a conservative mp who was sacked from herjob as a minister says she was told her muslim faith was one of the reasons for her dismissal. nus ghani claims she was informed she made "colleagues feel uncomfortable". she also says borisjohnson told her he "couldn't get involved," and that she should complain to the tory party. if there's ever any complaint like this, particularly one as serious as this, a formal complaint should be made, and then it should be investigated. two senior members of the cabinet now want a full investigation. also on the programme... the government says it has information that russia is plotting to install a pro—moscow leader in ukraine. a british man has died after being attacked in thailand. and liverpool close the gap at the top of the premier league with a win at crystal palace. good afternoon. the conservative mp, nus ghani, who was sacked as transport minister two years ago, says she was told that her muslim faith was one of the reasons for her dismissal. she also says that when she told borisjohnson what happened, he told her he couldn't get involved. the conservative chief whip, mark spencer, says ms ghani had been speaking to him when she was sacked and he's called her allegations "completely false." downing street says the prime minister had invited her to make a complaint, but she didn't do so. here's our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. on the eve of a crucial week for him, this is a new dispute boris johnson has been drawn into. what johnson has been drawn into. what are ou johnson has been drawn into. what are you heping _ johnson has been drawn into. what are you heping to _ johnson has been drawn into. what are you hoping to hear— johnson has been drawn into. wiat are you hoping to hear today? johnson has been drawn into. what are you hoping to hear today? nus| are you hoping to hear today? nus ghani is now— are you hoping to hear today? nus ghani is now a _ are you hoping to hear today? nus ghani is now a senior backbencher and was the first senior muslim women to speak in the commons a moment she described as importance and she has continued to speak out against the islamic state group and the tally man. figs against the islamic state group and the tally man-— against the islamic state group and the tally man. as a muslim woman i will stand with _ the tally man. as a muslim woman i will stand with people _ the tally man. as a muslim woman i will stand with people of— the tally man. as a muslim woman i will stand with people of all- the tally man. as a muslim woman i will stand with people of all faiths i will stand with people of all faiths who go against this ideology, their rhetoric and their actions. she who go against this ideology, their rhetoric and their actions.- rhetoric and their actions. she told the sunday — rhetoric and their actions. she told the sunday times _ rhetoric and their actions. she told the sunday times when _ rhetoric and their actions. she told the sunday times when asked - rhetoric and their actions. she told the sunday times when asked in l rhetoric and their actions. she told - the sunday times when asked in 2020 for an expiration from party which is why she had lost in a realjob, she was told her muslim faith was issued in reshuffle discussions and her status was making colleagues uncomfortable and if she persisted in raising the issue she would be ostracised by colleagues and her career and reputation destroyed. the chief whip, mark spencer, last night took the unusual step of outing himself as the person who talked to her and said that these accusations are completely false. i consider them to be defamatory. i have never used the words attributed to me, adding it is disappointing that when theissue adding it is disappointing that when the issue was raised before, miss ghani declined to refer the matter to the conservative party for a formal investigation. someone was t in: to formal investigation. someone was trying to bully _ formal investigation. someone was trying to bully her. _ formal investigation. someone was trying to bully her. if _ formal investigation. someone was trying to bully her. if she _ formal investigation. someone was trying to bully her. if she what - formal investigation. someone was trying to bully her. if she what she | trying to bully her. if she what she is saying is true. you have two scenarios, maintaining that she is saying something, and parliament is saying something, and parliament is saying something, and parliament is saying something we need to get to the bottom. we saying something we need to get to the bottom. ~ ., saying something we need to get to the bottom-— saying something we need to get to the bottom. ~ ., , ., , , the bottom. we need to establish the truth. the allegations _ the bottom. we need to establish the truth. the allegations have _ the bottom. we need to establish the truth. the allegations have caused i truth. the allegations have caused shock. the education secretary said miss ghani was a brilliant mp and there was no place for any form of racism in the conservative party and the health secretary, sajid javid, today said it was a very serious matter which needs a proper investigation and she must be heard. he called for an investigation into the party three years ago and found that anti—muslim sentiment was a problem but islamophobia was not institutional. it did not refer to ms gah —— ghani flames. institutional. it did not refer to ms gah -- ghani flames. i believe at times like this, _ ms gah -- ghani flames. i believe at times like this, it _ ms gah -- ghani flames. i believe at times like this, it shouldn't - times like this, it shouldn't happen, and makes the complaint formally, that is when procedures kick in and to be clear about this, that advice was given to her back in 2020. ., ,., ,, ., , 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say boris — 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say boris johnson _ 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say boris johnson met _ 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say boris johnson met miss - in to say borisjohnson met miss ghani at the time and invited her to begin a formal complaint process about her extremely serious claim but she did not, and the party does not tolerate prejudice of any kind. but she has fired back, saying she made clear an internal party investigation was not appropriate and this was government business and not issues for the government to investigate properly. so as boris johnson waits for the results on a vote in the party that could decide his fate, he is now under pressure to launch another. another headache for the prime minister on top of everything else. for the prime minister on top of everything else-— for the prime minister on top of everything else. for the prime minister on top of eve hint else. , , , .,, everything else. yes, because he has this week a — everything else. yes, because he has this week a critical _ everything else. yes, because he has this week a critical enquiry _ everything else. yes, because he has this week a critical enquiry into - this week a critical enquiry into downing street parties. and this focuses on his leadership. and this is difficult. and he's been criticised in the past and he has spoke to miss ghani and said that she should take it to the enquiry and still wanted that, so it circles back to the same issues. the government says it has intelligence suggesting russia is plotting to install a pro—moscow leader in ukraine. it says there's a "very significant" risk, that russian forces will invade the country. president putin has already sent tens of thousands of troops to ukraine's border, but moscow is now accusing the uk of spreading "disinformation". with the latest, here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. california is supplies of american weapons destined for ukraine, others including britain are also sending equipment. hardly enough to win —— defeat on invading russian army but the message the mosque was clear, if you do this, it will come at a price. —— moscow. now the foreign office says it seen signs of a plan to install a puppet government in kyiv after an invasion. washington made similar claims on thursday. pro—russian politicians both stay in contact with russian intelligence officers involved in planning the attack. �* , officers involved in planning the attack. fl ., . , officers involved in planning the attack. �*, my attack. it's totally unacceptable and contrary — attack. it's totally unacceptable and contrary to _ attack. it's totally unacceptable and contrary to international. attack. it's totally unacceptable l and contrary to international and the international community as a whole needs to step up to the and one of the things you will see is that the foreign secretary is doing a good job of this, is making it clear what is at stake, so other countries, and support this. is that what ou countries, and support this. is that what you are _ countries, and support this. is that what you are expecting _ countries, and support this. is that what you are expecting to - countries, and support this. is that what you are expecting to happen l what you are expecting to happen question mark an invasion? i think there is a very significant risk of it. the foreign office says a former minister is being considered as a future leader by the kremlin. ukrainian officials say they know him well. he ukrainian officials say they know him well. ., , ukrainian officials say they know him well. . , , ., . ., him well. he has his own tv channel and he tells — him well. he has his own tv channel and he tells whatever _ him well. he has his own tv channel and he tells whatever he _ him well. he has his own tv channel and he tells whatever he wants, - him well. he has his own tv channel and he tells whatever he wants, but | and he tells whatever he wants, but i believe he is building up his charisma and appealing to the forces in ukrainian society to believe that the sony and union and russia is the best way for ukrainians to develop —— the soviet union. it is best way for ukrainians to develop -- the soviet union.— -- the soviet union. it is a reflection _ -- the soviet union. it is a reflection of _ -- the soviet union. it is a reflection of the _ -- the soviet union. it is a reflection of the extreme l -- the soviet union. it is a - reflection of the extreme anxiety across government about what vladimir putin might be planning. it isa vladimir putin might be planning. it is a way of saying to the kremlin that we see what you are doing. and at a time of the government has been accused by some of not having its eye on the ball, it's also a way of saying we are doing every thing we can. russia says it is all nonsense, releasing pictures of its latest drills close to ukraine's border, still saying it has no intention to attack. but after friday's talks in geneva, diplomacy continues as well with washington promising a written reply in days to the expansive demands. downing street says it plans to ramp up pressure on russia. the defence secretary, ben wallace, is likely to visit moscow soon. let's take a look at the latest government coronavirus figures. there were almost 74,800 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, but that figure does not include scotland. 75 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test, though there will be some amongst this number who won't have died from covid. on vaccinations, almost 36.9 million people have had a boosterjab, which means just over 64% of people aged 12 and over have now had three vaccine doses. five teenagers have been arrested following the fatal stabbing of a 16—year—old boy in manchester. kennie carter was found injured in a street in stretford yesterday evening, and died later in hospital. a british man has been killed in thailand. it's reported he was attacked in the town of kanchanaburi, in the west of the country. the foreign office says another briton was injured and is being treated in hospital. matt graveling has more details. hours earlier, this crime scene in the west of thailand saw two british men sharing a drink, but then thai police say at around 3am, a row with another man saw one friend killed and the other taken to hospital. local reports suggest the argument began over music apologies. we have a problem with that report but we might bring it to you later if we get it. heavy fighting is taking place in north—eastern syria, between islamic state militants, and kurdish forces backed by us war planes. the fighting began on thursday when the extremists attacked a prison in the city of hasaka, and attempted to free thousands of is prisoners, as mark lobel reports. scenes syrians never wanted to see again. jihadists attacking a prison containing thousands of militants on thursday. there was a swift and determined fight back by kurdish—led forces guarding the area. taking on islamic state fighters in one of the group's biggest operations since their self—declared caliphate was defeated almost three years ago. from above, us—led coalition aircraft supported the syrian defense forces. many prisoners were recaptured with troops in pursuit of other fugitives that had fled to surrounding houses. families moved to safety in fear of their lives. translation: there's been shelling and killing since yesterday. - the jihadists killed four orfive people in our neighborhood, liquidated them. while this was playing out, across the border in iraq, is claimed responsibility for an ambush on a military post there in which 11 soldiers were killed. in syria, it's claimed the prison is largely under control. however, is claim they're holding hostages. the kurdish authorities had long warned that they did not have the capacity to hold, let alone put on trial, many of the suspected fighters under their watch. there's also concern that this much—feared jihadist group is ramping up once again. mark lobel, bbc news. a british man has been killed in thailand. it's reported he was attacked in the town of kanchanaburi, in the west of the country. matt graveling has more details. hours earlier, this crime scene in the west of thailand saw two british men sharing a drink, but then thai police say at around 3am, a row with another man saw one friend killed and the other taken to hospital. local reports suggest the argument began over music being played too loudly, and ended in a deadly attack. police recovered a sickle at the scene. police have named the victim as 49—year—old old marcus evans from weston—super—mare who officers say had lived in thailand for three years. his friend, sean dagnan, suffered a serious injury. his partner says he has a wound to his head but is doing well in hospital where he gave a statement. today, police held a press conference expressing their condolences for the region's tourists and promising to bring justice. a thai man in his early 20s with a history of mental health issues was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. he remains in custody and is due to appear in court tomorrow. matt graveling, bbc news. now, with all the sport, here's lizzie greenwood hughes, at the bbc sport centre. thanks clive. good afternoon. liverpool beat crystal palace 3—1 in the premier league — to keep the pressure on runaway leaders manchester city. adam wild reports. for those crystal palace fans studying form, it's perhaps best not to look too far back. the last time liverpool here, they beat palace 7—0 and such was the domination of the opening minutes that those fans might well have been fearing the worst again. liverpool know every win no will keep narrow the gap at the top and a second from alex oxlade—chamberlain, and injuries, it could have been more. still, crystal palace is given prospect of the teams of the past and back they came, finding chances and believe and when odsonne edouard finally found a way through it was entirely deserved. they came agonisingly close to an equaliser and would have had one had it not been for livable's keeper alisson, but this was settled by the actions of the keeper at the other end. the referee decided this was a penalty. there were plenty at selhurst park who really did not agree. fabinho scored it and liverpool won it, but this was far from comfortable. it is currently goalless between chelsea and spurs in the late kick off. in form — manchester united are up to second in the womens super league. they comfortably beat tottenham 3—0 to leapfrog champions chelsea — who could only manage a goalless draw at brighton. the leaders arsenal play later. it's the last weekend of rugby union's european champions cup pool stages. as it stands, wasps are heading out. they're losing 31—7 at munster. no problems for sale sharks, already through — they'll go into the knock—out phase full of confidence after thumping a depleted ospreys 49—10, including seven tries. world number one — ashleigh barty is on course to become the australian open's first home champion for 44 years. she's through to the quarter finals, along with another favourite in melbourne, rafa nadal, who's still searching for that record breaking 21st grand slam tennis title. joe wilson reports. it is all australia's expectations, and it's all for ashleigh barty. her job was to serve and to play and ignore everything but the ball. cool as you like, first set, 6—4. ok, australia, get carried away, just a bit? her opponent may well win a grand slam one day. women's tennis has so many possibilities, but ashleigh barty is ranked number one and when she finds her best level, who can live with it? second set, 6-3 who can live with it? second set, 6—3 and into the quarterfinal. but melbourne sees the future. ashleigh barty is the only champion they can imagine. after 20 years, nothing new for rafael nadal. i6 imagine. after 20 years, nothing new for rafael nadal. 16 points to win a tie—break. a staggering first set against mannarino. what a way to finish it off! from there, the frenchman understandably faded and rafael nadal threw in three sets. could he add a 21st grand slam title at 35? well, you've got to be in it to win it, and unlike roger federer and novak djokovic, rafael nadal is. there's much more on the bbc sport website but that's it from me. back to you clive. that's it. i'll be back with a late news at ten. now time for the news where you are. hello. this is bbc news with shaun ley. the conservative mp nus ghani, who was sacked as transport minister two years ago, says she was told that her muslim faith, was one of the reasons for her dismissal. she also says that when she told borisjohnson what happened, he told her he couldn't get involved. she should make a complaint to the party. the conservative chief whip, mark spencer, says ms ghani had been speaking to him when she was sacked, and he's called her allegations "completely false." downing street says the prime minister had invited her to make a complaint, but she didn't do so. here's our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. this is a new dispute borisjohnson has been drawn into. mac one was the first muslim woman to speak in the common —— nus ghani. a moment she described as important, and she's continued to speak out against the islamic state group and the taliban. as a muslim woman, i will stand with people of all faiths. she as a muslim woman, i will stand with people of all faiths.— people of all faiths. she told the sunday times — people of all faiths. she told the sunday times when _ people of all faiths. she told the sunday times when she - people of all faiths. she told the sunday times when she asked i people of all faiths. she told the| sunday times when she asked in people of all faiths. she told the - sunday times when she asked in 2020 for an explanation from party whips why she lost her ministerialjob, she was told her... the chief whip last night took the unusual step of outing himself as the person who talked to her, and said these accusations are completely false. they were trying to bully if what she is _ they were trying to bully if what she is taking is true. you have two scenarios — she is taking is true. you have two scenarios. parliamentarian a says something. — scenarios. parliamentarian a says something, are the men terry and b says something. we need to establish the truth _ says something. we need to establish the truth -- _ says something. we need to establish the truth —— parliamentarian the point _ the truth —— parliamentarian the point now— the truth —— parliamentarian the point now deems the holly said nus ghani _ point now deems the holly said nus ghani was _ point now deems the holly said nus ghani was a brilliant mp. the health secretary today _ ghani was a brilliant mp. the health secretary today said... _ he called for an investigation into the party three years ago, which found anti—muslim sentiment was a problem, but islamophobia was not institutional. he did not refer to nus ghani's claims. i institutional. he did not refer to nus ghani's claims.— nus ghani's claims. i believe a claim a serious _ nus ghani's claims. i believe a claim a serious as _ nus ghani's claims. i believe a claim a serious as this - nus ghani's claims. i believe a claim a serious as this can - nus ghani's claims. i believe a | claim a serious as this can only happen if there is a formal... that's when the procedures kick in. that's when the procedures kick in. that advice was given back in 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say borisjohnson met miss nus ghani at the time. he invited her to a complaint process, but she did not and the party does not tolerate prejudice. but she has fired back, saying she made clear an internal investigation was not appropriate. this was government business, and all she wants is the government to investigate properly. as boris johnson rate street for the results of one inquiry, he's now under pressure to launch another. our political correspondent, damian grammaticas, says this latest development is yet another headache for boris johnson, on top of a series of other issues facing the prime minister. he has this week that critical inquiry into downing street parties, and that focuses on the issue of his leadership. that's why i think this is difficult, because borisjohnson has been criticised in the past for comments about muslim women, and now you have what's clear, he spoke to ms ghani at the time. she said she told the prime minister to take it seriously and instigate an inquiry, and that is what she says. the only thing she ever wanted and still wants, so it circles back of the same issue. wants, so it circles back of the same issue-— wants, so it circles back of the same issue. , , ., ~ ., same issue. damien speaking a few minutes ago- _ earlier, i spoke to mo hussein, a former conservative special adviser and downing street chief press officer under david cameron. he says the allegations are disturbing. the response, i have to say, is quite _ the response, i have to say, is quite disappointing. it's something that needs to be look at very seriously— that needs to be look at very seriously and very quickly. it's not acceptable — seriously and very quickly. it's not acceptable. i worked with nus. she's acceptable. i worked with nus. she's a very— acceptable. i worked with nus. she's a very capable mp, and if she's raising these concerns rather than getting _ raising these concerns rather than getting caught up in process and procedure, it needs to be dealt with quickly _ procedure, it needs to be dealt with ruickl . , . ., , ., procedure, it needs to be dealt with ruickl. ,. ., ,~ ., quickly. there is clearly at least a difference of _ quickly. there is clearly at least a difference of view _ quickly. there is clearly at least a difference of view over _ quickly. there is clearly at least a difference of view over these - difference of view over these questions. the statement from downing street said the prime minister encouraged her to initiate an investigation. dominic raab said she was invited to do so and nothing can be done until she begins the process. she is saying what they told her if she could instigate a party process, but she thought it was a government matter. does that make some sort of sense to you? it does. the government is separate to the conservative party and will have its own _ the conservative party and will have its own rules and ways of dealing with things. if you're talking about a reshuffle, that is decided by number— a reshuffle, that is decided by number ten a reshuffle, that is decided by numberten and a reshuffle, that is decided by number ten and ultimately by the prime _ number ten and ultimately by the prime minister, not really by the conservative party. it feels to me that this — conservative party. it feels to me that this should have been looked at try that this should have been looked at by the _ that this should have been looked at by the government. i think this goes back, _ by the government. i think this goes back, you _ by the government. i think this goes back, you can keep on talking about process— back, you can keep on talking about process and — back, you can keep on talking about process and procedures. she has made allegations _ process and procedures. she has made allegations that however we get to the outcome is what matters. people who experience discrimination or racism _ who experience discrimination or racism don't really need a report or a process— racism don't really need a report or a process to — racism don't really need a report or a process to tell them what they've gone _ a process to tell them what they've gone through. they need a change in behaviour— gone through. they need a change in behaviour and they need action. also interestin: behaviour and they need action. also interesting is — behaviour and they need action. i"r interesting is she's received some fairly weighty backing. notjust the education secretary, but also the health secretary. he's interesting because he himself has called for an inquiry into allegations and examples of what have been called, and what is, islamophobia. hostility or reluctance to engage with muslim conservative members. yes. or reluctance to engage with muslim conservative members.— conservative members. yes, sa'id javid did can i conservative members. yes, sa'id javid did call for d conservative members. yes, sa'id javid did call for this. i conservative members. yes, sa'id javid did call for this. it is i javid did call for this. it is interesting the backing he's given. the education secretary as well. i think this points to the fact that the cabinet is clearly in disarray at the moment with everything else taking up time. but i think a lot of people will remember, and i'm one of them, when nus became the first female muslim minister ever to address the house of commons from the dispatch box. that was a real moment of pride for me and should be a moment of pride for the conservative party, and even now, we have one of the most diverse cabinets in our country's history, which i think is a good thing. this can easily be undone if allegations like this are seen to be dismissed or ignored or hiding behind process rather than trying to address the issues that are very serious. there will be those _ issues that are very serious. there will be those who _ issues that are very serious. there will be those who say _ issues that are very serious. there will be those who say nothing - issues that are very serious. there will be those who say nothing in i will be those who say nothing in politics is coincidental, but these allegations are sincere when she genuinely... this hasn't been made up. the government acknowledges that she was raised it. mark spencer said he didn't use these words, which she has raised in previous form. but she's making it public now and we're in the middle of one of the most dangerous times for the prime minister, and she is one of those who backsjeremy hunt against him. there will be those who say this is being used to try and blacken the reputation of this government politically and to damage boris johnson. , ., , ., ~ johnson. there will people who think that. i johnson. there will people who think that- ithink— johnson. there will people who think that. l think they — johnson. there will people who think that. i think they need _ johnson. there will people who think that. i think they need to _ johnson. there will people who think that. i think they need to look- that. i think they need to look beyond these kinds of theories and look at the issues that she's raising, which are very serious. it can't be easy for her. it's not easy when you are experiencing this kind of discrimination and go public, and the government has looked at things and challenges right now. it may well add to that and add to trying to fight on many fronts, but i think again, getting beyond that, getting back to the issues that are being raised which she has tried to raise before, now it's out there. it does need to be dealt with. joining me now is ali miraj, a former conservative adviser, parliamentary candidate and now columnist at the article. now call next. what do you make of this story when you saw it first hitting the papers overnight? it's deeply unfortunate and very serious. although ms ghani has not named individuals, but it's very... mark spencer has declared himself to be the person at the time who ms ghani have a conversation with, and she raised it at the time with the prime minister as well. you raise the question just now about the timing of all this. it is interesting, given all the other travails the prime minister is facing. with sue gray's report about to be released. general sinan against with the senior conservative backbencher going to meet the metropolitan police —— shenanigans. it is interesting timing and it should be investigated properly. to dominic raab's point, i think she should make a formal complaint. iloathed should make a formal complaint. what about our should make a formal complaint. what about your argument _ should make a formal complaint. what about your argument that she was told, she says she was told by the prime minister, "it's not for me to investigate." but she feels a sense it was about her dismissal as a minister and it was about a decision taken in number ten by whoever was involved in the reshuffle, it's actually a government matter. i think there is some merit in that, but even if she did go down the conservative party's own complaint procedure, that was found wanting by the investigation by professor... which was released last year. one of the issues, two issues, the party was not institutionally islamophobic, but there were a number of failings and the complaints system which needed to be remedied in terms of the number of staff to look at these complaint. almost two thirds. the experience level of the staff dealing with those as well. i'm not sure she had that much faith in the conservative party, but whether it was a government issue or a party issue, a complaints procedure should exist, which she should have reported to so that everything can be looked at carefully because you can't have trial by media or by twitter. these are very serious allegations that need to be investigated thoroughly, and if necessary, action taken where appropriate. fin and if necessary, action taken where appropriate-— appropriate. on this question of the status and position _ appropriate. on this question of the status and position of _ appropriate. on this question of the status and position of muslim - status and position of muslim conservatives, i can recall one of the reasons that michael howard brought baroness vardy into the party and encouraged her to be a candidate and was instrumental in her career. he believed it was important of the party's values and he himself as the son of immigrants felt this very strongly. it's the only thing he criticised david cameron for. for not sticking with this. the issue seems to have kept bubbling up at different stages. having had an inquiry, it must be slightly depressing to see this coming up yet again. it may notjust be the conservative party, it may be the labour party, it may be all the parties. society might have a problem with how it treats muslim in public life. what's your view on that? i public life. what's your view on that? 4' ., ., , ., that? i think there are a number of issues to unpick. _ that? i think there are a number of issues to unpick. it's _ that? i think there are a number of issues to unpick. it's quite - issues to unpick. it's quite complicated. unfortunately, the majority of british muslims go about their business and try and do their bestjust their business and try and do their best just as everyone their business and try and do their bestjust as everyone else. the problem is that they are unfortunately tainted as collateral damage by a small number of their colleagues who go around blowing up the tube and knocking people's heads off. on a more fundamental level, there is a battle that needs to take place within the religion itself for the ideological full of islam, place within the religion itself for the ideologicalfull of islam, and action needs to be taken by the security so it is to clamp down on people who are trying to kill us. where muslim members of the conservative party are seeking office are asked about their religion in a way that other people are not, particularly when they aren't seeking to be voices or the muslim community. a lot of them want to go about theirjob. doesn't necessarily mean they are speaking to be the spokesman of the community. alastair campbell said we don't do god. i don't think muslims are seeking to be parliamentarians should be in any way singled out. if that's the case, and it's hampered by the fact of their religion, that is a serious matter. not only for the public, but particularly for muslims and tells —— themselves, one cannot be bystanders. the battle has to be joined. cannot be bystanders. the battle has to bejoined. in cannot be bystanders. the battle has to bejoined— cannot be bystanders. the battle has to be joined-— to be joined. in part i asked the auestion to be joined. in part i asked the question because _ to be joined. in part i asked the question because of _ to be joined. in part i asked the question because of the - to be joined. in part i asked the question because of the way . to be joined. in part i asked the. question because of the way that to be joined. in part i asked the - question because of the way that ms ghani framed her complaint was she said the problem is your muslimness. i didn't think muslimness was a word. when you look at the group on these issues, they say it is a word. but it's that sense of identity that some of the colleagues were not comfortable that that identity was kind of blurring the government or herjob are having some negative impact or association, is that a feeling you ever encounter? ida. impact or association, is that a feeling you ever encounter? no, i think it's murky. _ feeling you ever encounter? no, i think it's murky. we're _ feeling you ever encounter? no, i think it's murky. we're hearing i think it's murky. we're hearing reports from ms ghani, i think she's implied, it was implied that she wasn't defending the party robustly enough against allegations of islamophobia. i hate that term. i think it's, for me, it doesn't some off. there is an anti—muslim sentiment. just for the record, things like the prime minister putting out his article on muslim women wearing burqas, i don't think that was the start. i think that was downright rude. do i think it was in the small... i don't think it was islamophobic. he ran a shambolic campaign and lost control of it. he is not islamophobic. his former brother—in—law is the former prime minister of pakistan, for pete's sake. they should be in investigated and action needs to be taken, it should... ' and action needs to be taken, it should---_ and action needs to be taken, it should... ' ., . should... offering some sage advice there to the — should... offering some sage advice there to the conservatives. - the government says it has intelligence suggesting russia is plotting to install a pro—moscow leader in ukraine. it says there's a "very significant" risk that russian forces will invade the country. president putin has already sent tens of thousands of troops to ukraine's border, but moscow is now accusing britain, of spreading "disinformation". with the latest, here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. american weapons arriving in ukraine — 90 tonnes of what washington others including britain also sending supplies. hardly enough to defeat an invading russian army, but the message to moscow is clear. "if you do this, it will come at a price." but now the foreign office says it's seeing signs of a russian plan to install a puppet government in kyiv after an invasion. washington made similar claims on thursday. pro—russian politicians, they say, in contact with russian intelligence officers involved in planning an attack. it's totally unacceptable, contrary to international law. the international community as a whole needs to step up to the plate. so, one of the things you're seeing, and the foreign secretary, i think, is doing a very good job of this, is making it clear what's at stake, so other countries come and support. the reality is... but is that what you're expecting to happen? an invasion? i think there's a very significant risk of it. the foreign office says this man, former mp yevhen murayev, is being considered as a future leader by the kremlin. he's denied it. four others named are thought to be in moscow. ukrainian officials say they know him well. he ukrainian officials say they know him well. , ., him well. he tells whatever he wants,. him well. he tells whatever he wants, . that's _ him well. he tells whatever he wants,. that's what _ him well. he tells whatever he wants,. that's what he's - him well. he tells whatever he j wants,. that's what he's trying him well. he tells whatever he i wants,. that's what he's trying to do. appealing to the forces in ukraine — do. appealing to the forces in ukraine who still believe that the soviet _ ukraine who still believe that the soviet union and russia is the best way for— soviet union and russia is the best way for ukrainians to develop. it�*s way for ukrainians to develop. it's hiuhl way for ukrainians to develop. it�*s highly unusual for intelligence of this kind to be put into public domain in such a brief manner. it's a reflection of the extreme anxiety across government about what vladimir putin might be planning. it's a way of saying to the kremlin, we see what you're doing. at a time when the government is accused of not having its eye on the ball, it's a way of saying they're doing everything they can. russia says it's all nonsense, releasing pictures of its latest drills. still saying it has no intention to attack. after friday's talks, diplomacy continues. washington promising a written reply within days to russia's expansive demands. downing street says it plans to ramp up downing street says it plans to ramp up pressure on russia. fenwal is likely to visit moscow soon. paul adams, bbc news. —— been wallace. earlier, i spoke to ukrainian ambassador to the uk, vadym prystaiko. frankly, i believe that actually it is good progress over the 30 years. you have been here and this island has been established as a nation for much more than us and still not all people know what we are, and it's getting there, the same to our russian neighbours mostly. yes, but perhaps for the wrong reasons. i mean, the serious point is that russia occupied and annexed crimea, you still insist crimea is part of ukraine. there are parts of ukraine that are not under the control of the government of kyiv. do you feel that these latest threats are just a continuation of something that ukrainians have been living with now for the best part of a decade? absolutely. i do believe that when these peaceful wars happened 30 plus years ago and all of us we decided to go our different paths peacefully, deciding to find a better place, it doesn't mean we have to fight each other but look at what happened with belarus, with kazakhstan, now ukraine is the biggest chunk and the most important part in this puzzle. yours is an enormous country. there are those who say it just isn't credible ever for russia to invade ukraine, and ukraine knows that and russia know that, that this is about achieving certain political objectives that will never result in an actual land invasion. i believe putin sees himself in the history books, but the question is what he wants to see written there. that he united the soviet union back? which he believed was the global geopolitical catastrophy when it collapsed. we believe that he can be somebody who would probably find peace with the russians themselves, and will take care of russians because they have to be taken better care of better than they are now. let me ask you in terms of the possible military threat. you clearly regard it as credible. the americans have said they think they will be some kind of incursion, they don't know how much, the british have said much the same, and yet neither the british, nor the americans, nor any other western european country, has promised to send its own troops to help ukraine if ukraine is attacked. isn't that a mistake? i believe they are working on the presumption that putin will stop at some particular point, he is just raising the stakes. again, i do understand how sensitive people are here to be sending people anywhere as soldiers, and believe me ukrainians also wouldn't like to send their children into war. the problem is that some are reminding us, hey, you are not members of nato, in a poke and nudge each and every second. this is not helping for sure, so uk's position, and united states' position, some are like neighbours to us, this position is important, guys. realise your strengths. we will help you, but everyone is trying to stay away from even thinking of sending soldiers into battles. do you incur any and of asked her to london talking to me earlier. —— ukrainian ambassador. a family has been left "devastated" after a 16—year—old boy was fatally stabbed in manchester on saturday night. five boys aged between 15 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of murder. phil cunliffe has this report. according to local residents, thirlmere avenue is usually a quiet street. but last night, around seven o'clock, that peace was shattered as a boy lay dying on the pavement. another victim of a brutal teenage stabbing. again, we see the utterly devastating consequences of knife crime. it destroys families, communities and lives. it is heartbreaking to see a young life lost in such tragic it's heartbreaking to see a young life lost in such tragic circumstances and people suspected of being capable of such a horrendous act of violence. this afternoon, police named the victim as kennie carter. the 16—year—old lived close by to where he was attacked. he was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries a short time later. just a lot of sirens, about seven, maybe eight o'clock and a lot of panic through the windows, so i didnt look out unfortunately, but yeah, pretty surprised. this corner of stretford is now a large crime scene with most of thirlmere avenue and neighbouring coniston road cornered off. a number of items have been recovered, with forensic tents put in place. i've actually spoken with the victim's father, who was visibly shocked by what has happened. he says all the family are devastated and he reached into his pocket and showed me the money that he was going to give to his son for him to buy something last night, before tragedy intervened. four teenage boys aged between 15 and 17 are being held under suspicion of murder. crime scenes have also been set up in old trafford, trafford, stretford and hulme. a 17—year—old boy was later arrested after handing himself into police. in the meantime, kennie carter's family are being supported by specially—trained officers. please dispense with your knives. as we all know, knives cost lives and it is utterly devastating and it's utterly devastating for that family today. my thoughts remain with that community and that family in particular. phil cunliffe, bbc north west tonight, stretford in manchester. let's take a look at the latest coronavirus data for the uk. almost 75,000 new infections have been recorded in the latest 24—hour period. there were 75 further deaths reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive test. on vaccinations, almost 69,000 boosterjabs were given yesterday, with a little over 64% of all over 12s now having had a booster or three doses of a coronavirus vaccine. and some of us very much over the age of 12. time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello there. a few of us got to see a bit of brightness today but for many more it stayed predominantly cloudy. it has been a grey weekend all in all. this is the earlier satellite picture. you can see the extent of that cloud, some of the best of the sunshine was found across eastern scotland, a few breaks across south—west england, one or two elsewhere, but as we go through tonight most places will remain cloudy. if the skies do clear for any length of time, that could allow temperatures to drop low enough for a touch of frost. there could be some fog patches around by morning, as well. also by the morning, we will see outbreaks of rain pushing in across the north—west of scotland. this band of rain will sink a little further southwards during the day. a very weak affair. for most of us, it's another largely dry but rather cloudy day. best chance of sunshine through north wales, the north midlands and northern england. some parts of northern ireland and south—east scotland. temperatures between 5 and 9 degrees, feeling quite chilly actually where you stick with the cloud all day long. as we look further ahead, tuesday, another mostly dry but mostly cloudy day, and we will see rain in the north on wednesday. milder by this stage. hello, this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines: the former conservative minister nusrat ghani says she was sacked from herjob because of her muslim faith. the government chief whip says that's false. the justice secretary says a formal complaint is needed to trigger an inquiry. since then, nusrat ghani has said she asked the prime minister in 2020 to launch a government inquiry, but he told her to use