Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines
'Angelic' mother pictured | A woman who was stabbed to death on a busy street has been identified by her family as a 43-year-old mother-of-two. Yasmin Chkaifi, who was known as Wafah, was the victim of a frenzied knife attack outside the entrance to a park in Maida Vale on Monday. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and the attacker, named as Leon McCaskre, 41, died after being hit by a car. Read the latest.
- Star Hobson | Council loses control of children's services after murder
- 'Brakes fail' | Five in hospital after London bus crash on school run
- Francois Hollande | Ready for comeback as French Left in chaos
- Brewdog | Founder threatens to sue BBC over documentary
- 'Fight Club' | China gives classic new ending where authorities win
The big story: PM could be quizzed by police on parties
Two years ago, Boris Johnson became the first Prime Minister to deliver a landslide victory since Tony Blair.
Now he may have another, more dubious honour also held by his predecessor.
Mr Johnson could be interviewed by detectives as part of the criminal investigation into "partygate", Scotland Yard has confirmed.
The Metropolitan Police Service has now launched its own inquiry into claims that illegal gatherings were held in Downing Street and Whitehall, during lockdown.
Mr Blair was under investigation over cash for honours when he was interviewed by police in 2006 and Martin Evans has spoken to a police source who reveals why Mr Johnson "will not get the same treatment" as the former Labour leader.
Mr Johnson has welcomed the investigation as an opportunity to "draw a line" under the debacle.
Read how he may avoid a criminal record if fined for a Covid rule breach.
In the autumn, Dame Cressida Dick's career was on the line.
The Met Police Commissioner was facing demands for her resignation over a catalogue of blunders and crises that had befallen the force while under her watch.
It is with some irony that Mr Johnson's future now rests on the outcome of the police investigation announced today by Dame Cressida.
It can be no coincidence that keen observers of her noted that as she delivered her lengthy statement announcing the inquiry, she lacked her usual calm assurance.
Here is her full statement setting out the reasons for the inquiry, in the latest twist in her eventful career.
Sue Gray delay?
What does this mean, then, for Sue Gray's report into the Downing Street parties?
The senior civil servant may still publish her findings in the next few days as the Met Police is not believed to object to this happening during its own inquiries.
The Telegraph understands the probe could cover as many as eight of 17 events at which lockdown rules were allegedly broken, but the Metropolitan Police Commissioner refused to confirm the precise figure.
Here is a timeline of all the government parties during lockdown and what Covid rules were in force at the time.
Rees-Mogg 'honoured'
Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he is "honoured" to be led by Mr Johnson as he attempted to defend the Prime Minister in the wake of police launching their investigation.
The Leader of the House of Commons insisted Mr Johnson was the right man to take the Tories and the country forward in light of the successful vaccine rollout and the economic recovery seen since the pandemic.
Should the Sue Gray report be delayed during the Met investigation, it may give the Prime Minister a temporary reprieve but Rosa Prince warns the May elections are just around the corner.
Comment and analysis
- Michael Deacon | Has the BBC lost its mind on Question Time?
- Charles Moore | Commons whips don't deserve their bad press
- Tom Harris | Thanks to Starmer, the Tories are ushering in socialism
- Katie Musgrave | How NHS could be at the mercy of future variants
- Pensions Doctor | Retirement dreams crippled by lifetime allowance
Around the world: UK to send troops if Russia invades
The UK will contribute to Nato deployments if Russia invades, Boris Johnson told Parliament today, adding that Russia has a "gun to Ukraine's head". The Prime Minister added that the UK will not hesitate to "toughen our national sanctions" against Russia in response to "whatever President Putin may do". Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron insists that the EU has an "important" role to play in de-escalating tensions between Russia and the West over the possible invasion of Ukraine. He has called for dialogue with the Kremlin but Ambrose Evans-Pritchard says the EU's "unforgivable failure" is at the heart of the diplomatic travesty over Ukraine. Read how the crisis reached this point and what could be next.
Tuesday interview
'I had a pert bum and nice, muscular thighs'
Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson talks to Chris Harvey about men in tights and the band's first album for 19 years
Sport briefing: 'Outdated' views - Outburst on Nadal
First to cricket, where the racism furore in the county game has been reignited after the chairman of Middlesex expressed "outdated" stereotypes on why the sport is failing to nurture black and Asian talent. Watch his stunning comments to a parliamentary committee that have been immediately likened with the career-ending words of former FA chairman Greg Clarke. In tennis, world No 14 Denis Shapovalov shocked the Australian Open with an extraordinary outburst, claiming that his quarter-final opponent Rafael Nadal and other members of the so-called "Big Three" receive preferential treatment. Read this guide to the Nadal rituals that really wind up his opponents, from short tugs to shoulder taps and water bottles. Elsewhere, Nick Kyrgios flirted with disaster in his latest crowd-pleasing doubles victory alongside close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis, when he smacked a loose ball away in such a dangerous manner that it cannoned into the body of a young boy. Watch the drama.
Editor's choice
- Sunk without trace | The fishy tale of Pierce Brosnan's near-unreleasable mermaid movie
- Eating's out | Is this the death of the posh lunch?
- BMW CE 04 review | This electric scooter impresses with style and ability, but not price
Business briefing: 'Exceptionally cheap' FTSE stocks
British stocks are undervalued and offer a golden buying opportunity despite recent market turmoil, two of Wall Street's biggest banks have declared. Analysts at JP Morgan said London-listed companies look "exceptionally cheap", while their counterparts at Morgan Stanley said there is a "compelling case" for buying shares in FTSE firms. It comes as around £500bn has been wiped off the value of cryptocurrencies in the past month as investors have dumped digital assets. The price of Bitcoin, the largest and oldest online token, has fallen 35pc in the past 30 days. It now trades at $33,300 (£25,000), around half its all-time high. The Treasury is also taking aim on "misleading" cryptocurrency adverts amid concerns that inexperienced investors are being lured into risky bets.
Tonight starts now
Burns Night | Held in honour of Robert Burns, Scotland's most famous poet, Burns Night is celebrated on the 18th century bard's birthday each year. The full ritual of the night involves whisky, haggis and poetry readings. Those who partake are piped in and then The Selkirk Grace – the prayer of thanks attributed to Burns – is said before dinner. Here are the words for the prayer, the best recipes for a Burns Night supper and - if you fancy an evening out - the best events around the UK to celebrate.
Three things for you
- Watch | The Gilded Age, Sky Atlantic, 9pm and more TV listings
- Read | Free Love by Tessa Hadley review: life and lust in '60s London
- Play | Test yourself with today's crossword on Telegraph Puzzles
And finally... for this evening's downtime
Man Utd's £44m problem | Anthony Martial is undergoing a medical with Spanish side Sevilla ahead of a six-month loan move from Manchester United. James Ducker charts how he went from the club's great 'gift' to a puzzle no manager could solve.
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