another conservative mp crosses the floor to labour. natalie elphicke, memberfor dover, one of the hard—line voice on migration, she now sits with keir starmer. —— voices. we will get reaction. the us defence secretary confirms the white house did pause bombs that were heading to israel, over their concerns about the looming invasion of rafah. and xi xinping arrives in hungary for dinner with viktor orban, one of his closest allies in europe, who does tend to dig his heels in on policy that threatens china. a very good evening. after a weekend of disastrous results in the local elections, rishi sunak came to the commons intent on rallying his troops. but waiting for him was an ambush.

just as his mps began taking their seats behind him, one of them — the conservative natalie elphicke — crossed the floor to sit directly behind the labour leader. timed for maximum political effect, and less than two weeks after the defection of dan poulter, how the labour leader enjoyed it. if one week, a tory mp who's also a doctor says the prime minister can't be trusted with the nhs and joins labour — and the next week, the tory mp for dover, on the front line of the small boats crisis, says the prime minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins labour — what is the point of this failed government staggering on? in her statement, the dover mp said the conservatives under rishi sunak had become "a by word for incompetence and division". in 2019, the conservatives took on a manifesto that was very much centre ground.

but under rishi sunak, they'ave abandoned the centre ground and broken many election promises. meanwhile, under keir starmer, labour have changed, and i think that change is going to bring a much better future for our country, and that's why i'm so keen tojoin the labour party and play my part in bringing that important future forward. the centre ground in inverted commas. well, it didn't take long for her former colleagues to hit back — including this from steve baker ministerfor northern ireland and former chair of the european research group to which elphick had once belonged. "i have been searching in vain for a conservative mp who thinks themself to the right of natalie elphicke", he wrote. onejust quipped, "i didn't realise there was any room to her right." let's bring in been right. i should mention that there on your screen is a qr code that will take you to our latest newscast episode with chris mason. our political correspondent is with us. —— ben wright.

well, i guess plenty of raised eyebrows. one of the last people you would predicted?— would predicted? people on both sides of the _ would predicted? people on both sides of the house _ would predicted? people on both sides of the house of, _ would predicted? people on both sides of the house of, commons| would predicted? people on both . sides of the house of, commons are pretty gobsmacked. it doesn't feel like the usual deflection clearly, keir to bits to have another former conservative on his back benches, particularly one who represents the front line of the battle against this small boats issue being, there she is representing dover. keir starmer can say it is now in tune with his party's approach on the issue. untiltoday, natalie elphicke and keir starmer would've appeared to have nothing in common. she is on the right of the tory party — she was. she was a true blue brexiteer, a massive fan of borisjohnson, she

backed lose trust —— liz truss. she tried to tackle illegal migration and said the rwanda plan wasn't going to work. i think tory mps are incredulous that she is presenting herself as a champion of the centre ground, where for many, that's not where she has been until now. know, there are plenty _ where she has been until now. know, there are plenty of _ where she has been until now. know, there are plenty of things _ where she has been until now. know, there are plenty of things you - where she has been until now. know, there are plenty of things you can - there are plenty of things you can read about her point of view. ben, thank you. joining me now is lucy fisher, whitehall editor at the financial times. it just as this itjust as this sense of narrative after a difficult weekend another day where the conservative party is on the defensive. itjust feels like the defensive. itjust feels like the prime minister is not able to get on the front foot. i the prime minister is not able to get on the front foot.— get on the front foot. i think that's right _ get on the front foot. i think that's right and _ get on the front foot. i think that's right and let's - get on the front foot. i think that's right and let's not - get on the front foot. i think i that's right and let's not forget that's right and let's not forget that she's the second tory mp to defect to labour in as many weeks

after dan poulter made the leap in the last fortnight. as you say, rishi sunak and his strategy guru isaac have invited tory mps to downing street this afternoon for presentation on the general election national campaign and they had hoped to tried to get back on the front but. but it's hopes of reviving tory spirits were dashed by the very dramatic moment in which natalie elphicke crossed the floorjust moments before prime minister's questions. i think there are a lot of questions about keir starmer�*s judgment among labour mps who are very concerned that natalie elphicke's past abuse and criticisms of the labour party, her past support for her to focus —— disgraced former husband, convicted of sexual assault, and she defended him after that — and indeed, her

past suspension from parliament for a day over her attempts to influence a day over her attempts to influence a judge involved in the case against herformer husband of. a judge involved in the case against her former husband of.— a judge involved in the case against her former husband of. steve baker tweet is interesting _ her former husband of. steve baker tweet is interesting because - her former husband of. steve baker tweet is interesting because right i tweet is interesting because right now, suspended from the labour party is a former leaderjeremy corner do jeremy corbyn and his allied diane abbott. then comes natalie elphicke. she was one of the key performance of brexit. it lends itself to criticism from keir starmer within his own party that he's creating new labour too. his own party that he's creating new labourtoo. he might his own party that he's creating new labour too. he might say that there's nothing wrong with that. i wonder how people in the left feel about that. it’s wonder how people in the left feel about that. �* , ., , wonder how people in the left feel about that. �*, ., , , wonder how people in the left feel aboutthat. �*, ., , ., about that. it's not 'ust people to the left. i would _ about that. it's notjust people to the left. i would say _ about that. it's notjust people to the left. i would say there - about that. it's notjust people to the left. i would say there are - the left. i would say there are more of mainstream centrist with the labour party, people who would be very happy to be aligned with the new labour project, who are still

the muse to concern them about natalie elphicke arriving into the party. because of her past views, notjust party. because of her past views, not just on party. because of her past views, notjust on immigration, but criticising the manchester united footballer marcus rashford and his food poverty campaign. it was just last year that she wrote an article to the daily express, calling sit sir keir starmer �*s soft eve, accused labour of wanting open borders. —— mr soft. accused labour of wanting open borders. —— mrsoft. she i thinkjohn mcdonnell put it quite fitfully when he said it's all for a conversion, but he said it would stretch the generosity of even st. john the baptist. i think people are

suspicious of her motivations and what she gets out of it. she's denied that she's been offered a peerage. labour confirms that she will have this unpaid role as a sort of housing consultant for the party. that still gives her relevance after she leaves parliament. she won't be the candidate in the next election. many on the tory side are pointing out that she looked like she would lose anyway, so it's a way to remain within the political miller. lucy fisher. thank _ within the political miller. lucy fisher. thank you _ within the political miller. lucy fisher. thank you very - within the political miller. lucy fisher. thank you very much. the us defence secretary lloyd austin confirmed in a committee hearing today that a shipment of us weapons bound for israel, was paused over concerns about an israeli offensive in rafah. the shipment included 2,000—lb bombs, which the administration believes would be devastating is such densely populated spaces. israel shouldn't launch a major attack in rafah without

we've been very clear since the beginning. israel shouldn't launch a major attack in rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battle space. and again, as we have assessed the situation, we paused one shipment of high payload munitions. and again, i think we've also been very clear about the steps that we'd like to see israel take to account for and take care of those civilians before major combat takes place. that will put the focus on the europeans. in westminster this afternoon, the british prime minister was asked what the uk policy will be, given the concerns expressed by secretary austin. mr speaker, as we await the imminent israeli incursion into rafah, _ where 1.2 million people are sheltering, - including 600,000 children,

it's been reported _ that the united states has paused an arms shipment to israel. - the uk will now follow suit, won't it? - well, mr speaker, the gentleman may not realise, but the uk government doesn't itself directly provide arms or ship arms to israel. and when it comes when it comes to the situation in rafah, i've been very clear that we are deeply concerned about a full military incursion of rafah, given the devastating humanitarian impact. i've made that position and point specifically to prime minister netanyahu whenever we've spoken and will continue to urge all sides to focus on the negotiations at hand to bring about a pause in the conflict to release hostages and get more aid in. rishi sunak speaking earlier. ariel cohen is a senior fellow at the atlantic council in washington dc and previously served in the israel defense forces. good to have you with us.

these 2,500 lb bombs. what does the inventory look like if they are not being supplied? first inventory look like if they are not being summed?— inventory look like if they are not being supplied? first of all, hamas had seven months _ being supplied? first of all, hamas had seven months to _ being supplied? first of all, hamas had seven months to surrender, i being supplied? first of all, hamas had seven months to surrender, to| had seven months to surrender, to release hostages and to prevent suffering from the people of gaza. no country would suffer the heinous attack that israel suffered on the 7th of october in which 1,200 died, and 246 hostages and over 100 remains. hamas is only willing to release 30, now talking about releasing corpses instead of hostages. so the responsibility for suffering and for the israeli

incursion is on hamas. concerning the ammunition, i think the us is delivering a blow to its own credibility as an ally — notjust for israel, but for the... credibility as an ally - not 'ust for israel, but for the. . .h credibility as an ally - not 'ust for israel, but for the. .. what with the bombs — for israel, but for the. .. what with the bombs be _ for israel, but for the. .. what with the bombs be used _ for israel, but for the. .. what with the bombs be used for? _ for israel, but for the. .. what with the bombs be used for? i - for israel, but for the. .. what with the bombs be used for? ijust - for israel, but for the. .. what with | the bombs be used for? ijust want to know what they would be used for from a military man. that to know what they would be used for from a military man.— from a military man. that is a stretch! i _ from a military man. that is a stretch! i serve _ from a military man. that is a stretch! i serve something - from a military man. that is a | stretch! i serve something like from a military man. that is a - stretch! i serve something like 45 years ago. stretch! i serve something like 45 ears a . o. stretch! i serve something like 45 years ago. ok. the bombs will be used and if they are used, to destroy hamas bunkers and strongholds in this unprecedented total network that were denied to the people of gaza. it total network that were denied to the people of gaza.— the people of gaza. it must be in the people of gaza. it must be in the thinking _ the people of gaza. it must be in the thinking of _ the people of gaza. it must be in the thinking of the. .. _ the people of gaza. it must be in the thinking of the. .. the - the people of gaza. it must be in| the thinking of the. .. the tunnels were denied _ the thinking of the. .. the tunnels were denied as _ the thinking of the. .. the tunnels were denied as a _ the thinking of the. .. the tunnels were denied as a shelter - the thinking of the. .. the tunnels were denied as a shelter for - the thinking of the. .. the tunnels were denied as a shelter for the l were denied as a shelter for the people of gaza by hamas, i want to make clear. i people of gaza by hamas, i want to make clear-— make clear. i understand your osition make clear. i understand your position vis-a-vis _ make clear. i understand your position vis-a-vis hamas, - make clear. i understand your position vis-a-vis hamas, but

position vis—a—vis hamas, but presumably, a 2,000 lb bomb in an area like rafah, the most distantly possibly at a place in the world. the secretary of state said it should be used in the area like that. . _, , that. that view could be communicated - that. that view could be communicated to - that. that view could be communicated to israel| that. that view could be - communicated to israel and i'm pretty sure that israel could conduct this operation without these bombs. as to whether it's the most densely populated area, it's not. hong kong, for example. shanghai. there are tonnes of other places in the world that are more populated than... �* �* . the world that are more populated than... �* �* , ., the world that are more populated than... �* �*, ., ,, than... but it's the view of the us administration _ than... but it's the view of the us administration that _ than... but it's the view of the us administration that with - than... but it's the view of the us administration that with 1.2 - than... but it's the view of the us| administration that with 1.2 million people displaced into that area, already densely populated, it won't allow those bombs. not without some assurance that they are being moved to safety. i seem to be picking up from what you are saying that it's undermining israel's defence. is

that the point? i’m undermining israel's defence. is that the point?— undermining israel's defence. is thatthe oint? �* w ., , that the point? i'm making a broader oint. that the point? i'm making a broader point. yes. — that the point? i'm making a broader point. yes, it undermined _ that the point? i'm making a broader point. yes, it undermined israel's . point. yes, it undermined israel's defence and is capable of producing ammunition by itself. however, when us allies are looking at the us now and looking at exhibit one, stabbing israel in the back, denying ammunition . . . that's that's a strong term because he said it would _ that's a strong term because he said it would what _ that's a strong term because he said it would what is _ that's a strong term because he said it would what is necessary - that's a strong term because he said it would what is necessary to i said it would what is necessary to help israel defend itself. stabbing israel in the back?— israel in the back? stabbing israel in the back _ israel in the back? stabbing israel in the back while _ israel in the back? stabbing israel in the back while israel— israel in the back? stabbing israel in the back while israel is - israel in the back? stabbing israel in the back while israel is locked l in the back while israel is locked in the back while israel is locked in an existential conflict with a terroristjihad organisation. this is what's happening injapan, korea, taiwan, the philippines, poland, you name it. also the uk. howard was reliable the us can be in a military

confit when push comes to shove —— how reliable. confit when push comes to shove -- how reliable-— how reliable. some on the left of the democratic _ how reliable. some on the left of the democratic party _ how reliable. some on the left of the democratic party in - how reliable. some on the left of the democratic party in one - how reliable. some on the left of. the democratic party in one lesson that was probably lurched from iraq —— learned, you can't end a counterinsurgency and end a prescribed terror group by killing more people. you depend bend a mould —— ultimately on support. people question whether an operation like this in rafah will helping israel end this. i this in rafah will helping israel end this. ~ . . end this. i think this is the decision — end this. i think this is the decision of— end this. i think this is the decision of the _ end this. i think this is the decision of the israeli - end this. i think this is the - decision of the israeli government, this is the decision that the us, a band in kabul, took them six months to come up with ukraine funding and out denying funding to israel. this is how it looks. having said that, i agree with you. you can relocate the

refugees from rafah, and this is ongoing. israeljust opened the air is crushing with 100 trucks a day. that's not enough. who is crushing with 100 trucks a day. that's not enough.— that's not enough. who said? who said? you can _ that's not enough. who said? who said? you can put _ that's not enough. who said? who said? you can put 1,000 _ that's not enough. who said? who said? you can put 1,000 truck - that's not enough. who said? who. said? you can put 1,000 truck today and i was said? you can put 1,000 truck today and i was 150- _ said? you can put 1,000 truck today and i was 150. it's _ said? you can put 1,000 truck today and i was 150. it's not _ said? you can put 1,000 truck today and i was 150. it's not enough. - and i was 150. it's not enough. that's just one crossing. when you have a terrorist organisation that took its own population hostage and turned them into human shields, the easiest and fastest way to do it is to get rid of the leadership of that terrorist organisation, deny them the military capability, and that is what needs to happen.— the military capability, and that is what needs to happen. ariel, thank ou ve what needs to happen. ariel, thank you very much _ what needs to happen. ariel, thank you very much for _ what needs to happen. ariel, thank you very much for coming - what needs to happen. ariel, thank you very much for coming on the i you very much for coming on the programme. to talk. you're welcome. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other stories in the headlines.

for our uk viewers. the parents of 11 children who died from what they say were the failings of social media called on prime minister, rishi sunak, and the labour leader, sir keir starmer, to do more to protect young people online. in an open letter, they say they're disappointed by the lack of ambition shown by the regulator ofcom which has today set out its plans to force tech companies to make their platforms safer. scotland's new first minister, john swinney, was officially sworn in at the court of session in edinburgh. alongside him, kate forbes — she's returns as deputy first minister alongside him, kate forbes — she returns as deputy first minister after opting not to run against him for the snp leadership. and prince harry has celebrated the ten—year anniversary of his invictus games with a thanksgiving service at st paul's cathedral later. the duke of sussex is back in the uk to commemorate the milestone of the games for injured veterans, but it's been revealed he won't meet with the king during his visit.

you're live with abc news. you're live with bbc news. the court was in recess in manhattan today. thejudge in donald trump's hush money trial has given the former president's wednesday's off to focus on the campaign. but no escape from the evidence that we heard yesterday from the former adult film star stormy daniels. it was plastered across the front pages of the morning papers, as the cable news channel served up a breakfast buffet of carefully edited highlights. her account of that sexual encounter in 2006 were at times so salacious, the judge was forced to intervene, at one point scolding the former president, who was cursing under his breath. you see their case is totally falling apart. | they have nothing on books and records, _ and even something that should bear for a little...relationship, _ to the case, it's just. a disaster for the da. it's a disaster.

neama rahmani, former federal prosecutor, is back with us and joins us live from los angeles. great to have you back on the programme. it was a remarkable moment. i think we've heard this many times. but the idea of her sitting there opposite a former us president and setting all this out, what sort of effect do you think that had? remarkable is right. i would say extraordinary. i've never seen testimony like this when somebody is describing in great detail the scandal, the cringe worthy details of a sexual encounter with donald trump going so far as to say trump and wallonia sleep in separate rooms, describing the sexual position he was in and the fact that yet unprotected sex. i could not believe that his lawyers were not objecting and allowing that evidence to come in. . v

objecting and allowing that evidence to come in. . �*, ., ., , to come in. that's a really interesting _ to come in. that's a really interesting point - to come in. that's a really interesting point because| to come in. that's a really i interesting point because the feeling of his supporters is that this is a political hate job and even thejudge said this is a political hate job and even the judge said yesterday he was amazed the defence didn'tjump in earlier. was entirely necessary as yellow i don't think it was necessary. yellow i don't think it was necessary-— yellow i don't think it was necessa . , , ,, necessary. they are false business records and _ necessary. they are false business records and it _ necessary. they are false business records and it doesn't _ necessary. they are false business records and it doesn't matter - records and it doesn't matter whether the affair happened or not. it's how they were booked and accounted for. were they legal or hush money payment? thejudge did allow some questioning, but it really went sideways, and we for the sordid details of this affair that thejurors in the public sordid details of this affair that the jurors in the public did sordid details of this affair that thejurors in the public did not need to know. the jurors in the public did not need to know.— the jurors in the public did not need to know. , , . ., need to know. does the prosecution risk losin: need to know. does the prosecution risk losing the _ need to know. does the prosecution risk losing the thread? _ need to know. does the prosecution risk losing the thread? i _ need to know. does the prosecution risk losing the thread? i think- need to know. does the prosecution risk losing the thread? i think the i risk losing the thread? i think the defence did a fairly decentjob on rebuttal. back on the stand saying tomorrow to finish that up. does

that matter to the jury? does the salacious detail take them away from what the central point of the cake is? ., . , what the central point of the cake is? ., ., , ., , ..,, is? potentially it does -- the case. the defence _ is? potentially it does -- the case. the defence announced _ the defence announced cross—examination, like we knew they would. stormy daniels has changed her story consistently over the one and a half decades since it happened. even on the stand, she was giving inconsistent testimonies. she said she wanted her story to be told. well, your paid $130,000 not told. well, your paid $130,000 not to tell your story. we know she has a financial motive to lie, because this affair elevated her profile and she still owes the former president more than $500,000 for her failed defamation suit.— more than $500,000 for her failed defamation suit. neama, we will talk more tomorrow. _ defamation suit. neama, we will talk more tomorrow. waiting _ defamation suit. neama, we will talk more tomorrow. waiting for - defamation suit. neama, we will talk more tomorrow. waiting for his - more tomorrow. waiting for his former legal adviser, michael cohen.

chinese president xijinping is in hungary the final stage of his three—stop european tour. he hasjust arrived in budapest from serbia and will head tonight to a gala dinner hosted by the hungarian pm, viktor orban. we will hopefully bring you pictures life. we will hopefully bring you pictures live. the main talks come tomorrow after which president xi will be visiting some of the many chinese investments in hungary. it is a mutually—beneficial relationship. prime minister orban is an outspoken figure in brussels, in support of beijing's interests, at times blocking the eu's collective response to china's human rights abuses, particularly in hong kong. central europe correspondent nick thorpe's in budapest. we'll bring these pictures in if and when we get them. he has a strong rapport with the chinese president, slightly impervious to the pressure he's been under from slightly impervious to the pressure he's been underfrom european leaders, viktor orban. what do you

think will come of this visit? weill. think will come of this visit? well, hunu , think will come of this visit? well, hungry, christian, _ think will come of this visit? well, hungry, christian, already- think will come of this visit? well, hungry, christian, already has - think will come of this visit? well, hungry, christian, already has a i think will come of this visit? -ii hungry, christian, already has a lot of investment while other countries have been rather wary of dealing closely with china. basically, the hungarian foreign minister has been touring china over the years with open arms, attracting chinese investment. we have already won large chinese automobile factory, byd, under construction in hungary. 18 trade deals to be signed. just over my shoulder, you can see perhaps in the distance the red flags and people, members of the chinese community, hundreds of them here to welcome president xi here this evening. i think a chance for the chinese president to drive home that message to the whole of europe

from this very pro—chinese country. you don't need to be afraid of it and an opportunity for the hungarian prime minister to say, to show off in a way all the investment he's attracted so far.— in a way all the investment he's attracted so far. unconscious that he also has _ attracted so far. unconscious that he also has friendly _ attracted so far. unconscious that he also has friendly ties _ attracted so far. unconscious that he also has friendly ties with - he also has friendly ties with vladimir putin. —— i'm conscience. will this be a topic for conversation, do you think? hungary is the only country _ conversation, do you think? hungary is the only country of— conversation, do you think? hungary is the only country of the _ conversation, do you think? hungary is the only country of the three - is the only country of the three nations that the chinese president has visited with a direct border with ukraine. ukraine may come up in those talks, but the hungarian position is pretty similar to that of china — calling for an immediate cease—fire and talks immediately unconditional, very different from the position that other eu members and nato allies of hungary have. nick in budapest, we will keep an eye on president xi's arrival. thanks very much. most of the talk

going on tomorrow. we will take a short break and be right back after this. stay with us. hello there. it's been another pretty decent day up and down the country, but weather fronts have brought some rain to the north and west of scotland, more of a breeze here, as well. that's what we will see into tomorrow, though much of the country should continue should continue to stay dry and settled. for the rest of the week, we'll continue with these early—morning mist and fog patches which could be quite dense, but very quickly, the strong may sunshine will burn it away and most places will see sunshine throughout the afternoon. so, the rain continues to splash into the north and west of scotland through the overnight period. it will tend to become more confined to the north of scotland

by the end of the night. much of northern ireland, england and wales will be largely dry. there's a few clear spells around, but also some patchy cloud — low cloud, at that — some mist and fog developing, too. those temperatures, 8—11 celsius. so, this is the picture for thursday — high pressure sitting pretty much on top of the uk. this weather front continues to push northwards to bring more rain to northern scotland, but once again, tomorrow morning, we could see some dense mist and fog patches first thing. but very quickly, the strong may sunshine will melt it away, we should start to see widespread sunshine for england and wales, northern ireland, central and southern scotland. it looks like the rain will become confined to the far north highlands and the northern isles through the day, so turning drier there. could see up to 20 celsius or so in central and southern scotland. 19—20 for belfast, 22—23 in the warmer spots for england and wales. as we move through thursday night, it looks like it will stay dry once again. light winds, a bit of mist and fog developing here and there. still a few spits and spots of rain for the north of scotland as that

weather front loiters around. it could be a little milder as well to start friday, 9—12 celsius. friday, anotherfine—looking day, plenty of sunshine around. a bit more cloud across scotland, but even here, it should be dry, including the north of scotland. light southerly breezes, those temperatures reaching the mid—20s for the warmest spots in england and wales, up to 21 celsius for the central belt of scotland, 20 there for belfast. high pressure continues to bring fine weather into the weekend, but as it pulls away to the east, it starts to allow low pressure and weather fronts to gang up on us from the south and from the west, so it will start to turn more unsettled gradually. could see some heavy showers across scotland on saturday, warm and sunny elsewhere. could be very warm in the south on sunday — increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms, though, later on sunday.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. scotland's new first minister, john swinney, is officially sworn in at the court of session in edinburgh. a big date in scotland john swinney officially sworn in as first minister at the court of session, not long after he was back at you because putting the finishing touches to his new cabinet. most intriguing appointment among them, kate forbes was has been named today as his deputy. kate forbes who has been

named as his deputy. ms forbes, has spent more than a year as a backbench msp after losing her bid for the leadership, to the former minister hamza yousaf. she had been promised a "significant" role in the new government after opting not to run against mr swinney and will control of the economy portfolio. when this court first convened, james v was scotland's king, henry viii governed england. by those standards, this ceremony is brand—new. john ramsay swinney, to be first minister of the scottish government... mr swinney becomes just the seventh first minister since devolution in 1999. do you swear that you will well and truly serve his majesty king charles in the office of first minister of the scottish government? three times he nodded as scotland's seniorjudge administered the oaths of office. and then, with his family looking on, he put pen to parchment, making it all official. please be seated.