live from washington. this is bbc news. the us supreme court blocks new restrictions set by lower courts on a widely used abortion pill. western allies meet in germany to discuss further backing for ukraine. the uk's deputy prime minister — resigns — following an inquiry into bullying allegations. hello. with me is our correspondentjess parker. while correspondent jess parker. a while correspondentjess parker. a legal appeal against its while a legal appeal against its use is still being

considered. the supreme court decision temporarily blocks a lower courts ruling in texas that restricted the use of the drug. the drug, mifepristone is used in more than half of all abortions in the us. a decision as a victory for the biden administration. as it defends broad access to this pill. with me now is our correspondent jess parker who has been closely monitoring this decision. we now heard from the court. ~ ., ., , , decision. we now heard from the court. ., , ., court. what does this mean? i've not court. what does this mean? i've got a _ court. what does this mean? i've got a ruling _ court. what does this mean? i've got a ruling here. - court. what does this mean? i've got a ruling here. it's - i've got a ruling here. it's pretty short. most of it is made up from dissenting words from two justices, thomas and alito. but the supreme court has broadly decided to do is to freeze those restrictions decided by lower courts. nothing changes on access to mifepristone for now. originally we had texas federal judge halting the approval of mifepristone, widely used by many women as part of a due

drug regimen across the united states. that you had an appeals court actually only partly upholding that but saying the potential of what you can see is mifepristone restrictions of women could only take it up to seven weeks of pregnancy and would be able to order by mail. all of these things hanging in the balance but status quo is maintained for now for that what the supreme court has done is thrown the case back to the appeals courts of the legal wrangling goes on.- appeals courts of the legal wrangling goes on. when do you think we could _ wrangling goes on. when do you think we could potentially - wrangling goes on. when do you think we could potentially hear l think we could potentially hear more about this? i think we could potentially hear more about this?— more about this? i think the fifth circuit, _ more about this? i think the fifth circuit, the _ more about this? i think the fifth circuit, the court - more about this? i think the fifth circuit, the court in - fifth circuit, the court in question is going to hear more arguments in the middle of may. this is going to roll on for some time yet. this will be seen as a big victory for the biden administration, they've been very vocal in criticising that original decision by the federaljudge in texas. and drugs manufactures as well because something the critics of the decision were saying that if onejudge of the decision were saying that if one judge it is day can actually throw out all this

uncertainty about a drug that has been approved for over 20 years of use, that actually undermines the whole system in the whole regime of drugs approval. the whole regime of drugs approval-— the whole regime of drugs a- roval. ., ., approval. you mentioned the fact that we've _ approval. you mentioned the fact that we've had _ approval. you mentioned the fact that we've had all - approval. you mentioned the fact that we've had all this i fact that we've had all this back going on now for weeks. you've been following it very closely. i wonder with all this in mind perhaps people who are not familiar with all these legal wrangling is, has this been confusing for them? i think it's been very confusing. i spoke into a number of clinics last couple weeks or so who say women have been ringing them, abortion clinic two clinics say should i make the trip? should i be getting on a plane, should i be making that carjourney. there also clinic stocking up on the second type of drug, which can be used without mifepristone but it causes side effects with up for now i think the important thing to point out is nothing has changed but as we say, this is all going to keep playing out in the courts over the coming months. ., ., .,

months. you mentioned that first drug _ months. you mentioned that first drug mifepristone, - months. you mentioned that first drug mifepristone, youl first drug mifepristone, you say is part of the two drug regimen. what is the reasoning for those who are against it? why do they want to see it taken off the shelves? this case was — taken off the shelves? this case was brought _ taken off the shelves? this case was brought by - taken off the shelves? ti 3 case was brought by some anti—abortion groups to aid taxisjudge, a trump appointee. they were basically questioning the safety of the drug and the approvals process of the food and drug administration had used. leading medical organisation say that mifepristone is safe and i think there was a lot of criticism of the ruling that a judge, a legal expert, not a doctor made this ruling potentially saying the mifepristone withdrawn from shells. that was the original case was up those groups tonight will be disappointed for the pro—choice activists will be celebrating. just parker bringing - will be celebrating. just parker bringing us - will be celebrating. just parker bringing us the very latest on this breaking story. great to have your insights.

joining me from arizona with immediate reaction on the decision. gloria feldt, the former president of planned parenthood. firstly, your reaction from the supreme court decision. they give having me. this decision really means almost nothing. the lower court, the ruling they were looking at have already made some restrictions that are going to continue to confuse women, they going to continue to make mifepristone harder to get. it's really important to step back for a minute and understand what is going on here both politically and medically and really i would say from the perspective of whether women will ever in the united states of america had a full inequality. those are really the issues. from a

political perspective i suspect the court is going more slowly because they know they have a big political tiger by the tail. and what ever way they go they are going to be criticised in many different ways. i think you have to understand the politics of all of it. i had the opportunity to testify before the fda when mifepristone was being considered. i testified before a scientific committee that had been studying it for years. we have so much data it was approved 20 years ago. there is so much data that shows that it is safe, it is effective, you do not have to make women wait, you can use it further in pregnancy. all of the regiment that has been used more recently is perfectly safe and effective. the court is stepping into medicine, medical decisions, the court is stepping into the integrity of

our top scientific group, the fda for that but more portly, most importantly, the real question is, will women have the right to make their own decisions about child—bearing and to be complete citizens. i and to be complete citizens. i want to ask you, you said this is led to a lot of confusion for women across the country. i wonder how you think the current circumstances already have impacted women from different socioeconomic backgrounds trying to obtain reproductive health care. these kinds of decisions _ reproductive health care. these kinds of decisions with - kinds of decisions with restrictions on access to any kind of health care while hardest on those women with the fewest resources. they would be the women who can't take off a day of work or two days of work to travel to another state or don't have the money to travel to another state. it's ridiculous. it's cruel. it is

literally cruel to do these things, to force women to have tojump through these things, to force women to have to jump through these kinds of hoops to get basic medical care, health care that is proven effective and that i will tell you if they can do this, at the anti—choice people can do this to the right to get mifepristone i will tell you that birth control will be next. justice thomas already said that in the dobbs ruling. you said that you believe that this hold essentially means nothing, in your words. what do you anticipate in terms of next steps, legally speaking? it’s steps, legally speaking? it's really hard _ steps, legally speaking? it's really hard to _ steps, legally speaking? it�*s really hard to predict. this court could go either way. if i were guessing i would suggest that they are probably going to try to find some type of "middle ground". that involve

restrictions to make it very difficult for the most vulnerable women to get treatment for that i don't know. i really do believe they know. i really do believe they know they had a political tiger by the tail and they are trying to figure out how they can go forward and still maintain whatever credibility is left for the court.— whatever credibility is left for the court. ., , , for the court. former president of planned _ for the court. former president of planned parenthood. - for the court. former president of planned parenthood. thankl of planned parenthood. thank you forjoining us. joining me now to get her thoughts is the president of the texans for life coalition, kyleen wright. thank you for taking the time for being with us this evening. your reaction to this ruling that we just had coming your reaction to this ruling that wejust had coming in. i that we just had coming in. i have a lot of confidence in the fifth circuit. i would say that this decision is not a surprise at all. this has sort of bid and trademark of this particular court to protect the

status quo while things are being litigated. this is pending appeal. for us the most important thing for this dangerous drug is the doctor visit. abortion activists and abortion providers talk about it being the same as a miscarriage. but nowhere do you ever hear anyone recommend that a woman experiencing a miscarriage should skip the doctor exam. a doctor exam before this abortion pill and after this abortion pill is essential. the drug is dangerous, they have worked very hard to suppress data. the fda even stopped taking adverse event reports. the anti—choice people you refer to our doctors who treat these women in the emergency room, women are coached to lie about the cause

of their pregnancy when they... . we do have to say that many scientific studies, over100 have shown that this pill is safe and effective. why do you want to pull it off the shelves?— want to pull it off the shelves? �* , , , shelves? and the finished study that was published _ shelves? and the finished study that was published does - shelves? and the finished study that was published does show. that was published does show that was published does show that it that was published does show thatitis that was published does show that it is four times the complication rate of surgical abortion. women are told that. and being sent this in the mail en masse without a doctor visit is exceedingly dangerous. these women and many of them, let's face it are girls who are encouraged to go and take the pill and experience this traumatising event alone. one of the main complication is haemorrhaging for that as someone who haemorrhaged after every birth that she had i can tell you that you don't know when you've lost too much

blood. it's very dangerous. the doctors presenting their evidence to thejudge doctors presenting their evidence to the judge pointed out that the complication rate they are seeing in the emergency rooms has increased 500% since two however, we should also point out that people say that using just one drug, just using as opposed to using mifepristone could be less effective. in using mifepristone could be less effective.— less effective. in fact that can actually _ less effective. in fact that can actually lead - less effective. in fact that can actually lead to - less effective. in fact that can actually lead to more | can actually lead to more complications and more bleeding. how would you respond to that? i bleeding. how would you respond to that? ~' ., , to that? i think either way it is short-changing _ to that? i think either way it is short-changing women. l to that? i think either way it is short-changing women. i | is short—changing women. i agree that that medicine is a crabby offer to women for them is longer, more painful, more bleeding and less effective. it is not a win. but that does not

make mifepristone a win either. mifepristone has a high complication rate. it's much more painful and we talked with many women who have suffered this with him without the doctor visits to the doctor exams we're looking at all kinds of problems just like the new york girl who is suing her abortion provider. she was given the abortion pill without an exam and she went, 18—year—old college student went into labour alone, delivered at 30—week—old baby in the toilet. that is a trauma that nobody should have to indoor. and is telling this. when they take away the exam, you have the federal government trying to federalize this issue again. that's what they want. the president of texans for life coalition, thank you for being with us this evening.

well a few moments ago, president biden released this statement. i continue to stand by fda's evidence—based approval of mifepristone, and my administration will continue to defend fda's independent, expert authority to review, approve, and regulate a wide range of prescription drugs. will continue to fight politically—driven attacks on women's health. but let's be clear — the american people must continue to use their vote as their voice, and elect a congress who will pass a law restoring the protections of roe v wade. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. keen for a bit of freedom and a beautiful day for it. time for liquorice, tumeric and sage to return to the wild after months of being nurtured back to health. first off the block is tumeric, having one eye certainly isn't stopping her.

it's liquorice who's been causing a bit of a stir. she is a black seal, she is what we they are very rare. i've actually only seen one when he went to the seal sanctuary and i've been there three years. super exciting obviously not great that she had to come in but really excited we got to see her as well. the last big release of the season, watching pups take to the waves always dress a bit of a crowd. but there is no looking back for these three. they should now have a long life at sea ahead. they could have 30 years, i think so 20 or 30 years. it's the last release for randy who is moving on from a sanctuary. not much better that on a morning like this morning in cornwall, releasing seal pups. you're live with bbc news. let's now take a look at some of the biggest stories in us politics this week. the battle is on in congress over the debt ceiling. house speaker kevin mccarthy has proposed a $4.5

trillion in cuts with a debt limit plan that appeases his right—wing colleauges but is likely dead on arrival? will the white house come to the table? teasing reelection — reports say president biden is set to announce his 2024 campaign next week. we'll discuss what the 80—year—old president will be up against in campaign season. and florida's republican governor ron desantis, who is expected to run for office in 2024, is heading abroad next week, making stops in south korea, japan, and israel. it also seems he's lost support from fellow florida republicans, making his path to the presidency less clear. with me to discuss is are two former members of congress, republican of illinois, rodney davis and democrat of california, jackie speer. great to have you both with us. we have to start with the news it just come we have to start with the news itjust come through with the ruling from the supreme court on abortion. ronnie, what do

you make of a? i on abortion. ronnie, what do you make of a?— you make of a? i make of it that there _ you make of a? i make of it that there is _ you make of a? i make of it that there is going - you make of a? i make of it that there is going to - you make of a? i make of it that there is going to be - you make of a? i make of it that there is going to be a l that there is going to be a great debate in the supreme court about the functionality, legality and the efficacy of this drug. i'm interested to see what the next debate shows. i think that everybody should stay tuned. i think that everybody should stay tuned-— i think that everybody should stay tuned. i'm sure they will be. jackie. — stay tuned. i'm sure they will be. jackie, your _ stay tuned. i'm sure they will be. jackie, your reaction - stay tuned. i'm sure they will be. jackie, your reaction to l be. jackie, your reaction to what we've just heard? in be. jackie, your reaction to what we've just heard? what we've 'ust heard? in many resects what we've just heard? in many respects they — what we've just heard? in many respects they just _ what we've just heard? in many respects they just kicked - what we've just heard? in many respects they just kicked the i respects theyjust kicked the ball down the road. i think there _ ball down the road. i think there is— ball down the road. i think there is no question that the decision_ there is no question that the decision by the texas judge was diabolical. to undermine the fda — diabolical. to undermine the fda or— diabolical. to undermine the fda or suggest that a drug that is ten _ fda or suggest that a drug that is ten times more dangerous than — is ten times more dangerous than mifepristone, and that drug — than mifepristone, and that drug is— than mifepristone, and that drug is viagra to be kicked off the market as well. this is a frontal— the market as well. this is a frontal attack on women in this country — frontal attack on women in this country it—

frontal attack on women in this country. it used the word diabolical isn't strong enough in my— diabolical isn't strong enough in my estimation.— diabolical isn't strong enough in my estimation. good to get both of your _ in my estimation. good to get both of your assessments - in my estimation. good to get both of your assessments on | both of your assessments on that breaking news. let's talk about the debt plan set out by mccarthy. it does seem that it is unlikely to go anywhere. do you think it's more to appease mccarthys base? hat you think it's more to appease mccarthys base?— mccarthys base? not at all. i think it's _ mccarthys base? not at all. i think it's a — mccarthys base? not at all. i think it's a very _ mccarthys base? not at all. i think it's a very effective - think it's a very effective plan. i think it's a plant that will hopefully rally republicans around each other to do what's right, which is to pay bills already incurred. however, this discussion about the debt ceiling, it's nothing new than what jackie and i went through when we served together. there's always consternation around the debt ceiling when you have divided government. even every divided government. even every divided government we've had issues that were addressed besides just the debt ceiling in any piece of legislation. to me, this process is nothing new. were going to get to a point

where this is going to dominate the debate on the airwaves. but in the end republicans and democrats are going to do what's right. they can come together on a plan and they will raise the debt ceiling. are they, jackie? we've been talking about this for months. we're still no clearer. one of the ideas from mccarthy would be to take back parts of the inflation reduction act. do you think that's a good idea? flit think that's a good idea? of course i don't because i was enthusiastically supporting it. ironically, the hundreds of thousands ofjobs that will be eliminated because of the proposal, two thirds of them are in— proposal, two thirds of them are in gop districts. in many respects— are in gop districts. in many respects i_ are in gop districts. in many respects i think this proposal is cutting off their republicans in congress is noses— republicans in congress is noses despite their face. i do think— noses despite their face. i do think that _ noses despite their face. i do think that roddy is correct, eventually we will have the debt — eventually we will have the debt ceiling lifted. again,

we're _ debt ceiling lifted. again, we're only paying the bills for what — we're only paying the bills for what we've already spent money on. what we've already spent money on this — what we've already spent money on this is — what we've already spent money on. this is not new appropriations. we've already spent — appropriations. we've already spent the money. it's like being _ spent the money. it's like being a _ spent the money. it's like being a deadbeat if we were not to raise — being a deadbeat if we were not to raise the debt ceiling. it would _ to raise the debt ceiling. it would be catastrophic for global— would be catastrophic for global economies and certainly the us— global economies and certainly the us economy. i think the republicans in congress recognise that from the business community they would be stunned by that decision to not raise — be stunned by that decision to not raise it. it is mccarthy doing _ not raise it. it is mccarthy doing what he should be doing? yes. _ doing what he should be doing? yes. he's — doing what he should be doing? yes, he's trying to extract something from the president. i don't _ something from the president. i don't know how successful he will he — don't know how successful he will be. but he's put out is certainly— will be. but he's put out is certainly not going to be embraced in the senate and not try embraced in the senate and not by the _ embraced in the senate and not by the president either. whatever happens we note that it is dividing washington. we've gone back and forth on this. you've mentioned the fact that it has been rattling global markets. this happens

time and time and time again. ronnie, why do you think we have to continue going through this? �* .. , have to continue going through this? , ., , have to continue going through this? , ., this? because washington is so olarised this? because washington is so polarised right _ this? because washington is so polarised right now. _ this? because washington is so polarised right now. it - this? because washington is so j polarised right now. it becomes a fight in a debate on issues like the debt ceiling where republicans and democrats will come together in the end. there will be consternation throughout the debate. there are outside coverage given to the debt ceiling debate when we all know what the end result is going to be. you look at past votes, kevin mccarthy i thought was brilliant going to the new york stock exchange and explaining the history of previous debt ceiling votes. you have president biden serving in the senate, voting against raising the debt ceiling four times for that why? because he didn't think his party extracted enough frumpy republican administrations in that piece of legislation. these are things that are going to be

debated and discussed every single time that there is a debt ceiling increase is needed. but what we as an americans need to do we have to recognise the biden administration and democrats spent trillions of dollars increasing inflationary pressures across our country. republicans are saying, this is a chance to say enough is enough and begin to address those increase costs at our grocery stores in our gas pumps and all throughout our economy. ronnie, you mentioned it is a foregone conclusion talking about potential foregone conclusion. we know the president is back in the spotlight out of potential reelection announcement on tuesday next week. i do have to say, it's been a long time coming. why is that, do you think? i coming. why is that, do you think? ~' coming. why is that, do you think? ~ , �* ., think? i think he isn't doing it any sooner _ think? i think he isn't doing it any sooner than - think? i think he isn't doing it any sooner than he - think? i think he isn't doing it any sooner than he felt . it any sooner than he felt compelled to do it. they really aren't— compelled to do it. they really aren't any— compelled to do it. they really aren't any democrats that are going _ aren't any democrats that are going to — aren't any democrats that are going to challenge him. ed williamson is the only democrat that has— williamson is the only democrat that has gotten into the race to my— that has gotten into the race to my knowledge. and he's doing

it on— to my knowledge. and he's doing it on the — to my knowledge. and he's doing it on the anniversary of the date — it on the anniversary of the date when he announced in 2020. he's linking it to historical data _ he's linking it to historical date. but he was able to continue to work over the last three — continue to work over the last three or— continue to work over the last three or four months without having — three or four months without having the campaign momentum and responsibilities put upon hint — and responsibilities put upon hint do— and responsibilities put upon him. do you think there will be any shift — him. do you think there will be any shift in _ him. do you think there will be any shift in the presidents strategy? i'm not in the inner circle — strategy? i'm not in the inner circle so _ strategy? i'm not in the inner circle so i _ strategy? i'm not in the inner circle so i can't speak to that _ circle so i can't speak to that he _ circle so i can't speak to that. he has every right to crow— that. he has every right to crow about the successes that he has — crow about the successes that he has been responsible for, the bills— he has been responsible for, the bills he signed into law. that— the bills he signed into law. that of— the bills he signed into law. that of products to the lowest unemployment rate in recent history. — unemployment rate in recent history, that are making the greatest _ history, that are making the greatest strides in terms of

the green economy and c02 emissions. and building a new economy _ emissions. and building a new economy, which is what we have to do _ economy, which is what we have to do we — economy, which is what we have to do. we don't have a choice in this — to do. we don't have a choice in this i _ to do. we don't have a choice in this. ., ., , ., ., in this. i want to put that to ou, in this. i want to put that to you. rodney _ in this. i want to put that to you, rodney listening - in this. i want to put that to you, rodney listening to . in this. i want to put that to you, rodney listening to allj you, rodney listening to all that what do you think will be the biggest attack line against biden? he the biggest attack line against biden? , , ., , the biggest attack line against biden? ,, ., , ., biden? he spent trillions of dollars of— biden? he spent trillions of dollars of taxpayers - biden? he spent trillions of| dollars of taxpayers money. biden? he spent trillions of- dollars of taxpayers money. he has an interest the inflationary pressures that lead to families not being able to afford the basic necessities food, prescription drug, gasoline, etc. iagree food, prescription drug, gasoline, etc. i agree with jackie, joe biden was under no pressure to announce that he needed to run for reelection. every democrat knew he would. however, he is terribly unpopular amongst democrats and very unpopular amongst independents and republicans. but right now our front runner, the republican primary process and for the republican

nomination is former president trump, who i believe is the only republican who can lose to joe biden in 202a. you joe biden in 2024. you mentioned _ joe biden in 2024. you mentioned drunk, - joe biden in 2024. you mentioned drunk, i - joe biden in 2024. you i mentioned drunk, i want joe biden in 2024. you - mentioned drunk, i want to joe biden in 2024. you mentioned drunk, i want to ask about florida governor rhonda santos with him he said to go abroad, what you think about that sudden interest in foreign affairs? —— ron desantis? i don't think that's any secret that governor t santos wants to explore running for president. i think he will be a candidate. he is doing the things that show that that is the path he tried to follow. governor desantis has a foreign affairs background, i believe he served on the foreign affairs committee in congress was up i hope i'm not wrong with that. but he's had a terrible last few weeks. he needs to do a betterjob of retail politics. that something i know ron can do. ., , , that something i know ron can do. ., , do. roddy davis and illinois onl . do. roddy davis and illinois only- and — do. roddy davis and illinois only. and jackie _ do. roddy davis and illinois only. and jackie spear, - do. roddy davis and illinois l only. and jackie spear, thank you very much. stay with us

here on bbc news was you for your company. hello. a beautiful day on friday across scotland and northern ireland — quite warm, too. the coming days, however, are going to be pretty chilly in the north. a cold wind will set in even some wintry showers to come across the scottish hills, maybe even the pennines. here's the forecast for the short term — outbreaks of rain across parts of northern england and eventually reaching northern ireland by the early hours of saturday morning. some clear spells overnight, too, in scotland and the south of the country. that does mean a touch of frost, especially outside of town. but for most of us, around 5—6 degrees tonight. let's pick up on that rain in the north — you can see showers in northern england. that weather front reaching the southern uplands by lunchtime or so and certainly looking quite wet there

in northern ireland, but also showers clustered in the south—west of the country. so these areas will be pretty chilly, 10—12 degrees, the south—west, northern ireland, the south of scotland, but where the sun does pop out briefly, i think on saturday, maybe 13—15 degrees. now, talking about colder weather, there's that chilly atmosphere spreading in from the north on a east, north—easterly, so that change really starts to happen on sunday. in the north, frequent showers, really strong winds up to gale force, increasingly falling as wintry across the hills, and then elsewhere it's a real mixed bag, even a crack of thunder here and there. the temperatures on sunday will struggle again in the north — 7—8 degrees, 12 degrees expected in liverpool in the south, maybe a couple of degrees high. but the winds will be strong everywhere, so we really will start to feel that chill. and then, sunday into monday, we'll see even stronger winds and colder air spreading into parts of scotland. notice the wintry showers there across the hills spreading further southwards and really chilly along that north sea coast.

and then elsewhere, i think a mixture of sunny spells and showers. so the temperatures really disappointing on monday — six in aberdeen, eight in birmingham, maybejust about double figures there for cardiff and for london where showers are expected. and that chilly atmosphere spreads right across the uk and into the continent, into scandinavia as well on tuesday. warmer weather will reach us, but not until later next week. so, here's the outlook for this weekend. chilly mixed bag on the way, that chilly air relatively for the time of the year is with us until wednesday, then from thursday, should warm up. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories you at the top of the hour — straight after the travel show. coming up this week, the canadian dog race the deputy prime minister and justice secretary that was the man dominic raab society today. after this report was published into his behaviour around the people he worked with. an investigation was launched last year because those people 80 series of bulling allegations which he denies. it is purely complicated but here are some

of the main points.