Thursday morning news briefing: Prince Andrew ready to give evidence

Duke of York ready to give evidence in US Epstein investigation

Buckingham Palace is braced. The Duke of York is preparing to give formal evidence to a US criminal investigation into the disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In an unprecedented move, the Duke last night announced he was stepping back from public life in the wake of a BBC interview over his friendship with the financier that backfired in spectacular fashion. Read his full statement. Now Chief Reporter Robert Mendick reveals that royal officials are expecting American authorities to issue Prince Andrew with a subpoena - requesting he gives testimony under oath over his links to Epstein. Sources have suggested the summons is "imminent". Meanwhile, it can be revealed that the Duke held a secret meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell in London two weeks after US prosecutors announced they wanted to reopen their Epstein investigation.

A well-placed royal source said the Queen summoned the Duke to Buckingham Palace to effectively sack her second-born son from official duties, ordering him to stand aside. The extraordinary move came four days after Andrew gave a 50-minute interview to Newsnight. He had hoped it would draw a line under his friendship with Epstein. Instead, the Duke's failure to show sympathy for the victims provoked outrage and scorn. Camilla Tominey has a full recap of how the Duke authored his own downfall by deciding to go public in a PR disaster. And why does Fergie feel the need to be her ex-husband's staunchest defender?

Elderly will keep homes under Johnson's social care pledge

The Prime Minister has vowed to "end the injustice" of people having to sell their family home to pay for social care. Pledging to prevent elderly people being forced to sell up, Boris Johnson announced a £5billion cash injection to ease the funding crisis. Meanwhile, Labour will promise to sweep aside anti-strike laws and reverse Margaret Thatcher's flagship right to buy policy today. It comes as a new Savanta ComRes poll gives the Tories their biggest lead for more than two years - showing almost one in five Labour voters is considering switching to the Conservatives. And Matt focuses on the Lib Dem manifesto in today's cartoon.

Extinction Rebellion co-founder sparks Holocaust row

One of the founders of Extinction Rebellion is facing possible expulsion from the movement over remarks allegedly questioning the significance of the Holocaust. While comparing the genocide to climate change now, Roger Hallam reportedly said it was "just another f---ery in human history". Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Editor Gabriella Swerling reveals that a Church of England report says Christian anti-Semitism dating back centuries is to blame for the Holocaust.

News digest

• Breaking: British Airways chaos | 'Technical issue' causes 22-hour delays

• Ryanair luggage | Carry-on cabin baggage charge is ruled illegal by court

• Tube overcrowding | Passenger falls in front of train after 'pushing'

• Trans limerick | 'Right to be offended' does not exist, says High Court judge

• What a carve-up | Sunday roast dinner app delivery service for millennials

Gallery: The big picture

Hyde-e-hi | The Winter Wonderland's return to Hyde Park today marks the start of the Christmas season in central London. View more striking images from around the world in our picture editor's daily gallery.

Comment

• Allister Heath | Elite would rather signal virtue than fight actual injustice

• Sherelle Jacobs | Prepare for the Liberal Democrats to crash and burn

• Michael Deacon | Perhaps Lib Dems shouldn't be so keen to talk up Jo

• Harry Hodges | Even 'independent' fact-checkers have their own agenda

• Melanie McDonagh | There's nothing socialist about A Christmas Carol

Editor's choice

1. Marriage Diaries | I admitted an affair from 15 years ago - now my husband wants out  

2. Bing Crosby | Touching letters reveal how singer gave GIs a taste of home  

3. Where to invest | Ultimate Telegraphguide to London's next property hotspots

Business and money briefing

Leading Europe | Investment in British tech firms has more than doubled since the Brexit vote, surging to a record £9bn this year and putting the country far ahead of European rivals. Data collected by venture capital firm Atomico shows Britain has retained its place at the head of the continent's league table.

• The Think Tank | Watchdog is Banquo at politicians' spending feast

• Investment tip | Time to shed these struggling investment trust shares?

• Stay on top of the markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day

Sport briefing

Kane is able | He has insisted he need not break the bank to deliver silverware after being appointed Tottenham manager. But Jose Mourinho has insisted that Harry Kane must stay at the club. Matt Law explains how the replacement for Mauricio Pochettino will focus on trying to rebuild Tottenham's defence.

• Jim White | With Mourinho as manager, we all know how this story ends

• New Zealand v England | Tourists edge close-fought, slow-scoring first day

• Ryan Giggs | Manager almost in tears as Wales players sing his name

And finally...

Life-saving whales | When Hollywood came up with the plot for Star Trek IV - that whales would one day save the Earth from apocalyptic weather - it was thought to be one of the most far-fetched storylines of all time. But three decades later, with the planet under a potential existential threat from climate change, scientists have come to a remarkably similar conclusion. Helena Horton explains why they believe whales could indeed be our greatest hope.