Gillian Keegan, the minister for care and mental health, has apologised for an “error of judgment” after she continued a meeting despite finding out she had coronavirus.
The minister insisted the group she was with were happy for her to stay as soon as they learned that her Covid test had come back positive.
She tweeted last night: “Ahead of a planned visit I took a precautionary [lateral flow device] test which gave a positive result. I am now isolating at home and fortunately feel fine.
“When I was told my test was positive I was listening to three fathers who had tragically lost their daughters to suicide. I told them the result and took further precautions but with their consent, I stayed for a short period to hear their stories.
“I should have immediately ended the meeting and on reflection this was an error of judgment on my part. I fully recognise the importance of following the letter and spirit of the policies, so want to be upfront about what happened and to apologise for the mistake I made.”
Follow the latest updates below.
11:07 AM
Gillian Keegan broke guidance – but not the law, says barrister
Health minister Gillian Keegan breached Covid guidance but according to a barrister did not break the law, writes Lucy Fisher.
She received a positive result from a lateral flow device, but only a PCR and being directed to self-isolate by a “relevant person” (NHS Test & Trace) triggers a “legal obligation”, he says:
On Gillian Keegan a few people have asked me whether she breached guidance or the law – the answer as far as I can tell is she breached guidance.
Assuming she means by LFD a lateral flow positive test this does not trigger a legal obligation 1/2 https://t.co/im06AEdFBc
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) February 9, 2022
Under the self-isolation regulations trigger a legal obligation is triggered when you are notified by a “relevant person” which is generally the NHS and will happen after a positive PCR test. A lateral flow test does not have that effect 2/3
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) February 9, 2022
10:55 AM
Fact check: Was Keir Starmer responsible for the CPS failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile?
Boris Johnson is under pressure to withdraw his attack on Sir Keir Starmer over the failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile.
The Prime Minister’s remarks in Parliament last week about the Labour leader caused a storm even among Mr Johnson’s own backbenchers and personal advisers.
On Monday a mob targeted Sir Keir near Parliament, shouting “traitor” and accusing him of “protecting paedophiles”.
Former Cabinet minister Julian Smith was among Tory MPs publicly calling for Mr Johnson to withdraw the Savile remark.
“It is really important for our democracy and for (Sir Keir’s) security that the false Savile slurs made against him are withdrawn in full,” Mr Smith said.
Labour’s Kim Leadbeater, whose sister Jo Cox was murdered while she was a serving MP in Batley, said: “Words have consequences, leaders have a duty to behave responsibly, and politics is not a game. Our country deserves far better.”
Mason Boycott-Owen looks at the truth of the matter
10:45 AM
China slaps down Liz Truss over Falklands
China’s UK embassy said it “firmly supported” Argentina’s claims over the Falkland Islands as Beijing and Buenos Aires deepened ties with a major financial support deal, Sophia Yan reports from Beijing.
The embassy in London said it recognised Argentina’s “full sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands” in a rebuke aimed at Liz Truss.
Ms Truss, the Foreign Secretary, tweeted on Monday that the UK “completely” rejected “any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands,” after Chinese and Argentinian leaders met in Beijing.
Xi Jinping agreed to help prop up the faltering Argentinian economy with $23.7 billion in financing for projects. Alberto Fernandez, the Argentinian president, officially signed on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a global network of infrastructure projects that in some instances has been compared to debt bondage.
Rebuke after Truss said ‘Falklands part of British family’
10:34 AM
Lord Geidt investigating Nusrat Ghani allegations, says Mark Spencer
Lord Geidt is investigating allegations of Islamophobia made by Nusrat Ghani, the new Leader of the Commons has told a local radio station this morning.
Mark Spencer, the former Chief Whip, broke cover last month to deny incendiary claims by Ms Ghani – a vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee – that a whip said her “Muslimness” was raised at a meeting before her sacking from her transport minister role in 2020.
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“To ensure other Whips are not drawn into this matter, I am identifying myself as the person Nusrat Ghani MP has made claims about this evening,” Mr Spencer said at the time. “These accusations are completely false and I consider them to be defamatory. I have never used those words attributed to me.”
Asked about the issue on BBC Radio Nottingham, Mr Spencer, the MP for Sherwood, said: “If I’m honest with you… that is a bit rough, when you’re accused of something of that nature. It’s a bit rough not being able to defend yourself until the results of that investigation come forward.
“I’ve just got to keep my mouth shut, present the facts to Lord Geidt who’s doing the investigation, and then once that’s concluded, I think we’ll be able to have a fairly open conversation about that.”
Lord Geidt also produced the report into the refurbishment of Boris and Carrie Johnson’s Downing Street flat.
10:24 AM
What does the Public Accounts Committee’s Brexit report say?
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Challenges caused by the Northern Ireland “need to be resolved”, the report insists. Both the UK and EU have recognised that there are issues with the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Cabinet Office told us that the results of its monitoring of the impact of the Protocol had been very concerning and had revealed considerable diversion of trade.”
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New border checks are creating additional costs for businesses, the report notes, with the caveat: “It is not yet clear to what extent the declines in UK trade with the EU since the end of the transition period have been caused by EU exit, or by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
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The report also finds the Government could do more to prepare small and medium sized businesses for “the additional costs and administration” required post-Brexit.
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New border arrangements are “have yet to be tested with normal passenger volumes” because of the pandemic and “could be exploited” when goods arrive from the EU – urges the Govt to set out its scenario planning for passenger numbers this year
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“Much work remains to be done” in the absence of all of the necessary systems, infrastructure and staff, while there is also “more to be done to ensure that traders and hauliers across the 27 EU countries are prepared for UK import controls”.
10:13 AM
I’d do things differently on Brexit and customs, says Lord Frost
The former Brexit minister has said he “lost the internal argument” on the UK’s customs process.
Lord Frost, who resigned from Boris Johnson’s Cabinet in December, labelled a report by the public accounts committee “quite thin stuff” but said it was right to note how this year is affected by the new inward customs processes that were introduced on January 1.
“I wouldn’t have done this but I lost the internal argument,” he said. “But there is still time to think carefully before introducing full SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) controls from July.
“We have to put up with EU controls. But we don’t have to replicate them ourselves. We should have a light-touch border to the whole world.
“That’s a Brexit opportunity. The EU believes in protectionism. We don’t, and our controls should reflect our philosophy not theirs.”
10:00 AM
Crack down on economic crime to tackle Russia, urges Labour
Labour has urged the Government to crack down on economic crime or risk yielding to Russia in the face of the Ukrainian border crisis.
Speaking as part of a cross-party panel at the Royal United Services Institute Centre (RUSI), Pat McFadden, the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury , said: “Economic crime is not just an issue of finance and taxation. It is also an issue of national security. And it should be treated as such.
“How can we crack down effectively on the finances of oligarchs when the UK has been such a welcome home to those oligarchs and their money over the years?
“Boris Johnson has already spent two and a half years as Prime Minister not doing anything on the economic measures the UK needed to hit the pals of Putin where it hurts.”
Mr McFadden called on the Government to enable tighter propriety checks by reforming Companies House, bring in a register of overseas entities bill as promised by the Conservatives in 2017, and update the public on what action will follow the Russia Report.
09:51 AM
Boris Johnson ‘right to clarify’ Jimmy Savile comments
Boris Johnson was right to clarify his comments about Sir Keir Starmer and Jimmy Savile as “words have consequences”, a minister has said ahead of today’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
Edward Argar, the health minister, indicated Mr Johnson would not apologise for his claim that Sir Keir “failed to prosecute” Savile while Director of Public Prosecutions, but welcomed Mr Johnson’s comments that the Labour leader had no personal involvement in the decision.
“I think you’re right to say words have consequences, that’s why I think it was right the Prime Minister clarified what he meant and was very clear in that clarification,” he told Sky News.
“I think it was clear he was not suggesting any personal involvement by Sir Keir, I’m pleased he made that clarification. I think the Prime Minister has set out his position very clearly, he explained very clearly it wasn’t a personal reference and I think that that is an appropriate way for him to have moved things forward.”
09:44 AM
The truth about the Keir Starmer video
One in five statements shouted at Sir Keir Starmer by protesters who surrounded him outside Parliament on Monday night related to Jimmy Savile, analysis of the footage by The Telegraph reveals.
Demonstrators made 14 references (19 per cent) to Savile and the slur that Sir Keir was “protecting paedophiles”. It came after Boris Johnson had accused the Labour leader of “failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile” while Director of Public Prosecutions.
Forty-one per cent of the protesters’ statements labelled Sir Keir a “traitor”. Fifteen per cent accused him of “fake” or controlled opposition and seven per cent were about Julian Assange. The remainder of their comments focused on other topics.
Labour shadow ministers have called on Mr Johnson to apologise, and pointed to the fact Sir Keir had no personal involvement in not prosecuting Savile.
Telegraph analysis reveals wide-ranging attacks
09:38 AM
Smart meter overhaul to open gates for ‘surge pricing’
Smart meters are to automatically send energy suppliers half-hourly updates on their customers’ power use in a revolutionary move that will allow “surge pricing” in millions of households’ bills.
The energy regulator Ofgem will be granted legal powers in May allowing it to change the way smart meters operate, so that information about usage is sent to suppliers every 30 minutes by default.
Suppliers will be able to use the data to change consumer energy prices as much as 48 times per day, allowing them to charge more at peak times.
The plans are viewed by industry experts as a key stepping stone towards “time of use” tariffs, which would charge customers different rates for energy throughout the day depending on demand.
09:24 AM
Sir John Major set to accuse Boris Johnson of harming trust in politics
Sir John Major is expected to accuse Boris Johnson of corroding trust in politics over the “partygate” saga in a bruising intervention to be delivered later today.
The former prime minister and Conservative leader will deliver a speech entitled “In democracy we trust?” at the Institute for Government think tank.
Sir John is set to call into question Downing Street’s response to allegations of lockdown-breaking parties, which at first saw a blanket denial issued by Mr Johnson’s press team.
He is also likely to criticise the behaviour that led to accusations of hypocrisy being levelled at Number 10 officials who drank alcohol and socialised while the public was in lockdown.
Ben Riley-Smith, our Political Editor, has the story
09:09 AM
Keir we go again
Sir Keir Starmer was pictured leaving his home this morning ahead of his weekly showdown with Boris Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Labour leader has not commented on the events of Monday, which saw him rescued by police after he was surrounded by a mob who accused him of “protecting paedophiles”.
The group repeated an accusation made by Boris Johnson in the Commons last week, when he suggested Sir Keir was responsible for the “failure to prosecute” Jimmy Savile while Director of Public Prosecutions, a decision Sir Keir had no personal involvement in.
Last week at PMQs, Sir Keir said of the Conservative Party: “Our parties stood together as we defeated fascism in Europe. Now their leader stands in the House of Commons parroting the conspiracy theories of violent fascists to try and score cheap political points.”
It will be interesting to see what gets said on the matter by either leader this week.
09:03 AM
Sajid Javid: NHS backlog a mission with social justice at its heart
As wave after wave of Covid has crashed against our defences during the last two years, the NHS has managed to stand its ground, Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, writes for The Telegraph.
Nurses, doctors, cleaners and so many others have put everything on the line to care for patients and families up and down the country. Over this recent omicron wave, the heroism of those who work in the NHS has shone through once more.
But this has not come without cost. Staff have been stretched to their limits and we’ve seen a huge build-up in the Covid backlog of elective care. We know that up to 10 million people didn’t come forward for treatment during the pandemic and it is imperative that as many as possible come forward and get the care they need.
With 17 million cases of Covid-19 recorded, the pressures on the NHS cannot be underestimated and so neither can the scale of the task ahead. The hard truth is that with people returning to the NHS for scans, checks and procedures – and with many people already having waited so long – the total number of people on the waiting list will rise.
In the short term, there is no amount of investment or reform that could prevent that reality. But we must and will turn the tide and it is investment and reform that we need if we are to bring the waiting lists and waiting times down.
Sajid Javid: NHS crisis demands radicalism and we will deliver
08:55 AM
Why are Charing Cross officers still in a job, asks Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan has questioned why nine out of 14 officers based at Charing Cross police station involved in vile social media exchanges are still serving with the Met.
One officer who joked about raping women at knifepoint was allowed to keep his job, it emerged last week, while two others sacked for sharing misogynistic, homophobic and racist messages were granted anonymity by the force.
“I think Londoners can’t understand why nine of these 14 police officers are still serving,” the Mayor told the Today programme. “I’ve asked that question.”
“And by the way, I only discovered last week that two of them have been promoted.”
Mr Khan said the Met’s plan to win back public trust was a matter of “days and weeks” after the force was implicated in a series of scandals.
08:46 AM
Move on from the Jimmy Savile row, urges Labour minister
A shadow minister said he does not want to “continue the debate” over Boris Johnson’s comments about Jimmy Savile and Sir Keir Starmer.
“The truth is, the longer you and I are talking about this, in a way that’s what Boris Johnson wants,” Pat McFadden told Sky News.
“Because I think he wants to continue this debate, I think he’s quite happy with this scurrilous rumour being spread around.
“And actually, what I’d rather be talking about – of course, you can ask whatever you want – but there’s a lot going on in the world.
“We’ve got high energy prices, we’ve got the story on NHS waiting lists that was announced yesterday where people are waiting much longer for treatment, we’ve got major issues with fraud and crime that we are talking about today.”
08:32 AM
Minister apologises for attending meeting with Covid
The care and mental health minister has apologised for continuing to attend a meeting after being told she had coronavirus.
“Earlier today, ahead of a planned visit I took a precautionary [lateral flow device] test which gave a positive result. I am now isolating at home and fortunately feel fine,” Gillian Keegan wrote on social media last night.
“When I was told my test was positive I was listening to three fathers who had tragically lost their daughters to suicide. I told them the result and took further precautions but with their consent, I stayed for a short period to hear their stories.
“I should have immediately ended the meeting and on reflection this was an error of judgment on my part. I fully recognise the importance of following the letter and spirit of the policies, so want to be upfront about what happened and to apologise for the mistake I made.”
08:30 AM
Sadiq Khan’s support for Cressida Dick ‘contingent on response’
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Dame Cressida Dick’s leadership of the Metropolitan Police from Sadiq Khan this morning.
After it emerged he had put Dame Cressida “on notice”, Mr Khan told Radio 4: “I think it’s possible on the one hand to recognise the brave officers we have, the excellent officers we have but also say what we have seen too often are examples of racism, misogyny, sexism, discrimination and the like.
“I’ve been quite clear to the Commissioner. My expectation is the next time I see her I want to see what her response is to the examples of not one officer, but 14 officers, being involved in racist, sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, antisemitic, Islamophobic and the like behaviour – none of whom are still serving – and secondly what her plans are to win back the trust and confidence that’s been both knocked and shattered as a consequence of these cases.”
On whether Dame Cressida still has his confidence, Mr Khan said: “That’ll be contingent on the response from the commissioner the next time I see her. If I believe the commissioner can’t win back the trust and confidence of Londoners…”
08:25 AM
Mark Spencer was ‘highly effective’ Chief Whip, says minister
Edward Argar praised Mark Spencer as a “highly effective” Chief Whip as he refused to comment on the ongoing investigation after allegations of Islamophobia made by Nusrat Ghani.
Mr Spencer was replaced by Chris Heaton-Harris and made Leader of the House of Commons in yesterday’s reshuffle, while Jacob Rees-Mogg became the Minister for Brexit Opportunities.
“There is an investigation going on into those specific allegations that were made, so it wouldn’t be right for me to comment while that process is going on,” Mr Argar told Times Radio.
“Speaking on the basis of my working relationships, and as a colleague, I’ve always found Mark to be an incredibly decent, forthright and genuine person and I found him to be a highly effective chief whip.
“And from my perspective as a minister taking legislation through the House of Commons… indeed at the moment, I rate Mark’s skills very highly and I look forward to working with him as Leader of the House in helping to get my legislation through, as well as every other piece of legislation.”
08:21 AM
Former adviser to Gordon Brown backs windfall tax
A former adviser to Gordon Brown has backed a one-off windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas companies.
Professor Michael Jacobs pointed to Margaret Thatcher instigating a windfall tax on the banks in 1981 and Labour’s windfall tax on privatised utilities in 1997.
“In the end they weren’t taken to court or challenged by the companies because in the court of public opinion, both of those occasions everybody thought ‘those companies have not earned those profits’,” he told the Today programme.
“A windfall tax is a good thing because it doesn’t affect their behaviour.”
08:11 AM
‘What about a sense of personal responsibility?’
Boris Johnson’s leadership is “past the point of no return”, according to a billionaire hedge fund manager who has donated more than £3million to the Tory Party.
John Armitage, who has donated more than £500,000 to the Conservatives since Mr Johnson became Prime Minister in 2009 but last year donated £12,500 to Labour, told BBC Breakfast he felt the PM had now lost “moral authority”.
“If you do things which the average person, your mother, someone who you admire, if you do something or say something which on the front page of the Sunday Times looks terrible, and you do that consistently, and you betray a sense of not really caring, I think you should leave.
“I find the lack of honour inherent in modern politics incredibly distressing… ‘I’m going to change my advisers’ – God above, what about a sense of personal responsibility?”
08:07 AM
NHS targets ‘ambitious but realistic’, says minister as one in nine on waiting lists
The health minister said new targets for tackling the NHS backlog are “ambitious but realistic”.
Mr Argar corrected Sky News’s Kay Burley when she said one in 10 Britons were on a waiting list, saying: “It’s around one in nine… That’s a huge figure and every one of those people will understandably be concerned. They’ll either be in pain or understandably anxious.
“We’ve got to be realistic and honest with people about the scale of that challenge and the impact that will have both on workload and on workforce so what we’ve set is what we think is ambitious but realistic as a way to bring that waiting list.”
Mr Argar echoed comments made by Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, on Monday, as he warned the waiting list “will go up before it goes down”.
08:05 AM
Boris Johnson won’t apologise to Keir Starmer, suggests minister
The health minister has suggested that Boris Johnson will not apologise for his comments about Sir Keir Starmer and Jimmy Savile at the despatch box later today.
“The Prime Minister has been very clear, he’s clarified what he was talking about,” Edward Argar told Sky.
“He’s clarified that he was talking about Sir Keir in the context of his leadership role at the CPS, just as quite rightly Sir Keir holds him to account for his leadership role over the Government.
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“That doesn’t mean personal responsibility for individual decisions and to be honest with you I suspect that’s what you’ll hear from the Prime Minister today.
“All politicians, all of us in the public eye – media, politicians, individuals on things like Twitter – need to think carefully about the words they use.”
08:04 AM
Good morning
Boris Johnson was right to clarify his comments about Sir Keir Starmer and Jimmy Savile as “words have consequences”, a minister has said ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions.
Here’s the front page of your Daily Telegraph today:
