Following the reintroduction of Covid restrictions on the parliamentary estate two weeks ago, this morning staffers received confirmation that the measures are being lifted with immediate effect – with all events, including banquets and tours, able to resume “with continued caution“. Mask-wearing is now “encouraged”, although it’s no longer mandatory…

The statement reads:

“In line with the House of Commons Commission’s decision on Monday, most of the additional measures that have been in place since 2 November will be lifted with immediate effect, and the operation of the estate will return to the level previously agreed by the Commission on 18 October. UKHSA has advised that activities such as banqueting and tours are able to restart at this time, although with continued caution. UKHSA’s advice for Committees remains unchanged.

As such, Chairs are asked to continue to follow the advice provided on taking an active role in ensuring Committees are run safely. As is the case across the rest of London and the wider country, the situation remains fragile and COVID-19 is still circulating. In order to help ensure that cases do not rise again on the estate it is very important that we all follow good practice and government guidance in relation to COVID-19, as outlined below. The situation will continue to be monitored closely and measures reinstated if necessary.”

It always seemed a bit silly to implement social distancing on the estate when the Red Lion was packed with MPs and staffers just across the road…

As Channel 4 News doorstepped Tory MPs outside Downing Street ahead of Tuesday night’s 2019er reception, one showed the rest how to handle them: step forward the Member for Ashfield, Lee Anderson…

Following Laura Kuenssberg’s tweet last night that a Tory MP claimed Boris “looked weak and sounded weak” at the 1922 Committee, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries immediately pushed back in the PM’s defence, saying:

“Laura, this is no reflection on you personally, you know I truly respect and like you – but that message is beyond ridiculous. Although not quite as ridiculous as the desperate for your attention and approval person who sent it to you.”

The tweet – subsequently deleted – inevitably resulted in moans from the usual suspects…

Now Dorries has appeared in the Chamber this morning to dismiss the criticism, pointing out she “was not rebuking Laura Kuenssberg [and] the tweet was completely misinterpreted.” “Some people do seem to have a problem understanding a conversation of 240 characters”. Quite.

Jeremy Corbyn is taking legal action against Tory councillor Paul Nickerson for posting a satirical picture of the Islington North MP carrying a Remembrance wreath towards the burning Liverpool terrorist attack taxi with the caption “Unsurprising”. The post – which received a huge amount of backlash – has since been deleted and Nickerson has apologised and written to Corbyn claiming that his account was “compromised” and the offending picture posted by somebody else. That old one…

Since the incident Mr Nickerson has been suspended by his council’s Conservative group. Leader of the East Riding Council Conservative group Jonathan Owen, said:

“All people in public life, irrespective of politics, should be united in condemning the terrorist attack that took place outside the Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Remembrance Sunday. It is not the time for inappropriate remarks, however intended, and they will not be tolerated in this Conservative Group.” 

Corbyn told his local newspaper the Islington Gazette

“My solicitor has been notified and we are taking legal action.”

Looks like Corbyn will be both present and involved in a lawsuit…

To this end, I am today delighted to appoint Ted Verity Editor of Mail Newspapers, a position that will include overall responsibility for the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday and You magazine. Ted is a Mail journalist to his core and uniquely placed to oversee the next chapter for our newspapers. Geordie Greig will be stepping down as Editor of Mail Newspapers at the end of this week.

Geordie has been at Associated Newspapers for nearly 10 years having become Editor of The Mail on Sunday in 2012 before becoming Editor of the Daily Mail in 2018.

During that time, the Daily Mail became the most-read UK newspaper and won Daily Newspaper of the Year an impressive three times.

In addition, during the pandemic, Geordie set up Mail Force and raised a combined total of £25 million for those in need; a truly breath-taking achievement. He has been a
remarkable editor. I welcome him as Consultant Editor.

This is a defining moment for the business and though it is a challenging future, it is also an exciting one.

Following Rishi’s splashes of wealth – from a £180 coffee cup, £95 flip flops and his £1,750 Peleton bike – he spent the run-up to the Budget boasting that his snack of choice was a run-of-the-mill can of Sprite and a Twix. Guido immediately had his doubts, given Sunak had previously boasted of his coke addiction. Diet!

Guido can now reveal Sunak’s choice of snack in private is very different to the man-of-the-people image his team tried spreading last month. According to a source the Chancellor’s favourite brand of crisp is a truffle-flavoured brand called Torres, costing as much as £5 for a 125g share bag, and only available in niche boutique stores like Fortnums and Selfridges.

He apparently describes them as “moreish” – something Guido can wholly attest. Will Rishi ever be able to pack-et in the spin?