boris is it to chris whitty in prioritising - chris whitty in prioritising limiting _ chris whitty in prioritising limiting what you do in the to christmas and limiting how often you out as_ christmas and limiting how often you out as boris— christmas and limiting how often you out as borisjohnson christmas and limiting how often you out as boris johnson does christmas and limiting how often you out as borisjohnson does not christmas and limiting how often you out as boris johnson does not want to antagonize his backbenchers after a tricky— to antagonize his backbenchers after a tricky week he has had. but dentistry— a tricky week he has had. but dentistry is happy for him to go out there and _ dentistry is happy for him to go out there and for the message across even _ there and for the message across even though he is getting the blame from the _ even though he is getting the blame from the tory backbenchers. the reality— from the tory backbenchers. the reality is — from the tory backbenchers. the reality is whatever the scientists say is _ reality is whatever the scientis

every time i see chris whitty now, because of| i see chris whitty now, because of his demeanour, he's a very nice chat and clearly very authoritative but i cannot help looking at him in a black hat and a frock coat conducting a funeral. it's not, i don't say it in a funny way but about his demeanour. he spends so much of his time warning us about terrible things, the danger of course is if we kind of tune out the message because it is not palatable, thenit message because it is not palatable, then it actually is really important that we listen and more importantly understand the point he is making if we have any hope of mitigating the effects of a pandemic that we cannot prevent. i effects of a pandemic that we cannot revent. ., , ., , ., prevent. i mean if you listen to some of the — prevent. i mean if you listen to some of the more _ prevent. i mean if you listen to some of the more shrill - prevent. i mean if you listen to some of the more shrill tory i some of the more shrill tory backbenchers, the real far out libertarian french that's been voting — libertarian french that's

chris whitty— in otherwords, more measures. chris whitty got— in otherwords, more measures. chris whitty got a _ in otherwords, more measures. chris whitty got a verbal kicking from some _ whitty got a verbal kicking from some conservative mps in the commons for his— some conservative mps in the commons for his suggestion about limiting sociai— for his suggestion about limiting social mixing in the run—up to christmas _ social mixing in the run—up to christmas. they say this is effectively a lockdown by stealth. labour _ effectively a lockdown by stealth. labour are concentrating more on the politicians _ labour are concentrating more on the politicians than the advisors. they say they— politicians than the advisors. they say they want the chancellor to come back from _ say they want the chancellor to come back from california and provide more _ back from california and provide more cash — back from california and provide more cash for companies that have been _ more cash for companies that have been affected by cancellations. but it's not _ been affected by canc

in the words of chris whitty, — rebellion. in the words of chris whitty, or— rebellion. in the words of chris whitty, orto rebellion. in the words of chris whitty, or to paraphrase him, there is lots _ whitty, or to paraphrase him, there is lots of— whitty, or to paraphrase him, there is lots of covid news tonight, and all of— is lots of covid news tonight, and all of it— is lots of covid news tonight, and all of it is— is lots of covid news tonight, and all of it is bad. when you are looking — all of it is bad. when you are looking at— all of it is bad. when you are looking at more restrictions, there is a chance — looking at more restrictions, there is a chance of another lockdown over christmas _ is a chance of another lockdown over christmas i— is a chance of another lockdown over christmas. i do wonder if we are actually— christmas. i do wonder if we are actually going to make christmas without _ actually going to make christmas without further restrictions. boris johnson _ without further restrictions. boris johnson is — without further restrict

chris whitty. we and from england 's chief medical professor chris whitty.— and from england 's chief medical professor chris whitty. we were, you said subtle and _ professor chris whitty. we were, you said subtle and i _ professor chris whitty. we were, you said subtle and i think _ professor chris whitty. we were, you said subtle and i think it _ professor chris whitty. we were, you said subtle and i think it was - said subtle and i think it was stark, to be honest, in terms of tone. the prime minister was talking about the national with boosters, chris whitty was saying don't mix unless you have to before christmas, talking about people having to prioritise who they socialise with. i guess it is not a matter of official government guidance, certainly no official restrictions but it is making people think, if you want to see your family for example, over christmas, do you socialise with your friends first or does it put you at risk of catching the virus that is rampaging through the virus that

let's return to evidence england's chief medical officer, professor chris whitty, has been giving to mps on the health select committee about the spread of omicron. at a news conference at downing street yesterday, he urged people to be cautious about socialising before christmas. professor whitty said the uk could surpass the daily peak number of people admitted to hospital with covid—19. he told the commons health and social care committee: �*it is possible because it is going to be very concentrated... even if it is milder, because it's concentrated over a short period of time'. asked about socialising, he said it's "sensible" to cut down on work or other interactions, like social events, that might be "less important" to you. and prof whitty underlined the importance of getting a booster — and warned "even if the boosters do hold" a lot of people will fall ill simultaneously. cases of omicron have been doubling every two to three days but professor whitty explained how the numbers will start decreasing. the doubling rate will slow down for two reasons. the first is that peo

whitty said this afternoon that there is a minimal— professor whitty said this afternoon that there is a minimal impact - professor whitty said this afternoon that there is a minimal impact on. that there is a minimal impact on transmission _ that there is a minimal impact on transmission of— that there is a minimal impact on transmission of all— that there is a minimal impact on transmission of all of _ that there is a minimal impact on transmission of all of our - that there is a minimal impact on. transmission of all of our vaccines. the issue _ transmission of all of our vaccines. the issue i— transmission of all of our vaccines. the issue i have _ transmission of all of our vaccines. the issue i have with— transmission of all of our vaccines. the issue i have with these - the issue i have with these regulations is in terms of language and how— regulations is in terms of language and how we bring people together to -et and how we bring people together to get the most compliance. i think that omicron certainly is not the last variant we will have to deal with and — la

chris whitty was very — family gatherings and so on? chris whitty was very clear _ family gatherings and so on? (ct 3 whitty was very clear today family gatherings and so on? (i 3 whitty was very clear today in family gatherings and so on? (ct 3 whitty was very clear today in the conference. he said he recommended people prioritise what matters to them. he said don't mix with people you don't have to. the prime minister said he would not be shutting hospitality, he would not be cancelling events but he said people should be cautious doesn't wash your hands, do regular lateral flow tests, make sure places are ventilated for that yesterday, the scottish first minister nicola sturgeon asked people in scotland to limit socialising to three households, but that is guidance only. but if these numbers quickly rising more pressure builds on nhs then talk of more restrictions will get louder. then talk of more restrictions will get louder-— then talk of more restrictions will aet louder. ,, , . ., , get louder. sure, 0k. fergus walsh our medic

the daily telegraph writes that borisjohnson and chris whitty urge the public to scale back their socialising in the run—up to christmas. the i adds that the chief medical officer is telling the nation not to "mix with people you don't have to". the guardian also leads on this story, writing that the prime minister continues to insist formal restrictions on gatherings are unnecessary. the daily express writes that mrjohnson is urging people to "think ca refully" about going to christmas parties. and the metro reports on the mortuary vulture david fuller, who will die injail after abusing more than 100 corpses of women and murdering two women. so, let's begin. henry, kick us off tonight with the front of the financial times. covid cases hit record 78,000 as 0micron sweeps the country. fix, cases hit record 78,000 as omicron sweeps the country.— sweeps the country. a record date with that figure _ sweeps the country. a record date with that figure and _ sweeps the country. a record date with that figure and the _ sweeps the country. a record date with that figure and the case - with that f

people are going to listen to chris whitty more than they are — listen to chris whitty more than they are going to listen to boris johnson — they are going to listen to boris johnson. that is the reality now. it boris _ johnson. that is the reality now. it borisjohnson had only had goodwill in 2019. _ borisjohnson had only had goodwill in 2019. if— borisjohnson had only had goodwill in 2019, if his stock was solid then 'ust in 2019, if his stock was solid then just after— in 2019, if his stock was solid then just after the election, he has certainly— just after the election, he has certainly squandered it all away in a very— certainly squandered it all away in a very botched and bumbled pandemic response _ a very botched and bumbled pandemic response. you know, the corruption scandal— response. you know, the corruption scandal that — response. you know, the corruption scandal that has engulfed the party, and now— scandal that has engulfed the party, and now this kind of disdain that he seems _ and now this kind of disdain that he seems to be showing the public in these

laura wright setting the scene from chris whitty's press conference last night. that is it for me for this 2020 -- 2021. it has been a long, enduring year. thanks to everyone who has worked from home tirelessly, who has worked in the office, who has battled through covid and this pandemic, we will battle on in 2022. a very festive greetings from dubai. ♪ hey, angie! you forgot your phone! hey lou! angie forget her phone again? yep. lou! mom said she could save up to $400 on her wireless bill by switching to xfinity internet and mobile. with nationwide 5g at no extra cost. and lou! on the most reliable network, lou! smart kid, bill. oh oh so true. and now, the moon christmas special. gotta go! take the savings challenge at xfinitymobile.com/mysavings or visit an xfinity store to learn how our switch squad makes switching fast and easy this holiday season. >> good morning, welcome to bloomberg markets europe. i'm anna edwards live in london. mark cudmore joins us from singapore to take us to all of the market action this hour. the cash trade is just less than an

chris whitty said — people running up to it? chris whitty said that _ people running up to it? chris whitty said that people - people running up to it? (ct 3 whitty said that people should prioritise what matters to them. do not mix with people you don't have to it was his clear message. the prime minister said repeatedly he is not closing hospitality, not cancelling events, but think carefully, he said, do lateralflow tests, wash your hands, open windows, he said his plans over christmas were pretty modest. yesterday of course, nicola sturgeon asked people in scotland to limit socialising to just three households. socialising to 'ust three households._ socialising to 'ust three households. , . ., , socialising to 'ust three households. , . . , ., ~ socialising to 'ust three households. , . . , ., ,, scotland, wales and northern ireland already have covid passports, and from today people in england need what's being called a covid pass to get into large venues, like nightclubs and stadiums. all adults must prove they are fully vaccinated, or have a negative covid test from with

now the chief medical officers for england, chris whitty... if lots of people were vaccinated that reduces the risk of transmission in the community. ..for scotland gregor smith and for a wales frank atherton have all been knighted. a knighthood too for england deputy chief medical officerjonathan van—tam. also being recognised for their roles responding to covid, jennie harries of the health security agency in june raine, head of the uk's vaccine regulator. they both become gains. ——dames in the entertainment world joanna lumley says she stunned to be made a dame... patterson, 47. ..both for her acting career and for her campaigning work. when i saw that sentence saying dbe i burst into tea rs. it's was extraordinary shock. i put my head in my hands and sobbed like a baby. then i thought, "how does this happen, is it a mistake?" truly was completely thrown. but i am thrilled to bits. award winning actress vanessa redgrave says she's surprised and grateful to also become a dame for services to drama. broadcaster trevor phillips has been

check back whitty, the chief medical officer for check back whitty, the chief medical 0fficerfor england, says check back whitty, the chief medical officer for england, says you should prioritise the contacts that really matter to you —— my chris whitty. in other words, matter to you —— my chris whitty. in otherwords, do matter to you —— my chris whitty. in other words, do less, fewer christmas lunches, fewer trips to the pub, may be less christmas shopping and on the other hand, you get the prime minister saying here are the tools we are giving you, like lateral flow tests, to do those things safely, so there is a difference of emphasis once you drill down into what taking personal responsibility actually means. i think a theme that will develop throughout the day to day is increasing pressure on the government over financial support for businesses as a result because, when people are hearing that, they are stopping going out. uk trade hospitality, the trade body for the industry, say they expect december takings to be 40% down on average and that is a big blow at a big time

the government come i don't think chris whitty, has he changed his view in the last 24 hours? you know 24 hours ago we had the boat. the prime minister can't, and his own party and now we have this deeply worrying press conference. sam and now we have this deeply worrying press conference.— and now we have this deeply worrying press conference. sam very confused. -- cim very — press conference. sam very confused. -- cim very confused. _ press conference. sam very confused. -- cim very confused. i _ press conference. sam very confused. -- cim very confused. i know- press conference. sam very confused. -- cim very confused. i know you - press conference. sam very confused. -- cim very confused. i know you are| —— cim very confused. i know you are there are a section of your colleagues of how the health brief who have said to me and interviews into lots of other people in interviews, and every occasion the government is acted too late. they haven't blamed the scientists for that they've never said the government was following the scientific advice but it acted too late. b

whitty, on _ and a quick one for professor whitty. on your— and a quick one for professor whitty, on your point - and a quick one for professor whitty, on your point about l whitty, on your point about reformulating _ whitty, on your point about reformulating the _ whitty, on your point about reformulating the vaccines, whitty, on your point about. reformulating the vaccines, do whitty, on your point about - reformulating the vaccines, do you think— reformulating the vaccines, do you think there — reformulating the vaccines, do you think there is — reformulating the vaccines, do you think there is a _ reformulating the vaccines, do you think there is a real— reformulating the vaccines, do you think there is a real possibility - think there is a real possibility that a — think there is a real possibility that a lot _ think there is a real possibility that a lot of— think there is a real possibility that a lot of people _ think there is a real possibility that a lot of people might - think there is a real possibilityl that a lot of people might need think there is a real po

all this is the chief medical officer chris whitty _ 300. all this is the chief medical officer chris whitty wants - 300. all this is the chief medical officer chris whitty wants the . officer chris whitty wants the cabinet of a likely increase in covid hospital numbers, a view echoed by other senior officials. irate echoed by other senior officials. we are echoed by other senior officials. - are concerned with the large volume of individuals who are being affected —— make infected every day in the population that we are going to have a very difficult four weeks ahead of cases in the community, which will of course cause need to stay away from work and work and school and then for those cases to transfer into admissions to hospital. transfer into admissions to hos - ital. transfer into admissions to hosital. ~ , transfer into admissions to hosital. ~' , , hospital. their key message is, get our 'ab hospital. their key message is, get yourjab come _ hospital. their key message is, get yourjab come up — hospital. their key message is, ge

the difficulty had -- the difficulty was that he had -- chris whitty had a message different. that was to come a he said, de-prioritize contacts that -- that was, he said, de-prioritize contacts not important to you if you want to prioritize those that are such as meeting family on christmas day. only meet the people who are really significant to you. that i think is a bit of daylight between the two positions. the prime minister was saying, carry on. be cautious, take a test, but go to parties. the chief medical officer's advice will increase, i think, the pressure that people will feel. people may well listen to that. the government meanwhile is hoping the messenger -- the measures it has in place now will be enough at least to see through this initial period. ros: in the european union we heard from the president of the european commission urszula von the lion. -- ursula von der leyen. >> omicron seems to be doubling every two to three days. that is massive. we are told by mid-january we should expect omicron to be the new dominant there -- variant in europe. ros: ursula vo

chris whitty— do go out, like taking a test. chris whitty is _ do go out, like taking a test. chris whitty is saying go out less, boris johnson _ whitty is saying go out less, boris johnson is — whitty is saying go out less, boris johnson is saying, here is how you io johnson is saying, here is how you go out _ johnson is saying, here is how you go out safely. two slightly different versions of the message about— different versions of the message about your own risk assessment. as a result— about your own risk assessment. as a result of— about your own risk assessment. as a result of that, hospitality in particular is seeing a lot of people cancelling — particular is seeing a lot of people cancelling their bookings. uk hospitality, the trade body, expect takings _ hospitality, the trade body, expect takings to— hospitality, the trade body, expect takings to fall by 40% in december. december— takings to fall by 40% in december. december is a crucial month for the hospitaiity— december is a crucial month for the hospitality industry. so you are seeing — hospita

the uk's chief medical adviser, professor chris whitty, told mps that he expects the peak to come "incredibly fast" but subside more quickly than previous variants. borisjohnson has again urged more people to get vaccinated but he insisted the government is not planning to lock down england again. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh, on another record—breaking day. what do you want for christmas? for millions, it's a booster. these people in newcastle today were prepared to wait for hours for a covid vaccination bus. it was a record day for boosterjabs but also covid cases. boosters offer the best protection against 0micron, but there is huge uncertainty whether they will blunt it enough to keep hospital admissions below last january's peak. even if it is milder, because it is concentrated over a short period of time, you could end up with a higher number going into hospital on a single day. that is certainly possible. it may be less than that but it is certainly possible. the numbers of confirmed 0micron patients in hospital are still low for now. it will be weeks before we have hard e

today is a chance for the prime minister to meet with his top scientist, patrick vallance and chris whitty, to get an update on the cases and crucially the hospitalisations and that will be the key bit will look at because last time cabinet met to discuss whether or not there were any further restrictions needed for england, the big agreement across cabinet at the time was that they didn't want to introduce any further restrictions for england yet unless they saw data on hospitalisations and start to rise rapidly to the extent they could risk overwhelming the nhs. it'll be interesting to see where that data stands today although any further rise in cases tends to be seen in hospitalisation slightly later so it could still be a couple of days before we see that. we will be talking later in this hour about the scientific judgment on the data and at what stage we might have the confidence to see this is a mild invariant and it has less health applications. we are not at that stage yet so in a sense it is a real dilemma about how heavily you come down. i heard one of the scottish executives, s

the chief medical officer professor chris whitty said it had been doubling every two to three days. our health editor hugh pym has the latest. shoppers in preston today, thinking about christmas, but with many questions over what the next few weeks will bring. there is much which isn't known about the new variant. but scientific experts and modellers have become increasingly certain that omicron does pose a threat. england's chief medical officer pointed to the rapid increase in case numbers. the aim of the measures announced by the prime minister is to slow things down. but it's doubling currently between two and three every two and three days. that is an extraordinarily fast rate. and you therefore can get, with very small numbers, to very large numbers really quite quickly. minutes of a meeting of the expert sage committee yesterday, say that with the speed of growth seen, decision—makers will need to consider response measures urgently to reduce transmission if the aim is to reduce the likelihood of unsustainable pressure on the nhs. this referring to any possible new measures

i think professor chris whitty said this the other day, one of the things about epidemics is that there is evidence to go up quite quickly often go down quite quickly at the other sides of the peak. so having a balance of not having a peak that threatens the integrity of the health service and throws a lot of other essential services into disarray, at least same time as trying to ensure we get over this fairly quickly is not going to be easy. fairly quickly is not going to be eas . ., ~' fairly quickly is not going to be eas . . ~ , ., fairly quickly is not going to be eas. . ~ i. ., fairly quickly is not going to be eas. . ., , ., fairly quickly is not going to be eas. . ., easy. thank you for sharing your thou~hts easy. thank you for sharing your thoughts with — easy. thank you for sharing your thoughts with others. _ rising concern about the rapid spread of the 0micron variant in london has prompted mayor sadiq khan to declare a major incident in the capital. he said, "the 0micron variant has quickly become dominant, with cases increasing rapidly and the number of patients in our h

chris whitty says substantial numbers of people will be hospitalized over the holiday period. the u.k. reported more than 78,000 new coronavirus cases on wednesday. that's the most since the beginning of the pandemic. scientists in south africa have found a combination that may give stronger protection against the omicron variant. it is a two dose course of the pfizer and biontech vaccine, as well as a previous inspection with the coronavirus. they say that would provide 73% protection against symptomatic disease from omicron, and 95% against severe infection. president biden says he will back senate democrats taking on voting rights legislation, if they have the votes for passage. because that the single biggest issue. the party is looking for a victory since the president's nearly two triggered our economic agenda is stalled by fighting among the democrats. this may be the biggest deal ever in music for an individual artist. bruce springsteen reportedly has sold his masters and music publishing to sony. according to billboard, the price is around $500 million. last year, bob

professor chris whitty says he expects the peak of the omicron variant wave to be coming in currently fast, but also drop faster than other variants. so it's another record, but probably not the less we will see. find it's another record, but probably not the less we will see. and there has been some _ not the less we will see. and there has been some talk— not the less we will see. and there has been some talk of— not the less we will see. and there has been some talk of omicron - has been some talk of omicron perhaps causing a milder illness than delta — when will we know if that's the case? it’s than delta - when will we know if that's the case?— that's the case? it's still a bit too early. — that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris _ that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris would - that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris would he - that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris would he talk that's the case? it's still a bit - too early, chris would he talk about this yesterday, he also talked about the importance of not taking that

reporting in the times to break away from the telegraph or one second that chris whitty and sir patrick balance are also not commenting on the lack of restrictions. there is one quote here saying "i didn't get the impression that the two of them were convinced we were making a mistake even if they probably thought on balance we probably are." the reason the jury is out to because in the daily telegraph, they have some of the for gary's cases and hospitalisation. wejumped to a peak of the beanie that we week, 93,000 cases uk wide, and then we come back a little bit to the 90,000 new cases each day, but that thing we are looking at us hospitalisations. at the telegraph saysis hospitalisations. at the telegraph says is that the rent 7801 people in hospital with a bit as of december 20. 1% up from hospital with a bit as of december 20.1% up from a week hospital with a bit as of december 20. 1% up from a week earlier. there is a two—week lag, and that is what we are very outcome at the moment, we are very outcome at the moment, we are not seeing it in people going to hospitals. that we are

professor whitty says the real number is much greater, we simply don't know the number of omicron infections completely at the moment, those people testing and reporting that and other people who won't. another record number, a positive one, of booster vaccines. 745,000 top up doses being given wednesday. that is ve much the message from the prime minisr sunday, get boosted now. the big worry is will the government managed to top that number i just gave you? it really needs one million jobs a day -- jabs per day in order to accomplish that promise of offering every adult in the u.k. a booster jab by the end of the month. >> only at the end of november did we start talking about omicron. things happened fast. this may get worse? >> indeed, they are predicted to get worse before they get better. the omicron variant is dominant in london and set to become dominant in scotland and across the united kingdom in the next few days and what we know about it is how transmissible it is. people are passing it on to three or five people once they get it, that is a reproduction factor. you have christmas

are not going to give you everything but let's remember if omicron turns out to be as bad as chris whitty and the other senior scientist say and we do see a huge surge in cases and a real pressure on the nhs and a lot of those mps they were this is outrageous and we don't want any more restrictions, they will be wondering and people will be looking at them as saying what were you thinking? the premise that it was right. the scientists were right and the nhs is overwhelmed. so borisjohnson rather intriguingly may be saved by an appalling search that he won't want obviously but people being in hospital and all of the die but if a worst—case scenario does happen the more stress will have been proven right to have gone early and gone hard. �* , ., ., right to have gone early and gone hard. �*, ., ., ., . ., hard. let's go to the financial times story- _ hard. let's go to the financial times story. which _ hard. let's go to the financial times story. which is - hard. let's go to the financial times story. which is three i hard. let's go to the financial l times story. which is three rate

speaking to mps, professor chris whitty said that the present wave of the omicron variant was likely to peak quite quickly, but that it could also reduce faster than previous peaks. health officials have warned that nhs services may be badly affected by staff illness as omicron spreads rapidly, and that they are trying to keep routine hospital services going as much as possible. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. with the number of new covid—19 infection is surging, how will the nhs and social care cope? with a highly infectious new variant, one of the biggest concerns is what will happen when — as seems inevitable — large numbers of staff fall ill, while at the same time hospital admissions are climbing. we will keep as much of our routine services going as possible, that's what we did last january during the last big wave. but inevitably, if we get many more admissions over the coming weeks, we will see some disruption. from today, we have new drugs available that we can give to the highest risk people in the community, which will also prevent hospital admission

england's chief medical officer, professor chris whitty said those records, and more, will be broken over the coming weeks as rates rise. the prime minister said the government was �*throwing everything' at the vaccine rollout across the uk, to curb the spread of the new variant with over 650—thousand jabs being administered across the country yesterday. despite the significant rise in cases, there was no indication of any further restrictions in england. our political editor laura kuenssberg has this report. are we staring down the barrel of a terrible outbreak of the virus? are we looking at the signs of impossible pressure for the nhs? is the prime minister watching out of control as his credibility fall away? with record cases, borisjohnson, eager again to emphasise what he wants you to do. we are throwing everything at the wave of omicron - that continues to roll - in across the united kingdom, and wherever you are, _ we will be there with a jab for you. so please, get boosted now. demand for the booster has surged, but so has the variant, more cases recorded today than at a

minister chairing cobra meetings and hejust tells everyone it is swine flu, "don't worry, i'll have chris whitty "going on tv with coronavirus..." the government rhetoric was putting a shield around care homes, it was complete nonsense. quite the opposite, we sent people with covid back to the care homes. did you hear him say, "let the bodies pile high "in their thousands" or "it's only killing 80—year—olds"? i heard that in the prime minister's study. downing street categorically denied that he had said let the bodies pile high and said that they tried to minimise a loss of life. injune, there was a chance to cool off. the prime minister hosted leaders of the g7 nations at a summit in cornwall, meeting the new us president in person for the first time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm, that america was back at the table and fully, fully engaged. back in westminster, a good old—fashioned tabloid scoop by the sun was about to bring the career of one of the government's most prominent cabinet ministers to a swift end. the health secretary

all this as the chief medical officer, chris whitty, warned the cabinet of a likely increase in covid hospital numbers, a view echoed by other senior officials. we are concerned with the large volume of individuals who are being infected every day in the population, that we're going to have a very difficult four weeks ahead with cases in the community. their key message is "get yourjab", with military personnel helping in taunton and at other centres. they'll hope they can keep up with the spread of the virus. then, starting in scotland, appeals for people to reduce mixing indoors with other households, and to think carefully about who they socialise with. the warnings were stark. i am not asking you to cancel or change your plans for christmas day, boxing day, or whenever you have your main festive celebration. but, in the run—up to and in the aftermath of christmas, i am asking, i am appealing to everyone to cut down, as far as possible, our contacts with people in other households. my key request to all of you today is, as far as you can, please minimise your indoor social intera

the usually icy cool professor whitty seemed angry too, but pleaded with you to separate political shenanigans from protecting health. people get very angry, including colleagues and friends when they feel that it's unfair. and the prime minister said that in the house of commons and he said it today. that's quite different from people, ithink, wanting to actually know what's going on and then make decisions. and i think those two need to be separated. the reason for that outrage is apparent in toe—curling confirmation in a practice press conference that there was a party in downing street last christmas when socialising was banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced! one of the aids who was laughing, allegra stratton, emerged from her house today. those jokes turning to tears. denying the party won't have been her decision and she has paid with herjob. my remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my

the usually icy cool professor whitty seemed angry too, but pleaded with you to separate political shenanigans from protecting health. people get very angry, including colleagues the reason for that outrage is apparent in toe—curling confirmation in a practice press conference that there was a party in downing street last christmas when socialising was banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. one of the aids who was laughing, allegra stratton, emerged from her house today. those jokes turning to tears. denying the party won't have been her decision and she paid with herjob. my remarks seemed to make light of the rules. people were doing everything to obey them. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my profound apologies to all of those at home, all of you who lost loved ones and endured intolerable loneliness and struggled with your businesses, i am truly sorry. and this afternoon, i am offering my resignation to the prime minister. thank you for your time. no chance her exit would be

the usually icy cool professor whitty seemed angry too, but pleaded with you to separate political shenanigans from protecting health. people get very angry, including colleagues. and friends when they feel that it is unfair. _ and the prime minister said i that in the house of commons and he said it today. that is quite different from people, i think, | wanting to actually know what's going on and then _ make decisions. and i think those ton need to be separated. the reason for that outrage is apparent in toe—curling confirmation in a practice press conference that there was a party in downing street last christmas when socialising was banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. one of the aids who was laughing, allegra stratton, emerged from her house today. those jokes turning to tears. denying the party won't have been her decision and she paid with herjob. my remarks seem to make light of the rules. people were doing everything to obey them. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my

minister chairing cobra meetings and hejust tells everyone it is swine flu, "don't worry, i'll have chris whitty injecting me live on tv with coronavirus". the government rhetoric we were putting a shield around care homes, blah, blah, it was complete nonsense. quite the opposite, we sent people with covid back to the care homes. did you hear him say, "let the bodies pile high in their thousands" or "it's only killing 80—year—olds"? i heard that in the prime minister's study. downing street categorically denied that the prime minister had said "let the bodies pile high" and said that they tried to minimise a loss of life. injune, there was a chance to cool off. the prime minister hosted leaders of the g7 nations at a summit in cornwall. meeting the new us president in person for the first time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm, that america was back at the table and fully, fully engaged. back in westminster, a good old—fashioned tabloid scoop by the sun was about to bring the career of one of the government's most prominent cabinet minis

minister chairing cobra meetings and hejust tells everyone it is swine flu, "don't worry, i'll have chris whitty "going on tv with coronavirus..." the government rhetoric was putting a shield around care homes, it was complete nonsense. quite the opposite, we sent people with covid back to the care homes. did you hear him say, "let the bodies pile high "in their thousands" or "it's only killing 80—year—olds"? i heard that in the prime minister's study. downing street categorically denied that he had said let the bodies pile high and said that they tried to minimise a loss of life. injune, there was a chance to cool off. the prime minister hosted leaders of the g7 nations at a summit in cornwall. meeting the new us president in person for the first time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm, that america was back at the table and fully, fully engaged. back in westminster, a good old—fashioned tabloid scoop by the sun was about to bring the career of one of the government's most prominent cabinet ministers to a swift end. the health secretary

minister chairing cobra meetings and he just tells everyone it is swine flu, don't worry, it's only chris whitty going on tv with coronavirus... the govermnment rhetoric was putting a shield around care homes, it was complete nonsense. quite the opposite, we sent people with covid back to the care homes. did you hear him say, "let the bodies pile high in their thousands" or "it's only killing 80—year—olds"? i heard that in the prime minister's study. downing street denied that he had said let the bodies pile high and said that they tried to minimise a loss of life. injune, a chance to cool off. the prime minister hosted leaders of the g7 nations at a summit in cornwall. meeting the new us president in person for the first time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm, that america was back at the table and fully engaged. back in westminster, a good old—fashioned tabloid scoop by the sun was about to bring the career of one of the government's most prominent cabinet ministers to a swift end. the health secretary matt hancock was pictured kissing

all this as the chief medical officer, chris whitty, warned the cabinet of a likely increase in covid hospital numbers, a view echoed by other senior officials. we are concerned with the large volume of individuals who are being infected every day in the population, that we're going to have a very difficult four weeks ahead with cases in the community. their key message is "get yourjab", with military personnel helping in taunton and at other centres. they'll hope they can keep up with the spread of the virus. then, starting in scotland, appeals for people to reduce mixing indoors with other households, and to think carefully about who they socialise with. the warnings were stark. i am not asking you to cancel or change your plans for christmas day, boxing day, or whenever you have your main festive celebration. but, in the run—up to and in the aftermath of christmas, i am asking, i am appealing to everyone to cut down, as far as possible, our contacts with people in other households. my key request to all of you today is, as far as you can, please minimize your indoor social intera

borisjohnson is going to be with patrick vallance and chris whitty, the medical officers. it is not a cabinet — the medical officers. it is not a cabinet meeting, and he is going to have to _ cabinet meeting, and he is going to have to wait up, with the very limited — have to wait up, with the very limited data — because the data he receives _ limited data — because the data he receives tomorrow morning will not show the _ receives tomorrow morning will not show the hospitalisations as a result— show the hospitalisations as a result of— show the hospitalisations as a result of mixing and niggling over the christmas holiday period. —— mixing and mingling. he has three options _ —— mixing and mingling. he has three options - _ —— mixing and mingling. he has three options - do— —— mixing and mingling. he has three options — do nothing, offer some guidance — options — do nothing, offer some guidance on bringing new rules. the latter— guidance on bringing new rules. the latter what— guidance on bringing new rules. the latter what is going

the usually icy cool professor whitty seemed angry too, but pleaded with you to separate political shenanigans from protecting health. people get very angry, including colleagues and friends when they feel that it's unfair. and the prime minister said that in the house of commons and he said it today. that's quite different from people, ithink, wanting to actually know what's going on and then make decisions. and i think those two need to be separated. the reason for that outrage is apparent and toe—curling confirmation in a practice press conference that there was a party in downing street last christmas when socialising was banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced! one of the aids who was laughing, allegra stratton, emerged from her house today, those jokes turning to tears. denying the party won't have been her decision and she has paid with herjob. my remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my

all this as the chief medical officer, chris whitty, warned the cabinet of a likely increase in covid hospital numbers — a view echoed by other senior officials. we are concerned with the large volume of individuals who are being infected every day in the population, that we are going to have a very difficult four weeks ahead with cases in the community. their key message is get yourjab, with military personnel helping in taunton and at other centres. they'll hope they can keep up with the spread of the virus. then, starting in scotland, appeals for people to reduce mixing indoors with other households, and to think carefully about who they socialise with. the warnings were stark. i am not asking you to cancel or change your plans for christmas day, boxing day, or whenever you have your main festive celebration. but, in the run—up to and in the aftermath of christmas, i am asking — i am appealing to everyone to cut down, as far as possible, our contacts with people in other households. my key request to all of you today is, as far as you can, please minimise your indoor social i

minister chairing cobra meetings and hejust tells everyone it is swine flu, "don't worry, i'll have chris whitty injecting me live on tv with coronavirus". the government rhetoric we were putting a shield around care homes, it was complete nonsense. quite the opposite, we sent people with covid back to the care homes. did you hear him say, "let the bodies pile high in their thousands" or "it's only killing 80—year—olds"? i heard that in the prime minister's study. downing street categorically denied that the prime minister had said "let the bodies pile high" and said that they tried to minimise a loss of life. injune, there was a chance to cool off. the prime minister hosted leaders of the g7 nations at a summit in cornwall. meeting the new us president in person for the first time. i felt it wasn't about me, it was about america. i felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm, that america was back at the table and fully, fully engaged. back in westminster, a good old—fashioned tabloid scoop by the sun was about to bring the career of one of the government's most prominent cabinet ministers to a sw

the usually icy cool professor whitty seemed angry too, but pleaded with you to separate political shenanigans from protecting health. people get very angry, including colleagues and friends when they feel that it is unfair. and the prime minister said that in the house of commons and he said it today. that is quite different from people, ithink, wanting to actually know what's going on and then make decisions. and i think those two need to be separated. the reason for that outrage is apparent in toe—curling confirmation in a practice press conference that there was a party in downing street last christmas when socialising was banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. one of the aids who was laughing, allegra stratton, emerged from her house today. those jokes turning to tears. denying the party won't have been her decision and she paid with herjob. my remarks seem to make light of the rules. people were doing everything to obey them. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my profound a

look, i think what both chris and i, chris whitty and i are saying is that there is a big wave of 0micron coming through. people need to be prudent, they need to think about your budget of risk, as it were, sam. we are not in a position that we were in last year of closing everything down and trying to mandate exactly what people do. we want to leave much more to people's responsibility and choice but we want them to be aware of the facts, and the facts are that 0micron, it does represent a very considerable risk and people need to be aware of that risk. they need to take the steps and above all, they need to get boosted now. final question, tory mps are saying publicly that conversations have begun about your future — whether you should stay in thatjob. if it was the interests of the country, if it was in the interest of the conservative party, would you resign? sam, can ijust remind you of everything i have been saying throughout this interview. which is that is exactly the kind of question that qualifies, that breaks the golden rule. what we are focusing on is getting thejob done. on

among them were: professor quiz whitty/ we've been clear/ hands, face, first place and next slide please, as well as — bucks quiz/ beaver fever/ rebels without a claus / cheeses of nazareth. a lot of teams — some, we're told, from pm's private office, the policy unit and the press office. and for the team coming last: "the booby prize was a bottle of sanctuary body wash". the prime minister has had repeated the rules were followed. this was two weeks ago. all guidance was probably completely during _ all guidance was probably completely during numberten. we all guidance was probably completely during number ten.— during number ten. we also heard from him on _ during number ten. we also heard from him on monday _ during number ten. we also heard from him on monday stopped - during number ten. we also heard from him on monday stopped i - during number ten. we also heard| from him on monday stopped i can tell you once again that i certainly broke no rules, all that is being looked into. as well as the quiz, and the party at conservative party hq - there's also the christmas party on d

hospitalisations, deaths in the uk so borisjohnson meets today with sir patrick vallance and professor chris whitty to get a picture of what the data is looking like and the key thing he is looking at will be hospitalisations. as we know, further restrictions have been introduced in other parts of the uk, in england, cabinet ministers have been holding tight and this is because ministers have really been wanting to see real—time data on hospitalisations, notjust models about what they could look like in future but evidence that they are starting to rise to a level they believe willjustify introducing further restrictions in england. is there a changing political climate within the government, the conservative party, in the sense we have seen perhaps increased scepticism on the tory backbenches and amongst some cabinet ministers about restrictions and the need for restrictions and scepticism about the science as well, sometimes? that's right. i think there is a political part to the story that needs to be reflected. certainly, as you say, several sources in government have acknowledged any further

there will also be a professor chris whitty the chief medical officer for england at the medical director of primary care doctor nikki kanani and they are going to be talking on a day when official figures going to be talking on a day when officialfigures show going to be talking on a day when official figures show that 78,610 new cases in the last 24—hour period, so a very sharp rise in the number of cases and omicron, we were hearing from doctorjenny harries, is potentially going to be seeing staggering increases in covid in the coming days. just a few more seconds we think until we hear from boris johnson, the prime minister. of course still smarting from that defeat in the comments were 100 or so conservative mps voted against his covid pass measures. he got the measure through anyway because of labour support. and various other measures, restrictions, which were also approved last night in the comments. but no word yet from the government or whether they feel there is going to be a need for further guidance or further restrictions in the light of what is clearly going to be a very

but that is the level of fear that professor whitty went out and claimed that the omicron presented. i do not think that that fear will actually be justified. that fear will actually be justified-— that fear will actually be 'ustified. �* �* ~ justified. andrew bridgen mp, thank ou justified. andrew bridgen mp, thank you for— justified. andrew bridgen mp, thank you for talking - justified. andrew bridgen mp, thank you for talking to - justified. andrew bridgen mp, thank you for talking to us. i new york city has made it compulsory for everyone aged 12 and above to be fully vaccinated against covid, in order to access indoor entertainment and sports activities. it has also become the first us city to require vaccines for all private sector workers. jabs are already mandatory for state employees. cbs correspondent courtney kealy is in new york and gave us the reaction to the new mandate. here in new york, people are adhering to that, but with this quadruple rate of children in hospital since the omicron variant came here, a lot of those children are not fully vaccinated. in fac