next it's newsnight.

the anti—corruption minister resigns, even though she didn't break the ministerial code. so what did she do wrong? and should the prime minister have appointed her in the first place? and after the oldest victim of the post office horizon scandal appeared on newsnight last night, 92—year—old betty brown was invited to westminster today to meet the post office minister. here's what she said to us after. hopeful, at last, hopeful, that yes, we will see movement on this and progress will be made.

welcome to newsnight, live from broadcasting house each weeknight with insights and interviews. on tonight's programme — the us secretary of state, anthony blinken, says we're on the brink of a ceasefire between hamas and israel — we'll bring you the latest. first, nick's here, because the anti—corruption minister tulip siddiq, who's been named in corruption investigations in bangladesh, has resigned today. this has been rumbling on for some days — why did she resign, nick? that's right. brewing for a few weeks after it became clear that tulip siddiq would be facing questions in bangladesh over her family's financial interests after the downfall of her aunt, is premised of bangladesh, sheikh hasina. the resignation today is all down to the findings of laurie

magnus, the independent adviser on ministerial standards. he looked at two broad areas, firstly properties gifted to tulip siddiq and her sister buy, it was reported, allies of her aunt. and secondly tulip siddiq's links to her prime minister aunt, there was a famous visit to moscow alongside vladimir putin back in 2013 before she was elected to parliament. crucially, laurie magnus found no wrongdoing by tulip siddiq, he actually said her financial assets derived from legitimate means. but if you look at the letter to the prime ministerfrom laurie magnus, we can see that tulip siddiq ran into trouble in a key part of the ministerial code, which calls on ministers to ensure there is no conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest between their public duties in the private interests. let'sjust public duties in the private interests. let's just look at the final part of that letter, he talked about how it is regrettable that

tulip siddiq was not more alert to the potential reputational risks, both to her and the government, rising for her close family association with bangladesh. naturally, tulip siddiq wrote a letter of resignation to the prime minister and you would expect her to pick up on the positive. she said sir laurie has confirmed i have not breached the ministerial code, you then get a letter in response from then get a letter in response from the prime minister to the departing minister. an keir starmer is very close ally of tulip and talks about how she made a difficult decision, and he said he wants to be clear that the door remains open going forward. ., ., ., , .,, forward. so, what are labour people sa in: forward. so, what are labour people saying behind about _ forward. so, what are labour people saying behind about this? _ forward. so, what are labour people saying behind about this? it is - saying behind about this? it is interesting. — saying behind about this? it is interesting, often _ saying behind about this? it 3 interesting, often minister resigns, the whips tell them to take a bit of a break but tulip siddiq was a few hours ago voting in parliament, supported by ministerial friends. hours ago voting in parliament, supported by ministerialfriends. so supported by ministerialfriends. so support for her and showing that she

hopes to have a return. but some colleagues think this has been great for us to one of her colleagues, talked about how this didn't pass the stick test. it was obvious that this was going to happen. —— a distinct test. one lawyer talking about this perceived conflict of interest saying that you could see all of this from outer space. others wondering, we have had all the pressure on the chancellor and everything, that this government seems to be struggling. struggling to find its footing at the moment. with us now, labour mp for bolsover, natalie fleet, and conservative mp for isle of wight east, joe robertson. welcome to newsnight, both of you. natalie, keir starmer regularly criticised the last government over behaviour and ethics. do you think he gets this tulip siddiq case looks to some voters? i he gets this tulip siddiq case looks to some voters?— to some voters? i am thrilled that we are upholding the _ to some voters? i am thrilled that i we are upholding the standards and that we _ we are upholding the standards and that we are very different to the last government. you've got them

doing _ last government. you've got them doing things like bullying staff. instead she finds that she isn't doing — instead she finds that she isn't doing anything wrong, that's what the independent inquiry says. however. _ the independent inquiry says. however, she thinks that delivery, which _ however, she thinks that delivery, which is so — however, she thinks that delivery, which is so important, anything which she — which is so important, anything which she could do is a distraction to that, _ which she could do is a distraction to that, so she says, ok, i'm going to that, so she says, ok, i'm going to walk away— to that, so she says, ok, i'm going to walk away because i understand how important delivering this labour government is. but how important delivering this labour government is-_ government is. but she had these preperties and — government is. but she had these properties and according - government is. but she had these properties and according to sir- properties and according to sir laurie magnus, she didn't seem to know where they came from. i'm quitting from his letter, she was unaware of the origins of her ownership of a fat —— off—cut in kings cross. can you imagine king's cross. can you imagine anyone not knowing where the flat that they lived and came from?— lived and came from? ultimately there has been _ lived and came from? ultimately there has been an _ there has been an independent inquiry— there has been an independent inquiry which said she didn't do anything wrong. we are getting on with delivering. she doesn't want anything — with delivering. she doesn't want anything she's doing to be a distraction.— anything she's doing to be a distraction. how do you think it looks, distraction. how do you think it looks. how _ distraction. how do you think it looks. how do _ distraction. how do you think it looks, how do you think - distraction. how do you think it. looks, how do you think it smells? distraction. how do you think it - looks, how do you think it smells? i think what we had now is, this isn't the first resignation, we have had resignations where people feel that

anything might distract from delivering. being in opposition is a lot easier by being in government means_ lot easier by being in government means that we can deliver all the things— means that we can deliver all the things that are really important, 54% of— things that are really important, 54% of kids in my constituency are in relative — 54% of kids in my constituency are in relative poverty. we can make sure _ in relative poverty. we can make sure they — in relative poverty. we can make sure they are fed before they go to schoot _ sure they are fed before they go to schoot it _ sure they are fed before they go to schoot it is— sure they are fed before they go to school. it is tough being in government and its very tough after 15 years of— government and its very tough after 15 years of neglect, but it is worth it, 15 years of neglect, but it is worth it. and we — 15 years of neglect, but it is worth it, and we are delivering. that's what _ it, and we are delivering. that's what the — it, and we are delivering. that's what the public will see. you mentioned — what the public will see. gm. mentioned another resignation. louise haigh was forced to resign as transport secretary when a spent conviction which keir starmer knew about was revealed byjournalist. similarly, keir starmer knew about tulip siddiq's from the links and private interests and now she has gone. what does it say about keir starmer�*sjudgment gone. what does it say about keir starmer�*s judgment that he appointed them both and neither are still in post? it them both and neither are still in ost? , , them both and neither are still in ost? , ., them both and neither are still in ost? ., �*, them both and neither are still in ost? , ., �*, ._ post? it says that he's really good at ruthlessly delivering _ post? it says that he's really good at ruthlessly delivering in - post? it says that he's really good at ruthlessly delivering in the - at ruthlessly delivering in the hationai— at ruthlessly delivering in the national interests and not in the

partym — national interests and not in the -a ~ ., national interests and not in the party... what does it say about his 'udument party... what does it say about his judgment when he _ party... what does it say about his judgment when he still put - party... what does it say about his judgment when he still put them l party... what does it say about his| judgment when he still put them in his cabinet?— his cabinet? louise in post absolutely _ his cabinet? louise in post absolutely delivered, - absolutely delivered, renationalising the railway footer when it— renationalising the railway footer when it came out, he said there was further— when it came out, he said there was further information, he took that decision — further information, he took that decision... sheet of that decision to resign — decision... sheet of that decision to resign. it was the right thing to do -- _ to resign. it was the right thing to do -- she — to resign. it was the right thing to do. —— she took that decision. she has a fantastic feature in this government. joe has a fantastic feature in this government-— has a fantastic feature in this government. joe robertson, is it tric for government. joe robertson, is it tricky for the _ government. joe robertson, is it tricky for the conservatives - government. joe robertson, is it tricky for the conservatives to i government. joe robertson, is it i tricky for the conservatives to take the moral high ground on this after the chris pincher affair, partygate, gambling on the date of the general election day before rishi sunak announced it? i election day before rishi sunak announced it?— announced it? i don't think it is about the _ announced it? i don't think it is about the conservatives taking | announced it? i don't think it is i about the conservatives taking the moral_ about the conservatives taking the moral high ground. _ about the conservatives taking the moral high ground. we _ about the conservatives taking the moral high ground. we have a - about the conservatives taking the . moral high ground. we have a prime minister— moral high ground. we have a prime minister who— moral high ground. we have a prime minister who has— moral high ground. we have a prime minister who has a terrible _ moral high ground. we have a prime minister who has a terrible lack- minister who has a terrible lack of judgment — minister who has a terrible lack of judgment as— minister who has a terrible lack of judgment as you _ minister who has a terrible lack of judgment as you have _ minister who has a terrible lack of judgment as you have just said, . judgment as you have just said, he appointed — judgment as you have just said, he appointed somebody with - judgment as you have just said, he appointed somebody with a - judgment as you have just said, he appointed somebody with a fraud i appointed somebody with a fraud conviction— appointed somebody with a fraud conviction to _ appointed somebody with a fraud conviction to his cabinet - appointed somebody with a fraud conviction to his cabinet back in i conviction to his cabinet back in july and — conviction to his cabinet back in july and he _ conviction to his cabinet back in july and he has _ conviction to his cabinet back in july and he has hung _ conviction to his cabinet back in july and he has hung on - conviction to his cabinet back inj july and he has hung on to tulip siddiq _ july and he has hung on to tulip siddiq for— july and he has hung on to tulip siddiq for far too— july and he has hung on to tulip siddiq for far too long. - july and he has hung on to tulip siddiq for far too long. these i july and he has hung on to tulipl siddiq for far too long. these are new revelation—

siddiq for far too long. these are new revelation today _ siddiq for far too long. these are new revelation today —— - siddiq for far too long. these are i new revelation today —— these are not new _ new revelation today —— these are not new revelations _ new revelation today —— these are not new revelations today. - new revelation today —— these are not new revelations today. she i new revelation today —— these are. not new revelations today. she was named _ not new revelations today. she was named in _ not new revelations today. she was named in those papers— not new revelations today. she was named in those papers weeks - not new revelations today. she was named in those papers weeks ago. | not new revelations today. she was - named in those papers weeks ago. and he hung onto— named in those papers weeks ago. and he hung onto her~ _ named in those papers weeks ago. and he hung onto her. your— he hung onto her. your current shadow foreign secretary - he hung onto her. your current shadow foreign secretary priti| he hung onto her. your current - shadow foreign secretary priti patel was found to have broken the ministerial code when she was in government over bullying claims, yet she didn't resign. jitter government over bullying claims, yet she didn't resign.— she didn't resign. nor was she sacked. she didn't resign. nor was she sacked- if— she didn't resign. nor was she sacked. if the labour - she didn't resign. nor was she i sacked. if the labour defence of she didn't resign. nor was she - sacked. if the labour defence of all this is that — sacked. if the labour defence of all this is that we _ sacked. if the labour defence of all this is that we are _ sacked. if the labour defence of all this is that we are just _ sacked. if the labour defence of all this is that we are just the same i this is that we are just the same as the last— this is that we are just the same asi the last conservative government... am asking _ the last conservative government... am asking about your— the last conservative government... am asking about your position - the last conservative government... am asking about your position and i the last conservative government... | am asking about your position and if it is a bit pot, kettle and black. we have a role now in opposition. the voters — we have a role now in opposition. the voters delivered their - we have a role now in opposition. the voters delivered their verdictl the voters delivered their verdict on the _ the voters delivered their verdict on the conservatives _ the voters delivered their verdict on the conservatives at - the voters delivered their verdict on the conservatives at the - on the conservatives at the election and we are — on the conservatives at the election and we are no— on the conservatives at the election and we are no longer— on the conservatives at the election and we are no longer in power. - on the conservatives at the election and we are no longer in power. it i on the conservatives at the election and we are no longer in power. it is| and we are no longer in power. it is ourjoh to _ and we are no longer in power. it is ourjob to hold the _ and we are no longer in power. it is ourjob to hold the government - and we are no longer in power. it is ourjob to hold the government to i ourjob to hold the government to account— ourjob to hold the government to account on— ourjob to hold the government to account on this _ ourjob to hold the government to account on this minister has - ourjob to hold the government to account on this minister has a - ourjob to hold the government to| account on this minister has a very bad lack of— account on this minister has a very bad lack ofjudgment. _ account on this minister has a very bad lack ofjudgment. even - account on this minister has a very l bad lack ofjudgment. even now he's trying _ bad lack ofjudgment. even now he's trying to— bad lack ofjudgment. even now he's trying to minimise _ bad lack ofjudgment. even now he's trying to minimise it, _ bad lack ofjudgment. even now he's trying to minimise it, he is— trying to minimise it, he is very sad that— trying to minimise it, he is very sad that she's _ trying to minimise it, he is very sad that she's gone, _ trying to minimise it, he is veryl sad that she's gone, and people like natalie _ sad that she's gone, and people like natalie have to _ sad that she's gone, and people like natalie have to come _ sad that she's gone, and people like natalie have to come on _ sad that she's gone, and people like natalie have to come on the - natalie have to come on the television _ natalie have to come on the television and _ natalie have to come on the television and defend - natalie have to come on the television and defend the i natalie have to come on the. television and defend the bad decisions _ television and defend the bad decisions lry— television and defend the bad decisions by her— television and defend the bad decisions by her party leader. television and defend the bad - decisions by her party leader. find decisions by her party leader. and priti patel not _

decisions by her party leader. 2;in priti patel not resigning over bullying claims she was found to have breached the ministerial code, not being sacked by the prime minister at the time? that seems a world away now. — minister at the time? that seems a world away now, doesn't it? - world away now, doesn't it? the public _ world away now, doesn't it? the public delivered _ world away now, doesn't it? the public delivered their— world away now, doesn't it? the public delivered their verdict onl public delivered their verdict on the previous— the previous conservative government _ the previous conservative government.— the previous conservative rovernment. . ., ., ., , government. natalie, do you worry that it feels a _ government. natalie, do you worry that it feels a bit _ government. natalie, do you worry that it feels a bit like _ government. natalie, do you worry that it feels a bit like labour - that it feels a bit like labour might be stuck in a rat right now? i don't. i am might be stuck in a rat right now? i don't. lam really might be stuck in a rat right now? i don't. i am really glad that we are deliverihg~ — don't. i am really glad that we are delivering. —— stuck in a rut. if you _ delivering. —— stuck in a rut. if you look— delivering. —— stuck in a rut. if you look at— delivering. —— stuck in a rut. if you look at how bad her inheritance was~ _ you look at how bad her inheritance was~ there — you look at how bad her inheritance was. there was no way you that wasn't — was. there was no way you that wasn't broken and voters kept telling — wasn't broken and voters kept telling me, you're all the same little _ telling me, you're all the same little beyond repair, and it isn't, we are _ little beyond repair, and it isn't, we are delivering on the nhs, and making _ we are delivering on the nhs, and making sure kids are fed before they -o to making sure kids are fed before they go to school, making sure people have better rights when they go to work. just— have better rights when they go to work, just today we had the renters bill. work, just today we had the renters bill things — work, just today we had the renters bill. things are getting better and that's— bill. things are getting better and that's what people willjudge us on at the _ that's what people willjudge us on at the end of the term. is that fair, at the end of the term. is that fair. things — at the end of the term. is that fair, things are _ at the end of the term. is that fair, things are getting - at the end of the term. is that fair, things are getting better| at the end of the term. is that. fair, things are getting better and that's how voters willjudge them? i

don't think they are getting better at all. _ don't think they are getting better at all, not least _ don't think they are getting better at all, not least on the _ don't think they are getting better at all, not least on the economy. don't think they are getting better. at all, not least on the economy and the prime _ at all, not least on the economy and the prime minister's _ at all, not least on the economy and the prime minister'sjudgment - at all, not least on the economy and the prime minister'sjudgment on i the prime minister'sjudgment on tulip siddiq — the prime minister'sjudgment on tulip siddiq i_ the prime minister'sjudgment on tulip siddiq i strongly— the prime minister'sjudgment on tulip siddiq i strongly suspect - tulip siddiq i strongly suspect will be something else _ tulip siddiq i strongly suspect will be something else around the - tulip siddiq i strongly suspect will- be something else around the corner. it's be something else around the corner. it's one thing — be something else around the corner. it's one thing after— be something else around the corner. it's one thing after the _ be something else around the corner. it's one thing after the other. - be something else around the corner. it's one thing after the other. the - it's one thing after the other. the last six— it's one thing after the other. the last six months, we _ it's one thing after the other. the last six months, we have - it's one thing after the other. the last six months, we have a - it's one thing after the other. thel last six months, we have a labour government— last six months, we have a labour government with _ last six months, we have a labour government with a large - last six months, we have a labour government with a large majority, albeit— government with a large majority, albeit on_ government with a large majority, albeit on a small— government with a large majority, albeit on a small share _ government with a large majority, albeit on a small share of the - government with a large majority, i albeit on a small share of the vote, and they— albeit on a small share of the vote, and they seem _ albeit on a small share of the vote, and they seem to _ albeit on a small share of the vote, and they seem to be lurching - and they seem to be lurching from one crisis to — and they seem to be lurching from one crisis to the _ and they seem to be lurching from one crisis to the next. _ and they seem to be lurching from one crisis to the next. compare i and they seem to be lurching from i one crisis to the next. compare this to tony— one crisis to the next. compare this to tony blair — one crisis to the next. compare this to tony blair in 1997, _ one crisis to the next. compare this to tony blair in 1997, it's— to tony blair in 1997, it's completely— to tony blair in 1997, it's completely different. - to tony blair in 1997, it's completely different. he j to tony blair in 1997, it's completely different. he had the bernie ecclestone affair. - completely different. he had the i bernie ecclestone affair. the mood generally. that _ bernie ecclestone affair. the mood generally, that question _ bernie ecclestone affair. the mood generally, that question i - bernie ecclestone affair. the mood generally, that question i put- generally, that question i put to natalie, which she pushed back on which she is entitled to do, doesn't feel like labour are stuck in a rut? there are a number of labour mps who are worried. obviously we had the tulip siddiq patient and we've had a very difficult 72 hours for the chancellor, borrowing costs going up, and has she boxed safin in terms of how she takes things forward,

only having one budget? but there was a feeling among some labour mps that we had the chancellor in the commons today explaining why she went to china, you have to engage with the second largest economy in the world stop and saying that is absolutely sticking by her fiscal rules. and when you have the chancellor saying that, i have to say that did improve the atmosphere amongst some mps but there are a number of labour mps who are talking about whether this is a government in a doom loop. about whether this is a government in a doom loop-— about whether this is a government in a doom loop. thank you both very much for coming on _ in a doom loop. thank you both very much for coming on newsnight. - last night, the oldest victim of the post office scandal made a barnstorming appearnce on newsnight and judging from the reaction from you, you loved and respected her. she told us she's been waiting 26 years for full compensation after spending nearly 50k of her own money to account for unexpected losses at her post office branch in country durham because of the faulty horizon computer system.

she gave us her reaction last night to being offered less than a third of what she'd asked for. i thought, this is a joke. this is a sickjoke. anyone who sends out an offer like that only tells you one thing — we have no intention of paying you. we delay it, we'll delay it, we'll delay it. and we're known throughout the world as post office victims. we are now being revictimised! well, after appearing on newsnight, mrs brown was invited to westminster today to meet the post office minster, gareth thomas — and the four other postmasters who were on newsnight last night went too. i spoke to her after the meeting. betty, tell me how you ended up having a meeting with the post office minister, then. this morning when i woke up, there was a message to meet with the minister this morning.

and what was your reaction when you realised that? unbelievable. delighted, absolutely. after all these years, we have at last found someone who wants to get to the bottom of this and find out exactly what is going on. and the big question that our audience will want to know the answer to is, which is what you said on the programme last night, are you going to get 100% compensation? no promises of 100% or any percent was given, but assurances were truly and firmly said that he would look into it, into the whole system, and be assured that we would receive a fairjudgment and a fair hearing. and he means that in all sincerity. he was actually quite appalled

at what he had to listen to this morning. he didn't like it. and when you told him that you received an offer which was 29% of what you'd claimed, what was his reaction? his reaction was, he didn't really understand why that had been made, but he was going to find out who is making these offers and why and how they are calculating them. and he's going to get all that sorted out. and how confident are you that the minister will do what he has said he will do to you? absolutely, very confident. he means what he says. he has a terriblejob on his hands. he has one heck of a job to get all this sorted out,

but he will do his very best. and i know he will because he's promised to do that. so how has your 92nd birthday been, then? better than my 21st! oh, it's been absolutely wonderful. we had a wonderful party after the show. we did. and a beautiful birthday cake. - and it was absolutely amazing. aww. yes. well, thank you... so, everybody who's 21, look forward to your 92nd. too right. brilliant. absolutely. betty, thank you so much. it's been a privilege spending time with you across your birthday. thank you. we'll obviously keep in touch. on behalf of all the subpostmasters, thank you, and everyone involved in this. we are very grateful and appreciate it. thank you, betty.

no doubt she will be back soon. us secretary of state antony blinken says a deal for a ceasefire in gaza and the release of israeli hostages is "right on the brink" and "closer than it's ever been before". the first stage of the agreement would involve hostages being released in exchange for palestinian prisoners, partial withdrawal of israeli troops, and displaced palestinians returning to northern gaza. later phases would include more hostage releases, full israeli withdrawal, and a reconstruction plan for gaza. let's speak to former middle east advisor to the pentagon under president obama, jasmine el gamal, former us state department middle east negotiator aaron david—miller, and nomi bar—yaacov, an international negotiator with expertise in negotiating complex ceasefire and peace agreements. welcome all of you. let me ask you to hear in the studio, is this

actually it? i to hear in the studio, is this actually it?— to hear in the studio, is this actuall it? ~ , actually it? ithink so, absolutely. it is the actually it? ithink so, absolutely. it is the first— actually it? ithink so, absolutely. it is the first time _ actually it? ithink so, absolutely. it is the first time that _ actually it? ithink so, absolutely. it is the first time that the - actually it? ithink so, absolutely. it is the first time that the us - actually it? ithink so, absolutely. it is the first time that the us is | it is the first time that the us is exercising — it is the first time that the us is exercising the ne