paula vennells was chief executive - testimony from paula vennells. art of the scandal when former sub—postmasters alleged there was a cover—up, something the post office has denied. the inquiry counsel has been as forensic as always and is focusing on that alleged cover—up, particularly on 2013 when the forensic investigator second sight was preparing their interim report. what we saw today was an e—mail from mark davis. he was the chief of the post office pr and he led this aggressive media campaign. in the e—mail he advised paula vennells that, if in response they were to review past prosecutions, it would, in his words, make front page news. he also added that in media terms it becomes mainstream, very high profile, to which paula vennells responded, you are right to call this out. i will take your spear. here are some of that exchange. our current approach would mean there is going to be some coverage but not very much — the usual suspects. if we say we will look back at past cases we will be on the front page. isn't he directly saying...? i can s

so, that was paula | vennells, we'rejust a break hearing. dea that the former head of the royal mail group and that text message exchange said that, i think you knew, it is a simple but a damning forward statement, which is revealed in that text message to paula vennells from her former colleague. this is something that some postmasters have long claimed. you are watching bbc news, as we watch the post office it inquiry. so, while we pause in that inquiry, and it is because of a leak in the room, we will be coming to it shortly, let's crossover live. i think that concept, the text message from the royal mail group, will be something making the headlines. i'm assuming there is a lot of reaction at the inquiry itself. i there is a lot of reaction at the inquiry itself-— there is a lot of reaction at the inquiry itself. ithink you knew. i mean, inquiry itself. ithink you knew. i mean. saying — inquiry itself. ithink you knew. i mean, saying those _ inquiry itself. ithink you knew. i mean, saying those words - inquiry itself. ithink you knew. i m

secondly, page 130,. -- paula anne vennells- do — secondly, page 130,. -- paula anne vennells. 130,. -- paula anne vennells. do you see in the - secondly, page 130,. -- paula anne vennells. do you see in the third i vennells. do you see in the third line where _ vennells. do you see in the third line where it _ vennells. do you see in the third line where it says _ vennells. do you see in the third line where it says questions i vennells. do you see in the third line where it says questions 53 l vennells. do you see in the third l line where it says questions 53 and 54 omitted — line where it says questions 53 and 54 omitted as general questions? should _ 54 omitted as general questions? should that read questions 53 and 54 are dealt— should that read questions 53 and 54 are dealt with elsewhere in the statement? it are dealt with elsewhere in the statement?— are dealt with elsewhere in the statement?_ thank . are dealt with elsewhere in the i statement?_ thank you. statement? it should. thank you. thirdl , statement? it should. thank you. thirdly. page _ statement? it should.

and to see paula vennells crying. _ story. and to see paula vennells crying. it — story. as we were standing in court crying _ bad memories, as we were standing in court crying as well. to see her tears. — court crying as well. to see her tears. it — court crying as well. to see her tears, it didn't really mean much. and all_ tears, it didn't really mean much. and all she — tears, it didn't really mean much. and all she keeps saying is i don't recall. _ and all she keeps saying is i don't recall. i_ and all she keeps saying is i don't recall, i don't remember, i don't know _ recall, idon't remember, i don't know 0t— recall, i don't remember, i don't know. of course she knows, she knows everything _ know. of course she knows, she knows everything i_ know. of course she knows, she knows eve hina. . ., , know. of course she knows, she knows eve hina. . . , , know. of course she knows, she knows eve hinu. . ., , , everything. i am really sorry, i can see how difficult _ everything. i am really sorry, i can see how difficult it _ everything. i am really sorry, i can see how di

were you - incompetent, paula vennells? today — incompetent, paula vennells? - incompetent, paula vennells? today on her last day of - today on her last day of evidence, she will face questions from lawyers representing sub—postmasters who were wrongly prosecuted or jailed. andy verity, bbc news. at the horizon enquiry. weather forecasters in the us say they expect more and stronger storms than normal during this hurricane season which begins next month. experts at the government's noaa weather service predict above—normal hurricane activity in the atlantic basin with up to 25 named storms, about half of them hurricanes. rick spinrad, from the noaa, said it would be an extraordinary year of hurricanes. 17-25 17—25 named storms with sustained winds of at least 39 mph stock of these, 8—13 are forecast to become hurricanes with maximum sustained winds of at least 7a mph. and 4— seven are forecast to become major hurricanes, that is category 3-5, with hurricanes, that is category 3—5, with maximum sustained winds of at least hundred and 11 mph. of note, the foreca

saying nothing and surrounded by police officers, paula vennells arrived at the inquiry for the seconde days of testimony. for the former sub—postmasters who've been watching, her performance so far hasn't been impressive.

what do you want to hear from paula vennells in the next three i paula vennells in the next three daysdividual questions, things like when i days? there are lots of individual questions, things like when did l days? there are lots of individual. questions, things like when did she first know that there was remote access to the sub—postmaster is accounts. so the sub—postmistress did not know what was going on in their own computer systems. so they could hardly be blamed for false their own computer systems. so they could hardly be blamed forfalse in those accounts. when did she receive the legal opinion or advice which said fujitsu evidence was completely unreliable? find said fujitsu evidence was completely unreliable? �* ., said fujitsu evidence was completely unreliable? . ., , , said fujitsu evidence was completely unreliable? ., , , ., unreliable? and of course they ran the it unreliable? and of course they ran the w system- _ unreliable? and of course they ran the it system. they _ unreliable? and of course they ran the it system. they did. _ unreliable? and of course they ran the

and sitting in that room with paula vennells, they want answers, they want full

it is day three for paula vennells at the i three for paula vennells at the public inquiry.e sub postmasters�* lawyers to ask questions. postmasters' lawyers to ask question— postmasters' lawyers to ask questions. postmasters' lawyers to ask cuestions. ., , ., questions. you still continue to live in a cloud _ questions. you still continue to live in a cloud of _ questions. you still continue to live in a cloud of denial. - questions. you still continue to live in a cloud of denial. i - questions. you still continue to | live in a cloud of denial. i didn't know. _ live in a cloud of denial. i didn't know. nobody— live in a cloud of denial. i didn't know, nobody told _ live in a cloud of denial. i didn't know, nobody told me, - live in a cloud of denial. i didn't know, nobody told me, i- live in a cloud of denial. i didn't know, nobody told me, i can't i know, nobody told me, i can't remember, _ know, nobody told me, i can't remember, i_ know, nobody told me, i can't remember, i wasn't _ know, nobody told me, i can't remember, i wasn't shown- know, nobody told me, i can't i r

you've been very busy on our message board about paula vennells . you are not impressed vennells.t all. the post office inquiry says james. it seems like the fujitsu company at the heart of all this seems to be getting off very lightly. is it because our mps are ministers? all have lucrative shares in them? as usual, just asking my kind of question, james. you can ask those all you like , let's have those all you like, let's have a look. gemma talking about craig mckinley. what an inspiration to us all. she says . jack, who is us all. she says. jack, who is also a gb news member. thank you jack. dear paula , words are jack. dear paula, words are cheap. so what does that say about you ? a lot of you getting about you? a lot of you getting in touch to say that we can't believe we're hearing the same old. it wasn't me, guv. i didn't know what was happening. >> she said that my staff did no information , but they didn't information, but they didn't share it. she was the boss. the buck stops at the top and i think there will be smoking gun emails will come to light during these next th

inside the room, when paula vennells has said things like, i was accused of being too trusting, in factlater saying she was perhaps to trusting of her employees, there were laughs in the room. this often happens when these sub—postmaster, who have been going through this for decades, here the same responses repeatedly and then hear comments which they perhaps were not expecting, but this was a traumatic experience for many of them, so some of them who i have spoken to recently, they said that it's particularly painful because it's particularly painful because it's making them relive exactly everything that they've been through. we are talking about bankruptcy, homelessness, mental health problems, and so for them they are saying that the apologies they are saying that the apologies they are saying that the apologies they are hearing, the moments where we saw paula vennells break down in tears, they don't wash with them. one sub—postmaster told me he found this apologies and these moments rang hollow for him. and so it's mixed emotions. overall, they were not expected to be satisfied by

paula vennells, did you put profits before people? paula vennells, did you put profits before maple?ls, did you put profits before people?— before people? arriving at the inuui before people? arriving at the inquiry for _ before people? arriving at the inquiry for the _ before people? arriving at the inquiry for the third _ before people? arriving at the inquiry for the third day - before people? arriving at the inquiry for the third day of- before people? arriving at the inquiry for the third day of her| inquiry for the third day of her testament, paula vennells looked grim faced. but there was good news for the sub—postmaster is protesting outside. a new law means hundreds of people who were wrongly prosecuted had their convictions overturned today. i had their convictions overturned toda . ., had their convictions overturned toda . . ., ., had their convictions overturned toda. . ., ., ~ , today. i am so grateful to the mps and all the — today. i am so grateful to the mps and all the people _ today. i am so grateful to the mps and all the people who _ today. i am so grateful to th

the former boss of the post office, paula vennells, has told the post office inquiry that she is sorry the miscarriage ofjustice of sub—postmasters and she broke down in tears under questioning. the horizon it software wrongly said money was missing from branch accounts and more than 900 sub—postmasters were convicted. ms vennells was chief executive from 2012 to 2019 and today started giving evidence to the inquiry. among the questions to answer: what did she know about the ability of others to remotely access the accounts? for years the post office denied this was possible. the inquiry�*s seen a transcript of a call with a senior lawyer in 2013 which suggests that paula vennells had been briefed about a "covert operations team". also, did she mislead mps in 2015 when she appeared in front of a committee on the issue. and should she have done more to get to the bottom of it? our business correspondent theo leggett has been listening to her evidence so far. his report contains flash photography from the start. any word before you go in ms vennells. at the heart of a bitter scandal. and

this is the e-mail from paula vennells to yourself and - paula vennells to yourself and others, in answer happen as a matter of course, and her answer is, from her husband, exception or anomaly. you can also say conditional except anomaly which only manifests itself under unforeseen circumstances. does that help? and your response was, i like exception very much. was renaming bugs part of a culture that was open to challenge at the post office? the background to this e—mail was that we were _ background to this e—mail was that we were concerned in fact that bugs sounded _ we were concerned in fact that bugs sounded like too much of a slang word _ sounded like too much of a slang word and — sounded like too much of a slang word and we wanted to be serious about— word and we wanted to be serious about how — word and we wanted to be serious about how we approach these issues. the reality— about how we approach these issues. the reality of paula vennells talking — the reality of paula vennells talking to our husband who i believe works _ talking to our husband who i believe works in_ talking

paula vennells there. and earlier she broke down in tears at the inquiry as she apologised for telling mps the business was successful. in every court case against subpostmasters . she also against subpostmasters. she also said sorry to those affected, but denied there was a conspiracy to cover up any wrongdoing . wrongdoing. >> i fully accept now that the post office excuse me . the post office excuse me. the post office knew that i completely accepted personally. i didn't know that, and i'm incredibly sorry that that happened to those people to and so many others . others. >> as we heard at the top of the programme, conservative mp craig mackinlay has made his first appearance in parliament today , appearance in parliament today, eight months after contracting sepsis. this was the moment he received a standing ovation in the . house of commons. oh well. the. house of commons. oh well. he had extreme surgery to remove both his hands and feet, and was given a 5% chance of survival after being put in a coma

just remind our viewers why paula vennells's testimony is so crucial to this ongoing inquiry. o crucial to this ongoing inquiry.— to this ongoing inquiry. this is a moment the _ to this ongoing inquiry. this is a moment the victims _ to this ongoing inquiry. this is a moment the victims had - to this ongoing inquiry. this is a moment the victims had been i to this ongoing inquiry. this is a - moment the victims had been waiting forfour moment the victims had been waiting for four years. moment the victims had been waiting forfour years. as you moment the victims had been waiting for four years. as you said, moment the victims had been waiting forfour years. as you said, it is a first time she is going to speak publicly about the scandal in nearly a decade. not only is she going to talk about it, she is going to be grilled on it over the course of three days to understand what she knew, but crucially when, because victims are alleging a cover—up that prolonged a scandal for years. that is something the post office has consistently denied. paula vennells was chief executive from

were you incompetent, paula vennells?e, ms vennells will face questions from the lawyers representing subpostmasters who were wrongly prosecuted or jailed. andy verity, bbc news, at the horizon inquiry. this is an important day for those people who were wrongly convicted? it really is. we always knew it was going to be an important few days at the inquiry but what nobody really knew was that by today, the names of the wrongfully convicted sub—postmasters would be cleared. it is only because the election was called which leaves limited parliamentary time, the parties agree on which laws get priority and this post office bill was deemed to be one of the most important so it passed parliament yesterday and will get royal assent today. it means the majority of wrongly convicted sub—postmasters will today officially have their convictions cleared, their names will be cleared. i should stress it only applies to england and wales. it does not apply to scotland because it has its own legal system and a separate law will be needed

as you can see, paula vennells, she doesn't appear like a normal corporate baddie.they have very little sympathy for her. —— for many of the sub—postmasters. it sympathy for her. -- for many of the sub-postmasters.— sub-postmasters. it wasn't until that itv drama _ sub-postmasters. it wasn't until that itv drama that _ sub-postmasters. it wasn't until that itv drama that this - sub-postmasters. it wasn't until that itv drama that this really i sub-postmasters. it wasn't until i that itv drama that this really came to prominence and today, another real kind of landmark moment where those convictions were quashed in parliament. do you think we would have got to this stage if that drama had happened? i have got to this stage if that drama had happened?— had happened? i don't think we would. had happened? i don't think we would- the _ had happened? i don't think we would. the wheels _ had happened? i don't think we would. the wheels of _ had happened? i don't think we would. the wheels ofjustice i had happened? i don't think we i would. the wheels ofjustice were turning

and paula vennells responded, i will take your stay.ecision making. i believe the inquiry is still going on and we have come to her queue a lot more about this alleged cover—up so it's worth taking a listen. it would be sensible to tell alice first and — it would be sensible to tell alice first and she wondered if susan was overreacting and she could be right. she will— overreacting and she could be right. she will undoubtedly make the legal case against it and emotionally she might— case against it and emotionally she might throw in the towel if we press ahead _ might throw in the towel if we press ahead it _ might throw in the towel if we press ahead. it might also be a way of saying _ ahead. it might also be a way of saying she — ahead. it might also be a way of saying she can't cope with more pressure — saying she can't cope with more pressure. if she leaves in the short term _ pressure. if she leaves in the short term it _ pressure. if she leaves in the short term it witt— pressure. if she leaves in the short term it will be a majo

ben boulos is in central london for us this morning ahead of paula vennells giving evidence. expect this morning, ben? it's a hugely significant day because it's the first time paula venabies — because it's the first time paula venables will have spoken publicly about _ venables will have spoken publicly about what has happened in almost a decade _ about what has happened in almost a decade -- _ about what has happened in almost a decade —— vennells. as we heard from the report— decade —— vennells. as we heard from the report from emma, mrs vennells was in _ the report from emma, mrs vennells was in charge of the post chief executive, and during that time wrongful— executive, and during that time wrongful prosecution is continued against _ wrongful prosecution is continued against innocent sub—postmaster is. during _ against innocent sub—postmaster is. during that — against innocent sub—postmaster is. during that time evidence was growing — during that time evidence was growing was starting to emerge that the horizon it system provided by foiitsu _ the horizon it system provid

this will be the first time paula vennells has spoken publicly about horizon in almost a decade.—up, prolonging this scandal. she has many questions to answer. one key one — what did she know about remote access and when? this is all about the ability to secretly alter sub—postmasters' branch accounts. for years, the post office denied this was possible. but it wasn't true. fujitsu, the company which operated the horizon system, could do this remotely. had this back door access been known about, it would have undermined all the prosecutions the post office brought. the inquiry�*s seen a transcript of a call with a senior lawyer in 2013 which suggests that paula vennells had been briefed about a "covert operations team". then did she mislead mps in 2015? she'll likely be quizzed about these comments to a select committee: if there had been any miscarriages ofjustice, it would have been really important to me and the post office that we actually surfaced those, and as the investigations have gone through, so farwe've had no evidence of that. but how does that square with the post o

after years of keeping a low profile, - paula vennells? i keeping a low profile, paula vennells was thrust into the spotlight this week, and making her way through a scrum of cameras may have been the easy part. she started with an apology. i have been the easy part. she started with an apology-— with an apology. i would “ust like to sa - with an apology. i would “ust like to say - and i with an apology. i would “ust like to say - and m h with an apology. i would “ust like to say - and i'm grateful_ with an apology. i would just like to say - and i'm grateful for- with an apology. i would just like to say - and i'm grateful for thel to say — and i'm grateful for the opportunity to do this in person — how sorry i am for all the sub— postmasters and their families, and others who suffered as a result of all of the matter is that the enquiry has been looking into for so long. enquiry has been looking into for so lonu. ., , ., , , enquiry has been looking into for so lonu. ., ,, long. there were tears as she was asked about _ long. there were t

- paula vennells has come to face the music, but she first had to get past the cameras... people who suffered so greatly? ..to finally explain her role in the scandal. it has been a long time coming for the subpostmasters whose lives have been wrecked. why, why has she let this go on? did she put profits before people, is the big question. it is important that the truth is there, that she is allowed| to speak, that she can put over what she, you know, _ was seeing at the time. i swear by almighty god... sworn in, the part—time priest was then given a warning about self—incrimination. do you understand all that? thank you, sirwyn, and i plan to answer all the questions. but there were also tears and apology for what she said. the post office knew that, i completely accept it. personally, i did not know that and i'm incredibly sorry that that happened to those people and to so many others. but what did she know and when? was there a conspiracy at the post office, which lasted for nearly 12 years, involving a wide range of people, differing over time, to deny you information

now paula vennells was chief executive between 2012 and 2019. stop now he focused on the year 2013 which was a crucial year for the post office with the bits when the forensic investigators independent forensic investigators independent forensic investigators second site were to publish their interim report into problems with the horizon system and what they could mean in terms of miscarriages ofjustice. she denied that she tried to narrow the scope because of concerns around those issues. she said instead that the executive team generally felt it was all too costly, too expensive and was not getting to a final result quick enough. now then she also asked about a report presented to her by susan creighton, the post office's top lawyer at the time. that report water there could be successful claims of wrongful prosecutions. now susan creighton had prepared that report for a board meeting in 2013. she was meant to deliver and submit it herself. that did not happen. this is what happened instead, take a listen. you were asked to conduct a postmorte

after years of keeping a low profile, paula vennells was thrust into the spotlight this week and making through a scrum of cameras may have been the easy part. she started with an apology. i would just like to say, and i'm gratefulfor the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry i am for all the sub—postmasters and theirfamilies and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long. there were tears as she was asked about the death of a sub—postmaster who took his own life after being financially ruined by the post office. and i imagine that... i'm sorry. i imagine that i was probably... just pause. yes. 0k. try and compose yourself if you can, and then continue your evidence, please. she defended her role. she may have been the boss, she said, but she wasn't responsible for everything and she wasn't told everything either. you are not responsible for everything that happens underneath you. you have to rely on the advice of internal and external experts. you still continue to live in a cloud of denial. by day three of hearing he

at one point today paula vennells said the words my recollection is i don't recall. for several of them were here today, they have said the are reliving everything and one thing that really stands out is that no matter how many times you talk to them about the stories, whether it's to do with bankruptcy or criminal records in prison sentences, they still tear up as they start talking about this. and sitting in that room with paula vennells, they want answers, they want full accountability but it isn't going to give them the years back. . ~ , ., ., ., ~ , back. thank you for taking us throu~h back. thank you for taking us through today's _ back. thank you for taking us through today's evidence. - back. thank you for taking us | through today's evidence. let back. thank you for taking us - through today's evidence. let me tell you we will be back on the campaign trail in a moment and we will be talking live to conservatives on this programme but before that let's just take a few minutes catching up with some of the other news that is making headlines today in the uk. a

today is the final day for paula vennells to give advice, herthird final day for paula vennells to givee hundreds of former sub masters and mistresses who were falsely accused of wrongful accounting because of the faulty horizon it software. that is now under way. horizon it software. that is now underway. let's horizon it software. that is now under way. let's listen into some of the evidence being given at the post office inquiry. the evidence being given at the post office inquiry-— office inquiry. what is to be said about miss _ office inquiry. what is to be said about miss mcleod. _ office inquiry. what is to be said about miss mcleod. can - office inquiry. what is to be said about miss mcleod. can i i office inquiry. what is to be said about miss mcleod. can i make| office inquiry. what is to be said | about miss mcleod. can i make it clear that they will be, if there is not already, a reasonably lengthy statement on the inquiry website. i don't propose to in effect read it out today, that would take up unnecessary time, but my reasoning is fully set out in the written statement a

and it's quite clear that what what was happening was paula vennells had got her own agenda. wanted to be in the limelight, take all the credit , and it take all the credit, and it didn't matter how she achieved that , didn't matter how she achieved that, michael. >> she said that she and i quote, she said she loved the post office and she did the best job. and she wanted the post office to thrive for the whole office to thrive for the whole of the united kingdom, the sam stein case for the prosecution then said, actually, that was absolute rubbish. would you concur? would you agree with that assessment? >> i would agree with his assessment, sam's pretty acute to picking up on these things because in general, i can assure you that, out of the 11,500 post offices within the network, the network of subpostmasters, they all love the post office. it's an institution that they love and they worship, and they're proud to be associated with it. but when you've got a ceo or ceo who is determined to brandish all of these people as criminals, thieves is just absolutely outrageous and u

boss paula vennells. well, she kept crying, didn't she? yes, sir.r the first time at the public inquiry into to the the post office. she's back giving evidence. >> so joining us now is conservative mp for north norfolk and former subpostmaster, a friend of the show duncan baker. duncan. lovely to see you again . look lovely to see you again. look none of us like to take sort of gloat in somebody's an individual's misery , but she individual's misery, but she didn't look very happy yesterday. and this is a tough ask for her. there's going to be some tough questions, but she has to answer them . has to answer them. >> yeah, i think very much that yesterday was probably the soft day. it was, getting her, going . day. it was, getting her, going. and actually, i think the next two days are going to be even tougher. but it's sort of what we learned yesterday that's most revealing, but she didn't seem to know very much at all, i'm not necessarily sure that that's going to hold up for the next two days, i mean, one of the revelations is that she didn't know

meanwhile paula vennells will soon appear in front of the inquiry for the final time.er, the former post office boss has already admitted it was possibly her hope that a mediation scheme with subpostmasters would minimise compensation . we'll minimise compensation. we'll have much more news at the top of the hour. you can get more now by scanning the qr code on your screen for gb news alerts. now it's back to mark and . now it's back to mark and. nana. >> well, hello and welcome to britain's newsroom on gb news with nana akua and mark dolan. forget about starmer and sunak. this is the dream team. i think it's like bodie and doyle and you know what we're going to do? we are going to entertain you. of course we've got election fever. why this campaign matters to you. sunak versus starmer, a presidential election. no. >> hang on. you can't forget the others. there's reform and there's recovery. >> the labour you've got liberal democrats. >> so it's not just them. it's a free for all. and they'll all have some part to play in the election. it doesn't matter. it might be a

paula vennells again scandal.la vennells again becoming emotional today on her third day of giving evidence, she admitted making mistakes and accepted that there was no one else to blame. but she claimed that she didn't know why important information hadn't reached her. sam stein kc described that as absolute rubbish , and he suggested that rubbish, and he suggested that miss vennells had failed to ask the right questions. and finally the right questions. and finally the documentary filmmaker morgan spurlock has died at the age of 53. he came to prominence with his oscar nominated film super size me in 2004, which tracked his health while he ate nothing but mcdonald's for a month . the but mcdonald's for a month. the film was credited with prompting a broad conversation about how fast food and rising obesity impacted society . mr spurlock impacted society. mr spurlock passed away in new york due to complications from cancer. well, if you want the latest stories, sign up for gb news alerts by scanning the qr code o

the ex—boss, paula vennells beginning her second day of evidence into the horizon it scandal.e has spoken publicly about her role in that scandal in nearly a decade. she broke down in tears at some point when facing questions about why she made a misleading statement to mps. let's go there live now as the evidence continues and the questioning continues. let's listen to some of the evidence. i questioning continues. let's listen to some of the evidence.— questioning continues. let's listen to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i— to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, _ to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, i— to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, ithink, _ to some of the evidence. i was told that, and i knew, ithink, becausel that, and i knew, ithink, because we had agreed to support thejfsa, and if i remember the time, they had been asked to keep thejfsa happy. and i don't think we had any problem with that. not until the team began to raise these questions that perhaps because of that second sight, were not looking at t

and paula vennells is reaching for the hankies.odged a bullet over the post office scandal here with me patrick christys next. welcome back. it's the gb news election special liberal democrat leader ed davey has been out on the campaign trail this week, and he's talking a relatively good game. >> but across kent and sussex and surrey and hampshire and, frankly, all over the south—east and south—west it's the liberal democrats who are the challengers to the conservatives >> meanwhile, at the post office inquiry , i fully accept now that inquiry, i fully accept now that the post office excuse me . yeah. the post office excuse me. yeah. well, right. okay but tears flow over at the post office scandal. much of what happened though , much of what happened though, was on a davies watch when he was on a davies watch when he was the postal affairs minister in the coalition government. so could that torpedo his apparent lib dem revival? i'm very pleased to be joined now by the former lib dem mp, mark oaten. mark, thank you very, very much.

paula vennells in the bulletin crying her eyes out.nder whether or not you have any sympathy for her. she's been crying a lot this week, hasn't she? at that inquiry, does it wash with you or not? also, i want to talk to you about that cinema. you've just been looking again at some pro—palestine protests at this time aimed at rishi sunak in that bulletin. but i want to ask, as well as cinema in london that's been daubed with graffiti for having the audacity to show a film about october the 7th. what do you think to all this? is there going to be a resolution to this on the streets of britain, and how much do you think it will impact the goings on on july the 4th? get in touch with me all the usual ways you can email gb views @gbnews. com you can go to twitter or x and get in touch there. or of course you can go on the website as many of you have gbnews.com slash your, say one of my viewers quick you straight out the blocks. martin nigel sorry not martin. you've just issued to me your election manifesto. i think you could be in with a ch

i want to get your reaction, you were there when paula vennells apologise.your reaction to it?— reaction to it? first, you “ust suggested i reaction to it? first, you “ust suggested i i reaction to it? first, you “ust suggested i was i reaction to it? first, you “ust suggested i was not * reaction to it? first, you “ust suggested i was not parth reaction to it? first, youjust suggested i was not part of. reaction to it? first, you just. suggested i was not part of it, reaction to it? first, you just i suggested i was not part of it, i was part— suggested i was not part of it, i was part of the organisation, because _ was part of the organisation, because i_ was part of the organisation, because i had to have my own offices — because i had to have my own offices i_ because i had to have my own offices. i was the trouble shooter for the _ offices. i was the trouble shooter for the london south east branch, and operated in many offices. the element _ and operated in many offices. the elemen ., , , ., , �* element absolutely, and they weren't treatin: element ab

paula vennells, did you put profits before people? it is day three for her at the public inquiry. questions. you still continue to live in a cloud of denial. - and they didn't hold back. "i didn't know, nobody- told me, i can't remember, "i wasn't shown this. "i relied on the lawyers." i have tried to do this to the very best of my ability. looking under that rock you're going to find a problem. it will devastate the post office, ruin it. you couldn't let that happen, could you, ms vennells? i loved the post office. i gave it... i worked... as hard as i possibly could to deliver... the best post office for the uk. she was asked about this episode of the one show, which highlighted the case ofjo hamilton. if i pleaded guilty. to false accounting. she then discusses it in this e—mail to senior colleagues. did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this e—mail. is the reality what what you said here reflected the behind closed doors attitude to these postmasters? no. she has been rude to all of us. if she just sorted it out, | she could have ended it, what, eight year ago. royal mail was

it is the second day of evidence being given by paula vennells. impressions about how they are kick—starting their campaigns. i want to bring us back to something that the labour mayor for manchester, andy burnham, and so iain duncan smith both reference, and that was the comparison to 1997. both were saying this is not a 1997 style election because there are so many undecided voters at the moment who don't know who to vote for. something really interesting about what's iain duncan smith said was that rishi sunak is fighting this election as a sole candidate, trying to distance himself from the conservative party and so iain duncan smith said this always happens, it happened in 1997. but the key difference is rishi sunak and his government are in power and tony blair was fighting back from an opposition standpoint. it made more sense for tony blair to position himself as a standout candidate. for rishi sunak to do that that may be demonstrates he wants to disassociate himself from the conservative party record and reiterate it is him who will be t

play a clip by paula vennells, well, yeah , paula vennells, well, yeah, well, i mean, i've watched thaten giving to the inquiry. i think it is ever more clear that the people at the top of the post office knew what was going on, as well. ten, 12 years ago, 2013. and you've got to ask yourself why that wasn't disclosed to the courts , wasn't disclosed to the courts, but that'll be a matter for obviously, if that has been some versus something like perverting the course of justice, we know the course of justice, we know the metropolitan police have got an investigation into this and the crown prosecution service are there to assist them in taking forward charges where prosecutions can be taken forward. and i said for some months, i think i would welcome any charges, brought forward. this has been a horrendous scandal, £1 billion of costs, the taxpayer in terms of compensation, countless lives ruined, divorces, suicides, homelessness , absolutely homelessness, absolutely horrendous. what's happened and somebody needs to be held to account for it . account for it. >> in this week, of course

also this hour — at the inquiry into the post office scandal former boss paula vennells is accusing ofevery week at prime minister�*s questions, we have that debate. i want to talk directly to voters about what labour is offering and why this is an election which is all about change. will meanwhile, the leader of the liberal democrats ed davey has been on a campaign trail too. he�*s been speaking to voters in eastbourne. it�*s so good to be here in eastbourne because liberal democrats are bringing change to eastbourne and we are bringing change across our country, particularly across the south of england where everybody knows now that if you want to beat the conservatives you vote liberal democrat. and people want the conservatives out. they have made such a mess of our country, on the economy, on the health service, on the environment, on things like sewage, and we are determined to beat as many conservative mps as we possibly can. let�*s speak to our reporter, rowan bridge, who�*s let�*s speak to our reporter, hannah miller. have they managed to get the campaign programme up and runn

the former post office chief executive, paula vennells, gives a second day of evidence at the horizon it inquiry. the ten—year—old girl killed in a mudslide in north yorkshire is named as leah harrison. and are vets charging us too much to treat our pets? an investigation is launched to find out. and coming up on bbc news... west ham united have a new boss. they announce thatjulen lopetegui willjoin the club on a two—year contract. good afternoon. party leaders have hit the campaign trail — with six weeks to go till the general election. the prime minister rishi sunak said only the conservatives offer security and economic stability, while the labour leader sir keir starmer promised an end to what he called 1a years of decline and chaos under the tories. nigel farage said he won't be standing for reform uk but will campaign for them. so what happens next? over the next five days, parliament will try to get through unfinished business and pass remaining legislation. it will be dissolved next thursday, may the 30th. each party will launch its manifesto in the days to follow. then on the

today at one, the former post office boss paula vennells is accused of being in denial about her rolepassion but you don't practice it. her evidence comes on the day hundreds of subpostmasters are due to have their convictions quashed. also on the programme... average household gas and electricity bills will fall this summer, as the price cap is lowered in england, scotland and wales. on the general election trail labour launches its campaign in scotland as rishi sunak heads to northern ireland. the young woman rejected by the army because of a family history of breast cancer — a bbc investigation prompts a u—turn. can he? can he? yes! you beauty. yes he can. and the yes he can. teenage darts sensation luke littler wins his first major title — the premier league. and coming up on bbc news... manchester city and manchester united prepare to go head—to—head in the fa cup final for the second year in a row.

the former post office boss paula vennells has completed three days of public questioning at the inquiry into the horizon it scandal — in which more than 900 sub postmasters were wrongly prosecuted after faulty software said money was missing from their accounts. her answers included more than 20 apologies, four tearful moments and boos from the gallery. our international business correspondent theo leggett has more on how it unfolded. after years of keeping a low profile paula venables was thrust into the spotlight this week and making her way through a scrum of cameras may have been the easy part. she started with an apology. i would just like to say, and i'm gratefulfor the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry i am for all that subpostmasters and theirfamilies and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long. there were tears as she was asked about the death of a subpostmaster who took his own life after being financially ruined by the post office. and i mentioned that... i'm sorry. i imagine that i was probably... ju

paula vennells, did you put profits before people? it's day three for her at the public inquiry.nue to live in a cloud of denial. - and they didn't hold back. "i didn't know, nobody- told me, i can't remember, "i wasn't shown this. "i relied on the lawyers." i have tried to do this to the very best of my ability. looking under that rock you're going to find a problem. it's going to devastate the post office, ruin it. you couldn't let that happen, could you, ms vennells? i loved the post office. i gave it... i worked... ..as hard as i possibly could to deliver... ..the best post office for the uk. she was asked about this episode of the one show, which highlighted the case ofjo hamilton. if i pleaded guilty- to false accounting... she then discusses it in this e—mail to senior colleagues. "i was more bored than outraged," she says. "jo hamilton lacked passion and admitted false accounting on tv." did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this e—mail. and is the reality that what you said here reflected the behind closed doors attitude to these postmasters? no. she's been rude to all

after years of keeping a low profile, paula vennells was thrust into the spotlight this week and making, and i'm gratefulfor the opportunity to do this in person, how sorry i am for all the sub—postmasters and theirfamilies and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long. there were tears as she was asked about the death of a sub—postmaster who took his own life after being financially ruined by the post office. and i imagine that... i'm sorry. i imagine that i was probably... just pause. yes. 0k. try and compose yourself if you can, and then continue your evidence, please. she defended her role. she may have been the boss, she said, but she wasn't responsible for everything and she wasn't told everything either. you are not responsible for everything that happens underneath you. you have to rely on the advice of internal and external experts. you still continue to live in a cloud of denial. by day three of hearing her evidence, the lawyers for the sub—postmasters were clearly unimpressed and they went on the attack. i didn't

paula vennells, did you put profits before people? it's day three for her at the public inquiry. told me, i can't remember, "i wasn't shown this. "i relied on the lawyers." i have tried to do this to the very best of my ability. looking under that rock you're going to find a problem. it's going to devastate the post office, ruin it. you couldn't let that happen, could you, ms vennells? i loved the post office. i gave it... i worked... ..as hard as i possibly could to deliver... ..the best post office for the uk. she was asked about this episode of the one show, which highlighted the case ofjo hamilton. if i pleaded guilty- to false accounting... she then discusses it in this e—mail to senior colleagues. "i was more bored than outraged," she says. "jo hamilton lacked passion and admitted false accounting on tv." did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this e—mail. and is the reality what what you said here reflected the behind closed doors attitude to these postmasters? no. she's been rude to all of us. that's the whole thing. if she just sorted it out, | she could have ended it, w

the former chief executive of the post office paula vennells has been accused of accepting advice from"front—page news". the horizon inquiry saw an email when she was given the advice, to which she replied that she was accepting the pr man's "steer". our business correspondent emma simpson reports. paula, are you really telling the truth, paula? it's day two, and paula vennells is facing detailed questions about a key moment in the scandal — when the independent investigation by second sight is under way. i was not trying to close anything down. it's really important that i say that. it was 2013, and second sight were about to issue their interim report on the horizon it problem hitting branch accounts, and the post office is debating how to respond. the inquiry saw this e—mail from the head of post office communications. "if we say publicly that we'll look at past cases, we will open this up very significantly into front—page news," adding, "it would have the ballistic impact." then, in paula's reply e—mail, "you are right to call this out, and i will take your steer, no issue." you d

we're going to follow his journey all morning and the under—pressure former post office chief, paula vennellsat did she know? >> and the turbulence? tragic 73 year old granddad geoffrey kitchen died yesterday on board a singapore airlines flight from london. six people remain in a critical condition. the horror stories like this put you off flying at all and inflation is falling to 2.3. >> lowest level in almost three years, but not as low as the government and all of us wanted . government and all of us wanted. >> anne robinson, tv presenter for many years worth £50 million. so she's going to do with it. give it to her children before she dies because she wants to avoid inheritance tax. >> some people will say unethical. i say good on her. >> absolutely. it raises interesting issues though, doesn't it, about