The UK's official coronavirus death toll was today tipped to pass the grim 44,000 milestone - but there is no sign yet of the official figure.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson did not announce the figures for Thursday in a coronavirus announcement to the nation tonight.
It was the first such press conference since the government ended the daily briefings by ministers in which the grim toll was ordinarily announced.
LBC host Eddie Mair was among those to remark on the glaring omission, noting ministers used to announce the nation was 'mourning' for those lost as they read out the daily death toll.