# i can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant... sinead o'connor has died at the age of 56. whether you're a cashier, right through to being the boss of natwest, who cannot breach confidentiality. welcome to the programme, we are going to speak about sinead 0' connor. kevin spacey acquitted in a london court today, but is he rehabilitated. the actor cried in the dock as the

not guilty verdicts were read out. but he said very little on his way out of court. we will play you that statement in full. andrew malkinson spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. but why did it take so long to consider the new dna evidence. we will speak to michael mansfield kc about the court of appeals decision today to overturn a rape conviction. we will also hear tonight from the volunteers on the front line in rhodes, where the wildfires continue to spread. but first tonight. the irish singer sinead o'connor — who was best know for her number one single, nothing compares 2 u — has died. she was 56. in a statement, her family said they were "devastated" by the loss of their "beloved sinead". our arts correspondent, david sillito, has been looking back at her life: # since you been gone i can do whatever i want # i can see whomever i choose... sinead o'connor, nothing compares 2 u. # i can eat my dinner

in a fancy restaurant... quite why a song becomes such a huge global hit is often a bit of a mystery. but one thing is for certain. the emotion, the heartbreak. # nothing compares 2 u... there was nothing fake here. herfirst hit, mandinka marked her out as a performer with an edge. when a record executive had started talking about her hair, she shaved it off. she was wary, angry. she had a troubled upbringing and spent part of it in care. butjoining a band revealed her gift. # chiquitita, tell me what's wrong...

she had the voice and charisma to be a chart friendly pop star. used to worship god as a mother. now look at what we're doing each other. but saw herself as a protest singer. in an era before the truth about the abuse of children within the catholic church had been widely accepted, her views marked her out as a troublemaker. # i have sinned a lot... but she had a global platform to speak her mind and she was always going to go too far. that moment came when she ripped up a photograph of the pope on american tv. a few years later she declared that she was mother bernadette, ordained by a breakaway catholic sect. after that she announced she had converted to islam. her life was turbulent but she was more than open about her struggles, her mental health. it's been an eventful

life for you, sinead. "you're not boring"! i sometimes get upset because you get a lot of, you're a terrible person this and that. my mates would say, "you're just not boring". # i thought that living with you was sometimes hard... she continued to perform but losing custody of her son, shane, left bereft and then, aged 17, he was found dead. # nothing compares... sinead o'connor. those were real tears. # nothing compares...

sinead o'connor who was that at the age of 56, that we short message. really sorry to hear the of sinead o'connor, her music was of the around the world and her seven was unmatched beyond compare. condolences to her family, unmatched beyond compare. condolences to herfamily, friends and all of whom the music. the to be more reaction from the passing of sinead o'connor later in the programme. for more than three decades, kevin spacey was one of hollywoods biggest stars. an oscar for best actor in 1999, then theextraordinary success then the extraordinary success in five series of the house of cards, andthat prestigious of cards, and that prestigious position he held for 11 years as the artistic director of the old vic. but in october 2017, at the height of his fame, and at the pinnacle of the me too movement, spacey was accused for the first time, in the united states, of sexual assault. a month later netflix cancelled his contract, as other men came forward

to make similar allegations. it was a shakespearean fall from grace. but one by one the majority of these cases have collapsed or charges set aside. and today at the soutwark crown court here in london, spacey was again acquitted. he had faced charges from four men that ranged from indecent assault, sexual assault and a more serious charge of a sexual act without consent which carried a potential life sentence. after two days of deliberations the jury cleared him on all nine counts. i imagine that many of you can understand that there is a lot for me to process after what has just happened today. but i would like to say that i'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision. and i am humbled

by the outcome today. i also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, security and all those who took care of us every single day, my legal team, evan lowenstein and lucy for being here every day. and that's all i have to say for the moment. thank you very much. live now to speak to jamie east who is a tv critic and podcast presenter who was once a fan of house of cards. thank you for the programme. the shortest of statements that you could hear his voice to the impact this yes and i suppose i was up for quite surprised. he this yes and i suppose i was up for quite surprised.— quite surprised. he has been found that bus . quite surprised. he has been found that busy- yes _ quite surprised. he has been found that busy. yes the _ quite surprised. he has been found that busy. yes the pick _ quite surprised. he has been found that busy. yes the pick of - quite surprised. he has been found that busy. yes the pick of the -

that busy. yes the pick of the pieces that. that busy. yes the pick of the pieces that-— that busy. yes the pick of the pieces that. that busy. yes the pick of the ieces that. �* ., ~ pieces that. indeed, he didn't make much government _ pieces that. indeed, he didn't make much government or _ pieces that. indeed, he didn't make much government or any _ pieces that. indeed, he didn't make much government or any commentl pieces that. indeed, he didn't make - much government or any comment about what comes next, do you think they do speak to people in the industry that the episode means he could be rehabilitated. are there people in the industry to look out for him and might give him a second chance is different and stuff.— might give him a second chance is different and stuff. there's nothing sto -|n~ different and stuff. there's nothing stepping him- _ different and stuff. there's nothing stopping him. there _ different and stuff. there's nothing stopping him. there are _ different and stuff. there's nothing stopping him. there are lots - different and stuff. there's nothing stopping him. there are lots of - stopping him. there are lots of examples of actors and musicians and citizens that have a part of what seems to have fallen apart of the law and found not guilty. johnny depp is an example of that, does not stop from being independence. a good example of the patient is known to the city was a whether the fans will return selection. as one of the

greatest actors of all time and there is no denying that but sometimes i think people struggle to separate the art from the practice. it this possibility to that this is, cleared of all structures, to separate the arts for kevin spacey four from the artist.— four from the artist. 10096. i think there is an — four from the artist. 10096. i think there is an evidence _ four from the artist. 10096. i think there is an evidence of— four from the artist. 10096. i think there is an evidence of being - there is an evidence of being tarnished regardless of the outcome of the verdict. there are plenty of innocent people who have been found innocent people who have been found innocent that had been in the public eye, and have not been able to resurrect data. despite having the, and that's pretty sad, itself, and i suspect kevin spacey will struggle

regardless of quality checks if the student that same, the public was struggled with is it because of the weight of the allegations and the number of editions?. allegations in the united states, _ number of editions?. allegations in the united states, several- number of editions?. allegations in the united states, several set - number of editions?. allegations in | the united states, several set aside because of the statute of limitations and some more specifics, it should be said. is it because of that? received the report of a editions and paste which is the end for is looking most divisive been built into that, there are other options. built into that, there are other 0 tions. , .,, built into that, there are other 0 tions. , , , built into that, there are other 0 tions. , .,, , ~' built into that, there are other otions. , , ~' , options. the studios they think they have been fighting _ options. the studios they think they have been fighting with _ options. the studios they think they have been fighting with its - have been fighting with its employees all these years since he was dropped from house of cards and they had to recast his part. studios

will probably are doing 0k and is it worth the risk was smart they would evaluate the try to be some new stuff and go back on stage and see how it pans out and intensity is still in the water. i don't think a set nature of applications for case. our behaviour is another actor who probably don't have start again despite being not convicted. the new ck, who succeeded, can you list is probably the biggest example kanye west is the biggest example. i think there are lots of people listening to his music who probably wouldn't go to watch it concert or watched by

i think that public are less forgiving than the business. i should repeat that kevin spacey is in innocent man acquitted of all charges against him today at seven, court. we're going return to our top story, the sadness of their medical, i am joined by an irish writer who wrote about sinead o'connor and her impact as an activist and musician. can we talk about her music first? i've the question? i talk about her music first? i've the cuestion? ., , , ., , talk about her music first? i've the cuestion? .,, , .,, . , question? i hope she was incredible and very unique _ question? i hope she was incredible and very unique because _ question? i hope she was incredible and very unique because she - question? i hope she was incredible| and very unique because she started them. the musical landscape the late 80s and early 90s that's a people.

this british radio but she was on her own as if you years and in more definitive industry. she took the way she did and some of the initiative, didn't care what people thought about her and had lots of things to say music and i don't think people are expecting this tiny, small, speaking about the things she did and so my voice —— her voice to my mind is that some back layers. i that makes her important to me, she changed everything on multiple levels. she was attracted _ everything on multiple levels. she was attracted and there was shock factor which accompany the music and

brought such sobriety. i factor which accompany the music and brought such sobriety.— brought such sobriety. i think a lot of stories about _ brought such sobriety. i think a lot of stories about how _ brought such sobriety. i think a lot of stories about how women - brought such sobriety. i think a lot of stories about how women are i of stories about how women are shifted in the music industry and she made that to play that game, i would not want to play that game, i want to be taken seriously about my songs and lyrics will given some existing but she was her own stuff. she played guitar, produced," and out of the traps she said she was present on this and i'm not going to be the record company version of what you think a single piece. cutting off her hair was on the and singing about what she wanted to was that way. that marks her fourth career, she was transgressive and want to do what she was told, and

even at great cost, she said those things. even at great cost, she said those thins. ,, .,, �* , even at great cost, she said those thins. ,, ., �* , ., even at great cost, she said those thins. ,, .,, �* , ., ., things. she wasn't very far from tra . ed , things. she wasn't very far from tragedy. even — things. she wasn't very far from tragedy, even from _ things. she wasn't very far from tragedy, even from a _ things. she wasn't very far from tragedy, even from a young - things. she wasn't very far from | tragedy, even from a young age. things. she wasn't very far from - tragedy, even from a young age. she spoke about the mental health issues she suffered as a child because her mother physically and sexually abused her and then the recent tragedy, is that of her son shane, christensen knows visible. she made four children — christensen knows visible. she made four children and _ christensen knows visible. she made four children and have _ christensen knows visible. she made four children and have seen - christensen knows visible. she made four children and have seen her- four children and have seen her daughter cindy for her on multiple occasions, she died last year, in the morning on the brink of his life and happy to have his own struggles and happy to have his own struggles and and his life in any such it was very catastrophic for her step she spoke her grief and has industry island. whenever she wanted to speak about something and was angry and feels there was an injustice which fit in the treatment of her own son,

i can't imagine the last 1.5 years she has been working on the site so this is a big loss who will 56 and now we will not be efficient in the music�* after the state with a remarkable symbol. can music' after the state with a remarkable symbol.- music' after the state with a remarkable symbol. music' after the state with a remarkable s mbol. . ., ~ ., remarkable symbol. can we talk about sinners and remarkable symbol. can we talk about singers and the _ remarkable symbol. can we talk about singers and the she _ remarkable symbol. can we talk about singers and the she had _ remarkable symbol. can we talk about singers and the she had a _ singers and the she had a controversial relationship with the catholic faith, and as a result of that she converted to islam. did she ever does talk about why she did that? ., ., ., , . , that? the woman who is in inches there lots the _ that? the woman who is in inches there lots the subjects _ that? the woman who is in inches there lots the subjects to - that? the woman who is in inches there lots the subjects to have - that? the woman who is in inches l there lots the subjects to have with there lots the subjects to have with the catholic church about this that they could but historically also the subjects. the lack of abortion rights and marriage equality who

divorces and advances, she spoke about all these things i wasn�*t born in the sight of people, particularly in the sight of people, particularly in the church. she spoke up and you context is important, it wasn�*t easy to say what she said, and costs. parity when she tore up picture of the pope on saturday that knife and stopped for career in the states for a bit but he did not slow her down. he had reports and reviews in item and sinead was speaking about those things was, and she decided she was not going to be quiet about intergenerational trauma. we had somebody is very much an activist who spoke of the people who do not have a voice. hat who spoke of the people who do not have a voice-— have a voice. not many artists draw a statement — have a voice. not many artists draw a statement from _

have a voice. not many artists draw a statement from the _ have a voice. not many artists draw a statement from the prime - have a voice. not many artists draw. a statement from the prime minister, but anything to the extent of the loss, she�*s a law student music will take it for the issue the iconic figure their island. she take it for the issue the iconic figure their island.— take it for the issue the iconic figure their island. she is a huge fiaure and figure their island. she is a huge figure and everyone _ figure their island. she is a huge figure and everyone who - figure their island. she is a huge figure and everyone who i - figure their island. she is a huge figure and everyone who i spoke| figure their island. she is a huge - figure and everyone who i spoke with was it was sombre to her. i am devastated myself. ( not grid that for all the people practising to laughter, but also regarding the social and cultural context in ireland, 56 in no issue with this world and i couldn�*t grateful to her. the loss of sadness and i can fit it and everyone is speaking about that. i got lots of messages tonight and in such a loss, he�*s too soon, we needed and wanted more from her i�*m huge kudos so it of her family and children.

her i'm huge kudos so it of her family and children.— her i'm huge kudos so it of her family and children. thank you for cominu family and children. thank you for coming on — family and children. thank you for coming on and — family and children. thank you for coming on and share _ family and children. thank you for coming on and share your - family and children. thank you forl coming on and share your thoughts with us this... to everyone. . around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let�*s look at some of the other stories making headlines today. junior doctors in england have announced a further four day strike, as part of their long—running pay dispute. they�*ll walk out from seven o�*clock in the morning on friday the 11th of august, until seven in the morning on tuesday the 15th. their union, the british medical association, has renewed its call for new talks with ministers. rishi sunak has been giving evidence at the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal. around 3000 people died after being given blood contaminated with hiv and hepatitis in the 1970s and 80s. when questioned about a compensation scheme he declined to give a time frame, saying the government would wait until the conclusion of the inquiry before setting out further details. rail passengers now have until the beginning of september to have their say on proposals to close more than a thousand ticket offices at stations across england.

the consultation period had been due to end today. train companies believe their ticket office staff would be able to serve customers better if they were on station concourses. you�*re live with bbc news it was not widely known, until this week, that banks occasionally close the accounts of some of their customers purely on the grounds of their poltical opinion. nor perhaps is it common knowledge that some politicians have been refused an account on the grounds they are politically exposed. and therefore, in the eyes of the bank, are at greater risk from bribery, corruption and money laundering. today the bosses of the uk banks were summoned by the treasury to explain what changes will be made, to enhance transparency around the decisions they are making. absent from that meeting was this woman dame alison rose, who until the early hours of this morning was the ceo of natwest; she resigned after admitting she was the source for a story that nigel farage�*s account, with coutts — owned by nat west —

had been terminated because he no longer met the banks financial requirements. it later emerged that in fact coutts had compiled a rather hostile dossier on mr farage�*s beliefs and that that was at least in part, the reason for him being shown the door. this morning mr farage said he welcomed dame alison�*s resignation. let�*s be clear about this. the first rule of banking is client confidentiality. and she, over a dinner, a sociable dinner, with simonjack, the bbc business editor, clearly said some things that weren�*t very wise. the bbc were absolutely belt and braces on this. that was confirmed by the ceo of the bbc news in a letter to me. they then rang her up the next morning and said, "are you ok with this information being published"? she said, "yes". simonjack put it out. so, you can�*t do that. you can�*t be in banking, at any level, you know, whether you�*re a cashier right

through to being the boss of natwest, you cannot breach confidentiality, so she�*s gone and it�*s right that she has gone. you would not expect the labour leader sir keir starmer to agree with nigel farage on very much. but on this issue they are squarely aligned. sir keir said banks should never refuse a person�*s accounts — because of the political views they hold. i certainly don't think anybody should be refused banking services because of their political views, whoever they are. i don't know the extent of this, but that certainly shouldn't be the case. i mean, that, save in extreme circumstances, you know, terrorism, etc. but as a broad principle, nobody should be refused banking because of their political views. have they got too much power when it comes to individual people? well, i'm surprised to hear these stories of banks taking into account political views, if indeed they are... i don't know that we have got to the bottom of this. but, you know, that shouldn't happen and it certainly shouldn't be a reason for refusing someone banking services. let�*s hearfrom british adventurer, countess alexandra tolstoy,

who found herself being debanking by natwest last year. tell us about that. not nastier, it ha--ened tell us about that. not nastier, it happened to _ tell us about that. not nastier, it happened to minutes _ tell us about that. not nastier, it happened to minutes ago - tell us about that. not nastier, it happened to minutes ago for- tell us about that. not nastier, it happened to minutes ago for 1.5| happened to minutes ago for 1.5 principle. i got a letter of the abusive or offensive user accounts down. i was given no chance. and i went back and said to defeat the reasons? i am a single parent and i think i can is the sole source to provide for my three children, and they said they don�*t think it is cool and that is the end. and they begged the. the rational and terminate what i have done. they refuse to engage or answer messages. so, i went and did a subject access the first to the biggest piece of who supplies the high street thanks,

andy said i was a politically exposed person, and i said it was a bunch of rubbish. he said they would do with it. i don�*t exit natwest and paint that with the president exposed person is. they said they did not consider me a politically exposed person but did not tell people i close my accounts. i have a smalltime businessperson, i have three children, nothing controversial until it is hard to provide for the children without a bank account. i had been a good customer, and he i treated a client like that i would have been without.

i submitted a subject access reports to them and have going to them and have gone forward the apartment of one month but i cannot believe the arrogance of that list and the irony that the medicine those lucid jumping thing in my view all she has to do is persecute with. itruiha jumping thing in my view all she has to do is persecute with.— to do is persecute with. who come back at the — to do is persecute with. who come back at the break _ to do is persecute with. who come back at the break and _ to do is persecute with. who come back at the break and talk - to do is persecute with. who come back at the break and talk about i back at the break and talk about what the parents can do. transpiration should be close as part of his nigel farage, affected by this point across politics and public life. seeing this movie back. hello. wednesday did bring us a bit of blue sky and sunshine, particularly for many northern and eastern parts of the uk. but really, july 2023 is turning out to be a pretty soggy month for much of the uk. and there�*s more rain overnight tonight, moving from west to east.

quite a humid feel to the weather tonight certainly compared to recent nights. here is that area of rain through this evening, then across scotland, central and eastern parts of england, slowly moving northwards and eastward. so something a little bit clearer for northern ireland, perhaps during the early hours of thursday, pushing in across western parts of britain, too. but a lot of low cloud, humid air with us, so temperatures staying in the mid—teens for most of us. a little bit cooler for the north of scotland, down into single figures up towards the northern isles. but we start thursday then under the influence of this area of low pressure. it sits well to the northwest, but these trailing weather fronts will be slow—moving across parts of scotland, initially close to southern england, as well. so i think rain easing away from the south, but perhaps persisting for the channel islands. the northeast of scotland will keep patchy rain all day. elsewhere, murky, low cloud, drizzle around through the morning, but brightening up gradually, so some sunny spells for the afternoon and a few showers around, too. some sunshine perhaps for northern ireland into parts

of northern england and wales. temperatures 16—24 for most of us, again, a little cooler for the northern isles, but it is, of course, the first day of the fifth and final test in the men�*s ashes at the oval — lots of cloud around there in general. could be a passing afternoon sharp shower, i think, but not persistent rains, so there should be plenty of play, as there should be as we head into friday, as well. now, overnight, then, into friday, most of the showers fade away, mostly dry, just some rain lingering up towards the northern isles. but again, it�*s a humid night, so temperatures for most of us sitting in the mid—teens. that�*s how we start friday morning, some sunshine from the word go. it will be the better day, i think, of thursday and friday. so, yes, it�*s still a few showers, but more sunshine around, and the showers will move through fairly quickly. top temperatures, a little bit warmer than recent days, 18—24 celsius. still a bit colder than that, though, for lerwick, sitting there atjust 15. into the weekend, low pressure drifts eastwards across the northern half of the uk, plenty of showers wrapped around the area of low pressure. we�*ve got another one actually waiting out in the wings, as well. so an unsettled picture, fairly blustery weekend, showers around, a bit drier in the south perhaps on sunday. nothing really drier and warmer, though, till the second week of august.

bye— bye.

hello, i�*m christian fraser. you�*re watching the context on bbc news. "underwhelming in the exteme" underwhelming in the extreme the report of the uk governments

handling of russia�*s wagoner missionary group. ...in every way as an arm of the kremlin. but they also have their own interests. but ultimately, everything they do goes back to the enrichment of the russian elite. we were discussing before the break the decision to d bank agile garage from the sister bank of natwest. and we said we would talk a little bit more about what sort of changes and reforms banks might be prepared to bring in. thank you for being on the program. there are two issues we�*re focusing on here. we werejust listening to the countess talking about being d bank because she was politically exposed person. what they perceived that she was. that is quite separate is it not to what

they