tonight at 10: the new conservative leader is rishi sunak — he'll be the youngest british prime minister of modern times. minutes after being elected by conservative mps, he ruled out an early general election and warned his party had to "unite or die". we now need stability and unity, and i will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together. his last remaining challenger, penny mordaunt, had left the race a few minutes before the official announcement was made. we have received one valid nomination... cheering and thumping. ..and rishi sunak is therefore

elected as leader of the conservative party. politics comes at us rather fast these days, doesn't it? this autumn�*s second new prime minister inherits a nightmarish soup of political and economic gloom. he moves in there tomorrow to try and sort it out. we'll have more from chris, in this extended edition of bbc news at ten, as we consider the prospects for a sunak premiership. at westminster the main opposition parties are united on the demand for a general election, so that millions of voters can have their say. labour thinks that we should be having a general election. i think everybody who i've spoken to, the public, have said we should be having a general election. there is no mandate now. he should call an early general election. he's the second person in a row to be appointed as prime minister by tories, not elected by the population. mr sunak�*s rapid advance is a significant moment for politics.

he's the first british—asian to become prime minister. and we'll be asking voters who are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living for their thoughts on the new prime minister. it's all a joke. i'm a single moment we are all struggling financially. they need to get their priorities in order. and on bbc london... we get reaction to rishi sunak becoming our next prime minister. and what it could mean for people and businesses here in the capital. good evening. the new leader of the conservative party is rishi sunak, and tomorrow morning he'll be installed as britain's youngest prime minister in over two centuries. mr sunak is the first british—asian

to become prime minister of the uk. his victory was confirmed this afternoon when his last remaining challenger, penny mordaunt, dropped out of the race just a few minutes before the nominations closed. mr sunak will replace liz truss just seven weeks after she defeated him in the previous contest. he takes office at a time of deep economic trouble and with labour, the snp and the liberal democrats all demanding an immediate general election so that voters can have their say. first, let's join our political editor chris mason at westminster. as you say, it is seven weeks ago today that liz truss was elected as conservative leader. the day after, she became prime minister. today, rishi sunak was elected as conservative leader. tomorrow he will become prime minister. yes, as we have reflected in conversations over the last couple of weeks,

politics is on fast forward. it's only four days ago that liz truss resigned, and now more change beckons. cheering today's new conservative leader, this week's new prime minister. rishi sunak arrived at conservative party headquarters this afternoon, his party's third leader this year. waves, smiles and handshakes done, he wanted to talk to the country — but didn't want to face questions from reporters. i'd like to pay tribute to liz truss for her dedicated public service to the country. she has led with dignity and grace through a time of great change and under exceptionally difficult circumstances both at home and abroad. it is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to serve

the party i love and give back to the country i owe so much to. the united kingdom is a great country, but there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge. we now need stability and unity, and i will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together. i pledge that i will serve you with integrity and humility and i will work day in, day out to deliver for the british people. all weekend and into this morning this woman, penny mordaunt, wanted to stand as well. she had until two o'clock this afternoon to find 100 supporters, in order to make sure the final decision was taken by conservative party members rather than being left to mps. just after one, her team reckoned they were just a few supporters short of the magic number.

but, with minutes to go, one of her biggest backers was having second thoughts. so we are at, what, 1:30, half an hour to go, penny mordaunt�*s campaign grappling for every possible vote, and you've fled the ship? yeah, i think there's plenty... i mean, there's 100 others, and i totally understand the legitimacy of arguing that the party membership should have the say. it's a difficult call, but ijust think in the circumstances, where division in the conservative party costs money — it increases the price of money, it puts interest rates up — the statesman—like thing to do i think is to get together today. and rishi and penny will work together, can work together. ijust think, "why not do it now rather than wait three days?" half an hour later, an official announcement imminent, and a statement from penny mordaunt.

and, a few minutes after that, confirmation of another new prime minister. i can confirm that we have received one valid nomination... cheering and thumping. ..and rishi sunak is therefore elected as leader of the conservative party.

it's quite astonishing, isn't it, that the guy who was defeated by the current prime minister is replacing her a matter of weeks after she took office. the conservatives' rivals say it's time for a general election. they can'tjust keep doling out prime ministers every month because they're in total chaos and they've lost control of the market and haven't got any ideas of how they're going to tackle the cost of living that people are facing. he's the second person in a row to be appointed as prime minister by tories, not elected by the population. the idea that he can go two years before seeking or winning a democratic mandate i think isjust unthinkable. the challenges we face - are so serious that we need the mandate that democracy is given by a general election. _ the tory party have - sidestepped that for today.

this building has seen much down the centuries, the generations, and rather a bit in just the last few weeks, posing sharp questions for those who govern us. what do you say to our viewer who comes to the reasonable—minded conclusion that it's been a complete shambles? well, no one — no one — would want to see what we've seen over the last few months. it's been difficult, it's been painful. i've been dealing with my international counterparts, with all the challenges going on around the globe, and of course what they want is they want the uk government, they want britain, to once again be the rock of stability... they're laughing at us, aren't they? 0verseas we've become a laughing stock? look, what's going on... no one is going to defend what's gone on over the last few months. it's been painful, it's been brutal, but now it comes to an end. autumn's second new prime minister — the third to call this place home this year. the era of rishi sunak, for however long it lasts, beckons. studio: we will talk to chris again

in a moment. rishi sunak is already conservative leader but not yet prime minister. that happens in the morning. there'll be a final cabinet meeting chaired by outgoing prime minister liz truss at 9:00am, with a departing statement by her outside number ten at 10:15am. mr sunak will formally take over after an audience with the king at buckingham palace and he will give a statement on arrival at number ten ataround 11:35am. live to chris mason at westminster. think about the immediate priorities for rishi sunak when he goes even through that door tomorrow lunchtime. we through that door tomorrow lunchtime.— through that door tomorrow lunchtime. ~ ., , ., lunchtime. we are becoming rather familiar with _ lunchtime. we are becoming rather familiar with the _ lunchtime. we are becoming rather familiar with the constitutional - familiar with the constitutional choreography of the handover of power from one

choreography of the handover of powerfrom one prime minister to the next. the first moment for rishi sunak will bejust next. the first moment for rishi sunak will be just a few yards behind me at the lectern where we get a sense of him addressing the country and setting out his priorities as prime minister and the character that he will bring to government. then it will be behind the black door and the process of governing will be under way. his first task will be shaping a new government. he emphasises the need for stability, for all the obvious reasons given what has happened in the last few weeks, but how does he illustrate that in those opening hours while also putting something of his own stamp on the top table around his cabinet? for instance, if he was to pick a new home secretary, we would have had three home secretaries in a week so to what extent is that stable? what about the crucial role of chancellor customer we have seenjeremy hunt in the last few days are set out his vision for how the economy might be stabilised after the last few weeks

and how things might look at that crucial economic statement currently pencilled in for next monday. does he stick with jeremy pencilled in for next monday. does he stick withjeremy hunt or shift to someone else? they are just two of the many posts he has to fill. such a tricky balancing act for the new prime minister to get right. we will talk again later. thank you, chris mason at downing street. as chris mentioned, one of the remarkable things about mr sunak is his rapid rise at westminster. he's been a member of parliament forjust seven years. he was elected by the voters of richmond in yorkshire in 2015, and he's the youngest prime minister of modern times. 0ur deputy political editor vicki young has more on the sunak story. addressing the nation during a pandemic a month after becoming chancellor. you will not face this alone. rishi sunak helped lead to the government's rishi sunak helped lead the government's economic response. the furlough scheme paid 80% of millions of people's salaries for months and cost billions. hello!

he also masterminded the eat out to help 0ut scheme, encouraging diners back to restaurants when they reopened. i have worked with rishi for some time and i would say everyone knows that he's smart and competent but he is also incredibly dedicated, really hard—working and just a really kind person. big boots to fill, lad. all of that came just five years after he was elected as the conservative mp for richmond in north yorkshire. his parents, of indian descent, came to the uk from east africa. he has spoken about the sacrifices they made to send him to winchester college, a top private school. he talked about the experience in a bbc documentary. you know, i have friends who are aristocrats, i have friends who are upper class, i have friends who are working class. but... well, not working—class. but i mix and match and then i go to see kids from an inner state school and tell them to apply to oxford and talk to them about people like me. after oxford university, a career in banking and his marriage to the daughter of a billionaire

made him extremely wealthy. political opponents have commented on his expensive houses, clothes and shoes, suggesting he is out of touch with ordinary people. the revelation that his wife had non—dom tax status proved politically toxic. he said he had informed senior civil servants when hejoined government but a u—turn followed. she has always followed all the rules but she recognises this goes beyond just following those rules so she has decided to pay both uk and foreign taxes. the episode was a low point for rishi sunak. he was visibly angry at what he saw as an intrusion into his wife's financial affairs. colleagues, though, felt it betrayed a certain political naivety and some even predicted that his career would never recover. rishi sunak is a long—standing brexit supporter but, as chancellor, he rarely trumpeted the benefits of leaving the eu. he got caught up in the scandal about downing street parties, receiving a fine for breaking

covid laws. friends say he had just turned up early for a meeting in the cabinet room. tackling the costs of transport... there had been rumours of tensions between him and boris johnson over spending. after a number of scandals, mr sunak resigned in protest. he was blamed by mrjohnson�*s friends for bringing him down. please welcome rishi sunak. when he stood to be tory leader in the summer, he gave this warning about liz truss's tax cuts. liz, your plans, your own economic adviser has said that that would lead to mortgage rates, interest rates going up to 7%. can you imagine what that is going to do for everyone here and everyone watching? that is thousands of pounds on their mortgage bill. a few weeks ago, rishi sunak was rejected by conservative members. today, colleagues have decided he is the man to bring stability. vicki young, bbc news, westminster.

so the uk prepares for its third prime minister in a matter of weeks, after a period of extreme political turmoil, and the new conservative leader wasted no time today in warning his party that it faces destruction unless it pulls together. much of the focus will be on those constituencies which switched from labour to conservative at the last election. what are rishi sunak�*s prospects there? here's professor sirjohn curtice with his expert analysis. mr sunak is somebody who voted leave, who campaigned for leave and is very clearly in that camp, and to that extent at least might well be able to appeal to red wall voters. he is also somebody who is pretty conservative on the issue of immigration, which is undoubtedly a crucial issue for them, but what we have to realise is that even amongst leave voters at the moment the conservatives are behind labour in the polls, and for them the question of economic competence and whether or not they are going to be able to survive economically, personally, over this winter

and over the next two years is in a sense now the dominant issue. that's the view from professor curtice on the electoral challanges for the new prime minister. so what do voters make of his elevation to the top job? 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth has been in wakefield in west yorkshire which elected a conservative mp in 2019, but switched back to labour in a by—election earlier this year. the political landscape has shifted once again, while voters, like those here in the cathedral city of wakefield, could but watch. dennis, who has backed the conservatives before, runs a local sweet shop. he welcomed the party's latest choice of prime minister but after recent economic turmoil, doesn't see easy solutions. quite a clever fella, actually, probably one of the cleverest guys. i'd probably give him a chance, see what he does in 18 months

but he's got an uphill task. not far away, this community centre is in a residential area with high levels of need. for bernie, the manager, there is frustration at how events in westminster have unfolded. whilst the conservative party have been navel gazing and looking at their own self interests, communities like this have been forgotten and not prioritised. and it's bordering on criminal. i am not confident that the new prime minister will deliver. it doesn't feel very democratic right now. in the city centre, some share a similar sentiment. rishi sunak is going to be the new prime minister. yeah. — what do you think? pfft. pfft! we need another general election. needs a swing door on number 10! it's all a joke, though, isn't it? i'm a single mum and we're all struggling financially. they need to just get their priorities in order. what do you make of what's been happening in westminster? i don't think it's been right good.

if i've got to be honest. one thing after another, isn't it? itjust seems a farce, a joke. there's no real leadership. this was one of the seats the conservatives won from labour at the 2019 election, when borisjohnson led the party. but they lost it in a by—election earlier this year. it shows how the party's electoral fortunes have shifted and lays bare the challenge facing rishi sunak, the new prime minister. conservative party member waheeda says recent political chaos has had an impact on the doorstep. she's now hoping for some stability. the people we're expecting to lead us are just leading a circus. it has become embarrassing and it is hard to defend this as local activists. what do you think about rishi sunak? i think he's great. all this bickering and sniping, it has got to end because it's not a good look.

back in the city centre, tania runs her own candle shop and says the uncertainty hasn't helped business, but she is prepared to give the incoming prime minister a chance. if he can show his teeth and get the taxes sorted, i don't mind paying tax as long as it's going to help the economy and get us going. would you have faith that rishi sunak would be able to do what you wanted and make things more stable? i think after what's just happened with liz truss, hopefully, is it third time lucky? the conservatives might hope they've bought themselves a window to restore public faith. it could be narrow. alex forsyth, bbc news, wakefield. well, shortly after mr sunak�*s victory was announced, the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon, congratulated him and expressed the hope that they could have a constructive working relationship. but she also demanded an immediate general election, and a rejection of any more austerity measures. in a moment we'll also hear the reaction in wales and in northern ireland, but first to our scotland editor james cook in edinburgh. before hearing from chris page in

stormont and hywel griffith in cardiff. james? yes, huw, rishi sunak has made it clear he fully intends to oppose any future referendum on scottish independence and he has also suggested they should be a greater role for westminster and scrutinising what happens here at the scottish parliament, on what the scottish government gets up with. when i spoke to nicola sturgeon the first minister earlier she scoffed at that idea and said she wouldn't take any lessons on accountability from mr sunak, a man who in her view has no democratic legitimacy, and as you said she is calling for another general election as soon as possible. at the heart of ms sturgeon�*s campaign against mr sunak if it comes to it will be brexit and the economic damage it has caused and also she says the potential damage with another wave of austerity. conservatives in scotland would retort by saying the real threat to the scottish economy is

dependence, but they know their authority to make that case has been weakened with what has happened with the party in recent weeks. the scottish tory leader douglas ross saying this has been a difficult and unsettling period for the party and the nation, and indeed that is reflected in the polls, we are seeing something of a slump in tory support, i moved to labour, no change for the snp who are still way ahead, and on independence, still divided. . ~ ahead, and on independence, still divided. ., ~ , ., ahead, and on independence, still divided. . ~' , and chris page is at stormont in northern ireland. in terms of the political deadlock in northern ireland, chris, at the prospects changed there now that mr sunak is about to take office? figs sunak is about to take office? as soon as rishi sunak takes over as head _ soon as rishi sunak takes over as head of— soon as rishi sunak takes over as head of government in westminster he will have _ head of government in westminster he will have the task of trying to restore — will have the task of trying to restore the devolved government here at stormont. the democratic unionist party says _ at stormont. the democratic unionist party says it _ at stormont. the democratic unionist party says it will continue to block the formation of a power—sharing

coaliiion— the formation of a power—sharing coalition until the break that trade by do _ coalition until the break that trade by do wilb— coalition until the break that trade by do with the rest of the uk known as the _ by do with the rest of the uk known as the northern ireland protocol is scrapped, — as the northern ireland protocol is scrapped, but there is no sign of that happening any time soon —— the ijlol that happening any time soon —— the blog is— that happening any time soon —— the blog is it _ that happening any time soon —— the blog is it true to deal with the rest _ blog is it true to deal with the rest of— blog is it true to deal with the rest of the uk. following the election— rest of the uk. following the election to the northern ireland assembly back in may when sinn fein beat the _ assembly back in may when sinn fein beat the dup to become the largest party for— beat the dup to become the largest party for the first time... the northern_ party for the first time... the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris has made clear that as things— heaton—harris has made clear that as things stand he is planning to call another_ things stand he is planning to call another stormont assembly election probably— another stormont assembly election probably to be held on the 15th of september. now of course there is an expectation _ september. now of course there is an expectation of a cabinet reshuffle in the _ expectation of a cabinet reshuffle in the coming days, so people i wondering _ in the coming days, so people i wondering if chris heaton—harris might— wondering if chris heaton—harris might be — wondering if chris heaton—harris might be replaced by someone with different— might be replaced by someone with different ideas. it is worth noting the junior— different ideas. it is worth noting the junior officer in the northern ireland _ the junior officer in the northern ireland office steve baker said that plan to _ ireland office steve baker said that plan to call a fresh election would remain— plan to call a fresh election would remain regardless of what happens in london~ _ remain regardless of what happens in london. this was one matter, he said, _ london. this was one matter, he said. where — london. this was one matter, he said, where they would not be a

u-tum — dress, many thanks. we will go from stormont to cardiff bay and the senate —— the senedd. does the labour government there think that relations will improve with mr sunak in downing street? you do wonder what the relationship will be between the latest tory leader and the labour first minister here, mark drakeford. to be honest, i bet it could be much worse than what we've seen for the last three years. forthe what we've seen for the last three years. for the last seven weeks or so we know that liz truss as prime minister has not even spoken to mark drakeford so that enmity has been underlined today by mark drakeford's congratulatory tweet to rishi sunak saying he hopes they can work together in a way that his predecessors wouldn't allow. well rishi sunak pick up the phone? even if he does bet that new relationship will stay friendly for a long —— will stay friendly for a long —— will he pick up the phone? when rishi sunak was here campaigning for

the leadership you made a point of attacking labour's record on public services, particularly on education and health, claiming the welsh nhs performance was worse than anywhere in the uk. it is an attack like we have seen from previous tory prime ministers going back to david cameron, and if we edge towards an election will be see that again? also expect plenty of tensions if, as most people expect, cuts come. the welsh government has already claimed the uk government spending and cutbacks are blaming for controlling its ambitions for what it can do in wales, so in an election that argument can only increase. a , election that argument can only increase. , ., , increase. many thanks, hywel griffith in _ increase. many thanks, hywel griffith in cardiff _ increase. many thanks, hywel griffith in cardiff bay. - rishi sunak�*s success in becoming party leader and prime minister is being seen by many of course as a highly significant moment in british politics, especially so for the large community of british asians. mr sunak — who was born in southampton — is a practising hindu

of indian descent. his grandparents migrated from east africa in the 1960s. our midlands correspondent navtej johal has been speaking to british asians in leicester about the significance of this moment. two years ago, this was then chancellor rishi sunak, a practising hindu, lighting candles outside 11 downing street to mark the start of diwali during lockdown. tonight, in leicester — home to one of the biggest diwali celebrations outside of india — large crowds of all backgrounds have been enjoying the festivities. the city has one of the uk's largest south asian communities, and many feel this is a moment loaded with personal significance. how do you feel about rishi sunak? these young british asian students from de montfort university are of different faiths, but they agree on one thing. so who here thinks that rishi sunak becoming prime minister is a positive thing for ethnic minorities in the uk? it's huge strides into creating

a better society and creating a more balanced society, you know, in a generation where colour shouldn't even matter. i'm not sure if it is a major step, as he's not been voted by the general public. i think if he was to then possibly call a general election and then stand, then maybe we'd get more of an idea of how it sits. well, rishi sunak is from a higher socioeconomic background - than the majority of bame people in the uk, so does he actually- represent those people financially? does he represent them in terms of a socioeconomic status? - not necessarily. the significance of today will be felt across the generations, including among those who knew a less diverse britain. lorde bilimoria is the owner of a successful beer business and an independent life peer in the house of lords. i've seen, in front of my own eyes, this glass ceiling being well

and truly shattered, with this country becoming a country of aspiration and opportunity for anyone regardless of race, religion or background. and here's the ultimate example. well, the diwali celebrations are in full swing here in leicester tonight. despite recent issues, this city has been held up as an example of diversity in britain working pretty well over the years. but there are some concerns about the size of the challenges facing the prime minister and what tackling those may lead to. british society has changed significantly and there's a high degree of tolerance now, notwithstanding a significant minority of the population for whom there is a degree of resentment and opposition to this diversity. amid the pride felt by many south asians in the city, there is also trepidation.

the scale of the challenges faced by rishi sunak as prime minister leaves perhaps little time to truly savour this moment. navteonhal, bbc news, leicester. well, as navtej was saying, rishi sunak�*s victory came on the evening of one of the most important days in the hindu calendar — the festival of diwali, which is a national holiday in india. our correspondent in delhi, rajini vaidyanathan, joins us. can you tell us a little more about the response they are?— can you tell us a little more about the response they are? huw, huge sense of pride _ the response they are? huw, huge sense of pride here _ the response they are? huw, huge sense of pride here in _ the response they are? huw, huge sense of pride here in india, - the response they are? huw, huge sense of pride here in india, one i sense of pride here in india, one news network saying rishi sunak has given this entire nation a desirable gift. it is also significantly because of the history. it was 75 years since india gained independence after british royal —— diwali gift. another news channel was running these headlines today,

saying that umbrian sun rises over the empire and history has come full circle in britain —— the umbrian sun. rishi sunak has deep ties with the black on his grandparents brown in pre—partition punjab and his wife is indian. herfather is one of this country's best known businessmen, the billionaire, and today in�*s prime minister narendra modi offered his congratulations to rishi sunak and said he looked forward to working closely with him. you may —— you may remember earlier this year borisjohnson and narendra modi set a target of achieving a trade agreement between the uk and india before diwali and that trader has yet to materialise. many here are hoping rishi sunak can help set that back on track. hoping rishi sunak can help set that back on track-— hoping rishi sunak can help set that back on track. rajini vaidyanathan in delhi, thank you. the backdrop to much of the turmoil of recent months has been the sharp rise in the cost

of living, expecially in relation to fuel bills, and the mixed efforts of conservative ministers to deal with it. away from westminster and the internal machinations of the conservative party there are millions of voters with very real concerns about the months ahead, and the prospect of higher interest rates adding to mortgage repayments. our special correspondent ed thompson has been speaking to people in heywood and middleton — a constituency in greater manchester which turned from labour to conservative for the first time at the 2019 general election. how to fix british politics and restore order? rishi sunak is celebrating, but he'll need answers for people struggling in places like heywood. some will be harder to win over. how do you both feel about the state of the nation right now? it's a mess. everyone here voted tory in 2019. i think it's right, you know, we voted for boris johnson and nobody asked us to vote him out and he should have still been in. but his own mps told him to go. so?

you know, they're all backstabbers. ricky sunak is a backstabber. a cup of coffee, please. and could rishi sunak get your vote? i don't know, i don't know. i don't think i'll be voting again after what happened to boris johnson. really? because my vote doesn't matter any more. simon also opted for borisjohnson in 2019. sum up how you feel right now. well, dismayed, disillusioned by the tories. now, this is what he wants from rishi sunak. a government we can trust, a government we can depend on, a government that's going get things right and not going to screw us over. but for many here, money is tight and life is tough. in a town promised levelling up and better times only three years ago. i think it's beyond fixing, to be quite honest, now. i have cancer, i'm on a four—week waiting list to be seen,

and it used to be two weeks when i first started, now it's four weeks. i have a child with special needs who had to go into a different town to go to school because there's no school facilities for her, etc. so, it'sjust bad. austerity has already squeezed northern england. and more could be on the way. you have to find ways of coping, don't you? i mean, what else is there? but, i don't know, i think there is a lot of people struggling. i think people have just lost faith now, haven't they? down the road in middleton... this is ourfood pantry. ..the lighthouse helps people in need. it's a club, a membership club, so theyjoin. every week, 80 families use this. and for their £3.50 a week, they can get, on average, about £32.85 worth of food. there's also emergency food parcels handed out. today it was nadine and faye

who found themselves in crisis. just had nothing left. in the cupboard? yeah, bare, it was. rising bills meant they couldn't eat. it's stress every day, isn't it? where's your next meal going to come from and things like that. it's a silent war. we are basically in a silent war. it's creating the people of today to be angry at each other. the poor are angry at the rich for having what they have, and it's like, it's just a vicious circle, isn't it? i feel scared of the world right now. soon, big political decisions will be made, at a time when many need a helping hand. ed thomas, bbc news, middleton. we'll have more on the the next prime minister later in the programme, but our other main story tonight... the chief of russia's foreign spy service has denied that moscow has been provoking nuclearfears during its war with ukraine. sergei naryshkin,

director of the svr — the equivalent of britain's mi6 — went on to repeat an unsubstantiated claim that ukraine could be planning to use its own "dirty bomb" — a device that combines conventional explosives and radioactive materials. mr naryshkin was speaking to our moscow editor steve rosenberg. he is not only russia's spy chief. sergei naryshkin heads the russian historical society, too. and he is here to remember one of the most dramatic moments in history. when khrushchev and kennedy sparred in the cuban missile crisis 60 years ago, and the world came dangerously close to a nuclear apocalypse. a chance for me to ask about the kremlin�*s current nuclear sabre rattling. will you categorically rule out using a nuclear weapon in ukraine, i ask. he dodges the question

but points a finger back. translation: we are of course very concerned about western rhetoric - regarding the possible use of nuclear weapons. it is simply unacceptable. and yesterday our defence minister telephoned his counterparts in turkey, america and france and told them about the possible plans of ukraine's leaders to use a so—called dirty nuclear bomb. but there is no evidence of that, i say. and i'm asking about russia's nuclear rhetoric. do you admit it has been happening? no, no. absolutely not. the evidence suggests otherwise. days before the russian invasion, president putin oversaw massive nuclear drills and since then, several times he has dropped

unsubtle hints that he would be prepared to use a nuclear weapon in the ukraine conflict. and what about moscow's claim that ukraine is about to explode a dirty bomb and then blame it on the kremlin? well, the british, american and french governments have issued a joint statement rejecting what they call russia's transparently false allegations against kyiv adding that the world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation. as for the cuban missile crisis, stas namin�*s grandfather was the soviet official who helped end the stand—off. he fears nuclear rhetoric can lead to catastrophic mistakes. i don't think it's a real danger that somebody will decide to push the button. but it's not a matter of decision of one person, it's the matter of even a mistake, but the result will be the same. compromise diffused the missile crisis.

so far, though, vladimir putin has shown little desire for that. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. back to our main story tonight — rishi sunak�*s victory as leader of the conservative party and the uk's next prime minister. we've already heard about the response in india. and our north america editor sarah smith is at the white house. a sense of what the biden administration has made of all of this? in administration has made of all of this? , , . ., . ., , this? in public what the white house are sa in: this? in public what the white house are saying all — this? in public what the white house are saying all the _ this? in public what the white house are saying all the things _ this? in public what the white house are saying all the things you - this? in public what the white house are saying all the things you would i are saying all the things you would expect to hear from them, that the uk remains a strong ally and that our two countries have an enduring friendship that will never change and that sort of thing. in fact, of course there are questions, about what a change of prime minister means for policy and the relation between the two countries will stop joe biden has not tried to call rishi sunak yet. protocol dictates

he waits until the incoming prime minister has seen the monarch before offering his congratulations. we understand he is planning to speak to rishi sunak in the coming days. when they do talk, top of the agenda will be ukraine. what the white house most wants to know is that rishi sunak will continue to stand up rishi sunak will continue to stand up to russia and continue to help ukraine with its defences. they believe they have worked well on this issue with both borisjohnson ends liz truss and they will want to know they can do the same with rishi sunak. 0n know they can do the same with rishi sunak. on other issues, joe biden and rishi sunak are not ideological soulmates in any way, a conservative and a democrat. but presidents and uk prime ministers from opposite ends of the uk spectrum —— political spectrum have worked very well in the past but that depends on building a personal relationship, something that takes time, and the white house will want to know rishi sunak is in number ten to state before they invest too much of the president's time in that.— president's time in that. sarah smith, president's time in that. sarah smith. thank— president's time in that. sarah

smith, thank you. _ president's time in that. sarah smith, thank you. from - president's time in that. sarah - smith, thank you. from washington president's time in that. sarah smith, thank you. from washington to brussels to speak to katya adler. when we think of the ongoing conflict in ukraine we think of issues that are unresolved after brexit. what does the european union make of yet another prime minister to deal with?— to deal with? first of all there are some raised _ to deal with? first of all there are some raised eyebrows _ to deal with? first of all there are some raised eyebrows and - to deal with? first of all there are some raised eyebrows and caustic comments — some raised eyebrows and caustic comments about losing count of the number— comments about losing count of the number of— comments about losing count of the number of uk prime ministers this year~ _ number of uk prime ministers this year~ but— number of uk prime ministers this year~ but of— number of uk prime ministers this year. but of course we live in very serious _ year. but of course we live in very serious times and whoever is at the helm _ serious times and whoever is at the helm in _ serious times and whoever is at the helm in the — serious times and whoever is at the helm in the uk, eu leaders really want _ helm in the uk, eu leaders really want to— helm in the uk, eu leaders really want to work with us on three main areas. _ want to work with us on three main areas. again. — want to work with us on three main areas, again, like sarah said, ukraine. _ areas, again, like sarah said, ukraine, ongoing military support for ukraine and continued russia sanctions — for ukraine and continued russia sanctions. secondly, ensuring energy supplies— sanctions. secondly, ensuring energy supplies and working together where possible _ supplies and working together where possible to bring down those exorbitant prices. and thirdly, trying — exorbitant prices. and thirdly, trying to— exorbitant prices. and thirdly, trying to work on the ongoing thorny issues _ trying to work on the ongoing thorny issues of— trying to work on the ongoing thorny issues of the brexit agreement on northern— issues of the brexit agreement on northern ireland known as the brotocot _ northern ireland known as the protocol. privately, eu leaders breathed— protocol. privately, eu leaders breathed a sigh of relief that boris johnson _ breathed a sigh of relief that boris johnson has not returned to number ten. johnson has not returned to number

ten~ he _ johnson has not returned to number ten~ he is _ johnson has not returned to number ten. he is seen as divisive and unreliable _ ten. he is seen as divisive and unreliable here. rishi sunak is seen as a pragmatist, a grown up in the words _ as a pragmatist, a grown up in the words of— as a pragmatist, a grown up in the words of one eu diplomat i spoke to this evening. he is known as a supporter— this evening. he is known as a supporter of brexit but on the campaign trail this summer he said it wasn't_ campaign trail this summer he said it wasn't in— campaign trail this summer he said it wasn't in the uk's interests to have _ it wasn't in the uk's interests to have a _ it wasn't in the uk's interests to have a trade row with the eu. that is thinking — have a trade row with the eu. that is thinking economically, but politically, considering how fractious the conservative party is, it may _ fractious the conservative party is, it may be _ fractious the conservative party is, it may be very difficult for rishi sunak— it may be very difficult for rishi sunak to — it may be very difficult for rishi sunak to be seen to be making compromises with the eu. in brussels this evening _ compromises with the eu. in brussels this evening the thinking is that at best eu _ this evening the thinking is that at best eu business will not be a top priority— best eu business will not be a top priority for— best eu business will not be a top priority for rishi sunak but at worst— priority for rishi sunak but at worst he _ priority for rishi sunak but at worst he could be tempted to court controversy, for example over the northern— controversy, for example over the northern ireland protocol, to shore up northern ireland protocol, to shore up political— northern ireland protocol, to shore up political support in eurosceptic quarters — up political support in eurosceptic quarters back home.— up political support in eurosceptic quarters back home. katya adler, our euro -e quarters back home. katya adler, our eur0pe editor. _ quarters back home. katya adler, our europe editor, thank— quarters back home. katya adler, our europe editor, thank you. _ quarters back home. katya adler, our europe editor, thank you. and - quarters back home. katya adler, our europe editor, thank you. and before| europe editor, thank you. and before that, sarah smith in washington. 0n taking over today, rishi sunak admitted that the uk faced "profound economic challenges". indeed, the economic situation

is significantly worse than it was when liz truss took office. higher mortgage rates, energy bills, and inflation are combining to make it a really difficult winter for millions of households and businesses. the nhs and social care system is struggling, and the business need for more foreign workers is causing more debate about immigration within the conservative party. we will look at the nhs and immigration in a moment, but first our economics editor faisal islam looks at the big economic challenges ahead. rishi sunak is going to be prime minister because of economic instability and a crisis partly the result of his predecessor's misjudgments in this area. he says, as we've been hearing, there are profound economic challenges, so let's have a look. inflation already at 10% right now, a ao—year high already. the energy guarantee limiting the rise this winter,

but if that expires, inflation could in the spring still hit 11 or 12% — several times the target. the economy itself is already falling and heading for a 1990—style recession says the bank of england. and the core of it all, energy prices. having gone up incredibly, current levels consistent with typical yearly household bills hitting over £4000 without that government support. now, they have come down, which could be the look the new pm needs, but this chart is the price for next winter. the big picture is that most of these challenges are now materially worse than at the start of the original leadership campaign. some business leaders are genuinely concerned. the some business leaders are genuinely concerned. . . concerned. the first thing he needs to do is make _ concerned. the first thing he needs to do is make it _ concerned. the first thing he needs to do is make it very _ concerned. the first thing he needs to do is make it very clear- concerned. the first thing he needs to do is make it very clear that - to do is make it very clear that there — to do is make it very clear that there is— to do is make it very clear that there is going to be less ideology and more — there is going to be less ideology and more of a focus on good government. some practical measures to reassure _

government. some practical measures to reassure people. i think in terms of major— to reassure people. i think in terms of major reassurance, rather than having _ of major reassurance, rather than having rhetoric against our neighbours, actually start focusing on how— neighbours, actually start focusing on how we — neighbours, actually start focusing on how we can rebuild bridges with our neighbours and get the economy going _ our neighbours and get the economy anoin. . our neighbours and get the economy aoian. . our neighbours and get the economy aoain. , . ., ., . going. here is the economic balancing — going. here is the economic balancing act _ going. here is the economic balancing act ahead - going. here is the economic balancing act ahead of - going. here is the economic balancing act ahead of the l going. here is the economic. balancing act ahead of the debt plan thatis balancing act ahead of the debt plan that is still being prepared for one week today. we understand there is a gap that needs to be bridged off between 30 and £40 billion to make up between 30 and £40 billion to make up for the surviving mini budget policies and the extra economic downturn effects. cuts to spending could occur in welfare, transport investment and government departments. further tax rises perhaps on wealthy pensioners could be on the way. the new prime minister will see the 29 manifesto as his mandate for being in office but there is a big question as to how much priorities from three years ago, pre—pandemic and pre—inflation

crisis, matter right now. all of thatis crisis, matter right now. all of that is set against growing debts and possible recession making this overall picture worse. this has been the effective cost of borrowing for a five year loan to the government, known as a gilt, racing up during the initial contest, ballooning after the mini budget, settling after the mini budget, settling after the mini budget, settling after the u—turns and today turning pretty sharply, almost the same as the morning of the mini budget as rishi sunak�*s correlation became clear. the bank of england is watching very carefully. credibility is hard won _ watching very carefully. credibility is hard won and _ watching very carefully. credibility is hard won and easily _ watching very carefully. credibility is hard won and easily lost. - watching very carefully. credibility is hard won and easily lost. whatl watching very carefully. credibility i is hard won and easily lost. what we have seen— is hard won and easily lost. what we have seen when you look at yields in the gilt _ have seen when you look at yields in the gilt market is that credibility is being — the gilt market is that credibility is being recovered at least on that benchmark— is being recovered at least on that benchmark measure but i think that has to— benchmark measure but i think that has to be _ benchmark measure but i think that has to be followed through. a return to the _ has to be followed through. a return to the kind _ has to be followed through. a return to the kind of stability around

policy— making. to the kind of stability around policy—making. gn to the kind of stability around policy-making— to the kind of stability around policy-making. on the currency markets, the _ policy-making. on the currency markets, the value _ policy-making. on the currency markets, the value of- policy-making. on the currency markets, the value of the - policy-making. on the currency| markets, the value of the pound policy-making. on the currency i markets, the value of the pound is still down noticeably. it has recovered from the extreme mini budget record lows. since rishi sunak was last in government in july. sunak was last in government in july, the pound is down 6% against the dollar and down more than 2% against the euro. big decisions for him. will he change his mind from previous positions on national insurance and increasing benefits and tax credits by the current 10% rate of inflation, but before that will he continue with the debt plan one week from today and willjeremy hunt remain chancellor? right now they are keeping their counsel. faisal islam, economic said thank you. the economic challenges. there's added concern for the nhs and social care in england. health in scotland, wales and northern ireland are matters for the devolved governments. officials are warning that this winter could see a so—called "twindemic"

with both covid and flu. and all this while waiting lists and staff vacancies are at record levels. our health editor hugh pym has this assessment of the path ahead. siren wails winter has not fully set in but the nhs is already under severe strain and facing its own state of emergency — a potential nightmare for the new prime minister. hospital and ambulance delays in england will top the in—tray. last month, 29% of patients in a&e had to wait more than four hours before being treated or assessed — a joint record high. a&e units are overcrowded because beds can't be found on the wards and that's because it is a struggle to discharge patients who are medically fit back into the community. the current situation is absolutely gridlocked, where people are stuck in many different places where they shouldn't be, not getting access to the care they need. social care is seen as a major cause of hospital delays, but why?

currently there are 165,000 vacancies in adult social care in england and these shortages help explain why only two in five patients can leave hospital when they are ready to do so. and added to that, there is a lack of funding for residential and home—care. local authorities tell us that they don't have the funding to make sure that the fees they pay the social care sector are sufficient for us to be able to employ and sustainably retain people. the backlog of planned treatments and operations is clearly another challenge for rishi sunak. the waiting list in england is now 7 million, or more than one in eight of the population. mr sunak said during the leadership campaign he wanted to set up a task force to speed up eliminating one—year waits and cutting the backlog, but that will be a big ask. once you've reached a number like 7 million, many people will have friends and family that they will know sitting on waiting lists with very long

waiting times, often that mean people are suffering while waiting to get into hospital. this is a huge issue. then there's the problem of nhs funding. the budget for england next year is £157 billion. that was announced last autumn when rishi sunak was chancellor, with him suggesting it was generous. but that budget was set when inflation was much lower. now, like other organisations, the nhs is faced with escalating costs and continuing covid—related spending, like infection control. pay is hitting the headlines. today, the gmb union launched a ballot on strike action for ambulance staff, and nurses have already started voting on industrial action. health is a devolved issue, so mr sunak will not be alone when it comes to solving pay disputes across the nhs in the uk's

nations this winter. hugh pym, bbc news. the health element in the inbox there. six years after the eu referendum, and the brexit pledges to "take back control" of britain's borders, there are record numbers of people risking their lives to cross the english channel in small boats. the issue of immigration is far from settled. and now the serious shortage of workers is prompting renewed debate about employing people from overseas. our home editor mark easton has been investigating. the resort of scarborough has enjoyed a bumper summer, with millions of visitors opting for a staycation in north yorkshire, but many tourist businesses here are opening late and shutting early. why? they simply can't get enough workers. and i want mushy peas, please. this seafront chippy�*s been operating on reduced hours all season, with half of its restaurant closed off to customers. cod, chips and garden peas. perfect, thank you. when i started three years ago, for instance, we were on eight members of staff. the best i've had this year so far is three.

three?! three. and that's really hitting your bottom line? yeah, definitely. i mean, obviously, the sad thing is, if there is people to be served, we don't have people to serve them. scarborough voted decisively for brexit and an end to free movement from the eu. but the new pm will know that since the referendum campaign, british attitudes to immigration have shifted significantly. seven years ago, two thirds of people told pollsters they wanted immigration to be cut. now, that figure has fallen to under a half. and at the same time the proportion of people who said they wanted immigration actually to go up has risen, from 7% to almost a quarter of british adults. north yorkshire has among the lowest unemployment rates in britain. there simply aren't enough local people to fill available jobs, and we found very few who wanted to rule out using labour from overseas. like many hospitality businesses, this luxury hotel in the dales

has struggled to match people to vacancies. the owner, chairman of the local tory association, says it's better to recruit locally than buy in foreign staff. what we have to do with the business is make sure we stand out in the marketplace as a good employer, somebody that is really exciting and good and a future for people to come here and work. do you pay enough? erm, do we pay enough? again, it's a balance of paying the right amount. i think we pay the right amount. this proud, old yorkshire pie company went bust earlier this month, the owners saying a key factor was a shortage of workers. more than 200 people have lost their jobs, sending a shudder through the county's manufacturing sector. down the road at heck, they can make 1 million sausages a day, but not without foreign labour. two thirds of employees are from overseas, although the family run business would love to attract more from yorkshire.

we simply couldn't operate without foreign workers. the local people just aren't out there, unfortunately. a lot of young people in the area moved to the big cities, go to university, expect to walk into a well—paid job at the end of it, but what we're saying is, you can start from the production floor, learn about the business, learn about supply chain, and you can make a good career of it. there is an argument that britain should wean itself off immigration as a route to economic growth, but pressure is building for the new pm to relax visa rules as the financial skies darken. mark easton, bbc news, north yorkshire. a last word tonight with our political editor chris mason at westminster. chris, when mr sunak talks about profound economic challenges, some of his opponents are saying already that what he means is there is another age of austerity coming up.

is that your understanding? he faces some very. — is that your understanding? he faces some very. very _ is that your understanding? he faces some very, very difficult _ is that your understanding? he faces some very, very difficult decisions i some very, very difficult decisions very, very early on and amongst those are likely to be significant questions about whitehall budgets and squeezes on spending such as the economic legacy he inherits. dee, yes, this is a moment of personal political triumph? yes, this is a moment of personal politicaltriumph? rishi yes, this is a moment of personal political triumph? rishi sunak upo puts loaded with ambition, but it is only a few who managed to get the privilege of walking through that door —— and ill loaded with ambition. the youngest since lord liverpool in 1812, the uk's 57th prime minister. just as was the case with liz truss there will be more honeymoon, instant tough decisions, and central element of that, as you hint at, will be spending. we heard from the chancellorjeremy hunt in the last couple of weeks aboutjust how difficult the decisions he faces i. whether it was heaven or his

successor as chancellor alongside the new prime minister, they will make those tough decisions very soon, perhaps as soon as next monday and they are likely to be painful, politically for him but also for plenty of people around the country as well. is. plenty of people around the country as well. . plenty of people around the country as well. , ., ,, plenty of people around the country as well. . . ,, . . as well. is, we will talk again tomorrow — as well. is, we will talk again tomorrow i — as well. is, we will talk again tomorrowl know. _ as well. is, we will talk again tomorrow i know. chris - as well. is, we will talk again - tomorrowl know. chris mason, our tomorrow i know. chris mason, our political editor. it is five to 11. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. thank you. one of the things you will notice about the next few days is how mild it will feel. in fact, it will feel when i'm at times but there will still be some rain and it is all because of this, the engine run driving a weather at the moment, this big area of low pressure turning to the west of the uk and it is going to be sending some really why i'm here in our direction. you can see these orange shades surging northwards across the chart. that said, but will tone a little bit cool for some overnight tonight. these are starting temperatures tomorrow —— that will tone a little

cruel. this means some spells of sunshine tomorrow. some scattered showers, as you can see, but actually many places won't have many shows and will stay pretty much dry. enter the south—west corner, cloud and rain later in the day with a strengthening wind but these temperatures, 13 for stornoway, 18 for london, a few degrees above where they should be at this time of year but a wet evening tomorrow across south—west england, wales and there is heavy and perhaps thundery rain driving northwards across northern england, into northern ireland and up across scotland. a wet start to wednesday in the north of scotland, bands of showers following on behind through the day on wednesday, some of those heavy and friendly but there will be some spells of sunshine as well. it will be quite a blustery day for all of us and particularly windy and particularly windy alone these western coasts with gusts of around 40-50 western coasts with gusts of around 40—50 miles ones coming from the south bringing that why mayo, 20 degrees quite likely across eastern england and temperatures could climb a little further than that to

thursday and friday, possibly 21 or 22 but there will be some rain particularly to watch the north and west of the uk. huw. then, thank you very much, ben rich with the weather. that is the bbc news at ten on monday, the 24th of october. i will be back with the bbc news special from will be back with the bbc news specialfrom downing street tomorrow but came to join my colleagues across the nations and regions with the news standing by where you are, but thank you for watching from me. good night.

this is bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm kasia madera, our top stories: he will be the third uk prime minister in four months — and the youngest in two hundred years. his message is one of unity we now need stability and unity and i will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together. speaking to the bbc, russia's foreign spy chief denies moscow is engaging in nuclear sabre rattling —and accuses ukraine of planning to use a so called �*dirty bomb'