the uk's health security agency says the country could have more than a million omicron cases by the end of the month and that two doses provides little protection against the new variant. a senior government minister says the situation is seriously worrying. the white house says president biden is very concerned by a supreme court decision to leave strict new abortion laws in place in texas. the new law bans abortions from six weeks of pregnancy. it's being challenged by abortion providers. the high court in london has ruled thatjulian assange should be extradited to stand trial in the united states. the wikileaks founder faces charges linked to the leaking of classified military documents. his supporters say the us could not be trusted. (pres)now on bbc news...it�*s time for the media show. now on bbc news...it�*s time for the media show.

and a warning that this programme contains flash photography. hello, i'm roz atkins. welcome to this weeks addition of the media show. we are going to talk about two enormous scoops and one resignation. it was it was pippa crerar from the daily mirror who first reported on a christmas party in downing street last week. and then we had paul brand from itv news putting out a video it obtained from a practice press briefing inside number ten last december in which we saw downing street staff laughing, joking about a party at number ten during lockdown. the issue has been everywhere in the media, it dominated prime ministers questions as well.

and we're going to get into exactly how those scoops happened with help of peppa and with paul. the first of all, the prime ministers adviser allegra stratton has resigned, she was one of those people in the video was up and this is what she said about that resignation. my remarks seem to make light of the rules rules that people were doing everything to obey, that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my profound apologies to all of you at home for them. there's allegra stratton explaining her resignation. we also want to look at the story and what it tells us about the broader relationship between government and the press lobby. to help us do that we have the katie, director of communications for teresa mae when she was prime minister. michael, political commentator for mail plus ed kitty donaldson, the political editor for bloomberg news. let's start with pippa crerar from the mirror. it was your story which started all of

this. when did you first hear that there had been a christmas party in downing street? well, i actually first heard rumours way back injanuary but they were just that. and i wasn't able to substantiate, i tried my best but didn't manage to get there. and about a month ago i got handed what i would describe as a metaphorical brown paper envelope which contained enough evidence in it for me to start asking questions again. so i then spent several weeks speaking to sources about whether a party had taken place and then once i'd established that it had, speaking to them about who is at it, what was done at the party, secret santa and the festive games and drinks and nibbles and so on. and then we were just really waiting for a moment that would be the right time to publish. so you come back to the story, you start having lots of conversations building on what you first

heard about injanuary. can you pinpoint when you first thought, "my goodness, this is a huge story? well, last tuesday i was sitting in the number nine briefing room, the same room in fact that the video that paul and itv showed of allegra stratton was filmed in. and listening to the prime ministers official spokesman at the normal lobby briefing. that morning on the radio doctorjenny harris, the uk health security agency chief had suggested that people might want to be a bit careful about how they socialise at christmas and cut back on that in the coming weeks because of the emergence of omicron variant. and with that in the back of our minds we were all asking question of the pm spokesman about whether we should be having christmas parties, whether it was wise to follow her advice and what the official guidance was. and he made quite clear that the official guidance at that time was not to cut back on christmas parties, these things could ahead. it was really quite clear about that. some thought that's

a bit of a slap down in fact ofjenny harris. i remember sitting there thinking "my goodness, people are talking about christmas parties again, we have the uncertainties of what happened to the next few weeks with omicron coming up, this is going to be on peoples minds again, now is the moment to do this story. so you decided to run the story on tuesday of last week. what were you ready to go with it quite a lot earlier? i suppose i could pull that together quickly. none of this was actually written as i sat there in the number ten briefing. i had all the information i needed but i needed to sit at my keyboard and bash it all down. i did that very quickly in the day and lawyers want to have a look and the people to put the paper together, the online team they were discussing his eyes. it's a bit of an operation. and you say that your editors quite understandably trust you because of your track record. but when you go to them and say i got this source, how many sources did they want from you? as their particular

number you have to clear? i think again it depends on the story. i have a personal rule that if you are writing a big story like this that you can'tjust do it on the basis of one source unless you have uncontroversial evidence or they are somebody that you trust absolutely implicitly. but i've never done a big story like this based on just one source, i've always preferred multiple sources. not least because in establishing the facts i think it's quite important to be able to make want to get more information from i—person which co—operates something from something else. and you build up a picture. the more the better always. how many were there on this particular story? i have several sources on this one. so that your experience. we will come back to it. paul, let's bring you in. when did you hear about this video? we heard about this video sometime ago. it's actually really interesting listening to peppa explained her because i had a similar asked experience, we were aware of this video some time ago. actually, sometimes it takes the work of one journalist to help anotherjournalist. and we had some really important considerations

when were looking at this video. it was filmed ultimately in a private setting. so there's ultimately a high bar for publishing that you and the needs of public interest. and on the first look at the video and before the context of the past few weeks, that bar we didn't feel it was met. but when pippa published her story and the denials began coming out of downing street the public in stressed transformed. because we were able to demonstrate that perhaps what downing street were telling us wasn't quite in line with the way they were talking behind the scenes around the time of the parties alleged to have taken place. hold on, i want to make sure i've understood this. you heard about the video. does that mean somebody had actually told you, i got a video or maybe showed you the video and said were not to give you a copy of it yet or you just heard rumours around west minister that he video might exist and so it yet or you just heard rumours around west minister that a video might exist and someone might have a? we might exist and someone might have a? ~ ., ~' might exist and someone might have a? ~ ., ~ ., have a? we were working on the sto for have a? we were working on the story for several _ have a? we were working on the story for several weeks. - have a? we were working on the story for several weeks. so - have a? we were working on the story for several weeks. so we l story for several weeks. so we were _ story for several weeks. so we were aware of the video. and we

were _ were aware of the video. and we were working through the legals and we — were working through the legals and we have a fantastic lawyer who was — and we have a fantastic lawyer who was working with us in great — who was working with us in great detail on all of that. like — great detail on all of that. like i say, things changed when the bu22— like i say, things changed when the buzz story was published. before — the buzz story was published. before we talk further let's hear some of this video. [30 hear some of this video. do the hear some of this video. drr they condone having christmas... what's the answer? i don't know. his to use wine already? _ i don't know. his to use wine already? it_ i don't know. his to use wine already? it was business meeting. this is recorded. this fictional— meeting. this is recorded. this fictional party was a business meeting _ fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not socially— meeting. and it was not socially distance. 30 meeting. and it was not socially distance. so this is a video from — socially distance. so this is a video from last _ socially distance. so this is a video from last december. socially distance. so this is a | video from last decemberjust before christmas. this isn't in actual briefing, this is a practice. actual briefing, this is a practice-— actual briefing, this is a ractice. , ~ . ,, . ., practice. yes, allegra stratton had been planning _ practice. yes, allegra stratton had been planning to - practice. yes, allegra stratton had been planning to host - practice. yes, allegra stratton i had been planning to host these televised present. the first time — televised present. the first time televised briefing it happened in the uk the white house — happened in the uk the white house briefing had already happened in america for the idea — happened in america for the idea would that she would come

and present what is actually a regular— and present what is actually a regular lobby briefing that takes _ regular lobby briefing that takes place but it would be on camera — takes place but it would be on camera for the first time. what she was— camera for the first time. what she was doing was asking colleagues to help her to rehearse they were at press offices _ rehearse they were at press offices and special advises in the room _ offices and special advises in the room that was thrown her the room that was thrown her the kind — the room that was thrown her the kind of questions journalist would ask her potentially if she was doing it for real— potentially if she was doing it for real on that day. and she was — for real on that day. and she was rehearsing her answers. sometimes formally sometimes less formally which is actually what — less formally which is actually what you _ less formally which is actually what you see in the clip that you — what you see in the clip that you just _ what you see in the clip that you just laid there. we what you see in the clip that you just laid there.- you just laid there. we were lookin: you just laid there. we were looking at — you just laid there. we were looking at the _ you just laid there. we were looking at the video - you just laid there. we were looking at the video and - you just laid there. we were looking at the video and of i looking at the video and of course the impact that it's at. we noticed some questions coming up again and again about it. if you don't mind, i'd like to ask you to them, did itv pay for the video? no, to ask you to them, did itv pay forthe video? no, we to ask you to them, did itv pay for the video? no, we do not pay for the video. and why did you choose to blur some faces in it but not everyone's? again, that comes back to public— again, that comes back to public interest. obviously the repercussions for those identified can be quite severe as we've _ identified can be quite severe as we've seen with allegra stratton his resignation today. we felt — stratton his resignation today. we felt we only want to identify those people who had

said something that was in the public— said something that was in the public interest. and the room who— public interest. and the room who were _ public interest. and the room who were participants but perhaps not particularly active participant in the rehearsal that— participant in the rehearsal that day— participant in the rehearsal that day or they had made interventions that we didn't feel— interventions that we didn't feel that that test of being in the public interest. and feel that that test of being in the public interest.— the public interest. and you tweeted out _ the public interest. and you tweeted out early _ the public interest. and you tweeted out early evening, | the public interest. and you | tweeted out early evening, i start and of course thousands and thousands of us are at. one thing that was gears was initially there was a short clip and that i went back on twitter and everyone was a short clip and that i went back on twitter and everyone's going, hold on, there's more. tell us about the decision—making the leasing the shorter version before the longer. shorter version before the [on . er. , shorter version before the loner. , . , longer. there is an interesting dilemma for— longer. there is an interesting dilemma for broadcasters - longer. there is an interesting dilemma for broadcasters and | dilemma for broadcasters and newspapers these days which is how much— newspapers these days which is how much do you reveal your hand — how much do you reveal your hand on— how much do you reveal your hand on social media alone? ultimately, as a news organisation you like people to consume — organisation you like people to consume your content through your— consume your content through your own — consume your content through your own platform. itv has a website _ your own platform. itv has a website and a nap and ideally what — website and a nap and ideally what would like people to do is id what would like people to do is go in _ what would like people to do is go in and — what would like people to do is go in and read the full story, the full— go in and read the full story, the full piece ofjournalism has — the full piece ofjournalism has taken a lot of time and effort _ has taken a lot of time and effort for— has taken a lot of time and effort for the what we decided to do— effort for the what we decided to do was to release a short clip — to do was to release a short clip which _ to do was to release a short

clip which gave a flavour of the story— clip which gave a flavour of the story so they could understand what they would be going _ understand what they would be going through to read more about _ going through to read more about. and then the full video, the full— about. and then the full video, the full context of the article was there on the website to be read in — was there on the website to be read in full. in was there on the website to be read in full.— read in full. in the final question _ read in full. in the final question we _ read in full. in the final question we see - read in full. in the final question we see being| read in full. in the final- question we see being asked a lot is whether this was filmed off a screen or whether it's actually the original video. that something i can't get into it with — that something i can't get into it with you, ross. as pitt but was — it with you, ross. as pitt but was saying earlier protection of our— was saying earlier protection of our sources is of the utmost important _ of our sources is of the utmost important to us. and that means notjust— important to us. and that means notjust protecting the sources identity— notjust protecting the sources identity but protecting how material comes into our hands. well— material comes into our hands. well of— material comes into our hands. well of course you know paul, and everyone listening those prime ministers questions earlier this was the dominant issue. and borisjohnson turned to the video that paul had obtained. i to the video that paul had obtained-— obtained. i apologise unreservedly - obtained. i apologise unreservedly for- obtained. i apologise unreservedly for the | obtained. i apologise - unreservedly for the offence that it unreservedly for the offence thatitis unreservedly for the offence that it is because of another country and i apologise for the impression that it gives. but i

repeat mister speaker that i've been repeatedly assured sense these allegations emerged that there was no party... and that no covid rules were broken and thatis no covid rules were broken and that is what i have been repeatedly assured. ed pippa, as ou repeatedly assured. ed pippa, as you listen _ repeatedly assured. ed pippa, as you listen to _ repeatedly assured. ed pippa, as you listen to that _ repeatedly assured. ed pippa, as you listen to that end - repeatedly assured. ed pippa, as you listen to that end you | as you listen to that end you listen to the prime minister saying essentially the description of the event that you reported on is wrong, how does it feel?— does it feel? well, it's no different _ does it feel? well, it's no different from _ does it feel? well, it's no different from what - does it feel? well, it's no i different from what they've been saying every day this week, frankly. i guess it comes out a couple of things, want to support your interpretation of what a party is in my mind. a0 to 50 people cry to cheek by gel into a medium—sized room drinking, playing party games until past midnight, even if it is in a work environment is a party. secondly, the legalities of it. they are only three areas in which the government could point to to justify its claim that this government did not gathering or any gathering

was within the rules. whether it was a permitted event but they would been no mingling aloud between households including the second is described as a reasonable excuse of a gathering at her work environment. i don't think anybody would regard a christmas party as a reasonable work of art. thirdly, this disputed claim as to whether this sort of event was allowed, permitted because covid regulations don't apply on government departments was up that's a very tricky ones of the government. if it's true and i don't know whether it is, you'll have to ask legal minds on that then it would literally be one set of rules for government and one set of rules for everyone else. which i think would be an incredibly bad luck for them.— think would be an incredibly bad luck for them. pippa, paul sta with bad luck for them. pippa, paul stay with us — bad luck for them. pippa, paul stay with us working _ bad luck for them. pippa, paul stay with us working to - bad luck for them. pippa, paul stay with us working to bring l stay with us working to bring in other guess. this is a story that pippa is very closely connected to. lots of people been following the daily should christmas party story making comparisons with the barnett castles story. involving dominic cummings if you want to hear that inside of that story

well pit is editor along with the editor of the guardian spoke to the media show on an earlier addition of the programme a few months back which you can still listen to on life. let's bring in bloomberg news, in—house communication and former director of communications went to reset may was prime minister katie, i wonder how you assess the government has handled the last nine or ten days. in the government has handled the last nine or ten days.— last nine or ten days. in other disaster and _ last nine or ten days. in other disaster and one _ last nine or ten days. in other disaster and one following - disaster and one following another _ disaster and one following another i— disaster and one following another. i feel— disaster and one following another. i feel that - disaster and one following another. i feel that boris. another. i feel that boris johnson _ another. i feel that boris johnson actually- another. i feel that boris johnson actually made . another. i feel that boris- johnson actually made things worse — johnson actually made things worse at _ johnson actually made things worse at prime _ johnson actually made things worse at prime ministers- worse at prime ministers questions _ worse at prime ministers questions today- worse at prime ministers questions today not - worse at prime ministers. questions today not better. worse at prime ministers- questions today not better. i never — questions today not better. i never like _ questions today not better. i never like to _ questions today not better. i never like to see _ questions today not better. i never like to see an- questions today not better. i never like to see an adviserl questions today not better. i. never like to see an adviser go and cry— never like to see an adviser go and cry on— never like to see an adviser go and cry on doorsteps - never like to see an adviser go and cry on doorsteps becausel and cry on doorsteps because actually, _ and cry on doorsteps because actually, the _ and cry on doorsteps because actually, the person- and cry on doorsteps because actually, the person that - and cry on doorsteps becausel actually, the person that went home — actually, the person that went home early— actually, the person that went home early and _ actually, the person that went home early and ended - actually, the person that went home early and ended up - actually, the person that went l home early and ended up taking the rap— home early and ended up taking the ran for— home early and ended up taking the rap for it _ home early and ended up taking the rap for it i— home early and ended up taking the rap for it. idon't— home early and ended up taking the rap for it. idon't think- the rap for it. i don't think that's— the rap for it. i don't think that's fair— the rap for it. i don't think that's fair either. - the rap for it. i don't think that's fair either. he - the rap for it. i don't think that's fair either. he saysl that's fair either. he says he's _ that's fair either. he says he's sorry— that's fair either. he says he's sorry for— that's fair either. he says he's sorry for the - that's fair either. he says he's sorry for the event . that's fair either. he says| he's sorry for the event of that's fair either. he says . he's sorry for the event of a star— he's sorry for the event of a star for— he's sorry for the event of a star for the _ he's sorry for the event of a star for the video _ he's sorry for the event of a star for the video and - he's sorry for the event of a star for the video and the l star for the video and the impression it— star for the video and the impression it gives - star for the video and the impression it gives but i star for the video and the - impression it gives but there's no story— impression it gives but there's no story for— impression it gives but there's no story for the _ impression it gives but there's no story for the party. - impression it gives but there's no story for the party. in - impression it gives but there's no story for the party. in this. no story for the party. in this note — no story for the party. in this note comment _ no story for the party. in this note commentjohn- no story for the party. in this note commentjohn other. no story for the party. in this - note commentjohn other parties that have — note commentjohn other parties that have been _ note commentjohn other parties that have been allegations - that have been allegations today— that have been allegations today as _ that have been allegations today as well. _ that have been allegations today as well. i _

that have been allegations today as well. i think - that have been allegations today as well. i think the i today as well. i think the public— today as well. i think the public are _ today as well. i think the public are really- today as well. i think the i public are really following fort — public are really following fort nor _ public are really following fort nor are _ public are really following fort nor are journalists. fort nor are journalists either~ _ fort nor are “ournalists either. �* . , fort nor are “ournalists either. �* . either. but he has a track record of— either. but he has a track record of not _ either. but he has a track record of not saying - either. but he has a track record of not saying sorry either. but he has a track- record of not saying sorry and he is the prime minister and was mayor of london, something you were involved in. so you'll know that has been a successful political tactic for him. things with borisjohnson is people _ things with borisjohnson is people give _ things with borisjohnson is people give boris— things with borisjohnson is people give borisjohnson. people give borisjohnson leeway— people give borisjohnson leeway in _ people give borisjohnson leeway in the _ people give borisjohnson leeway in the way - people give borisjohnson leeway in the way they. people give borisjohnson. leeway in the way they never give — leeway in the way they never give any _ leeway in the way they never give any other— leeway in the way they never give any other politician - give any other politician leeway~ _ give any other politician leeway. he _ give any other politician leeway. he doesn't - give any other politician leeway. he doesn't actl give any other politician i leeway. he doesn't act like something _ leeway. he doesn't act like something he's— leeway. he doesn't act like something he's not, - leeway. he doesn't act like something he's not, is- leeway. he doesn't act like something he's not, is not| something he's not, is not saying. _ something he's not, is not saying. it _ something he's not, is not saying. it is— something he's not, is not saying, it is what - something he's not, is not saying, it is what it- something he's not, is not saying, it is what it is- something he's not, is not saying, it is what it is withj saying, it is what it is with the — saying, it is what it is with the they— saying, it is what it is with the they seem _ saying, it is what it is with the they seem to - saying, it is what it is with the they seem to buy - saying, it is what it is with the they seem to buy that| saying, it is what it is with - the they seem to buy that and they— the they seem to buy that and they seem _ the they seem to buy that and they seem to— the they seem to buy that and they seem to like _ the they seem to buy that and they seem to like it. - the they seem to buy that and they seem to like it. you'll- they seem to like it. you'll see — they seem to like it. you'll see the _ they seem to like it. you'll see the conservatives - they seem to like it. you'll see the conservatives won| they seem to like it. you'll- see the conservatives won again only a _ see the conservatives won again only a week— see the conservatives won again only a week or— see the conservatives won again only a week or so _ see the conservatives won again only a week or so ago. - see the conservatives won again only a week or so ago. it - only a week or so ago. it seems to work— only a week or so ago. it seems to work for— only a week or so ago. it seems to work for him. _ only a week or so ago. it seems to work for him. the _ only a week or so ago. it seems to work for him. the problem i only a week or so ago. it seems to work for him. the problem isj to work for him. the problem is is that— to work for him. the problem is is that this _ to work for him. the problem is is that this is — to work for him. the problem is is that this is a _ to work for him. the problem is is that this is a moral— to work for him. the problem is is that this is a moral issue - is that this is a moral issue and it's— is that this is a moral issue and it's also _ is that this is a moral issue and it's also an _ is that this is a moral issue and it's also an issue - is that this is a moral issue | and it's also an issue where people have _ and it's also an issue where people have been - and it's also an issue where people have been stuck - and it's also an issue where people have been stuck at. and it's also an issue where - people have been stuck at home and lost — people have been stuck at home and lost loved _ people have been stuck at home and lost loved ones _ people have been stuck at home and lost loved ones during - and lost loved ones during lockdown~ _ and lost loved ones during lockdown. they _ and lost loved ones during lockdown. they don't - and lost loved ones during lockdown. they don't take j lockdown. they don't take kindly _ lockdown. they don't take kindly to _ lockdown. they don't take kindly to that. _ lockdown. they don't take kindly to that. this - lockdown. they don't take kindly to that. this mightl lockdown. they don't take . kindly to that. this might be the moment— kindly to that. this might be the moment where - kindly to that. this might be the moment where his - kindly to that. this might be the moment where his luckl kindly to that. this might be - the moment where his luck runs out _ the moment where his luck runs out. ., , ., ., the moment where his luck runs out. ., ., ., , out. now someone who been offerin: out. now someone who been offering commentary - out. now someone who been offering commentary in - out. now someone who been offering commentary in the l out. now someone who been i offering commentary in the last few days has been dominic cummings, former adviser to the prime minister. he tweeted some

work at the party in the try to bury the story. you covered west minister for many years but are there situation in which lobbyjournalists either don't maximise a story or turn away from it completely? i away from it completely? i think inevitably. it's less the case that it used to be. 30 years ago, 30a0 years ago lobby journalists were turned a blind eye to all sorts of things going on in government in order to preserve their sources. i think that is a lot less the case these days with up and i think the lobbyjournalists, political journal think the lobbyjournalists, politicaljournal it think the lobbyjournalists, political journal it was, think the lobbyjournalists, politicaljournal it was, those based in west minister are a lot tougher on politicians and rightly so. i think it's difficult in this case because if some of the people, some of the lobbyjournalists were at the lobbyjournalists were at the party there, potentially sources people as they well shouldn't we as journals should expose what other journals shouldn't we as journals should expose what otherjournals are at the party? is very tricky for people doing the story to get the story far and perhaps

other journalists and get the story far and perhaps otherjournalists and then expose them. they can't do that, can they?— expose them. they can't do that, can they? pippa crerar, ou be that, can they? pippa crerar, you be reporting _ that, can they? pippa crerar, you be reporting on - that, can they? pippa crerar, you be reporting on this, - you be reporting on this, whether any journalist at the party? fist whether any “ournalist at the -a ? �* whether any “ournalist at the .a ? r , ., , whether any “ournalist at the party? at the christmas party on december _ party? at the christmas party on december ten _ party? at the christmas party on december ten there - party? at the christmas party on december ten there were | party? at the christmas party l on december ten there were no otherjournalists on december ten there were no other journalists are on december ten there were no otherjournalists are no other journalists are no journals otherjournalists are no journals there. the allegation which dominic milik dominic cummings is making possibly people who, journalists may have been friends with the prime minister was why. certainly there were no journalists present. kitty donaldson, _ journalists present. kitty donaldson, let's - journalists present. kitty donaldson, let's bring i journalists present. kitty. donaldson, let's bring you journalists present. kitty - donaldson, let's bring you in, what's your approach, what's bloomberg approach on when to socialise and interact with politicians and when not to? that's a difficult question. obviously as a reporter i go and — obviously as a reporter i go and see _ obviously as a reporter i go and see sources all the time and — and see sources all the time and ill— and see sources all the time and i'll coffee and i have lunches— and i'll coffee and i have lunches with senior politicians. and sometimes i go to parties— politicians. and sometimes i go to parties that i'm invited to

come — to parties that i'm invited to come of— to parties that i'm invited to come of the prime minister usually— come of the prime minister usually has an objection christmas party for journalists. when not sure if that's— journalists. when not sure if that's good ahead this year. | that's good ahead this year. wonder if that's good ahead this year. i wonder if you'll be invited, pippa? i wonder if you'll be invited, pi i ta? ., , wonder if you'll be invited, pi ta? ., , wonder if you'll be invited, piua? pippa? i hope so, if it goes ahead. sorry _ pippa? i hope so, if it goes ahead. sorry kitty, - pippa? i hope so, if it goes ahead. sorry kitty, i- ahead. sorry kitty, i interrupted. - ahead. sorry kitty, i interrupted. the - ahead. sorry kitty, i. interrupted. the thing i ahead. sorry kitty, i- interrupted. the thing i would try and — interrupted. the thing i would try and keep in mind is that when— try and keep in mind is that when im— try and keep in mind is that when i'm reporting on the people _ when i'm reporting on the people are my friends. there is a personal— people are my friends. there is a personal detachment there. do a personal detachment there. up you feel that detachment paul as you watch the consequences of your story have a personal impact on allegra stratton and personally other people to? if the lead story involving allegra stratton was the former colleagues very kind.— allegra stratton was the former colleagues very kind. there was an interesting _ colleagues very kind. there was an interesting dimension - colleagues very kind. there was an interesting dimension when l an interesting dimension when we are — an interesting dimension when we are tackling _ an interesting dimension when we are tackling the _ an interesting dimension when we are tackling the story- an interesting dimension when we are tackling the story for. we are tackling the story for that — we are tackling the story for that we _ we are tackling the story for that we decided _ we are tackling the story for that we decided that - we are tackling the story for that we decided that we - we are tackling the story forj that we decided that we had we are tackling the story for. that we decided that we had to treat it — that we decided that we had to treat it as— that we decided that we had to treat it as if— that we decided that we had to treat it as if she _ that we decided that we had to treat it as if she was _ treat it as if she was any other— treat it as if she was any other subject _ treat it as if she was any other subject in - treat it as if she was any other subject in the - treat it as if she was any i other subject in the report where _ other subject in the report where we _ other subject in the report where we had _ other subject in the report where we had to - other subject in the report where we had to maintain| other subject in the report - where we had to maintain that professional— where we had to maintain that professional separation - where we had to maintain that professional separation from i professional separation from the story _ professional separation from the story. and _ professional separation from the story. and imagine - professional separation from the story. and imagine she i professional separation from i

the story. and imagine she was any other— the story. and imagine she was any other figure _ the story. and imagine she was any other figure in _ the story. and imagine she was any other figure in number- the story. and imagine she was any other figure in number teni any other figure in number ten who perhaps— any other figure in number ten who perhaps we _ any other figure in number ten who perhaps we didn't- any other figure in number ten who perhaps we didn't go- who perhaps we didn't go anywhere _ who perhaps we didn't go anywhere near— who perhaps we didn't go anywhere near as- who perhaps we didn't go anywhere near as well. . who perhaps we didn't go. anywhere near as well. we who perhaps we didn't go- anywhere near as well. we are human— anywhere near as well. we are human beings— anywhere near as well. we are human beings and _ anywhere near as well. we are human beings and you - anywhere near as well. we are human beings and you on - human beings and you on sympathies— human beings and you on sympathies and _ human beings and you on sympathies and you - human beings and you on sympathies and you have| sympathies and you have feelings— sympathies and you have feelings for— sympathies and you have feelings for people. - sympathies and you have feelings for people. we i sympathies and you have - feelings for people. we don't like to— feelings for people. we don't like to see _ feelings for people. we don't like to see anyone _ feelings for people. we don't like to see anyone suffering i like to see anyone suffering because _ like to see anyone suffering because of— like to see anyone suffering because of a _ like to see anyone suffering because of a story - like to see anyone suffering because of a story that - like to see anyone suffering because of a story that we i like to see anyone suffering. because of a story that we are broken — because of a story that we are broken but— because of a story that we are broken. but ultimately, - because of a story that we are broken. but ultimately, it's i because of a story that we are broken. but ultimately, it's a i broken. but ultimately, it's a public— broken. but ultimately, it's a public interest— broken. but ultimately, it's a public interest that _ broken. but ultimately, it's a public interest that we - broken. but ultimately, it's a public interest that we serve | public interest that we serve asjournalist. _ public interest that we serve as journalist.— as journalist. katie, you manage _ as journalist. katie, you manage these - as journalist. katie, you - manage these relationships from the other side when you were working with theresa may, how did you view them as friendship, is working relationship, as nothing more than something that serve both sides? i than something that serve both sides? ~ . , . ., ,, sides? i think it was a working relationship. _ sides? i think it was a working relationship. and _ sides? i think it was a working relationship. and i've - sides? i think it was a working relationship. and i've known i relationship. and i've known many of these journals before he answered number ten. it's a game of cat and mouse when they feel you're constantly trying to cover up the truth that we feel on the other side that journalists are picking over every single word and tried to make something out of it, trying to say that there is called beggarly or wrongdoing when actually it once look of a word and all of a sudden you are in a whole new territory. i

think there are cosy relationship between special advisers and that's how it goes. it does come back to how your principal want to ask with “p your principal want to ask with up teresa mae didn't want that cosy relationship, she didn't want that structure. it changed quite differently from my relationships with journalists then there was a david cameron seen that before. and there you go to the us and trump would choose an journalist from the sun to ask questions of trauma from the uk side. afterwards it hma, you call them your friends? i said hma, you call them your friends? isaid no, they're hma, you call them your friends? i said no, they're not ourfriends. we friends? i said no, they're not our friends. we live our democracy and they whole district out. he democracy and they whole district out.— district out. he didn't like that very _ district out. he didn't like that very much. - district out. he didn't like that very much. no, - district out. he didn't like that very much. no, i. district out. he didn't like - that very much. no, i imagine he didn't. it's interesting you talk about agendas both of politicians and their advisers but also of journals. politicians and their advisers but also ofjournals. michael, when you're considering source information coming in her direction, presumably you're acutely aware that webers given it to you may well have an agenda. it to you may well have an agenda-— it to you may well have an aaenda. , . agenda. every time some source tells ou agenda. every time some source tells you something _ agenda. every time some source tells you something you - agenda. every time some source tells you something you have . agenda. every time some source tells you something you have to | tells you something you have to say well, — tells you something you have to say well, why are they telling me this, _ say well, why are they telling me this, and why they come to be, what — me this, and why they come to

be, what is _ me this, and why they come to be, what is it to try to get across, _ be, what is it to try to get across, and i believe them? and depending — across, and i believe them? and depending on whether they've -ot depending on whether they've got an— depending on whether they've got an interest in what's coming _ got an interest in what's coming up or something they happen— coming up or something they happen to know, that all becomes part of the assessment and part— becomes part of the assessment and part of the calculation that— and part of the calculation that you _ and part of the calculation that you have to make as to how many _ that you have to make as to how many and — that you have to make as to how many and what strength of other sources — many and what strength of other sources you need. this whole thing — sources you need. this whole thing about friendship is a difficult one. allegra straightened used to be my producer on newsnight. i was on friendly— producer on newsnight. i was on friendly terms with her, i can't _ friendly terms with her, i can't say— friendly terms with her, i can't say she is friendly these days — can't say she is friendly these days he _ can't say she is friendly these days. he was a colleague of mine — days. he was a colleague of mine at— days. he was a colleague of mine at work during teresa mae on downing street and work with me on— on downing street and work with me on the — on downing street and work with me on the bbc. these relationships are very difficult. my own stand is to try and _ difficult. my own stand is to try and keep a certain distance is much — try and keep a certain distance is much as— try and keep a certain distance is much as i can. but they have been relationships in the past. i remember in the blair years both— i remember in the blair years both the— i remember in the blair years both the alastair campbell and peter— both the alastair campbell and peter mendelson were very close to certain — peter mendelson were very close to certain journalists and it always _ to certain journalists and it always seemed to be those journalists that came out with the stories that were favourable to the blair

government. and i was very uncomfortable with that. and i think— uncomfortable with that. and i think a — uncomfortable with that. and i think a lot of colleagues were uncomfortable with that. that certain — uncomfortable with that. that certain journals can be uncomfortable with that. that certainjournals can be used as mouthpieces for certain politicians.— mouthpieces for certain oliticians. , ., politicians. kitty, i wonder if ou politicians. kitty, i wonder if you agree — politicians. kitty, i wonder if you agree with _ politicians. kitty, i wonder if you agree with that - politicians. kitty, iwonder if- you agree with that assessment. absolutely. i started work in the lobby in the affairs of the i did know of many people it seemed to me that the certain senior types that i think at the time were getting all these groups was up and my employers were saying, where are you are in all this, why are you getting scoops? as i get older and develop my own contacts same thing happens with that you have to take a view every time you are told something as michael said, why is this person telling me there is and what is their position in the party? what is their position in the .a ? , ., , , , party? presumably if they give ou party? presumably if they give you information _ party? presumably if they give you information a _ party? presumably if they give you information a couple - party? presumably if they give you information a couple of. you information a couple of times and you don't run a story, in the end they get it well, thisjournalists isn't much use to me because i'm giving them valuable information but they're not putting it in the public

domain. putting it in the public domain-— putting it in the public domain. ., �*, ., putting it in the public domain. . �*, . . domain. yeah, there's always at risk. i domain. yeah, there's always at risk- l was _ domain. yeah, there's always at risk. i was trying _ domain. yeah, there's always at risk. i was trying to _ domain. yeah, there's always at risk. i was trying to take - domain. yeah, there's always at risk. i was trying to take a - risk. i was trying to take a view that you're playing the long game and if someone is insisting on telling you things you got to wonder why they are saying this to you.— saying this to you. much trickier is _ saying this to you. much trickier is the _ saying this to you. much trickier is the occasion i saying this to you. much - trickier is the occasion when you — trickier is the occasion when you got— trickier is the occasion when you got a _ trickier is the occasion when you got a source who gives you regular— you got a source who gives you regular good information and then— regular good information and then you _ regular good information and then you get some information that's— then you get some information that's adverse to that source and — that's adverse to that source and you _ that's adverse to that source and you have to make. back you're — and you have to make. back you're in— and you have to make. back you're in danger of losing that source — you're in danger of losing that source if— you're in danger of losing that source if you run it. ultimately i think you have to run it— ultimately i think you have to run it because ultimately you have — run it because ultimately you have to — run it because ultimately you have tojudge the run it because ultimately you have to judge the story on the public— have to judge the story on the public interest and not whether you're — public interest and not whether you're going to mess up a potential future source. but those — potential future source. but those kind of dilemmas you get all the — those kind of dilemmas you get all the time in this business ofjournalism which makes it all the — ofjournalism which makes it all the more fascinating in terms _ all the more fascinating in terms of— all the more fascinating in terms of what once should morally _ terms of what once should morally do. it terms of what once should morally do— morally do. it certainly is fascinating _ morally do. it certainly is fascinating listening - morally do. it certainly is fascinating listening to i morally do. it certainly is| fascinating listening to all five of you. as we entered the

home stretch of this edition of media show, pippa crerar and paul, i must ask you, when you're in the middle of the maelstrom, when the information is out there and examine evident and back are you talking to the fourth two sources gave you this information, and you are you saying to them look if you gave me this information would have this impact was back i'm in touch with sources but normally and certainly in this case it's more of a case of are you ok, how are you finding all of this. almost like a support, i guess. pt. this. almost like a support, i cuess. �* , this. almost like a support, i cuess. �* y ., this. almost like a support, i cuess. �* guess. a duty of care? definitely, _ guess. a duty of care? definitely, absolutely. | guess. a duty of care? - definitely, absolutely. and that continues was up i'm still in touch with some sources from barnard castle scoop.— barnard castle scoop. echoes toes on barnard castle scoop. echoes goes on for — barnard castle scoop. echoes goes on for a _ barnard castle scoop. echoes goes on for a long _ barnard castle scoop. echoes goes on for a long time. - barnard castle scoop. echoes| goes on for a long time. paul, who spoke _ goes on for a long time. paul, who spoke to _ goes on for a long time. paul, who spoke to the _ goes on for a long time. paul, who spoke to the person - goes on for a long time. paul, who spoke to the person to i goes on for a long time. paul, i who spoke to the person to give you the — who spoke to the person to give you the video? we have. and i would — you the video? we have. and i would absolutely repeat what pippa — would absolutely repeat what pippa has said about duty of care — pippa has said about duty of care. that something you have to bear— care. that something you have to bear mine all the way through. all of us on the show today— through. all of us on the show today are _ through. all of us on the show today are used to operating in a media — today are used to operating in a media environment. often the sources— a media environment. often the sources was speaking to have no experience — sources was speaking to have no experience whatsoever of the media — experience whatsoever of the media until the point at which

they— media until the point at which they are — media until the point at which they are thrust into that spotlight. and not to some degree _ spotlight. and not to some degree was the case with our source — degree was the case with our source and for our story yesterday. so we absolutely have — yesterday. so we absolutely have a — yesterday. so we absolutely have a duty of care to them to make — have a duty of care to them to make sure _ have a duty of care to them to make sure they are ok, that they're — make sure they are ok, that they're dealing with the pressure 0k. because they are pressure ok. because they are anxious— pressure 0k. because they are anxious and like any source would — anxious and like any source would be _ anxious and like any source would be about being found out. and we — would be about being found out. and we have to make sure that we hold — and we have to make sure that we hold their hands with that, really — we hold their hands with that, reall . �* ., , ;;:: we hold their hands with that, reall.�* ., [9:1 , , really. i've only 30 seconds michael, — really. i've only 30 seconds michael, in _ really. i've only 30 seconds michael, in those _ really. i've only 30 seconds michael, in those secondsl really. i've only 30 seconds i michael, in those seconds we have a resignation to become a high—profile resignation. does the story still have more in it, do you think was that all, a lot more in it.— a lot more in it. and i think alleura a lot more in it. and i think allegra strands _ a lot more in it. and i think allegra strands duty - a lot more in it. and i think allegra strands duty nowi a lot more in it. and i think allegra strands duty now isi a lot more in it. and i think. allegra strands duty now is go to the — allegra strands duty now is go to the local police station and tell them what she knew. we've -ot tell them what she knew. we've got a _ tell them what she knew. we've got a cabinet secretary inquiry, _ got a cabinet secretary inquiry, police inquiry potentially, they take it seriously. this is going to run around — seriously. this is going to run around. there is huge anger on the conservative backbenchers amongst — the conservative backbenchers amongst conservative ministers. and so— amongst conservative ministers. and so many other conservatives have _ and so many other conservatives have been— and so many other conservatives have been dragged into this by having — have been dragged into this by having to — have been dragged into this by having to defend the prime minister and things they

clearly— minister and things they clearly don't believe. michael, that is a last _ clearly don't believe. michael, that is a last point _ clearly don't believe. michael, that is a last point of - clearly don't believe. michael, that is a last point of today's i that is a last point of today's programme thank you very much for all five of you. i suspect we could've talked about this for a long time. to all, then my guest on today's media show. don't forget you can listen back to all her additions via the bbc sounds at the end the country will be back with you at the usual time next week. bye—bye. hello. a big change in the feel of the weather through this weekend with some milder air spreading from the west. but with that, a fair amount of cloud, some mist, and murk and hill fog and some outbreaks of rain at times. on the earlier satellite picture, a slice of clear sky, and where that clear sky remains, quite a cold start to saturday morning. the coldest weather

of the whole weekend, in fact. out west, more cloud, and with that some milder weather, which is slowly but surely going to crawl its way eastwards through the day. so, temperatures in eastern parts starting the day below freezing, western areas well above. belfast at six, plymouth at eight degrees, and as we go through the day, the milder but cloudier and wetter conditions will work eastwards. so early sunshine in eastern scotland, eastern england, that won't last long, things will tend to cloud over. briefly a bit of sleet and snow over high ground in scotland. but as you can see, it will turn back to rain because as this wet weather continues to track eastwards, it will introduce ever milder conditions. so 12 degrees for belfast, for cardiff, for plymouth, just six in aberdeen, seven in norwich. but actually, as we go through saturday night, we will bring that milder weather further eastwards. whereas we normally expect temperatures to drop through the night, they won't across some eastern parts of england, for example, ending the night at 10 degrees in norwich and hull, five there in aberdeen, very mild out towards the west. all the while some cloud, some outbreaks of rain, some clear spells across the northern half of the country.

then through sunday, again, there's going to be quite a lot of cloud. that cloud producing some outbreaks of rain at times, especially through northwest england, northern ireland, up into southwest scotland. some brighter glimpses here and there and a very, very mild afternoon, eight to ia degrres. now, we have to keep a close eye on developments during sunday night, because this small but potent weather feature is expected to pass closer to the far northwest, a deepening area of low pressure. that is set to bring some very strong winds across parts of northern ireland, but perhaps most especially in exposed parts of western and northern scotland, particularly for the western and northern isles, there could be some really quite stormy weather for a time. we will keep you posted on that one throughout the weekend. into next week, it stays relatively mild. a bit of rain around for a time, perhaps settling down later in the week.

welcome to bbc news. i'm simon pusey. our top stories: uk government has warned that the omicron variant could be the omicron variant could be the dominant strain in the uk within a week with the senior minister saying the situation is seriously the us supreme court makes a supreme court and in place, and president biden says he is very concerned. hello and welcome to bbc news: fresh analysis of data on the omicron variant of coronavirus has revealed what the uk government is calling a �*deeply

concerning' situation. the figures confirm that omicron is growing rapidly