there was a story about angela rayner — there was a story about angela rayner not being informed of theto reassert his authority, but he didn't need her consultation, but he didn't need her consultation, but he _ but he didn't need her consultation, but he didn't need her consultation, but he didn't really need her input or advice — but he didn't really need her input or advice on moving around the shadow— or advice on moving around the shadow cabinet, and i think this story— shadow cabinet, and i think this story is— shadow cabinet, and i think this story is an — shadow cabinet, and i think this story is an interesting one because jeremy— story is an interesting one because jeremy corbyn notably also looked into whether or not he could get rid of the _ into whether or not he could get rid of the position because tom watson was a _ of the position because tom watson was a bit _ of the position because tom watson was a bit of— of the position because tom watson was a bit of a thorn in his side toor _ was a bit of a thorn in his side too, it— was a bit of a thorn in his side too, it was—

but angela rayner remains concerned.lt times of the pandemic, put their own lives at risk. i was a care worker myself and i know how devastating you feel if you even went in with a cough and cold and you thought that you gave it to someone. so i know care workers were very diligent in wanting to keep people safe. not only that they now had dodgy ppe, that left workers without the protective equipment that they deserved and needed, which again, could have put lives at risk. well, that's pretty alarming, isn't it? i mean, we wear ppe because we want it to protect us from getting covid. of course, if you're a doctor or a nurse, on the front line, you're at particular risk if you're dealing with covid patients. and what you're telling me suggests to me that they weren't getting proper ppe. they weren't getting stuff that was, erm, able to protect them from covid, they thought they were, but they weren't. last year, we were told to stay at home to protect the nhs and front—line workers. but government had its part to play. ou

but angela rayner remains concerned.ficult times of the pandemic, put their own lives at risk. i was a care worker myself and i know how devastating you feel if you even went in with a cough and cold and you thought that you gave it to someone. so i know care workers were very diligent in wanting to keep people safe. not only that they now had dodgy ppe, that left workers without the protective equipment that they deserved and needed, which again, could have put lives at risk. well, that's pretty alarming, isn't it? i mean, we wear ppe because we want it to protect us from getting covid. of course, if you're a doctor or a nurse, on the front line, you're at particular risk if you're dealing with covid patients. and what you're telling me suggests to me that they weren't getting proper ppe. they weren't getting stuff that was, erm, able to protect them from covid, they thought they were, but they weren't. last year, we were told to stay at home to protect the nhs and front—line workers. but government had its part to play

this letter sent by angela rayner _ this? they are.re. this letter sent by angela rayner asking whether - this? they are. this letter sent by l angela rayner asking whether they knew about these reported gatherings first reported by the daily mirror in the countdown to christmas last year. and whether they are willing to refer them to the metropolitan police given the suggestion on the face of it that covid regulations may have been broken. at the heart of all of this is the simple thought that if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks, in all likelihood it is a dark and so on that same measure, that same logic, if you look at the event that took place on the 18th of december last yearfor place on the 18th of december last year for downing street staff, the prime minister himself wasn't at that particular gathering, we know it took place in the evening, there were drinks, nibbles, games and it finished after midnight. how is that not a party? therefore how can it possibly be within the regulations at the time in lond

labour's angela rayner has been critical of the government's procurement practices in general.of what the government were up to and, unfortunately, it's notjust a one—off occurrence, we�*ve seen that billions of pounds have been wasted on contracts that were not fulfilled and, also, that the ppe couldn't be used. as well as criticising what she sees as waste, angela raynor has attacked the government for setting up a system that prioritised some companies over others — the so—called vip channel. according to a cabinet office report, companies could get in the fast lane if they were referred by a reliable source — like a government minister, a senior official, or an mp. angela rayner says the system was a bad one because it was based on who referred a company, rather than its track record. it's disgusting that at a time of a global pandemic when we should have been scrutinising more, and the national audit office have said we should be scrutinising what contracts we get, the government were actually creating a vip fast—track lane. many companies who had huge amounts of experienc

is probably the best poserin angela rayner is probably the best poser in parliament borisjohnsonvery well is that kind of language about one rule for them, one rule for the rest of us. you have been taking us for fools them, one rule for the rest of us. you have been taking us forfools is another phrase they use, the joke is over, you hear that language reflected back a lot in terms of interviews with people who are not interviews with people who are not in the westminster bubble. there is a serious cut through, when you have ant and dec criticising you two nights in a row, this is what people are talking about on trains and buses and workplaces across the country. this is very serious for the prime minister. it is reflected in the opinion polls, another one today has his personal polling rate being in the negatives of double figures, and the fact that labour have taken a substantial six point lead in a couple of opinion polls as well so this is very serious for borisjohnson. in terms of what is in the sunday mirror today, the political editor there has done a greatjob in getting

yet, and i was listening to angela rayner— midnight. statement earlier and yet, she is completely right, a lot of people couldn't have orsee right, a lot of people couldn't have or see their families. they didn't get to have that celebration of their families and get to have that celebration of theirfamilies and many get to have that celebration of their families and many families like me lost people. my dad was ill for three weeks and then he died. i'll never get him back. but the fact that the government, it is reallyjust, it really seems very, very strange that when it's your responsibility to protect this country and the people of this country and the people of this country and the people of this country are in real danger and yet not only are you celebrating, but you're breaking ground rules that were meant to protect. thea;r you're breaking ground rules that were meant to protect.— you're breaking ground rules that were meant to protect. they say they did not break — were meant to protect. they say they did not break the _ were me

i think when angela rayner says everyone — think when angela rayner says everyone else was making sacrificeseep the community safe, i think people _ to keep the community safe, i think people feel that. this isjust not fain _ people feel that. this isjust not fain it— people feel that. this isjust not fain it is— people feel that. this isjust not fair. it is not right, endangering public— fair. it is not right, endangering public safety and if you want us to follow _ public safety and if you want us to follow the — public safety and if you want us to follow the rules and set an example. so i follow the rules and set an example. so i think— follow the rules and set an example. so i think for borisjohnson it's 'ust so i think for borisjohnson it's just been— so i think for borisjohnson it's just been one blow after another and if he loses _ just been one blow after another and if he loses north shropshire i do think that — if he loses north shropshire i do think that there could well be a challenge to his leadership in the new yeah — challenge to his leadership in the new yeah l — challenge to

— leader of the liberal party angela rayner suggesting not only was this dangerous, but also willrse at the time having to cancel their christmas plans when mixing to a large _ christmas plans when mixing to a large degree in a social context was not allowed. and the prime minister himself— not allowed. and the prime minister himself was asked about this today and one _ himself was asked about this today and one of— himself was asked about this today and one of his boosterjab and asked to confront _ and one of his boosterjab and asked to confront these allegations and potentially make the story go away by telling _ potentially make the story go away by telling us exactly what happened and here _ by telling us exactly what happened and here is his answer.— and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news — and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news about _ and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news about last _ and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news about last year's i lot of news about last year's parties and i want to ask you, you said no rules were broken which

the deputy leader of the labour party, angela rayner, has called for a reinvestigation of what happenedat the conservative party is guilty of breaking the electoral donation rules. first we had the paterson scandal, then the illicit christmas parties in number ten and now dodgy payments from a multimillionaire conservative party donor to fund the luxury downing street refurb. i think you know, what is most concerning for me is that the prime minister lied to his own independent adviser who found that there was no misconduct because he was given false information. so, again, i have written to the parliamentary standards commissioner today and the independent adviser to call for a reinvestigation. what evidence is there that this is more than an administrative problem 7 why do you think this wrongdoing is more serious? well, again, borisjohnson is taking the british public for full. he has not only broken the law but making a mockery of the standards we would expect from our prime minister. he has been fined over £17,000 regarding the refurb of his flat. he knows the rules, he knows what

the labour party's deputy angela rayner said the government was in total chaos when the country faced 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. ove

labour's deputy leader angela rayner has accused the prime minister of being happy to preside over a of disregard for the rules at the heart of government, and claimed he was unfit to lead the country. for day after day, the prime minister and his team tried to brush off, to deny reports of a party or get—togethers around government, when social mixing was banned a year ago. this is the latest in a torrent of stories that suggests otherwise. chris mason, bbc news. foreign ministers from the world's most powerful nations including the us, france and italy, are in liverpool this weekend, for their first face—to—face g7 meeting in two years. today, they're expected to warn iran that time is running out to rescue the nuclear deal. the pact would see economic sanctions on iran loosened, in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. let's talk to our diplomatic correspondent james landale. yesterday, correspondent james landale. we yesterday, correspondentjames landale. we were yesterday, correspondent james landale. we were talking abc other yesterday, we were talking about other internat

here is the deputy leader angela rayner — rayner.ek for the prime minister to admit that - it's taken a week for the prime minister to admit that there i it's taken a week for the prime i minister to admit that there was a potential— minister to admit that there was a potential breach _ minister to admit that there was a potential breach of _ minister to admit that there was a potential breach of the _ minister to admit that there was a potential breach of the rules. i minister to admit that there was a potential breach of the rules. and| potential breach of the rules. and it looks _ potential breach of the rules. and it looks like — potential breach of the rules. and it looks like it _ potential breach of the rules. and it looks like it wasn't _ potential breach of the rules. and it looks like it wasn't just - potential breach of the rules. and it looks like it wasn't just a - it looks like it wasn't just a one-off— it looks like it wasn't just a one—off incident— it looks like it wasn't just a one—off incident either. i it looks li

labour's response has been put forward by their deputy leader, angela rayner, who says borisjohnson, the large number of parties and gatherings which took place in westminster and whitehall, while lockdown restrictions were in place. i think boris johnson i think borisjohnson has set the tone for his government and he lives by one rule for him in another room for everyone else. people can see through that now and it's incredibly hard to believe that no one in government knew that these parties were happening and there is a huge amount of evidence now. i do believe that the investigation is evidence there that they need to carry that investigation out very swiftly to restore the public trust and the end over that evidence to the police. because nobody has broke the law. let's get some of the day's other news. the world health organisation has issued the emergency approval of a new coronavirus vaccine in india. covovax has been produced by the serum institute of india. it's part of the covax portfolio, an initative to vaccinate more people in lower—income countries. a popular tourist i

this follows the deputy leader of labour party, angela rayner, who has also written to one of the uk'sthey will be making a complaint of the metropolitan police as well. pressure is on number ten to explain just how people at this party were allegedly following the rules. has this made a _ allegedly following the rules. has this made a big impact beyond parliaments?— this made a big impact beyond arliaments? ., ~ , ., parliaments? one of the mps who wrote to the _ parliaments? one of the mps who wrote to the police, _ parliaments? one of the mps who wrote to the police, has _ wrote to the police, has particularly raised hopes that his constituents are. he says that the constituents are. he says that the constituents feel like it was one rule for the government at the time and when rule for him and his constituents. he has mentioned the fact in his letter to the commissioner, dame cressida dick, that have also issued more than 1000 fixed penalty notices in december 2020 alone for people breaching coronavirus regulations, so he has asked for that to be reflected and for these claims to b

angela rayner has also written to one of the uk's top civil servants asking whether they will be makingplain just how these people at the party were allegedly following the rules. has this made a big impact beyond parliament?— has this made a big impact beyond parliament? . , ,., ., parliament? certainly the point that was raised by _ parliament? certainly the point that was raised by one _ parliament? certainly the point that was raised by one of— parliament? certainly the point that was raised by one of the _ parliament? certainly the point that was raised by one of the mps - parliament? certainly the point that was raised by one of the mps who i was raised by one of the mps who wrote to ba police, —— who wrote to the police, has explained how upset his constituents are. he said his constituents feel like it was one rule for the government at the time is one rule for him and the constituents. he mentioned that his letter to dame cressida dick that her foals issued letter to dame cressida dick that herfoals issued more than 1000 fixed penalty notices or finds in 2020 alone. he has aske

there was not angela rayner or keir starmer. ., , ., ~ , ., ., starmer._ starmer. it does make you wonder if party headquarters in _ starmer. it does make you wonder if party headquarters in london - starmer. it does make you wonder if party headquarters in london had . party headquarters in london had already concluded that the party was not going to win and all the momentum had gone to the lib dems. it is going to be aiden interesting couple of years for you and your colleagues. mark andrews, at the shropshire star, imagine you had a late night too, so we appreciate you making time. more on our lead story this hour. sue grey is in charge of the inquiry into parties at downing street. simon case... he walked through where the event was taking place on his way out of the office for the night. let's move on to talk about 0micron. for the third day in a row, the uk has had a record number just over 93,000 have been recorded in the past 2a hours — that's a rise of almost 40% in a week. in scotland, 0micron has become the dominant strain of covid. the first m

meanwhile, the deputy labour leader, angela rayner, has written to the cabinet secretary to ask whetherotential breach of covid regulations by the prime minister to the metropolitan police, over a party held at downing street in december last year. number 10 says all rules were followed. here is the leader of the labour party, keir starmer — first addressing christmas gatherings this year with the concerns around the 0micron variant. i do not think we should be saying to people that they need to cancel all their plans for christmas, particularly after last year, so we do not want to simply put out a message that nobody should gather, nobody should have a party. the government needs clearer guidance. at the moment, there are different versions of the guidance coming out from different ministers. that is not helpful. in the end, i think most people will assess for themselves the size of the gathering, the number of people and make sensible decisions, but i think what most people want from the government now is just to be clear what the rules are. they also want a government that then stic

in the letter, angela rayner saying where you made aware, this addressed to simon, of the gatheringse daily mirror yesterday is that no covid regulations were broken, but certainly as far as one of the parties is concerned, on december the 18th, what we do know is that london was in tier 3 at the time, that banned any social mixing outside of your own household for any purposes whatsoever and we know from a source that there were drinks and there were nibbles and there were games. if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks, it probably is a dark and therefore this to sound on that same metric rather like a party. but right now, the prime minister's official spokesman is taking questions from journalists and we should hearfrom questions from journalists and we should hear from that briefing relatively soon as to what precisely they are saying. as i say, their consistent line for more than 24 hours now has been they did not breach any of the rules at the time was that there is something of a caveat around workplace gatherings being allowed. whether or not this particu

maybe my�*s deputy leader angela rayner has accused the prime minister of being heavy to preside overture of disregard for the rules at the heart of government, and claimed he was unfit to lead the country. for day after day, the prime minister and his team tried to brush off to deny reports of a party or get—togethers around government, when social mixing was burnt a year ago. this is the latest in a torrent of stories that suggests otherwise. chris mason, bbc news. people in england aged between 30 and 39 can book their booster jab from tomorrow. the acceleration of the vaccination programme comes as scientists warn that the uk could face record levels of infection without further restrictions. our reporter simonjones has more. it isa it is a national mission, the health secretary says, to getjabs into arms as quickly as possible. 22 million booster vaccinations have already been administered in the uk. it is important to get vaccinated so we can get back to our normal, semi— normal life at the moment. it is normal life at the moment. it is basically because _ normal life at the mom

here is angela rayner, the deputy leader.t should be handed over to the met police, because nobody is above the law. it cannot be one rule for everybody else and one rule for the prime minister at downing street. it's incredibly frustrating that it's taken a week for the prime minister to admit that there was a potential breach of the rules. and it looks like it wasn'tjust a one off incident, either. there is a number of allegations around parties at the flat at number ten, the parties in numberten, and parties in other departments, there is a number of allegations around parties at the flat at number ten, the parties in numberten, and parties in other departments, and this is devastating news for people that did the right thing, last christmas. just go back to the december 18 party, adam. if he has been reassured that this didn't happen, potentially, that brings a lot of party workers, aides into the frame, that if it was proven there was a party, lots of people will be scratching their heads, thinking why has allegra stratt