PM in new sleaze claims over flat refurbishment

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View online January 07, 2022   1 / Boris Johnson in fresh sleaze row over 'Great Exhibition 2' plan of Tory donor funding lavish flat refit Boris Johnson is facing fresh sleaze allegations after appearing to back a plan for a new "Great Exhibition" put forward by the Tory donor who funded his luxury flat redecorations.   The prime minister told Lord Brownlow he was "on the great exhibition plan" in a WhatsApp message in which he described his Downing Street rooms as "a bit of a tip" – and pleaded for more money.   Two months later, the donor joined a meeting with the culture secretary "to discuss plans for Great Exhibition 2.0" – a showcase of British innovation later renamed "Festival UK" – a government document revealed.   2 / Military deployed to London hospitals due to Covid staff shortages Around 200 troops sent into London hospitals amid absences caused by Omicron variant   3 / Ghislaine Maxwell trial juror hires lawyer as second member of jury reveals sexual abuse Fresh uncertainty cast over conviction of Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate as lawyers push for retrial   4 / Body found in River Thames identified as missing student Police will compile report for coroner after search for 20-year-old musician called off     5 / Novak Djokovic being treated 'like a prisoner' amid visa row, mother claims Tennis star is currently being held at a state-run quarantine hotel in Melbourne after appealing the border force's decision to cancel his visa ahead of the Australian Open The Big Question     How common is bird flu among humans and what are the symptoms? A person in southwest England has been diagnosed as suffering from a "very rare" case of bird flu, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced.   The individual concerned became infected after "very close, regular contact with a large number of infected birds, which they kept in and around their home over a prolonged period of time", the UKHSA said.   Here's everything we know about the virus, which more commonly affects our feathered friends but can be passed on to humans in exceptional cases. Read the full story >   Watch / Snowy scenes across UK as temperatures plunge NUMBER OF THE DAY 179,756 The UK has reported a further 179,756 Covid cases in the past day as four more hospital trusts declared critical incidents. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Currently there is no evidence that this strain detected in the UK can spread from person to person, but we know that viruses evolve all the time and we continue to monitor the situation closely." –  Professor Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, as a "very rare" case of bird flu has been detected in a person living in southwest England. Other stories you might like Tories say BBC should be made to play God Save The Queen at 1am every day Harry Mahmood: 'I wasn't comfortable viewing what was said about me' Billionaire's looted art still on display at Israel Museum Articles available exclusively to subscribers Samuel Lovett, The Independent: We ignore the growing impact of long Covid at our peril If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters.     Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.