this is bbc news. i mjoanna i m joanna gosling. the headlines at 11am: covid passes, working from home, and the wider use of facemasks. england braces for plan b rule changes. the health secretary says the measures are needed to delay the spread of omicron. if it carries on at that rate, you could have one million infections through community transmission by end of the month. an investigation into a christmas party in downing street last year will be widened to include two more gatherings, reported to have taken place amid covid restrictions. the conservative party has been fined £17,800 for failing to accurately report a donation that paid for the refurbishment
everyone in this house, has confidence in the independence and integrity of our civil service. the cabinet secretary heads the civil service and is conducting this investigation. how long it lasts, that will be a matter for him and the matter will if it discloses criminality be referred to the metropolitan police for further investigation. i also in a previous ministerial role as solicitor general worked for the government legal department. that is another department which has integrity and the confidence of all. and it will also be supporting the investigation. all those who are questioned by the investigation, civil servants, special advisers, ministers, are expected and will be expected to cooperate with it. i hope that answers her questions. sir desmond swain. would hope that answers her questions. sir desmond swain. would it hope that answers her questions. sir desmond swain. would it be - hope that answers her questions. sir desmond swain. would it be helpful| desmond swain.
the 27th of november 2020, a gathering at the department for education on the 10th of december 2020 and allegations made of a gathering at number 10 downing st on the 18th of december 2020. the primary purpose of the cabinet secretary s investigation will be to establish swiftly a general understanding of the nature of the gatherings, including attendance, the setting. gatherings, including attendance, the setting - the setting. laughter the setting the setting. laughter the setting and - the setting. laughter the setting and the - the setting. laughter i the setting and the purpose the setting. laughter - the setting and the purpose and the setting. laughter the setting and the purpose and with reference to adherents to the guidance in place at the time. now, if required, the investigation will establish whether individual disciplinary action is warranted. mr speaker, the work will be undertaken ljy speaker, the work will be undertaken by officials in the cabinet office
at the direction of the cabinet secretary, with support from the government legal department. those officials will have access to all the relevant records and be able to speak to members of staff. as with all internal investigations, if evidence emerges is of behaviour thatis evidence emerges is of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence, the matter will be referred to the police and the cabinet office s work may be paused. mr speaker, in conclusion, i must emphasise the masses relating to the adherents of the law is for the police to investigate and the cabin cabinet office will liaise with the police as appropriate. all ministers, senior civil servants will be expected to collaborate with the investigation. finally, i can confirm, the findings of the investigation will be provided to the house and made public. following
including over the pandemic, are hard working, industrious people who are seeking to serve their country and they work very hard in order to do that. what he of course mentions is a matter of great concern to the people of this country, as it is to me, and we are all wishing to know, of course, the terms of the investigation and i have announced to this house are what the terms of the investigation and the scope of it are. it will clearly be published and a copy of the terms will be laid in this house. revelations of the december the 18th gathering in number 10 downing street has triggered much anguish across the country. so can i press the minister, how exactly will the government s legal department be supporting this investigation? minister. well, the fact is the