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1. Schools challenge Boris Johnson by insisting face masks must stay in the classroom

School leaders are challenging the government over face masks in the classroom as dozens insist they will stay put.

More than 100 schools have already written to parents saying children must continue to wear masks in class, despite the Prime Minister’s announcement that the measure is no longer necessary. Read the full story.

2. Sue Gray finds a very important email that ‘confirms objections to Downing Street lockdown party’

Sue Gray, the civil servant leading the Downing Street party inquiry, found an email which allegedly confirmed concerns had been raised about a drinking event in a locked garden before it does not take place.

The message is believed to have been sent by a senior Number 10 official after an invitation for ‘socially distanced drinks’ on May 15, 2020 was circulated to Downing Street staff. Read the full story.

3. Boris Johnson can survive by cutting taxes and ditching ‘fluffy’ policies, ally says

Boris Johnson can survive the ‘partygate’ scandal but must cut taxes and replace ‘fluffy’ environmental policies to revive his job as prime minister, one of his closest political allies has claimed.

Lord Marland of Odstock, a Tory peer who has been a friend and informal adviser to Mr Johnson for more than a decade, said he needed to refocus his agenda and “come out to fight”. Read the full story.

4. Stranded dog follows its nose to safety after rescuers hang a sausage from a drone

A beloved pet has been reunited with its family after an extensive search involving the police, the coast guard and an unusual rescue technique… Read the full story.

5. A gay couple refused a visit to the house by the Christian owners because it would be “against the Bible”

A real estate agent has taken a property off its books after its Christian owners said they didn’t want a gay couple to make an offer.

Luke Main, 33, a builder, and his wife, Dr Joanna Brunker, 34, a medical physicist at the University of Cambridge, reportedly refused to let a gay couple view their £650,000 home in Surrey. Read the full story.

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