some pretty strong words from kier starmer. , ~ , starmer. yes, we did.hat _ starmer. yes, we did. i think he is channelling what a _ starmer. yes, we did. i think he is channelling what a lot _ starmer. yes, we did. i think he is channelling what a lot of _ starmer. yes, we did. i think he is channelling what a lot of people i starmer. yes, we did. i think he is. channelling what a lot of people are in the country. i mean, it is the strongest line which i have had from him and interestingly, in his conference speech, one of the lines that got a lot of traction is him saying i don't think borisjohnson is a bad man. ithink saying i don't think borisjohnson is a bad man. i think it sounds like his tone has really toughened up since then and he said this week that he thinks the prime minister is unfit to lead the country so you have definitely seen a much more aggressive and must give the attack line from kier starmer. what aggressive and must give the attack line from kier starmer.— aggressive and must give the attack line from kier starmer. what do you mak

there _ starmer and his deputy is not good. there was— starmer and his deputy is not good.that sir keir starmer was trying — idea that sir keir starmer was trying to— idea that sir keir starmer was trying to reassert his authority, but he — trying to reassert his authority, but he didn't need her consultation, but he didn't need her consultation, but he _ but he didn't need her consultation, but he didn't need her consultation, but he didn't really need her input or advice — but he didn't really need her input or advice on moving around the shadow— or advice on moving around the shadow cabinet, and i think this story— shadow cabinet, and i think this story is— shadow cabinet, and i think this story is an — shadow cabinet, and i think this story is an interesting one because jeremy— story is an interesting one because jeremy corbyn notably also looked into whether or not he could get rid of the _ into whether or not he could get rid of the position because tom watson was a _ of the position because tom watson was a bit _ of the position because tom watson was a bit of— of th

keir starmer. ohm those rules were broken, mr speaker. keir starmer-— keir starmer.investigation right now byjust admitting it? the investigation right now by 'ust admitting infi the investigation right now by 'ust admitting itafi the investigation right now by 'ust admittin it? , ~ admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly _ admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured - admitting it? because, mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured that i admitting it? because, mr speaker, i| have been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken, mr speaker. and i understand public anxiety about this. and i understand public indignation. but there is a risk of doing a grave injustice to people who were frankly obeying the rules, mr speaker. that is why the cabinet secretary will be conducting an investigation, and that�*s why there will be the requisite, there will be the requisite disciplinary action if necessary. the requisite disciplinary action if necessa . ,, ., the requisite disciplinary action if necessary._ this - necessary. keir starm

as you will be aware, kier starmer met with the chief i kier starmer met with the chief medical officer in supporting public health measures and will continue to do that in the event we need to, of course. :, ~' do that in the event we need to, of course. :, ~ ,, y : do that in the event we need to, of course. . ~ i. , . :, course. thank you very much for bein: course. thank you very much for being with _ course. thank you very much for being with us — course. thank you very much for being with us on _ course. thank you very much for being with us on bbc _ course. thank you very much for being with us on bbc news - course. thank you very much for being with us on bbc news thisl being with us on bbc news this evening. let's go to doctor philip went who speaks for the snp. thank you for speaking to us. nice to talk to you again. i guess that same question that i put to karen smith. given the number is, what do you think should not be happening? weill. think should not be happening? well, ou know, think should not be happening? well, you know. we — think should not be happening? well, you

we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. - of the opposition, keir starmer.tarmer. krisztian szabo_ of the opposition, keir starmer. krisztian szabo boris _ of the opposition, keir starmer. krisztian szabo boris johnson's i krisztian szabo borisjohnson�*s authority and the possibility of further restrictions. == authority and the possibility of further restrictions. -- questions over. if further _ further restrictions. -- questions over. if further regulations - further restrictions. -- questions over. if further regulations are i over. if further regulations are required, labour mps will follow my leadership, and we will always put the national interest first. can i ask the prime minister to get his house in order so he can say the same? , ~ ,,, ., ~ same? yes, mr speaker, if further measures are _ same? yes, mr speaker, if further measures are needed, _ same? yes, mr speaker, if further measures are needed, if _ same? yes, mr speaker, if further measures are needed, if further i measures are needed, if further regulation — measures are needed, if further re

sir keir starmer talkin: to immediately. sir keir starmer talking to chris _ immediately.k now at what's making the news across the uk. high winds and snow have started to batter scotland with the arrival of storm barra. met office warnings for snow and wind covering most of the country are now in place until midnight. many ferry services have been cancelled and scotrail is advising to check ahead before travelling. our scotland correspondent james shawjoins me now from abington, south lanarkshire. it looks pretty miserable there. how bad is it looks pretty miserable there. how badisit? it looks pretty miserable there. how bad is it? , . , it looks pretty miserable there. how bad is it? , it looks pretty miserable there. how badisit? , bad is it? yes, as you can probably see, the conditions _ bad is it? yes, as you can probably see, the conditions are _ bad is it? yes, as you can probably see, the conditions are not - bad is it? yes, as you can probably see, the conditions are not great l see, the conditions are not great here. we are on high ground just along the m74 moto

keir starmer would be to go big. to keir starmer would be to go big today. _ to keir starmer would beually take this anger that so - actually take this anger that so many— actually take this anger that so many people _ actually take this anger that so many people in— actually take this anger that so many people in the _ actually take this anger that so many people in the public- actually take this anger that so many people in the public are i many people in the public are feeling, — many people in the public are feeling, and _ many people in the public are feeling, and take _ many people in the public are feeling, and take it _ many people in the public are feeling, and take it to- many people in the public are feeling, and take it to the - many people in the public are - feeling, and take it to the dispatch box and _ feeling, and take it to the dispatch box and take — feeling, and take it to the dispatch box and take it _ feeling, and take it to the dispatch box and take it to _ feeling, and take it to the dispatch box and take it to the _ feeling, and take it to the dispatch box and

as keir starmer said, _ it didn't happen. as keir starmer said. either— it didn't happen.idn't happen or you _ said, either the party didn't happen or you didn't break the rules, there's— or you didn't break the rules, there's actually no in between. i think— there's actually no in between. i think for— there's actually no in between. i think for that reason it's running today— think for that reason it's running today too— think for that reason it's running today too and could run longer. as tom today too and could run longer. as toni says. — today too and could run longer. as tom says, nobody's... | today too and could run longer. as tom says, nobody's...— tom says, nobody's... i used to think recognise _ tom says, nobody's... i used to think recognise was _ tom says, nobody's... i used to think recognise was a _ tom says, nobody's... i used to think recognise was a very - tom says, nobody's. .. i used to i think recognise was a very simple word. now it seems to be a ministerial political word which implies you might be) not to say you�*re close. let�*s look at the daily

., ., , starmer.? i think- starmer. you think they want to pull the vote on tuesday? i think there l the vote on tuesday? i think there is a significant _ the vote on tuesday? i think there is a significant chance _ the vote on tuesday? i think there is a significant chance that - the vote on tuesday? i think there is a significant chance that the - is a significant chance that the government will not table the vote. if you look at the situation where on the one hand, you get it through the house of commons but you do it with labour supporting you. on the other hand, if you read through it and you don't get labour party support, and you lose, it also hurts the government. the pragmatic way is to put your head down, get through christmas and start 2022 in a slightly more positive state of mind. ~ ., ., , ., slightly more positive state of mind. ., .,, ., mind. what does that say about ublic mind. what does that say about public health — mind. what does that say about public health messaging? - mind. wh

. >> we now come to leader of the opposition is, keir starmer. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i heard what the prime minister said at the beginning of this session but, frankly, it raises more questions than answers. last week i asked the prime minister: the christmas party on downing street on december the 18th. the prime minister, the government spent the week telling the public there was no party. all guidance was followed completely. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for fools. they were lied to. they're right, aren't they is? >> prime minister. >> mr. speaker, i think the right honorable gentleman probably missed what i said. i apologized, i apologized for the impression that has been given. the staff at downing street takes this less than seriously. i'm sickened myself and furious. i repeat what i have said to him that i've been repeatedly assured that the -- >> order, order, order. [inaudible] >> the secretary or to investigate if exactly what happened, is and i repeat that there will be consequences for those involved if those rules were b

sir keir starmer. we will put this in _ possible time. sir keir starmer.he labour government. diane nadler is a biographer and joins us live. even for allowing that, that is not a good look for the prime minister. l good look for the prime minister. i think this will have done considerable damage in the store term. he does need to respond to this because i think what is it so telling about some of the interviews with mark harper is leading into what he was saying, that there is a lack of trust amongst mps that voted against the government this evening about how the government have handled this, what they feel the government might be doing next — in other words, are they putting down a marker against any further moves towards vaccine meditations? —— mandates. during his press conference last week. i think that was very worrying to a lot of conservative mps. it is this sense of mandating things. i've heard people say this evening conservative mps were voting against masks. it's that idea that government is mandating people to wear masks and not trusting peop

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

keir starmer. the prime minister is so _ this won't. keir starmer.t and authority to lead this country? gate thank you very much, mr speaker. we won the vote last night with conservative states. i respect their feelings and the anxieties colleagues have, of course i do. i respect and understand the anxieties colleagues have about restrictions on liberty. i believe the approach we are taking is balanced and proportionate and right for this country. let me tell you, some of the decisions, the tough decisions i have had to take. i had to come out of the european ventilator scheme. he decided to ridiculously attack that. i went ahead of the rest of europe with the vaccine roll—out, which would have been impossible had we listened to him. i decided to go ahead with opening up our society and economy, which he opposed. if we had listened to him but never forget, we would not now have the fastest economic growth in the g7. it is because we took those courageous steps, mr speaker, we have 500,000 more people in work than when the pandemic began. yesterday ey

keir starmer accusing borisjohnson of starmer accusing boris johnson of taking starmer accusing borisjohnsonsuggestions covid _ taking the public for fools. there are suggestions covid restrictions could be strengthened again. we are exectin: could be strengthened again. we are expecting an — could be strengthened again. we are expecting an announcement - could be strengthened again. we are expecting an announcement possibly as soon as this afternoon this evening. cabinet meeting later chaired by the prime minister to sign off on further restrictions possibly being imposed. 0ptions, plan b is more face masks and other settings, working from home possibly covid passports being used as well. one tory mp accusing the prime 0ne tory mp accusing the prime minister openly today of a diversionary tactic.- minister openly today of a diversionary tactic. the covid booster programme in england has been expanded again. anyone in theirforties can now book their third jab, three months after their second dose. the announcement comes exactly a year after margaret keenan, a 90—year—old grandmother, became

speaker, which that party voted against. >> keir starmer. >> well, it is strange, mr. speaker, because government hasn't been denying the report about red flag, but now prime minister does. there's obviously some confusion if on these benches over whether the cabinet office and the treasury think he's on course to break yet another promise, this time on new building of hospitals. so he can clear this up this afternoon. if he's so confident in his answer, why doesn't he publish progress report and leapt us all see it many -- let us all see it? >> prime minister. >> pleasure what we're doing is not only building 40 new hospitals, but we are also, but we are also -- and it's incredible that we've been able to keep going lout pandemic. we're also -- throughout the pandemic. and we're also a making record investments many our nhs. we have more. >>s, more nurses working in our nhs than at any time in the history of that a magnificent organization. and rather than, rather than running down what they're trying to do, mr. speaker, casting down on their record, he should get beh

and he was asked about it by sir keir starmer. he said no - by sir keir starmer.were emphatic about it. because we know there was _ you were emphatic about it. because we know there was a _ you were emphatic about it. because we know there was a party. - you were emphatic about it. because we know there was a party. it - you were emphatic about it. because we know there was a party. it was . we know there was a party. it was the last friday, by the way, before christmas, so it is the end of the last working week before christmas. we now know, you can be sure your sources, excellent sources, your excellent reporters have said from good sources we have that video now of allegra stratton laughing about it. you can be quite sure there was a party. whatever prime minister said, presumably having been briefed, here is the line, alistair burt has just explained it, here briefed, here is the line, alistair burt hasjust explained it, here is the line, no rules were broken. that is a lie because the rule was very clear on december 18 in london, no christmas parties. so, he

a quote from keir starmer, prime minister taking the public forfools was starmer, prime minister takingallegra stratton who was at the centre of that video. a very, very tearful apology. centre of that video. a very, very tearful apology-— tearful apology. what did you make of that? it was _ tearful apology. what did you make of that? it was a _ tearful apology. what did you make of that? it was a tearful _ tearful apology. what did you make of that? it was a tearful apology - of that? it was a tearful apology and it did feel heartfelt to me as well. she very much did regret her words. i think what is interesting is she does seem to be the only money of the stake in the fall for this so far. if you see the video there were numerous people in the room all contributing to this mock press conference was up and she alluded that she wasn't potentially at the party even if she might have known that it may not or may have gone on. that seems very strange to me and maybe more will come out when we have this investigation from the cabinet secretary. the prime minister has said that if they have

if you lose, you look terrible and if you win, you will have done it depending on keir starmer.e is a significant | chance that the government will not table the vote. if you look at the situation now, where on the one hand, you get it through the house of commons but you only do it with labour supporting you, that harms the prime minister. 0n the other hand, if you run for it and you don't get labour party support, and you lose, it also hurts the government. the pragmatic way is to put your head down, get through christmas, hope the criticism dies down and start 2022 in a slightly more positive state of mind. what does that say about public health messaging? what does that do to public health messaging because labour have said they will support it on public health grounds. it would go through. i think there two things that mean that that's potentially a plausible path, jane. first, it looks like the vaccines are working, boosters are working and if you've been asked to have your booster, go and have one. it looks like the scheme that we have taken up as a country is working. th

we now come to leader- of the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker.minister said at the beginning of the session but frankly it raises more questions than answers. last week, i asked the prime minister, was there a christmas party in downing street for dozens of people on december the 18th? the prime minister, the government spent the week telling the british public, there was no party. all guidance was followed completely. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for fools and that they were lied to. they are right, and they? mr speaker, i think the right honourable gentleman probably missed what i said at the beginning. i apologise for the impression that has been given that staff in downing street take this lesson seriously. i am and furious about that but i repeat what i have said to him that i have been repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken. 0rder, order, order. i have asked the cabinet secretary to investigate exactly what happened and i repeat that there will be consequences for those involved, if those rules

do you agree with keir starmer? , ., ., , , starmer? it is a really complex problem- _ starmer? strategy. but what i do like about this as it is very much a holistic approach and i think for the first time they are going to tackle the middle class market which i think has driven particularly since covid the increase in demand for drugs stuff like that is interesting. we had a guest on earlierfrom interesting. we had a guest on earlier from— interesting. we had a guest on earlier fro ., . ., , ., , earlier from from the charity has eo - le earlier from from the charity has people fracture _ earlier from from the charity has people fracture cycle _ earlier from from the charity has people fracture cycle of - earlier from from the charity has | people fracture cycle of addiction and crime as he said he thought it was extraordinarily hypocritical considering some names of the cabinet have admitted to taking cocaine. it cabinet have admitted to taking cocaine. , , .,, cabinet have admitted to taking cocaine. , , ., cocaine. it is pervasive across all areas of society. _ cocaine. it i

and also, this plays well for sir keir starmer, who is the exact opposite of borisjohnson.racking jokes the whole time. he's a serious guy, but he has the lawyer's background, as a former head of criminal prosecutions, and it's played quite well for him to be able to forensically take apart some of these things. so i think that's why it's dangerous that if suddenly people are seeing the reality of borisjohnson, the tory party is panicking because they've made a faustian pact to get through brexit, to win an election with someone that most of them knew was not suited to the top job. then along came the pandemic, exposing how he was not suited for the topjob, and now i think... i mean, i've spoken to tory mps who are extraordinarily concerned, and some believe and some hope that borisjohnson will be replaced pretty shortly after christmas. thank you all very much. let's move on. on friday germany's chancellor, olaf scholz, travelled to paris and brussels, in part to discuss the seven—year—long standoff with moscow over ukraine. presidentjoe biden spoke to the leaders in germa

they want to flag up said keir starmer. they want to flag up that— said keir starmer.ure _ up that there could be a brighter future ahead, of course he would, but one _ future ahead, of course he would, but one of— future ahead, of course he would, but one of the more interesting aspects — but one of the more interesting aspects of his message is that he said he _ aspects of his message is that he said he was setting out —— would be setting _ said he was setting out —— would be setting out — said he was setting out —— would be setting out -- — said he was setting out —— would be setting out —— labour's plans for the country _ setting out —— labour's plans for the country in 2022, and one of the reasons— the country in 2022, and one of the reasons for— the country in 2022, and one of the reasons for that is that labour has finally— reasons for that is that labour has finally pushed ahead in the polls, but he _ finally pushed ahead in the polls, but he will have to give positive reasons, — but he will have to give positive reasons, ratherthanjust but he will have to give

also, sir keir starmer is the exact opposite _ sir keir starmer is the exact opposite of boris johnsonackground, and it's played _ the lawyers' background, and it's played quite well for him to be able to forensically take apart some of these _ to forensically take apart some of these things. so, i think that's why it's dangerous that if suddenly, people — it's dangerous that if suddenly, people are seeing the reality of boris _ people are seeing the reality of borisjohnson, the tory party is panicking — borisjohnson, the tory party is panicking because they've made an impact _ panicking because they've made an impact to— panicking because they've made an impact to get through brexit and win an election _ impact to get through brexit and win an election with someone that most of the _ an election with someone that most of the new_ an election with someone that most of the new was not suited to the top 'ob, of the new was not suited to the top job. then _ of the new was not suited to the top job, then along came the pandemic, exposing _ job, then along came the pandemic, exposing how he

— certainly, the labour leader keir starmer is calling for, is some clarity— starmer is calling for,e have made it clear to the few that we stand ready to support . that we stand ready to support further — that we stand ready to support further measures— that we stand ready to support further measures if— that we stand ready to support further measures if necessary, that we stand ready to support. further measures if necessary, i made _ further measures if necessary, i made that— further measures if necessary, i made that clear— further measures if necessary, i made that clear to _ further measures if necessary, i made that clear to the - further measures if necessary, i made that clear to the last - further measures if necessary, i| made that clear to the last week further measures if necessary, i- made that clear to the last week and make _ made that clear to the last week and make it _ made that clear to the last week and make it clear— made that clear to the last week and make it clear again _ made that clear to the last week and make it clear again today. _ made that clear to th

so that is i think what sir keir starmer was trying to do. find that is i think what sir keir starmerthe government itself, and particularly the prime minister, deal with the fact that in order to get these covert restrictions through, he needs the opposition? has through, he needs the opposition? is laura said, through, he needs the opposition? 23 laura said, no through, he needs the opposition? 2.3 laura said, no government wants to be in that position, and it is a very unusual situation to government to find itself in, relying on the votes of opposition mps to pass really important legislation. just to recap, this is about extending the use of facemasks, face coverings, to many more indoor venues, it's about introducing the need for people to show either vaccination certificates or a negative covert test are going to some bigger venues, and also replacing self—isolation with daily testing, if you are the contact of somebody who has the omicron variant. these are important changes, which the government say will help slow the spread of the new variant, and it will not like the fact t

. >> we've now come to the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. >> thank you, mr. speaker. can i also wish you, everybody who works in this house and all members a merry christmas and a happy new year. and my congratulations to the prime minister and his wife on the birth of their daughter. i join the prime minister in supporting our armed forces and all those on the front line. mr. speaker, there were 200,000 omicron infections on monday. that's doubling every two or three days, and the hhs appears overwhelmed. so i want to start by encouraging everyone listening to this session to get their jabs and boosters. it's the best way to protect themselves, the nhs and their loved ones. given the seriousness of the situation, does the prime minister agree that the -- members who voted against plan b measures last night voted against steps which are necessary to protect the nhs and to protect lives? >> thank you, mr. speaker. the government is taking a balanced and a proportionate approach dealing with the pandemic, and the house voted through plan b i think with conservative vote

britain's labour leader, sir keir starmer, has said borisjohnson appears to have broken the law when a christmas quiz at downing street, last year — at a time when social mixing between households was banned. the sunday mirror newspaper has obtained a photo of the quiz — showing the prime minister with two people sat next to him. downing street has described the quiz as a "virtual" event. our political correspondent chris mason has the latest — just a warning there is some flash photography in this report. take a look at this. it's december 15th last year, inside 10 downing street. borisjohnson is hosting a round of a staff christmas quiz. two colleagues are either side of him, one with tinsel wrapped around him. some staff took part virtually from home. others from around the building. a number ten spokesman told the bbc: the bbc had already reported that invites for the quiz were sent out in advance via email, and many people wore christmas jumpers for the day. one source said people didn't seem to realise how ridiculous it was at the time. labour's deputy leader angela rayner has

earlier, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said the prime minister is "unfit for office".onts, his authority, competence and integrity under scrutiny. after a torrid week for borisjohnson, there is no sign the pressure on the prime minister is easing. for a start, continuing questions about a party held in downing street last december. one of three gatherings now being investigated by the country's top civil servant. cabinet secretary is i'm sure investigating all these questions, so we will see the results of that in due course, but last christmas, i was spending my time getting trade deals over the line. we now know this man, number ten press chiefjack doyle, was at the event on december 18th. sources have told the bbc mr doyle offered borisjohnson his resignation, but the prime minister would not accept it, something downing street denies. but the murkiness around last year's party is putting conservative mps taking to the airwaves on the spot. everyone has to respond equally to the restrictions and then pay the penalty equally if those restrictions are broken. should t

the labour leader sir keir starmer has been giving his reaction.s the public followed the rules and many of them did not see their loved ones at christmas. some of them could not see their loved ones again. they had the right to expect the government to follow the rules and we now know the government broke the rules, they partied, and now they're laughing about it. they are the public with contempt. the prime minister needs to step up, accept what happened, and apologize. unfortunately we got and apologize. unfortunately we got a prime minister who was socially distanced from the truth. four weeks that if they insisted _ distanced from the truth. four weeks that if they insisted that _ distanced from the truth. four weeks that if they insisted that the - that if they insisted that the guidelines were followed and he said that again today. do you think he has misled us. i that again today. do you think he has misled us.— has misled us. i think he had not been straight _ has misled us. i think he had not been straight about _ has misled us. i think h

now the leader of the opposition keir starmer. can i join l opposition keir starmer.of passing on the virus. it is within our hands to end new transmission in the uk this decade and we must do so. as millions of people were locked down last year, was a christmas party thrown in downing street for dozens of people on december the 18th? iloathed downing street for dozens of people on december the 18th?— on december the 18th? what i can sell the right _ on december the 18th? what i can sell the right honourable - on december the 18th? what i can i sell the right honourable gentleman is that all guidance was followed completely at number ten and can i recommend to the right honourable gentleman that he does the same with his own christmas party which he has advertised for december the 15th, to which, unaccountably, he has failed to invite the deputy leader, mister speaker. nice try, but that won�*t work. the defence seems to be no rules were broken. well i�*ve got the rules that were in place at the time of this party. they are very clear. you must not have a work christm

keir starmer hasjust a necessary thing to do.arty consensus that this is the way forward but the prime minister faces a difficult vote in the next few days this week over the other restrictions he announced earlier. he other restrictions he announced earlier. ., , ., , ., earlier. he has not even put into law the move — earlier. he has not even put into law the move to _ earlier. he has not even put into law the move to plan _ earlier. he has not even put into law the move to plan b - earlier. he has not even put into law the move to plan b which . earlier. he has not even put into i law the move to plan b which was announced prior to the statement this evening and that vote is coming up this evening and that vote is coming up on tuesday and is more than one vote because there will be four in total and free on plan b and extending the face mask regulations allowing people who have come into contact with positive cases do not self isolate if they test themselves negative every day and then crucially this controversial issue from c

george osborne is - speaking this we can sing one of the things he thinks keir starmer ought to do islast two years and they've got scottish labour previously struggling with funding as well and i think that is a problem of the whole party that they need to get together and look at and there is that bid we talk about it's helpful in some ways, but also the money, when you go into an election, you need to have that cash there. you need to be able to guarantee that money. and this is something the labour party will have to look at. . ,, ., , ., ., at. . shifting a bit to the right a ruest as at. . shifting a bit to the right a guest as being _ at. . shifting a bit to the right a guest as being one _ at. . shifting a bit to the right a guest as being one of— at. . shifting a bit to the right a guest as being one of the - at. . shifting a bit to the right a guest as being one of the key l at. . shifting a bit to the right a - guest as being one of the key events this week. much much more on that in the coming days but thank you very much. that's it for the papers this hour. the papers wil

perhaps starmer and boris johnson. perhaps what starmer and borisjohnson.s starmerand borisjohnson. perhaps what was more dangerous for the prime minister was the incoming fire that had already come from his own side before he took to the dispatch box, questions about what exactly happened on december the 18th last year. we have had a week of denials and non—denials about a party that the bbc has on good authority, took place. it took place with wine, alcohol, food and there were party games. and still come as you have just said, the prime minister was told, he has been reassured by those at number ten, his advisers, that there was no party and no covid rules were broken. if there was a party then covid rules were broken, absolutely. because london, the capital was on lockdown. there wasn't supposed to be any social gathering at that point. under pressure, borisjohnson has said he has launched an investigation. it is by the cabinet secretary, the top civil servant, to look into exactly what went wrong. although there are many people in westminster who say t

keir starmer asked the prem and esther about whether that 18th of december party had happened... i can tell you that guidance was followed completely. he did not deny that the party had happened and secure storm... "you must not have a work christmas lunch or party." does the prime minister really expect the country to believe that while people were banned from seeing their loved ones at christmas last year, it was fine for him and his friends to throw a boozy party in downing street? since he asks about what we are asking the country to do this year, mr speaker, which i think is frankly a more relevant consideration, to make sure, as we have said, that you wear masks in, on public transport and in shops, mr speaker, and that you self—isolate if you come into contact with somebody who has omicron, mr speaker, and above all we are strengthening our measures at the borders, and particularly, i think this will be valuable for everybody to hear, get your booster. those questions about the gatherings have been put to downing street, which said it did not want to go into what happene

keir starmer in that exchange.vernment, isn�*t it? it is. of the government, isn't it? it is. you'd exnect _ of the government, isn't it? it is. you'd expect the _ of the government, isn't it? it is. you'd expect the mirror - of the government, isn't it? it is. you'd expect the mirror to be - of the government, isn't it? it is. you'd expect the mirror to be i i you�*d expect the mirror to be i don�*t think it�*s been the cleverest headline out there. but again, it does encapsulate the mood in the country. i think there is a feeling, we hear keir starmer saying over and over again that borisjohnson is a liar. and i think normally it doesn�*t really get through. some people expect politicians to be liars, generally or kind of do their own spin on the truth was up with borisjohnson and soda baked in that he has this dramatic narrative way of telling stories and that the truth will always quite come through. i think you�*ve grown to accept that about him rightly or wrongly. i think now it�*s beginning to feel is though

opposition labour party this week with that interesting choreography around the big reshuffle by kier starmerh attacking the tories. has that calm down as a story? i think it has. that calm down as a story? i think it has- their— that calm down as a story? i think it has. their two _ that calm down as a story? i think it has. their two views _ that calm down as a story? i think it has. their two views of - that calm down as a story? i think it has. their two views of this, - that calm down as a story? i think| it has. their two views of this, one is that the critical view of the main opposition labour party is my goodness, could they ever possibly get their act together, and the more generous view is that, you know, coordinating announcements about this that or the other is probably fairly small in the long run. finally, click everyone is wondering if the restrictions are going to shift between now and quit taking a christmas. of the government seems to be sticking to its chorus. absolutely. i

earlier, the labour leader sir keir starmer said the prime minister is "unfit for office".dent ben wright. besieged on three fronts, his authority, competence and integrity under scrutiny. after a torrid week for borisjohnson, there is no sign the pressure on the prime minister is easing. for a start, continuing questions about a party held in downing street last december. one of three gatherings now being investigated by the country's top civil servant. cabinet secretary is i'm sure investigating all these questions, so we will see the results of that in due course, but last christmas, i was spending my time getting trade deals over the line. we now know this man, number ten press chiefjack doyle, was at the event on december 18th. sources have told the bbc mr doyle offered borisjohnson his resignation, but the prime minister would not accept it, something downing street denies. but the murkiness around last year's party is putting conservative mps taking to the airwaves on the spot. everyone has to respond equally to the restrictions and then pay the penalty equally if th

here is the view of the opposition, ki starmer. >> everye would have looked at that photograph, and to that is a work meeting is a bit of a stretch by anybody's analysis. there are serious question to be answered, but just look at the photo and ask yourself, is that a work meeting going on or is that a social event? i think the answer is pretty obvious. ros: this follows multiple controversies at downing street during the pandemic, in particular during december. one conservative mp told the financial times, it is like every day we open the door and there is another crisis. i've been talking to our westminster correspondent. >> the rules are complicated. technically, this was a private garden, not covered by the rules that you could only meet one person in a public space. but that doesn't change the fact that what people see when they look at this picture is a time when they faced restrictions and what you see here are people in downing street standing around with bottles of wine and cheese, and as you say, tt focuses again on this issue that has been so damaging for the prime minister,

plan only passed embarrassing for first johnson with help for labour, a point too tempting for keir starmerre earlier today. >> if it wasn't for labour votes, his government would not have been able to introduce vital health measures that we need to save lives and protect the nhs. so weak is his leadership. we vaccinate, they vacillate! [cro cheering] they jaber, we jab. reporter: yet the government and we all are grappling again with a fast-moving crisis, which the tories can be accused of having to deal with their own mistakes rather than what matters. with the. risk of the virus to our wealth and health, any wrong move could have a terrible cost. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, downing street. laura: in the u.s., the centers for disease control is warning we could see a surge in covid infections by january. to kentucky next, where pres. biden was this afternoon, surveying the damage caused by the tornadoes which were the deadliest in the state's history. more than 70 people were killed and more than 120 are still missing. our correspondent is in kentucky right w with this report. reporter: t

sir keir starmer used this to really echo the prime minister's statement yesterday in terms of expressingravity of the situation and what an emergency, and his view, this new variant is posing to the country. and explaining why he will on this front be totally supporting the government's measures. wasn't entirely the echo of party politics because without mentioning the prime minister or anything around parties in downing street, the labour leaders that everyone has to stick by the rules. sometimes the rule can be inconvenient, but you have to stick by them. inconvenient, but you have to stick b them. ., ,., inconvenient, but you have to stick b them. ., by them. then, with labour coming behind the government, _ by them. then, with labour coming behind the government, we - by them. then, with labour coming behind the government, we know l by them. then, with labour coming l behind the government, we know the vote in parliament will go through. does that take some of the pressure off the prime minister's issues with getting the conservative party to come behind his plans?- getting the cons

sir keir starmer had a second go at reshuffling his shadow cabinet, although it looked like he mightook, i don't know the details of any reshuffle. i've been concentrating on thejob i'm doing. then a coronavirus mutation showed the pandemic was far from over. i need to speak to you this evening because i'm afraid we are now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant, 0micron. and we must urgently reinforce our wall of vaccine protection to keep our friends and loved ones safe. earlier today, the uk's four chief medical officers raised the covid alert level to four, its second—highest level. a massive programme of boosterjabs was rolled out, and england was to move to plan b measures. including covid passes for some venues. when that was put to the commons, around 100 tory mps rebelled. the ayes to the right, 329, the noes to the left, 126. the ayes to the right, 369, the noes to the left, 126. all: ooh! in scotland, the first minister urged everyone to cut back on socialising. in the run—up to and in the aftermath of christmas, i'm asking, i am appealing to everyone to cu