Transcripts For BBCNEWS Afternoon Live 20240713

Against stefanos tsitsipas. Coming up on afternoon live but has fought back to take their final group match to a decider. All the sport with ollie foster. He lost the first set on a tie break but the spaniard took the second 6 4. It is hotting up at the tennis tour tsitsipas is already sure families in london. Rafa nadal, will of a place in the semis. Finish the year one, is on court now. The semifinals are at stake. We these are live pictures from the o2, will have the very latest. We will have the very latest. Its over on bbc two thanks ollie, and nick miller has at the moment. Whoever wins the group all the weather more rain due . Will face roger federer. Even if nadal wins, hell then need Daniil Medvedev to beat it is much drier when yesterday were the defending champion so it is much drier when yesterday were so very wet. The flooding is still Alexander Zverev tonight. You can see that her rafael nadal is getting worse in places. There is certain, he was 3 2 down in at the some more rain on the way this weekend. It looks nowhere near as deciding set, every game is pretty wet as it has been but how much rain much going to reduce. That hurley has fallen this autumn so far in says it all, it is live over on bbc parts of england . We will find out with the forecast. Two. Rafael nadal has to win, and also coming up bad blood. Then hope for the defending champion to win it later as well. The feud thats led taylor swift to announce shes not being allowed to perform her own songs. Several top british athletes are threatening to sue the British Olympic Association over sponsorship regulations. Sirmo farah, Katarina Johnson thompson and adam gemili are among those listed as claimants in a legal letter sent to the boa today. They argue that their earning hello everyone potential is being damaged. This is afternoon live. There are many Different Things that restrict athletes. For us, it is labour has promised free full fibre broadband for every home and business in the uk in a decade, giving every athlete the opportunity to go out and create their own if it wins the election. Marketing opportunities. Yeah, so labour says it would nationalise parts of bt, and introduce a tax they do not have to work a full time on Technology Giants like google, amazon and facebook job. Like i said, 99 of athletes to pay for the plan. Are working a full time job i do borisjohnson has dismissed job. Like i said, 99 of athletes are working a full timejob i do not the idea as crackpot have the voice or platform to speak and a crazed communist scheme. Heres our technology out against the doa and against row correspondent rory cellan jones. 40 because they are scared of what might happen against it. It is a mammoth task bringing Ultrafast Fibre broadband to every home in the country. Englands cricketers are playing theirfinal warm up match in new zealand before and most of the work next weeks first test. Is being done by bts open sam curran got the nod ahead reach division. Ahead of chris woakes but now labour wants to take it couldnt pick up a wicket as new zealand a made into public ownership, 302 6 before declaring. England will resume on 26 1, having rename it british broadband and gave lost the wicket of rory burns. Everyone full fibre for free. There was concern for british broadband will be our treasured england captain joe root Public Institution for after he jarred his hip in the field. The 21st century. Root did return later in the afternoon and vice captain ben stokes insists delivering a fast and free broadband to every single home. Only the government theres nothing to worry about. Have the planning ability and economies of scale and ambition to take this on. At one point, we were discussing whether he had hurt his knee, ankle labours plan will see state owned british broadband spend £20 billion or hamstring. Thankfully, it was to give everyone an ultrafast none, he just took a bump on his leg service for free by 2030. From stopping the ball, i think you got a dead leg. It is good to see running this Government Owned Network would cost £230 million a year, a cost him back on the field. This labour says will be met by new taxes on internet giants uefa can continue their like apple and google. Investigation into manchester citys finances after the court at the moment, as well as bt, of arbitration found in their favour you have got a choice of a whole city had gone to cas range of broadband deals to challenge the legitimacy from the likes of talk talk, of the financial fair play probe, sky and virgin media. But they have failed and uefas financial control body will now hold a hearing on theirfindings. Most people are paying city could face a possible ban on average £30 a month. But once you can get british broadband full fibre from european football. For absolutely nothing, what happens chinas triple olympic to all of these rival companies . Champion, sun yang, has labour says it wants appeared before the court of arbitration for sport public to work with the likes hearing in montreux. He was cleared of a doping offence injanuary by swimmings of virgin media but world governing body, the tech industrys trade body but the World Anti Doping Agency is warning that consumers will not benefit from this plan. Took the matter to cas. The allegation is that he smashed majority of roll out a vial containing a sample and that drives innovation and choice. Of his blood to avoid being tested. Labours proposals will kill he says the testers didnt follow the correct protocol that dead in the water. Or have the necessary documentation. The liberal democrats he previously served a three described labours policy month doping ban in 2014, as another unaffordable item on the wish list whilst and his participation at major championships has angered borisjohnson says he has a much fellow competitors. More realistic plan. Heres our sports news what we are going to deliver is gigabit broadband for all and what correspondent, alex ca pstick. We wont be doing is some crackpot scheme that would involve many, many tens of billions of taxpayers two backin back in at the olympics in 2016, money nationalising a british there were athletes, mainly from the United States, you show your own everyone is agreed that the uk has Great Britain who called him a cheat fallen behind in the because he had few details back in vital task of bringing fast fibre broadband to every corner of the 2014. Now, out this year . World country. Butjust how to speed things up and at what cost has championships, athletes from great become a key issue in this election. Britain and australia refused to sign on the victory podium with him because they felt he should not have been allowed to compete at those championships. Whilst this appeal the conservatives has pledged was taking place. That is where we to pump hundreds of millions of pounds into towns and villages are at the court of arbitration for that they say have been overlooked and left behind. Sport today, we expect the decision during a trip to sometime next year. The north of england, borisjohnson announced measures, including cutting business the formula one World Champion rates for small shops, cinemas and pubs. Lewis hamilton says he wants meanwhile, bbc viewers have this reassurances about mercedes future before he commits to morning been putting their questions a new deal beyond next year. To the Prime Minister weve had first practice in a live phone in. Ahead of the brazilian grand prix on sunday. Hamilton, who has wrapped Boris Johnson answered questions up his sixth title took it easy on topics ranging from brexit Alexander Albon ended the session and the nhs to alleged russian fastest after running when the track was driest. Interference in the election. Mrjohnson denied the conservatives have offered Brexit Party Candidates albon brought a wet first session jobs or peerages to stand aside to a premature end with a crash. In seats they hope to win. Our Political Correspondent second practice is coming up a little bit later. Jessica parker reports. Thats all the sport for now. Campaigning can offerup campaigning can offer up some unexpected moments and some difficult questions. Borisjohnson sat down today to take some of yours. Including about a report into as weve been hearing, labour has promised free full fibre broadband for every home legend russian interference in uk and business in the uk in a decade, democracy. Why arent you publishing if it wins the election. The russia documents before labour says it would nationalise parts of bt, and introduce a tax on Technology Giants like google, election. Because. Because i see amazon and facebook to pay for the plan. Absolutely no reason to change the borisjohnson has dismissed normal procedures for publishing preposterous because there is an the idea as crackpot. Election. What of reports of donations from russian oligarchs . Our correspondent, nick eardley, has been in lancaster this afternoon cani where Jeremy Corbyn donations from russian oligarchs . Can i make a serious point . This is made that announcement. Jeremy corbyn was here in lancaster earlier to make one of the most a serious point. There is no eye catching pledges of the election evidence for that. I think you have campaign so far. His basic argument is that the uks broadband infrastructure has fallen behind, and that it is now too important to leave to be very careful before you simply to private companies cast aspersions on everybody who comes from a certain countryjust because of their nationality. Nine the government needs to take over. It goes to the heart russian oligarchs is what the papers of mr corbyns view when it comes had been reporting that donate to public ownership, he thinks that Public Utilities serious money to the conservative should be run for the public, party. I dont know. You genuinely rather than than for, as he sees it, private profit. Dont know . What we are doing is now, his political opponents taking the country forward. We think will rubbish this idea. That we have a great programme, a borisjohnson has described it as a crazed communist scheme, vision for the country but we need the tories are claiming it will cost taxpayers tens to get brexit done, we need to get of billions of pounds. It done by january. To get brexit done, we need to get it done byjanuary. We have been held up by parliament and we want to there are still a lot of questions to come over how labour plans to pay get on with an agenda that involves for some of its big pledges. Uniting and levelling up the remember that mr corbyn is also saying that he will nationalise country. Enter nigel farage and his water, bring the railways back claim that the conservatives have under public ownership. There are many other expensive tried to get Brexit Party Candidates to exit the ring. He says they have campaign pledges out there too. He said that this is affordable, and we will see details of exactly how labour plans to pay for it been offered peerages. To exit the ring. He says they have been offered peerages. Many thousands of phone calls have been all when the manifesto is published. Made to the party two candidates. See you are saying no calls have more than 200 Flood Warnings have been issued been made from any running for england and wales today, conservative Party Central command with more rain forecast in some to the brexit party. Look, that areas already struggling with water levels. Would be a big thing for me. I am flooding and landslides have caused major disruption to Rail Services across the midlands, and more than 100 schools sure there are conversations that in the West Midlands have shut. Ta ke sure there are conversations that take place between all parties but leaders of six councils across the north of england have certainly nobody has been offered a called for a massive increase in government funding peerage, i can tell you that. To help affected areas. Earlier on the breakfast sofa, away from pure politics. Why are you our correspondent, jim reed, spent the day in South Yorkshire relatable . I think that the best which was hit by flooding last friday to find out what people there think about politicians response. Answer i can give is. Of course, i the water level in this part of South Yorkshire had been dropping over the last couple of days. The river here had been as high have been. I have had a very happy as that bank you can see behind me over there. And wonderful light in many ways. But the rain has started what i want for every child in this to come down again this afternoon in dribs and drabs. Country is to have a sense that they can achieve their full potential. The forecast is not great, and people weve been speaking to living policy and personality matter in an in these houses along the river here say, at the moment they are sitting there election. Both will be tested. Thank crossing their fingers hoping you so much. Everything is going to be ok. The Prime Minister in this area, weve had lots and weve asked the leaders of politicians around. Of the other main parties to take is that something that part in similar interviews is a positive thing . Which we hope to bring you in the next few weeks. Are you happy they are paying attention or does it feel a bit joining me is chris morris like they are electioneering . From bbc reality check, well, its got to work. Were getting on telly, arent we . To look a little closer at Boris Johnsons somethings got to happen comments this morning. From this, surely, got to do. So, yeah, fetch them all. What did you make of this performance this morning and what he the more the merrier, announced that was fresh . If they want to come up. Performance this morning and what he announced that was fresh7m performance this morning and what he announced that was fresh . It is you dont mind them coming a lwa ys announced that was fresh . It is in and getting a photo opportunity . Always interesting to see what questions get those kind of phone no, i mean a few get in the way ins. What do people come up with. A little bit better, no, its been fine. There were some interesting ones on you dont mind people turning up or speaking. . Vat. I dont think he said much that its when they come just for the cameras, look like theyre helping but theyre actually not. Was fresh. I suspect most political thats when it gets frustrating . Leaders are happy to get through an yes, and theyre in the way. Hour like that with a score draw. I think he probably did. There was some potentially awkward moment when the Singer Taylor Swift has he was asked about family and so said her performance at the upcoming forth which is something we know he American Music awards is in doubt because she is herformer music is not necessarily comfortable managers are barring talking about. He is a new bus with from performing her own songs. The new slogan, get brexit done. That is the one thing that set the she posted a message conservatives apart from its main to her fans on social media, saying Scooter Braun challengers labour, the lib dems and and Scott Borchetta would not let her perform songs from past albums. The snp, that he says a vote for a they still own the rights to those songs, and have yet majority conservative government will get this stage of brexit to respond to her comments. Finished potentially by the end of january. He was questioned on the fa ct january. He was questioned on the fact that slogan is may be misleading because brexit is not Georgie Rogers is a music going to be over. He was, because journalist at six music. Get brexit done, yes we would leave the European Union but then there tell us what their response was . Would be the whole second phase they say they cannot stop an artist starting. If you dont extend the transition period beyond the end of from performing music live. They say the narrative that she is saying is next year you have an incredibly wrong. That they would welcome an short amount of time to work out an honest and open conversation with incredibly complex trade deal. The her to stop the resentments building Prime Minister was asked how his up. They seem to want to deal with Brexit Agreement would affect this directly with taylor swift. Northern ireland. Northern ireland what is this actually about then . will be offering for free trade think this is about, when she was deals around the world same tariffs 14, Scott Borchetta assigned her to asa uk his label, she put out six labels deals around the world same tariffs as a uk and Northern Ireland will be with them, she was there not locked coming out of the eu along with the re st of coming out of the eu along with the rest of the uk for customs purposes into this label with them. She did and that is a fantastic thing. What hearted that they bought last year but they still own the rights to her ican and that is a fantastic thing. What i can also say is that i. This music. Her current deal is different, she actually owns the masters of her work. But with this deal has been attacked by the labour party who say that it threatens the one, that is clearly a power struggle going on here with rights. Union. It doesnt at all. There will be no checks on goods coming from this is partly financial . Yes. Big Northern Ireland to the rest of the uk, absolutely not. We will be doing that at all. That is interesting. Machine claims that taylor owes them money. They claim that she owes the questions around Northern Ireland keep coming from the public. What about his answer . The key thing money. They claim that she owes money. Its a confusing situation. Is he said there will be no checks in general, is it a rule that any on goods coming from northern artist can always think their own ireland to the rest of the uk, to Great Britain. And that is correct. Songs, regardless of who has rights . There will be no checks in terms of is it not as straightforward as a man ina there will be no checks in terms of that . I dont think it is as a man in a pink cap in a Little Office saying, show me a document. Straightforward as that, you would think that any party should be able but there will be is a need to fill to perform the songs that they wrote in an export declaration because live, i think that is what the story Northern Ireland will have to follow has gained some traction. 65,000 some of the eus customs rules even though it will leave the eu and stay fa ns has gained some traction. 65,000 fans have signed a petition, taylor called on her fans fans have signed a petition, taylor called on herfans to fans have signed a petition, taylor called on her fans to see what they think, she has even called on other pa rt though it will leave the eu and stay part of the uks customs territory. That is the complex deal role that artists that work with those has been set up for northern producers to change that mine on ireland. That export declaration is this. The statement has now come out something you can do online. It denying that they stop her ta kes a something you can do online. It takes a few seconds. It is a very performing at the American Music awards, where she has been put up minimal piece of administration and foran awards, where she has been put up for an award as artist of the yet symbolically for some people the decade, there is also a night flex idea of the promise they have been given that they would have dog meant to change that mine on this. The statement has now come out absolutely denying that they stop her given that they would have a bsolutely u nfettered access performing at the American Music given that they would have absolutely unfettered access to the awards, where she has been put up gb market, and there is an argument to be had saying if you have to foran awards, where she has been put up for an award as artist of the decade, there is also a night flex start filling in one form it is not the same as moving something from dog mentee in question, that she claimed that they put shot stopped her music being used in a dundee to doncaster, because you do documentary that has been in at the actually have an administrative wood for the last three years. Other check. Things coming in the other celebrities have lea pt wood for the last three years. Other celebrities have leapt to her defence. Lots of support in favour of taylor swift, but it seems like direction from db2 Northern Ireland, that there is money, issues here and particularly Food Products and agricultural products, they will be subject to a lot more checks than i need to be resolved between both anything certainly going through the parties. Thanks very much for talking us through it. Rest of the united kingdom. Anything certainly going through the rest of the united kingdomm anything certainly going through the rest of the united kingdom. It is of a row has broken out in switzerland huge concern and interest by over government plans to abandon the countrys emergency supply of coffee. It is swiss policy to store businesses affected. What about this goods deemed essential in case of emergency, including enough basic foodstuffs, prospect of a potential scottish to last the population independence referendum. Boris for three months. Johnson was asked about that. Lets the strategy evolved see what he said. What the snp want out of two world wars when neutral switzerland, surrounded by conflict, to do is force Jeremy Corbyn to go could not feed itself. Into a second referendum on scotland next year and i dont think that Imogen Foulkes reports from bern. Jeremy corbyn will have any power to switzerland prides itself on being insist that. So you would have two prepared, a nuclear bunkerfor every citizen, instructions on how to cope in any emergency and tonnes of stockpiled food, referendums, one on independence for scotland. Is a true, that claimed fuel and medicines. There would be two referendums next year . It is possible but i think it including 15,000 tonnes of coffee. Fuel and medicines. Is probably unlikely. Jeremy corbyn now though, the government says himself has said the scottish the coffee isnt necessary. Referendum within the first two yea rs of referendum within the first two years of any Labour Government. On the other hand, as the prime translation coffee isnt essential, it doesnt have any calories. Minister was suggesting there, the likelihood of a majority labour ourjob in the government government, if we believe the is to provide our citizens with nutritional items opinion polls, looks fairly slim so so they can survive. A minority Labour Government needing that means food with calories and coffee doesnt the support of other parties have that. Including the snp, some things could be upforgrabs. Including the snp, some things could be up for grabs. But i think we will hear that line up a lot from the but the swiss are among the worlds biggest coffee drinkers, Prime Minister. It is simple, get consuming a staggering eight brexit done stop withJeremy Corbyn, kilograms each year. Two referendums. Surely, if we are for many people here a day without coffee, even in going to have another referendum on an emergency, seems unthinkable. Translation ifi absolutely had to, i suppose i could do without coffee but i really eu membership you would do it before Scottish Independence because it dont think its a good idea to stop will influence the outcome of the stockpiling it. Oh, dear, i suppose id second. There is a question about have to switch to tea. Its like my shower whether the snp would want that vote in the morning, i cant do without coffee. Next year. That isnt necessarily and so, after a storm of protest, the swiss government says it will reconsider. Clear. Obviously, during an election switzerlands millions of Coffee Campaign parties take certain drinkers are hopeful their precious positions. We saw that with the stockpile will stay in the warehouses alongside the sugar and formation of the conservative, flour, just in case. Liberal Democrat Coalition in 2010. Once the results are clear we know what we will have to deal with in terms of putting together a new government. The insistence there would be two referendums under in a moment, all the labour is unfair. One more claim. Latest business news. First a look at the headlines on afternoon live borisjohnson asked about the liberal democrats labour is unfair. One more claim. Promise £100 billion Boris Johnson asked about vat. Dont to tackle Climate Change. Forget that when we leave the eu we labour promises free full fibre broadband for every will, i hope injanuary, if we are home in the uk by 2030. The pm dismisses the plans lucky enough to be elected, will as a crackpot scheme. Come out and take back control of as Donald Trumps impeachment inquiry continues vat. We will be able to cut vat on the former Us Ambassador to ukraine says she was recalled from her post after a concerted things we currently cant. Sanitary effort against her, led by the president. Products, you name it. We could run a very different vat system. Very different vat system. What does that mean for all of us . Sanitary products, you name it. At the moment heres your business headlines on afternoon live lloyds shareholders have lost a multimillion pound High Court Action over the acquisition of hbos. Under eu rules you could have a a judge dismissed the claim minimum standard rate of 50 . I was by a group of 5,800 former lloyds tsb shareholders. His 20 . We could bring standard vat they claimed they were mugged down by 5 . There is another list of when the Bank Recommended the deal. Products that has a lower rate of vat, 5 . At the moment that include countries, including australia, sanitary products. The uk government have asked for trade compensation from the uk and the eu over wa nts to brexit disruption. Sanitary products. The uk government wants to produce up to zero. Now, 15 countries including the us, there is a eu law that seems to have india and new zealand been going through for ever which have been setting out brexit concerns at a world trade has been delayed to allow sanitary Organization Meeting in geneva. Products to have a vat rate of zero. Australian officials said their beef it hasnt happened yet. That is one and lamb exporters had already been hit after several brexit delays. That mrjohnson talks about a lot saying, if we left, we could Popstar Taylor swift has said her performance at the upcoming immediately reduce vat on sanitary American Music awards is in doubt because she is being barred products to zero. The suggestion from performing her own songs. That everything is impossible and we in a message to fans on social media, the singer can reduce any other vat rate right said music managers, Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta, now, that is not true. Sanitary would not let her perform songs from her past albums, products, talking about. Why focus which they own the rights to. She said a Netflix Documentary about her life had also been put in jeopardy. On that . It is something that has come up and people talk about it a lot. Why is something that obviously so whats been happening many women need every month, why is on the financial markets, susannah . It something that attracts a value londons blue chip index ftse100 added tax. Most people think it has fallen back into negative territory this afternoon shouldnt and therefore the government says we want to have the despite some more optimism this morning that a trade deal ability to get rid of that altogether. Thanks very much. With china might be imminent. We nominations for those with china might be imminent. Have been here bef standing in next months election have now closed, and for the first time every do we have been here before, perhaps, do not hold your breath, but there is some indication that perhaps a candidate will receive a leaflet advising them on how deal is more in a minute that it was to protect themselves. The document tells prospective mps when and how to report a few weeks ago. Any abuse or threats, to the police. Carpetrights in the ftse our home affairs correspondent, Small Cap Index share price is up 15 after the firm agreed to sell the business to its biggest Daniel Sandford reports. Shareholder hedge fund, meditor in a deal that values the murder ofjo cox during the eu the floor specialist, Referendum Campaign of 2016 which has around 350 stores, was the starkest example of the new dangers faced by people taking part in elections. At £15. 2 million. So share price up today in anticipation of that deal, but the share price todayjo coxs sister fell by 49 last month told me she welcomed when that deal was mooted, the new security advice being given so significant losses to for shareholders overall. Candidates in this election. In the weeks afterjo was killed and whats happening to bts share price there was a short period of time after that annoucement by labour that it would renationalise when politicians and others talked parts of the business . About doing things differently and being more compassionate and understanding, even with people yes, this is a key labour pledge we disagree with. And that didnt last for very long access to high Speed Broadband has and i think, unfortunately, become a political issue in the past three and a half years labour wants to nationalise the Digital Network things have got progressively worse. Arm of the company so i think it is really openreach, as part of a plan to give sad that this advice every home and business in the uk is needed, but i also think free full fibre broadband by 2030, it is really important. If it wins the general election. The share price has fallen since 2016, there has been a striking increase in politicians being abused in person, by post and online. Death threats are not unusual. Anti semitic, racist and homophobic abuse are common. Sliding by around 3 so for the first time all candidates are receiving this guidance from the police, including advice such as, consider your safety when canvassing. Price has gone. Initially, it slid quite significantly but then green to some ground back. As you mention, it dropped around 3 . It has icily closed us down 1 on the day. This was quite a surprise, we were not expecting this from labour, although they have earmarked other companies that they were considering nationalising. Bt, the opening reach aside, was not part of that so this was a surprise to shareholders. The this is about all of us getting fa ct was a surprise to shareholders. The fact that they share price has to the 12th of december with everybody being able to have actually inched higher suggest that gone out, done the campaigning investors are not actually convinced that they want to do, less will go free. A lot of problems have the debate and discussion that they want to do have been earmarked for this, for but everyone doing that safely. As well as the written guidance, all Police Forces will be inviting example, the actual cost. Labour candidates in for a security have suggested it will cost £20 briefing where they can beat the officer who will be responsible billion, bt has said that the cost for handling any reports will be more towards the £100 of intimidation that they make. Those reports will all be collated nationally so that Senior Officers billion mark. Also, the hooter can have a picture of the security Patient Point to be covered, he will situation right across the uk. Cover that . There really are so many one concern is that much of the canvassing in this election will be taking place after dark. Questions that this brings up. That but at the heart of todays guidance is legal advice, also questions that the explaining to candidate the kinds conservatives can appear to be doing of abuse and threats that are criminal offences better nightly but at the moment, as and encouraging them to report these faras so police can take swift action. Better nightly but at the moment, as far as the polls are concerned, i think that has eased investor concerns for the moment. Lets talk the liberal democrats are promising to spend an extra £100 billion on tackling Climate Change about carpetright struggling, now it if they win the election in a speech today, sir ed davey will say will be bought by the largest hedge the five Year Investment would jump start efforts to combat fund. What does this mean for the Climate Emergency. The pledge would be funded shareholders . I really rocky ride. We saw them drop 48 are just a through borrowing and tax changes. Couple of weeks ago when the offer was put on the table, if you like. It has been a really tough ride for investors for a really tough ride for investors for carpetright. Seven throughout the election months ago, this business was valued campaign bbc news is getting the views from right across the country. We will be visiting 10 parts at 35p a share, now it is 5p a of the uk where seats will be closely contested. Share. A decade ago, the price was today, were in aberdeen, which is in north east scotland. This seat Aberdeen North up share. A decade ago, the price was up to 300 pa share. A decade ago, the price was up to 300 p a share. Itjust goes was taken from labour by the snp share. A decade ago, the price was in 2015 but the other two up to 300 p a share. It just goes to show that changing tastes, a constituencies in aberdeen are held crippling debt pile that they are by the conservatives. Not being able to manage. Obviously, in 2015 the snp had a majority of 13,400, which dropped to 11,100 in 2017. Consumers are reining in their in the nearby constituency spending, just as much, retail sales of gordon, the conservatives unseated former snp leader have contracted. It is a very alex salmond in 2017 their majority of 2,600 makes this difficult time for retailers, at the a key target for the snp this moment. What has been happening to stirling today ive made all of year. My colleague, annita this . The pound appears to 1. 29, mcveigh, is aberdeen. Trading at the highest level since early november. This is basically on we have moved to a different floor the back of the brexit party failing here on the Maritime Museum in the to field candidates in 43 extra city. Beside me here is an example ofa seats. The way that traders are city. Beside me here is an example of a mute suit, used to allow reading into this is that it gives naughty divers to stay underwater for longer without having to use the conservatives a higher decompression chambers. This one is probability of winning the elections, and with a strong dated from the 1990s. Used majority. What that means is that extensively in the north sea in that that could push, borisjohnson could period. Alongside, a remotely get his brexit deal through operated vehicle used for parliament with fewer problems, so maintenance of oil rigs. If you look it should be more chance of a brexit over at the base of this nine metre deal being completed by the 31st of tall model of an oil rig you should january. That is what pounding see a little yellow dot in the top investors are seeing, that is why left hand corner of your screen. And the pound is on the rise. Thank you thatis left hand corner of your screen. And that is a scale model of an remote very much for all of that analysis. Interesting how you can see operated vehicle which shows you investors are reading into all the just how huge these oil rigs are. A Political Developments that we have had today. Susanna, thanks very much huge part of aberdeens story. The reason we are in aberdeen is to talk indeed. About constituencies where the election vote is going to be really today, we have been in aberdeen. Tight. Lets discuss all of that now. Joining me is adele who is a radio 1 newsbeats Steffan Powell has travelled up to another part of the city in a campervan political reporter with the evening from Bishop Auckland where bbc express newspaper. Good to have you news was earlier in the week with us. What is the main story of to gauge opinions from voters in the city. The election for you . The main story welcome to the news we election the in scotland comes down to camper van, a humus constitutional issues on the day. Do welcome to the news we election the campervan, a humus is on welcome to the news we election the camper van, a humus is on tuesday, they want to vote for a party that let me explain. We are travelling is against brexit or do they want to around the uk, going to lots of different places in scotland, wales, vote for a party against an independence referendum. Ifeelthe Northern Ireland and england, seen campaign is largely void of any what people really care about in the other election issues. It really lead up to these elections. We have does come down to those come to aberdeen. We can see outside constitutional issues. They arent talking about the sort of issues we would normally hear about in a the campervan, come to aberdeen. We can see outside the camper van, lets have a little bit, just set up on the beach. It regular election like health care, was absolutely chucking it down education and so on. No, it feels earlier, luckily, it has got a like a really different election in little bit drier now for when the that respect. In 2017 the quys little bit drier now for when the guys snuck in. It is quite snug in conservatives up here lead their here, what do you think . Cozy. Ive campaign and won a lot of seats based on the fact that they met cozy is one way of describing campaigned solely on opposing an independence referendum. From the it. It has been lovely, but campaigningl independence referendum. From the campaigning i see so far i think thatis campaigning i see so far i think that is a tack they are going along obviously, bbc budget cuts. Since again. What have voters been saying we are with you last tuesday, we to you . Voters differ depending on have got some local flavour, there their opinion on those constitutional issues but to say, titan mugs and batteries. Interestingly you have people that feel stuck between a rock and a hard place and those people are the kimberley, you work in the factory vote rs that makes the pies and batteries place and those people are the voters that. It is 60 in favour that makes the pies and batteries that we have got here. That is true, i like the pies. Im a fan of the of remain. Voters are for the eu but pies as well. The rain is starting, against an independence referendum imight pies as well. The rain is starting, i might have to close this window. And feel they dont know who to vote you can see that the north sea for. Some would position them as liberal democrat voters. Tell us there, some oil tankers floating past. The Biggest Issue we have been talking about today is that the about the contest in the aberdeen constituencies that. Issue of independence. Max, it is constituencies how the talking point since 2015, it about the contest in the aberdeen constituencies how tight are they going to be . There are some really contains to be today, isnt it . Volatile seats in the north east. It isa the talking point since 2015, it contains to be today, isnt mm has been talked about for many years volatile seats in the north east. It is a region to be watching. We have got aberdeen south which for three now, it is really divisive in scotland. It is almost impossible in elections was a labour seat. In 2015 scotla nd scotland. It is almost impossible in scotland to say that youre proud to it went to the snp and 2017 back to be scottish, british and european the conservatives. They will face a without someone telling you that you are not one of them. It is very challenge there. It is an divisive issue. It is all that interesting seat and is an affluent anyone can ever talk about all of the time to stop you campaigning for seat. Lots of prounion voters in that regard but other seats are people to stay in the uk . Why did gordon. That is an interesting one. You do that . Im proud to be it takes in parts of aberdeen and the constituency and that used to be british, i thought back then that the snp do not have a proper plan, held by alex salmond and is now a they still dont for the economy and conservative seat. That could be a our concurrency after leaving the three way race because it was uk. Ijust our concurrency after leaving the uk. I just think our concurrency after leaving the previously held by the liberal uk. Ijust think negotiations with the british, it would be the same as democrats for 30 years prior to the british, it would be the same as the mess that the brexit those two elections. There is a lot negotiations have been. Ray, you of interesting races in scotland in that regard and there are some quite strongly disagree . between three parties. Straying into negotiations have been. Ray, you quite strongly disagree . I have always wanted to leave, you cut me, cliche, too close to call . |j between three parties. Straying into cliche, too close to call . I would say so. I would like to make any i bleed neats and tatty and huggers. Predictions. Thank you very much. It im a Firm Believer that scotland would be better off as an is interesting to hear from adele independent country, because that allows us to remain in the eu. There the questions that viewers have been has been some debate as to whether sending in about the election here that would be the case. Do you think in scotland. It really does emphasise again and again, you can talk about this election in scotland this conversation has continued to and about brexit without in the same pass that supposedly once in a generation moment, youre still breath talking about independence. Having this conversation, is it we will be back here in Aberdeen Holding scotland back . Are there other things you should be putting throughout the afternoon. For now, up other things you should be putting back to the studio. Lovely, thanks up Political Energy into . other things you should be putting up Political Energy into . I think very much. See you soon. The Political Energy from scotland becoming an independent party is still held on for so long because it was so close. 54 48 . 55, that is tight. A lot of that in addition heavy rainfall has have gone now or have maybe change brought further misery to flood hit communities their mind. I know a there are more than 100 flood have gone now or have maybe change their mind. I knowa lot have gone now or have maybe change their mind. I know a lot of people warnings currently in place in parts change their mind because the things of england and wales. We we re change their mind because the things the wet weather has caused we were promised back then have more travel distruption on roads and railways. Never come to fruition. But do you our correspondent phil mackie is in evesham in worcestershire. Sit on this issue of independence, levels are still rising here on the river avon. Roads and businesses are kimberley . Does it frustrate you closed. We are expecting things not that we could be talking about so to settle down yet. We have got a many other things but here we are couple of guests. In terms of road having a conversation about closing and transport, where ill be independence . It does frustrate me at at the moment . A lot of problems that it independence . It does frustrate me thatitis independence . It does frustrate me that it is kind of all we talk about in scotland, independence. I am one with the river avon. We are keeping of those people mentioned about changing their mind, because a lot aa of promises were made and it never with the river avon. We are keeping a a close eye on the river severn. Came to fruition, really. We were we have one road closed and we are chatting earlier about this, this watching worcester very closely. You notion that people in scotland do could have to introduce different notion that people in scotland do not tend to vote for a majority of traffic arrangements there later conservative mps. For the last nine tonight . Last year we made changes yea rs, conservative mps. For the last nine years, there has been a conservative tonight . Last year we made changes to new growth so we could run into a in westminster having a big say on two way operation and we are keeping life appear. You can understand a close eye on it this weekend. Peoples frustrations about that . River levels, are they peaking . We 100 . Generally, the scottish are getting close to peaking here. People, especially since it would all this water is working its way borisjohnson took over, have become downstream and meeting the river less positive about the conservative severn further down. We are going to party. It is important that scotland has more power so that scotland can see some very high levels down as faras see some very high levels down as far as tewkesbury and worcester have its own sake, but we are going itself. That will last for two or may be a bit too far. You are saying three days because all that water is bottling up. There is more rain, not further devolution but no more independence, because scotland already has control over health care immediately, but next week there is systems here, education. What do you another storm coming in. Is there a say to those people that are good, pattern developing here. Every thursday at bar or less it rains and actually, the snp in hollywood every friday. You are right, there should be focused on sorting those issues out first before having this isa every friday. You are right, there is a pattern developing and the independence go around again . When ground is absolutely saturated and you look at what the snp is in for the rivers are not having enough time to recover so when we get those scotland free health care, free big rainfall events it keeps topping schools, three receptions on the it up. We are going to have to stay nhs schools, three receptions on the nhs none of those were brought in really vigilant probably right the by it was ministered. As an way through the winter unless there independent scotland. A lot of isa that stuff would be difficult to pay way through the winter unless there is a big significant change in the weather patterns. We were just for in an independent scotland discussing that their floods in 2000 right . Now, and dip in its can stand started off like this. It started raining in september and never on his feet, it has been proven time really stopped throughout the winter. Flood plains ikea on the and time again that scotland can stand on its own two feet, with free river avon in worcestershire stayed full that year right the way from trade been integral to that, which obviously stems from the eu as well. October until the end of march and the beginning of april. There are obviously grey curious about how an independent scotland u nfortu nately, the beginning of april. Unfortunately, it feels like that again soa unfortunately, it feels like that again so a lot more misery to camp. Would work, is that something that the peak and the river avon is about plays on your mind, kimberley, when now. The river severn not until the you are thinking about the future of weekend although they are not nearly scotland . Obviously, it is on my as high as they were in 2007. These mind about, i think a lot about it. Are some of the biggest foods we what you want to happen over the have these are some of the biggest foods have next month or so, is coming close to seen seen since then. We have. We will election day, you are going to get a chance to cast your vote, what are have a look at venice two and the things you will really be flooding has got worse. 70 of the thinking about, what you want to happen . Basically, i want city under water after an thinking about, what you want to happen . Basically, iwant answers thinking about, what you want to exceptional high tide. Happen . Basically, i want answers to my question is that i have and i know many other people have. Hopefully, this camper van will be knocking all over the uk over the the mayor of venice has ordered the historic next two weeks and you look have st marks square to be closed some answers. Thank you forjoining with floodwaters peaking at around one and half metres. Us. I know it is not the one on this italy has declared a state of emergency. Camper van its the worst flooding to hit us. I know it is not the one on this campervan in the us. I know it is not the one on this camper van in the one of yourself a pie, otherwise, they will go two the city in half a century. Ways. You can see again outside the we expecting to hear from former us classic scottish welcome we have had here, as at the oil tankers drift past us. There is a bit of sun, ambassador to ukraine actually, maybe you guys brought it . Lets go back to the studio in yovanavich who is in front of the House Intelligence Committee for the second open impeachment proceedings london. This is a key point for president hello, low pressure staying close by into the weekend. That means a lot of cloud, a bit more rain in places. Trump. These open hearings. Not too much on the way. Staying quite chilly though. This is how the rest President Trump facing this of today is looking. Impeachment threat. How far the some showery rain into parts of eastern scotland, republicans will continue to support england and wales. Turning more persistent through some him, of course, will be the key parts of east anglia and south east england going into the evening. It is not quite as chilly question in the run up to next as it was yesterday. Yea rs question in the run up to next years president ial election. We are into tonight, for england and wales and toward south east scotland going to take some of that testimony a lot of cloud around. Some occasional outbreaks of rain. In the next few minutes from the mainly dry elsewhere in scotland and Northern Ireland where we will have the lowest former Us Ambassador to the ukraine. Temperatures with the frost around let us catch up with what the for many of us here. Maybe some icy patches. Weather is doing here. It must be some fog patches possible. England and wales see still miserable. Even if the rain those temperatures are staying above freezing. Through eastern and southern part of scotland tomorrow, slows down, the flooding continues . Northern england most likely to see absolutely right. Even though there outbreaks of rain for a time. Some showers in the far south east of england but some spells in the south east. Some heavy showers brushing anglesey to pembrokeshire isnt a huge amount of rainfall and cornwall as well. Clouding up in Northern Ireland today, that will feed into the river and western scotland after a bright morning. Systems. Some are still rising and still on the chilly side. We are getting some new flooding in places. I will start with the sunshine. That is across a part of Northern Ireland and scotland. There are some sunny Northern Ireland and scotland. There are some sunny spells. There is a lot of dry weather around today. Even where there is so much water on the ground there is a little bit of showery rain. Not as wet as it has today at 5pm. Labour pledges free been. But how wet in autumn so far . Broadband for all if it wins the general election. Lets ta ke been. But how wet in autumn so far . Lets take sheffield. These are the the party says every home and business in the uk totals in millimetres in autumn so will get free broadband itll be done by taking part of bt far. That record is from the year into public ownership. Together we will build a new public 2000. We arejust far. That record is from the year 2000. We are just shy of that. I service delivering the fastest will be very surprised if that. In broadband free to everyone. Nottingham that figure is even more interesting because we know it has this will be all at the heart of labours plans to transform been a soaker there as well. It is the future of our economy and our society. What we wont be doing is some rotting ins wettest autumn so far. That goes back to the uks wettest crackpot scheme that would involve many many tens of billions autumn on record, in the year 2000. Of taxpayers money nationalising a british business. Nottingham. It is a very similar figure in sheffield. That is a huge amount of rain to come down in such amount of rain to come down in such a short amount of time. The start of september was quite dry. It was really from late september through october and into november so how we have amassed all that rainfall. When you get that much rain you get so many problems. In red are the Flood Warnings. Over 100 across england. Updated all the time. We just ca ptu red updated all the time. We just captured that a a few minutes ago. It is really a cross is part of england at the moment that things are still getting worse in terms of flooding. The weekend forecast later on. Being sworn in, the former Us Ambassador ambassador, you will need to speak very close to the microphone. Thank you for the opportunity to make this statement, to the interest mice to the committee, and to highlight part of my biography and experience. I come before you as an american citizen who has devoted the majority of my life, 33 years, two servers to the country that all of us love. Like my colleagues, i entered the foreign server is understanding that myjob was to implement the Foreign Policy interests of this nation, as defined by the president and congress, and to do so regardless of which a person or party was in power. I had no agenda other than to pursue our stated Foreign Policy goals. My servers is an expression of gratitude for all that this country has given to me and my family. My late parents do not have the good fortune to come of age in a free society. My father for i do so bits before ultimately finding refuge in the United States, my mothers family escaped the ussr before the bolshevik revolution, and she grew up stateless in nazi germany before eventually making her way to the United States. Their personal histories, my personal history, gave me both deep gratitude towards the United States, and great entity to others, like the ukrainian people who want to be free. Great empathy. Ijoined people who want to be free. Great empathy. I joined the people who want to be free. Great empathy. Ijoined the Foreign Service during the reagan administration, and subsequently served five president s. It was my great honour to be served as ambassador three times, twice by george w bush, and once by barack obama. That is a perception that diplomats lead a comfortable life, throwing dinner parties and fancy homes. Let me tell you about some of my reality. It has not always been easy. I have moved 13 times, served in seven different countries, five of them hardship post. My first thought was mogadishu, somalia, and increasingly dangerous place as that countrys civil war kept grinding on and the government was weakening. The military took over policing functions and a particularly brutal way, and basic services disappeared. Several years later, after the soviet union collapsed, i helped open our embassy in uzbekistan. As we we re open our embassy in uzbekistan. As we were establishing relations with a new country, our small embassy was attacked by a who sprayed the Embassy Building with gunfire. I latest served in moscow. In 1993, during the attempted coup in russia, i was caught in crossfire between president ial and parliamentary forces. It took us three tries, me without a body armour or a helmet, to get into if you call to go to the embassy. We went because the ambassador asked us to come, and we went because it was our duty. From august 2016 until may 2019, i set out the Us Ambassador to ukraine. During my tenure in ukraine, i went to the front line approximately ten times during a hot war to show the american flag, to hear what was going on, and to see how our assistance dollars being put to use. I want to advance us policy, fully embraced by democrats and republicans alike, to help ukraine become a stable and Democratic State with a market economy, integrated into europe. A secure and democratic, free ukraine said not just the ukrainian people, but the American People as well. That is why it was our policy to help the ukrainians achieve their objectives, they match our objectives. The us is they match our objectives. The us is the most powerful country in the history of the world, in large part because of our values, which is made possible the network of alliances and partnerships that buttresses our strength. Ukraine, with an enormous landmass and a large population, has the potential to be a significant commercial and political partner for the United States, as well as a force multiplier on the security site. We see the potential in ukraine, russia sees no risk, by contrast. The history is not written yet, but ukraine could move out of russias on about. Now, ukraine is a Battle Ground for great power competition, with a hot war for territory, and a hybrid war to control ukraines leadership. The un has provided significant Security Assistance is the onset of the war against russia in 2014, the Trump Administration strengthened our policy by approving the provision to ukraine ofand policy by approving the provision to ukraine of and how tank muscles, known as javelins. Supporting ukraine is the right thing to do, it is also the right thing to do. If russia prevails at Ukraine Russian dominion, we can expect to see other by russia to expand its territory and influence. As critical as the war against russia is, ukraines struggling democracy has an equally struggling democracy has an equally struggling challenge, but only soviet legacy of corruption which has been raided ukraines government. Approximately there is ever vulnerable to a shark and the ukrainian people understand that, thatis ukrainian people understand that, that is why the lunch the revolution of dignity in 2014, demanding to be pa rt of dignity in 2014, demanding to be part of europe, demanding the transmission of the system, demanding to live under the rule of law. Ukrainians wanted a law to apply equally to all people, whether the individual in question is the president or any other citizen. It was a question of fairness and dignity. He again, that is a coincidence of interest. Corrupt leaders are inherently less trustworthy, while honest and accountable ukrainian leadership makes a us at ukraine in partnership more reliable and valuable to the United States. A level Playing Field ina United States. A level Playing Field in a strategically located country, bothering for nato allies, creates an environment in which us business can more easily trade, invest and profit. Corruption is also a security issue because corrupt officials are vulnerable to my skull. In short, it is in Americas National security interest to help ukraine transform into a country where the rule of law governance and corruption is held in check. It was and remainsa corruption is held in check. It was and remains a top priority to help ukraine fight corruption, and significant progress has been made since the 2014 revelation of dignity. Unfortunately, as the past couple of months have underlined, not all ukrainians and praise allah work. It was perhaps not surprising that when our anti corru ption effo rts that when our anti corru ption efforts got in the way of profit or power, ukraines super league to play by the old corrupt deals sought to re m ove play by the old corrupt deals sought to remove me. Anti corruption work. They found americans willing to work with them and partnered together, they apparently succeeded in the debating and Us Ambassador. How could our system fail like this . How could our system fail like this . How is it that foreign corrupt interest could manipulate our government . Which countries interests are served when at the very corrupt behaviour that we have been criticising is allowed to prevail . Such conduct in the minds of the us, exposes our friends, prevail . Such conduct in the minds of the us, exposes ourfriends, and widens the Playing Field for autocrats like president putin. Our leadership depends on what the power of our example out at the consistency of our purpose. Both have now been open to question. With that background in mind, id like to briefly address some of the factual issues i expect you may want to ask me about, starting with my timeline in at ukraine and the events about which i do and do not have first hand knowledge. I arrived which i do and do not have first hand knowledge. Iarrived in ukraine on august 22, 2016, i shall ukraine on august 22, 2016, i shall ukraine permanently on may 20, 2019. There are a number of events to which i cannot bring any first hand knowledge. The events that predated my Ukraine Service include the release of the so called black ledger and mr manfords subsequent resignation from President Trumps campaign, and you need from office of former prosecutor general. Lu departure from office. Several other events occurred after i returned from ukraine. These include President Trump as mike gelati call with president selling ski. The discussion surrounding that phone call, and any discussion surrounding the delay of Security Assistance to ukraine in the summer of 2019. As for events during my tenure in ukraine, iwant for events during my tenure in ukraine, i want to reiterate first that the allegation that i disseminated i do not prosecute list was a fabrication. The format ukrainian prosecutor general who made that accusation has acknowledged that the list never existed. I did not tell him or other ukrainian officials who they should or should not prosecute, instead, i advocated the us position that rule of law should prevail. Ukrainian law enforcement, prosecutors and judges should stop you dont do power selectively as a political weapon against their adversaries, and start dealing with all consistently and according to the law. Also on through are on sourced is that i told unidentified embassy employees or ukrainian officials that President Trumps orders should be ignored, because he was going to be ignored, because he was going to be impeach or for any other reason. Idid be impeach or for any other reason. I did not, and i would not say such a thing. Such statements would be inconsistent with my training as a Foreign Service officer and my role as an ambassador. The Obama Administration did not ask me to help the Clinton Campaign or harm the trump campaign, nor would i have taken any such steps if they had. Partisan ship of this type is not compatible with the role of a career Foreign Service officer. I have never met hunter biden, nor have i had any direct or indirect conversations with him. Although i have made Vice President by going several times may use over the yea rs, several times may use over the years, neither here nor the Previous Administration ever raised the issue of bullies or biden with biden with me. With respect to mayor giuliani, i have only had a total of three incidents of contact with him, none related with the issue. I do not understand his motives for attacking me, nor cani understand his motives for attacking me, nor can i offer an opinion on whether he believed the allegations he spread about me. Clearly, no one at the state department did. What i can say is that mr giuliani should have known that those claims were suspect, coming as they reportedly died from individuals with questionable motives and reason to believe that their political and financial conditions would be stymied by iowa Anti Corruption policies in ukraine. After being asked by the undersecretary of state for Political Affairs in early march 2019, to extend myjaw until 2020, the Smear Campaign against me entered a new public phase in the United States. In the wake of the negative press, state Department Official suggested an earlier departure, and we agreed uponjuly 2019. I was then apparently told, just weeks later in late april, to come back to washington from ukraine on the next plane. At this time i departed, ukraine had just concluded Game Changing president ial elections, it was a sensitive period with much at stake for the United States, and called for all the experience and expertise could muster. When i return to the United States, deputy dg chapman to produce active states 11 told me they had be active states 11 told me they had be a Concerted Campaign against me, that the president told me that he no longer wish me to serve as ambassador to ukraine, ukraine. No longer wish me to serve as ambassadorto ukraine, ukraine. In fa ct, ambassadorto ukraine, ukraine. In fact, he had been pushing for my removal since early summer. As mr sullivan previously recounted, neither he nor anyone else ever explain or sought to justify the president s concerns about me, nor that anybody in at the department justifying my elder departure by suggesting that i had done something wrong. I appreciate that mr sullivan publicly affirmed out his hearing that i had served capably and admirably. Although, then and now, i have always understood that i served at the pleasure of the president. I still find it difficult to comprehend that foreign and private interests were able to undermine us interests were able to undermine us interest in this way. Individuals who apparently felt stymied by our effo rts who apparently felt stymied by our efforts to promote stated us policy against corruption, that is, to do our mission, were able to successfully ca m pa ig n our mission, were able to successfully campaign a campaign of dissemination against a sitting ambassador using unofficial back channels. As various witnesses have recounted, they shed baseless allegations with the president and convinced him to remove his ambassador, despite the fact that the state department fully understood that the allegations were false and the sauce is highly suspect. These events should concern eve ryo ne suspect. These events should concern everyone in the syrian. And thus the symbol of the United States and abroad, they are the president , personal representative of the president , they should always act and speak with full authority to advocate for us policy. If our chief representative is kneecapped, it limits our effectiveness to safeguard the National Security interests of the United States. This is especially important now, when the International Landscape is more complicated and more competitive thanit complicated and more competitive than it has been since the dissolution of the soviet union. Albert ukraine policy has been thrown into disarray, and shady interest that they world over have learned how little it takes to remove an American Ambassador who does not give them what they want. After these boards, what a foreign official, corrupt or not, could be blamed for wondering whether the Us Ambassador who represents the president s views. What Us Ambassador could be blamed for harbouring the fear that they cannot count on our government to support them as they implement stated us policy and protect and defend us interest . Id like to comment on one other matter before taking your questions. Close the position, i expressed grave concerns about the degradation of the Foreign Service over the past few years and the failure of state Department Leadership to push back as foreign and corrupt interest apparently hijacked i expressed grave concerns about the degradation of the Foreign Service over the past few years and the failure of state Department Leadership to push back as foreign and corrupt interest apparently hijacked is about far more than me ora hijacked is about far more than me or a couple of individuals. As a Foreign Service professionals are being denigrated and undermined, the institution is also being degraded. This will soon cause real harm, if it has not already. The state department as a tool of Foreign Policy, it often doesnt get the same type of attention or respect as the military or the pentagon might. We are, as they say, the pointy end of the spear. If we lose our age, the us will inevitably have to use other tools, even more that it does today. Those other tools are plantar, more expensive and not universally effective. Are plantar. Moreover, attacks are leading to crisis and the Us Department as policy unravels. They go unfilled, and senior and mid level officers pondered and uncertain future. The crisis has moved from an impact on individuals to an out on the institution itself, the state department is being hollowed out from within at a competitive and completes time on the world stage. This is not a time to undercut our diplomats. It is a swiss ability of a departments leaders to sign up for the institution and the individuals who make that institution, still today, the most effective diplomatic forcing in the world. Congress has a response ability to reinvest in our diplomacy. That is an investment in our national ensuring kit, and our in ourfuture, our our national ensuring kit, and our in our future, our childrens future. As i close, let me be clear on who we are and how we serve this country. We are professionals, we are public servants, who by vocation and training, pursue the policies of the president , regardless of who holds that offers on what party are they affiliate with we handle american citizen services, facilitate trade and commerce, work security issues, represent the us, and report to and advise washington, to mentionjust some and report to and advise washington, to mention just some of our work functions. We make a difference every day. We are people who repeatedly uproot our lives, who this and sometimes gives our lives for this country. We are the 52 americans, who 40 years ago this month, the guy in 444 days of deprivation, torture and captivity in tehran. We are the dozens of american station at our embassy in cuba and consulates in china who mysteriously and dangerously, some cases perhaps permanently, were injured in attacks from unknown sources several yea rs injured in attacks from unknown sources several years ago. We are ambassador chris stevens, Sean Patricks smith, ty woods and glen dorgan. People who rightly called heroes for their ultimate sacrifice to this nations Foreign Policy interests in libya eight years ago. We honour these individuals. They represent each one of you here, and every american. These courageous individuals were attacked because they symbolise america. What you need to know, what americans need to know, is that while thankfully most of us answer the call to do to any far less dramatic ways, every Foreign Service officer around the same risks, very often, so do our families. They serve too, as individuals, as a community, we a nswer individuals, as a community, we answer the call to duty to advance and protect the interests of the United States. We take a what if seriously, the same one that each one of you take to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. I count myself lucky to be a Foreign Service officer, fortunate to serve with the best america has to serve with the best america has to offer. Bless to serve the American People for the last 33 yea rs. American people for the last 33 years. I thank you for your attention is, i welcome your questions. Thank you ambassador, we count ourselves lucky to have you serve the country as you have for decades. We were now moved to the 45 minute around, i recognise myself and myjob minute around, i recognise myself and my job is minute around, i recognise myself and myjob is to cancel for 45 minutes. Thank you again for appearing today, all americans are deeply in your debt. Before i hand it over to mr goldman, our staff counsel, i want to ask you about a few pivotal events of interest to the country. First of all, it was fighting corruption in ukraine a key element to us policy, and one in which you place the highest priority . Yes, it was. Can you explain why . It was important. It was actually stated in our policy and our strategy. It was important because corruption was undermining the integrity of the governance system in ukraine. As i noted in my statement, countries that have leaders that are honest and trustworthy make better partners for us. Countries where there is a level Playing Field for our us business makes it easier for our companies to do business there, to trade and to profit in those countries. What had been happening since the soviet union, it is very much a soviet legacy, is that corrupt up into undermining not only at the governance but also the economy of ukraine. We see enormous potential in ukraine and we like to have a more capable and trustworthy partner there. I know this may be awkward for you to answer since it is a question about yourself and reputation, is it fair to say that you have a repetition of it being a champion of Anti Corruption efforts in ukraine . Yes. I dont know if you have a chance to watch george kents testimony yesterday, would you agree with his sentiment if you fight corruption you are going to annoy some corrupt people . Yes. Your efforts fighting corruption to advise you as policy, did you anchor some of the corrupt leaders in ukraine . Yes. Was one of those people the prosecutor general . Yes, i believe so. Was another one of those people his predecessor . A p pa re ntly those people his predecessor . Apparently so, although i have never met him. At some point, did you learn both of them were in touch with giuliani, President Trumps lawyer and adviser . Yes. Did jewel and tried to overturn a decision that you. That the diet was based on his corruption . Yes, that is true. Was it who coordinated with juliana to peddle accusations against you, as well as the bidens . Yes, that is my understanding. Where these smears also amplified by the president s sun and other fox house . And yes, that is the case. In the face of the Smear Campaign, their colleagues at the state department how to get a statement of support for you from secretary pompeo . Were they successful . Yes and no. Then should you come to understand they could not deliver such a statement because it would be undercut by the president . Yes. When you were told you did nothing wrong, you did not enjoy the confidence of the prison and could no longer serve as a master . Yes, that is correct. You flew home from gave on the same day as the new president . That inauguration was attended by three individuals who have become known as the three amigos . Yes. Three days after that inauguration, the three amigos . Yes. Three days afterthat inauguration, in the three amigos . Yes. Three days after that inauguration, in a meeting with President Trump, are you aware the president designated these three amigos to coordinate ukraine policy with giuliani . The same giuliani who orchestrated the smearcampaign same giuliani who orchestrated the Smear Campaign against you . Yes. The same giuliani who during the summer phone call, the president recommended to. Finally, ambassador, in at that july 25 phone call, the president faces one of these corrupt former ukrainian prosecutors and said that they were treated very unfairly. They were treated very unfairly. They were treated unfairly, not you, who was smeared and recalled, but one of them. What message does that send to your colleagues in the us embassy in kiev . Im just your colleagues in the us embassy in kiev . Imjust not your colleagues in the us embassy in kiev . Im just not sure what the bases for that kind of a statement would be. Certainly not from our reporting over the years. Do you have concern today about what message the president was my actions sent to the people who are still in ukraine representing the United States when a well respected ambassadors can be smeared out of however atomic power post with the participation and acquiescence of the president s of the United States . I think it has been a big hit for morrell, both at us embassy in kiev, but also more broadly in the state department. Is it fair to say that other ambassadors, others of lesser rank, who serve the United States in embassies around the world, might look at this and think that if they ta ke look at this and think that if they take on corrupt people in those countries, that could happen to them . I think that is a fair statement, yes. Mr goldman. Thank you, mrchairman. Statement, yes. Mr goldman. Thank you, mr chairman. Ambassador, on april 24 of this year at approximately 10pm, you received a telephone call while youre at the embassy in kiev from the director general the state department, just three days after president zelenskys election and the call between President Trump and president zelensky that we just heard from. At the time that this urgent call came in, what word you in the middle of doing . |j urgent call came in, what word you in the middle of doing . I was hosting an event in on our of an a nte hosting an event in on our of an ante corruption activist, was an a nte ante corruption activist, was an ante corruption activist, was an ante corruption activist, was an ante corruption activist in ukraine. We had given her the women of courage award from ukraine, in fact, the worldwide women of courage event in washington, dc, secretary pompeo singled her out for her amazing work in ukraine to fight corrupt interests in the south of ukraine. She very tragically died because she was attacked by acid. Several months later, died a very painful death. We thought it was important that justice be done for her, and for others who fight corruption in ukraine, because this is not a table top exercise layer, lives are in the balance. We wanted to bring attention to this, we held an event and gave her father, attention to this, we held an event and gave herfather, who is still mourning her of course, that award, the women of courage. Was it ever determined who threw the acid and killed her . There had been investigations but while some of the lower ranking individuals that were involved in this have been arrested, those who ordered this have not yet been apprehended. After you stepped away from this Anti Corruption event to ta ke away from this Anti Corruption event to take this call, what did the director general tell you . To take this call, what did the directorgeneral tell you . She said that there was great concern on the seventh floor of the state department, where the leadership sets, there was great concern, they we re sets, there was great concern, they were worried. Shejust sets, there was great concern, they were worried. She just wanted to give mea were worried. She just wanted to give me a heads up about this and things seemed to be going on so she just wanted to give me a heads up. It is hard to know how to react. I asked her what it was about, what did she think it was about. She didnt know. She said she was going to try and find out more. She had wa nted to try and find out more. She had wanted to give me a heads up. She may even have been instructed to give mea may even have been instructed to give me a heads up on that. I asked her, what is the next step . She said she would try to find out more and she would try to find out more and she would try to find out more and she would try to call me by midnight. What happened next . Around 1am she called me again and she said there were great concerns, and she saidi there were great concerns, and she said i needed to come home immediately. On the next plane to the us. I asked her why. Immediately. On the next plane to the us. Iasked her why. She immediately. On the next plane to the us. I asked her why. She said she wasnt sure but there were concerns about my security. I asked her, my physical security . Concerns about my security. I asked her, my physicalsecurity . Because sometimes washington no more than we do about these things. She said, no, she hadnt got the impression that it was a physical issue. I needed to come home right away. I argued. This is extremely irregular. And no reason given. But in the end i did get on the next plane home. You said there were concerns up the street. What did you understand that to mean . The white house. Did she explain in any more detail what she meant by concerns about your security . No, she didnt. I did specifically ask whether this had to do with the mea giulianis allegations against me and so forth and she said she didnt know. Didnt appear to me that she was aware of that. No reason was offered. Did she explain what the urgency was for you to come back on the next flight . The only thing that is pertinent to that is when she said there were concerns about my security. Thats all. But it was not further explained. Prior to this abrupt call back to washington, dc, had you been offered an extension of your post by the state department . Yes. The under secretary for Political Affairs asked whether i would extend for another year, departing injuly of 2020. When was that request may . In early march. About one month and a have before this call . Yes. Did anyone at the state department ever expressed concerns about yourJob Performance . No. After youve returned to washington a couple of days after that, you met with the deputy secretary of state and at your deposition you said that the deputy secretary of state told you that you had done nothing wrong but there was a Concerted Campaign against you. What did he mean by that . I am not exactly sure. But i took it to mean that the allegations that mr giuliani and others were putting out there, thats what it was. And who else was involved in this Concerted Campaign against you . There were some members of the press and others in mr giulianis circle. And who from the ukraine . In ukraine, ithink and who from the ukraine . In ukraine, i think the prosecutor general, his predecessor, certainly. At this point he was the lead prosecutor general. And did the president indicate whether or not he was going to keep them on after the election . He had indicated he would not be keeping him on. And i believe you testified earlier that he had a reputation for being corrupt, is that right . That is correct. During this conversation, did the deputy secretary tell you about your future as the ambassador to ukraine . Well, he told me i needed to leave. What did he say . He said that. There was a lot of back and forth but ultimately he said the words that every Foreign Service officer understands. The president has lost confidence in you. That was a terrible thing to hear. I said, well, i guess i have to go then. But no real reason was offered as to why i had to leave and why it was being donein i had to leave and why it was being done in such a manner. Did you have any indication that the state department had lost confidence in you . No. And where you provided any recent by the president lost confidence in you . No. You testified at your deposition that you were told at some point that secretary pompeo had tried to protect you but that he was no longer able to do that. Where you of these efforts to protect you . No, iwas that. Where you of these efforts to protect you . No, i was untilthat meeting with deputy secretary sullivan. And did you understand who he was trying to protect you from . Well, my understanding was that the president had wanted me to leave and there was some discussion about that over prior month. Did you have any understanding why secretary pompeo was no longer able to protect you . No, it wasjust was no longer able to protect you . No, it was just a statement made, that he was no longer able to protect me. So, just like that you had to leave ukraine as soon as possible . Yes. How did that make you feel . Terrible, honestly. After three years of service to our country it was terrible. It is not the way i wanted my career to end. You also told the deputy secretary that this was a dangerous precedent. What did you mean by that . I was worried about our policy but also personnel. That i asked him how are you going to explain this to people in the state department, the press, the public, ukrainians . Because everybody is watching and so if people see somebody who. Of course, it had been very public. The attacks on me by mr giuliani and others. If people see that i, who have been promoting our policies on Anti Corruption, if they can undermine me and get me pulled out of ukraine, what does that mean for our policy . Do we still have that same policy . How are we going to affirmatively put that forward . Number one. Number two, when affirmatively put that forward . Number one. Numbertwo, when other countries, other actors and other countries, other actors and other countries see that private interests, foreign interests can come together and get a Us Ambassador removed, what is going to stop them from doing that in the future in other countries . Often the work we do, we try to be diplomatic about it but, as george kent said, sometimes we get people really angry with us. It is uncomfortable. We are doing ourjobs but sometimes people become very angry with us. And if they realise that they can just remove us, they are going to do that. How did the deputy secretary respond . He said both were good questions and he would get back to me. Did he ever get back to you . He asked to see me the following day. What did he say to you then . He. Really the conversation was more. Again, iam really the conversation was more. Again, i am grateful, really the conversation was more. Again, iam grateful, mark really the conversation was more. Again, i am grateful, mark to see how i was doing. And what would i do next. How could he help . But he didnt address the dangerous precedent that you fight for him . No. You understood, of course, the president of the United States could remove you and that you served at the pleasure of the president. That right . That is right. But in your 33 yea rs right . That is right. But in your 33 years as Foreign Service officer, have you ever heard of a president of the United States recalling another ambassador without cause based on allegations that the state department itself new to be false . No. You testified in your Opening Statement that you had left ukraine by the time of thejuly 25 call between President Trump and the other president. When was the first time you saw the call record for this phone call . When it was released publicly at the end of september, i believe. And prior to reading the call record, where you aware that President Trump had specifically made reference to you in the call . No. What was your reaction to learning the . I was shocked. Absolutely shocked and devastated, frankly. What do you mean by devastating . Devastated, frankly. What do you mean by devastating . |j devastated, frankly. What do you mean by devastating . I was shocked and devastated that i would feature ina and devastated that i would feature in a phone call between two heads of state in such a manner where President Trump said that i was bad news to another world leader and that i would be going through some things. So i was. It was a terrible moment. A person who saw me actually reading the transcript said that the colour drained from my face. I had a physical reaction. I think even now words kind of fail me. Well, without upsetting you too much, i would like to show you the excerpts from the call. The first one, where President Trump says, that former ambassador from the United States, the woman was bad news. The people she was dealing within the ukraine where bad news. Soi within the ukraine where bad news. So ijust within the ukraine where bad news. So i just want to you know. Within the ukraine where bad news. So ijust want to you know. What within the ukraine where bad news. So i just want to you know. What was your reaction when you heard the president of the United States refer to you as bad news . I couldnt believe it. Again, shocked, appalled, devastated that the president of the United States would talk about any ambassador like that toa talk about any ambassador like that to a foreign head of state and it was me. I mean, i couldnt believe it. The next excerpt, when the president references you is a short one. He said, well, she is going to go through some things. What did you think when President Trump told him that you were going to go through some things . I didnt know what to think but i was very concerned. What we re think but i was very concerned. What were you concerned about . She is going to go through some things. It doesnt sound good. It sounded like a threat. Did you feel threatened . I did. How so . I didnt know exactly. Its not a very precise phrase but i think it didnt feel like i was. I really dont know how to answer the question any further except to say that it kind of felt like a vague threat and so i wondered what that meant. It concerned me. In this same cult where the president , as you just said, threatens you to a foreign leader, he also praises the corrupt ukrainian prosecutor who led the false Smear Campaign against you. I want to show you another excerpt or two from the transcript, the call record, where the president of the United States says, go to, because i heard you had a prosecutor who was very good and he was shot down and that was really unfair. A lot of people are talking about that. The way they shut your very good prosecutor down and you had some very bad people involved. And he went on later to say, i heard the prosecutor was treated very badly and he was a very fair prosecutor, so good luck with everything. After nearly three years in the ukraine, where you try to clean up the Prosecutor Generals Office, was it the us embassys view that the former prosecutor general was a very good and very fair prosecutor . No, it was not. In fact, he was rather corrupt, is that right . That was our belief. The Prosecutor Generals Office is a long running problem in the ukraine, is that right . Yes. So how did you feel when you heard President Trump speak so highly of the corrupt ukrainian prosecutor who helped to execute the Smear Campaign to have you removed . helped to execute the Smear Campaign to have you removed . I was. It was disappointing, concerning stop it certainly wasnt based on anything that the state department would have reported, frankly, or anyone else in the us government. There was an interagency consensus that, when he came into office, we were very hopeful that he would actually do the things he said he would set out to do, including reforming the Prosecutor Generals Office. But that did not materialise. So this was not the uniform position of official us policy makers . Is that right . Right. Now, lets go back to the Smear Campaign that you referenced. In march, you said it became public. You previously testified that you had learned that rudy giuliani, President Trumps lawyer and representative, who was also mentioned in thejuly 25 call, was in regular communication with the corrupt prosecutor general in late 2018 and early 2019. At one point in your deposition you said that the giuliani and the prosecutor general had plans to do things to me. I didnt really know but that is what i had been told by ukrainian officials. Did you subsequently understand a little bit more what that meant . Now, with the advantage ofai that meant . Now, with the advantage of a i think that meant removing me from myjob. Of a i think that meant removing me from my job. Who did you understand to be working with mr giuliani as his associates in the ukraine . Certainly. I believe there were ukrainian americans who have recently been indicted. Those were the two who have been indicted in new york . The Southern District of new york . The Southern District of new york. At the end of march this effort by giuliani and his associates resulted in a series of articles in the hill publication based on allegations in part from the corrupt prosecutor general. Just to summarise some of these allegations, there were three different categories, among others. One category included the attacks against you which you referenced in your Opening Statement, including that you had bad mouth the president and given the prosecutor general a do not prosecute list. There is another that included allegations of ukrainian interference in 2016 election and there was a third that related to allegations concerning the bidens. Is it accurate . Yes. Where these articles had allegations promoted by others associated with the president in the United States . They seem to be promoted by those around mrgiuliani. They seem to be promoted by those around mr giuliani. I am going to show you a couple of exhibits, including a tweet here by President Trump himself on march 20, the first day that one of these articles was published. It appears to be a quote that says, john solomon, the author of the article, as russian collusion fails the ukrainian plot to help Hillary Clinton emerges. If i could go to another tweet four days later. This is the president s son, donald trump junior, later. This is the president s son, donald trumpjunior, who tweets. We need less of these jokers as ambassadors. It is a retweet of one ofjohn solomons articles or an article referencing the allegations that says, calls grow to remove obamas Us Ambassador to the ukraine. Were you aware of these tweet at the time . Yes. What was your reaction to seeing this . Well, i was worried. What were you worried about . That this didnt seem. These attacks were, you know, being repeated by the president himself and his son. And where you aware of whether they received attention on prime time television, on fox news as well . Yes. Was the allegation that you we re yes. Was the allegation that you were bad mouthing President Trump true . No. What the allegation that you had created a do not prosecute list to give to the prosecutor general in ukraine true . No. In fa ct, general in ukraine true . No. In fact, didnt the corrupt prosecutor general himself later recount those allegations . Yes. When these articles were first published, the state department issue, did they issue a response . There was a series of articles. After the first article, which was an interview and was only really about me and made allegations about me, the state department came out the following day with a very strong statement saying that these allegations were fabrications. So the statement addressed the falsity of the allegations themselves . Yes. It didnt say anything about your Job Performance in any way . Honestly, i havent looked at it in a very long time. I think it was generally. cant recall. Did anyone in the state department raise any concerns with you or express any belief in these allegations . No. People thought it was ridiculous. After these false allegations were made against you, did you have any discussions with anyone in leadership in the state department about a potential statement of support from the department of the secretary himself . Yes, after the tweets that you just showed us, it seemed to be that if there president s son is saying things like this that it would be very hard to continue in my position and have authority in ukraine, unless the state department came out pretty strongly behind me. And so over the weekend of march 22 there was a lot of discussion on e mail among a number of people about what could be done. The undersecretary for Political Affairs called me on sunday and they said, it is really important that the secretary himself come out and be supportive because otherwise it is hard for me to be the kind of representative you need here. And he said he would talk to the secretary stop that is my recollection of the call. That is not exactly. That may not be exactly how it played out. Did he indicate to you that he supported such a statement of support for you . I think he must have because i dont think he would have gone to the secretary if he didnt support it. You wouldnt bring a bad idea to the secretary of state. Your general understanding is that you did have the full support of the state department, is that right . Yes. And, in fact, during your 33 year career asa in fact, during your 33 year career as a Foreign Service officer, did you ever hear of any serious concerns about your job you ever hear of any serious concerns about yourJob Performance . No. Was the statement of support ultimately issued for you . No, it was not. Did you learn why not . Yes, i was told that there was a concern on the seventh floor that if a statement of support was issued by the state department of the secretary personally that it could be undermined. How could it be undermined . That the president might issue a tweet contradicting that something to that effect. Let me see ifi something to that effect. Let me see if i have got this right. You were one of the most senior diplomat in the state department. You have been there for 33 years. He won numerous awards. You have been appointed as an ambassador three times by both republican and democratic president s. And the state department would not issue a statement in support of the against false allegations because they were concerned about a tweet from the president of the United States . That is my understanding. If i could follow u p is my understanding. If i could follow up on the question. It seems like an appropriate time. As we sit here testifying the president is attacking you on twitter and i would like to get a chance to respond or stop i will read part of one of his tweets. Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad. She started off in somalia. How did that go . He goes on to say, it is the president s absolute right to appoint ambassadors. First of all, Marie Yovanovitch, the senate has a chance to confirm or deny, do they not . Yes. What would you like to respond to the president s attack that everywhere you went turned bad . Well, i dont think i have such powers. Not only in somalia but in other places. I actually think that where i have served over the years i and others have demonstrably made things better for the us and others have demonstrably made things betterfor the us as and others have demonstrably made things better for the us as well as for the countries that i have served in. Ukraine, for example, where there are huge challenges, including there are huge challenges, including theissue there are huge challenges, including the issue we are discussing today of corruption. Huge challenges. But they have made a lot of progress since 2014, including the years that i was there and i think, in part, in the ukraine the people get the most credit for that. But a part of the credit for that. But a part of the credit goes to the work of the United States and to me is the ambassador in the ukraine. You have shown the courage to come forward today and testify. Notwithstanding the fact that you were urged by the white house or state department not to, notwithstanding the fact that as you testified earlier, the president implicitly threatened you in that call record. And now their president in real time is attacking you. What effect do you think that has on other witnesses two willingness to come forward and expose wrongdoing . Well, it is very intimidating. Come forward and expose wrongdoing . Well, it is very intimidatingm come forward and expose wrongdoing . Well, it is very intimidating. It is designed to intimidate, is it not . mean, icant designed to intimidate, is it not . mean, i cant speak to what the president is trying to do but i think the effect is to be intimidated. Well, iwant think the effect is to be intimidated. Well, i want to let you know that some of us here take witness intimidation very, very seriously. Ambassador, you indicated that those same articles in march that those same articles in march that included the Smear Campaign also included allegations related to the ukraines interference in the 2016 election and dog. Is that right . Im going to end my questioning where it was before which is the july 25 coll. President trump not only insult you and praises the corrupt prosecutor general but he also, as you know by now, references these two investigations. First, immediately after the president thanked President Trump for his greater pa rt President Trump for his greater part in the area of defence, President Trump responds, i would like you to do us a favour though because our country has been through a lot and ukraine knows a lot about it. I would like you to find out what happened with this whole situation with ukraine. They say crowd to strike. I guess you have one of your wealthy people. They say ukraine has it. He goes on to say, it whatever you do, it is very important that you do it if that is possible. Important that you do it if that is possible. From your important that you do it if that is possible. From your experience important that you do it if that is possible. From your experience as and ambassador in the ukraine for almost three years and understanding that the president was not in politics before he ran for president and wasa politics before he ran for president and was a new president , how would you expect him to interpret a request for a favour . The us relationship with ukraine was the single most important relationship and soi single most important relationship and so i think that the president , any president would do what they could to lean in on a favour request. I am could to lean in on a favour request. Iam not could to lean in on a favour request. I am not saying that is a yes, iam request. I am not saying that is a yes, i am think they would try to lea n yes, i am think they would try to lean in and see what they could do. They do say that the president of the ukraine he was so dependent on the ukraine he was so dependent on the United States would dojust about anything to please the president of if he could, im sure there are limits. I understand there were a lot of discussions in the Ukrainian Government about all of this. But, yes, we are an important relationship, on the security and political side. So, the president of ukraine, one of the most important functions that individual houses to make sure that the relationship with the us is rock solid. Make sure that the relationship with the us is rocksolid. Are you familiar with these allegations of ukrainian interference in the 2016 election . I mean, there have been rumours out there about things like that. But, you know, there was nothing hard, at least, nothing i was aware of. There was nothing based on fact to support these allegations . Yes. Invite, who was responsible for interfering eyed meddling in the election . The Intelligence Community of the us has concluded it was russia. Ambassador, are you aware that in february of 2017, president putin himself cremated as theory of ukrainian interference in the 2016 election . Donated this theory. A may be i knew that once and have forgotten, but i am not familiar with it now. Let me show you a press statement that president putin made with the president of hungary on every second of 2017 quite what he says, as we all know, during the president ial campaign of the us, the Ukrainian Government adopted a unilateral position in favour of one candidate. More than that, certain oligarchs, with the approval of the political leadership, funded this female candidate to be more precise. How to this theory of ukraine interference in in 2016 election be in vladimir put ins interests . Interference in in 2016 election be in Vladimir Putins interests . Is it putting mr bean aware that there we re it putting mr bean aware that there were concerns in the us about russian meddling, and at the 2016 elections and the potential for the future. So, classic for an Intelligence Officer to try and throw off the scent and create an alternative narrative that might get picked up and get some credence. An alternative narrative that would absolve his own wrongdoing . I vote yes. When he talks about an oligarchic yes. When he talks about an oligarch and the support of the Ukrainian Government, there is also an reference to a wealthy ukrainian and the july call, is it your understanding of what Vladimir Putin is saying in this press statement is similarto is saying in this press statement is similar to what President Trump said in the july 20 per call related to the 2016 election . Maybe. Let me show you another exhibit from the call related to the bidens, which i am sure you are familiar with. President trump says, on the other thing, there are a lot of talk about biden . Son, that biden stop the prosecution, and a lot of people wa nt prosecution, and a lot of people want to find out about that. So whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great. Biden went around bragging that he could stop the prosecution. If you could stop the prosecution. If you could look into that, if sounds horrible to me in speech. When you related to these allegations against Vice President biden . Yes. Do you know but that he went around bragging that he stop the prosecution of anyone . Yovanovitch. No. The biding do so as part of official us policy . Official us policy that was endorsed and was the policy that was endorsed and was the policy of a number of on. International stakeholders, another other financials institutions. international stakeholders, another other financials institutions. If he we re other financials institutions. If he were to help to remove a corrupt ukrainian prosecutor general who was not prosecuting enough corruption, that would increase the chances that could up companies would be investigated isnt that right . Could up companies would be investigated isnt that right . One would think so. That could include burisma . Yes. At the time of the skull, Vice President biden was the front runner to be President Trumps potential next opponent in the next election. Is it your understanding without President Trumps request to have Vice President biden investigated, was a part of official us policy as you knew it . investigated, was a part of official us policy as you knew it . I should say, at the time of this phone call, i had already departed ukraine two months prior. But it didnt change that much into mainz, right . And make it a settlement would not have been the policy in may when i left. Where these two investigations part of the Anti Corruption platform he championed in ukraine for three years . No. These investigations, did they appear to you to benefit the president s personal and political interest rather than the National Interest . They certainly could. Returning to the allegations in the hill publication in march that were promoted by mr giuliani, the president s lawyer, where those two allegations similar to the allegations similar to the allegations are that the president wanted president zelensky to investigate . Yes. Was so, ultimately, in the july 25 phone call with the ukrainian president , the president of the United States endorsed the false allegations against you and the bidens . Yes. Votes are fairly imminent, we are going to take a brief recess. I would ask everyone to remain to allow the parties to exit the room, we will resume after votes. The gentleman can seek recognition after we resume. We are going to leave that hearing, coverage will continue on bbc parliament, they are taking a short break from day two of that impeachment hearing. Pretty extraordinary evidence learned from the former ambassador to ukraine, talking about how she had a felt undermined, even responding to the fa ct undermined, even responding to the fact that President Trump has been attacking her on twitter while she has been giving evidence. She described it as being very intimidating, the democrat chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said, some of us take witness intimidation very seriously. She explained how she felt she had been pushed out unfairly from her posting. That is full coverage and analysis of that on line, Detailed Analysis of that on line, Detailed Analysis of that on line, Detailed Analysis of what has been settled there in the last hour or so. Lets now cross live to yorkshire and leeds were the liberal democrat deputy leader, ed davies has been speaking as part of the election campaign. Lets dip into what he has been saying. Help you ensure that your day to day spending on things like salaries and benefits is covered by your revenue and your tax receipts. The Resolution Foundation proposes any fiscal rule for day to day spending, likely coming to target a supply structure on current spinning equal to 1 of National Income. They will retain flexible sensibility by sending up 21 of flexible sensibility by sending up 2 1 of National Income if there is a downturn. Liberal democrats will adopt that for role, and our Spending Plans will meet it. With current account surpluses in every year of our five year costings. We embrace fiscal responsibility, the others opt for fiscal risk. Conservatives are targeting only to balance the current account, and then in three years. Plus, the target has no flexibility at all. Given the brexit will blow this new tory fiscal rule away in months, thatis tory fiscal rule away in months, that is totally reckless. So, if borisjohnson so much as promises a tax cut, you know you cant trust him. Labour, they are promising to get your current account balance in five years time. In plain language, labour is on the never never. You may not be aware, but there was supposed to be a debate this sunday, a chancellors debate, when the two fantasies could have competed with a realist. But it looks like sajid javid is running scared of debating the economy with me, as he has to ta ke the economy with me, as he has to take part in that chancellors debate. Today, i have two challenges for sajid javid. First, stop running from reality, and let the Voters Decide which is more credible the fa ntasy decide which is more credible the fantasy economics of brexit, or the Brighter Future fantasy economics of brexit, or the brighterfuture on fantasy economics of brexit, or the Brighter Future on all four about the liberal democrats was not come and debate me. Second, agreed to have all our election spending pledges, indeed, r hill manifesto is independently audited by the office for budget this must ability. We are prepared to do that, is sajid javid . IsJohn Mcdonnell . Prepared to do that, is sajid javid . Is John Mcdonnell . It prepared to do that, is sajid javid . IsJohn Mcdonnell . It is clearly conservatives are not keen on this. By conservatives are not keen on this. By pilling the budget on the 6th of november, the conservatives acted to prevent the nation . Fiscal watchdog from providing the voters with up to date facts and independent economic and fiscal projections. This is the new political economy. Liberal democrats are the party of fiscal rectitude, whereas tories on way by are the parties of economic incompetence. Facts versus fantasy. We will pertain to set out the liberal democrat fact based priority for the vision of our economy. Priority one, stop brexit stop ensured action into the Single Market Customs Union they cushioned for the american and try and trade wars. Bonuses for schools and tackling inequality. Proud to two, the planet. Decarbonising capitalism, investing £100 billion ina capitalism, investing £100 billion in a low carbon infrastructure and the environment. Prior to three, people. Transforming other skills, well being and life chances as never before. Priority four, the environment. Priority three, people. Transforming other skills, well being and life chances as never before. Priority four, business. Responsible businesses, tax reforms, superfast broadband, as well as industrial and regional strategy that reaches countrywide. Priority five, investment in infrastructure not seen far too long. The bottom line is this if you really want credible, sensible, Sustainable Public Spending Plans, vote for a party that will not damage our economy with brexit. Vote for a party that will not hike up borrowing just to pay for ideology and a brexit. Vote for a party that will not waste billions preparing for leaving the eu, and £33 billion just on divorce costs. If you want a greener, fairer, Brighter Future, vote liberal democrat. Applause. Im going to open this up now. Thank you to the press, first of all, to a nswer you to the press, first of all, to answer any questions. Members of the press, a few of you here, who wants to go first . You have announced a large amount of new spending here today, will be at some point in the future need another period of austerity . Which of the liberal democrats have some experience of, to pay for it all, what was the period of authority we speed is undera period of authority we speed is under a Coalition Government not needed at the time . You are going to have brexit austerity under labour and the conservatives. Brexit threatens austerity, like never seen before. Communities up and down our country are only just before. Communities up and down our country are onlyjust recovering from the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008, which are put on the cuts that Alistair Darling was going to propose, which were then taken forward by the coalition. Now, at this moment, when we should be investing, there are two economic plans by labour and the tories that would stop that. So, the liberal democrat proposal is to end steady ta ke democrat proposal is to end steady take by staying in at the eu and making the sensible, affordable spending programmes. You said you are committed to building a Mass Transit System here in leeds. We have tied for 30 years, that has never happened. What makes you so sure that you can do that. We are going to back it. I know it is a very live discussion here in the city, i know that a number of local authorities are wanting to see it happen, obviously, Leeds City Council im sure wants it to happen. Now the debate is getting stronger, the details are getting clearer. I think it is going to need a national, too, behind it. Clearly, with more powers devolved, we want more powers devolved, liberal democrats have always argued for that. Budget is devolved, as well, critically on things like infrastructure, most notably, transport. Beyond that, i think it is important that a new government says to a great city like leeds that the time has come to realise that dream. It is quite outrageous that leedsis dream. It is quite outrageous that leeds is the largest city in the whole of western europe without a Mass Transit System. We have to put that right, liberal democrats are saying that we will that right. you are going to build out here, how are you going to ensure that it fits in with yourgreen are you going to ensure that it fits in with your green policy . We have the most polluted street outside of london in the city, how will it tackle that . If we can have much better public transport, we can help people travel around without using their cars, without using the vans. I shall take polluting vehicles off the streets. My home city is actually nottingham. You may know that they have had a chance of staying there for a little while now, that has improved the pollution in the city of nottingham. Most will believe that if you have clean public transport, it is properly one of the most sustainable ways of dealing with air pollution, as well as global Climate Change. I think it will be a real step forward for the city. I am not saying im an expert on leeds, i do not know where they we re on leeds, i do not know where they were spot on for air pollution, but if it is anything like london, even in my constituency, we have roads where the air pollution makes all the limits. We have got to act. Not just because of Climate Change, but because what air pollution is to peoples health. It is hugely damaging. If you want to invest in peoples health, things like a Mass Transit System in a city like leeds makes perfect sense. Use it out of the case for fiscal rectitude, balance the budget. In 2010 and 2015, that was the kind of argument that voters were prepared to listen to because they could see the financial crisis. Do you think it is the type of argument that voters wa nt the type of argument that voters want to listen to now, if not, how do you convince them that it is what they need to listen to . Lets be clea r they need to listen to . Lets be clear you can still meet fiscal rules and be economically responsible and to make important environmental and social and economic investments. You just have to be honest about where the money is coming from. On the revenue side, we have talked about a remain bonus, but we have also talked about modest tax rises. One of the problems of the conservatives face is that they will never talk about tax rises. Of course, they do them after the election, we have much time and time again, but they will not be honest with you. I cannot think of a person least likely to be honest with you at london Boris Johnson. Least likely to be honest with you at london borisjohnson. When we publish our manifesto, you will see significant revenues from the main bonus of tax rises, from spending and savings made elsewhere, which will pay for a significant boost, particularly in investment in infa nts, particularly in investment in infants, chung, young children, and young adults. My speeches are always too long, i take pity on you to stop but that is another fiscal rule from the School Financial that we want to adopt. Much betterfor thinking about cattle investment, which the country is going to need anyway to make upfor country is going to need anyway to make up for the elect of the past, critically to prepare yourself for low carbon future. This new idea, is about using the whole government Balance Sheet. Only for the last two yea rs, have we Balance Sheet. Only for the last two years, have we had data produced by the office of National Statistics to show what the Public Sectors Balance Sheet is, pension liabilities, assets we hold, so on and so forth. This actually gives a much better indication if investments are high quality and add to the net worth of our country. The fiscal rule is, over the parliament, you must make the network of the Public Sector increase, you must improve it. Net worth. That will mean that we need to be independent heads of major public decisions. We would consider using it will be out again, possibly the National Infrastructure commission, to making sure that the best Infrastructure Projects like Mass Transit System in leeds, where the ones that really went through because they would provide clean returns. When you have fiscal rules, they dont necessarily stop you making sensible decisions. If you have got good fiscal rules, that help you think more intelligently. When we have had debt to gdp ratio rules, they have only been one side of the Balance Sheet. If youre going to make sensible decisions about investment, yet you have the liabilities and the assets. You need to have the depth house and income is generated. Unless you have that full picture, you cannot make sensible decisions. I am proposing something that moves businesses do naturally, but in uk plc has not done it. Surely, it is more businesslike, immoral swiss will approach, to follow that tried and tested route now that we have the figures. That is what liberal democrats will do. Our Capital Spending is ambitious, £130 billion over five years, that would easily ensure that the net value of the Public Sector improved during that parliament. Given how much remaining in the eu will save us as a country, given what you would like to do with that money in the plans that you have laid out, isnt it very difficult then on to say that the only way you have of stopping brexit and all the damage it will do is by working withjeremy and all the damage it will do is by working with Jeremy Corbyn for a second referendum . Working with Jeremy Corbyn for a second referendum . You working with Jeremy Corbyn for a second referendum . You are going to go that out, arent you therefore consigning the country in that scenario to Economic Disaster . What we have said is that we will not support either a Boris Johnson we have said is that we will not support either a borisjohnson or Jeremy Corbyn premiership. We are not going to vote for them to be the Prime Minister. But if either of them form a minority government, as is possible, we will vote issue by issue. We will vote where we agree with the covenant, and where we disagree, we will vote against. That will force any government to come to the centre and be more moderate. Whether it is stopping the cassette if because of it is going ahead with brexit, stopping the conservatives the regulating our economy, we will stopjohnson doing the regulating our economy, we will stop johnson doing that. The regulating our economy, we will stopjohnson doing that. Deregulating of our economy. Jeremy corbyn, if he puts things on a table we like, we will vote for those. If you kiss able things that we dont like, we will vote against them. What we will not do is form a coalition, or have a supply and confidence relationship, because we think these parties have become too extreme, and both of them basically support brexit. We do not trust Jeremy Corbyn on the brexit, we settling do not trust borisjohnson. You wouldnt have a supply and confidence arrangement, you wouldnt have a collision with those parties is led by borisjohnson have a collision with those parties is led by Boris Johnson and have a collision with those parties is led by borisjohnson and Jeremy Corbyn, just to be clear . Fundamentally, it is about policy, not personalities. Itjust so happens that these personalities of corbyn and johnson have taken their parties to the extreme. I do not think it is contestable thatjohn may corbyn and John Mcdonnell have taken the may corbyn and John Mcdonnell have ta ken the labour may corbyn and John Mcdonnell have taken the labour party to the hard left, i think it is contestable that borisjohnson is left, i think it is contestable that Boris Johnson is not left, i think it is contestable that borisjohnson is not the most right wing conservative leader we have probably ever seen. After all, thatis have probably ever seen. After all, that is why nigel farage backs him. It is extremely difficult for a party of progress and reform like the liberal democrats to back these parties who have gone to the extreme. I dont think the british people want us to. By taking the approach thatjo swinson has outlined, that i am confirming today, it will force people to think about what is actually in the National Interest, not the partys interest. I hope and believe we can be the Largest Party at the next parliament, and as people look at us over the next few weeks, i think the polls will shift in that direction. If they dont, we will use that power in the nations interest, which is in sharp contrast to the way the divided other parties have gone about the whole brexit debate. Ididnt hearany gone about the whole brexit debate. I didnt hear any mention about Citizens Engagement when it came to your waste tackle, the environment and Climate Emergency. People say, unless you have citizen engagement, you will not have real change, what of that have you had . Apologies for that emission, i think its a fair point. Liberal democrats very much believe in completely upgrading the way that governments engage with citizens. What has been exciting in the Climate Emergency debate is how people want to engage. We are going to come away from that set of questions by sir devi, deputy leader of the liberal democrats. They have been setting out their plans for their environment, they are promising to spend an extra 100 and 50p and pounds over five years on Capital Spending to the Public Sector, also wanting to focus on Climate Change and protecting the environment. £130 billion. Ed davey, also sang that the era of austerity has ended in his view. He did answer a question about if they do not form a majority government, he hoped at least for a large number of lib dem mps, they would use those mps in the nations interest. More online on the continued campaign of events for all the parties at the moment. First of all, lets catch up with the weather. It is drier today, sunshine to Northern Ireland and parts of scotland. Even yesterday, where there was such a shocking, it was just a few showers around are not the persistent rain we have had to enjoy. A lot of cloud across england and wales, through southern and eastern parts of scotland, occasional showery rain, turning more persistent was part of east anglia into the evening, leaving largely clear skies for north west scotla nd largely clear skies for north west scotland and Northern Ireland. Yesterday, parts of the midlands just 3 orfour celsius, yesterday, parts of the midlands just 3 or four celsius, 8 yesterday, parts of the midlands just 3 orfour celsius, 8 or 9 on this afternoon, still on the chilly side, itjust does not feel as cold as it did yesterday. Still across england and wales into tonight, some outbreaks of rain, not hanging around, some of thatjust fending towards savvy scotland. Where there is cloud and chance of rain, temperatures stay up. One or two icy patches possible in scotland, fog patches possible in scotland, fog patches especially towards north west scotland. For the weekend, over the front is trying to come in from the atlantic, still, on that north easterly breeze, a good deal of how cloud and rain around. That was scotland, Northern Ireland, piling up. Few heavy showers for anglesea, temperature and cornwall, where it could be quite wet. A few showers for the south east, also some sunny spells. A few more of us getting to double figures, not quite as busy tomorrow. On sunday, some updates from so scotland pushing down to Northern England, parts of wales and the midlands. We will see things breaking up into the afternoon for Northern Ireland, at least, with the scotland where there is some sunshine coming through. Meant to be, quite a bit of dry weather, still chilly at the start of the week. Deeper into the week, cabbages gradually left a little. This time, it is a southerly wind that will strengthen. Low pressure will still bring some further outbreaks of rain on our way. There are outbreaks of rain on our way. There a re lots of outbreaks of rain on our way. There are lots of Environment Agency Flood Warning still in place across england, all details can be found on our website. Hello, youre watching afternoon live. Im geeta guru murthy. Today at 4pm. The liberal democrats are in leeds, today pledging £100 billion to tackle Climate Change. Labour promises free full fibre broadband for every home in the uk by 2030. The pm dismisses the plans as a crackpot scheme. Iam i am live in aberdeen as bbc news continues its election tour of the uk. A fascinating contest ahead in scotla nd uk. A fascinating contest ahead in scotland as voters consider both the brexit and independence questions. As Donald Trumps impeachment inquiry continues the former Us Ambassador to ukraine says she was ousted from herjob after coming under attack from the president s personal lawyer rudy giuliani. I do not understand mr giulianis motives for attacking me, nor can i offer an opinion on whether he believed the allegations he spread about me. Heres the scene now in washington at the hearing more on that this hour. Coming up on afternoon live all the sport with olly foster. Rafa nadals is fighting to fight in the final. He is on court right now. He isjust the final. He is on court right now. He is just levelled his the final. He is on court right now. He isjust levelled his match. We will have the latest at half we will have the latest at half past. Thanks ollie, and well bejoining you for a full update just after half past. Nick miller has all the weather. Still rain. Just not looking as a soaking levite as it has been for some of us. I will give you the weekend forecast later. I will give you the weekend forecast later. Thanks nick. Also coming up bad blood. The feud thats led taylor swift to announce shes not being allowed to perform her own songs. Hello everyone this is afternoon live. The liberal democrats deputy leader, sir ed davey, has announced a £100 billion investment in climate and environmental preservation. In a speech in leeds, he said the five Year Investment would jump start efforts to combat, what he called, the Climate Emergency. He also said halting brexit is the number one economic priority. The hard economic practices. Brexit will hit growth short term, medium term and long term. And that means eight labour or tory brexit will hit Public Finances, schools, police, nhs now and into the future. The second part of the liberal democrat economic plan focuses on Climate Change and our environment. For brexit is far from the only big challenge of our times. The Climate Emergency has to be an urgent priority. A radical climate message is clear. We will decarbonise capitalism. A liberal democrat government will jump start a programme to tackle the Climate Emergency. I can and out today that a Year Parliament liberal democrats would spend and invest an extra £100 million of Public Finance on Climate Action and environmental protection. I must confess, i get a bit excited about these climate economy plans. Partly because i was proud to lead stage one of britains decarbonisation when liberal democrat ministers. Britains Renewable Power more than trebled. I have seen what we did in government andi have seen what we did in government and i know what we can do in government again. Liberal democrats made britain the world leader in offshore wind power. Liberal democrat encourage siemens to invest in hull so we could regenerate that city and bring newjobs. Liberal Democrat Climate policies have seen Coastal Community after Coastal Community benefit from renewable energy. I want to build on that world beating climate industry record. A liberal democrat government would intervene again to created the new industries and markets we need to tackle the Climate Emergency. So ed davey speaking in the last few minutes. Labour says it would introduce a tax on technology that Technology Giants. Boris johnson has on technology that Technology Giants. Borisjohnson has dismissed the idea is crackpot and a crazed communist scheme. Heres our Technology Correspondent rory cellan jones. Its a mammoth task bringing Ultrafast Fibre broadband to every home in the country, and most of the work is being done by bts openreach division. Now labour wants to take it into public ownership, rename it british broadband and give everyone full fibre for free. British broadband will be our treasured Public Institution for the 21st century, delivering a fast and free broadband to every single home. Only the government has the planning ability, economies of scale and ambition to take this on. Labours plan would see state owned british broadband spent £20 billion to give everyone an ultrafast service for free by 2030. And running this Government Owned Network would cost £230 million per year, a cost labour says will be met by new taxes on internet giants like apple and google. At the moment, as well as bt, youve got a choice of a whole range of broadband deals from the likes of talktalk, sky and virgin media, and most people are paying on average around £30 per month. But once you can get british broadband full fibre for absolutely nothing, what happens to all these rival companies . Labour says it wants to work with the likes of virgin media, but the tech industrys trade body is warning that consumers will not benefit from this plan. At the moment, private investment is driving the vast majority of roll out. That drives innovation and that drives choice, and labours proposals will kill that dead in the water. The liberal democrats have described labours policy as another unaffordable item on the wish list, while borisjohnson says he has a much more realistic plan. What we are going to deliver is gigabit broadband for all, and what we wont be doing is some crackpot scheme that would involve many, many tens of billions of taxpayers money, nationalising a british business. Everyone is agreed that the uk has fallen behind in the vital task of bringing fast fibre broadband to every corner of the country, butjust how to speed things up and at what cost has become a key issue in this election. Rory cellan jones, bbc news. The conservatives have pledged to pump hundreds of millions of pounds into towns and villages that they say have been overlooked and left behind. During a trip to oldham today, Boris Johnson unveiled his battle bus. On the side of the bus the conservative Campaign Slogan reads back boris and vote conservative to get brexit done and unleash britains potential campaigning can offerup campaigning can offer up some unexpected moments and some difficult questions. Borisjohnson sat down today to take some of yours, including about a report into alleged russian interference. Why arent you publishing the rush of files documents before the election . Because i see absolutely no reason to change the normal procedures for publishing isc reports just to change the normal procedures for publishing isc reportsjust because there is an election. What are reports to the donations from russian oligarchs . Can i make a serious point . It is a serious point. There is no evidence for that. I think that you have got to be very careful before you simply cast aspersions on everybody who comes from a certain countryjust because of their nationality. Nine russian oligarchs is what the papers have been porting to make serious money to the conservative party. Have been porting to make serious money to the conservative partym that right . I dont know. You genuinely dont know . They have all properly been vetted. The core message. Properly been vetted. The core message. We are taking the country forward. We think we have a great programme, a vision for the country but we need to get brexit done, we need to get it done byjanuary. We have been held up by parliament. We wa nt have been held up by parliament. We want to get on with an agenda that involves uniting and levelling up the country. Intech nigel farage and his claim that the conservatives have tried to get Brexit Party Candidates to exit the ring. He says they have been offered eight period yea rs they have been offered eight period years to what he has likened to living in venezuela. In many thousands of phone calls have been made to the candidates. You are saying no calls have been made from anyone in conservative Party Central command to the exit party . Well, that would be a big thing to. I am sure there are conversations that ta ke sure there are conversations that take place between politicians of all parties but certainly no one has been offered a peerage, i can tell you that. Earlier on the breakfast surfer, away from pure politics. Why are you relatable to families up and down and across the country . Well, i. Ithink down and across the country . Well, i. I think that. The down and across the country . Well, i. Ithink that. The best down and across the country . Well, i. I think that. The best answer ican give i. I think that. The best answer i can give is that i. Of course, i have been. I have had a very happy and wonderful life in many ways. What i want for every child in this country is to have a sense that they can achieve their full potential. Policy and personality matter in an election. Both will be tested. Thank you so much. And weve asked the leaders of the other main parties to take part in similar interviews which we hope to bring you in the next few weeks. Lets move on now from the uk political scene. Lets move on now from the uk political scene. The former Us Ambassador to ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, who was fired by donald trump, has told an impeachment hearing against the president that his personal lawyer, rudy giuliani, worked to discredit her. Mr trump is accused of pressuring ukraine into digging up damaging information about his democratic rivaljoe biden. During her Opening Statement, the former ambassador addressed the alleged campaign against her by lawyer rudy giuliani. With respect to mayor giuliani, i have had only minimal contact with him. A total of three, none related to the events at issue. I do not understand mr giulianis motives for attacking me nor can i offer an opinion on whether he believed the allegations he spread about me. Clearly no one at the state department did. What i can say is that mr giuliani should have known those claims were suspect, coming as they reportedly did, from individuals with questionable motives and with reason to believe that their political and financial ambitions would be stymied by our anti corru ption policy in the ukraine. And ambassador yovanovitch told the hearing that she wasnt given a clear reason for her abrupt removalfrom ukraine. And that her removal posed a dangerous precident. The crisis has moved from the impact on individuals to an input on the institution itself. The state department has been hollowed out from within at a competitive and complex time on the world stage. This is not a time to undercut our diplomats. It is the responsibility of the departments leaders to stand up for the institution and individuals who make that institution, still today, the most effective diplomatic force in the world. Congress has a responsibility to reinvest in our diplomacy. Ambassador yovanovitch also explained that her role to assist in reducing corruption in ukraine was undermined, and that the entire state department is in crisis. The crisis has moved from the impact on individuals to an impact on the institution itself. The state department is being hollowed out from within at a competitive and complex time on the world stage. This is not a time to undercut our diplomats. It is the responsibility of the department two leaders to stand up for the institution and individuals who make that institution, still today, the most effective diplomatic force in the world. In Congress Congress has a responsibly to to reinvest in our diplomacy. Sorry, we havejust played the same clip twice, as you may have spotted. But we are going to keep you updated on that. But we are going to keep you updated on that. Heavy rainfall has brought further misery to flood hit communities there are more than 100 Flood Warnings currently in place in parts of england and wales. The wet weather has caused more travel distruption on roads and railways. Our correspondent phil mackie is in evesham in worcestershire. The levels are still rising a little bit here on on the river avon in evesham in worcestershire. Businesses and roads are closed, and we are expecting things to probably not be settled down for a while yet. Got a couple of guests who can give me a little more detail. First of all, jon fraser from worcestershire jighways. In terms of roads closed and transport, where are you at, at the moment . We have got a lot of problems with the river avon, so we have got the closure here, we have similar problems at pershore, fladbury and eckington. We are keeping a close eye on the severn, we have one road closed at upton upon severn, and were watching worcester very closely. So, worcester, you could have to introduce some sort of different traffic arrangements later on tonight . Yes, last year we made some changes to new road, which means we are able to run it as a two way operation, and we are keeping a close eye as to whether we need to do that this weekend. Ok, dave throup from the Environment Agency river levels, are we peaking here in avon now . We are getting close to peaking here at evesham on the avon, yeah. All this water is working its way downstream, then meeting the river severn further down. We are going to see some very high levels, down as far as tewkesbury, upton, worcester itself. That is going to last for probably two or three days, because all that water is bottling up. And there is more rain, not immediately, but next week, we see another storm coming in. It seems to be that theres a pattern developing here, isnt there . Every thursday, more or less, it rains. And every friday, it floods. Yeah, im not sure its that predictable. But, yeah, youre right, there is a pattern developing. The problem is that the ground is absolutely saturated and the rivers are not having enough time to recover. So when we get those big rainfall events, itjust keeps topping it up. We are going to have to stay really vigilant, probably about the way through the winter, unless there is a big significant change in the weather pattern. Thanks, both of you. We were just discussing that the floods in 2000 started off like this, it started raining in september, and it never really stopped throughout the winter. So flood plains, like here on the river avon and the river severn in worcestershire, just basically stayed full that year, right the way from october until the end of march, beginning of april. Unfortunately, it feels like that again. So, a lot more misery to come. The peak or not the river avon is about now, the river severn not until over the weekend. Although, they are not nearly as high as they were in 2007. These are some of the biggest floods we have seen since then. Those pictures say it all really in worcestershire. Those pictures say it all youre watching afternoon live, these are our headlines. Labour promises free full fibre broadband for every home in the uk by 2030. The pm dismisses the plans as a crackpot scheme. As Donald Trumps impeachment inquiry continues the former Us Ambassador to ukraine says she was ousted from herjob after coming under attack from the president s personal lawyer rudy giuliani. Swans in the streets as heavy rain brings more misery to communities hit by flooding rafa nadal is on court right now in the 02 rafa nadal is on court right now in the o2 arena in london. He has to win to have any chance of reaching the atp semifinals in london. It has come to a decider. Sun yang is told the court of arbitration for sport that he missed a drugs test because he testers didnt have the correct id. The head of the brazilian grand prix this weekend, Lewis Hamilton says he wants assurances about mercedess future before he commits to the team next year. Ahead of the brazilian grand prix this weekend. My colleague, annita mcveigh, is in aberdeen. We have been here all day based at the Maritime Museum in aberdeen which is scotlands two thirds biggest city. When you think about aberdeen, you think about those fabulous buildings that sparkle in the sunshine. We have had some sunshine today, not too much. You think about the sea, dont you . The oil and gas and north sea industries. That is just part of the picture. A pretty significant part of the picture but talking to experts here today and people who are covering at this election in scotland, some of the normal issues that you would hear being talked about in an election and not really the focus of this election in scotland. It is all about brexit and it is all about independence. That is very much part of the debate. So we are visiting ten parts the uk in our travel. Where seats will be cloa ked our travel. Where seats will be cloaked seats will be closely contested. This seat that we are in now, Aberdeen North, was taken from labour by the snp in 2015. At the other two constituencies in aberdeen are held by the conservatives. So in 2015 hearing aberdeen off the snp had a majority of 13,400 which dropped to 412017. And then in the constituency of gordon the conservatives unseated former snp leader alex salmond in 2017. The majority of 2600 makes this a key target for the snp this time around. So lets discuss the Political Landscape here with doctor Malcolm Harvey who is a lecturer in politics and International Relations at Aberdeen University and expert in constitutional and scottish politics. And referendums. Which makes you the very ideal person to talk to. We were chatting just earlier about your lectures with students. You have just earlier about your lectures with students. You havejust come earlier about your lectures with students. You have just come from a lecture today and how vibrant politics is, how very real the stuff that you are talking about in lectures is for them at the moment. It certainly is. It is really enjoyable to see students being so engage with the issue you are teaching. Often times when you are teaching. Often times when you are teaching politics there is a lot of theory, disconnected politics from what is going on but with the brexit discussions, with the independence debate and with what is coming on in america students are really engage with contemporary issues and it makes it much easier for them to see the meaning and their relevance to them. Six out of seven constituencies here in north east scotla nd constituencies here in north east scotland were won by the conservatives in the last election. How much scope do you think there is for change this time around . How tightly fought with those seats be . It is certainly very interesting because those six of the seven seats at the conservatives have, you wouldnt classify them as traditional marginals. For example, in 2015 it was held by the snp with a majority of around 14,000. The conservatives turned that over to a majority of 3000 in 2017. So the volatility is what matters in these seats. It is not necessarily the marginal seats but the opportunity for parties to win a few votes here and there could be the difference in turning those seats over. We have been talking about the specifics of this election in scotland and how the independence debate is feeding into this election very much as well as brexit. He was saying earlier on that as you see it there are four tribes in scottish politics right now in this election. Just take us through that. Certainly. We have those two constitutional issues of the cross cutting each other. We have got the eu referendum, and we have got the eu referendum, and we have the Scottish Independence yes versus no argument. You have people that are in all four of those come. People who support independence who want to remain in the eu. You will have people who support independence who want to leave. You have people who want to leave. You have people who dont support independence who wa nt who dont support independence who want to stay with the uk, who want to stay in the eu and you also have people who want to. I forget which one i have said. It is a complicated picture. We have yes remain,. That really taps into just picture. We have yes remain,. That really taps intojust how picture. We have yes remain,. That really taps into just how come they did this election is because wherever you are on that diagram, the party is trying to get your vote but it really depends on which seat you live in as to whether those votes are actually going to go to a party which supports your constitutional viewpoint. So if we ta ke constitutional viewpoint. So if we take the north east of scotland, most of the seats appear generally seem to be conservative, snp contest. The other parties run quite strong third places but they generally seem to be conservative or snp. So if you dont fit you may consider your vote is a wasted vote and you may vote tactically. It will be interesting to see how big a factor tactical voting is here. I guess ultimately for people what are the strongest red line is, whether it is around brexit or whether it is independence and perhaps whether they approach the boat in a chronological sense and think, a second independent referendum may be a long way off so lets focus on brexit at the moment. Certainly, thatis brexit at the moment. Certainly, that is one strategy. I think the way that the parties are pinching that im the conservatives particularly are playing a very strong card that says no second independence referendum and no brexit referendum. That strategy has worked for them in the last couple of elections in scotland. We need to wait and see if that will work in december as well. Great to talk to you today. Very interesting thought. It was fascinating chatting to malcolm. He was telling me about a recent lecture he was giving andy actually had his phone alongside him and he was checking social media as he gave the lecture in case there was something happening right then that was going to update what was he was telling the students. So it really is moving right in front of us the political debate here. From the moment from aberdeen, back now to the studio. It looks like an amazing backdrop behind you as well. Thank you. We are going to take you to delete because ed davey has announced a £100 billion investment in climate. He hasjust been speaking in the last hour or so. Tom, what was the headline from that speech . It is notjust that £100 billion. It is a lot more than that, in fact. He said that he would be spending £120 billion on a well being investment. Effectively money for young people, mental health, schools and £130 billion on infrastructure. The party will make some more announcements as he camping goes on about where that money will go but he is hinting that investment in rail, especially here in the north of england. He is saying that the liberal democrats, yes, they are spending a lot of money but they are spending wisely and he says the conservatives were not. He says their Spending Plans we re not. He says their Spending Plans were fantasies. He said, in one memorable quote, Boris Johnson were fantasies. He said, in one memorable quote, borisjohnson had snuck into theJeremy Corbyns allotment and stolen his magic money tree. One Crucial Point about this is the lib dems are saying they will adopt a spending commitment which means they wont limit how much they spend depending on how much the country has and that limit will give them some flexibility if the economy has a downturn but also make sure they wont get into trouble. Of course, his rivals will say this is a party that was involved in austerity back in the day in the coalition with the conservatives. Now they are spending again. Will we be back in the position where all this spending leaves the country badly in debt . Beyond that, some talk again, inevitably, about what would happen if they held some power between a new government which wasnt the liberal democrats and the rest of parliament. Ed davey is saying that they would not do a deal to go into coalition with labour of the conservatives. They would not do a deal, a confidence agreement, to back up the government when it came to boats. They would vote issue by issue. He said they would rather have another election then have another coalition situation. Thanks very much. Nominations for those standing in next months election have now closed, and for the first time every candidate will receive a leaflet advising them on how to protect themselves. The document tells prospective mps when and how to report any abuse or threats, to the police. Our home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford reports. The murder ofjo cox during the eu Referendum Campaign of 2016 was the starkest example of the new dangers faced by people taking part in elections. Todayjo coxs sister told me she welcomed the new security advice being given to candidates in this election. In the weeks afterjo was killed there was a short period of time when politicians and others talked about doing things differently and being more compassionate and understanding, even with people that we disagree with, and that didnt last for very long and i think unfortunately the past three and a half years, things have got progressively worse, so i think its really sad that this advice is needed but i also think its really important. Chanting soubrys a liar since 2016 there has been a striking increase in politicians being abused in person, by post and online. Death threats are not unusual. Anti semitic, racist and homophobic abuse are common. So for the first time, all candidates are receiving this guidance from police, including advice such as. This is about all of us getting to the 12th of december with everybody being able to have gone out, done the campaigning they want to do, have debates and discussions they want to do but everyone doing that safely. As well as the written guidance, all Police Forces will be inviting candidates in for a security briefing where they can meet the officer who will be responsible for handling any reports of intimidation they make and those reports will be collated, nationally so that Senior Officers can have a picture of the security situation right aross the uk. One concern is that much of the canvassing in this election will be taking place after dark, but at the heart of todays guidance is legal advice, explaining to candidates the kind of abuse and threats that are criminal offences and encouraging them to report these so police can take swift action. Daniel sandford, bbc news. Now its time for a look at the weather. Low pressure in the weekend. A lot of cloud, a bit of rain. Not too much. Stay in chilly. This is the rest of the day. Some showery rain into parts of eastern scotland, england and wales. More persistent in some parts of east anglia and south east england going into the evening. Not quite as chilly as it was yesterday. Into tonight, england and wales and south east scotland, a lot of cloud. Occasional outbreaks of rain. Mainly dry elsewhere. Frost around for many others. May icy patches. England and wales staying above freezing. Eastern and southern parts of scotland, Northern England most likely to see a picture rain. Some showers in the far south east but sunny spells. Clouding up in Northern Ireland and western scotla nd Northern Ireland and western scotland after a bright morning. A 02 30 26,935 4294966103 13 29,430 bit on the chilly side