and then there are the families who have not been contacted. who spend every day by the phone, and tonight will know the wait will go on. it is exhausting, it is hell. in the past seven weeks all the it is exhausting, it is hell. in the past seven weeks all the families have been in the nightmare. all israelis, actually. we have been doing everything we can to bring our loved ones back, talking to the press, like i am doing right now. meeting through government officials, meeting with the israeli government. joining me in the studio tonight isjustin crump, a former british army officer and ceo and founder of sibylline — an intelligence consultancy, and also guto harri, a former director of communications at downing street. welcome to the programme. guto, i shudder to think what the families are going through, seven weeks of war, and some of them will know their loved ones are not coming out tomorrow? it their loved ones are not coming out tomorrow? , their loved ones are not coming out tomorrow?— their loved ones are not coming out tomorrow? , _ ., ., tomorrow? it is paying for them and trauma for the _ tomorrow? it is paying for them and trauma for the other _ tomorrow? it is paying for them and trauma for the other not _ tomorrow? it is paying for them and trauma for the other not knowing i tomorrow? it is paying for them and trauma for the other not knowing if| trauma for the other not knowing if it is going to happen or not. you dare to be helpful for it is going to happen or not. you dare to be helpfulfor once. but thatis, dare to be helpfulfor once. but that is, i think, a dare to be helpfulfor once. but that is, ithink, a moment. we haven't had much scope for any hope over the last few weeks, it has been death, destruction and hatred and sinking further and further into a quagmire. it is astonishing a deal has been pulled off. it seems at least eight goes in and hostages come out and there is a pause. when there is a pause in the fighting, we know the dynamics that will drive them back into battle again, but at least there is a possibility now, which for the last few weeks it has looked like there has been a ray of sunshine. ., , , looked like there has been a ray of sunshine. . , , ., sunshine. there has been a complicating _ sunshine. there has been a complicating factor, - sunshine. there has been a complicating factor, the - sunshine. there has been a - complicating factor, the political wing of hamas is in qatar but the military wing is in tunnels underground. and the islamicjihad group holds some of the hostages so there are reasons why the group may have gone dark in recent weeks? absolutely, as you say the hostage situation _ absolutely, as you say the hostage situation itself, very confused. they— situation itself, very confused. they are — situation itself, very confused. they are not all being held by hamas. — they are not all being held by hamas, but a variety of groups and even _ hamas, but a variety of groups and even reports that some civilians in gaza _ even reports that some civilians in gaza opportunistically taking hostages and holding them. very difficult _ hostages and holding them. very difficult picture for the idea. one of the _ difficult picture for the idea. one of the challenges the idf has had is trying _ of the challenges the idf has had is trying to— of the challenges the idf has had is trying to recover hostages. i think they had — trying to recover hostages. i think they had hope early on they could identify— they had hope early on they could identify someone grab some. they did early on _ identify someone grab some. they did early on but _ identify someone grab some. they did early on but the scale of the task was large — early on but the scale of the task was large and some of the hostages didnt— was large and some of the hostages didn't survive. i'm not sure we have seen _ didn't survive. i'm not sure we have seen full_ didn't survive. i'm not sure we have seen full details of that and the agony— seen full details of that and the agony for— seen full details of that and the agony for people waiting will be intensified by that. for israel, this is— intensified by that. for israel, this is a — intensified by that. for israel, this is a reflection of that military— this is a reflection of that military operations were not freeing these _ military operations were not freeing these hostages, they didn't want a ceasefire. — these hostages, they didn't want a ceasefire, they hate the word ceasefire _ ceasefire, they hate the word ceasefire but this is a good opportunity to balance recovery and also, _ opportunity to balance recovery and also, as— opportunity to balance recovery and also, as you — opportunity to balance recovery and also, as you say, allow aiding and slightly— also, as you say, allow aiding and slightly free of the situation which alleviate _ slightly free of the situation which alleviate some of the criticism they have come — alleviate some of the criticism they have come under further kinetic operations in northern gaza. the other confusion _ operations in northern gaza. tie: other confusion today, has operations in northern gaza. ti9: other confusion today, has been operations in northern gaza. ti9 other confusion today, has been this issue of the international community of the red cross. prime minister netanyahu seems to think they will get full access to all the hostages. which they need because they don't have a full list. but that doesn't seem to be what the icl see things? can you imagine situation like this, they delete mcquan side has agreed to something they say they haven't. they're trying to push the boundaries and try and push the other side. what was fascinating, they announced the deal that was very close before it was done. that in itself was a very rare thing, to be at this point where nobody has actually been released, the ceasefire hasn't started but they have created the expectation. it is the opposite of what you normally have. normally somebody emerges blinking into the sunshine and you feel the relief. i don't know if it is more traumatic this way, more anxious for the families? but tonight, there is a chance to get them home. tonight, there is a chance to get them home-— tonight, there is a chance to get them home. , :, ., , them home. they have arrested the director of the _ them home. they have arrested the director of the al-shifa _ them home. they have arrested the director of the al-shifa hospital. - director of the al—shifa hospital. the statement said there was extensive terrorist activity and the idf video shown in the first hour which they have treated, which we cannot verify. but i wanted to get your thoughts. we have talked together about these tunnels, from what you have seen in this video, if it is where they say it is under the hospital, does it look like a command centre?- hospital, does it look like a command centre? israel raised an expectation _ command centre? israel raised an expectation with _ command centre? israel raised an expectation with the _ command centre? israel raised an expectation with the video - command centre? israel raised an expectation with the video that. command centre? israel raised an l expectation with the video that they released. _ expectation with the video that they released, it was rather to select that showed a command centre it was almost _ that showed a command centre it was almost like _ that showed a command centre it was almost like nasser in its portrayal of screens — almost like nasser in its portrayal of screens and things like that. before — of screens and things like that. before they went in?— of screens and things like that. before they went in? yes, the videos that showed — before they went in? yes, the videos that showed underground _ before they went in? yes, the videos that showed underground and - before they went in? yes, the videos that showed underground and they i that showed underground and they said this _ that showed underground and they said this is — that showed underground and they said this is a representation and it will be _ said this is a representation and it will be more crude. shades of tora bora _ will be more crude. shades of tora bora ih _ will be more crude. shades of tora bora in afghanistan and marvellous diagrams _ bora in afghanistan and marvellous diagrams online of terrorists almost james _ diagrams online of terrorists almost james bond underground lair. it was nothing _ james bond underground lair. it was nothing as— james bond underground lair. it was nothing as complex as that. what is a terraced _ nothing as complex as that. what is a terraced command centre look like it doesn't— a terraced command centre look like it doesn't have walls full of screens _ it doesn't have walls full of screens— it doesn't have walls full of screens. . :, :, ., ., screens. would do have tiled walls? it ma do. screens. would do have tiled walls? it may d0- we _ screens. would do have tiled walls? it may do. we are _ screens. would do have tiled walls? it may do. we are a _ screens. would do have tiled walls? it may do. we are a fraction - screens. would do have tiled walls? it may do. we are a fraction into - it may do. we are a fraction into these _ it may do. we are a fraction into these tunnels, and there could be booby—traps and is a very slow operatioh _ booby-traps and is a very slow operation-— booby-traps and is a very slow oeration. ~ :, ., :, :, operation. would you want to go in there? definitely _ operation. would you want to go in there? definitely not. _ operation. would you want to go in there? definitely not. these - operation. would you want to go in there? definitely not. these are i there? definitely not. these are brave soldiers going on. that there? definitely not. these are brave soldiers going on.- there? definitely not. these are brave soldiers going on. that is why a lot of it has _ brave soldiers going on. that is why a lot of it has been _ brave soldiers going on. that is why a lot of it has been the _ brave soldiers going on. that is why a lot of it has been the aerial i a lot of it has been the aerial bombardment and been merciless because the alternative of sending troops down there, even the crack troops, you know more than me, it is horrific. ~ :, , :, , :, , horrific. would you send the drones in first? they _ horrific. would you send the drones in first? they have _ horrific. would you send the drones in first? they have done _ horrific. would you send the drones in first? they have done that i horrific. would you send the drones in first? they have done that and i in first? they have done that and the have in first? they have done that and they have used _ in first? they have done that and they have used dogs. _ in first? they have done that and they have used dogs. someone l in first? they have done that and i they have used dogs. someone said to me you _ they have used dogs. someone said to me you don't _ they have used dogs. someone said to me you don't rush into a terraced tunnel— me you don't rush into a terraced tuhhel more _ me you don't rush into a terraced tunnel more than once. and why it has taken — tunnel more than once. and why it has taken israel so long, the criticism _ has taken israel so long, the criticism has been, if you knew they were _ criticism has been, if you knew they were there. — criticism has been, if you knew they were there, why has it taken you so lon- were there, why has it taken you so long to _ were there, why has it taken you so long to produce the evidence? hamas collapsed _ long to produce the evidence? hamas collapsed some of the entrances to the tunnels as well, making it look like it— the tunnels as well, making it look like it was— the tunnels as well, making it look like it was the classroom opposite the hospital looked like it had been collapsed _ the hospital looked like it had been collapsed onto it to hide the entrance. we have got to find it, -et entrance. we have got to find it, get rid _ entrance. we have got to find it, get rid of— entrance. we have got to find it, get rid of the booby—traps and there are traps— get rid of the booby—traps and there are traps laid. a lot of hamas had the opportunity to move out of northerh— the opportunity to move out of northern gaza because israel had to announce _ northern gaza because israel had to announce its hotspots. they're not going _ announce its hotspots. they're not going to _ announce its hotspots. they're not going to have the smoking gun they probably— going to have the smoking gun they probably want to show of maps on the walls and _ probably want to show of maps on the walls and people having just left. hamas _ walls and people having just left. hamas have had weeks to evacuate and the people _ hamas have had weeks to evacuate and the people who have stayed are the fighters _ the people who have stayed are the fighters and frankly, the suicidal fighters — fighters and frankly, the suicidal fighters. if you look at the footage of them _ fighters. if you look at the footage of them charging tanks at close range, — of them charging tanks at close range, they are there to be martyrs. the rest _ range, they are there to be martyrs. the rest are — range, they are there to be martyrs. the rest are probably move, inevitably and this gives israel this problem that they cannot show the evidence. if this problem that they cannot show the evidence-— the evidence. if there is a pause tomorrow. _ the evidence. if there is a pause tomorrow. it _ the evidence. if there is a pause tomorrow, it is _ the evidence. if there is a pause tomorrow, it is clear _ the evidence. if there is a pause tomorrow, it is clear from i the evidence. if there is a pause tomorrow, it is clear from the i tomorrow, it is clear from the statement that benjamin netanyahu gave last night it will only be temporary. whether hamas take advantages of the terms are not, they could extend the truce but the people they hold will be full average. the netanyahu, the complete elimination of hamas. but what does that mean militarily and have the earth's says that the objectives had been met? from various sources, the ft reported today, that in the view of senior idf officials they've " significantly hurt�* maybe ten of hamas' 2a battalions — a conservative estimate is that they have killed around 5,000 out of a possible 25,000 fighters. its obvious to all of us that they have overrun the hamas' launching positions in the north. in the earliest days of the conflict there was a salvo every four or five hours, these past two weeks it's down to four or five rockets every three days. as we have discussed, they have control of the al—shifa hospital and the tunnels beneath it. the combat engineers say they have destroyed the shafts of about 400 tunnels but as justin will tell you that is barely a dent in a network thought to extend 500km in length. but for that, there has been enormous collateral damage. and we are only at half time. the south is where gazans have been told to flee and it is to the south that the top leaders and fighters have already fled. the israelis want the people in gaza to move to a supposed safe zone, this tiny areas west of khan younis known as al muwasi. can you really squeeze two and half million people and aid operation into an areas ia square kilometre. the answer is no. what comes next? the objective was the total destruction of the movement. if you're going to do that they'd clearly have to destroy the whole tunnel network. but in the tunnel network are the hostages. there are some difficult decisions coming in the next few weeks? yes. coming in the next few weeks? yes, the political — coming in the next few weeks? yes, the political objectives _ coming in the next few weeks? yes, the political objectives versus the military— the political objectives versus the military objectives, means and ends on fundamentally if the mission is to destroy— on fundamentally if the mission is to destroy hamas, you have to set the whole — to destroy hamas, you have to set the whole gaza strip. what do you do with the _ the whole gaza strip. what do you do with the whole population? israel are hot— with the whole population? israel are not going to filter out the population and give them genuinely safe places to be, which probably could _ safe places to be, which probably could be — safe places to be, which probably could be irr— safe places to be, which probably could be in israel and not in egypt because _ could be in israel and not in egypt because now the country wants that either _ because now the country wants that either you — because now the country wants that either. you are compressing people into increasingly dense areas. what are they— into increasingly dense areas. what are they going to do afterwards? they— are they going to do afterwards? they can — are they going to do afterwards? they can go back to the ruins and then— they can go back to the ruins and then be _ they can go back to the ruins and then be told, they go, you can go back— then be told, they go, you can go back to _ then be told, they go, you can go back to houses now, good luck. is back to houses now, good luck. [55 that back to houses now, good luck. that why back to houses now, good luck. is that why some people look at what the objective is here and if you squeeze and squeeze, eventually doubt they spill into the sinai? increasingly not only are people finding it very distasteful, there was a moment with babies being taken taken out of incubators, on a par with the young nate allen girl in vietnam, it was a moment of extreme danger to israel in the sort of battle for hearts and minds. it started as a full support internationally, pretty much for them to eliminate hamas. now you wonder what this is doing to create the next generation of fighters, what they are called, what that is doing to public opinion around the world. initially100% doing to public opinion around the world. initially 100% behind israel, now, very uncomfortable with how this has gone. i think the palpable sense of relief that there is a ceasefire for a few days tells you how uncomfortable some of israel's closest friends are.— closest friends are. there is this concern in _ closest friends are. there is this concern in the _ closest friends are. there is this concern in the biden _ closest friends are. there is this i concern in the biden administration that you have a pause, it may be the pauseis that you have a pause, it may be the pause is extended, thejournalists in gaza, i don't think they will let many in, but the journalists in gaza will get more access to what has happened and that will turn public opinion further.— opinion further. however distasteful, _ opinion further. however distasteful, we _ opinion further. however distasteful, we have i opinion further. however distasteful, we have got| opinion further. however- distasteful, we have got used to opinion further. however— distasteful, we have got used to the last few days, the idea in the cold light of day that people will stop bombing again, both sides, the missile is going to israel again it will feel insane and to see the idf restart this level of operation will feel pretty bad, when we have seen the negotiation can deliver aid to those civilians, can deliver hostages releases to israel. surely, there is more scope for diplomacy and talks rather than military solutions?— and talks rather than military solutions? ~ , :, ,, ., solutions? when you think about the military operation _ solutions? when you think about the military operation that _ solutions? when you think about the military operation that would - solutions? when you think about the military operation that would have i military operation that would have to take place in the south with a million and a half, 1.75 million people displaced into that area, you cannot go through in the way they have gone through the north. you have gone through the north. you have to go street by street, be careful there isn't more collateral damage and this could go on for months? tt damage and this could go on for months? , :, :, :, ~' damage and this could go on for months? , :, :, :, ,, ., damage and this could go on for months? , :, :, :, ~ ., months? if you look at the battle for mosul. _ months? if you look at the battle for mosul, nine _ months? if you look at the battle for mosul, nine months - months? if you look at the battle for mosul, nine months and i months? if you look at the battle for mosul, nine months and that| months? if you look at the battle i for mosul, nine months and that was an environment where it was potentially easier to get civilians out and — potentially easier to get civilians out and you had the support of the host country. the centre of a racket with iraqi _ host country. the centre of a racket with iraqi forces. this is a very difficult — with iraqi forces. this is a very difficult situation in that regard to conduct these operations. if the mission _ to conduct these operations. if the mission remains to destroy hamas, they have _ mission remains to destroy hamas, they have to— mission remains to destroy hamas, they have to do all of this. i know they have to do all of this. i know the language is changing and now it is to prevent hamas to not have control— is to prevent hamas to not have control of— is to prevent hamas to not have control of the gaza strip in the future, — control of the gaza strip in the future, and control of hamas. the initial— future, and control of hamas. the initial was — future, and control of hamas. the initial was a — future, and control of hamas. the initial was a difficult period to achieve _ initial was a difficult period to achieve. like any war against terrorism. _ achieve. like any war against terrorism, without a political solution _ terrorism, without a political solution and other alternatives, it wasjust_ solution and other alternatives, it wasjust going to go back to solution and other alternatives, it was just going to go back to a cycle of violence — was just going to go back to a cycle of violence. it was about how much pain was— of violence. it was about how much pain was going to be inflicted before — pain was going to be inflicted before it _ pain was going to be inflicted before it return to that. i will say, — before it return to that. i will say, during the ceasefire i will expect— say, during the ceasefire i will expect there will be ceasefire violations and to the point about the event, — violations and to the point about the event, the idf soldiers in particular— the event, the idf soldiers in particular you have got to wait and know _ particular you have got to wait and know they — particular you have got to wait and know they will probably get attacked, how did they respond? does that precipitate problems? that attacked, how did they respond? does that precipitate problems?— that precipitate problems? that will be on the minds _ that precipitate problems? that will be on the minds of _ that precipitate problems? that will be on the minds of the _ that precipitate problems? that will be on the minds of the families. i be on the minds of the families. that is the context of the plan, the military plan that is facing the idea. what about the politics? david cameron, just talk to james landale who is injerusalem with david cameron, foreign minister, we know antony blinken has talked of the qataris today, there is a lot of diplomacy going on in the background, what do you think that western countries want out of this? it is fascinating, we are getting glimpses of what was really going on. free was saying israel had the right to defend itself but quietly saying, this is not on. the language has surfaced as well. britain is saying it is not acceptable, you need a level of restraint, the french have gone further than any of our allies, french have gone further than any of ourallies, if french have gone further than any of our allies, if you like. all of that is piling on the pressure. i think politically, whatever the military aspect, politically it is much harder to get stuck in again as benjamin netanyahu wants to do. we believe that there. thank you for that. coming up, the mayor of ny city eric adams is facing new allegations of sexual assault. he is already under investigation over reports he received campaign funding from the turkish government. also, we will delve into the new figures on net migration. and the latest from the covid inquiry with more bad news for the prime minister. stay with us, this is bbc news. household energy prices will rise in january putting more financial pressure on billpayers at the coldest time of year. energy regulator ofgem said the typical annual household bill would go up by £91; or 5%. it said the rise in bills would be worrying at a difficult time for many people, but was the result of higher wholesale costs faced by suppliers. the car manufacturer nissan is expected to announce on friday that the electric versions of the qashqai and thejuke are to be made at their sunderland plant. the plant currently employs around 6,000 staff to build petrol versions of the two cars as well as the electric leaf. families will be £1,900 poorer at the end of this parliament compared with the beginning, according to the think tank, the resolution foundation. it said this government would set a "grim" new record for living standards going down. but chancellorjeremy hunt said the tax cuts announced in the autumn statement would put more money in people's pockets. one of the rising stars in american politics, the new york city mayor eric adams has been accused of sexual assault in court papers that were filed late wednesday night. the summons alleges that the plaintiff was assaulted by mr adams in 1993 "while they both worked for the city of new york". a city hall spokesperson said mr adams did not recall meeting his accuser and "vigorously denies" the claims. the legal action was filed under the new york state's adult survivors act, which expires this friday. the state law created a year—long window for survivors of sexual misconduct to bring lawsuits, that would otherwise have been blocked under the statute of limitations. live now to our north america correspondent nomia iqbal. you clearly haven't had a thanksgiving holiday. let's start with this, what do you know is being alleged? with this, what do you know is being alleued? , ., , _ with this, what do you know is being alleued? , :, , _ ., alleged? yes, happy thanksgiving. it is interesting. _ alleged? yes, happy thanksgiving. it is interesting, there's _ alleged? yes, happy thanksgiving. it is interesting, there's not _ alleged? yes, happy thanksgiving. it is interesting, there's not many i is interesting, there's not many details we do get but what we understand from this defendant who has been named as the department transit bureau. no real details about what role this person had. they are alleging they experience gender discrimination, retaliation, a hostile environment. it was crucial what you mentioned about this adult survivors act, which is this adult survivors act, which is this law that creates this year—long window for you to bring forward the sort of allegations. we saw itjust recently used against sean colmes, also known as the dee. also against the former president donald trump and the disgraced movie producer harvey weinstein. as a mention, we don't get many details but the person in question is seeking $5 million in damages. as you mention, just to repeat the mayor has denied the claims and told our partner station cbs, this did not happen, they don't recall this person. he goes on to say i have spent my life protecting people and will continue to do so. " protecting people and will continue todoso. " ., . to do so. 1993, was he a police officer then? _ to do so. 1993, was he a police officer then? yes, _ to do so. 1993, was he a police officer then? yes, he - to do so. 1993, was he a police officer then? yes, he would i to do so. 1993, was he a police i officer then? yes, he would have been a police _ officer then? yes, he would have been a police officer— officer then? yes, he would have been a police officer at _ officer then? yes, he would have been a police officer at the i officer then? yes, he would have been a police officer at the time. j been a police officer at the time. in terms of the woman who has made this allegation, we don't know exactly what role she had, but they both, we understand, worked for the city of new york. he both, we understand, worked for the city of new york-— city of new york. he is already facin: city of new york. he is already facing allegations, _ city of new york. he is already facing allegations, these i facing allegations, these allegations that came forward a couple of weeks ago and the fbi are looking into some of his campaign funding? looking into some of his campaign fundin: ? . . looking into some of his campaign fundin: ? , :, ,, , , funding? yes, earlier in september his apartment _ funding? yes, earlier in september his apartment was _ funding? yes, earlier in september his apartment was raided _ funding? yes, earlier in september his apartment was raided by - funding? yes, earlier in september his apartment was raided by the i funding? yes, earlier in september| his apartment was raided by the fbi and they took some electronic devices, including mobile phones, an ipad and there was also a raid on a woman who was a former aide of his. so what this investigation is centring on is allegations that his campaign team back in 2021 conspired with the turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations. so basically the accusation is they kick some benefits to the turkish government in exchange for money. he was sworn in as the 110th mayor of new york city in january 2022. so this investigation is ongoing. new york city injanuary 2022. so this investigation is ongoing. he has denied the claims of this investigation. he insists he has no knowledge of any wrongdoing and is fully cooperating with this investigation. brute fully cooperating with this investigation.— fully cooperating with this investigation. fully cooperating with this investiuation. ~ :, , , :, investigation. we would 'ust show ou a investigation. we would 'ust show you a treat. — investigation. we would 'ust show you a treat, this i investigation. we would 'ust show you a treat, this was i investigation. we would 'ust show you a treat, this was his- investigation. we would just show you a treat, this was his tweet, i investigation. we would just show| you a treat, this was his tweet, on fifth ave today. it is the misi's parade, which we have every year on thanksgiving. it is the start of the most wonderful time of the year, he said. publicly, it is not affecting him but i am sure his mind is on those two allegations. thank you for that. what is strange about this, we talk a lot aboutjoe biden and who is coming through in the democratic party. you look at new york and they were two promising candidates, andrew cuomo, the new york governor who had to stand down over sexual allegations and then this facing eric adams, who was the rising star of the party?— of the party? yes, there are better --eole of the party? yes, there are better people than _ of the party? yes, there are better people than me — of the party? yes, there are better people than me to _ of the party? yes, there are better people than me to talk— of the party? yes, there are better people than me to talk about i of the party? yes, there are better people than me to talk about thatl people than me to talk about that but it is shocking how allegations these days can destroy a career. we had it here with a candidate for the london mayoralty which was taken out for the allegation that was decades old. they are never tested in court. the old idea that you are innocent until proven guilty and follow the due process, is gone. an allegation alone now is enough to destroy you in public life. it is a pernicious thing, apart from one guy, the former president and possibly future president, the more mock thrown at him and the more times he's dragged into court cases, the more popular he seems to be.— into court cases, the more popular he seems to be. also how hard it is to defend because _ he seems to be. also how hard it is to defend because people - he seems to be. also how hard it is to defend because people believe l he seems to be. also how hard it is| to defend because people believe it. how on earth do you defend a case from 1993? it how on earth do you defend a case from 1993?— from 1993? it is difficult, the mud sticks. from 1993? it is difficult, the mud sticks- trump's — from 1993? it is difficult, the mud sticks. trump's amazing - from 1993? it is difficult, the mud sticks. trump's amazing thing, i from 1993? it is difficult, the mud sticks. trump's amazing thing, asj from 1993? it is difficult, the mud i sticks. trump's amazing thing, as he said himself. — sticks. trump's amazing thing, as he said himself, he could shoot someone in the _ said himself, he could shoot someone in the head _ said himself, he could shoot someone in the head on fifth ave and get away— in the head on fifth ave and get away with— in the head on fifth ave and get away with it and people say, it is ridiculous — away with it and people say, it is ridiculous. but actually, it seems he knew— ridiculous. but actually, it seems he knew more than we thought he did at the _ he knew more than we thought he did at the time _ he knew more than we thought he did at the time. it is almost by embracing it you cannot be brought down _ embracing it you cannot be brought down by— embracing it you cannot be brought down by it— embracing it you cannot be brought down by it and he has turned it into his strength. the democrats, the more _ his strength. the democrats, the more they— his strength. the democrats, the more they have thrown at him, aimed at trump, _ more they have thrown at him, aimed at trump, he — more they have thrown at him, aimed at trump, he was caught in this is the report— at trump, he was caught in this is the report says and he has turned into a _ the report says and he has turned into a strength. and says, keep attacking — into a strength. and says, keep attacking me. incredible popularity and front— attacking me. incredible popularity and front runner in the polls. a long _ and front runner in the polls. a long way— and front runner in the polls. a long way to go, two elderly candidates and a lot can change but he seems _ candidates and a lot can change but he seems to be able to rise above it. he seems to be able to rise above it it— he seems to be able to rise above it. , , it. it is interesting, here, it wouldn't— it. it is interesting, here, it wouldn't come _ it. it is interesting, here, it wouldn't come to _ it. it is interesting, here, it wouldn't come to a - it. it is interesting, here, it| wouldn't come to a criminal it. it is interesting, here, it- wouldn't come to a criminal case but it would stick. there, it is a much more pernicious civil legal process, $5 million and there is a lot at stake. on the flip side, there is a law, provision that that encourages people to come forward. who knows, maybe she has been sexually assaulted and it is right people have the opportunity and the space to come forward? find have the opportunity and the space to come forward?— have the opportunity and the space to come forward? and that is why it is different- — to come forward? and that is why it is different. what _ to come forward? and that is why it is different. what trump _ to come forward? and that is why it is different. what trump has - to come forward? and that is why it i is different. what trump has managed to do successfully, it say the system is coming for him. we don't see a sort of... we have seen individual victims but he has created this or read that the system are trying to bring him down. when there is a specific person and here we don't know who she is yet, but we all have an idea so there is a natural inclination to feel sympathy and you know, another human being has been wrong. then it is problems for the politician, as it should be, although it has not been tested and thatis although it has not been tested and that is what is wrong.— that is what is wrong. coming back to the democratic _ that is what is wrong. coming back to the democratic party, _ that is what is wrong. coming back to the democratic party, i - that is what is wrong. coming back to the democratic party, i was i to the democratic party, i was listening to somebody saying we should replace joe listening to somebody saying we should replacejoe biden, he is 81 and there are plenty of people. someone watching said, you have to vet people, you need to know what is in their background. once they start running for a presidential campaign, everything comes to the fore. if we jumped the guy who is starting to turn the economy round, but the infrastructure bills and place, if wejumped him for infrastructure bills and place, if we jumped him for somebody who then turned out like eric adams and had lots of skeletons in his cupboard, we have egg on ourfaces. it is lots of skeletons in his cupboard, we have egg on our faces.- we have egg on our faces. it is a de-risking _ we have egg on our faces. it is a de-risking policy, _ we have egg on our faces. it is a de-risking policy, you _ we have egg on our faces. it is a de-risking policy, you end i we have egg on our faces. it is a de-risking policy, you end up i we have egg on our faces. it is a i de-risking policy, you end up with de—risking policy, you end up with bad candidates by default. when i speak— bad candidates by default. when i speak to — bad candidates by default. when i speak to people in the us at the moment. — speak to people in the us at the moment, nobody comes up with viable alternatives _ moment, nobody comes up with viable alternatives and no consistency around — alternatives and no consistency around anyone who could run. everyone _ around anyone who could run. everyone i_ around anyone who could run. everyone i speak to say is, isn't it ridiculous? — everyone i speak to say is, isn't it ridiculous? this is the best we can do. ridiculous? this is the best we can do yet _ ridiculous? this is the best we can do. yet there is no desire to change _ do. yet there is no desire to change. the democrat party in particular. _ change. the democrat party in particular, the problem is the democrats have, they value their royalty— democrats have, they value their royalty and hillary clinton, they said it _ royalty and hillary clinton, they said it was her turn and they didn't listen _ said it was her turn and they didn't listen to— said it was her turn and they didn't listen to a — said it was her turn and they didn't listen to a lot of voices in the party— listen to a lot of voices in the party and _ listen to a lot of voices in the party and they suffered for that. and there — party and they suffered for that. and there is the fear of moving away from joe _ and there is the fear of moving away from joe biden, and there is the fear of moving away fromjoe biden, even though and there is the fear of moving away from joe biden, even though he has some _ from joe biden, even though he has some flaws — from joe biden, even though he has some flaws coming along, but it takes _ some flaws coming along, but it takes courage to change and this is a wider— takes courage to change and this is a wider political problem in a lot of western democracies. it is the courage — of western democracies. it is the courage to— of western democracies. it is the courage to change, the courage to go in a different direction. but i think— in a different direction. but i think it — in a different direction. but i think it is _ in a different direction. but i think it is something we will touch on later— think it is something we will touch on later in— think it is something we will touch on later in the programme. stay with us, we will talk _ on later in the programme. stay with us, we will talk about _ on later in the programme. stay with us, we will talk about the _ on later in the programme. stay with us, we will talk about the net - us, we will talk about the net migration figures which are at a record high. rememberwhen migration figures which are at a record high. remember when the conservative said they would get it to the tens of thousands. they don't like what they're looking at today. also the covid inquiry and the who investigation in china. should we be worrying about that? we will right back. hello there we're all going to be in the same boat. we saw some sunshine around but different temperatures, 15 degrees across east anglia early on but in scotland itjust got colder as the day moved on. the winds picked up again and we have seen quite a number of showers. those turning wintry as well. the cold air is coming down from the north as the wind direction changes that milder, westerly wind being replaced by a cold that north—westerly wind. in between of course we have seen a zone of cloud and a little bit of rain, not very much. that is sinking towards the south—west and those showers in northern scotland becoming more wintry, even to lower levels and it could be quite stormy for a while in shetland. it will be a colder night thanit shetland. it will be a colder night than it was last night. frost at the moment more limited to scotland, perhaps the far north of england. more cloud to break up tomorrow in northern ireland, wales and the south—west. the odd light shower but sunshine coming through. many places will be dry and sunny tomorrow. she was turning back to reign in northern scotland will get driven down the north sea coast of england towards norfolk and suffolk on the stronger winds. temperatures across the uk will be lower than today, perhaps six or 7 degrees in many places. it will feel colder if you are out in the stronger winds. the strongest winds will be across northern and eastern scotland and are more eastern parts of england, where in the wind it will feel more like one or 2 degrees. as the winds dropped overnight, friday night could see the first widespread frost of the autumn. temperatures could be as low as minus five degrees inland, not quite so cold perhaps along the exposed coasts, but it does signal another cold day on saturday. probably not as windy on saturday, not as many showers down the north sea coast, more cloud coming into northern scotland and the cold air will have arrived in the south—west of england. but otherwise there is temperature struggling, perhaps no better than five or 6 degrees. second half of the weekend, bit of a change and may start to see some patchy rain coming into northern ireland, wales and the south—west which may lift the temperatures. but otherwise it will be another cold day and feeling cold underneath the cloud across england and wales. there should be some sunshine for much of scotland. hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. dutch anti—immigrant politician geert wilders is preparing to lead coalition talks in the netherlands, after his far—right freedom party won a shock election victory. welcome back. net migration to the uk has hit a record high. revised figures published today by the office for national statistics puts net migration at 745,000 people, in the year to december 2022. quick recap net migration, that is the difference between those coming in legally and those emigrating. that figure is substantially greater than the ons estimate 606,000, revised upwards they said because of "unexpected migration patterns". so what's driving it? well, first of all, the surge of 1.2 million migrants that were granted visas primarily from outside the eu to enter the uk to study. there has also been a surge of those escaping conflict or oppression, be it from afghanistan, hong kong, or ukraine. the new forecast forjune 2023 is above previous forecasts at 672,000, but clearly below the record high we have just reached. the important thing to say, given that brexit was supposed to have given us control of our borders, is that it is nearly three times the pre—brexit average of 200—250,000 a year.