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Conservative MP Roger Gale: 'PM needs to explain what happened'

Roger Gale, a Conservative MP, has called on the prime minister to either explain that no Christmas party took place last year at Downing Street, or apologise that he was "blindsided" by his team.

He also said the party was "potentially more serious" than when former Downing Street aide Dominic Cummings drove to Durham from London during lockdown.

8 December 2021

Coronavirus lockdown measures

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A woman with dark hair pulled back from her face wears a chef's whites. She is standing next to her cake shop window display, which features a large, iced igloo and cake penguins.

The gravity-defying stunt penguins made from cake

Hull & East Yorkshire

An aerial image of The Shard with white Christmas lights shining

Gareth Malone turns on The Shard's Christmas lights

A man places the final gold bauble on the Covent Garden Christmas tree

Watch: How Covent Garden gets its Christmas tree

Aerial view of Oxford Street in central London showing the twinkly stars over the street with a double decker bus and cars driving with their lights on

Watch: Oxford Street Christmas lights switched on

Marjorie Taylor Green and Anthony Fauci

'You're mister, not doctor': Fauci grilled by Taylor Greene

Dr Roland Salmon

Expert criticises supermarket and pub Covid rules

Dog wearing a Wales rugby scare with his snout held high as he howls

Watch dog's barking rendition of the Welsh anthem

Women taking part in Boxing Day dip

Watch: Hundreds take the plunge in Boxing Day dip

King Charles

Watch the King's Christmas message in full

Nigella Lawson

Watch: Nigella on that microwavé pronunciation

Entertainment & Arts

Smiling crew member of HMS Tamar

Navy crews send Christmas messages to loved ones

Hampshire & Isle of Wight

A milkman grabs bottles next to a Merry Christmas sign

Watch: London workers on Christmas Day 1949

Lights at Blenheim Palace

World Heritage Site lights up for Christmas

Ady Dayman

'Pork pie for breakfast is our Christmas tradition'

Hospital patient Eva with a pair of gifted pyjamas

Charity gives pyjamas to sick children

Nativity scene in Manger Square

Bethlehem nativity scene shown with rubble and wire

Daria Tarasevych

Ukrainian refugee: 'Gingerbread is my meditation'

A pair of alpacas on leads

Alpacas visit patients in hospital over Christmas

Gloucestershire

Tom Baker stands in front of his snow window art in Muswell Hill

How do you make snow-window art?

Two rhinos and a Christmas pudding ball

Watch: Rhinos 'scared' by Christmas pudding present

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.