_ a boris johnson were to sack matt hancock to — a boris johnson were to sack matt hancock to move himifferent job, then i — hancock to move him to a different job, then i think it would encourage the perception that borisjohnson hirnself— the perception that borisjohnson himself was at fault, and that dominic— himself was at fault, and that dominic cummings criticisms are valid _ dominic cummings criticisms are valid so — dominic cummings criticisms are valid so i — dominic cummings criticisms are valid. so i think the risk for boris johnson — valid. so i think the risk for boris johnson is — valid. so i think the risk for boris johnson is that if he is saying matt hancock _ johnson is that if he is saying matt hancock got it wrong committed a essentially monstrous thing i got it wrong _ essentially monstrous thing i got it wrong to— essentially monstrous thing i got it wrong to a — essentially monstrous thing i got it wrong to a. | essentially monstrous thing i got it wron: to a. , , essentially monstrous thing i got it wrong to a— wrong to a. i suppose, rosa, you know this — wrong t

i don't agree with that, matt hancock i individual, matt hancock?cock is one of the hardest working cabinet members we have had, a huge responsibility he had, very difficult decision making. this would have tested any government. have you ever known him to lie? trio. have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't, have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't. not— have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't. not at _ have you ever known him to lie? no, i haven't, not at all— have you ever known him to lie? iifr, i haven't, not at all ever and that is why i don't really want to get involved in this score settling, comments were made. it is a distraction away from the very wide element that absolutely we do need to learn from. still far from out of this pandemic yet, the engine variant reminds us that there is still a long way to go. {lilia variant reminds us that there is still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, _ still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, thank _ still a long way to go. 0k, tobias ellwood mp, thank you _ still a long way

with and the allegations against matt hancock which _ allegations against matt hancock which range fromfrom everything from failure for —— ppe to lying to the payments— failure for —— ppe to lying to the payments or multiple times, including doing things to bolster his ego. — including doing things to bolster his ego, devastating array of stuff. everything — his ego, devastating array of stuff. everything that we did know isjust all that— everything that we did know isjust all that extraordinary technicolor. as analogies from independence day, from hollywood films that's highly colourful— from hollywood films that's highly colourful language that we won't repeat _ colourful language that we won't repeat here on the bbc news channel, and you've _ repeat here on the bbc news channel, and you've got a real sense, certaihly _ and you've got a real sense, certaihly i _ and you've got a real sense, certainly i thought in the run—up to the march — certainly i thought in the run—up to the march lockdown ofjust the pandemonium, chaos and total terror that transfixed the entire government as they

i matt hancock's performance in the commons? ., matt hancock's performance in the commons? from the usual suspects like sir peter bottomley, who is nobody�*s patsy who made an incredibly supportive statement towards matt hancock. evenjonathan ashworth, the shadow secretary of state, failed to land too many blows on matt hancock. he asked very detailed questions but i think matt hancock can look back on that performance and be very pleased. it doesn't take away obviously what doesn�*t take away obviously what dominic cummings said yesterday and he was right at the heart of everything that was happening and he has said that the performance of the government was not good enough basically, saying that the health secretary should have been sacked 15 to 20 times, borisjohnson and not up to 20 times, borisjohnson and not up to thejob, to 20 times, borisjohnson and not up to the job, and there will be a lot of anger out there amongst those who lost loved ones. he said there were thousands of deaths that should have been avoidable. what is the power of dominic cummings now in terms

clearly the heat is still on matt hancock _ off?he heat is still on matt hancock who _ off? clearly the heat is still on matt hancock who was - off? clearly the heat is still oni matt hancock who was singled off? clearly the heat is still on - matt hancock who was singled out for fierce criticism by dominic cummings yesterday. we have seen the health secretary issue a broad denial in response to the allegations made, but there are big specific questions he still needs to answer in detail, particularly around the decision around testing in care homes. mr hancock will be answering questions in the press conference later. the fallout goes far beyond just the health secretary. this engulfs a whole system of government that dominic cummings said was woefully unprepared for the pandemic and then made a series of lethal mistakes over many months. the labour leader sia kier starmer said this paints a picture that had borisjohnson at the centre, and that the buck stops with him. a full public inquiry has been promised, labour says that canno

yes, matt hancock will be in the house of. ihe — government are in a mood to do a line by line rebuttal of everything domihic— line by line rebuttal of everything dominic cummings said. in terms of the prime— dominic cummings said. in terms of the prime minister, he will be visiting — the prime minister, he will be visiting a _ the prime minister, he will be visiting a hospital today. then he will spehd — visiting a hospital today. then he will spend the rest of the day having — will spend the rest of the day having meetings about covid. in other— having meetings about covid. in other words, having meetings about covid. in otherwords, in having meetings about covid. in other words, in the words of a downing — other words, in the words of a downing street source, he is getting on with— downing street source, he is getting on with the — downing street source, he is getting on with the job. they also very pointedly— on with the job. they also very pointedly pointed out that all of this will— pointedly pointed out that all of this

back on the prime minister, and actually, i think it suits boris johnson at the moment to have matt hancockal an . er. �* hancock being the focus of political an . er. ~ ., , ., hancock being the focus of political anuer. ~ ., , ., , ,, anger. and nowhere better to express this than on — anger. and nowhere better to express this than on the _ anger. and nowhere better to express this than on the front _ anger. and nowhere better to express this than on the front of _ anger. and nowhere better to express this than on the front of the _ anger. and nowhere better to express this than on the front of the daily - this than on the front of the daily mirror, which has got photographs of eight people who died in care homes or residential care, all of whom according to their families died because other people came into those homes with covid. it's a powerful way of making the case, isn't it, for the critics?— way of making the case, isn't it, for the critics? yes, this is such a owerful for the critics? yes, this is such a powerful front — for the critics? yes, this is such a powerful front page. _

so matt hancock, you might— relationship. so matt hancock, you might have — relationship. until an inquiry commensurate there will be _ until an inquiry commensurate there will be all— until an inquiry commensurate there will be all sorts of moves and changes— will be all sorts of moves and changes there. sol will be all sorts of moves and changes there. so i don't know if matt— changes there. so i don't know if matt hancock will be employed forever. — matt hancock will be employed forever, but i doubt that the prime minister— forever, but i doubt that the prime minister well want to give his old frenemy— minister well want to give his old frenemy and now outraged foe, dominic— frenemy and now outraged foe, dominic cummings, that scalp. that— dominic cummings, that scalp. that is— dominic cummings, that scalp. that is an — dominic cummings, that scalp. that is an interesting point. listen, so much and that seven hour testimony yesterday that some of it was completely glossed over. so i wanted to come back to his testimony about march 12, that day when it was all going to h

again, this morning, matt hancock said it's notjust this morning, matt hancock said it's not just abouttt hancock said it's notjust about testing done in the countries, but they went on the proportion of people testing positive when they arrived in the uk. when pakistan went on the red list, that proportion was much higher than people arriving from india. when that started to go up, that was when they put it on the red list. a bit more of an explanation about the thinking. that might not necessarily calm fears about importing variants and, of course, tomorrow international travel is due tomorrow international travel is due to resume. here's what yvette cooper, the labour chair of the select committee has said about that. i select committee has said about that. ~' ,., , that. i think the government needs to slow down _ that. i think the government needs to slow down its _ that. i think the government needs to slow down its plans. _ that. i think the government needs to slow down its plans. i _ that. i think the government needs to slow down its plans. i don't - to slow down its plans. i

he dislikes matt hancock, so he's gone for matt hancock.e symonds. he's gone for her. why has he not gone for those people who he likes who are his... he still likes? it's a very, very... we must interrogate the evidence that he said, which is so inflammatory. take it very seriously, but ask always the question, what has he said? why has he said it? and what has he not said? . �* , , , said? that's interesting. it will be interestin: said? that's interesting. it will be interesting to _ said? that's interesting. it will be interesting to see _ said? that's interesting. it will be interesting to see michael - said? that's interesting. it will be interesting to see michael gove, l said? that's interesting. it will be . interesting to see michael gove, who were led to believe was involved with the process. dominic cummings�*s boss when he was in the cameron government. the connections we could explore, in terms of trying to take this out a little bit, comparing with other administrations, a lot of this criticism could be made of a lot of gover

has said there is — was that of course, matt hancock has said there is no _ was that of course, mattated allegations around honesty. so he wanted to refute what dominic cummings said but did not want to get drawn into the detail, labour as you are hearing saying, look, there are still serious questions to answer. matt hancock clear that he wants to focus, as he sees it, on still guiding the uk through the rest of the pandemic, ensuring the vaccine roll—out is completed. he had a message earlier for people, roll—out is completed. he had a message earlierfor people, again urging people to get their second jab if they haven't already, pointing towards evidence in bolton that showed that people with covid in hospital at the moment in bolton were those who had not had two doses of the vaccination, and i'm sure he will keen to trumpet the pace of the vaccine roll—out and likely talk about what the situation is, as we have seen a slight rise in case numbers. but yes, there are still questions for the health secretary matt hancock, and the prime minister too, who was also keen to try to draw

but he certainly does not like matt hancock but he _ certainly does not like matt hancock but he didd job during the pandemic, particularly around this issue _ pandemic, particularly around this issue of— pandemic, particularly around this issue of testing patients before the move _ issue of testing patients before the move to _ issue of testing patients before the move to care homes. and a lot has turned _ move to care homes. and a lot has turned up — move to care homes. and a lot has turned up at — move to care homes. and a lot has turned up at shows, or at least shows— turned up at shows, or at least shows that _ turned up at shows, or at least shows that there was no mention of testing _ shows that there was no mention of testing when patients were discharged from hospital and then the care _ discharged from hospital and then the care homes. that seems like a very serious — the care homes. that seems like a very serious omission and perhaps, but in _ very serious omission and perhaps, but in the _ very serious omission and perhaps, but in the most interesting things about— but in

but matt hancock hit back. unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true. - also in this programme, the long wait for dental appointments, and should we all have lessons in pavement courtesy? but first, covid has killed almost 128,000 people in the uk. tens of thousands of them needlessly. many in care homes. that's according to the prime minister's closest adviser during the early months of the pandemic. in explosive evidence to mp5, dominic cummings painted a picture of a chaotic government that failed to take the virus seriously at first, a government led by someone who was unfit to be prime minister with a health secretary who should have been sacked for repeatedly lying. he spent seven hours facing questions from the health and the science and technology committees. and he began with an apology. the truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis like this. when t

matt hancock. covid continues to dominate politics throughout the uk.st minister has been challenged over his government's plans to ease restrictions. unlike in england, there's no equivalent date tojune 21st when restrictions are due to end. mark drakeford was answering questions for the first time since the senedd elections. what is the first minister's view on the regulations that the events sectors in particular will have to deal with going forward, when we know other parts of the united kingdom have a date ofjune 21st? i appreciate that date might move, first minister. move, so are you able to offer us any view of the way the welsh government see things panning out in the late summer and early autumn with the restrictions that the events sector and the hospitality sector have to operate here in wales? it is a very important point that the member raises about hospitality and events sector, and i wish i could give them a more definite answer than i'm able to. we moved to level two restrictions. the cabinet will be considering this week and next wheth

matt hancock, that ministers have to follow. matt hancock. a — that ministers have to follow.do with a company - conflict of interest? yes. this is all to do with a company that i conflict of interest? yes. this is i all to do with a company that matt hancock's sister doll, you might remember earlier this year and some stories emerged emerged that company being given a contract by the nhs of wales which mr hancock has nothing to do with but was also given a place on a list of preferred suppliers by the nhs in england. now, they report finds that mr hancock did declare his interest in the company this year at the right time and whether that should have actually happened earlier when this company was given that preferred status as a supplier to the nhs. and he finds that there was a technical breach of the ministerial code. basically an accidental breach, not something the minister had intended to do. but he basically did not follow the rules because he had not realised what those wills were. that's according to the wording of this reports. set up a technical breach of the rules

i dominic cummings versus matt hancock? ~' ., , dominic cummings versus matt hancock? ere may be a sense that _ hancock? i think there may be a sense that the _ hancock? i think there may be a sense that the immediate - hancock? i think there may be a sense that the immediate sort l hancock? i think there may be a| sense that the immediate sort of danger, the immediate criticisms, will now be fading, because we are moving into the end of the week, the weekend, then we will have a sort of lowell in the politics around this, but that will only be for a time. —— lull for it will not be until there is a full inquiry, that is a long time away, many many months away and the pandemic can use to run its course. these questions will continue, and as you say, they are important, because for many of the many people who lost relatives and loved ones, particularly in care homes but in other situations too, they have many questions that they want answered, and that issue in particular, about how and why so many died in care homes in the first and second waves, will i think be one tha

he has the full backing of the prime minister but questions for matt hancock certainly continue. rtainly continue. ben wright, thank you. _ we can talk about at the latest vaccine to receive approval. our medical editor fergus walsh is here. the fourth vaccine for the uk. the janssen vaccine, _ the fourth vaccine for the uk. the janssen vaccine, a _ the fourth vaccine for the uk. tue janssen vaccine, a single the fourth vaccine for the uk. tte janssen vaccine, a single dose the fourth vaccine for the uk. ttj: janssen vaccine, a single dose covid vaccine, 67% effective against preventing covid infection. 85% against severe disease, so a really useful vaccine. we don't know how effective it is against the indian variant. it can be stored at fridge temperature and is quite similar to the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, it uses the same technology. but who will get it, that's the question. doseis will get it, that's the question. dose is not available yet, around 20 million doses will become available in the second half of the year. but the jcvi, the in the second half of the year. but th

matt hancock.tary has told mps that incidents of anti—semitism have risen by more than 300% in a week. robertjenrick led universal condemnation across the commons after a video appeared to show a convoy of cars with palestinian flags driving through jewish areas of north london at the weekend, with a man allegedly shouting anti—semitic abuse from a megaphone. four men have been arrested. the incident comes as conflict between israel and palestinian militants continues. no one could fail to be appalled by the disgraceful scenes of anti—semitic abuse being directed at members of the jewish community in the past week. in chigwell, rabbi rafi goodwin was hospitalised after being attacked outside his synagogue. in london, activists drove through golders green and finchley, both areas with largejewish populations, apparently shouting anti—semitic abuse through a megaphone. these are intimidatory, racist and extremely serious crimes. a conservative wanted assurances from the government. what protections a

the the barbs at matt hancock came again and aain. ,, . ., , ., the barbs at matt hancock came againte for health should _ and again. the secretary of state for health should have _ and again. the secretary of state for health should have been - and again. the secretary of state i for health should have been fired for health should have been fired for at _ for health should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody. gr including lying to everybody. <1) specifically come on what happened in care homes, where thousands died. the government rhetoric once we put a shield _ the government rhetoric once we put a shield around care homes and blah blah blah. _ a shield around care homes and blah blah blah. it— a shield around care homes and blah blah blah, it was complete nonsense. listen _ blah blah, it was complete nonsense. listen to _ blah blah, it was complete nonsense. listen to weather the denials were quite so complete today.— quite so complete today. these unsubstantiated _ quite so complete today. these unsubstantiated allegations - quite so complete

he said i he holds matt hancock responsible as well. he holds matt hancock responsible as welt thereeen 36,275 deaths involving covid—19 in uk care - well. there have been 36,275 deathsj involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised — involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to — involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect— involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect them - involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect them but- involving covid—19 in uk care homes. he promised to protect them but hel he promised to protect them but he didn't— he promised to protect them but he didn't and _ he promised to protect them but he didn't and today _ he promised to protect them but he didn't and today you _ he promised to protect them but he didn't and today you dodge - he promised to protect them but he. didn't and today you dodge questions from mps _ didn't and today you dodge questions from mps about— didn't and today you dodge questions from mps about the _ didn't and today you dodge questions from mps about the specifics - didn't

health secretary matt hancock. _ responsibility. health secretary matt hancock. l matt hancock. some government critics saying part of the reason the indian variant is here in the first place is because the government was slow to stop flights from india. , ., , , ., ., from india. they only put india on the red list _ from india. they only put india on the red list on _ from india. they only put india on the red list on april— from india. they only put india on the red list on april the _ from india. they only put india on the red list on april the 23rd, - from india. they only put india on| the red list on april the 23rd, with pakistan and bangladesh going on around april the 9th, so some criticism the government waited too long to do that, labour saying it was not inevitable that we ended up in this situation. ministers have been pushing back pretty strongly, saying that, at the time when it went on the red list, but was six days before this variant became a variant under investigation and a week before it became much more serious variant of concern. others hav

he doesn't rate matt hancock much, either. i said repeatedly to the prime minister that he should be fired. plenty of ammunition for the labour leader at prime minister's questions, where borisjohnson fights back. he continues to play these pointless political games, whilst we get on with delivering on the people's priorities. also in this programme: a cycling minister speaks out about a new form of transport. i know how frightening it is, actually, just on the road i to be approached by one of these e—scooters. - but first: dominic cummings' explosive evidence to mps on the government's handling of the pandemic. the prime minister's former adviser told them tens of thousands of people had died needlessly, borisjohnson was unfit to be prime minister, and matt hancock should have been sacked as health secretary for repeatedly lying. he spent seven hours in front of the health and the science and technology committees. and he began with an apology. the truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fel

i matt hancock, the health secretary, also said _ matt hancock, the health secretary, also said in— mattny targets— this week. mr cummings had many targets in— this week. mr cummings had many targets in his demolition of the government's covid strategy, a strategy— government's covid strategy, a strategy he was at the heart for many _ strategy he was at the heart for many months. we had strong words for the minister~ _ many months. we had strong words for the minister. but it was matt hancock, _ the minister. but it was matt hancock, the health secretary, who received _ hancock, the health secretary, who received some of the fiercest criticism~ _ received some of the fiercest criticism. mr cummings said there were _ criticism. mr cummings said there were 15_ criticism. mr cummings said there were 15 to — criticism. mr cummings said there were 15 to 20 occasions he felt mr hancock _ were 15 to 20 occasions he felt mr hancock should have been sacked. he accused _ hancock should have been sacked. he accused him, using parliamentary privilege. — accused him, using parliamentary privilege, of

— think they are praying, i think matt hancock is — think they are praying, i think matt hancock is prayingl-out can — hancock is praying that the vaccine roll—out can beat this. but i would not want — roll—out can beat this. but i would not want to — roll—out can beat this. but i would not want to be counting on it if i was him — not want to be counting on it if i was him. . ~ not want to be counting on it if i was him. . ,, ., ., , ., , ., was him. talk about that story that ou was him. talk about that story that you mentioned _ was him. talk about that story that you mentioned in _ was him. talk about that story that you mentioned in a _ was him. talk about that story that you mentioned in a second - was him. talk about that story that you mentioned in a second but - was him. talk about that story that you mentioned in a second but the| you mentioned in a second but the government did say and it's very easy to forget this when you are really hoping for things to improve that these were the earliest dates that these were the earliest dates that things would change. so it does or is it wis

what we don't know is whether or not matt hancock actually made that promise. do have is matt hancock going on the record with this very carefully phrased answer. have a listen, and i think the first sentence here is the key thing. of course, we committed, | and i committed to getting the policy in place, but it took time - to build the testing. we didn't start with a big | testing system in the uk, and then we built that testing - system and that is why the 100,000 target was so important - because it really accelerated the availability of testing. "i committed to delivering that policy" — now, you could hear that multiple ways, couldn't you? you could. anyone would imagine he might be a politician. yeah. you could, you could hear it as him saying, "well, i'm not denying that i made that promise", or you could hear it as him saying, "of course i didn't make that promise because that would have been ridiculous to make because at that point, we all knew there weren't enough tests." or he could have been saying, or he could have meant, "i did mean that promise, b

it comes as health secretary matt hancock continues to face pressure.e. there was no protective shield. we know that, we were working the floor. if there had been a protective shield, there would have been a plan to support the most vulnerable people, the people that we look after. ministers say their attention is on the vaccine roll—out. this afternoon, a new single dose jab made by the american firm janssen has been approved in the uk with 20 million doses on order. the government says it remains on track to offer all adults a vaccine by the end ofjuly. jim reed, bbc news. let�*s turn our attention to a different story here tonight. a cryptocurrency "mine" which was stealing electricity worth thousands of pounds, has been uncovered in the west midlands. police saiy they believed illegal drugs were being housed at the industrial estate, after receiving a tip off that the site was being used as a cannabis farm — but they instead found a bitcoin mining operation. the good news is that rory cellanjones is here. he is our technology correspondent, and that

the health secreatry, matt hancock, is under growing pressure over the deaths of care home residentsal. but mr hancock says the allegations are unsubstantiated and untrue. he also says ministers "worked as hard" as they could to place a "protective shield" around care homes. nadra ahmed is the head of the national care association and disputes that. she was on question time last night. absolutely not. it's absolute rubbish. there was no shield around. i think that was an utterance that came about in a form of embarrassment, perhaps, because nothing had been done for social care. well, it's an utterance that he's repeated a number of times, nadra. i mean, do you think... do you think... a number of people have said this, but i'm just wondering, do you think he should resign, then? i don't think it's a resigning matter, and it's not for me to decide. i think it's about ensuring that we talk about the issues, rather than think about uttering things that are untrue. that is not true. there was no protective shield. we know that. we were working the floor. if there had been a protective s

matt hancock speaking _ transmission poses a real risk.king in _ transmission poses a real risk. matt hancock speaking in the house of commons. we've been talking to business owners all day here. there is no doubt about the importance of today from a financial perspective. i talked to the manager —— i'll talk to the manager and the few minutes. nina wore hers has more on today's opening. morning! looks amazing. 7am and jackie is back. a regular at gran t's cafe, she has bought takeaway here over lockdown, but being back, sitting in what's known as jackie's corner, is so much better. it'sjust lovely. i mean, i used to be a regular sitting here in the morning, doing my crossword in my paper, and just generally chatting with the staff, they are amazing staff, i class them as friends now. much of it is what we are now used to, masks on, hand sanitiser on arrival and registering your details, either through the app or on pen and paper, but here's where things are very different from today. you will be able to sit down, indoors, take your mask o

two years a ministers from the devolved governments have been appearing earlier this week, but matt hancockthis very tragic scandal go right back to the 19705 and 805, before devolution, so ultimately it will be the uk government that has to face up to the consequences of this inquiry. the 5aga which saw tens of thousands infected after their treatment with contaminated blood products, they were infected with hiv and hepatitis c, and it is thought 3,000 have died. now, victim5 thought 3,000 have died. now, victims and their families have thought 3,000 have died. now, victims and theirfamilie5 have been receiving financial assistance, but they say what is crucial i5 they say what is crucial is compensation. than i5 compensating for loss of earnings, a life brought short, all the consequences of being treated with these contaminated blood products and it is only recently that the government has acknowledged that compensation will have to be paid out, and some sort of net framework will have to be established to ensure that is ready to go, when the inquiry report5 its findings next year. but w

over care homes. . . questions for matt hancock over care homes. ., ., ., ., , ., , questions for matthomes. yeah, and again this does go back. as you — homes. yeah, and again this does go back. as you say. _ homes. yeah, and again this does go back, as you say, two _ homes. yeah, and again this does go back, as you say, two dominic- back, as you say, two dominic cummings' evidence to the select committee, where he very much pointed the finger at matt hancock, the health secretary, and his handling of his department and hospitals and the nhs during the pandemic. this story saying that man hancock is facing even more questions over the spread of covid to care homes and it has emerged that guidance from the department of health ordered hospitals to discharge patients without mentioning any need to test them first. and of course we know that very, very many elderly people died in care homes because they were discharged from hospitals without being tested for whether or not they had covid—i9 coming out of hospitals into care homes, and of course they then also unfortunately and sadly infec

mr cummings accuses matt hancock of "criminal. disgraceful behaviour".

the barbs at matt hancock came again and again...state for health should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody. or, specifically, on what happened in care homes, where thousands died... the government rhetoric was, "we put a shield around care homes" and blah blah blah" — it was complete nonsense. listen to whether the denials were quite so complete today... these unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, and that i've been straight with people, in public and in private, throughout. is he ashamed that he promised a protective shield around care i homes, and over 30,000 care home residents have died? _ why were 25,000 elderly people . discharged from hospitals into care homes without any tests? questions will continue, though, whether in the commons, or here, at the department of health, especially around what happened in our care homes, behind closed doors. because, from early on, there were public calls, from care home managers and mp5, for a harder look at what was going wrong, or t

there was a blistering attack on the performance of the health secretary matt hancock, who was accusedrepeatedly, but the prime minister refused to sack him. and on the wider context of the handling of the pandemic, he said there were major failures from the start, and a realisation that there was no serious plan for lockdown or for protecting society s most vulnerable people. our political editor laura kuenssberg listened to the session. her report contains some strong language used in today's exchanges. reality or revenge? delving back into troubled recent history, dominic cummings day to give his version of events. a verdict of failure and an apology for his part. senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me failed disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect. when the public needed us most, the government failed and i'd like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily, how sorry i am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that. the government's position at the start was it was well prepared. but he revea

that is the health secretary, matt hancock.s say that's part of the reason why the indian variant to see in the first place because the government was slow to stop flights from india. yes, they only put india on the red list from april the 23rd whereas other countries went on much earlier. there's been criticism that the government waited too long to do that. labour said it was not inevitable that we have ended up in this situation. ministers have been pushing back quite strongly and that this morning. they said at the time when it went on the red list, that was six days before this variant became a variant under investigation and another week before it became that much more serious variant of concern. other people have said they were more case numbers in india, shouldn't that be enough? again, this morning, matt hancock said it's not just about testing done in the countries, but they went on the proportion of people testing positive when they arrived in the uk. when pakistan went on the red list, that proportion was much highe

matt hancock said he understood what families had endured.he pain and the suffering, not only of the initial...the errors that led to this harm on people's lives, but also a sense that redress wasn't properly considered and that people felt their voices weren't heard. and then to the crucial issue of compensation... i respect the process of the inquiry, and i will respect its recommendations. and should the inquiry�*s recommendations point to compensation, then, of course, we will pay compensation. for sue, that was significant, but she has reservations. it's a huge move but, of course, if they actually decide to pay compensation, if they decide to hinge it on what the inquiry decides, that gives them another two years, three years before they have to find a penny. the inquiry will last for at least another year, so the long wait for official recognition of their losses will continue for a while yet. hugh pym, bbc news. now on bbc news, afghanistan is in the grip of a new and sinister campaign of violence, in which young professionals — often

the barbs at matt hancock came again and again.ate for health should've been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody. or, specifically, on what happened in care homes, where thousands died... the government rhetoric was, "we put a shield around care homes and blah blah blah" — it was complete nonsense. listen to whether the denials were quite so complete today. these unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, and that i've been straight with people, in public and in private, throughout. is he ashamed that he promised a protective shield around care i homes, and over 30,000 care home residents have died? _ why were 25,000 elderly people . discharged from hospitals into care homes without any tests? questions will continue, though, whether in the commons, or here at the department of health, especially around what happened in our care homes behind closed doors. because from early on, there were public calls from care home managers and mps for a harder look at what was going wrong or to get more te

you think matt hancock should _ have been saved. his position? i hancock should be considering his osition? ~ ., hancock should be considering his osition? ~' ., ., ., ., position? i think there are a lot of --eole position? i think there are a lot of people who _ position? i think there are a lot of people who ought _ position? i think there are a lot of people who ought to _ position? i think there are a lot of people who ought to be _ position? i think there are a lot of. people who ought to be considering their positions in view of the multiple failings, certainly to say there was a protective ring, as i have said, it was completely inaccurate and inappropriate and if what dominic cummings has been saying about effectively misleading the prime minister and the cabinet about the testing that had been carried out and the ten to 15 other lies that he raised, clearly he needs to consider his position, but he is not the only one, there needs to be proper analysis of what happened so that blame can be attributed and assessed in the ho

. >> earlier he took aim at e health secretary matt hancock. mr.mings accused him of a cover-up and a failure to set up an adequate testing system. >> the secretary of state for healthhould have been fired for at least 15 or 20 things, including two lying everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting. >> a spokesperson for matt hancock has rejected mr. mmings claim saying "the secretary of state for health and everyone in the department has worked incredibly hard in unprecedented circumstances to save lives. the health secretary will continue to work closely with the prime minister to deliver the vaccine rollout, tackle the various -- the variants, and support the social care center to recover from the pandemic mr. hancock -- from the pandemic." >> the handling of this pandemic is 1 -- has been one of the most difficult things this country has done for a long time. it is traumatic to deal with the pandemic on the scale. it has been appallingly difficult. we have tried to minimize loss of life and followed the best scientific advice we ca

they have taken their cue from matt hancock who said today that of the 90 people in hospital in boltoncine but only one dose. i think nobody had had two doses. of the other 14, they have been invited but had not taken it out. so invited but had not taken it out. so invited but to actually get those people and say now you see that if you are vaccinated, you are protected and now they understand. and that's what the word was today.— the word was today. when he was ressed, the word was today. when he was pressed. he _ the word was today. when he was pressed, he said _ the word was today. when he was pressed, he said one _ the word was today. when he was pressed, he said one person - the word was today. when he was pressed, he said one person had. the word was today. when he was i pressed, he said one person had had two doses but he was very frail. but the general point is fair about the number people and the impact of vaccination. what do you make of it? is the headline a little bit unkind? is the headline a little bit unkind? i don't think so. good evening, henry~ — i don't think so. goo

the health secretary, matt hancock, today said that vaccinations would replace restrictions as the uk'srategy against the virus — and that early data suggested vaccines are effective against the variant. our first report is from our political correspondent chris mason. on the eve of life tiptoeing one step closer to normality in england, scotland and wales, this was bolton today, hundreds of people one step closer to a jab in a hotspot for the so—called indian variant of the virus. not that concerned. should be ok with, hopefully, the vaccine to squash it. very concerned, but hopefully with the injections, we'll be fine. do you think the government should continue to open up from tomorrow? yeah, i think as long i as everyone's cautious and follows the rules, then yeah, i think it's| important, definitely. of the 18 people in hospital in bolton with the indian variant, most had not had a vaccine. but... there are five people who have ended up in hospital having had one jab, and this is why it's so important to get the second jab. so, nobody who's had two has...? well, we think there's on

mr cummings accuses matt hancock of "criminal. disgraceful behaviour".hat the secretary of state for health should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody, in multiple occasions. he says borisjohnson was fundamentally "unfit for the job" — but the prime minister defends his record. we've at every stage tried to minimise of loss of life, to save lives, to protect the nhs and we have followed the best scientific advice that we can. we'll be looking at what lessons have been learned. also tonight. the aftermath of the hillsborough disaster — the families�* anger after three men are acquitted of altering police statements. police arrest five as they investigate the shooting of the black lives matter activist sasha johnson. our special reports on forced adoptions — we hear from those who've lived their whole lives in shadow of shame. covid wasn't going to stop them — the manchester united fans in gdansk, hoping for a first major trophy in years. coming up on the bbc news channel. the final comes 22 years after ole gunnar solsk

matt hancock said he understood what families had endured.wledge the pain and the suffering, not only of the initial...the errors that led to this harm on people's lives, but also a sense that redress wasn't properly considered and that people felt their voices weren't heard. and then to the crucial issue of compensation... i respect the process of the inquiry, and i will respect its recommendations. and should the inquiry�*s recommendations point to compensation, then, of course, we will pay compensation. for sue, that was significant, but she has reservations. it's a huge move but, of course, if they actually decide to pay compensation, if they decide to hinge it on what the inquiry decides, that gives them another two years, three years before they have to find a penny. the inquiry will last for at least another year, so the long wait for official recognition of their losses will continue for a while yet. hugh pym, bbc news. now on bbc news — the travel show. coming the travel show. up this week on the travel coming up this week on the tra

iliiui’eii. figures from matt hancock? well, eah, as figures from matt hancock?nly come yes. absolutely. when you look at the case numbers across the country by age, people over 60 particularly, there are very few cases now occurring compared to just a few months ago where as the drop in case numbers in people who haven't been vaccinated in the age groups that haven't been widely vaccinated is still relatively high, particularly in relationship to the case numbers we are seeing in the older people now.— older people now. professor paul hunter, older people now. professor paul hunter. l'm _ older people now. professor paul hunter. i'm so — older people now. professor paul hunter, i'm so sorry— older people now. professor paul hunter, i'm so sorry we - older people now. professor paul hunter, i'm so sorry we can't - older people now. professor paul. hunter, i'm so sorry we can't speak for longer, really grateful for your time. i know we will talk again. inc. you very much indeed. professor paul hunter, always fascinating to listen to his analysis. doubtless that we

matt hancock said he understood what families had endured.of the initial errors that led to this harm on people's lives, but also a sense of that redress wasn't properly considered. people thought that their voices weren't heard. and then to the crucial issue of compensation... i respect the process of the inquiry, and i will respect its recommendations. should the inquiry�*s recommendations point to compensation, then, of course, we will pay compensation. for sue, that was significant, but she has reservations. it's a huge move, but, of course, if they actually decide to pay compensation, if they decide to hinge it on what the inquiry decides, that gives them another 2—3 years before they have to find a penny. the inquiry will last for at least another year, so the long wait for official recognition of their losses will continue for a while yet. hugh pym, bbc news. the latest coronavirus figures show there were 2,829 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, and nine deaths were reported. the total number of deaths ac

the health secretary, matt hancock, says this will allow people to carry on working.rrespondent jim reed has more. being contacted by test and try central to self—isolate currently means this, ten days of quarantine at home if you are the contact of someone who has tested positive. whether many people really stay in the house the whole time is unclear. some estimates put the number of close contacts who complete the full quarantine period as low as one in ten. so the government is trialling these as a possible alternative. in a new study starting next week, almost 40,000 contacts will be asked to take a rapid lateral flow test every morning for seven days with the results coming back in 30 minutes. if negative, they can go about their lives as usual instead of having to quarantine at home. the health secretary, matt hancock, said the pilot scheme could help shift the dial by offering a viable alternative to self isolation that would allow people to carry on going to work and living their lives. but the accuracy of the lateral flow kits has been criticised by some scie

matt hancock said he understood what families had endured.of the initial...the errors that led to this harm on people's lives, but also a sense of that redress wasn't properly considered. and that people felt their voices weren't heard. and then to the crucial issue of compensation... i respect the process of the inquiry, and i will respect its recommendations. and should the inquiry's recommendations point to compensation, then, of course, we will pay compensation. for sue, that was significant, but she has reservations. it's a huge move, but, of course, if they actually decide to pay compensation, if they decide to hinge it on what the inquiry decides, that gives them another two years, three years before they have to find a penny. the inquiry will last for at least another year, so the long wait for official recognition of their losses will continue for a while yet. hugh pym, bbc news. spain says it will officially lift restrictions for uk travellers from monday and people won't be required to take a pcr covid test if they go. but spain re

with regard to matt hancock, the prime minister will take no further action there.lectoral commission. they are looking at the conservative party's actions and role in this, so that has still reports. that's certainly not the end of the matter. as you heard and alex's report, labour flagging questions that come with this. the fact that this criticism of borisjohnson this. the fact that this criticism of boris johnson for this. the fact that this criticism of borisjohnson for having been unaware of, not sufficient numbers of questions, and the role of others in this about the cabinet office, what about various other people? i think the questions are probably still going to be asked. i think downing streetjesus is drawing a line. downing street jesus is drawing a line. ., downing street jesus is drawing a line. . , . line. helen, thanks very much. downin: line. helen, thanks very much. downing street _ line. helen, thanks very much. downing street said _ line. helen, thanks very much. downing street said boris - line. helen, thanks very much. i downing street said bor