The cocaine was removed and dummy packages were delivered to a London industrial estate.

Engineers say it took two weeks and "brute force" to unclog the mass beneath Canary Wharf.

Sadiq Khan urges Londoners to get vaccinated against Covid-19 after receiving his first dose.

BBC Weather

This morning it will become increasingly cloudy and breezy.

Winds will be quite strong through the day. It will stay mostly dry, but the odd spell of rain cannot be ruled out.

Maximum Temperature: 8C to 11C (46F to 52F).

The Black Country Living Museum and Lincoln Cathedral are among 22 heritage sites to be awarded grants.

Figures show around 3.2% of members of the bar are from black and ethnic backgrounds.

This does not mean none is circulating or commuters can let down their guard, the researchers say.

Crispin Odey put his hand down a young colleague's shirt and up her skirt, a court hears.

Study finds infections fell by two-thirds - and more in London - but warns virus levels remain high.

The fire inquiry is also told lower UK safety rules "encouraged" sales of more flammable material.

Supt Robyn Williams was sacked after a 36-year career for having a child abuse video on her phone.

Gay's The Word opened in 1979 and has been an important part of London's LGBTQ+ culture ever since.

A house which is thought to be the narrowest in London is up for sale with a price tag of nearly £1m.

BBC Weather

This morning will be dull. Around noon a band of heavy rain will push in from the west, but will quickly clear to sunshine and isolated showers in the afternoon.

Feeling chillier in the afternoon.

Maximum Temperature: 8C to 11C (46F to 52F).

The duke had been feeling unwell for a few days, but it is not related to Covid, a palace source said.

Image source, PA Media

London should get a "super courtroom" to hear complex trials delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said.

On Wednesday, the government announced it would create the first Covid-safe "super courtroom" at Manchester Crown Court to hear trials with multiple defendants, such as gang-related cases.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) also said another 14 more venues were to be transformed into Nightingale courts.

The Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, said: "We have achieved an immense amount in our battle to keep justice moving during the pandemic.

"These new courts are the latest step in that effort, and I am determined to minimise delays and ensure justice is served for victims, defendants and the public."

Mr Khan accused the government of "simply overlooking the serious pressures the city is facing by not locating a ‘super courtroom’ here in London."

Mr Khan said: “I am deeply concerned about the impact of the courts' backlog on victims of crime who have been left in limbo.

"This is forcing more victims to withdraw from pursuing justice and sadly, we also know victims have suffered mental ill-health due to their trials being delayed.

"We urgently need further larger Nightingale court capacity in the capital."

But a "disastrous" failed test was not deliberately concealed by Arconic, the firm's president says.

Multimillionaire Crispin Odey allegedly put his hand down a woman's shirt and up her skirt, a court hears.

People who are homeless and are due to be discharged from hospital will be offered beds to recover in, thanks to a scheme launched by the Salvation Army.

Image source, The Salvation Army

The charity has opened temporary housing in St Ann's Street in Westminster for rough sleepers who no longer need a hospital bed but are too clinically vulnerable to be discharged to the street.

The charity said the programme would also "free up urgently needed NHS beds".

Residents will share a kitchen and Salvation Army staff (pictured) are on hand to offer advice and support, said the charity.

The Salvation Army’s service manager Alison Smith said the scheme will "act as a stepping stone" for the homeless until suitable accommodation is found.

The charity added it hopes to be able to offer more beds in the future.

Lewisham Donation Hub closed down after not meeting the criteria for an essential service.