the dutch prime minister put his country into a tough new lockdown at the latest coronavirus variant spread. the latest coronavirus variant 5 - read. the latest coronavirus variant sread. a, , a, a, spread. the netherlands will go into lockdown for — spread. the netherlands will go into lockdown for tomorrow. _ spread. the netherlands will go into lockdown for tomorrow. it _ spread. the netherlands will go into lockdown for tomorrow. it is - lockdown for tomorrow. it is avoidable because of the fifth wave thatis avoidable because of the fifth wave that is coming to us with the omicron variant.— that is coming to us with the omicron variant. another 90,000 coronavirus— omicron variant. another 90,000 coronavirus cases _ omicron variant. another 90,000 coronavirus cases are _ omicron variant. another 90,000 coronavirus cases are reported - omicron variant. another 90,000 coronavirus cases are reported as| coronavirus cases are reported as the mayor of london declared a major

incident in london. good evening, welcome to bbc news. the bbc understands the brexit minister lord frost has resigned from the cabinet. it's believed lord frost, who's led negotiations with the eu, stood down over the political direction of boris johnson's government. here is dan johnson. here is danjohnson. they have put this report online tonight saying that lord frost saying they are now to the premises last week you tended to the premises last week you tended to leave the government but that he has been persuaded by borisjohnson to stay on untiljanuary. it looks like that was what had been agreed

between them but somehow this has got to the newspapers that is in the headlights night because this is a figure who attends cabinet, a major player, a key ally of the prime minister, and an important figure throughout the last couple of years that especially in the negotiations that especially in the negotiations that are ongoing about the operation of the northern ireland protocol. so, really important figure. the mail on sunday said it is growing disillusionment with the direction of conservative party policy that has led to this resignation. he did give a speech about a month ago when he talked about his values of liberty and low taxes and a small state. and he expressed his opposition to vaccine possible so it sounds like it is those sorts of measures that the government is looking at that has prompted him to take a step and handed his resignation but there is already some speculation that perhaps the operation of the northern ireland

protocol, the difficulties over brexit may also be back to this. the dutch government has announced a new lockdown in response to the omicron variant. the prime minister said it is unavoidable because the fifth wave that is coming at us. all nonessential stores and restaurants are to shut. the netherlands will go into lockdown again from tomorrow. the netherlands is again shutting down, that is avoidable because of the fifth wave that is coming at us with the omicron variant.

this has thrown the dutch preparations into disarray and all nonessential shops will be closed from 5am and they won't open until the 4th of january 2022 at least. the dutch prime minister said it was in response to the omicron variant, they have been watching the cases in london especially in across the uk and they say that the health service, the hospital he he a don't have the capacity to deal with an influx of omicron cases, and yet the government for my critics say this is partly their own doing because of the slow response to the delta variant but also the slow roll—out of the booster programme. throughout the day, people have been queueing outside toy shops, trying to get the last minute gifts, beauty salons have been seeing people for last—minute pedicures and spray tans and there have been big queues outside the covid testing centre, a

lot of people are hoping to escape from the netherlands to try to keep their holiday plans intact. outdoor sports will be allowed and there will be no curfew and supermarket, banks, libraries, can stay open, and restaurants can keep on serving takeaways at least. but the dutch don't like chaos and so the fact that these new rules are being introduced at the last minute a few days before christmas really underlined the urgency of the situation here. fix, underlined the urgency of the situation here.— situation here. a murder investigation _ situation here. a murder investigation has - situation here. a murder investigation has been . situation here. a murder - investigation has been launched after the death of a woman in north belfast. a man aged 30 has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody, police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

the bbc understands the brexit minister lord frost has resigned from the cabinet. it's believed lord frost, who's led negotiations with the eu, stood down over the political

direction of boris johnson's government. the mayor of london declares a major incident after a rapid rise in omicron cases. we are incredibly concerned by the huge surge in the omicron variant. over the last 2a hours we have had the largest number of new cases since this pandemic began. city centre retailers see fewer customers on the last weekend for shopping before christmas british tourists abandon their holidays as france brings in tougher restrictions for travellers arriving from the uk. good evening. the bbc understands that the brexit minister david frost has resigned from the cabinet over the �*political direction�* of boris johnson's government. according to the mail

on sunday lord frost, who negotiated britain's departure from the eu, resigned over a week ago but was persuaded to stay until the end of the month. there's no official confirmation from downing street tonight. our political correspondent damian grammaticas has the latest. this resignation of lord frost is without doubt another blow to boris johnson, delivered right at the time the prime minister is at his weakest since coming to office. lord frost, a one—time diplomat, was brought in to negotiate a borisjohnson�*s brexit deal. he sparred with michel barnier, shuttling back and forth to brussels, it helped mrjohnson secure the support of hardline brexit supporters in his party. the .a . brexit supporters in his party. tue: gap between brexit supporters in his party. tte: gap between us is quite significant. so lord frost, on the left, helped secure mrjohnson�*s brexit deals and his win at the general election. he elevated lauder frost to the cabinet, at that table recently

though he's been arguing loudly against some of the prime minister's decisions like the recent increases in taxes and spending, laying out what he said were his conservative beliefs in a recent speech. t beliefs in a recent speech. i personally will argue strongly as i can that free market capitalism, low taxes, free speech and the maximum possible amount of economic and political freedom for individuals are the best choices we could make as a country. the are the best choices we could make as a country-— as a country. the noes to the left, 126. as a country. the noes to the left, 126- there — as a country. the noes to the left, 126. there were _ as a country. the noes to the left, 126. there were 100 _ as a country. the noes to the left, 126. there were 100 tory - as a country. the noes to the left, 126. there were 100 tory rebels . as a country. the noes to the left, - 126. there were 100 tory rebels when parliament voted _ 126. there were 100 tory rebels when parliament voted on _ 126. there were 100 tory rebels when parliament voted on the _ 126. there were 100 tory rebels when parliament voted on the latest - 126. there were 100 tory rebels when parliament voted on the latest covid i parliament voted on the latest covid restrictions, lord frost too had been against more measures and a vaccine certificate in particular, so his objection to the direction the prime minister is taking things. three, two, one!— three, two, one! coming after the shock by-election _ three, two, one! coming after the shock by-election defeat - three, two, one! coming after the shock by-election defeat for - three, two, one! coming after the shock by-election defeat for the l shock by—election defeat for the tories in shropshire north this week the timing adds to mrjohnson�*s wallace, the pm's position has been damaged and he has lost a key to getting him into office and he looks more vulnerable than ever. damian

grammaticas reporting and hejoins us now. how damaging is this for borisjohnson on top of everything else? in boris johnson on top of everything else? . , , else? in the last five minutes we have the confirmation, _ else? in the last five minutes we have the confirmation, boris - have the confirmation, boris johnson's letter responding to that resignation saying, thank you for attending your resignation, i was very sorry to receive it given everything you have achieved and contributed to this government for which i'm very grateful and i'm gratefulfor which i'm very grateful and i'm grateful for all you which i'm very grateful and i'm gratefulfor all you have which i'm very grateful and i'm grateful for all you have achieved and hope you will be able to serve this country again in the future. so confirmation there. we have also had interestingly some of the other political parties, the dup in northern ireland, saying they are concerned about what this means for the future of the brexit deal and renegotiation of that. the liberal democrats saying that the rats were fleeing boris johnson's democrats saying that the rats were fleeing borisjohnson�*s sinking ship. the labour party's deputy angela rayner said the government was in total chaos when the country faced an uncertain few weeks. pressure on mrjohnson. but this is an amicable departure and lord frost will leave at the end of the month,

we understand.— will leave at the end of the month, we understand. the mayor of london has declared a major incident because of surging coronavirus cases. sadiq khan says he's concerned about the spread of the omicron variant in the capital and the impact of staff absences in vital public services. it comes as government's scientific advisors warn that more stringent measures could be needed this year to prevent a wave of hospitalisations. here's our health correspondent katherine da costa. some vaccine centres like this one in north london are now open 2a hours a day as staff go all out to getjabs into arms. but the acceleration of boosters can't compete with a variant that is doubling every two days. in london omicron is already driving a huge wave of infections prompting this announcement from the mayor sadiq khan. we are incredibly concerned by the huge surge in the omicron variant. over the last 2a hours we have had the largest number of new cases since this pandemic began — more than 26,000. hospital admissions are going up, but also staff absences

are going up by massive levels. so i've taken the decision, in consultation with our partners, to public services will now be stepped up and unable london to seek further support from central government to assess government to address the pressures facing the city. it comes as scientific advisers on the sage committee suggest without further stringent measures very soon we could see i,000—2,000 hospital admissions a day in england in a fortnight, up from around 800 a day now, and there could be a peak of 3000 admissions a day or more, similar to levels injanuary. when it comes to extra measures, sage government advisers say the earlier they are introduced the last time they may be needed. they argue the biggest risk factor is crowded indoor mixing between many different groups and suggest limiting how many people

can mix indoors and some social distancing measures could be considered. timing is crucial, they say. delaying until next year could make the restriction is less effective and less likely to prevent considerable pressure on health in on health and care settings. my view is, i don't know this is something the government are going to have to seriously think about this weekend, is that a short, sharp two—week break now would be extremely useful. and what that means is making sure people are socially distancing, is limiting contacts, and going back to some of the restrictions we had earlier in the year. testing and isolating when infected are crucial to try and slow the spread of the virus. the vaccines minister has been to see how the royal mail is helping to ramp up deliveries of test kits to 900,000 a day. lateral flow devices are very effective in picking up the omicron variant as well as other variants, and it's the best way to make sure that they are free of the virus before they do visit friends and family this christmas, or go to large events. we may get more data on omicron

in a week or so but a huge in a week or so but huge and difficult decisions may have to be made before we have the full picture. to continue as we are or impose new restrictions to protect lives and the nhs. katharine da costa, bbc news. the government's latest coronavirus figures for the uk show there were more than 90,000 new infections recorded, in the latest 24—hour period, which doesn't include figures for wales. the average over the past week is now more than 73,000 new cases every day. the number of people in hospital with covid as of 16th december is more than 7,600. 125 deaths were recorded, that's of people who've died within 28 days of a positive test. wales also hasn't recorded any death figures today. ii2 covid—related deaths were recorded on average every day in the past week. on vaccinations — nearly 650,000 people a day had boosters on average

in the past seven days, bringing the total to more than 27.1 million. retailers have been hoping for a last—minute increase in sales on the last weekend before christmas. however, some figures released this evening suggest the number of customers in london and large city centres has fallen by between 8% and 15% today following fears about the omicron variant. local high streets fared slightly better. here's our business correspondent caroline davies. # peace on earth and mercy mild... # it's the weekend before christmas, the crescendo of present shopping. will worries about omicron dampen buying? mustapha's chocolates are selling, but not necessarily in the shop. the footfall is massively down and online is kind of covering that. which is expected in a way really but then obviously that increases expenses, your postage, your boxing, and all that kind of stuff, and also you lose the personal touch

with people, which for me is absolutely crucial for my business. rather than peak trading, today footfall at uk retail destinations was flat on last saturday. city centres, particularly london, dropped but local high streets did rise slightly. in central london a tube strike might have made journeys to town more difficult, but many were still happy to hit the shops. its not busy today at all, no. and we've only come down because we've just had covid and so we're safe but i don't think i'd come any other way. it's fine, i'm not that... yeah, i'm not that wary of it. i mean, yeah, it's something to keep in mind but still do the christmas shopping, don't let it stop you, yeah. just keeping a mask on and using lots of hand sanitiser. _ all right. just keep yourself safe, innit? use common sense. that's what people need to do. there are plenty of people who are out and about shopping today but retailers had pinned such high hopes on this pre—christmas run—up that they are concerned that this

might not be enough, and that could have ramifications well into the new year. there are worries that some businesses might not recover if the government doesn't step in. they are now in a position where they've used up cash reserves, their costs are going up quite dramatically because of the massive surge in inflation, and then suddenly the time that should have been the time which would help them through into next year, their customers have just disappeared. so we will see business failures if there isn't any support coming in now. the chancellor rishi sunak spoke to businesses and industry leaders yesterday afternoon but isn't currently expected to introduce new measures and is instead directing businesses to existing loan and relief support schemes. for many in retail and hospitality, the build—up to christmas is not looking like the bright salvation they were hoping for. caroline davies, bbc news. he has announced travellers from the uk will not be allowed to travel there from monday unless they are german nationals, residents or

passing through and all those who do arrive will have to do a predeparture arrive will have to do a predepa rtu re test arrive will have to do a predeparture test in quarantine for 14 days on arrival. from today, france has banned all non—essential travel from the uk because of concern over the surging omicron variant. it's thrown france's tourism industry into disarray during the christmas season. our correspondent mark lowen is in the alpine resort of chamonix. up the slopes of mont blanc, hope was peeking through of a bumper christmas, a relief from covid. but then france warned of a landslide, not on its own mountains, but of omicron in britain. all non—essential arrivals from the uk grinding to a halt from today. travel plans now in disarray. we've missed a few people in different families as well who were supposed to come over... who aren't vaccinated. ..who are probablyjust not going to be able to come out now. so, yeah, it's obviously a bit gutting for certain people but i guess we are just lucky, definitely. does it feel empty at the moment? a bit. | yeah? because normally it's really busy.

because loads of people from, like, england and other countries - are coming in but it doesn't feel that busy. one in four tourists in chamonix pre—pandemic were british, the largest foreign group in the french ski resorts, and their absence is clear. with some of the best early season snow here for years and with flights and ferries from the uk full there was real optimism in the french resorts. but now while the brits who made it here in time count their luck, businesses are counting their losses. restaurateur thomas mathieu was hoping to quench the thirst of his british guests this christmas — a sizeable part of his customers. now he's let three employees go and fears business will drop by a quarter. how does it feel without the brits? sad...sad, and disappointed, angry. everything is ready, we've got the masks, we've got all the passes, we have everything right which our

government said, but the more we do, i think, i don't know, it's very confusing for us. for those catering for the british market, the emptiness is devastating and an ominous sign of what more could come. if this continues this season, you know, it's going to be a big loss of earnings. it could be up to 50% of my annual earnings through the winter. and i guess i'm worried that it's just going to keep doing this every winter and if i'm losing half of my earnings every year i need to find a different profession. perhaps this is just a christmas blip, not a lost season. france is buying time and paying a high price for its resorts to sparkle again. mark lowen, bbc news, chamonix. the eastenders star rose ayling—ellis has become the first deaf contestant to win strictly come dancing. she and her partner

giovanni pernice beat the show�*s first male same—sex couple, tv chefjohn whaite and johannes radebe. tv presenter aj odudu was forced to drop out due to an injury. with all the sport now, here's lizzie greenwood hughes at the bbc sport centre. thanks, martine. good evening. england's cricketers' hopes of levelling the ashes series are in tatters after another batting collapse. they'll start day four of the second test in a few hours' time, 282 runs behind australia and facing another long, hard day in adelaide. patrick gearey reports. no need to check the scorecard or study the figures, the faces reflected england's day. in another reality they'd still be batting like they were all through the first session, so comfortably. that's a ulorious session, so comfortably. that's a glorious shot. _ session, so comfortably. that's a glorious shot. joe _ session, so comfortably. that's a glorious shot. joe root _ session, so comfortably. that's a glorious shot. joe root and - session, so comfortably. that's a | glorious shot. joe root and dawid malan scored _ glorious shot. joe root and dawid malan scored freely _ glorious shot. joe root and dawid malan scored freely but _ glorious shot. joe root and dawid malan scored freely but safely, i malan scored freely but safely, englishmen in adelaide came out of hiding stopjust as englishmen in adelaide came out of hiding stop just as those at home

woke up and checked phone... edged and one! woke up and checked phone... edged and gone! joe — woke up and checked phone... edged and gone! joe root _ woke up and checked phone... edged and gone! joe root left _ woke up and checked phone... edged and gone! joe root left the _ and gone! joe root left the conversation. _ and gone! joe root left the conversation. that - and gone! joe root left the conversation. that was - and gone! joe root left the conversation. that was the | and gone! joe root left the - conversation. that was the touch that change the match. australia had dismissed the best batter in the world. the rest wouldn't prove a problem. dawid malan gone to mitchell stark on 80 and this was ollie pope prodding at nathan lyon on five. whenjos buttler met his own stark and england had lost four wickets for 19 runs and we were watching another repeat. when it ended, england were still 237 runs behind. australia's attack was supposed to be weakened. the aussies didn't have to bat but chose to, sensing it probably wasn't as difficult as it had just been made to look. they finished 45—1, england left with regrets. to look. they finished 45-1, england left with regrets.— left with regrets. pretty frustrating _ left with regrets. pretty frustrating and - left with regrets. pretty - frustrating and disappointing it's easy to keep saying we are unlucky and we nicked a few at this and that and we nicked a few at this and that and played some bad shots but we need to find a way of putting some

runs on the board as a collective. they are already running out of time to put things right and it will take some second innings to prevent a second ashes test defeat. patrick gearey, bbc news. match of the day is on later and it is literallyjust "match of the day" after five of today's six premier league fixtures were postponed due to the pandemic. so here comes the result of that one game. and arsenal are closing in on the top three after beating an injury—hit leeds united 4—1. scotland's premiership fixtures all went ahead. sportscene is on later so don't listen if you want to wait for the results. rangers extended their lead at the top of the table beating a covid—hit dundee united i—o. there were also wins for hearts and motherwell. glasgow warriors beat the pandemic and fog at scotstoun for a memorable european champions cup win over holders exeter. and harlequins beat cardiff who put—up a decent fight — despite once again having to field youngsters and semi—pros — a3—i7 the score. england's alex dombrandt was

the star of the game with two tries. tiger woods is back playing competitive golf ten months after nearly losing his leg in a car accident. he's taking part in the pnc family championship in florida with his i2—year—old son charlie, who looks a chip off the old block. the unique event pairs major winners with family members. and that's the sport. if you very much. that's it for now. andrew marr is presenting his last programme on the bbc tomorrow and will be joined by the health secretary, sajid javid. goodnight. good evening to you. it was another gloomy hello, there. we have seen some huge contrast in weather conditions again today. some parts of scotland and northern england, wales, and the south—west have been gloriously bright and sunny but cold elsewhere, it has been grey and gloomy. and there is little change as we move into part two of the weekend, some areas across the north and west some sunshine and other areas holding on that

hello, there. we have seen some huge contrasts in weather conditions again today. some parts of scotland and northern england, wales,

and the south—west have been gloriously bright and sunny but cold elsewhere, it has been grey and gloomy. and there is little change as we move into part two of the weekend, some areas across the north and west some sunshine and other areas holding on that cloud. there is this area blocking the high pressure setting to the north of the uk, very few isobars in the chart and the winds will remain light but still quite breezy through the channel and into the far south west. and the winds will remain light but still quite breezy through tonight, where we hold on to the cloud, temperatures will hover above freezing, at four to seven degrees. but under clearer dies, in scotland and northern england in particular, it will turn cold, a widespread frost here and the risk of some dense mist and fog patches, too. so, for sunday, it is a cold start across certain parts of the north and in towards wales and the south—west and frost and mist and fog but here, you will have the sunshine. there is a greater chance of seeing a few breaks in the cloud for northern ireland but much of central, southern and eastern england will stay rather grey and gloomy once again with perhaps even a little bit of drizzle in the thickest of the cloud.

and those temperatures will be a notch down, five to seven degrees will be typical, but even colder than that when we start the day frosty. through sunday night, it is a similar performance, we have lots of cloud in central and southern and eastern areas and across northern ireland where the skies are clear it will turn cold and frosty. with the mist and fog, temperatures hovering above four to seven degrees under that blanket of cloud. and then we come into the new working week. for monday, it looks pretty similar, a lot of cloud around, there could be picture around seeing some breaks in that cloud in towards the central and eastern england, some parts of southern england haven't seen the sunshine for nearly a week so that would be a bit of a welcome change. with the best of the sunshine again across parts of scotland, perhaps wales, too, temperatures ranging from around one degrees to around seven or eight degrees in the mildest spots. then, as we move through the run—up to christmas, we could start to see these weather fronts

working their way in from the south—west, milder air, but colder air will continue to battle in from the north as well so we become in a sort of battleground around the christmas period. from next week, though, it looks like the start of the week will generally be chilly with more in the way of sunshine around and then it turns more unsettled for the christmas period, with a mixture of rain, sleet, and snow.

hello. this is bbc news. we'll be taking a look at tomorrow mornings papers in a moment first the headlines. lord frost, the man in charge of the uk's brexit negotiations, has resigned — citing concerns over the "direction" of boris johnson's government. another 90,000 covid—i9 cases are reported across the uk — as the mayor of london declares a major incident in the capital. british tourists abandon their holidays — as france brings in tougher restrictions for travellers arriving from the uk. the dutch prime minister puts his country into a tough new lockdown — as the latest

coronavirus variant spreads.