Good evening. No 10 has rebuked Matt Hancock after The Lockdown Files revealed he had discussed a plan to block funding for a new learning disability hub to pressure a Tory MP to back Covid restrictions. Meanwhile, on what could be the coldest night of the year so far, coal power will help keep the lights on across Britain.
Rishi Sunak rebukes Matt Hancock over funding plot
Downing Street has rebuked Matt Hancock after it emerged that he had discussed a plan to block funding for a new disabled centre to pressure a Tory MP to back lockdown restrictions.
Leaked WhatsApp messages between the then health secretary and his political aide show how they discussed taking a plan for a learning disability hub in Bury “off the table” if James Daly voted against the Government in December 2020.
Asked whether this was not the way Rishi Sunak would like his ministers to operate, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Of course. There are rules and guidelines which apply." Meanwhile, Ben Riley-Smith reports that Cabinet ministers are using technology that automatically deletes WhatsApp messages, raising fears that they are circumventing the Government’s transparency rules.
Girl, 9, screamed 'mum, I'm scared' before being shot
Olivia Pratt-Korbel screamed "mum, I'm scared" as she was shot dead aged nine in her home, a court has heard. The girl was fatally shot at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, just after 10pm on August 22, 2022.
Her mother, Cheryl Korbel, 46, was injured in the shooting as the gunman "ruthlessly pursued" convicted burglar Joseph Nee, into their home. Thomas Cashman, 34, denies the murder of Olivia, the attempted murder of Nee, the wounding with intent of Ms Korbel and two counts of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Ewan Somerville has been following the opening day of the trial.
Braverman vows to 'act now' to halt migrant boats
Suella Braverman said the nation's "patience" over the migrant Channel crossings crisis has officially "run out" as she unveiled the Government's plans to finally "stop the boats".
The Home Secretary said the British people have a "sense of fair play" but this has been "tested beyond its limits" by people arriving in the UK illegally and trying to take the country's asylum system "for a ride".
Ms Braverman said this "cannot and will not continue" and the Illegal Migration Bill will allow the Government to "act now" to stop the crossings.
You can follow all of today's political developments on our live blog as Rishi Sunak gave a press conference on the policy.
Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines
Leicester | Centuries-old rumours that Leicester Cathedral was built on the site of an ancient place of worship appear to have been confirmed, after a Roman shrine was found hidden beneath the structure.
- Coronation | Pubs to stay open late over bank holiday weekend
- Weather | Snow blankets the North as cold snap kicks in - pictures
- Yorkshire racism hearing | Closing statements made in Vaughan and Rafiq case – latest updates
- Social norms | Baby boomers warm to casual sex
- Devon | Ukrainian girl who died after being found on beach is named
Comment and analysis
- Charles Moore | BBC Radio 4 is propagating anti-Tory hate
- Tom Harris | Labour is hiding its true views on illegal immigration
- Ben Wright | The City exodus has been decades in the making
- Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | The coming EV batteries will sweep away fossil fuel transport
- Sir Steve Webb | Early retirement is not stunting Britain’s economy
World news: Pro-Ukrainian group blew up Nord Stream pipeline, new intelligence suggests
New intelligence reviewed by US officials suggests that a pro-Ukrainian group carried out the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines last year. There was no evidence that President Volodymyr Zelensky or his top lieutenants were involved in the operation, or that the perpetrators were acting at the direction of any Ukrainian government official, the New York Times reported, citing US officials. Meanwhile, Nataliya Vasilyeva writes that Ukraine's defence ministry has identified the prisoner of war who declared ‘glory’ to his country moments before being executed by his Russian captors.
Interview of the day
Conductor and soprano Barbara Hannigan: ‘I think of Haydn as my 250-year-old boyfriend’
Widely considered one of the world’s leading female conductors, the Canadian talks faith, dead composers and ‘women’s music’
Sport news: England release George Ford from Six Nations squad
Marcus Smith has been retained in a 27-man England squad that will prepare to face France in round four of the Six Nations, with George Ford released to represent Sale Sharks in the Premiership on Sunday. Charlie Morgan reports that in a blow to Steve Borthwick’s plans, Courtney Lawes has withdrawn from the squad due to a shoulder injury. You can find England's 27-man squad in full here.
Editor's choice
Fashion | Chunky boots with everything, and other lessons in Parisian practicality from Chanel
Food and drink | The best and worst high street coffee, according to an expert
Marriage Diaries | ‘I seem to be living in a 1960s kitchen-sink drama, thanks to my husband’
Business news: Britain fires up back-up coal plants for first time ever
Coal power will help keep the lights on across Britain tonight, as the National Grid fired up back-up plants amid plunging temperatures. One of EDF's two West Burton A coal power stations in Lincolnshire will begin generating electricity today after the grid failed to secure an adequate buffer to keep the lights on. Earlier, National Grid issued a second-stage warning that the margin between electricity supply and demand would be tight today.
Tonight starts now
Introducing the world’s longest cruise – visiting 135 countries over three years | Epic voyages have been a mainstay of cruising, but a new three-year odyssey, launching in November, really raises the bar, writes Dave Monk.
Three things for you
- TV | DNA Journey, ITV1, 9pm
- Review | The Great British Bake Off Musical: a sugary soufflé that rises nicely
- Money | Why you should say no to getting a smart meter
And finally... for this evening's downtime
Why Plymouth is one of the most underrated places on Earth | Britain's Ocean City should be an obligatory stop-off for anyone heading west, writes Chris Moss.
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