Johnson calls in military to stem flow of migrants…

“Boris Johnson will put the military in charge of stemming the number of boats crossing the Channel as part of an attempt to save his premiership. Plans are also being drawn up to send migrants to countries such as Ghana and Rwanda for processing and resettlement in a move to tackle the small boats crisis. The prime minister will give the Royal Navy “primacy” over all government vessels in the Channel this month in one of a series of populist announcements as he faces pressure to quit over Downing Street parties. A rear admiral will have the power to direct Border Force, coastguard, fisheries protection and customs and excise to carry out surveillance or intercept those crossing the Channel.” – The Times

… as he’s grilled by Sue Gray over Downing Street parties

“Boris Johnson has been questioned by Sue Gray over “partygate” allegations, Whitehall sources have told The Telegraph, as new signs of a Tory grassroots backlash emerged. The Prime Minister is understood to have shared what he knows with Ms Gray, the civil servant overseeing the investigation into alleged parties at Downing Street during lockdown, ahead of publication of the report as early as this week. Downing Street is already planning its response to the findings, with the promise to overhaul a “drinking culture” in Number 10 and the departure of senior figures expected.” – Daily Telegraph

• Advisers could face sack as Johnson battles to stay in No 10 – Daily Telegraph
• Johnson denies aides warned him about garden party – The Times
• Sunak stays silent as Cabinet ministers back PM in Tories’ ‘Operation Save Big Dog’ – Daily Telegraph
• Carrie Johnson admits she broke rules – The Times
• Tories dismiss Johnson’s plan for a Downing Street clearout – The Times
• PM draws up survival plan as calls to quit grow louder – FT

Nick Timothy: Can the Prime Minister change, or do the Tories need to change prime minister?

“Conservative MPs face a decision. Do they stick with the Prime Minister – whom most voters, most Conservative voters, and most Conservative members believe has lied about breaching Covid rules – or do they force him out of office? There is an uneasy peace in Westminster, a phony war, as ministers and backbenchers and the few diehard Johnsonites await the publication of the Sue Gray report. But whether they want the Prime Minister to stay or go, or if they cannot make up their minds, the conversation is about one topic only: how can Boris Johnson survive? Government insiders expect Gray to reveal more breaches of Covid rules, mainly by civil servants, than those reported to date.” – Daily Telegraph

• Battered Johnson must relish the humbling of those desperate Brexit-wreckers Miller and Bercow, Dominic Lawson – Daily Mail
• By all the laws of political gravity, Johnson is doomed, Trevor Kavanagh – The Sun
• It’s not too late to restore faith in politics, Clare Foges – The Times
• Johnson is a greater threat to the Union than the SNP, Euan McColm – The Scotsman

>Today:

• David Gauke’s Column: Conservative Party members should have no say in the election of its next leader
• Michael Fabricant in Comment: Johnson’s enemies will never forgive him for Brexit. They must not be allowed to oust him.

Starmer: My office beer doesn’t compare to Downing Street parties

BBC warns Dorries will plunge it into a ‘spiral of decline’ by declaring end to licence fee

“Nadine Dorries has declared an end to the BBC licence fee, prompting the corporation to accuse her of plunging the broadcaster into a “spiral of decline”. In a war between the Culture Secretary and the BBC, Ms Dorries posted on social media that the next announcement about the licence fee “will be the last”. She is expected to say in the coming week that the fee will be frozen at £159 until April 2024. She has further indicated that a new funding model will be found by 2027, when the Royal Charter is up for renewal. The breakdown in funding negotiations has caused deep anger. One senior source close to the BBC Board warned that Ms Dorries was “profoundly damaging” the corporation, with a deal that would force “well loved” dramas to be scrapped and the World Service to be pared back.” – Daily Telegraph

• Johnson accused of targeting BBC to save his premiership – The Guardian

Comment:

• The mother of all fights lies ahead, but Dorries must keep her nerve if she is going to take on the BBC as part of Johnson’s Operation Red Meat fightback, Stephen Glover – Daily Mail
• The BBC must defend itself with all its might against this mortal threat, Polly Toynbee – The Guardian
• BBC’s licence fee is an anachronism in the multi-platform age, Leo McKinstry – Daily Express

Coronavirus 3) Self-isolation law set to be scrapped in favour of move towards ‘learning to live with virus’

“People will no longer be legally bound to self-isolate when they catch Covid-19 under plans being drawn up by Downing Street to learn to live with coronavirus in the long-term. The Telegraph understands Boris Johnson wants to permanently repeal emergency coronavirus laws which have governed how the public can live for almost two years. Instead, official guidance would remain in place which encourages people to behave in certain ways, but would not result in fines or legal punishment if ignored. The plans will be worked up over the coming weeks, with an announcement being penned in as early as the spring – although no final decisions have been taken.” – Daily Telegraph

News in brief:

• Cost of living to bite hardest in spring with an extra one million households with children plunged into fuel poverty – The i Paper
• What lockdown took from my parents, Kate Clanchy – UnHerd
• Fact not fiction, Maya Forstater – The Critic
• Net Zero, Covid and time for a rethink – The Conservative Woman
• Grieve returns to the frontline, Steerpike – The Spectator