The UK's week in pictures: Downing Street parties, a 'sea dragon' and Battersea lights

'The National' selects the most striking pictures from across the UK over the past week

An aerial view of the 'TSS Duke of Lancaster' on Monday in North Wales. A former railway steamer passenger ship that operated in Europe from 1956 to 1979, it is currently beached near Mostyn Docks, on the River Dee. PA

A gull sits on a post as the sun rises on Monday morning in Dover. Getty Images

Images of the Ichthyosaur skeleton found at Rutland Nature Reserve were released on Monday. Scientists have hailed it as one of the "greatest finds" in British paleontological history after the largest fossilised remains of a prehistoric "sea dragon" were discovered in the Midlands. PA

On Monday, in central London, the Marble Arch Mound, which had divided public opinion, was closed to the public. PA

A visitor peers through the window of one of the UK's most unusual museums on Monday. The Warley Museum in Halifax, West Yorkshire, is situated inside a disused phone booth. PA

On Tuesday the official launch to find 2,022 baton bearers to take part in the Queen's Baton Relay across England for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Boxing coach Haseebah Abdullah and cricketer Salma Bi are pictured by a commemorative mural depicting themselves, designed by one of the UK's most prolific street artists, Gent 48. PA

A peacock brought a splash of colour as it was spotted walking around a residential street in Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Tuesday. Reuters

Tuesday evening saw artists performing at the Cirque du Soleil show 'Luzia', at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Getty Images

Royal Navy aircraft carrier 'HMS Prince of Wales' left Portsmouth Harbour on Wednesday morning, as it set sail for exercises. For the next year, it will serve as Nato command ship. PA

On Wednesday at Parliament, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a public apology to MPs and admitted attending a garden party in his official residence Downing Street during lockdown. Reuters

During Boris Johnson's apology at Parliament, protesters gathered in Parliament Square in Westminster, central London. PA

A portrait of model Kate Moss by reclusive graffiti artist Banksy went on view at Phillips auction house in central London on Wednesday. The portrait will be on display until 19 January, ahead of its sale at auction, with an estimate of £130,000 to £180,000. PA

Wednesday also saw aquarists at the Sea Life London Aquarium conduct the annual 'count and clean' exercise at the London attraction. PA

A retrospective of works by Victor Vasarely at Selfridges department store in London launched on Thursday. A number of the works by the Hungarian-French artist will go on sale and are expected to fetch more than £400,000. Getty Images

On Thursday evening, a light installation called 'Run Beyond' by Italian artist Angelo Bonello was unveiled at the launch of the Light Festival at Battersea Power Station in London. Getty Images

Environmental activists Emma Smart, right, and Diana Warner, following their release from HMP Bronzefield, in south-east England, on Friday morning. They had been jailed over protests by the Insulate Britain pressure group. PA

Long shadows are cast on the ground by the low winter sun as skateboarders practise their skills at Hyde Skate Park in Leeds, on Friday afternoon. Getty Images

This week, controversy swirled around British Prime Minister Boris Johnson amid the “partygate” storm, the largest fossilised remains of a prehistoric ichthyosaur — or “sea dragon” — were found in the Midlands and a light festival at Battersea Power Station in London was opened to the public.