Boris Johnson has quickly caved to public anger and agreed to self-isolate after having contact with health Secretary Sajid Javid who tested covid positive on the weekend.
The Prime Minister faced growing public fury on Sunday morning after officials said Johnson and chancellor Rishi Sunak would avoid self-isolating like thousands of others because Downing Street is taking part in a pilot daily testing programme.
After widespread anger the Tory leader took just two hours and 42 minutes to perform a dramatic U-turn and announce that he would be self-isolating at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country retreat.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “He was at Chequers when contacted by Test and Trace and will remain there to isolate. He will not be taking part in the testing pilot.”
“He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely. The Chancellor has also been contacted and will also isolate as required and will not be taking part in the pilot.”
The spectacular mis-reading of the public mood on the eve of Johnson’s so-called Freedom day when many covid restrictions are to be lifted was slammed by political opponents.
Keir Starmer said Johnson and Sunak had been “busted” for thinking the rules do not apply to them.
The Labour leader said: “Yet again the Conservatives fixed the rules to benefit themselves, and only backtracked when they were found out. They robbed the bank, got caught and have now offered to give the money back.”
He added: “The way the Prime Minister conducts himself creates chaos, makes for bad government and has deadly consequences for the British public.”
Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said the decision had been “Barnard Castle on steroids”, a reference to former Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings’ rule-breaking trip during the first lockdown.
Davey warned: “Johnson mustn’t do a Cummings. The Prime Minister is making a mockery of the sacrifices millions of people have made. His decision to duck self isolation was callous and irresponsible."
“With Covid cases going through the roof and hospitalisations growing, the Prime Minister’s “Freedom Day” gamble is looking more and more reckless.”
