_ minister attend the event in the downing street garden - minister attend the event in the downingowning street garden on the l minister attend the event in the i downing street garden on the 20th minister attend the event in the - downing street garden on the 20th of may 2020? _ downing street garden on the 20th of may 2020? it — downing street garden on the 20th of may 2020? it won't _ downing street garden on the 20th of may 2020? it won't wash, _ downing street garden on the 20th of may 2020? it won't wash, mr- downing street garden on the 20th of. may 2020? it won't wash, mr speaker, to blame _ may 2020? it won't wash, mr speaker, to blame this _ may 2020? it won't wash, mr speaker, to blame this on — may 2020? it won't wash, mr speaker, to blame this on a _ may 2020? it won't wash, mr speaker, to blame this on a few— may 2020? it won't wash, mr speaker, to blame this on a fewjunior_ may 2020? it won't wash, mr speaker, to blame this on a fewjunior civil- to blame this on a fewjunior civil servants — to blame this on a fewjunior civil servants the _ to blame this on a fewjunio

downing street said that borisjohnson didn't think he had broken the law.elcome the met's decision - to conduct its own investigation, as i believe this will help to give the public the clarity it needs i and help to draw a line under these matters. i the— under these matters. the under these matters. prime the underthese matters. prime minister the under these matters. prime minister faces pressur from the prime minister faces pressure from the — the prime minister faces pressure from the police, his own party, and from _ from the police, his own party, and from an_ from the police, his own party, and from an official inquiry which could emerge _ from an official inquiry which could emerge as early as tomorrow. also tonight... a plane with us military equipment arrives in ukraine to help bolster defences as tension with russia continues to rise. the pandemic�*s toll on frontline staff and the nurse who's so burnt out she's moved to the other side of the world. and the man trapped undergound for over 50 hours when caving in the breacon becons, returns to th

for people at these events in downing street. ., ., street.the moment, daniel, thank you very much for - street. for the moment, daniel, thank you very much for that. i with me now is sir peter fahy, he's a former chief constable of greater manchester police and he was listening to the met�*s chief commissioner. thank you forjoining us. i suppose that answers the question of why now the met are launching their investigation having been passed information from the sue gray enquiry but you think they you have started investigations soon or do you accept that they think she was in the best position initially to gather information? t in the best position initially to gather information?— in the best position initially to gather information? i think the olice gather information? i think the police feel _ gather information? i think the police feel they _ gather information? i think the police feel they are _ gather information? i think the police feel they are in - gather information? i think the police feel they are in a - gather information? i th

reporter: also try to have a party in downing street? i to have a party in downing street?to have a birthday gathering? a base meeting in person this morning the rules have been relaxed amid new claims about a birthday celebration for boris johnson during lockdown. but birthday celebration for boris johnson during lockdown. but as they cathered, johnson during lockdown. but as they gathered. and — johnson during lockdown. but as they gathered, and already _ johnson during lockdown. but as they gathered, and already serious - gathered, and already serious situation for the government would take another dramatic turn. police said they would not investigate claims of parties and whitehall unless they government inquiry found evidence of criminality. llntiii unless they government inquiry found evidence of criminality.— evidence of criminality. until now. as a result — evidence of criminality. until now. as a result of— evidence of criminality. until now. as a result of the _ evidence of criminality. until now. as a result of the information - as a result of the information pro

downing street had hoped| shut up. downing street had hoped the dancer shut up.s passing. _ shut up. downing street had hoped the danger was passing. boris - the danger was passing. boris johnson's lieutenants tried to grab control and shore up mps, but attacks on number ten from the tory side were opened by none other than the withering former prime minister. i do my right honourable friend hadn't read the rules i didn't understand what they meant, and others around them, or they didn't think the rules applied to number ten. which was it? i think the rules applied to number ten. which was it?— ten. which was it? i am deeply concerned _ ten. which was it? i am deeply concerned by — ten. which was it? i am deeply concerned by these _ ten. which was it? i am deeply concerned by these events - ten. which was it? i am deeply concerned by these events and| concerned by these events and very concerned _ concerned by these events and very concerned indeed by some of the things— concerned indeed by some of the things that he has said from that dispatch— things that he ha

downing street press briefings.ce investigation. that's the latest from outside downing street. i will hand you back to the studio. bradford council is going to lose control of its children's services. it follows the death of star hobson, the 16—month—old who died in 2020 after months of "neglect, cruelty and injury" at the hands of her mother frankie smith and smith's partner savannah brockhill. they will be taken into a trust which will "drive rapid improvements" after recommendations from the education secretary nadhim za hawi. mrzahawi said in a statement: "keeping vulnerable children safe from harm is non—negotiable. where a council is not meeting its duty to do this, we will take action to protect children and put their needs first. joining me now is our correspondent nick garnett with more on this. remind us more of the background to this. bradford's children services happen under review for a considerable amount of time, that has been led by steve walker from leeds city council and he has been brought in to

what do downing street say about your story? - downing street. what do downing . downing street do not deny _ street say about your story? downing street do not deny any _ street say about your story? downing street do not deny any of— street say about your story? downing street do not deny any of the - street do not deny any of the detail. they say there were events that happened on that evening, mr slack did give a speech to thank star that he had worked within his director of as communications in that time. we have not heard much more than that so far. this morning, damian hinds, the security minister has done a broadcast round in which he said he was shot by the suggestions in our story and he pointed to the sea grey inquiry into these parties and said we need to wait for the conclusions of that. what did a number of parties alleged to parties, work events, social do is, whatever we are calling them, what does that tell us about the culture in downing street? we think that will be a _ culture in downing street? we think that will be a key _ culture in downing

the beginning of a year when one would have thought downing street might have thought downing streetthey were hoping for. some of the allegations we saw before christmas had died down a bit but here they are again, more allegations surfacing this time about the first lockdown. just as the country was coming out of some of the strictest rules that we saw, and we have seen over the course of the pandemic. we saw a government minister told the commons in the last hour that he apologised for any hurt that these allegations would cause but the government is also doing its best tojust cause but the government is also doing its best to just not engaged with the specifics on this, it's saying to the public and to mps, look, there is an investigation going on, let's wait for that whenever that comes to see what the fact, where and what the findings are. i've got to say i do not think thatis are. i've got to say i do not think that is going to do anything to remove some of the questions that are piling up for downing street and specifically for boris johnson himself. why did one of his specifi

, _ industrial scale partying at downing street, not much of it really denied anything _ streetre made up their— anything the public are made up their mind, i think the facts speak for themselves.— their mind, i think the facts speak for themselves. that is the labour leader's view. _ for themselves. that is the labour leader's view, accusing _ for themselves. that is the labour leader's view, accusing the - for themselves. that is the labour leader's view, accusing the prime | leader's view, accusing the prime minister notjust of breaking the rules or bending the rules but breaking the law now, which is obviously very serious an allegation. what is going on in the conservative party? what we heard from a couple of ministers this morning is pointing at the culture in downing street, and it feels like thatis in downing street, and it feels like that is the way the government is going, saying there is a problem with people drinking and that needs to be addressed, but what is also interesting is when oliver dowd in the tory chairman was pushed and this is morning he said, yes, ulti

certainly downing street knows that _ think? certainly downing street knows that not _ think? not that long - think? certainly downing street knows that not that long ago i think? certainly downing street i knows that not that long ago when think? certainly downing street - knows that not that long ago when it forced _ knows that not that long ago when it forced through the national insurance rise, that was a big flagship — insurance rise, that was a big flagship statement from this government that it was prepared to make _ government that it was prepared to make hard — government that it was prepared to make hard decisions and address the social— make hard decisions and address the social care _ make hard decisions and address the social care crisis, which had been lingering — social care crisis, which had been lingering in— social care crisis, which had been lingering in governments of all stripes— lingering in governments of all stripes for nearly two decades now. but now _ stripes for nearly two decades now. but now as — stripes for nearly two decades now. but now as we hi

ros: also a downing street, boris johnson's staff were at work. them martin reynolds, a principal private secretary to the prime minister. on the 20th of may, martin reolds sent any mill to around 100 downing street staff. ever since, no one has leaked , until this week, to itv news. "after what has be an incredibly busy period, we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have socially distance rink in the number 10dend this evening. please join us at six clock p.m. and bring your own booze." not everyone wanted to pit the bbc has seen one message from a downing street separate to another which read, "why is martin encouraging a mass gathering in the garden?" another asks, "is this for real?" it was. here is laura kuenssberg. laura: 30 people attended including the prime minister and his wife pit with a lo table is set on in the garden for drink and snacks. ros: drinks and snacks. "the daily member" spoke to one witness you provide further detail, saying there were long tables laden with drinks and picnic food. on monday

is _ understand precisely what downing street is like. urs days to deliver, actually. — working 18 hours days to deliver, actually, one of the best, if not the best. — actually, one of the best, if not the best, vaccine programme in the world _ the best, vaccine programme in the world they— the best, vaccine programme in the world. they were exhausted. now, if boris _ world. they were exhausted. now, if borisjohnson has got world. they were exhausted. now, if boris johnson has got a feeling, world. they were exhausted. now, if borisjohnson has got a feeling, one of those _ borisjohnson has got a feeling, one of those failings is loyalty— loyalty— of those failings is loyalty— loyalty to his friends and loyalty to his _ loyalty to his friends and loyalty to his star. whether it was right or not legally— to his star. whether it was right or not legally is something that the metropolitan police and sue gray will decide. ., metropolitan police and sue gray will decide-— will decide. you have obviously wanted to _ will decide. you have obviousl

daniel sandford, bbc news, downing street.with the latest delevolpments on this story, including when sue gray's report is due to be published, go to our website. that's bbc.com. i want to tell you about this story now. president biden has said he's prepared to sanction his russian counterpart vladimir putin directly if moscow invades ukraine. it's the first time that western powers have suggested that the extra measures they've threatened against moscow could go right to the top of the kremlin. french president emmanuel macron said dialogue would continue and he would be speaking to mr putin on friday. here's our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley. the might of the russian army on display in its ally belarus, ukraine's northern neighbour, where military exercises are planned next month. moscow has been building up troops on ukraine's eastern border, too, and fears of a new war in europe are growing. the kremlin is still denying it'll invade, president putin keeping the world guessing about what his intentions really are

for the downing street party.r nonexecutive director of. former nonexecutive director of several apartments and now a ministerjointly between the cabinet office in the treasury, shocked everyone by standing up in the house of lords and dramatically resigning. the government recently wrote off more than 4 billion of covid fraud from the loan scheme, but actually across the board, i can't think how many figures tens of billions is. it's a lot of knots.— many figures tens of billions is. it's a lot of knots. and he's right to be angry _ it's a lot of knots. and he's right to be angry about _ it's a lot of knots. and he's right to be angry about that. - it's a lot of knots. and he's right to be angry about that. he - it's a lot of knots. and he's rightj to be angry about that. he takes it's a lot of knots. and he's right l to be angry about that. he takes a tax—cutting perspective that there is a penny on income tax that could be cut if the government were to take fraud seriously. but for me, it's also just the recogn

_ hosting boozy parties in downing street is— hosting boozy parties in downing street. was underage, after a usjudge ruled her lawsuit against him can proceed. ms giuffre claims the prince sexually abused her on three occasions. prince andrew has consistently denied the allegations against him. he is effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned. the monday and he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, except that he has to fall on his sward. russia and nato hold their first face to face talks in two years, as tensions remain high over the build—up of russian troops on the border with ukraine. and soaring energy costs could affect household bills for the next two years warns the boss of the uk's biggest energy supplier. back to our main story now and for the first time borisjohnson has admitted attending a drinks event in the garden of downing street during the first lockdown of the pandemic. speaking at prime minister's questions, mrjohnson apologised and acknowledged there were things the government "simply did not get right

he was 'ust been held in downing street. he was just as _ been held in downing street. any sense, that he could have been _ make any sense, that he could have been appalled in that way if he was at gathering after gathering like this _ at gathering after gathering like this. we've seen polling, it's not about— this. we've seen polling, it's not about whether i think he's telling the truth — about whether i think he's telling the truth or not, it's what the public— the truth or not, it's what the public think. 56% of conservative voters believe that he's not telling the truth _ voters believe that he's not telling the truth - — voters believe that he's not telling the truth — and it's the combination of that, _ the truth — and it's the combination of that, whilst of course there will be some _ of that, whilst of course there will be some people who still back the prime _ be some people who still back the prime minister, you take that prime minister— prime minister, you take that prime minister -- — prime minister, you take that prime minister —— take that nadine dories l

the culture of downing street?y be concerned that the officials are not telling her everything because, it seems to have gone beyond the political staff and the advisers, but into the officials as well. and that's quite unusual, isn't it?— officials as well. and that's quite unusual, isn't it? systemic. that is the issue all— unusual, isn't it? systemic. that is the issue all of _ unusual, isn't it? systemic. that is the issue all of this _ unusual, isn't it? systemic. that is the issue all of this comes - unusual, isn't it? systemic. that is the issue all of this comes from . unusual, isn't it? systemic. that is| the issue all of this comes from the top. when theresa may was there, you can bet your bottom dollar that if she was imposing restrictions on the rest of the country and not having boozy gatherings, she would've made sure it wasn't happening in her office which she can see on the way upstairs to reflect. so, it's to do the general atmosphere to comes from the down. and if you've got some leadership and mo

it is very upsetting, i think, downing street. it is very upsetting, ithink, about downing street.w? the funeral arrangements, not being able to be with him when he died, you know? very, very difficult time, the circumstances under which we lost my father, and to think that downing street were planning a jolly and breaking their own rules at that time, itjust beggars belief, really. it is very, very upsetting. downing street is saying this is all being investigated by a senior civil servant, although the bbc has to sources who say basal borisjohnson attending this drinks gathering on the 20th of may. —— who say that they saw boris johnson. what would you like to hearfrom they saw boris johnson. what would you like to hear from the they saw boris johnson. what would you like to hearfrom the prime minister? i you like to hear from the prime minister? ., ~' you like to hear from the prime minister? ., ,, ., ., minister? i would like to hear the truth, we need _ minister? i would like to hear the truth, we need the _ minister? i would like to hear the truth, we need the truth - ministe

there may be no easy downing street escape.nd head and red box you can spot from the sky arriving for a moment borisjohnson�*s enemies believed could be a reckoning. prime minister. he started with another apology. firstly, i want to say sorry, and i'm sorryl for the things we simply didn't get right and also sorry for the way that this - matter has been handled. and it's no use saying that this or that was within the rules, i and it's no use saying that| people were working hard. this pandemic was hard for everyone. his penance, though — not changing his own address, but shifting others around. mr speaker, it isn'tl enough to say sorry. this is a moment when we must look at ourselves in _ the mirror and we must learn. we are making changes now to the way downing street . and the cabinet office run, - so that we can get on with the job that i was elected to do, - mr speaker, and the job that this government was elected to do. mr speaker, i get it and i will fix it. - the findings are grim for downing street. ms gray found a ser

.— in downing street.out unequivocally saying that boris johnson served come out unequivocally saying that borisjohnson served resign. what do you think and what they are doing? there are a couple things you can draw from that. you're very pointed out, the commonality being that they're both scottish and that's because both of those politicians are very familiar with facing down an s&p government and they know their ability to do that from a position in the scottish parliament is greatly hampered by a story like this. very difficult for douglas ross to go into the chamber and try to criticise them when this is the dominating story and there is no doubt in my mind about that. but ruth davidson has long been a critic of borisjohnson. that dates back to the brexit referendum and arguably even before that. much more aligned with leading conservative figures like david cameron in sajid javid. particularly forthright in her interviews the prime minister and douglas ross a little bit less so in his history of spe

let’s it was complete nonsense and denied by downing street.— by downing street.ears. complete — achievements of the last 50 years. complete denial and december. but toda complete denial and december. bit today actual e—mails of discussions have been released by the foreigner feels committee and have put these on their website and i boarded you a brief extract. it refers the prime minister that decision earlier to evacuate the staff of the animal charity goes on to explain various details about what was going on and talks about the prime minister was much authorisation of this and quite clearly we have here written evidence submitted by the foreign office whistle—blower that is in the public domain that very obviously contradicts has claimed that this was all able to have nonsense. we don't yet what downing street will say about this, this was publication of e—mails supplied to the foreigner feels select committee but on a day when many conservative mps who will be the decision makers and the next few days have their own questions about the integrity of the prime

figs me in downing street. where have we gone too on the maths?— me in downing street.re have we gone too on the maths? as ever these letters are something _ gone too on the maths? as ever these letters are something that _ gone too on the maths? as ever these letters are something that is - gone too on the maths? as ever these letters are something that is a - gone too on the maths? as ever these letters are something that is a bit - letters are something that is a bit shrouded in secrecy. we will never know until we know whether the threshold of 5a letters of no confidence in the prime minister has been reached. we do know a number of mps have said on record, publicly, that they have submitted a letter of no confidence. christian wakeford, the mp who defected from the conservative to labour today was one of those who had submitted a letter of those who had submitted a letter of no confidence. his letter will no longer count because he is no longer a conservative mp. we have been told around ten mps elected in 2019 have submitted letters of no confidence will stop in t

that is partly, is it, downing street. that is partly, is it. because _ downing street.is _ downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is _ downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is an _ downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is an issue - downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is an issue that'sj it, because this is an issue that's cut through beyond the westminster bubble. , ., ., , ., bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats — bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats and _ bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats and some _ bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats and some more - bubble. there is no doubt. here are i some stats and some more qualitative answer to that. the stats, asking people, have you heard anything about this? while nearly two thirds said they have heard an awful lot of ads, probably many people thought too much. virtually everybody says, yes, i've heard something about this. this is a political story that even those who aren't interested in politics have heard about and are no

people feel angry about what's going on in downing street, i feel angry about what is going on in downingt but the correct process now is to get to the full facts. australia and new zealand are sending surveillance flights to tonga, after a tsunami triggered by an underwater volcanic eruption caused �*significant�* damage to the island nation. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. novak djokovic has now left australia — after a court ruled the world number one tennis player could not stay in the country — upholding the government's decision to cancel his visa. three federaljudges have dismissed his application and the world's men's tennis number one will not now have the opportunity to defend his australian open title. in the past hour he's been escorted through melbourne airport by security and his plane has now taken off. djokovic says he is "extremely disappointed" with the court's decision to deport him. he was bidding to have the chance to win a record 21st men's grand slam title, moving him clear of spain's rafael nadal and switzerland's roger federer f

s: do you feel nauseated by the parties that have been going on allegedly in downing street? eply concerned _ street? no, i'm not nauseated, i'm deeply concerned if _ street? no, i'm not nauseated, i'm deeply concerned if the _ street? no, i'm not nauseated, i'm deeply concerned if the reports - street? no, i'm not nauseated, i'm deeply concerned if the reports are | deeply concerned if the reports are true. but i have to say, there's an element of a witchhunt by the media here. i would expect the left wing to take advantage of it, i would expect remainers wanting revenge to take advantage of it. at the end of the day we now have sue gray's report coming out, a lady who couldn't run if —— could run a pub couldn't run if —— could run a pub could handle anything and dictate the right lane. police are investigating, i'm very happy about that because at the end of the day, the prime minister has said it has nothing to fear. let's see what the evidence produces. because a lot of this is hearsay. certainly there is a big problem about the culture in downing street, i think nobody wo

was he at the party at downing street in i at the party at downing street in 2020?and across the uk were living under the most difficult and challenging of restrictions, people had not been with a loved ones when they passed away, couldn't mourn together at a funeral. maybe missed the birth of the child. people gave up so much and they are now saying it at the exact same time those at the top at number ten work enjoying the weather and have a drink in the garden. the frustration and allegations _ drink in the garden. the frustration and allegations that _ drink in the garden. the frustration and allegations that the _ drink in the garden. the frustration and allegations that the partyware | and allegations that the partyware can tend there was another party. same as e—mail come out last night, what was your reaction upon reading a? ~ . ~' , what was your reaction upon reading a? makes basically are beyond doubt that there was _ a? makes basically are beyond doubt that there was a _ a? makes basically are beyond doubt that there was a party _ a? makes basically are b

, not much of it is— going on at downing street, not much of it is really— going on at downing ublic have made up their mind. the facts speak— public have made up their mind. the facts speak for themselves. that public have made up their mind. the facts speak for themselves.- facts speak for themselves. that is the view of — facts speak for themselves. that is the view of the _ facts speak for themselves. that is the view of the labor _ facts speak for themselves. that is the view of the labor leader, - the view of the labor leader, accusing the prime minister notjust of breaking the rules or bending the rules, but breaking the law, now, as well, which is a serious allegation. what is going on in the conservative party? what we heard from a couple of ministers this morning is pointing at the culture in downing street. it feels like that is the way the government is going. saying that there was a problem with people drinking and that needs to be addressed. what was interesting was that when oliver dowden the tory chairman was pushed on this this morning, he said ultimately it is

were covid rules broken in downing street?le the country was locked down, and can boris johnson survive? labour's leader has made his mind up. i think it's pretty obvious what's happened. there's industrial scale partying been going on at downing street. not much of it is really denied, and i think that the public have made up their mind. i think the facts speak for themselves. i think the prime minister broke the law. i think he then lied about what had happened. mr speaker, i want to apologise. the prime minister has admitted he attended one drinks gathering at a time when socialising was extremely limited. that left many of his mps furious. this woman, sue gray, is looking into allegations spanning almost a year. her report is expected soon, but ministers are already suggesting it's the culture, not the man at the top, that needs to change. the culture in downing street does need to be addressed, and i think it's absolutely essential that when the prime minister responds to the sue gray report, and he's committed to doing t

there may be no easy downing street escape. head and red box you can spot from the sky arriving for a moment borisjohnson�*s enemies believed could be a reckoning. prime minister. he started with another apology. firstly, i want to say sorry, i and i'm sorry for the things we simply didn't get right and also sorry for the way that this - matter has been handled. and it's no use saying that this or that was within the rules, i and it's no use saying that people were working hard. _ this pandemic was hard for everyone. his penance, though — not changing his own address, but shifting others around. mr speaker, it isn'tl enough to say sorry. this is a moment when we must look at ourselves in _ the mirror and we must learn. we are making changes now to the way downing street . and the cabinet office run, - so that we can get on with the job that i was elected to do, - mr speaker, and the job that this government was elected to do. mr speaker, i get it and i will fix it. - the findings are grim for downing street. ms gray found a ser

was he at the party and downing street in may 2020? i and downing street in may 2020?ot been with a loved one, couldn't warn together when passed away for the people missed the birth of the child. people gave up the birth of the child. people gave up so much and they are now saying it the exact same time that the top that number ten enjoying the weather having a drink in the garden. bare having a drink in the garden. are ou having a drink in the garden. are you convinced at the time there was another party. seeing this e—mail come out last night what was your reaction upon reading a? it come out last night what was your reaction upon reading a?— come out last night what was your reaction upon reading a? it makes it clear beyond — reaction upon reading a? it makes it clear beyond doubt _ reaction upon reading a? it makes it clear beyond doubt that _ reaction upon reading a? it makes it clear beyond doubt that there - reaction upon reading a? it makes it clear beyond doubt that there was i reaction upon reading a? it makes it clear beyond doubt that there was a | clear b

the day of the downing street party, nobody| downing street party, nobody attended the funeral of 75—et her daughter was never able to say goodbye. there was just able to say goodbye. there was just a coffin. how do you feel about the prime minister having a party? i prime minister having a party? i really hate him. i'm sorry to say that— really hate him. i'm sorry to say that because my mum wouldn't want to say that _ that because my mum wouldn't want to say that but _ that because my mum wouldn't want to say that. but isjust that because my mum wouldn't want to say that. but is just a that because my mum wouldn't want to say that. but isjust a disgrace. grace _ say that. but isjust a disgrace. grace if— say that. but isjust a disgrace. grace if their weight was watching that and contacted us to say "you invited bereaved families to talk about the hypocrisy of the prime minister's actions. i am not impressed with what he allegedly did adult... similar interviews continued over the next couple of days, with this one on thursday, coming after borisjohnson had apologised in the house of

people feel angry about what is going on in downing street, i feel angry about what is going on in downing street but the correct process now is to get to the full facts and for the prime minister to appear before parliament, which he will do, and be held to full account. new zealand's prime minister says an underwater volcanic eruption in the southern pacific caused significant damage to the island nation of tonga and some coastal areas are still cut off. now on bbc news, it's dateline london. hello and welcome to dateline, the programme that brings together bbc specialists and the foreign correspondents who write, blog and broadcast to audiences back home from the dateline london. this week, britain's prime minister admits he partied in downing street after all. and he wasn't the only one. is the party over for borisjohnson? milder and less deadly, but what will omicron mean for countries largely unvaccinated 7 and putin's gambit or gamble? joining us are suzanne lynch, brussels correspondent with politico, jeffrey kofman, a former news anchor and correspondent for channels in north amer

at downing street, where he met me _ the garden at downing street, where he met me and — the garden at

here in downing street, we are awaiting j in downing street, we are awaiting borisjohnson in downing er ten on his way to the house of commons to make a statement to colleagues after the partial report from sue gray has been published. it is damning. let's go back to nick eardley, our political correspondent, who is in the houses of parliament. had a bit more information?— the houses of parliament. had a bit more information? yes, 'ust reading throu:h more information? yes, 'ust reading through the — more information? yes, 'ust reading through the report, _ more information? yes, 'ust reading through the report, it _ more information? yes, just reading through the report, it now _ more information? yes, just reading through the report, it now seems i through the report, it now seems there are 12 different events spread over eight separate days that the metropolitan police are looking at as part of their investigation. that is the stuff that sue gray could only talk about in a minimal way after being asked to do so by police. 0ne after being asked to do so by police. one of the one tha

downing street has said if it is past - street has said if it is past evidence to support any allegationsok at it very carefully, but it hasn't seen any yet. mother teresa said they haven't experienced such behaviour. i teresa said they haven't experienced such behaviour.— such behaviour. i have voted against the government _ such behaviour. i have voted against the government on _ such behaviour. i have voted against the government on occasions - such behaviour. i have voted against the government on occasions when i thought it right, and i've also had a very close relationship with the chief whip and a productive relationship with whips, so i'm waiting to hear more about this because it's not something i've seen or been told about.— or been told about. meanwhile the prime minister _ or been told about. meanwhile the prime minister is _ or been told about. meanwhile the prime minister is expected - or been told about. meanwhile the prime minister is expected to - or been told about. meanwhile the | prime minister is expected to spend his weekend calling potential rebels. the senior offic

to the bottom of what happened four weeks and enough evidence about gatherings or parties in downing streetemplate prosecutions. mas street is there for them to contemplate prosecutions. was it ri . ht to contemplate prosecutions. was it right to have _ contemplate prosecutions. was it right to have a — contemplate prosecutions. was it right to have a birthday _ contemplate prosecutions. was it right to have a birthday gathering j right to have a birthday gathering in downing street? more right to have a birthday gathering in downing street?— right to have a birthday gathering in downing street? more than a dozen events, including _ in downing street? more than a dozen events, including a _ in downing street? more than a dozen events, including a celebration - in downing street? more than a dozen events, including a celebration and . events, including a celebration and cake around the cabinet table for the prime minister's that they have emerged. when ministers were there around that same table this morning, borisjohnson made no mention of the police investigation he already had been told a

_ was hosting boozy parties in downing street is_ was hosting boozy parties in downing street.ecent _ street. is he now going to do the decent thing and resign? | street. is he now going to do the decent thing and resign?- decent thing and resign? i regret very much _ decent thing and resign? i regret very much that — decent thing and resign? i regret very much that we _ decent thing and resign? i regret very much that we did _ decent thing and resign? i regret very much that we did not - decent thing and resign? i regret very much that we did not do - decent thing and resign? i regret i very much that we did not do things differently that even in. the very much that we did not do things differently that even in.— differently that even in. the prime minister pretended _ differently that even in. the prime minister pretended that _ differently that even in. the prime minister pretended that he - differently that even in. the prime minister pretended that he had - differently that even in. the prime l minister pretended that he had been assured _ minister pretended that he had be

downing street? i am putting two and two together— downing street?ting two and two together that they _ downing street? i am putting two and two together that they were _ two together that they were instructed _ two together that they were instructed that _ two together that they were instructed that if— two together that they were instructed that if they - two together that they were instructed that if they came| two together that they were - instructed that if they came across anything _ instructed that if they came across anything that — instructed that if they came across anything that looked _ instructed that if they came across anything that looked like - instructed that if they came across anything that looked like a - instructed that if they came across anything that looked like a bee - anything that looked like a bee crimihaiisty, _ anything that looked like a bee criminalisty, it— anything that looked like a bee criminalisty, it was _ anything that looked like a bee criminalisty, it was to - anything that looked like a bee criminalisty, it

was he at the party in downing street in may 2020?ople were invited to enjoy the warm weather and bring their own booze. at the exact same moment, people in scotland and across the uk were living in the most difficult and challenging of restrictions, that people had not been with a loved one when they passed away, couldn't mourn together at a funeral, maybe missed the birth of their child. people gave up so much and they are now seeing, at the same time, those at the top at number 10 were enjoying the weather and having a drink in the garden. you spoke about your frustration last month at the allegations there was a party. you were convinced there was another party. seeing this e—mail come out last night, what was your reaction? well, it makes it clear beyond doubt that there was a party. i mean, you don't bring your own booze to any other type of work event or anything like that. it was very clear from the way it was written, it was for colleagues to have a bit of downtime and enjoy the garden at number 10. but nhs staff didn't get t

while the prime minister was partying at downing street. if the prime minister so contempts you of the british public he think he is can just ride this out? >> mr. speaker, i heard the testimony of the honorable member opposite and i -- i shar. it was deeply moving. nobody who heard that could fail to have been moved. and i know that people up and down the country have made huge sacrifices throughout this pandemic, mr. speaker and i understand the anger, the rage that they feel at the thought that people in downing street were not following those rules. i regret -- i regret the way the event i have described was handled. i bitterly regret it and wish we could have done things differently. and i have and will continue to apologize for what we did. but mr. speaker, he must wait for the inquiry which will report as soon as possible. >> mr. speaker, when the prime minister's former health secretary broke the rules, he resigned. and the prime minister said he was right to do so. when the prime minister's spokesperson laugh about the rules being

as you can see, we have come to downing street.ure continueso pile on boris johnson to quit. >> you have sat there too long for the good you have done. in the name of god, go. >> doesn't the country deserve so much better than this out of touch, out of ideas, and sue to be out of office prime minister? ros: it was a dramaticrime minister's questions, as you can tell, not least because one conservative mp defected to the opposition. boris johnson continues to defend his record. prime minister johnson: we have more people in employment, more employees on the payroll there and there were before the pandemic began. that is what my staff have been working on in downing street. ros: some are refusing -- accusing boris johnson of misleading. the leader of the scottish conservatives says the number of letters needed to oust the prime minister is close. 54 would be needed to trigger a leadership vote. also, we will see how boris johnson reach this level of political peril. his career has set up a downs, but he is prime minister. he is a pol

i of changing the culture within downing street?— downing street?treet? i think he is capable of doing _ downing street? i think he is capable of doing that - downing street? i think he is capable of doing that and i i downing street? i think he is i capable of doing that and i think we need to look at this in the context of so many other important decisions that the prime minister has taken. let's not forget that during this enormously difficult period for all of us, and particularly for him who was at the top of the pile in terms of taking decisions, a lot of right decisions were taken, the vaccine roll—out was the best in europe, one of the best in the world, over £400 billion was made available to individuals and companies so that the economy could be sustainable to allow us to have economic growth that we are now having, the fastest growing economy in the g7, and importantly, there are more people in work now than before the pandemic. we also have more vacancies now than before the pandemic. i think certainly this is a prime minister who has ta

there have been strong words coming out of downing street, _ strong words coming out of downing streetsands of people could die, is essentially the risk here, — people could die, is essentially the risk here, if— people could die, is essentially the risk here, if putin pushes ahead. we are going to end with the telegraph. set to be pushed back, vaccine for blind. this with the telegraph. set to be pushed back, vaccine for blind.— back, vaccine for blind. this is the compulsory _ back, vaccine for blind. this is the compulsory policy _ back, vaccine for blind. this is the compulsory policy for _ back, vaccine for blind. this is the compulsory policy for any - back, vaccine for blind. this is the compulsory policy for any nhs - back, vaccine for blind. this is the l compulsory policy for any nhs staff and angling. all staff would have to be vaccinated by the beginning of april, meaning the 3rd of february is the deadline to have the first dose. it's not the 80,000 staff in the nhs are unvaccinated. there are questions around how effective this policy is. and how it can be. there's one su

. w' followed lockdown rules in downing street. . ~ followed lockdown rules in downing street.d lockdown rules in downing street. ., ., ., ministers will meet today to decide whether to scrap mandatory covid vaccinations for health workers in england. around 77,000 nhs staff still haven't had a jab, though not all of them will be in contact with patients. the government had said that all frontline workers would need to have a firstjab by this thursday, with a second by april when the mandatory requirement would take effect. unions have warned that the policy could lead to staff shortages at a time when services are under extreme pressure. here's our health correspondentjim reed. it has been a controversial policy. there have been warnings that thousands of nhs staff, only in england, could leave or be dismissed for refusing to be vaccinated. this morning, though, signs of a possible u—turn. mil morning, though, signs of a possible u-turn. �* . u-turn. all health care professionals - u-turn. all health care professionals should . u-turn. all health care i professionals should ge

i'm ben brown live in downing street.icial inquiry into gatherings at downing street and in whitehall during lockdown is believed to be complete — and could be submitted to number 10 within hours. it's understood the senior civil servant, sue gray, has evidence including photographs and whatsapp messages, and wants the report to be published in full. borisjohnson is due in the commons later for prime minister's questions and has also pledged to respond to the report in front of mps once it is published. it comes after the metropolitan police has announced it is launching its own investigation. our first report today comes from our political correspondent, ione wells. can the prime minister bounce back from this? reporter: are you going to have to resign? - for many tory mps, their answer depends on what's in sue gray's reports into parties that took place behind these doors, and across whitehall, during coronavirus restrictions. yesterday, confirmation some evidence she has found was enough to warrant a police investigati

when the whole country was in lockdown, he was hosting boozy parties in downing street.ow going to do the decent thing and resign? i regret very much... i regret very much that we did not do things differently that evening. the prime minister pretended that he had been assured there were no parties. now it turns out he was at the parties all along. can't the prime minister see why the british public think he's lying through his teeth? mr speaker, it's up to the right honourable gentleman to choose how he conducts himself in this place... laughter there was derision — laughter — at the prime minister's defence. six questions later, election—winner borisjohnson looked defeated. this is notjust a westminster drama. it is exactly midday, we are heading over to westminster... it was the must—watch from the morning sofa — the country seeing repeated calls for borisjohnson to quit. will the prime minister, for the good of the country, accept that the party is over and decide to resign? do the decent thing and resign. do the honourable thing and resign. and he must resign. and t

downing it street. and when to be i downing it street.n to be nice to enjoy the lovely weather? this is after matt hancock, the health secretary, the culture secretary and the police were telling people that they could not meet more than one person outdoors. and i'm tempted to say, not another one. this is not an election, it's another gathering. and it's very hard for downing street, or should we now call it downing it street. to argue about this and it seems it's actually one of the top aides of the prime minister come i think his name is martin reynolds and so, a senior civil servant who launched this invitation and there were some people who question how wise this was an one person would say, is this for real? so, bring your own booze i'm tempted to say, how many more gatherings are we going to hear about and if the government and the prime minister says that at all times, they're following the rules, was expected to move on in 2022, if this is moving on? will be interesting to see what consequences thereof this ongoing investigation.

we know that a number of people have left downing street people who used to work at downing street of left over the last 12 months. and potentially the source is a bit more loosely now from the months ago. and okay. okay. there were 100 people invited to that down the street party that more people than i'm going to invite my 3rd year this year. and secondly, one of the parties was held as a leaving drink for james black, who was director communications downing street. what was his next job was deck the editor of the time, one of the biggest newspapers in the country. i asked mike running this, made the point that i knew the media didn't though. yeah. is this frankly risible. i me. so what british, why mr. saying right now is, let's wait for the inquiry. can you remind us what this inquiry is and when will we find out about its findings? yeah, well, we're hoping that we'll find out the ins and outs of this inquiry within the coming days. although sue gray, who's the top civil servant task with, with doing the inquiry is clearly getting more more information dumped in a inbox which may

the prime minister is being urged to lead or step aside, following the controversy over downing street gatherings while covid restrictions were in place. the call comes from senior conservative mp and former minister, tobias ellwood. a number of tory backbenchers say they've been inundated with messages from angry constituents, about the growing list of parties, dating back to the spring of 2020. labour says it's now in the national interest for mrjohnson to be removed from office. our political correspondent, iain watson, reports. borisjohnson has come under renewed pressure following number 10's apology to buckingham palace over a leaving do held last year on the eve of the duke of edinburgh's funeral. so today the labour leader urged conservative mps to force him out. of course there's a party advantage in him going, but actually it's now in the national interest that he goes, so it's very important that the tory party does what it needs to do and gets rid of him. usually when opposition mps call for a prime minister to go, the troops rally round, but today the conservative chairman

did the prime minister attend the event in the downing street garden on 20th may 2020?er, to blame this on a few junior civil servants. the prime minister sets the tone. 0thers remembered the lives lost during the pandemic... just last week 3,000 people who followed the rules and grieve today, including my mother—in—law who died alone... ..and the pain of separation from loved ones. it's what happened to lisa's family. her brother graham was in intensive care on the date the downing street party took place. he died a few days later, but relatives couldn't be with him or grieve together. instead of holding my mum, i was holding my phone, filming my brother dying. people sacrificed so much. people died sticking to the rules, and they broke those rules to have a bottle of wine. senior conservatives are angry, too. if he's broken the law that is serious, and if he's misled parliament, i've been very clear before, notjust the prime minister, but anyone who misleads parliament cannot continue and therefore he would have to resign. very few conservative mps have been willing t