also tonight... silvio berlusconi — one of the most successful but divisive leaders in italy's post—war history — has died at the age of 86. in ukraine, seven villages have been liberated from russian control since the weekend, according to the authorities in kyiv. and a sea of blue to celebrate the treble — manchester city fans turn out in their thousands. as their team show off this season's impressive trophy haul. on newsnight, we'll go deeper behind the headlines and speak live to key players on today's big stories. plus a first look at tomorrow because my front pages.

good evening. the long—standing tensions between prime minister rishi sunak and his predecessor—but—one, borisjohnson, have now escalated into a very public disagreement. a number of mrjohnson�*s key supporters, who were nominated by him for seats in the house of lords, were not included in the final version of his resignation honours list last week. those close to borisjohnson say number ten blocked the appointments. but rishi sunak said today that mrjohnson had asked him to overrule the committee, which vets the new appointments — something mr sunak said he was not prepared to do. our political editor chris mason has the latest. back in the country, still in the headlines and generating more. tonight, borisjohnson and rishi sunak are in

open, public conflict. borisjohnson and his allies accuse the prime minister of secretly blocking peerages for some of mrjohnson�*s closest associates. rishi sunak is normally cautious, circumspect in what he says in public. not today. borisjohnson asked me to do something that i wasn't prepared to do, because i didn't think it was right. that was to either overrule the holac committee or to make promises for people. now, i wasn't prepared to do that. as i said, i didn't think it was right. and if people don't like that, then tough. i... when i got thisjob... applause when i got thisjob, i said i was going to do things differently because i wanted to change politics, and that's what i'm doing. rishi sunak making a moral argument and contrast with the prime minister before last, unwilling to overrule holac, the house of lords

appointments commission. boris johnson wasn't willing to face questions or appear in front of the cameras today. but take a look at this. he told us... we would do rigorous testing... this sounds technical. it is. this is nadine. hi! she's done a lot of splicing. she's the original splice girl. but it matters for those who thought they'd get a peerage and didn't — like the former cabinet minister nadine dorries. but it matters too, because all this has plunged relations between the prime minister and mrjohnson into the deep freeze, the conservatives�* squabble—fest getting noisy again. are they lying? well, they are not tellin: the are they lying? well, they are not

telling the truth. _ mean we'll come here the privileges committee has been looking into boris johnson's committee has been looking into borisjohnson�*s integrity, or the lack of it —— meanwhile, the privileges committee. he said it is a kangaroo court and his friends reckon plenty of folk around here just want rid of him. you have suggested that establishment has been kind of out to get boris johnson? who is the establishment? good question, isn't it? that's my personal— good question, isn't it? that's my personal experience. i tweeted over the weekend that my establish delete my experience, the establishment tried to _ my experience, the establishment tried to block boris, block brexit. you are _ tried to block boris, block brexit. you are a — tried to block boris, block brexit. you are a night of the realm. maybe you are the establishment. you you are a night of the realm. maybe you are the establishment.- you are the establishment. you got me there, you are the establishment. you got me there. but _ you are the establishment. you got me there. but i _ you are the establishment. you got me there, but i saw _ you are the establishment. you got me there, but i saw that _ you are the establishment. you got me there, but i saw that when - you are the establishment. you got me there, but i saw that when i - you are the establishment. you got| me there, but i saw that when i was a ministen — me there, but i saw that when i was a minister. there actually is a feeling — a minister. there actually is a feeling boris was never really forgiven — feeling boris was never really forgiven for getting brexit done.

isn't the — forgiven for getting brexit done. isn't the simple truth that boris johnson misled parliament? we haven't seen the report yet so we don't _ haven't seen the report yet so we don't know— haven't seen the report yet so we don't know if he did intentionally or recklessly misled parliament. opposition politicians say all of this is a total mess. most mps think we should be getting on to the properjob now. the borisjohnson moment is dead. he's toast. there is no coming back. the water will close very quickly over him. but there is an internecine warfare going on within the conservative party. this is how far borisjohnson and rishi sunak were apart when the law mandated social distancing. they're a whole lot further apart tonight. studio: let's talk a little more about the nature of the disagreement and rejoin chris at westminster. quite apparent now, isn't it, that this is much more thanjust an argument about an honours list? h0 argument about an honours list? iir: doubt about that, huw, and even the

argument about the honours list has deepened tonight. michael howard, former conservative leader, once sacked mrjohnson for lying and he said that all of this could have been resolved by a formality, boris johnson's statement, he says that is not true, and michael howard used to serve on holac, the commission. so all of that trundles on. others say this is classic slapdash boris johnson changing his story a lot, but those around him and his allies say no, we genuinely feel we have been hard done by. this is a broader row, one i often hear privately and occasionally it breaks out in public. it is this. what is the conservative party for? what does it mean to be conservative? what have they achieved in government and what have they failed to achieve in government? this is the conversation within the party. there is a bigger question on top of that ask internally. can rishi sunak win. the standout moment today without question was the strength of that

intervention from the prime minister, that direct attack on borisjohnson. the strategy minister, that direct attack on boris johnson. the strategy from number 10 seems to be they are going to take on the flames and the fumes of mrjohnson directly. the thing is what they may see as something of a d fumigation strategy could take quite a long time.— d fumigation strategy could take quite a long time. once again, many thanks, chris — quite a long time. once again, many thanks, chris mason, _ quite a long time. once again, many thanks, chris mason, our _ quite a long time. once again, many thanks, chris mason, our political i thanks, chris mason, our political editor at westminster. silvio berlusconi, one of the most powerful and divisive figures of the past half—century in italy, has died at the age of 86. mr berlusconi, a billionaire media tycoon, was prime ministerfour times between 1994 and 2011 and became the longest—serving italian prime minister since the second world war. but he was equally well known for his scandal—ridden private life, as our europe editor katya adler reports from milan. ina in a country famed for political

drama, silvio berlusconi is arguably italy's most memorable politician. scandals and screaming headlines surrounded him. he remained a flamboyant, divisive figure right up until the end of his life. the head of a state funeral on wednesday, the former prime minister's body was brought to his home on the outskirts of milan. we found an impromptu shrine here cobbled together by loyal followers. are you sad, i asked louisa. she told me she was so sad. "berlusconi was a genius and everything he touched turned to gold". translation: i am everything he touched turned to gold". translation: i am nearly 40 ears old. gold". translation: i am nearly 40 years old- i — gold". translation: i am nearly 40 years old- i grew— gold". translation: i am nearly 40 years old- i grew op _ gold". translation: i am nearly 40 years old. i grew up with _ years old. i grew up with berlusconi. whatever you think of him, he has been one of the most important politicians in modern italy. pa. important politicians in modern ital. . ., , ., important politicians in modern ital. italy. a former glitzy, or sleazy, depending _ italy. a former glitzy, or sleazy, depending on — italy. a former glitzy, or sleazy, depending on who _ italy. a former glitzy, or sleazy, depending on who you - italy. a former glitzy, or sleazy, depending on who you ask, - italy. a former glitzy, or sleazy, - depending on who you ask, business and media tycoon, and owner of ac milan football club, he used the funds "go, italy" chance to promise

better things for his country. he first burst onto football mad italy's political scene three decades ago pledging a heady mix —— heady mix of straight talking, intentionally non—politically correct proud nationalism. the berlusconi brand of modern populism, including jumping into coalition with italy's post—fascist far right shock to many but also inspired other politicians in europe and beyond. comparisons are made with donald trump. he was admired by berlusconi. a huge fan of strong men politicians, like vladimir putin, with whom he had a close friendship. translation: this with whom he had a close friendship. translation:— translation: this is a great loss, not only for— translation: this is a great loss, not only for italy _ translation: this is a great loss, not only for italy but _ translation: this is a great loss, not only for italy but also _ translation: this is a great loss, not only for italy but also for - not only for italy but also for world — not only for italy but also for world politics.— not only for italy but also for world olitics. , , ., a, , . ., world politics. these ties to moscow worried italy's _ world politics. these ties to moscow worried italy's nato _ world politics. these ties to moscow worried italy's nato and _ world politics. these ties to moscow worried italy's nato and eu - world politics. these ties to moscow worried italy's nato and eu allies, . worried italy's nato and eu allies, especially since russia's invasion of ukraine. voted prime minister three times over the years, silvio berlusconi died a key coalition partner in italy's current government. translation: he partner in italy's current government. translation: he was a

ma'or fiaure government. translation: he was a major figure in — government. translation: he was a major figure in contemporary - government. translation: he was a major figure in contemporary italy, i major figure in contemporary italy, someone who was at the forefront of the political scene for many years. but he will inevitably also be remembered for his controversial not so private life. who can forget the tales of the so—called bunga bunga sex parties he enjoyed well into his older age. he was envied and loathed in italy almost in equal measure. translation: find in italy almost in equal measure. translation:— in italy almost in equal measure. translation: �* , translation: and if you sometimes see a beautiful— translation: and if you sometimes see a beautiful girl, _ translation: and if you sometimes see a beautiful girl, i— translation: and if you sometimes see a beautiful girl, i say, _ translation: and if you sometimes see a beautiful girl, i say, better- see a beautiful girl, isay, better to like girls than to be gay. siiigio to like girls than to be gay. silvio berlusconi _ to like girls than to be gay. silvio berlusconi also _ to like girls than to be gay. silvio berlusconi also spent years - berlusconi also spent years defending himself against charges of corruption, but he used italy's tortuous legal system to ensure he never went to jail. studio: let's talk a little more about mr berlusconi pulls my influence and legacy, and we can rejoin katya in —— mr berlusconi's influence. can we talk about his achievements, some would see them in italy, notjust that but

achievements, some would see them in italy, not just that but also achievements, some would see them in italy, notjust that but also what people would see as his leg legacy i have been following his political career right from the get go. i was a student at the time —— what people would see as his legacy in europe? the idea of a media mogul, owner of the football club who spoke the language of the people, he said. he was intentionally politically incorrect. with his italy first policies at the helm of this country, a very important eu and nato power. he also unapologetically used his media empire as an advantage over political opponents. does this sound familiar? maybe you're thinking about viktor orban, maybe marine le pen of france or different austrian government clinic. he is seen by many as the father of modern day populist nationalism. that did not make him popular amongst many of the traditional politicians in brussels. they didn't take him very seriously at the time of the economic crisis.

and at eu leaders summits, one high—level figure said to me he was famous for turning round to those eu leaders and saying, you should all be talking a lot more about football and women. be talking a lot more about football and women-— be talking a lot more about football andwomen. ., ., , ., ., ., and women. katya, many thanks again for the legacy — and women. katya, many thanks again for the legacy of— and women. katya, many thanks again for the legacy of mr _ and women. katya, many thanks again for the legacy of mr berlusconi. - for the legacy of mr berlusconi. katya adler, our europe editor. a british schoolgirl, who has been shot dead in brittany, has been named by the authorities as solaine thornton. she was 11 years old. solaine was playing in the garden when a neighbour reportedly opened fire with a shotgun. it happened in the city of quimper, where local people spoke

through the hedge on the other side of the play area, shots rang out.

transforming prigozhin into a public figure and one of the key voices in support of the war. but as wagner's death toll sword, his relationship with russia's military worsened. here he is in may surrounded by bodies of his fighters, swearing at russia's defence minister and the head of armed forces. there is evidence that this approach is appealing to hardline supporters of the war and a recent poll asking russians which public figures they trust most features prigozhin in the top five for the first time. whether this rise in popularity bothers putin is impossible to say. some experts think the infighting may be playing into putin's hands as he likes controlled competition. divide and rule. he divides the army into two powerful centres of power, so you have the regular army

and then you have prigozhin. it's just putin's typical style, it is what he does. and so it remains unclear where this spat between prigozhin and the defence ministry will end and how it will affect the war. for now, he carries on. olga robinson, bbc news. now a look at some other stories making the news today... a woman from staffordshire has been jailed after pleading guilty to obtaining drugs to induce an abortion more than 32 weeks into her pregnancy, after the legal time limit. the court heard how the 44—year—old applied for the medication through the �*pills by post�* scheme introduced during the pandemic. a man has appeared in court in county antrim accused of murdering a 21—year—old woman who'd been missing for more than week. detectives began a murder inquiry in the search for chloe mitchell in ballymena after finding suspected human remains. brandonjohn rainey, who's 26, appeared via video link at ballymena magistrates' court.

two children who were found dead at a house in stoke—on—trent have been named. elizabethjohn, who was seven, and her brother ethan, who was 11, were both found unresponsive with significant injuries. police say a 49—year—old woman, who was known to the siblings, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. the public hearings, as part of the uk covid—19 official inquiry, will start tomorrow. the first phase of hearings, chaired by baroness hallett, will focus on planning before the pandemic and how prepared the government and health authorities were. it's thought that evidence from witnesses, including borisjohnson, matt hancock and other decision makers, will continue for at least three years. more than 225,000 have died, with covid recorded on their death certificate. our health editor hugh pym reports. i want to know what we could have done better and how we could

have saved more people. i want to know why my parents couldn't communicate with each other at a time when it was desperately needed. i want to know why doctors are still not informed - about the damage of long covid. three voices from those deeply affected by the covid pandemic and questions they want answered at the public inquiry. jasmine was seriously ill with covid three years ago and she has never fully recovered. i had a great life, a very active life, was training to be a yoga teacher. then came covid and after several weeks, she was still struggling. i woke up gasping for air. and from then on it was this... just unstoppable desecration of my health. i accepted that, for me, becoming a yoga teacher is not something now that i can do.

but it's been incredibly painful to have my dreams ripped out from underneath me. jasmine is now campaigning for those living with long covid. this health crisis is now, so take the learnings, investigate why long covid was brushed under the carpet. this was mike in 2020, an intensive care consultant at a north london london hospital hit hard by the first wave. there are still rooms that i walk into in this hospital and i can see the patient that i intubated on that particular day, and know their story and have spoken to their family over weeks their families couldn't visit them. but it took a huge personal toll, it was some very dark times. i have had some professional help and i think it's important that we stand up and we talk about that. mike believes the full impact on the nhs still isn't known.

we haven't really had a chance to have a conversation about it really because we moved from pandemic to tackling the backlog, putting back the infrastructure that was damaged, getting back together all the people who hadn't had primary health care for a period of time. these were happier memories for roger but his parents, charles and helen, were admitted to separate hospitals in late 2020 with different health conditions. each then tested positive for covid. they died within two weeks of each other. i imagine them both declining gracefully. i imagine one being close to the other one when it was happening. this way they didn't talk to each other at all when they were in hospital, so they both basically went their separate ways. for roger, the inquiry needs to look at the state of the system. as i see it, the nhs was already on its knees and this thing came along and they didn't stand

a chance basically. they have many questions but with an inquiry set to last at least three years, they know they may have to wait some time for answers. hugh pym, bbc news. manchester city's victorious footballers have taken part in an open—top bus parade to celebrate their champions' league triumph at the weekend and city s most successful season ever. let'sjoin sophie in manchester tonight. it has been quite an evening here in manchester. tens of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate with the manchester city team — after they won the premier league, the fa cup and the champions league injust one season. there was drama too as the heavens opened and thunder and lightning filled the sky. but nothing was going to spoil the party that's going on in this city tonight. our sports editor dan roan was watching as manchester city showed off their impressive trophy haul.

the treble winners, manchester city! it was the biggest party the blue half of manchester has ever seen. city's triumphant treble winning side, along with their silverware, presented on stage at the end of an open top bus parade. thousands of fans defying the rain to be here. these the scenes ofjubilation, this is what it meant to be champions of europe for the first time. thank you very much for all the support during the whole season. it's been incredible and we've got three trophies! earlier on the fans had been made to wait before seeing their heroes. a torrential downpour along with thunder and lightning delaying the start of the parade. but that didn't dampen the spirits of the players who had reigned supreme in istanbul and been partying ever since. making their way to the city centre by tram, jack grealish soaking up the atmosphere. later, manager pep guardiola and his team braving the elements as theirjourney down the scale,

along with the three trophies they have won in an unforgettable campaign, eventually got under way. firmly established as the dominant force in domestic football, city have enjoyed plenty of success in recent years but nothing quite like this. city! for these fans a chance to share in a piece of footballing history. you know, when you get a cake you've got the icing? well, today, they put the cherry on the top. it'sjust unbelievable, even now it still doesn't seem real that we are treble winners. one of the best nights. in manchester's history. forget the reds, it's all about the blues. i these are the images that city fans will never forget and always cherish. manchester city lead in the champions league final! rodri's goal sealing victory over inter milan on a momentous night in istanbul. abu dhabi's sheikh mansoor, who is sovereign has transformed his club, just his second match

in 15 years of ownership. city finally getting their hands on the trophy they have coveted for so long and 48 hours later, the celebrations remained in full swing. having made their way to st peter's square, these players would have understood the impact their achievements have had. guardiola even finding a way to make light of the conditions. what a parade, what an afternoon. we had the best parade with this rain otherwise it wouldn't be manchester. we don't want sunshine, we want rain. ., ., , , rain. having won the three biggest tro - hies rain. having won the three biggest trephies on _ rain. having won the three biggest trophies on offer, _ rain. having won the three biggest trophies on offer, city _ rain. having won the three biggest trophies on offer, city have - rain. having won the three biggest| trophies on offer, city have secured sporting or mortality. they close to perfect season ending with a celebration to match. dan is with me now. the stages coming down but this is a moment manchester city will not forget in a hurry. manchester city will not forget in a hur . ~ , ,., , manchester city will not forget in a hur . ~ , , ., manchester city will not forget in a hurry. absolutely not. winning the chamions hurry. absolutely not. winning the champions league _ hurry. absolutely not. winning the champions league is _

hurry. absolutely not. winning the champions league is always - hurry. absolutely not. winning the | champions league is always special but when it seals second treble that an english team has managed, true legendary status. when united won it in 99, city were languishing in the third tier of the english game. saturday's victory seals a remarkable sporting ascent and represents a shift in the balance of power in the city, domestic football and europe. there has been some controversy. rival fancy city has bought this and there is wider camp than whether or not their wealth is distorting the competitive balance of football. after all they have won five premier league titles in six. there are suspicions whether the club is being used by sports washing and obviously there are those unresolved premier league charges of alleged financial rule breaches but until that is a result, it will hang over the club somewhat. fans say that that nn to jealousy, over the club somewhat. fans say that that is tojealousy, over the club somewhat. fans say that that is a o jealousy, over the club somewhat. fans say that that is a result, |sy, over the club somewhat. fans say that that is a result, itr, over the club somewhat. fans say over the club somewhat. fans say that that is a result, it will hang until that is a result, it will hang over the club somewhat. fans say

thatis that down to jealousy, over the club somewhat. fans say that is down to jealousy, over the club somewhat. fans say that down tojealousy, other that is down to jealousy, other clubs have spent big and been less