that we're going to have the fabulous harry belafonte. here he comes! he was born in new york, but his sound was caribbean. if the fragile ceasefire will hold, but who can act as peacemaker in the country, not least for fear of contagion in the region? there are seven countires bordering sudan. can any of them, or other international players stop the country going up in flames? we will speak to experts in sudan and the international community to ask what next.

also tonight... the government's review of gambling is expected later this week. we've been speaking to a gambling addict whose online addiction all but destroyed his life. and we speak to people who say they have been blacklisted by the government. the government's review of gambling is expected later this week. we've been speaking to a gambling addict whose online addiction all but destroyed his life. it's hard, because i kind of grieve that person. i grieve for him even though it is me, i grieve that person that is wasting their life without knowing it, really. and the film director wes anderson is having a big moment on tiktok, as would be auteurs pay homage to his very particular vision. now it's newsnight�*s turn. good evening.

it seems that the fragile ceasefire in sudan is holding. one flight carrying uk nationals has reached cyprus, and two more will arrive overnight. and the prime minister said today there will be many more tomorrow. it remains uncertain whether all who want to leave the perennially politically unstable country, will get out before the ceasefire ends — and what if they don't? their safety cannot be guaranteed as evidenced by the plight of thousands of sudanese citizens already caught up in the violence, and filling increasingly overcrowded hospitals. is the resumption of fighting inevitable and which if any of the seven bordering countries or peace brokers further afield can end the power struggle between two generals who are meant to be steering sudan towards civilian rule? here'sjoe. it may be the dramatic shots of international citizens and diplomats being airlifted out that have dominated the headlines. but that is far from the only way the conflict in sudan is impacting, and being impacted

by, other countries. it is a vast nation at the centre of a highly volatile region. let's go through the seven counties that border it. egypt and eritrea are comparatively stable, if under military dictators. but ethiopia has just endured a bloody civil war, and peace there is precarious. south sudan, hugely corrupt and troubled, has never really been stable since its split from the north more than a decade ago. the central african republic is riven by fighting between dozens of armed groups. chad has an islamist insurgency to deal with. while libya is torn in half by rival governments. soon, these countries may well have tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people arriving at their borders seeking sanctuary from the fighting. sudan sits strategically south of egypt on the red sea. it connects the middle east proper with the horn of africa, with the sahel and sub saharan africa. it has the potential

to destabilise the region. it could very well overflow . our tensions with the ethiopians over the nile waters and the gerd, and we're coming up to the summer month when the ethiopians are going to put the fourth filling of the dam. egypt is very nervous because then egypt will feel its strategic sense of security is targeted with war in libya and now this in its southern border. but it's not simply a question of how this conflict impacts sudan's neighbours. many of them are also interested parties, backing one side or the other. first, supporters of this man, general burhan. like a lot of the army he leads, he trained at egypt's military academy. and cairo is squarely in his corner. it's thought that saudi arabia is too, although quite what that support entails is unclear. as for the leader of the rapid support forces, the man they call hemedti, the uae are said to be backing him, as is the central african republic, although that might be independent

militias rather than the government. in libya, general haftar is also said to be on his side, maybe unsurprising as the rsf have in the past provided him with mercenaries. meanwhile rumours persist about the involvement of the russian wagner mercenary group although once more the level of support is unclear. there are other nations with an active interest, but they seem to be playing their cards close to their chests. it seems there is only one thing that unites them. these regional powers do have some preference for a military or powerful individual to come out on top of this, to really be in charge of the end of sudan's transition. so this is bad news for the civil society groups and sudan's resistance committees who have sought to deliver on the promises of sudan's transition. khartoum has already been turned into a war zone. hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. given that neither side seems set

for a quick victory, how might this play out? this conflict has three routes to go. it could go the libyan model, as in hemedti chooses to return to darfur and split the country, and then it becomes de facto there is a power in darfur and then there is a separate power in khartoum. it could go the somalia model where, you know, ethnically it becomes clans and tribes against each other. or it could go, you know, the way rwanda went in 1994. we're looking at several bad scenarios. and with the international community pulling its ambassadors, its diplomats from khartoum, you wonder how much leverage will they have? moving forward without people on the ground. it is maybe unsurprising that the evacuation of foreign nationals has been the focus of much of the global coverage. but the international fallout from this war will not end with their departure.

indeed it, along with the suffering of the people of sudan, only looks set to intensify. joining me now is british sudanese kholood khair, the founding director of confluence advisory, a think tank in khartoum that works on governance, peace and security. tobias ellwood chairman of the defence committee. and ahmed soliman, sudan analyst at chatham house. now i understand you are in port sudan, what is happening around you? good evening. it is quite a devastating scene in port sudan. the city itself has not been impacted by the fighting in the way that the capital has but the mass exodus towards the port in order to take either saudi ships crossing over to

jagger and other routes has meant that the city is now awash with displaced people. find that the city is now awash with displaced people.— that the city is now awash with dislaced --eole. �* ., , displaced people. and you are trying to net out displaced people. and you are trying to get out as — displaced people. and you are trying to get out as well, _ displaced people. and you are trying to get out as well, what _ displaced people. and you are trying to get out as well, what are - displaced people. and you are trying to get out as well, what are your - to get out as well, what are your efforts yielding?— to get out as well, what are your efforts yielding? there are several routes out. _ efforts yielding? there are several routes out, the _ efforts yielding? there are several routes out, the united _ efforts yielding? there are several routes out, the united nations - routes out, the united nations international community has got these different routes but none of them seem to be as well coordinated as they should be. so a lot of people do not know precisely when they will be travelling out. i know they will be travelling out. i know the saudis perhaps to polish their image and through guilty conscience have constantly running warships to saudi military bases and then of course the british are also as of today registering people here in port sudan in anticipation of possible evacuation. mil port sudan in anticipation of possible evacuation.- port sudan in anticipation of possible evacuation. all the talk is of evacuation _ possible evacuation. all the talk is of evacuation but _ possible evacuation. all the talk is of evacuation but what _ possible evacuation. all the talk is of evacuation but what of the - of evacuation but what of the monitoring conditions for people in the country, we've just seen that

hundreds of thousands of people are displaced and doctors say that hospitals are devastated. exactly and most of _ hospitals are devastated. exactly and most of the _ hospitals are devastated. exactly and most of the international- and most of the international attention is on the evacuation and while that is necessary it does beg the question what becomes of the other efforts. obviously having lack of visibility in the country means that there are less attention paid to that but where people can potentially be supported by having international people there as witnesses who can report back to the international community, without that effectively sydney's people feel alone. ., ~ , ., that effectively sydney's people feel alone. ., ~' , ., , that effectively sydney's people feel alone. ., ~' , . feel alone. thank you very much. what is your— feel alone. thank you very much. what is your view _ feel alone. thank you very much. what is your view on _ feel alone. thank you very much. what is your view on the - feel alone. thank you very much. i what is your view on the ceasefire, is it holding or not? i what is your view on the ceasefire, is it holding or not?— is it holding or not? i think it seems to _ is it holding or not? i think it seems to be _ is it holding or not? i think it seems to be partially - is it holding or not? i think it| seems to be partially holding. is it holding or not? i think it - seems to be partially holding. of course there is a lot of tension on the capital khartoum with the focus

is well on evacuations. there have been air strikes reported today and heavy fighting in many regions in particular in da for. so you could say it is holding to some degree but certainly there is continued aggression from both sides. we know it is re aggression from both sides. we know it is pretty dangerous _ aggression from both sides. we know it is pretty dangerous on _ aggression from both sides. we know it is pretty dangerous on the - it is pretty dangerous on the ground. and i wonder if i can ask you, tobias ellwood, what is the best chance of some kind of revolution? is it resolution within the country itself or with the need to be outside brokers? ihell the country itself or with the need to be outside brokers?— the country itself or with the need to be outside brokers? well i think ou listed to be outside brokers? well i think you listed carefully _ to be outside brokers? well i think you listed carefully and _ to be outside brokers? well i think you listed carefully and underlined| you listed carefully and underlined the outside influence that countries have on this country. you did not mention— have on this country. you did not mention russia which is provided weapons — mention russia which is provided weapons systems to both gen abdel

fattah— weapons systems to both gen abdel fattah al—burhan and gen mohamed hamdan _ fattah al—burhan and gen mohamed hamdan dagalo in the past five to ten years— hamdan dagalo in the past five to ten years and that has stepped up the ability— ten years and that has stepped up the ability for both sides to wage was _ the ability for both sides to wage war~ this— the ability for both sides to wage war~ this is— the ability for both sides to wage war. this is calling out for a massive _ war. this is calling out for a massive un intervention of some kind, _ massive un intervention of some kind, there — massive un intervention of some kind, there is no electricity and limited — kind, there is no electricity and limited food and water. the focus of course _ limited food and water. the focus of course is _ limited food and water. the focus of course is getting the internationals out but _ course is getting the internationals out but one that has happened then absolutely come at the international community needs to get together to see what— community needs to get together to see what can be done to support sudan _ see what can be done to support sudan and — see what can be done to support sudan and make sure that the ceasefire _ sudan and make sure that the ceasefire can continue. this is about— ceasefire can continue. this is about individual generals who cannot agree _ about individual generals who cannot agree who _ about individual generals who cannot agree who was going to lead the armed _ agree who was going to lead the armed forces. they but, they both cut their— armed forces. they but, they both cut their teeth putting down the uprising — cut their teeth putting down the uprising in da for and the international community ignore that which _ international community ignore that which has _ international community ignore that which has led to today. —— darfur.

so members of the international community may leave and then eyes are not on sedan to the extent that they will be so how will we know clearly what is unfolding? i think that is a huge — clearly what is unfolding? i think that is a huge worry _ clearly what is unfolding? i think that is a huge worry especially . clearly what is unfolding? i think. that is a huge worry especially with the electricity cuts as well. i think that and the network filtering is a worry in terms of getting information out of sudan moving forward. there is think of a strong civil society across many western states in sedan that will continue to monitor and to pressure for international action to be maintained on sedan. i think is your piece showed as well sedan is very much a strategically important country within the region. so i think that regional efforts, international efforts are certainly going to continue. iwho international efforts are certainly going to continue.— international efforts are certainly going to continue. who do you think will have the — going to continue. who do you think will have the most _ going to continue. who do you think

will have the most influence? - going to continue. who do you think will have the most influence? is - going to continue. who do you think will have the most influence? is it i will have the most influence? is it egypt? who are the most influential players? i egypt? who are the most influential -la ers? ~ . players? i think including the united states _ players? i think including the united states but _ players? i think including the united states but i _ players? i think including the united states but i think - players? i think including the united states but i think this| united states but i think this states that you outlined, egypt is very important as a neighbouring state as is saudi arabia and the uae and they have all sought to influence the political process incident sometimes in contradictory ways or sometimes complicating prospects for resolution. but ultimately these regional players with interest in sedan have to be part of the resolution to see a ceasefire that is maintained and secured and move towards a permanent cessation of hostilities. without their influence and leveraged both politically, economically because the economic ties are extremely important and on security level, i do not think it is possible to get that resolution. just do not think it is possible to get that resolution.— do not think it is possible to get that resolution. just briefly what

is the danger — that resolution. just briefly what is the danger of _ that resolution. just briefly what is the danger of the _ that resolution. just briefly what is the danger of the theatre - that resolution. just briefly what is the danger of the theatre for i is the danger of the theatre for shifting again into darfur? it is important to underline _ into darfur? it is important to underline what _ into darfur? it is important to underline what the _ into darfur? it is important to i underline what the international community can do and you mentioned darfur— community can do and you mentioned darfur and _ community can do and you mentioned darfur and that is where support comes— darfur and that is where support comes from but east of the capital it is a _ comes from but east of the capital it is a different picture but the dangers— it is a different picture but the dangers are different. the capital is dangerous and i would like to see us establish a temporary embassy base in— us establish a temporary embassy base in the port of sedan. i think we should — base in the port of sedan. i think we should underline the fact that forces _ we should underline the fact that forces have been alongside supporting the ceasefire that fell apart— supporting the ceasefire that fell apart in— supporting the ceasefire that fell apart in the past and are in fact protecting _ apart in the past and are in fact protecting the air base that we are flying _ protecting the air base that we are flying out— protecting the air base that we are flying out from today. so they control— flying out from today. so they control the port and i would like to see us— control the port and i would like to see us not— control the port and i would like to see us not abandon the country completely, we need to have a presence — completely, we need to have a presence and understanding of what

is going _ presence and understanding of what is going on— presence and understanding of what is going on and show the people of sedan _ is going on and show the people of sedan that— is going on and show the people of sedan that the international community does care so let us set up a british— community does care so let us set up a british embassy as we did in ukraine — a british embassy as we did in ukraine. there we move the embassy to the _ ukraine. there we move the embassy to the east— ukraine. there we move the embassy to the east away from the front line _ the sudanese people have been through so much, it is a very strong civil society, through so much, it is a very strong civilsociety, but through so much, it is a very strong civil society, but if you don't have food, water, electricity, internet, then what happens to ordinary people? then what happens to ordinary --eole? ~ ' . , then what happens to ordinary --eole?~ ' . , ., people? well, effectively, you are creatin: a people? well, effectively, you are creating a situation _ people? well, effectively, you are creating a situation that _ people? well, effectively, you are creating a situation that can't - people? well, effectively, you are creating a situation that can't be l creating a situation that can't be contained. already we are seeing a lot of movement across the borders into egypt and that is going to continue because 8 million people live in khartoum alone and they will be on the move. i would like to comment, the international community cannot act unilaterally, they must act together. that is where a lot of

programmes have been coming across, we are not seeing a unified approach and that is why the ceasefires are failing. on top of that, i would be very careful about bella rising either of the forces just because they are giving access and sending they are giving access and sending the right messages without making any commitments. every ceasefire has failed and they need to be held to task and more accountable and it has to be done globally.— to be done globally. thank you all ve much to be done globally. thank you all very much for— to be done globally. thank you all very much forjoining _ to be done globally. thank you all very much forjoining us. - "we have checked your social media feed and it contains material critical of the government. we have no choice but to dis—invite you." according to the security expert and prospective liberal democrat parliamentary candidate edward lucas, these were the words from a letter to a scientist, due to speak at a government event, whose social media feed fell foul of new cabinet office guidelines introduced last year under the ministerial guidance of jacob rees mogg. in a moment we'll be speaking to a specialist in al who has obtained emails which appear to confirm that she too was blacklisted by the government for her social media activity.

but first, nick is here. nick, what is happening? what is this about? _ nick, what is happening? what is this about? this _ nick, what is happening? what is this about? this issue _ nick, what is happening? what is this about? this issue has - nick, what is happening? what is this about? this issue has been l this about? this issue has been bubbling away but it was brought to prominence yesterday by the article by edward lucas in the times. we can take a look at the headline under article and it says jacob rees mogg's blacklist is positively soviet and edward lucas talks about this is the plot of a dystopian novel. he refers to these guidelines that were joined up whilstjacob rees mogg was the minister in the cabinet in august 2022. he cites the example of an old friend, 30 years old friend, who is an expert in national security who is this invited by the cabinet office from giving a speech in government. edward lucas says that in his spare time this old friend of his relaxes by firing off salvos on social media and being critical of government on migration, its handling of corruption and brexit. it looks

like, according to edward lucas, that this friend of his fell foul of this cabinet office rules and at the time in august 2022, the cabinet office said these rules are designed to uphold impartiality and there is a zero tolerance of discriminatory behaviour and i want to stop people with that sort of behaviour from taking part in things. idistill with that sort of behaviour from taking part in things.— taking part in things. will this become a _ taking part in things. will this become a row? _ taking part in things. will this become a row? in _ taking part in things. will this become a row? in the - taking part in things. will this become a row? in the last - taking part in things. will this - become a row? in the last couple of hours i become a row? in the last couple of hours t have — become a row? in the last couple of hours i have been _ become a row? in the last couple of hours i have been in _ become a row? in the last couple of hours i have been in touch with - hours i have been in touch with jacob rees mogg and he is seeking to distance himself from the way these rules were enforced in the way of edward lucas's friend. he doesn't deny they were put in place? he knows the rules, hejust deny they were put in place? he knows the rules, he just appears not to be happy with the way they are enforced. he said to me that the example he gave was this was meant to stop extremists and he gave an example of some islamist hardliners who had been invited to take part in an event. it was meant to stop people like that. on the edward lucas example jacob rees mogg said

there was no intention to stop people with expertise in one area who had political views are relevant to their subject area from speaking on their area of expertise. if he or she is an expert on national security, there are other views are irrelevant unless they were going to campaign against the government's migration policy, it seems unlikely. jacob rees mogg says it is now up to ministers, they have free range to the site. i spoke to sir peter bottomley, the father of the house of commons, and he said this is absurd, the cabinet office really needs to take a look at these guidelines. he said to me, if you enforce these guidelines like this, you would have to have rishi sunak not inviting liz truss because he disagrees with her. liz truss not inviting rishi sunak. borisjohnson not inviting david cameron and david cameron not inviting gordon brown. successive prime ministers would

have to do this. at the moment the government is standing by this policy and a government spokesperson said departments from across government networks are required to carry out due diligence to ensure sessions are fit for purpose, offer value for taxpayers permit money and are in line with the civil service rules. i'm joined now by computer scientist and ai expert kate devlin. kate, what happened to you? last october i was invited to give a talk to the civil service about women in tech at lunchtime. it was a celebration of women working in several subjects. a few days before the talk i was told by social media had been checked to make sure that i was in line with government thinking. two days later the invitation was rescinded and i was told that i had treated things that were disagreeing with government policy. were disagreeing with government oli . ~ . were disagreeing with government oli _ . ., ., , were disagreeing with government oli . ., ., ., policy. what was your reaction to that? i policy. what was your reaction to that? i was _ policy. what was your reaction to that? i was quite _ policy. what was your reaction to that? i was quite surprised. - policy. what was your reaction to that? i was quite surprised. i- policy. what was your reaction to | that? i was quite surprised. i was not there that? i was quite surprised. i was rrot there to _ that? i was quite surprised. i was not there to talk _ that? i was quite surprised. i was not there to talk about _ that? i was quite surprised. i was not there to talk about anything l that? i was quite surprised. i was

not there to talk about anything i | not there to talk about anything i had tweeted about. so i was quite surprised that i was going to give a talk about women in tech and it would incur this kind ofjudgment on what i had tweeted about. you decided to _ what i had tweeted about. you decided to turn _ what i had tweeted about. you decided to turn investigator, so what happened? i decided to turn investigator, so what happened?— what happened? i applied for a sub'ect what happened? i applied for a subject access _ what happened? i applied for a subject access request - what happened? i applied for a subject access request to - what happened? i applied for a subject access request to get l what happened? i applied for a i subject access request to get hold of the decision is made to find out what it was in particular they deemed to be critical of the government. he deemed to be critical of the government.— deemed to be critical of the covernment. ., ,., . ,, deemed to be critical of the covernment. ., . ,, ., government. he got them back and we have them now- _ government. he got them back and we have them now. you _ government. he got them back and we have them now. you do. let's - government. he got them back and we have them now. you do. let's have - government. he got them back and we have them now. you do. let's have a l have them now. you do. let's have a look at some — have them now. you do. let's have a look at some of— have them now. you do. let's have a look at some of them. _ have them now. you do. let's have a look at some of them. there - have them now. you do. let's have a look at some of them. there we - have them now. you do. let's have a| look at some of them. there we have one and this is in october about the view of yours. this is a fairly outspoken left—wing academic... the response to that is...

do you present a press risk? the answer to that is yes. you word this invited and you thought that was the end of it, that was it. i did invited and you thought that was the end of it, that was it.— end of it, that was it. i did wonder and when i — end of it, that was it. i did wonder and when i did _ end of it, that was it. i did wonder and when i did a _ end of it, that was it. i did wonder and when i did a search _ end of it, that was it. i did wonder and when i did a search online - end of it, that was it. i did wonder and when i did a search online i i end of it, that was it. i did wonder. and when i did a search online i saw there was this leaked memo that suggested speakers would be investigated for their views on social media and i later heard there was another academic it had happened to and she had been blocked by this as well. but i have not heard much more about that. find as well. but i have not heard much more about that.— as well. but i have not heard much more about that. and then knew so edward lucas" _ more about that. and then knew so edward lucas' piece? _ more about that. and then knew so edward lucas' piece? yes, - more about that. and then knew so edward lucas' piece? yes, and - more about that. and then knew so edward lucas' piece? yes, and it. edward lucas' piece? yes, and it resonated- _ edward lucas' piece? yes, and it resonated. is _ edward lucas' piece? yes, and it resonated. is there _ edward lucas' piece? yes, and it resonated. is there an _ edward lucas' piece? yes, and it resonated. is there an issue - edward lucas' piece? yes, and it resonated. is there an issue that ou resonated. is there an issue that you might _ resonated. is there an issue that you might have _ resonated. is there an issue that you might have been _ resonated. is there an issue that you might have been against - you might have been against government policy in certain areas and you might have gone rogue when you are speaking live? i and you might have gone rogue when you are speaking live?— you are speaking live? i made it clear that _ you are speaking live? i made it clear that the _ you are speaking live? i made it

clear that the areas _ you are speaking live? i made it clear that the areas i _ you are speaking live? i made it clear that the areas i do - you are speaking live? i made it clear that the areas i do tweet l clear that the areas i do tweet about and which i am critical of, i was not going to talk about that and they mentioned that in the e—mails and they said they were aware that i would not be discussing it at all. there was nothing controversial or political in what i wrote. when you look at the tweets it included things like retreating a parody of liz truss. . ., , things like retreating a parody of liz truss. . . , ., , liz truss. that was deemed to be dangerous _ liz truss. that was deemed to be dangerous in _ liz truss. that was deemed to be dangerous in terms _ liz truss. that was deemed to be dangerous in terms of— liz truss. that was deemed to be dangerous in terms of press - dangerous in terms of press response? yes. as a respected academic what do you think of this? ifind it quite academic what do you think of this? i find it quite alarming that especially a government that is currently trying to push through the higher education bill which is about we shouldn't let people have no platform in universities and yet they are trying to do this and the government itself. and they are trying to do this and the government itself.— government itself. and we were talkinu government itself. and we were talking about — government itself. and we were talking about al _ government itself. and we were talking about al and _ government itself. and we were talking about al and in - government itself. and we were talking about al and in terms i government itself. and we were talking about al and in terms of| government itself. and we were . talking about al and in terms of the people you are going to be talking to... ,, . ., ., ., to... civil service networks are a really important _ to... civil service networks are a really important way _ to... civil service networks are a really important way of - to... civil service networks are a really important way of getting l really important way of getting information around and they do a lot of lobbying to boost the voices of

people who might not be seen. the government who could be instead of denying me a chance to talk, it could be working towards better inclusion in tech. you could be working towards better inclusion in tech.— could be working towards better inclusion in tech. you heard from nick that when _ inclusion in tech. you heard from nick that when he _ inclusion in tech. you heard from nick that when he contacted - inclusion in tech. you heard from | nick that when he contacted jacob rees mogg jacob rees mogg said absolutely categorically that the guidance was not for people like you doing development and learning with women in tech, for example. actually it was for, for example, islamist extremists. what do you make of the way it has been interpreted and what do you make of that? thea;r way it has been interpreted and what do you make of that?— do you make of that? they need to look at what _ do you make of that? they need to look at what they _ do you make of that? they need to look at what they have _ do you make of that? they need to look at what they have been - do you make of that? they need to look at what they have been doing | look at what they have been doing because very clearly the signal has been all along that anyone who might cause any kind of critical risk to their reputation should not be allowed. . ~ their reputation should not be allowed. ., ,, , ., , . and a reminder that you can contact us any time here at newsnight — send us an email to newsnight at bbc.co.uk. perhaps this has happened to you. following multiple delays, the government's new review on gambling is expected to be

released later this week amid mounting concerns about gambling's harms on people's finances and mental health. the industry has dramatically changed since the gambling act was brought in in 2005, most significantly the booming online market, driven by the ubiquity of smartphones. clinicians and charities say users have been failed by the lack of regulation. one of those is 27—year—old lewis who has lost £100,000 to gambling, relapsed 12 times, and at his lowest point contemplated suicide. anna has been to meet him. hello. my name is lewis and i created this account to talk about problem gambling. for more than a decade, lewis has been trapped in a cycle of relapse and recovery. i'm still 28 days clean. but i'm just struggling with all the withdrawals. i'm struggling with my sleep, with the grief. the tiktok star was a child when the gambling industry was last reviewed, and since then,

the online sector has exploded. psychologists say lewis's story illustrates how years of lax regulation has impacted lives. it started at 16 when lewis saw an online advert and used his dad's account to place some free bets on football matches. with his final 50p, he took a punt on 128000 to i odds, and won. the moment i won the 64 grand, just complete shock, like it didn't really hit me. i won that amount of money, felt really good, but then actually had to sit on that for about a year and a half until i turned the legal age to gamble at 18 and sit on that feeling of all of those good connotations with gambling. so it was probably the worst thing that happened for me because that high fuelled me. for years, lewis secretly relied on his winnings to bet on sport like tennis and football. by 22, all the cash was gone. sometimes his body would give away his inner pain,

like these rashes on his skin. all in all, i've probably lost over 100 grand to my addiction over the last 11 years, and ifunded it by selling off prize goods. i've taken out payday loans, i've taken out overdrafts, and i've borrowed money from friends and family. research suggests 0.5% of adults in england have a gambling problem, and young men are more likely to gamble than any other age group. clinicians say football is a major pull, paving the way to more addictive products like online casinos. to resist further relapses, last year, lewis started posting videos on tiktok. as someone who's currently struggling with gambling and who has struggled with it for the last ten or so years, the biggest thing for me is how alone it can make you feel. the account's an ongoing personal battle, a mix of perseverance and pain. the wages i've got in this job, i've already lost them. and it's not even, like five days

into getting the amount i needed. now i don't know what to do. it's hard because i kind of grieve that person. i kind of grieve for him. even though it is me. i grieve that person that was wasting their life without knowing it, really. lewis had planned a fresh start for this year, but within weeks he'd relapsed again and at his lowest point contemplated ending his life. when i have really high anxiety and depression is when i normally will turn to gambling as a way to kind of supplement and make me feel better about things, you know, give me that high and make me forget about all my other mental health problems. but in doing so, i make it a lot worse. i'd reached a point where recovery, relapsing, recovery, felt like such a long and arduous journey to do and a process to do, that was very... i was almost very tired of doing it anymore. lewis has set up multiple obstacles to protect himself from relapse, such as blocks on his banking app and a device which restricts online

gambling activities. but if he wants to, he can outsmart them. who or what do you blame for your gambling addiction? i blame myself for this gambling addiction. however ill and sick i've been from this addiction, i'm the one that's pressed the betting button. i've deposited that money. it's on me to do it. there's not been enough of investment in the mental health services to help people with gambling addiction, which could have included me at points when maybe i would have felt like i wanted to reach out, but not felt like there was enough resources to help me with it. a big hope for the government's long awaited review is for a mandatory levy to fund research, education and treatment, which the betting and gaming council says it supports, providing smaller physical stores are protected. currently, lewis receives some counselling over the phone, but sessions are limited and temptation is everywhere. his favourite sports, his phone, his high street. we've got four bookies in about a 300 feet radius. we've got a bookies behind me here,

got one over here and got two right in front of me. you've been clean for 50 days now. how do you feel about the future? i'm very conscious of not being lewis the gambler. i know it has plagued me for 11 years, but i am trying to stay optimistic. as much as it might plague me for the rest of my life, you know, a gamblling addiction sometimes doesn't go away, but i hope to move beyond it. joining me from leeds is matt gaskell, who is clinical lead and consultant psychologist for the nhs northern gambling service. thank you forjoining us. tell me what you make of that story? it is a very common _ what you make of that story? it is a very common story _ what you make of that story? it is a very common story that _ what you make of that story? it is a very common story that we - what you make of that story? it is a very common story that we hear - what you make of that story? it is a very common story that we hear in | very common story that we hear in clinics every day. normal lives turned upside down by a rapacious

industry and highly addictive products mass marketed and this framing from government framing it as a leisure pursuit and everyday normal commodity when as we have seen on the video it is quite the opposite. we have a public health concern which should be regulated accordingly. fin concern which should be regulated accordingly-— concern which should be regulated accordinul . , ., , ., , ., accordingly. on smartphones and with aluorithms accordingly. on smartphones and with algorithms you _ accordingly. on smartphones and with algorithms you make _ accordingly. on smartphones and with algorithms you make about _ accordingly. on smartphones and with algorithms you make about and - algorithms you make about and immediately ten other bets willjump up immediately ten other bets willjump up to offer you free betting. how possible is it for regulation to prevent that? we possible is it for regulation to prevent that?— prevent that? we have a very secific prevent that? we have a very specific problem _ prevent that? we have a very specific problem with - prevent that? we have a very specific problem with a - prevent that? we have a very specific problem with a range j prevent that? we have a very i specific problem with a range of gambling products but as you say once they have moved online the risks rise exponentially. i'm not only the product and the vehicle online that raises the risks but also the ability for the industry to target people through marketing and getting to people in their homes or wherever they go. and accelerating the losses. so we are pleased to see the losses. so we are pleased to see

the government is focusing on the right policy areas, we eagerly anticipate the publication of the white paper and they are reviewing development areas and we just hope that they will go far enough to protect the public. you that they will go far enough to protect the public.— that they will go far enough to protect the public. you are involved in gambling — protect the public. you are involved in gambling clinics, _ protect the public. you are involved in gambling clinics, is _ protect the public. you are involved in gambling clinics, is coming - protect the public. you are involved in gambling clinics, is coming and l in gambling clinics, is coming and where, at the older gamblers also using smartphones or other using betting shop networks as part of social areas? the betting shop networks as part of social areas?— betting shop networks as part of social areas? . ._ ., social areas? the gateway for men would tend — social areas? the gateway for men would tend to _ social areas? the gateway for men would tend to be _ social areas? the gateway for men would tend to be through - social areas? the gateway for men would tend to be through sport - social areas? the gateway for men| would tend to be through sport and to come into it perhaps through football and then cross marketed to online casino products which are much more addictive and much more risky. forwomen much more addictive and much more risky. for women they tend to be the advertising clearly targeting them with daytime advertising and they come in normally through bingo advertising and then they are cross sold to online addictive slot machines. so they are specific problems that will help the government will take seriously when

it comes to the proposals this week. and it is the industry now taking responsibility? ida. and it is the industry now taking responsibility?— and it is the industry now taking responsibility? no, i'm pleased to see that the _ responsibility? no, i'm pleased to see that the gambling _ responsibility? no, i'm pleased to| see that the gambling commission responsibility? no, i'm pleased to i see that the gambling commission is focusing on the industry and it is ripe to shift the framing from the idea of a few vulnerable so—called individuals and focus on the industry and its practices. there are record fines from the regulator but we cannot expect the industry to change or self regulate. a statutory duty of care would do that so i would be welcoming that if that comes in. so this industry does need strict regulation. and we are waiting to see if it goes far enough. waiting to see if it goes far enou:h. . ~' , waiting to see if it goes far enou:h. . ~ ,. , . waiting to see if it goes far enou:h. . ~ , . ., enough. thank you very much for “oininu enough. thank you very much for joining us- _ the illegal migration bill is due to come before the house of commons tomorrow for its report stage, and we understand that one of the most contentious elements, the detention of unaccompanied child

migrants, will be altered so that children in such a situation will only be detained in exceptional circumstances and within a time limit. but for some conservative rebels that may not be enough and they are threatening to vote against the government tomorrow. earlier we spoke to kevin saunders of the border force and he said he hoped the illegal migration bill would pass tomorrow. this bill is a very important piece of legislation. and i don't think people who have never seen what i have seen in calais really understand what is going on. we have a situation whereby people are coming to the uk and we have no idea who they are. we have had a murderer, we have had terrorists, we've had all sorts that we only found out by pure chance. and we can't continue like that.

i'm joined now by zain hafeez. he isa he is a campaigner and former child migrants who came to the uk when he was 12. ~ . .,, migrants who came to the uk when he was 12. . ., .,, y., , . was 12. what was your experience? on the issue of— was 12. what was your experience? on the issue of child _ was 12. what was your experience? on the issue of child detention _ was 12. what was your experience? on the issue of child detention you - the issue of child detention you need to go back to the beginning when i was a child. and when we assume as a child you may not understand what is going on around you but i feel you deeply feel and intuitively i knew even though i was just 12 that there was something wrong, something that was not right. and ifelt wrong, something that was not right. and i felt that deeply. and wrong, something that was not right. and ifelt that deeply. and despite that intuition all that i was told was that i had to take responsibility so i worked hard to learn the language and integrate but when it was time for me to go to university i found out i would not be allowed to go because of my immigration status. but

be allowed to go because of my immigration status.— be allowed to go because of my immigration status. but that was not resolved rrot — immigration status. but that was not resolved not because _ immigration status. but that was not resolved not because of— immigration status. but that was not resolved not because of the - resolved not because of the government but because a solicitor it had run away with the money and not processed it as they said they wear. exactly. you deal with child migrants yourself, tell me what do you think is the impact on them of being caught in the system? speaking from first hand _ being caught in the system? speaking from first hand experience _ being caught in the system? speaking from first hand experience and - being caught in the system? speaking from first hand experience and also i from first hand experience and also there are so many other children that i work with, i would say it makes you feel helpless and feel like you are alone and also it is a very lonely experience. it makes you lose your childhood and it makes you serious, ifeel that lose your childhood and it makes you serious, i feel that that is what got me into philosophy at such a young age. got me into philosophy at such a young age-— got me into philosophy at such a ounu ace. j , ., young age. you'll recognise that the government — young age. you'll recognise that the government wants _ young age. you'll recognise that the government wants to _ young age. you'll recognise that the government wants to prevent - young age. you'll recognise that the government wants to prevent child i government wants to prevent child migrants coming from humanitarian reasons as well as pressure on services because of the things that

you're talking about because being a child minder is probably one of the most traumatising things that can happen. most traumatising things that can ha en. , , ., most traumatising things that can hauen. , , . , ., happen. definitely and i understand how someone _ happen. definitely and i understand how someone could _ happen. definitely and i understand how someone could argue - happen. definitely and i understand how someone could argue that i happen. definitely and i understand how someone could argue that it i happen. definitely and i understand i how someone could argue that it may act as a deterrent but i do not think it is because there are so many families and children that i've worked with who talks about their experiences and none of them would have been reading the nationalities and borders bill. they did not even know that they would end up in the uk and it was not their choice, they were fleeing from persecution and torture and dire circumstances. and when they do get here to then punish them further and lock them up in a prisonlike situation is going to further traumatise them. it took me so many years to get therapy and to work so hard on myself to get this position and we are creating this

other structure.— position and we are creating this other structure. ., ., other structure. now the government is sa in: other structure. now the government is saying this — other structure. now the government is saying this is _ other structure. now the government is saying this is only _ other structure. now the government is saying this is only in _ is saying this is only in exceptional circumstances that a child migrant would be delayed, is that a step forward? i child migrant would be delayed, is that a step forward?— that a step forward? i think it is a massive progression, _ that a step forward? i think it is a massive progression, the - that a step forward? i think it is a i massive progression, the government proposes in power is to be able to detain innocent children and lock them up in a prisonlike situation and also remove any safeguarding measures which, before there would be a special panel that would adjudicate if it was in the best interest of the child to be put in detention but the government is proposing to remove that which is horrific. . ~ proposing to remove that which is horrific. ., ,, , ., , proposing to remove that which is horrific. . ~' , ., , . proposing to remove that which is horrific. ., ,, , ., , . ., horrific. thank you very much and we did ask the — horrific. thank you very much and we did ask the government _ horrific. thank you very much and we did ask the government to _ horrific. thank you very much and we did ask the government to come i horrific. thank you very much and we did ask the government to come on i did ask the government to come on and discuss this but they declined. let's take a look at some front pages. charles undermined the queen over a plan to sue rupert murdoch according to harry. raf flying british people out of chaos in

sudan. bank chief tells us you need to accept that you are poor. and charles made into chocolate from a chocolate factory. make your own way to sudan airlift, prime minister defends rescue efforts as civilians are flown to safety two days after diplomats. and canadian bus of sending suicide poison to hundreds in the uk and finally a picture of nicola sturgeon talking to reporters and saying that it has been traumatising. as she makes her return to holyrood. it may have come to your attention that the director wes anderson is having a moment on tiktok, as would be auteurs pay homage to his very particular style. on newsnight we are also fans, even though we are a little late to the party. enjoy! goodnight.