Friday morning UK news briefing: Police filmed assisting M25 protest

Video has emerged of police facilitating motorway protests that caused major traffic disruption this week.

Watch the footage below that shows a Met Police officer apparently assisting climate change activists to walk in front of cars on the M25. Furious motorists tried to take the law into their own hands, above.

Priti Patel condemned as "completely unacceptable" the chaos caused by the guerrilla tactics of Insulate Britain, a splinter group of Extinction Rebellion.

With lingering questions over why police failed to remove activists from the road sooner, the Home Secretary told police to take "decisive action".

Who are the activists? Meet some of them, including a cleric, an Army veteran and a Buddhist teacher.

PCR tests to be ditched for double jabbed travellers

An overhaul of travel rules is expected to be announced. Expensive Covid tests for returning travellers are set to be ditched for the double jabbed in a boost to holiday plans for the autumn half-term. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also expected to replace the traffic light system for travel and reduce the number of countries on the red list. But the rules could get tighter for the unvaccinated, who may have to quarantine for 10 days whichever country they return from. Government sources insisted that the new travel system would be finalised only after crunch meetings today. Political Editor Ben Riley-Smith and Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas explain all we expect to be signed off. Looking for winter sun, with no quarantine? These are the best destinations.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson will chair the first meeting of his new Cabinet this morning after a dramatic shake-up. Following another day of bloodletting, see who has been promoted - and sacked. One promotion hailed by Tory lockdown sceptics is that of Stephen Barclay to Cabinet Office minister, who they claimed would be alive to the economic costs of more restrictions this winter. And, as Oliver Dowden steps up, Philip Johnston asks: Is it time to return to the all-powerful party chairman?

Inventor Sir Clive Sinclair dies aged 81 - obituary

Sir Clive Sinclair, the inventor renowned for his pioneering pocket calculator and transforming home computing, has died aged 81. He had enormous success with the Sinclair Executive pocked-sized calculator and his ZX Spectrum home computer. But, as our obituary recalls, he is also remembered for the failure of his one-person C5 electric car.

Daily dose of Matt

Today's cartoon | View Matt's latest cartoon, which takes a sideways look at climate protests.

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Royals | The Duke of York has suffered an early setback in his US sex assault case after a judge refused to unseal a document that could invalidate the damages claim. Prince Andrew, 61, was said to be pinning his hopes on the settlement - signed by his long-time accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre in 2009 - which allegedly prevents her from suing.

• 'Not my kind of journalism' | Andrew Neil on why he left GB News

• Tube | Fear of touching 'tainted' handrails leads to escalator falls

• Crowning glory | Stamp returns to British pints after Brexit bonfire

• Tug of war | Vogue editors battle to court Emma Raducanu

• Weekly news quiz | Biden forgot the name of which world leader?

Around the world: Israelis spirit women to safety

Israeli aid workers and the United Arab Emirates have completed a daring rescue mission that saw dozens of sportswomen, female rights activists and a singer, all at risk of Taliban reprisals, spirited to safety in Abu Dhabi. It is the first joint humanitarian project between the two Middle Eastern countries. View more pictures of the day in our gallery.

Comment and analysis

• Fraser Nelson | This could be the end of Michael Gove

• Nick Timothy | Nick Gibb is an unsung hero for children

• Reader letters | Reshuffle was simply a swapping of chairs

• Ben Wright | Nuclear is the only solution to this energy crisis

• Judith Woods | Not the picture of equality Harry thinks it is

Editor's choice

1. Strictly Come Dancing | All the 18 winners ranked as new series starts tomorrow

2. How to complain | Tricks to make your voice heard (even with an infuriating chatbot)

3. From high-vis backpacks to energy balls | Elinor Barker's guide to commuting by bike

Sport briefing: World 12s aim to target Jones

The organisers of a proposed world 12-a-side tournament want to recruit England head coach Eddie Jones and have insisted they have the finances in place to make the project a reality. The World 12s concept is a £250 million equivalent to cricket's Indian Premier League. In football, Pep Guardiola has been told to stick to coaching after sparking a row with Manchester City fans over empty seats at the Etihad Stadium.

Business briefing: Battle to beat Christmas shortages

John Lewis has hired a fleet of ships to deliver Christmas stock on time after it cut half-year losses to £29m. The department store chain has teamed up with two other British retailers to increase its boat capacity amid fears a global supply chain crisis could derail sales at the climax of the retail year. It comes as the retailer aims to substantially increase the profits it makes from selling insurance and building rental homes.

Tonight's dinner

Cheesy potato cakes with brown-butter spring onions and crispy chilli | These little patties make for the best kind of "dinner brunch". View the recipe by Eleanor Steafel and try our Cookbook newsletter.

Your daily travel inspiration

Across the Channel and under the radar | Béziers is a charming town that boasts gastronomy, elegant buildings and a fascinating medieval quarter - yet it is still often overlooked. Sudi Pigott recommends the delightful destination you need to visit.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

'Why didn't doctors listen to women?' | A new study reveals that thousands of women experienced irregularities with their periods after having the coronavirus jab - yet the medical community has seemed disinterested. Caroline Criado-Perez investigates the link.