnson has begun. so well braverman and now tom tugendhat have both said they will run to be the next conservative party leader and your next prime minister.

some mps remain tight—lipped over whether they will join the race as others begin to confirm their intentions. he has to go from being prime minister. he is a proven liar now and is someone who cannot be trusted and is someone who cannot be trusted and we cannot have him on for three months. the formerjapanese prime minister, shinzo abe has died after being shot at a campaign event. eye witnesses say the 67—year—old was shot twice from behind while giving a speech in the street. the country�*s current prime minister fumio kishida has condemned the shooting — calling it an act of brutality. a man was detained after the shooting, which happened in the city of nara in western japan. world leaders have

expressed their shock. borisjohnson has issued a short statement, paying tribute to shinzo abe, saying �*his global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. mrjohnson says his thoughts are with mr abe�*s family, friends and the japanese people and that the uk stands with japan at this dark and sad time. our correspondent mariko oi has the latest. he comes from a political family and he was japan�*s longest serving prime minister and only stepped down in 2020, but as you said, he still has huge influence over the current administration, so, for example, when russia invaded ukraine he came out and said thatjapan when russia invaded ukraine he came out and said that japan needed to increase military spending and shortly after you start hearing from the current prime minister, fumio kishida, echoing the sentiment, so you can see how still very influential he is, and it came as a

huge shock when we first heard the news he was shot at around 11:30am at local time this morning injapan. of course, japan has an upper house election coming up this sunday and thatis election coming up this sunday and that is why he was out in the streets giving a speech and supporting one of the candidates in the city. apparently the visit was only confirmed late last night, so how the suspect managed to find out about it and prepare his attack, that remains to be seen. but as you say, a suspect, a 41—year—old man who lives in the city has been in police custody and has been quoted by a couple of local media reports saying that he had disagreements with shinzo abe�*s policies and decided to attack him but this kind of violence is extremely rare, so as you can imagine it comes as a huge shock to everyone injapan. he was a very influential figure,

shock to everyone injapan. he was a very influentialfigure, and even though he might not have been one of the most popular politicians in japan, especially amongst those on the left, this attack comes as a huge shock and we are now seeing a lot of pictures of him as a young child, because of course, his grandfather was a prime minister, and his father was a senior politician in the liberal democratic party as well, so a lot of very old footage of him, i guess, climbing up the political ladder, if you like of japanese politics and it has been played many times on local media as people remember his legacy. francis reed has the latest. it begins like any other political speech, but then, this... two shots ring out and shinzo abe. the ground. this is security apprehending the man suspected of firing the shots.

the gun on the floor. as the former prime minister was airlifted for medical treatment, prime minister was airlifted for medicaltreatment, he prime minister was airlifted for medical treatment, he was conscious, but now doctors say he fell into a state of cardiopulmonary arrest and died. police confirmed he had been shotin died. police confirmed he had been shot in the neck and chest. shinzo abe�*s wife arrived in the city to be by his side. struggling to hide his emotion, the current prime minister spoke before shinzo abe died. we spoke before shinzo abe died. , cannot accept that this violent act took place during an election. the foundation of democracy. in the strongest terms, i condemn this attack. ., ., . , strongest terms, i condemn this attack. ., ., . attack. political violence is almost unheard of in _ attack. political violence is almost unheard of in japan _ attack. political violence is almost unheard of in japan and _ attack. political violence is almost unheard of in japan and gun - attack. political violence is almost l unheard of in japan and gun control unheard of injapan and gun control tightly controlled. shinzo abe stepped down as prime minister in 2020 with health problems but was still active in politics. forensic teams are now trying to piece together why this happened.

41—year—old man is now in custody with no clear motive yet understood. let me bring you some comments from japan�*s prime minister, saying i have great respect for the legacy shinzo abe left behind and i pay the deepest condolences to him. he has also said that we must ensure that a free and fair election is conducted safely and we must not let this incident impact daily governance. shinzo abe was out campaigning for the upper house elections injapan which are due to take place later this week. and the prime minister has also said he is lost for words after the assassination, and he said that shinzo abe was a leader who led this country with great leadership, and he has said that he condemns this violent action in the strongest

possible terms. so, those comments just coming through from japan�*s prime minister in reaction to the assassination of shinzo abe. gareth barlow looks back at shinzo abe�*s career. a warning this report contraind flash photography. he was japan�*s longest serving post—war prime minister and for shinzo abe, a career in politics was surely his destiny. by the time he was just ten years old, his grandfather and great uncle had both held the post that he would one day secure for himself. born in 1954, by the late 19705, the young shinzo abe left university in tokyo to study political science in the united states. on his return tojapan, two years later, he joined kobe steel and shortly after worked for his father, who was, by that time, the country�*s foreign minister. it was in 1993 that shinzo abe won his first parliamentary seat and he would later go on to hold a series of government posts.

domestically, as prime minister, he sought to bolster national identity and historical traditions. this under his watch, the position of emperor in civic life was reaffirmed and he sought, albeit unsuccessfully, to revise the country�*s post—war constitution. but it was his economic plan, or abenomics, that was perhaps the most high—profile policy of his time in office. on the international stage, shinzo abe took a tough stance towards north korea, avoided a trade war with the united states under donald trump, and signed a host of partnerships with regional and western allies. he also worked to strengthen japan�*s defences and boost military spending. despite winning general elections in 2014 and 2017 with sizable majorities, shinzo abe�*s personal approval rating suffered in the latter years of his time in office. a series of damaging corruption scandals and a mixed record in confronting the covid—19 crisis damaged his reputation.

japan�*s hosting of the delayed olympic games was unpopular among many in the country as the world continued to grapple with covid—19. and a visit to a memorial that honours japan�*s military dead, which includes the remains of people convicted of war crimes during the second world war, drew anger from regional neighbours. in 2020, the then 65—year—old announced he would resign from his post as prime minister for health reasons. for many years, he suffered from inflammatory bowel disease but with the condition worsening, prime minister abe said it was time to step down, sincerely apologising to the people of japan for doing so. translation: | needed to fight. against the disease and be treated. and still i have to make important political decisions. i cannot make any mistakes in terms of important decision—making. i cannot do this and so i made the decision not to continue myjob

as the prime minister. after a lifetime in politics, shinzo abe will be remembered for not only his historic tenure and time in office, but also for ushering in a new era in both japanese politics and public life. earlier my colleague chris rodgers spoke to victor teo — he�*s a political scientist focused on the asia pacific — he gave his reaction to the news isa is a person who has studied japan for almost 20 years i would say that shinzo abe was one of the most outstanding politicians injapan and as a person i am very saddened by the loss of his life. i as a person i am very saddened by the loss of his life.— the loss of his life. i would say that the most _ the loss of his life. i would say that the most abe _ the loss of his life. i would say that the most abe has - the loss of his life. i would say. that the most abe has governed the loss of his life. i would say - that the most abe has governed japan greatly during this last decade or so and led japan to greater heights, so and led japan to greater heights, so it�*s a very sad day for everybody in japan. so it's a very sad day for everybody in ja an. ., ., ., so it's a very sad day for everybody in jaan. ., ., . . ., in japan. how did he do that? what did he do for— in japan. how did he do that? what did he do forjapan _ in japan. how did he do that? what did he do forjapan as _ in japan. how did he do that? what did he do forjapan as prime - did he do forjapan as prime minister? i did he do forjapan as prime minister?—

did he do forjapan as prime minister? ~ ., ., , minister? i think one of the things that he has _ minister? i think one of the things that he has managed _ minister? i think one of the things that he has managed to _ minister? i think one of the things that he has managed to do - minister? i think one of the things that he has managed to do is - minister? i think one of the things that he has managed to do is that| minister? i think one of the things i that he has managed to do is that he has led japan on a course that has sort of united japan and readied japan towards mobilising its resources to what is becoming a more normal nation, and that is trying to get japan to normal nation, and that is trying to getjapan to overcome the normal nation, and that is trying to get japan to overcome the shackles imposed by the arrangements of the second world war, after the second world war. abe was doing his utmost to try, if you like, to improve the security situation forjapan through militarisation of japan, security situation forjapan through militarisation ofjapan, through security situation forjapan through militarisation of japan, through the avocation of greater global presence through foreign policies as well as strengthening the us and japan alliance. i think this is where the real achievement of abe lies. when ou read real achievement of abe lies. when you read the _ real achievement of abe lies. when you read the autobiographies of former world leaders and when you

hear them speak about shinzo abe today and in the past, they speak particularly warmly of him. they are not just particularly warmly of him. they are notjust doing the drill. why do you think there is so much affection for him amongst current and former world leaders? ~ ~' ., him amongst current and former world leaders? ~ ~ ., ., leaders? well, i think one of the most important _ leaders? well, i think one of the most important things _ leaders? well, i think one of the most important things about - leaders? well, i think one of the | most important things about abe leaders? well, i think one of the i most important things about abe is his longevity as prime minister in japan. most of the world leaders today, i mean, anyone who studies japanese politics will know that prior to abe there had been a series of revolving door prime many prime ministers who served in short ten years, and five of them lasting around a year or less, but abe has managed to stay on as the longest reigning prime minister and because of this he was able to to propose policies and actually act on them and managed to, if you like, work with a range of leaders in other countries in both asia as well as the world, so abe has come to make

many friends across the world. in the us last year, and in east asia, so i would say that he definitely has a presence on the global stage and he is well liked in some quarters, not all, but some. eta? quarters, not all, but some. stay with me for— quarters, not all, but some. stay with me for a _ quarters, not all, but some. stay with me for a moment _ quarters, not all, but some. stay with me for a moment because we are just getting details of what journalists in japan just getting details of what journalists injapan have been told at a press conference at the hospital where shinzo abe was taken the nearest hospital to where he was making his speech and he had sustained wounds around the right side of his neck and obviously they have been working relentlessly to try and save his life but they said abe was bleeding profusely and unfortunately doctors could not save him. looking at the pictures of the device, while not confirmed, it looks home—made and we know that

guns are particularly hard to get hold of injapan and there are strict gun control is there, and therefore political violence or violence of any kind involving firearms has been very rare since the late1980s firearms has been very rare since the late 19805 and early firearms has been very rare since the late19805 and early 19905 in japan. we were just talking to our expert on the region, and talking about how celebrated shinzo abe�*s will be by world leaders and people around the world. he had a huge profile as japan�*s prime minister. how do you think people injapan will be reacting today as they hear that news from the hospital? this was shoot to kill. the person behind this wanted him dead.— this wanted him dead. well, i think most people _ this wanted him dead. well, i think most people in _ this wanted him dead. well, i think most people in japan _ this wanted him dead. well, i think most people in japan do _ this wanted him dead. well, i think most people in japan do not - this wanted him dead. well, i think i most people in japan do not condone most people injapan do not condone violence of any sort so i think, regardless of 1�*s political views, this news will not be welcomed by the people of japan.

this news will not be welcomed by the people ofjapan. that this news will not be welcomed by the people of japan. that is the first thing, and secondlyjapan the people of japan. that is the first thing, and secondly japan has lost a very popular statesman and not everybody injapan supports him, but i would say for most people, they do acknowledge abe has been a strong and in many ways popular leader ofjapan, at least for the leader of japan, at least for the last decade. leader ofjapan, at least for the last decade. he has steered them japan through some very difficult times and i think he will be fondly remembered by many japanese times and i think he will be fondly remembered by manyjapanese people. world leaders have expressed shock and dismay over the attack on the former japanese prime indian prime minister narendra modi tweets australian prime minister anthony albanese says let�*s go straight to our correspondent mariko oi, who�*s in singapore.

we have been seeing pictures of him there meeting so many world leaders over the years. he has been on the world stage for a very long time, very figure and so many tributes coming in. what is the reaction in japan? i coming in. what is the reaction in jaan? ., coming in. what is the reaction in ja an? ., ., coming in. what is the reaction in jaan? ., ., coming in. what is the reaction in jaan? ., , japan? i have to say it is utter shock that _ japan? i have to say it is utter shock that this _ japan? i have to say it is utter shock that this happened - japan? i have to say it is utter shock that this happened in i japan? i have to say it is utter- shock that this happened in japan where shock that this happened injapan where gun crimes are shock that this happened in japan where gun crimes are extremely rare and political violence is almost unheard of, so ever since the first news alert came in saying that he was attacked at around 11:30am local time on my phone has not stopped ringing because all of my friends, family members are talking about it and he was taken to hospital in the city of nara where he was attacked just after 5p local time he was pronounced dead after losing too much blood and so on —— just after 5pm. a5 much blood and so on —— just after 5pm. as you say, he was a very

influentialfigure injust a 5pm. as you say, he was a very influential figure in just a few decades agojapan was known for a revolving door of prime ministers and i have to say mr abe�*s first term was part of that but then he came back as prime minister and he stayed and became the longest serving prime minister ofjapan, so as a result he became the face of the country to a lot of the global leaders and it was a very divisive figure, i have to say. his supporters loved him for his very nationalist views, but at the same time his critics say that it resulted in very frosty relationship between japan and resulted in very frosty relationship betweenjapan and south korea and china, and so on. recently he has been criticised for being too close to vladimir putin when he was prime minister, way before russia�*s invasion of ukraine took place. but ever since then mr abe has been talking about increasing military spending and shortly after he says it, you hear the current administration talk about it, so you can see how influential he still is.

how much security was there around him? you mention, obviously, that gun crime is very low injapan, very strict gun ownership rules there. but nonetheless a politician of that status being in a situation where someone can get so close to them with a gun that we see in the pictures, pretty large device and hard to conceal, how did that happen? hard to conceal, how did that ha en? ., , hard to conceal, how did that hauen? ., , , ., , happen? that is the question being asked at the _ happen? that is the question being asked at the moment _ happen? that is the question being asked at the moment because - happen? that is the question being asked at the moment because that| happen? that is the question being i asked at the moment because that is how japanese politicians campaign during the election campaign. they can�*t actually visit your home or put posters through your mailbox or anything like that. those are not allowed, so as a result a lot of senior politicians including mr abe have been out on the street, giving speeches to support their candidates ahead of sunday�*s elections, but at the same time, this has not been confirmed, but a lot of speculation that he probably only had one or two

security guards around him and whether or not this kind of campaigning i5 whether or not this kind of campaigning is actually safe in a climate like this is something we are seeing people talking about at the moment, but at the same time this doesn�*t mean that the crime rate will be higher. this was a very, very specific attack and how the suspect, the 41—year—old man who is believed to be a former member of the self—defence forces managed to get hold of a gun in a country where gun control is very strictly controlled, that needs to be answered but it has been reported that he had two guns and one of them was home—made, so maybe that is how he managed to get hold of one weapon, but the other one we still don�*t know. he has been quoted by japanese media as saying that he just did not agree with mr abe�*s policy and attacked him his visit was only decided last night. so how

the suspect managed to find out about it and plan it, all of that still remains to be seen. the current japanese _ still remains to be seen. the current japanese prime minister, fumio currentjapanese prime minister, fumio kishida, has been paying tribute and has described him as a personal friend with whom i spent a lot of time. you�*ve been talking about how influential shinzo abe continue to be at the end of his political career, someone who was still very much at the heart of power. what gap does he leave and how will his loss be felt, notjust in terms of the shocking nature of what has happened but the impact he had on politics still?— had on politics still? absolutely. he had that _ had on politics still? absolutely. he had that influence _ had on politics still? absolutely. he had that influence over - had on politics still? absolutely. he had that influence over the i he had that influence over the current prime minister, especially when it came to military spending, foreign policy and so on, and you read in reports that mr abe picked up read in reports that mr abe picked up the phone and looked up —— called fumio kishida and gave advice and so on and obsolete the current

administration is fully functioning without his advice, but at the same time he has become one of the most powerful politicians within the ruling party. he comes from a political family. ruling party. he comes from a politicalfamily. his grandfather political family. his grandfather was politicalfamily. his grandfather was a prime minister and his father was a prime minister and his father was also very senior in politics and within the ruling party. it was also very passionate about wanting to change japan very passionate about wanting to changejapan a�*5 pacifist constitution which japan had had ever since the end of the second world war. so those views are still echoed and shared by a lot of his colleagues and friends in the party and i�*m pretty sure that his influence will not subside just because of his death but at the same time a lot of tributes being paid notjust time a lot of tributes being paid not just from time a lot of tributes being paid notjust from his own party but also opposition parties as well, regardless of whether they agreed with his political views, a lot of tributes have been paid notjust by politicians but also a lot of

high—profile figures injapan. let�*s high-profile figures in japan. let's aet high-profile figures in japan. let's net the high-profile figures in japan. let's get the latest _ high-profile figures in japan. let's get the latest from _ downing street. let�*s go to victoria derbyshire who�*s there for us. the race to replace borisjohnson has started, following the prime minister�*s resignation as conservative party leader — after days of mutiny within his government. he�*s proposing to stay on in a caretaker role until a successor is chosen, but some tories are urging him to go now, including former prime minister sirjohn major. behind the doors of number ten this morning, things are very different from yesterday. on wednesday night, the message was that the prime minister was going to fight on. by 9am on thursday, he was going to step down as conservative party leader. tory mp5 have spent weeks frustrated at number ten changing their line,

whether that be over downing street parties or what the prime minister knew about sexual misconduct allegations against his former deputy chief whip, chris pincher. but this time, the change of line was welcomed by many of them. it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister. so i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019 — many of them voting conservative for the first time — thank you for that incredible mandate. in the end, it was his own mp5 that pushed him. as we�*ve seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful. and when the herd moves, it moves. and, my friends, in politics, no—one is remotely indispensable. not even the prime minister himself.

with so many of his ministers resigning from government, many questioned if there would be enough tory mp5 left to replace them. but replace them he did, in a swift cabinet reshuffle yesterday morning. he�*s conceded this cabinet won�*t be making big changes, more just holding the fort until a successor is announced. a timetable for that tory leadership contest will be announced next week by the backbench1922 committee of tory mp5. but, unofficially, it�*s already under way. backbench mp tom tugendhat has declared he will be running. the attorney general, suella braverman, says she�*ll throw her hat in the ring. reporter: do you regret standing by the prime minister for so long? | arch brexiteer steve baker has hinted as much, too. it�*s understood the former chancellor, rishi sunak, and the man who took over from him, nadhim zahawi, have campaigns under way, and that sajid javid,

who resigned as health secretary and transport secretary, grant shapps, are seriously considering a pop at the top job. thank you all very much. thank you. a new leader, who will become prime minister, is expected by september. they�*ll first need the backing of enough tory mp5. the final two will fight it out for votes from tory members. in the meantime, borisjohnson remains behind these doors, home for now with his wife and children. he�*ll still host cabinet with his new set of ministers. but this isn�*t the end of the tory discontent. some of his mp5 think he should have resigned as prime minister, too, and left immediately to let someone else steer the ship that he can no longer summon the authority to captain. lone wells, bbc news. joining me now is our political correspondent, nick eardley. i have some tweets from people

saying, please can you talk through who might be our next prime minister and i only mentioned some there but have any more people declared an interest? , ., ., , interest? there is a long list, victoria and _ interest? there is a long list, victoria and i _ interest? there is a long list, victoria and i think _ interest? there is a long list, victoria and i think this - interest? there is a long list, victoria and i think this will i interest? there is a long list, | victoria and i think this will be interest? there is a long list, i victoria and i think this will be a crowded field at first. let me run through some of the names i keep hearing from tory mp5 in the last couple of days. ben wallace, the defence secretary, liz truss, foreign secretary, rishi sunak, former chancellor. sajid javid, former chancellor. sajid javid, former health secretary, penny more joint, a trade minister, jeremy hunt, former health secretary. there is going to be a lot of people jostling for position over the next few days and to be honest they are all trying to get themselves into a place where they are seen as a serious front runner. i think it is probably going to be well into next week before we have a better idea of who the genuine favourites here are, partly because they will have to declare next week if they want to

stand because this process, i understand is going to be a quick one, partly because they want to get one, partly because they want to get on the front foot as well, so there will be a lot of speculation and we will be a lot of speculation and we will probably see some candidates declare over the weekend, and then next week, when it becomes clearer just who has won support and who could be the next pm. find just who has won support and who could be the next pm.— just who has won support and who could be the next pm. and in terms of caettin could be the next pm. and in terms of getting onto _ could be the next pm. and in terms of getting onto the _ could be the next pm. and in terms of getting onto the initial _ could be the next pm. and in terms of getting onto the initial ballot, i of getting onto the initial ballot, do they have to do have a certain number of mp5 supporting them? yes. number of mps supporting them? yes, the will number of mps supporting them? yes, they will do- — number of mps supporting them? yes, they will do- we _ number of mps supporting them? 13:3 they will do. we don't know exactly they will do. we don�*t know exactly how many yet. based on last time when borisjohnson won the leadership they would need about eight mp5 to back them to get on the ballot, which is then whittled down to two by tory mp5. i think the number will be a lot higher this time. there has been some chat about making the process quicker having a fairly high barto making the process quicker having a fairly high bar to get onto the ballot in the first place stock that has not been decided. it�*s a bit of a guessing game at the moment because, here is a weird one, the

people who will decide the rules are being elected themselves on monday, 5o being elected themselves on monday, so there�*s a lot of spinning plates at the moment, so i can�*t give total clarity on that just yet, at the moment, so i can�*t give total clarity on thatjust yet, but at the moment, so i can�*t give total clarity on that just yet, but as clarity on thatjust yet, but as i say, in the next couple of weeks we will have a rough idea who the favourites are and by the time that parliament goes on holiday for the summer, it should be whittled down to two and then it is the conservative membership who decides. and we�*ll definitely be conservative members who decide on the last two? there has been discussion about whether that could also be dumped to make the process quicker. i whether that could also be dumped to make the process quicker.— make the process quicker. i mean, it could be, make the process quicker. i mean, it could be. in — make the process quicker. i mean, it could be, in theory. _ make the process quicker. i mean, it could be, in theory. one _ make the process quicker. i mean, it could be, in theory. one of— make the process quicker. i mean, it could be, in theory. one of two - could be, in theory. one of two ways, either the committee that decides on these things decides it wants to get it over and done with so it leaves it all to tory mp5, and i think that is unlikely, frankly. tory mp5 think they need to go out and speak to the membership, and in particular because the last few

months have been so bruising. the other way could happen and this happened with theresa may is that if it gets down to two and one of the two pull out, well, there�*s only one left, so they become tory leader and prime minister. again, that is a possibility, but at the moment i think the overall consensus in the conservative party is that we get it down to two in the next two weeks and then they ask the members. thank ou ve and then they ask the members. thank you very much. — and then they ask the members. thank you very much, nick, _ and then they ask the members. thank you very much, nick, for _ and then they ask the members. thank you very much, nick, for the _ and then they ask the members. thank you very much, nick, for the moment. let�*s speak to neil maclellan, conservative co—leader of moray council, in northeast scotland. good morning to you. you are actually, one of the most marginal seats held by a conservative mp in the uk. it is douglas ross�*s ed, leader of the scottish conservatives who has a majority of 513. is he more likely to hang onto that seat under a new prime minister? the

whole process — under a new prime minister? tue: whole process of under a new prime minister? tta: whole process of local under a new prime minister? tt2 whole process of local elections, one of the real concerns amongst the conservative party was boris and the parties. there is no doubt that existing members and normal tory voters were expressing concern. hopefully now that that is alleviated on the situation is resolved things will change, but it�*s been a nagging saw that wrongdoing and the covering up of wrongdoing and the covering up of wrongdoing which really sticks in the craw of the electorate has continued for that length of time. i called for boris�*s resignation very early on and was very consistent during the time when others were doing u—turns, flip—flops, jellyfish, whatever you call it, but i was very consistent and voters were consistent that they were not happy with what boris had done. douglas ro55 clocked himself, didn�*t he? he douglas ross clocked himself, didn't he? . douglas ross clocked himself, didn't he? ., .., ., , douglas ross clocked himself, didn't he? ., .., ., , he? he did, i had conversations with him, i

he? he did, i had conversations with him. i wanted _ he? he did, i had conversations with him, i wanted to _ he? he did, i had conversations with him, i wanted to remain _ he? he did, i had conversations with him, i wanted to remain consistent. | him, i wanted to remain consistent. my him, i wanted to remain consistent. my articles were consistent. it was a consistent message we got from voters that they wanted something to be done to break the deadlock and voters do not like wrongdoing, they do not like criminality and they certainly do not like cover—ups and episodes where there are seen to be double standards. this is an issue across politics because we see at what happened with boris, with the snp just now, what happened with boris, with the snpjust now, major what happened with boris, with the snp just now, major issues with patrick grady, labour has gone through various issues with anti—semitism, there is also its of claims of bullying in various political parties. what we need is a change of politics. there has been changes in america, we can get real changes in america, we can get real change in the uk if we get the right person to post here, someone interested in calling out wrongdoing and overcoming injustices in society. and overcoming in'ustices in socie .~ ., ., and overcoming in'ustices in socie .~ ., ~' and overcoming in'ustices in socie . . ., ., 4' ., and overcoming in'ustices in socie .~ ., «a, ., society. what do you think of how thins society. what do you think of how things unfolded _ society. what do you think of how things unfolded since _ society. what do you think of how

things unfolded since monday - society. what do you think of how. things unfolded since monday within the conservative government? tt has the conservative government? it has been challenging, _ the conservative government? it has been challenging, it _ the conservative government? it has been challenging, it should - the conservative government? tit t—s been challenging, it should have been challenging, it should have been resolved a long time ago, through due process. appropriate due processes. indicated there were some processes. indicated there were some processes to be handled. the ultimately the most senior post is a stewardship position and if it is a handover of power in three through due process which is transparent opened and agreed and which is very clear to people what�*s going to happen. at the moment it�*s a bit of uncertainty about the process and then questions about whether boris i5 then questions about whether boris is going to stay on for a period of time. john major has clearly written to express concerns about that giving two options but saying neither are necessarily the best and that sums up, we need someone interposed who is interested in the detail of getting policy and processes right and following them through so this sort of thing doesn�*t happen again. t5 it

through so this sort of thing doesn't happen again. is it too earl to doesn't happen again. is it too early to say — doesn't happen again. is it too early to say who _ doesn't happen again. is it too early to say who you _ doesn't happen again. is it too early to say who you would i doesn't happen again. is it too| early to say who you would like doesn't happen again. is it too i early to say who you would like to take over?— take over? yes, i'm quite clear, i said there — take over? yes, i'm quite clear, i said there should _ take over? yes, i'm quite clear, i said there should be _ take over? yes, i'm quite clear, i said there should be a _ take over? yes, i'm quite clear, i said there should be a few - said there should be a few frontrunners. ben wallace i worked with very briefly in the policy and research unit many years ago and i did distant there when he was not a scotland msp and really impressed with ben, he is seen as quiet by some but i think that�*s a good thing in some regards. these detailed, intellectual, has experience of serving his government. a flash leader doesn�*t always work, we need someone of intellect, rigour and getting policies in place. he is interested in transparency, looking at expenses, trying to reform democracy so i think he would be a good candidate. tom tugendhat i don�*t know well but i heard him speak at the conservative party conference in aberdeen and was really impressed by his handle on complex world affairs, someone who masters his brief again served his

country so has got previous experience of public service. and somebody who is a pragmatist and not necessarily someone who is interested in populism. those would be the frontrunners for me. the attorney—general putting her name, very positive, so many different variables. remain, lead, what is interest for local party members, central office, and who supported boris, there are all these variables. we need to think about is it representative? is it the candidate who goes forward is representative of british society? thank you very much for talking to us. let�*s talk to duncan kennedy on a beach in beautiful worthing where the local mp called for mrjohnson to resign. the local mp called for mrjohnson to resin. ,. ., the local mp called for mrjohnson to resign-_ 0n - the local mp called for mrjohnson to resign._ on this| to resign. good morning. on this beach, to resign. good morning. on this beach. the _ to resign. good morning. on this beach, the temperatures - to resign. good morning. on this beach, the temperatures hitting | to resign. good morning. on this i beach, the temperatures hitting the mid 205, a hot day in a town with a

population of 110000 and has two conservative mp5, one either side of the peer behind me, built in 1862, very much a victorian english seaside town. in fact, it has won of the year twice over the past few years but it is a town of very different demographics. some affluent, some less so. mark has come to the area last january. you are now resident in this area. we are now resident in this area. we are asking people to be about boris johnson. let me fire that first question, should he resign? 100% he should have- — question, should he resign? 10096 he should have- i— question, should he resign? 10096 he should have. ithink— question, should he resign? 10096 he should have. i think it— question, should he resign? 10096 he should have. i think it has— question, should he resign? 10096 he should have. i think it has come - question, should he resign? 10096 he should have. i think it has come not. should have. i think it has come not a moment too soon and to be perfectly honest, i actually think he should have gone several months ago because i think there has been more than enough grounds and i know disappointingly there is an awful large number of conservative mp5 who think would agree with that as well. you have voted conservative in the past, what you think of the idea of him holding on for a couple of

months in what they are calling a caretaker post? tt months in what they are calling a caretaker post?— months in what they are calling a caretaker post? it strikes me as if he is clinging _ caretaker post? it strikes me as if he is clinging on _ caretaker post? it strikes me as if he is clinging on with _ caretaker post? it strikes me as if he is clinging on with his - he is clinging on with his fingertips for as long as you can. i don�*t live here is trying to beat theresa may�*s record, but i feel like the country and the conservative party needs a clean break with this point. and we keep being told to move on, that�*s the thing the country and conservative party need to do now. shifter thing the country and conservative party need to do now.— party need to do now. after 24 hours, party need to do now. after 24 hours. any _ party need to do now. after 24 hours, any obvious _ party need to do now. after 24 hours, any obvious successor. party need to do now. after 24 - hours, any obvious successor names p0p hours, any obvious successor names pop into your head? tia hours, any obvious successor names pop into your head?— pop into your head? no obvious names, pop into your head? no obvious names. next — pop into your head? no obvious names, next person _ pop into your head? no obvious names, next person i _ pop into your head? no obvious names, next person i think- pop into your head? no obvious l names, next person i think needs pop into your head? no obvious - names, next person i think needs to be potentially a backbencher who has shown that they have the integrity and bravery to stand up and publicly make it known that they disapprove of the dishonesty that i feel has been coming out of downing street over the last few months. than? been coming out of downing street over the last few months. any name ou can over the last few months. any name you can attach _ over the last few months. any name you can attach to — over the last few months. any name you can attach to those _ over the last few months. any name you can attach to those qualities? i you can attach to those qualities? we sad thing is i don�*t feel there have been any conservative mp5 who

have been any conservative mp5 who have stood up loudly enough and proclaimed that they are... they are against it and i think that�*s quite against it and i think that�*s quite a sad thing to be honest. th a against it and i think that's quite a sad thing to be honest. in a sense that was ltoris _ a sad thing to be honest. in a sense that was boris johnson's _ a sad thing to be honest. in a sense that was boris johnson's argument, | that was borisjohnson�*s argument, there is no one behind him, so i am there is no one behind him, so i am the one who can win but you are saying that�*s probably not the case but you can decide who should come next. ' :: :: ' but you can decide who should come next. ' $1 $1 , , , but you can decide who should come next. ':: :: ' , , ., but you can decide who should come next. ' :: :: ' , , ., ., next. 10096, he seems to have run it on his personality — next. 10096, he seems to have run it on his personality and _ next. 10096, he seems to have run it on his personality and he _ next. 10096, he seems to have run it on his personality and he has - next. 10096, he seems to have run it on his personality and he has a - on his personality and he has a very, very big personality and he has shown that he is good in front of cameras and entertaining and a good writer, but when you get down to values, when you get down to what really, really matters, integrity, telling the truth, honesty, transparency, i have personally felt he has fallen short in every area. what should be top of the pile on the entry? th what should be top of the pile on the ent ? , ., what should be top of the pile on theent ? ,., , .,

the entry? in terms of personal qualities. _ the entry? in terms of personal qualities, integrity _ the entry? in terms of personal qualities, integrity is _ the entry? in terms of personal qualities, integrity is number i the entry? in terms of personal. qualities, integrity is number one. policies, there is a huge amount of work for them to be doing. the cost of living is hitting people extremely hard particularly the least well—off in the country. domestically, that is where they need to be working hard and then of course internationally the threat from putin in europe is as big as it has ever been and i think there needs to be someone who has the strength and i5 needs to be someone who has the strength and is able to cope with that threat as well.— strength and is able to cope with that threat as well. thank you very much indeed _ that threat as well. thank you very much indeed for _ that threat as well. thank you very much indeed for your _ that threat as well. thank you very much indeed for your time. - that threat as well. thank you very much indeed for your time. you i that threat as well. thank you very| much indeed for your time. you are enjoying the day there. mark is off walking with his family on the beachfront, it is hotting up in many ways. a5 for the conservative make up ways. a5 for the conservative make up in this area is very much a true blue tory area. where i�*m standing, the majority is about 7000 for the mp, along the coast there, it goes up mp, along the coast there, it goes up to 15,004 sir peter bottomley, the father of the house. a lot of people we spoke into including mark,

although they have views on boris johnson going have not yet put their firm views on who should come next. studio: thank you very much, we will learn more about the candidates over the coming days and weeks. our headlines... japan�*s former prime minister shinzo abe has been assassinated while delivering a speech at a campaign event. police say a 41—year—old man suspected of carrying out the shooting with an improvised gun was arrested at the scene. tributes pour in from around the world, with borisjohnson describing his death as incredibly sad. the battle to replace borisjohnson as conservative party leader begins after he admits his time is up. some mp5 remain tight—tipped over whether they willjoin the race. meanwhile, mp tom tugendhat joins suella braverman

in confirming his intention to run. we will be talking more about that shortly. right now, we can get the latest sport. former fifa president sepp blatter and vice—president michel platini have both been found not guilty following a fraud trial. it concerned a payment of $1.9 million made by blatter to platini in 2011. let�*s get more on this from our sports editor dan roan who is in switzerland. tell us more about this payment and what they were accused of? neither sepp blatter nor michel platini, who were once of course the

two most powerful men in all of world football, showed much emotion when the verdict was read out by the presiding judge in the courtroom here behind me the southern swiss town. earlier on today, both men, the former presidents respectively of world football�*s governing body fifa and uefa, stood accused of corruption over a payment of around 2 million swiss francs that was made by sepp blatter to michel platini 11 years ago. the prosecution, the authorities here alleged that was flawed, effectively a bright, both men insisted they were innocent and that it was merely payment for services that platini had given to fifa, years earlier. there was an agreement for that payment. sepp blatter resigned in 2015 and that a sprawling fbi investigation in corruption crisis at fifa. both men

were subsequently banned from football, indicted last year, that led to what some called the trial of the century here in recent weeks and today they were both acquitted. here was the reaction of both men outside afterwards. ., , , afterwards. now it is finished so i'm happy- _ afterwards. now it is finished so i'm happy- i'm _ afterwards. now it is finished so i'm happy- i'm happy _ afterwards. now it is finished so i'm happy. i'm happy also - afterwards. now it is finished so i'm happy. i'm happy also for. i'm happy. i'm happy also for international football and i think this court— international football and i think this court takes this matter very seriously— this court takes this matter very seriously and together with my lawyer, — seriously and together with my lawyer, we... is seriously and together with my lawyer. we- - -— seriously and together with my lawyer, we... is this the biggest victory of _ lawyer, we... is this the biggest victory of your— lawyer, we... is this the biggest victory of your life? _ lawyer, we... is this the biggest victory of your life? it _ lawyer, we... is this the biggest victory of your life? it is - lawyer, we... is this the biggest victory of your life? it isjustice, | victory of your life? it is 'ustice, but it is a — victory of your life? it is 'ustice, but it is a victory fl victory of your life? it is 'ustice, but it is a victory for_ victory of your life? it isjustice, but it is a victory for me, - but it is a victory for me, definitely, sure. it but it is a victory for me, definitely, sure.- but it is a victory for me, definitely, sure. but it is a victory for me, definitel , sure. , ., ., definitely, sure. it is what i have set for seven _ definitely, sure. it is what i have set for seven years, _ definitely, sure. it is what i have set for seven years, it _ definitely, sure. it is what i have set for seven years, it is - definitely, sure. it is what i have set for seven years, it is not - set for seven years, it is not today's _ set for seven years, it is not today's decision, _ set for seven years, it is not today's decision, it - set for seven years, it is not today's decision, it is- set for seven years, it is not today's decision, it is seven| set for seven years, it is not - today's decision, it is seven years ago. _ today's decision, it is seven years ago. it_ today's decision, it is seven years ago. it was— today's decision, it is seven years ago. it was like _ today's decision, it is seven years ago, it was like that. _ today's decision, it is seven years ago, it was like that. i— today's decision, it is seven years ago, it was like that. i speak- today's decision, it is seven years. ago, it was like that. i speak about that, _ ago, it was like that. i speak about that, i_ ago, it was like that. i speak about that, itell— ago, it was like that. i speak about that, llell the _ ago, it was like that. i speak about that, itellthe truth, _ ago, it was like that. i speak about that, |tett the truth, the _ ago, it was like that. i speak about that, i tell the truth, the football. that, i tell the truth, the football never— that, i tell the truth, the football never believe _ that, i tell the truth, the football never believe me. _ that, i tell the truth, the football never believe me. fifa _ that, i tell the truth, the football never believe me. fifa never- never believe me. fifa never believed _ never believe me. fifa never believed me _ never believe me. fifa never believed me and _ never believe me. fifa never believed me and this-

never believe me. fifa never- believed me and this institution, they never— believed me and this institution, they never trust— believed me and this institution, they never trust me. _ believed me and this institution, they never trust me. but- believed me and this institution, they never trust me. but the - they never trust me. but the tribunal— they never trust me. but the tribunal trust _ they never trust me. but the tribunal trust me, _ they never trust me. but the tribunal trust me, and - they never trust me. but the tribunal trust me, and it - they never trust me. but the tribunal trust me, and it is i they never trust me. but the tribunal trust me, and it is a| they never trust me. but the - tribunal trust me, and it is a great victory— tribunal trust me, and it is a great victory for— tribunal trust me, and it is a great victory for me _ tribunal trust me, and it is a great victory for me— victory for me. both michel platini and ended sepp — victory for me. both michel platini and ended sepp blatter_ victory for me. both michel platini and ended sepp blatter hailing i victory for me. both michel platini . and ended sepp blatter hailing what they described as a major victory, albeit a huge relief to the two men. equally however it will be a huge defeat for the swiss prosecutors who had spent a long time investigating this case and bring it to the court but also for fifa who were seeking financial compensation. they said they were owed money. afterwards, they were owed money. afterwards, they said they would take time to consider the verdict but did not rule out an appeal.— consider the verdict but did not rule out an appeal. appreciate you 'oinin: us rule out an appeal. appreciate you joining us that _ rule out an appeal. appreciate you joining us that is _ rule out an appeal. appreciate you joining us that is all _ rule out an appeal. appreciate you joining us that is all the _ rule out an appeal. appreciate you joining us that is all the sport - rule out an appeal. appreciate you joining us that is all the sport we . joining us that is all the sport we have time for. we are covering those major news stories,.

if you are watching on bbc two, it is time to say goodbye. have a good afternoon. some of the conservative mp5 hoping to replace borisjohnson as leader of the party are starting to launch their campaigns. last night, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee, tom tugendhat, who�*s been a prominent critic of mrjohnson, joined the attorney general, suella braverman, by declaring that he would run. but who are the other potential runners and riders? our political correspondent ben wright has been taking a look. at cabinet on tuesday, borisjohnson was circled by possible successors. some have been campaigning quietly for months, eyeing up the topjob, waiting for the gun to be fired. you could be hearing a lot from these names over the summer. the next prime minister will be picked by the tory party and it�*s likely to be a crowded field,

with no obvious front runner. so, who might enter the race? well, there�*s rishi sunak, chancellor of the exchequer, until he quit on tuesday. he is believed to be putting a leadership team together, but some tory mp5 are cross he didn�*t cut taxes. sajid javid has stood for leader before and was the first cabinet minister to resign this week. the foreign secretary liz truss has never hidden her intentions. she voted remain in 2016, but has been a fierce defender of brexit ever since. the grass roots seem to like her. penny mordaunt is a royal navy reservist, and defence secretary under theresa may, now widely thought to be gunning for the topjob. and there�*s nadhim zahawi, appointed chancellor this week and ambitious, as they all are. the government�*s top legal officer, suella braverman, has already put her hat in the ring, and was gently teased about it by labour. and can i say what an honour

it is to be at this dispatch box facing the next prime minister, as she awaits her call from the palace? laughter. attorney general. i know the right honourable lady loves to degrade these these i question sessions to petty politics. i'm not going to lower. myself to her standards. the list goes on. there�*s a lot of chat about ben wallace, the defence secretary, and grant shapps, the transport secretary, is also seriously considering a run for leader. then there are the dark horses. backbencher tom tugendhat launches his leadership bid in the daily telegraph. and there are more. i�*ve had enough experience within government to know i can chair the meetings, i can lead the people, i have the ideas, i can mobilise secretaries of state to do what needs to be done. i�*m absolutely confident, if i seize power, i�*d do a good job. borisjohnson plans to stick around as prime minister, while tory mp5 and party members plough through the process of picking a new leader. but the rules for this election are not nailed down yet, and there are tory mp5 who want to see mr johnson out sooner.

i think what we need to do is appoint a caretaker this weekend, somebody who won't run to be leader. i really worry, otherwise, we're going to get into a febrile, hot july coronation of somebody in a hurry — and are you going to have a crack at it? no, i won't be running, but i will be working this summer to make sure we get the right person. this is crucial. we're in the last chance saloon. this party is packed with talent. the public haven't seen enough of it. restoring some calm after the chaos, rebuilding trust in political standards, the candidates will argue about the direction of the tory party, but they will all agree the culture of leadership has to change. ben wright, bbc news, westminster. and we want to hear your views about who you think the next prime minister should be and to borisjohnson�*s resignation yesterday. jayne mccubbin has been to the poulton in lancashire, which falls within defence secretary ben wallace�*s constituency. resigned? carol... honestly? ..was stunned. i cannot believe it. is that right?

you�*re winding me up! val, chuffed. yay! we don't talk about politics. you wanna hit the pub again, don�*t ya? yeah. the pub might get frisky for this lot... take care! ..becau5e pals val and dot might be smiling, but they do not see eye to eye. we only have a fool running the country at the present. i know, but who else would have done what he has done on brexit? - who else got all that? no—one. the last few years of pandemic politics have had all the stomach churning turns of a blackpool big dipper, as have the last 48 hours in westminster. enough to make you giddy. a lot of people like borisjohnson here. they liked the wit. i thought he was a charismatic person. i did like him. but, you know, there�*s only so many tales that you can tell!

you�*re laughing. oh, i know, i know. but, seriously, i mean, honesty has to be at the forefront. the joke is over. here on blackpool�*s comedy carpet, the joke has worn thin. get him out, innit? he needs to go, doesn't he? seriously. he's gotta go. there's no doubt about it. he has to go. in coral island, there�*s frustration amongst hard—pressed families counting the pennies that all of this is a big distraction from bigger issues. paying the rent, - the bills, everything. it's a complete struggle. to take the children out for a day trip, it's... - i used to do it all- the time, but now it's... it�*s a rare treat. it'sa rare... do you feel like we have a functioning government that can fix these issues you�*re concerned about? no, i don't think we do. i feel completely let down. but in the market where mark has worked for 30 years,

we chat aboutjohnson�*s legacy. levelling up. did you see any evidence of that here in blackpool? you can�*t level up in two or three years, can you? you know, these things take time. things don�*t happen overnight. borisjohnson was the best around. show me who else is going to do it? you don�*t think that person exists? i�*ve not seen him yet. johnson said it was eccentric for his party to boot him out, and when he directed thanks to those who�*d voted him in, he was thanking people like bernadette. and it's the first time i voted conservative. was it? yeah. because you voted for boris? i voted for boris rather than... the party. the party, yeah. so, bernadette, the question is... but... would i vote... would you vote for them again? again? i don't know. so what next? over blackpool�*s border in bolton, the fylde golf club chat is about just that. time has come. ben wallace could be the man. yeah. ben wallace, local mp here, is one

of the favourites for the top job. mary and her friends are true blues and truly fed up. he�*s basically a proven liar and in denial. some here have a distinct sense of deja vu. tony�*s family are over from the states. i think we had a similar situation at home with donald trump last year. so i think you guys are about in the same boat as we are. because he�*s digging his heels in and he doesn�*t want to go? exactly. it's the same thing. i don't know why they're keeping him on, though, for a few weeks. - i think he�*s keeping himself on, isn�*t he? probably. yeah, yeah, yeah. who next? oh, i don't know. no idea. the only certainty — more uncertainty. to great grimsby now, which until it turned blue at the 2019 general election, had been held by labour since 1945. tim iredale has been finding out how voters there feel about boris johnson�*s resignation.

he�*s the prime minister many will credit with breaking the red wall. turning traditional labour towns, like grimsby, tory blue. boris johnson�*s announcement today dividing opinion here. it�*s too late, he should have gone ages ago, in my opinion. good riddance to bad rubbish. notafan? definitely not. i think he's made a mess of it over the past couple of years. what a shame. that is disgusting - what they've all done. i mean, to drive him out like that. do you know what he reminded of? winston churchill. happy days. he should have gone months ago. i think he's done a lot of good for the country. i think he's worked hard and done his best and i think it's awful what they've done. he's been an unconventional guy from the beginning, - he's a bit of a maverick, everybody knew that - when they was getting him in. so why treat him like that now? we�*ve got to make sure that levelling up is a reality for communities in the next couple of years. for me, the most important thing is making a difference to the lives

of individuals in communities like grimsby and cleethorpes. many will ask what happens now to some of borisjohnson�*s flagship policies. such as that pledge to deliver more investment for northern towns. we must keep levelling up, keep unleashing the potential in every part of the united kingdom. well, inevitably, during the caretaker period - that we will be entering, _ governments shouldn't, i think, take any significant policy decisions. to some extent, they have to tread water for a week or two. _ we�*ve got to deliver... there are some people say he could have delivered more. but time has run out for borisjohnson. we will be back to downing street shortly. foreign ministers from the g20 are meeting in bali to talk about disruptions to global food and energy supplies caused

by russia�*s invasion of ukraine. but, unlike the recent g7 meeting, russia is at these talks. its top diplomat, sergey lavrov, is at the table, alongside his us counterpart, antony blinken and the chinese foreign minister, wang yi. our south east asia correspondent, jonthan head, is following events.. this is the first time since the invasion of ukraine that the us secretary of state will find himself in the same room as his russian counterpart, making for some awkward choreography. the us side insists there is no possibility of a formal meeting between the two. remember, this isjust preliminary here at this gathering to the three big summits scheduled in this region for later this year, to which presidents biden and putin are both invited. and the us can hardly afford to boycott those meetings, because it is struggling right now to regain the ground it has lost in recent years and influence to china, particularly here in the asian pacific. so the talks scheduled between antony blinken and the chinese foreign minister wang yi are perhaps the most important part of this meeting.

the us says it�*s hoping to establish what it calls "guardrails" to stop their currently fractious relationship from veering into outright confrontation. china, of course, has steadfastly refused to back the tough us stance towards russia over ukraine. tributes have been paid to the actorjames caan, best known for playing the gangster sonny corleone in the godfather, who has died at the age of 82. our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has been looking back at his long career. james caan as sonny corleone, the eldest son of the fearsome godfather. caan perfectly portrayed the character�*s quick—tempered, reckless nature. and he showed he could hold his own against the likes of marlon brando. are you telling me the tattaglias guarantee our investment? waita minute. almost. he also demonstrated his lightness of touch. get out! you know, if you could sing half as good as you could yell, we�*d have a hit. opposite barbra streisand

in funny lady. all right, all right, all right. listen, we had a little, a little technical trouble in the first act. that is all. a little tehnical trouble?! the trouble we got in both acts - is we've got an amateur producer's messhugeneh for buffalo! but at times, his party lifestyle threatened to overshadow his career. there was alcohol and drugs, and he spent months living at the playboy mansion of his friend, hugh hefner. it was confinement at a very different kind of venue that helped reestablish him as a star. in misery, he played a writer imprisoned by his number one fan... you... ..and who fought back against his captor. remember how, for all those years, nobody knew who misery�*s real father was? it�*s all right here. dad! and for a whole new generation, he was the reluctant father in christmas favourite, elf. # come on, it�*s lovely weather... dad! hi! it's me!

announcing his death on social media, the caan family said... actor gary sinise paid tribute, saying... while adam sandler said... from the murderous son of a mobster, to eventual loving father, james caan could do it all. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with owain wyn evans. hello, hello, everyone. well, we are expecting temperatures to rise significantly over the next couple of days. we�*ve been talking about it for a while now. we�*re seeing more in the way of sunshine. in fact, since first light this morning, we�*ve had some lovely weather watchers�* pictures that have been sent in to us. this is the situation. we have this area of high pressure.

it�*s trying to build. well, like this, it�*ll introduce more of a breeze as well across northern parts, western parts of scotland, we�*re seeing thicker clouds here through northern ireland, into northern parts of england as well, whereas further south, we�*re seeing more in the way of that sunshine and indeed higher temperatures. we could get to 27 or 28 celsius today across some southeastern parts. whereas, further north and further west, it is cooler, especially where we see a bit of that cloud, maybe a bit of light rain or drizzle as well. we also have to talk about uv levels, which are high or very high in places across southern parts. we have this gradient, then, up towards the northwest, where it becomes medium and then low. pollen levels also high or very high at the moment. the bbc weather app has all the very latest wherever you are as far as that�*s concerned. let�*s move on, then. so, the high pressure is now establishing itself as we look towards the weekend.

if you like, dry weather, well, it�*s good news. we still have a couple of weak weather fronts close to northern parts. and, again, these will introduce thicker cloud and a bit more of a breeze. today, it�*ll be quite breezy across northern parts of scotland. we�*ll see that easing a bit as we head through tomorrow. plenty of dry weather, plenty of sunshine across much of england and wales in particular. and those temperatures, again, reaching 26 or 27 celsius across southern parts, cooler further north and again cloudier here, but hopefully more in the way of drier weather across scotland, as we look towards tomorrow. a5 for sunday, a very similar sort of thing, but i think we�*ll tend to see the cloud thinning and breaking more readily across northern ireland and across parts of scotland. the hebrides, the western isles still cooler and cloudier, but for the majority, if you like your sunshine, it�*s good news. we�*ll see plenty of that. but if you don�*t like warm weather, not such great news. again, those temperatures just now starting to move towards 30 celsius. and it�*s this stage we�*re starting to move towards the heatwave territory, the high pressure and a couple of weak weather fronts nearby then over

the next couple of days, but not very much relief as far as those temperatures go. we�*ll keep you posted. stay safe. see you soon. this is bbc news. i�*m joanna gosling and these are the latest headlines. japan�*s former prime minister shinzo abe has been assassinated while delivering a speech at a campaign event. police say a 41—year—old man suspected of carrying out the shooting with an improvised gun was arrested at the scene. in the aftermath of the attack, the country�*s prime minister condemned it, calling it a barbaric act. translation: i pray that somehow his life could be spared but unfortunately he passed away despite these prayers. this is truly unfortunate and i have no words to express how i feel. tributes pour in from around the world with borisjohnson describing mr abe�*s death as incredibly sad. hello. i�*m victoria derbyshire in downing street where mrjohnson i5

downing street where mrjohnson is getting on with his dayjob despite announcing plans to step down. some mp5 are remaining tight—tipped over whether they will join the race or not. meanwhile, mp tom tugendhat joins suella braverman in confirming his intention to run. while some tories urge borisjohnson to leave now rather than stay as a caretaker prime minister, labour threatens to call for a vote of no confidence in the government if he doesn�*t go immediately. he has to go from being prime minister. he is a proven liar now and is someone who cannot be trusted and we cannot have him on for three months.

the formerjapanese prime minister, shinzo abe has died after being shot at a campaign event. eye witnesses say the 67—year—old was shot twice from behind while giving a speech in the street. the country�*s current prime minister fumio kishida has condemned the shooting — calling it an act of brutality. a man was detained after the shooting, which happened in the city of nara in western japan. world leaders have expressed their shock. borisjohnson has issued a short statement, paying tribute to shinzo abe, saying �*his global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. mrjohnson says his thoughts are with mr abe�*s family, friends and the japanese people and that the uk stands with japan at this dark and sad time. francis read has the latest. it begins like any other political speech, but then, this...

two shots ring out and shinzo abe falls to the ground. this is security apprehending the man suspected of firing the shots. the gun on the floor. as the former prime minister was airlifted for medical treatment, he was conscious, but now doctors say he fell into a state of cardiopulmonary arrest and died. police confirmed he had been shot in the neck and chest. shinzo abe�*s wife arrived in nara to be by his side. struggling to hide his emotion, the current prime minister spoke before shinzo abe died. a5 as the university hospital announced earlier today, former prime minister shinzo abe passed away. i prayed that somehow his life could be spared, but unfortunately he passed away despite those prayers. this is truly unfortunate. and i have no words to express how i feel.

political violence is almost unheard of injapan and gun control tightly controlled. shinzo abe stepped down as prime minister in 2020 with health problems but was still active in politics. forensic teams are now trying to piece together why this happened. a 41—year—old man is now in custody with no clear motive yet understood. joining us now from oxford is tim hitchens former british ambassador to japan from 2012—2016. so, in post during four years of shinzo abe�*s tenure. thank you for joining us. terribly shocking news. what was your reaction when you heard the news? mr; what was your reaction when you heard the news?— what was your reaction when you heard the news? g .. ., ., , heard the news? my reaction would be like every japanese — heard the news? my reaction would be like every japanese person, _ heard the news? my reaction would be like every japanese person, how- like everyjapanese person, how could it happen here. this is not a country that is known for political violence on this was a man no longer in office and one of the great post—war prime ministers ofjapan.

why would it have happened? a5 post—war prime ministers ofjapan. why would it have happened? as you say, an incredibly influential person, but divisive also. yes, and we will discover _ person, but divisive also. yes, and we will discover a _ person, but divisive also. yes, and we will discover a bit _ person, but divisive also. yes, and we will discover a bit more - person, but divisive also. yes, and we will discover a bit more about. we will discover a bit more about what happened when the japanese police work is through. but it is certainly the case that he has always been strong the meat in japanese politics and we have often had japanese prime ministers who have been very cautious, careful, difficult to discern where they stand and he was never that and was willing to to take the long—term view, the strategic view of japan�*s interest in the region. tbshd view, the strategic view of japan's interest in the region.— view, the strategic view of japan's interest in the region. and in terms of his ongoing _ interest in the region. and in terms of his ongoing influence, _ interest in the region. and in terms of his ongoing influence, the - interest in the region. and in terms of his ongoing influence, the fact i of his ongoing influence, the fact he was out campaigning on the global stage for so long, he isjust he was out campaigning on the global stage for so long, he is just such a recognised figure, isn�*t he, and was still playing a very important role japanese politics. he

still playing a very important role japanese politics.— japanese politics. he was japan's ouncest japanese politics. he was japan's youngest prime _ japanese politics. he was japan's youngest prime minister, - japanese politics. he was japan's . youngest prime minister, post-war youngest prime minister, post—war and held the role of japanese youngest prime minister, post—war and held the role ofjapanese prime minister longer than anybody else and had one go at it which ended in failure, and that is normally the end of the story but he came back for a second period in office and he provided the kind of stability that in japan provided the kind of stability that injapan people crave. we often have revolving door prime ministers in japan who are in for a year or two years and the rest of the world finds it difficult to remember their names and what they look like. he was one of these figures who had a simple name to remember, some very straightforward ideas and in particular i think he was a head of most of us in understanding the security challenge which are raising the china offered us all. iathl’hat security challenge which are raising the china offered us all.— the china offered us all. what are our the china offered us all. what are your personal _ the china offered us all. what are your personal memories - the china offered us all. what are your personal memories of- the china offered us all. what are your personal memories of him? | the china offered us all. what are - your personal memories of him? well, we -la ed your personal memories of him? well, we played golf— your personal memories of him? well, we played golf together. _ your personal memories of him? -tt we played golf together. he was a very precise and efficient person, i had rarely come across someone so

dedicated to working for the country so intensely. politics was everything. his father was foreign minister when i was first there in the 19805 and his grandfather was a prime minister and he had no children, so politics, the life of a politician was absolutely what made his life run. ~ ., ., i. politician was absolutely what made his life run. ~ ., ., ,. ~' politician was absolutely what made his life run. ~ ., ., ,., ~ , his life run. what do you think his lea will his life run. what do you think his legacy will be? — his life run. what do you think his legacy will be? i— his life run. what do you think his legacy will be? i think _ his life run. what do you think his legacy will be? i think his - his life run. what do you think his legacy will be? i think his legacy l legacy will be? i think his legacy will be to show— legacy will be? i think his legacy will be to show that _ legacy will be? i think his legacy will be to show that prime - legacy will be? i think his legacy i will be to show that prime ministers injapan don�*t have to be either bland or brief in their tenure, that if they create a clear vision for the future, if they think clearly about where japan�*s interests lie over the next 50 and 100 years then someone who speaks clearly, is dedicated, builds those strong relationships with key allies, the standing ofjapan can rise and relationships with key allies, the standing of japan can rise and that is definitely what happened during his period in office. [30 is definitely what happened during his period in office.— his period in office. do you think an hinu

his period in office. do you think anything will _ his period in office. do you think anything will change _ his period in office. do you think anything will change as - his period in office. do you think anything will change as a - his period in office. do you think anything will change as a result| his period in office. do you think i anything will change as a result of what has happened here? it is so shocking to see what has happened in a country where gun crime is incredibly low because the gun laws are so strict. somebody was able to get right up close to such an important person out on the campaign trail without having been searched, with a makeshift weapon that was presumably very hard to conceal. will things change? t presumably very hard to conceal. will things change?— will things change? i think there will be a very. — will things change? i think there will be a very, very _ will things change? i think there will be a very, very thorough - will things change? i think there i will be a very, very thorough review of the close protection system in japan. close protection officers operate injapan in the same way as everybody else, but their assessment of risk is going to be much, much lighter than elsewhere because there is so little political violence and i think this will change the landscape for protection injapan landscape for protection in japan and i landscape for protection injapan and i think they will then be looking quite closely to models elsewhere, like the us, the uk, france, to see how we maintain an open democracy where politicians can

go and talk to the people, but without increasing the risk, and i think the fact that this has happened once means it could happen again. it�*s not obvious, the motives of this individual, but even one crazy individual doing this represents a risk for the future. and in terms of the loss, and the whole he leaves behind and the influence that he had, what will that be? i think it will be slightly intangible. no one person is irreplaceable and he has been replaced by two prime minister since he left and there will be plenty of others who want to compete for the influence he had injapanese politics. influence he had in japanese olitics. �* ~' ., politics. but i think he will go down with — politics. but i think he will go down with one _ politics. but i think he will go down with one or— politics. but i think he will go down with one or two - politics. but i think he will go down with one or two other . politics. but i think he will go - down with one or two other post-war down with one or two other post—war greats as the people who understood where japan�*s place in history lies, who stuck with the bigger picture,

who stuck with the bigger picture, who got the call is right when it came to china and the us and europe and had a strategic vision that allowed him to create at least for his period in office a certain stability in what can be quite a fragile political environment in japan. fragile political environment in ja an. . , fragile political environment in jatan, . , ., ~' fragile political environment in jatan, . , ., 4' ,., fragile political environment in jaan. . , .mg ., japan. tim hitchens, thank you for 'oinin: japan. tim hitchens, thank you for joining us- — let�*s get all the latest from downing street — after borisjohnson resigned yesterday following weeks of pressure. let�*s go to victoria derbyshire who�*s there for us. welcome back to downing street. the race to replace borisjohnson has started, following the prime minister�*s resignation as conservative party leader — after days of mutiny within his government. he�*s proposing to stay on in a caretaker role until a successor is chosen, but some tories are urging him to go now, including former prime minister sirjohn major. some leaders in the newspapers today are saying the same thing.

here�*s our political correspondent lone wells. behind the doors of number ten this morning, things are very different from yesterday. on wednesday night, the message was that the prime minister was going to fight on. by 9am on thursday, he was going to step down as conservative party leader. tory mp5 have spent weeks frustrated at number ten changing their line, whether that be over downing street parties or what the prime minister knew about sexual misconduct allegations against his former deputy chief whip, chris pincher. but this time, the change of line was welcomed by many of them. it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister. so i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019 — many of them voting conservative for the first time — thank you for that incredible mandate.

in the end, it was his own mp5 that pushed him. as we�*ve seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful. and when the herd moves, it moves. and, my friends, in politics, no—one is remotely indispensable. not even the prime minister himself. with so many of his ministers resigning from government, many questioned if there would be enough tory mp5 left to replace them. but replace them he did, in a swift cabinet reshuffle yesterday morning. he�*s conceded this cabinet won�*t be making big changes, more just holding the fort until a successor is announced. a timetable for that tory leadership contest will be announced next week by the backbench1922 committee of tory mp5. but, unofficially, it�*s already under way. backbench mp tom tugendhat has declared he will be running.

the attorney general, suella braverman, says she�*ll throw her hat in the ring. reporter: do you regret standing by the prime minister for so long? | arch brexiteer steve baker has hinted as much, too. it�*s understood the former chancellor, rishi sunak, and the man who took over from him, nadhim zahawi, have campaigns under way, and that sajid javid, who resigned as health secretary and transport secretary, grant shapps, are seriously considering a pop at the top job. thank you all very much. thank you. a new leader, who will become prime minister, is expected by september. they�*ll first need the backing of enough tory mp5. the final two will fight it out for votes from tory members. in the meantime, borisjohnson remains behind these doors, home for now with his wife and children. he�*ll still host cabinet with his new set of ministers. but this isn�*t the end of the tory discontent. some of his mp5 think he should have resigned as prime minister, too,

and left immediately to let someone else steer the ship that he can no longer summon the authority to captain. lone wells, bbc news. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent nick eardley who gave us this assessment i think this will be a crowded field at first. let me run through some of the names i keep hearing from tory mp5 in the last couple of days. ben wallace, the defence secretary, liz truss, foreign secretary, rishi sunak, former chancellor. sajid javid, former health secretary, penny morduant, a trade minister, jeremy hunt, former health secretary. there is going to be a lot of people jostling for position over the next few days and to be honest they are all trying to get themselves into a place where they are seen as a serious front runner.

i think it is probably going to be well into next week before we have a better idea of who the genuine favourites here are, partly because they will have to declare next week if they want to stand because this process, because this process, i understand, is going to be a quick one, partly because they want to get on the front foot as well, so there will be a lot of speculation and we will probably see some candidates declare over the weekend, and then next week, when it becomes clearer just who has won support and who could be the next pm. and in terms of getting onto the initial ballot, do they have to do have a certain number of mp5 supporting them? yes, they will do. we don�*t know exactly how many yet. based on last time when boris johnson won the leadership they would need about eight mp5 to back them to get on the ballot, which is then whittled down to two by tory mp5. i think the number will be a lot higher this time. there has been some chat about making the process quicker having a fairly high bar to get

onto the ballot in the first place stock that has not been decided. it�*s a bit of a guessing game at the moment because, here is a weird one, the people who will decide the rules are being elected themselves on monday, so there�*s a lot of spinning plates at the moment, so i can�*t give total clarity on thatjust yet, but as i say, in the next couple of weeks we will have a rough idea who the favourites are and by the time that parliament goes on holiday for the summer, it should be whittled down to two and then it is the conservative membership who decides. and will it definitely be conservative members who decide on the last two? there has been discussion about whether that could also be dumped to make the process quicker. i mean, it could be, in theory. one of two ways, either the committee that decides on these things decides it wants to get it over and done with so it leaves it

all to tory mp5, and i think that is unlikely, frankly. tory mp5 think they need to go out and speak to the membership, and in particular because the last few months have been so bruising. the other way it could happen and this happened with theresa may is that if it gets down to two and one of the two pull out, well, there�*s only one left, so they become tory leader and prime minister. again, that is a possibility, but at the moment i think the overall consensus in the conservative party is that we get it down to two in the next two weeks and then they ask the members. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here�*s isaac fannin. former fifa president sepp blatter and uefa chief michel platini have been found not guilty of fraud by a swiss court. they were both on trial for a payment of around 1.6 million pounds mr blatter made when he was head of world football�*s

governing body to platini. prosecutors alleged this payment was evidence of corruption, but the pair argued that the money was belated payment for platini�*s advisory work. both men denied wrongdoing and have been cleared after an 11—day trial. now it is finished, so i am happy. i am happy also for international football and i think this court have taken this matter very seriously and then together with my lawyer we brought a success. t5 then together with my lawyer we brought a success.— brought a success. is this the bi est brought a success. is this the biggest victory _ brought a success. is this the biggest victory of _ brought a success. is this the biggest victory of your - brought a success. is this the biggest victory of your life? i brought a success. is this the i biggest victory of your life? yes, it isiustice. _ biggest victory of your life? yes, it isjustice, but _ biggest victory of your life? yes, it isjustice, but a _ biggest victory of your life? yes, it isjustice, but a victory - biggest victory of your life? yes, it isjustice, but a victory for - biggest victory of your life? t2: it is justice, but a victory for me, definitely. sure. tt�*s it isjustice, but a victory for me, definitely. sure.— definitely. sure. it's what i said for seven _ definitely. sure. it's what i said for seven years, _ definitely. sure. it's what i said for seven years, it's _ definitely. sure. it's what i said for seven years, it's not - definitely. sure. it's what i said for seven years, it's not two i definitely. sure. it's what i said i for seven years, it's not two days the decision— for seven years, it's not two days the decision is important, seven years— the decision is important, seven years ago— the decision is important, seven years ago it was like that and i speak— years ago it was like that and i speak about that and i tell the truth — speak about that and i tell the truth. football never believe me. fifa never— truth. football never believe me. fifa never believed me and this

institution, the class, they never trust _ institution, the class, they never trust me. — institution, the class, they never trust me, but the normal tribunal they trust— trust me, but the normal tribunal they trust me and it's a great victory— they trust me and it's a great victory for— they trust me and it's a great victory for me. defending champion novak djokovic is up against britain�*s cameron norrie in the day�*s only match. nick krygios awaits in the final after rafael nadal pulled out of the other semi through injury. it�*s norrie�*s first visit to the last four of a grand slam having won two atp tour titles this year and reaching the top 10 in the world ranking in april. big hitting south africa batter lizelle lee has announced her retirement from international cricket, ahead of her country�*s tour of england. the 30—year—old made her international debut for south africa in 2013 and can boast a career amassing 3,315 runs in 100 matches, including 23 half—centuries and three centuries with a career—best score of 132 not out against india last year. that�*s all the sport for now.

the office for national statistics has just released the latest weekly covid infection data joanne is going to talk to fergus about— joanne is going to talk to fergus about this. he is here in the studio with me _ about this. he is here in the studio with me. ~ . . ., , with me. what are the latest statistics? — with me. what are the latest statistics? covid _ with me. what are the latest statistics? covid infection i with me. what are the latest i statistics? covid infection rates are auoin statistics? covid infection rates are going up — statistics? covid infection rates are going up again, _ statistics? covid infection rates are going up again, week - statistics? covid infection rates are going up again, week on i statistics? covid infection rates i are going up again, week on week on the office for national statistics weekly survey now that testing is not being done is the most reliable measure, and they show that last week around 2.7 million people in the uk had covid, up 18% on the week before and equates to around one in 25 people. the week before it was one in 30 but it is still well below

the almost 5 million people estimated to be infected at the end of march, and it is rising in all four nations, but the rate of increase is beginning to slow, so it looks like this latest omicron wave driven by the 5ob variance —— 5ob variance, are beginning to peak, but you don�*t know where the peak is until you pass it. you don't know where the peak is untilyou pass it.— until you pass it. what does the line look like _ until you pass it. what does the line look like in _ until you pass it. what does the line look like in terms _ until you pass it. what does the line look like in terms of- until you pass it. what does the line look like in terms of the i until you pass it. what does the l line look like in terms of the rate of growth compared with previous situations? tt�*s of growth compared with previous situations? �* , ., ., ., ., situations? it's a lot lower than where it was — situations? it's a lot lower than where it was saved _ situations? it's a lot lower than where it was saved back - situations? it's a lot lower than where it was saved back at i situations? it's a lot lower than where it was saved back at the | situations? it's a lot lower than i where it was saved back at the end of march and i think one in 13 people were estimated and there is still a lot of covid about and everyone i know, somebody know someone who has just had covid, everyone i know, somebody know someone who hasjust had covid, and what matters most of course is people falling severely ill. almost everybody in the uk has antibodies

now to coronavirus, mostly from vaccination but also from infections, but there are figures for england which are the most up—to—date and something like 11,600 hospital patients in england with covert and two thirds of those are primarily being treated for something else, but covid i5 primarily being treated for something else, but covid is very much still an issue and there are around, and it varies a lot, but around, and it varies a lot, but around 50 deaths per day where covid i5 around 50 deaths per day where covid is mentioned on the death certificate. one of the key messages is that vaccinations are not terribly good now at preventing you getting infected but they are still incredibly good at protecting people from falling severely ill, so there are still people who haven�*t had their covid booster who are being urged to come forward.— their covid booster who are being urged to come forward. thank you very much- _ urged to come forward. thank you very much. let's _ urged to come forward. thank you very much. let's go _ urged to come forward. thank you very much. let's go back- urged to come forward. thank you very much. let's go back to - urged to come forward. thank you i very much. let's go back to downing very much. let�*s go back to downing street and join victoria again.

we can speak to former conservative mp neil parish whose resignation in may led to the tiverton and honiton by—election after he admitted that he watched pornography in parliament. mr parrish, hello to you. t5 parliament. mr parrish, hello to ou. , . parliament. mr parrish, hello to ou, , ., , parliament. mr parrish, hello to ou. , . , can parliament. mr parrish, hello to you-_ can you - parliament. mr parrish, hello to | you._ can you hear you. is that better? can you hear me? mr parrish, _ you. is that better? can you hear me? mr parrish, you _ you. is that better? can you hear me? mr parrish, you are - you. is that better? can you hear me? mr parrish, you are on i you. is that better? can you hear me? mr parrish, you are on the i you. is that better? can you hear. me? mr parrish, you are on the air. can you hear me?— me? mr parrish, you are on the air. can you hear me? yes, i can hear you loud and clear. _ can you hear me? yes, i can hear you loud and clear. perfect. _ can you hear me? yes, i can hear you loud and clear. perfect. tell - can you hear me? yes, i can hear you loud and clear. perfect. tell us - loud and clear. perfect. tell us what you _ loud and clear. perfect. tell us what you think _ loud and clear. perfect. tell us what you think of _ loud and clear. perfect. tell us what you think of the - loud and clear. perfect. tell us what you think of the events i loud and clear. perfect. tell us what you think of the events of loud and clear. perfect. tell us i what you think of the events of this week. sorry, can you repeat? tell us what you think of the events here in downing street this week. weill. what you think of the events here in downing street this week.— downing street this week. well, i think it's quite _ downing street this week. well, i think it's quite extraordinary i downing street this week. well, i think it's quite extraordinary and | think it's quite extraordinary and the events, the final shoot—out when boris actually fired michael gove before michael gove had a chance to

resign was the final end, so boris did a good job on the big issues and theissue did a good job on the big issues and the issue was trust and he did have a problem with telling the truth so i think it is right that he has resigned and i think the issue now for the party is how fast can we actually get the candidates, the mps to decide on the two candidates to go to the ballot paper to go to members. i think the fastest we can do it is a0 days and i think we must try and do that because there is going to be a problem in running a government properly with all of the cost of living crisis and people suffering through inflation and even buying food, so we really have got to pull the government together and i think the trouble is that while boris is there you have part of the old covenant, and some new ones, and it is quite putting it bluntly, quite a mess. —— old cabinet. and it

will need to be pulled together and the party needs to step up to the plate because otherwise the country will not forgive us because they are very upset with the conservative party, very upset with what has gone on and they want is to govern the country properly and deal with the issues, so this is why we really must pull ourselves together. how much do you _ must pull ourselves together. how much do you think _ must pull ourselves together. how much do you think the scandal about you looking at pornography in parliament contributed to what we have seen in the last few days? my have seen in the last few days? m behaviour was have seen in the last few days? m1: behaviour was very bad, and have seen in the last few days? m1 behaviour was very bad, and i've apologised and i have resigned, so what it did do, i don't think it didn't help, what i did, but what it didn't help, what i did, but what it did do was spark the by—election and i plead guilty for what i did and i was very wrong but i will say that i cleanly left the party to get on with it but the trouble with the by—election is that it became a

complete referendum about boris and his behaviour, and can you believe boris, and it's no good talking about the big picture all the time because people are rather fed about the big picture all the time because people are ratherfed up with his actual behaviour and of course, time and time again, he does the same, so the by—election we lost and it was one of the safest seats in the country so that our nerves all mp5, conservative mps at that stage and then of course boris, having bounced into the committee room for a five times during my time, i will reform number ten and i will get everything right and it will get everything right and it will be wonderful but the trouble is it is boris, bless him that cannot be reformed, so itjust never worked and then came the crisp into episode where they took the whip away from me, quite rightly but even before formal complaints, so with the first day with pincher, boris said he had not really done anything wrong and he should remain with the whip and then five or six hours later, the whip is withdrawn and then boris

says he knows nothing about it and then a bit later he says he did know something about it and then to raise coffee is sent out to defend him and a few hours later he says when the senior civil servant said he didn't know —— did you know, because i briefed him, so boris has to come clean. and then dominic raab, and the whole thing unravelled, and that is what partly finished boris in the end was it was a complete saga of extracting the truth from him and when you have extracted the truth you are not sure you have got the whole truth. that is the trouble. are you bitter about the way you have been treated by the conservative party compared to the way mr pincher was treated in the initial hours after the allegation emerged about him? i’m initial hours after the allegation emerged about him?— initial hours after the allegation emerged about him? i'm trying not to be because you _ emerged about him? i'm trying not to be because you have _ emerged about him? i'm trying not to be because you have to _ emerged about him? i'm trying not to be because you have to move - emerged about him? i'm trying not to be because you have to move on - emerged about him? i'm trying not to be because you have to move on and| be because you have to move on and what i did was wrong and i did the right thing by going. i think there was a little bit of unequal treatment there but i got to get

over it and i'm really keen to keep what ever i have done. i didn't mean to offend anyone and ijust acted stupidly. i still have a political rain. and i understand what is going on. i'm not ready to vegetate. and i'm doing my best to use the skills i'm doing my best to use the skills i got. and i do a lot with food and agriculture and producing food and we needed because of a lack of food across the world but we need to get food out to poorer people and i did a lot with fair share and other charities to get food and i believe in free school meals and there are lots of things for me to get stuck into and i hope that people can forgive me and let me move on, really. forgive me and let me move on, reall . ., ., ., ., really. you are looking for a 'ob and a purpose. d really. you are looking for a 'ob and a purpose, iti really. you are looking for a 'ob and a purpose, it looks i really. you are looking for a 'ob and a purpose, it looks like.j- really. you are looking for a job - and a purpose, it looks like. sorry?

you are looking _ and a purpose, it looks like. sorry? you are looking for _ and a purpose, it looks like. sorry? you are looking for a _ and a purpose, it looks like. sorry? you are looking for a job _ and a purpose, it looks like. sorry? you are looking for a job and - and a purpose, it looks like. sorry? you are looking for a job and a - you are looking for a job and a purpose, it sounds like.- you are looking for a job and a purpose, it sounds like. yes,, i'm keein purpose, it sounds like. yes,, i'm keeping all— purpose, it sounds like. yes,, i'm keeping all my — purpose, it sounds like. yes,, i'm keeping all my options _ purpose, it sounds like. yes,, i'm keeping all my options open - purpose, it sounds like. yes,, i'm keeping all my options open at. purpose, it sounds like. yes,, i'm| keeping all my options open at the moment and ijust keeping all my options open at the moment and i just think i've keeping all my options open at the moment and ijust think i've had a good media run recently and i still want to see if there is a public role for me. you have to be very careful when you have destroyed your reputation and brought others into disrepute. i'm not trying to run before i can walk but neither is he. my before i can walk but neither is he. my method of life is to get back on the horse when you have fallen off and move on so i'm asking for forgiveness and i am looking for something to keep my brain alive and also to be able to use the good stuff i've got, and the good stuff i've done over the years, which i have, i did a good job as chairman

of the select committee and was a good constituency mp. i don't want to let that all go to waste, and you just feel when you leave in such a hurry from parliament that it is unfinished business, really, but i'vejust unfinished business, really, but i've just got to let time settle and see where it all goes. thank you for talking to is, neil parish the former conservative mp for tiverton and honiton. now it's time for a look at the weather to nick. 26 celsius in london at the moment. 2a in cardiff, 25 in east yorkshire, feeling warm across much of wales and england with the sunny spells. eastern scotland too. north and west gotham, brisk wind, showers, clouds and hazy sunshine so far today, thickening cloud in northern ireland will produce light rain and drizzle

especially the further north you are. temperatures, close to average but we are going to see some warmth around england and wales. particularly through the course of this afternoon. into the night, here it is going to produce one or two showers further south, mid to low teens, and there will still be showers in northern scotland and the brisk breeze and tomorrow northern and western parts of scotland still have some cloud and the chance of rain here and there were as much of wales and england will stay dry. not as warm but sheet building more from sunday through parts of wales and england is a heatwave kicks in. that's your latest forecast. let's return to our top story and the former japanese prime minister, shinzo abe, has been shot dead at an election rally. doctors tried for five hours to save his life. a former member of the japanese navy has been arrested. mr abe was japan's longest—serving prime minister. gareth barlow looks back at his career.

a warning this report contains flash photography. he was japan's longest serving post—war prime minister and for shinzo abe, a career in politics was surely his destiny. by the time he was just ten years old, his grandfather and great uncle had both held the post that he would one day secure for himself. born in 195a, by the late 19705, the young shinzo abe left university in tokyo to study political science in the united states. on his return to japan two years later, hejoined kobe steel and shortly after worked for his father, who was, by that time, the country's foreign minister. it was in 1993 that shinzo abe won his first parliamentary seat and he would later go on to hold a series of government posts. domestically, as prime minister, he sought to bolster national identity and historical traditions. under his watch,

the position of emperor in civic life was reaffirmed and he sought, albeit unsuccessfully, to revise the country's post—war constitution. but it was his economic plan, or abenomics, that was perhaps the most high—profile policy of his time in office. 0n the international stage, shinzo abe took a tough stance towards north korea, avoided a trade war with the united states under donald trump, and signed a host of partnerships with regional and western allies. he also worked to strengthen japan's defences and boost military spending. despite winning general elections in 201a and 2017 with sizable majorities, shinzo abe's personal approval rating suffered in the latter years of his time in office. a series of damaging corruption scandals and a mixed record in confronting the covid—i9 crisis damaged his reputation. japan's hosting of the delayed olympic games was unpopular among

many in the country, as the world continued to grapple with covid—i9. and a visit to a memorial that honours japan's military dead, which includes the remains of people convicted of war crimes during the second world war, drew anger from regional neighbours. in 2020, the then 65—year—old announced he would resign from his post as prime minister for health reasons. for many years, he suffered from inflammatory bowel disease, but with the condition worsening, prime minister abe said it was time to step down, sincerely apologising to the people of japan for doing so. translation: | needed to fight. against the disease and be treated. apologies against the disease and be treated. for interrupting piece apologies for interrupting that piece about shinzo abe, which is obviously really distressing, upsetting news. the reason we have done that is to bring you this breaking news to do with sir keir starmer. who has been cleared by

durham police of allegedly breaking covid rules. you will know that a fair was called beer date but sir keir starmer, leader of the labour party has been cleared by durham police. sir keir starmer said that if he was fined by then, he would resign as leader of the labour party. let's talk to nick eardley, political corresponding to has just tweeted this. nick, there will be huge relief from sir keir starmer and members of his party? you are sot on. and members of his party? you are spot on- this _ and members of his party? you are spot on. this was _ and members of his party? you are spot on. this was a _ and members of his party? you are spot on. this was a huge _ and members of his party? you are spot on. this was a huge cloud - spot on. this was a huge cloud hanging over the labour party and its leadership in the last few weeks. as you say, keir starmer and his deputy angela rayner were both at this event. they both said that if they were fine, they would resign. they have always insisted that no rules were broken and durham police has, it seems, come up with the exact same conclusion. just had a statement through from the force

in the last few minutes saying that they looked at a substantial amount of documentary and witness evidence following an application that had been concluded there was no case to answer for contravention of covid regulations. accordingly, durham constabulary will not be issuing any fixed penalty notices in respect of the gathering, no further action will be taken. in the last few seconds as well i have had a line through from the labour party, a spokesperson saying keir starmer and angela rayner have always been clear that no rules were broken in durham. the police have completed their investigation and have agreed, saying that there is no case to answer. politically, this is a huge relief for keir starmer. he is a man who has built his political reputation on being mr rules, by sticking by those rules. he has always tried to contrast himself with borisjohnson. when it was

announced done constabulary were looking into this case, it was this cloud that hung over keir starmer. he said that he would resign if he was find, because he wanted to try and move on from it. that was a gamble, because nobody was certain what the force would come what with. i imagine sir keir starmer, his deputy angela rayner, the whole team at the top of the labour party are breathing a backside of relief this morning because what a remarkable moment that would have been if sir keir starmer had been forced to resign the day after borisjohnson. it was a gamble. they always said they had not broken the rules. they said they were at a meeting with colleagues in the office of an mp in durham. and that they broke to get some food from a kitchen and had a beer. then there was confusion over whether the deputy angela rayner was there or not. labour party press

officer initially said she was not there then it was clear that she was because of photographs. i suppose people might draw the contrast with what sir keir starmer said he would do if he was fined, i use, and the fact that borisjohnson do if he was fined, i use, and the fact that boris johnson has do if he was fined, i use, and the fact that borisjohnson has had to resign over issues of integrity. look, i mean, part of what keir starmer budget calculation was was that he could put no pressure on the prime minister by saying i will resign if i got a fine. you got a fine and you did not resign. it made some conservatives quite uncomfortable. in the last few seconds, i am uncomfortable. in the last few seconds, iam hearing uncomfortable. in the last few seconds, i am hearing that we will hear from seconds, i am hearing that we will hearfrom keir starmer seconds, i am hearing that we will hear from keir starmer later. there will be some sort of press statement, likely i expect he will take questions from members of the media. i suppose it's easier to give a press conference when you have been cleared and if you have been fined but we will hear from the labour leader this afternoon. it is this astonishing situation that he

has been in. did always say that he had done nothing wrong. what happened was, over the course of the local election campaign, back in may, there were a lot of reports came out which questioned circa's version of events which suggested that labour had not published. who had been there it said there were some breaks in the timeline which had been provided by sir keir starmer was not spoke people. labour always pushed back extremely strongly against that. i remember being told at the time that there was a log of whatsapp messages that showed sir keir starmer was working before he had to scurry, was working after he had the curry, various members of his team working into the early hours of the morning because backin early hours of the morning because back in april 2021, they would have been busy preparing for local elections as well. we always

insisted he did nothing wrong. there was always a claim for those in the labour party that there are politics involved in this, local mps in durham, conservative mps had tighter make this more of an issue than it was and to try and use this to obfuscate what was going on with the prime minister at the time. that was denied by the mps who said there is a genuine case to answer here, we should be looking into this, not dissimilar to what happened with the prime minister. the key thing today, the important thing that labour party will be hugely relieved about is the statement which has come through from durham constabulary saying we looked at a lot of documentary and witness evidence, they have concluded there is no case to answer, there will be no fine for anyone who was at that labour event at the red hills in durham back in april 21. there will be no fines, nothing for keir starmer or his deputy angela rayner. they will continue theirjobs.—

continue their 'obs. which, presumably_ continue theirjobs. which, presumably means - continue theirjobs. which, presumably means very . continue theirjobs. which, l presumably means very soon continue theirjobs. which, - presumably means very soon they continue theirjobs. which, _ presumably means very soon they will be putting this motion of no confidence in the government, because they want boris johnson confidence in the government, because they want borisjohnson out of number ten sooner rather than later. . �* , of number ten sooner rather than later. ., �* , , ., of number ten sooner rather than later. ., �*, , ., ., later. that's the plan. labour intending _ later. that's the plan. labour intending to _ later. that's the plan. labour intending to do _ later. that's the plan. labour intending to do that - later. that's the plan. labour intending to do that early - later. that's the plan. labourl intending to do that early next week. they think that the conservative party is going to keep borisjohnson in office until after the summer. i have got to say, i think that confidence vote will fail because i don't think many tory mps will back it. there may be some, i don't think there will be all that many at all. it does just add to this real sense of crisis that there has been in british politics over the last few weeks. questions over the last few weeks. questions over the fit the prime minister's future which were answered yesterday when he said he would stand down. there have been, not as loud, but there have been, not as loud, but there have been, not as loud, but there have been questions in the background about whether sir keir starmer would have to resign as well. some conclusion on that today

too and the answer is no. sir keir starmer won't have to resign. he has been cleared by police, so he will hope that over the next few weeks you can take the fight to the conservatives on the political front. durham police have looked into this twice, the initially concluded there was nothing to see here sort of thing and then it was only after pa rtygate started to emerge that some conservatives went back to durham police and said you need to investigate this regarding beergate again. you are absolutely right. when this story first emerged it was dim dismissed by the police but there was more suggestions and reports about what could have potentially happened at the miners club in durham and questions over whether the labour party had been honest what was going on in the room. they always said they were, they always said they were confident circa had done nothing wrong.

behind—the—scenes many said this was just a smoke screen from some conservatives to try and muddy the waters basically with what the accusations against the prime minister where. obviously durham police will make no conclusion on that but they did go back and say after seeing some new evidence, we are going to look at this again, we are going to look at this again, we are going to speak to people who were there, look at documentary evidence, that people can provide. you will remember there was a video of sir keir starmer drinking a beer through a window that there was about part of that story. we through a window that there was about part of that story.- about part of that story. we are showing that — about part of that story. we are showing that now. _ about part of that story. we are showing that now. excellent, i about part of that story. we are i showing that now. excellent, this was a big reason _ showing that now. excellent, this was a big reason the _ showing that now. excellent, this was a big reason the story - showing that now. excellent, this was a big reason the story blew. showing that now. excellent, this| was a big reason the story blew up in the first place. circular always said he was meeting with activists, this was part of his work and it was a work event. it was really uncomfortable for him politically for a while because it sounded quite similar to what the prime minister was saying, but case, the different

police forces have built up and the decisions they have made has been quite different. we met find the prime ministerfor that quite different. we met find the prime minister for that event in the cabinet room, they find the chancellor as well, of course. circular has been told there is no case to answer so he is in the clear, not getting a fine. i am looking at _ clear, not getting a fine. i am looking at reaction _ clear, not getting a fine. i am looking at reaction on - clear, not getting a fine. i am| looking at reaction on twitter. somebody has renamed sir keir starmer sur cleared starmer. others suggesting british policing is political. they find the chancellor and prime ministerfor going to one meeting and having a piece of cake in between whereas they have cleared sir keir starmer for having in between whereas they have cleared sir keir starmerfor having a beer and curry during, while having a meeting in an office in durham. sir keir starmer and angela rayner, the whole cloud above them is completely lifted. that is it, the line is

drawn under that, yes? yes, think that is it. that's _ drawn under that, yes? yes, think that is it. that's exactly _ drawn under that, yes? yes, think that is it. that's exactly it. - drawn under that, yes? yes, think that is it. that's exactly it. i - that is it. that's exactly it. i suspect we will hear sir keir starmer speak this afternoon, i think he's going to host a press conference and he will want to see look, after these accusations i faced, i am look, after these accusations i faced, iam breathing look, after these accusations i faced, i am breathing a sigh of relief, i am faced, i am breathing a sigh of relief, iam keen faced, i am breathing a sigh of relief, i am keen to go on with the job, i suspect he will continue to draw that contrast with the prime minister who was fined and who continued in thejob minister who was fined and who continued in the job for a while. but we have had these two clouds over british politics, the questions over british politics, the questions over the prime minister's future and the labour leader's future, both have now been answered. let’s the labour leader's future, both have now been answered. let's 'ust talk about why fl have now been answered. let's 'ust talk about why sir i have now been answered. let's 'ust talk about why sir keir i have now been answered. let's 'ust talk about why sir keir starmer h have now been answered. let'sjust talk about why sir keir starmer and | talk about why sir keir starmer and angela rayner both said, if we are fined, we will resign. why did they see that? ,, , , ., see that? quite rightly, they had to. keir starmer _ see that? quite rightly, they had to. keir starmer has _ see that? quite rightly, they had to. keir starmer has built - see that? quite rightly, they had to. keir starmer has built his - to. keir starmer has built his political reputation as a former director of public prosecutions as

someone who follows the rules. that was the way he try to contrast himself with the prime minister, to say as labour leader, i'm going to be someone who does things the way they should be done. as soon as it came out at a police force was investigating whether he had broken the covid rules that he was so vociferous in criticising the prime minister for breaking, vociferous in criticising the prime ministerfor breaking, sir kier knew that would be a big cloud over him and i remember the day that it broke that police were looking into his attendance at that event in durham. he always said he had done nothing wrong but the truth as he could not be certain he was going to be cleared. it was up to the police and because that cloud was hanging over him, he was basically put in a position where he could either come out and say yes i will resign or he would face that question every day for weeks and potentially months. i think it was pretty inevitable that he would have had to resign if he

was fined because of his reputation. therefore coming out and saying nice and early meant that he could move on about and basically wait for the day when his fate was handed down by durham police. as i say, we have got it, he will be mightily relieved they have decided there is no case to answer. ,, ., they have decided there is no case to answer-— they have decided there is no case to answer. ,, ._ , ~ to answer. stay with us, i think we can actually _ to answer. stay with us, i think we can actually talk _ to answer. stay with us, i think we can actually talk to. .. _ to answer. stay with us, i think we can actually talk to. .. i _ to answer. stay with us, i think we can actually talk to. .. i beg - to answer. stay with us, i think we can actually talk to. .. i beg your. can actually talk to... i beg your pardon, we don't quite have her yet. we will hopefully talk to her the next few minutes. we have a letter we can show you. i'm not clear who the letter is from and to to be honest but somebody will tell me. we can show you this. this is a letter from mary foy. no, this is a letter to mary foy, i beg your pardon. from durham police to mary foy following the emergence of new and significant evidence as an investigation was

launched into the gathering in durham. it is concluded, there is no case to answer for a contravention of regulations. due to the application of an exception, namely reasonably necessary work. therefore there will be no fine. obviously, i am just remembering of course mary five was there with sir keir starmer and a number of others. —— mary foy. quite a few people there in the video but durham police have concluded it was reasonably necessary for work.- concluded it was reasonably necessary for work. concluded it was reasonably necessa forwork. , , ., necessary for work. yes, they have. the fact there _ necessary for work. yes, they have. the fact there were _ necessary for work. yes, they have. the fact there were a _ necessary for work. yes, they have. the fact there were a few _ necessary for work. yes, they have. the fact there were a few people . the fact there were a few people there was one of the things that was questioned at the time. this was april 30 21, what keir starmer said was that he was at a phone bank which is basically when a bunch of politicians and activists get in a room and hit the phones to local people, saying to come and vote for us in the local elections. 38 full

2021 was end of covid regulations and certainly not during a period of intense lockdown but it was a period where socialising indoors was not allowed. the argument the labour party always used was that this was not socialising, it was a work event, it was reasonable, it was allowed within the rules. the counterargument was always, was it? to everyone that attended me to be there? was there anybody who could have gone? the question was asked why was he having a beer with dinner? to be honest, these answers have been —— questions have been answered. we know what durham police think, they are not going to fine the labour leader. i suspect when we see him later this afternoon he will come out all guns blazing and see i always said i did nothing wrong, this proves i did nothing wrong, that this was about mudslinging,

let's get on with the job.- that this was about mudslinging, let's get on with the job. let's get on with the 'ob. when the ou think let's get on with the 'ob. when the you thhk this h let's get on with the job. when the you think this motion _ let's get on with the job. when the you think this motion of— let's get on with the job. when the you think this motion of no - you think this motion of no confidence in borisjohnson and the government will be laid, table, what is the right word?— is the right word? either, laid or table are fine. _ is the right word? either, laid or table are fine. monday - is the right word? either, laid or table are fine. monday is - is the right word? either, laid or table are fine. monday is the - table are fine. monday is the answer. that i have heard this morning. the opposition, the official opposition, labour, will put before mps on monday. there is a strange convention in the house of commons where confidence motions can be tabled by any of the opposition parties, but they only really get voted on if the official opposition do it. the word from the labour leader's office this morning was that that's likely to happen on monday afternoon. it could slip into tuesday if we don't have complete clarity by that point about exactly when. .. clarity by that point about exactly when... ., , ~ clarity by that point about exactly when... . , ~ , ., when... can i 'ust... and put a new prime when... can ijust... and put a new prime minister _ when... can ijust... and put a new prime minister in. _ when... can ijust... and put a new prime minister in. as _ when... can ijust... and put a new

prime minister in. as we _ when... can ijust... and put a new prime minister in. as we were - prime minister in. as we were chatting about earlier, expectation is that tory party will set out our timeline on monday that involves mps whittling our long list down to two candidates by the summer break and then there be a campaign over the summer where tory members are given the ultimate say in their new leader, who would then take office in september. labour are not happy about that, they say that the prime minister should go immediately. there are tory mps who shook that view and think there is so much bad blood and has been so much chaos over the last few days that the prime minister needs to go immediately. i'm not that sure there will be a groundswell of tory mps who are prepared to vote no confidence in the whole government because that's what they would have to do and in doing that they would create a crisis. i suspect most of them will sit on their hands when it comes to that vote next week. is that to lead to a general election

orjust from labour's point of view to swap borisjohnson with an interim prime minister like dominic raab? it interim prime minister like dominic raab? ., ., . , interim prime minister like dominic raab? ., ., , ., raab? it would not necessarily lead to a general— raab? it would not necessarily lead to a general election, _ raab? it would not necessarily lead to a general election, there - raab? it would not necessarily lead to a general election, there would i to a general election, there would be a chance for others to try and form a government, potentially it could lead to an interim prime minister but it's that nuclear option for tory mps and remember borisjohnson has a majority of around 80. he has a comfortable position in parliament despite the fact his mps, not all of them but a great deal of them have turned against him. if tory mps were seen to be voting with the labour party, no confidence in the government, i think that would go down pretty badly with activists, outwardly to a lot of bad blood, that whole civil war in the conservative party would erupt again and to be honest, chatting to tory mps in the last 2a hours since the prime minister announced his leg resignation, they are knackered. they are exhausted

and kind of looking their wounds this morning. i don't think they will want to reopen next week. i suspect even those calling for the prime minister to go immediately will probably start to accept the fact that he is likely to stay until the end of summer. we fact that he is likely to stay until the end of summer.— fact that he is likely to stay until the end of summer. we have got a statement here _ the end of summer. we have got a statement here from _ the end of summer. we have got a statement here from labour- the end of summer. we have got a statement here from labour mp i the end of summer. we have got a i statement here from labour mp mary foy who was investigated by durham police. they also investigated sir keir starmer and angela rayner and others for that gathering in april 2021. they have all been cleared, none of them will be fined. this is what, that is a different letter we're showing you, what i'm reading is a letter mary foy. "i am delighted durham police have investigated and concluded that neither i or my team had a case to answer in relation to the work visit in durham on the 30th of april 21. i would like to thank officers for their professionalism and diligence through the investigation but it's unfortunate the desire of some

conservative politicians to score political points has led to so much of durham police's time being focused on a matter that was already investigated, especially when the resources are already under significant pressure. after the pressure of the last few months, continues mary five, i am enormously appreciative for the understanding of my staff and their families. have shown in the face of significant intrusion from the right—wing media, including their children and parents being doorstep, says a misfire. now that the matter has been put to rest i will continue to focus on serving my constituents in durham and westminster as well as in holding what is left of this shambolic government to account during this cost of living crisis. that is the statement from mary foy, labour mp, who has been cleared alongside the leader of the labour party and deputy leader of labour angela rayner when it comes to allegations

of breaking covid regulations back in april 2021, none of them will be fined. as was telling us, it was a gamble when he said he would resign immediately if found guilty, that appears to have been paid off. he and his no doubt shadow front bench team will be enormously relieved by this news. much more reaction to come. let's bring you a look at the weather. hello, hello, everyone. well, we are expecting temperatures to rise significantly over the next couple of days. we've been talking about it for a while now. we're seeing more in the way of sunshine. in fact, since first light this morning, we've had some lovely weather watchers�* pictures that have been sent in to us. this is the situation. we have this area of high pressure. a couple of things to mention. this weak weather front to the north.

what does it look like on the close—up view? well, like this, it'll introduce more of a breeze as well across northern parts, western parts of scotland, we're seeing thicker clouds here through northern ireland, into northern parts of england as well, whereas further south, we're seeing more in the way of that sunshine and indeed higher temperatures. we could get to 27 or 28 celsius today across some southeastern parts. whereas, further north and further west, it is cooler, especially where we see a bit of that cloud, maybe a bit of light rain or drizzle as well. we also have to talk about uv levels, which are high or very high in places across southern parts. we have this gradient, then, up towards the northwest, where it becomes medium and then low. pollen levels also high or very high at the moment. the bbc weather app has all the very latest wherever you are as far as that's concerned. let's move on, then. so, the high pressure is now establishing itself as we look towards the weekend. if you like, dry weather, well, it's good news. we still have a couple of weak weather fronts close to northern parts. and, again, these will introduce thicker cloud and a bit more of a breeze. today, it'll be quite breezy across northern parts of scotland. we'll see that easing a bit

as we head through tomorrow. plenty of dry weather, plenty of sunshine across much of england and wales in particular. and those temperatures, again, reaching 26 or 27 celsius across southern parts, cooler further north and again cloudier here, but hopefully more in the way of drier weather across scotland, as we look towards tomorrow. as for sunday, a very similar sort of thing, but i think we'll tend to see the cloud thinning and breaking more readily across northern ireland and across parts of scotland. the hebrides, the western isles still cooler and cloudier, but for the majority, if you like your sunshine, it's good news. we'll see plenty of that. but if you don't like warm weather, not such great news. again, those temperatures just now starting to move towards 30 celsius. and it's this stage we're starting to move towards the heatwave territory, the high pressure and a couple of weak weather fronts nearby then over the next couple of days, but not very much relief as far as those temperatures go. we'll keep you posted. stay safe. see you soon.

japan's longest serving prime minister, shinzo abe, is assasinated — leaders around the world express their grief and shock. mr abe had been making this campaign speech when two shots rang out. the suspected assassin was wrestled to the ground but the former prime minister later died in hospital. mr shinzo abe was taken in today at 12:20pm at the emergency care centre. he was in a state of cardiac arrest. he was given intensive care but, unfortunately, he passed away today at 17:03pm. mr abe had been a familiar face on the global stage for years; and was still influencial in japanese politics.