Transcripts For GBN Good 20240702

Everyone watching and also, of course, for himself. Yeah. Course, for himself. Yeah. He spoke about how many rules were broken when not normally allowed to have clapping in the house of commons, mps are supposed to wear jackets and of course, smart shoes. Now he couldnt fit a jacket on over his new hands and he couldnt put his normal shoes on. So he was wearing trainers. But he explained it all in what was a very moving contribution in dunng very moving contribution in during Prime Ministers questions. Lets take a listen. Questions. Lets take a listen. Thank you, mr speaker. Thank you, mr speaker. This is this is an emotional day for me. And if you would indulge me to say a few thanks, because there are a few are due and one of those, of course. Well, an apology actually, that ive caused the breaking of so many rules today. Clapping ive got trainers on because my shoes wouldnt go over the plastic feet and my jacket wouldnt go over the, bionic arm. So apologies for that, but i want to give some thanks. And first to give some thanks. And first of all, the thanks to you, mr speaken of all, the thanks to you, mr speaker, for being there for me, for coming to visit. And i will tell everybody the little story. They thought that the rest of the hospital thought i must be dreadfully ill, because they said, that guys got the funeral director, and already. But no, director, and already. But no, youd be youve cared for me throughout, and i thank you for that. The other person in this chamber id like to thank is the Prime Minister, whos been with me throughout. He hasnt advertised it. Hes been to see me multiple times. And to me, that shows the true depth of the character of the Prime Minister. And thank you for that. And to my wife, whos in the chamber and my daughter and other family members, my father, father in law , id like to thank my wife law, id like to thank my wife for being there every single day of those many months in hospital. And she could only do that because of the support of family behind her and in the pubuc family behind her and in the public gallery. I cant quite see me, unfortunately, are many of the staff from the nhs who took me from where i was close took me from where i was close to death. To death. They took me from close to death to where i am today. So thank you for that. Im not entirely you for that. Im not entirely sure im that happy that the two surgeons who took this lot off are there. But never mind. Are there. But never mind. Oh, such good humour. Through it all. Such good humour. Its astounding. Its astounding what hes gone through. And still to be there with a smile, saying hes going to run again at the next election. He wants to continue to be the mp for his area really is inspiring. Send your views to us, post your comments. Visiting gbnews. Com yoursay. Thats how you can get in touch. But lets get the headlines. Very good afternoon to you. Its 1 04. A look at the headunes its 1 04. A look at the headlines this afternoon. The Prime Minister has hailed a fall in inflation as a major moment for the uk economy, driven by lower gas and electricity prices. The latest figures slowed inflation, show inflation dropped to 2. 3 in april for the first time in nearly three years. Its fuelled speculation of a summer general election, but when asked about when hell call the vote during Prime Ministers questions, rishi sunak repeated his intentions, sticking to what hes previously said. Spoiler alert there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year and at that moment the british people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me, because that will be the choice at the next election. Mr speaker, a party thatis election. Mr speaker, a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard earned economic stability, or the conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom. 7 our United Kingdom . Well, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that the government cant afford to take a victory lap when it comes to the economy. This is about more than lines on a graph. On a graph. Its about family finances. Its about family finances. And the truth is , after 14 and the truth is, after 14 years of conservative government working families and pensioners are still worse off and the truth is, im much more ambitious for the country than rishi sunak and jeremy hunt seem to be. The former post office boss at the centre of the horizon it scandal has admitted she made mistakes during her time in charge. Giving evidence here you can see live on your screens if youre watching on tv. Paula vennells there. And earlier she broke down in tears at the inquiry as she apologised for telling mps the business was successful. In every court case against subpostmasters. She also against subpostmasters. She also said sorry to those affected, but denied there was a conspiracy to cover up any wrongdoing. Wrongdoing. I fully accept now that the post office excuse me. The post office excuse me. The post office knew that i completely accepted personally. I didnt know that, and im incredibly sorry that that happened to those people to and so many others. Others. As we heard at the top of the programme, conservative mp Craig Mackinlay has made his first appearance in Parliament Today , appearance in Parliament Today, eight months after contracting sepsis. This was the moment he received a standing ovation in the. House of commons. Oh well. The. House of commons. Oh well. He had extreme surgery to remove both his hands and feet, and was given a 5 chance of survival after being put in a coma for 16 days in september. Common speaker sir Lindsay Hoyle has paid tribute to the 57 year old and to his family. Craig, its so good to have you back amongst us. You are the man of the moment. So can i say to you and your family, it is an inspiration to people in this country who have suffered with sepsis. You were shown us the way forward. Thank you. In other news, the bodies of two women have been found at a property in nottingham. Police were called to an address in radford after concerns were raised about their welfare. Its raised about their welfare. Its believed that they may have been there for some time before being discovered, police say, though they dont believe theres an immediate risk to the public and the now keeping an open mind into what may have happened. Into what may have happened. Israel has recalled its ambassadors from ireland after it officially recognised palestine as an independent state, in coordinated announcements with norway and spain. The irish premier said his country was taking the decision for freedom and justice. Israels foreign ministry, though , have warned on ministry, though, have warned on social media the move would fuel extremism and instability. But simon harris says its the only pathway to peace today. Pathway to peace today. Ireland, norway and spain are announcing that we recognise the state of palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever National Steps are necessary to give effect to that decision. Give effect to that decision. And finally, children who submitted a joke to the beano are being included in this weeks edition. In recognition of their humour, the comic received entries from schools across the country after searching for their funniest joke, beanos chief gag makers whittled the wittiest submissions down to their favourite ten, which went forward to a public vote. A Northside Primary School in london won the competition. Heres the joke whats the hottest area in the classroom . The corner. Because its 90 degrees. For the latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to gb news. Common alerts. Common alerts. Good afternoon britain. Its 1 09 now we must update you on fevered speculation in westminster. There has just been a whats known as a lobby huddle, where journalists gather with spokespeople from the conservative party and from the government. After a Prime Ministers questions session. Now, many questions were asked in that so called lobby huddle about when there might be an election. And i have to report election. And i have to report that the government would refuse to rule out an election in july. This is very interesting indeed. And weve also been heanng indeed. And weve also been hearing that there is going to be an emergency Cabinet Meeting. Theyre saying its all normal. Theyre saying its all normal. Its because there wasnt one yesterday. But apparently, according to a reports, grant shapps has cut short his journey or at least is delaying one of his trips to be there. David cameron, too, has cut a trip early to return for this Cabinet Meeting. So what might be said . Speculation then really is heating up on this. Theres always speculation like this about a general election, but it does appear as though this is being taken more seriously. Absolutely. Heres why. Heres why it feels different today. Because theres always been vague speculation about when an election might be. Lots of people have their own pet theories. Ive always said november. You have. But why . It feels different today is that when journalists have said, oh, is there going to be an early election . Is there going to be an election this summer . There has always been a denial from number 10 saying, oh, i warn you, away from thinking like that. Book your Summer Holiday , that. Book your Summer Holiday, this i theres no truth to these rumours. And yet what the rumours. And yet what the government is saying today is nothing. Theyre not slapping nothing. Theyre not slapping down and because theyre not saying that these rumours are wrong, thats just pouring petrol on the fire of speculation. Speculation. Yes, it might put the spanner in some peoples Holiday Plans , in some peoples Holiday Plans, but we can now speak with the exchequer secretary to the treasury, Gareth Davies mp, Gareth Davies. Thank you so much for joining us here. As you just forjoining us here. As you just heard, lots of speculation and rumour about a general election being called as soon as july, what can you tell us . Can you rule it out . Rule it out . Well, i can tell you is that there will be an election this yearin there will be an election this year in the second half of the yeah thats what the Prime Minister has always said. Been consistent about that. I dont really have anything other to add to that. It is his decision to make and his decision alone. And, you know, like you , im and, you know, like you, im relying on what he said. The treasury, the treasury has had some good news, though. Inflation down to 2. 3. Yes. Some people were hoping it would be down to 2. 1. But inflation, cost of living starting to turn. Might it be that this is a good time to call one . Well, whats definitely the case is that the economy has turned a corner. Youre right. Today we heard from the ons that inflation is down to 2. 3. Ill remind you that we hit a peak of 11. 1. And that was really tough. Weve been through really tough. Weve been through a really tough time with the pandemic and the war in ukraine, but as i say, we are now turning a corner. Inflation is down real wages have been rising now for, i think, ten months in a row. So thats very positive. And in terms of Economic Growth, the First Quarter showed positive growth and is expected this year to be much more positive and next year even more positive than that. So we are in a much better position. We are vigilant and not complacent , but it we are vigilant and not complacent, but it is certainly turning a corner. Of course, what the labour party says in response to all of this is that this is no time for a victory lap. The rate of increase in prices being lower doesnt mean that prices themselves are lower. Yes, it just means that the rate of inflation is back down to the normal point. But it prices are sort of 20 higher than they were two years ago. Theyre not going back down. People are still feeling the pinch. Still feeling the pinch. I completely accept that. I completely accept that. Of course people are feeling the pinch and theyve been feeling the pinch. While inflation has been incredibly high. And im certainly not on a victory lap in any sense at all, i recognise how positive this is in terms of getting it down from 11 to 2. 3. Thatis getting it down from 11 to 2. 3. That is really important because that that has been suppressing a lot of spending power. Its been suppressing a lot of Business Activity with our high rates from the bank of england. And so the hope now is that we can start moving forward and see more Business Investment and see more Business Investment and see more activity in our economy. With inflation now down on the bank of england , on the bank of bank of england, on the bank of england, i dont know what your your personal view is, but a lot of your colleagues are not impressed with the bank of englands decision to hold the bank rate to keep those Interest Rates relatively high. Would you like to see the bank of england be a little bolder and start slashing those Interest Rates . You know, the probability of a june rate cut is 15 now, down from 50. Should they be reducing those Interest Rates already . Rates already . Well, as a treasury minister, im afraid i cant comment on speculation about rate cuts, and it is entirely up to the independent Monetary Policy committee. But clearly one of the things they look at is inflation as well as earnings and other factors. And so inevitably over time when inflation starts coming down, that does create an environment where the bank of england can can start to look at rates, but they consider a range of factors. And its really important that they have the space to be able to do that in independently of government. Now, we started this conversation talking about a general election. So thats where well end it. Im just going to go through a few facts. Weve had inflation fall, as youve repeatedly said, down to 2. 3. Weve had compensation awards announced for postmasters and now for the victims of the infected blood scandal. Two weve also seen the possibility of migration falling new numbers that your government has announced today show huge falls in the number of visas that are being issued. When we add all of this up, and you continue to say that the second half of this yearis that the second half of this year is the time for the general election, the second half of this year begins in july. I have nothing to tell you other than the election will be in the second half of this year. But youre right to list all of the things that we are making progress on. I could have added to your list Economic Growth being up and the imf being clear that were going to be the Fastest Growing economy in europe over the next six years. I could have talked to you about fdi, were third in the world when it comes to greenfield foreign direct investment. We are making tremendous progress on the economy. Were cutting taxes for 29 million people, twice by the way, in the last six months. People will feel better as a result of inflation coming down, wages going up, growth going up and taxes being cut. That is what a conservative party, a conservative government delivers. And were getting on with it. I suppose all you can do now is hope for some better weather. But Gareth Davies mp, thank you so much forjoining us. Exchequer secretary to the treasury. Really appreciate it. Well very very interesting stuff there. Very interesting. Very interesting. Yes. How very interesting. Yes. How could it be a little a little summer election for us. Delightful, delightful. Well, the ex post office boss, Paula Vennells, has apologised to the subpostmasters who were wrongly imprisoned due to faulty horizon software. Yeah, shes speaking publicly for the First Time Since britains largest miscarriage of justice was exposed. Now she broke down in tears. Mid beds guidance. There she is as she was grilled about why she had told mps that the post office had been successful in every case against subpostmasters. Well, lets cross live to our reporter ray addison, whos outside the inquiry, whos been following it all day. Ray, what have we learned . Have we learned . Well, weve seen Paula Vennells break down in tears twice so far today. Once, as you twice so far today. Once, as you mentioned, as she apologised for incorrectly telling mps back in 2012 that the post office had been successful in every court case brought against subpostmasters. At that point, she paused and she grabbed a tissue and she held her head in her hands and she claimed that she had not personally known that some of those subpostmasters had been successful. After blaming the honzon successful. After blaming the horizon it system. Now, the second time that she broke down was as she discussed subpostmaster martin griffiths, who deliberately stepped in front of a bus in 2013 and died in hospital just weeks later. A relative of him later saying that hed been driven to suicide by the post office. Paula vennells apologised also for telling mps back in 2012 that sub postmasters had been tempted to put their hands in the till, and she claimed that at the time it was an assumption that she had made. Now, earlier on in her testimony , venables vennells testimony, venables vennells denied that there had been a conspiracy at the post office, a cover up, and she was criticised for an email which she had sent to three Top Post Office employees, which said that the priority of the post office was to protect those sub postmasters for whom the horizon it system was working, and she said yes , was working, and she said yes, it reads badly today with the benefit of the hindsight. Now, shes also faced criticism for not setting out what she should have done differently. Shed, have done differently. Shed, provided a over 700, well over 700 page written submission in for this inquiry. However, the case had said asked her why within all of those 700 plus pages, did you not detail what you could have done differently . You could have done differently . What should have been done differently to protect those subpostmasters who faced unfair prosecution, she had also right at the start of her testimony, apologised to subpostmasters and their families. She said apologised to subpostmasters and theirfamilies. She said i their families. She said i followed and listened to all of the human impact statements and i was very affected by them. Now more than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted by the post office and handed criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015, and those prosecutions did continue under miss vennells leadership. Despite her repeatedly being warned that this situation simply did not make sense. Now, many of those subpostmasters are here today. Ive spoken to them. They dont want to go on camera just yet. They tell me they want to hear more about what she has to say. More about what she has to say. However, one of them said to me that he felt that her tears were crocodile tears and she was trying to get sympathy. Trying to get sympathy. Now there you go. Thank you so much, ray anderson. Youre outside the inquiry for us. Please do bring us any updates on that. And if you speak to any more, victims of this scandal, crucially. Thanks a lot. Crucially. Thanks a lot. Well, coming up, the police are being told to make fewer arrests due to a lack of space in our prisons. Arrests due to a lack of space in our prisons. Is this another in our prisons. Is this another sign that britains criminal Justice System is broken . That next youre watching. Good afternoon. Britain. Here on gb news. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 1 24. Now. The good afternoon. Britain. Its1 24. Now. The number of student family visa applications has plummeted by nearly 80 since january this year. Yes. So, to according the latest home office figures, only 8300 International Students appued 8300 International Students applied for visas include dependents, well health and care, skilled Worker Applications are also down. They fell by more than three quarters. Yes. So this dramatic drop follows the change in visa rules that stop social care workers from bringing any dependents. So to help us make something of all these figures, gb news home and security editor mark white joins us now with the latest. So, mark, is it fair to say that immigration is coming down . I think on the face of it, this is pretty good news for the government. Government. And what they are saying is that on these key routes , in that on these key routes, in terms of visa applications, they are down 25 in the first four months of this year. So if we look at the student visa , look at the student visa, student study visas, first of all, they are down 12 on the first four months of this year from 49,000 to 43,000. But then the rise or the fall, i should say, is even more dramatic. When you look at the number of applications for dependents thats down 79 from 38,000 to just over 8000. And the reason there is because on the 1st of january, new rules came into place, which meant for the vast majority of students , they would majority of students, they would no longer be allowed to take dependents over with them when theyre studying, only exceptions being the likes of phd and other doctorate , courses phd and other doctorate, courses that students were embarked on. So the vast majority of students can no longer take family members across. And thats why were seeing a very significant drop in the number of dependents. If we also look at the number of skilled visa applications in the Health Care Sector , theyve also shown sector, theyve also shown a fall, down 76 on the 50,000 who appued fall, down 76 on the 50,000 who applied at the same period last yeah applied at the same period last year. In march, the government also announced that social care workers would no longer be able to bring dependence on their visa. And april, the first month, month that that, announcement was made or the first month after that announcement was made, it showed announcement was made, it showed a 58 decrease in the number of dependents who were applying for visas as well. So Going Forward , visas as well. So Going Forward, clearly they expect that number to rise even more significantly. As far as skilled workers are concerned. Well, they have shown an increase. So the number of skilled workers applying for a visa is up 41. Dependents are up 62. However, theres also been a change there in that the skilled worker threshold , the salary worker threshold, the salary that you have to earn has been increased from the 1st of april from 26,000, up to 38,000, and theres no full month of static sticks available since those particular changes to the threshold were made. So what the threshold were made. So what the government expects is that Going Forward, that will also impact the number of applications for skilled visa, work as well because of that increase in the threshold. So overall, its very complex. Of course, trying to delve down into these statistics, but it seems to be pretty positive territory for the government here, its very interesting indeed. Now there is a row, it appears to be, in within the cabinet about this graduate visa route. Youve got the likes of Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman saying that this route is essentially used by universities to sell immigration rather than education, but apparently the foreign secretary and also the treasury have been pushing back on any crackdown on this graduate visa route. Whats your whats your interpretation of events there . Well, there is no doubt raisi rishi sunak has come under a lot of pressure, not just from the foreign secretary, but as you said, from the treasury , the said, from the treasury, the chancellor and also the home secretary as well as the education secretary have all been lobbying rishi sunak over this. And according to reports , this. And according to reports, there will be a climb back, climb down, so that that plan to stop those graduates from staying on an additional two years after graduation , will be years after graduation, will be revoked. So they will still be able to stay on for an additional two years. And clearly , i think the prime clearly, i think the Prime Minister has been persuaded by the assertions that, you know, this would be counterproductive in terms of the money that both the universities make, but also more generally in the economy from those that are allowed to stay on. Well, thank you very much indeed. Mark white, our home and security editor, trying to make some sense of those figures. It does applications up in some areas, applications down dramatically in other areas. But of course were waiting for those official figures to come out tomorrow about not just since january, but the previous, well, the previous 12 months in total, which would which would suggest that perhaps the government thinks that those those numbers last year were higher, but now this year are lower. And ive seen quite a lot of people reacting in horror to the drop in these, Skilled Health and social care worker visas. But am i right in thinking that thats a new visa . That was thats a new visa . That was a new visa only introduced in 2021, a couple of days ago. A couple of years ago. Yeah, 2021. So . So it was. Yeah. 2021 that it was introduced , to prop that it was introduced, to prop up the health and social care system, which people argue does need propping up because we dont pay people who work in that sector particularly much. And not many native brits want to work in it. So, i mean, there is a sort of trade off there about do you pay more or do you have more . And lots of dependents coming in. But anyway, in a few minutes were going to be crossing to our reporter in nottingham because two bodies of two women have been found in a property. Have been found in a property. This is pretty shocking. But, before that, lets get your headunes before that, lets get your headlines with sam. Headlines with sam. Very good afternoon to you. Its just coming up to 1 32. A look at the headlines this lunchtime. The Prime Minister lunchtime. The Prime Minister has hailed a fall in inflation as a major moment for the uk economy driven by lower gas and electricity prices. The latest figures show inflation has dropped to 2. 3 in april. Thats the first time in nearly three years its fuelled speculation of a summer general election. When asked about when hell call the vote during Prime Ministers questions, rishi sunak repeated his intentions, sticking to what hes previously said. Hes previously said. Spoiler alert there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year and at that moment the british people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me, because that will be the choice at the next election. Mr speaker, a party thatis election. Mr speaker, a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard earned economic stability, or the conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom. Our United Kingdom. Former post office boss Paula Vennells broke down in tears at the horizon. It inquiry as she apologised for telling mps the business was successful in every court case against subpostmasters giving evidence. She also admitted mistakes were made but denied there was a conspiracy to cover up the scandal. She was accused of stealing. She was accused of stealing. She was accused of stealing. Conservative mp Craig Mackinlay has made his first appearance in parliament this afternoon. Eight months after contracting sepsis. Oh he was contracting sepsis. Oh he was given a standing ovation as he entered the commons. Given a standing ovation as he entered the commons. Earlier, he entered the commons. Earlier, he had extreme surgery to remove both his hands and feet and was given a 5 chance of survival after being put in a coma for 16 days. Thats the latest from the newsroom for now. Another update at 2 00. Until then , you can at 2 00. Until then, you can sign up to gb news alerts. Just scan the code on your screen or go to our website, gbnews. Com alerts. Gbnews. Com alerts. Cheers cheers britannia wine club proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report , and lets take a look at report, and lets take a look at the markets this afternoon. The pound will buy you 1. 2715 the pound will buy you 511. 2715 and the pound will buy you 1. 2715 and ,1. 1743. The price of gold is £1,898. 74 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is at 8369 points. Cheers britannia wine club proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report well, its 137. Good afternoon. Britain now, in a few minutes, were going to be crossing live to our Political Correspondent, olivia utley. Because she may. She may have a bit of an update for us and all of that speculation about an early general election being called. Heres whats really weird about this. Ive had lots of about this. Ive had lots of people get in touch asking about this, people who you wouldnt necessarily think are not big politicos, a big politicos. This politicos, a big politicos. This is cutting through. And this is a big risk for the government because if theyre not calling an election this summer, theyre doing a terrible job, terrible job of shutting down these rumours. So theyve got to Say Something soon. Otherwise the whole country will think, well, he was planning an early election and now hes bottled it. That happened to gordon brown in two thousand and seven and he never recovered. And everyones rushing back for this Cabinet Meeting at 4 00. Why is that . Could it be that there is an announcement imminently . Well be well be speaking to our Political Correspondent very soon to try and find out whats going on. But in other news, in what many will say is yet another example of britains broken Justice System, police are being told to make fewer arrests due to a lack of space in prisons. Of space in prisons. Extraordinary. This chief constables are also being advised to suspend any operations that may trigger a large number of arrests until there is enough capacity in our cells. It sounds deeply concerning, but shall we get the thoughts of retired Scotland Yard detective inspector hamish brown . Oh, i inspector hamish brown . Oh, i cant get my head around this. Cant get my head around this. Police being told that they should make fewer arrests simply because there isnt the prison space for criminals. What do you make of this . I see no reason why police should be held accountable for other peoples failings, and that thats the position weve known about the prison overcrowding for many years, and quite simply, not enough has been done about it. And the police find themselves in this difficult situation. And i just look to shoplifting and i feel the public, the Public Opinion has turned against them because retailers are saying, look, people are coming to my shop and just blazing steal, walk out without paying and the police dont even bother turning up. Weve actually seen this in recent public order situations where some behaviour would merit being arrested. Certainly being arrested. Certainly discretion, of course, comes into play with demonstrations and things like that. But, it just looks like the police arent doing their job and the pubuc arent doing their job and the public are going to be confused. Now, when should you call them . And the last thing i want to say is people think theyve been given a free rein and to just break the law left, right and centre with no chance of apprehension in this is ill advised. It doesnt help the pubuc advised. It doesnt help the public and im quite sure confuses the police officers. Confuses the police officers. It does seem remarkably confusing. This this reporting thing. After all, we do know that there is an overcrowding problem in our prisons, but youd think that the very , very, youd think that the very, very, very last thing on the list would be to do would be to stop prosecuting crime. Well , this is a desperate well, this is a desperate measure, isnt it . But the police are just one part of the criminal Justice System. There criminal Justice System. There are different ways of disposing of the case. It could be caution, fixed penalty tickets, so on and so forth. So thats up to them. But also the courts to them. But also the courts come into play. The crown prosecution service, which cases have been brought to court for the appropriate charges, and then the courts themselves to mete out the punishment they see fit. So it isnt just the police job. Two issues here, i think, is you either go and build more prisons and i think thats happening anyway , or you reduce happening anyway, or you reduce the number of people being sent to prisons. To prisons. The hamish on on that point, there is a prison building program, but it is bogged down. Almost completely. I mean, almost every time the government tries to select a site for a new prison, locals in the area get annoyed. Understandably so. Not many people want to live next to a big new prison. And we get this this sort of gunning up this this sort of gunning up this stasis in our Planning System , where i think at least system, where i think at least 2 or 3 of the new prisons that have been proposed have been put on ice. Yes. Well, this is something perhaps the, maybe im a member here. I certainly dont want one in my town, but, but isnt this the problem, hamish . Yes, and its going to be a pr exercise. Now, you persuade people or find the right sort of location on boats and things like this, i think are very unpopular with the public. And yes, i mean, hamish, this seems to have all come from a leaked memo from the National Police Chiefs Council , and Police Chiefs council, and theyre saying theyre saying that chief constable should consider putting off non priority arrests. I mean, in non priority arrests. I mean, in your mind, what would a non if your mind, what would a non if you were told to put off a non priority arrest, what type of crime would, would, would that be, thats a good question because i asked myself the same question a little bit earlier when i read that. But there might be a sweep, when i read that. But there might be a sweep , for example, might be a sweep, for example, on outstanding warrants for people which have been there some months, possibly even longer, and they go out looking for them, although that hasnt been said. The atrocious, activities in nottingham last yeah activities in nottingham last year, the sentences were handed out this year, the person was wanted on warrants , as wanted on warrants, as i understand, so there might be some things they can shelve an emergency call, violence , sexual emergency call, violence, sexual assaults and things like that. Police must attend straight away and the rest is appropriate. And and the rest is appropriate. And theres evidence they should do just that. And theyve got to go ahead with the prosecution and if that carries a custodial sentence, so be it. Theres so many mixed messages for police. I mean, i do feel for the police, quite a lot actually. You know, youve got the government saying you must investigate absolutely every single crime and then theres no space for people to be actually arrested and put in prison. But thank you so much, hamish brown. Youre a retired Scotland Yard detective inspector. Great to get your , inspector. Great to get your, expertise on all of this. Well, were going to cross to nottingham now, where the bodies of two women found in a property in the area were believed to have been undiscovered for some time. Thats according to nottinghamshire police. Yes. They were called to a property at around 11 am. Yesterday after concerns were raised for the welfare of the occupants in the property, shall we cross over to nottingham for an update with gb news east Midlands Reporter will hollis will tell us the detail. Will tell us the detail. Yes, well, police were called to hartley road here in radford, which is a suburb of nottingham city, at around 11 00 yesterday after local residents raised the concern in for the welfare of the occupants living in the home behind me. Now when they were inside, they did find the bodies of two women, local people. Neighbours say that the People Living here are a mother and a daughter, and the police say that while there is no immediate risk to the public, they are keeping an open mind as to what happenedin keeping an open mind as to what happened in the property. Now happened in the property. Now this of course is concerning for local people in this part of the east midlands. And i was speaking to one man, alan greaves, about what one man, tony greaves, whose recently moved to the area from birmingham and he was describing how he feels that these two people, these two women have been found here yesterday. Its really shocked me. Ive just come out on the wednesday market doing what ive got to do, you know what i mean . And then find out the two women have lost their lives and yeah, of course its upsetting. Its like i wouldnt want, you know, if you seen some kid getting knocked out in the street, you wouldnt want that. You dont want it from here. You dont want it from here. The area. Now, everyones going to be on alert now. And all these people are just sitting back. All weve done this check. We didnt do that check, but theyve left it too late. People are dying. People are dying. Well, the property is overgrown , and it appears that overgrown, and it appears that its not been tended to for quite some time. Theres still a quite some time. Theres still a police car here in front on hartley road and in the back there is another police car at one of the back windows as well. There is still a Merry Christmas sign on display, so that gives you an indication as to maybe how long its been since this property was last tended to. Wow. Extraordinary since christmas time, perhaps. Will hollis, thank you so much for bringing us the very latest in this curious case in nottingham. Well, it sounds like a pretty gruesome story is going to unfold there. Well bring you the very latest as we hear it, but stay with us, because rishi sunakis but stay with us, because rishi sunak is refusing to rule out a july election. All hes saying is therell one be in the second half of this year. The second half begins in july , and no explicit begins in july, and no explicit rulings out. Westminster is awash with election fever. Well bnng awash with election fever. Well bring you the very latest after this good afternoon. Britain. Its just coming up to 10 to 1. Now. Its fair to describe 10 to 2. Yes. 1 49. Thank you for the reason that my brain is so fried at the moment is because of this febrile speculation awash in westminster of when a general election might be called, and if there could be a podium moment outside number 10 this very afternoon. Thats all. Theyre exciting for the world of westminster and all the politicos. But also theres quite a lot of cut through, lots of people have been getting in touch with us family members, friends asking , family members, friends asking, will there be a july general election . So its certainly what people are talking about today. And one of the reasons why people are speculating so much is because of this Cabinet Meeting and the number of ministers who are dashing home from their various trips. To make it. Now, ive got a question for people watching on television. Take a look at this photograph. This is the capital of albania, tirana, where theyve laid out all of the laid out the red carpet for the foreign secretary, David Cameron. Secretary, David Cameron. Theyve got a picture of him the size of a building on one of the main streets there. Union flags awash throughout the country for this official visit. Would you, if you were foreign secretary, want to run home early from this trip where you were being venerated this much by a country . Well, i think id be a little embarrassed by all of that. But if youve got an ego, youd absolutely love it. You would not want to leave that. So David Camerons had to leave this trip early to come back to london for this Cabinet Meeting this afternoon. Well, there you go. What could that mean . Well, should we speak to gb news Political Correspondent olivia utley olivia , you are in olivia utley olivia, you are in the heart of westminster. What are you hearing . Well, we just dont know. Is the honest answer. There is the honest answer. There is mounting speculation that there is going to be a podium moment, as tom called it this afternoon, and we can see why that speculation is going a bit insane , these two cabinet insane, these two cabinet ministers, grant shapps and David Cameron, have both been called back from their trips abroad. That is not routine. Normally they would just be given a pass to miss a Cabinet Meeting like this. Number 10. This is perhaps the most, startling sign. Number 10 has gone completely silent, trying to speak to a number 10 adviser. Special adviser, press officer at the moment is impossible. Theyre not saying anything. Theyre not saying anything. Theyre just repeating that line that there there will be a general election in the second half of this year, which, as were all pointing out over and over again, starts on the 1st of july. Those are the reasons why it is looking increasingly likely that he could call an a general election. Added to the general election. Added to the fact, of course, that inflation did drop below 3 today. And a few months ago it was said that jeremy hunt was planning an election as soon as inflation got under 2, at 3 at 2. 3, we are now very nearly at the bank of englands target. All of that of englands target. All of that said, there are still lots of very sensible reasons why rishi sunak might be completely mad to call an election in the beginning of july for one thing, yes, inflation is now falling and quite dramatically, but Interest Rates still havent come down and were not expecting them to come down in the next announcement in june. And until Interest Rates start going down, then peoples mortgages will still be incredibly high. And calling a general election when people are still feeling very badly off and are still suffering from the cost of living crisis seems a bit ill advised when it is quite likely that by the end of this year that mortgage pain will have been relieved somewhat. The other reason, of course, is that the rwanda flights arent really off the ground yet. Rishi sunak promised that he was going to stop the boats, and at the moment the boat figures are looking pretty terrible on 2024. To date, there are more crossings than than before. In the last five years, he cannot say that he has completed that pledge. Things are still looking pretty bad. A few weeks ago i was saying i cant possibly see a reason for calling a general election before the end of this yeah election before the end of this year. And most of that logic still stands. Its so interesting, though, because if number 10 wanted to quash all these rumours , they quash all these rumours, they could simply say, were not going to hold a july election. But theyre refusing to say so. But theyre refusing to say so. Well, absolutely. And thats whats so baffling. And that is whats so baffling. And that is whats so baffling. And that is what makes people think that it must be about to happen. Because if number 10 arent planning to call an election on july the 4th, the Prime Minister could very easily say hes had plenty of opportunities this morning to say no. We are not calling an election on july the 4th. There doesnt seem to be much reason for letting all this speculation build up and up and up, and then announcing that there wont be a general election or keeping completely quiet. Then it feels as though hes bottled it, as though he was planning to hold an election and then got scared at the last minute. Which, of course, is exactly what gordon brown did, and he never recovered from it. Yeah. So politically it seems very, very strange the way hes behaving at the moment. I would say, although a lot of people are saying it doesnt seem to be much reason. Right. Thank you so much, olivia. Sorry. Weve come to the end of the hour. Weve got lots more coming up on that election speculation and much, much more police being told to make fewer arrests. Arrests. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello again. Heres your latest gb news Weather Forecast from the met office. There is more very wet weather to come across. Many parts of the uk. As we go through the rest of today and into tomorrow. Thats because the low Pressure Centre thatis because the low Pressure Centre that is driving the persistent heavy rain across many areas is still gradually making its way northwestwards across the uk , northwestwards across the uk, heavy rain then continuing for most parts in the south. We have some heavy thunderstorms. They are going to continue as we head towards this evening and there could cause some disruption. Were watching out for some frequent lightning and some hail, but its further north that were going to see the highest rainfall totals, particularly across parts of nonh particularly across parts of north wales northwest england could see in excess of 100mm through the next 24 hours or so, which is why some flooding is quite likely and even some disruption quite possible across many parts of scotland, even into eastern parts of northern ireland. Because as there will be so much rain around, that system, like i said, is drifting its way northwestwards, but its making slow progress and so it is going to be a wet night for many northern parts. In particular the rain continuing in places, though it is starting to ease as we go towards the early hours of tomorrow morning, staying drier towards far southern parts, but temperatures generally not dropping a huge amount, many places holding up in double digits as we go through tomorrow. Then a bit of a north south split staying pretty damp or wet at times. Across northern parts, though, the rain doesnt look like it will be quite as heavy as it was today. Nonetheless, some further Flooding Issues are still possible, and some blustery winds towards the northwest in particular. Further south, a dner particular. Further south, a drier story and some sunshine possible in the southeast in which it should feel pleasantly warm, with temperatures in the low 20s markedly cooler elsewhere in fact, some places under the rain may stay in single digits. More wet weather single digits. More wet weather to come across northern parts as we go through tomorrow evening could be some heavier bursts for a time. Further southeast, a greater chance of staying dry and some clear skies. Perhaps there will be a bit more rain across Northern Areas on friday and then saturday looks likely to be the driest day of the weekend for most of us. Before a bit more rain on sunday. By by that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather gb news. All right. Well. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 2 00 on wednesday. The 22nd of may. Im emily carver and im tom harwood. Harwood. Inflation drops to its lowest point in nearly three years. Its to led rumours that rishi sunak could call a snap general election. Could it come as soon as july . Number 10 is refusing to rule it out. To rule it out. And in other news, the former post office boss Paula Vennells, broke down in tears as she apologised to all the postmasters who were wrongly jailed. Shes speaking publicly for the first time at the inquiry into britains largest miscarriage of justice. Just how much did she know about the faulty it system that sent so many to prison and the mp at the time, everything. Time, everything. And the mp, whose limbs were amputated after he contracted sepsis, returns to the commons with a standing ovation. Well hear from Craig Mckinley himself on a truly inspiring show of resilience and bravery. Resilience and bravery. And were going to show you live pictures of downing street now, because a general election is on the lips of everyone in westminster. Why a Cabinet Meeting that was delayed from yesterday . Because the Prime Minister was abroad yesterday has unusually called senior cabinet ministers back from foreign trips abroad. Usually theyre able to say that theyre just simply not going to attend a Cabinet Meeting. But this one today, theyre all flying back. Its quite a big trip for the foreign secretary, David Cameron. He was being greeted with quite a lot of fanfare in albania , but hes returning to albania, but hes returning to downing street to be at this Cabinet Meeting there so far, refusing to rule out a general election as soon as july. Yes, they always say the second half of this year, which of course begins in july , which of course begins in july, which which is, a pretty profound thing to think about. But given all of the news that were heanng all of the news that were hearing today, giving the 2. 3 inflation rate, giving the positive growth forecast, the faster growing than germany, than japan and than italy, than france over the next six years. Those are the official independent forecasts. Given all of this news of perhaps things starting to turn a corner, migration falling dramatically from the start of this year , from the start of this year, could this be the cocktail of news . Not a perfect cocktail of news . Not a perfect cocktail of news by any means . People still really feeling the pinch of cost of living situation. But, could this be the better time than any other to call a general election . Yeah, well , thats the question. Wed like you to get in touch and let us know what you think. Do you think it would be a bright idea for the Prime Minister to call a bit of an earlier election than some of us were expecting as soon as july . I mean, you had the good news about the compensation for the victims of the blood contamination scandal. Victims of the blood contamination scandal. Also, contamination scandal. Also, some positive ish, data when it comes to immigration and visas. Could it be could it be . Let us know your thoughts. Gbnews. Com yoursay is the way to get in touch. But lets get the headunes get in touch. But lets get the headlines with sam. Headlines with sam. Tom. Emily, thank you very much. And good afternoon to you. Much. And good afternoon to you. Its just coming up to 2 04. And well start with the top story of the day. The Prime Minister has hailed a fall in inflation as a major moment for the uk economy, driven by lower gas and electricity prices. The latest figures show inflation dropped to 2. 3 in april. Thats the first time in nearly three years its fuelled speculation of a summer general election. But when asked about when hell call the vote during Prime Ministers questions, rishi sunak repeated his intentions, sticking to what hes previously said. Hes previously said. Spoiler alert there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year and at that moment the british people will, in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me, because that will be the choice at the next election. Mr speaker, a party thatis election. Mr speaker, a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard earned economic stability, or the conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom . Our United Kingdom . Well, following the news today that inflation has dropped, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the government cant afford to take a victory lap when it comes to the economy. The economy. This is about more than lines on a graph. Its about family finances. Finances. And the truth is, after 14 years of conservative government, working families and pensioners are still worse off. And the truth is, im much more ambitious for the country than rishi sunak and jeremy hunt seem to be. The former post office boss at the centre of the horizon it scandal has admitted she made mistakes during her time in charge. Giving evidence Paula Vennells broke down in tears at the inquiry earlier as she apologised for telling mps that the business was successful in every court case against subpostmasters. She also said sorry to those affected, but denied there was a conspiracy to cover up any wrongdoing. Cover up any wrongdoing. I fully accept now , now that i fully accept now, now that the post office excuse me. The the post office excuse me. The post office knew that i completely accepted. Personally. I didnt know that. And im incredibly sorry that that happened to those people and to so many others. So many others. Speaking to gb news earlier outside the inquiry, subpostmaster Christopher Head said he has little sympathy. You cant rewrite history, is that she wanted to protect the post office brand at all costs. That was that was what she did. And we can see that thats what has happened. In other news, conservative mp Craig Mackinlay has made his first appearance in parliament this afternoon, eight months after contracting sepsis. Oh he after contracting sepsis. Oh he received that standing ovation as he entered the commons. Earlier, the member of south thanet, who had extreme surgery to remove both his hands and feet, was given a 5 chance of survival after being put in a coma for 16 days in september. The bodies of two women have been found at a property in nottingham. Police were called to an address in radford after concerns were raised about their welfare. Its believed they may have been there for some time before being discovered. Neighbours believe they are being failed by local authorities. Authorities. Its really shocked me. Its really shocked me. Ive just come out on the wednesday market doing what ive got to do, you know what i mean . And then find out the two women have lost their lives and yeah, of course its upsetting. Its like i wouldnt, you know , have you seen some kid know, have you seen some kid getting knocked out in the street . You wouldnt want that. You dont want it from your area. Now everyones going to be on alert now. And all these people are just sitting back. All weve done this check, we didnt do that check, but theyve left it too late. People are dying. Israel has recalled its ambassadors from ireland after it officially recognised palestine as an independent state. Today, in coordinated announcements with norway and spain, the irish premier said his country was taking that decision for freedom and justice. Israels foreign ministry, though, has warned on social media the move would fuel extremism and instability. But simon harris says it is the only pathway to peace today. Pathway to peace today. Ireland, norway and spain are announcing that we recognise the state of palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever National Steps are necessary to give effect to that decision. Give effect to that decision. And finally, children who submitted a joke to the beano comic are being included in this weeks edition in recognition of their humour, the magazine received entries from schools across the country after searching for the funniest jokes, beanos chief gag makers whittled the wittiest submissions to down their favourite ten, which went forward to a public vote and nonh forward to a public vote and north side Primary School in london won the competition. Heres the joke dont laugh too much. Whats the hottest area in the classroom . The corner. Because its 90 degrees. For the latest stories you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to gbnews. Com alerts. To gbnews. Com alerts. Good afternoon britain. Its 2 08 now, just to keep you abreast of whats going on in westminster right now, it seems that theres a Communications Blackout from the government. Something big is happening now. Theres a lot of speculation about an election being called. Of course, we know cabinet ministers have been called back home from their foreign trips, but, government sent advisers, communications advisers. But, government sent advisers, communications advisers. They communications advisers. They are ending phone calls early. Theyre not responding to journalists. Something very big may well be going on in westminster. Weve got our eyes across it, and well keep you updated as soon as we find more information. Yes. Its all very curious, but elsewhere, the ex post office boss, Paula Vennells, has broken down twice. Mish evidence in an emotional appearance at the honzon emotional appearance at the horizon it inquiry. Well, shes speaking publicly for the First Time Since britains largest miscarriage of justice was exposed. Justice was exposed. Yes, she apologised to the subpostmasters, who were wrongly imprisoned due to faulty horizon software, saying shes very, very sorry. Lets cross live to gb News Reporter ray addison , who is in reporter ray addison, who is in Central London for us. Ray, whats the very latest that weve been hearing both this morning and this afternoon at the inquiry . The inquiry . Well, the inquiry has just broken for lunch now, but just before that took place , paula before that took place, Paula Vennells claimed not to have seen a report which was published in 2013, which found that post Office Systems were not fit for purpose. And she did agree upon questioning by the kc that it ought to have been brought to her attention. It seems to be a bit of a theme here, but she obviously there was the ceo, but on multiple occasions has claimed not to be not to have been aware of quite significant information and information which could potentially have protected a lot of these subpostmasters who were incorrectly tried and had their lives, their fortune was ruined as a direct result. Weve seen her break down in tears multiple times now and i was last on, i said two, ive been told its at least four now and one might predict that that will continue into the afternoon. First time she started crying was when she apologised for incorrectly telling mps back in 2012 that the post office had been successful in every single court case brought against subpostmasters. She said she subpostmasters. She said she didnt personally know that some subpostmasters had successfully been able to argue that there was a problem with the horizon system again , people here system again, people here questioning how was that possible . How is it indeed even possible . How is it indeed even credible . The second time, as credible . The second time, as she discussed subpostmaster martin griffiths, who deliberately stepped out in front of a bus in 2013 and died later in hospital , a relative later in hospital, a relative saying that he had been driven to suicide by the post office. Now Paula Vennells has apologised for multiple things this morning into the afternoon, one for telling mps in 2012 that subpostmasters had been tempted to put their hands in the till. And she claimed at the time that it was an assumption that she had made. Well, why would somebody make an assumption about an organisation, an organisation they were ultimately responsible for . Some might ask, especially when there were there was multiple cases , were there was multiple cases, and examples that she could have questioned that against, people are starting to talk now. Subpostmasters have come here by the dozen , to see that the dozen, to see that testimony. I spoke just a moment ago to chirag siddapura. Hes a former subpostmaster who was accused of taking over £57,000 from his branch in farnham in surrey. He says he contacted vennells directly and she just pushed him from one person to the next. And ultimately he lost everything. He had to pay that everything. He had to pay that money to avoid prosecution. This money to avoid prosecution. This is what he had to say to us. Its a bit hard to tell, but theres still that culture of denial from as as there has been within the post office, of i dont remember, i dont recall or , you know, ive never seen or, you know, ive never seen that document before. And its been signed off by her. I think she feels sorry for herself and the situation that shes in right now, because there is a high chance of her being prosecuted , for many being prosecuted, for many reasons. Shes sitting comfortably with millions of poundsin comfortably with millions of pounds in the bank, whereas People Like Us have have nothing. So weve all been taken away. Away. So Paula Vennells has has apologised to subpostmasters and their families. She said she followed and listened to all of the human impact statements and was very affected by them. But shes denying that there was a conspiracy to protect the post office and the horizon it system. Her testimony will continue. Ray anderson, thank you very much. The very latest there outside that ongoing inquiry into the subpostmasters scandal. Now must bring you some more information about whats going on in westminster for three vital bits of information number one, the Cabinet Meeting 415 this afternoon, senior cabinet ministers have been called back to london to attend this meeting. Grant shapps is delaying a trip. David cameron is cutting a trip short. Fact number two. Number 10 communications have gone completely silent. Theyre not responding to any journalists asking any questions. And number three, the Labour Party Campaign director, morgan mcsweeney, hes been seen storming. Thats the word used by the guido fawkes website , storming into the website, storming into the leader of the opposition offices inside parliament. Now, all of these three things in isolation wouldnt perhaps raise too much suspicion altogether. Its suspicion altogether. Its creating this febrile sense that something huge is going on in westminster. Yes. Could it be an early general election . Could they be announcing a general election later on in the year . Could there be a resignation . Could it there be a resignation . Could it be something completely different and nothing to do with a general election . But certainly the rumour will mill is swirling and it doesnt help that number 10 is completely silent. They could shut these rumours down this instant with by responding to any journalists questions, by saying , no, were questions, by saying, no, were not calling election in july or or saying that this isnt about that, but the fact that theyre completely silent, its letting this story run away. Its letting these rumours run wild. Now that cant be helpful for number 10. That cant make number 10. That cant make number 10. That cant make number 10 look like its in control. So either something out control. So either something out of their control has happened or there will be an election. Yes, well, people are speculating that this could be something completely out of the blue and may not have to do with the general election. But i must say it does appear as though most people in the know are thinking that all indicators are pointing towards a general election being called, but we will bring you all the developments as we get it, and when we hear any more from that rumour mill and from those in the know. And crucially, if number 10 starts responding to any journalists requests for information. But coming nice , it information. But coming nice, it would be very nice, wouldnt it, but coming up, apparently prince harry has turned down the kings invitation to stay at a royal residence last week over security fears. But he was happy to visit nigeria. Its all very curious. We were asking where would he have been safest in good afternoon. Britain. Its 2 19. So more information to throw into that rumour mill, which is only getting faster. And, frankly , more frenzied in and, frankly, more frenzied in westminster. The chancellor was due to appear on the itv peston programme this evening. In the programme this evening. In the last five minutes, theyve announced hes no longer appearing on television this evening. Now in isolation again, not something thats particularly out of the ordinary , but you add this to the communications shutdown in number 10. The Cabinet Meeting at 415 this afternoon, the abrupt halt to David Camerons visits to albania, his early flight back, the delaying of grant shapps his next trip as well. You start adding all of these things together and you start getting , a picture that start getting, a picture that something really quite significant is going on in westminster today. Westminster today. Youre absolutely right. Taken alone, all of those things may not raise an eyebrow, but taken together, it does look like Something Big is potentially going to be announced. Something big is certainly happening at this Cabinet Meeting, i would say. And were just looking outside downing street here. Theres a little gathering about something going on. Their regular visitors, regular visitors regularly, visitors turn up, this can be nothing at all to do with whats going on in the rooms upstairs. They could just be there for a visit. But we wanted to show you the picture on downing street. Because at 415, were expecting that Cabinet Meeting. All sorts of rumours of a statement in downing street after that Cabinet Meeting, perhaps at 6 00, but again unconfirmed. Yeah. And of course, there has been some good news for the government relatively today. A drop in inflation getting close to that 2 target on inflation. It stands at 2. 3. Yesterday we had that big announcement out of compensation for the contaminated blood victims. Weve also had some positive ish movements when it comes to migration and visa applications and the like. Could it be could it be that the Prime Minister wants to call an election . At wants to call an election . At least let us know when its going to be. There have been so many calls non stop for rishi sunak to decide when hes going to have this election, to tell the nation when hes planning to make it happen. Could it be, could it be as soon as today that we may hear, well, were going to be back in westminster with any updates . Adding to that list of these events that in isolation , events that in isolation, wouldnt raise an eyebrow. We wouldnt raise an eyebrow. We wouldnt be talking about them on this programme, but add it all together. This list keeps getting longer of unusual goings on in westminster today. As that list grows, well keep you updated. Yes, but, prince harry has declined the kings invitation to stay at royal residence due to stay at royal residence due to security concerns. Thats what he said. Yes. According to the telegraph, the duke of sussex declined his fathers offer because he would be staying in a visible location with Public Entrance and exit points and no police protection. Yes, this follows harry and meghans trip to nigeria, the worlds 12th most dangerous worlds12th most dangerous country. So is prince harry safer in nigeria than in the United Kingdom . Well, former royal correspondent at the bbc, michael cole, believes that prince harry is safer in the uk, while the royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says he may be safer in nigeria. Well, Richard Fitzwilliams, lets start with you. That sounds like a pretty curious point of view. How do you arrive at it . Well , i how do you arrive at it . Well, i think how do you arrive at it . Well , i think firstly, well, i think firstly, nigeria of course, is on the foreign and Commonwealth Development office list of very dangerous countries to visit. Were not talking, however, about a normal tourist visit. What we are talking about was a visit, of course, which was arranged on behalf of general musa, the defence chief in nigeria. It was perfectly obvious that once the red carpet was was rolled out for them, in my opinion, they would be safe wherever they went. I mean, if you take, for example, the 2013, in sri lanka, the same argument, the fact that there are problems within the country could have been used to postpone it, which it wasnt at all. And this was a three day visit. I do think it was successful as a sort of faux royal tour, and i dont think that there were security concerns that were not addressed by the nigerian authorities included, of course, harry visiting kaduna and we know that he visited a hospital with Wounded Soldiers and the nigeria is involved in a war against boko haram , the terrorist boko haram, the terrorist organisation. But i think theres no question that every thing that was handled in that visit was done. So with visit was done. So with obviously security, all right. Well, michael, nigeria looked after the couple very nicely. After the couple very nicely. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Tom, i dont i hesitate to use the word paranoia because it has a precise, clinical meaning, but prince harry seems to be entertaining extreme fears about the safety of himself and his family. Now, maybe that is to do family. Now, maybe that is to do with the fact that, very unwisely , he disclosed in his unwisely, he disclosed in his autobiography, ghost, written spare that he had as a commander of an apache attack helicopter personally killed , 25 taliban, personally killed, 25 taliban, which i said at the time on this very program, painted a target on his back. Now, what happened on his back. Now, what happened in 2020 when he and meghan, did parted hurriedly, scooted to canada with the baby prince archie strapped to her chest. Was that that was to do with his sense of insecurity now that has now manifested itself by saying that he wont stay in a royal residence in london, protected by so14 Scotland Yards special Operation Company command, which looks after the royal family and other vips and he preferred to stay in a hotel, which we understand was in mayfair. That is an extraordinary thing because, if hed stayed at at saint jamess palace, which which would have been quite possible , he would have been possible, he would have been right next door to clarence house, where the king and Queen Camilla live. And it would be almost as easy as slipping through a back passage to have seen them. And maybe he could have affected a meeting with his father, which he said he wanted. Its all very strange and he certainly seems to be. I mean, his action against his majestys government, the home office over his lack of, 24 hour Armed Security when he comes into this country, is a manifest of. Yeah, i dont know whats going through his mind , ellie. Perhaps through his mind, ellie. Perhaps its something to do with the terrible and appalling death of his mother, in paris, all those years ago. But he quite clearly feels , an extreme sense that he feels, an extreme sense that he has to protect his his wife and his children. I might throw that to richard because. Is harry fibbing here, richard . Because i heard we were all told that it was because the kings schedule was so busy, that that was why prince harry couldnt meet with him. Now it turns out its supposedly about the security arrangements. I mean, which one is it . Yes. No. I think that this is a very sad situation. And i think, in fact, its quite bizarre if we look at what was actually stated, i mean, it was just shortly after he touched down that his spokesperson , said down that his spokesperson, said that, the king was too busy , supposedly. Now we understand this may not be the case to, to meet harry. And then now it appears that it may be something to do with the security aspect of staying in a royal palace versus a hotel. All of this is, of course, part and parcel of the fact that there is such a deep rift in the royal family, and its also extremely sad. I would, however, mention and michael will know this, in fact, that, former Counter Terrorism chief neil basu, was saying that there is a far right terrorist potential threat. There have potential threat. There have been incidences of concern. With reference to harry and his family and of course , the family and of course, the throughout this and its clear it was clear from the memoir spare, which does indeed include ridiculous and unfortunate and unwise comments and statements that its the death of his mother and the fact hes haunted by this and the fact he has this fear that it might happen to perhaps his family or his loved ones and so forth. So i think that this is what is behind it. And i dont think that what weve been seeing, series of attacks on the government and the feeling that hes being, discriminate against. I dont think thats been wise, but i do think thats been wise, but i do think thats been wise, but i do think that there are serious concerns here. Can you imagine what would happen if anything did happen . Well, we dont have much time left, so lets just throw this back to michael cole. Richard, we started with you, so well finish with michael. Could it just be that prince harry feels that hes much more popular in nigeria than he is in the uk . Nigeria than he is in the uk . Lagos vies with johannesburg to be the murder capital of africa. It is absurd to think that hes safer in lagos than he is here, where im sure you can procure a gunman to assassinate somebody for not very many dollars. Let me just say, the dollars. Let me just say, the problem with the royal family is this that the opposite of love isnt hate , its indifference. Isnt hate, its indifference. And what were seeing now is the king and the prince of wales in particular, exhibiting extreme indifference to harry. Theyve heard all hes had to say. Theyve heard what his wifes had to say. They know he it is a situation which is beyond being retrieved. Particular moment. And theyve shut down essentially their communications with him, their interest in him, is lessening. Of course, he will always remain the kings second son, but there is no hope on the honzon son, but there is no hope on the horizon or in the near or the future of reconciliation. So the door to the palace is closed. Well, michael and richard, thank you so much for joining well, michael and richard, thank you so much forjoining us and talking through that big issue, really appreciate your time. Gentlemen. Time. Gentlemen. The door to this debate is now closed to over. Yes. Yes. Thank you very much indeed. Thank you very much indeed. We should say that we that our Political Correspondent, olivia utley, is on her way to downing street as we speak. Well be with her in a few minutes time because we are seeing this piling, sort of, pieces of evidence about something large going on in westminster. The chancellor has cancelled a media appearance tonight. The cabinet is meeting at 415. David cameron is flying early back from albania. Grant shapps has delayed a trip abroad, and there seems to be a communications shutdown from number 10. Some might say the, speculation is febrile, tom, it does appear that way. What is coming . That Cabinet Meeting is scheduled for 415 this afternoon. Well be right back to that with our correspondent outside downing street. But first, the. News. Very good afternoon to you. Its just after a 2 30 leading the news this afternoon, the Prime Minister has hailed a fall in inflation as a major moment for the uk economy, driven by lower gas and electricity prices. The latest figures show inflation dropped to 2. 3 in april for the first time in nearly three years. Its fuelled speculation of a summer general election, but when asked about when hell call the vote during Prime Ministers questions, rishi sunak repeated his intentions, sticking to what hes previously said. Hes previously said. Spoiler alert there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year and at that moment the british people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me, because that will be the choice at the next election. Mr speaker, a party thatis election. Mr speaker, a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard earned economic stability, or the conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom. Our United Kingdom. Former post office boss Paula Vennells admits she has made mistakes over the horizon it scandal, but denies there was a conspiracy to cover up any failures. Shes broken down a number of times during the first of three days of giving evidence at the inquiry. Live pictures here you can see of Paula Vennells giving evidence this afternoon in Central London at that inquiry , the former priest that inquiry, the former priest also apologised for telling mps in 2012 that subpostmasters had, she said , been tempted to put she said, been tempted to put their hands in the till. She said, been tempted to put their hands in the till. And their hands in the till. And conservative mp Craig Mckinley has made his first appearance in Parliament Today, eight months after contracting sepsis. He was after contracting sepsis. He was applauded in the commons and given that standing ovation, he had both hands and feet amputated after being diagnosed in september and was given a 5 chance of survival. Finally, the chance of survival. Finally, the mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim has completed a 200 mile walk to downing street as part of a campaign for new terror legislation. 15 days ago, martin hetts mum figen murray set off from the spot where he was killed. Shes delivered a was killed. Shes delivered a letter to the Prime Minister on the seventh anniversary of the attack. For the latest stories, attack. For the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts. You can scan the code on your screen or go to our website gb news. Common alerts. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 2 37. Now, just to recap some of the big goings on in westminster today. The big goings on in westminster today. I want to stress at the today. I want to stress at the start that in isolation, these issues would not raise an eyebrow. We wouldnt report them on television , but added all on television, but added all together it starts to feel that something rather large is going on. Number one, a Cabinet Meeting at 415 today. Number two, a mandatory Cabinet Meeting. The return of David Cameron early from his trip to albania and the delaying of grant shapps foreign trip as well. They will both be in london this afternoon. Added to that, the chancellor has cancelled a media appearance on itv this evening and there is a shutdown in communications from number 10. Yes, its all looking rather suspicious. Certainly it looks as though Something Big is happening, Something Big may be announced. Could it be the government hasnt ruled out a july election . Theyve not ruled that out, which is interesting in and of itself. So could we could we be heading towards a general election sooner rather than later . That is the big than later . That is the big question on everyones lips today in westminster. Shall we speak to gb news Political Correspondent . Olivia utley. Olivia, thank you very much indeed. Olivia, thank you very much indeed. The speculation keeps indeed. The speculation keeps growing. Its becoming rather febrile. Whats going on . Febrile. Whats going on . It absolutely is. It does feel as though Something Big is going to happen this afternoon. There is this Cabinet Meeting at 415. Cabinet ministers have been ordered to come home from foreign trips, both David Cameron and grant shapps having to fly home to attend this meeting. That is not the usual course of proceedings at all. Number 10 has gone completely silent. As tom mentioned, its impossible to speak to an adviser or special adviser or press officer even about whats going on, number 10 have had so many opportunities to deny that theres going to be a general election. And one would have thought that if there isnt going to be an election, they would take those opportunities to deny it, because the more the speculation builds up, the more if they decide not to hold one. It looks as though theyve just bottled it and theyre too scared of labour. So all of the signs do seem to be pointing that way. Add to that there are political reasons to why the Prime Minister might now be considering a general election. Firstly, of course, inflation has now fallen to 2. 3, which is very near the bank of englands target of 2. People should start soon to be feeling a little bit better off. And then there are other sort of smaller reasons too. There doesnt look like theres going to be any room in the, later this year. The no fiscal headroom to make more tax cuts. Now, one of the reasons why we were all expecting an autumn general election is because we thought that jeremy hunt wanted to deliver one last rabbit out of the hat budget and set the tone for an election, with the tories being the government for tax cutting, it now doesnt look like thats going to happen. A combination going to happen. A combination of that £10 billion infected blood package, plus weaker than expected borrowing figures, suggests that there just isnt room in the economy to cut tax anymore, in which case, the argument goes, why not just rip off the plaster . Something else off the plaster . Something else ive been hearing recently is it will be during the euros, which is quite interesting. And so , is quite interesting. And so, you know, political. So coverage, tv coverage like us and newspaper coverage will be eaten up by whats going on in the euros. Could that be good for rishi sunak . We think that for rishi sunak . We think that the conservatives do better on the conservatives do better on the whole with a lower turnout, and we could end up very low turnout with a july election. There also tends to be a sort of feel good feeling in the country. If england is doing well and a feel good feeling in the country tends to favour the incumbent. I mean, this is all getting a little bit silly now, but there are a lot of arrows pointing in the direction of a possible general election in july. Yeah, really, really important that you raise that £10 billion of extra spending to go to those victims of the infected blood scandal. Thats money that cant be used for tax cuts. At least this year. Its a one off payment. Of course. Olivia, i want to show you this picture from albania, from the capital of tirana. They had really laid on all of the bells and whistles for the foreign secretarys visit today. The secretarys visit today. The main streets covered in union flags and even a building sized picture of David Cameron erected there in the middle of the caphal there in the middle of the capital. I mean, this was a huge visit. Its very unusual for the foreign secretary to have cut such a visit, such an important visit at so short. Visit at so short. Absolutely. And its a very bad look on the international stage. It looks, quite frankly, quite rude of David Cameron to be cutting this visit short. It is because cabinet ministers have been ordered basically under pain of death, to attend this meeting at 415, which does suggest again that it is very serious. I mean , it is serious. I mean, it is definitely by no means certain it could be that number 10. Number 10 seems to be enjoying all this. They could just be sort of whipping up speculation to keep labour running around there. There feels like theyre kind of puppet masters at the moment. And so it could just be moment. And so it could just be that. And of course there are still very good logical reasons to wait until later in the year to wait until later in the year to call an election , one of them to call an election, one of them being that people still arent feeling much better off yet. Inflation has fallen a bit today, but Interest Rates are still very high, still at 5. 25. Were not expecting them to be cut in june. The mortgage misery is ongoing for so many people, and of course, rwanda flights arent yet off the ground. In arent yet off the ground. In six months time, there is an argument that things will be looking a bit better for the Prime Minister, and that logic might , just might still stand. Might, just might still stand. It could be that the Prime Minister is announcing this afternoon that theres going to be an election in october. Olivia, have you heard anything about all this speculation around jeremy hunt, the chancellor . Hes not going to be on a programme this evening on another broadcaster that he was meant to be, that he was scheduled to be there , was scheduled to be there, starting to be rumours that there may be a reshuffle or that it may be him as chancellor stepping down, is there any truth or what have you heard to all that the treasury is pouring cold water on the theory that jeremy hunt is stepping down before the next election . Before the next election . That said, i mean, jeremy hunfs that said, i mean, jeremy hunts seat is very, very marginal indeed. Its a huge lib dem target seat , and there have dem target seat, and there have been rumours for a while that hunt might choose now to stand down. That would explain, i suppose, why he is not appearing on this, broadcasters programme this afternoon. But of course, the fact hes not appearing could be that a general election is about to be called, and by the time that programme starts will be in purdah. Heres a theory from paul waugh. Hes a columnist for the i paper. Of waugh. Hes a columnist for the i paper. Of course, he waugh. Hes a columnist for the i paper. Of course, he says, i paper. Of course, he says, heres a thought experiment. If jeremy hunt wants to step down as chancellor, number 10 could harness it as good news. Good news on the economy, paying tribute to his turning the corner work and then replacing him with the energy secretary, Claire Coutinho , thats a long Claire Coutinho, thats a long standing rumour. She could become the first female chancellor. And then that allows rishi sunak to look future facing. Thats paul was thought experiment there that potentially all of the hard tough work of the sort of miserable stabilisation stuff is done by hunt. We could be looking to sort of brighter , looking to sort of brighter, sunnier uplands with a new chancellor. I mean, does that hold female chancellor . Yeah, exciting. Yeah, exciting. Yeah, exciting. I its a very interesting thought experiment. And there thought experiment. And there have been rumours for a long time now that Claire Coutinho will soon be promoted. She is a very close friend of rishi sunak. Shes been very loyal to sunak. Shes been very loyal to sunak and shes widely seen as a sort of bright rising star, having the first female chancellor would also obviously be a really good feel good factor for the conservative party and i very much can see the logic of jeremy hunt stepping down, as i say, because his majority is so, so slim in his majority is so, so slim in his surrey seat. That all said , his surrey seat. That all said, the fact that the treasury is still pouring cold water on the idea of hunt standing down, it seems a bit odd if he is just about to stand down. And also i cant really understand why David Cameron would be called back from this very important foreign trip where, as weve seen, his face has been plastered all over local albanian towns and grant shapps is being called back to from an important trip. If its to only announce a change of chancellor. Of course, that would be big news, but there wouldnt be much reason for this very important seeming Cabinet Meeting at 415. Yeah, really , really yeah, really, really important stuff. Olivia, thank you very much for joining us. Well be back with you, of course, a little bit later on. These are the scenes outside number 10 as things stand, just to run over a list of things happening today, compiled by pippa cryer, the Political Editor of the guardian, sunak didnt deny an early election at Prime Ministers questions. Theres a Cabinet Meeting this afternoon. 415 David Cameron is flying back early from a trip. Jeremy hunt has cancelled an interview this evening on itv. Number 10 has gone silent. Manifesto work has stepped up. The Prime Ministers chief of staff today, unusually , was staff today, unusually, was wearing a suit and tie. Senior ministers are doubling down on dividing lines and tory bosses held a meeting this week on how much money could be spent in an early general election. It all starts to add up to a bit of an alarming picture. Good afternoon. Britain. Its just coming up to 10 to 2. Now. There is mounting tom moore. Ive done that twice today. Its because. Its because this show is usually three hours. And today its two hours. But it is 10 to 3. Its also because all the afternoon brains are completely scrambled. What an afternoon. What an afternoon. Because of all of this speculation, all of this election speculation febrile, some are calling it. Were expecting this a Cabinet Meeting, a bit of an emergency Cabinet Meeting. It seems to be at about 4 00. Some are saying 415, some are saying four. So itll be around that time. Could it be announced that there is a general election coming very soon indeed . Well, lets take the temperature of the mood in westminster now with political commentator peter spencer. Peter in your experience, when there is this much speculation, this this sort of fever pitch , this sort of fever pitch, perhaps the last time that the country felt like this was two thousand and seven, when everyone expected gordon brown to call an election, and then he didnt. Didnt. Indeed. So there is clearly something happening. Its something happening. Its something extremely dramatic. And i hear the idea mooted that maybe this is to do with the inflation figure nudging up to where its supposed to be. And so hes going to take the plunge. I dont actually buy that because i, because i, i think that would have been fairly obvious for a little while that the inflation figures are going that way. Therefore, i go to the alternative, which is something very, very big has happened behind the scenes. And one a thought experiment from me, which i havent heard mooted so far, is just maybe be the chair of the 1922 committee, Sir Graham Brady has received a great slew of letters from tory mps saying, look, enough is enough rafe it is time to kick rishi sunak out, to rub rishi out and so hes thought. Two possibilities. One, i go to the country or two back me or sack me. Thats been done before. Me. Thats been done before. I mean, i mean, the interesting thing about all this is, is that things can feel sluggish and then suddenly they can happen so dramatically. Think of margaret dramatically. Think of margaret thatcher, when one minute she seemed to be home and dry, and then suddenly she was out. Something like that. Something like that. Thats very interesting that youre suggesting that perhaps it could be that rishi sunak , it could be that rishi sunak, that theres lots of votes of no confidence or letters of no confidence or letters of no confidence being put in. I mean, thatis confidence being put in. I mean, that is a possibility. I mean, would that would that lead to, ministers being, would that would that lead to, ministers being , dragged home . Ministers being, dragged home . Forced home . Is peter still there . Peter is still there. Peter is still there. Peter is still there. Yes, peter is still. Well, as far as i can tell you. Far as i can tell you. Are you are sure . Are you are sure . No. I mean, look, ministers not would not be dragged home in this way. And i particularly i am a particular point about the huge great big and photographs of David Cameron and so on. This is very manifestly big. And of course, i mean, the other possibility that just could be is that theres been a tranche of very senior ministers who thought, look, enough is enough. Hes going to have to go, in which case the only thing that sunak could possibly do would be to drag them all together and bash their heads together, which is thats a possibility. But is thats a possibility. But whichever way its going to be by the end of today, were going to hear something extremely. To hear something extremely. I hesitate to say this, peter, because i dont think its the most likely explanation, but some political journalists are suspecting that it might not be anything to do with politics at all. This might be a piece of royal news. All things are possible. I all things are possible. I would have thought, though, if it is something of that nature that i dont see the need to have a compulsory attendance at cabinet by every single member. Lets face it, these days they do have telephones they can discuss things, and if there is to be some dramatic announcement in a royal front that would be made by the Prime Minister he does not need the rest of the cabinet around him. I do come back to my theory, which is that he feels a need to get the cabinet around him and really make sure its the its the, the wagons sort of round the enclosure. He needs that protective ring around him because Something Big is undoubtedly happening. Well, peter spencer, thank you so much forjoining us. Political commentator. Of course, were going to be having continued coverage of this febrile speculation in westminster over the next hour in the run up to that 4 00 Cabinet Meeting. Do not go anywhere. Anywhere. A brighter outlook with boxt solar , the sponsors of weather solar, the sponsors of weather on. Gb news. On. Gb news. Hello again. Heres your latest gb news Weather Forecast from the met office. There is more very wet weather to come across many parts of the uk. As we go through the rest of today and into tomorrow. Thats because the low Pressure Centre thatis because the low Pressure Centre that is driving the persistent heavy rain across many areas is still gradually making its way north westwards across the uk. Heavy rain then continuing for most parts in the south we have some heavy thunderstorms. They some heavy thunderstorms. They are going to continue as we head towards this evening and there could cause some disruption. Were watching out for some frequent lightning and some hail, but its further north that were going to see the highest rainfall totals , highest rainfall totals, particularly across parts of nonh particularly across parts of north wales. Northwest england could see in excess of 100mm through the next 24 hours or so, which is why some flooding is quite likely and even some disruption quite possible across many parts of scotland , even many parts of scotland, even into eastern parts of northern ireland, because there will be so much rain around. That system, like i said, is drifting its way northwestwards, but its making slow progress and so it is going to be a wet night for many northern parts in particular the rain continuing in places, though it is starting to ease as we go towards the early hours of tomorrow morning. Staying drier towards far southern parts but temperatures generally not dropping a huge amount, many places holding up in double digits as we go through tomorrow. Then a bit of a north south split staying pretty damp or wet at times across northern parts, though, the rain doesnt look like it will be quite as heavy as it was today. Nonetheless, some further Flooding Issues are still possible, and some blustery winds towards the northwest in particular. Further south, a dner particular. Further south, a drier story and some sunshine possible in the southeast in which it should feel pleasantly warm, with temperatures in the low 20s markedly cooler elsewhere in fact, some places under the rain may stay in single digits. More wet weather single digits. More wet weather to come across northern parts as we go through tomorrow evening could be some heavier bursts for a time. Further southeast, a greater chance of staying dry and some clear skies. Perhaps there will be a bit more rain across Northern Areas on friday and then saturday looks likely to be the driest day of the weekend for most of us. Before a bit more rain on sunday. By by that warm feeling inside from boxt boiler as sponsors of weather on gb news. A very good afternoon to you. A very good afternoon to you. Its 3 pm. Well, welcome to the Martin Daubney show on gb news. Were broadcasting live from the heart of westminster. All across the uk today. Will there be a early general election . Well, rumours of an early snap election , of an early snap election, perhaps as soon as july. Or mounting. Reaching fever pitch mounting. Reaching fever pitch here in westminster with inflation falling visa numbers down and 15 eu countries falling rishi sunak lead on rwanda of the tories right to go to the polls early would they be turkeys voting for christmas next up, law and out of order. An astonishing leaks memo from the National Police Chiefs Council has recommended pausing non priority arrests and suspend operations that may trigger large numbers of arrests , such large numbers of arrests, such as riots or protests, allegedly because now jails are full to bursting point. Will i be joined by a top cop who says that theyll refuse to follow any such orders . And today at the post office inquiry, the shamed former chief Paula Vennells , former chief Paula Vennells, wept as she gave evidence with a sensational allegation that she knew were cross live for all of the latest and on visa numbers data release on visas granted for foreigners to come to britain has been a mixed bag for the tories today. On the upside, overall applications or 25 down with student dependent visas down by 79. But skilled worker visas have soared by 41. Will