Boris Johnson news live: PM insists he ‘broke no rules’ during quiz as over 70
Boris Johnson claims he ‘certainly broke no rules’ with Christmas quiz
Boris Johnson has insisted he “certainly broke no rules” but said the Whitehall investigation into potentially lockdown-breaking Christmas parties in Downing St will include his festive quiz.
Sir Keir Starmer has demanded Mr Johnson come to parliament and answer questions about whether he misled MPs over alleged Christmas lockdown rule-breaking.
Speaking to broadcasters, the Prime Minister said: “I can tell you that I certainly broke no rules – the whole thing will be looked into by the Cabinet Secretary, and what I’m focused on, frankly, is the vaccine rollout.”
Pressed if that means the investigation into the alleged Downing St Christmas parties will include the quiz, Mr Johnson replied: “He’s looking at all these things. Is that the thing with the Zoom call? Yeah.”
The prime minister is set to face his biggest rebellion yet on Tuesday over plan B restrictions – specifically plans to bring in Covid certificates, with the list of Tory MPs threatening to vote against them reported to be at around 76.
MPs call for public inquiry into failures to stop serial killer Stephen Port
MPs have called for a public inquiry into police failures to stop serial killer Stephen Port and whether homophobia played a part in the bungled investigations.
Inquest jurors found last week that the shambolic inquiries probably contributed to the deaths of three victims – Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor.
Asking an urgent question about the case in the House of Commons on Monday, Barking MP Margaret Hodge asked Home Office minister Kit Malthouse: “Does the minister agree with the friends, partners and families that the Metropolitan Police are prejudiced and institutionally homophobic?
“Does he at the very least agree that, given the facts of the cases, homophobia must have been a factor that influenced the actions and inactions of the police?
“In these circumstances will he please order a full public inquiry to examine whether there is institutional homophobia in the police service?”
Dame Margaret said such an inquiry is “vital” if the police are to “gain the trust of the LGBTQ+ community”, adding: “The inquiry is also vital to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.”
She was supported by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, who said the Home Office “response is too weak given the seriousness of this”.
Emily Atkinson13 December 2021 17:35
Johnson’s warning to Vladimir Putin over Ukraine invasion fears
The Prime Minister spoke by telephone to Mr Putin on Monday to reassert the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and warn that any destabilising action by Moscow would be a “strategic mistake”.
Mr Johnson’s call marks the latest intervention by Western leaders urging the Kremlin to draw back amid growing alarm at the build-up of Russian forces in the region.
Gavin Cordon has the details here:
Emily Atkinson13 December 2021 17:20
Covid pass rules to be tightened to require two jabs and a booster
England’s Covid pass system is to be tightened from the start of next…
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