>> the live desk with me, mark longhurst and me , pip tomson. longhurst and me, pip tomson. >> it's here monday to friday on gb news. >> from midday. we'll bring you the news as breaks whenever the news as it breaks whenever it's wherever it's it's happening and wherever it's happening from the and happening from across the uk and around feisty, with >> refreshing, feisty, but with a fun, too. a bit of fun, too. >> if matters to you, we'll >> if it matters to you, we'll have covered tv, radio and online. >> join the live desk on gb news. channel, news. the people's channel, britain's channel. good afternoon. >> it's midday on your with the live desk here on gb news with myself, ellie. myself, martin and with ellie. coming on monday coming up on this monday lunchtime, that coming up on this monday ll signal|e, that coming up on this monday ll signal nificant that coming up on this monday llsignal nificant number that coming up on this monday ll signal nificant number of that a signal nificant number of counter—terrorism firearms a signal nificant number of counter-have»rism firearms a signal nificant number of counter-have stepped arms from officers have stepped back from

armed officers have stepped back from arncommanders now crisis >> commanders are now in crisis meetings with the military on standby any standby to respond to any serious capital. serious incident in the capital. we'll be live from scotland yard. >> e also e- e— e also live from the >> and we're also live from the island lampedusa, where island of lampedusa, where more than 11,000 migrants have arrived africa in arrived from north africa in just days. this just the past ten days. this week, secretary week, home secretary suella braverman western braverman will urge western leaders to come together to help combat global migrant crisis. >> rishi ? rishi continues >> and rishi sunak continues to face a tory backlash over plans to former to scrap hsz with former chancellor move would act to scrap hsz with former ch huge lor move would act to scrap hsz with former ch huge economicvould act to scrap hsz with former ch huge economic self—harm. act of huge economic self—harm. we'll have all the latest reaction westminster . reaction from westminster. and as well as that, we'll be looking back on what was, of course, a triumph for british teams and the rugby world cup with wales teams and the rugby world cup wit recording wales teams and the rugby world cup wit recording huge wales teams and the rugby world cup wit recording huge wins wales teams and the rugby world cup wit recording huge wins in wales teams and the rugby world cup wit recording huge wins in their es all recording huge wins in their group games. >> before we kick off, here >> but before we kick off, here are the latest news headlines >> but before we kick off, here are “that atest news headlines >> but before we kick off, here are “that atest clever1eadlines >> but before we kick off, here are “that atest clever1eadlaaron like that very clever with aaron armstrong . armstrong. >> afternoon. it's minute armstrong. >> 12. afternoon. it's minute armstrong. >> 12. i'm ernoon. it's minute armstrong. >> 12. i'm aaron]. it's minute armstrong. >> 12. i'm aaron armstrong. ute past 12. i'm aaron armstrong. gb news significant news has learned a significant number counter—terror news has learned a significant numberin counter—terror news has learned a significant number in london counter—terror news has learned a significant numberin london have er—terror news has learned a significant numberin london have stepped' news has learned a significant numlfrom london have stepped' news has learned a significant numlfrom duties] have stepped' news has learned a significant numlfrom duties amide stepped' news has learned a significant numlfrom duties amid an apped' back from duties amid an escalating crisis over their legal . it comes after legal protection. it comes after a colleague was charged with murder shooting of an murder over the shooting of an unarmed black man. chris kaba in south london last year. all most

all armed response vehicles in the capital have also handed in their firearms permits. senior met police commanders are in crisis discussions in an attempt to ensure london has an adequate level of protection in the military, has been put on standby to respond in the event of a terror attack. shadow paymaster jonathan paymaster general jonathan ashworth says people need confidence in the police . confidence in the police. >> it's vital that that they have support, but they're also safeguards in place. now there's been a review announced by the home secretary. we don't know the details of that review yet. there's also that live prosecution, that court case. so i want to i want as a politician to be careful about how i comment on these matters, as you would as you would appreciate it. but we obviously need to make sure have procedures in make sure we have procedures in place which commands the confidence of both the police officers and the communities they serve . they serve. >> the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, says the north shouldn't have to pay for the government's mismanagement budget mismanagement of the hs2 budget . rishi sunak is refusing to

guarantee the planned line between birmingham and manchester, where he's refusing to confirm it will be completed. he'll discuss the future of it with the chancellor this week with the chancellor this week with a decision expected before the tory party conference in manchester next week. but the prime minister insists he is committed to levelling up this kind of speculation that people are making is not right. >> i mean, we've got spades in the we're getting on and the ground. we're getting on and delivering, but the north delivering, but across the north what is what we're also doing is connecting all the towns and connecting up all the towns and cities the north—east cities in the north—east to west. that's a really important part of we will create jobs, part of how we will create jobs, drive across the region, drive growth across the region, all part of our plans to level up freeports are another good example of that, whether that's in or elsewhere, in teesside or elsewhere, attracting investment, attracting new investment, new businesses in, all good businesses coming in, all good examples of the government levelling home secretary levelling up the home secretary will call for unity amongst western leaders to combat the global migration crisis. >> suella braverman will tell an audience in washington that other countries can learn from the uk's attempts to tackle illegal migrants. she's

questioning whether conventions and legal frameworks designed more than 50 years ago are still fit for purpose. and she's calling for a shake—up to the international rules . calling for a shake—up to the international rules. is1 million nhs appointments have been cancelled since december because of strikes in england . because of strikes in england. last week's industrial action by junior doctors and consultants means the country will reach that milestone in figures set to be announced today . another be announced today. another double strike is scheduled for next week. the organisation's deputy chief executive, saffron cordery, has labelled it damaging and demoralising . damaging and demoralising. meanwhile almost 400,000 patients in england waited 24 hours or more in a&e last year. the royal college of emergency medicine is calling the situation a matter of national shame. the shadow health secretary, wes streeting, says 24 hours in a&e is no longer just a documentary, but the department of health and social care claims improvements are being made through the nhs recovery plan . prosecutors are recovery plan. prosecutors are seeking a retrial of lucy letby

on one count of attempted murder . the former nurse was jailed for life last month for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six others attempted murder of six others at a hospital in chester in 2015. and 2016. jurors were unable to reach a verdict on six further counts of attempted murder. the cps is seeking that retrial on count 14 only, which relates to the attempted murder of charles kay. she denied the charges and has launched an appeal. charges and has launched an appeal . experts are charges and has launched an appeal. experts are warning charges and has launched an appeal . experts are warning the appeal. experts are warning the government won't meet its manifesto pledge to end homelessness by next year. the kerslake commission says there are chronic and unresolved issues in the housing system with a crisis pushing more people onto the streets , the people onto the streets, the number of people sleeping rough last autumn was 25% higher than at the same time three years ago.the at the same time three years ago. the government says spending £2 billion should end rough sleeping for good . police rough sleeping for good. police searching for a missing mother have arrested a 31 year old

woman who attended an east london police station . the woman london police station. the woman was also taken to hospital as a precaution to children reported missing from a centre for vulnerable mothers and children in london were found safe and well in harwich earlier today. officers were looking for the 31 year old jamie lee kelly, who left the facility on tuesday with her three year old daughter and newborn baby boy this is gb news. we're live on your tv, on digital radio, on smart. speaker two now it's back to martin and . ellie >> good afternoon. you're watching the live desk for the very first time with martin and myself. very, very good to be with you afternoon. and as with you this afternoon. and as always, this is nothing always, this show is nothing without you. so do get in touch without you. so do get in touch with your views, your opinions on any of the stories that we are talking about this afternoon. we love to hear from you, don't we.7 >> do. you, don't we? >> do. yeah. it's >> always do. yeah. it's gbviews@gbnews.uk . gbviews@gbnews.uk.

>> com. so let's get into our top shall now because top story, shall we? now because gb a large gb news has learned a large number of met police, counter—terrorism, firearms officers have stepped back from armed duties with almost all armed duties with almost all armed response vehicles in london, opting for a period of reflection. >> senior commanders are in talks to ensure the capital has an adequate response to firearms incidents. whilst the military is on standby in the event of a terrorist attack. >> well, it follows the cps last week charging a met firearms officer with murder over the shooting of an unarmed black man. chris kaba in south london. while gb news national reporter theo chikomba is at scotland yard for us now . good afternoon yard for us now. good afternoon to you, theo . this is to you, theo. this is significant, isn't it . significant, isn't it. >> it is indeed. well scotland's yard's firearm command is up against some challenges at the moment, particularly as a large number as you've just referred to, of firearms officers have handedin to, of firearms officers have handed in their tickets essentially a licence for them ,

essentially a licence for them, allowing them to use firearms arms during their duties. there are several thousand of them and of course, they can be called to various situations depending on when they are needed. the home secretary, though, suella braverman , has launched a review braverman, has launched a review into to armed officers and of course this situation has been also accepted by the met's police commissioner , owner sir police commissioner, owner sir mark rowley as well, welcoming this review . but what it means this review. but what it means though, there are questions about what this will mean for the safety of people in london. these, of course, are officers who are called into some of the biggest escalated cases across the capital. and there have been some requests to other forces and some of those will be drafted in. and as you've also mentioned, we'll have some army officials who will come in to support them when they are needed. it's worth stressing, though , that those members of though, that those members of the sas won't be in the capital

patrolling the city, but they will only be needed. they'll be used when they are needed and called upon. earlier today, though , we heard from the though, we heard from the housing minister and this is what she had to say. >> very important that we support our extremely brave firearms officers. they have to make split second decisions to keep the public safe. and they have our full support in doing that. i think it's really important that your listeners know that that cooperation with the soldiers, with the ministry of defence , is very standard for of defence, is very standard for the government. it's something that i've been involved with previously as a minister in different departments and of course are professionals. course those are professionals. they work with the met they will work with the met police the soldiers will be working to keep the public safe. they will not have powers of arrest, but ultimately these are operational matters for the police , for the met police police, for the met police commissioner and keeping the pubuc commissioner and keeping the public safe in whatever eventuality will be their first priority. well the home secretary has offered a message of support to those officers,

many of them who have concerns about potentially ending up in the dock if they do use their firearms and they end up in the situation like we are seeing with the ongoing case of that officer who is currently unnamed for legal reasons, who was charged with murder last week for allowing chris kaba's fatal shooting last year in september in south london. >> in terms of what the met police's commissioner has said, he said he's welcomed this review into armed policing and in an open letter to the home secretary yesterday, he said his it's right that his force is held to the highest standards, but the current system was undermining his officers and suggested they needed more , more suggested they needed more, more legal protections. and in a statement, the met have also said some officers were worried about how the crown prosecution service decision to bring charge impact on them. of course. what does this mean going forward for those who live in the capital?

well, they will, of course, be questioned, particularly when it comes if comes to the numbers. and if they'll get the adequate support from forces as well. so from other forces as well. so theo, highly divisive situation. >> on the one hand, of course, police backing police is the right thing to do. on the other hand, of course, the public may be exposed to an increased terrorist. political aspect be exposed to an increased te|thist. political aspect be exposed to an increased te|this ,. political aspect be exposed to an increased te|this , when)olitical aspect be exposed to an increased te|this , when markal aspect be exposed to an increased te|this , when mark rowley:t be exposed to an increased te|this , when mark rowley said of this, when mark rowley said we need to let the police, police and suella braverman backed him and she was drawn into this political debate. after all, this is a live case and her opponents weren't slow to wade in or criticise her, were they ? were they? >> well, this is it. we've already heard from some members of the opposition who are questioning whether this is the right thing to do, whether or not the home secretary should be coming in at this stage, considering, as you've just said , there's an ongoing case. >> but of course the home secretary has said she's going to review of what that to launch a review of what that means. it's not quite clear yet. there's been no specifics , but there's been no specifics, but hopefully that's something she'll provide more clarity on

in the next coming days. >> okay, theo chikomba a new scotland yard. very good to see you this afternoon . thank you you this afternoon. thank you very much. it's very, very difficult, isn't it? >> it is . i'm going to speak to >> it is. i'm going to speak to somebody now who have somebody now who will have a good take let's get good take on this. let's get reaction now. a former police officer, whetton. graham, officer, graham whetton. graham, thanks on the live thanks for coming on the live there. so, yeah, that is the situation the big talking point situation. the big talking point now on one hand, of now is on the one hand, of course, officers showing course, police officers showing solid charity towards the guy who's been charged here. on the other hand, is this increasing the terror terror threat to the general public by by officers putting down their firearms ? putting down their firearms? what the have now come out and said they've still got an armed response capability within london, albeit it's significantly reduced, but they still have one. >> there's military support. so that's and that's been in place for some time. it's been a practise for some time now that if there is a terror attack, the police can call on the military to support any response to that. so that's almost like par for

the course, really. it's nothing different there. if there should be terror attack on london, be a terror attack on london, there military capability there is military capability ready to respond to that and support armed that are ready to respond to that and suppcurrentlyrmed that are ready to respond to that and suppcurrently have, that are ready to respond to that and suppcurrently have, albeit1at are ready to respond to that and suppcurrently have, albeit that re met currently have, albeit that the met's armed response units are now significantly reduced because of this action. >> what do you make, graham, of the right for armed police officers to step back from gun duty? some comparisons being made on social media this morning, comparing it to strike action, questioning whether that should even be allowed for an armed police officer. what's your take on that ? your take on that? >> police officers cannot go on strike legally. this isn't striking because it's not actually part of their part of their core role is to be a police officer . they are police officer. they are volunteers to carry a firearm. you volunteers to do it. you go through some significant training then you're training and then you're deployed with piece deployed in a role with a piece of firearm. it's of kit, which is a firearm. it's the as if you're doing a the same as if you're doing a police course . you are police driver course. you are trained police cars in trained to drive police cars in a certain way. so it's part of your policing role. they are still police officers . they are still police officers. they are just their firearms

just handed back their firearms for their because of for their duties because of concern over the way legal decisions are being made. and this is this goes back to several other cases as well. it's not just this one specific case, clearly we cannot case, which clearly we cannot discuss around . but discuss the facts around. but this isn't just about one case. this down lack of this goes down to a lack of leadership and support from the senior managers when officers face these sort of situations , face these sort of situations, it comes down to leadership and also a fair and balanced way that officers actions and decisions are then judged. they just want a system that's got integrity and it's fair and balanced to them. it actually takes account of the officer's decisions. they're training their guidance. if they followed that training and guidance as they are told to do, what then happens to them? it comes down to having confidence in the system and they clearly haven't got it at the moment. so they are looking and reviewing are looking at and reviewing their positions. firearms officers and rightly so. it doesn't just impact on the officers, impacts officers, it also impacts on their families. >> do you think, graham, this is a of we've seen,

a broader symptom of we've seen, for example , armed forces troops for example, armed forces troops from northern ireland or afghanistan being prosecuted for historic wrongdoing . and when historic wrongdoing. and when these cases come to light, there's a feeling very much amongst the armed forces and no doubt perhaps now the police, the or the armed forces the officers or the armed forces in general are kind of thrown to the wolves politically. and this is kind of leaving them to kind of fend for themselves at a time, actually, when the rank and officers just want pure and file officers just want pure leadership. yes it's similar. >> it's clearly not the same , >> it's clearly not the same, but it's a similar sort of case. and similar mythology. and decision making actually , all decision making actually, all officers want probably similar in the military, but all they want is their leaders to step up and say we are supporting this individual. why do investigation goes on? they have our backing. if they follow that, if they have followed their training guidance , they have a full guidance, they have a full support backing, will support and backing, we will help them much can help them as much as we can within whatever within the confines of whatever investigation . i've investigation takes place. i've rarely senior police rarely heard any senior police officer come out and say that in many of the recent cases. so

that's all they're for is that's all they're asking for is some leadership support, some leadership and support, but also system that also to have a system that treats them fairly but treats them according to everybody else in law. they're not asking to be treated differently or be immune or whatever. they're just asking to have a fair and balanced heanng to have a fair and balanced hearing for the investigation to be promptly , because many be done promptly, because many of cases take years to of these cases take years to come to court. that is not fair on the officer. their families or any victims and families of victims. it isn't fair on anybody involved. these cases take long to investigate take far too long to investigate and come a conclusion on. and come to a conclusion on. >> well, sir mark rowley has welcomed the home office review into armed policing, and he's talked about, into armed policing, and he's talked about , well, he into armed policing, and he's talked about, well, he suggested the need for more legal protections for armed officers. is that something that you would support ? what kind of legal support? what kind of legal protections would you like to see in place for armed police officers? >> i think what he's referencing to there, the his letter goes into some like, legal technicalities about subjective decisions and objective decisions. i think what he's what he's referring to, there is

criminal cases are judged on beyond all reasonable doubt, whereas civil cases and coroner's inquests go on the balance of probabilities. i think what he's asking for is some more clearly defined legal decisions and any decisions by the cps or police conduct is based on that beyond all reasonable doubt, not on the balance of probabilities, because you're judging balance of probabilities, becausofficers/ou're judging balance of probabilities, becausofficers on're judging balance of probabilities, becausofficers on as judging balance of probabilities, becausofficers on a lowerng police officers on a lower standard than members of the pubuc standard than members of the public would be in any sort of similar circumstance. so similar sort of circumstance. so i what he's almost i think that's what he's almost referring there's referring to there. there's a number he refers to number of factors he refers to in his letter. these have been asked for years by police officers, including firearms officers. they go back to many other where we've asked other cases where we've asked for these to for these reviews to be conducted and other commissioners they commissioners have said they would . it hasn't happened commissioners have said they wofar. . it hasn't happened commissioners have said they wofar. this . it hasn't happened commissioners have said they wofar. this is . it hasn't happened commissioners have said they wofar. this is almost;n't happened commissioners have said they wofar. this is almost like1appened so far. this is almost like finally, we're not having this any more. this actually needs to come into place. this come into place. now, this review needs to take place. and these safeguard , these these these safeguard, these these these safeguard, these these needs to come these guidance needs to come into play. >> okay. graham wetton, former met police officer, we're going to have to it there. to have to leave it there. thanks for joining to have to leave it there. thanks forjoining on thanks for joining us on the live desk. it's a tricky one.

this, ali, really ? it is. this, ali, really? it really is. because hand, of because on the one hand, of course, want solidarity. you course, you want solidarity. you want the rank and file to be protected. but the guy's been charged. case hasn't reached charged. the case hasn't reached a resolution. some people are a resolution. so some people are saying that action seems saying that the action seems premature and then , of course, premature and then, of course, other people are concerned about the threat to the public. >> yeah, of course , those kind >> yeah, of course, those kind of questions are being asked at the tricky. the moment. very, very tricky. do you let us know what you make of this? vaiews@gbnews.com. be really good to know your thoughts . a very, very tricky . i thoughts. a very, very tricky. i couldn't do it. no. and as as graham wetton was just saying there it's voluntary at the moment it's not part of your duty. you volunteer and you go through a long process and a lot of training in order to hold a weapon. and if those split second decisions are going to be judged, you know, for years to come, effectively come, you're effectively suspended for years on the basis of something that you have to make those quick calls like that. >> and the officers are feeling clearly that they're being abandoned by the system. and in fact, they're being vilified for

their . their actions. >> yeah, they're calling it a penod >> yeah, they're calling it a period of reflection. do let us know make of that. know what you make of that. vaiews@gbnews.com. do stay vaiews@gbnews.com. but do stay with because we're to with us because we're going to be lampedusa more be live in lampedusa where more than 11,000 migrants have arrived in the last ten days from north africa. mark white, is there . we'll see you shortly i >> -- >> that 5mm >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> hi there. it's aidan mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast. >> it's a bright monday for many of us. >> still some showers around, especially the and the west. >> and it will be windy in the far north, but not as windy as it's expected to be. >> week. >> midway week. >> midway week. >> got low pressure to the >> we've got low pressure to the northwest uk. got northwest of the uk. we've got a cold crossing the country cold front crossing the country that's fresher but that's led to fresher but brighter conditions up and down the land. >> and some sunshine and actually plenty of sunshine for the the south of the east and the south of england. eastern scotland seeing some sunny spells, but some decent sunny spells, but there shower clouds there will be shower clouds elsewhere, 1 or 2 showers for

wales and northwest england, but the bulk of the showers affecting and affecting western scotland and northern ireland. a brisk wind for many , especially towards the for many, especially towards the north—west and feeling on the cool side northwest, but cool side in the northwest, but still in the still some warmth in the sunshine down towards the south—east. 23 celsius the afternoon high heading into the evening then and actually many of the showers will disappear. winds fall light central winds fall light across central and eastern parts with a few mist patches by dawn. mist patches forming by dawn. but at this stage we've got thickening clouds towards the west, freshening breeze once again. and it's a relatively mild night in urban areas. but in some rural spots, temperatures dipping into the single figures. a bright start then for many, but from the word 90, then for many, but from the word go, we've got showers pushing into the central and eastern parts and parts of england. and then there's of there's more persistent band of rain through northern rain moving through northern ireland, first thing into scotland, northern england, showery into wales showery stuff coming into wales in south—west and all of it in the south—west and all of it turns to showers by the end of the afternoon. highs of 23 celsius . celsius. >> that warm feeling inside from

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situation. okay okay. okay. >> welcome back. the time is 1224. now the home secretary suella braverman, is set to call on western leaders to collaborate to tackle the global migrant crisis. >> it comes as situation in europe becomes increasingly desperate as more than 11,000 nonh desperate as more than 11,000 north african migrants have arrived on lampedusa over the past ten days alone, while

hundreds of police have been deployed to the island to help manage the influx . let's cross manage the influx. let's cross now to lampedusa and join our home and security editor mark white. hello to you, mark. so an astonishing situation down in lampedusa when you look at the sheer volume of illegals arriving on their shores, 11,000 in the last ten days and that's a half off of what the uk has had the whole year. this is a huge influx. what's the latest . huge influx. what's the latest. >> yeah, it's very significant and that is double the island's permanent population in where we are actually is just in the main town centre here. this is villa roma , which is one of the main roma, which is one of the main streets through the town centre and we're approaching of course the end of the tourist season here. so this main road here, this main street, isn't as busy

as it was, but still people out enjoying a coffee and a bite to eat at lunchtime here as we are not seeing now the significant numbers of african migrants wandering through lampard dusa. they've been given a bit of relief thanks to these mistral winds, which are blowing through today and out in the mediterranean, making actually the passage pretty difficult for these boats coming across. so that's reduced the number for coming to lampedusa at the moment behind me in the main piazza there, you can see some of the banners that have been put up, makeshift banners. they're effectively me from activist groups saying no borders migrants, welcome . now, borders migrants, welcome. now, that might be the sentiment that some of the islanders have, but i think the vast majority city here are concerned , learned here are concerned, learned

about the sheer numbers that are coming here to lampedusa . so coming here to lampedusa. so they want this situation redressed. this is what a couple of those tourists said to us a bit earlier . bit earlier. >> no, it doesn't change the feeling of the island. but i see most military presence of in the island concerned about the future here, about how it could be, but also a bit hopeful that it can improve the situation , it can improve the situation, definitely can improve with the right well as we arrived in lampedusa last night, we actually saw dozens of italian police officers being flown in from other parts of italy to help reinforce the officers that are here. >> normally , there wouldn't be >> normally, there wouldn't be more than a dozen or so officers to police this tourist resort. but as we filmed at the airport,

some of these reinforcements coming in, there are now hundreds of officers who are here because we know that when these mistral winds start to die down, then there will be significant small boat crossings again , men coming from north again, men coming from north africa to lampedusa. we should also say that we filmed late last night in an area of the port that were normally restricted from going to during the day, but that gave us under cover of darkness and the opportunity to see some of these migrant boats. there were dozens of them just all tied up . and of them just all tied up. and just like the border force teams do in the uk here, the coast officials paint on the boats. the number, the number of boats that have crossed . and on one that have crossed. and on one boati that have crossed. and on one boat i saw nine, seven, five stroke, 23. so that boat was the

975th boat to cross to lampedusa in 2023. now, there may be even more than that, but that just gives you an indication of the number of boats that have crossed from north africa in recent months . recent months. >> as mark, it's so striking seeing those pictures almost like a graveyard yard of boats, small boats there. it truly is indicative of how big this problem is for that tiny island of lampedusa, just 20km2. it's a tiny area of land . and how are tiny area of land. and how are they even dealing with this? how are they processing that number of people, 11,000 people crossing in just ten days. where are these migrants being housed i >> -- >> well, for hm: >> well, for a while they just weren't able to process this them properly because they were just overwhelmed. the main processing centre here has a capacity of 400. at one point there were 11,000 people that had crossed it and were crammed

into that processing centre. they were climbing over the walls to get out of there. they were in very hot conditions in crammed into this camp . so then crammed into this camp. so then they were wandering around the town and that clearly is very worrying to local people as well. and there were some clashes with italian police officers at the height of those arrivals . and as i say, the arrivals. and as i say, the mistral winds are blowing at the moment, but they know as soon as that dies down, just as we see in the english channel, when the weather conditions good , the weather conditions are good, the boats will come . and people boats will come. and people might be wondering, well, boats will come. and people might be wondering, well , this might be wondering, well, this is lampedusa, an island almost right off the coast of africa . right off the coast of africa. it's so far south. why does this concern us in the uk? well, it concerns people in the uk because we know that these people once have been processed, will go to the european mainland, to italy and then on to other countries . and a

to other countries. and a proportion of these are a significant proportion of those that arrive here will make their way to the northwest coast of france with a view to trying to get to the uk. >> yes, fascinate thing. mark zilic overnight there's been a significant development on that political front. the french interior said that interior minister said that france take any france will not take any migrants from lampedusa. they're saying the primary motive is to try and defend its seafaring coast of course, that's been a spectacular failure . giorgia spectacular failure. giorgia meloni was elected , of course, meloni was elected, of course, on a ticket of stopping the boats and in fact the numbers have doubled from north africa to 130,000 zoned for this year alone compared to the same year. it's almost doubled. so do you get the sense that this is an issue that will be contained within italy or do you fear that the french border will be breached and then they'll be coming through the coming through towards the channel britain . channel coast, towards britain. >> no, this is a europe wide crisis. and there are countries

within the european union that are openly rowing, such as france and germany, openly rowing with italy, claiming that italy is not taking its fair share of migrant boats back from the european union. so as a consequence, they are not going to take any of the arrivals from the likes of lampedusa. is it's a clear mess within the european union and there are tensions because you have countries on the eastern border of the european union, such as poland and hungary, who want to do their level best to stop those who are coming in through the west balkans route and then you've got the southern european border states, such as italy here, such as spain and greece , here, such as spain and greece, all suffering from a migrant crisis as well . so it is an crisis as well. so it is an existential crisis. affect putting a number of europe's

borders to the east and to the south. >> okay, mark white, live from lampedusa . we're going to have lampedusa. we're going to have to leave it there. thank you. we'll be catching up with you later on the live desk. >> yeah, let us know what you make of that story. i mean, as mark there europe mark says, there is a europe wide are probably wide issue and we are probably going to feel the effects of wide issue and we are probably goin influx el the effects of wide issue and we are probably goin influx of the effects of wide issue and we are probably goin influx of the effein; of wide issue and we are probably goin influx of the effein; cfew that influx of people in a few months coming the months time coming across the engush months time coming across the english channel. vaiews@gbnews.com there'll be lots to come after the lots more to come after the break, including the internal tory battle over hs2. but first, let's get your headlines with aaron armstrong . aaron armstrong. >> it is 1233. aaron armstrong here in the gb newsroom . the here in the gb newsroom. the prime minister says armed police need clarity about their legal protection amid an escalating crisis in the force. scores of counter terrorism. fire officers have stepped down from their dufies have stepped down from their duties after one of their colleagues was charged with murder over the shooting of chris kaba in south london last yeah chris kaba in south london last year. rishi sunak is backing a

home office review which has been ordered to ensure armed police have the confidence to do their cover has been their job. cover has been drafted in from neighbouring forces and the military could be used in the event of a terror attack . the mayor of greater attack. the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, believes curtailing the hs2 project risks creating a north south chasm. the government claims a decision hasn't been taken , despite mounting taken, despite mounting speculation the birmingham to manchester leg is to be scrapped amid spiralling the prime amid spiralling costs. the prime minister has refused to guarantee the completion of the project , but insists he is project, but insists he is committed to levelling up serial killer lucy letby is facing a retrial on the attempted murder of a girl known only as child k. the former nurse was jailed for life for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at a hospital in chester . between 2015 and 2016, jurors were unable to reach a verdict on six further counts of attempted murder. a provisional date has been set forjune next year. date has been set forjune next year . nhs date has been set forjune next year. nhs strikes are thought to

have led to the cancellation of more than a million appointments since december. the figures, due to be released later, are expected to confirm the milestone in the wake of last week's double industrial action by junior doctors and consultants . and you can get consultants. and you can get more on all of our stories, as always on our website . always on our website. gbnews.com .

>> patrick christys weekdays from three on gb news choose .

from three on gb news choose. >> good afternoon. it's 1239. let's have a look at what you've been saying this afternoon on a large number of met police counter—terror ism firearms officers stepping back from armed duties. officers stepping back from armed duties . we asked you what armed duties. we asked you what you made of that gbviews@gbnews.com. and lots of you getting in touch. >> yeah. and harry says, i don't blame the officers for blame the police officers for handing their licences. handing back their licences. they if they do and if they they are if they do and if they don't. i wouldn't even be a policeman these days, never mind an officer . if they do an armed officer. if they do their job an armed officer. if they do theirjob and there are any complaints and they just hung out by. out to dry by. >> brian says the public are more at risk from the striking medical profession than are medical profession than they are from police refusing carry from police refusing to carry weapons is. >> yeah, and lance says anybody who is willing to attack a police officer or unlikely to hesitate to attack anyone else if we fail to support armed police, there will soon be anarchy on our streets. well, do keep your views coming in on that story . that story. >> very, very difficult >> it's a very, very difficult

one. is complex. we know one. it is complex. we know you'll opinion at you'll have an opinion on it at home. us know what you home. so do let us know what you make that or any of the make of that or any of the stories that we're talking about today. vaiews@gbnews.com. stories that we're talking about today.you'll ws@gbnews.com. stories that we're talking about today.you'll have|bnews.com. stories that we're talking about today.you'll have|bnews.c�*say know you'll have a lot to say about lampedusa well. and about lampedusa as well. and mark there for us. mark white, who is there for us. we going to mark we will be going back to mark white next hour as well. white in the next hour as well. >> one next story. now, >> that's one next story. now, lucy will face a retrial lucy letby will face a retrial on an outstanding allegation she attempted to murder another baby girl while the former nurse was sentenced to a whole life order for killing seven babies the for killing seven babies and the attempted murder of six others. >> but the jury was unable to reach verdicts on six further counts . our north—west of counts. our north—west of england reporter sophie reaper is outside manchester crown court for us now. good afternoon to you, sophie. what's the latest ? latest? >> good afternoon to you both . >> good afternoon to you both. well, we heard first this morning from nick johnson , kc, morning from nick johnson, kc, who is the prosecutor in this case. he told the courtroom here in manchester that the prosecution would be seeking a retrial in this case, but so

far, only on count 14, which relates to the attempted murder of child k. as for the other five counts that were left hung relating to child h, child ,j relating to child h, child,j child n and child. q as it stands, he said, the crown were not present seeking a retrial on those particular counts. >> now , justice goss, who's been >> now, justice goss, who's been the judge presiding over this case since it began last october , he estimated that that retrial would take around 2 to 3 weeks. however he did also say that the next available date for that wouldn't be until at least june 10th of next year . so that date 10th of next year. so that date was set provision really. but there is obviously still quite some time until that date comes around. now as for lucy letby herself , of course, we now know herself, of course, we now know that she and her legal team have made the application for an appeal. so that is still, of course, ongoing . and we know course, ongoing. and we know that for her sentencing last

month, she didn't appear here at manchester crown court. but today , today she did appear via today, today she did appear via video link from hmp new hall. she spoke twice. first to confirm that her name was lucy letby and second, to confirm that she could indeed hear and see the court clearly. but that was it. that was the only two occasions we heard from lucy letby today , sophie reaper on letby today, sophie reaper on north—west of england. >> reporter very good to see you this afternoon. you've been covering that case from day one, so really good to have you with us afternoon. thank you us this afternoon. thank you very much . very much. >> to em- very much. >> to our next story >> okay. on to our next story now. refused now. rishi sunak has refused to commit the northern leg of commit to the northern leg of the but that he is the hs2, but said that he is committed to levelling up. >> yes, the prime minister wouldn't the wouldn't guarantee the birmingham leg birmingham to manchester leg will be completed. will will be completed. he will discuss that further with the chancellor week with the chancellor this week with the decision before the decision expected before the tory party conference in manchester later next week and the planned line to east midlands parkway may also be under threat . under threat. >> let's cross now to our

political editor chris hope to find out more . so, chris, find out more. so, chris, a political storm has brewed, as you'd expect . george osborne you'd expect. george osborne wading in, calling it a gross act of vandalism. lord heseltine wading in the arch remainer, calling this economic self—harm. but rishi seems to be standing firm . firm. >> that's right . the firm. >> that's right. the timing couldn't be worse, could it, martin ali, given the tory party conference starts in manchester later this week on saturday, and this whole debate is about whether this high speed rail line should go from birmingham to guess where manchester. so the timing is really difficult. i've just been to the lobby briefing with prime minister briefing with the prime minister spokesman they raised the spokesman twice. they raised the issue rephasing . now, i think issue of rephasing. now, i think rather than axing birmingham to manchester altogether, what may seem, may, may be the landing zone. if you call that awful westminster term, they may come back with is they refer it. i delay it till later until inflation under control inflation is back under control . but earlier today the pm, mr

sunak, was on a visit to hertfordshire and he was asked there by reporters about hs2 . there by reporters about hs2. here's what to say . here's what he had to say. >> this kind of speculation that people making is not right. people are making is not right. i mean, we've got spades in the ground. we're on ground. we're getting on and delivering, but across the north, doing is north, what we're also doing is connecting the towns and connecting up all the towns and cities the north—east to cities in the north—east to west. that's a really important part of how will create jobs part of how we will create jobs , drive growth across the region. all part of our plans to level up freeports are another good that. whether good example of that. whether that's in teesside or elsewhere, attracting new investment, new businesses in, all good businesses coming in, all good examples of the government levelling up. >> that was the pm there, rishi sunak, defending the levelling up record of the government on a visit to a community centre in broxbourne, where levelling money, levelling up money had been spent. but this hs2 really is the almost talisman like project for levelling up reports over the weekend. it's gone up, gone up by £8 billion. the chancellor , jeremy hunt, knows chancellor, jeremy hunt, knows and says it's been a live issue in parliament in whitehall right

now. and mr hunt is back in london, as is rishi sunak. we are expecting some news this week, but i must say and be clear, the government has not said anything will come, but i doubt they can into this doubt they can go into this party conference on political party conference on a political level with this uncertainty hanging hs2 this weekend hanging over hs2 this weekend has always been clear, hasn't he, about the way he would prioritise levelling up? >> so it does seem that scrapping the manchest leg of hs2, it does hold political risk for rishi sunak, doesn't it . for rishi sunak, doesn't it. >> i think so. hugely. and he understands the value of it. of course. he's the mp for richmond in yorkshire. he he is an mp for the north of england. he knows how important it and we've how important it is. and we've heard, over the last heard, haven't we, over the last few days from andy burnham, the greater mayor, unused greater manchester mayor, unused plea. we're having reported briefings from former prime minister cameron , who minister david cameron, who started off the idea in the first place. boris johnson , first place. boris johnson, another former minister another former prime minister and so there is a big debate developed . and i just wonder

developed. and i just wonder whether the idea of rephasing it slightly, delaying elements of it rather than cancelling it altogether is where this landing zone might be. >> okay. and christopher moore, storm on the horizon for rishi phones for you found the john caldwell said he can no longer in good conscience donate to the tory party because of rishi's rowing back on net zero. will that have an impact or do you think there may be other donors out there who are quite happy about rishi's new position who might instead ? might donate instead? >> well, i mean john caudwell of course, has donated in the past and he has talked about his views in the past, but the pm can't really be swayed by this. this is money going to the tory tory coffers the election. tory coffers for the election. nothing with government nothing to do with government spending, will be spending, but there will be a debate, will certainly spending, but there will be a debibe will certainly spending, but there will be a debibe business.l certainly spending, but there will be a debibe business leaderstainly spending, but there will be a debibe business leaders up|ly will be business leaders up north england north in the north of england who want this who want to have this connection. don't the connection. don't forget the idea of hs2 was was originally spun us as one of speed. spun out to us as one of speed. it's now one of capacity. so the idea is if you have this extra line almost shadowing the west

coast main line , you can have coast main line, you can have more stops on the west coast. main have main line route and have a faster point to point route from london, birmingham and beyond. that's of it. i think that's the idea of it. i think plenty of companies may think that's idea, but i think that's a good idea, but i think john caldwell, it just shows the debate is around debate that is around this. i think a lot of think it'd be quite a lot of explaining to do if they do get rid altogether. why explaining to do if they do get rithink altogether. why explaining to do if they do get rithink itiltogether. why explaining to do if they do get rithink it probably'. why explaining to do if they do get rithink it probably won't why explaining to do if they do get rithink it probably won't happen i >> -- >> chris, lam m >> chris, what's your response to tory grandees coming to to tory grandees coming out to criticise sunak about this rowing back on hs2 quite so publicly . you can understand why publicly. you can understand why they might do that . obviously they might do that. obviously it's their idea in the first place. some of them , but to do place. some of them, but to do so publicly in this time of approaching a general election, it could be very damaging, couldn't it ? couldn't it? >> well , couldn't it? >> well, certainly. and there is this debate, isn't it, at the heart of the tory party? don't forget the most recent political hr move for the pm was when he got ben wallace mp for lancashire , left the government lancashire, left the government and three southern mps entered the government or were promoted

to the top team. claire coutinho being the obvious one, i think there's a slight issue here. i think with mr sunak does he actually support this idea of red wall, those those those red wall, those mps, those those mps so, so vigorously won by bofis mps so, so vigorously won by boris johnson back in the 20 1919 general election? he's got to do more to show he does care for the north. of course, he's the mp for richmond in yorkshire. we know that. but what do? he's to what will he do? he's got to show levelling more than show levelling up is more than just talk just warm words. people talk rightly better rightly about linking better liverpool manchester hull on liverpool and manchester hull on the east coast of england. and that's the kind of thing people want whether they want to see. and whether they look more spending in look at doing more spending in that and down and that space and down and rephasing, as i say hs2, that could be where it goes but it's not helpful having all these noises off when the pm is trying to get himself back on front to get himself back on the front foot his long term foot with his long term planning. saw week on planning. as we saw last week on net zero. >> okay, chris hope in our new westminster very good to westminster studio. very good to see this afternoon. thank see you this afternoon. thank you interesting you so, so much. so interesting what chris hope was saying there about perhaps an alternate opfion about perhaps an alternate option were speaking option because we were speaking

to a little to our makeup artists a little bit earlier on, and she's from york, isn't she? and we're having conversation with having this conversation with her didn't really her about hs2. she didn't really care terms of care about hs2 in terms of coming down london. said coming down to london. she said the from quite the service from york is quite good. m60 two good. it's that m60 two corridor. well, chris hope was just talking about their liverpool leeds and out to liverpool and leeds and out to hull. that's what many people up north would like to see. that's what us. what she was telling us. >> call of the highway what she was telling us. >> hull, call of the highway what she was telling us. >> hull, that call of the highway what she was telling us. >> hull, that road of the highway what she was telling us. >> hull, that road highwayghway to hull, that road highway literally that stops to hull, that road highway lit�*hull, that stops to hull, that road highway lit�*hull, it that stops to hull, that road highway lit�*hull, it takes that stops to hull, that road highway lit�*hull, it takes eternityops to hull, that road highway lit�*hull, it takes eternity to; at hull, it takes an eternity to get country. and get across the country. and i wonder if people care about saving ten minutes, shaving off ten minutes on a journey to london entire transport london the entire transport policy seems be so. london policy seems to be so. london metropolitan centric . they want metropolitan centric. they want to make journeys quicker to london quicker and then tell us to stop driving our because to stop driving our cars because we're damaging the we're sort of damaging the planet. meanwhile, people just need to get around and save a few . few quid. >> w— few quid. >> you would like to >> so perhaps you would like to see alternative than see an alternative rather than hs2 down to london. do you let us know what you make that? us know what you make of that? what what you do if what would what would you do if you in charge? you were in charge? vaiews@gbnews.com. we do love to from you. to hear from you. >> i'm moving on to our

>> we do. i'm moving on to our next yorkshire next story. north yorkshire police. has become one of police. this has become one of the to deploy the latest forces to deploy a specialist of officers in specialist team of officers in york's night time economy to help prevent offences and help prevent sexual offences and to people safe. to keep people safe. >> our reporter anna riley joined officers project joined officers from project vigilant on patrol during freshers week to see how they plan to regain control. welcome to the project vigilant briefing i >> -- >> and today we are going to be doing a combination of uniformed patrols and plainclothes officers . all right. we're going officers. all right. we're going to go out in our night time economy and we're going to try and identify people are and identify any people who are displaying predatory displaying signs of predatory sexual fully briefed, sexual behaviour, fully briefed, project vigilant officers head out into york's nightlife off evening . evening. >> their aim to stop sexual violence before it happens. it's university freshers week and patrols a focussed on designated areas of the city. >> it fits in with our strategy of violence against women and girls strategy, our vawg strategy really and this this project just adds another layer of policing that we of protective policing that we can offer for the to public be

there to, to ensure that if sexual violence is happening at night time economy, then we need to be one step ahead of it. and we to try and it. we need to try and prevent it. >> city with >> with york a city filled with residents visitors and residents and visitors day and night , this operation looks out night, this operation looks out for those who can become more vulnerable as the evening wears on. >> so i'm leading the plainclothes officers and we're looking for any suspicious behaviour people that might be reacting oddly to the presence of uniformed police officers and any vulnerable people that might be that might be around. >> so that might be they might be vulnerable due to the amount of alcohol they've drunk or vulnerable situation be vulnerable situation might be detached things vulnerable situation might be detathat. things vulnerable situation might be detathat. that's things vulnerable situation might be detathat. that's twe're like that. so that's who we're looking any looking for to prevent any offences to protect those offences and to protect those people . people. >> are you as well as protecting revellers ? revellers? >> the operation also supports those who work in pubs and clubs , bars after the covid all the lockdowns generally, the entertainments side of it has suffered big time. >> it'sjust suffered big time. >> it's just starting to get

going again now. really so i think it's a massive help if you've got people that are possibly out and about to maybe, you know, do a little bit of mischief, just seeing them if it just down as the clock just takes it down as the clock ticks on, just how safe do people feel in the city? >> i was spiked before at home in hull . in hull. >> it was a horrible experience, but now that i'm in york and kind of thinking, oh, it won't happen to me, hoping so. >> do you see the police? i do feel a lot safer whenever they're around or like even just ambulances or something like that. >> i never felt bad just walking, like walking home, like for it's always quite safe. >> fairly safe. i think it's quite a nice city in terms of like there's enough places to go in a night out, but it's not like busy . like too busy. >> i feel quite safe in york because it's quite small and like kind of know a lot of people as well. i've only been here three weeks and i've gone for few out. for a few nights out. >> the officers around >> the police officers around here are brilliant. >> bouncers round here. >> they bouncers round here. absolutely excellent. really easy with, but you'll easy to get on with, but you'll see in. if anyone's

see them go in. if anyone's messing they'll messing around, they'll take them away. them out straight away. >> were stopped >> multiple people were stopped and police and questioned by police throughout the evening, but no arrests were made. much as arrests were made. as much as project vigilant is about proactive policing, it's also to ensure vulnerable people weren't alone and could get home safely and riley gb news york well, i really like the look of that, actually. >> i think that would make me feel really safe. i think it's superb. >> let's see, that's the sort of policing i people want. >> let's see, that's the sort of poli know, people want. >> let's see, that's the sort of poli know, stop people want. >> let's see, that's the sort of poli know, stop policingwant. >> let's see, that's the sort of poli know, stop policing tweets you know, stop policing tweets and police streets. get on, and police the streets. get on, get there times when get out there at the times when people are in danger, especially women, women their women, especially women on their own, false bobbies on the own, have a false bobbies on the beat, boots on the ground. it works beat, boots on the ground. it woris beat, boots on the ground. it wori think a lot. a lot of >> i think for a lot. a lot of people, especially talking as myself as a woman in the early hours, it's the visibility of police that makes me feel safe . police that makes me feel safe. they don't even necessarily need to you or help you to talk to you or help you in a hands on way, but just being there or there outside of a club or outside of a bar, you know, that should happen, you're should anything happen, you're in yeah they did in safe hands. yeah they did that home city of that in my home city of nottingham back. >> e’- e! pence @ police than >> there are more police than

punters square at punters in the market square at night. but worked night. yeah, but it worked because. people because. and actually people were chatting to the coppers. they having. great were chatting to the coppers. thecommunity ng. great were chatting to the coppers. thecommunity relationshipszat were chatting to the coppers. thecommunity relationships .|t were chatting to the coppers. thecommunity relationships. i for community relationships. i think that is the sort of thing that really, really would that people really, really would like more of. that people really, really would likeand more of. that people really, really would likeand i more of. that people really, really would likeand i thinke of. that people really, really would likeand i think for:. that people really, really would likeand i think for men as well, >> and i think for men as well, men some men who would have men who some men who would have the to perhaps have the tendency to perhaps have a scrap outside of a bar or a club, having police club, just having the police there would prevent that as well. it's a positive from there would prevent that as wellet it's a positive from there would prevent that as wellet us:'s a positive from there would prevent that as wellet us know ositive from there would prevent that as wellet us know whate from there would prevent that as wellet us know what you m there would prevent that as wellet us know what you think, us. let us know what you think, gbviews@gbnews.com. but do stay with us. plenty more to come in the next hour, of course, we return to our main story, which is significant number is that significant number of counter—terrorism firearms officers have stepped from officers have stepped back from armed duties. see shortly . in armed duties. see shortly. in the temperature's rising boxt solar pro sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hi there . it's aidan mcgivern >> hi there. it's aidan mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast. it's a bright monday for many of us. still some showers around , still some showers around, especially north and the especially in the north and the west. will in west. and it will be windy in the north, but not as windy

the far north, but not as windy as it's expected to be. midweek, we've got low pressure to the northwest of the uk . we've got a northwest of the uk. we've got a cold front crossing country cold front crossing the country that's led fresher. but that's led to fresher. but brighter down brighter conditions up and down the land and some sunshine and actually plenty of sunshine for the east and the south of england . eastern scotland seeing england. eastern scotland seeing some sunny spells , but some decent sunny spells, but there be shower clouds there will be shower clouds elsewhere for 1 there will be shower clouds elsewhere for1 or 2 showers for elsewhere for 1 or 2 showers for wales, northwest england. elsewhere for 1 or 2 showers for walbulkorthwest england. elsewhere for 1 or 2 showers for walbulkortithest england. elsewhere for 1 or 2 showers for walbulkortithe showers|d. the bulk of the showers affecting scotland and affecting western scotland and northern a brisk wind northern ireland. a brisk wind for many, especially towards the north—west and feeling on the cool side in the northwest. but still some warmth in the sunshine towards southeast. sunshine towards the southeast. 23 celsius afternoon high 23 celsius the afternoon high heading into the evening. then and actually many of the showers will disappear. winds fall light across central and eastern parts with mist patches forming with a few mist patches forming by dawn . but at this stage, by dawn. but at this stage, we've got thickening clouds towards the west freshening breeze. once again, and it's a relatively mild night in urban areas. but in some rural spots, temperatures dipping into the single figures. a bright start. then for many, but from the word

90, then for many, but from the word go, we've got showers pushing into the central and eastern parts england. this parts of england. and then this more persistent band of rain moving through northern ireland, first into scotland, first thing into scotland, northern england, showery stuff coming wales coming into wales in the south—west and all of it turns to showers by the end of the afternoon. highs of 23 celsius. >> the temperatures rising, boxt solar proud sponsors

gb news. >> good afternoon. it's 1 gb news. >> good afternoon. it's1 p.m. >> good afternoon. it's 1 pm. and you're with the live desk here on gb news with myself, martin and ellie costello coming up lunchtime news martin and ellie costello coming uptold lunchtime news martin and ellie costello coming uptold that lunchtime news martin and ellie costello coming uptold that significant|e news is told that a significant number of counter—terrorism firearms officers have stepped back firearms officers have stepped baccommanders in crisis >> commanders are now in crisis meetings with the military on standby to respond to any serious incidents in the caphal serious incidents in the capital. we're live from scotland capital. we're live from scoandi capital. we're live from scoand more than migrants >> and more than 11,000 migrants have from >> and more than 11,000 migrants have africa from >> and more than 11,000 migrants have africa in from >> and more than 11,000 migrants have africa in past from >> and more than 11,000 migrants have africa in past tenfrom north africa in the past ten days alone. home affairs and days alone. our home affairs and security mark white is security editor mark white is

live on the island and rishi sunak to confirm whether sunak refuses to confirm whether hs2 continue hs2 will continue past birmingham, with former chancellor birmingham, with former cha move r birmingham, with former cha move would be an of huge the move would be an act of huge economic self—harm. the move would be an act of huge economichave-harm. latest >> we'll have all the latest reaction from westminster. >> plus, who'd be a sheffield united fan? the poor old blades got hammered yesterday. we discuss how feels when your discuss how it feels when your team that's a team loses eight. that's not a mistake. eight nil. but first, here's aaron here's your headlines with aaron armstrong . armstrong. >> good afternoon to you. it's a minute past one. i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom. the prime minister says armed police gratitude police deserve the gratitude of the clarity over the public but need clarity over their protection. their legal protection. a significant of significant number of counter—terrorism officers in london from london have stepped back from firearm duties after a colleague was charged with the murder of the of chris kaba in the shooting of chris kaba in south london last year. number ten says it's important not to delay a home office review into armed police guidance. the military has been put on standby to respond in the event of a terror attack. the shadow paymaster general jonathan ashworth, says people need

confidence in the police. >> it's vital that that they have support , but there are also have support, but there are also safeguards in place now. there's been a review announced by the home secretary . we don't know home secretary. we don't know the details of that review yet. there's also that live prosecution that court case. so i want to i want as a politician to be careful about how i comment on these matters, as you would as you would appreciate. but we obviously need to make sure have procedures in place sure we have procedures in place which commands the confidence of both police officers and the both the police officers and the communities they serve . communities they serve. >> well, meanwhile , the mayor of >> well, meanwhile, the mayor of greater manchester says the nonh greater manchester says the north shouldn't have to pay for the mismanagement the government's mismanagement of rishi sunak is refusing of hs2. rishi sunak is refusing to guarantee the manchester leg will be completed with a decision expected to be announced before the tory party conference in the city next week. andy burnham says curtailing the project represents the opposite of levelling up. but the prime minister insists he's committed to the long term tory pledge . to the long term tory pledge. >> this kind of speculation that people are making is not right.

i mean we've got spades in the ground. we're getting on and delivering, ground. we're getting on and delive what we're also doing is north, what we're also doing is connecting towns and connecting up all the towns and cities in the north—east to west. that's a really important part of how we will create jobs, drive growth across the region. all part of our plans to level up freeports are another good example that. whether that's example of that. whether that's in or elsewhere, in teesside or elsewhere, attracting new investment, new businesses in, all good businesses coming in, all good examples of the government levelling up. >> the home secretary will call for amongst western >> the home secretary will call for to mongst western >> the home secretary will call for to combatwestern >> the home secretary will call for to combat the tern >> the home secretary will call for to combat the global leaders to combat the global migration crisis . suella migration crisis. suella braverman will tell an audience in washington, other countries can learn from the uk's innovative attempts to tackle illegal migrants. she's questioning whether conventions and legal frameworks designed more than 50 years ago are still fit for purpose and would like a shake up of international rules . around 1 million nhs appointments have been cancelled since december because of strikes in england. last week's industrial action by junior doctors and consultants has meant the country will reach the

milestone in the figures set to be announced today. another double strike is scheduled for next week. the organisation's deputy chief executive, saffron cordery , has labelled it cordery, has labelled it damaging and demoralising. meanwhile, almost 400,000 patients in england waited 24 hours or more in a&e last year. the royal college of emergency medicine is calling the situation a matter of national shame. shadow health secretary wes streeting says 24 hours in a&e is no longerjust a documentary, but the department of health and social care claims improvements are being made through the nhs recovery plan . through the nhs recovery plan. prosecutors are seeking a retrial of lucy letby on one count of attempted murder . the count of attempted murder. the former nurse was jailed for life last month for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six others at a hospital in chester in 2015 and 2016. jurors were unable to reach a verdict on six further counts of attempted murder. the

retrial will is likely to take place in june next year on count 14. only which relates to the attempted murder of child k lucy letby denies all charges and has launched an appeal . experts are launched an appeal. experts are warning the government will not meet its manifesto pledge to end homelessness by next year. the kerslake commission says there are chronic and unresolved issues in the housing system , issues in the housing system, with a crisis pushing more people onto the streets. the number of people sleeping rough last autumn was some 25% higher than at the same time three years ago. the government says it's spending £2 billion to end rough sleeping for good . police rough sleeping for good. police are searching for a missing mother, have arrested a 31 year old woman who attended an east london police station. the woman was also taken to hospital as a precaution two children precaution when two children reported from a centre reported missing from a centre for vulnerable mothers and children in london were found safe and well in harwich earlier today. officers had been looking for 31 old jamie lee kelly,

for 31 year old jamie lee kelly, who left the facility on tuesday with her three year old daughter and newborn baby boy . this is gb and newborn baby boy. this is gb news. we're in your car on your tv and on your smart speaker to just say, play gb news. that's it from me. now over to martinelli . martinelli. >> it's 1:06. martinelli. >> it's1:06. let's have a look at what you think about the prime minister refusing to confirm that the manchester leg of hs2 will be built. and do remember, you can get in touch as well. vaiews@gbnews.com. well, les says, i think that hs2 has been and still is a white elephant. that's the term you used earlier, isn't it? the government have been talking about improving rail travel and building hs2 on the pretext of increasing passenger capacity and reliability. but it's been reported to have gone way over budget for long enough. would it not be wise to cut our losses and invest in the existing rail infrastructure and let us common

sense will never catch on? >> alison says. i have >> alison says. i would have started building railway started building a new railway from the down. so if you from the north down. so if you run out of money, least the run out of money, at least the north have something. good point. >> very interesting point. yes. chris says i would scrap hs2 and transfer the projected hs2 cost to turning back the boats and putting bobbies on the beat to stop shoplifting. really interesting views. do keep them coming in to us this afternoon on any of the stories that we're talking about this afternoon. vaiews@gbnews.com. >> i'm always grabbed by the fact that gb news viewers have got far more common sense than anybody who's running the country. so please keep them coming. >> maybe you should be in charge. that's what we'd like to see. i do love the views, though, because things like that, in the that, such as starting in the nonh that, such as starting in the north coming what north and coming down. what a great idea. >> never occurred to the politicians . let's move on to politicians. let's move on to our story. gb news has our next story. gb news has learned large number of learned a large number of police, counter—terrorism, firearms officers have stepped police, counter—terrorism, firearfrom fficers have stepped police, counter—terrorism, firearfrom armed1ave stepped police, counter—terrorism, firearfrom armed dutiesepped police, counter—terrorism, firearfrom armed duties withd back from armed duties with almost all armed response vehicles in london, opting for a

penod vehicles in london, opting for a period of reflection . period of reflection. >> yes, senior met commanders are in talks to ensure the capital has an adequate response to firearms incidents whilst the military is on standby in the event of a terrorist attack . event of a terrorist attack. >> and it follows the cps last week charging a met firearms officer with murder over the shooting of an unarmed black man, chris kaba in south london. >> well, gb news national reporter theo chikomba is at scotland yard for us now. good afternoon to you, theo. this is significant, isn't it ? significant, isn't it? >> it is indeed. >> it is indeed. >> well, the metropolitan police's firearms command is up against a difficult situation following a large number of them handing in their tickets, which is essentially a licence which allows them to carry out their dufiesin allows them to carry out their duties in their role . now, we do duties in their role. now, we do understand the home secretary has launched a review into armed policing and has spoken to the met's commissioner about this situation after they said they are stepping back . now the

are stepping back. now the officers protesting are saying that they're doing this as they feel that they don't have enough support, particularly in the case that's currently happening at the moment. their colleague, lord last week was charged with murder following the fatal shooting of chris kaba in september 2022. now, of course, there are questions. what does this mean overall about the safety of those in london, particularly if there are high profile cases in the next whenever that could happen ? are whenever that could happen? are there adequate police or specialist officers in place for that? we do understand , though, that? we do understand, though, that? we do understand, though, that the sas will be there to help if needed . it's worth help if needed. it's worth mentioning that they won't be patrolling around london, but they will be called upon when they're needed. and there are some other forces which have been contacted to come and help should they be needed. now we've heard from the prime minister earlier today in response to this situation and what the home

secretary has said and this is what he had to say. >> well, our firearms officers do do an incredibly difficult job. >> they're making life or death decisions in a split second to keep us safe. and they deserve our gratitude for their bravery . now, it's important when they're using these legal powers that they do so with clarity and they have certainty about what they're doing, especially given they're doing, especially given the lethality that they are using. that's why the home secretary has asked her department to review the guidance that the officers are operating under , that means that operating under, that means that the capital has now the home secretary has offered a message of support, particularly those officers who feel that they may end up in a situation like this, being afraid to potentially end up in the dock should they have to use their firearms. >> now, we know that they might find themselves in a situation which happens quite quickly and it leads into this situation. we've also heard from the met commission coroner, and he was

saying in an open letter to the home secretary that it was right that his force was held to the highest standard, but the highest standard, but the highest that the current system, should i say, was undermining his officers and suggested they needed more legal protections. but as we've mentioned before , but as we've mentioned before, there are still questions. what does this mean and will they get adequate support ? and of course, adequate support? and of course, how how people feel here in the capital? >> okay, theo chikomba live from scotland yard. thank you for that latest update . that latest update. >> now, rishi sunak has refused to commit the northern leg of hs2 to but says he is committed to levelling up the prime minister wouldn't guarantee the birmingham to manchester leg will be completed and he will discuss its future with the chancellor. >> this week with a decision expected before the tory party conference going to manchester next week. >> well, joining us now is the mp for crewe and nantwich, kieran mullen. very good to see this afternoon, mr mullen . and this afternoon, mr mullen. and you are the mp for crewe and nantwich, so you are directly

affected by this . if that that affected by this. if that that leg of hs2 does not go ahead. well you must be furious that that prospect might well recognise it . recognise it. >> you know, we're in difficult economic times and of course it's right that the chancellor, prime minister, look at of prime minister, look at all of the government's spending, but i'm passionate about the difference i think can difference that i think hs2 can make, not just to crewe but actually to all of the north west. and it's really about >> and it's really about tackling issue levelling up. >> and that's problem >> and that's the problem with the dominates the fact that london dominates our economy and actually post—pandemic. >> we've seen london bounce back more strongly than more strongly and quicker than the country . so the rest of the country. so that's get worse that's only going to get worse unless really make a unless we can really make a seismic to change how we live work in the rest country, work in the rest of the country, particularly up in the particularly where i'm up in the north—west. karen what would you say to people who point out with some justification that this leg was going to be £23 billion and i think it was shave off 45 minutes from a journey from crewe to london. that's £2 billion a minute. now, there's much better ways of spending that money as you quite rightly say, levelling up the country

say, on levelling up the country east to west and not being quite so london centric . however, it's so london centric. however, it's not going to be very easy for you, it your constituents you, is it your constituents must be furious. so of course we should be looking at whether we can spend this money effectively on the route. >> and i've never to >> and i've never objected to that. i think we as a that. and i think we as a country at country need to get better at major infrastructure projects. but, are we really but, you know, are we really saying there isn't a cost saying that there isn't a cost effective way build new effective way to build a new railway in the uk, the railway track in the uk, the home of the home of the railways ? of the big ? and i think one of the big misunderstandings is misunderstandings about hs2 is it's not just journey it's not just about journey times, actually times, it's about actually capacity . so the west coast main capacity. so the west coast main line busiest mixed mixed line is the busiest mixed mixed use line in all of use railway line in all of europe. and so it means that actually local journeys that my constituents want make constituents want to make on that railway are competing that railway line are competing with busy traffic between with that busy traffic between the cities. so actually, the big cities. so actually, when that city traffic when we move that city traffic onto , there's going to be onto hs2, there's going to be more connections, more journeys locally my constituents can locally that my constituents can use yes, of use. and actually, yes, of course, northern powerhouse rail, west connections rail, the east west connections are , but i'm sure are important, but i'm not sure why should to make why we should be having to make

a choice between the two. you why we should be having to make a choi in between the two. you why we should be having to make a choi in london, the two. you why we should be having to make a choi in london, the t'isn'tou know, in london, there isn't a choice trains choice between tubes and trains and things get and buses. all those things get invested in think we invested in and i think we should be the same in should be expecting the same in the north. so would you like to see an alternative to hs2, a rail alternative ? i want to see rail alternative? i want to see a new railway connection between my constituency and crewe and nantwich and manchester and birmingham and london, because i know the difference that's going to let's say that you're to make. let's say that you're growing up crewe, you growing up in crewe, you finished you love finished college, you love crewe, living in a crewe, you like living in a smaller town with your friends and the minute it's and family at the minute. it's so you get the so difficult for you to get the jobs opportunity jobs and opportunity cities without to without making a move to somewhere like manchester or birmingham london. if we cut birmingham or london. if we cut those journey down, those journey times down, make them more frequent. so actually, let's you want to get a job let's say you want to get a job in birmingham, that down in birmingham, cut that down from to than from around an hour to less than half an hour. my constituents can stay living crewe, stay can stay living in crewe, stay spending crewe spending their money in crewe and it locally, and contribute to it locally, but job in birmingham but have that job in birmingham and entrepreneurs can do the same and businesses the same and businesses can do the same. and that's the whole idea. really we're doing is really what we're doing is breaking between breaking down that silo between london rest of the london and the rest of the country. kieran, the labour country. now kieran, the labour

party waded in saying that party have waded in saying that they keep hs2. they will keep hs2. >> expect that, but how >> you'd expect that, but how unhelpful is it that people like bofis unhelpful is it that people like boris johnson have been wading in saying that this is a mutilate version of hs2 ? george mutilate version of hs2? george osborne he's resurfaced again saying this is a gross act of vandalism and lord heseltine never short of a word or two to attack a brexiteer saying that this is economic self—harm. you're about to go to manchester for your own tory party conference. how unhelpful is it for these political figures from the past to be steaming into rishi? >> well, that might not be the words i would use, but i just think all of those individuals are passionate about are as passionate as i am about what can for the what hs2 can deliver for the north of manchester, for crewe, for birmingham so for birmingham. and so i understand they're understand why they're frustrated mean, labour, frustrated. i mean, labour, you've heard more than me then because i can't actually get a straight out of them straight answer out of them whether support whether they're going to support it not. course know it or not. and of course we know keir opposed to keir starmer is fully opposed to it, on every it, but he flip flops on every single know single issue going. so you know , and our track record, when it comes in the north comes to rail in the north and labour when

labour is appalling. when they were northern rail were last in the northern rail franchise, that out franchise, they rented that out on zero investment basis. the on a zero investment basis. the whole time they were in government, they electrified 63 miles of railway. we've done more than a thousand. so i'm proud that proud of our track record. that doesn't passionate proud of our track record. that doesn�*what passionate proud of our track record. that doesn�*what i passionate proud of our track record. that doesn�*what i think passionate proud of our track record. that doesn�*what i think hs2assionate proud of our track record. that doesn�*what i think hs2 can)nate about what i think hs2 can deliver for the and deliver for the north and the midlands. deliver for the north and the midlancmust have fears, though. >> you must have fears, though. you have concerns in an era you must have concerns in an era now where we're entering into a general election hasn't been called yet, but we all know it's on the cards. probably this time next what do you think it next year. what do you think it will mean for rishi sunak? what do you think it will mean for your party abandon this your party if you abandon this part hs2, especially for the part of hs2, especially for the red wall and northern voters who want to see levelling up in action? >> well, i think you're right. i think that 29, 2019 voters and before actually, i think people were moving to our party because they didn't think that labour was delivering for them in the regions want to us deliver. regions and want to us deliver. and get me wrong, and don't get me wrong, there are that we're doing, for are things that we're doing, for example, constituency, example, in my constituency, we've got something called a town deal, which brings new investment and we've investment to the area and we've seen levelling up funds and other things that the government

are and are doing to invest in try and tackle issue. tackle this levelling up issue. i think that one i just happen to think that one of best ways of doing that of the best ways of doing that is it's, you know, is hs2 and it's, you know, on track. doing it. we're track. we're doing it. we're building it as we speak. it's been through planning. it's been through parliament a lot of it already. would be already. other options would be wary about changing horse mid—race because actually we know this one is already making a in like a difference in places like birmingham. to a&e birmingham. speak to the a&e street conservative mayor. he's clear amounts clear it's bringing huge amounts of birmingham of investment to birmingham and it's even arrived yet. it's not even arrived yet. >> yeah, politicians >> yeah, well, politicians are one campaigned one thing. i campaigned across the west midlands and i didn't meet person who wanted meet a single person who wanted hs2, people who hs2, apart from people who worked business, and members worked in business, and members of much rather worked in business, and members of a much rather worked in business, and members of a bus much rather worked in business, and members of a bus serviceh rather worked in business, and members of a bus service around get a decent bus service around their constituency. and the idea i'll coming back to it, i'll keep coming back to it, i'm afraid. to reiterate , it afraid. i need to reiterate, it does it's all about does feel like it's all about saving for people saving time for people getting to london who seem to get all the best baubles anyway, with the best baubles anyway, with the line, with the the elizabeth line, with the overground, isn't it just time to accept reality? kieran we're a £26 trillion in national debt . the hs2 project is the ultimate . how long is a piece of

ultimate. how long is a piece of string? why elephant project £100 billion and rising. it's simply time to call time on hs2. >> i mean, that's accepts the premise that we as the home of the railways can't build an affordable railway. and i just don't accept that . so if we want don't accept that. so if we want to look at what's going on as to why those costs gone and why those costs have gone up and what we can do, whether it's in planning or whatever it might be to get those costs down. but don't accept can't build to get those costs down. but d0|affordable can't build to get those costs down. but d0|affordable railway build an affordable new railway line in think also in this country. so i think also to keep in mind, yes, that sounds like lot money and sounds like a lot of money and it lot of money, but this it is a lot of money, but this is a project that's going to be spent over years. actually is a project that's going to be speat over years. actually is a project that's going to be spea yearr years. actually is a project that's going to be spea year by years. actually is a project that's going to be spea year by year's. actually is a project that's going to be spea year by year basis, actually is a project that's going to be spea year by year basis, we're.y on a year by year basis, we're spending rest of the spending more on the rest of the railway we are and railway than we are on hs2. and it's last decades it's going to last for decades and decades. let's remember and decades. and let's remember the speed rail the original high speed rail that 80% that the eurotunnel 80% overspend. lots of challenges getting done, but don't think you or any of your viewers would say that we should never should have that and have spent that money. and that's true, for example, of crossrail london. lot of crossrail in london. a lot of criticism, a concerns. criticism, a lot of concerns. but it's now an integral part of the focus on the network. so let's focus on cost. can cost. let's see where we can drive further. but drive them down further. but

let's idea that let's not abandon the idea that the build a railway the uk can't build a new railway line in an affordable way. >> kieran mullen, >> okay, kieran mullen, mp for crewe nantwich , thank you crewe and nantwich, thank you for impassioned defence of for that impassioned defence of hs2. appreciate it . hs2. appreciate it. >> yeah, really good to hear from kieran mullen there. we'd love to hear from you, especially if you're in the north—west. what do you make of this plan ? it hasn't yet this plan? it hasn't yet been confirmed sunak , but confirmed by rishi sunak, but lots of criticism from tory grandees coming out criticise grandees coming out to criticise sunak if he were to ditch that leg of hs2. let us know what you make of that. would you like to see an alternative? would you like to see a liverpool hull like to see a liverpool to hull route? would you would you like to bus route? to see a better bus route? do let think let us know what you think vaiews@gbnews.uk bus route. >> i mean, a lot of places have got like one bus a day or one bus an hour. if you if you're looking, it costs six, seven, £8 just go miles. just just to go a few miles. i just think people something that think people want something that supports locally, supports them locally, not just getting london getting to them from london quicker. wrong. getting to them from london quicker. know wrong. getting to them from london quicker. know what'ong. getting to them from london quicker. know what you think. >> let us know what you think. vaiews@gbnews.com. >> let us know what you think. vai> let us know what you think. vai> let us know what you think. vai

details with. sophie reaper. >> the temperatures rising, boxt solar. proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. on. gb news. >> good morning . welcome to your >> good morning. welcome to your latest gb news weather forecast . i'm craig snell. looking ahead to the next few days, will to the next few days, we will see sunnier and brighter see some sunnier and brighter moments. but watch out for wednesday. could turn windy wednesday. could turn very windy for some of us. back to the here and of sunshine out and now. lots of sunshine out there across parts of there actually across parts of england wales. may be england and wales. still may be a of overnight rain a little bit of overnight rain and cloud just to clear the very far southeast. for of far southeast. but for most of us, it's mixture of us, really, it's a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers. northern showers. scotland and northern ireland of ireland seeing the main bulk of the and some of these the showers. and some of these could be quite could potentially be quite heavy, the rumble heavy, maybe even the odd rumble of quite windy of thunder and still quite windy here. that will temper the temperatures down temperatures somewhat. but down towards the southeast, feeling quite reaching 22 or quite warm. highs reaching 22 or 23 degrees into the evening . a 23 degrees into the evening. a lot of england and wales remaining dry. still the risk of some showers across northern ireland and scotland, especially

across western areas. across more western areas. elsewhere under clear skies, elsewhere under the clear skies, we could see some mist and fog also forming. then later on in the starting the night, just starting to potentially some heavy potentially see some heavy showers working in across the very coast england. very far south coast of england. and mild night for all of us. temperatures staying in temperatures staying firmly in double . so these showers double figures. so these showers will then track their way northwards across parts of england we go through the england as we go through the course of the morning. elsewhere once any early and fog once any early mist and fog clears and clears briefly, drier and brighter , but then bands brighter, but then further bands of rain moving in from the west , which will be accompanied again fairly strong again by some fairly strong winds, the rain for winds, heaviest of the rain for scotland and northern ireland. but despite the wind, it's going to be another fairly mild one. temperatures, high, teens in the north, 20s in the . south north, low 20s in the. south >> the temperatures rising. boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on

>> so join us every saturday, 10 am. till noon on gb news, a.m. till noon on gb news, britain's news . a.m. till noon on gb news, britain's news. channel >> welcome back to the live desk. it's 1:25 now. lucy letby will face a retrial on outstanding allegations when she attempted to murder another baby girl. >> yes, the former nurse was sentenced to a whole life order for killing seven babies and the attempted murder of six others. but the jury was unable to reach verdicts on six further counts while north—west of england. reporter sophie reaper is outside manchester crown court for us now and sophie, you've

beenin for us now and sophie, you've been in the courtroom this morning. what's the latest ? well morning. what's the latest? well good afternoon to you both. >> yes, we've been in here at manchester crown court this morning waiting to hear that decision from the crown prosecution . we did hear prosecution service. we did hear from the prosecution when they told us they would be seeking a retrial. however, it would only be on count 14. and as it stands now, that charge, of course, relating to the attempted murder of child k. as for the other five counts that were left hung at the end of august when a jury were unable to come to a verdict, one way or another, those five counts the prosecution has said that as it stands, the crown is not presently seeking a retrial on those particular counts. now, justice goss , who's been the justice goss, who's been the judge presiding over this case since it began all the way back in october of last year, he told the courtroom this morning that that retrial relating to child care, he estimated that it would take around 2 to 3 weeks. however, he also said that it

could the next available date possible wouldn't be until at least june 10th of next year. so that date was set provisionally . however, of course, it is still quite some way away, so things could potentially change before before then. lucy letby as it stands, she didn't appear for her sentencing back in august of last year here at manchester crown court, but she did appear here today via video link from hmp new hall. she spoke twice , first to confirm spoke twice, first to confirm her name and second to confirm that she could hear and see the courtroom clearly. but that was it. that was all we heard today from lucy letby of course, we also know now that she and her legal team have launched that application for an appeal against those guilty convictions. so that is also ongoing thing. that's with the court of appeals now. but we know that it could be at least five months before that , seen five months before that, seen before a judge. so these things

are incredibly complex and they do take quite some time. so although we may have thought back in august that this lucy letby trial was starting to wind down, what with both of these things and the statutory inquiry, it does seem that it's going to now rumble for on still quite some time . quite some time. >> i'm afraid it does. thank you very much, sophie reaper there at manchester crown court for us this afternoon . thank you. this afternoon. thank you. >> moving on to our next story now, north yorkshire police has become forces become one of the latest forces to a specialist of to deploy a specialist team of officers in york's late night economy to help prevent sexual offences and keep people safe. >> well, our reporter anna riley joined officers from project vigilant on patrol during freshers week to see how they plan to regain control. >> welcome to the project vigilant briefing . today we are vigilant briefing. today we are going to be doing a combination of uniformed patrols and plainclothes officers. all right . we're going to go out plainclothes officers. all right .we're going to go out in our night time economy and we're to going try and identify any people who are displaying signs

of behaviour, of predatory sexual behaviour, fully project vigilant fully briefed project vigilant officers, head out into york's nightlife evening . nightlife evening. >> their aim to stop sexual violence before it happens . it's violence before it happens. it's university freshers week and patrols are focussed on designate areas of the city. >> it fits in with our strategy of violence against women and girls strategy. our vawg strategy this strategy really and this this project just adds another layer of protective policing that we can offer for the to public be there to ensure that if there to, to ensure that if sexual violence is happening in night time economy, then we need to one step ahead of it. and to be one step ahead of it. and we prevent it. we need to try and prevent it. >> york, a tourist >> with york, a tourist city filled with residents and visitors and this visitors day and night, this operation looks out for those who can become more vulnerable as the evening wears on. >> so i'm leading the plainclothes officers and we're looking for any suspicious behaviour. >> people that might be reacting oddly to the presence of uniformed police officers and any vulnerable people that might be might be around.

>> so that might be that might be vulnerable due to the amount of alcohol they've drunk or vulnerable situations might be detached things detached from friends, things like who we're like that. so that's who we're looking for to prevent any offences and protect those offences and to protect those people . people today. >> you as well as protecting >> are you as well as protecting the revellers, operation the revellers, the operation also supports those who work in pubs and clubs after the covid, all the lockdowns generally the entertainment side of it has suffered big time. >> it'sjust suffered big time. >> it's just starting to get going again now. really so i think it's a massive help if you've got people that are possibly out and about to maybe, you know , do a little bit of you know, do a little bit of mischief, just seeing them, it it takes it down as the it just takes it down as the clock ticks on. >> just how safe do feel >> just how safe do people feel in the city? >> i was spiked before at home in hull . in hull. >> it was a horrible experience, but but now that i'm in york and kind of thinking, oh, it won't happen to me, hoping so. do you see the police? i do feel a lot safer whenever they're around or like even just ambulances or something . something like that. >> i felt bad. just walk

>> i never felt bad. just walk like home. like for like walking home. like for three, it's always quite safe. >> fairly safe. i think it's quite a nice city in terms of like there's enough places to go on night but it's not on a night out, but it's not like busy . like too busy. >> i feel quite safe in york. it's quite small and like kind of know a lot of people as well. i've only been here three weeks and i've gone for a few nights out. >> the police officers around here are brilliant. >> around here >> they bouncers around here absolutely to get with. >> really easy to get on with. but them if but you'll see them go in if anyone's messing around, they'll take away. anyone's messing around, they'll takimultiple away. anyone's messing around, they'll taki multiple were ray. anyone's messing around, they'll takimultiple were stopped anyone's messing around, they'll takiiquestioned were stopped anyone's messing around, they'll takiiquestioned by were stopped anyone's messing around, they'll takiiquestioned by police stopped and questioned by police throughout evening, but no throughout the evening, but no arrests made . as much as arrests were made. as much as project vigilant is about proactive policing, it's also to ensure vulnerable people weren't alone and could get home safely . anna riley gb news york. >> it looks like a superb initiative. that's the sort of thing i think people want to see, you know, policing the streets, not policing tweets, actually making people safe actually making people feel safe when need at when they most need it late at night. >> e“ f- en— >> yeah, i think it's a really positive the positive thing. i think the visibility police in the

visibility of police in the early hours of the morning when you're coming out of a nightclub or it counts for a lot. or a bar, it counts for a lot. you safer. don't you, you just feel safer. don't you, with them let know with them around. let us know what as what you think of that as an idea. something idea. is that something you'd like local town ? like to see in your local town? gb at news. com gb views at gb news. com >> still to come, we are live in lampedusa where thousands of migrants arrived in the migrants have arrived in the last week. 11,000, actually. but first, news first, here's your news headunes first, here's your news headlines with . aaron headlines with. aaron >> it's 132. headlines with. aaron >> it's132. i'm aaron headlines with. aaron >> it's 132. i'm aaron armstrong in the newsroom . the prime in the newsroom. the prime minister says armed police need clarity about their legal protection amid an escalating crisis. scores hours of counter terrorism, firearms officers have stepped down from their dufies have stepped down from their duties after a colleague was charged with murder over the shooting of chris kaba in south london last year. rishi sunak is backing a home office review, which has been ordered to ensure armed police have the confidence to do their job. cover's been to do theirjob. cover's been drafted in from neighbouring forces military could be forces and the military could be used in the event of a terror attack . the mayor of greater

attack. the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, warns that curtailing the hs2 project risks creating a north south chasm. the government claims the decision hasn't yet been taken , decision hasn't yet been taken, despite mounting speculation the birmingham to manchester leg is to be scrapped amid spiralling costs. the prime minister's refused to guarantee the completion of the project, but insists is committed to insists he is committed to levelling up serial killer lucy letby is facing a retrial on the attempted murder of a girl known only as child k. the former nurse was jailed for life for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at attempting to kill six others at a hospital in chester. between 2015 and 2016, jurors were unable to reach a verdict on six further counts of attempted murder. a provisional date has been set for june murder. a provisional date has been set forjune next murder. a provisional date has been set for june next year. nhs been set forjune next year. nhs strikes are thought to have led to the cancellation of more than a million appointments since december, a figures due to be released later are expected to confirm the milestone in the wake of last week's double

strike action by junior doctors and consultants . strike action by junior doctors and consultants. i'll be strike action by junior doctors and consultants . i'll be back and consultants. i'll be back with more at the top of the next houn with more at the top of the next hour. or there's more now on our website, gbnews.com . direct website, gb news.com. direct bullion website, gbnews.com. direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for gold and silver investment that . and silver investment that. and here's a quick look at the markets today . the pound buys markets today. the pound buys you 1.22, two, $4 and ,1.1497. the price of gold £1,574.45 per ounce. the ftse 100 is at 7620 points, direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for physical

company right through until 7:00 this evening. gb news is the people's . channel people's. channel >> welcome back to the live desk with ellie. and it's 138. now let's have a look at some of your views. don't forget, you can email us anytime, gbviews@gbnews.com. what they're saying ls well, jason says hs2 has proving to be the final nail for governments for the government with such prominent tory mps and former cabinet members speaking so strongly against him , he says i can see against him, he says i can see mutiny taking rishi sunak down. sarah says this the audacity of suella braverman to say she wants western leaders to unite

in the face of the european migration crisis as her government has failed at every step to stop the boats. despite it being one of sunaks key pledges . i it being one of sunaks key pledges. i thought it being one of sunaks key pledges . i thought that when she pledges. i thought that when she was saying this morning, oh, people could learn from our innovative approach, i thought, well, what? >> yeah. yeah. difficult one. it's actually. it's very interesting actually. we going speak, we hope, we are going to speak, we hope, to an italian journalist a little bit later on. and it's so interesting because the rhetoric here has been we're going to stop obviously, we stop the boats. obviously, as we just there, one of rishi just heard there, one of rishi sunak five key pledges as well. it's the same rhetoric in italy i >> -- >> yeah. >> yeah. >> and their prime minister is saying the saying she's going to stop the boats indeed , that has not boats and indeed, that has not happened either. had happened either. they've had 11,000 crossed in the happened either. they've had 11,0(ten crossed in the happened either. they've had 11,0(ten days crossed in the happened either. they've had 11,0(ten days alone. sed in the happened either. they've had 11,0(ten days alone. so in the happened either. they've had 11,0(ten days alone. so it] the happened either. they've had 11,0(ten days alone. so it does last ten days alone. so it does go to show we're talking about this the break. weren't we, this in the break. weren't we, that you always think it's our problem, actually will problem, but actually you will find wide problem. find it's a europe wide problem. it's many different it's affecting so many different countries i'iow. now. >> fl- 9 right. because now. >> right. because what >> that's right. because what ends italy shores will ends up on italy shores will surely make way through ends up on italy shores will surely rthrough way through ends up on italy shores will surely rthrough open:hrough ends up on italy shores will surely rthrough open borders and france, through open borders and then onto channel and then onto the channel coast and coming way soon.

coming our way soon. >> yeah, well, graham's been in touch as well. good afternoon to you, graham. who says never you, graham. who says i never thought but thought i would say this, but it's thought i would say this, but wsfime thought i would say this, but it's time for labour it's time for a labour government nurses strike, government nurses on strike, doctors now armed doctors on strike. and now armed police on strike give police officers on strike give starmer a go. it can't get much worse. well, do you keep those views coming in? gb views at cbnnews.com? okay >> moving on to that story. home secretary suella braverman is set to call on western leaders to collaborate to tackle the global migrant crisis. >> well , it global migrant crisis. >> well, it comes as the situation in europe becomes increasingly desperate with more than 11,000 north african migrants arriving on lampedusa over the past ten days, hundreds of police have been deployed to the island to help manage that influx. >> and we're now crossing live to lampedusa to join a home. and security editor, mark white. so, mark, drew , epic scenes last mark, drew, epic scenes last week of thousands and thousands of north africans piling ashore . what's the latest on lampedusa i >> -- >> well, 5mm hum >> well, this was the epicentre of those dramatic scenes of the

red cross camp just on the outskirts of the main town in lampedusa . i'm just going to lampedusa. i'm just going to step to the side just to give you a shot. these are the front gates into the camp itself. we're not allowed inside a lot of activity here, although things are much, much calmer than they were just 4 or 5 days ago when they were dealing with thousands of people still inside a camp that is only part purpose, built for 400 migrants. and we had scenes of the migrants in here actually scaling the perimeter fence because effectively they were inside and in very hot conditions , quite cramped. so conditions, quite cramped. so they wanted out. and then we had them wandering about into the main town itself. and some clashes with the local police . clashes with the local police. as i say, a lot calmer than that now . and that's thanks mainly to now. and that's thanks mainly to what they call the mistral winds

, which have been blowing for the last couple of days in the mediterranean around this island. it's made the journey almost impossible , really, for almost impossible, really, for these small boats and has really cut the numbers crossing down very significantly. however for the authorities know that as soon as those winds die down, just as we see in the english channel on the calm days , then channel on the calm days, then the boats will return and that's why we still have a very significant presence here of members of the red cross. we've got members , others of the got members, others of the italian police force who've come from all over italy. we were filming actually last night at the airport when we arrived , the airport when we arrived, dozens of italian police officers who arrived at the airport to help supplement and reinforce course the officers that are here because they know that are here because they know that it will be very challenging for them in the days ahead, especially if they get another surge like we had about 5 or 6

days ago. there's other pictures that we'd like to show you that we filmed late last night . we're we filmed late last night. we're not normally allowed into this area of the harbour of the port area of the harbour of the port area in lampedusa , but we got area in lampedusa, but we got into an area here where the boats are being stored. these empty migrant boats, dozens of boats, some of them very dilapidated and certainly not in the slightest bit seaworthy. we could see the rubber inner tubes that were being used as makeshift shift life jackets . makeshift shift life jackets. clearly not at all suitable for any kind of trouble that these migrant s might have got into. and on the boats themselves , we and on the boats themselves, we could see the numbers painted on. they do the same thing border force with the small boats that come across the engush boats that come across the english channel. they paint the numbers on so they can keep a count many have

count of how many boats have crossed and one of those boats had 975. so slash 23 written on which effectively flee the 975th boat that had crossed in 2023 and indication of the massive numbers that we're talking about, it does just in lampedusa itself really dwarfed the situation in the english channel. and it's not just lampedusa . it is, of course, lampedusa. it is, of course, other italian islands. it is greek islands and spanish islands. all across the european union . southern borders. you union. southern borders. you will get migrant crossings from nonh will get migrant crossings from north africa to try to get into the european union. and what we then find , because history has then find, because history has shown us that so is that many of those who cross the southern border want to get up to the more prosperous countries in northern europe, and many will go to the northwest beaches of

france with a view to getting over to the uk . also in terms of over to the uk. also in terms of the crisis here, though, clearly it's impacted this island of just 6000 people. we spoke to a couple of local italians who were visiting the island and, you know, they were very concerned at the situation . concerned at the situation. >> no, it doesn't change a feeling of the island, but i see most military presence of in the island concerned about the future there, about how it could be, but also a bit hopeful if it can improve the situation, definitely can improve . well definitely can improve. well with no end in sight to this migrant crisis , the home migrant crisis, the home secretary, suella braverman , is secretary, suella braverman, is now in the united states giving a keynote speech tomorrow in

washington, where she will call on western governments to come together to redraught the refugee convention to have a unhed refugee convention to have a united front in trying to tackle what is a very significant and growing threat out. >> okay, mark wyatt, live from lampedusa , thank you for that lampedusa, thank you for that update. we will, of course, be coming back to you throughout the live desk through the rest of thank very much. >> thank m the italian >> thank you. now, the italian political commentator , paola political commentator, paola diana, us now. very good diana, joins us now. very good to see you this afternoon in paola. i mean, how is this going down with the italian people, the island of lampedusa is tiny, just 20km2. and we're talking about 11,000 migrants crossing overin about 11,000 migrants crossing over in just ten days. how is this being received by the people of italy and by the media there ? there? >> well, the people of italy, they are shocked and they consider it an invasion . let's consider it an invasion. let's talk it with a right name . and talk it with a right name. and it's not sustainable . we can't

it's not sustainable. we can't think that italy can sustain these numbers of illegal migrants coming from africa. and we have to remember people who think that we should that these are not engineers or very high skilled people like they were coming from syria at the time . coming from syria at the time. unfortunately, they're very poor people and they need everything . and italy cannot sustain this numbers. and we know that france is speaking in a very good way, saying that they have to help italy . and the same the other italy. and the same the other countries. but at this moment in ventimiglia, that is at the border with italy from france, has sold tires. they're blocking illegal migrants and macron said after the pope told that france should do the their bit as well. macron replied, saying that france cannot . cannot have all france cannot. cannot have all the cannot help with the misery

of this world. and that's an interesting attitude . and it's interesting attitude. and it's not a solidarity with italy or with the european concepts at all. so i think there is something more urgent to do and they should definitely change they should definitely change the whole refugee legislation because is not sustainable words right out of my mouth are the european union is meant to be a collaborative project and yet time and time again we see when there's a migration crisis in one country, the border is are closed on the next country along macron saying he's not in any mood to help italy. >> we've seen from poland putting up borders , barbed wire putting up borders, barbed wire across their borders . how does across their borders. how does this make the italian public feel about the european union ? i feel about the european union? i mean, they're not sending out much help, are they? >> absolutely. but the italians now, they're moving to the right. we know that the centre right. we know that the centre right coalition now reached the

41, that it is a huge number and i'm sure it will reach even farther if this crisis won't be sorted . we need to block . the sorted. we need to block. the starting point. we need to make agreement points with the african countries as europe has to change completely neatly the view on refugees because it's a very naive legislation on it's like the we should help as macron said, all the misery of this world. but it's not it's not factual. in reality , it's not factual. in reality, it's impossible. so we should be more pragmatic and definitely help people, not to risk their life crossing the border. they should stay in in in tunisia and libya. that are the countries where they come the most. >> paolo , we haven't got long >> paolo, we haven't got long with you, but i did want to ask you about the similarity , his you about the similarity, his and the rhetoric between the italian prime minister and our prime minister here. rishi sunak i mean, rishi sunak, one of his

five key pledges is to stop the boats. giorgia meloni , the boats. giorgia meloni, the italian minister, she italian prime minister, she promised exactly the same thing, didn't ? and speaking didn't she? and just speaking to the she said the press yesterday, she said she could have done she hoped she could have done better controlling better on controlling immigration. she's failed on that promise, hasn't she ? that promise, hasn't she? >> unfortunately , so far we can >> unfortunately, so far we can say that she failed , but not say that she failed, but not because of her will, because of the international law on international seas . so we have international seas. so we have to change the law, particularly in this for case, italy, the european law that it doesn't let italy use the navy to stop the boats at the moment, it's an emergency sea. so they should definitely think about it changing the legislation because the one that we have right now, it's not a good one for this type of emergency and definitely not for the future . not for the future. >> okay, paolo, diana, really good to see you this afternoon. thank you very much. she's an italian political commentator , italian political commentator, author. do you agree? do you let us vaiews@gbnews.uk hmm.

us know? vaiews@gbnews.uk hmm. >> yeah. seems european nations are just joined in their hopelessness stopping this hopelessness of stopping this issue. anyway, move on now issue. anyway, let's move on now it's go through all the it's time to go through all the latest news with the latest sports news with the legendary magee. let's legendary aidan magee. let's start it's start with the rugger. and it's got be said, some fantastic got to be said, some fantastic results for the home nations. got to be said, some fantastic res|withouthe home nations. got to be said, some fantastic res|without doubt.ie nations. got to be said, some fantastic res|without doubt.ie can't»ns. >> without doubt. i can't remember a world cup. >> when the home nations >> martin when the home nations have been so strong, it's almost as a power shift as if we're seeing a power shift from hemisphere from the southern hemisphere to the hemisphere . the northern hemisphere. >> the wales rattling in 40 points against australia . points against australia. >> i mean, you saw you saw eddie jones's face afterwards. >> i he was absolutely >> i mean, he was absolutely shell shocked. >> and it's the australian public. some public. i think there's some collateral well collateral damage there as well with the that he did with the fact that he did so well getting them well with england getting them to think to a world cup final. i think that hold they hold that they hold him, they hold him lesser regard him kind of in lesser regard now because to england, because of his links to england, but hold him but they certainly hold him responsible been responsible for what's been going great performance by >> so great performance by by wales, >> so great performance by by wa|a;, of a read through 12 >> a bit of a read through 12 changes still managed to rattle in hapless in 71 points against a hapless chile in the chile with more teams in the tournament . tournament. >> see a little bit of >> you do see a little bit of a dilution quality and that dilution of the quality and that was of that. of was an example of that. and of course stellar course there was a stellar match where the elite teams went up

against other. against each other. >> one the >> ireland number one in the world, in the world, against number two in the world, against number two in the world, south africa, eight world, against number two in the worlthe outh africa, eight world, against number two in the worlthe score..frica, eight world, against number two in the worlthe score. .frica, eight world, against number two in the worlthe scithinkica, eight world, against number two in the worlthe scithinkica, theight world, against number two in the worlthe scithinkica, the last >> i don't think it's the last time those two meet in time we'll see those two meet in this think this competition. i think they're than france they're stronger than france at they're stronger than france at the especially if france the moment, especially if france are be without are going to be without antoine dupont, has a cheekbone dupont, who has a cheekbone injury. you see injury. i think you could see them injury. i think you could see the they certainly the best >> they are certainly the best two the world things two teams in the world as things stand. >> y- t— >> and i think again, mystic magee see, saw magee said, you see, you saw that as a kind of playthrough of potential final and you said the winner of this could win the whole thing. i'd and they look fantastic. whole thing. i'd and they look fan'they. do listen the >> they do. they do listen the rules mcgee are that when rules of mr mcgee are that when you it does rules of mr mcgee are that when you to it does rules of mr mcgee are that when you to come it does rules of mr mcgee are that when you to come to it does rules of mr mcgee are that when you to come to pass it does rules of mr mcgee are that when you to come to pass so does rules of mr mcgee are that when you to come to pass so we've have to come to pass so we've still got we're still relatively early in the tournament but i'll tell you what, ireland look irrepressible moment, but irrepressible at the moment, but so do south africa. >> making for >> and it's making for a brilliant >> and it's making for a briland got to be said, >> and it's got to be said, i know shouldn't delight in the know we shouldn't delight in the misery of australians, but misery of the australians, but please press really australian press are really scratching head the scratching their head about the absolute miserable performance scratching their head about the abtheira miserable performance scratching their head about the abtheir team arable performance scratching their head about the abtheir team .able performance scratching their head about the abtheir team . itle performance scratching their head about the abtheir team . it seems)rmance scratching their head about the abtheir team . it seems like nce scratching their head about the abtheir team . it seems like the of their team. it seems like the entire game has fallen apart down under. >> i think there is >> yeah, i don't think there is even mathematic all even a vague mathematic all permutation that could see them

get through, but i mean they lost to fiji last week. >> terrible performance in that game and they just don't seem to have anything about them. i don't, say, don't don't, as i say, i don't remember australian side as remember an australian side as weak mean the weak as this. i mean the southern hemisphere hemisphere threat africa and from new south africa and from new zealand now. but eddie jones, you wonder how long he's got. >> so come on, mr mcgee, who's going the thing ? going to win the thing? >> to stick my neck >> i'm going to stick my neck out and ireland. yeah, >> i'm going to stick my neck out going ireland. yeah, >> i'm going to stick my neck out going to ireland. yeah, >> i'm going to stick my neck out going to go reland. yeah, >> i'm going to stick my neck out going to go relaireland.i, >> i'm going to stick my neck out going to go relaireland. i i'm going to go for ireland. i do have an irish passport, so i'm going to go for ireland. i do igot an irish passport, so i'm going to go for ireland. i do igot an igot passport, so i'm going to go for ireland. i do igot an igot some ort, so i'm going to go for ireland. i do igot an igot some skinso i'm going to go for ireland. i do igot an igot some skin in i've got i've got some skin in the race. >> far as england's hopes, >> so as far as england's hopes, i >> so as far as england's hopes, | , >> so as far as england's hopes, i , it's pretty dismal i mean, it's been pretty dismal so from the 71, but so far apart from the 71, but they expected hammer chile, so far apart from the 71, but theyit'soected hammerchile, so far apart from the 71, but the)it's3ecte(mostlynmer chile, so far apart from the 71, but the)it's3ecte(mostly kicking|ile, so far apart from the 71, but the)it's3ecte(mostly kicking ..e, so far apart from the 71, but the)it's3ecte(mostly kicking . i, but it's been mostly kicking. i mean, they well , listen, i mean, mean, they well, listen, i mean, england won the world cup in 20 in 2003 as a kicking side. >> they were very adept at that and they played to their strengths wilkinson, and they played to their strengtthowever, wilkinson, and they played to their strengtthowever, wilmay)n, and they played to their strengths however, wilmay need etcetera. however, they may need more time. but more than that this time. but i have you know what? if have to say, you know what? if i was even if i was ireland, south africa , new zealand, france, i'm africa, new zealand, france, i'm not sure i want to face england in a knock out stage just because they are a country with reputation, pedigree . and reputation, with pedigree. and if they going through these

if they keep going through these tournaments, rattling tournaments, they keep rattling in allowing the in points, even allowing for the fact made don't fact they've made changes. don't forget, they won their first game against argentina early with there's momentum with 14 men. so there's momentum building who knows building there. and who knows when get into in the when they get into the in the knockouts, anything happen. knockouts, anything can happen. >> have leave >> okay, aiden, we have to leave it ellie, it there, because, ellie, i think we have some breaking news. >> yeah, we thanks adrian. >> yeah, we do. thanks adrian. we news in >> yeah, we do. thanks adrian. we last news in >> yeah, we do. thanks adrian. we last few news in >> yeah, we do. thanks adrian. we last few minutes. news in >> yeah, we do. thanks adrian. we last few minutes. enough in the last few minutes. enough firearms returned firearms officers have returned to duties for the to armed duties for the metropolitan police to be able to armed duties for the memeetlitan police to be able to armed duties for the memeet itsn police to be able to armed duties for the memeet its counter—terrorism! to meet its counter—terrorism responsibility is without military help. and we'll be back outside scotland yard with theo chikomba to talk about that after this short break. >> the temperatures rising, boxt solar the proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> hi there. it's aidan mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast . it's the gb news forecast. it's a bright monday for many of us. still some showers around, especially in the north and the west. and will windy in west. and it will be windy in the not as windy the far north, but not as windy as it's expected to be midweek . as it's expected to be midweek. we've got low pressure to the northwest of the uk . we've got a

northwest of the uk. we've got a cold front crossing the country that's but that's led to fresher but brighter conditions and down brighter conditions up and down the and some sunshine , the land and some sunshine, actually plenty of sunshine for the east and the south of england. eastern scotland seeing some spells . but some decent sunny spells. but there be shower clouds there will be shower clouds elsewhere. 1 or 2 showers for wales and northwest england , but wales and northwest england, but the of the showers the bulk of the showers affecting scotland and affecting western scotland and northern wind northern ireland. a brisk wind for many, especially towards the north—west and feeling on the cool side in northwest. but cool side in the northwest. but still some warmth in the sunshine towards the southeast. 23 celsius, the afternoon high heading into the evening then and actually many of the showers will disappear, wins for light across and eastern parts across central and eastern parts with a mist patches forming with a few mist patches forming by dawn. but at this stage we've got thickening clouds towards the west, freshening breeze once again, and it's a relatively mild night in urban areas. but in some rural spots, temperatures dipping into the single figures. a bright start then for many, but from the word 90, then for many, but from the word go, we've got showers pushing into central eastern into the central and eastern parts england and then this parts of england and then this more rain

more persistent band of rain moving through northern ireland, first into scotland, first thing into scotland, northern stuff northern england, showery stuff coming in the coming into wales in the south—west and all of it turns to showers by the end of the afternoon. highs of 23 celsius. >> the temperatures rising, boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> good afternoon. it's 2 pm. and you're on the live desk here on gb news with me, martin and ellie costello coming up this monday lunchtime . monday lunchtime. >> um, some breaking news in the last few minutes. enough fire arms officers have returned to armed duties for the metropolitan to be able metropolitan police to be able to meet its counter—terrorism responsibilities without military help. we'll have the latest from scotland yard . and latest from scotland yard. and more than 11,000 migrants have arrived in lampedusa from north africa in the past ten days. >> our home affairs and security editor mark white is on the island and i'm on the italian island and i'm on the italian island of lampedusa , where more island of lampedusa, where more than 11,000 migrants have crossed in just over a week. >> many of those will end up in nonh >> many of those will end up in north western france, aiming to cross to the united kingdom . and cross to the united kingdom. and rishi sunak refuses to confirm whether hs2 will continue past birmingham, with former chancellor george osborne saying

the move would be an act of huge economic self—harm . economic self—harm. >> we'll have the latest reaction from westminster. for plus. >> we'll have more on that huge successful weekend of rugby for the home nations and the world cup. first, here's your headunes cup. first, here's your headlines with aaron armstrong . headlines with aaron armstrong. for good afternoon to you. >> it's a minute past to aaron armstrong here in the gb newsroom . well, as you've just newsroom. well, as you've just been hearing, the met police says enough firearms officers have armed duties. have returned to armed duties. so they can meet its counter—terror responsibilities without military help. a significant number of counter—terrorism, counter—terrorism, counter—terrorism , firearms counter—terrorism, firearms officers had stepped back from dufies officers had stepped back from duties after a colleague was charged with murder over the shooting of chris kaba in south london last year. shooting of chris kaba in south london last year . the army had london last year. the army had been put on standby in the event

of a terror alert, but scotland yard has confirmed it now has sufficient personnel . a shadow sufficient personnel. a shadow paymaster general john ashworth, says people need confidence in the police. >> it's vital that that they have support , but there are also have support, but there are also safeguards in place now. there's been a review announced by the home secretary . we don't know home secretary. we don't know the details of that review yet. there's also that live prosecution, that court case. so i want to i want as a politician to be careful about how i comment on these matters as you would as you would appreciate. but we obviously need to make sure we have procedures in place which commands the confidence of both the police officers and the communities that they serve . communities that they serve. >> the mayor of greater manchester says the north shouldn't have to pay the shouldn't have to pay for the government's mismanagement of hs2. rishi sunak is refusing to guarantee the manchester leg will be completed . and with will be completed. and with a decision expected to be announced before the tory party conference in the city next week , andy burnham says curtailing the project represents the opposite of levelling up. but

the prime minister insists he is committed to the long tory committed to the long term tory pledge . pledge. >> farage this kind of speculation that people are making is not right. i mean we've got spades in the ground. we're on and delivering, we're getting on and delivering, but what we're but across the north what we're also up all also doing is connecting up all the cities in the the towns and cities in the north—east to west. that's a really important part of how we will create drive growth will create jobs, drive growth across the region, all part of our plans to level up freeports are another good example of that, whether that's in teesside or elsewhere, attracting new investment and new businesses coming all good examples of coming in all good examples of the government levelling up. >> the home secretary will call for unity amongst western leaders to combat the global migration crisis. suella braverman will tell an audience in washington that other countries can learn from the uk's innovative attempts to tackle illegal migrants. she is questioning whether conventions and legal frameworks designed more than 50 years ago are fit for purpose. she's also calling for purpose. she's also calling for a shake—up of the international rules. serial

killer lucy letby is facing a retrial on the attempted murder of a girl known only as child k. the former nurse was jailed for life for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at a hospital in chester between 2015 and 16. jurors were unable to reach a verdict on six further counts of attempted murder. a provisional date has been set for june murder. a provisional date has been set forjune next murder. a provisional date has been set for june next year. murder. a provisional date has been set for june next year . 1 been set forjune next year. 1 million nhs appointments have been cancelled since december because of strikes in england. last week's industrial action by junior doctors and consultants has mean the country will reach that milestone in figures set to be announced later. another double strike is scheduled for next week. the organisation's deputy chief executive, saffron cordery, has labelled it damaging and demoralising . damaging and demoralising. meanwhile almost 400,000 patients in england waited 24 hours or more in a&e last year. the royal college of emergency medicine is calling the

situation a matter of national shame. shadow health secretary wes streeting says 24 hours in a&e is no longerjust a documentary, but the department of health and social care claims improvements are being made through the nhs recovery plan . through the nhs recovery plan. experts are warning the government will not meet its manifesto pledge to end homelessness by next year. the kerslake commission says there are chronic and unresolved issues in the housing system , issues in the housing system, with a crisis pushing more people onto the streets. the number of people sleeping rough last autumn was 25% higher than the same time three years ago. the government says it's spending £2 billion to end rough sleeping for good . and a space sleeping for good. and a space capsule carrying soil from the surface of an asteroid has been recovered by nasa . the sample recovered by nasa. the sample was collected by the osiris rex spacecraft before making the 1.2 billion mile journey back to earth. it was parachuted through the atmosphere and landed in the

utah desert yesterday. now scientists hope it will shed light on the formation of the solar system and the origin of life on earth. the sample is some 4.5 billion years old. this is gb news on tv, on digital radio, and on your smart speaker . just say play gb news that's it. now it's back to martin and . ellie >> thanks, aaron. go to that breaking news story. as we just heard, the met police has just announced that enough counter terrorism, firearms officers have returned to armed duties to be to meet its be able to meet its responsibilities without military help. >> yes, we've had a statement from the metropolitan police in the minutes that the last 15 minutes or so that says as of lunchtime on says that as of lunchtime on monday, the number of officers who had returned to armed duties was us to no was sufficient for us to no longer require external assistance to meet our counter—terror responsibilities. they say there grateful to the ministry of defence and the armed forces personnel involved

for all of their support. but they say that a limited number of armed forces from other uk police forces will continue to support the non counter—terrorism armed policing. but they do say they do still call for support, which will be under review. so that statement from the metropolitan police in the last 15 minutes or so. yeah. >> and of course this follows the cps last week charging a met firearms officer with murder over the shooting of an unarmed black man. chris kaba in south london. well, let's cross now to gb news national reporter theo chikomba at scotland yard. theo a significant update. so no, for now, no armed forces services required. but a key detail. it seems that other forces across the uk may be helping the met out with his weapon. >> yes , well, it's been fast >> yes, well, it's been fast moving throughout the day. of course, we heard the home secretary launching that review into firearms policing and of

course, we've heard from the prime minister and the opposition as well throughout today. course , that today. but of course, that latest line from the metropolitan police saying they do enough now, enough do have enough now, enough officers have returned to armed dufies officers have returned to armed duties for the metropolitan police to be able to meet its counter—terrorism responsibility without military help. the force has said now , of course, we were has said now, of course, we were asking that question on are they going to have sufficient numbers in the next coming days ? of in the next coming days? of course, when you do hear that a large number of them have taken time to consider their position following their colleague who was charged with murder last week following that fatal shooting of chris kaba in september last year. there were some concerns we'd heard from officers saying they are finding it difficult with this process. what does this mean for them and their families ? now, of course, their families? now, of course, in response to that review to what the home secretary has said, this is what the housing minister had to say earlier today. >> very important that we

support our extremely brave firearms officers. they have to make split second decisions is to keep the public safe. and they have our full support in doing that . i think it's really doing that. i think it's really important that your listeners know that that cooperation with the soldiers, with the ministry of defence , is very standard for of defence, is very standard for the government. it's something that i've been involved with previously a minister in previously as a minister in different departments and of course those professionals. course those are professionals. they with the met they will work with the met police , the soldiers will be police, the soldiers will be working to keep the public safe. they won't have powers of arrest, but ultimately these are operational matters for the police, for the met police commissioner and keeping the pubuc commissioner and keeping the public safe in whatever eventuality will be their first priority . priority. >> well, the home secretary had said that she'd issued a message of support to the metropolitan police officers. some of those who had concerns about potentially ending up in the dark . and we also heard from the dark. and we also heard from the met's commissioner, sir mark rowley , who's welcomed the home

rowley, who's welcomed the home office review. and in an open letter, he said it was right that the force was held to the highest standards. but the current system was undermining his office's and suggested they needed more legal protections. but of course, with this new line that we've heard from the metropolitan police that they have enough today, will this be the same going forward for the rest of this week ? and of rest of this week? and of course, others are course, when others are potentially meant to return , potentially meant to return, what are the attitudes around the safety and how are people feeling in the capital? >> well, yeah, questions remain theo chikomba, as you say, a fast moving story and you've been across it for us all morning and this afternoon as well. thank very much for well. thank you very much for being us. new scotland yard. >> well, joining us now to discuss is former discuss more of this is former head counterterrorism major discuss more of this is former head chipterterrorism major discuss more of this is former head chip chapmanm major discuss more of this is former head chip chapman , major discuss more of this is former head chip chapman , myiajor general chip chapman, my favourite terror man. hello, chip . welcome to show. chip. welcome to the show. a significant development. chip that for now, soldiers have been stood down and it appears that that an armed response officers from other forces have been drafted in to help the met.

>> yeah, the first thing to say is that there's 43 other home department police forces. >> so under mutual aid, you can always request from another force that sort of armed firearms capable ability from other forces that should be the first point of call . the second first point of call. the second one is that there's always authority available able to a requesting department if it needs it. we saw that with the department of health, for example, on covid, and if it wants to request it goes to the mod the mod will resource mod and the mod will resource that the way it needs to by saying is actually saying that there is actually a standing operation op tempora, which kicks in with up to 3800 people giving support to counterterrorism police if the threat level goes up to critical. the threat level at the moment is substantial and that occurred twice in 2017 after the manchester attack and the parsons green attack . the parsons green attack. >> how do you think this went down in the metropolitan police when these armed police officers

started to hand back their weapons? i mean, we saw in the papers yesterday some of the numbers that were being talked about, more than 100 officers. what some sources are saying had turned in their permits and other papers suggesting more than 300 had done so. i mean, you can see why the had you can see why the met had to scramble really to react to this quickly to call on other forces to support those in london and to support those in london and to rearm . the met. to rearm. the met. >> well, of course, anyone who's an armed firearms officer has responsibility and authority . responsibility and authority. authority and to exercise that authority, you have to do it in authority, you have to do it in a very careful way . and 100 a very careful way. and 100 people withdrew that authority. actually, overall in the country, there's something like 6129, 192. so armed officers. so we're drawing of 100 would mean you could pull in 100 from the other home department police forces. the second thing is whether it was the sort of minor tactic to try and put pressure to say that this is wrong for

the case of what happened to the police officer. of course, due process of needs to take process of law needs to take place for that. not place for that. we might not like it, that's the way like it, but that's the way that the . the process works. >> and chip, how how right do you think we've got this balance? clearly the firearms officers feeling abandoned by their leadership up on this specific case. and we've seen historically , of course, with historically, of course, with prosecutions against former servicemen in the arenas of northern ireland. and if afghanistan, do you think sometimes the rank and file police officers, the rank and file servicemen , sometimes feel file servicemen, sometimes feel their leadership aren't really in their corner ? in their corner? >> well, i think there's two aspects to that. the first one is you can never take a bullet back. and the it's the critical moment. if there's something that happens. now, actually, i would suggest that in the last 5 or 6 years when we've had very few terrorist attacks, that a number of times that police have opened fire in major, major terrorist incidents and we're talking about westminster attack in march 17th, the london bridge

borough market attack in june 17, the fishmongers attack in november 19th, and the february 20th streatham attack . all those 20th streatham attack. all those occasions when the police opened fire, a verdict of lawfully killed was out there. so it's not quite true that that is the case.if not quite true that that is the case. if the threat is there and thatis case. if the threat is there and that is the key variable. if the threat is there from either a terrorist or a significant armed criminal, then you can lawfully open fire. and most of the time you'll be supported. now, the process , of course, is that if process, of course, is that if you do open fire and the discharging of weapons is not that common. so in the two years both to march 20 to 21 and march 20th 1 to 22, there were only four occasions that the police opened fire in those years. so it is still quite rare for to open fire. but the process is you discharge your weapon , you discharge your weapon, you're going to be suspended. then the independent office for police conduct kicks in. and of course, the cps will only charge someone if it meets both the

pubuc someone if it meets both the public interest test and the evidential test and the evidential test and the evidential test and the evidential test is not the same as the test, which would be in court. it isn't an emotional test. it's a test of evidence . test. it's a test of evidence. >> it's very interested , then, >> it's very interested, then, to get your thoughts on the comments of sir mark rowley, who has welcomed a home office review into armed policing. and in that open letter to suella braverman, the home secretary , braverman, the home secretary, he he said it was right that his force was held to the highest standards, but the current system undermined his system was undermined his officers and suggested they needed more legal protections. what do you make of those comments? do you think that armed police officers do need more legal protections ? more legal protections? >> well, it's a curious one. the first thing is that the emotional and psychic psycho psycho psychiatric pressure on officers is significant. when they are suspended. so a lot of they are suspended. so a lot of the iopc investigation is can take a number of years. so justice delayed is justice denied is the first point. so in

process terms, it would be great if they could speed that up . if they could speed that up. now, i'm not really quite sure what we're going to get to apart from that because we're not going to change the law . the law going to change the law. the law is law that is, you act is the law that is, you act within the law if you break the law, we can't allow police officers or soldiers to be involved in arbitrary extrajudicial murder. so it is a difficult judgement. but the two key things when you are trained as a firearms officer and you judgemental training is what would you do now? and is it legal to fire? and that's going to be uppermost in your mind . to be uppermost in your mind. now in the case that we are talking about here, of course we think at the moment that the protagonist on the other side was unarmed. that doesn't really justify you opening fire with lethal force and chip in general terms, when there is a terrorist incident . incident. >> you mentioned a list of them there. how on stand by are the armed forces ordinarily or are the firearms officers within the

metropolitan police or other forces , are they sufficiently forces, are they sufficiently capable of handling this without military intervention ? military intervention? >> well, most of the time they are. so, for example, if you look again at the statistics in the year to march 22nd, there were 18,259 firearms operations , of which 16,800 used on armed response vehicles . so that was response vehicles. so that was all taken care of within the police. now, special forces would be used in three occasions. really. the first one is for maritime counter—terror , is for maritime counter—terror, and we saw that in october 20 with a ship which was had a load of stowaways who took care of it. the second one would be if we had a sort of mumbai 2011 attack, either a marauding attack, either a marauding attack linked with a season old attack linked with a season old attack , something beyond the attack, something beyond the collective capability of the police. when the special air service would come in. and the third one, which has been used before on the mainland , is the before on the mainland, is the use of the special

reconnaissance regiment to do surveillance of targets . and surveillance of targets. and that was essentially one of the things, i think, which could have happened here, because if you had surveillance teams who were follow were armed, who couldn't follow people, then the special reconnaissance regiment might have had to in and do that. have had to come in and do that. that's essentially what the police did. for example, in following the stretham attacker in 2020. and he was then he was someone who was just released from prison, bought some knives, was going rampage and was was going on a rampage and was shot by those surveillance shot dead by those surveillance officers tailing him . officers who were tailing him. >> major general chip chapman really good to have your analysis the programme this analysis on the programme this afternoon. very much. afternoon. thank you very much. he's of he's the former head of counter—terrorism and just reacting to that news that enough firearms officers have returned to armed duties for the metropolitan police to be able to meet its counter—terror responsibilities without about any military help. they are being helped, aren't they, from forces across the country . but forces across the country. but that does mean that there are now enough firearms officers in place to meet its

counter—terrorism responsibilities. >> yeah, good stuff . okay. after >> yeah, good stuff. okay. after the break, europe's migrant crisis. we are live in lampedusa off italy, where over 10,000 migrants have landed in the past week alone . week alone. >> that warm feeling inside from the boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. of weather on. gb news. >> hi there. today's showers will ease during the rest of the day. clear spells expected overnight, but it will stay breezy. however not as windy as we're expecting things to turn dunng we're expecting things to turn during the middle of the week . during the middle of the week. this area of low pressure doesn't much over the doesn't look like much over the next storm agnes , but next day or so. storm agnes, but it as it approaches it soon deepens as it approaches the uk and a swathe of very strong winds . gales widely are strong winds. gales widely are expected around the middle of the week before that monday night, clear spells for most of us, still rather breezy in the west and the northwest , but most west and the northwest, but most places dry through the hours of darkness, the cloud thickening in the south and the west. by the end of the night,

temperatures generally not far from the time of from average for the time of yeah from average for the time of year. the low year. we're looking at the low double figures generally, but we start off tuesday with some showers getting going from the word go into the south and then the east anglia and the midlands, east anglia and the midlands, east anglia and the south east, they do clear through morning a rumble of through the morning a rumble of thunder possible as the thunder is possible as the showers places showers turn livelier in places , a spell of persistent rain moves through northern ireland dunng moves through northern ireland during western during the morning into western scotland , clearing showers scotland, clearing to showers later and for many there will be some spells by the some sunny spells by the afternoon between the afternoon in between the showers. a blustery showers. but it's a blustery afternoon, feel on afternoon, making it feel on the cool in cool side. still quite warm in the nevertheless the south—east. nevertheless yes, that's all out of the way by of wednesday. by the start of wednesday. actually, wednesday starts off fine for most of us. plenty of early sunshine, light winds dunng early sunshine, light winds during morning, but storm during the morning, but storm agnes a swathe of very agnes brings a swathe of very wet and very strong wet weather and very strong winds in during the afternoon and early evening could cause disruption west . disruption in the west. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on .

>> so join us every saturday, 10 am. till noon on gb news, a.m. till noon on gb news, britain's news . a.m. till noon on gb news, britain's news. channel >> welcome back . you're watching >> welcome back. you're watching the live desk with myself and martin daubney. we do love to hear from you throughout the programmes. do keep your views coming in gb views at gbnews.com. we'll share some with after the next news with you after the next news bulletin. the home bulletin. now, the home secretary suella braverman is set on western leaders set to call on western leaders to collaborate to tackle the global migrant crisis .

global migrant crisis. >> yeah, it comes as a situation in europe becomes increasingly desperate with more than 11,000 nonh desperate with more than 11,000 north african immigrants arriving on lampedusa over this past ten days alone. well hundreds of police have been deployed to the island help deployed to the island to help to influx . let's to manage the influx. let's cross now live to lampedusa and join our home and security editor , mark white. mark what's editor, mark white. mark what's the latest? we spoke to paola diana earlier on about the reaction in italy, and she was telling us that the italians are horrified by what she is calling an invasion on. yeah there's no doubt they are. >> this is a very serious situation. they are facing on multiple fronts as we are at the epicentre of where thousands of migrants came to the red cross camp here on the outskirts of the main town in lampedusa . i'm the main town in lampedusa. i'm just going to pop out of the way because we can show you actually, as we zoom in on this shot, some more of the migrants who are still here in this camp

up there just sitting by these tables, just passing the day, i guess. tables, just passing the day, i guess . but it tables, just passing the day, i guess. but it was a far different scene to this less than a week ago when at its height , it than a week ago when at its height, it remember, 11,000 came in the space of a week. but at its height here, there was 7000 and migrants who were in this particular camp here. and aid that put a very significant strain on the camp and on the red cross. members of staff and volunteers who were here trying to do their best to help those migrants, but they were all crammed in here in very hot conditions . there was trouble , conditions. there was trouble, all quite a number of the people that were in here scaled the perimeter fence, got into to the main town in lampedusa itself. there were clashes with the italian police as the police

tried to push them back into the camp. so those scenes, the authorities here are desperate to prevent a repetition of, however , there is some real however, there is some real concern that as the weather improves , later this week, we improves, later this week, we will see a surge in boats crossing again. what we saw up until the weekend and where significant numbers arriving. however, we have had fairly windy conditions out in the mediterranean, which has slowed down the arrival rate very significantly . so we've got very significantly. so we've got very few boats now coming across. but once those winds die down and we're told wednesday is when conditions are about to improve again, then there will be a lot more boats coming across. and thatis more boats coming across. and that is why police reinforce agents have come in to lampedusa as we arrived at the main airport last night, we saw

italian police officers was arriving. they've been coming from all over. we've been speaking to some of them just now . so from different areas, now. so from different areas, from sicily , from palermo , from from sicily, from palermo, from milan, all over, just coming to supplement the local officers here who would given it's only an island population of 6000 and only be a dozen or so , that only be a dozen or so, that would really be policing this island. but given the exceptional circumstances, that is why we've had so many officers come here. we also were able in the early hours of this morning to get down to the port and an area of the port that you're normally restricted from going anywhere near during the day. but that enabled us to see some of the many migrant boats. and they come in all shapes and sizes from these inflatable boats that you're used to seeing coming across the english channel to what look like small fishing boats that have come

across as well , and fishing boats that have come across as well, and all manner of other types of boats in between what they all have in common is they were all rickety as as hell and not at all seaworthy . there was inner seaworthy. there was inner tubes, these tire, inner tubes inside many of the boats. and that's what the african migrants were using as makeshift life jackets, which would not really have done anything for them if that boat had sank in the middle of the mediterranean , like so of the mediterranean, like so many have. it is coming up to the ten year anniversary of a very significant tragedy here in lampedusa, where more than 300 african migrants drowned when their boat got into difficulty . their boat got into difficulty. but the lessons have not been learned. there have been multiple tragedies on a very regular basis out there in the mediterranean since. >> and the authorities will be all too aware that they do not want to repeat those kind of tragedies. mark, i mean, you're just in front of that camp in lampedusa to for us now. can you

tell us what kind of people are making these journeys ? is it making these journeys? is it men? is it women and children . men? is it women and children. >> yeah, just speaking actually, a short time ago to one of the red cross staff here who tells us that that those crossing are mostly from sub—saharan africa , mostly from sub—saharan africa, that they are 76% male. all . and that they are 76% male. all. and 10% female. and then the rest 14. is that who are minors? so the vast majority, as we see, of course, with those crossing the engush course, with those crossing the english channel, are young men who are crossing. and if there are anything like those who i've spoken to many times around dunkirk and around calais, then many of them are really after a better life. that's to not say that they're not leaving behind wretched circumstances and, you

know, very scant opportunity city to better themselves . but city to better themselves. but that puts you in the class, of course, of an economic migrant . course, of an economic migrant. however, if you listen to the charities, the ngos , they will charities, the ngos, they will tell you that everyone that's coming across, of course, are refugees is fleeing for their lives and as i say, from many years of covering this story, that's just not what i've found. and the people i've spoken to that deal with these people on a regular basis say that that's not what they found either. and mark, also speaking to paolo. >> diana, now about the political implications. france as interior minister coming out and saying they will not take any of the migrants from lampedusa . so, once again, mark, lampedusa. so, once again, mark, it asks the question, when these humanitarian crises strike, european member states, rather than acting as a cohesive unit, they seem to put up the drawbridge . drawbridge. >> yeah, no, absolutely . i'm >> yeah, no, absolutely. i'm just going to pop out the way to

let you see one of the italian red cross vehicles just arriving at the main gate here. and which will be going in very shortly. a lot of these red cross resources now coming in here to lampedusa to ready for what they believe will be a very significant surge in migrant crossings. again, once the weather improves. but you're right to talk about the situation within the european union. there is not to put too fine a point on it. infighting between many of these european countries , as with france and countries, as with france and germany, refused to take italian migrants from the likes of lampedusa, accusing the italians of not doing enough to take their fair share of european union migrants. so it's all a bit of a mess , but it is a bit of a mess, but it is a crisis that's not just affecting italy. it's affecting greece and spain , also on the southern spain, also on the southern borders . and it's also affecting

borders. and it's also affecting those eastern european countries with the routes that are coming in through the western balkans. >> okay. mark white, live from lampedusa, thank you for that update . and just to put some update. and just to put some some context on the numbers here, 130,000 migrants have arrived in the past year to italy. we've had 108,000 in the uk since we started recording in 2018. a huge amount of illegal immigrants arriving in italy via small boats. yeah well, as mark says, this is a european wide issue and a number of those migrants that we're seeing on lampedusa right now will make their way through europe. >> some will end up in the northwest of france , where they northwest of france, where they will to cross into britain . will try to cross into britain. and that's where it becomes about doesn't it? and we're about us, doesn't it? and we're going seeing special about us, doesn't it? and we're going from seeing special about us, doesn't it? and we're going from portland special about us, doesn't it? and we're going from portland speciéthe report from portland where the community divided over report from portland where the conbibbyy divided over report from portland where the con bibby stockholm iivided over report from portland where the con bibby stockholm barge. over report from portland where the conbibby stockholm barge. but' the bibby stockholm barge. but first, let's get a news bulletin with aaron armstrong . with aaron arm strong. >> with aaron armstrong. >> very good afternoon to you.

it is 233. i'm aaron armstrong. let's start with some breaking news in the last few minutes. a motorbike riders died in a collision in central london while being followed by police. the motorcycle collided with a taxi early this morning after travelling through a red light and failing to stop for officers . a passenger who sustained non—life—threatening injuries was arrested after being found with a machete. the met has launched an inquiry alongside an independent independent investigation . meanwhile, the investigation. meanwhile, the army have been stood down after the met police confirmed it now has sufficient numbers of counter—terrorism officers to deal with an incident. a significant number of armed police had stepped back from dufies police had stepped back from duties after a colleague was charged with murder over the shooting of chris kaba in south london last year. but scotland yard says it can now meet its counter—terrorism responsibilities without military help . mayor of greater military help. mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham , has manchester, andy burnham, has warned that curtailing the hs2

project risks creating a north south chasm . the government south chasm. the government claims a decision hasn't been taken, despite mounting speculation that the birmingham to manchester leg is to be scrapped amid spiralling costs . scrapped amid spiralling costs. the prime minister has refused to guarantee the completion of the project, insist that he the project, but insist that he is committed to . levelling up. is committed to. levelling up. serial killer lucy letby is facing a retrial on the attempted murder of a girl known only as child k. the former nurse was jailed for life for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at attempting to kill six others at a hospital in chester between 2015 and 2016. jurors were unable to reach a verdict on six further counts of attempted murder . a further counts of attempted murder. a provisional date has been set for june murder. a provisional date has been set forjune next murder. a provisional date has been set for june next year. murder. a provisional date has been set for june next year . and been set for june next year. and nhs strikes are thought to have to led the cancellation of more than 1 million appointments since . figures due to since december. figures due to be later are expected be released later are expected to confirm the milestone . in the to confirm the milestone. in the wake of last week's double strike by junior doctors and consultants , the. that's it for

consultants, the. that's it for me for the moment. you can get more on all of our stories on our website. gbnews.com .

revved up with me patrick christys on gb news and gb news radio . radio. >> good afternoon. it's 239 and let's have a look at some of your views, shall we? and don't forget, you can always email us any time gb views at gbnews.com

is the highlight of the show heanng is the highlight of the show hearing from you and your thoughts on all the stories thoughts on all of the stories that thank you that we're covering. thank you so for keeping company. so much for keeping us company. well, been in touch well, james has been in touch this afternoon. he says 11,000 people in just ten days. of course , talking about the island course, talking about the island of lampedusa off italy. he says, why do governments around the world not consider helping countries in north africa and the middle east to ensure that europe isn't constantly seeing such a huge influx on people onto the continent? >> ellie i've said it before, and i'll say it again if only are people like you running the country, we might have chance. country, we might have a chance. bryan this it bryan says. this i find it hilarious that our government thinks at thinks we have any authority at all when comes to stopping all when it comes to stopping illegal migration. we're the laughing europe, as laughing stock of europe, as always. sunak big talk and always. from sunak big talk and little action. >> but so interesting, isn't it, to see the parallels really in rhetoric in italy and here it's the same. it's exactly the same . literally the same sentence. yeah i will stop the boats. that's exactly what the italian prime minister has said. it's exactly what rishi sunak has

said. his five pledges. >> but the numbers are just eye—watering. in italy, as i said, 130,000 illegals in the past year alone, we've had 108,000 since records began in 2018. it's a massive , massive 2018. it's a massive, massive issue for that coast yeah, it is. >> and we've also been reacting to the news that enough firearms officers have returned to armed dufies officers have returned to armed duties for the metropolitan police to be able to meet its counter—terrorism responsibilities without the need for military help. so he's been responding to this. she says, i have complete sympathy for the firearms officers who put their guns over the put down their guns over the past few days. why should they fear spending lives in fear spending their lives in prison for simply doing their job? solidarity with those brave men who put their lives on the line for the rest of us. >> it has to be said, ellie, that we've had a load of responses almost universally responses and almost universally they've supporting the boys they've been supporting the boys and girls in blue. colin says this what a colossal and embarrassing waste of money hs2 is. isn't it hilarious how billions of pounds can be found when it suits the government,

really makes me sick. >> well, do keep those views coming in on any of the stories that we've been talking about today. and there many today. and there have been many of them very interested to hear what have to say about hs2, what you have to say about hs2, especially if you live in the north—west so do north—west of the country. so do let you make of let us know what you make of that. vaiews@gbnews.com. okay. >> on to our next story now. lucy letby will face a retrial on outstanding allegation on an outstanding allegation that she attempted murder a that she attempted to murder a baby girl. that she attempted to murder a batyes,'l. that she attempted to murder a batyes, the former nurse was >> yes, the former nurse was sentenced to a whole life order for seven and the for killing seven babies and the attempted murder of six others. but the jury was unable to reach verdicts on six further counts related to five children. well north west england reporter sophie reaper is outside manchester crown court. >> sophie, what's the latest ? >> sophie, what's the latest? >> sophie, what's the latest? >> well, we heard this morning from nick johnson, kc , who's from nick johnson, kc, who's been the lead prosecutor on this trial since it began all the way back in october of last year. >> he told the court here at

manchester this morning that the prosecution would be seeking a retrial, but as it stands only on count 14 on the indictment, which , as you say, relates to which, as you say, relates to the attempted murder of child k, as for those other five hung counts related to child h. j n and q, as it stands, nick johnson said the crown is not currently seeking a retrial on those particular counts. now justice goss, who's been the judge presiding over this case, he said that he would estimate that that retrial relating to count 14 would take around 2 to 3 weeks, but he did also say that the next available dates for that retrial wouldn't be until at least june 10th of next yeah until at least june 10th of next year. so that was put in the diary. but of course, it is still quite a way away. so that very well could change. as for lucy letby herself, of course , lucy letby herself, of course, we do know that she and her legal team have lodged an

application to make that appeal. a very complex process, which is now only just getting underway . now only just getting underway. and we also know, of course, very controversially, she didn't appear for her sentencing last month here at manchester crown court, but she did appear here at manchester crown court today to hear about this potential retrial. she appeared via a video link from hmp newhall. she seemed fairly indifferent to the proceedings. she didn't really seem to have much of a reaction. she only spoke twice , first to she only spoke twice, first to confirm her name and second, to confirm her name and second, to confirm to the court that she could see and hear everything clearly . but that was it. we clearly. but that was it. we heard no more from lucy letby. she remains silent throughout the rest of the proceedings. and of course , we now know that that of course, we now know that that retrial will take place next yeah retrial will take place next year. but she had no reaction to that either . that either. >> sophie reaper, you've been there for us since day one. and

as you said a little bit earlier on, it does look as though this is set to continue. i'm afraid. very, very good to see you this afternoon. and thank you for bringing up to speed. afternoon. and thank you for brirokay. up to speed. afternoon. and thank you for brirokay. our) to speed. afternoon. and thank you for brirokay. our next;peed. afternoon. and thank you for brirokay. our next story, the >> okay. our next story, the bibby stockholm is set to reopen to asylum seekers, possibly as early as this week after receiving the all clear from legionella bacteria . legionella bacteria. >> yes, as our south—west of england. reporter jeff moody england. reporterjeff moody explains, the community of portland is tired for stated and now turning on each other. >> another cruise ship docks in portland. its passengers spilling out onto the streets to buy souvenirs and this is what greets them when they arrive . a greets them when they arrive. a town that's on its feet and marching, a town that's divided, a town that's angry . two rival a town that's angry. two rival protest groups united in wanting the barge gone, divided in every other way possible . and they're other way possible. and they're turning on each other. dr. susan phoenix is from no to the barge

i >> -- >> people were there doing their best for their community. they thought, and suddenly they would get something really horrid written on to the facebook account that had no relation to anything or anybody. but of course , it's way of course, it's a good way of shutting down arguments . so, oh, shutting down arguments. so, oh, you're a racist. oh, you're a. oh, you're this, that and the other. and people go, oh, oh, am i? and so they take a while to realise, no, they're so realise, no, they're not. so that people bullying that local people are bullying each even each other and they don't even realise they're doing it, you know, which sad . know, which is very sad. >> alex bailey headed up the no to the barge campaign an he's taken a step back because he says the online abuse has become unbearable , deeply upsetting . unbearable, deeply upsetting. >> it has affected me personally, emotionally , to be personally, emotionally, to be called things that . quite quite called things that. quite quite frankly, it's awful . frankly, it's awful. >> theresa churchill fears for

her community. >> the division is growing deeper by the week . we're seeing deeper by the week. we're seeing different protesting groups coming into town and people being bused in. then they disappear, go home, away from portland and leave the community even deeper. divided >> and that division is playing out on social media, cloning of people's facebook accounts, malicious emails and texts . malicious emails and texts. >> i'm really want to say i'm shocked and don't think there's another word for it. jeff. i am shocked because why are people behaving like this in a civilised society ? civilised society? >> we're not for it . we're >> we're not built for it. we're not built for the constant harassment, the kind constant attack that's on social media. >> gb news has repeatedly asked the stand up to racism campaign for comment. they have so far refused off camera , they tell me

refused off camera, they tell me i'm giving voice to racists. i'm only presenting one side of the story. but they won't tell me their side . the divisions, the their side. the divisions, the bitterness have been festering here for months and not a single migrant lives on the barge. the bibby stockholm home at the centre of so much fear and hate remains empty. but that could change any day now forjeff change any day now for jeff moody. gb news, who's that's the latest from jeff moody in portland. >> the bibby stockholm, the only boat the government has managed to stop . and just in terms of to stop. and just in terms of the numbers , we would need 48 the numbers, we would need 48 eight. bibby stockholm homes just to take those who arrived illegally this year alone. the bibby stockholm is a solution. nobody wants in that community. quite clearly, ellie. >> well, let us know what you make of that story, vaiews@gbnews.uk pm now rishi sunak has refused to commit to the northern leg of the hs2, but says he is committed to

levelling up. >> the prime minister wouldn't guarantee the birmingham to manchester leg will be complete and he'll discuss its future with the chancellor this week with the chancellor this week with decision expected before with a decision expected before the tory party conference in manchester next week. >> well, our political editor chris hope joins us now in the studio . very good to see you, studio. very good to see you, chris. hope i mean, this is very, very awkward, isn't it? this all could be announced at just as tory party conference kicks off in manchester. >> yes, it's a dreadful timing for the prime minister. the tories, of course, go north to manchester this weekend's manchester for this weekend's party conference and to have this the whole this hanging over the whole conference disaster for conference will be disaster for the and 10 his the pm and number 10 and his advisers. they'll to try advisers. they'll want to try and get some of solution. and get some sort of solution. an indicative from the an i thought indicative from the lobby briefing, the briefing we go to as journalists of number 10 this morning. go to as journalists of number 10 this morning . they talked 10 this morning. they talked there about they have rephased part of the project in the past because of affordability. and i reckon well they might try and do is just fudge it so that they can they can push out these

costs further down the track because this week is very because this week is a very difficult with levelling up difficult week with levelling up in news manchester and in the news manchester and everything earlier mr everything else. but earlier mr sunak did speak to reporters about what his plans were for levelling up, and particularly with have a listen to with hs2. let's have a listen to what he had to say. >> this kind of speculation that people making is not right. people are making is not right. i mean, we've got spades in the ground on ground we're getting on and delivering. but across the north, also doing is north, what we're also doing is connecting towns and connecting up all the towns and cities in the north—east to west. that's a really important part of how we will create jobs, drive growth across the region, all part of our plans to level up freeports are another good example of that, whether that's in or elsewhere, in teesside or elsewhere, attracting new investment, new businesses in, all good businesses coming in, all good examples of the government levelling well . levelling up well. >> chris rishi there is keeping calm and carrying on, but his plans hit the buffers so to speak, with boris johnson, who called this a mutilated version of hs2 . george osborne has waded of hs2. george osborne has waded in. i remember him saying it's a gross act of vandalism . david gross act of vandalism. david cameron, lord heseltine , all

cameron, lord heseltine, all having a pop. how useful is that? how helpful is that? just before conference, all three? >> all four. all part of yesteryear, aren't they, martin? i mean, they're not really. they're really. are not they're not really. they are not in their pen on they're not really. they are not in chequebook, their pen on they're not really. they are not in chequebook, lookingen on they're not really. they are not in chequebook, looking at)n they're not really. they are not in chequebook, looking at the the chequebook, looking at the issues they've got with the covid pandemic and the war in ukraine the the of ukraine and the and the cost of living spiralling living crisis and spiralling inflation, although it should be down this time year. down by by this time next year. so it's not helpful to have noises off, particularly from from former prime ministers and chancellors who maybe should know better. >> chris, how is this to going go down with voters? i mean, we're talking about a general election. hasn't been election. it hasn't been announced yet, but it could be this next year or this time next year or thereabouts , especially the thereabouts, especially for the red those in the red wall. and those in the north—west, which this decision will they will affect and impact. they want to see levelling up in action, don't they? >> and this is this is this is the exhibit in levelling the prize exhibit in levelling up. if he can't do hs2 to the north—west of england from from birmingham then what is levelling and that's levelling up about and that's why the are far away. why the timings are so far away. i mean , 2040 is the completion i mean, 2040 is the completion

date for some of these lines here. so it's a long way away, but i think it does matter. i mean, to be fair mr sunak, mean, to be fair to mr sunak, he's richmond he's mp for richmond in yorkshire. about he he's mp for richmond in yorksthere, about he he's mp for richmond in yorksthere, he about he he's mp for richmond in yorksthere, he comesbout he he's mp for richmond in yorksthere, he comes from he lives there, he comes from there. there's there. but there's a weakness, i think, that red wall think, around him that red wall mps think, around him that red wall mp5 i think, around him that red wall mps i speak to wonder why they're not getting more preferment. they look at boris johnson as being the leader for the red wall. he's out of government. what's in it for them? so i think politically, mr sunak something soon. them? so i think politically, mr surbut something soon. them? so i think politically, mr surbut then something soon. them? so i think politically, mr surbut then boris�*nething soon. them? so i think politically, mr sur but then boris wasiing soon. them? so i think politically, mr sur but then boris was wassoon. them? so i think politically, mr sur but then boris was was wading >> but then boris was was wading in saying it's treasury driven nonsense , as if it's a bad thing nonsense, as if it's a bad thing to be careful with to actually be careful with money when we're £2.6 trillion in debt , this leg alone in national debt, this leg alone is going to save £23 billion. and we spoke to the mp for crewe and nantwich earlier. we worked out when a £2 billion a minute in the time it saves from a journey crewe to london. so journey from crewe to london. so isn't a good idea actually to isn't it a good idea actually to be prudent and financial , be be prudent and financial, be astute with the money at a time when we've got hardly any money left stop making everything left and stop making everything about london? >> yeah, there's an argument they started they should have started in manchester. worked manchester. martin and worked out work rather than

out work south rather than starting and working starting in south and working north. think boris johnson was north. i think boris johnson was once by way. once against hs2, by the way. i think wasn't favour think he wasn't always in favour of sure wrote of it. i'm sure he wrote articles it , of it. i'm sure he wrote articles it, but that articles against it, but that was back in the day. i mean , no was back in the day. i mean, no question is a big cost. question that is a big cost. there's a big drain on resources, but they've repackaged the pr behind it. so now it's on about, about, about lifting numbers of numbers of trains on the route rather than worrying about speed, because speed is less important than this, freeing more trains to this, freeing up more trains to work those routes. work on those routes. >> sunak hasn't long >> rishi sunak hasn't got long now until tory party conference kicks on sunday. how do you kicks off on sunday. how do you think he's going to try and fix this and offer something? do you think he'll try and come with think he'll try and come up with an perhaps an alternative, perhaps suggest we're talking about it earlier? the m62 corridor going kind of west to east. that something west to east. is that something that perhaps is talk of that perhaps there is talk of money doing some kind of link between manchester and liverpool? >> that kind that'd a new >> that kind of that'd be a new idea. powerhouse idea. northern powerhouse rail put that. i think put money behind that. i think the idea of rail is important. it's understood , you know, it it's understood, you know, it moves communities around. but i

think the problem with hs2, it feels like of a a feels like kind of a big a big idea. ago, which is now idea. 15 years ago, which is now having . having its own issues. >> okay, chris, we'll have to leave you've seen leave it there. you've just seen patrick view patrick christie hove into view on let's take on our screens. let's take a high link to him. patrick, on our screens. let's take a high have link to him. patrick, on our screens. let's take a high have you to him. patrick, on our screens. let's take a high have you got him. patrick, on our screens. let's take a high have you got on n. patrick, on our screens. let's take a high have you got on today's k, show? >> yeah, there you go. a little bit of viral marketing there, subliminal messaging. look, i've got i am, course, got loads on. i am, of course, going very much going to be talking very much about . mark whites about lampedusa. mark whites over there for us. i'm going to be asking not we be asking whether or not we should women and should now only take women and children of the children in light of the onslaught of mostly young men that are heading our way. firearm support that are heading our way. firear handing support that are heading our way. firear handing weapons ort them handing their weapons in? look, thing to look, is it the right thing to do for them or actually should they to work? patrick they get back to work? patrick christys. gb is that warm christys. gb news. is that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hi there. today's showers will ease during the rest of the day . clear spells expected day. clear spells expected overnight, but it will stay breezy. however, not as windy as we're expecting things to turn dunng we're expecting things to turn during the middle of the week. this area of low pressure doesn't look much over the

doesn't look like much over the next day or so. storm agnes, but it deepens it approaches it soon deepens as it approaches the uk and a swathe of very strong winds, gales widely are expected around the middle of the week. before that monday night, clear spells for most of us, still rather breezy in the west and the north—west, but most places dry through the hours of darkness. the cloud thickening in the south and the west. by the end of the night, temperatures generally not far from average for the time of yeah from average for the time of year. the low year. we're looking at the low double figures generally , but we double figures generally, but we start off tuesday with some showers getting going from the word go into the south and then the midlands, anglia and the midlands, east anglia and the midlands, east anglia and the they do clear the south east, they do clear through the morning a rumble of thunder is possible the thunder is possible as the showers livelier in places, showers turn livelier in places, a of persistent rain moves a spell of persistent rain moves through northern ireland during a spell of persistent rain moves thromorning hern ireland during a spell of persistent rain moves thromorning into ireland during a spell of persistent rain moves thro morning into western during the morning into western scotland, to showers scotland, clearing to showers later. and for many there will be some sunny spells the be some sunny spells by the afternoon between afternoon in between the showers. blustery showers. but it's a blustery afternoon, feel on the afternoon, making it feel on the cool still quite warm in cool side. still quite warm in the south—east. nevertheless that's all of the way. by that's all out of the way. by

the wednesday. the start of wednesday. actually, wednesday starts off fine us. plenty fine for most of us. plenty of early light winds early sunshine, light winds dunng , early sunshine, light winds during , but storm during the morning, but storm agnes brings a swathe of very wet weather and very strong winds in during afternoon. winds in during the afternoon. and early evening cause and early evening could cause disruption in the west . disruption in the west. >> that warm feeling inside , >> that warm feeling inside, aside from boxt boilers as proud sponsors of weather on

gb news, it's 3 pm. is patrick christie's. >> it's gb news now our firearms officers right to hand their weapons that make us all weapons in does that make us all less safe? do they have your full strong on full support, strong views on either side? we'll be talking about their about that after one of their colleagues was, of course, charged in other charged with murder in other news, live in news, we are also live in lampedusa white. lampedusa with mark white. >> and on the italian island >> and i'm on the italian island of lampedusa, more of lampedusa, where more than 11,000 in of lampedusa, where more than 11,0(over in of lampedusa, where more than 11,0(over week. in of lampedusa, where more than 11,0(over week. of in of lampedusa, where more than 11,0(over week. of those just over a week. many of those will northwestern