Welcome to your early morning news briefing from The Telegraph – a round-up of the top stories we are covering on Monday. To receive twice-daily briefings by email, sign up to our Front Page newsletter for free.
1. Number 10 police questioned by Sue Gray over Downing Street parties
Police officers who guard Downing Street have been interviewed by Sue Gray for the “partygate” investigation, The Telegraph can disclose.
Members of the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command who were on duty when a string of lockdown-breaking gatherings are alleged to have taken place have provided detailed testimonies about what they witnessed. Read the full story
2. Cabinet ministers demand ‘proper’ investigation into Nusrat Ghani Islamophobia claims
Two Cabinet ministers have demanded a “proper” investigation into claims the chief whip cited an MP’s Muslim faith when she was sacked from the frontbench.
Mark Spencer took the highly unusual step of outing himself as the whip referenced in allegations made by Nusrat Ghani, who said that her “Muslimness” was raised when she was fired as a junior transport minister in 2020. He has denied the claim, describing it as “completely false” and defamatory. Read the full story.
3. No 10 in new fishing row as foreign trawlers dump tons of sea bass into the Channel
Foreign trawlers are dumping fish in the Channel as the Government refuses to take action to curb the practice.
Footage obtained by The Telegraph shows a Dutch fly-shooter dumping thousands of fish last month by cutting open a net. There are strict limits on bass because of depleted numbers, but fly-shooters catch them accidentally while fishing for other species and must then return them to the sea, following UK Government rules. Read the full story.
4. Ukraine’s ambassador calls for British soldiers to join their troops in the event of a Russian invasion
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK has called for British soldiers to join their troops in the event of a Russian invasion, describing London as Kyiv’s “special support” within Nato.
It comes after Britain accused Russia of plotting to install a puppet leader in Kyiv. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss at the weekend publicly released specially declassified intelligence naming Yevhen Murayev, a former Ukrainian MP, as the Kremlin’s preferred candidate to take over the country. Read the full story.
5. Children to get Covid vaccine passports in time for half-term holidays
Children are set to be given access to digital Covid passes in time for half term, as the Government prepares to announce relaxations to travel rules on Monday.
Ministers are expected to agree to scrap a range of measures at a meeting of the Covid-O committee on Monday morning, including tests for travellers arriving in the UK. Read the full story.
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