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 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 if you're watching in the uk or around the world. 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. 11 ii contenders and it could be even more than that. perhaps to whittle down that number, we are going to have a meeting of the 1922 committee of conservative backbenchers who are going to be meeting today to decide the election rules. they are going to try to reduce the size of the field, perhaps by saying, for example, each contender needs the support of at least 20 other conservative mps. it is thought the current crop of contenders will be whittled down to two, the final two, by the end of next week, when parliament breaks up for the summer. the final result will not actually be known until early september.

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. 0ur political correspondent helen catt is with me now to tell us more. helen, it is a crowded field. it's a bit like the start of the grand national. it might even get more crowded. at the 1922 committee, this all sounds a bit dry and procedural, that they are going to work out the rules for the contest today, that is crucial? ' ' , , ., crucial? 1922, they set the whole rules of the _ crucial? 1922, they set the whole rules of the contest. _ crucial? 1922, they set the whole rules of the contest. that's - crucial? 1922, they set the whole rules of the contest. that's the i rules of the contest. that's the committee of all conservative mps, and they are going to elect a new executive to run the committee this afternoon, and then after that, that executive will meet, and they will set the rules. 0ne executive will meet, and they will set the rules. one of the first things they will do is decide how many mps any content has to have the backing up to get on the ballot in

the first place. it is thought that will probably whittle down some of the contenders already. the thinking is that they will raise that. last time it was eight, the thinking is that they could rise at 20, and that will knock some of them out to started. then there will be a series of run—offs between candidates, with the aim of whittling it down to the final turn by the 21st ofjuly, when parliament rises. that goes out the conservative membership for a few weeks to decide the final winner. there are two elections, the mps here, and westminster, then the wider conservative party membership. that is about 180,000. the debate so far between the contenders is very much centred on tax. it far between the contenders is very much centred on tax.— far between the contenders is very much centred on tax. it is, that has emerued much centred on tax. it is, that has emerged as — much centred on tax. it is, that has emerged as a _ much centred on tax. it is, that has emerged as a front _ much centred on tax. it is, that has emerged as a front running - much centred on tax. it is, that has emerged as a front running issue. | emerged as a front running issue. these sort of things get quite

brittle. —— brutal. the key issue they have focused on or come around to is tax. you have rishi sunak sticking by what was, in effect, his policy, saying i can't cut taxes, i would, but not until the finances are in better shape, he has been using the phrase that you can't sell people a fairy tale. at the other end of the table, you have the foreign secretary, liz truss, who threw her hat into the ring this morning, saying she would look at tax cuts from day one. some are in the middle, likejeremy hunt, who says let's look at business taxes now, but personal taxes might have to wait. tax is an issue that has been preoccupying mps here, preoccupying grassroots conservative preoccu pying grassroots conservative members. preoccupying grassroots conservative members. there has been some concern about the levels of taxation that this government have put in. in a way, it is unsurprising that has become a key battleground already, even though we are only four days. i

spoke to carl emmerson, from a leading economic research group. i asked how the promises that we have heard from various contenders to cut tax might be paid for. when rishi sunak was chancellor, we saw him announce a pretty considerable tax rises, some of which we have experienced, many of which we have experienced, many of which are ahead of us. a big rise in corporation tax next april, a freeze at the point at which both income tax and higher rate income tax kick in. they raised substantial sums for the government over the next few years. the question of why he was doing that, it was a combination of things. 0n the spending side, he wanted to spend more on things like the nhs and social care, he wanted an end to austerity. the government didn't want to be doing spending cuts elsewhere. secondly, there was a desire to get the deficit, the government borrowing, back down to more normal levels. so, a desire not

to cut some spending, but to increase elsewhere, and a desire to get the deficit down, that was what was driving the need for the tax rises. ., was driving the need for the tax rises. . , ., how to the wider electric cd race? it's a strange race, there are the different electorates, conservative mps, and the tory party membership, choosing the next prime minister? it seems like a strange state of affairs, that the electorate that will decide this prime minister's feted don't get a say in choosing them at the beginning. there is a widespread expectation that a new leader will get some kind of bounce in the polls and bring some of the conservative voters back into the fold that had been driven away a little bit by borisjohnson. but i don't think it is clear from the

pitches so far which group of the wider electorate the leaders are trying to pitch to. they have lost some voters in the opinion polls over to labour, it doesn't seem to me that those promises of more tax cuts and the service cuts that go along with them would appeal to those voters. then you have a group of voters we have seen in the dramatic by—elections that have gone over to the lib dems, but they tend to be more liberal on social policy, and we haven't seen anything in the leaders pictures so far that suggests they are moving on that. so, the voters that are likely to move, that we might see changing, they are those that are undecided about the party. we know from the polling that many of these candidates are not very well known among the public. you alluded to it. it may take quite a while for them to understand what the new leader is about. ~ ., to understand what the new leader is about. ~ . , ., ~' to understand what the new leader is about. ~ ., , ., ~ ., , about. what you think the dangers are for the conservative _ about. what you think the dangers are for the conservative party? - about. what you think the dangers| are for the conservative party? any

party when it has a leadership contest, inevitably there are arguments, that is the whole idea of the contest, but it could end up with blue on blue attacks, and mudslinging. how damaging is that? departed's reputation has been damaged by what has been going on so far. if in attacks they revealed further attacks, far. if in attacks they revealed furtherattacks, it far. if in attacks they revealed further attacks, it means whichever leader comes in, they have to repair the fractures and they also need to convince the electorate that the problems have gone away and there are not going to be continued scandals throughout the rest of parliament.— scandals throughout the rest of parliament. ., ~ , ., , . parliament. thank you very much indeed. i parliament. thank you very much indeed- i am _ parliament. thank you very much indeed. i amjoined _ parliament. thank you very much indeed. i amjoined here - parliament. thank you very much indeed. i amjoined here at - indeed. i am joined here at westminster by sir charles walker, former chair of the 1922 committee, the committee we have been talking so much about. the committee meets today to decide the leadership roles. what kind of rules would you

like to see, to make this contest a little at more focused?— like to see, to make this contest a little at more focused? when we have the contest in — little at more focused? when we have the contest in 2019, _ little at more focused? when we have the contest in 2019, we _ little at more focused? when we have the contest in 2019, we set _ little at more focused? when we have the contest in 2019, we set the - the contest in 2019, we set the threshold at the first round at 17, you have to get 17 supporters. fellow tory mps?— you have to get 17 supporters. fellowto mps? , ' , , fellow tory mps? yes, 17 supporters to no fellow tory mps? yes, 17 supporters to go through. _ fellow tory mps? yes, 17 supporters to go through. in _ fellow tory mps? yes, 17 supporters to go through, in the _ fellow tory mps? yes, 17 supporters to go through, in the second - fellow tory mps? yes, 17 supporters to go through, in the second round, | to go through, in the second round, 33. i expect you will see more aggressive thresholds. the party is bigger, we have an extra a0 or so members in poland. you will see more aggressive thresholds to thin the field. it gives us six sitting days until the house rises on the 21st. in 2019, we did the whole process with an equally crowded field in five sitting days. it is possible it can be done. five sitting days. it is possible it can be done-— five sitting days. it is possible it can be done. what is really time consuming _ can be done. what is really time consuming is — can be done. what is really time consuming is not _ can be done. what is really time consuming is not so _ can be done. what is really time consuming is not so much - can be done. what is really time consuming is not so much the i consuming is not so much the whittling down to the final two contenders, but the actual electoral race over the summer, where you are fighting for the tory party membership to support you. that

takes all summer, really? in 2016, theresa may _ takes all summer, really? in 2016, theresa may and _ takes all summer, really? in 2016, theresa may and andrea _ takes all summer, really? in 2016, theresa may and andrea leadsom| takes all summer, really? in 2016, - theresa may and andrea leadsom when the final two, the constitution of the final two, the constitution of the party said it had to go to the membership. as you recall, andrea leadsom pulled out. i think that is unlikely to happen this time round. the only way you can truncate the membership vote process is if you say we are not going to have any hustings around the country for the two to set out their stalls. we are just going to go straight to a membership ballot, if that makes sense. in 2019, there was a series of hustings. towards the end of the hustings, the balance went out to the membership. to do that probably have to have the party chair agree to it, and both of the final turn candidates. i am to it, and both of the final turn candidates. iam not to it, and both of the final turn candidates. i am not sure, to it, and both of the final turn candidates. iam not sure, but to it, and both of the final turn candidates. i am not sure, but i don't think that's going to happen. do you think hustings make a difference? do they change peoples minds? i difference? do they change peoples minds? ~ , difference? do they change peoples minds? ~' , ., �* , ., minds? i think they do. but they are re orted minds? i think they do. but they are reported widely _ minds? i think they do. but they are reported widely by _ minds? i think they do. but they are reported widely by the _ minds? i think they do. but they are reported widely by the media - minds? i think they do. but they are reported widely by the media as - reported widely by the media as well. even the members that can't make it to the hustings get an idea of what is going on and get a chance to know perhaps the least well—known

candidates. that is whatjeremy hunt was hoping 2019. although boris was well in parliament on the country, jeremy hunt felt if he had a chance to do the hustings than the membership would get to know him as well, if that makes sense. there membership would get to know him as well, if that makes sense.— well, if that makes sense. there is alwa s well, if that makes sense. there is always those _ well, if that makes sense. there is always those who _ well, if that makes sense. there is always those who will _ well, if that makes sense. there is always those who will say - well, if that makes sense. there is always those who will say at - well, if that makes sense. there is always those who will say at a - well, if that makes sense. there is| always those who will say at a time like this that it is a bit undemocratic. a very small group of tory mps choose the two contenders, and then 180,000 tory party members choosing britain's next prime minister. is that democratic? {iii minister. is that democratic? of course, we minister. is that democratic? oi course, we have a head minister. is that democratic? i>i course, we have a head of state, called the queen. we are not going around and choosing a president, we are choosing a prime minister who is are choosing a prime minister who is a member of parliament. both main political parties do it happened with gordon brown, when he took over from tony blair. we have got to remember that we have a head of state. we have a monarchy. we are choosing the leader of our political party, who then de facto becomes prime minister. you party, who then de facto becomes prime minister.— party, who then de facto becomes prime minister. you will know from history that — prime minister. you will know from history that sometimes _ prime minister. you will know from history that sometimes prime - history that sometimes prime ministers who have been elected like that want to get their own mandate

and call an early general election to get the people to endorse their leadership of the country. 50. leadership of the country. so, gordon brown _ leadership of the country. srr, gordon brown went leadership of the country. s57, gordon brown went to leadership of the country. s513, gordon brown went to term, and john major went to term. he took over the conservative party in 1990 as its leader and then as prime minister went the latest possible moment in 1992. you may want to get your own mandate, but you tend to change leaders in a political party at a time of great turmoil, when you are a way behind in the opinion polls, notably any future leader of the party or prime minister, when they are ten or 15 points behind in the opinion polls is going to say, right, let's have a general election now. i don't think that'll happen. the other question people asking, we are now in a position where we have effectively got a lame duck prime minister who can't do anything significant. we got pretty much a lame—duck caretaker government who can't do anything very significant. that's what happens. that is what happens when you have a change. it happened when tony blair announced he was going, it happened when david cameron announced it. the holder of

office is no longer leader of political party, but remains a number 10 until a replacement is found. i suspect the tory party will get through the process by the end of august or beginning of september, in about six weeks. can i of august or beginning of september, in about six weeks.— in about six weeks. can i ask who ou are in about six weeks. can i ask who you are supporting? _ in about six weeks. can i ask who you are supporting? i'm - in about six weeks. can i ask who i you are supporting? i'm supporting penny mordaunt. _ you are supporting? i'm supporting penny mordaunt. thank _ you are supporting? i'm supporting penny mordaunt. thank you - you are supporting? i'm supporting penny mordaunt. thank you for - you are supporting? i'm supporting i penny mordaunt. thank you for being with us, sir charles _ penny mordaunt. thank you for being with us, sir charles walker, - penny mordaunt. thank you for being with us, sir charles walker, former . with us, sir charles walker, former chair of the 1922 committee. that is the latest from westminster on the tory leadership race. stay with us throughout the day for more updates. you never know who mightjoin the race as we go through the day. for now, back to you. we wa nt we want to take you to tokyo, where a vigil is being held for the assassinated formerjapanese assassinated former japanese prime minister shinzo assassinated formerjapanese prime minister shinzo abe. this is taking place at a temple in tokyo, led by his wife. earlier today, the us

secretary of state, antony blinken, made an unscheduled stop in tokyo to offer his condolences to the japanese prime minister. mr abe's funeral is due to take place tomorrow, with larger memorial scheduled for later. but a vigil is under way at the moment to remember shinzo abe, who was shot dead on friday. president gotobaya rajapaksa 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 rajapaksa has gone. 0ur 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. whereas 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. leaked documents show how uber secretly lobbied uk politicians to help change transport policy in london. in meetings which were never declared, uber�*s lobbyists met george osborne when he was chancellor and a number of ministers, including conservative leadership candidate sajid javid. the documents were leaked to the guardian newspaper and shared with the international consortium of investigativejournalists and bbc panorama. uber denies its lobbying was secret and the ministers say rules were followed. richard bilton has more. when uber arrived in london, there was chaos. black cab drivers weren't happy and blockaded the capital.

then london mayor, borisjohnson, set up a review which could have limited uber�*s expansion in the capital. the leaked documents show uber was on a secret offensive, a concerted campaign to influence policy. george osborne, the then chancellor, went to a private dinner in california with uber�*s chief exec, travis kalanick. an internal uber e—mail says... it's better than a meeting in london because this is a much more private affair, with no hanger—on officials or staffers. the meeting was never declared. what should our viewers make of the fact that he chose not to declare that meeting? well, i think they should be very disturbed, frankly. it perfectly encapsulates the problem with lobbying and how vested interests capture ministers and decision—making.

the documents say there were more meetings with ministers, including sajid javid, matt hancock, michael gove and priti patel. they weren't declared. meetings between ministers and companies where business is discussed should be declared. but the guidelines are so vague, it is hard to be sure if politicians are breaking the rules. the leaked documents show uber felt it got what it wanted. they describe george osborne as a strong advocate, who would "take up our cause when needed". and they boast that then prime minister david cameron's senior staff "are very with us". it looks like all that lobbying worked. proposals that would have limited uber�*s expansion in london were dropped. it was scandalous what went on. i still can't believe that it happened in this country. more to the point, nothing has

ever been done about it. we just accept that's what happened. 0k, yeah, the chancellor and the prime minister lobbied for one of their mates, fine, that's all right, move on. uber says new management has transformed every aspect of how the company operates and its engagements with government are legal and transparent. the ministers say they properly complied with the declaration rules and george osborne says it was public policy to meet and persuade tech companies to invest in britain. richard bilton, bbc news. and we can speak to richard now. tell us more about the background to all of this. , ,., , tell us more about the background to all of this. , , , ., ., ,, all of this. yes, so this is a leak of files from _ all of this. yes, so this is a leak of files from inside _ all of this. yes, so this is a leak of files from inside uber, - all of this. yes, so this is a leak of files from inside uber, and l all of this. yes, so this is a leak of files from inside uber, and it| of files from inside uber, and it kind of shows how they went about trying to move their services around the world. so, this leak is that period about ten years ago when uber were particularly moving to cities

in europe. they became part of our lives from nothing, too let's get an uber. it shows two things. one is the amount of money they were prepared to spend on lobbying. in 2016 they spent $90 million on pr and lobby budget. also it is quite clear that the primary target is to get close to power, get close to politicians, get close to ministers, get close to people with influence, so that uber can get what they want. an awful lot of detail in all of this, richard. but pick out the key findings for us.— findings for us. yes, there is a lot of detail. today, _ findings for us. yes, there is a lot of detail. today, the _ findings for us. yes, there is a lot of detail. today, the key - findings for us. yes, there is a lot of detail. today, the key thing - findings for us. yes, there is a lot of detail. today, the key thing we are looking at is this idea of getting close to london transport policy. you know, you get into the documents and it's quite clear there was this campaign. borisjohnson was the man who was at the heart of their campaign. they described him as the ultimate target. he, of course, had a big say on transport

for london, as london mayor of the time, they went on to have a review which could have potentially looked at the expansion of uber. they even have a grid of getting to people in power, to try to get their message across. there is this meeting with george osborne and travis kalanick, then the chief executive of uber. it happened in california, as you've heard in the package. there is a quote where they say it is better that we have this meeting is not in london, because this is a much more private affair, no hanger on officials or staffers. it is complicated, because the rules that surround declaring a meeting, they are very vague. all of the ministers that we have spoken to and, indeed, george osborne, they say they didn't do anything wrong. if you look into the documents, and that is myjob to date, uberwere the documents, and that is myjob to date, uber were happy. they were

content. they say george osborne, he was a strong advocate, taking up our calls when needed. david cameron's senior staff are very with us. uber were happy. borisjohnson abandoned the proposals and uber were allowed more drivers in the capital. if you look at the documents, it looks like there was a campaign, some meetings, then things changed. how much we can link those things, we can't do that. but we know what the documents say. now these files are out there, what reaction has there been?— reaction has there been? well, obviously all _ reaction has there been? well, obviously all of _ reaction has there been? well, obviously all of the _ reaction has there been? well, obviously all of the people - reaction has there been? well, obviously all of the people we | reaction has there been? -ii obviously all of the people we have talked to who have come back and given their sides, the ministers, they all say they complied with the declaration rules, as i mentioned, they are quite vague, but they are clear that they were on the right side of the rules. george osborne, he said, look, farfrom being secret, this was publicly announced policy to me a big tech businesses and persuade them to invest in

britain. as you heard on the package, ubersays britain. as you heard on the package, uber says new management, it is transformed every aspect of how the company operates, the way we deal with governments, that is transparent. so that has been the reaction from the people we approached. reaction from the people we approached-— reaction from the people we a- roached. ., ,, i. , . approached. thank you very much. richard bilton. _ you can watch panorama — taking us for a ride, the uber files on bbc two at 8pm tonight, or on iplayer. 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 offered 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 2a.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. time for a look at the weather — and susan powell is here. hello to you. how unusual is said to have temperatures this hot injuly in the uk? it have temperatures this hot in july in the uk? , ., in the uk? it is the middle of summer. _ in the uk? it is the middle of summer. it _ in the uk? it is the middle of summer, it is _ in the uk? it is the middle of summer, it is not _ in the uk? it is the middle of. summer, it is not unheard-of, summer, it is not unheard—of, july was the hottest day ever recorded in the uk and we got 38.7 celsius, in 2019. the question now is exactly how hot is it going to get in the coming days and how long will it last? it is not only the heat during

the day, it is the heat lingering into the night and that is what triggers the heat hills warnings being issued. there is a lot going on in terms of piety and by night, the temperatures sustained at the moment. we the temperatures sustained at the moment. ~ ., the temperatures sustained at the moment. ~ . ., ., moment. we have heard about record-breaking _ moment. we have heard about record-breaking temperatures | moment. we have heard about i record-breaking temperatures in record—breaking temperatures in europe this year, very early in the summer. judging by what you are saying, it looks like record's could be broken here too? that saying, it looks like record's could be broken here too?— saying, it looks like record's could be broken here too? that is where we are lookin: be broken here too? that is where we are looking at — be broken here too? that is where we are looking at the _ be broken here too? that is where we are looking at the setup, _ be broken here too? that is where we are looking at the setup, the - be broken here too? that is where we are looking at the setup, the heat - are looking at the setup, the heat this week is being driven into the uk from our neighbours in europe. an area of high pressure to the site. in an area of low pressure further north to start the week and that is going to pull some slightly cooler air into scotland and northern ireland. temperatures will return to more average values in the days ahead, but further south, more average values in the days ahead, but furthersouth, if more average values in the days ahead, but further south, if you are logged in under the high in the very hot airfrom continental logged in under the high in the very hot air from continental europe. logged in under the high in the very hot airfrom continental europe. if you keep your eye on iberia, you

will see the rate getting more rate and becoming angry —looking as the days go past, spreading to france and the alpine region as the heatwave extends and into southern england as well, we can see the dark amber colour pushing and that indicates we are going to get more intense heat towards the end of this week and into the weekend as we see something called a heat low building across spain and portugal, that is the source for us to cool very hot air into the uk, particularly for the weekend ahead. today, as you sow, plenty of high pressure across the uk, a lot of sunshine to come, rainfall very hard to come by across the uk at the moment. for the week ahead, western scotland getting the most significant of any rainfall, not amounting to two march, the weather front will make its way into the north—west later today which brings a little rain, more cloud across scotland and northern ireland lowers the temperature is a little

from yesterday which was the hottest day of the year yesterday for scotland and northern ireland. england and wales we will rival the hottest day so far this year come this afternoon. we could see locally 32 degrees, may be locally 33 degrees, we have only got up to 31 degrees, we have only got up to 31 degrees so far in england and wales. 0vernight tonight, if you like it fresherfor heading off 0vernight tonight, if you like it fresher for heading off to sleep and we have the rain across scotland and northern ireland but it will peter out for tuesday and the front takes the temperatures back down closer to average values for tuesday. sunshine on tuesday afternoon and high teens and low 20s. the front does not get to the south—east of england. more cloud across england and wales, temperatures down a little on today, for a core area across the south—east and east anglia, again, we are looking at 32 celsius, more steamy nights as we continue with the heatwave scenario into this week and the chance of potentially some

record—breaking heat coming next weekend. we will keep you updated. hello, 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 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. in sri lanka the presidential palace is now a protest site — as crowds continue to pour inside. 0ur correspondent is there. how does it feel to swim in the president's personal pool? translation: | 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 and save our native reds. more now on the race to become the next conservative party leader. the foreign secretary, liz truss, is the latest senior cabinet member to put her name forward. eleven 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. thank you very much. 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. 0nce once the wider membership has voted on the final two contenders, we will not know that until early september. until then, not know that until early september. untilthen, borisjohnson not know that until early september. until then, borisjohnson stays at number 10 downing street. robert halfon is the conservative mp for harlow — and is supporting savid javid in the tory leadership — hejoins me now. good to have you with us. thank you very much. sajid javid is both...

supporting tax cuts, estimated by the financial times to cost around £50 billion. what are you going to cut? i £50 billion. what are you going to cut? , ., , £50 billion. what are you going to cut? , ., ., ,, ., £50 billion. what are you going to cut? , ., . ~ ., cut? i should say i have known sa'id javid for — cut? i should say i have known sa'id javid for over 33 d cut? i should say i have known sa'id javid for over 33 years. d cut? i should say i have known sa'id javid for over 33 years. he is i cut? i should say i have known sa'id javid for over 33 years. he is a i javid for over 33 years. he is a remarkable character. he has integrity and conviction and experience of government. he has got an important background where he understands what it is like to struggle for a living and i think he would make a very good prime minister. sajid javid has said he is going to set out in the next day or so, how these tax cuts will be paid for. something i care about and those who know me know that i campaign constantly for our fuel duty cuts, and he has said that he will cut fuel duty by 10p paid for by extra borrowing because we are in an emergency situation where people

are struggling up and down the country, and not able to afford to pay to go to work, because they can't afford the cost of petrol and diesel and businesses are struggling as well. , , ., diesel and businesses are struggling aswell. , ., ., ., as well. lets focus on national insurance _ as well. lets focus on national insurance because _ as well. lets focus on national insurance because that - as well. lets focus on national insurance because that came i as well. lets focus on national| insurance because that came in as well. lets focus on national. insurance because that came in in april, a height of 1.25 percentage points. he supported that enthusiastically and said it was a fair way to help the nhs and to pay for social care. fair way to help the nhs and to pay forsocial care. now fair way to help the nhs and to pay for social care. now he doesn't want it any more. you were just saying he is a man of conviction. not on national insurance, he is not. what he said as he _ national insurance, he is not. what he said as he wanted _ national insurance, he is not. what he said as he wanted extra - national insurance, he is not. twat he said as he wanted extra money national insurance, he is not. wisgi he said as he wanted extra money for the health care because the nhs needs an extra £30 billion, i am glad that the government is spending that extra money for the nhs. the issue as we have had extra revenue coming in to the exchequer, there is more fiscal headroom, it is a different situation in which we were

last year, there is some money, that tax cut can be reversed. and? it is said, though, it's extraordinary in terms of a u—turn from supporting and cabinet, notjust supporting but enthusiastically supporting that rise in national insurance. some eo - le rise in national insurance. some people were _ rise in national insurance. some people were saying _ rise in national insurance. some people were saying he - rise in national insurance. some people were saying he was - rise in national insurance. some people were saying he was pushing for a two percentage point rise in national insurance, suddenly, he has done a massive u—turn on that. why should anybody in the conservative party on the backbench support him? why should anybody support him in the wider tory membership support and when he can change his mind and break a promise quickly? the and when he can change his mind and break a promise quickly?— break a promise quickly? the whole cabinet supported _ break a promise quickly? the whole cabinet supported that _ break a promise quickly? the whole cabinet supported that policy, - break a promise quickly? the whole cabinet supported that policy, i - break a promise quickly? the whole cabinet supported that policy, i wasj cabinet supported that policy, i was very cautious about voting for it, there was a three line whip, all the parliamentary party were told that we had to vote for that policy, it was something set out by the prime minister. what sajid javid wanted was extra money for the health service, everybody agrees, that

money is needed. we are in a very different situation where we were when this tax rise was... ? that was not very long ago, just a few months ago. many things have changed, fuel prices have rocketed, nobody imagined that we would be paying £2 at the pump. we changed dramatically, people are struggling with the cost of living like never before. i think sajid javid has recognised this. rishi sunak supporters _ javid has recognised this. rishi sunak supporters are - javid has recognised this. rishi sunak supporters are supposedly saying that sajid javid will say anything, there is a credibility gap with sajid javid and what he has been saying on tax is bizarre. bill i'm sure that... i been saying on tax is bizarre. bill i'm sure that. . ._ i'm sure that... i am sure what other candidates _ i'm sure that... i am sure what other candidates say _ i'm sure that... i am sure what other candidates say about - i'm sure that... i am sure what| other candidates say about him i'm sure that... i am sure what i other candidates say about him is i'm sure that... i am sure what - other candidates say about him is up to them, he is running a positive campaign to cut the cost of living, fuel duty, tax for working people up

and down the country and we have to look at now and the future rather than what may or may not have happened in the past. every single member of the cabinet was asked to support this policy, every single member voted it as far as i am aware, and all the mps were asked to support this policy, it was a government policy. everyone in government policy. everyone in government supported that policy at the time. times change, as i say, people are struggling with the cost of living, and bills have gone up like never before, food prices, motoring costs, energy cost, so that is why sajid javid is standing as the cut the cost of living candidate, reflecting the situation that we are now n, and not the situation that it was this time last year. situation that it was this time last ear. ., ~' situation that it was this time last ear. ., ~ , ., y situation that it was this time last ear. ., ~ i. , . year. thank you very much, supporting _ year. thank you very much, supporting sajid _ year. thank you very much, supporting sajid javid - year. thank you very much, supporting sajid javid for i year. thank you very much, | supporting sajid javid for the leadership of the conservative party. that is it from me. 11 contenders, sajid javid is one of them, may be more than 11, lets see

who mayjoin the race later today, i need to come back to you. a hearse carrying the body of formerjapanese prime minister shinzo abe has arrived at tokyo's zojoji temple ahead of a scheduled evening vigil. the 67—year—old was assasinated on friday while campaigning in the southern city of nara. he was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead later. police say the suspect — a forty—one—year—old man — has admitted the killing, using a homemade gun. let's go live to tokyo. 0ur correspondent mariko 0i is there. tell us more about the vigil that is taking place. the tell us more about the vigil that is taking place-— taking place. the vigil started 40 minutes ago _ taking place. the vigil started 40 minutes ago and _ taking place. the vigil started 40 minutes ago and we _ taking place. the vigil started 40 minutes ago and we understand l taking place. the vigil started 40 i minutes ago and we understand the current prime minister has already paid his respects. we also understand from the british embassy, the british ambassador will be attending sometime this evening. we think we saw a car taking the prime

minister, leaving ten minutes ago. there were more than 100 gets 30 minutes before the vigil started so it could go on for quite some time. it is a family event, not a state event, or even a political party event, or even a political party event, but given his profile, there are a lot of ministers, lawmakers from the ruling party who are attending. the the from the ruling party who are attending. th- from the ruling party who are attending. th from the ruling party who are attendinu. th ., , ., attending. the the funeral is due to take lace attending. the the funeral is due to take place tomorrow. _ attending. the the funeral is due to take place tomorrow. can _ attending. the the funeral is due to take place tomorrow. can you - attending. the the funeral is due to take place tomorrow. can you tell. attending. the the funeral is due to l take place tomorrow. can you tell us about the investigation as well? the police saying the mistakes were made with security and japanese people are still trying to take in that this has happened, i guess. bill you are completely right to say that. people are very much in a state of shock here injapan. i have to say, elections, the upper house election still went ahead yesterday and the

ruling party had a resounding victory. ruling party had a resounding victo . ., , ., ,, ., ruling party had a resounding victo. ., ,, victory. two days after shinzo abe's shockin: victory. two days after shinzo abe's shocking assassination. _ victory. two days after shinzo abe's shocking assassination. as - victory. two days after shinzo abe's shocking assassination. as for - victory. two days after shinzo abe's shocking assassination. as for the l shocking assassination. as for the investigation, the suspect has been quoted as saying that he thought shinzo abe had close ties to a religious group, the police did not name the name. earlier today, the japan chairperson has held a press conference and he confirmed that his mother has been a member since 2002 although he denies that the group forces its members, followers to make donations and claims that they had no knowledge that his mother had financial problems. a lot going on with the investigation. tonight, a lot of people are coming here for the vigil, that is at the zojoji temple behind me where the funeral will take place tomorrow from noon local time. will take place tomorrow from noon localtime. ., ., will take place tomorrow from noon localtime. ., ,, , ., ,

will take place tomorrow from noon localtime. ., ~' ,, , . local time. thank you very much. the time is 10:44am. _ 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. 0ur climate editor, justin rowlatt explains responsible for killing and maiming 10,000 maiming10,000 squirrels every year.

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.

let's get more now on the hot weather expected this week — temperatures are soaring in other parts of europe, france and spain have sweltering conditions and portugal has wildfires. in madrid, the sun shines down without mercy. the whole city bakes. just being outdoors can be a traumatic experience. "it's deadly," said this woman. "we're all melting. i'm carrying bobby because it's too hot, it's unbearable". it's a similar story further south in seville. umbrellas, even though there isn't a drop of rain. so intense is the heat.

"the truth is, it's been hell," says this man. "just walking around, it's unbelievable". high temperatures and a lack of rain can be a dangerous combination. in portugal, wildfires have burned for several days. the situation so bad the authorities have asked for emergency help from the european union. no reports of any deaths but dozens have been injured and property has been destroyed. translation: it was very sudden, a lot of smoke. i all of a sudden our house was alight. we couldn't do anything. in paris, temperatures have reached the mid 30s, with no sign of any cooling down expected in the week ahead. europe will have to enjoy or endure the heat for now. tim allman, bbc news. her phd thesis is entitled the global impact of extreme heat. thank

you forjoining us. when we look at the picture in various parts of europe, including here, are you seeing a pattern? is this all part of the same pattern of the temperature getting water earlier in the summer? we temperature getting water earlier in the summer?— the summer? we expect this was climate change, _ the summer? we expect this was climate change, we _ the summer? we expect this was climate change, we know- the summer? we expect this was climate change, we know that i climate change, we know that heatwaves are becoming more likely and because of the lack of rain over winter in europe, this is exacerbated the temperatures we are now seeing. they are caught because it has been drier. i5 now seeing. they are caught because it has been drier.— it has been drier. is this a pattern likel to it has been drier. is this a pattern likely to become _ it has been drier. is this a pattern likely to become more _ it has been drier. is this a pattern - likely to become more commonplace? in the uk, we could be seen temperatures in the summer over 35 celsius regularly by 2050. this is why it is important to mitigate our climate change warming to 1.5 celsius. 0r below that if possible. it is also important to put in place adaptations, we know that heatwaves are silent deadly killers in the uk

and across europe. we need cooling centres and we need people to be aware of the risk in a way that the perhaps are not right now. iloathed aware of the risk in a way that the perhaps are not right now. what is our perhaps are not right now. what is your assessment _ perhaps are not right now. what is your assessment of _ perhaps are not right now. what is your assessment of how _ perhaps are not right now. what is your assessment of how well - perhaps are not right now. what is your assessment of how well the l perhaps are not right now. what is i your assessment of how well the uk is doing or otherwise? in adapting to these changes in the weather? no i think the uk has been woefully unprepared on heatwaves by the environmental committee and the independent body, the commission on climate change. i independent body, the commission on climate change-— climate change. i would agree with their assessment, _ climate change. i would agree with their assessment, we _ climate change. i would agree with their assessment, we do _ climate change. i would agree with their assessment, we do not - climate change. i would agree with their assessment, we do not have| climate change. i would agree with i their assessment, we do not have any cooling centres currently in place in the uk,...— in the uk,... what exactly is a coolin: in the uk,... what exactly is a cooling centre? _ in the uk,... what exactly is a cooling centre? it _ in the uk,... what exactly is a cooling centre? it is _ in the uk,... what exactly is a cooling centre? it is not - in the uk,... what exactly is a - cooling centre? it is not something i have heard of before? it is cooling centre? it is not something i have heard of before?— i have heard of before? it is a lace i have heard of before? it is a place where _ i have heard of before? it is a place where vulnerable - i have heard of before? it is a i place where vulnerable people, i have heard of before? it is a - place where vulnerable people, those over 65, pre—existing medical conditions, underfives and pregnant women, can go, it is an air—conditioned space where they can cool down so they do not get heat illnesses. heat stroke is extreme

can cause someone to die if they do not have access to this cooling. it is a measure we have seen put in place across the world during heatwaves as part of heat awareness plans. it was put in place in europe last year, in countries like germany, and it has shown b to be an effective measure to reduce heat illnesses and therefore prevent people from dying as well. you could have designated _ people from dying as well. you could have designated spaces _ people from dying as well. you could have designated spaces in _ people from dying as well. you could have designated spaces in various i have designated spaces in various communities, people know if the temperature is getting very hot, they can go there to cool down basically. they can go there to cool down basicall . , ., they can go there to cool down basicall . , . ., , basically. yes, and that is something _ basically. yes, and that is something we _ basically. yes, and that is something we are - basically. yes, and that is something we are trying i basically. yes, and that is | something we are trying to basically. yes, and that is i something we are trying to get basically. yes, and that is - something we are trying to get the university of reading to do in our local community as well. we have computer labs and cafes at the university that are air—conditioned and we think it would be really good for people who have those air—conditioned spaces to open them

up air—conditioned spaces to open them up to the local community, that is something we are trying to put in place at the moment because of how deadly we know the heat actually is. without sufficient adaptation in place right now, what can people do to make things more comfortable in these sorts of temperatures? ii you these sorts of temperatures? if you romote these sorts of temperatures? if you promote ventilation _ these sorts of temperatures? if you promote ventilation in _ these sorts of temperatures? if you promote ventilation in your - these sorts of temperatures? ii gm, promote ventilation in your house, if you open the windows inside the house not facing the sun, close your curtains on the site of the house facing the sun, and put fans to promote airflow through the house instead of focusing it on your body be because that could dehydrate you. and also focus on your hands, feet and neck and face and try and kill those down. and in the morning, and even then, have a cool shower to cool you down. it's about keeping yourself cool, hydrated, do not go out in the sun in the middle of the day, if your house is hotter indoors

or outside, go in the shade outside. some people live on the top floor and it's really hot and that could be dangerous and you could feel completely terrible if you were staying inside during that. also, pub gardens, parks, these are places that are likely to be cool, and also, if it is lunchtime, you might want to go and have a drink in a garden, depending whether you are at work, i guess. garden, depending whether you are at work. i guess-— work, i guess. thank you so much for talkin: to work, i guess. thank you so much for talking to us — work, i guess. thank you so much for talking to us today. _ work, i guess. thank you so much for talking to us today. really _ talking to us today. really interesting to hear what you have to say, she is a doctoral researcher, her thesis is too hot to handle, the global impact of extreme heat. steve bannon — donald trump' s former strategist — says he's now willing to testify to the select committee investigating the january 6th riots. he's previously insisted he was protected by executive privilege. bannon was due to go on trial next week charged with criminal contempt for refusing to cooperate.

the aboriginal flag will permanently replace the new south wales flag on top of the sydney harbour bridge. the aboriginal flag had been flying over the sydney harbour bridge this past week for the australian observance event, naidoc week. the government described it as a practical and pragmatic solution. neighbours fans are in for a treat more than twenty years after ramsay street's scott and charlene tied the knot, they're finally back together. kylie minogue and jason donovan have shared behind the scenes shots of them on—set, filming for their appearance in the long—running show�*s finale — which will air at the end of the month. jason tweeted "so good to be back with this absolute legend" — whilst kylie said "now we're back together". their iconic wedding episode pulled an audience of almost 20 million when it was shown in the uk in 1988. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell:

hello. love it or loathe it, we are going to be talking a lot about heat through the week ahead. widely today across the uk we are going to be seeing temperatures above average. what we are not seeing very much of through the week ahead is rainfall. we'll get some rain overnight tonight and some showers for western scotland through the week, but many parts of uk seeing little to no rain in our 7—day outlook. and it is going to be because our weather will be largely dominated by high pressure. this weather front will try to push into the north—west with the remainder of today and it will mean some thicker cloud for scotland and northern ireland. and just ever so slightly cooler here than yesterday. it was the hottest day of the year so far for scotland and northern ireland. but pretty much unbroken sunshine across england and wales. we are widely looking at temperatures in the high 20s, perhaps up to 32 degrees somewhere in the south—east of england.

the sun continues on into the evening, but some rain overnight making its way across northern ireland and into western scotland. it becomes pretty scant, though, as it travels its way further south and eastwards. a very warm and a very muggy night. in some spots, temperatures may get no lower than around 20 degrees. tuesday, i think generally offering up more cloud across the uk as a whole. we will perhaps see clear skies towards the far south, and clearing skies for scotland and northern ireland come tuesday afternoon. some slightly fresher air coming in here behind that weakening band of rain. temperatures high teens to the low 20s, but still, across eastern england, particularly the south—east, we are looking at low 30s. wednesday, with the front to the south of the uk, some patchy cloud across southern england and a little fresher, i think, across england and wales. still a lot of heat around. we are still looking at temperatures in the high 20s whereas they return to average or maybe slightly below average values as we look to scotland and northern ireland — the high teens. our major concern at the moment, though, is how the heat story plays out as we look towards the weekend ahead.

for scotland and northern ireland, i think we'lljust continue with average temperatures, but across england and wales, there is a potential to rival the all—time heat record as the uk is set to tap into some heat from further south in europe where parts of spain and portugal are crippled by heat—wave conditions at the moment. stay tuned.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11... 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. i'm ben brown live in westminster, with the latest on that conservative party leadership battle. a vigil is being held for the assassinated former japanese prime minister shinzo abe in tokyo. he was 67 when he was shot at a political event in southern japan. 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 @bbcjoannag 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. 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 this morning and we canjoin him now. 11 so far, could be more than that, priti patel could join the race. we're live ahead of the meeting of the 1922 committee later. conservative backbenchers will be meeting today to decide the election rules, with measures to reduce the size of the field likely. 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. here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. 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. competition intense indeed. 0ur political correspondent helen catt is with me now to tell us more. the rules of the game are very important because they will decide who the final two contenders are and they are going to be set by this committee called the 1922 committee, not everyone will have heard of it but it's going to be very important in helping to decide who is bitten's next prime minister. yes. in helping to decide who is bitten's next prime minister.— next prime minister. yes, it sets the rules for— next prime minister. yes, it sets the rules for the _ next prime minister. yes, it sets the rules for the contest, - next prime minister. yes, it sets the rules for the contest, you i the rules for the contest, you cannot get more important than that. what's happening today is the executive, the ruling body of the 1922 committee of conservative backbenchers and it has a ruling body, a new one is being elected this afternoon anderson is that happened that they will sit down and decide the rules of the contest.

that will cover all sorts of things, how many mps each contender would need to get on the ballot in the first place and it's thought they might set that reasonably high to try and whittle down that very big field. 11 already, we understand priti patel is weighing up this morning so we could be at 12 by the end of the day. they might set that bar pretty high to whittle down the number so in bar pretty high to whittle down the numberso in the bar pretty high to whittle down the number so in the last leadership contest it was set at eight mps, you had to have the support of eight mps. the thinking today is they met may set at around 20. there are other things they can do because what happens after that is there will be a series of run—offs between these mps and usually the one who comes last get eliminated in each runner. the 22 could set a minimum number so if you do not have the support of a particular percentage of the party you get eliminated anyway. it sounds very technical but it could have a really big impact on how the contest goes in the idea is to get through this parliamentary stage pretty quickly so that by the

end of next week when parliament rises, there would be too left and they go out to the conservative membership over the summer to make the final choice of who will be conservative leader and of course therefore prime minister.- therefore prime minister. those final two will— therefore prime minister. those final two will slug _ therefore prime minister. those final two will slug it _ therefore prime minister. those final two will slug it out - therefore prime minister. those final two will slug it out over i therefore prime minister. those| final two will slug it out over the summer in front of the conservative party membership. that's about 180,000 people i think roughly. they have already been slugging it out amongst themselves, all the contenders and attacks really the central issue. whether it remains the central issue but it certainly is at the beginning stage. —— tax. it has emerged as a major battleground and in no way that no real surprise considering who the candidates are talking to, the selective, conservative mps, tax is a big issue in the tory party and there has been some concern about there has been some concern about the direction of travel this government has gone on in terms of raising taxes. so what we're seeing

is a number of contenders setting out their stall to differentiate each other on tax issues. you have rishi sunak saying i'm not going to cut taxes now, we have to wait until the economy is in a better place, but you have got others like liz truss the foreign secretary who launched her bed saying she would be looking at tax cuts from day one. jeremy hunt says maybe look at business taxes now but others would have to wait. it seems to be a really key ground in which they are trying to draw distinctions from each other. it’s trying to draw distinctions from each other-— trying to draw distinctions from each other. �* , , ., each other. it's interesting whoever does aet each other. it's interesting whoever does get elected _ each other. it's interesting whoever does get elected as _ each other. it's interesting whoever does get elected as the _ each other. it's interesting whoever does get elected as the next - each other. it's interesting whoever does get elected as the next tory . does get elected as the next tory leader than the next prime minister there's always questions about a prime minister elected in that way by their party, not by the people in a general election and all this pressure on prime minister get their own mandate from the people sooner or later. , , ._

or later. yes there is. in the way that the uk _ or later. yes there is. in the way that the uk system _ or later. yes there is. in the way that the uk system works, i or later. yes there is. in the way i that the uk system works, actually at each election you are voting for the party to be in government, not the party to be in government, not the prime minister themselves but if there is a change of prime minister in this it is almost instantly pressure for an election to be called for that person to go out and face the voters sooner rather than later. pretty sure that pressure will begin almost as soon as the new person is imposed. ih will begin almost as soon as the new person is imposed.— person is imposed. in the meantime boris johnson stays _ person is imposed. in the meantime boris johnson stays at _ person is imposed. in the meantime boris johnson stays at number- person is imposed. in the meantime boris johnson stays at number ten, | borisjohnson stays at number ten, some critics are saying he's a caretaker prime minister, even a lame—duck because he cannot do anything very significant or radical or substantial while this contest is going on. or substantial while this contest is atoin on. , , or substantial while this contest is ttoin on. , ,., or substantial while this contest is totin on. , ,. ~' , going on. this is about keeping the country ticking _ going on. this is about keeping the country ticking over _ going on. this is about keeping the country ticking over until _ going on. this is about keeping the country ticking over until the i going on. this is about keeping the country ticking over until the new. country ticking over until the new man or woman is imposed. he has committed not making any big changes and continuing with the policies that have been agreed by his government. what's interesting is cabinet will still meet but sitting around that table there will be several people who want his job and have come out and announced some pretty different departures from the

policy that his government has set. it will be interesting to see how that functions.— it will be interesting to see how that functions. who are slugging it out amongst _ that functions. who are slugging it out amongst themselves, - that functions. who are slugging it out amongst themselves, the i that functions. who are slugging it i out amongst themselves, the papers all talking about mudslinging, sweet oh sneers, bloodshed, it's not good for the party but at the same time any party has to have a leadership contest. it any party has to have a leadership contest. ., ._ , any party has to have a leadership contest. . ._ , , any party has to have a leadership contest. . , , , _ contest. it always gets messy because you _ contest. it always gets messy because you have _ contest. it always gets messy because you have got, - contest. it always gets messy because you have got, the i contest. it always gets messy i because you have got, the prize is big its being the prime minister, doesn't get any bigger so you're going to have people who passionately want their guy or girl to be in and therefore are going to try to take out opponents but while they are talking to the selected, they are talking to the selected, the electorate are watching. irate they are talking to the selected, the electorate are watching. we are. thank ou the electorate are watching. we are. thank you very _ the electorate are watching. we are. thank you very much. _ earlier, i spoke to carl emmerson, who's deputy director of the institute for fiscal studies which is a leading economic research group. he said that tax cuts are being pledged by the candidates, amid challenging times

for public spending. 0nai on a i suspect one of the priorities for the government will be setting what to pay public workers. when agreements were made last autumn they were predicated on nothing like current levels of inflation and nothing like the kind of pay deals many public sector workers might be expecting. it could well be that if you want to give public—sector workers bigger pay deals than perhaps anticipated last autumn you may need to find more money for public services not less. certainly keeping to those existing spending limits be challenging. one of those candidates pledging tax cuts is grant shapps. earlier i spoke to the conservative mp george eustice, the secretary of state for the environment food and rural affairs. he's backing mr shapps

and i asked how the transport secretary would fund those cuts if he became prime minister. 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... tax cuts add to inflation, put more money in people's pockets adds to inflation. they don't because 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, which 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 to 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. i'm joined now by sebastian payne, whitehall editor of the financial times. you have literally sprinted across couege you have literally sprinted across college green to talk to me, not bringing breaking news, he wasjust late. it bringing breaking news, he was 'ust late. , ., bringing breaking news, he was 'ust late. , . , 3 bringing breaking news, he was 'ust late. , ., , 3 and bringing breaking news, he was 'ust tate.— and we h bringing breaking news, he wasjust late._ and we are i late. it is a busy time. and we are trateful late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for _ late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some _ late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some of _ late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some of your - late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some of your time. i grateful for some of your time. first of all, the 1922 committee meeting today on the rules of this. how important is that?— how important is that? hugely important- _ how important is that? hugely important- we _ how important is that? hugely important. we know _ how important is that? hugely important. we know the i how important is that? hugely i important. we know the timetable which is that nominations will open tomorrow morning, close at the end of tomorrow and the first round of shortlisting will take place on wednesday. the crucial thing the 1922 committee which is the sort of trade union for backbench tories,

they have to decide the threshold to get on the ballot paper. that was just eight mps which is why you had so many actual candidates. the issue this time is sir graham brady who runs the 1922 committee wants a very quick contest and has reported around the could be as high as 10%, 36 mp5 around the could be as high as 10%, 36 mps or could be 20 mps. there's a lot of bartering going on today behind closed doors about where the nomination threshold should be and where that matters because if it was 10% some of the lesser candidates, jeremy hunt or penny mordaunt might struggle to get that, but if its 20 mps they might get on the ballot paper. mps they might get on the ballot tater. �* , ., mps they might get on the ballot .a er, �* , ., ., paper. then it's whittled down to the last two _ paper. then it's whittled down to the last two and _ paper. then it's whittled down to the last two and that _ paper. then it's whittled down to the last two and that goes - paper. then it's whittled down to the last two and that goes over. paper. then it's whittled down to i the last two and that goes over the summer and this is quite time—consuming temporary membership. who do you see the last two being? we speculated earlier. if it's rishi sunak he is the sort of tory centre—left candidate and then there

is a tory right candidate, may be liz truss and if it's that kind of choice, not necessarily those names but those ideas, how do you think the tory party membership will go? i think the contest in some respect is open because we have had so many candidates. everyone and their mother is standing on the support is going in different directions. kemi badenoch has got the big endorsement of michael gove who is one of the most respected figures within the conservative party. then you have got tom tugendhat the chair of the foreign affairs select committee who has never been a minister but has a lot of momentum behind his campaign. i would not want to say what it's going to end up at how you've characterised it is right. it's almost certain rishi sunak ends in the final two and the question is who fills the other slot? i have feeling at the moment it could be liz truss, it could be penny mordaunt or if she got momentum could even be suella braverman, someone to represent the right flank. i think it will come down to

the personality of who that other person is on whether they would beat rishi sunak if it was liz truss for example i think that's quite a tight battle and would not want to call it. i can see her message of delivery of freedom, responsibility, all the stuff you said about 20 times in her launch video this morning, that could go down quite well whereas if it's someone a bit late less tested or doesn't have a track record in cabinet the party might opt for rishi sunak. it already feels like rishi sunak versus the rest. a lot of the other�*s promising tax cuts and him saying let's not believe in fairy tales. ., , saying let's not believe in fairy tales. . , ., ., ., ., tales. he had first mover advantage when he came _ tales. he had first mover advantage when he came out _ tales. he had first mover advantage when he came out last _ tales. he had first mover advantage when he came out last thursday i tales. he had first mover advantage when he came out last thursday to | when he came out last thursday to announce with that very slick radio and within about two hours of the video watch it had 2.5 million views on twitter which shows the recognition he has got under was some you got polling which came out on sunday that showed when people asked who would you like to be next prime minister, rishi sunak is 11 points, that might not seem a lot,

but everyone else onto a three points, he has the biggest brand recognition in the country, the best organised campaign, the biggest number of supporters that there is one wild card watches that boris johnson's acolytes very much not like rishi sunak at the moment. they blame him for the regicide that brought the prime minister down and i think they will move to try to stop them becoming pm. whether that works i don't know but we have seen this dossier going around attacking his government record downing street described him as treacherous word we cannot see at this time in the morning but it's already getting quite a nasty contest. it morning but it's already getting quite a nasty contest.— quite a nasty contest. it is. we read a lot _ quite a nasty contest. it is. we read a lot about _ quite a nasty contest. it is. we read a lot about smears - quite a nasty contest. it is. we read a lot about smears and i quite a nasty contest. it is. we i read a lot about smears and blood letting and mudslinging. is that, that does that go with the territory for any leadership campaign or is this particularly bloody? i for any leadership campaign or is this particularly bloody?- for any leadership campaign or is this particularly bloody? i think it toes with this particularly bloody? i think it goes with any _ this particularly bloody? i think it goes with any but _ this particularly bloody? i think it goes with any but i _ this particularly bloody? i think it goes with any but i think - this particularly bloody? i think it goes with any but i think this i this particularly bloody? i think it goes with any but i think this one is particularly bloody because of the circumstances that brought it to a head. you had these 50 odd ministers resign, the fact trusting

borisjohnson has been waning for such a long period, that's why there is this anger between the different camps but you can see some of the candidates say look, let's not smear each other, we have to come back together and try to win the next election. that's the thing with conservatives. they love stabbing each other in the front, back and centre but ultimately still want to win the next election so let's see what i don't think it will be too damaging to the party.- what i don't think it will be too damaging to the party. thanks for comint damaging to the party. thanks for coming over— damaging to the party. thanks for coming over to — damaging to the party. thanks for coming over to us _ damaging to the party. thanks for coming over to us at _ damaging to the party. thanks for coming over to us at high - damaging to the party. thanks for coming over to us at high speed. | that's all from westminster for now, but for, now back you, joanna. the headlines on bbc news... 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. also coming up, birth control for grey squirrels, as scientists hope to control an expanding population and save our native reds. labour leader sir keir starmer has been speaking in gateshead this will move britain forward." here's some of what he had to say.. three days ago as you may have seen, my focus was on the immediate past come on the importance of reading with truth and integrity. 0n the difficult times that our country faced in lockdown and on the fact that those who make the rules should not break the rules. i set out my position on that question and the difference between me and the

conservative party. now desperately trying to launder its integrity. even as it it stood by and unfit prime minister to the bitter end. today i want to put my focus where it ought to be. , where it will be between the next election, on the future. 0n the sort of nation that britain can be and the sort of nation labour wants it to be. because at the moment, britain is stuck. stuck with a tanking economy, stuck. stuck with a tanking economy, stuck at home unable to get a passport or a flight. stuck on the phone trying to book a gp appointment. 0urtaxes phone trying to book a gp appointment. 0ur taxes are going up, food and energy bills are out of control. at many other public services that we rely on have simply

stopped working. britain deserves better than this. we need a fresh start. leaked documents show how uber secretly lobbied uk politicians to help change transport policy in london. in meetings which were never declared, uber�*s lobbyists met george osborne when he was chancellor and a number of ministers, including conservative leadership candidate sajid javid. the documents were leaked to the guardian newspaper and shared with the international consortium of investigativejournalists and bbc panorama. uber denies its lobbying was secret and the ministers say rules were followed. richard bilton reports. when uber arrived in london, there was chaos. black cab drivers weren't happy and blockaded the capital. the then—london mayor, borisjohnson, set up a review which could have limited uber�*s expansion in the capital. the leaked documents show uber was on a secret offensive, a concerted campaign

to influence policy. george osborne, the then—chancellor, went to a private dinner in california with uber�*s chief exec, travis kalanick. an internal uber e—mail says... "it's better than a meeting in london because this is a much more private affair, with no hanger—on officials or staffers." the meeting was never declared. what should our viewers make of the fact that he chose not to declare that meeting? well, i think they should be very disturbed, frankly. it perfectly encapsulates the problem with lobbying and how vested interests capture ministers and decision—making. the documents say there were more meetings with ministers, including sajid javid, matt hancock, michael gove and priti patel. they weren't declared.

meetings between ministers and companies where business is discussed should be declared. but the guidelines are so vague, it is hard to be sure if politicians are breaking the rules. the leaked documents show uber felt it got what it wanted. they describe george osborne as a strong advocate, who would "take up our cause when needed". and they boast that then—prime minister david cameron's senior staff "are very with us". it looks like all that lobbying worked. proposals that would have limited uber�*s expansion in london were dropped. it was scandalous what went on. and i still can't believe that it happened in this country. more to the point, nothing has ever been done about it. we just accept that's what happened. 0k, yeah, the chancellor and the prime minister lobbied for one of their mates, fine, that's all right, move on. uber says new management has transformed every aspect of how

the company operates and its engagements with government are legal and transparent. the ministers say they properly complied with the declaration rules and george osborne says it was public policy to meet and persuade tech companies to invest in britain. richard bilton, bbc news. you can watch panorama — taking us for a ride: the uber files, on bbc two at 8pm tonight or on iplayer. a hearse carrying the body of former japanese prime minister shinzo abe has arrived at tokyo's zojoji temple as an evening vigil gets under way. the 67—year—old was assasinated on friday while campaigning in the southern city of nara. he was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead later. police say the suspect, a a1—year—old man, has admitted the killing, using a homemade gun. 0ur correspondent, mariko 0i, is in tokyo for us.

we understand the current prime minister has already paid his respects. we also understand from the british embassy, the british ambassador will be attending sometime this evening. we think we saw a car taking the prime minister, leaving ten minutes ago. there were more than 100 guests 30 minutes before the vigil started so this could go on for quite some time. this is a family event, in fact, it is not a state event, or even a political party event, but given mr abe's profile, there are a lot of ministers, lawmakers from the ruling party who are attending. the ruling party managed to have a resounding victory but after the investigation, the suspect has been quoted as saying he thought mr abe

had ties to our group. its chairperson has held a press conference and confirmed his mother has been a member since 2002 though he denies that the group forces its members, followers to make donations. and claimed they had no knowledge that his mother had financial problems. a lot going on with investigation but of course tonight a lot of people are coming for the funeral. that is at the zojoji temple behind me where the funeral will take place tomorrow from noon local time. thank you very much. 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 2a.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. neighbours fans are in for a treat. more than 20 years after ramsay street's scott and charlene tied the knot, they're finally back together. kylie minogue and jason donovan have shared behind the scenes shots of them on—set, filming for their appearance in the long—running show�*s finale, which will air at the end of the month. jason tweeted, "so good to be back with this absolute legend," whilst kylie said "now we're back together". their iconic wedding episode pulled an audience of almost 20 million

when it was shown in the uk in 1988. 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 much of england and wales. still a core of heat sitting to the east. 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 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. a vigil is being held for the assassinated former japanese prime minister shinzo abe in tokyo he was 67 when he was shot at a political event in southern japan last week. 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 and save our native reds sport now, and time for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. we begin with football and all eyes will be on the south coast later, as england and northern ireland play their second group games in the women's euros. there are very different scenarios for both nations though. england after victory in their opening sell out match at old trafford, play norway in brighton. tonight's opponents suggested the lionesses looked nervous in their 1—0 victory over austria last wednesday. you're talking about someone who's saying something about us, who hasn't been with the team, hasn't been with the process. but that's ok. it's nice that they're trying to put pressure on us. we're just working on our game, and how we want to play, team players and their tasks.

meanwhile, it's make or break for northern ireland who face austria after defeat to norway last week. another loss would all but end their hopes of progressing. they kick off at five o clock this evening in southampton. feeling evening in southampton. very good. 0bviously stepping feeling very good. 0bviously stepping onto the pitch for northern ireland is an honour, so i was delighted to get the call—up at half time and help the team out the way i did. at the moment we don't know what the starting 11 is, but whatever the starting 11 is will be ready for the challenge and ready to take on austria. tennis now, and it was seventh heaven for novak djokovic — he's now pulled level on wimbledon wins with pete sampras, the player he says inspired him to take up the game. 0nly roger federer with eight has won more men's singles titles. the day though was as much about nick kyrigos, playing in his first grand slam final, he took the first set, before djojkovic came back to win in four — his fourth consecutive wimbledon victory. that was his 21st grand slam title, he's now one behind rafael nadal,

but as it stands due to the serbian's covid—19 vaccination status he's unsure when he'll next be able to contest one of the tennis majors. at the moment i'm not allowed to go into the states of australia, so i'm hoping that things will change and i will receive some positive news, but right now i would like to enjoy this win because it has been demanding and exhausting for a couple of months, leading up to wimbledon, but i always like my chances here and of course i am super thrilled to end up with the victory. djokovic beat cameron norrie in the semi—finals en—route to his seventh wimbledon win, but the british number one has told the bbc he "exceeded all expectations" by reaching the final four at this year's event. norrie says the "unbelievable" crowd support made a "real difference" as he reached his first grand slam semi—final. he's hoping this isjust the start of things to come —

as he prepares for the us open — which begins at the end of next month. 0bviously disappointed to come away with a loss, but i can definitely learn from it and pull from that experience, and another bigger match down in my future career, i think hopefully there will be a lot of bigger matches than that one so i can use that one and a lot of good experiences and a lot of good feelings to take from that. lewis hamilton says he's "disgusted and disappointed" with reports some spectators at the austrian grand prix suffered discriminatory abuse. he's calling for action — and formula 1 bosses say they will investigate. that was off the track — but there was plenty of drama on the track too.. sergio perez retired after tangling with britain's george russell. carlos sainz�*s ferrari caught fire, he escaped unhurt. that handed lewis hamilton, his third consecutive podium finish. charles leclerc finished first, ahead of world champion max verstappen to move up to second in the drivers' championship. england flanker sam underhill will not be available for saturday's

series decider against australia after being withdrawn from the squad because of concussion, joining lock maro itoje on the sidelines. head coach eddiejones confirmed after england's 25—17 win on saturday, that itoje would not feature in the series final. that had left the door open for underhill�*s return. but no replacements will be called up before the final test in sydney with the series level at 1—1. that's all the sport for now. you can keep up to date with all the latest football tranfer news on the bbc sport website — that's bbc.co.uk/sport, and i'll be back in a little under an hour. now in sri lanka, president gotobaya rajapaksa has confirmed he will resign after having fled when crowds stormed his 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 house and grounds. they say they won't leave until mr rajapaksa has gone.

i'm joined now by kumar sangakkara, cricket commentator and former sri lanka cricket captain. thank you forjoining us. what are your thoughts right now on the situation? ., ., your thoughts right now on the situation? ., ,, , ., ., ., situation? thank you for having me. it's been situation? thank you for having me. it's been quite _ situation? thank you for having me. it's been quite surreal— situation? thank you for having me. it's been quite surreal and _ it's been quite surreal and inspiring to see the citizen activist movement has now brought sri lanka to a position where there is the possibility of a new beginning and new start. the movement has been peaceful with clear objectives until now and there have been clear timelines and clear goals as to what they expect and what the country expects and what the people expect in terms of

parliament and resignation of the president and prime minister. but the economic difficulties will not go as quickly as the political leaders. so how does that get fixed? no, i think everyone well possessed of the fact that it is not something thatis of the fact that it is not something that is easily solvable or raise a quick fix, but at the same time a government is supposed to act on the best interests of its people and not in the best interest of a particular party or individual, and to have a stable government that is able to address the economic crisis both internally and externally, they need legitimacy and credibility and that credibility comes on the trust and mandate of the people, so if and when the resignations do come there

will have to be a united government in place, a caretaker president, prime minister elected through parliament that can then quickly address all of the decisions that have to be made internally in terms of finance, health, energy and food for the people and also reconnect with the imf programmes and dense external creditors and their friendly neighbours to quickly address the economic issues facing the country and also at the same time give a realistic unacceptable timeline for elections. you time give a realistic unacceptable timeline for elections.— timeline for elections. you are watchint timeline for elections. you are watching from _ timeline for elections. you are watching from the _ timeline for elections. you are watching from the sidelines i timeline for elections. you are i watching from the sidelines very vocally. are you tempted to enter politics? vocally. are you tempted to enter tolitics? ., ~' , vocally. are you tempted to enter tolitics? ., ~ , ., , vocally. are you tempted to enter tolitics? ., ~ , , politics? no. i think this has been a time of reflection _ politics? no. i think this has been a time of reflection and _ a time of reflection and introspection for a lot of sri

lankans, especially of my generations and the generations before. it has taken a new generation of youth to shake us out of our apathy in terms of accepting a status quo and not really converting that into action and a demand for more accountability and a government that works more for the interest and development of its own people and its country and this new generation of youth, brave, courageous, determined underwear and educated and savvy, have been able to inspire all generations and all peoples from all backgrounds and economic classes to unite, with one objective for the betterment of the country, and it has not been easy because they have put their safety and their bodies on the line because they have fought for everyone, not just the economically disadvantaged in sri lanka, not particularly for

one race or one religion, but for everybody, including people like me and my children, and for people everywhere so there is the possibility now of a change in our social structure. we possibility now of a change in our social structure.— possibility now of a change in our social structure. we are losing our connection — social structure. we are losing our connection with _ social structure. we are losing our connection with you, _ social structure. we are losing our| connection with you, unfortunately but it's been very good to talk to you and thank you forjoining us. thank you. more now on the race to become the next conservative party leader. the foreign secretary, liz truss, is the latest senior cabinet member to put her name forward. eleven contenders are now in the running. my colleague ben brown is live in westminster for us — and we canjoin him now. 11 so farand 11 so far and it might be more and be 12 with priti pateljoining the race later today on the weather is hotting up and so is this tory party leadership race. and we will have the rules for the race set today

because the 1922 committee of conservative backbenchers is meeting today and they will set the rules which will whittle down the current list of contenders to just two, potentially by the end of next week, maybe by the end of this week. parliament will then break up for the summer and then the two will take their pictures and campaign promises add to the conservative party membership, about hundred and 80,000 who will vote on the final two and we get a result by early september and that is when boris johnson leaves downing street, and the new leader of the party goes into number ten. early on i spoke to the conservative mp sir charles walker who was a former chair of the 1922 committee and he told me a little bit more about what the 1922 committee will be working out today and how things might play out this week for this leadership election. if the first round of voting is on

wednesday that gives us six sitting days until— wednesday that gives us six sitting days until the house rises on the zist _ days until the house rises on the zist in — days until the house rises on the zist. in 2019 days until the house rises on the 215t. in 2019 we did the whole process— 215t. in 2019 we did the whole process with an equally crowded feel in a five _ process with an equally crowded feel in a five sitting days, so it is possible _ in a five sitting days, so it is possible that it can be done. so what possible that it can be done. what is possible that it can be done. sr what is really time consuming is not so much the whittling down to the final two contenders, but the actual electoral race over the summer where you are fighting for the tory party membership to support you, and that takes all summer, really. ih membership to support you, and that takes all summer, really.— takes all summer, really. in 2016 theresa may _ takes all summer, really. in 2016 theresa may and _ takes all summer, really. in 2016 theresa may and andrea - takes all summer, really. in 2016| theresa may and andrea leadsom takes all summer, really. in 2016 i theresa may and andrea leadsom were in the _ theresa may and andrea leadsom were in the final_ theresa may and andrea leadsom were in the final two and the constitution of the party said they had to— constitution of the party said they had to go— constitution of the party said they had to go to the membership. as you recall. _ had to go to the membership. as you recall, andrea leadsom pulled out. i think that's — recall, andrea leadsom pulled out. i think that's unlikely to happen this time round. the only way you can truncate — time round. the only way you can truncate the — time round. the only way you can truncate the membership vote process is if you _ truncate the membership vote process is if you say, _ truncate the membership vote process is if you say, we're not going to have _ is if you say, we're not going to have any— is if you say, we're not going to have any hustings around the country for the _ have any hustings around the country for the two _ have any hustings around the country for the two to set out their stalls and we _ for the two to set out their stalls and we are — for the two to set out their stalls and we are going to go straight to a membership ballot, if that makes sense _ membership ballot, if that makes sense and — membership ballot, if that makes sense and in 2019 there was a series of hustings— sense and in 2019 there was a series of hustings and towards the end of them _ of hustings and towards the end of them the _ of hustings and towards the end of them the ballots went out to the

membership but to do that you probably— membership but to do that you probably have to do have the party chair _ probably have to do have the party chair agreed to it and both of the final two— chair agreed to it and both of the final two candidates and i'm not sure _ final two candidates and i'm not sure that — final two candidates and i'm not sure that is going to happen. with me now is the conservative mp laura trott — who's supporting rishi sunak in the tory leadership race. you resigned last week your position as parliamentary private secretary and the _ as parliamentary private secretary and the department for transport. you are _ and the department for transport. you are one — and the department for transport. you are one of the people that boris johnson supporters would accuse us of regicide, getting rid of the king. i think it was extremely regrettable what happened last week but you reach a point, despite all of the governments achievements and there have been a lot on ukraine, in terms of the vaccine roll—out, but there are standards in public life which we have to adhere to and i felt that trust had been lost and something needed to change. irate felt that trust had been lost and something needed to change. we are totin to

something needed to change. we are going to have — something needed to change. we are going to have a _ something needed to change. we are going to have a change _ something needed to change. we are going to have a change of— something needed to change. we are going to have a change of leader, i something needed to change. we are going to have a change of leader, we | going to have a change of leader, we know that. and your money is rishi sunak. why? most of the other contenders in the race say we need to cut taxes and rishi sunak is saying that is a fairy tale. tethd saying that is a fairy tale. and supporting — saying that is a fairy tale. and supporting rishi _ saying that is a fairy tale. fific supporting rishi sunak because saying that is a fairy tale. eic supporting rishi sunak because i think the economy is the biggest issue facing everything a person in the country and he has a track record of delivery. 0n tax cuts specifically, we really need to be responsible about this. we are conservatives and we want to cut tax and believe it's the way forward but we have to have fiscal responsibility and i think every single leadership contests and asked to explain in detail why these huge tax cuts being imposed today will be not inflationary. but tax cuts being imposed today will be not inflationary.— not inflationary. but they are sa int, not inflationary. but they are saying. some _ not inflationary. but they are saying, some of _ not inflationary. but they are saying, some of the - not inflationary. but they are saying, some of the other. not inflationary. but they are - saying, some of the other contenders that we have the highest tax burden since 19a9 and it is time as conservatives that we traditionally believe in low taxation, to bring the tax burden right now, so why does rishi sunak believe in that? he: does rishi sunak believe in that? he: does believe in low taxes but he also believes in fiscal

responsibility and that is incredibly important. when you have 10% inflation you cannot do anything that risks increasing that further. inflationary pressures at the moment are driven largely by factors outside our control but we risk, if we into increasing spending and increasing consumption in the economy, we are going to fuel inflation and that will be a problem for every single family in this country and i think that rishi sunak recognises this and is not going to be responsible with our nation's finances. ., 3, be responsible with our nation's finances. ., ., , finances. there are some in the tory ta finances. there are some in the tory -a who finances. there are some in the tory party who will— finances. there are some in the tory party who will accuse _ finances. there are some in the tory party who will accuse him _ finances. there are some in the tory party who will accuse him of - party who will accuse him of disloyalty to his next—door neighbour, the prime minister, and he was one of the first to resign and his resignation precipitated the fall of the prime minister in the end. ., ~' , . , end. he worked very closely with the prime minister _ end. he worked very closely with the prime minister for _ end. he worked very closely with the prime minister for a _ end. he worked very closely with the prime minister for a number - end. he worked very closely with the prime minister for a number of i end. he worked very closely with the prime minister for a number of years prime ministerfor a number of years and achieved a huge amount. they work together on the furlough and on ukraine but as we said at the beginning, there are points, and certain standards in public life you have to adhere to when they are not met, you need to make a change. he looked like he had been preparing

for this leadership race for a long time, that very slick campaign video was ready to go, wasn't it? this time, that very slick campaign video was ready to go, wasn't it?- was ready to go, wasn't it? this is a man that — was ready to go, wasn't it? this is a man that put — was ready to go, wasn't it? this is a man that put together— was ready to go, wasn't it? this is a man that put together a - was ready to go, wasn't it? this is| a man that put together a furlough scheme in a matter of weeks so it's unsurprising he can do a video in a matter of days. 50 unsurprising he can do a video in a matter of days-— unsurprising he can do a video in a matter of days. so he only put that totether matter of days. so he only put that together after _ matter of days. so he only put that together after the _ matter of days. so he only put that together after the resignation? it i together after the resignation? it was togetherafterthe resignation? it was done on wednesday. i3 together after the resignation? it was done on wednesday. is this. together after the resignation? it| was done on wednesday. is this a clean campaign? _ was done on wednesday. is this a clean campaign? there _ was done on wednesday. is this a clean campaign? there seems i was done on wednesday. is this a clean campaign? there seems to | was done on wednesday. is this a i clean campaign? there seems to be a lot of mudslinging and blood—letting already. does it worry you? yes. lot of mudslinging and blood-letting already. does it worry you?- already. does it worry you? yes, it does because _ already. does it worry you? yes, it does because we _ already. does it worry you? yes, it does because we have _ already. does it worry you? yes, it does because we have a _ already. does it worry you? yes, it does because we have a fantastic i does because we have a fantastic slate of candidates and this should be about issues, taxation policy, what are people doing to make sure we keep the inflation rate down in the country and what we doing women's rights, these are the big issues we should be discussing as a party and individual attack should not be part of the campaign. chrome yellow do you think when it goes to the wider tory party membership that rishi sunak is going to be somebody they will vote for?— they will vote for? arguably he represents _ they will vote for? arguably he represents the _ they will vote for? arguably he represents the centre-left i they will vote for? arguably he represents the centre-left of l they will vote for? arguably he l represents the centre-left of the represents the centre—left of the tory party and he will be up against liz truss. representing the

centre—right of the conservative party and the membership might go for the alternative are not for your man, rishi sunak. he for the alternative are not for your man, rishi sunak.— for the alternative are not for your man, rishi sunak. he is a brexiteers and he's the — man, rishi sunak. he is a brexiteers and he's the only _ man, rishi sunak. he is a brexiteers and he's the only person _ man, rishi sunak. he is a brexiteers and he's the only person that - man, rishi sunak. he is a brexiteers and he's the only person that the - and he's the only person that the public would live above keir starmer and those are things that the tory party membership who are very clever and well—informed people will understand and i think the message on the economy is really important. he wants low taxes but he will not do it in a fiscally irresponsible way. do it in a fiscally irresponsible wa . ~ . do it in a fiscally irresponsible wa , ~ ., ., do it in a fiscally irresponsible wa. . ., do it in a fiscally irresponsible wa .~ . ., ., , do it in a fiscally irresponsible wa. . ., ., , ., way. what about what the voters have read and seen — way. what about what the voters have read and seen in _ way. what about what the voters have read and seen in recent _ way. what about what the voters have read and seen in recent months - way. what about what the voters have read and seen in recent months abouti read and seen in recent months about his wealth, which is huge, about his wife's tax affairs which have been questioned. we know she has changed what she has done on that but all of that brought him a difficult period of time, i think you would admit that publicly and in the papers. it's all out in the public, but the point about this is we are facing a really serious time in this country and we need to be debating who has

the ability and ideas to take us forward as a country and i think thatis forward as a country and i think that is what we should be focused on. �* , ., , ., , on. but will people out there being asked to tighten _ on. but will people out there being asked to tighten their _ on. but will people out there being asked to tighten their belts - on. but will people out there being asked to tighten their belts and - asked to tighten their belts and take a pay cut or pay freeze, will they take that from a prime minister who is worth hundreds of millions of pounds? who is worth hundreds of millions of ounds? ., ., ~' who is worth hundreds of millions of .ounds? .px'. who is worth hundreds of millions of ounds? ., ., 4' ., , who is worth hundreds of millions of ounds? ., , ., . ~ u, pounds? look at his track record. what he's — pounds? look at his track record. what he's done _ pounds? look at his track record. what he's done over— pounds? look at his track record. what he's done over the - pounds? look at his track record. what he's done over the period . pounds? look at his track record. | what he's done over the period of being chancellor is a targeted support of the most vulnerable and made sure he protected those who most needed it and that is what we should focus on more than anything else. ~ . . should focus on more than anything else. ~ ., ., ., should focus on more than anything else. . ., ,, , ~ else. what about other issues like the government _ else. what about other issues like the government policy _ else. what about other issues like the government policy of- else. what about other issues like the government policy of sending | the government policy of sending asylum seekers to rwanda. where does he stand on that? i asylum seekers to rwanda. where does he stand on that?— he stand on that? i understand all the leadership _ he stand on that? i understand all the leadership contenders - he stand on that? i understand all the leadership contenders are - the leadership contenders are backing up. 50 the leadership contenders are backing lip-— backing up. so rishi sunak is backin: backing up. so rishi sunak is backing that _ backing up. so rishi sunak is backing that as _ backing up. so rishi sunak is backing that as well? - backing up. so rishi sunak is backing that as well? i - backing up. so rishi sunak is- backing that as well? i understand that is the case. _ backing that as well? i understand that is the case. will _ backing that as well? i understand that is the case. will this - backing that as well? i understand that is the case. will this be - backing that as well? i understand that is the case. will this be a - that is the case. will this be a lona , that is the case. will this be a long, protracted _ that is the case. will this be a long, protracted campaign - that is the case. will this be a| long, protracted campaign and that is the case. will this be a - long, protracted campaign and does that suit you will give you more time to get arguments across to the tory party membership, but first of all to this electorate of tory mps in parliament? the all to this electorate of tory mps in parliament?— all to this electorate of tory mps in arliament? " ., , ., in parliament? the 1922 conservative committee will _ in parliament? the 1922 conservative committee will be _ in parliament? the 1922 conservative committee will be announcing - in parliament? the 1922 conservative committee will be announcing the . committee will be announcing the rules later today and i think it

would be good if we get someone in place quickly. i think it's important we get on with our agenda that we need to be pushing forward but it is for them to decide. and but it is for them to decide. and ou think but it is for them to decide. and you think rishi _ but it is for them to decide. and you think rishi sunak is going to win? i you think rishi sunak is going to win? ., , ,., you think rishi sunak is going to win?_ laura _ you think rishi sunak is going to win?_ laura trott, - you think rishi sunak is going to i win?_ laura trott, thank win? i hope so. laura trott, thank ou for win? i hope so. laura trott, thank you fervour— win? i hope so. laura trott, thank you for your time. _ win? i hope so. laura trott, thank you for your time. that's - win? i hope so. laura trott, thank you for your time. that's the - win? i hope so. laura trott, thank| you for your time. that's the latest from westminster and we will be talking to more of the contenders and supporters and there might be more contenders emerging in the coming hours. but for now back you, joanna. criminal barristers in england and wales are beginning another round of strike action in a dispute about legal aid payments. the criminal bar association says the government's current offer of 15 per cent is unacceptable because it won't apply to backlogged cases. the four days of action will take place in preston, plymouth and birmingham, and at the supreme court in london. lets now speak tojo sidhu, chair of the criminal bar association. hejoins us live from central london. thank you very much forjoining us.

what impact do you think the four days of strikes will have? this what impact do you think the four days of strikes will have?- days of strikes will have? this is in fact the _ days of strikes will have? this is in fact the third _ days of strikes will have? this is in fact the third week— days of strikes will have? this is in fact the third week of- days of strikes will have? this is in fact the third week of strike i in fact the third week of strike action. we have escalated the number of days and it's been supported by a ballot of the criminal bar and 81% of members felt it was important to take this action because we need to get the public to understand how severe the crisis is gripping the criminaljustice severe the crisis is gripping the criminal justice system. severe the crisis is gripping the criminaljustice system. the government is fully aware that there are nearly 60,000 cases in the backlog and that means there are hundreds of thousands of people who are victims, people accused of crime and there are witnesses, all of whom have their lives on hold because this backlog has built up over a number of years and has nothing to do with us, it's entirely on the government's own making because they did not forward plan to deal with the demands on the system and the consequences of the backlog mean that so many people who were expecting to have their day in court are being deeply frustrated and we must remember that these are victims who will be suffering huge amounts

of anxiety about when their cases will be resolved and we at the criminal bar will work throughout the pandemic, like others who work in the public sector and have sent to the government for years now that the failure to invest... i to the government for years now that the failure to invest. . ._ the failure to invest... i 'ust want to come in — the failure to invest... i 'ust want to come in because _ the failure to invest... i 'ust want to come in because you _ the failure to invest... i just want to come in because you talked i the failure to invest... i just want to come in because you talked al the failure to invest... i just want l to come in because you talked a lot about the backlog and this is, as you say the third round of strikes and there's another round next week which will go across five days, so what is the impact of the strike action in terms of the number of cases that are going to be delayed as a result? you talk about your concerns for those who are wanting to have justice done and there are going to be people, obviously, across the course of the strike action who are going to have that further delayed.— action who are going to have that further delayed. regrettably slow. the disruption _ further delayed. regrettably slow. the disruption caused _ further delayed. regrettably slow. the disruption caused as _ further delayed. regrettably slow. the disruption caused as a - further delayed. regrettably slow. the disruption caused as a result l further delayed. regrettably slow. | the disruption caused as a result of the strike action is extensive and across the country and in crown courts up and down the land. there are many cases which will be impacted by this but it's important to remember that for people who are victims in the system, the average

length of waiting time at the moment, irrespective of what we are doing by bringing attention to the problem is around 700 days and for those who are victims of serious sexual offences, it can be as high as 1500 days. the system is already in gridlock and we have sent a government that this is because you have not planned forward is and what is happening at the moment is because legal aid rates are so poor we've lost a quarter our workforce of criminal prosecutors and defenders and barristers in the profession, over the last five years, a quarter have gone. last years, a quarter have gone. last year alone we lost 300 more and about 44% ofjunior criminal about 44% of junior criminal barristers about 44% ofjunior criminal barristers had to take with a heavy heart the decision to leave this line of work. 50 heart the decision to leave this line of work.— heart the decision to leave this line of work. ,, ,., , ., line of work. so your point is that the number _ line of work. so your point is that the number of _ line of work. so your point is that the number of people _ line of work. so your point is that the number of people who - line of work. so your point is that the number of people who are . line of work. so your point is that - the number of people who are leaving because of the difficulties that they are working with is impacting on the backlog?— they are working with is impacting on the backlog? absolutely. and it is we have been _

on the backlog? absolutely. and it is we have been working _ on the backlog? absolutely. and it l is we have been working desperately hard to bring the backlog down over the pandemic that we simply don't have enough men and women when you lose a quarter of your workforce and we know why people are leaving this job. they are leaving it despite having invested heavily in their education and many come into this career with a huge amount of student debt and they have a commitment to public service and are not doing it because they are driven by money. nobody does criminal legal aid work because money is the main incentive, they are doing out of a sense of public service but they cannot afford to continue doing it on what they are earning. just to give you an idea, in the first three years of practice, the median income for a criminal practitioner, a junior criminal practitioner, a junior criminal practitioner, a junior criminal practitioner is around £12,200 and if you work that out across a a0 hour week, that's about £6.25 per hour and that is below when —— minimum wage, so we are seeing droves leaving our profession out of despair because they cannot pay their bills or their rent and all the other things ordinary people have to do, so they are moving out of criminal work into other areas

which means we cannot service the backlog and victims will wait longer as will defendants stuck in the desist —— in the system, many of whom are in custody and we sent to the government for some time that we need to treat it as a national emergency and get your head out of the sand. and the government said we would give you 15%, and that's because they did it in a spirit of generosity decided to give us that comments because of an independent review that was chaired by sir christopher bellamy and what he said was that the 15% should be injected straightaway without any further delay in what government has said is you are not going to get that money until new cases come into the system in october and that means several years before anyone will receive the benefit and i'm afraid junior barristers in particular cannot wait that long and have to pay their bills so they will continue to leave and the public will lose out and victims and defendants will not be seen. . ~' victims and defendants will not be seen. ., ~ i. 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 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. borisjohnson has boris johnson has been borisjohnson has been speaking

about the tory leadership contest and says he will not offer his backing to any of the leadership contenders and he spoke this morning and said he would not want to damage anybody�*s chances by offering my support. we will bring you the whole of what boris johnson has support. we will bring you the whole of what borisjohnson has been saying just after the weather coming up saying just after the weather coming up at midday with susan powell. 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 today here but across england and wales with a fairly unbroken sunshine i'm anticipating the temperature is getting up to the high 20s widely through the afternoon and early evening but pushing into 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 in the cloud of dust they can across scotland and northern ireland and there will be some rain overnight and very little getting into the east of scotland and a very warm and i suspect the majority uncomfortable night ahead with temperatures no lower than 20

degrees somewhere in the south—east. this band of cloud is a cold front and it will mean fresher conditions for scotland and northern ireland despite the sunshine through tuesday and temperatures getting into the high teens to the low 20s and a little fresher for england and wales but a core of heat is sitting 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 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. i'm ben brown, live in westminster, with the latest on that conservative party leadership battle. a vigil is being held for the assassinated formerjapanese prime minister shinzo abe in tokyo. he was 67 when he was shot at a political event in southern japan last week. 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 @bbcjoannag 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. 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 this morning and we canjoin him now.

11 so far, could be 12 if priti pateljoins 11 so far, could be 12 if priti patel joins the 11 so far, could be 12 if priti pateljoins the race. it is hot here at westminster and the race for the leadership of conservative party is heating up as well. 1922 committee is meeting later on today, that's important because they are going to set rules for this contest and reduce the size of the field. it's not the current crop of contenders will be whittled down to just two either by the end of this week but more probably by the end of next week when parliament breaks up for the summer. the final result of the contest will not be known until early september because over the summer, the final two contenders will take fair promises out of the conservative party membership. about 180,000 men and women and they will choose between those two final contenders. here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. 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 outgoing prime minister, borisjohnson has been speaking in the past half hour. the first time we have heard from him since his resignation statement in downing street where he blame to be heard mentality of tory mps saying it was an eccentric decision to grant him. he insisted it was right that he stayed in his post until the new conservative party leader was selected. iam doing i am doing the last few days, weeks, however long it is, but the job of government has got to be carried on in that period. i have set out for people what the tory parliamentary

party have decided, that has the inevitable consequences that it has, but myjob in the next few days and weeks is to continue with the programme on which we were elected, which included making sure that the uk was restored to its status as a science superpower, the country that split the atom, invented the mri, you name it, it all happened here, but we don't make enough money out of it. what i want to see is these types of breakthroughs happen not just in london, oxford, cambridge, though that's fantastic and they must, but around the country and that's starting to happen. in must, but around the country and that's starting to happen.- that's starting to happen. in your statement. _ that's starting to happen. in your statement, you _ that's starting to happen. in your statement, you talk— that's starting to happen. in your statement, you talk about - that's starting to happen. in your statement, you talk about the i that's starting to happen. in your i statement, you talk about the party made _ statement, you talk about the party made the _ statement, you talk about the party made the decision. you talked about the head _ made the decision. you talked about the head in_ made the decision. you talked about the head in westminster, use it when it moves_ the head in westminster, use it when it moves eight moves and it stampeded on you last week, do you feel betrayed? | stampeded on you last week, do you feel betrayed?— feel betrayed? i don't want to say an more feel betrayed? i don't want to say any more all _ feel betrayed? i don't want to say any more all that, _ feel betrayed? i don't want to say any more all that, there - feel betrayed? i don't want to say

any more all that, there is - feel betrayed? i don't want to say any more all that, there is a - any more all that, there is a contest under way and that must happen and i would not want to damage anybody�*s chances by offering my support, ijust have to that not a scintilla of anger? mejob of my support, ijust have to that not a scintilla of anger? me job of the constitutional function of this prime minister is to discharge the mandate continue to discharge the mandate and that's what i'm doing. i think the reason we're here today is because i think in my, i think science, technology, our natural genius in this area, is one of the many, many things that's going to carry forward and make sure that our future is going to carry forward and make sure that ourfuture is bright. you going to carry forward and make sure that our future is bright.— that our future is bright. you must be sorry it — that our future is bright. you must be sorry it won't — that our future is bright. you must be sorry it won't be _ that our future is bright. you must be sorry it won't be you _ that our future is bright. you must be sorry it won't be you continuingj be sorry it won't be you continuing on with— be sorry it won't be you continuing on with the — be sorry it won't be you continuing on with the job? | be sorry it won't be you continuing on with the job?— on with the 'ob? i know that whatever _ on with the job? i know that whatever happens _ on with the job? i know that whatever happens and - on with the job? i know that i whatever happens and whoever on with the job? i know that - whatever happens and whoever takes over there is a great agenda to be continued and that we have put in

some pretty fantastic investments, notjust in science but in infrastructure, skills, and in technology that i think are going to enable us conservatives i should say to keep on with our programme of levelling up and delivering for all the people in this country. finally, final question, _ the people in this country. finally, final question, people _ the people in this country. finally, final question, people will- the people in this country. finally, final question, people will be - the people in this country. finally, | final question, people will be cross if i don't _ final question, people will be cross if i don't ask, to be clear, you are not putting — if i don't ask, to be clear, you are not putting your hat or putting your horse _ not putting your hat or putting your horse behind any of the runners and riders? _ horse behind any of the runners and riders? |t— horse behind any of the runners and riders? ., , ., �* , ., riders? it would be... that's not the 'ob riders? it would be... that's not the job of _ riders? it would be... that's not the job of the — riders? it would be... that's not the job of the prime _ riders? it would be... that's not the job of the prime minister- riders? it would be... that's not the job of the prime minister at| the job of the prime minister at this stage, thejob the job of the prime minister at this stage, the job of the prime minister at this stage is to let the party decide, let them get on with it and continue delivering on the project that we were elected to deliver. and what i will say is that whoever is picked, i have no doubt will want to continue to support

brilliant places like the crich. i'm proud to say i helped lay a foundation stone and i was mayor of london here and i gave this place planning permission. i rememberthe arguments we had about trying to make sure that the tube trains did not run underneath it and disturb the delicacy of the experiments. i cannot tell you how proud it makes me to stand here today and see it up and running, see people doing incredible things and the point i want to make to everybody is that there are many, many ways in which there are many, many ways in which the uk is world beating, but science, technology, are in dr amongst them and i want investment to be matched with enthusiasm from the private sector. we tend to make money as companies ljy we tend to make money as companies by selling and buying in other countries and the invest in the long—term, that is my sermon for

today, will that do? we long-term, that is my sermon for today, will that do?— long-term, that is my sermon for today, will that do? we will go down as one of the — today, will that do? we will go down as one of the shortest _ today, will that do? we will go down as one of the shortest serving - today, will that do? we will go down as one of the shortest serving prime| as one of the shortest serving prime minister— as one of the shortest serving prime minister is _ as one of the shortest serving prime minister is in history despite winning _ minister is in history despite winning an 80 seat majority but despite — winning an 80 seat majority but despite all you are putting on a brave _ despite all you are putting on a brave face. despite all you are putting on a brave face-— despite all you are putting on a brave face. ., ., brave face. i... i am determined to net on brave face. i... i am determined to get on and — brave face. i. .. i am determined to get on and deliver— brave face. i... i am determined to get on and deliver the _ brave face. i... i am determined to get on and deliver the mandate - brave face. i... i am determined to| get on and deliver the mandate that was given to us, but myjob is to oversee the process for the next few weeks and i'm sure that the outcome will be good and we just need to get on and as i said before to you, the more we focus on the people, on the people who elect us, one what they can get out of investment in science and technology, the more we talk about the future that we are trying to build, the less we talk about politics at westminster, the generally happier we will all be.

joining me now is alex deane conservative commentator. all the early discussion is about taxation. . �* , all the early discussion is about taxation. ., �* , , all the early discussion is about taxation. . �* , , , ., taxation. that's right, but you will find there is _ taxation. that's right, but you will find there is broadly _ taxation. that's right, but you will find there is broadly speaking - find there is broadly speaking establishment side which is trying to play down the prospects of tax cuts and a more traditional conservative right, which is trying to talk them up. the most important thing to emerge for both of their fortunes will be the rules announced by the 1922 committee tonight which will determine apart from anything else how many mps you need to support you in the first round so as to keep your nomination going. if that number is low we will have more candidates alive in the field on both sides. if the number is high we will see a very quick narrowing down to a few preferred candidates so thatis to a few preferred candidates so that is where all eyes are today. we are hearing it might be quite high, even as high as 30, you need to 30 mps to back you which would whittle

down the field if that's too quite quickly, wouldn't it?— down the field if that's too quite quickly, wouldn't it? that's right, that's the kind _ quickly, wouldn't it? that's right, that's the kind of _ quickly, wouldn't it? that's right, that's the kind of number - quickly, wouldn't it? that's right, that's the kind of number we - quickly, wouldn't it? that's right, that's the kind of number we are | that's the kind of number we are accustomed to seeing at the second round, traditionally you need eight people to nominate you then 5% of the party to survive then 10% of the parliamentary party in the second round but you can anticipate with 11 runners and riders plus potentially more to come out of the woodwork, the parliamentary party is likely in despair of the swimming over a long hot summer making the party looks at the end of course with candidates preaching against one another generating negative material so they are very keen to try and get this down to a small number as soon as possible. we down to a small number as soon as ossible. ~ . , , down to a small number as soon as ossible. ~ ., , , ., possible. we gather they will try to whittle it down _ possible. we gather they will try to whittle it down to _ possible. we gather they will try to whittle it down to the _ possible. we gather they will try to whittle it down to the last - possible. we gather they will try to whittle it down to the last two - possible. we gather they will try to whittle it down to the last two by l whittle it down to the last two by the end of next week by the time they take the summer break and then it goes to the tory party membership. tell us what sort of electorate is that? me tory party membership, what are their thoughts, what are their leanings, who would

they be likely to support? it is somewhat _ they be likely to support? it is somewhat to _ they be likely to support? it is somewhat to the _ they be likely to support? it 3 somewhat to the right of your average voter, but it is somewhat i think to the left of the parliamentary party. the party in the country is not as free—market oriented as the members of parliament are, so whilst they are robust on things in the right—wing sense of things like migration and control of our borders which is going to be a problem for priti patel plasma campaign over the small boats coming from calais and so forth, on the other hand they are a bit more relaxed about tax cutting than members of parliament are which is why rishi sunak tendency in the party while it may struggle in westminster, he got a huge amount of support don't get me wrong, but his biggest challenge among his colleagues is assuring them he is a tax—cutting tory at heart. that's less of a problem at. we saw last thing that you could have a situation or the time before last

that you can get down to the final two and one of the two drops out, presenting you with effectively do when i without going to the country, there will be some in the parliamentary party really tempted to have that happen again, to short—circuit the campaign and not let members of the party in the country have a vote at all. i would council against that, i think it would go down very badly. haste council against that, i think it would go down very badly. we don't have much time, _ would go down very badly. we don't have much time, if— would go down very badly. we don't have much time, if it _ would go down very badly. we don't have much time, if it was _ would go down very badly. we don't have much time, if it was rishi - have much time, if it was rishi sunak against one of the other more right—wing contenders, liz truss, a lot of people have inspect waiting about, in that last two, who do you think the party membership would go for? i think the party membership would go for? ~ �* , ~ , think the party membership would go for? ~ �*, ~ , ., ., ., for? i think it's likely to go to the right- _ for? i think it's likely to go to the right. normally— for? i think it's likely to go to the right. normally the - for? i think it's likely to go to - the right. normally the conservative party, the left prevails in elections that brexit has changed a great deal of the evaluation. a brexit deal is likely to win, that does not cover now either of them but further to the right of the two i think it will go trust.— i think it will go trust. thank you very much _ i think it will go trust. thank you

very much — i think it will go trust. thank you very much --. we _ i think it will go trust. thank you very much --. we are _ i think it will go trust. thank you very much --. we are going - i think it will go trust. thank you very much --. we are going to l i think it will go trust. thank you i very much --. we are going to hear very much ——. we are going to hear from the 1922 committee later with the crucial information about the roles of this vital leadership race. for the leadership of the conservative party. you're watching bbc news. earlier, i spoke to our political correspondent helen catt. she explained how things are expected to pan out today. the executive, the ruling body of the 1922 committee of conservative backbenchers and it has a ruling body, a new one is being elected this afternoon and as soon as has that happened, that they will sit down and decide the rules of the contest. that will cover all sorts of things, how many mps each contender would need to get on the ballot in the first place and it's thought they might set that reasonably high to try and whittle down that

very big field. 11 already, we understand priti patel is weighing up this morning so we could be at 12 by the end of the day. they might set that bar pretty high to whittle down the number so in the last leadership contest, it was set at eight mps, you had to have the support of eight mps. the thinking today is they might may set at around 20. there are other things they can do, because what happens after that is there will be a series of run—offs between these mps and usually the one who comes last get eliminated in each run—off. the 22 could set a minimum number so if you do not have the support of a particular percentage of the party you get eliminated anyway. it all sounds very technical but it could have a really big impact on how the contest goes and the idea is to get through this parliamentary stage pretty quickly so that by the end of next week when parliament rises, there would be two left and they go out to the conservative membership over the summer to make the final choice of who will be conservative leader and of course therefore prime

minister. those final two will slug it out over the summer in front of the conservative party membership. that's about 180,000 people i think roughly. they have already been slugging it out amongst themselves, all the contenders and tax really the central issue. whether it remains the central issue but it certainly is at the beginning stage. tax has emerged as a major battleground and in no way battleground and in a way that isno real surprise considering who the candidates are talking to, the selectorate, conservative mps, tax is a big issue in the tory party and there has been some concern about the direction of travel this government has gone on in terms of raising taxes. so what we're seeing is a number of contenders setting out their stall to differentiate from each other on tax issues. you have rishi sunak saying i'm not going to cut taxes now, we have to wait until the economy

is in a better place, but you have got others like liz truss the foreign secretary who launched her bid saying she would be looking at tax cuts from day one. jeremy hunt says maybe look at business taxes now but others, personal taxes, would have to wait. it seems to be a really key ground on which they are trying to draw distinctions from each other. we will be keeping on top of all the latest developments were by our here. in the meantime, let's get the latest sports news now. angling and northern ireland give up for their second group games in the euros. angling after victory in their opening sell—out match play norway in brighton. you

opening sell-out match play norway in briahton. ., ., ., ., ~ in brighton. you are not talking about someone _ in brighton. you are not talking about someone who _ in brighton. you are not talking about someone who is - in brighton. you are not talking about someone who is saying i about someone who is saying something about us who has not been with the team in the process, but that's ok and it's nice that they are trying to put pressure on us. we're just working on our game and we want to play and team play and tasks. it we want to play and team play and tasks. , . ~ we want to play and team play and tasks. , ., ~ ., , ., ~ ., tasks. it is make or break for northern _ tasks. it is make or break for northern ireland _ tasks. it is make or break for northern ireland who - tasks. it is make or break for northern ireland who face i tasks. it is make or break for- northern ireland who face austria after defeat to norway last week. another loss would end their hopes of progressing. they kick off at 5pm. tennis and it was seventh heaven for novak djokovic. he has pulled level with pete sampras. the player he says inspired him to take up player he says inspired him to take up the game. only roger federer has won more men's single titles. the day was as much about nick kyrgios playing his first grand slam final, he took the first set before djokovic came back. his fourth consecutive wimbledon victory. this was his 21st grand slam title he is

one behind rafa nadal but as it stands due to the serbian's vaccination status, he is unsure when he will next contest one of the tennis majors. fist when he will next contest one of the tennis majors-— tennis ma'ors. at the moment, i'm not tennis majors. at the moment, i'm not allowed — tennis majors. at the moment, i'm not allowed to _ tennis majors. at the moment, i'm not allowed to go _ tennis majors. at the moment, i'm not allowed to go into _ tennis majors. at the moment, i'm not allowed to go into the - tennis majors. at the moment, i'm not allowed to go into the state i tennis majors. at the moment, i'm not allowed to go into the state or| not allowed to go into the state or australia, — not allowed to go into the state or australia, so i am hoping that things— australia, so i am hoping that things will change and i will receive _ things will change and i will receive some positive news but right now: _ receive some positive news but right now. i_ receive some positive news but right now, i would like to enjoy this win because _ now, i would like to enjoy this win because it — now, i would like to enjoy this win because it has been... demanding and exhausting _ because it has been... demanding and exhausting couple of months that were leading up to wimbledon, but i always— were leading up to wimbledon, but i always like _ were leading up to wimbledon, but i always like my chances here and of course _ always like my chances here and of course i_ always like my chances here and of course i am — always like my chances here and of course i am super thrilled to end up with the _ course i am super thrilled to end up with the victory. cristiano ronaldo is not for sale. that's according to erik ten hag. he will miss the tour to thailand due to what the club have called personal issues. he is understood to want to leave the club and trained at the portuguese national team's

headquarters rather than with his manchester united team—mates during the first part of the preseason preparations. erik ten hag says he does not yet know whether ronaldo willjoin later in the tour. back to you in westminster. labour leader sir keir starmer has been speaking in gateshead this morning, he attacked the conservative leadership hopefuls, calling the contest an "arms race of fantasy economics". he said more than 200 billion pounds of tax cutting commitments, made by the candidates over the weekend, were unfunded. here's some of what he had to say. three days ago, as you may have seen, my focus was on the immediate past, on the importance of leading with truth and integrity. on the difficult times that our country faced in lockdown and on the fact that those who make the rules should not break the rules.

i set out my position on that question and the difference between me and the conservative party, now desperately trying to launder its integrity. even as it it stood by an unfit prime minister to the bitter end. today i want to put my focus where it ought to be. where it will be every day between now and the next election, on the future. on the sort of nation that britain can be and the sort of nation labour wants it to be. because at the moment, britain is stuck. stuck with a tanking economy, stuck at home unable to get a passport or a flight. stuck on the phone trying to book a gp appointment. our taxes are going up, food

and energy bills are out of control. and many other public services that we rely on have simply stopped working. britain deserves better than this. let's speak to the shadow chancellor rachel reeves. we have got borisjohnson in number number ten until september potentially win the leadership race is sorted. do you want him out of there? will you have a vote of no confidence?— there? will you have a vote of no confidence? �* , , ., " confidence? let's see what the 1922 committee come _ confidence? let's see what the 1922 committee come up _ confidence? let's see what the 1922 committee come up with _ confidence? let's see what the 1922 committee come up with this i committee come up with this afternoon but he should no longer be in downing street, he has lost the confidence of his party, it has lost the confidence of the british people and he be out of downing street and the idea that he could continue

their until august or september, continue to set the agenda, continue to provide what the prime minister is supposed to do, moral leadership, that's impossible with this man remaining and downing street. we know the leadership race will go on through the summer, whatever the 1922 committee decide, why don't you have a vote of no confidence in him because in the government, because that's what. .. because in the government, because that's what... we because in the government, because that's what- - -— that's what... we will look to that this week if _ that's what... we will look to that this week if that's _ that's what... we will look to that this week if that's possible, i that's what... we will look to that this week if that's possible, let'sl this week if that's possible, let's see what the 1922 committee come back with today but the conservatives could force boris johnson out and have an interim leader. it johnson out and have an interim leader. ., , ., “ , leader. it does not look likely, does it? the _ leader. it does not look likely, does it? the idea _ leader. it does not look likely, does it? the idea that - leader. it does not look likely, does it? the idea that after. does it? the idea that after conservative _ does it? the idea that after conservative mps - does it? the idea that after conservative mps and i does it? the idea that after- conservative mps and ministers have said what they said about boris johnson, but it's ok to stay there, itjust isn't. it's not good enough that someone has lost that trust, someone who is who clearly lacks the moral integrity to be prime minister

for a second longer... a, moral integrity to be prime minister for a second longer. . ._ for a second longer... a few more da s for a second longer... a few more days before _ for a second longer... a few more days before the _ for a second longer. .. a few more days before the summer- for a second longer... a few more days before the summer break, i for a second longer... a few more i days before the summer break, have a vote of confidence straightaway, why not go for it?— not go for it? look, we cannot do it toda but not go for it? look, we cannot do it today but we _ not go for it? look, we cannot do it today but we will _ not go for it? look, we cannot do it today but we will look _ not go for it? look, we cannot do it today but we will look to _ not go for it? look, we cannot do it today but we will look to do - not go for it? look, we cannot do it today but we will look to do that... | today but we will look to do that... are you worried you would not win, is that what's holding you back? i quite like the idea of conservative mps then having to go through the division lobbies and decide. actually if you see as you sit in your letter of numerous leadership candidates that it doesn't have the integrity and now is the time to take a stand they walk through the division lobby and say i know i wrote that but it's fine, that shows that not only is borisjohnson corrupted the conservative party but every single conservative minister and mp is complicit in that. isn’t and mp is complicit in that. isn't the truth that _ and mp is complicit in that. isn't the truth that whenever - and mp is complicit in that. isn't the truth that whenever there's an election would have quite like keir starmer to be facing borisjohnson, all the allegations over partygate and everything else over ethical standards, he would have been quite

an easy party leader to take on in election and actor this conservative leadership race you will be facing somebody with a clean slate, it's going to be a lot harderfor the labour party. i going to be a lot harder for the labour party-— going to be a lot harder for the labour party. i went into politics when keir— labour party. i went into politics when keir starmer _ labour party. i went into politics when keir starmer did _ labour party. i went into politics when keir starmer did because i labour party. i went into politics l when keir starmer did because we love our country and we don't want our country to be led by a man who is so lacking in moralfibre and our country to be led by a man who is so lacking in moral fibre and the character that is needed to be prime minister. i'm pleased to see him gone, that's why we want to see him gone, that's why we want to see him gone now. the other thing i would say is that the government is not just about one man, about one person at the top. all of the conservative mps who have gone along with it for so long now, they defended the parties, they defended him when he had to apologise to the queen, they defended him when we knew that his staff had insulted cleaners in downing street, they defended him when he tried to change the rules to keep his friend and colleague owen paterson in thejump keep his friend and colleague owen paterson in the jump and some continue to defend him about the

allegations of the behaviour of the deputy chief whip, so the idea that it only occurred to conservative ministers last week that this guy, the prime minister lacks that moral integrity when they put him in there integrity when they put him in there in the first place, knowing so much of this that they are all complicit, they are all part of that and you're not going to get a fresh start with a different face of the top of the conservative party. the only way to get the leadership this country needsis get the leadership this country needs is have a general election and a labour government.— a labour government. thank you for our a labour government. thank you for your time- — that's all from westminster for now. stay with us through the day for the latest updates, but for now, back to you, joanna. heathrow airport has asked airlines to cancel 61 flights from today's schedule, because it said more passengers were expected in terminals 3 and 5 than the airport could currently serve. it's the latest in a series of similar interventions by heathrow in recent months. previous cancellations came following problems with a baggage system, and because more passengers were expected than security

staffing could cope with. for more on this i am joined by paul charles who is the chief executive of travel consultancy the pc agency. thank you forjoining us. this clearly shows same—day cancellations are not going away in spite of the government and travel industry saying they needed to be preplanning on this for the sake of customers. thousands are going to be hit today. how are the cancellations actually chosen? how are the flights chosen? i said some time ago this would continue to be a challenging summer and now we are seeing it play out. the way that heathrow is working on the cancellations is by looking the day before at the schedules they have planned, work with the ground handlers and airlines and look at the peak points, the pinch points of

when there are expected to be the most number of people going through security based on past data and what they expect in future. then they marry that with expected sickness levels. we are seeing notjust shortages of staff and people not being in the rules but we are seeing shortages from people taking time out due to covid and sickness. we are seeing a larger number of cancellations going through. if they are lookin: cancellations going through. if they are looking at _ cancellations going through. if they are looking at the _ cancellations going through. if they are looking at the people _ cancellations going through. if they are looking at the people to - cancellations going through. if they are looking at the people to cancel| are looking at the people to cancel flights for people to try to protect their travel plans, what are the times to avoid? what are the times that might be relatively safe? it’s that might be relatively safe? it's a ve that might be relatively safe? it�*s a very good question, because many people are waiting on the edge of their seats for an e—mail potentially from their airline telling them their flight might be cancelled. in terms of future bookings you can try and future proof. it's a bit of a lottery but essentially you can look to fly out

of airports that have seen fewer cancellations, certainly those outside of london for example, heathrow is the worst offender for cancellations, certainly in the last week, but you can look at regional airports like birmingham, leeds, bradford, bristol, where there have been fewer cancellations, you could look at travelling really early in the morning, so that you are on the first flight out to that destination, where there is no chance of that light going later in the day, and of course by travelling early in the morning, you are avoiding some of the build—up of queues that is tending to happen for the security and check—in areas. thank you very much. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan. 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 much of england and wales. still a core of heat sitting to the east. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the 1922 committee will finalise the rules borisjohnson boris johnson says borisjohnson says he will not endorse any candidates in the race

to replace him as the next conservative leader. so far there are 11 hopefuls looking to become the next party leader.— the next party leader. that's not the next party leader. that's not the 'ob of the next party leader. that's not the job of the — the next party leader. that's not the job of the prime _ the next party leader. that's not the job of the prime minister- the next party leader. that's not the job of the prime minister at| the job of the prime minister at this stage. thejob the job of the prime minister at this stage. the job of the prime minister at this stage is to let the party decide, let them get on with it and to continue delivering on the projects that we were elected to deliver. 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. a vigil is being held for the assassinated former japanese prime minister shinzo abe in tokyo he was 67 when he was shot at a political event in southern japan last week. 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 and save our native reds.

more now on the race to become the next conservative party leader. 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. it isa it is a race with 11 contenders so far and it could be more than that by the end of the day. priti patel still thinking about her position. what do we know so far? we have the 1922 committee meeting of tory backbenchers who will set the rules, as you were saying for whittling down of contenders right now down to two by the end of next week, and maybe even sooner than that but the end of next week is when parliament breaks up for the summer. once you have the final two contenders, they go out and make their promises and their campaign pledges to the wider conservative party membership. they

vote and they decide who will be the leader of the tory party and the next prime minister and the result of that will not be known until the beginning of september. let's speak to bob blackman, joint executive secretary of the1922 committee of conservative backbench mps your committee has the importantjob of setting the rules for the contest. can you give us a sneak preview of what sort of rules there are going to be? i preview of what sort of rules there are going to be?— are going to be? i can't confirm what the rules _ are going to be? i can't confirm what the rules will _ are going to be? i can't confirm what the rules will be _ are going to be? i can't confirm what the rules will be put i are going to be? i can't confirm what the rules will be put in i are going to be? i can't confirm| what the rules will be put in the last few— what the rules will be put in the last few minutes nominations have closed _ last few minutes nominations have closed for — last few minutes nominations have closed for the executive committee elections _ closed for the executive committee elections for the 1922 committee and the ballot _ elections for the 1922 committee and the ballot is going to be held between two o'clock and four o'clock with the _ between two o'clock and four o'clock with the 1922 executive committee meeting _ with the 1922 executive committee meeting around 530 to agree and confirm _ meeting around 530 to agree and confirm both the process and the timetable. i suspect where we will be at _ timetable. i suspect where we will be at is _ timetable. i suspect where we will be at is that nominations will open this evening and will close tomorrow evening _ this evening and will close tomorrow evening and there will be a threshold and at the moment a

candidate would need a proposer, a second _ candidate would need a proposer, a second and — candidate would need a proposer, a second and possibly 18 supporters, so 20 _ second and possibly 18 supporters, so 20 conservative mps in total to -et so 20 conservative mps in total to get on _ so 20 conservative mps in total to get on the — so 20 conservative mps in total to get on the ballot paper. that number may increase because colleagues might— may increase because colleagues might decide that we need a higher threshold — might decide that we need a higher threshold. there is also likely to be a _ threshold. there is also likely to be a ballot on wednesday which will almost _ be a ballot on wednesday which will almost certainly have a threshold of 10% of _ almost certainly have a threshold of 10% of the — almost certainly have a threshold of 10% of the membership of the parliamentary party to get through to the _ parliamentary party to get through to the second ballot. that means, basically, — to the second ballot. that means, basically, that mps will start you have _ basically, that mps will start you have to — basically, that mps will start you have to require to get on the ballot paper— have to require to get on the ballot paper and — have to require to get on the ballot paper and 36 have to require to get on the ballot paperand 36 to have to require to get on the ballot paper and 36 to get through to the second _ paper and 36 to get through to the second round. but obviously we have to present _ second round. but obviously we have to present to candidates for the party— to present to candidates for the party at — to present to candidates for the party at large by a week on thursday, so we will have a series of ballots — thursday, so we will have a series of ballots through to that time until— of ballots through to that time until we — of ballots through to that time until we have got down to that level. — until we have got down to that level. and _ until we have got down to that level, and then the last two will go to a vote _ level, and then the last two will go to a vote of— level, and then the last two will go to a vote of the party membership at lar-e to a vote of the party membership at large and _ to a vote of the party membership at large and the party board will meet this evening as well, and i think

that will— this evening as well, and i think that will certainly, if it is a set requirement of the rules for the contest — requirement of the rules for the contest across the country. so those thresholds you _ contest across the country. so those thresholds you mentioned, - contest across the country. so those thresholds you mentioned, they i contest across the country. so those thresholds you mentioned, they are | thresholds you mentioned, they are higher than in previous races, and is the idea of that to whittle down the large field we have at the moment, and in the end make the whole race a bit quicker?— moment, and in the end make the whole race a bit quicker? well, we have a timeframe. _ whole race a bit quicker? well, we have a timeframe. we _ whole race a bit quicker? well, we have a timeframe. we have - whole race a bit quicker? well, we have a timeframe. we have to i have a timeframe. we have to complete _ have a timeframe. we have to complete our process by a week on thursday— complete our process by a week on thursday and we want to get down to serious _ thursday and we want to get down to serious candidates as far as possible _ serious candidates as far as possible and as you quite rightly say and — possible and as you quite rightly say and we have heard of other colleagues costing around to see if we can— colleagues costing around to see if we can get— colleagues costing around to see if we can get the support of mps to stand _ we can get the support of mps to stand for— we can get the support of mps to stand for the leadership but clearly where _ stand for the leadership but clearly where we _ stand for the leadership but clearly where we can get to where we have the list _ where we can get to where we have the list locked down quickly so people — the list locked down quickly so people can be tested properly both at hustings, in interviews and probably— at hustings, in interviews and probably over next weekend so that

mps can— probably over next weekend so that mps can come to their final choice next week— mps can come to their final choice next week in an orderly fashion. the thresholds— next week in an orderly fashion. the thresholds are higher but then we have a _ thresholds are higher but then we have a lot — thresholds are higher but then we have a lot more mps than we have had for a long _ have a lot more mps than we have had for a long time. is have a lot more mps than we have had for a long time-— for a long time. is there any chance of completing _ for a long time. is there any chance of completing the _ for a long time. is there any chance of completing the whole _ for a long time. is there any chance of completing the whole process i for a long time. is there any chance l of completing the whole process this week as opposed to next week, or is it too much of a rush? that week as opposed to next week, or is it too much of a rush?— it too much of a rush? that is too much of a — it too much of a rush? that is too much of a rush _ it too much of a rush? that is too much of a rush and _ it too much of a rush? that is too much of a rush and we _ it too much of a rush? that is too much of a rush and we want i it too much of a rush? that is too much of a rush and we want time| it too much of a rush? that is too i much of a rush and we want time to test the _ much of a rush and we want time to test the candidates both at the ballot — test the candidates both at the ballot box and also in hustings sessions _ ballot box and also in hustings sessions. various scents of people are arranging hustings sessions to interview— are arranging hustings sessions to interview candidates and hear what they have — interview candidates and hear what they have to say and see what policies — they have to say and see what policies they will pursue and indeed what their— policies they will pursue and indeed what their principles are in becoming prime minister. we have to remember— becoming prime minister. we have to remember that we becoming prime minister. we have to rememberthat we are becoming prime minister. we have to remember that we are electing not 'ust remember that we are electing not just a _ remember that we are electing not just a party leader but also the prime — just a party leader but also the prime minister of this country, so it needs _ prime minister of this country, so it needs to— prime minister of this country, so it needs to be done seriously and properly. — it needs to be done seriously and properly, but as you say, the aim is to have _ properly, but as you say, the aim is to have the — properly, but as you say, the aim is to have the new leader in place by the 5th _ to have the new leader in place by the 5th of— to have the new leader in place by the 5th of september when parliament returns _ the 5th of september when parliament returns after the summer recess.

time _ returns after the summer recess. time is _ returns after the summer recess. time is of— returns after the summer recess. time is of the essence and that's because you have a prime minister who has effectively been deposed by his own party and is reallyjust a lame duck caretaker prime minister and there is a bit of a concern that he is sitting in downing street for the whole of the summer.- the whole of the summer. well, there's no _ the whole of the summer. well, there's no difference _ the whole of the summer. well, there's no difference between i the whole of the summer. well, there's no difference between when borisjohnson was there's no difference between when boris johnson was elected as leader of the _ boris johnson was elected as leader of the party, that took place when theresa _ of the party, that took place when theresa may stepped down and people should _ theresa may stepped down and people should remember this, that was in june 2019. — should remember this, that was in june 2019, and then that process went— june 2019, and then that process went on— june 2019, and then that process went on over the summer and then boris _ went on over the summer and then boris was _ went on over the summer and then boris was elected as leader and theresa — boris was elected as leader and theresa may continued as prime minister— theresa may continued as prime minister over that period of time. when _ minister over that period of time. when david cameron who had lost the referendum _ when david cameron who had lost the referendum on the european union determined he would step down, similar— determined he would step down, similar thing happened and determined he would step down, similarthing happened and he continued the parliamentary process, and theresa — continued the parliamentary process, and theresa may was acknowledged as the victor— and theresa may was acknowledged as the victor and then made leader and obviously— the victor and then made leader and obviously prime minister, so the same _ obviously prime minister, so the same thing applies here. the prime

minister— same thing applies here. the prime minister is — same thing applies here. the prime minister is choosing to leave office and therefore he remains as prime minister— and therefore he remains as prime minister until such time as we have elected _ minister until such time as we have elected a _ minister until such time as we have elected a new leader who will then become _ elected a new leader who will then become prime minister.— elected a new leader who will then become prime minister. thank you ve much become prime minister. thank you very much indeed _ become prime minister. thank you very much indeed for— become prime minister. thank you very much indeed for being - become prime minister. thank you very much indeed for being with i become prime minister. thank you very much indeed for being with us and i know you have a busy day ahead of you. lots of decisions to be made so i will let you get on with it but thanks for taking the time out to talk to bbc news. with me now is alberto costa — who's the conservative mp for south leicestershire — and a member of the standards committee. thanks for being with us. good afternoon _ thanks for being with us. good afternoon what _ thanks for being with us. good afternoon what is _ thanks for being with us. good afternoon what is a _ thanks for being with us. good afternoon what is a glorious i thanks for being with us. good afternoon what is a glorious day in westminster. it�*s afternoon what is a glorious day in westminster-— westminster. it's too glorious. it is so hot and _ westminster. it's too glorious. it is so hot and we _ westminster. it's too glorious. it is so hot and we are _ westminster. it's too glorious. it is so hot and we are all- westminster. it's too glorious. it is so hot and we are all melting i westminster. it's too glorious. it i is so hot and we are all melting out here but it's lovely to be here. what are your thoughts on this race. we were talking to the secretary of the 1922 committee. does it need to be done quite quickly, do you think? i'm not so fussed about that, what

concerns _ i'm not so fussed about that, what concerns me is the longest serviced mp on— concerns me is the longest serviced mp on the _ concerns me is the longest serviced mp on the committee on standards and privileges _ mp on the committee on standards and privileges that given the way in which _ privileges that given the way in which borisjohnson has resigned from _ which borisjohnson has resigned from government, if you contrast that with — from government, if you contrast that with margaret thatcher in november 1990 and theresa may in 2019. _ november 1990 and theresa may in 2019. with — november 1990 and theresa may in 2019, with david cameron in 2016, those _ 2019, with david cameron in 2016, those three prior prime ministers resigned — those three prior prime ministers resigned as a result of policy issues, — resigned as a result of policy issues, policy differences. boris has resigned because of the perceived lack of good governance, so my— perceived lack of good governance, so my message to all of the leadership candidates is to example how you _ leadership candidates is to example how you have put standards at the heart _ how you have put standards at the heart of _ how you have put standards at the heart of the decision—making process and jobs _ heart of the decision—making process and jobs you have already had, and secondly— and jobs you have already had, and secondly to— and jobs you have already had, and secondly to pledge to the party and indeed _ secondly to pledge to the party and indeed the country that you will re—establish good governance by restoring — re—establish good governance by restoring a properly functioning british— restoring a properly functioning british cabinet style government. if you do— british cabinet style government. if you do those two things you can be regarded _ you do those two things you can be regarded as a candidate or

candidates of the utmost integrity and that— candidates of the utmost integrity and that is the way to restore trust with the _ and that is the way to restore trust with the british public, being able to demonstrate you have already applied _ to demonstrate you have already applied standards in public life. mandrea — applied standards in public life. mandrea are you saying borisjohnson was not _ mandrea are you saying borisjohnson was not a _ mandrea are you saying borisjohnson was not a prime minister of the utmost— was not a prime minister of the utmost integrity? that is what his ministers — utmost integrity? that is what his ministers thought and that is why he had to— ministers thought and that is why he had to resign the point being that good _ had to resign the point being that good governance can only be restored if the winning candidate that becomes the prime minister of the uk re—establishes good governance by re—establishing a british cabinet government. mandrea why did the conservative party elect boris johnson — conservative party elect boris johnson in the first place when they were told _ johnson in the first place when they were told all about his various character— were told all about his various character flaws and his history and they kind — character flaws and his history and they kind of got what they knew they were getting, in the end? what's important — were getting, in the end? what's important for viewers is going forward — important for viewers is going forward and the reason i am emphasising the importance of british— emphasising the importance of british cabinet government is that if you _

british cabinet government is that if you select the best people in the conservative parties, notjust your pals and _ conservative parties, notjust your pals and the leadership campaign that were good with spreadsheets. yan- that were good with spreadsheets. yang so _ that were good with spreadsheets. yang so you're saying borisjohnson did that? _ yang so you're saying borisjohnson did that? the best people around the cabinet _ did that? the best people around the cabinet table establishes two things — cabinet table establishes two things. one it gets the best people to run— things. one it gets the best people to run government departments but equally— to run government departments but equally as— to run government departments but equally as important that you have to have _ equally as important that you have to have people of character and strength — to have people of character and strength and ability to say to a prime — strength and ability to say to a prime minister, no, whenever necessary _ prime minister, no, whenever necessary. that is a properly functioning cabinet. | necessary. that is a properly functioning cabinet.- necessary. that is a properly functioning cabinet. i hear what you are sa inc functioning cabinet. i hear what you are saying i — functioning cabinet. i hear what you are saying i hear— functioning cabinet. i hear what you are saying i hear what _ functioning cabinet. i hear what you are saying i hear what you - functioning cabinet. i hear what you are saying i hear what you are i are saying i hear what you are saying, any prime minister will put his mates and chums in the cabinet, or his or her mates and they are going round there making promises to people saying you can be in my cabinet if you vote for me. if they want to re-establish _ cabinet if you vote for me. if they want to re-establish good - cabinet if you vote for me. if they i want to re-establish good governance want to re—establish good governance they have _ want to re—establish good governance they have to restore properly functioning british cabinet government and you cannot have people _

government and you cannot have people in— government and you cannot have people in cabinet, you have to have people _ people in cabinet, you have to have people of— people in cabinet, you have to have people of the utmost integrity to run government departments and if you think— run government departments and if you think back to margaret thatcher, the politest because she was argumentative and she thrived on cabinet _ argumentative and she thrived on cabinet ministers arguing back with her and _ cabinet ministers arguing back with her and that is how you test your ideas _ her and that is how you test your ideas and — her and that is how you test your ideas and how you put standards and integrity _ ideas and how you put standards and integrity back in the decision—making process. integrity back in the decision-making process. integrity back in the decision-makinu rocess. ~ ., . decision-making process. who are you votin: for decision-making process. who are you voting for in — decision-making process. who are you voting for in the _ decision-making process. who are you voting for in the contest? _ decision-making process. who are you voting for in the contest? i _ decision-making process. who are you voting for in the contest? i will- voting for in the contest? i will vote for the — voting for in the contest? i will vote for the candidate - voting for in the contest? i will vote for the candidate who i voting for in the contest? i will vote for the candidate who can demonstrate that utmost standards in public— demonstrate that utmost standards in public life _ demonstrate that utmost standards in public life. who's that? i've offered _ public life. who's that? i've offered to speak to all 11 of them so its— offered to speak to all 11 of them so it's up— offered to speak to all 11 of them so it's up to them to take it up. alberto — so it's up to them to take it up. alberto costa, thanks for being with us. we will have all the updates from the 1922 committee. back to you.

the present pakistan will —— the president of sri lanka will quit. protesters are still in the presidential palace and grounds and will not leave until mr rajapaksa has gone. earlier i spoke to the former sri lankan cricket captain kumar sangakkara who said that the protests were inspiring. the movement has been overwhelmingly peaceful with clear objectives as until now, and they have given clear

timelines as to and goals as to what they expect and what the country expects and what the people expect in terms of time and the resignations of the president and prime minister. but resignations of the president and prime minister.— resignations of the president and prime minister. but the economic difficulties are _ prime minister. but the economic difficulties are obviously - prime minister. but the economic difficulties are obviously not i prime minister. but the economic| difficulties are obviously not going to go away as quickly as the political leaders, so how does that get fixed? political leaders, so how does that net fixed? ., ~' political leaders, so how does that net fixed? ., ~ , ., political leaders, so how does that net fixed? ., ~ i. , get fixed? no, i think everyone is ve well get fixed? no, i think everyone is very well possessed _ get fixed? no, i think everyone is very well possessed of _ get fixed? no, i think everyone is very well possessed of the - get fixed? no, i think everyone is very well possessed of the fact i get fixed? no, i think everyone is i very well possessed of the fact that it is not something that is easily solvable or is a quick fix, but at the same time a government is supposed to act in the best interests of its people and not in the best interests of a particular party or individual, and to have a stable government that is able to address an economic crisis both internally and externally, they need legitimacy and credibility and that

credibility comes with the trust and mandate of the people, so if and when the resignations do come, there will have to be a united government in place, a caretaker president, a prime minister elected through parliament that can then quickly address both all of the decisions that have to be made internally in terms of finance and in terms of health and energy and food for the people and also reconnect with the imf programmes, its external creditors, with the friendly neighbours to quickly address the economic issues facing the country and also at the same time give a realistic and acceptable time for elections. ., ., ., . ., elections. you are watching from the sidelines very _ elections. you are watching from the sidelines very vocally. _ elections. you are watching from the sidelines very vocally. are _ elections. you are watching from the sidelines very vocally. are you i sidelines very vocally. are you tempted to enter politics? ida.

sidelines very vocally. are you tempted to enter politics? no. this has been a — tempted to enter politics? no. this has been a time _ tempted to enter politics? no. this has been a time of _ tempted to enter politics? no. this has been a time of reflection i tempted to enter politics? no. this has been a time of reflection and i has been a time of reflection and introspection for a lot of sri lankans, especially of my generation and generations before. it has taken and generations before. it has taken a new generation of youth to shake us out of our apathy in terms of accepting a status quo and not really converting that into action and a demand for more accountability and a demand for more accountability and a demand for more accountability and a government that works more for the interest and development of its own people. leaked documents show how uber secretly lobbied uk politicians to help change transport policy in london. in meetings which were never declared, uber�*s lobbyists met george osborne when he was chancellor and a number of ministers, including conservative leadership candidate sajid javid. the documents were leaked to the guardian newspaper and shared with the international consortium of investigativejournalists and bbc panorama. uber denies its lobbying was secret and the ministers say rules were followed. richard bilton has more.

when uber arrived in london, there was chaos. black cab drivers weren't happy and blockaded the capital. then london mayor, borisjohnson, set up a review which could have limited uber�*s expansion in the capital. the leaked documents show uber was on a secret offensive, a concerted campaign to influence policy. george osborne, the then chancellor, went to a private dinner in california with uber�*s chief exec, travis kalanick. an internal uber e—mail says... it's better than a meeting in london because this is a much more private affair, with no hanger—on officials or staffers. the meeting was never declared. what should our viewers make of the fact that he chose not to declare that meeting?

well, i think they should be very disturbed, frankly. it perfectly encapsulates the problem with lobbying and how vested interests capture ministers and decision—making. the documents say there were more meetings with ministers, including sajid javid, matt hancock, michael gove and priti patel. they weren't declared. meetings between ministers and companies where business is discussed should be declared. but the guidelines are so vague, it is hard to be sure if politicians are breaking the rules. the leaked documents show uber felt it got what it wanted. they describe george osborne as a strong advocate, who would "take up our cause when needed". and they boast that then prime minister david cameron's senior staff "are very with us". it looks like all that

lobbying worked. proposals that would have limited uber�*s expansion in london were dropped. it was scandalous what went on. i still can't believe that it happened in this country. more to the point, nothing has ever been done about it. we just accept that's what happened. ok, yeah, the chancellor and the prime minister lobbied for one of their mates, fine, that's all right, move on. uber says new management has transformed every aspect of how the company operates and its engagements with government are legal and transparent. the ministers say they properly complied with the declaration rules and george osborne says it was public policy to meet and persuade tech companies to invest in britain. richard bilton, bbc news. a hearse carrying the body of former japanese prime minister shinzo abe has arrived at tokyo's zojoji temple for a private vigil forfamily and friends.

the 67—year—old was assasinated on friday while campaigning in the southern city of nara. he was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead later. police say the suspect — a a1—year—old man — has admitted the killing, using a homemade gun. ourjapan correspondent, mariko oi is in tokyo for us. the vigil started about a0 minutes ago and we understand the current prime minister has already played his respect and we also understand from the british embassy that the british ambassador will be attending sometime this evening. we think we saw a car taking fumio kishida leaving ten minutes ago and there were more than a hundred guests about 30 minutes before the vigil started so this could go on for quite some time. this is a family event, in fact, quite some time. this is a family event, infact, it quite some time. this is a family event, in fact, it is not a state event, in fact, it is not a state event or even a political party or event, but of course, given shinzo abe's profile there are a lot of ministers and lawmakers from the

ruling party who are attending. the upper house elections still went ahead yesterday and the ruling party managed to have a resounding victory after, two days after shinzo abe's shocking assassination but as for the investigation, a suspect has been quoted as saying that he thought shinzo abe had close ties to a special religious group and the police did not release the name of the group but earlier the unification church chairperson held a press conference and confirmed that his mother has been a member since 2002 although he denies that the group forces its members or followers to make donations and claims that they had no knowledge that his mother had financial problems, so a lot going on with the investigation but tonight a lot of people are coming here for the vigil at the temple behind me which is exactly where tomorrow's funeral will take place from noon local

time. 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 offered 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 2a.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.

some hot weather for the next few days and today it has a decent shout of being the hottest day of the year so far and the temperature to beat is 32.7 that was set in suffolk and in london's heathrow airport onjune the 17th but today we could get 33 or 3a and it's notjust one day we are seeing the high temperatures, it stays hot through the week in the south—east of england was some extreme heat building through the weekend and perhaps into monday as well. more on that in a moment. todayis well. more on that in a moment. today is going to be hotting up across england and wales, high 20s, low 30s and across scotland and northern ireland a bit more cloud than yesterday so temperature is not as high but still warm and 23 degrees will feel pleasant out and about but we could see 33 or maybe 3a in parts of east anglia and cambridgeshire could be one of the hotspots. during the evening those temperatures will be very slow to fall away after such a hot day and if you are thinking of heading on to

bed at ten o'clock or so well, the temperatures will still be up at 25 or 26 for temperatures will still be up at 25 or26 for birmingham temperatures will still be up at 25 or 26 for birmingham and for london. the highest temperatures will be in those bigger towns and cities and out in the countryside temperatures fall away a bit more quickly but nevertheless an uncomfortable night of sleep ahead. for tuesday we have a weak cold front pushing south bringing the odd spot of rain but not much on it at all, just an area of cloud drifting south. a bit more sunshine behind it for scotland and northern ireland and fresher air working in the highest temperatures getting confined to parts of southern and eastern wales and across the bulk of england where we will see highs running into the 30s. that fresher, slightly less hot air will seep into the south on wednesday but with temperatures around 28 degrees at any other time we would call it a hot day but we have those fresher conditions across the north and west. beyond that, through thursday and friday, there is more fine weather to come for most of us with more spells of sunshine and its into the weekend

that we could start to see some extreme heat building across parts of the uk, particularly across parts of the uk, particularly across parts of the uk, particularly across parts of the south. what will happen is we get this very hot air building across spain and portugal and these deeper oranges get pulled north and in towards southern parts of the uk and it's that that will boost the temperatures and it could be that the all—time uk temperature record is under threat as we head into the weekend.

in his first publice appearance since resigning, borisjohnson says in his final few weeks as prime minister, he's determined to deliver what he promised when elected with 11 candidates in the running so far, the rules of the tory leadership contest will be decided this afternoon. the prime minister says he won't be backing any of the those who want his job there's a contest under way, and that must happen. i wouldn't want to damage anybody�*s chances by offering my support. we'll bring you the latest. also this lunchtime... as temperatures in parts of the uk head for 33 degrees celsius today, a heat health alert is issued. the president of sri lanka says he will resign, after thousands of demonstrators stormed his official residence in protest at the state of the economy.