Eileen Pirie, Neil Ferguson's mother-in-law, said the Imperial College scientist was working long hours and had been splitting his time between his flat in London and the family home in Oxford.

The timing of the disclosure that Prof Ferguson met his married lover during the lockdown on the day the UK became 'Europe's sick man' has raised questions about who blew the whistle.

Bond aficionados will know that early in each story comes an inaugural meeting between hero and foe. A chance encounter over highballs, perhaps, or a high-stakes hand of chemin de fer.

Gyms in the UK are unlikely to reopen until at least the autumn with October being touted as a realistic return date for fitness fanatics, according to reports.

Boris Johnson today announced he is hoping to begin easing the UK's coronavirus lockdown on Monday as Matt Hancock suggested cafes could reopen if they have outdoor areas.

Don Sheppard who lives with his wife of more than 50 years, Sandra, in Laindon, Essex, says he was nearly overwhelmed with the stunning birthday tributes which took place on Monday.

The world's media has lined up to savage Britain's coronavirus response this week after the UK's death toll surpassed Italy's to become the worst in Europe.

EXCLUSIVE: Research for MailOnline shows 62 per cent are more worried about the effects of the draconian curbs ending too early, while 38 per cent say their main concern is the economic havoc now.

Boris Johnson's Downing Street Twitter account has started pumping out the more nuanced message as the Prime Minister said some draconian rules he imposed on March 23 will be lifted.

The proposals are to be split into five stages over the coming months, and a leaked version of the plan has suggested the first changes on Monday will see unlimited exercise allowed.

Dominic Raab tonight announced there is 'no change' yet to the UK's coronavirus lockdown rules as he urged Britons not to take advantage of sunny bank holiday weather.

Emergency planners have already been warned London's transport system could be overwhelmed by demand when the coronavirus lockdown is eased in some form.

Boris Johnson is caught in a struggle between those who want him to move faster to end the lockdown and those who fear it would trigger a second wave of coronavirus - as death toll rises to 30,615.

In an article saluting veterans on the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Keir Starmer said the care sector needs attention after the pandemic to help those who 'protected our country in its darkest hour'.

The Prime Minister told the cabinet he will proceed with 'maximum caution' when it comes to easing restrictions, to avoid another rise in coronavirus cases in the UK.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Stanley Johnson admitted he prayed for his son's life when the Prime Minister was in intensive care after struggling with coronavirus.

Commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the Second World War ending in Europe are taking place across the country in line with 'social distancing' guidelines.

A plan for the phased reopening of schools is expected to be announced by Boris Johnson when he unveils his lockdown exit strategy on Sunday.

Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said the first results of clinical trials - testing drugs like hydroxychloroquine -are expected in 'five to seven weeks'.

Professor Robert Dingwall said Britain had 'completely lost sight' of the true nature of the disease because 'mostly it isn't' killing people.

Guidance slipped out earlier this week states that domestic helpers 'can continue work' in people's homes, 'providing that you are well and have no symptoms'.

First Minister Mark Drakeford pre-empted the 'exit strategy' from Westminster as he declared that only 'small and modest' easings are possible to avoid coronavirus flaring up.

DR JOHN LEE: The survival of the British economy, the very future of our society and the hopes of generations to come will depend upon Boris Johnson's words.

The Government is relying on the 'R' figure - the average number of people a coronavirus patient infects - to tell them when it is safe to unlock the UK. But experts have said the measure it is 'too crude'.

The PM is expected to recommend people wear them in the office, on public transport and when shopping despite not making them compulsory in England.

Garden centres will be allowed to reopen next week under Boris Johnson's plans to ease the lockdown.

Experts have slammed a 'misconception' that one single scientist was the 'architect of the lockdown' and single-handedly convinced the government to introduce drastic social distancing measures.

The actress, 78, made the shocking comments in a rant on Channel 4 comedy chat show The Last Leg on Friday night.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was confronted by a member of the public as he walked through St James's Park this morning. This was the fourth time this week the PM has been seen holding a coffee cup.

Boris Johnson's plan to ease the UK's coronavirus lockdown will see people urged to cycle to work, firms told to provide staff with face masks and garden centres allowed to reopen from Wednesday.

The Mayor of London has come under heavy fire for failing to increase capacity on the Tube ahead of an expected rise in passengers as the Prime Minister looks to ease people back to work.

The Daily Mail City team explains the Government plans for the economy.

The Chancellor looks set to admit in the Autumn Statement that the national debt will not be falling as a percentage of national income by 2015-16.

Half this amount - £5,760 - can be placed into a tax-free cash Isa by savers. The full Isa limit can only be invested in a stocks and shares Isa.

The FTSE 100 held onto modest gains after the Chancellor admitted the economy would slightly contract in 2012.

The funds will be used largely to upgrade and maintain existing roads to help tackle congestion and reduce bottle necks.

The lower rate should allow Britain to compete on more favourable terms against other top economies - it compares with 40% in the US, 33% in France and 29% in Germany.

Today’s Autumn Statement has brought the anticipated bad news for travellers, with the Chancellor unveiling the expected rise in the controversial Air Passenger Duty (APD).

The move would open up options for investors who are currently limited on which AIM stocks they can include, allowing them to hunt returns among small high growth firms.

Tory MPs had threatened to rebel against the government if George Osborne had gone ahead with his New Year tax hike on petrol and diesel.

The tax-free allowance for pensions will be cut from £1.5million to £1.25million over a lifetime and from £50,000 to £40,000 annually - raising an extra £1billion.

The Chancellor provoked a backlash after saying that headteachers should be able to pay teachers more if they perform better in the job than colleagues.

A 'triple lock' commitment was made in 2010, when the state pension rises were controversially switched from the retail prices index (RPI) to CPI, which has historically risen at a slower pace.

The Chancellor was forced to admit in the Commons that the economy will SHRINK by 0.1 per cent this year, forcing him to announced the Office for Budget Responsibility has predicted the economy will shrink this year by 0.1 per cent, down from the 0.8 per cent growth forecast just nine months ago.

Chancellors can never resist the opportunity to fiddle with pension rules. George Osborne has joined the club, pushed by the determination of the LibDems to be nasty to rich people.

Small companies and stockbrokers welcomed the chance that shares quoted on the junior Alternative Investment Market may qualify for tax relief under the Individual Savings Account shelter.

Banks will be asked to hand over businesses’ credit card transactions in an effort to smoke out tax dodgers, George Osborne announced.

A Gas Generation Strategy published alongside the Autumn Statement confirmed the establishment of an Office for Unconventional Gas and Oil.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility admitted it expects a £400million shortfall in the Government's coffers, after predicting the bank levy would raise £2.2billion in March's Budget.

The scheme will focus on s road improvements, housing and local infrastructure, regional growth and business, science, and schools and colleges.