government back. i was just i wasjust reading, sir robert buckland suggested that use of live tv link for serious cases. what do you think would be the reception to a suggestion like that, as now, a law change is being discussed? it is certainl a law change is being discussed? it 3 certainly a possibility. the judge certainly a possibility. thejudge said today that the sentencing remarks, the parents of the victims will be made available to lucy letby, but she can't be compelled to read them. equally, if you had a recording or a link shown in herself, she can't be compelled to watch or listen to it. that is the reality of it. we don't live in a country where we hold people down on a bed or chair and force them to listen to something or to watch something. that is just not what our country is about. at the end of the day there are certain steps you can take, absolutely there are steps you can take, where conditions and punishments would be applied to someone who refuses to come to court, but there is a limit as to what you can do.— court, but there is a limit as to what you can do. danny sure, thank ou ve what you can do. danny sure, thank you very much _ what you can do. danny sure, thank you very much for — what you can do. danny sure, thank you very much forjoining _ what you can do. danny sure, thank you very much forjoining us. - what you can do. danny sure, thank you very much forjoining us. if- what you can do. danny sure, thank you very much forjoining us. if you | you very much forjoining us. if you have been affected by aspects of this case, information and support is available via the bbc�*s action line. you can find it online or via the bbc news app. let's talk to the conservative mp and formerjustice secretary, robert buckland. we were just discussing the story about whether defendants should be compelled, once they are convicted and found guilty, to appear at a sentencing hearing. you have been pushing for this for many months, even before the e case. that pushing for this for many months, even before the e case.— even before the e case. that is riuht. even before the e case. that is right- there — even before the e case. that is right. there was _ even before the e case. that is right. there was the _ even before the e case. that is right. there was the terrible i even before the e case. that is i right. there was the terrible case of olivia pratt—korbel, murdered in liverpool, and her murderer refused to come into the dark. there have been a few of the cases like this. it seems to be a case in serious cases where defendants wash their hands and absent themselves from proceedings, adding grievous insult to the terrible injury that has been caught to the families of the victims, particularly in this case. that is why i think we have got to be constructive. we have got to think of ways, if a defendant isn't present in court, then there are consequences for that, or ways in which the defendant has no place to hide, hence my suggestion that we look at live television and sound links into the sale, where the defendant might be finding, where, in effect there, they would have had to listen to proceedings. i think the government is right to move to change the law. i hope they can do that quickly. i appreciate that this is not a straightforward situation and we certainly don't want a position where defendants, in effect, are controlling things again, by refusing to come up from their cells, perhaps being violent or resisting security officers, and in effect controlling proceedings in a way that i think would be unacceptable. we have got to get the balance right here. i unacceptable. we have got to get the balance right here.— balance right here. i covered some ofthe balance right here. i covered some of the end of— balance right here. i covered some of the end of the _ balance right here. i covered some of the end of the letby _ balance right here. i covered some of the end of the letby case, - balance right here. i covered some of the end of the letby case, and l of the end of the letby case, and every day she would appear before the jury and the every day she would appear before thejury and thejudge, when every day she would appear before the jury and the judge, when the jury the jury and the judge, when the jury was sent out for another day of deliberation. i saw her there. she was often accompanied by a police officer. she often looked down, she was behind some glass. she appeared every day then. why is the law such that she has to turn up for that, but she doesn't have to turn up for sentencing? the but she doesn't have to turn up for sentencing?— sentencing? the law does allow trials to go _ sentencing? the law does allow trials to go on _ sentencing? the law does allow trials to go on in _ sentencing? the law does allow trials to go on in the _ sentencing? the law does allow trials to go on in the absence i sentencing? the law does allow trials to go on in the absence of sentencing? the law does allow. trials to go on in the absence of a defendant who refuses to come up from the cell. sometimes defendants are manipulative and think that by not coming into the dock, they can hold things up and prevent the case from taking place. there are provisions to allay that. there is a particular imperative here, where you have got, notjust thejudge handing down the sentence and explaining to the world at large, but in cases like this, the victims themselves, either giving evidence or having statements read, about the impact of the offending upon their lives. that is what letby refused to allow to happen today in her presence. that has been described as cowardly, i think it is, but i think it is really a slap in the face to those families. that is why we should be doing everything we can to make sure that, in cases like this, as the lord chancellor says, the defendant should find the sentencing words ringing in their ears when they spent time in prison after the sentence is passed. taste they spent time in prison after the sentence is passed.— sentence is passed. we discussed this with our _ sentence is passed. we discussed this with our previous _ sentence is passed. we discussed this with our previous guest, - sentence is passed. we discussed | this with our previous guest, danny sure. you have offered some suggestions about how this could work, including, perhaps having a video link into the sale of the defendant. this would be rather than forcibly bringing them into court. yes, and indeed video links are used everyday in our courts for defendants who are in prison, rather than bringing them all the way into court for a short hearing. some sentences are passed where defendants are on video link. this is new, but i think danny's point about whether people like letby, who have got a whole life sentence, should have a disadvantage when it comes to parole applications, i think that has merit there, or in letby�*s case, a transfer from high category prison to a more open environment, i think looking at the way parole works could be one way of doing it. another way could be to extend the law of contempt of court, which could deal with defendants who are perhaps facing lesser sentences. that would be an additional punishment that the court could impose. there are options here that the government, i am sure are considering, and i look forward to seeing the proposals as soon as possible. seeing the proposals as soon as ossible. ., ., , ., possible. you have been calling for a chance possible. you have been calling for a change for _ possible. you have been calling for a change for a _ possible. you have been calling for a change for a long _ possible. you have been calling for a change for a long time _ possible. you have been calling for a change for a long time now. - possible. you have been calling for a change for a long time now. why| a change for a long time now. why has your party only announced it is going to do it today? to has your party only announced it is going to do it today?— going to do it today? to be fair, the predecessor _ going to do it today? to be fair, the predecessor announced - going to do it today? to be fair, the predecessor announced he i going to do it today? to be fair, - the predecessor announced he wanted to change the law. there is a bill going through about victims at the moment. the government say they want something in the king's speech. i appreciate that you have got to think carefully and weigh up all the options to make sure the reform is a meaningful one, that actually makes a difference. that is what i am sure is being considered and he and the victim's minister will be working on this and i look forward to seeing something from him.— this and i look forward to seeing something from him. thank you very much forjoining _ something from him. thank you very much forjoining us. _ something from him. thank you very much forjoining us. lucy _ something from him. thank you very much forjoining us. lucy letby's - something from him. thank you very much forjoining us. lucy letby's is l much forjoining us. lucy letby's is another high—profile sentencing where the tim —— defendant appears to two refuses to appear in the dock. lucy letby is the latest in a number of high—profile sentencing hearings in which convicted murderers have refused to appear in the dock. they include the sentencing in the case of 35—year—old zara aleena. she was an aspiring lawyer, attacked while walking home from a bar in east london. heraunt, farah naz, said the sentencing would have been the murderer�*s opportunity to be "human" and to "face his actions". his absence, she said,was "a slap in the face". nine—year—old schoolgirl olivia pratt—korbel was shot by a masked gunman inside her liverpool home. olivia's mother cheryl said the fact that her family had to relive the pain of olivia's death but the offender could choose to opt out of the sentencing was a "kick in the teeth." and 28—year—old sabina nessa was murdered in a park in south—east london. she was a primary school teacher. her older sister, jabina islam, called the murderer, who refused to appear, a "coward". earlier, the families of lucy letby's victims gave harrowing statements in court, telling of the horror and pain of losing their children, some dying in their parent's arms. nick garnett sent this report. lucy letby, convicted of murdering seven babies, and the sentencing was not about her. after a ten month trial, a chance to tell the world about their babies and their lives. letby's victims have to stay anonymous. the luisa gonzalez first to speak today was the mother luisa gonzalez g o nza lez of gonzalez of baby. baby d was just two days old when she died. mother held a toy rabbit as she spoke. letby, a nurse at the neonatal unit, killed and attacked tiny babies over a 12 month period. consultants on the unit had worn to management about her involvement. there are now questions about the delays in moving her from questions about the delays in moving herfrom clinical care, and the time it took to calling the police. today, alison kelly, the director of nursing at the hospital at the time, was suspended from her current nhs job. a public inquiry into letby's crimes has been announced. what form it will take has yet to be decided. what is really important is to actually get the inquiry right and make sure that people, the parents who face these horrific crimes, getting the justice they need, not only in the court with lucy letby, but also from the inquiry as well. letby was delivered to court for the last time today, arriving shortly before her hearing was due to begin. during letby's trial, the court was told that every time there was an unexpected death or a baby collapsed, letby had been there in person. today at her sentencing she wasn't. she stayed in the basement below the court, in herself, refusing to come to court. )let�*s talk to tamlin bolton — a solicitor with switalskis. she represents the parents of seven of lucy letby's victims — outside of the criminal proceedings. thank you forjoining us. how other families dealing? the thank you forjoining us. how other families dealing?— families dealing? the families have been exceptionally _ families dealing? the families have been exceptionally brave _ families dealing? the families have | been exceptionally brave throughout the court process. they have been pragmatic and rational and allowed thejudicial pragmatic and rational and allowed the judicial system to play its role. for now though, we are giving the families space to deal with the process, deal with the evidence they have heard in the sentencing today. these are such egregious crimes that they deserve the courtesy and respect from everybody to allow them to post—process what they have heard and to grieve privately. it is an unimaginable situation for these families. the verdict doesn't deliver all the answers that i think they are going to need. we need to look at the care provided by the countess of chester trust and see what could have been done there from a safeguarding perspective. ishihat a safeguarding perspective. what action are you — a safeguarding perspective. what action are you representing, is this action are you representing, is this a civil case as well? we action are you representing, is this a civil case as well?— a civil case as well? we represent the families _ a civil case as well? we represent the families in _ a civil case as well? we represent the families in a _ a civil case as well? we represent the families in a civil _ a civil case as well? we represent the families in a civil case - a civil case as well? we represent the families in a civil case and - a civil case as well? we represent the families in a civil case and we | the families in a civil case and we will support them through the inquiry if they are going to be participants in that. we are looking at the care the trust provided and what they knew at the time and what they should have done when those concerns were brought to them by their clinical staff on the ground floor, day in, day out. share their clinical staff on the ground floor, day in, day out.— floor, day in, day out. are you filinr floor, day in, day out. are you film: to floor, day in, day out. are you filing to get — floor, day in, day out. are you filing to get compensation? i floor, day in, day out. are you| filing to get compensation? we floor, day in, day out. are you i filing to get compensation? we will be. unfortunately _ filing to get compensation? we will be. unfortunately that _ filing to get compensation? we will be. unfortunately that is _ filing to get compensation? we will be. unfortunately that is the i filing to get compensation? we will be. unfortunately that is the only i be. unfortunately that is the only mechanism available to these families. you can't force people to apologise, as we have seen, you can't compel people to send letters to say they are sorry. what you can do, and the option we have in our legal system, do, and the option we have in our legalsystem, is do, and the option we have in our legal system, is a financial payment for these families.— for these families. what about the hos - ital as for these families. what about the hospital as well? _ for these families. what about the hospital as well? what _ for these families. what about the hospital as well? what are - for these families. what about the hospital as well? what are the i hospital as well? what are the families saying about the fact that there have been questions raised about the fact that lucy letby was allowed to work on the ward longer than many doctors think she should have been? ., ., , than many doctors think she should have been?— have been? that was the family is not concern. _ have been? that was the family is not concern, that _ have been? that was the family is not concern, that they _ have been? that was the family is not concern, that they were i not concern, that they were concerned something had happened at that trust, and sometimes parents know when the care isn't right, when something doesn't add up. they have always felt that there must be some blame there. that is what we will look at. we will investigate that and deal with the lawyers from the trust, to try to get them answers. thank you very much for sharing that with us. do send our wishes to the families. it was very distressing to see some of them today. if you have been affected by any aspect of this case, information and support is available online or via the bbc news app. some breaking news that we give you a few minutes ago. if you're justjoining us, it has been confirmed that mason greenwood is to leave manchester united. manchester united have confirmed that striker mason greenwood will leave the club following a six—month he has been subject to an internal investigation which the club said has concluded. mason greenwood has been subject to an internal investigation which the club says has now concluded. forward greenwood, 21, had criminal charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, dropped. earlier this year. in a statement made alongside the clubs, mr greenwood said he was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong. today's decision has been part of a collaborative process between manchester united, he went on to say, my family and me. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. i can't sit still for five minutes. and in some ways, that has probably hurt me over the years. i was feeling breathless, i kept getting arm pains, and i had a few angina attacks. i ended up going to hospital. they came back and said, we really can't do much, you are going to have to go on the list for a bypass. two or three days later, the consultant asked me if i wanted to try a new procedure. they put a pipe up there with a laser, a minute laser that goes in through your artery and it lasers the plaque and it goes to nothing. they have given me my life back. this is bbc news. we can bring you pictures of lucy letby, who is leaving manchester crown court in a police van. earlier today she was given a whole life order, which means she will spend the rest of her life in prison for the rest of her life in prison for the murder of seven babies and attempting to murder six others. that was at the countess of chester hospital. at the sentencing lucy letby did not appear. we heard from thejudge. we also heard letby did not appear. we heard from the judge. we also heard from some of the families of the babies who she killed. it was a very emotional time in the courtroom. crucially lucy letby did not show up in the court. there are now calls for the law to change to compel defendants who are found guilty to appear at the sentencing hearings. just know you saw a picture of lucy letby's fan, the police van leaving manchester crown court where today's sentencing hearing took place. to the us, where a state of emergency has been declared in southern california, after the first tropical storm there in more than 80 years. some 26 million people are under flood warnings. water has overwhelmed drainage systems and flooded roads. our reporter courtney bembridge has more details. parts of california have received almost a year's worth of rain. let's look at a few areas in particular. los angeles, palm springs and death valley and las vegas in nevada. starting in la, these pictures were uploaded to snapchat, showing the hollywood hall of fame. you can see heavy rain there. another iconic location is universal studios, also affected by the storm. this is palm springs, known normally for its hot and sunny weather. not now. california's governor said that in a single hour, palm springs received more rain than ever before. next we go to sheep canyon, just south of palms brings. you can see mudslides there and mudslides in death valley, which is normally known for extreme temperatures. the desert has been hit by very heavy rain and flooding there too. we have also seen flooding in victorville, and residents say they watch the floodwaters get higher and higher before making the tough decision to leave their properties. let's listen to what they said. shill leave their properties. let's listen to what they said.— to what they said. all that started within an hour— to what they said. all that started within an hour or _ to what they said. all that started within an hour or two _ to what they said. all that started within an hour or two and - to what they said. all that started within an hour or two and it i to what they said. all that started within an hour or two and itjust l within an hour or two and it just kept _ within an hour or two and it just kept piling _ within an hour or two and it just kept piling up, and the water kept coming _ kept piling up, and the water kept coming further back up the street, 'ust coming further back up the street, just more — coming further back up the street, just more and more. lives can't be replaced, — just more and more. lives can't be replaced, material objects can. it is better— replaced, material objects can. it is betterjust to replace the house, fix what _ is betterjust to replace the house, fix what gets damaged, than risk someone — fix what gets damaged, than risk someone drowning. the fix what gets damaged, than risk someone drowning. the governor has also liven someone drowning. the governor has also given an — someone drowning. the governor has also given an update _ someone drowning. the governor has also given an update warning - someone drowning. the governor has also given an update warning that i also given an update warning that this is not the only crisis affecting the state of california right now. affecting the state of california riaht now. , ., ., ., . right now. there is an old ancient curse, right now. there is an old ancient curse. that _ right now. there is an old ancient curse, that loosely _ right now. there is an old ancient curse, that loosely is _ right now. there is an old ancient curse, that loosely is translated l curse, that loosely is translated to, may — curse, that loosely is translated to, may you live in interesting times — to, may you live in interesting times. there are certainly interesting times. tornadoes, lightning _ interesting times. tornadoes, lightning strikes, wildfires. i checked _ lightning strikes, wildfires. i checked my phone and learned about an earthquake that originally came in at 60 — an earthquake that originally came in at 60 it — an earthquake that originally came in at 6.0. it seems to be closer to 5.1. in at 6.0. it seems to be closer to st there— in at 6.0. it seems to be closer to 5.1. there were over 13 aftershocks. these _ 5.1. there were over 13 aftershocks. these are _ 5.1. there were over 13 aftershocks. these are certainly interesting times — these are certainly interesting times. , ., these are certainly interesting times. ,., ., ., these are certainly interesting times. ., ., ., times. neighbouring nevada has also been hit. these _ times. neighbouring nevada has also been hit. these pictures _ times. neighbouring nevada has also been hit. these pictures are - times. neighbouring nevada has also been hit. these pictures are from i been hit. these pictures are from las vegas. hundreds of flights into the city have been cancelled as severe flooding continues there. major problems in california and nevada. cbs news correspondent michael spencer sent this report from san clemente near los angeles. we are about 60 miles south of los angeles, to give your viewers some perspective as to where we are, and what officials are worried about right now continues to be that rain. the national weather service has issued a flash flood warning for los angeles. we are seeing a heavy amount of rain in the san gabriel mountains. we are talking about half an inch to an inch per hour. officials in southern california are worried about what that rain might do in terms of flooding, in terms of landslides, and mudslides. they have cancelled school today in los angeles, as well as in san diego. the storm did bring with it some wind but the major concern here is really all of the moisture, not only in southern california, as you mentioned, but in arizona. we have seen some heavy rain and in places like las vegas and nevada they have seen a lot of heavy rain and flooding as well. meanwhile in canada, wildfires in the province of british columbia are showing some signs of easing but authorities say crews are still battling "epic" fires. there are currently more than 400 wildfires burning across bc. across western canada — more than 35,000 people have been forced to flee their homes across western canada. troops have been deployed to help with the emergency. these pictures are from enterprise, a small community which has been burned to the ground. the prime minister, justin trudeau, has described the situation as "extraordinarily serious". in ecuador, left—wing candidate luisa gonzalez has won the first round of the country's presidential election. ms gonzalez will face businessman daniel noboa azin in the second round in october. security been a major focus of the election campaign — after the murder of anti—corruption candidate fernando villa—vicencio — who was shot dead while leaving a campaign event this month. our south america correspondent katy watson now reports from ecuador�*s capital, quito. when you need dozens of soldiers and a bullet—proof curtain to be able to vote, you realise democracy�*s in danger. "i voted with courage", says this candidate, running in place of fernando villavicencio, the politician shot dead earlier this month. ecuadorians are still reeling from the attack on mr villavicencio, a journalist turned politician who was outspoken on corruption and organised crime, murdered as he left a campaign event. ecuador was once a peaceful country. but in the past few years, colombian and mexican drug cartels vying for lucrative routes have taken advantage of the struggling state and corrupt politics and they've gained the upper hand. dressed in white and calling for peace, fernando villavicencio's daughter cast her vote, remembering a dad who was also her best friend. translation: he was beautiful, powerful, kind, a giant, - one of my best friends. we are living in a powerful historic moment here in ecuador. so many people who didn't care about politics are upset, and they are thinking, "if i don't do something for my country, for myself, then nothing will change and the mafia will come and dominate us". for ecuadorians going to vote, security was high on the risk of priorities. on the list of priorities. i think right now, there's a lot of violence in the country. things are very complicated and after the death of villavicencio, i think we need to unite. leftist candidate luisa gonzales won the most votes, pledging social welfare programmes including education and health. she'll face businessman daniel noboa, a surprise to many that he'll go through to a run—off vote in october. ecuadorians might be split politically, but they all agree on one thing — the need for peace and security. that's going to be at the heart of campaigning ahead of the second round. that is it for this hour. we will have more on the day's news on the bbc news website, or you can stay with us here on bbc news. you can find me on twitter. do stay with us here on bbc news. hello. it hasn't been a bad day for most of us so far. bright and even sunny weather to a degree across england and wales. a slightly different story in the north—west of the country. for northern ireland and western parts of scotland, a weather front is approaching and we're expecting some rain later on. and you can see the small weather system on the satellite picture moving into the north—west. to the south of that, apart from the odd shower and thick clouds, we're with high pressure close by and it's going to be generally bright or sunny for the rest of today. and that high pressure is keeping things warm — hot, in fact, across many parts of europe. we will be getting some extreme temperatures through the course of this week. in france, it could be up to 42 celsius in places like lyon — way up there for this time of the year. 25, 26 in the south—east. belfast and glasgow, decent, perhaps in the low—20s. this is the weather front moving into northern ireland and western and central parts of scotland. by the end of the night, rather than persistent rain, it comes and goes. showery conditions, but the bulk of the country further east and south should be generally clear. and in the north or south, temperatures tonight and tomorrow morning will be about the same. so here's the forecast for tomorrow, tuesday. broadly speaking, the northern half of the uk is somewhat showery, with most of them out towards the west. the further south you are, the sunnier it will be. and again, similar temperatures — 25 in london, 25 in liverpool and 20 degrees in the north—west of the country. the middle part of the week, high pressure still across europe, keeping things very hot. we're on the edge of this high pressure. just enough of these weather fronts to sneak in and bring some showers to perhaps north—western parts of the uk. but the further east and south you are, i think through the middle part of the week, it stays generally on the sunny side and still very warm. and these values are a little above the average for the time of the year, but i think we're close to the average for liverpool, belfast and glasgow. this is the outlook. it does look as though the warmer weather will come to an end in the south, with that increasing cloud — we have a five—degree temperature drop. but in the north, still hovering around 18 or so in belfast. that's it, goodbye. that will work which is holding the government back. live from london, this is bbc news. manchester united forward mason greenwood, who had charges of attempted rape and assault against him dropped, leaves the club. nurse lucy letby is sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison — for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others. this was a cruel, calculated and cynical campaign of child murder, involving the smallest and most vulnerable of children. idid the i did the last hour, the moment lucy letby is driven away from manchester crown court to begin life behind bars —— and in the last hour. hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. welcome to verified live — three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we start with the confirmation that mason greenwood — that mason greenwood is leaving manchester united. charges against the 21—year—old forward, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in february. manchester united issued a statement, saying: "all those involved, including mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at manchester united. it has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from old trafford, and we will now work with mason to achieve that outcome." mason greenwood has been subject to an internal investigation which has concluded. he's also issued a statement, saying: "i was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong. i did not do the things i was accused of, and in february, i was cleared of all charges. however, ifully accept i made mistakes in my relationship,