the fact the cabinet meetin: decision? the fact the cabinet meeting is _ decision?net meeting is going _ decision? the fact the cabinet meeting is going on _ decision? the fact the cabinet meeting is going on as - decision? the fact the cabinet meeting is going on as long i decision? the fact the cabinet| meeting is going on as long as decision? the fact the cabinet i meeting is going on as long as it has done, going on for two hours now, is indicative that there is clearly discussion and debate and differences of opinion being aired. and a keenness from ministers to scrutinise the data they have available to them and question the officials advising the government about the best course of action. we know not everyone sitting virtually around that table agrees, and some are indeed resistant to restrictions being imposed at this point or in the nearfuture, without more comprehensive data about the severity of the omicron variant. i think at this point, if we were expecting a big announcement, perhaps a news conference from the prime minister, we would know about it by

at the cabinet meeting today.mbers of the cabinet, michael gold and of course sajid javid who didn't like the idea of leaving the uk, leaving england without restrictions at the moment. they wanted much tighter restrictions. clearly the chancellor feels a very different way about this.— chancellor feels a very different wa about this. ., , , ., ., way about this. ultimately, you have two very ambitious _ way about this. ultimately, you have two very ambitious people, - way about this. ultimately, you have two very ambitious people, sajid - two very ambitious people, sajid javid _ two very ambitious people, sajid javid and — two very ambitious people, sajid javid and michael gold, and two very ambitious _ javid and michael gold, and two very ambitious people on the other side, liz ambitious people on the other side, liz trask— ambitious people on the other side, liz trask and rishi sunak, all of who would _ liz trask and rishi sunak, all of who would probably want the top job if it became available. so don't want _

it can be difficult to stay in that cabinet. , ., ., , ., , ., cabinet. blow do ou cabinet. given that, how big a blow do you think _ cabinet. given that, how big a blow do you think this _ cabinet. given that, how big a blow do you think this is _ cabinet. given that, how big a blow do you think this is for _ cabinet. given that, how big a blow do you think this is for boris - do you think this is for boris johnson? i do you think this is for boris johnson?— do you think this is for boris johnson? ~ , , johnson? i think this is a big blow for boris johnson _ johnson? i think this is a big blow for boris johnson as _ johnson? i think this is a big blow for boris johnson as far _ johnson? i think this is a big blow for boris johnson as far as - johnson? i think this is a big blow for boris johnson as far as his - johnson? i think this is a big blow| for boris johnson as far as his exit for borisjohnson as far as his exit agenda is concerned. i think it's a much bigger... for those who did hope against hope that this administration would at some point morph

i think up until now, the cabinet _ rebellion. i think up until now, the cabinet has — rebellion.ted him and there's been this caucus on the back bench _ there's been this caucus on the back bench who— there's been this caucus on the back bench who have been readily opposed. but to _ bench who have been readily opposed. but to have _ bench who have been readily opposed. but to have an even number opposed to him. _ but to have an even number opposed to him, that's quite something. it would _ to him, that's quite something. it would really constrain his ability to act _ would really constrain his ability to act i— would really constrain his ability to act. i think he has to be very careful — to act. i think he has to be very careful and _ to act. i think he has to be very careful. and indeed, with his own premiership, if it's cabinet is losing — premiership, if it's cabinet is losing confidence, that's worrying. you'd _ losing confidence, that's worrying. you'd want — losing confidence, that's worrying. you'd want to keep an eye on that, and i_ you'd want to keep an eye on that, and

he is completely conscious of the split and cabinets but also _ conscious of the split and cabinets but to go— but also the fact that if he wants to go with tougher measures, he would _ to go with tougher measures, he would have to recall parliament and probably— would have to recall parliament and probably see a bigger rebellion. at the same — probably see a bigger rebellion. at the same time the scientific data is going _ the same time the scientific data is going the _ the same time the scientific data is going the wrong way and telling him that he _ going the wrong way and telling him that he probably needs to act harder and faster. that's why we ended up in this— and faster. that's why we ended up in this impasse, this ridiculous situation — in this impasse, this ridiculous situation where you have got certainty _ situation where you have got certainty for may be 24 hours and then— certainty for may be 24 hours and then tomorrow there may be a meeting of the _ then tomorrow there may be a meeting of the cabinet again, there will be discussions about whether something should _ discu

the prime minister risking a row with his cabinet. , ., , , cabinet. yes. _ cabinet. yes. the telegraph points to the fact that the prime - cabinet. yes. the telegraph points to the fact that the prime ministerl to the fact that the prime minister at the moment is considering his next move. we have known for a while that whilst the government publicly says that plan b measures which were introduced last week around masks and vaccination passports was their plan and that is what they were doing and we know behind—the—scenes they were looking at contingency measures. the telegraph says that the prime minister has been presented with three options to consider and the first one is that the public are advised to limit social contacts over christmas, there is no legal rules around it, basically saying to people this is what you should do and hope that they will listen. this is the sort of approach that nicola sturgeon has taken in scotland, not forcing people, but saying this is the best thing to do and this is how to keep safe and hope that people will do it. th

, will more of your cabinet colleagues follow you - view, will more of your cabinet colleagues followues follow you out of cabinet try colleagues follow you out of cabinet by the _ colleagues follow you out of cabinet by the time — colleagues follow you out of cabinet by the time you _ colleagues follow you out of cabinet by the time you resign? _ colleagues follow you out of cabinet by the time you resign? [— colleagues follow you out of cabinet by the time you resign?— by the time you resign? i can't seak by the time you resign? i can't speak for— by the time you resign? i can't speak for anybody _ by the time you resign? i can't speak for anybody of _ by the time you resign? i can't speak for anybody of them - by the time you resign? i can't speak for anybody of them i i by the time you resign? i can't. speak for anybody of them i can by the time you resign? i can't i speak for anybody of them i can say what i _ speak for anybody of them i can say what i think— speak for anybody of them i can say what i think is that i don't support coercive _ what i think is that i don't support c

when you see that the cabinet secretary, the man that _ see that the cabinet secretary, the man thatan investigation as to whether or not— out an investigation as to whether or not parties to place, whether or not covid — or not parties to place, whether or not covid rules were broken in number— not covid rules were broken in number ten, not covid rules were broken in numberten, we now not covid rules were broken in number ten, we now know that under his wetch— number ten, we now know that under his watch and his name, his staff were _ his watch and his name, his staff were invited to a christmas party. this is_ were invited to a christmas party. this is quite — were invited to a christmas party. this is quite extraordinary, and he would _ this is quite extraordinary, and he would it— this is quite extraordinary, and he would if i — this is quite extraordinary, and he would if i bet simon case would've put would if i bet simon case would've out his— would if i bet simon case would've put his hand up at the start of this process— put his hand up at the start of this process and — put

that's now being investigated by simon case, the cabinet secretary.at draw a line under the partygate for now? no, no, no. you can see they thought it might do for a bit. about five minutes. and we've learnt today, haven't we, of two other parties, gatherings, as they were euphemistically called, by michael ellis in the commons earlier on, the paymaster general. so there's one from the 27th of november, which is into what we think was this kind of leaving thing. yes, we talked about this last week, a member of staff was leaving, and borisjohnson apparently toddled along, said a few words, there were a few people sitting around drinking. it's been denied that this was a party. it was more a sort of impromptu gathering. the crucial difference between that and 18th is that i've been told by someone who was there, people were invited from outside, and invites went out, and there were food, games and drink. nibbles. yes, and the other one is the department for education. which they've coughed to, they've said it was a mistake. although they did only fess u

i think those voices within cabinet are now— think those voices within cabinet are now perhaps feelinghaps feeling braver about actually asserting themselves and saying _ actually asserting themselves and saying we cannotjust actually asserting themselves and saying we cannot just look at the pandemic— saying we cannot just look at the pandemic through the lens of the clinical_ pandemic through the lens of the clinical impact. we saw over the weekend — clinical impact. we saw over the weekend that there was some conversations admittedly on twitter where _ conversations admittedly on twitter where the — conversations admittedly on twitter where the professor talked about how the government have been asking sage to model_ the government have been asking sage to model certain outcomes. sage has modelled _ to model certain outcomes. sage has modelled those outcomes, but they have modelled other outcomes. i think— have modelled other outcomes. i think what's happening now as people are beginning to look in a more holistic— are beginning to look in a more holistic way at the impact of the pa

tara: they are in the cabinet. were you in the cabinet at the time? mr. bolten: and that is important, by the way. i needed to speak to these people as peers. but i rarely had a cabinet officer who forced back. i will let the president know that you want to see him, but i will let him know that i advised you not to take this to the president will stop i found that that was a pretty good tech. mr. lew: the one place where i tried to filter things from the president was things like budget appeals will stop it would drive him into the weeds on things that he wouldn't have been able to resolve. even there you can't shut the door. if a cabinet member thinks that he is not being treated fairly they have a right to say that they want to make their case to the president. as josh said as a cabinet member you are the only one going to the president and he knows that you have made all of the best decisions. do they really want to take it that far? mr. bolten: i just thought of one exception where i would absolutely screen the president if i could. it is a horribly v

there's always been a range of opinions within the cabinet. we - opinions within the cabinet.f scientific adviser patrick vallance is brief and conservative backbench mps. is that a clear push from the scientists given some of the pushback directed at the scientist last week? ~ last week? well the government if it is auoin to last week? well the government if it is going to take _ last week? well the government if it is going to take action, _ last week? well the government if it is going to take action, and - last week? well the government if it is going to take action, and we - is going to take action, and we should be wary of assuming that it is because although the situation is precarious and obviously concerning, the government has not given any indication at this point it's on the verge of making any more interventions, certain that this side of christmas but if they do they will need the support of mps and particularly conservative mps, the government won't want to rely on opposition votes again so we need to take what it views as a proportionate approach and do things

if the cabinet secretary orany response?for his question. i agree with him, of course, that it is a privilege and an honour for all of us to serve our constituents in this honourable house. and what i can say, my understanding is that the cabinet secretary has denied any attendance at any gathering that is subject to this matter. but the reality of the matter is that he therefore can be said to be completely separate at the head of the civil service and able to conduct a thorough investigation, as one would expect from someone with his seniority. he has, i would reiterate... white mat that is where we leave our view is now on bbc world. an urgent question to the paymaster general about the parties or gatherings, as he described them, in buckingham palace at the end of last year. mps raising several issues there. the prime minister himself, though, not in number 10 at the moment, he has been up all night it would seem, celebrating the daughter born to carrie, their second child, a baby girl. he was there throughout the birth

robert buckland, former cabinet minister, former justice secretary. times. i'm going to listen to robert buckland, but not see him, cos i'm going to go and sit in your cupboard. give him my love! oh, well, thank you, enjoy the the boutique of news. i promise i'll go in the cupboard next week, i've not had a turn in there yet. that's true, but we've had you in your spare room at home. that's true, or in a cab or walking around or wherever else. back of taxis, all of that. well, thank you very much for taking my seat in the studio, and welcome robert buckland, hello! hello, good to see you andl thank you for being so kind! we've done our own reshuffle, hopefully that doesn't bring back too many bad memories for you! 0h! thank you! moving on! you are a trained lawyer, you were thejustice secretary for quite a long time, so a lot of your career has been about fairness, proportionality, what is just. do you think the plan the restrictions, and covid certificates in particular, kind of tick all the boxes of fairness and proportionality? i think that we are

and the cabinet minister.— and tony blair at the time. and the cabinet minister. and he had not _ cabinet minister. but he had taken a loan and he had not declared - cabinet minister. but he had taken a loan and he had not declared from i loan and he had not declared from jeffrey robinson and after 48 hours backin jeffrey robinson and after 48 hours back in those days people resigned and he resigned quickly. so he rings me and as he rings me on my mobile to say peter madsen has resigned i realised we have left the beef into her parents fridge at home and i turn to yvette and say where the beef? and gordon said i don't think you heard me peter madison has resigned. and i said to yvette is it too late and gordon said what the umeed mean is it too late? he's already resigned and i said to yvette can return back? there is no turning back now echoed down the phone but i got off the phone with gordon having lamented the resignation and rang her mother and she drove in from hampshire and we got checked in and the sewer was handed over to security and the beef made it to

that the cabinet secretary, the man who has put in _ cabinet secretary, the man who has put in places to whether or not parties _ investigation as to whether or not parties to— investigation as to whether or not parties to place, whether or not covid _ parties to place, whether or not covid rules_ parties to place, whether or not covid rules were broken in number ten, we _ covid rules were broken in number ten, we now— covid rules were broken in number ten, we now know that under his watch _ ten, we now know that under his watch and — ten, we now know that under his watch and his name, his staff are invited _ watch and his name, his staff are invited to— watch and his name, his staff are invited to a — watch and his name, his staff are invited to a christmas party. this is quite _ invited to a christmas party. this is quite extraordinary, and you would — is quite extraordinary, and you would a — is quite extraordinary, and you would a fight that signing case would've — would a fight that signing case would've put his hand up at the start— would've put his hand up at the start of— wou

0r by the cabinet secretary administers and staffers?particularly bothered about reinforcing it close to home. that is really where the voters i think might raise an eyebrow or feel bad that the solution. and think might raise an eyebrow or feel bad that the solution.— think might raise an eyebrow or feel bad that the solution. and much more interestin: bad that the solution. and much more interesting does _ bad that the solution. and much more interesting does it _ bad that the solution. and much more interesting does it make _ bad that the solution. and much more interesting does it make the - bad that the solution. and much more interesting does it make the north - interesting does it make the north shropshire by—election next week which, of course, was triggered when 0wen paterson stepped down because about lobbying rules? it is owen paterson stepped down because about lobbying rules?— about lobbying rules? it is one roblem about lobbying rules? it is one problem after _ about lobbying rules? it is one problem after another - about l

secretary and most senior— who is a cabinet secretary and most senior civil — who is a cabinet secretaryservant in the land. civil servants are meant to be seen not heard _ civil servants are meant to be seen not heard of— civil servants are meant to be seen not heard of them as they're giving evidence _ not heard of them as they're giving evidence to — not heard of them as they're giving evidence to parliamentary select committee and his case in the front pa-e committee and his case in the front page of— committee and his case in the front page of most of the newspapers. this is not _ page of most of the newspapers. this is not a _ page of most of the newspapers. this is not a good look for him it's not a good _ is not a good look for him it's not a good looh— is not a good look for him it's not a good look for the government, he should _ a good look for the government, he should have recused himself and this is going _ should have recused himself and this is going to _ is going to roll over into next week and the public is getting quite fed up and the public is getting quite fed up wit

_ change at the cabinet table. are you expecting promotion? the _ change at the cabinet table.cting promotion? the big winner was liz truss, now _ expecting promotion? the big winner was liz truss, now the _ expecting promotion? the big winner was liz truss, now the foreign - was liz truss, now the foreign secretary. dominic raab was moved to justice, the consolation prize of being made deputy prime minister. are you happy? have you been demoted? fits are you happy? have you been demoted?— are you happy? have you been demoted? a , ., demoted? as politicians headed off to their conferences, _ demoted? as politicians headed off to their conferences, drivers - demoted? as politicians headed off to their conferences, drivers found | to their conferences, drivers found themselves going, well, nowhere. fuel supply issues led to panic buying and lengthy queues at petrol stations. in brighton, labour gathered for its first in—person conference under its new leader. he was determined to show the party was changing, right here, right now. i've waited 17 months, 25 days and two hours to ap

he minister has asked for investigation by the cabinet secretary.— by the cabinet secretary.cause i by the cabinet secretary. he has been dragged into it because of| by the cabinet secretary. he has| been dragged into it because of a leak of the stadium of ethnic restaurants and who has done the right thing and resigned her position but for political extracting to be the fall person for what is a culture that is inspired by the leadership is really wrong. the pen minister has to be asking serious questions about the culture of the government that he's running and it starts at the top. he has to be held accountable for 1's for the bad behaviorfor his be held accountable for 1's for the bad behavior for his government. what about the plan b restrictions that have been announced by the prime minister of england in some ways bringing in england more into line with scotland and other parts of the uk? it’s line with scotland and other parts of the uk? �* , , , line with scotland and other parts of the uk? 3 , , ., of the uk? it's 'ust the benefit of the cautious _ of the uk? it'sju

now, the reasons for this, it appears that it may be over the issue that lord frost was in the cabinet chief brexit negotiator for quite some time in that withdrawal agreement and the subsequent trade deal. this appears about a different issue, lord frost argued in the cabinet, recently, very strongly against more covid restrictions, but if you get the need for thing like vaccine passports, some people call them back thing is need to display them back thing is need to display the fact that you are covid—19 vaccinated or have been all have had a prior infection. that went through as one of the measures recently, lord frost had argued about that. it is understood, the mail on sunday saying that he doesn't agree with the political direction of the government. he was persuaded to stay on until the end of the month and apparently resigning possibly on good terms, though. we apparently resigning possibly on good terms, though.— apparently resigning possibly on good terms, though. we are going to net more good terms, though. we are going to get more on — good terms, though. we are going to ge

got to the newspapers so it is making the headlines tonight because this is a figure who attends cabineter, a key ally of the prime minister, an important figure in the brexit negotiations throughout the last couple of years and especially in the negotiations that are ongoing about the operation of the northern ireland protocol. so, really important figure. the mail on sunday said it is his growing disillusionment with the direction of conservative party policy that has led to his resignation. he did give a speech, lord frost, a month ago, where he talked about his value on liberty and low taxes, and a small state, and low taxes, and a small state, and he expressed quite clearly that beach his opposition to things like vaccine passports. it is those sorts of measures which have prompted him to take this step and hand in his resignation but there is already some speculation that perhaps the operation of the northern ireland protocol, the difficulties over brexit, may also be in the background to this. people may remember _ background to this. people may remember the _ background to this.

there's definitely disagreement in cabinet, at the moment from the last cabinet meetings that took placee majority wanted to hold off until there was further data but some are saying there would be vocal opposition within cabinet itself were any further restrictions introduced. and there are some in government pointing to concerns about compliance from the public, particularly those triple jabbed, and how easy or not it would be to try and convince people in that situation to live with further restrictions going forward. at the moment number ten has not ruled anything out and are keen to stress this is not necessarily a crunch meeting today, just a regular data update but everything is kept under review and i think at the moment ministers are keen to hold tight until they think they can justify it. we've just been hearing the cabinet office mr stephen barclay will be chairing a meeting on workplace resilience today as well as the regular briefing the prime minister will be getting. before christmas he was having these meetings on staff resilience daily to get an update from different dep

we would've gathered boat cabinet, you do? we would've gathered boat cabinet. made _ you do?et, made decision and provided the country with a road map. at this stage, people are watching the news, following the data, and they are expecting restrictions to come in after christmas. but the clear message people have is that it is uncertainty. families want certainty— for businesses, this is absolutely crucial, especially for businesses that are already being hit by plan b measures and people making different choices about whether to go out to the parks and restaurants, for example. share whether to go out to the parks and restaurants, for example.- restaurants, for example. are you sa in: restaurants, for example. are you saying there _ restaurants, for example. are you saying there should _ restaurants, for example. are you saying there should be _ restaurants, for example. are you | saying there should be restrictions now, more restrictions now? i don't thinkthere's _ now, more restrictions now? i don't think there's any _ now, more restrictions now? i don't think there's any

prime ministers get things sorted out, but also the prime minister listens to a cabinet secretary. this way, you sort of are left with, who is not? absolutely. i suspect what the cabinet office would say in response to that is that mr case is not alleged to have broken any of the rules at this stage, but you're absolutely right. a top civil servant, for the boss of all the civil servants, to have another civil servants, to have another civil servant have to take over because you're seen as having a conflict of interest is hardly the position you want to be in, and i suppose there is also a question tonight about whether sue grey will not have to look into her boss's party, into what happened in 70 whitehall last year, and the big picture of all this is that boris johnson has been under huge pressure in the last few weeks, and the downing street operation has been left battered and bruised by so many different stories, so many different strands to the pressure, that the prime minister is under whether it is north structure today, the handling of the 0wen paterson sleaze allegations,

i understand as well that at cabinet where these measures were signed off, a number of senior cabinetd their opposition to these new restrictions. so i think this will be a difficult vote for the government in the house of commons on tuesday, but perhaps an even stickier vote for them on thursday where electors in north shropshire will be replacing the mp 0wen paterson whose resignation for breaching lobbying rules triggered lots of those headlines about sleaze. so certainly attest there for the prime minister himself. in the meantime, perhaps in a bid to try and alleviate some of the pressure on him at the moment, it has been confirmed downing street will not be having a christmas party this year. will not be having a christmas party this ear. ., ~ , will not be having a christmas party this ear. ., . , ., ~ will not be having a christmas party this ear. ., ~ , ., new rules about face coverings have come into force in england — meaning wearing a mask is compulsory in indoor settings including cinemas, theatres, museums and places of worship, unless you're medically exempt. ministers

i around the cabinet table? 1 think it shows the around the cabinet table?he tory party. the fact that steve baker and dean dorris can have a row like that then she gets kicked off the group is indicative ofjust how nasty it has all become. the tory party has all become. the tory party has now become a kind of loose alliance of warring tribes. so different factions want different factions want different things. the one thing that seems to unite every tory mp i've spoken to is they do want to get rid of boris johnson. the question is, really, how they go about doing it, because it is all a question of timing. i'm sure they'll all go home for christmas now and be plotting furiously. if they can get 5a signatures from those with no confidence, then borisjohnson confidence, then boris johnson could confidence, then borisjohnson could be out early next year. the question is they've got to make sure that if they strike they get it right because you can only do one challenge every 12 months. so if they miscalculate, borisjohnson will be there for another year. some

this astonished the members of his cabinet, they were not used to this kind of thing. and one of them actually said did i hear you correctly lincoln said, yeah, i made about with my maker when i issued this proclamation and now i am going to do it. do you have any moments like that an american history that show a direct influence of a presidents faith in decision-making. >> i think there are multiple examples when it comes to in more recent years, with the politics is president reagan and after the assassination attempt, he said that god has spared him to do something even more than he had done as far as president and then if you think about the relationship that he started but then really with the rulers including john paul ii, and to the act and cold war read and of course reagan it didn't know that in the beginning and he said that he had faith in god and it was very traumatic and he talked about it and about that divine plan and advisors and he talked about some of them originally. so he does and then if you think about somebody like wilson woodrow wilson going bac

cabinet ministers this morning., is it one rule for downing street and another for the rest of the country? morning, sir. morning. questions, but no answers. were you at the party, sir? today in downing street they were deciding if new covid restrictions will be imposed. anybody have any questions today? but it's the video of what happened here last year that's caused a crisis. i've seen reports on twitter- that there was a downing street party on friday night. do you recognise those reports? i went home. laughter. laughter about something which for most isn't a laughing matter. what's the answer? i don't know. was it cheese and wine? is cheese and wine all right? it was a business meeting. and we know there was a christmas party. and it was not socially distanced. the video is so damaging for borisjohnson because for a week he's defended those in it, just as he defended matt hancock and dominic cummings. and it's left him exposed. members of the public who followed the rules at the time, furious, his mps too. his a

fascinating debate in that cabinet next week. certainly will be. be a fly on the wall in the cabinet room. ros altman, what do you make love this? does it time with the mood music you've experienced? the main issue is what happens in the commons — main issue is what happens in the commons. and there is real anger among _ commons. and there is real anger among the — commons. and there is real anger among the tory backbenchers about the way _ among the tory backbenchers about the way it's— among the tory backbenchers about the way it's happening. in a way, it's started — the way it's happening. in a way, it's started perhaps with the owen patterson — it's started perhaps with the owen patterson affair, and that was the first big _ patterson affair, and that was the first big rebellion the prime minister tried to get the standards commission tossed aside with. and had to— commission tossed aside with. and had to u—turn within a very short time _ had to u—turn within a very short time period~ _ had to u—turn within a very short time period. those mps w

a senior cabinet minister says the situation has become seriously worrying. we situation has become seriously wor inc. ~ situation has become seriously wor in. ~ ., , situation has become seriously wor inc. ., , _ worrying. we face a very deeply concerning _ worrying. we face a very deeply concerning situation. _ worrying. we face a very deeply concerning situation. we - worrying. we face a very deeply concerning situation. we know. worrying. we face a very deeply l concerning situation. we know we have the highest number of covid reflections across the united kingdom recorded today since the 9th of january, kingdom recorded today since the 9th ofjanuary, we know that kingdom recorded today since the 9th of january, we know that the omicron variant is doubling every two to three days in england and possibly even faster in scotland. the three days in england and possibly even faster in scotland.— even faster in scotland. the first minister in _ even faster in scotland. the first minister in scotland _ even faster in scotland. the first minister in scotland nic

the statement references cabinet secretary's i references cabinet secretary's investigation.gation in parallel? tt’s than doing their own investigation in arallel? �* . ., than doing their own investigation in arallel? �*, ., , in parallel? it's not usable. often the cabinet _ in parallel? it's not usable. often the cabinet secretary _ in parallel? it's not usable. often the cabinet secretary will - in parallel? it's not usable. often the cabinet secretary will be i the cabinet secretary will be looking for different issues. the police will be looking at criminal issues. you could argue that the police investigation could be compromised by waiting or waiting for somebody to already speak to witnesses. it is relatively straightforward, get hold of the cctv, have a look at who was leaving at midnight, and who the individuals were come and go and ask the police officers. it's not that difficult. there was a bit of analysis i read in one of the papers. i appreciate this is more of a legal question than a policing one, but there was this question raised about whether the regulatio

fat— held and we know the cabinet is kind of fat were _ held and we know the cabinet is kind of fatures, a lot of briefing going on about ministers who are against more measures _ about ministers who are against more measures. he would have to get it to the cabinet _ measures. he would have to get it to the cabinet and analyse the data before _ the cabinet and analyse the data before that, get a resolution and then you — before that, get a resolution and then you have to recall parliament based _ then you have to recall parliament based on — then you have to recall parliament based on whatever those measures are, so— based on whatever those measures are, so i_ based on whatever those measures are, so i think we are now really rather— are, so i think we are now really rather running out of time, at least that's— rather running out of time, at least that's the _ rather running out of time, at least that's the message from people i spoke _ that's the message from people i spoke to— that's the message from people i spoke to today to get parliament back, _ spoke to today to get parliamen

it is not the case in this cabinet.have to keep continuing to return. . ~ wheels have to keep continuing to return. ., ~ , ., , wheels have to keep continuing to return. ., ~ ,, , . stay with us on bbc news. still to come: why questions remain over the well being of chinese tennis player peng shuai despite the release of this new video. the world of music has been paying tribute to george michael, who's died from suspected heart failure at the age of 53. he sold well over 100 million albums in a career spanning more than three decades. the united states' troops have been trying to overthrow the dictatorship of general manuel noriega. the pentagon said it's failed in its principle objective to capture noriega and take him to the united states to face drugs charges. the hammer and sickle| was hastily taken away. m its place. — the russian flag was hoisted over what is now— no longer the soviet union, but the commonwealth of independent states. | day broke slowly over lockerbie, over the cockpit of pan am's maid of the sea

after a two—hour meeting with his cabinet, borisjohnson said the arguments were finely balanced.ed that we should keep the data from now on under constant review, keep following it hour by hour, and, unfortunately, i must say to people we will have to reserve the, the possibility of taking further action to, to protect the public, and to protect public health and protect our nhs, and we won't hesitate to take that action. the government insists it is not sitting back doing nothing. manchester city's football stadium among the sites helping get vaccinations up to a record one million on saturday. people have already been told to work from home, use covid passes and take tests before socialising — that's not enough, says labour. instead of being hamstrung by his own cabinet and hiding from his own backbenchers, it's time borisjohnson stopped putting the politics of the conservative party ahead of public health and levelled with the country. last week, more than 100 conservatives refused to back mrjohnson�*s plan for covid passports. then, at the weekend, his ally lord frost resigne

i have asked the cabinet _ just... it's important... i have asked the cabinet secretary . just...new there was a party, they knew it was against the rules, they knew they couldn�*t admit it, and they thought it was funny. it�*s obvious what happened. ant and dec are ahead of the prime minister on this. the prime minister has been caught red—handed. why doesn�*t the end of the investigation right now byjust admitting it? the investigation right now by 'ust admitting infi the investigation right now by 'ust admitting itafi the investigation right now by 'ust admittin it? , ~ admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly _ admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured - admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured that i admitting it? because, mr speaker, i| have been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken, mr speaker. and i understand public anxiety about this. and i understand public indignation. but there is a risk of doing a grave injustice to people who were frankly obeying the rules, mr speaker. that is why the cabinet se

the bbc understands the brexit minister lord frost has resigned from the cabinet.believed lord frost, who's led negotiations with the eu, stood down over the political direction of boris johnson's government. here is dan johnson. here is danjohnson. they have put this report online tonight saying that lord frost saying they are now to the premises last week you tended to the premises last week you tended to leave the government but that he has been persuaded by borisjohnson to stay on untiljanuary. it looks like that was what had been agreed between them but somehow this has got to the newspapers that is in the headlights night because this is a figure who attends cabinet, a major player, a key ally of the prime minister, and an important figure throughout the last couple of years that especially in the negotiations that especially in the negotiations that are ongoing about the operation of the northern ireland protocol. so, really important figure. the mail on sunday said it is growing disillusionment with the direction of conservative party policy that has led to

a virtual cabinet meeting is under way — sources tell the bbc, three options of increasing severity haven prepared. we'll get the latest from westminster. european stock markets fall as investors eye new restrictions. the netherlands goes into national lockdown with switzerland, france, denmark and ireland bringing in stricter measures. the premier league holds emergency talks with club bosses about a potential pause to matches, because of covid. pleas for urgent supplies in the philippines, as the number killed by a super typhoon is now at 375. the chinese tennis star peng shuai retracts an accusation of sexual assault against a former top communist party official — but critics still fear she may have been speaking under duress. hello and welcome. countries around the world are scrambling to track the omicron variant and deciding when and if more measures are needed. here — the british cabinet has been meeting, to discuss how to deal with the surge in cases here. the uk has the highest number of confirmed omicron cases in europe. the bbc has been told, civil servants have prepared three

two hours of cabinet debate today, discussions, differences of opinion.ome sympathy with the predicament they are in at the moment, or do you think the direction of travel, the course of the virus so far, means a decision should have been taken today? evening. it's very difficult. our cabinet will meet tomorrow morning. we've been in discussion with our leaders all day today. the first minister will announce in the scottish parliament tomorrow afternoon their decisions. we are at afternoon their decisions. we are at a fragile moment both in the uk and across europe and the world. omicron is coming. we had nearly 7000 cases today. we think more than half of them are the new variant. it is transmitting quicker than its three predecessors. we don't know what kind of disease it gives you despite what you read unfortunately on social media we don't know if it is worth, better orthe social media we don't know if it is worth, better or the same. we think it might be slightly better but not better enough. —— we don't know if it is worth. better enough. -- we don'

well, there was a cabinet meetin: announced. well, there was a cabinet meeting this — announced.fternoon _ announced. well, there was a cabinet meeting this afternoon convened - announced. well, there was a cabinet meeting this afternoon convened by l meeting this afternoon convened by president negron at a distance, he's down in the south of france and spoken via video link with government up in paris, because of, as you say commit a huge growth of omicron related covid and really, very, very sharp increase, may they are talking about 250,000 cases a day by early january. it's the same, of course here as it is in other european countries and what's interesting is that so far, this unprecedented wave of coded in the crisis in the hospitals that we have had with previous waves, but they draw some caution, but they're also very worried. that's why they are executing these new measures to try to slow down the rate. there is nothing drastic here. people have been talking about curfews on new year's eve, no new year's eve curfew. people talking about delaying the start of the school t

but i have asked the cabinet secretary to establish all the facts as soon as possible and it goes without saying to take action. mr. speaker in addition to my duties in this house as you have further such meetings later today. >> mr. speaker being forced and then today that counsel then for 47 years and then to level down. >> and i wholeheartedly agree with my honorable friend this country is yet again and then to be as soon as possible. >> and that leader of the opposition. >> thank you mr. speaker but frankly it raises more questions than answers last week i asked the prime minister dozens of people on december 18 the government spent the week telling the british public there was no party millions of people the prime minister was taking them for fools. >> . >> i apologize. >> i myself and furious because i have been repeatedly assured. >> and for the cabinet secretary to investigate exactly what happened and that there would be consequences if those rules were broken mr. speaker. >> and an investigation into what happened in the situation is clear mr. speaker at last week was bad enough

from a cabinet rebellion to a public backlash. trust in the prime minister means some will ignore or even go against any new measures which might be introduced. the express thinks the week ahead will be one of reckoning for borisjohnson — the paper says as well as the nation's christmas plans, the prime minister's own premiership is hanging in the balance, and the times has got hold of leaked documents which say preparations are being made for the mass vaccination of primary school children as the fight against omicron intensifies, but the show must go on. the paper carries a photo of five primary school shepherds in west yorkshire, getting ready for their nativity play. so let's begin. good morning to you both. shyama, taking us for fools again? the sunday mirror _ taking us for fools again? tue: sunday mirror has taking us for fools again? tt;é: sunday mirror has a taking us for fools again? tt9 sunday mirror has a photograph taking us for fools again? tt9: sunday mirror has a photograph or two photographs of borisjohnson runnin

they are saying they are still looking at the data but cabinet members who are, shall we say, amongsturther restrictions certainly feel they will not be any restrictions imposed before christmas. they feel not reaching a decision yesterday was in effect reaching a decision not to impose restrictions before christmas. professor chris whitty, the chief medical officer and patrick vallance, the chief scientific adviser will brief mps tonight on the latest data but even if borisjohnson was convinced he had to act he would face considerable resistance amongst members of his own party and around his cabinet table, powerful voices are saying you cannot close down large sections of the economy based on small amounts of data so they are pushing for more data on hospitalisations, the severity of the illness, this might not come until next week before any firm decisions are taken. the other side of this, there are some cabinet ministers saying hospitalisations are going up in london, we cannot wait too long before we act, there are warnings about sickness levels as we are hearing in the nhs and

i will also - confirm cabinets decision to propose some _ confirm cabinets decision to propose some additionalents and indoor— relation to large—scale live events and indoor public places. we judge these _ and indoor public places. we judge these to— and indoor public places. we judge these to be necessary to further slow _ these to be necessary to further slow the — these to be necessary to further slow the spread of the virus so that we can— slow the spread of the virus so that we can protect health, the national health _ we can protect health, the national health service, and the economy as we work_ health service, and the economy as we work to— health service, and the economy as we work to complete booster vaccinations. i have set out further support _ vaccinations. i have set out further sopport for— vaccinations. i have set out further support for the many businesses affected — support for the many businesses affected by the vice we feel duty hound _ affected by the vice we feel duty bound to — affected by the vice we feel duty bound to give in the interest of protecting public health. f

leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, says the cabinet secretary's investigation needs to light and clearly they have not given artists — answers that will satisfy the public and you can understand why opposition parties are raising questions and we can understand why the country is upset it happened and why the responses from downing street have been as they are for the last week or ten days. given what we know now, do you think that boris johnson may have misled parliament over all of this? the prime minister was very clear last weekend and again this week that he does not believe there was a party. you think there was one? that is my reading of it. but crucially we have to find out through the cabinet secretary enquiry what happened and first of all why was a party even allowed in downing street? let's take that issue first when everyone else was telling people not to have these parties yet people in downing street thought they could, and what it means for the public trust going forward and what it means for the people who did make the sacrifices and did not see thei