Boris Johnson had to be told three times before keeping his face mask on during a visit to a Northumberland hospital, it has been claimed.
The Prime Minister was pictured not covering his face during an official visit to Hexham General Hospital on Monday.
The Mirror has now reported Mr Johnson was told three times before keeping his mask on.
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Sources told the paper Hexham General Hospital chiefs emailed Mr Johnson’s team before his visit to tell him masks must be worn in all areas.
They reminded him when he arrived, but he later took his off as he walked along a corridor.
He was asked to put it back on again and complied. No10 had said he followed rules on face coverings.
But the hospital trust’s website says: “You must ensure that you wear your covering or mask throughout your visit.” It added that the rules apply to everyone and all parts of the premises."
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have said that infection control measures state visitors should wear masks to control the spread of infections, including coronavirus.
Officials said: "Our mask-wearing rules are very clear, and it is important to note that everyone that was part of the official visit to Hexham General Hospital on Monday 8 November were formally advised and reminded of these rules on the day.
“Information was included in the written programme.
“These rules include information about mask-wearing and other infection prevention and control measures, such as hand-washing, tucking away loose clothing (ties), and having rolled-up sleeves.
“After the Prime Minister left a welcome meeting, he walked along a mezzanine corridor, for a very short period of time, without a mask.
“This brief moment was captured on camera.
“As soon as this was identified he was given a mask and he put it on.
“The Prime Minister did wear a mask for the majority of the visit.
“He didn’t have a mask on when he did his media interviews, but this was with agreement with everyone else in the room, who did wear a mask.
“We ask that everyone visiting our hospital sites continue to follow our infection control and prevention rules."
Susie Flintham of Covid-19 Families for Justice said: “The PM was putting lives at risk completely unnecessarily by visiting a hospital and refusing to put his mask on, despite being repeatedly asked to.
“For him to make a point of posing for a photo without a mask is a slap in the face to bereaved families.”
Ian Lavery, MP for the Wansbeck constituency in Northumberland, said: “People were astonished that the Prime Minister was bowling up the corridor of a hospital without a mask.
“This shows a callous disregard for patients, visitors and the fantastic workforce, who have been at the frontline throughout the pandemic.”
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