that's it from me. now on bbc news, it's time for review 2021, the year in politics. from the battle against the coronavirus pandemic to the fight to slow climate change, and some of the political controversies of the year, our political correspondent helen catt looks at the stories behind the headlines. three, two, one! big ben chimes. 2021 was another extraordinary year in politics. the uk stopped following eu trading rules. the biggest vaccination programme the country has ever seen was rolled out. but we all spent months in lockdown while it happened. events in afghanistan tested british foreign policy. have you lied to the public, prime minister? at home, accusations of sleaze and rule breaking tested boris johnson's authority. disrupt this meeting. a woman named jackie weaver shot to fame for exhorting hers. you have no authority here, jackie weaver, no authority at all. 2021 started fresh off the back of a christmas that had been cancelled, virtually at the last minute, for millions of people. nobody quite knew what the new year would bring. apart from one thing. one hour before the end of 2020, midnight in europe, the brexit transition period came to an end. the uk's relationship with the eu was now governed by the terms of a deal finally reached just a week earlier on christmas eve. this is an amazing moment for this country. we have our freedom in our hands. and it is up to us to make the most of it. the deal allowed trade to continue, tariff—free, but there were problems. a row would develop over fishing licences, causing a rift between the uk and france. problems soon emerged with the arrangements for northern ireland. there were supply issues in supermarkets and suggestions that both the eu and the uk could trigger a clause that would rip up the agreement. a solution still hadn't been found by the end of the year when it became liz truss�*s problem, after lord frost, who had been leading the negotiations for the uk quit the government. we have never disagreed in any way about brexit policy, right up to the last day we've been absolutely aligned on that and liz truss and chris heaton harris i'm sure are going to do a greatjob. i left the government because as i think is well—known, i couldn't support certain policies, most recently on the covid restrictions and plan b. dealing with covid dominated 202i. january had brought another full lockdown which lasted until march in england, with many restrictions in place untiljuly and even beyond then in scotland, wales and northern ireland. across the country a massive effort continued to get everyone over 50 vaccinated by the spring. meanwhile in cheshire... you have no authority here, jackie weaver. will you please let the chairman... a tense virtual meeting of handforth parish council went, well, viral. you have no authority here, jackie weaver. no authority at all. in february, borisjohnson got a hard time over soft furnishings. it emerged a tory donor had initially covered the costs of a pricey refurbishment of his flat in downing street before the prime minister himself paid. the independent adviser on ministers�* interests lord geidt investigated. he said borisjohnson had acted unwisely but he hadn't broken the ministerial code. the issue would return, though, late in the year. wallpaper—gate, as it became known, was among the first of a series of stories that snowballed over the course of 2021 to take in donations, lobbying, how political influence is acquired. the opposition soon had a name for it. sleaze. a former prime minister, david cameron, found himself at the centre of a row about lobbying after he whatsapped ministers on behalf of his new employer, greensill capital. this is a painful day. nothing i did was in breach of the rules but on the wider test of what is appropriate, as i've said previously, it would be better to use only the most formal means of contact, via a letter. scottish politics was transfixed by a bitter row between two snp first ministers, nicola sturgeon and her predecessor, alex salmond. mr salmond accused his former protege of breaking the ministerial code in how she handled allegations against him but she was cleared by the independent adviser. a new political force, the alba party... mr salmond set up a new party, but it failed to win a single seat in may's elections. while the uk stayed under covid restrictions, elections were held notjust in restrictions, elections were held notjust in scotland restrictions, elections were held notjust in scotland but restrictions, elections were held notjust in scotland but in restrictions, elections were held notjust in scotland but in wales and across many parts of england. this guy looks like... the and across many parts of england. this guy looks like. . ._ this guy looks like... the tories sou~ht this guy looks like... the tories sought to _ this guy looks like... the tories sought to victory _ this guy looks like... the tories sought to victory in _ this guy looks like... the tories sought to victory in a _ this guy looks like... the tories | sought to victory in a by-election sought to victory in a by—election in the traditionally labour held seat of hartlepool. it’s in the traditionally labour held seat of hartlepool.— in the traditionally labour held seat of hartlepool. it's a mandate for us to continue _ seat of hartlepool. it's a mandate for us to continue to _ seat of hartlepool. it's a mandate for us to continue to deliver, - seat of hartlepool. it's a mandate for us to continue to deliver, notl for us to continue to deliver, not just for the people of hartlepool, notjust just for the people of hartlepool, not just the just for the people of hartlepool, notjust the people of just for the people of hartlepool, not just the people of the north—east but across the whole of the country. i north-east but across the whole of the country-— the country. i take full responsibility - the country. i take full responsibility for - the country. i take full responsibility for the l the country. i take full - responsibility for the result and the country. i take full _ responsibility for the result and i will take — responsibility for the result and i will take full responsibility for fixing — will take full responsibility for fixing things. we have changed as a party— fixing things. we have changed as a party but _ fixing things. we have changed as a party but we haven't set out a strong — party but we haven't set out a strong enough case to the country. brighter— strong enough case to the country. brighter news for the party in west yorkshire where tracy brabin was elected mayor. two months later, kim leadbetter won her batley and spen seat previously held by her sister, jo cox. the conservatives won mayor races in deeside and the west midlands but injune the lib dems inflicted a shock defeat in what had become known as the tories's blue wall, see what they did there, in the chesham and amersham by—election. the chesham and amersham by-election-_ the chesham and amersham by-election-— the chesham and amersham b -election. , �* ., ., , by-election. this wasn't another lib dems by-election _ by-election. this wasn't another lib dems by-election victory, _ by-election. this wasn't another lib dems by-election victory, it - by-election. this wasn't another lib dems by-election victory, it was - by-election. this wasn't another lib| dems by-election victory, it was our dems by—election victory, it was our best ever and on the swing we achieved, dozens of conservative seats would fault of the liberal democrats in the next election. in democrats in the next election. in scottish parliament elections the snp emerged as the big winners with what they saw as a fresh mandate for a new referendum. we what they saw as a fresh mandate for a new referendum.— a new referendum. we won the election on _ a new referendum. we won the election on a — a new referendum. we won the election on a commitment - a new referendum. we won the election on a commitment for. a new referendum. we won the election on a commitment for a referendum when we're the crisis. we won the election overwhelmingly and in any normal democracy that would be respected. in in any normal democracy that would be resoeeted-_ be respected. in wales, labour remained _ be respected. in wales, labour remained in — be respected. in wales, labour remained in charge, _ be respected. in wales, labour remained in charge, agreeing l be respected. in wales, labour remained in charge, agreeing a co—operation deal with plaid cymru. a pleasure to have the opportunity to sign formerly the agreement between our two parties. this to sign formerly the agreement between our two parties. as northern ireland celebrated _ between our two parties. as northern ireland celebrated its _ between our two parties. as northern ireland celebrated its centenary - ireland celebrated its centenary year, arlene foster stepped down as the leader of the dup. did year, arlene foster stepped down as the leader of the dup.— the leader of the dup. did you face a motion of — the leader of the dup. did you face a motion of no _ the leader of the dup. did you face a motion of no confidence? - the leader of the dup. did you face a motion of no confidence? are - the leader of the dup. did you face | a motion of no confidence? are you still the leader? her a motion of no confidence? are you still the leader?— still the leader? her successor edwin coutts _ still the leader? her successor edwin coutts lasted _ still the leader? her successor edwin coutts lasted just - still the leader? her successor edwin coutts lasted just 21 - still the leader? her successor i edwin coutts lasted just 21 days. then the mp sirjeffrey donaldson took over. in may, dominic cummings, who quit as a number ten aid in late 2020, made an explosive return to the headlines. in a marathon session at a parliamentary committee looking into the pandemic the prime minister's former adviser accused his old boss of a list of a series of failures. he his old boss of a list of a series of failures-_ his old boss of a list of a series of failures. he described it as a swine flu- _ of failures. he described it as a swine flu. did _ of failures. he described it as a swine flu. did you _ of failures. he described it as a swine flu. did you say - of failures. he described it as a swine flu. did you say it - of failures. he described it as a | swine flu. did you say it wasn't? certainly but _ swine flu. did you say it wasn't? certainly but the _ swine flu. did you say it wasn't? certainly but the view _ swine flu. did you say it wasn't? certainly but the view of - swine flu. did you say it wasn't? certainly but the view of various| certainly but the view of various officials inside number ten was that if we have the prime minister chairing cobra meetings and hejust tells everyone it is swine flu, don't worry, it's only chris whitty going on tv with coronavirus... the rhetoric was putting a shield around care homes, it was complete nonsense. quite the opposite, we sent people with covid back to the care homes. did sent people with covid back to the care homes-_ sent people with covid back to the care homes. did you hear him say, let the bodies _ care homes. did you hear him say, let the bodies pile _ care homes. did you hear him say, let the bodies pile high _ care homes. did you hear him say, let the bodies pile high in - care homes. did you hear him say, let the bodies pile high in their- let the bodies pile high in their thousands or it's only killing 80—year—oldss i heard that in the prime _ 80—year—oldss i heard that in the prime minister's study. 80-year-oldss i heard that in the prime minister's study.- prime minister's study. downing street denied _ prime minister's study. downing street denied that _ prime minister's study. downing street denied that he _ prime minister's study. downing street denied that he had - prime minister's study. downing street denied that he had said . prime minister's study. downing | street denied that he had said let the bodies piled high and said that they tried to minimise a loss of life. injune, a chance to cool off. the prime minister hosted leaders of the g7 nations at a summit in cornwall. meeting the new us president in person for the first time. i president in person for the first time. ., , �* president in person for the first time. .,, �* ., time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about _ time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. _ time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i _ time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i felt - time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i felt a - time. i felt it wasn't about me, it i was about america. i felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm, that america was back at the table and fully engaged. was back at the table and fully enuuaed. a ~ ~ was back at the table and fully enuuaed. ~ , , was back at the table and fully enauaed. . , , . was back at the table and fully ennaed. . , , ., engaged. back in westminster, a good old-fashioned — engaged. back in westminster, a good old-fashioned tabloid _ engaged. back in westminster, a good old-fashioned tabloid scoop _ engaged. back in westminster, a good old-fashioned tabloid scoop by - engaged. back in westminster, a good old-fashioned tabloid scoop by the - old—fashioned tabloid scoop by the sun was about to bring the career of one of the government's most prominent cabinet ministers to a swift end. the health secretary matt hancock was pictured kissing his aide, gina collard angelo in his office, breaking social distancing rules. i office, breaking social distancing rules. , . office, breaking social distancing rules. ., ., , rules. i understand the enormous sacrifices that _ rules. i understand the enormous sacrifices that everybody - rules. i understand the enormous sacrifices that everybody in - rules. i understand the enormous sacrifices that everybody in this i sacrifices that everybody in this country has made, that you have made, and those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them and that's why i've got to resign. he was replaced by sajid javid the next day. was replaced by said javid the next da . ., ., ., day. five, four, three, two, one... b the day. five, four, three, two, one... by the end — day. five, four, three, two, one... by the end of— day. five, four, three, two, one... by the end ofjuly _ day. five, four, three, two, one... by the end ofjuly england - day. five, four, three, two, one... by the end ofjuly england had - by the end ofjuly england had lifted all remaining covid restrictions and the vaccination programme had offered a jab to all adults in the uk. in scotland northern ireland and wales, some measures stayed in place. this measures stayed in place. is everybody happy? measures stayed in place. as everybody happy? in - measures stayed in place. as everybody happy? in july, - measures stayed in place. as i everybody happy? in july, guess measures stayed in place. as - everybody happy? in july, guess who was back in the _ everybody happy? in july, guess who was back in the spotlight _ everybody happy? in july, guess who was back in the spotlight giving - everybody happy? in july, guess who was back in the spotlight giving an i was back in the spotlight giving an extraordinary interview to laura kuenssberg. {lift extraordinary interview to laura kuenssberg-_ extraordinary interview to laura kuenssberg. of course when this emeraed, kuenssberg. of course when this emerged, though, _ kuenssberg. of course when this emerged, though, and _ kuenssberg. of course when this emerged, though, and the - kuenssberg. of course when this | emerged, though, and the public realised — emerged, though, and the public realised that one of the most senior people _ realised that one of the most senior people in— realised that one of the most senior people in government had left lockdown at a time when people were unable _ lockdown at a time when people were unable to— lockdown at a time when people were unable to go and seasick relatives, there _ unable to go and seasick relatives, there was— unable to go and seasick relatives, there was enormous public rage. why didn't— there was enormous public rage. why didn't you _ there was enormous public rage. why didn't you just tell the truth at the time? _ didn't you 'ust tell the truth at the time?— didn't you 'ust tell the truth at the time? , ,., the time? everything i said in the rose garden _ the time? everything i said in the rose garden was _ the time? everything i said in the rose garden was true. _ the time? everything i said in the rose garden was true. but - the time? everything i said in the rose garden was true. but it - the time? everything i said in the i rose garden was true. but it wasn't the whole truth, _ rose garden was true. but it wasn't the whole truth, not _ rose garden was true. but it wasn't the whole truth, not near _ rose garden was true. but it wasn't the whole truth, not near it. - the whole truth, not near it. everything i said was true but i didn't go into all of the security concerns in the background, no. it concerns in the background, no. it was a very different story, mr cummings, a very different story. you and _ cummings, a very different story. you and borisjohnson decided it was better— you and borisjohnson decided it was better to _ you and borisjohnson decided it was better to give the public who many of whom _ better to give the public who many of whom were absolutely furious with what you'd _ of whom were absolutely furious with what you'd done, you decided together— what you'd done, you decided together it was better to give the public _ together it was better to give the public story that was not the 100% truth, _ public story that was not the 100% truth, than — public story that was not the 100% truth, than to keep silent or even for you _ truth, than to keep silent or even for you to — truth, than to keep silent or even for you to resign. that would have made _ for you to resign. that would have made it— for you to resign. that would have made it go— for you to resign. that would have made it go away. i for you to resign. that would have made it go away-— made it go away. i think there's absolutely _ made it go away. i think there's absolutely no _ made it go away. i think there's absolutely no doubt _ made it go away. i think there's absolutely no doubt that - made it go away. i think there's absolutely no doubt that the - made it go away. i think there's| absolutely no doubt that the way made it go away. i think there's - absolutely no doubt that the way we handled the whole thing was wrong on monday. handled the whole thing was wrong on monda . ~ . , , handled the whole thing was wrong on monda . . . , , ., , handled the whole thing was wrong on monda . . . , , .,, ., handled the whole thing was wrong on monda .~ . , , s, , monday. while westminster was on its summer recess — monday. while westminster was on its summer recess a _ monday. while westminster was on its summer recess a rapidly _ monday. while westminster was on its summer recess a rapidly developing i summer recess a rapidly developing situation abroad but the government to the test. the taliban advanced after the us and its allies decided to pull out. there was a scramble to flee. an operation began that would successfully evacuate more than 15,000 people out of afghanistan, operation pitting was the raf�*s largest air left in more than 70 years. largest air left in more than 70 ears. , ., , largest air left in more than 70 ears. , years. some people won't get back and we will — years. some people won't get back and we will have _ years. some people won't get back and we will have to _ years. some people won't get back and we will have to do _ years. some people won't get back and we will have to do our - years. some people won't get back and we will have to do our best - years. some people won't get back| and we will have to do our best and third countries, to process those people. third countries, to process those neale, ., , ., , third countries, to process those theole. ,, , ., third countries, to process those theole. ,, , s, , people. questions soon surfaced about why the — people. questions soon surfaced about why the foreign _ people. questions soon surfaced about why the foreign secretary| people. questions soon surfaced - about why the foreign secretary had stayed on holiday after kabul fell. first of all, with hindsight i wouldn't _ first of all, with hindsight i wouldn't have gone away at all. the idea that _ wouldn't have gone away at all. the idea that i _ wouldn't have gone away at all. the idea that i was lounging on a beach or that _ idea that i was lounging on a beach or that i _ idea that i was lounging on a beach or that i was paddle boarding in the ocean, _ or that i was paddle boarding in the ocean, these things are nonsense. the sea _ ocean, these things are nonsense. the sea wasn't open because there was a _ the sea wasn't open because there was a red _ the sea wasn't open because there was a red flag. the sea wasn't open because there was a red flag-— was a red flag. have you let down afghanistan? _ was a red flag. have you let down afghanistan? for— was a red flag. have you let down afghanistan? for many _ was a red flag. have you let down afghanistan? for many the - was a red flag. have you let down afghanistan? for many the fact i was a red flag. have you let down i afghanistan? for many the fact that 20 ears in afghanistan? for many the fact that 20 years in afghanistan _ afghanistan? for many the fact that 20 years in afghanistan had - afghanistan? for many the fact that 20 years in afghanistan had ended i 20 years in afghanistan had ended like this was a source of deep regret. when a former soldier spoke in a recall commons you could almost hear a pin in a recall commons you could almost heara pin drop. like in a recall commons you could almost hear a pin drop-— hear a pin drop. like many veterans the last week _ hear a pin drop. like many veterans the last week has _ hear a pin drop. like many veterans the last week has been _ hear a pin drop. like many veterans the last week has been one - hear a pin drop. like many veterans| the last week has been one that has seen me struggle through anger and grief, and rage. the feeling of abandonment, notjust of a country, but the sacrifice that my friends made. i've been to funerals for cornwall to dunblane. i've watched good men go into the earth. taking with them a part of me and a part of all of us. mr speaker, this is what defeat looks like. it's when you no longer have the choice as to how to help. this doesn't need to be defeat. but at the moment, it damn well feels like it. applause . as autumn approached, life was feeling a bit more normal. some of the special financial scheme to set “p the special financial scheme to set up for the pandemic such as fulham and the £20 uplift universal credit came to an end. —— such as furlough. the government broke a promise in its manifesto and put up national insurance by 1.25%. some of the money would go to fund social care. in order to deal with the problems with the nhs, the backlogs, you also have to fix social care. we are taking the tough decisions that the country wants to see. we are putting £36 billion in. the country wants to see. we are putting £36 billion in— £36 billion in. the plan for social care was the _ £36 billion in. the plan for social care was the first _ £36 billion in. the plan for social care was the first attempt - £36 billion in. the plan for social care was the first attempt by - £36 billion in. the plan for social care was the first attempt by a i care was the first attempt by a government in decades to tackle the issue of social care funding. it was criticised as being unfair on people in less well off areas. just criticised as being unfair on people in less well off areas.— in less well off areas. just the latest on _ in less well off areas. just the latest on the _ in less well off areas. just the latest on the government - in less well off areas. just the - latest on the government reshuffle which is under way. the education secretary gavin williamson has lost his job. secretary gavin williamson has lost hisjob. in secretary gavin williamson has lost his 'ob. ,, , , ., , ., his job. in mid-september it was all chante at his job. in mid-september it was all change at the _ his job. in mid-september it was all change at the cabinet _ his job. in mid-september it was all change at the cabinet table. - his job. in mid-september it was all change at the cabinet table. are - his job. in mid-september it was all| change at the cabinet table. are you ex-tectin change at the cabinet table. are you expecting promotion? _ change at the cabinet table. are you expecting promotion? the _ change at the cabinet table. are you expecting promotion? the big - change at the cabinet table. are you | expecting promotion? the big winner was liz truss. — expecting promotion? the big winner was liz truss, now _ expecting promotion? the big winner was liz truss, now the _ expecting promotion? the big winner was liz truss, now the foreign - was liz truss, now the foreign secretary. dominic raab was moved to justice, the consolation prize of being made deputy prime minister. are you happy? have you been demoted? fits are you happy? have you been demoted?— are you happy? have you been demoted? a , ., demoted? as politicians headed off to their conferences, _ demoted? as politicians headed off to their conferences, drivers - demoted? as politicians headed off to their conferences, drivers found | to their conferences, drivers found themselves going, well, nowhere. fuel supply issues led to panic buying and lengthy queues at petrol stations. in brighton, labour gathered for its first in—person conference under its new leader. he was determined to show the party was changing, right here, right now. i've waited 17 months, 25 days and two hours to appear in front of you in this hall as leader of our great party. in this hall as leader of our great la . ., in this hall as leader of our great .a . ., , ., in this hall as leader of our great party. not everyone was happy, thouth. party. not everyone was happy, though. shouting _ party. not everyone was happy, though. shouting slogans - party. not everyone was happy, though. shouting slogans or- party. not everyone was happy, - though. shouting slogans or changing lives, conference? _ though. shouting slogans or changing lives, conference? do _ though. shouting slogans or changing lives, conference? do you _ though. shouting slogans or changing lives, conference? do you stand - though. shouting slogans or changing lives, conference? do you stand by i lives, conference? do you stand by our lives, conference? do you stand by your remarks? _ lives, conference? do you stand by your remarks? the _ lives, conference? do you stand by your remarks? the deputy - lives, conference? do you stand by your remarks? the deputy leaderl your remarks? the deputy leader caused controversy _ your remarks? the deputy leader caused controversy when - your remarks? the deputy leader caused controversy when she - your remarks? the deputy leader| caused controversy when she used your remarks? the deputy leader - caused controversy when she used the word some to describe conservative ministers. she stood by it at the time but apologised unreservedly a month later. in manchester boris johnson used his conference speech to buoy up supporters. shifter johnson used his conference speech to buoy up supporters. after decades of drift and dither, _ to buoy up supporters. after decades of drift and dither, this _ to buoy up supporters. after decades of drift and dither, this reforming - of drift and dither, this reforming government, this can do government, the government that got brexit done, thatis the government that got brexit done, that is getting the covid vaccine roll—out done, is going to get social care done. roll-out done, is going to get social care done.— roll-out done, is going to get social care done. green party got new co-leaders _ social care done. green party got new co-leaders at _ social care done. green party got new co-leaders at their - social care done. green party got i new co-leaders at their conference. new co—leaders at their conference. across the country, concern was growing about rising energy prices and the cost of living. and then... tonight, the conservative mp sir david amis has died after being stabbed during a constituency surgery in essex.— stabbed during a constituency surgery in essex. stabbed during a constituency surte in essex. ., , . ., , ., surgery in essex. forensic teams and firearms officers _ surgery in essex. forensic teams and firearms officers at _ surgery in essex. forensic teams and firearms officers at the _ surgery in essex. forensic teams and firearms officers at the methodist - firearms officers at the methodist church, _ firearms officers at the methodist church, where the local mp had been holding _ church, where the local mp had been holding his— church, where the local mp had been holding his fortnightly surgery. sir david _ holding his fortnightly surgery. sir david amis's meeting with constituents had been from 10am until ipm — constituents had been from 10am until 1pm butjust after midday he was stabbed multiple times. he was so nice. was stabbed multiple times. he was so nice- to — was stabbed multiple times. he was so nice- to be _ was stabbed multiple times. he was so nice. to be part _ was stabbed multiple times. he was so nice. to be part of— was stabbed multiple times. he was so nice. to be part of this _ so nice. to be part of this occasion. _ so nice. to be part of this occasion, to _ so nice. to be part of this occasion, to show... - so nice. to be part of this occasion, to show... howj so nice. to be part of this - occasion, to show... how much he so nice. to be part of this _ occasion, to show... how much he was thoutht occasion, to show... how much he was thought of- _ occasion, to show... how much he was thought of- such _ occasion, to show... how much he was thought of. such a _ occasion, to show... how much he was thought of. such a tragedy _ occasion, to show. .. how much he was thought of. such a tragedy for- occasion, to show... how much he was thought of. such a tragedy for the - thought of. such a tragedy for the town, _ thought of. such a tragedy for the town, it _ thought of. such a tragedy for the town, it really is.— thought of. such a tragedy for the town, it really is. westminster was in shock as — town, it really is. westminster was in shock as it mourned _ town, it really is. westminster was in shock as it mourned one of- town, it really is. westminster was in shock as it mourned one of its i in shock as it mourned one of its own. sir david was not then the only mp who died in office this year. dame cheryl gillan died after a long office. —— long illness. james brokenshire also. the end of the month saw the prime minister in rome for the g20. ., month saw the prime minister in rome for the g20. . ., .,, . s, , for the g20. hearing no ob'ections it is so decided. * for the g20. hearing no ob'ections it is so decided. followed _ it is so decided. followed immediately _ it is so decided. followed immediately by _ it is so decided. followed immediately by the - it is so decided. followed immediately by the long l it is so decided. followed _ immediately by the long anticipated cop26 climate in glasgow. after a major diplomatic effort by the uk, an agreement was reached but it didn't go as far as had been hoped. i'm deeply sorry. i also understand the deep disappointment, but i think as you have noted, it's also vital that we protect this package. applause meanwhile in westminster, a political storm had been brewing. parliament's standards committee pa rliament�*s standards committee said parliament's standards committee said a tory mp had agreed to sleep broken lobbying rules and recommended a 30 day suspension. the mp 0wen paterson denied all wrongdoing. downing street told tory mps to vote to pause the punishment and try and change the disciplinary process. and try and change the disciplinary trocess. , , ., ., ,, ., process. this is the famous straw that has broken _ process. this is the famous straw that has broken the _ process. this is the famous straw that has broken the much - process. this is the famous straw i that has broken the much suffering, long—suffering kamel�*s back. if the long-suffering kamel's back. if the tublic long-suffering kamel's back. if the public believe _ long-suffering kamel's back. if the public believe we _ long-suffering kamel's back. if the public believe we are _ long—suffering kamel's back. if the public believe we are marking our own homework our reputation individually and collectively will be tarnished. the individually and collectively will be tarnished.— individually and collectively will be tarnished. ., ., , be tarnished. the government was forced into a screeching _ be tarnished. the government was forced into a screeching u-turn. i l forced into a screeching u—turn. i regret that the amendment conflated an individual case with more general concerns, which was a mistake. more than that, so — concerns, which was a mistake. more than that, so they former— concerns, which was a mistake. more than that, so they former prime minister. ., , _ , , ., minister. the attempt by members of this house, aided _ minister. the attempt by members of this house, aided and _ minister. the attempt by members of this house, aided and abetted - minister. the attempt by members of this house, aided and abetted by - minister. the attempt by members of this house, aided and abetted by the | this house, aided and abetted by the government, under cover of reform of the process, _ government, under cover of reform of the process, effectively to clear his name. — the process, effectively to clear his name, was misplaced, illjudged and just— his name, was misplaced, illjudged and just plain wrong. his name, was misplaced, ill 'udged and just plain wrongfi his name, was misplaced, ill 'udged and just plain wrong. and 'ust plain wrong. owen paterson tuit andjust plain wrong. owen paterson tuit the andjust plain wrong. owen paterson quit the commons, _ andjust plain wrong. owen paterson quit the commons, triggering - andjust plain wrong. owen paterson quit the commons, triggering a - quit the commons, triggering a by—election. more on that later. the damage was done, other mps's outside jobs came under the microscope. former attorney general geoffrey copps was criticised for using special covid rules to vote from the british virgin islands where he was working as a barrister. he said he had checked it was when the rules and appropriate. later in the month borisjohnson gave a speech in which he... boris johnson gave a speech in which he... ., boris johnson gave a speech in which he... s, s, boris johnson gave a speech in which he... ., ., oh, he... forgive me. forgive me. oh, es, he... forgive me. forgive me. oh, yes. slightly _ he... forgive me. forgive me. oh, yes, slightly baffled _ he... forgive me. forgive me. oh, yes, slightly baffled business - yes, slightly baffled business leaders by talking about a cartoon .|. ., . , , leaders by talking about a cartoon pig. forgive me. hands up anyone who has been to — pig. forgive me. hands up anyone who has been to peppa _ pig. forgive me. hands up anyone who has been to peppa pig _ pig. forgive me. hands up anyone who has been to peppa pig world. - pig. forgive me. hands up anyone who has been to peppa pig world. not - has been to peppa pig world. not enough! has been to peppa pig world. not enouth!~ . has been to peppa pig world. not enouth! . . has been to peppa pig world. not enouth!~ . , ., enough! which led some people to wonder... enough! which led some people to wonder--- ls— enough! which led some people to wonder... is everything _ enough! which led some people to wonder... is everything ok? - enough! which led some people to wonder... is everything ok? i - enough! which led some people to | wonder... is everything ok? i think that people — wonder... is everything ok? i think that people got _ wonder... is everything ok? i think that people got the _ wonder... is everything ok? i think that people got the vast _ wonder... is everything ok? i think that people got the vast majority i wonder... is everything ok? i thinkj that people got the vast majority of the points i wanted to make. i think it went over well. it the points i wanted to make. i think it went over well.— it went over well. it was the month ofthe it went over well. it was the month of the government _ it went over well. it was the month of the government cancelled - it went over well. it was the month of the government cancelled the i of the government cancelled the leeds to birmingham lake of hs2 and a tragedy in the channel put ministers under pressure for an issueit ministers under pressure for an issue it had failed to solve through 2021. record numbers of migrants crossed into the uk from france in small boats this year. more than 23,000 by november. 0n small boats this year. more than 23,000 by november. on monday late that month at least 27 people drowned when their dinghy deflated off the french coast. lethiheztt drowned when their dinghy deflated off the french coast. what happened esterda off the french coast. what happened yesterday was _ off the french coast. what happened yesterday was a _ off the french coast. what happened yesterday was a dreadful _ off the french coast. what happened yesterday was a dreadful shock. - off the french coast. what happened yesterday was a dreadful shock. it i yesterday was a dreadful shock. it was not a surprise, but it is also a reminder of how vulnerable people are put in peril when in the hands of criminal gangs. the are put in perilwhen in the hands of criminal gangs.— are put in perilwhen in the hands of criminal gangs. a few days later priti patel had _ of criminal gangs. a few days later priti patel had only _ of criminal gangs. a few days later priti patel had only opposite - of criminal gangs. a few days later i priti patel had only opposite number to keep the pressure on when yvette cooper was made shadow home secretary. sir keir starmer had a second go at reshuffling his shadow cabinet although it looked like he might not have involved his deputy. oh, yes, the reshuffle, how could i forget? look, idon't oh, yes, the reshuffle, how could i forget? look, i don't know the details of any reshuffle. i've been concentrating on the job details of any reshuffle. i've been concentrating on thejob i'm doing. then a coronavirus mutation showed the pandemic was far from over. then a coronavirus mutation showed the pandemic was farfrom over. i the pandemic was far from over. i need to speak to you this evening because i'm afraid we are now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant, 0micron. and we must urgently reinforce our wall of vaccine protection to keep our friends and loved ones safe. earlier today, the uk's four chief medical officers raised the covid alert level to four, its second—highest level. the level to four, its second-highest level. �* ., , , level to four, its second-highest level. . , s, ., ., level. a massive programme of boosterjabs — level. a massive programme of boosterjabs was _ level. a massive programme of boosterjabs was rolled - level. a massive programme of boosterjabs was rolled out - level. a massive programme of boosterjabs was rolled out andj boosterjabs was rolled out and england was to move to plan b measures. including covid passes for some venues. when that was put to the commons around 100 tory mps rebelled. the the commons around 100 tory mps rebelled. , , the commons around 100 tory mps rebelled. ., , ., rebelled. the ayes to the right, 329, the noes _ rebelled. the ayes to the right, 329, the noes to _ rebelled. the ayes to the right, 329, the noes to the _ rebelled. the ayes to the right, 329, the noes to the left, - rebelled. the ayes to the right, 329, the noes to the left, 126. | 329, the noes to the left, 126. all: ooh! in scotland, the first minister urged everyone to cut back on socialising. ih minister urged everyone to cut back on socialising-— on socialising. in the run-up to and in the aftermath _ on socialising. in the run-up to and in the aftermath of— on socialising. in the run-up to and in the aftermath of christmas, - on socialising. in the run-up to and in the aftermath of christmas, i - in the aftermath of christmas, i asking, i am appealing to everyone to cut down as far as possible our contacts with people in other households. my key request to all of you today is, as far as you can, please minimise your indoor social interactions with other households at this time. interactions with other households at this time-— at this time. large hogmanay celebrations _ at this time. large hogmanay celebrations were _ at this time. large hogmanay celebrations were cancelled l at this time. large hogmanay. celebrations were cancelled for at this time. large hogmanay i celebrations were cancelled for a second year after she brought in new restrictions. wales too announced it would close nightclubs and reintroduce some restrictions from boxing day. as the festive season arrived in downing street the new virus strain wasn't the only unwanted gift. the downing street flat with the schmitz made a return. the electoral commission found the conservative party nearly £18,000 for failing to properly declare the initial donation. events from last christmas were about to cause an almighty hangover too with allegations of covid rule breaking parties and quizzes. the prime minister said no rules were broken. downing street said there was no party. then itv showed this. there was a downing _ party. then itv showed this. there was a downing street _ party. then itv showed this. there was a downing street christmas i party. then itv showed this. there was a downing street christmas party on friday? _ was a downing street christmas party on friday? l— was a downing street christmas party on frida ? s, was a downing street christmas party on friday?_ a _ was a downing street christmas party on friday?_ a mock - was a downing street christmas party| on friday?_ a mock press on friday? i went home. a mock press conference where _ on friday? i went home. a mock press conference where the _ on friday? i went home. a mock press conference where the prime _ conference where the prime minister's beneficial spokesperson, allegra stratton and other aids appeared to joke about a party coincidently on the same date. this fictional party _ coincidently on the same date. try s fictional party was a business meeting. it was not socially distanced.— meeting. it was not socially distanced. ,, , , , meeting. it was not socially distanced. . , , , m distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed _ distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed to _ distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed to make _ distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed to make light - distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed to make light of i distanced. she swiftly resigned. my i remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my profound apologies to all of you at home. i offer my profound apologies to all of you at home-— of you at home. claims of more potentially _ of you at home. claims of more potentially rule _ of you at home. claims of more potentially rule breaking - of you at home. claims of more - potentially rule breaking gatherings came out. i potentially rule breaking gatherings came out. , ., ., , ., came out. i understand and share the anter of came out. i understand and share the anger of the — came out. i understand and share the anger of the country _ came out. i understand and share the anger of the country at _ came out. i understand and share the anger of the country at seeing - anger of the country at seeing number— anger of the country at seeing number ten staff anger of the country at seeing numberten staff seeming anger of the country at seeing number ten staff seeming to make li-ht number ten staff seeming to make light of— number ten staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. and i can understand how infuriating it must _ can understand how infuriating it must be — can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been— must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules. mr speaker. because i was also furious to see _ speaker. because i was also furious to see that— speaker. because i was also furious to see that clip. the speaker. because i was also furious to see that clip.— to see that clip. the prime minister. _ to see that clip. the prime minister, the _ to see that clip. the prime minister, the government, to see that clip. the prime - minister, the government, spent the week telling the british public there was no party. all guidance was followed completely. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for full. and that they were lied to.— was taking them for full. and that they were lied to. then, voters got a sa in they were lied to. then, voters got a say in owen _ they were lied to. then, voters got a say in owen paterson _ they were lied to. then, voters got a say in owen paterson 's - they were lied to. then, voters got a say in owen paterson 's north . a say in 0wen paterson 's north shropshire suite which had been touring for 200 years until... three, two, one!— three, two, one! cheering the lib dems _ three, two, one! cheering the lib dems took - three, two, one! cheering the lib dems took the - three, two, one! cheering the lib dems took the seat| three, two, one! cheering l the lib dems took the seat by three, two, one! cheering - the lib dems took the seat by nearly 6000 votes. the lib dems took the seat by nearly 6000 votes-— 6000 votes. from true blue buckinghamshire _ 6000 votes. from true blue buckinghamshire to - 6000 votes. from true blue i buckinghamshire to shropshire 6000 votes. from true blue - buckinghamshire to shropshire we've heard time and time again that people feel they are being taken for granted by borisjohnson and his government and last night the win in north shropshire sent a clear message that enough is enough. clearly the vote in north shropshire is a very— clearly the vote in north shropshire is a very disappointing result and i totally— is a very disappointing result and i totally understand people's frustrations. i hear what the voters are saying — frustrations. i hear what the voters are saying in — frustrations. i hear what the voters are saying in north shropshire. as 2021 are saying in north shropshire. 2021 due to are saying in north shropshire. is 2021 due to a are saying in north shropshire. sis 2021 due to a close, borisjohnson found himself having to prove to at least some in his party that he should keep hisjob. in a year in which he also got married and his wife carrie had had their second child together, a daughter. after the shock of 2020 this year did show a return to a bit more politics as normal. forthe a return to a bit more politics as normal. for the good and the not so good. the prime minister saw his authority tested in ways it hadn't been before and of course the virus proved its ability to photo in the again. which points towards a new year which is no more certain than this one. —— ability to throw everything in the again. hello there. you'll have to rely on morecambe and wise, i'm afraid, to bring the sunshine this christmas period. there's going to be a lot of cloud around, so that rules out a white christmas for most of us. however, there is a possibility across the pennines and through the higher ground of scotland, we could wake up to a light dusting of snow over the next couple of days. but for most of us, the talking point will be how mild it is, particularly across england and wales — temperatures into double figures. it's not the warmest we've seen over the christmas period. these are the christmas day records across the country over the years, so we have to be close orjust above 15 degrees to break that, and that's not going to happen. but the mild weather is responsible by these weather fronts that continue to move their way steadily northwards. that south—westerly flow continues to drive that mild air across the country, but it really is struggling to displace that cold air across the far north of scotland. that means tonight, as the rain pushes into the cold air, we could see some snow for a time. mist and fog will be a problem across england and wales as well. that'll be slow to lift first thing, but it will be a mild start to our christmas eve, particularly across england and wales. so, early morning mist and fog lifting to low cloud across england and wales. early morning cloud and drizzly rain slowly easing in scotland. hopefully across aberdeenshire, we'll get some sunshine into the afternoon. but later on into the day across southwest england, wales and into northern ireland, we'll see some wet and windy weather arriving. so, we keep that colder air up into the north. furthersouth, however, it stays on the mild side — temperatures widely into double figures across the country. so, that's christmas eve. as we move out of christmas eve towards christmas day, that weather front still making progress across northern england into the scottish borders. still bumping into that cold air that's sitting anchored to the northeast of scotland. so, we could have, again, a few flurries of rain, sleet and snow, the snow obviously on higher ground to start off on christmas day. that eases away quite quickly. a lot of cloud for most of us on christmas day with the exception of northeast scotland, and some increasingly wet and windy weather pushing into northern ireland, wales and southwest england by the end of the afternoon. that divide in the temperatures, double—digit down to the south, cooler up into the north. still some rain around, unfortunately, on boxing day, but mild for most. take care. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. a jury in minnesota has found a former police officer guilty of manslaughter over the shooting of an unarmed black man. during the trial, kim potter said she had mistaken her handgun for a taser when she killed daunte wright during a traffic stop in april. new research released by the british government suggests someone infected with the 0micron rather than the delta variant is up to 70% less likely to need hospital treatment. the news comes even as countries across europe impose further restrictions, france and italy today both reporting record infections. as tensions rise in ukraine, president putin demands western countries make a promise not to extend their influence in russia's back yard. translation: you must give us guarantees. - you must do it immediately, now.