and they are in court to say �* breeze, but breeze, but becoming northerly breeze, but becoming fewer. the rain soon plays from the it is perfectly legal and, in fact, that rwanda is safe. south east, showers continuing to but in your experience, how has the rwandan government diet from many areas, sky is clear, treated refugees in the past? rwanda has so many refugees, but we can take example in 2018, temperatures dropping, temperatures where they were shot at, lowest in northern ireland. for many when they protested of us tomorrow, we start frosty, but it should be a bright and sunny and are asking to receive... start. one or two showers coming off the irish sea, flitting with north sea coasts, most showers across they were asking to receive food. northern scotland, but as is typical, as temperatures rise, cloud they were shot at and they died, and as of today, there is nojustice for them. bubbles up and spreads out, it and some of them are also in prison becomes more cloudy through the day. because they organised the demonstration. the winds will be light tomorrow, so i am wondering, if something temperatures ranging from seven in like that happened to the refugees northern scotland to 12 in the that the british government south—east of england. weather are sending to rwanda, fronts trying to push on from the south—west to bring us milder air, the british government, a country long known as a country but a very slow process, the block of colder air is in place. we will respecting rights, a country that is democratic. see more cloud coming in overnight but finally, suella braverman, tonight, so the frost more limited, our home secretary, says

it's not rwanda in 2018, and there may well be some sunshine it's rwanda in 2023 and onwards, and that's quite different. in northern ireland, but the cloud will build up, bringing more showers but the problem, through the day, particularly across northern england. for the south, as i said, rwanda... wales and the midlands, a dull day, rwanda is not a free country. misty over the hills in the what happened in 2018 can south—west, light rain or drizzle, happen also in 2023, because as of today... temperatures not changing very much. it is going to be a chilly week i can tell example. we are politicians, ahead, early frost before the cloud we are in opposition. increases, that will lift the temperatures by the end of the week for example, we cannot express our mind without we are labelled just a little bit, but bringing the enemies of the country. chance of some rain. huw. 16 members of my political party thanks, darren. and that's bbc news at ten are in prison today, on monday 24th april. formally because they read a book there's more analysis of the day's main stories on newsnight with kirsty wark, called blueprint for revolution. which isjust getting so if you can put your own people all because they read under way on bbc two. a book, what will happen she will arrive, i promise you! with the asylum—seekers? the news continues here on bbc one, as now it's time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions for the news those asylum seekers, where you are, but from the ten

they are people who fled their country because they are in war or there are dictatorial regimes. if they really dissent in their country, where they cannot exercise their political rights or freedom of expression, team, it's goodnight. what will happen to them? they are in need of international protection and i think that the uk is better at protecting them than rwanda. victoire ingabire, thank you for joining us. victoire ingabire, thank you forjoining us. we did ask the home office for an interview but nobody was available. they told us in a statement... "rwanda is a safe and secure country and they stand ready to welcome and support refugees". we approached the rwandan government after tonight's interview but did not receive a response. the us has just said the warring a spokesperson said parties in sudan have agreed a 72—hour ceasefire. to the times last week... "rwanda is a good place to live, from the weather could it allow the brits deseperate to leave to do so? to the welcoming people. rwandans have worked very hard in the last three decades to make this a decent and good, happy and hopeful place to live."

one of the biggest media stars of the trump era, tucker carlson, fox news's pre—eminent anchor, with a thrice weekly show, has left the channel abruptly, mark is here with his take and less that a week after fox on how easy it is or isn't agreed to pay $787.5 million to get people out. in a defamation suit against dominion voting systems, a lawsuit in which the tucker then we'll speak to the man show featured heavily. who previously headed up the uk in a terse statement, military�*s plans for evacuating britons from unstable areas, fox said tucker and the channel had and also to the uk's former agreed to part ways, ambassador to sudan. but very little else. also tonight, should the former on the news, fox's share shadow minister diane abbott ever price dropped by 3%. wear the red rose for labour we can speak now to the former at an election again new york times media columnist ben smith. after keir stermer decries her words as anti—semitic? as the government takes its case to the appeal court that rwanda thank you forjoining us. can you is a safe place for migrants explain his significance in the us and refugees, we'll be hearing the contrary view from the de facto media landscape?— explain his significance in the us media landscape? yes, tucker is by far the most — media landscape? yes, tucker is by far the most important, _ media landscape? yes, tucker is by far the most important, or - rwandan opposition leader. media landscape? yes, tucker is by far the most important, or he i media landscape? yes, tucker is by far the most important, or he was l far the most important, or he was until today, the most important voice in american political news and american political news is totally good evening and welcome to tucker wrapped up with partisan politics. carlson tonight. good evening and welcome to tucker fox news is the most important

carlson tonight-— carlson tonight. sometimes you wonder how _ carlson tonight. sometimes you wonder how filthy _ carlson tonight. sometimes you wonder how filthy and _ carlson tonight. sometimes you j wonder how filthy and dishonest carlson tonight. sometimes you - wonder how filthy and dishonest our news media are. institution in the republican party and he was leader of the populist, for many americans this man was the embodiment of fox news. now, days after a mega payout anti—right. and so there is some by the channel to dominion voting corporate impact and the stock is systems after allegations of voter down, it has sweeping effects across fraud he has gone with the wind. we'll be asking why? politics as well.— politics as well. when you look oane politics as well. when you look online and _ politics as well. when you look online and you _ politics as well. when you look online and you see _ politics as well. when you look online and you see his - politics as well. when you look online and you see his sign - politics as well. when you look it's now ten days since fighting online and you see his sign off| politics as well. when you look - online and you see his sign off from the show last week, he didn't know broke out in sudan and on newsnight this was coming, but did anyone see last week we tried to make sense of why it had broken out this was coming, but did anyone see and what prospect a resolution. this coming? m0. this was coming, but did anyone see this coming?— this coming? no, this was a totally abru -t this coming? no, this was a totally just before we came on air the us abrupt decision. _ this coming? no, this was a totally abrupt decision. they _ this coming? no, this was a totally abrupt decision. they did _ this coming? no, this was a totally abrupt decision. they did not - this coming? no, this was a totally abrupt decision. they did not give l abrupt decision. they did not give him a chance to sign off on air, secretary of state antony blinken said a three—day ceasefire which is a courtesy that had been agreed. broadcasters of good standing mark urban is here. any chance it will hold? usually get what they are fired. everybody gets fired at some point. any chance it will even start? well, he was just abruptly yanked. there it is to start very soon. we know are all sorts of good reasons that he could have been fired. that he there have been other ceasefires about, so there have been others was disrespectful to management, that he spread conspiracy theories that have failed and that is why i think tonight, looking at social about the january to six attack, but those are all things that have been media, the view you are getting from people is good luck if it works. the true for months, if not years. there idea is the ceasefire would is also a pending lawsuit of stabilise the situation and open the

way for negotiations about the outrageous sexism in the office, fundamental issues and, as the us which we don't have all the details put it, return to civilian on, don't know what e—mails they government, in other words the two were looking at, but this was war and military factions could be brought into some sort of agreement ultimately a decision made, as all about setting things right. there is things are, by not that much optimism, we willjust have to see. the us and uk have faced criticism today for not evacuating not the diplomats, they got theirs out at the weekend, but the actual mass of passport holders and nationals from the area. meanwhile, european countries and several others have been pressing ahead with that and their evacuation continues. dutch commanders were among those securing an airlift out of sudan last night. they were among several european countries who have gone from lifting at the diplomats to civilian nationals. many of the evacuation flights arrive at the french base of djibouti and they are

carrying various nationalities, including the old britain. i spoke to the french _ including the old britain. i spoke to the french consulate - including the old britain. i spoke l to the french consulate yesterday and he was very kind. i said to him are you happy to take me, i am british, after brexit are you happy to take me? he was very kind and said, yes, you are still with us, you are still with the eu. find you are still with the eu. and german officials _ you are still with the eu. and german officials today, - you are still with the eu. and german officials today, after flying out evacuees overnight, said they were using every minute to rescue people. in fact, there are multiple evacuation efforts going on. the saudis have lifted off hundreds of people by sea from port sudan, and road convoys are being organised by turkey from the south and egypt from the north. as far as us and european efforts are concerned, since cartoon's main airport is out of action, they are using an airfield north of the city. that is where the uk got its diplomats out over the weekend and were flights by the french, spanish, germans and greeks

have also been evacuating hundreds of european civilians from. but the british have not yet started lifting out non—government passport holders. i know this is very much being done in coordination with our partners and allies and they are still, i believe, trying to even work out exactly the numbers of brits or entitle persons who may still be in the country. the number is between 3000 and 4000 widely reported, but it may be more, it might be less. this is one of the most complex periods of an evacuation, just understanding how many people there actually are and who need help and where they are. find actually are and who need help and where they are.— where they are. and as the foreigners _ where they are. and as the foreigners flee, _ where they are. and as the foreigners flee, the - where they are. and as the i foreigners flee, the prospects facing the sudanese look daily grimmer. fighting between the warring factions gripped much of the capital, medical care is faltering and the internationals are not positioned to get much help in. inevitably, the sudanese are starting to flee to neighbouring

countries. figs starting to flee to neighbouring countries. �* , ., ., starting to flee to neighbouring countries. a ., ., , ., countries. as of now the estimated number could _ countries. as of now the estimated number could be _ countries. as of now the estimated number could be around _ countries. as of now the estimated number could be around 20,000 i number could be around 20,000 refugees flowing from sudan and by all measures the projections are that this number is going to increase. when people are scared, when they are hungry and thirsty, then people do not feel safe. the option which they have is to move in search of safety, food and water. for families for foreign search of safety, food and water. forfamilies forforeign nationals for families for foreign nationals try forfamilies forforeign nationals try to escape, these are uncertain times. doctorabdul�*s try to escape, these are uncertain times. doctor abdul�*s eight—year—old father got stranded when the british embassy told him to stay put and then withdrew its staff while his other family members left with other european nations. the communication has increased — european nations. the communication has increased his _ european nations. the communication has increased his chances _ european nations. the communication has increased his chances of— european nations. the communication has increased his chances of coming i has increased his chances of coming to harm. he was waiting for them and they left without telling us and we found out 16, 18 hours later on twitter that they had gone. that is

not how the us behave, that is not how germany behaved or housebound behaved. i know that for a fact because my cousins have told me and i have seen it. and i am really angry about it because all i would have asked them to do is just what the us did and say, private citizens you are under way. that would have been fantastic information to have on thursday, just like the us tweeted, and he would have been sorted. , , , ., ., tweeted, and he would have been sorted. , ,, ., ., ., sorted. under pressure to do more for its nationals _ sorted. under pressure to do more for its nationals britain _ sorted. under pressure to do more for its nationals britain is - sorted. under pressure to do more for its nationals britain is now - for its nationals britain is now apparently looking at the port sudan evacuation option and with various routes being considered, how many troops might be needed. securing an airfield depends on its size and the threats being faced. simply looking after the aircraft and boarding them on the apron can be done with a few dozen troops. but if the runway itself is coming under small arms fire, then thousands of soldiers could be needed to make a much bigger protective bubble around the

airfield as a whole. and if longer range weapons, such as mortars and rockets are in use, the bubble gets bigger still, rockets are in use, the bubble gets biggerstill, requiring rockets are in use, the bubble gets bigger still, requiring several thousand soldiers. a different operation entirely, more like the kabul evacuation. it operation entirely, more like the kabul evacuation.— operation entirely, more like the kabul evacuation. it comes down to a balance of risk _ kabul evacuation. it comes down to a balance of risk and _ kabul evacuation. it comes down to a balance of risk and the _ kabul evacuation. it comes down to a balance of risk and the risk— balance of risk and the risk appetite not only of the prime minister but the government. the military clearly is trained and ready to go into war zones and expect they may have to fight their way in and or out. how they make that calculation and the balance of risk is clearly one for cobra and the national security committee. so is the evacuation proceeds apace, but with britain and the us is still judging what the best approach might be for helping their passport holders escape, and increasingly fraught situation. with me in the studio is dame rosalind marsden, former eu special representative to sudan and former british ambassadorfor sudan and south sudan. i'm also joined by former raf operations commander air

marshal greg bagwell. good evening to you both and thank you very much for coming on. let's try and make sense of what is going on here. what do you make of the announcement of the ceasefire? melt. announcement of the ceasefire? well, i think obviously _ announcement of the ceasefire? well, i think obviously it _ announcement of the ceasefire? well, i think obviously it is _ announcement of the ceasefire? well, i think obviously it is a _ announcement of the ceasefire? -ii i think obviously it is a positive step. we have seen now four orfive ceasefires which have not held. on the other hand in the last 48 hours, there has been enough of a brief lull in the fighting to enable diplomats and some foreign nationals to get out. so let's hope that this latest announcement means it is going to be possible to build on that and of course move forward to try to negotiate a more permanent cessation of hostilities. d0 try to negotiate a more permanent cessation of hostilities.— cessation of hostilities. do you think it was — cessation of hostilities. do you think it was inevitable - cessation of hostilities. do you think it was inevitable that - cessation of hostilities. do you think it was inevitable that the | think it was inevitable that the conflict, which started ten days ago, that it would descend quite so quickly into what has happened? well, there were a number of warning signs that we had been seen in

recent months and increasingly in recent months and increasingly in recent weeks that the tension between the two rival military leaders was really reaching quite a—level. d0 leaders was really reaching quite a-level. , ., ~ ., a-level. do you think in a way, which is why — a-level. do you think in a way, which is why i _ a-level. do you think in a way, which is why i want _ a-level. do you think in a way, which is why i want to - a-level. do you think in a way, which is why i want to talk - a-level. do you think in a way, which is why i want to talk to l a-level. do you think in a way, i which is why i want to talk to the air marshal about, we know these things in terms of planning, the french the, the italians, the spanish, the germans, have been able to get people out quickly. we didn't seem to have the same contingencies, or did we? ~ , .,, or did we? well, in my day there was a [an if or did we? well, in my day there was a plan if the — or did we? well, in my day there was a plan if the country _ or did we? well, in my day there was a plan if the country were _ or did we? well, in my day there was a plan if the country were shut - or did we? well, in my day there was a plan if the country were shut to - a plan if the country were shut to try to get people out of land to port sudan. the difference between the uk and the us position and our european partners is the number of their nationals is much smaller. it was obviously a great success to get the british diplomats are, but there were only 30 of them and they were centrally located. let were only 30 of them and they were centrally located.— centrally located. let me turn to ou, air centrally located. let me turn to you, air marshal, _ centrally located. let me turn to you, air marshal, because - centrally located. let me turn to you, air marshal, because this l centrally located. let me turn to| you, air marshal, because this is your raison d'etre. it was to make these kind of plans. do you think it

was a failure of planning, given that we have had a lot of unrest, as a former ambassador was saying, given that we have had this escalation in ten days, not to be thinking about these nationals fast enough? thinking about these nationals fast enou~h? ., ., �* ~' thinking about these nationals fast enou~h? ., ., �* ~ , ., enough? no, i don't think it is a failure of planning _ enough? no, i don't think it is a failure of planning and - enough? no, i don't think it is a failure of planning and dame . failure of planning and dame rosalind made exactly the right point, _ rosalind made exactly the right point, that the challenge for the uk and the _ point, that the challenge for the uk and the us— point, that the challenge for the uk and the us is the sheer numbers of people _ and the us is the sheer numbers of people. the — and the us is the sheer numbers of people. the europeans have been able to gel— people. the europeans have been able to get out— people. the europeans have been able to get out hundreds. had itjust been _ to get out hundreds. had itjust been one — to get out hundreds. had itjust been one flight or two flights, the uk could — been one flight or two flights, the uk could have done the same thing if it only— uk could have done the same thing if it only had _ uk could have done the same thing if it only had to deal with a few hundred _ it only had to deal with a few hundred people. when you are dealing with up— hundred people. when you are dealing with up to _ hundred people. when you are dealing with up to 4000, all of whom have -ot with up to 4000, all of whom have got to— with up to 4000, all of whom have got to be _ with up to 4000, all of whom have got to be collected from individual houses, _ got to be collected from individual houses, you may not know where they are, some _ houses, you may not know where they are, some will be infirm or old, there _ are, some will be infirm or old, there will— are, some will be infirm or old, there will be children, the risks are so— there will be children, the risks are so much larger and the window that you _ are so much larger and the window that you need to move that 4000 people _ that you need to move that 4000 people has to be longer. we have plans, _ people has to be longer. we have plans, those plans will be up—to—date. when you have a civil war like _ up—to—date. when you have a civil war like this, _ up—to—date. when you have a civil war like this, suddenly all the intelligence goes out the window

because — intelligence goes out the window because you really are struggling to work out _ because you really are struggling to work out how long the ceasefire will last, work out how long the ceasefire will last. we _ work out how long the ceasefire will last, we will negotiate with, where the safe areas are. is not a failure of planning, — the safe areas are. is not a failure of planning, it is the level of risk — of planning, it is the level of risk. , ., , ., , , risk. exactly what will be happening toni . ht? risk. exactly what will be happening tonight? will— risk. exactly what will be happening tonight? will a _ risk. exactly what will be happening tonight? will a rescue _ risk. exactly what will be happening tonight? will a rescue plane - risk. exactly what will be happening tonight? will a rescue plane be - risk. exactly what will be happening tonight? will a rescue plane be on. tonight? willa rescue plane be on its way from a nearby base? what will be the first thing that we will see? it will be the first thing that we will see? ., , . ., , ., ., see? it would be crazy for me to speculate _ see? it would be crazy for me to speculate but — see? it would be crazy for me to speculate but my _ see? it would be crazy for me to speculate but my personal- see? it would be crazy for me to speculate but my personal viewl see? it would be crazy for me to l speculate but my personal view is see? it would be crazy for me to i speculate but my personal view is i don't _ speculate but my personal view is i don't think— speculate but my personal view is i don't think something will happen immediately. going in the darkjust after the _ immediately. going in the darkjust after the announcement of a ceasefire, when so many have failed before, _ ceasefire, when so many have failed before, and — ceasefire, when so many have failed before, and we have only had a few hours _ before, and we have only had a few hours for _ before, and we have only had a few hours fora — before, and we have only had a few hours for a notice warning, so to warn _ hours for a notice warning, so to warn 4000 — hours for a notice warning, so to warn 4000 people we are coming to -et warn 4000 people we are coming to get them _ warn 4000 people we are coming to get them and how we corral them and group _ get them and how we corral them and group them _ get them and how we corral them and group them and convoy them to a safe area will— group them and convoy them to a safe area will take a lot of planning and effort _ area will take a lot of planning and effort and — area will take a lot of planning and effort and a high level of risk, let's— effort and a high level of risk, let's be — effort and a high level of risk, let's be brutally honest. this high level of risk— let's be brutally honest. this high level of risk is _ let's be brutally honest. this high level of risk is an _ let's be brutally honest. this high level of risk is an issue _ let's be brutally honest. this high level of risk is an issue if - let's be brutally honest. this high level of risk is an issue if indeed i level of risk is an issue if indeed it is only literally three days because what you seem to be saying

is, there are people around the country and moving them, and what we have heard today is there is minimal contact with a lot of these people because there have been problems with the internet and so far, is three days actually going to be sufficient? this three days actually going to be sufficient?— three days actually going to be sufficient? a , , ., , , sufficient? as problems go, this is robabl sufficient? as problems go, this is probably one _ sufficient? as problems go, this is probably one of — sufficient? as problems go, this is probably one of the _ sufficient? as problems go, this is probably one of the most - sufficient? as problems go, this is| probably one of the most complex, far probably one of the most complex, for more _ probably one of the most complex, far more complex, believe it or not, than afghanistan. in terms of being able to— than afghanistan. in terms of being able to corral people, where they are, how— able to corral people, where they are, how safe it is for individuals who travel— are, how safe it is for individuals who travel and move them, it is not a problem _ who travel and move them, it is not a problem for the aeroplanes or the ships— a problem for the aeroplanes or the ships if— a problem for the aeroplanes or the ships if that is the solution, getting _ ships if that is the solution, getting them to a safe area once you are there _ getting them to a safe area once you are there should be a relatively straightforward proposition. it is getting — straightforward proposition. it is getting 4000 people from multiple homes _ getting 4000 people from multiple homes and multiple areas safely to those _ homes and multiple areas safely to those places. so, homes and multiple areas safely to those places-— those places. so, tell me, dame rosalind. _ those places. so, tell me, dame rosalind. in _ those places. so, tell me, dame rosalind, in more _ those places. so, tell me, dame rosalind, in more detail, - those places. so, tell me, dame rosalind, in more detail, who i rosalind, in more detail, who are the british dealing with when they are trying to organise people's evacuation? is it credible to think there will be any kind of proper conversations with either side,

given the complexity that the air marshal is just talking about? i am marshal is “ust talking about? i am sure that marshal isjust talking about? i am sure that the _ marshal isjust talking about? i am sure that the foreign _ marshal isjust talking about? i —n sure that the foreign office has been making contact with the two military leaders to make clear that they should not shoot the evacuation convoys. we know the united nations has just evacuated several hundred of its international staff by road to port sudan and that was conducting successfully. there would be contacts made with both the army and the rapid support force to make sure that they knew perfectly well that they should not interfere with a specific plan. but that they should not interfere with a specific plan-— a specific plan. but how much of a u-rou a specific plan. but how much of a a-rou to a specific plan. but how much of a group to both _ a specific plan. but how much of a group to both sides _ a specific plan. but how much of a group to both sides have - a specific plan. but how much of a group to both sides have on i a specific plan. but how much of a group to both sides have on theirl group to both sides have on their troops? we know one of the turkish convoys and one of the german convoys, people were wounded. this is one of the — convoys, people were wounded. try 3 is one of the problems. it seems that command and control arrangements are pretty weak, particularly for the paramilitary

rapid support force, whose forces are scattered through the residential areas of khartoum because their bases have been attacked by the army. but also not perfect command and control on the other side as well. this is one possible problem, lack of communication and control about what the forces are doing. but obviously was more pressure from the international community, the two military leaders will have to do their best to try to make sure that their best to try to make sure that the instructions filter down. it will not be easy, that is clear. thank you both very much. we have taken out within the three day window, if it exists. diane abbott was sitting as an independent mp today following her suspension by labour after her letter to the observer newspaper asserting thatjewish, irish and traveller people were not subject to racism "all their lives". she then apologised and withdrew her remarks, suggesting, in her defence, that an earlier draft had made its way into the newspaper. keir starmer called her comments anti—semitic. earlier, i spoke to the labour mp dame margaret hodge, who has fought against both anti—semitism and the threat of the far right and she told me

that, while due process must take place, "tragically, diane abbott has put herself in a position "which makes it very difficult for her to stand as a " labour pa rty candidate". so diane abbott is now censured, alongside her longtime ally, jeremy corbyn, who is still suspended from the plp after declining to withdraw comments he made suggesting the scale of anti—semitism had been overstated. nick is here. first of all, what do you think diane abbott's future is in the labour party? i diane abbott's future is in the labour party?— diane abbott's future is in the labour party? i would say that in the balance- _ labour party? i would say that in the balance. one _ labour party? i would say that in the balance. one labour- labour party? i would say that in the balance. one labour source. labour party? i would say that in i the balance. one labour source said, this is a serious matter. there is an investigation by the labour party which will have a formal element to it and we don't expect that report until after the local elections next week. that is going to look at diane abbott's letter to the observer and her withdrawal of the contents of that letter and her explanation for what happened. the

that letter and her explanation for what happened-— that letter and her explanation for what happened. the defence that it was an earlier _ what happened. the defence that it was an earlier draft? _ what happened. the defence that it was an earlier draft? yes, - what happened. the defence that it was an earlier draft? yes, so i what happened. the defence that it was an earlier draft? yes, so one . was an earlier draft? yes, so one bi factor was an earlier draft? yes, so one big factor in _ was an earlier draft? yes, so one big factor in diane _ was an earlier draft? yes, so one big factor in diane abbott's i was an earlier draft? yes, so one| big factor in diane abbott's favour will be her quick reaction yesterday when she said what she said was wrong. where she is likely to face more question is her claim that the mistake arose because of what she described as an initial draft of his letter was sent to the observer i have to say there is a degree of scepticism about that explanation for sending a letter to a newspaper is not like writing and posting a tweet that can be done in seconds. having a letter published in the paper is quite laborious, it would be acknowledged, there may be a discussion around some edits, so i think labour will be looking and asking, is there a crucial paragraph that was missing in this letter? significance in all of this is that what diane abbott said about the initial draft is notjust initial draft is not just explanation initial draft is notjust explanation she kept us, it's the explanation she kept us, it's the explanation she kept us, it's the explanation she gave to the labour party. plan come across what is in the labour party? leadership

loyalists and soul diane abbott allies are both a lot has opened the party up again to charges of anti—semitism, when that did so much damage to the party underjeremy corbyn. it is interesting that the most senior figure now on the labour left, john mcdonnell, talked of a terrible mistake by diane abbott. allies in the socialist campaign group, the group on the left, hope the labour party will show some understanding of such an iconic figure in the female black mp, who has her self they terrible racial abuse, and interestingly they are putting read an article in the spectator byjohn mcternan, a former adviser to tony blair, who describes the letter is crass and offensive and says, why do we find it so hard to accept an apology? and one dynamic apology linger ally told me, i hope the inquiry takes notice of this article. they must finish

dianne buswell career over this. i'm joined now by the journalist ben smoke who is from a roma background. thank you forjoining us. what was yourfirst reaction when thank you forjoining us. what was your first reaction when you read that letter in the observer? i reflect many of the comments that have been set. i think it was a terrible letter. the content of it was awful. i think diane was correct to retract the comment and apologise in such a speedy manner in the way she did. i think everything that has come after that, there are huge questions around it. lots has been made of keir starmer and his zero approach, zero tolerance approach to anti—semitism, but questions around people like steve reed and barry sherman and the controversies they have had, things they have said then immediately apologised for had not had the whip removed, and i think this calls into question whether or not keir starmer�*s moves are

factual, and... to not keir starmer's moves are factual, and...— not keir starmer's moves are factual, and... ., , . ., , factual, and... to be clear, she was talkin: factual, and... to be clear, she was talking about _ factual, and... to be clear, she was talking about people _ factual, and... to be clear, she was talking about people of— factual, and... to be clear, she was talking about people of gypsy, i factual, and... to be clear, she wasl talking about people of gypsy, roma and traveller background as well. sure, i read the letter, i'm aware of it. edit sure, i read the letter, i'm aware of it. . , ., ., sure, i read the letter, i'm aware of it. . i. ., ., sure, i read the letter, i'm aware of it. . ., ., ., of it. of which you are one, and i wonder how _ of it. of which you are one, and i wonder how denigrating... i of it. of which you are one, and i wonder how denigrating... as i l of it. of which you are one, and i i wonder how denigrating... as i said, i thou . ht wonder how denigrating... as i said, i thought the — wonder how denigrating. .. as i said, i thought the letter— wonder how denigrating... as i said, i thought the letter was _ wonder how denigrating... as i said, i thought the letter was abhorrent, l i thought the letter was abhorrent, but i also think, as previously mentioned, diane abbott is a stalwart, and antiracist still bought in this country. she was the first female mp. there is also a massive orthodox jewish first female mp. there is also a massive orthodoxjewish constituency in her constituency. the racism that diane abbott has experienced throughout her career is apparent and i think we need to look at these things in a much broader sense, i do also think they wake these things are playing out our completely obscure catering the realities of what it means to be gypsy, roma travel in this country. we are not

looking at the abominable health and social outcomes in the community or talking about the huge suicide rates, the fact that only 30% of local authorities in this country provide the legally required number of passing places —— parking places for travelling people, and then i seek labour mps, who are still in post, document illegal travellers. diane abbott has undoubtedly faced huge mass of racism but, as you seem to be saying, absolutely so to have roma and travellers.— to be saying, absolutely so to have roma and travellers. obviously have jewish people- _ roma and travellers. obviously have jewish people- i— roma and travellers. obviously have jewish people. i am _ roma and travellers. obviously have jewish people. i am in _ roma and travellers. obviously have jewish people. i am in no _ roma and travellers. obviously have jewish people. i am in no way- roma and travellers. obviously have jewish people. i am in no way deny l jewish people. i am in no way deny that. he wrote _ jewish people. i am in no way deny that. he wrote a _ jewish people. i am in no way deny that. he wrote a 20,000 _ jewish people. i am in no way deny that. he wrote a 20,000 -- - jewish people. i am in no way deny that. he wrote a 20,000 -- the i jewish people. i am in no way deny| that. he wrote a 20,000 -- the rot that. he wrote a 20,000 —— the rot of anti—semitism runs throughout the society had my question is, how is this helping myjewish friends? my jewish friends don't feel safe in labour because of kiss, but actions. my labour because of kiss, but actions. my trans friends don't feel safer because of his number. this is a

relative village of your talk about the let's stop turning these instances into factional fights and talk about the material conditions for the people. i(eir talk about the material conditions for the people-— for the people. keir starmer isn't here and diane _ for the people. keir starmer isn't here and diane abbott _ for the people. keir starmer isn't here and diane abbott wrote i for the people. keir starmer isn't here and diane abbott wrote the | here and diane abbott wrote the letter, for which she apologised, so i think which talk about that. i'm now going to talk to the actor tracey and oban. and i can speak now to the actress tracey ann oberman. you left the labour party because of basic anti—semitism. i you left the labour party because of basic anti-semitism._ basic anti-semitism. i did, and jeremy corbyn. _ basic anti-semitism. i did, and jeremy corbyn, unfortunately l basic anti-semitism. i did, and i jeremy corbyn, unfortunately for the there was a rise in vernacular and tropes aboutjewish people and murals and things that were said at assumption that were made that were deeply hurtful and upsetting at many of us no longer felt we could be part of the party that we loved. and so we left. ~ ., ., i. ., ~ ., so we left. what do you make of diane abbott — so we left. what do you make of diane abbott apologising - diane abbott apologising immediately, but the initial defence that it was an earlier draft of the

letter? it that it was an earlier draft of the letter? , ., ~ , ,., that it was an earlier draft of the letter? , ., ~ , ., letter? it setting and abbott also as a trailblazer. _ letter? it setting and abbott also as a trailblazer. she _ letter? it setting and abbott also as a trailblazer. she was - letter? it setting and abbott also as a trailblazer. she was the i letter? it setting and abbott also as a trailblazer. she was the firstj as a trailblazer. she was the first black female mp in this country and she stood up against racism for her community. she received horrendous abuse and what is so deeply upsetting is that, though seemingly it was a blind spot in labour under jeremy corbyn, and that third draft of that letter that i am wrote, she obviously felt that echo chamber she inhabits, it was safe enough to say those things, to think those things, to put them on paper and have them published in a newspaper, and the things that were said was taking thousands of years of oppression... when i think of my family standing up when i think of my family standing up to oswald mosley, british union the holocaust, my family that died in the warsaw ghetto, when i think of that, that wasn't akin to not being liked is if you are a redhead. we are talking about deep—seated anti—semitism in this country going right back to medieval times. itoothed

right back to medieval times. what does it say to _ right back to medieval times. what does it say to you _ right back to medieval times. what does it say to you that _ right back to medieval times. what does it say to you that diane abbott felt able to write that within the context of keir starmer was labour party? context of keir starmer was labour pa ? ., ., ,., context of keir starmer was labour pa ? ., ., , ., party? how the labour party deal with diane abbott _ party? how the labour party deal with diane abbott is _ party? how the labour party deal with diane abbott is up _ party? how the labour party deal with diane abbott is up to - party? how the labour party deal with diane abbott is up to them i party? how the labour party deal i with diane abbott is up to them i'm not in the labour party. but i do remember in 2020 keir starmer saying that he wanted jews to feel safe and that he wanted jews to feel safe and that anti—semitism would be routed out of the party. the fact that a labour mp who has fought racism all her life was able to turn round and minimise anti—semitism and the roma, gypsy minimise anti—semitism and the roma, gypsy and traveller community oppression that has been experienced for many years, think what a child at school who doesn't know about the holocaust, does that what does it take to further generations? ii this take to further generations? if this is not routed _ take to further generations? if this is not routed out, _ take to further generations? if this is not routed out, could _ take to further generations? if this is not routed out, could you - take to further generations? if this is not routed out, could you see i is not routed out, could you see yourselfjoining the labour party again? as i. yourselfjoining the labour party auain? a- ., again? as i, say, how the labour party deal— again? as i, say, how the labour party deal with — again? as i, say, how the labour party deal with this _ again? as i, say, how the labour party deal with this with - again? as i, say, how the labour party deal with this with diane i again? as i, say, how the labour.

party deal with this with diane and others, great politicians who deserve to have their dignity intact, but a terrible thing was written. how they deal with it is up to them for the i think keir starmer worked quickly to deal with this and take on board the hurt and upset this minimisation dilemma caused. i think, as ben said, we need to start pulling together, all of us, as communities and fight a great evil that wants to have minorities at each other�*s throats. i'd like to think that diane could be part of it is a problem, where black and jewish and muslim and roma communities could pull together to fight a great evil, which is a far bigger threat at the moment. during the pandemic lockdowns when children lost months of in—school teaching, the government sought to address the fear that, especially for socially disadvantaged children, the attainment gap would widen by pledging funds for extra tutoring. but now it's emerged that a third of the money schools in england were given for one—to—one and group tutoring, more than £200 million pounds, has been taken

back by the treasury after not being spent. schools were required to top up the money from their own budgets, something many said they can't afford. but what's the bigger picture here? here's ben. an investigation by our bbc colleagues has found that of the roughly £600 million earmarked under the national tutoring programme to help pupils catch up on their education missed during various covid lockdowns, only around £400 million has been spent. so of course a third, some £200 million, has not been spent. that is concerning in itself, given the severe disruption to children's education in the pandemic and a pressing need to repair it. remember, it was the least economically advantaged children who suffered the most educational disruption during the pandemic. children in private schools were better able to continue to learn through the lockdowns, whether through the provision of online lessons, wider access to laptops and other means. evidence from national

tests ta ken by all this is the disadvantage gap index devised by the government itself to track the performance gap in writing and maths between poorer and better off pupils at age 11. as you can see, it had been falling, but in 2022 in the wake of the pandemic that gap jumped to its highest since 2012. there are important questions about whether the design of this national tutoring programme was right, if the funds available were not fully taken up by schools. but there is also some important wider context to this, namely whether the government's education covid catch—up funding was ever substantial enough, even if it had all been successfully deployed. the £600 million for the national tutoring programme is only one element of this catch—up spending. there was also a catch—up premium for all schools, funding for summer schools, and cash for additional teacher training to help them deliver

the catch—up tuition. all in, according to estimates from the educational policy think tank, the government's education recovery plan summed up to £5 billion, the equivalent of £310 per pupil in england. because education is devolved the sums per pupil were set to be higher in wales, £400, and lower in scotland and northern ireland, £230. yet regardless of the difference within the uk, there were always doubts about whether any of the sums were actually sufficient. look at the estimated post—covid catch—up spending in the us, more than £1800 per pupil, and more than £2000 in the netherlands. based on his analysis, the government's independent educational adviser, sir kevan collins, reportedly recommended £15 billion of catch—up spending in total, so three times the amount ultimately committed. and sir kevan resigned injune 2021 when the treasury refused to sign off on the funds.

we are going to see widening inequalities, which we are already seeing, which is essentially a larger gap between the rich and the poor, a larger gap between london and many other parts of the country, and a longer term impact on the economy. so this is the context of the revelation of a significant underspend on the national tutoring programme. the government insists millions of children have benefited from catch—up tuition and the public finances are stretched, yet many educational experts fear the overall catch—up programme was always underfunded, short—changing the children whose education was so badly disrupted by covid and in particular the least advantaged. today, judges in the court of appeal were considering the government's case that rwanda is a safe place to receive migrants and asylum seekers, but in a moment we'll be hearing from the de facto leader of the rwandan opposition from kigali that this is not the case, but first sima is here.

what actually happened in the court today? iaide what actually happened in the court toda ? ~ ., ., ., what actually happened in the court toda 7~ ., ., ., ., today? we will go to that in a second month _ today? we will go to that in a second month at _ today? we will go to that in a second month at let's - today? we will go to that in a second month at let's go i today? we will go to that in a i second month at let's go through today? we will go to that in a - second month at let's go through the illegal migration bill, which is backin illegal migration bill, which is back in the commons this week for its final report stage. the bill would mean detaining and removing those who arrive here illegally, for example, on a boat, so they could be returned to their home country or a country the government deems safe, such as rwanda. we know from the cupboard on this programme and across bbc news that this bill is controversial and it's likely some tory rebels will demand more concessions. the home secretary has ready added some amendments on the bill because of pressure from the left and right of the party, committing to publish a report on existing at any proposed additional safe legal roots within six months of the bill becoming law. that is to appease the left of the party. she also saying there are conversations going on with strasberg possible

reforms to rule 39, which blocked a removalfight reforms to rule 39, which blocked a removal fight to rwanda last year, she has been getting pressure from the right of the party to stand up to the european court of human rights. as part of this bill, we know that children could be detained, with the government say that would only happen in exceptional circumstances. today, the equality and human rights commission delivered some scathing criticism of the bill, saying it was seriously concerned the legislation risked placing the uk in breach of its international legal obligations to protect human rights. the cupboard are saying this bill would prevent people from crossing the channel and prevent deaths. we know that perilous journey as cost lives. it says it will act as a deterrent. earlier, i spoke about this to the rwandan opposition leader victoire ingabire, and i started by asking her if she accepts what the british home office said, that rwanda is safe and secure

for migrants and asylum seekers. no, i don't agree with the authorities of the british government who confirmed that rwanda's a safe country where they can send their refugees because rwanda, for example, is not a free country. if you read the report of freedom house, rwanda scored eight out of 40 on political rights and 15 out of 60 on civil liberties. but if you read the score of the uk, you see the uk scored 93 out of 100, so i am surprised a free country such as the uk decides to send its refugees to a not free country, like rwanda... now, can i just say that the british government, and indeed

the rwandan government, both say they will get accommodation, they'll get training, they will maybe getjobs. i mean, what do you say to that? there are nojobs. the rate of unemployment for younger people is high. i think we have 28% ofjobless young people. if you can't find a job for your people, how can you promise that you will offer jobs to the refugees who you will send to rwanda? this is not true. i don't believe this story. if they did, its against the convention... i guess the geneva convention in regards to refugees.