token. it is a non—fungible token and we will explain what that means. london's metropolitan police have launched an investigation into parties held in number ten during the pandemic. borisjohnson has welcomed this. he says he's willing to speak to detectives and hopes it will draw in december, boris johnson in december, borisjohnson addressed the christmas party in number ten. then a week later the prime minister said this. i have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there were no parties and that no covid—i9 rules were broken and that is what i have been repeatedly assured. that same day — 8 december — the metropolitan police put out a statement. it read: "based on the absence of evidence and in line with our policy not to investigate retrospective breaches of such regulations, the met will not commence an investigation at this time." that was then — this is now. ican i can confirm that the met is investigating a number of events that happened in whitehall over the past two _ that happened in whitehall over the past two years in relation to potential breaches of covid—19 regulations. so — why the shift? here's the explanation. first we have the information provided _ first we have the information provided by the cabinet office and team _ provided by the cabinet office and team and — provided by the cabinet office and team and second the offices on assessment. that's right. the police decided not to investigate. but after receiving information from an investigation by the civil servant sue gray — now the police will investigate. and this is the prime minister's reaction. i welcome the met decision to continue this investigation because i believe it will give the public everything it needs and help to draw a line under the matter. also on tuesday, when mr johnson's spokesperson was asked if he thinks he's broken the law, the reply was — it's also fair to say, the opposition has already drawn some conclusions. potential criminalisty has been found in downing street. what a truly damning reflection on our nation's very highest office. and while mrjohnson is under sustained attack, his supporters have rallied round. the leadership of borisjohnson has been so _ the leadership of borisjohnson has been so brilliant that he has gotten us through— been so brilliant that he has gotten us through this incredibly difficult period _ us through this incredibly difficult period and it's got all of the big decisions — period and it's got all of the big decisions right. that opinion is hotly contested. but the police are not concerned with leadership — brilliant or otherwise. they're concerned with whether crimes occurred in no.10. and while we digested their intervention — the fall out continued from itv news' report on monday. paul brand reported there had been a birthday event for borisjohnson in no.10 during the first lockdown — telling us "up to 30 staff celebrated in the cabinet room where carriejohnson surprised him with a cake." we were also told: there was a chorus of happy birthday�*. and that �*those assembled are understood to have eaten picnic food from m&s'. this was at a time when most indoor gatherings involving more than two people were banned. to which no.10 has said mrjohnson was there "for less than ten minutes". and this is transport secretary grant shapps. this isn't a workplace with a bunch of people working together all of the time who decide to give the prime minister a birthday cake on his birthday. itv news also quotes mr shapps saying �*a cake being introduced is wrong'. all of which raises lots of questions — a number of which i'm not sure any of us ever expected to be asking. here's paul brand who broke the story tweeting: "does a cake make a party? does singing happy birthday qualify as a party?" and while the details of this story are increasingly unlikely — for some they matter a great deal— including some of those who broke the covid rules and were punished. as we were ashamed and we respect our responsibilities and it's time to get this done once and for all, no more cover—ups. no.10 denies there's any cover up. it denies rules were broken. and one conservative mp has raised this concern. when europe stands on the brink of war and _ when europe stands on the brink of war and there when europe stands on the brink of warand there is when europe stands on the brink of war and there is a cost—of—living crisis. _ war and there is a cost—of—living crisis. can— war and there is a cost—of—living crisis, can we please have a sense of proportion over the prime minisier— of proportion over the prime minister being given a piece of cake in his— minister being given a piece of cake in his own _ minister being given a piece of cake in his own office by his own staff? that is a reference to the russian troops build up on ukraine's border. to which the prime minister turned earlier. we will not reopen that divide by giving _ we will not reopen that divide by giving the security order over because _ giving the security order over because russia has placed a gun to the ukraine's had. because russia has placed a gun to the ukraine's head. and so while mrjohnson and other western leaders deal with russia, the prime minister and his colleagues must also answer questions about what happened in no.10 during the pandemic. questions from the press, from the civil service — and now from the police. we'll we've had two more developments. first, this from the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. the sue gray report should be revealed in full and there should be no cover up now, but we already know that she has concluded that there is evidence of potential criminal offences. that is why she passed it to the metropolitan police. wearing of the metropolitan police have decided that it is serious enough and flagrant enough for them to investigate. it is the worst possible outcome for the prime minister. and this from laura kuenssberg. and on sue gray's report we've had this from laura kuenssberg. cabinet office and met are in discussions over timing of publication of sue gray report — could be tomorrow, but no official confirmation, or real clarity about it , leading to speculation that no ten may receive the report to see it first tonight — but nothing firm well to discuss all the developments in the story — i'm joined by alva rea, a political correspondent at the new statesman. oscar redropp is a former press advisor to the conservative party. what are your thoughts of the end of another tumultuous day? imore what are your thoughts of the end of another tumultuous day?— another tumultuous day? we're 'ust watchin: another tumultuous day? we're 'ust watching and — another tumultuous day? we're 'ust watching and waiting i another tumultuous day? we're 'ust watching and waiting and it i another tumultuous day? we're just watching and waiting and it feels - watching and waiting and it feels like this for a week now that actually, there's only so much that journalists can say and that conservative mps are willing to say or do for this report comes out and looks as though the report might finally drop tomorrow morning but certainly the mood here in westminster tonight is that conservative mps, a lot of them have made up their minds what they think and they have been waiting for this to happen and just wondering how bad will be tomorrow. if it does actually happen tomorrow. ads, will be tomorrow. if it does actually happen tomorrow. a few aifts and actually happen tomorrow. a few gifts and buts — actually happen tomorrow. a few gifts and buts around _ actually happen tomorrow. a few gifts and buts around when - actually happen tomorrow. a few gifts and buts around when the i gifts and buts around when the report will arrive, but with the police are investigating now, what is your reading of the impact of that? it is your reading of the impact of that? , ., ,, is your reading of the impact of that? , ., _ ., ., . that? it is easy to get over excited and when it _ that? it is easy to get over excited and when it feels _ that? it is easy to get over excited and when it feels like _ that? it is easy to get over excited and when it feels like everything i and when it feels like everything is going _ and when it feels like everything is going on— and when it feels like everything is going on but also nothing, then getting — going on but also nothing, then getting overexcited is the thing to do. getting overexcited is the thing to do there — getting overexcited is the thing to do. there investigating potential crinrinai— do. there investigating potential criminal activity, do. there investigating potential criminalactivity, but do. there investigating potential criminal activity, but i think that is really— criminal activity, but i think that is really key point to remember. i'm still yet _ is really key point to remember. i'm still yet to— is really key point to remember. i'm still yet to work out, this is something of a running issue now. i'm something of a running issue now. i'm still— something of a running issue now. i'm still trying to work out what people. — i'm still trying to work out what people, not politicals, not commentary, not mps, but they're genuinely— commentary, not mps, but they're genuinely thinking at this moment in time _ genuinely thinking at this moment in time if_ genuinely thinking at this moment in time. if your subpoints, genuinely thinking at this moment in time. if yoursubpoints, it genuinely thinking at this moment in time. if your subpoints, it does feel like — time. if your subpoints, it does feel like a — time. if your subpoints, it does feel like a slight rub but when you saw the _ feel like a slight rub but when you saw the prime minister today talking about— saw the prime minister today talking about potential war on our continent, do we want to look back at that— continent, do we want to look back at that passage of time and say, you know— at that passage of time and say, you know what. — at that passage of time and say, you know what, the uk were obsessing overm _ know what, the uk were obsessing over... ~ , ., , know what, the uk were obsessing over... ~ ,._ ., over... when the history books are written. they _ over... when the history books are written. they may _ over... when the history books are written, they may look _ over... when the history books are written, they may look at - over... when the history books are written, they may look at the - written, they may look at the situation and this in the going to look at covid—i9 and the pandemic and extraordinary rules of the government has asked people to follow. so it is relevant whether the government itself are those in the government itself are those in the building also being said, were sticking to it. the building also being said, were sticking to it— the building also being said, were sticking to it. completely and that is alwa s sticking to it. completely and that is always ways _ sticking to it. completely and that is always ways here _ sticking to it. completely and that is always ways here from - sticking to it. completely and that is always ways here from the - is always ways here from the communications perspective and i always— communications perspective and i always believe that when this came out when _ always believe that when this came out when the first articles of this came _ out when the first articles of this came out— out when the first articles of this came out back in november, it was a simple _ came out back in november, it was a simple crisis — came out back in november, it was a simple crisis that you get it all out and — simple crisis that you get it all out and you get it out immediately. otherwise, — out and you get it out immediately. otherwise, you see this trip and reputation — otherwise, you see this trip and reputation begin to sag, you begin to bleed _ reputation begin to sag, you begin to bleed out and we have seen that. if i to bleed out and we have seen that. if i bring _ to bleed out and we have seen that. if i bring alva here, even if they do adopt that approach, they're still quite a few trips and parties and gatherings that have emerged now. �* . ., , and gatherings that have emerged now. . . ., , now. and certainly, some conservative _ now. and certainly, some conservative mps - now. and certainly, some | conservative mps privately now. and certainly, some i conservative mps privately in certain backbenchers suggested quite early on when this started to break that actually, boris johnson should come to that actually, borisjohnson should come to some of their that actually, boris johnson should come to some of their constituencies to say everything that it happened in downing street and should just, that suggestion is not taken up by downing street and who knows whether that it was a good idea but seems to have been the case that boris johnson and his team have been unwilling to say at various points that it has just been this trip trip of revelation after revelation even again this morning, this is gone on for weeks now but still, there are details of new parties and this thing about cake in the office among people who are working already and it's clearly not how it's being seen and it's part of a much bigger much more damning picture. in the absurdity of a situation where this is only potential criminalisty in downing street pinot borisjohnson so weakened by this and conservatives of all stripes are so worried by it. this is genuinely unprecedented and it's really hard to see how the suit —— sue gray report factors and with this. -- sue gray report factors and with this. �* -- sue gray report factors and with this. . ., ., _, , this. and for the whole country makes of _ this. and for the whole country makes of it _ this. and for the whole country makes of it is _ this. and for the whole country makes of it is the _ this. and for the whole country makes of it is the actual - this. and for the whole country| makes of it is the actual politics of this is about conservative mps and whether they are persuaded. completely and again, without fence sitting. _ completely and again, without fence sitting. i_ completely and again, without fence sitting, i am still, completely and again, without fence sitting, iam still, i completely and again, without fence sitting, i am still, i am not convinced _ sitting, i am still, i am not convinced by today's development of the police _ convinced by today's development of the police being involved, ithink minds _ the police being involved, ithink minds have been made up and i think there _ minds have been made up and i think there are _ minds have been made up and i think there are mps that the caucus of mps that is— there are mps that the caucus of mps that is sitting will be made quite nervous — that is sitting will be made quite nervous about this without question. the severity— nervous about this without question. the severity of the situation and the only— the severity of the situation and the only thing i push back on is that there _ the only thing i push back on is that there is a confusing dynamic at play here _ that there is a confusing dynamic at play here where the opposition have pushed _ play here where the opposition have pushed for— play here where the opposition have pushed for the met police to become involved _ pushed for the met police to become involved in— pushed for the met police to become involved in this for some time now whilst _ involved in this for some time now whilst also — involved in this for some time now whilst also complaining about why there _ whilst also complaining about why there are — whilst also complaining about why there are involved and how severe this is— there are involved and how severe this is but the normal things of the government cannot work on this because — government cannot work on this because it's going on. that doesn't quite _ because it's going on. that doesn't quite work— because it's going on. that doesn't quite work for me because as we saw from tony— quite work for me because as we saw from tony blair, this is not unprecedented, we saw with tony blair, _ unprecedented, we saw with tony blair, it— unprecedented, we saw with tony blair, it went on for a tremendous amount— blair, it went on for a tremendous amount of— blair, it went on for a tremendous amount of time and so, i understand that boris— amount of time and so, i understand that borisjohnson is trying to get on with— that borisjohnson is trying to get on with the really serious business of government and they understand perhaps— of government and they understand perhaps quite genuinely hope the met police _ perhaps quite genuinely hope the met police involvement does draw a swift and taking _ police involvement does draw a swift and taking the saw from his perspective and nonexplosive conclusion to this. this perspective and nonexplosive conclusion to this.— perspective and nonexplosive conclusion to this. this may be a difficult time _ conclusion to this. this may be a difficult time to _ conclusion to this. this may be a difficult time to write _ conclusion to this. this may be a difficult time to write your - conclusion to this. this may be a i difficult time to write your morning news letter because you're worried that the story will shift. stand news letter because you're worried that the story will shift.— that the story will shift. and that ha--ened that the story will shift. and that happened this — that the story will shift. and that happened this morning. - that the story will shift. and that happened this morning. i - that the story will shift. and that happened this morning. i said i happened this morning. i said fundamentally things have not changed and we're still waiting for the report and i clicked send and i discovered that the met police would be involved and i hope that doesn't happen tomorrow. lets get the latest on russia's buildup of troops near ukraine. france and germany have promised not to abandon dialogue with russia. however they're warning moscow that it'll pay a high price if it invades. this was in berlin. there's reason for concern along russian border and we went from there with reason to be concerned about what would happen and what effects could occur. we have no intention of putting american forces intention of putting american forces in the ukraine but, as i said, there's going to be severe economic consequences. so, that was the message. this was earlier in berlin. would call very strongly _ this was earlier in berlin. would call very strongly for _ this was earlier in berlin. would call very strongly for the - call very strongly for the escalation of tensions to see how they've united on the subjects. the discussions that we have within the framework of nato, the european union within the osce but also as the two european partners of the so—called normandy format. on the uk side, foreign secretary liz truss has announced that she'll be heading to ukraine next week. and prime minister borisjohnson had this message for western allies. we cannot bargain away the vision of a europe that emerged in those amazing years from 1989 to 1991 healing the division of our continent by the iron curtain. we will not reopen that divide by agreeing to overturn the european security order because russia has placed a gun to the ukraine said. a reminder of what this is all about. the focus is the border between ukraine and russia. and the concern is this build—up of russian troops. over 100,000 troops are massed there. and they've been taking part in frequent military drills — this is said to be near ukraine's eastern border last week. the last two years have seen a serious worsening of our strategic environment to extend that instead today, we are living to the most dangerous moment of the post covid—19 war period. with the threat of a russian invasion on the horizon, western countries have been stepping up their arm deliveries to ukraine. this plane landed in kyiv earlier today. it's carrying equipment from the us military — also known as �*lethal aid�*. here�*s the white house press secretary with more. 0n the russian side — the kremlin wants an assurance that ukraine will never be allowed to join nato. this map shows current nato members. russia already shares a small part of it�*s border with nato countries. if ukraine was to join, it would increase the number of countries in the alliance, on russia�*s borders. the kremlin has accused the us of whipping up tensions. we are seeing an escalation of tension from the us side. they�*re watching this with great concern. a possible invasion of ukraine would have consequences for neighbouring countries too. estonia�*s prime minister has been speaking to the bbc. this is absolutely nothing russia has a say about because it�*s up to nato�*s countries to decide who can and who cannot be part of nato. nato, for us, it is a defence alliance and it should be like this. nato is not presenting any threat to russia. it�*s vice versa. let�*s take a closer look at how all this has been received in ukraine. the country�*s security chief has said that the west�*s rhetoric could actually be counterproductive. translation: we must remain calm. we don�*t see in reality the situation that is being inflated in the media now. but for several months now, many civilians have chosen to undergo military training. these pictures show volunteers in kiev. they�*ve been preparing a territorial defence force — in case they have to help protect their cities against a russian invasion. let�*s speak to bbc ukraine�*s myroslava petsa in kyiv. how have ukrainians reacted to the latest rhetoric coming from the west? some people are really concerned about the war, but not everybody. if you look at the tf streets, you might give the impression that while those people didn�*t really read the news, they didn�*t watch the television because they seem so calm and theyjust go about their everyday lives and the city looks calm. but of course, some people are really worried and they�*re afraid that they are anxious and stock up on goods, water, medicine, food just to prepare themselves for possible full—scale war. tell to prepare themselves for possible full-scale war.— full-scale war. tell us about the military preparations _ full-scale war. tell us about the military preparations in - full-scale war. tell us about the military preparations in case - full-scale war. tell us about the i military preparations in case there is a russian invasion. tats military preparations in case there is a russian invasion.— is a russian invasion. as you already mentioned, - is a russian invasion. as you already mentioned, some i is a russian invasion. as you already mentioned, some of| is a russian invasion. as you - already mentioned, some of the civilians, they been undergoing preparation and their cities and their little towns just in order to prepare themselves to get acquainted with weaponry, to know how to act when and if another country, another army in their city. this is not started yesterday or last year, such kinds of training has been going on for almost eight years since russia annexed crimea back in march of 2014. so, this is not news for ukrainians. but there is far more people and listing themselves and to such units in order to get ready. and fundamentally, these tensions route back to whether ukraine should be aligned with russia whether it should be aligned with the west with nato, the european union. within ukrainian politics, to most people argue to align with the west? according to the latest poll that was conducted back in december 2021, 59% of ukrainians approve of it during the nato and they want to join nato and if you compare this number with what was back in march 2014, the demands when russia annexed crimea, only 34% of ukrainians wanted to join nato and itjust shows this dramatic ukrainians wanted to join nato and it just shows this dramatic shift ukrainians wanted to join nato and itjust shows this dramatic shift in our ukrainian politics, it shows how the mood of ukrainians is changed. they use to view russia as a friend and maybe even a brother despite all of the complicated history in the past, but starting with 2014 with the conflict, the shift here is really evident in people don�*t want to go back to russia any more and a majority of ukrainians for for pro ukrainian parties only, may be about 20% of ukrainians now approve of those parties that are more for progression. and so, the change is very visible. a rare and heavy snow storm has blanketed much of the eastern mediterranean, causing blackouts, traffic chaos and flight disruptions in turkey and greece. some islands are covered in snow for the first time in years. this was istanbul on monday as the storm swept through. trucks and cars were stuck on highways. over 4000 people were stranded across the country. and this was istanbul�*s main airport, one of europe�*s busiest. crew had to push a passenger bus that got stuck in snow. the airport was shut for for over 24 hours. istanbul is a city of 16 million people. many of them are now forbidden from driving their cars. snow here and across turkey has been falling for the past week and have reached the southern beaches of antalya. so, that�*s turkey. and this is the greek capital, athens. it, too, was paralysed because of snow. parliament was suspended and schools shut down. this drone footage shows cars abandoned in the snow. thousands had to be rescued on this stretch of motorway. many had to take shelter in the city�*s airport. and this was the greek island skopelos in the aegean sea. snowfall and waterspouts are both rare here. karolina tagaris is a journalist for reuters in athens. can we ask you what the disruption has been? things have somewhat calmed down at the moment. but things have somewhat calmed down at the moment-— the moment. but yesterday, we saw intense snowfall, _ the moment. but yesterday, we saw intense snowfall, especially - the moment. but yesterday, we saw intense snowfall, especially in - intense snowfall, especially in athens. levels that we have not seen for many years and to the coast, and there was widespread disruption across the capitol and from flights that had to be cancelled and covid—19 vaccinations had to be halted and more importantly, we had thousands of cars stranded on a modern way for many hours, pretty much for an entire day since yesterday morning and thousands of people that had to be evacuated overnight. stand people that had to be evacuated overniaht. �* �* , people that had to be evacuated overniaht. �* . , , ., overnight. and athens is not particularly _ overnight. and athens is not particularly prepare - overnight. and athens is not particularly prepare for - overnight. and athens is not particularly prepare for this i overnight. and athens is not. particularly prepare for this kind of weather. hat particularly prepare for this kind of weather-— of weather. not for such heavy snowfall in _ of weather. not for such heavy snowfall in such _ of weather. not for such heavy snowfall in such a _ of weather. not for such heavy snowfall in such a short - of weather. not for such heavy snowfall in such a short period | of weather. not for such heavy i snowfall in such a short period of time. as heavy snowfall is very rare in athens, even having said that, the second consecutive time we have seen such high levels of snow and reached up to 40 cm this morning which is unprecedented and so, it�*s not something that the authorities are used to handling. tell not something that the authorities are used to handling.— not something that the authorities are used to handling. tell me about the political — are used to handling. tell me about the political dimension _ are used to handling. tell me about the political dimension of _ are used to handling. tell me about the political dimension of this. - the political dimension of this. people are very angry and we have spoken to motorists who are stuck in their cars for 24 hours and they were calling the situation hopeless and they said the authorities are to be ashamed of this mess. the government did apologise and the prosecutor asked for an investigation into the causes of the roadblock which is a massive roadblock which is a massive roadblock and they have launched an investigation to see if they could do more to prevent this chaos yesterday and they have called on the government to resign because it is out of control and people are still very angry. the government said it will compensate the vehicle,, but for those that were stranded, it simply is not enough. hello. it�*s been a largely cloudy, cold day out there across much of the uk. 0ur weather watchers, though, have let us know where there�*s been a little bit of sunshine across parts of scotland in particular, though for many places, especially across wales and england, it�*s been scenes like this. though the weather is about to change, overall it�*s looking like a brighter day for tomorrow. we�*ve got high pressure close by, but it�*s just going to decline southwards as low pressure moves to the north of us, increasing the breeze and allowing a lot of this cloud to start to break up. and in fact, you can see, as we go through the rest of the night, we�*ve got more in the way of clear spells developing out there, just a little bit more of a breeze for now, mostly across northern areas of the uk. and it�*s from eastern scotland down through parts of wales and england, temperatures will fall close to freezing for a touch of frost here and there as tomorrow begins. another day with a lot of dry weather, but it looks different on the map here because there are breaks in the cloud allowing some sunny spells to come through here and there. the cloud increasing again in northern ireland and through western scotland. initially light and patchy rain will clearly turn much heavier on through the afternoon, especially across the northern and western isles, north west of the mainland, with gales around here. these are average wind speeds. gusts are going to be higher, but for many, it is a breezier day. and it�*s milder. temperatures back into double figures in northern ireland and scotland, certainly a lot higher than they�*ve been for the past couple of days where it�*s been so grey and misty, especially for parts of wales and england. now, overnight into thursday, this area of rain will begin to move its way southwards. for a time, even severe gales in northern scotland before those winds ease a bit on thursday. well, cloud and a little patchy rain left on this weather system clearing south through wales and england on thursday. behind it, bright skies, a chance of catching a shower and temperatures just take a step backwards again in scotland on thursday, but more of wales and england getting into double figures before that front clears away. a chance of frost and fog with high pressure reaching back in as we start off on friday, but our weather system hanging around through friday, friday night and into saturday morning across the north and west of scotland allowing for some heavy, persistent rain and strong winds here before that weather front moves south and weakens on saturday. a windy, mild start to the weekend. it looks like it�*s going to be colder and wetter by the time we get to sunday. that�*s your latest forecast. hello, i�*m ros atkins. this is outside source. parties in dentistry under lockdown are being invested by the metropolitan police. the are being invested by the metropolitan police. are being invested by the metro olitan police. ~ , ., metropolitan police. the met is now investigating — metropolitan police. the met is now investigating a _ metropolitan police. the met is now investigating a number _ metropolitan police. the met is now investigating a number of _ metropolitan police. the met is now investigating a number of events - investigating a number of events that took place at downing street and whitehall in the last two years. the medic called the police a decided _ the medic called the police a decided it's serious enough and flagrant— decided it's serious enough and flagrant enough for them to investigate. it's the worst possible outcome _ investigate. it's the worst possible outcome for the prime minister. more johnson says — outcome for the prime minister. more johnson says welcomes _ outcome for the prime minister. more johnson says welcomes the _ outcome for the prime minister. ire johnson says welcomes the police involvement which he hopes will draw a line under the whole affair. in other news european countries are warning russia if it invades ukraine there will be a high price to pay and another consignment of what the americans call legal aid has arrived in kyiv with the idea this will help ukraine repel any attack. and we are talking aboutjohn lennon�*s afghan coat going up for auction would only kind of in this is as a digital token, the latest sale of a non—fungible token or an nft and i will explain what all of that is about. the metropolitan police has launched an investigation into allegations of multiple parties at downing street and in whitehall during lockdown to establish whether coronavirus rules were broken. the prime minister has welcomed the decision saying he�*s willing to speak to detectives and hopes it will draw a line under the matter. here�*s our political editor laura kuenssberg. the law applies in every town, every city, every road and every house and in the sw1 postcode of number ten. and the police have concluded they�*ve seen enough about what happened behind closed doors when the law was lockdown that it merits a full and proper look. i can confirm that the met is now investigating a number of events that took place at downing street and whitehall in the last two years. so, for only the second time in a century... can you survive the i police investigation? ..a serving prime minister will be investigated for what happened under his own roof. after months and months of claims about rule—breaking during a national emergency. i believe this will help to give the public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matters. but i want to reassure the house, mr speaker, and the country that i and the whole government focused 100% on dealing with the people's priorities. i�*m told the police have been talking to the official who�*s been trying to get to the bottom of what happened four weeks and enough evidence about gatherings or parties in downing street is there for them to contemplate prosecutions. was it right to have| a birthday gathering in downing street? more than a dozen events, including a celebration and cake around the cabinet table for the prime minister�*s birthday have emerged. but when ministers were there around that same table this morning, borisjohnson made no mention of the police investigation he already had been told about. those loyal to him have been louder in recent days. the vaccine roll—out, the furlough programme, the economy having of borisjohnson this country has country has had has been so brilliant. even before the police or an official report, there have been plenty of private tory recriminations for the chaos. all of it more fuel for the opposition parties. so, it seems, mr speaker, potential criminality has been found in downing street. what a truly damning reflection on our nation's very highest office. we cannot go on with this chaotic government. - will he advise his boss to dol the right thing in the national interest and resign? can we please have a sense of proportion over the prime minister being given a piece of cake in his own office by his own staff? the timing and complexities of a police investigation could slow down the tory party�*s rush to judgment on borisjohnson. conversations among mps over there, who have the power to determine his future, may be put on pause. yet one former minister said, "there is no universe where a police investigation into downing street is a good thing in the real world." for the tories, who like to be seen as the party of law and order, are facing serious political disorder of their own. laura kuenssberg, bbc news. eleni courea is from politico�*s london playbook newsletter. thanks very much indeed forjoining us and i wonder what you�*ll be riding tomorrow morning. lute us and i wonder what you'll be riding tomorrow morning. we will be writin: this riding tomorrow morning. we will be writing this is _ riding tomorrow morning. we will be writing this is probably _ riding tomorrow morning. we will be writing this is probably boris - writing this is probably boris johnson poz meant most difficult week so far as prime minister and effect definitely his most difficult week. today has been a dramatic date even with the standards of the last few months and the met police launching an investigation into the series of parties we now know to place and in government and that really caused massive problems for the prime minister. ln really caused massive problems for the prime minister.— the prime minister. in terms of us findin: the prime minister. in terms of us finding out — the prime minister. in terms of us finding out what _ the prime minister. in terms of us finding out what happened - the prime minister. in terms of us finding out what happened in - the prime minister. in terms of us . finding out what happened in number ten in the dusty police involvement really shifts anything given that it seems to have been prompted by an investigation by sue gray who was a civil servant?— civil servant? yes, indeed. ithink what this tells _ civil servant? yes, indeed. ithink what this tells us _ civil servant? yes, indeed. ithink what this tells us about _ civil servant? yes, indeed. ithink what this tells us about her - civil servant? yes, indeed. ithink what this tells us about her own i what this tells us about her own investigation is that despite speculation that it could end up pulling his punches because after all sue gray is a civil servant with some difficult political pressures on her, clearly her report has gotten damaging findings in it that have met the threshold for the police to launch an investigation. so when the first instance it does not mean that�*s a great mother reported civil be very difficult reading for the prime minister, very damaging for his government but of course the met police investigation could also uncover further thinks that sue gray perhaps has not. because the police could conduct their own interviews and their own inquiries and going into the prime minister as well as he said he is happy to be interviewed by them. so there is scope for more damaging revelations to come. flout there is scope for more damaging revelations to come.— there is scope for more damaging revelations to come. now as regular readers of your— revelations to come. now as regular readers of your newsletter _ revelations to come. now as regular readers of your newsletter know, i revelations to come. now as regular| readers of your newsletter know, you often will quote politicians who us look into who speak to you anonymously and i wonder what conversations you�*ve been having with tory mps as a st digest the police decision to get involved? to be police decision to get involved? trr be honest today has been quite interesting largely because there has been a large number of mps that have been quite exasperated with things so far. very frustrated with how the government has been handling this in i very profitable revelations we have had so far but still supportive of the prime minister. and the ones i contacted today have gone quite quiet. the people who have been saying so far that despite everything, they are not putting in letters of no confidence in borisjohnson and are not planning to vote that they don�*t have confidence in him. those people are now growing quite quiet. and i asked at tory mp today what they think will happen tomorrow and they said it�*s a great report will, and all help will break loose. you said it's a great report will, and all help will break loose. you will see when it _ all help will break loose. you will see when it arrives. _ all help will break loose. you will see when it arrives. thank- all help will break loose. you will see when it arrives. thank you i see when it arrives. thank you very much forjoining us. this is the biggest attack by is in syria in monson here is more on it by anna foster. the chaos of a violent and muddy siege now into its fifth day. broken bodies littered the floor of the prison. around 800 boys detained they are trapped inside. they have become a human shield. 0ne inside. they have become a human shield. one of them, an australian teenager, said a voice message describing what he saw. lute teenager, said a voice message describing what he saw.- describing what he saw. we are seeinu a describing what he saw. we are seeing a lot _ describing what he saw. we are seeing a lot of... _ the fierce clashes at 4000 people from their homes. local forces are still battling to regain control. backed by us fighter jets. 250 more fighters have surrendered today this is not over. the attack was not a surprise. the prison had suffered repeated break—out attempts. it raises serious questions for the many countries who left their men and boys there. and there are fresh calls for those vulnerable children inside to finally be repatriated by their home nations. the president of cameroon has ordered an investigation into the crush that killed eight people outside a stadium in the capital yaounde before a football match in the africa cup of nations. two children were among those who died. these pictures are from the moments leading up to the incident. some supporters tried to force their way into what was for a time the only gate that was open allowing access to the stadium. the match was between the tournament hosts cameroon and comoros. this was afterwards. more than 30 people were injured. the government says its investigation would "shed light on the tragic incident". the confederation of african football runs the tournament. it is going to investigate, too. there must be an immediate committee that set up to immediately investigate what happened. and in that context to find out who it was supposed to do what and who did not do and perform their responsibilities. there is zero tolerance, absolutely zero tolerance on circumstances which could result in people being injured at the stadium or people losing their lives. it�*s the first time cameroon has hosted the africa cup of nations in 50 years. the 0lembe stadium is about ten kilometres from the centre of the capital. it�*s the largest stadium in cameroon and was only opened last year. the stadium had been due to host three more games in the tournament, but these have now been moved to a different venue. piers edwards from bbc sport africa was commentating on the game. he�*s in yaounde. tells about when he began hearing coming was wrong. to tells about when he began hearing coming was wrong.— tells about when he began hearing coming was wrong. to be honest i was commentating — coming was wrong. to be honest i was commentating on _ coming was wrong. to be honest i was commentating on the _ coming was wrong. to be honest i was commentating on the game _ coming was wrong. to be honest i was commentating on the game and i coming was wrong. to be honest i was commentating on the game and so i coming was wrong. to be honest i was| commentating on the game and so had my head down there very much focusing on that and it was just after the final whistle that started to see a whole bunch of messages coming through about disturbances outside. fairly remarkable was that obviously this staff happened before the game and the tragedies happened and i was a half an hour beforehand at the game still went ahead and by the time some of my colleagues went out to check out the site towards the final whistle, most of the debris had been removed by the time i went there two hours or so later and he would not have known that anything was going on. i should just say that the stadium is the quarterfinal moved away but it is still sent to host the semi final and the final itself on the 6th of february. and the final itself on the 6th of februa . , ., february. intuitively there are questions _ february. intuitively there are questions as _ february. intuitively there are questions as to _ february. intuitively there are questions as to why _ february. intuitively there are questions as to why only i february. intuitively there are questions as to why only one | february. intuitively there are i questions as to why only one gate was open commit which i would assume is not in the safety guidelines. absolutely not. it�*s baffling. talk about the stadium being new, it�*s a 60,000 seat stadium, cameron has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the facilities here and you�*ve got a massive stadium and you have one main entrance. in equitably at times that main entrance was shut. there was a huge gathering, hundreds of people that were near the gate that was not open to people trying to push their way in, finding gaps and fences when they could and then when they did finally open the main gate, people at the front were just pushed over by this year weight of numbers and sadly as we know they were then trampled on by those coming through from behind it. i spoke to a survivor earlier today and she said she was choking in the dust and she thankfully is going to make it through at the game with her young son and he is fine as well. but it�*s true in our conditions and major questions need to be asked of security notjust here but also any of the main menu. the country positing a city, we had a pitch invasion there which after the algeria and ivory coast game and a number of major european stars in the pitch including re—add more as of city and dozens of quarters flooded onto the pitch and got close to him and thankfully he emerged unscathed but really security and organisation here are majorly under the spotlight. organisation here are ma'orly under the spotlight.— organisation here are ma'orly under the spottight— organisation here are ma'orly under the spetttght— the spotlight. thank you very much indeed. the spotlight. thank you very much indeed- bbc _ the spotlight. thank you very much indeed. bbc sport _ the spotlight. thank you very much indeed. bbc sport africa _ the spotlight. thank you very much indeed. bbc sport africa there. i the spotlight. thank you very much| indeed. bbc sport africa there. full coverage from them to the tournament in cameroon of course. stay with us on outside source. still to come, wejohn lennon we john lennon and wejohn lennon and his son and non—frontal digital tokens and the option we explain what that all is. in the uk, the man who spent 54 hours trapped deep underground in a cave in the brecon beacons has been back to meet some of the volunteers who saved his life. hywel griffith reports. this is where george linnane�*s life changed in an instant. 0gof nynnon ddu, britain�*s deepest cave system. somewhere he�*d been dozens of times before, but, last year, deep underground, the rock beneath him crumbled and he fell into the darkness. the first thing i knew about it was this instantaneous feeling of legs whirling around in midairand arms grabbing for something. 0ne second, i was caving, the next, the world went mad. it all went black and, two minutes later, i woke up in a very different state to when i�*d started. george broke his leg, jaw and several ribs. he was bleeding heavily. as a friend went for help, he wrestled with the pain. did you think that you might not survive? honestly? yes, at times. it was kind of dark times initially, i guess, until the help started arriving. what followed was britain�*s longest ever cave rescue. in all, 300 volunteers from across the uk turned out to help. they included becky, a doctor with a local rescue team, who was one of the first to help him. my immediate thought was there's a chance that he's not going to survive this and then the thought also went through my mind that i'm the only medical professional here and that, if he does become more unwell, that everyone's going to be looking to me to do something, so, yeah, it was a big weight of responsibility. after 54 hours underground and being carried on a stretcher george still faces months of treatment but is determined to return to caving and become a rescue volunteer, joining the team which saved him. if there was a message you wanted to give them, the people who turned out and travelled to come and help you, what would it be? i would just say thank you from the bottom of my heart, really, and i�*d alsojust let them know that the beer that i owe them is on the way. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. 0ur lead story is — borisjohnson boris johnson says borisjohnson says he welcomes investigation of the metropolitan police into parties held in downing street during lockdown. so, police are now investigating potential breaches of coronavirus regulations at a number of events in downing street and whitehall. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford reports on what they will look at and asks why they didn�*t act sooner. for months, arguments around alleged parties in downing street and its garden have swept through whitehall, while london�*s main police force has kept quiet, saying only that it was in touch with sue gray, who is leading the cabinet office investigation. so, why is the met investigating now? this morning, the force�*s most senior officer said three factors might lead to them investigating covid rule breaches from many months ago. my three factors were and are — there was evidence that those involved knew or ought to have known that what they were doing was an offence, where not investigating would significantly undermine the legitimacy of the law. and where there was little ambiguity around the absence of any reasonable defence. and what will the police look at? the starting point will be what sue gray has already uncovered. the investigation itself should be reasonably straightforward. now police have decided which of the events at downing street was potentially illegal, they�*lljust need to try and work out who was at each one, and they�*ll do that by looking at emails, at personal accounts and at movements on staff passes. and they�*ll also need to check whether anyone had a legitimate reason to be at any of the events. for some opposition politicians, the question is why did police not act sooner? did the officers who work in downing street every day not notice the events when they were happening? it sounds like there was a culture of lawbreaking parties rather than a single one—off event. we�*ve heard reports of wheelie suitcases of drink clanking through security. surely some officers were concerned about what they were seeing at the time. last march, in this warwickshire garden, kieran mcardle and three friends had a small birthday party. the police arrived within the hour and fined him. he wants whitehall party goers to face the same punishment. the stories of these parties are coming out now. it's a little bit galling when you see that the people that made the rules are breaking the rules and they're not being held to account. so, what are the potential punishments? anyone who attended an illegal gathering in downing street during lockdown faces a fine. at the start of the pandemic, the fines were £60 but later rose to 100 and then again to 200. it�*s not clear if the prime minister is one of those who faces a possible fine. daniel sandford, bbc news, downing street. ione wells is in westminster. i�*m going to start with a question i don�*t think you have a definitive answer to but where have we got to with the city gray report because this story has been twisting and turning through the day?- turning through the day? that's ritht turning through the day? that's ri t ht and turning through the day? that's right and i— turning through the day? that's right and i think _ turning through the day? that's right and i think worth - turning through the day? that's right and i think worth me i turning through the day? that's i right and i think worth me wanting to where we were at the start of the day first. after the metropolitan police said that would now be investigating some of these events investigating some of these events in dentistry and whitehall last year, numberten in dentistry and whitehall last year, number ten said that that meant that sue great public inquiry to be effectively pause and cannot be published while the police inquiry was ongoing. later in the afternoon, that line then changed and we were then told that cabinet office officials were in discussion with him and brought him police about which aspects of the report could be published. where we are now is essentially back to where we were before the met made their announcement, we now expect a report to come imminently in the next day or two as what we are hearing at the moment. of course the current sort of plan for when this does happen is and everything would still receive this report and in advance and then it would be a case of the prime minister needing to make a statement to the house of commons on the findings of the report. another is a sort of working assumption in parliament at the moment and a lot of speculation going on this could be as soon asked tomorrow after prime minister�*s questions in the house of commons now i stress could be because there is a lot of speculation going on the moment that annalise dodds this evening acid debbie speaker in parliament about some of the circulation the reporter, soon as tomorrow. he said that the twitter sphere was on fire but he could not confirm anything but he could not confirm anything but it�*s a proper processes will be followed if the report comes out because a lot of opposition parties worry they are not going to get enough side of it before it does in order to be able to hold the prime minister and the government to account on it.— minister and the government to account on it. ., ,, , ., , . account on it. thank you very much indeed for — account on it. thank you very much indeed for giving _ account on it. thank you very much indeed for giving us _ account on it. thank you very much indeed for giving us up-to-date. i now, here�*s something for beatlemaniacs, john lennon�*s eldest son, julian, is selling several pieces of music history from his personal collection. however, he will keep the physical items because each piece of memorabilia will be sold as a non—fungible token. items being auctioned include handwritten notes for the beatles song heyjude, three gibson guitars given tojulian lennon by his father, this afghan coat worn byjohn lennon in the film magical mystery tour and a black cape worn by lennon in the film help! n fts nfts are assets in the digital world of me bought and sold like any other piece of property but they have no tangible form of their own. to tell us all about it let�*s bring in charlottejee, news editor at mit technology review. ifi if i was too busyjust look for one of these things what do i get? essentially you would get an entry in the database it says you own the item but both the database and the item but both the database and the item only exists in digitalform on the internet. 50 item only exists in digital form on the internet— item only exists in digital form on the internet. so what do i actually own? you — the internet. so what do i actually own? you essentially _ the internet. so what do i actually own? you essentially own - the internet. so what do i actually own? you essentially own a i the internet. so what do i actually own? you essentially own a url. | the internet. so what do i actually i own? you essentially own a url. you own? you essentially own a url. you own a link to — own? you essentially own a url. you own a link to the item _ own? you essentially own a url. you own a link to the item that _ own? you essentially own a url. you own a link to the item that you i own? you essentially own a url. you own a link to the item that you have l own a link to the item that you have bought online. l�*m own a link to the item that you have bought online— bought online. i'm sure that they would be and _ bought online. i'm sure that they would be and many _ bought online. i'm sure that they would be and many are _ bought online. i'm sure that they would be and many are would i bought online. i'm sure that they would be and many are would be| would be and many are would be wondering what do i own a why would i want to? but help us understand how the market has developed? 50 how the market has developed? sr basically the idea behind this is that it provides a way to prove ownership of a particular item. and that makes it tradable sum of people who by nfts are doing so in order to sell them on quite quickly for a profit. i�*m not sure that will be the case for this instance because these items are probably being bought by beetle fans or collectors or he will have a particular attachment to the items or at least digital representation of them. see ou but a digital representation of them. see you but a digital representation of this. is it yours forever?— this. is it yours forever? well, in theo , this. is it yours forever? well, in theory. yes. _ this. is it yours forever? well, in theory, yes, however— this. is it yours forever? well, in theory, yes, however the - this. is it yours forever? well, in l theory, yes, however the internet this. is it yours forever? well, in i theory, yes, however the internet is not really forever as an entity. links break. sites go down, stuffed does not work sometimes. and there are many reports of nfts burki because the link no longer works that it points to. l�*m because the link no longer works that it points to.— that it points to. i'm trying to understand — that it points to. i'm trying to understand the _ that it points to. i'm trying to understand the level - that it points to. i'm trying to understand the level of i that it points to. i'm trying to i understand the level of investment people might be willing to some is publicity stunt or it mightjulie lennon actually make some decent cash? i lennon actually make some decent cash? , ., ,, ,., . cash? i curty will make some decent cash? i curty will make some decent cash was of — cash? i curty will make some decent cash was of the _ cash? i curty will make some decent cash was of the nft— cash? i curty will make some decent cash was of the nft market - cash? i curty will make some decent cash was of the nft market is i cash was of the nft market is actually now worth in theory not that far off additional art markets of people are spending billions of dollars collectively. so much as they may be baffled by it, i don�*t think of something you can dismiss. have people in charge of the auction told us roughly how much they are excited to get? is there a starting price? excited to get? is there a starting trice? ., .,. excited to get? is there a starting .rice? ~ ., . ., excited to get? is there a starting trice? ,, .. ., , ., price? think each i of them started about $3000 _ price? think each i of them started about $3000 and _ price? think each i of them started about $3000 and |_ price? think each i of them started about $3000 and i would - price? think each i of them started about $3000 and i would not i price? think each i of them started about $3000 and i would not be i about $3000 and i would not be surprised if they go for quite a lot of money because in theory the proceeds are going at least partly to charity but we don�*t know how much the partly is with them i suspectjulie lennon will make a lot of money out of this. suspect julie lennon will make a lot of money out of this.— of money out of this. interesting and thanks _ of money out of this. interesting and thanks for _ of money out of this. interesting and thanks for getting _ of money out of this. interesting and thanks for getting it - of money out of this. interesting | and thanks for getting it through. we appreciate that. a reminder of our top story — but he brought him police launching an investigation into parties held at number ten during the pandemic with boris shots and welcoming the development saying he is going to speak to detectives and hopes it will draw a line under the matter. there is much more ongoing coverage of that through the bbc news at nbc news website. for this hour of outside source, thank you very much for watching for me and the team, bye—bye. hello. it�*s been a largely cloudy, cold day out there across much of the uk. 0ur weather watchers, though, have let us know where there�*s been a little bit of sunshine across parts of scotland in particular, though for many places, especially across wales and england, it�*s been scenes like this. though the weather is about to change, overall it�*s looking like a brighter day for tomorrow. we�*ve got high pressure close by, but it�*s just going to decline southwards as low pressure moves to the north of us, increasing the breeze and allowing a lot of this cloud to start to break up. and in fact, you can see, as we go through the rest of the night, we�*ve got more in the way of clear spells developing out there, just a little bit more of a breeze for now, mostly across northern areas of the uk. and it�*s from eastern scotland down through parts of wales and england, temperatures will fall close to freezing for a touch of frost here and there as tomorrow begins. another day with a lot of dry weather, but it looks different on the map here because there are breaks in the cloud allowing some sunny spells to come through here and there. the cloud increasing again in northern ireland and through western scotland. initially light and patchy rain will clearly turn much heavier on through the afternoon, especially across the northern and western isles, north west of the mainland, with gales around here. these are average wind speeds. gusts are going to be higher, but for many, it is a breezier day. and it�*s milder. temperatures back into double figures in northern ireland and scotland, certainly a lot higher than they�*ve been for the past couple of days where it�*s been so grey and misty, especially for parts of wales and england. now, overnight into thursday, this area of rain will begin to move its way southwards. for a time, even severe gales in northern scotland before those winds ease a bit on thursday. well, cloud and a little patchy rain left on this weather system clearing south through wales and england on thursday. behind it, bright skies, a chance of catching a shower and temperatures just take a step backwards again in scotland on thursday, but more of wales and england getting into double figures before that front clears away. a chance of frost and fog with high pressure reaching back in as we start off on friday, but our weather system hanging around through friday, friday night and into saturday morning across the north and west of scotland allowing for some heavy, persistent rain and strong winds here before that weather front moves south and weakens on saturday. a windy, mild start to the weekend. it looks like it�*s going to be colder and wetter by the time we get to sunday. that�*s your latest forecast. this is bbc news. this is bbc news. the headlines at 6pm... the headlines at 6pm... they are investigating multiple —— 8pm. —— 8pm. the metropolitan police say the metropolitan police say they are investigating multiple events that took place in downing street during lockdown. i can confirm that the met is now investigating a number of events that took place at downing street and whitehall in the last two years, in relation to potential breaches of covid—19 regulations. the prime minister�*s spokesman says he doesn�*t believe he broke the law. i welcome the met's decision to conduct its own investigation, because i believe this will help give the public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matters. it�*s believed the crucial report by senior civil servant, sue gray, on events in downing street could be published soon.