Brief. Me Better Faster March 16, 2026 10:49 pm
Minister dodges questions on ‘loan’ for PM’s flat refit as pressure mounts
A minister has dodged questions on whether Boris Johnson received a loan from a Tory donor to pay for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.
Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, said the prime minister had personally met the costs of the work and she dismissed claims by his former top aide Dominic Cummings as “tittle tattle”. – The Independent
Spanish police arrest man who allegedly infected 22 people with COVID-19
A man was arrested in a Mallorca town after allegedly infecting 22 people with COVID-19, Spanish police have said.
The 40-year-old man “continued with his normal life” despite having coronavirus symptoms and having taken a PCR test.
Colleagues told police that he came to work with a fever of 40 degrees Celsius. – Euronews
Biden Recognizes Armenian Genocide
President Joe Biden has recognized that the systematic killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago was genocide. As VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports, with the White House statement Saturday, Biden became the first American president to do so. – VOA
In today’s briefing update, most of the Sunday paper’s front page continues its coverage of the fallout from Dominic Cumming’s claims about the conduct of the PM.
Below are our top picks of the Sunday Papers.
………….
Johnson faces MPs’ fury over Downing Street sleaze claims
The Observer says it understands Labour is aiming to force a senior minister before Parliament to take questions from MPs over the claims next week. It quotes the government as saying that Boris Johnson himself paid the £58,000 bill for the refurbishment – but it’s unclear if he paid directly or received a loan from the party or a donor.
Read the full story on the Guardian
No 10 fears Cummings bombshell dossier
The Sunday Telegraph says MPs have pledged to publish any documents or emails provided by Mr. Cummings, adding Downing Street insiders are “increasingly fearful” that his internal memos and emails will paint the government in a bad light. Dominic Cummings is due to appear before a joint committee of MPs investigating the government’s response to the COVID crisis next month.
Read the full story on the Daily Telegraph
No 10 rages at ‘nasty, sexist’ Cummings
The Mail on Sunday says Downing Street has launched a “savage counter-attack” against the prime minister’s former chief adviser Dominic Cummings. The paper reports on claims that Dominic Cummings was behind briefings against the PM’s fiancee – and fears he may reveal the details of “private remarks” that Boris Johnson is said to have made about the pandemic.
Read the full story on the Daily Mail
Boris in phone security blunder
The Sunday Mirror reports on claims the prime minister will not use an encrypted mobile. It quotes a former No 10 aide as saying this risks national security as well as his own safety.
Read the full story on the Daily Mirror
Return to normal life
The Sunday Express says Britain is a step closer to the “return to normal life in full” with half the country’s population having had the first dose of a COVID vaccine. The paper adds that more than 20 scientists are calling for all COVID restrictions – including masks and social distancing – to end on 21 June.
Read the full story on the Daily Express
Social media boycott: Premier League clubs join four-day move to tackle abuse – BBC Business
Dozens of postmasters accused of theft by Post Office due to faulty IT system have convictions overturned – Sky Business
SpaceX and Nasa launch astronauts in recycled rocket – CityAM
European Super League: Clubs ‘cannot leave’, says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez – BBC Sport
Jurgen Klopp reaction: Liverpool manager left frustrated as Newcastle equalise in stoppage time at Anfield – Sky Sport
Timberwolves shock Jazz while Giannis Antetokounmpo lifts Bucks past 76ers – Sky Sport
A spat over Covid vaccine doses has erupted between the European Union and the UK threatens to have far reaching implications over coronavirus jab disruption.
Brussels demanded access to AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in UK plants to make up for a shortfall after the pharmaceutical giant said it would have to cut the amount of doses delivered to the bloc by the end of March.
What do we know about the dispute? And what potential implications could the rumbling dispute have on future Covid vaccine rollouts? – (ITV)
Recent and upcoming changes
Restrictions are easing across the UK.
In England
Step 1 of the roadmap out of lockdown has begun. Shielding ends on 31 March.
In Scotland
People will be asked to ‘Stay Local’ from 2 April. A timetable for further lockdown easing from 5 April is on GOV.SCOT.
In Wales
The stay at home restriction was lifted on 13 March. Read about the rules on GOV.WALES.
In Northern Ireland
The next review will happen on or before 15 April. You can read the guidance on current restrictions on nidirect.
latest Covid-19 news
For the latest Covid-19 news visit the UK governement website