Officials launch urgent contact tracing after a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury linked to a nightclub over three nights. Thousands who attended are urged to seek medical advice and antibiotics. A university and three schools are affected; two deaths have been confirmed.

Meningitis has led to two deaths, linked to a social event in Canterbury, with 11 others seriously ill. UKHSA has alerted about 30,000 students and staff to watch for symptoms. Those affected include a University of Kent student and a sixth-former.

Downing Street confirmed the PM did not personally question a Labour peer about past links to an individual convicted of abuse before appointing him ambassador to the US, saying no interview was required. Critics call it a dereliction of duty; No 10 defends the process.

Kemi Badenoch alleges the PM misled MPs over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, claiming documents were withheld from recent files. She demands a sleaze inquiry and urges him to quit. The PM has apologised again.