On his trip, Mr Johnson dismissed the accusations he authorised the controversial evacuation of animals from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of Kabul as “total rhubarb”. 

The Prime Minister sought to distance himself from the claims, which appear to contradict his previous denials that he instructed staff and animals at Pen Farthing’s Nowzad charity to be brought back to Britain during last year’s Operation Pitting evacuation. 

New allegations about Mr Johnson arise fairly frequently, and perhaps the Gray report in particular will expose some serious wrongdoing that means he will have to go. 

Yet Andrew Lilico sets out the arguments for why the Prime Minister should stay.

Care homes to allow unlimited visitors from next week

The lifting of Covid measures today has brought relief for many – and anxiety for others – but few groups have been hit harder during the pandemic than those living in care homes. 

Today it was announced that limits on visitors to care homes in England will be scrapped from next week as the country moves towards living with coronavirus. 

From January 31, those living in care homes will be able to have unlimited visits from family and friends, while self-isolation periods will also be cut, the Department for Health and Social Care has said. 

Many of you will also be preparing for your first post-Covid getaway but Greg Dickinson reveals the flaw in the NHS app that could still ruin your holiday.

Barry Cryer dies – and bows out with one final joke

Comedy fans across Britain will have been saddened to hear that Barry Cryer, the veteran joke writer and star of the radio panel show I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, has died at the age of 86. 

In a statement, Cryer’s family said he “died peacefully, in good spirits and with his family around him” at Northwick Park Hospital, north-west London, on Tuesday. 

Anita Singh and Max Stephens reveal how he bowed out with one final joke. 

One of Britain’s most talented comedy scriptwriters, writing for the likes of the Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise and Les Dawson, he became the elder statesman of British comedy. 

Harry Mount writes that he had a gag for every occasion – even his death. Read his Telegraph obituary.

Comment and analysis

Around the world: Diplomacy hopes in Russia standoff

Financial markets around the world have shown signs of recovery today after Russia said “even the thought” of a war with Ukraine was unacceptable, soothing investor fears of an imminent escalation of tensions. A US response has not met Russian “security” demands, but Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, hailed some initiatives it laid out. Our liveblog will keep you up to speed with developments while Con Coughlin analyses why, in what is effectively a high-stakes game of poker, Russian president Vladimir Putin is about to make a fatal mistake.

Thursday interview

‘When’s the baby coming? No one’s asking Rafa Nadal that’