UK

January 2022

Sir David Suchet says being knighted on stage ‘doesn’t compare’ to real thing

Poirot star Sir David Suchet has said receiving his knighthood at Windsor Castle was an “extraordinary feeling” that topped being knighted on stage.

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Campaigning parents honoured after death of daughter who ate Pret baguette

The parents of a teenager who died from an allergic reaction after eating a baguette said their OBEs were “medals of hope” in their campaign to overcome food allergies.

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Tory MPs claim a ‘waste of time’ to debate Downing Street party allegations

Conservative MPs claimed it was a “waste of everybody’s time” to discuss Downing Street party allegations in the Commons as they launched a staunch defence of Boris Johnson.

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Belly Mujinga’s inquest to take place this summer, coroner confirms

The inquest of railway station worker Belly Mujinga will be held this summer, more than two years after she died with coronavirus, a coroner has confirmed.

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Government Twitter account advised users to ‘avoid singing and Christmas parties’

In the same week as several Downing Street gatherings, Twitter users seeking advice about coronavirus restrictions were told by the Government to forgo Christmas parties and “avoid singing” even in church.

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Welsh school pupils will continue to wear face coverings

Students will continue to wear face coverings in schools in Wales until at least the February half-term, the Welsh Government has announced.

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Holidaymakers rush to book trips as testing scrapped

Holiday firms are reporting a surge in bookings for foreign travel following the decision to drop testing and self-isolation requirements for people arriving in England.

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PM: Russian invasion of Ukraine will see UK troops sent to protect Nato allies

Britain is prepared to deploy troops to protect Nato allies in Europe should Russia invade Ukraine, Boris Johnson said, as he warned Vladimir Putin faces “ferocious” Ukrainian resistance.

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People wanting IVF urged not to seek ‘designer babies’ abroad

People needing IVF are being urged not to go abroad to create “designer babies” that are screened for the risk of serious diseases such as cancer and dementia.

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Lisa Smith ‘enveloped herself in the black flag of Islamic State’, court hears

Former Defence Forces soldier Lisa Smith “enveloped herself in the black flag” of the so-called Islamic State, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

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Limit how much an MP can earn from a second job, urges sleaze watchdog

A sleaze watchdog has suggested there should be a limit on how much an MP can earn from a second job and on how many hours they can work outside Parliament before questions are asked.

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UUP leader was ‘on cusp’ of quitting in fallout from Twitter storm

The Ulster Unionist Party leader said he was “on the cusp” of quitting amid controversy over historical tweets.

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One in 20 pupils off school because of coronavirus last week as number doubles

One in 20 pupils in England were absent because of coronavirus last week, with the number of pupils off school with a confirmed case doubling in a fortnight.

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Boris Johnson willing to speak to police investigating No 10 parties

Boris Johnson has signalled he is willing to speak to police investigating multiple allegations of Downing Street parties breaching coronavirus regulations but believes he has not broken the law.

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Swinney to look at possible ‘cooling effect’ of complaints passed to police

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has said he will look again at a governmental complaints procedure which could see some reports passed to police against the wishes of complainers, amid fears of a “cooling effect”.

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Glasgow School of Art blaze investigation ‘most complex’ ever for fire service

The investigation into the fire which tore through Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building is the “most complex” ever carried out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, a senior officer has said.

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People who share PM’s birthday ‘disgusted’ by news of No 10 lockdown celebration

People who share a birthday with Boris Johnson have said they are “disgusted” a gathering to celebrate the day with the Prime Minister was held inside No 10 during the UK’s first national lockdown.

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Judge asked to decide whether businessman’s ex-wife should get more money

A judge has been asked to decide whether a millionaire businessman – whose family founded the Screwfix chain – should hand over more money to his ex-wife.

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UK growth outlook cut as Omicron and supply chain troubles bite, says IMF

UK growth will be held back this year by disruption caused by spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus and the ongoing supply chain crisis, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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Tragic Rikki Neave’s mother was writing a book on ‘perfect murder’, court told

The mother of schoolboy Rikki Neave had an interest in witchcraft and was writing a book on the “perfect murder”, it has been claimed in court.

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Catch-up tutors ‘variable and not good with children’, headteacher tells MPs

Catch-up tutors helping pupils who have lost learning during the pandemic are “inconsistent” in quality and not always “very good with children”, MPs were told on Tuesday.

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Marwell Zoo begins annual count of all creatures great and small

Thousands of animals from stick insects to white rhinos are being tallied up for the annual stocktake at Marwell Zoo.

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Vladimir Putin must face ‘show of strength’ over Ukraine, says Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown has said a “show of strength” is needed to face down Russian President Vladimir Putin over a possible fresh incursion in Ukraine.

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Three children and two adults in hospital after north-east London bus crash

Three children and two adults have been taken to hospital after a bus crash in north-east London.

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Cressida Dick defends Metropolitan Police over partygate row

Scotland Yard chief Dame Cressida Dick defended her force’s handling of Downing Street party claims as she confirmed an investigation has now been launched.

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Murder suspect in front of crown court judge after pensioner killed in attack

A man has appeared in front of a crown court judge for the first time accused of the murder of an 86-year-old woman in a “horrendous” attack.

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Covid-19 weekly deaths in England and Wales hit 10-month high

The number of deaths involving coronavirus registered each week in England and Wales has climbed to its highest level for 10 months.

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Activist deceived into relationship with undercover officer awarded £230,000

An environmental activist who was deceived into a nearly two-year relationship with an undercover officer has been awarded almost £230,000 compensation after winning a landmark tribunal case against the Metropolitan Police for breaches of her human rights.

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Senior civil servant Sue Gray probing Tories ‘faced down IRA hijack bid’

The senior civil servant probing Boris Johnson’s Downing Street garden party once faced down IRA paramilitaries who attempted to hijack her car.

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When will Sue Gray’s report be released and what is it all about?

The report on which the Prime Minister’s future may depend is expected to be delivered later this week.