Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240709 : comparemela.com

them for fools and they were lied t0~ they— them for fools and they were lied to. they are right, aren't they? the coronavirus booster vaccine campaign gets ramped up even further — now anyone over a0 in england can now book theirjab. the new face of germany — olaf scholz is sworn in as chancellor as angela merkel bows out after 16 years in office. and the worst possible start for england in the ashes series — as australia claim a wicket with the first ball on their way to skittling england out. the prime minister, borisjohnson, has apologised for a video obtained by itv news showing his staffjoking about a christmas party last year at number 10 downing street in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown. it follows a week of denials from the government that such a party had ever taken place. at the event, guests are reported to have enjoyed cheese and wine, and taken part in a secret santa and party games. london had moved into tier 3 restrictions that meant indoor social gatherings were banned and only six people could meet in outdoor public spaces. government guidance specifically banned work christmas lunches or parties. number 10 has insisted that no party took place and all rules were followed. it comes as whitehall sources told the bbc an announcement on tighter coronavirus restrictions could be imminent. my colleague, jo coburn, is in westminster. it is in westminster. was very lively and heated pmq but it was very lively and heated pmqs, but a lot of questions still for the prime minister?— but a lot of questions still for the prime minister? yes, absolutely. i am standing _ prime minister? yes, absolutely. i am standing just — prime minister? yes, absolutely. i am standing just a _ prime minister? yes, absolutely. i am standing just a few _ prime minister? yes, absolutely. i am standing just a few metres - prime minister? yes, absolutely. i. am standing just a few metres away in the central lobby from where those commons exchanges took place. between the labour leader keir starmer and borisjohnson. between the labour leader keir starmerand borisjohnson. perhaps starmer and boris johnson. perhaps what starmer and borisjohnson. perhaps what was starmerand borisjohnson. perhaps what was more dangerous for the prime minister was the incoming fire that had already come from his own side before he took to the dispatch box, questions about what exactly happened on december the 18th last year. we have had a week of denials and non—denials about a party that the bbc has on good authority, took place. it took place with wine, alcohol, food and there were party games. and still come as you have just said, the prime minister was told, he has been reassured by those at number ten, his advisers, that there was no party and no covid rules were broken. if there was a party then covid rules were broken, absolutely. because london, the capital was on lockdown. there wasn't supposed to be any social gathering at that point. under pressure, borisjohnson has said he has launched an investigation. it is by the cabinet secretary, the top civil servant, to look into exactly what went wrong. although there are many people in westminster who say they know what went on and what went wrong, they have seen it. the video that was leaked to itv which shows senior staff laughing at a rehearsal, a mocked up rehearsal of a tv briefing, that of course, never did happen. it mentioned a cheese and wine party about how to answer questions about a gathering at number ten. the prime minister said he is furious and he is shocked by what he saw and the impression of what he saw and the impression of what might have gone on. that is not at the moment going to answer the questions that have been close to him right across the political spectrum. let's have a look at what damian grammaticas saw. cabinet ministers this morning. foreign secretary, is it one rule for downing street and another for the rest of the country? morning, sir. morning. questions, but no answers. were you at the party, sir? today in downing street they were deciding if new covid restrictions will be imposed. anybody have any questions today? but it's the video of what happened here last year that's caused a crisis. i've seen reports on twitter- that there was a downing street party on friday night. do you recognise those reports? i went home. laughter. laughter about something which for most isn't a laughing matter. what's the answer? i don't know. was it cheese and wine? is cheese and wine all right? it was a business meeting. and we know there was a christmas party. and it was not socially distanced. the video is so damaging for borisjohnson because for a week he's defended those in it, just as he defended matt hancock and dominic cummings. and it's left him exposed. members of the public who followed the rules at the time, furious, his mps too. his ability to get people to follow new restrictions, undermined. have you lied to the public, prime minister? so a prime ministerfacing questions at every turn. but he didn't even wait for one before making a statement. and 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, iapologise. i apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country, and i apologise for the impression that it gives. he announced an internal investigation, but said he'd been assured there was no party. we've all watched the videol 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 couldn't admit it, and they thought it was funny. i it's obvious what happened. ant and dec are ahead - of the prime minister on this. mr speaker, i've been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken. her majesty, the queen sat alone when she marked the passing - of the man she'd been married to for 73 years. _ leadership, sacrifice. that's what gives leaders . 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? - not only that, mr speaker, but the labour party and the labour leader in particular, have played politics, mr speaker, throughout throughout this pandemic. there was even a call for the prime minister to go. the only right and moral choice left to him, it is for his resignation. when can we expect it. prime minister? i am going to get on with the job. damian grammaticus, bbc news, westminster. i have just been told there is a number ten briefing. journalists have been putting questions. there are questions whether the top civil servant who is now going to be carrying out the investigation into what went on at number ten last year, whether he attended the party and they couldn't answer or rule it out. that is extraordinary and that begs more questions than it actually answers. ., begs more questions than it actually answers. . . , ., answers. there are a number of questions. _ answers. there are a number of questions, questions _ answers. there are a number of questions, questions about - answers. there are a number of. questions, questions about other gatherings that might have taken place and the prime minister importantly, perhaps, said he would hand over any information to the police? hand over any information to the olice? , , ., , hand over any information to the olice? , i. , ., police? yes, you might remember that dominic raab. — police? yes, you might remember that dominic raab, the _ police? yes, you might remember that dominic raab, the justice _ police? yes, you might remember that dominic raab, the justice secretary, i dominic raab, thejustice secretary, when he was asked about the party said it wasn't routine for the police to investigate claims of covid regulations being broken retrospectively, so something that happened last year. they are, we understand, looking at this video we have all seen that was leaked of those senior staff at downing street. they are looking at that and borisjohnson has said, of course he will cooperate and give any information that is absolutely necessary. i think one of the other important things distress is about the prime minister's authority, about the prime minister being able to, if it happens today, to ask the public at large to abide by tightening covid restrictions. the plan b we have heard about in the wake of the omicron variant. that could mean our lives restricted feather, vaccine passports for certain events. it could be even more mandatory mask wearing. will he be able to do that legitimately and credibly? and will people comply if there are still such a big questions over what went on under his own roof. because that is the other thing, if said he was assured no party took place at no covid rules were broken, then the prime minister doesn't seem to know what is going on inside the building in which he resides. �* ., ,, ., ., ., on inside the building in which he resides. ., ,, ., ., ., ., resides. allegra stratton and other staff, presumably _ resides. allegra stratton and other staff, presumably are _ resides. allegra stratton and other staff, presumably are they - resides. allegra stratton and other staff, presumably are they still- staff, presumably are they still working for the prime minister? why hasn't he simply being able to ask them if there was a party? and on them if there was a party? and on the plan b, william wragg said is this a diversionary tactic? the cuestion this a diversionary tactic? the question about _ this a diversionary tactic? tie question about whether the this a diversionary tactic? ttj: question about whether the staff you saw, allegra stratton and ed oldfield, he saw in the leaked video, that is the question that has been raised byjake berry, conservative mp. he said to sky news he couldn't believe these people were still in theirjobs and still in their place. you will remember from pmqs at the very beginning when parrishjohnson said how furious he was about what he saw in the video, that there would be consequences and disciplinary procedures, in other words, people would lose theirjobs and they would be asked to go if it was found out that there was a party and covid rules were broken. william wragg, the conservative mp, he stood up wragg, the conservative mp, he stood up and he actually questioned whether this expected announcement on covid restrictions today was a diversionary tactic? that is something we call it in the business, a dead cat bounce strategy, let's try and distract everybody with something else. and this would be a big announcement to tighten restrictions at this point. the other key question i guess, is whether the prime minister will have been found at any point to have misled parliament?— misled parliament? yes, this is breachina misled parliament? yes, this is breaching what _ misled parliament? yes, this is breaching what we _ misled parliament? yes, this is breaching what we call - misled parliament? yes, this is breaching what we call the - breaching what we call the ministerial code. this issue about misleading parliament was raised by another conservative mp, roger gale, when he asked about what he made of a bbc interviewer earlier today about what has gone on over the past week in terms of the government and borisjohnson�*s own handling of this. he said if borisjohnson was unable to answer questions clearly, if it was proven that he had misled parliament last week at prime minister's questions. and if he wasn't able to stand up and be clear about about what went on today, he called it, in his words, a hanging offence. what that means is he would have to resign, which is what happens when ministers are found in breach of the ministerial code. so in terms of the prime minister's authority, his credibility, what is yoursense authority, his credibility, what is your sense of where the mood is on the tory backbenches, which is critical? it the tory backbenches, which is critical? , ., , the tory backbenches, which is critical? , . , ., ., , critical? it is a very dangerous moment. _ critical? it is a very dangerous moment. i — critical? it is a very dangerous moment, i think _ critical? it is a very dangerous moment, i think that - critical? it is a very dangerous moment, i think that the - critical? it is a very dangerous l moment, i think that the prime minister, borisjohnson. i moment, i think that the prime minister, borisjohnson. lam standing in central lobby. usually at this time after prime minister's questions there would be a lot more mp5 behind me. none of them are in mps behind me. none of them are in the chamber, discussing and debating important legislation, but a lot of them would be here. in fact, gavin williamson, the former education secretary rushed past me. he was on the phone and didn't want to stop to chat. i havejust presented the phone and didn't want to stop to chat. i have just presented a political discussion programme on the bbc, for the first time in years we were not supplied a government minister. that gives you an indication of the fact that many conservative mps themselves off the record have said they are a shame, they don't want to talk about it, they don't want to talk about it, they don't want to talk about it, they don't want to defend what is being put in front of them. and that underlines, as i say, a dangerous moment for the prime minister. thank ou ve moment for the prime minister. thank you very much — moment for the prime minister. thank you very much indeed. _ let's look back at the timeline of events. on the date 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 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. relatives of people who died in the pandemic are among those to have expressed anger at the emergence of the video. our correspondent, tim muffett, has been gauging reaction. political stories sometimes slip by unnoticed. ~ ., political stories sometimes slip by unnoticed. ~ . ., , ., unnoticed. what about this one? the government — unnoticed. what about this one? the government have _ unnoticed. what about this one? the government have set _ unnoticed. what about this one? the government have set out _ unnoticed. what about this one? the government have set out guidelinesl government have set out guidelines rules and the lockdown for them to have a christmas party and when questioned about it, a business meeting, she is stuttering. this is the prime minister's spokesperson. my the prime minister's spokesperson. my work in construction and i go through problems on a daily basis but have to follow these guidelines and they are in downing street having a whale of a tie. t and they are in downing street having a whale of a tie.- and they are in downing street having a whale of a tie. i am not very interested _ having a whale of a tie. i am not very interested in _ having a whale of a tie. i am not very interested in it, _ having a whale of a tie. i am not very interested in it, i— having a whale of a tie. i am not very interested in it, ijust - having a whale of a tie. i am not very interested in it, ijust want| very interested in it, ijust want to get— very interested in it, ijust want to get on— very interested in it, ijust want to get on with my life. i am not interested _ to get on with my life. i am not interested in what happened a year a-o. interested in what happened a year ago it— interested in what happened a year aro. , interested in what happened a year ao. , ., , ., interested in what happened a year a a 0. , ., , ., ., , interested in what happened a year ao. ,., ., , ., ago. it is a bad example of the government- _ ago. it is a bad example of the government. they _ ago. it is a bad example of the government. they are - ago. it is a bad example of the | government. they are humans, ago. it is a bad example of the - government. they are humans, they won't _ government. they are humans, they won't be _ government. they are humans, they won't be alone _ government. they are humans, they won't be alone.— won't be alone. many of today's front pages _ won't be alone. many of today's front pages make _ won't be alone. many of today's front pages make for _ won't be alone. many of today's front pages make for pretty - won't be alone. many of today's - front pages make for pretty awkward reading for the government and among some who lost loved ones, there is barely concealed fury. sarah lost her mother and brother to covid. seeing this video is just utterly, utterly sickening and it makes me feel so angry and upset, over and above the upset we have already gone through. me and many thousands of families across the country, it is just despicable and unforgivable. br; just despicable and unforgivable. by the time allegra stratton stood on that podium and laughed her way through— that podium and laughed her way through that, my dad had the mask plot onto— through that, my dad had the mask plot onto his face and the following five days, _ plot onto his face and the following five days, he deteriorated and he died on _ five days, he deteriorated and he died on the 28th of december. as well as died on the 28th of december. is well as anger, there has also been mockery of the government's response. mockery of the government's response-— mockery of the government's resonse. , �* . . , response. they didn't have a party. they categorically _ response. they didn't have a party. they categorically deny _ response. they didn't have a party. they categorically deny any - they categorically deny any suggestion is that they had a party. and this fictional party definitely didn't involve cheese and wine, or a secret santa. didn't involve cheese and wine, or a secret santa-— secret santa. evening, prime minister- _ secret santa. evening, prime minister. for _ secret santa. evening, prime minister. for now. _ secret santa. evening, prime minister. for now. with - secret santa. evening, prime i minister. for now. with ongoing concern over— minister. for now. with ongoing concern over the _ minister. for now. with ongoing concern over the omicron - minister. for now. with ongoing | concern over the omicron variant there is a possibility we could face more covid restrictions over the coming weeks and months. the big question, whetherfrustration coming weeks and months. the big question, whether frustration about the story could affect people's willingness to obey any new rules. t willingness to obey any new rules. i think it is disgusting. i cannot believe the government is expecting people to follow rules that it is not willing to follow it self. d0 not willing to follow it self. do ou think not willing to follow it self. do you think there is any danger people will not follow rules if new rules are brought in again?— will not follow rules if new rules are brought in again? people will do what they think _ are brought in again? people will do what they think is _ are brought in again? people will do what they think is best _ are brought in again? people will do what they think is best for _ what they think is best for themselves.— what they think is best for themselves. . . , . , what they think is best for themselves. . . , ., themselves. was it technically a -a in themselves. was it technically a party in downing _ themselves. was it technically a party in downing street - themselves. was it technically a party in downing street or- themselves. was it technically a party in downing street or not? | party in downing street or not? either way, party in downing street or not? eitherway, it party in downing street or not? either way, it has left the government with an almighty hangover. tim muffet, bbc news. i'm joined now byjean adamson, part of the covid—i9 bereaved families forjustice group. herfather aldrick died of covid in april last year. lam very i am very sorry to hear of your family's loss. given the video we have seen emerge in the last 2a hours and the prime minister's response today, what is your response today, what is your response today, what is your response to what the government is saying? mt; response to what the government is sa int? y , , ., saying? my response is that i feel utterly second _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by what _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by what i _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by what i have - saying? my response is that i feel| utterly second by what i have seen and by what i have heard these last 24—hour is. it is unimaginable that people who are working, the leaders of our country, the centre of government were behaving in this way. so breaking rules regarding lockdown restrictions, expect us to follow those rules whilst they themselves flaunted breaking those rules. i say their behaviour is disgusting, despicable and deceitful. , ., , ., ., deceitful. tell us a bit about what ha--ened deceitful. tell us a bit about what happened to _ deceitful. tell us a bit about what happened to your— deceitful. tell us a bit about what happened to your father - deceitful. tell us a bit about what happened to your father and - deceitful. tell us a bit about what happened to your father and have your family where affected by the restrictions? mr; your family where affected by the restrictions?— your family where affected by the restrictions? my father contracted covid and died _ restrictions? my father contracted covid and died in _ restrictions? my father contracted covid and died in a _ restrictions? my father contracted covid and died in a care _ restrictions? my father contracted covid and died in a care home. - restrictions? my father contracted | covid and died in a care home. we were fortunate enough that because he was on the ground floor of the care home leave are able to visit him and speak to him through the window. but the last few weeks of his life we were not able to go to the care home because it was lockdown as well. whilst he lay on his deathbed really, we were not able to have any, you know, any tactile contact with him and to comfort him and hold his hand and... you know, this really compounds the grief i feel. a very difficult time. it made his last few days very difficult that he wasn't able to have you with him?— difficult that he wasn't able to have you with him? yes, we weren't able to get — have you with him? yes, we weren't able to get close _ have you with him? yes, we weren't able to get close to _ have you with him? yes, we weren't able to get close to him _ have you with him? yes, we weren't able to get close to him and - have you with him? yes, we weren't able to get close to him and offer. able to get close to him and offer him any comfort and he did die on his own. it is very sad. i him any comfort and he did die on his own. it is very sad.— his own. it is very sad. i am very sor to his own. it is very sad. i am very sorry to hear _ his own. it is very sad. i am very sorry to hear that. _ his own. it is very sad. i am very sorry to hear that. so _ his own. it is very sad. i am very sorry to hear that. so did - his own. it is very sad. i am very sorry to hear that. so did here . sorry to hear that. so did here about this _ sorry to hear that. so did here about this debacle _ sorry to hear that. so did here about this debacle with - sorry to hear that. so did here about this debacle with this i about this debacle with this christmas party in 10 downing street, it feels like a complete betrayal really. the street, it feels like a complete betrayal really.— street, it feels like a complete betra alreall . ~ , betrayal really. the prime minister has said he — betrayal really. the prime minister has said he is _ betrayal really. the prime minister has said he is very _ betrayal really. the prime minister has said he is very sorry _ betrayal really. the prime minister has said he is very sorry for- betrayal really. the prime minister has said he is very sorry for the - has said he is very sorry for the impression that was given by that video, for example, but he still says he has been told no rules were broken, downing street still saying there was no party, do you believe him? ., ., . . there was no party, do you believe him? ., ., ., ., , , him? no, not at all. it is very difficult. _ him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very _ him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very hard _ him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very hard to - him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very hard to believe | difficult, very hard to believe anything that he says. he is a serial liar and he's been found lying before and this time is no different. and the apology rings hollow, he is not sorry. i think he's just sorry they caught, actually. you know, there is a real problem with integrity with this government. problem with integrity with this government-— problem with integrity with this rovernment. , ., _ ., , government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain _ government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain he _ government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain he is _ government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain he is being _ government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain he is being open - government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain he is being open and| would maintain he is being open and honest in everything he is saying. there is going to be an investigation by the cabinet secretary. there are still questions about whether he might have been at that party or any other gatherings, but do you have faith that perhaps an internal investigation or a police investigation might get to the bottom of this? and does it matter to you? it the bottom of this? and does it matter to you?— the bottom of this? and does it matter to you? it does matter, it does matter- _ matter to you? it does matter, it does matter. you _ matter to you? it does matter, it does matter. you know, - matter to you? it does matter, it does matter. you know, he - matter to you? it does matter, it does matter. you know, he is - matter to you? it does matter, it| does matter. you know, he is the prime minister and he is accountable for what happens in 10 downing street, whether he was there or not. and i expect there to be a full investigation and we want to know the truth, we need to know the truth of what has happened. yes, it's very important for us to know that. you know, we are now faced with another variant, omicron variant and very soon, i am variant, omicron variant and very soon, lam hearing variant, omicron variant and very soon, i am hearing today there are going to be further restrictions, the plan be imposed. how does he expect people are going to listen to him and take any notice on what he is saying. he has lost his credibility, i am afraid to say. completely lost confidence that there are... you know, this is a serious issue for the government and serious issue for the government and serious for all of us, who will have to carry out, who have to adhere to those restrictions. a serious matter and to think that we have got a prime minister he was presiding over this kind of, i am going to say downright disgraceful behaviour by his people, the people that he employs, who are at the heart of government. it is a complete... it is totally unacceptable. you know, he has lost that moral authority. how can he stand up there now and tell us that we need to adhere to these more restrictions when he is presiding over this fiasco? d0 these more restrictions when he is presiding over this fiasco?- presiding over this fiasco? do you think you. — presiding over this fiasco? do you think you. your— presiding over this fiasco? do you think you, your family _ presiding over this fiasco? do you think you, your family and - presiding over this fiasco? do you think you, your family and friends will still take notice of the government if they ask us all to follow plan be something like it in the coming hours of the coming days? do you think people will still follow the advice of the government over faith think regardless of politics they will listen to the scientific advice at least? i think that his authority _ scientific advice at least? i think that his authority has _ scientific advice at least? i think that his authority has been, - scientific advice at least? i think that his authority has been, it i scientific advice at least? i think i that his authority has been, it will be dangerously weakened by this incident. i will encourage my family and friends to follow the rules and regulations. i lost my father to covid, so i know how devastating it is and the loss and the impact it has had on ourfamily. sol is and the loss and the impact it has had on ourfamily. so i will always encourage people to do that. but i feel his authority has been severely weakened because of this. just finally, how do you remember the best of your father? mr; just finally, how do you remember the best of your father? my father, i hoe... the best of your father? my father, i hope- -- l — the best of your father? my father, i hope... i remember— the best of your father? my father, i hope... i remember my _ the best of your father? my father, i hope... i remember my father's l i hope... i remember my father's smiling face, he was a musician and the windrush pioneer. he came here from barbados and worked very hard and he was a family man. we remember him with very, very fond memories and he is very much missed. yes, those are the memories i would like to keep of my father.— those are the memories i would like to keep of my father. thank you very much indeed — to keep of my father. thank you very much indeed for _ to keep of my father. thank you very much indeed for your _ to keep of my father. thank you very much indeed for your time _ to keep of my father. thank you very much indeed for your time today. - much indeed for your time today. thank you, thank you for having me. the covid booster programme in england has been expanded again. anyone in theirforties can now book their third jab, three months after their second dose. the announcement comes exactly a year after margaret keenan, a 90—year—old grandmother, became the first person in the world to be given a coronavirus vaccine outside of a clinical trial. our health correspondent, catherine burns, reports from coventry — a warning that this report has some flashing images. this is how the biggest vaccine roll—out in history started exactly a year ago. maggie keen on getting herfirst and a a year ago. maggie keen on getting her first and a world firstjab from matron, mae parsons. and now, back together where it all began, although the two of them have built up although the two of them have built up a genuine friendship. brute although the two of them have built up a genuine friendship.— although the two of them have built up a genuine friendship. we are now a tandem, up a genuine friendship. we are now a tandem. we _ up a genuine friendship. we are now a tandem, we are _ up a genuine friendship. we are now a tandem, we are now— up a genuine friendship. we are now a tandem, we are now called - up a genuine friendship. we are now| a tandem, we are now called maggie may. t a tandem, we are now called maggie ma . ., a tandem, we are now called maggie ma . . , ., a tandem, we are now called maggie ma . . a tandem, we are now called maggie ma. . ., , _ ., a tandem, we are now called maggie ma. . ., may. i am so happy. i am so happy i not the may. i am so happy. i am so happy i got the chap — may. i am so happy. i am so happy i got the chap and _ may. i am so happy. i am so happy i got the chap and he _ may. i am so happy. i am so happy i got the chap and he has _ may. i am so happy. i am so happy i got the chap and he has been - may. i am so happy. i am so happy i got the chap and he has been a - got the chap and he has been a brilliant — got the chap and he has been a brilliant year.— got the chap and he has been a brilliant ear. n, ., , , brilliant year. maggie was number one of many. _ brilliant year. maggie was number one of many, over _ brilliant year. maggie was number one of many, over 8 _ brilliant year. maggie was number one of many, over 8 billion - brilliant year. maggie was number one of many, over 8 billion jabs i one of many, over 8 billionjabs around the world. in the uk, more than 118 million doses have been given and almost 21 million people are on their third or boosterjab. we have all got used to sites like this over the last five months, people turning up, rolling up their sleeves and getting theirjab. at that time, one in every 70 covid cases ended in death, that has now fallen to one in every 290. we are testing more, but it gives you a sense of what a real game changer vaccines have been. in the january peak, they had about 270 covid patients. that has now fallen to around 35. most of them have not had their vaccine. the around 35. most of them have not had their vaccine-— their vaccine. the patients we were caettin in their vaccine. the patients we were getting in the _ their vaccine. the patients we were getting in the covid _ their vaccine. the patients we were getting in the covid boards - their vaccine. the patients we were getting in the covid boards are - getting in the covid boards are mainly the ones that are really, really poorly with no medical histories are young and fit and unvaccinated. we have also had a lot of pregnant women coming into the wards that have come very poorly because they are also unvaccinated. we are in a constant race, the vaccines against the virus and now we're up against a new hurdle, the omicron variant. brute we're up against a new hurdle, the omicron variant.— we're up against a new hurdle, the omicron variant. we almost certain it be more transmissible, _ omicron variant. we almost certain it be more transmissible, so - omicron variant. we almost certain it be more transmissible, so it - it be more transmissible, so it spreads— it be more transmissible, so it spreads more transmissible, so it spreads— spreads more transmissible, so it spreads easily. it is still early to know— spreads easily. it is still early to know whether the vaccines will be impacted — know whether the vaccines will be impacted and to know whether it has any difference in terms of illness it causes — any difference in terms of illness it causes. what is important is even if there _ it causes. what is important is even if there was— it causes. what is important is even if there was a drop—off in the way the vaccines work, the way that can be counted — the vaccines work, the way that can be counted is by getting the booster dose _ be counted is by getting the booster dose. ., ., . , be counted is by getting the booster dose. ., ., ., ., dose. from today, almost 7 million over 40s dose. from today, almost 7 million over lt0s in — dose. from today, almost 7 million over 40s in england _ dose. from today, almost 7 million over 40s in england can _ dose. from today, almost 7 million over 40s in england can bring - dose. from today, almost 7 million over 40s in england can bring their| over 405 in england can bring their jabs forward over 405 in england can bring their jab5 forward to three months. but there are warning5 jab5 forward to three months. but there are warnings that extra mea5ure5 like working from home could brought in. the number of people needing hospital treatment from the omicron variant may reach at least 1,000 a day in england by the end of the year without extra re5triction5 being put in place, according to government advi5er5. with me is our health correspondent, jim reed. 131 additional ca5e5 131 additional cases of omicron have been seen. new i5 131 additional cases of omicron have been seen. new is just coming into us at the moment. clearly, the numbers from omicron going up every day? numbers from omicron going up every da ? ., , numbers from omicron going up every da ? . , , , , ., day? that is why these minutes from government — day? that is why these minutes from government advisers _ day? that is why these minutes from government advisers are _ day? that is why these minutes from government advisers are very - government advi5er5 are very interesting. thi5 government advi5er5 are very interesting. this afternoon, we know intere5ting. this afternoon, we know that mini5ter5 intere5ting. this afternoon, we know that ministers are meeting in england to discuss potential stronger re5triction5 england to discuss potential stronger restrictions and regulations becau5e stronger restrictions and regulations because of this ri5e. we could see an announcement later this afternoon. we have now seen minute5 afternoon. we have now seen minutes of a meeting of sage. that is the group of around 30 or so independent scientists, it is led by patrick vallance, chris whitty, the chief medical officer, the chief scientific officer. they met today to discuss where we are with omicron. we have seen the minutes from that meeting in the last half an hour and they think that hospitalisations from omicron alone could reach at least 1000 a day in england by the end of the year, unless new restrictions are put in place. it is important to say, if you read these minutes, there is a high degree of uncertainty. they are using models and data from different places, having to draw it all together and make what is a best guess about the impact of hospitalisations from this new variant. they say the peak of this wave, driven by omicron, could reach between 1000 or is highly likely to between 1000 or is highly likely to be higher than 1000 to 2000 omicron admissions per day at some point, probably injanuary admissions per day at some point, probably in january without admissions per day at some point, probably injanuary without new probably in january without new restrictions put in place to stop this way. they also go on to talk about... , , ., ., this way. they also go on to talk about... , ., ., about... just to say for context, i think they _ about... just to say for context, i think they are — about... just to say for context, i think they are saying _ about... just to say for context, i think they are saying also - about... just to say for context, i think they are saying also about i think they are saying also about 3800 a day were infected at the peak of the last of winter wave? we are seeing just short of 700 a day in admissions, so if you go to a thousand or 2,000 because of omicron, it's an increase, but not a huge increase in one thing we don't know is whether we are likely to see omicron replace delta in the short term and we are likely to in the long term but in the short term, could we see both of those waves at the same time? that's important, because if you see 2,000 omicron admissions today plus 700 from delta, then you get to the 3,000 or nearly 4,000 we saw at the peak in january and these are a lot of figures but they are important because it's not so much infections from coronavirus that policymakers and the government are concerned about, it is that impact on the nhs and on hospital admissions which is the most important thing. i was going to go on to say that they say in the minutes because it is a key thing to pick out, given the rapid increase, decision—makers will need to consider urgently which measures to consider urgently which measures to introduce to slow the growth of infections if the aim is to pressure on the nhs so reading between the lines, what they are saying is, extra restrictions might be needed, so we have ministers meeting on this this afternoon and we could have an announcement we think for england as soon as this afternoon on this. they are talking about these plan b measures for england and it's worth pointing out that what they are talking about is not much different from what we have another part of the uk, things like vaccine passports and increased use of masks and anyone listing in scotland will be thinking we already have that here.— have that here. there could be a plan b plus? _ have that here. there could be a plan b plus? are _ have that here. there could be a plan b plus? are there - have that here. there could be a plan b plus? are there further i plan b plus? are there further restrictions come in? taste plan b plus? are there further restrictions come in? we don't know et. restrictions come in? we don't know yet- reading — restrictions come in? we don't know yet- reading the _ restrictions come in? we don't know yet. reading the minutes, _ restrictions come in? we don't know yet. reading the minutes, the - yet. reading the minutes, the scientists don't recommend specific measures that might be needed. they just set out where we are and where the growth of the infections in omicron could impact the nhs in the future and they say it is highly likely that omicron will account for the majority of new coronavirus infections in the uk in the next few weeks. clearly they are worried about the level infection at the moment and how quickly that is rising and clearly there seems to be a concern about potential hospital admissions and that comes down to the question of, will our vaccines protect us against this new variant? there were some good, positive news overnight showing that although antibody levels with omicron seem to be falling compared to older variants of the virus, it does seem to be holding up against sincere disease. vaccines do protest very well against severe disease and if you have infections it could have big impact on the nhs because a small chance getting infected by a bigger number could still lead to a large number and thousands of hospital admissions today. the -roblem hospital admissions today. the problem is _ hospital admissions today. the problem is if — hospital admissions today. the problem is if you are really ill, you might not get the care you need. at what point do we think the nhs does get overwhelmed? what is the maximum number they can cope with? the government has always said it's not about a single number or picking a number out of thin air or intensive care admissions or people admitted, it's looking more generally at the pressure on hospitals and that is why if you've seen some of the coverage today and over the week about the nhs this is why it is important because the nhs is notjust dealing as it was last yearin is notjust dealing as it was last year in lockdown with covid comments having to deal with all these other pressures, flue has been at low levels and january and february, under pressure from a backlog of operations and other treatments people need so it's whether the nhs linked to omicron and that is what politicians rather than advisers going forward. d0 politicians rather than advisers going forward-— politicians rather than advisers going forward. do we know any timescale _ going forward. do we know any timescale on _ going forward. do we know any timescale on when _ going forward. do we know any timescale on when we - going forward. do we know any timescale on when we will - going forward. do we know any timescale on when we will get | going forward. do we know any l timescale on when we will get an announcement? brute timescale on when we will get an announcement?— timescale on when we will get an announcement? we don't. there is a meetin: of announcement? we don't. there is a meeting of what _ announcement? we don't. there is a meeting of what is _ announcement? we don't. there is a meeting of what is called _ announcement? we don't. there is a meeting of what is called the - meeting of what is called the capital 0 committee, a meeting of ministers that deal with omicron and we expect that this afternoon and there is speculation that we could get an announcement later this afternoon from the government and on where we go with potential extra admissions and that is exactly what the government.— admissions and that is exactly what the government. let's catch up with the government. let's catch up with the sort. the government. let's catch up with the sport- the _ the government. let's catch up with the sport. the cricket _ the government. let's catch up with the sport. the cricket has _ the government. let's catch up with the sport. the cricket has been - the government. let's catch up with the sport. the cricket has been on l the sport. the cricket has been on overnight and white house, although some fairly upset people given england's fortunes. absolutely. a day to forget for england cricket and i will come onto that in a moment. but some breaking news in the last half hour. tottenham manager antonio conte says that eight players and five members of staff have tested positive for covid—19 at the club. spurs are scheduled to play at home against rennes in the europa conference league tomorrow night. uefa says "the match is due to take place as scheduled". they then play brighton on sunday in a premier league game which is believed to be under review, we'll keep you updated. next to cricket, it was the same old story for england in australia. many of us were watching overnight. 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. # we are the army! # the barmy army! no travelling fans permitted in australia, but if you were brave enough to support england and live in brisbane, well, hurry to your seats. you might miss it. the ashes start. and rory burns. ouch. yes, that was the first ball of the series, and it sure set the tone. david malan departed with england's score 11, so england's captain was in. england rely onjoe root. nought. australia's new captain pat cummins got rid of ben stokes. and straight after lunch, haseeb hameed, who had at least defied for 25. but now watch this. the ball suddenly flying to the boundary atjos buttler pace. he had a partnership with ollie pope, and in the crowd, appreciation. for the neutral supporter, at least it was getting competitive. for a bit. there was jos buttler gone for 39. england were all out forjust 147 after a fine catch. another one. a wicket for pat cummins, another one. his fifth in fact. australia's captain walked off in a perfect world, from start to tea, his side had dominated. the weather ruled out the final session. england's bowlers with neither anderson nor broad selected, must be outstanding to stop the whole match slipping away on the second day. joe wilson, bbc news. one glimmer of hope wasjos buttler sharing a stand of 52 with ollie pope, who made 35. and pope believes england can still turn this around: obviously it wasn't the end result we wanted because we're not going to get too down about it now. both teams have to bat on this wicket. a disappointing start, especially as there was frustration we had been able to put on the big score we wanted but the pitch did offer a fair bit, especially early for the seamers, so we won't get too down and it's a long series. and we need to keep the spirit and keep fighting tomorrow. 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. that's all the sport for now. more now on the political controversy engulfing the government on whether and what happened around christmas parties a year ago. we have just heard from our westminster colleagues that the chief civil servant at the department of education has said that the then education has said that the then education secretary gavin williamson instigated a small party at the offices of the government on the tenth of december last year because he wanted to thank staff for their work and that was first reported by the mirror newspaper. she said about two dozen people including herself had attended in the department riposte canteen where there were drinks and snacks brought by staff themselves and she told mp5 on the public accounts committee that although it was a work—related gathering she accepted it would have been better not to have held the eventin been better not to have held the event in that way at that time. she asked the cabinet secretary to investigate because there will be disciplinary action if he finds any rules were broken. so stephen case, as well as investigating the number ten party is now going to investigate a department of education party although there are still questions about whether he himself was involved in any of those gatherings. 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 apologised for any offence caused by the video, but denied anyone in downing street had broken any rules. i understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing number ten staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. and i can understand how infuriating it must be that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, 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 apologise for the impression that 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 no covid rules were broken and thati5 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 the facts and to report back as soon as possible and, it goes without saying that if those rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for all of those involved. the leader of the labour party — sir keir starmer — said the prime minister has been caught �*red handed' and called on him to end the investigation now, and admit a party had been held. an internal investigation into what happened. the situation is clear as day. i thought last week was bad enough. surely the prime minister is now not 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 and they knew it was against the rules and they knew that they thought it would be funny and it is obvious what happened. and on deck 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.— just admitting it. because, i have been repeatedly _ just admitting it. because, i have been repeatedly assured - just admitting it. because, i have been repeatedly assured that - just admitting it. because, i have been repeatedly assured that no | been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken. 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, frankly, were obeying the rules. that is why the cabinet secretary will be conducting an investigation and that is why there will be the requisite disciplinary action if necessary. the first minister of scotland nicola sturgeon has given this reaction to the downing street video. i think there are two points to make this a particularly serious. firstly is the timing of what happened. it was last christmas, the 18th and 19th of december our dates engraved on my mind as perhaps one of, if not the lowest, darkest point in the whole pandemic. we had told people they could have some limited normality over christmas and that the last minute we had to snatch it away and — people's hopes, that is what makes people so angry about what makes people so angry about what allegedly was happening in downing street that the second issue is when confronted with this, the prime minister appears to be not being straight and truthful about it. and that really matters and he is likely to be asking people to do difficult things again over this christmas and it's important he is straight and honest with people and to apologise and at the same time i made a mistake in not wearing my face covering very briefly at a funeral and i apologise for that because and we need to have trust in public messaging and people making decisions and taking those points, this is a really serious situation for the prime minister and i think he has to come clean. brute for the prime minister and i think he has to come clean.— for the prime minister and i think he has to come clean. we are hearing from our colleagues _ he has to come clean. we are hearing from our colleagues in _ he has to come clean. we are hearing from our colleagues in scotland - he has to come clean. we are hearing from our colleagues in scotland that l from our colleagues in scotland that the scottish conservative leader, douglas ross, has said that the prime minister will have to resign if he is found to have misled parliament over that christmas party, or the allegations of a christmas party at downing street. the scottish conservative leader has said it is clear open quote that a party took place last december and we are getting further reaction and he said, he is angry, annoyed and really disappointed adding it would undermine public trust in covert rules and he says he still has confidence in the prime minister but added it would be completely unacceptable if borisjohnson was shown to have misled parliament and that mirrors what another mp, roger gale, told the bbc earlier today, so a lot of questions about what boris johnson has said in parliament and whether there is any proven breach there with any possible investigation that might emerge internally within the government or by the police. soldiers in myanmar have been accused of killing thirteen people from one village in retaliation for bomb attacks on a military convoy. locals say militias targeted a road used by the military. they say the military captured six men and five teenage boys in retribution, shot them and set their bodies alight. the village is near the city of monywa — in an area that has seen strong resistance to the militaryjunta that seized power earlier this year. johnathan head has the details. even after the shocking levels of violence we have seen in myanmar since the coup, this was a truly horrifying incident. it took place near monywa and near a controversial chinese run copper mine which have embedded a tradition of dissent and protest in this area. there were very big protests against the junta in monywa after the coup. a number of well—known figures there, including some poets, died resisting the military regime. and there have been clashes where villagers have been emptied by military operations in the past few months. in this case, one of the local people's defence forces, these volunteer militias that have sprung up all over myanmar to fight against the military regime, tried to ambush an army convoy that was going through with two improvised explosive devices. one, they believe, detonated prematurely, killing the two volunteers who were trying to plant it. the other went off as planned but the soldiers than went on a sweep through the local communities killing the number of people, as far as we can tell from the accounts given by local residents, and then came across this group of six men and five teenage boys, one only 14 years old, who were hiding. they were captured. there was some shooting so they may well have been shot. their hands were tied and then they were set on fire and their burnt bodies were found later by theirfamilies. even so, the local residents have braved further military operations and come out to protest against what they say is yet another atrocity they are blaming on the regime. and it does showjust what extraordinary risks people in myanmar are willing to take to fight against the military regime, against formidable odds, and what a terrible price they are being made to pay for it. prosecutors in france say they have released the saudi national who was arrested on the suspicion he might be linked to the killing of the journalistjamal khashoggi. he was detained at the airport as he prepared to fly out of france. but officials in paris now say that identity checks have confirmed that an arrest warrant, issued by turkey, where mr khashoggi was killed, does not apply to him. saudi arabia had earlier called for his release, saying that all of those who took part in mr khashoggi's murder had faced justice in their home country. the head of india's armed forces, general bipin rawat, has been killed in a helicopter crash in the mountains of the southern state of tamil nadu. general rawat was travelling with his wife and a number of military officers when his aircraft came down near coonoor city. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan is following developments. the general was killed in that helicopter crash in south india and was on board with his wife and a number of defence officials. the general was the chief of the defence staff here in india, a very powerful role in the country, overseeing the army, the navy and air force. it was army, the navy and air force. it was a new role created in 2019. and the general was very close to india's prime minister who has paid tribute to him today in a series of tweets, the prime minister described the general as a true patriot and an outstanding soldier and said he was deeply saddened by the news. he said that he modernised india's armed forces and security apparatus and described him as exceptional. the general oversaw a number of key military operations in india including an indian administered kashmir and at the border with china so there is — this is a big day in india and it is big news are many people are mourning his loss. a mobile phone signal and access to high speed broadband are something that most of us take for granted, but in rural areas across the uk it's something that many can only dream of. the rise of home—working and distance—learning during the pandemic has put even more pressure on communities already struggling with connectivity. our correspondent, danny savage, reports from coverdale in north yorkshire. in this picturesque part of yorkshire, the quality of life is rich. but technologically, it is poor. it is a problem. we have a lot of complaints from customers. at this smart restaurant and wedding venue, they struggle with one modern facility nearly everyone expects. there is no mobile phone signal. probably the biggest reaction is a walk—out. somebody had booked a cottage for a whole weekend, they were up here, they were also doing work as well as wanting to phone their loved ones, and theyjust couldn't do it. so they just sort of threw the keys and left, unfortunately. nothing at all. here, to get a mobile phone signal, leo has to drive to the top of a nearby hill. the problem is i might be doing this four or five times a day, and especially now with the new things about the banks where you have to get a text message and come out and everything. it's becoming a lot more often. and this isn't a small not—spot for phone signal, it lasts for more than 12 miles. which can take about 40 minutes driving down these country lanes. visiting and need to make a call? well, then you might need one of these. but things are about to change. a 5g mast will soon be switched on, giving wireless broadband to the homes scattered through this dale. how slow is the broadband? very slow! sarah tries to work from home online. a 5g signal will make a huge difference. it is infuriating. we pay the same amount as people in cities, and we get an absolutely terrible service. we live in a beautiful place, but it's very difficult to work in that beautiful place with the speeds that we have. her partner tim will get a mobile 5g receiver so he can get coverage outside, too. immediately improving farm safety. if there is an accident, it's extra minutes, isn't it, to try and get emergency services here. we would have to run down home or take a vehicle down home and ring from the house. and you know, time is lives, isn't it? i can't enjoy what other people enjoy and take for granted. sam is 22. he hopes better connectivity will see people stay and live here. it probably would influence, maybe not young people, but families, to move back. and that would have a knock—on effect and make their children hopefully stay in the dale and start their own business, or want to work from home like i want to do. after the imminent 5g switch on, mobile phone coverage is planned to follow bringing this ancient dale into the 21st century. danny savage, bbc news, coverdale. the artist willard wigan is best known for creating tiny works of art, often displayed in the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin. they are so minute that they can only been seen through a miscroscope. during a motivational talk for school children, willard described his autism as a blessing and said it had inspired his success. joanne writtle was watching. you know, there's a saying, the best things come in small packages. little things mean a lot. willard wigan has become world famous for his minuscule works of art which can sit in the head of a needle. even the queen has a tiny crown at buckingham palace. but what many people don't know is that he is autistic and it is something he spoke to children at st george's school, edgbaston, about. scientists can't explain my work. they say, oh, its impossible. how can a human being do this? how can a human being do that? the world needs to understand that autism hasn't been properly uncovered. they have only uncovered some of it. i was quite surprised because of what he has come from. i have autism too, i was surprised that he still kept on going. he made me feel like i could do more than i think i could. _ because he has overcome quite a lot and as someone who has _ dyslexia, i know what it's like to face hard things. i so now it made me feel like i can actually overcome problems. - willard was brought up in wolverhampton and now lives in birmingham. his autism wasn't diagnosed until he was 50, but his late mum zetta recognised his difference and remains his inspiration to this day. one time i carved a little bird perched on the point of a toothpick. she said, it's too big. so, you know, then i started to say to myself, well, if i don't make it real small, my mum won't appreciate it. my mum would always say the diamond is in the dustbin, meaning people would throw them into a bin and not realise what is in there until they take the lid off and realise they have thrown a diamond in there. and that is what autistic people are, they are diamonds. the techniques he uses are fascinating. he also has a photographic memory. to create this type of artwork, i have to slow down my breathing. i have to work in between my heartbeat. i have to make sure the pulse on my finger doesn't cause any problem. because when you are working on this microscopic level you have external forces that interfere with your work. i have to avoid that by working at night to avoid any traffic vibration or anything like that. it's like trying to put a pin through a bubble without bursting the bubble. willard's works, ranging from a dragon to the boxer tyson fury, can be seen at birmingham contemporary art gallery. the exhibition here opened four months ago and is now on permanent display. willard's described it as his gift to his home city. joanne writtle, bbc news. each year since 1947, norway has sent a christmas tree to the uk, in gratitude for british support during the second world war. this year the huge pine has stirred up a bit of controversy, over the way it looks. here it is, in the shadow of nelson's column in trafalgar square. some have said it looks a bit, well, threadbare. westminster city council, which adminsters the area, has joked that its branches have been social distancing. now oslo�*s council is voting on whether to send a new, replacement tree, with a bit more foliage. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear good afternoon. storm barra is still influencing the weather story but is losing its grip and is sent across the far north of scotland and we have bans on showers spiralling in an anticlockwise direction around the lower the strongest winds through wales and south—west england and that means central and southern parts england may see some sunshine in the afternoon but not a very warm date with top temperatures between six and 9 c and as we go through the evening and overnight, some of the showers will gradually slip their way south and east. eventually the showers will ease and we will have some clearing skies at times allowing for mist and patchy fog and some low single figures to develop in places and thursday will be acquired today with some sunshine first thing and a few scattered showers into the north—west and then gradually as we go through the day, the next weather front will push on from the atlantic and that will introduce more in the way our cloud and gradually some rain. not very warm either. take care. this is bbc news. the headlines: it was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. the prime minister apologises and promises an inquiry — after a video emerges showing former senior members of his team laughing about a downing street christmas party. 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. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for fools and that they were lied to. they're right, aren't they? a warning from the government's scientific advisers — hospitalisations caused by the omicron variant may reach 1,000 a day in england by end of the year unless extra restrictions are put in place. meanwhile the coronavirus booster vaccine campaign gets ramped up even further — now anyone over 40 in england can book their jab. and the worst possible start for england in the ashes series — as australia claim a wicket with the first ball. the prime minister, borisjohnson, has apologised for a video obtained by itv news showing his staffjoking about a christmas party last year at number 10 downing street in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown. it follows a week of denials from the government that such a party had ever taken place. at the event, guests are reported to have enjoyed cheese and wine, and taken part in a secret santa and party games. london had moved into tier 3 restrictions that meant indoor social gatherings were banned, and only six people could meet in outdoor public spaces, government guidance specifically banned work christmas lunches or parties. number 10 has insisted that no party took place — and all rules were followed. it comes as whitehall sources told the bbc an announcement on tighter coronavirus restrictions could be imminent. my colleague, jo coburn, is in westminster. every is in westminster. hour it seems there are new questions every hour it seems there are new questions on this? the every hour it seems there are new questions on this?— every hour it seems there are new questions on this? the division bell has 'ust questions on this? the division bell has just stopped — questions on this? the division bell hasjust stopped ringing _ questions on this? the division bell hasjust stopped ringing in - questions on this? the division bell hasjust stopped ringing in the - has just stopped ringing in the central lobby as mp5 are walking back into the commons chamber. i will keep out for anyone who wants to chat to me about what has gone on, particularly at prime minister's questions today. it was a difficult session for borisjohnson. he did announce an investigation is going to take place into what went on in downing street last year on december the 18th. the cabinet secretary, simon kate, is responsible for that investigation but the number ten spokesperson could not answer questions as to whether the man investigating the party actually attended the party or not. i have spoken to one cabinet minister and they have said they believe the prime minister when he said he knew nothing about the downing street party and that no covid rules were broken. they also said they didn't think this whole story would be as damaging for the prime minister as some people, particularly opposition politicians as well as some tory mp5, actually think it might be. this report from damian grammaticas. cabinet ministers this morning. is there one rule for downing street and one for the rest of the country? questions but no answers. were you at the party? today they were deciding if new covid restrictions will be imposed. does anybody have any questions today? _ but it is the video of what happened here last year that's caused a crisis. i've just seen reports from twitter that there was a downing street christmas party on friday night. do you recognise those reports? i went home! laughter about something which for most is not a laughing matter. what is the answer? i don't know. is cheese and wine all right? it was a business meeting! we know there was a christmas party. and it was not socially distanced! the video is so damaging for borisjohnson because for a week he has defended those in it, just as he defended matt hancock and dominic cummings, and it has left him exposed. members of the public who followed the rules at the time are furious, and mp5 as well. his ability to get people to follow new restrictions undermined. have you lied to the public? a prime ministerfacing questions at every turn, but he didn't even wait for one before making a statement. 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 and i apologise unreservedly for the offence it has caused up and down the country and i apologise for the impression that it gives. he announced an internal investigation but said he had been assured there was no party. 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! mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured that no rules were not broken. her majesty the queen sat alone when she marked the passing of the man she had been married to for 73 years. leadership, sacrifice, that is what gives leaders 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? not only that, but the labour party and the labour leader in particular have played politics throughout this pandemic. there was even a call for the prime minister to go. the only right and moral choice left to him is for his resignation. - when can we expect it? mr speaker, the party opposite and indeed the other party opposite are going to continue to play politics. i am going to get on with the job. damian grammaticas, bbc news. this is all happening as we have had whitehall sources confirming to the bbc that tighter covid restrictions are on the way, in fact, they could be imminent. we are expecting some sort of announcement later on today, the so—called plan b, which includes guidance to work from home when necessary, more mandatory mask wearing in various settings and some covid vaccination passports could be expected and demanded in other settings, whether it be big venues like football matches, all being able to get access and entry into nightclubs. one of the other questions that was raised at prime minister's questions was by a labour mp, catherine west, raising issues about other alleged parties at the flat, at number ten, also during various stages of restrictions last year, earlierthan various stages of restrictions last year, earlier than the party in question on december the 18th. let's find out if we can get any more information on this, jonathan blake, my bbc political correspondent colleague in downing street. what were the questions around what other parties that may or may not have taken place?— taken place? this claim, various sources have — taken place? this claim, various sources have told _ taken place? this claim, various sources have told the _ taken place? this claim, various sources have told the bbc - taken place? this claim, various sources have told the bbc quiz i taken place? this claim, various. sources have told the bbc quiz was happening on a specified date before christmas _ happening on a specified date before christmas last year. now there's accusations were put to the prime minister's — accusations were put to the prime minister's spokesman after prime minister's — minister's spokesman after prime minister's questions and they described it as a virtual gathering, although— described it as a virtual gathering, although others have said some people — although others have said some people at— although others have said some people at least did attend in person _ people at least did attend in person. and that is part of continuing questions around activity at various— continuing questions around activity at various points inside the building _ at various points inside the building behind me in the run—up to christmas _ building behind me in the run—up to christmas last year when, london, as with many— christmas last year when, london, as with many other part of the country was under— with many other part of the country was under tier with many other part of the country was undertier3 with many other part of the country was under tier 3 restrictions, banning _ was under tier 3 restrictions, banning social gatherings and very soon after— banning social gatherings and very soon after that went into a period of lockdown measures. so all this is coming _ of lockdown measures. so all this is coming under renewed scrutiny now, 'ust coming under renewed scrutiny now, just as. _ coming under renewed scrutiny now, just as, as— coming under renewed scrutiny now, just as, as you are hearing in that report— just as, as you are hearing in that report a _ just as, as you are hearing in that report a few— just as, as you are hearing in that report a few moments ago, the prime minister— report a few moments ago, the prime minister has _ report a few moments ago, the prime minister has made moves to try to contain _ minister has made moves to try to contain the — minister has made moves to try to contain the continuing controversy over that — contain the continuing controversy over that party on the 18th of december, the night in question. which _ december, the night in question. which is — december, the night in question. which is now the subject of an investigation by the cabinet secretary, who, we are told will try to establish — secretary, who, we are told will try to establish the facts around what happens — to establish the facts around what happens. otherwhen to establish the facts around what happens. other when it was put to the prime — happens. other when it was put to the prime minister's spokesman elia, whether— the prime minister's spokesman elia, whether he _ the prime minister's spokesman elia, whether he was there or not, although— whether he was there or not, although he was not forthcoming on that. although he was not forthcoming on that there — although he was not forthcoming on that. there is no timetable for this investigation to conclude, only we are told. — investigation to conclude, only we are told. as — investigation to conclude, only we are told, as soon as possible. the thins are told, as soon as possible. the things raised _ are told, as soon as possible. tij: things raised during pmqs, from william wright, questioning whether now what we are expecting to be tighter covid restrictions being announced today in response to the omicron variant, whether that was a diversionary tactic?— diversionary tactic? yes, that is the suspicion — diversionary tactic? yes, that is the suspicion at _ diversionary tactic? yes, that is the suspicion at least _ diversionary tactic? yes, that is the suspicion at least that - diversionary tactic? yes, that is| the suspicion at least that some conservative mps and others have around _ conservative mps and others have around the — conservative mps and others have around the timing of this announcement. one senior backbencher said this _ announcement. one senior backbencher said this morning this would make things— said this morning this would make things worse politically for the government. we do expect at some point, _ government. we do expect at some point, more _ government. we do expect at some point, more restrictions to be announced if the government continuing contingency plans around coronavirus. that would mean facemasks being required in most settings _ facemasks being required in most settings and more people being required — settings and more people being required and told to work from home and possibly the introduction of vaccine — and possibly the introduction of vaccine passports as well. that is tricky _ vaccine passports as well. that is tricky and — vaccine passports as well. that is tricky and controversial for a couple — tricky and controversial for a couple of _ tricky and controversial for a couple of reasons. firstly, there are a _ couple of reasons. firstly, there are a lot — couple of reasons. firstly, there are a lot of— couple of reasons. firstly, there are a lot of conservative mps who remain _ are a lot of conservative mps who remain deeply opposed to those being required _ remain deeply opposed to those being required and used in certain settings, _ required and used in certain settings, any settings, pubs and nightclubs and even larger events. and also, — nightclubs and even larger events. and also, around exactly how workable _ and also, around exactly how workable it would be and how effective it would be. at the moment, there is covid certificates are in— moment, there is covid certificates are in place — moment, there is covid certificates are in place and only cover people for having — are in place and only cover people for having a — are in place and only cover people for having a double vaccination. now we have _ for having a double vaccination. now we have boosterjabs, we have the new variant, — we have boosterjabs, we have the new variant, which the effectiveness of the _ new variant, which the effectiveness of the variance against which is still unclear, to a large extent. many— still unclear, to a large extent. many questions remain about how effective _ many questions remain about how effective that could be. ministers in downing street at the moment, no doubt _ in downing street at the moment, no doubt considering what possible moves _ doubt considering what possible moves to— doubt considering what possible moves to make and if a decision is made' _ moves to make and if a decision is made. we — moves to make and if a decision is made, we will hear about it in due course _ made, we will hear about it in due course. , ., . . j . ~ course. jonathan blake in downing street, course. jonathan blake in downing street. thank— course. jonathan blake in downing street, thank you _ course. jonathan blake in downing street, thank you very _ course. jonathan blake in downing street, thank you very much. - course. jonathan blake in downing street, thank you very much. as i street, thank you very much. as jonathan was mentioned, there are some sceptical conservative mps, those unhappy about the idea of further restrictions. in the last half an hour i caught up with one of them here, conservative mp, miriam kates. , , them here, conservative mp, miriam kates. ~ , ., , kates. the prime minister has said he is second. _ kates. the prime minister has said he is second, he _ kates. the prime minister has said he is second, he has _ kates. the prime minister has said he is second, he has called - kates. the prime minister has said he is second, he has called for- kates. the prime minister has said he is second, he has called for an i he is second, he has called for an investigation and he will discipline people _ investigation and he will discipline people if— investigation and he will discipline people if it is found he has broken the rules — people if it is found he has broken the rules i— people if it is found he has broken the rules. ithink people if it is found he has broken the rules. i think that is right. but you — the rules. i think that is right. but you are right, it does ask wider guestions _ but you are right, it does ask wider questions about these restrictions, can anybody follow them, how can we expect _ can anybody follow them, how can we expect people to cancel christmas plans _ expect people to cancel christmas plans when other people are not following — plans when other people are not following the rules. it is going to be a difficult time and a difficult investigation. do be a difficult time and a difficult investigation.— be a difficult time and a difficult investigation. do you believe the prime minister _ investigation. do you believe the prime minister when _ investigation. do you believe the prime minister when he - investigation. do you believe the prime minister when he says - investigation. do you believe the prime minister when he says hel investigation. do you believe the i prime minister when he says he was reassured there was no party at no covid rules were broken, both cannot be true? t covid rules were broken, both cannot be true? . , , , be true? i absolutely believe him he didn't know — be true? i absolutely believe him he didn't know that _ be true? i absolutely believe him he didn't know that if _ be true? i absolutely believe him he didn't know that if this _ be true? i absolutely believe him he didn't know that if this happened, i didn't know that if this happened, that it _ didn't know that if this happened, that it was — didn't know that if this happened, that it was going on. downing street is a big _ that it was going on. downing street is a big place where a lot of people work _ is a big place where a lot of people work it— is a big place where a lot of people work it is— is a big place where a lot of people work. it is not the case the prime minister— work. it is not the case the prime minister knows what is going on every— minister knows what is going on every minute of the day. he had received — every minute of the day. he had received reassurances that party didn't— received reassurances that party didn't happen and rules were not broken — didn't happen and rules were not broken. there will have to be an investigation now and we'll have to see what— investigation now and we'll have to see what happens. in investigation now and we'll have to see what happens.— see what happens. in terms of the covid restrictions _ see what happens. in terms of the covid restrictions to _ see what happens. in terms of the covid restrictions to be _ see what happens. in terms of the covid restrictions to be announcedj covid restrictions to be announced this afternoon, william wragg, york colleague in the house of commons during pmqs, thought this was a diversionary tactic from the whole downing street party saga? t am diversionary tactic from the whole downing street party saga? i am not aualified to downing street party saga? i am not qualified to answer _ downing street party saga? i am not qualified to answer that _ downing street party saga? i am not qualified to answer that question, i qualified to answer that question, but i qualified to answer that question, but i do _ qualified to answer that question, but i do know i couldn't support any restrictions — but i do know i couldn't support any restrictions. i don't think there is any need — restrictions. i don't think there is any need for them, nobody has been hospitalised because of the omicron variant~ _ hospitalised because of the omicron variant~ we — hospitalised because of the omicron variant. we will see variant of the variant, _ variant. we will see variant of the variant, it — variant. we will see variant of the variant, it is— variant. we will see variant of the variant, it is not going to go away. we have _ variant, it is not going to go away. we have to — variant, it is not going to go away. we have to learn to live a covid, we have _ we have to learn to live a covid, we have to _ we have to learn to live a covid, we have to learn — we have to learn to live a covid, we have to learn to carry on with our normal _ have to learn to carry on with our normal lives _ have to learn to carry on with our normal lives. we have to hold firm that we _ normal lives. we have to hold firm that we have achieved great things at the _ that we have achieved great things at the vaccine and we can get back to normal — at the vaccine and we can get back to normal-— to normal. there is no information in terms of — to normal. there is no information in terms of the _ to normal. there is no information in terms of the omicron _ to normal. there is no information in terms of the omicron variant, i to normal. there is no information| in terms of the omicron variant, so you can understand why people think it is a diversion to announce tighter restrictions today? t am it is a diversion to announce tighter restrictions today? i am not aualified to tighter restrictions today? i am not qualified to comment _ tighter restrictions today? i am not qualified to comment on _ tighter restrictions today? i am not qualified to comment on that, - tighter restrictions today? i am not qualified to comment on that, but l tighter restrictions today? i am not | qualified to comment on that, but it is dear— qualified to comment on that, but it is dear klee — qualified to comment on that, but it is dear klee from the data, hospital admissions — is dear klee from the data, hospital admissions going down, catering rates _ admissions going down, catering rates going down and it is less harmful — rates going down and it is less harmful. at some point, we are going back to _ harmful. at some point, we are going back to normal, we cannot continue with this _ back to normal, we cannot continue with this hokey coqui of restrictions and i don't see any need _ restrictions and i don't see any need for— restrictions and i don't see any need for those restrictions, people have had _ need for those restrictions, people have had enough and they want to have had enough and they want to have christmas as normal. that was miriam kates _ have christmas as normal. that was miriam kates talking _ have christmas as normal. that was miriam kates talking to _ have christmas as normal. that was miriam kates talking to me - have christmas as normal. that was miriam kates talking to me earlieri miriam kates talking to me earlier in central lobby. as soon as we hear of any announcement or timing of any press conference or briefing around those covid restrictions, we will let you know. those covid restrictions, we will let you know-— those covid restrictions, we will let ou know. ., ~ , ., , . i'm joined by kate nicholls, chief executive of uk. have you been given any advance warning of any changes, any plan b action imminent? tile. warning of any changes, any plan b action imminent?— warning of any changes, any plan b action imminent? no, we haven't. we can only go — action imminent? no, we haven't. we can only go in — action imminent? no, we haven't. we can only go in what — action imminent? no, we haven't. we can only go in what was _ action imminent? no, we haven't. we can only go in what was said _ action imminent? no, we haven't. we can only go in what was said by - action imminent? no, we haven't. we can only go in what was said by the i can only go in what was said by the prime minister and the health secretary last week, that it was too early. we haven't seen any scientific data released that suggests the situation has changed since then. we are the same as everybody else, waiting to hear if any announcement will be made. it would be a matter of huge concern, if at this point we were to move towards further restrictions and hospitality was once again asked to bear a disproportionate burden for tackling the covid crisis. there have been _ tackling the covid crisis. there have been some _ tackling the covid crisis. there have been some sage - tackling the covid crisis. there| have been some sage minutes released, leaked possibly, suggesting cases of omicron could go up suggesting cases of omicron could go up to 1000 2000 a day, top of the delta, going towards the teak number of winter hospitalisations and cases, which would be very risky, wouldn't it? —— peak. cases, which would be very risky, wouldn't it? -- peak.— wouldn't it? -- peak. there are matters outside _ wouldn't it? -- peak. there are matters outside my _ wouldn't it? -- peak. there are matters outside my expertise. l wouldn't it? -- peak. there are| matters outside my expertise. it wouldn't it? -- peak. there are i matters outside my expertise. it is clear from the data that is out there at the moment, the vaccine does appear to have broken the link between cases and hospitalisations. there are no hospitalisationjete for omicron and it is too early to tell if there is a need for further restrictions. one thing we do know, which is what the health secretary said last week, any restrictions will have a very significant economic impact onjobs, will have a very significant economic impact on jobs, livelihoods and also people's mental health and well—being. they will think very carefully before they press again with any restrictions, and if there are, we need to make sure that businesses like hospitality businesses like hospitality businesses are given the proper support to make sure we don't lose businesses and we don't lose jobs. everyone understands the pressures on hospitality and everyone wants to enjoy christmas, but is there not some value in being more careful now as people go to their final christmas drinks, potentially. because otherwise we could see high kate wright injanuary because otherwise we could see high kate wright in january a because otherwise we could see high kate wright injanuary a further restrictions in the new year if numbers go too high, it would be irresponsible of the government to let that happen? t irresponsible of the government to let that happen?— let that happen? i am not sure we are at that — let that happen? i am not sure we are at that situation _ let that happen? i am not sure we are at that situation yet _ let that happen? i am not sure we are at that situation yet unless - are at that situation yet unless there is no scientific evidence breaking that shows there is a major element of concern. i go back to the prime minister and the health secretary said last week when they announced a proportionate, and pragmatic 5et announced a proportionate, and pragmatic set of restrictions to move further forward on the booster jabs. they said then the hospitality sector are him vested in ventilation, hygiene and sanitation. they have been the most effective measures of controlling transmission and infection. that is what led sage to conclude that in the hospitality was the safest place to socialise, safer than your own homes and we want the government to stick with that plan. want the government to stick with that lan. ., ., want the government to stick with that lan. . ~ i. , want the government to stick with that lan. ., ,, ,, , . that plan. thank you very much indeed. let's _ that plan. thank you very much indeed. let's pick— that plan. thank you very much indeed. let's pick up _ that plan. thank you very much indeed. let's pick up further. that plan. thank you very much indeed. let's pick up further on j that plan. thank you very much - indeed. let's pick up further on the political questions around what the government did last christmas and what it means for it to act with authority now. joining me now is the barrister and former attorney general and dominic grieve. where you convince by what the prime minister said at pmqs today, that he apologised for the impression is given, but the government maintained the line there was no party. [30 given, but the government maintained the line there was no party.— the line there was no party. do you believe that? _ the line there was no party. do you believe that? i _ the line there was no party. do you believe that? i have _ the line there was no party. do you believe that? i have no _ the line there was no party. do you believe that? i have no idea - the line there was no party. do you believe that? i have no idea what i the line there was no party. do you | believe that? i have no idea what to believe. the difficulty is that the prime minister has shown himself consistently to be a consummate liar. he says there is no breach of the regulations. he might be right about that. the regulations didn't apply, i don't think, to crown property and that enabled the government to continue the essential work of the nation during a crisis. it is not to enable the government to flout the spirit of the regulations they impose on others by allowing parties to be held on government premises, of a kind that wouldn't be permissible outside. there is all the slipperiness. why couldn't his official spokesman confirmed that the prime minister never attended such a party? he wasn't able to do that this afternoon.— wasn't able to do that this afternoon. , ., , . ., ., wasn't able to do that this afternoon. , . ., ., afternoon. just to be clear, are you sa in: afternoon. just to be clear, are you saying that — afternoon. just to be clear, are you saying that downing, _ afternoon. just to be clear, are you saying that downing, is _ afternoon. just to be clear, are you saying that downing, is a _ afternoon. just to be clear, are you saying that downing, is a clear - saying that downing, is a clear whether downing street is subject to the rules that they should not be any party? t the rules that they should not be an -a ? ., the rules that they should not be an -a ? . ., the rules that they should not be ana 7. . the rules that they should not be an -a ? . .,. . any party? i am not certain about that, but i _ any party? i am not certain about that, but | think _ any party? i am not certain about that, but i think there _ any party? i am not certain about that, but i think there is - any party? i am not certain about that, but i think there is an - that, but i think there is an argument that downing street may not be subject to those regulations. if thati5 be subject to those regulations. if that is the case, the prime minister's answer that there was no breach of the regulations is a mealy—mouthed, misleading statement. the evidence there was a party seems to be rather strong. it may be that the judge to be rather strong. it may be that thejudge been to be rather strong. it may be that the judge been carried to be rather strong. it may be that thejudge been carried out by to be rather strong. it may be that the judge been carried out by the staff the following morning was just a completely fictitious party. it is not how it comes across and no is the prime minister, although he denied any such party had taken place, now seems to be backpedalling. all this is suggestive of the chaos that goes on at downing street, which has been consistent ever since this prime minister got into office. t consistent ever since this prime minister got into office.- minister got into office. i think that press _ minister got into office. i think that press conference - minister got into office. i think that press conference was - minister got into office. i think i that press conference was about minister got into office. i think - that press conference was about four days after. just to be very, very clear on the rules, because misleading parliament is a very serious allegation for any prime ministerface, if number ten was exempt from the rules, would boris johnson then potentially still have been found to mislead parliament, evenif been found to mislead parliament, even if a party must definitively have proven to happen? t even if a party must definitively have proven to happen?- even if a party must definitively have proven to happen? i think if he the -a have proven to happen? i think if he the party had _ have proven to happen? i think if he the party had taken _ have proven to happen? i think if he the party had taken place _ have proven to happen? i think if he the party had taken place or- have proven to happen? i think if he| the party had taken place or perhaps had attended part of it, i think the suggestion he made to parliament and the way he did it was misleading, of course it was. but that is not a piece of past behaviour by this prime minister. that is why, at the end of the day, it is difficult to extrapolate where truth lies, because trust has broken down. this is a prime minister who is a serial liar. it goes to the heart of the way government works. ultimately, a great deal has to be taken on trust from the government. when there can be no trust, because the prime minister will say anything that comes into his head at any moment, which will get him off a temporary hook, how can you trust his utterances on any subject? the real testis utterances on any subject? the real test is for conservative members of parliament, are they going to continue putting up week in, week out, month in and month out with a prime minister who is clearlyjust not fit for office and wriggles around over traces of truth all the time, undermining parliamentand undermining the authority of government as well. we undermining the authority of government as well.- undermining the authority of government as well. we are at a serious moment, _ government as well. we are at a serious moment, we _ government as well. we are at a serious moment, we are - government as well. we are at a serious moment, we are facing i serious moment, we are facing another rise in restrictions and cases. the decisions made in downing street are matters of life and death, as they have been for the last two years. isn't it perhaps better of the conservative party, including people like yourself, on the other side of the brexit divide, rally round the government, don't they need all the support they can get? they need all the support they can net? ., , ., ., they need all the support they can tet? ., , ., ., , , get? the government should always be entitled to support _ get? the government should always be entitled to support from _ get? the government should always be entitled to support from its _ get? the government should always be entitled to support from its party - entitled to support from its party members. and particularly from its mps. but it shouldn't be asking for support for things which are frankly, unethical. there is no point in supporting a prime minister who decides to act unethically over and over again who decides to act unethically over and overagain and who decides to act unethically over and over again and to tell lies about what he's doing. there is no point in going into the divisional office like sheep to vote on the government's three line whip, to try to exonerate a colleague when you yourself think there is a very strong case against him and suddenly the prime minister decides on a whim, actually, he's going to prevent the disciplinary processes of parliament taking place. this is happening over over again. do you think our happening over over again. do you think your former _ happening over over again. do you think your former colleagues - happening over over again. do you think your former colleagues will i think your former colleagues will act? we have another by—election in the next few days, do you think there is any possibility of conservative backbenchers acting in the way you suggest? t conservative backbenchers acting in the way you suggest?— conservative backbenchers acting in the way you suggest? i have no idea. i was a the way you suggest? i have no idea. i was a party — the way you suggest? i have no idea. i was a party member— the way you suggest? i have no idea. i was a party member for— the way you suggest? i have no idea. i was a party member for over - the way you suggest? i have no idea. i was a party member for over 44 - i was a party member for over 44 years and i have great faith in the conservative party and great affection for it. but watching where this charlatan is taking it is a really painful thing to see. because forget about brexit, it hasn't got much to do with brexit, it is to do whether there are any ethics at the heart of government and whether governance is being carried out soundly and whether government ministers and above all, the prime minister, can be trusted. the simple fact is, the prime minister cannot be trusted on anything. tie fact is, the prime minister cannot be trusted on anything.— fact is, the prime minister cannot be trusted on anything. he had made very serious — be trusted on anything. he had made very serious charges, _ be trusted on anything. he had made very serious charges, which - be trusted on anything. he had made very serious charges, which i'm - be trusted on anything. he had made very serious charges, which i'm sure| very serious charges, which i'm sure others have echoed and i'm sure the government would refute those. is the cabinet secretary in a position to carry out the investigation and what about any police investigation? do you think any of those enquiries will tell us what we need to know? t will tell us what we need to know? i have no idea. it is sensible to have an investigation in view of the seriousness of the allegations. i have no doubt about the integrity of the cabinet secretary, so i hope we would eventually get to the bottom of it. but this will take time and time since the prime minister when he is in a spot of bother. so we have to bear that in mind, because the subject will have moved on, which is usually what he hopes will happen when the truth finally catches up with him.- happen when the truth finally catches up with him. finally, what about the staff _ catches up with him. finally, what about the staff involved? - catches up with him. finally, what about the staff involved? some i catches up with him. finally, whatl about the staff involved? some say he has thrown his staff under the bus and this, senior staff, junior staff, should they be thinking about whether they should be employed, should they be working at the centre of downing street if they were at any of these alleged gatherings? t any of these alleged gatherings? i think before one starts saying that, we need to find out what the facts are. i will talk that. what is clear, this prime minister has a remarkable propensity to employ people who we then checked out of the sledge when the going gets rough, he throws them to the wolves. that is what he did today, with absolutely no responsibility of his own whatsoever. one of the questions he might ask himself, even if the basic facts he has given are correct, which i simply don't know, because i don't trust him. he might go back and ask himself the question, why is it in this time a crisis in the office which i run, staff think it is permissible to do this sort of thing? the answer is, because they see the prime minister behaving in exactly the same fashion. . , ., fashion. dominic grieve, former conservative — fashion. dominic grieve, former conservative mp _ fashion. dominic grieve, former conservative mp and _ fashion. dominic grieve, former conservative mp and attorney i conservative mp and attorney general, thank you for your time today. the number of people needing hospital treatment from the omicron variant may reach at least 1,000 a day in england by the end of the year without extra restrictions being put in place, according to government advisers. our health reporter isjim reed has more. we know ministers are meeting england to discuss potential stronger regulations because of this rise in omicron and we could see an announcement later on this afternoon on this. we have seen minutes of a meeting from sage, the group of 30 orso meeting from sage, the group of 30 or so independent scientists, led by patrick vallance, chris whitty, the chief medical officer, the chief scientific officer. they met yesterday to discuss where we are with omicron. we have seen the minutes from that meeting in the last half an hour and they think hospitalisations from omicron alone could reach at least 1000 a day in england by the end of the year, unless new restrictions are put in place. it is important to say, if you read all the way through these minutes, there is a high degree of uncertainty. they are using models and data from different places, having to draw it together and make what is a best guess about the impacts of hospitalisations from this new variant. they say the peak of this wave, driven by omicron, could reach between 1000, or is highly likely to be higher than 1000 to 2000 omicron admissions today at some point, probably injanuary, without new restrictions in place to stop this wave. they also go on to talk about... stop this wave. they also go on to talk about. . ._ talk about... just to say for context. — talk about... just to say for context, they _ talk about... just to say for context, they are _ talk about... just to say for context, they are saying i talk about... just to say for i context, they are saying also talk about... just to say for - context, they are saying also about 3800 a day where infected at the peak of the last winter wave? currently with the delta wave infection, we are seeing in england, just short of 700 missions a day. if we go to 1000, 2000 admissions because of omicron, it is an increase, but not a huge increase. one of the things we don't know is if we are likely to see omicron replace delta in the short term. we are likely to in the long time, but could we see both those waves at the same time? that is important because if we see 2000 omicron admissions a day, plus the 700 from delta you are getting up towards the 3000 or so we saw, nearly 4000 we saw in the peak in january. these figures are important because it is not so much infection from coronavirus that policymakers and the government are concerned about, it is the impact on the nhs and the hospital admissions, which is the most important thing. they say in these minutes, this is the key thing to pick out, given the rapid increase, decision—makers will need to consider urgently which measures to introduce to slow the growth of infections if the aim is to reduce the likelihood of unsustainable pressure on the nhs. so read between the lines and what they are saying is, extra restrictions may well now be needed. like sa, we will have ministers meeting on this this afternoon and we could have announcements for england as soon as this afternoon on this. they are talking about these plan b measures for england. they are talking about things like vaccine passports, potentially things like increase use of mass, working from home and anyone in scotland will be thinking, we already have that here. dr ugur sahin and his company biontech created the pfizer vaccine. he has been comparing the new variant with the beta strain and says existing vaccines may not be as effective against new variants, but should prevent serious disease. in comparison to the beta variant, omicron is a much stronger antibody variant. based on the data, this would predict individuals would receive two vaccines and most likely not have a significant prevention from infection or any type of disease. but we also know that these individuals will have memory t cells and memory cells, as well as t cell responses, which may prevent severe disease. john burn—murdoch is a data journalist for the financial times — he's been providing insight into coronavirus statistics, and has been gauging the most recent data on omicron. can you explain for me, if there is less protection and less numbers of antibodies and protection against overgrown if you have two pfizer jobs, how does the tesol protection hold up against serious disease? essentially we have two different parts of the immune response, and the antibodies we have in our system from either prior infection or vaccine are a bit more specific to what they saw at that point, so something like omicron comes along, then a perhaps substantial portion of the antibodies that recognise the new variant but the t—cell and b cell are being trained, as it were over the last months since we were infected or vaccinated, and they are also more able to recognise something slightly different to what they saw before, save if omicron comes along it might miss the defence of antibodies which means we get infected but the t—cell and b cell rb better able to recognise the omicron is still a type of coronavirus and a related thing to what they were trying to protect against and they can then produce different antibodies which can attack the virus in our cells, so essentially that's a long—winded way of saying there is a plausible reason to believe that although infection becomes more likely with omicron, we still have a very robust defence against becoming severely ill. . , . . ill. that is if you have had vaccination, _ ill. that is if you have had vaccination, so _ ill. that is if you have had | vaccination, so vaccination ill. that is if you have had i vaccination, so vaccination is ill. that is if you have had - vaccination, so vaccination is still very important?— vaccination, so vaccination is still very important? vaccination yes, or for those who _ very important? vaccination yes, or for those who were _ very important? vaccination yes, or for those who were unfortunate - for those who were unfortunate became infected at some point in the past and got immunity through that route, so either of those cellular immune responses should be more robust than the antibodies. hagar immune responses should be more robust than the antibodies. how much more infectious, _ robust than the antibodies. how much more infectious, effectively, - robust than the antibodies. how much more infectious, effectively, does - more infectious, effectively, does it make omicron and what does it mean in terms of how we should behave now?— mean in terms of how we should behave now? . �* , , , ., behave now? that's the big question. we do have. — behave now? that's the big question. we do have. as _ behave now? that's the big question. we do have, as you _ behave now? that's the big question. we do have, as you said _ behave now? that's the big question. we do have, as you said in _ behave now? that's the big question. we do have, as you said in previous i we do have, as you said in previous reports, good evidence that this thing spreads between people very efficiently and we've seen in terms of the pace of how this has spread through parts of south africa for example and we are seeing in the preliminary data from the uk a similar pattern here but if that protection against severe disease holes, it might be we see a small proportion of people who get this variant ending up in hospital than we had seen in the past and that is still the big question that there is some uncertainty around its early matches with what we see in south africa so far. matches with what we see in south africa so far-— africa so far. does t-cell protection _ africa so far. does t-cell protection wane - africa so far. does t-cell protection wane with - africa so far. does t-celli protection wane with age? africa so far. does t-cell- protection wane with age? our africa so far. does t-cell_ protection wane with age? our older people potentially more vulnerable or do younger children still have a lot of t—cell protection? the or do younger children still have a lot of t-cell protection? the point is not necessarily _ lot of t-cell protection? the point is not necessarily about _ lot of t-cell protection? the point is not necessarily about how- lot of t-cell protection? the point i is not necessarily about how exactly the protection works, but we know for a variety of reasons that older people and those with certain underlying health conditions are at more risk of developing severe disease once infected and that's why one of the key questions as we've seen the studies come out overnight looking at how omicron fares against vaccines and infection but what we need to see is study specifically on what it looks like amongst people, elderly people and people who are otherwise vulnerable because of course the data from south africa and that's a country with a younger population, means we don't know exactly how the severity of disease will play out in the population such as that in the uk.— as that in the uk. let's catch up with all the _ as that in the uk. let's catch up with all the sport. _ as that in the uk. let's catch up with all the sport. no _ as that in the uk. let's catch up with all the sport. no doubt - as that in the uk. let's catch up with all the sport. no doubt a i as that in the uk. let's catch up i with all the sport. no doubt a look at the cricket overnight. we will talk about the ashes but i want to speak about tottenham hotspur. we start with football and tottenham manager antonio conte says that eight players and five members of staff have tested positive for covid—19 at the club. spurs are scheduled to play at home against rennes in the europa conference league tomorrow night. uefa says "the match is due to take place as scheduled". they then play brighton on sunday in a premier league game which is believed to be under review. spurs manager antonio conte says its a serious situation and talking about football at the moment feels impossible. everyone is a bit scared, also because everyone, we have family, and i have to take this risk, and why? this is my question. today we had positives and tomorrow, who? me? i don't know. next to cricket, it was another day to forget 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: # we are the army! # the barmy army! #. no travelling fans permitted in australia, but if you were brave enough to support england and live in brisbane, well, hurry to your seats. you might miss it. the ashes start. and rory burns. ouch. yes, that was the first ball of the series, and it sure set the tone. david malan departed with england's score 11, so england's captain was in. england rely onjoe root. hundreds he made? nought. australia's new captain pat cummins got rid of ben stokes. and straight after lunch, haseeb hameed, who had at least defied for 25. but now watch this. the ball suddenly flying to the boundary atjos buttler pace. he had a partnership with ollie pope, and in the crowd, appreciation. for the neutral supporter, at least it was getting competitive. for a bit. there was jos buttler gone for 39. england were all out forjust 147 after a fine catch. another one. a wicket for pat cummins, another one. his fifth in fact. australia's captain walked off in a perfect world, from start to tea, his side had dominated. the weather ruled out the final session. england's bowlers with neither anderson nor broad selected, must be outstanding to stop the whole match slipping away on the second day. joe wilson, bbc news. one glimmer of hope wasjos buttler sharing a stand of 52 with ollie pope, who made 35, and pope believes england can still turn this around: obviously it wasn't the end result we wanted because we're not going to get too down about it now. both teams have to bat on this wicket. a disappointing start, especially as there was frustration we had been unable to put on the big score we wanted but the pitch did offer a fair bit, especially early for the seamers, early for the seamers, so, frustrated, we won't get too down and it's a long series. and we need to keep the spirit and keep fighting tomorrow. 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. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. some news in the last half an hour or so. a sheffield nurse has been charged with a series of sexual offences, a number of which were allegedly committed at the royal hallamshire hospital in sheffield. operating theatre nurse paul grayson, 51, has today been charged with a total of 20 offences. 13 of the charges, ten counts of voyeurism and seven of sexual assault, which he did in a daycare hospital against five staff members and four patients and they took place allegedly between 2017 and 2020. three of the voyeurism charges are one of the sexual assault relate to the discovery of recordings of the intimate areas of three unidentified female patients. the remaining seven charges, one count of taking indecent photographs of a child, three counts of voyeurism on three counts of making indecent photos of children are unrelated to grayson 's workplace. the police have said that they know that this case is extremely unsettling and the charges follow an extensive investigation carried out by police investigation carried out by police in the protecting vulnerable people department. they say that the three unidentified women, it is unlikely they will be identified as all existing lines of inquiry have been exhausted but they are continuing to pursue charges on behalf of those women, so thejudicial pursue charges on behalf of those women, so the judicial process can continue. paul grayson has been bailed to appear at sheffield magistrates on the fourth of february next year. borisjohnson has announced an investigation into the party held in downing street last christmas — saying he was "sickened" 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 apologised for any offence caused by the video, but denied anyone in downing street had broken any rules. i understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing number 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. and i can understand how infuriating it must be that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, 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 apologise for the impression that 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. but i have asked the cabinet secretary to establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible and, it goes without saying that if those rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for all of those involved. just to let you know, that the times political editor stephen swinford is reporting that allegra stratton who saw in that video has quit as an adviser to the prime minister, saying the leaked video has become a distraction and offering her profound apologies for her remarks. stephen swinford is tweeting that allegra stratton has said my remarks seemed to make light of rules and her resignation is being reported by laura kuenssberg and confirming that. but it seemed to make light of rules that people were doing everything to a bay and that was never my intention and i will regret those remarks of the rest of my days and offer my profound apologies to all of you for them. perhaps unsurprisingly allegra stratton, formerly a journalist who worked across many parts of the media including here at the bbc and itv and the guardian, but went into downing street and has now quit as an adviser to the pro— minister and the question now is about what will happen with other staff in that film, but a lot of pressure on allegra stratton to go. laura kuenssberg say she has made that statement outside her house. we heard in prime ministers questions. the leader of the labour party, sir keir starmer, said the prime minister has been caught 'red handed' and called on him to end the investigation now, and admit a party had been held. an internal investigation into what happened? the situation is clear as day. i thought last week was bad enough. surely the prime minister is now not 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 and they knew it was against the rules and they knew that they thought it would be funny and 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? because, i have been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken. 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, frankly, were obeying the rules. that is why the cabinet secretary will be conducting an investigation and that is why there will be the requisite disciplinary action if necessary. let's get more on the breaking news that allegra stratton has resigned from her position in government. she was seen in that video that was leaked because she was doing a mock press conference and that was planned and then was cancelled and has apparently said she understands the anger and frustration that people feel and to all of you who lost loved ones and enjoyed intolerable struggles with your businesses and this afternoon i've offered my resignation to the prime minister. she had been working on the cop26 summit and she says she will always be proud of what she achieved their and said that this country and the leadership on climate change will make a lasting difference to the whole world. allegra stratton, perhaps none surprisingly, and jonathan blake is at westminster. huge levels of pressure on her, jonathan. there were, pressure on her, jonathan. there were. and _ pressure on her, jonathan. there were. and it's — pressure on her, jonathan. there were, and it's no _ pressure on her, jonathan. there were, and it's no surprise - pressure on her, jonathan. there were, and it's no surprise that i pressure on her, jonathan. there l were, and it's no surprise that she has offered her resignation after the video emerged as broadcast by itv news of her seeming to make light and joke about a party that may or may not have happened in downing street, number ten behind me, at the end of last year. she was brought in as part of an attempt to begin a daily on camera news briefing which began during the first stages of the pandemic and werejudged to be an first stages of the pandemic and were judged to be an ineffective way of communicating by those in charge at downing street communications and government medications at the time and it was a job initially to be the person taking questions from the media day after day and that plan and that was subsequently scrapped and that was subsequently scrapped and she was undertaking duties as chief spokesperson for the cop26 climate summit and that was with alec sharma and since then we have not seen or heard much of her in public but i think really, after the revelations that have come to light in the last 24 hours or so it would have been very difficult for her to take on any public facing role or facing questions from journalists given the footage which has emerged, and given the controversy it has caused with downing street staff are seeming to joke about and make light of restrictions which she herself said herself in a statement she made in the last few minutes were what people were living under and dealing with at the time. she has made that statement to camera and hopefully we will be able to see and hear that very soon and hear more about why she has decided to take the decision to offer her resignation this afternoon. to offer her resignation this afternoon-— to offer her resignation this afternoon. ,, ,, ., ,., to offer her resignation this afternoon. . ,, ., ,., ., afternoon. steve swinford reported a lot of that, working _ afternoon. steve swinford reported a lot of that, working for _ afternoon. steve swinford reported a lot of that, working for the _ afternoon. steve swinford reported a lot of that, working for the times i lot of that, working for the times newspaper, where allegra stratton has also been working and she was part initially of the rishi sunak operation before being moved to number ten and it all happened at the same time as dominic cummings and lee kane leaving, and there were and lee kane leaving, and there were a lot of internal tensions. how much of this is linked to all of that? well, i think it's fair to say it's been difficult for her to perhaps find a role which was right for her and which lived up to the expectation is that those in downing street had to begin with. and as you say, she was previously working for rishi sunak at number 11 downing st as a senior adviser and press aide to him and then there was this process to bring in someone at number ten to front the press briefings and she was eventually installed into the role and if you pass — cast your mind back a year or so there was a different operation behind the scenes in downing street with the senior adviser, the head of communications, lee kane who left number ten relatively soon after a period of huge turmoil behind the scenes and there has been something of a change of the guard and staff and allegra stratton has of course stayed on and she has gone, and that will have, apart from anything else that has happened before, have all to do with what has emerged in the last 24 hours or so, continuing questions and criticism coming the government's way in the run—up to christmas last year. haiti? government's way in the run-up to christmas last year.— government's way in the run-up to christmas last year. how big a loss is she from — christmas last year. how big a loss is she from the _ christmas last year. how big a loss is she from the downing _ christmas last year. how big a loss is she from the downing street i is she from the downing street operation, for the prime minister and his wife? she was a very experienced journalist and she has obviously made this terrible error that was filmed and recorded, so how much is this going to be a big loss to downing street and how much do they hope this will draw a line under the saga to a degree? t’m under the saga to a degree? i'm not sure it will draw _ under the saga to a degree? i'm not sure it will draw a _ under the saga to a degree? i'm not sure it will draw a line _ under the saga to a degree? i'm not sure it will draw a line under i under the saga to a degree? i'm not sure it will draw a line under the i sure it will draw a line under the continuing questions around what happened in downing street in the run—up to christmas last year. it might help contain it for now. as i say, i don't think it will be particularly feasible or workable for her to continue in any public facing role or any role where she was dealing with the media on a daily basis. she has been, as i say, largely concerned with the cop26 summit over the last few months and was leading the communications and the media focused work around that, so beyond that, i don't think necessarily it will be seen as a huge loss to the downing street operation and she was not necessarily someone involved in the communications work on a day to day basis of late, but, she is someone who brought skills as a former journalist, former bbcjournalist as well as working for itv news and others before going into government communications, but clearly she herself believes that she cannot now carry on in any capacity. lotuie herself believes that she cannot now carry on in any capacity.— carry on in any capacity. we have heard from _ carry on in any capacity. we have heard from the _ carry on in any capacity. we have heard from the scottish - carry on in any capacity. we have heard from the scottish tory i carry on in any capacity. we have i heard from the scottish tory leader, douglas ross, saying that if the prime minister knew about this party but misled parliament, he could not continue in his post in downing street, that is a very serious point others have echoed also, and given the proximity of relations between allegra stratton and the prime minister and the other staff involved in this party if it happened, is it plausible, according to those in the know at the conservative party that the prime minister could not have known about it? ~ , ., it? the prime minister said on re eated it? the prime minister said on repeated occasions _ it? the prime minister said on repeated occasions that i it? the prime minister said on repeated occasions that he i it? the prime minister said on | repeated occasions that he has it? the prime minister said on i repeated occasions that he has been assured there was no party and that no rules were broken. whether he knew about what was happening, we simply don't know. whether he is now suspicious that he has been given the full facts and led him to announce the investigation, we don't know. but it is possible. downing street is behind the door, big building and there are meetings and events happening all the time and he may not have known this, but this is the problem, because there are various versions of events which have come out and been reported and there is very little clarity about exactly what happened but i don't think the prime minister's moved announce the investigation and say there were rules broken and disciplinary measures were necessary then that is what will happen and we will do anything necessarily to limit or can keep at bay the political criticism which is coming from his opponents around how all of this has been handled. he continues though, as he did at prime minster is questions to say he has been reassured there was no party and there were no rules broken. we will have to wait for the outcome of the investigation which is going to get under way led by the cabinet secretary to find out what his version of the facts around the event were. version of the facts around the event were-— version of the facts around the event were. , ., . . j ., ~ ., ~ event were. jonathan blake. thank ou ve event were. jonathan blake. thank you very much _ event were. jonathan blake. thank you very much indeed. _ here is that statement — warning there is some flash photography the british people have made immense sacrifices in the ongoing battle against covid 19 and i fear that my comments in the leaked video of the 20th of december last year have become a distraction in that fight. my become a distraction in that fight. my remarks seem to make light of the rules. rules that people were doing everything to obey. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my profound apologies to all of you at home for them. working in government is an immense privilege. i tried to do right by you or, to behave with civility and decency and act to the high standards you expect of ten downing st, rightly expect of number 10. of ten downing st, rightly expect of number10. i of ten downing st, rightly expect of number 10. i will always be proud of what was achieved at cop26 in glasgow and the progress that was made. this country and the prime minster�*s leadership on climate change and nature will make a lasting difference to the whole world. it has been an honour to play a part in that. i understand the anger and frustration that people feel. to all of you who lost loved ones, who enjoyed intolerable loneliness and he struggled with your businesses, i am truly sorry and this afternoon i am offering my resignation to the prime minister. thanks for your time.— thanks for your time. allegra stratton making _ thanks for your time. allegra stratton making a _ thanks for your time. allegra stratton making a tearful- thanks for your time. allegra i stratton making a tearful apology outside her home in london as she resigns from her position in downing street. she had worked for the chancellor, rishi sunak, and then moved over to number ten and of course was the face of that video, the mock press conference in the style that she was supposed to be fronting on which she joked about a party. and she has now resigned from government and of course there are still many questions on whether the prime minister has been found to misled parliament which is a very serious allegation. we will bring you much more on that in the coming minutes. let's catch up with the weather. the storm is continuing to drift steadily north and east, and it's along the southern flank of the low still wear the strongest winds are, so south—west england and wales and interestingly that is probably where we will see the heaviest rain in the afternoon, so spiralling around the centre of the low we have this rash of showers, some of them merging togetherfor of showers, some of them merging together for long of showers, some of them merging togetherfor long spells of showers, some of them merging together for long spells of rain in southern and central in— might escape the showers and there will be some brief glimpses of brightness but a lot of between six and 9 when you factor the strength of the wind. in the first half of the night we should see a rational showers sweeping east, but then things quietened down and with clear skies at times, it might turn misty and temperatures will fall into low single figures in one of you sparks, so it will be a chilly start potentially for thursday morning. the line of showers across western scotland, but generally a fine day and a greater chance of seeing more sunshine on thursday until the afternoon when the weather from will start to bring wet weather into northern ireland and western fringes of england and scotland as well and sheltered eastern areas see the best of the sunshine, so top temperatures are struggling to get into double figures. and as we move through thursday night into friday, that frontal system eases away and the wind direction swings back to north—westerly and a cooler source again which will drive in showers on exposed northwest coast and with elevation there could be some wintry and is returning but generally on friday another choir today and lighter winds and more sunshine coming through but the temperature is still struggling, perhaps around five to 9 and maybe we will see double figures down in the far south—west. however, as we head towards the weekend, looks likely that things will turn wet windy again from the atlantic but the wind direction changes back to a south—westerly, so if you want something that bit milder, we are heading in that direction for the weekend but unfortunately it comes at a price for many of us as there could be some significant rain. this is bbc news. the headlines: it was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. the prime minister apologises and promises an inquiry — after a video emerges showing former senior members of his team laughing about a downing street christmas party. 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. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for fools and that they were lied to. they're right, aren't they? and, in the past few minutes, allegra stratton, who led that mock downing street press briefing — has quit as the prime minister's adviser. a warning from the government's scientific advisers — hospitalisations caused by the omicron variant may reach 1,000 a day in england by end of the year unless extra restrictions are put in place. meanwhile the coronavirus booster vaccine campaign gets ramped up even further — now anyone over a0 in england can now book theirjab. and the worst possible start for england in the ashes series — as australia claim a wicket with the first ball. hello and welcome. in the last few minutes, boris johnson's adviser allegra johnson has resigned — after a video was broadcast showing her and other members of the prime minister's staffjoking about a christmas party last year at number 10 downing street in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown. mrjohnson has apologised for a video obtained by itv news — and ordered an investigation into whether government rules on socal gatherings were broken. it follows a week of denials from the government that such a party had taken place. at the event, guests are reported to have enjoyed cheese and wine, and taken part in a secret santa and party games. london had moved into tier 3 restrictions that meant indoor social gatherings were banned, and only six people could meet in outdoor public spaces, government guidance specifically banned work christmas lunches or parties. number ten still insists that no party took place — and all rules were followed. it comes as whitehall sources told the bbc an announcement on tighter coronavirus restrictions could be imminent. our political correspondent damian grammaticas reports. cabinet ministers this morning. foreign secretary, is it one rule for downing street and another for the rest of the country? questions, but no answers. were you at the party, sir? today in downing street they were deciding if new covid restrictions will be imposed. anybody have any questions today? but it's the video of pretend press conference of what happened here last year that's caused a crisis. i've seen reports on twitter- that there was a downing street party on friday night. do you recognise those reports? i went home. laughter. laughter about something which for most isn't a laughing matter. what's the answer? i don't know. was it cheese and wine? is cheese and wine all right? it was a business meeting. and we know there was a christmas party. and it was not socially distanced. the video is so damaging for borisjohnson because for a week he's defended those in it, just as he defended matt hancock and dominic cummings. and it's left him exposed. members of the public who followed the rules at the time, furious, his mps too. his ability to get people to follow new restrictions, undermined. have you lied to the public, prime minister? so a prime ministerfacing questions at every turn. but he didn't even wait for one before making a statement. and 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, iapologise. i apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country, and i apologise for the impression that it gives. he announced an internal investigation, but said he'd been assured there was no party. but that didn't impress the opposition leader. millions of people now think that the prime minister has taken them four fools— the prime minister has taken them four fools and they were lied to. they— four fools and they were lied to. they were — four fools and they were lied to. they were right, won't they. i they were right, won't they. repeat they were right, won't they. i repeat there will be consequences for those involved if those rules were broken, mr speaker. her majesty, the queen sat alone when she marked the passing - of the man she'd been married to for 73 years. _ leadership, sacrifice. that's what gives leaders . 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? - not only that, mr speaker, but the labour party and the labour leader in particular, have played politics, mr speaker, throughout throughout this pandemic. there was even a call for the prime minister to go. the only right and moral choice left to him... - get on with the job! ..it is for his resignation. when can we expect it. prime minister? mr speaker, the party opposite and indeed the other party opposite are going to continue to play politics. i'm going to get on with the job. damian grammaticus, bbc news, westminster. here is that statement from allegra stratton — and a warning — there is some flash photography. iam going i am going to make a statement. the british people have made immense sacrifices in the ongoing battle against covid—i9. i sacrifices in the ongoing battle against covid-19.— sacrifices in the ongoing battle against covid-19. i now fear my comments _ against covid-19. i now fear my comments in — against covid-19. i now fear my comments in the _ against covid-19. i now fear my comments in the leaked - against covid-19. i now fear my comments in the leaked video | against covid-19. i now fear my - comments in the leaked video have become a distraction in the fight. my become a distraction in the fight. my remarks seemed to make light of the rules. the rules that people were doing everything to obey. that was never my intention and i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days so therefore, my profound apologies for those of you at home for them. working in government is an immense privilege. i tried to do right by you all and behave with civility and decency and act with the high standards you expect from number ten. the high standards you expect from numberten. i the high standards you expect from number ten. i will always be proud at what was achieved in glasgow and the progress that was made and cole, cars, cash entries. this will make a lasting difference to the whole world. it has been an honour to play a part in that. i understand the anger and frustration people feel. to all of you who lost loved ones, who endured its horrible loneliness and who struggled with your business is, i am truly sorry at this afternoon i am offering my resignation to the prime minister. thank you for your time.— thank you for your time. allegra stratton outside _ thank you for your time. allegra stratton outside her— thank you for your time. allegra stratton outside her house - thank you for your time. allegra l stratton outside her house making that tearful apology. our political correspondent jonathan blake is in downing street. allegra stratton, at the heart of part of downing street, but she didn't confirm whether there was a party? didn't confirm whether there was a .a ? ., , ., ~' didn't confirm whether there was a party? no, she talked about the im act of party? no, she talked about the impact of the — party? no, she talked about the impact of the video, _ party? no, she talked about the impact of the video, which - party? no, she talked about the impact of the video, which has l party? no, she talked about the - impact of the video, which has been leaked, in which he was seeming to make light of the restrictions under which people were living at the time. and she said she will regret her remarks in that recording of the mock press briefing for the rest of her days. she said in that clip, for those reasons she has felt that her comments have become a distraction to the government's efforts to fight coronavirus and has therefore offered her resignation to the prime minister this afternoon. we have had no confirmation that offer has been received or accepted, but i think it is fair to say i would expect it to be, because given the circumstances in which that recorded briefing, mock briefing came to light and the continuing controversy over what did or didn't happen in downing street before christmas last year, and her role in attempting to defend that, or accusations of it, it means that it was pretty clear that she would be unable to continue, certainly in any public facing role, any role dealing directly with the media from here on. so, as you have seen and heard, she has resigned from the government and from her employment this afternoon. i would expect some confirmation of that, may be some words from the prime minister acknowledging her resignation in due course. has acknowledging her resignation in due course. . , , acknowledging her resignation in due course. ., , , ., , acknowledging her resignation in due course. , ., , ., course. has there been any reaction to her statement? _ course. has there been any reaction to her statement? what _ course. has there been any reaction to her statement? what about - course. has there been any reaction to her statement? what about the l to her statement? what about the other advisers in that video? the prime minister has said all his staff are effectively going to be under investigation?— staff are effectively going to be under investigation? yes, and from this morning _ under investigation? yes, and from this morning at _ under investigation? yes, and from this morning at least _ under investigation? yes, and from this morning at least one _ under investigation? yes, and from| this morning at least one prominent conservative backbencher was saying he was surprised that allegra stratton was still in herjob. that was jake berry. and others were pretty mystified about what had happened and how this had come to light and other conservative backbenchers are frustrated and exasperated with this continuing controversy and how downing street and how the prime minister himself has handled it. but as you say, that investigation announced by boris johnson in pmqs today, it will be led by the cabinet secretary, simon case. we have been told he will try to establish the fact of what happened and there is no word yet on whether those findings will be made public. there will be huge pressure for them to be and there is also no fixed timescale for the enquiry. we are told he will report as soon as possible. but how long it is going to take him to get everyone's versions of events from, many of the prime minister's staff themselves, is unclear at the moment. timer;r prime minister's staff themselves, is unclear at the moment. they live in a very tight _ is unclear at the moment. they live in a very tight bubble _ is unclear at the moment. they live in a very tight bubble often, - is unclear at the moment. they live in a very tight bubble often, they i in a very tight bubble often, they work very closely with each other and the prime minister could just ask his colleagues whether there was ask his colleagues whether there was a party so the continual denials there was a party from downing street with the prime minister saying there is now going to be an enquiry, those two statements are at odds with each other in a way? the prime odds with each other in a way? inez prime minister odds with each other in a way? the: prime minister said odds with each other in a way? ii9 prime minister said he odds with each other in a way? i““i9: prime minister said he has odds with each other in a way? i““i9 prime minister said he has been reassured there was no party and no rules were broken. who has told him that and how many people he has spoken to directly about it, we don't know. he said himself he was angered about the video which came to light. he shared the frustration and the indignation that people up and the indignation that people up and down the country felt at seeing it. he now has asked for this investigation to be carried out. something has changed now the video has emerged and come to light. whether versions of events will emerge and are different from what he has been told, we will have to wait and see. but his staff are now under investigation and he is waiting for that report to wait and see whether any further action needs to be taken against anyone working in downing street.— to be taken against anyone working in downing street. briefly, you have the leader of— in downing street. briefly, you have the leader of the _ in downing street. briefly, you have the leader of the scottish _ the leader of the scottish conservatives, other mp5 concerned that if the prime minister has misled parliament, it is a very serious thing to do and his position is not tenable? it is serious thing to do and his position is not tenable?— is not tenable? it is a very serious accusation — is not tenable? it is a very serious accusation and _ is not tenable? it is a very serious accusation and there _ is not tenable? it is a very serious accusation and there are - is not tenable? it is a very serious accusation and there are deep - accusation and there are deep concerns from many in the conservative party about how this is handled. mothers are supportive of the prime minister and say that there is far too much focus on it and it is a fuss over nothing. but, the fact that the prime minister has said he has been reassured that no rules had been broken and no party took place, he has said that repeatedly means his authority and credibility is, to an extent, on the line here. that is one reason why he has asked for the investigation to take place, but as you heard at pmqs today, sir keir starmer, other mp5 and other opposition mps saying they are not buying that at all and they are not buying that at all and they are firstly claiming no rules are broken, and then there will be an investigation to see what happened. jonathan blake outside downing street, thanks very much. relatives of people who died in the pandemic are among those to have expressed anger at the emergence of the video. our correspondent, tim muffett, has been gauging reaction. political stories sometimes slip by unnoticed. what about this one? the government has set out guidelines rules and a lockdown, for them to then go and have a christmas party. when questioned about it, "business meeting". she's stuttering. this is the prime minister's spokesperson talking. i work in construction and i go through problems on a daily basis where i have to follow these guideline rules and these lot are in downing street having a whale of a time. i am not very interested in it. ijust want to get on with my life. i am not really interested in what happened a year ago. i think it is a bad example _ of government, but they are humans, they won't be alone. many of the day's front pages make for pretty awkward reading for the government and amongst some who lost loved ones there is barely concealed fever. is barely concealed fury. sarah lost her mother and brother to covid. seeing this video is just utterly sickening and it makes me feel so angry and upset over and above the upset we have already gone through, we and many, many thousands of families across the country. it isjust despicable and unforgivable. by the time allegra stratton stood at that podium and laughed her way through that, my dad had the cpap mask put onto his face and the following five days he deteriorated and died on the 28th of december. as well as anger, there has also been mockery of the government's response. but they weren't celebrating. they didn't have a party. they categorically deny any suggestions that they had a party. and this fictional party definitely did not involve cheese and wine or a secret santa! evening, prime minister! for now! with ongoing concern about the omicron variant there is the possibility we could face more covid restrictions over the coming weeks and months. the big question is whether frustration about this story could affect people's willingness to obey any new rules. i think it is disgusting. i cannot believe that the government is expecting people to follow rules that it is not willing to follow itself. is there a danger people will not follow rules if new rules are brought in? i think people will do what they think is best for themselves. was it technically a party in downing street or not? either way, it has left the government with an almighty hangover. tim muffett, bbc news. i'm joined now by rachel glennon. rachel's father caught covid—i9 whilst in hospital for cancer treatment and died soon after the alleged downing street christmas party. thank you forjoining us and i am very sorry to hear of your family's loss. can i ask what you make of what you have heard both from the prime minister and the fact allegra stratton has nowjust resigned from government? stratton has now 'ust resigned from government?— stratton has now 'ust resigned from covernment? , :, , , :, government? obviously, with the lead u . government? obviously, with the lead u- to the government? obviously, with the lead no to the loss — government? obviously, with the lead no to the loss of _ government? obviously, with the lead up to the loss of my _ government? obviously, with the lead up to the loss of my dad's _ up to the loss of my dad's anniversary, on the 8th of december he went into hospital for treatment where he caught covid. he was in hospitalfor where he caught covid. he was in hospital for two where he caught covid. he was in hospitalfor two weeks where he caught covid. he was in hospital for two weeks and sadly passed away on the 22nd of december. obviously read the lead up to christmas on the anniversary of his death, it has been hard for the whole family, but seeing this news has deepened the shock and grief. whilst we were watching our loved one gasping for breath over face time, there was obviously a complete disregard for the rules and by those that were making them. and whilst we watched him pass away ever face time on the 22nd of december, allegra stratton was joking about the party. we cannot trust or believe anything that we are being told by the government, as they continue to cover up and lie. we have all suffered and made sacrifices over the past two years, some more than others, but their staff laughing and joking about a cover—up of a christmas party shows a complete lack of respect for the british public and the people who have voted for them. public and the people who have voted forthem. itjust... you public and the people who have voted for them. itjust... you know, it's just shocking to see the news over the past 12 hours and the reckless leadership and the cabinet ministers, the advisers following suit. it'sjust ministers, the advisers following suit. it's just an example of setting out the rules and breaking them, what example does it set to society and why should anyone follow the rules that they are making? the prime minister is saying that as far as he knows the rules were not broken, he said that in parliament again today, downing street are still saying there was no party. is that something you believe now? ida. that something you believe now? no, ou can't that something you believe now? ii9, you can't believe it. it is there on the video. you can't believe anything they have been saying over the past year and the video consolidates the distrust i have, that they are continuously covering up that they are continuously covering up and lying and over the last year more should have been done, more should have been done to protect those going into hospital. more should have been done to protect the nhs and more should be done now. so do you think in terms of what happens now at the top of government, should the prime minister stay in his position? what would you say to him? he has offered his apology for the impression that was caused. i his apology for the impression that was caused-— his apology for the impression that was caused. i couldn't see my dad. m mum was caused. i couldn't see my dad. my mum couldn't _ was caused. i couldn't see my dad. my mum couldn't say _ was caused. i couldn't see my dad. my mum couldn't say goodbye... l was caused. i couldn't see my dad. i my mum couldn't say goodbye... and people wear at parties that were making these rules. we lead by example in businesses, those at the top are those that lead us and it's the leadership and the cabinet ministers and the aids, they will all to blame. they should have been leading by example and they weren't, because otherwise there would have been no party. because otherwise there would have been no party-— been no party. briefly, your father, obviously very _ been no party. briefly, your father, obviously very dear _ been no party. briefly, your father, obviously very dear to _ been no party. briefly, your father, obviously very dear to you - been no party. briefly, your father, obviously very dear to you and - been no party. briefly, your father, obviously very dear to you and your family, what would you like to say in his memory as a brief tribute, if i can ask you that? he in his memory as a brief tribute, if i can ask you that?— i can ask you that? he was a kind man, he followed _ i can ask you that? he was a kind man, he followed the _ i can ask you that? he was a kind man, he followed the rules. - i can ask you that? he was a kind man, he followed the rules. we l i can ask you that? he was a kind l man, he followed the rules. we all did as a family. and he wanted to do the best by everyone, so he followed the best by everyone, so he followed the rules, as we were told, he followed the rules and he was a kind man at the beginning of his retirement who had still so much to do. he was let down by his government. let down because they didn't protect him and they didn't lead by example.— didn't protect him and they didn't lead by example. rachel, we are so sorry about — lead by example. rachel, we are so sorry about what _ lead by example. rachel, we are so sorry about what has _ lead by example. rachel, we are so sorry about what has happened - lead by example. rachel, we are so sorry about what has happened to l sorry about what has happened to your family and your father, but thank you for your time.- your family and your father, but thank you for your time. craig oliver was director of communication for number 10 under the former prime minister, david cameron. i don't know whether you could hear the last interview, but it is very difficult to hear from families who have lost loved ones and were under restrictions at the time of this alleged party, because their anger and sadness is very much clear under this conservative government. mina; this conservative government. why did hear what— this conservative government. brainy did hear what rachel this conservative government. “ii“ig' did hear what rachel was this conservative government. ii“i;.' did hear what rachel was saying this conservative government. ii“i;r did hear what rachel was saying and it is incredibly tragic and anyone who has got a heart cannot listen to that without being deeply moved by it. it is incredibly sad circumstances and i am sure the people in number ten downing st listening to that will be moved by that extremely difficult interview. what about the fact that allegra stratton has resigned? does that mean there was a party and should anyone else in that video resign? i don't know what happened, what is important is to let the process go through. it doesn't sound good for the government, does it look like they are splitting hairs over the fact there was a party? of course it does. i have been in enough situations where you don't have the full facts and then when you do it can spread new light on it. i can imagine in numberten, can spread new light on it. i can imagine in number ten, there is a lot of head scratching, people with their heads in their hands and thinking, how can we get out of this without there being no damage inflicted? what borisjohnson did at prime minister's questions was necessary, he did need to apologise and he needed to open an enquiry. the problem for him is, nothing he could do is going to stop the damage, all he can do... he could have admitted _ damage, all he can do... he could have admitted and _ damage, all he can do... he could have admitted and told _ damage, all he can do... he could have admitted and told people - damage, all he can do... he could have admitted and told people if l have admitted and told people if there was a party. isn't itjust utterly implausible he has not asked allegra stratton or any of the team that work in the downing street operation, why doesn't he ask them what happened and tell the public? i am not a spokesman for this government and i don't know what happened and i don't know what has gone on in number ten. all i can do is, like you, hope the enquiry is open and full and reveals exactly what happened. i used to be a spokesman for david cameron, i am not a spokesman for borisjohnson. what i can talk about is howl not a spokesman for borisjohnson. what i can talk about is how i would handle a situation if i was in the circumstances. it handle a situation if i was in the circumstances.— handle a situation if i was in the circumstances. it is an enquiry by simon case. _ circumstances. it is an enquiry by simon case, the _ circumstances. it is an enquiry by simon case, the cabinet - circumstances. it is an enquiry by i simon case, the cabinet secretary, be something that kicks this into the long grass? will it have the trust of the conservative party and the public? the trust of the conservative party and the ublic? , :, trust of the conservative party and the public?— the public? the question i would have asked _ the public? the question i would have asked immediately - the public? the question i would have asked immediately at - the public? the question i would| have asked immediately at pmqs the public? the question i would i have asked immediately at pmqs if the public? the question i would - have asked immediately at pmqs if i was keir starmer, what of the terms of this enquiry and when will it report? will we see all the information? i think that was a missed opportunity. i suspect journalists will try to put as much pressure on the government is possible to make sure this comes out in a full and timely fashion. i suspect the government does look like it is dragging its feet and it will not go down well. what like it is dragging its feet and it will not go down well. what about the olice will not go down well. what about the police enquiry? _ will not go down well. what about the police enquiry? is— will not go down well. what about the police enquiry? is it _ will not go down well. what about the police enquiry? is it clear- will not go down well. what about | the police enquiry? is it clear from the police enquiry? is it clearfrom what you have seen that the government is going to hand over information about all alleged gatherings or parties, because there has been allegations of people meeting in the number ten flat and a previous date where gatherings happen? mr; previous date where gatherings ha en? , , , :, previous date where gatherings ha . en? i , , ., , previous date where gatherings hauen? g , :, , :, happen? my understanding is, if a comlaint happen? my understanding is, if a complaint is _ happen? my understanding is, if a complaint is made _ happen? my understanding is, if a complaint is made to _ happen? my understanding is, if a complaint is made to the - happen? my understanding is, if a complaint is made to the police, l complaint is made to the police, that's when they will investigate. i would be surprised if complaints were not made, because political parties do that to keep stories going. i suspect there will be a complaint, questions will have to be asked by the police. the difficulty for the government is, as keir starmer did say, at westminster magistrates“ court, people were charged with gatherings that were illegal. just charged with gatherings that were illeial., , :, : :, charged with gatherings that were illeial. , :,: :, , : illegal. just to cut in, how secure or not is the _ illegal. just to cut in, how secure or not is the prime _ illegal. just to cut in, how secure or not is the prime minister- illegal. just to cut in, how secure | or not is the prime minister would you say? there is clearly a lot of disquiet on the tory backbenches? i think it would be, there is an extraordinary long way to go that borisjohnson is deposed because of this? is it shaky at the moment, is experiencing difficulty? yes, he is. but we would have to see a lot more happening before that was going to be the case. happening before that was going to be the case-— be the case. craig oliver, former number ten _ be the case. craig oliver, former number ten communications - be the case. craig oliver, former i number ten communications chief, thank you very much indeed. the number of people needing hospital treatment from the omicron variant may reach at least 1,000 a day in england by the end of the year without extra restrictions being put in place, according to government advisers. our health reporter isjim reed. we know that ministers are meeting in england to discuss potential stronger restrictions and regulations because of this rise. we could see an announcement later this afternoon. we have now seen minutes of a meeting of sage. that is the group of around 30 or so independent scientists, it is led by patrick vallance, chris whitty, the chief medical officer, the chief scientific officer. they met today to discuss where we are with omicron. we have seen the minutes from that meeting in the last half an hour and they think that hospitalisations from omicron alone could reach at least 1000 a day in england by the end of the year, unless new restrictions are put in place. it is important to say, if you read these minutes, there is a high degree of uncertainty. they are using models and data from different places, having to draw it all together and make what is a best guess about the impact of hospitalisations from this new variant. they say the peak of this wave, driven by omicron, could reach between 1000 or is "highly likely" to be higher than 1000 to 2000 omicron admissions per day at some point, probably injanuary without new restrictions put in place to stop this wave. they also go on to talk about... just to say for context, i think they are saying also about 3800 a day were infected at the peak of the last of winter wave? that is right, we are currently seeing in england, just short of 700 admissions a day. if we go through 1000, 2000 emissions because of omicron, it is an increase, but not a huge increase. one of the things we don't know is whether we are likely to see omicron replace delta in the short term. certainly, we are likely to in the long term, or could we see both those waves at the same time? if you see 2000 omicron emissions to a day, plus the 700 from delta you are getting towards the 3000 or so we saw nearly 4000 we saw in the peak back injanuary. these are a lot of figures, but they are important. it is not so much infection from coronavirus that policymakers and the government are concerned about. it is that impact on the nhs and hospital admissions that of the most important thing. they say in these minutes, this is the key thing to pick out, given the rapid increase, decision—makers will need to consider urgently, which measures to introduce to slow with the growth of infections if the aim is to reduce the likelihood of unsustainable pressure on the nhs. read between the lines and what they are saying is, extra restrictions may well now be needed. like sa, we will have ministers meeting on this this afternoon and because of announcement for england as soon as this afternoon on this. they are talking about this plan b measures for england. they are talking about not much different in other parts of the uk, things like vaccine passports potentially, things like an increased use of masks, things like working from home. anyone listening in scotland at the moment will be thinking, we already have that here. dr ugur sahin and his company biontech created the pfizer vaccine. he has been comparing the new variant with the beta strain and says existing vaccines may not be as effective against new variants, but should prevent serious disease. in comparison to the beta variant, omicron is a much stronger antibody escape variant. so based on this data, this data would predict that individuals who have received two vaccines, will most likely not have a significant prevention from infection or any type of disease. but we also know that these individuals will have memory t—cells as well as t—cell responses which are expected, which may prevent severe disease. to let you know the latest to let you know the latest art to let you know the latest art on to let you know the latest art on covid numbers. the uk reporting 161 new cove it — covid19 covid numbers. the uk reporting 161 new cove it — covid 19 deaths compared with 180 a day earlier and 51,342 compared with 180 a day earlier and 51,31i2 new covid cases, compared with 45,691, 51,342 new covid cases, compared with 45,691, so an increase in the overall case numbers. just to let you know we've heard from the world health organization, ted ross, saying that the omicron global spread suggests it could have a major impact on the course of the pandemic as there has been a big world authorisation — world health organisation briefing on the last half hour. sport now, and a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, looking at cricket and other matters and i know it is keeping my family up and i know it is keeping my family up overnight. i suspect they are watching from behind their fingers for most of it like me. i will come onto that in a moment. we start with football and tottenham manager antonio conte says that eight players and five members of staff have tested positive for covid—19 at the club. spurs are scheduled to play at home against rennes in the europa conference league tomorrow night. uefa says it's monitoring the situation but "the match is due to take place as scheduled". tottenham then play brighton on sunday in a premier league game which is believed to be under review. spurs manager antonio conte says its a serious situation and talking about football at the moment feels impossible: everyone is a bit scared, also because everyone, we have family, and i have to take this risk, and why? this is my question. today we had positives and tomorrow, who? me? i don't know. 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. one glimmer of hope wasjos buttler sharing a stand of 52 with ollie pope, who made 35. and pope believes england can still turn this around: obviously it wasn't the end result we wanted but we're not going to get too down about it now. both teams have to bat on this wicket. a disappointing start, especially as there was frustration we had been unable to put on the big score we wanted but the pitch did offer a fair bit, especially early for the seamers, so, frustrated, but we won't get too down and it's a long series. and we need to keep the spirit high and keep fighting tomorrow. ollie pope there. he was only one of four england batters who made double figures today. our cricket reporter henry morean“s been trying to make sense of what happened today with former england bowler steven finn. how h ow ofte n how often have we seen the start of an ashes series bring a moment of true drama? and indeed that was the case at the gabba this morning when rory bones — robbie burns was bowled first ball as england were bowled out for 137 and elected to bat first bowled out and there was a lot of time forjoe root to decide what might have been. steven finn has been on three ashes tours with england and we knew it could be dramatic and we didn't think the start would be that dramatic. ida. dramatic and we didn't think the start would be that dramatic. no, in 2010 we lost — start would be that dramatic. no, in 2010 we lost andrew _ start would be that dramatic. no, in 2010 we lost andrew strauss - start would be that dramatic. no, in 2010 we lost andrew strauss in - start would be that dramatic. no, in 2010 we lost andrew strauss in the | 2010 we lost andrew strauss in the fourth ball of the ashes and this time first ball around, dramatic and lived up to everything you would expect an ashes series to be. and credit to the way australia bowled today, they were fantastic and relentless. all day, all 50 overs that they did bowl.— that they did bowl. inevitably questions — that they did bowl. inevitably questions will _ that they did bowl. inevitably questions will be _ that they did bowl. inevitably questions will be asked, - that they did bowl. inevitably questions will be asked, the | that they did bowl. inevitably - questions will be asked, the england decision to bat first and to leave out stuart broad as well as james anderson. :, , :, ,, anderson. two interesting talking oints. anderson. two interesting talking points- had _ anderson. two interesting talking points. had they _ anderson. two interesting talking points. had they got _ anderson. two interesting talking points. had they got through - anderson. two interesting talking points. had they got through the | points. had they got through the first hour with just one down, it would have been a different looking day but australia really capitalised on favourable bowling conditions and it's hard to judge on favourable bowling conditions and it's hard tojudge until on favourable bowling conditions and it's hard to judge until both teams bowl and it looked like there was stuff all day for the bowlers and england with a brand—new ball in the hand will fancy a chance of making inroads. pi. hand will fancy a chance of making inroads. : :, :, :, , inroads. a word on pat cummins, the australian captain, _ inroads. a word on pat cummins, the australian captain, five _ inroads. a word on pat cummins, the australian captain, five wickets - inroads. a word on pat cummins, the australian captain, five wickets in - australian captain, five wickets in the first game when he leads the side. it“s the first game when he leads the side. it's an easy business. it side. it's an easy business. if seems everything it touches at the moment turns to gold. the world cup, this, the captaincy and he made good decisions with his bowling changes which you have to respect and give him credit for and he will be hoping his team have a good day and he can put his feet up all day tomorrow, i would imagine. the put his feet up all day tomorrow, i would imagine.— put his feet up all day tomorrow, i would imagine. the old saying is you don't know how _ would imagine. the old saying is you don't know how good _ would imagine. the old saying is you don't know how good a _ would imagine. the old saying is you don't know how good a story - would imagine. the old saying is you don't know how good a story is - would imagine. the old saying is you don't know how good a story is in - don't know how good a story is in the first innings until you see both sides bat and england will be desperate to make early inroads and put pressure on australia. the prime minister says the uk will diplomatically boycott the beijing winter olympics next year over alleged human rights abuses in china. the games are due to be held there in february. it follows similar moves by the us and australia, who've confirmed they won't be sending diplomats. that is all your support for now. back to you. 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 apologised for any offence caused by the video, but denied anyone in downing street had broken any rules. he's facing critcism from his own side. the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, says the cabinet secretary's investigation needs to be swift something has come to light and clearly they have not given artists — answers that will satisfy the public and you can understand why opposition parties are raising questions and we can understand why the country is upset it happened and why the responses from downing street have been as they are for the last week or ten days.— street have been as they are for the last week or ten days. given what we know now. — last week or ten days. given what we know now. do _ last week or ten days. given what we know now. do you — last week or ten days. given what we know now, do you think _ last week or ten days. given what we know now, do you think that - last week or ten days. given what we know now, do you think that boris i know now, do you think that boris johnson may have misled parliament over all of this? the johnson may have misled parliament over all of this?— over all of this? the prime minister was very clear _ over all of this? the prime minister was very clear last _ over all of this? the prime minister was very clear last weekend - over all of this? the prime minister was very clear last weekend and - was very clear last weekend and again this week that he does not believe there was a party. you think there was one? _ believe there was a party. you think there was one? that _ believe there was a party. you think there was one? that is _ believe there was a party. you think there was one? that is my - believe there was a party. you think there was one? that is my reading i believe there was a party. you think| there was one? that is my reading of it. but crucially _ there was one? that is my reading of it. but crucially we _ there was one? that is my reading of it. but crucially we have _ there was one? that is my reading of it. but crucially we have to _ there was one? that is my reading of it. but crucially we have to find - it. but crucially we have to find out through the cabinet secretary enquiry what happened and first of all why was a party even allowed in downing street? let's take that issue first when everyone else was telling people not to have these parties yet people in downing street thought they could, and what it means for the public trust going forward and what it means for the people who did make the sacrifices and did not see their friends and family over the christmas period and could not go into hospitals to see loved ones getting treated for covid or other ailments. these are the questions that people want to know about because they are angry about it and i share their anger. what about because they are angry about it and i share their anger.— it and i share their anger. what do ou think it and i share their anger. what do you think this _ it and i share their anger. what do you think this is _ it and i share their anger. what do you think this is done _ it and i share their anger. what do you think this is done for- it and i share their anger. what do you think this is done for public. you think this is done for public trust? :, .. �* ,:_ you think this is done for public trust? :, :, , you think this is done for public trust? :, �* :, , :, trust? you can't say anything other than it has significantly _ trust? you can't say anything other than it has significantly dented - than it has significantly dented public trust. we are asking the public trust. we are asking the public to follow guidance and most of us followed the guidance to the letter of the law, yet people in downing street it seems may not have done that. at the same time they seem to be urging the public to do the opposite of what they do. do the opposite of what they do. do they still have confidence in boris johnson as pro— minister because monkey is the leader of the conservative party and the prime minister of the united kingdom and i want to see the enquiry and see where we get with this.- want to see the enquiry and see where we get with this. there is no doubt that this — where we get with this. there is no doubt that this episode _ where we get with this. there is no doubt that this episode has - where we get with this. there is no doubt that this episode has dented | doubt that this episode has dented the confidence in terms of the public following the guidance that the government are setting, and at a time when we need to get more people vaccinated, to get their boosters, to follow the guidance with the new omicron variant, we need the confidence to be restored which is why we need the report very quickly. douglas ross, leading of the scottish conservatives. our political correspondentjonathan blake is at westminster. there is speculation there will be an announcement about plan b and trust in national leaders is crucial. one conservative mp asking of talk of a plan b was a distraction.— of talk of a plan b was a distraction. . , ., .. :, distraction. that is the accusation comint distraction. that is the accusation coming the _ distraction. that is the accusation coming the way — distraction. that is the accusation coming the way of _ distraction. that is the accusation coming the way of the _ distraction. that is the accusation l coming the way of the government, perhaps inevitable given the timing but in the last hour or so senior cabinet ministers have been in number ten behind me and more recently a couple of cabinet ministers have left as we've seen grant shapps the working pension secretary, and sajid javid, the health secretary, recently leaving number ten and no responses to questions about further restrictions possibly being on the way but we were expecting ministers to meet today to discuss possible options and in response to the new omicron and in response to the new omicron and those would be under the government plan b that it set out early in the year with face mask being required in more people are asked to work from home and possibly the introduction of vaccine passports in some settings as well. if ministers have been discussing and have decided on those measures this afternoon, i would expect a statement in parliament, possibly from the health secretary and possibly a news conference at some point as well but so far no confirmation, even that the cabinet have met or that any decisions have been made, so we will have to wait and see. , :, :, :, been made, so we will have to wait and see. , :, ., ., : ., ,, ., ,, ,., and see. jonathan blake, thank you very much- — i“m joined now by steve searle, who cancelled his conservative party membership today. thanks forjoining us. why? i've been concerned for awhile about way the government, the general behaviour has manifested itself and that's generally a problem with the system. that's generally a problem with the s stem. :, :, that's generally a problem with the s stem. :, ., , ., :, , ., system. you get a big ma'ority and ou then system. you get a big ma'ority and you then get i system. you get a big majority and you then get complacency - system. you get a big majority and you then get complacency and - you then get complacency and arrogance setting in, or you can do and i think there have been other recent incidents before we get to the covid issue where there has been absolute contempt for parliament and not only has there been continual intervention from the speakers at pmqs which was no doubt awkward for the prime minister today, but the way it has been conducted with no respect for the history of it and the way in which it is meant to be boris up there answering questions is an issue. owen paterson is another prime example of how they have allowed that contempt for parliament to really rear its head in a way which i'm just not a fan of. they have been riding roughshod, as far as i'm concerned, their authority and government. what you think will happen _ authority and government. what you think will happen now? _ authority and government. what you think will happen now? what - authority and government. what you think will happen now? what you - authority and government. what you i think will happen now? what you want the prime minister to do now? i think he will struggle, really, to hold any moral authority over any plan b that comes in for a start. specifically talking about the covid incidents, this is not the first time that really they have shot themselves in the foot. dominic cummings was a disaster. the matt hancock embarrassment, which was so cringeworthy. that would have made them very, very conscious also of how they appear to the general public. . how they appear to the general ublic. , , , ., public. . the prime minister be fair has apologised _ public. . the prime minister be fair has apologised for _ public. . the prime minister be fair has apologised for the _ public. . the prime minister be fair has apologised for the impression l has apologised for the impression caused in prime ministers questions and allegra stratton has just tearfully apologised and resigned. does that not change your mind? it’s does that not change your mind? it's not does that not change your mind? it�*s not change my mind in terms of leaving the party, that's done, i did it this morning. i was so incensed by the way it had been handled. allegra stratton had to go, and to be honest, she is a small fish in the whole pond anyway. but with the prime minister, he has had the opportunity to speak out on this issue before today and i think used on the right thing today and i think the enquiry will come up with some answers, but really, it looks to my mind to be completely hypocritical. do you think borisjohnson should stay as leader of the conservative party? would you transfer your vote to any of the opposition parties? that's a tough one. it's fairly raw for me today. that's a tough one. it's fairly raw for me today-— for me today. i've been a conservative _ for me today. i've been a conservative party - for me today. i've been a l conservative party member for me today. i've been a - conservative party member on and for me today. i've been a _ conservative party member on and off for 30 years and increasingly what has one things for me is that it has become increasingly difficult for me to justify that support in my position of being a conservative. and it's because of this apparent lack of empathy and a real lack of any sense, and that detachment that the old arguments of being a tony and an separate from the likes of us and an separate from the likes of us and maybe there is some truth in that and maybe it makes his position untenable. ~ ., :, ., ., ,, untenable. with another leader make ou re'oin untenable. with another leader make you rejoin the — untenable. with another leader make you rejoin the tories? _ untenable. with another leader make you rejoin the tories? i _ untenable. with another leader make you rejoin the tories? i don't - you rejoin the tories? i don't particularly _ you rejoin the tories? i don't particularly like _ you rejoin the tories? i don't particularly like the - you rejoin the tories? i don't i particularly like the alternatives as they stand but i can't associate myself with this current party, with this level of arrogance. we are going back to the days ofjohn major and what broke that government which was the complacency and arrogance that you can do what you want and you ride roughshod over everyone else and think you can get away with it and i think you will struggle to come back, whether the party can rekindle a lot of the trust put in in the last election as well, and i'm sure there are lots of voters that switched to the conservative in the last election who are very much regretting the decision because i don't think they have covered themselves in glory at all. interested to hear of anyone else in the same boat and we are out of time and we will have to leave it there. no problem. thank you. a government source has told the bbc that ministers are due to meet today to discuss moving to their covid plan b. cabinet ministers have just been cabinet ministers havejust been in downing street now. and of course, any change may include measures such as working from home. further rules on masks and some form of covid certification and passports. this is because the government is trying to slow the spread of the omicron variant. sam grant, head of policy and campaigns at the human rights organisation, liberty who have issued a statement against the use of vaccine passport. isn't it just isn't itjust common sense to try and move against this very rapidly spreading new variant?— and move against this very rapidly spreading new variant? thanks for havint us. spreading new variant? thanks for having us- i _ spreading new variant? thanks for having us. ithink— spreading new variant? thanks for having us. i think the _ spreading new variant? thanks for having us. i think the first - spreading new variant? thanks for having us. i think the first thing i having us. i think the first thing to say is that we all want to keep each other safe. liberty have supported measures, proportional measures, throughout the pandemic that have kept us protected but covid passports are not a solution. they are based on division and coercion and we don't believe that they are necessary or proportional. what we need to focus on our measures that will keep us all safe and we need to be thinking about education and access to the vaccine and the measures that are going to supporters to get through the winter. ~ :, , supporters to get through the winter. ~ . , :, winter. what is wrong with them? what is the _ winter. what is wrong with them? what is the problem _ winter. what is wrong with them? what is the problem if _ winter. what is wrong with them? what is the problem if you - winter. what is wrong with them? what is the problem if you have i winter. what is wrong with them? l what is the problem if you have had either a jab or the booster that you show that and protect others around you? as well as yourself? i show that and protect others around you? as well as yourself?— you? as well as yourself? i think the problem _ you? as well as yourself? i think the problem is _ you? as well as yourself? i think the problem is it _ you? as well as yourself? i think the problem is it is _ you? as well as yourself? i think the problem is it is going - you? as well as yourself? i think the problem is it is going to - you? as well as yourself? i think the problem is it is going to give| the problem is it is going to give some people access to freedoms and lock others out.— lock others out. everybody is being encouraged — lock others out. everybody is being encouraged to _ lock others out. everybody is being encouraged to have _ lock others out. everybody is being encouraged to have the _ lock others out. everybody is being encouraged to have the jab. - lock others out. everybody is being encouraged to have the jab. and i lock others out. everybody is being l encouraged to have the jab. and it's open to everybody. encouraged to have the 'ab. and it's open to everybody._ open to everybody. absolutely. and when encouragement _ open to everybody. absolutely. and when encouragement becomes, - open to everybody. absolutely. and when encouragement becomes, or| open to everybody. absolutely. and | when encouragement becomes, or is perceived, to become coercion, that trust in government programmes reduces and we need to be focusing on encouraging people to get vaccinated, as you said, and the real concern is that this does the opposite. indie real concern is that this does the o- osite. ~ :, real concern is that this does the o- osite. ~ . , real concern is that this does the ouosite. ~ :, , , opposite. we have seen countries like germany _ opposite. we have seen countries like germany and _ opposite. we have seen countries like germany and others - opposite. we have seen countries like germany and others in - opposite. we have seen countries| like germany and others in europe going tougher and talking about compulsory vaccination to protect their population and people say, ok, nobody likes being forced into anything, but this isjust nobody likes being forced into anything, but this is just good common sense, safety, and it doesn't really impinge on you that much. fits really impinge on you that much. as i really impinge on you that much. 93 i said, i think we all want to keep each other safe. i think it is by rule or whether it doesn't impinge on people that much. i'm moving forward with covid passes, especially passes that haven't had any parliamentary scrutiny could really result in more coercion and repeating a lot of the mistakes we have seen over the last 18 months. 0k, have seen over the last 18 months. ok, many thanks indeed. germany's olaf scholz, the leader of the social democrat party, has been sworn in as the successor to angela merkel. he's only the fourth chancellor in nearly 40 years, and will lead a three—party coalition with the greens and the liberal free democrats. this also means it's the end of the merkel era. earlier, the outgoing chancellor made herfinal speech in the chancellery and was presented with flowers by mr scholz as she formally handed over power. a very long farewell for angela merkel and the start of a new era in germany. our correspondent damian mcguinness has been following events in berlin. frau dr angela merkel... after 16 years in office, angela merkel is no longer germany's leader. she is the first chancellor in modern germany to voluntarily give up power. it is the end of one era in the beginning of another. calm, fact—driven and seemingly unflappable... germany's new chancellor, olaf scholz, is similar in style to angela merkel but unlike mrs merkel, he is not a conservative. for the first time in more than a decade and a half, germany is getting a left—wing chancellor. he says he will bring in a fairer society, a higher minimum wage, a lower voting age, and more rights for minorities. angela merkel has cleared out her desk in the chancellor's office, all ready for the new chancellor, olaf scholz, to move in. but there is little time for him to celebrate. germany is facing huge challenges. most importantly among them, the pandemic. it is being described here as a national crisis. germany is seeing record high infection rates. restrictions mean that unvaccinated people are now excluded from most leisure activities. and they have to get a daily test to go to work or use public transport. next year germany could also introduce what politician said would never happen. a compulsory covid vaccine. there are fears this could spark further protests and divide society. there are also difficult foreign policy questions including how to deal with russia and china. germany's new leaders say this is a fresh start to modernise the country. given the tough challenges ahead, they will need to hang on to that optimism. the artist willard wigan is best known for creating tiny works of art, often displayed in the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin. they are so minute that they can only been seen through a miscroscope. during a motivational talk for school children, willard described his autism as a blessing and said it had inspired his success. joanne writtle was watching. you know, there's a saying, the best things come in small packages. little things mean a lot. willard wigan has become world famous for his minuscule works of art which can sit in the head of a needle. even the queen has a tiny crown at buckingham palace. but what many people don't know is that he is autistic and it is something he spoke to children at st george's school, edgbaston, about. scientists can't explain my work. they say, oh, it's impossible. how can a human being do this? how can a human being do that? the world needs to understand that autism hasn't been properly uncovered. they have only uncovered some of it. i was quite surprised because of what he has come from. i have autism too, i was surprised that he still kept on going. he made me feel like i could do more than i think i could. _ because he has overcome quite a lot, and as someone who has _ dyslexia, i know what it's like to face hard things. i so now it made me feel like i can actually overcome problems. - willard was brought up in wolverhampton and now lives in birmingham. his autism wasn't diagnosed until he was 50, but his late mum zetta recognised his difference and remains his inspiration to this day. one time i carved a little bird perched on the point of a toothpick. she said, it's too big. so, you know, then i started to say to myself, well, if i don't make it real small, my mum won't appreciate it. my mum would always say the diamond is in the dustbin, meaning people would throw them into a bin and not realise what is in there until they take the lid off and realise they have thrown a diamond in there. and that is what autistic people are, they are diamonds. the techniques he uses are fascinating. he also has a photographic memory. to create this type of artwork, i have to slow down my breathing. i have to work in between my heartbeat. i have to make sure the pulse on my finger doesn't cause any problem. because when you are working on this microscopic level you have external forces that interfere with your work. i have to avoid that by working at night to avoid any traffic vibration or anything like that. it's like trying to put a pin through a bubble without bursting the bubble. willard“s works, ranging from a dragon to the boxer tyson fury, can be seen at birmingham contemporary art gallery. the exhibition here opened four months ago and is now on permanent display. willard“s described it as his gift to his home city. joanne writtle, bbc news. reminding you of the breaking news we've had this afternoon, allegra stratton, who was in that video referring to a possible party last christmas has resigned from government. she was a key adviser working on the cop26 summit in recent weeks and months, and before that, looking at communications and formally working for rishi sunak, the chancellor, and there has been a tearful statement from allegra stratton apologising for her comments in that video. meanwhile, the prime minister has said he apologises for the impression given that downing street, but they still say there was no party are no rules were broken in the prime minister said there will be an investigation by the cabinet secretary and i will hand over any documents required to the police, but a number of questions from conservative mps amongst others and lots of questions about other events that went on last christmas and other parties and other gatherings potentially with the scottish tory leader saying that it borisjohnson misled parliament he cannot stay on as prime minister, and we know there's been a cabinet meeting in the last and some announcements on the covid restrictions. in a moment it will be time for the bbc news at five with martine croxall. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise quite mild earlier today, how's it the mild weather really arrives for the weekend and it has been wet and windy recently and also pretty chilly for many of us and the strongest wind is out through west wales, 50 or 60mph through the morning but those wind strengths are easing and we have seen a bit of sunshine, that has to be set across parts of suffolk. this is where the showers have been in the last few hours, circulating around the low pressure and sitting across the far north of scotland with more frequent showers finding their way through wales as we speak. they are going to drift their way south and east. overnight we have patchy mist and fog with moisture falling and we have seen temperatures falling low and a touch of isolated frost as well. a chilly start to thursday morning but hopefully a sunny start for many of us and in sheltered eastern areas this is how it will stay through much of the day but out to the west you can see another front that will start to push on and will bring rain into western scotland and gradually pushing its way into the midlands as well. ahead of it, it will stay on the chilly side but the milder air is on its way as we head towards the weekend. so the weather front continues to push steadily eastwards through thursday night and on friday morning we will have a north—westerly wind which will drive in showers on exposed north and west facing coast, and away from that there will be sunshine coming through again and it will be relatively dry, relatively quiet but it will still be cool for the time of year with temperatures below the average and top temperatures of around six up to 9. the change will arrive through the weekend because of this area of low pressure so we will see some rain and some strengthening winds again as the isobars squeezed together but around the low pressure the wind direction is south—westerly so gradually it will drive in milder air and it gradually it will drive in milder airand it will take gradually it will drive in milder air and it will take its time with a lot more cloud around on saturday and outbreaks of rain coming in from the west and eventually the milder air starts to show its hand but as we move through the second half of the weekend, the rain pushes through and it looks likely that temperatures will go widely into double figures, back to where we should be for this time of year, but also it comes at a price as there will be some rain to come, i“m will be some rain to come, i'm afraid. there you go. this is bbc news. the headlines — this fictional party was a business meeting, and it was not socially distanced. the prime minister apologises and promises an invesitgation after a video emerges showing former senior members of his team laughing about a downing street christmas party. 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. millions of people now i think the prime minister was taking them for fools. and that they were lied to. they're right, aren't they?

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