Wednesday morning news briefing: Lord Steel faces expulsion

Lib Dems to throw out Steel over Cyril Smith sex abuse

Lord Steel faces expulsion from the Liberal Democrats. The Telegraph can disclose that he is expected to be the first politician singled out for censure by the national child sex abuse inquiry. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is due to publish the conclusion of its investigation into Westminster allegations next week. Chief Reporter Robert Mendick has exclusively learnt that it will castigate the former Liberal leader. Friends of the peer, a leading political figure of the Seventies and Eighties, fear he will be made a scapegoat over his own admission that he failed to pass on his suspicions about the late ex-Liberal MP Cyril Smith's abuse of boys. They have accused IICSA of targeting him to justify the huge cost of the inquiry. Crime Correspondent Martin Evans has this profile of Smith, the serial paedophile to whom the establishment turned a blind eye.

Points-based migration to end era of cheap labour

Changes to the UK's immigration rules have been announced. Businesses will have to end their reliance on cheap low-skilled migrants and hire more British workers under a new points-based system. Boris Johnson will introduce laws in March limiting migration to skilled workers (from the EU and elsewhere) who have a job offer, speak English and command a minimum £25,600 salary. As Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas reports, businesses have 10 months to prepare for the points system. This chart shows UK net migration by nationality over the past decade.

Meanwhile, the EU has added an "Elgin Marbles clause" to its demands for a post-Brexit trade deal with Britain, raising fears that it would bolster Greek calls for their repatriation to Athens. The demand was revealed in Brussels after the EU inter-governmental talks and as Michel Barnier rejected demands by David Frost, the UK's chief negotiator, for a Canada-style trade agreement. These are the other possible UK-EU trade deal options. And Matt finds humour in the talks for today's cartoon.

Queen 'ready to ban Sussexes from royal branding'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex face being banned from using their self-anointed "Sussex Royal" label after stepping down as senior royals. The Queen and senior officials are expected to conclude that it is no longer appropriate for the couple - who have relocated to North America with their son Archie - to continue using the term "royal" in their branding. Separately, the National Theatre's artistic director has told Hannah Furness that Meghan will remain one of its patrons as it searches for projects that can capitalise on her "star reach".

News digest

• Caroline Flack | Family release unpublished final Instagram post

• Coronavirus latest | Passengers leave virus-stricken cruise ship

• UK weather | Storm-hit residents braced for further flooding

• Amazing video | Violinist plays as doctors perform brain surgery

• 'Space zoom' | Samsung's S20 Ultra camera raises privacy fears

Gallery: The big picture

Familiar faces | Sir Rod Stewart was reunited with his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood for a one-off performance at last night's Brit Awards. View our gallery of the best-dressed stars on the red carpet.

Comment

• Allison Pearson | Police should stop extremists, not assist them

• Douglas Murray | Society is in thrall to green and trans dogmas

• Madeline Grant | Tories' new working class voters want tax cuts

• John Longworth | EU terrified by UK's new Brexit talks strategy

• Andrew Mitchell | Tories should keep their promises on aid

Editor's choice

1. 'I'm heading for a breakdown' | Tax rule changes push freelancers to edge

2. Domino divorce | 'Like royals, I know marital difficulties can run in families'

3. Laura Ashley | Is it time for the vintage brand to open up its archives?

Business and money briefing

Bell tolls for Beales | The sun is finally to set on Beales' 11 remaining department stores, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The 139-year-old business shut 12 of its 23 sites this month after it fell into administration in January, failing to find a last-minute buyer to stay afloat.

• The Think Tank | Jobs market is not as strong as you might think

• Investment tip | Firm reaps rewards from 'humanising' of animals

• Alex cartoon | See our brilliant cartoonist's latest work

Sport briefing

Atletico Madrid 1 Liverpool 0 | Jurgen Klopp is hoping for more Anfield magic after holders Liverpool were beaten 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League tie. Saul Niguez scored the only goal of a dour last-16 contest last night. Read Sam Wallace's match report.

• Borussia Dortmund 2 Paris Saint-Germain 1 | Match report

• Beating the snobs | How Genge proved his class

• 'You cheats' | Wyn Jones hits out at French tactics

And finally...

Spa claim | It is a favourite retreat of celebrities and captains of industry, attracted by its promise of pampered seclusion. But even Champneys' most dedicated customers might have been left puzzled by a claim from the luxury spa chain that its apple crumble may "help reduce the risk of cancer". That allegation was at the centre of a court case that saw the health spa chain charged with breaching several regulations governing claims about nutrition and health