hello, good evening. this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. our headlines at 5pm: people across the us are casting their votes in crucial midterm elections, as republicans and democrats fight for control of congress. fury tonight over comments from a qatari world cup ambassador who's called homosexuality — in his words — "damage in the mind". government minister sir gavin williamson denies new claims of bullying. he is reported to have told a civil servant to jump out of a window. mr told a civil servant to “ump out of a window. ~ �* told a civil servant to jump out of a window.- ding-dong, i told a civil servant to jump out of- a window.- ding-dong, you're a window. mr bell? ding-dong, you're not wronu! and the veteran comedy actor leslie phillips — star of the carry on films — has died at the age of 98.

sta rs stars from the controversial tv drama the crown are on the red carpet this evening for the premiere of the fifth series. hello, welcome to bbc news. americans are voting in the crucial midterm elections which will decide who controls the two houses of the us congress. the house of representatives is the lower house and the senate, the upper house, which revises legislation. there are 100 senators and each one serves six—year terms. for the past two years, the democratic party has controlled both house and senate, allowing president biden to pass the laws he wants. but if either the house or senate, or both, are controlled by the republicans, the president's agenda is likely to be blocked. the campaign in these elections has been dominated by issues

such as the cost of living, abortion rights, immigration and crime. former president donald trump has been campaigning for the republicans and he's made it clear he's very likely to run again for the white house in two years' time. our north america correspondent nomia iqbal reports from washington. it has the hype and drama of a presidential election. but this isn't about who lives in the white house, it's which party gets to control congress. for the past two years the democratic party has been in charge of both house and senate, allowing president biden to pass the laws he wants. that will more or less end if either chambers, or both, flip to the republicans. however, at times you'd be forgiven for thinking it feels like a presidential election, because it hasn't stopped the current president — or the one he beat two years ago — from campaigning hard.

democracy is on the ballot. political violence and intimidation are on the rise all across america. and you rememberjanuary 6th, the angry mob that stormed the us capitol, attacked law enforcement, hunted down elected officials, erected gallows to hang vice president pence. democrats are worried about the hundreds of republican candidates running in a variety of races. they back donald trump's unsubstantiated claim that the 2020 election was stolen. if they win, they could have a huge say on how elections in their state will run in the future. mr trump still can't let his election loss go. the election was rigged and stolen, and now our country is being destroyed. iran twice, i won twice, and i did much better the second time than i did the first... cheering ..getting millions and millions more votes in 2020 than i got in 2016.

and, likewise, getting more votes than any sitting president in the history of our country. and he keeps hinting he might go for the presidency again in two years. polls suggest election integrity isn't the number one concern for americans, though. a struggling us economy, crime and immigration are all on their minds, so it could be a harsh verdict for the current president. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. we will be live in the united states in a few minutes with our correspondence there, barbara plett usher, and you can follow all of the results of the us midterm elections with caddy cayenne christian fraser on bbc road news tv —— katty kay and

christian fraser on bbc world news. there's been condemnation of comments made by a qatari ambassador to the world cup, who has described homosexuality as a "damage in the mind". qatar has been heavily criticised over its treatment of lgbtq people, with many fans saying they will stay away from the tournament. the comments were made in an interview carried out by the german broadcaster zdf, ahead of the world cup, which starts in less than two weeks' time. khalid salman said that being gay was "haram" — orforbidden — in his country and that football fans visiting qatar would have to abide by its rules. a warning, you may find his comments offensive. for the world cup, a lot of things will be coming here. let's say about the gay. the most important question here. everybody, they will accept them coming here, but they have to accept our rules here. but in the law,

homosexuality is forbidden. this is haram. you know haram? yes, haram. it's haram. but do you think gay is haram? it's haram. because why is haram? i am not one big muslim, but it's haram why? because it's damaging the mind. collegiate salmon there, a world cup ambassador for qatar. collegiate salmon there, a world cup ambassadorfor qatar. let's collegiate salmon there, a world cup ambassador for qatar. let's get more on that. i'm joined now byjustine thomson, the founder of the lgbtq+ football club for women/non—binary people, brighton seagals fc. thank you very much for being with us. what do you make of those comments? he is a qatar ambassador for the world cup. i comments? he is a qatar ambassador for the world cup.— for the world cup. i think the comments — for the world cup. i think the comments are _ for the world cup. i think the comments are unacceptable l for the world cup. i think the i comments are unacceptable and harmful, especially from a world cup ambassador. their role has been described as harnessing the power of football to create positive social change, not only in qatar but also

around the globe, and it feels like comments like that are kind of directly against what a roll of ambassador should be representing in the world cup. what ambassador should be representing in the world cup-— ambassador should be representing in the world cop-— the world cup. what do you think fans, who the world cup. what do you think fans. who are _ the world cup. what do you think fans, who are thinking _ the world cup. what do you think fans, who are thinking of- the world cup. what do you think fans, who are thinking of going i the world cup. what do you think i fans, who are thinking of going even now at this late stage, to qatar, should they go or should they stay home? it should they go or should they stay home? , ., ., , should they go or should they stay home? ,., ._ p should they go or should they stay home? ,., ._ '. ., home? it is a really difficult one. there is a _ home? it is a really difficult one. there is a lot _ home? it is a really difficult one. there is a lot of _ home? it is a really difficult one. there is a lot of talk _ home? it is a really difficult one. there is a lot of talk at _ home? it is a really difficult one. there is a lot of talk at the - home? it is a really difficult one. i there is a lot of talk at the moment of qatar tried to —— try to clean up their image, making it for like a welcoming place, feel comments like this are going to make a lot lgbtq plus people feel more and more excluded from football in general. what people feel more and more excluded from football in general.— from football in general. what about the decision — from football in general. what about the decision in _ from football in general. what about the decision in the _ from football in general. what about the decision in the first _ from football in general. what about the decision in the first place - from football in general. what about the decision in the first place by - the decision in the first place by fifa, world football's governing body, to give the tournament to qatar? sepp blatter has said that he now thinks that was a mistake. was it a mistake in the first place? or does it put pressure on qatar perhaps to change their thinking and their laws? i do

perhaps to change their thinking and their laws? ., ~' perhaps to change their thinking and their laws? ., ~ , their laws? i do think it is difficult one. _ their laws? i do think it is difficult one. sepp - their laws? i do think it is| difficult one. sepp blatter their laws? i do think it is - difficult one. sepp blatter today, when he spoke about the decision being incorrect, he did not directly point to any of these things. he spoke about the country maybe being too small, so he did not allude to the lgbt rights or any of the other difficulties that they have had in the lead up to the world cup. obviously, when hosting any kind of major event in a country, visitors, or even go on a holiday, visitors do need to respect local law, everyone is respectful of that, but in return, if you are going to be hosting something, is your country suitable? is it going to accept there is so much brilliant work going on around the world to make sure lgbt people are included in the game and feel welcome attending at stadiums? if your country or your laws do not allow those people, are you really best suited to be

hostin: ? �* ., ., ., ., hosting? and we gather the national team captains. _ hosting? and we gather the national team captains, people _ hosting? and we gather the national team captains, people like - hosting? and we gather the national team captains, people like harry- team captains, people like harry kane, are going to be wearing an armband with one love, just to demonstrate what they think, really, of qatar's laws and views on homosexuality and proclaim the rights of lgbtq people around the world, and do you admire that? is that the right way forward for the players in the tournament? that. that the right way forward for the players in the tournament? act, i think there's _ players in the tournament? act, i think there's probably _ players in the tournament? act, i think there's probably a _ players in the tournament? act, i think there's probably a limited . think there's probably a limited amount they can do, but i think visibility and speaking out is going to be incredibly important, and i would like to hope that we see these things being spoken about, especially in commentary, in any pre—match build—up, because i think it is a lot of people talking about, take politics away from football, but the game has anna campbell power to create change and build awareness, so i think it is notjust down to the players, but i do think

it is brilliant, especially that our own national captain and the team are going be back in the one love captains armband. i are going be back in the one love captains armband.— are going be back in the one love captains armband. i suppose in terms of awareness. — captains armband. i suppose in terms of awareness, the _ captains armband. i suppose in terms of awareness, the tournament - captains armband. i suppose in terms of awareness, the tournament of - captains armband. i suppose in terms of awareness, the tournament of the | of awareness, the tournament of the study show the number of countries where there are views like this and are laws like this.— are laws like this. yeah, yeah, 10096. are laws like this. yeah, yeah, 100%. countries _ are laws like this. yeah, yeah, 10096. countries are _ are laws like this. yeah, yeah, 10096. countries are in - are laws like this. yeah, yeah, 10096. countries are in very, . are laws like this. yeah, yeah, i 10096. countries are in very, very 100%. countries are in very, very different places, and i think, ironically today, the comments made about homosexuality being a damage in the mind, ironically i think the comments almost create that. it is harmful, it is the spreading of false information and creating a false information and creating a false narratives about lgbtq plus people, so there is a lot of work to be done, but, yeah, ithink people, so there is a lot of work to be done, but, yeah, i think we should be pleased that the countries that are backing inclusive at the end the campaigns are doing every thing they can to get messages out and encourage and make supporters feel welcome where they can. {lilia

feel welcome where they can. 0k, justine, feel welcome where they can. 0k, justine. really _ feel welcome where they can. ok, justine, really good to talk to you. justine, really good to talk to you. justine thomson there, founder of the football club the brighton seagals. we are going to go back to the united states because americans are voting right now in those crucial elections. they will decide who controls the two houses of congress and our correspondent barbara plitt usher is in virginia for us. little less windy than it was when we talk you before, barbara, but how important do you think these midterm elections are for america? thea;r important do you think these midterm elections are for america?— elections are for america? they are si . nificant elections are for america? they are significant because _ elections are for america? they are significant because they _ elections are for america? they are significant because they affect - elections are for america? they are significant because they affect the l significant because they affect the direction of the country, and they have an impact on the integrity of the election system. in terms of the direction of the country, if the republicans take control of one or both houses of congress, and it is widely protected but they will take over at least the house of

representatives, then that means that president biden's agenda will be stopped. he still has to sign legislation into law, so he has certain power, but he will not be able to get his priorities through congress, and that includes for example legislation on climate change, it may also affect all the sea on ukraine, because the republicans have indicated they may not continue support for ukraine at the same level as the democratic controlled legislature post up so that will be a change in terms of governance. in terms of election integrity, and this is new, a new thing for them midterms, which is why they are being watched closely by so many, you have more than half of republican candidates have indicated some doubts about whether president trump really lost the 2020 election and some of whom fully backed his claims that it was stolen from him and some of those are running for office in various states where they will have quite a lot of authority over how election results

are handled, so that could have an impact for the next presidential election, and you also have a sort of climate, i guess you call it, of many republicans becoming very suspicious of elections because of the whole climate around the election fraud claims. they now believe that there is a the potential for election fraud, the system is broken, and so there's a great deal of scrutiny over how these elections are run, so that is also something that has contributed to the atmosphere in the selection. and that atmosphere, that is whyjoe biden has been saying that actually what is at stake in these elections is american democracy itself, never mind the other issues, immigration, crime, the economy, abortion rights and so on?— and so on? yes, that's right. that is what he — and so on? yes, that's right. that is what he is _ and so on? yes, that's right. that is what he is referring _ and so on? yes, that's right. that is what he is referring to - and so on? yes, that's right. that is what he is referring to in - is what he is referring to in particular, the election system, how it is being perceived and how those who are running for office might handle it in the future. if you have a situation where candidates are

competing on their intention to deny election results, if they disagree with them, that is something that can be concerning. i think also another reason he is talking about the threat to democracy is that it is notjust the democrats who are saying that. many replicants 80 same thing and they blame the other party for its. i think republicans, their point of view is that they have suspicions about the election system but they also are uneasy about the way the country is changing, in terms of liberal values and so on, so i think you have at the heart of it quite a polarised nation. it is becoming more polarised. and a large part of the citizens don't trust the election system, and so that creates a very difficult situation. {lilia election system, and so that creates a very difficult situation.— a very difficult situation. 0k, and votin: is a very difficult situation. 0k, and voting is under _ a very difficult situation. 0k, and voting is under way _ a very difficult situation. 0k, and voting is under way now. - a very difficult situation. 0k, and voting is under way now. what i a very difficult situation. 0k, and| voting is under way now. what do a very difficult situation. 0k, and - voting is under way now. what do you think up are the chances of one or both of the houses of congress going to the republicans? bier?

both of the houses of congress going to the republicans?— both of the houses of congress going to the republicans? very good chance that the house — to the republicans? very good chance that the house of _ to the republicans? very good chance that the house of representatives - that the house of representatives will go to the republicans. can't say for sure of course, but the debate is really about how much. will it be a red ripple or will it be a red wave? the senate is not so clear. the republicans need to win one seat there in order to gain a majority, but the races, there's about a handful of races that will matter and they are very tight, some of them too close to call, so the jury of them too close to call, so the jury is out on that one. the voters are out on that one! {lilia jury is out on that one. the voters are out on that one!— are out on that one! 0k, barbara, thank you — are out on that one! 0k, barbara, thank you very — are out on that one! 0k, barbara, thank you very much _ are out on that one! 0k, barbara, thank you very much indeed. - are out on that one! 0k, barbara, i thank you very much indeed. barbara plett usher there. there've been more allegations of bullying against the cabinet office minister, sir gavin williamson. he's reported to have told a civil servant to slit their throat and jump out of a window when he was defence secretary. sir gavin denies bullying. meanwhile, he's been reported to the parliamentary watchdog over

messages he sent to the former chief whip wendy morton. our political correspondent jonathan blake is at westminster. iam sure i am sure the government were hoping that these various claims against gavin williamson would just fade away, but they have not. there have been more today. what has been the reaction in downing street? interesting this afternoon, down a street is made clear it is conducting its own inquiries into gavin williamson's conduct —— downing street. there are as you say a couple of processes under way after the former chief whip wendy morton made a to parliament's independent planes and grievance service, the bullying watchdog, effectively, but that investigation took make money once and there is also an internal conservative party process which is under way —— took make money months. that is all a bit opaque. we do not know what that will involve, so they want to be mindful of the fact that they will be seen on the front foot and making

their own inquiries, downing street saying this afternoon that the prime minister may not wait until those other processes are complete before he decides to take action. what that action may be, whether it will be in gavin williamson's favour or not, you will have to wait and see, but so far, the prime minister has shown no inclination to act swiftly and did rid of gavin williamson from government. he clearly wants him in cabinet and around the cabinet table and he wants them as part of his senior ministerial team unit that means this commentary we are having a various accusations about mr williamson's conduct in the past bubbling away. williamson's conduct in the past bubbling away-— williamson's conduct in the past bubbling away. jonathan, think you ve much bubbling away. jonathan, think you very much indeed. _ bubbling away. jonathan, think you very much indeed. jonathan - bubbling away. jonathan, think you very much indeed. jonathan blake l very much indeed. jonathan blake there, our political correspondent at westminster. some breaking news coming into us. we are hearing that bill treacher

has died. he was one of the original cast members of east enders and he played the role for 11 years. i will read you a family statement about bill treacher. the family are set to announce that bill died late saturday night, his health had been declining for some time. he was much loved by his wife kate and his son jamie and his daughter sophie. bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. he will be hugely missed. there he is, a picture of him, bill treacher, who played it very memorably of course arthur fowler, one of the original cast members in eastenders, and he played that role for 11 years, and he has died. and another death to announce from the world of show business. the veteran actor leslie phillips has died at the age of 98.

he spent eight decades in the entertainment industry and was known for his roles in the carry on films and more recently as the voice of the sorting hat in the harry potter series. his wife said she lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman. sarah campbell looks back at his life. # take a look at me #. hello. hello! hello. # take a look at me #. he was the rake, the cad, the bounder, the ladies man... ..and awfully funny. hi, girls. i'm available. 0h! mr bell? ding—dong, you're not wrong. this way, please. his comic technique was developed in the theatre, but it worked just as well in three early carry on films, on television and on radio. surely i don't have to go to bye—byes? the navy lark ran for 18 years from 1959. with our three stars, - stephen murray, john pertwee and leslie phillips. upa bit. to me. to you.

think of a number and double it. the man most likely to, one of a string of hit west end comedies lasted four years. he starred in it and directed it and made a lot of money. it was an enormous hit. it turned into the biggest hit i've ever had, even though it was crucified by the critics. and i did it over 2,000 times. despite the posh accent, he'd been born a cockney. he'd become a child actor to help his poverty stricken mum after his father died when he was ten. his success reflected his drive, as well as his talent, but he felt he'd become typecast. ijust seemed to fit those sort of roles. it was... i mean, it was marvellous, really, to get those sort of roles, and they seemed important then. it was only later that i realised i was getting into a kind of a rut. i'm sorry to know that kenya will be losing you. in his mid—50s, leslie phillips reinvented himself as a serious actor.

if i were in a hole, you'd be the sort of chap i'd turn to. for the next 30 years he played a succession of character parts and cameo roles. not so much a hole, let's say, more of a... ..crossroads. he was an immensely accomplished actor. well, just think of it, a whole week together in... ..separate rooms. but for many, he'll always remain... ding dong. ..the outrageous womaniser with a twinkle in his eye. oh, you sexy beast. actor leslie phillips, who's died at the age of 98. iam very i am very pleased to say we can talk about his career now with a friend of leslie. newman about 25 years. robert also, british comedy historian who wrote about the actor. what made it that made him so

special? i grew up watching those carry on movies... we special? i grew up watching those carry on movies. . .— special? i grew up watching those carry on movies... we all did. it is that ding-dong _ carry on movies... we all did. it is that ding-dong and _ carry on movies... we all did. it is that ding-dong and charisma. - carry on movies... we all did. it is that ding-dong and charisma. as l carry on movies... we all did. it is. that ding-dong and charisma. as your that ding—dong and charisma. as your report said there, he was done after i have got this not. they want the knot. he played the knot. the only complaint was those carry on films and doctor films were complaint was those carry on films and doctorfilms were not horrendously well played, but they give him a whole world wide identity of this character, this, a bit pg wodehouse. of this character, this, a bit pg wodehouse-— of this character, this, a bit pg wodehouse. , , . ., ,, , wodehouse. posh upper-class, but he was brought— wodehouse. posh upper-class, but he was brought up— wodehouse. posh upper-class, but he was brought up a _ wodehouse. posh upper-class, but he was brought up a cockney? _ wodehouse. posh upper-class, but hej was brought up a cockney? tottenham bo , es. was brought up a cockney? tottenham boy. yes- that — was brought up a cockney? tottenham boy. yes- that is _ was brought up a cockney? tottenham boy, yes. that is the _ was brought up a cockney? tottenham boy, yes. that is the one _ was brought up a cockney? tottenham boy, yes. that is the one we _ was brought up a cockney? tottenham boy, yes. that is the one we talked - boy, yes. that is the one we talked about. i am an arsenalfan, he was a spurs fan! but he was the breadwinner at a very early age. he was forced into becoming an actor and he was one of the very early actors who worked at pinewood studios in the early 1930s, so he

has been acting for a long, long time, and... has been acting for a long, long time. and---_ has been acting for a long, long time, and... .. , ~ time, and... eight decades, ithink. and he is happily — time, and... eight decades, ithink. and he is happily stopped _ time, and... eight decades, ithink. and he is happily stopped at - time, and... eight decades, ithink. and he is happily stopped at all. - and he is happily stopped at all. when you get to 98, nearly 99, what a life, what a legacy!! he has hardly stopped. he loved to be fame those comedy films. i rememberfans asking for autographs at premieres and he would always sign, hello, or ding—dong. one attractive young lady, he actually signed ding ding by mistake, and wrote, i'm right out of don. he played out of —— he played out the character. -- he played out the character. not necessarily — —— he played out the character. not necessarily political correct! -- he played out the character. not necessarily political correct! he - -- he played out the character. not necessarily political correct! he is l necessarily political correct! he is the wonderful _ necessarily political correct! he is the wonderful british _ necessarily political correct! he: 3 the wonderful british eccentric character. that goes back to all that tradition of the upper—class

twit, really, which leslie phelps made his own for 50, 60 years. bind made his own for 50, 60 years. and we were just — made his own for 50, 60 years. and we were just hearing in sarah campbell's report he maybe got typecast in a way? he campbell's report he maybe got typecast in a way?— typecast in a way? he did not, reall . typecast in a way? he did not, really- if _ typecast in a way? he did not, really- if you _ typecast in a way? he did not, really. if you get _ typecast in a way? he did not, really. if you get his _ typecast in a way? he did not, really. if you get his theatre i typecast in a way? he did not, - really. if you get his theatre were, he was doing shakespeare, virtual direct... he did a show at the admiralfringe in the direct... he did a show at the admiral fringe in the 80s. the problem is because of the leslie phill and drfilms and all problem is because of the leslie phill and dr films and all the comedy comes he made in 50s and 60s were on tv all the time... comedy comes he made in 50s and 60s were on tv all the time. . .— were on tv all the time. .. and still are. and still— were on tv all the time. .. and still are. and still are! _ were on tv all the time. .. and still are. and still are! they _ were on tv all the time. .. and still are. and still are! they are never. are. and still are! they are never auoin to are. and still are! they are never going to go _ are. and still are! they are never going to go away. _ are. and still are! they are never going to go away, those - are. and still are! they are never going to go away, those films. i are. and still are! they are never. going to go away, those films. but he was a actor, like i say, he came from a very working—class background, so anyjob was good. he would put his unique stamp on it. he would put his unique stamp on it. he would leslie phil—ify it and make it his own. would leslie phil-ify it and make it his own. �* ., .,, his own. and he also was in the harry potter— his own. and he also was in the harry potter series. _ his own. and he also was in the harry potter series. he - his own. and he also was in the harry potter series. he told - his own. and he also was in the harry potter series. he told mej his own. and he also was in the - harry potter series. he told me that

was not a voiceover, _ harry potter series. he told me that was not a voiceover, he _ harry potter series. he told me that was not a voiceover, he was - harry potter series. he told me that was not a voiceover, he was fitted i was not a voiceover, he was fitted with a hat with a hot on —— with a hat on. if you watch those films, it is very much leslie phillips's mannerisms antics. it is not a voiceover, and he was very proud of that. but you can still hear his voice in the studios outside watford. that is a sort of immortality for leslie phillips. but he was just immortality for leslie phillips. but he wasjust a immortality for leslie phillips. but he was just a wonderful, wonderful man. i will miss him dearly, but as i say, nearly 99, you cannot complain. abs, i say, nearly 99, you cannot complain-— i say, nearly 99, you cannot comlain. �* ., ., complain. a wonderful life and welder member— complain. a wonderful life and welder member by _ complain. a wonderful life and welder member by you, - complain. a wonderful life and welder member by you, and i complain. a wonderful life and - welder member by you, and thank you so much for your tribute, robert ross. —— a wonderful tribute. let us take you back to those allegations of bullying. gavin williamson reported to have told a civil servant to slit their throat and jump out a window. that is when he was defence secretary. sir gavin has been reported to parliament's bullying watchdog but denies the allegations of bullying. the shadow work and pensions

secretary, jonathan ashworth, is at westminster. what do you make of these latest allegations against sir gavin, which he is denying? they have been reported in the guardian today but he is denying them. thea;r reported in the guardian today but he is denying them.— he is denying them. they are astonishing, _ he is denying them. they are astonishing, quite _ he is denying them. they are astonishing, quite frankly - he is denying them. they are | astonishing, quite frankly but he is denying them. they are - astonishing, quite frankly but they are currently serious. it is staggering cabinet minister could make such suggestions. i appreciate he is denying those ones, but as i understand it, not denying that he said some the other things, to other people, and we have seen some of his quite frankly deeply offensive text messages and inappropriate text messages and inappropriate text messages to a woman, conservative mp. ithink messages to a woman, conservative mp. i think in the end, this all comes down to rishi sunak�*s shocking judgment in bringing gavin williamson back. he was, i think, probably one of the worst education secretaries this country has ever seen, did nothing to support children through very serious in our history, the pandemic. the idea he's been brought back in a cabinet by

rishi sunak suggest that rishi sunak has monumentalfailure rishi sunak suggest that rishi sunak has monumental failure ofjudgment has monumental failure of judgment here has monumental failure ofjudgment here and of course, on the celebrator meant appointment as well. ~ �* ., ., ., celebrator meant appointment as well. �* ., ., , well. we're hearing down a street is sa in: well. we're hearing down a street is saying they — well. we're hearing down a street is saying they are _ well. we're hearing down a street is saying they are an _ well. we're hearing down a street is saying they are an informal - saying they are an informal investigation... saying they are an informal investigation. . .— saying they are an informal investigation... what does that mean, though? _ investigation... what does that mean, though? surely - investigation... what does that mean, though? surely rishi . investigation... what does that i mean, though? surely rishi sunak should show some leadership and say, i am knuckling to stand for this in my cabinet. i do not understand what gavin williamson brings to the cabinet. he has a rearjob, minister without portfolio. he has the mean chief whip figure, because he has seen that on television dramas. a lot of politicians do not act like that whatsoever. he is a sort of cartoonish character and he is bullying colleagues in an offensive comments to colleagues, it is not what we need. . i mention he has rejected this

allegation. he also said he has always enjoyed good working relationships with the many brilliant officials that he worked with across government, so he is saying he has always had good relationships with civil servants. i mean, let me tell you something. i once asked a very senior cabinet minister, not in the cabinet any more, why on earth leaders keep the sky in place, and he said, oh, gavin williamson has a black book on all the tory mps and knows all their secrets. what earth is that all about? why are they humouring this night if that is his modus operandi? i think rishi sunak has shown a coronary lack ofjudgment in bringing this person back and his failure to deal with him, even though we have seen the text matches now, suggest how weak rishi sunak actually is. is now, suggest how weak rishi sunak actuall is. , ., , now, suggest how weak rishi sunak actuall is. , . , , ., actually is. is there anything you can do about _ actually is. is there anything you can do about it? _ actually is. is there anything you can do about it? is _ actually is. is there anything you can do about it? is there - actually is. is there anything you | can do about it? is there anything the opposition or the liberte can do about it? as we said, there are various investigations going on into gavin —— the labour party can do about it?

gavin -- the labour party can do about it? ., ., ~' gavin -- the labour party can do about it? ., ., , , about it? look, not really is there. in the end, — about it? look, not really is there. in the end. it— about it? look, not really is there. in the end, it is— about it? look, not really is there. in the end, it is up— about it? look, not really is there. in the end, it is up to _ about it? look, not really is there. in the end, it is up to rishi - in the end, it is up to rishi sunak to show some leadership. gavin williamson, i am to show some leadership. gavin williamson, iam not to show some leadership. gavin williamson, i am not sure if he has done an interview to a conference off on these matters. he seems to enjoy having this reputation. i am sure he has not got that black book that taurean piece suggest to me! but he revels in this kind of machiavellian reputation. i don't understand what he is needed around the cabinet table. rishi sunak is shoving a complete lack ofjudgment and having brought him back. jonathan ashworth, thank you for your time this evening on bbc news. thank you. this evening, the stars from netflix�*s hit series the crown will be walking down the red carpet as they celebrate the premiere of the fifth series. the new series is set to cover storylines including martin bashir�*s controversial panorama interview with diana and the subsequent media storm surrounding her

relationship with charles. a royal expert can actually plenty of royal experts unhappy about the series. our media and arts correspondent, david sillito is at the premiere now in central london. absolutely. we have had several series of the crown already of course taking us from the story of the 1940s to the 1990s but nothing has had the amount of coverage before everyone is a chance to see a single second of the show in comparison with the series. that is because we have reached the 1990s, this is the period of peak interest in the royal family, this is the period of peak interest in the royalfamily, the this is the period of peak interest in the royal family, the story of the turbulent marriage of charles and diana. and of course that interview with princess diana. he has just walked past us a minute or two ago. uncomfortable viewing even

if it was the most civil back simple recitation of the royal family. also of course the bbc with the martin by sheer interview and all the controversy surrounding that. then there is the added element of what there is the added element of what the screenwriter has added some of the screenwriter has added some of the conversations, the meetings. for a former prime ministerjohn majors to say it is malicious and nonsense, the portrayal of him in a meeting with prince charles. alluding to the idea of a possible abdication because prince charles considered himself or according to the polls to be gaining in popularity, he said was a barrel load of nonsense. there is a load of cura that has greeted the media before hand. whatever you say about crown it certainly has the ability to attract attention. i suppose the more a trench and it attracts the better it is for netflix. they probably don't mind the controversy because it gets the more viewers.

the controversy because it gets the more viewers-— more viewers. have a look at netflix, it'sjust _ more viewers. have a look at netflix, it'sjust been - more viewers. have a look at netflix, it'sjust been a - netflix, it's just been a introducing a new advertising t. it's having its viewing rated now by the ratings agency. they are very interested in the numbers, it used to be just the interested in the numbers, it used to bejust the number of interested in the numbers, it used to be just the number of people who would be streaming, the number of subscribers, now they are interested how many people are watching each individual program. the crown was from 81 the crown jewel of netflix —— the crown. they wouldn't be having all this for an area for a tv program. the rain is coming down but it is a degree of hollywood glitz for a launch of a tv program. a few years ago utterly unheard of. for this it is parfor the years ago utterly unheard of. for this it is par for the course for a programme that has made quite so many headlines.— programme that has made quite so many headlines. a little bit of rain. it's get the weather forecast.

some torrential downpours and places across sussex and kent is that line of very heavy showers over the last few hours. it stays quite showered through tonight and into tomorrow. i think tomorrow not quite as showers, the showers won't be as frequent or heavy than what we had today. we should see good amount of sunshine. low—pressure sitting to the north of the uk, that will continue to generate a few showers overnight. most affecting the northwest of scotland, close to the centre of the low. we will still have quite a few heavy ones across southern counties of england, the wind stronger in exposure here around the coasts and over hills. not so much for the inland. temperatures four to 10 degrees and i've put up tomorrow we start offered fairly heavy showers but into the afternoon though showers become few and further between, increasing amounts of sunshine, wins not quite as strong. still quite windy in the north of scotland, top temperatures 11 to 1a degrees. it turns a lot mild as we had to thursday and friday. stays very windy, could be rain in the far

northwest of the uk but in the sunshine we could be into the high teens. well above what we expect this time of year. i will hand you to ben. thank you. we've got a few sports round—up as well. more on that controversial world cup withjustin a few days now. 13 days ago. as you've been hearing, it's been an uncomfortable day for organisers of the world cup. the controversy rumbles on, as even the man who was president of fifa when qatar was awarded the tournament in 2010 has reiterated his comments that it was a mistake. sepp blatter told swiss newspaper tages anzeiger, the country is too small and football and the tournament is too big for it. he said the tournament was handed to the gulf state because of the actions of the former uefa president michel platini, under pressure from france's then

president, nicolas sarkozy. liverpool's assistant manager pep lijnders insists the players have not been distracted by talk of a potential sale by the club's owners. yesterday, it emerged the american—based fsg were open to accepting new shareholders and hadn't ruled out putting the club on the market. lijnders says they staff and players were made aware of the situation 10 days ago so it had not come as a surprise. i think the table is clear, it's nothing new for a club to find new investors. it's nothing new that a club tries to find investors to create what i said. they are acting in the best terms of the club, they try to take the club forward. i believe they always did. for me, they are good owners. for me, they are good owners. ben stokes has backed england to "come good" in their t20 semi final with india on thursday as they look to reach sunday's final in australia.

india — arguably the most impressive side so far — topped their group with four wins from five, while england were second in their�*s after struggling to find consistency. the adelaide oval is expected to be sold out for a clash of the titans between the two top—ranked teams in the world on thursday. they are obviously one of the best teams in the world and we know we are going to come up against a strong team. we are a team that don't tend to focus too much on the opposition, we like to think about the process in which we want to go out there and play our cricket, and we know that if we execute anywhere near where we want to be, then we are a very hard team to beat. it's probably one thing that we have highlighted through this, we know we have not quite made our best performance, but this is where it counts. england rugby union head coach eddiejones has taken the blame for his side's shock home defeat to argentina over the weekend — their fifth defeat in nine tests this year, jones admitted it was partly caused by preparation being too focussed on next year's world cup,

but attention now to turns to beating japan at home on saturday. whenever you are doesn't play to the potential that you want, there is always something in the message that you're giving the team that is not quite clear. when i reflect on the game, we're looking at a number of long—term strategy usually try to employ to get ourselves set for the world cup and maybe our focus wasn't tight enough on the argentinian game. the women's rugby world cup final will be a very special occassion for all england and new zealand players who take to the field in auckland on saturday, but it particularly significant for claudia macdonald. in april she was told that her rugby career could be over due to a neck injury sustained last year. the scrum—half turned winger has defied the odds by not only returning to the squad, but being one of england's top player's at the tournament. having the initial call to say that rugby might

be on the table again, to then invited into world cup training. my expectations would never have been to be sat here right now. every step was, ok, maybe i can do this, maybe i can do the preseason, give myself the best chance of being selected. even when i was selected, i wasn't sure how much i would play. and here we are, going into a world cup final. really excited to see how we get on. we're really excited to see how we get on. we have got to look forward to on saturday. we have got to look forward to on saturday. just time to tell you that that billie jean king cup hasjust got underway in glasgow. great britain taking on kazakhstan — with katie boulter kicking things off. nothing to be nervous about. katie has taken the first step they are for the second set on the way. you can watch this live on the bbc sport website and app right now. that's bbc. c0. uk/sport. a full round up with hugh on sportsday at half six. bye, thank you very much. have a

good evening. have a good evening. let's return to our top story this hour as americans are vote in the crucial midterm elections which will decide who controls the two houses of the us congress. the result will shape the next two years of politics and could make legislation difficult for president biden. and maybe create a gridlock in washington. and maybe create a gridlock in washington. let's speak now to dr leslie vinjamuri of the royal institute of international affairs who is in atlanta, georgia. thank you for being with us. georgia could be a really pivotal state, couldn't it in the race for control of the senate in particular? that's riuht. not of the senate in particular? that's right- not only — of the senate in particular? that's right. not only a _ of the senate in particular? that's right. not only a pivotal— of the senate in particular? that's right. not only a pivotal state - right. not only a pivotal state where it could be quite close but he could go to a runoff. that's what we will find out in the next day or two, it might take it a few more days or not. but if neither of the two candidates at the 50% that he goes to a runoff and is carried off

until december six. this is familiar to those who watch us elections. but it's certainly possible that it could decide who has the majority in the senate. fine could decide who has the ma'ority in the senate. ., ., ,., , the senate. one of the reason these midterm elections _ the senate. one of the reason these midterm elections are _ the senate. one of the reason these midterm elections are fascinating i the senate. one of the reason these midterm elections are fascinating is| midterm elections are fascinating is joe biden has said democracy is at stake here because there are a lot of republican candidates who won't necessarily accept electoral defeat. yes. president biden, the democratic party is really focused on democracy being at stake. it's focused on abortion rights, i think the republicans as we know are really narrowly and powerfully for many people focus on the economy and on crime. but you are absolutely right to say that one of the things that we're certainly watching here in georgia is whether this will be eight non—violent election, whether there will be a peaceful transition. what level of voter suppression will there be? these are all very

significant issues in an election words very much not only getting voters to change their minds but about getting voters to turn out to the polls, to feel comfortable doing that, feel they can take the time off work to do that, that's really been the drive across the state. this is a state that's one of the most critical states of the united states. it is demographic change happening in the next presidential election. the state of georgia is going to be much closer to being not a white majority state when it comes to voters. it's a highly diverse electorate. again, it sort of sets the tone for a lot of what we're seeing nationally. d0 the tone for a lot of what we're seeing nationally.— seeing nationally. do those demographic— seeing nationally. do those demographic changes i seeing nationally. do those demographic changes help| seeing nationally. do those i demographic changes help the democrats more than the republicans, do you think? thea;r democrats more than the republicans, do you think?— do you think? they certainly do if --eole do you think? they certainly do if people turn _ do you think? they certainly do if people turn out _ do you think? they certainly do if people turn out and _ do you think? they certainly do if people turn out and vote. - do you think? they certainly do if| people turn out and vote. beyond do you think? they certainly do if. people turn out and vote. beyond a shadow of a doubt black voters are leaning heavily towards the democrats as they have. and the big

vote here, there is a question again about getting people to the polls, do they feel that their votes matter? what we saw over the last week was a whole release of polls that started to tell a story that basically, the election result was decided in favour of the democrats, i think. there is a concern that that might have depressed peoples interest in making the effort and taking the time to go to the polls. but if you look at sunday's results by the new york times it suggests that actually voted in pain intensity, how much people care about these elections i want to vote was pretty much equal. lots of questions about the polls. we know that this year they polling is less certain, less accurate than it has been even in the past. we all know in the uk as well as the us that the polls don't always tell us what we need to know. they certainly affect how people feel about voting. that is high—stakes in an election where

who controls the senate might well come down to whether or not people make the effort to vote. let’s come down to whether or not people make the effort to vote.— make the effort to vote. let's look at the pictured _ make the effort to vote. let's look at the pictured nationally. - make the effort to vote. let's look at the pictured nationally. what i make the effort to vote. let's look| at the pictured nationally. what are your predictions? do you think one or both houses of congress will go to the republicans and what does that then mean to dojoe biden three remaining years of his presidency? i do think it's going to be very hard for the democrats to hold onto the house. i think the senate is going to be very tight and i just wouldn't want to call it. not least because i definitely don't want to affect whether people turn up and go to the polls but if those two houses go to republicans this becomes a very difficult climate for the president. evenif difficult climate for the president. even ifjust the house does very hard for their president to get through legislation where he has had a good good run of it. the focus now will be on implementation. but quite frankly people in europe and across the uk watching america are now going to be focused on what comes

next. this is the beginning, after this election the beginning of the presentjargon doing that presidential elections. donald trump has said he —— presidential election president chavez said he may make a run for the president biden will need to decide whether he will run again. these are big calculations and will shape politics in washington not least in congress and that will have a big impact on president biden said focus. but, and i think the big butt is a lot of foreign policy that is coming out of this administration has bipartisan support. we expect to see quite a lot of continuity.— lot of continuity. good to talk to ou. and you can follow all the results and analysis of the us midterm elections with katy kay and christian fraser on bbc world news tv from 11.15 pm gmt

and on the bbc news website and app. the margaret processing centre in kent. the numbers of all and again to around 1200. that is down from a peak of around 4000 last week. among those on that visit was dame diana johnson, labourand those on that visit was dame diana johnson, labour and mp of the committee. she has got back and she is in our west minister studio. thank you very much for being with us. what were your impressions? oi us. what were your impressions? of course we us. what were your impressions? oi course we were pleased to us. what were your impressions? iii course we were pleased to see that the number of people being held there had gone down from over 4000 to about 1200. but we also met people who had been there for many days, families who were sleeping and living in marquise. mums and dads and their children with just limited

access to fresh air. we're still very concerned about what's going to happen this month. we know last year in november there was a lot like a real spike in the number of people who came across in small boats. we're also really concerned how it was allowed to happen that we got to the point where there were 4000 people at a centre designed for 1600. we certainly will have questions for the home secretary when she comes before the committee on the 23rd of november.— on the 23rd of november. downing street is saying — on the 23rd of november. downing street is saying the _ on the 23rd of november. downing street is saying the prime - on the 23rd of november. downing street is saying the prime ministerj street is saying the prime minister is making good progress in new arrangements with the french to stop so many migrants come across the channel. d0 so many migrants come across the channel. , ., .., so many migrants come across the channel. ,., .., . channel. do you welcome back? of course. channel. do you welcome back? of course- we — channel. do you welcome back? of course. we said _ channel. do you welcome back? of course. we said in _ channel. do you welcome back? of course. we said in our _ channel. do you welcome back? of course. we said in our report i channel. do you welcome back? of course. we said in our report in i channel. do you welcome back? of| course. we said in our report in the summer on the small boat crossings there is no one single thing you can do to solve the problem. one of the things you need to do is get better arrangements in place with the french. we welcome that added impetus that the prime minister is giving to getting those arrangements right. the government need to look at the backlog in the system, which

is meant that 170,000 people waiting for their asylum claims to be determined, they are still in hotels. that is what caused the logjam in the system and why we got to 4000 people in manston in october. there are a range of things that are needed to do for that we got recommendations for the government of perhaps having some pilots, allowing asylum claims to be made in france for people wanting to come to the united kingdom. we think that would be worth piloting to see if that would stop people getting into small boats. a range of options we think need looking at. de into small boats. a range of options we think need looking at.— we think need looking at. do you acce -t we think need looking at. do you accept with _ we think need looking at. do you accept with the _ we think need looking at. do you accept with the home _ we think need looking at. do you accept with the home secretary. we think need looking at. do you i accept with the home secretary was saying the other day, quite a lot of these migrants are single albanian man? ~ �* , ., , man? we've been looking at this issue for the _ man? we've been looking at this issue for the last _ man? we've been looking at this issue for the last couple - man? we've been looking at this issue for the last couple years. l man? we've been looking at this i issue for the last couple years. one year ago it was about a few hundred albanian men coming over. this year it's gone up to 12,000. we decided on the home affairs select committee to have a specific hearing to look at what actually happened this year and what has driven that number of

young men to come across. it's not just young men, we have families from albania coming across. we know there are real issues around traffic and, particularly women for the sex industry. i think we want to understand this better. the other problem is that peoples claims are not being determined quickly enough. 96% of the people who came across/ i haven't had their claims decided on. we're not sure what is going to be the result of the albanians who have come to share until those claims have been decided and whether they are legitimate asylum—seekers, whether they have been trafficked, we're waiting to get that information.— we're waiting to get that information. ~ . ., ,., information. what with the labour pa do if information. what with the labour party do if you _ information. what with the labour party do if you are _ information. what with the labour party do if you are in _ information. what with the labour| party do if you are in government? the current government is not doing to stop so many small boats coming across the channel?— across the channel? yvette cooper, the shadow — across the channel? yvette cooper, the shadow home _ across the channel? yvette cooper, the shadow home secretary - across the channel? yvette cooper, the shadow home secretary and i across the channel? yvette cooper, | the shadow home secretary and has talked about a number of things. investing in the national crime agency, having a specific cell

within that agency to work across europe to make sure that there is coordinated, more coordination, to stop the people traffickers and the organised criminal games at the heart of this. that is important. she's also set about the need to get rid of that backlog so we can have a system that is quick, humane, efficient and fair. i think that is very important. she has already talked about some of the things that if labour were in government we would do. i have to say from the home affairs select committee view, we had a whole suite of recommendations that we put to government and we're hoping they might give them a second look. they rejected most of them but we think there are some good things in there that they could do to help alleviate the problems they've got now and potentially will carry on having for some time. potentially will carry on having for some time-— some time. downing say say the prime minister spending _ some time. downing say say the prime minister spending a _ some time. downing say say the prime minister spending a lot _ some time. downing say say the prime minister spending a lot of— some time. downing say say the prime minister spending a lot of time - some time. downing say say the prime minister spending a lot of time on i minister spending a lot of time on this issue, that he is getting a grip on this issue. do this issue, that he is getting a grip on this issue.— grip on this issue. do you welcome that? i welcome _ grip on this issue. do you welcome that? i welcome him _ grip on this issue. do you welcome that? i welcome him getting i grip on this issue. do you welcome that? i welcome him getting a i grip on this issue. do you welcome that? i welcome him getting a gripj that? i welcome him getting a grip on the issue but we shouldn't have

got to the point where we have 4000 people at manston at the end of october. legally there are some real questions about how they were detained, whether they were illegally detained and we know there are court cases starting on that. it's not satisfactory for anybody to have that number of people in a processing centre that was designed for 1600 and to go through on a 24 hour basis. it's not right that families are there for days on end and it's not right that we're spending so much on hotels, £5.6 million a day on hotels. that is because the backlog hasn't been dealt with. , . ., g ., ., ,, dealt with. diana johnson, thank you ve much dealt with. diana johnson, thank you very much for— dealt with. diana johnson, thank you very much for your _ dealt with. diana johnson, thank you very much for your time. _ dealt with. diana johnson, thank you very much for your time. thank i dealt with. diana johnson, thank you very much for your time. thank you | very much for your time. thank you for being with us on bbc news. thank you for being with us on bbc news. many headteachers in england say they may have to cut the number of teaching staff because of pressure on their budgets. a survey by the headteachers union found two thirds of its members said they'll have to make teaching assistants redundant or cut their hours.

the government says it's giving schools an extra four billion pounds in funding this year. here's our education editor, bra nwen jeffreys. it's all go for these four and five—year—olds, learning through new experiences. but making the sums add up is getting harder. some teaching assistants have left and not been replaced. that's because the bills are going up. we are tightening our belts and it gets to a point where, how much more can you tighten? we are shopping around as much as we can to make sure that we're getting the best possible deal on milk and paper, but that takes a lot of time, and also those prices change. so we are doing our very best, but i don't think it sustainable to keep at this level of tightening, because there's only so much you can strip back before, actually, the impact on the children is massive. these are just some of their rising costs. the 5% teachers�* pay increase is £90,000 extra.

the cost to the school of each meal up from £2.30 to £2.87. the bus for one school trip, up from £870 to £1,070. paper, up from £1.95 a box to £3.87. this school won't put up the school meal price. family budgets are already squeezed. parents know it's hitting the school too. schools are having to use the budget they've got to pay the pay rises for the teachers, and then everything else is increasing. it will have a detrimental effect, probably, next year or the year after. i think there's a lot - of pressure on the school. they're doing a fantasticjob trying to raise funds by doing _ lots of other activities and stuff, but i think it's difficult for them. i mean, i don't know what they are going to do in the long run, because there's not an endless pot of money there everyone's got.

schools are managing for now, but today head teachers are warning there are no more easy savings. so what's the big picture on funding? well, schools in england are getting cash increases from the government. but all the costs are rising so rapidly that they're beginning to outstrip that extra money. and that's why this head teacher is worried. the only people who are missing out, you know, the impact of all of this, is the children. if we're not giving them the education they deserve now, what are we all doing? school spending is up £4 billion this year. the government says there is energy help too. but many head teachers say they are facing too much uncertainty. branwenjeffreys, bbc news, west bromwich. we can talk to her about this but the general secretary of education union. is this a picture you

recognise that schools are going to have to potentially lay off some teachers, teacher assistants, cut teaching hours?— teachers, teacher assistants, cut teaching hours? that is the position that we're forecasting _ teaching hours? that is the position that we're forecasting unless i teaching hours? that is the position that we're forecasting unless the i that we're forecasting unless the government changes track. and obviously, partly we want to government to change track on november the 17th. schools have been cut since 2015. the government put a bit of extra money in an 2019 and things started to improve and things are going down again from next april. they have a go back to where they were in 2015 and now they are heading down again. as you've just been here and in that report there's not been enough money even for the inadequate pay rises that we've had. we do pay raises which means that we're losing teachers, people not coming into the profession, even those not funded well enough. we're calling for the government to fund our children's education properly and to fund proper pay rises for the people who work in the schools. thea;r people who work in the schools. they are sa in: , people who work in the schools. they are saying, the government are

putting in an extra 4 billion. you can't 'ust putting in an extra 4 billion. you can'tjust look— putting in an extra 4 billion. you can'tjust look at _ putting in an extra 4 billion. you can't just look at the _ putting in an extra 4 billion. you. can't just look at the man would can'tjust look at the man would not money they're spending for top you have to look at the outgoing schools as well. we're forecasting that on the governments current plans that 90% of schools will have real terms cuts again from next april. we've launched the website cut .org .uk where parents can look at the impact on their child's school in particular i got it open on a screen in front of me. a particular primary school, £73,000 we're forecasting for next april if the government carries on on the current track for that we want parents to look at that website and help us lobby the government that education should be a source of investment. as should our health service. we need good services, we need to have enough paid to keep people, nurses and hospitals, teachers and support staff and school. you hospitals, teachers and support staff and school.— hospitals, teachers and support staff and school. you can lobby but ou miaht staff and school. you can lobby but you might well _ staff and school. you can lobby but you might well be _ staff and school. you can lobby but

you might well be told _ staff and school. you can lobby but you might well be told by - staff and school. you can lobby but you might well be told by the i you might well be told by the government know because this is a time that they've already warned us that they've got to balance the books at something like a £50 billion black hole that's gotta be filled somehow. the chancellor is doing his sums at the moment but it doesn't look like he's going to be splashing the cash anytime soon. it's not myjob to be chancellor of the exchequer but it is myjob to speak up for education, to speak up for the people work in education and for the people work in education and for the people work in education and for the young people in education. i think the chancellor needs to look at some of the distribution of wealth in this country in order to find the resources, he needs to look at the billions that some corporations are reporting in profits. the new prime minister has been talking about education as being an important way of the country going forward. that has got to be right but you can't do it without investing in education and thatis without investing in education and that is investing in the pay of people who work in effigy demand education, the fabric of the building and the level of funding.

there are no easy savings left for that we're already at the highest class sizes in europe, there is no way of making these changes without damaging education yet again. we're calling for government to invest in our young people's education. we will see what happens. good to talk to you for the joint general secretary of the national education union. many thanks. that is just about it from me. let's look at the weather forecast now. it's been a very shari day once again heavy downpours and places. in spurts with sunny spells. we hold onto the sunshine and shower theme into tomorrow. they will be fewer showers around and it won't be quite as windy. but the shower activity continues this evening and overnight, again at some of them heavy across southern and western areas, all tied in with this area of low pressure. centre of it sitting to the northwest of scotland for the hearing will be windy as with most of showers affecting people in the

highlands in ireland. for the further south clear spells but again, southern england into the southwest of the parts of wales will seep frequent and at times heavy showers. overnight lows, four to 10 degrees. nowhere particularly cold with the strength of the wind and also the cloud and showers. wednesday morning starts off quite blustery, there will be further showers from the word go. as we head through the afternoon the wind started a little bit lighter, coming in from the southwest and increasing amounts of sunshine for the up some area staying dry altogether. central and eastern areas with the average wind speed so not as strong as what we had yesterday, still quite windy around the northwest of scotland. some pretty intense because they are temperature wise, 11 to 15 degrees. probably a degree or so down on what we had through the afternoon. beyond wednesday we see high pressure building over the near continent. that will try and keep these weather fronts out of bay but they will grace scotland and northern ireland at times over the next few days. what this airflow will do is drag

very warm airfrom what this airflow will do is drag very warm air from the azores, right across our shores. it will be noticeably very mild thursday and friday by day and night. quite a lot of cloud around. drizzle over some western hills, more persistent rain for western scotland, northern ireland closer to those weather fronts for the pets of any sunshine will be towards the south and east of england the temperature are high teens and places. a very mild guy to come thursday night, takes us into friday. similar note, very windy and also extremely mild for the persistent rain expecting the scotland and northern ireland for the sum drizzle across the hills and the sum drizzle across the hills and the best in the south temperatures may be 18 degrees. very mild end to the working week. it stays pretty mild into the weekend as well. by sunday it looks like things will start to be wetter and windier across western areas later.

today at six: further controversy and concerns over qatar's strict laws as thousands of football fans prepare to travel to the world cup in less than a fortnight. �*it damages the mind' — the verdict on homosexuality from one of the tournament's ambassadors as the former fifa president says the world cup shouldn't have gone to qatar. the world cup, it's 32 teams. it's a big, big organisation. it needs also a big country. qatar is too small to do that. the gulf state has also been criticised for its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers. also on the programme: caring for loved ones with dementia — the families struggling to cope amid a record number of vacancies in adult care.