albeit, michael gove gave us plenty of fun albeit, michael gove gave us plenty offun and albeit, michaels this morning by the will he or won't he go? have a look as he left his house this morning. do you still support the prime minister, mr gove? good morning. are you going to support the prime minister, sir? will you be resigning today, mr gove? morning. just give us an idea. this is only a draft agreement, isn't it? everybody‘s making... resigning over it, but surely... why are there so many resignations at the moment, sir? you were offered the job of brexit secretary, why did you say no to that, mrgove? hello. mr gove, are you off to see the prime minister now? do you still... does she still have yourfull support? why did you turn down the job of brexit secretary, mr gove? mr gove, we've spoken to labour people this morning, will we shortly be heading for a general election? morning. i wonder what his neighbours may give it all, the media circus outside in the morning? anyway, michael gove stays. that is a plus for theresa may. she meanwhile has been trying to carry on business as usu

michael gove... slow motion resignation from michael gove as opposed to a sharp, decisive resignation of something else entirely. let‘s see what the day brings. 0n entirely. let‘s see what the day brings. on that issue of continuing speculation over theresa may‘s leadership and whether there will be a vote of no—confidence, do we have any a vote of no—confidence, do we have a ny clear a vote of no—confidence, do we have any clear idea if the requisite number of letters with that 1922 backbench committee, which has the power to authorise this vote?|j backbench committee, which has the power to authorise this vote? i had been told for week now, there‘s 42 letters, 43, 1m. .. been told for week now, there‘s 42 letters, 43, 44... we should be over 48 by now and we‘re not. the man who the letters are meant to be sent into, mr brady, got the bus last at six o‘clock and went home. didn‘t sound like a man who was imminently going to announce a leadership contest has been triggered. all of that said, if the b

this is bbc news — our latest headlines: michael gove says he won‘t resign from the cabinet over the ns, every mp, i believe, truly believe, this is the best deal for britain. the number of people missing after the california wildfires more than doubles to 630. two lea d e rs of the khmer rouge regime in cambodia have been found guilty of genocide. sport now on afternoon live, with olly foster. there was a brilliant knock from joe root today — the england captain making 124 to put them in a strong postion in the second test against sri lanka, they lead by 278 runs in kandy with two days left to play. they lost four down before lunch but were rescued by a root with his 15th test century. he was one of six wickets for akila danajaya. ben foakes was unbeaten on 51 before a lightning storm forced an early close. england reaching 324 for 9 in their second innings, thanks to that captain‘s knock. i certainly enjoyed myself today. there were a few filthy acts in there at times but i think the way you have to think about batting and the sort of mental approach and game plan and is different s

we understand that michael gove didn't accept thejob of understand that michael gove didn't accept therding to reports, because he wanted to renegotiate, work on the deal and he felt he would be able to. can you confirm this? halep tensely for himself. the main —— i'll let him speak for himself. the main thing is the deal with the eu. things can be tweaked, and there might be things that should be shifted. 0verall, might be things that should be shifted. overall, this is the broad framework of the deal we will get at this point. changes could be made to it, we are also seeing some noises from the eu, they are not entirely happy with where things have ended up. a french minister said yesterday that they have a lot of concerns about what the uk has been given. it is not completely perfect, particularly on the backstop, and in some senses, that has an advantage, because neither of us want the backstop because neither of us want the ba cksto p to because neither of us want the backstop to last long time. some of four those who have been criticising this is made today —— four those who have

as we know, michael gove turned down thejob we know, michael gove turned down the job because he we knowve turned down thejob because he was not given flexibility by thejob thejob because he was not given flexibility by the job to try to renegotiate. —— bride the prime minister. we'll be at the administrative end rather than the political end. amber rudd, very different figure, really. she is, one of the leading lights in the remain campaign, there during the referendum, very critical of boris johnson, two crucial reason she is back, one, loyal to johnson, two crucial reason she is back, one, loyalto the johnson, two crucial reason she is back, one, loyal to the prime minister, to loyal. and secondly, she backs the deal that has been reached on the withdrawal agreement, and that is crucial for the prime minister. —— too loyal. not without controversy, she resigned over the windrush scandal, where people affected by that feel it is an insult bringing her back, they say, she's inexperienced secretary of state and an internal enquiry said that she was not supported properly. she was exonera

on the brink after rejecting the job. leadership vote, michael gove on the brink after rejectingwhy they put the blue wash on her. i wonder if that is just how they printed it out. wash on her. i wonder if that is just how they printed it outm wash on her. i wonder if that is just how they printed it out. it is really odd. they have this blue wash on herto really odd. they have this blue wash on her to highlight the kind of coldness, quite an odd decision, but there we are. in terms of how close we are to her going, remember, when you have the 58 letters you have a vote of confidence in her which she only has to win by one vote and if she wins it by one vote and she decides not to go then she cannot be challenged for a year, so this is really high—stakes challenged for a year, so this is really high—sta kes stuff challenged for a year, so this is really high—stakes stuff for the people who want to get rid of her because if they shoot now and they miss then she is safe for 12 months and she might ram through the deal. in all of this what we need is the dup, they said they won't vo

michael gove says he won't resign from the cabinet over the prime minister's brexit deal. it follows speculation that the environment secretary and leading brexiteer would be the third cabinet minister to quit. do you have confidence in the prime minister? i do. i think it's absolutely vital that we focus on getting the right deal in the future and making sure that in the areas that matter so much to the british people, we can get a good outcome. theresa may appeared on a radio phone in this morning, to defend her leadership and her brexit plan. i want to be able to say to all parliamentarians, every mp, i believe — truly believe — this is the best deal for britain. i'll bring you all the latest from here in westminster. also in the programme this lunchtime... the number of people missing after the california wildfires more than doubles to 630. guilty of genocide — the historic court verdict against two former leaders of the khmer rouge. a woman who claims she was groped by a leading member of the house of lords, says it's a disgrace he isn't being immediately suspended. s

i don't know what they expect michael gove and andrea leve nson they expect michael gove and andrea levensonox hoped to achieve. -- andre led some. we are seeing the rising power of michael gove began, searching for a prominent position within the cabinet, that i feel like he will be theresa may's number two. cabinet, that i feel like he will be theresa may's number twom cabinet, that i feel like he will be theresa may's number two. it has been cruelly suggested that he is not doing it in the interest of anybody, it is because he will doesn't want the other backbench. anybody, it is because he will doesn't want the other backbenchlj just passing that on. as a thought. looking at the financial times. —— i am just. looking at the financial times. —— i amjust. —— looking at the financial times. —— i am just. —— just a thought. theresa may takes battle to eurosceptic. discernible factions now. stephen baker discernible factions now. stephen ba ker calls discernible factions now. stephen baker calls up the press announcers, and get rest. the hardline brexit, —— brexiteers, are apparently furious

michael gove is saying he's not happy with this.ove out, that would add fuel to the fire trying for the no confidence vote, trying to get the number of letters you need to put in and this arcane system the conservative party has to have a no—confidence vote. but the fact his comeback in good faith suggests he intends to give it a go. this vote of confidence or no confidence, how likely is it the european research group will get it and in terms of timing, have they shot themselves in the foot? they could have moved too early. they clearly don't have those 48 names that they need to call for a vote of no—confidence. as far as the information that i have and probably the lobby colleagues, they seem to be well short of it. but it could be that when people go away for the weekend, look in detail at this deal, i don't think many on the brexit side think it's better than i thought, that they are more likely to look and think, if i'm going to do anything about this, this is the moment. so we might assume that they could see that talent if i

the financial times quartz some people being furious with michael gove. he is a canny operator.r. he is a very canny operator as we have seen in the past. there is a clear split between the brexiteers as to those who want a hard brexit and those who want to acce pt a hard brexit and those who want to accept the deal as it is. they are also seeing there are expressions of concern about the number of mps coming forward to book their games to these letters suggesting a vote of no—confidence in theresa may. not to say that that will ever get through even if they get the 48, no guarantee that the get through the house. whether she would survive? whether they will win? i do not think they would when. she is safe for another 12 months if the trigger that. let us look at the daily mail, an exclusive interview with the prime minister about the day that she had. this is rather sweet. this is classic daily mail. a very good political journalist, classic daily mail. a very good politicaljournalist, his classic daily mail. a very good political journalist, his name classic daily mail. a very

it was very significant that michael gove didn‘t go. why didn‘t he? he wants to be a minister.atic part led by michael gove who says let‘s get out of the eu and then fix it, then they irreconcilable —— irreconcilables, jacob rees—mogg, boris johnson, irreconcilable —— irreconcilables, jacob rees—mogg, borisjohnson, he says we should just about despite a no deal. which would be very damaging. how trapped is she, theresa may? is the fact that the brexit has split into two helpful for her? well she has a plan and she can stick with it, it seems even her cabinet, people who stayed there, michael gove and penny mordant comedy seem to be treating her plan, it is the plan that she cannot speak its name. they are meant to be infusing the nation about this! the dup, you can discount ten votes from them. labourare allover dup, you can discount ten votes from them. labour are all over the dup, you can discount ten votes from them. labourare all overthe place and what they want to do. who will vote for it? there weren‘t many people standing up to speed for the other day. not to start off w

wa nt michael gove said i do not really want the job. i suspect a good few have that ministers probably have their own switched off thinking i do not want a particular poison chalice, she needs a new brexit secretary but what she needs more than anything are friends. she needs key figures in the cabinet to come out publicly and back her, she needs people like jeremy hunt, sajid javad, at the moment there'sjust been an ominous silence and on top of that she needs friends on the backbenches, she needs the sleepers and this news is, what one cabinet minister refers to as the blancmange and the backbenches, those who wobble around attending who is in the ascendancy, she needs supporters to start vocally making the case for her deal, otherwise the running is going to be made by the hardline brexiteers and mrs may is in real trouble. at assistant political editor, norman smith, thank you burning much. —— thank you very much. time for a look at the weather... here's chris fawkes thank you. we start to see this article outbreak working across eu

here is michael gove sanctus the deal deliver 100% of what we wanted?d not have 100% of the vote. that's not have 100% of the vote. that's not how leaving works. it's not that we could be 52% out of 40% in. that's the argument. they are concerned that the deal hands over so concerned that the deal hands over so much leverage when it comes to negotiations and a heavy prospect of being stuck in the backstop and plus there are some he guarantees of regulations when possible roles even for the european court of rights. they are saying this is not a 100% aleve and for them that the disappointment. no film and. aleve and for them that the disappointment. no film andm aleve and for them that the disappointment. no film and. it all comes back to the problems with brexit the whether the original referendum was tabled, held, organised and funded to some extent and also the way the words were written on the ballot paper. there we re two written on the ballot paper. there were two theoretical ideas but to the public and a choice. no clear manifesto was to either as

leading brexiteer and environment secretary michael gove said he will not resign.nd amber rudd joined the cabinet as brexit and work and pensions secretary. we have been discussing where this last week has left the prime minister and the brexit process. the strain of brexit is beginning to tear apart the fabric of westminster. the governing party does not want its leader to be prime minister but does not have any idea about anyone that can do a better job. a significant minority of the governing party do not like the deal and want to tear it down, and the labour party see they are going to fall against it. it is an historic week. jim callaghan for example managed to negotiate a bailout from the imf and spending cuts with no minister resigning, we are now in a porous state of politics. by the end of this process nearly every tory mp could be... like the labour front bench. given that suit berkley has been moved up... people are googling. his face is familiar. i have heard him speak in the house of commons. i went out for a walk yesterday and wished i had not because

michael gove, one of the five cabinet ministers planning to persuade the prime minister to re—neogiatet, has been speak to reporters this morning. has theresa may scored an own goal? i'm has theresa may scored an own goal? i' m totally has theresa may scored an own goal? i'm totally supportive of the prime minister and i think she's doing a fantasticjob. are minister and i think she's doing a fantastic job. are you minister and i think she's doing a fantasticjob. are you planning on meeting colleagues today to discuss rewriting the withdrawal agreement? know i am collecting my child from football training and doing some work on the environment. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent, susana mendonca, and asked her how these ministers think they can change the prime minister's mind. that isn't clear, to be honest, because as we know, brussels has indicated it doesn't want there to be any changes, and theresa may is ploughing ahead. she said in the numerous speeches we've heard from her over the past few days that she thinks that this is the best deal that she can get. but noneth

let's turn to the immediate future of michael gove.endments are not taken into this draft agreement, i know you keep pushing this political decoration, but the problem right now is the draft. is he likely to stay, or will he step down if he does not get the amendments? my expectation is that he has been doing a greatjob as environment secretary. he has carefully considered during the cabinet meeting and afterwards that he wanted to stay and make sure that the best deal for the country came out of this. it is better to be part of the cabinet and government to achieve that in the future. so my expectation is that i am confident that michael gove continues to be environment secretary. let's say there is a leadership challenge. who isa there is a leadership challenge. who is a likely replacement for theresa may? i think we're getting ahead of ourselves, because i believe the prime minister will win the vote of confidence. all these letters do not trigger a leadership contest, they only triggered a vote on whether we support the prime minis

michael gove going now... they all have? it's going to be a mighty big leadership election!cy their chances, and one of their michael gove has to decontaminate himself from last time when he was wanting the job himself. he was then borisjohnson's right—hand man and he stabbed boris in the back, the tory party doesn't like as having its next leader of the assassin of the leader who was toppled. they have to play a tricky game if they want to take over from may but in a peaceful way without having a general election. it's really high—sta kes calculations. to be all sorts of other websites will be looking at pictures of the ministers, looking at who will go first —— tomorrow there will be. the question is, what will brexit look like at the end? are we on the right side of history by resigning our? lots of thought tonight.|j side of history by resigning our? lots of thought tonight. i am not sure we are helping. that takes us to the daily mail. they highlight judgement day. you have illustrated that it judgement day. you have illustrated thatitis judgement day. you have illustra

we're going to show you some pictures, first, michael gove.arfrom him yesterday. we haven't heard from him again this morning. he's been leaving his house, followed by reporters very closely but he hasn't said anything. we do understand he was offered the job of brexit secretary after dominic raab resigned he actually turned that down, because he wanted to go back to brussels, to renegotiate that deal that theresa may is pushing so hard. she made it clear that was not on the cards, and so there is still a vacancy on the cards, and so there is still a vacancy for that position. in terms of michael gove's in future, he is still in the cabinet as environment secretary. he is a big brexiteer voice, who has so far been supportive of theresa may but the question now is what he will decide to do, in terms of standing aside from his post. this morning theresa may is taking live questions on the radio, it's worth saying. coming out with that defiant, i am here and we'll do the speaking. yes, about to star in the next few minutes, taking calls from the

the appointments follow news that leave supporter michael gove will stay in government to support the proposed agreement do you have confidence in the prime minister? i absolutely do, it is vital that we concentrate on getting the right deal in the future and making sure that in the areas that matter so much to the british people we can get a good outcome. we'll bring you all the latest from here in westminster. i'm ben brown — the other main stories on bbc news at 5. the number of people missing after the california wildfires more than doubles to 630. guilty of genocide — the historic court verdict against two former leaders of the khmer rouge sold! a david hockney painting becomes the most expensive work by a living artist ever sold at auction. a safe house in paris. why would i

michael gove is saying he's not happy with this. fuel to fire of those trying for that vote of no—confidence in trying to get the number of letters you need to get put under this arcane system to have a no—confidence vote. the fact he has gone back in good faith would show that he intends to give it a go. so this vote of confidence or no confidence, how likely is it that the european research group will get it? and in terms of timing, have they shot themselves in the foot?“ they shot themselves in the foot?“ they could've moved to early, they clearly don't have those 48 names that they need to call for a vote of no—confidence. in fact as far as the information that i have, they seemed to have been well short of it. however, it could be that when people go way for the weekend and look in detail at this deal, i don't think many people on the brexiteers side look at this deal and think it is better than they thought. they are more likely to look at it and think if they were going to do anything about it, this is the moment. so we may a

earlier today came pro brett sit voice in the prime minister's senior team environment secretary michael gove confirmed that he is staying in his post and prefers to confidence in his leader yesterday was to go for is reportedly offered the newly vacant job of bricks and secretary and turned it down the prime minister refused to confirm this. but have you offered him the role of secretary now i don't talk about things to do with to do with the cabinet cabinet reshuffle i have to point to the new bricks secretary hat but obviously i'll be doing that over the course of the next year if i were a betting man if you were a betting man could i get on the book is and talk about that about michael gove who's he was now i have to say nick i've always made it a sort of rule in my life i don't bet on anything to do with politics right i'd advise you not to i think all right we'll have to work to watch and wait and see. the number of people missing in northern california's wildfire has risen to more than six hundred that least sixty and dead firefighters have managed to contain most of the blaze and thou

it's understood that a group of five brexit supporting cabinet ministers, michael gove, penny mordauntandrea leadsom, chris grayling and liam fox, want a change in the draft text, with the leader of the commons, andrea leadsom, telling reporters there's "the potential to improve the deal" before a crucial eu summit next weekend. mrs may has been speaking to local conservative party members, as she seeks to head off a possible vote of ‘no confidence‘ in her leadership. 0ur political correspondent iain watson has more. fighting for her deal, and fighting for her leadership, this weekend could be crucial to theresa may's political survival. he didn't storm out of the cabinet, government insiders say michael gove‘s decision not to resign was a pivotal moment that kept theresa may in number ten. i'm totally supportive of the prime minister, i think she's doing a fantasticjob. but he could be gearing up for arguments behind closed doors. he and four brexiteer colleagues penny mordaunt, andrea leadsom, chris grayling, and liam fox are expected to press for further changes to the prime ministe

last hour a key pro brags that boysen teresa mayes top ministerial team environment secretary michael gove has confirmed that he is staying in his post and says he has confidence in may yesterday he was reportedly offered a job as new brakes at secretary prime minister theresa may was tight lipped about that in a radio interview earlier but have you offered him the road trip now i don't talk about things they do with to do with the company company reshuffle and i happen to point to the new secretary at but always i'll be doing that over the course of the next year as i will remember if you are a busy man could i get on the book is and talk about how to michael gove who both now and i have to say the cover was made you can sort of root in my life i don't bet on anything to do with politics right i'd advise you not to i thought all right we'll have to we'll wait and see. ok let's bring in our correspondent in london barrett matias standing by there for us there get it was rumored that michael go would step down to in light of all the developments regarding the braggs it deal now he's confirm

she declined to comment on whether she offered michael gove the role of brexit secretary but said she will appoint a replacement for dominic raab over the next coming days. willem joins us from westminster. the question is who is likely to succeed dominic raab as the next brexit secretary >> i can't answer that for you but it will be someone who can deliver on what theresa may said is the only deal in town dominic raab has been nexting on negotiating on behalf of the uk, and david davis has come out in the past criticizing what he sees as this draft proposal. he signed off back last december on the idea of an irish backstop it seems that would be an important requirement for the next brexit secretary, someone who believes this approach is the best there is. theresa may did seem relatively relaxed. she acknowledged it was a difficult few days, that she was tired, but she was in command of the facts. she seemed sympathetic to some concerns raised by listeners there are some interesting points to bring up she talked about concessions made by the european side. she wanted to play up the i

it is all about the gang of five, michael gove's gang of five, and they are the heroes of this.er brexit, ably negotiated brexit. and the telegraph, famously the employer of borisjohnson for so telegraph, famously the employer of boris johnson for so long, telegraph, famously the employer of borisjohnson for so long, they have now emerged as the kind of mr hyde brexit. and so this story in the guardian. yes, the austerity story. in any othertime, guardian. yes, the austerity story. in any other time, this would be all over the papers. the guardian has put it on the front page that the un's reporter, who is an australian human rights lawyer, who has a record on extreme poverty, has visited britain and found that one fifth of the country is effectively living in destitution, and not merely that. he says that the middle classes would find themselves living in an increasingly hostile and unwelcome society because community routes are being broken. 0f unwelcome society because community routes are being broken. of course, this report has been attacked. the daily mail has reportedly b

i do think that michael gove could be on the way to being theresa may's replacement when she decidest that in writing? this is the same man who in august last year said that jacob rees mogg would be man who in august last year said thatjacob rees mogg would be prime minister. i was joking on that front! take us into the independent. the question we are wrestling now is will we have deal or no deal, tory mps warn hardliners they may abandon brexit. this is moderate conservatives and the approach they may take to avoid an ideal. yes, i think this goes back to what nigel was just saying, it is clear at the moment that it is theresa may's deal or no deal. but this idea that actually, the moderate conservatives would actually create tighter relationships, keep us closer to europe, or turn against brexit altogether if the purest we're in the party at the deal that theresa may is proposing this week. i think thatis may is proposing this week. i think that is quite interesting because it actually takes us into a whole different territory. if the tory party intends on its own self—destruction

someone like michael gove, someone who has a little bit of common sense and understands what the peoplet the barbers. you have people who have very strong opinions. this man talks politics while he trends and he says he wants mrs may to stay where she is. who would you have to take over from her, who would want to with all the hassle that is going on? who's going to do it? do you have sympathy for her? yeah. i do not think anyone else would want to do it. all political colours are on show at the haberdashery but the assistance here are united and they agree that theresa may has to carry on. most politicians want to become prime minister, so she got thrown in at the deep end, but roll with it. get on with it. bolton backed brexit but many here are getting weary of westminster and are losing patience with the politics of who should lead it. judith moritz, bbc news, bolton. the time is 6.16. our top story this evening. in the wake of resignations, a new brexit secretary is appointed, stephen barclay, and there's a return to front line politics for amber rudd. and the united nations has acc

mr michael gove is now considering whether to resign from the cabinet altogether. to do myjob of getting the best deal for britain. i'm going to do myjob of getting the best dealfor britain. i'm going to do myjob of getting a deal that is in the national interest. when the vote comes before the house of commons, mps will be doing their job. statement. the prime minister. the prime minister spent three hours answering questions in the house of commons, fielding bitter complaints from all sides. and it's not only the british parliament she will need to convince. it is the european parliament too. the mood music in europe isn't altogether encouraging. though the german chancellor for one seemed as keen as mrs may not to renegotiate the deal. translation: we now have a document on the table that britain and the eu 27 have agreed to. so for me there is no question at the moment whether we negotiate further. over the coming days, diplomats will be working flat out, combing through all 585 pages of the withdrawal agreement ahead of an extraordinary summit of eu leaders la

the environment secretary michael gove called for the cabinet to be given the full legal advice on theined by we are joined by our political correspondentjonathan we are joined by our political correspondent jonathan blake. things are relatively quiet at westminster this week, with parliament and recessed and a lot of mps are away but the business of brexit goes on. as you say, cabinet ministers were invited into downing street earlier today to read the draft withdrawal agreement, that is the 95% of that thatis agreement, that is the 95% of that that is complete. the remaining 5% and the trickiest of all of the remaining sum block still in negotiations between the uk and the european union how to avoid hard border in northern ireland if a trade deal in the future economic relationship as it is referred to can cannot be implemented in time by december 2020. the eu and uk both agree that something needs to be put in place there, referred to as the backstop but they cannot quite agree on backstop but they cannot quite agree o n exa ctly backstop but they cannot quite agree on exactly how

plausible alternative to this so there have been senior exit tears have been at the top table michael gove is a member of the government was the co-chair of the official who leave campaign so it's not like a brick to tears had nothing to do with it and we're away a lot of them ran away a lot of them chose not to be part of this and i think that there is a lot of responsibility on them for failing to deliver on the promises that they made in terms of lying i think that there was mistruths on both sides and i think that there is a wider issue around campaign finance rules that were violated and the need for some further criminal investigation there but i think that that main point about well you know the deal isn't so good and will go blame a civil servant doesn't it falls flat on its face. james what about where are the people that feel very strongly about bracks it why it why did some of them back away from the table from these leadership roles i think there are various reasons i mean one reason was that they wanted when i think events became very clear that boris johnson wasn't going to g

michael gove, environment secretary. michael gove, environment secretary.reet at five o'clock, we will of course bring that to you live here on bbc news. we know that the leader of the european research group leader, jacob rees—mogg, has handed in his letter calling for the prime minister to resign. the number of letters demanding a contest may have reached 48, that is the number required to trigger a vote. you can see the scene live in downing street, we will be there for all the latest, stay with us here on bbc news. preparations in downing street for the news conference, a lot of speculation of course as to what her message will be, will she continue to try to fight to defend her deal, will we get news on a possible leadership contest, stay with us on all of that. before that, let's catch up with the weather forecast. staying quiet through the rest of the day, many areas keeping dry weather and sunshine, plenty of sunshine earlier in the day. very mild aircoming in sunshine earlier in the day. very mild air coming in from north africa, across spain and t

a call for brexit transparency: environment secretary michael gove says the cabinet should be given the legal advice on theresa may's backstop plan. hello, everyone. this is afternoon live — i'm simon mccoy. in the first big test of donald trump's presidency, his republican party have had a mixed night in america's mid term elections. this is the scene live in washington, where the republicans have lost control of the lower chamber of congress — the house of representatives. that means the democrats can now try to frustrate mr trump's agenda. but the republicans have strengthened their hold on the senate. all 435 seats in the house of representatives were contested. some results are still being counted but democrats have gained 27 seats, meaning they take control, while the republicans have lost the same number. it's a different story in the senate, the upper chamber where just over a third of seats were up for grabs. let's go to steven sackur in washington dc. hello, and a very warm welcome to the us capitol in washington, dc. i have got special coverage of the us mid—term elections. a

yet again, michael gove's role in this has proved crucial.ys onside, maybe theresa may will be 0k, onside, maybe theresa may will be ok, but that does not mean this will get through the house of commons. with saying, dup leader arlene foster has been in to see the prime minister tonight, but also sir graham brady, that man conservative mps hand letters into if they are unhappy and want to trigger a leadership contest. he has been in to see the prime minister, but we understand that at this point, there are still not the number of letters needed to trigger a contest, but clearly, there has been talk of that going on. it is very fluid, and it is fairto going on. it is very fluid, and it is fair to say there is a the brow atmosphere at the moment. thank you very much. very interesting, the michael gove situation. lots of these ministers making political decisions. does michael gove think if he stays in the cabinet, whatever happens in the next house of commons, he will be there, perhaps to pick up the pieces or negotiate a future trade deal? may

one quick final one, michael gove has been billed as perhaps the next brexit secretary, that she askedabout that?|j that she asked him did do the job, do you know about that? i know nothing about that but i know that michael is an incredibly talented colleague and does the fantastic work supporting our environment and agriculture sector and i fully am behind him and i know whateverjob he is asked to do he will do to the best of his biddies. —— the best of his ability. he is going to stay and see this through because he liked the prime minister is devoted to duty and patriotic. dinky very much. michael gove is one of the senior brexiteer is and is coming under criticism that he has not walked today but he is sticking with it. all eyes will be on whether he takes thatjob, too all eyes will be on whether he takes that job, too previous all eyes will be on whether he takes thatjob, too previous secretaries this year. they have resigned because they do not have enough power to negotiate so will michael gove power to negotiate so will michael g ove wa nt power to negotiate so will michael go

not at all, said michael gove.art of the eu nations that uk negotiators have a safeguarded access to our waters, secured our status as an independent coastal state and the initial negotiating mandate of the european union has not been satisfied in these negotiations with respect to fisheries but the red lines laid down by our prime minister have been defended. that provoked challenges from brexiteers. the prime minister also assure the house in very strong terms that she would ever contemplate a border down the irish sea, but yet in the agreement, exactly that is in visits to. i regret to say that given that, i find it difficult to take seriously the commitment the prime minister now gives to this house. if i have trouble believing her, why should i believe him? can he give an absolutely categorical answer that under no circumstances would any further concessions be granted? the conferences of what happened in 1977 had a profound impact of my family and my father's business. there is no way i could ever forget what

we do have michael gove. let's see. good morning. i'm just we do have michael gove. let's see.d morning. i'mjust going we do have michael gove. let's see. good morning. i'm just going to work at the department of environment. prime minister has my full support. i hope that people get behind her, she is endeavouring to get the best deal for britain. will you get the latest changes that you want? the prime minister is doing a greatjob and it's important that people give her all the support that she needs. she should make these changes? would you resign if she doesn't make the changes that you want? the prime minister has my full support. the truth is, time is running out for these guys. if they are thinking of resigning, really, we have the crucial cabinet meeting last wednesday. you know, if they want to make a move and resign, they've got to get a shift on. they don't sound to get a shift on. they don't sound to me like people who are going to walk out the door. i think that moment has passed. anne-marie morris isa moment has passed. anne-marie morris is a conservative mp who h

one of the architects of the leave campaign, michael gove, has reportedly been offered the job but would want to change the plan. the prime minister faced relentless criticism in the house of commons today as she warned of the consequences of rejecting the d raft of the consequences of rejecting the draft withdrawal agreement. of the consequences of rejecting the draft withdrawal agreementm of the consequences of rejecting the draft withdrawal agreement. it would mean more uncertainty, malt division, and a failure to deliver on the certainty of the british people that we should leave the eu. if we get behind radio, we can get the country back together and seize the country back together and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. and more conservative mps, including the leading brexit supporterjacob rees—mogg, have now submitted letters of no confidence in theresa may's leadership. i think a coup is when you use a legitimate procedures to overturn somebody in office, this is working through the procedures of the conservative party, it is therefore entirely constitutional and there i say

now.edwards joins us right the times with the report on michael gove. supporting the prime minister? anna: it certainly, the reports suggest that he is. that would be quite a stabilizing force, i would suggest in his developments at westminster, which have been fast-paced, to say the least over the last 48 hours. she lost a couple of cabinet ministers, but did not lose michael gove. it does seem that she is going to face some kind of leadership challenge. it is important to point out that if she does, she will contest it. she wants to stay on. she could still win. this is a necessarily game over at all. tom: i was fascinated by the sky news poll, which for people outside the realm shows the complexities of the politics. wrongid we get most in our study of what is going on in the united kingdom? anna: i suppose it is understanding the divisions within the country. it is a very complex government at the moment. the government doesn't have a majority and so it relies on support of the dup. ofheard a lot from members parliament yesterday that were unhappy w

if michael gove went on tuesday theresa may would have been in trouble and it would have opened the gatewayhat was a close run thing, he was wavering. mr gove, having done in two prime ministers, he thought the third might be problematic for his reputation, so he decided to stay, promote and try to clean off the edges of mrs may's brexit deal. this polling is fascinating because my sense has always been that yes, brexiteers have concerns legitimate with mrs may's steel, yes it's not a perfect deal but it's the best deal on offer. the only one on offer at the moment! when you put this out to punters in the country and you get beyond the ideological purity of a hard, clean brexit, people want to get on with it and they want mrs may to do it. this polling backs that up. this doesn't make herjob easy, she's got a difficult week ahead and she's got a difficult week ahead and she has to get this through parliament, and even if she doesn't have the 48 letters, 25 mps won't vote for the deal and at this rate, she won't get it through. never underestimate the way the british have sympathy for people

it is notjust any minister, is michael gove, one—time leadership candidates, very important figure duringabinet leads brexiteer credibility to theresa may's deal. he says it is not 100% what we want, but the referendum did not deliver a 100% vote to leave either. i have issue with that, that is how democracy works. some people take issue with referendums. northern ireland might ta ke referendums. northern ireland might take issue with some of those points. if we are discussing the competence of politicians, they have to hand it over to the people in the cause of a referendum. nonetheless, the point is there are brexiteer is, who have chosen to stay with the cabinet and back the deal to see it through. 0ne cabinet and back the deal to see it through. one reason for that might very simply be that as the prime minister keeps insisting, there is no alternative. there is no plan b currently being considered. the prime minister's argument is it is this or chaos. not only can we not really conceive, not guess whether 01’ really conceive, not guess whether or not it will pass, but the numbers don

michael gove, widely expected to resign because of mrs may's brexit plans, is staying on as environmentecretary. do you have confidence in the prime minister, mr gove? i absolutely do. i think it's absolutely vital that we focus on getting the right deal in the future and making sure that in the areas that matter so much to the british people we can get a good outcome. the prime minister is still facing a possible vote of no confidence, but the cabinet's newest member warns colleagues against. this is not a time for changing our leader. this is a time for pulling together. making sure we remember who we are here to serve and to help and that is the whole of the country. we'll have the latest on a possible leadership challenge, and on today's cabinet appointments. also tonight... levels of poverty in some british towns and cities are a disgrace, according to a united nations survey. in the us, rescue workers are intensifying their search after california's deadliest wildfire. the number of people missing is now over 600. that's enough. and, the white house reporter who clashed with presi

michael gove. you're watching wednesday in parliament with me, david cornock.gain, you can find it on the bbc iplayer. now, how do you get an affordable loa n now, how do you get an affordable loan for a fridge, a cooker or a la ptop loan for a fridge, a cooker or a laptop computer if you don't own your own home? it can be difficult, but an independent peer is trying to change the law to ensure a lender ta kes change the law to ensure a lender takes into change the law to ensure a lender ta kes into accou nt change the law to ensure a lender takes into account rent and council tax history when assessing a borrower's creditworthiness. at question time, lord birt said the problem was getting credit agencies to use the available information. problem was getting credit agencies to use the available informationm the government doing anything in particular to make sure all this information... the divide between those people who have a mortgage, who can get a high credit rating, and those people who get a low credit rating simply because they're paying rent? first of

government insiders say michael gove's decision not to resign was a pivotal moment that kept theresan number ten. i'm totally supportive of the prime minister. i think she's doing a fantasticjob. but he could be gearing up for some arguments behind closed doors. he and four brexiteer cabinet colleagues — penny mordaunt, andrea leadsom, chris grayling and liam fox — are expected to press for further changes to the prime minister's deal. the uk cannot be trapped in a permanent customs arrangement and i think it is really important we get clarity and improvement on that particular aspect of it. 0ther ministers were dismissive. just because some cabinet ministers make demands of the prime minister, that the details are going to change is, i think, a fantasy. the reality of life is that we have a choice, to back this, which i think everybody should, because if we don't, we will probably go over the cliff edge of having no deal at all. theresa may's fate is in the hands of her mps when they return to westminster next week. she has appealed to local party chairmen to prop her up by putting

the question of what is happening with michael gove, who right now is environment secretary in one ofu in the first place is rather unclear. i was told he was offered the job of brexit secretary that he turned that down because he said to the prime minister he would do it but only if he could go back to the deal and he is now understood to the deal and he is now understood to be questioning whether or not he should quit altogether. i am told michael gove and other ministers are discussing whether or not they should collectively try to push the prime minister to change or tweak some of her deal. what kind of message will deliver to the backbenches? we heard lots of critical voices today. absolutely. any sign from senior brexiteers that are continuing to shake the ship will be encouragement for those mps who have begun to put letters in, calling for theresa may to move on. they have not reached their magic number of a8, that is what would trigger a vote of no—confidence in have. they believe they will be able to hit that target by later this weekend perhaps monday. for ben, and for ever

now michael gove we hear there's apparently said he would quite fun see the job only if he was allowed to go back to brussels and renegotiate and at that summit on the twenty fifth was council now that would not go down very well at all with people here on the continent if you think people are sick of brakes that in britain the system. only sick of brigs it here in europe. the idea that this would be trundling on for longer well that would start seeing more and more people talking about that no deal breaks it not is a it's a crucial thing because people talk about it a lot more of people in higher and higher places we heard the the chief spokesperson for the european commission on thursday saying he wasn't going to talk about tittle tattle and who had said what about where but what he did say is that the commission had plans for a no deal breaks it and that they were keeping them under their hat for now we heard from the french prime minister who said that we really should talk more about a no deal brigs it and we should be talking about the potential effects for that make no b

and to make his point, michael gove quoted emmanuel macron.eechless with rage on sunday when he discovered that this withdrawal agreement and the future political declaration would mean that france would not have access to our waters, save on our terms. his anger should be a cause for celebration across this house. it is vital that the uk is in complete control of our fisheries after the end of the implementation period, and our fish stocks are not used as a currency to buy any trade deal. will my right honourable friend look at including a cut—off date in the fisheries bill of the end of december 2020, and urge the prime minister not to use our fish as a currency? the fishing industry has no stronger friend than the honourable lady in this house, and i think that she is absolutely right to remind us that fishing will not be bartered away in the event of any final deal, and i will make sure that we work with her to ensure that consideration is properly given in committee to all possible safeguards for our fishing industry. but others were stil