Exclusive: Official review finds a third of Covid prosecutions were unlawful - but at least 5,000 cases heard behind closed doors haven’t been checked

Independent reviewer of terrorism legislation Jonathan Hall QC said terrorists released for ‘completely correct reasons’ could still reoffend.

Figures announced on Wednesday revealed a further 15,849 had been infected with the virus – the highest daily total in the pandemic so far.

Professor Peter Openshaw said conditions at December 31 gatherings could be ‘perfect’ for the spread of Omicron.

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which transports vehicle-carrying trains between Dover and Calais, said the decision was made by the French government.

Experts predict the new year will get off to a weak start as Omicron threatens to send the recovery into reverse.

The 60-year-old’s family said in a statement they believe she will be ‘vindicated’ on appeal.

The price of a typical home has increased by £23,902 over the year, Nationwide Building Society said.

The Public Health Agency said it had issued new protocols to help ensure ‘the continued and targeted delivery of the service’.

The front pages on Thursday feature the return of Nightingale field hospitals to deal with the Omicron wave while test supply dries up.

Rail, Maritime and Transport union members on Cross Country Trains and catering staff based at Edinburgh Waverley Station will walk out for 24 hours.

Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on five of six counts in her sex-trafficking trial on Wednesday.

Prominent anti-lockdown figure Piers Corbyn helped lead ‘freedom rally’ through Milton Keynes

Parole Board says public protection is its ‘top priority’ as expert panels consider whether to free inmates

Downing Street aides were worried about right-wing press reaction to white paper on race equality

The figures included those not recorded over Christmas.

An NHS chief has announced plans for Nightingale ‘surge hubs’ as the health service goes on a ‘war footing’.

The party wants action on the gender pay gap and paid miscarriage leave.

Ambulance service statistics show that up to 12% of shifts were understaffed.

PM insists everyone should ‘enjoy’ New Year’s Eve but in ‘a cautious and sensible way’

Maxwell was convicted following a three-week trial at a federal court in Manhattan.

Maxwell was convicted of five of six charges by a jury at a federal court in the Southern District of New York.

Maxwell was convicted on five of six counts at a federal court in Manhattan.

The party has called for emergency legislation to criminalise platforms that do not act to stamp out anti-vaccination content.

It comes a year after the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use in the UK.

MPs have described the protest, where marchers entered testing facilities and took equipment, as ‘dreadful’

The Coldstream Guard is shown marching over the child in footage shared on social media

Keith Smith, 41, died in a crash on the outskirts of Edinburgh on Tuesday.

Exclusive: Independent Anti-Slavery commissioner says Home Office is viewing human trafficking through ‘immigration lens’ – with ‘unintended consequences’ for UK’s fight against modern slavery

Funds granted to East Sussex museum used to ‘fill in potholes for a Conservative peer,’ claims Lisa Nandy

Footage sparks debate about blame online

The Government is scrambling to secure supplies of Covid-19 tests.

Pictures shared from the group’s Christmas hike were met with ‘disparaging and mocking comments’.

Exclusive: 4 January was the busiest day of the year in 2021 for the National Centre for Domestic Violence

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 41-year-old man was fatally stabbed in Leicester.

Just 5% of local have recorded a week-on-week fall in rates.

Some residents even reported being chased down the street

The jets had flown around the Queen Mother’s Caithness holiday home, which she purchased in 1952 for £100

Alicia Kearns said she does not want to be ‘live-streamed to the world’ while feeding her baby

Supplies are under strain as demand has surged from people following advice to test before meeting others.

Around 62% of adults in the UK have received an extra dose.

A record number of new cases was reported on Wednesday, breaking the previous high set the day before

The animals enjoyed an annual tradition at Zoo Tiergarten, where the people of Berlin donate unused or unsold fir trees.

A Met Office spokesman said temperatures were above average.

The four UK nations have had very limited or no PCR testing available.

Analysis: Countries like Ireland and the United States are seeing similar shortages — but other countries have imposed limits on test distribution

Watch the latest UK weather forecast from the Independent for today.

Revellers have been unable to find rapid lateral flows ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations and symptomatic patients are struggling to order PCRs.

Exclusive: ‘Virtual visits’ – which began during first lockdown – branded ‘extremely concerning’ over fears abuse may be missed

Officers confirmed a male suspect, 47, has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

The Government is to spend £830 million in a drive to give the UK the best broadband network in Europe by 2015, it was announced today.

The First Minister confirmed that Scotland had recorded a record-high 15,849 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours.

Exclusive: Government changed tactics and launched drones to film dinghies after asking prosecutors ‘what more can be done’

‘The only way we can get air time is by annoying enough ordinary people’ says campaign group

Declan Jones had originally been jailed for six months after attacking a man and a 15-year-old boy.

‘Reduce your contact as much as possible, even over Hogmanay,’ pleads first minister

Tobyn Salvatore appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Prince’s legal team asks judge to halt proceedings in civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre

New regulations will force broadband providers to provide high speed coverage if customers demand it

Only four out of 56 walk-in sites appeared to have PCR testing slots available for Wednesday, with most areas only providing mobile testing units.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 15,849 infections were recorded in the past 24 hours.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said the unprecedented rise in the cost of energy requires an ‘immediate response’.

Thousands of people are expected to travel from Scotland and Wales into England for celebrations free of restrictions.

New Covid variant is highly transmissible and remains serious cause for concern over festive period

Footage shows the snow-covered tree collapsing as the vehicle passes underneath.

The best images from Wales over the past 12 months.

One top scientist suggests the US decision to cut isolation without tests is “dangerous”

New figures give an insight into the threats faced by politicians following the killing of two MPs in just over five years.

This comes as pharmacies are reporting a lack of lateral flow supplies while PCRs are not available to order online for most of the UK.

Prime minister was asked where he had been

Green motoring consultancy New Automotive is predicting around 300,000 new battery-powered electric vehicles will be sold in 2022.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the court-ordered closure of Memorial was a ‘chilling blow to freedom of expression’.

Former Tory MSP Adam Tomkins said unionist parties need to present a ‘single, united front’ against nationalism.

Exclusive: Sources report increase in shipments — but government denies formal request to gulf state

The British Frozen Food Federation said new border controls on animal and plant products from the EU could see major delays at ports from January 1.

The lack of PCR and lateral flow tests is due to “expectional demand’, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

There are around 135 stations on Britain’s railways where low demand means passengers are required to request that trains stop.

Dr Linda de Caestecker also urged people to come forward to get their booster vaccination to protect themselves amid surging infection levels.

Adam Jenkins, 34, is accused of stabbing Simon Birch, 39, to death

Vulnerable teenagers moved away from their families and communities and placed alongside adults and those involved with drugs and crime, former children’s commissioner warns

The temperatures are expected to cool to more seasonable levels from Bank Holiday Monday.

Boris Johnson said the vaccination campaign had allowed England to maintain its current level of coronavirus controls.

The London-based World Travel and Tourism Council said the staff shortage could have an ‘enormous impact’ on the UK’s economic recovery.

Spread of Omicron variant inspires booster jab rush as further social restrictions feared after Christmas

Brendan McDowell, of BPerfect Cosmetics, said more US brands are interested in being sold on his website due to access to the EU market.

The discovery was made after the PSNI stopped a vehicle in the Dargan Road area on Tuesday evening.

Liz Truss would also be a drag on support, while Rishi Sunak would narrow gap with Keir Starmer’s party

He turned up at Radford Road station with only a bin bag

Choose to be a monk and you accept that your life will be a spartan existence dominated by prayer, chastity and reflective solitude, far from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

Rising energy bills and taxes combined with rising inflation will put a squeeze on family finances.

Manager admits he once reprimanded Danny Rose for getting booked without realising player had suffered 90 minutes of abuse

The incident occurred on the A6016 at Hillcrest, Danderhall, on Tuesday afternoon.

The suggestion was mooted during peace talks in 1997 as a way of solving difficult north-south relations.

The briefing note on the future DUP leader was prepared for a Government minister in 1997.

An Irish official raised the issue of Drumcree at the height of the marching dispute in 1997.

Details of a meeting between the Prime Minister and Orange Order in 1998 are contained in documents held at the Public Record Office in Belfast.