Oxford Covid vaccine safe, find regulators

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing March 19, 2021 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine [is safe and can continue to be used]( to inoculate people, both the UK and EU medicines regulators have concluded – a joint endorsement that is hoped to alleviate any lingering concerns around blood clots reported in some recipients of the jab. After a week in which questions were widely raised over the safety of the vaccine, health officials from across the continent have insisted that the benefits of the jab in preventing Covid-19 far outweigh all associated risks. Europe has found itself divided over the vaccine - just weeks after many nations refused to administer the jab to their over-65s. Germany, Spain, France and others all paused their rollouts as a result of the reported blood clots, launching investigations into the cases, while Britain, Belgium and Greece have continued to administer doses. But now that the European Medicines Agency has given its backing to the continued use of the vaccine, many governments in Europe are to lift their suspensions, with Italy, France and Germany making clear their intentions to restart distribution of the jab as early as Friday. Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands said they would follow suit next week, although Spain said it could exclude certain groups. A Holyrood committee has concluded Nicola Sturgeon [misled an investigation]( into the handling of sexual misconduct claims against her predecessor, Alex Salmond. MSPs on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints Committee voted five to four that the first minister gave an “inaccurate” account of a meeting with Mr Salmond during the live investigation, a source told the PA news agency. The decision is likely to increase pressure on Ms Sturgeon to stand down before May’s election, although it is unclear whether the committee concluded she had intentionally misled parliament, which would typically be deemed a resignation-worthy offence. A Scottish parliament spokesperson said the inquiry, which heard lengthy evidence from Ms Sturgeon two weeks ago, was still considering its report. It is expected to be published in the coming days. The publisher of The Sun newspaper has [denied breaching privacy laws]( after it paid a private investigator who says he illegally obtained information on Meghan Markle in the early days of her relationship with Prince Harry. Daniel Hanks, a private detective based in Los Angeles, claims he used unlawful means to compile a dossier on Meghan in 2016 that included her phone number, addresses and social security number. He told the BBC: “Pretty much everything I found out they could find out themselves using legal means - with the exception of the social security numbers. When you have that information… it’s the key to the kingdom.” But the publisher of The Sun said “at no time” did it request the Duchess of Sussex’s social security number and said the information obtained was not used “for any unlawful practice”. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [The secret talks that nearly saved Gaddafi]( [UK debt reaches record high as government borrowing hits £19.1bn]( [France announces new Paris lockdown as Covid cases soar]( . The full Independent perspective Save 30% when you subscribe today. Now just £5.99 a month [Subscribe now]( . Stories chosen for you - [UK’s ability to bolster Brexit deal to be hit by ‘career graveyard’ of Brussels work, Boris Johnson warned]( - [When does the 2021 census have to be completed by?]( - [New laws tackling violence against women show how little has changed since #MeToo | Cathy Newman]( - [Delaying January lockdown ‘caused 27,000 deaths’]( - [Dutch prime minister powers to fourth straight election win]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.