Boris Johnson Is Self-Isolating After Coming Into Contact With An MP Who Has Tested Positive For Covid-19
Boris Johnson will have to self-isolate for 14 days after meeting Tory MP Lee Anderson on Thursday, who has since tested positive for Covid-19 (Facebook/Lee Anderson MP)
3 min read
Boris Johnson is tonight self-isolating in Downing Street after coming into contact with a Tory MP who has since tested positive for coronavirus.
The Prime Minister will now have to spend a fortnight in quarantine, capping off a tumultuous week which saw both his closest aide Dominic Cummings and director of communications Lee Cain leave Number 10 after a bitter power struggle.
A spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has today been notified by NHS Test and Trace that he is required to self-isolate as a contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
“The Prime Minister will follow the rules and is self-isolating. He will carry on working from Downing Street, including on leading the Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The PM is well and does not have any symptoms of Covid-19.”
It is understood on Thursday morning Mr Johnson met with a small group of MPs in Downing Street for around 35 minutes.
One of those was Lee Anderson, the Conservative member for Ashfield, who subsequently developed symptoms and has now tested positive the virus.
As a result the PM was advised by NHS Test and Trace he should self-isolate, although it is expected he intends to continue speaking to the country while he remains inside Number 10, and is in discussions with the Parliamentary authorities to discuss what options are available to take part in House of Commons business on a remote basis.
This week had been earmarked for a potential reset of the PM’s strategy, both in dealing with the pandemic and with his party’s MPs after the exit of Mr Cummings and Mr Cain.
But the confirmation he will have to stay at home for two-weeks will have thrown Number 10’s plans into disarray.
Mr Anderson posted on Facebook about his positive test: “Isolating. On Friday I lost my sense of taste at the same time my wife had a bad headache.
“I had no cough, no fever and felt well. We both had a test on Saturday and the result came in Sunday morning. My wife and I both tested positive.
“I feel absolutely fine and my biggest concern is my wife who is in the shielded group. But we are both feeling good.”
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
