Boris Johnson news – live: Tory MPs self-isolate after minister struck down with coronavirus, as recession warnings issued after Budget
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Your support makes all the difference.Junior health minister Edward Argar and Tory backbencher Sir Charles Walker are among several MPs self-isolating over concerns about contact with Nadine Dorries, who tested positive for the coronavirus this week.
It comes as Boris Johnson is set to move the UK into the “delay” phase. Criticising the government’s staggered response, former regional director of Public Health England John Ashton accused the “superficial” prime minister of having “no grasp of public health”.
Rishi Sunak has defended his Budget amid warnings of a recession, and questioned the usefulness Donald Trump’s move to shut down travel from Europe. The chancellor said the UK would not impose a similar ban, saying there was “no evidence” such measures work.
Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has more details on Downing Street’s announcement that Brexit trade talks have been cancelled due to coronavirus.
You can read more on this breaking story below:
Sadiq Khan says it is 'crucial' to follow expert advice on postponing elections
London mayor Sadiq Khan has commented on the Electoral Commission’s recommendation to cancel elections in May due to coronavirus.
Mr Khan said it was “crucial” to follow expert advice on the outbreak and he would await official advice from the government on whether the elections should go ahead.
The Labour mayor is campaigning to win a second term against Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey and independent candidate Rory Stewart.
Northern Irish authorities not given prior notice of Ireland's school closures, Foster says
Arlene Foster, Stormont's First Minister, has said authorities in Northern Ireland were not given prior notice by the government of the Republic of Ireland that it was moving to close schools and colleges due to coronavirus.
Ms Foster has described the failure to alert her administration as “disappointing”.
“We had no prior knowledge, may I say, that this was coming towards us in terms of the Republic of Ireland,” she said.
“We have had very good interaction, not only between ourselves at a political level but also at medical office level.
“We were just made aware, I think about 10 minutes before the statement was made by the Taoiseach, that he was going to make a statement, we didn't know what the content of that statement was going to be.”
Ms Foster said she would not comment on whether the Irish government had made the wrong decision by closing schools.
Source: EPA
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