Konta has not played since losing in the US Open quarter-finals in early September - it is a disappointing end to a brilliant year, who began the year ranked 39 and is currently sitting 11th.

British No 1 Jo Konta has recovered sufficiently from lingering knee issues and expects to be fully fit for the Australian Open.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford delivered the extraordinary tirade at PMQs, hammering Mr Johnson for describing muslim women in veils as 'letterboxes'.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon delivered a withering assessment of the would-be PM, saying he would 'damage the UK's reputation'.

MPs insisted Boris Johnson and rival Jeremy Hunt must 'prove' their commitment to the union during the campaign.

On his first visit to Scotland, Mr Johnson told the SNP leader the UK would leave the EU on Halloween. He was booed by protesters in Edinburgh.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind delivered the stark message after allies of the PM made clear he will try to cling on if he is defeated on a confidence motion by rebel Tories determined to head off No Deal Brexit.

John McDonnell has been accused of treating Jeremy Corbyn 'like a puppet' amid claims he failed to warn the Labour leader the party would not block a second Scottish independence referendum.

RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Just imagine the reaction if a bunch of pro-Brexit English MPs had got onto their hind legs in the Commons and started singing Land Of Hope And Glory.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said today that any vote of no confidence would have to come after a crunch EU summit in three weeks time otherwise ex-Tory Remainer rebels would not back it.

The State Opening of Parliament saw Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn engage in one of the newer political traditions today - the awkward silent walk to the Lords.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson could get a Christmas general election. MPs from across the UK are set to vote on Mr Johnson's call for election.

Boris Johnson said the 2014 ballot - when Scots voted to stay in the union - was a 'once in a generation' decision.

Mr Johnson has poured cold water on the idea of sharing a stage with Ms Sturgeon, because he is only prepared 'to contest the debates with whoever theoretically could be Prime Minister.'

Nicola Sturgeon has condemned Jo Swinson after the Liberal Democrat leader said without hesitation that she would authorise the use of nuclear weapons.

Labour's leader in Scotland, Richard Leonard, today suggested that if would only require 'the election of parties into a majority' to provide a mandate.

Boris Johnson today claimed Jeremy Corbyn is not 'tough enough' to stand up to Nicola Sturgeon and reject her demands for a second Scottish independence referendum.

The PM even suggested that his Labour rival may throw his weight behind the separatist campaign, and questioned the left-winger's commitment to keeping the United Kingdom glued together.

Ms Sturgeon was filmed reacting to the Dunbartonshire East result while doing interviews at the Glasgow count, but has faced fierce criticism over her behaviour.

STEPHEN DAISLEY: Nicola Sturgeon's party went from 35 seats to 48, halving the Scottish Tory MP group and taking Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson's seat of East Dunbartonshire.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon teed up a pitch battle for the future of the UK claiming Boris Johnson will be 'subverting democracy' by refusing a ballot.

The SNP won 35 seats in 2017 but managed to secure 12 more at the general election last week - a surge which has bolstered Ms Sturgeon's calls for a second breakaway ballot.

The Wombles, who found fame on TV in the Seventies, have come out of retirement to back the Spring Clean. They joined nearly 200 MPs including Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers.

The First Minister said that the Prime Minister's decision to block a new vote was 'a sign of weakness' as she continued to build her case the break up the UK.

Georginio Wijnaldum admits Holland's recent absence from major tournaments has been 'painful' as they look set to end that exodus at Euro 2020 next summer.

SAMI MOKBEL: It's the size of the challenge that galvanises Raheem Sterling - nothing else. That's why the natural next step in his career is to join one of the Spanish giants - Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Joe Allen believes Wales now have a better squad than the group that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Wales have qualified for their second consecutive European Championships.

The singer, 34, looked sensational in a plunging black velvet dress which flaunted her incredible toned figure as she joined John Legend at the event.

Louisa Johnson took to Instagram on New Year's Day to share not one, but three images, prancing around in a bikini, despite claiming she felt 'bloated'.

The X Factor singer, 22, looked blissfully happy as she showcased her figure in a plunging swimsuit during a weekend at the Glass House Retreat in Upminster, East London on Friday.

Marnie Simpson looked smitten with beau Casey Johnson as she joined reality co-stars Holly Hagan and Sophie Kasaei at the Geordie OGs press day in London on Wednesday.

The Loose Women panellist, 30, took to Instagram to share a video of her presenter beau, 38, as she jokingly likened his facial hair to Tiger King's Joe Exotic.

She kicked off 2020 with a holiday to remember in Jamaica. And Louisa Johnson was reminiscing about her trip amid the UK lockdown as she shared a sizzling throwback snap on Monday.

The destroyer USS John S. McCain is having its first sea trials after undergoing repairs, lasting two years, following a collision with the Liberian-flagged Alnic MC oil tanker off the coast of Singapore.

An estimated one billion animals have been killed as massive bushfires ravage across Australia.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England supporters will be seriously excited by Eddie Jones’ heavyweight backline - but I am not sure Ben Te’o and Manu Tuilagi will strike the same fear into the Italians.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has admitted that his side have struggled to cope with the pressure after their stellar 2018.

Joe Schmidt says Ireland will need more than a 50-minute performance if they are to scupper Welsh Grand Slam plans in Cardiff next Saturday.

Johnny Sexton believes Ireland are the right team to spoil Wales' Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam party. Sexton cited Ireland's previous form for ending opponents' record winning runs.

Joe Schmidt has hinted Wales broke protocol in asking Six Nations bosses to close the Principality Stadium roof in Saturday's tournament decider in Cardiff.

Eddie Jones has heaped pressure on Wales ahead of Saturday's showdown against Ireland by claiming they are tired. Victory for the Irish would give England a shot at snatching the title.

England coach Eddie Jones emphatically ruled out coaching the British & Irish Lions in 2021, while taking a swipe at Wales counterpart Warren Gatland.

The outgoing Wales coach was named head coach for the 2021 tour of South Africa on Friday, having already led the Lions to victory in Australia and a drawn series in New Zealand last time out.

Catt is expected to join Ireland as attack coach after the autumn's Rugby World Cup. The former England coach has agreed a deal to trade Italy for Ireland's set-up, it is understand.

Premier playmaker Johnny Sexton is expected to be fit shortly, but Ireland can ill afford to lose either of their main backline pivots. They open their World Cup by taking on Scotland on September 22.

Johnny Sexton has missed out on Ireland's World Cup warm-up clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday. The fly-half sat out of training at the start of the week in Portugal.

England have reverted to the 10-12 alliance of George Ford and captain Owen Farrell for Saturday's clash against Ireland at Twickenham, in a line-up featuring nine changes.

RORY KEANE: This Ireland squad were primed to reach a first-ever World Cup semi-final, and possibly more. But they have been seemingly in free-fall since the events of February 2 at the Aviva.

World Rugby bosses have hit back at claims 31-man World Cup squads threaten player welfare by insisting top coaches left their objections too late to have any effect for the 2019 tournament in Japan.

Ireland delivered on their promise to hit form when it mattered most by stunning Scotland 27-3 with a bonus-point blitz to launch their Japanese World Cup quest in style.