hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the broadcaster henry bonsu and former trade minister lord jones. lovely to have you both back. hi, henry. lovely to have you both back. hi, henry-— lovely to have you both back. hi, hen . , _ .,, hi, henry. hi, digby, good to see ou hi, henry. hi, digby, good to see you again- _ hi, henry. hi, digby, good to see you again- they _ hi, henry. hi, digby, good to see you again. they are _ hi, henry. hi, digby, good to see you again. they are going - hi, henry. hi, digby, good to see you again. they are going to - hi, henry. hi, digby, good to seei you again. they are going to have their own show, _ you again. they are going to have their own show, they _ you again. they are going to have their own show, they really - you again. they are going to have their own show, they really are. l you again. they are going to have l their own show, they really are. i'm not needed here. right, let's start with some of the papers we already have. "the jab is safe, the thing that isn't safe is catching covid", the telegraph quotes the prime minister as he urges the public to get their vaccines following safety concerns in regard to the oxford astrazeneca jab. the metro leads with the eu reversing its decision to suspend the astrazeneca vaccine over claims it caused blood clots — the european medicines agency has confirmed it is a �*safe and effective' vaccine and eu countries will now resume the rollout. the same story is on the front of the guardian, with the paper also reporting that nhs leaders have privately accused ministers of putting pressure on staff to meet vaccine deadlines, while underplaying the risk of disruption to vaccine supply. the times leads with the astrazeneca line but also features reports that a committee has found nicola sturgeon "misled" the scottish parliament over the sexual harassment investigation into alex salmond. and the financial times claims former prime minister david cameron lobbied the government to increase greensill capital's access to state—backed covid—19 loan schemes — months before the finance company collapsed. the paper notes that mr cameron's alleged lobbying attem pts were u nsuccessful. so, lots of different stories, but most of the papers leading on and focusing on the astrazeneca, the oxford astrazeneca vaccination and, henry, let's start with you this time, because the uk's regulatory body, the nhra also is saying that it's safe and that borisjohnson will be having it later on friday. that's right. the authority and boris himself, the prime minister, very keen to shore up what appears to be a slightly wobbly attitude in some quarters about the astrazeneca. it's been rubbished by a series of european leaders to the extent that they cannot give away the vaccines that they have got, despite the fact that they have got, despite the fact that they have got, despite the fact that they are threatening blockades and legal action to get more astrazeneca in. we have seen the 10% no—show rate has emerged this week as a result of all the worries about the astrazeneca vaccine, that it might be linked to 37 patients of blood clots around the european union and the uk, that out of 17 million asked to make oxford astrazeneca vaccines that have been given, of which 11 million are in this country, and only five cases of men between the ages of 20—60, and i think of those with a chance of dying of some kind of clot so boris johnson and the medicines agency and health service leaders are being very clear, they are saying get the job, and don't worry about noises or some of the anti—vax or disinformation campaigns that have been targeted at particular communities, particularly black communities, particularly black communities, muslim communities in some parts of the orthodoxjewish community. that is where a lot of this disinformation has been cited, and as a result, we have seen an increase in vaccine hesitancy and those communities versus the majority of the community. let’s majority of the community. let's brina in majority of the community. let's bring in the _ majority of the community. let's bring in the times _ majority of the community. let's bring in the times as _ majority of the community. let's bring in the times as we - majority of the community. let's bring in the times as we bring in digby as well on this, because as the uk's regulatory body, but also the uk's regulatory body, but also the european regulatory body ruling that the job is safe following their research into it, digby. yes. that the job is safe following their research into it, digby.— research into it, digby. yes, what is so important — research into it, digby. yes, what is so important about _ research into it, digby. yes, what is so important about this - research into it, digby. yes, what is so important about this is - research into it, digby. yes, what is so important about this is thatl is so important about this is that the newspapers need to be not only the newspapers need to be not only the conduit— the newspapers need to be not only the conduit for the facts, but that the conduit for the facts, but that the accent — the conduit for the facts, but that the accent is going to do exactly what _ the accent is going to do exactly what henryjust talked about, put that thing in your arm. and what henryjust talked about, put that thing in yourarm. and i'm delighted. _ that thing in yourarm. and i'm delighted, actually, that the telegraph especially, but also the times— telegraph especially, but also the times as — telegraph especially, but also the times as you just said, it might be thought— times as you just said, it might be thought of— times as you just said, it might be thought of as more supportive of the government, they are not sort of crowing — government, they are not sort of crowing about this, what they are actually _ crowing about this, what they are actually saying is this is ok, guys, -et actually saying is this is ok, guys, get it— actually saying is this is ok, guys, get it in_ actually saying is this is ok, guys, get it in your arm. and that is good for saving _ get it in your arm. and that is good for saving lives. and the tragedy of this, it _ for saving lives. and the tragedy of this, it highlights it, it's that in the times— this, it highlights it, it's that in the times article here, you know, it talked _ the times article here, you know, it talked in _ the times article here, you know, it talked in that first paragraph of it saying _ talked in that first paragraph of it saying that european countries rushed — saying that european countries rushed to _ saying that european countries rushed to resume the use, germany, france, _ rushed to resume the use, germany, france, it— rushed to resume the use, germany, france, it is— rushed to resume the use, germany, france, it is due to restart, and this— france, it is due to restart, and this means _ france, it is due to restart, and this means that for a period of time, — this means that for a period of time, politicians, not clinicians, not medical advisers, not scientists, politicians actually allowed — scientists, politicians actually allowed using this vaccine, and on that basis, — allowed using this vaccine, and on that basis, people in germany and france _ that basis, people in germany and france and — that basis, people in germany and france and italy will have died, and it was— france and italy will have died, and it was done — france and italy will have died, and it was done partly because it was a british— it was done partly because it was a british vaccine and it wasn't a geunan— british vaccine and it wasn't a german vaccine reference vaccine from _ german vaccine reference vaccine from it _ german vaccine reference vaccine from it was — german vaccine reference vaccine from it was a british vaccine from and there — from it was a british vaccine from and there is— from it was a british vaccine from and there is a part of this which is so-caiied — and there is a part of this which is so—called vaccine nationalism, and it's an _ so—called vaccine nationalism, and it's an absolute tragedy because there _ it's an absolute tragedy because there is— it's an absolute tragedy because there is going to be people who died in those _ there is going to be people who died in those countries because politicians started as henry mentioned, this doubt, they sown this douht— mentioned, this doubt, they sown this doubt into people's mines, you even _ this doubt into people's mines, you even have _ this doubt into people's mines, you even have angela merkel the, the chancellor of germany saying that she is _ chancellor of germany saying that she is 65, — chancellor of germany saying that she is 65, she's going to have this. what _ she is 65, she's going to have this. what sort — she is 65, she's going to have this. what sort of— she is 65, she's going to have this. what sort of example is that. now she has— what sort of example is that. now she has got to eat some humble pie and say— she has got to eat some humble pie and say their own regulators in europe — and say their own regulators in europe has said it's ok, and the time _ europe has said it's ok, and the time majors on that fact that this is 0k_ time majors on that fact that this is ok in— time majors on that fact that this is ok in europe, and that is a very important— is ok in europe, and that is a very important thing for saving lives, frankiv — important thing for saving lives, frankl . , ., ., . ., frankly. the german chancellor, an . ela frankly. the german chancellor, angela merkel, _ frankly. the german chancellor, angela merkel, did _ frankly. the german chancellor, angela merkel, did change - frankly. the german chancellor, angela merkel, did change her i angela merkel, did change her direction and she was very pro—to work, talking about... damage done damage done. you _ damage done. you have got germany there, germany is in administrative brilliant nation _ is in administrative brilliant nation. it's excellent in its efficiency, and here it is, it's not been _ efficiency, and here it is, it's not been wheeling out the vaccine as quickly— been wheeling out the vaccine as quickly as— been wheeling out the vaccine as quickly as it should, it's left so much — quickly as it should, it's left so much of— quickly as it should, it's left so much of it— quickly as it should, it's left so much of it to what has proved a momentum brussels machine, and there must he _ momentum brussels machine, and there must be people in germany thinking the politicians and europe have let us down, — the politicians and europe have let us down, and it really is a tragedy, because _ us down, and it really is a tragedy, because there will be people in germany— because there will be people in germany dying because of politicians at home, _ germany dying because of politicians at home, and an inept administration brussels _ at home, and an inept administration brussels. , , ., ,., brussels. henry, get your point in. let's remember, _ brussels. henry, get your point in. let's remember, several _ brussels. henry, get your point in. let's remember, several major - let's remember, several major european countries are going through a third wave now. the death toll in germany is 200 people a day. a member of the time when our death rate was far outstripping that of germany's, that has changed now. i am just wondering whether one of the reasons why angela merkel and her representatives emmanuel macron in france where so keen, even though it's a multi national thing, and a lot of the infection is done in india, and it's because of difficult connections, germany later this year, the general election and france in spring 2022, and so trying to look masculine strong maybe was what was driving this, but it's been a catastrophic, if you consider that's, britain, we have now 25 million people, and i think in the whole of the european union i think it's around five or so million, or a bit more, not that much anyways. it's really, really shocking. what is also interesting is that i had of time into these contract with astrazeneca and pfizer, while we were still following a lot of these of the european union and the transition phase, so it was up to france and italy to do their own thing as well as pool their resources with the eu, which they didn't do. exe, henry, an interesting point to that is— exe, henry, an interesting point to that is this — exe, henry, an interesting point to that is this juxtaposition exe, henry, an interesting point to that is thisjuxtaposition between germany— that is thisjuxtaposition between germany as a nation state and germany— germany as a nation state and germany as a nation state and germany as a nation state and germany as a member state of the eu, and there— germany as a member state of the eu, and there must be so many people in germany— and there must be so many people in germany who is a good eu member, they do— germany who is a good eu member, they do everything to keep that unity— they do everything to keep that unity together, and they must be thinking, — unity together, and they must be thinking, looking across the channel and thinking, did the brisket one right? _ right? i- right? i think it's a bit right? — i think it's a bit of a title, you know, that big newspaper, the big tablet that said something like, it was beneath that eu, which i think we are in the eu, yes, that's right, britain, we envy you, that was the front cover. britain, we envy you, that was the front cover-— front cover. they have a word for every thing. _ front cover. they have a word for every thing, don't _ front cover. they have a word for every thing, don't they, - front cover. they have a word for every thing, don't they, when - front cover. they have a word for every thing, don't they, when it | every thing, don't they, when it comes to the german monk which. it's quite brilliant. in terms of procurement you didn't have to go into that you block to purchase it, though. they chose to do that. they chose to do it, they chose to do it, _ they chose to do it, they chose to do it. so _ they chose to do it, they chose to do it, so they did it. what is important _ do it, so they did it. what is important to understand about this is that— important to understand about this is that britain, henryjust referred to it, _ is that britain, henryjust referred to it, britain at the start of this, at a _ to it, britain at the start of this, at a time — to it, britain at the start of this, at a time when the government with the benefit — at a time when the government with the benefit of hindsight making mistakes and defy any government who has got _ mistakes and defy any government who has got it— mistakes and defy any government who has got it all right, but at the time, — has got it all right, but at the time, you _ has got it all right, but at the time, you know, a lot of the media and a _ time, you know, a lot of the media and a lot— time, you know, a lot of the media and a lot of— time, you know, a lot of the media and a lot of the opposition were all focusing _ and a lot of the opposition were all focusing on— and a lot of the opposition were all focusing on mistakes on what the british— focusing on mistakes on what the british government were doing it turns— british government were doing it turns out— british government were doing it turns out is they were ordering a lot of— turns out is they were ordering a lot of this — turns out is they were ordering a lot of this stuff. they were removing any possible liability risk from the _ removing any possible liability risk from the manufacture. they were paying _ from the manufacture. they were paying up — from the manufacture. they were paying up front. they were doing all of the _ paying up front. they were doing all of the stuff — paying up front. they were doing all of the stuff to actually say, if this works, we wanted first. it paid off. this works, we wanted first. it paid off the _ this works, we wanted first. it paid off the risk— this works, we wanted first. it paid off. the risk paid off. so pouts on the back— off. the risk paid off. so pouts on the hack for— off. the risk paid off. so pouts on the back for that one. sorry. a pat on the back. _ the back for that one. sorry. a pat on the back, but _ the back for that one. sorry. a pat on the back, but let's _ the back for that one. sorry. a pat on the back, but let'sjust - the back for that one. sorry. not on the back, but let'sjust bring on the back, but let's just bring the guardian into this, then, because we are talking about the positive aspect of this, and it has been a phenomenon in terms of 25.7 million people in the uk vaccinated so far, 49% of uk adult population. but what, just bring us up—to—date with what this row is in terms of what the paper is describing as the boast about the roll—out, because there are concerns, always two sides to every story. a few months ago, matt hancock believed that, and some people were calling for his had come he looks chipper at the dispatch box on behalf of the house of commons or wherever he is leading at downing street press conference. he is saying, think it was yesterday that things were going so well, we will soon be able to offer vaccines to be under 50s, so the over 40s, because things are going so well. at the same time, i think i'm the same day, senior health leaders sent letters to, you know, various businesses in the health service of another country warning that that is going to be a shortage. in the anger is coming from those health leaders towards ministers who they say keep on changing the goalposts, keep on trying to fast—track things because they are chipper without leveling with people and saying that they are going to be problems with vaccine supply, finally, the health secretary did make that admission today and said that there are difficulties because a batch of 1.7 million that has to be retested because there may be problems with that batch. also, i think 5 million coming in from that batch. also, i think 5 million coming infrom india, that batch. also, i think 5 million coming in from india, from the serum institute, there may be delays with that, we might not get it done till the end of april, so those people in their who are gearing up to get their who are gearing up to get theirfirst shots, they their who are gearing up to get their first shots, they are being told, oh, you might have to wait now, and that is what is frustrating the health leaders. qm. now, and that is what is frustrating the health leaders.— now, and that is what is frustrating the health leaders. 0k, we are going to leave, the health leaders. 0k, we are going to leave. one — the health leaders. 0k, we are going to leave, one sentence. _ the health leaders. 0k, we are going to leave, one sentence. isn't - the health leaders. 0k, we are going to leave, one sentence. isn't it - to leave, one sentence. isn't it interesting _ to leave, one sentence. isn't it interesting that _ to leave, one sentence. isn't it interesting that there - to leave, one sentence. isn't it interesting that there is - to leave, one sentence. isn't it interesting that there is one i interesting that there is one newspaper that doesn't mention on its front— newspaper that doesn't mention on its front page at all anything to do with the _ its front page at all anything to do with the clearance of oxford astrazeneca vaccination to be used across _ astrazeneca vaccination to be used across europe, and it's the guardian, _ across europe, and it's the guardian, why? because to do it would _ guardian, why? because to do it would hav