the counter in rochdale. , ., , counter in rochdale.has been _ counter in rochdale. they have been big rows, it has been noisy _ counter in rochdale. they have been big rows, it has been noisy and - big rows, it has been noisy and bizarre. there are two former labour mps running here, george galloway and simon danczuk. there are former labour mps picked by the party but this own. as ali was the sound for anti—semitic remarks. even george galloway, his biggest critics call him dexterous campaigner with his style. all of that on the part of the world here with a substantial muslim population, and the war raging in the middle east. the big focus on guys from mr galloway. it's been unpredictable, this race, over the last few weeks. tonight george galloway�*s team at sounding very confident. we will find out the results in the middle of the night. so with this isjoe twyman. i'm interested in knowing what downing street will be thinking about this by—election. will they be but worried about it at all? that it's no good outcome for labour. the

the voters in rochdale will have to _ rochdale?e to determine _ rochdale? the voters in rochdale will have to determine who - rochdale? the voters in rochdale will have to determine who they l rochdale? the voters in rochdale i will have to determine who they vote for, but i am not prepared to put forward a labour candidate and i think that candidate is fit to be a labour mp. before we bring you more analysis on the events in rochdale and more reaction to, here's a full list of the candidates standing in that by—election. if you'd like more information , you can head to our website. our political editor for the north west annabel tiffin explains why this is an unprecedented situation for the labour party in the upcoming by—election. labour was always aware that gaza was going to be a huge issue in this by—election. i was there just a few days ago speaking to people on the streets and i spoke to a lot of labour muslims who said that they were angry that labour didn't have a strong enough stance on this. a couple of labour figures i

and it's not rochdale. feel so not about rochdale.ople of rochcan stand up.e needs mp sorry for the people of rochcan stand up foreeds mp sorry for the people of rochcan stand up for it.1s mp sorry for the people of rochcan stand up for it. the mp who can stand up for it. the labour let down and it labour party let it down and it must it has a good must ensure it has a good candidate to stand up for the town next election. >> look, deeply >> look, i care deeply about these want to get these issues. i want to get back. couldn't put back. he couldn't have put rochdale on a map. >> weeks, four weeks ago. >> two weeks, four weeks ago. um, he's. his leaflets um, he. no, he's. his leaflets are about a referendum are all about a referendum on gaza. >> patrick. he doesn't care about into about rochdale. he goes into every constituency, went into bethnal green, defeated oona king iraq war. all king there on the iraq war. all he does is he chooses single at least were involved in the least we were involved in the iraq war. >> he's running in ro

what about for those people in rochdale, it. what about for those people in rochdale. in _ it.. what about for those people in rochdale, in terms of— it. what about for those people in rochdale, in terms of a _ it. what about for those people in l rochdale, in terms of a democratic process for them, what does this mean? , . ., , , ., mean? they have all this they got fewer options. — mean? they have all this they got fewer options, the _ mean? they have all this they got fewer options, the same - mean? they have all this they got fewer options, the same names . mean? they have all this they got| fewer options, the same names on mean? they have all this they got - fewer options, the same names on the ballot paper but if you are a labour supporter, do you still support the labour candidate if you know they win, they won't be able to set as a labour mp, or do you support someone else? that is why it did take labour a bit of time to decide what to do with thesker. the green party candidate has already been dumped by the party. he is also no longer going to be the green candidate, s

no, _ rochdale and i might do? he was not able to answer. no, of _ rochdale and i might do?to answer. no, of course azhar. able to answer. no, of course azhar ali is _ able to answer. no, of course azhar ali is still— able to answer. no, of course azhar ali is still a — able to answer. no, of course azhar ali is still a candidate in that by—election. just today, people who live in— by—election. just today, people who live in rochdale in the town near will have — live in rochdale in the town near will have had leaflets landing on their— will have had leaflets landing on their doorsteps with azhar ali as a labour— their doorsteps with azhar ali as a labour candidate plastered all over them, _ labour candidate plastered all over them, with the labour mp andy burnham — them, with the labour mp andy burnham pictured alongside him. so officially— burnham pictured alongside him. so officially he's no longer the candidate but he has some of that campaigning effort behind him and his name _ campaigning effort behind him and his name will appear on the ballot paper— his name will appe

labour, not just rochdale. yes. labour, notjust rochdale. yes. been trying to address around anti—semitism in the party. i asked people whether they thought this was going to cost labour long term. there is due to be a general election in the next 12 months or so. most people felt that at that labour could win that seat backin at that labour could win that seat back in 12 months�* time with a new labour candidate. i think the feeling was that this was certainly damaging in the short—term cop what would be in the longer term, we would be in the longer term, we would do after the by—election, and see how this plays out the longer term. and we mentioned that by—election, here�*s a full list of candidates standing in the rochdale by—election. if you�*d like more information you can head to our website. and if you�*re watching in the uk my colleague tanya becket will have more on this story from 12.30 here on bbc news. king charles has flown to buckingham palace after spending a week at his home in sandringham in norfolk, following the announcement of

george galloway is standing in rochdale - difficult.n rochdale and i difficult. george galloway is - standing in rochdale and putting labour's stance on gazza front and centre. the contest here has taken a new turn and it is one certainly labour wouldn't have wanted. labour wouldn't have wanted. labour said it made the decision to withdraw support from azhar ali because of new information. it is understood that relates to further comments he made at the same meeting where he made his original remarks, although we don't know the detail of those. keir starmer has put routing out anti—semitism at the centre of his leadership and the party says the action he has taken shows his clear stance on that despite what it might do to the party's prospects in that rochdale by—election, but there are others who say he should have acted more quickly and the fact it took two days before labour changed its position is in fact a sign of keir starmer�*s indecision. studio: alex, thank you. alex forsyth. and here's a full list of candidates standing in the

the thing is mr rochdale is not actually in rochdale, is he?n doors, getting our message out there, delivering leaflets, talkin about issues amongst local people and that does not stop. the liberal democrats used to win here. they held the seat from 2005—2010. the local area needs a lot of work, needs a lot of change and we're the only major party in this that has skin in the game that actually wants to get the changes people need. one chapjust said to me, "this is clown town — welcome to the circus." there is a real sense from folk here that this constituency — rochdale and the surrounding communities — is crying out for leadership, crying out to be cared for, and yet, particularly from the biggest political parties, it simply isn't getting that. a messy contest unlike any other. people here will choose their next mp a week today. chris mason, bbc news in rochdale. and there are 11 candidates standing in the rochdale by—election. they will appear on the ballot paper in a week's time. now, a high street in somerset which was branded the most da

um uh, he rochdale, north west.m 2010 to 2019 when he was booted out by the tories. but he's currently the prospective parliamentary candidate for labour yet again this year . so candidate for labour yet again this year. so what he said at this year. so what he said at this meeting is that, um , the um this meeting is that, um, the um , um , terribly sorry he said , um, terribly sorry he said that these the brits who go to israel to fight with the israeli defence forces should be locked up and that. i'm terribly sorry for pre—watershed you get me sacked and, uh, effing israel has, um. well he said effing israel twice , essentially. so israel twice, essentially. so what we see here is the same sort of sentiment that's been festering in local labour constituency party meetings for quite some time. and you've got to remember, it was four years ago that starmer took the helm on the ticket of get in, let's purge corbynites and we're purge the corbynites and we're now two days out from two by elections, two weeks out from

rochdale has been very badly— the party. rochdale has been very badly let — the party. of winning it now, if he gets the kind of vote he got _ it now, if he gets the kind of vote he got in — it now, if he gets the kind of vote he got in batley when he came third. it is he got in batley when he came third. it is in _ he got in batley when he came third. it is in a _ he got in batley when he came third. it is in a fortnight, there hasn't really— it is in a fortnight, there hasn't really been a proper campaign, you might— really been a proper campaign, you might have — really been a proper campaign, you might have four or five candids getting — might have four or five candids getting 20% so it's a shambles for democracy. it's fortunate it's near the end _ democracy. it's fortunate it's near the end of— democracy. it's fortunate it's near the end of a — democracy. it's fortunate it's near the end of a parliament but the labour— the end of a parliament but the labour party has bigger lessons to learn _ labour party has bigger lessons to learn about how they got into this mes

i don't know, i've not been to rochdale, we hope absolutely that rochdale may return a conservative mpdon't think it's done so since the 19505. but, you know, hope springs eternal and we will fight very hard for every vote. but the key issue here is, how have labour got themselves into a mess in one of their safer seats, which means the candidate has been disavowed and he's been disavowed for comments made to a labour party meeting. let's speak to annabel tiffin in salford. she tiffin in salford. is our political editor for the north she is our political editor for the north west. annabel, so where does this stand now, where does it leave the ballot? i this stand now, where does it leave the ballot? ~ ., ., , the ballot? i think labour was alwa s the ballot? i think labour was always aware _ the ballot? i think labour was always aware that _ the ballot? i think labour was always aware that gaza - the ballot? i think labour was always aware that gaza was . the ballot? i think labour was - always aware that gaza was going to be a huge issue in this by—election. i was there just a few day

the thing is mr rochdale is not actually in rochdale, is he?cking on doors, getting our message out there, delivering leaflets, talkin about issues amongst local people and that does not stop. the liberal democrats used to win here, they held the seat from 2005—2010. the local area needs a lot of work, needs a lot of change and we are the only major party in this that has skin in the game that actually wants to get the change people need. one chapjust said to me, this is clown town, welcome to the circus. it was a real sense from polk here that this constituency, rochdale and the surrounding communities, is crying out for leadership, crying out to be cared for, yet, particularly from the biggest political parties, it is simply not getting that. a messy contest unlike any other. people here will choose their next mp a week today. chris mason, bbc news in rochdale. there are 11 candidates standing in the rochdale by—election. they will appear on the ballot paper in a week's time. in a few hours' time, a privately—owned spacecraft is on course to

he does, and when people in rochdale receive their ballot - in rochdale receive their ballot papers andee the name azhar ali enable ce the labour rose right next to it, so according to that ballot paper he is still the labour candidate, but he is not, the party has dropped him. i'm also told labour have already sent out camping material which will end on peoples doorsteps the next couple of days that have azhar ali's face all over them, so in a way, he is still getting the backing of the labour party machine through that campaign and by virtue of the fakie will be on the ballot paper, but officially is not the candidate, so in theory he could still that election and be, become the independent mp for rochdale, but there are other candidates standing there, it makes this by election which at one stage looked like a slam dunk for the labour party very, very difficult to predict indeed. you have people like the left—wing campaigner george gallery standing, you have the labour mp for some years ago standing for reform uk, they are all hoping to disrupt this election, as are the other traditi

i mean what has it got to do with rochdale?re, a community for whom gaza and labour's approach to it is an important issue. it's just i think what's happening with palestine and everything, so, we've not had all the help. it's a lot to the asian community, we've felt as if a lot has not been done. but this incident also risks the reawakening concerns among jewish voters. underjeremy corbyn's leadership, labour struggled with accusations of widespread anti—semitism within the party. kier starmer made it a key part of his leadership that he would change that. he would stamp it out. the way the party has dealt with this risks reopening an issue he might have thought he had drawn a line under. the might have thought he had drawn a line under. ., ., , ., line under. the labour party have not a real line under. the labour party have got a real problem _ line under. the labour party have got a real problem here _ line under. the labour party have got a real problem here and - line under. the labour party have got a real problem here a

there is a big muslim population in rochdale so i think thatis population in rochdale so i think that so labour is in an odd position here condemning a very strongly the words that were spoken by mr ali last month, words he has described himself as deeply offensive, ignorant and false. but comments that the labour party front page today has tried to explain as the product of being sucked into in online conspiracy and they believe mr ali's excuse or claim that he was a victim of an online conspiracy and thatis a victim of an online conspiracy and that is why they are standing by their candidate. i5 that is why they are standing by their candidate. is it that is why they are standing by their candidate.— their candidate. is it possible to sa that if their candidate. is it possible to say that if this _ their candidate. is it possible to say that if this story _ their candidate. is it possible to say that if this story is - their candidate. is it possible to say that if this story is doing - say that if this story is doing labour harm and damage nationally? it is hard to say. i think sir

i was here in rochdale yesterday — situation. i was here in rochdale yesterday.ncashire yesterday. but because of the timing _ lancashire yesterday. but because of the timing of these events past the point _ the timing of these events past the point of— the timing of these events past the point of the close of nominations, it means — point of the close of nominations, it means that azhar ali's name is still going — it means that azhar ali's name is still going to appear on the ballot papers _ still going to appear on the ballot papers for the by—election here, which _ papers for the by—election here, which leaves a situation where you have _ which leaves a situation where you have the _ which leaves a situation where you have the labour candidate no longer being _ have the labour candidate no longer being supported by the labour party itself, _ being supported by the labour party itself, which leaves labour voters in a bind — itself, which leaves labour voters in a bind. they can do one of a few things _ in a bind. they can do one of a few things they— in a bind.

by—election in rochdale?m, because the right country. um, because the right decision has been made. i think if they hadn't made that decision that would be very, very different in rochdale. >> i liked it looks again like sir keir starmer is a flip flopper . flopper. >> well, he's made the right decision . you know i've, i've decision. you know i've, i've deau decision. you know i've, i've dealt with parliamentary political leaders from the conservative party, the lib dems , the nationalist parties in terms of people who've been anti—semites and they've got rid of people sometimes it's taken time, sometimes it's been done without it being made public. and i've been happy when that's happened because my objective is get the anti semites out of parliament, out of positions of power. that's happened here. so it kind of the way i look at things and always have done is the right decision has been reached and that's what i'm interested in. so i would say yes well done. on making the right decision. and if it takes a

let's speak to our reporter rowan bridge in rochdale. what has the reaction been?has the reaction been? it is a very unusual situation where - what has the reaction been? it is a very unusual situation where you . very unusual situation where you have a labour candidate no longer being supported by the labour party itself. the issue will be what effect that has on the labour vote. labour help this constituency with a 9500 majority at the last election. —— how old this constituency. the sitting labour mp, sirtony —— how old this constituency. the sitting labour mp, sir tony lloyd, died, triggering this by—election. those labour voters have three options, they could still vote for azhar ali even though he is no longer supported by the local labour party, they could vote for one of the other candidates in this election, there are a total of 11 standing in rochdale including two former labour mps and one former labour rochdale mp who resigned from the party, or they could just stay at home and not bother voting at all. at the moment it is not really clear which way the

george galloway is standing in rochdale and putting labour's stance on gazza front and centre.a new turn, and it is one certainly labour wouldn't have wanted. and we mentioned that by—election, here's a full list of candidates standing in the rochdale by—election. if you'd like more information , you can head to our website. police in delhi have banned all public gatherings ahead of a protest march on india's capital on tuesday, by thousands of farmers. security forces have put up concrete barricades, metal blocks and iron nails to close key highways leading into the city. the farmers are demanding minimum pricing on crops, improved pensions and better working conditions. the protests come ahead of national elections, in which prime minister narendra modi is expected to win a third term in office. india's farmers form an influential voting bloc. live now to our south asia regional editor, anbarasan ethirajan. memories of the farmer process from 2020 and 2021 still fresh when we are seeing a method agitation underground in delhi and around delhi, give us a sense of the scale of

here, the labour party has withdrawn support for its candidate in the rochdale by—election, azhar alibout israel. the party made the decision saying that further information had come to light; it had previously spent days defending mr ali. it's too late for labour to change its candidate. opponents have accused labour of being in disarray. here's our political correspondent ben wright. energy costs up, familiesjuggling bills. he was labour's candidate in rochdale and only yesterday the party was still defending its decision to back him. but now the daily mail has published more comments azhar ali made to a meeting of labour members last autumn in which he apparently blamed people in the media from certainjewish quarters for fuelling criticism of a pro—palestinian labour mp. i understand these latest remarks are what prompted labour to pull their support from mr ali's campaign last night. since we saw that new information and more comments have come to light, which meant that we had to look at this situation again, once we saw those comments, keir starmer took a swift decision to take

this is my plan for rochdale in 30 seconds.but less than a week after launching his campaign, azharali has had to apologise. he said comments he'd reportedly made claiming israel had allowed the october the 7th attack to happen were inexcusable, ignorant and false. labour has condemned what he said, but the party is standing by him. he has retracted his remarks, apologised unreservedly, explained that he fell for this online conspiracy theory, but also, and this is absolutely critical, has this seriousness of understanding the scale of the offence caused. in rochdale, it's too late for labour to change its candidate but there are questions over whether the party should withdraw its support, or even say azhar ali can't sit as a labour mp work he'd win, though there is no sign of that from keir starmer yet. up until now he has been really firm in anti—semitism but now that electoral politics is in play, suddenly he seems to be allowing this person notjust remain as a candidate for the labour party, but also for the labour party t

rochdale?aching a new toxicity in british politics by importing the conflict in gaza ? the conflict in gaza? >> well, i certainly hope not. and i don't want to pour fuel on to the flames. what mike freer has experienced and what tobias ellwood has experienced is wholly unacceptable. and i would urge the police forces in the respective constituencies to do everything that they can under their independent operation . all their independent operation. all ability . and i would hope that ability. and i would hope that the british public, and i'm confident that the vast majority of the british public are much more moderate in all of this , more moderate in all of this, and it is not acceptable , and and it is not acceptable, and it's not a british value to behave in the way that a small number of people have and are behaving towards people like tobias and mike. so i would not want to put fuel onto the flames with this. martin. i think we all need to be moderate and calm and sensitive and let the poli

this is my plan for rochdale in 30 seconds.omotional video. but less than a week after launching his campaign, azharali has had to apologise. he said comments he'd reportedly made claiming israel had allowed the october the 7th attack to happen were inexcusable, ignorant and false. labour has condemned what he said, but the party is standing by him. he has but the party is standing by him. he: has retracted his remarks, apologised unreservedly, explained that he fell for this online conspiracy theory, but also, and this is absolutely critical, has this is absolutely critical, has this seriousness of understanding the scale of the offence caused. in rochdale, it's too late for labour to change its candidate but there are questions over whether the party should withdraw its support, or even say azhar ali can't sit as a labour mp work he'd win, though there is no sign of that from keir starmer yet. up sign of that from keir starmer yet. up until now he has been really firm in anti—semitism but now that electoral— in anti—semitism

in the uk — the labour party says it's withdrawing support for its candidate in a by—election in rochdaleter spending much of the day defending its decision to stand by him. and in brazil — rio de janeiro�*s world famous carnival is in full swing. you're watching newsday. lets start with the latest on the israel—gaza war. the us state department has defended israeli air strikes on the city of rafah, despite claims from hamas that around a 100 palestinians were killed. the strikes hit the city of rafah on the border with egypt, as part of a rescue mission to free two hostages being held by hamas — designated as a terror group by the uk, us and other nations. around 1.5 million palestinians are currently sheltering in rafah, with hundreds of thousands fleeing there amid months of fighting in gaza. aid agencies say people have run out of places to go, and senior un officials have stepped up calls for israel to refrain from attacking the city. but benjamin netanyahu says only continued military pressure on hamas will release the more than 100 remaining hostages. lucy williamson reports. explo

and here are the candidates standing in the rochdale let rochdale by—election.ur >> yes. as ali of course, still on candidate, althouthr >> yes. as ali of course, still on candidate, although not party candidate, although not now endorsed by labour. confusingly, coleman, confusingly, mark coleman, independent danczuk reform independent simon danczuk reform uk ian donaldson, liberal democrat ellison, democrat paul ellison, conservative george galloway, workers party of britain michael howarth, independent william howarth, independent william howarth, independent. guy otten, green raven rodent green party. raven rodent sebby's official monster sebby's corner, official monster raving david tully, independent. >> well, there you go. ah well, now, last night, rishi sunak did, of course face questions from our viewers at our people's forum in county durham, where he answered questions wide answered questions on a wide range of topics including immigration, the nhs and a little bit of tax cuts to yes, the prime minister also urged disgruntled conservative voters not to

before that by election in rochdale...they'll be looking to hold on to those against challenges from labour. prime minister rishi sunak also faces challenges with the economy this week. on thursday, official figures will show whether the uk slipped into recession and other data could show a small increase in inflation. and his flagship rwanda policy is facing opposition in the house of lords. the government wants to block claims for asylum from anyone arriving over the english channel and instead send them to rwanda. parliament's joint committee on human rights says the plan is "fundamentally incompatible" with the uk's human rights safeguards. let's get back to the panel and, david, let's go to you as well, a former conservative mp. what do you make of the week ahead for the prime minister rishi sunak? tbs, make of the week ahead for the prime minister rishi sunak?— minister rishi sunak? a difficult one. minister rishi sunak? a difficult one- having _ minister rishi sunak? a difficult one. having said _ minister rishi sun

i talked about the rochdale by—election coming at the rochdale by—election coming at the end of the monthptimistic about overturning two stonking conservative majority is a nationally, labour still has a big lead in the opinion polls. but even in that context, there are suggestions in the labour party that this episode does reveal issues of substance of process that they need to sort out. , zeffman, thank you. the rochdale by—election will take place on the 29th of february. here is the full list of candidates who are standing. since the start of the conflict in gaza, at least 339 health workers and paramedics have been killed while trying to save the lives of others. that's according to the health ministry which is run by hamas — designated a terrorist organisation by the uk government. the israel defence forces told the bbc that "any claim that they intentionally target red crescent or medical workers is baseless and untrue and that they act in accordance with international law." during the first six weeks of the war, a journalist who lives in gaza called feras al—aj—rami started filmin

.- week of headlines around the candidate in rochdale.e in rochdale. thank you for that and apologies for the _ candidate in rochdale. thank you for that and apologies for the sound - candidate in rochdale. thank you for that and apologies for the sound of. that and apologies for the sound of the motorcycle in the background we heard you find any thank you. now uk border force has made arrests after a boat carrying number of people has arrived at a beach. they say one person has been detained for illegal entry and another for facilitating it. a further six people have been taken to hospital for treatment. prince harry has spoken publicly for the first time since the kingsdown stenosis —— kings diagnosis. harry was speaking from the canadian town of whistler, he was there for the... we will hear more about his interview in a moment but here is emma vardy who sent us this update from canada. this emma vardy who sent us this update from canada-— from canada. this is whistler slidinu from canada. this is whistler sliding centre _ from canada.

the candidate at the february 29th by—election in rochdale . 29th by—election in rochdale.s surrendered a 9000 majority in rochdale to an independent and when you think about that, that is absolutely unbelievable and it shows a complete failure by the labour leadership team around sir keir starmer . i leadership team around sir keir starmer. i think of lisa nandy, pat mcfadden , nick pat mcfadden, nick thomas—symonds, three senior figures from the shadow cabinet who went out to say why they were sticking by, um , uh, azhar were sticking by, um, uh, azhar ali and now they've dropped him when it emerged he'd made other remarks about the jews and about israel post the 7th october attacks on israel by hamas, an utter , utter mess. following on utter, utter mess. following on from last week's dropping of a £28 billion pledge to spend every year on green projects, the party is 20 points ahead in the party is 20 points ahead in the polls . but some will be the polls. but some will be questioning do they deserve that? because the way they have made these unforced errors, when they'

our political correspondent helen catt reports from rochdale.n the bbc sounds app, on your smart speaker... play bbc radio manchester... in rochdale, they're digesting the news that labour has pulled backing from its own candidate. the party will no longer campaign for azhar ali after a recording was released of an anti—semitic comment he made at a local meeting. mr ali was telling the group about a mr ali was telling the group about a labour mp, who had been suspended. labour had stood by mr ali for nearly two days, after other comments he made at the meeting about israel were published by the mail on sunday. the party accepted his apology, but the latest recording tipped the balance. it is a huge thing to withdraw support for a labour candidate during the course of a by—election. it's a tough decision, a necessary decision, but when i say the labour party has changed under my leadership, i mean it. in rochdale town centre, we found support but disappointment. labour has broken it. it did not do well in the situation. i'm not cross that - he's

as are candidate for rochdale. as are ali.has withdrawn its support for the rochdale by—election candidate azhar. for the rochdale by—election candidate azhar . ali after his candidate azhar. ali after his remarks. you may have heard aboutin remarks. you may have heard about in the media about israel and that is according to a party spokesman. it is extraordinary because just a short time ago, labour much stood by its labour very much stood by its candidate the rochdale candidate in the rochdale by—election, despite those remarks about israel. but it has now clear that labour now been made clear that labour has withdrawn its support for rochdale by—election candidate azhar ali after his criticism of remarks about israel . that is, remarks about israel. that is, according to a party spokesperson. back to you, nigel. >> polly. thank you very much indeed. well jacob, i was talking about this just a few moments ago. what he said was absolutely appalling ing deeply conspiratorial, but suddenly it's all okay because he read a conspi

if you were a viewer in rochdale today, who would you as a labour senior figure advised them to voteto vote for any of the candidates. i'm afraid we are in the extraordinary and unprecedented position of having to withdraw our candidate in the by—election so there is no labour candidate to vote for. what i would say is that having watched the extraordinary scenes, notjust in rochdale when i was there, there was hate and division being stoked by particular candidates, which people in rochdale do not need or want. watching what has unfolded in the conservative party, the absolute poison that has been allowed to seep into their political debate, and a prime minister that is seemingly unwilling to acknowledge the term islamophobia, let alone stand up to senior politicians and his party dragging our politics into to the sewer, i would say to people in rochdale, if you are going out to vote, please consider voting for anybody who you believe will help to bring an end to this hate and division at a time when it is spilling onto our streets. we need political leaders prepared to stand up to

tell us something about the politics rochdale. surely and politics of rochdale. about labour's base in certain parts of country . charles moore of the country. charles moore puts as always , elegantly. puts it as always, elegantly. the fact, he said what he did is not proof that mr ali has joined the lunatic fringe . it is, the lunatic fringe. it is, unfortunately, evidence that in rochdale labour politics it is not a fringe at all. by speaking as he did, he must have seen those anti—semitic elements as powerful and wanted to advance his candidacy by placating them. what does this say about the state of multicultural britain? when anti—semitism is considered an asset in a political candid as ever, let me know your thoughts. mail margaret gb news aukus . com i'm delighted now to aukus. com i'm delighted now to be joined by my panel criminal barrister and former tory mp jerry hayes and former labour adviser paul richards, as well as doctor sheikh ramzy, the director of the oxford islamic information centre . doctor ramzi information centre. doctor ramzi what do you

the rochdale by—election will take place on the 29th february.rial has started of a man accused of murdering pc sharon beshenivsky in 2005. the 38—year—old officer died after she was shot while she and a colleague responded to reports of a robbery in bradford. 75—year—old piran ditta khan, who was extradited from pakistan last year, denies all the offences. 0ur north of england correspondent, danny savage, is outside leeds crown court. many people will remember this case, that a pc sharon beshenivsky, and on duty west yorkshire police officer in november 2005, cold to a robbery at a travel agents outside bradford city centre but when she and her colleagues arrived at the scene, three armed men came out and shot her and her colleagues teresa milburn at almost point—blank range. sharon beshenivsky died at the scene, her colleague recovered. the prosecution says seven men were involved in the robbery, three of them in the building, for others acting as lookout and six of them were dry and arrested and are serving prison sentences but the seventh bom

our political correspondent helen catt is in rochdale now — helen.eaker... play bbc radio manchester... going to step away from that report and take it to the white house where president biden is talking about the us senate passing a $95 billion aid package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. , package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. . . , , package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. . , ., taiwan. the bill was put on the floor in the _ taiwan. the bill was put on the floor in the house _ taiwan. the bill was put on the floor in the house of— floor in the house of representatives. it would pass. it would pass. important to the american people. this bill sends a military, and to ukraine commit spends the money right here in the united states of america, places like arizona with a patriots missiles are going, and alabama with the javelin missiles are going to maine pennsylvania and the pennsylvania ohio, where artillery shells are made. we supply ukraine equipment from our stockpiles and spend our money replenishing those stockpiles so our military has access

we will stay in rochdale but on a different issue.g rochdale by—election has apologised for remarks he made about israel during a local meeting. in a secret recording obtained by the mail on sunday, azhar ali reportedly said that israel had allowed the deadly attack by hamas on 7th october. mr ali now says his claims were "deeply offensive, ignorant, and false". the conservatives have called on labour to suspend their campaign for the by—election. here's our political correspondent helen catt. it was comments as ali made about this attack on israeli civilians by hamas on the 7th of october last year that have caused a backlash. in a secret recording given to the mail on sunday, azhar ali reportedly told a community meeting in rochdale that israel had allowed the massacre to happen that gave them the green light to do whatever they want. he has since issued a statement in which he said he apologised unreservedly to the jewish community for unreservedly to thejewish community for his comments which he said were deeply offensive, ignoran

it's the potholes in every borough you're going in rochdale . you're going in rochdale.sorting. >> i would like to see the new mp , um fight for rochdale in mp, um fight for rochdale in parliament. money >> it's the only thing that will change the town. >> knock the town down and start. start rebuilding it like bury is . things are all over it bury is. things are all over it was one of the richest towns in the country at one time. >> it's one of the poorest now. >> it's one of the poorest now. >> rochdale has some nice areas and we get a lot of bad press, but i do think they could do better . better. >> on thursday, voters in rochdale will head to the polls . rochdale will head to the polls. but no matter who they choose as their new mp , it's clear that their new mp, it's clear that their new mp, it's clear that the people of this town feel it's the people of this town feel wsfime the people of this town feel it's time for something to be done. it's time for something to be done . sophie reaper gb news is . done. sophie reaper gb news is. >> and all eyes will be on rochd

we do indeed, in rochdale. it is a labour- in rochdale.will be interesting to see whether he can when the seat or not. it won't be one that tells us much about the prospects for the next general election. professor sirjohn curtice, thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc news, and the news is if you've just us here on bbc news, and the news is if you'vejustjoined us that labour have won both the wellingborough and kingswood by—elections. there is more on the bbc news website or app. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. new york is the ultimate american melting pot, the focus of so many immigrant dreams, but right now, immigration is a hugely contentious political issue in the united states, which makes it a great theme for my guest today — bassem youssef, a comedian who made his name in egypt, who now makes his home in the united states. he's an arab—american who wants his fellow citizens to think hard about the most sensitive of topics. what could possibly go wrong? bassem youssef. yes?! they laugh. that's a great start. yes. it

the candidates standing rochdale standing in the rochdale by—election are assured. the on the ballot papen candidate on the on the ballot paper, he's expected as independent. >> mark coleman, independent simon danczuk reform uk. ian donaldson, liberal democrat. paul ellison, conservative george galloway, workers party of britain michael howarth, independent william howarth, independent. guy otten, green party, ravin, rodents, sabatina, official monster raving loony david tully, independent. >> up next, well, we've got a housing shortage here in britain. you will not believe the amount of homes the government is paying for asylum seekers. and richard give seekers. arlene and richard give you going you the thoughts i'm going to tell it's in their tell you. it's in their thousands and thousands. you're with so another shocker. for the home office has built up a stock of get this 16,000 properties for asylum seekers and landlords are being offered five year guaranteed full rent deals in a bid to cut £8 million a day, cost of housing migrants in hotels. >> and this is wh

one would assume the labour party would then choose another candidate for the rochdale seat. have the current sitting mp, if that is azhar ali, who isn't labour, in less than 12 months�* time. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. seven women are accusing devon and cornwall police of failing to investigate serving and former officers for domestic abuse and sexual violence. the group claims that in some cases the men were promoted to specialist roles dealing with violence against women and girls — despite the complaints against them. the force has referred the allegations to the police watchdog. official figures show that the rate at which wages are rising dropped in the three months to december — but it still outpaced the level of inflation. the office for national statistics said wage growth dropped by 0.4 percentage points to 6.2% in the last quarter of last year. a proposal to formally move the statue of transatlantic slave trader edward colston into a museum display is set for approval. the statu

the labour party has withdrawn support for its candidate in the rochdale by—election, azhar ali, becausey made the decision after new audio came to light; it had previously defended mr ali, after he'd apologised. it's now too late for the party to change its candidate. political opponents have accused labour of being in disarray. here's the audio, published by the daily mail newspaper, with those comments from mr ali. he should have been suspended. suspended on what he said. i know him well, he is a solid pro—palestinian supporter. the media and some of the people in the media from certainjewish quarters the given bleep about what he said. earlier i spoke to the former labour mp lord mann, now independent adviser to the uk government on antisemitism — i asked him if he thinks labour should have acted sooner. from where i am sitting, i want to see political parties act and make the right decision. i have never been one for haste, i have been one for getting the right decision. i think probably they wish they had acted sooner for the optics of it in terms of the decision made. i think it i

the decision to carry on campaigning in rochdale - decision?n rochdale for labour is one that they feel they have to do because there is, george galloway is another candidate in the election, a former labour mp, former respect mp and he is trying to turn it into an election over labour�*s stance on israel and what labour are doing, they are pointing to reaction from some members of thejewish community, in particular thatjewish labour movement, who have suggested that it labour movement, who have suggested thatitis labour movement, who have suggested that it is for the greater good for the labour party to carry on campaigning rather than allowing a situation where george galloway may get in if they were to suspend their campaign. there were other candidates in the election as well. but for the labour party, they are saying, we need to carry on doing this, that is a mood within there and they are suggesting that mr ali had already shown he has apologised unreservedly. they said this morning that he understands the scale of the offence caused by h

coming to light, the labour party has withdrawn its support for mr ali as their candidate in the rochdaleas changed labour so keir starmer has changed labour so that it is unrecognisable from the party of 2019, we understand these are highly unusual circumstances but it is vital any candidate put forward by labour fully represents its aims and values. it goes on to say, this is important, given that nominations have now closed, azhar ali cannot be replaced as the candidate. so he is suspended from the labour party pending an investigation but his name still will be on the ballot in rochdale on the 29th of february as labour's candidate that by—election. just explain to us again the difficulties the labour party have faced over there. as you said, a complete u—turn, they were defending him but it seems new information has come to light and it has put them in a very difficult position and created a lot more tension within the party, hasn't it? it created a lot more tension within the party, hasn't it?— created a lot more tension within the party, hasn't it? it has been a real dilemma _ the

it wasn'tjust men in rochdale.schools and social services knew what was happening. again, nothing happened. so we went there, but we was given flavored condoms and sent away. are you joking me? no. we'd go in and the staff would be like, "oh, we've got a new flavour condom, this one, strawberry, you need to try this." like, "we're all 12 and 13. why are you doing this?" we told them exactly what was happening and they'd get excited over condoms. according to the report published last month, a review into the rochdale grooming scandal, you, "told them about older asian boyfriends giving you vodka and sexually abusing you." as a result of that, children's social care did a child protection assessment. and, in october of 2008, you were put on a child protection plan, under the categories of neglect and sexual abuse. did that stop the sexual exploitation? no, it did not stop it. they didn't really do much, to be honest. they didn't even speak about it to me. they never sat down and said, like, "this is sexual abuse, li

labour has withdrawn support for its candidate in the rochdale by—election, azhar ali, because of remarkse made about israel. the party says further information has now come to light. it had previously defended mr ali after he'd apologised. it's too late for labour to change its candidate. opponents have accused the party of being in disarray. here's the audio, published by the daily mail newspaper, with those comments from mr ali. he shouldn't have been suspended. i know him really well. the media and some of the people in the media from certainjewish quarters were giving **** about what he said. graham, you can t say this ? graham, you can t say this but i ll say it. ive been to israel, you ve been to israel ? yeah, he 5 been ? the security is that strict landing at the airport to your hotel to going into or any other towns, yeah? if you go in gaza ? i can t believe there is no way that israel knows there is a border there, there 5 a big buffer zone between gaza and that ? and that these people on paragliders that they had no intelligence at all. let's speak to our political corresponde

the rochdale by—election will take place on the 29th february.ne miners are missing after a landslide at an mining operation in turkey. the country's energy ministry says rescue efforts are under way at the mine in the eastern erzincan province, with turkey's interior minister adding that 400 search and rescue workers had been deployed to the incident. the government says an investigation has been launched into what happened. we are still getting the early details. ., we are still getting the early details. . , . , ., details. there are pictures of the landslide, astonishing _ details. there are pictures of the landslide, astonishing pictures . landslide, astonishing pictures coming into us but we are keeping an eye on that story and when we get more detail, my pictures, more developments we will return to it. king charles has flown to buckingham palace after spending a week at his home in sandringham in norfolk, following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis and his first treatment. the king and queen camilla are now back at clarence house,