, pincher had. i do think there is a dancer in pincher had. i do think there is a danger in politics _ pincher had. i do think there is a danger in politics sometimes - pincher had. i do think there is a | danger in politics sometimes that people are pricey purely for their loyalty? i people are pricey purely for their lo al ? ~ ., , people are pricey purely for their loal? ~ _ loyalty? i think that is horribly obvious at _ loyalty? i think that is horribly obvious at the _ loyalty? i think that is horribly obvious at the moment. -- i loyalty? i think that is horribly l obvious at the moment. -- they loyalty? i think that is horribly - obvious at the moment. -- they are obvious at the moment. —— they are priced purely for their loyalty. any decision not to sack chris pincher immediately. it was, one must conclude, because of his loyalty to the prime minister and equally his behaviour with owen paterson when it was generally felt that the man really had to go. borisjohnson wanted to keep him beca

as pincher by name pincher by nature long before appointing him. downing street yesterday said borisjohnson appointing him. downing street yesterday said boris johnson wasn't aware of any specific allegations which would prevent him giving him that role back in february. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guestsjoining me tonight are the broadcaster and pyschotherapist lucy beresford and joe twyman, director of the polling organisation deltapoll. two more britons captured by russian forces in ukraine have been charged with being mercenaries, according to russian state media. dylan healy, a chef who was volunteering as an aid worker, had been captured at a checkpoint in april. 0n the same day, russia released a video of andrew hill in military uniform, saying he had surrendered. it comes after two other british men, shaun pinner and aiden aslin, were sentenced to death last month. joe inwood reports. andrew hill travelled to ukraine to

did you want to joke pincher by name, pincher by| joke pincher by name, pincher by nature is although why i regret it so much is nature is although why i regret it so much , ., nature is although why i regret it so much _, , ., ,., ., so much is about three years ago, there was a _ so much is about three years ago, there was a complaint _ so much is about three years ago, there was a complaint made - so much is about three years ago, l there was a complaint made against chris pincher. he apologised, it was raised with me orally. i was briefed on what had happened, and if i had my again, i would think back on it and recognise that he wasn't going to learn fulsome this and recognise that he wasn't going to learn fulsome— to learn fulsome this is about truth. to learn fulsome this is about truth- this — to learn fulsome this is about truth. this about _ to learn fulsome this is about truth. this about whether - to learn fulsome this is about. truth. this about whether people to learn fulsome this is about - truth. this about whether people who can believe what you say. we now know th

chris pincher resigned from his job _ accurate. chris pincher resigned from his job as _ accurate. chris pincher resigned from his job as deputy - accurate. chris pincher resigned from his job as deputy chief - accurate. chris pincher resigned. from his job as deputy chief whip last thursday. he has denied the misconduct allegations against him and is seeking professional medical support. number10's and is seeking professional medical support. number 10's line has changed several times since then. first, it said the prime minister was not aware of allegations involving mr pincher when he was given thejob in february. but yesterday, downing street said boris johnson was aware of some allegations that were either resolved or did not turn into a formal complaint. lord mcdonald' intervention contradicts that claim and some of borisjohnson�*s own backbenchers are exasperated. it does appear ministers of the crown have been lied to by people in downing street before being sent out onto the media. i downing street before being sent out onto the media.— onto the media. i called the dep

chris pincher, of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher. the _ of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher, the mp _ of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher, the mp for _ of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher, the mp for tamworth, and the deputy— pincher, the mp for tamworth, and the deputy chief whip, has been accused — the deputy chief whip, has been accused of bad behaviour towards two people _ accused of bad behaviour towards two people come and allegations have been made against him. under comments in the papers today that the conservative party didn't move fast enough to discipline him, given the circumstances of the allegations. he has said that she is seeking _ allegations. he has said that she is seeking medical help with the issues, — seeking medical help with the issues, and has denied some of the allegations, but certainly it is the latest _ allegations, but certainly it is the latest in — allegations, but certainly it is the latest in a — allegations, but certainly it is the latest in a series of difficult stories— latest in a series of diffic

have we heard i anything more from chris pincher himself? i anything more from chris pincher himself? , ., ., himself? i try to contact him and ut these himself? i try to contact him and put these to _ himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, _ himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, he _ himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, he has - himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, he has not - himself? i try to contact him and l put these to him, he has not come back to me on that, but we know that he has told the newspaper is that he denies all of these allegations. we heard earlier from denies all of these allegations. we heard earlierfrom him in a statement in which he said he was not thinking of resigning as an mp, he was seeking professional medical help and wanted to return to his constituency mp role as soon as possible and would cooperate with the parliamentary inquiry under way. and is the pm likely to face more questions about how he has dealt with all of this?— with all of this? absolute

yeah, i think, chris pincher, it was _ think, chris pincher, it was interesting, in that it was known in politics and in the media that there was question marks over chris pincher�*s character, he had resigned already. everybody knew there was issues with chris pincher when he was made a whip and nothing happened then. i think the real issue is borisjohnson's inability to tell a boris johnson's inability to tell a straight story and, borisjohnson's inability to tell a straight story and, yeah, i think that, with every passing day, it appears he is again failing to be straight with the electorate. that is damaging. qm. straight with the electorate. that is damaging-— straight with the electorate. that is damaging. straight with the electorate. that is damauain. ., is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am ve sor , is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry. political — is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry, political editor _ is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry, political editor of - is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry, political editor of the -

chris pincher has denied the l ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations _ ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations against _ ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations against him. - ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations against him. tonight l ago. chris pincher has denied the i allegations against him. tonight the man who one day would like to move into number ten himself sees his opponent in peril. this government is collapsing. _ opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and _ opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and the _ opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and the tory - opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and the tory cabinet | is collapsing, and the tory cabinet members — is collapsing, and the tory cabinet members have been backing boris johnson _ members have been backing boris johnson through this, the tory party is corrupted — johnson through this, the tory party is corrupted and we need notjust a change _ is corrupted and we need notjust a change at _ is corrupted and we need notjus

will you suspend chris pincher? numberl you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted — you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris _ you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris johnson - you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris johnson had - you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris johnson had not l ten insisted borisjohnson had not been wear of specific allegations about chris pincher. but a conservative mp said concerns had been raised with downing street. chris pincher was one of the conservative mps who helped boris johnson keep hisjob earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of groping emerged last night. there was considerable pressure from senior tories, for a zero tolerance approach, and tonight it was confirmed that chris pincher would be suspended from the tory party in parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said having heard that a formal complaint has been made, the prime minister has agreed that the whip should be suspended fr

by name, pincher bynature. downing street said he was not aware of any specific allegations. hundreds of people gathered in east london today, for a vigil to zara aleena, who was killed as she walked home from a night out. a silent walk was held along the route the 35—year—old would have taken in ilford last sunday. a man has been charged with her murder and will appear in court in september. the mayor of london's office says more than a million people took part in today's pride parade in the capital — making it the biggest ever. it marked the fiftieth anniversary of the very first pride march in london - in 1972. our lgbt and identity correspondent lauren moss reports. it's loud, it's proud and it's back where it all began. the pride march took to the streets of london once again, led by the gay liberation front who started it in 1972. generations came together under the rainbow flag, including 17—year—old erin and her mum, vicky, who travelled from leicestershire. i came out this year to my mum as b

, mrjohnson had laughingly referred to him as "pincher by name, pincher by nature." asked if that was true, downing street has remained silent. no denial issued. i don't think they've taken these things seriously. i think they've made decisions which they shouldn't have made. i can't believe some of the things that are in the papers today about what the prime minister may have personally been aware of before he made decisions like this. but all of politics suffers. for his part, mr pincher has this weekend said, "the stresses of the last few days, coming on top of those over the last several months have made me accept i will benefit from professional medical support." chris pinter has made clear he does not intend to resign from parliament but has agreed to stay away while the independent investigation happens. meanwhile, borisjohnson'sjudgment and the culture he oversees are both once again being questioned. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 th

there are also claims the prime minister referred to pincher by name, pincher by nature. downing street hasn't denied that. but number ten said it wasn't appropriate to stop his appointment because of unsubstantiated allegations. we've got a prime minister with no judgment who is consistently putting his own interests before the interest of the country. this is a very, very sorry saga. it's on repeat, i'm afraid, for this prime minister. there will now be an investigation into chris pincher by parliament's independent complaints scheme, but that could take months and in the meantime he remains an independent mp. nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. i'm joined from westminster by our political correspondent ione wells. speaker tell us more about what borisjohnson speaker tell us more about what boris johnson new. speaker tell us more about what borisjohnson new. i speaker tell us more about what boris johnson new.— speaker tell us more about what boris johnson new. i can revealthat boris johnson _ boris johnson new. i can revealthat boris johnson was _ boris johnson new.

as pincher by name, pincher by nature. downing street has so far not denied he's said this. i don't think they've taken these things seriously, i think they've made decisions which they shouldn't have made. i can't believe some of the things in the papers today about what the prime minister may have been personally aware of before he made decisions like this. and all of politics suffers, there is no doubt about that. it affects the reputation of us all, that's what i find so frustrating. in a statement released yesterday, chris pincher said... ..and that he was in the process of seeking that now. he said he hoped to return to his constituency duties soon but he has agreed to stay away from parliament while he's investigated by its independent complaints and grievance scheme. the russian defence ministry says its troops have gained control of the eastern ukrainian region of luhansk. moscow's forces had been encircling lysychansk, the last city in the area which is still being defended by ukraine. our correspondent sarah rai

they've spoken to a tory mp who claims he was groped twice by chris pincher. and finally, the daily star says �*lets all get hot and dirty�* with a heatwave on the way. let's begin. anne and shyama joining me this morning. the first paper we will look at is the sunday times. we hear first hand will look at is the sunday times. we hearfirst hand in will look at is the sunday times. we hear first hand in this from an alleged victim who says he is furious and shell—shocked without claims were dealt with and anne, coming straight to you. what is your reaction? we are hearing more and more claims, aren't we, today? it is not a good — more claims, aren't we, today? it 3 not a good morning to be reading the newspapers if you do not want to hear about grouping as you are enjoying your breakfast. but indeed the revelations about the case involving chris pincher, the deputy chief whip who lost his job in the tory party last week. this is one of the victims of the attack that cost chris pincher his job, the victims of the attack that cost chris pincher hisjob, ta

is pincher by name, pincher by nature. i pincher is pincher by name, pincher b nature. ~ f . by nature. i think they've made decisions they _ by nature. i think they've made decisions they shouldn't - by nature. i think they've made decisions they shouldn't have l by nature. i think they've made - decisions they shouldn't have made. i can't believe some of the things in the papers today but what the prime minister may have personally been aware of before he made decisions like this, and it affects the reputation of us all, and that's what i find so frustrating. in what i find so frustrating. in a statement — what i find so frustrating. in a statement released _ what i find so frustrating. in a statement released yesterday, chris pincher said the stresses of the last few days on top of those of the last few days on top of those of the last few days on top of those of the last few months have made him accept it would benefit from professional medical support and that he was in the process of seeking that. he said he hoped to return to his constituency duties soon but he has agreed to s

— appointment in february of chris pincher to— appointment in february of chris pincher to the deputy chief whip, eyebrows— pincher to the deputy chief whip, eyebrows were raised. when it was put to— eyebrows were raised. when it was put to the — eyebrows were raised. when it was put to the ethics committee, they couldn't— put to the ethics committee, they couldn't find any formal record or notification on chris pincher's record — notification on chris pincher's record. therefore, they couldn't do anything _ record. therefore, they couldn't do anything because everything else was 'ust a anything because everything else was just a rumour. that has clearly got to change — just a rumour. that has clearly got to change. is just a rumour. that has clearly got to chance. , , just a rumour. that has clearly got to change-— to change. is interesting that the headhnes to change. is interesting that the headlines really _ to change. is interesting that the headlines really seem _ to change. is interesting that the headlines really seem to - to change. is interesting that the headl

civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning the mp chris pincher�*s behaviour — directly contradicting the acount from downing street. i don't know, and that is news to me, that the prime minister was briefed on the specific complaint that was made, and then the outcome. a man is arrested by police in the us state of illinois after six people were shot dead at an independence day parade. a bbc investigation has found that children as young as 11 have been housed in temporary accomodation as record numbers are placed into care. 50,000 people have been put on evacuation alert as floods hit sydney for the third time this year. the world's first fully working sand battery is installed in finland, with developers calling it a major breakthrough for green energy. and england chase victory over india at edgbaston to win the fifth test. borisjohnson�*s decision to appoint chris pincher as deputy chief whip is facing further scrutiny — as a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald writes to the parliamentary standards commission

, — the whip was removed from chris pincher, who by the way is now under a formal_ pincher, who by the way is now under a formal investigation process and it is important that process is allowed — it is important that process is allowed to happen. the it is important that process is allowed to happen. the number ten ace, allowed to happen. the number ten age. formally. _ allowed to happen. the number ten age, formally, said _ allowed to happen. the number ten age, formally, said that _ allowed to happen. the number ten age, formally, said that the - allowed to happen. the number ten age, formally, said that the prime i age, formally, said that the prime minister had long before, laughingly, referred to pincher by nature, pension by nature. jokingly. it has not been denied that he has said this. i it has not been denied that he has said this. ., ., ~' , . said this. i do not think they have taken these _ said this. i do not think they have taken these things _ said this. i do not think they have taken these things seriously, - said this. i do not think they have taken these things ser

pincher in februa . . , ., ., after he promoted chris pincher in februa . . ., , february. have you turned a blind e e to february. have you turned a blind eye to sleaze. _ february. have you turned a blind eye to sleaze, prime _ february. have you turned a blind eye to sleaze, prime minister? i eye to sleaze, prime minister? number— eye to sleaze, prime minister? number 10 _ eye to sleaze, prime minister? number 10 conceded _ eye to sleaze, prime minister? number 10 conceded today - eye to sleaze, prime minister? number 10 conceded today he i eye to sleaze, prime minister? . number 10 conceded today he had known about speculation of sexual misconduct. that is a change from friday, when downing street simply said he hadn't known about any specific allegations.— said he hadn't known about any specific allegations. there were allegations _ specific allegations. there were allegations about _ specific allegations. there were allegations about chris - specific allegations. there were allegations about chris pincher| specific allegations. there were - allegations about chris

chris pincher has resigned and boris johnson wants to move on. some of his own mps are not allowing him to do so. two former ministers have written to the chief whip today saying the serious reputational damage being done to the party over this and more generally, they are calling for a new code of conduct to be imposed on conservative mps. although the prime minister would like to move on, questions are being raised about how he puts his own party in order. thank you. iain watson. the latest figures for covid—i9 in the uk show another big rise in infections in the last week — they�*re up by almost a third. our health editor hugh pym joins me now — hugh, a big jump in the numbers? that is right. this survey by the ons involves regular testing of households and is seen as the most authoritative guide. the headline is 2.3 million people in the uk had the virus last week, up 32% week on week. pretty significant but still only about half what it was in late march. scotland had the highest rate in the uk. hospital numbers, in england, this is

, _ interested in protecting chris pincher, a numberten source interested in protecting chris pincher, a number ten source on thursday— pincher, a number ten source on thursday saying that it was right that he — thursday saying that it was right that he sit down as deputy chief whip _ that he sit down as deputy chief whip but — that he sit down as deputy chief whip but has he done the kind of dignified — whip but has he done the kind of dignified and right thing that it was proper that he status of taurean p and _ was proper that he status of taurean p and i_ was proper that he status of taurean p and i think that isjust extraordinarily inappropriate way to respond _ extraordinarily inappropriate way to respond to— extraordinarily inappropriate way to respond to this and throughout these problems. _ respond to this and throughout these problems, it always seems to be that the victims _ problems, it always seems to be that the victims are not the people that are heard — the victims are not the people that are heard first, it's the political parties — are heard first, it's

these are allegations obviously but chris pincher— allegations obviously but chris pincher set it up himself is what we now know— pincher set it up himself is what we now know there's a record of this. going _ now know there's a record of this. going back— now know there's a record of this. going back to 2019, 2017 as well. the thing — going back to 2019, 2017 as well. the thing that really pushed sajid javid and — the thing that really pushed sajid javid and rishi sunak who are both serious people, they believe in integrity — serious people, they believe in integrity. remember, sajidjavid integrity. remember, sajid javid resigned — integrity. remember, sajidjavid resigned in principle when he was going _ resigned in principle when he was going to — resigned in principle when he was going to be forced to throw his aides under the bus he was chancellor and refused to do it. he resigned _ chancellor and refused to do it. he resigned his position. he's a person of principle — resigned his position. he's a person of principle and so was rishi sunak to stop _ of principle

this is chris pincher. until yesterday, hisjob was this is chris pincher. until yesterday, his job was to enforce discipline among conservative mps. but last night he resigned his government role after allegations that he had groped two men. mr chris pincher had been drinking here, a private members club in london with the conservative politicians. he admitted drinking too much and said he had embarrassed himself. we take all of these things _ he had embarrassed himself. we take all of these things incredibly - all of these things incredibly seriously. nobody... my first reaction to when i heard this last night was one of sadness but here we have again in this country. it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. the prime minister was back in downing street today, meeting new zealand's premier. will you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted borisjohnson had not been aware of specific allegations about mr pincher when he was promoted earlier this year. but a conservative mp said co

_ because, you know, chris pincher appears to— because, you know, chris pincher appears to be a very strong ally of the prime — appears to be a very strong ally of the prime minister's and defended him, the prime minister's and defended him. but _ the prime minister's and defended him. but it— the prime minister's and defended him, but it creates real uncertainty and concern — him, but it creates real uncertainty and concern about borisjohnson's political— and concern about borisjohnson's politicaljudgment. the fact that he is allowing or even causing essentially the inevitable because everyone — essentially the inevitable because everyone in westminster thinks chris pincher— everyone in westminster thinks chris pincher will— everyone in westminster thinks chris pincher will eventually have the whip _ pincher will eventually have the whip removed, he is causing that inevitable — whip removed, he is causing that inevitable kind of course of action to be _ inevitable kind of course of action to be delayed because of this ally ship _ to be delayed because of this ally sh

after having the web suspended chris pincher is now| web suspended chris pincher is now sitting as an independent mp. the behaviour of elected representatives is in the spotlight again. the number of people catching covid is on the rise again in the uk. with little testing going on — the most reliable way to find out how many people have coronavirus is from the weekly survey by the office for national statistics. and the latest estimates today suggest the numbers havejumped by almost a third in a week, to two—point—three million. our health editor hugh pym has the details. there are further sharp increases in covid infections, driven by variants of omicron known as baa and ba5 which spread more rapidly. case rates rose in all the uk's nations, with scotland still the highest. but if you look back at previous covid numbers, the latest level of infections is still less than half what it was in march, and lower than january. so where will it go from here? portugal had a big rise in infection, that is coming down, the second feature may be to do with our behaviour and interaction wi

, mrjohnson had laughingly referred to him as pincher by name, pincher by nature. so, labour�*s anneliese dodds has written to mrjohnson with an urgent question, asking, were you or senior members of your advisory team made aware of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by mr pincher prior to his appointment in the whips office? when mrjohnson set out on his recent trip abroad, his party had just lost two by—elections. he may have been hoping on his return to find questions about his leadership fading. instead, he faces new ones. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. let�*s speak to our political correspondent ben wright who�*s in westminster. what has been said among mps at westminster in all of this? tori; westminster in all of this? tory mps, who _ westminster in all of this? tory mps, who i _ westminster in all of this? tory mps, who i think _ westminster in all of this? tory mps, who | think | _ westminster in all of this? tory mps, who i think i hoped - westminster in all of this? trr�*j.’ mps, who i think i hoped they westminster in all of

mrjohnson used to refer to him as pincher by name, pinch are by nature. mr pincher has apologised for what has happened last week, says he is seeking medical attention and hopes to be back in hisjob as and hopes to be back in hisjob as an mp. and hopes to be back in his 'ob as an mp. ., and hopes to be back in his 'ob as an mp. . ,., ., and hopes to be back in his 'ob as anmp. . ., ., ~ an mp. damian grammaticas, thank ou. the chief executive of the uk health security agency, damejenny harries, has warned that the number of people being admitted to hospital with covid is expected to rise again. the latest uk figures show that infectionsjumped by more than 0.5 million in a week. our health editor hugh pym is here with the latest. huw, today we've had a warning from a senior official that we are in a new covid wave and the numbers will continue rising from here. let's look back at the trend for community infections charted by the weekly office for national statistics survey. this suggests that 2.3 million people had the virus in the week tojune 24th, compar

yeah, and ifelt sorry had been made against chris pincher. yeah, and i felt sorry for therese coffey today because she was sent out into the firing line to try and defend member of the government that she was not the one who appointed him. but i think it's important for the viewer to understand there is a huge difference between hearing allegation to get someone and then being able to prove the allegations and prove them to the satisfaction of the lawyers. so what i think what you were sitting across a piece todayis you were sitting across a piece today is lots ofjournalists who known about this allegations against chris pincher and probably failed as a no half a dozen of my colleagues have to stand them up and are now having a licence to try and at least print some of it. but like i said, chris pincher is the fifth or sixth conservative mp in the last few months you have been taken off a roll or reside over sexual misconduct. and i think by the weight notjust the conservatives. the snp in labour party have both had similar cases the last yea

reporter: will you i suspend chris pincher? it's been claimed downing street was warned about mr pincher�*s behaviour before he was given a governmentjob. number ten insisted borisjohnson had not been made aware of specific allegations. chris pincher was one of the conservative mps who helped borisjohnson keep hisjob earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of groping emerged last night, there was considerable pressure from senior tories for a zero tolerance approach, and tonight it was confirmed that mr pincher would be suspended from the tory party in parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said... the right thing has happened. what i think is sad is that it took all day for borisjohnson to show any leadership and borisjohnson has now decided that the best thing for borisjohnson is for chris pincher to lose the whip. but some parliamentary staff have raised concerns about general allegations not being taken seriously enough. henry and angus both work for mps.

have we learnt anything more from chris pincher himself? i tried to contact him and i put these to him. he hasn't come back to me on that but we know he has told the newspapers that he denies all of these allegations. we did hear a little bit earlier from him in a statement in which he said that he wasn't thinking of resigning as an mp, he was seeking professional medical help and wanted to return to his constituency mp role as soon as possible and would help with the parliamentary inquiry that is now under way. president biden has warned that states passing strict anti—abortion laws will try to jail women who choose to travel to get abortions. and he promised the federal government will act to protect women's rights to travel. he was speaking at a virtual meeting with democratic state governors. extremist governors try to stop a woman from travelling to a state that prohibits her from seeking the medical help she needs to state that provides eye care, the federal government will act to protect her bedrock rights to the attorney generalï¿

, when mr pincher was a foreign office minister. this morning the former civil servant published his letter, alongside a tweet saying "this morning i have written to the parliamentary commissioner for standards — because number 10 keep changing their story and are still not telling the truth." sir simon mcdonald was asked on the today programme this mornig how the information he provided about chris pincher reached boris johnson. i briefed the relevant senior official in the cabinet office. you will understand that such complaints about ministers are very rare, very sensitive. they are dealt with at the very top level, and so i had the help and support of the cabinet office through the investigation. and are you convinced, are you sure, that the cabinet office, in person, told mrjohnson about it? i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person because that official told me so at the time. so there's no question in your mind that mrjohnson knew in person, had been told in person about what happened at the forei

mr pincher has denied those claims. sir roger gale, a conservative mp and a critic of mrjohnson, said there had been concerns within government about mr pincher�*s appointment. but i know that there was a certain concern expressed within the whip's office at the time, that this was a very risky appointment — shall we say? — and at least one whip who i know to be a thoroughly honourable and decent man, appears to have resigned as a result of that. so it is a matter of, i think, very grave concern, and it's a matter that has to be addressed yet again by the conservative party. prime minister and as leader of the party, will perhaps look at this and say this is his critics and his opponents scrabbling around trying to find another way to get him out, having failed in the confidence vote just a matter of weeks ago. well, first of all, the confidence vote was not an orchestrated attempt to get the prime minister out. i can't speak for anybody else — i put my letter in 18 months ago, long before partygate was a gleam

will you suspend chris pincher? ~ , ., pincher? as you can hear there, reporters _ pincher? as you can hear there, reporters perhaps _ pincher? as you can hear there, reporters perhaps slightly - pincher? as you can hear there, reporters perhaps slightly less i reporters perhaps slightly less interested in the meeting between borisjohnson and the prime minister of new zealand, jacinda ahern and more interested in the resignation of chris pincher. we thought we would bring you those pictures to keep you up dated. let�*s get more now on the ceremony that�*s taken place in hong kong to mark 25 years since the end of british colonial rule in hong kong. the chinese president, xijinping, led the commemorations and in his speech said true democracy began after the territory was handed back to china. britain and the us have accused beijing of failing to live up to the promises it made in 1997 to respect hong kong�*s freedoms. lord chris patten was the last governor of hong kong and was at the handover ceremony in 1997. he spoke to my colleague annita mcveigh earlier and reflec

chris pincher worked hard to keep borisjohnson in office during partygate. he became deputy chief whip in february and was responsible for party discipline. but his own lack of discipline on wednesday led to this letter of resignation on thursday. chris pincher was said by witnesses to be drinking heavily at a reception at this conservative private members' club in central london. the more serious allegation that came to light is that he groped two men. downing street does not believe that further action is necessary following the resignation and he can continue as mp but critics say he should be shown the door. government ministers insist the allegations are being taken seriously. all i want to say and i want to stress this, is we take all of these things incredibly seriously. my first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again in this position. it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. questions have been raised here at westminste

reporter: will you i suspend chris pincher? it's been claimed downing street was warned about mr pincher�*s behaviour before he was given a governmentjob. number ten insisted borisjohnson had not been made aware of specific allegations. chris pincher was one of the conservative mps who helped borisjohnson keep his job earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of groping emerged last night, there was considerable pressure from senior tories for a zero tolerance approach, and tonight it was confirmed that mr pincher would be suspended from the tory party in parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said... the right thing has happened. what i think is sad is that it took all day for borisjohnson to show any leadership and borisjohnson has now decided that the best thing for borisjohnson is for chris pincher to lose the whip. but some parliamentary staff have raised concerns about general allegations not being taken seriously enough. henry and angus both work for mps

by name, pincher by nature. the prime minister �*s spokesman said it was not deemed acceptable to stop mr pincher getting his whips office role because of unsubstantiated allegations but i think this will raise more questions for the prime minister and for downing street about hisjudgment in putting mr pincher into that role. some tory mps i have been speaking to this morning are deeply uncomfortable with this story and what it says about the judgment of the prime minister. about the 'udgment of the prime minister. . ~ about the 'udgment of the prime minister. ., ~ , ., firefighters in bedford are tackling a large blaze at a block of flats following a gas explosion. bedfordshire fire and rescue service described the blaze at three storey block of 20 flats, as a "major incident". adam fisher, a sales worker whose office is nearby, said he heard a "huge explosion" before witnessing "an inferno". two people who have been taken to hospital, one with serious injuries. protesters have been targeting motorways in wal

is an arch borisjohnson this because mr pincher is an arch boris johnson loyalist, this because mr pincher is an arch borisjohnson loyalist, do you think there are double standards at play here? i there are double standards at play here? ., �* ~ ., ., there are double standards at play here? ~ ., ., , here? i don't know about double standards. _ here? i don't know about double standards, it _ here? i don't know about double standards, it may _ here? i don't know about double standards, it may well— here? i don't know about double standards, it may well be - here? i don't know about double standards, it may well be that i here? i don't know about double | standards, it may well be that mr pincher was dealt different because he was seen as a chief ally and he was deputy chief whip and whips have an important place in this investigation, but i think it is downing street reacting slowly and cat candidly, as it has a tends to do, it sees itsjob is getting to the weekend and not much beyond that. we the weekend and not much beyond that. ~ ., ~' the weekend and not much beyond that. ~ ., ~ .,

i do not behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think— behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think anyone _ behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think anyone disputed - behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think anyone disputed that | i do not think anyone disputed that it was inappropriate what took place but it did not trip wire or meat threshold for any formal action either under the foreign office's complaints or disciplinary process or indeed under the ministerial code at cabinet office level. so or indeed under the ministerial code at cabinet office level.— at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, — at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did _ at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did the _ at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did the prime _ at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did the prime minister. about this, did the prime minister know? i about this, did the prime minister know? ,., ., know? i reported it to the chief whi i , know? i reported it to the chief whip. which — know? i

chris pincher resigned from hisjob as deputy chief whip last thursday. he has denied the misconduct allegations against him and is seeking professional medical support. number ten's line has changed several times since then. first, it said the prime minister was not aware of allegations involving mr pincher when he was given thejob in february. but yesterday, downing street said borisjohnson was aware of some allegations that were either resolved or did not turn into a formal complaint. lord mcdonald's intervention contradicts that claim and some of borisjohnson�*s own backbenchers are exasperated. it does appear that ministers of the crown have been lied to by people in downing street before being sent out onto the media. i call the deputy- leader, angela ranger. in the commons this lunchtime, labour said this was all about borisjohnson�*s judgment. what message, mr speaker, does this send about the standards of this government and what they set? what message does this send to the british people facing a cost—of—living crisis while their governm

the conservative mp chris pincher, who is under investigation for allegedly groping two men, said he is seeking professional medical support and hopes to return to his duties as an mp as soon as possible. hundreds of people have gathered in east london at a vigil dedicated to zara aleena, who was killed as she walked home from a night out. two more britons captured by russian forces in ukraine have have been charged with being mercenaries, according to russian state media. and more than a million people are gathering on the streets of london for pride as the lgbt plus community marks 50 years since the first march. good evening. there are warnings of further disruption for air travellers this summer with more flights expected to be cancelled in the coming days, including at heathrow, britain's busiest airport. airlines look set to change their schedules as the busy school holiday period begins — british airways said it would help provide certainty to customers. our business reporter, noor nanji, has more. after big queues at airports this summer, warnings of more disruption, with a

., ~ pincher? i think it was a mistake and i apologise _ pincher? i think it was a mistake and i apologise for— pincher? i think it was a mistake and i apologise for it. _ pincher? i think it was a mistake and i apologise for it. in - and i apologise for it. in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do. i apologise to everyone who's been badly affected by it, and i just want to make absolutely clear that there is no place in this government for anybody who is predatory or abuses their position of power. did predatory or abuses their position of ower. , _, ., ., predatory or abuses their position of ower. , ., ., of power. did you want to 'oke i would hope i of power. did you want to 'oke i would hope enter�* of power. did you want to 'oke i would hope enter by fl of power. did you want to joke i would hope enter by name, - of power. did you want to joke i i would hope enter by name, pinch of power. did you want to joke i - would hope enter by name, pinch or by nature"?— by nature"? one of the reasons i recret by nature"? one of the reasons i re

wasn't just this particular matter that chris pincher incident... people coming out, representing the government, telling the public things that when it turns out the facts emerge, the explanation is untrue. ~ ., facts emerge, the explanation is untrue. ~ . ., ., facts emerge, the explanation is untrue. . ., ., untrue. what about the role of the former senior _ untrue. what about the role of the former senior civil _ untrue. what about the role of the former senior civil servant, - untrue. what about the role of the former senior civil servant, simon | former senior civil servant, simon mcdonald, who has questioned downing street's account of what has happened and said effectively that it's untrue? it's very unusual to have a senior official speak out like this. was he duty—bound to do so, do you think? i like this. was he duty-bound to do so, do you think?— so, do you think? i think he was. you're right _ so, do you think? i think he was. you're right to _ so, do you think? i think he was. you're right to say _ so, do you think? i think he was.

— party seems to be to protect chris pincher and he was seen as someone who is— pincher and he was seen as someone who is very— pincher and he was seen as someone who is very loyal to borisjohnson that's— who is very loyal to borisjohnson that's possibly why he was chosen for this— that's possibly why he was chosen for this role even though it seems like it— for this role even though it seems like it was— for this role even though it seems like it was totally inappropriate that he — like it was totally inappropriate that he be in charge of mps discipline as well as mps welfare and they— discipline as well as mps welfare and they become too slow to remove the tory— and they become too slow to remove the tory whip from them last week of the tory whip from them last week of the allegations came out on thursday and i the allegations came out on thursday and i think— the allegations came out on thursday and i think it should been obvious to most— and i think it should been obvious to most people that he should be suspended as a tory mp but it wasn't until the _ suspended

by name, pincher by nature." that's the important thing. that's the final straw, isn't it? and i think what seems to have happened — to me — is that over the past months or so, the press has probably been as a whole... i hate to say "the press", but manyjournalists have probably been too supine, whereas actually they are now doing theirjob at least, and you would hope they would do that of prime ministers and politicians of all stripes rather than just the ones that they don't particularly like. and actually, now, we have a prime minister that they are holding, or trying to hold, to account. and i should say that line that you allude to, keir starmer asked the prime minister about that in prime minister's questions — he said, "yes or no, did you say it?" and the prime minister declined to give a yes or no answer. james, you began this section of the programme saying that the system needed to change. in different ways, joey, michael and jane have made a case that perhaps the media is functioning reasonably w