UK

The senior leadership at Downing Street – both political and official – must “bear responsibility” for the culture of partying during COVID lockdowns, according to a report from senior civil servant Sue Gray. The report added that “while there is no excuse for some of the behaviour set out here it is important to acknowledge

Pressure is mounting on the prime minister over Downing Street lockdown parties ahead of the release of the Sue Gray report into partygate. Number 10 is expecting to receive the inquiry’s final report on Wednesday. It is anticipated to be more in-depth than the Met Police investigation that concluded last week – and will include

London mayor Sadiq Khan has asked police for an explanation after “smoking gun” pictures emerged of Boris Johnson drinking at an event during lockdown – for which he was not fined. Mr Khan, who oversees policing in the capital, told Sky News’ Kay Burley that the pictures from a Downing Street leaving do in November

Tory MPs have criticised photos of Boris Johnson drinking with colleagues during lockdown ahead of the Sue Gray report into parties being published. New pictures emerged on Monday of the prime minister appearing to toast colleagues allegedly during the second national lockdown when people were not allowed to mix with other households inside. The photos,

Boris Johnson has conceded that the cost of living crisis “is going to go on” but said people asking what more the government will do to help will “just have to wait a little bit longer”. The prime minister faces a growing clamour – including from a number of Tories – to adopt Labour’s idea

Close contacts of monkeypox cases with the highest risk of exposure should self-isolate for 21 days, latest government guidance says. New guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recommends people who have had “unprotected direct contact or high risk environmental contact” with the disease should isolate – and avoid contact with immunosuppressed people, pregnant

Monkeypox is spreading in the UK through community transmission and new cases are being detected on a daily basis, a senior doctor has warned. Officials are expecting a “significant rise” in infections this week after it was confirmed the total had increased to 20 on Friday. The cause of the outbreak is unknown and there

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called for benefits to be immediately increased in line with inflation to help the poorest cope with the cost of living. The senior Tory MP also called for tax cuts for those in work to help “the squeezed middle”. “During the course of this spike, we should

The UK is facing a “significant rise” in monkeypox cases over the next week, an expert has warned, with some health clinics stopping people walking in as they try to slow the spread of infections. About 80 cases have now been confirmed across 12 countries – including 20 in the UK – with the majority

Sue Gray and Boris Johnson had a private meeting to discuss the handling of the partygate report, Sky News can reveal. The pair discussed where Ms Gray believed the Metropolitan Police were with the inquiry, and Whitehall’s understanding of where the police were on interviews. The revelation of an undisclosed meeting is likely to trigger

Monkeypox cases in the UK have more than doubled, with 11 more announced today. It brings the total number reported in the country to 20 – although there are concerns many cases are going undetected. Confirming the news, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “This morning I updated G7 health ministers on what we know so

Cases of sextortion reported to the UK’s revenge porn helpline have almost doubled within a year, new figures show. Sextortion is now the most reported issue with 1,124 cases in 2021 compared to 593 in 2020, with 88% of cases involving a male victim. Sextortion occurs when images or videos are captured or sent during

The investigation into lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and around Whitehall has concluded, the Met Police has announced. In all, police have made 126 referrals for fines relating to the partygate scandal – not all of which have yet been issued. Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are among those that have

Rock band Queen will open the Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday 4 June. The iconic British rock band will perform with singer Adam Lambert in a bumper show featuring stars like Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli and Sir Elton John. Non-musicians like Sir David Attenborough and Stephen Fry will also make appearances. The

A Conservative MP has been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences spanning a seven-year period. Scotland Yard confirmed in a statement that a man aged in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in public office. The individual remains

The Queen has made a surprise visit to see the new Elizabeth line at London’s Paddington Station, Buckingham Palace has said. The 96-year-old monarch joined her youngest son, the Earl of Wessex, for the official visit. Holding a walking stick, the monarch emerged from a transparent lift and smiled brightly, looking resplendent in a Stewart

Inflation has hit its highest level in 40 years amid the deteriorating cost of living crisis. The rate shot up to 9% last month – its highest level since comparable readings in 1982. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a broad-based hike in prices for everyday goods and services during April

The government is set to bring forward legislation on the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Last year, there was outrage when the government proposed to effectively end all prosecutions related to crimes committed during the Troubles. The move was opposed by all five of the main political parties in Northern Ireland

A government minister has suggested that people struggling with the cost of living should take on more hours or move to a better-paid job. Rachel Maclean, the safeguarding minister, told Sky News’ Kay Burley that those were some of the ways households could “protect themselves” as prices soar. She said that every minister was looking

The prime minister is expected in Northern Ireland on Monday as efforts to break the political deadlock at Stormont intensify. Boris Johnson will hold talks with party leaders and attempt to persuade the Democratic Unionists to enter the power sharing government. Sinn Fein is now the largest party but its vice president, Michelle O’Neill, cannot