later tonight, us presidentjoe biden will announces plans for the us military to construct a port in gaza to get more humanitarian aid into the territory by sea. is this a sign of american frustration over israel boiling over? we'll speak to a senior british diplomat and the relative of one of the israeli hostages still being held by hamas. also tonight... pressure grows on the science secretary michelle donelan to personally foot the bill for the legal damages that the uk taxpayer has picked up after she falsely accused an academic of promoting extremist ideologies. we'll discuss with one of the academics on the same group that she had in her sights. and the woman who accused this man, christian homer, the boss of f1 team red bull, of inapproprioate behaviour is herself suspended. we will ask two female motorsport experts, does motor racing have a wider problem? good evening. in his annual state of the union address in a few hours�* time, the us presidentjoe biden will announce that the american military will unilaterally build a new port to get aid into gaza. it comes against the backdrop of mounting us and uk frustration over israel preventing humanitarian supplies getting into the territory which the united nations warns is now, after five months of israeli military operations, on the brink of famine. the other vital bit of context is the ongoing failure of ceasefire negotiations. a hamas delegation left peace talks in cairo, with attempts by egyptian and qatari mediators to strike a deal that would see hamas free israeli hostages in exchange for palestinians held in israeli jails breaking down. in a moment, we'll speak to a relative of one of the 130 israeli hostages believed to still be held by hamas. but first, on the significance of tonight's announcement by the us and the prospects for a ceasefire breakthrough, here'sjoe inwood. time, it seems, is running short. peace talks stalling, the death toll rising, hostages still held in gaza, and ramadan soon to begin. the muslim holy month has been talked of as an unofficial deadline for any deal. it's where we have seen some of the worst provocations and violence over the last two years. if we don't see a cessation of hostilities or some kind of pause, there could be a spillover effect where the intensity of violence will not be confined to gaza, but we will also see that spread into areas like east jerusalem and the west bank, which are already at boiling point. the search for peace came too late for this family. 16 members are thought to have died in a single air strike. peace talks have been under way for weeks, but with israel failing to attend the latest round and hamas walking away, it seems they are in ruins. neither hamas nor israel believe, they don't trust the other side that they are doing anything in good faith, let alone the negotiation. israel knows that hamas needs quite desperately a ceasefire because they are under pressure and also under pressure from their own people. there is a school of thought that thinks that actually, hamas would like not to sign an agreement, not to agree on a ceasefire because they would like to exacerbate the situation into ramadan. both sides blame the other for the failure of negotiations as well as the destruction the war has brought. prime minister netanyahu always maintained that israel must destroy hamas. as long as he remains in power, that objective will not change, but pressure is growing. benny gantz, his war cabinet colleague and political rival, has been on a freelance diplomatic tour of western capitals. and then there are the families of the hostages captured on october the 7th who maintain their calls for some kind of deal. israeli public sentiment and wish is to have both the release of the hostages but at the same time, they would like the idf to finish what they started, and believing they can destroy hamas. at the same time, it is important to remember there is a growing sentiment within israeli society that wants to see the back of netanyahu. and what about hamas? this was the group back in 2019. their forces have been shattered since then, but not utterly defeated. and for them, survival would be seen as a victory. they want a permanent ceasefire before anything else is then negotiated. there have been no guarantees that even if hamas were to hand over those hostages, that all 7,000 administrative detainees would be released that have been arrested since the 7th of october. and there is no guarantee being offered from the israeli side about the amount of aid they are willing to allow in, and that is huge. even israel's allies have said more aid needs to get into gaza. some are delivering by air, but you can't feed 2 million people from the sky. and so the us has announced a port in gaza, vastly increasing the amount of aid entering the gaza strip. the fact this will take weeks to build suggests they are not expecting a deal anytime soon. but could they force one? even if the us withdrew its support, would israel cease its operations? i am very sceptical of that claim, which isn't to say that us support isn't very significant, but israel has the ability even on its own to continue the campaign that it is executing. the truth is, for all the talk of deals, the calls for peace, the two sides are as far apart as ever. the start of ramadan was never a formal deadline, but that won't make it any less significant if it is missed. gili roman is the brother of yarden roman—gat, who was kidnapped from kibbutz be�*eri during the october 7 terror attack. yarden was released from hamas captivity after 5a days, but yarden�*s sister—in—law carmel gat is still being held by the group in gaza. gili, how are you coping? well, you just heard the reports. 0bviously, just heard the reports. obviously, it's devastating and excruciating to understand that after so many days, we are still, are citizens of a sovereign state, being held by the hands of a terrorist regime that is holding our people and not willing to let them go. on a personal level, i can tell you that my sister was released after 5a days. on the last day of her captivity, she waited for her sister—in—law carmel to come back. she thought maybe one of the other hostages would be her and in the end, she left a note saying, we love you, we are waiting for you, we will not give up on you. we thought she would be released a day or two after, but she is still there. tomorrow it will be 100 days since that node. irate tomorrow it will be 100 days since that node. ~ . , , ., that node. we have 'ust seen a icture that node. we have 'ust seen a picture of t that node. we have 'ust seen a picture of your_ that node. we have just seen a picture of your sister _ that node. we have just seen a picture of your sister yarden. l that node. we have just seen a l picture of your sister yarden. but on carmel, who you were talking about, have you had any update about that situation? the about, have you had any update about that situation?— that situation? the last update that we have received _ that situation? the last update that we have received was _ that situation? the last update that we have received was in _ that situation? the last update that we have received was in the - that situation? the last update that we have received was in the last. we have received was in the last deal. two boys who were in the same room with her described pretty harsh captivity, violent, even abusive. i obviously don't want to get into details, but we are extremely worried about carmel. every hostage has a different experience and we are afraid that she might have a very hard experience. the report that was just published by the un doesn't make it more cheerful. but we do know they told us that carmel practised yoga meditation with them to keep her mental health. the practised yoga meditation with them to keep her mental health.— to keep her mental health. the only information — to keep her mental health. the only information you _ to keep her mental health. the only information you are _ to keep her mental health. the only information you are getting - to keep her mental health. the only information you are getting from . to keep her mental health. the only| information you are getting from her is from other hostages who have been released, there is no further information?— released, there is no further information? ., ':: :: information? not in the last 100 da s. we information? not in the last 100 days. we haven't _ information? not in the last 100 days. we haven't heard - information? not in the last 100| days. we haven't heard anything. information? not in the last 100 i days. we haven't heard anything. it looks like the plight of those hostages is the bone of contention in the peace talks that are going on. how do you feel about the idea of swapping israeli hostages for palestinian prisoners? is that what should be done, is that what you are hoping will be done?— hoping will be done? three different cuestions. hoping will be done? three different questions- it — hoping will be done? three different questions. it does _ hoping will be done? three different questions. it does not _ hoping will be done? three different questions. it does not make - hoping will be done? three different questions. it does not make sense. | hoping will be done? three different| questions. it does not make sense. i hope it will be done because this is the only thing that hamas is willing to negotiate. in my eyes, it's ridiculous that hamas is putting their prisoners, convicted murderers and terrorists, on the front line, not caring about their citizens who are being hurt by their actions. they are waiting for these terrorists to be released. for me, if this is the situation, yes, we are hoping for this kind of deal to happen, but i am not satisfied with that. 0bviously, happen, but i am not satisfied with that. obviously, i don't think it makes sense, it is just the only deal on the table. the makes sense, it is 'ust the only deal on the table._ deal on the table. the israeli economy _ deal on the table. the israeli economy minister _ deal on the table. the israeli economy minister said - deal on the table. the israeli economy minister said very l deal on the table. the israeli - economy minister said very bluntly recently that the return of the hostages is not the priority for the israeli government. he said it was a priority, but not the foremost priority. with your family is part of those hostages, how does that make you feel and does he speak for the israeli government? i do make you feel and does he speak for the israeli government?— the israeli government? i do not think he speaks _ the israeli government? i do not think he speaks for— the israeli government? i do not think he speaks for the - the israeli government? i do not think he speaks for the israeli i think he speaks for the israeli government, i don't think he speaks for the israeli people. he is voicing the israeli sentiment that the israeli people care about each other. they put the life of our people is the first priority, and i think there is a vast rooted support of the hostage families on the issue of the hostage families on the issue of releasing the hostages. so i think he really firmest domain beliefs of israeli society with that declaration —— he missed the main beliefs of israeli society. but the cabinet is committed. so beliefs of israeli society. but the cabinet is committed.— beliefs of israeli society. but the cabinet is committed. so you are ha - cabinet is committed. so you are happy with _ cabinet is committed. so you are happy with what _ cabinet is committed. so you are happy with what the _ cabinet is committed. so you are happy with what the government j cabinet is committed. so you are i happy with what the government as cabinet is committed. so you are - happy with what the government as a whole is doing in terms of trying to get hostages back? you don't feel, some hostage families do, that there is a problem there? i some hostage families do, that there is a problem there?— is a problem there? i think there were us is a problem there? i think there were ups and — is a problem there? i think there were ups and downs, _ is a problem there? i think there were ups and downs, but - is a problem there? i think there i were ups and downs, but currently, i feel that our cabinet has decided to support this deal, to push for this deal. my family have been talking with several cabinet members and we feel that they are extremely committed. now we are waiting for hamas, and i am very disheartened and even surprised in a sense that hamas, untilthis and even surprised in a sense that hamas, until this day, and even surprised in a sense that hamas, untilthis day, in and even surprised in a sense that hamas, until this day, in all the harsh circumstances, have time, and they are waiting for an extension of this deal. unfortunately, i think that they are on a high horse and they have built international pressure. basically, they are monitoring every interview, every political statement, every political act so they can end up victorious without releasing the hostages, without releasing the hostages, without giving up their arms, making their promise to repeat 0ctober without giving up their arms, making their promise to repeat october the 7th again and again because they feel maybe the western world will cave and then they will pressure is well enough and they will end up victorious. , , , ., ., victorious. this is very alarming. thank you _ victorious. this is very alarming. thank you for— victorious. this is very alarming. thank you for sharing _ victorious. this is very alarming. thank you for sharing that i thank you for sharing that perspective, gili. sir mark lyall grant is a former national security adviser to the pm and permanent representative of the united kingdom to the united nations. sir mark, we have talked about what joe biden will be announcing, this new port in gaza. what is the significance of that and how does it play with these hopes of achieving a ceasefire? i’m play with these hopes of achieving a ceasefire? �* ., , , ceasefire? i'm not sure this announcement _ ceasefire? i'm not sure this announcement is _ ceasefire? i'm not sure this announcement is linked i ceasefire? i'm not sure this i announcement is linked directly, eitherfor announcement is linked directly, either for good announcement is linked directly, eitherfor good or bad, to the ceasefire talks, which will continue. they don't look as though they are going well at the moment, but obviously, the americans hope there will be some breakthrough and there will be some breakthrough and there will be a deal agreed. but it's a sign of two things. it's a sign of how desperate the humanitarian situation is in gaza and the fact that not enough aid is getting in to feed the people and some kids are now beginning to die of famine etc. secondly, it's a sign that the americans are very keen to do something that president biden wanted to have something to announce at the state of the union address this evening. this is not an ideal solution. it's going to take several weeks to build a port. but nonetheless, it is a sign that the americans want to do something to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and a sign that they think this conflict is going to go on for several months. i5 conflict is going to go on for several months.— conflict is going to go on for several months. is it not a sign that they have _ several months. is it not a sign that they have given _ several months. is it not a sign that they have given up - several months. is it not a sign that they have given up on i several months. is it not a sign that they have given up on the | that they have given up on the ceasefire?— that they have given up on the ceasefire? ~ , , ., ., ceasefire? absolutely not. the talks are still continuing. _ ceasefire? absolutely not. the talks are still continuing. the _ ceasefire? absolutely not. the talks are still continuing. the qataris i are still continuing. the qataris and egyptians are still active, but hamas has pulled out recently. israel have been semi—detached from the talks for several days. i don't rule out the possibility of something happening in the next few days before the start of ramadan. if it doesn't happen then, i think those talks will continue, because the overall shape of a truce is known in terms of exchanging hostages for prisoners, a a0 day truce, the sort of thing. everyone knows what the shape of it is, but hamas don't appear to be interested. i am not convinced that netanyahu himself is so committed to a deal. there have been some strident comments from benjamin netanyahu today. he said there is international pressure, but we need to stand together against the attempts to stop the war. he is talking about pressure from the us and the uk. ~ . talking about pressure from the us and the uk-— and the uk. what do you make of that? he has— and the uk. what do you make of that? he has set _ and the uk. what do you make of that? he has set out _ and the uk. what do you make of that? he has set out some i and the uk. what do you make of that? he has set out some clear. that? he has set out some clear military objectives right from the 7th of october. 0bviously, that was entirely legal that, 7th of october. 0bviously, that was entirely legalthat, in 7th of october. 0bviously, that was entirely legal that, in response to the atrocities that happened then. but he set out at that point clear objectives to destroy hamas completely militarily as a future threat to israel and also destroy them as a political force in gaza. he hasn't yet to achieve those aims, four months in. so i think he feels he has to continue and even if there is a pause for a0 days or some other period, i think the israeli government will insist that at the end of that pause, they will continue that military conflict. david cameron has been speaking to benny gantz, the israeli cabinet minister and antony blinken has been talking to him, the us secretary of state. does the fact they are speaking to him undermine benjamin netanyahu? what should we read into those overtures? i am netanyahu? what should we read into those overtures?— those overtures? i am not sure about that. i those overtures? i am not sure about that- i don't — those overtures? i am not sure about that. l don't think— those overtures? i am not sure about that. i don't think netanyahu - those overtures? i am not sure about that. i don't think netanyahu was i that. i don't think netanyahu was very impressed, he did not really support benny gantz going to washington and london but nonetheless, benny gantz is a member of the cabinet and there is a degree of the cabinet and there is a degree of collective responsibility there but he does take a slightly different position from benjamin netanyahu and always has on some of these issues. from the british government's point of view, it is another conduit, another vehicle to give those messages to the israeli government. d0 give those messages to the israeli government-— give those messages to the israeli government. do you think they are lookin: to government. do you think they are looking to a _ government. do you think they are looking to a post _ government. do you think they are looking to a post netanyahu i looking to a post netanyahu political future in israel looking to a post netanyahu politicalfuture in israel and they see him as a potentialfigurehead? i see him as a potential figurehead? i think everyone is looking, even in israel, to a post netanyahu future. israel, to a post netanyahu future. i don't think he has a future when the military campaign is complete. yes, benny gantz will be a player on the board at the end, as it were but there will be lots of others, too. i wouldn't want to predict whether he will emerge as a leader. but wouldn't want to predict whether he will emerge as a leader.— will emerge as a leader. but it is interesting. _ will emerge as a leader. but it is interesting, is _ will emerge as a leader. but it is interesting, is it _ will emerge as a leader. but it is interesting, is it a _ will emerge as a leader. but it is interesting, is it a problem, i will emerge as a leader. but it is interesting, is it a problem, the| interesting, is it a problem, the fact there is perceived to be no political future for benjamin netanyahu political future for benjamin neta nyahu after political future for benjamin netanyahu after the conflict, that that would prolong the conflict for who knows how long? i that would prolong the conflict for who knows how long?— that would prolong the conflict for who knows how long? i think there is a risk of that — who knows how long? i think there is a risk of that in _ who knows how long? i think there is a risk of that in netanyahu's - who knows how long? i think there is a risk of that in netanyahu's mind i a risk of that in netanyahu's mind because he knows he doesn't really have a political future. because he knows he doesn't really have a politicalfuture. he's because he knows he doesn't really have a political future. he's got no popularity left in israel and indeed is facing prison. i think from his point of view, there is a slight conflict, there but i go back to his original military objectives. having set out those military objectives at the beginning of this crisis, then he feels he has not achieved that and he has got to achieve that whilst he is still prime minister. that is why i think this conflict will continue for some months yet, evenif will continue for some months yet, even if there is a temporary pause in the next few weeks. the even if there is a temporary pause in the next few weeks.— even if there is a temporary pause in the next few weeks. the odds of a ceasefire by — in the next few weeks. the odds of a ceasefire by ramadan, _ in the next few weeks. the odds of a ceasefire by ramadan, what - in the next few weeks. the odds of a ceasefire by ramadan, what would i in the next few weeks. the odds of a l ceasefire by ramadan, what would you put it at? ceasefire by ramadan, what would you ut it at? , , ceasefire by ramadan, what would you ut it at? ,, . ceasefire by ramadan, what would you -ut it at? ,, ., ::f ceasefire by ramadan, what would you ut it at? ,, ., ::f ., put it at? less than 5096 now, unfortunately. _ put it at? less than 5096 now, unfortunately. thank - put it at? less than 5096 now, unfortunately. thank you i put it at? less than 5096 now, unfortunately. thank you for l put it at? less than 5096 now, i unfortunately. thank you forjoining unfortunately. thank you for “oining us. and sharing i unfortunately. thank you for “oining us. and sharing your i unfortunately. thank you forjoining us. and sharing your expertise i unfortunately. thank you forjoining us. and sharing your expertise with | us. and sharing your expertise with our viewers. was yesterday's budget seen by some in whitehall as a good day to bury bad news? while we were digesting the contents ofjeremy hunt's fiscal statement, the science department revealed that the taxpayer had picked up the tab for the £15,000 in damages and costs its secretary of state michele donelan had incurred for falsely accusing an academic of supporting or sympathising with hamas. but the opposition parties are not allowing it to be buried, with labour calling for ms donelan to repay the full amount from her own money. in a moment, we'll speak to one of the academic colleagues of the academic ms donelan singled out. but first here's nick on the ongoing political fallout. what is going on? well, continuing heat on michelle donelan. you'll remember that the science secretary was obliged to pay £15,000 of taxpayers' money earlier this week to an academic she had falsely accused of spreading extremist views and of being a sympathiser or supporter of hamas. today, labour described this as a "new low for ministerial standards". it called for michelle donelan to make a statement to mps. and of course, it wants her to repay the money. now the prime minister is standing by michelle donelan. and strong support from her cabinet colleague penny mordaunt who said that when donelan resigned from borisjohnson's government in 2022, she showed how mindful she is of public funds. when the honourable lady was entitled to redundancy payments from being secretary of state, she did not, which was £16,000, she did not take that and handed it back to the department because it was the right thing to do. so i would just remind people of that. i think that speaks volumes about the honourable lady's character and how much she values the fact that it is taxpayers' money that we are talking about. of course, penny mordaunt knows michelle donelan well. the future science secretary strongly supported her leadership bid in 2022. where do we go from here? i guess it is all down to labour. do they force a vote in the house of commons to deduct that £15,000 legal payment from michelle donelan's salary? in any debate, there would be questions about michelle donelan's judgment. her letter making those claims about professor kate sang prompted a formal pre—action protocol letter for libel from the academic�*s lawyers. at that point, michelle donelan alerted the government's law officers — as she is required to under the ministerial code. after that, she deleted her tweet. that payment was made to professor sang with no admission of liability. the department say the secretary of state did this to avoid further legal costs but the professor said it was a slam dunk libel. interestingly, we have had no apology from michelle donelan either. and so the big question in any parliamentary debate would be, has michelle donelan broken the ministerial code, which calls on ministers to act with "integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level"? no, say the donelan camp, who point out officials were involved in drafting her letter, and that letter was cleared by lawyers in her department. now in the last few minutes, breaking news on this that has come from the eye newspaper. this is internal documents from the department that were discussing how they should handle this. this is on they should handle this. this is on the night before the tweets, a tweet went out on the 28th of october, these are discussions going right up until midnight on the friday, the 27th, and what they show is that officials were involved, yes, a lawyer was involved, but very late, at five past nine, they are saying, have not checked it with alloys yet, at 9:3apm, have to go and find a lawyer and at 23:58pm, somebody called daniel has mentioned the changes he suggested have been incorporated and look at this, an e—mail that is sent that 11:38pm to the secretary of state which says, incorporating secretary of state firm steers as discussed. so yes, officials were involved in this but the secretary of state was heavily involved. . ~ the secretary of state was heavily involved. ., ~ , ., , the secretary of state was heavily involved. . ~' , ., , . dibyesh anand is a professor in international relations at the university of westminister and one of the members of uk research and innovation's expert advisory group 0n equality, diversity and inclusion — the body which michele donelan accused of being brought into disrepute by the social activity of two of its members. —— the social media activity of two of its members. thank you forjoining us. tell us what your view of the way michelle donelan has behaved is?— what your view of the way michelle donelan has behaved is? thank you for havin: donelan has behaved is? thank you for having here _ donelan has behaved is? thank you for having here and _ donelan has behaved is? thank you for having here and i _ donelan has behaved is? thank you for having here and i must - donelan has behaved is? thank you for having here and i must say i donelan has behaved is? thank you for having here and i must say that| for having here and i must say that i start by saying i speak for myself, not the group, i am one of the academics about ad michelle donelan's tweet and letter was preceded by something from policy exchange which had called me explicitly a radical and extremist so i started with that. when we saw that and when i heard michelle donelan speak, explicitly naming two people but remember, she had deleted the tweet but he has not retracted the tweet but he has not retracted the letter, the letter accused all of us of extremism. she used that to attack essentially all the work related to equality, diversity and inclusion. the feeling of disappointment and anger and shock, we also have to remember that the attack was on something very important in britain. we want to be afair important in britain. we want to be a fair society but to make a fair society, we need to work hard. the work of equality, diversity and inclusion is essentially to make sure we tackle the global challenges, climate change, the challenges, climate change, the challenge of ai, conflicts around the world and that is what brought all the experts into working there, and to get a minister of science to use a very ideological press release, based on very poor research, was quite disappointing. do you think she should pay back the money from her own pocket?- money from her own pocket? again, that is for her— money from her own pocket? again, that is for her to _ money from her own pocket? again, that is for her to think _ money from her own pocket? again, that is for her to think about - money from her own pocket? again, that is for her to think about with i that is for her to think about with her conscience and also the probity. but if i were her, and one has to wonder, if the statement made was not from the minister of science alone but because of her ideological view and she has explicitly repeated her ideological opposition to equality, diversity and inclusion and the like, and the fact she made and the like, and the fact she made an error, she was asking the taxpayer, me and you, basically, to pay for it, again, that is very odd but then also, what your reporter was talking about, you could see that clearly she was determined to make that attack and then using lawyers to basically justify make that attack and then using lawyers to basicallyjustify her position. in my view, personally, again, it is for her to decide but clearly her and the prime minister should look into her conduct and the way in which she has not taken responsibility for her action, which actually was quite harmful to some of us. �* , actually was quite harmful to some of us. �*, , , actually was quite harmful to some ofus. �*, , ,., ., of us. let's broaden this out to the body which — of us. let's broaden this out to the body which is _ of us. let's broaden this out to the body which is responsible - of us. let's broaden this out to the body which is responsible for i body which is responsible for spending £8 billion of public money on grants to academic organisations, and you are on the advisory committee of the body, but uk r0| were quite quick to suspend your body after the secretary of state made these accusations. do you feel a bit let down by them and their chief executive? it is a bit let down by them and their chief executive?— chief executive? it is a mix of both. i have _ chief executive? it is a mix of both. i have to _ chief executive? it is a mix of both. i have to say _ chief executive? it is a mix of both. i have to say at - chief executive? it is a mix of both. i have to say at that i chief executive? it is a mix of. both. i have to say at that point chief executive? it is a mix of- both. i have to say at that point in time, ifelt i both. i have to say at that point in time, i felt i was thrown under the bus because you are not asked and the chief executive of ukri made a statement on twitter to say she was shocked and disappointed by the comments of some of us. that is how it started. it did not feel fair. but to be fair to them and i have to say, the first two months, my social media was being investigated, and i being investigated? there was no clarity but i have to say that four or five months down the line, the outcome is something that has been satisfying. so i hope that ukri and research england have learned lessons from it because it for them to rebuild trust but we asked michelle donelan and ukri to appear but they declined. i michelle donelan and ukri to appear but they declined.— but they declined. i want to ask ou, is but they declined. i want to ask you. is it _ but they declined. i want to ask you, is it beholden _ but they declined. i want to ask you, is it beholden on - but they declined. i want to ask| you, is it beholden on academics but they declined. i want to ask i you, is it beholden on academics to be careful about what they post on social media? 0bviously, be careful about what they post on social media? obviously, there is theissue social media? obviously, there is the issue of free speech and there is no suggestion that any of you had done anything wrong on this committee but at the same time, because you are involved in a public body, should you be careful that you don't express values which are potentially at odds with the organisation? how do you think about that? i organisation? how do you think about that? ., ., , ., ., organisation? how do you think about that? ., ., ., that? i am a professor of politics and international _ that? i am a professor of politics and international relations, i i that? i am a professor of politics. and international relations, i work on islamophobia in india and other content and subjects, that is how it starts. to use my examples, policy exchange started my retweet of a post from the atlantic which is similar tojoe biden and david cameron, which is saying that the secular values in the west bank is dangerous. it is a very responsible retweet. the fact they pick that up and calls us all kinds of things tells you that basically to start with, it was a bad faith thing, and i do believe that of course we have to be responsible and speaking for myself, i am a very responsible person. if i do anything wrong, i admit guiltand person. if i do anything wrong, i admit guilt and will say sorry and move on. but what we find with the minister is, there is no sorry and that for me is the shocking thing that, the basic thing is, to say, look, i was wrong and let's move on and let's see but there is no sense of apology there. and let's see but there is no sense of apology there-— of apology there. well, i suspect the story is _ of apology there. well, i suspect the story is not _ of apology there. well, i suspect the story is not over _ of apology there. well, i suspect the story is not over but - of apology there. well, i suspect the story is not over but thank i of apology there. well, i suspect l the story is not over but thank you very much for sharing your views with us tonight. tomorrow, a multi—million pound police inquiry, known as 0peration kenova, will lift the curtain on the secret war between the british state and the ira. it's taken seven years and cost, overall, around £a0 million. at its heart is the notorious british spy codenamed stakeknife. his real name was freddie scappaticci. he died last year. but the report will also focus on the suffering of families who've lost loved ones, interrogated by the ira as suspected informers, and then, after making recorded alleged confessions, were brutally murdered with an ira bullet in the back of the head. the journalist and filmmaker peter taylor, who has covered northern ireland for decades, has made a spotlight documentary on the subject called 0ur dirty war: the british state and the ira, which will be on after newsnight. here's a taste of it. johnny dignam, a former ira prisoner, was suspected of being a british spy working for special branch. i personally can't see him working for the ruc. i couldn't believe it, knowing johnny, living with him. the ira tape—recorded each interrogation. it took me many months to get hold of the tapes that recorded their last words. he also explained how he had been recruited by special branch after admitting being an accessory to the brutal murder of a young woman called margaret perry. claire's distress mirrors the suffering of other families that stakeknife and the ira's internal security unit have left behind. in your case, you have suffered for 30 years... 31 years, 31 years. and are you still suffering from it? yes, peter, iam. after you have seen the clip, we will pause and i willjust ask you your reactions to it. my name isjohnny dignam, from portadown... 0h, is that the...? no, i don't want to hear that. oh, i don't want to hear that. the sound was too painful a memory. peter taylorjoins me now. peter, we understand that the british government is likely to be called on to apologise if this report tomorrow. just explain to the viewers why that would be, what the justification would be. the justification _ justification would be. the justification is _ justification would be. the justification is the - justification would be. tie: justification is the horror of what happens to people like claire and many other people in her position. there was no explanation to the families. the families wanted to know... interestingly, the need for an apology was never raised in my conversations with claire and others. what they wanted to know was two things. first of all, were our loved ones informers? secondly, if they were working for the british, why weren't they rescued? answering the first question is extremely difficult and there is no answer because the government can't give it because the government can't give it because of the policy of neither confirming nor denying, which is criticised as a policy in the report coming up tomorrow. and secondly,... secondly, the question is, if they were working for the british, why aren't they rescued? but the need for an apology was never mentioned. it brings back memories about the bloody sunday inquiry, when the government of the day, prime minister david cameron, did make a remarkable and full apology, which brought a degree of closure to the families. if the government were to give an apology, which i think is highly unlikely to be the kind of apology which is being asked for, because, you know, the government can't admit what it did, which the report... can't admit what it did, which the re ort. .. g , can't admit what it did, which the reort..., , ., can't admit what it did, which the reort... , .,, . ., , report... just to be clear, is the accusation _ report... just to be clear, is the accusation the _ report... just to be clear, is the accusation the british _ report... just to be clear, is the i accusation the british government played fast and loose with life in northern ireland to protect a source? is the accusation —— is that the accusation? it source? is the accusation -- is that the accusation?— the accusation? it is and there is more than _ the accusation? it is and there is more than a _ the accusation? it is and there is more than a degree _ the accusation? it is and there is more than a degree of— the accusation? it is and there is more than a degree of truth i the accusation? it is and there is more than a degree of truth in i the accusation? it is and there is| more than a degree of truth in it. so what an apology... an apology will be given of some kind by the government because it has to —— it has to come and it will be thought overfour has to come and it will be thought over four hours by the government's finest wordsmiths but it won't be the kind of apology which is required but as far as the ira is concerned or sinn fein, the republican movement, for them to make an apology is a denial of what they always said which was that they regarded this as part of, you know, "their war", regarded this as part of, you know, "theirwar", it regarded this as part of, you know, "their war", it was their counter war against the activities of british intelligence that was trying to undermine the ra. so for sinn fein to admit it will be really difficult. sinn fein will say, we are not the ira but of course, their origins were there. so you don't expect any pleasure from this tomorrow? i so you don't expect any pleasure from this tomorrow?— from this tomorrow? i wouldn't exect from this tomorrow? i wouldn't expect closure _ from this tomorrow? i wouldn't expect closure in _ from this tomorrow? i wouldn't expect closure in the _ from this tomorrow? i wouldn't expect closure in the form i from this tomorrow? i wouldn't expect closure in the form of. from this tomorrow? i wouldn't expect closure in the form of a | from this tomorrow? i wouldn't i expect closure in the form of a full apology. but it will bring some form of satisfaction to people like claire dignam and men and women in her position. claire dignam and men and women in her position-— her position. peter taylor, thank ou for her position. peter taylor, thank you for coming — her position. peter taylor, thank you for coming in _ her position. peter taylor, thank you for coming in to _ her position. peter taylor, thank you for coming in to speak- her position. peter taylor, thank you for coming in to speak to i her position. peter taylor, thank| you for coming in to speak to our audience. christian homer, the boss of the f1 team red bull, was accused by a female colleague last month of inappropriate behaviour — accusations which he has denied. we're told an internal red bull investigation cleared him, although the team hasn't released any details of the accusation or the evidence. and today it emerged the female colleague of mr horner had been suspended. asked about the controversy today in advance of the weekend's saudi arabian grand prix, mr horner said it was time to "look forward and to draw a line". but is it? or does this affair raise awkward questions about the culture within f1? joining me in the studio is emma ridgway from females in motorsport and abbie carruthers, former motorsport race driver, joins us on the line. let me start with you, emma. sorry, abbie. coveryour let me start with you, emma. sorry, abbie. cover your experience in this male dominated sport. how have you found it? i male dominated sport. how have you found it? ~ ., , ., ., ., found it? i think it has got a lot better in the — found it? i think it has got a lot better in the last _ found it? i think it has got a lot better in the last few _ found it? i think it has got a lot better in the last few years, i better in the last few years, through the works of females in motorsport, through efforts from the teams, through formula 1 themselves in launching things like the f1 academy which kicks off this weekend. it has got better, but it has come as a result of criticism of the lack of diversity, lack of women in the sport. so there has been a lot of action over the last few years as a result of that. a few years as a result of that. a few years ago, for sure, i think that would have been a very different answer. but it's clear that there are actions happening. there are people working to make a difference in the sport. so in that regard, i feel optimistic. let in the sport. so in that regard, i feel optimistic.— in the sport. so in that regard, i feel optimistic. let me bring you in, abbie. _ feel optimistic. let me bring you in, abbie. what _ feel optimistic. let me bring you in, abbie. what has _ feel optimistic. let me bring you in, abbie. what has your- feel optimistic. let me bring you i in, abbie. what has your experience been? is it similar to emma's, or different? ~ been? is it similar to emma's, or different? . been? is it similar to emma's, or different?— been? is it similar to emma's, or different? . , ., different? well, i raced karts from the aie of different? well, i raced karts from the age of ten _ different? well, i raced karts from the age of ten up _ different? well, i raced karts from the age of ten up to _ different? well, i raced karts from the age of ten up to 18. _ different? well, i raced karts from the age of ten up to 18. i'm - different? well, i raced karts from the age of ten up to 18. i'm 28 i different? well, i raced karts from. the age of ten up to 18. i'm 28 now, sol the age of ten up to 18. i'm 28 now, so i have _ the age of ten up to 18. i'm 28 now, so i have been not racing myself for ten years. _ so i have been not racing myself for ten years, but going back all those years. _ ten years, but going back all those years. i_ ten years, but going back all those years, i would ten years, but going back all those years, iwould race ten years, but going back all those years, i would race against a grid of 30 _ years, i would race against a grid of 30 karts— years, i would race against a grid of 30 karts and i would be the only female _ of 30 karts and i would be the only female al— of 30 karts and i would be the only female at most of the races. so that is one _ female at most of the races. so that is one in_ female at most of the races. so that is one in 30 — female at most of the races. so that is one in 30. and my experience has been _ is one in 30. and my experience has been the _ is one in 30. and my experience has been the odd — is one in 30. and my experience has been the odd one out among a lot of male racers — been the odd one out among a lot of male racers. they didn't treat me any differently to their fellow male competitors. they didn't get any easier— competitors. they didn't get any easier on — competitors. they didn't get any easier on me. they didn't go any harder— easier on me. they didn't go any harder on— easier on me. they didn't go any harder on me. if i beat them, it was fairand— harder on me. if i beat them, it was fairand square and harder on me. if i beat them, it was fair and square and they would shake my hand _ fair and square and they would shake my hand and say well done, just as they would — my hand and say well done, just as they would with anyone else who wasn't _ they would with anyone else who wasn't female. sol have they would with anyone else who wasn't female. so i have never they would with anyone else who wasn't female. sol have never seen any kind _ wasn't female. sol have never seen any kind of. — wasn't female. sol have never seen any kind of. i— wasn't female. sol have never seen any kind of, i wouldn't say sexism, or i didn't — any kind of, i wouldn't say sexism, or i didn't get treated any differently. the only issue i saw wasi _ differently. the only issue i saw was, why— differently. the only issue i saw was, why weren't there any more females? — was, why weren't there any more females? why was i the only one? i don't _ females? why was i the only one? i don't know— females? why was i the only one? i don't know whether it was because women _ don't know whether it was because women back thenjust didn't realise that you _ women back thenjust didn't realise that you can get into motorsport and that you can get into motorsport and that it _ that you can get into motorsport and that it is _ that you can get into motorsport and that it is for— that you can get into motorsport and that it is for both males and females _ that it is for both males and females. 50 that it is for both males and females-— that it is for both males and females. ., , ., , that it is for both males and females. ., , ., females. so would your message be to ouni females. so would your message be to young women — females. so would your message be to young women to _ females. so would your message be to young women to try — females. so would your message be to young women to try and _ females. so would your message be to young women to try and come - females. so would your message be to young women to try and come into i young women to try and come into this sport, it's a welcoming place, don't be put off?— don't be put off? absolutely. like emma said. _ don't be put off? absolutely. like emma said. in — don't be put off? absolutely. like emma said, in this _ don't be put off? absolutely. like emma said, in this generation, i emma said, in this generation, everyone — emma said, in this generation, everyone is— emma said, in this generation, everyone is doing a lot more to raise _ everyone is doing a lot more to raise awareness that women are welcome — raise awareness that women are welcome in the sport, and notjust racing _ welcome in the sport, and notjust racing themselves. there are a lot more _ racing themselves. there are a lot more women engineers in formula 1, which _ more women engineers in formula 1, which is _ more women engineers in formula 1, which is the — more women engineers in formula 1, which is the highest you can go in our sport — which is the highest you can go in our sport. there are a lot more female — our sport. there are a lot more female engineers, mechanics. you name _ female engineers, mechanics. you name it. _ female engineers, mechanics. you name it, women are welcome. it's 'ust name it, women are welcome. it's just that _ name it, women are welcome. it's just that at — name it, women are welcome. it's just that at the minute, there are not any— just that at the minute, there are not any females on the grid in f1 yet. not any females on the grid in f1 et. �* . . . .. not any females on the grid in f1 et. �* , , . ~' ., , not any females on the grid in f1 et. ., , ., yet. let's pick that up with emma. that is quite _ yet. let's pick that up with emma. that is quite a _ yet. let's pick that up with emma. that is quite a positive _ yet. let's pick that up with emma. that is quite a positive view. i yet. let's pick that up with emma. that is quite a positive view. do i that is quite a positive view. do you agree, or other more institutional things the sport could be doing encourage women in? i think it's iioin to be doing encourage women in? i think it's going to take _ be doing encourage women in? i think it's going to take a _ be doing encourage women in? i think it's going to take a long _ be doing encourage women in? i think it's going to take a long time - be doing encourage women in? i think it's going to take a long time to i it's going to take a long time to get the representations that we want and expect. there have been ways over the years in which formula 1 have tried to improve the number of women, both within the garages and on the grid as well. they have realised that it is a lot harder than they initially thought. as abbie said, it starts from karting. that means you have to start early and it takes a number of years. the formula 1 academy is an amazing as an example of how formula 1 are trying to get them into formula 1, but that will take time. a lot of those women will hopefully go through to formula four, formula 3, formula 2 and hopefully formula 1. so it is a progressive direction for the sport, although more could be done. but this red bull affair, we don't know the details of it and obviously, the allegations are denied by christian horner, but it has created some pretty off—putting headlines. do you think red bull could be helping themselves and the sport by being more transparent about what has gone on here? if he has been cleared, let's see the evidence and the explanation. the mystery is quite damaging, isn't it? i think if you don't have all the information in the statement, the weather sport is right now, the way it is so popular on social media —— the way the sport is, there are a lot of young fans who have tuned in over the last few years. they will fill in the gaps. they will look at what is not written. the statements themselves have been quite short, so it does leave an area of interpretation. any additional information wasn't verified, so it makes it difficult.— makes it difficult. would you recommend _ makes it difficult. would you recommend that _ makes it difficult. would you recommend that they - makes it difficult. would you recommend that they be i makes it difficult. would you i recommend that they be more transparent? i recommend that they be more transparent?— transparent? i think additional information _ transparent? i think additional information would _ transparent? i think additional information would probably i transparent? i think additional i information would probably stop transparent? i think additional - information would probably stop it information would probably stop it in the way they are hoping it will —— would stop. otherwise, in social media, the conversation is still going on. media, the conversation is still auoin on. �* , , media, the conversation is still auoin on. m, ., , , ., media, the conversation is still auoin on. ., , , ., ., going on. abbie, on this question of female only — going on. abbie, on this question of female only racing, _ going on. abbie, on this question of female only racing, are _ going on. abbie, on this question of female only racing, are you - going on. abbie, on this question of female only racing, are you in - female only racing, are you in favour of that or should both sexes compete on an equal playing field in motorsport? compete on an equal playing field in motorsraort?— compete on an equal playing field in motorsort? ~ ., , ., motorsport? well, we do. males and females do compete. _ motorsport? well, we do. males and females do compete. emma - motorsport? well, we do. males and i females do compete. emma mentioned the feeder_ females do compete. emma mentioned the feeder series that leads you into f1, — the feeder series that leads you into f1, which are f2, f3 and f4. women — into f1, which are f2, f3 and f4. women can— into f1, which are f2, f3 and f4. women can enter into them but it is not as_ women can enter into them but it is not as easy— women can enter into them but it is not as easy as just putting an entry form _ not as easy as just putting an entry form in _ not as easy as just putting an entry form in you — not as easy as just putting an entry form in. you have to fight for a seat _ form in. you have to fight for a seat within_ form in. you have to fight for a seat within that, and motorsport is a business — seat within that, and motorsport is a business at the end of the day. it's a _ a business at the end of the day. it's a huge — a business at the end of the day. it's a huge money business. you have to take _ it's a huge money business. you have to take a lot— it's a huge money business. you have to take a lot of money with you. you have _ to take a lot of money with you. you have to _ to take a lot of money with you. you have to have — to take a lot of money with you. you have to have sponsors backing you. so we _ have to have sponsors backing you. so we could — have to have sponsors backing you. so we could look at the sponsors, why are _ so we could look at the sponsors, why are you — so we could look at the sponsors, why are you choosing the man over the woman? — why are you choosing the man over the woman? is it on pure talent or not? _ the woman? is it on pure talent or not? and — the woman? is it on pure talent or not? and it — the woman? is it on pure talent or not? and it also comes down to,