Transcripts For GBN Britains 20240704

Jails . So a lot to talk about. Its not about prison reform. Its about the fact that prisons are overcrowded. Theres space for 288 more prisoners in england and wales. Weve got 11,000 and wales. Weve got 11,000 foreign prisoners in our just foreign prisoners in ourjust deport all of them. Theyve talked about it and they dont do it. Do it. And i want people who come out of prison to be less at risk of reoffending. Were terrible at that as well. Gbv at gbnews. Com is the email address. First, though, the very latest News Headlines with sam francis. News headlines with sam francis. Bev and andrew thank you very much. Good morning from the gb newsroom. 931 the top story this morning. New gas power stations will be built to protect britains energy security. Thats despite concerns over the potential impact it may have on climate change. The government says the new stations are needed to avert potential blackouts and provide a backup for the growing electric economy. Its understood theyll replace existing facilities , many of existing facilities, many of which are old and due to be retired. The Prime Minister has insisted the governments net zero plan is still on track , but zero plan is still on track, but says that it must be met in a sustainable way. Lee anderson sustainable way. Lee anderson has said that he wasnt paid to switch from the conservatives to reform uk , insisting that hes reform uk, insisting that hes not a mercenary. The former deputy chairman of the conservative party told gb news last night that hes not heard from the Prime Minister since he announced his defection. It comes after he was stripped of the conservative whip last month over his refusal to apologise for saying that islamists had, he said, got control of the london mayor a major conservative donor has now apologised after he reportedly said that labour mp diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and she should be shot, he said frank hester donated £10 million to the tories last year. He has now admitted making those rude comments about miss abbott, but insists they had nothing to do with the colour of her skin. The comments were reported by the comments were reported by the Guardian Newspaper and are said to have taken place during a meeting in 2019. Mr hester says he is deeply sorry and says that he has now telephoned miss abbott to apologise directly for the hurt that he caused her. Labour and the liberal democrats, though, have called on conservatives on the conservatives to now return donations. Some return his donations. Some criminals will be released early because of the lack of space in overcrowded prisons. It means overcrowded prisons. It means prisoners serving sentences of less than four years could be let out before the end of their sentence. Labour says the move is completely unacceptable, vowing to build new prisons if they win government. Government here, though, says that the justice secretary, the justice secretary rather says its temporary measure which is needed to alleviate unsustainable pressure on the prison system. Those are the prison system. Those are the headunes prison system. Those are the headlines for now. More in the next half hour. But in the meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts. Just scan the code on screen or go to gb news. On your screen or go to gb news. Com slash alerts. Com slash alerts. Very good morning. Welcome to britains newsroom on gb news with me, bev turner and Andrew Pierce. Well it was supposed to be the picture that would put to bed any speculation about the princess of wales. But we did about her health. But we did see her leaving windsor the car with Windsor Castle in the car with william, and as as william, which and as far as i could tell, she looked right. But we dont know, been but we dont know, its been pretty badly handled hasnt it. Oh its been horrendously handled. I mean it looks like handled. I mean it looks like its one of those situations isnt it. Theyve tried to put this out in order to quell speculation and theyve made it worse, made the complete its caused the complete opposite effect. My fear. My fear actually it that actually now is what is it that Kensington Palace and the royal family are, are frightened of what . What dont they want to tell us about the princess of wales that could be sufficiently, dramatic or upsetting for the nation, we just hope shes okay and theyre not going to. It seems pretty clear. Theyre clearly not going to release the original photograph as it was, although i suspect there were 3 or 4, maybe 5 or 6, Cameron Walker is with us. Cameron walker is with us. Cameron walker is with us. Cameron walker , lets take the Cameron Walker, lets take the heat off of shes a woman heat off of her. Shes a woman whos struggling with her health. We dont know whats wrong with her, she doesnt wrong with her, and she doesnt have to tell us. Its. Its Abdominal Surgery , which Abdominal Surgery, which obviously complicated and difficult. Dont know difficult. And we dont know where was going yesterday. Where she was going yesterday. Maybe more treatment. Maybe for more treatment. We dont but when she did dont know, but when she did this photograph, when she edited williams photograph, i can picture the scene. William. Thats useless. Im a much better photographer than you picture had to be of her because it was mothers day. Youre useless. Im going to edit it. Leave it to me. They then hand it over to Kensington Palace, which is a big, sophisticated operation. Thats where it went wrong. Think perhaps that could i think perhaps that could be right. Many families up right. I mean, many families up and the country want the and down the country want the best version of their family as possible. Mail reporting possible. The mail reporting this that the photograph this morning that the photograph was on friday in a 40 was taken on friday in a 40 minute window. So several photographs then the photographs were taken. Then the princess photoshopped it into one image and then sent it to Kensington Palace office. Have they worked that out . Cameron the metadata of the cameron from the metadata of the image taken on image that it was taken on friday, thats one friday, because thats one of the Unanswered Questions the big Unanswered Questions for me is when was it actually taken . Was it last week . As the palace said , trees the palace said, the trees in the background made look much background made it look much more was much more more like it was much more summery. So all of this summery. So before all of this happened, understand that happened, i understand that it was week. Was very much taken last week. Were some, i think there were some, i think perhaps was some debate perhaps there was some debate whether or not they were going to put out a photo at all, but if would have asked if anything it would have asked more if didnt, more questions if they didnt, because princess always puts because the princess always puts out a family, a family photograph day. Photograph on mothers day. If she didnt, i think that just would added to the would have added to the speculation. So the photograph itself, to itself, of course, was meant to quash speculation, its done quash speculation, and its done the. But you the opposite effect. But you look the gb viewers look at the gb news viewers inbox this morning, and a vast majority of our viewers are saying need leave saying we need to leave the princess us, princess alone and cut us, cut us some slack. It was it us some slack. Yeah, it was it was a very honest mistake. But the problem when it got from the problem was when it got from adelaide cottage kensington adelaide cottage to Kensington Palace and then there seemed to be a lack of checking when they knew the photograph was going to be heavily scrutinised. Then be heavily scrutinised. And then it all the it was obviously all the agencies pulled in. Its a sunday. And and look, its a sunday. And so im just saying perhaps cameron people, there werent as many there , but or maybe many staff there, but or maybe its because william kate its because william and kate are controlling that they are so controlling that they just said, put it out immediately. Immediately. The thing is, for ten years theyve been putting out their own family photographs. So ever since george born, since Prince George was born, it was kates father the first was kates father to the first family portrait of William Catherine and a baby Prince George and their dog at the time and since then, it has been intimate family members taking those which which those photographs, which which kind because you kind of works because you get these photographs the these lovely photographs of the of and you dont of the kids and you dont theyre not bombarded with 20 cameras Prince William and cameras like Prince William and harry through when harry had to go through when they a child, but this they were a child, but this image i think, perhaps might draw some kind of line here because clearly they knew it was going to be scrutinised. As i said, the whole point was to quash this speculation, and it calls question the wider calls into question the wider point, which is should william and catherine have quite so much control of the content that they put out . Now, thats not for me to answer, but there are certainly commentators today questioning whether its appropriate. But for them to appropriate. But for them to take their own photographs and not have an independent, trusted news photographer there, im not talking about a bank of 30 photographers like we saw in the 80s with charles, diana and william. But just one. I cant see why they well, i cant see why they cant their own cant take their own photographs, and i cant see why they cant, edit their own photographs. They do edit photographs. But if they do edit their photographs, theyve their own photographs, theyve got perhaps. Got to say so. Well perhaps. But then. But then. But then silence that but then the silence that went it was like some huge went on, it was like some huge watergate style conspiracy. The the issues put out by those the kiln issues put out by those reputable agencies, what, 10 pm. On sunday, the apology from the prince of wales dropped dunng the prince of wales dropped during our program yesterday about, what, 11 00 11 30 during our program yesterday about, what, 11 0011 30 a. M . About, what,11 0011 30 am . How why did it take so long . They should have just got on with it and said it was a simple, innocent bit of bad editing. The thing is, the celebrities for years have been editing photographs and we dont complain the royal complain about them. The royal family, to tudor times, family, way back to tudor times, they know, the they were, you know, editing the painting to make the monarch look so this isnt, you look better. So this isnt, you know, form for know, the royals have form for editing i editing photographs, but i think it just timing was so it was just the timing was so appalling yesterday because of all speculation surrounding all this speculation surrounding the wales, it the princess of wales, that it just added this fuel to the fire, because we have seen photoshopping points of other images that the princess has done. So, for example, their Christmas Card photograph, prince louis finger, was missing this year, but everyone just laughed it off and thought, oh , laughed it off and thought, oh, its, you a simple its, you know, a simple mistake. Fine. But this mistake. Its fine. But this time, course, its the time, of course, its the question, suppose, what question, i suppose, is what could with her . Could be wrong with her . They arent letting us that they arent letting us see her . Thats thats the bit. And does she deserve the privacy of not having to disclose what the Health Condition is . Because thats what shes struggling with. Speculation continues unabated now. Unabated now. Yeah. So she more so she is not the head of state. Theres not the head of state. Theres not Public Interest the not a Public Interest unlike the king, exactly what king, with knowing exactly what is with the princess. She is wrong with the princess. She absolutely to absolutely has the right to privacy. She has had Abdominal Surgery. She is recovering. Kensington have always Kensington Palace have always said were going to see her said were not going to see her in carrying out public in public, carrying out public engagements after easter. Engagements until after easter. As you bev, there are lots as you say, bev, there are lots of conspiracies online saying that the princess is perhaps slightly than than than slightly more ill than than than theyre letting on. From my understanding, thats just simply not the case. She is recovering, as expected, that photograph, or the several photographs which are morphed into taken in the 40 into one, was taken in the 40 minute window. Like the choice things like the choice of very tight jeans. Shes after abdominal woman Abdominal Surgery, as any woman will tell you, you are not in minded to put on tight drainpipe jeans after Abdominal Surgery. Jeans after Abdominal Surgery. And why no wedding ring on on the hand on the picture like that seemed incredibly naive. Yeah, i think that. That was always going to and that was always going to be picked up so quickly because of way photograph was of the way the photograph was taken. See her taken. We could see her hands and was first thing and that was the first thing i noticed. And im not a photographer and im expert photographer and im not expert plays speculation that plays into this speculation that there is trouble between the two of them. She needed six months to and she needed six months to go sort out. Go away and sort her head out. And who blame and frankly, who would blame her . In the most the her . She lives in the most the Goldfish Bowl that is a gilded cage, but is nevertheless a very stressful life. My understanding. We from my understanding. We have remember this ring used have to remember this ring used to princess its in to be princess dianas. Its in priceless Engagement Ring and the rings well. Im the wedding rings as well. Im told she doesnt actually told that she doesnt actually wear often around the house. Wear it often around the house. She out and about and she wears it out and about and i think the most likely scenario is she just forgot to put it on for the photograph, because it was done in private and was all done in private and there officer there there was no press officer there being oh, maybe you should being like, oh, maybe you should wear ring for this wear your wedding ring for this photograph. I think it was photograph. So i think it was just a simple i dont just a simple mistake. I dont think we need to read too much into the fact wasnt wearing into the fact she wasnt wearing the wedding ring, you see. If was just that ive and if it was just that ive written a piece about this for the news website, by the way. The gb news website, by the way. Gb news. Com i mean, i went down the rabbit hole yesterday on twitter at the twitter of looking at the speculation what could speculation of what could happen. Shes been to mars. I mean, it is hilarious. I have to say, some of the and the british pubuc say, some of the and the British Public are very good at times. You have a very good dark humour and memes are very and some of the memes are very funny, you know, idea funny, but you know, the idea that she three children that maybe she three children just kids. Just you cant get three kids. I know cant get three kids at know you cant get three kids at any given time to look down the lens the camera and all lens of the camera and all smiling. Shes probably especially is especially on one of them is louis, shes probably louis, and so shes probably gone. Oh, do know what . Just gone. Oh, do you know what . Just just pictures just meld those pictures together. Although wasnt together. Although it wasnt taken phone, it was taken on a phone, was it . It was taken on a phone, was it . It was taken on a camera. Yeah. Canon camera is fashioned. Canon camera, which presumably she a presumably she plugs into a computer and then it computer and then they edit it and to. And it was lit to. There was like a lit photo shoot. Yeah. And obviously weve got photoshop im sure the photoshop and im sure the lighting was changed to make them as possible. Them look as good as possible. And say, three young and as you say, three Young Children or under, youre children or ten or under, youre getting all to look at the getting them all to look at the photos of the camera at the same time. Of you know, time. One of thems, you know, messing the other then messing up the other one, then you morph it all you are going to morph it all into one. Just say, just tell us just say, well, just tell us that. Yeah, i just mum that. Yeah, i just say, any mum will know to get three will know trying to get three kids to look at the camera. Impossible. I, you know, i fiddled with the picture. Yeah. I think perhaps by staying silent releasing silent and not releasing the original you original image, they are, you know, more questions. Original image, they are, you knorl more questions. Original image, they are, you knorl the more questions. Original image, they are, you knorl the more hasstions. Original image, they are, you knorl the more has passed. But i think the time has passed. I almost too if i think its almost too late. If theyre that, they theyre going to do that, they should have it when they should have done it when they released statement kate. Released the statement of kate. Yeah. Fascinating from kate. Yeah. So fascinating from kate. They to now do you think they have to now just a, was just return to plan a, which was youre her youre not going to see her until after and just until after christmas and just just easter. Just easter after easter. I theyll easter . Yeah i think theyll very focussed on their very much be focussed on their work thinking too much work and not thinking too much more about it. Want to move on yeah, they want to move on from thanks, cameron. All right. Thanks, cameron. And so up next, the mp and so do we. So up next, the mp lee defected reform lee anderson defected to reform uk yesterday. You saw it on this show. To more show. Are we going to see more tories joining him this morning. What tories joining him this morning. Wh i tories joining him this morning. Wh i think probably there i think probably if, if there are maybe no more than 1 or 2. Oh, and thought of oh, and i thought one of them might on this might be shes been on this Programme Many times. Andrew jenkins. The only Programme Many times. Andrew jenkito. The only Programme Many times. Andrew jenkito call the only Programme Many times. Andrew jenkito call for the only Programme Many times. Andrew jenkito call for rishithe only Programme Many times. Andrew jenkito call for rishi toe only Programme Many times. Andrew jenkito call for rishi to go. Ly tory to call for rishi to go. Shes ruled out. Shes ruled it out. Has were going to oh has she . Were going to hear from Andrea Jenkins later. Actually. Your actually. Let us know your thoughts. Vaiews gbnews. Com. This is gb news. So were speculating. Will we see any more turncoat tories defect to reform . We saw our very own lee hanson defected yesterday. Joining us now is sketchwriter and columnist, the Daily Telegraph. Madeline grant. Who these tory who knows many of these tory mps. Talked to some in in mps. I talked to some in the in the commons yesterday afternoon. I to quite a few i talked to quite a few tory mps, a of them said mps, quite a lot of them said very glad hes gone. Lee hanson actually trouble than hes actually more trouble than hes worth. He in a being worth. He was in a being embarrassing they said and embarrassing and they said and if you looked at the press conference to honest , conference which to be honest, was amateur hour flags in the wrong photographers wrong place and photographers standing up in the wrong place. Yeah, and not sure many tory yeah, and im not sure many tory mps would even want to defect. What do you hear . Mps would even want to defect. Wh well you hear . Mps would even want to defect. Wh well ,ou hear . Mps would even want to defect. Wh well, whatear . Mps would even want to defect. Wh well, what ir . Mps would even want to defect. Wh well, what i understand is well, what i understand is that andersons that with Lee Andersons seat was actually already considered something of an anomaly. Was actually already considered sonitthing of an anomaly. Was actually already considered sonit was| of an anomaly. Was actually already considered sonit was a f an anomaly. Was actually already considered sonit was a seat anomaly. Was actually already considered sonit was a seat whereily. It was a seat where independents had already picked up votes, and it up a lot of votes, and it wouldnt necessarily have followed the usual kind of electoral actually the electoral logic and actually the fact that after lee anderson made those remarks about sadiq khan , tory didnt khan, the tory party didnt immediately withdraw the whip or anything. They actually, even though what he said, i think was completely objectionable and he could point could have made a similar point without without putting his foot in it as he did so he could have just clarified and perhaps apologised they apologised for his remarks. They would back. The would have had him back. The fact that he didnt makes me think the game think that maybe the end game was actually to defect all along. Yeah because in that seat he may have calculated that he had a better chance with reform uk than being attached to the conservative party in its massive unpopularity at the moment. Moment. And do you think the whole of reform uk is on board with Lee Andersons defection . No, i dont think so. No, i dont think so. No, i dont think so. There are certainly some people who are very happy that they a champion they now have a champion in parliament to parliament who will be able to bnng parliament who will be able to bring home in bring that message home in a way, is difficult when you dont have any elected representatives. And obviously the reform party have had issues cutting have had issues with cutting through general public. Through to the general public. There are also a lot of people through to the general public. Therdont also a lot of people through to the general public. Therdont like a lot of people through to the general public. Therdont like what of people through to the general public. Therdont like what he people through to the general public. Therdont like what he saidle who dont like what he said about about london mayor, about about the london mayor, and the future he and worry that in the future he may make similar gaffes that will now be on them because hes what we should remember what he said, im on completely said, look, im on completely on board about board with what he says about how the arent how he sees the police arent doing job properly. Doing their job properly. To be favouring the they seem to be favouring the muslim and not muslim protesters and not cracking down on the disgusting anti semitism here. Their failure to act when they put that huge anti semitic trope on big ben shocking the police did nothing about that. But for lee anderson to say that the mayor of and the labour leader of london and the labour leader are in thrall, being controlled by islamists who want to create a muslim caliphate here. I think thats not right. I completely agree, and i think, i think that its theres so much that we should be talking about here, the fact that we saw how parliament suspended its normal procedures because apparently this is the official was official line. The speaker was worried about threats to mps lives and, external harassment. I mean, this is this is from islamist extremists and now it really its the upsetting thing was because of lee anderson not being more careful with his language. The left now gets to have the conversation they want, which is all about islamophobia , which is all about islamophobia, racist tories, etc. And not the threat to our democracy which was revealed. Yeah, i agree they should. We talk about Boris Johnson coming back to help David Cameron . Can i just say why im sceptical about this timing of this story . I think thats been leaked by number 10. Its on the front page of the times to say to tories, dont defect, dont defect because bringing boris back to campaign in the red wall, dig into the story that obviously theyve been talking to each other, but not recently. Theyre not going to campaign on the same platform together. No rishi because rishi and boris, because boris would rishi, obviously. Would upstage rishi, obviously. And rishi probably. Boris probably doesnt want to come in, but i think thats a number 10 plant. It certainly doesnt ring true. I mean, the is , true. I mean, the fact is, whatever you think of Boris Johnson, in terms of his performance as Prime Minister, when rishi sunak became chancellor, he was a relatively unknown figure. I think he was unknown figure. I think he was no more than a backbencher or a junior minister, if i remember rightly, people hadnt heard of him was Boris Johnson who him and it was Boris Johnson who kind to, a kind of catapulted him to, a very simple , difficult position very simple, difficult position in politics. And obviously rishi was then one of the people that was, you know, wielding the knife against him. Yeah. Im not sure that you really recover from in politics, from that, even in politics, which is quite fickle relationships. He brought because he brought him down because i can remember it flashed the can remember it flashed on the on headlines sajid on the headlines that, sajid javid, was whatever he was, javid, who was whatever he was, was the home secretary or business was business secretary, was resigning over partygate in priti surprise. He that speech. And he gave that speech. And he gave that speech. He can cope. Few minutes he can cope. A few minutes later heard the later when we heard the chancellor was going rishi sunak game for that was my game over for boris, that was my instant conclusion. Game over. Yes, major crisis and boris was gone within a week. Exactly. And now people like Andrea Jenkyns and nadine dorries, who some boriss dorries, who are some of boriss not a man with lots of allies in sort of Close Relationships with people in politics, but they are two of his closest allies and theyre they havent theyre both saying they havent spoken over a so spoken in over a year. So i wonder what the article there talks relations thawing. Talks about relations thawing. I wonder what thawing looks like if youre not on speaking terms with each yes, quite. With each other. Yes, quite. Just find this idea its i just find this idea that johnson will win over that Boris Johnson will win over this idea of the red wall so detached from the reality. Yeah, because people who considered the i hate this dehumanising turn the red wall. So northerners. Yeah. Would not normally vote conservative Boris Johnson for them, regardless of what side you sat on the covid debate, he let you down. If you were pro lockdown , he let you were pro lockdown, he let you down. If you were anti lockdown, he let you down. You were he let you down. If you were pro brexit, let you down pro brexit, he let you down because get brexit. If because he didnt get brexit. If you , he pushed you were, anti brexit, he pushed through brexit. I dont see who he appeals anymore. If youre he appeals to anymore. If youre pro green agenda, you feel he didnt enough. If youre anti didnt do enough. If youre anti green agenda you feel was the green agenda you feel he was the one with pushing it one with carry pushing it through. Think he through. I dont think he appeals to anybody. I think i think thats well i think i think thats true. Tell you who does still true. I tell you who does still really like Boris Johnson. And that conservative grassroots. They love him and they need and lets be honest, need and lets be honest, they need to energise them because theyre and lets be honest, they need to efeeling them because theyre and lets be honest, they need to efeeling very] because theyre and lets be honest, they need to efeeling very pro cause theyre ehhen no, theyre not. And Boris Johnson would be if they could somehow him on board. Somehow get him on board. I think it would be a great boost to morale. I dont think it would be the kind of thing that would be the kind of thing that would change would massively change the fortunes. Although worth fortunes. Although it is worth remembering that although Boris Johnson because johnson was kicked out because polling had tanked at the point at he was kicked out, at which he was kicked out, i think the conservative party was something points Something Like 5 or 6 points behind and what happened after that was then truss that was that then liz truss happened and the polling went down more like points. Down to more like 18, 20 points. And whatever rishi and frankly, whatever rishi sunak has done since it has embedded nothing they embedded that and nothing they seem to do seems to change the weather. And the first poll since the budget shows the tory, tories are down one point. Yeah, down one point. And labour still have a 15 point lead. So the budget moved. Lead. So the budget moved. Nothing shifted nothing. And in fact, were saying fact, some tory mps were saying to i shouldnt even to me yesterday i shouldnt even bother with the budget because it expectations. So it had raised expectations. So much it could be a game much that it could be a game changen much that it could be a game changer. Cut national changer. And the cut in National Insurance didnt do it. No, not because they have cut because they should have cut income enough to shift dial. Not enough to shift the dial. It feels you know, it almost feels like you know, its just the constant refrain that you hear is its been 14 years and now its time for a change. And i just i dont know what the conservatives could do at this point to change that overwhelming feeling that is shared both left shared by people of both left and right. Change the leader again. Change the leader again. Change the leader again. Again what . That would look crazy though. That would look crazy. I think it would. All right. Thank you madeleine. I think it would. All right. Thathank madeleine. I think it would. All right. Thathank you. Ieleine. I think it would. All right. Thathank you. Rightz. I think it would. All right. Thathank you. Right up next this thank you. Right up next this morning, are discussing morning, mps are discussing migrants to migrants converting to christianity in order to remain in uk. First, though, heres in the uk. First, though, heres your weather with annie shuttleworth. Shuttleworth. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello there, welcome to your latest gb news. Weather update after a dry start across eastern areas, wet weather will push east through the rest of today. It will turn fairly breezy but that will introduce milder air so after a drier and fairly chilly start across eastern areas, well see skies cloud over and some quite persistent rain start to spread in from the west. The rain will be most heavy across parts of wales, the midlands , the peak for midlands, the Peak District for example, some example, as well seeing some very on today. Very heavy rain later on today. However, by this evening some southwestern will start to southWestern Areas will start to see some drier and brighter weather. And here is where well see highest temperatures see the highest temperatures through highs of through this afternoon. Highs of 13 or 14 degrees. But many areas will feel quite a lot will start to feel quite a lot milder throughout today as we see southwesterly mild air see that southwesterly mild air being brought in from the atlantic. The rain will push further north to become more restricted across parts of northern ireland, many areas of scotland tonight scotland through tonight and further should stay further south, it should stay cloudy drier and with cloudy but much drier and with the the breeze and the strength of the breeze and how mild that air is, it is going to be quite a mild night tonight from far tonight away from the very far northwest. After rain northwest. Now, after that rain band pushes further north through tuesday evening, will through tuesday evening, it will sink south through sink further south through wednesday, pushing into parts of northern north wales Northern England north wales through wednesday afternoon. But it reach central it wont quite reach central areas of england, so it should stay dry across many central southern england , south southern areas of england, south wales see the wales as well. Well see the best drier weather best of any drier weather through and here through wednesday, and here is where temperatures where the temperatures will be higher. Highs of around 15, possibly wednesday possibly 16 degrees on wednesday , but it will turn quite windy across the far north by that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. Boilers. Sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Up next were on resignation. Watch our other tory mps going to defect to reform uk. Were going to be talking to one tory mp whos been highly critical of rishi sunak. So stay with us. This is britains newsroom on good morning. Its 10 am. On tuesday, the 12th of march. This is britains newsroom on gb news with bev turner and Andrew Pierce. More turncoat tories. Will any more follow Lee Andersons lead cross the floor and lead and cross the floor and join reform uk . Were going to have the latest. Going to have the latest. Were going to be a tory mp. Hes be talking to a tory mp. Hes very sunak and very critical of rishi sunak and the royals are in chaos from a pr point of view, there are more questions than answers this morning. Do the royal family need to give us more information about kates does she have kates health or does she have a right to privacy in this situation . Situation . Boris johnson come back or is this a bit of number 10 . Spin the former Prime Minister is apparently campaign for apparently going to campaign for the in red wall the tories in red wall seats before election, not before the election, but not with rishi and prey to stay. Mps are exploring the role of conversion to christianity in granting asylum to britain. This morning, our home and security edhon morning, our home and security editor, mark white, has more. Editor, mark white, has more. Well, the Home Affairs Select committee now hearing evidence about what some claim is a Conveyor Belt of conversion into christianity by certain Asylum Seekers who are trying to game the system according to those who are giving evidence now to the Home Affairs Select committee. Committee. And britain will build new gas power stations as the Prime Minister vows not to risk blackouts to achieve net zero labour blast plans as a sign of tory failure. A bit late, isnt tory failure. A bit late, isnt it . Heavens sake . I give this forgive the cynicism. Look, theyve been in power for 14 years. Theyre announcing today. Theyre going to replace some of our ageing power might they not power stations. Might they not have that bit sooner . Sometimes we have to sometimes we just have to laugh. Think these news laugh. You think these news headunes laugh. You think these News Headlines satire . But no. Headlines are satire . But no. Ladies this is ladies and gentlemen, this is the we are living the world that we are living in. Let thoughts this let us know your thoughts this morning. Gb news. Morning. Gb views at gb news. Com first though, the very latest with sam francis. Latest news with sam francis. Bev and andrew. Thank you very much. Good morning. From the newsroom. Just after 10 00. A look at the headlines this morning. New gas power stations a look at the headlines this mor|be;. New gas power stations a look at the headlines this mor|be builtrv gas power stations a look at the headlines this mor|be built t0|as power stations a look at the headlines this mor|be built to protectar stations will be built to protect britains security. Britains energy security. Thats despite concerns over the potential impact on climate change. The government says the new stations are needed to avert potential blackouts and provide a backup for the growing electric economy. Its understood theyll replace existing facilities, many of which are old and due to be retired. The Prime Minister retired. The Prime Minister insists the governments net zero plan is still on track, but says it must be met in a sustainable way. Labour supports the new plants, but Shadow Energy secretary ed miliband has accused the government of failing on its Energy Policies, leading to what hes called skyrocketing bills. Lee anderson skyrocketing bills. Lee anderson says he wasnt paid to switch from the conservatives to reform uk, insisting that hes not a mercenary. The former deputy chairman of the conservative party told gb news last night that hes not heard from the Prime Minister since he announced his defection. A announced his defection. A spokesperson for the party expressed regret at mr andersons decision, but said voting for reform would only deliver a Labour Government. It comes after anderson was stripped of the conservative whip last month after his refusal to apologise for saying that islamists had, he said, got control of the london mayor a major conservative donor has today apologised after he reportedly said that labour mp, former labour mp , that is diane former labour mp, that is diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and that she should be shot. He said frank hester donated £10 million to the tories after later admitting those rude comments about miss abbott, but insists they had nothing to do with the colour of her skin. The comments were her skin. The comments were reported by the guardian and are said to have taken place during a meeting in 2019. Mr hester says that he is deeply sorry, adding that he has now telephoned miss abbott to apologise directly to for her the hurt that he caused. Labour and the liberal democrats, though , have now called on the though, have now called on the conservatives to return his donations as well. Weve heard this morning that some criminals will be released early because of a lack of space in overcrowded prisons. It means prisoners serving sentences of less than four years could be let out. Early labour says the move is completely unacceptable and theyve vowed to build new prisons if they win the general election. However the justice secretary says its just a temporary measure which is needed to alleviate unsustainable pressure on the prison. Hundreds of prison system. Hundreds of families fear that they may have been given the wrong ashes from a chain of funeral homes. Police say more than 350 relatives who used legacy independent Funeral Directors have now contacted them about concerns. It comes them about concerns. It comes after 34 bodies were removed following reports about how the dead were being treated at three branches in hull. We understand two people have been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences. Ghislaine maxwell is offences. Ghislaine maxwell is set to appeal her 20 Year Prison Sentence for sex trafficking in a new york court today. She was convicted in 2021 for facilitating Jeffrey Epsteins sexual abuse of young girls. Maxwells lawyers argue that her victims memories are, they say, distorted and claim that she didnt have a fair trial because one of the jurors failed to disclose that shed been sexually abused herself. If sexually abused herself. If lawyers for the us government, though, the appeal though, say that the appeal arguments fall far short of proving sentence was unfair. Proving the sentence was unfair. Andrew tate has been arrested in romania on a uk warrant which could see him extradited here to the uk to face trial. It comes after lawyers representing four of his accusers informed British Police that he was apparently planning to flee the country. Tate and his brother tristan are accused of committing Sexual Offences between 2012 and 2015. Allegations that they have both rejected the 37 and 35 year olds are also facing rape and Human Trafficking charges in romania, where they both live. They have where they both live. They have also denied those charges. A 39 also denied those charges. A 39 year old man will become the first person in england and wales to be sentenced for cyberflashing. Later, nicolas hawks, from basildon in essex, admitted sending unsolicited explicit images of himself to two people, including a 15 year old girl. One recipient took screenshots and reported the incident to police. The new offence is part of the Online Safety act, which came into effect earlier this year , and effect earlier this year, and more than 900,000 young adults are being urged to get their overdue measles jabs in a bid to kerb a surge in cases. The nhs is inviting 19 to 25 year olds in london, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to book an appointment at gp surgeries and various pop up clinics. People in that age bracket would have been eligible for a jab when vaccination rates began to fall in the late 90s and early 2000. Well, it comes as more measles cases are emerging across the uk outside of the original outbreak area in the West Midlands, we understand the total number of cases since october has now risen to more than 730. Those are the headlines. For more, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen or go to gb news. Com slash alerts. Alerts. 1007 with britains news on gb news with Andrew Pearson bev turner. So does the church facilitate illegal migration . Yes the home affairs. Well, thats it, were done. Next item. Done. Next item. Im sorry they do. Im sorry they do. Home affairs is investigating the role of churches in the asylum process. After abdul ezedithe asylum process. After abdul ezedi the clapham chemical attack suspect. Remember him . He was granted asylum after claiming to have converted to christianity. Despite having two christianity. Despite having two convictions in the uk for Sexual Assault and indecent exposure. And last month, the home office launched an investigation after not one, two or even 340 men on the bibby stockholm Asylum Seeker barge were being bapfised Asylum Seeker barge were being baptised into christianity. Funny that so joining us now is our home and security editor, mark white, to explain how all of this works. Mark, just give us an outline of the rules and how they are at the moment. If somebody wishes to stay. To stay. Well, of course you got all kinds of things you can argue in your claim, and its got to be assessed by those who assess asylum claims. But one of the factors that they might be able to take into consideration is if youve converted to christianity. Of course, under islam , a strict interpretation islam, a strict interpretation of islam, thats apostasy , which of islam, thats apostasy, which carries under that strict interpretation of islam the death penalty. So, of course , death penalty. So, of course, you would think that would be potentially quite a strong argument for you remaining in the country and not being sent back to the country that you say youre fleeing because of potential persecution. So its been claimed that the system is being gamed by those who are converting to help strengthen their case. And you mentioned obviously. Ezedi. There and the chemical attack, the bibby stockholm , 40 individuals from stockholm, 40 individuals from that barge who are in the process, it seems, of trying to convert to christianity. But convert to christianity. But remember, in 2021 as well, another prominent case of ahmad al amin, the suicide bomber who tried to blow up the Maternity Hospital in liverpool, another case where it really came to prominence, where he had a few years before blowing himself up in that that attempt to blow up the Maternity Hospital he had converted to christianity , tried converted to christianity, tried to use that as a means of staying in the country, and that really blew a lid off what was happening there. With more people coming forward and saying that this was happening on more of an industrial scale. Now, whats happening at the moment in the Home Affairs Select committee is were getting evidence from a whistleblower, former parish priest in darlington in 2018, he was a pansh darlington in 2018, he was a parish priest for two years. Thats matthew firth, currently giving evidence and talking about this Conveyor Belt. Really of Asylum Seekers that came to his parish to try to convert to christianity. Now, what he has christianity. Now, what he has been telling the committee is that every few weeks or so, about half a dozen , mainly about half a dozen, mainly syrians or iranians, were brought by another, well, Asylum Seeker, someone who had been granted leave to remain that didnt convert to christianity. Didnt convert to christianity. And was it interested in doing that, but was bringing around about half a dozen every few weeks or so . He is telling the weeks or so . He is telling the committee clearly he was very concerned , learned about what concerned, learned about what was happening here and this pattern. So he implemented a pattern. So he implemented a process that he said actually brought a halt, mainly to what was happening in that he was telling those who wanted to convert to christianity that they had to go through a much more rigorous process. They had to be part of the church life over an extended period. And he said when he did that, then the number of people who were coming to him to try to seek conversion to him to try to seek conversion to christianity just dropped off a cliff. I think over the time that he was a parish priest over this two year period, it seems that he had converted , 15 that he had converted, 15 individuals. But over that period, many, many more were brought to him. But he said he brought to him. But he said he got wise effectively to what was happening there. And he is now turned whistleblower and is blowing the lid on what he sees as industrial scale manipulation of the church to help better their chances of getting asylum applications approved. Applications approved. Okay. Thank you mark. Mark white there covid rangers with us. Us. Lord culver, ranger, former adviser to Boris Johnson. We must ask you about is boris returning, by the way, as a campaigner. But this this idea that church being gamed. That the church is being gamed. Really . Yes. Conned. And theyre falling for it. Covid and yet weve got the church of england bishops leading the charge against the rwanda bill. Whether you like the rwanda bill or not, its an attempt stop illegal its an attempt to stop illegal migration. Yet got these migration. Yet weve got these vicars hand in hand vicars conspiring hand in hand with, seekers are with, Asylum Seekers who are pretend , saying theyre pretend, saying theyre converting to christianity so they can here. They can stay here. I think andrew, the question we need is numbers. We need to ask is the numbers. The dont lie. If you the numbers dont lie. If you suddenly see a spike people suddenly see a spike of people doing something, you have to look closely at that and say, as you people trying to you say, are people trying to game system . Therell game the system . Therell probably people probably be some people who genuine in that number. But when we advantage we see people taking advantage and we can see that it looks like its not the right thing to do, we have call this out. Do, we have to call this out. And have to stop this because and we have to stop this because its just people taking actually advantage our good nature. Advantage of our good nature. How do you stop it, though . Because if Somebody Just looks you eye and says, well, you in the eye and says, well, i am a christian, cant prove am a christian, you cant prove that theyre not. I think is the question i think there is the question here of whats their motivation . You know , youre in an you know, youre in an environment and youre looking for a way out. Youre looking for a way out. Youre looking for an escape clause. And this is something theyre seeing as an. I hate say an opportunity. I hate to say that everyones religion that because everyones religion is personal to them. Mine is to me. And you dont want to cast doubt, but here, theyre desperate people. Lets be honest, bev. Theyre looking for a way out of a predicament theyre in, and this is what theyre in, and this is what theyre doing. So we should just the so we should just change the rules whereby cant rules whereby you cant use conversion christianity conversion to christianity as a means here. Conversion to christianity as a me 11s here. Conversion to christianity as a me i think here. Conversion to christianity as a me i think we here. Conversion to christianity as a me i think we have to look at i think we have to look at why we to probably look at why we have to probably look at the better. Have to the rules better. We have to understand these people are understand that these people are desperate. Will do anything desperate. They will do anything to want get. To get what they want to get. Okay , the front page of the okay, the front page of the times today says your old boss, bofis times today says your old boss, Boris Johnson, is coming back. Boris johnson, is coming back. Hes going to campaign in the red wall in the run up to the general election. Conspicuously not with rishi, forgive my cynicism , but this feels to me cynicism, but this feels to me like a number 10 leak to say to tory potential defectors to reform, dont go, dont go. Weve got the best campaigner in the business and he is the best campaigner in the business. Best conservative he is the best conservative campaigner of the modern era. Yeah. I i remember the yeah. And i think i remember the quote in 2019, im not sure quote from in 2019, im not sure he is 2024. Well he was in he is in 2024. Well he was in 2008. He was in 2012. He wasnt 18. He was in four years. Everything has changed. Everything has changed. You and i know politics has its swings and roundabouts. And when it comes to a general election campaign, as we saw with may things can with theresa may things can change pretty quickly. So boris, on the campaign trail is a completely different political beast. And ive, you know, ive been there, ive seen the reaction he has with people. Hes an electoral asset, even David Cameron. I remember David Cameron saying, you want to have your best players on the pitch. Bofisis your best players on the pitch. Boris is undoubtedly a key star striker for the conservative team. He will be on the pitch. What does his what does his fan base look like now . I saying before, because i was saying before, if sceptical of if you were sceptical of lockdowns are now feeling lockdowns and are now feeling quite vindicated, he let the country down. If you wanted more lockdowns and you he let the country partygate. If country down with partygate. If you were a fan of brexit, you feel he didnt get it done. If you didnt want brexit, feel you didnt want brexit, you feel he into it. If youre he let us into it. If youre a fan of the green agenda , you fan of the green agenda, you feel enough. If feel he didnt do enough. If you were of green were not a fan of the green agenda, you it was all his agenda, you feel it was all his fault. Covid, i fault. Whos left covid, i think, think what youll think, i think what youll see is and Boris Johnson is is if and when Boris Johnson is on the campaign trail, hell be pushing those conservative values that people want to hear. Hell be talking about the things they he did things that they did do. He did save the economy. He did the save the economy. He did get the vaccine out there. He did say that we needed to stand internationally. Well, well, i internationally. Well, well, i think to people think we have to remind people because and he will. Our memories are pretty good. Our memories are pretty good. I they are. I know there i know they are. I know there and theres a lot challenges, and theres a lot of challenges, but want hear the but also people want to hear the other the argument. Other side of the argument. Theyre as weve all theyre not quite, as weve all been sold on been saying, fully sold on sir keir starmer the labour keir starmer and the labour party they stand for. Party and what they stand for. So you will hear the side so you will hear the other side of argument from rishi, from of the argument from rishi, from bofis of the argument from rishi, from boris and from the conservative party why not labour and party about why not labour and why conservative. And i think its its still all to its still its still all to play its still its still all to play for in the election. How many i was in the commons yesterday there was relief yesterday and there was relief amongst mps i spoke to. Amongst the tory mps i spoke to. I didnt speak to all of all of them, obviously, that , lee them, obviously, that, lee hanson is gone because they think an accident waiting think he was an accident waiting to happen. They think the to happen. And they think the next be reforms and next problem will be reforms and they also mocked the press conference, pretty conference, which was pretty amateur if more amateur hour. But if more defect, it will reflect of the view of covid that he, the government, has failed on immigration. They havent cut taxes. Taxes are still rising despite the budget next week. Last week weve just had a poll showing the tories have actually gone backwards, forwards, gone backwards, not forwards, since the budget. So it will reflect and feed into a view that rishi hasnt delivered well , its an interesting point you make about what tory mps were saying you. Saying to you. I think theres a sense of relief. Lee anderson has been a distraction. Is distraction. You know, he is somebody between somebody whos moving between the political spectrum and hes an individual whos a bit of a maverick. Now. Theres not space for that when youre looking at a party cohesiveness, especially as you to a general as you come to a general election, you cant have people who are just going off and delivering soundbites and playing off cuff. He may playing off the cuff. He may believe and he does believe in what hes saying, but hes not saying it within the broad church of the conservative party. And i think its a relief to most people that hes not in there anymore. Cohesion is the but Party Cohesion is the least worries, right least of your worries, right now. And there is a contingent out there whom lee anderson out there to whom lee anderson speaks, and youve lost that. Speaks, and youve lost that. Well, i think lee anderson speaks to such a broad spectrum. Im not sure which contingent he speaks has gone speaks to, because he has gone through party, through the labour party, through the labour party, through the labour party, through the conservative party. Through the labour party, throtto the conservative party. Through the labour party, throtto reform nservative party. Through the labour party, throtto reform speaks ve party. Through the labour party, throtto reform speaks ve pa|old now to reform speaks to an Old Fashioned traditional conservative wants conservative who wants to conserve want to conserve the they want to conserve the family, the working person, education, british values. I agree with all of those things. But i think theres a manner and a way in which modern day conservatives, conservatives want those things expressed, how they want to engage, how they want to be sympathetic to other peoples needs, and they want to have Community Cohesion and they want to have a growing economy, and they to these and they want to have these things, want to have it things, but they want to have it in way that is a modern in a way that is a modern conservative and conservative party. And i think lee his way lee anderson has his way of saying he speak for saying it. And he does speak for people, deny that. But he people, cant deny that. But he is moving across the political spectrum. And i dont think people really understand which Political Party he stands say a lot about the modern tory party. Cant keep somebody like they cant keep somebody like leoncin ranks , i think. I dont think its about the party. I think it really is about lee anderson as an individual, and weve seen lots of people go on these journeys. Weve got another maverick in George Galloway parliament George Galloway in parliament as well. These people well. You know, these people stand out and theyre good for politics because they they do give a voice. But the give people a voice. But the major have to represent major parties have to represent the vast majority of people in a cohesive way. And if you have people who are sort of saying things and what lee anderson, im he said about things and what lee anderson, im khan he said about things and what lee anderson, im khan lee he said about things and what lee anderson, im khan lee he notd about things and what lee anderson, im khan lee he notd abou no, sadiq khan lee is not right. No, theres space that kind theres no space for that kind of description. And so that cannot part the modern day cannot be part of the modern day conservative party, is it . Right then talking of that, frank hester, whos given the conservative party £10 million front guardian front page of the guardian today, while in 2019 he was told colleagues he talking of diane abbott, the labour mp, an mp who gets more abuse online than any other mp, probably in history. The first ever black woman mp. He says when you look at people like diane abbott, it makes you want hate all black women , want to hate all black women, makes you feel like i want to murder hes put murder her. Now hes put a statement out saying she shouldnt be shot, be shouldnt be shot, should be shot. Hes put a statement out saying he wasnt didnt use racist he was very racist language, but he was very critical of her and wants to apologise her should the tory apologise to her should the tory party, if what he said is true. Covid have the tory covid that we have the tory party has to give money party has to give that money back dirty money. Back because its dirty money. Andrew, i think, firstly, andrew, its terrible have its a terrible thing to have said, know, cant say said, you know, you cant say that, else, let alone that, but anyone else, let alone someone done so for someone whos done so much for politics. First ever black woman elected parliament, and elected to parliament, and i think we have to look closely at look, its very early in terms of whats happened here. He has apologised. I think we have to look the context he look at the context of where he said he it, what said this, why he said it, what was going on. I dont want to sort of any excuses for it. Sort of make any excuses for it. Its thing to say. Its the wrong thing to say. Its the wrong thing to say. Its a terrible thing say. Its a terrible thing to say. But we have to look into but i think we have to look into what on there. Also, what was going on there. Also, i think from 2019, five think this is from 2019, five years have look years ago. You do have to look at whats happened, what was happening in 2000, where he . Happening in 2000, where was he . Say it, if there is if he did say it, if there is a tape of saying that, does a tape of him saying that, does the party have give the tory party have to give the money the tory party have to give the mo lay the tory party have to give the mo i think have find i think theyll have to find out information you have out all the information you have to at all the to look very closely at all the information before tory to look very closely at all the inforncan n before tory to look very closely at all the inforncan make re tory to look very closely at all the inforncan make at tory to look very closely at all the inforncan make a decision to look very closely at all the inforncan make a decision on party can make a decision on that. Actually, e that. Actually, youre going and actually, if youre going to money to to start giving money back to donors whove had inappropriate thoughts thing thoughts or said the wrong thing or parties are or the Political Parties are going to have. Theres of that theres lots of donors that will cancelled will be cancelled there. Absolutely true, right. Yeah, absolutely true, right. Covid, you. Thanks covid, great to see you. Thanks so still come so much. Right. Still to come low prison will low level prison offenders will be released early of be released early because of a lack in prisons in lack of space in prisons in england it make england and wales. Does it make your ask. Your blood boil . It does ask. This britains on gb news. 1024 britains newsroom on gb news with Andrew Pierce and bev turner. We are joined in the studio by gb news senior political commentator nigel nelson and co founder of together co founder of the together declaration , alan miller. Alan, declaration, alan miller. Alan, very familiar to gb news viewers. First time, i think, on britains newsroom. Thanks for having me here. Have you been. Well, weve been busy. Been over the busy. Weve been all over the country doing campaigning around, democratic around, having a democratic accountability so that the pubuc accountability so that the public can actually be canvassed properly. Not like these bogus consultations where were told with the wrong kind of people, if its ulez or they ignore the majority of people with ltns clean air zones , and were clean air zones, and were seeing up and down the country lots of success. So weve just seen edinburgh get rid of one of the ltns warrington have got rid of. Remind people what an ltn is. Remind people what an ltn is. Traffic neighbourhood so low traffic neighbourhood otherwise block otherwise known as a road block with right. Like in with bollards. Right. So like in Eastern Europe or anti car. Yeah. Checkpoint charlie. Yeah, yeah. Checkpoint charlie. Yeah, not really canvassing people. If youre a woman late at night, if youre a woman late at night, if youre disabled, if youre a worker and you want to get around with your tools, all of these things are impinged. David lammy get on the lammy was saying, get on the train youre a plumber. Train if youre a plumber. The shadow secretary. Shadow foreign secretary. Obviously never yeah, hes obviously never carried a plumbers tools. Grafter, not worker. Not a grafter, not a worker. The dont the labour and labourers dont exist it should be exist anymore. But it should be said it was initially said that it was initially initiated the initiated originally by the conservatives although conservatives as well, although with together and the association and all the good public, managed to get the public, weve managed to get the prime to have an Prime Minister to have an inquiry and get the inquiry to and get the department for transport to back off on on liveable streets , off on on liveable streets, funding and ltn. So its been a great we to great success. We need to go further together. Youve done amazing alan. Amazing work with that, alan. About that we might talk about that a bit more at 1120, but bit more as well at 1120, but lets talk Boris Johnson. Lets talk about Boris Johnson. The nelson is he the return nigel nelson is he the of the conservative party . No. And i rather think that andrews analysis is about right, that this is an idea to try and stop tory mps defecting to reform. Its no coincidence that the news comes out towards the end of the day, that liz anderson defects to reform, which in itself is a is a significant moment because he has come out on the front page of the times. And i just was just very sceptical. I thought was sceptical. I thought it was a number 10 plus. Yeah, now, assuming it all happens, got to say happens, the youve got to say bofis happens, the youve got to say boris great Boris Johnson is a great campaigner, he meets campaigner, everyone he meets likes him until they get to know him. Of course , so he would be him. Of course, so he would be a boost to the tory party in the right places. It also for rishi sunaks point of view, means that boris wouldnt be a going for a seat before the election, which would be which would undermine him or a seat at the election if he was doing this , election if he was doing this, hed have to be just hes not campaigning, hes not going for a for the election because a seat for the election because he wants rishi sunak to the he wants rishi sunak to own the scale of the defeat. He doesnt want to be anywhere near it. Scenario i can see the only scenario i can see why might try and youve only why he might try and youve only got weeks to so got about two weeks to do it. So i think times against him is i think the times against him is if that tory will if its right that tory mps will move sunak move against rishi sunak after local , assuming there local elections, assuming there isnt a general election on that. On may the 2nd. Thats the point want to be place point youd want to be in place if you thought you wanted to take a very good point. Let me read this, alan, let me read you this, alan, from our viewers. Someone from one of our viewers. Someone called he belongs called alan. He says he belongs to supporters group. To a boris supporters group. Its 50,000 its got nearly 50,000 subscribers boris was subscribers before boris was ousted the rebels, membership ousted by the rebels, membership only dropped by people. Only dropped by 400 people. Since climbing since then, its now climbing again. Is electable. Again. Boris is electable. Think thats a really i think thats a really important point, which is a lot of the members and supporters of bofis of the members and supporters of Boris Johnson were really furious about what happened, i happen theres a lot of happen to think theres a lot of things we should hold Boris Johnson accountable for, not least , johnson accountable for, not least, collapsing, doing a u turn lockdowns u turn and imposing lockdowns and a range of egregious measures that took away. He likes to cite cicero, but imposed all sorts of really anti democratic measures in britain, but not for cake and not the way that coup happened. And i think a lot of people thought it a a lot of people thought it was a coupin a lot of people thought it was a coup in same that what coup in the same way that what happened liz truss was happened with liz truss was a coup. Now the chickens coup. And now the chickens are coming the coming home to roost. The problem this is a lot of problem is that this is a lot of bluster. And what the question always, in the end, is hes quite popular some people quite popular with some people in but the in the red wall. But the question where are the public question is where are the public within so many within all of this . And so many people disillusioned and people are disillusioned and distrustful i mean, distrustful and just i mean, i know going to about know were going to talk about this more, you know, this a bit more, but, you know, these headlines ft. Its these headlines in the ft. Its got that sunaks got it today that sunaks worried the threat from the worried with the threat from the riot discussion riot because of the discussion around immigrants and integration. The far right populist say you need to have integration. Well lets remember, baroness, Lady Faulkner also said the same thing happen to be pakistani, british. The issues of our values and integration are essential. Many people essential. And many people in britain are wondering why the people running and people that are running it and our are doing our institutions are not doing that. And i think, you know, some are saying its some people are saying its a diversion , this wars diversion, this culture wars and imposing actually imposing on it, but actually its for the last 20 its been around for the last 20 years britain. And its at years in britain. And its at the core our politics, and the core of our politics, and were to face were going to have to face deaung were going to have to face dealing with it and thrashing it out, people, out, not censoring people, saying too far extreme or saying thats too far extreme or anything views. Anything for your views. But does Boris Johnson play well that backdrop to well against that backdrop to the to the public . Do we even know where he sits on things like gender identity and those very to people . Well very key issues to people . Well i dont know. No, i dont think i dont think it an issue that he think it was an issue that he dean think it was an issue that he dealt no, i disagree with dealt with. No, i disagree with alan. Was alan. I think that it was absolutely the other way round when boriss demise, when it came to boriss demise, that wasnt about lockdowns, that it wasnt about lockdowns, it about parties that kicked it was about parties that kicked the whole thing off. We then moved to on him, trying to change the rules over Owen Paterson and finally tory mp, whod, breached the lobbying, breached the lobbying rules. And breached the lobbying rules. And then when chris pincher was involved in groping men at a london club, he didnt move quickly against him. Thats when the mps turned against him and said it was an unprecedented, unprecedented. What happened . Nigel 60 odd mps, ministers resigned. Thats right. The government. Right. The government. Yeah. So i mean it. It may bofis yeah. So i mean it. It may Boris Johnsons position untenable because those ministers did resign , and this ministers did resign, and this is the kind of game plan theyre trying to actually launch for may the 2nd to get rid of rishi sunak. But do you sense from the in the commons yesterday i didnt sense theres going to be a great splurge of mps defecting to reform. I just didnt know my water. I dont think so either , i dont think so either, certainly not yet. I mean, it may be there may will be the test, the local elections. Yes. I think that after local elections is a big moment, which is one of the reasons why rishi sunak has been thinking about holding general that holding a general election that day to this. Is the day to avoid this. This is the moment danger for him. Moment of peak danger for him. This is when the tory right will move against him. If theyre going to move, thats when you might defection. Going to move, thats when you migthe defection. Going to move, thats when you migthe otherfection. Going to move, thats when you migthe otherfectiorto noted, the other thing to be noted, a tory are stepping a lot of tory mps are stepping down could be. It might down 85. It could be. It might be what the ideological be 100. What is the ideological positioning the conservative positioning of the conservative party today . Same question could positioning of the conservative pa|asked ay . Same question could positioning of the conservative pa|asked of same question could positioning of the conservative pa|asked of labourquestion could positioning of the conservative pa|asked of labour, the tion could positioning of the conservative pa|asked of labour, the public. 1ld be asked of labour, the public. Many are disillusioned. Many are dispirited. Also say dispirited. I would also say that, this this situation that were seeing now is not going to be necessarily a solution. Although sunak brought in, lee anderson to be like the kind of person that could speak to the people originally labour, then conservative, the brexit moment, weve got a situation where theres a huge deficit of trust, of politicians generally. Right . We need to put the public back at the forefront. That means transparency. It means honesty, transparency. It means honesty, it means not spin. It means not organisations that are currently going on at the moment trying to get being able to speak. Get gb not being able to speak. It out it means thrashing out conversations with people. For lee anderson. We dont i think. Well we dont agree i think. Well it do. I i think the it could do. I mean i think the key, the should do. I just key, the key should do. I just want say one thing as want to say this one thing as well that everyones well about it, that everyones got under scrutiny. So got to come under scrutiny. So also reform, got also with reform, its got to be said there champions some said there champions of some things debate and things in public debate and everything. Im very everything. But im very concerned of them and concerned that some of them and the leader is calling for a protest to banned. We need to protest to be banned. We need to have free speech, right . We know that the second that free speech and expression is banned. Im and expression is banned. Im not talking about actions. Im not talking about actions. Im not threats not talking about threats of violence. Talking about free violence. Im talking about free speech. Things not speech. If those things are not allowed , theyre always used allowed, theyre always used against citizens. Weve just had three years of that where spies and dcms and others have all been spying on journalists and medical people. Need to be medical people. We need to be robust. How can we say were for freedom allow the shutting freedom if we allow the shutting down of things, whether its by ofcom or the government , down of things, whether its by ofcom or the government, and ofcom or by the government, and we have get more robust about we have to get more robust about our enlightenment our principles of enlightenment and freedom. The public want honest, debate and honest, open, robust debate and we need to put them at the front of it. Well, one of our viewers has got touch. Said got in touch. John has said bofisis got in touch. John has said boris is ideologically flexible. Boris is ideologically flexible. Thats nice way. I like thats thats a nice way. I like that with faint praise. John still to come after that photography free fiasco, is it time for the royals to win back your trust and how do they do that . Thats a much more after your mornings news with sam francis. Bev and andrew, thank you very much. Good morning. From the newsroom, a quick look at the newsroom, a quick look at the headlines. At 1030 new gas the headlines. At 1030 new gas power stations will be built to protect britains energy security. Despite concerns over the potential impact on climate change, the government says the new stations are needed to avert potential blackouts and provide a backup for the growing electric economy. Its electric economy. Its understood theyll replace existing facilities, many of which are old and due to be retired. The Prime Minister insists the governments net zero plan is still on track, but says it must be met in a sustainable way. Meanwhile, labour supports the new plants but Shadow Energy secretary ed miliband has accused the government of failing on its Energy Policies , leading, he Energy Policies, leading, he says, to high bills. Lee says, to high bills. Lee anderson says that he wasnt paid to switch from the tories to reform uk, insisting that hes not a mercenary. The former deputy chairman of the conservative party told gb news last night that hes not heard from the Prime Minister since he announced his defection. It comes after anderson was stripped of the conservative whip month over his refusal whip last month over his refusal to apologise for saying that islamists had got control of the london mayor. Conservative minister esther mcvey says that shes disappointed and surprised by his decision, but said voting for reform would only deliver a Labour Government after he campaigned for Jeremy Corbyn in 2017. In effect is now gone full circle and hell be campaigning for keir starmer because, i mean, even he said a vote for reform is a vote for labour. So ive clearly misjudged him. Ive clearly misjudged him. And a major conservative donor has apologised after he reportedly said that former mp diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and she should be shot. Frank hester donated £10 million to the tories last year. He has now admitted making rude comments about miss abbott, but insisted they had nothing to do with the colour of her skin. Mr hester colour of her skin. Mr hester says hes deeply sorry, adding that he telephoned miss abbott to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her. Those are the headlines. For more, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen. Or, if youre listening on radio, go to gb news. Com alerts. Alerts. For stunning gold and silver coins, youll always value the rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report , the gb news Financial Report, and heres a look at the markets this morning. The pound will buy you 1. 2788 and ,1. 17. The price of gold. Is £1,701. 31 per ounce, gold. Is £1,701. 31 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is at 7743 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report still to come. Mps are discussing how and why migrants are converting en masse to christianity to stay in the uk, because theyre gaming the uk, because theyre gaming the system. Well, first though, a new gb news series, innovation britain looking at the success of british manufacturing around the country. Over the years, the engineering and manufacturing environments have often been perceived to have been dirty and polluted. Polluted. But so much has changed in recent years. James, why is that . I think there was generally an acceptance that that was the atmosphere that people were having to in. Having to work in. There nothing they could there was nothing they could do people would come do about it. People would come into say, well, into work and just say, well, thats my life. Thats thats my lot in life. However, think about it, however, if you think about it, this is this is not really acceptable. And certainly in todays taking todays environment, taking office, you wouldnt be expecting to work office expecting to work in an office full of smoke , mist and dust. Full of smoke, mist and dust. People would be out and people would be walking out and people thinking , well, hold people are thinking, well, hold on. I shouldnt have do on. Well, i shouldnt have to do the in a manufacturing the same in a in a manufacturing environment. People want a environment. And people want a cleaner work and how cleaner place to work and how are you managing to do this . Well, filter mist, manufacture a range of products extract range of products that extract oil, fume at oil, mist, dust and fume at source from industrial settings around the world. And make around the world. And we make them here in the midlands. Them right here in the midlands. And youve had record yeah yes, we have. Weve continued to grow our exports to over 60 countries worldwide. But one of countries worldwide. But one of our biggest growth has our biggest growth areas has actually the uk. The actually been the uk. One of the reasons that that we sell reasons for that is that we sell a the machine tool a lot to the machine tool sector, who fitting sector, who are fitting our equipment machines equipment to their machines and selling a complete turnkey package, which includes clean air customers. Air to their customers. Meanwhile, the uk Governments Health safety executive have health and safety executive have focussed more on clean air in the workshop, but most of all, people are just wanting. And why wouldnt you want to work in a cleaner environment . Thank you forjoining us. Thank you for joining us. 1040. Michael says i live in the red wall. I voted for boris. The government got rid of him. So why would anyone listen to what hes now . After the next hes saying now . After the next election will election is over, he will disappear, lot to disappear, leaving this lot to carry they carry on doing what they are doing. I dont think he will doing now. I dont think he will disappear after next election. He . Election. He he . Election. He will . Election. He will more likely to make some return. Hes still some form of return. Hes still a player. Hes earning a big player. Hes earning a lot of money moment. Hes of money at the moment. Hes writing hes writing writing his memoir. Hes writing his shakespeare, his biography of shakespeare, which was meant to be delivered in way. So hell in 2016, by the way. So hell get there eventually. Did you know Stanley Johnson has just completed a book on marco polo . Do you know when he started it . Go on 62 years ago. So 62 years, 62 years ago. So thats boriss dad. It clearly runs in the dad. So it clearly runs in the family doing things on time, jacqueline boris is jacqueline said boris is seriously let the red wall down, more so than sunak. He promised them he would deliver on his manifesto. They loaned him their vote. Careful. If i was boris canvassing in the red wall, bofis canvassing in the red wall, boris started the damage to the tory party and i voted for him in 2019. And immigration as well. Stephen said worst of all, he did nothing about immigration when he could introduced when he could have introduced any laws that he wants. Well, forget, he well, dont forget, when he was london, this was mayor of london, he had this completely bizarre idea to give Illegal Migrants, of which they were thought to be half a million, amnesty. Million, an amnesty. Yes. Amnesty . Yes. Amnesty . Yes. Unbelievable, a he did. Unbelievable, and a lot of you defending the royal family this morning and the princess of wales and saying we should just leave her alone. Should just leave her alone. Lets get the opinion now of royal ingrid seward. Royal biographer ingrid seward. Ingrid, i think weve just lost her connection for a moment. Let me tell you what you have been saying at home. Tracy said it was mothers day. It was a photo of and her children. It of a mother and her children. It was. She up was. Why would she put up a recent she isnt at recent photo when she isnt at her best . I wouldnt, see, her best . I wouldnt, you see, the is, tracy, they told the thing is, tracy, they told us the photo was taken by the prince of wales last week, on friday, on friday. So if i completely sympathise, if you arent feeling it your best, you wouldnt want to be photographed then tell us this is a photograph of us and lets us know. Two weeks ago i know it was say it was autumn 2023 or whenever it was, because we would understand and would absolutely understand and that would have been consistent with their message, which was you will not see the princess of wales after easter. Wales until after easter. Very well. Shes not very well. Shes not very well. Fact that they and the fact that they capitulated and capitulated actually, and succumbed public succumbed to that public pressure her, which pressure to see her, which is effectively them effectively what has got them into this mess in the first place, and its because of all the lurid, lurid stuff on the internet, and lots of people are eating it now. Not just its not yeah, its not just its not jeff and jeff. And of course the king has been much more open about we know hes got cancer, i know that, yeah. And jeff has said, i think we should all get off the princesss back. Shes a credit to our country. Princesss back. Shes a credit to our country. She absolutely. To our country. She absolutely. Shes the best in it. I think she theyve got thing she is. Theyve got thing theyve they to theyve got and they do need to protect her for all of our sakes. Because without her, i dont know what the royal family would look like. I dont really, genuinely dont know how much longer would left. Longer it would have left. And we need them. Well, she and we need them. We we do. We do, we do. Whats the because whats the alternative . Bland grey. Alternative . Boring. Bland grey. Boring. Alternative . Boring. Bland grey. Borits president identity. Its president identity. Its president identity. Imagine president blair, theresa may standing down at the next election. Hes president may. Can you imagine anything worse . Worse . Yes. Boring. Blair would be much yes. Boring. Blair would be mu it would be. And janet has it would be. And janet has said that was a beautiful photograph of catherine and her beautiful children. I dont care that it had been altered. And i kind of. Of course, it was a beautiful photo. They are a beautiful photo. They are a beautiful family , the trouble beautiful family, the trouble is, though, it was released and then it is released as a news photograph. News photographers must never be manipulating their photographs. Thats the point , photographs. Thats the point, because it could be in a war zone. Remember, piers morgan lost his job on the mirror because theres a picture on the front mirror front of the mirror which suggested soldiers suggested that, soldiers were bullying refugees, bullying iraqi refugees, prisoners . Yeah. The photograph was doctored. So thats im not comparing it in any shape or form, but that is the principle by which that photograph has to be judged. It was released as a news photograph. News photographs mustnt be manipulated the manipulated because of the potential for abuse. Written piece about it ive written a piece about it on gb news website, on the gb news website, gbnews. Com if you want to have a little at up next, little look at that. Up next, our facilities. Our churches, facilities. Yes. Bogus asylum claims. Yes. Hearing yes. Were going to be hearing from has some big from one pastor who has some big things. Things to say. Hes very opinionated. Dont miss with britains gb news. While mps are in their glory. Are discussing whether the church has been facilitating illegal migration. Thats right. The Home Affairs Committee is investigating the role of churches in the asylum process. After on the bibby after 40 men on board the bibby stockholm Asylum Seeker barge in dorset converted to christianity in order to remain in the uk. Of course they did. Joining us in the studio now is no stranger to this program. Pastor dwayne , pastor dwayne, dwayne lopez, pastor dwayne, know we talked to before know we talked to you before when harassed , putting when you were harassed, putting it by the police because it mildly by the police because you in in the you were preaching in in the street near your church in london. You obviously you go out there part of your outreach is to embrace you want to convert people. So should we be . Well, do you should you be welcoming the 40 Asylum Seekers on this barge . Apparently saw the light. Yeah. So lets be clear with this issue that were speaking about because theres a difference between real conversion happen and theres a difference between false conversion. And obviously when we see real conversion, people really giving their life to jesus , giving their life to jesus, really changing, really coming to we applaud that. To salvation. We applaud that. But what we are seeing clearly as the evidence points is a lot of false conversion, where theyre using christianity as a loophole to stay in, in the country. And i believe that the church stand against lies church should stand against lies and deception. Possibly tell , how could you possibly tell, though, dwayne, playing devils advocate, how could know if advocate, how could you know if these have or have not these people have or have not decided to turn christianity . Decided to turn to christianity . , simple. Well, simple. Well, simple. What . We can do a little conversion test so we have to ask questions. So we have to find out what was they like before jesus christ. Before meeting jesus christ. Actually meet how did they actually meet with jesus christ . How have they life changed after meeting jesus christ and they have to denounce the lifestyle they were living before and live the lifestyle of christianity. So jesus says you will know them by their fruits. So there has fruit inspection has to be some fruit inspection before we can just say, yeah, theyre christian, but theyre theyre a christian, but theyre not around not going to turn around and say, rights say, well, my human rights lawyer said it would be a really good idea. Yeah. Yeah. If i suddenly became we think is happening, theyre going if i suddenly became we think is tell ening, theyre going if i suddenly became we think is tell the 1g, theyre going if i suddenly became we think is tell the truth,eyre going if i suddenly became we think is tell the truth, are going if i suddenly became we think is tell the truth, are they . Oing to tell the truth, are they . This topic, because so with this topic, because there is Church Issues and theres of issues. So theres tom moore of issues. So we church should focus on we as the church should focus on church loving , Church Issues, which is loving, caring, evangelising leave caring, evangelising and leave immigration to immigration issues straight to the home office. So we love them. But we say, you know what . You go to the home you could go to the home office, were just here to office, but were just here to love, evangelise love, serve and evangelise and spread christ. W w theres an irony for me in all dwayne, because all of this, dwayne, because weve Church England weve got the church of england bishops. Them in bishops. Theres 26 of them in the lords who are the house of lords who are leading charge against the leading the charge against the rwanda agree rwanda burner. Whether you agree with taking with the idea of taking a Illegal Migrants to rwanda or not, that is the governments best offering to try to kerb illegal migration. So theyre trying to block that, trying to destroy it. And yet at the same time , they conniving, my time, they are conniving, in my view, seekers telling view, in Asylum Seekers telling lies about their christian conversion so they can stay here illegally. Yes. So we as the church should be against all form of lights and all forms of deception, and we should be preaching truth, jesus christ, and that should be our focus, that be our attention. That should be our attention. Our is literally the our mission is literally the great and if if great commission. And if we if we if we are feeding lies and allowing to happen, then allowing this to happen, then whats going to happen is that theres more issues. Theres going to be more issues. Remind us where your church remind us where your and its your church is and what its called. Gm called. House, uxbridge. Yeah, so us house, uxbridge. Yeah, im ub8 so im in uxbridge, ub8 freaky. So we sundays and we meet on sundays and wednesdays and one sundays at 130, wednesdays at seven. Right how. Now. Do you have you had any people you suspect maybe Asylum Seekers who coming your seekers who coming to your church. Have potentially church. So we have potentially convert all of people who convert all types of people who have our to have come into our church to convert. Convert. F convert. Not currently some theres not currently some suspected but we suspected Asylum Seekers, but we welcome all people. We love all people. We treat them with dignity respect, but were dignity and respect, but were not to allow a facility of not going to allow a facility of people coming to our church for just to get stay in the country. Just to get stay in the country. We just say, what would you do if you had a couple who you think Asylum Seekers . And think are Asylum Seekers . And they say, pastor, i want to convert. Long would take they say, pastor, i want to conveto long would take they say, pastor, i want to conveto do long would take they say, pastor, i want to conveto do that . would take they say, pastor, i want to conveto do that . Yes. Jld take them to do that . Yes. We have we welcome so we have we welcome everyone who to convert everyone who wants to convert and to jesus and give their life to jesus christ. Want to do christ. And if they want to do that, thats fine. And that will that, thats fine. And that will that be focus. And that will be our focus. And there a process of there has to be a process of discipleship needs to take discipleship that needs to take place. Any home place. But regarding any home office you have place. But regarding any home of1go you have place. But regarding any home of1go to you have place. But regarding any home of1go to the you have place. But regarding any home of1go to the home you have place. But regarding any home of1go to the home office. 1ave to go to the home office. What of where do you what kind of where do you think is at the think christianity is at the moment in this country . Is it experiencing a little rise in popularity . Or we hear often that churches struggle to get people through the door. I believe that this is a Christian Country and we need to preserve our christian heritage, because not preserve a because if we do not preserve a christian heritage, then whats going happen is other going to happen is that other beliefs religions beliefs, other religions or systems take systems are going to take over. And as a result, we can see this being taking place. So what we need do is back to the need to do is come back to the bible, back to christianity bible, come back to christianity and. Otherwise were and preserve it. Otherwise were going decrease we going to see a decrease like we see how. See now. Part of the problem its part of the problem in the schools. Not enough the schools. Theres not enough emphasis in the emphasis on christianity in the schools, the, the, the importance it. I went to importance of it. I went to a catholic school, so i up catholic school, so i grew up with it, and im still happy to call a practising call myself a practising catholic. Perhaps catholic. But perhaps the schools giving enough schools now arent giving enough attention to christianity. Thats what absolutely. And thats what thats to thats the issue. We need to preserve our christian heritage by the by bringing it back to the schools. Discipleship, focusing schools. Discipleship, focusing on jesus christ, the love, the bible , and making it clear that bible, and making it clear that we are a Christian Country. It should celebrated , it should should be celebrated, it should be applauded, other be applauded, and other christians to christians should be able to come schools, give come into the schools, give speeches, the speeches, songs, and support the next if they next generation. Because if they are not supported and told that were a Christian Country and are and were not preserving our heritage, then whats going to happen future going. And when youre in the and when youre out in the streets the word, do streets spreading the word, do you . People you . I see sometimes people abusing people like you from your church and mocking you. Your church and mocking you. Does that trouble you . Do you just carry on . Well, we just carry on because that is part of the process, maybe people process, right . Maybe people that and theres going to that mock and theres going to be that so we be people that embrace. So we just people. We serve just love people. We serve people we just focus the people and we just focus on the ones want christ. Ones that really want christ. And we allow that to and we dont allow that to distract us. A challenge to get is it a challenge to get younger your door . Yeah, its always a challenge to get anyone through doors to get anyone through the doors because different because everyones got different belief going through Belief Systems and going through different once different things. But once we preach , clear message, preach a simple, clear message, jesus christ, i believe that truth is universal. I believe that truth, you know, can hit home. And once they perceive the truth and spoken in love. Actually, i think what and actually, i think what im rather envious of, my friends who have a faith is the sense of community. And in this very know, local very important, you know, local mums that i knew who had babies in area, the support they in our area, the support they got church community, got from their church community, the pots of cooked food was arriving they were. I mean, arriving when they were. I mean, thatis arriving when they were. I mean, that is something that think that is something that i think the doesnt sell enough. The church doesnt sell enough. Its a fellowship. The yeah, its a fellowship. The community, you know, the support that you can receive. You know, many are coming in many people are coming in broken. Coming in broken. Theyre coming in depressed. Come depressed. But when they come and sincere people that and find sincere people that love just the love them, they just again, the name your church remains the name of your church remains the name of your church remains the name of your church remains the name of the church. Potters house, freaky. House, uxbridge, ub8 freaky. Is. He is. He is. Hes very that plug. Hes very good at that plug. Hes very good at that plug. Lopez , great to see dwayne lopez, great to see you now. Still come you now. Still to come this morning. Anderson morning. Lee anderson is going to seat the to take his seat in the opposition benches as reform opposition benches as a reform mp. On this show. Dont mp. Live on this show. Dont miss it. Miss it. A brighter outlook with boxer the sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello there. Welcome to your latest gb news. Weather update after a dry start across eastern areas , wet weather will push areas, wet weather will push east through the rest of today. It will turn fairly breezy but that will introduce milder air. So after a drier and fairly chilly start across eastern areas , well see skies cloud areas, well see skies cloud over and some quite persistent rain start to spread in from the west. The rain will be most heavy across parts of wales, the midlands, Peak District for midlands, the Peak District for example, some example, as well seeing some very later today. Very heavy rain later on today. However, some however, by this evening some south Western Areas will start to see some drier and brighter weather. And here is where well see the highest temperatures through highs of through this afternoon. Highs of 13 but many areas 13 or 14 degrees. But many areas will feel quite a lot will start to feel quite a lot milder throughout today as we see southwesterly mild air see that southwesterly mild air being brought in from the atlantic. The rain will push further north to become more restricted across parts of northern ireland, many areas of scotland through and scotland through tonight and further stay further south, it should stay cloudy but much drier and with the the breeze and the strength of the breeze and how mild that air is, it is going be a mild night going to be quite a mild night tonight from the very far tonight away from the very far northwest. After that rain northwest. Now after that rain band pushes further north through evening, it will through tuesday evening, it will sink further south through wednesday, parts of wednesday, pushing into parts of northern , north wales Northern England, north wales through wednesday afternoon. But it reach central it wont quite reach central areas of england, so it should stay across many central stay dry across many central southern areas of england, south wales see the wales as well. Well see the best drier weather best of any drier weather through and here is through wednesday, and here is where be where the temperatures will be higher. Of around 15, higher. Highs of around 15, possibly 16 on possibly 16 degrees on wednesday, it will turn wednesday, but it will turn quite windy across the far north by by that warm feeling inside from boxt boiler as sponsors of weather on gb news. Way. Way. Way. 11 am. On tuesday, the 12th of march. This is britains newsroom on gb news with Andrew Pierce and bev turner. Thank joining this thank you for joining us this morning. Turncoat morning. So, more turncoat tories more conservative tories will more conservative mps follow Lee Andersons lead and join reform uk today . Were and join reform uk today . Were going to see lee crossing the house in just a moment. And is Boris Johnson really going to make a comeback . As one newspaper suggests, they say hes to campaign the hes going to campaign for the tories seats before tories in red wall seats before the election and return the money. The tories biggest donor apologises after saying that former labour mp diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and should be shot. Hes apologised soft on criminals. You bet the justice secretary, alex chalk, is allowing low level offenders to be released up to two months early to relieve overcrowding in jails in england and wales. By the way, there are 11,000 foreign prisoners in those very prisons and Cheltenham Festival begins the four day event, one of the biggest meetings in the uks National Hunt horse racing calendar is under way. Our report reporterjack our report reporter jack carson is there well over 250,000 spectators are set to come here over the next four days. As all the action at cheltenham kicks off. Ill have the latest for you. He looked the part, didnt he . Special horse racing hat on certainly has because its raining in just a moment. First though, the very latest news headunes though, the very latest News Headlines with sam francis. Headlines with sam francis. Bev and andrew thank you very much. Good morning from the newsroom. Just coming up to 11 02. The top story this hour. New gas power plants will be built to protect britains energy security. Thats despite concerns over the potential impact on climate change. The government says the new stations are needed to avert potential blackouts and provide a backup for the growing electric economy. Its understood theyll replace existing facilities, many of which are old and due to be retired. The Prime Minister insists the uks net zero plan is still on track, but says it must be met in a sustainable way. Labour supports the new plans, but Shadow Energy secretary ed miliband has accused the government of failing on its Energy Policies, leading to skyrocketing bills. Leading to skyrocketing bills. Lee anderson says that he wasnt paid to switch from the conservatives to reform uk, insisting that hes not a mercenary. The former deputy chairman of the conservatives told gb news last night that hes not heard from the Prime Minister since he announced his defection. It comes after defection. It comes after anderson was stripped of the conservative whip last month after his refusal to apologise for saying islamists had for saying that islamists had got control of the london mayor, sadiq khan. Government minister esther mcvey says that shes disappointed and surprised by mr andersons decision, but said voting for reform would only deliver a Labour Government after he campaigned forjeremy after he campaigned for Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, in effect is now gone full circle and hell be campaigning for keir starmer because, i mean, even he said a vote for reform is a vote for labouh so ive clearly misjudged him i well, as weve been hearing a major conservative donor has apologised after he reportedly said that former labour mp diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and said that she should be shot. Frank hester donated £10 million to the tories last year. Hes now admitted making rude comments about miss abbott, but insists they had nothing to do with the colour of her skin. The comments were reported by the Guardian Newspaper and are said to have taken place during a meeting in 2019. Hester says hes deeply 2019. Mr hester says hes deeply sorry, adding that he has now telephoned miss abbott to apologise directly for the hurt that he has caused her. Labour and the liberal democrats have now called on the conservatives to return his donations. Now called on the conservatives to return his donations. Some criminals will be released early because of a lack of space in overcrowded prisons. It means overcrowded prisons. It means prisoners serving sentences of less than four years could be let out early. Labour says the move is completely unacceptable and they vowed to build new prisons if they win the general election. However, the justice secretary says its a temporary measure which is needed to alleviate unsustainable pressure on the prison system. Hundreds on the prison system. Hundreds of families fear that they may have been given the wrong ashes from a chain of funeral homes. Police say more than 350 relatives who used legacy independent Funeral Directors have contacted them about concerns. It comes after 34 bodies were removed following reports about how the dead were being treated at three branches in hull. We understand two people have now been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences. Andrew tate has been offences. Andrew tate has been arrested in romania on a uk warrant which could see him extradited here to face trial. It comes after lawyers representing four of his accusers informed British Police that he was planning to flee the country. Tate and his brother tristan are accused of committing Sexual Offences between 2012 and 2015. Those allegations they have both rejected. The 37 year old and 35 rejected. The 37 year old and 35 year old are also facing rape and Human Trafficking charges in romania, where they both live. They have also denied those charges. The government has charges. The government has unveiled new plans to improve food labelling in a bid to support british farmers , and, support british farmers, and, they say, to empower shoppers. Under the proposals , labels will under the proposals, labels will have to give clear indications of a products country of origin includes pork , chicken and egg includes pork, chicken and egg packaging that will also have to include mandatory Animal Welfare information to show whether the products meet or exceed uk regulations. Well, the move comes as part of the consultation between the department for environment , Food Department for environment, food and rural affairs, which is running until the 7th of may, and finally, the singer and songwriter eric carmen has died at the age of 74. He rose to fame as part of the pop group the raspberries, but it was this track that carved him a place. Track that carved him a place. In popular culture. How my man , in popular culture. How my man, the singer dont. Inspired by the singer dont. Inspired by sergei rachmaninoffs piano concerto number two, all by myself. It was a huge hit in 1970. Six years later, it also found a new audience when it became the opening theme of the classic film. You may remember its called Bridget Jones diary. Its called Bridget Jones diary. If youre watching on tv, you can see here those scenes backed by that track. Another of his well known hits was hungry eyes, which was featured in 1987, dirty as well as tracks dirty dancing as well as tracks for the film footloose. His death was announced by his wife amy, who said it brought her husband great joy to know that his music had touched so many. Those are the headlines. More in the next half hour. In the meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen or go to gb news. Com slash alerts. 11 its 1107 with britains newsroom on gb news with Andrew Pearson , bev turner. And were pearson, bev turner. And were going to going to see going to see are we going to see any more turncoat tories defect to reformers to our reform uk reformers saying be eight, could be saying could be eight, could be ten. Kevin schofield is here at of huffpost. Before we do that. Oh yeah. Can we have a quick look at what lee anderson said to patrick on nights Patrick Christie on last nights show right. Show . Right. Parents, who a big was my parents, who had a big part in this . I know part to play in this . I know there some idiots online there are some idiots online saying has saying that lee anderson has done what his mums told him to do, i think your is do, but i think your mother is in your fathers. Give good advice get when advice even when you get when you age, my parents you get to my age, my parents were tory voters in were first time tory voters in 2019. They put their faith in bofis 2019. They put their faith in boris and the Boris Johnson and the conservative government and in may. But four later, they may. But four years later, they feel been let down, feel like theyve been let down, that conservative have that the conservative party have not their promises. Not delivered on their promises. And they think its time for change. Now we know hes relaxed at gb news because this is his home. Really isnt it . Lets be honest. But im lee honest. But im sure lee anderson have tie anderson should have put his tie on schofield sat up a bit on Kevin Schofield sat up a bit straighter. Hed a straighter. Lee hed had a long day, hadnt this is this day, hadnt he . But this is this is with him. He hes is the problem with him. He hes a little bit of a liability. Yeah. I mean just saying that the press conference i think press conference i dont think went well him yesterday. It looked quite amateurish. It looked quite amateurish. In wrong it did, flags in the wrong place, wrong place right in place, the wrong place right in front of his faces. He got up to speak. Quite short speak. He was quite short tempered the chemistry, tempered. The chemistry, i think, him richard think, between him and richard tice look great either. Tice didnt look great either. Thats one to an eye so thats one to keep an eye on. Look, its a start on. I mean, look, its a start up isnt it . Theyre up party, isnt it . Theyre going be relying of the going to be relying a lot of the time volunteers from the good time on volunteers from the good of trying get of their heart, trying to get this movement up off the ground. I to give them i think we have to give them a bit cut them a of slack. Bit of cut them a bit of slack. Couldnt shouldnt we . Yeah. Yeah. Mean, em 5 mean, they are yeah. Mean, they are still well, i mean, they are still looking and looking for peoples votes and you on a you do have to put on a professional air. And, you know, especially to especially if theyre trying to attract eight, nine tory mps to come over. Yeah. Any tory mps watching that, are they going to think i want to throw a lot in . I was commons i was in the commons yesterday afternoon in portcullis i portcullis house. Kevin and i was some and they was talking to some mps and they were mocking the press conference. They said, well, dont because, dont laugh too loud because, come elections, if come the may elections, if theyre local theyre terrible, the local elections , more of your number elections, more of your number could defect they start panicking. Could become more it could become more attractive a prospect if you think your last hope of think its your last hope of hanging on to your seat, think its your last hope of hanging on to your seat , then hanging on to your seat, then you might just think, why not . Nothing. Nothing concentrates in mps mind, in my view, than their own survival prospects. Absolutely. Its all there. Its all theyre talking about now, really, when you think about it, theyre looking at the opinion polls and theyre seeing the are. The the same numbers as we are. The numbers conservatives numbers for the conservatives are and right, are dreadful. And youre right, may pressure may could be a real pressure point. Point. What about the pressure on on, anson to fight on, lee anson to fight a by election . This we go back to 2014 and two tory mps defected to ukip. They fought by elections, which they won. Yeah lee anderson is on the record as saying he thinks people whove done just what he did should face a by election or worse, he voted for it. There was a private members bill came forward basically saying defects saying that anyone who defects dunng saying that anyone who defects during should be during a parliament, should be recalled, basically subject to a recalled, basically subject to a recall petition, which could lead to a by election. And he there was only 55 voted for it. And he was one them. And he was one of them. We lord Kulveer Ranger in we had lord Kulveer Ranger in here earlier, kevin, and he said, its still to play for said, its all still to play for with the election, i dont know where theyre going to find this bounce in the polls. Where is it bounce in the polls. Where is it going to come from, though . Well, i mean, weve seen all these events which were supposed to a launchpad to give them a launchpad conservative party conference. Obviously that happen. Obviously that didnt happen. Start sometimes. Start of a new year sometimes. No sign of it. The budget last week sort of crashed on takeoff. Its like pancake day. Its just so flat. Every poll which has come out, you know, pretty much the last 18 months has just shown the gap getting wider and wider. And know, i mean, hes very and you know, i mean, hes very much minority. Hes much in the minority. Hes a very conservative mps, if very few conservative mps, if any speak to now think any that you speak to now think theyve got any chance. In meantime but in the meantime labour arent brilliantly. Arent doing brilliantly. Theyre over the theyre not winning over the electorate with the dazzling rhetoric of keir starmer or some, you know, mind blowing policies. Policies. I suppose they think they dont need to safety first. Well, they are taking a very safety first approach, which is fine. Them into fine. It might get them into power, means that once power, but it means that once they power, theyve not they are in power, theyve not got a lot of, Political Capital behind them, you know, and i think apathy could main think apathy could be the main story election. You look story of the election. You look at come the election at the turnout come the election , be really telling. It , it could be really telling. It could pretty youre could be pretty low. Youre right. Great right. Theres no great enthusiasm labour, enthusiasm for labour, but theres think people enthusiasm for labour, but theres a think people enthusiasm for labour, but theres a bit think people enthusiasm for labour, but theres a bit bored|ink people enthusiasm for labour, but theres a bit bored and people enthusiasm for labour, but theres a bit bored and fed le enthusiasm for labour, but theres a bit bored and fed up are just a bit bored and fed up with tories them out. What do you make of this front in the times . Youve front page in the times . Youve talked lot. Im talked about this a lot. Im very about this. This if very cynical about this. This if people watching, on people are watching, youre on the the headline people are watching, youre on the times. The headline people are watching, youre on the times. Johnsonieadline people are watching, youre on the times. Johnsonieayjoine on the times. Johnson to join election on the times. Johnson to join electipage of the times. I it front page of the times. I it felt to me like a number 10 plant to say is going to plant to say boris is going to be in the red wall to be fighting in the red wall to try stay of maybe try to stay the hands of maybe tory mps are thinking of tory mps who are thinking of defecting, because pointedly, theres no confirmation from bofis theres no confirmation from boris about and not boris about that. And ive not heard that boris and rishi are talking on the phone much. Talking on the phone very much. Even the story itself well, even the story itself says that they wouldnt be able to platform together, so to share a platform together, so that that that doesnt suggest that theyre either. Theyre terribly close either. I guess from the Prime Ministers point of view as well, theres a real risk of johnson real risk of Boris Johnson overshadowing was out overshadowing him if he was out on campaign trail. When on the campaign trail. When i spoke close to boris spoke to someone close to boris last who thought that last night who thought that the story overwritten story had been overwritten somewhat, cold somewhat, he was pouring cold water , saying, yeah, water on it, saying, yeah, obviously hes still a conservative. He will support the this idea that the party. But this idea that hes to be going hes going to be going out campaigning strongly in the red wall, i think, is wont he do what former prime what other former Prime Ministers, four leaders have done . Suppon done . Support their mates. They support their mates. Mrs. T thatcher used to go on the campaign trail and she would support like mp support people like the mp for romford, rosindell romford, Andrew Rosindell supporters of her. She would supporters of her. She would support hand picked people that she liked and wanted to support, rather than doing a big thing for party. Generally for the party. Generally yeah, and obviously that would in with the red would then tie in with the red walls. Red wall is walls. A lot of the red wall is obviously johnson obviously big Boris Johnson fans, quite like fans, so they would quite like to out and about. But i to see him out and about. But i still i think so. To see him out and about. But i still i think so. I think still yeah, i think so. I think the mps and the ones who the those mps and the ones who stood by him until the. But are the voters still boris. The voters still boris. Thats fans in the red wall. Thats fans in the red wall. Thats fans in the red wall. Thats the danger isnt it. Is that it just brings up all the memories about partygate and the memories about partygate and the that led to the circumstances that led to him leaving number that him leaving number 10, and that can things got better can but has things got better for the tory party since boris left, pointedly not. Its got worse. They had liz truss and then rishi sunak was going to bnng then rishi sunak was going to bring calm and order. Well, hes done that, but he hasnt done anything else in the sense the polls have worse when polls have worse now than when bofis bofis polls have worse now than when boris boris 5 or 6 boris left. Was boris 5 or 6 points in the polls when boris left. Was boris 5 or 6 poiwas in the polls when boris left. Was boris 5 or 6 poiwas toppled] the polls when boris left. Was boris 5 or 6 poiwas toppled . The polls when boris left. Was boris 5 or 6 poiwas toppled . Theyres when boris left. Was boris 5 or 6 poiwas toppled . Theyre nowzn boris left. Was boris 5 or 6 poiwas toppled . Theyre now 15 he was toppled . Theyre now 15 to points behind the to 27 points behind in the polls, which poll polls, depending on which poll you believe. Polls, depending on which poll youi elieve. Polls, depending on which poll youi mean,. Polls, depending on which poll youi mean, support for i mean, support for the tories collapsed , tories has just collapsed, actually, since Boris Johnson left. It was in a great left. Not that it was in a great place he i mean, place when he left. I mean, clearly people clearly all those people resigned. Ministers resigned. All those ministers resigned. All those ministers resigned a reason. As resigned for a reason. And as bofis resigned for a reason. And as Boris Johnson famously said, when moves, it moves. When the herd moves, it moves. There was a momentum behind it. It oldest they all it was the oldest went. They all panicked they had choice panicked and they had no choice but but i dont think but to resign, but i dont think he can get away from the fact. Ive been in power for 14 years and, you know, you down and, you know, you look down through historically , through the years historically, the voters just. Well, the voters tend to just. Well, weve lot ago. Well weve given that lot ago. Well try the other lot now and see what its like. I find it. The tories in i just find it. The tories in trouble over this donor. This guy million. A guy whos given £10 million. A man us never man who most of us have never heard shouldnt hes heard of, shouldnt think hes been mps been heard of. Most tory mps heard called heard him. Hes called frank hester. Thank you. Guy who hester. Thank you. The guy who allegedly when you look at allegedly said when you look at diane abbott, it makes want diane abbott, it makes you want to women. To hate all black women. Awful he said, its awful what he said, terrible he said. And the terrible what he said. And the line this morning terrible what he said. And the linygovernment this morning terrible what he said. And the linygovernment ministers orning terrible what he said. And the linygovernment ministers has1g terrible what he said. And the linygovernment ministers has been by government ministers has been very they wont its very weak. They wont say its racist us move racist and they want us to move on. Reasons or racist and they want us to move on. They reasons or racist and they want us to move on. They conservative ons or racist and they want us to move on. They conservative because why they conservative because they million to they havent got 10 million to pay they havent got 10 million to pay £10 million that pay back £10 million that hes given will need given them that they will need come the election. Why you it in but why would you give it in back . Sort of back . Thats no sort of punishment giving somebody back £10 money. £10 million of their own money. Well, punishing well, theyd be punishing themselves money, obviously need the money, but theyre awful theyre coming under an awful lot give it back. Lot of pressure to give it back. Oh. Oh. Its ridiculous. Its ridiculous. Dont sense traction i dont sense any traction on this though this story, though, even though these if these remarks, if theyre , are outrageous. Theyre true, are outrageous. Thats horrific. Theyre true, are outrageous. Absolutely. Orrific. Absolutely. Absolutely. The front page of and its on the front page of the a lot of the news the guardian, a lot of the news outlets this outlets for doing it this morning. Idea that they morning. But the idea that they should money back, im should give the money back, im sure have taken sure that labour have taken money views money from people who have views which might which in Certain Company might be well, certainly come be deemed well, certainly come under an awful lot pressure under an awful lot of pressure to far. To do it thus far. Theyre obviously very reluctant. Id be surprised if they giving back to they end up giving it back to me. Yeah. E way w0 ise e way worse than i mean, it was way worse than inappropriate, what i mean, it was way worse than irmean, riate, what i mean, it was way worse than irmean, riate, kevin . What i mean, it was way worse than irmean, riate, kevin . Thank what i mean, it was way worse than irmean, riate, kevin . Thank yout i mean, right . Kevin . Thank you so we getting soft on so much. Are we getting soft on prisoners . Of are prisoners . Many of them are going up to two going to be released up to two months to free up space in months early to free up space in our jails with gb news. Its 1120 with britains newsroom on gb news. With Andrew Pierce and bev turner. The tories biggest donor has apologised after saying that former labour mp diane abbott made want to hate all black made him want to hate all black women and should be shot earlier. We spoke to tory peer lord colville, ranger. Heres what say. What he had to say. There is a terrible thing to have you know, you cant have said. You know, you cant say that. Else, let say that. But anyone else, let alone whos so much alone someone whos done so much for politics. First ever black women elected to parliament, and i think we have to look closely at look, its very early in terms of whats happened here. He apologised. Think we he has apologised. I think we have the context of have to look at the context of where he said this, why he said it, going on. I dont it, what was going on. I dont want sort of make any excuses want to sort of make any excuses for the wrong thing to for it. Its the wrong thing to say. Its a terrible thing to say. Its a terrible thing to say. Its a terrible thing to say. I think to look say. But i think we have to look into going on there. Into what was going on there. Also, think this 2019, also, i think this is from 2019, five ago. Have to five years ago. You do have to look at happened, what look at whats happened, what was happening 2000, where was happening in 2000, where was he . He . Were joined now by gb news senior commentator senior political commentator nigel nelson and co founder of the declaration, alan the together declaration, alan miller. Nigel andrew smells a rat with story in terms of rat with this story in terms of the timing and why now . Yeah, and i think that that , yeah, and i think that that, well, i mean, why now is because it appeared. I mean, we actually had the revelation out there. Why has it taken five years . Why has it taken five years . I dont know, i dont know if somebody came forward, we had i dont know if it was whistleblower or and i sense theres tape hes albert bartlett. No, no, no. What he said is he submitted inappropriate language. He said it wasnt racist. Now if youve called if you say he hasnt, he hasnt denied the women. Yeah , but the whole thing is yeah, but the whole thing is he hasnt denied denied those words. And he hasnt words. Right. And he hasnt admitted them either. I know dancing on a i know were dancing on a pinhead think we are pinhead here. I think we are dancing pinhead. If dancing on a pinhead. I think if you party have you didnt, the tory party have put out saying he put a statement out saying he said racist. If said he said nothing racist. If you making look at looking you say making look at looking at want at diane abbott makes you want to hate all black women. That is racist. That is a racist comment. And it was noticeable. I mean, it was noticeable. I mean, the morning done the morning round was done by the energy minister, Graham Stuart this morning. Yeah, went this morning. Yeah, that went well. Wouldnt well. And he wouldnt he wouldnt say the comments were racist. Seems to be racist. I mean this seems to be as i can see so far. And as far as i can see so far. And this something dont know. This is something we dont know. And wants to and frankly, hester wants to make explanation. There is no make an explanation. There is no there no , difficulty over the there is no, difficulty over the words. We seem to agree that those words were used. It may well be the contacts was meant to be some kind of rather bad taste joke or whatever , but taste joke or whatever, but however you cut it, those words were racist. This however you cut it, those words were racist. This is however you cut it, those words were racist. This is a man whos were racist. This is a man whos given £10 million to the tory party in the last 12 months, if there was any honour in politics, he would give it, the tories would give that money back. But then if theres any honourin back. But then if theres any honour in politics, there isnt. Lee anderson, politics, lee anderson would would face a by election. Just you who this so just to tell you who this guy he runs a health care guy is, he runs a Health Care Technology Phoenix Technology firm, the Phoenix Partnership which been paid partnership, which has been paid more million by the more than £400 million by the nhs and other government bodies since 2016 to look after 60 million uk medical records. Since 2016 to look after 60 million uk medical records. And million uk medical records. And hes profited from £135 million of contracts from the department of contracts from the department of health and social care. Its all dead murky into allen. All dead murky into allen. Well, theres a number of things here. I think the first things here. I think the first thing is that if he did say that and the guardian are going strong on this, although lets be honest, the guardian and peter said ltn peter walker said that, ltn report and the government said all sorts of things. We havent seen it and other people seen it yet. And other people are thats not it are saying thats not what it said, but take at said, so. But lets take it at its word. Hes denying that he said anything racism or said anything about racism or gendeh said anything about racism or gender. His gender. Hes using his solicitors it. I think solicitors to do it. I think its despicable. If he said that, and i think its deplorable and you should, it should be condemned and its disgusting. However are we then saying that because people say Disgusting Things that theyre going to be forced to be going to be forced not to be able money to people able to give money to people they to a democratic they choose to in a Democratic Society . Right. Everyones clamouring Party Society . Right. Everyones clysaying, g Party Society . Right. Everyones clysaying, oh, Party Society . Right. Everyones clysaying, oh, youve Party Society . Right. Everyones clysaying, oh, youve got Party Society . Right. Everyones clysaying, oh, youve got to party is saying, oh, youve got to give money to give this money back to the ridiculous, also though, ridiculous, right . Also though, hasnt she been suspended for making about jewish making comments about jewish people, about travellers and theyre not really experience racism . Obviously, once you start saying things about people or like jewish people dont feel that being victimised that theyre being victimised on these on saturdays these protests, on saturdays because some jewish people go to some them , shes falling into some of them, shes falling into a similar type of right . A similar type of thing, right . It becomes now im of the mind that we should say, be that we should actually say, be able hear and listen to and able to hear and listen to and say all sorts of things that are really, unpleasant say all sorts of things that are really, were npleasant say all sorts of things that are really, were npleasarup. Guess because were growing up. Guess what . School, as what . Not at school, but as adults. And then we interrogate those ideas. Say, thats those ideas. We say, thats ridiculous , thats wrong. These ridiculous, thats wrong. These are why are the reasons why you shouldnt things. Shouldnt think those things. Ive got to say, weve got this thing where we have this. Youre not moment. Not allowed to say that moment. I think racism is deplorable. I spent my younger years spent many of my younger years fighting i still fighting against it. I still consider that. Consider myself to be that. But these days its become something very different. Its becoming censoring , not allowing censoring things, not allowing people to ask questions about immigration or integration and all sorts of things. And this is all sorts of things. And this is a pile thats happening at a pile on thats happening at the moment around this thing. So i obviously we need to see i think obviously we need to see whats actually happened, but hes not a person in public life. Hes not been voted in by anyone. Hes not representing people politically. Hes making an individual citizen whos made an individual citizen whos made a lot of money. We could have a conversation about the whole records of medical people and whats going to happen with digital id another time. Thats one moment. Theres one for another moment. Theres lots questions, lots of serious questions, but on issue , i dont on the actual issue, i dont think should be forced to think they should be forced to have money back. Have to give their money back. And honest, you look and lets be honest, if you look at can say a lot of things at i can say a lot of things about conservative about the conservative government, you government, and i do, but if you look conservative look at the conservative government at the moment and their frontbenchers, they look anything racist. Anything but like being racist. Its to be said, no, i agree its got to be said, no, i agree with that. But i mean, the whole point is, racist is, first of all, racist language is against the law. So there limits on on free there are limits on on free speech. Can well free speech. You can well free speech, but you do it with responsibility. So this is the kind of racist comment with and hes the biggest donor to the tory party propping up their future general election campaign. Hes taking part in our democracy. It doesnt matter. Hes not a sitting mp or Something Like that. He is actually helping the tory party to win the next election. And the honourable thing to do, given remarks like that, is to hand that money back. But, you know, nigel, it wont happen. Because its been and because its been happened on both sides, there have some pretty egregious have been some pretty egregious language used. They have, have. Yes, they have, they have. And the money never goes back. As you remember him, was as you remember him, he was a bankrupt. He gave millions to bankrupt. He gave millions to the tories. Never gave them. Or did to labour . I did he give it to labour . I cant who he gave cant remember who he gave the money of sides. Money to. One of the sides. Gone for and its gone on for years and we have to interrogate have to be able to interrogate these them. And we these ideas behind them. And we have to able now have to be able to say, now im very what now very concerned that what is now deemed in theres been a whole report what says his report about what he says to his staff, to their staff, gets them to hold their hands up. All things that hands up. All these things that are make him look like are trying to make him look like hes absolute tyrant. Hes this absolute tyrant. There are people who have are lots of people who have various views. Theyre not all convinced its convinced of something. Its a myth. The idea that this wokerati has convinced everyone of an idea they have taken over the with de the institutions with de diversity, equity and this sort of measures around that, that. But the public have all sorts of views. And guess what . Right . Some of them are unpleasant and some of the leaders have things that are unpleasant, but we need to able interrogate them to be able to interrogate them and some things and your point that some things come they come with responsibility, they do, the questions of the do, but not the questions of the legal there be free legal ones. There should be free speech. On speech. Thats my position on it, because it, it, because without it, you dont to be in a position to dont get to be in a position to actually win over people to better views. That does not mean that you are able to encourage people acts of violence. People to do acts of violence. Now, might interpret this now, people might interpret this as you say that youre you could say that youre saying attack, saying makes you want to attack, want black women. Want to hate all black women. Should be shot. And she should be shot. And she should be shot. All women, is what hate all black women, is what he it would make he was saying. It would make me do it do that. So it was reprehensible. Their reprehensible. And their disgusting shots disgusting comment, the shots thing thing. Him reflecting thing is a thing. Him reflecting on thing that thing is a thing. Him reflecting on be thing that thing is a thing. Him reflecting on be interpreted g that thing is a thing. Him reflecting on be interpreted ashat thing is a thing. Him reflecting on be interpreted as that. Could be interpreted as that. Right . | could be interpreted as that. Right . I think the thing right . So i think the thing is that theyre saying that any ideas that are beyond the pale shouldnt allowed legally. I shouldnt be allowed legally. I think the problem as think thats the problem as well, you you well, because what you do is you bottle and then People Bottle up things and then people who really are racist who really, really are racist say, you think its a say, dont you think its a problem . We say and problem . We cant say things and they free speech they become free speech champions. Ridiculous. Champions. Its ridiculous. Where the i like to know where the racists so i like free racists are. So i like free speech. I racists are. So i like free speech. I want to know they speech. I want to know who they are. Them to have a feel. Are. I want them to have a feel. They say, but, but the they can say, but, but, but the danger it and the reason that danger of it and the reason that we laws it about we have laws against it about hate that this can go hate speech is that this can go one stage further. End up radicalising young you end up radicalising young people because they get convinced hate preacher for convinced by a hate preacher for instance, that leads them to terrorist actions. The whole terrorist actions. The whole thing can escalate well, and thats why these laws are there. My issue with Dianne Abbotts response this morning, and it is a ridiculous thing to say, if thats what he said it was. Diane abbott makes you want to hate all black women. Her response about how response was all about how dangerous language is and dangerous the language is and how she feels and how how frightened she feels and how she, as single she gets she, as a single woman, she gets the bus on her own. She often walks the streets and she she talks about the fact that if something happened to the something happened to her, the implication being it would be his fault. I dont like his fault. And i dont like that. But im not sure. Im not whoever im not sure shes that. Because shes saying that. But because shes saying that. But because she more abuse than she subjected to more abuse than any mp, probably in the history of parliament, i have no doubt she is a shes targeted because shes who she is and her skin colour. Colour. Correct. And shes remarkable really, in many ways. Dont agree with i mean, i dont agree with her politics. Of politics of no. Any of the politics of knocking ceilings. Knocking down glass ceilings. Diane done more than diane abbott has done more than woman in politics. Woman black woman in politics. But this rhetoric around the fact that, know, this kind fact that, you know, this kind of makes her life more of language makes her life more dangerous. What makes her life more dangerous is the individuals that carries out a violent act the of violent act and the lack of policing of person. Policing of that person. Well, thats really important. Say on important. Can i just say on this thing well, the idea this thing as well, the idea that these ready that were all these ready to be taken over by like, these extremist, terrible ideas that in and they talk about in britain and they talk about the White Working Class like this time, like somehow this all the time, like somehow were everywhere, ready to were nazis everywhere, ready to come terrible come out with these terrible things. Its utterly patronising andifs things. Its utterly patronising and its disgusting. British and its disgusting. The british pubuc and its disgusting. The British Public and this was shown in the remain brexit discussions in the run to it, are more tolerant run up to it, are more tolerant than europeans. Were more than most europeans. Were more welcoming. We are abundantly in our cities. Were mixed in many our cities. Were mixed in many ways. We have actually done some more integration than many others, although weve now got issues in our institutions. And issues in our institutions. And actually, a little actually, as a little disclaimer, mp, right disclaimer, shes my mp, right in my constituency. Now, the thing is, theres some things about abbott that ive about diane abbott that ive really loved over the years, and theres that theres some things that i really about she really dislike about what she says. Horrible and says. Its horrible remarks and comments, but i think were in risk of thats exactly what youre saying, youve youre saying, nigel. Youve exactly hit the thing on the head. These people that run head. All these people that run the risk turned into the risk of being turned into something though we something else, as though we dont have our ability to discriminate ourselves with our ideas , to work things out, ideas, to work things out, actually to give people the benefit and the benefit of doubt and the majority of are really majority of people are really decent, not a country decent, and were not a country full of racists and backward people. This the thing, people. This is the thing, right . So whats happened as right . And so whats happened as well, see universities well, we see across universities , in our workplaces, our language has become policed. So even if he has said some things that people might find nasty, like you say in the pub and all that in the past, which many dont say now, there is a moment here say to here where you sort of say to yourself, okay, were yourself, okay, well, were seeing these like seeing all these things like comedy down, comedy shows being closed down, things allowed to say things youre not allowed to say in anywhere, even in public life anywhere, even in private, not private, where youre not allowed. Theres a allowed to say them. Theres a backdrop all of it backdrop to all of this, and it really doesnt solve the problem that youre addressing, right . Which got which is if people have got problematic ideas or things wed like of, how do like to convince them of, how do we do that . Well, you only we best do that . Well, you only do by hearing and do that by hearing them and thrashing out. Do that by hearing them and thriyoure out. Do that by hearing them and thriyoure i out. Do that by hearing them and thriyoure i thinth. Do that by hearing them and thriyoure i think youre youre i think youre absolutely the absolutely right, alan, that the british are not basically british people are not basically racist. There are some racists there. As we know, the majority certainly not. And i get quite a lot of abusive, abusive stuff on social media, but very little of it i would actually classify as racist at the fact that that this, this makes such a major news story is because its rare. And here is somebody in a senior position who gets masses of taxpayer money to, in government contracts and donates to the tory party and says things like that. Its for saying that for being exceptional , that he being exceptional, that he should not be a donor any longer to the conservatives. And you think he has to give the money back. The money back. Pardon . I think the tory i think back i think the tories have to give the money back. I think the tories should give the money back. Yes. Both. Great okay. Thank you both. Great discussion. Alan miller, nigel nelson for the nelson right. Its time for the news to come News Headlines. More to come from just a moment. Heres from us in just a moment. Heres sam francis. Bev and andrew. Thank you very much. Good morning. From very much. Good morning. From the newsroom. Its just gone. 1130 a recap of the headlines as new gas power stations will be built protect britains built to protect britains energy security. Thats despite concerns over the potential impact on climate change. The government says the new stations are needed to avert potential blackouts and provide a backup for the growing electric economy. Its understood theyll replace existing facilities, many of which are old and due to be retired. The Prime Minister insists the governments net zero plan is still on track, but says it must be met in a sustainable way. Labour, meanwhile, is supporting the new plants. But Shadow Energy secretary ed miliband has accused the government of failing on its Energy Policies, leading to high bills. Failing on its Energy Policies, leading to high bills. Lee leading to high bills. Lee anderson says that he wasnt paid to switch from the tories to reform uk, insisting that hes not a mercenary. The former deputy chairman of the conservatives told gb news last night that hes not heard from the Prime Minister since he announced his defection. It comes after anderson was stripped of the conservative whip last month over his refusal to apologise for saying that islamists had got control of the london mayor. Government minister esther mcvey says that shes disappointed and surprised by his decision, but said voting for reform would only deliver a Labour Government after he campaigned for Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, in effect is now gone full circle and hell be campaigning for keir starmer because, i mean, even he said a vote for reform is a vote for labour. So ive clearly misjudged him , as weve been hearing from britains newsroom, a major conservative donor has now apologised after he reportedly said that mp diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and that she should be shot. Frank hester donated £10 million to the tories last year. Hes now admitted to making rude comments but insists they had nothing to do with the colour of her skin. Miss abbott, whos now an independent mp, has described the comments as frightening and worrying and says that she hopes for public support from sir keir starmer. Those are the starmer. Those are the headlines. Plenty more still to come in the meantime, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen, or go to gb news. Com slash alerts. Slash alerts. For exclusive , limited for exclusive, limited edition and rare gold coins that are always newsworthy, rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report, and heres a look at the markets this morning. The pound will buy you 1. 2796 and ,1. 1703. The price of gold is currently £1,699. 54 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is at 7751 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report up at noon. Theyre here. Good afternoon britain with tom and emily. We are indeed. Tell us more. Weve got a huge amount on this show. Go on, rattle off the five stories or five top stories today. Of course, Lee Andersons crossing floor, the crossing the floor, the governments at governments majority elected at 80. Now 46. Amazing isnt 80. Its now 46. Amazing isnt it . Incredible. Drop in the size of the governments majority. But thats not all. Of course, theres the diane abbott debacle. And whether or keir debacle. And whether or not keir starmer done enough to starmer has done enough to support her. Of course, shes suspended mp for her suspended as a labour mp for her own comments that she described as racist, but shes still in the labour course. The labour party, of course. Still but not. Not still a member. But not not. Not with whip. Slightly with the whip. Slightly complicated situation. Weve also releases also got these prison releases two months early because were all full, and of course, one out of five adults not looking for work and, darlington, former darlington priest saying that essentially there was a fixer who would bring him 6 or 7 asylum claims to the church. And, most of them had already been rejected for asylum at one point or another. This is, of course, is whats going on with the Home Affairs Committee today, conversation today, all this conversation over christian conversions. Well how deep well find out just how deep this problem is. And is all against and this is all against a backdrop apparent blackout backdrop of apparent blackout outs is going to be outs the country is going to be facing. Build gas facing. Unless we build more gas power stations. Honestly, there is today. Is so much to go on today. The tories only just noticed there might be blackouts. So theyre announcing in the 14th year government theyre theyre announcing in the 14th year to |overnment theyre theyre announcing in the 14th year to replace ant theyre theyre announcing in the 14th year to replace some theyre theyre announcing in the 14th year to replace some 1these going to replace some of these ageing stations. Ageing power stations. The telegraph today, sunak in the telegraph today, saying labours policy is a saying that labours policy is a fantasy. Gas by 2030 is fantasy. No gas by 2030 is absolute madness. Theyre in the pockets stop et pockets of just stop oil. Et cetera, etc. So is cetera, etc. So this is a political move, but there has been huge battle within been a huge battle within government this a long government over this for a long time, and, claire coutinho, the new energy secretary, she only got when was it . Got in when was it . Just before christmas. I know that pushing that shes been pushing internally for a different approach to net zero. And this speech today shes making it in around 20 minutes time. Perfect time for your show. Big, big shift in the way that the government approaches these things , embracing gas and being things, embracing gas and being a little bit more sceptical towards Intermittent Energy supplies. Right. Bright bright emily hand tom windmills 12 to 3. For now, though, you still got a little bit more of britains newsroom to go. Dont go anywhere i 1138 youre with britains newsroom on gb news. Andrew and bev turner. Lots of people emailing in. Bev. You have all been getting in touch at home. This is about lee anderson joining reform from the tories. We know that a lot of you at home fans of what you at home are big fans of what reform for. Keith says. Reform stands for. Keith says. Well done, lee anderson. He represents morals , represents the morals, principles the principles and values of the majority uk, majority of people in the uk, particularly in areas like where i county durham. Its a i am in county durham. Its a laugh think the tory party laugh to think the tory party can with bringing can engage with us by bringing back no back boris. Theyve got no chance from everyone know chance from everyone i know here. Clean up at here. Reform will clean up at the next election. Everyone agrees though. Not everyone agrees though. Gary says, another one defecting from his constituents. What about who voted for about those people who voted for him . Hes letting them down. That fit to be an that means hes not fit to be an mp. And of course, he does support if you switch support the idea. If you switch sides, you have to put to the sides, you have to put it to the voters. Of course, that voters. But of course, that would the would cost the voters the taxpayer £240,000. Thats what a by election costs. And he said yesterday, well, if a may election , he if theres a may election, he said us on this show, if said to us on this show, if theres may why theres a may election, why would that money would i waste all that money standing in when its standing now in march when its only in a few weeks only going to be in a few weeks time anyway . Only going to be in a few weeks tim although . At the polls although looking at the polls come and at come on, lee, and looking at the fact in fact were in technically in recession, call recession, whos going to call a general now . General election right now . In whitehaven, sandra, who is in whitehaven, a very dear to my a place that is very dear to my heart after, by the way, sandra, i thought he looked gorgeous on the television. Fabulous. The television. Its fabulous. Theyre and sandra theyre up in cumbria and sandra says i will not vote for the conservative even if they conservative party. Even if they brought boris back. Interestingly, evening interestingly, in the evening recording of recording in whitehaven of Michelle Dewberry shows and nigel shows that night when michelle asked the room who will vote for reform . Nearly every handin vote for reform . Nearly every hand in that room went up. Its a very interesting demographic of people who feel that neither labour nor conservatives labour nor the conservatives represent their interests. There was a letter the there was a letter in the Daily Telegraph today the Daily Telegraph today saying the tories official spokes responses. For responses. If you vote for reform , youre going to get a reform, youre going to get a keir starmer Labour Government. And they said, why are and they said, well, why are people reform . People voting for reform . Because tories havent because the tories havent delivered illegal migration delivered on illegal migration or legal migration. Theyre not cutting. Yeah. And if cutting taxes. Yeah. And if youre a pensioner youve got nothing in the last budget or the last autumn statement. Nothing at all. Barry says i voted for boris in the red wall, but i would not bother voting for tory again. Jeff id compare boris to jeff said id compare boris to the famous groucho marx quote i have principles and you dont have principles and if you dont like those, then i have others. Else made that yeah, somebody else made that point , oh, they . Said point, oh, didnt they . Said bofis boris has got flexible principles, was principles, said he was ideologically principles, said he was ideythats lly which is a very thats right. Which is a very much with faint praise. Much damning with faint praise. Frank says apart from his other britain, other failures breaking britain, he the brexit he did not deliver the brexit wanted the red wall. Even wanted by the red wall. So even if back, they would vote if he came back, they would vote labour leanne and leanne has labour and leanne and leanne has got interesting constituency got an interesting constituency because a huge because theres a huge independent vote up there. Theyve got many of the councillors on the local authority , so it would be a real authority, so it would be a real big way fight now between big three way fight now between lee , labour, the lee anderson, labour, the independent tories. Independent and the tories. Thats fight. John thats a four way fight. John has got in touch to say boris is the past now. He did a great job on brexit but he wasted half a billion, 500 a trillion 500 billion, half a trillion dunng 500 billion, half a trillion during bringing 500 billion, half a trillion duri|back bringing 500 billion, half a trillion duri|back will bringing 500 billion, half a trillion duri|back will not bringing 500 billion, half a trillion duri|back will not work. Inging 500 billion, half a trillion duri|back will not work. Sally, him back will not work. Sally, i stopped being a conservative member once they got rid of boris. Partygate was mostly the Civil Servants , the same group Civil Servants, the same group of that tried were of people that tried and were successful certain things to successful in certain things to do. Getting brexit not do. But with getting brexit not getting would vote for getting done, i would vote for bofis getting done, i would vote for boris not weak. Rishi can we boris but not weak. Rishi can we stay on prisons . Two martin agrees with me because prisons were letting prisons out 60 days early. Martin all foreign martin says deport all foreign prisoners back to where they come from. Simple. Is simple come from. Simple. It is simple and do it. 11,000 and we should do it. 11,000 of them. Them them. Kick them out. To come. Giddy up. Them. Kick them out. To come. Giddy up. Is still to come. Giddy up. Is that what you say these days about horses . Ive got something else. In else. Its the biggest day in the horse racing calendar. Were going to be joined by our reporter, jack carson, who is sporting a very nice hat for the occasion. Dont miss it. At cheltenham so so its a huge moment in the racing calendar. Because its cheltenham races. Now, i have a confession to make. My first ever newspaper was the gloucestershire echo in cheltenham. And gloucestershire echo in cheltenham. And never, gloucestershire echo in cheltenham. And never, ever cheltenham. And i never, ever got races ever. It got cheltenham races ever. It was a great story in the town. I was a great story in the town. I was always finding the vic, i was always finding the vic, i was always finding the priesthood bet the Church Restoration fund on the 330 on the thursday afternoon, the town was alive because we had all our racing correspondents and so it was a fantastic atmosphere and it still is a fantastic atmosphere. It is full of irish people, is it . Its the most wonderful atmosphere. Charleton races. Were going to be Liam Halligan just sit down quietly , halligan just sit down quietly, please. Were going be please. Were going to be talking person in talking to an irish person in just hes there to my just a moment. Hes there to my left. To left. But, because weve got to go gb news West Midlands go now to gb news West Midlands reporter jack carson, who is at cheltenham today toughing out in the rain. Hi, jack. Whats going on there . Well, hang on, i want to smack your first. Well well, smack your hat first. Well well, well, ive had this flat cap for, think years now. For, i think years now. Its my grandad so its run down in the family. So i thought why why not treat it, take why not, why not treat it, take it on special occasion. It out on the special occasion. Of one of of course, of day one of Cheltenham Festival. Theres over 250,000 expected to over 250,000 people expected to come here over the next four days, of arriving here days, some of them arriving here now. Absolutely fantastic now. Its absolutely fantastic atmosphere some even atmosphere and some hats even better would say. Better than mine. I would say. Bev and andrew that are arriving here racecourse today. Here into the racecourse today. Some of the big news this week, of irish trainer willie of course, irish trainer willie mullins, the favourite many mullins, the favourite in many of hes in, he of the 28 races that hes in, he only needs six more to get to 100 festival that is 100 festival wins. That is a record. And of course the big day on friday, the gold cup. This year it is 100 years old. The cup, so thats going to the gold cup, so thats going to be one fantastic race full of excitement and action. But of course, what does all this mean and how much impact actually does Cheltenham Festival have on the local economy here . Earlier on, we spoke to truesdale , on, we spoke to nevin truesdale, the chief executive of the jockey club, who told us this. Jockey club, who told us this. First of all, a lot of fun, some really quality jump racing. The elite of jump racing. This festival is right up there in terms of the worlds best jumps festival , people can expect the festival, people can expect the really top quality horses racing against each other in brilliant races, but a lot of things going on around the site as well. You know, weve got the style awards tomorrow, weve got the orchard, weve village, weve got the shopping village, theres people to weve got the shopping village, the|involved people to weve got the shopping village, the|involved in people to weve got the shopping village, the|involved in when eople to weve got the shopping village, the|involved in when theye to weve got the shopping village, the|involved in when they come get involved in when they come here, people see it here, and i think people see it as of a pilgrimage. And as a bit of a pilgrimage. And its massively to its massively important to the local gloucestershire as local gloucestershire economy as well. You know, it generates over a year. Over 270 million a year. Yes. You can hear there just from some of the excitement, of course, the impact that the Cheltenham Festival has on this local theyve a local town here. Theyve had a big with community this big push with the community this yeah year. Yesterday they invited a load children around load of School Children around as well to have an exclusive behind scenes. Of course behind the scenes. But of course , as much of the glitz and the glamour the fashion that glamour and the fashion that all comes of course comes with racers of course there are of Animal Welfare there are lots of Animal Welfare charities that are Charities Across the uk that are concerned how concerned about how these how these kept. The these horses are kept. The Charity League against cruel sports is calling tighter sports is calling for tighter measures this week in light of Cheltenham Festival. The horse racing , they say 74 horses have racing, they say 74 horses have died in the last 23 years. But i mean, youre speaking to nevin earlier. Its clear that for the jockey club in particular, how, how, you know , first, welfare is how, you know, first, welfare is put for these horses, whether its making sure regularly with their independent body that the ground is properly, suitable for racing. And of course, whether its washing down the horses afterwards. So welfare clearly is a key priority. But those are is a key priority. But those are concerns for many Charities Across the uk as we get these big races today. But as you can hear , as you can see around me, hear, as you can see around me, the atmosphere is really building race building for that first race today. Be today. Its going to be a fantastic four days of Cheltenham Festival and well be here of it. Here for all of it. Okay. Thank you very much, jack. Race to the jack. Well, as we race to the finish line our this finish line of our show this morning, were to talk to morning, were going to talk to someone a bet. Someone whos always a safe bet. Liam is here. Liam halligan is here. Steady, eddie. Steady, eddie. Been to cheltenham races . Of course ive been to cheltenham. You have . How many times . The irish invasion, isnt it . Really is. It really is. It really is. Its the place where im always guaranteed called always guaranteed to get called always guaranteed to get called a paddy a plastic paddy. It was because yeah, yeah, it was because i just born, but my four just british born, but my four yeah just british born, but my four year, four years the year, my four years on the gloucestershire town, gloucestershire echo, the town, the atmosphere the town was the atmosphere in the town was extraordinary are extraordinary and the irish are great fun and theres tremendous camaraderie. I mean, the Horse Racing Community across the world is very tight i also live very tight knit. I also live quite near newmarket, another town with massive, course, quite near newmarket, another tow|know,massive, course, quite near newmarket, another tow|know,onesive, course, quite near newmarket, another tow|know, one of e, course, quite near newmarket, another tow|know, one of the course, quite near newmarket, another tow|know, one of the meccas of you know, one of the meccas of horse racing, massive irish influence in, in the pubs and clubs there. Yeah. And the sport of kings. Yeah now then unemployment. Liam has risen wage growth has has risen and wage growth has slowed. How bad is it . Unemployment is still very , unemployment is still very, very low. Its still, you know, 3 to 4 bar the shouting. And we also know theres a lot of people who havent really gone back to work since the pandemic , back to work since the pandemic, theres this kind of crisis of joblessness of worklessness here in the uk. Thats one reason why ive been calling for the personal allowance taxation to be raised to take more people out of tax. So when they start work, they keep, you know, a low wage jobs and they dont get taxed. But i wanted to focus on the numbers. And the reason the wage numbers. And the reason is because weve got an Interest Rate decision next week by the bank of england. And a lot of people will be interested in that. Interest rates have stayed at 5. 25 since last august. Theres a sense that the next move is going to be down. I agree with that. But we dont know when that move is going to happen. Massive implications for not personal not just peoples personal finances, but also politics. Oh mortgages, but also politics. Oh sure. Are the tories going to get one, two, three Interest Rate cuts in the bank of england are doing them a favour before an election. 123 tax rises, tax cuts had some in january. More coming in in april. Maybe another fiscal event. These wage another fiscal event. These wage numbers will weigh heavily on the of englands thinking the bank of englands thinking before thursday. The numbers are these wages were up 6. 1 between november and january, compared to the same period the previous years, thats the slowest rise in wages since october 2022. So less inflationary wage rises. The bank of englands more likely to feel its safe to cut rates now because weve got arms around inflation. But but but but but real pay if you take into account inflation rose 2 into account inflation rose 2 in the same period. November to january compared to the same penod january compared to the same period the previous years. And guess what . Thats the fastest rise in real wages since september 2021. So to recap , im september 2021. So to recap, im confused too. Im not really. Im just im just pretending to be confused. Bear with me. Strap be confused. Bear with me. Strap yourself in. So the wage number, the actual number in pounds has gone up by the, by the slowest rate since october 2022. But because inflation has come down a lot, wages after inflation, real wages, theyve actually gone up faster than they have since september 2021. This is why we have boring economists to get their head around all this. And which part of that waste most heavily on the bank of england make easily england when they make easily the part, easily the first the first part, easily the first part, what we call part, the headline, what we call nominal wage number, thats what theyll see as inflationary because that that that is what adds the number in pounds and adds to the number in pounds and pence. So for the tories, thats if well, if youre hoping for an Interest Rate cut, if youve got a Credit Card Debt or a mortgage, encouraging. Mortgage, thats encouraging. Im not exactly, exactly. Now im not saying that the bank of england is going to lower Interest Rates next thursday. Therell be lots more out between more evidence coming out between now thursday. For now, now and next thursday. For now, im they dont im saying that they wont dont shoot thats just shoot the messenger. Thats just what think. Why do i think what i think. Why do i think that . Lot of people in that . Because a lot of people in Financial Markets now feel that even inflation come even though inflation has come down a lot, its at 4. Whats up at 11 in autumn of 2022 . At 11 in the autumn of 2022 . Remember, come lot. Remember, its come down a lot. But there are of inflation but there are signs of inflation looming again. Geopolitical inflation more aggro between russia and ukraine, energy pnces russia and ukraine, Energy Prices going up, supply chain problems, blockages in the suez canal. Problems, blockages in the suez canal. Well actually last week canal. Well actually last week they did it quietly. We reported they did it quietly. We reported it. Not many other people did. The lenders actually put some of their Mortgage Rates up slightly for the first time in a long time because of these geopolitical dangers. But look the big picture is inflations coming down the big picture is Interest Rates are coming down. These numbers add to that sense the Interest Rates are coming down please lots of down which wont please lots of savers. Course lots of gb savers. Of course lots of gb news listeners live news viewers and listeners live on savings, particularly on their savings, particularly pensioners. But if youre if youve mortgage, if you youve got a mortgage, if you want get a mortgage, if want to get a mortgage, if youve personal loans, youve got personal loans, interest will come down. Interest rates will come down. But yet but im i dont yet think theyre going down next theyre going to come down next week. Okay. Thank you liam Liam Halligan there. It for today there. Now that is it for today from newsroom. Up from britains newsroom. Up next. Britain next. Good afternoon britain with tom and emily. We will see you tomorrow. See you then. You tomorrow. See you then. Blackouts across the country. Thats the warning of the Prime Minister and the energy secretary. Unless we change course on energy policy, theyre proposing new gas fired power stations. But theres already resistance from the environmental lobby. Environmental lobby. And the church of england is very much coming under fire at the Home Affairs Committee. Former darlington priest has claimed a fixer who claimed there was a fixer who brought Asylum Seekers to be bapfised brought Asylum Seekers to be baptised , some of whom had baptised, some of whom had already failed their first asylum claim. Well get the very latest after the weather. Looks like things are heating up. Boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news. Hello. Very good day to you. Hello. Very good day to you. Hello. Very good day to you. Welcome to your latest gb news weather update from the met office. It is mild at the moment, but turning increasingly windy and theres quite a bit of rain around well. A weather rain around as well. A weather system pushed way system has pushed its way in from the already, bringing from the west already, bringing quite across quite a bit of rain across western and central parts, and that now moving into that rain is now moving into eastern areas, so a pretty wet picture as we go into the afternoon here. Some heavy rain likely Something Likely behind it. Something a bit drier, some drier interludes quite likely, but staying cloudy for many of us. And there will be some further outbreaks of rain, which could turn a little bit heavy. Temperatures are above the time of above average for the time of yeah above average for the time of year, widely getting into the low even low teens, perhaps even mid teens for some places. But the are to be the winds are going to be picking as we go through picking up as we go through later many, staying later on. For many, staying cloudy go the cloudy as we go through the evening and through the evening and through much of the night. Outbreaks of night. A few outbreaks of drizzly england and drizzly rain across england and wales, scotland and wales, but across scotland and northern were northern ireland. Here were going have some heavy going to have some heavy rain and persistent pushing and some persistent rain pushing its in with strengthening its way in with strengthening winds even further, particularly its way in with strengthening winds western her, particularly its way in with strengthening winds western parts. Articularly its way in with strengthening winds western parts. Iticularly its way in with strengthening winds western parts. It is|larly across western parts. It is going to be a mild night temperatures for many towns and cities, holding up in double figures, something figures, though something a little pushing into little bit fresher pushing into the northwest. The rain pushes little bit fresher pushing into the norawest. The rain pushes little bit fresher pushing into the nora little the rain pushes little bit fresher pushing into the nora little bite rain pushes little bit fresher pushing into the nora little bit furtherrshes its way a little bit further south eastwards, but doesnt make a huge amount of progress lingering across parts of Northern England much Northern England and much of wales. Through the day wales. As we go through the day tomorrow towards the south, a dner tomorrow towards the south, a drier a few spots of drier picture a few spots of drizzly rain, but also a chance of some brightness towards the east mild here, with east and mild here, with temperatures the mid teens temperatures in the mid teens a little bit fresher further north of risk. A few showers , but very windy. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news. Way. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 12 00 on tuesday, the 12th of march. Britain faces blackouts. Thats the warning from the Prime Minister. As the government commits to building new gas power stations. Critics say it will see the uk fail to meet net zero targets. The tory donor, who said diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and that she should be shot. Well, his apologies not accepted by the Labour Party Leader sir keir starmer, who calls the comments abhorrent and benefits britain. 4 million now are receiving out of work benefits without even having to look for a job. One senior mp suggests work shy brits should be conscripted to the army if they continue to refuse jobs and prison release. Refuse jobs and prison release. Criminals will be released up to two months early in a desperate grid to free up space in crammed jails. Desperate grid to free up space in crammed jails. Are our packed in crammed jails. Are our packed prisons putting the public at risk