the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, has backed cutting the covid isolation period in england fromfive days. he said if there's evidence it's safe, the change could reduce staffing pressures on schools, hospitals and other important sectors. the uk health security agency is reviewing thelength of the isolation period. mr zahawi said ministers are doing all they can to make sure the health service can operate during what he called "a rocky few weeks". our political correspondent jonathan blake is with me. tell us what nadhim zahawi he is not saying we should do this and do it now but he has illustrated the benefits of reducing the isolation period from seven days as it was recently reduced from ten days until five. it was recently reduced from ten days untilfive. he it was recently reduced from ten days until five. he said beware of comparisons with united states with the rules are slightly different and it begins with a positive test rather than symptoms but it says it would undoubtedly ease pressure on the nhs but other sectors of the economy where we are seeing huge issues with s

here is how education secretary nadhim zahawi secretary nadhim za hawi characterised secretary nadhime rules look like they haven't been following the rules. some say, you know, we want to make sure this investigation's thorough, they want to know it is going to be thorough, and i reassure my constituents that, you know, sue gray is a very senior civil servant, very well able to conduct this investigation and will do an absolutely thoroughjob. and she can follow the evidence wherever it takes her, and if she finds any form of lawbreaking and criminal activity, then that will be submitted to the metropolitan police. now, we are expecting that report to come either later this week or early next week. meanwhile, sir keir starmer has said this morning he has not apologising for a picture of him drinking beer in an office because he said he did nothing wrong, he told lbc it was a busy time, we were working in the office and stopped for a takeaway, he insisted they didn't break any rules.— for a takeaway, he insisted they didn't break any rules. helen, thank ou, didn't break any rules. hele

england's education secretary, nadhim zahawi, has backed cutting the covid isolation period in englandrom seven to five days. he said if there's evidence it's safe, the change could reduce staffing pressures on schools, hospitals and other important sectors. the uk health and security agency is reviewing the length of the isolation period. mr zahawi said ministers are doing all they can to make sure the health service can operate during what he called "a rocky few weeks". jonathan blake is our political correspondent. as the education secretary, nadhim zahawi puts it, the uk moves from being in a position of a pandemic to coronavirus being endemic, and that in itself will do something to appease pressure from backbenchers on borisjohnson who are keen to see an exit strategy from the restrictions we have been living underfrom one extent to another for the last two years or $0. but particularly on this period of isolation, which was reduced recently from ten to seven days, he is the first cabinet minister to really talk openly about the possibility of it coming down further to five days.

the edgy second secretary nadhim zahawi has also i secretary nadhim zahawi has also called for an investigation justice secretary has said that nus ghani would have to lodge a formal complaint first. fix, ghani would have to lodge a formal complaint first.— complaint first. a claim like this as serious _ complaint first. a claim like this as serious as _ complaint first. a claim like this as serious as this _ complaint first. a claim like this as serious as this can _ complaint first. a claim like this as serious as this can only - complaint first. a claim like this l as serious as this can only happen if the person making the complaint makes a, makes it formally, that is when procedures kick in, and, just to be clear about this, that advice was given to nus back in 2020. fix, was given to nus back in 2020. a spokesman for the pro—minister said that he had met nus ghani to discuss her extremely serious complaints and written to out a complaint process which she didn't do, and it is understood this happened injuly 2020. a spokesman said the conservative party did not tolerate prejudice or discrimi

i will saying nadhim zahawi has said on television this morning?— television this morning?his morning? i will be reassured when we _ television this morning? i will be reassured when we see - television this morning? i will be reassured when we see more - television this morning? i will be - reassured when we see more supplies coming to the pharmacies. as you will have seen i have been doing a few media interviews over the last two weeks or so and we have had difficulties in pharmacies because we are getting abuse from the public because we're not getting supplies the pharmacies.— because we're not getting supplies the pharmacies. there was only one distributor through _ the pharmacies. there was only one distributor through christmas - the pharmacies. there was only one distributor through christmas and i distributor through christmas and new year and it is pleasing to see they are looking into another distributor so i think we need to see the action and for it to be recognised at the end of the day it is our health care teams in the front line bearing the brunt of the dec

nadhim zahawi in the sunday— some way to go. a _ sunday times also says that we have got a very. _ sunday times also says that we have got a very, very bumpy couple of weeks _ got a very, very bumpy couple of weeks ahead of us as we open schools. — weeks ahead of us as we open schools, as a million students across — schools, as a million students across the _ schools, as a million students across the country to go back to university — across the country to go back to university. we could see infection rates _ university. we could see infection rates going up again. take university. we could see infection rates going up again.— university. we could see infection rates going up again. take us to the other story. — rates going up again. take us to the other story. one _ rates going up again. take us to the other story, one of— rates going up again. take us to the other story, one of the _ rates going up again. take us to the other story, one of the other - other story, one of the other stories on the front of the observer. djokovic

the education secretary nadhim zahawi has sought to reassure parents that the government's priority is schools open. speaking this morning, he said a variety of mechanisms are being put in place for pupils — as well as masks — including on—site testing, more ventilation and the potential for merging classes. and mr zahawi said he doesn't want students to wear masks in the classroom for a day longer than necessary. his comments come just 2a hours after new guidance was issued for secondary school pupils to return to face coverings in england's schools again. jon donnison reports. this time a year ago, schools across the country were forced to close to most pupils. 12 months on, the government says it wants to do everything it can to avoid a return to empty classrooms and home learning. in england, all secondary schools have been asked to provide on—site covid tests for pupils before they return from the christmas break. the move has been cautiously welcomed by some head teachers. i think the requirements for schools to do the on—site testing is the very best we can do in the situation t

there is a very good interview with nadhim zahawi, the education secretary, where he is saying he wantsds a new normal. he is very much urging schools to remain open, he says gcse exams will go ahead this summer. universities will do face—to—face with students. more life as we used to do it than the way we have recently. miniatures story. forgive me for interrupting, _ recently. miniatures story. forgive me for interrupting, sian. - recently. miniatures story. forgive me for interrupting, sian. aubrey, j me for interrupting, sian. aubrey, what do you make a? who me for interrupting, sian. aubrey, what do you make a? who amongst us and i what do you make a? who amongst us andi not what do you make a? who amongst us and i got used — what do you make a? who amongst us and i got used to _ what do you make a? who amongst us and i got used to doing _ what do you make a? who amongst us and i got used to doing these - what do you make a? who amongst us and i got used to doing these latter. and i got used to doing these latter flow tests twice a week at least —— have not— flow tests twice a week

nadhim zahawi said any decision would be made on the basis of advice from the uk health security agencynces among teachers would rise now that schools are back. the us recently shortened isolation for those testing positive for covid from seven days to five. our health correspondent dominic hughes has more. the good news is that booster jabs are holding fast against the omicron wave. even as new cases have surged, hospital admissions remain a long way off the peak seen this time last year. but hundreds of thousands of people are currently isolating for at least seven days, so now there's a suggestion that — in england, at least — that period could be cut to five days instead. i think if the experts, and i have to defer to the uk health and security agency, deem it appropriate that you can have two negative tests on consecutive days, as we do now with day six and seven, then it's a good thing to keep under review. some experts agree a five—day isolation period could be safely introduced. you're generally infectious for about two days before you develop symptoms to about three, maybe four

here's what education secretary nadhim zahawi had say.the investigation is thorough, they want to know_ investigation is thorough, they want to know if_ investigation is thorough, they want to know if it— investigation is thorough, they want to know if it is going to be thorough and i reassure my constituents that, you know, sue gray— constituents that, you know, sue gray is _ constituents that, you know, sue gray is a — constituents that, you know, sue gray is a very senior civil servant, very— gray is a very senior civil servant, very well— gray is a very senior civil servant, very well able to conduct this investigation and will do an absolutely thorough job. investigation and will do an absolutely thoroughjob. she investigation and will do an absolutely thorough job. she will follow _ absolutely thorough job. she will follow the evidence wherever it takes _ follow the evidence wherever it takes her — follow the evidence wherever it takes her and if she finds any form of lawbreaking, criminal activity, then— of lawbreaking, criminal ac

we will speak to nadhim zahawi _ different. ok. we will speak to nadhim zahawi in _ different. ok.tle but was deported because he hadn't been vaccinated against coronavirus. our australian correspondent shaimaa khaliljoins us from melbourne. after ten days of legal battles and diplomatic tension, we are going to see some tennis now, aren't we? yes. see some tennis now, aren't we? yes, es! the see some tennis now, aren't we? yes, yes! the small— see some tennis now, aren't we? yes, yes! the small detail _ see some tennis now, aren't we? yes, yes! the small detail of _ see some tennis now, aren't we? yes, yes! the small detail of the _ see some tennis now, aren't we? yes, yes! the small detail of the actual tennis— yes! the small detail of the actual tennis tournament, which has officially— tennis tournament, which has officially now started. the gates have _ officially now started. the gates have opened, people have been coming in all day _ have opened, people have been coming in all day it _ have opened, people have been coming in all day. it is busy on and off court~ — in all day.

nadhim zahawi. plan be response to omicron. and then we talked to the uk health and security agency, is, actually, masks in classrooms can help mitigate the infectious nature of omicron because it is so much more infectious than delta. in the balance, certainly for me, is to keep schools open, keep schools with teachers and children in classrooms together. so if we have to introduce masks for a short time, i think it is the right decision to make to do that. it's one of a number of mitigations or tools that we are using to make sure we keep schools open. 99.9% of schools were open at the end of the year. and i want to thank school leaders and teachers for everything they have done. testing is you have mentioned, i made sure we had enough tests for this first week, where secondary school pupils will be tested in the school. we had an alternative route for those tests to be available, that is a really good thing, we would have had a very different conversation today if the tests were not available. i w

today, you have two senior members of the cabinet, nadhim zahawi and sajid javid, calling for an enquiryat ghani claiming when she discussed it with borisjohnson in 2020, he didn't take it sufficiently seriously. and that this amounts to a sense that the conservative party is on yet another front fighting among itself in quite a serious way.— in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, _ in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, what - in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, what is - in quite a serious way. thank you for that. jonathan, what is your l for that. jonathan, what is your assessment given the details, how serious is this for the conservative party? i serious is this for the conservative pa ? ~ , , party? i think it is extremely serious. there _ party? i think it is extremely serious. there were - party? i think it is extremely serious. there were claims l party? i think it is extremely i serious. there were claims that the conservative party had a problem with islam, and there were claims they were — with islam, and there were claims they

we were just saying nadhim zahawi also supports that. mail has a warning from senior tory mps to borisjohnson — that he must tackle the cost of living crisis or face a backlash at the polls. the guardian leads on comments from fire safety campaigners, who say the housing secretary michael gove must spend more than the planned £4 billion to tackle the cladding crisis. the mirror has an exclusive report on what it calls "the sickening truth" behind the government's promise to "level up", featuring a yorkshire school which it says has no money for repairs. and the ft reports on nato�*s warning to russia that it's prepared for "a new armed conflict in europe", after russia's deployment of tens of thousands of troops on the ukraine border. so let's begin with aletha and mo. i am going to handed over to you and say, kick us off with the telegraph, if you would, and destroy that reduce isolation. the if you would, and destroy that reduce isolation. the telegraph is lettinu reduce isolation. the telegraph is lettin: it reduce isolation. the tele

the education secretary nadhim zahawi said ms ghani was a brilliant mp and there was no place for anyservative party. and the health secretary sajid javid today said this was a very serious matter which needs a proper investigation. she must be heard. last year a wider enquiry found anti—muslim sentiment in the tory party was a problem but islamophobia was not institutional. it didn't refer to ms ghani's claims. today, the justice secretary said it was up to her to step forward. i believe a claim like this, as serious as this, should, but it can only happen if the person making the complaint makes a formal, makes it formally, that's when the procedures kick in and just to be clear about this, that advice was given to nus back in 2020. now downing street has stepped in to say borisjohnson met ms ghani at the time. he invited her to begin a formal complaint process, but she did not. ms ghani has fired back, saying she made clear an internal party investigation was not appropriate, this was government business and all she wants is for the government to investigate properly. so as borisjo

ok, nadhim zahawi, call and come forward. ok, nadhim zahawi. thank— call and come forward. a goal at goodison park on saturday. three fans got onto the pitch at southampton following their game with manchester city, while a drone halted play at brentford for 20 minutes. then yesterday, in chelsea's game with tottenham, defender antonio rudiger was targeted by objects thrown from the away stand. and these incidents are backed up by the figures. there have been 802 football—related arrests this season — that's an increase of a7% from 5a7 the season before last. incidents of disorder have been reported at almost half of all games in the top five leagues in england, compared to 3a% from the same period. and that's despite fewer games this season than two seasons ago. the fa have said they're liaising with with police and the clubs involved. now, anyone thinking the premier league title race is over, tell that to liverpool. they beat crystal palace. they were 2—0 up and cruising, alex oxlade—chamberlain with their second. but palace hit back through odsonne edouard. but then the

categorically untrue and the conservative party does not tolerate any form of discrimination but nadhim zahawi will ensure that this continues and that is right had of a make or break week for the prime minister. a senior conservative mp says the uk must do more to support ukraine as russian troops gather at its border. tobias ellwood, who chairs the commons defence committee, said he thought an invasion was now "imminent" — and that president putin was "taking full advantage of a weakened west". russia has denied that it�*s planning an invasion. but the us has delivered 90 tonnes of what it calls �*lethal aid�* to ukraine, the first shipment since a fresh promise of assistance from president biden. james waterhouse reports now from the ukrainian capital, kyiv. the friendship of nations arch, built by the soviets to celebrate the closeness between russians and ukrainians. that crack was painted on by activists a few years ago as relations between the two countries deteriorated. and as talks intensify about a possible invasion, the hope is things don�*t break down completely. tensions are still

speaking to the sunday times, the former vaccines minister — now education secretary — nadhim zahawithe idea of isolating for five days instead of seven. our political correspondent ben wright reports. at the moment, people who test positive for covid are required to quarantine for at least seven days of the process is a straining staffing levels in the public and private sectors. the united states recently shortened the self isolation window to five days stop earlier this month, the uk health security agency said doing the same here would be counter—productive, but, it would keep the policy under review. in this interview, nadeem zaha we said if the agency wants to cut isolation for five days would be even more helpful. he said the country is witnessing the disease is a constant presence like the common cold or flu a constant presence like the common cold orflu but no a constant presence like the common cold or flu but no longer a constant presence like the common cold orflu but no longer causing a constant presence like the common cold or flu but no longer causing a crisis at the t

the education secretary nadhim zahawi said ms ghani was a brilliant mp.nservative party. and the health secretary sajid javid today said: last year, a wider inquiry found anti—muslim sentiment in the tory party was a problem, but islamophobia was not institutional. it didn't refer to ms ghani's claims. today, thejustice secretary said it was up to her to step forward. i believe actions — a claim like this, as serious as this, should, but it can only happen if the person making the complaint makes a formal — makes it formally. that's when the procedures kick in — and, just to be clear about this, that advice was given to nus back in 2020. now, downing street has stepped in to say borisjohnson met ms ghani at the time. he invited her to begin a formal complaint process, but she did not. ms ghani has fired back, saying she made clear an internal party investigation was not appropriate, this was government business and all she wants is for the government to investigate properly. so, as borisjohnson waits for the results of one investigation — that into downin

programme at 9am — sophie raworth will be joined by guests including the education secretary, nadhim zahawihe weekend. saturday brought widespread outbreaks of rain. the wettest place, northwest wales, picking up 3a milimetres of rain. the strong winds towards the isle of wight pushing the waves into the coastline here. towards the end of the day, we had a lovely sunset in dumfries and galloway in west scotland. now, the driving area of low pressure that brought the wet and windy weather on saturday is here, and it's still on the charts through sunday. what's going to happen is it's going to weaken significantly as it moves its way across scotland. however, it will still be bringing a little bit of rain with that across parts of scotland and northern england as well. now, for the time being, we've still got some fairly brisk winds blowing in there, bringing scattered showers across western areas. there is a little bit of sleet mixed in with some of these across the high ground, scotland, northern england, northern ireland as well, with temperatures close to freezing but on the whole, just s

the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, said nusrat ghani was a colleague and friend and a brilliantbe investigated properly. here is what dominic raab, thejustice secretary had to say. i dominic raab, the justice secretary had to sa . , ., dominic raab, the justice secretary hadto sa . , ., . ., dominic raab, the justice secretary had to sa . , ., . ., ~ had to say. i believe a claim like this can only _ had to say. i believe a claim like this can only happen, _ had to say. i believe a claim like this can only happen, if - had to say. i believe a claim like this can only happen, if the - had to say. i believe a claim like i this can only happen, if the person making it makes a family that is when procedures check—in and to make it clear about this, that advice was given to nusrat ghani back in 2020. this is coming on the back of various conservative mps less than happy with boris johnson saying various conservative mps less than happy with borisjohnson saying some of the conservative whips have been bullying or even blackmailing them. it's been quite an extraordinary week for claims

meanwhile, the education secretary nadhim zahawi has defended the requirement for secondary school pupils during lessons to tackle omicron. he also confirmed that all secondary pupils in england will be tested before returning this week. elsewhere, in france from today children aged six and over will be required to wear facemasks on public transport, shops and other venues. and in the netherlands, prime minister mark rutte and his government are meeting today with health advisers, to discuss whether schools should re—open this week. let's start in the uk. here's our political correspondent chris mason. happy new year, thank you very much for all you're doing. the prime minister in aylesbury in buckinghamshire this morning at a vaccination centre, as secondary schools in england are told to do what's already been happening in wales, northern ireland and scotland. pupils wearing masks in class. there is an increasing body of scientific support for the idea that facemasks can contain transmission. we don't want to keep them on, i don't like the idea of having facemasks in the classroom any m

notjust nadhim zahawi, the education secretary, but also sajid javid, the health secretary, and he ising because he himself has called for an inquiry into allegations and examples of what is islamophobia. either hostility or at least a kind of reluctance to engage with muslim conservative members. yes. reluctance to engage with muslim conservative members. yes, sa'id javid, the health d conservative members. yes, sa'id javid, the health secretary, i conservative members. yes, sa'id javid, the health secretary, didi javid, the health secretary, did call for this a few years ago. it is interesting the backing he has given her, also penny mordaunt, also the education secretary as well. i think this points to the fact the cabinet is in disarray with everything else taking up time and everything else going on. it is a very febrile atmosphere. i think a lot of people will remember when nus became the first female muslim minister to ever address the house of commons from the dispatch box and it was a real moment of pride for me, and should be a moment of pride for the conservative party. eve

nadhim zahawi confirmed all secondary pupils in england will be tested before returning this week.ve accused the government of not doing enough to reduce transmission, and keep schools open. here's our political correspondent chris mason. the prime minister in aylesbury, buckinghamshire at a vaccination centre this morning. secondary schools in england are told to do what it has already been happening in wales, northern ireland and scotland. pupils wearing masks in class. , . . scotland. pupils wearing masks in class. ,. . , class. there is an increasing body of scientific _ class. there is an increasing body of scientific support _ class. there is an increasing body of scientific support for _ class. there is an increasing body of scientific support for the - class. there is an increasing body of scientific support for the idea l of scientific support for the idea facemasks can contain transmission. i don't like the idea of having facemasks in classrooms any more than anybody else but we won't keep them on a day more than necessary. this is what the start of term looked like in se

nadhim zahawi said, any decision would be made on the basis of advice from the uk's health security agencyositive for covidi9 from 7 days to 5. the bbc�*s health correspondent, dominic hughes, has more. the good news is that booster jabs are holding fast against the omicron wave. even as new cases have surged, hospital admissions remain a long way off the peak seen this time last year. but hundreds of thousands of people are currently isolating for at least seven days, so now there's a suggestion that — in england, at least — that period could be cut to five days instead. i think if the experts, and i have to defer to the uk health and security agency, deem it appropriate that you can have two negative tests on consecutive days, as we do now with day six and seven, then it's a good thing to keep under review. some experts agree a five—day isolation period could be safely introduced. you're generally infectious for about two days before you develop symptoms to about three, maybe four days afterwards, so limiting the cut—off point to five days wouldn't really substantially increased risk. so

the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, has said he is making contingency plans for rising rates of staffreys. they learn and play in a year group bubble. until now, that has kept cases right down, and pupils in school. if we were on zoom, we could not ask as many questions as we can, like, face—to—face. and if we have finished our zoom lesson and we are starting our work and we need help, our siblings can help us, but they won't know what the subject is and everything. it would be better if our teachers help us. we can still keep our learning going and the school is doing everything they can to make sure we are safe as well. it would be, like, stressful, because you are missing. out on your learning, _ and when you come back you might feel like you are behind. i like playing with my friends and playing in the playground, and it's good that the government made a rule when if someone has some sort of symptoms or has been tested positive, they have to stay at home, not the entire bubble. the pupils are just happy that things are near—normal, but schools are dealing with huge uncertainty — e

the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, denied there are plans to stop supplying free lateral flow testseutical society in england. she warned that there is a still a shortage of lateral flow tests — which has led to her members receiving abuse from the public. is she really should by the comments that lateral flow tests will remain free? —— is she reassured? i think i will be reassured when we see more supplies coming into the pharmacies. as you'll have seen, i have been doing a few media interviews over the last two weeks or so, we have had difficulties in pharmacies because we are getting abuse from the public, because we are not getting the supplies into the pharmacies. now, it is meant to be getting a bit better — there was only one sole distributor through the christmas and new year period, though it is pleasing to see that they are looking into sorting another distributor, so i think we need to see the action and for it to be recognised that, at the end of the day, it is our health care teams on the front line who are bearing the brunt of the decisions made higher up. so, to confi

the education secretary, nadhim zahawi dismisses claims that government is launching a series of policyoar this year, we speak to families who are already struggling with paying the bills.

nadhim zahawi is making the point that reducing isolation could help with staff absenteeism, so is itng that your members would welcome? it absenteeism, so is it something that your members would welcome? it would be. it has your members would welcome? it would be- it has to _ your members would welcome? it would be- it has to be — your members would welcome? it would be. it has to be safe, _ your members would welcome? it would be. it has to be safe, so _ your members would welcome? it would be. it has to be safe, so we _ be. it has to be safe, so we wouldn't call for public health measure, is all about public health and safety, and this would have a huge impact. we have 2 million people with covid in the uk this week, so they are isolating, and if you are a big employer, what you can do as you can move projects around, you can move teams, even in the public sector except for specialised roles, you can move civil servants around between different functions. but if you are a small business with a team of five and you lose two or three of those, it will get very rough very fast, especi

i think nadhim zahawi was pointing out that one side of the balance here, which is that of course ifback to work sooner, that will help us keep services not only in health but all the other services around society going through this peak of the wave that is infecting so many people at the moment. the other side of the equation of courses that you don't want to be accelerating the wave, making it bigger and faster, by people being in circulation who have got the infection and are still infectious. we really need to see the evidence on how safe that would be, and in particular of course if we start advising people to do lateral flow tests at four or five days, may be many of them will still be positive and that won't accelerate their ability to get back to work. so i think there are several moving parts to this, and greatly the discussion will go on in the coming days. find will go on in the coming days. and strikin: will go on in the coming days. and striking when _ will go on in the coming days. and striking when you look at the most recent comments on all of this from the uk health s

the education secretary nadhim zahawi has also called for an investigation, but thejustice secretaryd ms ghani would have to lodge a formal complaint first. i believe a claim like this, as serious as this, can only happen if the person making the complaint makes it formally, that's when procedures kick in. and, just to be clear about this, that advice was given to nus back in 2020. a spokesman for number ten said the prime minister had met nusrat ghani to discuss what it called "her extremely serious claims," and then written to her to begin a formal complaint process, which she didn't do. it is understood that happened in july 2020. a spokesman said the conservative party did not tolerate prejudice or discrimination of any kind. this is yet another potentially damaging dispute ahead of a pivotal week for the prime minister. the report into parties in downing street by the senior official sue gray is expected to be published in the next few days. helen cattjoins me now. lets talk about this in terms of what this story tells us. it's coming at a sensitive time when the conservative pa

notjust nadhim zahawi, the education secretary, but also sajid javid, the health secretary, and he isse he himself has called for an inquiry into allegations and examples of what is islamophobia. either a hostility or at least a kind of reluctance to engage with muslim conservative members. yes, sajid javid, the health secretary, did call for this a few years ago. it is interesting the backing he has given her. also penny mordaunt, also the education secretary as well. i think this points to the fact that the cabinet is in disarray at the moment with everything else taking up time and everything else going on. it is a very febrile atmosphere. but i think a lot of people will remember — and i'm one of them — when nus became the first female muslim minister to ever address the house of commons from the dispatch box and it was a real moment of pride for me, and should be a moment of pride for the conservative party. even now, we have one of the most diverse cabinets in our country's history, which is a good thing, but this can be easily undone if allegations like this are seen to be dism

the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, says the prime minister recognises the anger surrounding the hat the devil that you know is better than the devil you don't know. and at least we know where we are with him. he won't do nothing, but somebody else might do something. i think he should go. i mean, there's been plenty of things happened in the past where politicians have done not half as bad as he's done, and they've had to leave. they've resigned, or they've been forced out. they should alljust go, for me. they're all out for themselves, not for the working people, are they? not one of them. the list of social do's that went on in westminster, when social do's were banned, is long. and these are just the ones we know about. it's up to this woman, sue gray, a senior civil servant, to catalogue the lot of them. but it could be another week or so before we find out what she's found out, leaving lots of conservative mps to ponder that... what my constituents are doing now, is they're comparing their own experiences over the last — well, almost two years, isn't it? with what they're se

nadhim zahawi who is now the education secretary and was the vaccine secretary saying this is not goingflow test, won't it? yeah, ithink... free lateral flow test, won't it? yeah, i think...— free lateral flow test, won't it? yeah, ithink... yes, oh, sorry... when you — yeah, ithink... yes, oh, sorry... when you look— yeah, ithink... yes, oh, sorry... when you look at _ yeah, ithink... yes, oh, sorry... when you look at other _ yeah, ithink... yes, oh, sorry... | when you look at other countries, the uk _ when you look at other countries, the uk is — when you look at other countries, the uk is quite rare in offering iaterat— the uk is quite rare in offering lateral flow tester everyone free at the point _ lateral flow tester everyone free at the point of use. in countries like america — the point of use. in countries like america you need to purchase them, and in _ america you need to purchase them, and in some — america you need to purchase them, and in some european countries, as well, _ and in some european countries, as well, and _ and in some european countries, as well, and i— and

nadhim zahawi is calling for full investigation.nly about one on the evening dominic cummings left downing street. sue grey has widened her enquiry to include allegations around the flat. henry newman and josh brimstone, both friends of mr johnson's wife, had visited the flat on a number of locations during lockdown. initially sue grey had accepted it was for work but investigators question why they went so often given they work for the cabinet office. the foreign office says it's uncovered a plot by moscow to install a pro—russian leader in ukraine, amid increasing tension over a possible invasion. the kremlin has sent tens of thousands of troops to the ukrainian border in recent months. moscow has accused the uk of spreading "disinformation". our diplomatic correspondent paul adams reports. american weapons arriving in ukraine, 90 tons of what washington calls lethal aid. others including britain also sending supplies. hardly enough to defeat an invading russian army but the message to moscow is clear, "if you do this, it will com

the cabinet minister of the education secretary, nadhim zahawi.the prime minister. is that how these things work?— defend the prime minister. is that how these things work? as i'm sure ou how these things work? as i'm sure you know. — how these things work? as i'm sure you know. chris— how these things work? as i'm sure you know, chris knows, _ how these things work? as i'm sure you know, chris knows, i— how these things work? as i'm sure you know, chris knows, i regularly. you know, chris knows, i regularly do the immediate rounds, as many of my cabinet colleagues do as well. i have been doing them since the prime minister made me the vaccines minister on a very regular basis, and on all of the big calls, credit does go to the prime minister, on vaccines, therapeutics, 0micron before christmas, he has called it right. i have been very proud to go out and share that decision—making process. i out and share that decision-making rocess. ., , ., .., out and share that decision-making rocess. ., , ., .. ., out and share that decision-making rocess. .,

the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, says he's making contingency plans for the rising rates of staffducation editor, branwen jeffreys. they learn and play in a year group bubble. until now, that has kept cases right down, and pupils in school. if we were on zoom, we could not ask as many questions as we can, like, face—to—face. and if we have finished our zoom lesson and we are starting our work and we need help, our siblings can help us, but they won't know what the subject is and everything. it would be better if our teachers help us. we can still keep our learning going and the school is doing everything they can to make sure we are safe as well. it would be, like, stressful, because you are missing. out on your learning, _ and when you come back you might feel like you are behind. i like playing with my friends and playing in the playground, and it's good that the government made a rule when, if someone has some symptoms or has been tested positive, they have to stay at home, not the entire bubble. the pupils are just happy that things are near—normal, but schools are dealing wit

sunday night cabinet ministers, including the health secretary sajid javid and education secretary nadhim zahawiere amanage those calling for her claims to be investigated. these are you know really serious allegations and you know no one makes those easily, it takes a lot of bravery for somebody to stand up and say this and make these allegations, which is why we have to look at this quickly, but thoroughly, which is why the prime minister has made the right decision to get the cabinet office to look at this. but the conservative party peer baroness sayeeda warsi said this inquiry is only a start. it has to go much deeper than that. this is somebody - who was a government minister who, was told - that herjob came to an end, because of protected characteristics is actually against _ the law. it's not yet clear who will be fronting this new inquiry. labour's deputy leader angela rayner said the prime minister's independent ethics advisor lord geidt should be put in charge, claiming that the chief whip mark spencer could have broken the ministerial code. now, this all comes at a time when mark spe