they have _ think whitehall is to be commended.hey have been very helpful and have imparted information in a very accessible way. but you're right, at the end _ accessible way. but you're right, at the end of— accessible way. but you're right, at the end of the day, we have to take their word _ the end of the day, we have to take their word for it, we have no way of verifying _ their word for it, we have no way of verifying it— their word for it, we have no way of verifying it other than what we are being _ verifying it other than what we are being told — verifying it other than what we are being told. it is interesting it mention— being told. it is interesting it mention a third major general has been _ mention a third major general has been killed. we were told in a briefing — been killed. we were told in a briefing last week that they reckon the western officials believe this is because as i mentioned, the russian — is because as i mentioned, the russian advance is not progressing as putin _ russian advance is not progressing as

with me are sienna rodgers, editor of the labourlist, and sebastian payne the whitehall editor for thet. tomorrow's front pages... and starting with. .. tens of thousands of families in the uk are opening their homes to refugees from ukraine, according to the i. communities secretary michael gove says there will be no limit to how many ukrainians can enter the uk through the government's visa sponsorship scheme. the mail says the government's official �*homes for ukraine' website was overwhelmed just minutes after its launch — with 1,500 signing up inside an hour. that story also the lead for the times — which continues to follow the journey of the sanctioned former chelsea owner roman abramovich, pictured here at an airport in israel, shortly before leaving for istanbul. the humanitarian crisis sparked by russia's invasion is the lead for the guardian — but the paper's front page also shines a spotlight on an employee for russia's state broadcaster, who burst on to the set of a live news broadcast carrying a placard calling for a stop to the war. in an article for the telegraph — bori

first we had that internal whitehall report, a partial report that concluded that covid rules were brokene been investigating whether people should be fined. they sent out over 100 questionnaires to officials and ministers including borisjohnson and the chancellor, trying to work out what happened at 12 separate events in 2020 and 2021. we know from sources tonight that the first vines are expected to be issued by the met tomorrow. these are fixed penalty notices for breaches of covid rules. the met had always said it would reveal how many fines it issued and number 10 has always said that if the prime minister receives a fixed penalty notice they would let us all know. so this saga did not disappear, it has been smouldering away as the police investigate and soon we will know if it could still cause number 10 damage. know if it could still cause number 10 damage-— know if it could still cause number 10 damaue. �* ~ ., ~ i. 10 damage. ben wright, thank you, at westminster- — in china, the city of shanghai, home to nearly 25 million people, is heading into lockdown, to combat a resurgence

by what came to be known as partygate, and those were the parties held at downing street and in whitehall while the uk was under strict covid restrictions. and it all looks likely to be thrust into the limelight once again, because westminster sources are telling the bbc that the first fixed penalty notices — essentially, fines for breaching rules — are expected to be announced tomorrow, at least 15 of those expected. there was an internal report by a civil servant called sue gray, and she looked at 16 events that had taken place between may 2020 and april 2021, while covid rules were in place, and she concluded that rules had been broken. she was very critical of the culture taking place in government at the time, and we then know that the metropolitan police went on to look at 12 of those events. at least three of them were attended by the prime minister borisjohnson, though he denies breaking the rules at any point. over 100 questionnaires sent out to people who were thought to be involved to try and ascertain what had happened, what rules may have been broken. boris johnson always pre

but others in whitehall say that they suspect that it will be the open and shut cases, people who have publicly admitted going to breaching the rules, they may get those first. there is a lot we don't know. what we do know officially is that 26 penalties are going out. so party gate is right back in the news now. it had receded from view over the last few weeks because the police were investigating and we have the ukraine crisis and you can see cabinet ministers going in downing street for a meeting, being asked if the prime minister should resign, it was only a couple of months ago that there was intense speculation of him resigning and conservative mps calling for that. those demands have quieted down now. but when we put it to the education minister, will convince, with was on this morning, about what he thought would happen, he acknowledged that this was serious, this is what he said. >> i'm asked that question and i understand the huge public interest, i completely understand the considerable obstacles, and the events that took place that shouldn't have happened but i have to unde

these breaches were in whitehall and downing street.y come with a fine for breaking the law, which means this. >> whatever happens next, one fact has been established today. the police think covid laws were broken in se of the very buildings where they were being said. ros: we don't know who has been fined. number 10 says it has not been told boris johnson is among them. the mettsays due to the significant amount of material that remains to be assessed, further referrals may be made. those refer may connect to any of the 12 events police are investigating. while the met continues its work, we wait on sue gray. she is the senior civil servant who is investigating the same gatherings, plus another four. her initial findings already note failures of leadership and judgment by the different parts of number 10 and the cabinet office. her full report may bring more detail. >> there is likely to be named certain individuals. ros: while we wait on that report, it is boris johnson's mps who control his fate. some call for him to go in january. i

dominated by what became to be known as partygate — those parties taking place in downing street and in whitehall in place — and all looks like it could come into the limelight once again, because westminster sources have told the bbc that the first fixed—penalty notices, the first fines for breaches of the rules are expected to be announced today. let's remember, an internal report by the civil servant sue gray looked at 16 of these gatherings taking place between may 2020 and april 2021. she concluded that rules had been broken. the metropolitan police went on to look at 12 of these gatherings, three of which were attended by the prime minister borisjohnson. he's always said he did not break any of the covid rules. ioo questionnaires going out, of course, to people who the police believe may have been involved in all of this. injanuary, borisjohnson did — though he says he did not think he broke any rules — he did offer an apology for spending a short amount of time at a bring—your—own—booze party in the downing street gardens. downing street has previously said it will confirm if the prime min

dominated by what became to be known as partygate — those parties taking place in downing street and in whitehallt could come into the limelight once again, because westminster sources have told the bbc that the first fixed—penalty notices, the first fines for breaches of the rules are expected to be announced today. let's remember, an internal report by the civil servant sue gray looked between may 2020 and april 2021. she concluded that rules had been broken. the metropolitan police went on to look at 12 of these gatherings, three of which were attended by the prime minister borisjohnson. he's always said he did not break any of the covid rules. 100 questionnaires going out, of course, to to people 100 questionnaires going out, of course, to people who the police believe may have been involved in all of this. injanuary, borisjohnson did — though he says he did not think he broke any rules — he did offer an apology for spending a short amount of time at a bring—your—own—booze party and the downing street gardens. downing street has previously said it will confirm if the prime minister gets a fix

penalty notices after covid laws were broken during lockdown at parties in downing street and in whitehalle being sent out. it's likely to be a challenging day ahead for borisjohnson who'll face prime minister's questions in the house of commons later. it was at the centre of racial tensions in the united states for more than a hundred years, but now president biden has signed into law the first federal legislation to make lynching a hate crime. anyone convicted under the new law will face up to 30 years in prison. the emmett till antilynching act is named after the black teenager who was brutally murdered in mississippi in 1955. the law's notjust about the past, it's about the present — and ourfuture, as well. from the bullets in the back of ahmaud arbery, to countless other acts of violence, countless victims known and unknown. the same racial hatred that drove the mob to hang a noose brought that mob carrying the torches out of the fields of charlottesville just a few years ago. racial hatred isn't an old problem, it's a persistent problem — a persistent problem. 0ur north america corre

whitehall officials apparently tried to justify the sacking. apparently tried to 'ustify the sackini.y telling ministers it would ensure - sacking. yes, allegedly, by telling ministers it would ensure that - sacking. yes, allegedly, by telling | ministers it would ensure that p&o remain a key player in the uk market for years to come through restructuring. ie, that this was p&o ferries necessary to keep p&o viable and therefore part of a prosperous britain. but i think we will hear a lot more about this over the next few weeks. just because of the sheer awfulness of the human story here. we have all seen those clips now of people watching the video where they get told they are sacked and filming themselves and then releasing that video showing their own devastation. it is also going back to this issue of foreign investment. there are questions here about the owners and investors in the uae. so i think this has all the elements for a major political news story. yet a . ain, major political news story. yet aiain, a major political news story. yet again. a very _ major political news sto

mid 60's as you head south whitehall. 77 warm in reno and that rain could be moving in and some snowwe head in towards sunday. so be prepared for stormy weather. if you plan to hang out for the weekend. >> and now kron 4 sports. >> the warriors just can't catch a break lately. today we learned that second-year center, james wiseman, who hasn't played since having meniscus surgery last april will not return this season. he continues to deal with knee swelling, a really tough blow for young player and for the team, which is hoping he might be able to get some meaningful minutes this post season. but the must go on right. and the dubs taking on trae young and the hawks in atlanta tonight. klay thompson back in the lineup after game off as was draymond green will pick it up in the 1st quarter here. jordan pools. he's been so good lately. >> that continue tonight hits the jumper and he's fouled a three-point play. but the dubs up for 2nd quarter. now, clay, get a kick out for the 3 pointer. it's good warriors up 11 to 2nd quarter. trae young acting traffic gets 5. jordan poole gets the do

by what came to be known as partygate, and those were the parties held at downing street and in whitehallwas under strict covid restrictions. and it all looks likely to be thrust into the limelight once again, because westminster sources are telling the bbc that the first fixed penalty notices — essentially, fines for breaching rules — are expected to be announced tomorrow, at least 15 of those expected. there was an internal report by a civil servant called sue gray, and she looked at 16 events that had taken place between may 2020 and april 2021, while covid rules were in place, and she concluded that rules had been broken. she was very critical of the culture taking place in government at the time, and we then know that the metropolitan police went on to look at 12 of those events. at least three of them were attended by the prime minister borisjohnson, though he denies breaking the rules at any point. over 100 questionnaires sent out to people who were thought to be involved to try and ascertain what had happened, what rules may have been broken. boris johnson always previously said h

he got called to whitehall in london, basically was forced to explain why it's still there. it pulled out is followed by shell, but others have decided they're going to sit tight for moments. there's a lot of public pressure, but there's also the fear of sanctions. thank you for that as steven beasley from the date of birth. well, many russians who live in other countries have spoken out against the war in ukraine, but some business owners say they're experiencing a backlash just for being russian. yoda of a popular restaurant here in berlin is one of them. berlin's pastor nak restaurant for decades, it served to russian specialties to a devoted clientele. but since russia invaded ukraine, there have been canceled bookings despite this sign out, front wound her to become a new, believed us. we never thought that there would be any disputes or problems with nationality. also none but our political statements. probably mucous were here. we live in a completely normal democratic country where we are in europe and war is for us. so i have no words for it to a shop, couldn't affo

of the 20 announced today, after covid laws were broken during lockdown, at downing street and in whitehall borisjohnson — who was at some of the events being investigated — has previously said he'd tell the public if he has to pay. the news of the 20 fines has prompted opposition parties to once again call for the prime minister's resignation. he'd previously stated in parliament that all guidance relating to social gatherings was "followed completely". 0ur political editor, laura kuenssberg, has the latest. a moment to stand on ceremony. the prime minister on the list for a grand gathering that would have been forbidden under the covid laws he set. laws that meant the queen mourned her husband alone. today, arriving for this major memorial quietly, through a side door. borisjohnson's already had to apologise to the monarch for rules being flouted under his own roof. diagonally opposite each other today, the queen, frail, tucked at the end of a row, but ministers were trying to avoid the subject. when people are dying in ukraine and there's a cost—of—living crisis/challenge, i think we sho

these pictures were in whitehall and downing street and they come with a fine for breaking the law whiche law which means this. ~ ., ., , , , means this. whatever happens next one fact has — means this. whatever happens next one fact has been _ means this. whatever happens next one fact has been established - means this. whatever happens next | one fact has been established today, the police _ one fact has been established today, the police think that laws were broken — the police think that laws were broken in _ the police think that laws were broken in some of the very buildings where _ broken in some of the very buildings where they— broken in some of the very buildings where they were set. we broken in some of the very buildings where they were set.— broken in some of the very buildings where they were set. we do not know who was fined — where they were set. we do not know who was fined the _ where they were set. we do not know who was fined the number _ where they were set. we do not know who was fined the number ten - where they were set. we do not know who was fined the number ten

it got called to whitehall in london, basically was forced to explain why it's still there. it pulled out is followed by shell, but others have decided they're going to sit tight for moments. there's a lot of public pressure, but there's also the fear of sanctions. thank you for that. as steven fiercely from the date of the business and ukrainian writer and photographer, gania bellowed, asserts is not trying to flee keith. however, as long focused on the most vulnerable members of ukrainian society. she told d. w. she wants to stay for now and to continue her. we're documenting the inhumanity of all. yes, kinney. adela resets usually divides her time between keith and berlin. she's been in the ukrainian capital since december. now she's experiencing the russian invasion 1st hand. yet you hear the sirens every day, several times a day in there warning for danger from the sky. but it's never clear if the danger will really arrive or if it's just flying past her by asleep, i'm unworthy. still you have to take shelter even sometimes. i'm reckless and don't go anywhere and just h

with me are shyama perera, the writer and broadcaster, and sebastian payne, whitehall editor at the the times . tomorrow's front pages...starting with... unsurprisingly the financial times leads with rishi sunak�*s spring statement — it says more help may be needed in the autum for people struggling with inflation and higher energy bills. the guardian warns that the most vulnerable will be hit the hardest by the higher cost of living. the headline in the metro refers to claims that some people are turning down fresh food bank donations because they can't afford to cook them. the yorkshire post reports that rishi sunak has been told he must offer more to help millions in poverty. the is front page says the uk faces the worst drop in living standards since records began after the second world war. the telegraph makes the point that a 1p income tax cut — due to come into effect next year — won't be enough to offset increases in the cost of living. the daily express carries a plaintive cry of "what about us" from the people it calls the "forgotten millions". and the daily star has it's own

issue 20 fixed penalty notices after covid laws were broken during lockdown at downing street and in whitehallnot reveal who is to be fined nor which events they relate to, but that more fines could be on the way. stratton has said that he will tell the public if he has been fined. he is facing opposition calls to resign following statements in parliament that all guidance was followed completely. our political editor laura kuenssberg has the latest. a moment to stand on ceremony. the prime minister on the list or a grand gathering that would have been forbidden under the covid loci set. laws that meant the queen mourned her husband alone. today, arriving for this major memorial, quietly through a side door. borisjohnson has already had to apologise to the monarch for rules being flouted under his own roof. diagonally opposite each other today, the queen, frail, and tucked at the end of a row, but ministers are trying to avoid the subject.— to avoid the sub'ect. people are d in: in to avoid the subject. people are dying in ukraine _ to avoid the subject. people are dying in ukraine and _ to av

these breaches were "in whitehall and downing street".— the police think that covid laws were broken in some of the very buildings where they were being set. now, we don't know who's being fined, though number 10 says it's not been told borisjohnson is among them. but this is not the end of the matter. the met says... those referrals may connect to any of the 12 events police are investigating. and while the met continues its work, we also wait on sue gray. she's the senior civil servant who's investigating the same gatherings, plus another four. her initial findings already note "failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of number 10 and the cabinet office". and herfull report may bring more detail. it is likely, i'm told, - to name certain individuals and the role they played at some of these events. _ and while we wait on that report, it is borisjohnson's mps who control his immediate fate. some called for him to go injanuary — a few have since withdrawn that demand. most of his mps, though, have stood by him throughout. t

there is disquiet in whitehall about lack of strategy from _ whitehall about lack of strategy from thefrom the police. that is a sort of decided not _ from the police. that is a sort of decided not to investigate, then they did, — decided not to investigate, then they did, then they released some fines but— they did, then they released some fines but can't say when the investigation will be over. this thing — investigation will be over. this thing wiii— investigation will be over. this thing will be hanging over whitehall and westminster for some time. there is also _ and westminster for some time. there is also quite _ and westminster for some time. there is also quite a lot of concern about the welfare — is also quite a lot of concern about the welfare ofjunior staff who have been caught up in all of this. we don't _ been caught up in all of this. we don't have — been caught up in all of this. we don't have a big public profile, and paid a _ don't have a big public profile, and paid a lot — don't have a big public profile, and paid a lot and can't afford good lawyers — paid a lot and

and you can feel, laura, that actually, it just feels quite different in westminster and whitehall andt is not just the fact that there are ukrainian flags on all the government buildings and everyone is talking about it, there isjust something, kind of in the ether that feels like it is a different world. yes, i think because lots of people around the place believe that it is a different world, because it is now a world where the stability of european security cannot be relied upon any more. and that even though in this country, as in america, the intelligence was all pointing towards vladimir putin going ahead with a pretty major attack and assault, people did not really want to believe it. and now they have to believe it, because they see it, and then the second point is i think we are in a moment where you have the centre of government absolutely focused on one thing and that is very unusual, that happens very rarely, except in times of emergency, there is always something rambling around the place, a row about that or a row about this, but actually we have the centre of government

actually _ whitehall the night before? no, i didn't. actually all— whitehall the night before?e the e-mail of the _ people. why didn't you see the e-mail of the night _ people. why didn't you see the e-mail of the night before? it. people. why didn't you see the i e-mail of the night before? it was a readout of a — e-mail of the night before? it was a readout of a conversation. - e-mail of the night before? it was a readout of a conversation. why i readout of a conversation. why didn't you _ readout of a conversation. why didn't you see _ readout of a conversation. why didn't you see it? _ readout of a conversation. why didn't you see it? it _ readout of a conversation. why didn't you see it? it went i readout of a conversation. why | didn't you see it? it went round readout of a conversation. why i didn't you see it? it went round to government _ didn't you see it? it went round to government departments - didn't you see it? it went round to government departments saying i didn't you see it? it went round to i government departments saying they had been on to say about this. i

news of the first fines come two months after the met began examining material from the whitehall inquiryt by the senior civil servant sue gray. the daily express says state pensions will increase by more than seven per cent next year as chancellor rishi sunak guaranteed the return of the triple lock. so, let's begin. abramovich poison the talks? -- abramovich poison the talks? —— poisoned at. the owner who contacted vladimir— poisoned at. the owner who contacted vladimir putin and try to broker a deal between the kremlin and kyiv and president zelensky. was poisoned alongside _ and president zelensky. was poisoned alongside two ukrainian negotiators. peeling _ alongside two ukrainian negotiators. peeling skin, loss of sight, brieflx _ peeling skin, loss of sight, briefly. and now most of the papers were saying the site returned but presumed — were saying the site returned but presumed to be some kind of chemical agent _ presumed to be some kind of chemical agent but _ presumed to be some kind of chemical agent. but there is a quote that says— agent. but there is a quote that says the — ag

we will get more details on that coming out of whitehall over the next few minutes. have also got the national intelligence director in the united states speaking at a hearing right now talking about russian forces acting with the disregard for civilian lives. russia is loosening the rules of engagement. russia encountering serious military shortcomings. you have another story -- the european vice president, telling a press conference right now, he is indicating that the eu has no plan to sell debt to finance issues we are encountering right now. we will move to the presidential comments very shortly. in the meantime, let's check in with "first word" news. here's ritika gupta. ritika: european union is set to propose a new round of sanctions that would target 14 individuals including a number of wealthy russians and family members. bloomberg has learned that the measures stop short of far-reaching measures. it includes cutting off the belarus banks from the swift system. an all-time high after exceeding level seen during the global food crisis. trade is impacted by t

people who they say have broken the rules, the lockdown rules, and attending data rings, parties, and whitehalldowning street in 2020 and 2021 —— attending gatherings. now, we have been told these people not be identified. the only ones that will be identified are the prime minister, if he was to receive a fixed penalty notice, simon case, the cabinet secretary, and rishi sunak, the chancellor. the telegraph have said that by accusing the police of following guidance, which was issued on the back of the levinson inquiry, which was remarkably whole decade ago... saying that, basically, people who receive relatively minor punishments such as speeding fines, fixed penalty notices, should not ordinarily be identified, however the point is being made to the silly guidance, it is not rules, so don't have —— is only guidance. scotland yard is coming under criticism. it is hiding behind this guidance, critics say. they say these republic —— were publicly funded civil servants in publicly funded buildings. therefore it is in the interest of transparency their identity be revealed. 1 interest of transpar

sky news understands that up to 20 finds could be issues over events held in downing street's, and whitehall, during the coronavirus lockdowns. police have revealed that more than 100 questionnaires have been issued. the police force launched an investigation at the end of january. into 12 alleged events that happened on eight dates during england's lockdowns in 2020, and 2021. to see if covid regulations were broken. the pm is noted to attended at least two of the gatherings under investigation. the prime minister and rishi sunak has both received questionnaires. we'll be watching developments on the story very closely for you. our other main story today, face to face peace talks between russia and ukraine. due to resume this morning in turkey. amid a backdrop of a remarkable came about the poisoning of a russian oligarch robin abramovich. let's take a look at some of the key developments you are waking up to on that story this morning. the earring in military claims to have retaken the city of irpin, northwest of kyiv. alongside the settlements of -- in the kharkiv region. the united state

and whitehall, during the coronavirus lockdowns.olice have revealed that more than 100 questionnaires have been issued. the police force launched an investigation at the end of january. into 12 alleged events that happened on eight days. during england's lockdowns in 2020, at 2021. to see if covid regulations have been broken. the pm is known to have attended at least two, up to six of the gatherings under investigation. prime minister and chancellor richie suma cab received questionnaires they needed to complete. we will be watching developments on that story very closely for you. so white what might happen if the pm is find in the party gate investigation? earlier i spoke to the children and families with minister. he wasn't quite open to answering the question. >> i entirely understand why you asked that question. i understand the huge public interest. i completely understand the considerable upset cause the events took place, shouldn't have happened. but i hope you'll understand, both as an education minister. but more important

jack whitehall took on england footballers mason mount and declan rice at minigolf. 0h, he's done it.e joined tamzin outhwaite, the comedian rosiejones, gemma collins and nina wadia as they learnt how to become opera singers in just 2a hours. by the end of the three—hour main show, more than £a0 million had been raised. colin paterson, bbc newsline, salford. and didn't they do well? thanks to all of you in the uk who raised money for red nose day. hello there. it certainly has been a glorious start to the weekend. hardly a cloud in the sky out there at the moment. take a look at suffolk from a few hours ago. a beautiful scene here along the coast, but there is a nagging easterly breeze which willjust take the edge off the feel of the weather through this afternoon. a different story, though, further north and west and in highland, absolutely beautiful this morning. here is where we could see the highest values as we go through the afternoon. it is this area of high pressure keeping things pretty quiet. it is drifting off into scandinavia and so that is where we have more of a squeeze

hillman, looking into alleged breaches of lockdown law in downing street and other buildings in whitehall the assumption that 80 or so people had been sent questionnaires by the metropolitan police, which is, if you like, theirfirst stop in their investigation to gather information. beyond what they already have from the sue grayling inquiry inside government. we are told today that 100 questionnaires have now been issued to politicians, officials, other staff working in government who may or may not been at some of these events. we are also told that these events. we are also told that the metropolitan police are interviewing people as witnesses. that's the next stage in the investigation. we also learned from the statement they put out this afternoon that in the course of the investigation so far, other people, besides those who were initially contacted by the metropolitan police, have been implicated and brought into this, so might be sent questionnaires and interviewed themselves. also, aside from that update, we are told in no case has the threshold been met for a fixed penalty notic

finalizing its latest dale to buy military equipment from the united states or men, ginger fam, date may whitehall. we firmly press the sale of arms by us to taiwan. we oppose any official exchanges. between the u. s. anti on the democratic progressive party authorities have repeatedly used the harden money of taiwan taxpayers. to buy u. s. arms in an attempt to seek independence by force, but they will not succeed in ty, once capital taipei, they've been demonstrating in support of ukraine's resistance to the russian invasion. and 4000 boxes of medicine, food and blankets have been collected for ukrainian refugees. oh no, it's unbelievable. this is happening. we should do what we can to help. the children are innocent. their lives have been turned upside down. so suddenly, as a parent, i feel so heartbroken. i want to help. oh, taiwan regularly holds drills to prepare for a potential chinese invasion as the war in ukraine. rage is own 23000000 taiwanese are hoping the status quo where they are, will be maintained, victoria, gate, and be al jazeera, a magnitude of 7.3 earthquake has struck off the

jack whitehall took on england footballers mason mount and declan rice at minigolf. 0h, he's done it.na wadia as they learnt how to become opera singers in just 24 hours. by the end of the three—hour main show, more than £40 million had been raised. colin paterson, bbc newsline, salford. ballet stars from around the world are rehearsing for a gala performance in london this weekend. funds from the charity event will be donated to the disasters emergency committee, which is providing aid to people fleeing ukraine. tolu adayoye reports. uniting against war through the arts. royal ballet principal argentinian marianela nunez will be among those performing. former ballet star ukrainian ivan putrov is one of the artistic directors of the show. his mother recently arrived in the uk, having escaped the conflict. it took several attempts and a long time by road and then flying from hungary in the end, so i am very happy that she is safe and she will be here at the performance. other members of family are still in ukraine. it is difficult. one can't really quite describe... in a way, producing

now let's take a look at the different allegations of parties at downing street and whitehall since thejohnson said, "those people were at work talking about work." the rules in may 2020 told people to avoid in person meetings. five days later, martin reynolds, the prime minister's principal private secretary, invited around 100 people to "socially distanced drinks" — telling people "bring your own booze." the latest party relevation was injune 2020 — where staff in number ten gathered in the cabinet office for the prime minister's birthday, sang happy birthday and were served cake. fast forward to november 2020 — sources have told the bbc that downing street staff members attended a gathering with carriejohnson in the flat where she and the prime minister live. a spokesman for mrsjohnson denies the party took place. at the time the rules did not allow for household mixing indoors, apart from support bubbles. 0n the 25th november, news of "unplanned office drinks" at the treasury. and the daily mirror revealed a leaving do was held for number ten aide cleo watson on november the 27th. t

been, as he put it, repeatedly assured that the guidance had been followed in downing street and whitehalld he said at the time the parties hadn't happened. the metropolitan police today has made a differentjudgment. it believes that some rules were broken. that is why it issued these 20 fines and has left open the door to issuing more. that is really significant because it means that in the very buildings that covid—i9 rules were being set in the police now think some of those covid—i9 rules were being broken and, at the very least, it is a deeply embarrassing moment for the prime minister. ., ., ~ ., minister. good to talk to you, nick eardle . minister. good to talk to you, nick eardley- many _ minister. good to talk to you, nick eardley. many thanks. _ daniel sandford is our home affairs correspondent. 20 fixed penalty notices today — but there's more to come? how do the police decide the order in which these issued? if how do the police decide the order in which these issued?— in which these issued? if back to what peeple _ in which these issued? if back to what people are _ in which

— whether any laws were broken in whitehall during lockdown, when 20 fixed penalty notices were issuedo wait until the investigation is completed-— to wait until the investigation is completed. ok, 'ust one further hoint completed. ok, 'ust one further oint i completed. ok, 'ust one further point i want — completed. ok, 'ust one further point i want to — completed. ok, just one further point i want to put. _ completed. ok, just one further point i want to put. can - completed. ok, just one further point i want to put. can you - point i want to put. can you appreciate, prime minister, that throwing — appreciate, prime minister, that throwing a party for tory mps appreciate, prime minister, that throwing a party for tory mp5 on the anniversary— throwing a party for tory mp5 on the anniversary of the covid memorial, on the _ anniversary of the covid memorial, on the day— anniversary of the covid memorial, on the day that some fixed penalty notices— on the day that some fixed penalty notices were issued for lockdown breaking — notices were issued for lockdown breaking in whitehall, might g

sebastian payne is the whitehall editor of the financial times.reet and beyond and he has always insisted that guidelines were followed at all times and we now know that was really not quite the case. the met have issued 25, we do not know who it is too. we don't know if it was 20 different people, coronavirus guidelines were not followed otherwise they would not haveissued followed otherwise they would not have issued these fines. committee at the head of all the other parliamentary committees including the prime minister today, they asked him again, you know, have you misled what happened there? the premise is that he would not get into it. he would wait until the inquiries were finished when sue gray, the senior civil servant has finished her inquiry and then he will explain the whole situation and at that point, you could imagine, a big mea culpa from borisjohnson. some policy change and a drinking ban in downing street, for example. for the moment, hejust street, for example. for the moment, he just trying to dad about it ignore the issue and

this is all based on speculation and expectation in whitehall and government departments and number 10 of the metropolitan police investigation has been for the last two months. the met police are looking at 12 different parties over eight different days in 2020 and 2021 when the country was under various degrees of lockdown. we think the first products of that investigation will either bid this morning, later today or certainly in the next you days and it will be the first batch of fines. the number thatis first batch of fines. the number that is being talked about is 15. this will be 15 individuals who will get find for breaking the rules. we do not know who the individuals are. there is guesswork about whether it is real open and shut cases where people themselves admitted they broke the rules or it was super clear straightaway the rules had been broken and there were no grey areas and the police could reach a decision very quickly. not clear whether one of the 15 could be the prime minister or a member of his family or a member of his very inner circle. we will have to wait and see

issued a statment saying: "the investigation into allegations of breaches of covid—19 regulations in whitehall street has now progressed to the point where the first referrals for fixed penalty notices will be made to acro criminal records office. we are making every effort to progress this investigation at speed and have completed a number of assessments. however due to the significant amount of investigative material that remains to be assessed, further referrals may be made to acro if the evidential threshold is made. as it has for all fixed penalty notices issued during the pandemic, we will not confirm the number of referrals from each individual event subject to our investigation as providing a breakdown at this point may lead to identification of the individuals. joining me now from westminster is our chief political correspondent adam fleming. he has been gauging initial reaction. confirmation from the metropolitan police first and foremost that rules were broken? until now we had had public outrage at reports and pictures and claims of events, then the investigation into this by senio

police since they began this investigation into parties in downing street and other buildings in whitehallts. so, we have an idea of the scale of the met police's investigation which has been nicknamed party gate and that it has widened since it began. we were working on the assumption 80 questionnaires were sent out, one to the prime minister, borisjohnson. we now know there are at least100. the net police are now interviewing people as witnesses and, as a result of both those stages, more people have been implicated in the investigation. but, the met made it clear today that they have not yet found sufficient evidence as a result of that process to issue anyone with a fixed penalty notice, which is the punishment available to them under the terms of this investigation but that may well end “p investigation but that may well end up being the case further down the line. but, so far, that threshold has not been met.— line. but, so far, that threshold has not been met. jonathan blake at westminster- _ has not been met. jonathan blake at westminster. he's _ has not been met. jonathan blake at

i would not locate them there as much as in whitehall itself. ., . ., , ., itself.stitute of government, thank - too. from the institute of government, thank you i too. from the institute of. government, thank you for too. from the institute of- government, thank you for talking too. from the institute of— government, thank you for talking to us on bbc news. many of us saw sunshine to start the day but it is not looking that way as we head through the rest of the afternoon. an unsettled weekend. this picture was taken by one of our weather watchers. the cloud, outbreaks of rain, courtesy of the front spilling its way northwards and eastwards. a lot of isobars on the map, gusty weatherfor the rest of today and into the weekend. a line of rain this afternoon stretching from kent to dumfries and galloway, to the north and east of that, clear skies, temperatures 13 celsius. coolerfrom the that, clear skies, temperatures 13 celsius. cooler from the south—west, sunny spells and a rash of showers moving in. some of these showers in cornwall could be thundery. strong gusty

the metropolitan police is issuing fines for rule breaking lockdown parties at downing street and whitehall the efforts boris johnson has - minister? to a degree, but the j efforts boris johnson has made minister? to a degree, but the - efforts boris johnson has made two efforts borisjohnson has made two changes team, to sack some of his staff, to employ extra ministerial aides to try to improve communications between downing street and the backbenchers, i think some of that has had an impact and i think backbenchers are feeling a bit more love from the top. however, what is more realistic in terms of what is more realistic in terms of what has really changed the dial in terms of the pressure on him is rash's invasion of ukraine because, quite understandably and quite properly, it is those dramatic global events that have really changed the dial in westminster. that is what is sucking up the bandwidth in government, particularly in downing street, and thatis particularly in downing street, and that is what has changed the priorities are people in parliament. as we were reminded yesterday wi

you can feel, laura, that actually, it just feels quite different in westminster and whitehall and ite believe that it is a different world, because it is now a world where the stability of european security cannot be relied upon any more. and that even though in this country, as in america, the intelligence was all pointing towards vladimir putin going ahead with a pretty major attack and assault, people did not really want to believe it. and now they have to believe it, because they see it, and then the second point is i think we are in a moment where you have the centre of government absolutely focused on one thing — and that is very unusual, that happens really only in times of emergency, there is always something rambling around the place, a row about that or a row about this, but actually we have the centre of government, downing street, completely focused on one thing. and here also it is one thing that has so many consequences, whether it is for energy bills or whether it is for who gets to play in sports tournaments, there are just so many other consequences of this. and also

jack whitehall took on england footballers mason mount and declan rice at minigolf. 0h, he's done it.hear the phones are ringing that people are still being _ are ringing that people are still being generous, that they are enjoying — being generous, that they are enjoying the show, but every... after— enjoying the show, but every... after all— enjoying the show, but every... after all these years, even, enjoying the show, but every... afterallthese years, even, i enjoying the show, but every... after all these years, even, i still think— after all these years, even, i still think there — after all these years, even, i still think there are four of us here and we help— think there are four of us here and we help it — think there are four of us here and we help 11 million people last year and you _ we help 11 million people last year and you just think, as the night goes _ and you just think, as the night goes on. — and you just think, as the night goes on, and the money keeps coming in, you _ goes on, and the money keeps coming in. you think— goes on, and the money keeps coming in, you