15/07/2017 BBC Weekend News

The former Prime Minister Tony Blair has suggested some EU leaders might

be prepared to change the rules of the single market -

to keep Britain inside the European Union.

He says the views of voters could have shifted, and the British

might be willing to stay inside the EU if changes

were made, such as stricter controls on migration.

Our Political Correspondent, Emma Vardy, has this report.

Tony Blair once argued passionately that Britain should remain in the EU

and lost. Now in his latest intervention, he has said Britain

could get a better deal on immigration, while remaining part of

the single market, something many thought impossible.

So is he an incurable optimist, or delusional, he was asked? It is

important to understand there is a lot we know now we didn't know a

year ago when we took the decision. We know for example that our

currency is down, that is a prediction by the international

markets as to our future prosperity. We know businesses are moving jobs

out of the country. We know this time last year we were the fastest

growing economy in the G7, now we are the slowest. We now that there

is not ?350 extra for the National Health Service, there is less money.

Tony Blair set out his case in an article for his institute for global

change, saying give had been is at stake and what we are discovering

about the cost of Brexit, how can it be right deliberately to take off

the table the option of compromise between Britain and Europe so

Britain stays within a reformed Europe. But there is scepticism,

over whether there is the political will in Europe to allow Britain to

change the rules. Last week, the EU's chief negotiator, said that the

principles of freedom of movement, people, goods and services are

indivisible. The EU made it clear made it clear

that the four freedoms are indivisible, as they have called it.

They took four minutes to agree the guidelines, there is no debate in

the EU it is a nonsense, another attempt to undermine Brexit.

Tony Blair says that what he hears behind the scenes is that there is a

possibility of a compromise on the table. That this should not be

discounted. Emma Vardy, BBC News.

The authorities in Turkey have sacked a further 7,000

members of the security forces and civil service -

as mass rallies are held in the country to mark the first

anniversary of a failed coup to overthrow President Erdogan.

Around 200,000 people have now been punished for allegedly

Live now to Istanbul and our correspondent there, Mark Lowen.

Mark? Yes, what a way to ring in the anniversary. Another 7,000

dismissals, and no let up in the purge since last year's coup

attempt. The government insists that the supporters of the coup have

spread themselves throughout Turkish society but with Human Rights Act

visit, professors, are suspended, some are celebrating but others are

deeply fearful for Turkey's future. You may find some of the images in

You may find some of the images in this report distressing.

Turkey's nightmare was unleashed as the plotters seized

Sabri Unal tried to reach it to resist the coup attempt.

He lay in its path, between its tracks.

He tried to stop it again, but it ran over his arm.

Today, he bears the scars of the coup.

TRANSLATION: I came here for the sake of God,

I was not afraid and I am not a hero.

To be a hero, I would have had to stop the tanks.

On the 15th July, rogue soldiers bombed government

The coup soon became the purge, with over 50,000 arrested,

accused of ties to the alleged plotter, the cleric Fethullah Gulen.

President Erdogan called it a gift from God to cleanse

Critics say all dissent has been crushed.

The government hits back that the real crime was the coup

We are actually saving Turkish democracy, Turkish rule

of law, Turkish future from a power-hungry

140,000 people have been dismissed or suspended.

There is now a commission to look at all those cases.

You will see, when this episode is over, that Turkish

democracy is functioning, the Turkish judiciary

Gulen followers were in every corner of society.

The purge went wide, far too wide, many believe.

Protests in support of two academics on hunger strikes for four months,

Alongside, a human rights monument is now sealed off.

A bleak metaphor for Turkey's plight.

The wife of one is herself on hunger strike in solidarity.

This in a country hoping to join the EU.

TRANSLATION: One day your name is on a list and you are struck off.

They want to live but for their demands to be met.

Immortalised for generations to come as Turkey's rebirth,

it is being celebrated here as the legend of the 15th

of July, but for others, it is a painful chapter

There was a sharp slowdown in income growth in the run up to last

month's general election, according to a think tank.

The Resolution Foundation says that in the year leading up to May,

incomes rose by 0.7% - the slowest in 5 years.

Pay for the top 1% though has risen sharply since 2015.

With me is our Business Correspondent Joe Lynam.

Joe, it sounds like rather gloomy reading, this. What have they found?

The rate at which our income, salaries, rent, deposit income has

grown. In the run up to the financial crisis in 2008, the growth

was 2%. Then the recession came and we all took a hit. What The

Resolution Foundation is saying that income rose in 2013, 2015 but has

fallen back since. And it affects many groups, so the older you are,

the more you are affected. Lot has to do with property assets. Young

people are struggling to get on the housing ladder. They have to rent.

The cost is going up but they have no assets. The older you are, as a

pensioner, you have seen the property soar. The top 1% in the

United Kingdom own a quarter of all assets and they are heading for a

record take of all income growth. Joe linam, that then thanks.

A 15-year-old girl has died after suffering an adverse reaction

from a suspected "legal high" in Newton Abbot in Devon.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the girl was taken

to Torbay District Hospital in the early hours of this morning

Two other teenagers were also taken to hospital as a precaution.

Now it's a big day for sport - particularly in the tennis

of course, here's Hugh Woozencroft at Wimbledon.

Good afternoon, hugh. Good afternoon, it is Ladies' Final

Day and a chance for Venus Williams to win her sixth singles title on

Centre Court and with it become the oldest laid countries singles

champion. Standing in her way

is former French Open When you share a name

with the trophy, your destiny That is partly what makes Wimbledon

so special for Venus Williams. She first won the Venus Rosewater

Dish 17 years ago, and today, she is hoping to do it again

for the sixth time I couldn't have asked for more,

but I'll ask for a little more. It won't be a given

but I will give it my all. Here is the prize itself,

lifted by Venus Williams or her sister Serena

an incredible 12 times. This year, defending champion Serena

is absent through pregnancy so Venus's task is to keep it

in the family. Usually it is her in these finals,

so I am trying my best to represent She's seeking a first

Wimbledon triumph since 2008. Since then, illness and injury

have stalled her career, but two decades after first

appearing here, Venus is back Venus is playing, I think,

as well as she has ever played. She has had to improve her game

to keep up with the rest It might be the sports story of,

definitely the year, That would be the oldest woman

to ever win a major. Standing between Venus and victory

is Garbine Muguruza. The Spaniard has been

irrepressible this fortnight, but Venus is the firm favourite,

and if she lives up to the billing, her destiny will once

more be a reality. Away from Wimbledon,

the second day of the World Para Athletics Championships is underway

this morning in London. Hannah Cockroft got her competition

off to the best possible start, last night she won the T34 100

metres in a world record time. The busy weekend of sport continues,

as Silverstone hosts Qualifying for the race starts

in less than an hour. We've had the third and final

practice session already today. Lewis Hamilton is looking good

in front of the home fans. His team-mate, Valterri Bottas,

facing a five-place grid penalty for the race,

so both Hamilton and championship leader Sebastian Vettel will be

looking to take advantage. England's cricketers

are playing their final group game They are taking on West Indies,

having already qualified England were put

into bat in Bristol. Moments ago they were

91-4 after 22 overs. And it's day two of the Second

Test between England The visitors started

the day on 309 for 6. But James Anderson was in fine form

- he took all four wickets remaining wickets within 35

minutes this morning. Alastair Cook and Keaton

Jennings both out. And a reminder Sean,

coverage of the Ladies' Singles Final begins at 1pm

on BBC 1. You can see more on all of today's

stories on the BBC News Channel. The next news on BBC One

is at 6.25pm evening. Good afternoon. We have seen a lot

of cloud over most parts of the UK today. That is confirmed by looking

at the satellite