The row erupted as Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, suggested people should avoid socialising in the run-up to Christmas.

Associate Editor Gordon Rayner reconstructs how No 10 was left scrambling to reassure the public that parties, nativity plays and Christmas itself would go ahead. 

In this analysis, Science Editor Sarah Knapton says lessons from variants past should bring comfort amid the tidings of gloom. 

And, if you are feeling overwhelmed, read a psychotherapist’s guide to coping with Covid confusion.

After a day of muddled Covid messaging, it also emerged that:

Prince Andrew dragged into Ghislaine Maxwell trial

The Duke of York has been dragged into Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial after Jeffrey Epstein’s long-time pilot told a court he was one of a number of famous people to fly on the billionaire paedophile’s private jet, nicknamed the “Lolita Express”. Lawrence Visoski, who worked for Epstein for nearly 30 years, detailed how he would fly celebrities, politicians and royalty to his homes. The first mention of the Duke came on the second morning of Ms Maxwell’s trial. But he was not the only famous face on Epstein’s jet, as Jamie Johnson reports from New York. It came after the first accuser to take the stand alleged that Maxwell, who denies the charges, was in the room when she was abused.

Meet the golden girl taking charge at House of Zara

To a casual observer, she could be any high-flying member of Spanish society. In fact, her name is Marta Ortega Pérez – the youngest daughter of Amancio Ortega, the world’s 11th richest person and reclusive founder of Inditex, the parent company of a portfolio of world-famous high street brands including Zara and Massimo Dutti. Now, she has been identified as the successor of that empire. Fashion Editor Tamara Abraham profiles the most powerful woman in fashion you have never heard of.

Daily dose of Matt

View Matt‘s latest cartoon as he imagines how the booster programme might be expanded…

Also in the news: Today’s other headlines

Interview | Boris Johnson is “making a big mistake” by trying to turn the UK into the Saudi Arabia of wind, Donald Trump has warned. The ex-US president said that wind farms were “horrible”, “ridiculous”, “kill all the birds” and “start to rust” after a couple of years. Mr Johnson has made increasing reliance on wind energy a cornerstone of his energy policy. Read more from Mr Trump’s interview with Nigel Farage on GB News.

Around the world: Three children dead in shooting

At least three people were killed and six injured last night when a 15-year-old opened fire at a high school near Detroit, Michigan. The dead at Oxford High School were all believed to be pupils and a teacher was thought to be among the injured. Officials said the boy fired 15 to 20 shots with a handgun before police arrived and arrested him.