hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. we'rejoined by the broadcaster and psychotherapist, lucy beresford. and joe twyman, director of the polling organisation, deltapoll. welcome to you both. let's take a quick look at tomorrow's front pages. the times says further coronavirus restrictions before christmas are unlikely but tougher measures are expected after. the telegraph calls it "confusion at christmas" as the cabinet blocks new coronavirus restrictions. the i says the prime minister and the chancellor blocked the introduction of restrictions before christmas. the ft says it was rishi sunak who lead the opposition for any more measures in england at today's marathon cabinet meeting. same story on the front page of the guardian — it says the cabinet are split on new restrictions — as covid cases rise in the uk. and the sun says "hold on to your baubles" — warning the prime minister could bring in restrictions at any moment. one person who has made a decision is the queen — the mirror leads on the news that she's decided to stay at windsor for christmas. and "raab�*s tailor made excuse" leads the metro — as thejustice secretary defends images of a downing street gathering in the garden of number 10 — saying everyone there were wearing suits. so, let's begin. lucy, joe, good to happy with us. we will start at the times. i get the sense, joe, that a lot of tomorrow's papers aren't really sure what was decided at cabinet and they are left trying to read the tea leaves. the times believes that christmas is probably safe, but that soon after, we are going to get a whole host of new restrictions. going to get a whole host of new restrictions-_ restrictions. yes, i think that's -robabl restrictions. yes, i think that's probably broadly _ restrictions. yes, i think that's probably broadly accurate, - restrictions. yes, i think that'si probably broadly accurate, and restrictions. yes, i think that's - probably broadly accurate, and your assessment that the papers really aren't sure is a reflection of, i think that's probably broadly accurate, and your assessment that the papers really aren't sure is a reflection of, i think, the real situation. we know that the government has been very keen to do clear precise messaging whether it's about getting brexit done or hands face space. when it comes to this christmas, it's been anything other than precise, this messaging. we are told the government cannot rule out or introducing rules come of it definitely doesn't want to do that. it's a reflection of the fact that the cabinet is divided, the conservative party in parliament is divided. actually, to a lesser extent, conservatives support is divided. of the country as a whole, the majority of adults support new rules and generally speaking, over the last two years, have aired on the last two years, have aired on the side of caution and i thought that government roles being introduced to late and don't go far enough. if restrictions are to be placed immediately after christmas, i imagine the assessment would be pretty similar this time around. from borisjohnson�*s plaintiff you commit to have to cancel one christmas would be regarded as misfortune, to have to cancel two would be seen as carelessness. lucy, the times points _ would be seen as carelessness. lucy, the times points out _ would be seen as carelessness. lucy, the times points out that _ would be seen as carelessness. lucy, the times points out that hospital admissions in london have doubled in just three weeks. that data clearly was presented to the cabinet today, but a number of them including jacob rees mod, the leader of the commons says they want definitive data, they want to see the data that probably won't appear until after christmas day. won't appear until after christmas da . , . ~ won't appear until after christmas da. ,. ~, won't appear until after christmas da. , day. yes, and i think actually this seaks day. yes, and i think actually this speaks to the _ day. yes, and i think actually this speaks to the idea _ day. yes, and i think actually this speaks to the idea of _ day. yes, and i think actually this speaks to the idea of what - day. yes, and i think actually this speaks to the idea of what data i speaks to the idea of what data do they want— speaks to the idea of what data do they want to see? because there is clinical_ they want to see? because there is clinical data, which as you say, might— clinical data, which as you say, might only— clinical data, which as you say, might only come on stream further down _ might only come on stream further down the _ might only come on stream further down the track, but there is also data _ down the track, but there is also data about — down the track, but there is also data about the economic impact of tightening restrictions and what would _ tightening restrictions and what would happen to society at large. i think— would happen to society at large. i think those voices within cabinet are now— think those voices within cabinet are now perhaps feeling braver about actually _ are now perhaps feeling braver about actually asserting themselves and saying _ actually asserting themselves and saying we cannotjust actually asserting themselves and saying we cannot just look at the pandemic— saying we cannot just look at the pandemic through the lens of the clinical_ pandemic through the lens of the clinical impact. we saw over the weekend — clinical impact. we saw over the weekend that there was some conversations admittedly on twitter where _ conversations admittedly on twitter where the — conversations admittedly on twitter where the professor talked about how the government have been asking sage to model_ the government have been asking sage to model certain outcomes. sage has modelled _ to model certain outcomes. sage has modelled those outcomes, but they have modelled other outcomes. i think— have modelled other outcomes. i think what's happening now as people are beginning to look in a more holistic— are beginning to look in a more holistic way at the impact of the pandemic. whereasjohnson holistic way at the impact of the pandemic. whereas johnson and holistic way at the impact of the pandemic. whereasjohnson and other members _ pandemic. whereasjohnson and other members of his cabinets are instinctively more liberal about this _ instinctively more liberal about this they— instinctively more liberal about this. they want to come as you pointed — this. they want to come as you pointed out, jacob reese mike saying perhaps— pointed out, jacob reese mike saying perhaps people should be making up their own _ perhaps people should be making up their own minds as to how they operate — their own minds as to how they operate in _ their own minds as to how they operate in light of not actually having — operate in light of not actually having any firm instruction from the government, but overall, what they don't _ government, but overall, what they don't want — government, but overall, what they don't want to do is to actually have the criticism that they cancel christmas twice, they don't want to be christmas twice, they don't want to he the _ christmas twice, they don't want to be the grinch that cancels christmas again. _ be the grinch that cancels christmas again. but— be the grinch that cancels christmas again, but they also recognise that there _ again, but they also recognise that there is— again, but they also recognise that there is clinical data, particularly within— there is clinical data, particularly within london where vaccination rates _ within london where vaccination rates are — within london where vaccination rates are arguably a little bit lower— rates are arguably a little bit lower than they could be, but they are very— lower than they could be, but they are very scared about having to put in place those restrictions and then have people, they are, you've done it again. _ have people, they are, you've done it again, you've cancelled christmas.— it again, you've cancelled christmas. . . ., christmas. the mail, much more confident that _ christmas. the mail, much more confident that christmas - christmas. the mail, much more confident that christmas is - christmas. the mail, much more confident that christmas is safe. | confident that christmas is safe. they say last night the prime minister opposed bringing anything and that would ruin christmas, that he would be the grinch again. that's the idea that ministers want the incontrovertible evidence on the variance and how severe it will be people where they impose any further restrictions. it also says a bit lower down that the prime minister knows, given what's happened in the last week, of course, the revolt in his own party and lord frost walking out, that he would need to consult parliament if there were new legal measures coming in. is he somewhat boxed in, do we think and at the moment? , ~ ., �* , moment? yes, i think that's right. he doesn't — moment? yes, i think that's right. he doesn't have _ moment? yes, i think that's right. he doesn't have the _ moment? yes, i think that's right. he doesn't have the political - he doesn't have the political capital he had a few weeks ago, let alone a few months ago. the public is turning on the conservatives, accelerating a trend that we have seen over the last few months. labour are now ahead in the polls. it could be that a narrative is developing around the conservatives that they don't play by the rules, they don't play fairly, and they cannot be trusted. now, if enough people, if that narrative starts to resonate with enough people, that could be damaging for conservatives and the longer term. so they are doing what they can to try to tread this difficult tide. the problem is that the prime minister has big beasts of the cabinet on both sides of the argument. sajid javid supporting the health arguments coming in behind them, medical experts, scientists and indeed the majority of the general public, then on the other side for me to have rishi sunak, they stress, and a large number of conservative backbencher and peas to take them if you like, the economic arguments. yes, of course it's more complicated than that. in terms of the prime minister's decision, he cannot be nuanced on this. you cannot introduce bits of the lockdown. with lockdown that she was locked down or you don't. this third way of, we cannot rule out lockdown, as time goes on, that gets more and more complicated, should lockdowns need to be introduced. of course, if the situation the virus really does degenerate significantly, then he may be left with no choice, and the last thing he wants to do is to promise not to cancel christmas only to then go back on his word. for promise not to cancel christmas only to then go back on his word.- to then go back on his word. for the second time. _ to then go back on his word. for the second time, because _ to then go back on his word. for the second time, because he _ to then go back on his word. for the second time, because he promisedl second time, because he promised that last year. the guardian does refer to that split. they also have some detail on what they think it's coming because there has been a certain amount of pitch rolling going on today. they think the measures under consideration include limits on household mixing indoors, social distancing and curfews for the hospitality sector. at times on that issue thinks they will be coming in, those restrictions, on december 28. they call it a two week circuit breaker. there is clearly discussion and breathing from downing street as to what might be in the pipeline. downing street as to what might be in the pipeline-— in the pipeline. yes, and when that breathin: in the pipeline. yes, and when that breathing has _ in the pipeline. yes, and when that breathing has taken _ in the pipeline. yes, and when that breathing has taken place, - in the pipeline. yes, and when that breathing has taken place, there i in the pipeline. yes, and when that. breathing has taken place, there has been referenced to step two, which is what _ been referenced to step two, which is what we — been referenced to step two, which is what we went through earlier this year in _ is what we went through earlier this year in april— is what we went through earlier this year in april to come out of that lockdown— year in april to come out of that lockdown that we had after christmas last year _ lockdown that we had after christmas last year. so what's people, but the breathing _ last year. so what's people, but the breathing is — last year. so what's people, but the breathing is trying to suggest as you know— breathing is trying to suggest as you know the kinds of rules that we have put— you know the kinds of rules that we have put in— you know the kinds of rules that we have put in place before. you seemed to accept— have put in place before. you seemed to accept those fairly willingly, so we are _ to accept those fairly willingly, so we are probably on the going to go that far— we are probably on the going to go that far again. i think it's an expectation management to give people _ expectation management to give people the impression that they've done it— people the impression that they've done it once, so it would be easy to done it once, so it would be easy to do it— done it once, so it would be easy to do it again. — done it once, so it would be easy to do it again, and it will only be for two weeks. the problem is that we have certainly heard those time frames— have certainly heard those time frames before where they have said we will _ frames before where they have said we will do something, we will implement it for a short period of time, _ implement it for a short period of time, but — implement it for a short period of time, but the new data comes about and they— time, but the new data comes about and they were that and we discover that we _ and they were that and we discover that we are — and they were that and we discover that we are in a period of time of restriction — that we are in a period of time of restriction which lasts for longer. ithink— restriction which lasts for longer. i think it's — restriction which lasts for longer. i think it's this muddled messaging, this lack— i think it's this muddled messaging, this lack of— i think it's this muddled messaging, this lack of clarity that is becoming really frankly draining for the nation — becoming really frankly draining for the nation. we are on a state of alert— the nation. we are on a state of alert all— the nation. we are on a state of alert all the time, and in the human body— alert all the time, and in the human body isn't _ alert all the time, and in the human body isn't really designed to operate at that level. that's why that is _ operate at that level. that's why that is sloshing ranger system in a fi-ht that is sloshing ranger system in a fight or flight scenario, but if you have it _ fight or flight scenario, but if you have it every day, week after week, month— have it every day, week after week, month after— have it every day, week after week, month after month, it begins to pull the nation _ month after month, it begins to pull the nation down. in terms of getting the nation down. in terms of getting the nation _ the nation down. in terms of getting the nation behind you, yes, i think joe is _ the nation behind you, yes, i think joe is right, — the nation behind you, yes, i think joe is right, instinctively, people are more — joe is right, instinctively, people are more inclined to air on the side of caution — are more inclined to air on the side of caution. people are also very weary~ — of caution. people are also very weary~ i— of caution. people are also very weary. i think the impact of, certainly— weary. i think the impact of, certainly the photographs of the parties — certainly the photographs of the parties has really intensified people's questioning as to whether they can _ people's questioning as to whether they can really be bothered to follow — they can really be bothered to follow the rules if they are implemented next week. christmas limbo sa s implemented next week. christmas limbo says the _ implemented next week. christmas limbo says the sun, _ implemented next week. christmas limbo says the sun, the _ implemented next week. christmas limbo says the sun, the prime - limbo says the sun, the prime minister as santos little elf at the top of the tray. hold onto your bibles is the headline, which is really what a lots of people and hospitality trade must feel like at the moment. the daily telegraph confusion at christmas, that is what they refer to. they quote, joe, the tory backbencher who says that she has had all sorts of calls from her constituents in recent days, pubs, restaurants contacted me asking if they should place orders, people asking if they should postpone their weddings. of course, this is the issue. when there is confusion, what do people and hospitality do? do they make orders for drink has meant that any forfood? they make orders for drink has meant that any for food? can you plan a wedding when you don't know what is happening one week to the next? the im act happening one week to the next? tie: impact on happening one week to the next? t'te: impact on the happening one week to the next? tte: impact on the hospitality happening one week to the next? t'te: impact on the hospitality industry will be enormous and has been enormous. he talked about ordering food and drink, for the christmas period, you need to do that many months in advance. so all of these things will be in place, many will have been spent on these bookings, only for them to be cancelled. for as long as the government says, well, we are not actually locking down, we are not actually ruling out parties and gatherings and things, then they are stuck in limbo. i think the chancellor will inevitably have to look at some sort of funding for the sector to avoid a great deal of difficulty over the next few weeks and months. at exactly what form that takes remains to be seen, and there is continued ambiguity which is not good for customers or suppliers. the which is not good for customers or su liers. . . ., which is not good for customers or su liers. ., . ., ., , suppliers. the chancellor who is credited with _ suppliers. the chancellor who is credited with pushing _ suppliers. the chancellor who is credited with pushing back - suppliers. the chancellor who is credited with pushing back on i suppliers. the chancellor who is l credited with pushing back on the new restrictions is of course the man that will have to make the finance of the citizens, lucy, ministry saying that if you are going to impose these restrictions can a have to take into account the economic impact of that and what sort of support will be given to the hospitality sector? does the fact that the chancellor has been pushing back on that suggest that he is reticent to do that? is he concerned about more debt being added to the pile we have already run up? t about more debt being added to the pile we have already run up? i thank ou are pile we have already run up? i thank you are right — pile we have already run up? i thank you are right if— pile we have already run up? i thank you are right if think _ pile we have already run up? i thank you are right if think that _ pile we have already run up? i thank you are right if think that is - pile we have already run up? i thank you are right if think that is what - you are right if think that is what it speaks— you are right if think that is what it speaks to completely. this idea that we _ it speaks to completely. this idea that we have had fewer tax receipts coming _ that we have had fewer tax receipts coming in. — that we have had fewer tax receipts coming in, so that pot of money for distribution— coming in, so that pot of money for distribution is reduced. at the same time, _ distribution is reduced. at the same time, there — distribution is reduced. at the same time, there is almost a moral duty if you _ time, there is almost a moral duty if you are — time, there is almost a moral duty if you are putting industries in a position where they are not going to be able _ position where they are not going to be able to— position where they are not going to be able to survive because of the restrictions he placed as a government or because you are not putting — government or because you are not putting restrictions in place and there _ putting restrictions in place and there is— putting restrictions in place and there is a — putting restrictions in place and there is a lack of clarity, then to some _ there is a lack of clarity, then to some extent, rishi sunak is aware, as someone — some extent, rishi sunak is aware, as someone who comes from the financial— as someone who comes from the financial services sector himself, he completely understands how these industries _ he completely understands how these industries needed to be kept afloat. ithink— industries needed to be kept afloat. i think there is also some dimension to this, _ i think there is also some dimension to this, which is we have touched on earlier— to this, which is we have touched on earlier in this — to this, which is we have touched on earlier in this session about the bil earlier in this session about the big beasts— earlier in this session about the big beasts around borisjohnson earlier in this session about the big beasts around boris johnson who will be _ big beasts around boris johnson who will be jockeying for position in terms — will be jockeying for position in terms of— will be jockeying for position in terms of what may happen over the next few _ terms of what may happen over the next few months where boris johnson to be more _ next few months where boris johnson to be more wounded than he currently appears _ to be more wounded than he currently appears to— to be more wounded than he currently appears to be, and therefore for someone — appears to be, and therefore for someone like rishi sunak to be really— someone like rishi sunak to be really pushing back on the lockdown restrictions is partly from his own brief, _ restrictions is partly from his own brief, but — restrictions is partly from his own brief, but also perhaps with one eye to the _ brief, but also perhaps with one eye to the future in terms of which side of the _ to the future in terms of which side of the conservative party he is going — of the conservative party he is going to — of the conservative party he is going to court. by of the conservative party he is going to court-— going to court. by no means scientific. — going to court. by no means scientific, joe, _ going to court. by no means scientific, joe, but _ going to court. by no means scientific, joe, but there - going to court. by no means scientific, joe, but there is l going to court. by no meansj scientific, joe, but there is a viral clip going around on twitter tonight of the darts championship here in london, and the crowd are standing up in unison saying stand up standing up in unison saying stand up if you hate boris. that'sjust one cross—section, but on the back of north shropshire, the crowd who appeared to have turned behind borisjohnson, and wonder that big beasts are thinking, come the new year, we need to get our ducks in a row, maybe we need to decide now where we are going to position ourselves uncoated. that is what is going on. the position ourselves uncoated. that is what is going on-— what is going on. the situation has chanced what is going on. the situation has changed dramatically _ what is going on. the situation has changed dramatically over- what is going on. the situation has changed dramatically over the - what is going on. the situation has changed dramatically over the last| changed dramatically over the last 12 months. a real roller coaster and public opinion terms. the vaccine roll—out was hugely successful in public opinion terms and really boosted the conservatives position. for the last two years commitment�*s position in the puls and indeed part two boris johnson's position in the puls and indeed part two borisjohnson's own ratings have correlated very closely with whether the public perceives that the public is doing a good or bad job when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. they know that uncertainty, difficulty in backtracking, all sorts of appropriate positioning, shall be shaken around parties and rules, really doesn't help while people's mind is still focused on covid—i9. they will be hoping to get through the christmas period and out the other side as unscathed as possible to minimise the skating, shall we say that has gone on in the hope that they will be able to rebuild and the new year. but there is no guarantee that that kind of recovery will be possible. by, is no guarantee that that kind of recovery will be possible. a person lu , we recovery will be possible. a person lucy. we always — recovery will be possible. a person lucy, we always turn _ recovery will be possible. a person lucy, we always turn to _ recovery will be possible. a person lucy, we always turn to in - recovery will be possible. a person lucy, we always turn to in times i recovery will be possible. a person lucy, we always turn to in times of national uncertainty is the queen. she is ignoring what's going on at downing street and taken her own decision, she will stay put at windsor, which is sensible advice, let's face it, for any 95—year—old woman. let's face it, for any 95-year-old woman. �* , let's face it, for any 95-year-old woman. , , let's face it, for any 95-year-old woman. 2, ,, ., . let's face it, for any 95-year-old woman. ,, ., . ., woman. it's sensible advice for most of us, woman. it's sensible advice for most of us. actually- _ woman. it's sensible advice for most of us, actually. gas, _ woman. it's sensible advice for most of us, actually. gas, not— woman. it's sensible advice for most of us, actually. gas, notjust - of us, actually. gas, not 'ust 95-year-old i of us, actually. gas, not 'ust 95-year-old women. i of us, actually. gas, notjust - 95-year-old women. stay-at-home. i 95—year—old women. stay—at—home. i think it's the contrast between her clarity— think it's the contrast between her clarity and — think it's the contrast between her clarity and her decision—making which _ clarity and her decision—making which is, — clarity and her decision—making which is, unfortunately, in stark contrast— which is, unfortunately, in stark contrast what has happened today with the _ contrast what has happened today with the cabinet meeting that to some _ with the cabinet meeting that to some extent lead to expectations that there would be some form of an announcement and that it was an announcement and that it was an announcement about nothing, really, so you've _ announcement about nothing, really, so you've got those two pillars of british— so you've got those two pillars of british society, the monarchy and the government, and one particular pillar— the government, and one particular pillarjust_ the government, and one particular pillarjust has that typically steadfast approach of no nonsense, make _ steadfast approach of no nonsense, make a _ steadfast approach of no nonsense, make a decision, no fuss, and the other— make a decision, no fuss, and the other where — make a decision, no fuss, and the other where there just seems to be so much _ other where there just seems to be so much chaos and so much confusion around _ so much chaos and so much confusion around it _ so much chaos and so much confusion around it you — so much chaos and so much confusion around it. you are absolutely right. in around it. you are absolutely right. in times _ around it. you are absolutely right. in times of— around it. you are absolutely right. in times of uncertainty, we do all tend _ in times of uncertainty, we do all tend to _ in times of uncertainty, we do all tend to gravitate to the things, the people. _ tend to gravitate to the things, the people, the institutions that we trust _ people, the institutions that we trust it's— people, the institutions that we trust. it's perhaps one more argument — trust. it's perhaps one more argument in favour of the monarchy. it's probably, for a lot of people, tinged with a bit of sadness because we know the queen liked to gather the family in sandringham, of course, she is without prince philip this christmas, and also it reminds us that she is getting older and it's getting more difficult. yes. it's getting more difficult. yes, that's true. _ it's getting more difficult. yes, that's true, and _ it's getting more difficult. yes, that's true, and i _ it's getting more difficult. yes, that's true, and i think - it's getting more difficult. yes, that's true, and i think this - it's getting more difficult. yes, that's true, and i think this will be reflected across the country for many people who have elderly relatives who look to the queen and see similar strays for their own family, for people who feel that on balance, it's best to be safe than sorry and stay at home, stay local, minimise your contact. that is particularly difficult for anyone who has lost someone in the last 12 months, someone close to them, as the queen indeed has. you months, someone close to them, as the queen indeed has.— months, someone close to them, as the queen indeed has. you know who should have — the queen indeed has. you know who should have stayed _ the queen indeed has. you know who should have stayed at _ the queen indeed has. you know who should have stayed at home - the queen indeed has. you know who should have stayed at home in - the queen indeed has. you know who j should have stayed at home in recent weeks? that travelling away fans. the travelling away fans who many have been to primarily games that have been to primarily games that have been to primarily games that have been cancelled with two hours to go to kick off, and it's caused an awful lot of frustration in football around the country. such that the premier they came to get together today, they have decided they are going to play on. i should think so as well. they are going to scrap that they can't replace to help save their premier league season, so third and fourth round ties will not go to extra time and penalties, which will heighten the excitement in the fa cup. at such a busy time for the primary. is that the right decision, do you think? t the right decision, do you think? i think it's difficult, i think it's a difficult call because a lot of it is still, the impact of the virus is still unknown, so the announcement has been made, if you have 13 fit players in your squad and a goalkeeper, then you have to play. but of course, that could look very different from a full—strength side. so under what circumstances with those otherwise be cancelled? and should fans be in full strength, or should fans be in full strength, or should it be played behind closed doors? there's lots of options here that i think probably will be explored further down the line. this is really about sending a message that business is not quite as usual, businesses are carrying on. and with so many fixtures to get through over the christmas period, it would've created a huge issue, had that not been the case. but the covid developments and virus infection rates may still make the decision more difficult for the primarily get the next few days.— more difficult for the primarily get the next few days. staying with that s-uortin the next few days. staying with that sporting theme. _ the next few days. staying with that sporting theme, back _ the next few days. staying with that sporting theme, back to _ the next few days. staying with that sporting theme, back to the - sporting theme, back to the daily telegraph and remind you of the map cartoon. a group of scientists all sitting around a table. we did some modelling on possible outcomes in the test cricket, set one, the result was even worse than we predicted. the england team losing the second test 2—0 down in the series. let's turn quickly to the front page of the metro. the deputy prime minister's excuse for that garden party that was in the guardian yesterday, raab's tailor—made excuse. we weren't breaking lockdown risk because we were in suits. one of our viewers was watching at 10:30pm and said could you correct the record, because actually they are not all incidents. hardly any of them are in suits. that's part of the problem. yes, but they are in suits, office attire. _ yes, but they are in suits, office attire. and — yes, but they are in suits, office attire, and they have taken their jackets — attire, and they have taken their jackets. it's a may bank holiday sort _ jackets. it's a may bank holiday sort of — jackets. it's a may bank holiday sort of feel, isn't it? and it was very— sort of feel, isn't it? and it was very hot — sort of feel, isn't it? and it was very hot. don't forget that was unbelievably warm, unseasonably warm, _ unbelievably warm, unseasonably warm, i_ unbelievably warm, unseasonably warm, i think it was, in that particular— warm, i think it was, in that particular first lockdown, which as arguably— particular first lockdown, which as arguably the only thing that made it bearable _ arguably the only thing that made it bearable. the idea that dominic raab did the _ bearable. the idea that dominic raab did the media today to actually justify— did the media today to actually justify that particular photo by arguing — justify that particular photo by arguing that by definition, it had to be _ arguing that by definition, it had to be a _ arguing that by definition, it had to be a meeting because everyone was in suits. _ to be a meeting because everyone was in suits, which my understanding of work, _ in suits, which my understanding of work, dresser, you can wear a suit and all— work, dresser, you can wear a suit and all sorts — work, dresser, you can wear a suit and all sorts of other occasions and not least _ and all sorts of other occasions and not least at — and all sorts of other occasions and not least at weddings, funerals or, you know, very smart parties. it seemed — you know, very smart parties. it seemed incredibly illogical for him to say _ seemed incredibly illogical for him to say it�*s — seemed incredibly illogical for him to sa. 3 ., seemed incredibly illogical for him tosa. �*, ., to say. it's not tapping the prime minister. both of you, lovely to have your company this evening. thank you very much indeed. that is it for the papers tonight. thank you very much for watching. good evening. i'm chetan pathak with your latest sports news. premier league and efl clubs have chosen today to fulfil their festive fixtures despite ongoing covid—i9 disruption. there were a record 90 positive tests last week in the top flight with six games postponed at the weekend. matches in the efl and women's super league were impacted too. premier league clubs have been advised if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games. no vote took place today so matches will go ahead as scheduled. to try and ease the backlog of fixtures, fa cup replays in rounds three and four have been scrapped. the efl�*s confirmed that football league and carabao cup games will go ahead where it's safe to do so. the premier league's released it's vaccination figures for players. 77% have had two covid vaccination jabs. 84% have had one. in the efl a quarter of players say they don't intend to be vaccinated. today the england manager gareth southgate was asked what he'd say to players wondering whether to get vaccinated. i think everybody has that responsibility. we are notjust looking after ourselves, we are looking after other people and, actually, all of the restrictions and all of the devastation to health and the economy, down to the fact that we won't get clear unless the numbers are high. the league is a little bit complicated because we've got players who are fully vaccinated have also still caught the virus. so we know that is a complex situation for them, which games to play and which not. in the end, everybody has to pull together to get through something like this. tottenham are out of the europa conference league after uefa confirmed their postponed match against rennes earlier this month must be forfeited. the game was due to be played in london on december the 9th, but was called off after a covid—i9 outbreak in the tottenham squad. spurs say they're disappointed by the ruling of the uefa appeals body and its refusal to allow more time for the match to be rescheduled." rennes have been awarded a 3—nil win meaning spurs fail to qualify for the knockout rounds. staying with european footbal, we've had the draw for the women's champions league quarterfinals. arsenal will face wolfsburg. the winner of the two legged tie will be in a semi—final against defending champions barcelona or real madrid. the full draw is on the bbc sport website. shaun maloney is the new hibernian manager. the former celtic and scotland player's signed a three—and—a—half—year deal. he's left his his role as belgium's assistant coach to replace jack ross and take on his first managerialjob. his first game in charge will be at home to aberdeen in the league on wednesday. hibs lost the scottish league cup final against celtic yestersday and are seventh in the premiership. there was one game in the championship this evening, as the leaders fulham were beaten at home by sheffield united. and what a goal it was to win it — in the third minute — iliman n—jye's brilliant solo effort earning all three points for the visitors. that's four wins in a row for paul heckingbottom's side who are up to 11th. fulham are without a win in 5 games but they're still two points ahead of second place bournemouth. captainjoe root says england have to learn from their mistakes — after they slumped to another heavy defeat in the ashes. they were bowled out for 192 on the final day of the second test in adelaide. australia winning by 275 runs to go 2—up in the series ahead of the boxing day test in melbourne. patrick gearey reports. too good, 2—0. australia may be missing their captain and the best bowler in the world, england couldn't further inconvenience them. their aim had been to make the aussies ran out of time. olly pope got there less than ten minutes, five wickets left. the biggest of them was ben stokes, so australia's fielders made an enclosure around ten and sent in a lion. oh, that was very close. nathan lion thought he had an lbw, the umpire didn't. australia reviewed, then rejoiced. england reset. chris wokes made a defiant 44, joss buttler, a natural cavalier relied on his shield. no wicket fell for more than two and half hours. say it quietly — maybe. but english optimism on this tour is no sooner formed than shattered. the end of wokes, and ultimately hope. england dragged this into the evening, still there, joss buttler, the adelaide barricade, for so long, he hardly put a foot until... ..watch the lights on the bales hit wicket, the last in a series of backward steps. england's day five fight was too little too late. australia win the test match. they go up 2—0 in the ashes. ijust leave it to the last day and expect to pull off an enormous feat, which is what it would have been today, but the disappointing thing about this week is that we need the same mistakes as last week. we just cannot afford to do that. it's 4,000 days since they last won a test in australia to regain the ashes, they must now win three in a row. patrick geary, bbc news. and in tennis, rafa nadal has tested positive for covid—i9 after making his comeback from injury in an exhibition event in abu dhabi last week. the 20 time grand slam champion returned the positive test on arrival back in spain. he said he's having "some unpleasant moments but hopes to improve little by little." nadal�*s not played a tour event since august. the australian open begins in melbourne in four weeks. and that's all the sport for now. from me and the team here, goodnight. hello there. it's been a cloudy and chilly start to the week. things will change. some frost, some packets of frost across western parts of england and wales. these areas should see sunshine at times. mark further east across england. so that blanket of cloud for northern ireland, sevens, and can it will push its way into the central belt making it feel chilly here. a file to showers in the far north of scotland. these are the far north of scotland. these are the temperature is similar to what we had on monday. a near normal, really, for this time of the year. the weather starts to change because high—pressure that's kept it quiet for so long is moving away. instead, a big low in the atlantic and around it we will put some brands of rain. we start with a wide spread frost on wednesday,. that's going to push bands of rain our way. but we start wednesday with a widespread frost in scotland, england and wales. some early sunshine, but it clouds over from the west. the wind starts to pick up. we've got this band of rain mainly affecting northern ireland, pushing into wales and southwest england and then into parts for most, rather chilly. welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines: the omicron variant sweeps across the united states with lightning speed — now accounting for three quarters of new infections in the country. the world health organization warns that the latest covid variant is very good at evading immunity. it's more likely that people who have been vaccinated or have recovered from covid—i9 could be infected or reinfected. "a predator who knew exactly what she was doing" — the prosecution in the ghislaine maxwell trial sums up its case. and the chinese tennis star peng shuai appears to have retracted her claim of sexual assault, as concerns persist around her wellbeing.