Government ‘boycott’ of Good Morning Britain to end, says Piers Morgan

Ministers’ absence ‘disgraceful’, Nicola Sturgeon previously said

Ministers are once again ready to brave Piers Morgan’s combative style (Getty Images)

A government "boycott" of ITV's Good Morning Britain will end on Monday, with health secretary Matt Hancock due to appear on the programme.

Mr Hancock's scheduled appearance on Monday will be the first by a member of the government since April.

Presenter Piers Morgan said in a tweet: "BREAKING: Just had a call from Downing Street. The 201-day Government boycott of GMB is over & Health Secretary Matt Hancock will be appearing on the show tomorrow morning."

Mr Morgan had previously accused the government of "cowardice" for not fielding members of the Cabinet for questioning.

The announcement follows the departure of Boris Johnson's top aide Dominic Cummings and director of communications Lee Cain from Downing Street this week.

Last month, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was "pretty disgraceful" for UK government ministers to refuse to appear on a breakfast TV show during the coronavirus pandemic, when she appeared on the show.