Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At Six 20240713

Article one is adopted. Political history in america. The moment donald trump is impeached. Now he faces a trial. The advert promoting tolerance in the army, but racism is prevalent, says the watchdog. Its so easy to leave me all alone with the memory. The cats trailer caused a social media storm. Now the feature film is out, but it gets from a far from perfect reception. And coming up on bbc news, mikel arteta has said his goodbyes at manchester city, where hes been assistant coach for three years. Despite no official confirmation, arteta is expected to be announced as the arsenal manager tomorrow. Good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. It was just nine weeks ago that we had a queens speech the difference this time is that borisjohnson now has a massive majority in parliament and the power to make things happen. The speech written by the government covered everything from hospital car parking to a review of foreign policy, all of it billed as an Ambitious Programme to deliver the peoples priorities. So, what are they . Top of the list, take uk out of the eu by the end of january. Increases to the nhs budget in england will be enshrined in law. There was a confirmation of the Campaign Pledge to ensure longer sentences for violent offenders, but also a major review of the criminalJustice System. In a minute, well look at some of those pledges and see if they add up, but first, heres our Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg on a queens speech and what is says about the johnson premiership. Even the crown it gets its very own rolls royce. The trappings of westminsters great royal occasion. A moment to savour for the new government. Its certainly a feast. A time of agony for the opposition. So, im going to ask this policeman to let me through, but not you . The trumpets blast at their usual note, the ritual summoning mps to hear the monarch. The same as ever. But the reminders of the past ought not to hide the reality that history has just been made. The defeated leader of the opposition seemed too angry to exchange a hello with this all powerful Prime Minister, whos number one job is to take us out of the European Union. My governments priority is to deliver the united kingdoms departure from the European Union on the 31st of january. My ministers will bring forward legislation to ensure the united kingdoms exit on that date and to make the most of the opportunities that this brings for all the people of the united kingdom. But then what . The wrangle of difficult trade talks, of course. And extra cash for the Health Service put into law. For the first time, the national Health Services multi year funding settlement, agreed earlier this year, will be enshrined in law. Tougher sentencing, a cut to Business Rates, a new immigration system, just some of the long list of work ahead. But after a torrid few years, listen to this planned a sounding announcement. A constitution, democracy and a constitution, democracy and rights a constitution, democracy and Rights Commission will be established. Might his government be tempted to use their huge majority to overhaul how this whole place works . Maybe. This will not be a safety first government, willing to dare, determine to plan notjust for five yea rs determine to plan notjust for five years but for a decade. This is not a programme for one year or one parliament. It is a blueprint for the future of britain. Just imagine. Just the future of britain. Just imagine. Just imagine the future of britain. Just imagine. Just imagine where this country could be in ten years time. And after the dead are, the delay, the deadlock, after the paralysis and the platitudes, the time has come for change at the time has come for action and it is action that the british people will get from this gracious speech, this most gracious speech, and i commend it to the house. Raucous tory benches. Misery on the other side. Thank you, mr speaker. What the government is actually proposing is woefully inadequate for the scale of the problem is that this country faces. As this government ploughs ahead with its programme of gimmicks and false promises, we will be holding them to account every step of the way and campaigning inside and outside parliament and across this country for the real change that this government sadly will not deliver but that our country so desperately needs. Derision from the other side. Brewing tension with the snp, too. Now scotland must have a chance to choose its own future, one shackled to the brexit destruction imposed by westminster or one with hope, with opportunity and ambition. An independent scotland, in the European Union. Yet with a majority of 80, Boris Johnson European Union. Yet with a majority of 80, borisjohnson need not lose much sleep about getting his way in this place at least most of the time. He doesnt need to worry day to day about keeping his place, his authority, but thats not the same as turning his chance into a success , same as turning his chance into a success, making the most of this next few years is something that really counts. The pressure is on the Prime Minister to prove to voters who backed him that they were right. Farfrom voters who backed him that they were right. Far from packing voters who backed him that they were right. Farfrom packing up, this is a government that is only getting going. Today may not be the limit of its ambitions but just going. Today may not be the limit of its ambitions butjust the start. Laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. In all, the queens speech contained more than 30 bills not a record, but many more than in recent years. Aside from the big pledges, such as brexit and the nhs, there were also some specific items on the governments to do list. Therell be bills to raise the point at which we start paying National Insurance and increase the National Living wage. People who rent their homes from private landlords will get more protection. And therell be a new points based immigration system aimed at attracting the skills britain need. Well, theres no doubting the Prime Ministers ambition in this queens speech. But what about the detail . Jeremy corbyn called it a programme of false promises. Weve asked our seniorjournlists to give us their view, starting with our Health Editor hugh pym. After all the election pledges on the nhs, the conservative government has now set out its immediate priorities. One of them as legislation to underpin a promise to spend nearly £34 billion a year more in cash terms on the nhs in england by 2023. The message to voters seems to be, if youre doubtful, well heres a law to ensure we do it. Whats more, the average annual real terms increase is 3. 4 above recent years, but still a little way short of the historic long run nhs average. Then theres social care, so important for the Health Service. Theres nothing beyond the plan to have cross party talks on long term funding solutions. Detailed policies seem some way off. The public are worried about Violent Crime and terrorism. The governments response is more police, more stop and search, longer sentences and more prison places. They want to sound uncompromising and tough, but dig a bit deeper into the policies announced today and it seems that ministers also want to keep their options open. Announcing a Royal Commission into the whole criminal Justice System for england and wales suggests they accept the system simply isnt working properly at the moment, reflected perhaps in a series of recent scandals. A review like this will take time. Ministers will be hoping it defuses crime as an issue and provides political protection when things inevitably go wrong. Can the government afford this . Well, its new plans are relatively modest perhaps a sign of how bare the chancellors cupboard is getting. On top of the plans for public services, there is an extra £85 per year for workers in the form of National Insurance changes, and there are some concessions to the high street too in the form of Business Rates, but only for a year and only to the tune of £320 million, just i of the annual bill all companies face. All of these plans together cost about £7 billion. And the companies are going to face most of this bill in the form of a council cut to Corporation Tax but the government might find itself struggling to balance the books in three years on day to day spending as it hopes, given the scale of its pledges. Does she need david ending that report. Last friday, outside number ten, Boris Johnson spoke about the one time labour voters whod switched to the tories, and today he pledged, once again, to repay their trust. So, what do those voters expect from the new government and think of todays announcements . Our special correspondent ed thomas has been to leigh in Greater Manchester a conservative gain at the election. Change. Like when the last lancashire pit had closed in 1970. Or when the Railway Station at lee shut 50 years ago. And then last week, when many here turned from labour, electing the first ever conservative mp, a northern town, changing its mind. Mike has been a due love the three years. We also have the money shop thats closed down a bit further down. He has seen the decline of the high street. He says he voted conservative last week for the first time because of a belief in Boris Johnson. Just getting people back out on the high street shopping, helping the average person, helping Small Businesses to thrive. In the first half of this year, 98 shops opened at 173 closed across the north east of england. An increase of almost 30 compared to the same period last year. For mike, to date s pledge from the government to cut Business Rates is crucial. Without it, could you potentially go out of business . Yes, definitely, definitely. It has been a real worry for us. The nhs dominated the queens speech. A loud government commitment for extra funding. At this gp surgery, this doctor is facing increasing demand. The problem is a really cute, there are a lot of winter pressures. Shortage of gps, it means gps on the ground have to do more work. Are you relieved looking at the queens speech today . Im a positive person so speech today . Im a positive person so im trying to look at the bigger picture. There is immense pressure. In two years, the number of requests for elderly social care to Wigan Council increased from 5300 to 7520. That is around a 40 increase compared to the average increase in england of 4. 5 . Borisjohnsons pitch now is to help towns like leigh, that have gone from red to blue. It will be unbelievable if he can do it. But its whether or not that happens. Im so glad that we actually voted conservative for a change. A change but theyve been in power the last nine years . Did not in leigh they havent. The story of leigh has being towed across the country. Many here now expect change and something to show for the vote. Well, lets get more from our Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg at downing street. Laura, beyond each individual measure that we have looked at, what does todays speech say about the johnson premiership . Well, first of all george, it shows as ed discussed with those voters there, that this government wants to try to give the appearance that they are completely new, completely different, even though the conservatives have been in powerfor nearly a full decade. That is quite a political stunt to try to pull off but it is clear also that Boris Johnson came to the commons today and is presenting to the country today a vision that he hopes can straddle left and right, or what has traditionally been seen as labours place in politics and the conservatives place in politics. That is what the results of the general election gave him as an opportunity and challenge the Boris Johnson is notjust to hold onto that for five years but to show to people who voted tory for the first time that they were worth the risk, that their vote was the right decision and at the end of these five years, they will have something thatis five years, they will have something that is genuinely to show for it. The test, though, will be enormous as to whether or not all that actually matches up to the decisions and actions this government will ta ke and actions this government will take in the coming years. Boris johnson has had a reputation for yea rs of johnson has had a reputation for years of being hungry with ambition to get to this place. We are going to get to this place. We are going to find out in the next months and yea rs to find out in the next months and years whether he is hungry to take the decisions are actually will cement his place in history. Laura, thank you very much. Nhs accident and emergency units in wales have recorded their worst ever performance. Less than 75 of patients were seen within four hours in november well short of the 95 target. Its significantly worse than those for hospitals in england and scotland, but better than northern ireland. Scotlands first minister says the case for a new independence referendum is now unarguable. Nicola sturgeon has published a document calling on the westminster government to transfer the powers to make it possible. It comes after the snp won 48 of the 59 seats in scotland at the general election. Borisjohnson has repeatedly made clear his opposition to such a move. Our scotland editor sarah smith reports. Bagpipes play. When should scottish voters get another say on whether they want to live in an independent country . That choice should be up to scotland, says Nicola Sturgeon. Good morning. Buoyed by her victory in last weeks election. I accept that the case for independence is yet to be won, but the election last week put beyond any reasonable argument our mandate to offer people in scotland that choice. If the Prime Minister refuses to transfer the powers you want, you could be stuck in a constitutional stand off for five years before you could have a referendum. Well, lets say that. Thats not my intention because i also know that the more a tory government seeks to block the will of the scottish people, the more they show complete and utter contempt for scottish democracy, the more support for independence will rise. This paper makes the case for the power to hold another vote to be transferred to scotland and a copy has today been sent to Boris Johnson. Nicola sturgeon knows the Prime Minister doesnt even need to read this document before hell issue a flat no to the idea of another independence referendum. But what shes hoping is the longer westminster refuse to allow that vote, the more she thinks that will increase support for scottish independence. Borisjohnson is clearly prepared to take that risk. Mr speaker, i think it was Nicola Sturgeon herself who said that the referendum in 2014 was a once in a generation event. And i dont know about you, mr speaker, but i feel that the Scottish Nationalist Party should concentrate more on delivering on the domestic priorities of the people of scotland and rather less on breaking up our united kingdom. Even the dogs in the street know there will be another referendum, claimed scotlands first minister, but theres no reason to believe westminster will agree to one any time soon. We could be stuck in this never end um for years to come. Sarah smith, bbc news, edinburgh. The time is 6 17. Our top story this evening from brexit to hospital car parks the queens speech spells out the ambition of thejohnson premiership. A star studded cast, but how well is the remake of cats being received . Coming up on sportsday on bbc news scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from International Rugby after 76 caps. He led his country 39 times more than anyone else. The watchdog that oversees complaints in the armed forces has called on the ministry of defence to do more to tackle racism. The independent Service Complaints ombudsman, nicola williams, has warned that racist incidents in the military are happening with increasing and depressing frequency. Our defence correspondent Jonathan Beale has been talking to one former soldier. Theres my grandfather, World War Two and his medals. Mark de kretser has strong ties to the military. His father, who came from sri lanka, joined the raf. Mark himself was a soldier and did tours of iraq and afghanistan. But it wasnt combat that caused his post traumatic stress, it was racism. I never asked to be called black, buddha. It got to the point where i wasnt worried about how i performed at work. I was worried about what was going to be said to me next. Its not the image the army wants. Recent recruitment ads have highlighted its diversity and its desire to do more. But heres the problem ethnic minorities make up just 7 of the armed forces. But they account for nearly 40 of complaints about bullying, harassment and discrimination. Now, the ombudsman overseeing the complaint system is calling on the forces to do more to root out racism. I think racism is prevalent in the armed forces, whether or not you describe it as institutionally racist or there are racist incidents which are occurring with increasing and depressing frequency, the issue needs to be tackled. If i tell you something you were doing was wrong, i expect you to buy in, accept that and change. The mod like this. Insists it is tackling the issue, including diversity training, like this. The army also has a unit to deal with what it calls unacceptable behaviours. The fact that the army has invested in a team of six and hopefully a team thats going to get bigger, shows that the army takes all of these issues seriously, and its notjust about racism and sexism, its about all unacceptable behaviours. But it didnt stop mark from suffering racist abuse. It has broke me. Iwas. Really quite a strong character. And now. Im a mouse, now. The mod has now paid mark compensation, but hell never forgive the army he once loved. Jonathan beale, bbc news. Donald trump has become only the third us president to be impeached. Last night, the house of representatives voted to send him for trial in the senate next month. Impeachment means the president has been charged with high crimes and misdemeanors. The democrats who control the house of representatives forced that move. Its the senate that will actually try the president , but since its controlled by the republicans, hes likely to stay in office. With the latest from washington, heres our north america editorjon sopel. On an historic night, donald trump chose to be nowhere near washington. Hes 600 miles north in battle creek, and never more ready to do battle. As hes taking to the podium, in a perfect split screen moment, the votes are being counted in the house of representatives that will impeach him. Article one is adopted. But look at that death stare the democratic speaker gives her own members as they started to cheer. Solemnity, not crowing was the order of the day. Back in michigan, donald trump was given a note about the vote and was ready to unload on the democrats. This partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the democrat party. Have you seen my polls in the last four weeks . Cheering. After last nights vote, the fate of the now impeached president will be decided in the senate at a trial that almost certainly wont convict donald trump. But when it begins, how many witnesses are called, who and how long the trial lasts is still hotly contested. And there was a taste of the battles that lie ahead in the Senate Earlier today. Over the last 12 weeks, House Democrats have conducted the most rushed, least thorough and most unfair impeachment enquiry in modern history. Leader mcconnells 30 minute partisan stemwinder contained hardly a single defence of the president of the United States on the merits. Almost none defended President Trump because they cant. The impeachment articles have to be handed to the senate, but the democratic speaker is refusing to do so until she receives assurances about how the trial will be conducted. The partisan gridlock continues. Jon sopel, bbc news, washington. A man who murdered his baby son and tried to kill his partner has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years. Denis beytula, whos 27, stabbed his three week old son andrei and the baby s mother, andreea stefan, at theirflat in wallsend on tyneside. In court, beytula was described as a control freak. Fiona trott reports. No tears, no hysteria. Not what youd expect from a man whod just murdered his baby. Hed stabbed his partner too. Why have you got blood on you . I killed her. Right, put your arms up for me. Amazingly, his partner andreea survived the attack. She was stabbed six times. Today she made this statement denis was a man who was supposed to love me and my son. He was supposed to take care of us and keep us safe. But in one moment, denis shattered my whole world. While denis made me a victim, i made myself a survivor. But Denis Beytula made her a victim throughout their relationship, a victim of coercive control. A very different life to the one portrayed on social media. He manipulated who she would interact with. He restricted her use of the telephone, social media. He even tried to influence how, where and who she worked with. And when andrei came along and all of the care and attention that he needed as a brand new baby boy, he saw that as a threat. When passing sentence, judge paul sloan qc told Denis Beytula, you murdered andrei in the presence of his mother in a home which should have provided a place of sanctuary. It was an abuse of power and an abuse of trust. That power was taken away today when he was handed a life sentence. His former partner says no sentence is enough. Fiona trott, bbc news, newcastle. A six year old boy who was left fighting for his life after being thrown from a viewing platform at the tate modern art gallery in london has started to speak again. The french boy is also regaining some sensation in his arms and legs. In an online post, his family said his speech was still very stilted but called it wonderful progress. He was attacked in august by 18 year old jonty bravery, who has admitted attempted murder and is awaiting sentencing. Devon and Cornwall Police have declared a Major Incident after severe flooding in the area. Water has made its way into around 50 properties in hayle in cornwall. There are flood warnings in place across other parts of england, mainly in the south and south west. The long anticipated big screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webbers hit stage musical cats is finally here. The star studded film seesjennifer hudson, Damejudi Dench and idris elba taking on some of the leading roles but the reviews havent exactly been overwhelming. Our arts editor, will gompertz, has been to see it. This is the trailer for the big screen, big budget adaptation of cats. It caused a social media storm when it was posted the summer. Whats your name . Cat got your tongue . People were freaked out by the uncanny furry faces of the all star cast, sporting body hugging onesies, revealing distinctly human curves. Interview requests from the media, that would normally be lapped up, were declined. Tom hooper, its oscar winning director who was behind the kings speech, made some changes, working right up to its release this week. And a blizzard of bad reviews. The guardian called it a perfectly dreadful adaptation in its one star review. The Daily Telegraph gave no stars at all to what it called a moggy mess, while your correspondent found it soulless. The daily mail, though, was far more positive, saying eight out of ten cinemagoers will love these cats. Much of the action takes place in a disused west end theatre in a highly stylised version of london, which sits somewhere between dickensian squalor and soho glamour, quite unlike, in fact, the actual modern theatre where cats the musical made its home back in 1981, just down the road in drury lane. Spotlight and a drum roll, please. Lord Lloyd Webbers original musical, based on ts eliots poems was a critical and commercial hit. This movie version is clearly not the former, but it could yet claw itself back to Box Office Success or end up in the litter tray of expensive cinematic flops. Will gompertz, bbc news. Time for a look at the weather. Heres chris fawkes. Todayit today it has been raining cats and dogs we have seen problems with localised flooding out and about. This was the scene in herefordshire today and actually there are 25 warnings in place across england, the vast majority across southern england and the midlands. And in scotla nd england and the midlands. And in scotland also three flood warnings in place. At the moment rain is pushing northwards now. This next area of rain is brewing and this area of rain is brewing and this area of rain is brewing and this area of cloud is crossing the bay of biscay at the moment, and it will be bringing more heavy rain away. We will see the first batch of rain moving into scotland and northern ireland. Drier and quieter for a time, just a few showers, but later in the night we will see the weather turning increasingly wet with heavy and persistent outbreaks of rain moving back in across england and wales. With the ground already saturated, we are likely to see localised Flooding Issues so we could have disruption to transport, spray could have disruption to transport, spray building up on the roads, may be Rail Networks affected in some areas as well. A rotten rush hour to work tomorrow. In most areas the rain will move up to eastern areas of scotland, whereas western parts will have quieter whether but it will have quieter whether but it will be turning cooler. We will keep the milder air across southern and eastern areas of england. Looking at the weather picture this weekend, we are not quite done with the rain yet. This is sweeping through the channel and will be bringing rain into southern areas again for a time. For the rest of the uk this weekend, often quite cloudy with passing showers. Little change in the temperatures but in the short term it is the rain causing the problems. Thank you very much. Thats all from the bbc news at six. On bbc one we nowjoin the bbcs news teams where you are