Two Brits stranded on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship have blasted the British government for giving them no help in their 'life or death' situation.
Denise and Leo McConkey, from London, told Good Morning Britain they are now prisoners in their own cabin after the outbreak.
Leo said that when he left his cabin, he was threatened with security if he did not return.
The couple claim that they have ha no help from the British government, and are desperate to find out the condition of Denise’s elderly parents and their friends.
A total of 140 Brits stranded on the Grand Princess cruise ship being held off the California coast after 21 people tested positive for coronavirus.
Via video link up, Denise told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: “It’s like being in prison. They leave our food at the door on the floor and walk away, they’ve got masks on and gloves. We have to open the door and bring the food in and take it back out in the end.”
They said they have been confined to their cabin since Thursday, and are unable to leave.
Leo said: “I left my cabin yesterday and they told me they were going to get security to put me back in the cabin. Otherwise they were going to lock me up.”
The couple, who also have elderly relatives and friends aboard the ship who they have been unable to check on, claimed that the government has done nothing to help their situation.
Denise’s parents Edwin and Jean, both over 75 and have underlying health problems.
When asked if she was worried sick, Denise said: “I am completely, and we also are about our friends - one has a nerve disease so he has no immune system and we don’t know what;s happening.
“We can’t even see each other because we’re all on different decks.”
The couple claim that they have received no help from the British government and rely on their friends and family back home to keep them updated.
Leo said: “We are getting no information whatsoever about what’s going on. We are in a life and death situation and we’re getting nothing from the British government. It seems like nobody cares.”
Piers then explained they had asked a representative from the British government to come on the show but the offer was not accepted.
“I find that unbelievable,” said the host, “At this stage of a global health crisis which has now hit Britain.”
He continued: “If anyone from the British government is watching this, these are British citizens stuck in a crisis on a boat and they need your help, they need information.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
