Transcripts For GBN Friday 20240704

Lots to get through a busy hour. First, the News Headlines and sam francis. Mark, i am so sorry to disappoint you. This is the top story from the tv newsroom. The Prime Minister says islamist extremism aims to drain us of our confidence in ourselves as a people addressing the nation outside downing street this evening, he vowed to back Police Taking action against problem protests and said universities must do more to crack down on extremism on campuses. Rishi sunak says islamist extremists are spreading a poison in a statement, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has backed the Prime Ministers message, calling for unity in the country. The Prime Minister signalled the government will unveil what he called a robust framework for dealing with the growing problem of extremism. Growing problem of extremism. I want us to doubt ourselves , i want us to doubt ourselves, to doubt each other, to doubt our countries history and achievements. They want us to achievements. They want us to accept a moral equivalence between britain and some of the most despicable regimes in the world. Let us prove these extremists wrong and show them that even when we disagree, we will never be disunited from our common values of decency and respect means all whilst addressing the nation. Rishi sunak said the rochdale by election result was beyond alarming. Thats after it was alarming. Thats after it was won by George Galloway , the uks won by George Galloway, the uks leading Jewish Organisation has described the work as party leader as a conspiracy theorist who brings division and hate to every place hes ever stood for parliament. During his career, galloway has also presented programmes for both the russian and Iranian State broadcasters. And Iranian State broadcasters. Labour leader sir keir starmer says hell stoke fear and division. Division. Galloway only won because labour didnt stand a candidate. Labour didnt stand a candidate. I regret that we had to withdraw our candidate and apologise to voters in rochdale , but i took voters in rochdale, but i took that decision. It was the right that decision. It was the right decision and when i say i changed the labour party, i mean it. Obviously we will put it. Obviously we will put a first class candidate, a unifier before the voters in rochdale at the general election. The general election. Well, an investigation has now been launched after three people were injured in south london following a reports of a shooting around 5 00 this afternoon. Police said they were chasing a moped that failed to stop for them when a shotgun was fired from it at clapham common. Police say two people sustained pellet injuries. A third was pellet injuries. A third was injured by the moped itself. The injured by the moped itself. The suspects fled the scene. Suspects fled the scene. Emergency crews say they treated three people at the scene and took two to hospital. None of the injuries are thought to be life threatening , and the cost life threatening, and the cost of the governments rwanda scheme could soar to half a billion pounds, plus hundreds of thousands more for each migrant sent there. An investigation by sent there. An investigation by the public spending watchdog found. The millions in additional spending includes £11,000 for each migrants plane ticket. There will also be an ticket. There will also be an extra £20,000 paid to rwanda for every Asylum Seeker whos relocated , with more than relocated, with more than 150,000 per person to cover ongoing costs. This for the latest stories you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen. Or you can go to gb news. Common shirts. Now its back to. Mark shirts. Now its back to. Mark my thanks to sam francis and his stunt double, tatiana sanchez. Stunt double, tatiana sanchez. Welcome to friday night live. Your weekend starts here. Is the Prime Minister right . That extremism is now a threat to our democracy. Ill bring reaction to rishi sunaks unexpected, extraordinary and arguably historic speech made live outside 10 downing street earlier this evening. Also, earlier this evening. Also, should the palace come clean about the health of king charles and princess catherine to stop rumours and speculation, is it any of our business . Also know as spice girl, geri halliwells husband finds himself in hot water over alleged messages to a female colleague, is flirting at work a sackable offence . All of work a sackable offence . All of that, plus much more on friday night live with me. Mark dolan. Lots to get through. Let me tell you, including my friday friends. But first, my friday big opinion. We didnt expect big opinion. We didnt expect this from the Prime Minister today, but with hate speech spewed out on a weekly basis at those so called peace marches and with racist slogans projected onto our great public buildings , his unprecedented buildings, his unprecedented intervention tonight was welcome. Better late than never, rishi. Want us to doubt ourselves to doubt each other, to doubt our countries history and achievements. They want us to achievements. They want us to accept a moral equivalence between britain and some of the most despicable regimes in the world. And let us prove these extremists wrong and show them that even when we disagree, we will never be disunited from our common values of decency and respect. At last, a bit of respect. At last, a bit of leadership from sunak and the Prime Minister had harsh words for the newly elected mp George Galloway, a man whos had more comebacks than Fleetwood Mac and abba combined. But hes no super trouper. This armani suited, lexus driving lothario , a man with driving lothario, a man with more ex wives than you and i have had hot dinners, returns to the house of commons in the previously safe labour seat of rochdale. So what were the rochdale. So what were the issues at play . The cost of living spiralling rents, a lack of gp appointments, a dearth of school places, litter on the streets, anti social behaviour streets, anti social behaviour in streets, anti social behaviour in the park, potholes, god forbid. And yes indeed. Gone are forbid. And yes indeed. Gone are the days when issues that mattered to ordinary people featured in the political conversation. No, bizarrely, conversation. No, bizarrely, this by election was about a war several thousand miles away in which the United Kingdom is not participating in a decisive number of british muslim voters in rochdale were likely motivated to support George Galloway, given that he was the only candidate making a clear commitment to an immediate and permanent ceasefire between israel and hamas in gaza. Now israel and hamas in gaza. Now thatis israel and hamas in gaza. Now that is democracy in galloway argues that he is the duly elected member of parliament with a popular mandate, and he rejects sunaks criticism. But rejects sunaks criticism. But galloways success tells you that as demographics change in the years to come, religious and cultural battles will shape not just the National Conversation but the very makeup of our parliament. Its my view that galloway has manipulated the war in gaza for his own political ends and in my view , the pm was ends and in my view, the pm was right to call him out. And thanks to the likes of galloway, just as Northern Ireland politics has been dominated by political sectarianism, the rest of the uk in time may have to get used to the same thing. The tories and reform uk were non existent in rochdale , but non existent in rochdale, but thats not the story. The story thats not the story. The story is one of triumph for political jack in the box, galloway and a nightmare for sir keir starmer because whilst galloway is only one mp, hes one of the most gifted public speakers of his generation and he will use every moment in the house of commons between now and the next election to expose and exploit labours divisions over gaza. Labours divisions over gaza. Dont forget, it was only outrageous lobbying of the speaker of the house of commons that saw an outright vote on a ceasefire scrapped to avoid labours blushes , under the labours blushes, under the guise of the safety of labour mps and alleged threats from islamic extremists. Again, islamic extremists. Again, something referenced by sunak in front of number 10 earlier this evening. Should that ceasefire evening. Should that ceasefire vote have gone ahead, a swathe of labour backbenchers would have voted against their own party and likely frontbench resignations would have followed. Now George Galloway will be exposing and exploiting labours weaknesses in the months ahead. It will be months ahead. It will be entertaining for the neutral but stomach churning for starmer and his supporters. Still reeling after having to chuck the official labour candidate in rochdale out of the party for claiming the horrific october the 7th attacks, which killed over 1000 jews, were planned by israel. Now, to be over 1000 jews, were planned by israel. Now, to be fair to starmer, he has held the line on israel and for that i give him great credit. But how long will it last . You tell me. But one things for sure after mob rules saw the scrapping of a house of commons vote and for a religiously charged conflict abroad to be having such a direct impact on the outcome of a uk election, we are in worrying territory. At last, worrying territory. At last, however, were seeing the kind of strong leadership on extremism from sunak that many have craved for a long time. Im cunous have craved for a long time. Im curious to see how sir keir starmer, probably our next Prime Minister, responds. Will he be as firm . I wont hold my breath. And as for George Galloway, his nickname is gorgeous george, but theres nothing gorgeous about this result in rochdale. In this result in rochdale. In fact, british politics is turning ugly. On tonights show , turning ugly. On tonights show, my turning ugly. On tonights show, my friday friends, star historian David Oldroyd bolts and fearless political commentator emma burnell emma, were you inspired by the words of the Prime Minister . I thought, i agree with pretty much everything he said. Pretty much everything he said. I think it was quite hard before and i very, very, very rarely say that i agree with that a meme. Absolutely. I know ill never ill never live it down. The bbc wont have you back. The bbc wont have you back. They have me in im not sure they have me in the first place, but i also kind of felt a bit meh at the end of it. I didnt feel like there was something that came out of that speech that made me feel, i know why i tuned into on my television, and this unprecedented moment at 540 on a friday night, 540 friday friday night, 540 on a friday night for the Prime Minister to bnng night for the Prime Minister to bring out his podium make bring out his podium and make a speech usually they make an speech is usually they make an announcement. And didnt hear announcement. And i didnt hear announcement. And i didnt hear an announcement in that speech. So again , i am one of the so that i again, i am one of the i am a partisan , an lefty. I and i am a partisan, an lefty. I and when i say lefty i do not include George Galloway in that. Include George Galloway in that. And you want a Labour Government, i want a Labour Government. But i feel its important in moments like this that when i believe the Prime Minister is right, i say so because i think thats how we restore trust in politics, is not just simply saying, well, if theyve said it, its wrong. And if theyve said it is right, you have to take things on an issue by issue basis. But i as i said, i agreed with the sentiment of the speech wholeheartedly. I just didnt feel there was that much there. There now, David Oldroyd, bolt, i know you were not bowled over by the speech, but this is stronger and more powerful than anything. We keir starmer, we would get from keir starmer, who our next who will likely be our next prime. Prime minister. To say i was not bowled over is a massive understatement. It was rather like someone standing outside a Burning House and saying, were aware a problem saying, were aware of a problem with rising heat in the sitting room. This is the most pressing issue public order and issue of public order and safety, and it has for safety, and it has been for many,. The fact is many, many years. The fact is that the tory party and the labour party are equally afraid of considering why this happens, why it is such a danger, and how it is possible to go about ameliorating that danger. I dont think there is any difference in keir starmer and rishi sunak in this, because theyre both equally afraid of theyre both equally afraid of the reality would, and i totally agree. And of course its a bit of a talking shop at the moment and we need action, dont we . But i cant imagine keir starmer making a speech like that because he was so afraid of offending british muslims. Well, quite. T his t his client vote and he knows his client vote and hes going to piss them off hes not going to piss them off is thats the i mean i think is he. Thats the i mean i think that you accept. That would you accept. I think thats unfair. We no, i think thats unfair. We saw the clip of him being incredibly and rightly rude about galloway and his about George Galloway and his division minister. Keir division Prime Minister. No keir starmer during starmer we saw his clip during tatianas bit too. So actually he they were he was i think they were speaking one hymn sheet, speaking from one hymn sheet, and i think thats important. And i think again, i come back to i was saying, if we to what i was just saying, if we as who believe in as people who believe in democracy want to the democracy want to stop the extremists either end extremists from either end taking to not make taking over, we have to not make this false equivalence between where keir starmer and rishi sunak may sit somewhere on there, roughly agreeing tracks and then and stop trying to say, oh, keir starmer is a friend of his client. We really shouldnt his client. We really shouldnt talk like that. Talk like that. If youre going to talk about false equivalence, there is no equivalence between the threat of the far right and the threat of the far right and the threat of islamism. And i use the word islamism specifically to define it against the normal, everyday decent population this decent Muslim Population of this country. We in the past 20 country. We in the past 20 years, how many attacks on pubuc years, how many attacks on public figures . Well, one. Public figures . Well, one. And she was my friend. Yes and she was my friend. Yes and she was my friend. Yes and that was one. It was appalling and tragic. But how many have been from the islamist threat . Seven over seven threat . Seven over seven bombings. The London Bridge attacks, the killing of david amess. This is not an equivalent. Well, okay. But go back further. Youve got the lord admiral bombing. Got the lord admiral bombing. That was far right bomber. The that was a far right bomber. The bombing, the nail bombs in brick lane point im trying lane that the point im trying to lets say mi5 arent to make is, lets say mi5 arent worried the right, worried about the far right, even though a concern. Even though its a concern. Varne. Theyre worried about islamism, right to islamism, and they are right to be about the extremists. Be worried about the extremists. But what im saying, is there a moderate islamist . Islamism is, by definition an extremist, a violent and an unreasonable. Again, they are a small portion of the vast, very peaceful Muslim Population who we and we just need to be really, really careful with. Our rhetoric on this proportion is not germane. What is germane is that they are aggressive and they have a hatred for everything that makes our society. But if i said that that bomber or the person killed but if i said that that bo coxr or the person killed but if i said that that bo cox is,r the person killed but if i said that that bocox is, ishe person killed but if i said that that bocox is, is endemic, killed but if i said that that bocox is, is endemic, is killed jo cox is, is endemic, is indicative of everybody whos right wing politics. I disagree with, youd rightly pull me up on that. And rightly pull me up on that. And i would say the same thing on this, but i have said no three times that islamism is not equivalent to islam. But im not saying it is. Im saying thats not again, its false. Its a false. Its not a false so its not a false equivalence. Islamism is an extremism. Extremism extremism. Right wing extremism is we should deal is an extremism. We should deal with these things with both of these things without saying that one side, labours more supportive of one. The tories are more supportive. The tories are more supportive. Of the other. Thats not the kind of politics we should be having. Tragedy, the tragedy of jo jo cox and you mentioned the nail bomber in soho and horrible, horrible things. But is the threat of right wing terrorism, which is a concern its reprehensible. Wing terrorism, which is a co it ern its reprehensible. Wing terrorism, which is a co it a n its reprehensible. Wing terrorism, which is a co it a red its reprehensible. Wing terrorism, which is a co it a red herringzprehensible. Wing terrorism, which is a co it a red herring inehensible. Wing terrorism, which is a co it a red herring in the1sible. Is it a red herring in the context the threat of islamic context of the threat of islamic extremism . Context of the threat of islamic extremismthink. I dont think. I dont think. Is it silly to put the two things in the same sentence . No, because i think what the problem is extreme ism. I problem is, is extreme ism. I think probably need think they probably need to focus threat. Focus on the biggest threat. I think need to focus on all think you need to focus on all threats. If you dont, i dont think that you should your think that you should take your eye off the islamist ball at all. Extremists be all. Those extremists need to be deau all. Those extremists need to be dealt they need to be dealt with. They need to be locked i have problem locked up. I have no problem with that. Believe extremism with that. I believe extremism is problem. And think one is the problem. And i think one of the issues is that both of those sets extremists are those two sets of extremists are are each other up and are winding each other up and making the whole thing worse. Very briefly. And we have a duty very briefly. And we have a duty as democrats to stop that on both sides. Very briefly. As democrats to stop that on bot do des. Very briefly. As democrats to stop that on bot do you. Very briefly. As democrats to stop that on bot do you think briefly. As democrats to stop that on bot do you think thatfly. As democrats to stop that on bot do you think that the do you think that the so called marches in which so called peace marches in which some for peace . I some have marched for peace . I know people that gone there know people that have gone there because the to because they want the murder to end, to end. But but end, the death to end. But but have those been have those marches been weaponised extremists , do you weaponised by extremists, do you think . W w they have. I havent im sure they have. I havent gone on any of those marches. Um, im, i, i find the whole thing impossibly complicated. Um and i, i walked past, i was in westminster, and i walked past the demonstration happening outside at the same time as the vote. And i sort of thought to myself, as a journalist, maybe i should have a look at should go and have a look at what was happening. And then i thought, dont want to be thought, no, i dont want to be photographed there. And i think back on the war against back to going on the war against the march the war in the march against the war in iraq broad in iraq and how broad that was in terms of population then. Terms of the population then. And really does worry me. And that really does worry me. Okay. Im very briefly, david, you get last word. Get the last word. Thank well i would say thank you. Well i would say it a demonstration it wasnt a demonstration outside was outside parliament. It was outright intimidation and aggression. The aggression. And that is the problem that members of parliament prevented parliament are being prevented from doing their democratic duty by extremely aggressive, by an extremely aggressive, outright , by an extremely aggressive, outright, Violent Group of people who put their lives under threat. And the lies of all of us under threat. Okay. Look, lots more from well, look, lots more from my friday friends coming up. Can i apologise for a bit of fruity language . Look, its friday and theyre lively tonight. Theyre very lively tonight. Oh, god. Swear. God. Did i swear. Im so sorry. Said something, i might have said something, but no one gets cancelled. Not on my watch. If youre on my watch. But if youre offended by fruity language, on my watch. But if youre offeapologies. Fruity language, on my watch. But if youre offeapologies. Butjity language, on my watch. But if youre offeapologies. But listen. |guage, on my watch. But if youre offeapologies. But listen. Coming my apologies. But listen. Coming up, the results of the up, do the results of the rochdale by election suggest that religion in british politics stay . Could politics is here to stay . Could divisions apart divisions over israel tear apart a Labour Government . And for more reaction sunaks more reaction on rishi sunaks extraordinary at 6 00 extraordinary speech at 6 00 this evening, well get reaction from former government minister Edwina Currie, whos waiting in the wings. Shes. Next. And welcome back to friday night live. Coming up. Should Buckingham Palace come clean about the health of king charles and princess to catherine stop rumours and speculation, ill be asking tv news legend nick owen. But first lets get more on the Prime Ministers unexpected statement tonight in front of number 10 and mr sunaks warning that extremism is now a clear and present danger to british democracy with us is former government minister and television and radio broadcaster Edwina Currie. Edwina, great to Edwina Currie. Edwina, great to see you again. Edwina currie. Edwina, great to see you again. Did Edwina Currie. Edwina, great to see you again. Did that speech see you again. Did that speech by the Prime Minister need to be made . Made . Oh good evening mark and everybody. I think it was a great speech and i was really quite proud as i listened to it and thought you know, thats the british Prime Minister as he says from, um, a lesson , says from, um, a lesson, conventional background with a, a really deep rooted confidence in our country and its values. And i thought that was absolutely wonderful. My slight problem was that i rather agreed with emma. Problem was that i rather agreed with emma. Uh, in your problem was that i rather agreed with emma. Uh, in your previous with emma. Uh, in your previous conversation, because i found myself nodding at the end of each sentence and thinking and what are you going to announce . And he talked about a new robust framework. And then there wasnt framework. And then there wasnt any more , i suspect, whats any more, i suspect, whats happened behind the scenes is that somebody possibly him, possibly a home secretary, is pushing hard for some changes and they havent quite got to the stage where they could announce something yet. But the by election the has by election and the result has meant that something had to be said. And so what we had was just slightly on the side of goodness rather than on the side of action. And when you are Prime Minister you have to do more, i think, than make speeches. But its good that hes done this. Its good that hes done this. Its good that hes forward. And hes carrying us forward. And i agree emma that the real agree with emma that the real enemy is not this kind of extremism or that of extremism or that kind of extremism, extremist ism extremism, but extremist ism generally, and an unwilling ness to use the democratic process , to use the democratic process, but to try and destroy it in furtherance of objectives that most of us dont share. Well edwina, you were all about action and delivery when you were in government. So what might that action look like . How would it manifest . Would it be that on a future march, if somebody called for intifada , which effectively for intifada, which effectively means suicide bombers and blowing up buses and all the rest of it, civilian targets that youd actually be arrested, is that the sort of action youre looking for . Youre looking for . Yes, i think so , and i yes, i think so, and i wouldnt necessarily limit it to a particular word. I think we do a particular word. I think we do have breach of the peace legislation. Um uh, we, if we want to protect the right to march and to demonstrate peace fully, then we have to take out of that the intimidation , the of that the intimidation, the racism, the calls kill somebody. The efforts to clear the streets of the people you dont like. I dont care which side youre on. I think that is something that actually gets to the heart of our democratic process, which is really what the Prime Minister was, was saying in a much more elegant way. So i think it has elegant way. So i think it has to be quite clear what is and isnt allowed on a march. And the police have got to step in and arrest people. The Prime Minister said, well, the police are independent, but what really infuriates the rest of us trying to do the right thing and keep the law and go about our lawful business in the streets, is when the police either stand by or appear to be in encouraging whats happening by wearing slogans on their shirts or , or, slogans on their shirts or, or, you know, generally joining in in some way. No, no, no, youre a police force, not a police service. Youre a police force. My service. Youre a police force. My husband was in the police force in london, uh, for over 30 years. And that kind of, um, uh , years. And that kind of, um, uh, appeasing behaviour, i think really annoys an awful lot of police officers. We need to make police officers. We need to make sure that forces you as well. And it is used selectively. And it is effective if that doesnt work, though, mark, i think there to be a case for there has to be a case for perhaps calling a pause on all demos perhaps london or the demos, perhaps in london or the main , just for a while, main cities, just for a while, for , just you know, a matter of for, just you know, a matter of six weeks or something until some of these are sorted some of these issues are sorted out. I feel sorry for the people who organise legitimate marches and who then find theyve been hijacked by extremists. You hijacked by extremists. You know, the well meaning, the kind , the decent, the honourable people who sometimes organise these things are not always in control of whats happening on the fringes , but it helps if the fringes, but it helps if theyre working with the police to ensure that rest of us to ensure that the rest of us actually feel safe. Most definitely. Plenty of people did march in peace, but those events have been hijacked, as you by been hijacked, as you say, by extremist. Its briefly, if you extremist. Its briefly, if you can, edwina, because i want to get the rochdale but get to the rochdale story. But last on this one. Um, last question on this one. Um, is too little, too late is this too little, too late from the Prime Minister is the genie already out of the lamp . Genie already out of the lamp . Um, well, its a bottle, darling. Yes, i think you might well be right. Um. Uh, its possible. Its possible. Not least because weve heard. Fine words before. Prime minister bless him. I dont think hes a politician. I think he is a wonderful nerd. And i think im wonderful nerd. And i think im very proud to have him there at the top. But politics is also about persuading people to behave differently. Behave differently. Okay, well, look, now lets get to the events of the last 24 hours. Edwina, the muslim vote likely carried George Galloway across the line in his victory in rochdale. Is religion in in rochdale. Is religion in british politics here to stay . British politics here to stay . Well, it only went away very briefly. I mean, we used to have protestants against catholics. We had that in Northern Ireland a lot. We used to have it in liverpool, where i grew up. Uh, a lot. Uh, and it went away for a lot. Uh, and it went away for a while. And secular ism seemed to take over and people believing in conspiracy theories and making it up as they went along and, and the, the people who come from many of the newer communities held deeply to their faith. And, uh, that is wonderful. It helps to create great strengths within their communities and outside as well. So i dont deride it in any way, although i dont myself feel strongly about religion. Uh, one strongly about religion. Uh, one of the freedoms we have is to practice our religion as we see fit in this country, and i think thats wonderful. Its not religion thats the problem. It is extreme ism. Emma is absolutely right about this. Uh, galloway say hes a prize. Well, galloway say hes a prize. Well, the word is four letters, and it starts with h, and it finishes with t, and im a lady, so im not going to say it. Um he doesnt care a damn about, uh, gaza or the muslims or islam or anything. Hes totally populist, thats all. He is. He hates the labour party because they wouldnt have him as his leader. Um, hes not very keen on scotland either, i suspect. Although i bet he cosies up to the snp when hes in the house of commons again. He is an absolute appalling man. People like that did well in the 1930s. People like that did well in the 18th century. They did well in rome and greece. Whenever there rome and greece. Whenever there have been orators , there have have been orators, there have been populists like that, and they are nearly always bad news for the welfare of the rest of us, particularly those who really need help, as many people do in rochdale. Edwina, lets include my friday friends, David Oldroyd, bolt and emma burnell. The much praised emma burnell tonight. Praised emma burnell tonight. Dont get used to it, emma. But listen, David Oldroyd, bolt, your reaction to what Edwina Currie had to say. Currie has had to say. Im afraid i cant be too enthused about it because it is the same rhetoric that we have heard for many, many decades now about how wonderful it is to have a Multicultural Society where their beliefs where people bring their beliefs and cultures with them. Isnt and cultures with them. It isnt because creates the system because it creates the system under which we have lived, where ideologies like islamism take root, because people are afraid to say, this is not something we want in our country. And it is very difficult. Im afraid to separate islamism from islam because when is the last time that we saw a buddhist, sikh , that we saw a buddhist, sikh, christian or jewish terrorist attack based on the idea of intifada and jihad . They dont happen. Intifada and jihad . They dont happen. It is an unfortunate happen. It is an unfortunate facet of this religion, which is as everybody will say, by and large, peaceful , but it is large, peaceful, but it is nonetheless a dangerous facet. And i fear that the culture of multiculturalism. I know you say multiculturalism. I know you say that the political culture and a sociological culture that you couldnt possibly expect people to come to this country as immigrants and be part of the mono culture and our history that they had to bring with them their own thing. I fear that that culture has created the conditions under which that particular virulent, aggressive and dangerous extremist has been able to thrive. Edwina ill give you the last word, but, emma burnell, youre shaking your head. Yeah. No i mean, i couldnt disagree with that more. I think multiculturalism has many, many benefits, but what we do need to do is have an honest discussion about where the extreme edges of that lie, and thats not the same as saying thats not the same as saying that that multiculturalism is bad. We get so much from multiculture. Im going to go home tonight and cook a chicken biryani. That is a great example. Ill be drinking russian vodka. There you go, you see, and, you know, its like saying every christian is the same as the behaviour of the western baptist church. Itsjust, behaviour of the western baptist church. Its just, you know, we should not judge a whole religion by its extremes. We should not judge whole communities by their extremes , communities by their extremes, because when we do that, we push people towards those extremes and away from us. Edwina, what are your thoughts on the multicultural question . Oh, well, i think people said the same sort of thing as david was saying, uh, back a century ago when my grandparents arrived from eastern europe. Um, its from eastern europe. Um, its not right. Its not right that people come to here enjoy the freedoms. And most of the people who come are very proud indeed to uphold them. I think. I think to uphold them. I think. I think david should be more confident. David should be more confident. You know, not all muslims are islamists. Not all people , which islamists. Not all people, which islamists. Not all people, which ihave islamists. Not all people, which i have said repeatedly. Islamists. Not all people, which i have said repeatedly. Uh, well, no, you didnt. You made it sound like you didnt like muslims. And i dont think thats right. Thats not not true. Ive said repeatedly throughout this segment that not all are islamist. All muslims are islamist. You also said was hard but you also said it was hard to separate islamism from islam. And thats the point, to and thats thats the point, to go occasionally and go to mosque occasionally and listen praying to the listen to people praying to the Higher Authority who no doubt listen to people praying to the higirecognise ty who no doubt listen to people praying to the higirecognise. I who no doubt you recognise. Edwina, what a thrill to have you on the show. Well catch up soon. Have a good weekend. My thanks to former government minister, writer minister, broadcaster and writer edwina. Coming should Edwina Currie. Coming up, should buckingham come clean Buckingham Palace come clean about the health of king charles and princess catherine stop and princess catherine to stop rumours ill be rumours and speculation . Ill be asking tv news legend Nicholas Owen and my feisty friends. Next. To say like welcome back to the show Edwina Currie. So much to get through folks, but can we talk about the royals now . Now . Because there are so many stories floating around this week and where to begin . First of all, writing in the mail newspaper today, journalist newspaper today, the journalist and historian a. N. Wilson writes that the only way to stop ugly rumours and speculation about the royal family is for the palace to come clean about princess catherine and King Charless health. So is it any of our business . Do we have a right to know . Lets get the views of former royal correspondent of itn, tv news legend Nicholas Owen. But before we do that, whilst we get him framed up, as they say in the business, let me quickly get the thoughts of David Oldroyd b david, think the david, do you think that the king should clean about king should come clean about his health that need Health Issues and that we need to know more about whats happening with princess catherine . Like respect wilson i like and respect ian wilson very much indeed, but im afraid hes wrong on this issue. This pertains to what um, this pertains to what walter badgett called the dignified aspect of the constitution. About constitution. And talking about the very deeply private aspects of the royal familys help in pubuc i of the royal familys help in public i think, lend public doesnt, i think, lend dignity the institution. Dignity to the institution. I think its perfectly good and right and proper that the palace announced that his majesty is suffering and being treated suffering from and being treated for cancer. I think given the speculation about princess speculation about the princess of it is equally of waless health, it is equally good and right that it has good and right that that it has been announced that is been announced that she is taking away public taking time away from public dufies taking time away from public duties any more than duties to recover any more than that, think would be, that, i dont think would be, uh, would be right, because she has right to privacy. Yes. She has a right to privacy. Yes. She is incredibly important is an incredibly important pubuc is an incredibly important public also public figure, but shes also a private figure whose health is her own concern. Her own concern. Uh, Nicholas Owen, great to have us in the studio. Have you with us in the studio. Do you think palace should do you think the palace should come about the health of come clean about the health of king and princess king charles and princess catherine to end the catherine in order to end the speculation . Rumours . Catherine in order to end the speitsition . Rumours . Catherine in order to end the speits aon . Rumours . Catherine in order to end the speits a very rumours . Catherine in order to end the speits a very tricky rumours . Catherine in order to end the speits a very tricky business, . Its a very tricky business, isnt it . I mean, it seems to me a of issues here which a couple of issues here which havent really been touched upon. The havent really been touched upon. The first one is that we live in a world where its not just here wonderfully just us here in this wonderfully dignified studio broadcasting dignified tv studio broadcasting to the nation and the newspapers. Youve obviously dropped your standards. Are no, no, dear boys, as eve r. Even um, but we also have the newspapers in their various forms these days. But out there is a whole other world called social media or whatever you like, where all the rumours are swirling around. Some of it might be quite well informed, some of it might not. But heres the other small issue. Ive had cancer myself. Okay, so i know. Cancer myself. Okay, so i know. Well, i was merely working on a tv station itn, as you say , but tv station itn, as you say, but itn worried about what they would say about my absence from the screen, and i said to them, you just get straightforward and you just get straightforward and you be honest about it. Lets tell them what it was. In my case, i had cancer of a kidney and i lost a kidney 22 years ago, and here i am today. Say the trickiness comes. I think, with depending on the seriousness of the situation, its one thing, wasnt it, to talk about, for example, the queen mother, the late queen mother. Remember mother. I remember she was a fish bone stuck in her throat. Its all right to talk about that. Queen elizabeth the late queen often had a cold and so on. Was all right to talk on. That was all right to talk about. But could be talking about. But we could be talking about. But we could be talking about rather more serious about things rather more serious here. Is problem. Here. That is the problem. Thats see the thats where i see the difficulties start to arise, because all were able to talk about cancer, um, thankfully , about cancer, um, thankfully, treatment of cancer is terrific now compared with a few years ago , but some of them are still ago, but some of them are still very, very difficult to deal with. Is that whats happening here or not . Thats where i see the difficulty. I dont entirely agree about ian wilson when i say i dont agree with our friend here. I dont agree with you. I think wilson is on to a thing. Perhaps openness is the only way. Otherwise you are in this sort of half light of not knowing quite whats happening is that a good thing . I think particularly , may i say, when it particularly, may i say, when it comes to the king, why not just be open about that more tricky with the princess of wales, of course. Uh, shes a lady. And course. Uh, shes a lady. And the sort of things that may or may not be going on there. Do we really want to hear about those . Even if it is all over the internet . Im not sure we do. When it comes to the king, my view is we shall be told, because its a matter of state, isnt it . And its, you know, hes our head state. Do you think head of state. Do you think that head of state. Do you think that he opened of worms . Did he he opened a can of worms . Did he set a dangerous precedent by being so detailed . Originally with the cancer diagnosis, he was overt his was far more overt than his mother have been. Mother ever would have been. He was. I mean, lets yes, he was. I mean, lets remember how started. I remember how this started. I mean, he went in because was mean, he went in because it was something the something to do with the prostate and that was made very clear, sounded more clear, which sounded more innocuous. Well, i dont know about prostate i about that. Prostate cancer. I mean, dealable with. Yes mean, its dealable with. Yes but its pretty tricky old thing, you know. Yeah uh, anyway, and he went for the prostate said, oh, prostate and everyone said, oh, prostate and everyone said, oh, prostate so much prostate cancer. Theres so much of among of of that about among men of a certain generation, and only 18 months older than him. So im very aware were all in that sort of zone that that was okay. But then it was discovered the prostate was merely enlarged. We did hear about that. I mean, thats quite a personal thing, isnt but was dealt isnt it . But that was dealt with the course of that with in the course of that cancer was discovered. What cancer was discovered. Now, what cancer was discovered. Now, what cancer is that . I dont think theyre being prurient. I dont theyre being prurient. I dont think were being too , uh, think were being too, uh, ridiculous about this. When i say that, i think perhaps itd be better if we just were told. And could be grown up and we could all be grown up about and say, sir, your about it and say, sir, your majesty, off you go. Very, very best of luck. Out and about. I mean, hes not vanished, has he, at all . He hasnt. Uh hes doing terribly well. I personally think was a really serious think if it was a really serious , uh, cancer, something to be horribly worried about, we wouldnt be seeing him around. Can i offer that . That slight thought . I think youre right. And i think youre right to make a distinction between princess catherine, princess catherine, the princess of wales, king are of wales, and the king are head of state. Think that id state. And i think that id agree with you that that its a matter of National Importance to know about kings know about the kings health, given his constitutional role and he is. And the figurehead that he is. And wish both them and we wish both of them a speedy recovery. Of course we do. Meanwhile, i need do. Of course. Meanwhile, i need you detective hat you to put your detective hat on, because how would you explain williams last explain prince williams last minute from the minute withdrawal from the Memorial Service for the late King Constantine of greece . I think i can be a detective, or i i think i can be a detective, ori can i think i can be a detective, or i can i can make some guesses, cant i . I cant be a detective because i just dont know. And who does . Apart from. Were you surprised by the manner of the announcement and the timing . Oh, yes. Surprising, absolutely surprising, considering he was going to he was going the principle was going to read the principle lesson, it, to king lesson, wasnt it, to King Constantine for general and so on. That was a major on. I mean, that was a major event and it was broadcast everywhere be everywhere that he would be doing so withdraw at the last doing so to withdraw at the last moment. There only be one moment. There can only be one reason. Said reason. Its obviously they said personal matter, didnt they . Something back something got him diving back home. Cant possibly know home. We cant possibly know what that was, can we . Um, im not sure it serves any great purpose being being told exactly what it was. Perhaps no, lets lets lets be honest. Perhaps his wife just said, look, im really feeling a pretty awful this morning. I really want you here now. Do you think here right now. Do you think which wives are entitled to do . Which wives are entitled to do . Do you think well ever do that sort of thing . You know how the palace works with its, you know, the of information the drip, drip of information and management of the news and their management of the news agenda . Think well ever find do you think well ever find out absent . Out why he was absent . Yes, i think we probably will. These things generally do come long run. And come out in the long run. And that another thought. You that is another thought. You know, theres a the know, again, its theres a the era we live in. But going back to sort of previous royals whove been unwell , i mean the whove been unwell, i mean the famous case of george v , who was famous case of george v, who was actually rather helped into the, into his grave, frankly, by the doctors in order to make it the right time to be put in the right time to be put in the right newspaper, the times, you know, but that didnt take very long people found out know, but that didnt take very long it. People found out know, but that didnt take very long it. Even ople found out know, but that didnt take very long it. Even inle found out know, but that didnt take very long it. Even in those 1d out know, but that didnt take very long it. Even in those dayst know, but that didnt take very long it. Even in those days. About it. Even in those days. Uh, um, his son, uh, george vi, he was terribly ill, had lung cancen he was terribly ill, had lung cancer, looked absolutely awful most of the war and certainly after it. And then he went and died. Didnt take terribly long before we found out. Of course we will find out. We will find out. David do you accept that distinction between our need to know the health the king, but know the health of the king, but less the princess of wales . Less so the princess of wales . Well, just on the george of fifth didnt actually fifth point, we didnt actually find that dawson find out that lord dawson of penn killed until penn had killed him until kenneth roses biography the kenneth roses biography in the early it was quite early 1980s. So it was quite a while. Was thinking, well, while. I was thinking, well, nicholas of the nicholas was speaking of the case late queen mother, case of the late queen mother, who had Breast Cancer and bowel cancen in who had Breast Cancer and bowel cancer. In think the cancer. Uh, in the, i think the 70s and the 80s. And at no point was it said that her late majesty had been treated for cancen majesty had been treated for cancer. It was simply that shed been ill. I think when it comes to distinction between men to the distinction between men and there is a and women, there is a distinction of you might say, gentility of courtesy, which i think adhere to. There think we should adhere to. There being the royal being members of the royal family upon family does not impinge upon their to privacy. When it their right to privacy. When it comes to the king and the nature of his cancer. Im sure that in time the will announce time the palace will announce it. Think its possibly it. But i think its possibly correct in the early stages correct that in the early stages of majestys treatment and of his majestys treatment and suffering, allowed suffering, he be allowed to be treated two treated without there being two great speculation or two great investigation, say , of investigation, we should say, of the possible the nature and possible prognosis of his illness. I agree with you. Were all sitting as if weve sitting here as if as if weve gotten faintest idea what is gotten the faintest idea what is going its quite, of course. Going on. Its quite, of course. Welcome news. Welcome to gb news. Welcome to gb news. No, no. But the point no no no, no. But the point is out there, theres an immense amount speculation and an amount of speculation and an immense amount it. Most immense amount of it. Most definitely some of it, as i said, be well said, might be quite well informed. Somewhere in said, might be quite well infopalace somewhere in said, might be quite well infopalace thinksomewhere in said, might be quite well infopalace think itsewhere in said, might be quite well infopalace think its worth; in the palace may think its worth a you know, this, a few quid. You know, this, this. Lets be honest. Lets be straightforward and grown up about know, leaks do about this. You know, leaks do happen and well, absolutely. Briefly, you nicholas, briefly, if you can, got an etiquette can, as ive got an etiquette individual guest waiting the individual guest waiting in the wings, be rude to keep wings, it would be rude to keep her waiting at etiquette. Well, we can i ask you very we know that. Can i ask you very briefly. Tragic. Tragic story. And the death of thomas and this is the death of thomas kingston, husband of kingston, who was the husband of lady windsor, whos Lady Gabriella windsor, whos the daughter the prince and the daughter of the prince and princess kent, the duke and princess of kent, the duke and duchess, the duke and duchess of kent. Um, devastation. Michael. Kent. Um, devastation. There el. Kent. Um, devastation. There you go. There you go. Were getting mixed up amongst our titles. Were getting mixed up amymichael. Titles. Were getting mixed up amymichael. Anyway, michael. Anyway, the most awful this poor young man. Awful story this poor young man. Its been revealed he was its been revealed that he was found, by a member of found, found dead by a member of his gun was involved, his family. A gun was involved, a bullet to the head. Lets not get into the details, but a devastating story for the royal family. Yes. Awful. Awful story. I mean, the thing about it is, when you read in any detail about young man, what about that young man, what an amazing hed had. What amazing life hed had. What a terrific hed done in terrific things hed done in places like baghdad particularly, very , very, particularly, uh, very, very, very concerned with religion in held hostage, hostage negotiators. Yes, yes, yes, negotiators. Yes, yes, yes, indeed. Went out nearly got killed on several occasions. But killed on several occasions. But the thing about him, everybody said was not the depressive type, not the sort of person, sort of that you might think, oh dean sort of that you might think, oh dear. Still run deep. Dear. Still waters run deep. Things wrong. You things are going wrong. You know, a terrible know, underneath a terrible surprise , terrible shock, a surprise, terrible shock, a terribly sad , terribly sad. Terribly sad, terribly sad. Most definitely. Well, what a thrill to have you in the studio. Tv news legend Nicholas Owen, returns to owen, who i hope returns to friday live very shortly. Friday night live very shortly. Thank nicholas, for coming thank you, nicholas, for coming in. A good weekend. In. Have a good weekend. Next up, girl, halliwells up, spice girl, geri halliwells husband in hot husband finds himself in hot water alleged messages water over alleged messages to a female colleague. Is flirting at work. A sackable offence . Well be joined by a top etiquette expert in the studio and i promise ill keep my hands to myself. Uh, welcome back to the show. Uh, welcome back to the show. Well, listen, my guests are overflowing with things to talk about, but let me tell you that about, but let me tell you that a lot of people are talking about christian horner. He is, of course, the f1 boss whos got himself in hot water over alleged flirty texts with a colleague, but is flirting with someone at work a sackable offence . Im delighted to welcome etiquette expert liz brewer, liz , lovely to see you brewer, liz, lovely to see you and lovely to meet you. Very busy show. Unfortunately, we were slightly squeezed for time, but lets get straight down to it. Is there anything with it. Is there anything wrong with flirting with colleagues . Theres nothing wrong with flirting colleagues, but flirting with colleagues, but it depends you it and where depends when you do it and where you it. And also its also it you do it. And also its also it totally inappropriate if its somebody whos in a relationship or married. Mm. Um then its your integrity which is at stake. And you know, you may be people will observe you and think, well, youre not being honest or nice person. Mhm um, problem is in a working environment when you are close together with other people over a length of time, its inevitable. Relationships form. Its why a lot of bosses marry their secretaries. You know , their secretaries. You know, theres something that evolves. You can meet somebody and think, fine, everythings fine. Youre fine, everythings fine. Youre not attracted, but over time it actually does break down and you start. You do fall in love and start. You do fall in love and so i think what one has to first of all, it depends on what the company is that youre working for. You cant turn round and say, oh, because theres a racing driver whos perhaps being inappropriate with another person. Well, theyre hardly person. Well, theyre hardly sitting in an in an office, but but when it is a company and companies , normally theyll have companies, normally theyll have a handbook if they have rules you have to adhere to that. You have to understand you are there doing a job of work. Youre being paid to do a job of work and therefore its inappropriate to put your energy and your mind sort of 70 of the time in another direction. Well you wouldnt want the pilots of an aeroplane that youre flying on to be flirted with the trolley dolly, would you . You dolly, would you . No, you wouldnt, but it does happen. It happens. Of course it does. And the way, mr horner and by the way, mr horner denies allegations. But denies all allegations. Um, but but he does. But im glad he does. I was going to say, um, and i was going to say, um, if i was giving advice , i would if i was giving advice, i would always you know, hes been always say you know, hes been exonerated. And what you have to exonerated. And what you have to do is now hold your head high, ignore it. Dont say , oh, well, ignore it. Dont say, oh, well, now were going to get a divorce. Im going to break up, etc. Big, big mistake. So you think he should stick with jerry and jerry should stick with him . Absolutely. Should absolutely and they should absolutely ignore everything thats going gone you know, i, i actually gone on. You know, i, i actually represented and looked after and advise spokesperson for advise and spokesperson for ivana trump since the mid 80s until she died two years ago and i always used to say she should have turned the other cheek and she shouldnt have just gone and got divorced because the timing was wrong. It might have happened later on. The brilliant businesswoman , but there was businesswoman, but there was always that little regret it. And whereas okay, men are men, men do flirt. You know, there biologically programmed to reproduce and you cant start saying , right, you know , a man saying, right, you know, a man is not going to flirt because they cant help it. But its the manor charming. But its the manor charming. And the tone. Yes. And the tone. Yes. And the tone. Yes. Emma flirting in the workplace. Sackable offence. No , no. Um, its when no, no. Um, its when flirting tips are over a line into what could feel more like harassment. And thats really complicated because, look, we all flirt. Im a terrible flirt. I flirt well, im actually im a brilliant flirt. Well, would you mind taking your hand off my knee . No, im very uncomfortable. No, im very uncomfortable. No, im very uncomfortable. Grow up. We flirt from day one because we know were going to get the chocolates and the sweets, and were going to be allowed to stay up late. So so we do it naturally. But i think theres also i mean, basically in the workplace , its about making sure that when youre flirting, you are youre youre not pushing over a line. And its about understanding how the other person is responding to that flirting. And responding to that response. And that, i think is key. If somebody is being made really uncomfortable by your behaviour, whether thats flirting or aggression or any other bad workplace behaviour, thats whats wrong. No time for harassment at all. But im not saying that you cant fall in love or have a oh, ive had relationships through work, absolutely in love with both of you. Were out of time. Were out of time. Patrick christys is next for Patrick Christys tonight. Ill see you tomorrow at 9 00. Thanks. For that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. From boxt boilers. Sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Good evening. Welcome to your latest gb news weather update with me, annie from the met office. This further hill snow to come for Northern Areas throughout tonight and through saturday. Going to be saturday. And its going to be staying the uk staying cold across the uk through weekend. Low through the weekend. Low pressures very in charge. Pressures very much in charge. Weve some occluded fronts weve got some occluded fronts wrapped around pressure wrapped around that low pressure system thats where the system and thats where the focus the heaviest will focus for the heaviest rain will continue be throughout continue to be throughout tonight. So some persistent rain will over parts of will turn to snow over parts of southern and into southern scotland and then into Northern Areas of scotland later on tonight. And then another batch push into batch of rain will push into southern of england, southern areas of england, bringing risk of some hill bringing a risk of some hill snow but anything that snow here. But anything that does to accumulate should does start to accumulate should quickly melt the temperatures quickly melt as the temperatures rise after sunrise. But it will still be quite a cold start to the weekend , wherever you are. The weekend, wherever you are. Some persistent rain will some quite persistent rain will continue across central and eastern areas of england and then southern scotland then into southern scotland later in the day, and well later on in the day, and well also rain turn to snow also see this rain turn to snow across the far north of scotland, particularly over the highlands saturday highlands through saturday afternoon. Therell a afternoon. Therell be quite a brisk northerly breeze across northwestern areas, bringing that feel. In fact that chilly feel. And in fact itll actually still fairly itll actually still feel fairly cold there for many areas cold out there for many areas turned drier throughout saturday night, so it should be a much dner night, so it should be a much drier day on sunday. Therell still be some mist and fog around and a few showers across western coasts, think it western coasts, but i think it will feel a much more pleasant in sunshine with in the sunshine with lighter winds in the way winds and a bit more in the way of sunny dry weather. Of sunny and dry weather. However, across east coast however, across the east coast there could be some rain moving in at times it looks like it will cold the start of will stay cold into the start of next temperatures do next week, but temperatures do start from tuesday start to rise from tuesday onwards. Like things onwards. By by looks like things are heating up. Boxt boilers sponsors of weather gb news. Good evening. Your top stories from the gb newsroom. Stories from the gb newsroom. The Prime Minister says democracy is being targeted by extreme artists addressing the