Roughly one-in-ten suppliers processed through the VIP channel – 47 out of 493 – obtained lucrative PPE contracts, compared to less than one-in-a-hundred suppliers that came through the ordinary lane.

Starmer said Corbyn’s comments that antisemitism had been exaggerated for “political reasons” had “undermined our work in restoring trust” with the Jewish community.

The National Audit Office found that suppliers with links to Tory politicians were ten times more likely to be awarded contracts.

Up to £80 billion of trade that had been covered by EU deals is yet to be made up for by other treaties.

The chancellor was a founding partner of hedge-fund Theleme, a major early investor in Moderna.

Just 38 per cent of respondents surveyed said Brexit was the right decision - a three per cent drop from the start of November.

Corbyn released a statement apologising for the comments that led to his suspension, potentially leading to his reinstatement.

David Lammy - Labour’s shadow justice secretary - said it was “totally scandalous and should be on every newspaper’s front page”.

Once an outlier, Sweden is following in the footsteps of its neighbours and introducing much harsher restrictions as it battles a resurgent coronavirus.