drinks and cheese and canopies, this clearly was not a business meeting. this isn't about wiggling out of the rules when many people were arrested by the police. i want to hear what the prime minister says on the record at the dispatch box at lunchtime today, and i will for myjudgment after that. let me know what you think. what sacrifices did you make to adhere to the covid restrictions last christmas? we've asked to speak to government ministers but no one is available. contact me on twitter @vicderbyshire or email me on victoria@bbc.co.uk. germany's bundestag meets to approve the appointment of the new chancellor, olaf scholz, before he is sworn in. a helicopter carrying the head of the indian armed forces, general bipin rawat, has crashed in the southern state of tamil nadu. there's no word on casualties. exactly one year after 90—year—old maggie keenan received the world's first approved coronavirus vaccine, the booster programme opens to over—40s in england. and coming up this hour, gwent police says it's "extremely sorry" to two women for its handling of their reports about abusive behaviour by a fellow officer. i've been talking to one of them. there were people who called us liars. we were bullied and harassed because of the allegations we made. and ijust hope that those people are now embarrassed by their behaviour. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. borisjohnson is under renewed pressure to admit a christmas party was held in downing street last year after video emerged which showed senior staff laughing and joking about it. the video of a press briefing rehearsalfrom december has been obtained by itv news. labour said it was shameful, but number ten maintained that there was no party and no rules had been broken. scotland yard said officers were reviewing the video in relation to alleged breaches of coronavirus restrictions. at the time of the downing street party, tier 3 restrictions meant people were encouraged to work from home. people in offices had to social distance and social gatherings were banned, including christmas parties. the party took place on the 18th december last year when london was in tier 3. the day after, london and parts of the south east were placed into tougher tier 4 restrictions and millions had their christmas plans cancelled. the footage obtained by itv news is reportedly from the 22nd december — 4 days after the party. our political correspondent helen catt reports. the christmas tree is up outside number 10, the lights are on. but it's what happened last festive season that is still raising questions. claims that a party was held inside, which an attendee told the bbc involved food, drink and a several dozen people. it happened, they said, on friday, december the 18th. four days later, the then press secretary to the prime minister had a practice press briefing, with aides pretending to be journalists. there was a downing street christmas party on friday night. do you recognise those reports? i went home. itv news got hold of this video of it, with the aides joking about a party. is cheese and wine all right? no. it was a business meeting. i'm joking- _ this is recorded. this fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not socially distanced. on that day there were severe restrictions in place on social mixing. on the day of the alleged party, 514 deaths of people with covid were reported. one of those who died that day was jackie's mother beryl. i think it's totally reprehensible, actually. when i first saw it, i had no words, to be honest, and it took a little while to actually sink in as to what i was watching. and i think this is actually indicative of a bigger problem within the government, that they think they are above the rules and they can do exactly what they like. the political backlash has started too. last year at christmas the public followed the rules and many of them didn't see their loved ones over christmas _ some of them didn't see their loved ones again. they had the right to expect the government to follow the rules. we now know the government broke the rules, they partied, and now they're laughing about it. they're treating the public with contempt. the prime minister has been repeatedly asked about the party over the last week. all guidance was followed completely during number 10... we followed the guidance throughout and continue to follow the guidance. what i can tell you is that all the guidelines were observed. but expect him to be asked a lot more. some of his own mps want answers. we need to get ahead of this story today. the government needs to show that it takes it seriously. it's understandable the government wants to focus on this coming christmas, not the last one, given the worrying development of this omicron variant. and for those who might have claimed this was just an obsession of the westminster bubble, ant and dec had an answer. and this fictional party definitely didn't involve cheese and wine, or a secret santa. evening, prime minister! the department for education has admitted it held a gathering earlier in december last year. a spokeswoman said it was to thank staff for their efforts during the pandemic. and that while it was work—related, looking back they accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time. as for downing street, it insists there was no christmas party at number 10. and covid rules had been followed at all times. borisjohnson can expect to be asked for a lot more answers at prime minister's questions later. you will be able to see prime minister's questions life here on the bbc news channel. —— live here. one of the cabinet ministers due to speak publicly today, who may be asked about the christmas party, is liz truss. she is due to deliver her first major speech as foreign secretary in the next half an hour. she was asked about her thoughts on the party when she arrived this morning, but did not comment. earlier i spoke to safiah ngah, who is a spokesperson for the covid—i9 bereaved families forjustice group. her father zahari contracted coronavirus last december and died in february. she gave me her reaction to the video from the mock conference. watching that video last night was... i could not believe what i was watching. it was absolutely bewildering and deeply unsettling. my dad caught covid over christmas, the numbers were really bad at that point. i believe over 500 people died on the day that that fake press conference with allegra stratton was held. just to see the cynicism and complete disregard for the regulation, their own regulations, at a time when the country was locking down, you know, keeping safe to keep their loved ones safe, it is just appalling. let's cross to westminster and speak to our chief political correspondent adam fleming. so, how big a deal is this now? it is certainly getting a bigger deal by the hour. this mock press conference footage is not incontrovertible proof that a party happened, it is not the same as a video or photograph of the actual event emerging, so that is still contested. it is getting pretty close. and also the laughter amongst the prime minister's aids is real and visible, and as we have been hearing, very offensive to some people. people who are paid to monitor tory discipline, though, say that the tory backbenchers who are making a real fuss about this and you are really angry about this seem to still be in the minority. but everyone will be watching prime minister's questions today at midday. i know that is a cliche, we always say that when there is a bit of tension in the air, but it is very true today. that will be a moment to see how much support boris johnson has on the backbenches. also what boris johnson johnson has on the backbenches. also what borisjohnson says, we will be keeping an eye on every single word and,. does he stick to his current formulation which is there was no party and there was no breach of the covert reels or does that phrase morph a little bit to reflect a changing attitude to the event? —— covid rules. this is a big opportunity for keir starmer. some people might call it an open goal, but some people would say there have been open goals in the past that keir starmer has kind of missed. this morning we heard from david lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, and he set out what labour will be demanding from the prime minister in a few hours' time. an apology. the facts. what actually happened. getting real and getting serious. recognising that this virus has cost lives and those restrictions are important because he leads on public health. getting serious about the office he holds and apologising to the british people. there is mounting evidence that this is a story that has escaped the westminster village and is being felt in towns and villages everywhere else. if you watching i'm a celebrity last night on itv, you would have seen ant on deckjoking about this, for the second week in a row. also there is evidence that it is now starting to interfere with the process of governing. sajid javid, they'll secretary, was expected to be on all the morning tv and radio news shows this morning — like the health secretary, marking a year to the day since the first covid vaccine was administered in the uk. you did not do those interviews in the end, which meant the government missed an opportunity to encourage everyone to get their boosterjabs, which is their number one priority at the moment. so it is stuff about a potential party is affecting the government getting its message across.— affecting the government getting its messaue across. . ~ , ., , . message across. thank you very much, adam. joining me now is alastair campbell, political strategist and former director of communications for number 10 under labour prime minister tony blair. hello. there was no party, all guidance was followed, is that i'm going to hold? gad guidance was followed, is that i'm going to hold?— going to hold? god knows. you're deafinu going to hold? god knows. you're dealing with _ going to hold? god knows. you're dealing with a _ going to hold? god knows. you're dealing with a government - going to hold? god knows. you're dealing with a government that i going to hold? god knows. you're dealing with a government that is| dealing with a government that is utterly abnormal in the way that it relates to the public. i do not know what boris johnson relates to the public. i do not know what borisjohnson will say, but the fact is this as a consequence of the fact is this as a consequence of the fact that the country elected him as prime minister and elected somebody who was a proven liar. i think anybody who saw the story, it had a ring of truth, it fitted with what people had been hearing, and then they came out with this rather odd line to take which was essentially no rules were broken. they did not flat out deny in the first instance that some sort of event had taken place. i suspect that actually one of the reasons why borisjohnson has been so worried about this is because it perhaps was not the only social gathering that took place around the christmas period. [30 social gathering that took place around the christmas period. do you have evidence _ around the christmas period. do you have evidence for _ around the christmas period. do you have evidence for that? _ around the christmas period. do you have evidence for that? we - around the christmas period. do you have evidence for that? we know . have evidence for that? we know about a leaving do it earlier in december, reports of a leaving do. no, i am simply saying. i have no more evidence than you are anyone else. i am so pleasing to have been these reports of other social gatherings. what we know is that borisjohnson, his entire life, is somebody who does not really think the rules apply to him. the reason this is so politically damage is that you literally had people who were dying on that day, you had people who are on that day that allegra stratton was fined eight also amusing, you had people who could not be with people who were dying, —— finding it so amusing, young people who were cancelling weddings, people who cannot be with her family at christmas. most british people are decent, law—abiding people, and the abided by the rules. it turns out, unsurprisingly in my view, somebody who has knownjohnson for a long time, that the people who make the laws decide that they are also entitled to break them. bear in mind, that is what we are talking about here, we are talking about a crime, criminal offences taking place inside downing street at a time when the metropolitan police were happily promoting themselves through videos of shutting down weddings and shutting down parties and shutting down gatherings. so borisjohnson is any real tricky bind here because the other thing, which in the sort of normalisation of the debasing of public life, it has become... it does not seem to be a big deal these days about misleading parliament. if he comes out today and says, yes, sorry there was a party, yes there was a breach of the rule, then he mislead parliament last week, says kind of wrapped himself up in knots of his inability to differentiate between right and wrong, between truth and untruth, and actually to be straight with the british people. that is why there are so many angry people today. this is a prime minister who is not straight with them. i’m today. this is a prime minister who is not straight with them.— is not straight with them. i'm 'ust auoin to is not straight with them. i'm 'ust going to read fl is not straight with them. i'm 'ust going to road you i is not straight with them. i'm 'ust going to read you this i is not straight with them. i'm just going to read you this e-mail, - is not straight with them. i'm just i going to read you this e-mail, there going to read you this e—mail, there are if few like this. more of the contacts i am getting are from people who are really cross. sian says, the story is pathetic, suffice to say it like to is without a sin cast the first stone, if they did have a knowledge gathering at ten downing st, guinness, they needed it as much if not more than most. this is a witch hunt by the media. i think the media has been pretty tame on this story up until now. you see today you have got papers like the sun and the telegraph barely covering it. you know, prompting suggestions whether there were media attending some of these parties. people are entitled to their opinion and i have got no doubt there are people who are part of the boris johnson fan club who think the guy should be left alone. i happen to think that if you are in the middle of a public health emergency, the word of the prime minister is an incredibly important weapon in public health policy. and when the word of the prime minister is shown to be worthless, then that becomes a major problem for our country. you just look at the other things that are going on in the world at the moment, you've got a situation developing in ukraine that, without being melodramatic, could lead to serious and pretty fast military escalation, where is the british government on that? the foreign secretary is _ government on that? the foreign secretary is about _ government on that? the foreign secretary is about to _ government on that? the foreign secretary is about to give - government on that? the foreign secretary is about to give a - government on that? the foreign l secretary is about to give a speech. she may be, but the prime minister is consumed day after day after day clearing up the consequences of the mess that he creates. i believe, i have said this for some time now, this government is defined by boris johnson's character. our government has operated for centuries on the idea that the good chaps theory, that when it comes to it we put honest people at the top positions in parliament. we now have somebody who is fundamentally dishonest at the top position in government. that is having dreadful consequences for our politics, for our democracy. the sooner the guy is gone the better. i'm going to put to you when tony blair was by minister, i remember him saying, i am a pretty straight sort of guy. then we found out he had met bernie ecclestone, the head of formula one, and formula one was not subject to tobacco advertising. or i would say tony blair as a straight sort of guy and also say... he wasn't then on that issue. he was. the he wasn't then on that issue. he: was. the situation you're talking about, where mistakes were made, they were corrected. where people fell short, they were booted out. what you got with boris johnson fell short, they were booted out. what you got with borisjohnson is somebody who has pointed a cabinet purely on the basis of whether or not they were brexit extremists and whether they will go out and repeat the lies that he tells them to tell. it is not a government of talent, it is not a cabinet that has been put together on merit. can is not a cabinet that has been put together on merit.— together on merit. can i ask you about sir starmer, _ together on merit. can i ask you about sir starmer, the - together on merit. can i ask you about sir starmer, the current l about sir starmer, the current labour leader, a big moment for him at prime ministers questions today, if you were his spin doctor, what would you be saying to him today? this is one of those moments where it will be more than the usual suspects who will want to tune in to see what is said. keir starmer has got to, in a sense, has got to expose borisjohnson on the facts, but also then has got to relate this to the bigger picture about the character of this government. the fact that because of the character of this government, which i think is rotten to the core, they are not able to address these other vigour, more important issues. where those people that are writing to you saying, you know, people should be focusing on more serious things, i completely agree with that. however, they are not able to focus on the things that really matter to people because of the character of boris johnson. i think keir starmer is usually very forensic in these occasions, he will be, i'm sure, sticking to facts and try to pin him down on those, but i think he also has to speak to the, frankly, discussed people feel at what has been exposed. it comes as no surprise to people like me who have felt that boris johnson was surprise to people like me who have felt that borisjohnson was a truly dreadful choice as prime minister of this country, but i think it has come as a shock to people who were abiding by the rules, who were being decent law—abiding citizens, to know that insight downing street, on his watch, the people that he employed to do the work for him were not playing by the same rules. thank you ve much playing by the same rules. thank you very much for— playing by the same rules. thank you very much for talking _ playing by the same rules. thank you very much for talking to _ playing by the same rules. thank you very much for talking to us. - playing by the same rules. thank you very much for talking to us. an - very much for talking to us. an e—mailfrom dot. good for them, enjoying themselves. have a road and most people you speak to had some kind of party last year because the pups kind of party last year because the pups were shot. jane says she is a lifelong conservative voter, i am appalled, ashamed and disgusted. we have to stop the lies and sleaze. borisjohnson must go now. richard says, surely this matter could be cleared up by looking at the number 10 security cameras. what about catering receipts or evidence from the police officers on site? martin is on merseyside. it is a disgraceful attitude to all the victims of covid. thank you for those. to keep your views coming in. sir roger gale is the conservative mp for north thanet in kent. he told me the prime minister should resign. if he is found to have misled parliament over the downing street event. if misled parliament over the downing street event-— street event. if there is then found that he has — street event. if there is then found that he has misled _ street event. if there is then found that he has misled parliament - that he has misled parliament deliberately, that is a hanging offence. ,, , offence. downing street, his spokesman. _ offence. downing street, his spokesman, has _ offence. downing street, his spokesman, has already - offence. downing street, his| spokesman, has already said offence. downing street, his - spokesman, has already said there was no christmas party.— was no christmas party. downing street saying _ was no christmas party. downing street saying something - was no christmas party. downing street saying something and - was no christmas party. downing street saying something and the| street saying something and the prime minister saying something at the dispatch box are two different matters. fik. iwant the dispatch box are two different matters. fik. i want to hear what the matters. ok. i want to hear what the rime... matters. ok. i want to hear what the prime... we have to be fair and courteous about this. i want to hear what the prime minister says on the record at the dispatch box at lunchtime today, and i will form a judgment after that. i started by saying, and i will repeat, this is my view, my opinion. i am not speaking for anybody. i'm not speaking for anybody. i'm not speaking on behalf of the government, not even speaking for any of my colleagues, i do not know what my colleagues are thinking. they may believe i am profoundly wrong. i am seeing what i think, thatis wrong. i am seeing what i think, that is all i can do.— that is all i can do. and 'ust to confirm. fl that is all i can do. and 'ust to confirm. if i that is all i can do. and 'ust to confirm, if the i that is all i can do. and 'ust to confirm, if the prime h that is all i can do. and just to confirm, if the prime minister| that is all i can do. and just to i confirm, if the prime minister did mislead the house of commons, you say that is a resigning issue? i think the chairman of the 1922 committee, sir graham brady, would have to carry a very clear message to the prime minister under those circumstances.— to the prime minister under those - circumstances._ meaning circumstances. meaning what? meaning the name is circumstances. meaning what? meaning the game is uo- — a second civil servant who took part in the british effort to evacuate people from afghanistan has described the operation as chaotic. the woman, who still works at the foreign office but wishes to remain anonymous, told newsnight that ministers�* handling of the situation was "unforgivable" and had caused unnecessary suffering. she said that when it came to checking the emails asking for help, there had been too much focus on minimising political damage to the government. a helicopter carrying the head of india's armed forces, general bipin rawat, has crashed in the southern state of tamil nadu. the 63—year—old chief of defence staff was travelling in a russian—made mi—17v5 chopper. the indian airforce has confirmed on social media that the aircraft "met with an accident near coonoor, in the state of tamil nadu". local media is reporting that other officials were onboard. there has been no immediate information on possible injuries or casualties. here's our correspondent rajini vaidya nathan with the latest. well, what we know so far is that an indian military helicopter carrying 14 indian military helicopter carrying 1a passengers crashed in south india in a mountain area. we know that it was carrying a number of people, including india's top military official, bipin rawat, the chief of the defence services. at the moment, it is unclear what the number of casualties are, but people have been taken to hospital. as i say, we are getting information by the minute. in fact, an update hasjust getting information by the minute. in fact, an update has just come getting information by the minute. in fact, an update hasjust come in, that four bodies had been recovered from the military helicopter crash site and shifted to a military hospital. three injured persons have also been rescued and moved to hospital. that is the latest on that. it is usually significant, so a lot of people are praying for mr bipin rawat who was travelling on that helicopter with his wife, as well, and another of other military officials. he is a decorated a—star general and took up the post of chief of the defence staff in 2019 and a newly created role. before that, he headed up india's army. a hugely important and influential figure in india. he has overseen indian military operations in an indian military operations in an indian administered kashmir and with the border at china. he is a figure he is very close to india's prime minister, narendra modi. a developing story but big news here in india. a lot of people sending messages, politicians and others, wishing everybody on that helicopter well and hoping that as many people as possible make a recovery. what we are hearing now is a number of bodies have been recovered so far and taken to a military hospital. so it is a worrying situation so far. germany's lower house of parliament, the bundestag, has confirmed the social democrat, olaf scholz, as the new chancellor. he was officially appointed in a short ceremony at the residence of the german president and will return to the parliament shortly, to be sworn in. mr scholz is replacing angela merkel after 16 years in power. kate brady is a berlin—based journalist, shejoins me now. what will happen at the swearing in? this is just a very short ceremony. one of the big changes this year is that olaf scholz will not necessarily have to say the words so help me god. he is the first german chancellor to not officially belong to the church, so that as a possible change. we will not know until he says it or not whether that is going to be the case. compare to some of the ceremonies that we see in other countries when leaders are elected, there are certainly not the pomp that we might see when we compare it to america, for example. he is not the head of state, he is the head of government, so in that sense it is a much smaller scale ceremony. it is very bureaucratic anyway. it was the moment that he received a piece of paper from the moment that he received a piece of paperfrom the president moment that he received a piece of paper from the president that he became the german chancellor. there is a joke here in germany that there is a joke here in germany that there is a joke here in germany that there is a stamp for everything and a form for everything. even to become german chancellor, you need that piece of paper. german chancellor, you need that piece of paper-— german chancellor, you need that piece of paper. what is he like as a olitician, piece of paper. what is he like as a politician, what _ piece of paper. what is he like as a politician, what is _ piece of paper. what is he like as a politician, what is he _ piece of paper. what is he like as a politician, what is he like _ piece of paper. what is he like as a politician, what is he like as - piece of paper. what is he like as a politician, what is he like as a - politician, what is he like as a bloke? pa. politician, what is he like as a bloke? : :, :, politician, what is he like as a bloke? :, :, , ., ., bloke? a lot of people have drawn comparisons _ bloke? a lot of people have drawn comparisons between _ bloke? a lot of people have drawn comparisons between olaf- bloke? a lot of people have drawn comparisons between olaf scholzl bloke? a lot of people have drawn i comparisons between olaf scholz and i'm merkel because they are from different parties, olaf scholz is from the social democrats, but he is a very softly spoken politician whose answers are often very clearly well thought out. he is somewhat of a technocrat, as well. even during the election campaigning season, especially during the summer and the last few weeks in the run—up to september, he was seen as the continuity candidate. he is familiar to german voters, as well. he has just finished up his position as vice chancellor and also finance minister, so that position alone really helped build his profile and to also build his popularity, as well. he was the one holding the purse strings and releasing record amounts of financial aid during the pandemic. so, while there were a lot of hopes and excitement a few months ago here in germany for a big change, a big shake—up in the political landscape in the shape of the government, this seems like an interim move, really. we have got a very different incoming government, as well, three party coalition, which is going to see the social democrats, the greens and the neo liberal free democrats are working together. rather unlikely bedfellows, you might say. there will be some tricky points, especially when it comes to finances and climate protection measures being implemented in the coming four years. but one of the big aims they announced this coalition deal with the slogan they are more progress. that is at the heart of this new government. it is the idea of moving germany forward and make it a more modern country. it is fair to say that the pandemic, especially, has really brought to light a lot of germany's shortcomings, especially when it comes to digitisation and education. so there is a real push in this new coalition deal to bring germany somewhat further forward into the 21st century.— into the 21st century. thank you very much- _ omicron does not appear to cause more severe disease than previous covid variants, and is "highly unlikely" to fully dodge vaccine protections, according to a senior official at the world health organization. but the first lab tests of the new variant in south africa suggest it can partially evade the pfizerjab. researchers found there was a "very large drop" in how well the vaccine's antibodies neutralised the new strain. a former city regulator, lord tyrie, has described the market for covid pcr tests as a "rip—off jungle", and warned that poor service was still widespread. the government says it monitors complaints and takes swift action when needed, but travellers say the official website has been advertising tests at prices which have been difficult to obtain. the united nations says the rights of women and girls in afghanistan have deteriorated rapidly since the taliban seized power in august. teenage schoolgirls from across the country have told the bbc of their growing desperation, as they continue to be excluded from school. the taliban government ordered boys to return to secondary school in september, but made no mention of girls. as part of the bbc�*s 100 women series, sana safi has this report. a school classroom, suspended in time. on the board, an old physics lesson that may never be finished. this is what most girls�* high schools look like since the taliban took control. and it's having a devastating impact. we have spoken to dozens of teachers and girls across a third of afghanistan is provinces to understand how their lives have changed. translation: i am 16 years old, not being i able to study feels like a death penalty. i wanted to become a surgeon but i am hopeless now. these days, i am doing nothing, i am lost. translation: i am 17 years old, when i see | my clothes and books just sitting in my cupboard without being used, i get very upset. i was dreaming of becoming a midwife but these days, i am frozen. but the school closures are not nationwide. despite the ban, a handful of provinces have resumed teaching. the northern city of mazar—i—sharif is one of the few places teenage girls can go to high school. translation: it does not feel the same - as before, taliban fighters with large guns approach schoolgirls on the streets and they tell us to make sure our hair and mouth are not visible, as a result around one third of my class have stopped coming to school, shivering with fear. the taliban say they do not want to stop girls�* education but they are waiting for what they call a safe environment. in the meantime, they are shocked any girls schools are open at all. translation: | am i surprised, officially we have not given them permission to reopen but we did not tell our soldiers to stop girls by force. officially, in our policy, we did not allow any. aid agencies warn millions of children are going hungry in afghanistan. as a humanitarian crisis continues, school closures are just one of a growing list of problems girls face. a head teacher told us many of her pupils will not survive the winter. sana safi, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. more pressure on the prime minister to explain a downing street christmas party last year, after video emerges showing senior no ten staff laughing about it — grieving families say the video has made them angry. number ten maintains there was no party, at a time when tight covid restrictions were in place — a conservative mp says we need to hear from the prime minister and labour calls for a nswers. germany�*s lower parlia meets germany�*s lower parliament meets to approve the appointment of the new chancellor, olaf scholz, before he is sworn in. a helicopter carrying the head of the indian armed forces, general bipin rawat, has crashed in the southern state of tamil nadu. there�*s no word on casualties. exactly one year after 90—year—old maggie keenan received the world�*s first approved coronavirus vaccine, the booster programme opens to over 40s in england. and gwent police says it�*s "extremely sorry" to two women for its handling of their reports about abusive behaviour by a fellow officer. i�*ve been talking to one of them. the covid booster programme in england is being expanded again — so anyone over a0 can now book their third jab, three months after their second dose. the announcement comes exactly a year after margaret keenan — a grandmotherfrom coventry — became the first person in the world to be given a covid jab outside of a clinical trial. here�*s our health correspondent — dominic hughes. it was the news the entire world was waiting for and it duly made headlines around the globe. the world�*s first ever dose of a covid vaccination jab outside of a clinical trial, given to maggie keenan at the university hospital in coventry. speaking a little earlier this year, maggie, accompanied by matron may parsons who delivered the jab, told bbc breakfast she knew it was a big moment. as i�*ve said 1000 times over, you know, i hoped that it has got the ball rolling. this wonderful injection has been offered to them. the past year has seen a monumental vaccine roll—out effort by the nhs to get as manyjabs into as many arms as possible. the result has been a total of more than 51,000,000 firstjabs given across the uk. the delivery of 46.5 million second doses, and nearly 21 million booster or third vaccinations. and today that booster drive is being extended further. people aged a0 and over are now able to book their boosterjab three months after receiving their second dose, instead of the original six months. that has meant that while infections have been consistently high since latejuly, hospital admissions and deaths remain relatively low. now, as the government seeks to ramp up the booster programme in the face of the threat posed by the omicron variant, tens of thousands of vaccination workers and volunteers are being urged to come forward in the same way that maggie did a year ago. i had a letterfrom somebody which said something really lovely, the words that were written at the bottom of the letter was, "what a gracious lady." and that was just it. and i thought, well, she thought i�*ve done something really good. i didn�*tjust do it for me, why would i do it for me? i did it for everybody around. despite the overall success of the vaccination roll—out programme, there is a significant number of people who are still unvaccinated. today, senior nhs doctors are saying, it is still not too late to get a jab, arguing the more people who take up the vaccine now, the greater the easing of pressure on the nhs. and it�*s a message that maggie keenan also believes in. whatever you thought before, please do have the jab. there�*s nothing to it. don�*t be afraid of the needle, it�*s to save your life and to save other lives. please have it done. at any one time, hospitals are still caring for around 6000 covid patients. the unvaccinated make up the majority of the people who fall so ill they need intensive care. one year on, the virus still poses a threat. dominic hughes, bbc news. our health correspondent cath burns is at university hospital coventry & warwickshire where that first vaccine was given. a study trickle of people —— steady trickle of people are coming in to get the booster. i was here when the first vaccine was given. injanuary and february they had people queueing in the corridors, overwhelmingly busy, now they feel it is more of a well oiled machine. the main attraction is maggie keenan, she has been reignited with a matron mae parsons. they built up a matron mae parsons. they built up a lovely friendship, a cuddle and a copy before interviews. she was talking about how her life is change this last year. talking about how her life is change this last year-— this last year. sometimes i cannot understand _ this last year. sometimes i cannot understand it _ this last year. sometimes i cannot understand it sometimes. - this last year. sometimes i cannot understand it sometimes. when i this last year. sometimes i cannot - understand it sometimes. when people meet me _ understand it sometimes. when people meet me in_ understand it sometimes. when people meet me in the street. even young people _ meet me in the street. even young people have spoken to me and it makes _ people have spoken to me and it makes me — people have spoken to me and it makes me feel good. we have learned so much more about the vaccines. now we have the booster campaign, it feels more important than ever, a present time because of the on recon “— recon —— psychomotor variant. the data coming from south africa, the more who have had the vaccines, the better it deals with omricon. i�*m nowjoined by amelia christie, the head of advocacy at unicef uk. it is fantastic we are at the one—year anniversary, it is fantastic we are at the one—yearanniversary, expanding it is fantastic we are at the one—year anniversary, expanding the booster programme, we need to make sure we are able to get doses up to everybody if we want to end this pandemic for everybody everywhere. the message has come from all sorts of organisations, leaders, politicians, it is still not happening?— politicians, it is still not happening? politicians, it is still not hauenino? :, , :, , happening? lots of good commitments to oauttin happening? lots of good commitments to putting doses _ happening? lots of good commitments to putting doses forward, _ happening? lots of good commitments to putting doses forward, what - happening? lots of good commitments to putting doses forward, what we - to putting doses forward, what we need to see is a return to action, the uk government made a great commitment at the g7 leaders summit injuly that we commitment at the g7 leaders summit in july that we were commitment at the g7 leaders summit injuly that we were donate 100 million doses to covax but we need to speed up the roll—out, the latest variant has been a wake—up call that we cannot enter this pandemic country by country, we need to make sure we have a concerted international effort so we can vaccinate the most vulnerable everywhere. vaccinate the most vulnerable everywhere-— vaccinate the most vulnerable eve here. ~ : , ., everywhere. which countries are really missing — everywhere. which countries are really missing out _ everywhere. which countries are really missing out at _ everywhere. which countries are really missing out at the - everywhere. which countries are i really missing out at the moment? everywhere. which countries are - really missing out at the moment? we need really missing out at the moment? - need to make sure that the increased vaccine equity is there and that the uk can be in a position to lead on this. is it a lack of supplies? what we really need is to address the inequity issue, we really need g7 countries when they meet this weekend to really step up what they are offering and ensure taxis get to those who need them most. we are in a position in the uk where we are able to offer booster doses and commit to supporting vaccinations around the world.— around the world. thank you for talkin: to around the world. thank you for talking to us. _ australia hasjoined the united states in staging a diplomatic boycott of the beijing winter olympic games over human rights violations. the prime minister — scott morrison — said australian athletes would still compete. from sydney — shaimaa khalil has more. australian athletes will compete in the winter olympics but there will be no diplomats and officials attending. scott morrison said this boycott should come as no surprise given concerns over human rights violations of the uighur muslim minority in china. also given the breakdown in communication between canberra and beijing essentially, the diplomatic freeze that china has imposed on australia. for the past two years or so australian ministers and officials have not been able to make direct phone calls to their chinese counterparts, let alone meet face—to—face. that has also contributed to this decision. we have always been open to meet with the chinese government to talk about their concerns whether it be their concerns with our foreign interference legislation or other foreign investment rules. australia takes a very strong stand, standing up for australia's interests. they been critical of australia and ensuring we have a strong national defence force, particularly most recently to our decision to acquire nuclear powered submarines. this has not come in a vacuum. for years, but specifically for the past two years, australia�*s relationship with china has quickly and significantly deteriorated. there is a long list of reasons but here are a few crucial examples. australia banning of the telecoms giant huawei for its 5g network, canberra�*s consistent criticism of china�*s policy in hong kong, and its treatment of the uighur muslim minority. china was then pushed over the edge when australia backed an international investigation into the origins of covid—19. they were so angry that a series of trade sanctions followed. most recently, we heard from the defence minister here who said china treated other countries in the region as tributary states. all of this makes for a grim diplomatic picture. the prime minister scott morrison said this should be separated from sports and athletes would be competing in the olympics and that was welcomed by the australian olympic committee who said getting athletes in and out of beijing safely as their biggest priority and challenge. and while this official boycott is not a surprise, it is the latest episode in a very tense relationship between two key partners in the region. many streaming platforms platforms some of the biggest streaming platforms and consumer apps have been disrupted by an outage affecting amazon�*s cloud services. netflix, disney plus, the trading app robinhood and amazon itself, were all temporarily affected. amazon said many platforms had recovered from the issues, and it was working towards full reinstatement of services. den�*s work force is being encouraged to work from home again on the back of rising covid infections in the country. there�*s also a new recommendation to wearface masks on public transport, the government have also said a further rise in infections could see the rolling out of vaccine passes to restaurants as well as smaller public events. malaysia�*s court of appeal has upheld the corruption conviction of the former prime minister, najib razak. last year, mr najib was found guilty of having misappropriated about $10 million. storm barra continues to bring wet, windy and unsettled conditions today, with severe weather warnings still in place for the west—coast of wales and south—west england. despite more than 3000 homes losing power across north—east scotland, wales and northern ireland yesterday, forecasters say storm barra is not expected to cause as much chaos as storm arwen did last week. a police force in wales has finally apologised after nine years to two of its own officers, for its handling of their reports about abusive behaviour by a fellow pc. jodie, not her real name, told gwent police in 2012 about alleged abuse by her ex—boyfriend. he denied the claims, and was found guilty of gross midconduct in 2019. gwent police said it was "extremely sorry" the women were let down "when they felt most in need of our support." years after reporting the fellow officer, jodie has finally received the apology she has been waiting for. this story was first brought to light on our old programme back in november 2019 when i ftalked tojodie about the abuse she says she was subjected to. iam in i am in quite a difficult position because they are still my employer as well. fin because they are still my employer as well. :, :, , because they are still my employer as well. . . , . as well. on a really basic level, we have never— as well. on a really basic level, we have never had _ as well. on a really basic level, we have never had an _ as well. on a really basic level, we have never had an apology, - as well. on a really basic level, we have never had an apology, neverl as well. on a really basic level, we i have never had an apology, never had thanks for coming forward and giving evidence, for basically allowing them to eliminate a predator from them to eliminate a predator from the police force. jodi wants to remain anonymous. i would say the behaviour change quite rapidly. first couple of weeks of the relationship, i started to see little indicators that he wasn�*t quite what i thought he was initially. and you say essentially he controlled your life, every aspect of it. what did he do? how did he do that? he controlled me in every way possible. he would monitor my mobile phone. he wouldn�*t believe who i was messaging on my phone. he would want to see evidence that i was messaging maybe family members. he would go through my social media and just questioning me as to why i had certain friends on there. he would follow me inside and outside of work. he would control what clothing i wore, who i saw, just absolutely everything. what i ate, every aspect of my life was controlled by that man. and what impact did that have on you? it was just horrendous, i felt absolutely suffocated. ifelt like a prisoner, i didn�*t know where to turn. he had actually said to me that if i tried to report him, that nobody would believe anything that i said. i honestly, ifelt like i had nowhere to turn. you did, though, make about his behavior to a more senior officer in 2012. what was their response? it took courage me to try and make that complaint, i put up with a lot, i put up with months and months of stalking, harassment after the relationship ended and i just couldn�*t take anymore. so i reported it initially to my sergeants who were really supportive. but obviously, because of the seriousness of it, they need to escalate it to a higher ranking officer. so when we initially went to speak to him, his reaction was, oh, come on in and have a seat, love. i hear you experiencing some relationship problems. what?! and i said, well, no, this is not a relationship problem. i�*m being stalked. i�*m being harassed. and to be honest, i nearly turned and walked out. because everything the perpetrator had said about people not believing me and was starting to ring true in my head and i thought i wasn�*t going to be taken seriously. you had to give a statement to the professional standards board, which is the board that investigates complaints like this from within the force. and eventually the pc that you�*d had that relationship with was given a verbal harassment warning. without naming names, who gave him that verbal warning? well, again, this is where it all started to go wrong again, because he was given this warning by an officer that was superior to himself, but i knew that they were actually friends outside work. so you can imagine when i found that out, again, these words are ringing true that no one is believing me, no one was going to take me seriously. did that verbal warning work? no, it absolutely didn�*t. within hours of receiving that verbal warning, he was contacting me, which i knew would happen. so you reported him again, and this time they gave him a written harassment warning, did that work? again, no, it didn�*t, and i knew what kind of man i was dealing with, and he hejust didn�*t adhere to it at all — again, within hours again, within hours of being given that written warning he was contacting me again and even in the contact, it was via email. he acknowledged that he�*d been given a written warning and that he wasn�*t going to adhere to it, basically. so how did you feel about that? i was absolutely terrified. it had taken so much for me to report it to the police and then with him still continuing his behavior, ijust didn�*t know how the situation could ever end. in 2014, you were contacted to say there had been a similar complaint to yours about this male officer from another woman in the force, which is when they started to look back i think about how they investigated your allegations. what did you think then? oh, to be honest, i wasn�*t surprised at all that the behavior continued and that he had moved on to somebody else to do the same. but again, it was just so frustrating that i hadn�*t been taken seriously. and yet i have to go through it all again. i have to relive all of that experience again because they haven�*t done the job properly the first time. so i had to bring up the trauma again when i�*d moved on with my life and had to relive it. what did you want from your employers, gwent police, at that time? ijust wanted them to investigate the crimes properly, be updated like you should be updating victims and just to be taken seriously and feel as if something was being done rather than things being swept under the carpet time and time again. you describe them as crimes. they are alleged crimes because this man has never been charged with anything in the eyes of the law. in the eyes of the law he is innocent. in 2019, though, a disciplinary panel overseeing gwent police found him guilty of gross misconduct for engaging in a, quote, continuously abusive course of conduct towards women. and they found him guilty in his absence because he had resigned, having denied all the claims. when you heard that conclusion from the disciplinary panel, how did you react? in a way, it was a slight relief because i felt that finally i�*d been listened to and people knew that what i was saying was the truth. but equally, i felt a bit cheated because he had managed to resign at the very last minute before he could be found guilty of gross misconduct. so he was still found guilty of gross misconduct, but he wasn�*t sacked from the police force. he resigned. so it was on his terms. you�*ve had this apology now, which is nine years after you first made a complaint about this ex—officer, the deputy chief constable of gwent, amanda blakeman, has said, i�*m extremely sorry that at a time when this woman felt most in need of our support, that we let her down. the force had listened, reflected and taken the actions needed to get this right in the future. she goes on to say, we take any allegations of this nature very seriously and they will be thoroughly investigated and action taken. and i want to ask you, and it might be something that members of the public are thinking as they�*re listening to you. if you as a police officer or a police officer, couldn�*t get your own police force to take your complaints properly, how are members of the public going to do it? just, i have so much fear for people that after hearing about things like this they may be afraid to come forward and i would totally understand if they were because i didn�*t feel like i was being listened to and i technically knew all the correct channels to follow. i sincerely hope that the experience will be different for members of the public. and i hope that this isjust a problem internally rather than a reflection of the service that the members of the public will get from the police. do you feel reassured by what the deputy chief constable said to you? i do, but ijust hope that we can see these words in action and i hope that anybody else that would be in the same situation as me would have a much better, more efficient service than what i had. do you feel vindicated after receiving this apology after nearly a decade? slightly, but i almost feel like it�*s a little too late. do you feel vindicated after receiving this apology after nearly a decade? slightly, but i almost feel like it�*s a little too late. i mean, it�*s great that the dcc has apologised and it�*s great for me that my colleagues can see that what i was fighting for all along wasjustice, because obviously there were people who doubted us, who called us liars. we were bullied and harassed because of the allegations we made. and ijust hope that those people are now embarrassed by their behavior. and tell us why you talk to our audience today about this. i want to raise awareness. i know the centre for women�*sjustice are putting out a huge complaint for women who are in a similar situation to me. and ijust hope that anybody watching this today or listening to this today knows that now they have definitely got back in and they are not alone. they will be listened to, and to come forward and report anything that they feel is wrong. i mean, you came on our old programme back in 2019 and talked about this and it still took another two years for the force to apologise to you. yeah. and it was two years of fighting and again being ignored. our solicitors did a fantasticjob ofjust communicating with gwent police. but again, this is how long it was taking. it was just back and forth, back and forth. with no explanation why, really, again, just like the investigation. jodie, thank you very much for talking to us and we really appreciate your time and take care. thank you very much. hello again. storm barra is still with us, but it is continuing to weaken. now, having said that, it still is going to be windy, just not as windy as it was yesterday, and it is also still going to be rather wet. in fact, the met office still has a yellow weather warning out for parts of wales and also the south of england for those winds. so, here is storm barra, this low pressure. still quite windy around it, as you can see, but especially in the south—western quarter. and with the weather front wrapped around it, that is producing rain or some showers, some of them will be wintry on higher ground. any sunshine will be at a premium today, but there will be a little of it around. so, still gales across parts of wales, the south—west of england, over in the direction of the isle of wight, and temperatures today 5—9. through this evening and overnight, storm barra, or what is left of it, continues to push out into the north sea, but we still have weather fronts wrapped around it, so still some showers coming in. but where we have got the clearer skies across north—east england, central and eastern scotland, it will be cold enough for some frost. so a chilly start to the day. tomorrow we start off with this line of showers from our weather front. that will push eastwards as a weak feature, then we have got a ridge of high pressure across us before the next clutch of weather fronts come our way, coming in from the atlantic, bringing in some more rain. so, a nippy start to the day, here�*s that weather front bringing the showers, pushing eastwards and weakening all the time. so a lot of dry weather, more sunshine through the course of thursday compared to today, and then the cloud will thicken out towards the west, heralding the arrival of this weatherfront bringing in some rain. heralding the arrival of this with it, it is going to be much milder across the south—west of the country, but still chilly as we push over towards the east. now, that weather front coming in to the west will drift eastwards through the course of the night, clearing early on on friday, and you can see from the isobars it is going to be windy once again during the course of friday. so, early on we say goodbye to the rain, a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine around, some showers coming in on the wind across westward facing coasts, and also some of those will be wintry on higher ground. and by the end of the day, you will notice a bit more cloud coming into the south—west. but a chilly day for most of us. and don�*t forget it is also going to be breezy. into the weekend, it turns milder, there will be rain at times, it will also be windy at times. and then into next week, it remains unsettled. this is bbc news, i�*m rebecca jones. the headlines at 11... this fictional party was a with more pressure on the prime minister to explain a downing street christmas party last year, after video emerges showing senior number 10 staff laughing about it — grieving families say the video has made them angry. to see the cynicism and complete disregard for the regulation, their own regulations, at a time where the country was locking down and, you know, keeping safe, to keep their loved ones safe, it is just appalling. number 10 maintains there was no party, at a time when tight coronavirus restrictions were in place — a conservative mp says we need to hear from the prime minister and labour calls for a nswers. drinks and cheese and canopies, this clearly was not a business meeting. this isn't about wiggling out of the rules when many people were arrested by the police. i want to hear what the prime minister says on the record at the dispatch box at lunchtime today, and i will for my judgment after that. exactly one year after 90—year—old margaret keenan received the world�*s first approved coronavirus vaccine, the booster programme opens to over 40s in england. olaf scholz is taking over as germany�*s new chancellor, replacing angela merkel after her 16 years in power. borisjohnson is under renewed pressure to admit a christmas party was held in downing street last year, after a video emerged which showed senior staff laughing and joking about it. the footage shows officials holding a rehearsal of a press briefing last december which was obtained by itv news. labour said it was shameful. number 10 maintains there was no party and no rules were broken. scotland yard are reviewing the video in relation to alleged breaches of coronavirus restrictions. at the time of the downing street party — tier 3 restrictions meant people were encouraged to work from home. people in offices had to socially distance, and gatherings of two or more people indoors were banned by law unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work. the party took place on the 18th december last year when london was in tier 3. the day after — london and parts of the south east were placed into tougher tier 4 restrictions — and millions had their christmas plans cancelled. the footage obtained by itv news is reportedly from the 22nd december — four days after the party. here�*s our political correspondent helen catt. the christmas tree is up outside number 10, the lights are on. but it�*s what happened last festive season that is still raising questions. claims that a party was held inside, which an attendee told the bbc involved food, drink and several dozen people. it happened, they said, on friday, december the 18th. four days later, the then press secretary to the prime minister had a practice press briefing, with aides pretending to be journalists. there was a downing street christmas party on friday night. do you recognise those reports? i went home. itv news got hold of this video of it, with the aides joking about a party. is cheese and wine all right? it was a business meeting. is this recorded? this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. on that day there were severe restrictions in place on social mixing. on the day of the alleged party 514 deaths of people with covid were reported. one of those who died that day was jackie�*s mother beryl. i think it�*s totally reprehensible, actually. when i first saw it, i had no words, to be honest, and it took a little while to actually sink in as to what i was watching. and i think this is actually indicative of a bigger problem within the government, that they think they are above the rules and they can do exactly what they like. the political backlash has started too. last year at christmas the public followed the rules and many of them didn't see their loved ones over christmas _ some of them didn't see their loved ones again. they had the right to expect the government to follow the rules. we now know the government broke the rules, they partied, and now they're laughing about it. they're treating the public with contempt. the prime minister has been repeatedly asked about the party over the last week. all guidance was followed completely during number 10. we followed the guidance throughout and continue to follow the guidance. what i can tell you is that all the guidelines were observed. but expect him to be asked a lot more. some of his own mps want answers. we need to get ahead of this story today. the government needs to show that it takes it seriously. it's understandable the government wants to focus on this coming christmas, not the last one, given the worrying development of this omicron variant. and for those who might have claimed this was just an obsession of the westminster bubble, ant and dec had an answer. and this fictional party definitely didn�*t involve cheese and wine, or a secret santa. evening, prime minister! the department for education has admitted it held a gathering earlier in december last year. a spokeswoman said it was to thank staff for their efforts during the pandemic. and that while it was work—related, looking back they accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time. as for downing street, it insists there was no christmas party at number 10. and covid rules had been followed at all times. borisjohnson can expect to be asked for a lot more answers at prime minister�*s questions later. helen catt, bbc news. labour�*s shadow foreign secretary david lammy said borisjohnson must come clean and apologise to the british people. an apology. the facts. what actually happened. getting real and getting serious. recognising that this virus has cost lives and those restrictions are important because he leads on public health. getting serious about the office he holds and apologising to the british people. sir roger gale is the conservative mp for north thanet in kent. he told my colleague victoria derbyshire the prime minister should resign, if he is found to have misled the house of commons over the downing street party. i want to hear what the prime minister says on the record at the dispatch box at lunchtime today, and i will form my judgment after that. i started by saying, and i will repeat, this is my view, my opinion. i am not speaking for anybody. i�*m not speaking on behalf of the government, not even speaking for any of my colleagues, i do not know what my colleagues are thinking. they may believe i am profoundly wrong. i am saying what i think, that is all i can do. and just to confirm, if the prime minister did mislead the house of commons, you say that is a resigning issue? i think the chairman of the 1922 committee, sir graham brady, would have to carry a very clear message to the prime minister under those circumstances. meaning what? meaning the game is up. our political correspondent ione wells is at westminster. this story is not going away, indeed it seems to be gathering momentum. how damaging is it for the government?— how damaging is it for the government? how damaging is it for the covernment? . , , government? that is exactly right. it is government? that is exactly right. it is turning _ government? that is exactly right. it is turning out _ government? that is exactly right. it is turning out to _ government? that is exactly right. it is turning out to be _ government? that is exactly right. it is turning out to be incredibly i it is turning out to be incredibly damaging for the government. we have already seen this cutting through with popular programmes like ant and deck last night talking about this on their show to millions of people. that is footage of downing street aides last year essentially rehearsing how they would respond to people like me asking them about this christmas party has all ready reached millions of people on social media as well, so it is the sight of downing street thought they were going to be able to bury this that hasn�*t worked. what we do is downing street have continued over the last week to deny these reports of a christmas party taking place. we have been told that christmas party took place on the 18th of december as has been widely reported and that food and drink were served comic games were played, all things that seem to be hinted at in this leaked video which shows downing street aides rehearsing how they would respond to criticism over such a party, talking about cheese and wine being served, talking about going at the business meeting and lapping over the situation which has certainly yielded a very negative reaction not only from the general public for the opposition but also from conservative mps themselves, we are not only unhappy about the report is the event took place but with the way it has been handled. i think the prime minister will certainly face a much trickier time this week at prime minister�*s questions trying to depend the situation, trying to act like this party didn�*t happen, given this new footage that has emerged. separately downing street is also under fire for potential other gatherings that took place, several sources have now told the bbc that separately to this event on the 18th of december there was also a christmas quiz that took place for some downing street aides last year held in a cabinet office. while some sources have said some people took part virtually in that event others have said there were groups of people there in person. so certainly i think this issue is not going away for the prime minister and he will be facing lots of questions both from the labour leader sir keir starmer about this today at prime minister�*s questions but also likely some of his own mps as well. i think it will be very interesting to see how many of those mps turn up—to—date to support the premise from his backbenchers. absolutely. thank you for that. we will be bringing you prime minister�*s questions life here on bbc news. safiah ngah, who is a spokesperson for the covid—19 bereaved families forjustice group, her father contracted coronavirus last december and died in february, gave her reaction to the video from the mock conference. watching that video last night was... i could not believe what i was watching. it was absolutely bewildering and deeply unsettling. my dad caught covid over christmas, the numbers were really bad at that point. i believe over 500 people died on the day that that fake press conference with allegra stratton was held. just to see the cynicism and complete disregard for the regulation, their own regulations, at a time when the country was locking down, you know, keeping safe to keep their loved ones safe, it is just appalling. we can speak now to the leader of the liberal democrats, sir ed davey. this was a mock news conference, not the same as a video or photograph of the same as a video or photograph of the actual event, but what you make of it? i the actual event, but what you make of it? ~' :, , :, , :,, of it? i think millions of people will be very _ of it? i think millions of people will be very angry _ of it? i think millions of people will be very angry at _ of it? i think millions of people will be very angry at the - of it? i think millions of people will be very angry at the way i of it? i think millions of people i will be very angry at the way boris johnson and his close aides seem to be acting and joking. they will remember, people remember what it was like last christmas, it was miserable, notjust parties were cancelled, people had to avoid seeing their family. cancelled, people had to avoid seeing theirfamily. some people saw theirfamily dying, they seeing theirfamily. some people saw their family dying, they weren�*t able to go and hold their hand of their loved ones because of the restrictions. so people will be rightly angry. it looks as if yet again there is one rule for boris johnson and his close team and another rule for the rest of us. i don�*t think that is acceptable, i think it is quite wrong. so don't think that is acceptable, i think it is quite wrong. so when you hear the prime _ think it is quite wrong. so when you hear the prime minister _ think it is quite wrong. so when you hear the prime minister say - think it is quite wrong. so when you hear the prime minister say again i hear the prime minister say again and again no covid rules were broken, do you believe him? ila. and again no covid rules were broken, do you believe him? no. i don't think— broken, do you believe him? no. i don't think the _ broken, do you believe him? no. i don't think the country _ broken, do you believe him? hp. i don't think the country believes the don�*t think the country believes the prime minister. it is not the first time his word has been called into question. the fact he won�*t even own up question. the fact he won�*t even own up to it and admitted in the face of this very clear evidence i think makes it even worse. i think that is why when you�*re showing clips right rightly of families who have been bereaved and been grieving they are astonished that the prime minister of our country should behave in this way, it is not decent, not right, and i am afraid he has a long track record when his close aide dominic cummings broke the rules, he took no action. he didn�*t life by sight when he was supposed to, didn�*t wear a mask when he went into hospital, if it was one offence people might brush it aside, but borisjohnson is a serial offender. he and his team break the rules time and again and it really can�*t go on stop it is not the lead our country needs. these are difficult times and people have made huge sacrifices and i think because people have made huge sacrifices. i because people have made huge sacrifices. , because people have made huge sacrifices. . . . sacrifices. i must 'ust interrupt ou sacrifices. i must 'ust interrupt you because _ sacrifices. i must 'ust interrupt you because we _ sacrifices. i mustjust interrupt you because we just _ sacrifices. i mustjust interrupt you because we just had - sacrifices. i mustjust interrupt you because we just had to - sacrifices. i mustjust interruptj you because we just had to say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. when we have done that we can recommence our interview, i beg your pardon, do finish your thought. i our interview, i beg your pardon, do finish your thought.— finish your thought. i 'ust think --eole finish your thought. i 'ust think people out finish your thought. i 'ust think people will be h finish your thought. i 'ust think people will be very _ finish your thought. i just think people will be very angry. - finish your thought. i just thinkj people will be very angry. they finish your thought. i just think - people will be very angry. they want the prime minister to tell the truth. he seems to have a problem doing that and that is why i think so many people across the country feel boris johnson so many people across the country feel borisjohnson is taking for granted. i have been knocking on doors in my constituency and in the by—election in shops are and what people they are saying is they feel that boris johnson people they are saying is they feel that borisjohnson is taking them for granted. he doesn�*t obey the rules he expects the rest of us to buy and that is not right. what rules he expects the rest of us to buy and that is not right. what do ou buy and that is not right. what do you actually _ buy and that is not right. what do you actually want _ buy and that is not right. what do you actually want to _ buy and that is not right. what do you actually want to see - buy and that is not right. what do you actually want to see happen? j buy and that is not right. what do i you actually want to see happen? do you actually want to see happen? do you want him to apologise, would not be enough, or do you just want him to resign? be enough, or do you 'ust want him to resin? :. . :. be enough, or do you 'ust want him to resin? . , ., :,' to resign? that start off with him admittin: to resign? that start off with him admitting the _ to resign? that start off with him admitting the truth _ to resign? that start off with him admitting the truth for— to resign? that start off with him admitting the truth for once. - to resign? that start off with him admitting the truth for once. let| admitting the truth for once. let him apologise. we understood from press reports the police are looking at the videos, they may decide to make an investigation. i think some sort of investigation is correct, particularly of the prime minister keeps denying what the rest of us can quite rightly see from the video. i think this is a very serious moment. let�*s remember that covid is still hitting our country with the new variant, it is a dangerous time for people, our nhs is overrun, doctors and nurses and care staff are working so hard to help people and this is exactly the wrong thing but the leader of our country should be doing at the time, the prime minister needs to be believed by people and when he asks people to do things in a public health crisis people need to follow his word and unfortunately because he continues to break the rules time and time again, he is no longer credible when he speaks and that is a very worrying situation for our country. ii a very worrying situation for our count . :. . a very worrying situation for our count . ., , :, ~ , country. if he has broken the rules and misled — country. if he has broken the rules and misled the _ country. if he has broken the rules and misled the house _ country. if he has broken the rules and misled the house of _ country. if he has broken the rules. and misled the house of commons, country. if he has broken the rules - and misled the house of commons, do you think he should resign as a conservative mp sir roger gale has suggested? i conservative mp sir roger gale has su: uested? .. conservative mp sir roger gale has su: uested? ~ , :, suggested? i think his position will certainly come _ suggested? i think his position will certainly come into _ suggested? i think his position will certainly come into serious - certainly come into serious question. i pay tribute to the conservative colleagues who have had the courage to speak out even though they come under pressure from the whips. i think this is a time where notjust liberal democrat and labour and opposition mps put pressure on the prime minister but it is time conservative mps who have at the prime minister get away with so much actually speak up for the country and the way this government is governing, cruising ambulance stations, we have heard that in north shropshire from people, hitting the incomes of many people and then not playing by the rules, i think people are fed up and angry and they want something done. i do want to just — and they want something done. i do want tojust ask and they want something done. i do want to just ask you one other question commit bbc sources are telling us that there is a meeting of the covid operations committee scheduled for early this afternoon to be followed by a cabinet meeting to be followed by a cabinet meeting to discuss potentially moving to the government�*s covid plan b. what would be your response to that, do you think it�*s time to move to plan b? you think it's time to move to plan b? , :, , :, , you think it's time to move to plan b? the liberal democrats have been seeinu b? the liberal democrats have been seeing some — b? the liberal democrats have been seeing some time _ b? the liberal democrats have been seeing some time that _ b? the liberal democrats have been seeing some time that we _ b? the liberal democrats have been seeing some time that we think- seeing some time that we think people should be working from home which is a key part of plan b. there are parts of plan b which i think would be very sensible. we haven�*t heard the evidence and what shocked me most is that the scientific committees that have been meeting and the information being given to the public that we saw in the past has not been forthcoming, so i hope that when this panel of experts does meet that it will be very upfront with people, give them the evidence and i think it will be even more important that they are transparent with the public and explain why we might need to take more measures, given the fact that people won�*t want to take a lead from the prime minister given he keeps breaking the rules. we minister given he keeps breaking the rules. ~ . minister given he keeps breaking the rules. . , ., minister given he keeps breaking the rules. . , . , rules. we must leave it there. many thanks. joining me now is sara woodward. she lost her mother, brenda and brother mark to coronavirus within a month of each other at the end of last year. i wondered what your thoughts were when you saw this video. i i wondered what your thoughts were when you saw this video.— when you saw this video. i think for m self, when you saw this video. i think for myself. my — when you saw this video. i think for myself, my sisters, _ when you saw this video. i think for myself, my sisters, my _ when you saw this video. i think for myself, my sisters, my daughter, i when you saw this video. i think for l myself, my sisters, my daughter, we have had the most, and our wider family, the most horrendous year, and this time last year we had just lost my mother. we were praying my brother would pull through, we were planning one funeral and then after the 14th of december, when my brother died, we spent christmas, pre—christmas and christmas planning the joint funeral. none of us could spend any time together from the 18th. i spent christmas alone with my daughter, meeting ourfamilies on zoom and the first time we came together was for the funeral on the 13th of december, we followed the rules. —— seeing this video it is utterly sickening and it makes me feel so angry and upset over and above the upset we have already gone through, we and many thousands of families across the country, it is just despicable and unforgivable. shot just despicable and unforgivable. at downing street of course continues to insist no rules were broken, no party took place, in your view how plausible is that? i party took place, in your view how plausible is that?— plausible is that? i think the evidence is _ plausible is that? i think the evidence is all _ plausible is that? i think the evidence is all there. - plausible is that? i think the evidence is all there. just i plausible is that? i think the - evidence is all there. just seeing the spokesman, the senior spokesperson yesterday on the news smirking and laughing about something, we are not loving, we haven�*t been loving for the last year and we certainly were not lapping around that period. all the evidence shows there was a gathering. it broke the rules. we, as bereaved families, coped in utter isolation, meeting on zoom, planning, sending each other messages on a whatsapp group whilst others were gathering and breaking the rules. it isjust others were gathering and breaking the rules. it is just unbelievable. what do you think should happen now? i think there should be, firstly they are dragging their feet on the covid inquiry, there needs to be a full inquiry into covid, and this matter needs to be investigated by the police as they have investigated countless other contraventions of the covid rules during lockdown, it needs to be investigated.- the covid rules during lockdown, it needs to be investigated. forgive me for interrupting _ needs to be investigated. forgive me for interrupting and _ needs to be investigated. forgive me for interrupting and i _ needs to be investigated. forgive me for interrupting and i apologise, - for interrupting and i apologise, what about the prime minister, what do you want from him? i what about the prime minister, what do you want from him?— what about the prime minister, what do you want from him? i wanted prime minister to come _ do you want from him? i wanted prime minister to come clean _ do you want from him? i wanted prime minister to come clean for— do you want from him? i wanted prime minister to come clean for once, - do you want from him? i wanted prime minister to come clean for once, i - minister to come clean for once, i doubt that will happen, and i think a full and frank apology to those of us who have suffered unspeakable pain and grief in the last year and now have to have the added insult of this over and above everything we have gone through, i think he owes an apology, a written statement to the bereaved families forjustice and to those of us who that group represents. and to those of us who that group represents-— and to those of us who that group re-resents. . , :, ., :, represents. have you heard from him on that subject _ represents. have you heard from him on that subject at _ represents. have you heard from him on that subject at all, _ represents. have you heard from him on that subject at all, because - on that subject at all, because presumably the bereaved families for justice have been in touch with number ten. i justice have been in touch with number ten-— justice have been in touch with number ten. justice have been in touch with numberten. �* ,, .,~ ., ., number ten. i can't speak, i am not a spokesperson _ number ten. i can't speak, i am not a spokesperson for _ number ten. i can't speak, i am not a spokesperson for the _ number ten. i can't speak, i am not a spokesperson for the bereaved i a spokesperson for the bereaved families forjustice but i am part of that group and my understanding isjohnson hasn�*t even visited the memorial wall opposite westminster which where we have all that they could hit hearts to our lost loved ones. so i think it is a very limited communication if any, whatsoever. brute limited communication if any, whatsoever.— limited communication if any, whatsoever. . , ., whatsoever. we must leave it there, but thank you _ whatsoever. we must leave it there, but thank you so _ whatsoever. we must leave it there, but thank you so much _ whatsoever. we must leave it there, but thank you so much for— whatsoever. we must leave it there, but thank you so much for taking - whatsoever. we must leave it there, j but thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us on bbc news. thank you for speaking to me. joining me now is the guardian columnist polly toynbee. it is impossible not to be moved when you hear the stories about what families have been through. i wondered what you thought when you saw that video. i wondered what you thought when you saw that video.— saw that video. i thought it quite extraordinary, _ saw that video. i thought it quite extraordinary, that _ saw that video. i thought it quite extraordinary, that it _ saw that video. i thought it quite extraordinary, that it was - saw that video. i thought it quite | extraordinary, that it was treated with such levity, such contempt. it was a real sense of the atmosphere inside number ten of this little insider group who think they are outside of everything, outside of rules, they have fun. it is a very boris inflicted world and you feel that whole downing street operation is full of many boriss who just want to have fun and don�*t mind what happens, there are no consequences, not for them, he has up until now been absolutely teflon prime minister, one scandal after another, it all seems to bounce off him, possibly this time not and i think the interview we have just had, bereaved families, says it all. it is heart—rending because everybody knows somebody who knows of somebody who really did suffer, notjust inconvenienced, but whose families really went through traumas and over 600 people had died that very day when they were laughing in downing street, not taking it seriously. do we risk getting caught up a bit with semantics, what do we actually mean by a party, and perhaps these were a few colleagues who have been working together very hard and were taking things seriously, and they left their desks, picked up a glass of wine and that was it. if that is the case would not be acceptable? it is uuite riuht case would not be acceptable? it 3 quite right people like roger gale, a conservative, and lots of other conservatives today, tracey crouch a former minister, just fuming, she says, there has to be an investigation. the police have to investigate. after all, some young people holding parties have been fined £10,000 and this is a real crime and the police have to investigate, so until they have interviewed everybody, found out what party it was, how much drink, how many games, i wait after midnight that they all stay, what fun that they have, how many of them, how big a room, was there any ventilation? if any of those stories and each newspaper each news outlet including the bbc have been talking to insiders who told them stories from several different sources, so i think if the police do enquire there will be an awful lot of people who were at the party, 30, 40, they will tell them the story of what actually happened and then it has to be out in the open. it is extraordinary that downing street have denied it. the education department have been very sensible, quickly saying we did have a party, it was ill—advised, we werejust have a party, it was ill—advised, we were just wanting to celebrate, thank our hard—working staff are what they had done in the year and it has gone away because being open is a way to deal with this. if the prime minister lied to parliament thatis prime minister lied to parliament that is very serious. this prime minister lied to parliament that is very serious.— that is very serious. this is a big moment for _ that is very serious. this is a big moment for its _ that is very serious. this is a big moment for its keir _ that is very serious. this is a big moment for its keir starmer, i moment for its keir starmer, standing up in about 35 minutes�* time at prime minister�*s questions, what does he need to do? he time at prime minister's questions, what does he need to do?— what does he need to do? he has a bit of a problem _ what does he need to do? he has a bit of a problem because _ what does he need to do? he has a bit of a problem because it - what does he need to do? he has a bit of a problem because it is - what does he need to do? he has a bit of a problem because it is a - bit of a problem because it is a bit hard to know whether to just focus on one open goal, on that party issue which he did last week, or whether he should go for a whole lot of things, after all it was also the scandal about the evacuation from afghanistan, the whistle—blower inside the foreign office, it was revealed that a 25—year—old who had only been in the foreign office for a couple of years was left alone to deal with thousands of life e—mails, couldn�*t get any decisions out of anyone else stop dominic robert was away on holiday, permanent secretary even longer, the sense of chaos while lives were lost is pretty horrific and then of course the added ingredient of the prime minister�*s... having intervened to let animals out ahead of human beings stop like that is something borisjohnson has denied. we are actually going to the story about the evacuation.— the evacuation. many thanks for “oininu the evacuation. many thanks for joining us- _ a second civil servant who took part in the british effort to evacuate people from afghanistan has described the operation as chaotic. the woman, who still works at the foreign office but wishes to remain anonymous, told newsnight that ministers�* handling of the situation was "unforgivable" and had caused unnecessary suffering. she said that when it came to checking the emails asking for help, there had been too much focus on minimizing political damage to the government. omicron does not appear to cause more severe disease than previous covid variants, and is "highly unlikely" to fully dodge vaccine protections, according to a senior official at the world health organisation. but the first lab tests of the new variant in south africa suggest it can partially evade the pfizerjab. researchers found there was a "very large drop" in how well the vaccine�*s antibodies neutralised the new strain. a former city regulator, lord tyrie, has described the market for covid pcr tests as a "rip—offjungle", and warned that poor service was still widespread. the government says it monitors complaints and takes swift action when needed — but travellers say the official website has been advertising tests at prices which have been difficult to obtain. storm barra continues to bring wet, windy and unsettled conditions, with severe weather warnings still in place for the west—coast of wales and south—west england. despite more than 3000 homes losing power across north—east scotland, wales and northern ireland yesterday, forecasters say storm barra is not expected to cause as much chaos as storm arwen did last week. a helicopter carrying the head of india�*s armed forces, general bipin rawat, has crashed in the southern state of tamil nadu. the indian airforce has confirmed on social media that the aircraft �*met with an accident, in the state of tamil nadu�*. the 63—year—old was travelling with his wife and 12 others. a government minister at the scene of the crash says at least seven people have died. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. storm barra is continuing to weaken but today it will still be windy, just not as windy as yesterday. the exception to that is across parts of wales, south—west england, heading in the direction of the isle of wight. around storm barra we still have lines of rain or showers, some of which wintry on the hills with the odd rumble of thunder and some help. once again a chilly day with highs between five and nine. this evening and overnight we still will have some showers around, but under clear skies across north—east england, centraland clear skies across north—east england, central and eastern scotland, it will be cold enough for a touch of frost. clear skies as we post further south into wales and parts of southern england. this is where we start off with sunshine first thing. still this the summers moving eastwards and weakening all the time, so a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine until later in the day, i knew where the front comes in introducing thicker cloud and some rain but milder in the south—west. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... it was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. more pressure on the prime minister to explain a downing street christmas party last year, after video emerges showing senior number ten staff laughing about it. grieving families say the video has made them angry. just to see the cynicism and complete disregard for the regulation, their own regulations, at a time when the country was looking down and keeping safe to keep their loved ones safe, it�*s just appalling. number ten maintains there was no party, at a time when tight coronavirus restrictions were in place. a conservative mp says we need to hearfrom the prime minister and labour calls for answers. exactly one year after 90 year old margaret keenan received the world�*s first approved coronavirus vaccine, the booster programme opens to over 40s in england. olaf scholz is taking over as germany�*s new chancellor, replacing angela merkel after her sixteen years in power. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. i from the bbc sport centre. was so excited about ti starting i was so excited about the ashes starting but as an england fan, it doesn�*t go according to plan, did it? good morning, it�*s the same old story for england in australia. they�*ve been bowled out for 147 on the opening day of the first ashes test in brisbane. rory burns went with the first ball and joe root for a duck too as australia, led by pat cummins, who took five wickets, had england dismissed before tea at the gabba. joe wilson was watching. no travelling fans permitted in australia but if you are brave enough to support england and live in brisbane, well, hurry to your seats. you might miss it. the ashes start and rory burns. yes, that was the first ball of the series and it shall set the tone. england�*s captain was in. england rely onjoe root but he made notes. pat cummins got rid of ben stokes and straight after lunch, a player defied the 25. it now, what�*s this? the ball suddenly does mark he had a partnership in the crowds, appreciation for the neutral supporter. at least it was getting competitive... fora supporter. at least it was getting competitive... for a bit. that was butler gone for 39. england were all out forjust 147 after a fine catch. a wicket for cummins. his fifth in fact. australia�*s captain walked off in a perfect world from start, his team had dominated. england�*s�*s bowlers with neither anderson nor broad selected must be outstanding to stop the whole match from slipping away on the second day. only four england batters made double figures. queensland police have put out a joke tweet saying they�*re launching an investigation into a group impersonating a test batting order at the gabba. one glimmer of hope wasjos buttler sharing a stand of 52 with ollie pope, who made 35. pope says it�*s early days and they�*re not letting the bad start get them down. obviously, it wasn�*t the end result that we wanted. we�*re not going to get too down about it now. both teams have obviously got a bat on wicket. a disappointing start, so there was frustration that we haven�*t been able to put on that big score that we wanted but the pitch did offer a fair bit, so i think obviously frustrating as a unit but we�*re not going to get you down. it's we�*re not going to get you down. it�*s a long series. will keep the spirits high and can fighting tomorrow. novak djokovic has been included on the entry list for next month�*s australian open despite continued doubts over his vaccination status. the world number one has refused to say whether he�*s had any covid—19 jabs and maintains people should have the "freedom to choose". he�*s yet to make a decision on whether to defend his title in melbourne, after organisers said all players were required to be vaccinated. serena williams will definitely not be pursuing a 24th grand slam title in australia. she�*s withdrawn from the event for medical reasons, saying she wasn�*t where she needed to be physically to compete. tyson fury has been ordered to defend his world heavyweight title against british rival dillian whyte. the wbc has given the two parties 30 days to agree a deal. after beating deontay wilder in october, fury had a window to set up a unification fight with oleksandr usyk, who�*d just taken anthonyjoshua�*s three titles, butjoshua triggered his rematch clause. fury—whyte is likely to take place in february or march next year, with cardiff or manchester potential venues. that�*s all the sport for now. i�*ll have more for you in the next hour. thank you. more now on the renewed pressure on borisjohnson to admit that a christmas party was held in downing street last year, after a video emerged of a mock press conference which showed senior staff laughing and joking about it. this morning the foreign secretary liz truss was asked about the issue of the downing street party. she was questioned by the bbc�*s james landale at an event at chatham house in london. it's it�*s in everybody�*s interest that we follow the covid—19 rules and that we boost our vaccinations as soon as we boost our vaccinations as soon as we practically can and there have been steps up in the booster campaign and that�*s obviously very important to deal with a new variant. as to alleged events in number ten, variant. as to alleged events in numberten, i don�*t variant. as to alleged events in number ten, i don�*t know the detail of what happens. i know that the prime minister spokesman answered those questions in detail yesterday and i�*m sure there will be further discussion of that issue but my focus has been, as i�*m sure you imagine, on foreign policy. i spent last week in sweden, in latvia and estonia working to challenge russian aggression with our allies. we have the g7 coming up in liverpool this weekend and of course i�*m here today outlining ourforeign policy outlining our foreign policy approach outlining ourforeign policy approach at chatham house. on the subject... i5 approach at chatham house. on the sub'ect... . :. . ,, approach at chatham house. on the sub'ect... , . , ,, . sub'ect. .. is a trust issue, which is subject... is a trust issue, which is really crucial. _ subject... is a trust issue, which is really crucial. why _ subject... is a trust issue, which is really crucial. why should - is really crucial. why should british citizens trust administration that doesn�*t follow the rules? brute administration that doesn't follow the rules? ~ :, administration that doesn't follow the rules? . :, :, :, , :, the rules? we do follow the rules of covid. i'm the rules? we do follow the rules of covid- i'm saying — the rules? we do follow the rules of covid. i'm saying that _ the rules? we do follow the rules of covid. i'm saying that in _ the rules? we do follow the rules of covid. i'm saying that in particular. covid. i�*m saying that in particular —— in that particular issue that you raised, i�*m not aware of the precise circumstances and i know the prime minister�*s spokesman has addressed that issue. that was the foreign secretary talking a little earlier. i�*m joined now by drew hendry who is the shadow trade spokesperson for the snp. very good morning to you. thanks for joining us. tell us what went through your mind when saw this video? i through your mind when saw this video? .. through your mind when saw this video? ~' ., . through your mind when saw this video? ~' .. ., video? i think the fact that liz truss cannot _ video? i think the fact that liz truss cannot deny _ video? i think the fact that liz truss cannot deny this - video? i think the fact that liz truss cannot deny this tells i video? i think the fact that liz l truss cannot deny this tells you everything that you need to know. when i saw this video, i was quite rightly enraged. amelia christie people are enraged about this. staff practising and laughing about how to cover up this party and the rule breaking that goes along with it is terrible given the practices that people have made. they have missed out on seeing their loved ones and other sacrifices in keeping their communities, theirfamilies other sacrifices in keeping their communities, their families safe. they have been doing the right thing. it should not be up to the people to set an example to the prime minister, but unfortunately, that�*s the way it is now. this is a prime minister that doesn�*t know the difference between right and wrong and he has misled the houses of parliament and he�*s misled the public and he should go. haifa parliament and he's misled the public and he should go. how do you know that he — public and he should go. how do you know that he has _ public and he should go. how do you know that he has misled _ public and he should go. how do you know that he has misled the - public and he should go. how do you know that he has misled the houses| know that he has misled the houses of parliament? he know that he has misled the houses of parliament?— of parliament? he has done it on a number of — of parliament? he has done it on a number of occasions. _ of parliament? he has done it on a number of occasions. on _ of parliament? he has done it on a number of occasions. on this - number of occasions. on this occasion, is quite clear that there has been no denial of this. we�*ve seen the video and i don�*t think that there is a person out there, who has any doubt that this has happened and in fact no tory mps can defend this. some of them are calling it out quite rightly too. this has angered people across the uk. they will have to make the sacrifices time and time again and we have had many stories of people who have missed out on seeing their loved ones at christmas and myself missed out, the only christmas i�*ve ever had without my grandson and many of us did that because of the fact that we were trying to make sure that we get people safe and to protect others because that is the right thing to do and what the prime minister demonstrates time and time again is the wrong things. rang i think it�*s important to just clarify that boris johnson think it�*s important to just clarify that borisjohnson has not denied that borisjohnson has not denied that the parties were held in time —— downing street. that the parties were held in time -- downing street.— -- downing street. what is it exactly that _ -- downing street. what is it exactly that you _ -- downing street. what is it exactly that you want - -- downing street. what is it exactly that you want to - -- downing street. what is it exactly that you want to see l -- downing street. what is it - exactly that you want to see happen now? :. exactly that you want to see happen now? . ., ., ., now? time and time again, we have seen this repeat _ now? time and time again, we have seen this repeat that _ now? time and time again, we have seen this repeat that there - now? time and time again, we have seen this repeat that there are - now? time and time again, we have seen this repeat that there are lies l seen this repeat that there are lies being told to the public. there�*s been lawbreaking. we have seen this government came to the house of commons and say they are willing to break into national law. when we are looking at the omicron variant, people are looking for a leadership year and what they are seeing is one rule for one set of people and another rule for others. this is not the way in this public health emergency. the fact is, there has been a breach of the rules here. it�*s quite evident that that is the case. it's quite evident that that is the case. �* :. . it's quite evident that that is the case. �* . , , :, . it's quite evident that that is the case. �* . , . ., case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry. _ case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry, could _ case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry, could you _ case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry, could you repeat- case. but what is your evidence for| that? sorry, could you repeat that? you are making some serious allegations and i wonder what your evidence is for that. at the end of the day, we�*ve seen this press conference. it was a mock news conference. it was a mock news conference. it�*s not the same example of a video or a photo of the event is it?— event is it? they have repeatedly been asked _ event is it? they have repeatedly been asked about _ event is it? they have repeatedly been asked about this _ event is it? they have repeatedly been asked about this and - event is it? they have repeatedly been asked about this and they l event is it? they have repeatedly i been asked about this and they have repeatedly refused to deny that this has happened. all the evidence is pointing that it did happen. on the bbc today, a lot of your reporters are saying that they have spoken to people who have confirmed this. the fact of the matter is that this is out there, that people know about it and they are enraged about it and borisjohnson is not fit for and they are enraged about it and boris johnson is not fit for office and this is just another example of why that is the case. ipuuie and this isjust another example of why that is the case.— and this isjust another example of why that is the case. we must leave it there. why that is the case. we must leave it there- good _ why that is the case. we must leave it there. good to _ why that is the case. we must leave it there. good to have _ why that is the case. we must leave it there. good to have you _ why that is the case. we must leave it there. good to have you with - why that is the case. we must leave it there. good to have you with us, | it there. good to have you with us, thank you. the covid booster programme in england is being expanded again — so anyone over 40 can now book their third jab, three months after their second dose. the announcement comes exactly a year after margaret keenan, a grandmother from coventry, became the first person in the world to be given a covid jab outside of a clinical trial. our health correspondent catherine burns is at university hospital coventry & warwickshire where that first vaccine was given out. we are seeing a steady trickle of people, who are coming in and getting their boosterjabs and it�*s such a moment to reflect on because i remember being here this time last year, standing outside in the cold, when that very first vaccine was given. i have been chatting to staff here this morning, who have described how the year has been, how it sounds injanuary and february, they had people queueing in the corridors and it felt overwhelmingly busy. now, they feel it�*s a much more well oiled machine but really today, the main attraction is, of course, maggie. she has been back, reunited with matron may parsons. they have built up a real genuine friendship over the last year, so it was really lovely to see them having a cuddle and a coffee together before they did a big round of interviews and maggie even talking about how grateful she is and how her life has changed in this last year. sometimes, i can�*t understand it really sometimes. people meet me in the street and they say, thank god for you because i wasn�*t going to have this jab and it�*s lovely to hear that. even young people have spoken to me and it makes me feel good. you know, all the way through this year, maggie has had one message. how grateful she is but also telling people to go out and get their vaccines. over this year, we�*ve learnt so much more about the vaccines. we�*ve learned how long we have protection for, that it wanes after a little bit but that protection is really good. we know that more people are coming forward than we expected but now we have got the booster campaign and it feels more important than ever. again, we feel like we are at a really pressing time because of this omicron variant and because of the fears of how that may spread quicker, how it may affect people in different ways. we are looking at that and the message is very clear — go out and get that booster if you can. the early data coming from south africa about this is that the more immunity you have built up from having infections and having the vaccine itself, the better it deals with the omicron variant. now it feels just as important as it did 12 months ago. thank you very much. right, let�*s talk now to amelia christie, who is the head of advocacy at unicef uk. how do you respond to this one year anniversary of a british woman getting the first approved covid vaccine in the world? it�*s fantastic that we are at the one—year anniversary and we are talking about expanding the booster programme but this also comes at a time, where still more than 90% of people in low—income countries have not received the first dose of the covid vaccine, so we need to make sure that we are able to get doses out to everybody to end this pandemic is everybody everywhere. —— for everybody, everywhere. so, that message has come from all sorts of organisations, all sorts of leaders, all sorts of politicians but it�*s still not happening. yes, we�*ve had a lot of good commitments to putting doses forward but what we really need to see is that these commitments turn into action. so, the uk government for example have made a commitment at the g7 leaders summit injuly that we were to donate 100 million doses to covax but at this stage, we only have less then 25% of these donated, so we really need to speed up this roll—out. this latest variant been a wake—up call that we cannot end this pandemic country by country, we need to make sure that we have a concerted international effort, so that we can vaccinate the most vulnerable everywhere. which countries are really missing out at the moment, would you say? at the moment, we have got countries that have got less than 6% vaccination rates across the board and this includes health workers and other vulnerable groups, so we need to make sure that we have an increase in vaccine equity and the uk is in a good position to be able to lead on this. was the issue? is it lack of political will, is it lack of supplies — what is it? at the moment, we don�*t have a supply issue any more. what we really need to do is to address the inequity issue, so we really need to g7 countries in particular, when they meet this weekend, to really step what they are offering and ensure that we reach those that need vaccines most. this isn�*t an either or situation. we are in a privileged position in the uk. we are already able to offer booster doses, but we can also commit to supporting vaccinations around the world. that was amelia christie from unicef uk talking to victoria just a little earlier. germany�*s lower house of parliament, has confirmed the social democrat, olaf scholz, as the new chancellor. he was officially appointed in a short ceremony at the residence of the german president and returned to the parliament to be sworn in. mr scholz is replacing angela merkel after sixteen years in power. our berlin correspondent damien mcguinness gave us this update earlier, while the new chancellor was being sworn in. it's it�*s historic in lots of ways. more than a decade and a half in power, angela merkel is the first chancellor of modern germany to voluntarily give up power. every other chancellor before her had to be pushed out by an election. she stepped down voluntarily. almost quite a record in that she is just ten days off one of the other chancellor�*s record of 16 years in power. the other historic side of this new government is that after the first time, we have seen quite unusual three parties governing germany nationally. the greens, and is led by olaf scholz, the dons they have been able to lead germany in a very professional manner. they are creating a lot of optimism but they found a lot in common which they can work together with. the germany —— germany is in crisis due to the pandemic, so there is a lot of the new government is already having to tackle and it�*s not going to be an easy beginning of office for olaf scholz. that�*s definitely safe to say. the united nations says the rights of women and girls in afghanistan have deteriorated rapidly since the taliban seized power in august. teenage schoolgirls from across the country have told the bbc of their growing desperation, as they continue to be excluded from school. the taliban government ordered boys to return to secondary school in september, but made no mention of girls. as part of the bbc�*s 100 women series, sana safi has this report. a school classroom, suspended in time. on the board, an old physics lesson that may never be finished. this is what most girls�* high schools look like since the taliban took control. and it�*s having a devastating impact. we have spoken to dozens of teachers and girls across a third of afghanistan is provinces to understand how their lives have changed. translation: i am 16 years old, not being able to study feels - like a death penalty. i wanted to become a surgeon but i am hopeless now. these days, i am doing nothing, i am lost. translation: | am 17 years old, - when i see my clothes and booksjust sitting in my cupboard without being used, i get very upset. i was dreaming of becoming a midwife but these days, i am frozen. but the school closures are not nationwide. despite the ban, a handful of provinces have resumed teaching. the northern city of mazar—i—sharif is one of the few places teenage girls can go to high school. translation: it does not feel the same as before, l taliban fighters with large guns approach schoolgirls on the streets and they tell us to make sure our hair and mouth are not visible, as a result around one third of my class have stopped coming to school, shivering with fear. the taliban say they do not want to stop girls�* education but they are waiting for what they call a safe environment. in the meantime, they are shocked any girls schools are open at all. translation: i am surprised, l officially we have not given them permission to reopen but we did not tell our soldiers to stop girls by force. officially, in our policy, we did not allow any. aid agencies warn millions of children are going hungry in afghanistan. as a humanitarian crisis continues, school closures are just one of a growing list of problems girls face. a head teacher told us many of her pupils will not survive the winter. you can find out more about the other inspiring and influential women on the "bbc 100 women" list and the rest of the season on the bbc news website. ahead of prime minister�*s questions in under ten minutes, let�*s return to our top story. borisjohnson is under new pressure to admit a christmas party was held in downing street last year. that is of course after a video emerged showing senior staff laughing and joking about it. our political correspondentjonathan blake is at westminster. all eyes will be on the commons chamberfor prime all eyes will be on the commons chamber for prime minister�*s questions and all eyes of course on the prime minister. how serious is this for him?— the prime minister. how serious is this for him? there is no doubt that there is exasperation _ this for him? there is no doubt that there is exasperation among - this for him? there is no doubt that there is exasperation among manyl there is exasperation among many conservative mps this morning among the revelations about that party in downing street. they have denied it happened and insisted on every turn that covid—19 regulations and guidance were followed at all times. in the words of one conservative backbencher i spoke to this morning, they thought it meant it was curtains and accuse people in downing street are behaving in hypocrisy and contempt for the public. that mp suggested that the government was not lying just would not hold any further and that is the widely held view here at westminster this morning, so expect that when the prime minister takes to be dispatch box in the house of commons shortly for prime minister�*s questions, he will have something, you would think, to say beyond what he has said, which is very little up until this point about that event and what did or did not take place before client —— behind closed doors. in the words of one senior opposition party, they hope sir keir starmer will take the prime minister part over this and there will be no prizes for guessing which subjects are keir starmer will address with his questions at the dispatch box. we expect him to take that head—on. there was a planned conservative news conference four 5pm this afternoon, what are you hearing about whether that will go ahead because, of course, every time a government minister comes on the airwaves or is interviewed about another topic, they get asked about this, don�*t they? them are not yes, and i would expect that to continue until perhaps more detail. there is an expectation that more restrictions to do with the coronavirus pandemic will be announced at some point today. ipuuie announced at some point today. we are announced at some point today. - are told that there will be a meeting of the government�*s covid operations committee. after that, a wider meeting of the cabinet to sign off on whatever measures the government decides to put in place but the trouble is that plays into this very difficult time for the government a real uneasiness about how far the public will be willing to follow any further restrictions that come in the wake of the accusations and the reports continue today about whether those in government and those in downing street were indeed following the guidance themselves this time last year. guidance themselves this time last ear. , :, ., ., , guidance themselves this time last ear. , :, ., , year. one question that has been troublinr year. one question that has been troubling me _ year. one question that has been troubling me and _ year. one question that has been troubling me and i _ year. one question that has been troubling me and i don't - year. one question that has been troubling me and i don't whether| year. one question that has been - troubling me and i don't whether you troubling me and i don�*t whether you have an answer to it but if this gathering, this party that seems to have taken place on december the 18th last year, did take place, could that it happens without the prime minister�*s permission? i could that it happens without the prime minister's permission? i don't have an answer _ prime minister's permission? i don't have an answer to _ prime minister's permission? i don't have an answer to that. _ prime minister's permission? i don't have an answer to that. it's - prime minister's permission? i don't have an answer to that. it's a - have an answer to that. it�*s a building with many rooms. there are meetings, events taking place at all times. it�*s a very busy place and, i suppose, and we are speculating here, it is possible for things to happen without the prime minister�*s direct knowledge. whether that plays into whether he is accountable for it or not is perhaps important but i think the way question is about whether people in government, those working in government were more broadly following and respecting the rules and the guidance as they were at the time and whether the prime minister knew about it or not, whether he was there or not makes really little difference in the eyes of many looking on at what the general attitude was. jonathan, thanks so much. _ general attitude was. jonathan, thanks so much. i _ general attitude was. jonathan, thanks so much. i will- general attitude was. jonathan, l thanks so much. i will correspond into the airat thanks so much. i will correspond into the air at westminster. before we had two prime minister�*s questions, let�*s catch up with the weather his carol. hello again, storm barra is still with us. it�*s going to be windy but not as windy as it was yesterday and it will be rather wet. the met office has a yellow weather warning out the parts of wales and parts of england all those winds. here are storm barra. still quite windy around as you can see but especially in the south—western quarter and with the weather fronts wrapped around it, that is producing rain all summer showers and some of them will be wintry on high ground. a bit of sunshine around. still gales across parts of wales and south—west england. temperatures today — five to about 90 degrees. through this evening and overnight, storm barra what is left with it continues to push out to northern sea but we still have weather fronts wrapped around it, so still some showers coming in. across north—east england and central and eastern scotland, it will be cold enough for some frost. a chilly start to the day tomorrow. we will start off with this line of showers from this weather front. it will be a weak feature. we have got a ridge of high pressure necrosis before the next clutch of weather fronts coming our way coming in from the atlantic and bringing in some more rain. a nippy start to the day. showers pushing eastwards and weakening in all the time. more sunshine through the course of thursday compared to today, and then, the cloud will thicken out towards the west, heralding the arrival of this weather front. it will be much milder across the south—west of the country. that weather fronts coming into the west will drift eastward through the course of the night clearing earlier on on friday and you can see from the isobars that it will be windy once again during the course of friday. early on, we will say goodbye to the rain. a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine around, showers coming in from westwards facing coasts and some of these will be wintry across higher ground. more cloud coming in to the south—west. a chilly day for most of us and don�*t forget it will be breezy. into the weekend, it will be milder. it will be rainy and windy at times and into next week, it remains unsettled. this is bbc news. the headlines... more pressure on the prime minister to explain a downing street christmas party last year, after video emerges showing senior number 10 staff laughing about it — grieving families say the video has made them angry. seeing this video is just utterly, utterly sickening. and it makes me feel so angry and upset over and above the upset that we have already gone through. number 10 maintains there was no party, at a time when tight coronavirus restrictions were in place — the liberal democrat leader says the prime minister�*s been here before. borisjohnson is a serial offender. he and his team break the rules time and again, and it really can�*t go on. it�*s not the lead our country needs. we�*ll be live in the house of commons, where the prime minister borisjohnson will be speaking in the next few moments. and coming up this hour... gwent police says it�*s "extremely sorry" to two women for its handling of their reports about abusive behaviour by a fellow officer. there were people who doubted us, who called us liars. we were bullied and harassed, because of the allegations we made. and ijust hope that those people are now embarrassed by their behaviour. we can cross now live to the house of commons for prime minister�*s questions. questions... i do not need any help from you _ questions... i do not need any help from you. this is an important message — from you. this is an important message to those who are watching. before _ message to those who are watching. before we _ message to those who are watching. before we come to the prime minister's questions i would like to point _ minister's questions i would like to point out _ minister's questions i would like to point out that the british sign language interpretation of proceedings is available to watch in the parliament live tv. questions to the prime minister. may i begin by saying i understand and share the anger up and down the country by seeing number 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. i can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, mr speaker. because i was also furious to see that clip. and, mr speaker, i apologise, also furious to see that clip. and, mr speaker, iapologise, i also furious to see that clip. and, mr speaker, i apologise, i apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caught up and down the country and i apologise for the impression that it gives. but i repeat, mr speaker, that i have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party, and that no covid rules were broken and that no covid rules were broken and thatis that no covid rules were broken and that is what i have been repeatedly assured. but i have asked the cabinet secretary to establish all of the facts, and to report back as soon as possible. and, mr speaker, it goes without saying, that if those rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for those involved. mr speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others and in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. mr speaker, binns left uncollected, _ meetings later today. mr speaker, binns left uncollected, council- binns left uncollected, council tenants being forced to live in damp and cold homes, £22 million lost in and cold homes, £22 million lost in a land deal and a £10 million overspend on transport contracts which were almost awarded to labour council�*s france. today the council�*s france. today the council�*s external report which the prizes none of us. does the prime minister agree with me that 47 years of labour control in sandwell has done nothing but level down my constituency of west brom bromwich east and my constituents deserve better? . ~ east and my constituents deserve better? , ~ .,~ better? yes, mr speaker, i wholeheartedly _ better? yes, mr speaker, i wholeheartedly agree - better? yes, mr speaker, i wholeheartedly agree with | better? yes, mr speaker, i i wholeheartedly agree with my honourable friend because the instinct of labour councillors up and down this country is yet again to level down rather than level up. and i encourage her constituents to install a labour councillor, a labour council there, a conservative council there as as soon as possible. council there as as soon as possible-— council there as as soon as -ossible. ~ :, .., :, council there as as soon as -ossible. . :, _, :, ., possible. we now come to the leader ofthe possible. we now come to the leader of the opposition, _ possible. we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir _ possible. we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. - of the opposition, keir starmer. thank— of the opposition, keir starmer. thank you. _ of the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. i heard what the prime minister said at the beginning of the session but frankly, it raises more questions than answers. last week, i asked the prime minister, was there a christmas party in downing street for dozens of people on december 18? the prime minister, the government, spent the week telling the british public there was no party. all guidance was followed completely. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for. and that they were lied to. and they�*re right, aren�*t they? mr they're right, aren't they? mr speaker. _ they're right, aren't they? mr speaker, i think the right honourable gentleman probably missed what i said at the beginning. but i apologised, i apologised for the impression that has been given, that staffing downing street take this lesson seriously. —— staff in downing street. i am sickened myself and curious about that. but i repeat what i have said to him, that i have been repeatedly assured that the rules... :, . �* , rules... order, order. well, let's 'ust... rules... order, order. well, let's just--- it's _ rules... order, order. well, let's just... it's important... - rules... order, order. well, let's just... it's important... i- rules... order, order. well, let's just... it's important... i have i just... it's important... i have asked the _ just... it's important... i have asked the cabinet _ just... it's important... i have asked the cabinet secretary . just... it's important... i have| asked the cabinet secretary to investigate exactly what happened and i repeat that there will be consequences for those involved, if those rules were broken, mr speaker. keir starmer. ohm those rules were broken, mr speaker. keir starmer-— keir starmer. an internal investigation _ keir starmer. an internal investigation into - keir starmer. an internal investigation into what i keir starmer. an internal- investigation into what happened. the situation is as clear as day. i thought last week was... mr speaker, i thought last week was bad enough. surely, surely the prime minister isn�*t now going to start pretending that the first he knew about this was last night? surely? we have all watched the video of the prime minister�*s staff, including his personal spokesperson stop they knew there was a party, they knew it was against the rules, they knew they couldn�*t admit it, and they thought it was funny. it�*s obvious what happened. ant and dec are ahead of the prime minister on this. the prime minister has been caught red—handed. why doesn�*t the end of the investigation right now byjust admitting it? the investigation right now by 'ust admitting infi the investigation right now by 'ust admitting itafi the investigation right now by 'ust admittin it? , ~ admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly _ admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured - admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured that i admitting it? because, mr speaker, i| have been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken, mr speaker. and i understand public anxiety about this. and i understand public indignation. but there is a risk of doing a grave injustice to people who were frankly obeying the rules, mr speaker. that is why the cabinet secretary will be conducting an investigation, and that�*s why there will be the requisite, there will be the requisite disciplinary action if necessary. the requisite disciplinary action if necessa . ,, ., the requisite disciplinary action if necessary._ this - necessary. keir starmer. this pretence _ necessary. keir starmer. this pretence that _ necessary. keir starmer. this pretence that further - necessary. keir starmer. this - pretence that further information has come to light. give me a break! he is still taking the public the full. on the day —— public for full. on the day of the downing street party, tricia�*s mum phoned her, she was breathless and feverish. you might want to listen to this. she followed the rules and did not visit her mum, are you listening? four days later, on the day that the prime minister�*s staff laughed about covering up the party, tricia�*s mum was admitted to hospital. tricia followed the rules and didn�*t visit. tricia�*s mum spent christmas day in hospital. tricia followed the rules and didn�*t visit. two days later, tricia�*s mum died. what tricia wants to know is this. why did the prime minister expect her to accept that the rules allowed a downing street party, but didn�*t allow her to visit her dying mother? mr party, but didn't allow her to visit her dying mother?— party, but didn't allow her to visit her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thint her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to _ her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to say — her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to say is _ her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to say is in _ her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to say is in common - her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to say is in common with | first thing to say is in common with everybody in this house, i extend my sympathies to the family of tricia and of course, i understand, to tricia and herfamily, and i understand the pain of everybody who has suffered throughout this pandemic. and i know that the implication that he is trying to draw, that the case that we are now investigating somehow should undermine public confidence in the measures that we are taking, i think thatis measures that we are taking, i think that is the point he�*s trying to make, but i may say to him, mr speaker, i think it is a great mistake to try to play politics with this issue. and i think that is what he is doing. i think that is what he is doing. and the public, mr speaker, will not like to see, i don�*t think the public do want to see confidence in their measures, in these measures undermined. and we are taking, we are taking, i think they can see the difference, mr speaker. we are taking the steps necessary to protect the public. above all, mr speaker, by rolling out the vaccinations, and rather than focusing on the events of a year ago, than focusing on the events of a yearago, mr speaker, that is than focusing on the events of a year ago, mr speaker, that is what we are focusing on. that is what i think the public will understand. keir starmer. but think the public will understand. keir starmer.— think the public will understand. keir starmer. but it's not 'ust the event of a — keir starmer. but it's not 'ust the event of a year i keir starmer. but it's not 'ust the event of a year ago, _ keir starmer. but it's not 'ust the event of a year ago, is h keir starmer. but it's not just the event of a year ago, is it? - keir starmer. but it's not just the event of a year ago, is it? we - keir starmer. but it's not just the j event of a year ago, is it? we are facing a new variant. we may well be in plan b this afternoon. even the prime minister must understand the damage he has done to his credibility in enforcing the rules now and in the future. tricia made an enormous personal sacrifice to do the right thing and follow the rules and help defeat the virus, that�*s what she was asked to do. most people would just like two were just like tricia last christmas. no one was dreaming of zoom christmas, turkey dinner for was dreaming of zoom christmas, turkey dinnerfor one, was dreaming of zoom christmas, turkey dinner for one, gifts exchanged at service stations. but the virus was out of control. 489 people died of covid on the day of the downing street party. so the british people put the health of others above themselves and followed the rules. isn�*t the prime minister ashamed that his downing street couldn�*t do the same? ashamed that his downing street couldn't do the same?— couldn't do the same? prime minister- _ couldn't do the same? prime minister. mr _ couldn't do the same? prime minister. mr speaker, - couldn't do the same? prime minister. mr speaker, i- couldn't do the same? prime minister. mr speaker, i have| couldn't do the same? prime - minister. mr speaker, i have said what i minister. mr speaker, i have said what i have _ minister. mr speaker, i have said what i have said _ minister. mr speaker, i have said what i have said about _ minister. mr speaker, i have said what i have said about the - minister. mr speaker, i have saidj what i have said about the events minister. mr speaker, i have said i what i have said about the events on december 18. they will be properly investigated, and, mr speaker, i will place a copy of the cabinet secretary�*s report in the library of the house of commons. but what people should not do is lose focus on what we are trying to do now. of course we will deal with the events of what may or may not have taken place on the 18th of december last year, mr speaker, but what i think we need to focus on today is what we�*re doing to roll out the vaccinations across this country, and what we�*re doing to protect the public. and he is indeed right, mr speaker, that we now have in the omicron, in the omicron variant, a variant that is spreading much faster, mr speaker, than any variant we have seen before. and that is what we need to focus on with great respect to the right honourable gentleman. this is why i ask everybody to go and get their booster jab are soon everybody to go and get their boosterjab are soon as they are called forward. the boosterjab are soon as they are called forward.— boosterjab are soon as they are called forward. the prime minister a- tarentl called forward. the prime minister apparently wants _ called forward. the prime minister apparently wants us _ called forward. the prime minister apparently wants us to _ called forward. the prime minister apparently wants us to focus - called forward. the prime minister apparently wants us to focus on i apparently wants us to focus on what�*s happening today. there were no government spokespeople on the media this morning. i see the health secretary has made it to the chamber. that is the point, mr speaker. this virus is not defeated. we will face other tests where the british people may be asked by their leaders to make further sacrifices for the greater good. her majesty the queen sat alone when she marks the passing of the man she had been married to for 73 years. leadership. sacrifice. that�*s what gives leaders the moral authority to lead. does the moral authority to lead. does the prime minister think he has the moral authority to lead and to ask the british people to stick to the rules? :, :, , ., ~ rules? not only that, mr speaker, but the labour _ rules? not only that, mr speaker, but the labour party, _ rules? not only that, mr speaker, but the labour party, the - rules? not only that, mr speaker, but the labour party, the labour. but the labour party, the labour leader in particular, have played politics, have played politics, mr speaker, throughout this pandemic. i have got to hear what the prime minister— have got to hear what the prime minister is — have got to hear what the prime minister is saying because if i don't. — minister is saying because if i don't. i— minister is saying because if i don't, i don't know when something is said _ don't, i don't know when something is said and _ don't, i don't know when something is said and i— don't, i don't know when something is said and i must hear the prime minister~ — is said and i must hear the prime minister. . ~ is said and i must hear the prime minister. , ~ ,,, ., ,, is said and i must hear the prime minister. , ~ .,~ ~ minister. yes, mr speaker. and ifi ma sa minister. yes, mr speaker. and ifi may say so. _ minister. yes, mr speaker. and ifi may say so, throughout _ minister. yes, mr speaker. and ifi may say so, throughout this - may say so, throughout this pandemic, throughout this pandemic, the leader of the opposition in particular has done nothing other than play politics, to try to muddy the waters, to confuse the public, and to cause needless confusion about the guidance. the public, mr speaker, have not been so confused, and they have not been fooled. and they have got on with implementing they have got on with implementing the guidance and they have got on in particular, mr speaker, with showing great commitment to the health of this country by going forward... order, order, prime minister. we have— order, order, prime minister. we have had — order, order, prime minister. we have had this the week before, i am not having _ have had this the week before, i am not having this every week in the mist _ not having this every week in the mist is _ not having this every week in the mist is treating. if you want to be on the _ mist is treating. if you want to be on the front— mist is treating. if you want to be on the front bench, behave like you are meant— on the front bench, behave like you are meant to be there. —— i am on the front bench, behave like you are meant to be there. —— lam not having— are meant to be there. —— lam not having this — are meant to be there. —— lam not having this every week, mr streeting. at having this every week, mr streeting— having this every week, mr streeting. having this every week, mr streetint. : , , ., :, streeting. at every stage of the labour leadership _ streeting. at every stage of the labour leadership have - streeting. at every stage of the labour leadership have tried i streeting. at every stage of the labour leadership have tried to | labour leadership have tried to muddy the waters and play politics. the people of this country have not been pulled. and they have come forward to get vaccinated faster than any other country in europe. we have now done 20 million boosters, the single best thing that we can do, and i encourage everybody to keep going and get their booster jab. keep going and get their booster 'ab. :. �* . keep going and get their booster 'ab. :, �* , , :, keep going and get their booster 'ab. . �*, ,, ., ., jab. that's so desperate and even his own side _ jab. that's so desperate and even his own side can _ jab. that's so desperate and even his own side can see _ jab. that's so desperate and even his own side can see it. _ jab. that's so desperate and even his own side can see it. last - jab. that's so desperate and even l his own side can see it. last week, the prime minister told us there was no party. now he thinks there�*s something to investigate. the justice secretary thinks that the police don�*t investigate crimes from a year ago. well, police don�*t investigate crimes from a yearago. well, i ran police don�*t investigate crimes from a year ago. well, i ran the crown prosecution service and i can tell him that is total nonsense. mr speaker, at westminster magistrates�* court right now, the cps are prosecuting over a dozen bricks of —— breaches of covid restrictions last december including those who hosted parties. they are doing their job enforcing the law set in downing street. will the prior minute to support the police and support the cps by handing over —— will the prime minister support the police and the cps by handing over everything the government knows about parties in downing street to the metropolitan police? edit about parties in downing street to the metropolitan police? of course we will do that _ the metropolitan police? of course we will do that and _ the metropolitan police? of course we will do that and we _ the metropolitan police? of course we will do that and we will- the metropolitan police? of course we will do that and we will get - the metropolitan police? of course we will do that and we will get on | we will do that and we will get on with the investigation via the cabinet secretary. and he continually wants to play politics with this issue. we want to get on with this issue. we want to get on with ourjob of protecting this country during the pandemic, and, mr speaker, delivering the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe. fighting the drugs gangs, mr speaker, the party opposite wants to decriminalise class a drugs. and backing our borders built. they have an opportunity to focus on that tonight. why not back on our borders bill and have life sentences for people traffickers? that is what the leader of the opposition should be doing, ratherthan leader of the opposition should be doing, rather than playing politics. begum. in shamima begum. begum. in begum. shamima. in shamima. as we celebrate the advent of christmas, i thank the prime ministerfor his support christmas, i thank the prime minister for his support for christian, and those of other faiths and beliefs, who face persecution across the world. we here stand with them. the government has talked about the gift of resettlement for afghans who are members of religious minorities, of those at risk of persecution, targeted for their by lives, will this gift of resettlement be available by the end of christmas? i resettlement be available by the end of christmas?— of christmas? i thank her very much for everything _ of christmas? i thank her very much for everything she _ of christmas? i thank her very much for everything she does, _ for everything she does, particularly as a special envoy for freedom of religion and belief. as she rightly says we have an afghan citizen�*s resettlement scheme. we have taken 15,000 but it is important that we get that scheme right, mr speakerand important that we get that scheme right, mr speaker and further details including the eligibility criteria will be announced in due course by the home office. i now call the leader _ course by the home office. i now call the leader of _ course by the home office. i now call the leader of the _ course by the home office. i now call the leader of the snp - course by the home office. i now call the leader of the snp iain i call the leader of the snp iain black — call the leader of the snp iain black. :. .. call the leader of the snp iain black. . «i , :, call the leader of the snp iain black. :, ,, ~ call the leader of the snp iain black. . ~ call the leader of the snp iain black. :, ~ . call the leader of the snp iain black. . ~ : ., black. thank you mr speaker. we are standint black. thank you mr speaker. we are standing on — black. thank you mr speaker. we are standing on the _ black. thank you mr speaker. we are standing on the cliff— black. thank you mr speaker. we are standing on the cliff edge _ black. thank you mr speaker. we are standing on the cliff edge of- black. thank you mr speaker. we are standing on the cliff edge of yet - standing on the cliff edge of yet another challenging moment in this pandemic. omicron cases are rising at a rapid rate over the coming week, tough decisions will again have to be made, to save lives and protect our nhs. mr speaker, trust in leadership is a matter of life—and—death. downing street willfully broke the rules and mocked the sacrifices we have all made. shattering the public�*s trust. the prime minister is responsible for losing the trust of the people. he could no longer lead on the most pressing issue, facing these islands. the prime minister has a duty, the only right and moral choice left to him. it is for his resignation. when can we expect it? prime minister. mr— prime minister. mr speaker, i prime minister. mrspeaker, lam, prime minister. mr speaker, lam, the party opposite mr speaker, i am, the party opposite and the other party opposite are going to continue to play politics, i am going to get on with the job. no dignity from a prime minister that quite simplyjust doesn�*t get it. mr speaker, people across these islands have followed the rules even when it meant missing friends and family. missing births, missing funeral, missing the chance to be beside a loved one in their dies moments. people have sacrificed at times to the point of breaking, while the uk government has laughed in ourfaces. it is while the uk government has laughed in our faces. it is clear that this prime minister has lost the support of the public, and now even his own benches. this is not a grin and bear it moment. this is a moment of moral reckoning, every member of the conservative benches must now decide, is this the man to lead these islands, when lives are at stake? it is clear that this prime minister intends to desperately cling on to power, and i have nothing left to say to a man whose answers we simply can�*t trust. so, mr speaker... answers we simply can't trust. so, mr speaker- - -_ answers we simply can't trust. so, mr speaker... order i will hear the tuestion, mr speaker... order i will hear the question. can _ mr speaker... order i will hear the question. can i _ mr speaker... order i will hear the question, can ijust _ mr speaker... order i will hear the question, can i just say _ mr speaker... order i will hear the question, can ijust say i _ mr speaker... order i will hear the question, can i just say i am - question, can ijust say i am expecting _ question, can ijust say i am expecting better behaviour, the public— expecting better behaviour, the public out there are questioning this parliament. don't add to that question — this parliament. don't add to that question. iain black. and questioning _ question. iain black. and questioning this - question. iain black. and questioning this prime i question. iain black. jifyc questioning this prime minister that we cannot trust, it is clear that the prime minister desperately is clinging on the power, and i�*ve got nothing left to say to a man who we simply cannot trust. so mr speaker, it is time for members in this house to act, if he doesn�*t resign, then he must be removed. to act, if he doesn't resign, then he must be removed.— to act, if he doesn't resign, then he must be removed. prime minister. mr speaker. — he must be removed. prime minister. mr speaker. i — he must be removed. prime minister. mr speaker, i thank _ he must be removed. prime minister. mr speaker, i thank the _ he must be removed. prime minister. mr speaker, i thank the right - mr speaker, i thank the right honourable gentleman for his, his vote of support and thanks, vote of confidence but i can tell him i am going to get on with the job, and i believe, i believe that that is what is the right thing to do, and i think it is very very sad that when the public need clarity from their officials, and from politicians, the parties the opposite are trying to muddy the waters about events or non—events of a year ago, mr speaker, and that is what, that is what they are doing today. we have a closed question. i thank m ritht we have a closed question. i thank my right honourable _ we have a closed question. i thank my right honourable friend - we have a closed question. i thank my right honourable friend who i we have a closed question. i thank my right honourable friend who is we have a closed question. i thank. my right honourable friend who is an excellent champion for the isle of wight and i know there is ongoing discussion for levelling up about the unique circumstances of the island, including the discussion about the possibility of a county deal. i about the possibility of a county deal. :. .. ~ . about the possibility of a county deal. . ,, ~ , :, deal. i thank the prime minister for his response. _ deal. i thank the prime minister for his response, will _ deal. i thank the prime minister for his response, will the _ deal. i thank the prime minister for his response, will the governmentl his response, will the government accept the findings of the independent study it itself commissioned this summer into a fair funding settlement for the island, the final calculation of which are doing imminently. will he help me right wrong which has been going on for some six decades? i right wrong which has been going on for some six decades?— for some six decades? i thank him. it is not for some six decades? i thank him. it is not easy _ for some six decades? i thank him. it is not easy to _ for some six decades? i thank him. it is not easy to break _ for some six decades? i thank him. it is not easy to break down - for some six decades? i thank him. it is not easy to break down the - it is not easy to break down the costs that apply to the service delivery on the island but i know the department is carefully considering the details of the study he mentioned and i am sure the relevant minister will keep him updated. relevant minister will keep him u dated. :. .. relevant minister will keep him u-dated. . ,, i. relevant minister will keep him u-dated. . ,, ~ relevant minister will keep him u-dated. . ~ updated. thank you mr speaker. in view of the — updated. thank you mr speaker. in view of the arm _ updated. thank you mr speaker. in view of the arm harm _ updated. thank you mr speaker. in view of the arm harm caused - updated. thank you mr speaker. in view of the arm harm caused to - view of the arm harm caused to political stability in northern ireland and to our economy by the northern ireland protocol, noting the lack of progress in removing the irish sea border, and recognising that unionist consent for the protocol is not forthcoming, what urgent steps does the prime minister and his government intend to take, to honour his commitment to restore northern ireland�*s place fully within the uk internal market and to safeguard the political institutions in northern ireland? i safeguard the political institutions in northern ireland?— in northern ireland? i thank the ritht in northern ireland? i thank the right honourable _ in northern ireland? i thank the right honourable gentleman i in northern ireland? i thank the l right honourable gentleman and in northern ireland? i thank the - right honourable gentleman and he and i have discussed this extensively and he knows that we share a view that the protocol is not working, in the way it needs to, in order to guarantee the belfast good friday agreement. i don�*t think things need to be that way. they can be worked differently we want our friend to understand that and we will continue to work with them, to get them to see things in the way that people on both sides of the irish sea see them, but in the meantime mr speaker, we do not remove the possibility of invoking article 5016 to protect trade between great britain and northern ireland. this week, thousands of my indue constituents and millions worldwide, start the birth centenary celebration of the birth of his holiness. his life was given over to people of all casts, races and religion, he was the inspiration behind the worldwide, world—renowned neasden temple and hundreds of other temples. will my right honourable friend join me in sell, joining that celebration, and giving good wishes to all hindus across the world. i thank him for raising this and i was, ethan, the community for they amazing contribution, i was delighted to visit the temple and hear about all they have done during the pandemic and i wish egg everybody in that community and all that those celebrating the very best. : ., :, , that those celebrating the very best. : ., :,, :, , that those celebrating the very best. : ., :, , best. the chaos of this government is a distraction _ best. the chaos of this government is a distraction from _ best. the chaos of this government is a distraction from the _ best. the chaos of this government is a distraction from the serious - is a distraction from the serious decisions it should be taken. we all know that the chinese government denies basic human rights to china�*s minority religiousjunety, the repression of the predominantly muslim uighur community has been condemned as an acts of genocide. in the face of abuse, president biden has decided us diplomat also boycott the olympics, new zealand and international human rights day on friday so will the prime minister raise his eyes from his chaos, and commit the uk to joining the diplomatic boycott, or does his desperation for trade deals trump human rights. h0. desperation for trade deals trump human rights-— desperation for trade deals trump humanrithts. :, ~ , human rights. no, mr speaker because we make those — human rights. no, mr speaker because we make those points _ human rights. no, mr speaker because we make those points regularly - human rights. no, mr speaker because we make those points regularly to - we make those points regularly to the chinese and did to president xi when i talked to him. as i said before we do not support sporting boycotts but there for plans for ministers, no plans for ministers to attend the winter olympics. thank you mr speaker. many of my constituents in sleaford are struggling to access and nhs dentist, leading to pain and suffering in particularfor children, military families and veteran, my right honourable friend has invested a record amount of money in the nhs, does he agree with me that some of this money must be used to level up dental care provision. does he share my surprise there is no dental school in the east midland? mr there is no dental school in the east midland?— there is no dental school in the east midland? ~ .,~ «i :, east midland? mr speaker, i know that health education _ east midland? mr speaker, i know that health education england - east midland? mr speaker, i know that health education england are | that health education england are working in lincolnshire to improve the recruitment and retention of dentist, i understand that they agree with her about the uneven distribution of dental schools throughout the country, and i am sure they consider their next steps, they will have heard her appeal. thank you. storm arwen left thousands of people in sherborne without heating or electricity, it took fair days for a ministerial statement to be made and a week to sendin statement to be made and a week to send in the army. my constituents weren�*t just left without send in the army. my constituents weren�*tjust left without power, they were left without a government that cares. can the prime minister look me in the eye and say he did everything he could, as soon as he could, to help the people of durham? yes, i can, mr could, to help the people of durham? yes, ican, mr speaker, could, to help the people of durham? yes, i can, mr speaker, and i can tell her that i was in contact with representatives of the local authorities, of the army, of northern power grid, and others, to see what more we could do to assist them in restoring power and i sympathise very much where the families who lost power for an unconnionibly long period, mr speaker, and the house will have heard the explanation about why that was so, we must learn the lessons from storms arwen and barra and make sure nothing like that happens again. mr speaker, i i know we will agree our vaccine programme has been a tremendous success, vaccines are the front line of defence against all variants of covid and the booster jab is a vital component of this. but in rural areas like mine our booster centres are often few and very far between, and two thirds of house bound people, those most vulnerable, most susceptible and in need haven�*t received their booster, can i ask my right honourable friend what steps the government is taking to ensure more centres are available, particularly in rural areas and would he ask the health secretary to meet me to ensure my constituents can get their boosters and stay protected this winter. pharmacists up and down the country, and we have 1500 community pharmacies vaccinating people near where they live, i know that the nhs are considering the need to support, but more pop up clinics where there is a need. i am but more pop up clinics where there is a need. iam happy but more pop up clinics where there is a need. i am happy to arrange a meeting with him and the vaccines minister to discuss this further. thank you mr speaker. will he tell us whether there was a party in downing street on 13th november? h0. downing street on 13th november? no, i am sure whatever happened the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times. we know the booster vaccines are essential in our fight against covid. one of the biggest hindrances is the 15 minutes people have to wait post pfizer, if we could reduce that or take that away it could release thousands of hours of clinicians�* time. will the prime minister ask the mhra and jcvi to see if it is safe to do so, particularly for those receiving their third booster. we continue to be guided by thejcvi and the mhra. mt; we continue to be guided by the jcvi and the mhra-— and the mhra. my constituents are resortint and the mhra. my constituents are resorting to — and the mhra. my constituents are resorting to performing _ and the mhra. my constituents are resorting to performing diy - resorting to performing diy dentistry on themselves and their children. nothing has been added to dentistry, can the prime minister explain why my constituents cannot access an nhs dentist? i explain why my constituents cannot access an nhs dentist?— access an nhs dentist? i thank her but we are — access an nhs dentist? i thank her but we are putting _ access an nhs dentist? i thank her but we are putting record - access an nhs dentist? i thank her but we are putting record funding i but we are putting record funding into nhs including into nhs dentistry and if you would like to write to me with the cases that she mentions, i would write to me with the cases that she mentions, iwould be write to me with the cases that she mentions, i would be happy to take it up with the secretary of state for health. it up with the secretary of state for health-— it up with the secretary of state for health. . ,, i. ~ ,,, ., ,, for health. thank you, mr speaker. on many occasions, _ for health. thank you, mr speaker. on many occasions, the _ for health. thank you, mr speaker. on many occasions, the prime - on many occasions, the prime minister has spoken to primary age children about the opportunities ahead of them. does my right honourable friends agree with me that every child should have the chance to meet adults from different professions, different backgrounds to be inspired for the future and that this could play a major part in delivering the levelling up agenda? yes, mr speaker. ithank delivering the levelling up agenda? yes, mr speaker. i thank my friend that it�*s absolutely true that throughout our career strategy, we have invested £2 million of support in primary schools and anybody in this house would know that you get the most extraordinary questions from primary school children and they are very ambitious. mr speaker, jane wrote they are very ambitious. mr speaker, jane wrote saying _ they are very ambitious. mr speaker, jane wrote saying that _ they are very ambitious. mr speaker, jane wrote saying that her— they are very ambitious. mr speaker, jane wrote saying that her father - jane wrote saying that her father and his sister died from covid—19. she is devastated and appalled at recent revelations as to what it is going on in downing street. she asks this question of the prime minister, there is trust in british politics matter? . :, , there is trust in british politics matter? , :, , ., �*, , matter? yes, it does. that's why it is absolutely _ matter? yes, it does. that's why it is absolutely vital _ matter? yes, it does. that's why it is absolutely vital that _ matter? yes, it does. that's why it is absolutely vital that we - matter? yes, it does. that's why it is absolutely vital that we should i is absolutely vital that we should get to the bottom of whatever may or may not have taken place on the 18th of december last year but we need to focus on what is happening this year and i urge her and everybody else to get their booster jab and i urge her and everybody else to get their boosterjab and to look after themselves. mr get their boosterjab and to look after themselves.— get their boosterjab and to look after themselves. mr speaker, at the moment, indecent _ after themselves. mr speaker, at the moment, indecent exposure - after themselves. mr speaker, at the moment, indecent exposure or - moment, indecent exposure or flashing — moment, indecent exposure or flashing is _ moment, indecent exposure or flashing is illegal off but not online _ flashing is illegal off but not online i_ flashing is illegal off but not online. i really welcome my right honourable friend's support for that to change _ honourable friend's support for that to change when he spoke to the real liaison— to change when he spoke to the real liaison committee in november. will he support— liaison committee in november. will he support outlawing cyber flashing and other— he support outlawing cyber flashing and other forms of sexual abuse online _ and other forms of sexual abuse online in— and other forms of sexual abuse online in the forthcoming online safety _ online in the forthcoming online safety bill when it comes to this house? — safety bill when it comes to this house? |— safety bill when it comes to this house? :. .. , safety bill when it comes to this house? . ,, , :, :, house? i thank my right honourable friends and she _ house? i thank my right honourable friends and she is _ house? i thank my right honourable friends and she is right _ house? i thank my right honourable friends and she is right to _ house? i thank my right honourable friends and she is right to draw- friends and she is right to draw attention to that nomination of cyber flashing and that is one of theissues cyber flashing and that is one of the issues being addressed by my right honourable friend in the bill. thank you, mr speaker, last year, i asked my prime minister about what progress in delivering his pledge, the budget and the spending review confirmed that the uk government planned investment will not reach that target. as vice chair of the bus, coach... let me tell the prime minister, best manufacturers have no orders from the scheme. production lines are desperate to start orders and deserve better than this. i minister, why has your government failed to deliver these orders and that pledge? igtufe failed to deliver these orders and that pledge?— that pledge? we are absolutely committed _ that pledge? we are absolutely committed to _ that pledge? we are absolutely committed to delivering - that pledge? we are absolutely committed to delivering 4000| that pledge? we are absolutely - committed to delivering 4000 buses and we asked —— are supporting uk best manufacturing. the and we asked -- are supporting uk best manufacturing.— best manufacturing. the prime minister has _ best manufacturing. the prime minister has already _ best manufacturing. the prime minister has already been - best manufacturing. the prime. minister has already been asked about— minister has already been asked about the winter olympics but listening to his answer, i have to say, _ listening to his answer, i have to say. sadly. — listening to his answer, i have to say. sadly. i_ listening to his answer, i have to say, sadly, ithink listening to his answer, i have to say, sadly, i think it's not at all strong — say, sadly, i think it's not at all strong enough. may i support the request— strong enough. may i support the request that the uk government acts against _ request that the uk government acts against this dictatorial brittle chinese _ against this dictatorial brittle chinese regime that is persecuting everybody from christians through to tibetans _ everybody from christians through to tibetans. please, i beg of him, give a lead _ tibetans. please, i beg of him, give a lead for— tibetans. please, i beg of him, give a lead for human rights and to a diplomatic— a lead for human rights and to a diplomatic boycott of these olympic games _ diplomatic boycott of these olympic games. |s— diplomatic boycott of these olympic games. . : :. diplomatic boycott of these olympic games. , : ., :, ., games. is clear from what i said earlier on _ games. is clear from what i said earlier on that _ games. is clear from what i said earlier on that the _ games. is clear from what i said earlier on that the government. games. is clear from what i said i earlier on that the government has no hesitation in raising these issues with china as i did with the president last summer spoke to him and there will be effectively a diplomatic boycott of the winter olympics in beijing does not know ministers are expected to attend. but what i can tell the house is that i do not think that supporting boycotts are sensible and that remains a policy of the government. the prime minister will be aware of bounce back loans and eye watering levels of criminality. will the prime minister initiate a bounce back fraud squad for the crimes committed more than a year ago? mr speaker, of course we will take action against anybody. avoided any of -- defrauded any of the loans. . ., ,:, , the loans. there are media reports of a cabinet _ the loans. there are media reports of a cabinet meeting _ the loans. there are media reports of a cabinet meeting at _ the loans. there are media reports of a cabinet meeting at a - the loans. there are media reports of a cabinet meeting at a press - of a cabinet meeting at a press conference this afternoon to initiate covid winter plan b without reference to this house. covid passes will not increase uptake of the vaccine, but will create a segregated society. is my right honourable friend the prime minister aware that very few will be convinced by this diversionary tactic? ~ . convinced by this diversionary tactic?_ mr i convinced by this diversionary - tactic?_ mr speaker, tactic? prime minister. mr speaker, no decisions — tactic? prime minister. mr speaker, no decisions will _ tactic? prime minister. mr speaker, no decisions will be _ tactic? prime minister. mr speaker, no decisions will be taken _ tactic? prime minister. mr speaker, no decisions will be taken without . no decisions will be taken without consulting the cabinet. thank you, mr speaker. at this country is angry. and understandably so. last christmas, while we were in lockdown, millions of people were unable to be with their families. thousands of people waved through their care home windows and loved ones, to wish them a merry christmas from the side of the road. people died without that last touch from their daughters, their sons, their wives. working in intensive care, i wept behind my mask. as of three children talking to their dying mother on an ipad begged her to wake up. countless children now growing up up. countless children now growing up without parents. while parties were held at number 10. mr speaker, this is disgraceful. this happens on the prime minister�*s watch, so my question is very simple — how does the prime minister sleep at night? mr - how does the prime minister sleep at nitht? ~ ,,, ., ,, - how does the prime minister sleep at nitht? ~ .. . ,, ., :, - how does the prime minister sleep atnitht? ~ ., :, at night? mr speaker, i want to say first of all. — at night? mr speaker, i want to say first of all. i — at night? mr speaker, i want to say first of all, i went _ at night? mr speaker, i want to say first of all, i went to _ at night? mr speaker, i want to say first of all, i went to repeat - at night? mr speaker, i want to say first of all, i went to repeat what i first of all, i went to repeat what i said earlier on about what happened last year, a year ago. i went to see this, i share and understand her grief and her feelings. i thank her for her service in the nhs and i thank her —— and i know how much the country has been through and i know how difficult it has been. if you ask me how i sleep at night, the answer is, of course, i take full responsibility and personal responsibility and personal responsibility for everything that this government has done but i must say to you, mr speaker, the way forward for this house and for this country now is to focus on the position we are in and, above all, to get our vaccinations as fast as we possibly can. we are in a much better position this year than we were last year and that is thanks to the vaccination roll—out and i urge every member of this house to join a campaign and that great british vaccination effort.— campaign and that great british vaccination effort. there is lots of toints of vaccination effort. there is lots of points of order. _ vaccination effort. there is lots of points of order. i _ vaccination effort. there is lots of points of order. i will— vaccination effort. there is lots of points of order. i will take - vaccination effort. there is lots of points of order. i will take the - points of order. i will take the lead _ points of order. i will take the lead of— points of order. i will take the lead of the _ points of order. i will take the lead of the snp. _ points of order. i will take the lead of the snp.— points of order. i will take the lead of the snp. thank you, mr s-eaker. lead of the snp. thank you, mr speaker- i— lead of the snp. thank you, mr speaker. i have _ lead of the snp. thank you, mr speaker. i have informed - lead of the snp. thank you, mr speaker. i have informed the l lead of the snp. thank you, mr - speaker. i have informed the prime minister... we are going to leave the commons chamber there and a lively session of the prime minister�*s questions. let�*s look at the main line to come out of it. borisjohnson, the prime minister, has asked the cabinet secretary to investigate claims about a christmas party in downing street last year. we saw him there telling mps that he was furious at footage of aids, apparentlyjoking about it and he said if those rules were broken, there will be disciplinary action for all those involved. let�*s cross strait now to our political correspondent, jonathan blake, as was mr. the question is, will this be enough to make the story go away? it won�*t go away, it may well contain it for now but what we saw at prime minister�*s questions was a packed house, certainly, on both sides of the government benches and the labour benches as well. those on the labour benches as well. those on the labour benches were far more noisily engaging in the exchanges then their conservative colleagues opposite, who sat for the most part pretty glum to face with muted support for what the prime minister had to say. there was of course much anticipation about what he would say given the latest revelations about staff in downing street laughing and joking about an event that happened before christmas last year and before christmas last year and before the questions got under way, the prime minister offered an apology. he announced an investigation but he said again that he had been repeatedly assured that there was no party and no rules had been broken. i there was no party and no rules had been broken-— there was no party and no rules had been broken. i understand and share the anter been broken. i understand and share the anger up — been broken. i understand and share the anger up and _ been broken. i understand and share the anger up and down _ been broken. i understand and share the anger up and down the _ been broken. i understand and share the anger up and down the country i the anger up and down the country and seeing — the anger up and down the country and seeing numberten the anger up and down the country and seeing number ten staff seeming to make— and seeing number ten staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. i can understand how infuriating it must _ i can understand how infuriating it must be _ i can understand how infuriating it must be to— i can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been— must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, mr speaker, because i was also furious to see _ speaker, because i was also furious to see that— speaker, because i was also furious to see that clip. and i apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country and i_ has caused up and down the country and i apologise for the impression that it _ and i apologise for the impression that it gives. i repeat, mr speaker, that it gives. i repeat, mr speaker, that i_ that it gives. i repeat, mr speaker, that i have — that it gives. i repeat, mr speaker, that i have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was— since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no covert — there was no party and that no covert mac— there was no party and that no covert mac rules were broken —— know covid _ covert mac rules were broken —— know covid rules— covert mac rules were broken —— know covid rules were broken. i have asked _ covid rules were broken. i have asked the — covid rules were broken. i have asked the cabinet secretary to establish all the facts and to report— establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible and, mr speaker. — report back as soon as possible and, mr speaker, it goes without saying that if— mr speaker, it goes without saying that if those rules were broken, then— that if those rules were broken, then there _ that if those rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action— then there will be disciplinary action for all of those involved. so, action for all of those involved. so. a _ action for all of those involved. so, a change of tack and a change of tone from the prime minister in the house of commons. you heard an apology for how this all looks and announcing that investigations, so keir starmer perhaps anticipating something of a statement from the prime minister to address at this today which may well have blunted some of his questions or criticism doubled down and accused the prime minister taking the public. than minister taking the public. jiffy internal investigation into what happened. the situation is as clear as day. i thought last week... mr speaker, i thought last week was bad enough. surely the prime minister isn�*t now going to start pretending that the first he knew about this was last night? we have all watched the video of the prime minister�*s staff, including his personal spokesperson, they knew there was a party, they knew it was against the rules, they knew they could not admit it and they thought it was funny. it�*s obvious what happens. ant and dec ahead of the prime minister on this. the prime minister has been court handed —— red—handed. why doesn�*t he admitted? has been court handed -- red-handed. why doesn't he admitted?— why doesn't he admitted? because i have been repeatedly _ why doesn't he admitted? because i have been repeatedly assured - why doesn't he admitted? because i have been repeatedly assured that i why doesn't he admitted? because i | have been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken. i understand public anxiety about this and i understand public indignation but there is a risk of doing a grave injustice to people, who were frankly obeying the rules. that is why the cabinet secretary will be conducting an investigation and that is why there will be direct was it disciplinary action if necessary. so, so keir starmer trying his best to keep up the pressure on the prime minister on this issue and later in the exchanges of prime minister�*s questions, there were many other mps who attempted to keep that pressure, asking questions on this topic again and there was an intervention from the conservative backbencher, towards the end asking about expected coronavirus measures, which we understand may well be announced later on today, describing that as a diversionary tactic. the prime minister said that no decisions would be made about the cabinet�*s agreement. the prime minister has announced this investigation, he has for the first time apologise for what he said was an ease and indignation but people would be feeling of what they have seen from the behaviour of some number ten staff. again, as i say, he repeated that as far as he has been told, no rules were broken and there was no party that he now suspects that he has not been told the full story or is attempting to contain the continuing controversy around this with an investigation by the cabinet secretary. jonathan blake there, our political correspondent at westminster. the labour leader also raised the case of tricia greens dale, his mother became ill. tricia�*s mum called her, she was breathless and feverish. tricia followed the rules and did not visit her mum. four days later, on the day the prime minister�*s staff laughed about covering up the party, tricia�*s mother was admitted to hospital. tricia followed the rules and did not visit. tricia�*s mother spent christmas day in hospital. she followed the rules and did not visit. two days later, tricia�*s mother died. what tricia wants to know is this — why did the prime minister expected to accept the rules allowed a downing street party but did not allow her to visit her dying mother? the but did not allow her to visit her dying mother?— but did not allow her to visit her d int mother? , :, _ dying mother? the first thing to say is i extend dying mother? the first thing to say is i extend my _ dying mother? the first thing to say is i extend my sympathies - dying mother? the first thing to say is i extend my sympathies to - dying mother? the first thing to say is i extend my sympathies to the i is i extend my sympathies to the family of tricia and, of course, i understand the pain of everybody who suffered throughout this pandemic. i know that the implication that if you tried to draw that the case that we are now investigating somehow should undermine public confidence in the measures that we are taking and i think that�*s the point that he�*s trying to make. i think it�*s a grave mistake to bring politics with this issue. in the last few minutes, nicola sturgeon has given this reaction to the video... i sturgeon has given this reaction to the video- - -— the video... i think there are two toints the video... i think there are two points that _ the video... i think there are two points that make _ the video... i think there are two points that make this _ the video... i think there are two points that make this particular. points that make this particular serious, firstly as the timing of what happened. this was last christmas —like the 18th and 19th of december dates that are ingrained in my mind is perhaps one of if not the lowest, darkest point in the whole of the pandemic. we told people that they could have some very limits normality over christmas, then, the very last minute we had to snatch that way and ruin people�*s hopes. that�*s what makes people so angry about what allegedly was happening in downing street. the second issue is that when confronted with this, the prime minister appears to be not being straight and truthful about it. that really matters because he is likely to be asking people to do difficult things again over this christmas and it�*s really important but he is straight and honest with people. if mistakes were made, he needs to own them and apologise for them. the time last year, i made a mistake in not wearing my face covering very briefly at a funeral and i apologise for that because it is really important that we have trust in public messaging and trust in people making decisions, so i think taking those two points in particular, i think this is a really serious duration for the prime minister and i has to come clean. that�*s nicola sturgeon talking in the last few minutes. under the news now... a police force in wales has finally apologised after 9 years to two of its own officers, for its handling of their reports about abusive behaviour by a fellow pc. jodie, not her real name, told gwent police in 2012 about alleged abuse by her ex—boyfriend. he denied the claims, and was found guilty of gross midconduct in 2019. gwent police said it was "extremely sorry" the women were let down "when they felt most in need of our support." years after reporting the fellow officer, jodie has finally received the apology she has been waiting for. this story was frist brought to light on our old programe back in november 2019 when i talked tojodie about the abuse she says she was subjected to. jody wanted to remain anonymous, so you will be able to see her face. it was horrendous, i felt suffocated. i was horrendous, ifelt suffocated. i felt like a prisoner, i didn�*t know where to turn. he said to me that if i tried to report him, but nobody would believe anything that i said, so honestly i felt like i had no weight at all to turn. meineke did make a complaint about his office in 2012, what was their response? it took so much courage for me to try and make that complaint. i had put up with a lot. i had put up with months of stalking, harassment after the relationship ended and ijust couldn�*t take any more, so i reported it initially to my sergeants, who were really supportive but obviously because of the seriousness of this they needed to escalate it to a high—ranking officer, so when we initially went to speak to him, his reaction was, oh come on in and have a seat, love. i hear you are experiencing some relationship problems.— i hear you are experiencing some relationship problems.- i | relationship problems. what's? i said this is _ relationship problems. what's? i said this is not _ relationship problems. what's? i said this is not a _ relationship problems. what's? i said this is not a relationship - said this is not a relationship problem, i�*m being stalked, and being harassed. to be honest, i nearly turned and walked out of the door at that point because everything the perpetrator had said about people not believing me was starting to ring true in my head and i thought i was not going to be taken seriously.— i thought i was not going to be taken seriously. you had to give a statement — taken seriously. you had to give a statement to _ taken seriously. you had to give a statement to the _ taken seriously. you had to give a statement to the professional - statement to the professional standards board, which is the board that investigates complaints like this within the force, and eventually, the pc that you had bugged the relationship with was given a verbal harassment warning. without naming names, who gave him that verbal warning? meiji. without naming names, who gave him that verbal warning?— that verbalwarning? well, again, this is where _ that verbalwarning? well, again, this is where it _ that verbalwarning? well, again, this is where it all _ that verbalwarning? well, again, this is where it all started - that verbalwarning? well, again, this is where it all started to - that verbalwarning? well, again, this is where it all started to go i this is where it all started to go wrong because he was given this morning by an officer that was superior to himself but i knew that they were actually friends outside of work, so you can imagine when i found that out again, these words were ringing true that no one was believing me and no one was going to take me seriously. did that verbal warning work? no, it absolutely didn�*t. within hours of receiving that verbal warning, he was contacting me, which i knew would happen. contacting me, which i knew would ha a pen. contacting me, which i knew would ha. pen. ,:, contacting me, which i knew would hat-en. ., ., happen. so, you reported him again and this time. _ happen. so, you reported him again and this time, they _ happen. so, you reported him again and this time, they gave _ happen. so, you reported him again and this time, they gave him - happen. so, you reported him again and this time, they gave him a - and this time, they gave him a written harassment warning. did that work? : :. written harassment warning. did that work? : . :, :, : work? again, no it did not. and i knew what _ work? again, no it did not. and i knew what kind _ work? again, no it did not. and i knew what kind of _ work? again, no it did not. and i knew what kind of man _ work? again, no it did not. and i knew what kind of man i - work? again, no it did not. and i knew what kind of man i was - work? again, no it did not. and i - knew what kind of man i was dealing with and he just did not get it at all. again, within hours of being given that written warning we should be more serious, he was contacting me again and even in the contact, it was via e—mail, he acknowledged that he had been given written warning and that he wasn�*t going to adhere to it, basically. . and that he wasn't going to adhere to it. basically-— to it, basically. , so how did you feel about _ to it, basically. , so how did you feel about that? _ to it, basically. , so how did you feel about that? i _ to it, basically. , so how did you feel about that? i was _ to it, basically. , so how did you| feel about that? i was absolutely terrified. n— feel about that? i was absolutely terrified. it had _ feel about that? i was absolutely terrified. it had taken _ feel about that? i was absolutely terrified. it had taken so - feel about that? i was absolutely terrified. it had taken so much i feel about that? i was absolutely| terrified. it had taken so much for me to report it to the police, and then with him still continuing his behaviour, ijust didn�*t know how the situation could ever end. in 2014, you are contacted to say there had been a similar complaint to yours about this meal officer from another woman in the force, which is when they started to look back about how they had investigated your allegations, what did you think then? to allegations, what did you think then? :, , :, , �* then? to be honest, i wasn't surprised _ then? to be honest, i wasn't surprised at _ then? to be honest, iwasn't surprised at all— then? to be honest, i wasn't surprised at all that - then? to be honest, i wasn't surprised at all that the - then? to be honest, i wasn't- surprised at all that the behaviour had continued and that he had moved on to somebody else to do the same. but again, it was so frustrating that i had not been taken seriously and yet i had to go through it all again. i had to relive all of that experience again because they have not done theirjob properly the first time, so i had to bring up the trauma again, when i had moved on with my life. i had to relive it. what did you want from your employers, gwent police at the time? ijust employers, gwent police at the time? i just wanted them employers, gwent police at the time? ijust wanted them to investigate the crimes properly, be updated like you should be updating victims and just to be taken seriously and feel as if something was being done rather than things being swept under the carpet time and time again. you described them as crimes. they are alleged crimes because this man has never been charged with anything in the eyes of the law, he is innocent. in 2019, the disciplinary panel overseeing gwent police found him guilty of gross misconduct for engaging in a continuously abusive course of conduct towards women and they found him guilty in his absence because he had resigned having denied all of the claims. when you have that conclusion from the disciplinary panel, how did you react? ih disciplinary panel, how did you react? :. :, disciplinary panel, how did you react? . :_ ., , disciplinary panel, how did you react? :, :, , :, disciplinary panel, how did you react? . ., , ., , react? in a way, it was a slight relief because _ react? in a way, it was a slight relief because i _ react? in a way, it was a slight relief because i felt _ react? in a way, it was a slight relief because i felt finally - react? in a way, it was a slight relief because i felt finally i i react? in a way, it was a slight| relief because i felt finally i had been listened to and people knew that what i was saying was the truth. but equally, ifelt a bit cheated because he had managed to resign at the very last minute before he could be found guilty of gross misconduct, so he was still found guilty of gross misconduct but he was not fired from the police force, he resigned, so it was on his terms. :, ., ., , ., :, , terms. you have had this apology now, terms. you have had this apology now. which _ terms. you have had this apology now. which is _ terms. you have had this apology now, which is nine _ terms. you have had this apology now, which is nine years - terms. you have had this apology now, which is nine years after i terms. you have had this apology now, which is nine years after he | now, which is nine years after he first made a complaint about this x officer. the deputy chief constable, has said i�*m extremely sorry that at the time when this woman felt most in need of our support, we let her down. we have taken the action is needed to get this right in the future. she goes on to say, we take any allegations of this nature seriously and they will be thoroughly investigated and action taken. i thoroughly investigated and action taken. :, �* thoroughly investigated and action taken. ., taken. i won't ask you and it might be something _ taken. i won't ask you and it might be something that _ taken. i won't ask you and it might be something that members i taken. i won't ask you and it might be something that members of i taken. i won't ask you and it might| be something that members of the public of thinking as they are to you. if you as a police officer, a police officer, could not get your own police force to take your complaints properly, how are members of the public going to do it? i have so much fearfor of the public going to do it? i have so much fear for people that after hearing about things like this they may be afraid to come forward and i would totally understand if they were because i did not feel like i was being listened to and i technically knew all of the correct channels to follow. i sincerely hope that the experience will be different for members of the public and i hope that this isjust different for members of the public and i hope that this is just a problem internally, rather than a reflection of the service that the members of the public will get from the police. d0 members of the public will get from the tolice. ,, members of the public will get from the tolice. i. ., ,, members of the public will get from the tolice. ., ,, _ the police. do you feel reassured by what the deputy _ the police. do you feel reassured by what the deputy chief _ the police. do you feel reassured by what the deputy chief constable i the police. do you feel reassured by| what the deputy chief constable said to you? i what the deputy chief constable said to ou? :, , , :, , what the deputy chief constable said to ou? :,, , ., to you? i do but i 'ust hope that we can see to you? i do but i 'ust hope that we can tnese — to you? i do but ijust hope that we can see these words _ to you? i do but ijust hope that we can see these words in _ to you? i do but ijust hope that we can see these words in action i to you? i do but ijust hope that we can see these words in action and l to you? i do but ijust hope that we can see these words in action and i | can see these words in action and i hope that anybody else that would be in the same situation as me would have a much better, more efficient service than what i had. [30 have a much better, more efficient service than what i had.— have a much better, more efficient service than what i had. do you feel vindicated after _ service than what i had. do you feel vindicated after receiving _ service than what i had. do you feel vindicated after receiving this i vindicated after receiving this apology after nearly a decade? slightly but i almost feel like it�*s too little too late. it�*s great that the gcc has apologised and it�*s great for me that my colleagues can see that what i was fighting for all along was justice because obviously they were people who doubted us, who called us liars, we were bullied and harassed because of the allegations that we made and ijust hope that those people are now embarrassed by their behaviour. that those people are now embarrassed by their behaviour.— their behaviour. that was jodie talkint to their behaviour. that was jodie talking to victoria _ their behaviour. that was jodie talking to victoria derbyshire i their behaviour. that was jodie talking to victoria derbyshire a j talking to victoria derbyshire a little earlier. in a moment it will be time for the bbc news at one with martine croxall. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good afternoon. storm barra is still with us, still influencing the weather story, but it is starting to lose its grip a little, it�*s centred across the far north of scotland. we�*ve got these bands of showers spiralling in an anticlockwise direction around the low, and the strongest of the winds through wales and south—west england. that means that central and southern parts of england may see some sunshine into the afternoon. not a very warm day, though, top temperatures of six to nine celsius. and as we go through the evening and overnight, some of those showers are going to gradually slip their way steadily south and east. eventually, though, the showers will tend to ease, we�*ll have some clearing skies at times, allowing for some mist and patchy fog and some low single figures perhaps to develop in places. thursday will be a quieter day with some sunshine first thing, a few scattered showers into the north—west. and then gradually, as we go through the day, this next weather front will start to push in from the atlantic. that�*s going to introduce more in the way of cloud and gradually some rain. not very warm either. take care. apologies from the prime minister as he says he shares the anger of people — after a video emerges of downing street staffjoking about holding a christmas gathering last year amidst covid restrictions. this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. tough questions for the prime minister over that video — he says he�*s sickened by it and has been assured that no rules were broken. i can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, because i was also furious to see that clip. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for fools and that they were lied to.