‘South Africa’ Covid found in London, and why the Met will continue “disproportionate” stop and search.

Political editor Joe Murphy’s back on the podcast as it’s revealed the more contagious ‘South Africa’ variant of coronavirus has been found in parts of London and Sussex. More than 100 cases have been discovered so far and surge testing is underway in eight postcodes, with everyone over the age of 16 being encouraged to get one whether they’re showing symptoms or not. It comes as the government announces its secured 40 million doses of a vaccine from French firm Valneva. Joe says the Prime Minister’s confident the UK will be the first country in the world to stockpile jabs for use next year.

Also, our home affairs editor Martin Bentham discusses his interview with the Met’s deputy commissioner Stephen House, who says officers will continue “disproportionate” stop and searches of young black Londoners in an attempt to save lives. The robust defence of the Met’s approach came during a chat in which he also disclosed that around 300 knives a month were being seized during searches.

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