i'm shaun ley with the headlines. us and russia have held what they called "frank" talks on ukraine tension. with more russian troops gathering on the ukrainian border, washington warns any invasion will be met with a swift, severe and united response. concern grows for the welfare of female protesters in afghanistan with reports that some may have been abducted during night—time raids. the taliban denies it is behind the abductions. at least 100 people have been killed or wounded in an air strike by the saudi—led coalition in yemen. a detention centre was hit in saada, a stronghold of the rebel houthi movement. thousands of people in the capital sanaa have protested against the attacks. and stars including cher, boy george and bonnie tyler lead tributes to the singer meat loaf. the rock legend died at the age of 7a.

hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are sam lister, who's the deputy political editor at the daily express, and the broadcaster and journalist james lewer. welcome to both of you. let's bring you up—to—date with the front pages on saturday. according to the guardian, borisjohnson is facing calls to ensure all evidence on the downing street parties is published alongside the results of the sue gray inquiry, after claims emerged the report was likely to amount to no more than a concise summary of findings. the times says borisjohnson has reinstated his tory leadership team to save his premiership amid increasing concern across government that a no—confidence vote is inevitable. the i reports that the government

is "actively" considering a pause to its policy of mandatory covid vaccines for nhs workers, with growing fears that mass sackings will damage patient care. the daily express has news of a pill that fights both covid and flu in what they describe could be the next "secret weapon" in the war on viruses. according to the daily telegraph, the attorney general is seeking an injunction against the bbc to prevent the broadcaster allegedly identifying a spy working overseas. the bbc are insisting the news story is "overwhelmingly in the public interest". the daily mirror's front page concerntrates on meat loaf, who they say died after catching covid. —— concentrates on meat loaf. the financial times focuses on us secretary of state antony blinken greeting his russian counterpart sergei lavrov before their meeting in geneva yesterday, which, they say, appears to create a window for detente over ukraine. there is... i had forgotten how to

say detente! let's bring injames, and actually i am going to get sam to kick us off. let's start with the front page of the times. if the prime minister was hoping for quiet weekend, it looks like he is not going to get it.— quiet weekend, it looks like he is not going to get it. absolutely not, he is in chequers _ not going to get it. absolutely not, he is in chequers this _ not going to get it. absolutely not, he is in chequers this weekend, . not going to get it. absolutely not, | he is in chequers this weekend, but he is in chequers this weekend, but he is in his diary and hitting the phones all day tomorrow and all day sunday, trying to persuade those wavering, tory backbenchers to give him their support next week. and we are waiting this infamous report from sue gray, who i am sure is much more famous than she ever would've hope she would have been, but we think that might come tuesday, it might be wednesday. certainly not monday. tuesday is the earliest we are expecting that. apparently the prime ministerjust a few hours, he will be given a few hours to look at

that report, inevitably this —— there is a lot of demand to see that as soon as possible. and that is the key moment where tory mp is going have a think about, do i submit my letter of no confidence to the 9022 committee and try to trigger that leadership vote?— committee and try to trigger that leadership vote? james, there's a cou - le leadership vote? james, there's a coule of leadership vote? james, there's a couple of intriguing _ leadership vote? james, there's a couple of intriguing extra - leadership vote? james, there's a couple of intriguing extra details i couple of intriguing extra details and what the times is saying on saturday morning. baroness davidson basically saying boris johnson saturday morning. baroness davidson basically saying borisjohnson is unfit for office. she had said he needed to get a grip back before christmas, but she has upped the ante, even more interesting is what it has to say about martin reynolds, the prime minister's risible private secretary — in other words, a civil servant who works very closely with the pmo. �* , servant who works very closely with

the mo. ~ y ., the pmo. absolutely, the time front .a i e the pmo. absolutely, the time front .ae. -- the pmo. absolutely, the time front page -- times _ the pmo. absolutely, the time front page -- times front _ the pmo. absolutely, the time front page -- times front page _ the pmo. absolutely, the time front page -- times front page says - the pmo. absolutely, the time front page -- times front page says he i the pmo. absolutely, the time front page -- times front page says he is| page —— times front page says he is willing _ page —— times front page says he is willing to _ page —— times front page says he is willing to give candid evidence to sue grew — willing to give candid evidence to sue gray. yes, martin reynolds saying. — sue gray. yes, martin reynolds saying, according to the source the times_ saying, according to the source the times have — saying, according to the source the times have god, is going to give candid _ times have god, is going to give candid evidence and he is prepared to not— candid evidence and he is prepared to not be _ candid evidence and he is prepared to not be the fall guy in all of this — to not be the fall guy in all of this the _ to not be the fall guy in all of this. the times talking about those lieutenants who are apparently going to stand _ lieutenants who are apparently going to stand up for the prime minister this weekend and do some of the defence — this weekend and do some of the defence work for him. grant shapps apparently— defence work for him. grant shapps apparently is one of those people who is_ apparently is one of those people who is going to be involved in that, so there's— who is going to be involved in that, so there's going to be some other people _ so there's going to be some other people as well. it is going to be intriguing — people as well. it is going to be intriguing to see what happens over the next _ intriguing to see what happens over the next week, week and a half, and what the _ the next week, week and a half, and what the result of this sue gray inquiry— what the result of this sue gray inquiry will be. what the result of this sue gray inquiry will be— what the result of this sue gray inquiry will be. what the result of this sue gray inuui will be. ., , ., inquiry will be. sam, does what the times says — inquiry will be. sam, does what the times says chime _ inquiry will be. sam, does what the times says chime with _ inquiry will be. sam, does what the times says chime with your- times says chime with your intelligence, that they seem to think that most of the people around the prime minister think, at some point, those letters are going to,

the number is going to be met, the 54 mp5 the number is going to be met, the 5a mps will have submitted letters calling for a vote and, one way or another, the prime minister cannot in void that? do you have a sense of that in westminster or do you think it is possible that this all dies away? it it is possible that this all dies awa ? , ,., it is possible that this all dies awa ? , ' . ., it is possible that this all dies awa? '. . away? it is so difficult to say. we know this from _ away? it is so difficult to say. we know this from theresa - away? it is so difficult to say. we know this from theresa may's - away? it is so difficult to say. we i know this from theresa may's days — nobody knows except for sir graeme brady, the keeper of these letters. i spoke to one senior mp, who has been around the block a few times, seen it, and he estimates the letter count in at the moment is 21 and he thinks the count is far short of the 5a required to trigger that vote. nobody knows, and the beauty of this is that mps can talk eight big—game

two colleagues, to journalists, is that mps can talk eight big—game two colleagues, tojournalists, and never have to put their money where the mouse is —— talk a good game tough. it remains a secret process and nobody will ever know. it is very hard to say. i think from the people i have been speaking to today, they seem to think that the anger is abating a little with the public. they say that, actually, the public. they say that, actually, the public one to melt onto other things. but the absolute crux will be the suga report, that will be the turning point. —— sue gray report. this mp today that i spoke to is very supportive of borisjohnson, but only given a 60—a0 chance of survival. it is all to play for stop what it is interesting, isn't it, james, that the guardian is saying that there is a liberal lien, a push for every that there is a liberal lien, a push foreve j...“ that there is a liberal lien, a push foreve j. ,, . ., that there is a liberal lien, a push foreve j.,,, . ., , ., for every aspect of this report to be published. — for every aspect of this report to be published, not _ for every aspect of this report to be published, notjust_ for every aspect of this report to be published, notjust some - be published, notjust some sanitised summary of the dates and times and all the rest of it? do you

think that's reflecting a bit of nervousness from the opposition benches, but maybe this is not going to be the sort of smoking gun they were hoping for?— to be the sort of smoking gun they were hoping for? perhaps, but also as well. they _ were hoping for? perhaps, but also as well, they want _ were hoping for? perhaps, but also as well, they want all _ were hoping for? perhaps, but also as well, they want all the _ were hoping for? perhaps, but also as well, they want all the cards - were hoping for? perhaps, but also as well, they want all the cards out j as well, they want all the cards out on the _ as well, they want all the cards out on the table was to pmqs, not this week but— on the table was to pmqs, not this week but last week, there were closer and — week but last week, there were closer and you apologise from his own mps — closer and you apologise from his own mps as well. —— calls for him to apologise _ own mps as well. —— calls for him to apologise. they want... everything that boris— apologise. they want... everything that borisjohnson has on the table out on _ that borisjohnson has on the table out on the — that borisjohnson has on the table out on the table as well, so they can make — out on the table as well, so they can make an informed choice on what they're _ can make an informed choice on what they're going to do, and i think it will be intriguing to see what happens _ will be intriguing to see what happens off the back of it. labour and litt— happens off the back of it. labour and lib dems, what they are going to be calling for boris to resign, but it is interesting, isn't it? i think there _ it is interesting, isn't it? i think there is— it is interesting, isn't it? i think there is a — it is interesting, isn't it? i think there is a lot of talk about whether even once — there is a lot of talk about whether even once we get these no—confidence votes. _ even once we get these no—confidence votes, whether it will go the way of the prime _ votes, whether it will go the way of the prime minister or not, as we all

remember, theresa may had two votes of no confidence in her leadership and she _ of no confidence in her leadership and she won them both. of course, she did _ and she won them both. of course, she did resign after them, but what happens _ she did resign after them, but what happens if— she did resign after them, but what happens if borisjohnson she did resign after them, but what happens if boris johnson wins a vote of no—confidence? we don't know what he would _ of no—confidence? we don't know what he would do _ of no—confidence? we don't know what he would do. if he wins, it could be good _ he would do. if he wins, it could be good signs— he would do. if he wins, it could be good signs for him, really. it is intriguing- _ good signs for him, really. it is intriguing. sam, _ good signs for him, really. it 3 intriguing. sam, what do you make of this? the opposition was to have had a spring in their step for much of this week. and actually last couple of weeks. ., ., , ,., , this week. and actually last couple of weeks, ., ., , , y of weeks. yeah, absolutely. they have had a _ of weeks. yeah, absolutely. they have had a open _ of weeks. yeah, absolutely. they have had a open goal— of weeks. yeah, absolutely. they have had a open goal to - of weeks. yeah, absolutely. they have had a open goal to go - of weeks. yeah, absolutely. they have had a open goal to go at, i of weeks. yeah, absolutely. they l have had a open goal to go at, and keir starmer has certainly been making most of it. i think it is quite clear the defection by christian wakeford to the labour benches, while it was a great moment, it appears to have backfired somewhat because it has rally the tory troops ineffective mind, and

nobody wants... that did by him other bit of extra time. i think one thing i would say is, for labour, they need to reckon with the fact they need to reckon with the fact the public art suffering with the cost of the crisis, and so on, and so they might start looking to the bigger issues that really are hurting people in the pockets rather than just stick to this. eventually, people want to know parties are looking out for them, want to know parties are looking out forthem, notjust want to know parties are looking out for them, notjust to score points. that would be a good opportunity to talk about the front of the mail, but we will come to that little later. let's go with something a bit more cheerful of assam. the front of the ft. good news at last on the travel front.— travel front. absolutely, it looks like grant shapps _

travel front. absolutely, it looks like grant shapps is _ travel front. absolutely, it looks like grant shapps is trying - travel front. absolutely, it looks like grant shapps is trying to - travel front. absolutely, it looks| like grant shapps is trying to end the lateral flow test to take on the second day of entering the uk from outside, in time for the half term holiday in february, so a big boost to many families who want to take the opportunity during that week to head off overseas, and they have really been welcomed by travel companies today. they say there is a surge in demand, a lot of bookings as soon as that was announced. it is not confirmed yet, but it looks like it will be confirmed next week. this is probably the short—haul destination that has little but of sun around it, february time they expected to be very popular. they are certainly very, very pleased about this expected decision, and many families i'm sure will be too. james, are you getting the trucks

out of mothballs?— james, are you getting the trucks out of mothballs? unfortunately not, but obviously. _ out of mothballs? unfortunately not, but obviously, as _ out of mothballs? unfortunately not, but obviously, as we _ out of mothballs? unfortunately not, but obviously, as we say, _ out of mothballs? unfortunately not, but obviously, as we say, the - out of mothballs? unfortunately not, but obviously, as we say, the travel. but obviously, as we say, the travel companies — but obviously, as we say, the travel companies welcome this and for families— companies welcome this and for families as well, this will be a great — families as well, this will be a great distraction, good opportunity to get— great distraction, good opportunity to get away. i think this is a positive _ to get away. i think this is a positive story, right? certainly this is— positive story, right? certainly this is good news all around, for the government, for travel companies and for— the government, for travel companies and for people looking to get away as well, _ and for people looking to get away as well, certainly. but i may have a summer— as well, certainly. but i may have a summer holiday, maybe!— summer holiday, maybe! leaving little bit longer! _ summer holiday, maybe! leaving little bit longer! fair— summer holiday, maybe! leaving little bit longer! fair enough. - summer holiday, maybe! leaving | little bit longer! fair enough. wise man, because you never know if the rows are going to change! it is interesting, the flight bookings had increased according to this story by 35% week on week afterjanuary 5, so that's a heck of a rise, but we —— obviously from a low base. james,

i'm intrigued in the story, because one of the bits of the good news, the predeparture tests have been scrapped and it looks like day two tests will be replaced by some lateral flow tests which are honestly a lot cheaper and don't require any kind of booking and all the rest of it, but the telegraph has a story saying that some kids are actually going to be grounded, as it puts it, because the vaccine passport rules mean that unless you have got the app, which most kids don't have on their phone, unless they get a letter printed out, they cannot travel, and also some children not yet eligible for their second jab and who have had just their first, second jab and who have had just theirfirst, would not be second jab and who have had just their first, would not be able to travel at all. we are going to be... there are stumbling blocks, but you would _ there are stumbling blocks, but you would hope — there are stumbling blocks, but you would hope it is going to get better in terms _ would hope it is going to get better in terms of— would hope it is going to get better in terms of making that easier for families — in terms of making that easier for families. like you said, the lateral flow tests — families. like you said, the lateral flow tests, the changes to tests,

making _ flow tests, the changes to tests, making it — flow tests, the changes to tests, making it cheaper, i think we have spoke _ making it cheaper, i think we have spoke for— making it cheaper, i think we have spoke for about the cost of testing, especially— spoke for about the cost of testing, especially with families as well, up to four, _ especially with families as well, up to four, five, potentially, people in a family. _ to four, five, potentially, people in a family, all those testing costs really— in a family, all those testing costs really do — in a family, all those testing costs really do rack up, so the cheaper it is for— really do rack up, so the cheaper it is for families, the better. there is for families, the better. there is some — is for families, the better. there is some potential complications for the digital passports, but i think hopefully those will be ironed out over time — hopefully those will be ironed out over time, you would think a. sam, take us onto _ over time, you would think a. sam, take us onto the _ over time, you would think a. sam, take us onto the i, _ over time, you would think a. sam, take us onto the i, because - over time, you would think a. sam, take us onto the i, because this - over time, you would think a. sam, take us onto the i, because this is. take us onto the i, because this is a potential problem, massive problem, for the government, created for itself — perfectly understandably. but it may be worrying for where it takes us. this is nhs staff in england, and that could be anyone, porters who will people around, will have to be vaccinated or move to a job that

does not involve deal with patients. yeah, the i puts a question mark over the future of that and that the government make be slightly rethink you that policy, because it is so hard line, and as you say, the policy is notjust about doctors and nurses, it is about everybody who walks through the words in a hospital, so anybody who is front—line. that could be porters, cleaners and so on, and so it affects huge huge numbers of staff, and there are a significant amount of staff were still yet to be slated to become fully vaccinated, potentially creating this massive shortfall in the workforce, which obviously nobody wants to see that either, so it sounds like there might be a bit everything going on, trying to resolve that problem, because it really would cause severe