Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's former chief aide, gave some bombastic testimony to

Parliament this week, claiming that the government's actions cause unnecessary deaths from

COVID-19.

Tens of thousands of people died who didn't need to die.

There is absolutely no excuse for delay now because a lot of the reasons for why that

happened are still in place now.

Look at the whole debate about variants and whatnot.

This has to be honestly explained.

Welcome to Payne's Politics, your essential insider guide to what's happening in British

politics from the Financial Times, with me Sebastian Payne.

This week we'll be focusing on the seven hours of testimony from the man who was at Boris

Johnson's right hand side for much of the pandemic.

We'll unpack the claims, what shouldn't be believed, and how damaging all this was

for the Prime Minister and his government.

Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Strimsley will guide

us through.

And later, we'll be examining the UK's cuts to the overseas aid budget and whether

this has harmed the nation's reputation abroad.

Is there anger or disappointment, and what does it say about global Britain?

Our political correspondent Jasmine Cameron Sleshi will discuss with Andrew Mitchell, the

former international development secretary.

With George and Robert welcome back, it's been quite the week.

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