Monday morning news briefing: 'Rule of six' comes into force

Last blowout: People sing and dance as they watch a street performer in London's Leicester Square before the 'rule of six' came into force - DOMINIC LIPINSKI/PA

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'Rule of six' may tip public over the edge, say scientists

The coronavirus "rule of six" has come into force in England. It means that any social gatherings of more than six people now break the law. But the new measure faces a mounting backlash from MPs and scientists. Prof Carl Heneghan from Oxford University writes that the policy is "catastrophic", not supported by scientific evidence and "should be binned" as it "could well be the policy that tips the public over the edge". The Government's tough new measures are designed to reverse a sharp rise in coronavirus infection rates. But what if they do not? Ministers believe a national curfew would be an "obvious next step". Pubs and restaurants in local lockdown areas are already closing at 10pm and the measure could be rolled out more widely. Read a simple guide to what you can and cannot legally do from today. Looking on the bright side, Shane Watson argues why the new rule has found the perfect number.

It comes amid concern that NHS measures to stem Covid-19 are having devastating consequences, with patients denied basic healthcare. GPs are now being ordered to give patients "face-to-face" appointments or face possible investigation. A letter is today being sent to every family doctor in the country, following growing fears that too many patients are "shut out" from surgeries and allowed only video or telephone consultations. Is "telemedicine" reliable? This feature investigates.

Justice Secretary threatens to quit over Brexit Bill

The Justice Secretary said he will resign over any "unacceptable" breach of international law as Boris Johnson tried to quell a Conservative rebellion over his plans to amend the Brexit divorce deal. Robert Buckland said he did not believe the Government would "get to that point" where it had to break the Withdrawal Agreement signed with the EU last year, but added that if it did, "I know in my mind what I have to do". Parliament is preparing this week to debate legislation that would reverse aspects of the EU divorce deal. Our Q&A explains how the law could be broken. Meanwhile, negotiators Lord Frost and Michel Barnier accused each other of misleading the public in a social media spat.

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds baptise baby

Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have had their son Wilfred baptised in a Covid-secure ceremony. Wilfred's baptism was witnessed by a small number of family and friends. The couple did not host a reception afterwards. Their four-month-old son was born less than three weeks after Mr Johnson was released from intensive care after contracting coronavirus. Political Editor Gordon Rayner reports the service was "simple but beautiful, with lots of tears and laughter".

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

• Analysis | 'Second wave' may not see a surge in death rate

• Prevention | Monitor Google searches, says ex-chief medic

• US | Trump holds indoor rally in defiance of state regulations

• Property | Renters flee to suburbia seeking more space

• Monarch | Queen hails 'resilience' of Britons in lockdown

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Intelligence operation | A Chinese technology company has compiled a database on tens of thousands of British figures and their families for the use of the country's intelligence agencies. Our exclusive special report reveals that files on an estimated 40,000 Britons are stored on a Chinese server as part of a massive intelligence collection operation by a private firm that describes its mission as "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". From royals to politicians - who is on the Chinese database?

• 'Out of touch' | Universities row union boss earned £500,000

• Westminster | Secret diary of MP's wife set to ruffle feathers

• BBC | New boss to axe meetings culture sent up by W1A

• Jetpack | World record holder's 'intimidating' Durdle Door stunt

• Last night's TV | Our reviewers on The Singapore Grip - and more

Around the world: Women lead the revolt in Belarus

For 24 hours, Tamara Shpakova was in custody after being arrested in Minsk, passing out from the pain of a broken kneecap. Nataliya Vasilyeva has our dispatch on the brutal aftermath of the Belarus protests in which women led the revolt. View our daily world gallery.

Police officers block and detain activists during an opposition rally to protest against the presidential election result in Minsk - Misha Friedman /AP

Comment and analysis

• Nick Timothy | EU is furious UK now has a backstop of its own

• Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | The danger of predatory diplomacy

• Reader letters | MPs should stand behind PM over Brussels

• Christopher Snowdon | Useless Covid curfew is last thing to do

• Tanya Gold | Reporting on each other appeals to worst nature

In case you missed it: Highlights from the weekend

• Boris Johnson | European Union a threat to integrity of the UK

• Fraser Nelson | Ignoring Sweden lesson makes crackdown inevitable

• Oxford's Sir John Bell | 'We're not going to beat the second wave'

• David Starkey | 'Universities have become woke superspreaders'

• Press conferences | BBC faces backlash over Nicola Sturgeon

Editor's choice: Features and arts

1. 'Assault on your emotions' | What it was like behind the controls of a Spitfire

2. Race for a Covid vaccine | How the 'anti-vax' background noise is getting louder

3. Secret to a long and healthy life? | How ultra-processed food is ageing our cells

Business and money briefing

Job losses | The country is heading for the highest level of redundancies since the Nineties, data shows, as the furlough scheme draws to a close. As Laura Onita reports, the Institute for Employment Studies estimates there will be 450,000 job losses in the coming months and that the toll could exceed 700,000 if employers continue to slash jobs.

• Arm | Ministers to step in as US titan plans swoop

• Investment tip | The Government wants a building boom

• Alex cartoon | See our cartoonist's latest work on world of finance

Sport briefing

Tottenham 0 Everton 1 | Jose Mourinho described his Tottenham Hotspur players as lazy and unfit after an abject home defeat by Everton in their opening Premier League fixture yesterday. The Spurs manager also admitted he "did not like" his team - while blaming their condition on a disrupted pre-season in which players tested positive for Covid-19.

• Comeback cricket kings | England produce stunning recovery

• Italian carnage | Hamilton triumphs in crash-strewn race

• US Open men's final | Thiem fights back to defeat Zverev

Tonight's dinner

Smoky stove-top beans with 'nduja | This tasty dish by Claire Thomson is ready in just half-an-hour. Read on for the recipe.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

Future-proofing | The only conundrum facing owners of a classic car created by Lunaz Design is what to do with the spare engine. The fledgling firm electrifies famous British vehicles of yesteryear, ingeniously swapping pistons for battery packs. Jeremy Taylor examines how to make classic cars electric - and why you should.