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National
Jonathan Walker

Boris Johnson to lead tributes to Prince Philip in House of Commons on Monday

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lead tributes to Prince Philip in a special session of the House of Commons on Monday.

MPs have been on their traditional Easter break, and the Commons was due to resume sitting on Tuesday. But they will return to Westminster a day early, following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Labour leader Keir Starmer will also pay tribute to Prince Philip, followed by other opposition leaders and backbench MPs.

The Prime Minister was informed of Prince Philip's death this morning, where he was working from Downing Street.

He has spoken to Sir Keir, and they have agreed to suspend campaigning for local and mayoral elections, taking place on May 6.

At this point it is unclear how long the suspension will last, but details about a formal period of mourning will be announced by Buckingham Palace.

The Prime Minister is this afternoon hosting ministerial meeting at Downing Street to discuss some of the arrangements for the funeral.

While Buckingham Palace is in charge of the funeral rather than the Government, Mr Johnson will speak to representatives of the Home Office and Ministry of Defence about security issues. Represetatves from the royal households will also attend.

After this, a meeting of the Cabinet will be held, where Ministers will be able to offer tributes.

While the period of mourning continues, there will be less government activity.

Planned announcements and ministerial visits will pause, and there are currently no plans for press conferences, although the Government will still issue public health advice related to the Covid-19 pandemic if needed.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a statement outside 10 Downing Street.

He said: "We mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen.

"We offer our condolences to her and to all her family. And we give thanks, as a nation and a Kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."

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