Wednesday morning UK news briefing: Sir James Dyson breaks silence over PM texts

Sir James Dyson has accused the BBC of a "grotesque mischaracterisation" of his links to the Conservative Party.

Speaking for the first time since the row over his text exchanges with Boris Johnson, the British inventor said it was untrue that he tried to "extract favours from the Prime Minister".

The messages, revealed by the BBC last Wednesday, showed Sir James sought clarification from Mr Johnson on UK tax matters related to building ventilators during the pandemic.

It cast a spotlight on how private sector figures communicate with the PM. Read Sir James's article for The Telegraph, in which he addresses in detail the row and his text messages.

Associate Editor Camilla Tominey asks: Is the BBC being used as a pawn in a revenge game?

And No10 flat refurbishments provide the laugh for Matt's latest cartoon.

One jab cuts risk of Covid transmission by half

One vaccine shot cuts transmission of Covid by up to half, according to official data. The breakthrough offers further hope that vaccines can bring the pandemic under control and avert a third wave this summer. The study of real-world data by Public Health England tracked 24,000 households in which a person became infected with Covid after receiving one jab - comparing them with unvaccinated others. Studies already show one dose of the vaccine cuts the chance of symptomatic infection by around two thirds. The new research shows that, even when those who had received one jab became infected, their chances of passing on Covid were dramatically reduced. Scientists will now assess whether two doses can cut transmission of the virus even further.

Meanwhile, a new army of Covid marshals is being recruited for roles that could last until 2023 - despite government plans to lift all remaining restrictions on June 21. Associate Editor Gordon Rayner outlines the growing signs that Covid restrictions will remain in place long after the summer solstice. But Allison Pearson explains why she will refuse to wear a mask any more beyond that date this summer.

Classy grass ends Wimbledon's day of rest

Until now, the need to preserve the quality of Wimbledon's famous grass courts has required a rest day in the middle of the tournament. But from next year, play on the middle Sunday will become a permanent feature - meaning "Manic Monday", when all the last 16 men's and women's matches are played on the same day, will become a thing of the past. Patrick Sawer explains the "grass court technology". It came as it was announced spectators would be allowed into this summer's contest.

At a glance: Coronavirus morning briefing

• India crisis | How the rich are buying their way to survival

• Travel | Summer holidays to Spain will be back on by June

• Backlog | Cancer care 'no longer safe' as NHS has too few medics

• 'Productivity gains' | Civil servants may carry on home working

• Property | London exodus drives UK rents to six-year high

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Public spending gap | Nicola Sturgeon is being urged to come clean about the costs of independence. People in Scotland benefit from a "union dividend" of more than £2,500 - almost 30 times higher than the average English resident, research by an influential think tank has found. It called on advocates of Scottish separation to "address the reality" of the gap between taxes raised north of the border and public spending.

• Northern Ireland | DUP's Arlene Foster fights for political survival

• Self-driving cars | Vehicles to have 37mph speed limit on motorways

• YouTube and Netflix | Streaming overtakes TV among children

• Gossiping is good for you | Tittle-tattle 'can improve mental health'

• 'Hidden diabetes' study | The symptoms you might miss

Around the world: Becoming inseparable friends

Freediver Michael Francis Connelly became the best of friends with an octopus in Oahu, Hawaii, winning a prize in a magazine photo contest in the process. View more striking pictures of the day in our world gallery.

Comment and analysis

• Philip Johnston | PM will not be judged on his No10 flat decor

• Jeremy Warner | Post-Brexit, sleaze allegations no longer matter

• Reader letters | Lockdowns inconsistency invites scrutiny of PM

• Ben Wright | Ticking time bomb on corporate balance sheets

• Rosemary Behan | 'Nomad' life nothing like the glamourised one

Editor's choice: Features and arts

1. The new wokeplaces | How political activism made the office a frontline in culture wars

2. Mind the word gap | Children who lost literacy in lockdown - how parents can help

3. The great summer fashion challenge | How to source the best outfits from a charity shop

Business and money briefing

Race for space | A French state-backed satellite company has allied itself with Britain against Elon Musk's SpaceX by taking a stake in the space internet company OneWeb - which was rescued by Britain last year in a joint venture with Indian telecoms giant Bharti.

• Prince Andrew | Blunder brings back bad memories for Coutts

• Investment tip | Firm's founders believe in shares - we should too

• Alex | View today's cartoon strip on the world of finance

Sport briefing

Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 1 | Chelsea put themselves in a great position to secure a Champions League final spot in Istanbul. Thomas Tuchel's side took the lead through Christian Pulisic's vital away goal on 14 minutes, but were pegged back by a Karim Benzema equaliser on the half-hour. Read our match report from Chief Football Correspondent Jason Burt.

• Exclusive | Daniel Ek's Arsenal bid in next 10 days

• Rugby Union | Maro Itoje gets Lions captaincy boost

• Tour de Romandie | Chris Froome's struggles continue

Tonight's dinner

Cod puttanesca with broken spaghetti | This easy pasta dish combines salty pops of olive and caper with sweet tomatoes. Read the recipe. Sign up to our Cookbook newsletter.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

Battle of the tech titans | Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook have traded insults for years, but Apple's latest assault on Facebook may just be the start. Our Technology team explain why the bitter privacy war between the two CEOs is only just beginning.