messing around. $5 data -- danger to us and stop messing around.— data -- danger to us and stop messing around. data -- danger to us and stop messin: around. �* , , ,, ., messing around. as the pressure on boris johnson _ messing around. as the pressure on boris johnson attending _ messing around. as the pressure on boris johnson attending a _ messing around. as the pressure on boris johnson attending a party - borisjohnson attending a party during lockdown continue spinach about it in the success if you are investigate any of the downing street parties unless the inquiry finds evidence of criminalisty. isolation period for anyone with covid—i9 in england has been cut to five full days from next week. they become the latest companies to cut sick pay for on that snippet staff who have to self—isolate because of covid—i9 exposure. buckingham palace has announced that prince andrew is returning his royal and military titles to the queen. he will no longer be referred to as his royal highness in any official capacity. it comes just a day after prince andrew's lawyers failed to persuade a judge in america to dismiss a civil lawsuit against him that accuses him of sexually abusing a teenager two decades ago. the duke of york has consistently denied the allegations. buckingham palace says he will defend the civil court case as a private citizen. nicholas witchell reports. it is clear the impossibility of retaining his military positions had been accepted by the cream particularly after yesterday's court ruling in new york. he is therefore no longer the honourary colonel of the grenadier guards, that will be a relief to them, his continued links to the regiment had become an embarrassment. a statement from buckingham palace a short time ago said with a queen approval and agreement that duke of york military affiliations and royal patronage is have been returned to the cream. the duke of york will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen. that certainly seems to suggest that angela is determined to fight on but steps are being taken to insulate as far as possible the royal family from further embarrassment. mi5 issued a rare alert to mps warning a woman has been working as an agent for a chinese state trying to influence british politicians. the security service claims that christine was engaged in political interference on behalf of the chinese communist party. the home secretary pretty patel said it was deeply concerning but insisted the uk had strong structures in place to identify and deal with such matters. here is our security correspondent. a figure at the heart of westminster, with access to politicians from all sides and the funds to back it up. but today, the lawyer accused of working secretly on behalf of the chinese state. in a highly unusual move, mi5 issued to select department. it whined she has been working with an arm of the chinese communist party to covertly interfere in uk politics through establishing links with established and aspiring parliamentarians. the established and aspiring parliamentarians. established and aspiring arliamentarians. .. ., , parliamentarians. the fact that this alert has become _ parliamentarians. the fact that this alert has become public— parliamentarians. the fact that this alert has become public today - parliamentarians. the fact that this alert has become public today in i parliamentarians. the fact that thisl alert has become public today in the way in which he has is really a very strong illustration of how our intelligence and security agencies have been working together to vb spots and identify this type of activity and activity that could potentially do harm to our country and harm to our democracy. there was no one here — and harm to our democracy. there was no one here today _ and harm to our democracy. there was no one here today at _ and harm to our democracy. there was no one here today at her— and harm to our democracy. there was no one here today at her london - no one here today at her london office and she's not yet responded to the claims. the allegation is that she was funnelling money to politicians claiming it came from within the uk when in fact it came from china all in order to secure influence for the chinese communist party. primary labourfrom influence for the chinese communist party. primary labour from them received more than £a00,000 from her over five years. received more than £a00,000 from her overfive years. in received more than £a00,000 from her over five years. in a statement today he said he had been liaising with mis today he said he had been liaising with mi5 and he stopped receiving money for parliamentary researchers in 2020 although her son was working in 2020 although her son was working in his office until he resigned today. in his office until he resigned toda . , , . , in his office until he resigned toda. ,, today. this is really serious. we don't -a today. this is really serious. we don't pay this — today. this is really serious. we don't pay this down, _ today. this is really serious. we don't pay this down, and - today. this is really serious. we don't pay this down, and not. today. this is really serious. we - don't pay this down, and not running scary stories. and genuinely concerned and shocked that this has been allowed to happen and we need to understand why and we need to do something about it but also have to recognise the chinese government poses a clear and present danger to us and stop messing around. lentils}. us and stop messing around. mi5, concerned — us and stop messing around. mi5, concerned about _ us and stop messing around. mi5, concerned about chinese influence has been growing in recent years in today's move is a sign that the fairies go right to the heart of westminster. today's alerts comes after what i understand it was a lengthy and serious investigation by mis lengthy and serious investigation by mi5 just down the lengthy and serious investigation by mi5just down the road and it revealed they had a wide set of contacts across all parties here at westminster. it's noticeable that even the mis felt they had to act she's not being prosecuted but it is not about spying in the traditional sense about someone stealing secrets, it's about influence and the view was that the best way to disrupt the described activities is by issuing this unusual warning. let us talk to the professor who is director of the china institute. somebody trying to influence british politicians it seems and projected it is a concerted attempt by china to have influence in british politics? we have seen the chinese government try something like that in australia and new zealand so don't think we should be surprised that they are trying something like this in the uk and perhaps some other countries as well. in other countries as well. in that sense it's _ other countries as well. in that sense it's a — other countries as well. in that sense it's a coordinated - other countries as well. in that sense it's a coordinated and i sense it's a coordinated and concerted effort on the part of the chinese communist party. it seems mi5 have known about _ chinese communist party. it seems mi5 have known about it _ chinese communist party. it seems mi5 have known about it for- chinese communist party. it seems mi5 have known about it for quite i mi5 have known about it for quite some time? it mi5 have known about it for quite some time?— mi5 have known about it for quite some time? ., ., , , , some time? it would not surprise me if mi5 have known _ some time? it would not surprise me if mi5 have known about _ some time? it would not surprise me if mi5 have known about it _ some time? it would not surprise me if mi5 have known about it for - some time? it would not surprise me if mi5 have known about it for quite l if mi5 have known about it for quite some time but they would have to get evidence and that the case and they will not announce it unless they've got enough evidence and create political authorities. what got enough evidence and create political authorities.— political authorities. what is china's strategy _ political authorities. what is china's strategy in _ political authorities. what is china's strategy in terms - political authorities. what is china's strategy in terms of| china's strategy in terms of influence, espionage, whatever you want to collect in this country and around the world? we know a lot about what the russians are trying to do here perhaps e—mail a bit less about what china is trying to do. what we do know i2 things. what xi jinping wants to tell china blustery well which means china wants to control the narrative about anything to do with china and the second thing is to make the rest of the world respect and admire china so whether it's to espionage or influence it to be about enhancing china's capacity to shape other obedience and policies towards china and that's why they're trying to infiltrate parliamentarians. irate infiltrate parliamentarians. we heard from mr duncan smith who is worried about china's influence and he says he have to recognise china is a clear and present danger and is that how you see china? i is a clear and present danger and is that how you see china?— is a clear and present danger and is that how you see china? i would beg to differ in not _ that how you see china? i would beg to differ in not seeing _ that how you see china? i would beg to differ in not seeing it _ that how you see china? i would beg to differ in not seeing it as _ that how you see china? i would beg to differ in not seeing it as a - to differ in not seeing it as a clear and present danger, i think what we see is a very serious and insidious threat to the uk and it is undermining our value and our system but it's a slow erosion of the process. if i politicians and other establishments do not fall into the kind of entrapment and enticement of chinese agents then we would not be in the situation.— in the situation. thank you very much. in the situation. thank you very much- we _ in the situation. thank you very much. we will— in the situation. thank you very much. we will be _ in the situation. thank you very much. we will be finding - in the situation. thank you very much. we will be finding out i in the situation. thank you very i much. we will be finding out how this story and other studies today are covered in tomorrow's newspaper front pages coming up at 10:30pm this evening with me in the papers and entertaining me tonight we have got it from a trade minister so tuning for those reviews at at half past 11 and you can watch one or both if you want. that's our top story. penn's entry is attending his title to the queen and he will no longer be referred to as his well highness in any official capacity. it comesjust a highness in any official capacity. it comes just a day after prince andrew's of fail to persuade a judge in america to dismiss this in the civil lawsuit against him and accuses him of sexually abusing a teenager two decades ago. he has consistently denied the allegations. more on that story with our lawyer —— royal correspondent. was there a certain inevitability to this? you ut our certain inevitability to this? you put your finger _ certain inevitability to this? you put your finger on _ certain inevitability to this? ym. put your finger on it. they've acted very quickly but his position was completely untenable in terms of military affiliations after the ruling in new york yesterday and i think the members of the royal family, prince charles, prince william, they had to put aside family feelings because this is now about the protection of the royal family reputation. this is likely to do and already doing considerable reputational damage. it's been followed around the world and the prospect of him now as he says he where he will fight this case and sources close to him or indicating that it sources close to him or indicating thatitis sources close to him or indicating that it is his intention but he will do so as a private citizen. he will no longer occupy any honourary roles with military units or army navy or air force there are about a dozen reginans but there are reginans in canada and new zealand and elsewhere so he is stepping back from all of those and we can say with certainty tonight that there is relief within military circles because it was just an embarrassment to many of these regimens to be associated with him. he has not been stripped of his royal highness stating that it's been agreed he will not use it in any official role. the fact that he does not have any official role as emergency stop backed from all the charitable ones. so essentially he is now almost going into exile in order that he can fight the case as a private citizen.— a private citizen. pretty humiliating _ a private citizen. pretty humiliating all- a private citizen. pretty humiliating all in i a private citizen. pretty humiliating all in all. isj a private citizen. pretty i humiliating all in all. is this something he has mutually agreed with the rest of the royal family or has this been forced upon him? irate has this been forced upon him? we don't has this been forced upon him? - don't know i suppose. we don't. we are told its by mutual agreement but i think that one can detect and the influence of prince charles and prince william as the future monarchs and the people who are going to have to take them well from the and the british monarchy forward and they will want to ensure that the damage that is being done by this court case and everything around it is as limited as possible on the royal family is isolated so as much as it can be from that damage it will still spill over to a certain extent and it's of course from the well from a point of view unfortunate that this is all happening in the queens platinum jubilee year and one can only imagine the stress this is all causing to her. andrew is often said to be her favourite son and yet now he's having to sever links with the work of the royal family.— he's having to sever links with the work of the royal family. thank you for that update. _ work of the royal family. thank you for that update. we _ work of the royal family. thank you for that update. we can _ work of the royal family. thank you for that update. we can talk- work of the royal family. thank you for that update. we can talk more | for that update. we can talk more about this now with jonatan a specialist in military history at the university of birmingham. thank you for being with us as well. as we were just discussing things —— prince andrew losing the various military titles, to what extent will that come as something is a relief to those various reginans? he has been reporting _ to those various reginans? he has been reporting for _ to those various reginans? he has been reporting for some _ to those various reginans? he has been reporting for some time i to those various reginans? he has been reporting for some time that | been reporting for some time that they are very nervous about this. one of these regimens and relationships of the royal family are just as important to the reginans as they are to the royal family. the royalfamily most of them have served in the armed services at some point and take these relationships very carefully and it's important that they are strong and mutually reliable and i think he's probably right that the they'll be relieved that these connections are being caught in this particular case. connections are being caught in this particular case-— particular case. from prince andrews — particular case. from prince andrew's point _ particular case. from prince andrew's point of— particular case. from prince andrew's point of view i particular case. from prince andrew's point of view he i particular case. from prince andrew's point of view he isj particular case. from prince i andrew's point of view he is a military man and sees himself very much as a military man and it will be hugely disappointing in a sense humiliating. be hugely disappointing in a sense humiliatina. ., , humiliating. reading the. he served of course as— humiliating. reading the. he served of course as i _ humiliating. reading the. he served of course as i helicopter _ humiliating. reading the. he served of course as i helicopter pilots i humiliating. reading the. he served of course as i helicopter pilots in i of course as i helicopter pilots in the royal navy and he's had took over as the guards from his father at the duke of edinburgh a few years ago and every indication we have is that he has taken these jobs as it were which is kind of a bit like a patron of the charity which is the best way to think about this. in the day—to—day running of the regiment at all so as a sounding board and try out to terminate events from time to time and as a very sad reflection and cutting up ties if you like much as we sell it prince harry one of the things prince harry seems to be most upset about is that when he left the royal family he was asked to give up these ties. what asked to give up these ties. what was it as he _ asked to give up these ties. what was it as he would _ asked to give up these ties. what was it as he would just _ asked to give up these ties. what was it as he would just discussing their inevitable? or is this taking you by surprise? i their inevitable? or is this taking you by surprise?— you by surprise? i think this has been coming — you by surprise? i think this has been coming for _ you by surprise? i think this has been coming for some - you by surprise? i think this has been coming for some time i you by surprise? i think this has been coming for some time in l you by surprise? i think this has l been coming for some time in the military relationships because they are the gift of the queen i suppose have to move a bit my civility and the charitable patronage is that the duke game —— gave up some time ago. and clearly with the court case going on as it is it would be very difficult and in that —— embarrassing for the armed services to have these relationships i'm going and so i think in that sense it was inevitable. perhaps one could be a bit surprised by how quickly the queen has moved to take away given the court case and the judge in new york yesterday but the first cut is sometimes the cheapest in this situation.— cut is sometimes the cheapest in this situation. ., ~ , ., , . really good to talk to you, a specialist in military history at the university of birmingham. borisjohnson's cabinet is rallying in support as he faces growing calls to quit as prime minister. borisjohnson boris johnson apologised borisjohnson apologised yesterday, saying he thought the gathering in may of 2020 was a work—related event, but he has been facing calls from some senior conservatives to resign. tonight the metropolitan police said it has ongoing contact with the cabinet office, which is conducting an enquiry into gatherings at number ten and if evidence is found that behaviour was potentially a criminal offence it will be passed to the police. here's our political correspondent, forsyth. there is no easy way to clean up the current situation _ there is no easy way to clean up the current situation and _ there is no easy way to clean up the current situation and a _ there is no easy way to clean up the current situation and a planned i current situation and a planned public visit today was cancelled because while all of his family has covid. while he hunkered down here, others spoke up for him after apology. he others spoke up for him after a olo: . ., , others spoke up for him after aholo _ others spoke up for him after a-uolo . apology. he was ashen faced, he was u set, apology. he was ashen faced, he was uset, he apology. he was ashen faced, he was upset. he was — apology. he was ashen faced, he was upset, he was truly _ apology. he was ashen faced, he was upset, he was truly genuinely - upset, he was truly genuinely heartfelt and sorry for the upset and new age people are feeling. he gets it. on the airwaves, there was a chorus of loyalty.— a chorus of loyalty. there is no auestion a chorus of loyalty. there is no question in _ a chorus of loyalty. there is no question in my mind _ a chorus of loyalty. there is no question in my mind boris- a chorus of loyalty. there is no i question in my mind boris johnson question in my mind borisjohnson was acting — question in my mind borisjohnson was acting in good faith... in was acting in good faith... hindsight, was acting in good faith... in hindsight, he regrets going out to the garden — hindsight, he regrets going out to the garden he _ hindsight, he regrets going out to the carden. ., , hindsight, he regrets going out to the carden. ., ., , , the garden. he has apologised very, very clearly- — the garden. he has apologised very, very clearly- the _ the garden. he has apologised very, very clearly. the cabinet _ the garden. he has apologised very, very clearly. the cabinet have i the garden. he has apologised very, | very clearly. the cabinet have shown their support. _ very clearly. the cabinet have shown their support, including _ very clearly. the cabinet have shown their support, including the - their support, including the chancellor, though from him it was quieter. mr chancellor, though from him it was cuieter. ~ .,~ ., chancellor, though from him it was cuieter. ~ ., ., quieter. mr speaker, i want to apologise- _ quieter. mr speaker, i want to apologise- for— quieter. mr speaker, i want to apologise. for many, - quieter. mr speaker, i want to i apologise. for many, yesterday's a olo: apologise. for many, yesterday's apology just _ apologise. for many, yesterday's apology just did _ apologise. for many, yesterday's apologyjust did not _ apologise. for many, yesterday's apologyjust did not cut - apologise. for many, yesterday's apologyjust did not cut it. i apologise. for many, yesterday's apologyjust did not cut it. the i apologyjust did not cut it. the mood among tories is dim. some colleagues are keeping the council for now, waiting perhaps to hear from their constituencies. in stamford, rock—solid tory to long—standing members of the conservative association were as one. he conservative association were as one. ., , conservative association were as one. . , ., , ., , one. he wants to be -- if he wants to be remembered _ one. he wants to be -- if he wants to be remembered as _ one. he wants to be -- if he wants to be remembered as a _ one. he wants to be -- if he wants to be remembered as a good i one. he wants to be -- if he wants| to be remembered as a good prime minister, then i think he has to consider is it time now to resign? i consider is it time now to resign? i think it would be better if he just resigned. — think it would be better if he just resigned, ratherthan think it would be better if he just resigned, rather than waiting for a vote resigned, rather than waiting fora vote of— resigned, rather than waiting for a vote of confidence. i think you would — vote of confidence. i think you would get _ vote of confidence. i think you would get a lot more respect. a lot ofthe would get a lot more respect. a lot of the long — would get a lot more respect. a lot of the long serving _ would get a lot more respect. a lot of the long serving members in the association — of the long serving members in the association have _ of the long serving members in the association have very vocally said i association have very vocally said that it _ association have very vocally said that it is — association have very vocally said that it is time _ association have very vocally said that it is time for— association have very vocally said that it is time for him _ association have very vocally said that it is time for him to- association have very vocally said that it is time for him to go. i that it is time for him to go. scotland's _ that it is time for him to go. scotland's tory— that it is time for him to go. scotland's tory leader- that it is time for him to go. scotland's tory leader has i that it is time for him to go. - scotland's tory leader has already said the same. his call for boris johnson to resign caused something of a tory row. the; johnson to resign caused something of a tory row-— of a tory row. as anyone is entitled to their opinions, _ of a tory row. as anyone is entitled to their opinions, i _ of a tory row. as anyone is entitled to their opinions, i don't _ of a tory row. as anyone is entitled to their opinions, i don't take i to their opinions, i don't take leave of them.— to their opinions, i don't take leave of them. . ., . .,, , a, . leave of them. jacob rees-mogg had called him a — leave of them. jacob rees-mogg had called him a lightweight _ leave of them. jacob rees-mogg had called him a lightweight and - leave of them. jacob rees-mogg had called him a lightweight and today i called him a lightweight and today questioned his loyalty. it called him a lightweight and today questioned his loyalty.— called him a lightweight and today questioned his loyalty. it seems to me that people — questioned his loyalty. it seems to me that people who _ questioned his loyalty. it seems to me that people who hold - questioned his loyalty. it seems to me that people who hold office i questioned his loyalty. it seems to i me that people who hold office ought to support _ me that people who hold office ought to support the leader of the party. he suggested lockdown rules might have been too tough at the time of the downing street gathering. there is a frenzy of finger—pointing. public and private, there is real anger across the party at boris johnson, but many mps are waiting for the findings of the official investigation before passing final judgment. even when that is published in the next week or so, it is likely it will be the political mood that follows that ultimately determines the prime minister's fete. laboursays determines the prime minister's fete. labour says there is no reason to wait. he fete. labour says there is no reason to wait. ~' ., , fete. labour says there is no reason to wait. ~ ., , , to wait. he knowingly misled, lied to wait. he knowingly misled, lied to parliament, _ to wait. he knowingly misled, lied to parliament, which _ to wait. he knowingly misled, lied to parliament, which in _ to wait. he knowingly misled, lied to parliament, which in itself i to wait. he knowingly misled, lied to parliament, which in itself is i to wait. he knowingly misled, lied to parliament, which in itself is a l to parliament, which in itself is a resignation offence under the ministerial code, but also calling for him to resign because of the damage he has done to public trust and public confidence in health measures at a crucial time. for now, boris measures at a crucial time. for now, itoris johnson _ measures at a crucial time. for now, itoris johnson is _ measures at a crucial time. for now, boris johnson is in _ measures at a crucial time. for now, boris johnson is in downing - measures at a crucial time. for now, boris johnson is in downing street, | borisjohnson is in downing street, but make no mistake, this matter is far from closed. lets talk more about this to our political correspondent ione wells, who is in westminster. let's talk a bit about the police's role, the metropolitan police saying they won't investigate these various gatherings unless that internal enquiry by sue gray finds evidence of potential criminal offences, so they are really waiting to see what sue gray says about it all. that they are really waiting to see what sue gray says about it all.- sue gray says about it all. that is exactly right. _ sue gray says about it all. that is exactly right. so _ sue gray says about it all. that is exactly right, so sue _ sue gray says about it all. that is exactly right, so sue gray - sue gray says about it all. that is exactly right, so sue gray is i sue gray says about it all. that is exactly right, so sue gray is the i exactly right, so sue gray is the top civil servant who has been tasked with investigating a number of gatherings and parties that took place in government over the last two years, both at may 2020 party we have heard the pm apologise for, but also subsequent christmas parties and christmas 2020 as well. as you say, the metropolitan police have basically said they are not going to launch any kind of investigation, that they have received certain correspondences asking for them to look into this particular incident on the 20th of may 2020, but they say they are waiting for the results of so great�*s enquiry. i think it is probably important to unpack what sue gray can actually find in this enquiry as well, especially given that her enquiry has been essentially a kind of holding line among government ministers over the last two days, all saying that we need to wait for the results of that enquiry before casting anyjudgment. certainly a number of mps who are not particularly happy with the situation so they are also awaiting the results of that incorrect as well. what it can do is establish the facts about what events took place, the attendance of them, who was there, the context of them, the purpose of them, ie, where they work events, as claimed in the house of commons by the prime minister, or was there a social gathering taking place? and what coronavirus restrictions were in place at the time? what she can't do is explicitly say whether anyone at these events broke the law and that is also not really something the police can do either explicitly, to something that would have to go through the legal system. i understand that what she can say or what could be a result of this investigation is potentially something along the lines of saying whether or not in her personal view any of the coronavirus restrictions in time appeared to be breached by any of the events that took place, but she can't explicitly say that anything broke the rules, so to speak. this is where this could all get quite technical when this report comes out. i think it will certainly be fully public and for the mps, the government themselves to judge just how bad the report ends up looking for them, how bad the report ends up looking forthem, but how bad the report ends up looking for them, but certainly at the moment most mps and ministers holding that line until we get the results, and which won't be this week, potentially in the following weeks to come.— week, potentially in the following weeks to come. while we wait for that report. _ weeks to come. while we wait for that report. and _ weeks to come. while we wait for that report, and as _ weeks to come. while we wait for that report, and as you _ weeks to come. while we wait for that report, and as you say i weeks to come. while we wait for that report, and as you say we i weeks to come. while we wait for| that report, and as you say we are going to have to wait a few more days for it, what about the fallout from yesterday's heartfelt apology, as borisjohnson said it was, in the commons about attending that gathering? what is the fallout and to what extent are people, tories, rallying around the prime minister or coming out against him? i rallying around the prime minister or coming out against him? i think it has been — or coming out against him? i think it has been a _ or coming out against him? i think it has been a really _ or coming out against him? i think it has been a really mixed - or coming out against him? i think it has been a really mixed picture l it has been a really mixed picture over the last few days. certainly before that apology the anger was very tangible, there were a lot of mps feeling like this situation had been misjudged by number ten and the response had not been adequate so far and many were waiting with baited breath to see just what he came out with it prime minister's questions. i think since his apology for what happened, there have been some who have been more sympathetic, some who have been more sympathetic, some tory mps have told me they felt he did quite a good job in response. however, certainly there are still many who have said they were not particularly happy with the way he still said it was a work events, he said he was only there for 25 minutes, that he had previously said in the house of commons as well that he was not aware of any kind of gatherings and then to come in and admit that he was at one they believe kind of contradicted himself, so certainly that unrest is growing. we do know of some in particular who think he should resign, tory mps like caroline oakes, but certainly the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, as well, both of whom have said they think the prime ministership resign as a result of this, also pointing to the fact they believe he has misled parliament over what he had said previously in this matter. i think at the moment it is not the current level where we are expecting the threshold of letters to be sent to the 1922 committee of backbench tory mps. now if enough... i believe 5a letters were sent in, expressing unhappiness with the prime minister from tory mps, then that could trigger a vote of no confidence in him. i don't think we are quite at that stage yet, but certainly, as i say, they may be more willing to come out of the woodwork when this sue gray report does come out if it looks particularly bad for the prime minister. ., , . , particularly bad for the prime minister. ., ,�* , ., ~ particularly bad for the prime minister. ., , . , ., , minister. tony wells, thank you very much for that. _ minister. tony wells, thank you very much for that. she _ minister. tony wells, thank you very much for that. she was _ minister. tony wells, thank you very much for that. she was talking i much for that. she was talking about douglas ross there and we saw in alex forsyth's report beleaguered leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, being described as a lightweight by fellow conservative, jacob rees—mogg. that was after mrs ross had called for borisjohnson to resign. here's what some of his constituents had a say in elgin. some of his constituents had a say in elvin. .., �* some of his constituents had a say in elvin. .., ~ ., in elgin. the content. and, for rees-mogg — in elgin. the content. and, for rees-mogg to _ in elgin. the content. and, for rees-mogg to say _ in elgin. the content. and, for rees-mogg to say that - in elgin. the content. and, for rees-mogg to say that the i in elgin. the content. and, for. rees-mogg to say that the leader in elgin. the content. and, for- rees-mogg to say that the leader of rees—mogg to say that the leader of the tory party in scotland was a nobody, you know, it is pretty shocking. it nobody, you know, it is pretty shockina. , , nobody, you know, it is pretty shocking-— shocking. it is 'ust so typical of... his _ shocking. it is 'ust so typical of... his kind.— shocking. it isjust so typical of... his kind. they - shocking. it isjust so typical of... his kind. theyjust i shocking. it isjust so typical. of... his kind. theyjust rubbish scotland — of... his kind. theyjust rubbish scotland. at every turn. and of... his kind. theyjust rubbish scotland. at every turn. and what do ou make scotland. at every turn. and what do you make of — scotland. at every turn. and what do you make of what _ scotland. at every turn. and what do you make of what jacob _ scotland. at every turn. and what do you make of what jacob rees-moggl scotland. at every turn. and what do i you make of what jacob rees-mogg has you make of whatjacob rees—mogg has said, being a bit dismissive of what douglas ross had to say? i said, being a bit dismissive of what douglas ross had to say?— said, being a bit dismissive of what douglas ross had to say? i have not heard what he _ douglas ross had to say? i have not heard what he had _ douglas ross had to say? i have not heard what he had to _ douglas ross had to say? i have not heard what he had to say. _ douglas ross had to say? i have not heard what he had to say. he i douglas ross had to say? i have not heard what he had to say. he said i douglas ross had to say? i have not| heard what he had to say. he said he was a lightweight. _ was a lightweight. douglas ross is a lightweight? — was a lightweight. douglas ross is a lightweight? he _ was a lightweight. douglas ross is a lightweight? he could _ was a lightweight. douglas ross is a lightweight? he could be _ was a lightweight. douglas ross is a lightweight? he could be right. i was a lightweight. douglas ross is a lightweight? he could be right. he l lightweight? he could be right. he is lightweight? he could be right. he: is an lightweight? he could be right. is an idiot. he is. if you can't watch a television and look at these people and just... you know they are lying. people and 'ust. .. you know they are 1 int. ~ 3 ., ~ people and 'ust. .. you know they are lint. �*, ., people and 'ust. .. you know they are lin. �*, people and 'ust. .. you know they are lying. well, let's talk a bit more about what _ lying. well, let's talk a bit more about what jacob _ lying. well, let's talk a bit more about what jacob rees-mogg i about whatjacob rees—mogg said about whatjacob rees—mogg said about douglas ross. we can talk to mary scanlon, who is a former conservative member of the scottish parliament. douglas ross actually worked in her parliamentary office for several years. thank you very much for being with us. lightweight. quite a patronising remark. how shocking did you find that rock? i patronising remark. how shocking did you find that rock? hind patronising remark. how shocking did you find that rock?— you find that rock? i find it incredibly _ you find that rock? i find it incredibly shocking - you find that rock? i find it incredibly shocking and i i you find that rock? i find it i incredibly shocking and i would you find that rock? i find it - incredibly shocking and i would just like to give an example. douglas was the only member of parliament that resigned when dominic cummings went to barnard castle to test his eyesight. douglas also did not support the government on owen paterson, despite quite a bit of pressure, i understand, and then the government did a huge u—turn, so when it comes to douglas making judgments i trust those judgments. he worked with me for ten years before becoming an msp, i know him very well. he is far from a lightweight. ifind it insulting, whatjacob lightweight. ifind it insulting, what jacob rees—mogg lightweight. ifind it insulting, whatjacob rees—mogg said, and i think it ill behoves the leader of the house of commons to talk about an mp in that way. is he going to belittle everyone who criticises the prime minister? we do live in a democracy. i think he owes douglas a huge apology and a little bit of respect. huge apology and a little bit of resect. ~ ., i. huge apology and a little bit of resect. ~ ., ,, ~' huge apology and a little bit of resect. ~ ., respect. well, do you thinkjacob rees-mogg _ respect. well, do you thinkjacob rees-mogg was _ respect. well, do you thinkjacob rees-mogg was just _ respect. well, do you thinkjacob rees-mogg was just trying i respect. well, do you thinkjacob rees-mogg was just trying to - respect. well, do you thinkjacob rees-mogg wasjust trying to be | rees—mogg was just trying to be perhaps a bit provocative? l rees-mogg wasjust trying to be perhaps a bit provocative? i think he was being _ perhaps a bit provocative? i think he was being childish, _ perhaps a bit provocative? i think he was being childish, petulant, l he was being childish, petulant, silly, immature stock i am sorry to say that, but he should be leading by example. productive, someone asked douglas today what he thought and his response was, jacob rees—mogg is entitled to his views. that is a respectful, kind thing to say about members of your team and i thinkjacob rees—mogg, he is old enough and wise enough to say, i got carried away there, i apologise. i think that should be forthcoming. and not only mr ross, but actually a few scottish tories have come out against the prime minister on this issue and said he should resign. do you think there is less support amongst scottish conservatives for him then in the rest of the country, perhaps? i him then in the rest of the country, erha s? ~ , perhaps? i think there is huge su ort perhaps? i think there is huge suwort for— perhaps? i think there is huge support for douglas _ perhaps? i think there is huge support for douglas across - perhaps? i think there is huge - support for douglas across scotland. we obviously have not been having our conference is the way that we normally do, but he is respected right across the field. i have not done so many doors for douglas, i know him so well. he has got tremendous respect across scotland. but i do think that, you know, there has to be an apology and i think douglas was right. i mean, the prime minister sets the rules and then he the rules. it seems pretty simple. but i think as well that it is only fair to wait but i think as well that it is only fairto wait for but i think as well that it is only fair to wait for the sue gray report, but i have been listening to some of your contributors and the thing i would like to know and i am not in politics now, although i am standing for the local council in may, but the thing i would like to know is who decided there should be a party? did boris decide there would be a party and ask this head of staff to send out the invitations? or did they do the parties themselves and then as a last minute fought to ask the prime minister to pop in? there is a lot that we do need to know from the sue gray report. but douglas is very straightforward. his wife is a police sergeant, you know, the rules are the rules and they are there, especially the people who set the rules, if you don't abide by them, how you be respected? so yes, i understand why he has put a vote of no—confidence in the prime minister and i think many, many others will follow. , ., and i think many, many others will follow. ., ., ., ~ follow. mary scanlon, good to talk to ou, follow. mary scanlon, good to talk to you. thank _ follow. mary scanlon, good to talk to you. thank you _ follow. mary scanlon, good to talk to you, thank you very _ follow. mary scanlon, good to talk to you, thank you very much - follow. mary scanlon, good to talk to you, thank you very much for i follow. mary scanlon, good to talk i to you, thank you very much for your views. mary scanlon, a former of the scottish conservative parliament stop we have got the latest government coronavirus data for you now as well. it shows there are 109,133 new infections in the latest 24—hour period. so 138,268 new cases on average per day in the last week. 19,721 people are in hospital with covid. another 335 people were reported, people who had died days of the positive covid test. on average in the past week there were 261 deaths per day and on vaccinations just over 36 million people have now had a boosterjab, which is more than 62.7% of those aged 12 and over. the health secretary sajid javid has announced he is cutting the isolation period for people testing positive for covid in england to five full days stop from monday, people who have tested positive for covid can leave isolation at the start of day six, as long as they have a negative test on days five and six. it is hoped that will ease pressure on employers hit by staff absences. this report is from a health correspondent, sophie hutchinson. this restaurant in manchester, one of six in a group employing around 500 people. today's senior managers were raising a glass to government's plans to lower the number of days for self isolation.— for self isolation. from a business parapective. _ for self isolation. from a business parapective. it _ for self isolation. from a business parapective. it is _ for self isolation. from a business perspective, it is going _ for self isolation. from a business perspective, it is going to - for self isolation. from a business perspective, it is going to give - perspective, it is going to give people confidence to come out again. we have been seeing that in the last few months and we really need to just take the shackles off and get things moving. we just take the shackles off and get things moving-— things moving. we have made a decision to _ things moving. we have made a decision to reduce _ things moving. we have made a decision to reduce the _ things moving. we have made a i decision to reduce the minimum things moving. we have made a - decision to reduce the minimum self isolation _ decision to reduce the minimum self isolation period to five full days in england. from monday, people can test twice _ in england. from monday, people can test twice before they go, leaving isolation — test twice before they go, leaving isolation at the start of day six. and some — isolation at the start of day six. and some scientists agree it is the right balance of risks. the negative im act of right balance of risks. the negative impact of the _ right balance of risks. the negative impact of the isolation _ right balance of risks. the negative impact of the isolation on - right balance of risks. the negative impact of the isolation on services, on our schools, on ourjobs is probably not worth the additional benefits and i think the five—day rule at the moment is probably the right thing. 50 rule at the moment is probably the riaht thin. ., ., ., , right thing. so how long does it take to step — right thing. so how long does it take to stop being _ right thing. so how long does it take to stop being infectious? i right thing. so how long does it - take to stop being infectious? after getting covid? well, estimates suggest that at 1a days the original isolation period, just 1% of people remain infectious. at seven days that figure increases to 16%. and at five days, the new minimum isolation period from next week, that figure increases again to around a third of people who are still infectious. what that is why people will be required to have two negative lateral flow results before being released from self isolation. the first test can now be taken on day five, but some are urging caution. if you do test negative and you are going to come out of isolation on day six, you should still be cautious, particularly about interacting with people, you should still be a bit concerned that you might be infectious. the still be a bit concerned that you might be infectious.— still be a bit concerned that you might be infectious. the new rules brina might be infectious. the new rules bring england _ might be infectious. the new rules bring england into _ might be infectious. the new rules bring england into line _ might be infectious. the new rules bring england into line with - bring england into line with scotland, but self isolation is still seven days long in wales and northern ireland. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. figures show 6 million people were waiting for everything surgery. in december, nearly 13,000 patients had to wait more than 12 hours in ame for bids to become available. at some of the record. our health editor sent us this report from birmingham. birmingham, the pandemic has cast a long shadow here. as part of cobit may be selling but as in many communities it could take years to clear the backlog of cancelled up at —— operations. all he needs surgery but he has not been put on the waiting list yet. he has crohn's disease which causes inflammation of the digestive system. he needed a bowel operation and now has a stoma. he is still waiting to have that reversed. i have gotten as mental issues and you're always thinking of people looking at you and have that receipt get done and move on with my life. to receipt get done and move on with my life. ., ., ., ., h. life. to give an idea of the scale ofthe life. to give an idea of the scale of the waiting _ life. to give an idea of the scale of the waiting list, _ life. to give an idea of the scale of the waiting list, birmingham | life. to give an idea of the scale i of the waiting list, birmingham has a population ofjust over1 million. close to six times that number are now waiting for planned surgery or procedure is in england. clearing the backlog is one thing but here in the backlog is one thing but here in the west midlands and elsewhere hospital staff are struggling with daily emergencies and colleagues getting error. he is a doctor working with local chefs and a&e departments in the area. it’s working with local chefs and a&e departments in the area. it's been very stressful- _ departments in the area. it's been very stressful. there _ departments in the area. it's been very stressful. there were - departments in the area. it's been very stressful. there were days i departments in the area. it's been l very stressful. there were days last week when i was receiving messages asking if i could come into work for asking if i could come into work for a few hours but the concern i have is how unpredictable it is within each ask staff going off sick and not moving from one date to the next they will be enough staff in hospital able to look after the patients. i hospital able to look after the atients. , ,., ~' hospital able to look after the atients. , ., ., ~ ~ , patients. i spoke to an ame nurse and a welsh _ patients. i spoke to an ame nurse and a welsh hospital— patients. i spoke to an ame nurse and a welsh hospital who - patients. i spoke to an ame nurse and a welsh hospital who wish - patients. i spoke to an ame nurse and a welsh hospital who wish to | and a welsh hospital who wish to remain anonymous. haste and a welsh hospital who wish to remain anonymous.— remain anonymous. we have got elderly patients _ remain anonymous. we have got elderly patients on _ remain anonymous. we have got elderly patients on fridays - remain anonymous. we have got elderly patients on fridays hours| remain anonymous. we have got i elderly patients on fridays hours on and they are this is what we are dealing with. if an egotistical nightmare. and it's unsafe and it's not what we signed up for. bill not what we signed up for. all hospitals in the uk are facing varying pressure. this one for example understands the struggle with finding beds. nhs inc. and said staff dealt with a record number of life—threatening ambulance call—outs last month and services like cancer care were still paradise. with the changing seasons the pressure may ease but the nhs faces a difficult future, workforce shortages and rising waiting race and issues which will feature prominently in the political landscape. time for the weather now. another lovely day across much of the country particularly england and wales although it was a cold start and we have seen plenty of winter sunshine and crowd for scotland and northern ireland. it will be the same for the next few days thanks to high—pressure dominating with subtle changes taking place across the north overnight with cloud outbreaks pushing him but for england and wales it will turn cold and the mist and fog will be fine becoming extensive and dance in places and it will be a hard frost in places across the south of the country. we have got the leather front across the north of scotland parts of northern ireland but it would be another cold frosty sky with fog lingering on through the day where it does it will be cold and grey otherwise sunshine and temperatures around a39 degrees. see you later. good evening. you are watching bbc news. a look at our headlines. prince andrew is losing his wire and military titles. it's been seeing is leaving windsor today and he will no longer officially be known as a swell of a mess. it comes after a judge ruled he must defend a legal case alleging sexual assault allegations which he denies. m15 issued an alert warning of a chinese agent who has been operating for years trying to influence mps in the heart of westminster. as the pressure on borisjohnson attending a drink party continues the metropolitan police has said it will not investigate any of the downing street parties unless the inquiry into them find evidence of criminalisty. isolation period for anybody with covid—19 has been cut to five full days as for next week. he became famous for his colourful analogies. one of the faces of the government battle against covid—19 is leaving his role as the deputy chief medical officer and we will be celebrating a master of the catchphrase in just a few minutes' time. shoppers splashed out christmas despite the arrival of the omicron variant. christmas sales soared and tesco marks & spencer had a good christmas compared to two years ago with the overall sales are up around 9% and tesco up seven and a half percent and other brands have also reported strong christmas sales. but retailers are wondering what will happen to consumer spending giving the end squeeze on living standards and especially energy bills of course. christmas in colchester. a town that likes to put on a show. it feels like a long time ago so how did it go? the biggest star on the high street. it's done well all year. oursales high street. it's done well all year. our sales were significantly “p year. our sales were significantly up in 2019 and of course be performed massively better than 20/20. as for omicron having shops in smaller towns has been a help. for impact is massive down compared to a location that colchester. i think people are falling back in love with local towns and it's easier sometimes especially if you are working from home. omicron did have an impact. footfall in december it was still nearly 50 lower than it was before the pandemic but it did not stop us expanding and despite all the supply chain problems and labour shortages christmas actually turned out to be pretty decent for retailers overall. as for this when it had its best ever food sales in the week before christmas. supermarkets getting a boost for more dining and drinking at home. consumers are splashing the cash but will it last? do you think you will be raining back on spending? yes. got to be careful _ be raining back on spending? yes. got to be careful now. _ be raining back on spending? jazz got to be careful now. we want holidays so it's been relaxed and we are going to cutback on that shopping side. are going to cut back on that shipping side-— are going to cut back on that shopping side. that's not what retailers want _ shopping side. that's not what retailers want to _ shopping side. that's not what retailers want to hear. - shopping side. that's not what retailers want to hear. the - retailers want to hear. the retailers — retailers want to hear. the retailers and _ retailers want to hear. the retailers and talking - retailers want to hear. tie: retailers and talking till are nervous about impact on information on the amount of money people will have in their pockets and how much tax they need to pay and an information they will see on their energy barrier and some of the goods they buy and all of those things could dampen demand for retail products. as they try to clear the way for the new year retailers are wondering how much of their own rising costs they can pass on. more retailers say _ rising costs they can pass on. more retailers say they _ rising costs they can pass on. more retailers say they will _ rising costs they can pass on. more retailers say they will cut _ rising costs they can pass on. more retailers say they will cut sick - rising costs they can pass on. more retailers say they will cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff will have to self—isolate after being exposed to coronavirus. they have joined atm and wessex water services in changing their policies. they say they will only pay full sick rates to unvaccinated workers if they test positive. let us discuss this. richard fox is an implement layer and unemployment and discrimination lawyer. tell us in your own words what the companies are saying and why they are doing this. companies are on a journey — why they are doing this. companies are on a journey and _ why they are doing this. companies are on a journey and companies - why they are doing this. companies | are on a journey and companies may have wanted to injure his vaccination policies but they have been cautious because of the possibility that their employees to pick discrimination claims against them based on religion or race or disability. and dick cheney began in the summer of last year with delta and the devastation that delta caused an ambiguous the mood changed and some of the big banks followed by the us corp. rates followed by the law firms started to introduce mandatory vaccine policies and uk and players got interested as well particularly those that may have had in america side by side with movements in other countries have been on a journey related to mandatory vaccines and reintroduce at the 11th of november 2021 a requirement that those working in care homes had to have a vaccine and they're going to have a similar requirement for any checks from front line staff at the beginning of april so private sector employers have been thinking if we want to introduce a policy of mandatory vaccination why can't you be if these others can and i think the mood music has changed and the ability of these employers to justify their approach has increased and some may feel emboldened to introduce those policies. very interestingly more recently the news broke over the weekend that some employers have been cutting sick pay for those who are unvaccinated. one of the issues is that the stakes for the employers are less and if they actually fire someone for not taking the vaccine. so although for an ata employee a merit badge may be earning £aoa per week and sick pay is only £96 35 the difference for them may be substantial but the difference for a big employer i think ikea has ranked 21 stories in the uk may not be that great so are feeling more emboldened so in a sense this new policy does make sense this new policy does make sense for employers and that's also affecting other companies and the bbc was reporting earlier today. what are some of the pitfalls legally and what companies may want to do either on generating compulsory vaccination of their staff why this idea of cutting sick pay for unvaccinated staff? 50 staff why this idea of cutting sick pay for unvaccinated staff? so the reneral pay for unvaccinated staff? so the general compulsory _ pay for unvaccinated staff? so the general compulsory vaccination i pay for unvaccinated staff? so the general compulsory vaccination ofi general compulsory vaccination of staff would be seen as unlawful without legislation in england. and if you give someone a vaccination against their will that would be an insult for example and employers have looked for other ways to bring into effects they want to without having mandatory policy for by restricting access to staff that have been vaccinated and requiring those who have not been vaccinated to remain working from home. in terms of restricting contractual sick pay to those who have been vaccinated most of the time for sick pay policy will be noncontractual because its policy which means they are free to amend its when they would be if it was contractual and also on top of the payments are at their discretion so it would be discretionary for them to make a payment in the first place. with covid—19 vaccination for those that have been exposed as a close contact that would be likely to have been an extension of discretionary sick pay in any event and it may represent a narrowing of extra benefits. that in any event and it may represent a narrowing of extra benefits.- narrowing of extra benefits. that is where people _ narrowing of extra benefits. that is where people could _ narrowing of extra benefits. that is where people could say _ narrowing of extra benefits. that is where people could say they - narrowing of extra benefits. that is where people could say they didn't| where people could say they didn't —— they have been discriminated against if they did not want to be vaccinated. the against if they did not want to be vaccinated-— against if they did not want to be vaccinated. ., , , , ._ , vaccinated. the only issue may be that if somebody was _ vaccinated. the only issue may be that if somebody was dismissed i vaccinated. the only issue may be. that if somebody was dismissed for not having — that if somebody was dismissed for not having taking the vaccine be me want to _ not having taking the vaccine be me want to also bring an unfair business _ want to also bring an unfair business or cream which in the uk is available to — business or cream which in the uk is available to them if they have been continuously employed for three years— continuously employed for three years but you are right. legislation for this— years but you are right. legislation for this purpose which governs discrimination on all sites including race, disability, religion or belief — while they will is different in the public sector, where we are seeing compulsory vaccinations in some sectors like social care, but not in the private sector? 50 sectors like social care, but not in the private sector?— sectors like social care, but not in the private sector? so the division at the moment — the private sector? so the division at the moment is _ the private sector? so the division at the moment is between - the private sector? so the division at the moment is between public. the private sector? so the division i at the moment is between public and private _ at the moment is between public and private sector, but only front line services — private sector, but only front line services where the employees are coming _ services where the employees are coming into contact with potentially vulnerable patients or large numbers of patients, so it happens to be public— of patients, so it happens to be public institutions that have this at the _ public institutions that have this at the moment, the nhs, the care sector~ _ at the moment, the nhs, the care sector. local government doesn't have _ sector. local government doesn't have a _ sector. local government doesn't have a mandatory vaccination policy, so it is _ have a mandatory vaccination policy, so it is really— have a mandatory vaccination policy, so it is really driven by what those members — so it is really driven by what those members of staff are doing in their day-to-day— members of staff are doing in their day—to—day roles, that rather than a public— day—to—day roles, that rather than a public or— day—to—day roles, that rather than a public or private sector decision, so that— public or private sector decision, so that i— public or private sector decision, so that i think is the main reason why _ so that i think is the main reason wh . . so that i think is the main reason wh . , ., so that i think is the main reason why. interesting. good to talk to both of you. _ why. interesting. good to talk to both of you, thank _ why. interesting. good to talk to both of you, thank you _ why. interesting. good to talk to both of you, thank you so - why. interesting. good to talk to both of you, thank you so much. i both of you, thank you so much. adele edwin and richard fox, many thanks to both of you for your legal expertise. now he has been, of course, one at the faces of the government's battle of the team against coronavirus, but now professor sirjonathan than tam orjvc as he is widely known, is stepping down from his wallet as england's deputy chief medical officer. he has been thanked for his extraordinary contribution to our country and the professor became very well known for his colourful analogies, especially analogies referring to football at those downing street news conferences. don't tear the pants out of it. i think the mum test is very important here. my mum is 78 and she will be 79 shortly and i have already said to her mum, make sure when you are called you are ready. it is clear in the first half, you know, the away team gave us an absolute battering. they got a goal and in the 70th minute we have now got an equaliser. this is a complex product with a very fragile cold chain. it is not a yoghurt that can be taken out of the fridge and put back in multiple times. it was the third goal in the back of the match now in my penalty shoot—out. it is the third vaccine with a positive readout. the train has now slowed down safely. it has now stopped in the station and the doors have now opened. what we need now is people to get on that train. the strikers who score the wonder goals and actually make the headlines, but actually the hard yards are done by the defenders and defensive midfielders tracking back, tracking back. it is a bit like being 3—0 up in a game and thinking we can't possibly lose this now, how he times have you seen it end a—3? do not wreck this now. $5 he times have you seen it end a—3? do not wreck this now. bet he times have you seen it end 4-3? do not wreck this now.— do not wreck this now. as i said, lots of football _ do not wreck this now. as i said, lots of football analogies - do not wreck this now. as i said, lots of football analogies and - lots of football analogies and also a couple of yoghurt analogies as welfare! let's talk about professorjonathan van—tam with professorjonathan van—tam with professor stephen riker, who is on the sage committee advising on behavioural science and also a professor of psychology at the university of st andrews. he has been a very colourful figure, hasn't he? i suppose what he has done for the government is to translate very complicated science into layman speak, especially football fans speak? speak, especially football fans seak? . ., speak, especially football fans seak? , ., ., , , speak? yes, i am told he supports united, speak? yes, i am told he supports united. so — speak? yes, i am told he supports united, so clearly _ speak? yes, i am told he supports united, so clearly he _ speak? yes, i am told he supports united, so clearly he is _ speak? yes, i am told he supports united, so clearly he is a - united, so clearly he is a long—suffering football fan and to get the sense that he is an authentic football fan because occasionally you will get politicians who try to make themselves sound of the people by telling you how fervently they support football teams, but occasionally they forget which football team they support, which undermines what they are doing. so i think the power of the way in which professorjonathan van—tam spoke came down to two factors. the first is an absolutely critical thing in any communication is trust and we are more likely to trust people who we think, number—one, are like us and it share our experiences and, number two, understand us and number three, care for us and he sounded like an ordinary guy and in that sense i think he created a sense of, if you like, us—ness with his audience. the second thing is much more to do with the information itself and one of the information itself and one of the great problems with science communication is how do you take abstract concepts, which we find hard to remember and sometimes find hard to remember and sometimes find hard to remember and sometimes find hard to understand and convey them in a way that is compelling and i think metaphors are a very powerful way of turning an abstract concept into a concrete image stop actually psychologists talk about this process is concrete he concrete isolation. so let's say i want you to understand the theory of exponential growth, which has been absolutely essential in this pandemic. i could talk about exponential growth, i could draw equations for you, talk about doubling rates getting faster all i could use a powerful metaphor and a powerful image that is a bit like a snowball rolling down a hill, that the more it grows the faster it grows and the faster it comes at you, so what the metaphor does is it takes a concept and it turns it into an image that we understand and an image that we can recall. and he was extraordinarily good at that and he will be missed for that. yes. extraordinarily good at that and he will be missed for that.— will be missed for that. yes, i mean, sometimes _ will be missed for that. yes, i mean, sometimes i _ will be missed for that. yes, i mean, sometimes i have - will be missed for that. yes, i mean, sometimes i have to i will be missed for that. yes, i i mean, sometimes i have to say i will be missed for that. yes, i - mean, sometimes i have to say i did wonder where he was going with those analogies and the idea of coronavirus trying to hold down the a1- coronavirus trying to hold down the a1— zero lead was quite extraordinary! but there are not many scientists who can country up those sort of analogies and speak so colourfully. those sort of analogies and speak so colourfull . ., those sort of analogies and speak so colourfull . . ., , colourfully. there are a number. i live in scotland _ colourfully. there are a number. i live in scotland and _ colourfully. there are a number. i live in scotland and i _ colourfully. there are a number. i live in scotland and i listened - colourfully. there are a number. i live in scotland and i listened to l live in scotland and i listened to jason leitch, who was very skilled at talking to people in a language thatis at talking to people in a language that is familiar, but at the same time is clear and is compelling. i do think the part of the professorjonathan van—tam's appeal was precisely wondering where he was to go, as you say, and given that a lot of the communication rather sadly can bore you to sleep, that tension was something that kept a watching and that again i think became something of a feature. great to talk to you. — became something of a feature. great to talk to you, stephen _ became something of a feature. great to talk to you, stephen reicher, and thank you so much and we will miss professorjonathan van—tam on the public stage, but he has been a great character and he has helped navigate us through this horrible pandemic. stephen reicher, there are grateful to you for your time and your thoughts. thanks. ahead of the australian open, britain's andy murray and dan evans reached the sydney tennis classics semi finals by winning their last eight matches. proud scots stephen lenny and jody max were cheering on the pair from down under, something which did not go unnoticed by andy's mum and coach, judy, who has now offered the couple tickets to the quarterfinal after proudly posting pictures of their support on her twitter page. we had actually got our hotos twitter page. we had actually got our photos from _ twitter page. we had actually got our photos from one _ twitter page. we had actually got our photos from one of _ twitter page. we had actually got our photos from one ofjudy's - our photos from one ofjudy�*s friends thatjudy had been in touch with and yes, she has actually messaged us and just said we want to have you back for the same thing, so we are going back tomorrow, so yes, we are going back tomorrow, so yes, we are going back tomorrow, so yes, we are buzzing about that and stephen had asked for him to sign the flag and he had signed the flag and yes, obviously we put it on and everything hasjust and yes, obviously we put it on and everything has just gone wild. so yes, we have got our scotland flag here now with andy murray's signature on it.— here now with andy murray's signature on it. here now with andy murray's siunature on it. ~ ., ., ., , . ., signature on it. wow. that was jodie mons, signature on it. wow. that was jodie moggs. whose _ signature on it. wow. that was jodie moggs, whose partner— signature on it. wow. that was jodie moggs, whose partner is _ signature on it. wow. that was jodie moggs, whose partner is stephen i signature on it. wow. that was jodie l moggs, whose partner is stephen and steven's mum, sandra davidson, has joined us now and she hasn't actually seen the couple since they set off travelling back in 2019. wow, that is a long time ago. but you have spoken to them and they must be thrilled with this cosmic oh, yeah, they are absolutely over the moon. oh, yeah, they are absolutely over the moon-— the moon. honestly it has been absolutely _ the moon. honestly it has been absolutely crazy, _ the moon. honestly it has been absolutely crazy, what - the moon. honestly it has been absolutely crazy, what has - the moon. honestly it has been | absolutely crazy, what has been happening. just absolutely crazy, what has been happening-— absolutely crazy, what has been haueninu. . ,. , ., happening. just tell us a bit more about how it _ happening. just tell us a bit more about how it came _ happening. just tell us a bit more about how it came about? - happening. just tell us a bit more about how it came about? well, i happening. just tell us a bit more | about how it came about? well, it 'ust about how it came about? well, it just happened _ about how it came about? well, it just happened yesterday. - about how it came about? well, it just happened yesterday. i - about how it came about? well, it just happened yesterday. i got - about how it came about? well, it i just happened yesterday. i got home from my work and we started getting text messages to say, have you seen this tweet byjudy murray? and so i looked it up online and i saw it was actuallyjudy murray who is tweeting to say, can you identify these two? so obviously it is my son and his girlfriend, so i actually opened up a twitter account at that time and i tweeted back to judy, just to say to her, that is my son, stephen glennie, and his girlfriend, jodie moggs. glennie, and his girlfriend, jodie mo 5, ., .,, . glennie, and his girlfriend, jodie mons, ., . �* glennie, and his girlfriend, jodie mons. ., . �* ., glennie, and his girlfriend, jodie mons, ., . �* ., glennie, and his girlfriend, jodie mons. . . �* . . moggs. fantastic. and are you and stehen moggs. fantastic. and are you and stephen and _ moggs. fantastic. and are you and stephen and jodie _ moggs. fantastic. and are you and stephen and jodie moggs - moggs. fantastic. and are you and stephen and jodie moggs big - moggs. fantastic. and are you and stephen and jodie moggs big andyi stephen and jodie moggs big andy murray fans? i am guessing on that she you are, that —— that flag behind you. she you are, that -- that flag behind you-— behind you. because we are, definitely! — behind you. because we are, definitely! and _ behind you. because we are, definitely! and what - behind you. because we are, definitely! and what are - behind you. because we are, definitely! and what are your behind you. because we are, - definitely! and what are your hopes for what he — definitely! and what are your hopes for what he is _ definitely! and what are your hopes for what he is going _ definitely! and what are your hopes for what he is going to _ definitely! and what are your hopes for what he is going to do? - definitely! and what are your hopes| for what he is going to do? because he had heard so no problems with his injuries with his hip and all that. do think he is now coming back? he is do think he is now coming back? he: is definitely on a back and with the support of the scottish fans, i am sure that has helped him on his way, but yes, he has actually got to the semifinals, so that is absolutely brilliant, he is doing so well. well, i hopejodie moggs and stephen glenny enjoy it. when you think you will see them again? how long is it going to be because i am actually writing on australia to ease the restrictions. l writing on australia to ease the restrictions.— writing on australia to ease the restrictions. i have actually got a ticket and l _ restrictions. i have actually got a ticket and i am _ restrictions. i have actually got a ticket and i am waiting _ restrictions. i have actually got a ticket and i am waiting to - restrictions. i have actually got a ticket and i am waiting to be - restrictions. i have actually got a| ticket and i am waiting to be able to go and see them. i am supposed to be going to see them in march and i'm hoping for an announcement in february that they will be able to let tourists in again because have not been able to see each other for two and a half years now.— not been able to see each other for two and a half years now. well, that is a painfully — two and a half years now. well, that is a painfully long _ two and a half years now. well, that is a painfully long time. _ two and a half years now. well, that is a painfully long time. i _ two and a half years now. well, that is a painfully long time. i really - is a painfully long time. i really hope you do get to go later on this year. sandra davidson, many thanks indeed for being with us, thank you. 0k, indeed for being with us, thank you. ok, thank you! let see how the weather is looking, he was sad. it has been another lovely day because much of the country, particularly in england and wales, although it was a cold start with mist and fog and we will see plenty of more sunshine. a bit more fog for northern ireland though. some high—pressure dominating the scene but subtle changes taking place across the north overnight, thicker outbreaks of rain and cloud in the north, but clear of england and wales, but at mist and fog will reform becoming quite extensive and dense in places and quite a hard frost in places, particularly the south of the country. milder further north. high pressure dominates the scene for friday, ringing outbreaks of rain for northern scotland, but for central and southern scotland, parts of northern ireland some sunshine around, though most of the sunshine around, though most of the sunshine will be across england and wales, albeit more they a cold and frosty start here with mist and fog. where the fog and mist lingers it will be cold and grey, but where you don't have that you have sunshine and temperatures for — 9 degrees. see later. hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching context on bbc news. prince andrew is losing his royal and military titles — he will no longer officially be known as his royal highness. buckinham palace says prince andrew — seen leaving windsor this morning — is handing his titles back to the queen — and will continue not to undertake any public duties. the move comes the day after a judge in new york ruled the prince must defend an accusation of sexually assaulting virginia guiffre in a civil court case — an accusation he denies. no let up in the pressure on borisjohnson, as some tory mps say he should resign, for attending a drinks party, during lockdown. tonight with the context, chair of young labour, jess barnard and former member of donald trump's presidential transition team bryan lanza.