Boris Johnson news – live: PM acted ‘unwisely’ over flat refurb but did not break rules, as Orban visits No 10

Matt Hancock’s shares in his sister’s firm approved as an NHS supplier should have been declared, an ethics watchdog has said.

The failure was found to be “a result of his lack of knowledge and in no way deliberate, and therefore, in technical terms, a minor breach of the ministerial code”.

Lord Geidt, the No 10 adviser on ministerial interests, concluded: “In coming to this finding, I recognise that Mr Hancock has acted with integrity.”

Hancock’s entry in the Commons register did not reveal that his sister, Emily Gilruth, is a director and owns a larger portion of the shares – or that it had links to the NHS.

Boris Johnson’s independent ethics adviser has said the PM acted “unwisely” in the handling of his flat refurbishment and found a “significant failing” in his approach – but there was no breach of the ministerial code.

Christopher Geidt released the findings of his inquiry into the five-figure renovation of the 11 Downing Street flat.

He said: “I have considered the nature of that support and am content that no conflict (or reasonably perceived conflict) arises as a result of these interests.”

Lord Geidt said that plans for a trust to fund the PM’s share of refurb were “not subjected to a scheme of rigorous project management by officials” – calling it “a significant failing”.

“Instead, the prime minister – unwisely, in my view – allowed the refurbishment of the apartment at No 11 Downing Street to proceed without more rigorous regard for how this would be funded.”

Boris Johnson’s decision to “roll out the red carpet” for Hungarian prime minister Viktor has sparked serious concern from opposition parties. So why is he so controversial?

Orban and his Fidesz party cling to a fierce Euroscepticism, making Hungary an outlier within the EU during his 11-year premiership. His vision of so-called “illiberal democracy” doesn’t sit easily with the bloc’s values of freedom, equality and democracy.

Orban has spoken of “Muslim invaders” and described migrants as “a poison”, while his government has been accused of running antisemitic and Islamophobic hate campaigns.

Orban has also attacked the freedom of the press and stacked the judiciary with allies, while limiting its power and forcing many existing judges into early retirement.

Andy Gregory has taken a closer look at Orban’s authoritarian government:

The new DUP leader Edwin Poots has denied his party is divided. The Stormont minister was ratified by his party following a stormy meeting at a Belfast hotel on Thursday night.

Outgoing leader Arlene Foster and several senior figures – including Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Gavin Robinson and Diane Dodds – left the building before Poots rose to give his speech.

Poots later addressed the media alongside the newly ratified deputy leader Paula Bradley, describing the meeting as “good,” adding: “We will move forward in a united way.”

There’s been some movement in UK-EU talks on protocol arrangements, according to the RTE’s Tony Connelly.

There’s said to be “broad progress” in negotiations between the EU Commission and UK officials at a technical level – but Brussels has “registered its concerns” with the constant criticisms with protocol in Britain, then amplified by unionists in Northern Ireland.

The two sides are said to be close to an agreement on UK medicines moving into NI, but remain far apart on the question of food safety and animal health.

Nicola Sturgeon has told people in Glasgow not to eat and drink in pubs or restaurants outside the city even if they are allowed to travel to other parts of the country.

The first minister said residents should still follow the level 3 restrictions on hospitality even when making permitted visits out of the city.

It comes after Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow resident Patrick Harvie was caught drinking in an Edinburgh bar with colleagues.

A photograph of the gathering also appeared to show the MSPs breaching rules about no more than three households meeting indoors. “The Greens have accepted this week that they breached the regulations and they’ve apologised,” said Sturgeon.

“I’ve got – not the same, but some – experience of that before Christmas when I had the incident of briefly forgetting to put my face covering on.”

Boris Johnson is happy that Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot Janssen coronavirus vaccine has been approved for use in the UK.

Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot Janssen coronavirus vaccine has been approved for use in the UK.

Describing it as a “further boost” to the UK’s vaccination programme, Matt Hancock said it means “we now have four safe and effective vaccines approved to help protect people from this awful virus”.

The health secretary added: “As Janssen is a single-dose vaccine, it will play an important role in the months to come as we redouble our efforts to encourage everyone to get their jabs and potentially begin a booster programme later this year.”

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is “premature” to relax level 3 restrictions in Glasgow due to “uncomfortably high” case rates.

The first minister suggested the R rate of transmission could also be around 1.3 in the country, with Friday’s daily case number the highest since 25 March.

Sturgeon suggested the situation was “stabilising” in Glasgow, suggesting a decision could be made at the end of next week to move the city down to level 2 restrictions.

Boris Johnson has suggested the Olympic Games should be able to “take place safely” in Japan this summer, according to No 10.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The prime minister spoke to Japanese prime minster Yoshihide Suga this morning ahead of the UK’s G7 summit next month.

“The prime minister expressed his support for the Tokyo Olympics, and noted Japan’s efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely … They looked forward to seeing each other in Cornwall in two weeks’ time.”