Brexit news - live: Port staff threatened as Northern Ireland border checks halted and EU officials withdraw

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said his government will work to “defuse the situation” after port officials in Northern Ireland suffered threats to their safety.

“I would condemn the intimidatory tactics against workers who should, of course, be allowed and facilitated in going about their daily work," the Irish prime minister told RTE.

"It’s a very sinister and ugly development.

“Obviously we will be doing everything we possibly can to assist and defuse the situation.”

Boris Johnson has shared a tribute to the departed Captain Sir Tom Moore. The prime minster spoke to Captain Tom’s daughter Hannah this afternoon to pass on his condolences and offer any support the family may need.

The flag above Downing Street has been lowered to half mast.

Westminster’s thoughts are with the family and friends of Captain Sir Tom Moore after his daughters announced the record-breaking fundraiser died at the age of 100 today.

Captain Tom, a Second World War veteran, captured Britain’s heart last year when he raised a record-breaking £33m for the NHS by completing laps around the garden of his Bedfordshire home.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said Captain Tom was “an inspiration to millions” and a “British hero”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the departed veteran had served as a “beacon of hope”  who "put others first at a time of national crisis". Sir Keir’s deputy Angela Rayner also shared her condolences.

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said “he will remain a testament to human resilience and resolve”.

Johnny Mercer, one of the more prominent former soldiers on the Conservative benches, called Captain Tom “a timeless epitome of service”. 

Britain is prepared to suspend "indirect support" it provides to Myanmar following the military coup, the Foreign Office has said.

And Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, has commissioned an urgent review of UK aid spending in light of the coup, Asia minister Nigel Adams confirmed.

"The UK does not provide direct financial aid to the Myanmar government but we do provide some targeted support working through other international organisations and multilateral bodies," Mr Adams told the Commons.

Mr Adams also insisted Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab's planned telephone call with detained Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi must go ahead this week in a bid to confirm her safety.

TV historian Professor David Olusoga has said it is “palpable nonsense” to claim that removing controversial states impoverishes history, Bethany Dawson reports.

Professor Olusoga says statues that depict slave traders – such as that of Edward Colston, for example, whose statue in Bristol was torn down by anti-racist protesters – are not helpful in the teaching of history or understanding the values of times gone by.  

Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said there was no evidence to suggest loyalist paramilitary groups were behind the threatening behaviour aimed at port staff.

The senior officer told the PA news agency police believe disgruntled individuals or small groups were behind the incidents.

"We are aware of a single anonymous piece of information that has been circulating and that has caused real concern to staff and to their employers," he said.

"We were able to share with partners our assessment today that there is absolutely no information to substantiate or corroborate the claims made that paramilitary organisations are involved or behind threats or intimidation to staff at points of entry."

Mr McEwan said the last number of weeks had seen increased "tensions and discontent" within the community in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"We are concerned about the actions of a number of individuals and small groups," he said.

"We don't believe that those actions are organised. But they do give us cause for concern."

My colleague Matt Mathers looks at why checks are being carried out on animal products entering facilities in Belfast and Larne, and why loyalists are unhappy with the rules:

Some pupils will return to Scottish schools from 22 February, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Addressing MSPs in Holyrood, the first minister said that, subject to confirmation on 16 February, all children under school age in early learning and childcare will return.

Pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 3 will also be allowed back into school, as will those in the senior phase of secondary school.

However, the first minister said older pupils will only be able to return to ensure practical work important to achieving qualifications is completed and only between 5 and 8 per cent of any school's roll should be able to return.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The decisions I am about to outline are intended to give young people, parents and teachers as much notice as possible, but I must stress that they are subject to continued progress in suppressing the virus and will be subject to final confirmation in two weeks' time."

Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will introduce a "managed quarantine" system for anyone arriving in Scotland, describing the current UK-wide restrictions as "too reactive".

Political correspondent Ashley Cowburn reports:

The proposed head of the watchdog for universities – who was Boris Johnson’s leadership campaign manager – says he plans to keep the Tory whip in the House of Lords, deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports.

James Wharton faced tough questions from MPs about his “independence” if he is confirmed as the new chair of the Office for Students (OfS), after a protest that the appointment panel was rigged.