Martin Bashir is "seriously unwell" with coronavirus, BBC says

Veteran journalist Martin Bashir is "seriously uncomfortable" with coronavirus-related complications, the BBC said.

The corporation's bosses confirmed that the 57-year-old, who works as the news channel's religion editor, is very ill after a recent viral illness.

The news of Bashir's illness comes before the 25th anniversary of his famous Interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, for Panorama in 1995.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We're sorry to say Martin is seriously uncomfortable with complications related to Covid-19.

“Everyone at the BBC wishes him a full recovery.

"We would ask that his privacy and that of his family be respected at this time."

His colleague Simon McCoy sent a message of support when he heard the news: "I wish you all the best – and I think of you."

The UK today recorded 26,688 more Covid-19 cases and 191 deaths, with the number of daily infections increasing by a third in one week.

The news of Bashir's illness comes amid renewed interest in his 1995 Career Panorama interview with Princess Diana

It is not known when Bashir caught the virus. The BBC only confirmed that he was "seriously unwell" tonight

Bashir began working as a journalist in 1986 but made global headlines in 1995 for his BBC interview with Diana, Princess of Wales for Panorama.

The controversial interview sparked renewed interest this month before a new Channel 4 movie explores the circumstances behind the meeting that aired tonight.

Diana: The truth behind the interview that marks the show's 25th anniversary raises questions about the ethics of tell-all chat.

The documentary claims the princess chose the BBC interview because her brother Earl Spencer was shown fake bank statements prepared by someone who works for the BBC.

The documents showed payments from two companies worth £ 10,500, one from News International and the other from a company with a made-up name.

Earl Spencer is said to have been so impressed by Bashir that he duly arranged to meet Diana.

The graphic designer who says he mocked the wrong documents even explained in the documentation how he did it.

Diana's biographer, Andrew Morton, claimed, "When you speak to those in Diana's circle, you can imagine why these bank statements were a turning point that made her sit down and talk about her life."

The BBC issued a statement confirming that the document was shown to Earl Spencer, but said there was a letter from Diana confirming that this did not mislead her into conducting the interview.

But in 2007 it was claimed that this letter either didn't exist or was a list, which Morton questions.

"If they got a letter basically saying that the Princess of Wales was very happy herself with the way the program was set up, it would make her bombproof against future concerns," he said.

A handwritten note from Princess Diana confirmed that the Princess had not seen the “mocked” bank statements and that they were irrelevant in her decision to give the interview.

The documentary claims that she chose the BBC interview because her brother, Earl Spencer, was shown fake bank statements prepared by someone who works for the BBC

It is reported that the late Queen has not regretted the interview about her marriage to Prince Charles because she wanted the world to see who she really is.

The show drew 23 million viewers and kicked off Bashir's career in journalism.

Bashir's other high profile interviews included murder suspects Stephen Lawrence, entertainers Michael Barrymore, Jeffrey Archer and Major Charles Ingram, who have been dubbed the "Cough Major".

In 2003, he conducted a series of interviews with pop singer Michael Jackson for the controversial ITV documentary Living With Michael Jackson.

He later moved to the United States, where he co-anchored the current show Nightline on ABC before moving to MSNBC. He left the company in 2013, apologizing for calling former US Vice-President Sarah Palin a "world-class idiot".

He then returned to the BBC as the channel's religion editor.

It is unknown when Bashir contracted the virus. The BBC only confirmed that he was "seriously unwell" tonight.

Worrying data from the Department of Health shows that a second wave in the UK continues to grow. Yesterday, 21,331 more positive tests were announced, bringing the daily average to 18,235.

Another 241 deaths have been confirmed, an increase of more than two-thirds (68.5 percent) from the day of last week.

The Office for National Statistics estimates that around 27,900 people get the virus every day in England. This is the highest forecast since it began in May.

All indicators – across positive cases, deaths, and hospital admissions – are the highest in at least four months.

Professor Edmunds said he fears the three-tier lockdown system Boris Johnson put in place this month, rather than relying on national measures, will not suppress the UK's second surge.

"I think we're not as careful as I would like," he said.

“I think it's pretty clear that cases have been rising pretty quickly. What worries me a little is where the strategy is going right now.

“So the targeted strategy, the tiered strategy, if you think about it – where that leads is a high incidence everywhere.

"Because we're saying tier three works and the reproduction number stays around one – I don't think anyone really thinks it will really reduce it to less than one, so let's assume they can get the reproduction number down to around one .

"I'm not worried": 83-year-old Barnsley retiree slams South Yorkshire a new Tier 3 ban, saying, "I don't have many years – I'm not locked in a house."

An 83-year-old Barnsley woman has said she doesn't care about staying home after it was announced that Tier 3 restrictions would go into effect this weekend.

From midnight Saturday, the South Yorkshire areas of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield will switch to Tier 3, joining Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool.

This means a ban on mixing households indoors, traveling to areas outside of Tier 3 and closing pubs and bars, plus South Yorkshire's additional Tier 3 rules which include closing betting shops, casinos, soft play centers and fitness classes – but the gyms stay open.

Speaking to BBC News this afternoon, the 83-year-old Barnsley resident said she was not "breaking ground" at her age and that she would not be "shackled" by the "ridiculous" restrictions in a house for her remaining years.

The outspoken buyer told the broadcaster: “I think it's all ridiculous, we should never have been blocked. All vulnerable people would have helped and they should stay safely at home.

“And all the rest of us, I'm 83, I'm not breaking the ground.

“I see it that way, I don't have that many years of mine left and I won't be locked up in a house if the government gets it all wrong.

& # 39; We need … how can we get the country back on its feet? Monetarily? Where's all the money?

“By the end of this year, millions of people will be unemployed and you know who will pay for them? All boys. Not me, because I'll be dead. & # 39;

The unknown buyer from Barnsley said she hadn't broken the ground and thought the lockdown should never have happened

Could Tees Valley and Tyneside Avoid Tier Three? Ministers suspend talks on cash assistance as anti-covid measures show signs of work

Two main areas in the north-east of England could avoid being placed in the highest lockdown level, as revealed today, as efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus appear to be working.

Talks with Tees Valley and Tyneside on a financial package for a Stage Three Shutdown have been suspended and it is assumed it will not be required.

It came when Boris Johnson moved to the sidelines of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham today, insisting that he honor the £ 60 million package of corporate support for the region that he had offered the Labor Mayor but would go through the district managers instead.

The Prime Minister also said he had a "great conversation" with Sheffield City Mayor Dan Jarvis, who today signed a contract to escalate the region to Tier 3 starting Saturday.

An angry blame game erupted between Boris Johnson (right at PMQs) and Andy Burnham (left) after talks about a bailout package for the third stage failed

South Yorkshire has signed a £ 41million tracking, enforcement and contact support contract and Mr Jarvis attacked Mr Burnham on the grounds that he acted "responsibly" in reaching an agreement.

In addition to the ban on households mixing indoors, pubs and bars must close from midnight on Saturday, as must betting shops, casinos and soft play.

However, gyms and leisure centers can remain open – Liverpool will also be relaxed after a protest against double standards between the regions.

And West Yorkshire leaders say they have been told it will not escalate to Tier 3 this week – although government sources insist the discussions are ongoing.

The Tees Valley and Tyneside are both currently in Tier Two. In the week ending October 16, there were 314.1 cases per 100,000 people in Tees Valley, up from 278.4 the previous week. In the week ending October 16, there were 276.1 cases per 100,000 people in the northeast, compared to 316.6 the previous week.

The recent dramatic moves today mean that 7.3 million people will be under the greatest restrictions by the weekend.

The amount given to South Yorks is roughly the same as the amount given to Merseyside and Lancashire, adjusted for the size of the population.

But talks with Mr Burnham broke down yesterday after he asked for £ 65 million for Greater Manchester, which would have been proportionally far more than would have been accepted by other areas. He originally asked for £ 90 million.

Mr Johnson offered £ 60 million, with government sources claiming the mayor's “pride” prevented him from saying yes.

In a blatant blow to his Labor colleague, Jarvis said today: "We all recognize the gravity of the situation and have taken responsible steps to ensure we save lives and livelihoods and protect our NHS."

In a round of interviews this morning, Community Secretary Robert Jenrick dismissed the idea that Mr Burnham had learned of the package last night during an explosive press conference. "He didn't," he said, adding, "I called him and told him."

Mr Jenrick also complained that haggling with Mr Burnham had delayed vital measures to protect the public. "We should have probably acted honestly a few days ago, but we couldn't reach an agreement with the Greater Manchester Mayor," he said.

Sheffield City Mayor Dan Jarvis (right) said in a blatant blow to Labor colleague Andy Burnham today that a deal with the government is the "responsible" approach. Community Secretary Robert Jenrick (left) complained that haggling with Mr. Burnham had delayed critical measures to protect the public

After more than a week of fighting, Mr Johnson unilaterally moved Greater Manchester to the highest level of the curb last night, saying Mr Burnham had turned down an offer of £ 60million in business support, in addition to £ 22million in tracking and enforcement Contacts.

Whitehall sources said a £ 55m deal was initially reached, but during one final phone call to stamp the deal, Mr Burnham blinded the Prime Minister and asked for £ 65m.

The prime minister tried to compromise on £ 60million, but a government source said: "Andy Burnham's pride stood in the way of a deal."

Another source alleged that the mayor had told the prime minister that it was "important to him to have more than Lancashire and Merseyside," the other two areas already under tier three.

Last night six Conservative MPs in the area wrote to Mr Burnham asking to stand aside so other local leaders can broker a new deal with the government.

Chris Clarkson, Mark Logan, Christian Wakeford, James Grundy, Jame Daly and Mary Robinson all put their names on the note telling Mr. Burnham that he was "a total failure".

In a combative PMQ this afternoon, Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr. Johnson of a "caustic and stingy" approach that sparked "local battles".

He told the Commons, “This is a prime minister who can pay £ 7,000 a day for advisers on the line, which doesn't work. He can find £ 43 million for a garden bridge that was never built, but he can't find £ 5 million for the people of Greater Manchester …

“On Friday, thousands of people in Greater Manchester – taxi drivers, pub and hospitality workers, people who work in betting shops, the self-employed and freelancers – will either be unemployed or face significant wage cuts in Manchester.

“But their rent and mortgage will not be lower, their food and heating bills will not be lower, and that could take months. Why can't the Prime Minister and the Chancellor understand this? Stop negotiating with people's lives, stop dividing communities and provide the support Manchester needs. & # 39;

Mr Johnson said he was "very proud that this Greater Manchester government has already spent £ 1.1 billion in business support, £ 200 million in additional undrawn funds, £ 50 million in fighting infections in nursing homes and £ 20 million £ 22million set aside for testing and tracking has £ 22million for the local response we announced yesterday.

"Yesterday the Mayor of Greater Manchester was offered an additional £ 60 million, which he declined," said the Prime Minister.

"So today I can tell the House that this money is going to be distributed to the Greater Manchester counties."

Mr Jenrick has written to the Greater Manchester Council Chairs asking them to come forward for money directly.