The Spectator

Covid-19 update: Is Boris still in charge?

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News and analysis
  • Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for further coronavirus tests last night. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will take over day-to-day operations while the PM is in hospital. James Forsyth has the details.
  • Scotland’s chief medical officer has resigned after personally breaking the lockdown guidance by visiting her second home (twice). Podcast here.
  • It could be a month before the UK finds a Covid-19 antibody test that works, according to Oxford University’s Professor Sir John Bell.
  • Matt Hancock has backtracked from his warning that public parks could be shut and daily exercise limited. Isabel Hardman weighs up the concerns.
  • The Queen made a rare address to the nation last night. Peter Hunt explains its significance.
Is Boris still in charge?

How sick is Boris Johnson? No. 10 says the Prime Minister was taken to hospital for tests last night after being unable to shake the symptoms of Covid-19. There have been reports that his condition has been worse than has been let on – not helped by his refusal to take it easy during his illness (his red box is being delivered to his hospital bed, where No. 10 says he continues to work). The Times says he was given oxygen when he arrived at St Thomas’ Hospital. It’s unclear how long the PM will need to stay admitted for tests and care – but it seems unlikely he will leave today. The timeline matters: No. 10 feels various parts of government are not delivering as they should. The PM is reluctant to hand over the reins, thinking that departments need to be pushed hard to get things done. The Treasury is worried about the cost of the lockdown: £2.4

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