The Guardian

Boris Johnson urges caution from his new Downing Street briefing room as we take our first tentative steps out of the latest lockdown.

I'm Heather Stewart, political editor of The Guardian and this is Politics Weekly.

I don't see anything in the data right now that would cause us to deviate from the roadmap.

In a week that saw people from two households allowed to meet up outdoors, the Prime Minister doubled down on his roadmap out of lockdown, promising there would be no speeding up or slowing down when it comes to unlocking England.

That won't stop some Tory backbentures from demanding a faster process, of course. So will Johnson be able to see his plan all the way through to the end?

Meanwhile, Downing Street is facing a backlash after number 10's commission on race and ethnic disparities finally published its report into racial equality in the UK.

The summary of the report concluded that while overt racism definitely exists, there was no evidence of institutional racism.

In a year where Covid-19 has disproportionately affected people of colour, will this report be accepted by the public?

Well, at least now, when we have questions for the Prime Minister, or in future his press secretary, we have a fancy new room to do it in.

After Johnson gave his first press conference from the newly built and very expensive briefing room, I chatted to former Downing Street spinners about how the Prime Minister is trying to get his message across.

And after a tumultuous few weeks in Scottish politics, Libby Brooks looks at the potential fallout for the players in the Alex Salmon scandal as Hollywood grapples with a culture of turning a blind eye and fear for those who speak out.

That's all in this week's politics weekly.

But first, as some coronavirus restrictions were lifted on Monday, Boris Johnson had some scandals to contend with.

To dive into all of that and more, I joined by Guardian political correspondent Peter Walker.

Peter, as always, is lovely to have you on.

Let's start off on a high note, shall we? The weather seemed to know that Covid restrictions were lifting slightly this week.

Lovely and sunny. Did you manage to get out? Meet some friends? Have a cycle?

See someone from a safe distance outside?

I've been seeing some people from a safe distance. I've been more been trying to get out and about.

Get out on my bike and go for walks because I'm aware that by the weekend it's going to go down to like seven or eight or something like that.

So I'm enjoying the weather while I can.

...