Welcome to your early morning news briefing from The Telegraph - a round-up of the top stories we are covering on Wednesday. To receive twice-daily briefings by email, sign up to our Front Page newsletter for free.

       1. Tory Covid rebels deal hammer blow to Boris Johnson's authority

       Boris Johnson suffered the worst Parliamentary rebellion of his premiership after scores of Tory MPs ignored a personal plea to support the introduction of Covid passports.

       Almost 100 Tory MPs, close to half of the party’s backbenchers, voted against legally requiring events with large crowds to check attendees for proof of vaccination or a negative test. Read the full story.

       2. Full list of Tory rebels who opposed No 10's Covid pass plan

       Boris Johnson faced the biggest rebellion of his premiership on Tuesday as dozens of his own backbenchers opposed the new rules around Covid passes.

       A total of 127 MPs defied the Prime Minister's so-called "vaccine passport" scheme. Of these, almost 100 were Conservatives, including two tellers. Read the full story.

       3. Omicron may be no worse than flu, says government adviser

       Britain's omicron wave may be no worse than a flu pandemic, an expert has said, as the first major study into the new variant suggests it is less severe than delta.

       The first real-world study looking at 78,000 omicron cases in South Africa found the risk of hospitalisation is 29 per cent lower compared with the Wuhan strain, and 23 per cent lower than delta, with vaccines holding up well. Read the full story.

       4. Pharmacies told they cannot have extra rapid Covid tests, even though entire cities have run out

       NHS Test and Trace has told pharmacies that it cannot deliver any extra rapid Covid tests, despite entire cities running out by lunchtime on Tuesday, The Telegraph can reveal.

       During an emergency meeting on Tuesday, officials claimed it was “not possible logistically” to increase supplies to pharmacies beyond a single carton per day. Read the full story.

       5. Oxford college dean accused of being 'mad and unfit to govern'

       The Dean of an Oxford college will face a medical assessment after he was accused of being “mad and unfit to govern” in the latest attempt by dons to oust him, his supporters claim.

       The Very Rev Martyn Percy, who presides over Christ Church college and cathedral, has been embroiled in a four-year row with fellow Oxford dons over his tenure. Read the full story.

       Stay up-to-date with breaking news and the latest politics from The Telegraph throughout the day.