#downing-street

#downing-street

Last year, No 10 took an unprecedented step: it invited content creators to cross the threshold of Downing Street. Naturally, the creators all filmed themselves outside the famous door. Once inside, their most treasured possessions, their phones, were taken from them and exchanged for government-approved devices, so they could continue to take photos and record video without breaching security guidelines.

Earlier on Tuesday Downing Street confirmed they have sent the Metropolitan Police a file on the former US ambassador over his links with paedophile Epstein. Scotland Yard confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that they have received a report from Downing Street. On Monday, Ella Marriott, Commander of the Met, said, "The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation. "As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate."

No 10 normally holds two briefings on most days that parliament sits to allow the lobby political journalists that cover Westminster to question the prime minister's official spokesperson. But in an email on Thursday, Tim Allan, Downing Street's executive director of communications, said there would be no afternoon briefings from next month. He said No 10 would instead hold occasional afternoon press conferences with ministers, as well as technical briefings with officials.

No10 has been plunged into lockdown as police investigate reports of a suspicious vehicle. A cordon has been put in place at the southern end of Whitehall.

Downing Street may have to scale back or even abandon deploying thousands of soldiers to Ukraine as the risks are too high.