this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. energy firms are preparing for the government to change course and maintain similar levels of support for households with their energy bills and not reduce help from the end of the month as planned. palestinian officials say israeli forces have shot dead a 15—year—old boy in the west bank. the israeli army say the boys were throwing fireworks at cars. labour defends the decision to offer a job to the former civil servant sue gray who oversaw the investigation into lockdown parties in downing street. a bbc invesitagtion finds hundreds of dogs are being smuggled into the uk from illegal puppy mills in eastern europe. and the big reveal —

glastonbury festival announces arctic monkeys and guns n' roses as their 2023 headliners. hello and welcome, if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the bbc understands that some energy firms are expecting the uk government to keep support at, or near, current levels and are amending their bills with that expectation in mind. the typical energy bill for a household in the uk is set to rise to £3,000 a year from april, but there have been calls for the government to keep its current level of support. this support currently means the government is limiting the typical bill to £2,500 a year,

plus a £400 winter discount. that support is due to end in april and fuel poverty campaigners say that means the number of households struggling to afford bills could rise from 6.7 million to 8.4 million. a treasury source said it wouldn't comment on speculation, but the chancellorjeremy hunt told the bbc a couple of weeks ago that help on energy bills was under review. our business correspondent theo leggett has more. what the government is doing is subsidising energy bills, so the wholesale price of energy is very high, that would be unaffordable for many households, so there is a difference between what 0fgem says retailers can charge and what consumers are paying, and that difference is made up by the government. in the autumn, wholesale energy prices, the international price of gas and electricity, was very, very high. nobody knew how long the prices would stay high for. the government was facing a very

steep bill for this, it still is, but less than it would have done, because what has happened is gas prices which at the height of the summer for example were 8a0p a therm have fallen to 120p. when retailers are buying gas and generating electricity from the gas, it has gone down. the cost of the whole scheme to the government has also gone down. it is still going to be around £30 billion across the length of the programme. but it is a lot less than it would have been. now campaigners are saying the cost to the government has come down, therefore does it really need to implement the increase in the energy price cap from £2,500 for a typical household, up to £3,000? a growing body says the government has more leeway so it can keep the subsidy in place for longer. what would the impact on the economy be if the support continues at its current level?

it will stop a number of households falling into energy poverty, struggling with bills, and that is the primary concern. there may be impacts on inflation as well because people would not be seeing such big increases in bills. what we were expecting in april was notjust the energy price guarantee, which is the cap the government puts on energy bills, going up by £500, we have also in the winter had an energy price discount of £400, so the reality would be that without any change now, bills would be going up by by effectively £900 a year as of april. and that is what opposition politicians and poverty campaigners are saying could be reversed. joining me now is simon french, chief economist at the investment bank panmure gordon. thank you forjoining us. what many have said is given the change in wholesale gas prices, this would be

a very affordable thing for the government to continue with? that is absolutely right. _ government to continue with? that is absolutely right, when _ government to continue with? that is absolutely right, when the _ government to continue with? that is absolutely right, when the energy - absolutely right, when the energy price guarantee was unveiled on the 8th of september, we made an estimate it would cost the government something of the order of 150- £160 billion, government something of the order of 150— £160 billion, based on a wholesale gas market that was completely dislocated from its historical norms and would have meant household costs for the average family of £5,000, £6,000. mercifully, the energy price wholesale gas price has come down dramatically, falling by two thirds in the period, as a result the money put aside by the exchequer to fund the energy price guarantee will be much less, so they can afford to be more generous with it certainly in the short term in the next three months. iii the short term in the next three months. ., , _, months. if it does continue with the ori . inal months. if it does continue with the original plan — months. if it does continue with the original plan of— months. if it does continue with the original plan of scaling _ months. if it does continue with the original plan of scaling back - months. if it does continue with the original plan of scaling back the - original plan of scaling back the support, what impact could that have

economically? we have oily from campaigners and charities worried about the increase in the number of people living in fuel poverty —— we have already heard from. the people living in fuel poverty -- we have already heard from. the impact still, even with _ have already heard from. the impact still, even with the _ have already heard from. the impact still, even with the potential - still, even with the potential announcement for the reduction from £3000 down to 2500, that will still be very painful for households. the average dual fuel bill was about £1000 before the outbreak of the war in ukraine so still a painful impact. we are seeing the proportion of households paying over to energy companies as a proportion of income back to levels not seen since the early 1980s. back to levels not seen since the early1980s. but back to levels not seen since the early 1980s. but i have to say the marginal news over the last 3—6 months has been positive and the type of pain we were fearing back in the autumn does not look like it will crystallise. d0 the autumn does not look like it will crystallise.— will crystallise. do you think we are potentially _ will crystallise. do you think we are potentially passed - will crystallise. do you think we are potentially passed the - will crystallise. do you think we |

are potentially passed the worst will crystallise. do you think we i are potentially passed the worst of the energy crisis?— are potentially passed the worst of the energy crisis? almost certainly. what was going _ the energy crisis? almost certainly. what was going to _ the energy crisis? almost certainly. what was going to happen - the energy crisis? almost certainly. what was going to happen in - the energy crisis? almost certainly. what was going to happen in any i the energy crisis? almost certainly. l what was going to happen in any case on the 1st ofjuly was the energy price cap was going to come down by current estimates to about £2200 for the average household. what this announcement seems to be indicating, the government isjust announcement seems to be indicating, the government is just bringing forward the reduction or as theo said the reduced increase, bringing it forward three months, recognising certainly when it comes to the wholesale market, the international market where gas and electricity are traded, we are well past the worst. the worst seems to have been in september, october. it comes through to households and businesses with a lag but the government is trying to help the lag be as short as possible by the sounds of it. do help the lag be as short as possible by the sounds of it.— by the sounds of it. do you think the energy _ by the sounds of it. do you think the energy crisis _ by the sounds of it. do you think the energy crisis and _ by the sounds of it. do you think the energy crisis and the - by the sounds of it. do you think the energy crisis and the pain i by the sounds of it. do you think the energy crisis and the pain of| by the sounds of it. do you think. the energy crisis and the pain of it over the past several months is a reminder that the whole system needs a bit more help thanjust

reminder that the whole system needs a bit more help than just government support in this way? is it something that actually requires far more of an overall?— that actually requires far more of an overall? ., . ., ., an overall? yeah, i mean, we are all raced an overall? yeah, i mean, we are all graced with — an overall? yeah, i mean, we are all graced with the _ an overall? yeah, i mean, we are all graced with the benefit _ an overall? yeah, i mean, we are all graced with the benefit of _ an overall? yeah, i mean, we are all graced with the benefit of hindsight l graced with the benefit of hindsight and no one really could have foreseen what was an extraordinary increase in the price of wholesale gas. your broader point about resilience and indeed the transition to greater electrification of the uk energy mix, less reliance on gas from a single country, i think that is absolutely well—made and that is the strategic challenge which was there before the war in ukraine and has been brought into relief. the great power, if you like, of prices is prices also encourage households and businesses to think about energy efficiency and it has to come from two forms, dealing with the energy

crisis, it has to come from governments providing short—term support to stop households and businesses being unable to cope in the short—term, but you also have to see behavioural change, becoming more energy efficient, and prices help that message. the more energy efficient, and prices help that message.— more energy efficient, and prices help that message. the treasury has said it will not _ help that message. the treasury has said it will not comment _ help that message. the treasury has said it will not comment on - said it will not comment on speculation, but given the many voices saying, this is affordable, and this is necessary to stop so many more families suffering, if you were a betting person, how likely would you that the government would change their minds about scaling back the support? i change their minds about scaling back the support?— back the support? i think it is close to a _ back the support? i think it is close to a certainty. - back the support? i think it is close to a certainty. and - back the support? i think it is close to a certainty. and i - back the support? i think it is | close to a certainty. and i said that not this morning but i said that not this morning but i said that to my clients back in the middle ofjanuary. i can see how the wholesale market was evolving, i can see how that reduced the cost for the exchequer. politically, it will be very, very difficult because everybody can see if they chose to look at the price on wholesale

energy markets, very difficult politically for the government to stand behind an increase in costs when the wholesale market is growing dramatically in the other direction. close to a certainty that the u—turn happens. we close to a certainty that the u-turn ha ens. ~ , ., ., close to a certainty that the u-turn ha- -ens. ~ , ., ., .,, close to a certainty that the u-turn ha ens. . , ., ., ., , ., ~ happens. we shall have to see. thank ou. happens. we shall have to see. thank you- simon — happens. we shall have to see. thank you. simon french. _ let's move now to wesminster. sue gray, the senior civil servant who wrote the report about the gatherings that happened in downing street during the pandemic, has been offered the position of chief of staff for the labour leader, sir keir starmer. some conservative mps have expressed concerns over this move, like alexander stafford, a former ministerial aide to mrjohnson. he said on the today programme that her appointment "doesn't pass the sniff test". meanwhile, labour's shadow culture secretary lucy powell has defended her previous work, saying she was a "hugely respected civil servant". earlier, our political correspondent jonathan blake told us more. but this particular appointment is getting a lot of attention at westminster because, as you say, sue gray of course,

compiled the now famous report into what became known as the partygate saga, events that took place in lockdown, they should not have taken place and officials should have taken responsibility. at the time, borisjohnson said he had been humbled by the experience and learned lessons. now the news that sir keir starmer has approached sue gray to become his chief—of—staff, it is leading some to call into question the findings of the report and indeed sue gray's integrity. ministers who served under mrjohnson in his administration, nadine dorries, jacob rees—mogg for example, saying the report now looks like a stitch—up and an ally of boris johnson himself saying the validity of her findings have been destroyed. there are rules that need to be followed. sue gray has resigned from her post as a senior civil servant at the levelling up department. she will have to wait at least three

months before taking up the role with labour in sir keir starmer�*s team. it may have to be longer because the watchdog advisory council on business appointments is looking into this, as it does with other senior civil servant or ministerial moves on to otherjobs, other work outside of government. they could recommend a longer period before she takes up the role. labour has said both they and sue gray have agreed to abide by any of the recommendations, but they are just that, there isn't really anything the committee or anyone can do to necessarily stop her taking up the role. in terms of her role, as you say, there's a few months now potentially of it being scrutinised and looked at, but what is the likelihood of it being blocked? and what would the impact of that be? it can't really be blocked because the committee i was talking about who will advise the prime minister, the ultimate arbiter of those rules,

don't have any powers to stop her taking a job and indeed she has resigned from her civil service post. so she is effectively free to take up any otherjob now, albeit with an official recommendation or advisory from the civil service behind her. as i say, labour and sue gray, as far as we know, although we have not heard from her directly, seem to be willing to abide by the recommendations. 0thers support her, saying it is a move she is making to help prepare sir keir starmer and labour for government, which they hope to be in a position to take up after the next general election. sir keir starmer�*s team seem relatively relaxed about the outrage expressed by some conservatives here, saying they will do things by the book and follow due process and this appointment is simply about getting the best person

for the job and somebody who knows the machinery of government and workings of whitehall inside out to help them prepare. but it is controversial as far as a lot of conservatives are concerned and how soon it is before she takes up the role, we will have to see. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake. i've also spoken to alex thomas, former civil servant and programme manager at the think tank institute for government, who told us why this hiring matters for the future of civil servants. i do think it matters for the future of the civil service, in part. it's a surprising appointment, not unprecedented. jonathan powell went to work for tony blair and others have done the same. but the prominence of sue gray and her role in a whole series of controversial episodes does make this surprising and of significance. i think one of the tests for the civil service now is how it demonstrates its impartiality.

these situations are difficult because it is very hard to regulate, what does sue gray know? what might she share with keir starmer? the other aspect of this is for the labour party and sue gray to be very clear how they will manage any conflicts of interest that come up. one other point, i really don't buy the suggestion that sue gray's previous work on partygate is somehow compromised. civil servants are allowed to have personal views but they put them to one side when they do the job. i don't think... the criticism of the partygate report was that it diverted blame from borisjohnson and he recognised the report at the time and welcomed it. so i do not think the criticism stacks up at all. regardless of that, if this does create an impression of potentially undermining the independence of those findings, isn't that the point? it is about the perception among

the public, even if you leave aside the criticism from the conservative party, what about the perception among the public? perception is really important, but i don't think... i think the public perception of partygate is well set, there were parties, they did happen, sue gray's report reflected that. so did lots of other media reporting. the perception is more about the civil service and how relationships between civil servants and ministers can continue after something so high profile like this. certainly, there are concerns among the civil service that it might mean it is harder for permanent secretaries or other senior civil servants to develop a relationship of real trust with ministers. one of the things moving on from this is to show that civil servants can work really closely with ministers in an environment of complete trust. it is totally reasonable for ministers to have those sorts

of private conversations with civil servants without thinking it will be passed on to political opponents or anyone else. do you think there needs to be any change made to the system to ensure that? sorry... don't worry, i was just going to say, do you think there needs to be any change to the system, something put in place to make sure there isn't any future question over the relationship between civil servants and ministers and trust between them? i don't think there is a change to the system about the relationship between ministers and civil servants, although i think there are all sorts of ways to improve the civil service, but let's not go there this morning. i think it is important keir starmer and sue gray follow the process we have heard about, the rules that govern moves like this.

they have said they will and one of the criticisms of the advisory committee is it is pretty toothless, relying on a name and shame... doesn't it suggest that needs to change? what is the point of having a system if it is toothless? i think that needs to change, putting the advisory committee on a statutory basis, making sure civil servants and ministers when they start theirjobs are bound into some of these rules, that is important. however, in this instance, because keir starmer has absolutely said he will prioritise honesty and integrity in government, because sue gray was the head of the propriety and ethics team, it would be very difficult for them to ignore the recommendations. in this instance, i think the committee which is normally pretty toothless has slightly sharper fangs. a couple charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the remains of a baby

were found in woodland in sussex are appearing before magistrates. constance marten and mark gordon were also charged with concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course ofjustice. the couple sparked a nationwide search after going missing seven weeks ago with their newborn. they were found in brighton on monday night and the baby's body was discovered on wednesday. palestinian officials say israeli forces have shot dead a 15—year—old boy in the west bank. they say two other teenagers were wounded in the incident — one critically. the israeli army says the boys were throwing fireworks at israeli cars and threw petrol bombs at troops during a search. let's speak to our middle east correspondent, tom bateman. as ever, how easy is it to verify the claims of either side? well, what we know _ the claims of either side? well, what we know is _ the claims of either side? well, what we know is that _ the claims of either side? well, what we know is that there - the claims of either side? well, | what we know is that there were the claims of either side? well, i what we know is that there were it seems a group of teenagers and young men in this town, in the northern

part of the west bank, close to the separation barrier, israel's west bank. what palestinian health officials have said is the 15—year—old kilt was shot in the back, another teenager also seriously wounded and a third who suffered from minor injuries in this. as far as the israeli army, their account, the boys were firing fireworks at israeli cars on a highway in that area, the israeli troops arrived during the search and save petrol bombs were thrown and thatis save petrol bombs were thrown and that is why they used live ammunition, although they have not been clear why the use of lethal force was necessary to stop that in this particular case. so we have those two accounts from both palestinian officials and the israeli army and i think the context here is the spiralling violence we have been seeing in the west bank,

there have been at least 65 palestinians, civilians and militants, killed so far this year. and in the same period, 13 israelis and a foreign national in palestinian attacks. the reality at the moment is that all of this shows no signs of abating despite international attempts to try to get a de—escalation in the region. thank a de-escalation in the region. thank ou ve a de-escalation in the region. thank you very much- _ a de-escalation in the region. thank you very much. tom _ a de-escalation in the region. thank you very much. tom bateman, - a de—escalation in the region. thank you very much. tom bateman, middle east correspondent. the families of those who died in the manchester arena bombing have described their pain and anger at the failure of mi5 to stop the attack. a public inquiry found the intelligence and security agency missed a significant chance to take action that might have stopped the 2017 bombing. danny savage reports. nearly six years on from the atrocity at the manchester arena, a thorough report has concluded the security services missed a significant chance to take action that may have prevented it.

i have found a significant missed opportunity to take action that might have prevented the attack. there was a realistic possibility that actionable intelligence could have been obtained, which might have led to action preventing the attack. the reason for this missed opportunity included a failure by the security service, in my view, to act swiftly enough. in response to the criticism, the director general of mi5 made a statement but refused to take questions from the media. i deeply regret that such intelligence was not obtained. gathering covert intelligence is difficult. but had we managed to seize the slim chance we had, those impacted might not have experienced such appalling loss and trauma. i am profoundly sorry that mi5 did not prevent the attack.

the inquiry established that two pieces of classified information about the bomber were not acted upon by mi5. that was a missed opportunity. it could have led to salman abedi being followed to the parked nissan micra where he stored his explosives. it could also have seen him stopped at manchester airport on his return from libya, four days before the attack. abedi set off his suicide bomb in the foyer at the end of an ariana grande concert. teenagers were leaving, parents were waiting for their children. the revelations have left the families of the victims angry. they wanted yesterday to answer so many questions. there were failings by mi5 and it should have been stopped. so, yeah, i am furious that i have lost my son because somebody did not do theirjob properly.

policies have changed as a result of the manchester arena inquiry. it has been uncomfortable listening for most of the authorities involved. but that is nothing compared to a lifetime of sadness and loss for the innocent families caught up in the bombing. danny savage, bbc news. a former extremist radicalised in the wake of the manchester arena bombing says the possibility of another large—scale terrorist attack in the north west of england is still very real. latest figures show a 27% jump in referrals in the region to the government's anti—terrorism prevent scheme. john — who now works for a charity helping people leave the far right — says the internet means it's easy for young people to be radicalised. it's unbelievably easy to access stuff on line. roughly 70% of people we engage

with are recruited online. referrals are up massively, i still don't think we're done with the wave of lockdown. in terms of the possibility of a big—scale terrorist attack in a different setting, the possibility is still very real. the bbc�*s our world has unveiled a criminal underworld of puppy traders trafficking dogs across europe. from illegal puppy mills in hungary, the dogs are sold into a vast trade network in western europe. the documentary follows a team of undercover vets and the charity four paws to try and bust the trade. they discover how pregnant dogs are being trafficked and how puppy mills are sending dogs to huge pet shops in belgium, where they are bought by british gangs. anna adams reports. these dogs have been rescued from illegal puppy mills in hungary by animal charities. a bbc our world investigation found smugglers breaking the law and abusing the pet passport scheme, to traffic pregnant dogs and puppies into the uk. they make their way to britain via germany where police have seized more than 3,000 dogs since 2021.

this hungarian smuggler kept these four heavily pregnant daschunds in squalid conditions as he tried to transport them into the uk, claiming they were his pets. under the european pets travel scheme, you are allowed to transport dogs if they are your pets, but the evidence showed it was more likely that they had come from a puppy mill in hungary. translation: the boxes were far too small, very dirty _ and full of urine. the four dogs were rescued and brought to an animal in germany where they gave birth to 21 puppies, worth more than £42,000. translation: they weren't used to any contact with people. - they didn't know any sounds and the outside was also alien to them. the first time we put them on the meadow, they were completely overwhelmed. they did not know what to do. the smuggler was released without charge in germany. a few days later, he was caught by british border authorities as he tried to smuggle more dogs

into the uk. he was released again without charge. we tried to contact him, but he didn't respond. the bbc infiltrated a network of online groups, buying and selling pregnant dogs. in the uk, it is illegal to sell puppies that you haven't bred yourself. back in hungary, we met adina who has rescued hundreds of dogs from puppy mills. she says puppy breeders will go to extreme lengths to hide the dogs. translation: she is a rescue from a puppy mill in a town . where there are nearly 150 dogs. the adults had their vocal cords cut so that they couldn't bark and draw attention from the neighbours. barking as long as the uk's appetite for puppies continues, experts say that smugglers will persist. they say the only way to stop them is to refuse to buy a dog unless you are sure of where it's come from.

almudena garcia—parrado is the journalist behind the documentary. shejoins me now with her emotional support dog, quijote. introduce us to quijote and tell us his story. introduce us to qui'ote and tell us his sto . ,, , ., , ., .,, his story. seven years old, he has been my biggest _ his story. seven years old, he has been my biggest support - his story. seven years old, he has i been my biggest support throughout the investigation, but also in my life. as a journalist, you work in difficult places, i suffer from ptsd and he has been amazing and he is what motivated me to do the investigation.— what motivated me to do the investiuation. , ., investigation. looks very relaxed and comfortable _ investigation. looks very relaxed and comfortable in _ investigation. looks very relaxed and comfortable in the _ investigation. looks very relaxed and comfortable in the studio. i investigation. looks very relaxed i and comfortable in the studio. you must have seen horrific things in the making of the documentary. absolutely, nothing prepares you for what you will see. a little dog whistle had the vocal cords cut so she would not attract attention in the puppy mill. she tried to bark and she couldn't, you cannot imagine

what is behind and that is why we have to stop this. haifa what is behind and that is why we have to stop this.— what is behind and that is why we have to stop this. how easy is it to ”aue have to stop this. how easy is it to uuaue the have to stop this. how easy is it to gauge the scale — have to stop this. how easy is it to gauge the scale of _ have to stop this. how easy is it to gauge the scale of puppy - gauge the scale of puppy trafficking? it cannot be easy to ascertain. i trafficking? it cannot be easy to ascertain. u, trafficking? it cannot be easy to ascertain. .., ., trafficking? it cannot be easy to ascertain. _, ., , ascertain. i could not believe when i started ascertain. i could not believe when i started the _ ascertain. i could not believe when i started the investigation - ascertain. i could not believe when i started the investigation and - ascertain. i could not believe when i started the investigation and i - i started the investigation and i was able to link gangs to online to pet shops, the whole trade across europe, the volume is something that once you start going a little and you start to link a specific puppy mill across europe, you cannot believe it is so huge. people would never know when they go to get a puppy' never know when they go to get a puppy, how never know when they go to get a puppy, how easy it would be for it to come from a puppy mill and he would not know.— to come from a puppy mill and he would not know. people who have recently bought _ would not know. people who have recently bought pets, _ would not know. people who have recently bought pets, going - would not know. people who have recently bought pets, going to - would not know. people who have| recently bought pets, going to buy would not know. people who have i recently bought pets, going to buy a pet, how would they know to identify a legitimate seller from an illegal trafficker? ., ,., a legitimate seller from an illegal trafficker? ., ., , trafficker? there are so many loopholes _ trafficker? there are so many loopholes in _ trafficker? there are so many loopholes in the _ trafficker? there are so many loopholes in the system, - trafficker? there are so many. loopholes in the system, there trafficker? there are so many - loopholes in the system, there is not enough information. do

incredible research, or get a puppy from someone you know. research and know the person really well. there is a european _ know the person really well. there is a european pet _ know the person really well. there is a european pet transport - know the person really well. there is a european pet transport scheme which was mentioned in the piece, the documentary. how has this been misused by smugglers?— the documentary. how has this been misused by smugglers? smugglers are travellin: misused by smugglers? smugglers are travelling pretending _ misused by smugglers? smugglers are travelling pretending that _ misused by smugglers? smugglers are travelling pretending that dogs - misused by smugglers? smugglers are travelling pretending that dogs are - travelling pretending that dogs are their pets but really they get them from puppy mills in hungary. they have pet passports and it has been certified by vets working for the gangs. they basically have paperwork saying it is their pet but the dogs come from the puppy mills. they can travel with up to five dogs and they are travelling in convoys, taking five by five dogs, they have a constant flow because they sell the dogs, and more if they are pregnant. a lot of money to be made. itruihat dogs, and more if they are pregnant. a lot of money to be made. what more needs to be — a lot of money to be made. what more needs to be done _ a lot of money to be made. what more needs to be done to _ a lot of money to be made. what more needs to be done to clamp _

a lot of money to be made. what more needs to be done to clamp down - a lot of money to be made. what more needs to be done to clamp down on - needs to be done to clamp down on this? we saw some really horrific statistics about how much it had increased after the lockdown and pandemic, by a 260% in the uk. what more can be done to clamp down on it? i more can be done to clamp down on it? 4' , ., , it? i think the internet needs to be much more — it? i think the internet needs to be much more control— it? i think the internet needs to be much more control because - it? i think the internet needs to be much more control because at - much more control because at the moment, the majority of puppies are pretended to be family pets when they are sold at the internets are they are sold at the internets are the internet platforms need to do many more checks about who is really behind this, and that they are who they say they are. the internet at they say they are. the internet at the moment is a huge problem for the illegal puppy trade. that the moment is a huge problem for the illegal puppy trade-— illegal puppy trade. that is part of the problem. _ illegal puppy trade. that is part of the problem, isn't _ illegal puppy trade. that is part of the problem, isn't it? _ illegal puppy trade. that is part of the problem, isn't it? when - illegal puppy trade. that is part of the problem, isn't it? when you l illegal puppy trade. that is part of i the problem, isn't it? when you are buying online, you don't necessarily know where you are getting it from. exactly because i have seen that, you are doing investigative journalism but for normal people, how would they know? criminals are very sophisticated. they would have a really realistic setup, like they are a family and you go there and it is a fake address and they have prepared everything really well,

they have a really good front so you would not know as a normal person so you need to be prepared that they are very sophisticated at the moment. they know people are more clued up so it might not be legitimate.— clued up so it might not be legitimate. clued up so it might not be lecitimate. ., ,, , ., ., ., ., legitimate. thank you, and i have to ask, legitimate. thank you, and i have to ask. hello. — legitimate. thank you, and i have to ask. hello. he _ legitimate. thank you, and i have to ask, hello, he clearly _ legitimate. thank you, and i have to ask, hello, he clearly recognised - ask, hello, he clearly recognised his name, he is suddenly very open! he was playing more in the guest room and now he is tired. he he was playing more in the guest room and now he is tired.- he was playing more in the guest room and now he is tired. he is worn out! we could _ room and now he is tired. he is worn out! we could do _ room and now he is tired. he is worn out! we could do with _ room and now he is tired. he is worn out! we could do with one _ room and now he is tired. he is worn out! we could do with one of - room and now he is tired. he is worn out! we could do with one of those l out! we could do with one of those emotional support dogs. we could do with a newsroom quijote. thank you for bringing him in. and you can see the full documentary inside the illegal puppy trade on bbc world news at 23:30 gmt today and over the weekend and on bbc iplayer in the uk. thousands of whatsapp messages sent and received by the former health secretary during the pandemic have been leaked this week. in the latest exchange released by the daily telegraph, matt hancock and a senior cabinet

official are seen tojoke about travellers arriving in the uk being "locked up" in "shoebox" quarantine hotels. 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticas has more. february 2021, hotel quarantine. this is where you had to stay by law — an airport hotel, for ten days — if you arrived from a high—risk country. the cost you paid around £2,000 per adult. the very day the policy came in, it's the tone of the text m essa 9 es that's most striking. the very day the policy came in, it's the tone of the text messages the country's most senior civil servant to matt hancock, that's most striking. ten days later, they appear to be loving. any days —— simon case asks... simon case replies... the telegraph

newspaper was given the messages by isabel 0akeshott, who says publishing them is in the national interest, claiming lockdowns and quarantines were catastrophic. she was handed the messages by matt hancock when she helped him write a book about his experience of the pandemic. mr hancock says the messages have been published piecemeal, as part of a biased campaign to discredit government policies, and last night, a former colleague came to his defence. there is three saint — colleague came to his defence. there is three saint james _ colleague came to his defence. there is three saint james bible's _ colleague came to his defence. ii—urr is three saint james bible's worth of messages from one man who was working 17 —— seven hours a day, —— seven days a week of 18 hours a day, he would make mistakes and i think what you get if you are fair and you are not selectively smashing in a newspaper —— splashing in a newspaper, you would get the oppression of people who are working flat out and determinedly to save lives. , ., ,, , ., flat out and determinedly to save lives. , ., ~ , ., .,, flat out and determinedly to save lives. .,~ , ., lives. isabel oakeshott has said the teleu-rah lives. isabel oakeshott has said the telegraph has _ lives. isabel oakeshott has said the telegraph has more _ lives. isabel oakeshott has said the telegraph has more revelations - lives. isabel oakeshott has said the telegraph has more revelations to i telegraph has more revelations to come. mr hancock has said the right

place to investigate how the pandemic was handled is the upcoming inquiry. damian grammaticas, bbc news. earlier i wasjoined by dr lobby akinnola, a campaignerfrom covid—i9 bereaved families forjustice. i think the feelings i am experiencing unfortunately are just frustration and tiredness and an anger because during the time... during the peak of the crisis, myself and other campaigners were calling for the government to listen to scientific advice, take the pandemic seriously, because our concern was that people were losing their lives due to what i felt personally was maybe an overconfidence in dealing with the pandemic. it seems like these whatsapp messages are just vindicating all of the beliefs we had. just tell us again, what is your personal experience of it? what makes this so much more personalfor you? i lost my dad to

covid in april 2020. he was a key worker, working throughout the first lockdown, and unfortunately he lost his life at home to covid, so it's very personal, it hurts a lot, i cannot describe the pain. it feels like having the worst day of my life trivialised by the attitude that appears to be in these whatsapp messages. we must say that matt hancock has said some of those were taken out of context and has said that the journalist who leaked them, isabel 0akeshott, had an anti—lockdown agenda. does that go any way towards making you feel less strongly about what has happened? it doesn't, personally, because i feel like, yes, these whatsapp messages, like you said, may have been taken out of context and i do think we have to be careful of any

rhetoric that appears to be against the lockdowns. i believe that whilst they were unpleasant and difficult, they saved lives. the things we should be judging the previous health secretary on are his actions and the consequences of them. the messages we are seeing are providing some insight as to how he arrived at those conclusions and whether or not claims like they followed the scientific advice are true and i personally am unsure of what context will be provided that suggests when he told his scientific advisers that, actually, we're not going to test everyone going into care homes, for example. i'm not sure what context could be added to that to make up for, or lessen the pain people are feeling as a result of the ineffective "protective ring" he put around care homes.

the line—up for this year's glastonbury festival has been announced. arctic monkeys and guns n roses will top the bill, joining previously—announced headliner sir eltonjohn, who will play the last uk show of his farewell tour at worthy farm injune. other acts on the line—up include lizzo, lana del rey, lil nas x, manic street preachers, wizkid and blondie. singer—songwriter cat stevens will play the coveted "legend slot", previously occupied by kylie and dolly parton. joining me now for more on this is bbc radio 6 presenter, matt everitt. thank you forjoining us. what do you make of the line—up, anything that surprised you? it is you make of the line-up, anything that surprised you?— that surprised you? it is as always a really genre _ that surprised you? it is as always a really genre diverse _ that surprised you? it is as always a really genre diverse line-up, i that surprised you? it is as always| a really genre diverse line-up, one a really genre diverse line—up, one of the things that glastonbury does best, some of the names that you said you would be hard pushed to find at any other festival in the world that would have guns n roses, fat boy slim, kelis, lil nas x on

the line up so it is as diverse as always. glastonbury is the festival, notjust always. glastonbury is the festival, not just the always. glastonbury is the festival, notjust the music of it is the other festival out there where it sells out before anyone knows who is playing so it shows how people feel about the event regardless of who is on the line—up. you about the event regardless of who is on the line-up— on the line-up. you mentioned it is renre on the line-up. you mentioned it is genre diverse _ on the line-up. you mentioned it is genre diverse but _ on the line-up. you mentioned it is genre diverse but in _ on the line-up. you mentioned it is genre diverse but in terms - on the line-up. you mentioned it is genre diverse but in terms of - on the line-up. you mentioned it is genre diverse but in terms of the l genre diverse but in terms of the headliners, they are all men, so is there a problem with diversity in that respect?— there a problem with diversity in that respect? this i think is going to be one of _ that respect? this i think is going to be one of the _ that respect? this i think is going to be one of the headlines - that respect? this i think is going j to be one of the headlines people are going to pull out of that, having an all—male line—up is not an ideal situation but it is not something that the festival organisers at glastonbury are unaware of. emily eavis, one of the co—organisers, has talked about the fact there was a female headliner schedule to appear and all but dead but scheduling issues meant she was not able to fulfil that. —— and all booked in. glastonbury organisers are in currently aware that genres need to be equal in terms of male and female artists and many music festivals have not responded in the

way glastonbury have over the years. they have always been very good at promoting female artists and trying to get this fixed the way it should be. this is not a case of them being tone deaf to the issues. —— the issues surrounding fema headliners. there is a big issue about whether female artists are being encouraged and helped up the bill to big festivals, some festivals, maybe not glastonbury, rely on the same headliners which means there is a kind of blockage and a pipeline of female artists, rather, there isn't one that you really need. i don't think this is something being done without an awareness that you need a better gender split at all festivals but it seems to have been done because a big female artist pulled out. people have rumours it was supposed to be taylor swift which is certainly possible. i thought she was going to be in the line—up but i would be very surprised if she isn't in the future. it is not then being tone deaf to the issues around female artist splits, it is more a case of scheduling in their case.

your former band played at glastonbury but firstly, is it still uncool to call it glasto, i seem to be the only person that still does that, but i have never been very cool that, but i have never been very cool. how big a deal is it for a band to play customary? 0r cool. how big a deal is it for a band to play customary? or in wakho. leigh band to play customary? or in wakho. lei , ., . ., band to play customary? or in wakho. lei m, band to play customary? or in wakho. leigh you can call it glasto, anything — leigh you can call it glasto, anything you _ leigh you can call it glasto, anything you want, - leigh you can call it glasto, anything you want, it - leigh you can call it glasto, anything you want, it has i leigh you can call it glasto, - anything you want, it has always been a big dealfor decades now. first of all, the festival does incredible work for charities. bands don't get played a lot to play customary, even headliners, that has never been the case but they give over £2 million to charity every single year. that means that you are there for the right reason, you are there for the right reason, you are there community. on the other side, doing a strong glastonbury set at any point can really help your career and help you to a whole new audience. people go regardless of who is on the line—up so it can make a real impact on your success but more than that, the strength of the

line—ups every year, as we say, if you look at the rest of the bill, it is hugely diverse in terms of genre, and it means a lot to play. it is a special event. i mean, iam not going to get all lay lines on you but it does feel like a special festival. it has got something unique, everyone is doing it for the right reason and the community there is remarkable. it still means a lot to play. it is always great. fight! is remarkable. it still means a lot to play. it is always great.- to play. it is always great. and it still has a _ to play. it is always great. and it still has a certain _ to play. it is always great. and it still has a certain magic, - to play. it is always great. and it still has a certain magic, not - to play. it is always great. and iti still has a certain magic, notjust to those playing at it but also to people turning up to watch. what do you think it has? what maintains that magic about it compared to other festivals?— other festivals? there's a lot of thin i s, other festivals? there's a lot of thins, it other festivals? there's a lot of things. it is _ other festivals? there's a lot of things, it is difficult _ other festivals? there's a lot of things, it is difficult to - other festivals? there's a lot of things, it is difficult to put - other festivals? there's a lot of things, it is difficult to put youri things, it is difficult to put your finger on one. it is notjust the ley lines but glastonbury as a place is infused with a certain magic and it is notjust about is infused with a certain magic and it is not just about the is infused with a certain magic and it is notjust about the music. the range of things you can do that, aside from watching hundreds and hundreds of bands, and this is just the first part of the line—up that

has been announced, is astonishing. the art installations, the dance tents, the crafts, the food, the booze, the whole thing, it is a complete experience, you can get there on wednesday and leave on the monday so it is pretty much a way of totally escaping the responsibilities of normal life, which everybody needs, especially at the moment. it is escapism, a chance to express yourself, and meet new people. i mean, it has been said a lot that the community spirit at glastonbury, if somebody falls over, you pick them up but everyone helps each other and they are all on the same page, it is not a festival where there is trouble aggravation, it is just music and joy! as you can tell, i'm quite a fan. last it isjust music and joy! as you can tell, i'm quite a fan.— tell, i'm quite a fan. last year, sir paul mccartney _ tell, i'm quite a fan. last year, sir paul mccartney brought - tell, i'm quite a fan. last year, sir paul mccartney brought out tell, i'm quite a fan. last year, i sir paul mccartney brought out a surprise addition in bruce springsteen. do you reckon that guns n roses might wheel out a surprise? it depends on axl rose's ego, it is an interesting booking because

conventionally, you wouldn't think a big 1980s in their pomp rock act would appear at glastonbury but it does show that they are not scared of mixing it up and doing something different. i think guns n roses have the hits. as has eltonjohn and arctic monkeys. you have got to be careful not to just be expecting special guests, obviously, paul mccartney, brought bruce springsteen and dave goal but he is paul mccartney. —— and dave grohl. i imagine a couple of people would appear, at the freddie mercury tribute concert a couple of his ago, axl rose and eltonjohn perform together so maybe there will be some overlap. but i'm not sure, anything could happen. overlap. but i'm not sure, anything could happen-— overlap. but i'm not sure, anything could happen. anything can happen and we will wait _ could happen. anything can happen and we will wait and _ could happen. anything can happen and we will wait and see. _ could happen. anything can happen and we will wait and see. thank - could happen. anything can happen| and we will wait and see. thank you forjoining us. a prominent lawyer in the us state of south carolina — who's the subject of netflix's latest true crime documentary — has been found guilty of killing his wife and son. prosecutors said alex murdaugh wanted to distract attention

from the fact he stole millions of dollars from clients, to fund an expensive drug habit. garry 0'donoghue has this report. a smalltown courthouse in south carolina, but a dramatic trial that has gripped the nation's imagination. minimum sentence for murder... after nearly six weeks of evidence but less than three hours of deliberation, the jury returned its verdict on both murder charges. docket number 2022 6515. verdict, guilty. signed by the foreperson of the jury. outside the court, the prosecutor said justice had been done. if you do wrong, if you break the law, if you murder, justice will be done in south carolina. the murdaugh family dominated the legal world in this picturesque part of south carolina. for decades, the family held key prosecutor roles in several counties. and their private law firm was seen almost as powerful as law enforcement itself.

it was at this i700—acre property that the bodies of maggie and paul murdaugh were found brutally murdered almost two years ago. the culmination of a series of events that had seen three other separate suspicious deaths connected to the family. three months later, alex murdaugh, accused of killing his wife and son, was also to admit to a botched suicide attempt involving a $10 million insurance claim, charges for which are still pending. but during the murder trial, he was adamant he was innocent. did you take this gun or any gun like it and blow your son's brains out onjune 7, or any day, or any time? no, i did not. and he may be taken away. as he left the courtroom, murdaugh mouthed "i love you" to his son buster, who was in the public gallery. he will be sentenced later today and could get anything from 30 years to life without parole. but that isn't the end of it for alex murdaugh. he still faces dozens of other

charges for financial crimes and investigations into other suspicious deaths connected to the family. gary 0'donoghue, bbc news. the island ofjersey spent five years under nazi occupation during the second world war and slave workers from nations across europe were forced to dig thousands of metres of tunnels below ground. today the jersey war tunnels are preserved as a monument to those who worked there. electrician steen le gresley was part of a team carrying out winter maintenance on the tunnels, when he thought he spotted a familiarface. robert hall has the story. the gateway to so much ofjersey�*s wartime history. the war tunnels burrowed deep into the hillside by an army of forced workers. back—breaking months in the dark and the danger, underfed and ill—treated. so many would never return home. there was a huge amount of fortification work done on these islands. it was intended directly from hitler that they would be

an impregnable fortress. and tunnels like this were built both in guernsey and injersey to either store ammunition, store rations, food, as a way of being completely impregnable to allied bombing and invasion. one of the stories told here centres on antonio martinez, who spent four years working in the tunnels. and it caught the eye of an electrician carrying out winter maintenance. steen le gresley recognised his own great grandfather, and he invited his great uncle to make absolutely sure. yeah, that's my dad. hard as nails, he was. he was a good father, he looked after us. we never had to worry. we were brought up respectfully. he told me, you treat older women as you would your mother, give them the respect you give your mother. you treat younger women as you would your sisters. you had to have a german soldier

with you or an officer or a machine gun trooper would shoot you down. and they'd done it to two moroccans, they came running out screaming, and they shot them down. he may have been haunted by memories of his time in the tunnels and the friends he lost, but when the occupation ended, antonio decided to make his home injersey. i think it's very interesting to note that some of the people who were sent here under such tragic circumstances sort of chose to remain here after the occupation and chose to settle here. and i think it's lovely that jersey was able to offer a little something back. heading for his own shift underground, steen's head is full of the knowledge he now shares. to think back to what conditions he would have worked in, and as much as it's cold now, it must have been a lot colder back then. we've got heaters now, whereas back when they were putting it in, they wouldn't have had the heating and the dangers that they would have

come across with the unfinished tunnels and making the tunnels in general. there's a lot that i can think back on that he might have had to go through. it's a real link to the past to be placing hands on those places that his great grandfather placed his hands on over 80 years ago. so it must be special every time he comes in here. i can only say i've got respect for the people that worked in here at the time and the level of effort they would have had to put in, and the forced effort that they would have had to put in. so it's definitely a unique experience working down here. over the decades, thousands of visitors have come here to learn more about the occupation years. this is another piece of another family puzzle. robert hall, bbc news, jersey. after a week of protests, norway's energy minister has apologised to the country's sami indigenous people for

two wind farms built on their traditional grazing land. norway's supreme court has ruled that the wind farms violated the rights of sami reindeer herders. the energy minister acknowledged the ruling but said he thought energy generation could still continue in the area. emer mccarthy reports. one of the world's most well—known environmental campaigners, joining protesters against a norwegian wind farm. greta thunberg was among supporters calling for the removal of 151 turbines from reindeer pastures used by indigenous sami herders in fosen in central norway. we arejust going we are just going to leave that report now. labour leader sir keir starmer is addressing a—level politics students in northern ireland. n

politics students in northern ireland. ., ., ., ireland. i have the task now of holdini ireland. i have the task now of holding this — ireland. i have the task now of holding this in _ ireland. i have the task now of holding this in one _ ireland. i have the task now of holding this in one hand - ireland. i have the task now of holding this in one hand and l ireland. i have the task now of. holding this in one hand and two sheets_ holding this in one hand and two sheets of— holding this in one hand and two sheets of paper _ holding this in one hand and two sheets of paper in _ holding this in one hand and two sheets of paper in the _ holding this in one hand and two sheets of paper in the other- holding this in one hand and two sheets of paper in the other and| holding this in one hand and two- sheets of paper in the other and not going _ sheets of paper in the other and not going like _ sheets of paper in the other and not going like this _ sheets of paper in the other and not going like this. bear— sheets of paper in the other and not going like this. bear with _ sheets of paper in the other and not going like this. bear with me, - going like this. bear with me, please — going like this. bear with me, please as— going like this. bear with me, please. as principal, - going like this. bear with me, please. as principal, i- going like this. bear with me, please. as principal, i am - going like this. bear with me, | please. as principal, lam both delighted — please. as principal, lam both delighted and _ please. as principal, lam both delighted and honoured - please. as principal, lam both delighted and honoured to - please. as principal, i am both- delighted and honoured to welcome sir keir_ delighted and honoured to welcome sir keir, _ delighted and honoured to welcome sir keir, peter— delighted and honoured to welcome sir keir, peter and _ delighted and honoured to welcome sir keir, peter and their— delighted and honoured to welcome sir keir, peter and their colleaguesl sir keir, peter and their colleagues to the _ sir keir, peter and their colleagues to the school— sir keir, peter and their colleagues to the school this _ sir keir, peter and their colleagues to the school this morning. - sir keir, peter and their colleagues to the school this morning. i- sir keir, peter and their colleagues to the school this morning. i am i to the school this morning. i am particularly _ to the school this morning. i am particularly grateful— to the school this morning. i am particularly grateful to _ to the school this morning. i am particularly grateful to the - to the school this morning. i am particularly grateful to the job i to the school this morning. i am| particularly grateful to the job of the pat — particularly grateful to the job of the pat hume _ particularly grateful to the job of the pat hume foundation, - particularly grateful to the job of the pat hume foundation, today represented _ the pat hume foundation, today represented by— the pat hume foundation, today represented by sarah, _ the pat hume foundation, today represented by sarah, marc- the pat hume foundation, today represented by sarah, marc andl the pat hume foundation, today- represented by sarah, marc and paul, for asking _ represented by sarah, marc and paul, for asking the — represented by sarah, marc and paul, for asking the school— represented by sarah, marc and paul, for asking the school to _ represented by sarah, marc and paul, for asking the school to hope - represented by sarah, marc and paul, for asking the school to hope this- for asking the school to hope this -- host— for asking the school to hope this -- host this— for asking the school to hope this —— host this wonderful— for asking the school to hope this —— host this wonderful event. - for asking the school to hope this —— host this wonderful event. a i for asking the school to hope this. —— host this wonderful event. a warm welcome _ —— host this wonderful event. a warm welcome to— —— host this wonderful event. a warm welcome to all— —— host this wonderful event. a warm welcome to all of— —— host this wonderful event. a warm welcome to all of our— —— host this wonderful event. a warm welcome to all of our own _ —— host this wonderful event. a warm i welcome to all of our own government and politics— welcome to all of our own government and politics students _ welcome to all of our own government and politics students and _ welcome to all of our own government and politics students and their - and politics students and their teachers. _ and politics students and their teachers, local— and politics students and their i teachers, local representatives, and politics students and their - teachers, local representatives, and in particular. — teachers, local representatives, and in particular. to _ teachers, local representatives, and in particular, to some _ teachers, local representatives, and in particular, to some of— teachers, local representatives, and in particular, to some of my- in particular, to some of my colleagues _ in particular, to some of my colleagues from _ in particular, to some of my colleagues from the - in particular, to some of myi colleagues from the colleges in particular, to some of my- colleagues from the colleges that make _ colleagues from the colleges that make up— colleagues from the colleges that make up the _ colleagues from the colleges that make up the foil— colleagues from the colleges that make up the foil learning - colleagues from the colleges that. make up the foil learning community -- the _ make up the foil learning community -- the foyle — make up the foil learning community —— the foyle learning _ make up the foil learning community —— the foyle learning community- make up the foil learning communityl —— the foyle learning community with all of— —— the foyle learning community with all of their— —— the foyle learning community with all of their representatives. _ —— the foyle learning community with all of their representatives. john - all of their representatives. john hume _ all of their representatives. john hume is — all of their representatives. john hume is a — all of their representatives. john hume is a giant— all of their representatives. john hume is a giant amongst - all of their representatives. john hume is a giant amongst this i hume is a giant amongst this school's _ hume is a giant amongst this school's alum _ hume is a giant amongst this school's alum ni. _ hume is a giant amongst this school's alum ni. he - hume is a giant amongst this school's alum ni. he was i hume is a giant amongst this school's alum ni. he was one i hume is a giant amongst this i school's alum ni. he was one of hume is a giant amongst this - school's alum ni. he was one of the first generation _ school's alum ni. he was one of the first generation to _ school's alum ni. he was one of the first generation to be _ school's alum ni. he was one of the first generation to be able -

school's alum ni. he was one of the first generation to be able to - first generation to be able to attend — first generation to be able to attend a _ first generation to be able to attend a grammar— first generation to be able to attend a grammar school- first generation to be able to attend a grammar school asl first generation to be able toi attend a grammar school as a first generation to be able to - attend a grammar school as a result of the _ attend a grammar school as a result of the education _ attend a grammar school as a result of the education reforms _ attend a grammar school as a result of the education reforms introducedi of the education reforms introduced in this— of the education reforms introduced in thisjurisdiction _ of the education reforms introduced in this jurisdiction by _ of the education reforms introduced in this jurisdiction by the _ of the education reforms introduced in this jurisdiction by the 1947 i in this jurisdiction by the 1947 education _ in this jurisdiction by the 1947 education act. _ in this jurisdiction by the 1947 education act. i— in this jurisdiction by the 1947 education act. i believe i in this jurisdiction by the 1947 education act. i believe the i education act. i believe the education _ education act. i believe the educationjohn_ education act. i believe the educationjohn hume i education act. i believe the i educationjohn hume received education act. i believe the - educationjohn hume received here played _ educationjohn hume received here played no _ educationjohn hume received here played no small— educationjohn hume received here played no small part _ educationjohn hume received here played no small part in _ educationjohn hume received here played no small part in helping i educationjohn hume received here i played no small part in helping make him the _ played no small part in helping make him the man— played no small part in helping make him the man he_ played no small part in helping make him the man he became, _ played no small part in helping make him the man he became, a _ played no small part in helping make him the man he became, a model. played no small part in helping make him the man he became, a model of| him the man he became, a model of educational— him the man he became, a model of educational aspiration _ him the man he became, a model of educational aspiration and _ educational aspiration and achievement _ educational aspiration and achievement that - educational aspiration and achievement that we i educational aspiration and achievement that we stilll educational aspiration and i achievement that we still hold educational aspiration and - achievement that we still hold deer today~ _ achievement that we still hold deer today~ walking _ achievement that we still hold deer today. walking around _ achievement that we still hold deer today. walking around our- achievement that we still hold deer. today. walking around our corridors, one is— today. walking around our corridors, one is constantly _ today. walking around our corridors, one is constantly reminded - today. walking around our corridors, one is constantly reminded of- today. walking around our corridors, one is constantly reminded of the i one is constantly reminded of the very strong — one is constantly reminded of the very strong sense _ one is constantly reminded of the very strong sense of _ one is constantly reminded of the very strong sense of the - very strong sense of the connectedness - very strong sense of the connectedness that- very strong sense of the j connectedness thatjohn very strong sense of the _ connectedness that john maintained with his _ connectedness that john maintained with his alma — connectedness that john maintained with his alma mater— connectedness that john maintained with his alma mater throughout i connectedness that john maintained with his alma mater throughout hisl with his alma mater throughout his lon- with his alma mater throughout his long life _ with his alma mater throughout his long life he — with his alma mater throughout his long life. he never— with his alma mater throughout his long life. he never forgot - with his alma mater throughout his long life. he never forgot the i long life. he never forgot the school— long life. he never forgot the school and _ long life. he never forgot the school and over— long life. he never forgot the school and over the - long life. he never forgot the school and over the years, i long life. he never forgot the| school and over the years, he long life. he never forgot the - school and over the years, he graced it with _ school and over the years, he graced it with both _ school and over the years, he graced it with both his — school and over the years, he graced it with both his regular— school and over the years, he graced it with both his regular presence - it with both his regular presence and a _ it with both his regular presence and a number_ it with both his regular presence and a number of— it with both his regular presence and a number of tokens - it with both his regular presence and a number of tokens of- it with both his regular presence - and a number of tokens of affection, including _ and a number of tokens of affection, including a _ and a number of tokens of affection, including a wonderful— and a number of tokens of affection, including a wonderful facsimile - and a number of tokens of affection, including a wonderful facsimile of. including a wonderful facsimile of his nobel— including a wonderful facsimile of his nobel prize, _ including a wonderful facsimile of his nobel prize, which— including a wonderful facsimile of his nobel prize, which hangs- including a wonderful facsimile of his nobel prize, which hangs in. including a wonderful facsimile of. his nobel prize, which hangs in our poyet _ his nobel prize, which hangs in our poyet. john— his nobel prize, which hangs in our poyet. john was _

his nobel prize, which hangs in our poyet. john was also _ his nobel prize, which hangs in our poyet. john was also the _ his nobel prize, which hangs in our poyet. john was also the proud - poyet. john was also the proud sponsor— poyet. john was also the proud sponsor of— poyet. john was also the proud sponsor of our _ poyet. john was also the proud sponsor of our prize _ poyet. john was also the proud sponsor of our prize for- poyet. john was also the proud sponsor of our prize for the - poyet. john was also the proud. sponsor of our prize for the best a-ievei— sponsor of our prize for the best a—level politics _ sponsor of our prize for the best a—level politics student, - sponsor of our prize for the best a—level politics student, a - sponsor of our prize for the best a—level politics student, a prize| a—level politics student, a prize that one — a—level politics student, a prize that one of— a—level politics student, a prize that one of these _ a—level politics student, a prize that one of these guys - a—level politics student, a prize that one of these guys will - a—level politics student, a prize that one of these guys will pick| a—level politics student, a prize . that one of these guys will pick up sometime — that one of these guys will pick up sometime later— that one of these guys will pick up sometime later this— that one of these guys will pick up sometime later this year. - that one of these guys will pick up sometime later this year. in - that one of these guys will pick up sometime later this year. in his i sometime later this year. in his lifetime, — sometime later this year. in his lifetime, we _ sometime later this year. in his lifetime, we too _ sometime later this year. in his lifetime, we too try _ sometime later this year. in his lifetime, we too try to - sometime later this year. in his lifetime, we too try to honour l sometime later this year. in his . lifetime, we too try to honour this great _ lifetime, we too try to honour this great ntan— lifetime, we too try to honour this great man in— lifetime, we too try to honour this great man in a _ lifetime, we too try to honour this great man in a number— lifetime, we too try to honour this great man in a number of- lifetime, we too try to honour this great man in a number of ways. . lifetime, we too try to honour this great man in a number of ways. iti great man in a number of ways. it was in— great man in a number of ways. it was in recognition _ great man in a number of ways. it was in recognition of— great man in a number of ways. it was in recognition of the - great man in a number of ways. it was in recognition of the work - great man in a number of ways. it| was in recognition of the work that he had _ was in recognition of the work that he had done — was in recognition of the work that he had done that— was in recognition of the work that he had done thatjohn _ was in recognition of the work that he had done thatjohn was - was in recognition of the work that he had done thatjohn was chosen| was in recognition of the work that l he had done that john was chosen as the recipient — he had done that john was chosen as the recipient of— he had done that john was chosen as the recipient of our— he had done that john was chosen as the recipient of our past _ he had done that john was chosen as the recipient of our past people - the recipient of our past people awards. — the recipient of our past people awards. 1995, _ the recipient of our past people awards, 1995, most— the recipient of our past people awards, 1995, most illustrious. awards, 1995, most illustrious alumnus — awards, 1995, most illustrious alumnus award, _ awards, 1995, most illustrious alumnus award, the _ awards, 1995, most illustrious alumnus award, the first - awards, 1995, most illustrious - alumnus award, the first layperson to be _ alumnus award, the first layperson to be so _ alumnus award, the first layperson to be so recognised, _ alumnus award, the first layperson to be so recognised, and _ alumnus award, the first layperson to be so recognised, and second i alumnus award, the first layperson . to be so recognised, and second only to be so recognised, and second only to the _ to be so recognised, and second only to the awards — to be so recognised, and second only to the awards inaugural— to be so recognised, and second only to the awards inaugural recipient, i to the awards inaugural recipient, the late _ to the awards inaugural recipient, the late great _ to the awards inaugural recipient, the late great bishop— to the awards inaugural recipient, the late great bishop edward - to the awards inaugural recipient, | the late great bishop edward daly. moreover, — the late great bishop edward daly. moreover, as— the late great bishop edward daly. moreover, as he _ the late great bishop edward daly. moreover, as he walked _ the late great bishop edward daly. moreover, as he walked into- the late great bishop edward daly. moreover, as he walked into the l moreover, as he walked into the school— moreover, as he walked into the school this— moreover, as he walked into the school this morning, _ moreover, as he walked into the school this morning, the - moreover, as he walked into the school this morning, the first. moreover, as he walked into the . school this morning, the first thing that would — school this morning, the first thing that would have _ school this morning, the first thing that would have faced _ school this morning, the first thing that would have faced you - school this morning, the first thing that would have faced you is - that would have faced you is a wonderful— that would have faced you is a wonderful bust _ that would have faced you is a wonderful bust of _ that would have faced you is a wonderful bust ofjohn, - that would have faced you is a i wonderful bust ofjohn, created that would have faced you is a - wonderful bust ofjohn, created by one of— wonderful bust ofjohn, created by one of his — wonderful bust ofjohn, created by one of his contemporaries, - wonderful bust ofjohn, created by one of his contemporaries, the - one of his contemporaries, the sculptor— one of his contemporaries, the scutptorjohn_ one of his contemporaries, the sculptorjohn shalit, _ one of his contemporaries, the sculptorjohn shalit, which - one of his contemporaries, the sculptorjohn shalit, which was unveiled — sculptorjohn shalit, which was unveiled as _ sculptorjohn shalit, which was unveiled as part— sculptorjohn shalit, which was unveiled as part of— sculptorjohn shalit, which was unveiled as part of our- sculptorjohn shalit, which was unveiled as part of our 125th i unveiled as part of our 125th anniversary— unveiled as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations - unveiled as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations in i unveiled as part of our 125th - anniversary celebrations in 2004, when _ anniversary celebrations in 2004, when i _ anniversary celebrations in 2004, when i was — anniversary celebrations in 2004, when i was younger— anniversary celebrations in 2004, when i was younger and - anniversary celebrations in 2004, when i was younger and had - anniversary celebrations in 2004,| when i was younger and had much anniversary celebrations in 2004, - when i was younger and had much more hair.

when i was younger and had much more hair speaking— when i was younger and had much more hair speaking at— when i was younger and had much more hair. speaking at that _ when i was younger and had much more hair. speaking at that time, _ when i was younger and had much more hair. speaking at that time, john - hair. speaking at that time, john sherlock— hair. speaking at that time, john sherlock said _ hair. speaking at that time, john sherlock said that _ hair. speaking at that time, john sherlock said that he _ hair. speaking at that time, john sherlock said that he had - sherlock said that he had endeavoured _ sherlock said that he had endeavoured to - sherlock said that he had endeavoured to producei sherlock said that he had| endeavoured to produce a sherlock said that he had _ endeavoured to produce a character study _ endeavoured to produce a character study of _ endeavoured to produce a character study ofjohn — endeavoured to produce a character study ofjohn hume _ endeavoured to produce a character study ofjohn hume at _ endeavoured to produce a character study ofjohn hume at the - endeavoured to produce a character study ofjohn hume at the height i endeavoured to produce a character study ofjohn hume at the height of his powers. — study ofjohn hume at the height of his powers, highlighting _ study ofjohn hume at the height of his powers, highlighting his- study ofjohn hume at the height of his powers, highlighting his rugged| his powers, highlighting his rugged tenacity— his powers, highlighting his rugged tenacity and — his powers, highlighting his rugged tenacity and his _ his powers, highlighting his rugged tenacity and his determination. - his powers, highlighting his rugged tenacity and his determination. i. tenacity and his determination. i trust _ tenacity and his determination. i trust that— tenacity and his determination. i trust that my _ tenacity and his determination. i trust that my sculpture - tenacity and his determination. i trust that my sculpture will- tenacity and his determination. i. trust that my sculpture will provide not only— trust that my sculpture will provide not only a — trust that my sculpture will provide not only a lasting _ trust that my sculpture will provide not only a lasting tribute _ trust that my sculpture will provide not only a lasting tribute to - trust that my sculpture will provide not only a lasting tribute to a - not only a lasting tribute to a great — not only a lasting tribute to a great irishman, _ not only a lasting tribute to a great irishman, but - not only a lasting tribute to a great irishman, but an - not only a lasting tribute to a - great irishman, but an inspiration to future — great irishman, but an inspiration to future generations _ great irishman, but an inspiration to future generations of- great irishman, but an inspiration to future generations of pupils. . to future generations of pupils. that— to future generations of pupils. that it — to future generations of pupils. that it has _ to future generations of pupils. that it has done. _ to future generations of pupils. that it has done. reflecting - to future generations of pupils. that it has done. reflecting on| to future generations of pupils. - that it has done. reflecting onjohn hume's _ that it has done. reflecting onjohn hume's many— that it has done. reflecting onjohn hume's many achievements, - that it has done. reflecting onjohn hume's many achievements, not i that it has done. reflecting onjohn. hume's many achievements, not least the awarding _ hume's many achievements, not least the awarding of— hume's many achievements, not least the awarding of the _ hume's many achievements, not least the awarding of the 1998 _ hume's many achievements, not least the awarding of the 1998 nobel- hume's many achievements, not least the awarding of the 1998 nobel peace | the awarding of the 1998 nobel peace prize, _ the awarding of the 1998 nobel peace prize. and _ the awarding of the 1998 nobel peace prize. and the — the awarding of the 1998 nobel peace prize, and the deserved _ the awarding of the 1998 nobel peace prize, and the deserved recognition. prize, and the deserved recognition of the _ prize, and the deserved recognition ofthe seminal— prize, and the deserved recognition of the seminal part _ prize, and the deserved recognition of the seminal part he _ prize, and the deserved recognition of the seminal part he played - prize, and the deserved recognition of the seminal part he played in- prize, and the deserved recognitioni of the seminal part he played in the gestation _ of the seminal part he played in the gestation of — of the seminal part he played in the gestation of the _ of the seminal part he played in the gestation of the good _ of the seminal part he played in the gestation of the good friday- gestation of the good friday agreement, _ gestation of the good friday agreement, we _ gestation of the good friday agreement, we cannot- gestation of the good friday agreement, we cannot but. gestation of the good friday. agreement, we cannot but feel gestation of the good friday- agreement, we cannot but feel an immense — agreement, we cannot but feel an immense sense _ agreement, we cannot but feel an immense sense of— agreement, we cannot but feel an immense sense of pride _ agreement, we cannot but feel an immense sense of pride in - agreement, we cannot but feel an immense sense of pride in a - agreement, we cannot but feel an immense sense of pride in a life . immense sense of pride in a life that was— immense sense of pride in a life that was lived _ immense sense of pride in a life that was lived so _ immense sense of pride in a life that was lived so well— immense sense of pride in a life that was lived so well by- immense sense of pride in a life that was lived so well by one . immense sense of pride in a life that was lived so well by one of| immense sense of pride in a life i that was lived so well by one of our many— that was lived so well by one of our many alum — that was lived so well by one of our manyalum ni~ _ that was lived so well by one of our manyalum ni~ lt— that was lived so well by one of our many alum ni— many alum ni. if you are 'ust “oininu many alum ni. if you are 'ust joining i many alum ni. if you are 'ust joining you fl many alum ni. if you are 'ust joining us, you are i many alum ni. if you are just joining us, you are seeing i many alum ni. if you are just joining us, you are seeing an address, we are expecting sir keir starmer, the labour leader, to be speaking, and i don't know if you could see him in the corner of the screen but he sat down, waiting to

go on stage to address students, a—level politics students. that is what we are expanding. at the moment, though, we willjust say goodbye to viewers on bbc world news. i go green thank you for being here and i hope you will enjoy this morning's speech. applause i will invite sarah to come forward and talk— i will invite sarah to come forward and talk to— i will invite sarah to come forward and talk to us _ i will invite sarah to come forward and talk to us. [— i will invite sarah to come forward and talk to us.— and talk to us. i don't actually know if i _ and talk to us. i don't actually know if i need _ and talk to us. i don't actually know if i need this _ and talk to us. i don't actually i know if i need this microphone. and talk to us. i don't actually - know if i need this microphone. it is my pleasure this money to introduce sir keir starmer, the leader of the british labour party, to speak to the students here. this is organised by thejohn and pat hume foundation, an offshoot of the peace summit taking place today so we are very honoured to have you here. this college is a place dear to thejohn hume legacy and very

exciting to welcome the leader of the opposition here today, as a former politics as deviant, to me, it is really heartening to see a mainland mp of such standing visits the school and their city and to give our young people a chance to be heard and to hear somebody speak. i am going to skip ahead. it is so important to protect the legacy of john hume and to advance the principle of leadership for peaceful change... for principle of leadership for peaceful chanie... ., ., , change... for those of you still with us, change... for those of you still with us. we — change... for those of you still with us, we are _ change... for those of you still with us, we are expecting - change... for those of you still with us, we are expecting sir l change... for those of you still. with us, we are expecting sir keir starmer to begin addressing these politics students, and as you may have just heard, politics students, and as you may havejust heard, he is being introduced injust havejust heard, he is being introduced in just a havejust heard, he is being introduced injust a moment. we are expecting to hear him address a—level politics students as part of a visit to northern ireland, in londonderry, there. of course, he has been in the news as he offered the former civil servant, sue gray, who wrote the partygate report, a

position as his chief of staff, so we have been hearing about sir keir starmer in that context today. but what we are expecting imminently, in the next couple of and its good hopefully because he is a ready there, sat in the audience, just being introduced so we are expecting him to stage to address students at the school. we are expecting him to speak to the a—level politics students there. we will listen in again and hopefully he will take to the stage soon. taste again and hopefully he will take to the stage soon.— again and hopefully he will take to the stage soon. we want to see an partnership — the stage soon. we want to see an partnership where _ the stage soon. we want to see an partnership where we _ the stage soon. we want to see an partnership where we wage - the stage soon. we want to see an partnership where we wage war. the stage soon. we want to see an partnership where we wage war on i partnership where we wage war on want and poverty. where we reach out to the marginalised and dispossessed, where we build together a future that can bring our dreams alive and we hope that these children can build ace creature that is as great as their dreams allow. i give you sir keir starmer. thank you very much, sarah, and then

bar, and all of you for an incredibly warm reception and welcome this morning. we have been here for about an hour and it has just been fantastic to be in the school, to be talking to you, and just feeling part of your history, and it is an incredible history. john hume, but notjustjohn hume, so many incredible people have been through this school. it is absolutely amazing and you must feel that. i want to talk particularly to the young people in the room, that sense of history, that sense of pride and the change that has happened through this school, and the people that came before you. you should wear that with pride, with real pride. but i think it is very important as well to look forward, because we are talking about great historic figures. john hume was a great historic figure, so well respected and i havejohn in mind when i think of the big decisions that we need to make as a labour party, as the opposition, hopefully

one day as the government, but i want you to know that i have you in mind as well because we can always look back and we always do, 25 years since the good friday agreement, a celebration this year, as it should be, is an incredible opportunity to really reflect on the change that has taken place here in northern ireland but we should always look forward as well. it's not just about who went through the school but about who is going through now and i want to have, you to have this sense in your lives, and i know that if we are privileged enough to get into government i must have view uppermost in my mind and have view uppermost in my mind and have you up alongside me as we make the changes that we need to make to northern ireland, the united kingdom, across the world, and you will all be part of that and i will want you all to be inspired by that history, not daunted by it, because

you are going to be a really important part of it. many of you are studying politics and you will be asking the questions in a minute, so i will take notjust your questions but also your ideas as we go forward because everything we do as politicians should have centrally in mind the next future generation. so it's been incredible to be hit. thank you to the learning community who are here today which is fantastic and of course the foundation for inviting us and allowing us to be here today. it is fantastic to be in derry. i love being in derry and i've been here many times. as miss sarah has already said and some of you already know i started working in northern ireland the best part of 20 years ago when there was a big piece of work to build the police service in northern ireland up to make sure that it reflected both communities and it compliant with human rights, and it compliant with human rights, a core element of policing, sol

and it compliant with human rights, a core element of policing, so i was here for five years in northern ireland working with the policing board on that project, and therefore in derry many times enjoyed working on that project, talking to communities and police officers here and getting to know northern ireland in a really, really deep way. and for me i have always loved the people of northern ireland. i think everybody who actually spends any time here always will. and so much did i enjoy those five years of being here that when i got married in the first year we got married i brought my wife here because i kept talking to her about northern ireland. in the year we were married we came here in the first august we were married and flew into belfast, got a small car in belfast and then spent three weeks driving literally around the whole of island of ireland including here through derry, so that my wife could appreciate what i was going on about when i kept saying there was this amazing place of northern ireland and you need to come and see the place, the people and the colleagues and see the rest of ireland and last

year, year and a bit, maybe the best part of two years ago now when we had just come out of lockdown, and so i was back over here when we were over on peace bridge which was incredible. what i took from my time incredible. what i took from my time in northern ireland was really important because we are all asked, particularly as politicians, what made a difference to you, what shape you, which bits of what you have donein you, which bits of what you have done in your life really change your thinking? and for me my five years in northern ireland really changed my thinking for a number of reasons. i've been a lawyer, an advocate and as a lawyer and advocate you are often fighting the system, taking individual cases, trying to challenge people to change, and that's a really good thing, there are amazing lawyers, human rights lawyers, have done fantastic work. coming to northern ireland was my first opportunity to work on the inside of the police and say let's not change from the outside, let's see if we can work on the inside and

change things and it different way. but it also showed me the people across northern ireland who were courageous, resilient, who were absolutely determined to do the difficult things to bring about change, to do something which actually, given the history, was very difficult, which was, how do i walk in somebody else's shoes, how do i do brave individual and collective acts of courage and resilience? that was really inspiring for me to see the big things, but also the little things that people are doing to try to move things forward. and ifound it a period of great hope and change in northern ireland, even in the five years i was coming. things changed so much, and even every time i come back now i see even more change coming, that hope and change for the future. this year is an important yearfor hope and future. this year is an important year for hope and change because future. this year is an important yearfor hope and change because not only have we got the protocol which as you will have seen was unveiled

this week. my party are supporting the protocol. i think it's an important step in the right direction and i hope that we can make progress. of course it will take time, quite rightly, but i do think we are making a step forward and it is the 20th anniversary of the good friday agreement, one of the good friday agreement, one of the greatest achievements i think politically of many political parties, but for my political party, it was one of the proudest things of the last labour government and when people say to me what difference it made to have a labour government. —— 25th anniversary. what did you do when last in power? the good friday agreement is right up there on the list of things we are proud of having done. so it's a really important year. it's an important yearfor important year. it's an important year for looking important year. it's an important yearfor looking back and reflecting on the incredible change, the incredible bravery that there was in signing that agreement and making it work. but also looking to the next 25 years and bringing with it that sense of hope and change. because we

will go through this year and we will go through this year and we will go through this year and we will go into next year and next year we will undoubtedly have a general election and that's a big moment for the united kingdom, a really, really big moment, and ifeel very strongly, and you'd expect me to say this after 13 years of, i think, failure and not moving forward in the way that we should have done, 13 years of finding points of division rather than points of unity, 13 years of missing opportunities to really take the united kingdom forward. i think and i really take the united kingdom forward. ithink and i hope really take the united kingdom forward. i think and i hope next year we get the chance to say to the electorate, do you want to carry on with this managed decline, or do you want to move forward with something else at home and change? it will be hope and change because i don't want a labour governmentjust to come in and manage things a little bit better maybe than the government we have had for the last 13 years. i want a labour government to come in and change things and give people a

sense of hope and so you can say this is something we can help and shape me. and therefore what i wanted to talk about this money is how that affects you as young people here in northern ireland. my strong view is that if we are going to change and change for the better we have to have a government that is completely focused and is able to say these are the things that we want to achieve in government. i've called admissions, a sort of mission led government, a real sense of driving purpose, we are not in government because we like being in government, we are not in power because we like being in power, we are in for a purpose, because we like being in power, we are infora purpose, to because we like being in power, we are in for a purpose, to change things for the better and there are a number of things that i really think needs changing. the first one is economic growth. growing our economy. a bike that i mean driving up economy. a bike that i mean driving up living standards. and more than driving up living standards, making sure that everywhere people feel that everywhere. —— and by that i mean. there is a sense that sometimes if i've got to get on i

need to get out from where i am and i think that destroys communities and places. and sol i think that destroys communities and places. and so i want an economy that drives forward. i think here in northern ireland, we were talking about this morning, perhaps, this is just a seed of a thought for all of you, as we reflect on the last 25 years this year, perhaps we should also say what about the next 25 years? what does that mean economically for northern ireland? can we drive that forward so that in 20 years when somebody else is probably standing here talking to the next generation of students, you can say what we did in the last 25 years in terms of driving up living standards. that is something we want to drive towards and would make a big difference here, infrastructure, roads, trains, businesses, fantastic businesses in derry. peter kyle came here and saw some of the brilliant things going on in some of the businesses here. that technology and innovation is all here. another big driving mission is obviously we have to have a health service that is fit

for the future. at the moment we have a health service which every winter goes through a crisis. every winter goes through a crisis. every winter we put a sticking plaster on it and then we just about breathe in the summer and then we go back into a crisis for the next winter. we can't keep going on like that, we need a health service fit for the future. and it has got to bring together physical health and mental health. i know for many young people here i think when you had your school council one of the issues you rose was mental health of students, of young people in this school. and i think i'm right in saying you have mental health mentors who help with that. i think that's one of the big issues as we go forward, as is climate change. we have an obligation in relation to the climate to preserve our planet for you, and for the generation to come behind you, which is a heavy, heavy responsibility, but also a fantastic opportunity, bringing brilliantjobs opportunity, bringing brilliant jobs of opportunity, bringing brilliantjobs of the future in the change we have to go through in order to make our

climate work. another one of course is safety and security. you don't need me to tell you how important that is. if you don't have that basic security and peace and space for you to flourish, it is hard to flourish, and therefore there has to be a central driving mission of any government. and then the fifth thing is opportunity for every child and every young person everywhere will stop the everywhere is really important in all of this because quite often when we talk about growing the economy and opportunities we talk too much about one particular place, you know, it will happen in london or the big cities. we have got to make sure that it cities. we have got to make sure thatitis cities. we have got to make sure that it is across all of the united kingdom, across all of northern ireland. i think there are huge opportunities. so this is a time for me to enjoy being here. i much prefer being here than being in parliament, by the way. monday, tuesday and wednesday we were in parliament and in with prime minister's questions at about 12 o'clock. the best part of the week was about 1230 when we have finished

pmqs and i could leave parliament and get out and talk to you in communities and get across the united kingdom rather than stuck in parliament shouting at each other across the benches which behaviour would never be tolerated in this school, that's for sure. thank you for having me. i'm now going to take some questions. i've got the first three and then we are going to break it out and get in as many as we can. i hope the first three are expecting me to ask for them to give me a question because if not you will have to think fast on your feet. i've got first patrick. patrick. you were expecting to ask a question, patrick? ., , . , . . ,, patrick? hello, my name is patrick and my question — patrick? hello, my name is patrick and my question is _ patrick? hello, my name is patrick and my question is about - patrick? hello, my name is patrick and my question is about the - patrick? hello, my name is patrick. and my question is about the windsor agreement~ _ and my question is about the windsor agreement. it has been stated that the agreement can be a solution to end the _ the agreement can be a solution to end the stalemate instalment, do you believe _ end the stalemate instalment, do you believe that? i end the stalemate instalment, do you believe that?—

believe that? i do, and i'm always conscious that _ believe that? i do, and i'm always conscious that it's _ believe that? i do, and i'm always conscious that it's very _ believe that? i do, and i'm always conscious that it's very important | conscious that it's very important for communities here and for political parties here to be comfortable with the progress that we make. when i was here working 20 years or so ago i was always reticent about being the person that came from london to tell people in northern ireland what i thought they ought to think, sol northern ireland what i thought they ought to think, so i don't want to do that. but i do genuinely think that this is a real opportunity. i felt that before we even saw the text, or we were given of the text this week, over the last months and six weeks i could feel the uk and eu are moving closer together. this is are moving closer together. this is a good thing, i'm a great believer in bridge building and bringing people together and not the politics of division. i do think there is enoughin of division. i do think there is enough in the protocol for us to move forward. it is a compromise, of course it is a compromise, that's the nature of any agreement. but if it gives us the space to move forward, and i think it will, if it leads to storm and running again and

then i think that's really good. i think this is a real opportunity. what do you think, patrick? j think this is a real opportunity. what do you think, patrick? i think it is touch and _ what do you think, patrick? i think it is touch and go _ what do you think, patrick? i think it is touch and go whether- what do you think, patrick? i think it is touch and go whether the - what do you think, patrick? i think it is touch and go whether the dupi it is touch and go whether the dup will back— it is touch and go whether the dup will back it — it is touch and go whether the dup will back it or not. i it is touch and go whether the dup will back it or not.— will back it or not. i get that, that's why — will back it or not. i get that, that's why l'm _ will back it or not. i get that, that's why i'm glad _ will back it or not. i get that, that's why i'm glad the - will back it or not. i get that, that's why i'm glad the dup. will back it or not. i get that, | that's why i'm glad the dup is taking the time to look at it carefully. we were very careful in saying we would support it in the protocol but it is important that it has the greatest consensus possible. and therefore i do hope, i'm really glad the dup are taking time to carefully consider the protocol. i do hope that that allows them to get to a position where we can move forward. ifeel that to a position where we can move forward. i feel that there to a position where we can move forward. ifeel that there is to a position where we can move forward. i feel that there is an opportunity there. as you will see across our parliament as well, there is quite a consensus behind the protocol, and that's why i said to rishi sunak the prime minister early on we will vote for the protocol, therefore we will not cause a division on this. because if that

then happens we can go into the celebrations on the reflection of the 25 years of the good friday agreement but also set our sights on the future. and i also hope... i'm a great believer that if you negotiate in good faith and bring people together you get better results than if you just try to divide and argue. and there is an element in me that feels that this time we have made progress because there has been a different attitude to the negotiations, and i think that is a good thing. thank you, patrick. i have got abbey. mi; good thing. thank you, patrick. i have got abbey-— good thing. thank you, patrick. i have got abbey. good thing. thank you, patrick. i haveiotabbe. y . , have got abbey. my name is abby and i would like have got abbey. my name is abby and i would like to — have got abbey. my name is abby and i would like to ask _ have got abbey. my name is abby and i would like to ask in _ have got abbey. my name is abby and i would like to ask in recent _ i would like to ask in recent reports _ i would like to ask in recent reports have indicated that many young _ reports have indicated that many young people have no faith or a little _ young people have no faith or a little faith in the political institutions in northern ireland. how— institutions in northern ireland. how can— institutions in northern ireland. how can you help to restore that faith? _ how can you help to restore that faith? l— how can you help to restore that faith? . , ,., how can you help to restore that faith? . , ., faith? i have seen some of those re norts faith? i have seen some of those reports and _ faith? i have seen some of those reports and on — faith? i have seen some of those reports and on one _ faith? i have seen some of those reports and on one level - faith? i have seen some of those reports and on one level i -

faith? i have seen some of those reports and on one level i can . reports and on one level i can understand, if i'm honest i think there is a lack of faith in politics generally to fix things that is not just across northern ireland, i think it's across the whole united kingdom, a sense of disconnect and people think i can't seem to influence politicians to really make the change that i want to see. we have got to change that because that's bad for politics. politics ought to be the most incredible force for good. the idea that you can elect in representatives to stormont and other bodies on the basis of a free vote so that we can then change things, it's a brilliant idea. the battle of ideas, should we do this, should we do that? let's have a discussion about it and the person who wins that discussion gets the right to try and change things for the better. that's an incredible force for good, and therefore when there is this distance between what politics can be and what politics sometimes has become i think it is a bad thing. i think what we have to do as politicians is to allow that

trust to be restored, to behave in a way that, actually, it means we are entitled to that trust because we should notjust assume that people should notjust assume that people should trust us, or that somehow people should look on and say they will do the right thing. we have to show that we understand what people are going through, we understand what is in their mind and that we will faithfully reflect that in the politics of the day. what do you think would make a difference for you in terms of the trust issue? i you in terms of the trust issue? i think for what young people to see more _ think for what young people to see more of— think for what young people to see more of the politics in ireland, in the elections and learn more about the elections and learn more about the elections and being more educated about it, especially young people _ educated about it, especially young people l _ educated about it, especially young n-eole. ., ., v educated about it, especially young n-eole. ,, . �*, , ,,._ people. i think that's probably riiht. i people. i think that's probably right. i think— people. i think that's probably right. i think politicians - people. i think that's probably| right. i think politicians should people. i think that's probably . right. i think politicians should be exposed to communities and people more as well. every single thing i do like this, every event we do, i always learn something, i always have something that i take away with

me. you can't get that from reading a briefing paper in london. it's not human engagement, something somebody says that makes you think, hang on, that's really interesting. so having events like this where we can directly talk to each other makes a huge, huge difference, i think. thank you, abby. and finally i've got then. thank you, abby. and finally i've iot then. �* u, thank you, abby. and finally i've iot then. �* �* ., thank you, abby. and finally i've iot then. �* �* . ., got then. i'm called ben and i a nolitics got then. i'm called ben and i a politics student _ got then. i'm called ben and i a politics student at _ got then. i'm called ben and i a politics student at st _ got then. i'm called ben and i a politics student at st columb'sl politics student at st columb's college — politics student at st columb's colle . e. �* politics student at st columb's colleie. �* ,, politics student at st columb's colleie. . , politics student at st columb's colleie. �* , , . college. are you living this year all iot college. are you living this year all got another _ college. are you living this year all got another year _ college. are you living this year all got another year to - college. are you living this year all got another year to go? - college. are you living this year all got another year to go? i've | college. are you living this year i all got another year to go? i've got another year _ all got another year to go? i've got another year to _ all got another year to go? i've got another year to go. _ all got another year to go? i've got another year to go. what _ all got another year to go? i've got another year to go. what will - all got another year to go? i've got another year to go. what will you l all got another year to go? i've got l another year to go. what will you do after that? political _ another year to go. what will you do after that? political science. - another year to go. what will you do after that? political science. john i after that? political science. john hume was _ after that? political science. john hume was a _ after that? political science. john hume was a very _ after that? political science. john hume was a very proud _ after that? political science. john hume was a very proud european after that? political science. john - hume was a very proud european and on the _ hume was a very proud european and on the 2lith— hume was a very proud european and on the 24th anniversary of the good friday— on the 24th anniversary of the good friday agreement he was a key influence~ _ friday agreement he was a key influence. i was wondering in your opinion— influence. i was wondering in your opinion what concrete steps could be taken _ opinion what concrete steps could be taken to _ opinion what concrete steps could be taken to restore the trust and improve — taken to restore the trust and improve the totality of relations

between — improve the totality of relations between the uk and eu? | improve the totality of relations between the uk and eu? i think that we have to do _ between the uk and eu? i think that we have to do everything _ between the uk and eu? i think that we have to do everything we - between the uk and eu? i think that we have to do everything we can - between the uk and eu? i think that we have to do everything we can to l we have to do everything we can to restore those relations and that trust. it is pretty well known that i campaigned for remain in 2016 and voted for remain but we lost that voted for remain but we lost that vote and therefore we left the eu. ourjob now is to make that work. i don't think that the deal we have got this working. that's why there has been of this wrangling over the protocol. if the deal was as good as it was said to have been in 2019 we wouldn't have spent the last three years trying to change it for the better. so whilst the protocol is a step in the right direction, it is actually about correcting some of what wasn't right in the first place. we need to build on that now. and, you know, when we trade we trade a lot with europe for a reason, that's because one of the rules of trade is you tend to trade with countries that are closer to you which share your history and

your values, and therefore we will always trade closely with europe, nowhere more closely than northern ireland and dublin, and all the trade that there is across the island of ireland. so that we need to make closer and easierfor our businesses. so i think we need to be clear about research and learning, and the ability that i want you to have to share your learning and development with european counterparts as we go forward, that battle of ideas that ought to be not confined to the united kingdom, not confined to the united kingdom, not confined to the island of ireland but across europe, even beyond that. i think ukraine conflict has reminded us that actually there are basic values and i had the incredible privilege of going to ukraine, going to kyivjust a few weeks ago, flying to the border with poland and getting a train into kyiv, an overnight train in, which was a very humbling experience, and seeing for myself some of the communities most affected by the

conflict that's going on there. and i was reminded then that this is very much a battle for the people of ukraine. it is their incredible resilience and courage and their incredible ability to get up everyday and i'm going to work. the trains in ukraine, they have 213,000 employees and they have higher attendance rates now than they have ever had because everybody is saying i'm not going to allow putin to succeed and therefore i will go to work. if they bomb our railway we will mend it and have the train running the next dayjust to show that we are not going to be beaten. incredible. that reminded me that this is a battle for ukraine and sovereignty against an aggression that they didn't want to. but to go to your point, it was also a reminderfor me that to your point, it was also a reminder for me that it was a battle of values, about democracy, about sovereignty and about freedom. these are things we share across this island, that we share across the united kingdom and share with our european counterparts and so security and values are very important. and therefore i think

when i say make brexit work, that is notjust when i say make brexit work, that is not just a when i say make brexit work, that is notjust a technical thing, it is also about how we work together with our european colleagues. so i think there is a lot of work to do there. what do you think? if you were to spin yourself forward in ten or 15 years, what would you like to see? i years, what would you like to see? i think the windsor framework is a good _ think the windsor framework is a good step~ — think the windsor framework is a good step. both sides should be talking — good step. both sides should be talkini. ., ., good step. both sides should be talkini. . ,, i. good step. both sides should be talkini. . ~' ,, ~' good step. both sides should be talkini. . ~' ~' �* talking. thank you. i think i'm throwini talking. thank you. i think i'm throwing it — talking. thank you. i think i'm throwing it open _ talking. thank you. i think i'm throwing it open now - talking. thank you. i think i'm throwing it open now is - talking. thank you. i think i'm throwing it open now is the i talking. thank you. i think i'm - throwing it open now is the general idea. studio: we will leave the labour leader sir keir starmer who is speaking to students in northern ireland, as you would expect lots of questions related to the windsor agreement, of course that is an agreement, of course that is an agreement signed just this week on post—brexit trade arrangements with northern ireland. lots of questions from the students about faith and

trust in politics, and of course ongoing relations between gb and northern ireland, so we'll leave q&a section right now and bring you up—to—date with the rest of today's main at 11:21am. the bbc understands some energy firms are expecting the government to keep support at or near current levels, and are amending their bills in of that. ——with that expectation in mind. the typical energy bill for a household in the uk is set to rise to £3,000 pounds a year from april, but there are calls for the government to keep its current level of support. that support currently means the government is limiting the typical bill to £2,500 a year, plus a £400 winter discount. that support is due to end in april, and fuel poverty campaigners say that means the number of households struggling to afford bills could rise from 6.7 million to 8.4 million. a treasury source said it wouldn't �*comment on speculation', but the chancellor jeremy hunt told the bbc a couple of weeks ago that help on energy

bills was �*under review�*. simon french, chief economist at the investment bank panmure gordon, told us he expects the government to u—turn on its decision to scale back support. the great power, if you like, of prices is prices also encourage households and businesses to think about energy efficiency. and it has to come from two forms dealing with the energy crisis. it has to come from government providing short—term support to avoid households and businesses being able to cope in the short term. ——support to avoid households and businesses being unable to cope in the short term. but you also have to see behavioural change, us all becoming more energy efficient and prices help that message. i could see how the wholesale market was evolving, i could see how that reduced the cost for the exchequer. politically, it's going to be very, very difficult because everybody can see, if they chose to look at the price on wholesale energy markets, very difficult politically to stand behind an increase in costs when the wholesale market is growing dramatically in the other direction. so close to a certainty

that this u—turn happens. i'm joined by our cost of living correspondent kevin peachey. there is a lot going on here, so maybe it is worth starting at the beginning. this additionalfunding beginning. this additional funding was beginning. this additionalfunding was intended to keep bills down as the wholesale price soared. how did it work? start at the beginning. it it work? start at the beginning. it can be understandable for many bill payers to think what has been going on? what is happening here? they will know that their bills have been going up are so pretty much double what they were a year ago. but they would have been much higher, more than £4000 a year, had the government not come in and given this energy price guarantee which limits the amount that we pay for our gas and electricity at home. so typically a household, and this is all to do with typical usage, so a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity limited to £2500 a year for their bill. what is

scheduled to happen in april is for that support to become less generous, hence the rise to £3000 a year. at the same time the £400 discount everybody got over the winter comes to an end. but there is intense speculation, and it's been happening all week, and he has more intense that the government is thinking about keeping the levels of support as sitting at the moment with the energy price guarantee. so that would mean bills are staying at £2500 rather than going up to £3000 for a typical household. this £2500 rather than going up to £3000 for a typical household.— for a typical household. this is because we — for a typical household. this is because we are _ for a typical household. this is because we are in _ for a typical household. this is because we are in a _ for a typical household. this is because we are in a sort - for a typical household. this is because we are in a sort of. for a typical household. this is - because we are in a sort of slightly perverse situation where wholesale energy prices are coming down again from the record highs, but we could have been in a position where our bills would have been going up. but because the wholesale prices coming down the government has a little bit more wiggle room.— down the government has a little bit more wiggle room. absolutely, so the effects of the — more wiggle room. absolutely, so the effects of the full _ more wiggle room. absolutely, so the effects of the full we _ more wiggle room. absolutely, so the effects of the full we have _ more wiggle room. absolutely, so the effects of the full we have seen - more wiggle room. absolutely, so the effects of the full we have seen in - effects of the full we have seen in wholesale prices, the price that

suppliers pay for the electricity which they then pass on to us, the fall in the wholesale price basically leaves the government with a smaller bill than it would have otherwise have had. so actually it is spending less than it would have anticipated on this energy price guarantee, around 30 billion or so, so still a significant amount of money. if the government extends for another three months, which the speculation suggests it is, remember the treasury still says this is very much under review, that would cost it about £3 billion and plenty of campaigners and the opposition parties too saying that is money that can either through borrowing or taxation be spent to support people as energy prices are still quite high. but as the forecast goes on it suggests that the wholesale price will continue to fall, therefore this energy price guarantee would become redundant afterjuly, so

therefore it is pretty much a short—term fix. a therefore it is pretty much a short-term fix. a interesting when we ran through — short-term fix. a interesting when we ran through those _ short-term fix. a interesting when we ran through those numbers - short-term fix. a interesting when | we ran through those numbers lots short-term fix. a interesting when i we ran through those numbers lots of people already struggling to afford bills, expected to rise from 6.7 million up to 8.4 million, a substantial number of people that just cannot meet the rising bills and yet there are calls from some quarters suggesting this money would be better spent elsewhere, this is an untargeted bit of support throwing money at the problem, and yes we all benefit, but it may be doesn't benefit those who need it most. taste doesn't benefit those who need it most. ~ u, doesn't benefit those who need it most. . _, , , , doesn't benefit those who need it most. . , , , ., most. we cover this extensively of course. throughout _ most. we cover this extensively of course. throughout the _ most. we cover this extensively of course. throughout the winter - most. we cover this extensively of i course. throughout the winter there is difficulties in the real intense difficulties for some people to pay their energy bills. everybody has been looking at a high energy bill, some have been able to cope with that, perhaps covid savings, for example, but some are really struggling for money already have really found it very difficult. so there is a view that the government, instead of providing this £3 billion

to limit everybody�*s energy bill, could actually target it and that could actually target it and that could be done in two ways, either targeted at the people who really need that support, so people on low incomes, of course there are cost of which will continue through the winter, next winter coming. or by targeting it at the time of year when our energy use is highest, ie next winter. when our energy use is highest, ie next winter-— next winter. really interesting. lots of speculation. _ next winter. really interesting. lots of speculation. we - next winter. really interesting. lots of speculation. we may i next winter. really interesting. l lots of speculation. we may hear something head of the spring budget on the 15th of march. kevin, busy weekend. thank you, kevin peachey, our cost of living correspondent. in other news today. a couple charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the remains of a baby were found in woodland in sussex are appearing before magistrates. constance marten and mark gordon were also charged with concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course ofjustice. the couple sparked a nationwide search after going missing seven weeks ago with their newborn. they were found in brighton on monday night and the baby's body

was discovered on wednesday. let's move now to wesminster, where conservative mps have expressed anger after sue gray, a senior civil servant who wrote the partygate report, was offered a job as the chief of staff for labour leader sir keir starmer. we can speak to our political correspondent david wallace lockhart. this has caused quite a stir. it has. very few civil servants become household names but i think sue gray during her party gets investigation definitely cleared that bar. and of course she wrote that report that found there had been failures of leadership in downing street regarding parties during the coronavirus lockdowns. it was not what brought borisjohnson down but it a souring of feeling amongst his mps towards him. we now know she is on the verge of accepting a job with

the labour party. she has left the civil service. that has led to a number of conservative mps to start saying this raises questions about motivations she had when compiling that report. the world at one programme on radio four has done an interview with nadine dorries, she is a conservative mp and a very close ally of borisjohnson, and she has said she believes that sue gray's motivation was to bring down borisjohnson, and her report is therefore not worth the paper it is written on. plenty of people are defending sue gray's conduct as a civil servant and simply saying you can't claim that simply because someone takes a different career choice and moves into working for a political party rather than the government of the day, that it invalidates everything they did beforehand. labourare invalidates everything they did beforehand. labour are also saying that conversations with sue gray about becoming sir keir starmer�*s chief of staff started after she had done that report into lockdown

parties. the civil service union, the fda, also saying that she has been a civil servant of unimpeachable integrity for the entirety of her career, and therefore, these attacks simply are not fair. but what it certainly has done with this move is give supporters of borisjohnson this ammunition, and even some mps who are not necessarily the traditional allies of borisjohnson who are saying that they are not entirely sure this is appropriate. now, there is a body involved here called acoba, which makes decisions about whether or notjobs are appropriate for senior civil servants to be taken. the sue gray and labour say they will abide by any decisions that takes. it will probably make recommendations, or it has options to make recommendations which tend to make recommendations which tend to be about how long someone should wait before taking up a newjob, and

as i say labour and sue gray both say they will respect what that body recommends. but yes, sue gray has been a household name in the past. once again perhaps becoming a bit of a household name again. but labour obviously keen to get someone who has had high—level government experience into working very closely with sir keir starmer, that's because their intentions are to get to number 10 because their intentions are to get to numberio in because their intentions are to get to number 10 in the not—too—distant future. to number10 in the not-too-distant future. ., . ,, ., future. david, get to talk to you this morning. — future. david, get to talk to you this morning, thank _ future. david, get to talk to you this morning, thank you - future. david, get to talk to you this morning, thank you for - this morning, thank you for explaining that. keep us updated. david willis lockhart in westminster. good morning. a timely jason roy century helps england set bangladesh 327 to win in the second one day international taking place in dhaka. the opener�*s place in the side has been under pressure due to some bad form but some hefty blows along the way to scoring 132

should be a boost to him and england ahead of the world cup later this year. buttler scored 76 and moeen ali hit 42. bangladesh are currently 64—3 in the 15th over. australia have confirmed their place in the world test championship final with a nine—wicket victory in the third test against india. chasing just 76 to win, australia overcame the loss of usman khawaja in the second ball to seal only their second win on indian soil since 2004. travis head led the way with an unbeaten 49 offjust 53 balls as the tourists bounced back from defeats in the first two tests. india can seal their place in the championship final with victory over australia in the fourth and final test which begins on thursday in ahmedabad. yeah, the way we went about it this week was outstanding and pleased to help obviously now qualified for the final of the world test championship

which has obviously been on our radarfor a which has obviously been on our radar for a little while, which has obviously been on our radarfor a little while, so which has obviously been on our radar for a little while, so to take that off, i think that is worth celebrating for this team as well. yesterday again i thought we were great with the ball. nathan obviously got a lot of the rewards, but i thought our bowling group as a collective were outstanding. some athletics for you now from the european indoors championships in istanbul — laura muir has won her heat in the 1,500 metres this morning to qualify for the final. the scot was a world bronze medallist last year and is the favourite for gold this time round as she looks to add to her double—gold hauls from 2017 and 2019. it is just it isjust a it is just a matter of trying to conserve as much energy as possible. it was close for the finish but i would rather that than be ahead. you want to just qualify ideally. if i became champion that would be critical. i like even numbers but i will take five quarters. yeah, it is very exciting to be on the cusp of potentially doing that and i want to make the team proud.

ellie baker, is also through — the 24 year old claimed the british indoor championships title a couple of weeks ago in birmingham. katie snowden is a third gb hopeful into saturday's final. great britain's daryll neita won her heat in the 60 metres comfortably with a time of 7.14 seconds to continue her good form as well. her teammate asha phillip is also through to the next round. holly mills is sitting in seventh place after three events in the pentahlon. she set a season best of 8.34 seconds in the 60 metre hurdles and made a personal best in the highjump. it continues later this afternoon. novak djokovic says he is feeling �*close to his best�* as he gets set to play daniil medvedev in the semi finals of the dubai tennis championships this afternoon. the 22—time grand slam champion took his record to 15—0 in 2023

with a straight sets win over poland�*s hubert hurkacz in the quarters, but he now expects a tough match against the russian world number seven who, like djokovic, is also going for his third title of the year. luckily for me, already second match and i am feeling as close to best that i could possibly feel. of course, you can always be better but i am playing at a high level and i am happy with my tennis. that�*s all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. thank you. we will see you later.

good morning. reminders of what we may be expecting to hear. good morning. a quick warning that some viewers may find some of the language used in this report a little bit upsetting, but what we expect is the ultimate day of that hearing which started on tuesday. we think the panel in the building behind is hearing evidence will retire on tuesday to decide upon the sanctions that may be placed as part of that hearing. but today, as you say, we are expecting to hear from the former england captain michael vaughan. he captained the side for 51 tests over a five year period. we have yet to hear from mr vaughan because his solicitor, christopher stoner casey, is continuing to cross examine some of the six witnesses who are part of that hearing, and in the last hourjust before i came to do this report for you, i can tell

you that he has been hearing from the director of legal and integrity at the england and wales cricket board. it was following the claims in august of 2020 that a number of investigations were held to look into the claims and the ecb were one of these and of course mr bottras was in charge of it. the solicitor has been asking whether the ecb investigation was fair and transparent and bottras has continued throughout the morning to say that it was. as you said, this is day three and there has been a lot of testimony already. some of it very difficult to hear, as you touched on, but remind us what they have been touching on. of course. we began here on tuesday and we have been live reporting throughout the

weekend we will continue to do so until the conclusion of this, but basically following the claims in august of 2020, we have had a number of investigations and a number of high—profile resignations from yorkshire county cricket club. now, as part of the ecb investigation, seven individuals were charged with bringing the game into disrepute. yorkshire county cricket club was charged with the same offence. six of those seven men did not appear at this hearing. only michael vaughan, he is the only man charged. the other six decided to withdraw from the disciplinary proceedings. however, evidence has still been heard in their absence. with regard to the charge against mr vaughan specifically, he is alleged by mr rafiq to have said ahead of a t20 match against nottinghamshire on the 22nd ofjune 2009, he is alleged to have said to a group of asian players, there are far too many of

you lot. we need to have a word about that. now, mrvaughan categorically denies that. in fact, his solicitor has said that when he heard the claims he could not quite believe that they have been made against him. we are going to be hearing more information about that incident from michael vaughan himself and we believe that is going to get under way at, we have been told, 12 o�*clock. give very much. keeps updated. now, thousands of messages sent and received by the former health secretary during the pandemic have been leaked this week in the latest exchange released by the daily telegraph newspaper. matt hancock was seen to joke. matt hancock and a senior cabinet official are seen tojoke about travellers arriving in the uk

being "locked up" in "shoe box" quarantine hotels. joining me now is james crouch, head of policy & public affairs at opinium. thank you for being with us. let me put this to you. we have had more revelations by the day this week. these latest ones make for astonishing reading, but do voters care about what they are seeing right now?— care about what they are seeing riihtnow? ., _ , right now? well, obviously these latest revelations _ right now? well, obviously these latest revelations are _ right now? well, obviously these latest revelations are not - right now? well, obviously these latest revelations are not ideal. right now? well, obviously these | latest revelations are not ideal for the government. it was effectively the government. it was effectively the government�*s first good news week in quite a considerable period of time, possibly even two years and so you had the brexit deal at the beginning of the week, it looked like the government was back on the front foot, so having these revelations, no matter what impact they have, having these revelations at this precise moment in time is very unhelpful and especially as the next opinion poll is out in the observer next week in and we don�*t have the results from that but other polls suggest that there has been movement back to the government, so for that movement to basically kind of stopped dead in its tracks by dragging the government back to

talking about 2020, 2021 and matt hancock and the government�*s behaviour in general is not going to behaviour in general is not going to be helpful at all.— be helpful at all. what is the overwhelming _ be helpful at all. what is the overwhelming sort _ be helpful at all. what is the overwhelming sort of- be helpful at all. what is the overwhelming sort of feeling be helpful at all. what is the - overwhelming sort of feeling about the nature of these messages? because suggest general day to day government business, they reflect some of the uncertainty at the time. at some of them, like the latest ones today, mocking people being locked up in a shoe box hotel rooms. i wonder what the overwhelming feeling is, the overarching feeling? it almost kinda differs whether we are talking about how people felt at the time and how people feel now. even during the pandemic, they were all sorts of rumours and leaks about things the prime minister, boris johnson, had said at the time and they didn�*t really seem to have a huge amount of impact, partly because i think some people didn�*t believe them, some people thought that actually the government was getting a lot of things wrong but they were basically good people with

a very difficult scenario and doing their best to get through it. partygate is what really change that. that is when people went from giving the government the benefit of the doubt and doubting some of the things, and now the trust is not there. the trust is lost and so when you now get leaks like this, you see those exchanges, the public go from almost slightly critical responses to actually quite angry sort of responses. so these are quite damaging. it depends how much coverage they get over the next week or two, coverage they get over the next week ortwo, but coverage they get over the next week or two, but people will very much look at these and say, well, isn�*t this typical of basically the behaviour of the government during that period? because the reputation of it has taken a big battering in retrospect. of it has taken a big battering in retrospect-— retrospect. yeah, and what is it tellers just _ retrospect. yeah, and what is it tellers just about _ retrospect. yeah, and what is it tellers just about the _ retrospect. yeah, and what is it tellersjust about the general.

tellers just about the general feeling in government at the time? i am looking at some of these now and mr hancock they are talking about people being in quarantine hotels, he says we are going to put all of the popsters in the small box rooms, i want to see some of the faces coming out of first class into a shoe box in a hotel. we were all taking this very seriously. we were obeying the rules, by and large, and yet there seems to be that this is a running joke. there is a lot of that element of it that is probably, one would assume, most damaging. ltrefoil. would assume, most damaging. well, the additional — would assume, most damaging. -ii the additional damaging part is that we are now going back to talking about certain areas of government policy that really were never particularly popular or people never thought the government did very well, so there were some things that the government basically got a lot of credit for in the pandemic, so busy things like farlow, the financial support for workers, and the vaccine roll—out, obviously loads of people said, look, how fantastic that was and britain leading that charge, but there are a

whole series of things throughout the pandemic that the public always thought the government was doing pretty badly on, so things like preventing the spread of the virus. even when the vaccine roll—out was at that point, people said we are in this position because the government wasn�*t taking it seriously enough and wasn�*t preventing the spread of the virus. testing as well, test and trace has become a huge negative. people have a big negative memory now of test and trace and even at the time people said the government isn�*t really handling testing very well, so it is not only that, yes, these are terrible things to be talking about, also notjust getting the government to drag back to 2020 and 2021, but it is all of those things that the people thought at the time the government were not doing very well and i think it will crystallise that opinion.- crystallise that opinion. james, thank you _ crystallise that opinion. james, thank you very _ crystallise that opinion. james, thank you very much _ crystallise that opinion. james, thank you very much for - crystallise that opinion. james, thank you very much for being l crystallise that opinion. james, - thank you very much for being with us.

the families of those who died in the manchester arena bombing have described their pain and anger at the failure of m15 to stop the attack. a public inquiry found the intelligence and security agency missed a significant chance to take action that might have stopped the 2017 bombing. danny savage reports. the latest figures show a 27% jump to the anti—terrorism prevent scheme. john, who now works for a charity helping people leave the far right says the internet means it is really for young people to be radicalised. it�*s unbelievably easy to access stuff online. roughly 70% of people we engage with are recruited online. referrals are up massively, i still don�*t think we�*re done with the wave of lockdown. in terms of the possibility of a big—scale terrorist attack in a different setting,

the possibility is still very real. and you can see more on this story from our colleagues abbiejones & lauren hirst on the bbc news website and app. energy firms are preparing for the government to change course and maintain support for household energy bills, rather than reducing help at the end of the month as planned. labour defends the decision to offer a job to the former civil servant sue gray — who oversaw the investigation into lockdown parties in downing street. constance marten and mark gordon are due to appear in court after a baby�*s remains were found following a huge search operation around brighton. a prominent lawyer in the us state of south carolina — who�*s the subject of netflix�*s latest true crime documentary — has been found guilty

of killing his wife and son. prosecutors said alex murdaugh wanted to distract attention from the fact he stole millions of dollars from clients, to fund an expensive drug habit. garry o�*donoghue has this report. a small town courthouse in south carolina, but a dramatic trial that has gripped the nation�*s imagination. minimum sentence for murder... after nearly six weeks of evidence but less than three hours of deliberation, the jury returned its verdict on both murder charges. docket number 2022 gs15. verdict, guilty. signed by the foreperson of the jury. outside the court, the prosecutor said justice had been done. if you do wrong, if you break the law, if you murder, justice will be done in south carolina. the murdaugh family dominated the legal world in this picturesque part of south carolina. for decades, the family held key prosecutor roles in several counties. and their private law firm was seen almost as powerful as law enforcement itself.

it was at this 1700—acre property that the bodies of maggie and paul murdaugh were found brutally murdered almost two years ago. the culmination of a series of events that had seen three other separate suspicious deaths connected to the family. three months later, alex murdaugh, accused of killing his wife and son, was also to admit to a botched suicide attempt involving a $10 billion insurance claim, charges for which are still pending. but during the murder trial, he was adamant he was innocent. did you take this gun or any gun like it and blow your son�*s brains out onjune 7, or any day, or any time? no, i did not. and he may be taken away. as he left the courtroom, murdaugh mouthed "i love you" to his son buster, who was in the public gallery. he will be sentenced later today and could get anything from 30 years to life without parole. but that isn�*t the end

of it for alex murdaugh. he still faces dozens of other charges for financial crimes and investigations into other suspicious deaths connected to the family. gary o�*donoghue, bbc news. palestinian officials say israeli forces have shot dead a 15—year—old boy in the west bank. they say two other teenagers were wounded in the incident in azzun, one critically. the israeli army says the boys were throwing fireworks at israeli cars and threw petrol bombs at troops during a search. our middle east correspondent tom bateman is injerusalem. what we know is there where it seems a group of teenagers and young men who were in this town, it is azzun in the northern part of the west bank, close to the separation barrier. now, what palestinian health officials have said is that the 15—year—olds was shot in the back. there is another teenager who

was also seriously wounded and third who suffered from minor injuries in this. as far as the israeli army, their account of this goes was that their account of this goes was that the boys were firing fireworks at israeli cars on a highway in that area. the israeli troops then arrived and during the search they say that petrol bombs were thrown and that is why they used live ammunition. they haven�*t been clear about why the use of lethal force was necessary to stop that in this particular case. so we have those two accounts from both palestinian officials and the israeli army and i think the context here is the spiralling violence that we have been seeing in the west bank. there have been at least 65 palestinians, both civilians and militants who have been killed so far this year, and in the same period 13 israelis and in the same period 13 israelis and a foreign national in palestinian attacked dig—macro

attacks. so the reality is that all of this shows no signs of abating, despite international attempts to try to get de—escalation in the region. the bbc�*s our world has unveiled a criminal underworld of puppy traders trafficking dogs across europe. from illegal puppy mills in hungary, the dogs are sold into a vast trade network in western europe. the documentary follows a team of undercover vets and the charity four paws to try and bust the trade. they discover how pregnant dogs are being trafficked, and how puppy mills are sending dogs to huge pet shops in belgium, where they are bought by british gangs. anna adams reports. these dogs have been rescued from illegal puppy mills in hungary by animal charities. a bbc our world investigation found smugglers breaking the law and abusing the pet passport scheme to traffic pregnant dogs and puppies into the uk. they make their way to britain via germany,

where police have seized more than 3,000 dogs since 2021. this hungarian smuggler kept these four heavily pregnant daschunds in squalid conditions as he tried to transport them into the uk, claiming they were his pets. under the european pets travel scheme, you are allowed to transport dogs if they are your pets, but the evidence showed it was more likely that they had come from a puppy mill in hungary. translation: the boxes were far too small, very dirty _ and full of urine. the four dogs were rescued and brought to an animal shelter in germany where they gave birth to 21 puppies, worth more than £42,000. translation: they weren't used to any contact with people. - they didn't know any sounds and the outside was also alien to them. the first time we put them on the meadow, they were completely overwhelmed. they did not know what to do. the smuggler was released without charge in germany. a few days later, he was caught by british border authorities as he tried to smuggle more dogs

into the uk. he was released again without charge. we tried to contact him, but he didn�*t respond. the bbc infiltrated a network of online groups, buying and selling pregnant dogs. in the uk, it is illegal to sell puppies that you haven�*t bred yourself. back in hungary, we met adina who has rescued hundreds of dogs from puppy mills. she says puppy breeders will go to extreme lengths to hide the dogs. translation: she is a rescue from a puppy mill in a town . where there are nearly 150 dogs. the adults had their vocal cords cut so that they couldn�*t bark and draw attention from the neighbours. barking as long as the uk�*s appetite for puppies continues, experts say that smugglers will persist. they say the only way to stop

them is to refuse to buy a dog unless you are sure of where it�*s come from. and you can see the full documentary inside the illegal puppy trade on bbc world news at 2330 gmt today friday 3rd march or at 0030 and 0430 on saturday four march and on bbc iplayer in the uk. the arctic monkeys will headline glastonbury, it has been announced. the line—up also includes lana del ray and blondie. matt everett says that having an all—male headliner line—up is not an ideal situation for the festival. it line-up is not an ideal situation for the festival.— for the festival. it is not something _ for the festival. it is not something that - for the festival. it is not something that the - for the festival. it is not. something that the festival organisers are not aware of. in fact, emily evers has talked about the fact that there was a female

headliner scheduled to appear and was booked in but certain issues with the scheduling and that she was not able to fulfil that. now, glastonbury, unlike many other festivals, are incredibly aware that they need to be equal in terms of male and female artists. many music festivals have not responded in the way that glastonbury have. they have always been very good at promoting female artists and trying to get that split the way that it should be so this is not a case of them being tone deaf to the issues surrounding female headliners. there is a big issue around over whether female artists are being encouraged and helped to these big festivals. some big festivals do kind of rely on the same headliners all of the time and so there is a blockage in the pipeline of female artists, there isn�*t a pipeline of female artists and that is something they need. i don�*t think this is something that has been done without awareness that you need a better gender split. it does seem to have been done that

because someone, a big female artist, pulled out. infill because someone, a big female artist, pulled out.— artist, pulled out. will be back with the headlines _ artist, pulled out. will be back with the headlines a _ artist, pulled out. will be back with the headlines a few- artist, pulled out. will be back - with the headlines a few moments, but let�*s have a look at the weather. hello. there will be a few sunny breaks this afternoon but for many of you cloudy skies will continue to dominate and that could be thick enough for a few spots in england, east wales, northern ireland especially for some light rain or drizzle. most will be dry, sunny spells in south—western wales, not as much as this morning. a few more breaks to scotland and eastern england. 7—9. lovely if you are in the sunshine and light winds but for most another rather chilly day. this evening and overnight, we start with plenty of cloud and some breaks appearing in northern england and across scotland. that means where we see the brakes are greater chance of frost into the start of the weekend. most will start their weekend dry at least. a fair bit of clutter england

and wales. some sunny moments through central and western areas. tomorrow, eastern scotland and in good could have increasing showers. as things turn colder by the end of the weekend, next week there may be some snow.

david willis lockhart in westminster.

this is bbc news. the headlines: energy firms are preparing for the government to change course and maintain support for household energy bills, rather than reducing help at the end of the month as planned. labour defends the decision to offer a job to the former civil servant sue gray — who oversaw the investigation into lockdown parties in downing street. constance marten and mark gordon are due to appear in court after a baby�*s remains were found following a huge search operation around brighton. the big reveal — glastonbury festival announces arctic monkeys, guns n�* roses and sir eltonjohn as their 2023 headliners. it is the end of an era. the veteran

broadcaster ken bruce signs off from his radio 2 show for the final time. hello, welcome to bbc news. the bbc understands that some energy firms are expecting the government to keep support at, or near, current levels — and are amending their bills with that expectation in mind. the typical energy bill for a household in the uk is set to rise to £3,000 a year from april, but there are calls for the government to keep its current level of support. that support currently means the government is limiting the typical bill to £2,500 a year, plus they�*ve paid a £400 winter discount.

that support was due to end in april, and fuel poverty campaigners say that means the number of households struggling to afford bills could rise from 6.7 million to 8.4 million. a treasury source said it wouldn�*t �*comment on speculation�*, but chancellorjeremy hunt told the bbc a couple of weeks ago that help on energy bills was �*under review�*. our cost of living corrsepondent kevin peachey has more. it can be understandable for many bill payers to think what has been going on? what is happening here? they will know that their bills have been going up are so pretty much double what they were a year ago. but they would have been much higher, more than £4,000 a year, had the government not come in and given this energy price guarantee which limits the amount that we pay for our gas and electricity at home. so typically a household, and this is all to do with typical usage, so a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity

limited to £2,500 a yearfor their bill. what is scheduled to happen in april is for that support to become less generous, hence the rise to £3,000 a year. at the same time the £400 discount everybody got over the winter comes to an end. but there is intense speculation, and it�*s been happening all week, and it has got more intense that the government is thinking about keeping the levels of support as it is at the moment with the energy price guarantee. so that would mean bills are staying at £2,500 rather than going up to £3,000 for a typical household. this is because we are in a sort of slightly perverse situation where wholesale energy prices are coming down again from those record highs, but we could have been in a position where our bills would have been going up, but because the wholesale

price is coming down the government has a little bit more wiggle room. absolutely, so the effects of the fall we have seen in wholesale prices, the price that suppliers pay for the electricity which they then pass on to us, the fall in the wholesale price basically leaves the government with a smaller bill than it would have otherwise have had. so actually it is spending less than it would have anticipated on this energy price guarantee, around 30 billion or so, so still a significant amount of money. if the government extends for another three months, which the speculation suggests it is, remember the treasury still saying this is very much under review, while that would cost it about £3 billion and plenty of campaigners and the opposition parties too saying actually that is money that can either through borrowing or taxation be spent to support people as energy prices are still quite high. but as the forecast goes on it

suggests that the wholesale price will continue to fall, and therefore this energy price guarantee will become redundant afterjuly, so therefore it is pretty much a short—term fix. interesting when we ran through those numbers — lots of people already struggling to afford bills, expected to rise from 6.7 million up to 8.4 million, a substantial number of people thatjust cannot meet those rising bills, and yet there are calls from some quarters suggesting this money would be better spent elsewhere, this is an untargeted bit of support it throws money at the problem, and yes we all benefit, but it maybe doesn�*t benefit those who need it most. we cover this extensively of course. throughout the winter there is difficulties in the real intense difficulties for some people to pay their energy bills. everybody has been looking at a high energy bill, some have been able to cope with that, perhaps covid savings, for example, but some are really struggling for money already have really found it very difficult.

so there is a view that the government, instead of providing this £3 billion to limit everybody�*s energy bill, could actually target it and that could be done in two ways, either target it at the people who really need that support, so people on lower incomes, and of course there are cost of living payments which will continue through the winter, next winter coming. or by targeting it at the time of year when our energy use is highest, ie, next winter. kevin peachey talking to me earlier. it is worth reiterating the bbc understands that energy price guarantees a board will remain in place for an extra three months. this is an assumption, does not officially confirmed by the government or the treasury but we understand that energy firms have been told to prepare bills according to that. because as kevin explained

those bills would have been due to rise to about £3000 for a typical user on a typical dual fuel bill with the extra help becoming about £2500. wholesale energy prices are coming down giving the government a bit more wiggle room when it comes to the finances of this, so we understand the chancellor asking energy firms to prepare bills based on that support continuing. one thing that may not continue is that winter fuel payment, that extra £400 that we all had to send to our energy firms that was then refunded to us. that we understand will not continue as perhaps the name suggests, it was a winter payment, about £66 a month that we got back. that looks likely to end. but the cap keeping prices lower than maybe they should be looks set to continue for bills staying for an average user at £2500. let�*s get the thoughts of robert buckley, from the independent energy analysis firm cornwall insight. good to have you

with us. you will have heard, as we have, that that support will continue. welcome relief for a lot of people who were expecting a significant increase in their bills. talk to was a bit about the background of this. wholesale energy prices are beginning to fall, aren�*t they? prices are beginning to fall, aren't the ? , , ., they? hi, yes indeed, wholesale eneri they? hi, yes indeed, wholesale energy prices — they? hi, yes indeed, wholesale energy prices have _ they? hi, yes indeed, wholesale energy prices have been - they? hi, yes indeed, wholesale energy prices have been falling l they? hi, yes indeed, wholesale l energy prices have been falling for quite some time but they are still historically quite high. so absolutely the continuation of the energy price guarantee and £2500 is something that we hear that suppliers are also preparing for. obviously it has to be confirmed officially. if you look at our camp forecast, default tariff camp forecast, default tariff camp forecast after the end ofjune, the next period from july to september, the forecast is currently coming in at about £2200, a little bit lower than that, then it is pretty consistent at that level over the coming year. so it does look like this action is being taken in the

expectation that prices will fall again to that 2200 level. explain to me a little bit _ again to that 2200 level. explain to me a little bit about _ again to that 2200 level. explain to me a little bit about the _ again to that 2200 level. explain to me a little bit about the mechanics| me a little bit about the mechanics of this. we talked there about the chancellor perhaps talking to energy firms already, saying to prepare bills on that basis. there is a bit of a time lag on this, so that�*s why those conversations might be happening now. those conversations might be happening now— those conversations might be happening now. absolutely, the su . nliers happening now. absolutely, the soppliers have _ happening now. absolutely, the suppliers have to _ happening now. absolutely, the suppliers have to give _ happening now. absolutely, the suppliers have to give a - happening now. absolutely, the| suppliers have to give a month's suppliers have to give a month�*s notice in change of tariffs to their customers and it�*s quite an intensive and complex process to alert millions and millions of people. the budget date of the 15th of march falls within that month window effectively at the moment. so suppliers could have been in the situation of preparing for one set of prices, the energy price guarantee of £3000, and then an announcement being made that the guarantee was staying at 2500. so

that could have involved a lot of work going in one direction only to have two then go in another. so you can understand why there is a lot of talk, as you havejust can understand why there is a lot of talk, as you have just outlined. can understand why there is a lot of talk, as you havejust outlined. taste talk, as you have 'ust outlined. we should talk, as you have just outlined. we should reiterate nothing is confirmed yet, this isjust should reiterate nothing is confirmed yet, this is just what we understand what will happen. if there is confirmation do you think it will happen in the budget on march 16? ., , it will happen in the budget on march 16? . , ., it will happen in the budget on march 16? . , . , �* march 16? that is the date, isn't it? that is _ march 16? that is the date, isn't it? that is the _ march 16? that is the date, isn't it? that is the next _ march 16? that is the date, isn't it? that is the next set - march 16? that is the date, isn't it? that is the next set piece - march 16? that is the date, isn't i it? that is the next set piece event where these kind of things could be talked about. it is certainly our working assumption.— talked about. it is certainly our working assumption. let's talk about the wider picture, _ working assumption. let's talk about the wider picture, energy _ working assumption. let's talk about the wider picture, energy bills - the wider picture, energy bills spiked after the russian invasion of ukraine putting a lot more pressure and are scrambled to find alternative sources of energy. give me a sense of which way things are heading. i know you talked about the wholesale price which we expect a full, in the summer there will be less demand for gas and electricity, one would assume. heading in the

right direction but it is winter of next year that might be looming as a problem the horizon. thea;r next year that might be looming as a problem the horizon.— next year that might be looming as a problem the horizon. they seem to be headini in problem the horizon. they seem to be heading in a — problem the horizon. they seem to be heading in a better— problem the horizon. they seem to be heading in a better direction, - problem the horizon. they seem to be heading in a better direction, let's - heading in a better direction, let�*s remember that 2200 cap equivalent is still double where it has been historically. we could be in a lot worse situation, and hopefully this winter is mild which will leave the continent of europe in a relatively good position to refill gas storage without any russian gas, or a minimal quantities of russian gas for next winter, so this reordering of the european gas market will continue. but at much, much higher prices than we have seen historically.— prices than we have seen historically. prices than we have seen historicall. , , , ., historically. give us a sense of what is happening _ historically. give us a sense of what is happening elsewhere l historically. give us a sense of| what is happening elsewhere in historically. give us a sense of - what is happening elsewhere in the world. we tend to think of this is a uk problem in securing those supplies. we know mainland europe is also facing similar issues in getting enough of this stuff. are we getting enough of this stuff. are we getting better at finding alternative sources? i

getting better at finding alternative sources? i think actually if _ alternative sources? i think actually if you _ alternative sources? i think actually if you look - alternative sources? i think actually if you look at - alternative sources? i think actually if you look at what | alternative sources? i think. actually if you look at what has happened and how the whole european market has been reshaped over the last 12 to 18 months, it is a phenomenal change and the energy has can continued to flow, albeit at very expensive prices. we have not seenin very expensive prices. we have not seen in voluntary disconnection, mass disconnection. there has been some very distressed customers because of the prices, and governments across the continent have stepped in to try and support that, but by and large the flows have changed very, very significantly. and it looks like a shift that, if not permanent, will be with us for many years. taste shift that, if not permanent, will be with us for many years. we know the eneri be with us for many years. we know the energy price _ be with us for many years. we know the energy price is _ be with us for many years. we know the energy price is determined - be with us for many years. we know the energy price is determined by i be with us for many years. we know| the energy price is determined by so many different factors, one of which of course is demand, how many people need it. we heard china coming back online having lifted all of its

covid rules at last, theirfactories coming back online and sucking up demand for energy. does that startle to the equation a bit as well? it to the equation a bit as well? it could well do. things are very sensitive. as you said the whole world energy market has been reordered, essentially with russian volumes going east and north west of oil and gas, volumes going east and north west of oiland gas, and volumes going east and north west of oil and gas, and that displaced supply being plugged from other sources, or in some cases lower consumption. so we are in a very volatile situation and there is this dreadful war going on as well. we don�*t know how that is going to develop over the coming months. we could see spill—over into energy markets as we saw last summer so it is a very sensitive time. find is a very sensitive time. and robert, really _ is a very sensitive time. and robert, really good - is a very sensitive time. and robert, really good to - is a very sensitive time. and robert, really good to have your

insight on the latest line. robert buckley from the analysis firm cornwall insight. just to reiterate what we heard, the expected continuation of support for energy bills likely, although not yet confirmed. you�*re watching bbc news. we have a line of breaking news to bring you relating to the investigation into whether the former prime minister borisjohnson misled parliament when talking about what he knew related to parties in downing street during lockdown. he is facing those questions. we now know he will give evidence to the privileges committee as it is known, and he will do so later this month. we expect that to happen on march 20. that inquiry of course as we said related to how much he knew about the unlawful parties that went ahead, including of course that now infamous one bringing a suitcase of

boos. that investigation is continuing but we now know that the former prime minister borisjohnson will actually give evidence himself on march 20. ——booze. all of that related to how much he knew and those repeated denials by the former prime minister on the floor of the house of commons that no covid laws were broken. he has denied misleading parliament and there is an investigation to find out whether he did so. we will get the latest with our correspondent in westminster on that over the coming few minutes. but in the meantime we will live out there, the latest line march the 20th is when he will give evidence. let�*s stay with politics because labour have defended the decision to offer a job to the former civil servant a sue gray who as you may know oversaw the investigation into those lockdown parties in downing street. some conservatives say the impartiality of her report into that scandal will be called into question if she takes up be called into question if she takes up the role as sir keir starmer�*s

chief of staff. our political correspondent david wallace lockhart has more. there are very few civil servants that become household names but i think sue gray during her party get investigation definitely clear that bar. she wrote the report that found they had been failures of leadership in downing street regarding parties during the coronavirus lockdowns. it was not what brought borisjohnson down but it probably contributed to a souring of feeling amongst his mps towards him. we now know she is on the verge of accepting a job with the labour party. she has left the civil service. that has led to a number of conservative mps to start saying this raises questions about motivations she had when compiling that report. the world at one programme on radio 4 has done an interview with nadine dorries, she is a conservative mp and a very

close ally of borisjohnson, and she has said she believes that sue gray�*s motivation was to bring down borisjohnson, and her report is therefore not worth the paper it is written on. plenty of people are defending sue gray�*s conduct as a civil servant and simply saying you can�*t claim that because someone takes a different career choice and moves into working for a political party rather than the government of the day, that it invalidates everything they did beforehand. labour are also saying that conversations with sue gray about becoming sir keir starmer�*s chief of staff started after she had done that report into lockdown parties. the civil service union, the fda, are also saying that she has been a civil servant of unimpeachable integrity for the entirety of her career, and therefore, these attacks simply are not fair. but what it certainly has done with this move is give supporters of borisjohnson this ammunition, and even some mps who

are not necessarily the traditional allies of borisjohnson who are saying that they are not entirely sure this is appropriate. now, there is a body involved here called acoba, which makes decisions about whether or not jobs are appropriate for senior civil servants to be taken. sue gray and labour say they will abide by any decisions that takes. it will probably make recommendations, or it has options to make recommendations which tend to be about how long someone should wait before taking up a newjob. and as i say, labour and sue gray both say they will respect what that body recommends. but yes, sue gray has been a household name in the past. once again perhaps becoming a bit of a household name again. but labour obviously keen to get someone who has had high—level government experience into working very closely with sir keir starmer, that�*s because their intentions are to get to number 10 in the

not—too—dista nt future. david willis lockhart in westminster. with the latest on the potential appointment of sue gray. just a line to add to what we told you before the report, news that borisjohnson will give evidence at the privileges committee investigation. we expect him to do so on march the 20th. we have had further details from the committee about what they will specifically look at because remember this is a huge investigation related to those so called party get scandals, those lockdown parties that were held in downing street while lots of restrictions for covid were still in place for large parts of the country. we have had clarification from that committee that what they will look at is whether the former prime minister borisjohnson mo what he said to the house, whether what he said to the house, whether what he said to the house, whether what he said was correct or whether indeed it was misleading, because remember, borisjohnson repeatedly remember, boris johnson repeatedly denied remember, borisjohnson repeatedly denied that any rules were broken. they will also look at how quickly and comprehensively any misleading statement, if there was one, whether

and how quickly that was corrected, and how quickly that was corrected, and it will also look at whether it actually constituted a contempt of the house by impeding the functions of the house according to them. they have just been really clear to clarify this because they say there has been a lot of speculation that the committee isn�*t concerned with whether it was intended to mislead, or whether it was recklessly misleading. they have said that will also be a very useful thing for them to look at. so just to be clear, thatis to look at. so just to be clear, that is what the detail is that they will look at. also coming in to us is a line that they have had early findings from this committee and they say the evidence strongly suggests breaches of the rules would have been obvious to borisjohnson at the time when he was at those gatherings, so the privileges committee that is looking into whether he lied saying that it suggests that breaches of the rules would have been obvious to the former prime minister borisjohnson when he was actually at those gatherings. because we have had that response from boris johnson as gatherings. because we have had that response from borisjohnson as well, he says that the investigation that

is already under way, remember as i said, there are so many parts to this, about whether it was misleading, he says that the otherness that has been presented to the committee show that he has not committed any contempt of parliament. borisjohnson saying that he is grateful to the committee for the work over the last ten months and believes that they have helped establish the obvious truth, the words from the former prime minister. he says there is no evidence in the report that i knowingly or recklessly misled parliament, orfailed to knowingly or recklessly misled parliament, or failed to update parliament, or failed to update parliament in a timely manner. those are the two lines we are getting into that report and into that investigation that will be run by the commons privileges committee. you can see that this is the detail as we have been discussing this morning, the news that he will give further evidence and the prime minister himself will speak and give evidence on march 20 in person. let�*s speak to dave penman, the

general secretary of the fda union that represents civil servants. there are two stories we�*re following this morning, but i want to you in first of all on the sue gray appointment. i will not ask you about party get, let�*s talk about sue gray who has initiated the first report. sue gray now, we are led to believe, could be employed by sir keir starmer, leader of the labour party. that has caused concern amongst many. what do you make of that potential appointment? it is amongst many. what do you make of that potential appointment?- that potential appointment? it is an extraordinary _ that potential appointment? it is an extraordinary appointment, - that potential appointment? it is an extraordinary appointment, clearly, i extraordinary appointment, clearly, which is why there is so much fuss being made about it. everyone who has worked with sue gray knows about her reputation and her integrity, which is why the prime minister asked her in the first place to come to rescue him and conduct this investigation when the cabinet secretary had to step aside because he was conflicted. he was relying on that reputation of sue gray to get him out of a hole at that point in

times of the public would trust the outcome of the investigation which is ultimately what happened. that is really what labour are wanting as well, they want someone who understands, has worked at the heart of government, to help him prepare if they win the next election. there are few people who have the experience and ability of sue gray and there is a lot of sour grapes going onjust now and there is a lot of sour grapes going on just now about it. let�*s be clear, it is extraordinary somebody moving from the civil service directly to the opposition, it is not a usual thing, there are civil servants who take up political posts any number of times, including very senior posts. it does not usually happen that way and that�*s exactly what now has to be worked out, what are the checks and balances that are required by acoba around that appointment. but i think some of the accusations that have been thrown around are just sour grapes to be honest from a variety of people in and around the conservative party. dave, this is not particularly new,

it is not unprecedented somebody would make a move like this and will remain in politics. one of the concerns is if someone leaves a political office and then has commercial gain from it. that causes problems. but what sue gray is proposing she would move from the civil service to work for the labour party. so actually staying within politics. party. so actually staying within nolitics. . ., . , party. so actually staying within nolitics. _, . , . politics. indeed command every civil servant, regardless _ politics. indeed command every civil servant, regardless of _ politics. indeed command every civil servant, regardless of what - politics. indeed command every civil servant, regardless of what they - politics. indeed command every civil servant, regardless of what they go | servant, regardless of what they go on to do, knows there are restrictions around what they can do and what they have learned and what they have seen, whilst they have beenin they have seen, whilst they have been in government. they are working with confidential information, they will have signed the official secrets act. there are rules in place to create a gap, and she will already have to serve a mandatory three month break between her role as a permanent secretary and any employment, even if it was uncontroversial. quite often what acoba would do, the advisory committee on business appointments will say that needs to be longer, but sue gray understands because she would be the very person advising prime ministers in the past about

how to handle these things, that ultimately what she did as a civil servant she can take to any new employer, whether it is the labour party or anyone else. what they are buying is not inside information. what they are buying is knowledge and experience of how government works. that is why i think people have to calm down a little bit on this. acoba can look at this and come up with what would be a reasonable approach of dealing with any potential conflict of interest. but to start besmirching her character is reallyjust fanciful, to be honest, and increasingly looking a little bit desperate. is looking a little bit desperate. is it possible the criticism comes from the fact that as a civil servant you put your political beliefs and opinions to one side and get on with thejob at hand. opinions to one side and get on with the job at hand. what this potentially tells us is what sue gray thinks politically by wanting to join gray thinks politically by wanting tojoin sir keir starmer gray thinks politically by wanting to join sir keir starmer and gray thinks politically by wanting tojoin sir keir starmer and the labour party. i to join sir keir starmer and the labour party-— to join sir keir starmer and the labour party. to join sir keir starmer and the labour pa . . ,, ., ,, , labour party. i have known sue gray for 15 years — labour party. i have known sue gray for 15 years and _ labour party. i have known sue gray for 15 years and i _ labour party. i have known sue gray for 15 years and i don't _ labour party. i have known sue gray

for 15 years and i don't know - labour party. i have known sue gray for 15 years and i don't know how- for 15 years and i don�*t know how she votes. i suspect most of the ministers who respected her and were all, let�*s not forget, lauding her integrity when it suited them around the partygate report, they probably would not have known that as well. anyone who works to the senior level of the civil service knows theirjob is to serve the government of the day, regardless of their views on a particular policy or a particular party. it can come as no surprise to anyone that people at the top of the civil service, some people would vote labour and support labour and some would vote and support conservative. we have had civil servants to have gone on to have a very senior roles within the conservative party. lord frost negotiated brexit, he is a former ambassador. borisjohnson�*s own ambassador. boris johnson�*s own former chief ambassador. borisjohnson�*s own former chief of staff dan rosenfield was a former treasury official. so the idea that civil servants can never work in a political environment is nonsense. what really is the issue is moving seamlessly from one to another, that�*s the bit thatis from one to another, that�*s the bit that is unusual and that�*s the bit that is unusual and that�*s the bit that clearly needs to be addressed. no one is suggesting that it

doesn�*t, but it can be addressed and assurances can be given that will avoid any conflict.— assurances can be given that will avoid any conflict. dave, while you are talking — avoid any conflict. dave, while you are talking to _ avoid any conflict. dave, while you are talking to us _ avoid any conflict. dave, while you are talking to us we _ avoid any conflict. dave, while you are talking to us we have - avoid any conflict. dave, while you are talking to us we have just - avoid any conflict. dave, while you are talking to us we have just had| avoid any conflict. dave, while you| are talking to us we have just had a line from borisjohnson, former prime minister. he says it is surreal to discover the committee proposes to rely on evidence orchestrated by sue gray has just been appointed chief of staff to the labour party. so quite clearly battle lines are being drawn here and this is conflating two stories, one of which we are showing on the bottom of the screen, that the former prime minister will be called to give evidence in person on march 20. what do you make of that, that the privileges committee is saying, hang on, we need to speak to you about further questions that we have about further questions that we have about your role in those parties and what you knew at the time? ultimately, what is quite clear is what people are trying to do is retrofit an accusation against sue gray to suit the circumstances that they are facing just now. boris johnson handed this to her protect himself in many ways because that

investigation was in trouble following the conflicts with simon case the cabinet secretary who initiated it. he relied on sue gray�*s integrity to get him out of a hole at that point. when she produced it he didn�*t criticise it at that point in time, he didn�*t challenge the evidence that was put before sue gray and was in her report. so do somehow now start to challenge and undermine and say this was an 18—month—old left—wing plot from sue gray is just fanciful. what johnson and his supporters are doing just now as they know he is under pressure about the privileges committee, and what they are trying to do is discredit sue gray and that report, rather ridiculously when you look at the evidence about it, similarly to try and relieve the pressure under the privileges committee. that�*s really disappointing given the fact he handed that poisoned chalice to sue gray in the first place and asked her to get him out of a difficult position, which she did when she conducted that investigation 18 months ago.

conducted that investigation 18 months ago-— conducted that investigation 18 months ago. conducted that investigation 18 months ao. . , months ago. dave penman, it is good to have you — months ago. dave penman, it is good to have you with _ months ago. dave penman, it is good to have you with us _ months ago. dave penman, it is good to have you with us this _ months ago. dave penman, it is good to have you with us this morning. - to have you with us this morning. thank you. good to hearfrom to have you with us this morning. thank you. good to hear from you, dave penman, at the fda. we will do that at the bottom of the screen because we will be following that story, the latest line we are getting through that the former prime minister borisjohnson will give evidence in person. it is slightly confusing because this investigation is ongoing. what we have had already are preliminary findings into what the prime minister, the former prime minister, knew of those parties, the so—called partygate scandal, what he knew and whether he misled parliament when he repeatedly denied that any rules were broken. so the first line suggesting this is the preliminary findings of that evidence, strongly suggests that breaches of coronavirus rules would have been obvious, says the committee, to borisjohnson at obvious, says the committee, to boris johnson at the obvious, says the committee, to borisjohnson at the time he was at them, suggesting that he would have known they were in breach of the rules. so as a result, what they have done is asked borisjohnson to return. they want to speak to him in

person on the 20th of march, and is what mrjohnson said to the house of commons, whether what he said was correct, or whether in fact it was misleading. they will also look at how quickly and comprehensively any misleading statement to the house and to parliament, whether that was corrected in a timely manner. and they will also look at if the house was misled, whether it the contempt of the house. so those are the fresh questions that they will have for the former prime minister. it is worth saying, of course, that we have heard from borisjohnson and he says that actually the evidence suggests he wasn�*t in breach of any of the rules, that the evidence suggests he is in the clear. but the committee report now saying that mr johnson did not correct the statements that he repeatedly made the matter did not use the well—established procedures of the house of commons to correct something that was wrong at the earliest opportunity. so this is why they are asking him to return on march the 20th. there are now

specific questions about what he knew, what he corrected, and if indeed that was done in a timely manner. this report, i will bring you a few lines coming in to us at the bbc, suggesting that in april of 2022 mrjohnson acknowledged to the house that rules had not been followed and his birthday gathering for which mrjohnson and others received fixed penalty notices will stop they then say that in may of 2022 he made a statement after the second permanent secretary�*s report had been published, that statement maintaining that the gatherings that mrjohnson had attended had not been found to be outside the rules at the time he attended them. his purported correction did not set out his own knowledge of the gatherings. so what is becoming clear in the last few minutes is that the investigation has more questions. they have laid out certain details of what they believe to be the case. they want a response, they want a response in person from the former prime minister borisjohnson in relation

to those allegations. so the line that you can see on the screen is one that we will follow. evidence suggesting that breaches of the rules should, would have been obvious to borisjohnson at the time that he was at those gatherings. so as you can see, further details coming through. we will speak to our political correspondence for the latest on that and have a little look at further details on that, what is a pretty extensive report. while we do that and get you the latest line is that you need to know, let�*s look at the weather with elizabeth rossini. hello. today, dull and cloudy. the rest of the weather in angus. brightening up across east anglia. largely dry with drizzle. some showers moving into the northern ireland is. a bit of wind chill to the temperatures particularly with nazi fighting coasts with a light to

moderate wind. the wind is still blowing. cloud from the north sea overnight tonight. temperatures staying above freezing. where you see the blues, widespread frost with clear skies. a chilly start to saturday. saturday again the best of the sunshine with a four western areas of scotland and western england in south—west wales with more cloud out to the east and some coastal showers. these are the temperatures. it will be feeling colder on sunday.

hello. this is bbc news. the headlines:

energy firms are preparing for the government to change course and maintain support for household energy bills, rather than reducing help at the end of the month as planned. labour defends the decision to offer a job to the former civil servant sue gray — who oversaw the investigation into lockdown parties in downing street. constance marten and mark gordon are due to appear in court after a baby�*s remains were found following a huge search operation around brighton. the big reveal — glastonbury festival announces arctic monkeys, guns n�* roses and sir eltonjohn as their 2023 headliners. and it�*s the end of an era — as veteran broadcaster ken bruce signs off from his radio 2 show for the last time. we will keep you all up—to—date on

the westminster privileges committee which is setting on whether boris johnson lied to parliament. we will get reaction from westminster and here in the studio in the moment. that committee asking the former prime minister to return to give evidence in person on march the 20th we will bring that to you in just a moment, but let�*s be new up—to—date on another court case that is going on another court case that is going on at the moment. former england cricket captain michael vaughn is due to give evidence on day three of an inquiry into allegations of racism within yorkshire county cricket club. mr vaughn has been accused of racism by the former bowler, azeem rafiq. vaughan categorically denies the allegations. our reporter matt graveling joins us now from central london. what have we heard over the past couple of days in this inquiry? good afternoon. this is a hearing by cricket�*s disciplinary commission and i can tell you that in the last couple of moments michael vaughan, the former england captain, he was captain for a five year period and captained the side for 51 tests, he

has just started giving evidence for the first time in public since this all started on august —— in august 2020 when the claims were made and mr rafiq said to his asian yorkshire team—mates, four of them in total, there are far too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that. mr vaughan is now speaking in the building behind me and he has confirmed his witness statement and i can tell you as part of that he has said that i have been involved in cricket for more than 30 years and i have never been involved in a disciplinary offence. this allegation goes against my values, my morals and my personality. he then goes on to say, the first time i became aware of this allegation was as part of the yorkshire investigation in december of 2020. that is the first time that mr vaughan was made aware of this allegation. he said, i have always believed and championed that the

fundamental aspect of the dressing room is the culture and it has to be inclusive. that from the witness statement of the former ingrid captain michael vaughan here on the third day of that hearing. he is going to be questioned throughout the afternoon and we will bring you all of the latest hear on bbc news as we have it. good stuff. thank you very much. we will return to one of the stories that have been dominating discussions today. labour defending their decision to offer a job to sue gray. the privilege committee is looking into whether borisjohnson about breaking the rules during lockdown, the so—called partygate investigation. the question is whether he deliberately misled parliament and what he said in parliament, whether he corrected

it quickly enough if it was not accurate. joining me to talk about some of this is someone who used to work with sue gray, a former special adviser also to michael gove. thank you to have you here. let�*s talk about the appointment of sue gray. controversial this morning. at this point, we don�*t know whether this has been confirmed but the idea that sue gray could move to work with sir keir starmer. what you make of that? good afternoon. take the politics out of it and just focus on the person, sue gray is someone who has worked in government for a long time. she is highly respected and highly competent senior civil servant and she has been able to deliver things from the government when there are very complicated answers to some very simple questions. she is very capable to deliver and so i think as a person anybody that has sue gray in their organisation will benefit. but of course you have got to put the politics back into that and there will be many questions that

particularly conservatives are asking today as to whether it was appropriate for sue gray to have been doing that and what relationship sue gray had with the labour party before the apartment was made. the labour party before the apartment was made. . ,., . , ,., was made. the labour party pointing out that discussions _ was made. the labour party pointing out that discussions with _ was made. the labour party pointing out that discussions with sue - was made. the labour party pointing out that discussions with sue gray i out that discussions with sue gray did not begin until after that report was published. they are very clear on that timeline because that would raise some concerns. but the concern is whether she has information, useful information that she might take from that investigation and her other work to the labour party and that is where this gets a bit updated.— this gets a bit updated. doesn't there will be _ this gets a bit updated. doesn't there will be a _ this gets a bit updated. doesn't there will be a committee - this gets a bit updated. doesn't there will be a committee thatl this gets a bit updated. doesn't i there will be a committee that has to look into that, when any senior civil servant leaves and goes to work for another organisation, they will have to look into the relationship and at what intelligence information she will be taking with her and how that might benefit any organisation full again, it becomes slightly more completely because it is notjust an organisation, notjust a business or a think tank or a charity, it is a political party that is the

opposition to the government so all of those questions are legitimate but the committee will look into that and will make recognition as to what restrictions there might be unnatural, if indeed sue gray takes up unnatural, if indeed sue gray takes up thatjob. unnatural, if indeed sue gray takes u- that 'ob. , unnatural, if indeed sue gray takes op that job-— up that job. yes, and one of the concerns clearly _ up that job. yes, and one of the concerns clearly here _ up that job. yes, and one of the concerns clearly here as - up that job. yes, and one of the concerns clearly here as well- up that job. yes, and one of the concerns clearly here as well is| concerns clearly here as well is that as a civil servant your job concerns clearly here as well is that as a civil servant yourjob is to put your political thoughts and opinions to one side and just get on with thejob. i opinions to one side and just get on with the job. i suppose this raises questions because suddenly we perhaps have an insight into the political leanings of sue gray. quite. said at the top of the programme, she is a highly competent senior civil servant. she has been very effective, particularly at the time of levelling up and also been responsible for intergovernmental relations and dealing with the union and making sure that when there are political differences between the westminster government and the snp in scotland, that the functions of government and functions of civil service is still operating. she has been very effective in that regard but it does raise questions about the political antenna that she may

have had before. the civil service will want to with point out that the government of the day needs to be served and from my understanding and from working with sue gray i believe she has not but it is right that the questions are asked. taste she has not but it is right that the questions are asked.— she has not but it is right that the questions are asked. we are going to leave that story _ questions are asked. we are going to leave that story to _ questions are asked. we are going to leave that story to one _ questions are asked. we are going to leave that story to one side _ questions are asked. we are going to leave that story to one side for- questions are asked. we are going to leave that story to one side for the i leave that story to one side for the second because there is this other big political story that is developing this morning and into the afternoon. the privilege could mitty —— meant the privilege committee have now cold the former prime minister borisjohnson. they are asking him forfurther minister borisjohnson. they are asking him for further evidence and they want to hear from him asking him for further evidence and they want to hearfrom him in person. it is worth pointing out the privileges committee are saying that their report, the early findings that they have released is not based on the sue gray report, so that is an important line to clarify but they say it is evidence supplied last including witnesses that were present at the time of the gatherings. also, as you can see on the screen, the photos, e—mails,

whatsapp messages and indeed those photos from the official downing street photographer. while you are here, your thoughts on calling the former prime minister borisjohnson to give this evidence. they say they have specific questions. this is running, an ongoing investigation and we are getting these early findings here. what you make of the point that they want to see him again and they have specific questions for him? it is again and they have specific questions for him?- questions for him? it is an interesting _ questions for him? it is an interesting story _ questions for him? it is an interesting story because l questions for him? it is an | interesting story because it questions for him? it is an i interesting story because it is against the backdrop of the revelations in the telegraph of whatsapp extended between the former health secretary against a backdrop of the other story, sue gray and the partygate inquiry. i think the story is exacerbated by those two factors full to we have to do is wait for the inquiry to publish something. even though it has published and it has asked for borisjohnson to go back and give evidence. i think that is something that people want to do, to ensure that he clears his name. that evidence, sorry to interrupt, there are a few lines coming here.

the evidence strongly suggests that breaches of guidance would have been obvious to mrjohnson at the time of the gatherings, evidence that those who were advising mrjohnson about what is in the press and house were themselves struggling to content that some of the gatherings work within the rules. it is quite a damning line of this. it is within the rules. it is quite a damning line of this. it is but it is onlyjust _ damning line of this. it is but it is onlyjust a — damning line of this. it is but it is onlyjust a small— damning line of this. it is but it is onlyjust a small snapshot i damning line of this. it is but it is onlyjust a small snapshot ofi is onlyjust a small snapshot of what the inquiry will look into. i think it�*s only right that the former prime minister will want to go to the inquiry and will want to expend or challenge that and put his case forward. it is the case that he was fined because of events that took place in downing street, so thatis took place in downing street, so that is a fact, that things were not altogether proper and correct during that time, but to what extent and that time, but to what extent and thatis that time, but to what extent and that is what the committee wants to look into and i am sure the former prime minister will want to clear his name. , . , ,., , prime minister will want to clear his name-— prime minister will want to clear his name. , . , , . «i ., his name. yes, absolutely. we know that he has — his name. yes, absolutely. we know that he has said _ his name. yes, absolutely. we know that he has said he _ his name. yes, absolutely. we know that he has said he will _ his name. yes, absolutely. we know that he has said he will attend. i that he has said he will attend. interview with us. thank you for that. charlie rowley used to work with sue gray and is a former special adviser to michael gove.

thank you for that. let�*s bring in our political correspond it ian watson who is in westminster for us. us. good afternoon, i should say. i am looking through that as you are and there are some particular key lines in this. one of which, it appears the committee says that mr johnson did not correct the statements that he repeatedly made and did not use the well—established procedures of the house to correct something that was wrong. quite a damning line there. i think this is a very interesting update, as they are calling it, from the privileges committee. to so that everyone is clear on what the privileges committee is, this is looking into whether boris johnson committee is, this is looking into whether borisjohnson misled the house of commons. that is a euphemism for light to the house of commons, to be frank, seen as something very, very serious, serious breach of trust for an mp, where that to be the case. the committee has got a conservative majority, so there are four conservatives on there, to labour members, and one from the snp, so it is a genuinely cross—party committee. it has been wading through this. it has made it very

clear there are difficulties getting access to evidence initially, but now they have far more photographs that were published in the sue gray report into partygate. they have 46 of boris johnson�*s report into partygate. they have 46 of borisjohnson�*s en whatsapp messages that they have been going through to five officials. they have also had 23 witnesses speaking to them as well. borisjohnson will talk directly to the committee and this will be in public in the week beginning the 20th of march. but you are talking there about some of those lines and i am just going to come if you bear with me, read out some of them right here. they want —— make the one you mentioned about correcting the record, that is important because what the committee is saying is that it is notjust about misleading the house committees about how you may mislead the house, so for example if it was reckless or deliberate, that would be seen as more serious than if it was inadvertent, if you did not know at the time that you are saying something which was not entirely true but then you go on to correct the record and you say, sorry, in

this report, this has happened on 100 patients with various government ministers. where he to correct the record, that would be seen as less serious. the fact that they are suggesting that perhaps he hasn�*t will be something which they will challenge the prime minister on i am sure in the week beginning the 20th of march, but let me just grow through another important lantern but he did or did not the house of commons. the committee says there is evidence that the house of commons may have been misled in the following ways. it may have been misled when mrjohnson said on the 8th of december 2021 that no rules or guidance had been broken in ten. it may have been misled when mr johnson failed to tell the house about his knowledge of gatherings where rules and guidance had been broken. it may have been misled when mrjohnson said on the 8th of december, 2021, he relied on repeated assurances that the bulls had not been broken and then had gone on to say that those assurances only related to one event, not many of the other events which were exposed in the sue gray report. it

also says that the evidence strongly suggests, again this is a particularly robust wording, the evidence strongly suggests that breaches of guidance would have been obvious to mrjohnson at the time he was at the gatherings, so these are all the issues which borisjohnson will have to address when he goes before the committee later this month. he of course has issued his own statement on the basis of this update. he says bluntly there is no evidence in the report that i knowingly or recklessly misled parliament. or that i failed to update parliament in a timely manner. that may seem to clash a little bit with what we have just heard, but that is what he said. and heard, but that is what he said. and he said when he told the house that guidance had been followed, that was his honest belief. but he makes another point and this is related to what you are talking about earlier, ben, he says, take a look at the role of sue gray. he says this is surreal to discover that the committee proposes to rely on

evidence orchestrated by sue gray you havejust evidence orchestrated by sue gray you have just been appointed chief of staff to the leader of the labour party. now, ithink of staff to the leader of the labour party. now, i think committee make pretty clear, though, that they are relying to some extent on the reports drawn up by sue gray but in addition to that also others, their own witnesses, and indeed the metropolitan police of course issued fixed penalty gnosis is to many of the staff and indeed mrjohnson himself when it investigated the whole allegations around party gate. so i think this being partygate very much to the four, not because sue gray may be changing jobs, but it tells us exactly points which this cross—party committee want boris johnson to answer when he talks to them directly in a few weeks�* time. yes, it could be a busy few weeks. really grateful for you looking through that report and bringing us those key lines there. thank you very much. i will let you go and have a look at the rest of it because there is a lot to get through. in watson there, our political correspond it. thank you.

much more coming up on all of that in the bbc news at one o�*clock. we will be here injust a in the bbc news at one o�*clock. we will be here in just a few moments with that. let�*s try to bring you up—to—date with some of the other main stories today that we have been following because a prominent lawyer in the us state of south carolina who has been subject to an ethics committee has been found guilty of killing his wife and son. prosecutors said alex murdaugh wanted to distract attention from the fact he stole millions of dollars from clients, to fund an expensive drug habit. garry o�*donoghue has this report. a small town courthouse in south carolina, but a dramatic trial that has gripped the nation�*s imagination. minimum sentence for murder... after nearly six weeks of evidence but less than three hours of deliberation, the jury returned its verdict on both murder charges. docket number 2022 gs15. verdict, guilty. signed by the foreperson of the jury. outside the court, the prosecutor said justice had been done. if you do wrong, if you break

the law, if you murder, justice will be done in south carolina. the murdaugh family dominated the legal world in this picturesque part of south carolina. for decades, the family held key prosecutor roles in several counties. and their private law firm was seen almost as powerful as law enforcement itself. it was at this 1700—acre property that the bodies of maggie and paul murdaugh were found brutally murdered almost two years ago. the culmination of a series of events that had seen three other separate suspicious deaths connected to the family. three months later, alex murdaugh, accused of killing his wife and son, was also to admit to a botched suicide attempt involving a $10 billion insurance claim, charges for which are still pending. but during the murder trial, he was adamant he was innocent. did you take this gun or any gun like it and blow your son�*s brains out onjune 7,

or any day, or any time? no, i did not. and he may be taken away. as he left the courtroom, murdaugh mouthed "i love you" to his son buster, who was in the public gallery. he will be sentenced later today and could get anything from 30 years to life without parole. but that isn�*t the end of it for alex murdaugh. he still faces dozens of other charges for financial crimes and investigations into other suspicious deaths connected to the family. gary o�*donoghue, bbc news. the island ofjersey spent five years under nazi occupation during the second world war and slave workers from nations across europe were forced to dig thousands of metres of tunnels below ground. today the jersey war tunnels are preserved as a monument to those who worked there. electrician steen le gresley was part of a team carrying out winter maintenance on the tunnels, when he thought he spotted a familiar face. robert hall has the story.

the gateway to so much ofjersey puzzling history. the tunnels borrowed by an army of forced workers. backbreaking months in the dark and the danger, underfed and ill treated. so many would never return home.— ill treated. so many would never return home. . . ., return home. there was a huge amount of fortification — return home. there was a huge amount of fortification work _ return home. there was a huge amount of fortification work done _ return home. there was a huge amount of fortification work done on _ return home. there was a huge amount of fortification work done on these i of fortification work done on these islands. it was intended to directly from hitler that they would be an impregnable fortress and tunnels like this were built both injersey and guernsey to store ammunition, to store rations, food is a way of being completely impeccable to allied bombing and invasion. {line being completely impeccable to allied bombing and invasion. one of the sto is allied bombing and invasion. one of the story is told _ allied bombing and invasion. one of the story is told here _ allied bombing and invasion. one of the story is told here centres i allied bombing and invasion. one of the story is told here centres on - the story is told here centres on antonio martinez, who spent four years working in the tunnels, and it caught the eye of a nutrition carrying out winter maintenance. the electrician recognised his own great—grandfather and he invited his great—grandfather and he invited his great uncle to make absolutely sure.

that is my dad. hard as nails he was _ that is my dad. hard as nails he was he — that is my dad. hard as nails he was he was _ that is my dad. hard as nails he was. he was a good father. he looked after us _ was. he was a good father. he looked after us you — was. he was a good father. he looked after us. you never had to worry. we were _ after us. you never had to worry. we were brought — after us. you never had to worry. we were brought up respectfully. he told me — were brought up respectfully. he told me if— were brought up respectfully. he told me if he respected mother, you treat younger women as your sisters. you had — treat younger women as your sisters. you had to— treat younger women as your sisters. you had to have a german soldier with you — you had to have a german soldier with you or— you had to have a german soldier with you or an officer or you would be shot _ with you or an officer or you would be shot. they shot him down. he may have been wanted _ be shot. they shot him down. he may have been wanted by _ be shot. they shot him down. he may have been wanted by memories - be shot. they shot him down. he may have been wanted by memories of. be shot. they shot him down. he may have been wanted by memories of his} have been wanted by memories of his time in the tunnels and the friends he lost, but when the occupation ended, antonio decided to make his home injersey. i ended, antonio decided to make his home injersey-— home in jersey. i think it is very interesting _ home in jersey. i think it is very interesting to _ home in jersey. i think it is very interesting to note _ home in jersey. i think it is very interesting to note that - home in jersey. i think it is very interesting to note that some . home in jersey. i think it is very| interesting to note that some of home in jersey. i think it is very - interesting to note that some of the people who were sent here under such tragic circumstances sort of chose to remain here after the occupation. and i think it is lovely thatjersey was able to offer a little something

back. heading for his own shift underground, steen's head is full of the knowledge he now shares. to think back to what conditions he would have worked in, and as much as it's cold now, it must have been a lot colder back then. we've got heaters now, whereas back when they were putting it in, they wouldn't have had the heating and the dangers that they would have come across with the unfinished tunnels and making the tunnels in general. there's a lot that i can think back on that he might have had to go through. it's a real link to the past to be placing hands on those places that his great grandfather placed his hands on over 80 years ago. so it must be special every time he comes in here. i can only say i've got respect for the people that worked in here at the time and the level of effort they would have had to put in, and the forced effort that they would have had to put in. so it's definitely a unique experience working down here. over the decades, thousands

of visitors have come here to learn more about the occupation years. this is another piece of another family puzzle. robert hall, bbc news, jersey. clive will be here with the bbc news at one in just a few moments, but first time for a look at the weather. hello. not as much sunshine. for the vast majority of the uk, it is dull and rather cloudy. earlier brightness for south—west england in the south coast. even here clouding over as the day wears on with the best of any brighter spells this afternoon now for north—eastern areas of scotland, aberdeenshire and angus perhaps. also parts of east anglia brightening up at times. there is a lot of cloud, some producing some spots of drizzle for

northern ireland, some showers moving into the northern isles, otherwise dry and temperatures round about the seasonal average but factor in some wind—chill towards nazi facing coasts. overnight tonight, we have still got that north—easterly wind feeding and more cloud from the north sea so again claudia released where temperatures will stay just above freezing. where we have blue colours, this is where we have blue colours, this is where we will see clear skies and a widespread frost into tomorrow morning. it is a colder start to the day than most of us this morning. over the weekend, a few changes. a high pressure moves away allowing for a northerly wind and some cold fronts to sink southwards comment suggesting much colder feeling area eventually. on saturday, temperatures on a par with friday. a lot more cloud again towards eastern areas. there will be some showers working their way down through the eastern coast as well and showers for northern scotland. the best of the brightness and such and really far western scotland and western areas of england. temperatures peaking between six and nine. on

sunday we will start to see the chili feeling air. this cold front is moving towards the south. there could be some wintry feeling showers across the high ground of scotland but most of the showers will be falling as rain. temperatures starting to take a dip. there will be some brighter spells but the winds stay light. into the start of next week, that is when the really cold air is coming down from the arctic so temperatures will start to plunge. there will be a cold northerly wind and possibly some blizzard —like conditions across parts of northern scotland. localised weather warnings for snow showers for scotland and for north—eastern areas of england. there could even be some snow further south but there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding snow and how long the cold air will last. there will be plenty of added wind—chill from the brisk northerly wind—chill from the brisk northerly wind and it will feel some zero.

today at one, a couple charged with gross negligence manslaughter, after the body of a baby was found in woods near brighton, have arrived at court. mark gordon will appear before magistrates in the next few minutes. along with constance marten, their arrest followed a nationwide police search. we will have the latest. also on the programme... the bbc learns energy companies are preparing for government help with household bills to continue beyond march. campaigners say it makes sense. it's not good for individuals to put prices up. it's not good for people's mental health. consumer confidence, which means it's bad for business. labour defends offering the former

senior civil servant sue gray a topjob, after her inquiry into lockdown