An emergency cabinet meeting has been called to discuss coronavirus lockdown measures 'leaked' to the media on Friday night.
Ministers will meet at 1.30pm today, the Prime Minister's official spokesman confirmed.
A Whitehall leak inquiry has been launched after details of the government’s proposals to introduce a month-long lockdown next week were reported by newspapers.
The Times said the Prime Minister met with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock to discuss “alarming” new pandemic data, and that he was expected to hold a press conference on Monday.
Other papers – including The Daily Mail and The Sun – also reported that Boris Johnson was preparing to introduce a national lockdown from Wednesday.
Alex Wickham, editor of POLITICO, said on Twitter that the Prime Minister is "furious that details of the imminent lockdown were leaked" from yesterday's meeting.
He added: "No10 insist they didn’t brief it and that whoever is responsible has damaged trust in the middle of a public health crisis."
It is understood that Downing Street has now launched an investigation to find the source of the story, amid reports that the government had wanted to keep the plan quiet until Monday.
The alleged “briefing” of the story sparked criticism from the chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, claiming it had increased pressure on the emergency services.
John Apter, head of the organisation which represents more than 120,000 rank-and-file officers, called for “clear communication” on coronavirus measures.
He tweeted on Saturday morning: “To those briefing selective media on a potential national lockdown please understand the impact this has.
“It creates a media frenzy, causes confusion and ahead of any official announcement encourages some to make the most of their pre-lockdown time. This is not a good mix!”
He added: “This can add immense pressure to the 999 services who are already struggling with the demand they have. Please be more responsible. Clear communication, not corridor briefings.”
The British Chambers of Commerce also called for “media briefings” to end.
BCC director general Adam Marshall said: “Yet again anxious businesses have to wait and worry. If the government is planning another national lockdown it must say so immediately, rather than allow business and market confidence to be further eroded by speculation.
“The media briefings have to stop. The government needs to speak honestly with the nation, setting out a clear plan, the evidence for its actions, and significant increases in the support available for businesses and employees facing the hardship of no demand or the crushing blow of closure.”
Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell also criticised the government for causing “massive uncertainty” over lockdown measures being announced in newspapers over the weekend.
The shadow business minister tweeted: "Frankly this is no way to run a country. The Prime Minister and Chancellor have been absent for a week as cases have continued to rise.
"We need to hear from them today about what they are planning so people are prepared and plans can be put in place."
