the prime minister faces further questions about a gathering in number 10 last christmas after it emerges that his director of communications was present. and no10 has confirmed it's christmas party this year won't now be going ahead. find out what mark kermode thinks of theirs, it is of course stephen spielberg's west side story. add the rest of the main releases in the film review at 5:45pm. an inquestjury has concluded that police errors probably contributed to the deaths of three young men who were murdered by the serial killer, stephen port. the jury found that flaws in the investigation into the first death in east london, meant he was free to kill three more times before he was caught. port is serving life for the murders in 2014 and 2015. the families of the victims believe the police failures were partly driven by homophobia — a charge the met denies. helena wilkinson has more for life truly cut short, fashion student anthony walker, caprari, young chef daniel whitworth, and forklift driverjack taylor from dagenham. all murdered with the date rape drug ghb, but the police could stop the killing. the men's police had all been discovered in the same small area of barking in east london, overa small area of barking in east london, over a period of less than a year and a quarter. detectives simply did notjoin the dots. they didn't investigate, they didn't do the smallest of things you would expect a police officer to do. they didn't do theirjob. et al. began in june 2014 when 24—year—old anthony walker eight was found dead as a stephen port�*s flat. it was park who had called in the abbey lizard almost immediately the police errors started mounting up. the mistakes... they went on for 15 months, by that time three other young men were also dead. a man who could barely walk after taking ghb. they failed to examine port�*s computer which would show him searching for gunman being raped while unconscious drugs. anthony's mother is convinced a better police investigation. port within weeks of us and's death start all the other victims could have been saved if they had actually been bothered to investigate they had actually been bothered to investiuate �* ., j , investigate anthony's murder. ste - hen investigate anthony's murder. stephen port _ investigate anthony's murder. stephen port was _ investigate anthony's murder. stephen port was arrested - investigate anthony's murder. stephen port was arrested on | stephen port was arrested on suspicion of lying about moving anthony's body but the investigation of the death went no further and he remained on bail, free to kill again. ten weeks later, a second body was found in a church graveyard less than 400 metres from stephen port�*s front door. it was gabriel, another gay man in his 20s, detectives didn't connect the two deaths and did so little that the officer tasked with liaising with gabriel's family never spoke to them. just over three weeks later, in the same corner of the same graveyard, the body of daniel whitworth was found. he had what appeared to be a suicide note around his neck in which he also said that he had taken gabriel's life. detectives just accepted what was written when in fact simple checks would have shown that he was nowhere near barking when gabriel died. it meant that for months police were telling daniel's family that he had killed himself and gabriel when in fact he had been murdered. it killed himself and gabriel when in fact he had been murdered. it makes ou an: fact he had been murdered. it makes you angry and _ fact he had been murdered. it makes you angry and unset. _ fact he had been murdered. it makes you angry and upset, yeah. - fact he had been murdered. it makes you angry and upset, yeah. it - fact he had been murdered. it makes you angry and upset, yeah. it has - you angry and upset, yeah. it has officer had tragic consequences. in officer had tragic consequences. in march 2015, port was jailed for lying to police about moving the first victim's body stop for now the killing stops, but so did any further investigation of the first three deaths. thenin then in september 20 15, three months after stephen port was released from prison, the body of jack taylor was found, metres from where the previous two bodies had been discovered. this time there was cctv recovered not by detectives but by a parked police officer on his bike. it showed the dead man meeting a tall stranger in the middle of the night, but it still took the persistence of jack taylor's sisters to persuade officers to make a public appeal using the pictures. we public appeal using the pictures. - asked we were told no, we asked again, we were told no, and eventually they listen to us and they did put it out. and thank god they did put it out. and thank god they did put it out. and thank god they did do that because obviously then we found out who that was. working from google late at night and making handwritten notes, the sisters had spotted many of the key suspicious factors linking the deaths. they told me they now want some of the incompetent officers involved to be sacked. i some of the incompetent officers involved to be sacked.— some of the incompetent officers involved to be sacked. i don't think they should — involved to be sacked. i don't think they should be _ involved to be sacked. i don't think they should be in _ involved to be sacked. i don't think they should be in the _ involved to be sacked. i don't think they should be in the position - they should be in the position anymore, _ they should be in the position anymore, idyllic they should have a 'ob. anymore, idyllic they should have a joh we _ anymore, idyllic they should have a job. we have ended up with anxieties and things— job. we have ended up with anxieties and things we didn't even know existed, — and things we didn't even know existed, sleepless nights, god knows what _ existed, sleepless nights, god knows what 0ur— existed, sleepless nights, god knows what. our old world tipped upside down _ what. 0ur old world tipped upside down but— what. our old world tipped upside down. but they get promoted, they -et down. but they get promoted, they get to— down. but they get promoted, they get to carry on their lives, and that's— get to carry on their lives, and that's shocking. it's very shocking. the metropolitan police has refused to accept that the four men's deaths were investigated so badly because they were gay, that officers either made prejudiced assumptions orjust didn't care enough about the men. but it has agreed that officers were incompetent, describing some of the errors is astonishing. daniel sandford, bbc news, parking. the families of the victims say the met�*s actions were driven in part by homophobia — a charge the met denies. we are incensed by the police's successful attempt to prevent the joy successful attempt to prevent the joy from examining whether prejudice played any part in the police's actions. the coroner did not rule that the police were not homophobic and our position remains unchanged. based on the treatment we received, our firmly held belief is that the metropolitan's police actions were driven by homophobia. had four white heterosexual girls been found in the same manner, then the police because my actions and the likely outcomes would have been different. the approach of the met on the issue of homophobia demonstrates to us that even today, seven years on, they have learned very little. so even today, seven years on, they have learned very little.— have learned very little. so that was the solicitor _ have learned very little. so that was the solicitor who _ have learned very little. so that was the solicitor who is - was the solicitor who is representing many of the families of those young men who died back in 2014 and 2015. we do hope to speak to someone from the met in the next few minutes in fact, but let's also deny to talk to benjamin cohen,. chief executive of pinknews, a digital media publisher for the lgbt+ community. good evening. do you find that compelling, that suggestion we just heard that, had this been four young, white heterosexual women, that the police would have behaved differently? i that the police would have behaved differentl ? ., �* ~ ., differently? i don't know the details of — differently? i don't know the details of the _ differently? i don't know the details of the evidence - differently? i don't know the details of the evidence that l details of the evidence that obviously the jurors would have been considering in the inquest, but i think there is a legitimate question that needs to be asked, and margaret hodge, local mp, has with a lot of other local mps called for an enquiry as to whether the metropolitan police �*s actions were homophobic. i ended up taking the call from one of the friends, a friend of one of the victims, a person could john pope called me, worried about one of the victims, who had been murdered. he was the third victim. pink news were in communication with the metropolitan police, and were told there was no link between the three deaths, that they had been at that point. and that there wasn't a story for us to report. indeed they said it would be scaremongering for us to link the three together, so we didn't report on that, and obviously about nine months after the call that we took, the fourth victim has met body was found. so i think there are a lot of legitimate questions to the metropolitan police, whether it is incompetent as was found today, and what impact homophobia has, we wait to see, i suppose. just what impact homophobia has, we wait to see. i suppose-— to see, i suppose. just to be clear, in terms of — to see, i suppose. just to be clear, in terms of that _ to see, i suppose. just to be clear, in terms of that phone _ to see, i suppose. just to be clear, in terms of that phone call - to see, i suppose. just to be clear, in terms of that phone call you - to see, i suppose. just to be clear, in terms of that phone call you are | in terms of that phone call you are describing because a lot of people tonight won't know about that, so this is a friend of gabriel, who is the third young man who turns out was murdered by stephen port. he telephoned you and other lgbt plus organisations specifically saying what? what was he concerned with the of a happening or not happening? so of a happening or not happening? sr i of a happening or not happening? 5r i happen to take the call. first i have to say it sounded quite fantastical because it seems likely ridiculous there had been this number of deaths in an area that weren't being linked together. he detailed what ultimately turns out to have happened. and said he had been speaking to the police and they won't listen to him so he contacted us, he contacted other lgbt plus organisations, the local newspaper, who all, i believe, contacted the police in the same way that i did, and were essentially dismissed. i think the point really is that alarms had been raised, quite significant alarms had been raised, and the police chose to ignore them. i think it is worthwhile considering whether those alarms were not considered properly because of some form of homophobia or discrimination, or whether it merely just was absolutely poor policing. yes, and we will raise some of those issues with the met hopefully in the coming minutes. in these young men had all met stephen port by using hook up apps, essentially. i mean, to your mind, is that something that would have played into the investigation, that an assumption might have been made because of the way they had all met?— way they had all met? yeah, and i'm sure there would _ way they had all met? yeah, and i'm sure there would be _ way they had all met? yeah, and i'm sure there would be assumptions - sure there would be assumptions because of the way they met through hook up apps, but it is important to rememberjust for context, this is quite a few years ago now, 2014, 2015, the use of these apps was not as developed as it is now and probably the police's understanding of how people at that point predominantly in the lgbt community were using these apps, the police's understanding may not be as understanding may not be as understanding as it is now —— as sophisticated as it is now. i'm sure the met would say lessons have been led notjust in relation to the specifics of this case, but also in the way that you can understand the way people are using these apps and the sort of tracking that might need to be made. find the sort of tracking that might need to be made-— to be made. and given that point which is interesting _ to be made. and given that point which is interesting that - to be made. and given that point which is interesting that the - which is interesting that the technology has moved on in six or seven years, what does this case trust, trust between a major police force and the lgbt plus community? what is the impact of all of this? allan i think the case itself really did damage trust in the community. i do have to say, for my own perspective, and from pinknews perspective, and from pinknews perspective of the work we do now with the metropolitan police now, that i do think the met has made significant efforts to out reach and communicate with the lgbt plus community in london and also police forces around the country. so i do actually believe that the situation would be slightly different if it happened today for a variety of different reasons. but i don't think it is right to suggest that the police's relationship with the lgbt plus community is significantly damaged at this point. the fact is the metropolitan police in particular�*s relationships with all sorts of communities is pretty strange, i don't think it is specific to the lgbt plus community, we have seen around how women feel, there are lots of other people who have views. i am not saying this is a singular issue for the lgbt+ community. thank you for now. we are in fact hoping to speak to someone from the national police chiefs' council. i should explain, wejust having a few technical problems i understand that we are hoping to speak to herfor understand that we are hoping to speak to her for reaction on that as well. so we will return to that story a little later in this hour. right now, we turn to one of the other major stories here tonight. the uk health security agency have published the latest data into 0micron. evidence shows the variant is growing much faster than delta in england. it's projected to become the dominant variant in the uk by mid—december. new data suggests that vaccine protection against mild symptomatic disease from 0micron may be substantially reduced. effectiveness against severe disease is still unknown but expected to be higher. boosters showed good effectiveness, although with some reduction compared to delta. the latest available data shows the booster dose is key — offering 75% protection against symptomatic covid. drjenny harries — head of the uk health security agency said: once again, we urge everyone who is able to get a boosterjab to come forward and do so. it is the best defence we have against this highly transmissible new variant. in the past few minutes, michael gove has been speaking after a cobra meeting with the devolved nations, where they discussed the spread of the 0micron variant. let's have a listen. so he has just so he hasjust been so he has just been talking to journalists after a meeting of that cobra meeting. let'sjust hear some of what he had to say. it isa it is a deeply concerning the situation. the cobra meeting ijust shared with the first ministers of all the devolved administrations was presented with some very challenging new information. we know that we have the highest number of covid infections across the united kingdom reported today since the 9th of january, we know that the 0micron variant is doubling every two to three days in england, and possibly even faster in scotland. we know that 30% of reported cases in london are the 0micron variant and of course we only identified the variant in this country a fortnight ago. so we absolutely do need to keep everything under review. i think the approach we are taking is proportionate. we recognise the importance of balancing people's abilities to get on with their lives with the need to protect them against this virus, but action is absolutely action we require to take in the face of that data.— action we require to take in the face of that data. many of your mps don't even want _ face of that data. many of your mps don't even want you _ face of that data. many of your mps don't even want you to _ face of that data. many of your mps don't even want you to go - face of that data. many of your mps don't even want you to go as - face of that data. many of your mps don't even want you to go as far - face of that data. many of your mps don't even want you to go as far as| don't even want you to go as far as boris _ don't even want you to go as far as borisjohnson _ don't even want you to go as far as boris johnson announced _ don't even want you to go as far as boris johnson announced we - don't even want you to go as far asi boris johnson announced we should don't even want you to go as far as - borisjohnson announced we should on wednesday _ borisjohnson announced we should on wednesday there _ borisjohnson announced we should on wednesday. there is _ borisjohnson announced we should on wednesday. there is fury— borisjohnson announced we should on wednesday. there is fury out - borisjohnson announced we should on wednesday. there is fury out there - wednesday. there is fury out there and tory _ wednesday. there is fury out there and tory mps — wednesday. there is fury out there and tory mps say _ wednesday. there is fury out there and tory mps say one _ wednesday. there is fury out there and tory mps say one of— wednesday. there is fury out there and tory mps say one of the - wednesday. there is fury out there i and tory mps say one of the reasons for the _ and tory mps say one of the reasons for the rebellion _ and tory mps say one of the reasons for the rebellion is _ and tory mps say one of the reasons for the rebellion is they— and tory mps say one of the reasons for the rebellion is they are - for the rebellion is they are apoplectic_ for the rebellion is they are apoplectic at— for the rebellion is they are apoplectic at the _ for the rebellion is they are apoplectic at the omni— - for the rebellion is they are - apoplectic at the omni— shambles in downing _ apoplectic at the omni— shambles in downing street _ apoplectic at the omni— shambles in downing street at _ apoplectic at the omni— shambles in downing street at the _ apoplectic at the omni— shambles in downing street at the moment. - apoplectic at the omni— shambles in| downing street at the moment. how has downing — downing street at the moment. how has downing street _ downing street at the moment. how has downing street allowed - downing street at the moment. how has downing street allowed itself. downing street at the moment. how has downing street allowed itself to| has downing street allowed itself to be coming _ has downing street allowed itself to be coming under— has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire _ has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire on— has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire on so- has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire on so many. be coming under fire on so many different— be coming under fire on so many different fronts— be coming under fire on so many different fronts such _ be coming under fire on so many different fronts such as - be coming under fire on so many different fronts such as the - different fronts such as the rebellion _ different fronts such as the rebellion we _ different fronts such as the rebellion we are _ different fronts such as the rebellion we are expectingl different fronts such as the - rebellion we are expecting next week? — rebellion we are expecting next week? i— rebellion we are expecting next week? ~' ., rebellion we are expecting next week? ~ ., ., ~ , . ., week? i know that mps including on m own week? i know that mps including on my own party _ week? i know that mps including on my own party and — week? i know that mps including on my own party and across _ week? i know that mps including on my own party and across the - week? i know that mps including on my own party and across the house | week? i know that mps including on l my own party and across the house as a whole take these decisions incredibly seriously. and i know that people like me will take the whole question of protecting the civil liberty very seriously, when weighing up the importance of the decisions in front of them, but it is also the case, as it has been at different times in this pandemic, that we've been confronted with genuinely concerning new facts, and the facts show this virus spreading so fast and especially spreading in a way that means even those who are double vaccinated are more likely to succumb to this virus and to find themselves ill, infected and potentially in hospital. those facts mean we have to take action, and thatis mean we have to take action, and that is why we are bringing forward proposals to the house of commons on tuesday and i am confident people will examine these proposals seriously, soberly and thoughtfully, and i'm also confident that people will conclude on balance at his right to act. will conclude on balance at his right to act-— will conclude on balance at his riaht to act. �*, ., ., , right to act. let's get more details from our health _ right to act. let's get more details from our health reporter— right to act. let's get more details from our health reporter laura - from our health reporter laura foster. you havejust come from our health reporter laura foster. you have just come out of a briefing specifically about the new variant? in briefing specifically about the new variant? , , ., variant? in this briefing we got confirmation _ variant? in this briefing we got confirmation from _ variant? in this briefing we got confirmation from an - variant? in this briefing we got confirmation from an early - variant? in this briefing we got - confirmation from an early analysis that the vaccine is not protecting as well as we might have hoped against 0micron, but better than we feared. but the good news is that by having a booster you can really increase your protection. this analysis looked at pfizer, and oxford astrazeneca, what it found it 0xford astrazeneca, what it found it after analysing cases with 0micron and thousands of cases with delta, after looking at how effective the vaccines were against the new variant it showed a dramatic drop in effectiveness for people who had had two doses of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine and a significant drop—off two doses of pfizer but the boost is key, it really shot back up in protecting against both variants we are seeing in the uk at the moment. so the key takeaway is the best because although we are concerned about 0micron of course, delta is still out there. about omicron of course, delta is still out there.— still out there. yes, and delta is still out there. yes, and delta is still by far— still out there. yes, and delta is still by far the _ still out there. yes, and delta is still by far the most _ still out there. yes, and delta is still by far the most variant -- l still by far the most variant —— dominant variant in the uk but we have had lots of warnings from nicola sturgeon, a tsunami of cases heading for scotland. but the estimate more than half of the cases will be 0micron by mid december because it is so transmissible. if growth continues unabated assuming no more restrictions, there will be 1 million infections by the end of the month. 1 million infections by the end of the month-— 1 million infections by the end of the month. . ~' ,, , . the month. thank you very much. let us turn to that _ the month. thank you very much. let us turn to that headline _ the month. thank you very much. let us turn to that headline story - the month. thank you very much. let us turn to that headline story we - us turn to that headline story we brought you post stop two separate sources have told the bbc downing street director of communications jack doyle offered his communication to the prime minister once his attendance at that christmas party last year was revealed but we are told boris johnson last year was revealed but we are told borisjohnson would not accept it. let's find out more from our political correspondent ian watson. jack doyle is the director of communications at downing street, so his position is very important because he would be one of the key messengers, if you like, suggesting that the events on november 18 didn't constitute a party at —— on december 18. didn't constitute a party at —— on december18. it didn't constitute a party at —— on december 18. it has now been established that jack doyle was at that event on december 18, gave a speech, handed out some mock awards to his colleagues. so had he resigned, then certainly opposition politicians would be asking whether that indeed provided proof that some kind of wrongdoing had taken place. so as we understand it, two separate sources have said he did offer his resignation but the prime minister turned him down, and at a press briefing that i attended, i asked if he had offered his resignation, and the prime minister said not as far as he was aware. i said let's just clarify this, is the position that jack doyle is staying in in hisjob? the prime minister wishes him to continue in hisjob and he did not offer his resignation, and the answer is yes. two separate sources say he was prepared to resign. the prime minister wants him to stay on. so ultimately he will stay in post, but as we know the previous spokesperson allegra stratton resigned after the video was leaked to itv news. she resigned, i guess, because of the tone of that video, as much as anything else, but at the momentjack doyle is as much as anything else, but at the moment jack doyle is staying as much as anything else, but at the momentjack doyle is staying on, and sources say we are not expecting any further imminent changes in downing street staffing. further imminent changes in downing street staffing-— street staffing. curious, isn't it? so many more — street staffing. curious, isn't it? so many more questions - street staffing. curious, isn't it? so many more questions but - street staffing. curious, isn't it? i so many more questions but thank street staffing. curious, isn't it? - so many more questions but thank you very much, iain watson, such a busy evening, we must leave it there for now. in relation to covid, this is all bunched up with covid of course, scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has warned that the country is facing a potential tsunami of new covid infections. she said the spread of the 0micron variant to prevent —— presented a very severe challenge and it is likely to overtake the delta variant, possibly as soon as next week in scotland, and she announced new restrictions to tackle the spread. from saturday, the advice is all household contacts of any confirmed covert case should isolate for ten days regardless of vaccination status, even if they get a negative pcr test. some exemptions will be made for critical services full stop non—household contacts should isolate. if it is negative, they can isolate at this point as long as they are double vaccinated and nicola sturgeon said it would be sensible to defer work christmas party is given the impact and significant concerns of the 0micron covid variant. quite a lot to keep up covid variant. quite a lot to keep up with. let's talk to our scotland correspondent, conor gillies has been listening to nicola sturgeon today. you have to read that several times to remind yourselves of the rules, but the language was quite stark, and nicola sturgeon was crystal clear about this.- stark, and nicola sturgeon was crystal clear about this. yes, this was a real— crystal clear about this. yes, this was a real set _ crystal clear about this. yes, this was a real set up _ crystal clear about this. yes, this was a real set up and _ crystal clear about this. yes, this was a real set up and listen - was a real set up and listen sobering moment in scotland today. those phrases, just to reiterate what you said there, a tsunami of infections, the infection running riot in communities across scotland. this is really taking us back to the dark days of the pandemic. and a really difficult moment for many people across scotland today. significant rules coming into force in terms of self isolation tomorrow, but another big form —— theme of that briefing was around work christmas parties. there are real concerns that there is work christmas parties could indeed lead to entire offices being wiped out. we heard of a number of significant rail services across scotland being taken out of action from the operator scot rail due to spread of the 0micron variant. a suggestion as well from that briefing thatjust one case of 0micron in a room full of around 100 people can lead to a further 70 cases potentially of this infection. it has led it has to be said to quite a number of people, significant numbers of people across scotland cancelling those christmas parties, despite the advice at this stage to just parties, despite the advice at this stage tojust defer parties, despite the advice at this stage to just defer those parties. many businesses have had a wave of cancellations today and they are really feeling the brunt of this as well. let'sjust be really feeling the brunt of this as well. let's just be clear though this is advice from the scottish government, there hasn't been a change in the law overnight, there hasn't been a change in the legislation. this is guidance, this is advice, but she did single out dinner dances in particular, those big tables of companies coming together that we see so much of at this time of the year. many people have been paying deposits for that. i think it will be down to the goodwill of companies to refund or to give credit notes to people who have shelled out money for those parties, and plans are of course changing at the last minute. this is a difficult moment. the cabinet are due to meet the scottish government, due to meet the scottish government, due to meet on tuesday, and then there will be a further update at holyrood on tuesday afternoon. a very difficult situation this afternoon.— very difficult situation this afternoon. ., ., , , ., afternoon. conor gillies in glasgow, thank ou afternoon. conor gillies in glasgow, thank you very _ afternoon. conor gillies in glasgow, thank you very much. _ afternoon. conor gillies in glasgow, thank you very much. edging - afternoon. conor gillies in glasgow, thank you very much. edging up - afternoon. conor gillies in glasgow, thank you very much. edging up to l thank you very much. edging up to half past. i do want to talk more about our main story tonight, of course, the inquestjury findings, course, the inquest jury findings, concluding course, the inquestjury findings, concluding that errors at the metropolitan police probably contributed to the deaths of three young men, who were murdered by the serial killer stephen port in east london. i've been promising we will talk to the police chief �*s council. i'm so sorry. let's talk to deputy police chief constable, stephanie jardine. she is also a deputy police chief constable at west midlands police. thank you forjoining us. i'm sorry, we've had trouble getting through to you but i am very interested to hear your thoughts on this case, and the damage it does to relations between the police and the lgbt plus community.— relations between the police and the lgbt plus community. thank you, yes, aood lgbt plus community. thank you, yes, good afternoon- _ lgbt plus community. thank you, yes, good afternoon. one _ lgbt plus community. thank you, yes, good afternoon. one thing _ lgbt plus community. thank you, yes, good afternoon. one thing i _ lgbt plus community. thank you, yes, good afternoon. one thing i would - good afternoon. one thing i would like to stress is that the metropolitan police have been very clear that the failings in this case were down to some very poor investigation by officers. they lacked a professional curiosity and there were a number of enquiry that weren't simply followed, and there is no suggestion that that had anything to do with the fact that the victims in this case were gay, and i think one of the very first things i want to say is that the families of anthony, gabriel, daniel and jack, we are thinking of them tonight and their friends and loved ones in what has been a truly horrific time for them. but clearly incidents like this do impact on the lgbt+ community, and we are working very hard to reassure that community and to learn the lessons from this case and from the results of the inquest today. case and from the results of the inquest today-— inquest today. you mention the families, the _ inquest today. you mention the families, the relatives - inquest today. you mention the families, the relatives of - inquest today. you mention the families, the relatives of one i inquest today. you mention the families, the relatives of one of the young men who died have said very clearly, we want the incompetent officers sacked. would you welcome that, is that how this has to go now, after such, so many mistakes? a catalogue of mistakes. well, it is not for me to comment on the investigation into the offices. that has been commented on by the metropolitan police, and that matter will be dealt with by them. and metropolitan police, and that matter will be dealt with by them. and when the solicitor representing _ will be dealt with by them. and when the solicitor representing a _ will be dealt with by them. and when the solicitor representing a lot - will be dealt with by them. and when the solicitor representing a lot of- the solicitor representing a lot of the solicitor representing a lot of the victims's families says we believe that, had these four people, found murdered within the space of not much more than a year in the same part of london, had they been young, white, heterosexual women, the investigation would have been handled differently? this i the investigation would have been handled differently?— the investigation would have been handled differently? as i say, there were clear failings _ handled differently? as i say, there were clear failings in _ handled differently? as i say, there were clear failings in this _ handled differently? as i say, there were clear failings in this case, - handled differently? as i say, there were clear failings in this case, in l were clear failings in this case, in the way all the cases were investigated. we have been quite clear that was driven by a lack of professionalism and investigative know—how from the officers but not because the victims were gay. gilli} know-how from the officers but not because the victims were gay. ghb of course was the _ because the victims were gay. ghb of course was the drug _ because the victims were gay. ghb of course was the drug that _ because the victims were gay. ghb of course was the drug that stephen - course was the drug that stephen port used to carry out his crimes, there were suggestions that there wasn't much awareness of it as a weapon, if you like, back in 2014-15. do weapon, if you like, back in 2014—15. do you find that credible, and crucially, do you think its use would have been picked up on today, that there is a much greater awareness and understanding of it today? i think there's been a huge amount of work done in that time, and there's a greater understanding of that being used as a weapon. and clearly, i would like to reassure people that matter is like that will be picked up and dealt with. vanessa, thank you very much. i'm sorry we don't have longer. thank you very much from the national police chief counsel. let's just pause because it's coming up to the weekend. we must take a look at the weather. there is a change on that way as we head into the weekend. 0ver that way as we head into the weekend. over the next couple of days, the feel of the weather will change quite drastically. it is going to turn a lot milder with that. there'll be a lot of cloud and outbreaks of rain at times. tonight, we still have the chilly air. clear skies for much of the night, allowing it to get really quite chilly. —5 or six in eastern scotland, but turning milder and western areas because of cloud will be thickening. we'll see outbreaks of rain, some wintry weather over high ground in scotland, but as this continues to work eastward through the day, western parts will turn significantly wilder. —— milder. but into sunday, most of us will feel the effects of that milder weather. some swatches of rain, some heavier rain pushing into parts of northern ireland and western scotland later in the day. really strong winds likely in the far northwest overnight on sunday night, but feeling much milderfor all of us. this is bbc news. i'm jane hill with the headlines. an inquestjury rules failings by the metropolitan police probably contributed to the deaths of three of the four young men murdered by serial killer stephen port in east london. new evidence shows that the omicron variant of coronavirus is growing much faster than the delta variant in england. nicola sturgeon warns a new wave of coronavirus is about to hit scotland, with the omicron variant likely to become the dominant cause of infections within days. two separate sources have told the bbc that the prime minister's director of comms jack doyle offered his resignation after his attendance at the christmas party was revealed. but borisjohnson would not accept it. time to catch up with the sport news. here'sjohn watson. england have dragged themselves back into the first ashes test after a much better day in brisbane. they still trail by 58 runs at the close on day three. travis head hit 152 in australia's first innings before they were bowled out for 425. in reply, england reached 220 for 2, withjoe root and dawid malan both closing in on centuries. here's our sports correspondent, joe wilson. brisbane — an expanding city. it will host the olympics. ashes cricket, let's remember, is a marathon. so england began the third day of this test is still trying to take australian wickets. 0ptimism and energy running on empty. ben stokes was quick enough to bowl. travis had was clear to that. thus stood the match. australia built a lead of 278. travis made 152, and all that was just the start. now england batted. rory burns, a touch from the glove, and that was him gone for 13. a glance off the bat, and he was outjust when he was settling in. but 20/21 has been a record—breaking year of run scoring forjoe root. the captain's 50 year was greeted by plenty of england found. dawid malan was passed 52. now, this was getting interesting. as the shadows lengthened the lead reduced. even came, root and malan remain. joe wilson, bbc news. it's the climax to the formula one season this weekend. the abu dhabi grand prix could be one for the ages. max verstappen and lewis hamilton level on points, verstappen only top by virtue of winning nine races to the reigning champions' eight. it's the briton who topped the timesheets in friday's second practice. he was more than half a second quicker than his title rival, which is a huge margin in formula one, although the dutchman was fastest in the morning session. remember, it's a straight shootout for the title between hamilton and verstappen, presuming that they finish in the points, whoever crosses the line first on sunday is world champion, or if neither car finishes, verstappen can take the title that way. andy murray has split with long—time coach jamie delgado. murray brought delgado into his team during the 2016 season when he won a second wimbledon title and finished the year as the world number one. former british davis cup player delgado took over as full—time coach in late 2017. murray has decided to give a trial to germanjan de witt, who has previously coached gael monfils, gilles simon and nikoloz basilashvili. ronnie 0'sullivan is looking to book a place in the semifinals of snookers scottish 0pen. he's up against china's li hang. it's currently three frames all. first to five wins. earlier, anthony mcgill survived a comeback from fellow scot stephen maguire to reach the last four. mcgill had never previously been beyond the second round of this tournamant, but took advantage of an error—prone performance from maguire to win five frames to three. one of the standout matches in the premier league this weekend is at anfield — liverpool welcoming back one of their favourite sons. it's steven gerrard's first return as an opposition manager when he takes his aston villa side there. he had 17 years as a liverpool player, and the current boss was asked whether he could see gerrard in the liverpool dugout one day. 0h, oh, yeah. yes, ithink, absolutely. the only problem is when is the right moment for that? similar story, so i think steve is doing really well. he's very young still. just when is the right moment to take thejob? how long just when is the right moment to take the job? how long you want to do it? it’s take the “ob? how long you want to do it? �* , ., ., , take the “ob? how long you want to doit? �*, ., ., do it? it's going to be fascinating, i'm sure. well, ahead of this weekend's premier league matches, there's lot�*s of concerns among managers about the number of covid cases affecting clubs. spurs the hardest hit, having to call off their trip to brighton on sunday. there are more details on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. but that is all the sport for now. see you then, john. thank you very much indeed. we have the film review coming up at a quarter to, but before that, that gives us a few minutes to talk about the latest in the world of british politics. and the continuing pressure on boris johnson. in the latest developmentjust in the past hour two separate sources have told the bbc that the downing street director of communications jack doyle offered the prime minister his resignation after his attendance at the christmas party was revealed. but sources have told us borisjohnson would not accept it. how much of this is westminster bubble and how much is now really cutting through to the public, and is therefore potentially damaging? let's discuss all of that. with me isjoe twyman, the co—founder and director of delta poll, a polling agency. and also, i'm joined byjo—anne nadler, political commentator and former adviser at conservative central office. welcome to both of you. joann, i want to start with you because of the development that jack doyle apparently offered his resignation, two separate sources telling the bbc that. if resignation, two separate sources telling the bbc that.— telling the bbc that. if that's true, telling the bbc that. if that's true. and — telling the bbc that. if that's true, and it's _ telling the bbc that. if that's true, and it's true _ telling the bbc that. if that's true, and it's true that - telling the bbc that. if that's true, and it's true that boris| true, and it's true that boris johnson hasn't exempted his red l mike resignation, people are going to be asking why was it that he felt comfortable accepting allegra stratton's resignation but not the resignation of the person who was in charge of the day—to—day communications in number ten? let's face it, he had not been consistent, clear and helpful. he seemed frankly very evasive for several days. i think people will raise all sorts of criticisms about the fact that this resignation hasn't been accepted, and ifind it somewhat resignation hasn't been accepted, and i find it somewhat baffling, resignation hasn't been accepted, and ifind it somewhat baffling, i have to say, myself. um? and i find it somewhat baffling, i have to say, myself.— have to say, myself. why would one erson have to say, myself. why would one person resigned _ have to say, myself. why would one person resigned and _ have to say, myself. why would one person resigned and one _ have to say, myself. why would one person resigned and one other - have to say, myself. why would one i person resigned and one other person offered to resign if there wasn't a party? offered to resign if there wasn't a .a 2 . offered to resign if there wasn't a .a ? . ., , , offered to resign if there wasn't a -a ? ~ ., , , , ., , offered to resign if there wasn't a party? well, in a sense, people have concluded that _ party? well, in a sense, people have concluded that there _ party? well, in a sense, people have concluded that there is _ party? well, in a sense, people have concluded that there is a _ party? well, in a sense, people have concluded that there is a party. - concluded that there is a party. people have concluded that even if there was it a party in any sense that was organised, relatively informally, nevertheless, broke the rules. the prime minister should have known about it, and there's been some degree of... ever since the mirror broke the story. i think it almost hardly matters any more rather there was a party or not. i think unfortunately, the totally inept way in which the communications have been handled over this has caused the damage regardless of exactly what the facts were and who did what were. so, i find it very surprising that the person responsible of this shouldn't be allowed to take responsibility for what's happened, and yet somebody who clearly was exposed in the video where we saw earlier in the video where we saw earlier in the week, did the right thing, has exited the scene. it does look as if she's the scapegoat. jae exited the scene. it does look as if she's the scapegoat.— she's the scapegoat. joe twyman, how much of this — she's the scapegoat. joe twyman, how much of this cutting _ she's the scapegoat. joe twyman, how much of this cutting through _ she's the scapegoat. joe twyman, how much of this cutting through with - much of this cutting through with the public? the much of this cutting through with the ublic? , , ., the public? the interesting question is what we mean _ the public? the interesting question is what we mean when _ the public? the interesting question is what we mean when we _ the public? the interesting question is what we mean when we say - the public? the interesting question. is what we mean when we say cutting through _ is what we mean when we say cutting through. pulled have shown the trend for over— through. pulled have shown the trend for over the _ through. pulled have shown the trend for over the last months at celebrating and labour pulling ahead as the _ celebrating and labour pulling ahead as the conservatives. the key question— as the conservatives. the key question is whether any of this actually— question is whether any of this actually matters at the moment. the short term _ actually matters at the moment. the short term effects of this particular incidence are probably going _ particular incidence are probably going to — particular incidence are probably going to be felt for a week or so, but then— going to be felt for a week or so, but then we may go back to normal. but the _ but then we may go back to normal. but the key— but then we may go back to normal. but the key question is whether the cumulative effects, notjust of this particular instance, but of everything we've seen recently — the issue _ everything we've seen recently — the issue of— everything we've seen recently — the issue of the — everything we've seen recently — the issue of the downing street renovations, going back to barnard castle _ renovations, going back to barnard castle - _ renovations, going back to barnard castle - if— renovations, going back to barnard castle — if we can see the cumulative effects all coming together, and creating a narrative in the _ together, and creating a narrative in the minds of many voters that the conservative government doesn't play fair, doesn't play by its own rules, and is _ fair, doesn't play by its own rules, and is genuinely dishonest, then that could — and is genuinely dishonest, then that could create a long—term problem _ that could create a long—term problem for the conservatives far beyond _ problem for the conservatives far beyond the difficulties they're facing — beyond the difficulties they're facing with the specific incidents. 0n facing with the specific incidents. on top _ facing with the specific incidents. on top of— facing with the specific incidents. on top of that, going into christmas, the government wants to be able _ christmas, the government wants to be able to— christmas, the government wants to be able to rely on coronavirus rules and potentially even lockdown depending on how things go with omicroh — depending on how things go with omicron. to have the public questioning how well the government itself sticks to those rules is not something anyone in downing street wants— something anyone in downing street wants to _ something anyone in downing street wants to do. and something anyone in downing street wants to do. �* . something anyone in downing street wants to do-— wants to do. and a quick thought about those _ wants to do. and a quick thought about those but _ wants to do. and a quick thought about those but a _ wants to do. and a quick thought about those but a buy, _ wants to do. and a quick thought about those but a buy, what - wants to do. and a quick thought| about those but a buy, what does history tell us about whether this could pay might play into people's voting attentions?— could pay might play into people's voting attentions? by-elections are very unusual. _ voting attentions? by-elections are very unusual, and _ voting attentions? by-elections are very unusual, and in _ voting attentions? by-elections are very unusual, and in this _ voting attentions? by-elections are very unusual, and in this previous l very unusual, and in this previous one, _ very unusual, and in this previous one. 1/60%~ — very unusual, and in this previous one, 1/60%. but that was owen patterson, _ one, 1/60%. but that was owen patterson, so we hear lots of rumours _ patterson, so we hear lots of rumours of the lib dems thinking they might be able to take it and labour— they might be able to take it and labour may be confident. it wouldn't be out _ labour may be confident. it wouldn't be out of _ labour may be confident. it wouldn't be out of the question given all the circumstances and where we are if the conservatives were to lose that. of course, _ the conservatives were to lose that. of course, it's very easy to over interpret — of course, it's very easy to over interpret. it's a long term trends that everyone in government should be most _ that everyone in government should be most concerned with, and labour should _ be most concerned with, and labour should look— be most concerned with, and labour should look to take the most opportunity. should look to take the most opportunity-— should look to take the most opportunity. should look to take the most o- ortuni ., ., �* . . should look to take the most ouortuni ~ ., ., opportunity. jo-anne nadler, a quick thou~ht on opportunity. jo-anne nadler, a quick thought on back _ opportunity. jo-anne nadler, a quick thought on back benches, _ opportunity. jo-anne nadler, a quick thought on back benches, because i thought on back benches, because they are the people who will have they are the people who will have the power to decide whether they feel the prime minister is still the correct person for the job. correct person for the 'ob. that's ri . ht. correct person for the 'ob. that's riuht. i correct person for the 'ob. that's right. hunt correct person for the 'ob. that's right. i think you _ correct person for the job. that's right. i think you don't _ correct person for the job. that's right. i think you don't have - correct person for the job. that's right. i think you don't have to i right. i think you don't have to have your ear that close to the ground to have picked up on the fact that backbenchers are very uneasy about all of us. many of them are lining up on twitter to say they're not going to vote with the government on tuesday. in a sense, as shocking and upsetting and dangerous to the government as this week has been in terms of communications, there is a much bigger issue here which is these extraordinarily draconian measures that the government is increasingly looking to bring in. borisjohnson mentioning fairly casually things like mandatory vaccination. i think these are making tory mps and members of the conservative party feel very uneasy.— members of the conservative party feel very uneasy. really interesting to talk to you _ feel very uneasy. really interesting to talk to you both. _ feel very uneasy. really interesting to talk to you both. jo-anne - feel very uneasy. really interestingj to talk to you both. jo-anne nadler to talk to you both. jo—anne nadler and joe twyman. film review coming up and joe twyman. film review coming up injust a moment. some quick news from bollywood. film stars katrina kaif and vicky kaushal have tied the knot at a 14th century fort in the northern state of rajasthan. close friends and family attended the ceremony. the couple are rumoured to have been dating since 2019, but their wedding pictures are the first official confirmation of their relationship. the headlines on bbc news... an inquestjury rules failings by the metropolitan police probably contributed to the deaths of three of the four young men murdered by serial killer stephen port in east london. new evidence shows that the omicron variant of coronavirus is growing much faster than the delta variant in england. two separate sources have told the bbc that the downing street's director of communications jack doyle offered his resignation after his attendance at the christmas party was revealed, but borisjohnson would not accept it. coming on bbc�*s, we will look to the decider as one of the... we'll have the details of england's ash is compact and hearfrom stephen girard.