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mirlelle: this is "bbc wo news america." reporting from washicaton, i am michelle fleury. democrats announced the formal impeachment inquiry. president trump says it will be at their political peril. spear pelosi: the actions of the trumpy presi revealed it to dishonorable effective the hisident's the trail of oath of office and betrayal of the integrity of our elections. michelle: boris johnson's suspension of parliament was unlawful, rules the uk's supreme court. the unanimou decision sends shockwaves through british politics. in new york, the prime minister responds. prime min. johnson: i have the highest respecfor thee judiciary and dependence of our courts, but i strongly disagree with this judgment. michelle:th we will hav latest on the controversies brewing in both the u.s. and the u.k. tonight.

michelle:ho for watching on pbs and around the globe, welcome to "world news america." tonight we are dealing with two major stories on both sides of the atlantic. in a momentous decision, the u.k. supreme court has red that the government acted unlawfully when it suspended parliament. but we start in the united states, where speaker of the house nancy pelosi has called for congress to move forward wi impeachment pceedings afte questions swirled around a whistleblower's report centered around h communication with ukrainian president and whether donald trump pressured him into investigating joe biden by threatening to withhold literary ard -- mil aid. tweeting, "such an important day at the united naticrs, and the des had to ruin and demean it with more breaking news. witchhunt garbage. so bad for our." count

speaker nancy pelosi spoke a short time ago, and here is what she had to say. speaker pelosi: the actions of the trump psidency revealed the dishonorable fact ed the president's betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security, and the trail of the integrity of our elections. therefore today, am announcing the house of representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry. michelle: for more on what the impeachment procedure would look like, i'm joined by elizabeth wydra, president of the constitutional accountability center. if i could start with -- give us a sense of how significant is this moment. elizabeth: this is absolutely significant both it triggers and also for theess nation. we had these swirling questions about whether an impeachment inquiry would actually happen. hafrankly, peopl been talking about that since the first day president trump came into office.

now we have the speaker of the house stating clearly to the americanan public, this is a concern for the soujl oour nation, for the very essence of intel's us -- the constitutionn impels us to take this step. more serious than others that have been made about the president in the past? elizabeth: i think it is very serious in that the whistleblower comes from t administration, from the national security apparas in the administration. frankly, there have been serious allegations this full-time, going from t very beginning th his acceptance of foreign payments from foreign governments to his businesses, what we call foreign emolument -- michelle: yet they didn'move to this point until today. elizabeth: yes, absolutely. it is the straw that broke the camels back. we have had obstruction of justice. this allegation is so clear -- the president basically acknow aid to ukraine to pressure them

alto investigate his polit rival and potential influence the next presidenthel election innited states. that is such a clear violation of acting in the american people's interest and instead acting in donald trump's personal political interests that frankly there was no choice but to take his momentous step for speaker pelosi. michelle: if you are the democrats you are looking at this from a number of directions. the fact that there was thf withholding aid, is that was tied to this request, then you have a national security concern. you have the idea of a forei government involved in essentially digging up dirt on a political rival. you have got the idea that this s a lower process isn't -- this whistleblower process isn't working because congress is in retting the information they requesting which of those do you look at? which do you take first? elizabeth: i think all of them. s itnational security threat, acting in the political interest instead of lee american p'thbest interest, and

obstruction of justice, by trying to keep this whistlebloweromplaint from congress even though the statute that governs the process says that the reading of it is that you should bee able -- she should be able to get this complaine to congress when th is an urgent concern that has been met here. you have absolutely this whirlwind of anti-constitutional behavior, ti-democratic behavior, trying to seek foreign interference in an american election, obstiucting the cotional checks and balances that are there to protect erican democracy, and the craven corruptn that we ha seen day in and day out merican public has gotte a little inu -- and the american public has gotten a little inured to that corruption, but here it is so blatant, and the withholding of mitary aid is problematic. changed.aven'tthe say it goes to the house, the senate is expected to reject it,

to acquit impeachment. where would that leave the whole process? elizabeth: i think frankly we can't prejudge the process, and for my perspective it is time th stop looking a in a political way and start looking way.is in a constitutiona iwhmeans if the president is allowed to escape consequence-free, even if the senate didn't convict the articles of impeachment, would be an credibly important vindication of the constitution. who knows what will happen when all of the facts come to light? but from what we know now, what nald trump himself says he has done, is deeply problematic from aiv constitutional perspe might benefit the democrats, republicans, i don't know. but i think this step benefits the american public and the nation as a whole. michelle the process helps address the constitutional crisis. ose with wife, we will have to -- elizabeth wydra, we will have to leave it there. thank you.

today seven democratic freshmen all with national security experience and in swing districts penned an op-ed making their views kiow among them was elissa slotkin from mhigan. i spoke to her from capitol hill.de why did you deith six other freshman congresspeople to come out in favor of impeachmlot? rep.in: we all have a national security background, and we have spent our entire adult lives swearing an oath to protect and defend the constitution. the nstest allegations that the president of the united states would have used his position to ask foreign government to o collect dipolitical opponent and then potentially use our security assistance, paid for by u.s. taxpayers, to do it, was beyond the pale. it passed the rubicon for us. it felt like if we were going to live up to ouranath to protect defend the constitution, that meant coming out very

strongly that the onus is on the administration to prove this is not true.t if true, it is an impeachable offense. michelle: one of the things you talked about in this article that has been published is that all tools should be used. you talked about inherent -- rep. slotkin: contempt. michelle: contempt. so this is the step before impeachment, but to get .itnesses to come testify and hand over eviden a credible whistleblowerwe have complaint that was urgent enough that the inspector general of the cia felt that they needed to do something about iand report it that is being held bs k. that violation of the law. it is not something to pick and choose. the director of national intelligence has an amazing opportunity on thursday. there will be an open hearing and he can pvide a lot of details and information should have p alreavided by law.

michelle: one of the criticisms of the democrats is so far is that they have waffled on whether or not to impeach the president. rep. slotkin: yeah, listen, impeachment is not just a legal process, it is also a political process. one thing that has always been really important to me is that we have to bring the country ong with us. this cannot be just aner baseball conversation among washington elites. we have to explain to the american people why we're doing this and what it means. we have not done a very good jot t. for me this is not -- the level and concern about this latest incident is just different, but it also means we need to treat the procs more strategically, more efficiently, be more clear with t american public on what we are doing. michelle: are you worr ad at all -- y from a district that traditionally has been republican. are yoworried this could hurt you in the 2020 election? rep. sloin: there just comes aou time whereave to make tough calls. that has been my entire experience, where you are making decisions that you think are for

the betterment of the countryon and the protecf the united states even if they might not be popular. that is what i have done my entire career. that is what i am doing here, and i hope that my district and even if fon't agree with me, at least see that i have been judicious and thoughtful and i'm doing this based on what i think is right and out of a place of integrity. michelle: congresswoman slotkin, thank you so mucfor joining us. now to the other major story we are following tonight. in he u.k., the government and prime minister have suffered a huge deft with a supreme court ruling against the decision to suspend parliament for five weeks. the justices ruled unanimously that the move was unlawful and the suspension is w void, as if it never happened. as for boris johnson, there area growins for him to stand down, but he says he wide by the ruling. the bbc's political editor laura kuenssberg has the latest. ura: ready to pass judgment on

the prime minister. boris t johnson bro law. >> the decision to advise her majesty to prorogue parliament was unlawful. because itad the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification. ublaura:ilationlaura: outside in the rain. those outraged the prime minister had advised the queen to suspend or prorogue parliament for five weeks, close down debate brexit,to which he denied. >> no justification for taking action with such an extreme effect has been put before the court. laura: the conclusion, it was illegal. so i >> the prime minister's advice to her majesty was unlawfu void, and had no effect. paiament has not been

laura: the government's lawyers a few weeks ago did not expect this. the' cour'sly tradition allergic to politics and stayed well away. but the other side's legal dream came true. the ruling today speaks volumes. minister must ope the doors of parliament tomorrow. mp's must get baan and be brave bold in holding this unscrupulous government to account. thank you. laura: so what next? immediate calls to w york 3000 miles away. pre min. johnson: there has been a court case in our country this morning, which one or two if you may have picked up on. [laughter] laura: another chance to suggest the establishment is trying to stop him. prime min. johnson: i have tht, highest respf course, for our judiciary and the independence of airports, but i

must say i strongly disagree with this judgment. th i u.k. will not be deterred from getting on and delivering on the will of the people to come out of the eu on october 3 t1. laura: the labor leader'sis conferencepted and delighted. mr. corbyn: it shows the prime minister h acted wrongly in shutting down pliament. i invite boris johnson, in the , woro consider his position. >> i have instructedhe house authorities to prepare not for the recalll -- the prorogation was lawful and is void -- to prepare for then resumpt of the business of the house of commons. tomorrow, and that it does so at

11:30.m. laur once mps have raced back here tomorrow, what will they actually do? the alliance of formerst tory's, control again. to take >> that advice was clearly very poor, and some of his advisers are going to have to leave. if boris johnson would it do the dect and honorable thing, parliament has to come together to force him out of office. laura:here is no sign of labit doing that yet. look who is in boris johnson's corner. pres. trump: i know him welcome he is not going anywhere. laura: a place of power he jumped of- drums of four years. but after two months it is proving harder than he t:ught. michel the prime minister is that the u. journalism ithnew york, an is where laura trevelyan is -- u.n. and general

assembly in new york, and that is where laura trevelyan is the laura:m i'ined by james landale, at diplomatic correspondent. we want to the halls of parliament together. what is next for his premiership? james: his premiership is weaker. he has taken a hit and he l woud hat a huge amount of political capital in london, but it is not ultimately fatal. upill have to reg he still says he wants to have a queen's speech and start a new it is possible that will happen in the next few weeks, but a much shorter period when parliament is away. question is has he made it dl,er for him to get tha that agreement with the european union that he hopes will line and allow them to leave the european union with a deal? if he doesn't get e deal, he is toast. if he does, he could have a general election and win it.

laura: is it more or after the supreme court ruling that brexit happens on october 31? james: i don't thinit changes the day at all. what it ans is that boris johnson is determined that will happen, we leave with a deal or without. this m ruling does ne any difference on any of the negotiations within the european union. ntthis is annal dispute with the british government and the british legal system over what it is done is right, but what it has done is it is upset an awful lot of people, not just opposition, but within boris erjohnson's cotive party, artoo. yes lost some brownie pointsor the laura: what about the divisions in britainy tself? i known families divided and most likely yours is, too. james: brexit is like a civil war without the muskets. it divides the entire country. it continues to divide the enti country. it comes down to not just wright state but the constitutional question -- not just brexit, but

the constitutional question. is it a parliamentary democracy, or is it a referendum and the retes for single iues -- i.e. let's go fort. 'the country is divided over wht should come first. e until that bat settled, the divisions will continue. laura: the fact that the supreme court ruled against the prime minister, are we going to see the americanizaon of the court in britain, like here where aner dispute is rd essentially to the court? james: there are fears that it will move towardthat- not as far as that. a formal writte constitution and the judges are not as political as they are your. there are fears that because of this there will be calls for political appointments, scrutiny, appearing fore companies, judges saying that are you are brexitr or leaver. there is a greater sense of the constitution being written down. clear what comes first, parliament or judges,s

referend or parliamentary democracy. laura: how about a general election in britain? is that inevitable in the short-term?james: it is very, v, not in the short-term but most likely in on them. many mps don't wa to do it because they feared if they have able to get a deal and it would mean no deal. laura: james landale, sage of whitehall and westminster, thank you so much for ining us. michelle, that was the view from lethe bbc's james landale. exciting day at the united nations. boris johnson due to speak later tonight and then respect to britain -- race back to britain. michle: thank you for the update from e united nations. you are watching "bbc world news america." igstill to come on t's program, more on the democrats' latest move to launch impeachment proceedings against president trump. thomas cook, one of theor's

largest and oldest travel companies, has collapsed, leaving thousands of travelers stranded overseas, putting more than 20,000 jobs at risk. the confirmion can earlier on monday when last-minute talks to save the company broke down. the b's transport correspondent tom burridge has more on this story. tom: the operaomon to flight cook customers home now in full swing. this check-in in newor, to a flight organized by the government. hotels like this one erode money from thomas cook bookings. last night staff minutere guests who y pay for the entire holiday cover the unpaid bills. it was not a pleasant scene. >> there was a bit of aggression from one of the reception staff, demanding the money. obviously quite worried about not being paid themselves. tom: the same ory at this hotel. thomas cook staff out of aob,

tried to help. some guests were forced to leave. at least one customer paid up. he will have to claim back the -- 1500 pounds. when the company went bust, it's operation ground to a halt. claims home one final time sunday night, now looking for work. in>> i have been there 20 years. there's an awful lot of people with been there longer than me. tom: some did do very well out of thomas cook. the chief executive made more than 8 million m pounds in five years. company's class.into the >> i have written to the insolvency service yesterday asking them to speed up their investigation into whether the actions ofirectors played a part in the failure of thomas cook. tom: flying 150,000 people home is complicated. tom burridge, bbc news.

michelle: returning to our top story, speaker of the house nancy pelosi has officially launched an impehment inquir into preside trump over reports he sought foreign help to smear 2020 candidate and former vice j preside biden. for more on the political ined by anthony rcher. extraordinary day. e how significant this moment is. nancy pelosi has been against impeachment for a long time now. anthony: basically trying to hold back the b tide for months. there have been plenty of scandals and democrats have said now is the time we really need to impeach donald trump. if you talk to democrats, democrats in congress, a lot of them say that what happened with the 2016 investigation, the muellerti invtion, we did not campaign on that in 2018.

this is backward-looking, things happened in the past. with this ukraine sndal, this is somhing that is ongoing, dealing with 2020, happening on their watch. that is why they are turning around. you mentioned nancy pelosi. is really interesting, she has been holng back the tide. by waiting for this moment, this story, she is throwing rocket fuel on that. it shows her political savvy and waiting and holding her powder. michelle:io how sly should we take her? does she mean it when she says impeachment, or was she going with a tight ant this p -- with the tide atoi this? anthony: probably a little of both. if you want to lead, you get out in front. having an impeachment investigation, thaneis not ssarily mean anything. there were atready investns going on and the judiciary committee outlined a plan. right now she is trying to get to wrap it up in some kind of a

bow, but there is no vote scheduled in the house to approve this investigation. there is no real-time life. di anything reallyd change? all the semantics had been dodging around, that has been taken right now. michelle: you have donald trump tweeting "witchhunt garbage." have any other republicans in speaking out? anthony: you are starting to hear from them now. liz cheney, republican congresswoman fromd wyoming, s this is another example of the democrats trying to find some reason to impeach donald trump. this is based on news reports of a phone call the donalump made that we have not seen the transcript for yet, and the whistleblower report that has not been made to look at all. house keeping it from being made public. but basically that this is an impeachment driver on something we don't know anything about. johnne k, senator from louisiana,aid that joe biden be investigated as well, that there may be some fire to the

smoke about misdeeds by joe biden and his son. d in all fairness, they should look into that. you are seeing a little bit of a mix of everything. michelle: more fireworks likely to come this week. you have the adngnistration sa they are going to released the transcript, and then on thursday, the acting dni involved in the was r report appearing before a committee. anthony: befe the house. we will see that. there are reports that we might get the actual whistleblower to testify. adam schiff, the chair of the house intelligence committee, says they will look into that. this could go into any direction but there are firewor coming up . michelle: anthony zcher, we will have to leave it there. you can find more of these stories on a website. i michelle fleury. you are watching "world news america." announcer: funding for this presentation is made possible b.. the freeman foundation; by judy and peterblum-kovl,

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y captioning sponsored newshour productions, llc >> brangham: good evening. i'm william brangham judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight: >> therefore, today, announcing the house of representatives moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry. >> brangham: impeachment on the that president tructions says with ukraine require a serious investigation. then, alone before then.orld. as calls for his impeachment swirl, president trump defends his "ameri first" at the united nations. plus, more brexit chaos. britain's supreme court rules when he suspended me.e the law and, "know my name." chanel miller, the survivor of the stanford university rape h case, reclai voice and speaks out.