Boris Johnson news: No 10 insists PM did not lie about flat refurb ​as Christmas party probe widened

Boris Johnson continues to come under fire as it was revealed he personally asked for more funds for his flat refurbishment – despite claiming, three months later, that he knew nothing about it, an investigation has found.

The astonishing revelation – in a report fining the Tories £17,800 for breaking electoral law – triggered a Labour allegation that the PM has “lied to the British public” over the controversy, and that he should consider resigning if this is found to be true.

No 10, on the other hand, insists Mr Johnson did no wrong, saying he “acted in accordance” with the rules and made all the “necessary declarations” in relation to his flat’s makeover. Asked today if the PM lied to ministerial standards adviser Lord Geidt, over knowledge that a Tory peer was behind donations, and the public, his official spokesman replied simply: “No.”

It comes after it was revealed, by paymaster general Michael Ellis, that the investigation into a Christmas party held at 10 Downing Street on 18 December last year will be widened to examine reports of a separate gathering on 27 November and another at the Department for Education on 10 December.

Read More

Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment broke electoral law, watchdog rules

Boris Johnson flat decoration: What were the controversial refurbishments carried out at Downing Street?

Boris Johnson ‘asked for cash’ for flat refurbishment – but later claimed he knew nothing about payments

Key Points

• Poll shows Labour leading by biggest margin since Johnson became PM

• Johnson ‘acted in accordance with rules’ over flat refurb, insists No 10

• Met Police will not investigate Downing Street Christmas parties...

• ...as Downing Street widens its own probe into the claims

• Labour MP calls for Johnson’s resignation ‘if he misled parliament’

• Three fined for breaching Covid rules on same day as alleged No 10 party

Welcome

07:48 , Thomas Kingsley

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s UK politics blog. Follow the latest updates from Westminster as they happen.

Boris Johnson faces pressure from own side as Covid party row claims

07:53 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson continues to face pressure from within his own party over his bungled handling of allegations of a lockdown-breaching party at 10 Downing Street, as the crisis gripping his government forced the resignation of a top aide.

In a bid to draw a line under the debacle, the prime minister ordered an inquiry by his most senior civil servant into the events of 18 December, when up to 50 aides are reported to have enjoyed alcohol, food and a secret Santa at a time when London was under strict Tier 3 controls barring most indoor gatherings.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock has more details below:

PM faces pressure from own side as Covid party row claims scalp of top aide

Sajid Javid withdrew from media interviews because he was ‘upset’ by leaked video of Allegra Stratton

08:04 , Thomas Kingsley

Health secretary Sajid Javid said he withdrew from media broadcast interviews on Wednesday because he was “upset” by the leaked video showing No 10 senior aides joking about an alleged lockdown-busting Christmas party.

Asked why no government minister appeared on Wednesday morning, the cabinet minister replied: “I didn't appear because I saw that video - it upset me, it upset a lot of people I think across the country, it upset the Prime Minister.”

Asked whether he “refused” to go onto the airwaves following the emergence of the footage, Mr Javid added: “No, it wasn't about refusing - I spoke to my colleagues in No 10 and we actually agreed it is best to take some time to respond to the video in the way that the Prime Minister has now, by ordering an investigation by the Cabinet Secretary.”

Fresh claims of seven Christmas gatherings while nation was in lockdown last year

08:10 , Thomas Kingsley

The government is facing fresh allegations that ministers, aides and officials attended seven Christmas gatherings while the country was in lockdown, Politico reports.

Conservative former chief whip Mark Harper added: "What I am really concerned about is that it is unquestionably the case that over the last few weeks the government's credibility, whether it is on Paterson or on the Christmas parties, has taken a hit.

“Why should people at home listening to the Prime Minister and the secretary of state do things that people working in Number 10 Downing Street are not prepared to do?”

Tory MP Ben Bradley ruled out voting for Plan B which includes “discriminatory” vaccine passports, and former minister David Davis questioned “how are you going to prosecute people who don't obey it given the four previous parties?”

“I think the real issue is on the authority of the government to enforce a, as it were, a new lockdown because people look at this and say why should we? It's them and us again,” Mr David told ITV's Peston.

ICMYI: Met Police will not investigate 10 Downing Street Christmas party

08:25 , Thomas Kingsley

Metropolitan Police have said they will not investigate allegations that Covid restrictions were broken at a party at 10 Downing Street on 18 December 2020.

In a statement, Scotland Yard said the decision was taken on the basis of the “absence of evidence” that rules were broken and in line with Met policy not to investigate historical allegations of breaches of Covid regulations.

But the police said that cabinet secretary Simon Case will pass on any further evidence which emerges as a result of the internal inquiry which Boris Johnson today ordered him to conduct into the allegations.

Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has the full report below:

Met Police will not investigate 10 Downing Street Christmas party

Party could not have taken place if rules were followed, Javid says

08:30 , Thomas Kingsley

If Covid rules were followed in Downing Street last December, then no party would have been able to take place, according to the health secretary.

Told on LBC radio that he had previously said there had been no Christmas party in No 10, Sajid Javid said: “And I would still tell you that I have received assurances that there were no rules that were broken, in terms of Covid rules, at any time in Downing Street.

“That means a party could not take place.

"If the rules were not broken, then a party could not take place.

“But having this investigation, having the cabinet secretary look into this, is the right response because this is the individual who can talk to anyone, can get the data, the evidence together and establish the facts.”

Conservatives admit party took place at HQ during Covid restrictions last year

08:40 , Thomas Kingsley

The Conservative Party has admitted that a party took place at its Westminster headquarters during coronavirus restrictions last December.

Tory staff danced and drank wine late into the night at a “raucous” party held in the basement of the office, The Times reported.

During the event on 14 December, London was under Tier 2 Covid restrictions – which meant that indoor socialising between households was banned. Matt Hancock had given a press conference just hours earlier saying the capital would soon move into Tier 3.

Our reporter Lamiat Sabian has the full story:

Tories admit party was held at HQ during Covid restrictions last year

Do the public believe there was no Christmas party last year?

08:55 , Thomas Kingsley

A poll found that fewer than one in 10 British people believe Downing Street’s claim that no Christmas party took place.

An Opinium poll for Sky News found 64 per cent think a party did take place, 9 per cent said it did not take place and 27 per cent did not know.

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Sajid Javid ‘not sure’ why Allegra Stratton resigned amid Covid Christmas party claims

09:05 , Thomas Kingsley

Sajid Javid said he is “not quite sure” why Allegra Stratton quit her role as a Downing Street spokeswoman after a leaked video showed her and other senior aides joking about a “fictional” lockdown party.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the health secretary said: “You ask me why she resigned. Look, I wouldn't know, I haven't spoken to her about it.

“Perhaps it was because she was very embarrassed by the video and what happened and the way things looked. It may well be something like that.

“But it is important that this investigation now actually happens and that the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, gets to the bottom of this.”

‘Enough is enough’: Gary Neville attacks Boris Johnson over ‘constant mistruths’

09:20 , Thomas Kingsley

Sports pundit Gary Neville has launched an attack on Prime Minister Boris Johnson by calling for his resignation and saying “enough is enough” amid “mistruths”.

Neville’s rant was published on Twitter in a video amid reports the PM will hold a press conference at 5.30pm to introduce more restrictions in England to help prevent the spread of the new variant omicron.

However, Neville has blasted the conference as “distraction tactics” after the reported Christmas party held at Downing Street last year was made public this week.

Our sports reporter, Sarah Rendell, has the full story:

Gary Neville attacks Boris Johnson over ‘constant mistruths’

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09:35 , Thomas Kingsley

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Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said Boris Johnson is ‘not fit to be Prime Minister'

09:50 , Thomas Kingsley

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Boris Johnson is not fit to be Prime Minister.

“What's frustrating about this Prime Minister is he's constantly broke the rules in every elected office he's had,” she said. “But the consequences of the rule-breaking now and his 'laissez-faire' attitude is that it's putting people's lives at risk, and that's totally unacceptable.”

Ms Rayner said she welcomes the Downing Street party investigation by the Cabinet Secretary, adding: “It should be very easy and quick to do. There was over 40 people alleged to be at one of the parties doing secret Santa on WhatsApp, so that evidence should be collated and should be given to the Met Police.

“It's not one rule for them and one rule for everyone else. They're not above the law. They should be dealt with.”

BREAKING: Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment broke electoral law, watchdog rules

09:59 , Thomas Kingsley

The Conservative Party broke electoral laws over the controversial funding of Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment, the Electoral Commission has ruled.

“Our investigation into the Conservative Party found that the laws around the reporting and recording of donations were not followed,” said Louise Edwards, director of regulation – announcing a £17,800 fine.

More to follow on this breaking news story:

Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment broke electoral law, watchdog rules

Watch: Health secretary Sajid Javid speaks about the Downing Street Christmas party video

10:05 , Thomas Kingsley

BREAKING: Boris Johnson and wife Carrie announce birth of baby girl

10:14 , Thomas Kingsley

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and wife Carrie have announced “the birth of a healthy baby girl at a London hospital earlier today.”

More to follow on this breaking story:

Boris Johnson and wife Carrie announce birth of baby girl

Boris Johnson faces rebellion over ‘plan B’ measures as Tory anger mounts

10:37 , Thomas Kingsley

The Conservative party broke electoral laws over the controversial funding of Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment, the Electoral Commission has ruled.

“Our investigation into the Conservative Party found that the laws around the reporting and recording of donations were not followed,” said Louise Edwards, director of regulation – announcing a £17,800 fine.

The verdict brings allegations of sleaze against the prime minister back centre-stage, as he is dogged by allegations of misleading the public over last year’s No 10 Christmas parties.

Our political correspondent, Ashley Cowburn, has the full report below:

Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment broke electoral law, watchdog rules

BREAKING: Downing Street widens Christmas party investigation

10:54 , Thomas Kingsley

More breaking news as the investigation into a Christmas party held in Downing Street on 17 December last year will be widened to examine reports of a separate gathering held in No 10 in November and another at the Department for Education.

“The primary purpose of the Cabinet Secretary’s investigation will be to establish swiftly a general understanding of the nature of the gatherings, including attendance, the setting and the purpose, and with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time,” minister Michael Ellis told MPs.

Our political correspondent, Ashley Cowburn, has the full report below:

Downing Street widens Christmas party investigation

NEW: Ministers isolating after contact with Australian politician who tested positive

11:09 , Thomas Kingsley

Two Cabinet ministers are self-isolating after they were in contact with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps met Barnaby Joyce in London earlier in the week.

Mr Joyce has since tested positive while travelling to Washington DC and is self-isolating for 10 days.

How many children does the Prime Minister have?

11:21 , Thomas Kingsley

As Boris and Carrie Johnson announce the birth of their baby daughter, the question of how many children the Prime Minister has is circulating again.

Our lifestyle reporter, Sarah Young, has the full story addressing the question:

How many children does Boris Johnson have?

Labour MP expresses ‘anger’ at Christmas party claims after losing family during the pandemic

11:35 , Thomas Kingsley

Labour MP Afzal Khan expressed his “anger” at the Christmas party row given the losses his family suffered during the pandemic.

He told the Commons: “Everyone experiences bereavement differently but for those of us who have lost loved ones during the pandemic there is a sentiment that increasingly unites us - and that is anger.

“I am angry that while my mum lay dying in hospital, I could not hold her hand. I'm angry that I had to bury my father-in-law and mother-in-law two days apart.

“Above all I'm angry that members of this government could be so flippant, so callous and so arrogant as to host not one, not two, not three but seven parties and then lie about it.”

He asked for the investigation to look at other alleged parties from last November and December.

Tory MP calls for minister to resign

11:46 , Thomas Kingsley

Tory MP Mark Francois has called for Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis to resign over the government’s failure to bring forward a bill on legacy issues to end prosecutions of British soldiers.

“He faithfully promised,” said Francois. “If he repeatedly breaks his word, he has no honourable option but to resign. He has let down his party and those who fought to uphold the law in Northern Ireland. When will Brandon Lewis resign his seal of office.”

Rees-Mogg apologised for not announcing a legacy bill. He said such a bill was “complicated” and said there was “good reason” for delays on the legislation. He said it was “unreasonable” to blame Lewis.

Boris Johnson ‘asked for cash’ for flat refurbishment – but later claimed he knew nothing about payments

12:09 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson personally asked for more funds for his flat refurbishment – despite claiming, three months later, that he knew nothing about it, an investigation has found.

The astonishing revelation – in a report fining the Tories for breaking electoral law – triggered a Labour allegation that the prime minister has “lied to the British public” over the controversy.

It will also heap pressure on Mr Johnson’s ethics adviser to reopen his inquiry into the redecorations, after it concluded there had been no breach of the ministerial code.

Our deputy political editor, Robert Merrick, has the full story below:

Boris Johnson ‘asked for cash’ for flat works – then claimed he knew nothing about it

Watch: Labour MP calls for No 10 party attendees to be sacked

12:24 , Sam Hancock

Focus should be on party ‘at PM’s flat on 13 November last year’ – Cummings

12:35 , Sam Hancock

Boris Johnson’s former aide is insisting the focus of the media, and the government’s investigation, should be into a party allegedly held at the PM’s flat during lockdown last year – not one held weeks later.

“There was no party on Fri 27/11. Red herring. A staff member left their job. Walked to press office to say bye, PM bumbled in and started babbling, everyone embarrassed, dispersed,” Dominic Cummings tweeted.

“Focus should be actual party in PM’s flat Fr 13/11 reported AT THE TIME but ignored by lobby!”

Asked by Guardian journalist Owen Jones “where was it reported?”, Cummings replied, telling him to try a “thing called google, it’s *really* handy”.

Jones replied calling Cummings a “sarcy git”.

Opinion: ‘Moral authority isn’t an optional extra for the government’

12:45 , Sam Hancock

A former special adviser to now-health secretary Sajid Javid writes about the government’s handling of the Christmas parties scandals here.

We are faced with yet another government own goal. Just as stark data on omicron pushed us towards more restrictions, a video emerged of Allegra Stratton, a now former spokesperson for the prime minister, apparently joking about a party in No 10 last Christmas. A party that Downing St has consistently denied happened, says Salma Shah.

The media handling around this by Downing Street has the depth and sophistication of a school child being caught in a lie, with increasingly fantastical responses to straight forward questions. The more journalists probed the more they were fobbed off with rude and what have now proven to be disingenuous answers. “All the rules were followed”, “There was no party”. Embarrassed ministers were all forced to trot out these absurd lines.

The responses sound contemptuous with an added side of disdain for the rest of us, as if asking those to whom we have entrusted power are no longer answerable to us. What a bare-faced cheek to then announce curbs on our lives from the very room we were being mocked from.

Note to Boris – moral authority isn’t an optional extra for government | Salma Shah

UK-EU relations ‘not in a good place’, says ex-deputy PM

12:55 , Sam Hancock

Our politics reporter Adam Forrest has the following:

The former deputy prime minister David Lidington has urged Boris Johnson’s government to “rebuild trust” with the EU in the row over the protocol.

The ex-Europe minister, a key figure in the Brexit negotiations under Theresa May, said the relationship between the UK and EU was “clearly not in a good place at the moment.”

Appearing before the UK Trade and Business Commission – the independent body of MPs and experts monitoring the impact of the government’s trade deals – Lidington said: “There’s a real problem in how the government has handled the EU.”

He suggested the threats to trigger Article 16 had damaged efforts to find compromises on trade barriers thrown up by the protocol.

“The Irish government, we know, was advocating a much softer interpretation of what was required under the protocol. And when London then took unilateral action, they then felt betrayed,” he said.

The former deputy PM said he thought the EU was still “willing to go further” on its existing offer to ease trade barriers. “But they want to make sure that any concessions are pocketed [by the UK] without any reciprocal gesture.”

On the protocol Lidington added: “There is a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the UK government … to make things appear as they would like it to have been, and in some instance claimed it would be, rather than the reality.”

Labour MP calls for PM’s resignation ‘if he misled parliament'

13:10 , Sam Hancock

Fleur Anderson has suggested the PM’s role should be called into question if an investigation “finds that he has misled the House [of Commons]” on Christmas parties that took place in Downing Street last year.

Tagging deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner in the post, Ms Rayner retweeted the message, saying Labour wanted “answers” as soon as possible.

“The British public have sacrificed so much - the government owes them the truth,” Ms Anderson, MP for Putney, said.

Greens call for Boris Johnson to resign

13:19 , Sam Hancock

More from our reporter Adam Forrest now, as the Green Party joins those urging Boris Johnson to quit.

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer has joined calls for Boris Johnson to resign as PM, saying he had lost public confidence over Christmas parties at Downing Street.

“This disastrous prime minister is an embarrassment to this country and has done enough harm to justify resignation five times over by now,” she said on Thursday.

“Through his own actions and inaction, his loss of public trust, and his willingness to bend to the will of his backbenchers, he is a threat to public health. He must go.”

Calls for Rees-Mogg to resign over footage of him joking about Covid regulations

13:30 , Sam Hancock

More drama from Boris Johnson’s cabinet now, as Jacob Rees-Mogg defends making a joke about Christmas parties and Covid regulations – less than 24 hours after former aide Allegra Stratton was forced to resign for doing the same thing.

The Commons Leader was caught on camera making light-hearted remarks about how the think-tank event he was attending would not be “investigated by the police in a year’s time”, a nod to allegations related to socialising in Downing Street while Covid restrictions were in place.

There are now calls for him to follow Ms Stratton’s lead, and resign.

Labour’s shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire said it is a “very bad look indeed for a group of male politicians to let a female staffer take the rap”, and asked Mr Rees-Mogg if he would apologise for making a joke about parties. She said that judging by Mr Rees-Mogg’s comments in a video of him speaking at an Institute of Economic Affairs event, “it does rather seem that he also thinks it’s all been a bit of a joke”.

Later, fellow Labour MP Richard Burgon cited Ms Stratton’s move yesterday, saying: “She resigned. Surely the leader of the House should resign too, or isn’t it another case of ministers in this government believing it’s one rule for them and another rule for everyone else?”

Mr Rees-Mogg replied by apparently insulting Mr Burgon’s intelligence: “I’m not sure he’d like to come to the Institute of Economic Affairs, it talks too much sense for him possibly to be able to cope with it. But he’d be very welcome to come to their future events and see what goes on and how nice it is, which I was celebrating, that we’re back together having parties without restrictions.”

Dozens of police seen outside No 10 – for awards ceremony

13:39 , Sam Hancock

Amid various investigations going on inside No 10, dozens of police have been pictured standing outside Boris Johnson’s place of work.

“Before anyone gets any ideas”, though, writes Sky’s Rob Powell, the gathering was connected to the police bravery awards – not anything to do with the PM and his government’s alleged breach of Covid regulations last year.

PM ‘acted in accordance with rules’ over flat refurb, insists No 10

14:00 , Sam Hancock

More from Boris Johnson’s flat renovation saga now, as No 10 claims the PM did not know Lord Brownlow was providing the contested money to a “blind trust” to donate funds to cover the upgrades to his Downing Street home.

Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said the PM “acted in accordance with the rules at all times and he acted following discussions with Lord Geidt” and that he made all the “necessary declarations”.

“Lord Brownlow was the chair of a blind trust and acted in accordance with his experience of managing blind trusts in that way, the prime minister’s discussions with Lord Brownlow were done without him knowing the underlying donor of that donation,” the spokesman told reporters this afternoon.

He also denied that Mr Johnson lied to ministerial standards adviser Lord Geidt over knowledge that a Tory peer was behind donations for his flat.

Asked if the PM lied to the adviser and the public, Mr Johnson’s official spokesman replied simply: “No.”

Additional reporting by PA

Doctors Without Borders ‘concerned’ by MPs passing borders bill

14:06 , Sam Hancock

The executive director of Médecins Sans Frontières, AKA Doctors Without Borders, has said the organisation is “deeply concerned” by MPs voting to push through the home secretary’s “disastrous” nationality and borders bill.

Vickie Hawkins said she was “appalled” that legislation has passed - by a majority of 67 - in the House of Commons, “despite the chorus of healthcare providers and refugee organisations having sounded the alarm on the disastrous impact of these policies”.

“Priti Patel heralds this bill as a firm and fair system, but in reality, without provision for safe and legal routes, it will push vulnerable people to take even greater risks in their efforts to reach the UK, often as they seek to be reunified with family,” Ms Hawkins added in a lengthy statement.

ICYMI: Watch as Sajid Javid admits he was ‘upset by’ leaked No 10 video

14:18 , Sam Hancock

Awkward silence as red wall Tory MP asked about confidence in PM

14:42 , Sam Hancock

A Conservative MP has repeatedly refused to say whether he still had confidence in Boris Johnson to lead the country in an awkward interview full of lengthy silences.

Chris Green, MP for Bolton West, suggested the prime minister had only imposed plan B restrictions to distract from the furore over last year’s Christmas parties at Downing Street.

Asked on BBC Radio Manchester if he still had confidence in Mr Johnson, the red wall Tory MP paused for eight seconds before saying: “I think the silence does speak volumes.”

Adam Forrest reports:

Awkward eight-second silence as Tory MP asked about confidence in Boris Johnson

Local Tory chair resigns on air over government ‘tyranny’

14:57 , Sam Hancock

More from our politics reporter Adam Forrest now:

The chairman of the South Basildon Conservatives resigned live on BBC Essex on Thursday, amid mounting Tory backlash over new Covid restrictions.

“I’m actually going to leave the party over this – I cannot morally defend a party that I consider to be moving a very tyrannical direction,” said Charlie Sansom.

Tories ‘abandoning’ rape victims, says Labour

15:17 , Sam Hancock

In other news, Labour has accused the government of “abandoning” rape victims and overseeing “inaction” within the justice system over the last decade.

During a Commons debate on the issue, Labour shadow justice minister Alex Cunningham argued that “at the current rate, it would take the government 18 years to get to the pre-2016 levels of prosecution which we are promised to reach by the end of this parliament”.

“The number of victims that have dropped our of the system has doubled in the last five years, and there has been a record number of cases collapsed over the last year,” he added.

Addressing justice minister Tom Pursglove, Mr Cunningham said: “I know the minister isn’t long in his post but he must be embarrassed to stand before us today and tell us that confidence in the justice system is so poor that three in every five victims won’t report a crime.”

The Labour shadow minister also called on the government to “get the courts system correct” by addressing the backlog in cases.

Tory North Shropshire candidate ‘told to stay away from media'

15:30 , Sam Hancock

Senior Conservative officials have ordered the party’s North Shropshire by-election candidate not to speak to media amid concerns he knows so little about the area, party insiders say.

Birmingham barrister Neil Shastri-Hurst has been parachuted in to fight the safe seat after previous Tory MP Owen Paterson resigned amid a sleaze scandal.

But local party members reckon the new man has such little understanding of the rural issues faced in the sprawling agricultural seat that he has been told to avoid almost all press interviews for fear he will damage his own campaign, writes our north of England correspondent Colin Drury.

“He’s a nice bloke and will no doubt be a quick learner if he’s elected but it’s embarrassing that a Tory in North Shropshire is essentially hiding away,” one local party member told The Independent.

Tory by-election candidate told ‘stay silent because he knows so little about area’

PM unlikely to take paternity leave, spokesman signals

15:39 , Sam Hancock

An update from Downing Street now, on how Boris Johnson will spend his time over the next few days and weeks following the birth of his newborn daughter.

The PM will spend “some time” with his family, according to his spokesman who stopped short of saying Mr Johnson would take a period of paternity leave.

“You can expect the prime minister to take some time with his family,” the spokesman said. “As ever he has to balance that with his responsibilities as Prime Minister in leading the country, which he will continue to do.”

The spokesman added: “I think there’s a recognition the prime minister has a unique role and this is a particularly challenging time for the country and the prime minister will continue to lead, as the public would expect, while making time for his family.”

Put to him that it did not sound like the PM was taking paternity leave, the spokesman said: “I’m not sure what the strict definitions of that are.”

Additional reporting by PA

Watch: Sajid Javid rules out ‘unethical’ mandatory Covid vaccines

15:50 , Sam Hancock

Three members of public fined for breaching Covid rules on same day as alleged No 10 party

16:02 , Sam Hancock

In news likely to reignite accusations of ‘one rule for the government, and one for everyone else’, three women have been fined for attending gatherings in breach of Covid rules on the same day as the alleged Christmas party at Downing Street last year.

The Metropolitan Police has said it will not investigate the alleged 18 December event.

However, according to court records first reported by the Evening Standard, prosecutions for breaches of Covid regulations at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last week included three women convicted over gatherings on the same day as the alleged festive bash.

Ami Goto, 23, from Marylebone, and Ebru Sen, 26, from Sittingbourne in Kent, were each fined £1,100 plus £210 costs for a gathering of two or more people in a flat in Holborn when London was under Tier 3 restrictions. Meanwhile, Emilia Petruta-Cristea, 24, was also fined £1,100 and ordered to pay £210 costs over a gathering at her home in Wanstead.

The cases were dealt with behind closed doors by a magistrate sitting under the single justice procedure.

Court records also show a 36-year-old man was being prosecuted this week for holding a gathering of two or more people in Ilford, east London, on the same day as the alleged event in Downing Street.

Sketch: ‘PM has transformed No 10 into a palace of lies’

16:18 , Sam Hancock

Our political sketch writer Tom Peck writes about the chaos inside Downing Street.

The real question surely is why the Johnsons ever went to Peppa Pig World when they already live in a theme park entirely of his own making.

In a mere two-and-a-half years he has turned 10 Downing Street into his own multi-storey palace of lies. The sheer industry and creativity involved is not to be criticised, but wondered at.

It surely cannot be long before Kuennsberg, Rigby and the rest are joined outside that famous door by Kevin McCloud, as he stares down the barrel of the camera launching into a breathless soliloquy about the audacious power of brazen dishonesty. The things it can achieve. The things it can do.

The PM has transformed 10 Downing Street into a private palace of lies | Tom Peck

No 10 ‘not aware’ of deadline set by EU to solve fisheries row

16:30 , Sam Hancock

A Brexit update now, as Downing Street says it does not recognise a deadline of Friday set by the EU to resolve the fishing row with France.

Environment secretary George Eustice was expected to hold further talks with EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius tomorrow.

However, the PM’s official spokesman warned: “I’m not aware of certainly any communication we’ve had from the French government, certainly not to the prime minister. There’s a technical process still ongoing based on evidence rather than set deadlines.

“We’ve never set a deadline. I recognise they themselves have set one but it’s not one we’re working to.”

He continued: “George Eustice spoke to commissioner Sinkevicius last night about the progress on a range of licensing issues and they agreed to speak again later this week to take stock. All the talks on this issue have been constructive.”

Next Tory leader: Who could be PM’s successor?

16:58 , Sam Hancock

The Conservative Party has a reputation for ruthlessly disposing of its leaders when they have become surplus to requirements and are no longer viewed as electoral assets: i.e they can’t win a parliamentary majority.

Even former PM Margaret Thatcher, who Conservatives consider to be one of their greatest-ever leaders, winning three landslide elections in the 1970s and 1980s, was ousted in 1990 amid concerns over her politically toxic poll tax among other issues.

Now, amid sleaze, Christmas party and flat refurb scandals, it seems those conversations are beginning to take place around the future of Boris Johnson.

Aside from the obvious - chancellor Rishi Sunak - who else do punters think would replace the PM if he were to stand down? Matt Mathers takes a closer look.

Who could replace Boris Johnson as Tory leader?

Watch: No 10 aide walks away from questions about that leaked video

17:20 , Sam Hancock

Scottish government lays out Budget for 2022-23

17:28 , Sam Hancock

Over to Scotland, where the country’s under pressure health and social care sectors are to receive a record £18bn next year, finance secretary Kate Forbes has said while unveiling her draft Budget for 2022-23.

But with Ms Forbes revealing her tax and spending plans less than a month after the Cop26 climate change summit in Glasgow - and with the SNP now in partnership with the Scottish Greens in government - she pledged almost £2bn would go towards decarbonising Scotland’s homes, buildings, transport and industry.

Tackling climate change must be the “defining mission of our generation,” she told Holyrood earlier.

She confirmed plans already announced by FM Nicola Sturgeon to double the Scottish Child Payment - a weekly benefit paid to low income families with children - to £20 a week from April. This will see “nearly £200m in next year’s Budget going directly to lift children across Scotland out of poverty”, she told MSPs.

Here she contrasted the actions of the Scottish government with those of the Conservatives in Westminster, saying Holyrood was funding the “most ambitious anti-poverty measure anywhere in the UK” while the UK government had cut £20 a week from Universal Credit.

Another pledge will see £831m going to affordable housing, with Ms Forbes insisting that this and other measures will “make a big difference”.

While Ms Forbes said her Budget would address the “key priorities” of tackling poverty, supporting the economy and dealing with climate change, she conceded it was a “Budget of choices” - adding there were some areas where she would have wished to spend more.

Despite the Scottish government having been awarded the largest ever block grant from Westminster, the loss of specific Covid funding means Holyrood ministers have less to spend next year, she said.

Opinion: ‘Stratton did the right thing by quitting – perhaps it’s the PM’s turn’

17:50 , Sam Hancock

Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman writes about the pressure mounting on Boris Johnson to stand down as PM.

Boris Johnson is often accused of lacking a moral compass. His former press secretary Allegra Stratton not only possesses such an instrument, but yesterday used it to navigate her way out of government.

As a former ITN colleague of Allegra’s, I found it as painful to watch her tearful departure as it was excruciating to see her giggle her way through the mock press conference about last year’s now infamous Downing Street Christmas party.

Now others, from the prime minister down, need to channel her emotional intelligence. While Stratton realised even last year that she was being asked to defend the indefensible over the alleged 18 December shindig – “what’s the answer?” she asked when colleagues acted up as journalists posing questions about it – her boss continues to insouciantly declare he’s sorry about a party he denies took place.

Stratton did the right thing – now the PM’s job could be on the line | Cathy Newman

Watch: Johnson says ‘voters have every right to cast me down and out’

18:10 , Sam Hancock

Ministers isolating after coming into contact with Australian deputy PM

18:30 , Sam Hancock

Three cabinet ministers, including Boris Johnson’s second in command Dominic Raab, have entered self-isolation after coming into contact with Australia’s deputy PM, who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Michael Gove was the third minister to be revealed to have taken the measure, having met Barnaby Joyce in London on Monday, a spokesman for the communities secretary said.

Mr Raab, who is the justice secretary as well as being deputy PM, and transport secretary Grant Shapps also entered isolation having met Mr Joyce this week.

The Australian politician subsequently tested positive while travelling to Washington DC and is self-isolating for 10 days.

A spokeswoman for Mr Raab said: “He is getting tested and he is self-isolating while we wait to hear whether the Australian deputy prime minister has omicron or not.”

People could remove masks to sing in supermarkets under new Covid rules

18:50 , Sam Hancock

In a bizarre turn of events, it seems Boris Johnson’s new Covid rules allow for shoppers to remove their masks in supermarkets so long as they walk around the store singing.

Under the PM’s plan B measures, compulsory face coverings will be extended to most indoor venues from Friday – including cinemas, theatres and places of worship. He said that there was an exemption for singing, mainly aimed at places of worship where a mask should be worn during the service but could be removed to sing hymns.

But government officials confirmed on Thursday this singing exemption would also be applicable to other indoor settings. Asked whether a shopper could remove their mask in Tesco to sing, it was confirmed it would be within the rules – though officials stressed there needed to be a “reasonable excuse”.

Adam Forrest has the full report:

People could remove masks to sing in supermarkets under new rules

Poll shows Labour leading by biggest margin since Johnson became PM

19:12 , Sam Hancock

The Labour Party is continuing to benefit from the various government scandals having an impact on Boris Johnson, with new figures suggesting voters are getting behind Sir Keir Starmer now more than ever.

A poll, conducted by Survation on behalf of the Daily Mirror, shows Labour in the lead on 40 per cent while the Conservatives trail on 34 per cent – the biggest margin and share of the vote for Labour since Boris Johnson became Tory leader in 2019.

It comes amid calls by Labour and Green MPs for Mr Johnson to resign, should an investigation find he lied about either lockdown-breaching Christmas parties inside No 10 or money for the renovation of his Downing Street flat.

Scots told to cancel Christmas parties amid omicron concerns

19:25 , Sam Hancock

People in Scotland have been urged by the country’s public health authority to “defer” their plans for Christmas parties amid rising concerns about the spread of omicron variant of Covid.

It comes as Boris Johnson comes under pressure over Christmas parties held at Downing Street during last year’s lockdown restrictions – with Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon calling on the PM to resign over the scandal.

Mr Johnson has brought in plan B measures for England asking people to work from home again – but, in a move that raised eyebrows last night, he encouraged people south of the border to carry on with their Christmas parties, writes Adam Forrest.

Scots told to cancel Christmas parties by national health authority

See you tomorrow

19:33 , Sam Hancock

That’s it from us on the politics blog for today, thanks for following along.

Check back tomorrow for all the latest updates from inside Westminster and beyond.

In the meantime, head to The Independent’s homepage to get all the latest news from around the world.