Inside Politics: Boris Johnson urged to name dates for lockdown easing

Hospitality chiefs fear the PM’s roadmap won’t contain a particular month for the reopening of pubs and restaurants, writes Adam Forrest

Boris Johnson is due to set out his ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown on February 22 (EPA-EFE)

Timing is everything. Dolly Parton has asked politicians in Tennessee to put their plans to erect a Dolly Parton statue on hold for a while. The music legend said it wouldn’t be “appropriate” for it to go up outside the state capitol right now. Statue-loving Boris Johnson is desperately trying to get his timing right on lockdown easing. Tory MPs and hospitality bosses are begging the PM for a clear timetable next week – but fear he will delay offering any precise dates.

Inside the bubble

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock on what to look out for today: