Transcripts For GBN Martin 20240703

Conference. I was an mep in brussels, i worked in brussels, and i, for one, am not remotely surprised. This is what they do. Its the game they play. Well look at the choice behind that, the decision behind that and the moments time. Ill speak to a moments time. Ill speak to a flemish mep who is actually there for his take. Was this a fair and appropriate use of power by a mayor who said the far right are not welcome, or was this a sinister use of authoritarianism in brussels . Dont forget the home of free speech. They claim the European Court of human rights there, but is in strasbourg, tight lipped on this one. Isnt that funny . Get in touch. What do you make of this in brussels . Send your views and you can post your comments by visiting gbnews. Com yoursay get in touch. Youll see my mush there. But before all of that, its time for your latest News Headlines. For your latest News Headlines. Martin. Thank you. The top stories this hour. First to the latest developments from brussels this afternoon. Government sources have told gb news the attempt to shut down the National Conservative am conference is a concern for free speech. Nigel farage was in the middle of a speech when he heard the news. I understand the police are very, very keen to close this down so if theyre going to close it down they can close it down with me on stage, cant they . The event had already changed venue three times after public pressure and previous attempts to close it down. If youre watching on television , footage here shows television, footage here shows Police Officers entering the venue earlier this afternoon. Its understood the order came from local brussels mayor amir akua, in a move he said was to guarantee Public Safety. It followed a post he made on social media saying the far right is not welcome. Organisers right is not welcome. Organisers say the event will continue for as long as it can, but delegates have been encouraged not to leave because police will not let them back in. Nigel farage described the action as modern day communism. Day communism. The police are outside my door as i speak. They will not let anybody else in. There are three police there. They have an order to close down this event and when more police gather, thats exactly what theyll do. No alternative opinion allowed this is the updated new form of communism. And you know what . If anything, ever, ever made me think that brexit was the right thing to do. Its the events here in brussels today. Labours Jonathan Ashworth questions whether some of the speakers should have been in brussels to begin with. I think some of the speakers, from what i understand , who have from what i understand, who have been advertised on the website for conference, have very for this conference, have very unsavoury views and rather surprised that Suella Braverman been allowed to go and speak at this event. Why is rishi sunak not getting a grip of this situation . Why is he not asking Suella Braverman to pull out of this because some the this event . Because some of the characters involved, at least according their website, according to their website, have made of comments, made all kinds of comments, which i dont think the Rishi Sunak Party would Sunak Tory Party would want to associate with. Associate themselves with. In other news, policing minister chris philp says new powers for chief constables to sack rogue officers will root out those unfit to wear the badge under the new powers, chief constables will be put in charge of misconduct hearings , charge of misconduct hearings, making it easier to remove officers in their own force who are found guilty. The changes, which come into force on the 7th of may, follow a review into police dismissals after the conviction david for conviction of David Carrick for multiple Sexual Offences while serving as a Police Officer. A serving as a Police Officer. A High Court Ruling dismissing a Muslim Students challenge against her schools prayer ban has been described as a victory for all schools. The student argued the policy at Michaela Community school was discriminatory and breached her right to religious freedom. However, the headteacher of the school said schools should not be forced to change their approach simply because a child or parent decide they dont like something. The judge upheld the schools position , highlighting schools position, highlighting safety concerns. The safety concerns. Despite the ruling, legal team ruling, the students legal team expressed their disappointment, saying its important to promote religious freedoms in educational settings as Health Secretary victoria atkins has denied that a ban on tobacco and vape sales will cause a black market boom. That is, mps are currently debating whether to bfingin currently debating whether to bring in new smoking laws that would stop young people in england from ever smoking. If youre watching on television, heres a look inside the house of currently, where the of commons currently, where the tobacco being tobacco and vape bill is being brought before mps for the very first becomes law, first time. If it becomes law, it would be an offence to sell Tobacco Products to anyone born after the 1st of january 2009. It means children aged 15 or younger today will never legally be able to buy a cigarette. The bill is expected to pass , with bill is expected to pass, with labour saying it will back the legislation. Liberal democrats leader sir ed davey also backs it. Ive been convinced by the health arguments. Tobacco smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in our country , and having lost our country, and having lost both my parents to cancer as a child , my father, i was for child, my father, i was for mother when i was 15. I know how, awful cancer can be for families and so i think this is a good step forward within the liberal democrats. Its a free vote, as it should be. But i as the leader, im really clear this should ban this face ban should go ahead. And downing street has denied the uk is being taken for granted by israel as time still not been found for a call between rishi sunak and benjamin netanyahu, the Prime Minister and his israeli counterpart are due to talk about de escalation of hostilities with iran , amid of hostilities with iran, amid concerns the crisis could spiral out of control. Israel have out of control. Israel have confirmed their war cabinet will meet today to discuss their response to irans missile and drone attack over the weekend. Irans president says even the smallest action against iran will be met with a severe , will be met with a severe, widespread and painful response. Widespread and painful response. 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. Com alerts. Now its over to. Martin. Thank you tatiana. Now we start with the bedlam in brussels and these are live pictures. Police are still attempting to shut down that conference where nigel farage and former home secretary Suella Braverman have been speaking. Earlier on today, officers arrived at the National Conservatism summit after a local mayor in the city of brussels ordered the event to be shut down to guarantee Public Safety. That old chestnut. This was Nigel Farages reaction soon after he was told that police were attempting to close the event down. Before that, lets speak to chris hope, our political editor, who joins me in the studio. Chris, extraordinary scenes in brussels now as we understand it, this was the third venue, this this attempted to get away at the local mayor, shut it down, sent in the police and astonishing scenes. Yeah third venue in five days. I mean, its been shut down at short notice to move from hotel to hotel. They finally got it staged. Weve had miriam cates staged. Weve had miriam cates the rising star tory mp on the right, is speaking right now in brussels at the natcon event. Suella braverman, the former home secretary, she was there before that. Nigel farage gb news presenter, this event happenedin news presenter, this event happened in london last year, a stones throw from the home office, in a big Conference Hall there. No problem. Obviously outside theres demonstrators is, people shouting through megaphones, shouting about the tories being crossed about the tory party, which is finally democracy. Thats okay. But to close it down with a police blocking entrance, as you can see on your screen now, those are the police blocking the entrance its entrance to the hotel. Its beyond number. Were beyond the pale number. Were heafing beyond the pale number. Were hearing responses today from the uk government. They have told gb uk government. They have told gb news this for this hour for your show. Martin. Its unclear show. Martin. Its unclear exactly whats happened here, but the scenes will worry anyone who believes in free speech. Free societies should be confident enough to allow free debate. We allow that in the uk. In london, but not allowed in brussels. Now why is that . You live, didnt you . In brussels for a bit . Yeah, i mean i served as an mep. This incidentally was Nigel Farages first trip to farages first trip back to brussels since britain left the European Union. In fact, he referenced that in his speech , referenced that in his speech, saying this him realise saying this makes him realise that right thing to that it was the right thing to do. Ill tell that it was the right thing to do. Ill tell you that it was the right thing to do. Ill tell you what, that it was the right thing to do. Ill tell you what, im not surprised by this because you were brexit mep in nigel were a brexit party mep in Nigel Farages were a brexit party mep in nigel fariwere surprised by the way were you surprised by the way they behaved . No, no, i wasnt surprised by it because the thing about, people from so called people from the so called liberal of politics in liberal side of politics in brussels, they dont mind who they in company with, and they lie in company with, and theres no greater proof of that, chris, than philippe close, whos the mayor of the city brussels, the member of city of brussels, the member of the socialist party who had this event closed down in june last yean event closed down in june last year, happily attended the same event as Alireza Zakani. Hes the mayor of tehran who is considered an ultra radical, a mouthpiece of the Ayatollah Khomeini sanctioned by the European Union, no less. This individual for serious human rights violations, and in that they were they were forced to respond, saying just because certain people are present doesnt mean we agree with them. Chris, this is the embodiment of that beautiful hypocrisy you get in politics. They want to smear everybody they disagree with, but theyre happy to turn a blind eye to the dubious morals of those they choose to be on the same side of. And were waiting to hear, arent the reasoning . Arent we, for the reasoning . Why happened . Know why this happened . We dont know why dont know why its happened. We dont know why its happened. We dont know why happen. Last year why that can happen. Last year and yeah why that can happen. Last year and year. Is and then this year. This is unacceptable to mayor of unacceptable to the mayor of brussels. Could be there brussels. There could be there was according nigel was no, according to nigel farage, whos out there for gb news. A lot of news. There was not a lot of protest so i think the protest outside. So i think the idea been want to avoid idea had been they want to avoid any protests outside the any kind of protests outside the building. Very little building. There was very little protest. It looks to us protest. In fact, it looks to us from images now, the police from the images now, the police outnumber judging from the images now, the police outthefber judging from the images now, the police outthe camera judging from the images now, the police outthe camera pictures. Judging from the images now, the police outthe camera pictures. Soiging from the images now, the police outthe camera pictures. So well by the camera pictures. So well wait to see what the justification was from the mayor wait to see what the jusbrussels was from the mayor wait to see what the jusbrussels. Nas from the mayor of brussels. Yeah, weve got a few people inside there, so were going to get in touch with later in the show, including a flemish mep who police who was there when the police clamped earlier on we clamped down. But earlier on we were speaking to Jonathan Ashworth and why dont we hear from shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth, who us Jonathan Ashworth, who gave us his thoughts on the chaos earlier gb news. And then get earlier on gb news. And then get your reaction. Your reaction. Of free speech. And i hope you can get somebody from the brussels authorities to come on and explain whats going on there. Im not im not up to date with the latest ins and outs of it. What i do know is, and which im slightly surprised at, is that Suella Braverman is one of guest speakers there. One of the guest speakers there. And think some of the and i think some of the speakers, what speakers, from what i understand, been understand, who have been advertised website advertised on the website for this very this conference, have very unsavoury views. Im rather surprised that Suella Braverman has go and speak has been allowed to go and speak at event. At this event. Interesting there, chris, how jonathan pivoted this to a bit of a barbed attack on Suella Braverman. As youd expect, western eating, in fact, a short while ago said the same thing. Suella braverman the Suella Braverman isnt in the chamber debating chamber today debating on smoking shes surrounded smoking because shes surrounded by right fanatics by police and far right fanatics in brussels. So youd expect the labour party to make hay over this. Yeah, they em this. Yeah, they are. And for yeah, and they are. And for laboun yeah, and they are. And for labour, they, they that labour, they, they think that they point to the fact that they can point to the fact that Suella Braverman, a future possible leader. Liz truss her possible leader. Liz truss her book launch tonight. Theyve been document been given this this document out, to journalists today. Theyre to make clear theyre trying to make clear that trussonomics is the future direction for the tory party now that that would be distributed by the left of the party. But they want to try and portray the tory party as getting more extreme the of politics extreme to the right of politics and banging centre is the and banging the centre is the labour thats where labour party. And thats where jonathan and maybe labour party. And thats where jonathanwes and maybe labour party. And thats where jonathanwes streeting, maybe labour party. And thats where jonathanwes streeting, whose weaving wes streeting, whos debating, of course, the health and the vaping bill in the house of commons today. I mean, i wonder whether the remarks out from the uk government today is a chance for those around rishi sunak, his top team, to stress that hes a right winger. He is trying to ban smoking and lots of those on the right are saying what on earth is going on . Loads of right tories gone of right wing tories have gone campaign theyve Left Campaign today. Theyve left london. Normally be seen london. Theyd normally be seen to voting for ban. To be voting for this ban. Theyre going abstain. Theyre going to abstain. So understand a revolt of so we understand a revolt of sorts is brewing. Penny morden rumoured to be one that Kemi Badenoch suella badenoch of course Suella Braverman out town. But braverman out of town. But another revolt should sail another revolt it should sail through though, because of course the labour party back it. Yeah, its a free vote, so its technically, its not rebellion technically, but something which rishi but it is something which rishi sunak announced to some to some surprise , at the party surprise, at the Party Conference last october. For some, they see it as sunaks gay marriage measure, which of course, ten years ago David Cameron pushed through to legalise gay marriage. That was against lots of opposition from some some right wing tory mps and plenty in the grassroots. And plenty in the grassroots. Similarly, this is an attempt to try and stop us all smoking by banning a 15 year old smoking and increasing that ban every yean and increasing that ban every year. So never quite get to the get to the point of being able to over the age of allowed to buy cigarettes. People who say its imagine a 59 its unenforceable. Imagine a 59 year old and a six year old. The 59 year old cant buy a cigarette. The 60 year old can. Cigarette. The 60 year old can. Whos going to ask their id in 30 years anyway . Its an 30 years time anyway . Its an attempt new zealand tried it and theyve dropped it. Theyve preferring spend money on tax preferring to spend money on tax cuts of change of cuts because of a change of government. I labour, government. I think labour, though, back this. Though, are going to back this. If labour take power as opposed to autumn , then it to just in the autumn, then it will in place. To just in the autumn, then it wilido in place. To just in the autumn, then it wilido you3lace. To just in the autumn, then it wilido you think its do you think its enforceable . Because, look, we cant , we cant stop cant ban heroin, we cant stop crack cocaine, we cant stop kids accessing triple x rates of pornography. We cant stop kids buying a packet of snouts. Now, this might sound good. It might make rishi look like the patron saint of good health. But actually, is it the patron saint of puritanism . And is that a traditionally conservative view . Obviously Boris Johnson doesnt agree. Hed rather talk about Sir Winston Churchill and his love of cigars. Well, for him its, you know, the party of churchill is banning cigars. Why is this the case . Maybe as many as 50 tories might rebel. You mentioned those ministers. They wont have to ministers. They wont have to resign. Its a free vote. Liz truss to speak. George truss wants to speak. George galloway, from hes galloway, from left. Hes speaking and were seeing footage right now from the house of commons chamber, where that debate on, yeah, its of commons chamber, where that d but cost to the nhs so but, but cost to the nhs to from treating people with cancen to from treating people with cancer, argue they pay cancer, you could argue they pay as anyway. Cancer, you could argue they pay as chris anyway. Cancer, you could argue they pay as chris oke,yway. Cancer, you could argue they pay as chris oke, thanks for joining chris oke, thanks for joining us. Pleasure. Moving on us. Always a pleasure. Moving on now, students now, a Muslim Students challenge high Court Challenge at the high court against london schools ban on against a london schools ban on prayer rituals rejected prayer rituals has been rejected , and the student argued that the ban at Michaela Community school was discriminatory and unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom. However, the school said allowing prayers risked security threats and could undermine social cohesion among pupils. While joining us now from outside the high court is gb News National reporter Theo Chikomba theo, welcome to the show. So, Katharine Birbalsingh, the head of the Michaela Academy , quite simply Michaela Academy, quite simply said, this is a victory for all schools. Tell us about the ruling today at the high court. Yes. Well, the Michaela Community school in North West London has previously been described as one of the strictest schools in britain. Strictest schools in britain. And in a two day hearing which took place here at the high court in january, the school told the court that if it allowed a prayer policy in their school, it would risk undermining inclusion for the pupils who attend that school. Now, weve heard a response from the students who brought forward this legal challenge. In this legal challenge. In a statement, she said i am obviously very disappointed that the judge did not agree with me as is set out in the judgement. I do not agree that it would be too hard for the school to accommodate pupils who wish to pray in the lunch break. The school is very well run and generally very good at managing everything. The school doesnt wish to allow pupils to pray, has chosen a different path and the judge has found in their favour. Even the judge has found in their favour. Even though i lost, i feel that i did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion. But the head teacher has also responded via social media, saying that this is a victory for all schools. She said a school should be free to do what is right for pupils. It serves now onto the judgement itself, which was brought this morning in an 83 page document, and in it the judge says it seems to me that this case, where the claimant is, where the claimant at the very least impliedly accepted when she enrolled at the school that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion. She knew that the school is secular, and her own evidence is that her mother wished her to go there because it was known to be strict and they also went on to say, she herself says that long before the prayer ritual was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school and therefore made up for missed prayers. When she got home. Now, in terms of this policy, it was introduced in may 2023. This was following a number of incidents which occurred at the school, some which ended up on social media, and a petition was raised and the school have also gone on to say a reversing that this policy, this emergency ban, it would again expose them to what they have described as unacceptable risk of threats. And thats according to the lawyer whos representing them. Now, what this might mean is that it might give an indication or an idea for others who wish to bring forward a legal challenge like this in the future. Yeah. Future. Yeah. Thank you. Theo chikomba. Thank you very much. That ruling thank you very much. That ruling from the high court there live in central london. I think this is the totemic moment. It really is the totemic moment. It really is something ive talked about a lot on the show, of course, is religious extremism in schools, particularly around batley particularly around the batley grammar. Three years and grammar school. Three years and counting, the teacher and his family have been in hiding. Yesterday on the show we talked about the Islamic Centre of england was rumbled behind england was rumbled being behind those protests and a lot of people think that it religious extremism is now behind these protests. Its driving the agenda within schools still joined in the studio by chris hope. Chris, these kind of rulings give you hope. It does seem that way. I just wonder whether this ruling here, which is meant, some would say a common sense ruling. Youve got to allow the head teacher to set the a school and to the rules in a school and to have this challenge her have this challenge to her authority this pupil. It authority as by this pupil. It seems the right, the right result of this high court heafing result of this High Court Hearing you heard last week, the cass review into trying to treat children who think theyre trans in a more humane way, not prescribed drugs , but prescribed drugs, but needlessly, in a sense , the needlessly, in a sense, the politics is going back maybe to where we being recenter being recalibrated possibly. And that might be a good thing. Its so extreme. Some of the debates on this on social media that perhaps this is an indication that perhaps all the authorities in country moving back in this country are moving back into this into the centre ground. This isnt an isolated incident. Of course. There was the berkeley academy, also in london. They had to close due to death threats, and there was a bomb scare. And what Katharine Birbalsingh had birbalsingh has had to go through and her has through percy and her staff has been outrageous. All hope been outrageous. Lets all hope this as say, a this is, as you say, a recalibration and a route to common ill be common sense. Although ill be speaking with speaking in the next hour with a muslim scholar who thinks this was wrong decision. So was the wrong decision. So look forward to his point of view. Wed like to have all opinions here on gb news now. Well have lots more on that story throughout the show, and theres plenty of coverage on our website, gbnews. Com. And youve helped make the fastest helped to make it the Fastest Growing news website growing National News website in the thank very the country. So thank you very much theres much indeed. Right. Theres still plenty of time to grab your chance to win a greek cruise. 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Full terms and Privacy Notice at gv news. Com. Forward slash win gv news. Com. Forward slash win please check the closing time if listening watching on demand. Listening or watching on demand. Hope good luck chris hope sashaying away there to that greek music. Plenty more to come on way. All the very latest on the way. All the very latest on the way. All the very latest on the way. All the very latest on the chaos brussels. Im on the chaos in brussels. Im martin on gb news, Martin Daubney on gb news, britains channel welcome back. Its 326. Im Martin Daubney, and this is gb news. Now. Plenty more to bring you on the show, including all the very latest on the bedlam in brussels as police attempt to shut down the National Conservatism event there. Look at that. Police cordon outside. We have people cordon outside. We have people inside. Were speaking to them later in the show. But before that, rishi sunak faces the prospect of a major backbench rebellion over his plans to ban smoking for all of those born after january the first 2009, meaning the Prime Minister may need to rely on votes from the labour party to pass one of his flagship policies. However, flagship policies. However, whilst many conservative mps oppose the proposed ban for what they regard as its attack on personal liberties , it does have personal liberties, it does have a lot of support outside the house of commons, with englands chief medical officer, sir chris whitty and britains four chief nursing officers all urging mps to back this smoking ban. Well im now joined in the studio by andrei kucherov, the chief executive of the uk vaping industry association, who is with me in the studio. Welcome to the show, andrei. So the thing about this, right is how do you stop teenagers from doing anything prohibition has never really worked. It forces things underground. It drives people underground. It drives people into the hands of a black market. Surely, the ban in itself is an enforceable and not conservative. Yes. Yeah. And unfortunately. Yes. Yeah. And unfortunately. Only teenagers do these things. We would want. We wouldnt want to see teenagers vaping or smoking matter. But as to see teenagers vaping or smo say, matter. But as to see teenagers vaping or smosay, prohibitionatter. But as you say, prohibition unfortunately work. And unfortunately doesnt work. And we , vaping we need to remember, vaping products are already banned for the kids are the under aged. Yet kids are getting hold of these products. So what . We dont need now is more bans, more restrictions. If the government cant even enforce its existing laws. The tory party was known for being strong on law and order, but it led this black market flourish. So what we need really is to prosecute these criminals, introduce harsh fines and go after these criminals. What we dont need is more headline, bans, which dont have any effect. And we can see live pictures there from the house of commons. Its being debated ahead of that vote and the its worth pointing out the nhs website actually currently is in favour of vapes and e cigarettes. It says theyre far less harmful than cigarettes , and they can help cigarettes, and they can help you to quit smoking for good, because it does say theyre not recommended for non smokers and cannot to people under cannot be sold to people under 18 years of age. But do you feel this whole debate is lumping vaping and smoking together, making them seem like theyre comparatively bad for you . Comparatively bad for you . Absolutely. Yeah, it should not really be one, shared bill, because vaping is really the solution to smoking. So as you said, Public Health england is clear. Vaping at least 95 clear. Vaping is at least 95 less harmful smoking. Its less harmful than smoking. Its twice effective than any twice as effective than any other method to quit. So its completely two different things. And, the message to smokers out there should be the best thing they can do for their health is to quit smoking completely or to switch to vaping. And i think the government confusing the the government is confusing the issue. Theres talks about bans. Issue. Theres talks about bans. Theres talks about taxes. Theres talks about more taxes. And this is all going into the wrong direction. If the government wants to achieve a smoke free 2030 for this country, it needs to embrace vaping as part of the solution. And the uk has now achieved one of the lowest smoking rates in europe. To a very pro europe. Thanks to a very pro vaping stance in the past of that government. So we what we that government. So we what we need as a as a industry is a licensing scheme which regulates vaping products similar to the alcohol licensing scheme, where you restrict where these products can be sold and you introduce a £750 fee for that licensing scheme. So you could raise £50 million without cost to any taxpayer to give trading standards the actual resource and funding to go after these criminals, stop the criminals, protect the kids and help smokers to quit smoking. Are confident that there are you confident that there is no health risk with vapes . I saw a report we covered it on this show a couple of weeks ago about new report showing that this show a couple of weeks ago aboutwerew report showing that this show a couple of weeks ago aboutwere signs rt showing that this show a couple of weeks ago aboutwere signs of showing that this show a couple of weeks ago aboutwere signs of cancerous1at there were signs of cancerous cells mouths of vapers in cells in the mouths of vapers in comparison to smoking itself. What are the risks . Well, just to point out that that study, the authors of that study were clear themselves that the study doesnt show that, vaping causes cancer. So its still very clear. The evidence is very clear that vaping is at least 95 less harmful than smoking. And we have vaping has been around for 15 years. We dont see any uptake in any , dont see any uptake in any, lung, risks for vaping. So the best thing is more can do is quit completely or switch to vaping. And i think even chris whitty will agree on that. Okay. Super. Thank you very much for joining us on the show in forjoining us on the show in the studio, andre qatar the the studio, andre qatar of the chief uk vaping chief executive of the uk Vaping Vaping industry association, thanks for your time today. Thank of course, well thank you. And of course, well follow that vote throughout the show bring you results show and bring you the results of it as they land throughout the evening on other shows to follow theres follow mine. Of course, theres lots come between lots more still to come between now including the now and 4 00, including the bedlam in brussels as police attempt down they attempt to shut down they conservative event there with keynote speakers , including our keynote speakers, including our very own nigel farage and former home secretary vie Suella Braverman. Miriam cates is also , braverman. Miriam cates is also, i believe, currently speaking. But first its time for your latest News Headlines and its tatiana. Tatiana sanchez. Martin. Thank you. The top stories this hour. Government sources have told gb news the attempt to shut down the National Conservative am conference is a concern for free speech. Nigel farage was on stage at the event when he heard the news. I understand the police are very, very keen to close this down, so if theyre going to close it down they can close it down with me on stage, cant they . The event had already changed venue three times after public pressure and previous attempts to close it down. Its understood the order came from local brussels mayor amir khan. In a move he said was to guarantee Public Safety. It followed a post he made on social media far social media saying the far right welcome. Organisers right is not welcome. Organisers say will continue for say the event will continue for as it can, but delegates as long as it can, but delegates have been encouraged not to leave because police will not let them back in. Policing minister chris philp says new powers for chief constables to sack rogue officers will root out those unfit to wear the badge. Under the new powers, chief constables will be put in charge of misconduct hearings, making it easier to remove officers in their own force who are found guilty. The changes, are found guilty. The changes, which come into force on the 7th of may, follow a review into police dismissals after the conviction of David Carrick for multiple Sexual Offences while serving as a Police Officer. A serving as a Police Officer. A High Court Ruling dismissing a Muslim Students challenge against her schools prayer ban has been described as a victory for all schools, the student argued the policy at Michaela Community school was discriminatory and breached her right to religious freedom. However headteacher catherine said schools should not be forced to change their approach simply because a child or parent decides they dont like something. The judge upheld the schools position, highlighting safety , and social safety concerns, and social media platform x is planning to start charging all new users a small fee to interact with posts. The sites owner, elon musk , says charging new users to musk, says charging new users to like and reply to tweets is only the only way to stop. What he described as the relentless onslaught of bots and fake accounts. Last year, a pilot scheme was launched new scheme was launched in new zealand in the philippines, zealand and in the philippines, which charged a 1 a year subscription, its reported the trial be rolled out trial will now be rolled out more widely. For the latest more widely. For the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen, or go to gb news. Com slash alerts. News. Com slash alerts. For stunning gold and silver coins, youll always value rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report. The gb news financial report. Heres a quick snapshot of todays markets. The pound will buy you 1. 2450 and ,1. 1709. The price of gold is £1,901. 83 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is at 7811 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report. Report. Thank you tatiana. Weve still got loads more to come on the show, including, of course, all the latest on the bedlam in brussels. But first, theres a new way to get touch with us new way to get in touch with us here gbnews and heres bev turner with all the details. Turner with all of the details. We are proud to be gb news the peoples channel, as you the peoples channel, and as you know, we always love to hear your views. Now theres new know, we always love to hear yourofews. Now theres new know, we always love to hear yourof gettingn theres new know, we always love to hear yourof getting in heres new know, we always love to hear yourof getting in touch new know, we always love to hear yourof getting in touch with w know, we always love to hear yourof getting in touch with us way of getting in touch with us at gbnews. Com yoursay your say by commenting you can be part of a conversation and join our a live conversation and join our gb news community. You can even talk to me, bev turner or any of the members of the news the members of the gb news family. Simply go to family. Simply go to gbnews. Com yoursay to. Welcome back. Its 339. Im Martin Daubney on gb news now. Uk employment has leapt to 4. 2 in february, up from 3. 9. And thats according to official figures from the office for national statistics. Thats considerably higher than expected. And analysts are putting this down to the impact of higher Interest Rates on employers and this comes as real wages have risen to their fastest rate since 2021. Well, joining us now for more on this good news is our economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan with on the money liam. Always a delight to have you on the show yet. Good morning. Yet more good news for gb plc. Tell us more. News for gb plc. Tell us more. Well a bit of a mixed bag really. This data out, this morning. On the one hand, as you say, unemployments up. Its say, unemployments up. Its still relatively low by historic standards at 4. 2. But those unemployment figures , they dont unemployment figures, they dont capture a lot of people who arent looking for work and who arent looking for work and who are out of work. Arent looking for work and who are out of work. So it is low by are out of work. So it is low by International Standards and low by historic standards. But it is by historic standards. But it is tipping up a little bit. Unemployment and the numbers dont really capture everything thats going on. But on the other hand, the wage data is really quite encouraging. But again, im an economist, as always, on the one hand. On the other, theres a little bit of a fly in the ointment on that as well. Lets have a look at this wage data which out this wage data which came out this morning. Us that morning. The ons tells us that average across the uk were average wages across the uk were up average wages across the uk were up 6 during the three months to february. Thats december, february. So thats december, january and february compared to the same periods 12 months before real wages , if you take before real wages, if you take account of inflation, are up 2. 1. And that is actually a big rise. Thats the sharpest rise rise. Thats the sharpest rise in real wages since july 2021, because whats happening now is that wage growth is going higher than inflation. As inflation comes down. So thats the sharpest rise in real wages since 2021. And that makes it harder for and this is the bad news. The bank of england to cut Interest Rates. Why is that. Because theyre worried that these increases in real wages, these increases in real wages, the members of the Monetary Policy committee at the bank of england who set Interest Rates, theyre worried that will feed into inflation and set inflation running again. Now, as it happens, martin, the inflation number for march comes out tomorrow , 7 am. Ill be here in tomorrow, 7 am. Ill be here in the gb news studio , bright eyed the gb news studio, bright eyed and bushy tailed to report on it. And that inflation number is likely to come down quite sharply. Maybe below 3, maybe even approaching 2. The bank of englands target. And therell be lots of claims, lots of cries. Oh, the bank of england has to cut Interest Rates now. And the first time that theyre going to meet is on may the 9th. But thing is, even if but the thing is, even if headune but the thing is, even if headline inflation is coming down, martin, if real wages are going up sharply and we havent even talked about the oil price, which talked about yesterday, which we talked about yesterday, but know, still around but its, you know, still around 90 a barrel, up from 73 a barrel as recently as mid january. Its a 25 rise if you have high wages. If you have high oil prices, thats going to make it very difficult for the bank of england to cut Interest Rates. And a lot of people now rates. And a lot of people now think the first Interest Rate cut isnt going to come until not so much the end of spring, but mid summer. Thats but more mid summer. Thats partly of price. Partly because of the oil price. Its also because of whats happening in the us. Us inflation has just gone back up to 3. 5. And where the us goes, the uk tends to follow. So there is some good news in this data today. Its certainly good news that real wages are going up as the cost of living crisis is squeezed, but it does make it more difficult for the bank of england to raise to lower Interest Rates, giving families with mortgages some kind of relief. But final thing id say a lot of gb news viewers, they quite like higher Interest Rates, of course, because they get a decent return on their savings , particularly if theyre pensioners. Liam, could i quickly ask you, as i have you here, the ftse 100 has taken a bit of a battering today because of the situation in the middle east. Should concerned and should people be concerned and even who dont have stocks even those who dont have stocks and because impact on and shares because of impact on their pensions . Could the far away trouble in the middle east be impacting our our pounds and pence and our purses back here in blighty . In blighty . Look, we live in an interconnected, globalised world. The uk is a very internationally exposed economy. Our stock market is very internationally exposed. The ftse 100 is really an index of International Companies as opposed to uk companies. The uk companies are more what we call the ftse 250, which includes quite a few less big companies. Theyre not small, theyre just less big. So yeah, i think it is right that we keep an eye on these things. I would say, though, repeating what i said to you yesterday, martin, you know, weve just had the first direct attack by iran on israel in, you know, living memory. And yet know, living memory. And yet there is a sense in the markets that there probably isnt going to be an escalation of that. We should be really thankful for that. And thats why, frankly, oil is at the moment near a 90 a barrel than 100 a barrel. So yes, of course , this yes, of course, this International Turmoil will impact stocks and shares in the uk. And yes, of course, that could have a knock on effects. So of course you only lose money on shares when you actually sell them. Things do go up and down. So i would say a mixed bag again good wage data, not so good. Unemployment data. Difficulty for the bank of england though, to lower Interest Rates, particularly because of the oil price. And also this geopolitical tension in the middle east and beyond. Superb Liam Halligan as ever. A pleasure to have you on the show. Thank you mate. Now, very shortly well be crossing back to brussels for the very latest on the police attempt to shut down conservative event there. Down a conservative event there. Im Martin Daubney on gb news, britains welcome back. Its 348. Im Martin Daubney and this is gb news. Now, the National Trust have come under fire from locals in the village of sudbury in derbyshire. After they were told derbyshire. After they were told that their Community Sports field was being taken back for the trust to meet their eco targets of evicting the local Football Club that currently use it. And our reporterjack carson it. And our reporter jack carson has this story. In the quaint derbyshire village of sudbury, theres a Storm Brewing between the local Football Club and the National Trust. This grass field might trust. This grass field might seem unremarkable, but for hundreds of years its been part of the sudbury hall estate, playing host to the village football and cricket matches. Now the National Trust are planning to put an end to that tradition in the name of biodiverse hs2, with plans for trees and plants where the Football Club play. Some worry it breaks a memorandum of wishes from the late vernon, whose from the late lord vernon, whose family lived here since family have lived here since 1660. Manager of sudbury fc, tom crutchley, says hes upset at the decision. Naturally disappointed, a lot weve been here. This is our ninth year, you know, weve put a lot of effort into into here to keep playing, to maintain it, im from the village originally, so personally it was. Yeah, very. It was very upsetting. Not just for our team, but for future generations , but the amount of generations, but the amount of land they have here, over 20 acres, believe theres surely acres, i believe theres surely enough room for that. And for the amount that we the amount of times that we play, play between 10 play, because we play between 10 to home games year, under to 15 home games a year, under 2 time were here. 2 of the time that were here. So in the way so were not really in the way as much. The National Trust want as much. The National Trust want to support communities. To support local communities. And build strong and and build strong relations, and by not letting us by doing this, not letting us play by doing this, not letting us play here probably doesnt help that the proposed changes have upset local people who worry. In the area might businesses in the area might also the impact losing also feel the impact of losing it. Community space, mp for it. As a community space, mp for derbyshire, dale sarah dines, says the National Trust arent respecting the history of the site. I feel theyre trampling over the wishes of historic owners who up this wonderful site who gave up this wonderful site for the nation for and over 100 years people have played football and cricket here. Its incredibly sad, incredibly sad, andifs incredibly sad, incredibly sad, and its against the wishes of a lot of people locally who have written to me from the village and the i know its a tricky issue maintaining this sort of ground, the governments ground, but the governments given of for given a lot of money for grassroots sport , and there grassroots sport, and there would available keep would be Funds Available to keep it as it is. Its not just plans for the sports that have upset the sports field that have upset the member parliament. Sudbury member of parliament. Sudbury hall lives under branding hall lives under the branding of the country house, a the childrens country house, a decision which dines says is disrespectful to the history of the estate. I mean, this is fake. To make it into a childrens theme park. Its reimagining. It into a childrens theme park. Its reimagining. And its almost a reimagining. And in fact, thats the very words it says on their website. The house is reopened. Its been reimagined. I dont want our heritage to be reimagined. I think. I think the National Trust has been its been captured by people who have different ideas than most people in this country. In response to the concerns raised about the plans for the sports field, a National Trust spokesperson said although the National Trust will not be able to continue running the land as a hire on a commercial a space for hire on a commercial basis, local community will basis, the local community will continue to be able to enjoy it free of charge for Family Leisure time games and activities picnicking, leisure time games and actiywalking picnicking, leisure time games and actiywalking and picnicking, leisure time games and actiywalking and village ing, dog walking and village celebrations. We are also looking at plans to restore the land back to a grade two listed landscape, which will include grassland and the planting of new trees that will blend the area with the surrounding historic parkland. Whilst the pubuc historic parkland. Whilst the public will still be able to roam these historic grounds , the roam these historic grounds, the village feels like a legacy is being snatched away. Jack carson gb sudbury now theres gb news sudbury now theres a new way for you to get in touch with me here gbnews and your views, and post your comments by visiting gbnews. Com yoursay. So get in touch all the usual ways. What do you think about this clampdown in brussels . Currently speaking, well have all latest from brussels in all the latest from brussels in the next hour. You can see there this is still outside the National Conservatism event in brussels, a reminder that the mayor of brussels has sent in the police because he believed there will be severe disruption at this event, a risk of public disorder. Well, that hasnt happened. Philippe close , whos happened. Philippe close, whos the mayor of the city of brussels and a member of the socialist party, said the hard right arent welcome in brussels. And to prove that he wasnt at all authoritarian , he wasnt at all authoritarian, he sent in the police to close down the event. Nigel farage was the event. Nigel farage was mid flow. The event was just getting underway. Suella getting underway. Suella braverman due to attend miriam cates. We understand currently speaking, viktor orban, the president of hungary , was due to president of hungary, was due to speak and ive just received this extraordinary document. This is from an interviewee that we are going have on the show we are going to have on the show shortly. Coleman, a free shortly. Paul coleman, a free speech advocate, has just posted an english language translation of the actual documents that were sent out. Explain why people would be were being turned away. He claims that people at this event were homophobes. They were apparently disrespectful of human rights and minorities. They were traditionalists. As if thats traditionalists. As if thats a crime. And we can also cite an author of controversial works on political islam, whereas it cannot be ruled out that extremist groups in belgium or europe are associated themselves with this event, or seeking to undermine the safety of the participants in this conference, whereas some of them are under Police Protection in several countries of origin. The clear implication here that extremists from across europe would have attended this event . Well, there hasnt been any evidence provided of that. In fact, nobody can get in or out of the venue. Well, you are allowed out, but you cannot get back in. Now. I just want to point out its come to my attention that last june, the mayor of tehran, a gentleman called alireza zakanl a gentleman called Alireza Zakani, whos known as an ultra radical, the mouthpiece of the ayatollah germany, hes sanctioned by the European Union, currently sanctioned by the eu for serious human rights violations. Well, he was invited to brussels. He appeared at the same event as that mayor. Funny, isnt it . Because he chooses to hang around with people like that, but not people at the nigel farage conference, well have all the latest from brussels in the next hour. Im Martin Daubney its your Martin Daubney now. Its your weather mcgivern. Weather with Aidan Mcgivern. Outlook with boxt solar. Sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office. Its a bright day out office. Its a bright day out there. Some sunny spells, even , there. Some sunny spells, even, but its still blustery. There are still showers coming through , High Pressure, tantalisingly close, but were going to have to wait a few more days for that to wait a few more days for that to arrive for the time being. Weve got low pressure to the north and to the east, bringing this airflow and this cool northerly airflow and bringing showers in the bringing further showers in the airflow. Now the showers overnight become more confined to the north of scotland, where theyll be frequent and prolonged. Eastern england as well, a few into well, and a few toppling into northern parts of wales northern ireland. Parts of wales and western england in between. Plenty clear spells and with plenty of clear spells and with lighter winds, its to be lighter winds, its going to be a bit chillier as we begin wednesday. Certainly a fresh start out there, but a bright start, some long spells of sunshine for western scotland, southern scotland, parts of england as well. Now england and wales as well. Now were going to see further showers coming into the north and east of scotland, as well as parts eastern england. Parts of eastern england. It will be fewer, think, compared will be fewer, i think, compared with and were going to with tuesday and were going to see the cloud thicken for northern ireland, with outbreaks of rain feeling quite cool here. Seven celsius otherwise, where we , clear and we do get lengthy, clear and dfier we do get lengthy, clear and drier weather across central parts 12 or 13 celsius. So a cool day , but feeling pleasant cool day, but feeling pleasant where weve got the dry and bright weather and a bright start to thursday again. A chilly start to the day for many, but were going to see cloud and rain spread into northern parts of the country that will spread south during friday, clearing to sunny skies at weekend. At the weekend. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. Boxt boilers. Sponsors of weather on gb news. Hey. Very good afternoon to you. Its 4 pm. Welcome to the Martin Daubney show on gb news. Were broadcasting live from the heart westminster all across heart of westminster all across the todays show , police the uk. On todays show, police in brussels are attempting to shut down the National Conservatism conference. Gagging nigel farage Suella Braverman and viktor orban. Well be live from the venue for a frontline account for an mep and free speech activists. Next, a london headmistress who has won the right to ban a muslim people from praying has called the High Court Ruling a victory for all schools. Will we finally see an schools. Will we finally see an end to religious extremists meddling with british schools . Ill speak to a muslim cleric who thinks this was a bad idea. And today the Government Faces yet another revolt over its plan to ban teenagers from smoking for life. Is this clamp down sensible or merely the slippery slope to puritanism . And thats all coming up in your next hour. Welcome to the show. Astonishing scenes in bristols total bedlam in brussels. Scenes in bristols total bedlam in brussels. In fact, were about to speak to a couple of gentlemen who were at that venue in brussels when the police when the buffer boys turned up and closed it down. Extraordinary closed it down. An extraordinary statement from the mayor, the socialist mayor of brussels. Live pictures on your screen now, philippe close, the mayor of the city of brussels, issued a Police Dispersal order. We have a full translation of that. Incredible words put forward, accusing attendees of being extremists, homophobes and, all manner of other things. Well also speak. To manner of other things. Well also speak. To a flemish mp who was inside for what many are seeing as a nationwide clampdown on conservative ism. Dont forget, brussels prides itself on being the home of the European Union and allied to the European Union and allied to the European Court of human rights in strasbourg. Is this what free speech looks like in modern europe . Get in touch. Tell me what you think about this today. Theres a new way of getting in touch. You simply visit gb news. Com forward slash your say. You can get in touch with me. Keep it clean and ill read out the latest throughout the show. But first heres your headlines first heres your News Headlines and middlehurst. And its polly middlehurst. Martin thank you. Martin thank you. Good afternoon. Well, the top good afternoon. Well, the top story from the gb newsroom, of course, as youve been hearing, government sources have told gb news to shut down news the attempt to shut down the National Conservatism conference in brussels is a concern for free speech. Nigel farage was on stage at the event when he heard the news. I understand the police are very, very keen to close this down so if theyre going to close it down they can close it down with me on stage, cant they . Well, the National Conservatism conference had already changed their venue three public three times after public pressure and previous attempts to close it down. Its understood the order came from the local mayor in brussels, emir kir , in a move he brussels, emir kir, in a move he said was to guarantee Public Safety. It followed a post he made on social media saying the far right is not welcome. Well, organisers event will organisers say the event will continue for as long as it can, but delegates have been encouraged not to leave because police wont let them back in. The former home secretary, Suella Braverman spoke nigel Suella Braverman spoke to nigel farage own speech at conference. Thankfully you and i got to make our speeches in favour of controlling our borders and protecting our communities amongst like minded democrats. Many of us there are democratically elected politicians. Many of us are leaders in our field academics, thinkers, writers. And its frankly staggering. The mayor of brussels has deployed his thought police to cancel what is a peaceful event focused on how we can better represent the millions of people around the european continent. Suella braverman well, labours Jonathan Ashworth questioned whether conservatives from the uk should have been there at all. I think some of the speakers , i think some of the speakers, from what i understand, who have been advertised on the website for this conference, have very unsavoury views. Im rather surprised that Suella Braverman has been allowed to go and speak at this why is rishi at this event. Why is rishi sunak getting a grip of this sunak not getting a grip of this situation . Why is he not asking situation . Why is he not asking Suella Braverman to pull out of this because some the this event . Because some of the characters involved, at least according , have according to their website, have made of comments, made all kinds of comments, which think the rishi which i dont think the rishi Sunak Tory Party would want to associate themselves with. Policing minister chris philp says new powers for chief constables to sack rogue Police Officers will root out those unfit to wear the badge under the new powers, chief constables will be put in charge of misconduct hearings, making it easier to remove officers in their own force who are found guilty. Changes, come guilty. The changes, which come into next month, follow a into effect next month, follow a review into police dismissals after the conviction of David Carrick for multiple Sexual Offences while serving as a Police Officer , a high court Police Officer, a High Court Ruling dismissing a Muslim Students challenge against her schools prayer ban has been described as a victory for all schools. The student argued the policy at the Michaela Community school was discriminatory and breached her right to religious freedom, but the headteacher , freedom, but the headteacher, Katharine Birbalsingh, said schools shouldnt forced to schools shouldnt be forced to change their approach simply because a child or parent decide they dont like it. The judge upheld the schools position, highlighting safety concerns and despite the ruling, the students legal team expressed their disappointment, saying its important promote its important to promote religious freedoms in educational settings. The Health Educational settings. The Health Secretary, victoria atkins , has secretary, victoria atkins, has denied that a ban on tobacco and vape sales will cause a black market boom. If youre watching on television, lets take a look inside the commons, where the tobacco and vapes bill is being brought before mps for discussion today for the very first time. If it becomes law, it would be an offence to sell Tobacco Products to anyone born after the 1st of january 2009, liberal democrats leader sir ed davey says hes going to back the bill. Ive been convinced by the health arguments. Tobacco smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in our country , and having lost our country, and having lost both my parents to cancer as a child , my father was for mother child, my father was for mother when i was 15. I know how awful cancer can be for families, and so i think this is a good step forward within the liberal democrats. Its a free vote, as it should be. But i, as the leader, im really clear this should ban this face ban should go ahead. Ed davey now downing street has denied the uk is, quote, being taken for granted by israel as times still not been found for a call between rishi sunak and binyamin netanyahu, the Prime Minister and israeli counterpart are due to talk about a de escalation of hostilities in the middle east with iran , amid concerns the with iran, amid concerns the crisis could get out of control. Crisis could get out of control. Israel has confirmed their war cabinet will meet today to discuss their response to irans missile and drone attack over the weekend. Irans president , the weekend. Irans president , meanwhile, says even the smallest against his smallest action against his country will be met with a severe, widespread and painful he said response. Thats the news for the latest stories. Do you sign up to gb news alerts . Scan the qr code on your screen or to gb common alerts. Or go to gb news. Common alerts. Thank you polly. Now we start with the bedlam in brussels and these are live pictures on your screen. Police are still attempting to shut down a conference where nigel farage and former home secretary Suella Braverman have been speaking earlier on officers arrived at the National Conservatism summit after a local mayor ordered the event to be shut down to guarantee Public Safety. While nigel farage has reaction soon after he was told about the situation, said it was a clear example of modern day communism. Example of modern day communism. Well, lets return now to brussels and speak to the executive director of adf uk, paul coleman. Paul welcome to the show adf uk. Thats the alliance for defending freedom. Paul alliance for defending freedom. Paul, youre there. I understand you attempted to get inside the event. You were prevented from doing so by police, but you are due to speak to tomorrow. How due to speak to tomorrow. How will the event go ahead and whats the mood on the ground to this clampdown . I have no idea this clampdown . I have no idea at the moment whether ill be able to speak tomorrow, because ihave able to speak tomorrow, because i have the Police Barricade behind me, its quite an extraordinary situation, the eventis extraordinary situation, the event is still going on inside , event is still going on inside, but the police have taken the decision to prevent anyone else from from getting inside. And so myself , a from from getting inside. And so myself, a number of other speakers, a number of the people who are planning to attend have been kept outside all day waiting to see if the order of the mayor will be overturned in the mayor will be overturned in the courts. Theres a live court case going on right now to see if that decision of the mayor will be overturned and if the Police Barricade will be removed. And, paul, you just tweeted an engush. And, paul, you just tweeted an english language translation of that Mayors Police order explaining the reasoning behind this clampdown. Can you talk us through the justifications that have been given, and what basis can this clampdown be justified . Can this clampdown be justified . Well, its really quite extraordinary. The mayor lists a number of, essentially just political disagreements with whatever is taking place inside and uses those political justifications for, the police barricading entrance to the event. Now, he goes on to cite risk of Public Safety as we would expect. But ive been here all afternoon. There really is no Public Safety issue at all. It was a totally peaceful conference. It is a conference that attracts mainstream speakers and mainstream views from across the whole continent. I was due to speak on the highly controversial topic of crisis of the family in europe. I was going to speak about the impact of fatherless homes and what that means for society , you that means for society, you know, these sorts of topics. And yet, because the mayor, disagrees with some of the political views , he has ordered political views, he has ordered the police to barricade the entrance to this event. Its an extraordinary list of allegations on this document. I just want to read a couple out as well. Extra ones. Paul as well as people inside being accused of being traditionalist , accused of being traditionalist, whatever that means. Im assuming that means you agree with the traditional family unit. A problem unit. Therefore thats a problem. Apparently inside are also homophobes and those disrespectful of human rights and minorities. And we can also cite an author of controversial works on political islam. Now, these arent the words of a Student Union leader. These are the words of the mayor of brussels. Extraordinary brussels. Extraordinary allegations of the people inside and the use of public order concerns. Thats, again, thats something thats typically used by Student Unions, not mayors of municipal Capital Cities in europe. This is being shut down. Europe. This is being shut down. It is quite extraordinary, its really just a collection of catchphrases and, and to think that a conference here in the heart of europe, the heart of the european institutions, is being shut down, and so often the case, its, its being done in the name of, of protecting and saving democracy is quite incredible. We talk all the time incredible. We talk all the time about cancel culture and here were seeing it on full display as police have been deployed by as police have been deployed by a political figure to prevent alternative political views from being discussed. And, paul, this being discussed. And, paul, this Extraordinary Police order concludes with the fact that this event could undeniably lead to violent reactions and, in fact, to considerable disturbance of public order, including Public Safety, tranquillity and peace. Paul, youre outside the venue. This youre outside the venue. This is a picture painted of social breakdown , of chaos in the breakdown, of chaos in the streets. Is anything like that happening where youre standing right now . Absolutely not. Its, right now . Absolutely not. Its, in fact, theres not very much happening at all at the moment, and i think it its quite clear that, this conference could easily go ahead, you could see they could easily allow people to, to enter here. They could easily , protect if there was easily, protect if there was a pubuc easily, protect if there was a public order, a Public Safety issue. I public order, a Public Safety issue. I think it seems clear to me and everyone else around here that that would have been easily handled and easily managed by the police. So what we see is just a very clear, pretext for shutting down something with which the mayor disagrees. Ultimately and hes using this, claim of Public Safety , public claim of Public Safety, public order essentially as an excuse to shut down views with which he disagrees. And, paul, you say at disagrees. And, paul, you say at present this ruling is being challenged in the courts. What do you expect the likely outcome will be . I mean, there are some pretty serious allegations being laid out. The attendees at the people inside at the organisers, they seem to be, baseless at best and defamatory at worst. Do you think this will get overturned . Do you think the event will ahead . Its really event will go ahead . Its really hard to say what the outcome of the ruling is going to be at this stage, of course , there is this stage, of course, there is a deference to what the police recommend. There is a deference to when people cite Public Safety and public order. Thats not something that will be overturned lightly. And so overturned lightly. And so myself and others involved, we dont know yet what the outcome of that case will be. But regardless of that ruling, i think that this is certainly not going to be the last that we hear about this. In fact, im a lawyer, a human rights lawyer. I work a lot on freedom of speech, freedom of assembly in europe, and myself and my colleagues will certainly be to see will certainly be looking to see what further action can be what further legal action can be taken , even outside of court taken, even outside of the Court Decision okay thank you decision today. Okay thank you for joining us live and direct forjoining us live and direct from outside that that closed down conference. National conservative conference. That was the executive director of adi uk, paul coleman. Now just out a statement from number 10 on this issue. And its this. The pms official spokesman describes Brussels Police shutdown of the National Conservatism conference as extremely disturbing, also saying the Prime Minister is an advocate of free speech and that there are no plans for protest to the eu as as there is no uk government representative at the event. Well im now joined by barrister and writer Stephen Barrett and a great friend of the show, stephen. These are extraordinary scenes. We just read through a Police Banning order issued there by the mayor of the municipal city of brussels, philippe close , brussels, philippe close, accusing people inside of being homophobes. Islamophobes traditionalists, whatever that means, as if that is a crime , means, as if that is a crime, saying that serious public order offences are undeniably going to happen. And yet, on the ground theres a scene of bemusement and a few people and confusion and a few people milling. Stephen barrett milling about. Stephen barrett in terms of the legal implications of this, this is extraordinary, isnt it . Extraordinary, isnt it . It is quite obviously on the face of it, a breach of human rights and what happened before the Second World War was that the Second World War was that the continent fell into confusion about basic rights and how everybody ought to behave. And then they behaved appallingly during the war years , many of them. And afterwards we gave them the Human Rights Convention in order to teach them how to behave. And whats been very interesting is, is how the police have just the Belgian Police have just gone along with what this and i understand hes a relatively minor official. I understand hes not the mayor of brussels. I think there are. There is one mayor of brussels, and then there is a level below that of sort of other municipal mayors of little areas. And hes one of those. So hes a hes a relatively low grade bureaucratic, you know, person, a part of the machine. Yet all of these officers have responded on force. I mean, i mean, that is quite its quite shocking. Is quite its quite shocking. They must we must all thank our lucky stars that there is no crime happening in brussels today, so that all of these officers are free to police a political event. I think its a breach of the European Convention of human rights. I think its a breach of what the eu call their fundamental rights. And i im not an expert on belgian law, and its very important that i do not come across in any way as an expert on belgian law. But i thought i would google their constitution and their constitution guarantees assembly, guarantees freedom of assembly, particularly. Particularly if its indoors. They different they have they have a different they have a a line between indoors they have a different they have a outdoors between indoors they have a different they have a outdoors and veen indoors they have a different they have a outdoors and this indoors they have a different they have a outdoors and this invery; and outdoors and this is very clearly indoors. So i think clearly indoors. And so i think that facie that this is prima facie a breach the belgian breach of the belgian constitution, breach of the belgian corargument there because the an argument there because the belgian constitution, in way an argument there because the belgprobablyitution, in way an argument there because the belgprobably weion, in way an argument there because the belgprobably we might way an argument there because the belgprobably we might think is that probably we might think is a un pc, specifies that a bit un pc, now specifies that belgians protections rather belgians have protections rather than everyone, which is, i dont know if that what a Belgian Court would do, but if they were belgian, then theyd be allowed. Theyd definitely, in my view , theyd definitely, in my view, be allowed to have this assembly. Point id like to assembly. The point id like to make to your viewers is, and i think is a really important one, we keep making this mistake of putting fundamental rights into law and thinking that sorts everything. And then everybody sort of dusts off their hands and goes down the pub and just assumes everythings okay. And that was how germany, before the Second World War, fell into into what it fell into. So they had in their constitution this is the weimar republic. They had fundamental rights like human rights. And they thought that that would keep them safe forever from this type of monstrous behaviour. We didnt do. We didnt it into do that. We didnt put it into law think that the lawyers law and think that the lawyers would after everything. We would look after everything. We talked other we had talked to each other and we had basic, fundamental principles that if you like, in that we kept, if you like, in the political or the cultural sphere. As a result, were sphere. And as a result, we were better able to prevent this type of thing. And one of the great things from my point of view is watching british reaction to watching the british reaction to this, almost this, which is almost universally mean, universally horrific. I mean, these are not in any way extremist political figures. The idea that they are homophobic is absurd. At least one of them is absurd. At least one of them is a friend of mine. This is just absurd. You know, i what we are seeing is the end result of believing that putting fundamental principles into law will solve everything. It wont. Will solve everything. It wont. You have to have a very furious rush to the courts. Maybe this time the Belgian Courts will get there in time. But you know, not everybody has access to courts. If believe in fundamental if you believe in fundamental rights, its political rights, and its a political position. Believe in position. But i do believe in fundamental have to fundamental rights. You have to protect , which is protect them properly, which is by having everybody be a part of them and everybody be, you know, expressing opinion expressing a political opinion on them special on them, not making them special , of who just, preserve of lawyers who just, you frankly , martin, we you know, frankly, martin, we cant be trusted. Cant be trusted. Stephen barrett well, i certainly trust your expertise and a political insight as ever, and a political insight as ever, and an astonishing thing to say that there could be a breach of the European Court of human rights in brussels. Again nigel farage, you couldnt make this up. Thank farage, you couldnt make this up. Thank you, Stephen Barrett, for joining us on the show. And why dont we hear now from shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth, who us Jonathan Ashworth, who gave us his thoughts on the chaos in brussels earlier on on gb news in of free speech. And i hope you can get somebody from the brussels authorities to come on and, explain whats going on there. Im not im not up to date with the latest ins and outs of it. What i do know is, and which im slightly surprised at, is that Suella Braverman is one of the guest and guest speakers there. And i think some the speakers, from think some of the speakers, from what who have been what i understand, who have been advertised website for advertised on the website for this have very this conference, have very unsavoury views. Im rather surprised that Suella Braverman unsavoury views. Im rather surp been that Suella Braverman unsavoury views. Im rather surp been allowed lla braverman unsavoury views. Im rather surp been allowed to braverman unsavoury views. Im rather surp been allowed to go averman unsavoury views. Im rather surp been allowed to go averrspeak has been allowed to go and speak at event , and has been allowed to go and speak at event, and well have at this event, and well have the latest on that story. Of course, throughout the show its astonishing turn of show its an astonishing turn of events , but dont miss out on events, but dont miss out on your chance to win a £10,000 greek cruise, a Luxury Travel bundle and a whopping ten grand in tax free moolah. Its our in tax free moolah. Its our biggest prize of the year so far, and heres how you could hop on board with thanks to variety cruises , a family variety cruises, a Family Company sailing since 1942. You have the chance to win a £10,000 seven night small boat cruise for two with flights, meals, excursions and drinks included. Youll be able to included. Youll be able to choose from any one of their 2025 greek adventures and explore greece like never before. Plus, youll also win £10,000 in tax free cash to make your summer sizzle , and well your summer sizzle, and well pack you off with these Luxury Travel gifts for another chance to win a prize worth over £20,000. Text win to 63232. Text cost £2 plus one Standard Network rate message or post your name and number to gb04, po box 8690. Derby dh1 nine, double two uk only entrants must be 18 or over. Lines closed at 5 pm. On the 26th of april. Full terms and Privacy Notice gbnews. Com forward slash win. Please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Good luck. Watching on demand. Good luck. Great stuff. Now weve got plenty more to bring you. Well be back with the latest bedlam from brussels very shortly. Dont anywhere dont go anywhere and Martin Daubney on gb news, britains news channel welcome back 425 im Martin Daubney. This is gb news. Lets get more. Now to reaction of the dramatic events in brussels. Because police are attempting to shut down an event in nigel farage and suella in which nigel farage and Suella Braverman addressing. Braverman are addressing. It came after a local mayor said it was for public order reasons. And you can see live pictures on your screen now. They are now donning their riot helmets. They are getting more tooled up than earlier on. Before we spoke to a reporter earlier. Outside their confusion, theres not much happening , but the police seem happening, but the police seem to think something could happen and im joined now by jack parekh, a journalist in brussels. Of course, is a regular on the show. Jack, whatever you think about whats going on in that room, what have you think about politics . Wherever you stand on the spectrum, this is an extraordinary politicisation of the police, isnt it . The police, isnt it . Its a i personally, i put it down as a bit of a farce today to be honest with you, martin, i think this is a comedy of errors i as your earlier speaker was talking about the mayor that has shut this down. He the mayor of saint he is the mayor of saint joes, of 19 joes, which is one of the 19 communes of brussels , so he communes of brussels, so he there is no sort of overarching mayor of brussels, they they each have their own sort of fiefdom here, a bit like the london boroughs, but but without the sadiq khan figure over the top of them. So hes shut it down, as you say, on the reasons of public order. He has been backed up by some of the other mayors as well. Of the other mayors as well. It does certainly seem like a bit of an extreme reaction to something that happens quite regularly here in brussels. As you can imagine, there are frequently different political gatherings from different political factions and leanings. Their reasons, as you said, is for public order. There was expected to be counter protest. This is taken a big, big load of impact in the uk because of the attendance of the former home secretary, Suella Braverman, and of nigel farage, as well. I was braverman, and of nigel farage, as well. I was on braverman, and of nigel farage, as well. I was on the phone as well. I was on the phone actually to an eu source earlier today who did Say Something quite funny to me. They said, why are the brits coming back here . Why are they doing this . Why was this event held here . They could have done it anywhere else europe , but they chose else in europe, but they chose to come to brussels. Now to come to brussels. And now were situation with were in this situation with police gear outside the police in riot gear outside the event. Pretty will event. Im pretty sure it will just be cancelled now. And now were these big were having these big discussions you heard before, were having these big discushuman you heard before, were having these big discushuman rights. Eard before, were having these big discushuman rights. Lard before, were having these big discushuman rights. I mean, re, about human rights. I mean, i would say sort of pearl would say the sort of pearl clutching and the jaws on the floor and the over blasted reaction to is probably reaction to this is probably maybe a bit much. It is maybe a little bit much. It is just a political conference thats shut but you thats been shut down. But you then wonder why this had happened. Why would they have bothered to do this there in the first place . There was a number of changes of venue. They knew that was going to be that this was going to be difficult frankly, had it that this was going to be diff have frankly, had it that this was going to be diff have been ankly, had it that this was going to be diff have been shut, had it that this was going to be diff have been shut down,t that this was going to be diff have been shut down, this not have been shut down, this conference would passed conference would have passed through with very little attention. Now we are attention. And now here we are spending all the day talking about it. The press is about it. The British Press is up arms. People across up in arms. People from across the spectrum the political spectrum talking about it. As i said, it feels like a bit of a comedy of errors, a bit of a farce to the people that live here in brussels today. I wonder, jack, if it is so easy to brush off like that because are right, there are because you are right, there are all sorts of political gatherings associations all sorts of political gather brussels. Associations all sorts of political gather brussels. Assoc of ions all sorts of political gather brussels. Assoc of them all sorts of political gather brussels. Assocof them was across brussels. One of them was last al alireza last june, when al alireza zakanl last june, when al Alireza Zakani, the ultra radical mayor of tehran, appeared with the mayor of brussels, philippe close, didnt seem to have any problems with that. And that makes you take away the message, jack, that this does seem to be a targeted response. And, you know, nigel farage and people in there are well known for being eurosceptic. In fact, cited eurosceptic. In fact, its cited in the dispersal order that they are eurosceptic. So this does appear to be a weaponization of the Police Forces when the politics dont suit brussels. Politics dont suit brussels. Well, this is exactly the question, to be honest with you, martin, brussels is a city of diplomacy. People come in from across the board, different political factions, different countries, different all over the world. People that we dont like have to come to brussels to negotiate with the European Union, whether thats on issues of peace agreements, whether its trade, whether its different aspects of diplomacy. Different aspects of diplomacy. This is a city where people come together and have those kind of discussions, ordinarily back door discussions. To fair, door discussions. To be fair, this one was a convention, a conference for hard right conservative politicians to come together and try and make their points. Today. As i say, it points. Today. As i say, it could have very easily been allowed to continue and would have passed off without too much attention. So therefore, the questions are raised. Why did this happen . And also it comes this happen . And also it comes down to the question of why was it chosen as a location by the organisers when they knew there was quite a lot of contention and they knew it would maybe would this kind media would get this kind of Media Attention it to be shut attention if it were to be shut down the mayor was down as the mayor was threatening to do. We now know this is the case. You can see on your screen theres this live video of the Police Officers stood outside. Feels stood outside. It all feels a bit at the moment. Bit overinflated at the moment. Well have to wait and see what happens. Well have to wait and see what sort of see whether what sort of implications will implications this will have as well. Forward. Would well. Going forward. You would assume tried to assume that if you tried to organise a conference like this in city brussels, other in a city like brussels, other politicians from this political leaning would come regularly. Frances Marine Le Pen is always in brussels. There are numerous figures from across the political spectrum on that side who are constantly coming here. They may be reluctant to bring their conferences like this in their conferences like this in the future. Well have to wait and see. Well, maybe theyll deliberately go there to see if the authorities do the same. Jack parrock, our man in brussels, thanks for joining us on show. And im joined in on the show. And im joined in our by chris. Chris, you our studio by chris. Chris, you just come from a lobby meeting over downing what are over at downing street. What are they saying over there about this situation . Record now okay, so on the record now from Prime Ministers deputy from the Prime Ministers deputy official, the official, spokesman, the mouthpiece his mouthpiece of rishi sunak, his views, these views, she says clearly these reports on gb news and elsewhere are extremely disturbing. The are extremely disturbing. The Prime Minister is a strong supporter and advocate of free speech and believes its fundamental to any democracy. Speaking more broadly to the principle of such events, hes very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no platforming speakers and no platforming of speakers is damaging to democracy. As a result , free debate and exchange result, free debate and exchange of views is vital, even when we disagree. So hes saying, what on earth are they doing in brussels . Indeed, thats the question on everybodys lips. Thank you chris. Hope for that update from number 10. And well have loads more on that story of course, between now and 5 00, including all latest from the all of that latest from the bedlam brussels. But first, bedlam in brussels. But first, its bedlam in brussels. But first, wsfime bedlam in brussels. But first, its time for your latest news headunes its time for your latest News Headlines and its polly middlehurst. The top story this hour. Downing street says the attempt by police in brussels to shut down the National Conservative am conference there is extremely disturbing. Officers arrived disturbing. Officers arrived while gb news presenter nigel farage was addressing the event, giving attendees 15 minutes to leave the venue. Its understood the order came from the local mayor, amir keir, who said he was to guarantee Public Safety. Organisers are now saying the event will continue for as long as it can, but delegates have been encouraged not to leave because police wont let them back in. Also in the news today, a High Court Ruling dismissing a Muslim Students challenge against her schools prayer ban has been described as a victory for all schools. The student argued the policy at Michaela Community school was discriminatory and breached her right to religious freedom. However, headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said schools should not be forced to change their approach simply because a child or parent decide they dont like something, and labours promise to protect family finances. After a reported spike in repossessed homes after the mini budget, the partys new Analysis Shows the number of families at risk of losing their home jumped 46 as a result of liz trusss mini budget and soaring mortgage mortgages. Soaring mortgage mortgages. Meanwhile, more than 16,000 repossession claims were made last year, up from just over 11,300 in the previous year. And the social media platform x is planning to start charging all new users a small fee to interact with posts. The sites interact with posts. The sites owner, elon musk, says charging new users to like and reply to tweets is the only way to stop. He described as the relentless onslaught of bots and fake accounts. Last year, a pilot scheme was launched in new zealand and the philippines, which charged a 1 a year subscription on its reported. The trial will now be rolled out more widely for the very latest stories, do sign up to gb news alerts. Scan the qr code on your screen or go to gb news. Common alerts. Alerts. Thank you paulie. Now, in a few minutes, ill be speaking to a member of the European Parliament who was at that natcon event when it got closed welcome back 437. Lets get more reaction to those dramatic events in brussels. And speak now with someone who was at the event and is also a member of the European Parliament, and thats mr tom van der andriessen, who joins me now. Welcome to the show, tom. So i understand you were at the event this morning. Tell me what happened. Well, i was invited by natcom to give a lecture on the future of europe and our vision of the of europe and our vision of the of europe and our vision of the of europe , of the european of europe, of the european cooperation is one between sovereign nation states. Sovereign nation states. And we think theres a threat of an ever closer union. And this is the opposing view, which is euro federalist view. Is the euro federalist view. And at that point, the Police Arrived and explained to me, described the scenes. Well, it was after i gave my lecture. So i was attending and listening to other people speaking , and i saw the police speaking, and i saw the police just coming in, and there were all kinds of rumours about, the actions of the socialist mayor of brussels. And they just came in, they gave, the order of the mayor, and then they left. But mayor, and then they left. But suddenly the whole, room meeting room was, was sealed off so nobody could come in anymore. And if you leave, you left, you could not re enter the venue. Could not re enter the venue. So this sounds like a saw siege. The police were ring fencing the area. They werent letting anybody in. I understand it as well, tom, that no food or dfink it as well, tom, that no food or drink made it in because the caterers were targeted. Caterers were targeted. Yeah, probably our human rights are being violated, but im not sure about that. Now. What they are trying to do, they try intimidate people of try to intimidate people of using their constitutional right to have meetings, to have their freedom of speech, to use their their constitutional rights. And their constitutional rights. And this not the first time they this is not the first time they have this. Socialist have done this. The socialist mayors in brussels, they mayors here in brussels, they just people with opposing just deny people with opposing views to exercise their constitutional rights. My party, for example, which is the Vlaams Belang party, the conservative and Patriotic Party here in belgium, the Largest Party in every poll since 2019, well, last year we did a meeting here in brussels and exactly the same happened. You have a left wing antifa, anti fascist mobs threatening, with violence. Then you have the socialist mayors, which are then declared as an emergency and they need to safeguard the public order and then they cancel your meeting. You need to go to the highest Administrative Court here in belgium to, to get a permit to do anything dont like. Do anything they dont like. Interesting. Tom, the dispersal notice served by the mayor is extraordinary. It says mayor is extraordinary. It says today they would undeniably have been the risk of disruption and violence. But outside on the streets, it paints a very different picture. One of calmness. But tom in particular, there were special words reserved for attendees, and that obviously includes yourself, people inside reputed to be traditionally. Its as if thats traditionally. Its as if thats an insult. Homophobes disrespectful of human rights and minorities. Disrespectful of human rights and minorities. And we can also and minorities. And we can also cite an author of controversial works on political islam. Tom this letter is putting the boot into you. Everybody inside in an extraordinary manner. How do you react to those allegations . Well, these allegations are completely false. We just have an opposing view on the future of europe. We have an opposing view on imposing woke ideologies or imposing gender ideology to little children in schools, for example. This is legitimate. In example. This is legitimate. In a democracy, you can have opposing views and express them. So this is just a slander. Its absolutely not correct. We are freedom loving, conservative and patriots. And tom, of course, you alluded to the fact we have forthcoming elections all across the 27 Member States , the bedlam the 27 Member States, the bedlam in brussels today. Do you think this will help the European Union . Do you think it will help the eurozone and the pro eu idealists, or do you think it might make those who are eurosceptical think something fishy is going on here . This looks very authoritarian. Looks very authoritarian. Well, it is indeed very interesting that the rest of the world now discovers how belgium really functions. And you have people like verhofstadt, for example , the former liberal example, the former liberal Prime Minister. Well, actually the current Prime Minister is also of his liberal party his party is, by the way, the seventh Largest Party here in belgium. He is polling at 7. So everybody wants him out. So these people who are lecturing everybody in the world and countries like hungary in particular, that they need to respect , the rule of law that respect, the rule of law that they, that they need to respect freedom of, of press and so on. Well, now the whole world has seen what kind of a Banana Republic belgium actually is. And to us flemish, its not a surprise. We are experiencing surprise. We are experiencing this for decades. This for decades. And tom van den driessen, before i let you go , i spoke to before i let you go, i spoke to a lawyer earlier who said they are going to challenge this, a human rights lawyer in brussels outside the event. Theyre outside the event. So theyre going to against this going to appeal against this clampdown. Think that clampdown. Do you think that will happen . Do you think the events will continue tomorrow or do you think theyve managed to close event down now . Close this event down now . If they go to court and we have done this the past on have done this in the past on numerous the, the, numerous occasions, the, the, the will say that they the judges will say that they are right to have this, to have this event and the, the, the decree of the mayor is an illegal decree. They are just misusing their power to silence the opposition. Tom van den driessen superb insightful account. He was at this event earlier. The national, the event in brussels. Fascinating insights into what happened there. Now still to come, Westminster City Council has been slammed for offering new citizens an option to not shake hands with the opposite sex at their citizenship ceremony. What do you make of ceremony. What do you make of that . Well be discussing it after this. Im Martin Daubney on gb news, britains news channel welcome back. Its 447. Im Martin Daubney , and this is im Martin Daubney, and this is gb news. Ministers have withdrawn funding for a scheme to tackle air pollution. Councils had been promised around £6 million this year to help people limit their exposure to dangerously polluted air. But in the last minute change, the air quality minister, robbie moore, told them he was withholding those funds. Lets withholding those funds. Lets now talk to meteorologist jim dale. Jim welcome to the show. Always a pleasure. So this fund has been running since 1997. About £90 million has been given out. But for about £90 million has been given out. But for this time this yean out. But for this time this year, for the first time, its been pooled. Whats your take on that . You wonder why dont you, martin, 6 to 7 Million People, estimated to die from air pollution throughout the world, many of them. Not in the uk, obviously, but a few would be that money was there to advise. It was there to prevent, air pollution. 99 of us, globally, are affected by one in some shape or form, by air pollution at some point in the year, most of it is invisible , as we know, but its invisible, as we know, but its there. And you wonder why. And there. And you wonder why. And ill give you the answer why this is chasing red wall voters, in my view, and theyre not going to take it, put your hand up if you want more pollution, put your hand up. If you want to be advised about pollution, put your hand up. You your your hand up. If you want your child to be exposed to pollution, you know this. This is a no brainer. But i dont know which brain theyre using in in this in terms of going in this direction restricting that direction and restricting that for money something that is that is useful for people. Is extremely useful for people. When useful , is extremely useful for people. When useful, medically when i say useful, medically useful, also climate useful useful, and also climate useful in terms of that side of things. So its got multi uses and i dont understand he cant call himself the air quality minister with this sort of decision. Its completely the opposite. Well well jim the data given is theres already been a reduction in air quality since 2010, a consistent improvement in air quality, particularly in london. Theres been a 24 decrease in particulate matter, 48 decrease in nitrogen oxides worth pointing out. Not a single death has been directly attributed to vehicle pollution, let alone air pollution. So the thinking behind this is that the background pollution rates are falling quickly, thanks to increase burning, thanks to increase burning, thanks to increase awareness and schemes to drive motorists away from using polluting cars. And so the using polluting cars. And so the work has been done. One of these schemes, jim , was for a greater schemes, jim, was for a Greater London council that wanted £1 million to put pollution sensors on schoolchildrens backpacks. On schoolchildrens backpacks. Its a great idea. I dont know why not. Look, the direction of travel is the right direction of travel is the right direction , it doesnt mean that direction, it doesnt mean that we suddenly stop , i direction, it doesnt mean that we suddenly stop, i mean, direction, it doesnt mean that we suddenly stop , i mean, there we suddenly stop, i mean, there are, for example, candidates in the Mayoral Election in london who advocate almost the opposite the squashing of ulez, for example, speeding up cars , for example, speeding up cars, for example. Jim, lets not get into any ongoing elections. Please. Lets not get into please. Lets not get into any ongoing elections. Lets keep this on the scheme itself, the funding. Is it a good idea or not . The rationale is the pollution is falling already. Pollution is falling already. Yeah, but it hasnt fallen to zero. This is my point. We only if you know, if you walk down the marylebone road youre going to feel it by the end of the day. If you stay there for long enough its still there. We still need that advice. I started this interview by saying still need that advice. I stto ed this interview by saying still need that advice. I stto 71 this interview by saying still need that advice. I stto 7 millionterview by saying still need that advice. I stto 7 Million People by saying still need that advice. I stto 7 Million People die;aying still need that advice. I stto 7 Million People die every 6 to 7 Million People die every yean in year, and whilst whilst in britain, deaths britain, pollution deaths are not car deaths are not necessarily car deaths are not necessarily car deaths are not written on death not written on the death certificate. Its whats behind that. You asked surgeons, doctors these type of things and generally speaking it is the pollutants from cars and industrial outputs that actually put people in hospital. Not just that they die, but they get they get exposed to diseases that they have for the rest of their lives. If this is a bit lives. So if this is a bit strange because its the day strange because its on the day that smoking ban is being, that the smoking ban is being, almost banned going almost, i say banned Going Forward will be a ban forward because it will be a ban in end, which is a great in the end, which is a great thing. But this is juxtaposition. This is like the opposite. Why. Opposite. And you wonder why. And to the fact that that and i come to the fact that that its be calculated, that its got to be calculated, that its got to be calculated, that its do with its something to do to do with the general election the the general election in the future. What its future. And thats what its about. They think theres votes in it. I dont think so. Okay. Jim dale, thanks for okay. Jim dale, thanks for your input. Of course, they will say based evidence and say its based on evidence and its based on financial prudence. But we move on prudence. But we must move on because Westminster Council prudence. But we must move on becabeenvestminster council prudence. But we must move on . Bec been slammed r counc|l prudence. But we must move on becabeen slammed for council prudence. But we must move on becabeen slammed for offering il has been slammed for offering new citizens an option to not shake hands the opposite shake hands with the opposite sex at their citizenship ceremony. The central London Council offers an option for new british citizens to say whether they would like to shake hands with a dignitary, and it seems they can change their answer depending on whether that dignitary is a man or a woman. Well, im joined now in our westminster studio by sir john hayes , conservative mp for south hayes, conservative mp for South Holland and the deepings. Thanks for your company today in the studio. Whats your take on this . Because a standard part of the citizenship is that its considered british to shake hands with anybody who offers it. But yet there seems to be Something Else afoot in westminster. Well, its bizarre, isnt it, it sounds to me like either a nonsensical oversight or something more sinister. Shaking hands as the customary way in which we, as a matter of courtesy, introduce ourselves to another individual, make a connection with someone. And actually, its slightly more than that, isnt it . Its a its a gesture which suggests fellowship. Now citizenship isnt about fellowship. What is it about , do isnt about fellowship. What is it about, do you think there may be a faith based aspect to this . Many muslim people believe that physical contact with the opposite sex is unnecessary. Its discouraging for some, even prohibited and similar views are held amongst the Orthodox Jewish community. Is this new take catering for that rather than having a centralised view of what it means to be british . Well, i think thats a question youd have to put to Westminster City Council. I dont know what their motive was , but shaking hands is long been seen , seen across people of all seen, seen across people of all kinds and types as a way of bonding, of connecting, of showing that you respect the other person, that they respect you. This is a mutual thing. Theres a reciprocity about it. And as i say, its customary. Its british and the civilities and courtesies which comprise our social norms matter, particularly if someone is becoming a british citizen. Becoming a british citizen. But if its british and if its something that binds us, then why shouldnt everybody in britain have to partake in this custom . Why do some people get an opt out . Well, it shouldnt be obligatory in the sense that im not obliged to shake hands with you if choose to create you if i choose not to create that kind of connection, then thats down to me, and youll know that famously , when someone know that famously, when someone offers hand its offers their hand and its rejected and this is, you know, this has happened formally and officially and occasionally publicly, then its seen as a sort of rebuttal, a rebuff, isnt it . You know, he refused to shake hands with x or y is seen as something quite significant. But in the normal course of events, this is a dignitary welcoming someone to , dignitary welcoming someone to, to, to this country and celebrating their citizenship in a normal, quiet celebration of someones britishness. My goodness, surely we should shake hands. Well on that point, sirjohn well on that point, sir john hayes, i think we should do precisely that. Shake your hands. Always a pleasure. Thanks for joining us in the studio. Fascinating debate. And a spokesperson for westminster city said this. As city council has said this. As part of our citizenship ceremony service, we offer a range of opfions service, we offer a range of options to ensure we cater to everyone, including faith and cultural groups and people with Health Conditions and disabilities as well. Well be discussing all the very latest on the bedlam in brussels after your weather with Aidan Mcgivern i a a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office. Its a bright day out office. Its a bright day out there. Some sunny spells, even , there. Some sunny spells, even, but its still blustery. There are still showers coming through , High Pressure, tantalisingly close, but were going to have to wait a few more days for that to wait a few more days for that to arrive for the time being. Weve got low pressure to the north and to the east, bringing this cool northerly airflow and bringing further showers in the airflow. The showers airflow. Now the showers overnight more confined overnight become more confined to the north of scotland, where theyll be frequent and prolonged eastern as theyll be frequent and proloiand eastern as theyll be frequent and proloiand a astern as theyll be frequent and proloiand a few rn as theyll be frequent and proloiand a few toppling as theyll be frequent and proloiand a few toppling into well, and a few toppling into northern ireland, parts of wales and western england. In between. Plenty of clear spells and with lighter winds, its going to be a bit chillier as we begin wednesday. Certainly a fresh start out there, bright start out there, but a bright start, spells of start, some long spells of sunshine for scotland, sunshine for western scotland, southern parts southern scotland, parts of england as well. Now england and wales as well. Now were going to see further showers coming into the north and east of scotland, as well as parts eastern it parts of eastern england. It will i think, compared will be fewer, i think, compared with and were going to with tuesday, and were going to see the cloud thicken for northern ireland, with outbreaks of quite here, of rain feeling quite cool here, seven celsius otherwise, where we lengthy, clear and we do get lengthy, clear and dfier we do get lengthy, clear and drier weather across central parts 12 or 13 celsius. So a cool day, but feeling pleasant where weve got the dry and bright weather and a bright start to thursday again. A chilly start to the day for many, but were going to see cloud and rain spread into northern parts of the country that south during that will spread south during friday. Clearing to sunny skies at the weekend looks like things are heating up boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news. A very good afternoon to you. Its 5 pm. And welcome to the Martin Daubney show on gb news. Broadcasting live from the heart of across the of westminster. All across the uk. Today, police in brussels are attempting to shut down the National Conservatism conference. Nigel conference. Gagging nigel farage, Suella Braverman and viktor orban will be live from the venue for a frontline account of the bedlam in brussels, and a london headmistress who has won the right to ban a muslim people from praying has called the High Court Ruling a victory for all schools. Will we finally see an end to religious extremists meddling with british schools and today the Government Faces yet another revolt, this time overits yet another revolt, this time over its plan to ban teenagers from smoking for life. For life will be live direct from the commons on this. Is this clampdown sensible or a slippery slope on the path to puritanism . And thats all coming up in your next hour. Of the show, next hour. Of the show, an absolute delight to have your company astonishing scenes today from brussels, bedlam in brussels, an event with nigel farage speaking the National Conservatism conference shut down by police after the mayor issued an order to have it clamped down. Weve just been reading that order out, accusing people inside of being homophobes, traditionalists, whatever that means, and having extreme views , also saying it extreme views, also saying it would certainly lead to public unrest. That didnt happen. Its still been closed down. We spoke to an mep who was in there saying it was absolute chaos. We spoke to a human rights lawyer who he believes certain of the actions of the mayor may have contravened the European Court of human rights in brussels on nigel farage and people from the political rights. An astonishing political rights. An astonishing story. Hundreds of you have been in touch with your comments so far. Please keep sending those views in. Ill read a load of them out before the end of the show. Theres a new way to get in touch, send your views and post your comments by visiting gb news. Com forward slash your say get stuck in. Leave your comments. Ill read out the best before the end of the show, but lets with next lets crack on with your next houn lets crack on with your next hour. But before that, its time for News Headlines for your latest News Headlines and middlehurst. And its polly middlehurst. Martin. Thank you. Good evening. Downing street says the attempt by police in brussels to shut down the National Conservatism conference is extremely disturbing. Officers extremely disturbing. Officers arrived while nigel farage was addressing the event, giving everyone 15 minutes to leave the venue. Everyone 15 minutes to leave the venue. Its understood the order venue. Its understood the order came from the local brussels mayor, emir keir, in a move he said was to guarantee Public Safety. Organisers say the event will continue for as long as it can, but delegates have been encouraged not to leave because police wont let them back in the former home secretary, Suella Braverman spoke to nigel farage after her own speech at the conference. Thankfully you and i got to make our speeches in favour of controlling and controlling our borders and protecting our communities amongst like minded democrats. Amongst like minded democrats. Many of us there are democratically elected politicians, many of us are leaders in our field, academics, thinkers , writers. And its thinkers, writers. And its frankly staggering that the mayor of brussels has deployed his thought police to cancel what is a peaceful event, focused on how we can better represent the millions of people around the european continent. Around the european continent. Labours wes streeting poked fun at Suella Bravermans absence from the commons. Absence from the commons. Right honourable member for fareham, who couldnt be here today with us, mr deputy speaken today with us, mr deputy speaker, because shes currently in surrounded by the in brussels surrounded by the police who are trying to shut down shes attending down the event. Shes attending with far right fanatics with some far right fanatics with some far right fanatics with has much in common. Now, the rwanda bill is back in the house of lords tonight after mps rejected a series of amendments they suggested, with some conservatives calling the proposals ridiculous. Lets take a look at live pictures coming to us from the upper chamber. The lords maintaining their stand off with the government on its flagship migration policy. Theyre demanding rishi sunaks deportation plan ensures disregard for human rights and modern slavery concerns. Downing street is hoping to clear the final hurdle this week and get flights off the ground within weeks, but labour has insisted the scheme is doomed to fail. In other news today, policing minister chris philp says new powers for chief constables to sack rogue officers will root out those unfit to wear the badge. Under the new powers, chief constables will be put in charge of misconduct hearings, making it easier to remove officers in their own force who are found guilty. The changes , are found guilty. The changes, which come into force next month, follows a review into police dismissals after the conviction of David Carrick for multiple sex offences while serving as a Police Officer. A serving as a Police Officer. A High Court Ruling dismissing a Muslim Students challenge against her schools prayer ban has been described as a victory for all schools. The student for all schools. The student argued the policy at Michaela Community school was discriminatory and breached her right to religious freedom. However, headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said schools shouldnt be forced to change their approach simply because a child or parent decides its something they dont like. The something they dont like. The judge upheld that position, highlighting safety concerns at the school. The students legal team expressed their disappointment, saying its important to promote religious freedoms educational settings freedoms in educational settings. The Health Secretary, victoria atkins, has denied that a ban on tobacco and vape sales will cause a black market boom. If youre watching on television, heres a quick look inside the commons, who are also busy today. Theyre discussing the tobacco and vapes bill thats being brought before mps for the first time. If it becomes law, it would be an offence to sell Tobacco Products to anyone born after the 1st of january 2009 and downing street has denied that the uk is being taken for granted by israel, as time still hasnt been found for a call between rishi sunak and binyamin netanyahu, the Prime Minister and his israeli counterpart are due to talk about a de escalation of hostilities with iran, amid concerns the crisis could escalate it. Israel has confirmed their war cabinet is meeting today to discuss their response to irans missile and drone attack over the weekend, irans president has said even the smallest action against his country will be met with quotes. A severe, widespread and painful response. Widespread and painful response. Quick word about the weather overseas. Now, if youre looking overseas. Now, if youre looking for a sunny, pre Summer Getaway to dubai , well, extreme weather to dubai, well, extreme weather conditions may dampen those plans. Take a look at these pictures. If youre watching on television , the desert city is television, the desert city is usually blue and cloudless skies have been hit by torrential rain and thunderstorms as the authorities there advise people to stay home. Video showed cars swamped in water waves buffeting traffic and roads brought to a standstill. And weve just heard dubai airport says its temporarily diverting flights this evening until those weather conditions improve, forecasters saying though another wave of unstable weather is expected tomorrow morning, not just us. Then for the latest stories, do sign up to gb news alerts. Scan the qr code on your screen or go to gb news. Common alerts. To gb news. Common alerts. Thank you polly. Great stuff. Now downing street says the attempt by police and brussels to shut down the National Conservatism conference is extremely disturbing. Nigel extremely disturbing. Nigel farage was speaking at the conference when the order to shut it down came from local brussels mayor amir kia , in brussels mayor amir kia, in a move he said was to guarantee pubuc move he said was to guarantee Public Safety. Well, we can now Public Safety. Well, we can now speak with the director of case operations at the free speech union, benjamin jones. Benjamin welcome to the show. Astonishing scene. Suella braverman cant scene. Suella braverman cant believe our eyes. Neither can nigel farage. We spoke to a flemish mep who was at the event. He said, this kind of thing happens routinely in brussels. The police often close down political gatherings of people they disagree with. We also spoke with a barrister, benjamin, who he he says what happened today could have contravened European Court of human rights, freedom of expression , rules. Whatever you expression, rules. Whatever you take away from this, benjamin, is a day of absolute and utter bedlam in brussels , shocking and bedlam in brussels, shocking and completely farcical. But ill tell you who it didnt happen to. Which was the mayor of tehran who was welcomed last year without incident. So the fact without incident. So the fact that politicians from the right and centre right in europe, nigel farage, miriam cates viktor orban and so on, academics, thought leaders in their fields cant meet in brussels without the police effectively raiding the conference and trying to blockade it. Is just utterly astonishing. Before i came on, i just had chance to read an english translation of the order given by the mayor to the police force, and in that he said that there was no time for a Risk Assessment about the event. He assessment about the event. He said that it would be a disturbance to the peace because of its. And i quote, discriminatory nature, and because of the attendees because some of the attendees were traditionalists and, quote, disregard full of human rights. Well, what about the right to freedom of speech , to freedom of freedom of speech, to freedom of assembly, to freedom of conscience . This is the this is the rank authoritarianism of a crummy Student Union. Its astonishing. And benjamin, you are quite right to bring up the attendance of Alireza Zakani , the mayor of of Alireza Zakani, the mayor of tehran. At an event last june, he appeared with the mayor of brussels. And when he was asked about that. This is a guy, by the way, whos been sanctioned by the European Union. His views are so extreme for serious human rights violations. He said this just because certain people are present doesnt mean we have to agree with them. Well how come it works one way but not the other . The clear takeaway from this, benjamin, appears to be that the police have been politicised. I think thats clear. I think thats clear. Id also say its very disturbing, although its routine in other countries for police to carry firearms. Police to carry firearms. It does appear extremely disturbing from a british point of view, to see a meeting of effectively opposition or opposing politicians to be blockaded by armed police are utterly astonishing, almost incomprehensible scenes. Its incredible that this has been allowed to happen. Been allowed to happen. One of the things thats disturbed me most about it, though, i have to say, took place not in brussels but in the house of commons earlier this afternoon, where wes streeting, the frontbench , appeared afternoon, where wes streeting, th to be joking about it, to be laughing at what was happening. Laughing at what was happening. And i think that shows us, im afraid, what the view towards freedom of speech might well be under a labour government. I wouldnt find it a matter of amusement if a labour party event or a labour conference were being disrupted by police. I think that would be an astonishing and shocking infringement rights, infringement on their rights, but expect that there but i do expect that there should be some principled consistency in defending freedom of speech for people who dont agree with you. And as weve seen, sorely seen, that has been sorely lacking. Lacking. And isnt that the point, benjamin . We cant have this idea of one rule for me and one rule for thee. And theres a clear distinction between free speech and defamation. Some of the words you mentioned in that in that mayoral dispersion order, traditionalists , what order, traditionalists, what does that mean . Presumably its a crime to agree with traditional family values, but it specifically says homophobe or were present in that event. Those who are disrespectful of human rights and minorities, which is shorthand for youre a racist. And we can also cite an author of controversial works on political islam. Now, this is political islam. Now, this is a mayor of a municipal city saying this about what all of the attendees inside benjamin does. Thatis attendees inside benjamin does. That is that free speech . Is that allowable or is that Something Different . Is that somebody in authority casting dispersions in a way thats damaging to the reputation of people involved in this event . Inside as far as im concerned, hes a socialist. He can say whatever he wants to about the political views of the people at this conference. He he can he can disparage them. He can criticise their views. He can mock them. He can hate them. Thats fine. Thats fine. What he cant do , or rather, what he cant do, or rather, what he should not be allowed to do, is use the power of the state, the power of the police to disrupt meetings of people whose he doesnt like. To disrupt meetings of people wh fantastic he doesnt like. To disrupt meetings of people wh fantastic stuff. Esnt like. To disrupt meetings of people wh fantastic stuff. Thanksze. To disrupt meetings of people wh fantastic stuff. Thanks for fantastic stuff. Thanks for joining us. Thats benjamin jones, the director of case operations at the free speech union. Fascinating stuff. What a day its been. But theres been some other news, believe it or not. And in that other news, rishi sunak is facing the prospect of a major backbench rebellion over his plans to ban smoking for all of those born after january. The first, 2009, with many conservative mps angry of what they say is an attack on personal liberties. Well, lets speak now with our political edhon speak now with our political editor, christopher hope, who is inside the commons there. Yeah, youre inside the commons, chris. So as i understand it, theres been of flak theres been a lot of flak towards the Prime Minister today from whats from his own mps. Whats the latest . Latest . Yeah, the debate all day today in the house of commons. Its a free vote of tory mps. All mps , in fact, on this rishi all mps, in fact, on this rishi sunak plan set out at the Party Conference last year to ban smoking for anyone. Aged 15 or under the smoking ban, age will increase over decades until we are a smoke free nation. Thats are a smoke free nation. Thats the idea. But its caused some havocin the idea. But its caused some havoc in the chamber of the house of commons. Tory mps tory right wingers are very upset about what they as an about what they see as an attempt to control the freedom to smoke, even though, of course, may put cost onto course, it may put a cost onto us nhs care. But us all through nhs care. But equally they pay taxes , equally they do pay their taxes, smokers, dont they . One of those who said and others those who is said and others have said in the chamber that this effectively infantilizes people, makes them treats them like children rather than adults. One mp concerned about it has made three interventions so far is andrew rosindell, whos the mp for romford. Mr rosindell, mp for romford. Mr rosindell, thank you for joining mp for romford. Mr rosindell, thank you forjoining us mp for romford. Mr rosindell, thank you for joining us today on gb news. What have you been saying in the chamber . Look, none of us want young people to smoke. Its not a good thing. No smoke. Its not a good thing. No parents want their kids to start smoking at an early age. But we smoking at an early age. But we live in a free society and the best way of dealing with these things is for people to understand the implications, but then make their own choice. Its not for the government to start dictating to people how they live their lives. You could finish up banning all kinds of things. Its finish up banning all kinds of things. Its not the conservative way. And truss was absolutely and liz truss was absolutely right. This is nanny state. Right. This is nanny state. This this is government this is this is government interfering in peoples lives. By interfering in peoples lives. By all means, educate people about the effects of all kinds of things, whether its cigarettes, whether its fatty foods, whether anything you foods, whether its anything you do that you enjoy which do in life that you enjoy which may not be good for you, but let people choose. Surely thats people choose. Surely thats what the conservative party should for. Freedom of choice. So your party is instead banning cigarette smoking for over anyone 50 and under. Why is it doing this . I dont really know, because actually the amount of very young people now starting to smoke at early age has dropped dramatically. I was told in the chamber, several mps mentioned its gone down to 1. Its a tiny amount. So evolution is the answer. Gradually, gradually it may well die out. It may become a thing of the past, but that should happen naturally. Its not for happen naturally. Its not for the government to start banning things at this stage. Its not things at this stage. Its not worked in new zealand. They tried there and fell tried it there and it fell apart. It didnt happen. Were making the same mistake. I suspect , chris, that civil suspect, chris, that Civil Servants are this. Servants are behind this. I suspect that its been put on the desk of ministers and theyve decided to run with it. But i suspect its come from the Civil Servants. Think, Civil Servants. I think, frankly, government has frankly, our government has better do at this Better Things to do at this time. Theres more important legislation to pass. Legislation to pass. Is it legacy planning by the Prime Minister . He looks like he might lose the election when it comes later in the year. Probably the and then probably the autumn. And then hes can say, well, hes out. But he can say, well, i make britain a smoke free nation. It could well be. I dont know, i cant speak for the Prime Minister. What would say Prime Minister. What i would say to the Prime Minister is that the british people voted a the british people voted for a conservative government with an 80 they want 80 seat majority, and they want conservative policies. Id much conservative policies. Id much rather see legislation be introduced to deal with the transgender problem. Following the much rather the cass report. Id much rather see legislation to deal with immigration because its gone out, got out of control, and the British Public are angry about it or crime. There are bigger issues to deal with banning smoking at this stage is really not what we should be doing and was not in manifesto voted on was not in a manifesto voted on by people in their millions by by people in their millions in no it wasnt, but then in 2019. No it wasnt, but then i we could say, if i suppose we could say, if youre bringing this in, that wasnt in the manifesto, maybe we can bring in legislation to come out the echr, because come out of the echr, because that the manifesto come out of the echr, because that but the manifesto come out of the echr, because that but id the manifesto come out of the echr, because that but id like manifesto come out of the echr, because that but id like to nifesto come out of the echr, because that but id like to dozsto come out of the echr, because that but id like to do that. Either. But id like to do that. Never miss a trick. You never miss a trick. Andrew rosindell, quickly ask andrew rosindell, quickly to ask you natcon event in you about this natcon event in brussels and maybe in the chamber all afternoon, but in summary, farage spoke summary, nigel farage spoke there suella there miriam cates Suella Braverman. But the police have been trying to shut it down on the orders of the mayor. Whats your reaction to that . Its outrageous, its well, its outrageous, its a disgrace. Of speech disgrace. Freedom of speech is something that we uphold. I have attended many interNational Conservative conferences over the years. I used to be chairman of the european Young Conservatives the conservatives and the International Young Democrat Union , Global Conservative union, Global Conservative network right of Centre Network of right of centre parties. Network of right of centre parties. Theres network of right of centre parties. Theres always network of right of centre parties. Theres always going to be people there that you disagree with, but its about freedom of speech and dialogue and debate and looking at the issues coming up with new, issues and coming up with new, vibrant policies, with vibrant policies, working with people mind. Nothing people of like mind. Nothing wrong surely if we wrong with that. Surely if we cant have freedom of speech, we are big trouble in this are in big trouble in this country and just finally votes tomorrow the commons tomorrow on the in the commons because some of those amendments have been made the house of have been made by the house of lords the rwanda bill. Lords to the rwanda bill. Will happen tomorrow . What will happen tomorrow . What will happen tomorrow . Know. I hope well, i dont know. I hope the of lords will realise the house of lords will realise that dont mandate that they dont have a mandate to the elected house of to block the elected house of commons this issue. Weve to block the elected house of comm heard this issue. Weve to block the elected house of comm heard their issue. Weve to block the elected house of comm heard their views weve to block the elected house of comm heard their views always weve heard their views always respect the views house respect the views of the house of lords, theyre wrong on of lords, but theyre wrong on this the british people of lords, but theyre wrong on this to the british people of lords, but theyre wrong on this to see he british people of lords, but theyre wrong on this to see theiritish people of lords, but theyre wrong on this to see the illegalyeople of lords, but theyre wrong on this to see the illegal boats want to see the illegal boats stopped. And the way to do it is to have a third place to send people to to, deter more illegal boats from coming over. Well, andrew rosindell, thank you for joining well, andrew rosindell, thank you forjoining us on gb news. Andrew rosindell, theyre concerned the boats concerned about the rwanda boats policy might be law by by thursday. Martin. And very concerned about the ban on cigarette smoking. But backing the concern about this the pm on his concern about this nat kong event in brussels being being attempt to be called off by the mayor thank you chris hope, live there from westminster hall. Ive got a couple of emails to read out from you on this precise topic, and chris said this. We should see whats happenedin this. We should see whats happened in brussels today as a victory, a victory for democracy and that own goal by the eu and their interface ring. Mayor rebecca says this. You dont have to agree with someones ideology to see how wrong it is to close down political debates and freedom of speech. Just because you dont agree with someones position shouldnt mean that you can shut them down because if you agree with that, sooner or theyll close sooner or later theyll close down that agree down everyone that you agree with jeffrey down everyone that you agree with this jeffrey down everyone that you agree with this whether jeffrey down everyone that you agree with this whether instructed says this whether instructed that mayor of brussels has made a huge mistake, this event would have got little or no airtime. Have got little or no airtime. But now the eus anti democratic and anti free speech views are in plain sight and has got people interested in what nigel farage and Suella Braverman has got to say all around the world. Well, youve got lots more on that story on our website and thanks to you, gbnews. Com is the Fastest Growing National News website in the country. Its got breaking news and all of the brilliant analysis youve come to expect from gb news. So get clicking now. 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On the 26th of april. Full terms and Privacy Notice at gv news. Com. Forward slash win gv news. Com. Forward slash win please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Good luck gets the key. Now please stay with us because well be keeping you up to date on those astonishing events in brussels. Live pictures on your screen. Now you can see police are still attending that event now with their riot hats, which is considered a risk to public order despite the fact theres been no public disorder going on. Weve got a man on the ground. Martin earlier on breakfast. Vat is an immoral tax as well. Theres so many immoral taxes. So you spend so many immoral taxes. We are taxed to the hilt in this country. It is absolutely incredible. Maybe liz truss, i was going to say. Maybe she did. Using a real persons, you know , face and persons, you know, face and youre superimposing and youre superimposing that and youre superimposing that and youre it look incredibly youre making it look incredibly realistic can cause actually catastrophic psychological harm. The conservative party has got to do a lot more to learn from the impact, the awful impact of that liz truss period, particularly on family finances. Just looking at the size of his hands, look at all the size of my hands. Ive got like really tiny shoes. Your hands again, pat. Lets the silver taken six. Taken up from six. Its breakfast on gb news. Its breakfast on gb news. Welcome back. Its 526. Im Martin Daubney and this is gb news now. More reaction to police attempts to shut down a conservative conference in brussels. And these are live pictures from outside of the venue where nigel farage and Suella Braverman spoke early today. You can see that the police have their riot hats drawn. Now im joined by the broadcaster masroor , who broadcaster ajmal masroor, who thinks that perhaps the shutdown was good thing. Well, welcome was a good thing. Well, welcome to the show ajmal. Why . Why do you think it was a good thing . I never support shutting down free speech. Ive always said we should have free speech allowed in every circumstances. Unless, course, being unless, of course, its being racist or inflammatory. Now, these two people have been known in our country to say inflammatory things, but more importantly, Suella Braverman that wasnt it was. She was it wasnt that long ago she was planning to down our right planning to shut down our right to of speech and to freedom of speech and demonstration by calling our demonstration for the palestinian peoples right to exist as hate march. So maybe it would have been a good medicine for to her for shutting down free speech in our country. So do you think that elected representative should be prevented from talking simply because you dont like their opinions . That sounds a bit authoritarian. Authoritarian. No, i dont actually. I think they should be allowed. What im saying suella but what im saying is Suella Braverman calling for braverman have been calling for shutting down of our democratic right demonstration or right to do demonstration or speak out freely for the rights of palestinians to exist. When she does that, she forgets what goes around, comes around. Now that getting the taste of that she is getting the taste of her own medicine, feels her own medicine, she feels pretty and of pretty threatened. And of course, she shouldnt be feeling threatened. Elected, representative. She should have the right to speak freely so as we are the voters. We should have the right to speak. We should have right speak. We should have the right to demonstrate. And Suella Braverman should rethink her strategy when she starts screaming people who strategy when she starts screa been people who strategy when she starts screa been demonstratinge who have been demonstrating peacefully in the streets of london for the palestinians and their exist , well, their rights to exist, well, there were also has been a 700 boom in anti semitism since october the 7th. There have been repeated offences carried out at these marches. I went to one myself. Where, from the rivers to the sea, palestine will be free was projected onto big ben, and i pointed that out to the police. They simply did nothing that caused huge offence around the world. So its not fair to say that these events are universally peaceful. But i want to talk to you if i can, jamal, about universality in terms of the application of whose right to free speech is shut down, because recently the mayor of tehran was invited to brussels, indeed by the mayor of brussels, Alireza Zakani, an ultra radical whos sanctioned by the eu for serious human rights violations, he was allowed to speak so why in that case, shouldnt Suella Braverman nigel farage and people that brussels disagree with not be allowed to speak . Well, im not suggesting they should not be allowed to speak. And if you, of course want to know the reasons why that particular mayor who has who decided should not decided that they should not speak you should but speak, you should ask him. But from perspective as an from my perspective as an individual in the i individual living in the uk, i believe my right to freedom of speech , my right freedom, to speech, my right to freedom, to demonstrate to support demonstrate my right to support the to exist has the palestinians to exist has been often criticised , vilified. Been often criticised, vilified. And ive been called names. You know, im an imam of a mosque, and i go to at least 5 to 6 mosques across london, where i lead prayers on a monthly rota. Our experience of anti semitism as well as islamophobia, has been equally awful and grotesque. We condemn all forms of racism, xenophobia, islamophobia, anti semitism , we islamophobia, anti semitism, we stand together in fighting all forms of hatred. What im saying is there have been some individuals on prominent spaces, such as nigel farage and Suella Braverman, who have used their space and abused the space, and theyve been peddung the space, and theyve been peddling very serious, offensive, racist, islamophobic rant and rhetoric. Nobody has such as what they have been allowed to get away with. Such as what if you want to, if youre if youre going to accuse, a former home secretary of islamophobia and racism, you need to be clear, such as what i give you. I give you an example. I give you an example. She called the freedom to demonstrate of us who are demonstrate those of us who are demonstrating for the palestinian peoples right to exist. Called hate. Exist. She called us a hate. Marchers is that how is that as a phobic . It is islamophobic, because i remember saying and attacking my right, attacking my right to stand in solidarity with the palestinians, who are also muslim is islamophobic, deeply offensive. But lots of people , offensive. But lots of people, but lots of people who with respect, lots of people who ive been on those marches, lots of people who on those marches people who go on those marches arent muslim. You apply, if you say, if if you apply, if you say, if you the march is hate you say that the march is hate march, how is it islamophobic against everybody if people on them arent islamic . Are many examples there are so many examples that skips my mind that ive experienced with Suella Braverman statements after statements, calling all sorts of names have done that names i could have done that myself, looked up. But here is a simple fact Suella Braverman has lived on the edge. So much so that she had resign. She was that she had to resign. She was actually asked resign from actually asked to resign from a position, this is not the position, and this is not the first time she has done it. Done it there must a reason it twice. There must be a reason why this lady isnt really popular. Say the things popular. She does say the things that she wants to say. I understand she the right understand and she has the right to them. She creates a lot to say them. She creates a lot of but little light. Of heat but very little light. Id like listen to mps and id like to listen to mps and parliamentarians who light parliamentarians who give light rather than heat because they are representatives, are public representatives, after and nigel farage, after all, and nigel farage, look, has directly on my look, he has been directly on my to myself, islamophobic on live shows. Recently, when i came to one of his shows, he actually shut down the conversation halfway through the conversation saying, im having any of saying, im not having any of that. And this is the very same man are islamophobic supporting. Its not islamophobic to say, im not having any of that. Thats explain. Hes asked me, he has asked me that he does not. He did not give me the same honour to speak my mind in his show. Now hes asking or you are trying to champion his right to free speech. I champion his right to free speech. I would stand with him to he has the right to to say he has the right to speak, but we got to do it speak, but we have got to do it both ways. Nigel to both ways. Nigel farage needs to also he also allow people who he disagrees same right disagrees with the same right that he is asking for. I have the right to speak, even if i disagree with him. Im not saying he should be saying he should not be speaking, saying speaking, im saying he has every we every right to speak. When we speak, accountable speak, we are accountable for it. Nigel farage and Suella Braverman have just not been consistent. Inconsistency consistent. That inconsistency is im talking about. Is what im talking about. Ajmal, talking about okay, ajmal, talking about the peaceful protest you talk about around the palestine issue, what about when the mob went outside parliament and over 1000 tried to their way 1000 tried to get their way inside . The scenes were inside . In fact, the scenes were so unruly outside, people were terrified were terrified of how they were voting inside. Would you like to take for take some accountability for that . That . I wasnt party to that number one. Number two, ive seen 7 or 8 marches or more take place in the streets of london, probably more than a few million collectively have attended. If all of those marches were put together, i would say the number of disturbances , arrests, those of disturbances, arrests, those that have been witnessed have been dealt with by the police adequately. If somebody breaks the law, they should be put behind bars and tried, and id support the police in their investigation , and ill be with investigation, and ill be with you calling these people you in calling that these people should allowed to come you in calling that these people shou|to allowed to come you in calling that these people shou|to a allowed to come you in calling that these people shou|to a march. Owed to come you in calling that these people shou|to a march. Butd to come you in calling that these people shou|to a march. But byo come you in calling that these people shou|to a march. But by far,me you in calling that these people shou|to a march. But by far, 95 back to a march. But by far, 95 of those marches have been very peaceful. And id say those marches are the ones that i celebrate. Are those those are the marches that actually give you and i such proud feeling you and i such a proud feeling of being british because we are so minded and we have the so open minded and we have the free speech. Its not like iran, by the way, where you cant speak. Its not like saudi arabia where you cant speak. Why in we dont want why in britain we dont want suella version of Suella Braverman version of freedom. Want nigel freedom. We dont want Nigel Farages of freedom. Farages version of freedom. Thats point is we celebrate. Im afraid, im afraid, im afraid. Many people do because many people have voted for them. I your passion, ajmal i appreciate your passion, ajmal masroor, and thank you very much for us on gb news and forjoining us on gb news and being so forthright. See, this is about having a reasoned is all about having a reasoned opinion, a good debate with those you perhaps may disagree with. Thats the point of gb news now, theres lots more still to come between now and 6 00, including britains strictest claims strictest headteacher claims victory after her prayer ban is upheld by a judge. Her school upheld by a judge. Her school rules were being challenged by a muslim pupil. Is this a win for common sense . But first, lets get straight into your latest News Headlines and its polly middlehurst. The top stories this hour. Downing street says the attempt by police in brussels to shut down the National Conservatism conference is extremely disturbing. Officers arrived while gb news presenter nigel farage was addressing the event, giving everyone 15 minutes to leave the venue. Its understood the order came from the local mayor of brussels, emir kir, in a move he said was to guarantee pubuc a move he said was to guarantee Public Safety organiser say the eventis Public Safety organiser say the event is continuing for as long as it can, but delegates have been encouraged not to leave because police wont be letting them back in. Also, the news today. Them back in. Also, the news today. The rwanda bill is back today. The rwanda bill is back in the house of lords tonight after mps rejected a series of amendments theyd suggested , amendments theyd suggested, with some conservatives calling the proposals ridiculous. The proposals ridiculous. However, the lords are maintaining their stand off with the government on its flagship policy. Theyre demanding rishi sunaks deportation plan ensures disregard for human rights and modern slavery concerns. Downing street is hoping to clear the final hurdle this week and get flights off the ground within weeks, but labour, still insisting the scheme is doomed to fail. And as youve been to fail. And as youve been heafing to fail. And as youve been hearing a High Court Ruling dismissing a Muslim Students challenge against her schools prayer has been described as prayer ban has been described as a victory for all schools. The a victory for all schools. The student argued the policy at the Michaela Community school in north london was discriminatory and breached her right to religious freedom. However, the headteacher there, catherine birbalsingh, said schools should not be forced to change their approach simply because a child or parent saw something they didnt like. The judge upheld the schools position , the schools position, highlighting safety concerns. Lets just bring you some breaking news were getting concerning arrivals and departures at Birmingham Airport. Theyve been halted after reports of a suspicious device. We understand on an aer lingus flight into dublin. This developing story ongoing. So of developing story ongoing. So of course new details coming to us all the time. Well get more on that as it comes to us. And your last headline for this half hour social media platform x is planning to start charging all new users a small fee to interact with posts. The sites owner, elon musk, says charging new users to like and reply to tweets is the only way to stop what he described as the relentless onslaught of bots and fake accounts. Last year, fake accounts. Last year, a pilot scheme was launched in new zealand and the philippines , zealand and the philippines, which charged a 1 a year subscription. Its reported the trial will now be rolled out more widely across the globe. Those are your headlines for the latest stories, do sign up to gb news alerts. Scan the qr code on your screen or go to gbnews. Com alerts. Gbnews. Com alerts. For a valuable legacy your family can own, gold coins will always shine bright. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report. News financial report. Lets check on the numbers for you. The pound buying you 1. 2429 and ,1. 1695. The price of gold is £1,923. 07 an ounce, and the ftse 100 has closed for the day today at 7820 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report. The gb news financial report. Thank you polly and as you just heard there, we have some breaking news now. Well, here we are hearing that flights have been suspended at Birmingham Airport after suspicious airport after a suspicious package found plane package was found on a plane there. Lets learn more about that story. Now im joined by gb news home and security editor, mark white. Mark, what can you tell us . Well, this was an air lingus flight, 647 that was flying flight, l3 647 that was flying from Birmingham International airport to belfast this afternoon when apparently a suspicious item was discovered on board this aircraft. The aircraft was then turned around and landed back at Birmingham Airport. The airport now is sealed off and all Emergency Services have responded as is custom and practice. They rehearse for these kind of events on a regular basis, so all of the Emergency Services, both from the airport, because of course you have the Airport Fire Service police who are based locally, ambulances as well. And then additionally the wider West Midlands ambulance service, fire service and Police Called to the scene as well to assist. I should say that we have had a statement , from the have had a statement, from the Birmingham International airport, which says that birmingham has temporarily suspended operations due to a security incident on an aircraft. They said the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew have disembarked. All customers due to travel should make their way to the airport and check in as normal. We dont know of course, how long the airport is going to be closed. Clearly Birmingham Airport are working on the scenario. They hope that at some point in the hours ahead they will be open, able to open up that airport again to these passengers. But of course , what you always then of course, what you always then get is a build up, a bottleneck of both passengers and flights that were supposed to take off, that were supposed to take off, that will take off late, and then flights that have been stacking up , waiting to land stacking up, waiting to land that will probably be diverted to other airports. And that causes all kinds of problems in terms of scheduling of flights and inconvenience to passengers. But for the moment it is a security incident, a suspicious package found on an aircraft, the an aer lingus flight that was bound for belfast. That aircraft has returned to birmingham and all Emergency Services are at the scene. After the aircraft landed safely on the aircraft landed safely on the scene. Thank you, mark wyatt, for that update on the incident at Birmingham Airport. Now plenty more to bring you in our action packed a Muslim Students challenge at the high court against a london schools ban on prayer rituals. Has been rejected. The students argued that the ban at Michaela Community school in london was discriminatory and unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom. However the school said allowing prayers, security threats and could undermine social cohesion among pupils. Well, joining me now in the studio is Abdullah Al Andalusi , studio is Abdullah Al Andalusi, co founder of the muslim debate initiative. Thank you for joining us in the studio. Thank you, so Katharine Birbalsingh call this a victory for all schools, presumably you disagree . Yes. Yes. I think its, unfortunate. I think its, unfortunate. I think its, unfortunate. I mean, why is prayer deemed to be a threat in society today, we theres always a lot of complaints, especially on gb news about christianity and christian practices being restricted in secular britain. Restricted in secular britain. And yet, when it comes to other religions, we celebrate, unfortunately, the these bans and students being prevented from simply praying in their lunch breaks when they would be presumably playing games. They would just want to pray, choose to play, pray instead. And to play, pray instead. And thats be banned, unfortunately. Except wasnt that. Except it wasnt about that. It wasnt about a specific religion. It set religion. It was about it set out in the charter and the rules of the school that no prayer was allowed at all. And that was made clear to all, all parents, all pupils before they enrolled at this school. In fact, she said in the ruling, you dont have to come to the school, but these are my rules. Im free to make my own rules. If you dont like them, you can go elsewhere. Well actually, she actually said she used to allow to pray she used to allow people to pray in voluntarily. In the yard, voluntarily. And then there was she complained that it was making other muslim , students more other muslim, students more religious, or there was some pressure on muslims who didnt want to be religious or what have you. And then she just said, you know what . Im going to just ban muslim prayer altogether because apparently, culture altogether because apparently, cu|fragile prayer so fragile that prayer just simply. Its a threat to simply prayer. Its a threat to it, if such a culture, is so fragile that prayer is a threat, we need to re examine that culture. Well, maybe we need to re examine the culture that emerged from this. A backdrop of events including violence, intimidation , and appalling intimidation, and appalling racial harassment of our teachers. Thats the backdrop, teachers. Thats the backdrop, the consequence of this decision and surely that proves that introducing prayers, special treatment for whatever groups within a school when it leads to this kind of intimidation, it proves the point. There should be no special dispensation for muslim prayers in british schools. High court agreed. Schools. The high court agreed. Well, such things are deplorable. But they were coming from outside the school, not from inside school. So it seems inside the school. So it seems like catherine just buckled to outside decided outside pressure and decided just to ban everything, you know. I mean, is this the kind of social cohesion we have . Like, we going imitate . Like, are we going to imitate . Are going imitate china, are we going to imitate china, which and bans all which prevents and bans all kinds demonstration of kinds of demonstration of religiosity schools in religiosity in their schools in the sake of a monoculture, because than because anything else than a government approved monoculture creates and destroys creates division and destroys social cohesion. Were not living in china, you know, if she wants to create , i mean, she wants to create, i mean, what next . Is she going to mandate unisex toilets and calling everybody day not he calling everybody day and not he or this creates or she because this creates division are we going go division two. Are we going to go down marxist then it seems. Well, she she wanted actual universality and not preferential thats preferential treatment. Thats what this is about. But thanks for joining us in the studio. Forjoining us in the studio. You time. You appreciate your time. Abdullah thank you Abdullah Al Andalusi, thank you very for joining on that very much for joining us on that debate. Up well be debate. And up next, well be discussing favourite, discussing gb news favourite, meghan got a new meghan markle, whos got a new job jam. Im martin welcome back 550. This is the final furlong of the Martin Daubney show on gb news. Now, from netflix specials to her archetypes podcast, the duchess of sussex has tried her hand at many , many things, but hand at many, many things, but now shes spending her time making her own strawberry jam to friends and influencers as she launches the first product of her new brand , american riviera her new brand, american riviera orchards. Where will this venture stick . Well, join me now in the studio. Im delighted to say its the former royal correspondent, the all round legend michael cole. Michael until last week, meghan was an avowed , smashing avowed feminist, smashing traditional gender models. Now shes making jam. Shes making jam. Well, maybe theres hope yet. You know, jam and jerusalem, the womens institute. The queen was a member throughout most of her aduh a member throughout most of her adult life, and so maybe there is a way back into the hearts of the british people via strawberry jam. Nothing wrong with that. But of course, what with that. But of course, what this is, is a launch of her new lifestyle, food and furnishings sequence for netflix. Netflix have given a £100 million, 100 Million Contract to the sussexes, and now the sussexes are going to have to start singing for their supper because. Because they want payback, netflix want payback. They dont give away all that money for nothing. So the prince harry, duke of sussex is going to do this polo, series and shes going to do this lifestyle, but it wont be shot at their house or their hilltop camelot in montecito. It will be shot at montecito. It will be shot at a very nice house nearby, not their own. So we can presume that their rescue chickens wont be having a walk on part in the series. And really, what it is, is a development of the podcast she had before she was engaged, which was called the tab. Now that was nothing to do with a Cambridge University magazine called the tab. That was to do with a special sort of spanish wine that she liked called taba, something or other. So she called it the tab. But she closed that down for the very simple reason that when she joined or half joined the British Royal family, there was one no no at buckingham one big no no at buckingham palace. Exploit your palace. You do not exploit your royal for commercial gain royal status for commercial gain or others to do so, but or allow others to do so, but now they are in the marketplace. Now they are in the marketplace. They have to earn their living and one of the ways theyre earning their living is selling themselves. That is their unique selling point. The fact that they status and they have royal status and theyre going to have to work at it very hard because they have a very expensive lifestyle, security cost security alone must cost a fortune. Yeah. Three shifts a day of burly men guarding the perimeter of their house. Now that burns through a lot of money. Gwyneth paltrow made her living selling dubiously scented candles. Now, meghan will be flogging jam quickly. Do you think it will catch on . Well, i think it will catch on . Well, i think it will catch on . Well, i think it will. People will sign up for it. I hope the jam tastes nice. Not too sugary, if its good, then it will, it will, it will sell. And why not . But it really isnt. Its quite a step down from the pedestal they were once on. Certainly is. And shes got 100 million. Thats a lot of bread. And now shes making a load of jam. What a dubious pun to end the show. Well, thats all from me for now, of course. Dewbs co and co is next. And dont forget to join us from 6 am. Tomorrow. Its breakfast a. M. Tomorrow. Its breakfast with eamonn and isabel followed by britains newsroom at 930 with and bev. And then with andrew and bev. And then all the drama with pmqs live at midday. And thats with chris hope. And then, of course , its hope. And then, of course, its tom and emily with good afternoon britain from 1 00. Thats one until three. And then youve got my ugly mush back at 3 pm. Until 6 pm, ive been Martin Daubney a dramatic day today. Of course, that clampdown in brussels kicked off our show, the mayor sending in the bother boys to shut down. Thats National Conservatism movement. You sent in hundreds and hundreds of emails about that. I read out a few, didnt have time to do all of them, sadly. And were about to go into a debate on smoking in the commons. Well have of that throughout the have all of that throughout the following were expecting following shows. Were expecting another tory revolt. Stick around for that. But first, its time for your weather and its Aidan Mcgivern. Aidan mcgivern. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office. Its a bright day out there. Some sunny spells even, there. Some sunny spells even, but its still blustery. There are still showers coming through High Pressure tantala raisingly close, but were going to have to wait a few more days for that to wait a few more days for that to arrive. For the time being. Weve got low pressure to the north and to the east, bringing this northerly airflow and this cool northerly airflow and bringing further showers in the airflow. Now the showers overnight become more confined to the north of scotland, where theyll frequent theyll be frequent and prolonged. England prolonged. Eastern england as well, few toppling into well, and a few toppling into northern ireland, parts of wales well, and a few toppling into nortwestern. And, parts of wales well, and a few toppling into nortwestern englandts of wales well, and a few toppling into nortwestern england. Of wales well, and a few toppling into nortwestern england. In wales well, and a few toppling into nortwestern england. In between. And western england. In between. Plenty of clear spells and with lighter winds , its going to be lighter winds, its going to be a bit chillier as we begin wednesday. Certainly a fresh wednesday. Certainly a fresh start out there, but a bright start, some long spells of sunshine for western scotland, southern scotland, parts of england and wales as well. Now were going to see further showers into the north showers coming into the north and of scotland, as as and east of scotland, as well as parts eastern england. There parts of eastern england. There will fewer, i think, compared will be fewer, i think, compared with and were going to with tuesday and were going to see the cloud thicken for northern ireland, with outbreaks of quite cool here, of rain feeling quite cool here, seven otherwise, where seven celsius otherwise, where we lengthy, clear and we do get lengthy, clear and dfier we do get lengthy, clear and drier central drier weather across central parts 12 or 13 celsius. So a cool day, but feeling pleasant where weve got the dry and bright weather and a bright start to thursday again. A chilly start to the day for many , but were going to see cloud and rain spread into northern parts of the country that will spread during friday. Spread south during friday. Clearing to sunny skies at the weekend. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on essentially there wasnt a prayer room. The judge, ladies and gents , said no. Its great and gents, said no. Its great to see common sense prevail. Isnt it . An absolute mayhem in brussels as police attempted to close down the National Conservatives event, while none other than nigel farage was on the stage. Why because the mayor ordered it. Because guess what . Everybody brace yourself. The speakers have the audacity. Are you ready to be on the right . Goodness me. What on earth is that . The issue with being on the political right . Your thoughts on that . And Gordon Ramsay has managed to get a load of squatters out of his unoccupied pub. They said that they were in there for the benefit of the community. Shut up. Im asking you, should squatters be allowed to occupy empty property . One of my panel says yes , the other says no. So says yes, the other says no. So what says you . And last but not what says you . And last but not least, the National Trust. Is it just me or do they seem to be losing the plot