Boris Johnson had a four-day break before Covid pandemic struck

Official files have revealed that Boris Johnson took four days off during a crucial period in the run-up to locking down the UK when the Covid pandemic struck.

The revelation has come after the group campaigning for families of the Covid bereaved described the former prime minister as being “beyond contempt” for his attack on the damning report produced by the inquiry into his government’s handling of the pandemic.

Mr Johnson has refused to apologise for an estimated 23,000 extra deaths the inquiry stated he caused by delaying lockdown for a week.

Instead he used his column in a national newspaper to lambast the inquiry’s chair Baroness Heather Hallett and argue that Professor Neil Ferguson, whose estimates the figure was based on, was “hysterical”.

Official disclosure for February 2020, described by the inquiry report as a “lost month” in preparing to respond to the pandemic, shows that Mr Johnson took an extended break during the half-term holidays at Chevening, a governmental estate in Kent.

The former prime minister was questioned by the inquiry on what he had been doing between 14 and 24 February 2020 when he gave evidence in December 2023.

At the time he said: “There wasn’t a long holiday that I took. I was working throughout the period and the tempo did increase.”

But official activity logs appear to suggest evidence that Mr Johnson gave under oath may have been wrong.

The controversy has echoes of the parliamentary inquiry into his responses in the House on Partygate where he was found to have misled the Commons.

The official files suggest that Mr Johnson did no official government business on 15, 16, 17 and 21 February.

Instead, it suggests that he spent time walking his dog Dilyn in Chevening, riding a motorbike given to him by his wife Carrie, and hosting friends and family for lunches, dinners and overnight stays.

The Independent has approached Mr Johnson for comment.

The latest revelation comes as the group representing families of the Covid bereaved wants to ensure that Mr Johnson no longer plays any part in public life.

They have also suggested possible legal action against the former prime minister, possibly a private prosecution.

A spokesperson for the group said that this was “further evidence that he [Johnson] wasn’t taking Covid seriously, that he was ignoring the warnings he was getting and putting himself ahead of the country at that time. It vindicates further the report that came out on Thursday. It sounds like he has questions to answer about how truthful he was in front of the inquiry.”

They told The Independent: “It is beyond contempt that Boris Johnson has chosen to respond to the Covid Inquiry by attacking the Covid bereaved for ‘wrangling’ about the deaths of our loved one.

“Instead of showing regret, contrition or even apologising, Johnson is using a newspaper column to do what he couldn’t do under oath at the Covid Inquiry – twist the truth, promote debunked myths and ignore the facts.

“But the truth, which Mr Johnson has never had a close relationship with, is now clear. He was responsible for thousands of avoidable deaths. The one promise he delivered on was to ‘let the bodies pile high’. He has no place in public life and we are calling again for Boris Johnson to lose all of his ex-PM privileges following the inquiry report.”

Their response came after an astonishing rant by the former PM in his weekly Daily Mail column.

Mr Johnson blasted: “Some judge has just spent the thick end of £200m on an inquiry, and what is the upshot?

“She seems, if anything, to want more lockdowns. She seems to have laid into the previous Tory government for not locking down hard enough or fast enough – just when the rest of the world has been thinking that lockdowns were probably wildly overdone.”

He went on: “Bozhe moi, you say, wiping away tears of laughter. My goodness, these Britskis!”

Norris hit by McLaren’s huge screw-up but one move can save F1 title

The first sign that something was amiss, under the bamboozling lightshow that is the Las Vegas strip, came in the final three laps. Out of nowhere, why was Lando Norris’s pace dropping off at a rate of knots? Safely in second place, seven seconds behind the race leader, Norris eventually finished 23 seconds off Max Verstappen. Now, we know why.

Norris’s shock disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, announced just after 1.30am local time, has handed his F1 title rivals the biggest of reprieves. Ironically, the double McLaren DSQ – with Oscar Piastri’s race result wiped out for the same reason, excessive plank wear on the car – is a much-needed saving grace for the Australian. His deficit was 30 points; now it’s back to the original 24 points.

But by a country mile the biggest beneficiary is Verstappen: a man and a driver whose refusal to surrender has breathed new life into this helter-skelter title fight. A terrific win from second on the grid in Vegas, coupled with nada on the points tally for the McLaren pair, means he is now level on points with Piastri – a man he was 104 points short of as recently as seven races ago.

No doubt, it will be the irrepressible Dutchman chasing a fifth consecutive title who Norris seriously fears now, as opposed to teammate Piastri.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella apologised to his drivers in a statement afterwards, having cancelled his customary post-race written media session amid the commotion in the stewards’ room. A source has told The Independent that McLaren personnel were pleading their case for more than an hour, such was the magnitude of the verdict at this stage of the season. Inevitably, to no avail.

The papaya-clad team argued that unexpected porpoising – the phenomenon first seen in 2022 where cars violently bounce up and down on the straights – along with wet running on Thursday night and shortened practice sessions were mitigating circumstances for their cars falling foul of hyper-specific F1 technical regulations.

All valid reasons – but these are black-and-white regulations. The minimum thickness for the skid plank below the car cannot fall below the 9mm threshold. Post-race scrutineering, double-checked, saw Norris’s car 0.12mm over the limit and Piastri’s 0.26mm. In reality, it’s the width of a human hair. But in a sport decided by marginal gains – every millisecond counts in the world of Formula One – it’s significant enough and was a slam-dunk illegal car.

“A frustrating end to today,” Norris said, in quotes provided by McLaren deep into the Vegas night. “We had to do some managing towards the end of the race and now we know it was due to some issues on our car.

“It’s frustrating to lose so many points. As a team, we’re always pushing to find as much performance as we can, and we clearly didn’t get that balance right today.”

And in that latter remark lies the inexcusable basis for McLaren’s double exclusion. The regulations are in place so teams don’t run their cars too close to the ground, from both a safety standpoint for the drivers and a performance benefit for the cars. All teams have to find the balance, and this weekend McLaren screwed-up in search of performance.

And it is an all-time screw-up, at crunch time in the race for the title. Lewis Hamilton has also been disqualified twice in the last two years – once with Mercedes in 2023, once for Ferrari in March – for identical mechanical irregularities. Both took place on a sprint-race weekend which, with more meaningful sessions, are the primary excuse for plank-wear.

But McLaren don’t even have that to point to this time around. At this stage of the season, it is simply indefensible that they would take a too-aggressive approach on the ride height, given what is at stake. In Austin last month, they were too conservative on their ride height after losing out on data from sprint race retirements. In Vegas, they put it all on red, and it came up black.

It is a crushing blow for the rejuvenated Norris, who had one hand on the championship trophy. Of course, 24 points is still a sizable advantage and, sprint race dependent, a win in Qatar next Sunday could seal a maiden title for the 26-year-old from Bristol. But now it’s not just Piastri breathing down his neck.

The shark-like Verstappen can taste blood. He’ll be the one leaving Sin City feeling like he’s hit the jackpot. If McLaren somehow squander the drivers’ title from here, Vegas will undoubtedly be the cataclysmic turning point they look back on.

Is it now, with two rounds and 58 points left on the table, that they finally decide to take the plunge and prioritise Norris? It won’t be – but it should be.

I’m a Celeb 2025 live: Jack opens up about loss of his dad Ozzy

I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! has been emotional this weekend, with Jack Osbourne talking about the “fresh” grief he’s experiencing four months after the death of his dad, Ozzy.

In a conversation with Eddie Kadi, Osbourne, who was asked what he misses most about the Black Sabbath frontman, praised his dad’s energy.

“He had this force – it’s so hard to describe. It was like he swallowed the galaxy and didn’t know what to do with it. It’s the only way I can describe him. I definitely miss his jokes.”

Jack was open with his campmates about his grief in the latest episode, telling them he’s feeling “delicate” and needed to have a “good cry” but is ultimately “really happy” to be on the show. In a heartwarming moment, Ginge assured him it was ok for men to cry openly.

The YouTuber fought for more stars for camp in the show’s latest challenge that involved him putting his head in a box with snakes, rats, and spiders. He is now assistant camp leader to the new King of camp, Aitch, who will take on the next trial…

I’m a Celebrity continues nightly on ITV and ITVX.

Angela Rayner comeback still on the cards for prime minister

Sir Keir Starmer said he would like to see Angela Rayner back in his cabinet and can envisage a comeback for her following her resignation in September.

Ms Rayner stood down from her senior roles in government after failing to pay the right amount of stamp duty on a house in Hove.

The prime minister said that even at the time, he was sure she was “going to be a big voice in the Labour movement”.

He described her as “the best example ever in the United Kingdom of social mobility”, rising from a “challenging childhood” to deputy prime minister.

“I’ve always said I want Angela back,” he said, adding that they remain in regular contact. “I’m friends with Angie and I like Angie a lot and we talk a lot. We still do.”

Ms Rayner remains a backbench MP. Asked about a return to frontline politics earlier this month, she told the Daily Mirror that she had “not gone away”.

Allies of Ms Rayner were subsequently pressed to deny “silly” reports that she was eyeing the top role, assuring she was “focused on representing her local community”, not planning a coup.

Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said that he was “acutely aware” that woman in public roles “get much more abuse and criticism than men”.

He suggested that the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, gets more abuse because she is a woman, as she prepares to deliver the autumn budget on Wednesday.

Ms Reeves had hit out at critics “mansplaining” to her how to be Chancellor and blamed sexism for motivating at least some of the criticism levelled at her ahead of the Budget.

Asked whether he agreed with her, Sir Keir told reporters: “I strongly believe that women in public life get much more criticism and abuse than men, and I mean that is in politics, but it’s also across a number of other areas.

“I’d also say the media frankly … There’s abuse and criticism of all politicians, but I’m acutely aware that women get much more abuse and criticism than men do and I think it’s about time we acknowledge that.”

The Labour leader also pointed to Ms Reeves being the first woman to hold the office of chancellor in its more than 800-year history.

”I’m really proud that we’ve got a female Chancellor who’s doing a really good job,” he said.

Ms Reeves told The Times Magazine this week that she was “sick of people mansplaining how to be Chancellor to me”.

She complained about criticism from “boys who now write newspaper columns”, saying: “I recognise that I’ve got a target on me. You can see that in the media; they’re going for me all the time. It’s exhausting.”

EV owners: Earn £55 with this E.ON Next tariff deal now

Considering getting an electric vehicle or have driven one for a while? You may be searching for the right energy tariff to charge your car, and if so, we have just the deal to help. E.ON Next is offering The Independent readers £55 credit with its Drive Smart EV tariff.

With impressively low overnight rates of 6.5p/kWh, it’s worth noting that when you use E.ON Next smart charging, that same competitive price is also applied to the rest of your home. We’d say that makes this limited-time offer of £55 credit sound even more appealing.

This exclusive offer is only available until 30 November, so you better be speedy to snap it up. Keep reading to learn more about the E.ON Next Drive Smart EV tariff – including eligibility, charting your energy use with the Next Home app and getting a quote.

There are a few straightforward requirements to be eligible for the E.ON Next Drive Smart EV tariff. As well as needing to have a smart meter and EV charger already installed at home, you must own or lease an EV that is a model supported by this tariff. Finally, you can only charge and connect one vehicle with E.ON Next’s EV tariff. Sounds simple? Once you’re signed up with your new tariff, you can set up Smart Schedules by downloading the E.ON Next Home app to get started.

After signing up to E.ON Next’s EV tariff, you need to have the Next Home app. This is a convenient way of accessing all of your EV charging information in one place. From seeing your entire charging history to planning future charging stints, you can view all energy cost savings here too. The app enables you to stay informed about charging rates, as you can map any cost changes according to what time of day or night you’re using energy to power your car. This handy level of monitoring lets you take the wheel when charging.

To get £55 when signing up for the E.ON Next Drive Smart EV tariff and make the most of this exclusive deal, head over to the quotes page here. With the offer only available until 30 November, you’d better put your foot down.

Get £55 credit by signing up to the E.ON Next Drive Smart EV tariff now

‘Beast from the East’ weather phenomenon returning to UK this winter

The UK could be facing another cold snap as the weather phenomenon that brought in 2018’s ‘Beast from the East’ looks set to have “significant implications” on the country’s weather.

The Met Office said “winter has arrived early across the UK, bringing cold Arctic air and a complex mix of weather hazards” after a week of ice and snow weather warnings across stretches of the UK.

Temperatures are set to increase this weekend as milder, more unsettled, Atlantic-driven weather moves in with cloud, rain and winds, but a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event in the next week could see colder weather return in the next two weeks.

A SSW involves a rapid increase in temperature in the stratosphere above the North Pole, often leading to a reversal of the stratospheric polar vortex winds, involving the rapid descent of cold air.

According to the forecaster, this increases the likelihood of colder weather in the UK 10 to 14 days later by roughly 70 per cent. While not guaranteed, meteorologists will be keeping a close eye on the weather phenomenon that can lead to a colder than average start to winter.

“From the clash of Arctic and North African air masses to the impacts of heavy rain, flooding, and significant snow, the country is experiencing a wide range of conditions”, the forecaster reported. “Regional differences are stark, with some areas facing substantial snow while others enjoy sunny skies and frosty nights. The outlook remains uncertain, with the potential for further cold spells and unsettled weather as the season progresses. “

A SSW was the same weather phenomenon that led to the brutal ‘Beast from the East’ in 2018, which transported cold air from Siberia to Europe and heavy snowfall to Great Britain and Ireland. Temperatures plummeted across the country with lows of -14.7C recorded in Faversham, Kent, and Storm Emma brought 50 cm of snow in some elevated areas.

Temperatures dropped well below average for this time of the year across the country this week with wind chill making it feel even colder with “feels like” temperatures widely at minus one or minus two degrees. The Met Office recorded lows of -11.7C at Loch Glascarnoch on Thursday night, the coldest night of the season so far.

The recent arctic air mass brought snow to the UK this week as schools were forced to close across the country, with yellow and amber ice and snow weather warnings issued for parts of the UK.

Saturday:

Cloudy, wet and windy weather will move east across England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be brighter with sunshine and showers, and brighter skies will reach the north and west of England and Wales later. Temperatures nearer normal.

Rain across central and southeast England slowly clearing. Clearer with showers elsewhere, though persistent rain and blustery winds arriving in the west. Some fog, and patchy frost in the north.

Sunday:

Wind and rain in the west moving north and east, becoming slow moving across Northern Ireland, northern England and southern Scotland. Brighter, showery in the far north, and increasingly south.

Monday to Wednesday:

Showery rain on Monday, especially central and eastern areas. Feeling cold again in blustery winds. Drier and brighter, with winds easing on Tuesday. Rain arriving midweek, though turning milder.

How do the UK’s asylum numbers compare to the rest of Europe?

The UK government has unveiled plans for a radical overhaul of its asylum system, as immigration continues to dominate the political agenda.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood’s proposals are facing a fierce backlash, having been described by her own Labour MPs as “performatively cruel”.

Under the new rules, refugee status will become temporary – lasting just 30 months instead of the current five years – and will be revoked once it is deemed safe for the individual to return home.

The UK will also revoke its legal duty to support asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, and will seize assets and income from asylum seekers to contribute to the cost of their support.

With Britain’s asylum policy set to become one of the toughest in Europe, The Independent takes a look at how the current UK statistics really compare to the rest of Europe – and the policies behind the numbers.

Data shows that the UK receives far fewer asylum seekers than comparable European countries in proportion to population size.

Per 100,000 people in 2024, the UK came fifth for most applicants (156) after Spain (340), Germany (275), Italy (256) and France (191). The EU average last year was 203 per 100,000 people.

The UK is now seeking to emulate reforms carried out in Denmark by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen after she was elected in 2019. Two years earlier, the two nations were on a level pegging, proportionally speaking.

Denmark received 57 applications per 100,000 people on average, and the UK 55. Since the 2019 measures came into force, the UK has seen its number triple to 156 per 100,000, while Denmark’s numbers fell in the same period.

However the two situations are not entirely comparable; the overall number of applicants is significantly lower in Denmark, both before and after the change in policy.

Denmark had an average of 4,215 in the three years leading up to its 2019 reforms, while the UK saw significantly larger figures of between 50,000 and 100,000 during the same period.

Data from last year also shows that the UK rejected more asylum applicants than its European neighbours last year.

The UK rejected 44,433 (52.9 per cent) of the 84,049 applicants who received a decision in 2024, compared to the EU average of 48.6 per cent.

This was a huge decline from 2023, however, when 69 per cent of the 91,811 asylum applicants in the UK were granted protection.

Despite its strict new system, Denmark granted 48.1 per cent of applicants asylum in 2024. But Clingendael, a Dutch think tank, says this is because Denmark receives “very few applicants from so-called safe countries”.

Denmark is known for having one of Europe’s strictest asylum systems, after Ms Frederiksen promised a “zero asylum seekers” approach before her election in 2019.

While many EU countries have seen asylum applications rise since the pandemic, Denmark’s have stayed relatively similar, owing to its tough approach.

But the electoral benefits of Ms Frederiksen’s reforms were this week called into question, after dismal local results saw her party lose support to rivals on both the left and the populist right.

Despite being Europe’s most welcoming country for asylum seekers in recent years, immigration has become one of the critical political issues in Germany.

It has been the cornerstone of the agenda of the Alternativ fur Deutschland, the far-right political party, which earlier this year became the second-largest party in the German parliament on a fiercely anti-immigration platform.

The German government, while refusing to work with the AfD, has sought to fend off the party’s rise, such as by introducing stricter border controls in 2025, allowing federal police to turn away asylum seekers who don’t have valid entry documents.

Spain has a relatively welcoming asylum policy in comparison to other countries in Europe, and has seen the number of applications dramatically increase in the past five years.

Much of this has been a result of a major increase in arrivals on small boats, with 46,843 people arriving on the Canary Islands by sea.

Left-leaning prime minister Pedro Sanchez has called for a “more coherent and humanitarian approach” to migrants, and last year framed welcoming asylum seekers as a moral “duty”, although he has called on the burden to be spread around Europe.

Italy, which for decades has received thousands of refugees via the Mediterranean Sea, saw a sharp shift in the country’s asylum policy after the election of right wing Giorgia Meloni in 2022.

Asylum policy became more restrictive, prioritising border control, repatriation, and off-EU processing, with a less generous reception for new asylum seekers.

Measures aimed at deterring asylum seekers from making the trip to Italy have failed to stem the flow, and in 2024, asylum applications had nearly doubled since Ms Meloni assumed office.

A polarised political landscape in France has seen president Emmanuel Macron’s government take an increasingly tough stance against migration and asylum seekers.

The far-right Rassemblement National (RN), led by Marine Le Pen from 2012 until 2022 before Jordan Bardella assumed the leadership, enjoyed increasing electoral success before winning 142 seats in 2024.

This piled the pressure on the government, which expanded deportation powers and imposed tougher conditions for social benefits in response.