live from london. this is bbc news. israel launches another strike on the outskirts of beirut, reports suggest the target is a senior hezbollah commander. it follows a series of rocket fire by hezbollah into israel. mohamed al fayed is described as �*a monster�* by lawyers, representing women who've accused the former billionaire owner of harrods — of sexual assault. the allegations involve cover—ups, threats, and a quarter— cover—ups, threats, and a quarter century of sexual abuse by mohamed al fayed after he purchased harrods. and became its chairman.— its chairman. early voting for the 2024 _ its chairman. early voting for the 2024 us _ its chairman. early voting for the 2024 us election - its chairman. early voting for the 2024 us election starts | the 2024 us election starts today in minnesota, virginia,

and south dakota. and the world cup has flicked off in the town in the uk where it was invented. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. we start with those developments in the middle east and lebanon where the israeli military are saying it has carried out targeted strike in the lebanese capital. witnesses heard a large blast in the southern suburbs of beirut, these are the pictures which show that large plume of smoke in an area described as hezbollah a stronghold. the lebanese health ministry says there are three dead and more than a dozen people injured, reports out of israel say the operation was targeting senior hezbollah commander. straight to jerusalem hezbollah commander. straight tojerusalem and our correspond to jerusalem and our correspond her, tojerusalem and our correspond her, daniel, tell us more.

that is right, the news emerged within the last hour that there had been an air strike in a southern suburb of beirut. it is a very densely populated area. there is a significant presence of hezbollah members there, and it has previously been targeted, for example during the 2006 war between israel and hezbollah. this is the first israeli air strike in beirut since the end ofjuly, at the end ofjuly they killed very senior hezbollah figure. this air strike today, which has been confirmed by the israel defense forces, in a short statement, they say that the idf conducted a targeted strike in beirut and that further details will follow follow. the images we are seeing on social media show rubble and destruction in that

area, people looking through the rubble. we have got a statement from the health ministry in lebanon which says that at the moment three people, the toll is that the three people have died. and that they have received 17 people wounded so far. this is early days, it is very soon after the strike. we are seeing other reports emerging from lebanon with higher numbers of people who have been killed. and then, in israel, the israeli army at radio is reporting that the target was senior hezbollah figure who is being named by israeli army radio as abraham akil, a very seniorfigure within the movement. probably the most senior military figure it following the earlier assassination at the end of july, which ijust spoke about. abraham is described as the head of hezbollah�*s operations

division, he is also described as the commander of hezbollah�*s elite rad one unit, which is effectively their elite commandos. he is wanted by the united states, the they allege he had a role in the attacks in the 1980s on us embassy and other allegations against him relating to the 80s. i think there was $7 million bounty on his head by the united states. so, that is the report here, that he has been the target of this. at the reports from lebanon is that there is a death toll exceeding one person, if he was the target, they are talking about, the health ministry are talking about three dead. we health ministry are talking about three dead.- health ministry are talking about three dead. we will talk aaain in about three dead. we will talk again in the — about three dead. we will talk again in the coming _ about three dead. we will talk again in the coming minutes, | about three dead. we will talk| again in the coming minutes, i am looking at the latest information, those reports confirming to three dead and up to 17 people wounded after these blasts. let's put it into context of what has been

happening in the last 12 hours or so, the strike follows more exchanges of fire across the israel lebanon border. the israeli stay around 60 rockets have been fired into israel, hezbollah says it targeted three army sites. the israelis have warned northern residents to stay in bomb shelters. lebanon has warned that the situation is spiralling out of control with hezbollah bowing retribution. let's recap, what has been happening over those last 12 hours with our correspondent you land now. dramatic scenes in southern lebanon is israeli artillery strikes hezbollah positions. it is this the prelude to a full—blown war? last night so one of israel's heaviest bombardments of lebanon in nearly a year, following on from hezbollah rocket and drone attacks. cross—borderfighting attacks. cross—border fighting between these

attacks. cross—borderfighting between these old enemies has gone on in parallel to the war in gaza. and increasingly it now, it is causing international alarm. last night, the us and the uk were among those urging restraint. we are all very, very clear that— we are all very, very clear that we _ we are all very, very clear that we want to see negotiated political — that we want to see negotiated political settlement, so that israetis _ political settlement, so that israelis can return to their homes _ israelis can return to their homes in _ israelis can return to their homes in northern israel and indeed — homes in northern israel and indeed lebanese can return to their— indeed lebanese can return to their homes. and that is why tonight— their homes. and that is why tonight i_ their homes. and that is why tonight i am calling for an immediate ceasefire from both sides— immediate ceasefire from both sides so— immediate ceasefire from both sides so that we can get to that— sides so that we can get to that settlement, that political settlement, that is required. but this— settlement, that is required. but this week's shocking to deadly attacks involving explosives hidden in electronic devices used by hezbollah operatives has slowed fear across lebanon and ratcheted up

tensions. yesterday, hezbollah the chief struck a defiance note as he blamed israel and threatened strong retaliation. meanwhile, israel, which has not officially commented on the sophisticated attacks, has been sending more of its well armed forces towards the lebanon border. its leaders are bowing to return tens of thousands of displaced israelis to their homes in the north. in displaced israelis to their homes in the north. in the new face of the _ homes in the north. in the new face of the where _ homes in the north. in the new face of the where there - homes in the north. in the new face of the where there are - face of the where there are significant opportunities, but also significant risks. hezbollah feels persecuted. the sequence of our military actions will continue. that risks include _ actions will continue. that risks include that - actions will continue. that risks include that the - risks include that the spiralling violence spreads from the border, threatening citizens across lebanon and israel end the wider region. let's talk now to the military

correspondent of the times of israel, joining us live on the programme. welcome. does this feel to you like the prelude to a military move into lebanon itself from israel? i a military move into lebanon itself from israel?— itself from israel? i think we are already _ itself from israel? i think we are already seeing _ itself from israel? i think we are already seeing the - itself from israel? i think we are already seeing the start| itself from israel? i think we i are already seeing the start of this new phase of the war, it has been talked about by israeli officials, by the defence minister, and he has been saying the past few days that we are beginning a new phase of this war. against hezbollah, the recent actions in lebanon, even if you ignore the pagers and other devices that exploded in lebanon, we are think much more intensive israeli it strikes inside lebanon, we are seeing a large strikejust now in lebanon, we are seeing a large strike just now in beirut killing, or reportedly killing, a top hezbollah commander. and this is, it really could come before a potential ground operation. it is hard to say how extensive such a ground operation could be, it may be something limited. at least according to israel's goals now

which were sort of updated a few days ago. returning the displaced israelis back to their homes, under that goal, israel would probably need to push hezbollah from the border and that could be done with a grand operation. i’ee and that could be done with a grand operation.— grand operation. i've seen conflicting _ grand operation. i've seen conflicting analysis, - grand operation. i've seen - conflicting analysis, respected analysts have made the point that perhaps now is hezbollah seriously weekend there is a unique opportunity for israel to deal with hezbollah in a way that they have not for decades. that is one size of the analysis, the other side is the risk that they are still hugely armed, and one thinks back to 2006. and it wasn't hugely damaging for both sides, that war. i damaging for both sides, that war. , ., war. i definitely agree with the second _ war. i definitely agree with the second assessment, i war. i definitely agree with i the second assessment, and war. i definitely agree with - the second assessment, and a war with hezbollah would be devastating both for israel and for it lebanon, israeli citizens have put it at hundreds of thousands of casualties from the israeli side. it won't be easy, but israel has reached this point

where hezbollah has tied their attacks in the north to what is going on in gaza. israel has not ended the war in gaza yet. so, for it hezbollah to stop its attacks, it does not seem to want to agree to stop them unless israel ends the war in gaza, which is not going to happen. so israel has to come in now, in its point of view, begin to amped up cannot ramp up begin to amped up cannot ramp up its activities and lebanon to use basically military pressure to force hezbollah away. i do not think hezbollah is degraded, particularly, at this point. sure, it has lost hundreds of operatives, top commanders. but it still is an army in lebanon, it has hundreds of missiles and thousands and it even hundreds of thousands rockets. aimed at israel. and in the end of the day, even if there is a major war, it is going to end with some kind of agreement. eventually, there will be a

ceasefire. i do not think israel ever intends to completely destroy hezbollah, as it is currently doing in the gaza strip with hamas. completely different player, i don't think even it is in israel's plans to completely destroy hezbollah. it will eventually end in a deal. it is probably best for israel to reach a deal before launching a major war rather than after eight, less casualties. ads, eight, less casualties. a really brief final thought, where are the hostages and all of this equation? and where do you think public opinion is, briefly? you think public opinion is, briefl ? , ., , briefly? israel definitely wants to _ briefly? israel definitely wants to retrieve - briefly? israel definitely wants to retrieve the i briefly? israel definitely - wants to retrieve the hostages, but these negotiations for a deal, i don't think are happening all that much recently. i think that is part of what has brought israel to begin facing north instead. it has realised it is not able to reach deal at this point and the north is still a problem and there are still 60,000 displaced israelis from their home. that has become another

one of the goals. latte home. that has become another one of the goals.— one of the goals. we have to leave it there, _ one of the goals. we have to leave it there, thank - one of the goals. we have to leave it there, thank you - one of the goals. we have to| leave it there, thank you very much. well, that story is clearly moving, we will return to beirut. also to israel, we will have plenty more coverage. more detail is coming in all of the time and more of the pictures after this latest strike. plenty more from lebanon here on the programme over the next few minutes. let's turn to the other really important story that we have been covering throughout the course of the day. lawyers say they are representing 37 women who were raped or sexually assaulted by mohamed al fayed, the late owner of the harrods department store in london. they have also revealed that more have come forward after the allegations made public in a bbc documentary yesterday. the legal team is now calling on the department stores new owners to help the survivors get justice. owners to help the survivors getjustice. they say owners to help the survivors get justice. they say staff members working for mohamed al fayed helped to enable and cover up his crimes. let's go straight to our correspondent,

she has been at today's press conference with those legal teams. it was a devastating news conference, in terms of content, wasn't it? it was, about 20 of the potential victims were in that building listening to their lawyers outlining the civil case that they are bringing forward against harrods for, and their words, failing to provide a safe system of work for their employees. they say that that is partly possible to bring forward because of the network of the bbc investigation has exposed. and the pattern that the bbc�*s investigation has revealed of sexual abuse and predatory behaviour by mohamed al fayed. evidence gathered showed that harrods not only felt in —— failed to intervene at the time, but. harris has said that

they are utterly appalled by these allegations and they apologise to the victims. they have set up their own process to settle these claims quickly so that the victims can avoid lengthy legal processes. but in terms of what was revealed at this press conference, the stakes are clear it when you listen to one of the victims who was sitting at that podium. we are going to hearfrom her shortly, shejoined harrods and she was only 19 years old, saying she had no idea she was entering the lions den. we also heard from gloria allred, us attorney who is representing victims who brought cases againstjeffrey epstein and harvey weinstein, she highlights the global nature of this story, given not only the fact that some of these cases happened in places like st. tropez and abu dhabi, paris, but also the fact that some of the women coming forward with their stories are also american and canadian, various nationalities are involved. take a listen to what she said.

there are certain themes that emerge — there are certain themes that emerge from the bbc documentary. most of the victims _ documentary. most of the victims were terrified and felt that they had no place to turn. they— that they had no place to turn. they felt — that they had no place to turn. they felt powerless and they feared — they felt powerless and they feared retaliation. their terror— feared retaliation. their terror was reinforced by threats, _ terror was reinforced by threats, surveillance, and phone _ threats, surveillance, and phone tapping. it is also apparent from the documentary that many of the women were vulnerable, and that mohamed al fayed _ vulnerable, and that mohamed al fayed took advantage of their vulnerability. he used his wealth. _ vulnerability. he used his wealth, and his power, to manipulate and control female victims — manipulate and control female victims for his sexual pleasure. another common theme was that— pleasure. another common theme was that mohamed al fayed's sexual— was that mohamed al fayed's sexual misconduct was constant and repetitive, and went on for

25 years — and repetitive, and went on for 25 years that he owned harrods. he was— 25 years that he owned harrods. he was the epitome of a serial sexual— he was the epitome of a serial sexual abuser. yet another theme _ sexual abuser. yet another theme was that mohamed al fayed's— theme was that mohamed al fayed's sexual abuse was not confined _ fayed's sexual abuse was not confined to the harrods store. for example, sexual abuse occurred _ for example, sexual abuse occurred at the ritz paris and in his— occurred at the ritz paris and in his residence in paris, which _ in his residence in paris, which was formerly the residents of the duke of windsor. he required some female _ windsor. he required some female employees to accompany him on _ female employees to accompany him on overnight trips to various— him on overnight trips to various locations. extensively for work. _ various locations. extensively forwork, but various locations. extensively for work, but actually, to facilitate his sexual exploitation of them. mohamed al fayed — exploitation of them. mohamed al fayed died last year at 94 years— al fayed died last year at 94 years old. he died without ever

taking — years old. he died without ever taking responsibility for what he did — taking responsibility for what he did to many of his victims. mohamed _ he did to many of his victims. mohamed al fayed was clever and highly— mohamed al fayed was clever and highly manipulative. _ mohamed al fayed was clever and highly manipulative. he _ mohamed al fayed was clever and highly manipulative. he behaved. highly manipulative. he behaved like a _ highly manipulative. he behaved like a father— highly manipulative. he behaved like a father figure, _ highly manipulative. he behaved like a father figure, often - like a father figure, often saying. _ like a father figure, often saying. call— like a father figure, often saying, call me _ like a father figure, often saying, call me papa. - like a father figure, often . saying, call me papa. often talking _ saying, call me papa. often talking about _ saying, call me papa. often talking about his _ saying, call me papa. often talking about his family - saying, call me papa. often talking about his family and j talking about his family and children— talking about his family and children as _ talking about his family and children as if _ talking about his family and children as if to _ talking about his family and children as if to make - talking about his family and children as if to make me . talking about his family and . children as if to make me feel safe _ children as if to make me feel safe around _ children as if to make me feel safe around him. _ children as if to make me feel safe around him. he - children as if to make me feel safe around him. he would i children as if to make me feell safe around him. he would ask kind _ safe around him. he would ask kind and — safe around him. he would ask kind and seemingly— safe around him. he would ask kind and seemingly caring - kind and seemingly caring questions _ kind and seemingly caring questions. he _ kind and seemingly caring questions. he offered - kind and seemingly caring i questions. he offered extra money— questions. he offered extra money for— questions. he offered extra money for gifts _ questions. he offered extra money for gifts to - questions. he offered extra money for gifts to take - questions. he offered extra i money for gifts to take home questions. he offered extra - money for gifts to take home to my parents. _ money for gifts to take home to my parents. or— money for gifts to take home to my parents, or to— money for gifts to take home to my parents, or to buy— money for gifts to take home to my parents, or to buy new- money for gifts to take home to my parents, or to buy new workj my parents, or to buy new work clothes — my parents, or to buy new work clothes it — my parents, or to buy new work clothes. it all— my parents, or to buy new work clothes. it all seemed - my parents, or to buy new work clothes. it all seemed entirely. clothes. it all seemed entirely innocent — clothes. it all seemed entirely innocent and _ clothes. it all seemed entirely innocent and normal- clothes. it all seemed entirely innocent and normal then, - clothes. it all seemed entirely innocent and normal then, a l innocent and normal then, a perk— innocent and normal then, a perk of— innocent and normal then, a perk of working _ innocent and normal then, a perk of working for- innocent and normal then, a perk of working for such - innocent and normal then, a perk of working for such a l perk of working for such a powerful _ perk of working for such a powerful man. _ perk of working for such a i powerful man. unbeknownst perk of working for such a - powerful man. unbeknownst to me, _ powerful man. unbeknownst to me. i_ powerful man. unbeknownst to me. i had — powerful man. unbeknownst to me, i had walked _ powerful man. unbeknownst to me, i had walked into- powerful man. unbeknownst to me, i had walked into a - powerful man. unbeknownst to me, i had walked into a line's i me, i had walked into a line's then, — me, i had walked into a line's then, a — me, i had walked into a line's then, a layer— me, i had walked into a line's then, a layer of— me, i had walked into a line's then, a layer of cover- me, i had walked into a line's then, a layer of cover ups, i then, a layer of cover ups, deceit, _ then, a layer of cover ups, deceit, lies, _ then, a layer of cover ups, | deceit, lies, manipulation, humiliation, _ deceit, lies, manipulation, humiliation, and _ deceit, lies, manipulation, humiliation, and gross- deceit, lies, manipulation, i humiliation, and gross sexual misconduct _ humiliation, and gross sexual misconduct. that _ humiliation, and gross sexual misconduct. that chairman i misconduct. that chairman prayed _ misconduct. that chairman preyed on— misconduct. that chairman prayed on the _ misconduct. that chairman preyed on the most - misconduct. that chairman - preyed on the most vulnerable, those _ preyed on the most vulnerable, those of— preyed on the most vulnerable, those of us _ preyed on the most vulnerable,

those of us who _ preyed on the most vulnerable, those of us who needed - preyed on the most vulnerable, those of us who needed to - preyed on the most vulnerable, those of us who needed to payl those of us who needed to pay the rent — those of us who needed to pay the rent and _ those of us who needed to pay the rent and some _ those of us who needed to pay the rent and some of- those of us who needed to pay the rent and some of us - those of us who needed to pay the rent and some of us who l those of us who needed to pay i the rent and some of us who did not have — the rent and some of us who did not have parents _ the rent and some of us who did not have parents to _ the rent and some of us who did not have parents to protect - not have parents to protect them. — not have parents to protect them. as — not have parents to protect them. as time _ not have parents to protect them. as time went - not have parents to protect them. as time went by, . not have parents to protect them. as time went by, i. them. as time went by, i noticed _ them. as time went by, i noticed more _ them. as time went by, i noticed more and - them. as time went by, i noticed more and more l them. as time went by, i. noticed more and more how strange _ noticed more and more how strange the _ noticed more and more how strange the office _ noticed more and more how. strange the office atmosphere was, _ strange the office atmosphere was there _ strange the office atmosphere was, there was— strange the office atmosphere was, there was no— strange the office atmosphere l was, there was no camaraderie, it felt— was, there was no camaraderie, it felt like — was, there was no camaraderie, it felt like a _ was, there was no camaraderie, it felt like a very _ was, there was no camaraderie, it felt like a very secretive - it felt like a very secretive atmosphere _ it felt like a very secretive atmosphere. the - it felt like a very secretive atmosphere. the other. it felt like a very secretive l atmosphere. the other girls used — atmosphere. the other girls used to— atmosphere. the other girls used to whisper— atmosphere. the other girls used to whisper to - atmosphere. the other girls used to whisper to each - atmosphere. the other girls. used to whisper to each other, but i _ used to whisper to each other, but i was — used to whisper to each other, but i was actively _ used to whisper to each other, but i was actively discouraged i but i was actively discouraged from — but i was actively discouraged from making _ but i was actively discouraged from making friends. - but i was actively discouraged from making friends. i- but i was actively discouraged from making friends. i did, i from making friends. i did, however. _ from making friends. i did, however, make _ from making friends. i did, however, make a - from making friends. i did, however, make a friend. i from making friends. i did, i however, make a friend. we from making friends. i did, - however, make a friend. we kept it very— however, make a friend. we kept it very secretive, _ however, make a friend. we kept it very secretive, catherine, - it very secretive, catherine, who — it very secretive, catherine, who sits _ it very secretive, catherine, who sits in _ it very secretive, catherine, who sits in front _ it very secretive, catherine, who sits in front of- it very secretive, catherine, who sits in front of me - it very secretive, catherine, i who sits in front of me today. from — who sits in front of me today. from my— who sits in front of me today. from my dream _ who sits in front of me today. from my dream job _ who sits in front of me today. from my dream job and - who sits in front of me today. from my dream job and my . who sits in front of me today. - from my dream job and my hopes then became _ from my dream job and my hopes then became my— from my dream job and my hopes then became my reality, - from my dream job and my hopesl then became my reality, mohamed al fayed, _ then became my reality, mohamed al fayed, a — then became my reality, mohamed al fayed, a sikh _ then became my reality, mohamed al fayed, a sikh predator, - al fayed, a sikh predator, lured _ al fayed, a sikh predator, lured me _ al fayed, a sikh predator, lured me and _ al fayed, a sikh predator, lured me and by- al fayed, a sikh predator, lured me and by using - al fayed, a sikh predator, lured me and by using the al fayed, a sikh predator, - lured me and by using the same modus — lured me and by using the same modus operandi _ lured me and by using the same modus operandi he _ lured me and by using the same modus operandi he used - lured me and by using the same modus operandi he used time . lured me and by using the same l modus operandi he used time and time _ modus operandi he used time and time again — modus operandi he used time and time again i_ modus operandi he used time and time again. i was _ modus operandi he used time and time again. i was subjected - time again. i was subjected to an unnecessary— time again. i was subjected to an unnecessary and _ time again. i was subjected to an unnecessary and obtrusive | an unnecessary and obtrusive medical— an unnecessary and obtrusive medical examination, - an unnecessary and obtrusive medical examination, i- an unnecessary and obtrusive medical examination, i was. medical examination, i was never— medical examination, i was never given— medical examination, i was never given those - medical examination, i was never given those results. i medical examination, i wasj never given those results. i was — never given those results. i was subjected _ never given those results. i was subjected to _ never given those results. i was subjected to aids - never given those results. i was subjected to aids and l never given those results. i. was subjected to aids and std testing — was subjected to aids and std testing without _ was subjected to aids and std testing without consent - was subjected to aids and std testing without consent and l was subjected to aids and std . testing without consent and now believe — testing without consent and now believe in — testing without consent and now believe in hindsight _ testing without consent and now believe in hindsight i _ testing without consent and now believe in hindsight i was - believe in hindsight i was checked _ believe in hindsight i was checked for— believe in hindsight i was checked for my— believe in hindsight i was checked for my purity. i believe in hindsight i wasl checked for my purity. we believe in hindsight i was -

checked for my purity. we would be checked for my purity. we would he sent — checked for my purity. we would he sent to — checked for my purity. we would be sent to see _ checked for my purity. we would be sent to see mohamed - checked for my purity. we would be sent to see mohamed al- checked for my purity. we would l be sent to see mohamed al fayed because _ be sent to see mohamed al fayed because he — be sent to see mohamed al fayed because he had _ be sent to see mohamed al fayed because he had a _ be sent to see mohamed al fayed because he had a job _ be sent to see mohamed al fayed because he had a job for- be sent to see mohamed al fayed because he had a job for us - be sent to see mohamed al fayed because he had a job for us to - because he had a job for us to do, _ because he had a job for us to do. it— because he had a job for us to do. it was— because he had a job for us to do, it was always _ because he had a job for us to do, it was always more - because he had a job for us to do, it was always more of - because he had a job for us to do, it was always more of a l do, it was always more of a friendly— do, it was always more of a friendly chat— do, it was always more of a friendly chat than _ do, it was always more of a friendly chat than actual - do, it was always more of a i friendly chat than actual work. but then — friendly chat than actual work. but then these _ friendly chat than actual work. but then these private - friendly chat than actual work. l but then these private meetings turned _ but then these private meetings turned into— but then these private meetings turned into more. _ but then these private meetings turned into more. so, _ but then these private meetings turned into more.— but then these private meetings turned into more. so, why speak now? turned into more. so, why speak new? for— turned into more. so, why speak new? forone. — turned into more. so, why speak now? for one, there _ turned into more. so, why speak now? for one, there is _ turned into more. so, why speak now? for one, there is power . turned into more. so, why speak now? for one, there is power in | now? for one, there is power in numbers. there is also the fact that mohamed al fayed is no longer alive, so some of the fear that these women have described is no longer necessary. but it is also the fact that as the woman we just heard they said, these women feel empowered. she said this is a time when women it no longerfear is a time when women it no longer fear that is a time when women it no longerfear that they are is a time when women it no longer fear that they are the underclass of the working world. . .. underclass of the working world. . ~' ,, , underclass of the working world. . ., , . world. thank you very much, more from — world. thank you very much, more from us _ world. thank you very much, more from us throughout - world. thank you very much, j more from us throughout the course of the programme. in terms of what so many of those women have said, that nondisclosure agreements were used to silence them, so here on the programme in the next few minutes we will speak to zell. perkins, she worked for harvey weinstein and had an nda against herfor almost a

quarter of a century. she set “p quarter of a century. she set up a campaigning group against an das, we will talk to her next. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news.

welcome back to bbc news, as promised, let's continue with that conversation. all the focus on those allegations around mohamed al fayed, the allegations have put that issue of nondisclosure agreements or nda back extensively into the spotlight. zelda perkins works for harvey weinstein and broke her nda. shejoins me at life now on the programme. thank you so much for being with us, for those who are not familiar with ndas, tell me first of all how restrictive it was the one that was placed on you, what were you able to say, what could you

not say? i you able to say, what could you not sa ? . . �* you able to say, what could you notsa ? �* . ., ., not say? i wasn't allowed to say anything. _ not say? i wasn't allowed to say anything. i _ not say? i wasn't allowed to say anything, i wasn't - not say? i wasn't allowed to say anything, i wasn't even | say anything, i wasn't even allowed to talk about my time at the company even though it was very clear that i had worked there for several years. i was not allowed to speak to the police, to the hmrc, to the tax office about my settlement money, i was not allowed to speak to a therapist or a doctor or a priest or my family orfriends. orthe doctor or a priest or my family or friends. or the employee who he had assaulted. most of those clauses are actually legally unenforceable, but we were never advised of that and we were held underfear of that agreement for 25 years. in fact, agreement for25 years. in fact, my agreement for 25 years. in fact, my colleague made to suicide attempts in that time because of the fear and pressure of that agreement. it is absolutely staggering when you go through the list of who you go through the list of who you could not consult, it is absolutely startling hearing you say that out loud. flan absolutely startling hearing you say that out loud. can you tell me what _ you say that out loud. can you tell me what that _ you say that out loud. can you tell me what that was - you say that out loud. can you tell me what that was like - you say that out loud. can you tell me what that was like in l tell me what that was like in terms of the additional strain

it put on you, quite apart from the original crime?— the original crime? apart from m own the original crime? apart from my own personal— the original crime? apart from my own personal experience, | my own personal experience, from the experience of women i have spoken to over the last five or six years since i broke my own nda, what is absolutely clear is that the process going through that legal waterboarding, which is the only way i can described it, being forced into a perfectly legitimate settlement where you are told that you won't receive the money unless you agree to full confidentiality, which takes away the possibility of you healing your trauma, of sharing with people that you need to share, with warnings of other women. which makes you them feel complicit in the continued crime of an alleged perpetrator or perpetrators. in fact, it has a much more seismic effect on your life once you have signed that agreement, because you are then

being daily abused by being silenced. it being daily abused by being silenced. . . being daily abused by being silenced. , , ., silenced. it is interesting to hear you — silenced. it is interesting to hear you say _ silenced. it is interesting to hear you say that, - silenced. it is interesting to hear you say that, it - silenced. it is interesting to j hear you say that, it echoes silenced. it is interesting to l hear you say that, it echoes it so much with what we have seen over the last 24 hours. the very fact that the bbc broadcast that documentary, since that documentary, more women have come forward. as you make the point, that ndas silence that exact process so more people cannot actually make public, which perhaps explains why things like this can go on for such a length of time. . , ., . time. can i tell you what the ke to time. can i tell you what the key to all— time. can i tell you what the key to all of— time. can i tell you what the key to all of this _ time. can i tell you what the key to all of this is? - time. can i tell you what the key to all of this is? and, i key to all of this is? and, listening to that press conference and to the lawyers saying that this is a systemic problem, there are certain themes arising, the biggest thing they are not acknowledging is that the legal sector is the one enabling these processes. if you look at these processes. if you look at the documentary and you read

that story, there were several moments over the last 15 or 20 years where this, where mohamed al fayed's crimes could have been stopped. a vanity fair article where they had all the information, they ended up signing and nda because they were under threat of a libel suit from mohamed al fayed. the cps dropped a charge, the other documentary, i think it was called star suckers, it was also stopped because of legal threat. lawyers and the legal sector have to take responsibility for enabling this system by agreeing to link money or confidentiality. ads, money or confidentiality. a brief final thought, i saw you last night on the bbc�*s news programme, the former deputy of the labour party was hopeful that this new government would legislate to restrict or ban the use of ndas. how hopeful are you of some sort of legal

change here?— are you of some sort of legal change here? i'm sitting on the fence. change here? i'm sitting on the fence- they _ change here? i'm sitting on the fence. they were _ change here? i'm sitting on the fence. they were very - change here? i'm sitting on the fence. they were very positive | fence. they were very positive but i have not heard anything since the election and i know they have got very full plates. but this is a small and free change that they can make to the law that would have huge effect on the entire workforce of this country, and where the ndas story broke seven years ago it is very sad that we are in a legislative position way behind the rest of the world now. ~ . ., . now. we have to leave it there, but we are _ now. we have to leave it there, but we are very _ now. we have to leave it there, but we are very grateful - now. we have to leave it there, but we are very grateful for - but we are very grateful for you taking the time to speak to us on today's programme, thank you so much. straight back to that breaking news from lebanon, three dead in the latest israeli strike with up to 17 people injured. straight to 17 people injured. straight to our middle east correspondent in beirut, hugo is close to the blast site. just tell us more, hugo. yes,

it is coming — just tell us more, hugo. yes, it is coming op _ just tell us more, hugo. yes, it is coming up to _ just tell us more, hugo. yes, it is coming up to half - just tell us more, hugo. yes, it is coming up to half past i it is coming up to half past five here in beirut, so we are here in the southern suburbs of beirut, which is a strong hold of hezbollah. we are not far from the location hit in this israeli air strike, it is a very tense situation. we cannot really move here because we have been told by hezbollah supporters and members that we need to stay here. but to my right, a few blocks from here, is the building where that, the building that was targeted in this israeli air strike. i'd happened at around four o'clock in the afternoon here, and you can see that this is densely populated area of beirut, so this happened in middle of the afternoon and now we know that there is a search operation. people are reported to be under the rubble. we can see that

there is some destruction there, at least one building thatis there, at least one building that is partially collapsed. at least the facade of the building has collapsed as a result of this air strike. now the lebanese authorities are saying that at least three people have been killed. the israeli military has confirmed that the target of this operation was senior hezbollah official. it is saying the israeli military is saying that this was a targeted operation, and now there is obviously a lot of tension here. this has been week in which hezbollah has suffered massive security blow, it seems that this another attack targeting key hezbollah figure here in beirut. . .. hezbollah figure here in beirut. . ~' , ., , hezbollah figure here in beirut. . ,, , . ., beirut. thank you very much for that latest _ beirut. thank you very much for that latest update, _ beirut. thank you very much for that latest update, as _ beirut. thank you very much for that latest update, as you - beirut. thank you very much for that latest update, as you can i that latest update, as you can see, things are very fluid on the ground again. the third day

in a row. more on this programme in a moment or two. hello, we have got a real mixture of weather across the uk this afternoon. we are seeing some thunderstorms across parts of southern england, a hailstorm here in east sussex. lots of sunshine across the northwest of the uk with barely any wind. a stunning scene here in the highlands. and then, we have got extensive low cloud still affecting some east and coastal counties of scotland and england. we should see the cloud break up with you this afternoon. it will probably loiter and lingerfor afternoon. it will probably loiter and linger for north east england and scotland with temperatures back at around 15 degrees, give or take. temperatures back at around 15 degrees, give ortake. most temperatures back at around 15 degrees, give or take. most of us will see some sunshine but some big stars affecting central and southern england, the southwest, the midlands and wales. some of those shares could be heavy enough to cause some localised surface water

flooding, but many areas will miss them altogether. through this evening and overnight a few more storms coming up from europe to affect southern areas of england and wales. away from that, dry, but the low cloud is likely to more extensive. temperatures in most areas around 11 or 13 degrees. tomorrow is a similar kind of looking day. watch out for showers and thunderstorms building across parts of england and wales, some quite intense, but hit or miss in nature. a cloudy start elsewhere but it will tend to thin and break up to give way to some sunshine, but it will probably stay rather cloudy again and parts of eastern scotland and perhaps the far northeast of england as well. through saturday night and into sunday, we are then going to see low pressure bring heavy, thundering rain across quite a large area of england and wales, some places could see a months worth of rainfall in the space of 24 hours. the threat of seeing some localised flooding is that much greater as we look into sunday. heavy downpour is quite widespread for england and wales, scotland and northern ireland and probably the far north of england look like they will

stay dry. we will have some