Boris Johnson news – live: Sue Gray report looms as PM ‘sneaking through’
Related video: Lib Dem leader accuses police of ‘undermining’ public trust over No 10 party scandal
Dominic Cummings says he believes it is his “duty to get rid” of the prime minister, describing his campaign against Boris Johnson as “an unpleasant but necessary job” like “fixing the drains”.
In a rare interview with New York magazine, the PM’s ex-chief adviser called his former boss a “complete f***wit” and took aim at his ability to lead the country. Mr Cummings’ latest attack came after former home secretary David Blunkett suggested MI5 is likely taking an “urgent look” into how big of a “security risk” Mr Johnson is amid the ongoing Partygate furore.
It is still unclear when Sue Gray’s report into the No 10 lockdown-busting parties scandal will be delivered to Mr Johnson, after the Metropolitan Police insisted it be censored to avoid prejudicing the force’s own probe.
Meanwhile, a former defence chief said the PM is too weakened by the issue to intervene in the Ukraine crisis. “He will travel to Moscow, or wherever he’s going in eastern Europe this week, but everyone will know that he’s a man with a time bomb sitting under him,” General Richard Dannatt told Times Radio.
Government ‘set for U-turn’ on mandatory Covid vaccines for NHS staff
Boris Johnson’s government is expected to announce a U-turn on mandatory Covid vaccines for NHS and social care workers, according to reports.
Health secretary Sajid Javid has been facing pressure to scrap the requirement for health workers in England to be vaccinated by April amid fears it will lead to a major staffing crisis.
Mr Javid is set to meet ministers on the Covid-Operations Cabinet committee on Monday to confirm the U-turn, according to The Telegraph.
The government is said to be comfortable ending the policy because Omicron has been milder than previous variants.
Adam Forrest has the full story below.
Laurie Churchman31 January 2022 07:54
What is the Brexit Freedoms Bill?
The Brexit Freedoms Bill will affect the handling of retained EU law.
That’s Brussels-made regulations which were preserved in the UK statute book for legal continuity after the Brexit transition period ended in 2020.
The government has previously said it eventually intends to amend, replace or repeal all retained law it deems “not right for the UK”.
Downing Street argues that under current rules, changing or scrapping regulations it deems outdated would take “several years” because of a lengthy alteration process.
It said the new Bill will “ensure that changes can be made more easily”, so the UK can “capitalise on Brexit freedoms more quickly”.
But Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish ministers have criticised the Bill, saying it undermines the devolution settlement.
Angus Robertson, the Scottish government’s cabinet secretary for the constitution, said: “This makes a mockery of the UK government’s recent commitment to reset relationships with the devolved governments.”
Laurie Churchman31 January 2022 07:38
ICYMI | Sunak says Partygate could be ‘unsurvivable’ for PM
Rishi Sunak is putting the…
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