Grant Shapps to cut short holiday after helping reimpose Spain quarantine

Video: Grant Shapps breaks ranks to book summer holiday abroad (PA)

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is to cut short his holiday to Spain after quarantine was reimposed on holidaymakers returning from the country.

It is understood Mr Shapps will return to the UK on Wednesday to start the required 14 days of self-isolation. 

His family will remain in Spain to continue their holiday.

Sources said the Transport Secretary had been aware of a potential problem with the number of Covid-19 cases before he boarded a plane at the weekend.

However, he did not want to be seen to be trading on ‘insider information’ and ploughed ahead with his trip.

Hours later he was involved in the decision to remove Spain from a list of safe countries.

The move gave hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers just a few hours notice before rules forcing them to quarantine for two weeks on their return to the UK came into force.

Earlier No 10 said Mr Shapps would not be exempt from the provisions when he returns.

"The same rules apply to ministers as they do anyone else," the prime minister's official spokesman said.

The Transport Secretary is thought to be keen to get the 14-day quarantine process underway.