you're watching the context on bbc news. ladies and gentlemen, the bible says that there is a time on humanitarian needs. i am personally asking you, president biden, please do anything and everything in your power to bring everyone home now. two thirds of the population - are in this southern part of gaza, a city where they are living for 23 or 24 days now without water, i without electricity - and without proper food. the system in place to allow aid into gaza will fail unless there is effort to make a flow of aid into gaza matching the unprecedented human need.

welcome to the programme. israel says it's rescued a female solider who'd been held since october the 7th. three other hostages appear in a video released by hamas. all that as the situation on the ground in gaza continues to escalate, as israeli tanks are seen on a key highway outside gaza city. tonight we will bring you the latest on the situation. we also will have the latest from westminster, after home secretary suella braverman described pro—palestinian demonstrations as "hate marches". and to discuss all this i'm joined by my panel, from washington, stefanie bolzen, the north america editor of die welt and from bridgend, carwynjones, the former first minister of wales. israel says its ground offensive has led to the rescue of one of its soldiers who was held in gaza by hamas. these pictures show

private ori megidish back with her family again. she has had medical checks and said to be doing well. word of her rescue comes as israeli forces have seemingly cut off one of the main roads running north to south, as their expanded ground operations against hamas continue. witnesses there have reported seeing tanks and bulldozers on the salah al—din highway, which connects gaza city to the rest of the territory. this video from social media, which our colleagues at bbc verify have geolocated, shows an israeli tank firing at a car travelling towards the city. but as one hostage is rescued, more than 230 are still believed to be trapped in gaza. today we heard from three of them. this is a still from a video released by hamas. from left to right you see rimon kirsht, danielle aloni and lena trupanov. we don't know anything about the conditions under which it was filmed, but the three women appear to be in reasonable health with no

obvious signs of injury. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu said the video was "cruel psychological propaganda". meanwhile the strikes on gaza continue. these are the live pictures of the gaza tonight. the israeli army says it hit 600 hamas military targets in the territory in 2a hours and killed dozens of fighters. hamas, which is regarded as a terror organisation by the uk and us governments, says more than 8,000 people have been killed since israel's retaliatory bombing began. the hamas attacks on october 7th killed 1,400 people and saw at least 230 people kidnapped as hostages. their families have spoken, and we will hear some of what they have to say shortly. but first, some words from prime minister benjamin neta nyahu's news conference. calls for a ceasefire are calls for israel to surrender to hamas, to surrender to terrorism,

to surrender to barbarism. that will not happen. ladies and gentlemen, the bible says that there is a time for peace and a time for war. this is a time for war — a war for our common future. today we draw a line between the forces of civilisation and the forces of barbarism. it is a time for everyone to decide where they stand. israel will stand against the forces of barbarism until victory. as we mentioned, families of the hostages still being held by hamas have spoken at a news conference. here's some of what they had to say. translation: i am demanding, i am beseeching the red cross i not to remain a player on the sidelines. they must play a part and demand to see all our hostages.

the red cross must demand a doctor should come and see them. two of my daughters take medication regularly, and the lack of this could really make their health deteriorate, and their emotional health, of course, will deteriorate as well. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adams is injerusalem with the latest. for israel this was all about hostages. it was about the three hostages who we saw in that harrowing video, one of them expressing anger and a kind of fury at what she said was the israeli government's refusal to get her and her fellow hostages out, and a plea to do more. then we heard about another hostage, a soldier, who had actually been rescued. the first we have heard of any

of the hostages being rescued by the israeli military during their operations in the gaza strip last night, and then earlier in the day we heard that the remains of shani louk, the israeli german tattoo artist who was seized at that music festival on october the 7th, that her remains have been found in the gaza strip, so it was a day of extremely mixed emotions for so many families here and abroad as the number of hostages being held in gaza remains so terribly high. let's speak to our panel now, stefanie bolzen who was a journalist in germany, and carwynjones, former first minister of wales and leader of the welsh labour party. they are

hoping to get 100 trucks a day from egypt into gaza, america, today there have been less than 2a and there have been less than 2a and there has been less than 50 overall since the rafah crossing has been reopened. and still according to aid agencies, that wouldn't be enough. of course it is not going to be of course it is not going to be enough, but it is very important for the white house to be seen as helping in this very difficult situation in gaza city, and in gaza. sojoe biden has from the beginning when he went to israel, that was one of the missions he had, he wanted to enjoy it and meet with the egyptian leader and jordanian king to agree deliveries into the gaza strip, and of course israel has been against this and it is very important in the wider context that the biden administration is very keen to show that they try to find a balance, and you can feel the tension here in washington, how difficult it is for

the administration and joe biden himself to see how hard israel is going into gaza with the offensive now, and at the same time preventing wide attentions in the region, so it is very difficult situation to manage. is very difficult situation to mana . e. �* is very difficult situation to manage-— is very difficult situation to manaue. ~ . , ., , manage. and, carwyn, as we have been re orted manage. and, carwyn, as we have been reported this — manage. and, carwyn, as we have been reported this evening, _ manage. and, carwyn, as we have been reported this evening, more _ manage. and, carwyn, as we have been reported this evening, more than - manage. and, carwyn, as we have been reported this evening, more than 230 i reported this evening, more than 230 hostages still being held by hamas, but we did see the rescue of an israeli soldier. how significant do you think that is in terms of what comes next from the israeli military? i comes next from the israeli military?— military? i think it is very difficult _ military? i think it is very difficult to _ military? i think it is very difficult to know. - military? i think it is very difficult to know. it - military? i think it is very difficult to know. it is - military? i think it is very| difficult to know. it isjust military? i think it is very - difficult to know. it isjust one person— difficult to know. it isjust one person at— difficult to know. it isjust one person at the moment, and the taking of hostages _ person at the moment, and the taking of hostages is contrary to international law, and certainly it would _ international law, and certainly it would be — international law, and certainly it would be everybody's hope that those hostages _ would be everybody's hope that those hostages are able to come home unharmed. i think the great challenge for israel that israel is hurt and — challenge for israel that israel is hurt and angry, it wants to get those — hurt and angry, it wants to get those hostages back, and that is quite _ those hostages back, and that is quite natural to understand that. the challenge will be for israel to make _ the challenge will be for israel to make sure — the challenge will be for israel to make sure that its response achieves

those _ make sure that its response achieves those ends. — make sure that its response achieves those ends, but also that it is not seen _ those ends, but also that it is not seen are — those ends, but also that it is not seen are so— those ends, but also that it is not seen are so aggressive that many people _ seen are so aggressive that many people die as a result in palestine. clearly— people die as a result in palestine. clearly in _ people die as a result in palestine. clearly in the gaza strip, the situation _ clearly in the gaza strip, the situation is desperate, and i'm afraid — situation is desperate, and i'm afraid we — situation is desperate, and i'm afraid we are in the situation where we have _ afraid we are in the situation where we have hamas, a terrorist organisation who deny israel's right to exist. _ organisation who deny israel's right to exist, and we have israel which is determined to get rid of hamas, and it— is determined to get rid of hamas, and it is— is determined to get rid of hamas, and it is ordinary people which get caught— and it is ordinary people which get caught in— and it is ordinary people which get caught in the middle.— caught in the middle. technic and stefanie, caught in the middle. technic and stefanie. we _ caught in the middle. technic and stefanie, we will _ caught in the middle. technic and stefanie, we will be _ caught in the middle. technic and stefanie, we will be back- caught in the middle. technic and stefanie, we will be back with - caught in the middle. technic and j stefanie, we will be back with you to discuss more around that shortly. conservative mp paul bristow has been sacked from his governmentjob after publicly urging rishi sunak to push for a "permanent ceasefire" in gaza. mr bristow wrote to the prime minister saying a ceasefire would save lives, going against his party's position on the ongoing conflict. downing street said the mp for peterborough has been asked to leave his job as a parliamentary private secretary for breaking rank. it comes as home secretary

suella braverman gave an interview in which she described pro—palestinian demonstrations as "hate marches". let's have a listen to what she said. we've seen now tens of thousands of people take to the streets following the massacre ofjewish people, the single largest loss ofjewish life since the holocaust, chanting for the erasure of israel from the map. to my mind, there's only one way to describe those marches — they are hate marches. all of this came on the same day the prime minister chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee, cobra, to assess the threat posed by domestic terrorism. for now, thejoint terrorism analysis centre decided to maintain the threat level of international terrorism at "substantial". for more on this, i'm joined from westminster by our political correspondent damian grammaticas.

lots to discuss there. let's start with the loss of the pps job from a conservative mp, and of course we have heard from downing street on that. is that a sentiment that is wide in the party, do you think? we've not seen so much, no, in the party, but what was interesting here is that these were comments made in a letter that paul bristow had sent to rishi sunak, which he, paul bristow, the mp then, publicised on his own facebook account. that was actually done last week, it was more that the reporting of it which happened today, more widespread reporting, and that that is what seems to have prompted the government to step in and act. in his letter, mr bristow had said that his letter, mr bristow had said that his constituents were deeply aggrieved by the devastating humanitarian crisis in gaza, and it was difficult to understand how what was difficult to understand how what was happening made israel more

secure. and he called for a permanent ceasefire. what the government has said is that that goes against the principle of collective responsibility, the collective responsibility, the collective decision—making and the government. the government line of course has been to back the israeli side, to say that it is entitled to take measures to protect itself, and that for that reason, he lost his job. he is on the lowest rung of the ministerial ladder, he is an aid to a minister, but the government is stepping in to say it wasn't going to tolerate anyone stepping out of line like that. find to tolerate anyone stepping out of line like that.— line like that. and i should also mention that _ line like that. and i should also mention that there _ line like that. and i should also mention that there is _ line like that. and i should also mention that there is also - line like that. and i should also l mention that there is also debate and discussion in the labour party office. laboursuspended and discussion in the labour party office. labour suspended its mp, andy mcdonald, claiming that it's deeply offensive, and what more can

say about that? for deeply offensive, and what more can say about that?— say about that? for labour we have seen many — say about that? for labour we have seen many more — say about that? for labour we have seen many more voices _ say about that? for labour we have seen many more voices speaking . say about that? for labour we have i seen many more voices speaking out, and the issue is that the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has come out with a position pretty similar to the government, basically, saying he supports israel, stands with israel, israel has the right to act within the bounds of international humanitarian law. but think that they should be a pause for aid, some in the government is also calling for. the issue here with the comments, but that mp made in the march, a pro—palestinian march, he demanded a ceasefire and then repeated the phrase that has been quite controversial, he said we will not rest until all people, is rarelys and palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty. labour sources are

indicating, that that phrase, between the river and the sea, that is the bit that is highly charged at the minute, because many see that as implying the destruction of israel. mr mcdonald and his supporters say, no, he was talking about is —— israelis and palestinians. -- israelis and palestinians. and a similar sentiment _ -- israelis and palestinians. and a similar sentiment we _ -- israelis and palestinians. and a similar sentiment we have - -- israelis and palestinians. and a - similar sentiment we have heard from suella braverman, who in that interview we played earlier said that people taking to the streets in support of the palestinian cause were taking part in what she described as hate marches. how have those gone down in westminster? she is known those gone down in westminster? sis: is known for being those gone down in westminster? si2 is known for being very outspoken, and she made those comments today after that meeting of senior ministers, talking about the march at the weekend. the government has come out and said that downing street, not officially, not official

statements, but the understanding is, if you like, that what they say is, if you like, that what they say is that the prime minister's view is that people are free to express themselves, but it must not extend to inciting hatred. what suella braverman has been accused of by some, there is one conservative figure, baroness warsi who now sits in the lords, a former minister, she is very critical, but also the muslim council of britain which speaks for muslim communities, it accused her of divisive and inaccurate slurs, saying she was indulging in rhetoric that was misleading, and very critical, saying she was fuelling this sort of hatred rather than cooling it. and hatred rather than cooling it. and briefly before _ hatred rather than cooling it. and briefly before we bring in our panel, bring us up—to—date on what the main headlines were from that cobra meeting today chaired by the prime minister.— prime minister. yes, my understanding _ prime minister. yes, my understanding is - prime minister. yes, my understanding is that. prime minister. yes, my| understanding is that the prime minister. yes, my - understanding is that the cobra meeting itself didn't actually discuss the terror level, the threat level, rather, in the uk at the

minute, that has been kept as it is. this was a briefing to senior ministers about the situation about what the uk government is doing and about the concerns about spill—over effect in the uk, so a briefing about the situation for uk hostages and efforts to release them, negotiations or messages that might be going through negotiators or with negotiations, with countries such as qatar acting in that regard. also questions of what the uk might be doing to try to find routes or open up doing to try to find routes or open up a route for uk citizens in gaza trying to leave, and also looking at the situation here in the uk, in that we understand the prime minister was asking the police and government agencies to do paper exercises, looking at the possible threat that could arise, and how the uk might respond to those, so

basically the preparation, readiness, that sort of thing. [30 readiness, that sort of thing. do stay with us. let's bring in our panel, stefanie and carwynjones. panel, stefanie and carwyn carwyn jones, do you think your party was right to suspend the minister? based on those comments _ right to suspend the minister? based on those comments i _ right to suspend the minister? based on those comments i have _ right to suspend the minister? based on those comments i have heard there. _ on those comments i have heard there. it — on those comments i have heard there, it would seem that is the right— there, it would seem that is the right action. that is what i have 'ust right action. that is what i have just heard, _ right action. that is what i have just heard, and that phrase, from the river— just heard, and that phrase, from the river to — just heard, and that phrase, from the river to the sea, carries certain— the river to the sea, carries certain connotations, and helps you interpret _ certain connotations, and helps you interpret it — certain connotations, and helps you interpret it other than the calling for the _ interpret it other than the calling for the destruction of the state of israel~ _ for the destruction of the state of israel~ i_ for the destruction of the state of israel. i think there are different views— israel. i think there are different views on— israel. i think there are different views on this clearly in the different— views on this clearly in the different parties, and i think what is important is that cool heads should — is important is that cool heads should prevail as much as possible, and frankly— should prevail as much as possible, and frankly suella braverman isn't one of— and frankly suella braverman isn't one of those cool heads. i don't know— one of those cool heads. i don't know what _ one of those cool heads. i don't know what on earth her intervention were designed to do today apart from call attention to itself, but there is a time — call attention to itself, but there is a time when you have to think

carefully— is a time when you have to think carefully about how this ends. it is a very— carefully about how this ends. it is a very tragic— carefully about how this ends. it is a very tragic situation in which many— a very tragic situation in which many people are suffering, and it is incumbent — many people are suffering, and it is incumbent on world leaders to think about— incumbent on world leaders to think about what— incumbent on world leaders to think about what position we get to when all this— about what position we get to when all this is— about what position we get to when all this is over, and how to minimise _ all this is over, and how to minimise civilian casualties. carwyn jones, let minimise civilian casualties. carwyn jones. let me _ minimise civilian casualties. carwyn jones, let me ask— minimise civilian casualties. carwyn jones, let me ask you _ minimise civilian casualties. carwyn jones, let me ask you this. - minimise civilian casualties. carwyn| jones, let me ask you this. damian, who is still with us, was saying that that particular phrase can be interpreted differently, and certainly that was what andy mcdonald was saying. he was saying that it wasn't intended to be offensive. and if you are saying that you support the suspension, surely that is a similar position to the sentiments that suella braverman who you've just criticise shares? she didn't have to make the comments that she _ she didn't have to make the comments that she made today. all that does is inflame — that she made today. all that does is inflame the situation. i don't understand what on earth she was thinking _ understand what on earth she was thinking of— understand what on earth she was thinking of doing. i think the

problem _ thinking of doing. i think the problem is, if you use the phrase the river— problem is, if you use the phrase the river and the sea it does carry certain— the river and the sea it does carry certain connotations. i heard what was said _ certain connotations. i heard what was said in— certain connotations. i heard what was said in terms of the caveat that was said in terms of the caveat that was placed — was said in terms of the caveat that was placed on that, but in a situation _ was placed on that, but in a situation such as this it is usually important — situation such as this it is usually important to be careful in terms of the language that you use. that is a phrase _ the language that you use. that is a phrase that— the language that you use. that is a phrase that has been used in the past to— phrase that has been used in the past to suggest the destruction of israel~ _ past to suggest the destruction of israel. and if that is one interpretation, it is always best not to — interpretation, it is always best not to use _ interpretation, it is always best not to use the phrase.— interpretation, it is always best not to use the phrase. let's try not to use it too _ not to use the phrase. let's try not to use it too much _ not to use the phrase. let's try not to use it too much in _ not to use the phrase. let's try not to use it too much in this _ to use it too much in this discussion, then, perhaps! stefanie, let's bring you in. there is deep divisions in the political class hear about this issue. it is always divisive. what is the discussion in the us? are republicans and democrats more united in the way that they see this ongoing situation?— that they see this ongoing situation? , , ., , ., situation? the support for israel, the republicans _ situation? the support for israel, the republicans and _ situation? the support for israel, the republicans and democrats l situation? the support for israel, l the republicans and democrats are very united. — the republicans and democrats are very united, that _ the republicans and democrats are very united, that you _ the republicans and democrats are very united, that you have - very united, that you have demonstrations—

very united, that you have demonstrations and - very united, that you have. demonstrations and protest very united, that you have - demonstrations and protest here as welli _ demonstrations and protest here as well, pro—palestinian, _ well, pro—palestinian, pro—israeli—macro, i well, pro—palestinian, pro—israeli—macro, soj well, pro—palestinian, . pro—israeli—macro, so in well, pro—palestinian, - pro—israeli—macro, so in that well, pro—palestinian, _ pro—israeli—macro, so in that sense it is not— pro—israeli—macro, so in that sense it is not different _ pro—israeli—macro, so in that sense it is not different from _ pro—israeli—macro, so in that sense it is not different from europe. - pro—israeli—macro, so in that sense it is not different from europe. wel it is not different from europe. we have _ it is not different from europe. we have seen— it is not different from europe. we have seen a — it is not different from europe. we have seen a very— it is not different from europe. we have seen a very upsetting - it is not different from europe. we . have seen a very upsetting protests, and actually — have seen a very upsetting protests, and actually unconstitutional - and actually unconstitutional incidents _ and actually unconstitutional incidents in— and actually unconstitutional incidents in germany, - and actually unconstitutional incidents in germany, and i and actually unconstitutionall incidents in germany, and for and actually unconstitutional. incidents in germany, and for a political— incidents in germany, and for a political leadership— incidents in germany, and for a political leadership in _ incidents in germany, and for a political leadership in coming . incidents in germany, and for a i political leadership in coming back to suella _ political leadership in coming back to suella braverman, _ political leadership in coming back to suella braverman, i— political leadership in coming back to suella braverman, i think- political leadership in coming back to suella braverman, i think this l political leadership in coming back| to suella braverman, i think this is a situation — to suella braverman, i think this is a situation where _ to suella braverman, i think this is a situation where you _ to suella braverman, i think this is a situation where you should - to suella braverman, i think this is a situation where you should not . to suella braverman, i think this isl a situation where you should not try to strike _ a situation where you should not try to strike political _ a situation where you should not try to strike political points _ a situation where you should not try to strike political points by- to strike political points by inciting _ to strike political points by inciting even _ to strike political points by inciting even more - to strike political points by. inciting even more emotions to strike political points by- inciting even more emotions about things _ inciting even more emotions about things and — inciting even more emotions about things and for— inciting even more emotions about things and for a _ inciting even more emotions about things. and for a german - inciting even more emotions about- things. and for a german government, it is a _ things. and for a german government, it is a very— things. and for a german government, it is a very delicate _ things. and for a german government, it is a very delicate situation, - it is a very delicate situation, obviously— it is a very delicate situation, obviously because _ it is a very delicate situation, obviously because of- it is a very delicate situation, obviously because of german it is a very delicate situation, - obviously because of german history, and there _ obviously because of german history, and there have — obviously because of german history, and there have been _ obviously because of german history, and there have been terrible - and there have been terrible incidents— and there have been terrible incidents in— and there have been terrible incidents in germany, - and there have been terrible incidents in germany, where and there have been terrible - incidents in germany, where that you talk of— incidents in germany, where that you talk of protests — incidents in germany, where that you talk of protests or _ incidents in germany, where that you talk of protests or even _ incidents in germany, where that you talk of protests or even swastikas - talk of protests or even swastikas and david — talk of protests or even swastikas and david stars _ talk of protests or even swastikas and david stars on _ talk of protests or even swastikas and david stars on houses - talk of protests or even swastikas and david stars on houses in - talk of protests or even swastikas . and david stars on houses in berlin, so it is— and david stars on houses in berlin, so it is a _ and david stars on houses in berlin, so it is a very— and david stars on houses in berlin, so it is a very difficult _ and david stars on houses in berlin, so it is a very difficult discussion - so it is a very difficult discussion anywhere, — so it is a very difficult discussion anywhere, but _ so it is a very difficult discussion anywhere, but you _ so it is a very difficult discussion anywhere, but you have - so it is a very difficult discussion anywhere, but you have to - so it is a very difficult discussion anywhere, but you have to be i so it is a very difficult discussion - anywhere, but you have to be careful not to _

anywhere, but you have to be careful not to polarise — anywhere, but you have to be careful not to polarise the _ anywhere, but you have to be careful not to polarise the discussion. - not to polarise the discussion. damien. — not to polarise the discussion. damien. i_ not to polarise the discussion. damien, iwill_ not to polarise the discussion. damien, i will bring _ not to polarise the discussion. damien, i will bring you - not to polarise the discussion. damien, i will bring you back. not to polarise the discussion. l damien, i will bring you back in. not to polarise the discussion. - damien, i will bring you back in. do you see these divisions in both labour and the conservatives, although also i think with the labour party having more of a divided view from what we have been seeing in recent weeks, do you see that divide growing, and more people coming out publicly to criticise whichever leader of their party has their position? i whichever leader of their party has their position?— their position? i think we can say that ou their position? i think we can say that you almost _ their position? i think we can say that you almost certainly - their position? i think we can say that you almost certainly are - their position? i think we can say i that you almost certainly are seeing and will see the response to the images that come out of gaza. what is happening on the ground in gaza, the reports on the impacts in gaza, and as that accumulates and goes on, and as that accumulates and goes on, and particularly if this lasts quite some time, which it appears it could do, that all adds to the sort of pressure around this debate, and certainly i think will lead to the pressure on the political leaders. obviously that is going to be more i

think on the labour leader because his party is more split on this if you like. within his own ministerial team i think there is about a dozen of them who have expressed opinions that are slightly different or distinguished from his own, which is that israel has this right to go in and should do so within the bounds of international law, but calling for a pause. i of international law, but calling fora pause. ithink of international law, but calling for a pause. i think a dozen or more have either retweeted the un secretary—general or put out their own tweets or support or other comments saying that they want a full ceasefire, and that goes further, and several dozen of his mps have said the same thing. and i think we are likely to see those voices perhaps grow, and on the other side too. damian grammaticas, for the moment, thank you very much, and thank you for our panel who will be staying with us, stefanie bolzen and carwyn jones.

here, one of borisjohnson's most senior officials during the covid pandemic has apologised for the now infamous "bring your own booze" party in downing street in may 2020. giving evidence to the covid inquiry, martin reynolds was pressed by hugo keith kc over the scale of covid rule—breaking at number10. whatsapp messages, emails and diary entries shown to the inquiry also appear to reveal crucial delays and personal tensions at the heart of downing street during the pandemic. martin reynolds confirmed that no covid—related notes were given to borisjohnson over a key ten—day period in february 2020, coinciding with the half—term holiday, and he appeared to acknowledge that the realisation of the scale of the disaster had come "late", pointing to a "systemic failure". with more on this, here is our health editor, hugh pym. he was at the heart of downing street working with boris johnson, and martin reynolds was challenged on what the government was doing in the weeks before lockdown. did you have plans to deal with the crisis which had broken upon the united kingdom government? as i say, there is a standard set

of protocols which are actually cabinet office protocols for dealing with crises. where i agree with you is they were inadequate to deal with the crisis we were confronted with. quotes from a diary kept by the chief scientific adviser sir patrick vallance were read to the inquiry, including a damning judgment on boris johnson. "we have a weak and indecisive prime minister." in the face of a viral pandemic, if those views are right, that was a deeply unfortunate position to be in, was it not? er, yes. so what about the e—mail sent by mr reynolds inviting colleagues to drinks in the garden at number 10? i would first like to say how deeply sorry i am for my part in those events and for the e—mail message which went out that day. later, anotherformer

downing street aide, imran shafi, was asked about a note he had taken of a meeting between mrjohnson and the chancellor, rishi sunak, just before lockdown. "destroy the economy for people who will die anyway soon." mr shafi, who said those words? i can't say for sure, i think it was the former prime minister. later this week the inquiry will hear from lord stevens who ran nhs england through much of the pandemic. then from late november some of the key political leaders from that time will start to appear. tomorrow there will be continued focus on downing street, with dominic cummings giving evidence. hugh pym, bbc news. one thing that came up into dave's hearings was that barrister hugo keenan also questioned martin reynolds over his decision to turn on the disappearing messages function in a key whatsapp group used by borisjohnson. it was a

decision made shortly before a public inquiry was announced. carwyn , do you have disappearing messages on on your crucial whatsapp groups? no, i don't. on on your crucial whatsapp groups? no, idon't. i on on your crucial whatsapp groups? no, i don't. i don't use whatsapp muchi _ no, i don't. i don't use whatsapp much, i_ no, i don't. i don't use whatsapp much, i haven't used it much in years— much, i haven't used it much in years gone _ much, i haven't used it much in years gone by. but the question people — years gone by. but the question people ask is, where on earth is the sense _ people ask is, where on earth is the sense that _ people ask is, where on earth is the sense that some people had in government? of course it made no sense _ government? of course it made no sense to _ government? of course it made no sense to hold a party in the middle of covid _ sense to hold a party in the middle of covid. why would anyone think that was— of covid. why would anyone think that was in— of covid. why would anyone think that was in any way defensible? and i that was in any way defensible? and i have _ that was in any way defensible? and i have to _ that was in any way defensible? and i have to say that i understand that boris _ i have to say that i understand that borisjohnson has i have to say that i understand that boris johnson has submitted written evidence _ boris johnson has submitted written evidence to the inquiry. and it seemed that they were saying that scotland and wales were doing things— that scotland and wales were doing things differentjust to that scotland and wales were doing things different just to be different, but it seems that they may have — different, but it seems that they may have given a different view given _ may have given a different view given what they were seeing at the time in _

given what they were seeing at the time in london, and surely there will be _ time in london, and surely there will be many people who when they see this _ will be many people who when they see this evidence today will think that thankfully it wasn't in london that thankfully it wasn't in london that the _ that thankfully it wasn't in london that the decisions that affected scotland and wales were being made. the evidence today speaks to itself. a lack— the evidence today speaks to itself. a lack of— the evidence today speaks to itself. a lack of leadership and different things— a lack of leadership and different things being said at different times — things being said at different times. , ., , times. sorry to stop you there, we are running _ times. sorry to stop you there, we are running out — times. sorry to stop you there, we are running out of— times. sorry to stop you there, we are running out of time _ times. sorry to stop you there, we are running out of time this - times. sorry to stop you there, we are running out of time this half i are running out of time this half hour. plenty more on the covid inquiry on the bbc news website. hello. this week's big weather story is likely to be storm ciaran, named by the met office, expected to bring widespread heavy rain, exacerbating the risk of flooding. also damaging winds most likely in the south of england and the channel islands through wednesday night and it is thursday. in the shorter term, a met office amber warning across parts of northern ireland to take us through tonight and into tomorrow. heavy and persistent rain could well bring the risk of further flooding. you can see that wet weather really setting

in as we head through the night. a band of showery rain also moving its way across wales and the midlands, up into parts of northern england and east anglia as we go towards the end of the night. behind that band of rain we will see some slightly clearer skies developing, and also across parts of scotland, which will allow temperatures to drop below freezing in some sheltered parts of the highlands. but here we should see some sunshine during tomorrow, albeit with a scattering of showers in the north, where you are exposed to that north or north—easterly breeze. this band of showery rain across northern ireland and north england will tend to weaken as the day goes on, and then another band of rain into south west of england, another frontal system pushing its way north eastwards as we had through tuesday night and into wednesday. outbreaks of heavy rain with that, could briefly be some snow over high ground in the north of scotland. it is going to turn windy as well for the coasts of wales, the south—west of england and also in the north.

temperatures 6 degrees in lerwick, m for plymouth, london, norwich and sa ntelli. and through wednesday night and into thursday, this is where we have real cause for concern, this very deep area of low pressure, named storm ciaran, still some uncertainty about the track of the system. it is most likely to pass across the south of england and wales, certainly in terms of the centre of the low, but the rain will be quite widespread for many areas. the strongest winds look most likely to be down towards the south, 60—80 mph gusts for english channel coast possibly touching 90 mph in the most exposed parts and perhaps more especially across the channel islands, with the risk of damage and disruption, and it does stay very unsettled as we head towards the weekend.