An undercover TV researcher has been found guilty of the torture and murder of a father of two at a cannabis farm. Christopher Guest More was convicted of killing Brian Waters at Chester Crown Court – more than 18 years after the murder. More, who had done undercover work with journalist Donal McIntyre, was arrested
UK
The Prime Minister and his wife Carrie Johnson have announced the birth of their second child, a baby girl. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the couple said: “The prime minister and Mrs Johnson are delighted to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl at a London hospital earlier today. “Both mother and daughter
Boris Johnson has toughened coronavirus measures in England amid concern over the increasing spread of the Omicron variant. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday evening, the prime minister announced the measures in the government’s “Plan B” for dealing with COVID-19 this winter. Mr Johnson said it had become “increasingly clear” that Omicron,
Boris Johnson has apologised after footage emerged of senior Number 10 officials joking and laughing about a Downing Street Christmas party last year during a time of strict COVID restrictions. Facing MPs for the first time since the video emerged, the prime minister said he was “furious” and has asked the Cabinet Secretary to investigate.
Labour has accused Number 10 staff of “laughing” at the British public after footage emerged of Downing Street officials joking about a Christmas party during a time of strict COVID restrictions. In a video recording of what ITV News reported was a rehearsal for a TV media briefing, senior Number 10 aides were filmed talking
Cases of the Omicron variant in people without any travel history have been confirmed in the UK meaning it is now being transmitted within the community, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said. Mr Javid said there are now 261 Omicron variant cases in England, 71 in Scotland and four in Wales – a total of 336.
Storm Barra is barrelling into Ireland and due to hit the UK later this morning, with the weather system packing strong winds, heavy rain and snow, with the Met Office warning of a small chance of a “danger to life” in some parts due to the conditions. Parts of west and southern Ireland are on
A minister has denied that the government acted too late in reintroducing travel restrictions after the discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Speaking to Kay Burley on Sky News, policing minister Kit Malthouse said: “We have to be agile, we have to recognise that all these things are impositions on people’s lives and lifestyles.
A further 86 cases of the new Omicron COVID variant have been reported in the UK, taking the total to 246. This compares with a total of 160 yesterday – an increase of more than 50%. The UK Health Security Agency, which publishes the figures, says 18 of the cases are in Scotland, taking its
There will be a national investigation into the murder of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. It comes as deputy prime minister Dominic Raab told Sky News: “The most vulnerable in our society need to have the maximum protection.” The boy, from Solihull, West Midlands, was poisoned, starved and beaten by step-mother Emma Tustin, 32, and his father
All international arrivals to the UK will again be required to take pre-departure COVID-19 tests to tackle the spread of the new Omicron variant, the health secretary has announced. The rule applies to all travellers visiting the UK or returning from a holiday, regardless of vaccination status, and will come into force from 4am on
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes should have been a top priority for social services but was “missed” during the coronavirus lockdown, a child protection boss has said. The six-year-old from Solihull was poisoned, starved and beaten by step-mother Emma Tustin, 32, and his father Thomas Hughes, 29, in a prolonged campaign of “evil abuse”. He was left with
France has rejected the idea of a joint British-French patrol in the English Channel to deal with the rising number of migrant crossing – but said Paris officials are “ready to pursue our operational cooperation” with the UK. Writing to Boris Johnson, French Prime Minister Jean Castex told his British counterpart that his country “cannot
Around 500 leaseholders from across the UK have told Sky News about the extreme mental health impact and financial toll of having to live in an unsafe building. Our research has exposed the devastating consequences the national building safety crisis is having on flat owners who can’t afford to fix the problems with their homes.
The UK has recorded 53,945 new cases of coronavirus – the highest daily figure since mid-July following the European football championship. The last time more cases were reported was on 17 July, when 54,674 new COVID-19 cases were recorded, six days after the tournament’s final at Wembley. Public Health England previously said that England’s deep
A family of four is gearing up for a second Christmas shielding at home after the father was told he had a brain tumour. Greg Priddy was diagnosed with cancer at the end of November last year, after his strange behaviour and sudden weakness on his left side prompted his wife to make him seek
Some Omicron cases are reportedly experiencing “mild” symptoms and experts should have more information about the transmission of the new COVID variant within days, an epidemiologist at the World Health Organisation has said. Speaking at a news conference, Maria van Kerkhove said one of the possible scenarios is that Omicron may become more transmissible than
Prime Minister Boris Johnson appears to have begun his Christmas celebrations early as he put his faith in a ramped-up booster programme to save the festive season for everyone. Mr Johnson chatted with stall holders on Tuesday evening and sampled wares at a Christmas market set up in Downing Street, in a display of confidence
The government plans to offer booster vaccines to everyone over the age of 18 by the end of January, Boris Johnson has said. Speaking at a Downing Street news briefing on Tuesday, the PM said the rollout of booster programme will go in age order, and that there will be more than 1,500 community pharmacy
Today fresh measures designed to deal with the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron have come into force in England. They were announced by Prime Minster Boris Johnson at the weekend amid concern the new variant could be less responsive to vaccines and more infectious. Mask wearing in England is now compulsory in shops,