Boris Johnson news : Self-isolating PM ‘in good health’, as UK warned time running out in Brexit talks

Follow the latest updates from Westminster

Boris Johnson told to self-isolate after coming into contact with Covid-positive MP

At least five Conservative MPs, including Boris Johnson, and two Downing Street aides are self-isolating for 14 days following a meeting at Number 10 last week.  

The prime minister, who was admitted to intensive care with coronavirus in April, on Monday announced he was isolation after meeting with a Tory MP who had since tested positive for Covid-19. He said he was notified by NHS Test and Trace that he must self-isolate on Sunday, but said he had “no symptoms”.  

Health secretary Matt Hancock told a Downing Street press conference on Monday that the UK had bought five million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by US-led biotech firm Moderna, hours after the company reported promising results in its ongoing trial.  

During the televised briefing, Mr Hancock refused to guarantee a post-Covid pay rise for NHS staff in response to a question from The Independent.  

Talks on a future trade relationship between the UK and European Union post-Brexit are continuing this week, with the UK’s Brexit negotiator, Lord David Frost, in Brussels ahead of a European Council video summit on Thursday which has been touted as a deadline for a draft deal.  

Lord Frost warned “quite a lot” remains to be done if a trade deal is to be sealed with the EU, with just days to go before the effective deadline for agreement.  

The Scottish National Party has claimed Boris Johnson is taking the UK “on the path to catastrophe”, while Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney has warned talks could collapse if there is no movement from the UK on fisheries, where he said London was asking for major concessions from Brussels in return for access to its waters for EU ships. 

• Boris Johnson self-isolating after contact with coronavirus-infected MP
• Five Tory MPs self-isolating after No 10 meeting
• Brexit talks enter final week with time running out to avoid no deal

Key Points

• Boris Johnson self-isolating
• PM ‘in good health’ with ‘no symptoms’
• Five Tory MPs now self-isolating after meeting at No 10
• Time running out for Brexit deal, EU warns
• EU ‘determined’ and ‘patient’, Barnier says

[16 November 2020 09:52 · Samuel Osborne]

Johnson not considered to have immunity, Hancock says

Matt Hancock said Boris Johnson was self-isolating because there was still not enough evidence on how likely it was that those who have already had coronavirus could catch it a second time.

The prime minister was seriously ill with the virus in the spring but has confirmed he is self-isolating after coming into contact with an MP who has since tested positive.

Asked why Mr Johnson was not considered to have immunity, Mr Hancock told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The answer is because some people do get it again.

"I've had it but I follow all of the rules because people can catch it twice.

"We haven't yet got the rigorous evidence we need on how likely people are to catch it twice, although we are working very hard on that.

"The prime minister is following exactly the same rules as every other person in the country."

[16 November 2020 10:19 · Samuel Osborne]

All care homes will be able to allow visits for Christmas

All care homes will be able to allow visits for Christmas, Matt Hancock says, amid growing criticism of delays in introducing safety measures.

As a trial at 20 homes finally gets underway – allowing relatives of residents to have pre-visit Covid tests – the health secretary said testing would be available across the country for the festive period.

Deputy political editor Rob Merrick has more details:

[16 November 2020 10:30 · Samuel Osborne]

Tory MP Lia Nici self-isolating after meeting prime minister

Conservative MP Lia Nici said she was also self-isolating after attending a meeting with the prime minister and Lee Anderson.

The Great Grimsby MP tweeted: "I have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace following a work meeting last week with Lee Anderson MP and the prime minister.

"As a result I will be self-isolating in line with the rules. I currently have no symptoms and will be working from home."

[16 November 2020 10:54 · Samuel Osborne]

EU ‘determined’ and ‘patient’, Barnier says

The European Union remains “determined” and “patient” in its attempts to agree a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK, Michel Barnier has said, as key talks resumed in Brussels.

The EU's chief negotiator and his British counterpart Lord David Frost are continuing negotiations with just over six weeks to go until the end of the transition period.

Mr Barnier tweeted: "With Europarl-EN & all Member States, we remain determined, patient, respectful.

"We want our future cooperation to be open but fair in all areas."

[16 November 2020 11:15 · Samuel Osborne]

Five Tory MPs now self-isolating after meeting at No 10

At least five Conservative MPs, including Boris Johnson, are now self-isolating following a meeting in Downing Street last week.

[16 November 2020 11:31 · Samuel Osborne]

Warrington South MP Andy Carter self-isolating

Warrington South MP Andy Carter has said he is self-isolating after attending the meeting last week in Downing Street.

Mr Carter tweeted: "Yes, I had a call from test and trace yesterday following a work meeting at 10 Downing Street last Thursday. In line with the rules I am self isolating."

[16 November 2020 11:47 · Samuel Osborne]

Government made ‘mistakes’ handling coronavirus crisis, Matt Hancock admits during awkward GMB interview

Here’s another look at Matt Hancock’s awkward interview on Good Morning Britain from my colleague Adam Forrest.

[16 November 2020 12:21 · Samuel Osborne]

Treasury considering ‘charging motorists to use roads to fill £40bn tax shortfall’

Motorists could be charged for using Britain’s roads under plans reportedly being considered by the Treasury in response to an expected £40 billion tax shortfall amid a switch to electric cars.

It comes as Boris Johnson is expected to announce the government will bring forward a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2030 – five years earlier than planned – as he unveils his 10-point strategy for tackling the climate emergency.

Political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has more details:

[16 November 2020 13:25 · Chiara Giordano]

PM’s self-isolation is ‘bad timing’

The prime minister’s spell in self-isolation could not have come at a worse time, according to political columnist Andrew Grice.

Read more in this piece for Indy Voices:

[16 November 2020 13:46 · Chiara Giordano]

PM won’t be ‘in any way hampered’ by isolation, says defence sec

Defence secretary Ben Wallace said he did not think the PM would be "in any way hampered" by his isolation.

On a visit to a coronavirus testing site in Liverpool today, Mr Wallace was asked whether MPs needed to think more about social distancing following the news Mr Johnson would have to isolate following a meeting with Ashfield MP Lee Anderson.

He told the PA news agency: "Of course we've all got to be minded about proximity to each other and what it means and then we've got to follow the rules like everyone else.

"The prime minister is self-isolating. I'm sure he's incredibly frustrated, I'm sure lots of other people are, but that's the rules."