hello and welcome to alison stewart and friends. but not with alistair but with me, nicola. so i'm stepping in for my old friend alistair today . my old friend alistair today. for the next 2 hours i'll be keeping company on tv and radio with the stories that really matter across the country, plenty up, including we're just right now to hear from the prime minister. he's in munich speaking to g7 leaders about the war in ukraine. also will assess the state of the union now that nicolas turgeon has resigned, will a replacement continue the

campaign for an independence scotland? first, though, it's the news with karen armstrong armstrong . good afternoon. it's armstrong. good afternoon. it's 12:00. i'm armstrong in the newsroom well, as you've just been hearing, the prime minister is expected to urge western leaders to double on military support for a rishi sunak who's in munich for a security and is expected to speak in the next few minutes, will tell allies that ukraine needs advanced nato standard capabilities , counter standard capabilities, counter russian aggression . now the russian aggression. now the conference is being held days before the first anniversary of moscow's invasion . the us vice moscow's invasion. the us vice president, the head of nato and china's top diplomat are also attending. however russian and iranian officials have not been ianed. iranian officials have not been invited . the prime minister will invited. the prime minister will also the northern ireland protocol in germany. rishi sunak is was greeted by the chancellor . olaf scholz is expected to hold talks with europe

commission president ursula der leyen on the sidelines of the wmmw leyen on the sidelines of the summit. there's growing speculation an agreement between the uk and eu on northern ireland is closer could be unveiled early next week . the unveiled early next week. the body of former premier league footballer christian atsu has been recovered in turkey his agent has confirmed the ghanaian who played for newcastle, chelsea and everton was found under the rubble of his home almost two weeks after the earthquakes . almost two weeks after the earthquakes. more than almost two weeks after the earthquakes . more than 45,000 earthquakes. more than 45,000 people have been killed in turkey and syria . rescue turkey and syria. rescue efforts, though, are continuing this morning. a child is amongst the three people saved. 296 hours after the first quake struck , one of the uk's richest struck, one of the uk's richest people in rockcliffe has reportedly joined the race to buy manchester united . sheikh buy manchester united. sheikh jassim bin hamad al—thani won of the qatari is qatar's biggest bankers confirmed. his bid to acquire club from the glazer

family. so jim has previously expressed his desire to manchester united. he supported club since childhood, although there has been no formal comment yet from company in the us railway engineering workers are planning to walk out next month in a dispute over pay . members in a dispute over pay. members of the rmt union, balfour beatty will hold 348 hour strikes on the third, 10th and 17th of march. they rejected the company's offer a 5.5% increase in pay to be backdated to april last year. meanwhile unions representing thousands of university staff have called off seven days of strike action over the next two weeks, issuing a joint statement. they said an agreement has been reached on pay agreement has been reached on pay and pensions with , a final pay and pensions with, a final pay pay and pensions with, a final pay of between five and 8% pay offer of between five and 8% from august. however, the five planned strikes mid—march over grading and hours contracts will still ahead . south korea has still ahead. south korea has condemned the north, firing a

ballistic missile, describing the move as a clear breach of un resolutions . pyongyang launched resolutions. pyongyang launched a missile , the sea off its east a missile, the sea off its east coast this morning as the us and south prepare for annual military drills. north korea fired an unprecedented number of missiles last year, including with the ability to strike anywhere in the united states . anywhere in the united states. memorials are planned to take place in memory of brianna gay, who was stabbed last week. hundreds of people gathered cheshire to remember the 16 year old who was transgender. similar vigils were also held in birmingham, southampton and nottingham and edinburgh . police nottingham and edinburgh. police are investigating whether she was a victim of a hate crime. a boy and a girl, both 15, were remanded in custody after being charged with her murder and almost twice . homes which lost almost twice. homes which lost power during storm otto yesterday have still not been reconnected to the grid. the met office says the storm's passed well and truly cleared . however,

well and truly cleared. however, homes across aberdeenshire remain without power. the met office says the storm though has now left the uk and is affecting scattered an area. the scottish and southern electric network says it sent food vans to the main areas still cut off from supply and hopes to restore power by the end of the day . power by the end of the day. finally, the legal definition of treasure is set to be broadened to help museums keep more art facts after a number of significant fines. it comes after a surge in detectorists , after a surge in detectorists, uncovering significant artefacts. under the current definition , the item needs to be definition, the item needs to be at least 300 years old. that will change to 200, and it will be made, at least in part. precious metal to be considered a treasure that will no longer be as stretched . this is gb news be as stretched. this is gb news more as it happens, but now it is back to nicola sturgeon .

is back to nicola sturgeon. we'll be keeping an eye on what the prime minister has to say and bring that to you as soon as we can. but let's talk of something else very important . something else very important. if you're one of those who thinks the union is safe, if scotland's not going independent after all because nicola sturgeon quit stage, you may sturgeon has quit stage, you may have think . when news that have to think. when news that the first minister had stepped down among a of i'm proud of moments in her speech a lot of politicians and people throughout the uk thought what a relief. independence suddenly looks very unlikely . relief. independence suddenly looks very unlikely. no relief. independence suddenly looks very unlikely . no such looks very unlikely. no such thing as sure predictions when it comes to great nations. this united kingdom effectively . so united kingdom effectively. so back in 1625, when james the sixth of scotland became the first of england as well. it took 82 more years to tie up control north of the border with the actual act of union. ms. sturgeon departs, saying she's sure breaking away is still a

runner . and sure breaking away is still a runner. and you know, it could still be as we begin to learn about a half a dozen or so possible successes who'll be manoeuvring away trying to get the top job, she became mired in blame for failures ranging from scotland becoming europe's worst country for drug misuse to the notorious self identifying gender shambles . a new leader gender shambles. a new leader might . just press all the right might. just press all the right buttons to win over doubting scots and get a majority for leaving the uk . scots and get a majority for leaving the uk. but scots and get a majority for leaving the uk . but hold on. leaving the uk. but hold on. a new leader might get it all wrong. support for the scottish national party. might drain away. and that could .the making of labour. if at the next general election they can grab back a lot of the 40 westminster seats they've lost in scotland, that much predicts keir starmer, victory could a truly thunderous majority . oh and victory could a truly thunderous majority. oh and might the tories actually scoop some gains if the scots nats on grip on power and holyrood actually fall away without nicola? so there is

much to discuss and i have the right people to do it. and you can also get involved. love to hear from you . email us at gb hear from you. email us at gb views at gb news. dot uk right now i'm joined now by the professor politics at strathclyde university, sir john curtis, a man who knows thing about all sorts of opinion polls and people and politicians. john, thank you so much for joining us this afternoon. first of all, why names isn't there around in scotland ? i don't know around in scotland? i don't know how familiar most people are with them. i don't think we are at all. do you have any thoughts on who looks like a really good runner in this race to succeed nicola sturgeon? yeah, let's give you a quick guide to the one who embodies is for those of your viewers living south of the border. kate forbes is , border. kate forbes is, currently the finance secretary in scotland. she's only 32. she's raised in they had a baby daughter , but has long been daughter, but has long been widely tipped as a potential successor ever since. back in

february 20, she got promoted to finance secretary 24 hours before having to present a budget because her predecessor was forced to resign in disgrace and she managed to survive that test. well, for. also angus robertson . now, i guess, robertson. now, i guess, robertson, some of your viewers south of the border may remember as the westmeath star leader of the snp between two thousand and seven and 2017, he lost his seat in 2017 to the conservatives he's now in the scottish parliament and he's been the scottish government's constitution secretary since 2020. why that is, he's basically responsible for the job of trying to promote independence north of the border. the other person who has been mentioned is said he might been mentioned is said he might be considering standing as humza yousaf . he is be considering standing as humza yousaf. he is the health secretary in scotland and like all health secretaries in the united kingdom at the moment, as a pretty tough job trying to turn the health service around

in the wake of the pandemic. now, there are other that are mentioned , but none of them mentioned, but none of them certainly in the early partying, are very much in way are getting very much in the way of support. thing also of support. crucial thing also to realise is that john swinney, the first minister and the deputy first minister and who once leader of the snp who was once leader of the snp 20 ago, he has brought 20 years ago, he has brought himself out and any, any thoughts of your own on who might actually come out on top of that pile ? well, if the of that pile? well, if the polling that's come out this morning is to be believed it looks as though it will be a two horse fight between robertson and kate forbes . horse fight between robertson and kate forbes. humza yousaf actually is the best known of the potential contenders, but his misfortune seems to be that even amongst members, they are disinclined to believe that he would make a good first minister and it may well be the fact that he's had to preside over the difficulties of the health service. as damage to now northern cape folks though angus robertson amongst robertson not that well amongst the public general around the public in general around third i really don't know third say i really don't know who this person is but the party we have this morning both from

it's also from suggests that maybe kate is narrowly ahead including amongst snp supporters . so i've given a straight choice . 18% of snp supporters , choice. 18% of snp supporters, they'd go for kate forbes , 14% they'd go for kate forbes, 14% for i guess what was a pretty you can already see from the relatively low numbers i'm quoting you are still an awful lot of people even amongst voters who yet have to make that march. and i think what we certainly also need to bear in mind is that we have no contenders at the moment, and, b, know where the b, we don't know where the contenders are going to stand on the issues that are thoughts the two issues that are thoughts of a central to the debate . one of a central to the debate. one is, are they in favour not of the snp fighting next to westminster reduction , a de westminster reduction, a de facto referendum and b what if anything, do they think should be done about the uk government's veto of the gender recognition? not whether or not ms. forbes and mr. robertson have different views from a ms. sturgeon and b with each other. we don't . and i think until we

we don't. and i think until we know that until voters in scotland. well, snp members who have the vote know that i don't think we can too take notice of this early polling . indeed. and this early polling. indeed. and let's just take the independent's matter first. which of right across the uk is of such importance, do you , in of such importance, do you, in very bold and basic terms, that the resignation of sturgeon has put that back or. not for short answer, as we've got the first poll this morning, nicholas s asking how they would vote. independence referendum . it has independence referendum. it has it at 49. exactly the same as the same poll had it in more on average. if you take the last two half dozen polls, it's running at 48% at the moment, 48, 49% is roughly where it's been up for the last three years. so there is no immediate evidence that ms. sturgeon simply resigning has necessarily reduced support for independence. but the crucial

question, of course, is whether or not. ms. sturgeon success will be able to promote the cause of independence, not just as effectively as her, but frankly , to be able to move the frankly, to be able to move the dial that level of support above 50% mark. and the question mark at the hands both hangs over both forbes and mr. robertson . both forbes and mr. robertson. is that not that well known , is that not that well known, we're not sure that either of them has the capacity to dominate scottish politics to be persuasive as nicola sturgeon has proven to be an snp leader is going to increase support for independence they will need to demonstrate quality. so i think one of the reasons why everybody is wondering what does this mean for the snp is just simply the doubt as to whether any of the contenders has the capabilities and skills required to fill the very large shoes that ms. sturgeon is certainly has left them to fill . as ever, a master them to fill. as ever, a master early analysis. thank you so much, professor john curtice.

professor strathclyde university. good just as well. i'm now by george caravan journalist and former snp mp. well what do you think about ms. sturgeon's departure . well, sturgeon's departure. well, nicholas, it's nice to be on you, nicola . if . nicola was. was you, nicola. if. nicola was. was a good tactician, let's put it that way . she won eight that way. she won eight elections in a row of different kinds, and she is a great communicator. but she's a terrible strategist. she's walked on the party a short term. everyone's going . people term. everyone's going. people knew she'd go. eventually but she just called a major strategy conference to chart where the snp was going, where the national movement was going, whether it was going to help. you had general election , a de you had general election, a de facto referendum. having set that up. having set her hair running, having started the debate , she's walked away and

debate, she's walked away and it's left. everybody you know, scrambling for position . angus scrambling for position. angus robertson was on holiday the caribbean. he's had to fly back to put his name in the so she's not left the party in that good position . do you think it's position. do you think it's rather surprising that someone who was very did did. rather surprising that someone who was very did did . well who was very did did. well i think certainly people in scotland would think so during the covid troubles . someone the covid troubles. someone should have taken so many what seemed to be misstep s in a very short time at the very end. it's a curious turn of events for such a very skilful politics. one would have thought , well, i one would have thought, well, i mean, i would have probably put it slightly differently. the snp has been in government in scotland since two thousand and seven. it's one of those the longest running administrations party in government anywhere in europe. and you build up sorts of problems and resentments. i'm not sure there was a particular

run of sorts of new problems apart from the gender recognition debate. i think just, you know, if you're if you're in office for a long time as a party, you accumulate . and as a party, you accumulate. and of course, always remember the snp, its primary view in life was was to win independence . and was was to win independence. and the party and its supporters thought they would have won independence by not. so there was a lot short term thinking. so now it suddenly finds itself in a position where he's having to think longer term. it hasn't yet delivered in. that's still a problematic and so there's this there's a for the political fall and i think nicola suddenly realised that and decided that she didn't want to hang around. i mean if she stayed she would've had to see the party through the next general election as well as three or four years. i think she'd probably had enough. so it's not that particularly new that something particularly new happened. i think she's just decided that she doesn't have

the it. but it left the stomach for it. but it left the stomach for it. but it left the party in a difficult position, especially without a strategy, without a leader . and strategy, without a leader. and now what about successors? is there anybody that you'd put your money on? well, i this is the this is the important, nicholas. this is where everybody's desperate behind the scenes, trying to try to build up support . if scenes, trying to try to build up support. if you throw hat in the ring, we need with the contenders, well, we'll to be in place by. by friday. you need . place by. by friday. you need. 100 signatures from members . you 100 signatures from members. you need a range of branches to support . it's not just an support. it's not just an internal thing amongst the members. the scottish parliament. so there's a lot of work to do. so we will see who actually can get to jump, jump over all of those hurdles? i think angus robertson definitely wants wants to go. he's a seasoned politician. you might not be that well known in scotland, but he's you know, he's he's a i used to work with him at westminster. you know, carries a rood umbrella. he's

credible . he is a strategist and credible. he is a strategist and he i think he does his eye on the notion that you have to get 65, 60% of the electorate to support you before we could properly move towards independence . kate forbes i independence. kate forbes i think is probably the front runner she's the popular the one. she is a social conservative. she is very religious . i've nothing wrong religious. i've nothing wrong with that. but you see impacts on the gender debate and on the abortion debate . there are abortion debate. there are there's talk this morning that she's trying to create a joint ticket with another msps . i ash ticket with another msps. i ash regan, who's a newcomer, but who resigned over the gender recognition debate. so that could be a kind of, if you like socially conservative bloke building up there . there's and building up there. there's and the use of generally known to be a bit volatile as a personality. so may not well go and he might

not be considered by the snp who have the final vote on leader to beatit have the final vote on leader to beat it to be the perfect candidate . there's some dark candidate. there's some dark horses this . isn't keith brown , horses this. isn't keith brown, who's very popular. in the party and experience falklands veteran safe pair of hands. so there's a few other people i suspect it comes to down it in the scrabble get support. it will be it will be angus robertson and take at the line the kate forbes as you that's very fascinating isn't it because of religious views as you say. and there's been so much so talk about what you might call morality and ethics and one of the things that nicola sturgeon perhaps stumbled on could take the snp a rather different direction altogether. well it has implications for the snp's coalition with the green party in scotland . the party in scotland. the government is a coalition i, snp and greens . government is a coalition i, snp and greens. the greens in

scotland being supporters of independence. but the greens course are very socially . and course are very socially. and i think one of the reasons one nicola sturgeon backs gender so fulsomely wasn't just on the issue itself, because it was part of the deal with the greens. now if, if the snp were to elect a leader who was to say the least, less committed to the gender recognition legislation and fighting the uk government over that, that could lead to a split with the greens and that could therefore have implications for the whole of the of the scottish government's political agenda. but it would also then i think it would then desperate it could scupper an agreement between the snp and the greens or if were to move forward for a de facto referendum as part of the next general election . george can general election. george can remember grateful to you for a journalist and for the snp mp talking to us here on gb news.

now then i'm joined to carry on this debate. i mean, this is very important. i said at the beginning it's all about in the end the state of the union independence might come and all sorts things. it's very sorts of things. so it's very much scotland. i'm much just about scotland. i'm now by jamie blackett . he's now by jamie blackett. he's a scotland commentator at. the daily telegraph amongst other things, that the he does a very good afternoon to very good to see you now then. well what were you among those who said nicholas. done. my goodness . or nicholas. done. my goodness. or were you sort of thinking time was up . well there have been was up. well there have been a lot of rumours circulating that she wanted to go , so i wasn't she wanted to go, so i wasn't really that surprised . i think i really that surprised. i think i think she was running of road, actually. there were a lot of circulating around to too many crocodiles close to her canoe , i crocodiles close to her canoe, i think. and public services in scotland were seemingly getting worse support. i think was really dwindling i mean i've got lot all these polls but i'm sorry i'm very sorry to

interrupt very sorry to interrupt very sorry to interrupt we're having to go munich where the prime minister is addressing g7 members. let's what's happening? we'll come back to scotland in just a moment. kingdom will always on the side of freedom , democracy the side of freedom, democracy and the rule law and the security . our european continent security. our european continent will be our overriding priority. now there's no greater example of those commitments . our of those commitments. our response to the war in ukraine. this year we became the first country in the world to provide to ukraine and the first to train pilots and marines. we gave point train pilots and marines. we gave poin t £3 train pilots and marines. we gave point £3 billion last year and we match or exceed that in 2023. now allies can tell a similar story and our collective efforts are making a difference . but with every day that passes russian forces inflict yet pain and suffering now the only way to change that is for ukraine to

win . so we need a military win. so we need a military strategy for ukraine to gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield to , win the war and battlefield to, win the war and political strategy to win peace, to win the war. ukraine needs , to win the war. ukraine needs, more artillery, armoured vehicles , air defence. so now is vehicles, air defence. so now is the moment to double down on our military support. the moment to double down on our military support . when putin military support. when putin started this , he gambled that started this, he gambled that resolve would falter . even now , resolve would falter. even now, he is betting that we will lose our nerve . but we proved him our nerve. but we proved him wrong. then and we will prove him wrong now to we're delivering as much in the next few months as in the whole of 2022. and together we must help ukraine to shield its cities from russian bombs and iranian .

from russian bombs and iranian. and that's why the united kingdom will be the first country to provide ukraine with longer range weapons. country to provide ukraine with longer range weapons . and it's longer range weapons. and it's why we're working our allies to give ukraine the most advanced air defence systems and build the air force they need to , the air force they need to, defend their nation . now, of defend their nation. now, of course, the united kingdom stands ready to help any country provide planes that ukraine use today. but we must also train ukrainian pilots to the most advanced jets , and that's advanced jets, and that's exactly what britain is doing so that ukraine has the capability to defend its security for the long term but to win the peace. we also need to rebuild the international on which our. international law , the whole international law, the whole world must hold to account . we world must hold to account. we must see justice through the icc

for that sickening war crimes committed , whether in bucha up committed, whether in bucha up in mariupol or beyond , and in mariupol or beyond, and russia must also be held to account for the terrible destruction it has inflicted . we destruction it has inflicted. we are hosting the ukraine recovery conference in london this june and should consider together how to ensure that russia pays towards reconstruction . how now? towards reconstruction. how now? second, the treaties and agreements of the post—cold era have failed ukraine so need a new framework for its long term security from human rights to reckless nuclear threats , from reckless nuclear threats, from georgia to moldova , russia has georgia to moldova, russia has committed violations after violation against countries outside the collective security of and the international community's response has not been strong enough . as jens

been strong enough. as jens stoltenberg has said , ukraine stoltenberg has said, ukraine will become a member of nato, but until that happens, we need to do more to bolster ukraine's long term security . we must give long term security. we must give them the advance nato's standard that they need for the future and we must demonstrate that will remain by their side , will remain by their side, willing and able to them defend their country again and again . their country again and again. ukraine needs deserves assurances of that support. so ahead of the nato summit in vilnius , we will bring together vilnius, we will bring together our friends and allies to begin building those long term and are aim should be to forge a new charter in vilnius to help protect ukraine from future russian aggression . now, let me russian aggression. now, let me conclude one final thought . conclude one final thought. what's at stake in this war is even greater than security and

sovereignty of one nation. it's about the security and sovereignty of every nation because russia's invasion abhorrent war crimes, irresponsible nuclear rhetoric are symptomatic of a broader threat to everything. we believe in. from the skies over north america to the suffering on the streets , tehran, some would streets, tehran, some would destabilise the order that is preserved peace and stability . preserved peace and stability. 480 years they must not prevail and we need not be daunted as president zelenskyy said when he addressed the uk parliament week, we marching towards the most important victory of our lifetime . it will be a victory lifetime. it will be a victory over the very idea yet of war and we could have no purpose

than to prove him right. thank you . you. prime minister. thank you. your speech, i thought, was very clear. basically, ukraine has to win war and russia loses. but you said something? i want to pick up on elaborate to talk pick up on an elaborate to talk about that's the prime minister being clear on quite a being very clear on quite a short speech their emphasis easing the support for ukraine will go on. he talked of victory in the end very definitely that we must do all we can. he said ukraine would eventually become member of nato and that must be doubted. and he also echoed the words of president zelenskyy of ukraine when . he talked about ukraine when. he talked about this being the most war of our lifetimes. it must be one now, then we're going back now to the issue of scotland and the resignation of nicola sturgeon and what it all might mean. blackett is a scotland commentator, the daily telegraph. he was just beginning

to to when we had to go to speak to us when we had to go and hear the prime minister is absolutely understandable. i'm you much for you do? thank you so much for staying the question really staying us. the question really is who is going to succeed is now who is going to succeed and what direction do you think they will take this snp in and what direction it turn, what it might mean for independence ? might mean for independence? well it's interesting because i don't think there are many directions that the snp can go in while they are hamstrung by the bute house agreement, in while they are hamstrung by the bute house agreement , the the bute house agreement, the coalition with the scottish green party . your previous green party. your previous comments to said that he thought that the scottish greens were liberal. well can say that again. i mean they are effectively almost a marxist party right . and a very, very party right. and a very, very socially liberal when it comes to that gender recognition and all these bills which are fact scottish green policies and

arguably one of the factors that has brought about the demise of nicola sturgeon, or at least end of her tenure , first minister, of her tenure, first minister, is this deeply and divisive gender recognition policy which was a scottish green manifesto commitment. so kate forbes or angus robertson, i suspect , commitment. so kate forbes or angus robertson, i suspect, are both rather more socially conservative than nicola sturgeon, but it would be very difficult for them to get the sort of policies that they might want through with the scottish greens. so whether they break with the scottish greens and try to govern as a minority government, i they could try and do that . a minority do that. a minority administration that has been done before . humza yousaf, you done before. humza yousaf, you know, is a bit of a wild card. i think it's very unlikely that he will get it is a deeply divisive figure in scottish politics and

i suspect that there will be really very little change and the never ending of the snp will continue the us pe is separation from the rest of the uk breaking up britain . if, if, if that up britain. if, if, if that wasn't their main policy, why would anybody vote snp? they haven't got many policies and those that have got a not much good so that will either vote tory or or labour if it wasn't for that that particular policy . i think the never ending will continue but but maybe i hope certainly kate forbes i think would be a toxic figure . nicola would be a toxic figure. nicola sturgeon has encouraged angela phobia encouraged the ouster ization scotland those republicans in scotland of irish extraction who want to refight the troubles all over again on the troubles all over again on the streets you laws go and done do i think that's you know hope

jamie black it to come back thank you so much sorry to cut you off there we have to move on jamie black of scotland commentator at the telegraph, very grateful to you all. watching and listening to alastair stewart friends with me, nicola. so let's get more on today's what's coming up including a big day for manchester united fans as the meeting has begun to take from the glazers with a qatar banker and a british billionaire among , the bidders who will come out on top . first, the news on top. first, the news headunes. on top. first, the news headlines . karen armstrong . headlines. karen armstrong. it's 1232. i'm karen armstrong it's1232. i'm karen armstrong in the gb newsroom as may have heard in the last few minutes, the prime minister has urged western leaders double down on military aid ukraine and says the will be the first country to provide ukraine with longer

range weapons. to provide ukraine with longer range weapons . to counter range weapons. to counter russia's sickening war crimes. in his words , rishi sunak, who's in his words, rishi sunak, who's in munich for conference, says uk needs advance nato standard capability ease and said russia be held to account for terrible destruction . the conference destruction. the conference being held days before the first anniversary of moscow's invasion . earlier the us vice president kamala harris was speaking and she said that if vladimir putin thinks he can wait assad his badly mistaken time is not on his side . the prime minister his side. the prime minister will also discuss northern ireland protocol while is in munich amidst speculation a deal could be done. he greeted by the german chancellor olaf scholz earlier and will later hold with european commission president ursula von der leyen . as ursula von der leyen. as i mentioned, speculation and agreement between the uk and the eu could be close and maybe unveiled as early as next week.

the body former premier league footballer christian has been recovered in turkey his agent confirmed the ghanaian who played for newcastle chelsea and everton was found almost two weeks after the earthquakes. more than 45,000 people have been killed in turkey. in syria this morning, though, a child among three people rescued. 9296 hours after the first quake struck struck . one of the uk's struck struck. one of the uk's richest people, jim ratcliffe has reportedly joined the race to buy manchester united . it to buy manchester united. it comes as sheikh bin hamad al—thani , the chairman of one of al—thani, the chairman of one of qatar's biggest banks , his bid qatar's biggest banks, his bid to acquire the club from the glazer family. sirjames glazer family. sir james previously expressed glazer family. sirjames previously expressed a desire to buy manchester united the club he has supported since childhood . there's been no formal comment from his company ineos. . there's been no formal comment from his company ineos . tv from his company ineos. tv onune from his company ineos. tv online and dab+ radio. this is gb news, but now it is back to nicola sturgeon .

now, although the british billionaire jim ratcliffe is tipped to be the new owner of manchester united, it seems has some competition from a qatari banken some competition from a qatari banker. so who will be successor in purchasing the theatre of dreams ? with that and all the dreams? with that and all the day's main sports news, i'm delighted be joined by aidan magee writer a letter manchester united of all so ratcliffe was looked as though he was going in, but it's actually going to be a fight. all three fairly. they made it clear the glazers at the end of last year keen to tentatively see who's out there and willing to buy the club obviously is not available. so everybody, only certain other people do it. people who can actually do it. james ratcliffe, manchester united, chelsea ticket united, chelsea season ticket holder, , but in holder, actually, but born in oldham fan made huge oldham united fan made huge metal some money from ineos. metal out some money from ineos. he interest apparent he made his interest apparent two or three weeks ago. he came

in with a last night. we don't know how much that is. he has secured the backing goldman secured the backing of goldman in jp morgan as in the city and jp morgan as well. so serious contender there. it will loading debt onto there. it will loading debt onto the club effectively because he's borrowing money but that's generally things work generally these things work anyway. qatar in anyway. however with qatar in the the public the wealth of the public investment they're coming investment fund they're coming with a bid last night investment fund they're coming with a bid last nigh t £4 billion with a bid last night £4 billion and that doesn't involve loading debts onto club. they've debts onto the club. they've pledged regenerate the old pledged to regenerate the old trafford . they've pledged trafford. they've pledged to regenerate the area around old trafford, improved the training ground carrick carrington ground in carrick carrington just do just over them 60 and do effectively what abu dhabi group did with manchester city 14 years ago when they took over the gentleman's name is, said jesse ben jupp, a al—thani. he's actually known his friends as gbg . now the problem, the kessel gbg. now the problem, the kessel bid has is that they already own paris saint—germain. it's one thing owning two clubs in in europe . if you own two clubs in europe. if you own two clubs in the premier league, which are bid would that would do because

it would be a new castle that presents a problems anyway they're looking to circumvent they're looking to circumvent the having two clubs the problem of having two clubs in by setting up in europe by setting up a subsidiary arm buy man subsidiary arm to buy man united. all know united. now we all know where the is coming from. that's the money is coming from. that's the money is coming from. that's the bridge for the premier league to cross would argue their quite low. they their stand is quite low. they let be taken over let newcastle be taken over by the last year, even the saudis last year, even though member of though every single member of the attached the board is attached to the saudi government. so that's where we are at the moment. we think there might still be a bid from but forthcoming. and from saudi, but forthcoming. and let clear, soft deadline let me be clear, a soft deadline means likely be by means we'd likely be seen by email 10:00. but if email last night, 10:00. but if you blowing someone the you fancy blowing someone of the water or three water an extra two or three weeks, please feel free to do so to bid definitely saudi to bid so definitely saudi possible interesting one. possible is an interesting one. do one there? it's do we get one from there? it's interesting it we're talking interesting is it we're talking countries now bidding for football now that's one football clubs now that's one that's be to that's been rumoured to be to have association the backing that's been rumoured to be to ha david association the backing that's been rumoured to be to ha david beckham.| the backing that's been rumoured to be to ha david beckham. wee backing that's been rumoured to be to ha david beckham. we don't;ing that's been rumoured to be to ha david beckham. we don't know of david beckham. we don't know that for certain. think somebody with legendary status the with legendary status on the pitch at manchester united would to be very, very careful with who involved that who he gets involved with that would need a forensic detailed analysis of who the bidders actually are before . he puts his actually are before. he puts his name be it for me

name to it. far be it for me being associated at united, who has own to protect has a brand his own to protect as well. then, of course, as well. and then, of course, musk, be involved? musk, could he be involved? let's going take let's but it's going to take a while, because they're while, nicholas, because they're going top dollar, right? going to want top dollar, right? okay, very okay, aidan magee, thanks very much. ever . okay, aidan magee, thanks very much. ever. now then, you're much. as ever. now then, you're watching and listening. answer stuart me, stuart and friends with me, nicholas owen. plenty more still to this afternoon, to come this afternoon, including deal resolve the including a deal resolve the controversial northern ireland protocol is very game on protocol is very much game on according to the leader of sinn fein . we'll crossing live to fein. we'll be crossing live to stormont next. but first .

welcome back. you're watching and listening to alison stewart and listening to alison stewart and friends on gb news but it's with me today nicholas own a deal to resolve the controversial northern ireland protocol is very much on according to the leader of sinn following a day of talks with political leaders in northern ireland, prime minister's rishi sunak played down the prospect

of an imminent breakthrough today , saying there was more today, saying there was more work to do to reach an agreement . this all comes with reports of a tory rebellion for the prime minister. some in his party fearing his proposed deal does not go far enough . let's get all not go far enough. let's get all the latest on that with our northern ireland reporter dougie beatty. dougie, tell us what you . well, first of all, welcome to stormont. and this is the place in the whole of europe, the whole of the british isles that was hit the hardest by the protocol. no government protocol. there's no government because unionists, of course, say it brings them of say that it brings them out of the union. have no the union. they have no political representation and that under european that goods here under european courts of justice rather than under uk law . but you've got to under uk law. but you've got to look at what the protocol is. well, people would tell you was massive advantages to it. of course, that's not because what it was a deal designed to protect the of the single market and its nearest neighbour and

that of course was the republic of ireland there inside , the eu. of ireland there inside, the eu. of course the british isles and britain is inside the eu. so therefore they had to protect market and they protected it by keeping northern ireland inside. eu legislation and of course that kept them inside the economics of the eu. people said there was all these advantages. well, with britain leaving , was well, with britain leaving, was on it ever going to leave a magical portal for britain , put magical portal for britain, put its stuff through and back into the eu by not paying into it? so the eu by not paying into it? so the mood music after boris johnson left a changed totally andifs johnson left a changed totally and it's tinged with businessmen and it's tinged with businessmen and women of europe and they are now speaking in a far level and maybe prepared to about goods that are coming in and to differently those that are coming and greenland's that are only going to stand northern and those that are in lines those that are in red lines going in to the eu. so that will be back to where we were three years ago. european of justice, they still want , say, in they still want, say, in northern ireland. that will a sticking if there's any. sticking point, if there's any. the had changed

the mood music had changed yesterday , but it's who reaches yesterday, but it's who reaches should i spend time with? he 20 to 30 minutes with most political parties with the dup the evening was spent with them and at least hour long meeting on friday. so that's where he's going to try and see how he can move the into position but to do p will not fall for any promises they will want the c stuff in writing through legislation and in place before they sign up to a deal to come back here again. and that will be reaction acts problem the credibility has gone from any political in say the uk with unionist parties in northern ireland at gb news northern on the border . thank northern on the border. thank you very much . the financial you very much. the financial hardship the uk is facing is here for the long time hole and with the rise in energy prices , with the rise in energy prices, the general cost of living are struggling to make ends meet . struggling to make ends meet. well, here i hope to give us tips is on a majekodunmi of all

things, money for this week's saturday. well, now then you do have five top tips for us that we can follow to save some money. absolutely hi, nicolas. they have a so. yeah, i guess number one is always got the biggest top tip is for a lot of families try and create a budget now i feel a lot people about the idea of the budget. the budget is crucial to work out what you can and can't afford spend especially now rising and we're have to account we're going to have to account for that's my number one tip for so that's my number one tip number 10 number to try and build an emotive of savings. if you can. and again, that budget will help build that will help you build that multiple savings. so, you know, you back on you have to money fall back on rather than having to rather than having resort to any streams debt . now, my third streams of debt. now, my third tip is my favourite to utilise on cashback websites. now a lot of people are that these are scams , but websites such as scams, but websites such as topcashback quidco are brilliant if you're on list online shopping, these websites allow

you to give a percentage of your money back on your shopping on now, which is great. and i'd also recommend utilising comparison website , especially comparison website, especially if you're maybe looking to your insurance policies if you need to update your bills , etc, and to update your bills, etc, and comparison such as moneysupermarket.com and money.co.uk are great websites for this and as we know, obviously the cost living crisis has had a huge impact. families across the uk, it's really important that people really do out and talk to people, whether that's their family organisations , that's your organisations, that's your energy providers , your banks. if energy providers, your banks. if you're defaulting on anything , you're defaulting on anything, please reach out and talk to people . in your experience, what people. in your experience, what are the that people are most worried about? is there a particular a theme themes, something that comes through awful lot ? yeah, no, actually, i awful lot? yeah, no, actually, i think a lot of people now we've we've realised that the cost of living has gone up. i think most people worry about how long this, this way and way when this, this way and this way when place to last pause,

place is going to last pause, i think people now trying think lots people are now trying to adjust this kind of new normal and i think that's probably about how probably biggest worry about how long have long people are going have to. pay pennies and what pay the pennies for and what some be most wary of all some people be most wary of all talk about scams and everything else. there seem to be more and more and particularly more of and particularly fastening on worries that fastening on the worries that people the moment. yeah, people have at the moment. yeah, no, like i said, no, actually like i said, nicholas hit the nail on the head of scams. at the moment there's lots of get rich quick scheme which i are preying on the vulnerable media outside know just general banking scams all that stuff. i think tweeting proves that people stay stay clear that and then also find out pay later schemes if you can avoid using those as well. i know it's very easy fall into that trap but you can't avoid kind of schemes as well. i would really recommend it. yeah. what about business? it's sort about this business? it's sort of me. a lot of of things that bug me. a lot of people need cash, don't they ? people need cash, don't they? and getting cash is getting more and more difficult. banks are getting more difficult to access. always jolly access. there's always the jolly old you can use. old office that you can use. i've only discovered this quite

recently. i must be very slow, i suppose if you've a bank card so you can go in there and get cash and give you 5 hours and and they'll give you 5 hours and coins everything which coins and everything else which you for a lot of you still need for a lot of things, don't you? yeah, yeah. no, absolutely. i feel like, especially that be especially for those that may be struggling that. but struggling to stick to that. but at moment, cash can king. at the moment, cash can be king. i feel like scientific. it's proven if you're spending proven that if you're spending with your apple with cash rather than your apple pay with cash rather than your apple pay credit card, etc, pay or your credit card, etc, etc, really easy keep, etc, it's really easy to keep, handle and keep track of your spending that way as well. indeed other thing is indeed now, the other thing is we so many these we see so many of these companies, the oil companies, the and so the energy, british gas and so on making in enormous profits. absolutely enormous profits. can you please , in relatively simple you please, in relatively simple terms, explain to us why we've all got to pay so much more for our energy, but these people are making so more in profits. making so much more in profits. what's on ask a question. what's going on ask a question. i wish i what's going on ask a question. iwish i honestly what's going on ask a question. i wish i honestly knew the answer. i do think, you know, sadly we just know that the cost of production is going. the cost of production is going. the cost of importing goods have gone. so again, have really been again, those have really been passed rather than, you

passed on to us rather than, you know these energy bills and know, these energy bills and energy providers these costs energy providers for these costs themselves . yes. now the themselves. yes. and now the other thing a lot of people talk about food banks, they are very important . are they? and i don't important. are they? and i don't know you, but having know about you, but having visited several of them, i think people first all, it's great people first of all, it's great if donate items it if you if people donate items it if you can possibly do that by a bit more at supermarket. i and more at the supermarket. i and put in the food bank if you put it in the food bank if you can but also encourage people to actually use them a lot of people find difficult to people must find it difficult to do no and i completely do so. yeah. no and i completely agree with i think a lot of people are embarrassed to go to these food banks by getting those food banks are there to help facility. i think help us. there facility. i think it's shame that we're it's a huge shame that we're really even having use them really even having to use them having these kind of having to use these kind of services but again like said, they're there to help us. they're out there to help us. also councils lot of also local councils have lot of schemes should take schemes that people should take advantage you advantage of also, you know, checking government website advantage of also, you know, ch see ng government website advantage of also, you know, ch see what government website advantage of also, you know, ch see what help arnment website advantage of also, you know, ch see what help yoment website advantage of also, you know, ch see what help you mightebsite advantage of also, you know, ch see what help you might be te to see what help you might be eligible the forms of eligible for in the forms of benefits well, i benefits as. well, because i think i know a lot of people's financial situations have changed , there's changed again, there's no shame in seeking any in seeking benefits. any

additional know, like additional help? you know, like i help is there to. i said, the help is there to. help us out these times. help us out through these times. ola majekodunmi, founder of all things money. thank you very much important tips much indeed. some important tips there making notes of them. there. i'm making notes of them. as i say, i'm a bit silly about of these things. i've been a bit slow the uptake, but people like you very thank you very much indeed. right. okay then. now, then this is gb newsroom been getting in touch. we do love to hear from you, particularly on the of the union which is something that we have been at in some detail today. something that we have been at in some detail today . this is in some detail today. this is bill here. bill i don't think the union is not safer. this is following nicola sturgeon's departure of course not any safer . not as departure of course not any safer. not as long as the engush safer. not as long as the english parliament rules over scotland asks the irish, ask the welsh . okay, we got that bill. welsh. okay, we got that bill. peter says this first summoned are of course alec summit. mustn't forget he was the previous leader of the resigned in well he was pushed out in

rather bitter circumstances by nicola sturgeon . now she's gone. nicola sturgeon. now she's gone. so peter says this first summons salmond . first. now sturgeon , salmond. first. now sturgeon, the two big fish hooked the demise of the snp not be better news for the unity of the uk now perhaps the education and the health service will improve. i think he means the health service in scotland, particularly there and we have chris here as well. he says i hope the new scottish minister focuses on the day to day issues that matter to people in scotland . however, it would be scotland. however, it would be the same party in charge and the same policies. labour will be no different either . that's same policies. labour will be no different either. that's an interesting point, isn't it? talking about the people who might benefit from all of this. if the scottish national party starts to unravel a bit, might, might do very well out of might well do very well out of that, maybe even hope for the conservatives in scotland who've had such a very rough time over the last few years, do keep your views in and do subscribe views coming in and do subscribe to youtube channel. we're at

to our youtube channel. we're at gb news. just to remind you of the way to get in touch, the easiest way to get gb news at gb news dot uk . i'm nicola sturgeon news dot uk. i'm nicola sturgeon standing for in alastair stewart today. lots more coming on the show this afternoon . next up, show this afternoon. next up, we'll be discussing the state of the union again following the resignation of scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon . but minister, nicola sturgeon. but first, take an all first, let's take an all important look at the weather . important look at the weather. hello there will continue a met office forecast . i'm craig office forecast. i'm craig snell. so it's a situation for this weekend . still some rain this weekend. still some rain around especially across the north of the country but for the south certainly going to remain very mild. so here's the situation at the moment. we've had a couple of areas of low pressure through overnight. this one still continue to track one will still continue to track its eastwards as we go its way eastwards as we go through saturday or so into this afternoon . still got afternoon. we still got riverfront lingering across riverfront just lingering across the south of the uk and the very far south of the uk and then this next area right just moving into southern scotland as the goes on in between the afternoon goes on in between and also across the very far

north of scotland, we will see some bright spells, certainly a calmer for , north—east calmer day for, north—east scotland to friday. but scotland compared to friday. but in the sunshine across the midlands into east anglia, we could see highs, which 14, could see highs, which in 14, 15, even 16 degrees. so 15, possibly even 16 degrees. so another very mild day to come into . the evening, the band of into. the evening, the band of rain across scotland will gradually its way into gradually work its way into nonh gradually work its way into north sea. this will lessen clearer and colder conditions develop. so we could see a few icy patches come sunday morning. elsewhere a cooler night than of late, but still the outside temperatures. germany staying up into the mid single so we start the day on a fairly quiet note across the south but further north we have this band rain which will gradually work its way scotland the day way across scotland as the day goes on, turning quite heavy and persistent and accompanied by a strengthening wind . northern strengthening wind. northern ireland. england also ireland. northern england also cloudy, could just see a few outbreaks of rain here, but further south, a fairly calm afternoon to come gets sunny, spells especially down towards south—west england. central southern england. and again,

temperatures reaching 14 or 15 degrees. the rain will continue to work its way eastwards as we go into sunday evening. quite a wet and windy to come across the very far north of scotland. that will transfer its way a little bit further southwards as we go into monday. but overall, as we start the week on the mild note. but note the temperatures wednesday turning colder for all of us by then . first and of us by then. first and foremost, i'm a gb news fan and i was before i was working here just love the fact that we're asking the question that a lot of establishment media won't ask with a bit of a twist we not want to inform you but we want to you entertained it's to keep you entertained it's worth you get in and worth the drive you get in and the teams already waiting. they're go . and it's they're itching to go. and it's a proper little family is the people's channel. it's the audience that makes the programme sing. we're giving our viewers and our listeners a voice . see the thousands of your voice. see the thousands of your letters, tweets , you name it, letters, tweets, you name it, coming in britain is broken . how

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hello. and a warm especially if you've just joined us. i'm nicholas sitting in for alison stewart today and we are in the last hour of programme i'll be keeping you company on tv and radio plenty more still to come including we looking at a more unhed including we looking at a more united kingdom with nicola sturgeon leaving role or will her successor push for a new indyref plus? sticking with scottish politics will head to edinburgh for this year's scotland's labour conference . scotland's labour conference. but first let's get the latest news with . hi there. it's news with. hi there. it's 1:00. news with. hi there. it's1:00. good afternoon to you. i know i'm throwing the gb newsroom. the uk will be the first country

to provide longer range weapons to provide longer range weapons to with the prime to ukraine with the prime minister now is the time minister saying now is the time to . double down on military to. double down on military support. addressing munich support. addressing the munich security said , the security conference said, the world's response to russian aggression hasn't been strong enough. aggression hasn't been strong enough . he told allies advance enough. he told allies advance nato's standard capabilities are needed to counter the kremlin's attack and moscow must be held accountable for crimes against humanity. what's at stake in this war is even greater than the security and sovereignty of one nation. it's about the security and sovereignty of every nation . because russia's every nation. because russia's invasion , its abhorrent war invasion, its abhorrent war crimes and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric are symptomatic of a broader threat to every thing we believe in. the prime minister also addressed reports a deal with the eu over the northern ireland protocol be imminent. rishi sunak who was greeted by the german chancellor olaf

scholz at the summit, said both parties understand needs to parties understand what needs to be for . the post—brexit be done for. the new post—brexit trade arrangement. but there's no deal yet, he expected to hold talks later with the european commission president ursula der leyen , the body of the former leyen, the body of the former premier league footballer christian atsu has been in turkey. his agent confirmed the ghanaian who played for newcastle chelsea and everton was found under the rubble of his home almost two weeks after the earthquakes . more than the earthquakes. more than 45,000 people have been killed in turkey and syria . rescue in turkey and syria. rescue efforts have continued this . a efforts have continued this. a child was amongst three people saved. 296 hours after the first quake struck . one of the uk's quake struck. one of the uk's richest people , sirjim richest people, sir jim ratcliffe, has confirmed company ineos has joined race to buy manchester united . it comes as manchester united. it comes as sheikh jassim bin hamad al—thani , the chairman of one of qatar's biggest , , the chairman of one of qatar's biggest, confirmed his bid to

acquire the club from the glazer family. sirjim has previously expressed desire to buy manchester united , a club he has manchester united, a club he has supported since childhood . supported since childhood. railway engineering workers are planning to walk out next month in a dispute over pay. members of the rmt union at balfour beatty will hold 348 hour strikes on the third, 10th and 17th of march. they rejected the company's of a 5.5% increase in pay company's of a 5.5% increase in pay to be backdated to april last year. meanwhile, unions representing thousands of university staff have called off seven days of strike action over the next two weeks, issuing joint statement. they said an agreement has been reached on pay agreement has been reached on pay and pensions with a final offer of between 5 to 8% from august. however the five planned strikes in mid—march over grading and 0 hours contracts will still go ahead . south korea will still go ahead. south korea has condemned the for north a ballistic missile, describing the move as a clear breach of

un. pyongyang launched a missile into the sea off its east coast this morning as the us and south korea prepare for annual military drills. north korea fired unprecedented number of missiles last, including those with the ability to strike anywhere in the united . more anywhere in the united. more memory , more memorials are being memory, more memorials are being planned to place in memory of brianna gay, who was stabbed last week. hundreds of people gathered in cheshire to remember the 16 year old who was . similar the 16 year old who was. similar vigils also held in birmingham nottingham and edinburgh. police are investigating . she was the are investigating. she was the victim of a hate crime . a boy victim of a hate crime. a boy and a girl, both 15, were remanded in custody after being charged with . her almost charged with. her almost thousand homes, which lost power . storm otto have still been reconnected to the grid. the met office says the storm was well and truly cleared but homes across aberdeenshire are without

power. it says the storms now left the uk and is scandinavia. the scottish and southern electricity say they've sent vans to the main areas that are still cut off. it says it hopes to store power by the end of the day . the to store power by the end of the day. the legal to store power by the end of the day . the legal definition of day. the legal definition of closure is set to be broadened to help museums keep more artefacts after significant fines. it comes a surge in the number of detector ists uncovering historic artefacts. under the current definition , under the current definition, item needs to be at least 300 years old and be made at least part of precious metal to be considered a treasure . this is considered a treasure. this is gb news more as it happens, but now back to nicola. so scottish politics has, you could argue for years now had an

outsized voice in the wider uk political conversation . john political conversation. john nicola sturgeon designed to throw in the towel and, resign this week and that matters massively in scotland but also everywhere else in the uk too . everywhere else in the uk too. it is a very, very important indeed. many say she focussed too much on indyref too and less on other important matters like scotland becoming europe's worst country for drug misuse. but what does her going really mean for the future of the union? i'm joined now in the studio by dr. craig prescott. constitutional expert at bangor university. good afternoon to you . a lot of good afternoon to you. a lot of people will say indyref to oh, please remind me what that's what. why is it a significant phrase and might it be coming back? okay. so indyref2 is what we use to describe the of a second scottish independence referendum like the one we had in 2014 and essentially the snp position after the first referendum was last was we would hold a second referendum if .

hold a second referendum if. there had been a second if change in circumstance forces such as the uk leave the european union. and of course that happened. the snp continue to be successful in scottish elections of one form or another and so scottish independence has remained on the agenda within . remained on the agenda within. draft two. so where are we now? nicola sturgeon has gone. there's a whole galaxy of names of , people that there's a whole galaxy of names of, people that particularly english, are probably going to struggle with people in the rest of the uk struggle with a bit. let's just go through the most likely and runners and what that might future might mean for the future direction of policy for the snp and therefore the debate about independence . yes, well it is independence. yes, well it is difficult if you're if you're based in england to really just get that day to day sense of scottish politics. and so it's interest to see how, you know, the fact that these are relatively unknown to us shows us how scottish politics has become . and, you know, there are

become. and, you know, there are people like angus robertson who we may know from being in westminster, but has gone back to the scottish parliament. and so he's warned that we may recognise there are one or two others. the health minister, whose name i proving the point to the name of the doctor is sort of the use of i think. yes. who, you know, had some prominence during the pandemic inevitably. and there's company kate forbes . that's the one i'm kate forbes. that's the one i'm thinking of. kate forbes, who relatively new in the scottish government and you her own personal beliefs may impact as regards the gender recognition bill. yes she she's a very much a committed christian. and of course in scotland there are various grades of if i can put it that way. but her views if she gets top job, could actually influence snp policies pretty significantly, it seems. well yes. and the other thing is the

snp is a broad coalition , as we snp is a broad coalition, as we could see with some of the runners and riders, but also the snp is in coalition with the green party in scotland and you know , the green party are know, the green party are socially liberal and so know she becomes first minister. that might put pressure on the coalition that you have a hollyrood and so we may there may a decision about whether to judicially review with the westminster government blocking the gender recognition bill and that might be her big test if she becomes minister. do you think there are some some rays of hope here for labour to revive itself in, do you think with the going of nicola sturgeon and possible changes in the direction of the scots that policy. i think because you know, we've nicola sturgeon that is you know someone has dominated scottish politics for the past ten years or so and know inevitably create space and inevitably people may start to

look elsewhere and you know, if labour are doing well in the polls , more broadly speaking for polls, more broadly speaking for the general election in 2024, then you know, some scottish snp voters may find themselves voting labour next time around and that puts a different hue. the independence question overall . what you might think is overall. what you might think is that maybe nicola sturgeon has pursued indyref2 to the exclusion of other things and now other things have risen on the agenda and, you know, that does create an opportunity for labour and the polls have started to just narrow a little bit with the snp falling a touch and as and labour coming up. so there's opportunities there. i think the 2024 general election because the points to be made a lot hasn't it? although independence is always thing that most people, certainly people outside of scotland think of in terms of people like nicola, there are some other

very, very issues hanging around this. the drugs problem that we talked about, a standards not matching to people's hopes, policing in scotland seems to be in the mess. there's even a bit of a financial problem . the snp, of a financial problem. the snp, the coffers themselves. there are a lot of issues. it's not just a single thing, you know, and i think is perhaps why nicola sturgeon's chosen now to go . there's perhaps been go. there's perhaps been a window for her to, to decide go now if she left it any longer than she would had to lead the snp into the westminster election which we're expecting next year and then it's only two more years before the next scottish parliamentary election. so there was a distinct window here for her to go and perhaps think , yes, maybe this is as far think, yes, maybe this is as far as i've dealt. it's now time for new leadership to have a new approach to these problems. and that's good. and you know, in the interests of the snp, as you said, didn't want to be an

obstacle to things as you would, which is understandable thing to say. any all that the say. any hope at all that the tories can make any sort of comeback in the midst of of comeback in the midst of all of this change. what's been this change. i think what's been really interesting over the past few years is that conservative fortunes , fortunes scotland had improved, you know, particularly when ruth davidson was leader. you know, particularly when ruth davidson was leader . and at one davidson was leader. and at one point they were the second largest party in scotland. and that's not what we would traditionally expect of post thatcher and all of that sort of taking a broader view . it seems taking a broader view. it seems that that, you know, maybe after the referendum, politics in scotland was either for the union, in which case you vote for the most unionist party or for the most unionist party or for independence, in which case you vote for the there wasn't much space for labour there, but now you know, you're possibly voting labour. yes to sort of reason scottish politics, but also to get the tories out in westminster , there's like other westminster, there's like other reasons to, to choose how to

vote and, you know, so, so that sort of the conservatives are in difficulties. uk and i think that that's going to flow into scotland and i think you're going to have in in scotland a sort of i think the battle is going to be between the snp and labour and but then that raises questions for as to how do they approach the future of the union they tend to. craig prescott, thank you very much indeed. a constitutional expert there back university. grateful for that. well we mentioned the conservatives there and i'm joined now by miles is tory msp for lothian good afternoon to very lovely to see you that sounded a little bit bleak your party didn't it there was mention of ruth davidson they will all say oh yes she did rule the world and she but since you sort well having a struggle sort of. well having a struggle to get get into this fight, aren't you ? well, no, i don't aren't you? well, no, i don't think . so and aren't you? well, no, i don't think. so and when you look at where we are in scotland are the

official opposition. we are the second and we're the main second party and we're the main challenges to the snp as well. so all the key seats at the so in all the key seats at the next election which can be taken off the snp, it is the conservatives who are in second place can win those. that's place and can win those. that's where the next general where for the next general election. and agree with your election. and i agree with your commentator terms of the commentator said in terms of the constitutional divide in scotland very much is still there . but the opportunity to there. but the opportunity to remove snp msps comes about by voting conservative scotland and that's a message will continue to play across . now what about to play across. now what about nicolas leaving? were you surprised guys but a what do you think the implications might be so i being quite honest yes people were surprised . yes, they people were surprised. yes, they maybe thought at some point between now and the after the next uk general election she would go but not at this moment time. so we will see her reasoning why she has gone and for that and but i think above all there's an opportunity for us as a parliament, as scottish politics in general, to move on

and to look at the which really face the country . and you've face the country. and you've touched upon them in terms of the challenges around our drug deaths , which are totally deaths, which are totally unacceptable, but also else which is devolved to the scottish parliament is not performing well . and so i hope performing well. and so i hope there is an opportunity for the new first minister to really look at what they're responsible for policies they should for and the policies they should be for people of be delivering for the people of scotland so when you scotland as. well, so when you look at the riders and runners, we seem to getting well, at least robertson kate least angus robertson kate forbes there couple forbes that there were a couple of ring a bells of names that ring a bells perhaps outside of scotland. let's just take them one at a time. kate forbes, do us what sort of opponent she be for you ? and i think , kate's quite an ? and i think, kate's quite an interesting politician. she's a highland politician. so in terms of the central bank bias , which of the central bank bias, which this government's certainly built , it this government's certainly built, it would be interesting to see how she brings a different sort of politics to that. but you know, she's someone i think would be an interesting colleague to see become first minister. i'm not

quite sure either of these individuals declared that they want to stand at this moment in time, to be honest. but it's not really the personality for me . really the personality for me. think what we need to see and is the country move forward and. we turn the page finally on the grievance and division which we've seen in scottish politics. so i sorry to say, but i don't think a leopard will change its spots regardless who we will see. take over nicola sturgeon . see. take over nicola sturgeon. but kate forbes interesting case, isn't she? and it sort of touches on the way that politics in scotland has all sorts of interesting wrinkles, if you like to put that way, because like to put it that way, because she's very religious person. and then this , the gender then we had all this, the gender issue came up might take issue that came up might take the party in slightly different way or even a quite radically different way. and that one make life interesting for life more interesting for you. and indeed and you know, and it indeed and you know, leadership elections are not fun things in politics let's be honest with that so i think we're about to see a real civil war within the snp breakaway and whoever becomes leader where they and probably is

they sit and kate probably is you're more centre right politician within the snp and i think a lot of people potentially want to leave the snp . she does become leader and snp. she does become leader and because they wouldn't connect with her politics to be quite honest. so i think whatever happens at the end of this process , we will a divided process, we will see a divided government in divided scottish national party. and i think for the union that can only be a good thing. yeah. now ruth davidson think she's forget . davidson think she's forget. forgive me if i'm wrong here i think she said she's ruled herself right out of coming back and anything. no chance at all. do you think sun go and knock on the door and say come on, ruth, come and help us here a great come and help us here is a great opportunity . and ruth's a friend opportunity. and ruth's a friend and colleague and certainly , you and colleague and certainly, you know, did an amazing job when she lead our party. but knowing her quite well, i think the last thing she would to do is get back into elected politics, to be quite honest. and she's a great with her son and great life with her son and partner. and so i'm i don't think going back into elective politics is high on her agenda

to be honest. right okay. to be quite honest. right okay. now let's move on to the important issue where this might lead , might leave the lead, might leave the independent debate, do you think it's possible that we could see i know you don't want to talk with individual candidates . we with individual candidates. we don't even know if people are standing. and it's very difficult to tell they will difficult to tell how they will change but might it just change things. but might it just lead? with the departure of nicola to a different nicola sturgeon to a different approach whole massive approach to, the whole massive subject of independence ? i hope subject of independence? i hope it does. but as i've said , don't it does. but as i've said, don't think the snp are going to overnight what they've been fighting for. i hope they do understand that scotland needs to heal and move and we haven't from the 2012, 2014 referendum. and i think that is really something every politician in scotland needs to consider. we need to as a country get back to delivering what we're in to do, not just always these constitutional divisions which keep being brought again. and so ihope keep being brought again. and so i hope there is an opportunity to move on from the divisions of the past. but more importantly,

i there's also a need for the snp to understand where the country actually wants the to focus on what matters to them not what matters to the scottish national. if you don't think there's a sort of way that your party would like to somehow bnng party would like to somehow bring forward and try and get some popularity for something that would see all of this independence question you'd forgotten or you do hear sometimes there's something i think the canady an issue or something of that sort not quite sure what that means but do you think it's going to hang around and haunt scottish politics come what may so i feel people are starting to want to move on from this debate, to be quite honest . i think nicola sturgeon going does also present an opportunity people to look again. but importantly as a country we need to move forward from this. this is not been in political a great penod is not been in political a great period of time and you know in canada to the referendums they have also created great divisions in that country. but i

think there's an opportunity and i am for those as conservatives , we will always be the strongest voice for the united kingdom. i've always thought and i still do to this day that there's a silent majority in scotland who always make scotland who want to always make sure are part united sure we are part of our united kingdom and that . and so kingdom and stay that. and so i think for most people in scotland, they want to us move on from that. nicolas on from that. and nicolas sturgeon going probably presents that on that road to that opportunity on that road to unite country once again clearly put miles briggs conservative msp for lothian thank you very much indeed forjoining us. well now i am joined by alister stewart but no no, no, no. it's not the lad himself. he's taking a break today. not the lad himself. he's taking a break today . this alison a break today. this alison stewart is a commentator for the scotsman newspaper . and it's scotsman newspaper. and it's a great pleasure to have him on our show this. well, alistair , our show this. well, alistair, when you heard that sturgeon was had was going to resign or she did resign you among those who said, good heavens would never have expected this or did you

have expected this or did you have some suspicions yourself? i some suspicions, i think many saw that over the last couple of weeks that things were not going particularly for the first minister. she wasn't at her best. she was performing a way which is not the make of five, six years ago. her approach to has always been to put independence first and scottish policies second, and that respect. that's been a recent development over the last couple of years. previously the approach that she took was to try and make the very best of scotland's devolution settlement to boost that first and make it an absolute priority and then let nature take its independence is a stepping stone that she struggled recently it was independence. independence independence. independence independence the supreme court deferment. there an ill timed strategy. everyone you understand scottish politics knew what the end result was going to be that so her resignation while premature

perhaps was not totally surprising to . those paying surprising to. those paying close attention to how her performance been of late . now performance been of late. now then, who do you think ? do you then, who do you think? do you think benefits? is it time could it be possible that labour will make inroads from known as we were hearing earlier on from from for bangor university? i think it's inevitable that scottish labour will see a resurgence. the snp have a fundamental over the last number of years, certainly since the 2014 referendum, a massive issue is that they've not demand to the yes movement that is to say people who support scottish independence but might not necessarily be members of the snp . snp politics itself . necessarily be members of the snp . snp politics itself. now snp. snp politics itself. now you saw with alex salmond, nicola predecessor and then a continued nicola sturgeon that it was personality first in many respects the introduction said the removal of sturgeon shouldn't lose an election . shouldn't lose an election. she's suffered as it was saying , a difficult couple of weeks, but most leaders do. that's

pretty standard practise as she's gone, she's she's jumped ship very suddenly and very quickly there a massive mark then of which next big beast is going to take over is a deeply unpalatable situation for many people that are both members of the snp and part of the wider. yes movement. miles was touching on that there's going to be a civil war within the snp . there civil war within the snp. there is. you need either a candidate that comes forward and is a big beast and can continue the vein of alex salmond. the nicola sturgeon and or which i think is not being given enough consideration . a quieter consideration. a quieter candidate, someone who consolidate can consolidate the snp tight and what the actual strategy is to achieve ? because strategy is to achieve? because over the last couple months is very much felt like nicola sturgeon's making up as she went along . that will take time and along. that will take time and you need someone in post can do that, but with a cross party appealin that, but with a cross party appeal in scotland, i was disappointed to see the deputy first minister john swinney himself out. jones swinney was

actually it was his resignation back in the early noughties prompted the rise of alex salmond and nicola sturgeon . the salmond and nicola sturgeon. the last leadership election when salmond at resigned was was no challenger was nicola sturgeon stepped in and here we are . stepped in and here we are. swinney possessed is it the likeability he possesses the knowledge and he possesses the skill? you need a county like that who can put scotland back on the front with its policy agenda? there are a plethora of things as other participants have been saying that have been neglected in scotland. you can just take one and run with it. it's not going particularly well . a shambles in many respects. and if you don't get a candidate in, who's going to tighten the policy ranks and tighten what the agenda is for the party then you're looking at a situation where they are going to have deep problems at the next general election. what about alex salmond he sort of founded

alba party today and constantly sniping and a lot of quite bitterness between him and. nicola sturgeon, is he likely to pay a nicola sturgeon, is he likely to pay a big role in what's about to happen ? no, i think needs to to happen? no, i think needs to be careful with salmond and make him a kingmaker in. that respect his voice is still hurt, but he's very much out of the rank and file of snp. when something goes with the party, he's there to , voice an opinion on it, what to, voice an opinion on it, what i call my attention. the other day was when he said that the yes movement is very much found itself rupture with the sudden departure of nicola sturgeon . i departure of nicola sturgeon. i agree with that completely. his analysis and his knowledge of the movement will be particularly insightful . but it particularly insightful. but it is not for him to decide who is going to be the next first minister is his voice will carry some weight but is the rank and file of the snp that need to serious to figure out what configuration they want over the next three or four years and it's an internal matter. i think

that the resignation of nicola sturgeon has prompted a very sudden existential analysis that they need to undertake of themselves . and maybe you know themselves. and maybe you know she wasn't going to go on forever . but she wasn't going to go on forever. but this was a question that was very much going to be kicked the road for quite some time. she herself was joking about it at the of last year about it at the end of last year that, you know, no immediate plans for departure if you can or members can answer question. now they're to be in trouble it's not particularly helpful to the election process next snp leader has been condensed into a month previously that process would take several months so these questions which would go on for quite some time and allow candidates to set up their stall and allow people to make their case have to be answered next week very suddenly . and that's week very suddenly. and that's a lot of thinking to do after 16 years. alison very grateful to alison, their commentator for

the issue. thank you . and we've the issue. thank you. and we've been getting a reaction, a lot of reaction as ever here on gb news and we have that example. adele says there is no one capable to take over the snp. they are a disaster. capable to take over the snp. they are a disaster . they have they are a disaster. they have ruined the country. they need to be audited . think she means to be audited. think she means to say that to find the government money that not been passed on to councils labour and conservative have done nothing to fight them and do things for the people who did this. all sounds a despairing, doesn't it? anyway, another one here i've got paul . another one here i've got paul. paul says this the next scottish parliament election is due to take place on the 7th of may 2026. i wonder if the new first minister, when elected will dissolve the scottish parliament and bring forward those elections ? are they able to do elections? are they able to do so ? they know what the so? they know what the constitutional situation is with that. anyway, interesting point . and elizabeth says here , my . and elizabeth says here, my fear now is that angus robertson may win the leadership he's a

name that has come up quite a bit and a name that might be vaguely familiar to people back and the rest of the uk my fear now that robertson may win now is that robertson may win the prove the leadership and prove a better, more appealing leader for the cause of partition . for the cause of partition. whether he will do anything to write terrible of write the terrible neglect of scotland that we nicola has wrought . i can't say say well, wrought. i can't say say well, well, always great to hear from you. as i say, gbv gbnews.uk and don't forget to subscribe to our youtube channel. we're at gb news. now the politician is from across the political divide have condemned plans to hold a protest outside a hotel which is housing seekers. the protest which will be taking place in newquay in, cornwall within the week , has been described as week, has been described as racist mallard gb news reporter jeff moody has been to find out more . oleg ignatieff the newquay more. oleg ignatieff the newquay beach hotel , more. oleg ignatieff the newquay beach hotel, he's more. oleg ignatieff the newquay beach hotel , he's decided to beach hotel, he's decided to

open his hotel 24 seven to offer refuge to anyone fearing for their safety. newquay it's a small and a lot of people frequently post about their concerns on facebook and people rally around them. and the post said that, you know, that they've people who being followed at night and in the comments you can see there's a lot of people who were also concerned because they had a similar experience. so it made sense that because we're open 24, seven, it made a lot of sense that we would be a place that people could come in to and feel safe. and if they needed to call the police and we could keep them safe whilst, know keep them safe whilst, you know , if they were , they were being if they were being or anything else. being followed or anything else. locals reporting being followed home, not feeling safe on their streets . some blame influx of streets. some blame influx of asylum seekers currently housed in a popular newquay and it's making the community angry . and making the community angry. and it's that anger that's really beginning to worry police

tempers are frayed . feelings are tempers are frayed. feelings are running high. tempers are frayed. feelings are running high . and the idea that running high. and the idea that a protege test coupled with a counter at the same time could spill into something far more serious serious like knowsley in liverpool last week, 15 people were arrested . protests outside were arrested. protests outside a hotel housing migrants. a police officer and two members of the public suffered minor injuries and a police van was set on fire. police are anxious. the same doesn't happen in cornwall. in a statement and cornwall. in a statement and cornwall police told gb news, we are aware of a planned protest due to take place in newquay . we due to take place in newquay. we are seeking to engage the protest organisers. police will facilitate peaceful protest and use legislation to keep safe. we will continue to review any information received regarding this matter . information received regarding this matter. gb news approached the organisers , the protest as the organisers, the protest as well as the organisers the

counter—protest. but one was able to speak to us. politicians have been unanimous in calling for the planned to be abandoned, but is nigel farage it's wrong to double action as far right already the conservative leader of cornwall council condemned what they're doing as racist. the labour party of joined in as well and now a collection of various refugee charities have got together today. they claim they represent up to five groups around the country calling on government to condemn protests against those across the english channel against those across the english channel, filling up hotels . i'll channel, filling up hotels. i'll tell you what's going on here. they are trying to suppress any any criticism of what is going on on a scale around our communities . police must now toe communities. police must now toe a fine line between allowing speech and keeping the peace .

speech and keeping the peace. jeff moody gb news is baltic arm. plenty of it this afternoon on alison stewart and friends with me. nicholas owen today sticking with scotland will be heading to edinburgh for this year's scottish labour . first year's scottish labour. first though, let's get the headlines with . our . with. our. it's 132. i'm on armstrong with. our. it's132. i'm on armstrong in the gb newsroom. the uk will be the gb newsroom. the uk will be the first country to provide longer range weapons to ukraine with the prime minister saying now's the time to double down on military support. addressing the munich security conference, rishi sunak said the response to russian aggression hasn't been strong enough. he told allies advanced nato's standard capabilities are needed to counter the kremlin's attack and that moscow must be held to account for crimes against humanity. what's at stake ? this humanity. what's at stake? this war is even greater than the

security c and sovereignty of one nation. it's the security and sovereignty of every nation . because russia's invasion and its abhorrent war crimes and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric are symptomatic of a broader threat to. everything we believe . minister also addressed reports a deal with the eu over northern ireland protocol could be imminent. rishi sunak was greeted by the german chancellor olaf scholz at the summit says both parties understand what to be done for the new trade agreement . there's no deal yet. agreement. there's no deal yet. he's expected to hold talks with european commission president ursula von dillen this afternoon . the body of former premier league footballer christian has been recovered in turkey. his agent confirmed the ghanaian who played for newcastle, chelsea and everton was found almost two

weeks after the earthquakes . weeks after the earthquakes. more than 45,000 people have been killed in, turkey and syria this morning a child was among three people rescued. 296 hours after the first quake struck . after the first quake struck. the british billionaire, sirjim ratcliffe confirmed he and his petrochemicals company ineos have joined the race to buy manchester united. he's competing against sheikh jassim bin hamad al—thani , the chairman bin hamad al—thani, the chairman of one of qatar's biggest banks. sir jim says he wants to make manchester united the number club in the world again . tv and club in the world again. tv and dab+ this is . dab+ this is. gb news. hello there. welcome your met office forecast. i'm craig . so it's the forecast. i'm craig. so it's the situation for this . still some situation for this. still some rain around across the north of the country, but for the south, it's certainly going to remain

very. so here's the situation at the moment. we've had a couple of areas of low pressure move through overnight. one will still continue to track its way eastwards as we go through saturday. so into this afternoon ,john saturday. so into this afternoon , john still got the front this lingering across the very far south uk and then this south of the uk and then this next area, rain just into southern scotland as the goes on in between and also across the very far north of we will see some bright spells and certainly a calmer day for north—east scotland compared to friday. but in the sunshine across the midlands into east anglia, we could see highs reaching 14, 15, possibly even 16 degrees. so another very mild day to come into evening. the band of rain across scotland will gradually work its way into . the north work its way into. the north sea. this will allow some clearer and colder conditions to develop so we could a icy develop so we could a few icy patches come sunday morning. elsewhere a cooler night and of late, but still on the outside, temperatures germany staying up into the mid single figures. temperatures germany staying up into the mid single figures . so into the mid single figures. so we start the day on a fairly quiet note across the south. but

further we have this band of rain which will gradually work its way across scotland as the day goes on, turning quite heavy , persistent and accompanied by a strengthening northern a strengthening wind. northern ireland. northern england, also rather could just see a rather cloudy, could just see a few outbreaks of rain here. but further south a fairly calm afternoon to come gets sunny spells especially down towards south—west england central england and again temperatures 14 or 15 degrees very a rain will continue to work its way northeastward as we go into sunday evening. quite wet and windy night to come the very far north of scotland that will transfer its a little bit further southwards as we go into monday. but overall we start the week on a mild note but note the temperatures on wednesday turning colder for all of us by. then.

welcome back your watching and listening to alison stewart and friends on gb news today. it's with me nicholas hein . now then with me nicholas hein. now then the scottish leader anas sarwar has said his party is ready for government in rallying cry to activists at the party, mr. sawa made direct plea to conservative and snp voters ahead of the next election, urging them to their trust in labour. election, urging them to their trust in labour . also ian trust in labour. also ian murray, mp , give his address to murray, mp, give his address to the scottish labour party annual conference later in the day. well scotland reporter tony maguire in edinburgh and he has more . hello. welcome to more. hello. welcome to edinburgh and to the bustling exhibition yesterday we had the pleasure of sitting around a table with anas sarwar to him and some of the finer points before he makes his long towards the role of first minister. he hopes the next general election . the air here among party members is very one of cool

character . it's members is very one of cool character. it's i'm members is very one of cool character . it's i'm confident . character. it's i'm confident. so who knows what the party will still bring to it over the couple of days. up in a huddle today with the press and sir we're dealt with such things as a 9 we're dealt with such things as a g r nhs teacher strikes . and a g r nhs teacher strikes. and some of the more constant additional questions that have been brought to the fore with nicola sturgeon's raising . i nicola sturgeon's raising. i asked him specifically just before we came on air, about how we're going to bring scotland together when each side of the independence question remains perpetually at odds odds . we perpetually at odds odds. we have a huge opportunity right now in scotland to move the politics of division, whether that's snp division or indeed tory division, to and demonstrate to people that government's can do more than just manage decline . this isn't just manage decline. this isn't as good as it gets. just manage decline. this isn't as good as it gets . change is as good as it gets. change is possible. we do have to pit scott against scott or community. against community. we

can come together, work together to confront the challenges facing scotland, to strengthen scotland but also renew and modernise uk. that's the platform in the pitch . the platform in the pitch. the labour party is standing on and that's why we're confident heading into the next general election . and there we have seen election. and there we have seen certainly like anas sarwar certainly like anas sarwar certainly is not going for second place in the next scottish election. he's going first minister position . first minister position. obviously over in the other side of the city, much is being said about nicola sturgeon's replacement right here and the assembly rooms in edinburgh . the assembly rooms in edinburgh. the next big speaker to take the stage. ian murray. ian murray being bit of a lone wolf down in he is labour's only scottish mp for the last four years and depending on what cause that you read over the last week or so , read over the last week or so, you know, we could be joined by quite a more colleagues from north of the border. meanwhile tomorrow , of course, the big tomorrow, of course, the big hatter is keir , which i'm pretty

hatter is keir, which i'm pretty sure would expect to see me again packed among a much patrick christys heat in a similar in edinburgh. patrick christys heat in a similar in edinburgh . thank you similar in edinburgh. thank you very much indeed . tony maguire very much indeed. tony maguire there. now a protest against the metropolitan police is set to take place outside scotland yard today. watch network says there raise the alarm protest is being held to demonstrate anger against an institution that in their words protects and produces rapists such as david carrick and wayne cousins. our national reporter theo chikomba is outside scotland yard for us now . thea good afternoon. well, now. thea good afternoon. well, we're here outside a news scotland yard where we're expecting to see cop watch members come this afternoon to protest they say is some of the things that are going wrong within the metropolitan police but it's not just here in london

, elsewhere across the country where police officers have found themselves in court for misusing their positions and not doing what the public would deem is acceptable , their eyes. in the acceptable, their eyes. in the last of months, we've heard from the new metropolitan police commissioner , mark, really about commissioner, mark, really about some of the challenges he's faced since taking over from dame cressida dick last year, who in her tenure she came across challenges including stopping search and other things which were happening in. the police at the time . and just police at the time. and just a couple of weeks ago, sir mark riley was speaking at, the london assembly's police crime committee meeting, saying the pubuc committee meeting, saying the public should prepare for more painful stories as the force confronts the that it faces. he on to say cases including violence, women and girls such as domestic abuse and sex offences. and there's strict trickle of them and there's more which are going to be coming the surface over the next couple of months, he's saying. we haven't

normally applied pressure in terms of ruthlessness when it comes to our force members . we comes to our force members. we should be doing that as we do when it comes to members of, should be doing that as we do when it comes to members of , the when it comes to members of, the public. when it comes to members of, the pubuc.so when it comes to members of, the public. so they have come across many challenges in the last couple of months and indeed the last years . so coming last few years. so people coming here to protest on here are coming to protest on that also calling for those that and also calling for those who are in police to be called and be taken out of the force . and be taken out of the force. so we expect in many of them to come and this afternoon we'll be heanng come and this afternoon we'll be hearing from them. theo chikomba and scotland yard, thank you very much indeed. well, it's time now for good causes , where time now for good causes, where we highlight the work of an individual or individuals or organisations who go above and beyond to raise of those less fortunate . this week, we're not fortunate. this week, we're not just covering charity, but several through the medium of film. the smiley charity film awards, which are show casing the work of charities such as the work of charities such as the harry kane foundation, ripples suicide prevention bank, the food barnardos well, here to tell us more is the co—founder

simon burton. welcome to the show. just just explain what the whole principle is and what you're trying to do. thanks for having me. so the prince is very simple in the modern world, video matters , whether it's tv video matters, whether it's tv or tech talk or youtube or instagram . and there were instagram. and there were 200,000 charities in the uk all trying to get their stories heard . so charity film awards is heard. so charity film awards is a very simple proposition. it's a very simple proposition. it's a showcase for the very best of charity filmmaking , and it's charity filmmaking, and it's designed in a way which allows the smallest, most niche charity to compete with the big guys. right. okay so if we ask, who can enter, it sounds like absolutely anybody can absolutely anybody can absolutely anybody can absolutely any registered charity or community interest company can enter and so you get together these things over a penod together these things over a period and you have a panel of judges yourself. well, no, think of it is a bit more like a strictly come dancing or britain's got talent model. so charities enter they into their films . the previous year and we

films. the previous year and we make that very simple for them. it takes them about seven or eight clicks to do that so really simple process . and then really simple process. and then this is the secret sauce . the this is the secret sauce. the charities , something very charities, something very unusual for a charity they ask for something which doesn't to any extreme effort there's no there's no mega charities they're not asking for money. they ask their supporters to view the film and vote . so the view the film and vote. so the first round of the competition is, just a public vote and charity supporters engage with film and share on social media. and then we go 400 charities who entered this year. so it's just 400 good causes. was to about 150. and we're at that stage , 150. and we're at that stage, 60,000 people voted in the first round of public vote in a now get spicy. now we have a panel of expert judges who will decide the overall. but alongside that, we reopen the public vote. so we have a people's choice in every category as well. my goodness me. does sounds it was an interesting process but forgive me doesn't it just mean that every charity will have own

supporters voting like mad and people that vote over and over again ? that's to some sort of again? that's to be some sort of screening it would screening process. it would be unfair. you can there's unfair. well, you can there's two elements in making sure this is balanced , stern fair. the is balanced, stem and fair. the first that we segment by first is that we segment by turnover so major national turnover. so a major national household name, charity won't be competing in against a small local charity . charities are local charity. charities are competing like for like size. and there two points to make about the just the charities supporters view which is once supporters view which is once supporters view which is once supporters view the film of them haven't even seen the film before they can only once oh two and then they share on social. so suddenly i watch a film for charity you care about and i vote . then you see, i've seen vote. then you see, i've seen that film when you go on a vote. so to answer your question, every year, we more double the views of the film taking part and add hundreds of millions of total views to all of the films of the power of social media. right. so it's a competition,

but it's also a great way of promoting all those charities and the whole idea of it. the us, the ethos , winning is great, us, the ethos, winning is great, but every vote is more important . every view is what matters . . every view is what matters. now. what about what makes a good charity video is that? is there away? let's break it up. let's say very big charities just of the cancer research uk example. i think that probably the biggest cancer charity outlay what sort of somebody like that an organisation that have a huge team one imagines and lots of very producers and things but what really what really grabs what works them that's really interesting because cancer research uk who compete in the awards regularly probably make multiple films in a year. so part of that challenge is picking which films. so they'll have films for fundraising events, they have films for that direct films for that are direct appeals the calls , might appeals against the calls, might have film with a celebrity have a film with a celebrity ambassador involved with a smaller charity , only gets one smaller charity, only gets one bite of the cherry a year in terms stake in this film, i would that what makes a truly

effective charity film is authenticity . and with a dash of authenticity. and with a dash of creativity in storytelling there's only so much you can do given that given that dealing with people in adversity and we to present that in an optimistic and positive. and the real difference is how do you make that authenticity of expression have a little bit of imagination and creativity with it . right. and creativity with it. right. okay. that's that sounds relatively straightforward. but as you say, a small charities, it's who don't have the sort of resources of big ones. that's a tncky resources of big ones. that's a tricky thing to get right, is it? yes but i'd say if we if you you viewed any of the films you'd be taken aback by how effective of the smaller charities, particularly the more focussed charities who are more digitally native, younger charity . now that's turning over charity. now that's turning over between between five and 20 million turnover. charity is tend to focussed on a single issue and produced really compelling because they understand digital that's the they younger of that is they're

all the yes yes yes yes. so they younger of that is they're all the yes yes yes yes . so the all the yes yes yes yes. so the power of social media here is so isn't it. you hear so much today don't you. i mean we, we're all aware of this and we're all our bit to sort of attract people to watch things and notice of things. but people attention spans, generally speaking, i think the evidence is they're doing this , doing this, they're doing this, doing this, they're doing this, doing this, they're doing this, doing this, they're doing this, they're doing this. so these things have still got to you like, more and to be, if you like, more and more would you agree with more done. would you agree with that. the word i use is more most succinctly. there is a danger and you understand this is a broadcast, too. and someone who's watched the evolution of narrative and storytelling all the way back to actual film make it right. indeed. so the average length of a film , a watch on length of a film, a watch on youtube is 4 minutes, 11 seconds. so you've got be performing pretty well to make a five minute film and have it stick, you've got to be outperformed the norm and ticktalk instance is even shorter than that . so for me shorter than that. so for me it's about succinctness . it's it's about succinctness. it's about authenticity. succinctness

and not trying to tell two stories at once , you know, this stories at once, you know, this is a journalist, one one simple story. make that stick . come story. make that stick. come back with the second story. now, you've been running these this is not the first year. there's this is sixth year the year. this is the 60 edition in the seventh year. yes. right okay. winners from past years, names we would have of. but we would have heard of. but people stick your mind. the people stick in your mind. the you save the children you macmillan save the children big years but also child big name years but also child bereavement uk the british hedgehog preservation society communities development because of our turnover segmentation small charities win and then get access to huge audiences and important charities pay nothing for this. this is a philanthropic exercise to help them tell their stories by the smiley movement and that that when we have this gala celebration at the odeon leicester square, it's the charities carpet that they're celebrating and being recognised in credible impact they have on the communities around the uk

that's award ceremony when you finally announce and that's the winners just tell us about that it's a said leicester square usually familiar place usually a very familiar place for carpet. yeah it's for the red carpet. yeah it's red have smattering of red what have a smattering of celebs have celebs passes we'll have a celebrity host we have big big cinema . all the charities get cinema. all the charities get their popcorn , the sweets. we their popcorn, the sweets. we treat it like a film festival. it's to stress this it's important to stress this film . these emotional , but film. these are emotional, but many of them are funny and uplift often. and just the indie of illness of people in the face. adversity might be tearjerking , but it's also tearjerking, but it's also inspiring. empower feel and we show the winning films that's on march that marks the 21st. and everyone can go to the website and view all of the films and we will stream the so many live which which covers i guess. nicholas kind. i'll nicholas that's very kind. i'll have at the but have to look at the diary, but it sounds lovely. what's the website? just to remind of that smiley awards .com smiley charity film awards .com . you very . very simple. thank you very much simon but they're much indeed simon but they're cut founder of smiley charity film awards . well, you've been film awards. well, you've been getting in touch again on the big topics of the day here at gb

news. we've been covering, particularly scotland. so on here's one here. i've got to ireland i've my glasses ireland says i've put my glasses on i think that you i hope you think they're not too smart for the job. why in the media world to pundits give such credit to sturgeon right. we're going back to sturgeon first to nicola sturgeon first minister of minister resigned a couple of days goes on to say days ago. alan goes on to say yes, good snp has yes, a good but the snp has a disaster for scotland . this is a disaster for scotland. this is a left wing separatist party. one issue agenda that is promoted and hatred at every opportunity . these people have done nothing at all. the majority of scots who disagree with the independence force . marion says independence force. marion says this i'm so glad sturgeon has gone again . need to get all the gone again. need to get all the lefties of the scottish parliament, the greens like the snp have brought scotland to its knees. snp have brought scotland to its knees . let's hope we had knees. let's hope we had a common sense party like the conservative and unionist party in power soon they are the only onesi in power soon they are the only ones i trusts and here's so here's . she thinks i'll be here's. she thinks i'll be interested in knowing how much

sturgeon's obsession with independence has cost the taxpayer pays both english and scottish . before we go this scottish. before we go this week, our dipietro has sat down with dave penman, general secretary of the first division association. he's leader of the civil service trade union. you could put it like that. he was asked about the bullying allegations against the deputy prime minister raab , talking prime minister raab, talking about at this point in time , about at this point in time, think more than two dozen civil servants come forward. eight separate complaints three different government departments over a period of four years. so of that has to be investigated. that doesn't mean he's guilty, but it suggests something quite substantial here around . his substantial here around. his conduct that so many servants andifs conduct that so many servants and it's not easy complain about and it's not easy complain about a government minister so many civil servants have come over such a long period time. what complaints ? well you can watch complaints? well you can watch the full interview on the gb news show. gloria meets well,

you'll find out who the person behind the politician is . that's behind the politician is. that's every sunday at, 6 pm. well, that's all we've got time for. we'll be back tomorrow at 1 pm. enjoy the rest of day. bye bye . enjoy the rest of day. bye bye. hello there. welcome to your met office forecast. i'm craig snell. so here's the situation this weekend. still some rain , this weekend. still some rain, especially across the north of the country but for the south, it's certainly going to very mild. so here's the situation at the moment. had a couple of areas of low pressure move through overnight. this one will still continue to track way still continue to track its way eastwards go through eastwards as we go through saturday. so into this afternoon , still got the front this lingering across the very far south of the uk. and then this next area, rain just moving into southern scotland as the afternoon goes on in between . afternoon goes on in between. also across the very far north of . we will some of scotland. we will see some bright spells and certainly a calmer day for. northeast scotland to friday. but scotland compared to friday. but in the sunshine across the midlands into east anglia, we could see highs reaching 50 and

possibly even 16 degrees. so another very day to come into this evening. the band of rain across scotland will gradually work its way into north sea. this will allow some clearer and colder conditions to develop so we see a few icy patches we could see a few icy patches come sunday morning. elsewhere a cooler night, then a flight, but still outside temperatures. still the outside temperatures. germany staying up into the mid single figures. so we start the day on a fairly quiet note across the south. further north, we have this band rain, which will gradually work its way across scotland as the day goes on turning quite heavy and persistent and accompanied by a strengthening wind . northern strengthening wind. northern ireland. also ireland. northern england. also rather cloudy, could just see a few outbreaks of here, but few outbreaks of rain here, but further south a fairly calm afternoon to come gets sunny spells , especially down towards spells, especially down towards south—west england , southern south—west england, southern england. and again, temperatures reaching 14 or 15 degrees. the area rain will continue to work its way northeastward as we go into sunday evening. quite a wet and, windy night to come across

the very far north of scotland. that will transfer its way a little bit further southwards as we go into monday. but overall , we go into monday. but overall, as we start the week, on the mild note. but note the temperatures on wednesday colder for all of us by then . join for all of us by then. join camilla tominey at 930 on sunday morning when i'll be speaking to penny morden, leader of the house of commons, about defence spending. nicholas and her own prime ministerial ambitions and much more. i'll also be asking. sir graham brady, chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench tories how the party plans to win next general election without johnson and calum best son of manchester united legend george best will be me. what it was like to live in the shadow. a flawed genius. that and more. at 930 on . sunday join me on a at 930 on. sunday join me on a quick saturday and sunday on tv's expect fiery debate and

passion discussion as me and my panel , some passion discussion as me and my panel, some of the biggest topics hitting headlines. it's a place for everyone's opinion. no gets cancelled, but no one gets an easy ride . oh i'd be ready an easy ride. oh i'd be ready for conversation that are fierce. frank and of course, fun. every and sunday afternoon from p m on tv news , the from p m on tv news, the people's .

channel good. it channel good.itis channel good. it is 2 pm. that means it's good. it is 2 pm. that means wsfime good. it is 2 pm. that means it's time for real britain with me. emily carver. it's time for real britain with me. emily carver . your tv online me. emily carver. your tv online and digital radio. now we've got and digital radio. now we've got a big show for you today. it's over three weeks since nicola barley mysteriously disappeared . lancashire police have of course, come under intense criticism. not least