Transcripts For GBN Good 20240704

Its a big day in westminster for the first mp for reform uk , for the first mp for reform uk, lee anderson has sensationally quit the conservative party, of course, after his suspension and joined the party of richard tice and nigel farage. There was huge amounts of suspicion. Lots of people thought that he might do. Hes thought that he might do. Hes having lots of talks, as he openly admits with the reform party with richard tice and co, hes that decision. Do you hes made that decision. Do you at home think it was it is the right decision. Do you think that he should call a that maybe he should call a by election hes defected to by election now hes defected to another party. The people of ashfield didnt vote for him under the banner of reform, did they . So do you think its time for election, a by election, for an election, a by election, or perhaps general or perhaps with a general election than year away . Election less than a year away . Course, lee anderson of course, lee anderson himself up to himself signed up to an amendment the house of amendment in the house of commons ago, saying commons not so long ago, saying that any defector from one Party Commons not so long ago, saying th. Anotherafector from one Party Commons not so long ago, saying th. Another shouldfrom one Party Commons not so long ago, saying th. Another should haveone Party Commons not so long ago, saying th. Another should have the party to another should have the opfion to another should have the option of facing by election, option of facing a by election, that call that constituents could call a recall petition in in such circumstances. But hes not calling a by election. Big questions. But more than that, who else might be next . With the conservative party trailing in the polls, might more mps think its the polls, might more mps think wsfime the polls, might more mps think its time to jump ship . Well have all of the latest gossip, rumour and salacious stories after your headlines with france , with sam. , with sam. Thom. Emily, thank you very much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Itsjust much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Its just gone 12 00, and we start with a recap of that news that lee anderson has become reform uks first mp in a blow to rishi sunak, mr anderson was stripped of the conservative whip after refusing to apologise for claiming that islamists had, he said, got control of the london mayor well, speaking in london mayor well, speaking in london this morning, he said his new party would allow him to speak out on behalf of millions of british voters. Parliament doesnt seem to understand what many british people want, and quite frankly, some of them need to get out more. I made some remarks a few weeks back about the london mayor, for which i was stripped of the whip from the conservative party. And let me be clear right now , on this be clear right now, on this stage, i will not apologise. It is secret that ive been is no secret that ive been talking to my friends in reform for a while , and reform uk has for a while, and reform uk has offered me the chance to speak out in parliament on behalf of millions people, up and down millions of people, up and down the country who feel that theyre not being listened to. Theyre not being listened to. Well, after welcoming lee anderson to reform uk, the partys leader, richard tice said that the first mp for the party is trusted by voters. Party is trusted by voters. Ms lee is going to be our champion of the red wall this is going to boost us in the polls rapidly and heres my prediction. By the summer, were going to close that gap with the tories. Were now about 5 or 6 behind on a couple of polls that could to almost zero if we could close to almost zero if we keep making progress were keep making the progress were making. Making. To other news, and the princess of wales has today publicly apologised for an altered family photo that was released by Kensington Palace. Posting to social media, she admitted that like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing, she said, adding that she was sorry for any confusion it may have caused. Well, the mothers day caused. Well, the mothers day image that was taken by the prince of wales was withdrawn by various global photo agencies after suspicions that a number of edits may have been made. Of edits may have been made. Three former conservative home secretaries are calling for a unhed secretaries are calling for a united front to tackle extremism from islamists and far right groups. In a joint statement, dame priti patel, sir sajid javid and amber rudd are both urging labour and the conservatives to Work Together to understand and combat the issue. It comes as Community Secretary michael gove is preparing to announce a new government definition of extremism. Im meanwhile, more extremism. Im meanwhile, more than 50 victims of islamist terror attacks have signed a separate letter condemning anti muslim hate, saying that its important to separate extremists from the majority of other british muslims. Other british muslims. Meanwhile, the government has pledged over £117 million to safeguard mosques , muslim safeguard mosques, muslim schools and Community Centres over the next four years. The funding thats been unveiled today follows the Prime Ministers promise to allocate more than £70 million to protect Jewish Community sites , Jewish Community sites, politicians, Tech Companies and Financial Institutions are meeting in london today to tackle international fraud. The event, thats hosted by the British Government is the first of its kind. Security minister Tom Tugendhat told gb news this morning that the government is working to protect the british people. Already were leading on bringing fraud down, so its down 13 year on year and weve already led globally with the onune already led globally with the online fraud charter, which is a huge moment where weve got Tech Companies, the largest Tech Companies, the largest Tech Companies and other companies , companies and other companies, Telecoms Companies to Work Together to protect british together to protect the british people. Today , thats all people. And today, thats all about bringing to partners. About bringing that to partners. Some more royal news. And the queen is leading the royal family at this years Commonwealth Day service, as the king continues his cancer treatment, her majesty , treatment, her majesty, accompanied by the prince of wales and other key members of the royal family , are gathering the royal family, are gathering at Westminster Abbey for the annual celebration. This years annual celebration. This years event drawing on the theme of event is drawing on the theme of resilience backdrop of resilience against a backdrop of Health Worries among the royal family, hell miss family, though hell miss todays service, his majesty has recorded a video message reaffirming his commitment to serve the 56 member countries. He says to the best of his ability , and finally to the us, ability, and finally to the us, where last nights oscars were dominated by nuclear bomb epic oppenheimer. After winning seven awards including best director for Christopher Nolan and best actor for Cillian Murphy, heres the moment that he claimed the top acting honour. We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb and for better or for worse, were all living in oppenheimers world, so i would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere. Everywhere. One of the other biggest cheers of the night went to emma stone, who took home her second award for best actress, this time for black comedy poor things. But time for black comedy poor things. But it was a night of bad luck for songwriting legend diane warren. The writer of 33 top ten singles has so far notched up 15 nominations, but sadly zero wins. Last nights award for best original song instead went to Billie Eilish and Finneas Oconnell for the track what was i made for, which was featured you may remember in barbie, those are the headlines. Plenty more to come with tom and emily. In the meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts. Just scan the code there on your screen or go to gbnews. Com slash alerts. Alerts. Good afternoon britain 12 07. And lee anderson, the former deputy chairman of the conservative party, has sensationally defected to reform uk, becoming the partys first member of parliament in a move that shook westminster , the mp that shook westminster, the mp for ashfield confirmed hes been in talks with reform uk for a while and concluded his speech by declaring i want my country back. Well, for more on this, lets speak to gb news Political Correspondent olivia utley, who was at the press conference this morning in westminster, and olivia, the room has emptied out there now, but, quite a shock for many people. For many people. It was quite a shock for many people. Caused a real ripple in westminster this morning. There are those who write off this defection, some who even say that it isnt really a defection at all. Lee anderson was one of the conservative mps whos been on reform watch for a while now. And then, of course, he was suspended from the conservative party over remarks he made about sadiq khan a couple of weeks ago, which were deemed to be islamophobic. Ago, which were deemed to be islamophobic. You know, there islamophobic. You know, there are those in the conservative party spoken to, who party who i have spoken to, who said anderson didnt really said lee anderson didnt really have choice to join have any choice but to join reform. And this, this, this defection extra defection cant be extra isolated. Were not going to were not expecting a whole load of conservative mps to defect. Now, this was sort of now, this was a sort of extraordinary set of circumstances and a pretty extraordinary character in lee anderson himself. All of that said, cant really just said, you cant really just brush this under the carpet. Rishi sunak himself obviously has a lot of faith in Lee Andersons ability to speak to those red wall voters. Those voters who would be absolutely key to the conservatives holding on to power. Rishi sunak himself made Lee Anderson Deputy chairman for that very reason. So the conservatives cant exactly just turn around now and say, well, lee anderson wasnt an asset in the first place. Its very clear that he was an asset to them. It is also true that richard tice has implied time and time again that there are other, mps who are prepared to defect to reform. Of course, he would be bigging up his partys prospects, but he made a direct implication in the press Conference Today that there are labour mps in talk with reform. I think Something Else which really struck me from today is the conservatives keep trying to sort of get across the message that if you vote for reform, it is simply a vote for labour. The idea is that the reform will end up splitting the conservative vote and handing seats to laboun vote and handing seats to labour. Now that might well be true in wellingborough, for example, if every single voter who voted for reform in that by election had voted for the conservatives, said the conservatives, instead said the conservatives, instead said the conservatives would have won. Conservatives, instead said the conzitsatives would have won. Conservatives, instead said the conzits becomingld have won. Conservatives, instead said the conzits becoming increasingly. But its becoming increasingly clear that reform dont really care about that. What richard care about that. What richard tice said when i asked him if a vote for reform was a vote for laboun vote for reform was a vote for labour, he said the two main parties are exactly the same. We need something completely different and its quite possible that voters will feel the same. Theyll feel that perhaps the conservatives no longer have a sort of god given right to the conservative vote. So that threat from reform is feeling pretty real. And even if it does end up in just splitting the conservative vote, even if reform ends in winning very reform ends up in winning very few seats in a general election, thats hardly a consolation to the conservative party or to reform. And olivia, hearing that as many as nine conservative mps are in advanced talks with reform party, thats a source close to the reform party. Any idea who they might be . Who those nine conservatives might be . Well, there are there are those whove been on sort of reform watch for a while. There are those whove written their letters of no confidence into to rishi sunak someone like andrea jenkyns, perhaps, who has been a very, vocal about her very, very vocal about her dislike of the Prime Minister. There was , of course, simon there was, of course, simon clarke, who said that a former truss minister who said that we were that the conservatives were heading for the iceberg and he was the whistleblower who was calling that out. Perhaps someone that could be someone like that could be persuaded to defect to reform. Then there are also the characters, you know, the, the, the, those solid right of centre conservative mps who have been very, very vocal on immigration for a long time now. Suella braverman clearly isnt happy with the direction that her party is going on immigration. All of those people, though, have said that they are have said so far that they are not planning to defect to reform. , lee anderson reform. That said, lee anderson said just a few weeks ago that he wasnt planning to defect to reform, i guess well to reform, so i guess well have to watch wait. Im fascinated watch and wait. Im fascinated to richard tice to see if richard tice prediction labour mps could prediction that labour mps could defect will actually turn out to amount to anything. Well no, its a fascinating question, but for now, olivia utley, thank you very much. Very much. Live from that room where it all happened morning. Lets all happened this morning. Lets peak now with the Political Correspondent spectator, correspondent at the spectator, james heal. And james. What does this mean . Going forward for the conservative party . They have now dipped by some measures below 20 points in the polls and reform is creeping up. Reform is creeping up. Well, today made it much harder for rishi sunak to pretend that he is going to be the only right wing candidate in this forthcoming general election. It splits the right of british politics. It means that reform now have a spokesman within parliament, and it therefore makes the media speculation one about splits, defections and potentially reform being a big thorn in the side of the conservatives. Rather than doing what rishi sunak wants, which is taking the fight to the labour party and making this a two horse making this really a two horse race him. Between and race with him. Between him and keir starmer. Been a bad keir starmer. So its been a bad day rishi sunak, not least day for rishi sunak, not least because ago he because just 12 months ago he made deputy chairman. Made him deputy party chairman. A bit own goal, isnt a bit of an own goal, isnt it . It . Well, it is for rishi sunak in the sense that, you know, there was always a sense with, with lee anderson was a bit of a mercurial, player on the pitch. He on the one hand was a very straight talking and that could cause issues him as the day cause issues for him as the day he appointed deputy he was appointed deputy chairman, out and chairman, he came out and supported, punishment supported, Capital Punishment in an the spectator. An interview with the spectator. But other was but on the other hand, he was very popular within the party and lot of the and doing a lot of the associations going around the country. Love country. A lot of mps love having their patch, having him speak in their patch, and danger is, of course, is and the danger is, of course, is that defecting, he could that by him defecting, he could split in of split the party in terms of activists at time when its activists at a time when its already very already feeling very disheartened be disheartened and really be a massive wedge issue. At massive sort of wedge issue. At a when the conservatives a time when the conservatives are, you say, tom, are, as you say, tom, potentially 20 in the polls. So could be most so this could be most damaging the grassroots damaging at the grassroots level. But lets say its true that there are nine conservative mps in advanced talks with reform uk. If those potentially defected, can the conservative party really call itself a broad church . It always says that it is. It always says it has all versions of conservatism. But if, you know, potentially that many defect, then, is that no longer true . Longer true . I think we should take a note of scepticism on reform. Talk about defections. Theyve said so for years. It was part of the brexit party and ukip playbook. Often there was a lot talk. Often there was a lot of talk. There were defections. Of there were some defections. Of course, they tend to be far course, but they tend to be far less the amounted to, less than the talk amounted to, so see with so ill wait to see with interest if reports of those nine materialise, what i will nine do materialise, what i will say is we see where those areas are actually are i mean, are they going to be in seats of majorities less than 5000, or are going be in blue are they going to be in blue wall of 25,000 . I wall areas of 25,000 . And i think be of interest. Think that will be of interest. I rishi sunak has clearly i think rishi sunak has clearly staked on blue staked his future on the blue wall keep some sort wall of trying to keep some sort of the polls than of 30 of the polls rather than sort know , get back sort of, you know, get back together, the 2019 coalition. So i will be interested to see who they if really exist , they are if they really exist, and of course, the circumstances in they defect, because and of course, the circumstances in anderson defect, because and of course, the circumstances in anderson wasect, because and of course, the circumstances in anderson was a , because and of course, the circumstances in anderson was a whiplesse lee anderson was a whipless wonder rather than sort of, you know, minister or someone know, a tory minister or someone with conservative whip. Hes with the conservative whip. Hes someone to someone who went chose to go from suspended the from being suspended to the party. So that party. So for that reason, i think perhaps his defection, while it is while pretty important, it is slightly different from, say, perhaps of perhaps the defections of douglas and Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless both whom reckless in 2014, both of whom went conservatives, went from the conservatives, both by elections. And is that by election question that helps ukip gain a lot momentum gain for million lot of momentum gain for million votes in the 2015 election . That sense of sort of inevitability and growth of a party that perhaps reform uk is missing out on here through not calling a by election perhaps because they think theyll lose it . Think theyll lose it . Well, i think reform are definitely going to be something the tories need to very much be worried about. But they have so far slightly underperformed in elections, in elections, even in wellingborough , where they threw wellingborough, where they threw the kitchen sink at that by election, they only 13. By election, they only got 13. Ukip 20. There ukip in 2015 won 20. There similarly, in the recent by election in rochdale, they still only came sixth of the vote despite a lot of sort of talk there about it being a two horse race. So i think that while reform certainly has a lot of investment behind it in terms of investment behind it in terms of of interest, and of a lot of media interest, and theyve anderson, theyve got lee anderson, someone a red bull someone whos seen as a red bull rottweiler, i do think that they actually back it up with actually need to back it up with electoral actually need to back it up with eletherefore very interested be therefore very interested to see forthcoming see with the forthcoming blackpool south by election, a leave most leave voting area, the most depnved leave voting area, the most deprived seat that the conservatives currently hold at the how reform the last election, how reform can do there . And i really think they need to good they need to do a good performance there if they want to actually back up what the polls thats polls are saying. And thats what looking when what ill be looking for when that by election comes around. Really, really, absolutely, really, really, really to really key one. Looking back to previous was previous by elections, it was Eastleigh Ukip leapfrogged eastleigh when ukip leapfrogged over the conservative party, took took the second place conservatives into third. Started be able to say it was a strong force. If that happens in blackpool south, perhaps this conversation about underperformance elections underperformance in by elections starts change. But james starts to change. But james heale, thank you very for heale, thank you very much for joining thank you very joining us here. Thank you very much indeed. Wonder lee anderson i wonder how lee anderson will it in the the will play it in the in the chamber in house of commons. Chamber in the house of commons. Will massively stick the boot will he massively stick the boot in the conservatives, even in to the conservatives, even though was only a part of the though he was only a part of the party weeks ago . Or will he , i party weeks ago . Or will he, i dont know, take the high ground. What do you think . Well, i think was very well, i think he was very keen the into keen to stick the boot into laboun keen to stick the boot into labour. Of course, labour. He was, of course, formerly a labour councillor, of course conservative mp course became a conservative mp was happy to stick the boot in, now hes a reform mp. Perhaps now hes a reform mp. Perhaps again the boot, as james heale was saying, the red wall rottweiler. Im interested to see where he sits in the house of commons. Is he going to obviously cross the floor, sit on those opposition benches . Who will next to . Probably will he sit next to . Probably not corbyn, probably not jeremy corbyn, probably not the might find the lib dems. He might find a place sitting next to perhaps the dup. Have look when the dup. Lets have a look when he takes his seat a little bit later today. Yes, keep your views in. Views coming in. Lots them are coming in. Lots of them are coming in. Whether think this the whether you think this is the right anderson and right move for lee anderson and whether think this is the whether you think this is the massive that people massive blow that some people are seeing it. As for rishi sunak, your views. Sunak, let us know your views. Vaiews gbnews. Com. And what do you he said . I want you make of what he said . I want my back. Does he speak my country back. Does he speak for millions of people in this country . Country . Well, the princess of wales has apologised for confuse related to a poorly photoshopped picture of her and her children. Its the First Official picture of the princess since her surgery, but shes now facing calls to release the original. Well have all the details after this. This is good afternoon britain on. Gb news. Well, lots of you are getting in touch about lee anderson and his decision to defect to the reform party. Caroline says the conservative party is not changing because they are blinkered. Theyre not listening to the public. Lee comes from a working class background, and so he can speak on behalf of the working done working people. Hes done the grafting before being a politician. So of lee politician. So a fan of lee anderson there, and bryan says all that will happen if you vote reform that you will have reform is that you will have three cheeks the same three cheeks of the same backside. Paraphrase the only backside. To paraphrase the only decent mp in parliament talking backside. To paraphrase the only decengeorge parliament talking backside. To paraphrase the only decenGeorge Galloway1t talking backside. To paraphrase the only decenGeorge Galloway there. Ng about George Galloway there. Presumably thats a line that George Galloway used in the 2012, bradford by election. 2012, West Bradford by election. Hes a broken record, isnt he . That was talking about the lib dems as well. Not sure many people are talking about the lib dems today. It dems today. I found it interesting though, watching this , this announcement perhaps. This, this announcement perhaps. And the party is a very and the reform party is a very slick party, but perhaps they havent got everything right about how they present themselves, for those watching on television, take a look at this. There was a moment when lee anderson started to dance with a flag, there is. Oh, with a flag, there he is. Oh, no. Oh, the really bad flag placement there. Youve had a lot of jokes on social media about sort of hiding behind a flag. Oh, they moved it, the rest of it, and they had to move it along. There it is, the disappearing flag. Well, there you go. Are there any patriotic image there . Isnt there british flags, union jack everywhere. I think its very nice to have union jack behind you have a union jack behind you when youre a politician. I think a good thing. Think thats a good thing. It shows passion standing shows your passion standing behind less behind one, perhaps less advisable that that that media advice there. Reform advice is for free there. Reform uk and ray says i, like lee anderson, agree with lot of anderson, agree with a lot of what says. What he says. He might be the first mp yes, he might be the first mp for but he will for a reform, but he will probably last as well. Probably be the last as well. Like ukip before reform now. Like ukip before and reform now. Lots people them, but lots of people support them, but not defect to vote not enough will defect to vote for them in a general election. And that, of course, is the conundrum reform party conundrum that the reform party faced. Yes, they may be polling on which very high on 13, 14, which is very high indeed, the liberal indeed, higher than the liberal democrats. But will that democrats. But will that translate to seats in general translate to seats in a general election . Its just the system we live under. The ukip came third by yeah, the ukip came third by number of votes in the 2015 general election, and won one member of parliament. That was clacton , but helen says this is clacton, but helen says this is the best news ever. So shes happy she wants to put the great back into britain, i think itll be a lot of lot of, conservative associations around the country who feel very, unsure of what to do at the moment because he was such a big figure amongst those conservative grassroots. Yeah, the grassroots love him. Grassroots do love him. Him. The grassroots do love him. So it is a loss for rishi sunak and the conservative party. But it their choice. And the conservative party. But it but heir choice. And the conservative party. But it but anotherice. And the conservative party. But it but another big story today, but another big story today, the wales has the princess of wales has apologised for the confusion over photograph over a mothers day photograph released by Kensington Palace yesterday. Released by Kensington Palace yesteraiy. Released by Kensington Palace yestera Statement Released on in a Statement Released on social media, kate said like many amateur photographers, do many amateur photographers, i do occasionally experiment with editing and she and she made sure to say she hopes everyone is celebrating a very happy mothers day. Well, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissue. Doing it would not be reissue. Doing the original, unedited photograph kate and her photograph of kate and her children, which has been pulled by Major International picture agencies. Yes, this comes as the prince of wales, the queen and other members of the royal family are set to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service at westminster Commonwealth Day service at we sorinster Commonwealth Day service at wesso letsr Commonwealth Day service at wesso lets speak to our royal on, so lets speak to our royal correspondent, Cameron Walker, live at Westminster Abbey. And cameron, of course, we have to start with this picture. Have to start with this picture. I mean, what a monumental step for the back step. I whatever you want to call it, its not gone. Kerfuffle. Fantastic. What a kerfuffle. A kerfuffle. I mean, its complete pr disaster. I mean, its complete pr disaster. Tom, to be i mean, its complete pr disaster. Tom, to be honest with disaster. Tom, to be honest with you, i think it shows just how seriously that perhaps theyre taking it that the princess herself has issued an apology. I understand, as was alluded to in her message, that she edited it herself with minor adjustments, is the phrase ive been told by a royal source. Im also told that the prince and princess of wales were really keen, but it was an amateur family snap showing their close family unit. Of course, whole point of of course, the whole point of that in the first place that image in the first place was to try reassure the was to try and reassure the pubuc was to try and reassure the public that princess is public that the princess is recovering fine from her abdominal and it was a Abdominal Surgery and it was a nice to do on mothers nice day to do it on mothers day. But course, its day. But of course, its spectacularly backfired and has only fuelled the fire of these conspiracy theories online. It appears to be an innocent mistake from the princess of wales that perhaps she , as she wales that perhaps she, as she admits in the in that statement that she is an amateur photographer and amateur, editor of images was prince of the images that was Prince William, of course, who took the image in the first place. But it raises a wider issue here. First of Kensington Palace of all, Kensington Palace clearly did not thoroughly check the image before they distributed it to the agencies. Then for Major International agencies pulled the image because it had been manipulated. They have their own reputation to uphold. Of course , because to uphold. Of course, because Media Organisations around the world expect those agencies to supply them with trustworthy news. Photograph. Then this morning, the press association here in the uk, who speaks to the palace regularly, did the same thing. They pulled the image. So i think Kensington Palace had no choice but to release some kind of statement. Release some kind of statement. But the wider problem here is if the prince and princess of wales insist on releasing their own material and therefore have overall control of the image, the issue weve discovered this morning is that it has the potential to damage public trust in what they give us and the fact at the moment they choose for these private, intimate Family Moments to not have an independent, trusted news photographer there, to then distribute it to the worlds press on their behalf, i think perhaps is a question they will be asking themselves this morning. Thats an extremely good point, cameron, that they went it alone and it went a bit wrong. They should have relied on expert photographers and the palace and everything done properly, but just this photo i mean, theres been so much speculation over what exactly has been photoshopped. What has been photoshopped. What whats been edited . What was catherine doing with this photo . I wasnt sure whether perhaps it was an old photo of catherine that theyd sort of mashed up together mixed parts with together and mixed parts with other parts, or is it just a very minor sort of tweak . Very minor sort of tweak . I think its more than a minor tweak. Were talking more minor tweak. Were talking more here than just a simple airbrush , or changing the colour contrast to make her look slightly more tanned , for slightly more tanned, for example. What i dont buy into is the conspiracy theorists that that photograph was not taken last week by the prince of wales, of his wife and their three children. I suspect, although this is, of course, just speculation, that the prince took a number of photographs at that moment last week in order to release it on mothers day. And then the best bits of each photographs, if you like, were then morphed into one photograph by the princess of wales being sent on to wales before being sent on to the communications team, who then it to the then distributed it to the worlds press. I suspect that is the likely scenario. Of the most likely scenario. Of course, thats something Kensington Palace are not getting afternoon , but getting into this afternoon, but theyre also not releasing the original image. So again, its just adding more questions, certainly. And of course, there are lots of modern smartphone apps that do this. You take 3 or 4 pictures and you can pick where your children are looking at the right direction, not having right direction, or not having their hands in weird positions. Although that didnt out although that didnt work out particularly in particular. Of airbrushing, well, a bit of airbrushing, i well, it its it depends, depends what its for. But but cameron, this is coming. Of course on Commonwealth Day, this is supposed to be a day of celebration of an institution that the king is head of. That is a big part of britain around the world. Its a big distraction, isnt it . Distraction, isnt it . Its a huge distraction. And its a huge distraction. And its the 75th anniversary of the commonwealth this year , 56 commonwealth this year, 56 independent family of nations who have a common cause for peace and working together. The king has released a message, a video message which is going to be played at Westminster Abbey today. You may well notice. In fact, its quite hard to miss if youre watching on television. The big yellow signs and flags behind this is the behind me. This is the anti Monarchy Group republic, who, king ascended who, since the king ascended the throne , have really made throne, have really made themselves known and have been very noisy at these kind of big events in the royal calendar. Very noisy at these kind of big events in the royal calendar. So events in the royal calendar. So no doubt they will be making some noise when members of the royal family arrive royal family start to arrive here. But the line from the kings speech, which he will be delivering later via video message hes already recorded it is. He continue to serve is. He will continue to serve the commonwealth to the best of my ability. Now that phrase best of my ability is a phrase the late queen used elizabeth ii following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in june 2022. The king continues his regular cancer treatments. Therefore, he has not carrying out public engagements and he will not be physically inside the abbey. So instead hes being represented by her majesty the queen, the prince of wales and other members of the royal family. But of course, as you say, tom, distracted by this image of the princess of wales and her children this morning. Thank very much well, thank you very much indeed. Cameron walker, our royal , in amidst royal correspondent, in amidst all angry republicans there all the angry republicans there down with the crown, is what theyre saying. Theyre quite polite for protesters. They mean, protesters. They are. I mean, ive seen protests that are that are more shouty. Are more angry, more shouty. Maybe will when maybe that will happen when the royals seem royals arrive, but they seem pretty placid as things stand. A bit sorry for i do feel a bit sorry for princess catherine. I mean, all of this speculation about her and then she messes up with a with editing this photo , and with editing this photo, and then she apologises personally on social media, leaving a sign off. Just see, i know i can understand why she doesnt want to release the original photograph or take a new photograph. Appear to be the sort of cowed by the crowds, sort of cowed by the crowds, sort of. Shes got to be royal and sort of above it all. But if youre royal and above it all, dont use a dodgy app to composite your pictures. They want to be like normal people and putting up their own photos and putting up their own photos ancbut and putting up their own photos anc but youre not, not. But youre not, youre not. Youve got through the youve got to go through the processes , it seems. Let us know processes, it seems. Let us know what you think gb views are gb news. Com is it all a bit much . Paul news. Com is it all a bit much . Paul. Catherine . Paul . Well, an imam and catherine . Well, an imam and an islamic think leader is an islamic think tank leader is calling on mps to tackle extremism through the promotion of harmonious and tolerant muslim bodies. Well be joined by that very man. After your headunes by that very man. After your headlines with sam. This is good afternoon, britain. Afternoon, britain. Tom. Emily, thank you very much. Good afternoon. From the much. Good afternoon. From the newsroom, a recap of the headunes newsroom, a recap of the headlines at 1230. Lee anderson has accused the conservative gives of stifling free speech as he announced his defection to reform uk, becoming the partys first mp. Mr anderson was stripped of the conservative whip after refusing to apologise for claiming that islamists had , for claiming that islamists had, he said, got control of the london mayor. As recently as january. Mr anderson had said that reform was not a proper Political Party. But now reforms newest member has said that his newest member has said that his new party would allow him to speak out on behalf of millions of british voters. Parliament doesnt seem to understand what many british people want , understand what many british people want, and quite frankly, some of them need to get out more. I made some remarks a few weeks back about the london mayor for which i was stripped of the whip from the conservative party, and let me be clear right now, on this stage, will apologise. It stage, i will not apologise. It is secret that ive been is no secret that ive been talking my friends in reform talking to my friends in reform for a while, and reform uk has offered me the chance to speak out in parliament on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who feel that theyre not being listened to. Theyre not being listened to. Well, to that royal news weve been talking about throughout the course of this morning, princess of wales morning, the princess of wales has apologised for has now publicly apologised for an altered family photo that was released by Kensington Palace. Posting to social media, she admitted that like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing, adding that she was sorry for any confusion it might have caused. Confusion it might have caused. The mothers day image that was taken by the prince of wales was withdrawn by global withdrawn by various global photo suspicions photo agencies after suspicions that a number of edits may have been made , and the energy been made, and the energy regulator, ofgem is. Ofgem is looking at ways to protect consumers from spiralling costs amid a Record Number of unpaid bills. Around £3. 1 billion of debts are piling up as concerns grow over the high cost of household bills. It comes after the price of energy in the average british home hit more than 3500 pounds a year last october. Those are the headlines for more. You can sign up to gb news alerts. Scan the qr code there on your screen or go to gb news. Common alerts. News. Common alerts. For stunning gold and silver coins , youll always value coins, youll always value rosalind gold. Proud sponsors the gb news Financial Report , the gb news Financial Report, and heres a look at the markets this afternoon. This afternoon. The pound will buy you 1. 2850 and the pound will buy you 151. 2850 and ,1. 1743. The the pound will buy you 1. 2850 and ,1. 1743. The price of gold is currently £1,695. 94 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is at 7623 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report i good afternoon. Britain. Its 12 38. And the. The founder of an islamic think tank, the Oxford Institute for british islam, is calling on ministers to bring together a group of tolerant and inclusive muslims tolerant and inclusive muslims to tackle extremism. Yes the historian and imam says the government should use muslims, including scholars and activists, to promote harmonious living. This the answer to living. Is this the answer to tackle extremism . Well, joining us now is the founder of the obe, doctor tagg hajji, and thank you so much for making the time for us today. Just in in your sort of brief elevator pitch, what is the big idea here . The idea is for us to live together. Doesnt matter if youre jew, christian, muslim, hindu , sikh, jedi, it doesnt hindu, sikh, jedi, it doesnt really matter. We are all british and we really need to Work Together and live harmoniously and with Mutual Respect and, love and care and compassion for everyone. And thats the message in in a nutshell now tag the government are trying to pinpoint exactly what extremism means. Weve seen a lot of quite extreme preachers, for example, from the Muslim Community. How do you how does extremism need to be tackled within the Muslim Community . Does it need to be tackled from within rather than top down direction from government . Youve hit the nail on the head here, coming from outside doesnt really work, we need to tackle the whole idea and concepts of extremism, fanaticism and radicalism, militancy, whatever you wish to label it as such from within. And so that means you only can do it within in terms of the theology of islam. So no, tony blair some years said the education, education, education was the issue. I would say now for muslims today , especially in for muslims today, especially in the uk, its theology, theology, theology. Unless we, cut the theology. Unless we, cut the legs of this, poisonous , legs of this, poisonous, venomous, ideology that doesnt have a quranic basis. It comes from non quranic sources. Unless from non quranic sources. Unless we tackle that, we will always have some elements and some form and manifestation of radicalism and manifestation of radicalism and militancy in the society. So it behoves muslims from within, open minded, progressive, liberal, integrated muslims. As you can see, i dont have a beard. You dont have to wear a certain garb of clothing. All of certain garb of clothing. All of this is nonsensical. Its got nothing to do with islam. Islam has got no culture, muslims have culture. And so, if we live in the uk, we have a muslim, we have uk dress and we have a uk culture and so forth. So, we need to have, appeal to open minded, progressive liberal muslims. And there are many of muslims. And there are many of them that need to come on board and realise that this, venomous, vile , manifestation of islam is vile, manifestation of islam is imported from backward places like pakistan, afghanistan, saudi arabia, egypt, you name it, that this that version of islam may have some resonance there. But it has no relevance in this society. And this is what, open minded, progressive, liberal muslims should be doing. No, its such an important point. You raised. Theres no part of the quran that forces women to wear the burqa, or that dictates that people wear dictates that people must wear beards or do whatever. And beards or or do whatever. And there are many muslim countries that actually ban the burqa and, and many other things that. And many other things like that. But i suppose one of the counterarguments to what you say is that there are lots of passages within the quran, as there are within the torah, and there are within the torah, and the bible , that are deeply the bible, that are deeply homophobic, that are deeply sexist , that do look at sort of sexist, that do look at sort of values that might have been, more in tune with the world 1500 years ago than the world today. Years ago than the world today. Yeah. But i think when lets talk about two things you raise, homosexuality and sexism, lets first deal with homosexuality. The quran , like the bible and the quran, like the bible and the torah you just mentioned, doesnt approve of homosexuality. Nowhere in homosexuality. But nowhere in the about the the quran they talk about the punishment of homosexuals. So thats important. Okay so thats very important. Okay so you can say, listen, i do not agree with same sex relationships , whatever. And relationships, whatever. And someone should be entitled to say because we live, after say that because we live, after all, in a free country. So thats what the quran is very clear it doesnt approve of clear that it doesnt approve of it. Judgement, speak , it. And judgement, so to speak, it. And judgement, so to speak, it should left to god come it should be left to god come the sexism throughout the issue of sexism throughout the issue of sexism throughout the quran. Actually, the thrust of is gender equity of the quran is gender equity and equality between men and women. Mentioned the burqa women. You mentioned the burqa is not mentioned in in the quran by nor the niqab. The face by name, nor the niqab. The face mask, nor even the hijab. The huabin mask, nor even the hijab. The hijab in the quran , so called hijab in the quran, so called head covering. Its got nothing to females hair. Its to do with females hair. Its got to do with the partition, the barrier, the seclude divider, separator. Thats how the hijab is used. This, the word hijab is used. This, this idea of sexism and misogyny and patriarchy and chauvinism , and patriarchy and chauvinism, doesnt have any Foundation Within the quran itself. It within the quran itself. It comes from culture and it comes from the priests. From the priests. Do we have a problem with, lets say, self proclaimed Community Leaders within the Muslim Community who were use their position to grandstand and they say they represent the Muslim Community, but actually they only represent the fundamentalist muslims, and they have quite an authoritarian view of how one should read the quran and what they should see in the quran and how they should behave in their lives, because weve seen quite shocking footage in in their lives, because weve seeipastte shocking footage in in their lives, because weve seeipast of shocking footage in in their lives, because weve seeipast of some ng footage in in their lives, because weve seeipast of some imamsage in in their lives, because weve seeipast of some imams preaching the past of some imams preaching in mosques in britain and preaching very, lets just say, nasty and sometimes bigoted things and anti british things, anti western values. How do we anti western values. How do we put moderate muslims at the forefront of this conversation, rather than giving platforms to people who are quite extreme . Lets be frank. Well, i mean , very bluntly, well, i mean, very bluntly, this is a very brief or rather, this is a very brief or rather, this is a small interview here. We need to promote muslims who are the three eyes, meaning those who are inclusive , those those who are inclusive, those who are integrated and in quotes , indigenous, in other words, people who are fully part and parcel of this society. So, for example, someone thinks, listen, you must have a big beard, you must have a flowing robe. And thats islam. That person is thats islam. That person is actually not conducive to living in society. If he wants to in this society. If he wants to wear a robe a big beard, wear a robe or a big beard, whatever , then theres plenty of whatever, then theres plenty of other places for them to go to shanah other places for them to go to shariah we need to shariah land. We need to promote. All thinking promote. All right thinking and right minded muslims who have adjusted to this society. Ive come as an immigrant. I still retain an accent, im fully retain an accent, but im fully integrated in this society, and this is the kind of people we should be promoting, not people with big fancy beards and think that this is the way to reach the Muslim Community. We need something. Had happened in something. What had happened in judaism, judaism, especially judaism, in judaism, especially in the century, you had the in the 19th century, you had the titanic between titanic struggle between the orthodox and the reformers. We havent had similar struggle havent had a similar struggle in muslim society, especially in the uk. We need to have this , the uk. We need to have this, clear blue line between those fundamentalist traditionalists and who are chauvinist and patriarchal minded on one side, and people, progressives and liberals on the other side. And then the community can choose and then also the wider public, who are not muslims, will be able to see that there are two distinct or three distinct strands fascinating parallel between the reformers. What a what an interesting point. Doctor taj, thank you so much for coming on to gb news really appreciate your time and your thoughts. Speak to you now, great to speak to you now, pope francis has sparked outrage as says ukraine should raise as he says ukraine should raise the white flag in fight the white flag in its fight against russia. Does he have against russia. Does he have a point . More on that very. Soon. Well, its 1249, and pope francis has caused outrage for saying kyiv should raise the white flag and negotiate an end to the war with russia. Yes. Ukrainian officials have urged the pope to stand on the side of good with the countrys foreign minister telling the pontiff the ukrainian flag is a yellow and blue one with which they live, die and prevail. So is this a serious misstep from the pope . Well, lets pose that question to the associate editor of the catholic herald, doctor Gavin Ashenden. In your view, Gavin Ashenden. In your view, has the pope stuck his foot in stuck his foot in it this time, or is he saying something that makes sense to you . I think the pope has done wonderfully well. Hes acting as a pope should, and im very proud of him for doing it. Im sorry there are so few voices telling the obvious truth in the world. I mean , there are in the world. I mean, there are two issues here, arent there . Theres a geopolitical calculations , and there are calculations, and there are moral ones. We might on to moral ones. We might come on to the geopolitical relations in a moment, but the moral are moment, but the moral ones are quite clear. Appears to be quite clear. This appears to be a conflict in which there is a form of deadlock. Lots of people are it would more are dying. It would be more sensible negotiate sensible to stop and negotiate an end it, instead of an end to it, instead of allowing many more young men allowing so many more young men to. To die. There a moral hazard here, there is a moral hazard here, and i would have thought that the pope, being someone who engagesin the pope, being someone who engages in moral philosophy on a day to day basis, would think about this moral hazard , which about this moral hazard, which is this when russia took crimea in 2014, the world said negotiate. The world said, do not fight. Lets not shed blood. But that didnt end the matter. Just a matter of years later, putin was back for more and much more blood was shed. Is it not simply going to do the same thing, to say, lets just negotiate, lets have ukraine raise in the popes word, the white flag of surrender , only white flag of surrender, only then to let russia rearm and no doubt push on further once theyve reinforced their lines of defence. Well, what i think youve doneis well, what i think youve done is youve extrapolated from a geopolitical analysis and moral position , and that would moral position, and that would be fine if your geopolitical analysis was correct. Ive been following for since about nine, nine, about 2015, doctor, professor, mearsheimer, whos an american , historian, and hes american, historian, and hes been complaining that from about 2012, when nato and europe , 2012, when nato and europe, produced a coup in ukraine and dislodged a pro russian president in favour of pro western one, and then began to do exactly what theyd promised not to do after the fall of the wall, which was to build western infrastructure in ukraine. And putin then gave i dont mean to be putin apologist here, but just these are the facts to sound a little bit like one. Well, its just because nobody, nobody broadcasts this. And ive been watching quite carefully, the last ten carefully, for the last ten years. And putins said to the west, please , its a bit like west, please, its a bit like the cuban missile crisis. The americans said to russia in 1963, if you place missiles right next to borders , we right next to our borders, we will get extremely upset. And putin said exactly the same thing nato. Went on thing to nato. Nato went on doing they forgot, doing it. They they forgot, Laboratory Chemical laboratories in ukraine. And finally putin said, if you go on doing this, im going to resist. Now, i dont think putin should have done it. Hes its been disastrous and murderous. I think is talking think this is talking about spheres think this is talking about sphwe; think this is talking about sphwe dont exist in this sort we dont exist in this sort of 100 year old parallel where great powers get to control their satellites. If ukraine their satellites. If ukraine wants to be a closer ally of nato, if ukraine wants to join nato, if ukraine wants to join nato, they should be free to do so. Whether or not that angers mr putin, of course they should. Absolutely. Right. Which is why nato and europe shouldnt have interfered with with ukrainian elections. But leaving leaving it to one side whose fault it is. It is the case. Fault it is. It is the case. Theres a deadlock of some kind. Neither side is winning. And as neither side is winning. And as and as it does appear that ukraine is being used as a proxy for, putting pressure on russia by nato and europe. Now its not going very well. The russians arent doing very well. The ukrainians arent doing very well. Theres no obvious way in which a deadlock can be breached. But putin is even disastrously and immorally talking about a nuclear strike, which is horrific. Would it not be appeasement to on their sovereign to negotiate on their sovereign territory . I mean, it comes down to that , doesnt it . If you to that, doesnt it . If you allow putin to take something, he will then not stop at that point. And i think theres quite point. And i think theres quite a lot of evidence to suggest thats the case. Well, the evidence, the context is that donetsk , the context is that donetsk, the russian speakers of donetsk, have been under bombardment by western ukrainians for the last ten years. So they would say theyre not being appeased. They want self defence and self determination. Who you believe people would argue that was the russian argue that that was the russian proxies fighting that have proxies fighting there that have been bombardment, given been under bombardment, given the of subtle invasion that the sort of subtle invasion that occurred before the full scale one . But doctor Gavin Ashenden , one . But doctor Gavin Ashenden, im afraid we have run out of time. We must have you back, because this is a really interesting conversation to have and forthright and appreciate your forthright views and views on this matter, and indeed, the forthright views of the well, thats all the pope. Yes well, thats all for this hour, but stay with us as well be discussing as shortly well be discussing whether anderson should call as shortly well be discussing w by election nderson should call a by election this is good afternoon, britain. Were on gb news, britains news channel. Britains news channel. A brighter outlook with boxt solar, sponsors of weather on. Solar, sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello again. Heres your latest gb news. Weather update brought to you by the met office. Some places towards the east may a touch of frost, east may see a touch of frost, even a few patches fog even a few patches of fog tonight, but many it is tonight, but for many it is going wet and windy due going to turn wet and windy due to an area low pressure and to an area of low pressure and an associated weather system feeding west. We feeding in from the west. We already have an occluded front across of Northern Ireland across parts of Northern Ireland that has brought some rain earlier today, and is going earlier today, and that is going to more rain to northwest to bring more rain to northwest scotland we go this scotland as we go through this evening overnight. Evening and overnight. But its across northern where across Northern Ireland where were some heavier were going to see some heavier rain winds pushing in rain and strong winds pushing in overnight, rain then overnight, and that rain then later parts western later reaching parts of western england, scotland as england, wales and scotland as we early hours of we go through the early hours of tomorrow further east. And there we go through the early hours of tomcbew further east. And there we go through the early hours of tomcbe some1er east. And there we go through the early hours of tomcbe some clearist. And there we go through the early hours of tomc be some clear spellsi there we go through the early hours of tomcbe some clear spells in1ere we go through the early hours of tomc be some clear spells in the may be some clear spells in the cloud, and so we could see a touch of frost, perhaps even a few of fog around first few patches of fog around first thing. As go thing. Otherwise, as we go through tuesday, start and through tuesday, a wet start and a across western a windy start across western parts, the heaviest rain will be over higher ground, particularly over higher ground, particularly over the hills and mountains of nonh over the hills and mountains of north the rain does ease north wales. The rain does ease a little bit as it pushes its way eastwards, but places way eastwards, but most places will see some wet and windy weather for a time. Were going to air pushing to see some milder air pushing its way so temperatures its way in, so temperatures lifting little bit than lifting a little bit higher than today. Lifting a little bit higher than today. Highs around or 14 today. Highs of around 13 or 14 celsius wet weather to come celsius more wet weather to come as we go through the end of the day tomorrow. Whilst the outbreaks do their outbreaks of rain do push their way towards there are way towards the east, there are further of rain further outbreaks of rain pushing from the west again, pushing in from the west again, heaviest any higher ground. Heaviest over any higher ground. More come we go more rain to come as we go through rest of the week, through the rest of the week, particularly across northern and western going western parts. But it is going to milder temperatures to turn milder temperatures widely, teens widely, getting into mid teens by by that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 1 00 on monday. The 11th of march. Lee joins nigel farage. Lee anderson has dramatically quit the conservative party today to join the reform party, becoming their first mp. Will other tories follow . And whos next . Should a by election be called . Should a by election be called . And kate apologises . Princess catherine issues an official apology over the manipulated photograph of her and her children released on mothering sunday. She says she was simply experimenting with editing, but shes now facing calls to release the original raise the white flag, a call from pope francis to ukraine in their ongoing conflict with russia. It sparked outrage between politicians and commentators as the pope comes under fire for failing to condemn russia. Well, we had a bit of a back and forth with Gavin Ashenden there, he said. The pope was quite right that there should be some kind of negotiation. Negotiation to end this war. But a lot of you dont think that should be the case. Clive, from sheffield says what does putin have over the pope with the pope . Expect the papal guard to raise the white flag if the vatican were invaded by putin. No i dont expect so. Goodness me, the Catholic Church doesnt have the most unblemished of who unblemished history of who theyve who unblemished history of who theyhavent who unblemished history of who theyhavent. Who unblemished history of who theyhavent. But who unblemished history of who theyhavent. But ramone who unblemished history of who theyhavent. But ramone hasio unblemished history of who theyhavent. But ramone has got they havent. But ramone has got in touch say hi, tom and in touch to say hi, tom and emily. Ive never heard such tosh in my life. Putin got ukraine to disarm under the pretence that would never pretence that russia would never invade. Pretence that russia would never invade. Your guest is totally invade. Your guest is totally wrong. We all want peace. But never forget that putin wants ukraine. Ukraine should fight on. And brian in wolverhampton says if the pope wants an end to the war in ukraine, he should be telling the dictator to putin end the war, not ukraine. Rolling. Strong point. Rolling over. Strong point. Although, leon has got in touch saying that, the outline of the situation in ukraine is that nato has been putting bases on the border and provoking russia. Thats, thats leons russia. Thats, thats leons view. Although, not sure not. I think thats a thats a pretty anachronistic way to view world affairs, this sort of spheres of influence idea. Yeah. We no influence idea. Yeah. We no longer have empires and satellite states. Well, and lots of you have been getting in touch to say that you were very much appreciated the input from our guest earlier hour, our guest earlier in the hour, taj hargey, he was talking about how its important for moderate muslims to stand up towards extremism from within the community and it cant all be done top down, so yes, id love to speak to him again. It was such an amazing point that sort of went that judaism sort of went through reform process. Through the reform process. You had the reform , had the orthodox and the reform, jewish people and, and from the Victorian Era there was such integration and that just hasnt happened with the islamic community, or at least it hasnt happened yet. A big, big opportunity, perhaps. Yes. Get your well, lets get your headlines. Tom. Emily, thank you very much. Good afternoon. The headunes much. Good afternoon. The headlines just after 1 00 and we start with the latest developments in our top story of the day that lee anderson has now accused the conservatives of stifling free speech. That comes after he announced defection to reform uk, becoming their first mp. Mr anderson was stripped of the conservative whip after refusing to apologise for claiming that islamists had , he claiming that islamists had, he said, got control of the london mayor, sadiq khan. As recently mayor, sadiq khan. As recently as january. Mr anderson had said that reform was not a proper Political Party. Now, reforms newest member. He said his new party would allow him to speak out on behalf of millions of british voters. British voters. Parliament doesnt seem to understand what many british people want , understand what many british people want, and quite frankly, some of them need to get out more. I made some remarks a few weeks back about the london mayor for which i was stripped of the whip from the conservative party and let me be clear right now, on this stage, i will not apologise. It is no i will not apologise. It is no secret ive been talking to secret that ive been talking to my friends in reform for a while, and reform has offered while, and reform uk has offered me the chance to speak out in parliament on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who feel that theyre not being listened to. Not being listened to. Other news making the headunes other news making the headlines today, the princess of wales has publicly apologised for an altered family photo released by Kensington Palace, posting to social media earlier, she admitted that like many amateur photographers , she amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing and added that she was sorry for any confusion it may have caused the mothers day image was taken by the prince of wales and was withdrawn by various global photo agencies after suspicions had arisen that after suspicions had arisen that a number of edits may have been made. Nottinghamshire police has made. Nottinghamshire police has been told by a watchdog that it must urgently produce an improvement plan. After it was put into special measures. The families of Barnaby Webber and Grace Omalley Kumar have welcomed that news as the two teenagers and School Caretaker, ian coates, died during a spate of knife attacks in nottingham. The force there has been asked to improve how it manages and carries out effective investigations, and to put measures in place that ensure victims get the support that they need. Three former they need. Three former conservative home secretaries are calling for a united front to tackle extremism from islamists and far right groups. In a joint statement, dame priti patel, sir sajid javid and amber rudd are urging both labour and the conservatives to Work Together to understand and combat the issue. It comes as communities secretary michael gove is preparing to announce a new government definition of extremism. Im meanwhile, more extremism. Im meanwhile, more than 50 victims of islamist terror attacks have signed a separate letter condemning anti muslim hate , saying its anti muslim hate, saying its important to separate extremists from the majority of british muslims. The energy regulator, muslims. The energy regulator, ofgem, is looking at ways to protect consumers from spiralling costs amid a Record Number of unpaid bills. Around £3. 1 billion of debts are piling up as concerns grow over the cost of household bills. Its after the price of energy in an average british home hit more than 3500 pounds last year. In october, a Major Police Operation is underway at a Funeral Directors after concerns were raised about how the dead were raised about how the dead were being treated there. We understand theres a large number of officers in and around the area where those three branches of Funeral Homes are in hull and in east yorkshire, including forensics officers and a Maritime Protection unit. Police have also said around 350 people have now contacted them about their Ongoing Investigation into those branches of legacy independent Funeral Directors. It comes after a 46 year old man and a 23 year old woman were arrested on suspicion of preventing a lawful and decent burial. Weve also heard that 34 bodies have now been respectfully transported to a mortuary for formal identification. In other royal identification. In other royal news today, the queen is leading the royal family at this years Commonwealth Day service as the king continues his cancer treatment. Her majesty , treatment. Her majesty, accompanied by the prince of wales and other key members, are gathering at Westminster Abbey for the celebration. This for the annual celebration. This years event draws on the theme of resilience against a backdrop of resilience against a backdrop of Health Worries in the royal family. Though hell miss family. And though hell miss todays service, the king echoed his a video his late mother in a video message reaffirming his commitment to serve the 56 member countries. He says to the best of his ability and finally to the us, where last nights oscars were dominated by nuclear bomb epic oppenheimer, winning seven awards, including best director for Christopher Nolan. And heres the moment that Cillian Murphy claimed best actor. Actor. We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb. And for better or for worse, were all living in oppenheimers world, so i would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere. Everywhere. Another of the biggest cheers of the night went to emma stone, who took home her second award for best actress, this time for the black comedy poor things. But it was a night of bad luck for songwriting legend diane warren, the writer of 33 top ten singles has notched up 15 nominations so far, but sadly with zero wins. Last nights award for best original song instead went to Billie Eilish and Finneas Oconnell for the track what was i made for . Which was featured in the hit barbie movie. Those are the headlines. For more , you can sign up to gb for more, you can sign up to gb news alerts. Just scan the qr code there on your screen. Or if youre listening on radio, go to gb news. Com slash alerts. For now, though, its back to tom and. Emily. And. Emily. Well, lee anderson has sensationally defected from the conservative party to reform uk, becoming the partys first member of parliament. Yes, the move shocked westminster , but it may not come westminster, but it may not come as quite the surprise to some of you. Hes been in talks with reform for quite a while. He ended his speech by declaring i want my country back. However, his decision has unsurprised sparked much criticism from the conservative party with home secretary James Cleverly describing Lee Andersons defection as a mistake. Well, to discuss this further, we are joined by gb news Political Editor christopher hope, chris offer, thank you very much for joining us. I note just, that the new conservatives group, which is headed up by miriam cates mp and danny kruger, have said, the responsibility lies with the conservative party itself. Conservative party itself. Thats right. Hello, tom. Hi, emily. Thats right. So, though the new conservative group run by danny kruger and miriam cates , theyre making it very clear they regret Lee Andersons choice to leave the party. It makes the Labour Government more likely. I mean, literally, of likely. I mean, literally, of course, the partys course, it reduces the partys majority in the house of commons permanently with him joining that party. But also, they feel those two and this group of new conservatives, that its time to go back to that, the kind of radicalness of 2019 and offer more obvious right wing policies to win back the support in the polls. The reaction in polls. The reaction in westminster has been quite interesting. Lots of fury with lee anderson struck by Dame Jackie Doyles. Prices response jackie doyles. Prices response to the revelation on gb news. When i interviewed lee anderson about two hours ago, i said, when did you tell the pm . He said, havent the pm said, i havent yet, so the pm would found out. Maybe would have found out. Maybe through our coverage on through watching our coverage on gb prompted gb news. That prompted Dame Jackie Doyle price, for jackie doyle price, the mp for thurrock, a big thurrock, to say hes a big girls blouse. So theres lots girls blouse. So theres lots of, fruity language in westminster. He was thrown westminster today. He was thrown off the mps, Whatsapp Group for the home office earlier, and where does it go from here . Well, we might see as many as nine other tory mps, joining reform. Thats the figure ive been given by, people in the reform party or close to the reform party or close to the reform party. I asked we asked that richard tice. He said he suggested that labour mps could join. He said unless theres an early election on may, the second, therell be more defections. So that is where its going next. The anderson himself has talked to no other tory mps. He tells me. But it goes back to that revelation we gave our viewers , just gave our viewers, just over, just over two ago when we just over two weeks ago when we revealed kwasi anderson met revealed that kwasi anderson met with richard tice service with richard tice on a service station at m1. And thats station at the m1. And thats what started these talks ended right in westminster today right now in westminster today with an embarrassing with what is an embarrassing defection for pm rishi sunak, the man defined as the red wall made flesh , has now left the made flesh, has now left the tory party. No really, really big news and it comes as perhaps a surprise given it was not so long ago, at the start of this yean long ago, at the start of this year, on this very channel that lee anderson himself gave a passionate defence of why people should stick with the tories. Lets have a listen. Lets have a listen. Are a threat. They are a threat. Bigger threat to the country at the moment, i think, than the labour party. Because if reform do pick off a lot of us conservative mps at the next election, then whats going to happenis election, then whats going to happen is were going to end up with a Labour Government, and the government is the the Labour Government is the last i want. Love last thing i want. I love my country. Country to country. I love my country to bits. Dont to bits. I dont want to see a Labour Government. A bigger threat from the labour party. Thats how lee anderson branded reform uk. That was in january. Thats what i was writing in my notes. There in that interview on june the 2nd. He did say that he didnt see the reform was not the answer. It would just let in keir starmer in. I asked him that question in in. I asked him that question in in my question at the press conference. Whats changed in the since, since , the past ten weeks since, since, january the 2nd, he said George Galloway, he said that the by election, win by George Galloway , which pushed the galloway, which pushed the tories into third place. The labour candidate, although the one that was disowned by the party into fourth place. He said that the winner for George Galloway was moment when he galloway was the moment when he felt to on and felt its time to move on and change party. I asked richard tice richard tice said that tice and richard tice said that he that the he said that it was the following day when tice talked about the country being plunged into thats what into recession. Thats what changed the dial on talks with mps. But certainly for the mp. The reform uk mp , lee anderson, the reform uk mp, lee anderson, it was that the George Galloway by election win which caused this. Well, thank you very much indeed , chris hope there are indeed, chris hope there are Political Editor. Right. Lets get the views now of pollster at opinium, james crouch , james, opinium, james crouch, james, lets take a thank you for joining us. Lets take a little zoom out and have a look at Lee Andersons constituent in ashfield. What kind of majority did he have and could he win again on a reform ticket . Well, he has a really unusual seat because actually the, the second, second place candidate in ashfield last time was actually an independent, and its incredibly difficult to work out what his majority might be on the new boundaries. But the challenge here is, is much wider than that, which is lee anderson might be jumping on a trend, but its quite unclear to see how that continues, from here, like reformer already at 11 points, which is the highest that weve seen them, but it does appear that they are almost hitting a ceiling. And the real question is, while, lee anderson might be doing a really good job at hitting some headlines here, how do they keep that momentum up from here . There still could be many months for a general election. So thats the big question, james, are there parallels here with ukip . Back in 2014, they scored a sensational defection of Douglas Carswell, the then conservative mp for clacton, switched across to ukip and really caught the wind of the sails. It was during the summer when there wasnt much political news. Everyone was talking about it and then he fought a by election which kept it in the news, but also gave this sense that the party was winning and could win westminster elections. I suppose thats where the parallels with reform uk end, at least when it comes to a by election. Well, yes , there is a big well, yes, there is a big question about whether he will stand in a by election because hes previously said that people that changed parties should do. And i think the question here does become what can reform do that almost increases their electoral ceiling. So at the moment, yes, there are 11 points. It might go up to 12, maybe even 13, but that really is hitting the ceiling. Almost everyone on our polling who says they might consider voting for a reform already says they are, and the conservatives will probably play a pretty good game , throwing andersons game, throwing andersons comments right back at him , as comments right back at him, as weve already seen just on this program, that , you know, theres program, that, you know, theres a fear of letting labour in now. So if there are a few more mps that does actually string it out, but you could still get to a Short Campaign without that, you know, a Short Campaign and see the conservatives winning some of those voters back. However , that does have to be said. Thats at present. So there could be something that comes along that actually boosts that electoral ceiling. The question is, what precisely it . Precisely is it . Yes. Very interesting. And of course, anderson says he course, lee anderson says he speaks for millions of people up and down the country. Whether that to votes that translates to votes is quite of course, quite another. Of course, the conservatives very much conservatives are very much pushing and sticking to the argument a vote for reform argument that a vote for reform is a vote for the labour party , is a vote for the labour party, which is true under our electoral system. Is it not . Well, at present it is, i think, one of the reasons why they are still hitting 12 if theyre lucky rather than than nearer kind of a fifth, which ukip got, in 2015 is because the labour party is still doing so well. We must remember back in 2015, the conservative, ukip didnt just eat into the conservative vote. It ate into the labour vote. Which is why the labour vote. Which is why the ultimate outcome you got was actually David Cameron still staying in office. So while they might be doing a really good job at appealing to a lot of disgruntled conservatives, theyve kind of reached that limit, at least it suggests they might have. Might have. And are they willing to reach out to Say Something that might appeal to some labour voters . Bearin appeal to some labour voters . Bear in mind the conservatives have lost just as many voters to labour as they have done to reform, or at least they are at the moment, and they all voted for Boris Johnsons 2019 platform. So can they appeal to those voters, too . Thats the thing that really gets them further along than than where we are. Are. Big questions for reform uk. Well, for now, james crouch, pollster at opinium , thank you pollster at opinium, thank you very for your time. Pollster at opinium, thank you venwell, for your time. Pollster at opinium, thank you venwell, in or your time. Pollster at opinium, thank you venwell, in other|r time. Pollster at opinium, thank you venwell, in other news,. Pollster at opinium, thank you venwell, in other news, the well, in other news, the princess wales apologised princess of wales has apologised for confusion over for the confusion over a mothering photo released mothering sunday photo released by Kensington Palace yesterday. Statement released on in a Statement Released on social media, the princess said like amateur photographers, like many amateur photographers, i do occasionally experiment with editing. I do occasionally experiment witiright . |g. I do occasionally experiment witiright . Well right . Well right . Well Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the original unedited photograph, but true to say that but its true to say that lots of people actually demanding of people are actually demanding that reveal the unedited that she reveal the unedited photograph. Would that end the speculation, though . Well, gb news royal correspondent Cameron Walker joins us from Westminster Abbey, where commonwealth where there is a Commonwealth Day service due to take place soon. But cameron, on this photograph khalife what a monumental. Monumental kerfuffle. Absolutely, tom. It is a bit of a pr disaster for Kensington Palace. It appears to be a bit of an innocent mistake from the princess of wales. On the surface, she admits that she , surface, she admits that she, edhed surface, she admits that she, edited parts of that photograph, saying that she is an amateur photographer and occasionally experiments with editing. But the problem is, this isnt an ordinary photograph. This is a ordinary photograph. This is a photograph which was intended to reassure the public that she is, in fact, doing well , and in fact, doing well, and quashing all those online conspiracy theories. Instead, conspiracy theories. Instead, what its done is added fuel to the fire. It appears that Kensington Palace did not thoroughly check the image, which was given from the princess of wales to them before distributing it to the press, which that for which meant that for international agencies, pulled the image from their servers. Of course, theyve got their own reputation to uphold because news organisations , news organisations, organisations expect, trustworthy images to be distributed to them. Same with the press association here in the press association here in the united kingdom. They have also pulled the image and it raises the wider point that if the prince and princess of wales insist on privacy, insist on, lets say, controlling the photograph that they released of them and their children, the fact that they dont have an independent news photographer there has now created a lot of questions for them and whether it appropriate for that to it is appropriate for that to continue. But as said, tom, continue. But as you said, tom, those , of the Kensington Palace those, of the Kensington Palace is not releasing the original image. But is not releasing the original image. But earlier is not releasing the original image. But earlier you is not releasing the original image. But earlier you may is not releasing the original image. But earlier you may have image. But earlier you may have noticed, actually, theres a lot of on behind me from of noise going on behind me from various different protest of noise going on behind me from various one rent protest of noise going on behind me from various one rerthoseast of noise going on behind me from various one rerthose protest groups. One of those protest groups. One of those protest groups is the anti Monarchy Campaign republic. Spoke Campaign Group republic. I spoke to the ceo a little bit later. Elizabeth. Earlier on, graham smith and this is his reaction to the princess of waless apology. I mean , it doesnt really i mean, it doesnt really explain anything. Could see its edited we could see its been edited , the question why and why , the question is why and why havent us the havent they shown us the original photo, because its not just edited in a way that shes trying to tidy it up. It looks, photoshopped in a way that you know, were those people all in the photo when it was taken . And the photo when it was taken . And thats what it looks like. Im not saying they werent or were, but it just its very odd, and i dont going to dont think people are going to be well, later today, be convinced. Well, later today, the of wales, the queen the prince of wales, the queen and of royal and other members of the royal family at the family will be at the Commonwealth Service at Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, the 75th anniversary. Is absent because he the king is absent because he is continuing his cancer treatment, but has released a video which will be video message which will be played at the service. Video message which will be pla well, the service. Video message which will be pla well, well;ervice. Video message which will be pla well, well be ice. Video message which will be pla well, well be looking out well, well be looking out for Prince William, course, for Prince William, of course, arriving little later on. Arriving just a little later on. Thank you very much, Cameron Walker. I should say there are lots of placards behind cameron there with down. Was it down with the king, down with the crown, down, down with the crown down with the crown, not king, which is crown, and not my king, which is just incorrect. He is just factually incorrect. He is your youre british, your king. If youre british, hes your king. Might hes your king. You might not like is your king. Like him, but he is your king. Did you ever go have little republican . You know, time. Thought you know, time. I thought about time. About mitt romney for a time. No. Im joking. A no. Im joking, im joking. A republican politics joke republican face us politics joke , okay. It was a really bad joke, but coming up, has the republicans. Oh, right. Okay. Yes oh, right. Okay. Yes okay. Okay. But, lee anderson, of course, defecting to reform. Were going to be to reform. Were going to be asking, is it time for him to call a by election big debate on this very shortly i its 125. M its 125. Youre watching. Listening to good afternoon, britain. Now lee anderson has become reform uks first mp. Its a move that has shaken westminster with the former conservative Party Vice Chairman and mp for ashfield confirming that hes been in talks with reform for a while, i reform for a while, declaring i want country back. Want my country back. But it sparked this question should lee anderson call for a by election in his seat . He by election in his seat . He could do so tomorrow. Joining us to in the studio to discuss this are our very own presenters. Albie amankona and Darren Grimes. Lets, kick off with you. Ill be. Youre saying that he should call a by election . Why yes, i think he absolutely should call a by election. And i think youre being a bit generous saying its shaken. Westminster. I think everyone saw this a mile off after he lost the tory whip and refused to apologise for saying that sadiq was controlled by sadiq khan was controlled by islamists. Look, he should call a by election for the very simple reason that he agreed to a backbench bill back in 2020, where essentially the bill was proposing that all mps who defected to another Political Party, that a recall petition and a by election would automatically be called. And because of the way this is recorded in hansard and lees surname is anderson, his name appears right at the top of the bill, underneath diane abbott. Its their memorialise in history for all of us to see lees hypocrisy. So if he doesnt call a by election, not only is he going to look like a complete turncoat , having complete turncoat, having defected from labour to the conservatives to reform, hes going to look like a hypocrite to darren, a hypocrite if he doesnt. Absolutely not. Look, this is more westminster drivel, right . Where people like alby are wanting the taxpayer to front up hundreds of thousands of pounds on a by election when we have a general election mere months away. I think it would be absolutely ludicrous. I think lee is absolutely right to say so. Look, ultimately, if you ask me, the 2019 prospectus, that coalition that was built by bofis coalition that was built by boris johnson, it doesnt exist anymore that party that i and others voted for in red wall seats such as my own, such as ashfield, even that doesnt exist anymore. The party is moving in a more David Cameron direction, not a more lee anderson direction. So i think anderson direction. So i think hes absolutely right to stand up and say, look , i havent left up and say, look, i havent left the conservative party. The conservative party has left me and if he feels more comfortable in reform, then fair enough to him. But you do call him. But you do not call a by election when we are months away from a general. So why did he sign a bill saying that by elections should be called when mps defect from Political Parties just four years ago . Darren, that is hypocritical, is it not . I think that would hold water. That argument would hold water. That argument would hold water. Were we years away from a general election. But we are not. We are months away. I dont understand why want to waste understand why you want to waste hundreds thousands hard hundreds of thousands of hard earned on this earned taxpayer cash on this westminster freak show. I think its a matter of principle. Darren, i, lee spoke this morning about the reason why he defected was because he was a man of principle country first, then party, and then i cant remember. The last point was he said was doing it on said he was doing it on principled reasons. Is unprincipled for him. This is unprincipled for him. Its not about principle for you. Its some principle about politics. To say he is not going to say that he is not going to call a by election, when actually years he actually four years ago he signed and sure to make signed a bill and sure to make any mp that did what he has done call a by election, hes not living own words. Living by his own words. A slight difference theres a slight difference here, because course theres a slight difference he|had because course theres a slight difference he|had whip ause course theres a slight difference he|had whip taken course theres a slight difference he|had whip taken away|rse theres a slight difference he|had whip taken away from he had the whip taken away from him. Conservative him. He had the conservative whip taken away from him. He no longer to a party. Longer belonged to a party. So its not quite a defection in the usual way. Is it . The in the usual way. Is it . Ill be emily. Did he not move from the conservative party to reform party . Over the last few weeks . Party . Over the last few weeks . Well, he had the whip suspended, which hastened the decision , i imagine. Decision, i imagine. I think most at home i think most people at home would see what lee has done over the past couple of weeks as a defection. Hes moved from one party another party. All party to another party. All right. Was some time in right. There was some time in between an between when he was an independent, was obvious independent, but it was obvious that he was going to join that he was always going to join the party. And he the reform party. And today he has signed a bill, has. And he signed a bill, a backbench bill, in 2020, saying that mps who defect Political Parties and cross the aisle whilst theyre sitting in parliament should call a by election. And that is why lee anderson needs to call one. Otherwise hes a hypocrite. I dont think thats right at all. The inbox right all. I imagine the inbox right now, gb views will filling up now, gb views will be filling up saying, actually, ill be. I think completely wrong. I think youre completely wrong. I think youre completely wrong. I think ludicrous think it would be ludicrous to want media want to bring about a media freak because youre freak show only because youre disinterested in Lee Andersons politics. Im that the politics. Im sorry that the conservative party is less lee anderson and more albie amankona, because i think thats all the poorer for red wall seats such as that as ashfield. Ive always liked lee. Darren. Look, we disagree on some things politically , much some things politically, much like you and i disagree with each other on much things politically, but i like you. This is not about personalities. This is not about personalities. This about principle. In this is about principle. In 2020, lee anderson signed a. You could keep saying that, but that doesnt get away from the fact its true. So if you think its necessary spend think its necessary to spend hundreds pounds , hundreds of thousands of pounds, theyre also saying is wrong. Darren, is there an argument that he wouldnt be able that perhaps he wouldnt be able to he wont to win on a reform he wont ticket . Therefore its, you ticket . So therefore its, you know, time wasting . Look, think he could do look, i think he could do very, very well by election very, very well in a by election actually. Cool one. Well actually. So cool one. Well i dont think there is any point months away from a general election youre going to get your chance. Wasnt it the case that in november 2014, Mark Reckless defecting from the conservatives to ukip called a by election for his defection in rochester and strood . That was just five months before the 2015 general election. Were 8 to 9 months away from this years general election. If its in november , election. If its in november, as Many Political commentators expect, why should there have been a by election in rochester and strood . But not now . Well, some people are saying actually the general election could be as early as may, right . So goodness only knows when its going to be. You know, youd have be mystic meg to able have to be mystic meg to be able to rishi sunak mind. He to read rishi sunak mind. He cant make any political decisions that seem to be lasting. Do you want to answer toms yes, absolutely. Toms question . Yes, absolutely. I i dont think actually the with being away compared with being months away compared to with being an entire year away is a different away again is a different proposition. I think lee anderson was right to sign that bill. And i personally watching all these, the likes anna all of these, the likes of anna soubry all rest of it soubry and all the rest of it defect from the party to the change uk or whatever it was called. It was ridiculous. It was farcical. So back then i think sense. Years away think it made sense. Years away from any election or the prospect away from an election, five months away from an election right now is, well, its not if its in me. Well, on that note, good debate. Thank you very much indeed, as always, Darren Grimes and amankona, you can see and alby amankona, you can see them saturday, saturday, on them on saturday, saturday, on them on saturday, saturday, on the saturday five this saturday, of course. Well, that was good. Yes. Yes. Both sides. Interesting. Both sides. Interesting. Interesting points i do think i do think there is there is that fundamental point of consistency though, isnt there. I dont know, i mean i think its tricky with whats happened with conservative with the conservative party and his relationship with them. Certainly. Its certainly. Im not sure if its a defection, a traditional defection, although i have say, although although i have to say, if think theres to be if you think theres going to be an in may, ive got a an election in may, ive got a bndge an election in may, ive got a bridge you. Well, there bridge to sell you. Well, there might views at gb news. Might be gb views at gb news. Com whose you on . Albie com whose side are you on . Albie amankona Darren Grimes . Amankona or Darren Grimes . In other news, dartford well, in other news, dartford locals are outraged as a residential building is reportedly be used to house reportedly to be used to house Asylum Seekers. More on that exclusive after exclusive story after your headunes exclusive story after your headlines sam. Headlines with sam. Tom. Emily, thank you very much. Good afternoon. From the newsroom, 133 and a recap of the news. Weve just been hearing there that lee anderson has now accused the conservatives of stifling free speech as he announced his defection to the reform uk party, becoming their first mp. Anderson was first mp. Mr anderson was stripped of the conservative whip after refusing to apologise for claiming that islamists had got control of the london mayor sadiq khan. Polls suggest that around 13 of voters support reform, and as recently as january, mr anderson had said that it was not a proper Political Party. But now, as reforms newest member , he says reforms newest member, he says the party will will allow him to speak out on behalf of millions. Parliament doesnt seem to understand what many british people want, and quite frankly, some of them need to get out more. I made some remarks a few weeks back about the london mayor, for which i was stripped of the whip from the conservative party. And let me be clear right now , on this be clear right now, on this stage, will not apologise. It stage, i will not apologise. It is secret that ive been is no secret that ive been talking to my friends in reform for a while , and reform uk has for a while, and reform uk has offered me the chance to speak out in parliament on behalf of millions of people, up and down the country who feel that theyre not being listened to. You may have seen the family photo of the princess of wales. Well, she has now apologised for that altered image released by Kensington Palace. Posting to social media, she admitted that like many amateur photographers , like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing, adding that she was sorry for any confusion that it may have caused. The families it may have caused. The families of Barnaby Webber and Grace Omalley Kumar have welcomed news today that Nottinghamshire Police has been put into special measures. The two teenagers and a School Caretaker, ian coates, died during a spate of knife attacks in nottingham. The force there has been told by a watchdog that it must urgently produce an improvement plan, amid concerns over how it carries out investigations. And carries out investigations. And the energy regulator, ofgem. The energy regulator, ofgem. Ofgem is looking at ways to protect consumers from spiralling costs amid a Record Number of unpaid bills. Spiralling costs amid a Record Number of unpaid bills. Around number of unpaid bills. Around £3. 1 billion of debts are piling up as concerns grow over the high cost of household bills. It comes as the price of energy in an average british home hit more than 3500 pounds a year last october. Those are the headlines for more , you can sign up to gb for more, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen , or visit our on your screen, or visit our website gb news. Com slash alerts. Alerts. For a valuable legacy your family can own , gold coins will family can own, gold coins will always shine bright. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report. News Financial Report. And heres your look at the markets this afternoon. The markets this afternoon. The pound will buy you 1. 2828 and ,1. 1739. The price of gold is currently £1,698. 37 per ounce, and the ftse 100, at 1. 7 thousand 632 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report i right. Emma right. Its 139. Right. Its139. Youre watching and listening to. Good afternoon , britain. So lets afternoon, britain. So lets move straight on to an exclusive story for gb news. Locals in dartford have expressed their horror after a decision has been made to repurpose a building on a residential street to house Asylum Seekers. The building is being redeveloped to house unaccompanied asylum seeking children arriving in there children arriving in kent. There are reports that many locals are furious for not being consulted before works on the site started. According to residents, the site has been under construction now for many months. Well, joining us now to discuss this is our investigations reporter, charlie peters. Charlie is the issue here that the local Community Just did not know anything about this before it actually happened. No consultation, no nothing. Nothing. Thats right. Thats right. And as you just heard, the works had started back in october. Now, so many months into this process , before it was revealed process, before it was revealed that this building, the limes in dartford in kent, was being redeveloped to house asylum seeking children. But theres also an additional concern here, which is that this building has a covenant placed upon it from 1964, which was agreed between the nhs and Kent County Council to say that the building would only be used for the elderly people as an old peoples home and they say locals have told gb news that this restrictive covenant has not been respected as part of this new plan to rehouse unaccompanied asylum seeking children at the building, Kent County Council, for their part, has told gb news that the covenant will be updated before the repurposing is complete and the building opens for asylum seeking children. They say that their children. They say that their legal team is in discussion with the nhs to achieve that, but this this restriction was only revealed when locals got in touch with gb news and shared it with us. Now kent is making this move after they lost a High Court Ruling last july , which said ruling last july, which said that they had to make every possible step to house asylum seeking children within the county. This comes as part of the governments plan, of course, to take people out of those hotels. Weve had 118,000 people crossing on small boats since 2018, the Labour Party Said last month that there are now some 46,000 people still in hotels, so kent is going to be one of the many places where these temporary accommodation sites are going to be used. We then expect people to be moved around the country as part of the National Transfer scheme. While their claims are assessed , but what to do with assessed, but what to do with children is more difficult, of course, especially those that are unaccompanied. Kent have told me just in the last ten minutes, in fact, that theyre going to have round the clock supervision security the supervision and security at the site also a curfew on the site and also a curfew on the location. Social workers assigned to every single child and that they will be no older than 18. Theyve also said that there are nine further sites in there are nine further sites in the county that have been identified for redevelopment, but they wont say where they are , citing security risks. Are, citing security risks. Charlie, this is a boarded up, abandoned building. Why shouldnt the council repurpose it . Breathe some life into it and house some of the most Vulnerable People in the country . Well the opposition from the locals is that they werent asked. They werent told there was no consultation whatsoever. Well, kent telling well, kent are telling me today that as part of the process that they are actively communicating with each local community remaining community for the remaining reception centres. But in order to protect their safety of the children and indeed the local communities and the staff against criminal acts, trafficking and exploitation , trafficking and exploitation, theyre not able to disclose where those remaining sites could be, that they could be coming soon to a street near you. Well, thank you very much indeed. Charlie peters, our investigations reporter. This is the problem. Yes, you say so. This building was not being used for anything else, but there was this covenant on it that if it were to be used, it should be used exclusively for older people, care home or whatever else. But the problem is no, no conversation with the local people. You have to when youre doing Something Like this, surely have some kind of consultation. Well, it depends who owns it, but its obviously owned by the by the council. Right. Right. Abandoned building. The council to house children. Council needs to house children. These arent these arent people in their 20s or 30s. These are children. So why do you think the why do you think all these locals are furious . Its because theres been a lack of consultation. Youve got to have consultation. I think if there was a consultation , people would still consultation, people would still be maybe. Maybe let us be angry. Maybe. Maybe let us know what you think. Gb views at gb com but yes. It wasnt gb news. Com but yes. It wasnt being used for anything else. No. And actually , heres what the and actually, heres what the locals heres heres locals should do. Heres heres how the locals. How id get behind the locals. They should redevelop. They should to the should submit a proposal to the council saying , you know what . Council saying, you know what . You will our consent if you you will have our consent if you turn housing. Lets turn this into housing. Lets turn. Lets turn this into housing. Perhaps social housing, and well heres a plan that will completely approve of or lets turn it into a local pub, and we promise well run it as a community and well go you know, do something. Dont just leave an abandoned building there. Yes, i think people are just fed up of the government and their immigration and asylum policy. So policy. To be honest, its so much bigger this. Policy. To be honest, its so much bigger this. But its much bigger than this. But its interesting to see the local case studies anyway, pope case studies anyway, the pope francis has sparked outrage as he ukraine should raise the he says ukraine should raise the white in fight against white flag in its fight against russia. Does have a point russia. But does he have a point 7 russia. But does he have a point . A point . More on . Can you see a point . More on that soon. Welcome back. Its 148. Welcome back. Its 148. Youre watching and listening to. Good afternoon, britain. Now, lots of you have been getting in touch. After that debate whether, lee debate we had on whether, lee anderson call anderson should call a by election. Seeing as hes defected the reform party. Defected to the reform party. Pauune defected to the reform party. Pauline no by election. Pauline says no by election. Please. We are far too close to the general election. She says christian defected from Christian Wakeford defected from the without the tories to labour without a by election in 2022. Thats true. But Christian Wakeford didnt say that there should be by elections when there are defections. It does seem like a bit of inconsistency, kathleen says. Bit of inconsistency, kathleen says. A by election at this says. A by election at this moment in time would be a complete money. Thats complete waste of money. Thats kathleens but says kathleens view, but martin says the best move a man can make. Lee anderson to reform uk. I lee anderson to reform uk. I believe this is a prediction i made in an email months ago. No to a by election. Martin, its all down to you. Well, this is the thing. It may have shaken westminster, but you eagle eyed watchers, you were eagle eyed watchers, thought might, david you were eagle eyed watchers, thought might , david says lee thought he might, david says lee anderson did not defect. He was kicked out. He is the representative of his constituency. Hes entitled to augn constituency. Hes entitled to align himself with a political bloc consistent with the values he held when he was elected. The conservatives have deviated from their position, not their election position, not lee. Im sure a lot of people would agree with you there. Yeah, it seems the inbox is pretty on the on the side of lee anderson and not calling a by election. Remember anderson and not calling a by2014 tion. Remember anderson and not calling a by 2014 when remember anderson and not calling a by 2014 when ukip� member anderson and not calling a by 2014 when ukip calleder anderson and not calling a by 2014 when ukip called those to 2014 when ukip called those two by elections. It added to their momentum. It helped them. Their momentum. It helped them. Yeah. If they win. Yeah. Yeah. If they win. Yeah. Suppose thats if they well i suppose thats if they win. Thats the point isnt it . Reform probably think it reform probably doesnt think it canoh well is that the reason . Oh well is that the reason . Let know. Oh well is that the reason . Let know. In oh well is that the reason . Let know. In other news, pope let us know. In other news, pope francis for francis has caused outrage for saying kyiv should raise the white flag and negotiate end white flag and negotiate an end to with russia. To the war with russia. Officials have yes, ukrainian officials have responded urging pontiff responded by urging the pontiff to stand on the side of good with countrys foreign with the countrys foreign minister telling the pope that the flag is yellow and the ukrainian flag is yellow and blue by which they live, die and prevail , not the white flag of prevail, not the white flag of surrender. So is this a serious misstep from the pope . Joining us now from kyiv is ukrainian mp kira rudik, kira, thank you very much for joining us. Were you surprised to hear this from the pope . This from the pope . Hello, tom. Hello, emily. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you so much for having me. Well, we, of course, were very surprised , and we took it very surprised, and we took it very painfully. This statement from pope francis, it is not the first time when , there was an first time when, there was an expression of total understanding, expression of total understanding , not understanding understanding, not understanding of what is going on, the previous ones were the comments about great russian culture. And beforehand , an attempt to have beforehand, an attempt to have a ukrainian and a russian to hold the cross together, at some of the cross together, at some of the walks, to towards the church. And they did not, receive any acceptance here in ukraine. I totally support the statement of our foreign minister saying that our foreign minister saying that our flag is not white. It is blue and yellow. And you can see it behind my back. And, this is the flag that so many people already sacrificed their lives for because we are fighting for the right thing. I have a really the right thing. I have a really simple question. Why does pope simple question. Why does pope francis not addressing putin about stopping the war and russian soldiers about stopping the war crimes that they are committed, committing every single day here in ukraine . Why he is not addressing putin on returning of 19,000 ukraine kids that have been kidnapped and it has been confirmed so, and instead he is talking about ukraine raising white flag, which is completely absurd and look religious. And he is he perhaps reflecting a general sense of fatigue among some people in the west . Of course , supporting west . Of course, supporting ukraines right, to, well, to fight russia and to keep their their territorial integrity. However huge numbers of people have perished, huge numbers continue to die, put their lives at risk and is there an issue here that there hasnt been enough progress . And so i guess enough progress . And so i guess from his perspective, he wants he wants fewer people to die. And so he thinks some kind of negotiation is the answer. For that reason. That reason. Emily. There stopping of the war would be very simple if russia stops it and pulls their troops back. But but why then, as the victims are being addressed, its like addressing the victim of a rape like, stop pushing, stop pressing. Just, throw the white flag. In this case, it is absurd and it really feels really painful. And most of all, if we fail, if we throw the white flag, which we do not plan to do, the europe would feel that, do you think that putin will stop by himself . You have already heard him. You have seen him painting the maps where russia takes over the europe. And we totally believe that because , it was russias plan, because, it was russias plan, from the very beginning. So from the very beginning. So right now, for the country and for the people who are stopping the horde that is going to try and destroy the democracy as it is, is completely and absolutely unfair. Kira, do you think the pope was speaking out of ignorance of the situation, or do you think that this is a pope who too often sides with demagogues and dictators , and a pope who dictators, and a pope who perhaps is more comfortable in the palatial, setting of moscow than he is in the democratic centres of the world. You see, tom, i didnt get a chance to listen to the whole interview and get, like, more general feeling , because right general feeling, because right now we are talking only about, a short phrase and not about his, general, attendance, his general view of the situation. We have, view of the situation. We have, had the ukrainian delegations meeting him and presenting, the all the stories and all the facts about the situation. So he should be aware of whats going on. Perhaps it feels like a simpler solution. And, you know, when your life is at stake. Its so painful to be a simpler solution for someone. I want to assure you that ukraine here continues to fight. We continue fighting under our flag, and we have no ideas or no attempts for the retreats. Thank you very much indeed for your time. Kira rudik, ukrainian mp of course. Well know what side im on. Yeah. Is that, is that, the popes . No im joking, its, in this case, honestly, when i heard that, i heard my sort of inner Martin Luther come out. The 95 theses being nailed to the church door. But coming up, were live outside Westminster Abbey with Prince William. Dont go anywhere. A brighter outlook with boxt solar , sponsors of weather on. Solar, sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello again. Heres your latest gb news weather update brought to you by the met office. Some places towards the east may see a touch of frost, even a few patches of fog tonight, but for many it is going to turn and windy due going to turn wet and windy due to low pressure and to an area of low pressure and an system an associated weather system feeding the west. We feeding in from the west. We already have an occluded front across of Northern Ireland across parts of Northern Ireland that has brought some rain earlier that is going earlier today, and that is going to more rain to northwest to bring more rain to northwest scotland go through this scotland as we go through this evening but its evening and overnight. But its across ireland across Northern Ireland where were some heavier were going to see some heavier rain and strong winds pushing in overnight rain then overnight and that rain then later reaching western later reaching parts of western england, as england, wales and scotland. As we through the early hours of we go through the early hours of tomorrow east. There tomorrow further east. And there may clear spells in the may be some clear spells in the cloud, and so we could see a touch of frost, perhaps even a few of fog around first few patches of fog around first thing. As go thing. Otherwise, as we go through tuesday, a wet start and a start across western a windy start across western parts , the heaviest rain will be parts, the heaviest rain will be over higher ground, particularly over higher ground, particularly over hills and mountains of over the hills and mountains of nonh over the hills and mountains of north rain ease north wales. The rain does ease a bit as it pushes its a little bit as it pushes its way eastwards, but most places will some wet and windy will see some wet and windy weather a time. Were going weather for a time. Were going to milder air pushing to see some milder air pushing its so temperatures its way in, so temperatures lifting little bit higher lifting a little bit higher than today. Around or 14 today. Highs of around 13 or 14 celsius. Wet weather to celsius. More wet weather to come as we go through the end of the day tomorrow. Whilst the outbreaks of rain do push their way towards east, are way towards the east, there are further outbreaks of rain pushing the west again, pushing in from the west again, heaviest any higher ground. Heaviest over any higher ground. More to come as go more rain to come as we go through the rest the week, through the rest of the week, particularly northern and particularly across northern and western it going particularly across northern and weturni it going particularly across northern and weturn milder it going particularly across northern and weturn milder temperaturesg to turn milder temperatures widely, getting into mid teens by by that warm feeling inside from boxt gb news. Way. Way. Way. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 2 00 on monday, the 11th of march. Commonwealth day. Today marks the annual celebration of the commonwealth of nations. But queen consort of nations. But queen consort camilla will stand in King Charless place this year as the monarch continues recovery from his cancer diagnosis. Were also expected william. Expected to see Prince William. Kate apologises more royal headunes kate apologises more royal headlines as the princess issues an apology over manipulated photographs of her and her children. Released on mothers day. She says she was simply experimenting with editing. Now shes facing calls to release the original and extremism in britain. Well hear from a survivor of the manchester bomb attacks , who the manchester bomb attacks, who has signed an open letter to isolate extremists, which encourage violence and terror. Terror groups. And, of course, Lee Andersons sensational defection this morning. The news that shook westminster to its core. Yes, hes released a very long tweet explaining his decision. He says the situation i find myself in today is that im no longer part of the conservative party. The party have moved me aside, removed the whip as a result of me speaking the truth of the people , which the truth of the people, which will never change. Hes very much saying that he speaks for millions of people up and down the country who want their country back. Thats what i remember. Remember. What he said that meant that he was suspended from the conservative party. Not that theres a problem of islamism in britain. Not that there are hate britain. Not that there are hate marches, of course. Suella braverman, the former home secretary, has said all of those things. Still things. Shes still a conservative what said conservative mp. What he said was that khan, london was that sadiq khan, the london mayor, controlled by islamists. He did also say the same about sir keir starmer. He did. But even richard tice he was saying that he put himself forward in a clumsy way. All he would have needed to do to stay a conservative mp was to apologise to khan and say, look, i my words. I dont i messed up my words. I dont think youre personally controlled by islamists. I just think a very weak mayor. Think youre a very weak mayor. Thats he say. Thats all he had to say. Well, i guess he didnt want to who to answer to sadiq khan, who hes very for hes been very, very for critical of, yonks. So some people will see that as him standing by his principles. Do you believe that lee anderson is a of principle . Of course he a man of principle . Of course he has changed. Party, three. Two three. Two. Two three. Two. Two three. Two. Two times. Three parties, two changes. Yes. Let us know what you think. Gb gb news. Do you gb views gb news. Com do you think the reform party is the rightful lee anderson . Think the reform party is the rightcould lee anderson . Think the reform party is the rightcould win lee anderson . Think the reform party is the rightcould win ashfielderson . And could he win ashfield under that . That banner . Really really interesting questions. Another big question. Questions. Another big question. Who might be next . Richard tice says that he would be surprised if there werent more defections. So were going to keep a beady eye on those. But thats after your headlines with sam. Tom. Emily, thank you very much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Its just much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Itsjust after much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Its just after 2 00. Newsroom. Its just after 2 00. And the latest developments in our top story this hour. Lee anderson has said that obliterating the conservatives at the general election is not at the general election is not at the general election is not at the top of his gender agenda. After announcing his defection to uk , becoming the to reform uk, becoming the partys first mp, mr anderson was stripped of the conservative whip after refusing to apologise for claiming that islamists had got control of the london mayor polls suggest that around 13 of voters support reform, and as recently as january, mr anderson had said that it was not a proper Political Party. But now, as reforms newest member, he says that the new party will allow him to speak out on behalf of millions. Of millions. Parliament doesnt seem to understand what many british people want, and quite frankly, some of them need to get out more. I made some remarks a few more. I made some remarks a few weeks back about the london mayor, for which i was stripped of the whip from the conservative party. And let me be clear right now, on this stage, will not apologise. It stage, i will not apologise. It is no secret ive been to is no secret that ive been to talking my friends in reform for a while, and reform uk has offered me the chance to speak out in parliament on behalf of millions of people up and down the country who feel that theyre not being listened to. Theyre not being listened to. Well, jonathan ashworth, from labour has said that its another blow for the Prime Minister what i think this reveals is the sheer chaos in the conservative party, a government divided from top to bottom and rishi sunak too weak to exert any authority and a divided government cannot govern in the interests of the country. I think people have had enough of this. And after 14 years of failure, this proves once again that it failure, this proves once again thatitis failure, this proves once again that it is time for change. Royal news and the princess of wales has publicly apologised for an altered family. Photo released by Kensington Palace. Posting to social media, she admitted that like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing, adding that she was sorry for any confusion. It may have caused. The mothers day image you can see here if youre watching on television, taken by the prince of was withdrawn by of wales, was withdrawn by various global photo agencies after suspicions were raised that a number of edits may have been made. Nottinghamshire been made. Nottinghamshire police has been told by a watchdog that it must urgently produce an improvement plan. After it was put into special measures. The families of Barnaby Webber and Grace Omalley Kumar have welcomed that news. The two teenagers and School Caretaker, ian coates, died during a spate of knife attacks in nottingham. The force has now been asked to improve how it manages and carries out effective investigations, and to put measures in place that ensure victims get the support that they need. The energy that they need. The energy regulator, ofgem, is looking at ways to protect consumers from spiralling costs amid a Record Number of unpaid bills. Around £3. 1 billion of debts are piling up as concerns grow over the high cost of household bills. Its after the price of energy in the average british home hit. More than 3500 pounds a year last october. A Major Police Operation is underway at a Funeral Directors after concerns were raised about how the dead were raised about how the dead were being treated there. Theres a large number of officers visible in and around the area where those Funeral Homes are, including forensic officers and a Maritime Protection unit. We understand 350 people have now contacted the police about their Ongoing Investigation into three branches of legacy independent Funeral Directors. It comes Funeral Directors. It comes after a 46 year old man and a 23 year old woman were arrested on suspicion of preventing a lawful and decent burial. 34 bodies have now been respectfully transported to a mortuary for formal identification. Formal identification. Passengers on board a flight from australia to new zealand endured a terrifying mid air moment when the plane they were on unexpectedly dropped. 50 on unexpectedly dropped. 50 people were injured, with witnesses describing the chaos inside the cabin, saying some passengers were thrown to the ceiling with enough force to break roof panels. 12 break roof panels. 12 passengers, we understand, were taken to hospital when that flight landed in auckland, with one person in a serious condition. The boeing 787 sudden loss in altitude is still being investigated. Latam airlines investigated. Latam Airlines Says a technical event caused the sudden movement during that flight , and malaysia the sudden movement during that flight, and malaysia has been offered £100 million to help in hosting the Commonwealth Games. The next games are due to take place in two years time, but theyre currently without a host after melbourne pulled out, the significant Financial Investment would see the event return to kuala lumpur after nearly 30 years. The Olympic Council of malaysia says that a formal invitation is has been received, but the Commonwealth Games federation have declined to make a comment. Those are the a comment. Those are the headlines. More in the next half houn headlines. More in the next half hour. In the meantime, you can sign up to news alerts. Just scan the qr code there on your screen. Or if youre listening on radio, you can go to gb news. Common alerts. Good afternoon britain. Its 2 08 and trust in the royals has taken a hit today in the wake of the photoshop photo scandal. Its not a good start to. What its not a good start to. What is the 75th Commonwealth Day . Is the 75th Commonwealth Day . Yes, development in africa. Minister Andrew Mitchell has spoken to gb news political edhon spoken to gb news Political Editor, christopher hope, about what this all means. Andrew mitchell where are we . Andrew mitchell where are we . Well, were on the roof of the British Foreign office, and behind me is the most amazing view. And in front of me, which viewers cant see, theres other sort of great views of whitehall and these fabulous statues. But were were up here because today the Foreign Office is flying the commonwealth flag, which is over your right shoulder as the viewers look at you. Now, why that flag is important. Is it flown enough . Important. Is it flown enough . Well, were going to fly it a bit more. Itll be flown, for example, during the commonwealth heads of government meeting, which place in october which takes place in october later this year in samoa in the pacific. And i think it will also be flown during Commonwealth Education week, which is incredibly important because one of the things that britain is doing, along with our friends throughout the commonwealth, try drive commonwealth, is to try to drive forward Girls Education and education generally. So theres a very important moment and that week will take place here in london. On what is the point of the commonwealth . I mean, do you worry that the critics on the left would say its a its a hangover from empire and we should get rid it. Should just get rid of it. No, dont worry about that no, i dont worry about that because commonwealth is because the commonwealth is clearly a good is clearly such a good thing. It is a family. We dont agree a family. We dont always agree on everything, have on everything, but we have a pretty set of values. We pretty common set of values. We trade things trade together, we do things together, we do development together, we do development together, and we tackle Climate Change together, which of course, the small island states throughout the commonwealth suffer particularly from Climate Change. And we all Work Together through a number of different mechanisms to try and sort that out. So its a Wonderful Organisation and it is above all, a north south organisation. All, a north south organisation. And, you know, there arent that many which bring in the developed world and the developing world. The north and the south, stretching throughout the south, stretching throughout the world. Its a very , very the world. Its a very, very good thing. Is this place embarrassed about it . Theres always a feeling that the Foreign Office is eu biased. Is it embarrassed about the commonwealth at all . Not at all, no. And this place here, the Foreign Office sees this year particularly a new king, the first of his big commonwealth heads of government meeting, its a very important time. Were coming to the end of patricia. Scotlands time as secretary general. Shes done a very good job, and the commonwealth really, i think, is pulling together now , doing pulling together now, doing things together, doing the things together, doing the things i just set out which really matter and forging ahead. So the Foreign Office is the foreign, commonwealth and development office, the commonwealth part of our title really matters. And i can tell you that David Cameron and i and tariq ahmed, the commonwealth minister, are absolutely minister, we are absolutely dedicated to bigging up and driving the commonwealth driving forward the commonwealth and all it means. Will it be affected if some of the realms are 14 realms where our king is also other countries king if they say we dont want the king anymore, will that affect the commonwealth . Well, as the king has always made clear, thats a matter for them. But i think that the commonwealth is enormously popular. Wonderful popular. Its a Wonderful Organisation. Look at all the people who want to join it. The number of countries around the world who want join the world who want to join the commonwealth. Mean, that commonwealth. I mean, that underlines great underlines what a Great Organisation and organisation it is, and particularly this stage in particularly at this stage in its history, 75 years down, looking at the next 75 years, what we want to achieve together , its all very good news. Cant keep going beyond the queen because of course, the queen, the late queen, Queen Elizabeth ii set up the commonwealth in first place commonwealth in the first place and to wither and its not going to wither away. Shes gone. Away. Now shes gone. Well, she was a quite remarkable on the remarkable influence on the commonwealth, partly because she knew everyone so well and they knew everyone so well and they knew her. But, you know, the king, in his long apprenticeship as prince of wales, he too knows all these people across the commonwealth. And it is his dedication which, just like his mother, which is so important to its future, so you dont see more people educated about it in schools, maybe because its not really that well known and were lucky be here in the lucky enough to be here in the foreign, commonwealth office. It mean to but what does it mean to someone, say ashfield but what does it mean to so derby . Say ashfield or derby . Think think is well, i think i think it is quite well known, we can quite well known, but we can always more and we must try always do more and we must try to do more because its, as i say, an organisation which say, its an organisation which is unique and we need to build on its great benefits, some of which ive set out in this interview. Andrew mitchell from the roof of the Foreign Office in london. Thank you forjoining us thank you for joining us today on gb news. Thank you. Thank you. Its great to get an inside look there, an exclusive tour on the the Foreign Office the roof of the Foreign Office as foreign as chris was saying, the Foreign Office of office is often, sort of described as a really sort of europhile organisation , europhile organisation, something thats embarrassed about the commonwealth, apparently embarrassed about britains history, but it seems like theyre flying the commonwealth flag today. Good step, good step. Well, gb news royal correspondent Cameron Walker is live from Westminster Abbey and hes amongst the crowds hes in amongst the crowds because quite a few because there are quite a few anti monarchy protesters everywhere. Are with everywhere. There they are with their yellow banners, cameron, describe the scene for us. Well, emily, its incredibly noisy here outside Westminster Abbey. And there are three, at least three separate protest groups. To my least three separate protest groups. To my right, we have a, lgbt, pro lgbt plus protest group who are voicing their concerns about the rights of lgbt individuals in certain commonwealth nations in africa. Then as you said, emily, we have all these yellow signs behind me. This is the anti Monarchy Campaign group, republic thinking that the monarchy has, no rights when it comes to the commonwealth family of nations, and they should not be involved. And they should not be involved. And then on my left, we have another protest group all to do with cameroon and the conflict there. So there are quite a lot of angry people here. But there are also 2000 people, or there will be 2000 people inside the abbey and people around the world who support the work that the commonwealth does. So its the commonwealth does. So its the 75th anniversary this year. 56 independent nations from around the world, 2. 6 billion people are part of a commonwealth nation. 60 of the commonwealth nation. 60 of the population are actually under the age of 30 as well. So theres a huge emphasis on young people. Its all about this family of nations thats the way they describe themselves, or a kind of , for democracy and peace kind of, for democracy and peace and unity. King charles is not going to be here because he is continuing his cancer treatment. But what he has done is released a video message which will be played the first time later played for the first time later on this afternoon during that service. In it, hes going to talk about the commonwealth being a precious source of strength , inspiration and pride. Strength, inspiration and pride. But what he also says during that message is that he will continue to serve the commonwealth as its head. To the best of my ability now , that best of my ability now, that phrase is very significant because that phrase was used by the late Queen Elizabeth ii in june 2022, following the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, serving to the best of my ability. Now, serving to the best of my ability. Now, as i said, the king is not going to be here, but her majesty the queen will be representing him alongside the duke and the prince of wales, duke and duchess gloucester, duke and duchess of gloucester, duke and duchess of gloucester, duke and duchess princess duchess of edinburgh, Princess Royal duchess of edinburgh, Princess Royal, and the duke royal, tim laurence and the duke of kent. As well. As i said, 2000 people made up of people from the commonwealth from across the commonwealth and young particular. King young people in particular. King charles message, will be charles in his message, will be talking about the environment in particular need for particular and the need for young people, as the minister said, speaking to chris hope earlier on, a number of the commonwealth nations are really struggling with Climate Change, particularly if they are low level nations and rising sea levels. Of course , a huge levels. Of course, a huge concern for them, but it is very noisy and there is a lot of protest going on, comes under the cloud of the murky situation of that photograph published on mothers day , now admitted to be doctored. A statement from princess catherine today saying that she holds her hands up. She doctored the photograph. If well, she said she experiment with editing. Tom clearly and the palace source described it as a minor adjustments to the image. I think its fair to say it was a bit more than just airbrushing and changing the colour contrasts, but in terms of the conspiracy theories that the photograph online, in saying that, for example, alleging that the photograph was not taken on the photograph was not taken on the time that the Kensington Palace said it was, think , palace said it was, i think, perhaps a slightly far fetched, although just although this is just speculation. I the what i expect speculation. I the what i expect happenedis speculation. I the what i expect happened is that Prince William took a number of photos and kate took a number of photos and kate took the best bits of all the photos and morphed it together. But clearly it was a bit of a clumsy edit. And Kensington Palace are now having to fight clumsy edit. And kensington palflames. 1ow having to fight the flames. Yes, i guess we dont really know, walker, thank you know, Cameron Walker, thank you very news royal very much. Tv news royal correspondent. The princess correspondent. Now the princess of wales. Faux pas. Were going to discuss that a little bit more with royal photographer Ian Pelham Turner , who better to pelham turner, who better to talk to really, about a talk to really, about such a thing , firstly, do you think thing, firstly, do you think princess catherine should have apologised and talked about how she likes experimenting with photoshop, i guess its very difficult to decide what to do in these circumstances. In these circumstances. I mean, its another mess, isnt it . Lets be honest, it. I wake up every morning these days, and i wonder what theyre going to comment on about the royal family. That particular day. They seem to be very accident prone at the moment. Accident prone at the moment. And think, know, did she and i think, you know, did she apologise . I its a strange apologise . I its a strange situation. The reality of when i was a photographer. Im a broadcaster now, but when i was a photographer, for example, i did williams first christmas baby shoot in, 1982, i was given seven minutes to actually do that , and we seven minutes to actually do that, and we had to shoot in a black and white camera and a colour camera, and we were given seven minutes. And in those days, the restrictions were you werent allowed to talk to them, you werent allowed to direct them any way at all. And yet them in any way at all. And yet you represented to send those photographs to 160 photographs out to 160 countries. So manipulation , countries. So manipulation, wasnt even even thought about in those days , and perhaps it in those days, and perhaps it would have made my job easier. Certainly sometimes when these things happen nowadays, i look at manipulation and i mean, it is what it is. Has it been taken at a different time . Where is, kates wedding ring . What are all the things that are going on in this photograph as well, is very strange. Even, for example , very strange. Even, for example, im hearing from the metaverse people who have looked at the picture that it might have been taken by a longer lens than it actually shows on the picture. I think theres a lot to be asked at the moment, and, whether kate should have apologised. I suppose. You know, in reality, lets just i think the british people need to know the truth at the moment. Thats my, my, feeling on that. Do you think it shows the need for independent professional , all royal professional, all royal photographers to, be invited into more settings like this rather than keeping it sort of all within the firm. It shows the need for a free press to have access to senior royals , have access to senior royals, even at times like this. I totally agree , because the i totally agree, because the reality is what happens now is that its subject to controversy. And in reality, when these types of things happen , if there types of things happen, if there arent independent photographers able to do this type of event, i mean, for example, when i was first started working with the royal family , i worked with five royal family, i worked with five generations of the royal family behind the scenes as well, and they chose me because i was a very young Staff Photographer on a fleet street newspaper as well , and so they would elevate in those days, a young star, photographers like myself, to actually give them a future. So actually give them a future. So thats why i did williams first baby shoes. But at the same time, when you listen to things like this today , trying to like this today, trying to manipulate not only the imagery but the people and the press as well, i think, the royal family really have got to think again about how theyre actually performing. I mean, ian, i should say that a lot of people are getting in touch who are very forgiving. They say its a mistake a lot of people could make. And princess catherine has nothing to apologise. Everyone uses photoshop and edits their pictures. But i do very much take your point that this wouldnt happen if it was done by a professional photographer who arguably knew what they were doing, you very much, doing, but, thank you very much, Ian Pelham Turner, really great to get your insight on this former royal photographer. Very interesting. Yes. Seven minutes. Interesting. Yes. Seven minutes. Only seven minutes. Yeah. And black and white and no talking. Yeah. Not even not even. Look here. Different time. Very different time. Very different time. Talking to baby being talking to a baby being christened. Wouldnt christened. Probably wouldnt wouldnt much. Wouldnt have helped much. Get a giggle, you might get a giggle, perhaps , but coming up in more perhaps, but coming up in more serious news, 58 survivors of terror attacks have signed an open letter calling for an end to anti muslim hate. We joined very shortly by a signatory of the letter and a survivor of the Manchester Arena terror attack. Manchester arena terror attack. Stick around for that i well, its m well, its 225. Youre watching and listening to good afternoon, britain. Now, a total afternoon, britain. Now, a total of 58 survivors of terror attacks inspired by islamist extremism have signed an open letter calling for an end to anti muslim hate. Theyve also criticised some politicians for effectively equating being muslim with being an extremist, which they argue makes the job of islamist extremists easier and plays into the hands of terrorists as well. Were now joined by one of the signatories of that letter, paul price, whose wife elaine, was sadly killed in the was very sadly killed in the Manchester Arena attack. Paul, thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us this afternoon. So what does it mean to you to have signed this letter . In essence, the letter letter . In essence, the letter seems to say that we need to isolate the extremists from moderate muslims and that there should be no equation between the two. Yeah, thats thats correct. I mean, judging all muslims on the basis of the actions of extremists is wrong , the basis of the actions of extremists is wrong, and it just plays into what the terrorists want. Want. I think, myself and all the other signatures on this letter coming from someone whos been directly affected by terrorism, you know, if anyone has a right to be filled with hatred, its me. And i think its powerful for the message to come from someone like me to say that were not. Were not judging, muslims on the actions of, you know, a few extremists now, of couise. Course. And its a its a powerful message. And paul, im so sorry to hear about your, your your personal situation, what you have gone through over these of these years. It must have been these years. It must have been absolutely horrific. I wonder if i wonder if theres a theres an issue here whereby, of course, there needs to be a distinction between moderate muslims and extremists , but theyre also extremists, but theyre also very often needs to be a conversation about how extremists are welcomed or otherwise within certain settings. And i wonder if there is a risk here with some of, with some of what this letter says, that people might feel that they cant challenge extremism properly when it anses extremism properly when it arises , i mean , extremism is, arises, i mean, extremism is, you know, its not hard to, to spot, and if theres people who are accepting them and welcoming them, well, what would what would you call that . So, i mean, i dont, you know, again, you know, again, judging all muslims , you know, i cant see an extremism being accepted in the wider population, i think everyone, extremists are extremist terrorists and terrorists, you know, theyre not welcome. Not welcome. So do you do you think that there are people in politics and there are people in politics and the media who are equating terrorists and extremists with all muslims . All muslims . I think i think some of the language that is being used is in like inflammatory , and in like inflammatory, and sometimes, you know, as a politician especially, they should be more careful with the words that they choose. Words that they choose. And when were looking at wider issues around awful attacks like the Manchester Arena bombing, but also in recent years, of course , weve recent years, of course, weve seen London Bridge, weve seen a member of parliament assassinated. Weve seen so many incidents of this. What more do incidents of this. What more do we need to do as society to, point out and, and perhaps de radicalize the extremists who do exist here. I think its hard to to, de radicalize, i mean, i personally think, you know, the insular has a lot to do with it. You can you can go online and be radicalised in an afternoon. Be radicalised in an afternoon. You can be having a really nice day, go online and within an hour or two be filled with hatred. A lot of, terrorists you find are easily swayed , easily led are easily swayed, easily led and you know how to deal with thatis and you know how to deal with that is really difficult. You know, we have to prevent scheme here in the uk but its voluntary. Theres, theres voluntary. Theres, theres a lot that goes on obviously, that the public doesnt know about, event and terrorist attacks , but event and terrorist attacks, but obviously its the ones that dont get averted that we hear about and the consequence is, as i so well know, a tragic. I so well know, a tragic. And paul, just lastly, we spoke to a muslim man earlier on in the show who said it is of the utmost importance that moderate muslims speak out against extremists within the Muslim Community. He said theres only so much sort of top down Government Intervention can actually do. It has to come from within communities. Do you think thats fair . Yeah i think its, you know, not just the muslim communities, all communities to speak out. I mean, theres a right wing terrorists as well. So, you know, all communities. Yeah. Its, you know, it should be us against the extremists, against the terrorists. We shouldnt be looking to demonise people and separate people by, you know, the language that is used. Well, paul price, thank you so much for sharing your story. And so sorry again to her about your wife, elaine, who was so sadly killed at the Manchester Arena attack. Thank you very much. Thank you very much indeed. Well in other news, coming up, lee anderson sensationally defects to reform uk, becoming the partys first representative in parliament. Were going to bring you the very latest reaction. Lots of people have lots to say on this. After your headlines. Tom, emily, thank you very much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Itsjust much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Its just gone. 230 a recap of the headlines this half houn recap of the headlines this half hour. Lee anderson says that beating the conservatives at the next election is not at the top of his agenda. He became reforms of his agenda. He became reforms uk reform uks rather first mp this morning after he was suspended by the conservatives for claiming that islamists had got control of the mayor of london. It comes as polls suggest that around 13 of voters support reform, and as recently as january, mr anderson had said that it was not a proper Political Party but now reforms newest member, he says that the party will allow him to speak out on behalf of millions. Speak out on behalf of millions. The families of Barnaby Weber and Grace Omalley Kumar have welcomed news today that Nottinghamshire Police has been put into special measures. The two teenagers and School Caretaker , ian coates, died caretaker, ian coates, died dunng caretaker, ian coates, died during a spate of knife attacks in nottingham. The force has in nottingham. The force has been told by a watchdog that it must urgently produce an improvement plan, amid concerns over how it carries out investigations. The energy investigations. The energy regulator, ofgem, is looking at ways to protect consumers from spiralling costs amid a Record Number of unpaid bills. Around £3. 1 billion of debts are piling up as concerns grow over the high cost of household bills. Its after the price of energy in the average british home hit. More than 3500 pounds a year last october. And malaysia has been offered £100 million to help in hosting the Commonwealth Games. The events due to take games. The events due to take place in two years, but its currently without a host. After melbourne pulled out the significant Financial Investment would see the games return to kuala lumpur after nearly 30 years. The Olympic Council of malaysia says that a formal invitation has been received, but the Commonwealth Games federation has declined to comment. For federation has declined to comment. For the federation has declined to comment. For the latest stories, comment. For the latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen , or go to gb news. Your screen, or go to gb news. Com slash alerts i welcome back. Its, 2 37. This is, good afternoon. Britain and youve been getting in touch about lee anderson and his defection to reform uk. Caroline says those asking for anderson to call for a by election are scared that reform may take many of their seats in the next general election. Its funny, general election. Its funny, the same people didnt call for a by election after lee was suspended from the party. Caroline, i dont quite get your logic there. They theyre asking for by election for a by election because theyre reform would win theyre scared reform would win it, in the words of who was it . Who was it . It was about when, gordon brown refused to call a general election in two thousand and seven. I feel like it might have been David Cameron who said from the despatch box of the house of commons, hes the first person to not call election because he was too scared. He would it. Would win it. Well, justice says lee anderson has simply trodden the path of most red wall voters, from labour to the tories and now reform. It will be interesting to see how many voters follow that follow him. That very interesting point that is a very interesting point indeed. That is a very interesting point indeed. Yes, the conservatives indeed. Yes, the conservatives are votes labour and are losing votes to labour and to the reform party. The labour party is losing votes to the reform party too, although it doesnt really matter so much because theyre on, what, 45, 46 in the polls. But thats interesting. I do i do imagine interesting. I do i do imagine quite a lot of people out there have taken that same journey labour conservatives labour to the conservatives under to now reform how under boris to now reform how many there are and how theyre dotted around the country is the important thing when it comes to winning those constituencies. And ashfield is a constituency , very interesting constituency, very interesting constituency. The party that came second in the last election was the ashfield independents. Was the ashfield independents. Its not labour, not the tories. Tories won, of course, but ash ashfield independents came second. So really interesting political there. But i political makeup there. But i think voters in general are more promiscuous with their parties these days. Weve got a much more promiscuous electorate. Do you mean, a fickle i mean promiscuous, you mean they like to try . They like to sort of, you know, proved one to another. Its not like they sign up to one and stay with it forever. Well, you know what . Well, do you know what . I think of people wont i think a lot of people wont bother at all, steve says i think a lot of people wont bagree at all, steve says i think a lot of people wont bagree 100 at all, steve says i think a lot of people wont bagree 100 withll, steve says i think a lot of people wont bagree 100 with lee teve says i think a lot of people wont bagree 100 with lee defecting i agree 100 with lee defecting to reform where he can speak his mind. The main mind. Thats one of the main reasons he was defecting reasons he said he was defecting to wants speak to to reform. He wants to speak to the millions of people who he believes with him. Believes agree with him. I suspect the suspect vast numbers of the electorate him, him, electorate agree with him, him, and surprised at and i wouldnt be surprised at all he wins seat for all if he wins a seat for reform. Politics needs a good shake says. Well, this shake up, steve says. Well, this is lots people is interesting. Lots of people are demanding up in are demanding a huge shake up in politics. Youre the politics. Whether youre the politician George Galloway politician like George Galloway or a politician or whether youre a politician like anderson or richard like lee anderson or richard tice , Everyone Wants shake up. Tice, Everyone Wants a shake up. People of those two people are sick of those two parties dominating. Parties absolutely dominating. But conservative but whether the conservative message for reform message that a vote for reform is a vote for labour in practice are people listening to that . Well, lets get the views of gb news Political Editor, christopher hope, christopher, youve, spoken with lee anderson many, many times. I suppose. First question, when is he going to take his seat . When is he going to actually physically cross to the floor sit on the opposition benches . Opposition benches . Well. Hi, tom. Hi, emily. Thats right. Tomorrow well. Hi, tom. Hi, emily. Thats right. Tomorrow morning around 1130, there are no votes expected in the house of commons today. So hes likely to , as you today. So hes likely to, as you say, cross the floor. Thats a terme which a lot of people use in their private lives, where it actually means it comes from the house of commons. You cross the cross, floor of the commons cross, the floor of the commons from government benches to from the government benches to somewhere where the somewhere up beyond where the snp sit. If you know your geography of the house of commons, so that will be quite a big moment when that happens. Not since 2014. On Douglas Carswell joining ukip has this kind thing happened to this kind of thing happened to this party of its forebears. Party or one of its forebears. So quite a moment. I think so its quite a moment. I think when he does go, theres it has caused a of a of a shaking caused a bit of a of a shaking in the force amongst the tory party. Seen the new party. Weve seen the new conservative saying, use this opportunity to, refocus opportunity to, to to, refocus the party on the right of politics to to, answer emilys question, there are these parties, labour and tories have so many similar policies now that that according to those on the right, the new conservatives, they think that the party should lurch to the right and try and attract people who vote for the right who vote. Vote for the right wing policies. Well, wait wing policies. Well, well wait and its been and see. But certainly its been and see. But certainly its been a difficult a very difficult time. The question everyone question now, everyone asks is asking here, in the house of asking in here, in the house of commons in westminster is who is next . Who might join lee hanson . Is this a kind of fracturing of the red wall or just a single person, an outlier , christopher, person, an outlier, christopher, nigel farage has tweeted lee anderson, moving to reform is huge. I dont think westminster really understands this yet. Is that a bit of hyperbole, perhaps from nigel . Because of course, lee anderson had the tory whip removed. He didnt have that many options. Many options. I think nigel farage, of course, is the honorary president of reform uk party. Hes saying that in in, in terms of being a part, a part of, of a party in that sense, he is saying that because he knows that lee anderson stands for something in the tory party before he had his whip suspended two weeks ago, he was the person who would go around country who would go around the country speaking association speaking to Party Association dinners friday evening, dinners on a friday evening, trying to educate the south about their new friends in the north, which which came over to the in 2019. Thats what the party in 2019. Thats what hes saying. This guy has been called the bbc, hes the red called by the bbc, hes the red wall made flesh for many, supporters in the south of for the tories. They look at the north. Dont understand it. They see lee anderson and think, well, heres a person who represents and we can represents it and who we can understand, with him understand, i think with him gone, totemic, thats gone, thats totemic, thats symbolic, nigel farage might symbolic, is nigel farage might say where he here of a fracturing of the support for the party in the north. Its going to be really interesting to see what happens next. Christopher richard tice was teasing the audience at that press conference. He called this morning suggesting that he would be very surprised if there werent any more defections to reform uk by the end of the parliament. I suppose the words on the lips of everyone in westminster are whos next . Thats right. Theres a double threat, wasnt there, tom . Because he said, you know, have an election in may or youll lose more mps if you wait till october. November. That was the clear threat from him. Whos next . Well, are all sorts next . Well, there are all sorts of we probably should go of names we probably should go to them first before naming them on are the wall on air. Many are in the red wall with majorities. Sub 5000. With small majorities. Sub 5000. Who who are looking at the polls have of hanging on to have no chance of hanging on to their seats in next their seats in the next election. So that is election. So i think that is where were looking. But we better name names here. But better not name names here. But theres question worry better not name names here. But tia res question worry better not name names here. But tia res worry estion worry better not name names here. But tia res worry for on worry better not name names here. But tia res worry for the worry better not name names here. But tia res worry for the tory worry better not name names here. But tia res worry for the tory party better not name names here. But tia remightry for the tory party better not name names here. But tia remightry for tithemj party who might follow them. People can guess for well, people can guess for themselves who those conservative might who conservative mps might be, who are reportedly or, know, are reportedly or, you know, allegedly in advanced talks with richard tice, thank you very much, christopher hope, our Political Editor there, live from westminster, bringing us the as always. The latest as always. But tomorrow morning, tomorrow just before tomorrow morning, just before our , is when we can, when our show, is when we can, when we can expect to see lee anderson walking across. I want to precisely he going to know precisely whos he going to know precisely whos he going to to. Next to sit to. Next is that an awkward moment for lee, just the type of lee, or is lee just the type of man will just, you know, do man who will just, you know, do it gusto . It with gusto . Think in lees i think nothing in lees world is awkward. I think hes just a supreme confidence of just got a supreme confidence of an individual walk past, an individual who can walk past, doesnt people shout doesnt mind what people shout at him or throw at him or whatever. Walk across the whatever. Hell walk across the floor. I want to know, does he sit next to the dup . The lib dems, some renegade the dems, some renegade labour . The inqu dems, some renegade labour . The insult thats what insult perhaps . Yes, thats what i metaphorical metaphorical. Rather, i dont think we quite descended to the days of the house of commons, where people sort of would lob things across from side to the im from one side to the other. Im not actually sure ever not actually sure that ever existed. Its hypocritical existed. Its a hypocritical story benches are set story that the benches are set to apart. To sword widths apart. We didnt what well, we didnt see what happened did we . Happened in the past, did we . Because was no because there was no photography. There inside photography. There was inside the there wasnt even an official there wasnt even an official press gallery. Could have tomatoes it could have been tomatoes or recognise lobby. Or a recognise lobby. Wasnt until, it was there wasnt until, it was Charles Dickens who was involved in setting that up. There you go. This reporter, once upon a time, theres some trivia for you for your next pub quiz. Celebrations you for your next pub quiz. Out celebrations you for your next pub quiz. Out across celebrations you for your next pub quiz. Out across ccountryons break out across the country for commonwealth. But does Commonwealth Day. But does britain still fly the flag for the monarchy . Joined by the monarchy . Well be joined by a expert its its 248. Youre watching. Its 248. Youre watching. Listening to good afternoon, britain. Now, the prince of wales is accompanying the queen at the Commonwealth Service at westminster. Westminster abbey today. The king will not be in attendance, however, under doctors. But hes doctors orders. But hes recorded video message recorded a video message pledging to serve pledging to continue to serve the commonwealth to the best of his ability. Yes, well , his ability. Yes, well, gb his ability. Yes, well , gb news royal yes, well, gb news royal correspondent is correspondent Cameron Walker is live Westminster Abbey. I live from Westminster Abbey. I imagine all eyes will be on Prince William considering everything thats happening at the. The moment. Yeah, i think they certainly were , emily. And there was a lot were, emily. And there was a lot of eyes and a lot of noise here. About five minutes ago, as members of the royal family arrived at Westminster Abbey ahead that Commonwealth Day ahead of that Commonwealth Day service celebrating 75 years of the commonwealth. But about ten 15 minutes before a paparazzi photographer captured william and catherine in the car together, leaving windsor on their way towards london. Now i understand the princess of wales is at a private appointment, so she is definitely not inside the abbey. But as you say, Prince William certainly is. Now the whole point of a commonwealth. Its 56 independence nations working towards democracy , peace working towards democracy, peace and showing unity. King charles is head of the commonwealth and although he cannot be here in person due to that ongoing cancer treatment, he has recorded a video message which will be played in the next hour inside the abbey. Will be played in the next hour inside the abbey. In it, he talks about the precious source of the commonwealth being a precious source of continued strength, and pride. Strength, inspiration and pride. But what he also said was he will continue to serve to the best of my ability. Now that phrase, best of my ability is one weve heard before from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth ii. She used that phrase continued to serve to committed, to serve, to the best of my ability. At the end of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in june 2022. Now all the members of the royal family are working members of the royal family are in size behind me. Apart from princess alexandra, the princess of wales, who of course continues to recover and obviously his majesty the king as well. But there is a 2000 strong congregation here now , strong congregation here now, 60 of everybody who lives in the commonwealth, thats 2. 6 billion people are under the age of 30. So theres a strong emphasis on young people and indeed Climate Change. And king charles is expected to mention Climate Change in his speech. A number of commonwealth nations are low lying nations, which there is a genuine threat of rising sea levels for them, and thatis rising sea levels for them, and that is something the commonwealth is collectively working towards. But of course, it was incredibly noisy when members of the royal family arrived here. Three separate protest groups, a pro lgbt rights voicing their concerns about the rights of lgbt people in certain commonwealth nations. Then we had the anti Monarchy Group republic behind me. Theyre the people with the big yellow signs. They were chanting down with the crown over and over again, holding up signs saying not my king. And then we had a separate protest group. Voicing concern about the conflict in cameroon. So an incredibly noisy 75th anniversary of the commonwealth. Really interesting there, cameron, that you mention seen in the car together, the princess and the prince of wales, that will raise some eyebrows and perhaps be a deliberate decision to try and settle some rumours. But Cameron Walker, thank you very much. Live from Westminster Abbey. Appreciate your time. Well, lets discuss this further with former royal correspondent charles rea charles. A very big day for the royal family. Yes, and more ways than one, i mean, the commonwealth. The service is a very, very big eventin service is a very, very big event in any of the royal diaries. You know, its a coming together of the 56 countries, the paying homage to the commonwealth. Its been going for 75 years. Okay, theres been a few disagreements. A few countries have decided to leave the commonwealth, but most of those that have left are still loosely linked with the commonwealth and still, you know, enjoy the, the getting together as well. And i dont see any reason why that shouldnt continue. Shouldnt continue. Now. It is interesting, though, that it comes under this cloud of , of a, of though, that it comes under this cloud of, of a, of a media storm about a photoshopped photograph, about a photoshopped photograph, a manipulated photograph, some sort of composite image that was meant to clear up all of the rumour and scandal and has only served to ignite it further. Served to ignite it further. Tom, im glad youve asked me about this, because i am appalled at the amount of guff and nonsense thats spoken about this photograph today. I think this is a beautiful photograph. Photograph. Yeah. And you would think with all the people that are jumping up and down the bandwagon about photoshopping and youd think and everything else, youd think that the princess of wales is being child abuse being accused of child abuse because shes shes altered some, sleeve on it. Its a great photograph. It was meant to be a mothers day photograph. And she took the opportunity to say thanks very much. And to say thanks very much. And honestly, the stuff that ive been watching and listening to on twitter, its driving me round the bend to be perfectly honest. I mean, people are actually complaining about the foliage and the background sort of saying it cant be right, you know, because the foliage is wrong. I mean, how many gardening experts are out there that are complaining about this photograph . Mean , leave the girl alone. I mean, leave the girl alone. I mean, leave the girl alone. Shes doing shes doing shes just doing shes doing his best she can. And ive just seen that photograph that you were about with william were talking about with william and catherine. Was to and catherine. It was great to see the car together. See them in the car together. Gather shes going to i gather shes going off to a private appointment, and williams the abbey. Williams is now at the abbey. But honestly, the stuff thats being said and about this being said and spoken about this photograph just. Photograph is just. Weve run to the im afraid weve run to the end of the of the show, actually. But really important point for you to make. And of course there evergreen course there are evergreen trees, rae, former trees, but charles rae, former royal correspondent at sun, royal correspondent at the sun, thank your time. I dont thank you for your time. I dont know, is coming next. Know, martin is coming up next. Whats show . Whats on your show . Yeah. Hi, guys. So i want my country back. The red wall rottweiler. Is this the beginning of a red wall revolution or will it fizzle out . Plus, an exclusive interview with niyak ghorbani. He, of course, was the guy with the poster saying hamas is terrorists. Well have a First Exclusive interview with him. Well have an william on the show, plus an exclusive interview with darren frost. He was the narwhal tusk you remember from the London Bridge terror attack. Terror attack. Weve got him on about the rise extremism. But first, rise of extremism. But first, its your latest its time for your latest weather forecast. Weather forecast. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello again. Heres your latest gb news weather update brought to you by the met office. Some places towards the east may see a touch of frost, even a few patches of fog tonight. But for many it is going turn wet and windy due going to turn wet and windy due to area pressure and going to turn wet and windy due to associated pressure and going to turn wet and windy due to associated weather;ure and going to turn wet and windy due to associated weather systemi an associated weather system feeding the west. We feeding in from the west. We already have an occluded front across parts of Northern Ireland that has brought some rain earlier today, and going earlier today, and that is going to bring rain northwest to bring more rain to northwest scotland this scotland as we go through this evening overnight. Scotland as we go through this evening overnight. But its evening and overnight. But its across Northern Ireland where were some heavier were going to see some heavier rain winds in rain and strong winds pushing in overnight that rain then overnight and that rain then later parts of western later reaching parts of western england, wales scotland england, wales and scotland as we the early hours of we go through the early hours of tomorrow further east. And there may spells in the may be some clear spells in the cloud, and so we could see a touch of frost, perhaps even a few of fog around first few patches of fog around first thing. Go thing. Otherwise, as we go through tuesday, wet start and through tuesday, a wet start and a across western a windy start across western parts, the heaviest rain will be over higher ground, particularly over higher ground, particularly over the hills and mountains of nonh over the hills and mountains of north the rain does ease north wales. The rain does ease a little bit as it pushes its way eastwards, but places way eastwards, but most places will see some windy will see some wet and windy weather time. Were going weather for a time. Were going to some milder air pushing to see some milder air pushing its temperatures its way in, so temperatures lifting little higher than lifting a little bit higher than today. Of around 13 or 14 today. Highs of around 13 or 14 celsius more wet weather to come as we go through the end of the day tomorrow. Whilst the outbreaks rain push their outbreaks of rain do push their way east, there are way towards the east, there are further of rain further outbreaks of rain pushing the west again, pushing in from the west again, heaviest any higher ground. Heaviest over any higher ground. More to as we go more rain to come as we go through rest of the week, through the rest of the week, particularly across and particularly across northern and western going western parts. But it is going to milder temperatures to turn milder temperatures widely, into teens widely, getting into mid teens by by that warm feeling inside from boiler as sponsors of from boxt boiler as sponsors of weather on gb news. Way. Way. Way. A very good afternoon to you. A very good afternoon to you. Its 3 pm. And a very happy monday to you. Welcome to the Martin Daubney show on gb news. Broadcasting live from the heart of westminster all the of westminster all across the uk. Top story. Lee uk. Today, our top story. Lee anderson, former deputy chair of the tory party and mp for ashfield, the heart of the red wall, defects to richard tice reform uk party. How significant could this be . Or the latest on this throughout the show . Plus, who are the reform nine that might defect next next and yet more asylum housing fury this time in dartford in kent, where locals are rightly outraged at a building on a residential street being repurposed to house Asylum Seekers amid the uk housing crisis. And princess kate has crisis. And princess kate has issued an official apology