This year's Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is "well ropey" and looks like it "got a trim from Boris Johnson's barber", according to reactions on social media by passers-by.
The tall spruce, which has been lifted into its traditional position as the festive season gets under way, attracted a mixture of hilarity and incredulity.
One man wrote on Twitter: "It's a national embarrassment. Take it down and get another one! It's supposed to be the National Christmas Tree. Not a national laughing stock."
An official Twitter account for the tree, run by Westminster Council, said: "I would like everyone to know that half of my branches are not missing - they are social distancing."
It has been an annual gift to London from the people of Norway since 1947, and recognises Britain's support during the Second World War.
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But this year's example is not gaining many fans, with one person on Twitter asking: "Does anyone know what happened to the rest of it?"
"Looks like it's been left there since last year - it's spindly and sad looking," said another.
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"Dear Lord, you obviously had a very rough journey over here... and perhaps a couple more lights?... #spindly #scrawny," tweeted another.
"Nothing says global Britain like a half dead tree!," wrote another.
"Crikey, who has upset Norway?" was a further comment, amid speculation that Manchester United's sacking of Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was somehow to blame.
"Are we at war with Norway now?" someone asked, rhetorically.
Image:In contrast, the Downing Street tree looks quite bushy
One user saw it as a metaphor, describing the tree as the "perfect visual representation of my life".
"That Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square looks how the country feels," was another comment.
"The 7ft one in my living room looks better," another person added.
Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the death of Hamilton teenager Amber Gibson.
The 16-year-old’s body was found in a wooded area near Cadzow Glen on Sunday morning after she had been reported missing two days earlier.
The young girl, who was staying at a council-run care home at the time, was last seen in the Hillhouse area of the town at around 9.15pm on Friday.
A large cordon remains in place at the scene.
She was then spotted on Cadzow Street - near where her body was later discovered - around 45 minutes later.
A murder investigation was launched following the results of a post mortem with an increased police prescence remaining in the area.
Police Scotland have now announced that a male teenager has been arrested but not yet charged.
A statement from the force, released on Wednesday night, said: “We can confirm that a 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of Amber Gibson.
“Amber, 16, had been reported missing from the Hamilton area on Friday, 26 November, and her body was discovered near to Cadzow Glen around 10.10am on Sunday, 28 November.
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“Enquiries are currently ongoing.”
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Firefighters and soldiers could be called on to help NHS Wales to ramp up its Covid-19 vaccination programme to give boosters to people more quickly.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said a "jabs army" would be "back in force" with extra services called on to help.
A top-up jab will be offered to adults who have not yet had one, as soon as three months after their second jab, amid concern over the Omicron variant.
One health board is expected to give 27,000 jabs per week, up from 16,000.
But a senior doctor has warned "something will have to give" if GPs are required to help roll out booster jabs.
The Welsh government has been meeting to discuss health boards' proposed plans to roll out the revised vaccination programme.
But Ms Morgan said they would undoubtedly be "pulling in all the volunteers that we can, calling on all the services we can: local authorities, fire brigade, army, everybody".
"We need to roll this out as quickly as we can," she said.
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'GPs already under pressure'
Dr Phil White, of the BMA's GP Committee in Wales, said most GPs were working well over their hours already.
"This may put pressure on general practice if we're expected to undertake some of this work alongside our already very high levels of consultation," he said.
"It's going to be up to Welsh government to decide now where the priorities lie."
A total of 400 military personnel are being used to help the NHS with its booster programme in England.
Ms Morgan acknowledged GPs' concerns, saying that if they were to help deliver the accelerated booster programme, some other things would have to fall by the wayside.
Extra funding has been announced by the Welsh government for a more efficient booking system and to "build capacity".
But the BMA's GP Committee in Wales, which represents Welsh GPs, said practices face an "existential challenge" with not enough numbers to meet the demand.
Dr White said: "If they want us to be involved in a Covid booster campaign then of course something has to give.
"There's only 24 hours in a day and most GPs are now, if they're full time, working well over their hours."
As part of a new contract for GPs in Wales, patients requiring an appointment after an assessment would be given one.
Patients may also be signposted to another service, as currently happens.
In return, the Welsh government has made the following commitments:
£12m over three years will be spent on "additional capacity"
GPs and all practice staff will get a 3% pay rise
An extra £2m will be available to deal with winter pressures
"It is crucial that patients understand the pressures facing the profession and what the existing workforce can realistically deliver," Dr White said.
"Put simply, there are not enough GPs working in primary care to manage current levels of demand.
"What this means, is that patients will be signposted to alternative services if they are deemed more appropriate and may have to wait to see their GP when they need to.
"We believe that the Welsh government understand the existential challenge GP practices face."
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Gareth Thomas, of the Institute of General Practice Management, said surgeries had been trying to improve the system for years.
"Redistributing finite capacity to enable patients to book further in advance is not the answer and could result in less access with more 'Did Not Attends'," he said.
Health minister Ms Morgan, said: "I want to see an end to the 8am bottleneck where patients often have to telephone their practice numerous times, day after day.
"We are doing all we can to support our hardworking GPs and I would urge the public to help us help you by considering the other ways they can get medical advice and support this winter."
Dr Angelique Coetzee, a doctor in South Africa, said she was seeing more patients who had not been vaccinated having contracted the new Covid variant, and vaccinated people with mild symptoms.
These include a runny nose, cough or sore throat and fatigue.
When will I be called for my Covid booster?
In Swansea, Dr Keith Reid, public health director for the local health board, advised people to wait to be invited for a booster rather than try to make their own appointment.
He said the region had been delivering about 14,000 vaccines a week compared to a target of 16,000.
However, it would now need to find an extra 45 staff from other departments to increase the rate of vaccination to between 27,000 to 42,000 a week.
"We are working very, very fast and very diligently on getting our plans in place to deliver them," he said.
"So my message is very clear. People should wait until they're called to come forward and not get on the telephone or on the on the internet today trying to book an appointment," he said.
The Omicron variant could trigger a surge in COVID infections bigger than previous waves in the UK with a risk it may overwhelm the NHS, a key group of scientists have warned.
Experts on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), which advises the government, held an extraordinary meeting last week to consider the new COVID variant, known scientifically as B.1.1.529, following its detection in South Africa.
According to a note of their meeting, which was observed by both a key Department of Health official and England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam, the group concluded the introduction of Omicron to the UK "might have very serious consequences".
Image:Boris Johnson has reimposed some restrictions since the discovery of the new variant
The note of last Thursday's meeting, published online on Monday night, stated that "if introduced into the UK, B.1.1.529 would likely be capable of initiating a new wave of infections".
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"We cannot exclude that this wave would be of a magnitude similar, or even larger, than previous waves," they added.
"Although data on disease severity associated with B.1.1.529 are not yet available, a large wave of infections will be accompanied by a wave of severe cases and the subgroup cannot rule out that this may be sufficient to overwhelm NHS capacity."
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NERVTAG called for "early and robust actions to prevent introduction and onward transmission".
This included action on early detection of Omicron cases in the UK, containment measures, an acceleration of the vaccine booster programme, a reassessment of the "optimal use" of antivirals, and preparations for modifications to existing vaccines and antibody treatments.
The group said that, although there was "current uncertainty" about the characteristics of Omicron, there were "sufficiently worrying signals" for them to provide their advice.
Their initial conclusions, shared with government officials, are based largely on what is known from cases in South Africa.
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1:46
'We don't know enough about Omicron yet'
The NERVTAG meeting, held via telephone conference on Thursday afternoon, came the day after South African authorities first reported the discovery of the Omicron variant.
The UK government added six southern African countries, including South Africa, to its travel red list on Friday.
A further four countries were added over the weekend.
At a news conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it "does appear that Omicron spreads very rapidly and can be spread between people who are double vaccinated" and the current vaccines "might" be less effective against the variant.
Mr Johnson has reimposed compulsory mask-wearing in England in shops and on public transport, ordered people to self-isolate if they have been a contact of someone infected with the Omicron variant, reintroduced day two PCR testing for all people arriving into the UK from abroad, and extended the rollout of booster jabs.
But the prime minister has also said the UK is in an "immeasurably better" position to deal with COVID than it was a year ago.
There have now been 22 confirmed cases of the Omicron, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid telling Sky News that number would "certainly go up".
Analysis by Ashish Joshi, health correspondent
The language is stark. The warning is grim. But read carefully what the government's advisory panel is saying and it makes total sense. And you will see there are plenty of caveats.
The identification of a heavily mutated variation of a deadly virus that is left to run through a population could have very serious consequences. Of course it could. But that does not mean it necessary will. And the NERVTAG scientists make that absolutely clear too.
Any coronavirus that spreads at scale is possible of causing a surge in infections and if these cause severe illness then the NHS will be at threat of being overwhelmed. But without the data, for now, these are worst case scenarios designed to prompt preventative action.
And that, the government says, is exactly what it has done. They were warned to take early robust action and they responded with travel restrictions, face masks and a boosted booster campaign.
The advisory group accepts the risks are uncertain because so little is known about Omicron. But given the devastating impact Delta has had, it would be unwise not to flag potential dangers and urge immediate action.
If, later on, Omicron is found to pose no significant threat then no serious damage has been done except of course the impact on the economies of the South African countries affected by the travel bans and the disruption to families who were preparing to travel to the region.
But, if it were the other way round, no warnings were sounded and zero interventions made - and the virus did turn out to be vaccine resistant and hugely transmissible causing severe illness - then we would have been left totally exposed.
However, Mr Javid also said "a lot more" is to be yet learned about Omicron with scientists still to determine whether it is any more dangerous than the Delta variant, which is the current dominant strain of coronavirus in the UK.
He added he did not "anticipate" any further restrictions being brought in due to the Omicron variant, beyond those the government has already introduced.
Government sources said they had already taken NERVTAG's advice on board with their action on masks, boosters, self-isolation rules, and travel restrictions.
They also said that NERVTAG's warning they could not rule out a new wave of infections overwhelming the NHS was not the same as it being a "likely" scenario.
The NERVTAG briefing does not call on the government to introduce further restrictions than are now in place at this stage.
Meanwhile, it was reported that leaked minutes of a meeting of the Scientific Group of Emergencies held on Monday said that officials should prepare now for a "potentially significant" wave of infections while data on Omicron is analysed.
The BBC said that minutes of the meeting added that it is "highly likely" that Omicron can escape immunity caused by previous infection or vaccination "to some extent".
A government spokesperson said: "As soon as we became aware of the Omicron variant we took rapid action to protect public health - including expanding the red list, introducing PCR testing for travellers, changing the rules on self-isolation for close contacts and mandating face coverings in shops and on public transport.
"On top of this we will be offering everyone over 18 a booster jab, as well as second jabs for 12-15 year olds, following advice from the JCVI.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary."
Two of the three biggest vaccine manufacturers have tried to calm fears about the new strain.
Both the University of Oxford, which is behind AstraZeneca vaccine, and Pfizer-BioNtech have predicted existing jabs would continue to prevent severe disease.
On Monday, the chief executive of Moderna, Stephane Bancel, caused jitters after telling the Financial Times that existing vaccines would be much less effective at tackling Omicron than earlier strains - and that it would take months for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture new vaccines.
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a teenage girl in Scotland.
Amber Gibson was reported missing from the Hamilton area of South Lanarkshire on Friday.
She left her home in the Hillhouse area at 9.15pm and was last seen in Cadzow Street at around 9.55pm.
Her body was discovered near Cadzow Glen two days later, at 10.10am on Sunday.
Police Scotland said her death is being treated as murder.
Detective Superintendent Raymond Brown, from Police Scotland major investigations team west, said: "Our thoughts very much remain with Amber's loved ones and we will continue to support them through this terrible time.
"Whilst our inquiries continue, we are asking for anyone with any information on what happened to Amber, or anyone who believes they saw her at any point of her movements between Friday and Sunday, to please come forward."
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Chief Inspector Briony Daye, local area commander, said: "There will continue to be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and anyone with concerns can speak with local officers at any time."
Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting incident 1281 of 28 November, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, anonymously.
A senior doctor has warned "something will have to give" if GPs are required to help roll out booster jabs.
Because of the Omicron variant, a top-up jab will be offered to all adults who have not yet had one, as soon as three months after their second jab.
The vaccination campaign expansion saw a "call to arms" issued to healthcare workers.
But Dr Phil White, of the BMA's GP Committee in Wales, said most GPs are working well over their hours already.
"This may put pressure on general practice if we're expected to undertake some of this work alongside our already very high levels of consultation," he said.
"It's going to be up to Welsh government to decide now where the priorities lie."
Dr White's call follows doctors being told to "end the 8am bottleneck" and improve the appointments system by health minister Eluned Morgan.
Extra funding has been announced by the Welsh government for a more efficient booking system and to "build capacity".
But the BMA's GP Committee in Wales, which represents Welsh GPs, said practices face an "existential challenge" with not enough numbers to meet the demand.
BMA Cymru Wales
Dr White said: "If they want us to be involved in a Covid booster campaign then of course something has to give.
"There's only 24 hours in a day and most GPs are now, if they're full time, working well over their hours."
As part of a new contract for GPs in Wales, patients requiring an appointment after an assessment would be given one.
Patients may also be signposted to another service, as currently happens.
In return, the Welsh government has made the following commitments:
£12m over three years will be spent on "additional capacity"
GPs and all practice staff will get a 3% pay rise
An extra £2m will be available to deal with winter pressures
"It is crucial that patients understand the pressures facing the profession and what the existing workforce can realistically deliver," Dr White said.
"Put simply, there are not enough GPs working in primary care to manage current levels of demand.
"What this means, is that patients will be signposted to alternative services if they are deemed more appropriate and may have to wait to see their GP when they need to.
"We believe that the Welsh government understand the existential challenge GP practices face."
Getty Images
Gareth Thomas, of the Institute of General Practice Management, said surgeries had been trying to improve the system for years.
"Redistributing finite capacity to enable patients to book further in advance is not the answer and could result in less access with more 'Did Not Attends'," he said.
He said there was no quick fix.
"Practices will need to work with patients to find a common ground on what is considered appropriate to meet their needs, whilst understanding that they may be signposted to another service to free up GP time to deal with more complex patient problems," Mr Thomas said.
Health minister Ms Morgan, said: "I want to see an end to the 8am bottleneck where patients often have to telephone their practice numerous times, day after day.
"We are doing all we can to support our hardworking GPs and I would urge the public to help us help you by considering the other ways they can get medical advice and support this winter."
Mild symptoms
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Dr Angelique Coetzee, a doctor in South Africa, said she was seeing more patients who had not been vaccinated having contracted the new Covid variant, and vaccinated people with mild symptoms.
These include a runny nose, cough or sore throat and fatigue.
When will I be called for my Covid booster?
In Swansea, Dr Keith Reid, public health director for the local health board, advised people to wait to be invited for a booster rather than try to make their own appointment.
He said the region had been delivering about 14,000 vaccines a week compared to a target of 16,000.
However, it would now need to find an extra 45 staff from other departments to increase the rate of vaccination to between 27,000 to 42,000 a week.
"We are working very, very fast and very diligently on getting our plans in place to deliver them," he said.
"So my message is very clear. People should wait until they're called to come forward and not get on the telephone or on the on the internet today trying to book an appointment," he said.
The husband of tragic A63 crash victim Alison Clark has asked that the families of three men who lost their lives in the incident be allowed to grieve in peace.
Rob Clark commented on a Hull Live article addressing backlash to the balloon release in memory of Sam Connors, the fourth person confirmed to have died following the horrific crash on Monday, November 22.
He was one of three men killed while travelling in a BMW that eyewitnesses say was travelling in the wrong direction moments before crashing into Mrs Clark's Peugeot.
In his comment, Mr Clark said: "Hi everyone. I'm Alison's husband. The families and friends of all who died are grieving at the moment. And I would ask if I have say in this for them to be allowed to do so in peace.
The three young men who died in the BMW which crashed on the A63: Sam Connors, Willy Harty and Lawrence James. Their BMW collided with a Peugeot being driven by Alison Clark from Elloughton, who also died
"I thought the gesture of releasing the balloons was beautiful, and I hope it brought a feeling of calm. There are other people here, which include entirely innocent children.
"I have received many messages from this group, and the raised total for Ali's memorial garden is fantastic. I thank you, it's bringing some comfort in an otherwise living nightmare."
A white BMW, carrying pals Sam Connors, Willy Hart and Lawrence James, collided with 43-year-old Mrs Clark's Peugeot on Monday, November 22.
The three young men travelling in the BMW were all in their early twenties and from the Leeds area.
It is believed Willy Harty was the father of a young girl with another child on the way.
Moments before the crash, the white BMW 1 series had been seen by witnesses driving the wrong way onto the westbound A63 from the Melton interchange.
Friends and family of Sam Connors released balloons in a tribute in West Yorkshire, which Mr Clark called 'beautiful' (Image: Facebook)
The BMW is believed to have already aroused the suspicion of police and moments before it ploughed into Mrs Clark's Peugeot, a number of police vehicles were seen in the area.
There are unconfirmed reports that earlier that same night, a vehicle matching the description of the white BMW was seen by witnesses heading away from Hull and ignoring traffic signals.
It is known that Humberside Police were involved in a “short pursuit” of the BMW in the events leading up to the incident at around 10pm.
Emergency services arrived at the scene soon after the collision where Mrs Clark was confirmed to have died at the scene along with Willy Harty and Lawrence James.
Sam Connors was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary in a critical condition with serious injuries. He passed away on Saturday.
Crash investigators at the scene of the A63 crash that killed four people (Image: Katie Pugh)
Humberside Police has said it is now working with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to its involvement in the events leading up to the incident.
An inquest into the deaths will be conducted at Hull Coroner’s Court.
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