In the headlines
In an attempt to defuse a growing row over a leaked video in which No 10 staff joked about a party last Christmas, Boris Johnson apologised in Parliament “for the impression that it gives” – though he still denies a party took place. Tory peer Sayeeda Warsi tweeted overnight: “Every minister, parliamentarian & staffer at the #downingstreetparty must resign NOW.” South African scientists say the omicron variant has a higher transmission rate than delta, but early data suggests it causes less severe illness. Australia took a wicket with the first ball of the Ashes series, then bowled out England’s cricketers for a paltry 147.