Donald Trump says 'all Americans are praying for Boris Johnson' after he is taken to hospital for coronavirus tests
Donald Trump has wished Boris Johnson well.
2 min read
Donald Trump has said that "all Americans are praying" for Boris Johnson after the Prime Minister was admitted to hospital for coronavirus tests.
The US president was among leading figures from across the political spectrum to pass on their support to the PM.
Downing Street announced on Sunday night that Mr Johnson had been taken to hospital as a "precaution" after he failed to shake off symptoms associated with the disease, including a high temperature.
He had been due to emerge from seven days' self-isolation on Friday, but remained behind closed doors after continuing to feel unwell.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: "On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests.
"This is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus.
"The Prime Minister thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."
Addressing his daily press conference, President Trump said: "I want to express our nation's well wishes to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he wages his own personal fight with the virus.
"All Americans are praying for him. He's a friend of mine, he's a great gentleman and a great leader, and as you know he went to the hospital today but I'm hopeful and sure that he's going to be fine. He's a strong man, a strong person."
Meanwhile, new Labour leader Keir Starmer tweeted: "Wishing the Prime Minister well and a speedy recovery."
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Wishing the PM all the best and a speedy recovery."
On Radio Four's Westminster Hour, former Tory Cabinet minister Justine Greening said: "The faster he gets well the better. I think we all wish him well."
Asked if the PM needed to hand over the reins to Dominic Raab, his nominated second in command, she said: "I don’t get the sense at all that Boris Johnson is anywhere close to being incapable of taking decisions as Prime Minister.
"I think that question really doesn’t arise right now so I think the key is cabinet working effectively as a team under his leadership to rise to the challenge of what is an unprecedented health crisis globally and also in the UK."
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