which he was sure the borisjohnson with borisjohnson which he was sure the boris johnson felt that oldeople, we should allow old people to get a virus so other people, younger people could get on with their lives and not crash the economy. they should accept their obviously he lost somebody, particularly in the older person that's really not what you want to hear. aside from the fact it sounds quite flippant. big serious decisions to be made at that level in government. it's highly insensitive. you can probably see some protesters behind me who are standing outside now, waiting for the departure of dominic cummings whose finished giving his evidence. it gives you a sense of the strength of feeling of some of the things that were said. dominic cummings himself, one of the other things we picked out we knew he was a square about quite the extent to unbelievable some of the language used when other ministers were criticised and their role within government. other civil servants, he talked about helen mcnamara who a senior civil servant, a very rude world which i will use on television, ab

two of borisjohnson�*s closest aids during the height of the pandemic will give evidence at the covid later today. king charles and queen camilla are starting their four—day state visit in kenya where he will acknowledge "painful aspects" of its colonial past. the israeli military says it is striking hamas targets in all parts of the gaza strip, as well as hezbollah facilities in lebanon. an army spokesman said it was tagetting hamas commanders and infrastructure. let's get the latest on the situation in israel with anna foster. samantha, thank you. as you are saying, the continuing striking of those targets, those hamas targets throughout gaza is very evident where we are. you can see the girls are skyline in the background, and we can show you these live pictures of what is happening in gaza right now, because where we are here in southern israel we are very close to an israeli artillery point, we can hear often and loudly the firing of artillery shells and mortars heading from israel into gaza, also repeated air strikes that have been going on throughout the night. the israel defen

borisjohnson — us to deliver a nationwide lockdown.oris johnson has offered _ us to deliver a nationwide lockdown. borisjohnson has offered no - us to deliver a nationwide lockdown. . borisjohnson has offered no comment on what's been said today. he and rishi sunak are expected to give evidence here before christmas. chris mason, bbc news, at the covid inquiry. the uk labour leader sir keir starmer has defended his decision not to demand an immediate ceasefire in gaza, despite calls from 1a of his shadow ministers and hundreds of labour councillors to do so. he said such a move would embolden hamas, and insisted a humanitarian pause was the only credible approach to the conflict. our deputy political editor vicki young reports. plenty disagree with the labour leader's response to what's happening in the middle east. he wants a pause in fighting to allow more aid into gaza, but a growing number in his own party are calling for a ceasefire. today, keir starmer came out to explain why he's still against that idea. as we speak, that would

was still— like borisjohnson, if borisjohnson was still in — like borisjohnson, if borisjohnson wast them voted in, this is- nurses, because this is what will get them voted in, this is what. nurses, because this is what will. get them voted in, this is what we -et get them voted in, this is what we get people — get them voted in, this is what we get people voted _ get them voted in, this is what we get people voted in— get them voted in, this is what we get people voted in because - get them voted in, this is what we. get people voted in because people do not _ get people voted in because people do not like — get people voted in because people do not like that, _ get people voted in because people do not like that, but— get people voted in because people do not like that, but rishi - get people voted in because people do not like that, but rishi sunak. get people voted in because people do not like that, but rishi sunak i. do not like that, but rishi sunak i said im _ do not like that, but rishi sunak i said im not — do not like that, but rishi sunak i said i'm not doing _ do not l

lee cain was one of borisjohnson's longest serving advisers. his key aide dominic cummings is giving evidence for the rest of the day. we'll have the latest from the public inquiry. and also here this lunchtime. a u—turn on the railways. the proposal to close hundreds of ticket offices at stations across england has been scrapped. nearly a month after hamas�*s atrocities, i asked the president of israel for the latest with the hostages and the rising civilian causalities in gaza. dog barks xl bully dogs are to be formally banned today. owners have untiljanuary to apply to keep their pet. and, the cast of friends say they were a family. they've issued a statement, saying they're devastated by the death of their co—star matthew perry. and coming up in sport on bbc news, saudi arabia set to host the men's football world cup in 2034 as australia pulls out of the race to stage the tournament. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. two of borisjohnson�*s closest aides while he was prime minister have been giving evidence to the covid—19 i

he was asked why he didn't insist that borisjohnson was asked why he didn't insist that boris johnsone didn't insist that borisjohnson return from his holiday in february 2020, and he said that inside number ten, covid was treated like a distant problem, and not an emergency. he also went on to say that he felt it would have been highly counter productive for borisjohnson to chair meetings on covid at a time when he and others didn't feel it was a bigger threat as it was fast becoming. he was also very critical of some of the top people in government round march 2020, the then health secretary matt hancock, according to mr cummings, told cabinet they were unlikely to have covid without a temperature or a cough, but mr cummings says that mr hancock was told by scientists this wasn't true and that it helped so sow chaos, like was we heard from dominic cummings that mark said well the most senior service at the cabinet secretary, wanted the prime minister to encourage chicken pox style parties. mr cummings also described the cabinet office at the time that he joined in 2019, as a dumpste

borisjohnson here.prime minister borisjohnson is the latest conservative to sign as a presenter with gb news. and, nearly a0 years after the first successful separation of conjoined twins at great 0rmond street hospital, some of the children it's helped meet up. like, we obviously do fight a lot. we do scream at each other a lot. we get mad at each other. but then we always have that bond that we know we'll be sisters forever, and we'll love each other forever, and we'll care for each other forever. also this hour: the mayor of london weighs in on the conflict in israel and gaza, calling for a ceasefire. we also look at the impact of the conflict on londoners. good evening from jerusalem, where israel says its ground forces have conducted more targeted raids in central gaza. there are reports of rockets being fired into israel. israel say they struck dozens of high mass targets, including, they say, killing the deputy head of the group's intelligence wing. hamas attacked israel on october 7th and killed

today we | heard from two former advisers to borisjohnson.ce their words about what they thought was dysfunction in the government during that time. we are going be hearing from borisjohnson himself through the course of that inquiry. what would you like to say to families like yours? i would you like to say to families like yours?— would you like to say to families like yours? i would like the plain truth. if like yours? i would like the plain truth- if they _ like yours? i would like the plain truth. if they can _ like yours? i would like the plain truth. if they can speak- like yours? i would like the plain truth. if they can speak to - like yours? i would like the plain truth. if they can speak to each | truth. if they can speak to each other in a whatsapp group in such a frank way, i don't want the act of the affable clown. having met boris johnson and asked him to speak plainly to me, i know he has the ability to do so. at that meeting he said that he tried to do everything could to protect people my dad. i didn't believe him then, and

it is a message from you to a number of people within number ten, including borisjohnson.hair a cobra every monday with hancock and officials doing the rest of the week. can we take it that some time has passed and you are now saying, things are more serious, we have to move up through the gears? yes. we can see mrjohnson's response, suggesting that he is keen to fall in with that plan.— suggesting that he is keen to fall in with that plan.- and i suggesting that he is keen to fall| in with that plan.- and we in with that plan. correct. and we know that in _ in with that plan. correct. and we know that in fact _ in with that plan. correct. and we know that in fact the _ in with that plan. correct. and we know that in fact the first - in with that plan. correct. and we know that in fact the first time i know that in fact the first time that mrjohnson chaired a cobra was a day or two after that, the 2nd of march. but if we can then move onto the page 68 of this document. an zoom in on the bottom, the green message at the bottom. here is a message at the bottom. here is a mes

chaos and dysfunction in downing street during the pandemic — the covid inquiry hears from one of borisjohnsons closest advisers, dominic cummings. he was somewhat dumbstruck that we were in this situation and of course there was no plan for lockdown so he was also perfectly reasonably saying, "how the hell do we lock down when there isn't a plan for lockdown?" a major u—turn as rail operators scrap plans to close the vast majority of ticket offices in england after a public consultation. coming up in sport later on bbc news: bangladesh are the first side out of semifinal contention at the cricket world cup. they lost by seven wickets to pakistan, who have kept their hopes alive. good evening from jerusalem. footage is emerging tonight after a huge explosion at a refugee camp in northern gaza. the images show people at the jabalia camp trying to resuce others trapped under the rubble. hamas — designated as a terrorist organisation by the uk government — says it was an israeli air strike and at least 50 people have been killed, with hundreds injured. the israeli military has yet to comment. the

borisjohnson has offered no comment on what's been said today.re before christmas. chris mason, bbc news, at the covid inquiry. saudi arabia is set to host the men's 2034 football world cup after australia decided not to bid for the event. no other country has shown interest in hosting tournament and the deadline was today. 0ur sports editor dan roan reports. if you thought a winter world cup was a one off, then think again. less than a year since qatar staged football's showpiece event, it's emerged neighbouring saudi arabia is set to play host in 2034 — the sole bidder after australia chose not to try ahead of today's deadline. once again, extreme heat is likely to mean the disruption of moving its traditional summer slot. but the manager of saudi—owned newcastle united has backed the prospect. 0ur trips out there have been two different places. wherever we went was really well organised and we were well looked after. so i think if that's a sign of what a world cup might look like, then i think you can be rest assured that everything will be st

he was close to borisjohnson for much of the pandemic and usually in the shadows.was challenged on what the government was doing in the weeks before lockdown. ..and nothing but the truth. did you have plans to deal with the crisis which had broken upon the united kingdom government? there is a standard set of protocols which are actually cabinet office protocols for dealing with crisis. where i agree with you is they were inadequate to deal with the crisis we were confronted with. lines from a diary kept by the chief scientific adviser, sir patrick vallance, were read out, including calling mrjohnson "weak and indecisive". in the face of a viral pandemic, if those views are right, that was a deeply unfortunate position to be in, was it not? er, yes. so what about the e—mail sent by mr reynolds inviting colleagues to drinks in the garden at number ten? i would first like to say how deeply sorry i am for my part in those events and for the e—mail message which went out that day. whatsapp messages were also shown. the head of the civil service, simon case, said of mrj

he was close to borisjohnson for much of the pandemic and usually in the shadows.lenged on what the government was doing in the weeks before lockdown. and nothing but the truth. did you have plans to deal with the crisis which had broken upon the united kingdom government? there is a standard set of protocols which are actually cabinet office protocols for dealing with crisis. where i agree with you is they were inadequate to deal with the crisis we were confronted with. lines from a diary kept by the chief scientific adviser, sir patrick vallance, were read out, including calling mrjohnson "weak and indecisive". in the face of a viral pandemic, if those views are right, that was a deeply unfortunate position to be in, was it not? er, yes. so what about the e—mail sent by mr reynolds inviting colleagues to drinks in the garden at number ten? i would first like to say how deeply sorry i am for my part in those events and for the e—mail message which went out that day. whatsapp messages were also shown. the head of the civil service, simon case, said of mrjohnson, "i

it's fair to say the covid inquiry is not painting borisjohnson and his government of the time in anng light. today, it was the turn of his two former advisers. lee cain — who was director of communications, and former chief adviser dominic cummings. mr cain was a little kinder to the former prime minister. he didn't think the pandemic necessarily played to boris johnson's skill set. and in any case, he said, it was hard to discuss anything useful in an environment in which everything leaked. mr cummings, however, was much more scathing in his assessment — not only of borisjohnson, but for the entire mechanism of government, which isn't tailored, he said, to effective decision—making. here's some of that testimony when he was asked whether there was a plan to protect vulnerable people during the pandemic. persons who would be potentially vulnerable to the impact of a lockdown, members of minority ethnic groups, people who were vulnerable in terms of socioeconomic deprivation, victims of domestic abuse, people for whom there was plainly a case to be made that they would require specif

minister borisjohnson coming under scrutiny. there's courtroom drama with former us president donald trump, who dismisses a civil case against him as a political witch hunt. and, the un says that there could be as little as 50 ethnic armenians left in nagorno—karabakh. hello and welcome to bbc news. we start at the conservative party conference in manchester — where the future of europes biggest infrastructure project — the high speed two rail link between england's major cities — is dominating the headlines. the big question — will the link, known as hsz, which is already being constructed from london to birmingham, stop there? costs have risen, and the government is thought to be considering cancelling — or at least delaying — that second leg to the north. the route from birmingham to leeds has already been scrapped. but many voices, including several within the conservatives, say that pulling the plug on the project would paint the uk in a very bad light. live now to manchester and our political correspondent, nick eardley. t

spoiler alert, feelings towards borisjohnson. spoileralert, it feelings towards borisjohnson. website where the live page will keep you up—to—date throughout the day. we had young reporters a moment ago, now an important young footballer being rewarded this morning. he looks ever comfortable off the field at the moment. the best young player on the planet at the moment, looking very dapper, suave and cool, as he does when he is playing. winning this award 20 years old, the way he is playing, the goals he scores, performances, his background, points to potentially game upping that award one day and he will become the best player on the player. one day and he will become the best player on the player-— player on the player. planet. there is no drama — player on the player. planet. there is no drama with _ player on the player. planet. there is no drama with him. _ player on the player. planet. there is no drama with him. yes, - player on the player. planet. there is no drama with him. yes, very i is no drama with him. yes, very humble, — is no drama with him. yes, very humble. g

the inquiry heard borisjohnson was caught in the middle of this.g covid, who said mrjohnson was writing on to note that it was nonsense, and they said that was shocking. but this was all going to the heart of decision—making in downing street and how it impacted the outcome of the pandemic. damian grammaticas. — the outcome of the pandemic. damian grammaticas, thank _ the outcome of the pandemic. damian grammaticas, thank you. _ the outcome of the pandemic. damian grammaticas, thank you. uk - grammaticas, thank you. uk regulators have given the green light for microsoft to take over the makers of candy crush. the competition and markets authority had originally blocked a £59 billion deal to buy activision blizzard but it has now been approved. it paves the way for the biggest buyout in video game history. nasa has launched a spacecraft on a six—year mission to an asteroid that could be made of more than just rock. scientists think it has a metallic surface made up of iron, nickel and even gold. the asteroid, called psyche, could be the remnants of

borisjohnson has not responded to a request for comment.2020 half term was "insane". and there was "no plan" to support vulnerable people affected by the pandemic. but while all these records and whatapp messages give us a valuable insight into minute—by—minute decision—making in westminster, the same clarity may not be available in understanding scotland's response. the country's national medical directorjason leitch has deleted his whatsapp messages, according to newspaper reports. and today at holyrood, nicola sturgeon refused four times to deny she had done the same. the requests and responses at this stage are confidential until the inquiry decides otherwise so i cannot and will not go into the detail of those responses now, that would be to breach the reputation. any messages i had, i handled and dealt with in line with the policy set out by the deputy first minister. set out by the deputy first minister-— set out by the deputy first minister. , ., ., , ., minister. does that mean you deleted some? can you _ minister. does that mean y

the prime minister borisjohnson at that time described him as a true friend and ally. vaguely defensive in some ways of some of the decisions that borisjohnson has made, or made during that period. it was a slightly different testimony that we have heard from some. but of course lee kane himself said, look, this was a prime minister whose skill sets were not necessarily match to this crisis, in effect he wasn't the right guy to lead us through covid and he was exhausting to work for because he changed his mind so often and he would make a decision based on who he had spoken to last in the room. so a real broad picture being painted as to exactly what was going on during that time. and the objective of this enquiry is to learn lessons for the future, and it is expected to go for some time until at least 2026. have you noticed covering this enquiry that it is getting bogged down in the details, or is it moving through the different topics, lockdown, shielding earlier today, is a covering a broad range of topics or is it focusing on certain areas? i think the whole point

reynolds is the principal private secretary to borisjohnson.johnson and the ones that were being made in the government machine, the cabinet office and the civil service, and the fact that he was bringing all of those people together. he's certainly the person that is in a lot of the groups and would have been handling e—mails and indeed passing that information on to the prime minister so that he was fully briefed on what he needed to know about covid during that period. that is why he's in the seat because he is why he's in the seat because he is the man who was basically running boris johnson's is the man who was basically running borisjohnson's diary and providing the information for him so that he was up to date and briefed on all the matters that he needed to be briefed on, so are very, very key person. we are going to hear this afternoon from some other people who are part of that office including lee kane who was the director of communication. it is borisjohnson's top team that are being questioned today at the covid inquiry about what

what did you think of that, the — from borisjohnson what did you think of that, the quote from borisjohnsonrt was so damning. and they absolutely looked into what he'd said and they concluded in that report that that language was unacceptable, and the house agreed. and that is what's important. this was being judged by your own peers. this is being judged by members who agreed with the report. they agreed that the findings were correct, and that's what matters. it's about having a system that works, and this system worked. you... people always say to me, "nobody dare challenge "a senior politician". well, it proved that not only was there that challenge but it actually was delivered as well. well, you speak with great passion on this subject but i would suggest to you that even though you wear the robes and have the office of speaker of the house of commons, many mps are simply not listening to you when it comes to changing their language. to quote the sister of the murdered mpjo cox, kim leadbeater, she says, "mps must take "more responsibility because they are ramping up "a toxic debate w

some of borisjohnson's former conservative politicians.nd obviously, gb news will see this as a huge coup, given that boris johnson is so high—profile. pay wise, we don't know how much he is being paid, but lee anderson receives around £100,000 so you would imagine borisjohnson would also be on a 6—figure sum. and for him, it makes sense in a way, given that he started his career as a journalist, he was also known for appearing on television programmes, panel shows, and he is obviously someone who wants to remain in the public eye. shortly after he left his position as mp, he started his newspaper column around the same time and that is what got him into trouble previously with a special committee that looks at the jobs of former ministers. so he is someone that wants to stay in the public eye and wants to have a profile. just briefl , and wants to have a profile. just briefly. in _ and wants to have a profile. just briefly, in terms _ and wants to have a profile. just briefly, in terms of that special committee, i understand he has had to

the inquiry counsel said borisjohnson, rishi sunak and other ministers would be called to give evidenceatrick vallance, at one point saying number ten was "in chaos as usual". the families' lawyer highlighted breaches of lockdown rules by those in authority. the families urge the inquiry not to ignore the undermining of public messaging that these crass and disgraceful events caused. whilst the vast majority of the country buckled down, complied, came together, some did not. this uk public inquiry is divided into modules. we've already heard about preparedness ahead of the pandemic. from today, the focus is on the government's response to covid. the hearings will continue for three years, but it's this stage of the inquiry which families hope will explain decisions made by ministers. hugh is with me now. let's talk about sir patrick vallance's diaries — we saw him on tv virtually every day at the height of the pandemic. we didn't know what he really thought then — but we're getting a very good idea now. yes, we got used to seeing him at the press conferences, alongside the prime ministe

this is dominic cummings, borisjohnson's chief cummings, boris johnson's chief adviser at cummings, borisjohnson'sover the past couple of hours of coverage. this is as messages of those in between number ten were read out or have been read out and that may well continue, so apologies in advance. those are unedited and we don't get any warning of those. let's listen back in.— let's listen back in. dominic mckenzie — let's listen back in. dominic mckenzie cummings. i let's listen back in. dominic mckenzie cummings. mr i let's listen back in. dominic- mckenzie cummings. mr cummings, let's listen back in. dominic— mckenzie cummings. mr cummings, you have provided — mckenzie cummings. mr cummings, you have provided the _ mckenzie cummings. mr cummings, you have provided the inquiry _ mckenzie cummings. mr cummings, you have provided the inquiry with _ mckenzie cummings. mr cummings, you have provided the inquiry with a - have provided the inquiry with a lengthy witness statement dated the 12th of october. to which you have appended a declaration of truth. we take it therefore that the contents of your

the covid inquiry hears how borisjohnson was sent no updates on the crisis during a period coincidingthe school half term in 2020. a bbc panorama investgation reveals the portugese police have apologised to the parents of madelaine mccann for how they handled the case. �*britons won't have to work any more. and it is me or is it a deepfake? ahead of the government's summit on al, we look at the spread of scams and misinformation online. and in london... a met firearms officer charged with the murder of chris kaba in south london is to be named, after a judge rules to lift an anonymity order. good evening from jerusalem, where the israeli military have this afternoon announced the first rescue of a hostage, a soldier who was kidnapped by hamas on october 7th. she is private ori megidish. she is said to be doing well and has been reunited with herfamily. no details have been given of the circumstances of her rescue. meanwhile the families of three other hostages being held in gaza have been speaking in the last few minutes after hamas released a video of them. israel's prime minister be

comments about the prime minister at the time, borisjohnson.. coming out about the government and the prime minister.— the prime minister. yes, where'd you want to start. — the prime minister. yes, where'd you want to start. you _ the prime minister. yes, where'd you want to start, you mention _ the prime minister. yes, where'd you want to start, you mention some - the prime minister. yes, where'd you want to start, you mention some of. want to start, you mention some of those that were made by the cabinet secretary, the top civil servant, if you like, about borisjohnson and his indecisiveness. he was flip—flopping, to coin a phrase and he was turning the government, as you say, into a tragicjoke. these are explosive comments made on whatsapp groups and whatsapp messages that were presumably never meant to be in the public domain but as we heard earlier in the hearing today, actually, quite early on, everyone in number ten probably knew that a lot of those comments and whatsapp messages would be seen and would be part of the evidence made. we h

decisions made by borisjohnson and his government during the pandemic will come under scrutiny as thef the covid inquiry, which continues today. whatsapp messages sent between the former prime minister and other senior officials are expected to form an important part of the evidence, as our health reporter jim reed reports. outside this inquiry in west london, families gathered. relatives of some of those who lost their lives to covid want to see more bereaved families called to give evidence. out of respect for the bereaved, we certainly feel that it should be a dozen, 20 people. clearly not everybody, but certainly so lady hallett and everybody else within the inquiry gets a real understanding of what's happened. inside the building, the chair opened this section of the inquiry with a message to those families. we simply do not have the time to call more witnesses. the need for me to reach conclusions and make recommendations to reduce suffering in the future when the next pandemic hits the uk is pressing. a powerful film was played, with testimony from some of those most affected.

chancellor under boris johnson before chancellor under borisjohnson before becoming prime minister. something from pat mcfadden, a senior labour politician and he says to turn the page on the chaos as he calls it need to end the tory decline in rebuilding britain. i do not know whether labour will commit to going ahead with the full hs2 line and we have been asking them for some time what their commitment is and they said they wanted to study the numbers and see how they looked before making any sort of long—term commitment. i want to bring another conservative mp, greg smith. i know you are not the biggest fan of hs2 but can you understand why some people see this as a betrayal? the understand why some people see this as a betrayal?— as a betrayal? the argument is the prime minister _ as a betrayal? the argument is the prime minister put _ as a betrayal? the argument is the prime minister put forward - as a betrayal? the argument is the prime minister put forward at - as a betrayal? the argument is the prime minister put forward at the l prime minister put forward at the arguments

here, one of borisjohnson's most senior officials during the covid pandemic has apologised for the now the inquiry also appear to reveal crucial delays and personal tensions at the heart of downing street during the pandemic. martin reynolds confirmed that no covid—related notes were given to borisjohnson over a key ten—day period in february 2020, coinciding with the half—term holiday, and he appeared to acknowledge that the realisation of the scale of the disaster had come "late", pointing to a "systemic failure". with more on this, here is our health editor, hugh pym. he was at the heart of downing street working with boris johnson, and martin reynolds was challenged on what the government was doing in the weeks before lockdown. did you have plans to deal with the crisis which had broken upon the united kingdom government? as i say, there is a standard set of protocols which are actually cabinet office protocols for dealing with crises. where i agree with you is they were inadequate to deal with the crisis we were confronted with. quotes from a diary kept by the chief scientific adv

borisjohnson isjoining borisjohnson is joining gb borisjohnson isjoining gb news as a presenter.he will bejoining views on politics and global views. he will be joining those following the likes of jacob rees mogg and lee anderson. the new owner of collapsed high street retailer wilko says it plans to open five new stores before christmas. cds superstores will launch the first two shops in plymouth and exeter, with former staff given priority in the recruitment process. 408 wilko stores closed in august, leading to thousands ofjob losses. you're live with bbc news. i want to take a look at another story we're following today that's the strikes by the united states on targets in syria linked to iran's revolutionary guard. us officials say these are not related to the conflict between israel and hamas. officials said the strikes hit weapons and ammunition storage facilities near the border with iraq —— and were carried out by f—i6 fighter jets using precision munitions. us defence secretary lloyd austin said the us was responding to attacks on its forces in iraq and syria by irania

borisjohnson has offered no comment on what's been said today.we will talk more about the covid inquiry in the second part of our programme, a panel coming up tonight no doubt have some thoughts on that. just a line to bring you a breaking news, the us secretary of state antony blinken is heading back to the middle east on friday. he will be in israel on friday, where he will have meetings with prime minister netanyahu. the white house leaning on the israelis today to try to get more aid into gaza and the king ofjordan telling joe biden on a phone call today that there needs to be a pause, a humanitarian pause so they can get more of those trucks in, so maybe we will pick up that with our panel in the next hour. we will go to a short break to go away, we will be right back. hello there. the rain in northern ireland has eased, but in 2a hours in county down there was three inches of rain which led to the flooding. there may not be too much rain in northern ireland from storm ciaran as it arrives into thursday, but wet weather elsewhere. saturated

significant, i think, because when he resigned, borisjohnson called him a close ally and friend.s no veal issue at the time. it was just felt that, you know, was no veal issue at the time. it wasjust felt that, you know, pat's were not to cross any longer. that is important context because, to some extent, i think, today, the kane seem to be quite defensive in many ways of the prime minister, talking about some of the decisions he made and certainly, his optimism. we talked about not wanting to scare the country too much in terms of rushing into a lockdown and making sure that covid really was as important as it was and it wasn't just another swine flu that the media got worried about and, actually, wasn't a big issue. but thenit actually, wasn't a big issue. but then it came to believe talking about what boris johnson's leadership style was and he was slightly more, well, scathing. i slightly more, well, scathing. i think anyone who has worked with the prime _ think anyone who has worked with the prime minister for a period of time will become exhausted with him, sometimes. he c

families protest outside the covid inquiry as it examines borisjohnson�*s decisions during the pandemicfirefighters work through the night after a lightning strike that caused a gas explosion in oxfordshire. and coming up on bbc news: 30 years since their first meeting, manchester united take on galatasaray in their opening champions league home game of the season good afternoon. the prime minister has said he won't be rushed to making a decision about the h52 high speed rail link, after widespread reports that he is planning to axe the birmingham to manchester leg of the project. he told the bbc today he wants to take time to consider what to do next. let's get the latest now from our political correspondent nick eardley at the conservative party conference in manchester. talk about hst has dominated conference this week. the prime minister wants _ conference this week. the prime minister wants to _ conference this week. the prime minister wants to talk _ conference this week. the prime minister wants to talk about - minister wants to talk about long—term decisions at this conference,

chancellor under boris johnson before chancellor under borisjohnson before becoming prime minister.uilding britain. i do not know whether labour will commit to going ahead with

legacy, on hsz mpr, he away from borisjohnson's legacy, on hs2 mpr, he is trying to distance himselfible strategy, that is —— that is not a credible strategy, that is rishi sunak being weak. he hasn't got anything to put it in his place. he either has to only record of the government he was a key part of in the treasury or he needs to accept the treasury or he needs to accept the fact that he has already lost the fact that he has already lost the next general election, that he is simply out of touch with what people here in the north on't, with a red wool... people here in the north on't, with a red wool- - -_ people here in the north on't, with a red wool... very quickly, because i'm out a red wool. .. very quickly, because i'm out of— a red wool... very quickly, because i'm out of time. _ a red wool. .. very quickly, because i'm out of time. if— a red wool... very quickly, because i'm out of time. if they _ a red wool... very quickly, because i'm out of time. if they scrap - a red wool... very quickly, because i'm out of time. if they scrap it - i'm out of time. if they scrap it to

johnson incapable here nor there, borisjohnson incapable of making coherent decisions.tion the importance of learning lessons. i— learned. you mention the importance of learning lessons. i wonder... - of learning lessons. i wonder... your processing the death of your grandmother, the ill—health and covid of other family members. grandmother, the ill—health and covid of otherfamily members. has the first phase of the inquiry helped at all or connection with other bereaved families, has that helped in terms of being able to come to terms with what happened? certainly it helps, the group which was set up soon after the first wave, that certainly helped post to get people together for support, and also to off—course most importantly campaign for this inquiry because without that campaign the inquiry would not have taken place but i don't think anything can prepare you for the loss in the circumstances we suffered when my grandma had gone into what was supposed to be a safe place, we were not able to visit her, we spoke to her by telephone, a haunting telephone call with her

in them he criticises what he calls borisjohnson's "impossible flip—flopping" and "bipolar decision—making disruption on wednesday with train drivers walking out as part of a bitter, long—running dispute over pay and conditions. the strike coincides with the final day of the conservative party conference in manchester. many parts of the country will have no service at all. a new law to strip people who murdered their partners of parental rights over their children will be introduced. it follows a two—year campaign by the parents ofjade ward, whose killer russell marsh retained rights over their children. under current laws, killers need to be consulted on decisions affecting their children such as health, education and travel. you're live with bbc news. the government of pakistan has said that all illegal immigrants must leave the country by the end of the month or face expulsion. the deadline has caused alarm among foreign residents, including an estimated 1.7 million afghan nationals. interior minister sarfrez bugti also said that properties and businesses owned by illegal immigrants wou

._ i l borisjohnson.s — what it's about. i should add i think this is probably - what it's about. i should add i think this is probably the - what it's about. i should add i | think this is probably the most socially— think this is probably the most socially distanced _ think this is probably the most socially distanced party - think this is probably the most socially distanced party in - think this is probably the most socially distanced party in the i socially distanced party in the countrym _ country... | laughter right now. i thank you for your morale — right now. i thank you for your morale and _ right now. i thank you for your morale and dedication- right now. i thank you for your morale and dedication and - right now. i thank you for your| morale and dedication and long right now. i thank you for your- morale and dedication and long may it continue — morale and dedication and long may it continue. bravo! _ it continue. bravo! cheering - cheering now, the voice there is you playing borisjohnson. but

but let's consider what happened after borisjohnson was adjudged in that way.before, in all likelihood, he was going to be suspended. and then there would have been a by—election in his particular political constituency, which he did not want to face. but he went with these words. when he resigned, he called the committee that had judged him a kangaroo court. he said it was a deranged conclusion, the whole thing was a charade, and he ended with this, the final knife thrust, he called it, in a protracted political assassination. i want to put it to you that politics and that kind of language has become dangerously toxic. would you, as speaker, agree? i am very concerned about language. i'm very concerned about the way we speak to each other. what did you think of that, the quote from boris johnson as he left parliament that i just gave to you? that's why that report was so damning. they absolutely looked into what he'd said and they concluded in that report that that language was unacceptable, and the house agreed. and that is what's important. this was being ju

borisjohnson�*s downfall. the covid inquiry heard today his government was "dysfunctional".

it will examine the key decisions made by borisjohnson, his government and advisors in the early dayse. our health editor hugh pym reports. remembering loved ones lost to covid, families gathered for the opening of this latest phase of the inquiry with video messages played at the start of proceedings. there are so many _ at the start of proceedings. there are so many unanswered - at the start of proceedings. there i are so many unanswered questions. we need answers. are so many unanswered questions. we need answers-— need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, _ need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, because _ need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, because i _ need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, because i wouldn'tl learn from it, because i wouldn't wish _ learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this— learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on— learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on anybody. it�*s learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on anybody.— learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on anybody. it's not “ust the fact that

uk by borisjohnson or whether it _ the uk by borisjohnson or whether it is _ the uk by borisjohnson orre making their way to the stage now. to discuss the final arrangements with the returning officer. there we go. council headquarters. what i've been informed repeatedly by one of our producers which is the of the architect, chief architect what was then minister council in the early 60s that modelled it on the united nations building. which was built in early 1950. those were the days when local councils had a slightly different version of the importance that they do now. it is a grand old building. hosting a big important event tonight. hoping to see candidates walking onto the stage. we are right at the business and of this evening. keith was staying it is going to be interesting to see how the different parties treat this result. how will labour triggers.? drunk on this result. how will labour triggers. ? drunk on success? this result. how will labour triggers.? drunk on success? in triggers.? drunk on success? ji�*i the same way we treated the electorate of rutherglen and hamilton

families protest outside the covid inquiry as it examines borisjohnson's decisions during the pandemicup on bbc news: 30 years since their first meeting, manchester united take on galatasaray in their opening champions league home game of the season

peter was a strong supporter of borisjohnson. i believe it was purely self—serving.ervative party acknowledges that there were delays to its investigation and says its processes have since changed. peter bone has been suspended from the parliamentary party. he didn't respond to our requests for comment but has previously denied the allegations. he's expected to face a vote on his future today. nothing is ever really going to feel like enough, in terms of what was taken from me — my career, my dreams, who i was before i worked in parliament. if he's suspended from the house of commons, it could trigger a by—election in peter bone's constituency — more than ten years after the bullying is said to have happened. hannah miller, bbc news. the time is 1.16. our top story this afternoon. there are growing calls for a humanitarian pause in the fighting between israel and hamas so that adequate aid can be let into gaza. and still to come — the case of an off—duty pilot accused of trying to crash an alaska airlines blames his depression. coming up on bbc news... manchester cit

borisjohnson, prime minister. boris johnson, former prime minister.n, former prime minister. a lot of businesses here in manchester itself. but it is widely thought that rishi sunak is about to say that rishi sunak is about to say that he is going to scale that project back. so is he? the prime minister was asked this morning. yes or no, will hsz come to this part of or no, will hs2 come to this part of the world? or no, will h52 come to this part of the world? . or no, will h52 come to this part of the world?— or no, will h52 come to this part of the world? . . ., , , , the world? there are already spades in the ground- _ the world? there are already spades in the ground. that _ the world? there are already spades in the ground. that is _ the world? there are already spades in the ground. that is not _ the world? there are already spades in the ground. that is not the - in the ground. that is not the question- _ in the ground. that is not the question- is _ in the ground. that is not the question. is it _ in the ground. that is not the question. is i

the covid inquiry has heard that a key aide to borisjohnson turned on the "disappearing messages" functionynolds, who was the head of the then prime ministers's private office during the pandemic, said he may have turned on the function because of concerns about messages being leaked to the media. he was being questioned by the council for the inquiry. why did ou turn the council for the inquiry. why did you turn on — the council for the inquiry. why did you turn on the _ the council for the inquiry. why did you turn on the disappearing i you turn on the disappearing function around the time the prime minister announced a public inquiry into the pandemic? i can speculate, but i cannot — into the pandemic? i can speculate, but i cannot recall _ into the pandemic? i can speculate, but i cannot recall exactly _ into the pandemic? i can speculate, but i cannot recall exactly why i i but i cannot recall exactly why i did so — but i cannot recall exactly why i did so as — but i cannot recall exactly why i did so as i _ but i cannot recall exactly why i did so. as i say, my explanation is this wh

the inquiry says borisjohnson, rishi sunak and others would be called to give evidence, and he quotedser sir patrick vallance at one point saying number ten was in chaos as usual. the family's lawyer highlighted breaches of lockdown rules by those in authority. the families urge the inquiry not to ignore the undermining of public messaging that these crass and disgraceful events caused. whilst the vast majority of the country buckled down and complied and came together, some did not. i didn't have the energy to have a conversation for very long. it would knock me out. in 2020, i interviewed this woman who had long covid and co—founded a campaigning group, and now with colleagues they are represented at the inquiry. it seems that thousands and thousands of people caught covid before the lockdown, when we knew that covid was rampant, really, in the population. we weren't measuring it but it was clearly spreading massively. this uk public inquiry is divided into modules. we've already heard about preparedness ahead of the pandemic and from today the focus is on the government's response

borisjohnson�*s downfall. the covid inquiry heard today his government was "dysfunctional". at the heart of things, his wife carrie, or so the messages revealed today claim. they were exchanged in october 2020 by dominic cummings — the prime minister's controversial chief adviser, often seen as a power unto himself — and two other men, including simon case. mrjohnson had only recently appointed him cabinet secretary, the country's top civil servant. the prime minister wanted a plan for regional lockdowns for england. the men say they think the idea has come from carrie. simon case says, "i'm not sure i can cope. i'm going to scream." adding, "i was always told that dom was the secret pm. "the real person in charge is carrie." america's defence secretary tells the israelis that hamas is worse than isis but says it's a time to respond, not for revenge. palestinians, meanwhile, fear an israeli invasion and a new chapter of dispossession. the israeli army is making people choose between genocide and ethnic cleansing. this is an act of ethnic cleansing. this is an act of ethnic c

, where _ then prime minister borisjohnson, where you — then prime minister borisjohnson, where you note minister boris johnson, where you not?_ you - then prime minister boris johnson, l where you not?_ you have where you not? i was, yes. you have rovided where you not? i was, yes. you have provided a — where you not? i was, yes. you have provided a witness _ where you not? i was, yes. you have provided a witness statement - where you not? i was, yes. you have provided a witness statement dated l provided a witness statement dated the 22nd _ provided a witness statement dated the 22nd of— provided a witness statement dated the 22nd of may— provided a witness statement dated the 22nd of may 2023, _ provided a witness statement dated the 22nd of may 2023, a _ provided a witness statement dated the 22nd of may 2023, a copy- provided a witness statement dated the 22nd of may 2023, a copy of- the 22nd of may 2023, a copy of which _ the 22nd of may 2023, a copy of which is — the 22nd of may 2023, a copy of which is on _ the 22nd of may 2023, a copy of which is on the _ the 22nd of may 2023,