Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240703

And on newsnight at 10 30. Well go deeper behind the headlines and speak live to key players on todays big stories. Plus, we take a first look at whats on tomorrows front pages. Good evening and welcome to the bbc news at ten, live from the Holyrood Parliament in edinburgh, at the end of a tumultuous day in Scottish Politics. Tonight, the search is under way for a new First Minister and snp leader, after humza yousaf announced he was standing downing afterjust 13 months in office. His politicalfuture had been uncertain since thursday, when he ended the snps power Sharing Agreement with the scottish greens. It left him facing a Confidence Vote he was at risk of losing. Today he said hed underestimated the level of hurt and upset his decision about Power Sharing would cause. 0ur Scotland Editor james cook is with me. Did Humza Yousaf Miscalculate . Short answer is yes and spectacularly so. How so . Because if we wind back, he inherited this Power Sharing deal with the Scottish Green Party from his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon and it had run into trouble. There were disagreements between the Scottish National party and the greens on a variety of issues, but the question wasnt so much that he ended it, the problem was the manner in which he ended it. By summoning the greens into bute house, the official residence of the First Minister, here in edinburgh, and basically chucking them out of his government. They were not happy about that. He then realised some people would suggest you maybe should have realised this earlier that he was running a Minority Government and he might need the support of the greens to continue, because the alternative was to try to win over the alba party won by alex salmond and its sole representative ash regan. The snp decided they didnt want to do that, to deal with alba or mr salmond with whom they had fallen out spectacularly. That led them going back to the agreement saying, could you support me from outside the government . They said no and that left him with no option but to go. Mr yousaf, are you resigning today . A simple answer yes. Not at home in dundee, though, but here at the official residence of the First Minister in edinburgh, the place which gave its name to the Power Sharing deal with the greens which humza yousaf dumped so disastrously last week. Unfortunately, in ending the Bute House Agreement in the manner that i did, i clearly underestimated the level of hurt and upset that caused green colleagues. I have concluded that repairing our relationship across the political domain can only be done by someone else at the helm. I have therefore informed the snps National Secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader and ask that she commences a Leadership Contest for my replacement as soon as possible. As a young boy born and raised in scotland, i could never have dreamt that one day i would have the privilege of leading my country. People who looked like me were not in positions of political influence, let alone leading governments, when i was younger. Politics can be a brutal business. It takes its toll on your physical and mental health. Your family suffer alongside you. I am in absolute debt. To my wonderful wife, my beautiful children and my wider family for putting up with me over the years. Im afraid you will be seeing a lot more of me from now. Humza yousaf, glasgow. He speaks urdu. Mr yousaf will have a place in the History Books as the first muslim, the First Descendant of immigrants, and the first scots asian to lead scotlands devolved government. But his time in office was tough most of all when his in laws were trapped in gaza for a month. But he also lost a westminster by election to labour and endured Policy Problems from hate crime to gender health care, all with his party under the shadow of a police investigation. The drama here today isntjust about who occupies this house, its about what they want to do while they are in there. And this whole affair has highlighted divisions in the snp divisions on how to achieve independence, divisions on economic policy, and divisions too on social issues, not least the most contentious topic of gender. So who will inherit those challenges . Are you the new snp leader, mr swinney . I 0bviously, theres a lot to happen today. Could it bejohn swinney, who led the party two decades ago and had pretty much retired from front line politics . Im giving very careful consideration to standing to be the leader of the snp. Ive been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made of me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party. So im giving that issue very active consideration, and its likely ill have more to say about that in the days to come. Mr swinney� s first spell as leader ended after a poor election result, but several key figures in the snp are supporting a second stint. I sincerely hope Thatjohn Swinney will put himself forward to be leader of the Scottish National party. I think he would do a phenomenaljob. I think the public would be reassured by his presence. I think the party would be united by his presence. I think that can only be a good thing for scotland as a whole. But what about kate forbes, the former finance secretary who ran mr yousaf so close in the Leadership Contest little over a year ago . Shes said to be thinking about running for the job. But the greens, whose support she might need, are not fans of her agenda. It is entirely up to the snp to decide who they want to lead their party. Its for them to decide what kind of party they want to be. Do they want to continue to be a Progressive Party . Do they continue to want to make Income Tax Fair . To work for the climate and nature emergencies . Or do they want to take a different direction . As he found out, governing is hard, but governing without a majority is much harder. James cook, bbc news, edinburgh. The political turbulence has ramifications notjust for Scottish Politics but for the wider uk, as our Political Editor chris mason explains. So it is scotlands turn for a blast of political turbulence. It turns out westminster doesnt have a monopoly on these things. Today matters, of course, for scotlands governance, but it matters if youre in devizes as well as dundee, wherever you are in the uk and that is because of the size of the Scottish National partys political footprint. And that is why its political rivals are seizing this moment. Well, its for scotland and the Scottish Parliament to decide who the First Minister is but what is happening now with the snp is that the mask is slipping. People in scotland are realising that Public Services are worse. The scottish people are being fundamentally let down. One in seven are on waiting lists, theres a Cost Of Living crisis and all the snp can offer is chaos and weve got to turn the page on this now. We need that general election and a fresh start. Ah, yes, The General Election. This would be a sticky moment at any time for the snp, but its particularly one with a general election so imminent. The vast majority of scotlands mps right now are snp mps. Labourfor a while have been sniffing around, trying to make significant gains but what right do they have to feel extra confident given whats just happened . Labour are of course hoping to profit substantially from snp electoral troubles and it looks as though those troubles may now have got worse. That said, labour need to bury in mind that the snp now have a chance to choose a new leader who might unite the party and prove to be more popular in a way that mr yousaf was not. The thing is, moments of this magnitude get noticed. Noticed by voters. I dont think he was the man for thejob, to be honest. Full of promises which never transpired. I just. I think most of us feel that we cant trust any of them. Just start acting like rational, normal people and actually put the people first for once. Im extremely happy and i wish hed take the rest of them with him. I wouldnt have had himl as First Minister anyway. Ageing is inescapable and that is no different for Political Parties. The snp have been in power here since 2007 and the baggage and arguments of all of those years have contributed to what weve seen today. But the future matters more than the past and its consequences will be felt here in scotland and beyond. Chris and james are with me now. James, what happens now . Could there be an election . Thats a good question and the motions of no confidence that had been proposed will still, at the moment as far as we know, be debated. The motion of no confidence in the leadership of humza yousaf doesnt matter now. He is going and he has committed to leave so it doesnt matter what happens in that vote. The motion of no confidence in the government is theoretically a different matter, could potentially be a problem except for the fact the scottish greens have said we are not going to vote to bring the government down. So the s p say they have the numbers to survive that. However there is going to be a general election. Who will lead the snp into that election . A lot of signs that people are coalescing in the snp, some seniorfigures the snp, some senior figures around john swinney. He might not run but if he does, The Big Question is what question does he answer . A lot of people would suggest he could only really be a caretaker leader. This is looking back to the past of the party, someone who was really on their way out and so, there is a concern that he might not be able to solve the underlying problems for the snp, the problems of Public Services, housing, advancing independence, the social issues and so on. It mightjust be he gets to The General Election where the ride will be tough for them and then they had to re address this issue. Will be tough for them and then they had to readdress this issue. Had to readdress this issue. Chris, it is not all had to readdress this issue. Chris, it is not all about had to readdress this issue. Chris, it is not all about here, had to readdress this issue. Chris, it is not all about here, it had to readdress this issue. Chris, it is not all about here, it is it is not all about here, it is about the wider uk, too. It is it is not all about here, it is about the wider uk, too. It is and it was about about the wider uk, too. It is and it was about a about the wider uk, too. It is and it was about a human about the wider uk, too. It is and it was about a human being about the wider uk, too. It is and i it was about a human being who was fallible it was about a human being who was fallible in it was about a human being who was fallible in making a political decision that we saw the consequences today. You could hear his voice consequences today. You could hear his voice sitting there in bute house his voice sitting there in bute house that he decided he was going to house that he decided he was going Io Throw House that he decided he was going to throw the greens out quite spectacularly, literally out of the front spectacularly, literally out of the front door spectacularly, literally out of the front door and then came the equal and opposite reaction from them, ensuring and opposite reaction from them, ensuring it and opposite reaction from them, ensuring it wouldnt be just them leaving ensuring it wouldnt be just them leaving government but he would be, too. Leaving government but he would be, toe thats leaving government but he would be, too. Thats sparks all sorts of consequences asjames is too. Thats sparks all sorts of consequences as james is just reflecting on. Then there is a bigger reflecting on. Then there is a bigger picture, yes where does it leave bigger picture, yes where does it leave other Political Parties . But where leave other Political Parties . But where does it leave the question of the uk where does it leave the question of the uk and where does it leave the question of the uk and its constitution and scotlands place . That has been the dominating strand in Scottish Politics dominating strand in Scottish Politics and what is interesting is that in politics and what is interesting is that in the politics and what is interesting is that in the last year or so, as we have that in the last year or so, as we have seen that in the last year or so, as we have seen the snps fortunes wane, support have seen the snps fortunes wane, Support For Have seen the snps fortunes wane, support for independence has remained solid and substantial. Who knows remained solid and substantial. Who knows how remained solid and substantial. Who knows how that might change but certainly knows how that might change but certainly the early indicators suggest certainly the early indicators suggest that there can be a difference between support for the snp and difference between support for the snp and support for independence and so that snp and support for independence and so that constitutional question could so that constitutional question could remain alive even with everything going on within the snp. For now. Everything going on within the snp. For now, thank you both, chris mason, james cook. Thats all from me here in edinburgh, but now over to fiona for the rest of the days news. Two men have appeared in court charged with murder, after a mans torso was found wrapped in plastic at a Nature Reserve in salford in Greater Manchester earlier this month. Police say they believe the victim was in his 60s, and his family have been informed. Heres mairaid smyth. This is where the investigation began after a mans torso was found wrapped in Plastic On Wetlands at kersal dale in salford. That was more than three weeks ago. Greater Manchester Police carried out a huge search of the area. And since saturday night, more body parts have been found at three different areas across the city, including this reservoir and woods around a mile away. Today, another grim discovery of Human Remains close to a railway line near where police say the victim, a man in his 60s, lived here on worsley road in winton. Detectives say he shared this house with the two men charged with his murder. People living nearby are shocked by what has happened. Generally, its very, very quiet and friendly neighbours, so its really out of character for this area. Well, the street is quite quiet, really. For Something Like this to happen, its. Yeah, its a bit shocking. How can i put it . Its a bit bizarre when you see the amount of police and c51 i thats been there for four or five days now. Greater Manchester Police have been working on this investigation for three weeks now, and are supporting the victims family as they try to come to terms with this tragic news. They say that despite todays charges, their work is far from over. 68 year old Michaljaroslaw Polchowski and 42 year old Marcin Majerkiewicz appeared before magistrates this afternoon. The pair have been remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court Tomorrow morning. Mairead smyth, bbc news. As the fighting continues in gaza, western leaders have urged hamas to accept the latest Ceasefire Offerfrom israel. Americas top diplomat, the us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken has called the deal extraordinarily generous. Lets get more from our correspondent anna foster, who is injerusalem tonight. What are the terms of this deal and what chance it will be accepted by hamas . Well, i think there is a real sense of momentum tonight that there is a chance that this deal could be achieved soon, but its important to say we have been here before. There have been moments where it seemed like a new deal is imminent and that has evaporated at the last moment. There hasnt been a deal since last november. When it comes to the terms, nothing has been confirmed at this stage, but the briefings suggest that hamas is getting some movement. Hamas has suggested the bbc that the israeli position has changed significantly when it comes to things like allowing palestinians to things like allowing palestinians to return to their homes in the northern parts of the gaza strip, and also that israel would be willing to discuss an eventual end to the war, which apparently hasnt been part of the previous package. When it comes to hostage releases, the suggestion is that 33 hostages would be released in a staged procedure over a a0 day ceasefire period. They would be women, the elderly, people who were suffering from medical conditions. It appears at this stage that both sides might be prepared to accept that deal. There is a core significant pressure. You are talking about the us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken, who was urging for this deal to be accepted, as are hostage families. There are still 30 hostages being held. The hamas run Health Minister says more than 3a,000 palestinians have now been killed in gaza, so there is a real momentum for this deal to be done. The next a8 hours will be crucial in this conflict. The next 48 hours will be crucial in this conflict this conflict. Anna in jerusalem, thank you now, for about three months, bbc arabic� s Adnan El Bursh reported on the war in gaza while living in a tent, eating one meal a day, and struggling to keep his wife and five children safe. Since october 7th, more than 100 journalists have been killed in gaza, according to the organisation reporters without borders. Israel says it takes all feasible measures to mitigate harm and says it never deliberately targets journalists. Adnan has been keeping a video diary documenting the harrowing moments he faced covering a war that pushed him to his limits. They sing. The bbc� s Adnan El Bursh, reflecting there on his time in gaza. Devastating floods have hit several countries in east africa after weeks of heavy rain. In kenya, more than a hundred people have died and another 130,000 have had to leave their homes. Today officials said at least 50 people had been killed in Central Kenya after a Reservoir Overflowed during the night following torrential rainfall. Its feared many more people could be buried under mud and debris in villages near my mahiu, about 37 miles from in villages near mai mahiu, about 37 miles from the capital, nairobi. 0ur Africa Correspondent Barbara Plett usher has the latest from the scene. The tide of water woke people up with its roar of destruction. No time to scramble out of the way. This Rushing River used to be a stream. Rescue teams worked long after the disaster struck, saving those they could. Finding and counting the dead, a village that was turned upside down in an instant. The water came from that direction, crashing through the village, gouging out the valley, and the river burst its banks. You can see all of the damage, the cars destroyed. Trees were uprooted, houses swept away, houses destroyed. People were carried away by the flood waters. Dozens of people are dead, but theyre still searching for bodies of the missing. And there were other houses where the car is parked . Peters house survived, but not his neighbourhood. He spent the night pulling people out of the water and out of the mud. There were little babies in the water, older people and a lot of things being swept away. It was a very bad scenario. People were screaming and crying. People were losing their lives, people losing their loved ones, and people are still looking for their loved ones now. The rainy season has been punishing this year, bringing ruin here, elsewhere in kenya and the region. This man was up to his neck in water before he had time to think. He saw the flood take his wife. It took him in the opposite direction. He grabbed a tree branch and hung on to life. So did she, but not much else. No home, just bits of furniture. Theres heavy rain expected in the next days. More dams are filled to the brim, maybe more disasters to come. Barbara plett usher, bbc news, mai mahiu, kenya. The duchess of edinburgh has become the first member of the royal family to visit ukraine since the start of the russian invasion. She met president zelensky and his wife and delivered a message to them on behalf of the king. She also paid her respects to those who died in the town of bucha, two years on from its liberation from russian forces. The England Rugby international, billy vunipola, has been fined 2a0 euros after an incident in majorca on sunday, when he was arrested. Vunipola, who plays for saracens, has apologised and called it a misunderstanding. The bbc understands he was tasered by police, who were called to a bar in the islands capital, palma. Saracens say theyre aware of an incident involving the player, and will deal with the matter internally. Businesses face new Import Checks and charges for food and plants coming in from the European Union from midnight tonight. The checks have been postponed several times by the government forfear of their impact on the economy and disruption to supply chains. Goods from ireland will be exempt for now. Heres our chief economics correspondent, dharshini david. 799. Its1am, but this Flower Wholesaler is in full bloom, sorting time sensitive deliveries destined for florists and hotels. With initial checks on imports set to be minimal, the main concern isnt delays, but fees. Weve got chrysanthemums which, as you can see, theres a huge range of these, and each one of these varieties will cost £29 per consignment. So looking at the fire variety, that will be £1a5 in total. A day . A day. And we probably have three consignments today. So that adds up to. . At my three locations, round about £225,000 a year additional costs. He doesnt know as yet if that Bill Willjust pass to those buying the affected lines, or be spread across all their affected products to minimise the impact on price. He is also grappling with a lack of clarity over how checks will work. These changes arent about submerging blooms in more red tape, but about reducing the risk of imported disease and complying with global trade rules. Now the uk has left the eu, we have to treat that bloc the same as the rest of the world when it comes to higher risk goods. Senora, arrivederci, have a good day too, goodbye. Grazie, ciao. Forfood, the government claims prices will be just 0. 2 higher overall, but its importers of meats, cheese, the likes of this italian deli, thatll see the biggest rises. The cost of Health Certificates is already hitting their ranges. Some supplies from italy, at the moment they decide to stop until they can, you know, until they can find the best way for them to reduce the price and see how it goes, to see whats going to happen in the future. These formalities were brought in for british businesses who sell to europe three years ago. Whats been the impact of that . Its always Worth Caveating by saying so much has been going on. Weve had covid, weve had the war in ukraine, its very hard to be precise, but there does seem to be a pretty compelling case that brexit has impacted pretty negatively on our trade. The costs stemming from these changes will total hundreds of millions of pounds for business, or even more. After a turbulent few years, some may be in danger of wilting. Dharshini david, bbc news. What do you think this is . Its been baffling experts ever since it was dug up in a field in lincolnshire last summer. What we do know is that its roman and one of only 33 dodecahedrons found in britain, and thought to be more than 1,700 years old. Its now going on display for the very first time. We know its not a tool. We know its not a practical item, because ours shows no sign of wear whatsoever. Its been under an electron microscope. Theres nothing to indicate that its been used in any way like that. Its not a measuring device, because dodecahedra dont come in standard sizes. They all vary enormously, so you cant measure things with it because of that. Whats more likely to have been the case is that we think theres some religious connection with our site. We know back in 1989, there was a Small Roman Rider God found in norton disney, very close to where our find was, which is only found on temple sites, generally. And ours was found in a big pit and it looks like the dodecahedron was placed there deliberately as some sort of offering, possibly. So its quite likely that its some sort of religious or ritual device. The romans were a very superstitious lot. They liked to have something tell them what to do, and the good thing about the dodecahedron is, it has 12 sides you get 12 choices with it. Who knows . Time for a look at the weather. Heres louise lear