for the first time since 2019's devastating fire. hello and welcome to bbc news. mps are facing a momentous decision today, as they prepare to vote on a bill which would allow assisted dying in england and wales. if passed, it would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives, after the approval of two doctors and a high courtjudge. today's debate comes after a period of intense discussion, with strong opinions and emotions on both sides. mps have a free vote today, so for them it is a very personal decision. for new mps — and, remember, 335 out of the 650 members of parliament were elected for the first time injuly —

it's a particularly big moment. things will get going in the next half hour or so and the first mp to speak will be labour's kim leadbeater, who's leading the campaign for a change in the law. we'll be following the debate in the house of commons throughout the day, but first our political correspondent, harry farley, has the details on what is being proposed_ nearly a decade on from mps�* last vote on assisted dying, today will be historic, whatever the result. the proposed changes are being made by this labour politician. kim leadbeater came top in a lottery of mps who get to suggest a new law that parliament then debates. if it passes, this law would apply to adults with a terminal illness, judged to have less than six months to live. they must have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish to end their own life, free from coercion or pressure. two doctors must sign that all those safeguards have been met, and a judge must give final approval. a doctor can prepare

the substance to end the life, but the person must self—administer it. as the arguments have taken shape, prominent figures have taken sides. former prime minister gordon brown said it would alter society's attitude towards the elderly and disabled. david cameron has changed his mind and supports the bill. he argued it would achieve a meaningful reduction in human suffering. what i cannot accept is the status quo, and i've heard many stories in the last few months of people coming up to me, with painful deaths, horrible deaths, people who have taken days, hours to die, and loved ones who have got the trauma, not only of their loss, but of that horrible death. and that is something that has to change. my father was technically expected to die. he was in intensive care for over three months. he miraculously made it through because the doctors did everything they could to save him. and he lived

for another 20 years. so, you know, that was an incredible blessing. he saw his grandchildren grow up. in my experience of life, and some of the other constituents who've written to me, we can't predict with certainty when that moment is going to come. and, so, i think we should be asking our medical profession and our doctors to focus on finding the cures, focus on keeping people alive, and not on allowing their patients to kill themselves. mps will begin debating just after 9.30 this morning. both sides acknowledge this is a major social change, and we can expect passionate arguments both for and against this law. the vote is expected around 2.30 this afternoon. but today is just the first stage. if it passes, the bill will go through further scrutiny and many more hurdles in parliament before it could become law. harry farley, bbc news, in westminster. let's speak to my colleague karin giannone, who's on college green next

to the houses of parliament. set the scene for us. supporters and opponents of this bull market are preparing to make their voices heard today. —— this bill. to make their voices heard today. -- this bill. starting today. -- this bill. starting to gather. _ today. -- this bill. starting to gather, lots _ today. -- this bill. starting to gather, lots of _ today. -- this bill. starting to gather, lots of people i to gather, lots of people starting to gather strong feelings on both sides. people have been gathering for the last half an hour. the debate is coming at 9:30am, there will be five hours set aside for it, and then potentially devote. joining me here outside parliament is liz carr, activist and actor. tell us what you are here and why you feel so strongly about this. so many disabled people, not all of us, — many disabled people, not all of us, so _ many disabled people, not all of us, so many are terrified of a law— of us, so many are terrified of a law like _ of us, so many are terrified of a law like this is becoming legalised. we do not feel we have — legalised. we do not feel we have choice in life and a choice _ have choice in life and a choice over death, we don't

have — choice over death, we don't have the _ choice over death, we don't have the end of life care, whatever party we are from the leave _ whatever party we are from the leave the — whatever party we are from the leave the nhs are in crisis. why— leave the nhs are in crisis. why are _ leave the nhs are in crisis. why are we not giving everybody a good _ why are we not giving everybody a good death? why are we talking _ a good death? why are we talking about this first? when there — talking about this first? when there are _ talking about this first? when there are so many other things we need — there are so many other things we need to sort first.— we need to sort first. your organisation _ we need to sort first. your organisation not - we need to sort first. your organisation not dead - we need to sort first. your organisation not dead yetj we need to sort first. your. organisation not dead yet is chanting, assist us to live not to die. should there be better palliative care but also a choice on behalf of the individual to decide for themselves? ~ , themselves? absolutely, the choice argument... _ themselves? absolutely, the choice argument... i- themselves? absolutely, the choice argument... i want. choice argument... i want controt— choice argument... i want control in_ choice argument... i want control in my life, i understand that, but unfettered personal— understand that, but unfettered personal freedom, understand that, but unfettered personalfreedom, individual choice. — personalfreedom, individual choice, that is one thing, but when — choice, that is one thing, but when there is a potential impact _ when there is a potential impact on everyone else, so a law that — impact on everyone else, so a law that would allow a change so that — law that would allow a change so that doctors can give lethal medication to somebody to help them _ medication to somebody to help them end their life, a massive morai— them end their life, a massive moral and _ them end their life, a massive moral and medical change, them end their life, a massive moraland medical change, legal moral and medical change, legal change —

moraland medical change, legal change. we feel once it has been — change. we feel once it has been crossed, there is no going back, _ been crossed, there is no going back, and — been crossed, there is no going back, and that is when you 90m — back, and that is when you go... individual choice versus the protection and what is best for everyone. as well as looking _ for everyone. as well as looking at what the benefits of the biii— looking at what the benefits of the bill are, what are the potential harms? that is what we are — potential harms? that is what we are concerned about. he believed _ we are concerned about. he believed the _ we are concerned about. he: believed the syntax everybody else, even if it is an individual choice, what do you mean by that —— you mentioned you believe it affects everybody else. you believe it affects eve bod else. , ., everybody else. these laws are about everyone. _ everybody else. these laws are about everyone. they - everybody else. these laws are about everyone. they are - everybody else. these laws are | about everyone. they are about dying _ about everyone. they are about dying people. let say it is just— dying people. let say it is just for— dying people. let say it is just for dying people, are we bringing _ just for dying people, are we bringing people the right support at the end of their life so_ support at the end of their life so it _ support at the end of their life so it is an informed choice? _ life so it is an informed choice? is there a sense of, i haven't— choice? is there a sense of, i haven't got— choice? is there a sense of, i haven't got that, the pain control, _ haven't got that, the pain control, the support at home, the commode, walking frame, all of those — the commode, walking frame, all of those things that would make my life — of those things that would make my life better, i don't want to be a _ my life better, i don't want to be a burden on my family, so we are worried — be a burden on my family, so we are worried about marginalised and vulnerable people feeling a

pressure, a coercion, that they have _ pressure, a coercion, that they have no— pressure, a coercion, that they have no choice. 0n pressure, a coercion, that they have no choice. on top of that, ithink— have no choice. on top of that, i think there are so few choices— i think there are so few choices with medical options at the end — choices with medical options at the end of life, choice isn't a choice — the end of life, choice isn't a choice when you have no choice aiready~ — choice when you have no choice already. that is where we are today — already. that is where we are toda . , , , already. that is where we are toda. , , today. the supporters of this bill, kim leadbeater, - today. the supporters of this | bill, kim leadbeater, believes there are enough safeguards are written into the proposed legislation to assuage all of the worries you have spoken about. how do you respond? she would say — about. how do you respond? she would say that. _ about. how do you respond? she would say that. i _ about. how do you respond? she would say that. i am also not sure — would say that. i am also not sure how _ would say that. i am also not sure how strong a safeguard can be when — sure how strong a safeguard can be when there are groups of people — be when there are groups of people who are already devalued and there is such inequality in health— and there is such inequality in health care. we are not starting _ health care. we are not starting from an equal playing field — starting from an equal playing field. what i mean by that is what — field. what i mean by that is what we _ field. what i mean by that is what we saw particularly during some _ what we saw particularly during some of— what we saw particularly during some of the worst of covid, let's— some of the worst of covid, let's talk— some of the worst of covid, let's talk about that. we saw blanket — let's talk about that. we saw blanket dnr being placed on

certain— blanket dnr being placed on certain groups of people, do not resuscitate. people with learning _ not resuscitate. people with learning difficulties, all the people _ learning difficulties, all the people in care homes. rationing decisions — people in care homes. rationing decisions being made about who to treat — decisions being made about who to treat. how can a safeguard much, karin giannone. much more from there th can hout by the — much, karin giannone. much more from there th can a >ut much, karin giannone. much more from there th can a safeguard to treat. how can a safeguard by the — to treat. how can a safeguard by the medical profession to treat. how can a safeguard by the medical profession behind _ behind _ by the medical profession behind closed doors be that by the medical profession behind closed doors be that safe? — behind closed doors be that safe? that is the question, how safe? — behind closed doors be that safe? that is the question, how safe _ safe? that is the question, how safe is— safe? that is the question, how safe is it — safe? that is the question, how safe is it safe enough for us safe _ safe? that is the question, how safe is— safe? that is the question, how safe is it — safe? that is the question, how safe is it safe enough for us as a — as a — safe is it safe enough for us as a society? are there risks? safe is it safe enough for us as a society? are there risks? could — could — as a society? are there risks? could one _ as a society? are there risks? could one life be lost through as a society? are there risks? could one _ as a society? are there risks? could one life be lost through coercion. _ could one life be lost through coercion, pressure, abuse? if coercion. _ could one life be lost through coercion, pressure, abuse? if it can, _ it can, _ coercion, pressure, abuse? if it can, are— coercion, pressure, abuse? if it can, are we happy with that coercion, pressure, abuse? if it can, are— coercion, pressure, abuse? if it can, are we happy with that as a _ it can, are we happy with that as a society? liz as a _ it can, are we happy with that as a society? liz it can, are we happy with that as a society?— it can, are we happy with that as a society?— as a society? liz carr, thank ou as a society? liz carr, thank you very _ as a society? liz carr, thank ou as a society? liz carr, thank you very _ as a society? liz carr, thank you very much- _ as a society? liz carr, thank you very much. anita, - as a society? liz carr, thank as a society? liz carr, thank you very much- _ as a society? liz carr, thank you very much. anita, - as a society? liz carr, thank you very much. anita, just l as a society? liz carr, thank i you very much. anita, just over 20 minutes until the debate you very much. anita, just l as a society? liz carr, thank i you very much. anita, just over 20 minutes until the debate gets under way, so many mps gets under way, so many mps want to speak, around 170 are want to speak, around 170 are hoping to be able to take part hoping to be able to take part in the debate. it is limited to in the debate. it is limited to five hours. and then a vote five hours. and then a vote will happen at around 2:30pm. will happen at around 2:30pm. we will continue to bring the we will continue to bring the reaction from here outside reaction from here outside parliament.— parliament.— reaction from here outside parliament. thank you very much, karin _ reaction from here outside

parliament. thank you very much, karin giannone. - parliament. thank you very l much, karin giannone. much parliament. thank you very - much, karin giannone. much more from there throughout parliament. his lawyers strongly deny that he engages in behaviour

of a sexually harassing nature. our culture reporter our culture reporter noor nanji has the story. noor nanji has the story. gregg wallace, one of britain's gregg wallace, one of britain's most recognisable tv hosts. most recognisable tv hosts. right, chefs, you've right, chefs, you've got a job to do you. got a job to do you. and last night he and last night he appeared on bbc one. appeared on bbc one. one of you will be one of you will be leaving the competition. leaving the competition. but that appears to but that appears to be wallace himself. be wallace himself. he will stop presenting he will stop presenting masterchef pending masterchef pending an investigation, after bbc an investigation, after bbc news heard allegations against news heard allegations against him of inappropriate sexual him of inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate comments and inappropriate behaviour across behaviour across a 17—year period. was so inappropriate. a 17—year period. stop. stop. time's up. time's up. the veteran tv presenter the veteran tv presenter kirsty wark was a contestant kirsty wark was a contestant on celebrity masterchef on celebrity masterchef in 2011. in 2011. two occasions in particular, two occasions in particular, where he used sexualised where he used sexualised language in front of a number language in front of a number of people, and it wasn't of people, and it wasn't as if anyone engaged with this. as if anyone engaged with this. it was completely one—way it was completely one—way traffic, but i think traffic, but i think people were uncomfortable. people were uncomfortable. i was actually more angry i was actually more angry

than anything else, than anything else, because i thought it because i thought it was so inappropriate. and in a sense what i thought was that it was more about power than anything else, that he felt he could. get yourself organised, and no—one's been late yet. 0k. all right, don't buck the trend. right. kirsty wark is one of 13 people making claims about gregg wallace's behaviour. many are young freelancers. allegations we've heard include gregg wallace talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker, telling her he wanted to give her a fashion show, and telling a junior female colleague that he wasn't wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans. the smiling cook, gregg wallace! i in 2018, a formal complaint was raised about him on the game show impossible celebrities. an hr investigation took place. in the outcome letter, which we have seen, the bbc concluded that many aspects of wallace's behaviour were both unacceptable

and unprofessional. wallace apologised. allegations of further incidents have since emerged. claire, not her real name, worked on masterchef between 2018 and 2020. he would ask us for a massage if his back hurt. it was always staring straight at your chest, even if you weren't wearing anything revealing. it was more in a sort of, "i'm doing this to let "you know i can do this." one of the biggest trade unions say they have been aware of a number of allegations against him. well, i'd like to say that i'm surprised by these reports. i guess my reaction is, it was a matter of when, not if, these stories started to emerge. on tuesday, we put the allegations to gregg wallace's representatives. yesterday, it was confirmed that he is to step away from presenting masterchef. wallace's lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature,

and claimed the bbc probe in 2018 found his behaviour

and most important cathedrals. since then, a team of highly skilled stonemasons, carpenters and other trades have been refurbishing and rebuilding the cathedral�*s iconic features. this is a new spire, ready once more to dominate the city skyline. and from the ashes, a new notre—dame has emerged. those behind the building work say it's now a modern space, ready to welcome visitors for centuries to come. first to see the renovated cathedral will be president macron, who will visit later, as he has done many times before during this mammoth restoration. today, he will thank the men and women who have put so much into restoring part of france's history that many thought had disappeared forever. thomas magill, bbc news.

let us return to the main story today, mps at westminster preparing to vote on a bill which if passed would legalise assisted dying in england and wales. let us go to our political correspondent helen catt at westminster. we know many mps as they go into the debate still haven't made up their minds about how to vote. absolutely. this is a big decision. this morning as the morning when they will have to decide. many mps know exactly how they will vote later today, many have said they are pro, many have said they are pro, many have said they are against it, but it will be the dozens of mps who have not yet decided who will make the difference between this passing or failing. i have an mp with me now, joe robertson, conservative mp for isle of wight east, newly elected, big moment today in parliament. why haven't you made up your mind yet? it haven't you made up your mind et? , ., ., haven't you made up your mind et? ,., ., ., , yet? it is one of those votes that is really _ yet? it is one of those votes that is really about -

yet? it is one of those votes that is really about how- yet? it is one of those votes that is really about how we. that is really about how we feel— that is really about how we feel as _ that is really about how we feel as human beings, what comes— feel as human beings, what comes to _ feel as human beings, what comes to the very core of who we are — comes to the very core of who we are as _ comes to the very core of who we are as a _ comes to the very core of who we are as a society, and i have received — we are as a society, and i have received a _ we are as a society, and i have received a lot of correspondence, very powerful and emotive testimony as well, on both— and emotive testimony as well, on both sides of the argument. for me. — on both sides of the argument. for me. it— on both sides of the argument. for me, it is a very difficult issue — for me, it is a very difficult issue i_ for me, it is a very difficult issue i have been grappling with — issue i have been grappling with. the whole point of the debate _ with. the whole point of the debate today is that at least some — debate today is that at least some mps go into the chamber undecided and make up their mind— undecided and make up their mind based on the debate in front— mind based on the debate in front of— mind based on the debate in front of them. if every mp was decided — front of them. if every mp was decided, there wouldn't be much point _ decided, there wouldn't be much point in — decided, there wouldn't be much point in a — decided, there wouldn't be much point in a debate that we are about— point in a debate that we are about to _ point in a debate that we are about to see. it point in a debate that we are about to see.— about to see. it is going to really matter. _ about to see. it is going to really matter. for- about to see. it is going to really matter. for you, - about to see. it is going to i really matter. for you, what about to see. it is going to - really matter. for you, what do you need to hear in the debate to sway you, what are you looking to here?— to sway you, what are you looking to here? for me, i am broadly supportive _ looking to here? for me, i am broadly supportive of - looking to here? for me, i am broadly supportive of finding l looking to here? for me, i am broadly supportive of finding a future — broadly supportive of finding a future where people can have the choice to end their lives early— the choice to end their lives early when they are in severe pain— early when they are in severe painand— early when they are in severe pain and suffering and they will die _ pain and suffering and they will die soon within six

months. if that is administered personally by themselves, like this bill— personally by themselves, like this bill envisages, that is the — this bill envisages, that is the sort _ this bill envisages, that is the sort of law i would like to see — the sort of law i would like to see all— the sort of law i would like to see. all sorts of difficulties with— see. all sorts of difficulties with this particular bill in front— with this particular bill in front of— with this particular bill in front of us, it is very short, and — front of us, it is very short, and has _ front of us, it is very short, and has not come from the government and therefore it does — government and therefore it does not _ government and therefore it does not have the impact assessments around it. i am really— assessments around it. i am really concerned about unintended consequences. if you -ive unintended consequences. if you give someone a choice to end their— give someone a choice to end their life. _ give someone a choice to end theirlife, in give someone a choice to end their life, in return you are also — their life, in return you are also giving everyone a choice not to — also giving everyone a choice not to end their life. it leads to a — not to end their life. it leads to a societal change we do not fully— to a societal change we do not fully understand at this point. what — fully understand at this point. what would you say to those who say, today's debate is about the principle of this, if you back the principal assisted dying should be available, you should back this and more of the detail will be worked out, the detail will be worked out, the bill can be changed if it goes forward? it the bill can be changed if it goes forward?— the bill can be changed if it goes forward? it is a powerful argument _ goes forward? it is a powerful argument being _ goes forward? it is a powerful argument being made, - goes forward? it is a powerful argument being made, there | goes forward? it is a powerful i argument being made, there are other— argument being made, there are other stages and argument being ma