Your morning briefing: What you should know for Tuesday, May 26

Pressure stays on Cummings after refusal to apologise

The Prime Minister’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings remains under fire this morning over allegations he breached lockdown restrictions.

Mr Cummings said during a press conference yesterday he did not regret driving to Durham because of fears about a lack of childcare childcare if he became incapacitated with coronavirus.

His defence failed to win over some newspapers, with the right-leaning Daily Mail and the left-leaning Daily Mirror running almost identical headlines stating: No apology, no regrets.

Opposition parties have also continued the pressure on Mr Cummings and Boris Johnson, demanding action was taken against the adviser.

Meanwhile some of the Church of England’s most senior bishops have reported receiving hate mail and death threats after speaking out about the controversy.

Retailers welcome re-opening for shops announcement

The row over Mr Cummings overshadowed the Prime Minister’s announcement that shops across England will be able to open from next month if they can meet the coronavirus guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.

The British Retail Consortium welcomed the move, saying it will allow businesses to start playing their part in getting the economy moving again.

Mr Johnson said outdoor markets and car showrooms would be able to open from June 1 while all other non-essential retailers can follow on June 15.

Virgin Orbit test launch terminated

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit has failed in its first test launch of a new rocket carried aloft by a Boeing 747 and released over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California.

The inaugural launch had appeared to be going well until moments after the rocket was released from beneath the left wing of the jumbo jet dubbed Cosmic Girl.

Virgin Orbit said it terminated the mission shortly into its flight but there was no immediate word on what went wrong with the rocket, which carried a test satellite.

Another warm week ahead

People have been reminded by police to practise social distancing this week as more fine weather tempts Britons outside.

Crowds flocked to beauty spots on Bank Holiday Monday and forecasters say Tuesday will see mostly dry and warm weather, with London expected to hit 25 degrees.

Aside from some rain for the far north and north-west on Wednesday, the rest of the week should be dry, largely sunny and very warm, the Met Office said.

Same-sex marriages set to happen in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is expected to become the latest country to legalise same-sex marriage when a ruling from its supreme court comes into effect.

Couples have scheduled ceremonies – mostly private due to the Covid-19 pandemic – to celebrate their unions before judges and notaries as the ban lifts at midnight local time on Tuesday.

On this day…

1865: The Confederate Army surrendered, ending the American Civil War.

1868: Irish terrorist Michael Barrett was hanged outside Newgate Prison for causing an explosion in London which left 13 dead – the last public execution in England.

1906: The rebuilt Vauxhall Bridge over the Thames was opened.

1913: Emily Duncan became Britain’s first woman magistrate.

1950: Petrol rationing ended in Britain.

1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a “bed-in” for world peace in a Montreal hotel.