welcome to bbc news. let me take you through the main headlines. slovakia's prime minister is in a life—threatening condition. the ministry says it was an assassination attempt. this was the moment the alleged attacker was apprehended and arrested at the scene, with reports saying the prime minister was it several times. the president has expressed her shock and horror. let me show you the latest live pictures from the scene. investors try to work out why it happened and what happened. he will

continue to bring more action live here on this programme. welcome if you have just welcome if you havejustjoined us. let us stay without breaking news from slovakia. let me take you through what has happened. an assassination attempt has been made on the prime minister of slovakia, robert fico. he has been shot and badly injured in this afternoon. these are the pictures of the immediate aftermath, with the prime minister being carried into the car. his official facebook page says he was shot several times. from a different angle, we can see a man being arrested by people who appear to be officers. we still don't know very much about the man. it's been reported he's a 71, but other than that, no real detail about that man.

a government say the prime minister is in a life—threatening condition. these are the pictures of him being rushed to a helicopter for treatment. those of the crucial pictures in terms of the timeline and the key details of what has happened through the course of this afternoon. let's head back to the capital and talk to bethany bell. bethany, we talked before about any update on the prime minister — none this far, but start with giving us a sense of the shock, what people have been telling you since you have been there. it’s been telling you since you have been there. �* , . been telling you since you have been there. �*, ., ., ., , , , ., there. it's an enormous sense of shock. there. it's an enormous sense of shock- one _ there. it's an enormous sense of shock. one man _ there. it's an enormous sense of shock. one man told _ there. it's an enormous sense of shock. one man told me - there. it's an enormous sense of shock. one man told me things. there. it's an enormous sense of i shock. one man told me things like this just don't shock. one man told me things like thisjust don't happen shock. one man told me things like this just don't happen in slovakia. the idea that a prime minister who was out greeting people in a central town here could be shot. we had

witnesses saying how they heard what they thought were fire croppers and realise they were gunshots that hit the prime minister several times. he was taken bumbled into a car, taken into a near nearby hospital, airlifted to another hospital where he is being treated. we had unconfirmed reports that those injuries or to his abdomen, arm and leg. he's unconfirmed and we're still very much in the dark as well about who the shooter was. we see those pictures of this man said to be 71 years old, wearing what seems to be a blue short, but really at the moment, a very early stage in this investigation. very much condemned by people across the political spectrum here. you heard

from slovakia's president, saying this was not only an attack on mr fico is a person, it was an attack on democracy. she condemned this and said that the police were doing their best to get to the bottom of what happened to.— their best to get to the bottom of what happened to. bethany their life for us in bratislava, _ what happened to. bethany their life for us in bratislava, thanks - what happened to. bethany their life for us in bratislava, thanks very - for us in bratislava, thanks very much. i'll return to you in a little while, but thanks for that update. continuous updates on that breaking news available on the bbc website. the latest analysis, live accounts and various contributors, the former prime ministers that will be speaking to all of that there in the updated copy for our correspondents. just there on the right—hand side of the screen, the qr code, so if you

click that, that will take you to the life page. we will return to that story that is absolutely dominating here on today's verified. i am going to pausejust briefly because i'm going to head to salford and catch up with the days sporting headlines in there for us this evening is will parry. good evening. celtic will be crowned scottish premiership champions for the 54th time later if they avoid defeat at kilmarnock. rangers came from 2—0 down last night to beat dundee and postpone the seemingly inevitable. rangers are three points behind celtic with one game to play and an inferior goal difference. if celtic don't get the point they need tonight, they'll have another chance against st mirren on saturday. there are two big games in terms of european qualification in the premier league tonight. chelsea have their eyes on the europa league next season. mauricio pochetino's side are looking to make it four wins in a row as they go to brighton.

and the battle for sixth place continues at old trafford where newcastle, who currently occupy that position, take on manchester united, who are just three points and two places below them with two games still to play. is clear, it's a very important game. look at the ranking. so it's very important to get the win. we have to put everything in it and we have to put everything in it and we have to put everything in it and we have to fight hard for it. massive fixture for both teams and i think it's _ massive fixture for both teams and i think it's coming to the end of a long _ think it's coming to the end of a long season for both clubs. as always. — long season for both clubs. as always. i— long season for both clubs. as always, i can only talk about us. we're _ always, i can only talk about us. we're desperate to do well, to finish — we're desperate to do well, to finish as— we're desperate to do well, to finish as high as we can. we know european — finish as high as we can. we know european competition is sort of... it's european competition is sort of... it's there — european competition is sort of... it's there but it can also be a long way away — it's there but it can also be a long way away. we'll do everything we can to try— way away. we'll do everything we can to try and _ way away. we'll do everything we can to try and win. title race tonight?

will there be another dramatic twist in the women's super league title race tonight? chelsea thought their season was over a couple of weeks ago, but they now find themselves in a position where they can top of the table on goal difference if they beat tottenham later which is their game in hand on the leaders manchester city and is live on bbc four. emma hayes's side go to manchester united on the final day with city at aston villa. matthew, that's all the sport for now. more for you later. will, thank you very much. as promised, straight back to slovakia. prime minister robert fico has been shot and badly injured. the incident happened earlier this afternoon. we were listening to eyewitnesses who were listening to eyewitnesses who were there in the square. it was a small town to the east of the country. they had gathered there to see the prime minister at the event. he had gone into a building and a

little crowd had developed outside, and the eyewitness just described what she saw and what she heard. translation: we what she saw and what she heard. translation:— what she saw and what she heard. translation: ~ ., , ., ~ ., , translation: we went to shake hands with mr fico. translation: we went to shake hands with mr fic0- i— translation: we went to shake hands with mr fico. i was _ translation: we went to shake hands with mr fico. i was taking _ translation: we went to shake hands with mr fico. i was taking pictures - with mr fico. i was taking pictures of him _ with mr fico. i was taking pictures of him when we walked out. we are waiting _ of him when we walked out. we are waiting for— of him when we walked out. we are waiting for a — of him when we walked out. we are waiting for a long time. we were excited, — waiting for a long time. we were excited, we wanted to shake his hand, _ excited, we wanted to shake his hand. even_ excited, we wanted to shake his hand, even one man next to me. at this moment, — hand, even one man next to me. at this moment, we had something iikem _ this moment, we had something iikem we — this moment, we had something like... we thought somebody had made a joke _ like... we thought somebody had made a joke and _ like... we thought somebody had made a joke and threw a firecracker. that was my— a joke and threw a firecracker. that was my first — a joke and threw a firecracker. that was my first reaction. i heard three shots _ was my first reaction. i heard three shots it— was my first reaction. i heard three shots it was— was my first reaction. i heard three shots. it was one by one on the ground~ — shots. it was one by one on the ground. yes, i saw scott on his head. — ground. yes, i saw scott on his head. that _ ground. yes, i saw scott on his head, that he fell to the barrier. i think— head, that he fell to the barrier. i think it's — head, that he fell to the barrier. i think it's a — head, that he fell to the barrier. i think it's a nightmare —— i saw a scratch — think it's a nightmare —— i saw a scratch i— think it's a nightmare —— i saw a scratch. i don't think i will wake up. scratch. i don't think i will wake on this — scratch. i don't think i will wake on this is — scratch. i don't think i will wake up. this is not possible it's ceiestia _ up. this is not possible it's celestia— up. this is not possible it's celestia. �*, , ., celestia. let's bring in paul moss. let's ick celestia. let's bring in paul moss. let's pick on _ celestia. let's bring in paul moss. let's pick on on — celestia. let's bring in paul moss. let's pick up on that _ celestia. let's bring in paul moss. let's pick up on that final - celestia. let's bring in paul moss. let's pick up on that final thought| let's pick up on that final thought because as you set down, that was almost a thought that you mentioned

to me, that the overriding feeling when you listen to people talking about this, whether it's politicians, whether it's journalists, members of the public thatis journalists, members of the public that is that they're startled that something like this happen where it happened. the although i'm struck innocence by a contrast which i'm sure is there. we heard bethany bell saying we should talk to people on the street. this kind of thing doesn't happen in a vacuum. i doesn't happen in a vacuum. i understand that because it has been a peaceful country —— doesn't happen in slovakia. murder is very rare and there are very strict rules about gun ownership. at the same time, politically, things have been divided, polarise, and i know we use that word a lot about countries of the world, particularly in europe at the world, particularly in europe at the moment. but slovakia has been particularly badly polarised. i'm struck by the words of your guest earlier, the former adviser to a politician, and he said this is not a surprise. this is been a long time

coming, he said, that the divisiveness of the politics has produced this kind of atmosphere. he said it was a wake—up call. he also mentioned that other politicians including the president have received death threats. obviously, in the instant moment this happens, it is of course a shock, but at the same time, other people are saying they warned you. we've seen warnings in other countries. i they warned you. we've seen warnings in other countries.— in other countries. i thought what was interesting, _ in other countries. i thought what was interesting, not _ in other countries. i thought what was interesting, not just - in other countries. i thought what was interesting, not just that - in other countries. i thought what was interesting, notjust that he l was interesting, notjust that he had a sense of how bad the divide was, but he was viewing this as a warning sign for the rest of europe and the sorts of divisions and directions we're seeing in many different countries, notjust in slovakia. different countries, not 'ust in slovakia. �* �* , v different countries, not 'ust in slovakia. �* , �*, ., slovakia. and i'm sure he's not alone and _ slovakia. and i'm sure he's not alone and i'm _ slovakia. and i'm sure he's not alone and i'm sure _ slovakia. and i'm sure he's not alone and i'm sure - _ slovakia. and i'm sure he's not alone and i'm sure - and - slovakia. and i'm sure he's not - alone and i'm sure - and obviously, alone and i'm sure — and obviously, this warning has been issued even before today's shooting that people feel politics in europe and

elsewhere has become more polarised. you could say slovakia is a microcosm of the division we see elsewhere. pro—and anti—russia, anti—european union, western leaning, russia leaning. also immigration, which is an issue that divides people bitterly across europe. robert fico is thought of as very anti—immigrant, at one point saying he doesn't want a single muslim immigrant coming to the country. taking a very firm line. other more liberal dispositions would be more angry at that. just one example of the division. i’iiii one example of the division. i'll come back to relations with russia and his views. but ijust wanted to perhaps tilt to why it resonates with slovakian �*s, i suppose it underlines the sort of threats and

dangers all of them are exposed to, because this was a straightforward public engagement. you see any number of politicians doing exactly the same things. it is worrying on that sense, and he particularly liked these sorts of gatherings. this is exactly what strikes me. you have a contradiction on the one hand, that we are in a more polarised world. you might expect them to seek more protection than they ever had. but there is also pressure on them to be this populist getting out and meeting people kind of person. robert fi very much stood for reelection, getting out there and getting a glad hand in the public in the middle of slovakia. that's exactly what politicians like him want. but it clearly exposes them. you can't go around surrounded

by ten bodyguards if you want to be the man of the people. you have to look like other people. but politicians in the end are not like other people. they provoke a lot of anger and, as we see, this may be the result today. i anger and, as we see, this may be the result today.— the result today. i mentioned russia, the result today. i mentioned russia. and _ the result today. i mentioned russia, and you _ the result today. i mentioned russia, and you took - the result today. i mentioned russia, and you took us - the result today. i mentioned i russia, and you took us through earlier about his comments and policy on ukraine and the war. vladimir putin has put out a line in the last 20 minutes or so condemning the last 20 minutes or so condemning the attack. another russian mp put out a line saying they saw this as some sort of attack on slow russia relations of. some sort of attack on slow russia relations ot— some sort of attack on slow russia relations of-— some sort of attack on slow russia relations of. russian bloggers have not wasted any _ relations of. russian bloggers have not wasted any time _ relations of. russian bloggers have not wasted any time and _ relations of. russian bloggers have not wasted any time and saying - relations of. russian bloggers have| not wasted any time and saying who they think caused this. literally within an hour, the web was full of posts from people blaming either ukraine — obviously no evidence

whatsoever — but because robert fico wanted to stop sending weapons there, people said ukraine did it. alexander dugan, very well—known ultranationalist blogger, said the shooting of fico was another strike for the west. that gives you an idea of people immediately trying to use this. i noticed that all of the condemnation came in the russian ambassador to slovakia condemning the act of violence from man name igor, but he hoped for the necessity of the punishment of the perpetrator. he already has that in mind. �* , perpetrator. he already has that in mind. �*, . ,, ., mind. let's turn back to the condition — mind. let's turn back to the condition of _ mind. let's turn back to the condition of the _ mind. let's turn back to the condition of the prime - mind. let's turn back to the i condition of the prime minister because those pictures we were seeing earlier as he's whisked away onto the helicopter, then with all of those emergency workers around him, the paramedics. there they are

on the screen. alarming pictures. indeed. ., ., ., . ,, i. indeed. you are tracking where you thou . ht indeed. you are tracking where you thought the — indeed. you are tracking where you thought the prime _ indeed. you are tracking where you thought the prime minister - indeed. you are tracking where you thought the prime minister was - indeed. you are tracking where you i thought the prime minister was going to go, where he eventually went, what they originally said, what they change the line to. just remind people about how in the early minutes information was certainly changing. minutes information was certainly chan . in . , changing. indeed, the first information _ changing. indeed, the first information seemed - changing. indeed, the first information seemed to - changing. indeed, the first - information seemed to suggest this wasn't so serious and they said robert fico would be taken to the capital bratislava. they then took to afar mirror town because of the urgency of the treatment he required, and that was the first we that this was definitely more serious than i initially thought. then there were reports of multiple gunshot wounds. we've had contradictory reports. it seems certain that several shots were fired. one consistent thing is that

mr fico was shot in the abdomen. i have also heard people claiming he was shot in the arm as well. one report was he's shot in the head. either way, we are told he required vascular surgery. when people are shot, the most immediate first aid is to stop blood loss, which is usually the most common way of dying after being shot. there was damage to blood vessels and we saw him, that's what got him rushed to the scene and taken so quickly to the nearby hospital rather than for the more specialised treatment in the capital. it more specialised treatment in the caital. ,. . , , more specialised treatment in the caital. ,. ._ i, capital. it is clearly very serious. i don't capital. it is clearly very serious. i don't think— capital. it is clearly very serious. i don't think it's _ capital. it is clearly very serious. i don't think it's any _ capital. it is clearly very serious. i don't think it's any surprise - capital. it is clearly very serious. | i don't think it's any surprise that there is not been an update from the hospital because the number of hours, one assumes all the surgery you're talking about. in terms of the political reaction, a number of contributors saying they're watching very closely how those political parties respond in the coming hours

because that will tell you a lot about how perhaps this will be viewed, whether it brings people together, divides them even further. i think you say that very clearly. it's two very opposite possibilities. in one sense, we can say it brought people together. the president of slovakia, zuzana caputova, very much a political enemy and at the other end of the spectrum, she immediately said she was shocked by this brutal and reckless attack. in that sense, it brings people together. but clearly, the aftermath, whatever happens to robert fico is i imagine the possibility of division. look at those bloggers wasting no time casting blame on the west and ukraine. this is the sort of thing

that happens in a modern social media age. ifear that that happens in a modern social media age. i fear that the that happens in a modern social media age. ifear that the kind of divisive politics which we heard mr nich talking about earlier, we will probably see more.— nich talking about earlier, we will probably see more. paul, stay with me. let probably see more. paul, stay with me- let me — probably see more. paul, stay with me. let me bring _ probably see more. paul, stay with me. let me bring in _ probably see more. paul, stay with me. let me bring in alayna - probably see more. paul, stay with i me. let me bring in alayna consova, vice president for policy and programming ata vice president for policy and programming at a global think tank based in bratislava. thank you for being here on the programme. in terms of what we've seen today, obvious shock there in the country. are you hearing any new details? is there anything emerging from the government, from the hospital in terms of where we are with this, the condition of the prime minister, or anything about the alleged assailant? taste anything about the alleged assailant?— anything about the alleged assailant? ~ ., ., ., . assailant? we do not have much information _ assailant? we do not have much information at _ assailant? we do not have much information at this _ assailant? we do not have much information at this point. - assailant? we do not have much information at this point. the i information at this point. the latest reports are that the prime minister was taken to the hospital and it looks like he is still being

operated on. he is undergoing surgery right now. but we do not know much about how the surgery is going and what is the health condition he is in right now. we know that the perpetrator of the attack was detained immediately. some details started to emerge about his identity. he positioned himself on social media, he has published various texts and stories, but that's as much as we know at this point. in that's as much as we know at this oint. , ., point. in terms of the likely olitical point. in terms of the likely political reaction, _ point. in terms of the likely political reaction, because l point. in terms of the likely i political reaction, because various contributors have been talking to paul. it could be that this brings parties together, which were so split, or it could be parties choose to exploit this. what do you think is most likely? i to exploit this. what do you think is most likely?— is most likely? i think both of these trends _ is most likely? i think both of these trends will _ is most likely? i think both of these trends will start - is most likely? i think both of. these trends will start happening is most likely? i think both of- these trends will start happening at these trends will start happening at the same time. there will be parties who will try to come together. we've

already heard statements from president caputova, and from some leaders and members of government that we do not accept violence as a way of life in slovakia and we need to overcome them. on the other hand, we also statements notjust from bloggers and people on social media. we also heard statements from members of the government or politicians from the ruling coalition openly bringing a position in the protesters for creating the situation —— openly blaming. chances are they will also try to push and legitimise more extreme policies and advocate for example more restrictions of freedom of media and speech or of protests in the country. speech or of protests in the count . �* , , ., speech or of protests in the count . h , ., i. country. it's interesting what you say because _ country. it's interesting what you say because you _ country. it's interesting what you say because you started - country. it's interesting what you say because you started by i country. it's interesting what you | say because you started by saying

there's very little detail about the perpetrator. in situations like that when you have a vacuum, it often gets filled, especially in these days of social media with misinformation. are you seeing signs of that already?— of that already? absolutely. slovakia was _ of that already? absolutely. slovakia was inundated i of that already? absolutely. slovakia was inundated with j slovakia was inundated with disinformation at all times, and especially over the past years and definitely since the beginning of the war in ukraine in 2022. already on social media, we saw all possible theorists, people blaming, creating conspiracy theories, and this is likely also the narratives that are picked up but also generated in russia, trying to point out that people who expressed sympathies towards russia and robert fico openly said he wants to talk to russia and find ways to work with russia. the russian propaganda is

activated in trying to portray that such people are under attack in european countries, which is of course at this point a speculations, it's clear cut disinformation that's peddled on social media without any evidence whatsoever. let peddled on social media without any evidence whatsoever.— peddled on social media without any evidence whatsoever. let me ask you a simle evidence whatsoever. let me ask you a simple question _ evidence whatsoever. let me ask you a simple question finally. _ evidence whatsoever. let me ask you a simple question finally. who - evidence whatsoever. let me ask you a simple question finally. who is i a simple question finally. who is actually running the country now as we speak? actually running the country now as we seak? ., , , , we speak? one of the deputy prime minister 's will _ we speak? one of the deputy prime minister 's will assume _ we speak? one of the deputy prime minister 's will assume temporary i minister �*s will assume temporary duties while the prime minister is not able to carry out his responsibilities. irate not able to carry out his responsibilities. not able to carry out his resonsibilities. ~ ., ., ., responsibilities. we have to leave it there, alena. _ responsibilities. we have to leave it there, alena. thank _ responsibilities. we have to leave it there, alena. thank you - responsibilities. we have to leave it there, alena. thank you very i responsibilities. we have to leave i it there, alena. thank you very much forjoining us on the programme. we are coming to the end. let's take a step back and take stock of what is happened. paul is still here with me. paul, for anyone whojoined us midway through this afternoon, just

in terms of bringing up to speed. what with —— where are we with this? we've seen first the initial news that he was shot, specialisation that he was shot, specialisation that it wasn't serious. we are told very serious life—threatening injuries and we're seeing around the world people condemning for once on the same page. but many people raising the issues of how divided the country was particularly, particularly september. some being deliberately spread to besmirch the names of candidates. i remember watching a very senior figure getting into a punch up with another leading candidate. this is the kind

of atmosphere. teiiii leading candidate. this is the kind of atmosphere.— leading candidate. this is the kind of atmosphere. tell me more about the prime minister _ of atmosphere. tell me more about the prime minister himself. - of atmosphere. tell me more about the prime minister himself. robert| the prime minister himself. robert fico has been _ the prime minister himself. robert fico has been a _ the prime minister himself. robert fico has been a towering _ the prime minister himself. robert fico has been a towering figure i the prime minister himself. robert fico has been a towering figure in i fico has been a towering figure in slovakia. it's a relatively young country, born in 1993, when czechoslovakia split up. in that time, robert fico has been prime minister several times. always a controversial figure. minister several times. always a controversialfigure. he started on the left on the communist party at one point. he was then considered much more conservative all the way through populist figure. he stood against immigration for example, and he's made a really clear difference with other politicians by saying he does not want more weapons to go to ukraine. forthat does not want more weapons to go to ukraine. for that reason, does not want more weapons to go to ukraine. forthat reason, robert fico became a majorfigure in the european scene. politicians around european scene. politicians around europe may not have worried too much, suddenly very worried by robert fico, both himself and what he represented that others may follow suit. he is a key figure in

european politics.— follow suit. he is a key figure in european politics. paul, thanks for bein: with european politics. paul, thanks for being with me _ european politics. paul, thanks for being with me through _ european politics. paul, thanks for being with me through the - european politics. paul, thanks for being with me through the course | european politics. paul, thanks for i being with me through the course of this afternoon and all that analysis. just trying to make sense of what we've seen. that is almost it from today, thank you so much for being with me. thank you for following lust of the last few hours. let me put the key pictures back onto the screen before we go. these are the pictures the moments after the prime minister was shot several times. after the prime minister was shot severaltimes. he's after the prime minister was shot several times. he's been since taken to hospital with life—threatening injuries. we await an update in terms of his condition and also in terms of his condition and also in terms of his condition and also in terms of more detail about the alleged assailant. that's it from verified live. thanks for watching and see you next time. low pressure is in charge and that means it will

not be completely settled, but there has been some sunshine. northern scotland was a good example. compare that with the scene in norfolk with a lot of cloud, bits and pieces of rain. we will see of pulse of heavier rain drifting back along that weather front as we head into tomorrow. tonight, a lot of dry weather around, but with areas of mist and murk, that rain getting going across parts of east anglia and yorkshire and integer. lows of 9—12 degrees, just a touch cooler. into tomorrow, outbreaks of rain drift westwards across the north midlands, parts of northern england towards merseyside, maybe north wales. to the north of that, a decent amount of sunshine. scotland again seeing warm sunshine, particularly in the highlands. temperatures could climb to 23 degrees. there is a potentialfor sharp showers and thunderstorms to

break out across western scotland later in the day. same thing for northern ireland, perhaps the far north and northwest england. then we are into the rain band into the south of that, some spells of sunshine, highs of 18—19, maybe 20 degrees, but fairly heavy showers. thursday night, this lump of wet weather slides away westwards, areas of cloud and mist and murk. friday, most places should see at least some spells of sunshine with a scattering of showers, some which could be on the heavy side. temperatures again in the sunniest spots up to around 23 degrees. warmest weather likely crossed the west and the southwest of scotland. a little bit cooler in the far west. high pressure tries to build, and a fairly weak affair at this stage. but it does mean particularly across the northern half of the uk, a lot of dry weather, some spells of sunshine, although the north and west of scotland will be a little bit cooler

thanit scotland will be a little bit cooler than it has been over recent days. some coast could do temperature—wise. further south, greater chance of showers. some heavy but also some spells of warm sunshine.

at six: an assassination attempt on an eu leader. slovakia's prime minister is fighting for his life after being shot. robert fico was shot multiple times by a lone gunman thought to be in his 70s.

his bodyguards then dragged him into a car, before he was airlifted to hospital. the attack happened moments after the 59—year—old left a meeting in a town in central slovakia. here in sl have slovakia people are struggling to come to terms with the attack. also tonight: two men appear in court in newcastle charged with felling the sycamore gap tree in northumberland last september. england's overcrowded prisons — from next week some inmates will be released 70 days early. bottled water is handed out and people are urged to boil their tap water after cases of a stomach and diahorrea bug are confirmed in south devon. and, in an exclusive interview, sir eltonjohn and david furnish tell us why they love photography and its importance as a historical record.