For the first time after hundreds of women made allegations of Sexual Abuse against former owner mohamed Al Fayed. Michael ward said in a statement the company failed our colleagues and that he wanted to make it clear that he was not aware of criminality and abuse. Our correspondent, helena wilkinson, is in knightsbridge. Helena. This is the first time we have heard from Michael Ward since the Bbc Documentary last week. Let me read you a bit more of the statement we have had in the last hour. He says he wanted to convey his personal horror at the revelations that have emerged over the past week. He says that we have all seen the survivors bravely speak about the terrible abuse they suffered at the hands of former owner mohamed Al Fayed. We failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry. The statement also goes on to say, i feel it is important to make it clear that i was not aware of his criminality and abuse. While it is true rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public d
Ceefax, a name manufactured from seeing facts. And, before we had laptops and mobiles, we had ceefax. Launched 50 years ago, it told us what we wanted to know. On newsnight at 10. 30pm, well bring you fresh insight on the stories of the day, with big interviews and our regular panel of newsnighters, and of course look at what the papers are saying about tomorrows news. Good evening. Fears of an all out regional conflict in the Middle East are growing tonight, as lebanese officials say nearly 500 people have been killed, including 35 children, and 1600 others injured in israeli strikes on the south of the country. The Israel Defence forces say theyve hit around 1300 positions held by the iranian backed group hezbollah. It says its fired dozens of rockets at israel. The Cross Border strikes have intensified after a series of exploding Device Attacks on hezbollah members were blamed on israel. Well hear from our international editorjeremy bowen, whos injerusalem, our diplomatic correspond
DescrIbIng It as an open ended battle of reckonIng. NaIm qassem was speakIng durIng the funeral of a senIor Hezbollah Commander kIlled In frIdays IsraelI AIr StrIke on beIrut. That attack has been followed by a further escalatIon of Cross Border strIkes wIth three people kIlled In an IsraelI attack on Southern Lebanon. And Israel says hezbollah has fIred more than 150 rockets Into Its terrItory. In haIfa, 30 kIlometres from the lebanese border, HospItal PatIents have been moved to underground facIlItIes and resIdents have been told to restrIct gatherIngs and stay near shelters. We start wIth thIs report from our dIplomatIc correspondent, paul adams, from jerusalem. Northern Israel under attack thIs mornIng. Houses hIt far from the lebanese border. Hezbollah are seekIng revenge after days of devastatIng setbacks. Israels AIr Defences In actIon over the northern cIty of haIfa. Hezbollah rockets now reachIng deeper than ever Into Israel. EvIdence across the north that the IranIan backed g
And in a rare interview, Sir Alex Ferguson talks about helping with dementia through music, and reflects on his life after football. And coming up on Bbc News. Can anyone stop chelsea getting their sixth womens super League Title in a row as they begin the defence of their crown this evening . Good afternoon, and welcome to the Bbc News at one. Lawyers say theyre representing 37 women who were raped or sexually assaulted by the late owner of harrods, mohamed Al Fayed. Theyve also revealed that more have come forward after the allegations were made public in a Bbc Documentary yesterday. The legal team is now calling on the department stores new owners to help the survivors getjustice, after they say staff members working for mr Al Fayed helped to enable and cover up his crimes. Our reporter frances read has the latest. The billionaire, infamous in british society, now alleged to be a serial sexual predator. The accusations made by multiple women giving extremely distressing accounts of
Confidential information about simi to her mates at the bbc. But of course, she was fired and i was delighted but she has now got a big new highly paid job. Isnt that good . She is now in charge of equality, Diversity And Inclusion as a new bank. Given her track record, we wish her the very very best of luck. We dont care and this party, we dont care about skin colour, we dont care about orientation, we couldnt care less who you are, we care whether you share the values of this country. We care whether you obey the law. And well judge you on who you are, we judge you on who you are, we judge you on who you are, we judge you on who you are as a person. Isnt this what everybody wants . Is that what we are going to fight for . Can we are going to fight for . Can we succeed . Can we make history . Are you going to be part of it . Thank you very, very much indeed. Applause. Nigel farage takes a bow there from his audience at the reform Uk Party conference as the banners come down, ending hi