the conservatives suffer two heavy defeats and narrowly hang on in london. thank you so much, keir. celebrations for labour in the north yorkshire seat of selby and ainsty and for the lib dems in somerset�*s somerton and frome, while the tories breathe a sigh of relief in uxbridge, borisjohnson�*s old seat. the biggest majority we have ever turned over in the history of the labour party. my friends, what we achieved here is nothing short of spectacular. mid—term by—elections are rarely easy for incumbent governments. these are no different. the result in uxbridge softens the blow for— the result in uxbridge softens the blow for rishi sunak, but the two others _ blow for rishi sunak, but the two others are — blow for rishi sunak, but the two others are a big blow, leaving the conservatives with a mountain to climb _ and the other main stories this lunchtime: the murder of nine—year—old olivia pratt korbel last year — her family want new laws forcing offenders to be

in court for sentencing. that was our time to have our voice, the impact statement to the offender, and he didn't turn up. mcdonald's set up a new investigations unit after the bbc�*s reports on dozens of abuse allegations at the chain. he sings and we meet samuel marino, an extremely rare male soprano, as he prepares to perform at the glyndebourne opera house. and coming up on bbc news, england pile on the runs on day three of their crucial fourth ashes test against australia at old trafford. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one.

it's been a night of high political drama, with the conservatives suffering two spectacular by—election defeats at the hands of labour and the liberal democrats, but also narrowly holding off labour in borisjohnson�*s old seat, uxbridge. let's take a look at the details. in selby and ainsty in north yorkshire, labour gained the seat from the tories with their 25—year—old candidate keir mather, who'll become the youngest mp in the house of commons. let's have a look at the share of the vote. labour took 46% there, and their win means they've overturned the largest conservative majority at a by—election since 1916. and in somerton and frome in somerset, liberal democrat sarah dyke secured a dramatic victory, winning more than 21,000 votes, while conservative faye purbrick trailed in second place with less than half the number. and here's the share of the vote for the lib dems, a whopping 54.6%, and they thanked what they called lifelong conservative voters for the win.

but the conservatives did hold on to uxbridge and south ruislip in west london by the slimmest of majorities, which was boris johnson's old seat until he resigned. this is the share of the vote. just a narrow share between the two parties. the tories' steve tuckwell made the controversial expansion of london's ultra low emission zone, brought in by the labour mayor, central to his campaign. with more now, here's our political correspondent, iain watson. it was a night of spectacular results. ~ . ~ ., results. mather, keir alexander, labour party. — results. mather, keir alexander, labour party, 60,456. _

results. mather, keir alexander, labour party, 60,456. dyke, - results. mather, keir alexander, - labour party, 60,456. dyke, liberal democrats. — labour party, 60,456. dyke, liberal democrats, 21,187. _ labour party, 60,456. dyke, liberal democrats, 21,187. but _ labour party, 60,456. dyke, liberal democrats, 21,187. but there - labour party, 60,456. dyke, liberal democrats, 21,187. but there was i democrats, 21,187. but there was also a surprise, — democrats, 21,187. but there was also a surprise, no _ democrats, 21,187. but there was also a surprise, no clean - democrats, 21,187. but there was also a surprise, no clean sweep i democrats, 21,187. but there was. also a surprise, no clean sweep for the opposition parties.— the opposition parties. steve tuckwell, — the opposition parties. steve tuckwell, the _ the opposition parties. steve tuckwell, the conservative . the opposition parties. steve - tuckwell, the conservative party candidate, 13,965. in tuckwell, the conservative party candidate, 13,965.— candidate, 13,965. in selby and ains , a candidate, 13,965. in selby and ainsty, a labour— candidate, 13,965. in selby and ainsty, a labour candidate - candidate, 13,965. in selby and i ainsty, a labour candidate called keir defeated the conservatives. his older namesake hopes to do the same at the next general election. here in yorkshire, labour outperformed the sizeable opinion poll lead, winning a largely rural seat which is not its natural territory. and overturning a 20,000 tory majority, something it hadn't done before at a by—election. keir starmer said the result put his party on course for victory nationally. irate result put his party on course for victory nationally.— result put his party on course for victory nationally. we have shown what a change _ victory nationally. we have shown what a change labour _ victory nationally. we have shown what a change labour party - victory nationally. we have shown what a change labour party can i victory nationally. we have shown | what a change labour party can do. this should never have been a by—election. because by the chaos, the division, the infighting in the tory party, and that's why so many people have said to us that they

want change. people have said to us that they want change-— people have said to us that they want chance. ., . , :: want change. labour party, 13,470. labour had — want change. labour party, 13,470. labour had hired _ want change. labour party, 13,470. labour had hired hopes _ want change. labour party, 13,470. labour had hired hopes of- want change. labour party, 13,470. labour had hired hopes of taking i labour had hired hopes of taking boris johnson's old labour had hired hopes of taking borisjohnson�*s old seat of uxbridge and south ruislip in west london, but following a recount, the conservatives clung on. the winning candidate steve tuckwell suggested that a single issue had sunk labour's chances. that labour mayor of london sadiq khan is extending what is called the ultra low emissions and this area. it effectively translated as a tax on older, more polluting vehicles and proved unpopular on the doorstep. but rishi sunak wants to suggest that the voters' appetite for a change of government was limited. ihla change of government was limited. iir: one expected us to win here, but steve's victory demonstrates that when confronted with the reality of the labour party, when there is an actual choice on a matter of substance at stake, people vote conservative.— substance at stake, people vote conservative. there was a swing of

su ort conservative. there was a swing of suoport away _ conservative. there was a swing of suoport away from _ conservative. there was a swing of support away from the _ conservative. there was a swing of. support away from the conservatives and to labour in uxbridge, butjust not enough for them to take the seat. the symbolism of rishi sunak claiming victory will no doubt sticking sir keir starmer�*s throat and lead to an internal inquest. it also raises questions the strength and depth of labour's opinion poll lead if a campaign can be derailed on single issue. but make no mistake, looking at the by—elections overall, last night spell bad news for the conservatives and the countdown to the next election. five, four, three, two, one! this is no laughing — five, four, three, two, one! this is no laughing matter— five, four, three, two, one! this is no laughing matter for— five, four, three, two, one! this is no laughing matter for rishi - five, four, three, two, one! this is| no laughing matter for rishi sunak. no laughing matterfor rishi sunak. the lib dems in somerton and frome overturned a tory majority of more than 19,000. if they can take seats in parts of the country where labour can't win, than the conservatives could face a nasty pincer movement from the opposition parties come the next election. from the opposition parties come the next election-— from the opposition parties come the next election. what we achieved here is nothin: next election. what we achieved here is nothing short _ next election. what we achieved here is nothing short of— next election. what we achieved here is nothing short of spectacular. - next election. what we achieved here is nothing short of spectacular. the i

is nothing short of spectacular. the trend was clear even before last night, but now it is certain. the liberal democrats are back in the west country. ibig liberal democrats are back in the west country-— west country. big lib dem toy-election _ west country. big lib dem by-election victories - west country. big lib dem by-election victories have | west country. big lib dem - by-election victories have almost by—election victories have almost become commonplace these days. the sun is become commonplace these days. tie: sun is shining on become commonplace these days. tt9: sun is shining on us. become commonplace these days. the sun is shining on us. the _ sun is shining on us. the conservatives _ sun is shining on us. the conservatives believe . sun is shining on us. the conservatives believe they still have a narrow path to victory at the next election, but these latest results could be the political equivalent of the hazard warning sign bearing the legend "road narrows". iain watson, bbc news. in a moment, we'll hear from our political correspondent jonathan blake in somerton and from chi chi izundu in uxbridge, but first, let's go to tim iredale, the bbc�*s political editor for yorkshire, who is in selby. well, i'm on the hallowed turf of selby town football club, where until a few months ago, there were quite a few people on the pitch, most of them labour party activists, who thought it was all over. and for

the conservatives here, it is for now. 20,000 tory majority overturned. and a buoyant keir starmer arrived here in the past hour, where he congratulated his newest mp, the youngest mp who will sit in the house of commons, 25—year—old keir mather. the labour leader will be hoping that a win here proves that labour can perhaps take back any of those seats labour loss to the conservatives in the 2019 general election across the north of england, the so—called red wall seats. as for the issues here, there wasn't one particular issue that won it for labour. they were talking about the things everyone is talking about the things everyone is talking about the things everyone is talking about across the country — the cost of living, rising prices and nhs waiting lists, all the things that rishi sunak is himself prioritising. but if this was an end of term report for the government, i think the voters in selby would say, must do better. this

think the voters in selby would say, must do better.— must do better. this was a big win for the liberal _ must do better. this was a big win for the liberal democrats - must do better. this was a big win for the liberal democrats in - for the liberal democrats in somerton and frome. they were confident— somerton and frome. they were confident of victory from the start of this— confident of victory from the start of this campaign, so complacency was really— of this campaign, so complacency was really their— of this campaign, so complacency was really their only enemy. but so confident— really their only enemy. but so confident were they that before midnight last night, they had claimed — midnight last night, they had claimed victory, and they did succeed _ claimed victory, and they did succeed in overturning a 19,000 vote majority— succeed in overturning a 19,000 vote majority that the conservatives had herer _ majority that the conservatives had here, and _ majority that the conservatives had here, and taking back seat that was represented by the lib dems for many years before they were wiped out in this region — years before they were wiped out in this region after years in coalition government with the conservatives in 2015. government with the conservatives in 2015 so _ government with the conservatives in 2015. so what is it down to? well, the liberal— 2015. so what is it down to? well, the liberal democrats say they were hearing _ the liberal democrats say they were hearing on _ the liberal democrats say they were hearing on the doorstep about issues with the _ hearing on the doorstep about issues with the health service, getting a dentist— with the health service, getting a dentist appointment, transport issues — dentist appointment, transport issues and the general sense that people _ issues and the general sense that people were fed up with the conservative government. but the party _ conservative government. but the party themselves admit that many other— party themselves admit that many other party supporters lent them their votes in order to ensure that their votes in order to ensure that the conservatives were defeated here~ _ the conservatives were defeated here. labour supporters, green supporters— here. labour supporters, green supporters tactically voting to

ensure — supporters tactically voting to ensure this result. so the big question— ensure this result. so the big question for the lib dems here and going _ question for the lib dems here and going into — question for the lib dems here and going into a general election campaign further afield is, going into a general election campaign furtherafield is, how going into a general election campaign further afield is, how much they can _ campaign further afield is, how much they can prove that they are worth more _ they can prove that they are worth more than — they can prove that they are worth more than a protest vote and command support— more than a protest vote and command support in_ more than a protest vote and command support in these former heartlands where _ support in these former heartlands where they used to have a solid base of support _ where they used to have a solid base of support. and further afield across— of support. and further afield across the uk ahead of a general election — across the uk ahead of a general election. " ~ ~ :,, across the uk ahead of a general election. " ~ ~ .. :,, election. 1966 was the last time that uxbridge — election. 1966 was the last time that uxbridge saw _ election. 1966 was the last time that uxbridge saw a _ election. 1966 was the last time that uxbridge saw a labour - election. 1966 was the last time - that uxbridge saw a labour candidate held a seat here, and that was not to be last night. the mood music before yesterday's by—election was that labour would sweep the board with all three by—elections. but in fact, it was the conservative candidate who took this seat. he said it was all on one particular issue, a local issue, the ultra low emission zone expansion into this area. people around here that we have spoken to say that is the single issue that they voted conservative, because it is a labour

london mayor sadiq khan's planned to expand it fully into this area and they see it as another tax, another thing they have to pay for on top of a cost of living crisis. so they are saying they conservatives should retain this seat and get rid of the ulez, the ultra low emission zone expansion, so that they can continue to go about their daily business and not have to spend more money on vehicles that don't meet up with you less. :, ~ vehicles that don't meet up with you less. :, ,, , :, less. thank you, chi chi izundu in uxbridge. — less. thank you, chi chi izundu in uxbridge, jonathan _ less. thank you, chi chi izundu in uxbridge, jonathan blake - less. thank you, chi chi izundu in uxbridge, jonathan blake in - less. thank you, chi chi izundu in l uxbridge, jonathan blake in frome and to ardell in selby. -- tim —— tim iredale in selby. let's go to westminster now for the thoughts of our chief political correspondent, nick eardley. sum up for us where we are after this dramatic night. it isa it is a more complicated picture than most people were expecting. that result in uxbridge which chi chi wasjust talking that result in uxbridge which chi chi was just talking about is a softening of the blow for rishi sunak, but it is still below. and we

have got a bit of a pattern emerging now because in the past 18 months, the conservatives have now lost six constituencies, which in 2019, they won pretty comfortably. that is what we have seen overnight in selby, with the labour again and that is what we have seen overnight in somerton with the lib dem gain. all of that will worry conservative mps this lunchtime. there are still outstanding questions. what is the enthusiasm for the labour party actually like? is this about conservative voters not turning out? and faced with a general election is a choice of who should be in downing street, would voters make a different decision? but this lunchtime, there will be many tory mps in many parts of england who are very worried about these results. thank you, nick eardley reporting there. last august, nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel was shot dead in her own home when a row between rival drug dealers spilled onto the streets of liverpool. thomas cashman was jailed

for 42 years for her murder, but refused to be in court for his sentencing. now olivia's family are calling for new laws to be introduced to force offenders to attend court in person. danny savage reports. olivia pratt—korbel, the victim of one of the most shocking crimes in britain this century. the nine—year—old was shot dead by a complete stranger who chased another man into her home in liverpool. olivia had been drawn towards the front door by the commotion as the man burst into her house. her killer was thomas cashman. he was found guilty of murder earlier this year. but when he came to be sentenced, this happened. we waited and then waited some more. the police waited, the prosecution waited, the jurors waited. and then cashman's barrister came in and said he wouldn't be coming. cashman refused to appear to hear victim impact statements from olivia's family. he was given a 42—year

sentence in his absence. i wanted to address him. and i think that's why he never came up, because he would have been able to see me. now olivia's mother is campaigning for a change in the law to make convicted criminals face their sentencing hearings. we had no voice right through the trial. so coming to the day of sentencing, that was our time to have our voice, the impact statement to the offender, and he didn't turn up. we do not want another family to go through what we did. it doesn't feel... it feels a little like we haven't got full closure, because he hasn't heard how he's impacted our whole family, taken our baby away from us. in response, the government says

olivia's death was an appalling crime, and it is committed to changing the law to compel defendants to be present for sentencing, to face the consequences and condemnation so justice is seen to be done. danny savage, bbc news. mcdonald's has set up a new investigation unit after the bbc reported on dozens of allegations of sexual assault and racism at the fast—food chain. its chief executive in the uk and ireland, alistair macrow, said the claims he had heard this week are "personally and professionally shocking". our business correspondent, noor nanji, has been reporting on this story and joins me now. yes, as you say, it's in response to a bbc investigation earlier this week by my colleague zoe conway and myself. we spoke to more than 100 current and recent uk staff at mcdonald's outlets who alleged a toxic workplace culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying.

mr macrow said the allegations were "shocking". he apologised unreservedly to anyone affected. and he said he's taking action on three fronts. the first is setting up a new investigation handling unit. before, they had a complaints hotline ? now they are upping it and creating this new unit which will have oversight on all cases. the most serious cases will be referred to a third party legal team. the second is appointing external experts to independently evaluate how complaints are escalated. that's after many workers told us their complaints were ignored or weren't passed on to senior managers. the third is about ensuring a "speaking up culture" so that people have the confidence to speak up. will it work? that remains to be seen. a lot of employees we spoke to said they just didn't feel confident in complaining. workers said they'd call up the helpline numbers on the posters in the bathrooms, and get no response. others said they'd send in emails only for these to be forwarded to their managers. there was a real sense that trust had broken down.

so it could take some time to rebuild that. thank you very much. a former miner from northumberland has been found guilty of manslaughter in cyprus after killing his wife, who was seriously ill with cancer. david hunter, who's 76, was on trial for murder after suffocating janice hunter at their home in paphos in december 2021. a former miner from northumberland has been found guilty the couple retired to cyprus over 20 years ago. his lawyers argued it was assisted suicide. fiona trott has been following the case and has this report. a happy retirement. they were living their dream. a reward... you can see the lovely blue sea there. ..after david's 40 years of working down the mine. beautiful paphos sunset. but here inside their home, janice was suffering. she had blood cancer, so david killed her and tried to take his own life. concentrate on me.

the moments afterwards captured on a personal video call to his daughter back in the uk. you love me, you know you do, i'm your girl. . he said she was in agony, i she was in absolute agony. dad was making nappies for her out of towels. i she had frequent accidents. my dad was carrying her _ into the shower and cleaning her up. he said she hated that kind of loss of dignity. j she hated it, it destroyed her. she would be crying - as he cleaned her, saying, "i'm sorry, i'm sorry". are you enjoying your breakfast? run! that was why leslie believed it wasn't premeditated murder. today thejudges agreed, and that has given the family hope — hope that david hunter could leave prison. being found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter means we have a very good chance of david receiving a suspended sentence and being able to return to live with his daughter in the united kingdom. this is what we've been saying all along.

this wasn't a preplanned act, he acted on the spur of the moment because she was in so much pain and she kept asking him to help her end her life. 60, 80, 100... donations like this have kept that legal fight going. another £180 towards davey's fund. it's amazing. times are hard, but here in northumberland, old mining friends are offering support in every way they can. he said to me that he's not really grieved yet forjanice. he needs to spend some time where he's free to make his decisions as to what he does and he does it. let the lad grieve. either that or come back to where he is loved in the area. and he is loved. let the lad come home. please. absolutely wonderful. janice hunter was at the centre of his world, a world that's now unrecognisable from the time they met. how it looks in the future now rests with the judges.

and thejudges are and the judges are due to sentence david hunter next thursday. he, his friends and his family are all hoping for one thing, a suspended sentence. his lawyer says that is a possibility. it would mean he would be free to return to the uk, free to visit his wife's grave. that is something he hasn't even been allowed to do yet. if he has sent to prison, his legal team will be explaining his age, his pre—existing medical condition, the fact he has already spent 18 months in prison, don't forget. they will want that jail sentence to be as short as possible. when david hunter left court, he hugged his legal team, and said, i would like to smile, but i don't have the strength. back home in the uk, his daughter leslie was in the uk, his daughter leslie was in tears as she told us, this was the best possible outcome for my dad. fiona, thank you very much.

the time is 13.20. our top story this afternoon: the conservatives suffer two big by—election defeats in england, losing safe seats to labour and the liberal democrats, but the party holds on to uxbridge. and we'll have the latest from old trafford, where england have extended their lead on the third day of the fourth ashes test. coming up on bbc news: a busy day down under, with three matches in the women's world cup, spain getting their tournament under way with a superb win over costa rica. in just under 24 hours, england's women will get their world cup campaign under way when they face haiti in their opening group match. england go into the game with a relatively new look side, because of retirements and injuries. despite that, they're still one of the favourites to lift the trophy after winning the european championship last summer. our sports correspondent katie gornall reports from brisbane. whooping england's down time, down under.

they've been whale watching and meeting the locals. but now they've moved from the beach to brisbane, and it's about to get serious. as european champions, england have a target on their backs, as does keira walsh. the england midfielder is one of the best in the world, but if she feels any pressure, she's not showing it. i think for us, i've got full belief in this squad and what we're about and what we're setting out to do. for me, it's exciting to see where this team can go. what a save, earps! it's also a team not afraid to speak its mind. mary earps has hit out at england's kit manufacturers for not making her goalkeeping jersey available to buy. earps, who was named the world's top goalkeeper at the fifa best awards, said in an interview to newspapers that the situation was hugely disappointing and very hurtful. she said, "it's something that i've been fighting behind closed doors". "unfortunately, it's become very evident that it's not possible and there is not going to be an acceptable solution for the young kids out there".

karen bardsley, once a team—mate of earps at england, believes the position doesn't get the respect it deserves. i think what i have seen more recently is like, if you do want a goalkeeper shirt, it has to be like an outfielder�*s player shirt and you just put their name on the back. i think it speaks to a bigger picture around the position and how well it's valued in the game itself, which i think is massively undervalued. the fact that people don't see goalkeeping as being something that's worth investing in, which i think is really disappointing. while that row rumbles on, another has been resolved. captain millie bright will wear a fifa—approved unite for inclusion armband tomorrow, with the one love version effectively banned. that she is back to full fitness is a huge boost for england. when england walk out onto this pitch to face haiti, it will be a very different—looking team to that which won the euros last summer. injuries to key players like fran kirby and leah williamson mean that the spine of the team has had to change. it has dampened expectations, but still, england remain one of the favourites to lift

the world cup trophy. the challenge almost couldn't be greater for haiti, one of the lowest ranked sides in the tournament. but they're playing for something bigger than themselves. they're here for the first time in the tournament. they've done really well, and we're trying to compete with every opponent who is in front of us. so we'll try to play a good game tomorrow and win it. off the pitch, england have found their voice. now comes the time once again for them to make their mark on it. katie gornall, bbc news, brisbane. and you can listen to that match live tomorrow morning from 10:30 on the bbc sounds app. planned strikes next week by london underground workers have been suspended. trade unions have been locked in talks with transport for london at the arbitration service acas, and say progress has been made in the dispute over pensions and pay. some nhs workers in england say they haven't received a one—off payment of £1,600 which was offered as part of the latest pay settlement with the government. the issue is affecting some agency staff. the department of health says

the deal, agreed with most unions, involves individual employers determining pay locally. in cricket, england have extended their lead to nearly 200 runs at lunch on day three of the fourth ashes test. but rain is forecast this weekend, and australia will retain the ashes if they avoid defeat. joe wilson has the latest from old trafford. keep your bat raised and your spirits higher. nobody was ever hurt by a bit of rain, and after morning drizzle, play actually began promptly. how do you think ben stokes would approach the situation? gives himself room. well, exactly. this is the stuff which has reenergised cricket, that's it. stokes tried to hit most balls for four. harry brook was helping. by 11.30, england's lead in the match was past 100.

england's batters were fully engaged and australia looked tired. if ben stokes loses his wicket in pursuit of his goals, well, that is the risk he is prepared to take. it's part of the strategy. frustrated, but he had made 51. what do you make of those clouds? england had to keep scoring while they could. harry brook improvised behind him. he was past 50 and the lead was steadily building. when harry brook swung his bat again, the crowd willed the ball to fall beneath the clouds and beyond the boundary. instead, it found mitchell starc. this was a perfectlyjudged catch. yeah, that's fine. 474 for six. and nowjonny bairstow could do his bit. the lead was beyond 160. the timing is so important. england were batting in the sun to set up the match, knowing they might well be bowling soon. keep hoping, jimmy, keep smiling. yes, lunch score, 506—8, sounds good. lead of 189. remember, to win

the test match, england have to bowl out australia again. that will be their task at some point this afternoon. three factors, time, score and weather. i am trying to ignore a fresh burst of drizzle. joe wilson, many thanks. a male soprano is a very rare thing in the opera world now. one of the most well known, samuel marino, is taking to the stage of glyndebourne opera house for the very first time. samuel was badly bullied because his voice didn't break as a teenager, but 15 years on, he says he wouldn't change a thing about his unique sound. our arts correspondent david sillito went to meet him. he sings samuel marino and his extraordinary voice, rehearsing here for his upcoming

role in the opera semole, where he'll be playing iris. iris? yes, that's the goddess of rainbow. you are the goddess of rainbow? yes! that's cool, huh? that's very cool. i love rainbows! male sopranos are very rare. samuel has it because his voice never broke, and while it is now his livelihood, it was when he was younger a torment. i'm guessing it was tough when you were a teenager. oh, it was so hard. and i went to many doctors to try to change my speaking voice, because, you know, at school was a nightmare. i mean, imagine, teenager, and i was speaking even higher than today. so, yes, people bullied me a lot at school. it was very hard for me, yeah. and now, he's about to take to the stage of glyndebourne, their first ever male soprano. it is quite a journey from those difficult school days.

but offstage, there are still issues. on the phone, it is always, "bonjour, madame." it is always, "hello..." my bank... it is impossible to contact my bank. they never believe that it is me. they think they're they think they're talking to a woman? talking to a woman? yes, madame marino, yes. yes, madame marino, yes. #a # a sweet retreat... # but in the world of opera, this voice is a rare and mysterious gift. and mysterious gift. it's very technical. it's very technical. i don't know much i don't know much about it, to be honest! about it, to be honest! i keep the magic! i keep the magic! samuel moreno, male soprano, and for him... he sings he sings this is about more thanjust the music. you are an example to so many people of "just embrace it". just embrace it. i mean, there is not other... just love who you are, love what you are.

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