jonathan blake is joining happen before the brexit date.isjoining us from westminster, how much clarity if any does this all add to the overall picture? not very much, just to take you back to last week when you mentioned jeremy corbyn wrote to the cabinet secretary, and effectively the head of the civil service in charge of the machinery of government across whitehall and all different apart dust departments. mr corbyn was worried about one possible scenario which could unfold when mps return from their break next month. if a vote of no—confidence is called in the government and that is lost, and a different government cannot be formed by the opposition, mr corbyn oi’ formed by the opposition, mr corbyn or anybody else, then a general election would have to follow the stop the prime minister has set the date for that and there has been speculation number ten would or could allow it to be held just after the brexit deadline of 31 october, meaning that during the election campaign, the uk would leave the eu on that date as is the legal defau

jonathan blake, bbc news. let's get more from jonathan blake in westminster now. is potentially the last week for this parliament before it is supposed to be suspended. and, frankly, it could be a huge week in terms of brexit. it is going to be a very big week ahead. at the moment the brexit process feels like traffic moving along a motorway, pulling back and overtaking, but everyone going at roughly the same speed waiting for a breakthrough. you have heard in the report about brussels saying they are willing to talk but no major shift in position. downing street describing that is going on to a football pitch and not wanting to be shown the red card straightaway which is why they are going into these preparatory talks are tentatively hoping for a shift before that summit scheduled in mid—october. back here at westminster over the next week, it will be about who wins the argument, the government saying they are determined to deliver by the end of october come what may whether it is with a new deal or without. parliament and mps saying they have to avoid a no—deal

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster. political editor, norman smith, is at westminster. we have these legal challenges under way so the courts might have something to say about this but what are the chances of those mps who wa nt to are the chances of those mps who want to stop a no—deal brexit in parliament before it shuts down or in the two weeks once it comes back, before brexit takes place on october the 31st, what are the chances of them being successful? despite the support of those protesters, those mps are seeking to thwart boris johnson face a herculean task. imagine trying to cut your way through an amazonian rainforest armed with a plastic knife, it is that sort of constitutional challenge they face because they will have just four days to seize control of parliament, assemble a majority of mps, and then try to push through legislation to in effect outlaw no deal in the teeth of opposition from mrjohnson‘s supporters. bear in mind, the government holds all the levers of power in parliament, so it is not quite

he also wants criminals to spend more time in prison. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake hasowing the story. i spoke to him a little bit earlier. the treasury has said the treasury has said £2.5 the treasury has said £2.5 billion the treasury has said £2.5 billion will be available to fund the 10,000 extra prison places but as to where the money will come from and how they will raise it, they cannot say at the moment so it is another promise from the prime minister since he came to office which has a hefty price tag attached but in terms of how the government will fund these pledges, that is all adding to speculation that this announcement for prison places and tougher prison sentences for violent offenders and extra stop and search powers coming very soon after the announcement to recruit the extra 20,000 officers, all of this is part, many say of a plan by ten downing st to prepare for a general election which could be which could be coming very soon although the prime minister says he doesn't want one and the government says it's not preparing for one that is the sense you

jonathan blake at westminster, thank you.nd emergency departments in england last month. new figures also show record numbers of patients waiting for routine operations. 0ur health editor, hugh pym, is here. a&e attendances seem to be going up and up. yes, in a week when boris johnson has announced a series of initiatives on the nhs, today serves asa initiatives on the nhs, today serves as a bit ofa initiatives on the nhs, today serves as a bit of a reality check on the state of the service in england and the amount of pressure it is under. with a&e attendances, that's the numbers going through the front door of units in england, 2.27 million in july, a record number up 4% on the same month last year. service chiefs are saying the heatwave was partly to blame for that increase injuly but lots of underlying factors as well. sometimes it's because people have lost faith with social care or gp services and end up in hospital which is not a good sign. and waiting targets are not being hit as well. yes, waits for routine nonemerge

our political correspondent jonathan blake reports.son meets boris johnson meets his borisjohnson meets his first foreign leader since moving into downing street. have you given up on trying to get a deal? the estonian prime minister might get more of a response, but so far he has stuck firmly to his line that he might get a new deal, but first the eu must change its stance. in brussels, it seems hopes are fading of getting an agreement. eu negotiators have told diplomats that there is no basis of meaningful discussions, and talks are back where they were three years ago. the european union position remains unchanged. we have agreed their withdrawal agreement with the uk government, the deal we have achieved is the best possible deal, and we are willing to add language to the political declaration, but we will not reopen the withdrawal agreement. back here, the man in charge of preparing the uk for no deal says it is those in brussels that need to budge. deal says it is those in brussels that need to budgei deal says it is those in bru

here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. he couldn't be clearer...e 31st. the prime minister has promised brexit will happen by the current deadline, with or without a deal. no ifs, no buts. today he told civil servants preparing for no deal will be their top priority, and that while he wanted an agreement with the eu, he recognised that might not happen. a no—deal brexit is what the labour leader and others don't want. they're worried parliament could be left powerless if the prime minister holds a general election after the uk has left the eu. sojeremy corbyn has written to the head of the civil service, sir mark sedwill, seeking urgent clarification of whether that would break government rules. he says forcing through a no—deal brexit during an election campaign would be an unprecedented, unconstitutional and anti—democratic abuse of power by the prime minister. and asks for confirmation that in that scenario, the government should seek a time—limited extension to the brexit process. if we can't have a prime minister who will do the decent thing,

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster.lty of murder after tricking his victim into changing his will. ben field manipulated peter farquhar who was 69, duping him into a relationship and then lacing his food with drugs and neat alcohol. however field was found not guilty of the attempted murder of a retired headmistress who was 83, and whom field also admitted, he'd tricked into a relationship. tom symonds has the story. a respected former teacher and novelist, peter farquhar rendered helpless. he had suffered falls, injuries, he had no idea what was going on. i actually... used to be sort of... competent. of course. that second voice is the man who talked his way into peter's life. despite the age difference, his student, ben field, promised to marry him while secretly lacing peter's food with drugs and neat alcohol, killing him slowly for his money. here is a cold, calculating, devious man, who took pleasure from inflicting both physical and mental torment on his victim. evil. peter even dedicated a book to field. in retu

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster. who‘s at westminster. as we head into the weekend, we can only imagine how much time seven mps will be spending on their phones discussing what on earth happens next week? there will be of discussion of discussion of the weekend and also demonstrations against borisjohnson‘s weekend and also demonstrations against boris johnson‘s decision weekend and also demonstrations against borisjohnson‘s decision to effectively suspend parliament for up effectively suspend parliament for up to five weeks. the leader of the opposition has tweeted his support but there was demonstrations. he says there is public outrage at borisjohnson says there is public outrage at boris johnson shutting says there is public outrage at borisjohnson shutting down democracy, as he calls it, and people are right to take to the streets. he goes further and says he encourages everyone to join demonstrations. a short time ago, when he was in scotland, he was asked about what he was going to do alongside other oppositio

joining me now is our political correspondent jonathan blake. 't seen any footage of these talks, but what more was discussed? mostly behind closed doors, the prime minister met john bolton yesterday and is meeting various other cabinet ministers around whitehall today. but, as you say, i think downing street will be very happy with what mr bolton said last night after his meeting with the prime minister and borisjohnson is probably grinning from ear to, reading and hearing about what he had to say. he has really played into the prime minister's arguments, both politically and practically, when it can as to the uk's future trading relationship with the united states after brexit, practically saying we do not have to wait to do a competitive trading deal which could take years to sort out, we can do this sector by sector, piece by piece, which will not necessarily ta ke piece, which will not necessarily take as long. and the uk will be at the front of the line, as he put it, in american parlance. and then talking about the eu as an anti—democratic

our political correspondent in westminster is jonathan blake. ing street strongly rejecting the accusation that it wanted talks to fail to allow a no—deal brexit to be pushed through? at every turn, downing street has said, as the prime minister has said, as the prime minister has said, he doesn't want to leave the european union without a deal, that is not his preferred outcome and he still seems to think it is very unlikely. downing street says in a statement they do want to reach a new deal with the european union, as adam was suggesting, "we will throw ourselves into negotiations with the greatest energy and the spirit of friendship" but they say, the fact is that the withdrawal agreement negotiated by theresa may has no chance of passing through parliament here so if the eu does want to deal, it needs to change its position. not for the first time in this whole brexit process, two sides in something of a stand—off, and a weight, now, to see if either will budge to avoid the whole thing ending in stalemate. people looking ahead to the deadlin

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster.inic raab will be speaking at a press conference in canada, we'll be bringing that to you live. let's talk to mark lobel, our political correspondent who's in westminsterfor us. every step back from today, neither side is rolling out a deal, but neither side can stop the clock ticking towards that halloween deadline. what you are saying is what of the government outlined today? looking at the tone, michael gove, fighting talk, putting the blame on these negotiations stalling at the eu's door, although that you would not see it like that. but he did not attempt or explain what he wa nts did not attempt or explain what he wants these new attempts at a negotiation to be. he did not add anything to save what would happen to avoid this no—deal brexit. we also had a note of realism struck by the irish prime minister on the eu side. he said borisjohnson can come and visit him any time he likes for bilateral talks with no conditions. but he said the patrol agreement is non—negotiable, and inst

lets go back to jonathan blake. jonathan, is is going to say no now. lets go back tojonathan blake. hat meeting yesterday and there has been disagreement between them about what might happen in the event of a vote of no—confidence. might happen in the event of a vote of no-confidence. i think it will be a kick up the backside for labour, the snp, the liberal democrats and others in parliament who have, as we have seen over the summer, really struggled to together behind one clear strategy to try to avoid a no—deal brexit, which is a common aim that they have. but they have been split apart by political differences. we have seen the lib dems particularly not very keen to come behind jeremy corbyn as a temporary prime minister following a vote of no confidence in the government, which is one weapon, if you like, at the opposition parties‘ disposal. what this decision by the government to suspend parliament, just a week after it comes back from its summer break will do, is make that option more likely. because it is possible, within a week, perhaps, to get some form of legislation, ta k

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster.nd half years, the uk economy has shrunk. it fell in the three months from april to june this year, by 0.2%. well, joining us now to discuss this is chris williamson, chief business economist at ihs markit, which produces surveys and other economic indicators worldwide. hejoins us now from exeter. thank you for sticking to us here at bbc news. many people will be confused, the fundamentals are strong but the economy has contracted —— what is going on?” think in reality, the fundamentals are strong. the uk does have world leading businesses, whether they are law firms or engineering firms, or banks, world—class industries. but the problem at the moment is they are constrained, paralysed, almost, by uncertainty, uncertainty and the political and environment with brexit and hence the economic climate that surrounds that. in that environment, companies are just not willing to invest and spend money at the moment. surely, the rest of the world, because they are indicators that the global ec

>>jonathan blake and john nelson served in the special operations unit of the marine corps together in afghanistan. i >>i i can imagine if i. >>in years ago john had stepped away from where johnson was standing when the explosive device went off without this. >>would be something epic for him to experience it actually gets the you know the saddle. >>an emotional trip for john but also for fellow hikers who passed by the that they're doing for recreation imagine those guys on the battlefield you see that and you see the determination to do what they do. >>inmates who want to do that for your friends and family inspiration. johnson hopes to spark and anyone who thinks they can accomplish something not only. >>my lifted this he's lived through as well liked were also you know the special operations force recover and we knew anything we may be in so the mines and other people. >>incredibly inspiring terrorists. that wraps up kron 4 news at 5. thank you for being with us this hour, we'll see you back here tonight for kron 4 news at 9 in prime time right now pam moore and ken wayne are here

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster. all of this, with our political correspondent iain watson, who's in westminsterfor us. more from jonathan now. this is a numbers game and how to read it at this point. all of the net when he was a key figure in terms of the effort to stop the government taking the uk out of the eu without a deal said this morning that it would be foolhardy for him to predict whether they have the numbers to pull off what is a very tough task in the time available. it will depend on all types of factors, whether the conservatives, who are very uneasy about the prospect of a nodal brexit, decide to come across and vote with the opposition parties, then how many labour mps who represent leave voting seats feel they can vote to stop a nodal brexit, or if it comes to it a vote of no in deed and the government. and then it will come down to the parliamentary procedure, and all kinds of facts about whether the moves the opposition parties make are met with counter moves by the government. so there is talk, a

try to force the government to delay leaving the european union. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blakeeremy corbyn simply wouldn't be able to command a majority in the house if a vote of no confidence went against boris johnson?m house if a vote of no confidence went against boris johnson? it looks likely that that may well be the case. ken clarke is parliament's longest serving mp, and he is being looked to by some at least in westminster as the kind of person who could unite mps from different parties and lead a temporary government with the sole aim of avoiding a no—deal brexit. that is something jeremy corbyn himself wa nts to something jeremy corbyn himself wants to do, of course, but a couple of days after he appealed to other opposition parties and conservative mps for support in defeating the government in a vote of no confidence, informing —— and forming his own temporary government to ask for a abrasive thick —— brexit extension and hold a general election, it has become clear he doesn't have the level of support from opposition parties and some conservatives he would need to

jonathan blake reporting. still to come on the programme...he papers revealed wayne rooney paid to have sex with her. she has written a memoir and we will talk about that later. she has written a memoir and we will talk about that later. more than 253,000 people have signed a petition calling for legal aid to be provided to all families at inquests into terror attacks. it was set up only a month ago by the boyfriend of nurse kirsty boden, known as the angel of london bridge. she was stabbed to death while trying to help save the life of another victim of the attack injune 2017 in which three men wearing stab—proof vests drove a van into pedestrians at 50mph on london bridge before attacking people around borough market with hunting knives. they killed eight people and injured 48. nowjames hodder is fighting for the rights of all families in similar attacks, including those of manchester arena, to be given legal aid for the inquests. we can talk to him now. good morning, thank you for coming on. good morning. before we talk about your petition,

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster.ecretary dominic raab — who is in toronto meeting with his canadian counterpart — told the bbc that he hoped a deal with the eu would be worked out, but that brexit would take place on october 31st, with or without a deal in place. we have engaged with our eu friends and partners and it's very important, we want to get a deal with the eu, but we will be leaving if there is no movement from their side at the end of october come what may. there is a huge series of upsides from brexit, particularly with a more energetic and ambitious approach to our global role. last week i visited thailand and talked to many asia—pacific countries talking about the opportunities for britain ina talking about the opportunities for britain in a post—brexit environment. now i am talking with oui’ environment. now i am talking with our great canadian friends, i will speak with our american friends and also the mexicans. these are opportunities for the future, global opportunities for the future, global oppor

our political correspondent jonathan blake reports. how bad will no deal be?o, not at all. it‘s entirely manageable. another morning, another meeting. ministers discuss daily the uk‘s readiness to leave the eu without a deal. there are new questions now, about what that could mean, after secret documents warning of serious consequences were made public. the prime minister is adamant that the uk will leave by the current deadline and, despite the warnings just weeks ago, insists the government will be ready. we‘re very confident that, by october the 31st, we will be ready and that is the crucial thing. and i think that is what people want. you know, people are very confident themselves that they can do it. i am not pretending that there won‘t be bumps on the road. there will be. i said that on the steps of downing street. but if everybody puts their minds to it, i have absolutely no doubt that we can get ready. documents leaked to the sunday times warned of posssible shortages of food, fuel and medicine. potential travel disruption and protests. for those relax

let's go there now, a political corresponded, jonathan blake is there.ive, wasn't it? yes, just under 60% for this by—election in a rural part of mid wales which is the largest constituency area in england and wales was notjust under 60,000 voters and the choice they are making tonight will have implications far beyond this part of the uk. back at westminster it could have, as you say, serious implications for the new prime minister borisjohnson. implications for the new prime minister boris johnson. his governing conservative party with the majority of just governing conservative party with the majority ofjust two in the house of commons and if they lose each i have to say the consensus here is that it is going to be close. and things could be even more difficult for him and then they already are. and it could be an early dent in his attempt to drive home a more uncompromising message in terms of delivering brexit either current deadline at the end of 0ctober current deadline at the end of october this year, come what may. it's a two horse race here, a

with me is our political correspondent, jonathan blake.ll the money coming from? £2.5 billion, 10,000 extra prison places. money promised by the treasury. as for where they are going to find it from, that is still to be confirmed and this is one of a number of big spending promises the government has made, spending commitments, in recent weeks since borisjohnson took over as prime minister. 20,000 extra police officers, extra funding for nhs hospitals. and now this. the government spending plans seem to be ina bit government spending plans seem to be in a bit of flux at the moment, £2 billion extra promise for no—deal brexit planning as well, the chancellor effectively asking departments, tell me what you need andi departments, tell me what you need and i will give it to you if i can. we are going to get a short—term spending review probably towards the beginning of next month. but that is specifically around preparations for brexit. in terms of a longer term look towards the next 3—5 years, a spending review may well take place not for so

jonathan blake joins us the commons will be cut to one. jonathan blakejoins us now from bracken.cken. boris johnson hoping jonathan blakejoins us now from bracken. borisjohnson hoping the boris bounce will work magic for him. how critical is it? it's an important test boris johnson, him. how critical is it? it's an important test borisjohnson, the new prime minister, this early his time in number10 new prime minister, this early his time in number 10 downing street. if the tories lose this by—election, it's not a good look for him and despite what you are saying about chris davies being recalled in those signatures against him, he was reselected as the conservative party candidate to fight the seat and he does have a solid support base being a local man in this constituency, in this rural part of mid wales. about the majority, it's not necessarily a huge deal. if it's cut one, it will make doris johnson's huge deal. if it's cut one, it will make dorisjohnson's life a bit more difficult than it already is in trying to get anything done but it's already very difficult so perhaps mo

political correspondent jonathan break in the last hour, —— jonathan break in the last hour, —— jonathan blakeould be quite high. let'sjust turn back, before we move on. parliament is not likely, once summer recess is over. he has promised to do brexit do ordie by over. he has promised to do brexit do or die by 31 october. he is demanding the scrapping of the backstop which the eu is refusing to do. that would say he is pivoting towards a no deal situation by default, but he is asking parliament, which technically doesn't have to approve no deal, but they can stop it. when he has only got a majority of one, it makes it far more likely that they can stop no deal through a vote of no—confidence, which could bring about a snap election, for example. there is some speculation in westminster that boris johnson actually wants a snap election so he can wina actually wants a snap election so he can win a majority of his own, much bigger majority than the one with the dup, and pursue a different form of brexit or buy more time, maybe die loot the influence of the dup and the hard brexiteers. maybe bori

richard lister, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake, is with me.... are expecting more law and order announcements from the government tomorrow. is an autumn election will likely? these announcements will only add to the speculation that is the case and with these announcements on potentially vote winning pledges for extra police officers, extra prison places, tougher sentences for violent criminals, downing street is preparing for a vote at some point in the autumn, whether the prime ministers forced into it through a vote of no confidence or it is time of his choosing backed by parliament. these promises and pledges might go some way to allay fears and violent crime and boris johnson promised to make the streets safer. the government has left itself open to some criticism about the way in which it is going about it with these potentially short—term vote winning pledges, which is what it is trying to do, rather than an overall considered look at the criminal justice system overall considered look at the criminaljustice system as a whole. an election

with me now is our political correspondent jonathan blake.step by mr corbyn into some sort of context. this is the first we have heard in any detailfrom jeremy corbyn about exactly what he plans to do and how he intends to play his hand when parliament returned at the beginning of september. mps are back here at westminster after their long summer break. mr corbyn wants to avoid a no deal brexit, but his ultimate aim is for a general election to be held and to be able to form a government. he knows his best chance of doing thatis he knows his best chance of doing that is to push for a vote of no—confidence in the prime minister, borisjohnson, no—confidence in the prime minister, boris johnson, and the no—confidence in the prime minister, borisjohnson, and the government, and to then attempt to form a government himself. to do that, crucially, he needs the support of other opposition parties in parliament, and as well at least some conservative backbench mps. jeremy corbyn has written, as you say, to the leaders of other opposition parties her

joining the from the count is a uk political correspondent jonathan blake.r way. the lid dams going into this were tipped to win. yes, the ballot papers are being counted behind me and your right, in the weeks leading up to the election it has been the liberal democrats we re it has been the liberal democrats were being seen as the favourites to ta ke were being seen as the favourites to take the seat from the governing conservative party here in the uk. it is the tories, the conservatives who hold this seat but their mp was recalled effectively, stripped of his seat earlier this year when he was convicted of expenses fraud. he was convicted of expenses fraud. he was then reselected by the party to stand again and as a local man, he does have a solid body of supportive but this is a key electoral test for borisjohnston as the new prime minister. —— borisjohnson. the feeling tonight is depending on who you speak to and it's very early days that it is going to be a close run thing. the board democrats did very well recently in european parliamentary elections

try to force the government to delay leaving the european union. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake might not be able to command a majority in the event of a vote of confidence in mrjohnson? majority in the event of a vote of confidence in mr johnson?m majority in the event of a vote of confidence in mrjohnson? it seems that way. two days afterjeremy corbyn appealed to the other opposition parties at westminster and some conservatives to back his plan to win a vote of no confidence and then form a temporary government to ask the eu for a brexit extension and then hold an election, it's becoming clear he doesn't have the level of support among opposition parties and some tories he would need to follow through with that, so people are exploring other options. jo swinson, the lib dems leader and others, are suggesting a figure such as kenneth clarke or harriet harman, long serving mps respected on all sides of the house, could potentially unite mps from all parties to form a temporary government with the sole aim of avoiding a no—deal brexit. ken clarke says, if it came to it, he would

he also wants criminals to spend more time in prison. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake, isr... lots of details on the plans. any details on the funding and where that money will come from? very little in fact. the treasury has said to have billion pounds will be made available to fund those 10,000 extra prison places but as for where that money is going to come from and how they are going to raise it, they cannot say at the moment so it is another promise from the prime minister since he came to office, which has a hefty price tag attached but in terms of how the government is going to fund these pledges, it is going to fund these pledges, it is just not clear at the moment. that is adding to speculation that this announcement today for a 10,000 extra prison places, tougher sentences for violent offenders, stop and search, very soon after the announcement to recruit 20,000 extra police earlier this month, all of this they are saying is a plan for them to prepare for a general election which could be coming soon. although the prime minister says he does not want one and the

once—in—a—generation" chance for a change of direction in british politics. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blakeood shortages? no, not at all. it's entirely manageable. another morning, another meeting. ministers discuss daily the uk's readiness to leave the eu without a deal. there are new questions now about what that could mean after secret documents warning of serious consequences were made public. the prime minister is adamant that the uk will leave by the current deadline and, despite the warnings just weeks ago, insists the government will be ready. we're very confident that, by october the 31st, we will be ready and that is the crucial thing. and i think that is what people want. you know, people are very confident themselves that they can do it. iam not i am not pretending i will not be bumps on the road, there will be. i said that on the steps of downing street. if everyone puts their minds to it, i am absolutely sure we will be ready. there could be potential travel disruption and protest. but there is relaxed about no deal, it is more of what they call project fear. the forces that d

let's go now to our political correspondent jonathan blake in westminster. good morning, jonathan.saying this is all about the government bringing forward its new programme of domestic laws, but john bercow, among others, people who do not want a no—deal brexit, colin was a constitutional outrage. we are in for an almighty political battle, aren't we? we certainly are, the government and the speaker at absolute loggerheads on a collision course. clearly if you are in any doubt that this move by downing street to shorten the time available to mps who want to avoid a no—deal brexit, and somehow force the government into getting an extension, perhaps, from brussels, if you are in any doubt it was winter because an almighty row, you only need to look at what the commons speakerjohn bercow has said in response, as you say, calling it a constitutional outrage. i'll read you a little bit more of what he said in his statement, which we received in the last few minutes. shutting down parliament would be an offence against the democratic process , offence against the democratic process, and

our political correspondent jonathan blake reports. how bad will no deal be?ortages? no, not at all. it's entirely manageable. another morning, another meeting. ministers discuss daily the uk's readiness to leave the eu without a deal. there are new questions now, about what that could mean, after secret documents warning of serious consequences were made public. the prime minister is adamant that the uk will leave by the current deadline and, despite the warnings just weeks ago, insists the government will be ready. we're very confident that, by october the 31st, we will be ready and that is the crucial thing. and i think that is what people want. you know, people are very confident themselves that they can do it. i am not pretending there there won't be bumps on the road. there will be. i said that on the steps of downing street. but if everybody puts their minds to it, i have absolutely no doubt that we can get ready. documents leaked to the sunday times warned of posssible shortages of food, fuel and medicine. potential travel disruption and protests. for

let‘s get the latest from our political correspondent, jonathan blake. ut what it does, as you heard from john mcdonnell, is added to the arguments of those who would like to avoid at all costs the uk leaving the european union without a deal. we will see further effo rts without a deal. we will see further efforts from those in parliament when those mps return from their summer break to achieve that in the coming weeks. we will see what happens. thank you very much. police in kent say they will resume their search this morning for a missing six year—old boy but admit it‘s unlikely they will find him alive. lucas dobson hasn‘t been seen since saturday afternoon when he fell into the river stour during a family fishing trip. rescue teams in canoes have been combing through dense vegetation on the riverbanks, while police officers have also been using sonar equipment. prince andrew has said he is "appalled" by sex abuse claims surrounding his former friend jeffrey epstein. our reporter ben ando is at buckingham palace for us this morning. good morning, ben.

had stood aside to give the lib dems a better chance of winning. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blaket, and sent this report. the votes had been cast and accounting could begin. conservatives fighting to hold on, liberal democrats sensing a chance, both sides knew it would be close. liberal democrats sensing a chance, both sides knew it would be closelj do hereby declare that jane dodds both sides knew it would be closelj do hereby declare thatjane dodds is duly elected member of parliament for the said constituency. a win for the party that campaigned against brexit, and a message to the new prime ministerfrom brexit, and a message to the new prime minister from parliament's newest member. my very first act as yourmp, wheni newest member. my very first act as your mp, when i arrive in westminster, will be to find mr borisjohnson, wherever westminster, will be to find mr boris johnson, wherever he westminster, will be to find mr borisjohnson, wherever he is hiding, and tell him loud and clear, stop playing with the future of our communities, and rule out a no deal brexit now. liberal

jonathan blake there.olding a general election before the 31 october brexit deadline, so how could a general election be called 7 borisjohnson has a working majority ofjust one — including the support of mps from the dup in northern ireland. if there is a vote of no confidence the conservative—led minority government could win it, and then remain in office. but if the prime minister loses the no—confidence vote, a 14—day period is triggered, during which the existing government — or a new alternative — must show it has mps' support there are 3 scenarios from here. firstly, borisjohnson's government regains the confidence of the house, and business continues as before. secondly, an alternative government is formed. the new prime minister could decide to delay brexit, and call a general election. but this seems unlikely as there's no clear majority in the house of commons for a different government. third, if no government has the backing of the house of commons, a general election is triggered at the end of

our political correspondent, jonathan blake spent the night at the count and sent this report. said constituency. cheering. a win for the party that campaigned against brexit, and a message to the new prime minister from parliament's newest member. my very first act as your mp when i arrive in westminster will be to find mr borisjohnson, wherever he's hiding, and tell him loud and clear — stop playing with the future of our communities and rule out a no—deal brexit now. liberal democrats threw everything at this by—election, although they held back from their staunch "stop brexit" message, knowing it might cost them votes in a constituency finely balanced between leave and remain. in the end, it was a narrow victory, but one the lib dems will say shows that they are a party on the up. the liberal democrats were helped here by other anti—brexit parties standing aside. it was a terrible result for labour, who finished a distant fourth. the brexit party managed third, maybe costing the conservatives a win. for him and for his party — defeat will be deeply felt. in a moment, we wil

>>jonathan blake and john nelson served in the special operations unit of the marine corps together in, i lakes. >>i lakes i can imagine if i. >>10 years ago john had stepped away from where johnson was standing when the explosive device went off without this. >>would be something epic for him to experience it actually gets to you know to settle. >>an emotional trip for john, but also for fellow hikers who passed by the fact that they're doing for recreation imagine those guys on the battlefield you see that and you see the determination to do what they do. >>inmates who want to do that for your friends and family inspiration. johnson hopes to spark anyone who thinks they can accomplish something not only. >>live through this. he's lived through it is well liked were also you know special operations guess you know we're force recovery we knew anything we may be in so the mice and other people. >>and the next hike and john and john is in our planning is for veterans day and they're hiking mount whitney. >>and ogden erin cox. >>now whitney is a tall mountain it's hard to climb it's in th

>>jonathan blake and john nelson served in the special operations unit of the marine corps together inghanistan, i lakes. >>i always i can imagine if i. >>10 years ago john had stepped away from where johnson was standing when the explosive device went off without this. >>it would be something epic for him to experience it actually gets the you know the saddle. >>an emotional trip for john but also for fellow hikers who passed by the fact that they're doing for recreation imagine those guys on the battlefield you see that and you see the determination to do what they do. >>inmates who want to do that for friends and family inspiration. johnson hopes to spark and anyone who thinks they can accomplish something not only. >>my lifted this he's lived through as well like we're also you know the special operations task you know we're force recovery when you anything we need insulin minds and other people. >>then the next hike and john and john is in our planning is for veterans day and they're hiking mount whitney. >>they say nothing closer then people in combat bonzi for j on the battlefie

with former cabinet allies deeply divided on how to lead the eu. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake was concerned, i suppose it's when rather than if he would step into all that. no surprise i think he's made an intervention sometime after leaving number 11 downing st and retiring to back benches. he's chosen his moment, you will perhaps only get one shot at putting his argument for red and the way he has done today. no surprise where he stands on us. because for a long time as set in the report, conservative mps have suspected that chancellor philip hammond has not been an enthusiastic proponent of brexit whatsoever and as a farmer remained campaigner, he tried to put the brakes on some would argue preparations for no—deal brexit and make things difficult and never really wa nted make things difficult and never really wanted to entertain the outcome anyway. so now he is free of the shackles of government and cabinet responsibility, he is able to say these things much more freely. and in his eyes, it should not be a straight contest or straight choice. between leaving with or withou

let's get more on all of this with our political correspondent, jonathan blake, who's in westminsterforjonathan. so, more meetings between uk and eu officials from next week, so there is a process but can there be progress, given that number ten says the two sides remain some diss tans apart on key issues? that is the reality check, although there is a willingness on the uk and the eu side to talk, and talk more regularly, just how much progress the talks are going to make isn't clear. as you say, the two sides are a significant distance apart on that crucial issue of the northern ireland backstop, which is there to prevent a hard border between the republic of ireland and northern ireland, which will be the border between the uk and the eu, if in the future a trade deal can't be done, but the prime minister, boris johnson says he has been encouraged by his recent meetings with emmanuel macron and angela merkel and it is some time, as he says to up the tempo so there will be twice weekly meetings between officials in brussels as the two sides try to begin to find some common ground. at

daniela relph, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake has also been following the storyxtra prison places, that is money that had been promised by the treasury. as for exactly where they are going to find it from, well, that is still to be confirmed. as you say, this is one of a number of big spending promises the government has made, spending commitments in recent weeks since borisjohnson took over as prime minister. the 20,000 extra police officers, the extra funding for nhs hospitals and now this. the government spending plans seem to be in a bit of flux at the moment. we had £2 billion extra promised for no—deal brexit planning as well. the chancellor effectively asking departments, "tell me what you need and i'll give it to you if i can." we are going to get a short—term spending review, probably towards the beginning of next month, but that is specifically around preparations for brexit. in terms of a longer term look towards the next three to five years, a spending review may well take place not for some time yet, although there could well be a budget in the autum

joining me now is our political correspondent, jonathan blake. the argy—bargy goes on, jonathan.ear from jeremy corbyn this morning?m what more do we expect to hear from jeremy corbyn this morning? it is a familiar message from jeremy corbyn overall. he has said for some time that a general election is needed because he wants to get his hands on the keys to no 10 downing st and get into government. he is using the timing of the brexit impasse, the inability of theresa may's government and boris johnson's inability of theresa may's government and borisjohnson‘s to reach a deal with the european union and get that through the parliament as the catalyst for an election, and he will say that britain is at a crossroads and this is a once in a generation chance for change. so something of a step up in the language he is using and the rhetoric he is using as to why general election is needed now and he will talk about the need to stop and prevent a no—deal brexit and he will say that he is prepared to do whatever is necessary. perhaps whatever is necessary. perhaps whatever is necessary

chance to reclaim the seat they lost in the 2015 general election. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake at the count and sent this report. the votes had been cast and the counting could begin. conservatives fighting to hold on, liberal democrats sensing a chance. both sides knew it would be close. i do hereby declare thatjane dodds is duly elected member of parliament for the said constituency. a win for the party that campaigned against brexit, and a message to the new prime minister from parliament's newest member. my very first act as your mp when i arrive in westminster will be to find mr borisjohnson, wherever he's hiding, and tell him loud and clear — stop playing with the future of our communities and rule out a no—deal brexit now. liberal democrats threw everything at this by—election, although they held back from their staunch "stop brexit" message, knowing it might cost them votes in a constituency finely balanced between leave and remain. in the end, it was a narrow victory, but one the lib dems will say shows that they are a party on the up. the liberal democrats were helped

our political correspondent, jonathan blake, is at westminster.nious clash between boris johnson and philip hammond, who served in the same government, sets the pace for uneventful few weeks leading up to toba? it certainly does. if there was any impression in downing street that those who left the cabinet when theresa may resigned were going to go quietly, they will be disappointed because philip hammond comes out fighting with his first significant intervention since he left number 11 downing st as chancellor, laying into the strategy of the prime minister and saying, boris johnson might argue we are out with a deal on the 31st but it does not have to be this way. we have seen another argument adding to the pile and endless commentary of the last few months since the referendum result of what brexit should look like and how and when and indeed if, it should happen at all. philip hammond argues that it would be a travesty to leave without a deal. that is not what people voted for. of course the prime minister and those in government now, the peop

jonathan blake, bbc news, westminster. vicki young is in westminster. this move byjeremy corbyn and labour next tuesday to prevent prorogation or parliament suspension, what does that involve? at the moment they are trying to keep their tactics secret for obvious reasons. they do not want people to know, they do not want the government to know, they want to try to ta ke government to know, they want to try to take them by surprise. the most likely think they will do is to try and change the law. this happened before when they forced theresa may to ask the eu for a delay to brexit. i would imagine they might try something similar again. of course, there are have swelled, because there are have swelled, because there are have swelled, because there are severalformer there are have swelled, because there are several former cabinet minister is now on the backbenches, people like hammond, david gauke, and others, who are determined to stop no deal, so they could help with all that. but there is still a problem because if you lo

jonathan blake is in westminster.here is so much going on there, isn't there, with the announcements of these increasing talks with the eu, and then at the same time this is in the context of the suspension of parliament. what is your take? good morning. ithink good morning. i think if anyone was expecting this intensification of talks to calm the nerves of mps in westminster worried about a no—deal brexit, then it won't go very far towards doing that. certainly not as far as the opposition parties are concerned, the labour party, smp and lib dems said the move to suspend parliament was undemocratic —— snp, but i think the chances of boris johnson changing his mind are about zero. and for all the talk of more talks, that is exactly what they are at this stage and there isn't much expectation of a breakthrough before the eu summit scheduled for mid—october, if it even happens then. downing street admits the two sides are far apart on that key issue of the backstop. still, the plans prevent a hard border with northern i

we're joined now by our political correspondent jonathan blake. it has not been a boring at all.a million signatures, legal challenges on the courts. but those opposed will have to decide what to do thanks because by the impact of this decision is is that it shortens the time available to mps who want to stop a no—deal brexit at any cost to do anything about it. have they got enough time to do what we elected them to do, to debate the issue. they have a few days next week when they come back. after the suspension towards the end of october but it is really very tight and there are a couple of options available to jeremy tight and there are a couple of options available tojeremy corbyn who want to stop the government dealing, either a vote of no confidence pass legislation to force them for an extension but both will be difficult for the time available. we can speak now to our europe reporter adam fleming who is in brussels for us this morning. adam will the decision to prologue parliament increase the prospect of coming up with a new deal with europe? what were reactions from eu

election — simply saying that britain will leave the eu on october 31st. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blakeis senior adviser dominic cummings in number ten has made it be known that there were a vote of no—confidence in the government and mps with paternal from their summer break at the beginning of september and he were to lose that, then the prime minister would not resign and try to sit out effectively a 14 day period that would then kick in, before a vote of confidence could be one. in either his government or a different government. led perhaps byjeremy corbyn or somebody else. then a general election would be held as a result. but they prime minister this morning on a visit to oxford, not engaging in any of that, simply issuing something of a warning to mps who might be thinking about trying to find a way to avoid the uk leaving the eu by the current deadline of the end of october. we are going to leave the european union on october the 315t, which is what the people of this country voted for. it is what mps voted for and that is what i think parliamentarians of this country should ge

do if he thinks that is the right thing to do. joining me now is our political correpsondent, jonathan blakethey will have been received? they will have been received very well. when britain leaves the european union, it will not be too difficult to set up a comprehensive trading agreement with the us in a relatively short space of time. what mister bolton has had to say by doing sector by sector deals, it does not take too long which could take years to negotiate it, is certainly in the short—term at least a win for the prime minister. it also helps them to have those comments about the eu being an early organisation which is antidemocratic and that james with a lot of the rhetoric we have heard from borisjohnson lot of the rhetoric we have heard from boris johnson and lot of the rhetoric we have heard from borisjohnson and his fellow leave supporters, both through the referendum campaign and since then and since he has taken office as prime minister. this is as it is on the surface positive talk from mister bolton. there are many at westminster who are saying, hold on a 2nd, just because h

blake burman. back with jonathan, adam to talk about all this. jonathan you go first on this idea now, as blake said, sometimes changes hour by hour, sometimes day by day, the president's argument things are good. we talked it a moment ago, things are good. we don't really need tax cuts i mentioned to you yesterday or the day before so what do you say? >> it's a compelling argument connell, but there is also compelling argument 24 hours ago he was arguing the other side of this issue here. this is making it so difficult for traders and investors no matter how much money you have in your 401(k) these days is uncertainty. everything from tax policy which is very much in play, obviously it rate situation. all that and trade. add it all up, making it very difficult. we heard from a lot of different businesses big and small here on fbn, difficult to plan long term, you don't know the tax situation or trade situation will be a week out. connell: mentioned compelling argument, one of the things jonathan referring to, adam, yesterday the president himsel