us and influencing the story for the rest of the afternoon. some wet and windy weather and gusts of up to 60 miles an hour across south—west england and wales. that will ease this afternoon and slowly that area of low pressure moves north. it is circulating in an anticlockwise direction with these showers merging together at this afternoon across northern ireland and parts of england and wales for a time. it is not very warm at their at nine degrees at the best. some of those showers should move to south and east for the first part of the night and as there low uses are way clearer skies allowing temperatures to fall close to single figures. a mess tomorrow with patchy mist and fog and even some frost in sheltered areas. but hopefully a sunny start. some scattered showers to the north and west. ben and other weather front pushing in east. central and eastern areas keep the best of the sunshine but still feeling chilly. cloud and rain in the south west. that front moves south and east into friday morning, a brisk wind down following behind and once again a north—westerly direction so some of these showers could have a wintry flavour. but still feeling quite chilly across the fat north—west. lots of sunshine around on friday, a cloudy day but still five, nine degrees. but be careful what you wish for because if you want but milder weather it looks likely to come at a price as there next area of low pressure will change the wind direction to a milder south—westerly so yes, temperatures are going to climb up as we go to the weekend but unfortunately that means some of us will see some rain around as well. a reminder of our top story... borisjohnson has apologised at prime minister's questions for a video that shows number 10 staff "seeming to make light of lockdown measures" and says he's asked for an investigation. that's all from the bbc news at one — so it's goodbye from me — and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are. good afternoon, i'm chetan pathak with your latest sports news. once again, england have been blown away at the start of an ashes series in australia. rory burns was bowled first ball and it was downhill from there as they were skittled out for 147. 0ne glimmer of hope wasjos buttler sharing a stand of 52 with 0llie pope, who made 35, and pope believes england can still turn this around. obviously, it wasn't the end result that we wanted. we're not going to get too about that we wanted. we're not going to et too about it that we wanted. we're not going to get too about that we wanted. we're not going to et too about it now. that we wanted. we're not going to get too about it now. both that we wanted. we're not going to get too about it now. both teams have got a bat on this wicket. a disappointing start, 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 frustrated as a unit but we're not going to get too down. it's a long tour, is a long series, so we've got tour, is a long series, so we've got to keep the spirits high and can fighting tomorrow. 0llie pope there. he was only one of four england batters who made double figures today. 0ur cricket reporter henry morean's been trying to make sense of what happened today with former england bowler steven finn. well, how often have we seen the start of an ashes series bring a moment of true drama and indeed that was the case this morning. rory burns bold first bowl as england rolled out for 147. they won the toss and elected to bat first. there was a lot of time forjoe root to decide what might have been. steven finn has been on three ashes tour from england. we didn't think that the stock would be that dramatic. in the stock would be that dramatic. i“! 2010, we lost andrew strauss to the stock would be that dramatic. in 2010, we lost andrew strauss to the fourth ball to the ashes. it was dramatic, it sort of lived up to what you would expect an ashes series to be. credit to the way that australia bowled today. they were fantastic, they were relentless. inevitably, questions will be asked, particularly england's decision to bat first. to particularly england's decision to bat first. ., , ., ~ bat first. to interesting talking oints. bat first. to interesting talking points- had — bat first. to interesting talking points. had they _ bat first. to interesting talking points. had they got _ bat first. to interesting talking points. had they got through l bat first. to interesting talking i points. had they got through that first hour, one down, then it would have been a different —looking day that australia really capitalised on what were favourable bowling conditions. it is hard tojudge until both teams have bold and it did look like there was stuff there all day for the bowlers. england with a brand—new ball in their hands. rang up five wickets in the first game will stop its an easy business, isn't it? yes, it seems like everything he touches at the moment turns to gold. he made some good decisions with the bowling changes as well which you have to do respect and give him credit for. he will be hoping that his team get a good day and he can put his feet up all day tomorrow, i would imagine. well, the old saying is you don't know how good a school in the first innings is until every one has batted. the mercedes formula one team's agreed with kingspan to end their partnership, saying it's "not appropriate". when the deal was announced last week, survivors of the grenfell tower fire and the housing minister michael gove asked mercedes to reconsider linking up with the company that produced some of the cladding installed on the block. lewis hamilton expressed reservations about driving with the branding on his car and team boss toto wolff wrote to the survivors' group, apologising and agreeing to meet with them. changes have been made to abu dhabi's yas marina circuit, to make next week's finale to the formula one season even more exciting. three main areas of the track have been reconfigured to increase overall speed and opportunities for overtaking, which makes it harder to predict which car will be better—suited to the circuit. lewis hamilton and max verstappen are level on points at the top of the world championship going into the race, which verstappen won last year, ending a run of six consecutive mercedes victories in the uae. rang back before we go, more of those schools stories on the bbc sport website. including what happened with england on the first test match in the ashes. back to you, martin. listen, they will take all the help they can get. you and me, let's do it. well, we couldn't make it any worse, could be? yes, borisjohnson has announced an investigation into the party held in downing street last christmas, saying he was "sickened" after seeing a video last night in which some of his senior officials joked about it. but at prime minister's questions, he continued to deny it had taken place. he began the session with a statement to mps about the controversy. i understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing number ten staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. i can understand how infuriating it must be 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, iapologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country and i apologise for the impression it gives. but i repeat that i have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no covid rules were broken and that is what i have been repeatedly assured. 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 all of those involved. we now come to leader- 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 the 18th? 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 fools and that they were lied to. they are right, and they? mr speaker, i think the right honourable gentleman probably missed what i said at the beginning. i apologise for the impression that has been given that staff in downing street take this lesson seriously. i am and furious about that but i repeat what i have said to him that i have been repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken. 0rder, order, order. 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. an internal investigation into what happened. the situation is as clear as day. i thought last week was bad enough. surely, the prime minister is not now going to stop 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. 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 is 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 he end the investigation right now by just admitting it? prime minister. because, mr speaker, i have been reassured that no rules were broken. i understand public anxiety about this and i understand public indignation but there is a risk of doing a great injustice for 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 requisites disciplinary action if necessary. this pretence that further information has come to light. give me a _ information has come to light. give me a break — information has come to light. give me a break. he is still taking the public— me a break. he is still taking the public for— me a break. he is still taking the public for fools. 0n the day of the downing — public for fools. 0n the day of the downing street party, tricia greenhalgh's mother phoned her. you might— greenhalgh's mother phoned her. you might want— greenhalgh's mother phoned her. you might want to listen. tricia followed the rules and did not visit her mother. four days later, on the day the _ her mother. four days later, on the day the prime minister's staff laughed — day the prime minister's staff laughed about covering up the party, tricia's _ laughed about covering up the party, tricia's mother was admitted to hospitah — tricia's mother was admitted to hospital. tricia followed the rules and did _ hospital. tricia followed the rules and did not visit. tricia's mother spent _ and did not visit. tricia's mother spent christmas day in hospital. tricia _ spent christmas day in hospital. tricia followed the rules and did not visit — tricia followed the rules and did not visit. two days later, tricia's mother— not visit. two days later, tricia's mother died. what tricia wants to know _ mother died. what tricia wants to know is— mother died. what tricia wants to know is this — why did the prime mihisier— know is this — why did the prime minister expect her to accept that the rutes— minister expect her to accept that the rules allowed a downing street party but _ the rules allowed a downing street party but did not allow her to visit her dying — party but did not allow her to visit her dying mother? mr party but did not allow her to visit her dying mother?— party but did not allow her to visit 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 that _ her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to say is that in - her dying mother? mr speaker, the first thing to say is that in common | first thing to say is that in common with everybody in this house, i extend my sympathies to the family of tricia, and of course, i understand the pain of everybody who has suffered throughout this pandemic. i know 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 that's the point that he is trying to make but i may say to him, i think it's a great mistake to try to play politics with this issue. i think that is what he is doing. the public will not like to see... i don't think the public went to see confidence in them measures undermines and we are taking gauff i think they can see the difference, mr speaker. we are taking the steps necessary to protect the public above all by rolling out the vaccinations and rather than focusing on the events of a year ago, that is what we are focusing on and that is what i think the public will understand. but focusing on and that is what i think the public will understand.- the public will understand. but it's not “ust the public will understand. but it's not just the _ the public will understand. but it's not just the events _ the public will understand. but it's not just the events of _ the public will understand. but it's not just the events of a _ the public will understand. but it's not just the events of a year - the public will understand. but it's not just the events of a year ago. | not just the events of a year ago. we are _ not just the events of a year ago. we are facing a new variant. we may well be _ we are facing a new variant. we may well be in _ we are facing a new variant. we may well be in plan b this afternoon. the prime — well be in plan b this afternoon. the prime minister must understand the damage he has done to his credibility on enforcing the rules now credibility on enforcing the rules how irr— credibility on enforcing the rules how in the — credibility on enforcing the rules now in the future. tricia made an enormous — now in the future. tricia made an enormous personal sacrifice to do the right— enormous personal sacrifice to do the right thing. that's what she was asked _ the right thing. that's what she was asked to _ the right thing. that's what she was asked to d0~ — the right thing. that's what she was asked to do. most people were just like tricia _ asked to do. most people were just like tricia last christmas. no one was dreaming of a zoom christmas, turkey— was dreaming of a zoom christmas, turkey dinners for one, gifts exchanged at service stations but the virus — exchanged at service stations but the virus was out of control. 489 people _ the virus was out of control. 489 people died of covid—19 on the day of the _ people died of covid—19 on the day of the downing street party, so the british— of the downing street party, so the british people put the health of others — british people put the health of others above themselves and follow the rules _ others above themselves and follow the rules. isn't the prime minister ashamed — the rules. isn't the prime minister ashamed that his downing street could _ ashamed that his downing street could not— ashamed that his downing street could not do the same? mr ashamed that his downing street could not do the same? mr speaker, i have said what — could not do the same? mr speaker, i have said what i _ could not do the same? mr speaker, i have said what i have _ could not do the same? mr speaker, i have said what i have said _ could not do the same? mr speaker, i have said what i have said about - could not do the same? mr speaker, i have said what i have said about the l have said what i have said about the events on december the 18th. they will be properly investigated and i will be properly investigated and 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 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 but what we need to focus on today is what we need to focus on today is what we need to focus on today is what we are doing to roll across the country and what we are doing to protect the public and he is indeed right that we now have in the 0micron variant, a variance that is spreading much faster than any other variant that we have seen before and thatis variant that we have seen before and that is what we need with great respect to the right honourable gentleman to focus on. that's why i ask everybody to go and get a booster jab as soon ask everybody to go and get a boosterjab as soon as they are called forward.— called forward. prime minister apparently _ called forward. prime minister apparently wants _ called forward. prime minister apparently wants us _ called forward. prime minister apparently wants us to - called forward. prime minister apparently wants us to focus l called forward. prime minister. apparently wants us to focus on called forward. prime minister- apparently wants us to focus on what is happening today but no government spokesperson is on the media this morning — spokesperson is on the media this morning i— spokesperson is on the media this morning. i see the health secretary has made _ morning. i see the health secretary has made it— morning. i see the health secretary has made it to this chamber. that's the point _ has made it to this chamber. that's the point. this virus is not defeated. we are going to face other tests where the british people may be asked _ tests where the british people may be asked by their leaders to make further— be asked by their leaders to make further sacrifices for the greater good _ further sacrifices for the greater good her— further sacrifices for the greater good. her majesty the queen sat alone _ good. her majesty the queen sat alone when she marked the passing of the man— alone when she marked the passing of the man that she had been married to for 73— the man that she had been married to for 73 years _ the man that she had been married to for 73 years. leadership, the man that she had been married to for73 years. leadership, sacrifice, that's— for73 years. leadership, sacrifice, that's what— for73 years. leadership, sacrifice, that's what gives leaders the moral authority— that's what gives leaders the moral authority to lead. does the prime minister— authority to lead. does the prime minister think he has the moral authority— minister think he has the moral authority to lead and to ask the british— authority to lead and to ask the british people to stick to the rules? — british people to stick to the rules? ., ., , ., , ., rules? not only that but the labour pa in rules? not only that but the labour party in particular _ rules? not only that but the labour party in particular have _ rules? not only that but the labour party in particular have played - party in particular have played politics throughout this pandemic. i've got to hear what the prime minister— i've got to hear what the prime minister is _ i've got to hear what the prime minister is saying _ i've got to hear what the prime minister is saying because - i've got to hear what the prime minister is saying because i- i've got to hear what the prime i minister is saying because i don't, i minister is saying because i don't, i don't _ minister is saying because i don't, i don't know— minister is saying because i don't, i don't know when _ minister is saying because i don't, i don't know when something - minister is saying because i don't, i don't know when something is i minister is saying because i don't, l i don't know when something is said and i_ i don't know when something is said and i must _ idon't know when something is said and i must hear— i don't know when something is said and i must hear the _ i don't know when something is said and i must hear the prime _ i don't know when something is said and i must hear the prime minister. | and i must hear the prime minister. yes, _ and i must hear the prime minister. yes. mr— and i must hear the prime minister. yes. mr speaker _ and i must hear the prime minister. yes, mr speaker. throughout- and i must hear the prime minister. yes, mr speaker. throughout this l yes, mr speaker. throughout this pandemic, the leader of the opposition has done nothing but 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 so confused and they have not been fooled and they have got on with implementing the guidance and they have got on in particular with showing great commitment to the health of this country by going forward to get vaccinated. country by going forward to get vaccinated-— country by going forward to get vaccinated. ~ �* . , ~ vaccinated. we've had this the week before. vaccinated. we've had this the week before- l'm — vaccinated. we've had this the week before. i'm not— vaccinated. we've had this the week before. i'm not having _ vaccinated. we've had this the week before. i'm not having this - vaccinated. we've had this the week before. i'm not having this every i before. i'm not having this every week _ before. i'm not having this every week if— before. i'm not having this every week if you _ before. i'm not having this every week. if you want _ before. i'm not having this every week. if you want to _ before. i'm not having this every week. if you want to be - before. i'm not having this every week. if you want to be on- before. i'm not having this every week. if you want to be on the l before. i'm not having this every. week. if you want to be on the front bench, _ week. if you want to be on the front bench, behave — week. if you want to be on the front bench, behave like _ week. if you want to be on the front bench, behave like you _ week. if you want to be on the front bench, behave like you should i week. if you want to be on the front bench, behave like you should be i bench, behave like you should be there _ bench, behave like you should be there prime _ bench, behave like you should be there. prime minister. _ bench, behave like you should be there. prime minister. mr- bench, behave like you should be there. prime minister. mr speaker, at every stage. _ there. prime minister. mr speaker, at every stage, the _ there. prime minister. mr speaker, at every stage, the labour- at every stage, the labour leadership have tried to muddy the waters and play politics. people in this country have not been fooled and in particular, they have come forward to get vaccinated faster than any other country in europe. we have now done 20 million boosters. that is the single best thing that we can do and i encourage everybody to keep going and get their booster jab. to keep going and get their booster 'ab. ., , ., to keep going and get their booster 'ab. ., ,, ., ., , jab. that so desperate and even his own side can _ jab. that so desperate and even his own side can see _ jab. that so desperate and even his own side can see it. _ jab. that so desperate and even his own side can see it. last _ jab. that so desperate and even his own side can see it. last week, i jab. that so desperate and even his own side can see it. last week, the j own side can see it. last week, the prime _ own side can see it. last week, the prime minister told us there was no party— prime minister told us there was no party and _ prime minister told us there was no party and now he thinks there is something to investigate. the justice — something to investigate. the justice secretary think the police don't _ justice secretary think the police don't investigate crimes from a year a-o. don't investigate crimes from a year ago well, _ don't investigate crimes from a year ago well, i— don't investigate crimes from a year ago. well, i ran the crown prosecution service and i can tell you that — prosecution service and i can tell you that that is total nonsense. mr speaker, _ you that that is total nonsense. mr speaker, at — you that that is total nonsense. mr speaker, at westminster magistrates court right— speaker, at westminster magistrates court right now, the cps are prosecuting over a dozen breaches of covid-t9 _ prosecuting over a dozen breaches of covid—19 restrictions last december including _ covid—19 restrictions last december including those to hosted parties. they are — including those to hosted parties. they are doing theirjob enforcing the law— they are doing theirjob enforcing the law set in downing street. will the law set in downing street. will the prime — the law set in downing street. will the prime minister to support the police _ the prime minister to support the police and — the prime minister to support the police and the cps by handing over everything the government knows about _ everything the government knows about parties in downing street to the metropolitan police? gf 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 i the metropolitan police? of course, we will do that and we will get on i we will do that and we will get on with the investigation by the cabinet secretary and he continually went to play politics with this issue, we want to get on with our job of protecting this country during the pandemic and delivering the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe, fighting the drugs gangs, the party opposite to criminalise class a drugs and backing our borders bill. they have an opportunity to focus on that tonight is not why not back our borders bill, mr speaker? that's what the leader of the opposition should be doing. ratherthan leader of the opposition should be doing. rather than playing politics. that was the prime minister's questions earlier today. the prime minister made _ questions earlier today. the prime minister made a _ questions earlier today. the prime minister made a number _ questions earlier today. the prime minister made a number of - questions earlier today. the prime l minister made a number of promises and prime minister's questions. firstly, there would be an investigation into the downing street party and that they would be disciplinary action for anybody who was found had broken the coronavirus restrictions. despite the party taking place on the 18th of december, despite the prime minister today apologising for that leaked footage yesterday, which showed some of his aides laughing about how to respond to questions about the downing street party, he has apologised for that but he still hasn't provided that apology that many were calling for for the party itself and downing street and the prime minister still have not explained how the party could have taken place without any coronavirus rules being broken. he has promised that investigation. he also committed in response to keir starmer to hand over any details that the government may have about the party alter the police, if either of those decide to investigate this case the breaches of coronavirus restrictions. as we have therefore prime minister's questions, the pressure on the prime minister is certainly not going away with some mps from the labour benches, snp as well calling for him to resign and take responsibility for this as well. downing street is still towing that line in insisting that no rules were broken but with no explanation exactly of how they weren't. this story of the party that took place on the 18th of december, there were also reports of other gatherings that took place in the same period. a number of resources told the bbc for example that there was a christmas quiz in december organised a number ten staff with one source saying people didn't realise how ridiculous it was at the time with people showing up in the office that day with christmas jumpers ready for the quiz. as well as promises being made from the prime minister, concrete action is something that his critics are now are looking for. $1150 are now are looking for. also suggestions _ are now are looking for. also suggestions that _ are now are looking for. also suggestions that coronavirus restrictions could be strengthening again with the government being accused of using it as a distracting tactic. , ., ., tactic. yes, one of the prime minister's — tactic. yes, one of the prime minister's own _ tactic. yes, one of the prime minister's own backbench i minister's own backbench conservative mps make that allegation that it was some sort of distraction technique. we are expecting further update later today about what the government decides about what the government decides about whether it's going to impose further coronavirus restrictions while the uncertainty about the 0micron variant continues to concern both ministers and scientific advisers. as you say, why this downing street party has played into the separate conversation about possible for the restrictions that might further restrictions as many backbench mps are concerned that any messages that the government were to put out about government health and what we can and cannot do may be undermined by the reports of the downing street party with some conservative mps going as far to say that any future advice or guidance would be more advisory given that we have seen as i say this leaked footage of downing street aides laughing breaches of lockdown rules saying that this party was not socially distanced. certainly, there is pressure on the government to explain how it's going to restore any trust. explain how it's going to restore an trust. . ~ explain how it's going to restore an trust. ., ,, , ., , . sara woodward lost her mother, brenda, and brother, mark, to coronavirus, at the end of last year. she expressed fury at downing street. we had the most, and a widerfamily, the most horrendous year, and this time last year, we had just lost my mother, we were praying that my brother would pull through, we were planning one funeral, and then, after the 14th of december, when my brother died, we spent christmas planning a 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 worse for the funeral on the 30th of december. we followed the rules. 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. we and many thousands of families across the country. it's just as despicable and unforgivable. the first minister of scotland nicola sturgeon has given this reaction to the downing street video. well, i think there are two points that make us particularly serious. firstly, the timing of what happens. this was last christmas. the 18th and 19th of december are dates in my mind as perhaps one of, if not the lowest, darkest point in the whole pandemic. we told people that they could have some very limited normality over christmas, and then, at the very last minute, we had to snatch that way and dashed people's hopes, so i think that's what makes people so angry about what allegedly happened in downing street. i think the second issue is that when confronted with this, the prime minister appears to be not being straight and truthful about it and that really matters because he is likely to be asking people to do difficult things again over this christmas and it's really important that he is straight and honest with people that if mistakes were made, to own firm, to apologise for them. at the same 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's really important that we have trust in public messaging and trust in people making decisions, so i think taking those two points in particular, its a really serious situation for the prime minister and i think he has to come clean. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good afternoon. as we go through the remainder of the day, the weather story is starting to quieten down. that said, storm barra is still producing some gusty winds across southwest england and wales and some rain at times. now, that storm is continuing to drift its way steadily north and east. and it's along the southern flank of the low still where the strongest of the winds are, so southwest england and wales. interestingly enough, that's probably where we're likely to see the heaviest of the rain, across north wales through this afternoon. so spiralling around the centre of that low, we've got this rash of showers, some of them merging together for longer spells of rain. it means that central and southern england may escape the showers. there'll be some brief glimpses of brightness, but quite a lot of cloud generally. and a coolish day, six to nine degrees, particularly on exposed coast when you factor in still the strength of that wind. now, through the early part of the evening, and the first half of the night, we'll still see a rash of showers sweeping their way steadily south and east. but then things will quieten down and with some clearer skies into low single figures in one or two spots. so it's going to be a chilly start potentially to thursday morning. a line of showers across western scotland, but generally a finer day, a greater chance of seeing more sunshine on thursday until the afternoon, when this weather front will start to bring some wet weather into northern ireland, western fringes of england and scotland as well. sheltered eastern areas seeing the best of the sunshine. top temperatures here, though, perhaps struggling to get into double figures. and as we move through thursday night into friday, that frontal system eases away, the wind direction swings back round to a northwesterly. a cooler source once again, that's going to drive in some showers on exposed north—west coasts. and with elevation, there could be a little bit of wintriness returning. but generally on friday, another quieter day, lighter winds, more in the way of sunshine coming through. but again, still those temperatures struggling, perhaps around five to nine degrees. maybe we'll see double figures down into the far south—west. however, as we head towards the weekend, it looks likely that things will turn wet and windy once again from the atlantic. but the wind direction changing back to a south—westerly. so if you want something just that little bit milder, we're heading in that direction for the weekend. but unfortunately, it comes at a price. for many of us, there could be some significant rain. this is bbc news. the headlines: it was a business meeting and it was not socially — it was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. the prime minister apologises after a video emerges showing a former senior member of his team laughing about a downing street christmas party. ican i can understand how infuriating it must be 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. because i was also furious to see that cli. ~ ., , ., because i was also furious to see thatcli. ~ ., ,., , because i was also furious to see thatcli. ~ ., , ., that clip. millions of people now think the prime _ that clip. millions of people now think the prime minister - that clip. millions of people now think the prime minister was i that clip. millions of people now i think the prime minister was taking them _ think the prime minister was taking them for— think the prime minister was taking them for fools and they were lied to. them for fools and they were lied to they— them for fools and they were lied to. they are right, aren't they?