QUOTES OF THE DAY

“It was only yesterday afternoon that I received a text asking me to confirm that I would be voting for the prime minister’s preferred candidate for the ISC chair. I did not reply as I considered it an improper request. At no earlier stage did I give any undertaking to vote for any particular candidate.

Julian Lewis, the new chairman of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, condemns Downing Street’s attempt to impose its “preferred candidate” to lead the committee.

“While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health. The UK will continue to counter those conducting such cyber attacks, and work with our allies to hold perpetrators to account.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab reacts after the National Cyber Security Centre warned hackers linked to the Russian intelligence agencies were targeting British scientists seeking to develop a coronavirus vaccine.

“The virus passed but the illness didn’t... I’m on week 17 of it now and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Just doing simple tasks around the house and garden brings me out in sweats like I’ve run the London Marathon. It’s debilitating and I don’t think it’s being taken seriously enough.

Labour MP Andrew Gwynne tells of his experience of battling coronavirus as campaigners warned patients are being left “broken” by long-term health issues after “beating” Covid-19.