Katy Balls Katy Balls

Dominic Raab kicks coronavirus exit strategy into the long grass

After Boris Johnson’s admission to hospital, Dominic Raab tried to use Monday’s daily press conference to reassure the public that the Prime Minister was still firmly in charge:

‘I can tell you that the PM had a comfortable night in hospital, and he’s in good spirits. He’s still in hospital under observation. He is being given regular updates on developments, and he continues to lead the government. I can reassure the British people that the Government remains united in a single overriding priority, which is to defeat the coronavirus and see this nation through the challenge ahead.’

However, the message was complicated by the Q and A. Raab – who as first secretary of state is the de facto deputy – was chairing the morning meeting in the Prime Minister’s place, and was asked twice when the last time he spoke to Johnson was.

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