this is bbc news. the headlines... therefore under the rules, suella braverman is eliminated from the contest, and others are able to go forward. attorney general suella braverman is out of the race to replace boris johnson after receiving just 27 votes. it means there are now five candidates remaining in the conservative leadership contest, with voting to resume on monday. the former chancellor, rishi sunak tops the ballot again, with 101 votes. but not far behind is penny mordaunt —she comes second, ahead of liz truss, with 83. after days of protests in sri lanka over an economic crisis, the president gotabaya rajapaksa has resigned. ambulances in england took an average of 51 minutes to respond

to an emergency like a heart attack or stroke last month — far longer than the 18—minute target time. at the old bailey, oscar—winning actor kevin spacey has pleaded not guilty to four charges of sexually assaulting three men. another rail strike later this month — train drivers from eight rail companies will strike on the 30th three days after a 24—hour walk—out by the rmt union. a bbc documentary reveals that hundreds of british dentists treat patients with serious complications after they travel abroad to get cut price crowns. good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. suella braverman has been knocked out of the conservative leadership race in the second round of voting.

ms braverman received 27 votes from tory mps that's five fewer than she received yesterday. the five remaining hopefuls progress to the third round on monday. once again rishi, sunak received the most number of votes — and penny mordaunt came second with the support of 83 of her fellow tory mps. here's the moment sir graham brady announced the results to the 1922 committee. in the leadership election, as yesterday, i'll read the name of the candidate and the number of votes cast in each case. first of all, 356 votes were cast out of a possible 358. the numbers were as follows. kemi badenoch, 49. suella braverman, 27. penny mourdaunt, 83. rishi sunak, 101. 27. penny mourdaunt, 83. rishi sunak,101. liz 27. penny mourdaunt, 83. rishi sunak, 101. liz truss, 64. tom

tugenhadt, 32. therefore under the rules, suella braverman is eliminated from the contest, and the others are able to go forward to a further ballot on monday. ione wells is in westminster for us. well, it's been an active last few hours here in westminster. mps have been reacting to the latest result, suella braverman being elevated from the contest. all eyes are on where her vote and those of her supporters will go over the next couple days before the next round of votes take place. now as was pretty much expected, the former chancellor rishi sunak topped his pole again of conservative mps, getting 101 votes from his tory mp colleagues. earlier i spoke to matt hancock, who said he felt positive about this result. it's going to be two candidates in

the final, — it's going to be two candidates in the final, but it looks increasingly likely— the final, but it looks increasingly likely rishi sunak will be one of those — likely rishi sunak will be one of those. and there's a good reason for that, _ those. and there's a good reason for that, the _ those. and there's a good reason for that, the reason i'm voting for him and100 _ that, the reason i'm voting for him and 100 other colleagues — it's because he has the best chance of delivering — because he has the best chance of delivering for the country, uniting the country, and winning the election _ the country, and winning the election. he's the only one who can compare _ election. he's the only one who can compare to — election. he's the only one who can compare to sir keir starmer who is favourable — compare to sir keir starmer who is favourable in the public's eyes, and the one _ favourable in the public's eyes, and the one with the credible economic ptah _ the one with the credible economic ptah and — the one with the credible economic plan. and that matters enormously to me and _ plan. and that matters enormously to me and the _ plan. and that matters enormously to me and the largest number of our colleagues. so really pleased with that result, more than 100 colleagues backing rishi sunak. he's clearly— colleagues backing rishi sunak. he's clearly in _ colleagues backing rishi sunak. he's clearly in the lead, but you know, lots more — clearly in the lead, but you know, lots more rounds and which we'll be having _ lots more rounds and which we'll be having other discussions with further— having other discussions with further colleagues about why i'm backing — further colleagues about why i'm backing rishi sunak and i think others — backing rishi sunak and i think others should too. matt hancock ex-alainin others should too. matt hancock exolaining why _ others should too. matt hancock explaining why he's _ others should too. matt hancock explaining why he's backing - others should too. matt hancock| explaining why he's backing rishi sunak who came top of the pole today

of tory mps with 101 votes. now behind him was penny mourdaunt, who was on 83 votes. penny mourdaunt is certainly a candidate that has worried some of rishi sunak�*s campaign team, and this is partly because they are two angles to this race. there are these stages where tori mps are voting for who they want to be the next leader, but of course the final two will be among the tory party members who will get the final say between the final two candidates. now penny mourdaunt has given rishi sunak�*s team reason to worry, she's come up favourably in recent polls amongst conservative party members, and certainly seems to be proven popular with the membership. the earlier one of her supporters explains why she thinks penny mourdaunt is the candidate polling so high with the public. and he has enormous respect for lord frost _ and he has enormous respect for lord frost it— and he has enormous respect for lord frost it was_ and he has enormous respect for lord frost. it was penny— and he has enormous respect for lord frost. it was penny who _ and he has enormous respect for lord frost. it was penny who he _ and he has enormous respect for lord frost. it was penny who he felt - and he has enormous respect for lord frost. it was penny who he felt madel frost. it was penny who he felt made the most _

frost. it was penny who he felt made the most compelling _ frost. it was penny who he felt made the most compelling arguments, - the most compelling arguments, penny who pushed _ the most compelling arguments, penny who pushed things _ the most compelling arguments, penny who pushed things forward _ the most compelling arguments, penny who pushed things forward and - the most compelling arguments, penny who pushed things forward and penny l who pushed things forward and penny who pushed things forward and penny who had _ who pushed things forward and penny who had answers. _ who pushed things forward and penny who had answers. so— who pushed things forward and penny who had answers. so he's— who pushed things forward and penny who had answers. so he's come - who had answers. so he's come forward, — who had answers. so he's come forward, as— who had answers. so he's come forward, as a _ who had answers. so he's come forward, as a major— who had answers. so he's come forward, as a major brexiteer, i who had answers. so he's come. forward, as a major brexiteer, to support— forward, as a major brexiteer, to support her _ forward, as a major brexiteer, to support her it _ forward, as a major brexiteer, to support her. it undermines - forward, as a major brexiteer, to support her. it undermines the l forward, as a major brexiteer, to- support her. it undermines the party unity and _ support her. it undermines the party unity and we — support her. it undermines the party unity and we have _ support her. it undermines the party unity and we have to _ support her. it undermines the party unity and we have to come _ support her. it undermines the party unity and we have to come back- unity and we have to come back together— unity and we have to come back together to _ unity and we have to come back together to this, _ unity and we have to come back together to this, so _ unity and we have to come back together to this, so i'll- unity and we have to come back. together to this, so i'll encourage cotieagues — together to this, so i'll encourage cotieagues to _ together to this, so i'll encourage colleagues to do _ together to this, so i'll encourage colleagues to do what _ together to this, so i'll encourage colleagues to do what we - together to this, so i'll encourage colleagues to do what we are - together to this, so i'll encourage i colleagues to do what we are doing as a team — colleagues to do what we are doing as a team which _ colleagues to do what we are doing as a team which is _ colleagues to do what we are doing as a team which is to _ colleagues to do what we are doing as a team which is to focus - colleagues to do what we are doing as a team which is to focus solely. as a team which is to focus solely on pushing — as a team which is to focus solely on pushing our— as a team which is to focus solely on pushing our core _ as a team which is to focus solely on pushing our core positive - as a team which is to focus solely- on pushing our core positive message about— on pushing our core positive message about what— on pushing our core positive message about what we — on pushing our core positive message about what we want _ on pushing our core positive message about what we want to _ on pushing our core positive message about what we want to deliver. - about what we want to deliver. taiking — about what we want to deliver. taiking about _ about what we want to deliver. talking about comments - about what we want to deliver. talking about comments that l about what we want to deliver. - talking about comments that were made earlier by lord frost, particularly who was dismissing penny mourdaunt and her time in government. now lord frost is one of the supporters of liz truss, who is currently in third place when it comes to tory mp votes. there's been lots of competition between liz truss's site and penny mourdaunt�*s site, both fighting it out for that crucial second place to get into the final two. crucial second place to get into the finaltwo. now crucial second place to get into the final two. now liz truss's campaign team today have been quite open about the fact they've been trying to get on side both supporters of suella braverman, who's now been eliminated, but kemi badenoch, as

well. i spoke to one of her supporters about how they do plan to bump up the votes if she is to help you get to that crucial second place. which they made more progress than rishi sunak, and i think we are starting — rishi sunak, and i think we are starting to— rishi sunak, and i think we are starting to see the votes going to those _ starting to see the votes going to those with experienced ash we actually— those with experienced ash we actually made more progress. ithink as we _ actually made more progress. ithink as we go, there's three rounds to go. and _ as we go, there's three rounds to go. and we — as we go, there's three rounds to go, and we start to see that it will be important to recognise experience. now we can appeal across all three _ experience. now we can appeal across all three candidates beneath us, i think— all three candidates beneath us, i think we — all three candidates beneath us, i think we can appeal some of suella braverman's backers, some of tom's backers, _ braverman's backers, some of tom's backers, and — braverman's backers, some of tom's backers, and kemi badenoch's backers as we _ backers, and kemi badenoch's backers as we move _ backers, and kemi badenoch's backers as we move forward. sol backers, and kemi badenoch's backers as we move forward. so i think we are still well— as we move forward. so i think we are still well and truly in the game, — are still well and truly in the game, lots of support from the three candidates _ game, lots of support from the three candidates behind us that start to come _ candidates behind us that start to come our— candidates behind us that start to come our way, and i think we will start to _ come our way, and i think we will start to see — come our way, and i think we will start to see us make ground and take over _ start to see us make ground and take over i_ start to see us make ground and take over istilt— start to see us make ground and take over. i still believe liz truss will -et over. i still believe liz truss will get the — over. i still believe liz truss will get the most votes in this contest by the _ get the most votes in this contest by the time it finishes. mex

by the time it finishes. alex confident — by the time it finishes. alex confident liz truss - by the time it finishes. alex confident liz truss can - by the time it finishes. alex | confident liz truss can make by the time it finishes. alex i confident liz truss can make it through to the final two, and that she will win the overall contest. at this stage in a contest, there is still very much to play for. over the weekend we can expect lots of negotiations to go on with votes swapping behind—the—scenes. there is a chunk of votes up for grabs. just a chunk of votes up for grabs. just a recap of where this contest goes next icing of a monday, there will be further votes amongst conservative mps —— as of monday. it will follow the same pattern as today where those with the fewest votes will be a limited one by one until we are down to that crucial final two. that's when they then have to fight it out over the summer in a series of hastings up and down the uk the vie for those crucial tory membership votes to get that final say between those final two. thank you very much indeed.

well we can speak now to the conservative mp, tobias ellwood, who's chair of the defence select committee. (0s who are you throwing your weight behind? , _ �* ,., behind? first, let me say i'm so leased behind? first, let me say i'm so pleased to _ behind? first, let me say i'm so pleased to see _ behind? first, let me say i'm so pleased to see this _ behind? first, let me say i'm so pleased to see this select - pleased to see this select leadership contest under way. i felt rather lonely back in february when i called for the prime minister to step back, but we now have an expedited process to regroup and reconnect with the british people. we know we've got our work cut out, to choose the right leader, to rekindle the government's focus, its vision to overhaul number ten and begin that process to address those giant challenges we have both nationally and internationally, and indeed unite a very divided penny to achieve this. as we've seen in these first two votes that have ta ken place, she is the candidate with the huge momentum. you place, she is the candidate with the huge momentum.— place, she is the candidate with the huge momentum. you kept us waiting, there was a great _ huge momentum. you kept us waiting,

there was a great build-up. _ huge momentum. you kept us waiting, there was a great build-up. what - huge momentum. you kept us waiting, there was a great build-up. what has l there was a great build—up. what has she got then that will take her through to the final two? she is up against rishi sunak, he is still nearly 20 votes ahead of her at the moment. , ~ ., ~ moment. every mp will make their own 'udaements moment. every mp will make their own judgements on — moment. every mp will make their own judgements on who _ moment. every mp will make their own judgements on who best _ moment. every mp will make their own judgements on who best to _ moment. every mp will make their own judgements on who best to move - judgements on who best to move forward. i would naturally be supporting tom tugendhat, but for different reasons, our party has the reality check of brexit to think about, the party bases involved in this process will be looking for brexit credentials. the person that will actually unite our country will sit in between the one nation, the erg and the redwall seats, to crudely put it that way. i have a drink but one day when the terms brexiteer and remainer will be obsolete —— i have a dream. more for me, there's an absence of leadership on the world stage from britain.

defence spending must increase, those troop cuts must be reversed. this is the sort of thing i know penny mourdaunt will be keen to rectify, to make sure we can step forward and lead in europe. but lord frost has cast _ forward and lead in europe. but lord frost has cast doubt _ forward and lead in europe. but lord frost has cast doubt on _ forward and lead in europe. but lord frost has cast doubt on her- forward and lead in europe. but lord frost has cast doubt on her ability, l frost has cast doubt on her ability, insisting she wasn't there for those big decisions. how will she convince people that she's got the heft, the authority to really be prime minister?— authority to really be prime minister? �* , ., minister? i'm pleased to say the number of _ minister? i'm pleased to say the number of voters _ minister? i'm pleased to say the number of voters voting - minister? i'm pleased to say the number of voters voting for - minister? i'm pleased to say the i number of voters voting for penny are ignoring lord frost. let's move forward from this, let's forward to who will be the best from minister to move the country forward. penny mourdaunt is a very confident performer. she is very calm under pressure, she understands that and is very happy to delegate, as well, and that is so important indeed.

we've not had a candidate that's been working, whitehall has been floundering, we need to reboot and we know penny mourdaunt will be able to do that. we know she's up to this task. �* , ., ., ., task. it's one thing to win over our task. it's one thing to win over your fellow _ task. it's one thing to win over your fellow mps, then - task. it's one thing to win over your fellow mps, then you've i task. it's one thing to win over i your fellow mps, then you've got task. it's one thing to win over - your fellow mps, then you've got to see the grassroots members of the conservative party and convince them. how will she appeal to them, do you believe? ilrrul’ith them. how will she appeal to them, do you believe?— do you believe? with that in mind, ou're do you believe? with that in mind, you're right. _ do you believe? with that in mind, you're right. it— do you believe? with that in mind, you're right, it is— do you believe? with that in mind, you're right, it is through - do you believe? with that in mind, you're right, it is through the - you're right, it is through the prism of the party membership. we've also got to remember there's a general election to win in a year or so's time, and it's time i hope every part in will recognise, let's choose a prime minister who will be keir starmer, will make sure labour doesn't win the next election. at the moment, that bar is very high indeed. we didn't do well in the locals in the by elections. when we group around penny mourdaunt —— penny mourdaunt, labour is scared of penny mourdaunt, labour is scared of penny mourdaunt, labour is scared of penny mourdaunt and that's why we should support her.—

should support her. tobias ellwood mp, thanks — should support her. tobias ellwood mp, thanks for _ should support her. tobias ellwood mp, thanks for talking _ should support her. tobias ellwood mp, thanks for talking to _ should support her. tobias ellwood mp, thanks for talking to us. - drivers for eight rail companies will strike on 30thjuly in an ongoing dispute over conditions and pay, their union aslef has announced. it comes after strikes were announced for 27july, too. well, earlier we spoke to our transport correspondent katy austin. she gave us a breakdown of the strike plans. the train drivers union says drivers of eight train companies will strike on saturday, 30 july. it says that's after train companies failed to make after train companies failed to make a pay offer to keep up with the increase in the cost of living, and aslef�*s general secretary says that in real terms, drivers are being told to take a real terms pay cut while inflation runs 9—11%, depending on your calculation. it companies are affected, its areva rail london, chilton lent the micro railways, greater anglia, whole trains, ellen er, southeastern and west midlands trains. that will be

during the commonwealth games which are ongoing over that weekend. so it looks set to be pretty disruptive. 0bviously looks set to be pretty disruptive. obviously this is eight train countries, or companies, not affecting the entire country, but it will hurt people's letter plans. in the school holidays, it looks set to cause disruption. the speaker of the sri lankan parliament has said, he has received president rajapaksa's resignation letter, following days of huge anti—government protests. he'd fled sri lanka after mass protests, over the country's economic crisis. he's now arrived in singapore. the cost of food, fuel, and other basic supplies have soared for sri lankans. let's go live to colombo now and speak to our south asia regional editor, anbarassan ethirajan. to what extent has the arrival of this resignation letter calm things down? , ., .,

down? first and foremost, the rotests down? first and foremost, the protests are — down? first and foremost, the protests are behind _ down? first and foremost, the protests are behind me, - down? first and foremost, the | protests are behind me, maybe down? first and foremost, the - protests are behind me, maybe you can hear the music and people celebrating the news of the resignation of president rajapaksa in the last hour or so. more and more people arejoining in the last hour or so. more and more people are joining the celebration of the protesters in the waterfront area in the city of colombo. people have been waiting for this because that creates lots of opportunities for other politicians to form an all party interim government, and they were expecting this letter on wednesday, now the government will decide the next course of action by choosing the president who gets the majority of votes in parliament. but why did he flee the country? because thousands of people stormed his

residence 50 metres from here on saturday, forcing him to go into a safer location. then he fled to the maldives on a military plane — from the maldives today he went to singapore, and we also understand he signed a copy of his resignation that has been given to the sri lankan high commissioner in singapore also so this creates opportunities for other political parties to come —— to come together and start a new beginning. because the protest here started as accusing the protest here started as accusing the rulers of mismanaging the economy and the cost—of—living crisis. last monday, the inflation rate care was 55%. many families are struggling to find three meals a day, and that's why president rajapaksa's resignation is significant, that was a key demand of the protesters here. but significant, that was a key demand of the protesters here.— significant, that was a key demand of the protesters here. but to what extent is the _ of the protesters here. but to what extent is the country _ of the protesters here. but to what extent is the country now - of the protesters here. but to what extent is the country now going - extent is the country now going to need to keep the military in place? because the interim president said

that was what was necessary. can control now be taken away from the military? control now be taken away from the milita ? ~ , �* , military? the prime minister's statement _ military? the prime minister's statement did _ military? the prime minister's statement did not _ military? the prime minister's statement did not go - military? the prime minister's statement did not go down - military? the prime minister's. statement did not go down well military? the prime minister's- statement did not go down well with the protesters here because he used, according to them, very strong language where they are asking the military to restore order. he also described the protesters, those who stormed the prime minister's office as fascists. that was criticised by many of the protesters, and we also saw last night clashes between security forces and the protesters on the way to parliament, they were also trying to stormed the office of the speaker. but they were asked to cooperate with security forces, so that peace can be restored. the military was also given powers to protect the government installations because these protesters occupied

three key buildings. now the military has been given powers to protect these buildings. but if the protest pots demands are met, there'll be another ground of storming buildings, but they also want the prime minister the interim president to resign because they see him as someone close to the rajapaksa family.— him as someone close to the rajapaksa family. thank you very much for that, _ rajapaksa family. thank you very much for that, the _ rajapaksa family. thank you very much for that, the latest - rajapaksa family. thank you very much for that, the latest from i much for that, the latest from sri lanka. suella braverman has been knocked out of the leadership race, leaving five candidates going through to the next round on monday. let's go back to our political correspondent in westminster.— westminster. that's right, that second round _ westminster. that's right, that second round of— westminster. that's right, that second round of voting - westminster. that's right, that second round of voting has - westminster. that's right, that - second round of voting has concluded with the former chancellor, rishi sunak, coming up top with 101 votes,

followed by penny mourdaunt in second place as well. as you say, the candidate who was eliminated this time around was suella braverman, whojoins me now. we can talk to her — you've just been eliminated from this race, what do you think went wrong for you in the campaign team this time around? i campaign team this time around? i don't really see it as something going _ don't really see it as something going wrong, i had a really great campaign, — going wrong, i had a really great campaign, to be honest. i haven't one and _ campaign, to be honest. i haven't one and i've — campaign, to be honest. i haven't one and i've been eliminated, and i am disappointed. but i'm absolutely blown _ am disappointed. but i'm absolutely blown away by the great work of my team, _ blown away by the great work of my team, i_ blown away by the great work of my team, i want to thank them, i want to thank— team, i want to thank them, i want to thank all those mps who put their faith in— to thank all those mps who put their faith in me to be our prime minister _ faith in me to be our prime minister. they were incredibly supportive, i want to thank the staff— supportive, i want to thank the staff team, this gchq party in the 19 committee, and all our colleagues who are _ 19 committee, and all our colleagues who are engaging in this quite fruitful— who are engaging in this quite fruitful process. i don't feel disappointed at all that something has gone — disappointed at all that something has gone wrong, i'm very glad that i had a _ has gone wrong, i'm very glad that i had a go _ has gone wrong, i'm very glad that i had a go and — has gone wrong, i'm very glad that i had a go and put my policy platform

forward _ had a go and put my policy platform forward. �* ., had a go and put my policy platform forward. . ., ., i. ~' forward. and who do you think will aet our forward. and who do you think will get your sopport — forward. and who do you think will get your support going _ forward. and who do you think will get your support going forward - forward. and who do you think will| get your support going forward and the subsequent rounds now, where you will have a choice? i’m the subsequent rounds now, where you will have a choice?— will have a choice? i'm thinking about that _ will have a choice? i'm thinking about that carefully _ will have a choice? i'm thinking about that carefully and - will have a choice? i'm thinking - about that carefully and considering all the _ about that carefully and considering all the candidates remaining in this race, _ all the candidates remaining in this race, looking at what they've done and said _ race, looking at what they've done and said in— race, looking at what they've done and said in the past, and their plans— and said in the past, and their plansfor— and said in the past, and their plans for the future. i'm looking for a _ plans for the future. i'm looking for a leader who will win us the next _ for a leader who will win us the next election against keir starmer. and ultimately, who will reflect my policy _ and ultimately, who will reflect my policy views in the closest possible way. policy views in the closest possible wa . ~ ., policy views in the closest possible wa , ~ ., ., , ., , policy views in the closest possible wa. ., ., ,., way. what are some red lines for ou, the way. what are some red lines for you. the their — way. what are some red lines for you, the their candidates - way. what are some red lines for you, the their candidates will. way. what are some red lines for. you, the their candidates will need a promise to get your backing? i’m a promise to get your backing? i'm re a promise to get your backing? i'm pretty clear, for me a priority is fixing _ pretty clear, for me a priority is fixing the — pretty clear, for me a priority is fixing the problem of illegal migration. i'm afraid we are failing to stop _ migration. i'm afraid we are failing to stop the — migration. i'm afraid we are failing to stop the boats crossing the channel, _ to stop the boats crossing the channel, and we really need someone who will— channel, and we really need someone who will be _ channel, and we really need someone who will be robust. my view is that the solution is to leave the european convention on human rights, so i'll european convention on human rights, so i'll be _ european convention on human rights, so i'll be looking for a candidate whose _ so i'll be looking for a candidate whose robust on that. we need tax cuts to _ whose robust on that. we need tax cuts to help — whose robust on that. we need tax cuts to help people with the cost of living _ cuts to help people with the cost of living and _ cuts to help people with the cost of living and incentivise growth. i look— living and incentivise growth. i look for— living and incentivise growth. i look for a _ living and incentivise growth. i look for a candidate who can

faithfully do that. i was the only authentic— faithfully do that. i was the only authentic brexiteer in this contest, i'll authentic brexiteer in this contest, i'll be _ authentic brexiteer in this contest, i'll be looking for a candidate who can come — i'll be looking for a candidate who can come close to my brexiteers and actually _ can come close to my brexiteers and actually faithfully deliver up on the 2016 promises to the british people. — the 2016 promises to the british people, and someone who can take a firm line _ people, and someone who can take a firm line on— people, and someone who can take a firm line on identity politics because _ firm line on identity politics because i think is a social and cultural— because i think is a social and cultural issue that our country is grappling — cultural issue that our country is grappling with. cultural issue that our country is grappling with-— cultural issue that our country is grappling with. cultural issue that our country is auuralin with. ~ . ., ., _ grappling with. what do you mean by the only authentic _ grappling with. what do you mean by the only authentic brexiteer? - grappling with. what do you mean by the only authentic brexiteer? rishi . the only authentic brexiteer? rishi sunak was also brexiteer, so that's not quite true. the sunak was also brexiteer, so that's not quite true-— not quite true. the issue is that none of the _ not quite true. the issue is that none of the candidates - not quite true. the issue is that none of the candidates took - not quite true. the issue is that none of the candidates took a l not quite true. the issue is that - none of the candidates took a stance on theresa _ none of the candidates took a stance on theresa may's brexit deal in 2018 or 2019 _ on theresa may's brexit deal in 2018 or 2019 all— on theresa may's brexit deal in 2018 or 2019. all the other candidates supported that deal. that deal was not brexiteers, it was brexit in name — not brexiteers, it was brexit in name only _ not brexiteers, it was brexit in name only. it would've — had we would've — name only. it would've — had we would've expected that —— accepted that deal. _ would've expected that —— accepted that deal, northern ireland would've been retained within the eu customs union— been retained within the eu customs union and _ been retained within the eu customs union and we would've ended up with a second _ union and we would've ended up with a second referendum and jeremy corbyn _ a second referendum and jeremy corbyn ending up as prime minister. i corbyn ending up as prime minister. i was _ corbyn ending up as prime minister. i was the _ corbyn ending up as prime minister. i was the only candidate out of this range _ i was the only candidate out of this

range of— i was the only candidate out of this range of people who resigned over the terms — range of people who resigned over the terms of the deal and voted against — the terms of the deal and voted against it— the terms of the deal and voted against it three times, honouring the brexit— against it three times, honouring the brexit promises we made in 2016. so i the brexit promises we made in 2016. so i was _ the brexit promises we made in 2016. so i was the _ the brexit promises we made in 2016. so i was the only authentic brexit candidate — so i was the only authentic brexit candidate. i haven't made it through so all— candidate. i haven't made it through so all have _ candidate. i haven't made it through so all have be finding someone who can come _ so all have be finding someone who can come close. find so all have be finding someone who can come close.— can come close. and you didn't resin can come close. and you didn't resign over _ can come close. and you didn't resign over the _ can come close. and you didn't resign over the issue _ can come close. and you didn't resign over the issue that - can come close. and you didn't| resign over the issue that many can come close. and you didn't i resign over the issue that many of your ministerial colleagues did which arguably brought down the prime minister. to think that was a factor in why people felt they couldn't throw their weight behind you as a candidate of integrity this time? i you as a candidate of integrity this time? �* , , .. , time? i didn't resign because i'm lo alto time? i didn't resign because i'm loyal to boris _ time? i didn't resign because i'm loyalto boris johnson. _ time? i didn't resign because i'm loyalto boris johnson. i - time? i didn't resign because i'm loyalto boris johnson. i think- loyal to borisjohnson. i think boris — loyal to borisjohnson. i think borisjohnson has been a very loyal to borisjohnson. i think boris johnson has been a very good prime _ boris johnson has been a very good prime ministerand i boris johnson has been a very good prime minister and i feel confident in boris _ prime minister and i feel confident in borisjohnson, he delivered by exit, _ in borisjohnson, he delivered by exit, the — in borisjohnson, he delivered by exit, the vaccine roll—out, and he's led the _ exit, the vaccine roll—out, and he's led the western alliance in supporting our friends in ukraine. i didn't— supporting our friends in ukraine. i didn't resign because i have confidence in him.— didn't resign because i have confidence in him. final question, liz truss's — confidence in him. final question, liz truss's campaign _ confidence in him. final question, liz truss's campaign team - confidence in him. final question, liz truss's campaign team today l confidence in him. final question, i liz truss's campaign team today have explicitly been calling for both you and your supporters, but also those of kemi badenoch to unite the right

— do you think perhaps you've been splitting that vote amongst the right of your party, would you considerjoining her in her campaign? ithink considerjoining her in her campaign? i think this is a competitive process and everyone has the chance to put forward their platform, which is what i did, and i think now we have to look at who matches my policy preferences the best. �* . ., ., ~ matches my policy preferences the best. �* , ., ., ,, ., best. and i will be looking to choose the — best. and i will be looking to choose the candidate - best. and i will be looking to choose the candidate i i best. and i will be looking to choose the candidate i feel. best. and i will be looking to i choose the candidate i feel most comfortable with. ultimately we will end up— comfortable with. ultimately we will end up with two first—class candidates, a brilliant leader of the party. _ candidates, a brilliant leader of the party, and when the next election _ the party, and when the next election. . . the party, and when the next election. ,, ., �* ., ., ., election. suella braverman, thanks for much for _ election. suella braverman, thanks for much for speaking _ election. suella braverman, thanks for much for speaking to _ election. suella braverman, thanks for much for speaking to us - election. suella braverman, thanks for much for speaking to us today. | for much for speaking to us today. she has been eliminated from the conservative party leadership race, there are now five candidates left in the race. they will battle it out for further votes on monday. thank ou ve for further votes on monday. thank you very much- _ for further votes on monday. thank you very much. you're _ for further votes on monday. thank you very much. you're busy - for further votes on monday. thank you very much. you're busy today! | officials in ukraine say three

russian missiles have struck the city of vinnytsia in the south west of the country, killing at least 20 people including two children. dozens have been injured and 15 are missing after the attack which hit aiden office block and damaged residential building southwest of keio. desk tf. this residential building southwest of keio. desk tf.— residential building southwest of keio. desk tf. this is right in the heart of venezia, _ keio. desk tf. this is right in the heart of venezia, and _ keio. desk tf. this is right in the heart of venezia, and now - keio. desk tf. this is right in the heart of venezia, and now this i keio. desk tf. this is right in the i heart of venezia, and now this whole square is a disaster scene. there are dozens of rescuers here working through the debris, the damage of this missile strike. this is a building of offices, shops at the bottom were all destroyed. again, a civilian building here was also gutted. there is a huge hole blasted through it, fire workers have been in there dousing the flames even

after the strike. this all happened in the middle of the morning here and venezia, a beautiful sunny day, lots of people out and about. they would've... this is a long way from the front lines of ukraine's war. it hasn't been hit before, civilian in for surgery or has never been damage like this. the force of the blast has thrown a car to the side of the building and wrapped it around that pillar. this was a huge attack. rush of course always says it fires precision missiles and hitting military targets. but these were shops, civilians out walking in the park, in the square here. it's another reminder that this war is costing lives every single day, civilians are being killed along with many front liners.

0ur correspondentjoe inwood is in kyiv. to what extent is this a change intact by russia?— to what extent is this a change intact by russia? we've seen these sorts of attacks _ intact by russia? we've seen these sorts of attacks several _ intact by russia? we've seen these sorts of attacks several times i intact by russia? we've seen these sorts of attacks several times over| sorts of attacks several times over the last few weeks. there does seem to have been a bit of an increase in the number of attacks, missile attacks hitting civilian targets. i think back to the shopping centre and cram a truck where 20 people died there. there is a resort where 20 people dust 21 people died, then in the donbas last week where 48 people are thought to of lost their lives. what we are seeing are more and more of these attacks using missiles or shelling near the front lines that are hitting civilian targets. now the ukrainians have said this is a deliberate strategy, a terrorist strategy, and the russians are trying to put pressure on to destabilise the ukrainian

population. as sara was saying there, the russians insist that they don't hit civilian targets despite the evidence we can see with our own eyes. whether this is a change of strategy, we don't know, because there's been some suggestion that there's been some suggestion that the russians have switched to less accurate missiles because the old stops run down and what they are doing is hitting these targets by mistake. by the end result is the same, a huge number of civilian casualties across this country. joe. casualties across this country. joe, thanks very — casualties across this country. joe, thanks very much. _ figures from the nhs out today show the pressure on emergency services is getting worse — with record numbers of people going to a&e, patients in england waiting much longerfor ambulances, and many staff off sick. i'm joined by our health correspondentjim reed. we know that large parts of the health service have been under significant pressure over the last couple months, the royal college of nursing describing the picture in

emergency care today as bleak. taking you through these statistics and numbers, if we look at ambulances to begin with, if we take category two ambulances, like strokes and heart attacks, the target in england is 18 minutes to get an ambulance to you. injune, the average in england was 51 minutes, three times that target. we know that every ambulance service in england at the moment is under what's called a black alert, meaning they are under significant pressure. when you look at what's going on in a nde, again, the target is to treat someone within four after turning up. in a&e last month, a quarter of people, 28%, had to wait longer than that, a record high. and when you look at waiting lists for routine operations like hip replacements and cataract surgeries, we've now reached 6.6 million people waiting for surgery like that. one in nine

adults adults are on the waiting list for routine surgery. what adults adults are on the waiting list for routine surgery.- list for routine surgery. what is the nhs say — list for routine surgery. what is the nhs say about _ list for routine surgery. what is the nhs say about these i list for routine surgery. what is i the nhs say about these figures? they point to demand — injune we had the highest number of a&e admissions that month in history, the highest number of 99 calls answered in history. also you have to look at covid admissions and the impact on the health service, covid rates have been rising lately, and hsa and 25,000 staff a day in the nhs are off work from covid. that's in the points... nonetheless that'll have an impact. more recently, the impact of heat over the last week or so, the nhs also pointing out that that's leading to increased demand, especially into a&e. they are facing significant pressures at the moment. jim, thanks very much. apparently the heats going to get worse, let's

hear the details from helen. the heats going to get worse, let's hello. the heat hasn't been so intense today, we've changed wind direction and it's freshened up. more rain is moving in across northern ireland and scotland this evening and overnight. in so holding our temperatures a little higher here in boston the south, because we've lost that humidity, again a much more comfortable night for sleeping. a little bit of mist but plenty of sunshine. 0ur rain does tend to go southwards but petering out as it does so, brighter skies following behind introducing more cloud, some breeds in the northwest. again in the south we see the highest temperatures and highest temperatures building through the weekend. winds changing to the south pumping that heat right away across the uk, temperature records could well be broken across all of the home nation and we could break the temperature record. it will be extremely hot, hence the amber warning for extreme heat from the met office. evermore is online.

hello, this is bbc news. our headlines... therefore, under the rules suella braverman is eliminated from the contest and the other is... attorney general braverman is out of the race to replace boris johnson after receiving just 27 votes. it means there are now five candidates remaining in the conservative leadership contest, with voting to resume on monday.

the former chancellor, rishi sunak tops the ballot again, with one hundred and one votes. but not far behind is penny mordaunt — she comes second, ahead of liz truss, with 83. ambulances in england took an average of 51 minutes to respond to an emergency like a heart attack or stroke last month — far longer than the 18 minute target time. at the old bailey, oscar—winning actor kevin spacey has pleaded not guilty to four charges of sexually assaulting three men. another rail strike later this month — train drivers from eight rail companies will strike on the 30th — three days after a 24 hour walk—out by the rmt union. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh.

a 66 from rory mcilroy has put him in an excellent position after his first round of the 150th open at st andrews. he's just two shots off the lead... held by american cameron young at 8 under par. some of those are also towards the top of the leaderboard. the band, the early starters made hay while... the wind didn't early starters made hay while... tie: wind didn't really blow, early starters made hay while... tt9 wind didn't really blow, if that makes any sense. it's a typical open leaderboard, billy on the first day. we have got some familiar names he had mentioned, and some people trying to make a name for themselves. take the american, cameron young, out in front, a bogey free round of 64 to take him into the clubhouse lead at the moment. and then just behind the clubhouse lead at the moment. and thenjust behind him, rory mcelroy emulating his impressive opening round from seven years ago here at st andrews. he is sitting on sex under par after a round of 66.

at four under, a couple of yorkshire men. at 21—year—old amateur and then you have a man more than twice his age in lee westwood. he is one of those golfers come as you mentioned, tojoin those golfers come as you mentioned, to join that live golf series. tiger woods said that those are taking part in it have turned their back on the game that made them by quitting the game that made them by quitting the normal tourist and joining this rebel to her. westwood had this to say about this. t rebel to her. westwood had this to say about this-— say about this. i didn't hear them. i have say about this. i didn't hear them. i have read _ say about this. i didn't hear them. i have read little _ say about this. i didn't hear them. i have read little bits, _ say about this. i didn't hear them. i have read little bits, but - say about this. i didn't hear them. i have read little bits, but like i i have read little bits, but like most — i have read little bits, but like most things, probably taken out of context _ most things, probably taken out of context i— most things, probably taken out of context. i respect tiger as a golfer stop a _ context. i respect tiger as a golfer stop a zone — context. i respect tiger as a golfer stop a zone the two best golfers to ever the game. the liverpool players. _ ever the game. the liverpool players, the pga tour is, so, anybody— players, the pga tour is, so, anybody who's got a vested interest.

i anybody who's got a vested interest. i don't _ anybody who's got a vested interest. i don't pay— anybody who's got a vested interest. i don't pay too much to people's opinions — i don't pay too much to people's oinions. :, :, . , opinions. you mention tiger woods in the commons — opinions. you mention tiger woods in the commons he _ opinions. you mention tiger woods in the commons he made _ opinions. you mention tiger woods in the commons he made about - opinions. you mention tiger woods in the commons he made about the i opinions. you mention tiger woods in | the commons he made about the likes of the lee westwood. but what about on the course today? that of the lee westwood. but what about on the course today?— on the course today? not good is the sim - le on the course today? not good is the simple answer _ on the course today? not good is the simple answer to _ on the course today? not good is the simple answer to that. _ on the course today? not good is the simple answer to that. it _ on the course today? not good is the simple answer to that. it is _ on the course today? not good is the simple answer to that. it is cold i simple answer to that. it is cold and windy at the moment. and for tiger woods, that equals very, very tricky. he started really poorly with a double bogey at the very first hole after getting into trouble in a did that. he is six over par now through seven holes of his front nine in 100 if not thousand of people at the top end of the chris right now as he looks to complete a very difficult front nine. it may be the best chance that they get to see him, because at this rate, he will not be here this weekend. rate, he will not be here this weekend-— rate, he will not be here this weekend. �* ., ,, ~ , :, , weekend. been at st andrews for us, thank ou weekend. been at st andrews for us, thank you very _ weekend. been at st andrews for us, thank you very much _ weekend. been at st andrews for us, thank you very much indeed. - england have it all to do to prevent a series defeat to india

after a below par performance with the bat at lords. yuzvendra chalal was england's tormentor—in—chief, taking three early wickets as the hosts found themselves in toruble at 102—5. moeen ali top scored with 47 from 64 balls before he too fell to chahal who finished with figures of 4 for 47. david willey added a vital 41 as england were bowled out for 246 with one over to spare. stage 12 of the tour de france. the olympic mountain bike gold medallist and cyclocross world championjoined the leading group with more than sixty miles to go. they are currently 5—1. time is one stage 12 of the tour de france, becoming the only second writer to the claimant victory. cyclo—cross world championjoining the claimant victory. cyclo—cross world champion joining the the claimant victory. cyclo—cross world championjoining the leading group with more than 60 miles to go after going alone six from the finish can be held on to win by 48 seconds to claim his first grand tourist stage when. he retains the yellow jersey, tourist stage when. he retains the yellowjersey, and britain's

yellow jersey, and britain's competitor yellowjersey, and britain's competitor it remains third overall. that is all your support for now, but before i go, the latest women zero match is currently live across the bbc, that is from the bbc sport website incidentally, it all looks the same wherever you watch it. it's also on bbc two, he could see iceland lead. they scored an early goal, if they lose, they will go out of the tournament. lizzie greene what he was will have the latest on that game and of course everything else on sportsday at half past 6pm. it's always so nice to have choice, isn't it, hugh? thank you very bbc news management have announced this afternoon how they plan to merge the corporations two rolling news channels in one single channel. to tell us more i'm joined by our culture editor, katie razzall. what has been announced today? it's more what has been announced today? it�*s more details on what the merging of these two channels. this channel will merge with bbc world news to create a global channel, which is

advert free for licence fee payers in the uk. he learned a bit more detail about what that will involve so they are talking some programmes based around high—profile presenters, radio programmes visualised on television channel will be presented from the uk and uk daytime hours but that will move to washington and singapore to be presented then, and there will be alive and breaking news team offering global coverage of breaking stories. clearly, anybody listening to that if you merge two channels will understand thatjobs will be lost. my understanding is clearly it's very unsettling for people who work on the channel because my understanding is that 70 jobs will be lost, although they say 20 jobs will be created in washington, and that people will have to reapply for new roles. ~ , . �* �* new roles. why is the bbc during this? two main _ new roles. why is the bbc during this? two main reasons, - new roles. why is the bbc during this? two main reasons, i - new roles. why is the bbc during this? two main reasons, i would| new roles. why is the bbc during i this? two main reasons, i would say, the first being — this? two main reasons, i would say, the first being we _ this? two main reasons, i would say, the first being we are _ this? two main reasons, i would say, the first being we are in _ this? two main reasons, i would say, the first being we are in tough - the first being we are in tough economic times, nadeem torres the culture secretary announced recently a phrase to the licensee which means

that cost savings have to continue to be made. they announced they would stop putting cbbc and bbc four on traditional broadcast channels. this falls into that. there is a wider question, since that is tv audiences are dwindling, they need to move the tv, the offer that bbc makes to those places that the audiences are, so they have left, for example, there is a buzz phrase, i'm sure you've heard it at the bbc and wider about being digitalfirst. audiences are being given to the bbc news website. tens of millions of people, for example have gone on to, you know, when unfolding strays happen borisjohnson resigning and the life pages that that the bbc offer has had tens of millions of people going out to them, so they are suggesting that the bbc is the best place to create as the head of digital said, the best live and breaking video news service in the world on our web pages our apps, on

iplayer and on new tv channels. much of the content — iplayer and on new tv channels. much of the content for _ iplayer and on new tv channels. much of the content for most _ iplayer and on new tv channels. much of the content for most of _ iplayer and on new tv channels. much of the content for most of those platforms comes from the news channels. what are the next steps? because this is just a proposal. channels. what are the next steps? because this isjust a proposal. it is, so of course there will be a consultation and negotiation even with the unions. i think the bbc have already said they hope to do most of the said not all of this through voluntary redundancies, there also a recruitment process that needs to go on in washington because there is a big beefed up team being created there. in the creative side, for people watching and wondering what this will look like, they are going to develop a detailed schedule over the next few months, and that they will be piloting this from the autumn with a view to launching the channel in april of 2023. view to launching the channel in april of 2021— april of 2023. sub'ect to negotiations i april of 2023. sub'ect to negotiations with i april of 2023. subject to negotiations with the i april of 2023. subject to - negotiations with the recognised trade unions. katie, thank you very much. the —— kevin spacey pleaded not guilty

——the hollywood actor kevin spacey has appeared in court at the old bailey charged with five sexual offences dating back 17 years. he pleaded not guilty to the offences which are alleged to have taken place in london and gloucestershire between 2005 and 2013. the double oscar winner "strenously denies" the charges. the trial date has been set forjune next year. 0ur correspondent sarah campbell was outside the old bailey as the actor left after entering his not guilty pleas. what you can see there is the press from around the world, it is very international, reflecting of course that kevin spacey is one of the most successful actors of his generation. we understand he will be departing the old bailey in the next few minutes. just wait until you see the camera bulbs going. he will be getting into the car and then he will leave. here he comes. it was a very brief appearance this morning. it was the first stage of the crown court appearance. just getting into his car there. you probably can't make him out, but as you can see fairly chaotic

scenes as he is getting into his car. and he will be driving away. his court appearance lasted about 20 minutes in the end. and he appeared, he was wearing a light blue suit, a white shirt and a blue spotty tie. he spoke very clearly to confirm his name as kevin spacey fowler and his date of birth. and he answered not guilty when the five counts were put to him. and as he drives away, i will go through those charges. mr spacey has been released on unconditional bail. he will be due back here injune 2023. that's the trial date that has been set, after the five charges. he has been charged with two counts of sexual assault on a man now in his 40s in march 2005 in london. he has been charged with sexual assault of a man now in his 30s, and a further charge of causing him to engage in sexual activity without consent. and that is alleged to have occurred in august 2008 in london. and a sexual assault charge on a man

who is now in his 30s alleged to have occurred in april 2013 in gloucestershire. as i say, he spoke very clearly in court, said "not guilty" to each of those five counts. the judge mrjustice wall gave the date for that full trial to begin injune of next year. sarah campbell at the old bailey. hundreds of british dentists are having to treat patients with serious complications after they had cut crowns put in abroad according to the british dental association. the research done for a bbc documentary has discovered that the latest look, seen on love island and on social media, has given some people their dream smile but left others asking the nhs to pick up the pieces. divya talwar reports this is one of the latest beauty trends that has taken off on social media. it is all about getting the

perfect smile by filing down most of the natural teeth and gluing a cap or crown on top. it's been dubbed turkey teeth, because it's one of the most popular destinations people are travelling to for this. cosmetic dental work is much cheaper in turkey than any the uk. tillie is 22 and says —— tilly is 22 and says she hated her old teeth. ever since a young age, i was bullied for my teeth so i grew a complex against them, i didn't like 'em. i was called things like bugs bunny. how pretty i'd be if i didn't have the teeth that i had. so earlier this year, tilly travelled to turkey for 16 new crowns. i'm smiling a lot more. i'm laughing and not hiding my mouth, which i did constantly. our investigation has found that this risky and invasive treatment is often planned entirely over social media by people just sending a few snaps of their teeth to clinics abroad. and many dentists in the uk won't touch turkey teeth.

if we have a patient who is not our patient call us up and say they've had work done in turkey, it is much easier for us to simply not take that patient. if i did 20 crowns on a 21—year—old for the purposes of improving the colour, i would have my license revoked. i would be struck off. getting this look can come with major risks, like painful infections and tooth extractions. the british dental association surveyed 1000 of its members for a new bbc documentary. it found 814 dentists had treated patients who had come back with complications after dental treatment abroad in places like turkey. turkey teeth don't last forever. crowns often need to be replaced every ten to 15 years. lisa says she had no idea they'd need replacing when she had her teeth done over a decade ago. she had to go back last year to have 26 new crowns. i thought once they put the teeth into your mouth, that was it. i you were never going |

to have any problems. they never said, you know, that your teeth can die, i that you can get... they never said anything. in fact, lisa says she wasn't even told she was getting crowns. she thought she was getting veneers, which only involves a small amount of healthy tooth tissue being removed. these were sold to me as veneers i and i have a full set of crowns. i lisa's had major complications, including infections and chronic pain. ...i've just been crying. if she'd known about these risks, she says, she never would have got the treatment done. i am going to have dentures. yeah, i am going to have dentures. we contacted lisa's turkish clinic for a reply, but we didn't get a response. listen to the drills. jack fincham probably has some of the best known turkey teeth in the country, after appearing on love island four years ago with his new crowns. he's influenced many young people. jack now knows there are other, less invasive ways,

of getting this same look. honestly, like, i'm really happy with my teeth, i love my teeth, but going back if someone said would you have composite bonding or get the crowns done, i'd say the composites. while many people will continue travelling abroad for that instagram—worthy smile, the advice is to do your research and know exactly what you're getting done. because once you've got these teeth, there's no going back. divya talwar, bbc news. more on that story here on the bbc news channel this saturday at half past 5pm in turkey teeth, bargain smiles her big mistake? is also available on iplayer. just after a quarter to six. the headlines that suella braverman is knocked out of the conservative leadership contest after receiving twenty seven votes — there are now five

candidates remaining ambulances in england took an average of 51 minutes to respond to an emergency like a heart attack or stroke last month — far longer than the 18 minute target time the first of the money from the government to help with soaring energy bills will start hitting credit union accounts from today. 8 million households getting means tested benefits will get £326 by the end ofjuly. a second payment will come later this evening. the first minister of scotland has criticised the refusal by the westminster government to allow another independence referendum. nicola sturgeon says scotland is facing a "significant and increasing" democratic deficit the snp leader insisted that "only independence can strengthen and embed democracy in scotland". she spoke out as she launched the second paper in a series, aimed at making a "refreshed"

case for independence. they trade opinions on how many years it should be before westminster might allow us to make a democratic choice about our own future. this fact that the scottish people have voted in a majority committee to an independence referendum is treated as immaterial.— as immaterial. metropolitan police o-ened as immaterial. metropolitan police 0 ened an as immaterial. metropolitan police opened an investigation _ as immaterial. metropolitan police opened an investigation into - as immaterial. metropolitan police opened an investigation into mo i opened an investigation into mo barra as a child. in a bbc documentary he says he arrived under a false name after escaping war in somalia, and as chandra reports, was separated from his family and forced into domestic slavery. is a separated from his family and forced into domestic slavery.— into domestic slavery. is a family, we were torn _ into domestic slavery. is a family, we were torn apart. _ into domestic slavery. is a family, we were torn apart. i _ into domestic slavery. is a family, we were torn apart. i was - we were torn apart. i was separated from my mother. i was brought into the uk illegally. under the name of

another child called mohammed farah. this is the visa documents used to traffic the feature limping into the uk study the other big story as i was born in somaliland, north of somalia. despite what i've said in the past, my parents never lived in the uk. when i was four, my dad was killed in the civil war. police now want to know more about allegations that team gb athlete made in a bbc documentary in which he said he was flown into the uk at the age of nine and forced to work as a domestic servant. lawyers have told the bbc that farah�*s nationality was obtained by fraud. the home office has without taking any action against them as it's assumed that child would not be complacent. the nets have also confirmed they are not pursuing farah, but they say

specialist officers have opened an investigation to assess the available information, which means in practical terms detectives will want to understand who exactly who it was about how farah entered the uk at nine years old. they want to identify any criminal offences and if they can who may have a committed then. last year, the mets that it received more than 3900 child and aduu received more than 3900 child and adult victim referrals for modern slavery offences. very few victims will have the profile and opportunity to highlight their experience. william shakespeare is often associated with stratford and london, but now the town of prescot near liverpool, is celebrating its connections with the playwright. the brand new shakespeare north playhouse — costing more than 30 million pounds — is opening this week, and our arts correspondent, david sillito has been to find out more. prescot, once upon a time famous for clocks and watches. now it has a new shakespearean arrival on the skyline. when you first arrived here, what were your feelings when you walked in here?

just awe, absolutely blown away. it is the most beautiful place imaginable. shakespeare north, a new theatre that is a replica of a bit of sha kespeare's england. shall i compare thee to a summer's day? thou art more lovely and more temperate. and for ashley nugent, who grew up here in prescot, it is an unexpected turn of events. prescot was becoming a ghost town. nothing has been happening for years. shops have been shutting down. i moved away from this area because i thought there was no culture. now, all these years later, i am back, full circle, back to my old stomping ground. in this beautiful place. the theatre is a recreation of one of the london theatres from sha kespeare's heyday. it was a place of bloodsports and daily drama. the site these days is now occupied by 10 downing street. and for prescot it is already having an effect. mr shakespeare's face is everywhere. the question is, why prescot?

it is all because of a local aristocrat who had his own theatrical troupe, who was very close to shakespeare, and also, here in prescot, they had their own purpose built elizabethan playhouse. well, it was here. things have changed since then. and, while the shakespeare connection is a mystery to many in prescot, people have begun to notice changes. even lord strange now has a pub named after him. prescot is happening. yes, prescot is where it is! was it like that before? no. has it changed ? it has changed a lot. with the nightlife. do you know the little bars along this road? | never used to be any. until a few months ago. and then it alljust happened really. i all down to shakespeare. i bet you have no idea why shakespeare... of course, building a theatre is one thing, building building an audience another.

but there is a hope the elizabethan layout may encourage a more welcoming elizabethan atmosphere. were audiences different back then? they were a little bit more rowdy than we're used to. are you encouraging them to be rowdy here? not so rowdy but we encourage them to make themselves feel more at home. more relaxed. more informal. enjoy your time. it is, they hope, going to be the northern outpost of the shakespeare triangle. london, stratford, prescot. so long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee. it's been hidden for a 137 years , now a secret self portrait by one of the most famous artists in the world — vincent van gogh — has been revealed by a gallery in edinburgh. experts say the incredible find

was discovered on the back of another painting, "head of a peasant woman", when it went through an x—ray. joanne macaulay has the story. for more than 100 years, this picture has been holding a secret. on the back of van gogh's head of a peasant woman is a previously unseen work by the artist. the ghostly image was revealed as experts carried out an x—ray on the painting. oh, it was a complete shock and, i have to say, pretty much instant recognition. we thought, my goodness, there he is. we have his hat and his beard, signature neckerchief around his neck, and itjust struck us immediately that it was a self—portrait. as a poor artist, van gogh used both sides of the canvas to save money. but the self—portrait side is covered in cardboard and glue. experts hope they can safely remove the material from this valuable piece.

this is really a major and very exciting find for the national galleries of scotland. it's so unusual to find a new painting on the back of a canvas like this. and, also, it is a good example of a period when van gogh was developing his mature, very radical style. the style we associate with him. it's likely to be some time before all the cardboard and glue on the back of the painting is removed and the self—portrait is fully revealed. but, in the meantime, members of the public can see the x—ray of it here in edinburgh when it goes on display at the end of the month. a quick line of news regarding a planned work to rule action by royal mail managers from friday in a dispute overjobs and pay. unite union says it has now been suspended. now it's time for a look at the weather.

that evening. a temporary lull in the heat wave conditions in the last day or so, but the heat wave conditions will return widely through the weekend with some exceptional heat forecast against england and wales, hence the amber warning about extreme heat through sunday to tuesday from the met office. it means there is likely to be quite significant disruption to transport and widespread health impacts notjust for transport and widespread health impacts not just for the transport and widespread health impacts notjust for the elderly transport and widespread health impacts not just for the elderly and the vulnerable. more details on that warning on our website. as for this evening and overnight, still a few showers around, in fact, marred rain makes its way across northern ireland this evening and into scotland overnight. temperatures want to be quite as low here is last night, quite heavy splashes. whilst further south, the more comfortable night for sleeping. even more so compared with last night now that we have lost that humidity. a bit of mist under the bridge of high—pressure pricing. friday does bring with it the weather front to the north initially. behind it, the cloud will break in the sunshine

welcome there, as i say, some heavy rain first welcome there, as i say, some heavy rainfirst thing, welcome there, as i say, some heavy rain first thing, could affect state interest for a golf here. admits it's a self raised nothing then perhaps affecting the midlands and east anglia, just if few light bits of drizzly rain here. of the sunshine, longerspells of drizzly rain here. of the sunshine, longer spells of that sunshine, longer spells of that sunshine further south. for most, temperatures will be on par with those we have seen during the day today. as i say, we could have a bit of rain initially and then just one or shower is following for the open, but saturday and sunday, it looks drier and warmer, because, yes, there is very little cloud around on saturday. a difference in the far north and west, but we change our wind direction, we start to pull in the heat. so widely, the mid to high 20s in the south, it looks drier and warmer, because, yes, there is very little cloud around on saturday. a difference in the far north and west, but we change our wind direction, we start to pull in the heat. so widely, the mid to high 20s in the south committed cost most of england pushing into wales. i sunday, those temperatures up to 30

across much of england and parts of wales pushing towards the high 20s for the borders of scotland, and that heatjust continues to expand and become more intense. the sister monday and then beyond that into tuesday, we could have some record—breaking heat. it is going to be hot for all, very uncomfortable by day and, of course by night, monday and tuesday night. it may well and some thundering down price, but in the interim, we are looking at some exceptional heat.

at six... the race to become the next prime minister narrows — but rishi sunak is still in the lead. the former chancellor tops the latest round of mps' votes, with penny mordaunt and the foreign secretary liz trussjust behind him. but suella braverman has been knocked out. also on the programme... the nhs crisis deepens. 51 minutes is the average time it took an ambulance in england to get to emergencies like heart attacks or strokes last month. i've been at this hospital for 16 years and i've never seen it as busy as it is now. another rail strike is confirmed, this time train drivers — 5,500 will walk out on saturday 30th july, mostly affecting services across england. more than 20 civilians killed in central ukraine as a cruise missile hits a residential area — injuring many more.

paying the price for a perfect smile — dentists warn of the dangers