i'm lu kwesa i'm lukwesa burak. remaining covid restrictions are now set to be lifted england at the end of february — four weeks earlier than previously planned. the shortened timsecale was announced by borisjohnson, who said it depended on the current downward trend continuing. meanwhile, police are to review a decision not to investigate one of the downing street parties, after an image surfaced showing prime minister borisjohnson near a bottle of wine. police in southern india have made 15 arrests after violent protests over moves to ban islamic headscarves from colleges. the state of karnataka has shut down all high schools and colleges for three days. canadian police have threatened to arrest lorry drivers — on strike.

hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are katy balls, deputy political editor at the spectator, and broadcaster david davies. lovely to see you both. let's take our viewers through some of those front pages. the metro says the prime minister could end all covid restrictions a month earlier than planned, including the need to self—isolate. same story on the guardian, which also has a picture of diane stewart, who was murdered by her husband in 2010. that's the foreign secretary, liz truss, in moscow on the telegraph. it also reports that police are beginning to contact more than 50 people, believed to have partied in downing street during lockdowns.

an almost identical looking front page from the times. and the same headline on the —, which says the pm and his wife are among those to be contacted. —— on the front of the i. the mirror has that image released today, showing borisjohnson at a number ten quiz night with food and sparkling wine. us authorities are seeking more transparency from hedge funds, according to the ft. and the yorkshire post says the tour of britain is coming to the county later this year, for the first time since 2009. let's begin our chat, lovely to see you both come a very good evening to you. we start off with the front

page of the metro— and it's been billed as "fab fed 21st." the page of the metro- and it's been billed as "fab fed 21st." the mentor has a very positive _ billed as "fab fed 21st." the mentor has a very positive take _ billed as "fab fed 21st." the mentor has a very positive take on - billed as "fab fed 21st." the mentor has a very positive take on the - billed as "fab fed 21st." the mentor has a very positive take on the new| has a very positive take on the new statement from the prime minister, that he plans and hopes to ultimately and all restrictions sooner than planned, 21 february. that's about a month earlier than many expected. now this isn't a definite, this is — if you listened it to boris johnson today, definite, this is — if you listened it to borisjohnson today, this is on the condition that the data stays on the condition that the data stays on its current trajectory. but at that point, you'd ultimately lose all domestic rules— so even self isolation, it's worth pointing out that on questioning downing street has suggest we could still be convinced to self—isolate, he just won't be a legal acquire the mecca

requirement. a big announcement, we've seen some kickback about this being too much too soon, but one that i think will please the tory party. that i think will please the tory .a . ., that i think will please the tory party-- but. _ that i think will please the tory party-- but. i- that i think will please the tory party.- but, i must- that i think will please the tory l party.- but, i must say, party. david to. but, i must say, ou ma party. david to. but, i must say, you may know— party. david to. but, i must say, you may know the _ party. david to. but, i must say, you may know the answer- party. david to. but, i must say, you may know the answer to - party. david to. but, i must say,j you may know the answer to this question— you may know the answer to this question - — you may know the answer to this question — are we still following the science? do you remember that statement _ the science? do you remember that statement right at the start of all this? _ statement right at the start of all this? we — statement right at the start of all this? we were told we would follow the science, and i heard one of the boffins. _ the science, and i heard one of the boffins, professors, academics we've heard _ boffins, professors, academics we've heard during these two years of this purgatory— heard during these two years of this purgatory saying today, "well, certainty — purgatory saying today, "well, certainly it's not a scientific decision, _ certainly it's not a scientific decision, and we shall have to see." it may— decision, and we shall have to see." it may well— decision, and we shall have to see." it may well be right, but there are some _ it may well be right, but there are some statistics that are still very concerning, and it'll be very interesting to see what scotland and wales, _ interesting to see what scotland and wales, and northern ireland do going forward _ wales, and northern ireland do going forward. ~ , .,

wales, and northern ireland do going forward. ~ , , , _ wales, and northern ireland do going forward. , , , _ ., forward. were you surprised by that announcement _ forward. were you surprised by that announcement in _ forward. were you surprised by that announcement in pmqs _ forward. were you surprised by that announcement in pmqs today, - forward. were you surprised by that announcement in pmqs today, we | forward. were you surprised by that - announcement in pmqs today, we heard first signs of that, what did you make of that? i first signs of that, what did you make of that?— first signs of that, what did you make of that? i think it took a lot of mps by surprise. _ make of that? i think it took a lot of mps by surprise. it _ make of that? i think it took a lot of mps by surprise. it was - make of that? i think it took a lot of mps by surprise. it was clear l make of that? i think it took a lot l of mps by surprise. it was clear the direction of travel in the sense that we've known the government has wanted to get rid of restrictions as soon as possible. i think the timing is interesting, we know boris johnson has had a torrid few months, particularly the last few weeks, and i think that in answering up my questions, he was trying to g up his own side, there's lots of talk about his own position — we'll talk about that, because even this story is being distracted by party allegations. i think that was an effort to use it to rattle his base. 0n the science point, we are hearing scientists asking where the evidence for this is — but i think we also look atjohnson�*s decision ahead of

christmas not to bring in for the restrictions, you know, christmas lockdown when we were having those doomsday predictions means this is clearly a political decision in some ways, but in a way, borisjohnson will feel vindicated to a degree by his decision at christmas and it's probably pushing them also to be a bit bolder on this. let’s probably pushing them also to be a bit bolder on this.— bit bolder on this. let's turn to the front page _ bit bolder on this. let's turn to the front page of _ bit bolder on this. let's turn to the front page of the - bit bolder on this. let's turn to the front page of the guardian| bit bolder on this. let's turn to i the front page of the guardian - the front page of the guardian — same story, interestingly enough, this paper is saying that those restrictions could be lifted by 2a february, compared to 21 february on the front page of the metro. picking up on this point about timing and reaction from labour, is it a case, or do you think it's coming across as a lot of politicking?— as a lot of politicking? well, watchin: as a lot of politicking? well, watching it _ as a lot of politicking? well, watching it on _ as a lot of politicking? well, watching it on the _ as a lot of politicking? well, watching it on the screen . as a lot of politicking? well, i watching it on the screen while as a lot of politicking? well, - watching it on the screen while i've been _ watching it on the screen while i've been abroad the past three days, i -ot been abroad the past three days, i got home — been abroad the past three days, i got home at lunch time and when i watched _ got home at lunch time and when i

watched pmqs, it did seem to catch a lot of mps_ watched pmqs, it did seem to catch a lot of mps by surprise. and of course, some of the figures — i mean, _ course, some of the figures — i mean. 33— course, some of the figures — i mean, 3.3 million people had covid in the _ mean, 3.3 million people had covid in the first— mean, 3.3 million people had covid in the first week of february, and one in— in the first week of february, and one in 19 — in the first week of february, and one in 19 people in england are still infected. so that's the first point — still infected. so that's the first point as— still infected. so that's the first point. as far as the guardian's story— point. as far as the guardian's story is— point. as far as the guardian's story is concerned, i find one of the interesting paragraphs — it says tory sceptics last night were calling — tory sceptics last night were calling on the government to go further— calling on the government to go further in — calling on the government to go further in the guarantee, no restrictions in the future of any form — restrictions in the future of any form now— restrictions in the future of any form. now that's quite a considerable thing to ask for when we frankly— considerable thing to ask for when we frankly do not know, unless a few conservative — we frankly do not know, unless a few conservative mps have crystal balls, where _ conservative mps have crystal balls, where this _ conservative mps have crystal balls, where this is all headed.— where this is all headed. there is this argument —

where this is all headed. there is this argument that _ where this is all headed. there is this argument that we _ where this is all headed. there is this argument that we will - where this is all headed. there is this argument that we will have l where this is all headed. there is | this argument that we will have to learn to live with it.— learn to live with it. yes, and we've heard _ learn to live with it. yes, and we've heard from _ learn to live with it. yes, and we've heard from the - learn to live with it. yes, and we've heard from the prime l learn to live with it. yes, and - we've heard from the prime minister that after recess, which is next week, he'll unveil his plan of living with covid. talking about getting rid of all restrictions, how we learn to live depends on people cosmic behaviours. i think after years of this, nearly two years of this, i'm not sure how relaxed people will be about going for a drink with someone they know has covid. i imagine you'll still be quite sceptical, and certain age groups have chosen not to get a vaccine or they have a different opinion to it. i don't think this�*ll be a return full normal even if you follow all the rules, i think people cosmic behaviours have changed to a degree. cosmic behaviours have changed to a decree. �* , cosmic behaviours have changed to a decree. 2 ., ., ., degree. david, let's go to the front .a i e degree. david, let's go to the front page of the — degree. david, let's go to the front page of the mirror, _ degree. david, let's go to the front page of the mirror, this _ degree. david, let's go to the front page of the mirror, this is - degree. david, let's go to the front page of the mirror, this is another| page of the mirror, this is another line that developed today. again, around the prime minister — it's

been billed as the party drinks quiz. been billed as the party drinks ruiz. . �* , been billed as the party drinks ruiz. ., �* , , been billed as the party drinks ruiz. , been billed as the party drinks uiz. , ., ., quiz. that's right, this was one of the events _ quiz. that's right, this was one of the events that _ quiz. that's right, this was one of the events that apparently - quiz. that's right, this was one of the events that apparently the . the events that apparently the metropolitan police have decided not to investigate further. but one suspects — to investigate further. but one suspects with this picture appearing with a _ suspects with this picture appearing with a bottle of champagne on the left-hand — with a bottle of champagne on the left—hand side, then we have a civil servant who— left—hand side, then we have a civil servant who will be recognised by a considerable number of people, i think. _ considerable number of people, i think, looking in a festive mood, and the — think, looking in a festive mood, and the prime minister putting his tie on _ and the prime minister putting his tie on or— and the prime minister putting his tie on or taking it off, i know not. so this— tie on or taking it off, i know not. so this is— tie on or taking it off, i know not. so this is the _ tie on or taking it off, i know not. so this is the problem that the government and boris have at the moment— government and boris have at the moment - — government and boris have at the moment - a — government and boris have at the moment — a drip, drip, drip of these photographs — moment — a drip, drip, drip of these photographs and his former friend, dominic— photographs and his former friend, dominic cummings, says there are many— dominic cummings, says there are many more — dominic cummings, says there are many more photographs to come. perhaps _ many more photographs to come. perhaps even more interesting ones.

at the _ perhaps even more interesting ones. at the time _ perhaps even more interesting ones. at the time when this photo was brought up, again in pmqs, it was more or less dismissed by the prime minister — but we've had this new line from the met office saying they'll look at it again. testament police, sorry. it they'll look at it again. testament police. sorry-— police, sorry. it was strange at pmqs because _ police, sorry. it was strange at pmqs because boris _ police, sorry. it was strange at pmqs because boris johnson l police, sorry. it was strange at i pmqs because boris johnson was police, sorry. it was strange at - pmqs because boris johnson was asked pmqs because borisjohnson was asked about it, but it's not clear he had seen the photo in question at the time of being asked. then we had a situation where mps on the various benches were passing each other their phones to look at this picture. so i think that clearly when borisjohnson said there was nothing here, it didn't feel particularly accurate given the police are looking at it again. i do think though, whilst obviously there's alcohol in this photo, the most tricky thing for boris johnson most tricky thing for borisjohnson is most tricky thing for boris johnson is not so most tricky thing for borisjohnson is not so much the most tricky thing for boris johnson is not so much the contents of this photo, but firstly, it meant that we are back to talking about parties.

as we were talking about earlier, they've managed to get rid of all restrictions — that means he had a good pmqs for a change, but halfway through it was back to having denials and not commenting on parties. then secondly, as we've heard from dominic cummings, boris johnson's former adviser and now all—time nemesis, we know the police have of photos. so is the worst to come? it's that slow drip that's making mps question the future of johnson as leader.— johnson as leader. turnage did that's turning _ johnson as leader. turnage did that's turning to _ johnson as leader. turnage did that's turning to the _ johnson as leader. turnage did that's turning to the i - - johnson as leader. turnage did that's turning to the i - of- johnson as leader. turnage did i that's turning to the i - of course that's turning to the i — of course no confirmation that the prime minister is on that list of more than 50 people, but this part of the special inquiry from the metropolitan police. i special inquiry from the metropolitan police. special inquiry from the metro olitan police. ., ., ., metropolitan police. i find again a very interesting _ metropolitan police. i find again a

very interesting paragraph - metropolitan police. i find again a very interesting paragraph in - metropolitan police. i find again a very interesting paragraph in the l very interesting paragraph in the middle _ very interesting paragraph in the middle of— very interesting paragraph in the middle of the story, saying that the fact that _ middle of the story, saying that the fact that they are contacting 50 number— fact that they are contacting 50 number ten partygoers is actually a si-n number ten partygoers is actually a sign that— number ten partygoers is actually a sign that the police inquiry is entering _ sign that the police inquiry is entering its final stages — i use the newspaper's words. and if that is the _ the newspaper's words. and if that is the case, — the newspaper's words. and if that is the case, then events may move significantly more quickly than some of us had _ significantly more quickly than some of us had expected. let�*s significantly more quickly than some of us had expected.— of us had expected. let's put the sto to of us had expected. let's put the story to the _ of us had expected. let's put the story to the side _ of us had expected. let's put the story to the side and _ of us had expected. let's put the story to the side and the - of us had expected. let's put the story to the side and the front. story to the side and the front page of the daily telegraph has a list trust, the foreign secretary in moscow. —— liz truss. you'll make this is the trip that liz truss had to delay last week because she tested positive for covid. and to delay last week because she tested positive for covid. and those are the current _ tested positive for covid. and those are the current rules _ tested positive for covid. and those are the current rules do _ tested positive for covid. and those are the current rules do not - tested positive for covid. and those are the current rules do not go - tested positive for covid. and those are the current rules do not go on l are the current rules do not go on the trip. now she's in moscow, and obviously this is at a time with heightened tensions whether russia

will have an incursion in russia. and you can see that liz truss is trying to push and use comments today about opposite numbers, saying that diplomacy is what we need, and if russia were to invade ukraine in whatever form, if russia were to invade ukraine in whateverform, that if russia were to invade ukraine in whatever form, that would if russia were to invade ukraine in whateverform, that would have negative consequences for the whole country in the russian people. and you can see this as part of a coordinated effort. do we know when it'll yield results? ithink coordinated effort. do we know when it'll yield results? i think given that it was always more likely that russia would move in february if they were to do this thanjanuary, we are now at the point where it is very high—stakes and hard to predict where this is going. very high-stakes and hard to predict where this is going.— where this is going. david, you were noddin: where this is going. david, you were nodding your — where this is going. david, you were nodding your head _ where this is going. david, you were nodding your head there _ where this is going. david, you were nodding your head there as - where this is going. david, you were nodding your head there as katie - where this is going. david, you were| nodding your head there as katie was talking about where this was all

going. talking about where this was all ioini _ ., . , talking about where this was all oiiin _ , �* , talking about where this was all iioin. , �*, ., talking about where this was all going. exactly, it's hard to predict where it's going. _ going. exactly, it's hard to predict where it's going. but _ going. exactly, it's hard to predict where it's going. but it's - where it's going. but it's fascinating that within 48 hours of emmanuel macron sitting at the end of that— emmanuel macron sitting at the end of that immensely long table looking at mr putin, here we have liz truss iooking _ at mr putin, here we have liz truss looking rather thatcher asked in her headgear— looking rather thatcher asked in her headgear and her outfit. 0ne remembers lady thatcher going to see mr gorbachev and the 19805, wasn't it, mr gorbachev and the 19805, wasn't it. and _ mr gorbachev and the 19805, wasn't it, and saying, "we can do business with the _ it, and saying, "we can do business with the russian leader." i'm not quite _ with the russian leader." i'm not quite convinced liz truss will be saying _ quite convinced liz truss will be saying that about mr lav rob and mr putin. _ 5aying that about mr lav rob and mr putin. hut— saying that about mr lav rob and mr putin, but we shall see. there's also _ putin, but we shall see. there's also another line in the story saying — also another line in the story saying that 1000 extra british troops — saying that 1000 extra british troops are now on standby to help

nato _ troops are now on standby to help nato and — troops are now on standby to help nato and eastern europe as this crisis _ nato and eastern europe as this crisis continues. gf nato and eastern europe as this crisis continues.— crisis continues. of course, mr johnson. _ crisis continues. of course, mr johnson, according _ crisis continues. of course, mr johnson, according to - crisis continues. of course, mr johnson, according to the - crisis continues. of course, mr. johnson, according to the paper, crisis continues. of course, mr- johnson, according to the paper, off to brussels and warsaw later on thursday. the front page of the ft — i don't know what you make of this story, this is this idea of this new potentially green energy source, the power to boil 60 cuddles marks a huge advance in nuclearfusion technology. —— 60 kettles. does this get you excited? i technology. -- 60 kettles. does this get you excited?— get you excited? i think it could be very exciting. if — get you excited? i think it could be very exciting, if we _ get you excited? i think it could be very exciting, if we are _ get you excited? i think it could be very exciting, if we are talking - very exciting, if we are talking about energy sources — we know their energy sort, or surges right now, and this is a breakthrough that, if he could go further — this is a decade—long effort to create power tjy decade—long effort to create power by harnessing a reaction on the scope, it doesn't create some of the

radioactivity you