The former conservative Defence SecretaryBen Wallace is about to be asked about allegations that the sas more protected from prosecution about allegations of killings in afghanistan. In allegations of killings in afghanistan. Allegations of killings in afghanistan. Allegations of killings in afuhanistan. ,. , afghanistan. In terms of posts ou have afghanistan. In terms of posts you have had afghanistan. In terms of posts you have had Nowhere You Have had nowhere parliamentary Private Secretary to the then secretary of State Forjustice Ken clarke and then following the 2015 General Election appointed the parliamentary underSecretary Of State northern Ireland Office and between July 2016 state northern Ireland Office and betweenJuly 2016 and state northern Ireland Office and between July 2016 and july and betweenJuly 2016 and July 2019Minister Of State for security at the home office. Can we just security at the home office. Can wejust Deal Security at the home office. Can we just deal with the last of your Cabinet Appointments which is the most relevant to the purposes of your Evidence Today . Between the 24th ofJuly 2019 and 21st August 2023 you were appointed Secretary Of State for defence. As to that end again hoping to deal with this by the way of summary rather than detail, can i invite you to look at page three paragraph nine because you provided they are a little more detail about the Secretary Of State for defence and particularly your role. You identified that in your role as Secretary Of State for defence you had overall responsibility for the business of the Mod Witch at that stage and played over 200000 and 20,000 Military Personnel and budget of almost £253 million. He responsibilities included the strategic operations and operational strategy of the mod and also included Defence Planning and Programme And Resource allocation and heading up Resource Allocation and heading up the uk Strategic International Partnerships and the uk nuclear operations. And its also about time have responsibilities which straddle both policy and operational functions of the mod . Yes. And widely supported by the minister for the armed forces, minister for the armed forces, minister for the armed forces, Minister For Defence procurement, Ministerfor Defence people and veterans, and lastly the Minister For Defence in the House Of Lords . Yes. �. , ~. ,. , yes. Before we embark on any more detail yes. Before we embark on any more detail of yes. Before we embark on any more detail of your yes. Before we embark on any more detail of your evidence i more detail of your evidence you were saved with a request for evidence under the Rule Line of the Inquiry Rules In December 2023 and in that document the inquiry asked you a number of specific questions which are very kindly answered. What i will do is take you through these questions and your answers and try to focus your answers and try to focus your evidence on particular matters we invited your attention to in december last year. Can i check in addition to the exhibits you have provided to us, have you had an opportunity to review the Witness Statement Ofjohnny mercer as well as the transcript of the evidence he gave to this inquiry . I watched his evidence on a streaming service. Thank you very much Indeed. Again we will come to deal with some of what he had to say in his Witness Statement as well as some of what he said to the inquiry and if at any stage i dont ask you something you think is important will you stop me and asked me to make anything clear to you give the opportunity to make something clear to the inquiry . So much if i could just make the point you said earlier the importance of being Defence Secretary at the heart of what this is questioned, i was also northern Ireland Minister which is Ireland Minister which is when Ireland Minister which is when i first came Ireland Minister which is when i first came across Ireland Minister which is when i first came across extensive l i first came across extensive levels i first came across extensive levels of i first came across extensive levels of inquiries into State Killings levels of inquiries into State Killings as described in Northern Ireland that was my first Northern Ireland that was my first experience of the legal challenges around the court investigating the past and trying investigating the past and trying to resolve some of those issues trying to resolve some of those issues and secondly i was also a Government Whip i think from 2014 a Government Whip i think from 2014 to a Government Whip i think from 2014 to 2016. 20111 to 2016. Thank you very much 2014 to 2016. Thank you very much Indeed. 2014 to 2016. Thank you very much Indeed. Since 2014 to 2016. Thank you very much Indeed. Since youve i much Indeed. Since youve touched upon questions of investigations into allegations of killings can be then turn straightaway with your help in your Witness Statement to paragraph ten so if you can can i take it back please to the bottom of page three and all the of page four . You were asked their about Handover Communications that you have received in steps you took upon assuming office that might be relevant to the inquiry terms of reference. Can i ask you focusing on the question of operation northmore. He became Secretary Of State for defence in 2019 and at that stage the operation was already in an advanced operation. When you took over as Secretary Of State for defence why you provided with any handover our information with any information with any information that related to the operation . There was no verbal information and tell which is sadly a characteristic Of Governments sadly a characteristic Of Governments and sadly a characteristic of. Governments and secondly sadly a characteristic Of Governments and secondly i was not given governments and secondly i was not given a detailed Handover Tour not given a detailed Handover Tour of not given a detailed Handover Tour of northmore as fun as it came tour of northmore as fun as it came to tour of northmore as fun as it came to my attention when i was first given came to my attention when i was first given this submission requested and the time granted to write requested and the time granted to write to the Defence Committee to tell them we were Closing Committee to tell them we were closing down the investigation and that closing down the investigation and that is when i started to seek and that is when i started to seek more information, office they seek more information, office they come from being Security Mr i focused on all the other Areas Mr i focused on all the other areas might have until the day i areas might have until the Day Iwaiked Areas might have until the day i walked into the office and so i walked into the office and so iwas i walked into the office and so i was focused on threats at home i was focused on threats at home rather than threats abroad home rather than threats abroad. Home rather than threats abroad. ,. ,. , abroad. Had me at this move be difficult to abroad. Had me at this move be difficult to see abroad. Had me at this move be difficult to see to abroad. Had me at this move be difficult to see to what abroad. Had me at this move be difficult to see to what extent i difficult to see to what extent you had any prior knowledge of Operation Northmoorfor Operation northmoor for secretary of Operation Northmoorfor Secretary Of State for the defence. Samak i was not exposed the Security Minister in any Form Or Manner but ultimately as in any Form Or Manner but ultimatel in any Form Or Manner but ultimatel. , ,. ,. ,. , ultimately as this was a royal Military Police ultimately as this was a royal military Police Lead ultimately as this was a royal military Police Lead it ultimately as this was a royal military Police Lead it is military Police Lead it is highly military Police Lead it is highly unlikely to become across highly unlikely to become across my desk as Security Minisler across my desk as Security Minister at the time at the Home Minister at the time at the home office. In minister at the time at the home office. Minister at the time at the home office. ,. , home office. In which case can Ou Hel home office. In which case can yOu Help can home office. In which case can yOu Help can we home office. In which case can yOu Help can we turn home office. In which case can yOu Help can we turn in home office. In which case can yOu Help can we turn in the yOu Help can we turn in the black file behind divide 01, yourfirst exhibit, so black file behind divide 01, your first exhibit, so then, the document you just refer to a moment ago. And we have available here what is described as an afghan legacy investigation update. It is stated as we look at the document, if the document can be brought up on the screen. We can see the document itself bears a date in the top left corner of the 5th Of August 2019, so only a matter of days orso 2019, so only a matter of days or so after you were appointed Secretary Of State for defence. If we look across to the right Hand Side we can see there is a box which is provided by a Receipt Stamp for the ministerial Support Unit and it appears from that this document has been stamped with the date of sometime september 2019. Its difficult to make out in the Copy Weve got and it may possibly be the 9th of september, but can you see just beneath the name Ben Sanders we can see what appears to be september 2019. Can see what appears to be september2019. In can see what appears to be september 2019. In terms of this document, obviously when you are familiar with, can i ask you before we look at any of its particular detail, again i appreciate it is a very difficult question and if you Cant Answer it should say but Cant Answer it should say but can you remember no how early in september you had sight of the document that was in fact dated 5th Of August . I the document that was in fact dated 5th Of August . Dated 5th Of August . I cant exactly remember. Dated 5th Of August . I cant exactly remember. I dated 5th Of August . I cant exactly remember. I would| exactly remember. I would suggest exactly remember. I would suggest that my special Advisers Note would probably tell Advisers Note would probably lell if Advisers Note would probably tell if using in the room, and i tell if using in the room, and i would tell if using in the room, and i would recommend the Inquiry Accesses i would recommend the Inquiry Accesses detailed notes if they havent accesses detailed notes if they havent as yet. From what it is worth, havent as yet. From what it is worth, whether it is the first week worth, whether it is the first week or worth, whether it is the first week or second week of september versus 5th Of August, im september versus 5th Of August, im not september versus 5th Of August, im not entirely sure it makes a difference to my subsequent actions a difference to my subsequent actions as a result of it. This notice we actions as a result of it. This notice we look actions as a result of it. This notice we look at actions as a result of it. This notice we look at It Actions as a result of it. This notice we look at it we actions as a result of it. This notice we look at it we can l actions as a result of it. Ti 3 notice we look at it we can see it provides initially recommendations for you and then also on the first page it provides some background and then various other details overleaf. Again, do your best to cast your mind back to the first time you looked at this. Was this the first opportunity you had had to consider the extent of the allegations at by the royal Military Police . Was this the first Opportunity Unit had to consider the extent of the allegations being investigated by the royal Military Police . Investigated by the royal Military Police . Yes. I have lona Military Police . Yes. I have long enough Military Police . Yes. I have long enough experience Military Police . Yes. I have long enough experience as| Military Police . Yes. I havel long enough experience as a minister long enough experience as a minister to make me wary of submission that arrived not long submission that arrived not long after appointment into the ob long after appointment into the Job Ltut long after appointment into the job but also not take submissions at face value, especially if it is asking you to do especially if it is asking you to do something that felt not normal to do something that felt not normal. We dont close investigations in this country, we run investigations in this country, we run out investigations in this country, we run out of lines of inquiry and we run out of lines of inquiry and the we run out of lines of inquiry and the language used was in itself and the language used was in itself a and the language used was in itself a raised flag and then i set about asking more questions to get set about asking more questions to get to set about asking more questions to get to the bottom of this before to get to the bottom of this before i to get to the bottom of this before i was going to commit nryself before i was going to commit myself to that are otherwise. The handwriting on the top of the page the handwriting on the top of the page is not my handwriting, i the page is not my handwriting, i presume the page is not my handwriting, i presume it is from one of my private i presume it is from one of my private secretaries, as notes offered~ private secretaries, as notes offered. So that was the first time offered. So that was the first time i offered. So that was the first time i said, before i myself take time i said, before i myself take responsibility and send a letter take responsibility and send a letter to take responsibility and send a letter to the Defence Committee i letter to the Defence Committee i would letter to the Defence Committee i would like more information. Before i would like more information. Before we i would like more information. Before we look at your actions and receive this document can be looked at recommendations made inviting you to consider it set out in paragraph three and it invites you to take note of a number of matters. That the royal Military Police established Operation Northmoor in March 2014 to provide coherence to allegations connected to detention in afghanistan. 0peration Northmoor has examined 675 allegations by 195 complainants from cultural insensitivity to allegations of assault and Unlawful Killing during rest operations. If i pause for a moment, if you were not already aware of the extent both in terms of number and also in terms of number and also in terms of number and also in terms of seriousness of allegations being at by Operation Northmoor, would it be fair to observe these first paragraphs would have made it very clear to you the serious allegations being looked at by the royal Military Police . Yes. The royal Military Police . Yes, but all these the royal Military Police . Yes, but all these allegations the royal Military Police . Yes, but all these allegations are i but all these allegations are northmoor or Indeed other investigations are inquiries going investigations are inquiries going on. Any allegation of a member going on. Any allegation of a member of the State Contravening International Rule Of Law is very international rule of law is very serious and it is fundamentally to the tenets of what fundamentally to the tenets of what we fundamentally to the tenets of what we stand for. Set fundamentally to the tenets of what we stand for. Fundamentally to the tenets of what we stand for. Set up in miaht what we stand for. Set up in might set what we stand for. Set up in might set out what we stand for. Set up in might set out in what we stand for. Set up in might set out in subparagraphl might set out in subparagraph three, northmoorwas might set out in subparagraph three, northmoor was considered complete and Nobody Charge for any offence as the statutory Track Threshold was not met in any case. As was clear from that recommendation, the assessment made by the promised National Army was there was insufficient evidence to bring charges of any criminal wrongdoing against anyone investigated. Samak i think i would have taken from all these things and nothing is complete and all the way through this mikey has been it is and all the way through this mikey has been mikey has been it is always based On Mikey has been it is always based on the mikey has been it is always based on the Evidence Mikey has been it is always i based on the evidence before you and based on the evidence before you and if any new evidence appears you and if any new evidence appears it is perfectly possible any prosecution of any type could happen, so a Letter Writing Type could happen, so a Letter Writing Submission or what it would writing submission or what it would say complete with the available evidence before them but fundamentally i never changed in the position that evidence could become available that would allow a prosecution that would allow a prosecution that might reach the threshold for prosecution. And as you know. For prosecution. And as you know. The for prosecution. And as you know, the paragraph three actually know, the paragraph three actually calls itself a recommendation that points one to five recommendation that points one to five points, there is only one to five points, there is only one recommendation,. 4, to agree one recommendation,. 4, to agree to one recommendation,. 4, to agree to write to the Defence Committee, which i did. Thank ou. Committee, which i did. Thank you can committee, which i did. Thank you can be committee, which i did. Thank you. Can be looking committee, which i did. Thank you. Can be looking very you. Can be looking very briefly at four and then 20. 5 and ask what you are recommending to d4 recommends the investigative indications of a presence in Iraq And Afghanistan raised challenging operational issues and we intended to take a low key and reactive approach to Operation Northmoor with a view to a wider announcement in the autumn. As far as there are investigative and litigation consequences which raised challenging presentational issues, did you understand what that meant . I issues, did you understand what that meant . That meant . I think you can take that that meant . I think you can take that lots that meant . I think you can take that lots of that meant . I think you can take that lots of different i take that lots of different ways take that lots of different ways. One of the natures of these ways. One of the natures of these type of investigations and inquiries are by that, prejudices or whatever depending on the accuracy of these depending on the accuracy of these reports and therefore it is very these reports and therefore it is very important that we start to the is very important that we start to the clear line off following the rule to the clear line off following the rule of law and the process that takes us to making certain Decisions that takes us to making certain Decisions. It has been the nature, Decisions. It has been the nature, even way before my time as well, nature, even way before my time as well, that operating in this area as well, that operating in this area is as well, that operating in this area is very hard and it is often area is very hard and it is often characterised by media reports. Often characterised by media reports, immaculate in some inaccurate reports, immaculate in some inaccurate the judicial process. I have forwarded it to the inquiry process. I have forwarded it to the Inquiry Today the letter from the Inquiry Today the letter from panorama that arrived at 24 hours from panorama that arrived at 24 hours notice making fairly wide 24 hours notice making fairly wide allegations to me that they wide allegations to me that they require answers before you have they require answers before you have the they require answers before you have the opportunity to question me on it and i think that question me on it and i think that is question me on it and i think that is part of the problem and i understand why in our liberal democracy have to do that, very important democracy have to do that, very important and serious charges, ultimately i think that is what this means when it comes to presentation. � 3 this means when it comes to presentation. This means when it comes to presentation. s Ben Wallace aaivin presentation. s Ben Wallace giving evidence presentation. s Ben Wallace giving evidence at presentation. s Ben Wallace giving evidence at the presentation. s Ben Wallace | giving evidence at the afghan inquiry. , allegations and to behaviour in afghanistan by military ships that fell short of their commitments and if you want to carry on listening you can click on the Qr Code on the screen. A Bbc Investigation has found that the number of crimes logged by police, which involve reference to swords, machetes or so called Zombie Knives, has almost doubled in five years. The figures were revealed ahead of ban on certain weapons which comes into force across england and wales tomorrow. Lets speak to anthony 0laseinde. Hes the founder of the anti Knife Crime charity always an alternative. Im hoping the ban will make a difference. It is for zombie Knives Style and machetes which are there to do Nothing But Scare people. But are there to do Nothing But Scare people are there to do Nothing But Scare people. But if you ban Zombie Knives scare people. But if you ban Zombie Knives people scare people. But if you ban Zombie Knives people can i scare people. But if you ban L Zombie knives people can still use kitchen knives, one can do to ensure the culture of Knife Crime not continue . To ensure the culture of Knife Crime not continue . Two tackle that we need crime not continue . Two tackle that we need to crime not continue . Two tackle that we need to look crime not continue . Two tackle that we need to look at crime not continue . Two tackle| that we need to look at people. A knife can either be used for good as a tool offered bad as a weapon. Its the person that decides how it is used. Normal people might use it to light a candle but there are the people that use it to Light House fires, it is all about how people use weapons and look at the person and give them the understanding that actually watch a game is quite dangerous and it could change your life for the worse in somebody elses. Like when you talk to young people, what do you tell them, the title of your charity is always an alternative, what you to them . Might try to drill down on the Core Factors and underlying issue so we teach them about conflict and you dont have to be the bigger person and you dont have to fight and do these things that you feel you have to do growing up, its issue as a person with a long life ahead of you and careful of Decisions make no because they will if it is wrong in a factory for many years to come. Wrong in a factory for many years to come. Tell us about eole years to come. Tell us about people you years to come. Tell us about people you talk years to come. Tell us about people you talk to years to come. Tell us about people you talk to you, years to come. Tell us about people you talk to you, do i years to come. Tell us about i people you talk to you, do they realise the impact of what Knife Crime can be in people � s lives . Knife crime can be in people s lives . ,. ,. ,. , ~. , lives . They have no idea. A lot of people lives . They have no idea. A lot of people dont lives . They have no idea. A lot of people dont realise lives . They have no idea. A lot of people dont realise that of people dont realise that having a knife in public is a legal and not legal and about five or six years ago i told people it was illegal there was a look amongst them and if you had to go to the toilet suddenly. I think adults understand the severity and what could happen but young people dont. When i was young i used to climb trees and if i fall off i fall off. Now i wouldnt because i understand if i fall off i wont be able to work for a couple of weeks it was that understanding and letting them know im supporting them to make the right Decisions. Supporting them to make the right Decisions. Thank you very much Indeed right Decisions. Thank you very much Indeed for right Decisions. Thank you very much Indeed for talking right Decisions. Thank you very much Indeed for talking to right Decisions. Thank you very much Indeed for talking to us | much Indeed for talking to us and apologise for keeping you waiting. Its been a really busy morning. Lets go back to the Labour Party Conference where Rachel Reeves gave her first Conference Speech as chancellor to promise that Budget Help rebuild britain and is under pressure to begin optimism economically after weeks of headlines of the Government Decision to means Test Winter Fuel payments for pensioners. We have had from the Defence Secretary this Morning And Everybody is gearing up for Rachel Reeves. Tell us what the atmosphere is like and what people really want to hear from like and what people really want to hearfrom her. This like and what people really want to hear from her. This is the centrepiece want to hear from her. This is the Centrepiece Speech want to hear from her. This is the Centrepiece Speech of the Centrepiece Speech of dating the Centrepiece Speech of dating when the chancellor will take the dating when the chancellor will take the Stage Injust over an hour take the Stage Injust over an hour and take the Stage Injust over an hour and i take the Stage Injust over an hourand i think take the Stage Injust over an hour and i think a lot of that Focus Hour and i think a lot of that focus on hour and i think a lot of that focus on messaging has been in full effect on the government in the full effect on the government in the Run Up to this conference because of Rachel Reeves conference because of Rachel Reeves and the prime Minister Keir Starmer have been accused by some Keir Starmer have been accused by some of being too gloomy about by some of being too gloomy about the state of the economy and public finances with the suggestion that has had an Knock On Effect on Consumer Confidence and investment so we expect Confidence And Investment so we expect it Confidence And Investment so we expect it to have a more optimistic tone in her Speech Today optimistic tone in her Speech Today. We are joined by paul johnson, today. We are joined by paul johnson, Director Of the Institute For Fiscal Studies. The Institute For Fiscal Studies. The chancellor was giving a round the chancellor was giving a round of the chancellor was giving a round of interviews this morning ahead of the Conference Speech morning ahead of the Conference Speech as morning ahead of the Conference Speech as is often the case with speech as is often the case with the speech as is often the case with the chancellor and she said with the chancellor and she said there will be no return to aesthetic said there will be no return to aesthetic under Government Spending would increase in real Terms Spending would increase in real terms. How realistic is that . The terms. How realistic is that . The government certainly will increase in real terms overall over the next four or five years and the last government was planning at but the question is whether that means it will be able to increase in real terms for all parts of government, so whatjeremy hunt, the previous chancellor was planning is spending on public services would increase i public services would increase 1 a year over the next five years. The problem with that is because spending on things like Health And Defence in Child Care will increase a lot faster than that that would have implied cuts in other areas of public services. What rachel reads as far as i can tell did not say as there will be no cuts in other areas of public services. I expect that is what she will try to achieve and will require an overall increase of rather more than 1 a year over the next several years and im sure we will have to wait until the budget to find out how and whether she will do that. Will do that. People like M Self will do that. People like myself are will do that. People like myself are always will do that. People like | myself are always trying will do that. People like i myself are always trying to extract a bit more information from the chancellor ahead of the budget and they roles tight lipped about it but if we look about Income Generation for government taxis is one of the ways and she has ruled out increases to Income Tax and national insurance and vat, what are her options . She national insurance and vat, what are her options . She is in cuite a what are her options . She is in quite a tight what are her options . She is in quite a tight spot. What are her options . She is in quite a tight spot. There what are her options . She is in quite a tight spot. There is i quite a tight spot. There is one big factor on the books to come, further years of faeces to Income Tax and insurances and thresholds which will mean more and more of our income will be dragged into higher rates of tax, and £8 million 10 MillionTax Rise coming. Beyond that it million Tax Rise coming. Beyond thatitis million Tax Rise coming. Beyond that it is quite difficult get the Big Money from the remaining taxes if you do not do other things with Income Tax and national insurance and so on. The biggest money she could get i dont think she will and i dont think she should have the biggest money she could get will be by restricting Tax Relief you get when you put money into a pension. There might be at least £15 billion doing that that would come from somewhat higher but not nestle very much higher Earners Talk of changes to things like capital Gains Tax and inheritance tax. This Taxi Set perform and the public get a little more money from them but not believe that a substantial amounts. We may see the end of the 15 year fees to fuel duty and that we just stop things getting worse than raise more money. Freeze. I imagine you will see smaller reforms between them all Add Up to a large amount but would be much more uncertain and risky and simplified example reversing the national Insurance Cut Jeremy hunt put in place over the last year. Jeremy hunt put in place over the last year the last year. Pauljohnson, Director Of the last year. Pauljohnson, Director Of the the last year. Pauljohnson, Director Of the institute i the last year. Pauljohnson, Director Of the Institute Forl Director of the Institute For Fiscal Studies on some of the choices facing the chancellor who google hear from choices facing the chancellor who Google Hearfrom in choices facing the chancellor who google hear from in the next hour or so. Now its time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. Hello again. Weve had some torrential downpours of rain overnight, some parts of the South East having a Months Worth of rainfall. Not surprising the Met Office has an Amber Weather Warning in force for central and southern england, which is valid today up until nine oclock this evening. This rain, of course, falling on already saturated ground. Disruption is quite possible. There are already reports of flooding and also some disruption to transport. Its courtesy of this area of low pressure which eventually will pull away towards the east. But its produced Heavy Rain this morning in the South East. Its drifting that bit further west, the lighter colours telling you where the heaviest bursts are likely to be. Behind It Sunshine and showers and further rain across northern england, and weve also got some Rain Sinking South across northern scotland, but in between something drier, a bit brighter as well, with our Temperatures Today ranging from ten in the north to 20 in the south. Now, through this evening and overnight, the rain pulls steadily eastwards. Therell be a lot of cloud in its wake, and we have the rain in the north of scotland sinking a little bit further south. A little bit further south with the wind here picking up. Its going to be a Cooler Night Tonight than it was last night as well, but temperatures between seven and about 13 degrees. So tomorrow we start off with the dregs of Todays Weather Front across the South East, producing this cloud and some spots of rain that moves away. The rain across scotland sinks a bit further south across central and eastern areas, eventually getting into northern england. But for western scotland, Northern Ireland and much of the rest of england and wales, it will be a drier day than today, with just a few showers, and temperatures ten to about 18 degrees north to south. Then, as we move from tuesday into wednesday, were watching this system coming in from the atlantic. Its going to bring some Heavy Rain, we think at the moment across parts of england and wales and strong winds, potentially gales through the english channel. But it could well change the position of this. This is what we think at the moment, coming in from the south west, pushing north eastwards. North of that its a mixture of sunshine and showers, temperatures ten to 16 degrees. So youll notice these temperatures starting to slide a bit. But as we head towards the latter part of the week, the temperature will continue to slide. And by friday we could be looking at highs of 11 to 13. Live from london. This is bbc news. Chancellor promises to rebuild britain in her latest speech, Rachel Reeves is under pressure to boost economic growth and improve economic optimism. That so called Zombie Night before a new ban into force. Heavy rain brings floods and heavy chaos and theres more to come. We will bring you the latest. Hello, after weeks of talking about the set of inner� s finances which reeves will promise delivering a budget that will rebuild britain. She is under pressure to be getting economic optimism after weeks of negative headlines over the Uk Governments decision to means Test Winter Fuel payments for pensioners. 0ur political, respondent reports. After days of questions over donations and internal fuse, of questions over donations and internalfuse, enough of of questions over donations and internal fuse, enough of the doom and gloom, show us the hope is the