Markus Andrews

All adults in England will be offered a booster jab by the end of the year, Boris Johnson has announced in what is a sharp acceleration of the vaccination programme.In a televised address on Sunday night the prime minister warned that the UK was “facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant, omicron”.The PM said he was launching a “national mission” to get everyone jabbed, stating: “No one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of omicron coming.”Over 1 million people a day will need to be vaccinated to reach the ambitious target – double the 530,000 jabbed on Saturday and exceeding the previous record of 844,000 set in March.All adults over 18 will become eligible for a jab from Monday, with the devolved nations expected to follow suit.It comes after scientists advising the government recommended raising the Covid alert level to 4 – meaning there is a “rapidly increasing risk to public”.“A fortnight ago I said we would offer every eligible adult a booster by the end of January,” Mr Johnson said.“Today, in light of this omicron emergency, I am bringing that target forward by a whole month. Everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the new year.”Mr Johnson said some other medical appointments would need to be postponed until the new year to make way for the inoculation programme. He also promised to deploy 42 military planning teams across the UK to try and reach the new target – which would require the NHS to exceed its previous record rate of vaccination.Both the Welsh and Scottish first ministers Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon said more measures may be necessary to stop omicron. “Given the expected volume of cases in the weeks ahead … [it] is also possible that further, proportionate protective measures or advice will be necessary,” Ms Sturgeon warned.”This is true even if Omicron proves to be slightly less severe than delta. The number of cases will still put significant pressure on the NHS and the economy. The government will therefore consider the latest data tomorrow [Monday] ahead of a cabinet meeting on Tuesday and I will set out any decisions to parliament later that day.”Mr Drakeford said: “We are facing a very serious situation and we may need to take further steps to keep Wales safe.” In a joint statement on Sunday evening the chief medical officers and NHS England said they had recommended to ministers that the alert level go up from level 3 to level 4.“Transmission of Covid-19 is already high in the community, mainly still driven by delta, but the emergence of omicron adds additional and rapidly increasing risk to the public and healthcare services,” they said.“Early evidence shows that omicron is spreading much faster than delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic disease from omicron is reduced. Data on severity will become clearer over the coming weeks but admissions to hospital from omicron are already occurring and these are likely to increase rapidly.“When vaccine protection is reduced in the way that is happening with omicron it is essential to top-up that protection with a booster. Both booster vaccines [Pfizer and Moderna] increase the immune response substantially and show good effectiveness although with some reduction compared to delta.”Level 4 is the second highest level in the alert system. According to the government’s scale it means Covid “is in general circulation” and that “transmission is high or rising exponentially”.It also means that “pressure on healthcare services is widespread and substantial or rising”.The UK reported 1,239 additional omicron cases on Sunday, nearly doubling the previous daily high. It takes the total reported number of cases of the new variant to 3,137 in the UK. Speaking after Mr Johnson’s address, Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s leader, urged people to “keep our foot on the pedal” with regards to vaccination.“The vaccine is safe and effective. It protects us and those around us. We will always support the NHS and act in the public interest. Therefore the government has our support in the effort to accelerate the booster programme. It’s also vital that we use the Christmas holidays to get the vaccine out to eligible children,” he said. “I urge everyone to get boosted as soon as you can – and if you haven’t had your first or second jab yet, now is the time to come forward.”The prime minister’s announcement comes as he tries to regain control of the political narrative, after a torrid few weeks embroiled in scandals over sleaze, corruption, and alleged breaches of Covid rules at Downing Street. More

Labour has demanded Boris Johnson come to parliament and answer questions about whether he misled MPs over alleged Christmas lockdown rule-breaking. The prime minister last week told the Commons there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken in Downing Street – shortly before photos emerged of him hosting a Christmas quiz.Some Conservatives, including Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, have said Mr Johnson’s position would be untenable were he found to have lied about the party at his home address.But Conservative ministers spent Sunday trying to downplay the latest revelations of Mr Johnson’s festivities in No 10.Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi took to the airwaves to claim the quiz could not have been a party because there was no alcohol. When it was pointed our that Mr Johnson was flanked by two colleagues in Christmas garb, the minister told the BBC: “I don’t think there’s a rule against recognising Christmas with tinsel or a hat.” But Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is a former director of public prosecutions, said it appeared that the prime minister had broken the rules.Sir Keir, asked on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show whether the prime minister had been breaking the law, said: “Well, it looks as though he was. He must have known that other groups were in other rooms in his own building.”But the opposition leader stopped short of calling for Mr Johnson to resign over his participation in the event.Instead he branded the PM the “worst possible leader at the worst possible time”, arguing that trust in new measures to control the fast-spreading omicron variant could have been undermined by recent rule-breaking allegations.Mr Zahawi meanwhile argued the prime minister’s case, telling Sky News: “What do we see in that picture? We see a prime minister on a virtual quiz night for 10 to 15 minutes, to thank his staff – who by the way had no choice but to come in every single day.“Sitting in his office with the two people who are closest working with him, no alcohol on the table, not drinking – on a Zoom call or teams call, virtual call – respecting the lockdown rules.“Many people would have had similar Zoom quiz nights around the country. They are in his office, they work with him.”Social events outside household bubbles were banned under government rules at the time, including with colleagues who might otherwise have been working together.Official guidance stated: “You must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”It comes during ongoing anger about a separate party held at Downing Street, which is now the subject of an investigation by the cabinet secretary.Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said: “Despite repeated denials of parties in No 10, it has now transpired that there were numerous parties, gatherings and the prime minister even took part in a festive quiz. “It appears that Boris Johnson lied to the country and broke the law. It is increasingly clear that the prime minister presided over a culture of ignoring the rules that he told everyone else to follow. It’s time to fess up. “Boris Johnson and the Conservatives really believe it’s one rule for them, another for everyone else.”A No 10 spokeswoman said: “This was a virtual quiz. Downing Street staff were often required to be in the office to work on the pandemic response so those who were in the office for work may have attended virtually from their desks.“The prime minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year.”Mr Johnson on Sunday night dodged questions from the press over the affair by pre-recording his statement to the country. More

Ministers have raised the UK’s Covid alert level amid concern about the spread of the new omicron variant of the disease.In a joint statement on Sunday evening the chief medical officers and NHS England said they had recommended to ministers that the alert level go up from Level 3 to Level 4.“Transmission of COVID-19 is already high in the community, mainly still driven by Delta, but the emergence of Omicron adds additional and rapidly increasing risk to the public and healthcare services,” they said.“Early evidence shows that omicron is spreading much faster than Delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic disease from Omicron is reduced. Data on severity will become clearer over the coming weeks but hospitalisations from Omicron are already occurring and these are likely to increase rapidly.“When vaccine protection is reduced in the way that is happening with Omicron it is essential to top up that protection with a booster. Both booster vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) increase the immune response substantially and show good effectiveness although with some reduction compared to Delta.”In comes after scientists advising the government said the variant had the potential to cause tens of thousands of deaths over the winter if addition restrictions were not imposed.Boris Johnson is set to address the nation at 8pm in a prerecorded message, without taking questions – meaning he will avoid scrutiny over allegations that he broke the rules.Level 4 is the second highest level in the alert system. According to the government’s scale it means Covid “is in general circulation” and that “transmission is high or rising exponentially”.It also means that “pressure on healthcare services is widespread and substantial or rising”.The alert level has never dropped as far as Level 2 since the system was created. Level 2 would imply low cases and transmission. The UK was previously at Level 3, which implies Covid is in “general circulation”.Level 5, the highest level, would mean there was a “material risk” of the NHS being overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases. Raising the Covid alert level has no immediate practical effect on policy but is supposed to indicate the general level of threat. More

Boris Johnson is facing a fight for his political life at Westminster this week as a perfect storm of issues threaten to destabilise his premiership. The PM is set to suffer the government’s biggest rebellion yet on Tuesday over plans to bring in vaccine passports, with the list of Tory MPs threatening to vote against them nearing 70.As well as being damaged by scandals over alleged breaches of Covid rules at parties and quizzes during lockdown, and questions over sleaze and corruption, the PM will also go into this week struggling to hold on to a safe Tory heartland seat.Allies of the prime minister on Sunday downplayed Tory prospects of holding North Shropshire, which is holding a by-election to replace Owen Paterson. Mr Paterson quit in a row over his second job and breaches of lobbying rules.Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday that by-elections are sometimes used to “send a message” to the government and sought to manage expectations by claiming the contest could see a “protest vote”.The Liberal Democrats have positioned themselves as the main challengers in the seat and now see victory as being within their grasp – citing early canvass returns and bookies’ odds.While a defeat would do little to practically dent Mr Johnson’s significant majority, it could not come at a worse time for the PM, whose party is increasingly reconsidering whether he is an electoral asset.Some Tory MPs are thought to have filed votes of no confidence in the prime minister with the chair of the 1922 Committee – the mechanism used to replace the Tory leader. The letters are kept confidential until they hit a threshold, currently 56.While the number of letters with the chair is not thought to be anywhere near that number, it was reported over the weekend that close allies of former prime minister Theresa May are considering submitting theirs in the event of a by-election defeat on Thursday.Pressing ahead with vaccine passports on Tuesday – with the help of Labour votes – could also further antagonise those in the Conservative Party who have so far tolerated the PM.MPs on the rebellion list compiled by the Tory-supporting Spectator magazine, which Mr Johnson once edited, range from old hands such as Iain Duncan Smith and Christopher Chope, to new “red wall” MPs including Dehenna Davison and Lee Anderson. As of Sunday night the list numbers 68, with Tobias Ellwood, Scott Benton, Henry Smith and Matt Vickers being the latest additions. Mr Johnson has long been able to rely on a poll lead, or at least midterm level-pegging with Labour, but recent scandals have eroded his lead.An Opinium survey published on Sunday put Labour nine points ahead of Mr Johnson’s party – the biggest Labour lead in seven years, according to the polling firm. More

Boris Johnson looks to have broken the law when he hosted a Christmas quiz at Downing Street during lockdown, Labour’s leader has said.Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, said it “looks as though” the prime minister was in breach of the rules.Pictures published by the Sunday Mirror show the PM flanked by colleagues and draped in tinsel in No.10, with others apparently taking part online.Downing Street has confirmed that the PM “briefly” took part in the quiz, though they stressed the virtual nature of some participants.Defending the PM on Sunday morning television Nadhim Zahawi, who was at the time the vaccines minister, stressed that no alcohol had been solved at the event.Asked about the apparent social nature of the meeting, he told the BBC: “I don’t think there’s a rule against recognising Christmas with tinsel or a hat.”But Sir Keir, asked on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show whether the Prime Minister had been breaking the law, said: “Well, it looks as though he was.“He must have known that other groups were in other rooms in his own building.”But the opposition leader stopped short of calling for Mr Johnson to resign over his participation in the event.Instead he branded the PM the “worst possible leader at the worst possible time”, arguing that trust in new measures to control the fast-spreading omicron variant could have been undermined by recent rule-breaking allegations.Social events outside household bubbles were banned under government rules at the time, including with colleagues who might otherwise have been working together.Official guidance stated: “You must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”A No 10 spokeswoman said: “This was a virtual quiz.“Downing Street staff were often required to be in the office to work on the pandemic response so those who were in the office for work may have attended virtually from their desks.“The Prime Minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year.” More

Boris Johnson apologises for No 10 staff joking about lockdown Christmas partyBoris Johnson may have broken the law with a Christmas quiz last year, Labour and the SNP have said, while a Tory minister defended the event by saying there was “no alcohol on the table” and “no rule against recognising Christmas with tinsel”. Images have emerged in the Sunday Mirror of the prime minister during the Downing Street quiz, sitting next to members of staff wearing tinsel and a santa hat. The newspaper reported this took place days before a No 10 gathering currently under investigation by Cabinet secretary Simon Case. Tory minister Nadhim Zahawi defended the event on Sunday, saying it was a “virtual call” and no one was drinking. Guidance at the time said members of the public should not have a “work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”Amid the row over Christmas parties, Labour has surged to its highest polling lead over the Conservatives in seven years. Show latest update

1639316406Boris Johnson slams BBC for Christmas party coverage – reportAnother report today claims Boris Johnson has blasted the BBC over its coverage of the Downing Street Christmas party row. The Daily Mail reported the prime minister called the broadcaster “frivilous and vengeful” and criticised it for neglecting a “primary duty” of promoting booster jabs.See more here:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:401639320306Full story: Starmer says Johnson ‘may have broken law’ Boris Johnson looks to have broken the law when he hosted a Christmas quiz at Downing Street during lockdown, Labour’s leader has said.Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, said it “looks as though” the prime minister was in breach of the rules.Jon Stone, our policy correspondent, reports:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 14:451639319646Police warning over Covid rule compliance after Christmas party scandalSenior police officers have warned that public compliance with new Covid laws will be affected by the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.Sources told The Independent anecdotal reports were coming in over terse exchanges between police and the public in recent days, and officers fear any move to ban parties would prompt a significant backlash.One senior police officer, speaking off the record, warned that if any new restrictions come in, the “public would try to comply… but would be rightly p****d off.”Here is the exclusive by Lizzie Dearden, our home affairs editor:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 14:341639318506By-election could be ‘protest vote’, Tory ministerBack to the North Shropshire by-election, the Conservatives have appeared to play down their chances of winning after a minister said the electorate could use the poll as a “protest vote”.Nadhim Zahawi told Times Radio by-elections are sometimes used to “send a message”, in what will be read as a hint that the Tories think they could lose the contest, despite enjoying a comfortable majority of almost 23,000 at the last election two years ago.Full story:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 14:151639317366Met Police maintains stance on Downing Street ‘parties’Rachel Wearmouth from the Daily Mirror says the Met Police maintains it will not investigate Downing Street for potential Covid breaches last year:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:561639315506North Shropshire Tories say PM is ‘hinderance’ ahead of by-electionThe current row over Christmas parties comes days before North Shropshire goes to the polls for a by-election – triggered by the resignation of Owen Paterson.Local tories have said Boris Johnson has become a hindrance to Conservative campaigners in the area, with activists repeatedly admonished on the doorstep over a prime minister perceived to be presiding over a series of scandals and mis-steps. Colin Drury reports:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:251639314621‘National vaccination mission’In other news, Boris Johnson is set to launch a “national vaccination mission” in a bid to head off the omicron variant of Covid. Jon Stone, our policy correspondent, reports:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 13:101639313301Starmer backs government in Covid voteIn other news, the government is preparing to vote on new Covid restrictions on Tuesday. These are expected to become law this week after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer confirmed his party would be supporting the government in next week’s vote. The PM could potentially be facing the largest rebellion of his premiership over the new restrictions, with more than 60 Conservative MPs said to be against them. Additional reporting by PAZoe Tidman12 December 2021 12:481639312401ICYMI: Zahawi defends No10 Christmas quizNadhim Zahawi defended the Downing Street Christmas quiz in media interviews this morning, giving reasons such as there was no alcohol on the table.Watch here:Tory minister suggests Christmas quiz wasn’t party because there was ‘no alcohol’Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 12:331639311261Round-up of Christmas party allegationsAccusations of Christmas festivites in Westminster last year – amid strict Covid restrictions – have continued to emerge this weekend. Fresh reports of a Christmas quiz in Downing Street come after days of allegations involving parties for government staff. Andy Gregory has the full round-up:Zoe Tidman12 December 2021 12:14 More

Boris Johnson has become a hindrance to Conservative campaigners in the North Shropshire by-election, local Tories have said amid growing questions about his leadership.Party activists are being repeatedly admonished on the doorstep over a prime minister perceived to be presiding over a series of scandals and mis-steps – most notably his apparent attempts to cover-up a Downing Street Christmas party, and the news he himself hosted a Christmas quiz.Campaigners say they are having to spend significant amounts of time listening to disquiet about Mr Johnson’s conduct before they can begin presenting a positive case for the seat’s candidate, Neil Shastri-Hurst.“I think he’s been a slight hindrance, that’s what people are telling us,” said Mark Jones, a Shropshire councillor who has been campaigning this week with Mr Shastri-Hurst. “They are mentioning these things so it becomes our job to get them back to the subject which is making sure we get the right candidate for North Shropshire.”By rights, the by-election – called after previous Tory MP Owen Paterson resigned amid a lobby scandal – should have been a blue stroll. The party has a 23,000 majority and has held the area for almost 200 years.Yet, while local activists remain confident of seeing off a strong Lib Dem challenge, they say the job has been made intractably more difficult by their leader.“He gives the general impression that he is a buffoon and that he is not taking things seriously; and what people think of that, I am sure, will come out in the election result,” said Roy Aldcroft, another Shropshire councillor and the Conservative Mayor of Market Drayton. “And I would say, if we do lose this, he [Mr Johnson] would have to reflect on his position.“I would like to see the whole issue of who leads us through future elections looked at if we lose. I think that applies even if we win but it’s with a largely reduced majority.”Even party members looking for positives described Mr Johnson as a “Marmite” figure in the area.“Some people do say he’s fantastic but there are an equal number who say, ‘Go away, I’m not going to vote for you again, he’s really put me off’,” said Geoff Elner, a third Shropshire councillor. “We had a 23,000 majority and that’s dwindled and dwindled and dwindled because of what has been happening [in Westminster]. We will get in but it will be nowhere the size [of 2019’s victory].”The local grumbles come as Tory MPs have also begun questioning whether Mr Johnson is up to the job of governing and, crucially, of winning another election.“If we lost the by-election,” one senior Conservative told The Independent. “then he would be in huge trouble. A by-election loss will damage the idea of him as an election winner. The public haven’t historically applied the same rules to him but that is fading away.” More

Boris Johnson is set to launch a “national vaccination mission” in a bid to head off the omicron variant of Covid-19.Addressing the nation on Sunday evening the prime minister is expected to warn that the more virulent strain of Covid will soon become the dominant one in the UK.The Independent understands Mr Johnson will set a target to give boosters to a large proportion of the population by Christmas. He is expected to say that the latest data around omicron’s transmissibility and ability to evade vaccines is “deeply concerning”.The PM will draw on the latest data, which suggests that booster shots of existing vaccines are effective at stopping omicron – but that two shots do not always offer sufficient protection.It comes as the prime minister struggles to regain control of the news narrative, following a politically torrid few weeks of being battered on sleaze, corruption, and lockdown rulebreaking.On Friday the UK Health Security Agency said its data showed boosters significantly restore protection against Covid, reversing an otherwise steep drop in vaccine effectiveness.”These early estimates should be treated with caution but they indicate that a few months after the second jab, there is a greater risk of catching the Omicron variant compared to Delta strain,” Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UKHSA, said.”The data suggest this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible.”On Saturday scientists advising the government at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warned that Omicron could cause between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths in England over the next five months without additional restrictions, under their most pessimistic scenario.Even under their study’s most optimistic scenario a peak of 2,400 daily hospital admissions would be seen if England stayed under the government’s “plan B” measures,. But the scientists said much of their calculations relied on the efficacy of the government’s booster programme and the speed at which it could be rolled out.Downing Street has confirmed Mr Johnson will give an address later on Sunday. Speaking on Sunday morning Nadhim Zahawi said the prime minister would explain more about the government’s approach to booster vaccines when he appeared. More