iain watson, bbc news.l executive is meeting in glasgow this morning to decide selection procedures. all of the snp's 5a sitting mps are expected to be selected as candidates. 0n on and michelle thomson sat for the snp but they now sit as independents. —— natalie mcgowan. our correspondent steven godden is in glasgow for us. what preparations are the snp undertaking? this meeting this morning is an important one for them. it has been a fairly low—key affair. we have seen senior figures from the snp arriving in the centre of glasgow to a hotel this morning. that was about an hour ago. we have not heard too much about what they are expecting to discuss, but it is —— but there is important strategy to be talked about by the national executive committee. in general terms they are really looking at how they can repeat the staggering success they can repeat the staggering success they had in the last westminster election. you will remember, of course, the snp won 56 of the 59 seat in scotland. they are looking to

here's our political correspondent iain watson., when the barbary apes leave gibraltar, the british won't be far behind. well, they are still here, but the 30,000 human residents of the rock who want to remain british are worried that the spanish government could soon have more say over their lives. the eu has said that after brexit, london will have to talk directly to spain about the territory's future. a former conservative leader said the uk's commitment to gibraltar would be no different than its commitment to the falklands. another woman prime minister sent a task force halfway across the world to protect another small group of british people against another spanish—speaking country. but don't panic. four days after triggering the brexit process, there is no serious talk of conflict with a nato ally. in fact, spain appears more interested in talking about trade than seizing territory, perhaps raising questions about gibraltar‘s low tax regime and its policing of cross—border contra band. the bbc has been told that gibraltar d

earlier, i spoke to our political correspondent iain watson.by explaining where gibraltar stands in the upcoming brexit negotiations. it's complicated. i think it will be covered by the deal that brings britain out of the european union, the final divorce settlement, if you like. but what the eu made clear yesterday, the european council, the representatives of the 27 remaining member states made it clear that any final deal on trade would be after britain left. and then inserting the fact that that deal as it applies to gibraltar has complicated matters. some are saying the government has taken its eye off the ball and it should have been aware that this is something spain may have attempted to do, and it should have made specific mention of gibraltar‘s status in the letter that triggered article 50 that triggered the process of leaving the european union. what difference will the will of the people of gibraltar make in brussels? it's interesting that so many of them voted to stay inside the european union, about 96% of those who voted. i unde

iain watson, bbc news, westminster.l has said that he will stand as a candidate in the general election, in the boston and skegness constituency. mr nuttall, out canvassing in hartlepool today, recently stood as a candidate in the stoke byelection. he said it would be an honour to be standing again in a constituency that voted overwhelmingly to leave the european union in last year's referendum. it's emerged that one of the six people arrested in a counter terrorism operation in north london on thursday night had been suspected of attempting to travel to syria to join so called islamic state. mohamed amoudi, who is 21, was deported back to the uk. our home affairs correspondent june kelly gave us more details about some of the suspects in the alleged terror plot. he had travelled to turkey with two 17—year—old boys and it was believed that they were then planning to try to get across the border into syria and join up with is fighters. in fact, they were stopped in turkey, deported back to the uk, questioned by the briti

iain watson, bbc news.ll today decide the selection procedures for the general election. the focus will be on the fate of mps natalie mcgarry and michelle thomson — who were elected as snp members, but now sit as independents. 0ur correspondent steven godden is in glasgow for us. a bit ofa a bit of a dilemma for the snp to say the least after their remarkable performance in 2015. it is a dilemma for them. by the standards of recent days this has been a pretty low—key meeting for the snp's point of view, not giving very much an ahead of it being held in a central glasgow hotel. it has been going on for a couple of hours this the meeting of the national executive. in some senses they have a very straightforward decision to make. the expectation is that all of their sitting mps will be put forward as candidates for the election. that is quite straightforward but of course, that number is only 5a and not the 56 who were elected in 2015, because erc said michelle thomson and natalie mcgarry, they resigned the we

iain watson, bbc news, westminster.how this story is covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30pm and 11:30pm this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are jim waterson, who's the political editor of buzzfeed, and the public appointments adviserjacqui francis. four men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an attack on an asylum seeker at a bus stop in south london on friday night. the 17—year—old, who's kurdish—iranian, was subjected to what detectives say was a savage beating. simonjones has simon jones has been simonjones has been to the scene in croydon today. bus stop down the road. the 17—year—old, a kurdish iranian, was chased from this bus stop down the road. when he fell to the ground, the police say he suffered repeated blows to the head. he was left with a fractured skull and a blood clot on the brain. kana varathan heard the screams. normally, the friday night, they are always making noise. then it sounded really funny. then looking out the window, the gro

thank you, iain watson. the german chancellor angela merkel has been speaking about what kind of deal britain might expect. she told the german parliament that some people had what she called "illusions" that britain outside the eu could enjoy the same privileges that it currently has inside the union. let's hear what she said: translation: unfortunately, i have to say clearly that i have the feeling some people in great britain still have illusions. this, however, will be time wasted. angela merkel speaking there. chancellor merkel was speaking in berlin as ministers from the eu's remaining 27 countries met in luxemburg to finalise their negotiating stance on brexit. our europe correspondent damian grammaticas was there. i think what angela merkel sought to do today addressing her parliament was to introduce some hard—headed clarity about what the eu side is prepared to agree to and also show some frustration. she said a country that leaves the eu once it is a third country outside the single market and out

thanks, iain watson.sturgeon, has said labour is "unelectable" under jeremy corbyn‘s leadership. speaking during first minister's questions, she said voting snp was the only way to protect scotland from the conservatives. because of the unelectability of labour, scotland faces the prospect of an unfettered, out—of—control tory government, and we know the damage that can do to scotland. to our budget, to the vulnerable, to pensions, to our economy. so that's the choice for scotland. vote snp to make sure that scotland's voice is heard, and that scotland has protection against the tories. 0ur scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, has been following today's events in holyrood. she said each party was effectively practicing their pitch for the election campaign ahead. rehearsing the argument we will hear again and again, i think, over the next seven weeks. there is a protest outside parliament this afternoon over reforms to child tax credit. that was one of the main issues at the start of first minister's que

iain watson, bbc news. our political correspondent alex forsyth is at westminster.nsions. how significant is it that the prime minister today did not wa nt to the prime minister today did not want to go as far as to guarantee its future. this was the final pmqs before the election, the final time the house of commons will look as it does so no surprise the parties tried to campaign on territory where they feel strong. and we saw tried to campaign on territory where they feel strong. and we saneremy corbyn go on the nhs, house prices and the tories going on the economy and the tories going on the economy and strong leadership. also why the snp chose to target theresa may about the pensions triple lock. what that means is the current guarantee that means is the current guarantee that state pensions rise either by average earnings, inflation or 2.5% whichever is higher, though something labour is committed to delivering under the next government but theresa may would only say that a future conservative government would continue to ensure state pensions did rise. for th

here's our political correspondent iain watson. still here. but the residents who want to remain british are worried that the spanish government could soon have more say over their lives. the eu have said that after brexit london will have to top directly to spain about the territory's future. another woman prime minister sent a task force halfway across the world to protect another small group of british people against another spanish—speaking country. but do not panic. four days after triggering the brexit process there is no seediest talk of conflict within nato ally. spain seems more interested in talking about trade than seizing territory. the bbc has been told that gibraltar did ask downing street specifically to mention its interests in the letter sent to the european union triggering the brexit process. we know that that did not happen, but today theresa may got on the telephone to gibraltar‘s more senior politician, and pledged her steadfast support, not just for there it's our country but for the economy. and the minister

and slipping into what he called a "presidential bunker mentality". 0ur political correspondent iain watsonrsonal. the labour leader usually doesn't directly respond, but today he decided the best form of defence was attack. if party leaders put themselves ahead of serving the people, they stop listening, and even put our country at risk. barely nine months into theresa may's premiership, there are clear warning signs that she and her closest advisers are slipping into that presidential bunker mentality. the conservatives are determined to say the choice of this election is all about leadership. now, labour's usual response to this relentless message is to try to change the subject, to talk about policy. but now, clearly, jeremy corbyn believes it is worth the risk of taking theresa may on, on her own territory. whereas insecure leaders want to feel stronger by asking you to give them more power, i recognise strong leadership as equipping you with more power. and here is a different type of leadership. ukip‘s paul nuttall was in hartlepool to announce he was standing for election in, well,

here's our political correspondent iain watson.ltar has been british for almost 300 years, nearly as long as the uk has existed. and nearly all of its residents want it to remain that way. they are concerned that after brexit, spain could have a greater say over their life. but, evoking the falklands conflict, a former conservative minister said this could be taken to task. another woman prime minister sent a task force halfway across the world to protect another small group of british people against another spanish—speaking country. i am absolutely clear that our current woman prime minister will share the same resolve in relation to gibraltar, as her predecessor did. don't panic, no—one is preparing to cross this border in anger. rather than seizing sovereignty, spain is more likely to want a say over gibraltar‘s low tax regime. the bbc has been told gibraltar‘s government press downing street to mention its interests in the prime minister's letter triggering the exit strategy. they did not get that but they did get a phone call.

we will keep you across everything. 0ur political correspondent iain watson joins us now from downing question has to be iain, why now? indeed, we weren't. it caught us on the hop. we know the chancellor, philip hammond, the brexit secretary, david davis, were pushing for this. the prime minister met them on easter monday. she said she was reluctant to make this decision and she wants to strengthen our hand in brexit negotiations but it has not escaped the notice of advisers, the conservatives 20 points ahead of labour in the opinion polls but there is one of the consideration and we have now seen the eu's negotiating position, they've set that up. negotiations will be difficult. if theresa may must make compromises, some of their own mps are not going to be too chuffed. she can take this risk, come back to westminster and also increases her authority over not only the opposition parties but also her own mps. we will talk you were bit later. the decision to call a general election on june 8th will be viewed differently across the uk. we'll be talking to our correspondents in scotland

and slipping into what he called a "presidential bunker mentality". 0ur political correspondent iain watsonn of the campaign has been a little personal. the labour leader is not usually respond but today he decided to attack. when party leaders put themselves ahead of serving the people, they stop listening and even put our country at risk. barely nine months into the premiership, there are months into the premiership, there a re clear months into the premiership, there are clear warning signs that theresa may and her closest advisers are slipping into that presidential bunker mentality. the conservatives are determined to save the choice is about leadership. labour ‘s usual response is to try to change the subject, talk about policy but now clearlyjeremy corbyn believes it is worth the risk to take theresa may on in her own territory. where is insecure leaders want to feel stronger by asking you to give them more power. i reckon it dies strong leadership is equipping you with more power. he is a different type of leadership. paul nuttall announced it will stand for election elsewhere. the

i asked iain watson. >> one thing, the word, people are regarding within the labor party and not in theistant part. considering it is stunning after the 2015 general election. i think from private conversations, there was a feeling they want to put jeremy corbin to the test. >> what actually happens is labor lost copeland rather disaster disasterly. at the time when usually governments are losing votes and seats midterm. >> since then there is been a lot of talk of coupe attempts, what's going on? >> we have a proxy coup going on in the united union. it is also the biggest single donor to the labor party. it is run by an ally of jeremy corbin up for reelection. he's given money directly to the reelection campaign so not just giving the money for the party but to someone that he believes will keep the party on the left of british politics. labor is some where in the region of 19 or 20 points behind the conservatives. the only way it can recover is removing an unpopular leader and trying to remove another leader of a leader of a trade union who's seen that it is funding at his greatest su

. >> asked iain watson, what are the potential risks to the prime minister?at may seem a strange thig to say because our ratings, extremely positive. the party as we've been discussing at about 20 points of the labour opposition. she has reached a high water mark because negotiations only beginning. to keep the coalition, the conservatives interparty remain as levers and so on to get that because she's got a simple message which is she is carrying out the will of the british people, 52% voted to leave the european union and the referendum. how you carry out that becomes a tricky thing for her. so for example, where she did concede that britain had to pay an exit built like a divorce settlement with the rest of european union, perhaps in the region of 70 or 80 over own mps, at the moment she returned to the rafters with start to question whether she should be walking away from european union without paying a penny or by paying a smaller son. so at the moment she's looking unassailable but that reason, she's -- >> if it's not enough of eddie,, theresa may has h

they saw as a change of policy, warning that tax rises lie ahead. 0ur political correspondent, iain watson correspondent is in westminster. tax was always going to be a big issue. yes. tax during a general election campaign is a word they don't want to mention. but we are looking for any hints of what might be in statements. yesterday philip hammond suggesting he might want to drop not raising vat, not raising national insurance, not raise income tax, because he says chances want the flexibility to manage the economy. those three taxes are big revenue raisers. he said he would rather they were not constrained. the lib dems and labour quick to criticise saying it would hit the pockets of white van man. cena tax bombshell lies ahead. although labour have said they want the rich to pay more taxes. —— saying a tax bombshell lies ahead. cast your mind back, it seems a long time ago now, to the budget in march. philip hammond's u—turn very quickly when he intended to raise national insurance contributions for the self—employed. that was ditched. some differences between theresa may and philip ha

our political correspondent iain watson is in westminster.byn will resonate with some people, but he didn't seem to have too much to say about brexit? he was saying that labour had a vision for britain and beyond brexit. he is very keen to try to get this election on two issues he believes will help rather than hinder the labour party. he wa nts to than hinder the labour party. he wants to talk about the nhs, the economy, people struggling to get by. tactically, his own mps are divided on how to tackle brexit. some voted against article 50, many voted in favour but would still like a stronger anti—brexit line coming from the party leadership. it is understandable why he wants to sidestep it. he was asked a specific question after the speech. weather he would support a second referendum on brexit. he didn't answer that entirely directly. he spoke of labour's lines on brexit and why he didn't wanta labour's lines on brexit and why he didn't want a bargain basement britain, but he said he would respect the result of the referendum. the shadow ch

our political correspondent iain watson reports. the speaker: questions to the prime minister.r to say pmqs can bea minister. it is fair to say pmqs can be a rowdy affair but today it felt more like a political rally than a parliamentary occasion as election lines were drawn and the prime minister launched a pre—emptive strike before jeremy minister launched a pre—emptive strike beforejeremy corbyn asked a question. he attacked the labour leaders' team on security. the plan to disband mi5, to disarm our police and scrap our nuclear deterrent was endorsed by the right honourable gentleman's policy chief and even by his shadow chancellor. and in a sign that they'll fight the campaign on jeremy corbyn‘s leadership, the conservative mps cheered when he told the commons how long he'd spent as labour leader when i became leader of the opposition 18 months ago. cheers this could be the last time that theresa may and jeremy corbyn class head—to—head before the election. she won't take part in tv debates so the labour leader wanted to denounce just about the entire record of her governm

they saw as a change of policy, warning that tax rises lie ahead. 0ur political correspondent, iain watsonreports. the american revolutionary benjamin franklin said that uncertainties we re franklin said that uncertainties were tax and death and commitments to push tax rates up can prove fatal to push tax rates up can prove fatal to political campaigns. 0n to push tax rates up can prove fatal to political campaigns. on a visit to political campaigns. on a visit to the united states philip hammond criticised the constraints placed on him by his party's previous pledges on tax. all chancellors would prefer to have more flexible in how they manage the economy and how they manage the economy and how they manage the economy and how they manage the overall tax burden down, than to have their hands constrained. then this happened. even some conservative supporting newspapers speculated that taxes would rise if the parties re—elected, so conservative sources we re re—elected, so conservative sources were swift to say that the chancellor's comments should be seen asa hint chancellor's comments shou

our political correspondent, iain watson, reports.jeremy corbyn. do you believe it, do they believe it, does he believe that? opinion polls suggest it is highly unlikelyjeremy corbyn will be heading for downing street. but he is trying to change people‘s minds. much of the media and the establishment are saying this election is a foregone conclusion. they think there are rules in politics which, if you don't follow by doffing your cap to the powerful people, accepting that things cannot really change, then you cannot win. but of course they do not want us to win because when we win it is the people, not the powerful who win. jeremy corbyn was full of vim, zip and energy. he said the conservatives are morally bankrupt. the system is rigged. and he would prove people wrong. anyone who stands up to create a better, fairer and more decent society gets vilified. our party gets vilified. but we are bigger and stronger than have ever been. and more determined than we ever been. his challenge is convincing enough people outside of this run. t

this report from our political correspondent iain watson. that there shall be an early parliamentary general election. the ayes to the right, 522. the noes to the left, 13. this is the moment that mps overwhelmingly backed the prime minister's call for an election almost three years early onjune the 8th. with most labour mps and lib dems supporting an early election, she easily exceeded the two thirds support of parliament that she needed. and she used the debate to road test her campaign teams. the government has delivered on the priorities that i set out last year, despite predictions of immediate financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen consumer confidence remain high, record numbers of jobs, and economic growth that has exceeded all expectations. at the same time we have delivered on the mandate we were handed by the referendum result by triggering article 50 before the end of march as we pledged to do. as a result, britain is leading the eu and there can be no turning back. the liberal democrats are also keen to

they saw as a change of policy, warning that tax rises lie ahead. 0ur political correspondent, iain watson, reports. the american revolutionary benjamin franklin said the two uncertainties were tax and death and commitments to push tax rates up can prove fatal to political campaigns. on a visit to the united states, chancellor philip hammond criticised the constraints placed on him by his party's previous pledges on tax. all chancellors would prefer to have more flexibility in how they manage the economy and how they manage the overall tax burden down, than to have their hands constrained. then this happened. even some conservative supporting newspapers speculated that taxes would rise if the party's re—elected, so conservative sources were swift to say that the chancellor's comments should be seen as a hint of tax increases to come. what has been remarkable so early in the campaign has been the level of detail that's emerged even before the manifesto is published. we already know theresa may will recommit to the international aid target, with some wriggle room, and she says there will be

we're joined now from westminster by our political correspondent, iain watson.w, and today it issues coming in now, and today it is about the nhs? that is correct. brexit is difficult for some parties such as labour. some backed leave, some backed remain, some say their own position is not there at desperately clear. so they are back on safes territorian now, nhs, saying they will lift the 1% pay cut, and reduce bursaries due to be abolished this year for trainee nurses and midwives. they also say they will legislate to ensure that there are safe levels of staffing in hospitals as well. they are claiming that these policies are fully costed, that cuts in corporation tax will pay for some of that burden as you can imagine the opposition parties are not taking that lying down. the liberal democrats are saying that they are ducking some difficult questions are not being honest with the public and saying how much revenue will need to be race specifically when it comes to, for example, increasing staffing levels in hospitals. the conservatives want to get back onto t