BORIS Johnson "is safe in his job", a Cabinet ally has insisted, despite fury over "partygate" – amid hopes Plan B will be lifted within days by the PM.
This morning Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi insisted Mr Johnson was staying put.
On the third time of asking if the PM is "safe in his job" the top Tory said: "Yes, he is, because he's human and we make mistakes. And, actually, he came to the despatch box and apologised and said he will absolutely submit himself to Parliament, because that's our parliamentary democracy."
Mr Zahawi, who himself has been tipped as a future leader, dismissed suggestions of a concerted plan to save his boss' career.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson will announce THIS WEEK whether he is ditching Plan B restrictions, Downing Street hinted today.
The PM is widely expected to drop working from home guidance and vaccine passports when the measures expire next Wednesday – but masks could stay.
Oliver Dowden, the Conservative Party chairman, said the "signs are encouraging" that Plan B rules will be relaxed within a matter of weeks, including an end to work from home guidance and the axing of covid passports.
Read our covid live blog below for the latest news and updates…
- Louis Allwood
New blow
In a new blow to the PM, former minister Tim Loughton yesterday became the sixth Tory MP to publicly call for him to quit.
Former party chairman Lord Kenneth Baker, meanwhile, said the partygate claims were “hanging around Boris’ neck” and predicted that he could be gone in months.
He said: “I think at some point this year there will be leadership election.”
Mr Johnson is not expected to be seen out in public again until Wednesday, when he will face the wrath of his MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions.
- Joseph Gamp
Experts claim Britain has passed Omicron peak
BRITAIN has passed the Omicron peak and experts reckon the end of the pandemic is now in sight.
Infections and hospital cases are falling across the country — the first time both measures have dropped since the ultra-contagious Covid variant swept the UK at the end of last year.
The World Health Organization’s Covid special envoy David Nabarro said Britain could now see “light at the end of the tunnel”.
And Professor Paul Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, predicted that life could be back to normal by the summer.
He said: “Covid will soon be just one of the causes of the common cold and will be a pain in the behind, maybe flaring up in winter.
"We will need boosters for the most vulnerable but I can’t see widespread mask use or testing being warranted. I think it’s quite plausible that we won’t have any restrictions by summer. That is a reasonably realistic expectation. Ultimately, we will live in a society that this thing circulates quite widely and every few years we’ll get a dose of the cold."
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
Long Covid patients also struggle with fainting spells
Long Covid patients have reportedly also struggled with fainting spells.
Data from Italy, Spain and Portugal found from more than 14,000 Covid patients 4.2 per cent said they had felt faint or fainted in the early stage of the infection.
It seems to be affecting people over the age of 60 more frequently.
It comes as around 20 Omicron symptoms have been revealed as ones you are most likely to get.
This doesn't mean there aren't others that could pop up, but these have been most reported by people who caught the variant.
- Joseph Gamp
Feeling light-headed may be early Omicron warning symptom
OMICRON symptoms are different for everyone who catches the variant – with many more than the classic Covid three.
Some people don't have any at all, some will only have a few and others might experience a whole range.
But there are a couple that have popped up time and time again as indicators you could be starting to come down with the virus.
These have included sore throats, night sweats and headaches as early warning signs.
And now a new report from Germany has suggested fainting spells could be a sign of Omicron.
Doctors in Berlin have found a link after a 35-year-old came to hospital suffering recurrent fainting spells – who was then found to have Covid.
- Joseph Gamp
Education secretary insists PM is staying put
This morning Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi insisted Mr Johnson was staying put.
On the third time of asking if the PM is "safe in his job" the top Tory said: "Yes, he is, because he's human and we make mistakes.
"And, actually, he came to the despatch box and apologised and said he will absolutely submit himself to Parliament, because that's our parliamentary democracy."
Mr Zahawi, who himself has been tipped as a future leader, dismissed suggestions of a concerted plan to save his boss' career.
- Joseph Gamp
'Untrue that PM was warned about event in advance'
Tonight No10 repeated their insistence that “It is untrue that the Prime Minister was warned about the event in advance.”
“As he said earlier this week he believed implicitly that this was a work event.
“He has apologised to the House and is committed to making a further statement once the investigation concludes.”
- Joseph Gamp
North East reporting highest cases in the UK
The North East is reporting the highest case numbers in all of the UK, with almost double the case rate (2,015 per 100,000) than London (1,161).
The region saw a growth in Omicron behind the capital – which bore the brunt of the variant when it first emerged in early December, before it spread across the country.
But the Government coronavirus dashboard shows that in the North East, cases have been receding for around a week.
- Joseph Gamp
Omicron ‘disappearing in all parts of UK except one
OMICRON is “disappearing” across the UK other than one region, with hopes Plan B will be lifted within days.
The super-mutant strain is losing its grip, data suggest, giving experts cautious optimism.
Some 208,000 people were catching symptomatic Covid every day at the peak of the wave.
But this has now reduced to 155,000, according to estimates from the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, which tracks the outbreak using millions of app users’ data.
Prof Tim Spector, an epidemiologist who leads the research, wrote on Twitter: “Zoe shows Omicron cases disappearing fast all over the U.K. except NEast – down from peak of 208000 to 155000 per day so still high but looking good.”
- Joseph Gamp
PM enlists Royal Navy to stop Channel migrants as he tries to stay in No10
Boris Johnson is to enlist the Royal Navy to help combat migrant Channel crossings as he launches a policy blitz in a bid to cling on to his job.
The PM also plans to ban boozing in Downing Street and fire failing advisers as he attempts to draw a line under partygate as part of his “Operation Red Meat” initiative.
Mr Johnson will also vow to turbo-charge growth across the North and Midlands when he publishes the Government’s long-awaited Levelling Up plan next week.
Yet former Cabinet ministers said the PM’s populist initiatives do not go far enough to save his skin — and by last night six Tory MPs had gone public to call for him to quit.
Under Mr Johnson’s drive, the Navy would take over from the Border Force within the next few weeks in the battle to prevent migrants crossing the Channel in small boats to get into the UK.
Government insiders believe the sight of Navy vessels patrolling will deter people-smuggling gangs from sending dinghies across the stretch.
- Joseph Gamp
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise over office beer
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has refused to apologise over images of him drinking beer in an office at a time when coronavirus rules banned indoor socialising.
Sir Keir insisted no rules were broken while he had a takeaway in a constituency office while working on the election campaign in 2021.
He repeatedly refused to apologise and was branded a “hypocrite” by a caller during his LBC Radio phone-in show.
The Labour leader has demanded the resignation of Boris Johnson over No 10 parties held during 2020 when England was locked down.
Sir Keir was pictured in the office of City of Durham MP Mary Foy on April 30 2021 in the run-up to May’s local elections and the Hartlepool parliamentary by-election.
He said: “The picture of me was in a constituency office up in the North East, it was I think, three or four days before the May elections, so we’re really busy. I was with my team going across the country from place to place. We’re in the office, working in the office and we stopped for a takeaway, and then we carried on working and that is the long and the short of it. There was no breach of the rules. There was no party. And there was absolutely no comparison with the Prime Minister.”
- Joseph Gamp
UK appears to be moving out of Omicron's grip
The UK appears to be moving out of Omicron's grip, with 70,924 Covid cases were reported yesterday – the lowest daily total in more than a month.
The last time infections dropped below 70,000 was on December 14 when 59,610 positive tests were recorded.
It is the third day in a row that the number of people testing positive has fallen below 100,000 in a promising sign the country is moving past the Omicron peak.
- Joseph Gamp
UK daily Covid cases fall 40% in a week
THE UK’s daily Covid cases are down on last Monday’s figures by 40 per cent.
Last week new infections were 142,224 and today they are 84,429, in a huge drop.
Yesterday 70,924 new infections were reported in 24 hours, with 88 deaths logged.
This was the lowest figure for a month, after Omicron began to spread throughout the country.
The last time infections dropped below 70,000 was on December 14 when 59,610 positive tests were recorded.
- Joseph Gamp
Covid isolation slashed to five days from today
Major Covid rule changes came in today for Brits in a major boost for struggling businesses.
People in England who test positive for the virus can now leave isolation after five full days after daily cases more than halved in a fortnight.
The rule change was confirmed by the Health Secretary last week – after experts had called for isolation to be slashed while the NHS struggles with mass staff absences.
Fresh research suggested slashing isolation to five days would only result in an extra two in 100 people leaving quarantine while still infectious.
- Joseph Gamp
What is included in Labour’s 10 point plan
Labour’s 10 point plan for living with Covid:
- Retain volunteer responders to assist with vaccination (next winter)
- Prioritise testing and make it fit for the future
- Fix sick pay
- Playing our part in vaccinating the world
- Prioritise children’s learning
- Launch exercises to learn lessons
- Publish a “road map” for future decision-making
- Transform the “front door” of the NHS and use Covid’s legacy to build resilience and bring waiting lists down
- Transform social care
- Turbo-charge research and innovation
UK daily Covid cases fall 40% in a week
THE UK's daily Covid cases are down on last Monday's figures by 40 per cent.
Last week new infections were 142,224 and today they are 84,429, in a huge drop.
Yesterday 70,924 new infections were reported in 24 hours, with 88 deaths logged.
This was the lowest figure for a month, after Omicron began to spread throughout the country.
The last time infections dropped below 70,000 was on December 14 when 59,610 positive tests were recorded.
- Joseph Gamp
Studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
- Joseph Gamp
Dowden optimistic Plan B will remain 'for shortest period possible'
Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden was optimistic as he said Plan B would remain in place for "the shortest period possible".
He said: "I’m under no doubt the kind of burdens this puts on hospitality, wider business, schools, and I want us to get rid of those if we possibly can.
"The signs are encouraging but, clearly, we will wait to see the data ahead of that final decision."
- Joseph Gamp
No10: PM does not refer to himself as 'big dog'
The Prime Minister does not refer to himself as "big dog", No 10 said.
Following reports of a bid to save Boris Johnson from censure off the back of the so-called partygate scandal, reports suggested a concerted effort dubbed "Operation: Save Big Dog" had been launched.
But when the Prime Minister's official spokesman was asked whether Mr Johnson was referred to by staff as "big dog", he said: "I've never heard that term used."
Asked whether the PM referred to himself by the nickname, the spokesman said: "Certainly not that I am aware of."
- Joseph Gamp
The two key Omicron symptoms
Two key symptoms, according to an expert, are a runny nose and headache.
Professor Irene Petersen, a professor of epidemiology and health informatics at University College London, told the Independent: “A runny nose and headache are symptoms of many infections, but may also be the first symptoms – and only symptoms – of Covid.
"Therefore, if you have these symptoms, I’d encourage you to use lateral flow tests for a couple of days.”
- Joseph Gamp
No10 refuses to confirm if PM has been interviewed by Sue Gray
Downing Street has refused to say whether the Prime Minister had been interviewed by Sue Gray.
The Telegraph reported that Boris Johnson had spoken to the senior official as part of her inquiry and Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said Mr Johnson had "submitted himself to that investigation".
But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "As with any individual I wouldn't get into commenting on the process of the ongoing investigation."
The PM's spokesman was asked if he had attended a leaving party for former director of communications James Slack, and he said: "Again, as others have been asked, I'm not able to comment on that while that investigation is ongoing in terms of attendance and things like that."
Asked if he had spoken to Ms Gray, the spokesman added: "Again, it's not for me to talk about who the investigation has spoken to or who it hasn't."
- Joseph Gamp
Education Secretary says 'numbers are looking positive'
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi today said "the numbers are looking positive" in the UK's fight against Covid.
Mr Zahawi said: "I'm confident that when we review this on January 26 then we'll be in a much better place to lift some of these restrictions. I think we are witnessing the transition of this virus from pandemic to endemic.
"I hope we'll be one of the first major economies to demonstrate to the world how you transition this from pandemic to endemic."
- Joseph Gamp
Boris Johnson set to make major announcement THIS WEEK
BORIS Johnson will announce THIS WEEK whether he is ditching Plan B restrictions, Downing Street hinted today.
Working from home, mandatory indoor mask-wearing and vaccine passports are set to expire next Wednesday.
No10 this morning vowed to reveal whether they intend to extend the measures beyond January 26 in plenty of time.
The PM's official spokesman said: "I think you'd expect us, as we've always sought to do is give the maximum amount of time possible.
"I don't have a specific date for you. But certainly we will look to announce our position in advance to those changes coming into effect."
- Joseph Gamp
Keir Starmer refuses to apologise over office beer
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has refused to apologise over images of him drinking beer in an office at a time when coronavirus rules banned indoor socialising.
Sir Keir insisted no rules were broken while he had a takeaway in a constituency office while working on the election campaign in 2021.
He repeatedly refused to apologise and was branded a "hypocrite" by a caller during his LBC Radio phone-in show.
The Labour leader has demanded the resignation of Boris Johnson over No 10 parties held during 2020 when England was locked down.
Sir Keir was pictured in the office of City of Durham MP Mary Foy on April 30 2021 in the run-up to May's local elections and the Hartlepool parliamentary by-election.
He said: "The picture of me was in a constituency office up in the North East, it was I think, three or four days before the May elections, so we're really busy. I was with my team going across the country from place to place. We're in the office, working in the office and we stopped for a takeaway, and then we carried on working and that is the long and the short of it. There was no breach of the rules. There was no party. And there was absolutely no comparison with the Prime Minister."
- Joseph Gamp
Downing Street statement on PM commuting in March 2020
Downing Street said Boris Johnson commuted between Chequers and No 10 during March 2020 as his wife was pregnant and it was safer for the couple to be away from London.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman was asked about reporting by news website Tortoise that alleged Mr Johnson had commuted between his country residence and No 10 between March 16 and 27, 2020, when guidance said people should not travel for non-essential reasons.
He said: "At the time, as you know, Mrs Johnson was heavily pregnant and had been placed in a vulnerable category and advised to minimise social contacts, so in line with clinical guidance and to minimise the risk to her they were based at Chequers during that period, with the Prime Minister commuting to Downing Street to work."
The spokesman said there would have been staff at Chequers with the couple.
He said the guidance on not travelling to second homes did not come in until March 22, "at which point the Prime Minister and his wife were already based in Chequers, acting in line with clinical guidance".
Asked if the PM was therefore putting his wife at risk by commuting during the period, the spokesman said: "The Prime Minister was leading the coronavirus response, the pandemic response, and in line with a number of individuals who were required to still be in work… that's why the Prime Minister was coming to No 10 for necessary work meetings."
- Joseph Gamp
Downing Street says 'encouraging signs in data' for Plan B lift on Jan 26
Downing Street said there were "encouraging signs" in the data as Boris Johnson considers whether England's Plan B restrictions can be lifted on January 26, when they are due to expire.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the "maximum amount of time possible" would be given to prepare for any changes in the rules.
"In terms of the data, there are some encouraging signs that infections are falling across the country," the spokesman said.
"Obviously we want to see that mirrored in the latest ONS data as well.
"There are also some signs of falls – or at least plateauing – in admissions and occupancy in hospital, which is good to see.
"But it still remains the case that our NHS is under significant pressure, there are over 16,000 Covid patients in hospital in England alone.
"So we are keeping a very close eye on the data but we do believe the mitigations we have in place – particularly our booster programme – is offering massive protection to the public."
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