this is bbc news with the latest headlines. foreign secretary liz truss joins the race to replace borisjohnson taking the number of hopefuls looking to become the next tory leader to 11. the 1922 committee will finalise the rules of the contest later today — including how many mps need to back each candidate for them to be put forward for selection. and i'm ben brown — live in westminster — with the latest on that conservative party leadership battle. in sri lanka, the presidential palace is now a protest site as crowds continue to pour inside. our correspondent is there. how does it feel to swim in the president's personal pool? i am happy, i am so happy.

and the heat is on — the met office says today could be the hottest day of the year so far. some parts of the uk will be hotter than athens and ibiza today. what's it like where you are and how are you coping? get in touch @annitabbc and use the #bbcyourquestions. also coming up, birth control for grey squirrels as scientists hope to control an expanding population and save our native reds. hello and welcome to bbc news. the foreign secretary, liz truss, is the latest senior cabinet member to enter the conservative leadership race. ii contenders are now in the running. conservative backbenchers will meet

later this afternoon to finalise the contest�*s rules, which will aim to thin the field quickly. my colleague ben brown is live in westminster for us this morning and we canjoin him now. another very busy day in politics. on that number could grow further still? .. , ., , still? exactly. the weather is heatina still? exactly. the weather is heating up — still? exactly. the weather is heating up and _ still? exactly. the weather is heating up and so _ still? exactly. the weather is heating up and so is - still? exactly. the weather is heating up and so is the - still? exactly. the weather is - heating up and so is the leadership race. what is crucial is that today we have a meeting of the 1922 committee. that is a bit later on today. that is the conservative backbenches committee. they will be meeting to decide the leadership election rules. they are going to try to cut the size of the field. it is thought the current crop of contenders will be whittled down to two by the end of next week, when parliament breaks for the summer. the final result, probably not known until early september, so boris johnson stays in downing street until then. johnson stays in downing street untilthen. in johnson stays in downing street until then. in the early skirmishes of this leadership race, it's very

much tax that is at the forefront. here isjonathan break. good afternoon, minister. long seen as a potential tory leader, the foreign secretary liz truss is popular with conservative members. she entered the race last night, promising vision, experience and resolve. and like most of her fellow contenders, tax cuts are high on her agenda. writing in the daily telegraph, ms truss says... have you got what it takes to be pm? the policy pits her and the other main candidates against the former chancellor rishi sunak. the early frontrunner, who has played down the prospect of tax cuts in the short term. freedom, liberty and human rights. you may not recognise the 11th candidate to throw their hat in the ring. rehman chishti recently made a foreign office minister. he and other less well—known candidates may fall at the first

hurdle, as conservative mps meeting later to finalise the rules are likely to set a relatively high bar for the number of supporters needed to enter the first round of voting. in this crowded field, with a high prize at stake, the competition is intense. jonathan blake, bbc news. the competition is indeed really intense. with me now is our political correspondent nick eardley. the field is really crowded already. a bit like the grand national. and by the end of next week we are expecting it to bejust by the end of next week we are expecting it to be just down to two? that's right. it is 11 this morning. it could be 12 in the next few hours. priti patel, the home secretary, was weighing up throwing her hat into the ring. yes, it is big. but i do think even in the next few days it is going to be whittled

down quite significantly. the key process thing that is happening todayis process thing that is happening today is that the 1922 committee, the tory backbenchers, they will meet and decide the rules. the expectation is that they will set quite a high bar to get onto the ballot. you will probably need the backing of as many as 20 mps, perhaps even more, to get on that ballot in the first place. that will, looking at the list of the 12, that could knock a few of them out already. then what will happen is that tory mps will vote to whittle that tory mps will vote to whittle that list down over the next few days, by the time parliament breaks for summer extra, should be down to the two who will go to tory members by the start of september, and they will choose who the new prime minister is. is will choose who the new prime minister is-_ will choose who the new prime minister is. , ., , ,, minister is. is a strange process, there are sort — minister is. is a strange process, there are sort of _ minister is. is a strange process, there are sort of two _ minister is. is a strange process, | there are sort of two electorates, there are sort of two electorates, the conservative mps and then there is the wider conservative party membership, about 180,000 people. between them, they will choose the next prime minister of this country.

that's right. i think if you can see that in what has been pitched by the leadership contenders already, tax is the issue that is going to dominate this campaign. already, you are seeing most of the key players offer tax cuts to tory mps, something they have been calling for for some time. there is broadly three camps in terms of what each side is offering when it comes to tax cuts. you have the former chancellor, rishi sunak, saying don't tell people fairy tales, we can't cut taxes radically right away, we have to wait until the economy is in a better place. then you have people likejeremy hunt, saying you could probably cut business tax right now, try to stimulate growth in the economy, but personal tax cuts like income tax cuts are going to have to wait a bit. and then you have liz truss and sajid javid, saying let's make a significant tax cuts now. sajid javid yesterday saying he wants £40 billion of tax cuts every year. liz truss says she can make tax cuts

from day one. that is the issue that is dominating so far, that is partly a pitch to conservative mps, it is also a pitch to tory voters. i guess for any party. _ also a pitch to tory voters. i guess for any party. when _ also a pitch to tory voters. i guess for any party, when you _ also a pitch to tory voters. i guess for any party, when you have - also a pitch to tory voters. i guess for any party, when you have a - for any party, when you have a leadership campaign, it is obviously divisive. you can get pretty bloody. there's already been a bit of mudslinging. the danger is that the party emerges from it all a little bit weaker, because it looks divided. i was talking to tom tugendhat, one of the contenders, he was saying, i guarantee you none of my people will smear anybody else. i guess they will all say that. and yet they will be mudslinging. there has been so — yet they will be mudslinging. there has been so far. _ yet they will be mudslinging. there has been so far. i _ yet they will be mudslinging. there has been so far. ijotted _ yet they will be mudslinging. there has been so far. ijotted down - yet they will be mudslinging. ii—ii” has been so far. ijotted down some of it this morning for rishi sunak is being criticised for his role as chancellor, and for the fact that taxes are high. nadhim zahawi has been attacked for his personal affairs on his tax affairs. he says he is being smeared by someone. sajid javid is being attacked this morning for his u—turn on whether there should be that health and social care levy, the national

insurance increase we all saw. questions from nadine dorries about dominic cummings backing rishi sunak. this will be a dirty campaign. sunak. this will be a dirty campaign-— sunak. this will be a dirty camaian.�* . �*, , _, campaign. and that's 'ust the start. one of the reasons _ campaign. and that's 'ust the start. one of the reasons it — campaign. and that'sjust the start. one of the reasons it could - one of the reasons it could potentially get quite dirty is that it is a short campaign. we don't have long for them to set their stall is out. its high—stakes. tory mps are choosing the next prime minister. it really does matter. these things often get dirty. there is often a sense that there is a lot of blue on blue attacks. which have always been really interesting, listening to the number of conservatives that have been members of the government, that have been standing by tax decisions. now, totally turning their back on it. politics moves quickly. but the speed at which people are dumping borisjohnson and saying we need to get rid of his policies, do something completely different, it is quite staggering. the question they are less keen to answer is if they are less keen to answer is if they cut taxes, what are they going to cut in spending terms? because if

they are bringing less in, they need to be spending more. they need to be honest with the electorate about what that is going to mean. that is proving a bit hard to eke out of them at the moment.- proving a bit hard to eke out of them at the moment. thanks so much, we will talk later _ them at the moment. thanks so much, we will talk later during _ them at the moment. thanks so much, we will talk later during the _ them at the moment. thanks so much, we will talk later during the day. - we will talk later during the day. nick eardley, with his take on where we are with the leadership race. let's get henry hill's tx, deputy editor of conservative cap at home. blue on blue attacks, do you think that will be potentially destructive for the conservative party? absolutely, i think it is one of the reasons the 1922 committee will hopefully truncate the early rounds by raising the threshold for mps necessary to continue on into the contest. currently we have a lot of candidates, there is a lot of mud being slung. this is an internal contest, but it is being conducted in the full gaze of press and public scrutiny, and recently can't afford to have people behaving like this. there seems to be a conventional wisdom emerging that it will end up with a rishi sunak against somebody

else. possibly liz truss. is that how you see it, a final choice when it goes to the wider conservative party electorate, who will decide over the summer? i party electorate, who will decide over the summer?— party electorate, who will decide over the summer? i would say that is the most likely _ over the summer? i would say that is the most likely at _ over the summer? i would say that is the most likely at the _ over the summer? i would say that is the most likely at the moment, - over the summer? i would say that is the most likely at the moment, rishi| the most likely at the moment, rishi was locking down the centre left of the conservative party, he is running as the prudent, experienced cabinet minister, sensible government and so on. that is a constituency and jeremy hunt is also not space, tom tugendhat is also in that space. it rishi house the seniority on the best machine. currently looks like he will get through and then he will be fighting somebody from the right of the party, of whom liz truss is probably the most established right now. but it is very rare that we end up with a tory leadership contest where the first and second seed end up facing off, so it could be something else. it interesting you phrase it like

that, centre or centre—left against right, if it comes to that choice, how would you characterise the current conservative party membership you will get to decide? obviously that is a huge question and there are tens of thousands of but who would you say they are more likely to favour? not in terms of personality, but in terms of political direction.— personality, but in terms of political direction. well, i think that obviously _ political direction. well, i think that obviously party _ political direction. well, i think that obviously party members. political direction. well, i think. that obviously party members of political direction. well, i think - that obviously party members of any political party are people with particularly strong political convictions. so, in normal circumstances it would possibly be the case that the candidate of the right might have an advantage in the final two, right might have an advantage in the finaltwo, depending right might have an advantage in the final two, depending on who they are. but i think the other thing is that conservative members especially want to pick a winner. they want to pick somebody who will get the party over the line in 2024. winning in 2024 is going to be all about fixing the cost of living crisis. so my hope is that whichever candidate has the more plausible plan for solving

the more plausible plan for solving the cost of living crisis, mitigating it and then looks like they will win in 2024, they will be they will win in 2024, they will be the one that the members vote for. nick eardley was talking about how quickly some of the contenders are dumping previous government policies like the national insurance rise. have you been surprised to see some of the changes, dramatic changes in position of people who have been in government, been a borisjohnson's government? i’m government, been a boris johnson's government?— government? i'm not necessarily surprised- _ government? i'm not necessarily surprised. you _ government? i'm not necessarily surprised. you know, _ government? i'm not necessarily surprised. you know, the - government? i'm not necessarily surprised. you know, the king i government? i'm not necessarily surprised. you know, the king is| surprised. you know, the king is dead. this is the kind of thing that always happens. remarkably it was only six years ago david cameron was prime minister. where are david cameron's conservatives? it is nowhere to be seen. revolutions, when they happen, it happens very quickly. it's a sign of a conservative party with ongoing adjustment, if you like, that we are picking yet another prime minister. nobody has yet managed to lock down the change in the conservative party. borisjohnson looked like he was going to do it after that amazing election result, now he has

gone, somebody else will have a go at forming a new sort of conservatism. i don't think it is surprising. fundamentally, this is a contest where, to an extent, they need to tell mps and activists what they need to hear, but also people that were following somebody else's vision, as leader, they all have their own ideas. [30 vision, as leader, they all have their own ideas.— vision, as leader, they all have their own ideas. do you think these contenders — their own ideas. do you think these contenders were _ their own ideas. do you think these contenders were kind _ their own ideas. do you think these contenders were kind of _ their own ideas. do you think these contenders were kind of expecting l their own ideas. do you think these | contenders were kind of expecting a contest sometime around now? they all seem pretty prepared. they don't seem to have been taken by surprise. some of them have got quite slick videos up their sleeves, like rishi sunak. where they kind of expecting the demise of borisjohnson at some stage? i the demise of boris johnson at some stare? ., stage? i would say so. the government _ stage? i would say so. the government has _ stage? i would say so. the government has been - stage? i would say so. the government has been in i stage? i would say so. the - government has been in trouble for months. i think it was getting pretty apparent that boris johnson... welcome he might not have gone, but it was getting apparent that it was more likely than not. people started putting campaigns together, tapping mps on the shoulder, getting website domains, in discreetly, far in advance. and this is the best time to have a

leadership contest. i've been saying for months that it gives them time to focus on it, the cost of living crisis will be less because it is summer and people are not using the heating so much. so this is perhaps the ideal time, heating so much. so this is perhaps the idealtime, if heating so much. so this is perhaps the ideal time, if they were going to have a change of leader. it's probably a good thing that they are ready for it. probably a good thing that they are read for it. _, ., probably a good thing that they are read for it. ,., ., ., ., ,, probably a good thing that they are ready for it— ready for it. good to talk to you, as ever. thank _ ready for it. good to talk to you, as ever. thank you _ ready for it. good to talk to you, as ever. thank you for _ ready for it. good to talk to you, as ever. thank you for your - ready for it. good to talk to you, | as ever. thank you for your time. let's speak to katy balls, who's deputy political editor at the spectator. enjoying the sunshine. it's hot, isn't it? too hot for you? this process today with the 1922 committee, it is quite important. the rule setting, the potential whittling down of the contenders. how do you see them going? think it is a really big — how do you see them going? think it is a really big day _ how do you see them going? think it is a really big day in _ how do you see them going? think it is a really big day in a _ how do you see them going? think it is a really big day in a sense - how do you see them going? think it is a really big day in a sense that - is a really big day in a sense that it could knock a lot of the would—be contenders out straightaway. we know that they are raising the threshold, first you have to get a new executive elected, that will happen this afternoon, and as soon as that is done they will decide the rules.

you're hearing about it being raised to perhaps 20 nominations. i think thatis to perhaps 20 nominations. i think that is viewed as competitive for something various people can achieve. it something various people can achieve. ., , �* , ., , achieve. it doesn't sound very many, but it is for — achieve. it doesn't sound very many, but it is for some _ achieve. it doesn't sound very many, but it is for some people? _ but it is for some people? especially if you look at the number, you had liz truss, if you look at the number of people, there are fewer votes to go around. there is also an idea being floated, that it could be 10% of the party, 36 mps. the last time tracking, a few minutes ago, i think rishi sunak is onjust below that minutes ago, i think rishi sunak is on just below that and he is the frontrunner. i think his team are confident he will hit that. some of the heavy hitters believe they can get there. but i think it will be very tricky for some of the candidates trying to come up who have not been in the cabinet, who think that they deserve a platform. i think you will hear some cries of foul play if they do go that high. ultimately, there isjust a concern that this contest could run and run,

and that the number coming forward means that it could just look very self—indulgent to the public, if you have up to 15 candidates eventually all battling it out. do have up to 15 candidates eventually all battling it out.— all battling it out. do you think we will end on — all battling it out. do you think we will end up with _ all battling it out. do you think we will end up with two _ all battling it out. do you think we will end up with two by _ all battling it out. do you think we will end up with two by the - all battling it out. do you think we will end up with two by the end i all battling it out. do you think we will end up with two by the end of| will end up with two by the end of next week? i will end up with two by the end of next week?— will end up with two by the end of next week? ~' , ., , ., next week? i think there is a strong determination _ next week? i think there is a strong determination to _ next week? i think there is a strong determination to do _ next week? i think there is a strong determination to do that. _ next week? i think there is a strong determination to do that. that i next week? i think there is a strong determination to do that. that is i determination to do that. that is what we are going to be seeing. i think the most hectic part of the leadership contest will be the next two weeks. because this is the parliamentary rounds. once you reach the final turn, that is more time for thought, and to get the policies out. it does mean is very predictable. when things are going this fast, we are seeing lots of surprise endorsements. i think michael gove coming out for kemi badenoch, who has never been in cabinet, very resp, viewed as a senior —— rising star, so it should show how it is going to get. but! show how it is going to get. and unpredictable, _ show how it is going to get. and unpredictable, we just heard from

somebody saying it will probably be rishi sunakfrom somebody saying it will probably be rishi sunak from the centre of the party against liz truss or somebody from the right. is that what you see it as, and if so, where to the party membership stand at the moment, politically? it membership stand at the moment, oliticall ? , ., , politically? it feels like rishi sunak is in _ politically? it feels like rishi sunak is in a _ politically? it feels like rishi sunak is in a good _ politically? it feels like rishi sunak is in a good place i politically? it feels like rishi sunak is in a good place to l politically? it feels like rishi i sunak is in a good place to reach the final turn. we have covered enough leadership elections to know that anything can come up and things can change quite quickly. the vote is quite split and it is hard to predict who will make it there. i think whoever is the candidate on the right ought to have a good chance of doing quite well with the membership. that is definitely the view of people who supported figures such as liz truss. perhaps the mp stages the trickiest. but if get to the final two against rishi sunak, who is not promising tax cuts any time soon, and has a tougher message, they are in a good place as long as they can be convincing about what they want to do. i would say that rishi sunak in the past has well with the membership of

conservative own polling, but recently has not be doing as well as liz truss and ben wallace, who has ruled himself out. but liz truss and ben wallace has been talking about international affairs, that is why they have been doing so well with they have been doing so well with the public. as soon as you start widening it to a wider domestic pitch, things could change quite quickly. i think any candidate on the right stands a good chance with the right stands a good chance with the membership. rishi sunak will have to really work on having a slightly optimistic message, despite being the candidate he was saying don't believe the fairy tales, you're going to have to have something which doesn't spy the member ship. something which doesn't spy the member ship-— something which doesn't spy the member ship. something which doesn't spy the member shi. ,, ., ., ., , ., member ship. quite a lot of blue on blue attacks — member ship. quite a lot of blue on blue attacks as _ member ship. quite a lot of blue on blue attacks as we _ member ship. quite a lot of blue on blue attacks as we were _ member ship. quite a lot of blue on blue attacks as we were saying, i member ship. quite a lot of blue on | blue attacks as we were saying, with our other commentators. how destructive you think this process could be for the party, or is this just what every party goes through when it tries to find a new leader? it is always bruising and a leadership contest. one of the problems is i was speaking to some figures on the tory party, saying who do you think would do best in an election? there were different

answers as to who would fare best in answers as to who would fare best in an election and who would do best at governing the party. i think the risk to the tory party is so much bad blood spills out, some are ready to call off the dogs on figures like rashida —— rishi sunak. are people like nadine doris and jacob rees—mogg going to play ball, or will they view this as saying we don't think this person should have been prime minister and we are not meant to be supportive in the commons. it does feel like we are heading to a chaotic situation in the commons. how divided the party as, particularly boris johnson's borisjohnson's exit, boris johnson's exit, it borisjohnson's exit, it makes it harder to do that. boris johnson's exit, it makes it harder to do that.— boris johnson's exit, it makes it harder to do that. good to speak to ou. we harder to do that. good to speak to you- we will _ harder to do that. good to speak to you. we will have _ harder to do that. good to speak to you. we will have that _ harder to do that. good to speak to you. we will have that crucial i harder to do that. good to speak to you. we will have that crucial 1922' you. we will have that crucial 1922 committee meeting later on. it

sounds dry and procedural, but it is absolutely crucial to who will emerge at the next leader of the conservative party and, of course, britain's next prime minister. stay with us throughout the day for all of the very latest updates on the race to be the next leader of the tory party. president gotobaya rajapucksha of sri lanka has confirmed he will resign having fled when crowds stormed the presidential palace. it's not clear whether — as suggested — he will return to the country this week to formally quit. hundreds of protesters, furious about corruption and economic mismangement, are still in the presidential palace and grounds. they say they won't leave until mr rajapucksha has gone. our south asia correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan, reports from colombo. these scenes would have been unthinkable days ago. sri lanka's seat of presidential power —

now a sightseeing destination. security nowhere to be seen, as thousands push their way into a palace taken over by protesters. this is a really surreal moment for sri lanka. a building that is normally heavily fortified, now a free—for—all. at president rajapaksa's private pool, we meet carpenter ruan chiminda, who's taking a dip, a moment of relief after he walked hours to join the protests. translation: my kids are hungry. we don't have fuel. we don't have cooking gas. we don't even have fuel to do ourjobs properly. how does it feel to swim in the president's personal pool? i'm happy. i'm so happy. moments ofjoy and curiosity.

but where does this leave the future of the island? the man who once lived here, president gotabaya rajapaksa, has now fled and is expected to step down this week. a lot of the people here need to also witness the fact that — how rich and wealthy and luxurious their lives are. even this place, how grand, how big the house is. various people have been dying and have been suffering to fight for their basic necessities. as they look around the lavish rooms, sri lankans continue to contend with a deepening economic crisis. is this the right thing to do? is this the right way to go about it, storming the presidential palace? well, the people have been demanding for the president to step down. we've asked him to step down multiple times.

so the people are realising that, well, unless we physically go and take him out of the chair, he's not going to leave. pand when will your protests stop? when will you be satisfied? when will i personally be satisfied? if we go to a new election and hopefully people will vote for principles, morals, and ideals that the person running for the election holds and not the person itself — because when it comes to politics in sri lanka, it's personality—centric. after months of frustration, this feels like a release — crowds surging through the doors to get inside this presidential palace and get a peek of what life is like for sri lanka's political class. a palace overrun, a country in crisis. protesters say they won't leave until the president officially quits. but even once he does, who can save this nation in need? for sri lanka, the challenges

keep on coming. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news, colombo. our correspondent anbarasan ethirajan is in the sri lankan capital colombo and gave us this update. this morning, the sri lankan prime minister's office said the president gotabaya rajapaksa informed him that he would step down as announced earlier, on the 13th ofjuly, this wednesday. and this, according to the prime minister's office, looks like the direct communication from mr rajapaksa to the prime minister's office. now, what has happened to this country, the economic crisis has turned into a political crisis. as you have seen in the earlier report, as well as behind me, thousands of people are now wanting to see the symbols of power, the state power, the president's official residence, the president's office and also the prime minister's residence down this road, now they are going and having a look and i can see the queue in front

of me all the way at the end of the road. people are coming with their families, men, women, children, they all want to have a look at how the state functions, how the president lived in his residence, and i was in the residence yesterday and people are talking about the lavish life because the country is facing a huge shortage of fuel and food. people are struggling to make a living and that's what has brought these people to the streets and they have been protesting for months, but unless the president resigns, unless it happens, the country will continue to face a political crisis. joining us now from the institute of development studies at the university of sussex, professor mick moore. thanks forjoining us today. first question, what do you think is going to happen over the next few days? do you think the president is going to

return to colombo, to formally resign? because his precise whereabouts aren't confirmed at the moment. ., ., , , . ., moment. no, that is very unclear. in a sense, moment. no, that is very unclear. in a sense. it — moment. no, that is very unclear. in a sense, it doesn't _ moment. no, that is very unclear. in a sense, it doesn't matter. - moment. no, that is very unclear. in a sense, it doesn't matter. it's i a sense, it doesn't matter. it's clear now that he is going to resign. we are now moving onto the next stage, which is going to be very uncertain because there are many possible political routes out of this. none of them are ideal. all of this. none of them are ideal. all of them are going to take some time. i think it is likely that we will be heading, and indeed i hope we will be having, for elections, at least parliamentary elections, as soon as possible. mil parliamentary elections, as soon as ossible. �* ., , , parliamentary elections, as soon as ossible. �* ., , ., , possible. all of the possible routes out of this are _ possible. all of the possible routes out of this are going _ possible. all of the possible routes out of this are going to _ possible. all of the possible routes out of this are going to take - possible. all of the possible routes out of this are going to take some | out of this are going to take some time, you have said. that will be a big concern to ordinary sri lankans, because the governor of sri lanka's central banker said today that this prolonged or any prolonged political instability might delay progress with negotiations with the

international monetary fund, which have been talking about giving a bailout to sri lanka.— have been talking about giving a bailout to sri lanka. absolutely. i mean, bailout to sri lanka. absolutely. i mean. there _ bailout to sri lanka. absolutely. i mean, there is _ bailout to sri lanka. absolutely. i mean, there is a _ bailout to sri lanka. absolutely. i mean, there is a real _ bailout to sri lanka. absolutely. i mean, there is a real tension i bailout to sri lanka. absolutely. i i mean, there is a realtension here. mean, there is a real tension here. because reaching an agreement with sri lanka's creditors, and then an agreement with the international monetary fund, requires a stable, authoritative government. but the constitutional and political situation are such that it is difficult to achieve that, and we hope that the leading politicians in sri lanka are going to take this message very seriously, they are going to do their best to agree the quickest and most effective route here. in the interests of the country. if they don't do that, and economic situation that currently is dire could become absolutely catastrophic. ii dire could become absolutely catastrophic.— catastrophic. if there are elections. _ catastrophic. if there are elections, how— catastrophic. if there are elections, how long i catastrophic. if there are | elections, how long could catastrophic. if there are i elections, how long could the process takes, professor? and how well organised the opposition at this point? well organised the opposition at this oint? ~ �* . well organised the opposition at this oint? ~ �*, .,

this point? well, it's an interesting _ this point? well, it's an interesting question, i this point? well, it's an l interesting question, who this point? well, it's an i interesting question, who the opposition is. the main opposition political party has, frankly, been very badly led, and not really in a position to take over government in any stable or authoritative way. but the real opposition of the organised or semi—organised popular movement. they have today put out some demands for political change. so, if there are elections then it is very unclear, actually, he would be contesting them, let alone who would win them. but in terms of the timing, it would take several weeks at least to organise parliamentary elections. but i think it could be done. if there is an agreement on that, and people know that is going to happen, then i think that would take much of the temperature out of the situation. take much of the temperature out of the situation-— the situation. really interesting to talk to ou the situation. really interesting to talk to you today, _ the situation. really interesting to talk to you today, thank _ the situation. really interesting to talk to you today, thank you i the situation. really interesting to talk to you today, thank you very i talk to you today, thank you very much. now it's time for a look

at the weather with susan powell. hello. heat is the big story in terms of the weather across the uk at the moment. sunday was the hottest day of the year so far in scotland and northern ireland. perhaps a shade cooler here today, but across england and wales, will fairly unbroken sunshine, anticipating temperatures getting up to the high 20s, widely through the afternoon into the early evening, and pushing the low 30s as far north as yorkshire and as far west as the welsh borders. through the evening we continue with plenty of sunshine. cloud does thicken across scotland and northern ireland. there will be some rain here overnight. very little getting to the east of scotland. a very warm, and i suspect for the majority uncomfortable, night ahead. temperature is perhaps no lower than 20 degrees somewhere in the south—east of england. this band of cloud is a cold front and it will mean fresher conditions for scotland and northern ireland,

despite the sunshine. through tuesday, temperatures getting into high teens or low 20s. a little fresher for high teens or low 20s. a little fresherfor much of high teens or low 20s. a little fresher for much of england and wales. still a core of heat setting to the east. this is bbc news. the headlines: foreign secretary liz truss joines the race to replace borisjohnson taking the number of hopefuls looking to become the next tory leader to 11. the 1922 committee later today will finalise the rules of the contest — including how many mps need to back each candidate for them to be put forward for selection. the presidential palace is now a protest site — as crowds continue to pour inside. how does it feel to swim in the president's personal pool? i am happy, i am so happy. and the heat is on — the met office says today could be the hottest day of the year so far.

also coming up — birth control for grey squirrels — as scientists hope to control an expanding population. sport and now for a full round up from the bbc sport centre: john watson as they are. still looking at wimbledon. good morning. the winner was meant to be buying dinner, that was what the pair had agreed before yesterday's final, won by novak djokovic — his seventh wimbledon title and fourth in a row. joe wilson was watching. novak djokovic and nick kyrgios share a friendship. but as promised, they gave us fireworks. that is a great set of tennis. powerful and peaceful, first set to kyrgios 6—4. nearest the camera, djokovic

was trying to stretch his opponent. think you can get to that one? well, yes, kyrgios could. a triumphant point. but soon after, the second set to djokovic. fantastic hold of serve. and now the words really began. the conversation between kyrgios and the umpire related to distractions kyrgios had heard from a spectator. he wanted her removed. he pointed her out. the one that looks like she's had about 700 drinks, bruv. on the court kyrgios lost his way, and his frustrations were vented towards his friends and family. we've observed this before, and it's never comfortable. 40-15, 40-0. oh, that's you. but that's tension in the djokovic team. kyrgios got the fourth set to a tie—break. now it was a question of composure, patience and accuracy. and that's djokovic's speciality. game, set and match to djokovic. he retains his own approach to the world. he remains the wimbledon champion.

every single time it gets more and more meaningful and special. and so, i'm very blessed and very thankful to to be standing here with the trophy. there was a moment when djokovic shared the trophy in the clubhouse, before he met the public gallery. that trophy novak djokovic is holding, well, it's his 21st grand slam title. as he knows, as everyone here knows, that now puts him just one behind rafael nadal. but when will djokovic's next chance come? with his position on covid vaccination, it depends which country will let him in. joe wilson, bbc news, wimbledon. and if you missed it, what a moment for sue barker yesterday, bringing to an end thirty years of presenting wimbledon. the 66—year—old, who won the french open in 1976, before moving into broadcasting announced last month she'd be

retiring after the tournament. it's fair to say it was an emotional goodbye can ijust say, it's been an absolute privilege. i've loved it. 30 amazing years. i'll miss thejob. i wish i had the next 30 years to do it. i love it. but most of all, i'm going to miss the people i work with, in front of the camera, behind the camera. you've just been absolutely amazing. i've been so proud to front the programme, so, thank you. aw. well done, sue. cheering. all eyes on the south coast as england and northern ireland both play their second group games in the women's euros tonight — different scenarios for both england after victory in their opener following the sell out at old trafford play norway in brighton. tonight's opponents said england looked nervous in that one nil over austria last wednesday. it's really make or break

for northern ireland who face austria after defeat to norway. another loss would all but end their hopes of progressing. they kick off at five o clock this evening in southampton. formula 1 will investigate claims some spectators at the austrian grand prix suffered discriminatory abuse — lewis hamilton one of those to call for action, saying he was "disgusted and disappointed" by the reports. plenty of drama on the track. sergio perez retired after tangling with britain's george russell. carlos sainz�*s ferrari caught fire, he escaped unhurt. that handed lewis hamilton, who was unhappy at the way some of the crowd applauded his crash in qualifying, his third consecutive podium finish. charles leclerc finished first, ahead of world champion max verstappen to move up to second in the drivers�* championship. as i said, hamilton third and team—mate russell fourth in austria. that's all the sport for now. let's return to the conservative party leadership race.

the foreign secretary, liz truss, is the latest senior cabinet member to put her name forward. 11 contenders are now in the running. conservative backbenchers will meet later this afternoon to finalise the contest�*s rules, which will aim to thin the field quickly. my colleague ben brown is live in westminster for us — and we canjoin him now. hello and welcome to westminster. it isa it is a very crowded field and it good get more crowded. it is likely to get whittled down. so what do we know so far? ahead of that 1922 committee later — it's thought the current crop of contenders will be whittled down to two by the end of next week — when parliament breaks up for the summer — with the final result not known until early september. they will effectively decide who is

britain's next prime minister. boris johnson stays at number ten until then. tax has emerged as one of the key pledges among candidates, but questions have been raised about how they will be paid for. appearing on the today programme earlier, the business secretary said tax increases aren't the way to encourage growth. there is no way we are going to increase the economy and help our future for our children without incentivising some investment and we do not do that by raising taxes to the highest level since 1949. it does not make sense. i5 the highest level since 1949. it does not make sense. is it the highest level since 1949. it does not make sense.- does not make sense. is it not exactly your — does not make sense. is it not exactly your attack _ does not make sense. is it not exactly your attack in - does not make sense. is it not exactly your attack in a - does not make sense. is it not i exactly your attack in a leadership election brought about by a worry that you and other colleagues have about honesty and trust in politics, is it not your task to be honest and restore trust by saying what you would cut spending ways to cut tax funds? no one is giving any detail

about spending cuts. bill the details will be forthcoming as the leadership contest progresses, i am convinced. we will have a debate about how we can reduce expenditure. let's speak to carl emmerson — who's deputy director of the institute for fiscal studies — which is a leading economic research group. tax is at the fore, a lot of promises, rishi sunak saying we will not have any fairy on the issue of tax. the key question is how are these promises that some contenders meet going to be paid for? iuntimely meet going to be paid for? when rishi sunak _ meet going to be paid for? when rishi sunak was _ meet going to be paid for? when rishi sunak was chancellor, i meet going to be paid for? when rishi sunak was chancellor, we l meet going to be paid for? “finery rishi sunak was chancellor, we saw considerable tax rises some of which we have already experienced, ahead of us, big rise in corporation tax next april, a freeze in the point at which income tax and higher rate income tax kick in. there is substantial funds for the government over the next few years. the question, why was he doing that, a

combination of on the spending side, he wanted to spend more on things like the nhs and social care, he wanted an end to austerity, the government did not want to be doing spending cuts elsewhere, and secondly, there was a desire to get the deficit, government borrowing down to normal levels, a desire not to cut spending but to increase elsewhere and it is hard to get the deficit down was what was driving the need for those tax rises. lets talk about — the need for those tax rises. lets talk about national _ the need for those tax rises. lets talk about national insurance in particular, that was put out by boris johnson's particular, that was put out by borisjohnson's government particular, that was put out by boris johnson's government to particular, that was put out by borisjohnson's government to pay for the nhs and social care, a lot of people at the time were supporting it, including sajid javid, now there has been a reverse by other contenders on national insurance, how important do you think that is in the selection contest, the discussion about that kind of tax? no if we want to do tax cuts, we can't, it is true that if we go on the course, the uk tax burden will reach its highest level

since the 1950s. this burden will reach its highest level since the 1950s.— since the 1950s. this is important to remember— since the 1950s. this is important to remember some _ since the 1950s. this is important to remember some countries i since the 1950s. this is important| to remember some countries have lower tax burdens than others, many in western europe and scandinavia with higher levels of tax, we have choices here. the choice depends on what we want the state to provide, what we want the state to provide, what do we want public services to do? where are we prepared to make cuts and if we make them, doing the tax cuts is easy to follow. the cuts and if we make them, doing the tax cuts is easy to follow.— tax cuts is easy to follow. the nhs, for example — tax cuts is easy to follow. the nhs, for example is _ tax cuts is easy to follow. the nhs, for example is at _ tax cuts is easy to follow. the nhs, for example is at the _ tax cuts is easy to follow. the nhs, for example is at the forefront i tax cuts is easy to follow. the nhs, for example is at the forefront of i for example is at the forefront of that kind of debate? how well funded do we want our health service to be when you compare it to other countries around europe and the rest of the world? the countries around europe and the rest of the world?— of the world? the uk has a different mix of health _ of the world? the uk has a different mix of health spending _ of the world? the uk has a different mix of health spending too - of the world? the uk has a different mix of health spending too many i mix of health spending too many other economies, most of our health care spending is done through the publicly provided publicly funded system, the nhs, other countries make different decisions, the increase budget over the next few years look like the kind of increase you would need to do if you want to try and keep pace with demographic change, more elderly people, and try

and make headway into the rising waiting lists. there are reasons why you want to spend more on the nhs and that was a driving factor behind the new health and social care levy, a national insurance rise on those in paid work. the a national insurance rise on those in paid work-— a national insurance rise on those in paid work. the other issue about tax cuts, in paid work. the other issue about tax cuts. you _ in paid work. the other issue about tax cuts. you put — in paid work. the other issue about tax cuts, you put more _ in paid work. the other issue about tax cuts, you put more money i in paid work. the other issue about tax cuts, you put more money in i tax cuts, you put more money in people's pockets and you could argue at the time of high inflation and rising inflation, that is an added inflationary pressure.— inflationary pressure. there is truth in that, _ inflationary pressure. there is truth in that, in _ inflationary pressure. there is truth in that, in the _ inflationary pressure. there is truth in that, in the long i inflationary pressure. there is truth in that, in the long term j inflationary pressure. there is i truth in that, in the long term if you cut back on spending, you can do tax cuts and that is a choice you make. in the current climate this year, the case for putting more money in people's pockets, even spending increase through tax cuts needs to be done very carefully. if you give people more money to spend at a time when supply constraints are there, you are probably going to add to inflation. that is the risk you will take.— add to inflation. that is the risk you will take. whoever wins that

contest and _ you will take. whoever wins that contest and becomes _ you will take. whoever wins that contest and becomes tory i you will take. whoever wins that | contest and becomes tory leader you will take. whoever wins that i contest and becomes tory leader and the next prime minister, they are going to be taking over at a time of really significant economic difficulties, part of it, of course, caused as borisjohnson government has always said by global factors, shortage of energy supplies, war in ukraine, post—pandemic changes and so on. it is going to be a very difficult time if you make promises to keep promises. ih difficult time if you make promises to keep promises.— to keep promises. in all those factors you — to keep promises. in all those factors you have _ to keep promises. in all those factors you have described, i to keep promises. in all those i factors you have described, you are putting pressure on public service, a couple of weeks ago the prime minister spoke about the desire to spend more on defence, not less, come this autumn i suspect one priority for the government will be to work out what to settle with public sector workers over their pay deals. when the public spending last autumn, they were predicated on nothing like current levels of inflation, and nothing like the kind of pay deals that public sector work —— workers might be expecting. if

you want to give public sector workers bigger pay deals than anticipated last autumn, you may need to find more money for public services, not less. keeping to existing spending limits could be really challenging.— existing spending limits could be really challenging. thank you very much, really challenging. thank you very much. very _ really challenging. thank you very much. very good _ really challenging. thank you very much, very good to _ really challenging. thank you very much, very good to talk _ really challenging. thank you very much, very good to talk to - really challenging. thank you very much, very good to talk to you, . really challenging. thank you very l much, very good to talk to you, tax is one of the key issues, more are likely to emerge in the coming weeks and months of this leadership contest. that is the latest from westminster, back to you in the studio. in recent years, scientists have been looking for ways to control the population of grey squirrels, which have driven the uk's native red squirrels to the verge of extinction.there might now be a novel solution — hazelnut paste laced with contraceptives. our climate editor, justin rowlatt explains for more on this lets join our climate editor justin rowlett in sunny dorset. it looks stunning there, is this the front line between the battle

between the grey squirrel and the red square? this between the grey squirrel and the red square?— between the grey squirrel and the red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, _ red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, this _ red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, this is _ red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, this is brown - red square? this is the last stand | for red squirrels, this is brown sea island, it's amazing, we have been here since dawn. it was beautiful here since dawn. it was beautiful here today. this is one of the last redoubts of red squirrels in southern england. there are 250 red squirrels on the island, we came here hoping to see them, one climbed up here hoping to see them, one climbed up that tree about one hour ago and thatis up that tree about one hour ago and that is all we have seen. there is evidence around. they nibble the pine cones. let try and find a pine cone they have been nibbling. here is can you see that? they hold them in their hands and the nibble and eat the whole thing. that is a tell—tale sign of red squirrels. there are 160,000 red squirrels left in the whole of the uk, 15,000 left

in the whole of the uk, 15,000 left in england, virtually driven to extinction by grey squirrels which carry squirrel pox, as well as muscling them out, they carry it squirrel pox that kills off the red squirrels. there are 2.7 million grey squirrels, introduced in the late 19th century as grey squirrels, introduced in the late19th century as an ornament for garden, now 2.7 million of them. as well as affecting red squirrels, the damage woodlands as i have been discovering. that is why scientists have been working on this unusual way of controlling the grey squirrel population. he looks like another charming woodland creature. but grey squirrels are actually dangerous interlopers, responsible for killing and maiming tens of thousands of young trees every year. and devastating the population of this little fellow, the uk's native red squirrel.

the traditional way of disposing of pests like grey squirrels works in the short run. but people don't like furry animals being shot. and anyway, it's a temporary solution. grey squirrels breed rapidly, and populations can recover quickly, which is why government scientists are exploring a more humane alternative. you won't be surprised to hear that squirrels just love this. it's a kind of hazelnut butter. they find it irresistible. and what the scientists are doing is dosing this with contraceptives. now, the idea is the squirrels will be unaffected, except, of course, they won't be able to produce any young. but how do you ensure only grey squirrels eat it? well, the scientists have come up with a cunning plan. so it has a weighted door at the front that an animal has to push open to access the bait. and this is the bait here. so, that's that paste.

yeah. it has a metal case to keep out larger animals, and we raise it up on a stand so that small animals can't access it. but where do you get squirrel contraceptives? the team are investigating two long—lasting birth control treatments. the lead scientist on the team says progress has been good. she hopes it will be ready to roll out in the wild within two years. you could reduce them significantly, like bring them to the brink of local extinction, or even eradicate them from some areas, provided that you can do a coordinated control over large areas. reducing the population of grey squirrels should help protect the remaining red. it could save the timber industry millions of pounds a year and should also help tackle climate change by reducing damage to the vast new forests the government has promised to plant to soak up carbon dioxide emissions. so it looks like the only loser

is the grey squirrel. are you feeling sorry for them? one of the most effective contraceptives they are looking at, there are two, there is actually a vaccine which fascinates male and female squirrels against becoming, against reproduction. it suppresses sex hormones and stops them becoming fertile. that is the way it works but they are working on getting the dosage right and roll it out in the wild within two years. i am joined by the conservation advisor with the national trust who on this island. we talked about the red squirrel, but the impact on woodlands as serious as well. what impact do grey squirrels have? it is serious as well. what impact do grey squirrels have?— squirrels have? it is massive, re-squirrels _ squirrels have? it is massive, re-squirrels in _ squirrels have? it is massive, re-squirrels in woodlands - squirrels have? it is massive,

re-squirrels in woodlands in l squirrels have? it is massive, i re-squirrels in woodlands in high re—squirrels in woodlands in high populdti°“_ re—squirrels in woodlands in high population density, it is an issue for national trust and other woodland owners, they go onto trees, oak and _ woodland owners, they go onto trees, oak and beech that are ten to 40 years— oak and beech that are ten to 40 years old — oak and beech that are ten to 40 years old and strip the bark and it's really— years old and strip the bark and it's really bad for the tree, it is like having _ it's really bad for the tree, it is like having a wound on your arm and they are _ like having a wound on your arm and they are susceptible to disease and paste _ they are susceptible to disease and paste and _ they are susceptible to disease and paste and the trees do not live to full maturity that deprives the woodlands of their wildlife habitat. that has _ woodlands of their wildlife habitat. that has an impact on our ability to tackle climate change, why is that? we know that trees and plenty of trees_ we know that trees and plenty of trees are — we know that trees and plenty of trees are the greatest tool in the fi-ht trees are the greatest tool in the fight against climate change, as a nation _ fight against climate change, as a nation to— fight against climate change, as a nation to become carbonate zero, the national_ nation to become carbonate zero, the national trust wants to plant 20 million — national trust wants to plant 20 million trees by 2030, everyone is doing _ million trees by 2030, everyone is doing because of climate change and if we do _ doing because of climate change and if we do not get the trees to reach full maturity, they cannot suck up so much — full maturity, they cannot suck up so much carbon from the atmosphere. more trees, _ so much carbon from the atmosphere. more trees, less carbon, how promising is the new scheme? it is promising is the new scheme? it is really exciting. _ promising is the new scheme? it is really exciting, a _ promising is the new scheme? it is really exciting, a non—lethal humane way of _ really exciting, a non—lethal humane way of controlling and managing grey

squirrels _ way of controlling and managing grey squirrels which is so important for the future — squirrels which is so important for the future in nature and their fight against _ the future in nature and their fight against climate change. the the future in nature and their fight against climate change.— the future in nature and their fight against climate change. the plan at the moment _ against climate change. the plan at the moment will— against climate change. the plan at the moment will be _ against climate change. the plan at the moment will be to _ against climate change. the plan at the moment will be to roll- against climate change. the plan at the moment will be to roll it - against climate change. the plan at the moment will be to roll it out. the moment will be to roll it out within the next two years and the idea is to focus it on areas where there is a particular squirrel problem but interestingly, the minister in charge of the programme, he said that ultimately it could be used to eradicate grey squirrels completely from the uk. ijust wonder how popular that would actually be. that is a fascinating story and it will be really interesting to see how it pans out, i definitely prefer the red squirrels.— the red squirrels. thank you so much. the red squirrels. thank you so much- our— the red squirrels. thank you so much. our climate _ the red squirrels. thank you so much. our climate editor- the red squirrels. thank you so much. our climate editor in - the red squirrels. thank you so i much. our climate editor in poole harbour. the hot weather is expected to continue this week — and a heat—health alert has been issued for some parts

of the uk from this morning. temperatures are forecast to reach up to 31 celsius — that's 87 fahrenheit — today in southern england, where people are advised to stay indoors in the middle of the day, drink plenty of fluids and take extra care of young children. laura trant has this report. hotter than hawaii. parts of the uk sweltered on sunday as temperatures soared to 30 celsius. i've brought my daughter for the first time, she is loving it being here in the sea. we are loving it more than her, i think. we came from london an hour away, and we came because it was really hot so we just came to enjoy the beach and go in the water. cakes, park, picnic, the sun! weekend temperatures were hotter than some parts of sardinia, turkey and even the caribbean. but with the heat, there are health warnings. wear high factor sun cream, a hat, drink enough water, but we are also being advised to seek shade and take extra care of children,

older people and pets. there is a heat health alert for england, the uk health security agency and the met office have issued levels two and three health alerts. level three, for the east of england, south—east and london, level four is the highest which would see a major incident declared. with the heat over the next few days, it's notjust daytime temperatures that will be well above average, but night time as well. we will see heat exhaustion, a likely outcome for many who are out in the day during the afternoon. the strong july sunshine, uv levels of seven and eight, and temperatures, we're just not used to temperatures being this high for this long. here in stjames's park in london, people have been enjoying the sunshine, and it's right here where the met office recorded its highest uk temperature of 30.1 celsius. and in scotland they had their hottest temperature of the year so far, at 29.3 degrees

in leuchars in fife. the warmest day of the year so far for northern ireland as well where they reached 24.3 degrees in derrylin in fermanagh. and in wales, in usk in monmouthshire, the temperature there was recorded at 27.9 degrees celsius. cardiff wasn't far behind. perhaps the boat was the best place to be in cardiff bay. in southend—on—sea, the ice cream queues said everything about the temperature. the highest uk temperature so far this year stands at 32.7 celsius in heathrow. that was in june. the met office said that is likely to be broken this week. laura trant, bbc news. let's return to the conservative party leadership race. ben brown is in westminster.

we are going to talk to the secretary of state for the environment. he is supporting grant shapps. i environment. he is supporting grant sha s. . environment. he is supporting grant sha . s, ., , , ., ., environment. he is supporting grant sha s, ., , , ., ., , ., , shapps. i have spent over two years around the — shapps. i have spent over two years around the cabinet _ shapps. i have spent over two years around the cabinet table _ shapps. i have spent over two years around the cabinet table with - shapps. i have spent over two years around the cabinet table with grant| around the cabinet table with grant shapps including the cobra crisis committee as we considered problems with logistics and ferries and all things during covid—19 in the run—up to brexit. i think he has got good judgment, i have seen that over the last two years, at this juncture, changing prime minister midway through a parliament, you need someone with experience and he has had that under three different prime ministers and we need someone who is a good communicator and campaigner as we go to the election. i think he is the strongest candidate. goad is the strongest candidate. good 'udument is the strongest candidate. good judgment and — is the strongest candidate. good judgment and experience, - is the strongest candidate. good judgment and experience, as transport secretary, he has made a mess of things, as we have had real strengths, why would we want him to run the country?— run the country? people on social media see _ run the country? people on social media see lots _ run the country? people on social media see lots of _ run the country? people on social media see lots of things, - run the country? people on social media see lots of things, you - run the country? people on social. media see lots of things, you should judge people on the challenges that

are thrown their way and how handle them. i have seen in grant shapps in them. i have seen in grant shapps in the two years i have worked with him around the cabinet table, good judgment, good analysis of the problem and solutions. yes, of course, there is pressure for pay rises, we are getting strike action, but we should notjudge him based on that, but how he is dealing with the situations and i think he is dealing with them well. he situations and i think he is dealing with them well.— situations and i think he is dealing with them well. he has promised tax cuts like a lot — with them well. he has promised tax cuts like a lot of _ with them well. he has promised tax cuts like a lot of the _ with them well. he has promised tax cuts like a lot of the candidates - with them well. he has promised tax cuts like a lot of the candidates in i cuts like a lot of the candidates in this race, rishi sunak says that is fairly tales. where, if you are cutting taxes, where will the cuts come? what will you cut? what will grant shapps cut if he is prime minister? he grant shapps cut if he is prime minister? . , grant shapps cut if he is prime minister? ., , ,., grant shapps cut if he is prime minister? ., , , ., minister? he has said we should brina minister? he has said we should bring forward — minister? he has said we should bring forward a _ minister? he has said we should bring forward a planned - minister? he has said we should bring forward a planned tax - bring forward a planned tax reduction by one year because there is a lot of pressure on the cost of living and low income households are struggling because of inflationary pressures and we should bring forward a tax reduction... tan: pressures and we should bring forward a tax reduction... tax cuts add to inflation, _ forward a tax reduction... tax cuts

add to inflation, more _ forward a tax reduction... tax cuts add to inflation, more money - forward a tax reduction... tax cuts add to inflation, more money in i add to inflation, more money in people's pockets adds to inflation. but if you borrow money to fund tax cuts, yes, that can put pressure on inflation but if you are doing what grant shapps is suggesting, take a tough look at government spending, government spending as a percentage of gdp has risen inexorably in recent decades, we can, through digital approach, as it is what they have done in some of those department for transport agencies, you can actually make some reductions. government at the moment is under a big exercise to try and reduce spending, and reduced civil service head count, for instance. some of that work will come up with solutions to reduce costs and that will enable us to make some of those tax reductions. and bring them forward. ~ ., , , forward. would you reverse the rise in national insurance _ forward. would you reverse the rise in national insurance because i forward. would you reverse the rise in national insurance because that l in national insurance because that was designed to help the nhs through this post covid—19 traces that it isn't. what would you do a national

insurance? he isn't. what would you do a national insurance? . , isn't. what would you do a national insurance?— insurance? he has said it is an important _ insurance? he has said it is an important change _ insurance? he has said it is an important change to _ insurance? he has said it is an important change to put i insurance? he has said it is an important change to put social insurance? he has said it is an i important change to put social care on a firm footing for the long term, his focus is on trying to help those low income families and that means bringing forward the tax reduction. for the low income families, rishi sunak, when he was in the role of chancellor, already made changes to the way national insurance woodwork and there is no platitudes, that is taking effect. and there is no platitudes, that is taking effect-— and there is no platitudes, that is takin: effect. , , ., taking effect. more broadly, a huge su orter taking effect. more broadly, a huge suoporter of _ taking effect. more broadly, a huge supporter of boris _ taking effect. more broadly, a huge supporter of boris johnson, - taking effect. more broadly, a huge supporter of boris johnson, a i taking effect. more broadly, a huge supporter of boris johnson, a lot i taking effect. more broadly, a huge supporter of boris johnson, a lot of| supporter of borisjohnson, a lot of people have said that was a misjudgement because really, boris johnson had deep characterflaws which people talked about before he was elected, and then we saw them in office, and that is why he has not spent very long in number ten. does he regret supporting borisjohnson so closely, do you think? eden; so closely, do you think? every member of— so closely, do you think? every member of the _ so closely, do you think? every member of the cabinet - so closely, do you think? every i member of the cabinet supported the government because that is what you should do. i personally did not

campaign for borisjohnson in 2019, i campaigned for michael gove in that position, but when he won, there was a duty on everyone in the conservative party to come together, to pull together, and actually support the government and the elected leader. that is what should happen after a leadership campaign, thatis happen after a leadership campaign, that is what grant shapps did, every single candidate in the selection did that. of course, there was a day last week when it became apparent that the prime minister had lost the confidence of the parliamentary party. some chose to resign, some like grant shapps and myself chose to signal privately through number ten and to the prime minister that his time was up and he should go. that is the better way to approach it. �* ., . ~ that is the better way to approach it. ,., that is the better way to approach for the leadership. let's have a look at the weather. he is the big story in terms of the weather across the uk at the moment. sunday was the hottest day of the year in scotland

and northern ireland perhaps a shade cooler here today, but across lynn england and wales, unbroken sunshine, the temperature is getting into the high 20s wildly through the afternoon and into the early evening. low 30s as far north as yorkshire and as far west as the welsh borders. through the evening, plenty of sunshine, cloud thickens across scotland and northern ireland, some rain overnight, a very warm and uncomfortable night ahead, temperatures no more than 20 degrees in south—east of england. the band of cloud is equal to front and will mean fresh conditions for scotland and northern ireland despite the sunshine on tuesday, temperatures are getting into the high teens and low 20s, fresh air in england and wales but a core of heat to the east.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines. foreign secretary liz truss joines the race to replace borisjohnson taking the number of hopefuls looking to become the next tory leader to 11. the 1922 committee will finalise the rules of the contest later today — including how many mps need to back each candidate for them to be put forward for selection. and i'm ben brown, live in westminster, with the latest on that conservative party leadership battle. in sri lanka the presidential palace is now a protest site — as crowds continue to pour inside. our correspondent is there. how does it feel to swim in the president's personal pool? translation: i am happy, i am so happy.

and the heat is on — the met office says today could be