Thursday evening UK news briefing: No 10 accused of blackmailing rebel Tory MPs

Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines

• Analysis | Major conflict in Ukraine 'only a small miscalculation away'

• 'Horrific' crime | Man arrested on suspicion of murdering woman, 86

• Former Pope Benedict | He 'failed to act' in four child abuse cases

• Pig kidneys | First successful transplant into a human body

• Stranded dog | Pet returns after rescuers dangle sausage from drone

The big story: No 10 accused of blackmailing rebel MPs

This morning it seemed like Boris Johnson had temporarily weathered the storm triggered by the "pork pie plot".

Yet today Number 10 faces accusations of blackmail from a Tory MP.

William Wragg, the chairman of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, claimed several Tories who oppose Mr Johnson had been subjected to "pressures and intimidation" in the wake of the Downing Street party scandal.

He also alleged that Downing Street staff, special advisers and government ministers had sought to encourage "embarrassing" stories in the media about those who no longer back the Johnson premiership.

In a Commons statement, the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said Government whips and special advisers are "not above the criminal law".

Mr Johnson said he had seen "no evidence to support any of those allegations".

It comes as senior sources in the Government whip's office told the Telegraph that between three and seven letters of no confidence were withdrawn on Wednesday night by Conservative MPs apprehensive about booting Mr Johnson out of Number 10.

The turning point appears to have been the decision of the former Tory MP Christian Wakeford to defect to Labour, which brought some disaffected MPs in from the cold.

Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, has said a by-election should be held in Bury South after Mr Wakeford's defection.

Nigel Farage sets out why, if he had any integrity, the Bury South MP would do just that.

Treating Covid like flu

Of course, this should have been Mr Johnson's moment of triumph after announcing in Parliament the impending end of Covid restrictions -which is discussed in this week's Planet Normal podcast, featuring actress Denise Welch.

Sajid Javid said Britain would soon be able to treat the virus like flu, and said he hoped all restrictions could be lifted by March.

He said Covid may be with us forever, but we cannot keep "shutting down our entire country" because of it.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson said clearing Covid healthcare backlogs is the "number one issue" for British people, as he visited Rutherford Diagnostic Centre.

Back to work anger

As the Government ditched its work from home guidance from today, workers began returning to the office again.

However, commuters have reacted with anger to the announcement by Sadiq Khan that passengers on Transport for London (TfL) services will still be required to wear face masks even after the national requirement is lifted.

The London Mayor said wearing a face covering is one of the most important things people can do to prevent the virus from spreading, and said masks would remain on TfL.

Read how commuters have reacted, while Matthew Lesh argues why Mr Khan's mask mandate is stalling London's recovery.

Comment and analysis

• Henry Hill | Sunak was right to write off fraudulent Covid claims

• Tom Harris | Corbynites can't bear thought of an electable Labour

• Con Coughlin | Ukraine will be just the start if we appease Putin now

• Ryan Bourne | Football's financial lunacy can't be tackled by red tape

• Judith Woods | If I must choose a midlife tribe, I'm with the sexpots

Around the world: A year on, what's Trump been up to?

On the morning of the inauguration of Joe Biden as President, a year ago today, Donald Trump prepared to depart into exile in Florida by addressing a crowd of several hundred people. He ended with a warning that he "will be watching from his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, and vowed that "we will be back in some form". After a year out of the White House, Mick Brown examines what Mr Trump has really been up to. Meanwhile, Mr Biden's $1.7 trillion (£1.25tn) "Build Back Better" social spending plan, and his electoral reform legislation - key planks of his manifesto - have been stalled by recalcitrant Democrats in the Senate. Nick Allen has this dispatch from the President's home town and see how Mr Biden became almost as unpopular as Mr Trump in these charts.

Thursday interview

'I won't be stabbing JK Rowling in the back'

– aka Lucius Malfoy – tells Tim Robey about addiction, his bracing new film, and not laying into JK Rowling

Read the full interview

Sport briefing: Raducanu and Murray both out

Emma Raducanu's unpredictable career took another strange turn as she suffered a bizarre defeat against world No 98 Danka Kovinic putting her out of the Australian Open. With a blister hampering Raducanu's grip, and leaving her unable to hit drive forehands for a 90-minute period, this was a head-scratcher of a contest. Some members of Raducanu's support staff advised her not to play the second-round match because of the deep blister that she has been nursing for five days. It was a tough day for British hopes, as Andy Murray lost in straight-sets to Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel, the worst result by ranking of his grand slam career. Afterwards the three-time major winner cast doubt on his future. Meanwhile, Australia's chief justice has revealed why he rejected world number one Novak Djokovic's appeal against his deportation.

Editor's choice

1. Ageing millennials beware | Low-rise jeans are back (but this time a little belly fat is okay)

2. Maturing your look | The style lessons British men can learn from Italy's silver foxes

3. 23 amazing tips | How to save £1,200 on the cost of your holiday

Business briefing: BT's inflation-busting price rises

BT will raise broadband and telephone prices by more than 9pc in a further blow to millions of households that will pile pressure on Rishi Sunak to tackle the cost of living crisis. The inflation-busting increase means most BT customers will pay an extra £3.50 a month from March 31, with inflation having risen to 5.4pc. To add to the misery, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard warns that a falling pound will be the next inflation shock. Meanwhile, Russia has proposed a blanket ban on Bitcoin amid concerns crypto mining is threatening the country’s energy supply.

Tonight starts now

Carabao Cup semi-final | Arsenal host Liverpool in the Covid-delayed second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final after a 0-0 draw at Anfield. Follow the action here, with the winner to play Chelsea in the final at Wembley on Sunday, February 27. While in many ways Chelsea have become the ultimate cup team, with a squad capable of beating anybody on their day or focusing on a specific task, are 12 points adrift of Manchester City in the Premier League table. Matt Law analyses why the cocktail of chaos at the club, which has a squad made up of players signed by six managers dating back to 2012, has left the league title a distant dream.

Three things for you

• Watch | Andy Warhol's America: Life After Death, BBC Two, 9pm

• Theatre | The Young Vic’s Conundrum is a bafflingly wispy tale

• Play | Test yourself with today's crossword on Telegraph Puzzles

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Party town cleans up | There is reason to celebrate in Ischgl in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps: the snow is crisp and the Flügels and Jägerbombs are selling well again. Paul Nuki reveals what he learnt when he returned to Europe's infamous superspreader ski resort.