hello, i'm samantha simmonds. president biden has said the united states will respond to a drone attack on an american military base injordan, near the syrian border, at a time and in a manner of its choosing. mr biden blamed the attack on radical iran—backed militant groups operating in syria and iraq. tehran has denied any involvement in the attack in which three service personnel were killed and 3a injured. it's the latest in a series of attacks against us bases in the region since the war in gaza began, as our world affairs correspondent, paul adams, reports. the americans say the attack happened at a base known as tower 22, right on the syrian—jordanian border. it's one of many american bases across the region. there have been dozens

of drone and missile attacks in recent months, but no american personnel have been killed until now. joe biden, seen here attending church, was quick to point the finger. "we know it was carried out by radical iran—backed militant groups operating in syria and iraq," he said. it's not necessarily a tipping point into uncontrolled escalation between the united states and iran, but it's another very dangerous step because, as i say, the us will have to respond even more strongly than it's done to previous attacks. the uk covid inquiry is set to begin in scotland again. the scottish

labour leader described the situation is one of the worst atrocities of the pandemic and is calling for answers for the fullness of the bereaved. the former chancellor of the duchy of lancaster, michael gove, will be speaking today and his ministerial role at the time saw him primarily involved in intergovernmental relations. let's go straight to the inquiry and listen in. the contents of that statement remain true and accurate as far as you are concerned? they do. it was first elected to the uk parliament in 2005. and you are currently the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities? and you also currently the minister for intergovernmental relations? yes. in your statement you became new became

less involved to the pandemic response after september 2021, is that broadly correct? a desk. in the period between january 20 that broadly correct? a desk. in the period betweenjanuary 20 september 20 when you were chancellor of the duchy of lancaster? from a four by 2020 became ministerfor duchy of lancaster? from a four by 2020 became minister for the cabinet office? yes. after september 21 you continue to have contact with the devolved administrations in your post as minister for post as ministerfor intergovernmental post as minister for intergovernmental relations but not intergovernmental relations but not in the context of the pandemic response? that is correct. you have given evidence already in connection with modules one and two in statement form and oral evidence and you are here today to give evidence in relation to the scottish government decision—making in the uk government decision—making in the uk government decision—making in the uk government decision—making insofar as it related to scotland. i understand you performed a role during the course of the pandemic as the minister in the uk government who acted as something of a conduit

between the governments, would be for? it would. forwhat between the governments, would be for? it would. for what period did you perform that role? essentially from the beginning _ you perform that role? essentially from the beginning of— you perform that role? essentially from the beginning of the - you perform that role? essentially i from the beginning of the pandemic until the reshuffle in september 21 when i was appointed to my current post. when i was appointed to my current ost. ~ ., , when i was appointed to my current ost, ~ ., , ., when i was appointed to my current ost. ~ ., , ., ., when i was appointed to my current ost, ~ ., , ., ., when i was appointed to my current ost. ~ ., , ., ., ., post. would it be fair to say that in the exercise _ post. would it be fair to say that in the exercise of— post. would it be fair to say that in the exercise of that _ post. would it be fair to say that in the exercise of that particular| in the exercise of that particular role although you did not hold principal ministerial responsibility for a number of areas, you were required to keep abreast of developments within both the uk government and the scottish government and the scottish government with regard to the pandemic so as to be able intelligently, to discuss with the scottish government matters relating to the pandemic response across the uk? , ., , , ., y to the pandemic response across the uk? ,., __ uk? yes, to the best of my ability. i'd like to ask _ uk? yes, to the best of my ability. i'd like to ask you _ uk? yes, to the best of my ability. i'd like to ask you questions - uk? yes, to the best of my ability. i'd like to ask you questions about | i'd like to ask you questions about the interaction between the devolution settlement and the pandemic response. the module has already had significant evidence

about the devolution settlement but is it fair to say is we have heard from other witnesses, that although the scottish government and the uk government may decision separately, as regards matters within their respective devolved and researched competencies, one might say they share overall responsibility for policy decisions that impact scotland?— policy decisions that impact scotland?- uk - policy decisions that impact scotland? yes. uk government on devolved scotland? 133 uk government on devolved scottish government policies both impact outcomes in scotland? yes. and decisions, even decisions made by the uk government with regard to its exclusive areas of competence in other parts of the uk will have had an indirect effect on matters within scotland as well? yes. . . on matters within scotland as well? yes. ., ,, , , on matters within scotland as well? yes. ., ,, , yes. that is perhaps because these are man-made _ yes. that is perhaps because these are man-made structures - yes. that is perhaps because these are man-made structures the - yes. that is perhaps because these are man-made structures the virus| are man—made structures the virus and its epidemiologicalflow are man—made structures the virus and its epidemiological flow did are man—made structures the virus

and its epidemiologicalflow did not respect those orders? precisely so. but all relevant times during the pandemic the scottish government had devolved responsibility for public health, the health of scotland more generally, the nhs including hospitals, schools and the social care sector, such understanding? yes. your evidence to much to give us questions about this area and you're said on the 28th of november, a transcript of page 116 available on the website, healthiest default and public of the default but there is a distinction. i think between two different types of public health intervention. 0n the one hand there's the straightforward public health intervention like keeping ourselves healthier, how much fruit to eat and so on. that's quite properly a matter for devolved administrations but when you are dealing with a pandemic reaching

across one ireland, great britain, i think there is a case for saying there can and should be certain uk wide power is exercised at the centre. i think it is an open question that distinction between two different types of public health interventions because again, one of the points made that michelle o'neill the points made that michelle 0'neill makes forfairly the points made that michelle 0'neill makes for fairly is that the island of ireland as a single epidemiological area, island of ireland as a single epidemiologicalarea, it was island of ireland as a single epidemiological area, it was always regarded so in terms of animal health and in terms of human health so these are difficult issues to manage and i would not say this was a view that i hold passionately but i do think the whole question about how you can ensure the uk government short of a civil contingency act can say we need to override some sort of independent decision—making you might make, i think that's worth considering. was it fair to say that in advance of the pandemic, it was reasonably foreseeable that a health

emergency of the nature of the pandemic which the uk faced, it would require, given the underlying devolution settlement, a degree of cross—border cooperation? yes. what cross-border cooperation? yes. what ou sa it cross-border cooperation? yes. what you say it was — cross—border cooperation? yes what you say it was necessary cross—border cooperation? 1e1v what you say it was necessary for there to be clarity as regards precisely for what fell between the remit of the scottish government responsibility under devolution and what it was that the uk government would do insofar as impacted upon scotland? yes would do insofar as impacted upon scotland? . . ~ would do insofar as impacted upon scotland? , ., ~ , v, scotland? yes and i think there is a case for greater _ scotland? yes and i think there is a case for greater clarity _ scotland? yes and i think there is a case for greater clarity overall - case for greater clarity overall about devolved unreserved responsibilities.— about devolved unreserved responsibilities. about devolved unreserved resonsibilities. ~ ., v, , responsibilities. would it have been ossible for responsibilities. would it have been possible for greater _ responsibilities. would it have been possible for greater clarity - responsibilities. would it have been possible for greater clarity in - responsibilities. would it have been possible for greater clarity in that i possible for greater clarity in that regard he had been achieved given the fact that it was reasonably foreseeable in such a situation that cross—border co—operation will be necessary? cross-border co-operation will be necessary?— necessary? yes, i think again we dealt with a _ necessary? yes, i think again we dealt with a virus _ necessary? yes, i think again we dealt with a virus which - necessary? yes, i think again we dealt with a virus which was -

dealt with a virus which was unprecedented in the speed with which it spread and also its lethality but it's certainly the case that the devolution settlement evolved over time and we can learn from how we respond to this virus to consider how the devolution settlement might be improved in the future. it is of course perfectly open to conclude that no constitutional settlement will ever be perfect on the current division of responsibilities is probably right. of responsibilities is probably riuht. �* , of responsibilities is probably ri.ht, �* . ., , , of responsibilities is probably riuht. �* , , v, right. but clarity in this regard in order to maximise _ right. but clarity in this regard in order to maximise the _ right. but clarity in this regard in i order to maximise the effectiveness is key, isn't it? clarity is always helpful. this distinction you made a new evidence in module two between public health matters clearly devolved, eating more fruit, we from a professor in public health had talked about measures to fight obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and is the distinction between that type of public health

responsibility and some other type of public health responsibility a constitutional legal principle is for a you are concerned? ida. constitutional legal principle is for a you are concerned?- for a you are concerned? no, i believe it _ for a you are concerned? no, i believe it is — for a you are concerned? no, i believe it is a _ for a you are concerned? no, i believe it is a practical- for a you are concerned? no, i believe it is a practical and - believe it is a practical and operational question and relates to how we can protect the health of everyone within a particular geographic entity, in this case the island that is great britain so a case has been made and it is one to which i am sympathetic that when one is thinking of some bio security measures in respect of dealing with the barras, for example questions over international travel or testing of the border, there is a case for saying that should be a uk wide responsibility exercised by the uk government and i submit to the inquiry necessary legitimate and respectful point of view but as i say, there can be arguments either way about the wisdom of going down that route but it is certainly a case for which i have sympathy. figs

case for which i have sympathy. as far as the position of the uk government during the course of the pandemic is concerned, was it your and the uk government position that the scottish government was responsible for matters of public health such as eating more fruit but overall, the uk government retained responsibility for the management of the virus? i responsibility for the management of the virus? ~ ., , . ., ., the virus? i think it was clear from what happened — the virus? i think it was clear from what happened during _ the virus? i think it was clear from what happened during the - the virus? i think it was clear from what happened during the course l the virus? i think it was clear from | what happened during the course of the pandemic that the scottish government was responsible for deciding the non—pharmaceutical interventions that are politically necessary in order to curtail the spread of the virus. did necessary in order to curtail the spread of the virus.— spread of the virus. did issues around the — spread of the virus. did issues around the division _ spread of the virus. did issues around the division of - around the division of responsibility in this regard remain contentious or difficult throughout the pandemic, in particular as a result of your particular experience of dealing with the scottish government in year four nations meeting? i government in year four nations meetin: ? ~ , . government in year four nations meetin: ? ~' , . ., ~ meeting? i think my evidence i make the that of course _ meeting? i think my evidence i make the that of course there _ meeting? i think my evidence i make the that of course there were - the that of course there were differences in approach and of

course we had different political parties operating across the uk but the day—to—day management of the virus and the day—to—day responsibilities exercised by ministers in the devolved administrations and the uk government was for the most part constructive. my question was directed to trying to understand whether the was difficulty regarding the constitutional divide rather than a subject we will get onto it which is the interpersonal relationships involved. what i was seekina relationships involved. what i was seekin: to relationships involved. what i was seeking to gather _ relationships involved. what i was seeking to gather were _ relationships involved. what i was seeking to gather were studied i seeking to gather were studied remain an issue, what was the scottish government responsibility, the uk government responsibility which may have impacted on the responsibility of the overall response? i responsibility of the overall response?— responsibility of the overall response? responsibility of the overall resonse? ., ., ., ., , response? i would not want to “ump the nun response? i would not want to “ump the gun but — response? i would not want to “ump the gun but i — response? i would not want to “ump the gun but i suspect * response? i would not want to “ump the gun but i suspect some h response? i would not want to jump the gun but i suspect some might . response? i would not want to jumpj the gun but i suspect some might in this module want to make a point about the degree of fiscal devolution that the scottish government enjoy and whether or not that should be greater and whether or not that would enable the

scottish government or a future scottish government or a future scottish government or a future scottish government to respond more effectively. i have outlined my views on that question and i'm happy to return to them and expand on them but during the course of the pandemic, i did not see any real angst about the constitutional situation preventing effective decision—making and an effective response. yet decision-making and an effective resonse. ., ., response. yet mentioned in earlier evidence the _ response. yet mentioned in earlier evidence the possibility _ response. yet mentioned in earlier evidence the possibility which - response. yet mentioned in earlier evidence the possibility which i - evidence the possibility which i know you have discussed are with others in previous modules, that the way in which the pandemic management division if you like could have been approached with the use of the civil contingencies act. you mention something short of the civil contingencies act in your previous evidence but would it not have been if the uk government wished to exercise a better control over matters in public health, would it not have been a preferable option for the uk government to have

approached the division of responsibilities through that legal mechanism about which we have again had a little from previous witnesses? i had a little from previous witnesses?— had a little from previous witnesses? ., ., , witnesses? i do not believe so. the civil contingencies _ witnesses? i do not believe so. the civil contingencies act _ witnesses? i do not believe so. the civil contingencies act is _ witnesses? i do not believe so. the civil contingencies act is designed l civil contingencies act is designed to deal with a catastrophe coming from a clear blue sky, a terrorist incident or a hostile state actor unleashing the sort of havoc that requires an immediate emergency response and also, it involves the curtailment of independent action and liberty to an extent that i think most people would find difficult to take, save in such a particular emergency. but i do think that it's worth looking at the operation of the civil contingencies act and considering whether or not

between that quite a powerful intervention and the other interventions that we saw exercise during the pandemic, might there be a need for a new mechanism or a new way of operating in order to deal with potential future threats to public health or safety? ibias with potential future threats to public health or safety? was this not naturally _ public health or safety? was this not naturally a _ public health or safety? was this not naturally a catastrophe - public health or safety? was this not naturally a catastrophe that. not naturally a catastrophe that came from a clear blue sky? ida. came from a clear blue sky? no, while it was _ came from a clear blue sky? iirr, while it was undoubtedly a horrendous period in the life of our nations and the loss of life on the pain suffered by many was momentous, the threshold for the civil contingencies act i think is rightly very high and it is the case that whatever successes or failures there were in the management of the pandemic we could see the pandemic coming. it was not as though it were as i say like a terrorist attack when you move from a moment of peace

and serenity to the sudden dramatic loss of life that such an intervention might precipitate or as i say, a foreign state actor attacking and the civil contingencies act by its very nature leads to the centralisation of powers, the restrictions of liberty and one would have to clear a very high threshold for initiating. so my own view is that the civil contingencies act as tetra me on an instrument in many cases for the sorts of challenges that one might face in the future. the sorts of challenges that one might face in the future.— face in the future. the practical result how _ face in the future. the practical result how of _ face in the future. the practical result how of course _ face in the future. the practical result how of course been - face in the future. the practical- result how of course been followed, i think you have already explained but just to be i think you have already explained butjust to be clear, would have been that the uk government would have had greater power over the way in which the pandemic was managed across the nations of the uk, is that broadly correct?— across the nations of the uk, is that broadly correct? that would have done _ that broadly correct? that would have done and _ that broadly correct? that would have done and it _ that broadly correct? that would have done and it would - that broadly correct? that would have done and it would have - that broadly correct? that would have done and it would have had greater power and control over the actions of the government and

individuals and civil society. it is as i say by draconian, i do not mean to say that it is never capable of being used but it should only be used in very sparing exceptional circumstances. in used in very sparing exceptional circumstances.— used in very sparing exceptional circumstances. in the end, the way in which the _ circumstances. in the end, the way in which the pandemic— circumstances. in the end, the way in which the pandemic was - circumstances. in the end, the way i in which the pandemic was managed, we've heard evidence from our political expert who spoke about the public health threat under the options, the public health route, can we use that as a label, is that fair? what happened is that legislation went through the uk parliament which became the coronavirus act 2020, in the schedules to that act, specific powers to do things like impose restrictions and ultimately locked up restrictions and ultimately locked up were recorded to the scottish government is that correct? yes. and those powers became vested in the

scottish government on the 22nd march 2020. was it your understanding of the scottish government position prior that point that it was of the view that it had the constitutional power to impose restrictions on lockdown is in any event? i restrictions on lockdown is in any event? . restrictions on lockdown is in any event? , ., �* ~ ., ., event? i believe, i don't know what the scottish — event? i believe, i don't know what the scottish government _ event? i believe, i don't know what the scottish government thought i event? i believe, i don't know what. the scottish government thought but i don't believe the scottish government if the uk government had chosen not to act, would undoubtedly have pressed us to grant them powers in order to be able to have the sort of interventions, the non—pharmaceutical interventions on lockdown powers that were subsequently exercised. d0 lockdown powers that were subsequently exercised. do i take our subsequently exercised. do i take your understanding _ subsequently exercised. do i take your understanding of— subsequently exercised. do i take your understanding of their - subsequently exercised. do i take i your understanding of their position was that the scottish government thought those powers would be required to be granted to them? yes. as far as the legislative framework is concerned the powers to manage matters of public health, anything

short of a lockdown became clear on the 26th of march, correct? the? the 26th of march, correct? they were further— the 26th of march, correct? they were further clarified. _ the 26th of march, correct? they were further clarified. i _ the 26th of march, correct? he were further clarified. i think the 26th of march, correct? iie were further clarified. i think one of my experiences of divination is that at different points, issues arguably less important, the scottish government has pushed at the boundaries of the devolution settlement in order to establish that which it can do and it is inherent in the scotland act that those things which are reserved are listed unspecified but not those things which are devolved and there is an argument put forward by the scottish government and others that anything that does not explicitly reserved as default and therefore it is open to the scottish government and the scottish parliament to legislate in those areas. i would stray further into that debate now but it is certainly the case that some would have argued that even if the uk government had been

idle, the scottish government and the scottish parliament would have beenin the scottish parliament would have been in power to legislate in this area. , , , ., , been in power to legislate in this area. , ,, ., ~ been in power to legislate in this area. , ,, area. despite as i think you accepted — area. despite as i think you accepted the _ area. despite as i think you accepted the reasonable i accepted the reasonable foreseeability of the need to have a cohesive and coordinated uk response in an emergency such as this and the profitability at least of clarity around devolved and researched competencies, this was not a matter which had been discussed or sorted out between the government before the pandemic right, was it? ila. out between the government before the pandemic right, was it?- the pandemic right, was it? no, but there were regular— the pandemic right, was it? no, but there were regular times _ the pandemic right, was it? no, but there were regular times the - the pandemic right, was it? no, but there were regular times the uk - there were regular times the uk government and devolved administrations would work together to consider how to deal with civil contingencies and there were arrangements to consider how they might deal with pandemics especially as has been discussed elsewhere, the prospect of a influenza pandemic which was the principal operating assumption when it came to a public health emergency, that the uk government was operating to. ii government was operating to. if there were a concern on the part of there were a concern on the part of the uk government that the scottish

government tended to try to push the boundaries of devolution based on previous experience, it would have been perfectly open to the uk government to clarify the boundaries between each government area of responsibility in advance as part of that preparedness exercises, would it not? it that preparedness exercises, would it not? ., , that preparedness exercises, would itnot? ., , it not? it would be possible, however. — it not? it would be possible, however, precisely - it not? it would be possible, however, precisely given - it not? it would be possible, j however, precisely given the tendency particularly under the scottish national party, to see if the definition boundaries can be pushed, one cannot anticipate all of the areas where eight scottish government might choose to push those boundaries. again, one of the emerging challenges that we all face across the world at the moment is artificial intelligence. at the time of the scotland act, ai artificial intelligence. at the time of the scotland act, al was not a concept with which any of us was particularly familiar, that is an open question, probably not for this inquiry so i shall not labour the

point, whether artificial intelligence and the threat it potentially causes if not properly regulated should be regulated at a uk level or at a scotland or devolved administration level. again my argument would be we should have that discussion but we cannot always anticipate every future challenge that we may have to face or indeed if you future initiative that a duly elected scottish government might wish to premise. in contradistinction to the concept of artificial intelligence, public health is a matter to which as you have said, a considerable amount of attention was paid in advance of the pandemic therefore it was entirely predictable that public health was a matter which required a degree of clarification as to the constitutional boundaries? clarification as to the constitutionalboundaries? . . constitutional boundaries? yes, but i do not believe _ constitutional boundaries? yes, but i do not believe that _ constitutional boundaries? yes, but i do not believe that in _ constitutional boundaries? yes, but i do not believe that in the - i do not believe that in the response to the pandemic, that the constitutional questions which are of course of great interest,

actually impeded day to day response so yes, in a perfect world, a greater degree of constitutional clarity on some of these questions would be preferable but in the practical day—to—day operation of responding to the pandemic of the virus, i did not believe these were material considerations. it virus, i did not believe these were material considerations.— material considerations. it will be - leased material considerations. it will be leased to material considerations. it will be pleased to hear _ material considerations. it will be pleased to hear i _ material considerations. it will be pleased to hear i do _ material considerations. it will be pleased to hear i do not - material considerations. it will be pleased to hear i do not intend i material considerations. it will be pleased to hear i do not intend to take you through vast reams of whatsapp messages but i will take you to some of them. img 000163134. please. these art messages i understand were provided to the inquiry by mr hancock and they relate to discussions around the formations approach to the governance of the joint bio security centre in may 2020. do you recall the discussions around that issue at

that time? i do. thejoint bio security centre was formed as a new centre in the department of health and social cart to bring together data science and public health information and expertise to assist fighting against the virus, for discussion? totally. if we start at these messages, the 30th of may, at 2:14pm, is said there of the cell phone, i understand to be mr hancock says it would be a uk body like m15, pandemic response is a research responsibility, it's the actions taken in response that are devolved to which you respond sub which i think should have gone to uni takes a different view based on legal advice. don't let me know if you have not been centred on the response thereafter for mr hancock is i have not read the sub, i am very unhappy with it. the jvc is

designed as a institution that analyses data and it executes many different authorities but there is no need for it to be run through a committee of the four nations. we would not put english local authorities on the board on that night or 1pm authorities on the board on that night or1pm mr authorities on the board on that night or 1pm mr hancock says the advice the sub is based on estates public of this devolved but that is not true. parts of public health or devolved, but public health emergencies or research matters. how can a sub in such a moderate miss such a critical part of the devolution settlement, let's discuss in the morning, this clearly needs sorting. broadly speaking, what is happening if there is a discussion over the extent to which this joint bio security centre will be a matter for the uk government control, is that right? yes. mr hancock as seamless as more of a more general attitude that he appears to have in

the way towards which the public health response is being coordinated saying that gbc falls within our remit, the uk government remit because the public health response more generally in terms of policy making false within our remit, is that broadly correct? that was his, yes. what you are doing are springing to his attention in submission, apparently illegal submission, apparently illegal submission, piece of advice which tends to suggest that interpretation of the devolution settlement may be correct. �* ~ . of the devolution settlement may be correct. �* ~ , ., , , correct. and i think this goes very much to our— correct. and i think this goes very much to our earlier _ correct. and i think this goes very much to our earlier discussion. in | much to our earlier discussion. in the end, when the gbc was set up and as i mentioned in paragraph 74 of my evidence to this module, health ministers from all four administrations were on a ministerial board and the devolved administrations were represented on thejoint bio administrations were represented on the joint bio security centre steering board and technical board. matt hancock again, as the inquiry

said, and i think this was a good thing, was a bullish, determined, energetic minister who wanted to ensure that there was rapid and effective action taken in dealing with the virus. responsibility was too seek to make sure that we were effectively with all of the devolved administrations so i did not seek to temper his energy but i did seek to ensure we were operating with the devolved administrations and in the end, we had an effective gbc, broadly in line with his wishes but one which also involves the devolved administrations at would benefit at all. mr administrations at would benefit at all. ~ ,., , , .., administrations at would benefit at all. ~ , , ., all. mr gove, is this indicative of all. mr gove, is this indicative of a wider attitude _ all. mr gove, is this indicative of a wider attitude within _ all. mr gove, is this indicative of a wider attitude within the - all. mr gove, is this indicative of a wider attitude within the uk i a wider attitude within the uk government, at least up to this point, that the uk government was really in control of policy across the uk with regard to the management of the pandemic? ila. the uk with regard to the management of the pandemic?— of the pandemic? no, i do not believe so- —

of the pandemic? no, i do not believe so. i— of the pandemic? no, i do not believe so. i think _ of the pandemic? no, i do not believe so. i think at - of the pandemic? no, i do not believe so. i think at different| believe so. i think at different times, naturally, there were some... studio: you are watching the levelling up secretary michael gove appearing before the covid inquiry sitting in edinburgh. mr gove saying they could learn from the covid response, accepting greater clarity was needed in the different remit of the scottish and uk governments and he went on to say the settlement evolved over time, we can learn from our virus response, he said, how to improve the devolution settlement and that he thinks the current set of responsibilities is broadly right stop he also talked about the option of whether the country might in the future look at using the civil contingencies act in a situation like this and he said there might need to be a way to find new ways of operating in such circumstances but he did not think the act was the way

forward stop he talked about the way the scottish and uk governments worked together and broadly he said they had worked together well. for more coverage on the inquiry you can head to the bbc iplayer or the bbc news website, plenty more details for you there and we will continue to monitor the inquiry for you. please do stay with us on bbc news. this is bbc news, the headlines. the united states says it will respond to a drone strike injordan that killed three us military personnel. a vigil in bristol after two teenage boys are stabbed to death. they have now been named. mps call for the one or two—word judgements used by ofsted to rate schools in england to be scrapped.

police are urgently appealing for the mother of a newborn baby found in a pub on the outskirts of leeds yesterday to contact them or seek medical help. detectives have stressed their priority is to ensure the mother's welfare. emergency services were called to the three horseshoes public house in oulton at around 4.45 yesterday afternoon following the discovery of a newborn baby girl in the toilet area. she was tragically confirmed as deceased by attending paramedics. dci james entwistle of west yorkshire police, said: "this is a tragic incident and we are urgently appealing for the mother of the baby girl to contact us or seek medical help as she has been through an extremely traumatic ordeal and could well need treatment herself." rishi sunak is to announce plans to ban the sale of disposable vapes across the uk. the idea is to make the products less attractive to children but manufacturers say that e—cigarettes can help people quit smoking. i spoke to andrej kuttruf, who is the chief executive