within his own party. to there also calls for him to resign within his own party.— within his own party. to be consistent _ within his own party. to be consistent what _ within his own party. to be consistent what i _ within his own party. to be consistent what i said - within his own party. to be i consistent what i said before, within his own party. to be - consistent what i said before, i don't _ consistent what i said before, i don't believe his position is tenable _ don't believe his position is tenable and he does need to resign. i'll be reporting live from downing street, where the prime minister is still under real pressure tonight, despite his apology and the house of commons. the duke of york will face a civil trial over allegations he sexually assaulted virginia giuffre when she was underage after a us judge ruled her lawsuit against him can proceed. ms giuffre claims the prince sexually abused her on three occasions. prince andrew has consistently denied the allegations against him. he's effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned, but the one thing he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, accept that he has to fall on his sword. buckingham palace has since said it will not be commenting on an �*ongoing legal matter�*. good afternoon. there have been fresh calls for the prime minister to resign. breaking days of silence over the matter, borisjohnson said he believed the gathering was a work event, but with hindsight, he said he should have sent everyone back inside. at the time across the uk, meaning more than one person from outside your household is not allowed. pressure is mounting on the prime minister after that explosive prime minister's questions in the comments today in which you made that admission that he was at that party on the 20th and may. he apologised heartfelt and to both mps in the commons. the labour leader said mr johnson should do the decent thing and resign. this afternoon, we heard from douglas ross. jonathan blake has this report. did you lie about the parties, prime minister? are you going to apologise? emerging to face the fury — borisjohnson left number 10 this morning and headed to the house of commons after revelations about a �*bring your own booze' gathering in the downing street garden during lockdown. what would he say, what could he say to answer the challenge from his opponents — was he there? — and ease the anger among his own mps. mr speaker, i want to apologise. i know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months. i know the anguish they have been through, unable to mourn their relatives, unable to live their lives as they want or to do the things they love. and i know the rage they feel with me and with the government i lead, when they think that in downing street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules. and though i cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, i have learned enough to know that there were things we simply did not get right. and i must take responsibility. after the apology, an admission that he did attend. an explanation that he believed it was a work event, but also and an acceptance that others wouldn't see it that way. well, there we have it. after months of deceit and deception, the pathetic spectacle of a man who has run out of road _ his defence that he did not realise he was at a party... ..is so ridiculous that it's actually offensive to the british public. he has finally been forced to admit what everyone knew — that when the whole country was locked down, he was hosting boozy parties in downing street. is he now going to do the decent thing and resign? i appreciate the point that he is making about the event i attended. i want to repeat that i thought it was a work event and i regret... i regret very much that we did not do things differently that evening. the labour leader accused the prime minister of changing his story, and worse. can't the prime minister see why the british public think he's lying through his teeth? mr speaker, it is up to the right honourable gentleman to choose how he conducts himself in this place. and he is wrong, he is wrong. on the 20th of may 2020, downing street staff were invited to socially distanced drinks in the garden of number 10 — "bring your own booze" said an email from a senior official. the event is one of several in 2020 being investigated. on the 15th of may, the prime minister and staff were pictured with cheese and wine in the downing street garden. borisjohnson said they were working at the time. a month later, on the 15th of december, when social mixing was banned indoors, a christmas quiz was held for number 10 staff with a photo showing borisjohnson taking part. and on the 18th of december, claims of a party inside downing street, which the prime minister's then press secretary was later seenjoking about in a mock news briefing. opposition parties are now united in their call for borisjohnson to go. will the prime minister finally do the decent thing and resign? or will his tory mps be forced to show him the door? will the prime minister, - for the good of the country accept that the party is over| and decide to resign? some may be making light of the situation. but for borisjohnson, it could hardly be more serious. jonathan blake, bbc news. well, since then, we've heard from dominic cummings, the former senior aide, who said there was no way that that was a work event, it was a social event, and there was no way it was within the guidelines at the time. let's go to our political correspondent. nick, after prime minister's questions, and we were just watching highlights, the prime minister went to the tea rooms to shore up support amongst the tory backbenchers. youth he's been successful?— backbenchers. youth he's been successful? ., ,., successful? there are some in the conservative _ successful? there are some in the conservative party _ successful? there are some in the conservative party that _ successful? there are some in the conservative party that are - successful? there are some in the conservative party that are saying | conservative party that are saying they need to wait for the official report from sue gray, the senior civil servant who is looking into all of these allegations about gatherings and parties in downing street. but this evening, we are getting an increasing number of conservative mps who are prepared to put their heads above the carpet and say it's time for the prime minister to go. in the last few minutes, william rag has told our colleagues that mrjohnson�*s position is untenable and he he should go. the scottish conservatives appeared to be in open revolt as well as their leader, douglas ross. thing the prime minister had to go after admitting he was at that gathering in 2020. there are about ten nsp �*s who say they back mr ross. they think the prime minister needs to resign. here is douglas ross. i said yesterday if the prime minister attended this event, gathering, party — whatever you call it — on the 20th of may last year, if he was there after the invite went out to more than 100 people, inviting them to bring their own booze and come to the downing street garden, then he couldn't continue. that would've been breaking the rules in place at the time. and today in the house of commons, he's accepted and admitted he was there. he's also apologised for that. and crucially for me, he said in hindsight, if he had his time again, he would've done things differently, and that to me is an acceptance from the prime minister that he did wrong. therefore, to be consistent with what i've said before, i don't believe his position as prime minister and leader of the conservative party is tenable and he does need to resign. so, some mps now prepared to say that publicly. there are others who are saying privately they're worried about the prime minister's position. some think if he's criticising anyway by sue gray, that will be terminal for the anyway by sue gray, that will be terminalfor the prime anyway by sue gray, that will be terminal for the prime minister's position in downing street. there is a broader question over whether in the next few hours anybody else calls for the prime minister to go, and downing street will be watching that closely to see if the trickle we have turned into anything else. some mps, it's worth pointing out, are still loyal to the prime minister, who still think he can turn this around, who praise him for apologising this afternoon and saying it was right he gave that explanation. here is brendan clark smith. �* , ., ., , explanation. here is brendan clark smith. �*, ., ., , ., , smith. there's going to be an insult -- i'm glad — smith. there's going to be an insult -- i'm glad he _ smith. there's going to be an insult -- i'm glad he went _ smith. there's going to be an insult -- i'm glad he went that _ smith. there's going to be an insult -- i'm glad he went that extra - smith. there's going to be an insult| -- i'm glad he went that extra mile. —— i'm glad he went that extra mile. actually— —— i'm glad he went that extra mile. actually showed _ —— i'm glad he went that extra mile. actually showed some _ —— i'm glad he went that extra mile. actually showed some empathy, - actually showed some empathy, with what people — actually showed some empathy, with what pe0ple were _ actually showed some empathy, with what people were feeling _ actually showed some empathy, with what people were feeling at - actually showed some empathy, with what people were feeling at the - what people were feeling at the moment — what people were feeling at the moment he— what people were feeling at the moment. ., ,., ., , what people were feeling at the moment. ., ., , ., ., ., moment. he apologised for going to the event, moment. he apologised for going to the event. but _ moment. he apologised for going to the event, but he _ moment. he apologised for going to the event, but he insisted _ moment. he apologised for going to the event, but he insisted that - moment. he apologised for going to the event, but he insisted that it - the event, but he insisted that it was still work related. how often do you have drinks in the back garden with up to 100 people invited as a work event during lockdown. doesn't really stuck up? during lockdown. doesn't really stuck u - ? �* , during lockdown. doesn't really stuck u? �* , ., during lockdown. doesn't really stucku? �*, ., , grey area and i think westminster, it's very— grey area and i think westminster, it's very different _ grey area and i think westminster, it's very different from _ grey area and i think westminster, it's very different from an - grey area and i think westminster, it's very different from an actual. it's very different from an actual partx _ it's very different from an actual party. the — it's very different from an actual party. the prime _ it's very different from an actual party. the prime minister- it's very different from an actual party. the prime minister lives. party. the prime minister lives there _ party. the prime minister lives there as — party. the prime minister lives there as well. _ party. the prime minister lives there as well. people - party. the prime minister lives there as well. people were - party. the prime minister livesi there as well. people were very party. the prime minister lives- there as well. people were very long hours _ there as well. people were very long hours so. _ there as well. people were very long hours so. there _ there as well. people were very long hours. so, there is— there as well. people were very long hours. so, there is that. _ there as well. people were very long hours. so, there is that. i— there as well. people were very long hours. so, there is that. ithink- hours. so, there is that. ithink we've _ hours. so, there is that. ithink we've all— hours. so, there is that. ithink we've all seen— hours. so, there is that. ithink we've all seen the _ hours. so, there is that. ithink we've all seen the e—mail- hours. so, there is that. ithink we've all seen the e—mail thatl hours. so, there is that. ithink. we've all seen the e—mail that was sent around — we've all seen the e—mail that was sent around that _ we've all seen the e—mail that was sent around that i _ we've all seen the e—mail that was sent around that i wasn't - we've all seen the e—mail that was sent around that i wasn't very- sent around that i wasn't very impressed _ sent around that i wasn't very impressed with, _ sent around that i wasn't very impressed with, and - sent around that i wasn't very impressed with, and i- sent around that i wasn't very impressed with, and i think. sent around that i wasn't very- impressed with, and i think people can tell— impressed with, and i think people can tell the — impressed with, and i think people can tell the difference _ impressed with, and i think people can tell the difference between - impressed with, and i think people can tell the difference between a l can tell the difference between a bil can tell the difference between a big party— can tell the difference between a big party in— can tell the difference between a big party in a— can tell the difference between a big party in a gathering - can tell the difference between a big party in a gathering so- can tell the difference between a big party in a gathering so to - big party in a gathering so to speak — big party in a gathering so to speak also— big party in a gathering so to speak. also i_ big party in a gathering so to speak. also i don't— big party in a gathering so to speak. also i don't think- big party in a gathering so to speak. also i don't think the| big party in a gathering so to - speak. also i don't think the prime minister— speak. also i don't think the prime minister himself— speak. also i don't think the prime minister himself was _ speak. also i don't think the prime minister himself was involved - speak. also i don't think the prime minister himself was involved with| minister himself was involved with that, _ minister himself was involved with that, he _ minister himself was involved with that, he may— minister himself was involved with that, he may have _ minister himself was involved with that, he may have been— minister himself was involved with that, he may have been around i minister himself was involved with| that, he may have been around and i'm that, he may have been around and i'm really— that, he may have been around and i'm really glad _ that, he may have been around and i'm really glad he _ that, he may have been around and i'm really glad he did _ that, he may have been around and i'm really glad he did confirm - that, he may have been around and i'm really glad he did confirm he i i'm really glad he did confirm he was there — i'm really glad he did confirm he was there i_ i'm really glad he did confirm he was there. i do _ i'm really glad he did confirm he was there. i do think— i'm really glad he did confirm he was there. i do think he - i'm really glad he did confirm he was there. i do think he has- was there. i do think he has been let down— was there. i do think he has been let down in— was there. i do think he has been let down in that _ was there. i do think he has been let down in that sense, _ was there. i do think he has been let down in that sense, but - was there. i do think he has been let down in that sense, but i- was there. i do think he has been let down in that sense, but i did. let down in that sense, but i did gets— let down in that sense, but i did gets right that _ let down in that sense, but i did gets right that he _ let down in that sense, but i did gets right that he came - let down in that sense, but i did gets right that he came out i let down in that sense, but i did gets right that he came out and| gets right that he came out and shown— gets right that he came out and shown some _ gets right that he came out and shown some responsibility. i shown some responsibility. interesting _ shown some responsibility. interesting language - shown some responsibility. interesting language from i shown some responsibility. i interesting language from smith, shown some responsibility. _ interesting language from smith, and maybe the prime minister was let down. there has been some speculation that ultimately, it could be some officials who are asked to carry the can for this. but there is that danger for the prime minister that now that we have some mps going on the record, going on camera and tape, saying they think the prime minister should go, that more follow, and it feels like boris johnson's position is not in a great place this evening. i suspect he'll be nervous about what the next few hours and days might hold. hick. hours and days might hold. nick, many thanks _ hours and days might hold. nick, many thanks indeed. _ hours and days might hold. nick, many thanks indeed. let's i hours and days might hold. nick, many thanks indeed. let's discuss all of this now. i'm joined by broadcaster and former director of external affairs for borisjohnson when he was mayor of london, guto harri. thank you so much. from a pr point of view, given that the prime minister wasn't much trouble over this, was his strategy today the right one when he went to the commons and apologised? well, he said he needed _ commons and apologised? well, he said he needed to _ commons and apologised? well, he said he needed to issue _ commons and apologised? well, he said he needed to issue a _ commons and apologised? well, he said he needed to issue a very i said he needed to issue a very convincing apology, and he did. he did so many times and repeated questioning so nobody was in doubt that he was expressing remorse. that has taken some of the sting out of it. it's also brought him a little bit of time. but the big question marks are still hanging over him. does he have the rightjudgment, the right team? if he's lucky, he will segue the whole question. if you get the operation in place, where his own private office is not inviting 100 people in government to a party in the middle of lockdown and not one of them replies and says, is this a bad idea? if he can sort that out, and i think you can probably say... nobody will be talking about parties by then. but say... nobody will be talking about parties by then-— parties by then. but we've already heard peeple _ parties by then. but we've already heard people like _ parties by then. but we've already heard people like the _ parties by then. but we've already heard people like the leader- parties by then. but we've already heard people like the leader of i parties by then. but we've already| heard people like the leader of the scottish conservatives saying he should resign. isuppose scottish conservatives saying he should resign. i suppose what's crucial is what his fellow tory mps think in the next few hours and days. think in the next few hours and da 5. , ~ �* , ., think in the next few hours and das. , ~ ., days. yes, i think it's fair to say that the snp — days. yes, i think it's fair to say that the snp have _ days. yes, i think it's fair to say that the snp have called - days. yes, i think it's fair to say that the snp have called for i days. yes, i think it's fair to say l that the snp have called for boris johnson to resign almost every day since he became prime minister. keir starmer has many times in the past. this particular point in time, not because the hurt that's felt, people are entitled to feel it, but we don't get to vote on borisjohnson for a long time yet. there's no general in the... conservative mps have the right in their hand, so they're the people he will be focusing on. i think that's what he's going to be saying, "give me a chance to sort this out, give me a chance to sort this out, give me a chance to sort this out, give me a chance to focus on the good things that are going on." not least the vaccine roll—out, but the issues that no one is offering to reverse brexit. you those things are not really that fiercely contested, so he'll be asking for another chance to prove that he is capable of running an operation with the side issues not overshadowing everything else. ., ., ~' issues not overshadowing everything else. ., ., ~ , issues not overshadowing everything else. ., ., ~' else. you worked with boris johnson closel , else. you worked with boris johnson closely. so — else. you worked with boris johnson closely. so to _ else. you worked with boris johnson closely, so to what _ else. you worked with boris johnson closely, so to what extent _ else. you worked with boris johnson closely, so to what extent do - else. you worked with boris johnson closely, so to what extent do you i closely, so to what extent do you think it's his fault in the sense, notjust think it's his fault in the sense, not just that there was this party, but there was a culture within downing street — some say a shambolic kind of culture that he presided over? the whole ship here at number ten needs to be significantly tightened up. i at number ten needs to be significantly tightened up. i think conservative _ significantly tightened up. i think conservative mps _ significantly tightened up. i think conservative mps have _ significantly tightened up. i think conservative mps have been i significantly tightened up. i think i conservative mps have been urging him to sort out his operation for a long time. he is one of these people who think it doesn't matter that the patterns of the structure and the processes as much as, i think he's underestimated in the past how important it is to have a fantastic operation around you. if this is a reminder that you need great people in the mix, people who don't organise parties. then nothing will, and that's where i think mps will be seeking very, very solid... if they are to give him a second chance. band are to give him a second chance. and also, we are to give him a second chance. and also. we have — are to give him a second chance. and also, we have seen him back away claims in the commons. he said no guidelines were broken, all the rules were followed at number ten, and now we've had this apology and the labour leader saying the public see him as a liar, basically. one of the dangers for him now is that people will say that he misled the commons. . . people will say that he misled the commons. ., ., ., , commons. yeah, and of course, keir starmer had — commons. yeah, and of course, keir starmer had time _ commons. yeah, and of course, keir starmer had time to _ commons. yeah, and of course, keir starmer had time to complete i commons. yeah, and of course, keir starmer had time to complete what. starmer had time to complete what was said about one specific event, which came up before christmas, where i think most people were convinced he was not there and did not knew it happened. keir starmer is trying to... across the range of events as parties. he has not given that, so that will be the subject of the inquiry. the prime minister has rightly acknowledge that people feel they know enough about this. to be furious at the idea that people who chose to come up with various prescriptive and very specific rules about what the rest of us were entitled to do did not think those rules needed to be adhered to. that is about as toxic as a gift, even if it is not about life and death —— toxic as it gets. it does go into the heart of whether people trust government or not. he will take a while to win back that trust. that looks like a long way off. find while to win back that trust. that looks like a long way off.- looks like a long way off. and in the end, looks like a long way off. and in the end. tory — looks like a long way off. and in the end, tory mps _ looks like a long way off. and in the end, tory mps are - looks like a long way off. and in the end, tory mps are pretty i the end, tory mps are pretty ruthless. when they think a leader won't win next, they tend to get rid of that leader. and this has been toxic for the government, for the prime minister and the prime minister himself acknowledged there was rage around the country that people who were oh being those very odorous restrictions see that those rules were not being followed a —— obeying those restrictions a. rules were not being followed a -- obeying those restrictions a. you're ri . ht. obeying those restrictions a. you're right- whether— obeying those restrictions a. you're right. whether you _ obeying those restrictions a. you're right. whether you like _ obeying those restrictions a. you're right. whether you like their - right. whether you like their politics, you have to acknowledge the conservative party is one of the most successful in the history of democracy, partly because they don't encourage leaders for very long if they feel... i remember seeing two or three people dispatch ruthlessly in mid midterm. but this is a big one. it's like saying tiger woods will not win a golf tournament again or andy murray won't win wimbledon again or lewis hamilton having missed out on one formula one now finish. it's a big call to say this guy whose broken the mould is shot as an electoral force. so, that will be very sobering, and i think the apology today is giving them a bit of time to reflect. which gives him a chance to fight back, and he will be hoping to survive.— be hoping to survive. whether he will or not. _ be hoping to survive. whether he will or not, we _ be hoping to survive. whether he will or not, we don't _ be hoping to survive. whether he will or not, we don't know, i be hoping to survive. whether he will or not, we don't know, but . be hoping to survive. whether he i will or not, we don't know, but how damaged will he be even if they do —— he does survive this? what has probably been the greatest crisis for him. ~ , ., ~' probably been the greatest crisis for him. ~ ~ ., for him. when you think of the massive. _ for him. when you think of the massive, controversial- for him. when you think of the i massive, controversial decisions he's been involved in, he's taken the uk out of the european union. whichever side that debate you're on, that's a big achievement. he's broken the electoral roll. a fantastic vaccine roll—out, one of the best in the world, after countries like israel. but there's a lot to ponder, and i think his fate is now very much in the hands of conservative mps, and he's going to be on a massive... behind closed doors. because they're the people who pulled his face fate in their hands. . , who pulled his face fate in their hands. ., , ., ., ~ ., hands. really good to talk to you. thank ou hands. really good to talk to you. thank you so _ hands. really good to talk to you. thank you so much _ hands. really good to talk to you. thank you so much for— hands. really good to talk to you. thank you so much for your i hands. really good to talk to you. i thank you so much for your thoughts. the prime minister hoping that apology has been enough, he is still saying we should wait and see the results of sue gray's inquiry. boris johnson will also be waiting a little nervously to see how his fellow conservative mps react to his performance in the commons, and he'll be wondering how many of them may think they could perhaps, just perhaps, be better off with another leader. more from me later, but now back to reeta chakrabarti. thank you very much, ben. prince andrew has failed in his bid to get a civil case, which alleges he sexually assaulted a 17—year—old girl, dismissed by a usjudge. virginia giuffre, who is now 38, is suing the prince, claiming he abused her in 2001. prince andrew's lawyer said the case should be thrown out, citing a 2009 deal ms giuffre signed with convicted sex offenderjeffrey epstein. but today, a new yorkjudge ruled that her claim could be heard. judge lewis kaplan's decision amounted to 46 pages, saying the agreement "cannot be said" to benefit the duke of york. so, what is prince andrew accused of? virginia giuffre, then known as virginia roberts, alleges that she was trafficked to have sex with prince andrew. it's alleged that she was sexually abused by the prince on three occasions. ms giuffre claims it happened in london, new york and epstein's private island in the caribbean. prince andrew has consistently denied the allegations. here's our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. so, what does he do now and what does the royal family do with him? after months during which andrew tried first to ignore the case and then to avoid court papers being served on him and having finally appointed us lawyers to try to get the case dismissed, he finds himself facing some stark choices. his motion to get the case dismissed, having failed, andrew's options amount to this. he can settle out of court — there would be no admission of liability but he would pay a perhaps substantial sum to virginia giuffre. he can default, that is ignore the court case and, by default, there would be a finding against him. finally, he could fight it out in court. he would have to give a deposition under oath, the rival stories would be tested, the matter would be decided in open court. lawyers who have been following the case say none of the options will be attractive to him. andrew's got no good options now. he can't make things better, so essentially, i think he's either going to have to engage in the trial process or he's going to have to settle, and that may well be his least—worst option. and then there's the question of andrew's future within the royal family. ten years ago, at the time of the queen's diamond jubilee, andrew was very much in evidence. much has happened in the years since and most of it, in the case of andrew, has been deeply embarrassing for the royal family. in his newsnight interview, the one in which he said he couldn't remember meeting with the then 17—year—old in virginia giuffre, andrew was asked whether he felt he had damaged the queen and the royal family. i don't believe it's been damaging to the queen at all. it has to me. if i were in a position to be able to answer all these questions in a way which gave sensible answers, other than the ones that i've given, that gave closure, i'd love it, but i'm afraid i can't because i am just as much in the dark as many people. yet for all of andrew's denials of wrongdoing, might this be the time for him to withdraw entirely from public life? he has retained some positions, he's colonel of the grenadier guards, for example. behind the scenes, there's unease, a feeling that, in this of all years, the year of the queen's platinum jubilee, it would be preferable for her second son to recognise that, as he said in the newsnight interview, he's let the side down and that he should therefore bow out gracefully and completely. nicholas witchell, bbc news. i spoke to nick a little earlier. no bones about it, this is now a monumental mess. we're not three days since buckingham palace confirmed all the details of the platinum jubilee and we have the prospect of the civil case against her second son in september. and it's a long and detailed ruling from judge lewis kaplan, the district court in new york. i'm just looking at it now, and it finishes with these words. the defendant's motion is denied in all respect. so, there we are, his attempts to have this dismissed has failed and i think that was entirely predictable, given the tenor of the exchanges in court last week. andrew's council was given a very hard time byjudge kaplan, and it appeared then that he was not being persuaded that there were grounds, the third priority beneficial grounds which his counsel pleaded on his behalf. judge kaplan has rejected all of that, so it now goes forward to the prospect of a civil trial in the autumn, unless, of course, andrew does now seek an out—of—court settlement. that would be costly to him, but there can only be costly to him, but there can only be an out—of—court settlement if virginia giuffre is prepared to settle. and there are certainly suggestions that she now wants her day in court, that she wants her allegations fiercely denied by andrew, but she wants them to be aired in court. so, we shall have to see, but it is an absolute mess now. we heard earlier the media lawyer mark stevens is saying prince andrew has no good options. h0. mark stevens is saying prince andrew has no good options.— has no good options. no, he's got basically three. _ has no good options. no, he's got basically three. he _ has no good options. no, he's got basically three. he can _ has no good options. no, he's got basically three. he can seek- has no good options. no, he's got basically three. he can seek an i basically three. he can seek an out—of—court settlement, he can default and ignore the case and not enter a defence, in which case it will be found against him. the verdict will go against him, so he would be... it is a civil case. we need to keep reminding ourselves this is not a criminal case. but it would be found against him if he doesn't enter a defence against him, against the charges, or he can decide now to contest it. he can go forward and he would have to give a disposition under oath, there's no question of him turning up in court and giving evidence in court and being cross—examined in court. but if he decides to contest it, both stories, historian virginia's story, will then be suggestible to challenge —— his story. they believe that there are inconsistencies in virginia giuffre's story, and they say they are keen to point these out. but as i think his lawyers would say, he has no good options now, and one would imagine that his advisers such as they are, and there are questions about the quality of the advice he's been receiving, one must assume that they will be at least considering whether the most sensible course of action now would be to seek an out—of—court settlement, but that does depend upon the other party being prepared to enter into a settlement. whatever ha--ens to enter into a settlement. whatever ha ens in to enter into a settlement. whatever happens in this _ to enter into a settlement. whatever happens in this court _ to enter into a settlement. whatever happens in this court case, _ to enter into a settlement. whatever happens in this court case, is - to enter into a settlement. whatever happens in this court case, is there l happens in this court case, is there any salvaging? i happens in this court case, is there any salvaging?— happens in this court case, is there any salvaging? i think everyone can come to their own _ any salvaging? i think everyone can come to their own conclusion i any salvaging? i think everyone can come to their own conclusion aboutj come to their own conclusion about that. let'sjust put come to their own conclusion about that. let's just put it this way. i think it is very, very, very hard to see a route back for him to any sort of public role. he clings onto his kernel ship of the grenadier guards. what is the first event of the platinum jubilee weekend? trooping the colour. he would be expected to ride. i tell you this, the grenadier guards don't want him, that's for certain. f , guards don't want him, that's for certain. j , , , . guards don't want him, that's for i certain-_ they certain. they've been public? they have not certain. they've been public? they have rrot said _ certain. they've been public? they have not said it _ certain. they've been public? they have not said it publicly, _ certain. they've been public? they have not said it publicly, but i have not said it publicly, but behind the scenes they are acutely embarrassed to have prints and your is there kernel. —— prince andrew as their colonel. is there kernel. -- prince andrew as their colonel-— their colonel. nicholas witchell there. melissa murray is professor of law at the new york university school of law. shejoins us now. hello. this court ruling today allows virginia dupree to pursue her case against prince andrew in the courts. what is going to happen now? —— virginia to ... there there will be a discovery phase, documents — there will be a discovery phase, documents and _ there will be a discovery phase, documents and reports _ there will be a discovery phase, documents and reports from i there will be a discovery phase, documents and reports from both l documents and reports from both sides. it is likely the duke of york will be asked to sit for a deposition, and answer questions in written form, both under oath. the underlying facts of this case will be part of the public record as this litigation goes forward. once discovery is completed, they will then move into the trial phase, but all of this can be avoided if the duke of york decides to pursue a settlement with miss giuffre and if miss giuffre is amenable to a settlement. miss giuffre is amenable to a settlement-— miss giuffre is amenable to a settlement. �* ., , ., settlement. are there any other 0 tions, settlement. are there any other options. are _ settlement. are there any other options, are there _ settlement. are there any other options, are there any - settlement. are there any other options, are there any risks i settlement. are there any other options, are there any risks to l settlement. are there any other options, are there any risks to a settlement? i options, are there any risks to a settlement?— settlement? i do not know if there are any other _ settlement? i do not know if there are any other options. _ settlement? i do not know if there are any other options. having i settlement? i do not know if there are any other options. having a i are any other options. having a child and having this hashed out in open court risks quite a lot of embarrassing information coming out. whether or not it goes to prove the allegations, it is likely to be embarrassing both to the duke of york and demonically more generally, but pursuing a settlement means it is essentially that you are admitting some wrongdoing or lease the optics suggest it —— the monarchy more generally. that is consistent with the interview the duke of your previously gave, that he never had any kind of misconduct with miss giuffre stopped what he does have a small window of opportunity to appeal, doesn't he? how do you rate his chances of success there? he how do you rate his chances of success there?— success there? he can appeal, obviously. _ success there? he can appeal, obviously, but _ success there? he can appeal, obviously, but at _ success there? he can appeal, obviously, but at the - success there? he can appeal, j obviously, but at the appellate level, the court would review the issue of whether the motion should be dismissed using the same standard the trial court used here, so we would essentially be going through the same analysis and i don't see an appellate court, to the same —— coming to a different conclusion stop what you think none of his options i think none of his options look good if you want to preserve your status and your reputation. this is all, as your correspondent said, messy, it is likely to continue to be messy. messy, it is likely to continue to be messy-— messy, it is likely to continue to be mess . ., ., ., be messy. the idea of reaching an out-of-court _ be messy. the idea of reaching an out-of-court settlement, - be messy. the idea of reaching an out-of-court settlement, does i be messy. the idea of reaching an l out-of-court settlement, does that out—of—court settlement, does that say something in terms of, he has attempted to stop the legal process going had at certain times up to now, so what would that say? again, i think that now, so what would that say? again, i think that is — now, so what would that say? again, i think that is a _ now, so what would that say? again, i think that is a question _ now, so what would that say? again, i think that is a question of— i think that is a question of optics. going through a settlement is not an admission of guilt, but thatis is not an admission of guilt, but that is not how the public will take it, especially since the duke of york was so vehement about not being party to any kind of misconduct in those earlier interviews and a statement posted effect of a statement, as well as... it will be as though he did something wrong in many people's perspective and trying to avoid being held to account for it. thank ou being held to account for it. thank you very much- — being held to account for it. thank you very much. that _ being held to account for it. thank you very much. that is _ being held to account for it. thank you very much. that is melissa i you very much. that is melissa murray, professor of law at new york university school of law. lam iamjoined by i am joined byjoshua lam joined byjoshua rosenberg. are you in broad agreement with what she said? i you in broad agreement with what she said? ., ., , , , said? i do agree, it is very, very difficult. said? i do agree, it is very, very difficult- l— said? i do agree, it is very, very difficult. i have _ said? i do agree, it is very, very difficult. i have always - said? i do agree, it is very, very difficult. i have always taken i said? i do agree, it is very, very| difficult. i have always taken the view this was likely to settle because of the risk of prince andrew going and being cross—examined in court in new york are far too great. but i agree with what she said about evenif but i agree with what she said about even if there was a settlement or some kind of nondisclosure agreement, the whole thing being done without admission of liability, it would look very bad, but not as bad as having the court case. [30 it would look very bad, but not as bad as having the court case. do you think that is — bad as having the court case. do you think that is the — bad as having the court case. do you think that is the most _ bad as having the court case. do you think that is the most likely - think that is the most likely outcome or the most likely path the duke's lawyers will pursue, a settlement? i duke's lawyers will pursue, a settlement?— duke's lawyers will pursue, a settlement? ., . ., . . settlement? i do. nicholas witchell tuite settlement? i do. nicholas witchell quite rightly — settlement? i do. nicholas witchell quite rightly said — settlement? i do. nicholas witchell quite rightly said to _ settlement? i do. nicholas witchell quite rightly said to you _ settlement? i do. nicholas witchell quite rightly said to you earlier i quite rightly said to you earlier virginia giuffre is saying she does not want to settle, she wants her day in courts. of course, it is not quite that simple. because going to court is very expensive indeed. she has made a lot of money in the past by settling cases. we know the case involving jeffrey epstein more than a decade ago, she got half $1 million out of, but that was a long time ago, and her lawyers will obviously want to consider what she might get by going to court the what that might cost, what the risks are of a case in court against the reality of a settlement, in which case she gets compensation and her lawyers get paid, so there is quite a lot of negotiation behind all of this. i am sure that prince andrew's lawyers hope that if they were successful or even partially successful or even partially successful in this hearing last week, that we had thejudgment successful in this hearing last week, that we had the judgment for today, then that would give them an advantage in terms of a settlement. but not only did the judge throw the case out on the basis that this agreement was not going to apply to prince andrew or least he would not rule that he was going to apply it to prince andrew on the basis of what he had been told and what he had seen in the agreement, not only that, he also threw out one or two other arguments the case was unconstitutional against new york law and that there is not enough information provided, so there is really no comfort at all in this ruling from the new york court today. so ruling from the new york court toda _ ., ruling from the new york court toda. ., ., ,, , ruling from the new york court toda . ., ., ,, , ., as ruling from the new york court toda. ., , ., as ou today. so what happens now? as you were hearing. — today. so what happens now? as you were hearing, there _ today. so what happens now? as you were hearing, there is _ today. so what happens now? as you were hearing, there is this _ today. so what happens now? as you were hearing, there is this process i were hearing, there is this process known as depositions. we don't have that in the united kingdom in the same way, but what happens is that each side is entitled to take evidence from the witnesses of the key witnesses, prince injuru on one side, virginia giuffre on the other, and their lawyers on the other side — in a lawyer's office, in front of a video camera and a shorthand writer — and they are as further evidence —— prince andrew. what that means is by the time we go to court, everybody knows where they stand, where the evidence is, with the strengths are, with the weaknesses are, and that process is likely to go ahead. last week, the judge said that even though he wanted a few days to prepare hisjudgment, that process did not stop. a settlement, debt to come at any time, but traditionally sediments come at the very last moment, even at the door of the court, because people are fighting over the details and so on. is a drawn out process. but if prince andrew want to do settle immediately, he might have to more thanif immediately, he might have to more than if he was if the case got to the day of the court. it is not a very easy position for him to be in. fascinating. thank you so much. that is joshua rosenberg fascinating. thank you so much. that isjoshua rosenberg there. joining me now is our legal correspondent dominic casciani. (os joining me now is our legal correspondent dominic casciani. that was joshua rosenberg and melissa murray before him laying out the timetable, but there is a lot of material discussed in this deposition, partly because what prince andrew has had in public succulent but there is also a discovery phase as well —— but succulent but there is also a discovery phase as well -- but there is also a discovery _ discovery phase as well -- but there is also a discovery phase. _ discovery phase as well -- but there is also a discovery phase. tell- discovery phase as well -- but there is also a discovery phase. tell us i is also a discovery phase. tell us about that- _ is also a discovery phase. tell us about that. when... _ is also a discovery phase. tell us about that. when... that - is also a discovery phase. tell us about that. when... that is i is also a discovery phase. tell us about that. when... that is all. about that. when... that is all based on _ about that. when... that is all based on the _ about that. when... that is all based on the deposition - about that. when... that is all} based on the deposition where about that. when... that is all- based on the deposition where mark zuckerberg has been drilled by lawyers, the film the social network. getting some resolution in the courtroom. it is under oath, it is a very, very import process. it is a very, very import process. it is not necessary to the case that prince andrew ever reach that point because, as joshua prince andrew ever reach that point because, asjoshua was just prince andrew ever reach that point because, as joshua was just saying, their opportunities to settle. his lawyers may say, you've got no good options, you may want to settle now, you're going to take that into account. before you get there, you have this discovery phase, and this is not what is happening. judge kaplan has had a very tight timetable, the exchange of evidence. prince enter has talked in evidence about whether virginia giuffre has a genuine connection to the us, because without actually living there any more, she may not feel to bring the case. virginia giuffre is already sending lots of request to prince andrew's evidence. they've asked for evidence in relation to his assertion on newsnight that at the time they were supposed to of met 20 years ago he could not swear to it, and she said, prove it. she has asked for evidence for that. there was a picture... this is important stuff. she has to case her —— prove her case. but it is not good look good on the prince's side. the evidence will come in the coming weeks, that phase will be over, by july, but that other things going on as well. virginia giuffre�*s team could make a formal request through the us courts, for our courts to get involved, to help in the assisting of gaining of evidence. there is a lot going on, and if prince and your�*s layers speaking to them now, they are saying, these are the things you've taken to a camp for youth put up a fight or whether you settle. —— take into account before you decide whether to put up a fight or whether to settle.— or whether to settle. thank you for that, our or whether to settle. thank you for that. our legal— or whether to settle. thank you for that, our legal correspondent, - that, our legal correspondent, dominic casciani. let's go back to my correspondent ben brown in westminster. the conservative chair of the public affairs and constitutional affairs committee has in the last hour or so said that the prime minister's position is untenable, and that he should resign. he is been ssdc to my colleague carolyn quinn on radio for�*s pm programme,. william reg said, i do not think it should be left to the findings of a civil servant to determine future of the prime minister and indeed who covers this country. let's have a listen to what he had to say this afternoon. listen to what he had to say this afternoon-— listen to what he had to say this afternoon. ., ., , ., , ., afternoon. unfortunately, iwas not reassured stuff _ afternoon. unfortunately, iwas not reassured stuff i _ afternoon. unfortunately, iwas not reassured stuff i fear _ afternoon. unfortunately, iwas not reassured stuff i fear this _ afternoon. unfortunately, iwas not reassured stuff i fear this is - reassured stuff i fear this is simply going to be a continuing distraction to the good governance of the country. i am particularly concerned as a conservative and p with injured with of the —— mp with interest of the country and the conservative party that his series on first ever, of matters of integrity, are deeply damaging to the perception of my colleagues and the party and that is deeply unfair to them, as colleagues are saying to one another and off the record, i sadly think the prime minister's position is untenable and i don't believe it should be left to the findings of a civil servant to determine the future of the prime minister and indeed who governs this country. i think it is for the conservative party, if not the prime minister, in fact, conservative party, if not the prime minister, infact, to conservative party, if not the prime minister, in fact, to make that decision and to realise what is in the best interest so that we can move forward both as a party and a country. move forward both as a party and a count . �* , ., move forward both as a party and a count .�* move forward both as a party and a count . �* ., move forward both as a party and a count .�* ., country. are you saying that you think the prime _ country. are you saying that you think the prime minister - country. are you saying that you think the prime minister should | country. are you saying that you - think the prime minister should step down or— think the prime minister should step down or be _ think the prime minister should step down or be forced from office in the next few _ down or be forced from office in the next few weeks or months, certainly before _ next few weeks or months, certainly before the _ next few weeks or months, certainly before the may elections? | next few weeks or months, certainly before the may elections?— before the may elections? i think it is a tragedy — before the may elections? i think it is a tragedy that — before the may elections? i think it is a tragedy that things _ before the may elections? i think it is a tragedy that things have - before the may elections? i think it is a tragedy that things have come | is a tragedy that things have come to pass in this way. and no doubt the prime minister is reflecting deeply on what has happened, but i cannot in all sincerity coa where these —— see a way where these issues go away, that we can move on, and that we can be the party i know that we are, which is with the interest of the country and its people at our heart, without this constant distraction, it is deeply unfortunate, but i'm afraid it is the inevitable conclusion, the only way to do that is for change. would ou like way to do that is for change. would you like and — way to do that is for change. would you like and to _ way to do that is for change. would you like and to offer _ way to do that is for change. would you like and to offer his _ you like and to offer his resignation? | you like and to offer his resignation?— you like and to offer his resignation? you like and to offer his resianation? ~ ., , resignation? i think i would be preferable. — resignation? i think i would be preferable, because _ resignation? i think i would be preferable, because it - resignation? i think i would be preferable, because it is - resignation? i think i would be l preferable, because it is difficult enough or colleagues —— that will be preferable. ifeel enough or colleagues —— that will be preferable. i feel sympathy for them, but they are tired, they are friendly born out of defending what is invariably indefensible, and that for their sakes at least the prime ministers should see that and do the right thing. ministers should see that and do the riaht thin. ~ ., t ., ministers should see that and do the riuahtthin.~ ., l ., right thing. william wragg, saying the prime minister's _ right thing. william wragg, saying the prime minister's position - right thing. william wragg, saying the prime minister's position is i the prime minister's position is untenable. deeply uncomfortable listening for the prime minister. let's go to nick eardley, who is in the palace of westminster for us now. i suppose the key question is, and you can help us with this, how many others are thinking along similar lines?— many others are thinking along similar lines? there are certainly others tonight — similar lines? there are certainly others tonight who _ similar lines? there are certainly others tonight who are _ others tonight who are uncomfortable, who think that things are bad for the prime minister, who think that the pressure is not going to go away and that there constituents are unhappy and that there have been constituents telling them they are happy. the hope in downing street will be that there is not a flood of people unhappy off the record who are prepared to sate on the record and call for the prime minister to go. there are ministers being dispatched across the airwaves, across parliament this afternoon. michael gove isjust up there pitching to tory mps about why they should wait for this report from the senior civil servant sue gray, who is looking into all of these allegations of gatherings and parties and downing street and elsewhere in government, but there is deep unease in the party, any question now, one that was simple he cannot answer at the moment, is whether there will be more mp5 to feel over the next few hours, the next few days, perhaps, that they would add their voice to calls for the prime minister to go. we have got william wragg saying it 2pm this evening, we have douglas ross the scottish tory leader saying it's this afternoon wassup for the much open mutiny in the scottish conservative party —— there is pretty much open mutiny. about a dozen saying he should go as well. other mp5 talking about their frustrations. the question now about, from mrjohnson, is whether thatisit about, from mrjohnson, is whether that is it or whether there are more to come. �* , , , . ~ that is it or whether there are more tocome.�* , , , ., ,, , to come. and 'ust briefly, talk us through the — to come. and just briefly, talk us through the mechanism, - to come. and just briefly, talk us through the mechanism, if - to come. and just briefly, talk us through the mechanism, if there| to come. and just briefly, talk us . through the mechanism, if there are enough to think that is it, what would they have to do to try to get rid of him as their leader? for would they have to do to try to get rid of him as their leader?- rid of him as their leader? for a no-confidence _ rid of him as their leader? for a no-confidence vote _ rid of him as their leader? for a no-confidence vote in _ rid of him as their leader? for a no-confidence vote in the - rid of him as their leader? for a | no-confidence vote in the prime no—confidence vote in the prime minister, they would have to be 5a mps writing to the chairman of the backbench committee, the 1922 committee, calling for a vote to be held on the premise of�*s future, and thatis held on the premise of�*s future, and that is a bit of guesswork —— the prime minister's future. i have been in parliament too long to believe any of the predictions about have any of the predictions about have any letters of god into the chairman of the 1922 committee, the truth is we just don't know, but we do know for sure is the pressure on the prime ministers not going away. he may have bought himself sometime in the eyes of some into that sue gray reported to what goes on comes out, but there are some mps deeply unhappy, deeply worried and increasingly talk about, what if we have to give it of mrjohnson? find have to give it of mrjohnson? and also, we have to give it of mrjohnson? and also. we have _ have to give it of mrjohnson? and also, we have got the results to come on sue gray's inquiry, believe also potentially — and who knows — we may get more revelations of parties, more information on existing parties we know about, more pictures, so this is not overt. i don't think this story is going to go anywhere, i think it is going to run and run, and you are right, there is constant speculation around here there may be more allegations to come about what went on in governments during lockdown, whether there were more gatherings which potentially breached those coronavirus rules, and i spoke to one senior tory who said this evening that if that report from sue gray comes back and either says the prime minister did not tell the truth or the prime minister acted badly orfind another way truth or the prime minister acted badly or find another way to criticise him or find badly or find another way to criticise him orfind another revelation involving the prime minister, that could be terminal, and their many in governments who will be helping that this buys a bit of time, but no it is not of the wood yet for the prime minister —— there are many in government who will be hoping. there are many in government who will be hoping-— will be hoping. nick, good to talk to ou. will be hoping. nick, good to talk to you- that _ will be hoping. nick, good to talk to you- that is — will be hoping. nick, good to talk to you. that is nick _ will be hoping. nick, good to talk to you. that is nick eardley, - will be hoping. nick, good to talk to you. that is nick eardley, and | to you. that is nick eardley, and we've also been hearing for the deputy prime minister and hejustice secretary dominic raab, who is been answering questions about the downing street party. let's hear what he had to say. he first question to him was whether he knew about that party back in may of 2020 and also whether he was there. the prime and also whether he was there. ira: prime minister has and also whether he was there. iu2 prime minister has come to the house of commons, given a very clear account, taking questions on that post he has been clear, he believes, that he was acting in accordance with the rules at the time, but of course understands that the perception of those in power not following the rules that many others are required to him up vertically those who have been through serious hardship or lost loved ones during this pandemic, that is why he has apologised, and in relation to all the detailed claims that a been raised, i think it is right that he was saying in the house of commons that sue gray's given time to conduct that investigation. they will be time, the prime minister will be time, the prime minister will connected house of commons post up will connected house of commons post up in what other line of —— and will connected house of commons post up in what other line of --_ up in what other line of -- and what other line of — up in what other line of -- and what other line of employment _ up in what other line of -- and what other line of employment would - up in what other line of -- and whatj other line of employment would you be invited to bring your booze to a work event? that is in the e—mail. that is what sue great has been tasked to conduct an investigation, to make sure that all of this questions can be answered in a way thatis questions can be answered in a way that is clear and transparent —— sue gray has been. that is clear and transparent -- sue gray has been-— gray has been. dominic raab. edge latest from — gray has been. dominic raab. edge latest from downing _ gray has been. dominic raab. edge latest from downing street - gray has been. dominic raab. edge latest from downing street on - gray has been. dominic raab. edge latest from downing street on a - gray has been. dominic raab. edge| latest from downing street on a day when we heard the prime minister issuing what he said was a heartfelt apology for a —— attending that gathering in the garden of downing street in the 2020, but despite that apology, he is under pressure. but that is all from down the street for now. let's hit the latest sport with olly foster. a parliamentary report on cricket's racism crisis will be published on friday. it follows powerful testimony from former yorkshire player azeem rafiq in front of a committee of mps in november, outlining his experiences at the county and his claim that the sport is institutionaly racist. yorkshire has had two lucrative england matches, a test and a one—dayer, taken away from them this summer, and though rafiq wants them to be reinstated, the england and wales cricket board says the county has to meet certain criteria by early spring. the yorkshire chairman lord patel has been speaking to our sports editor dan roan. my my sole focus besides dealing with all the issues we have to deal with is making sure international matches are returned here as soon as possible, because everything rests on that, in terms of our future, future sponsors, our sustainability plan and the hundred of thousands of fans that want to seek test cricket here. it is absolutely crucial. liverpool managerjurgen klopp says he's "very positive" about the prospect of mohammed salah extending his contract beyond the end of next season. the egypt international gave an interview to gq magazine this week in which he said his future was in liverpool's hands and that he was not asking for "crazy things" amid reports he wants £300,000—a—week wages. nowadays especially, i think it is really dangerous when there is interviews, you did not speak to the player himself, so i know mo wants to say, we want mo to stay. that's where we are, so... and these things take times. i cannot change, sorry, but i think it is all in a good place. nothing else to say. mo salah is with egypt at the africa cup of nations. there were farcical scenes as mali beat tunisia 1—0. the referee blew for full—time too early. ibrahima koney put mali 1—0 up shortly before half—time. tunisia had a penalty saved in the second half. that was before chaos ensued. the referee later mistakenly blew for full—time with the clock on 85 minutes. play resumed before the referee again brought the match to a close in the 89th minute, much to the fury of the tunisians. it was then decided that three minutes of injury time should be played. many players were in the ice baths, so mali were given a win. one game happening, mauritania beating gambia 1-0. happening, mauritania beating gambia 1—0. probably will be one goal in the later game as well! novak djokovic has admitted failing to isolate after finding out he'd tested positive for covid—19. he called it an "error ofjudgment". the world number one, now trading ahead of the tournament, also visited a children's tennis events the day before but says he had not been notified of his positive result at the time. immigration officials are still to decide on the validity of his visa after what djokovic has described as human error on his application to enter the country, not declaring yet travel to australia via spain. —— he had travelled. judd trump made three centuries in the first run at the masters. world number two was trailing in the deciding frame as all became back again to book his place in the quarters. his possible next opponents face tonight at the alexander palace. much more on the website. details on the front page of a rape case. in england rugby international has been arrested. reports on the 9th of january of reports of sexual assault. the player has been released on bail for assault. the player has been released on bailfor some more details of that story on the bbc sport website. now on bbc news, here's your weather with stav danaos. it was not a bad day today. sunshine around. forthe it was not a bad day today. sunshine around. for the next few days, certainly for the foreseeable future, high—pressure, saw a lot of dry and settled weather, but frost and fog is going to become a problem over the next few days, especially across england and wales. the fog patches will certainly be through the overnight period, more extensive than we had the last couple of nights and it will be cold where skies are clear as well. generally a cold frost net across the south. in the north, more of a breeze, more of a cloud. temperatures, maybe three to 7 degrees for stornoway. our area of high pressure is with us for thursday. you can see more isobars across the north of the country, so here it will remain breezy. the fog to start with, could be really quite dense and places, because of issues to travel, and some of it may even linger on throughout the whole day. should clear for many. linger on throughout the whole day. should clearfor many. we linger on throughout the whole day. should clear for many. we should see some sunshine here. anotherfine day for many places that see that sunshine. some sunshine for parts of northern ireland, cloudier, breezy conditions. temperatures double figure values in the north, around six to 8 degrees in the south, over the fog lingers, struggling to get much above freezing. we can see those temperatures around the seasonal norm as we head into friday, keeping the very cold weather out at bay, all thanks to this area of high pressure which is pretty much sitting across england and wales. again, with light winds, going to start with that mist and fog for friday morning, some of it really quite dense and quite extensive once again. a bit more cloud for scotland and northern ireland, but where the fog lifts for inland and west, we should see some sunshine breaking through and temperatures again five to 8 degrees. —— for england and was. where the fog lingers, 10 degrees for the four northwest of scotland. fog may become a problem over the next few days, ruby dense and stubborn to clear. may cause some disruption to travel. and then into the weekend, largely finance settled thanks to the high pressure. chance and a few showers. most places will stay dry. the prime minister admits attending a downing street party at the height of lockdown — and apologises. borisjohnson told mps he was at the staff drinks for about 25 minutes in may 2020. i regret the way the event i have described was handled. i bitterly regret it and wish that we could have done things differently, and will continue to apologise for what we did. the party's over, prime minister. the only question is, will the british public kick him out, will his party kick him out, or will he do the decent thing and resign? cheering the prime minister urged mps to wait for the full results of an official inquiry, facing mocking for