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MATT Hancock reportedly told Boris Johnson to “give me a break” during a furious raid on his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Pressure on the Health Secretary has increased in recent weeks as the Prime Minister prepares to reveal his ‘road map’ for getting out of the lockdown tonight, Mail on Sunday reports.
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The argument came when the Prime Minister confronted Hancock over his management of the outbreak, prompting the Health Secretary to respond: “‘ That’s not fair, give me a break, “Mail on Sunday reports.
It followed a succession of headlines damaging to the Health Department for failing to provide adequate PPE to front-line workers.
These include the revelation earlier this week that 400,000 dresses shipped from Turkey did not meet safety standards,
Earlier today, it was also revealed that 26 million pairs of ‘Tiger Eye’ glasses were also removed from the front this week for failing security controls, the Telegraph reported.
And while Hancock met his deadline of reaching 100,000 tests per day in late April, the government has come under fire for failing to hit this number in the past week.
‘LOAN TIME’
A senior government source told the Mail that Hancock’s work was in doubt about his handling of the crisis.
They said, “The feeling is that Hancock is on borrowed time.
“He has fought with the most powerful figures in the government, from the prime minister to the bottom.
“Nothing will change immediately. But once we have beaten this thing, we hope it will move him,” they added.
But a source close to Hancock contested the tension claims in the cabinet, replying that the Health Secretary had been “working incredibly well with the Prime Minister.”
It occurs when the Prime Minister will warn the United Kingdom later today that the country is entering the most dangerous phase of the outbreak.
The Prime Minister will urge “utmost caution” when he unveils his roadmap outside the running of the bulls.
This will include the use of a color-coded system alert system to keep the public informed of the risk and determine where future restrictions are imposed.
It will be based on the number of cases and the infection rate, and will determine the scope of the necessary social distancing.
Britain is currently on orange alert, the second highest of the five levels. But it is quickly heading towards amber, when it will be safe to facilitate the blockade.
‘THE DANGEROUS DANGER’
Johnson told The Sun on Sunday: “This is the dangerous part.
“We are past the peak now, but we will have to work even harder to take each correct step.”
At Saturday’s coronavirus press conference, it was announced that 346 other people died from the virus, bringing the death toll in the UK to 31,587.
The number of deaths between the NHS and care workers has now gone from 200, to 203.
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DANGER ZONE
Prime Minister warns that the UK is about to enter the most dangerous phase of the virus battle
KEEP IT LOCKED
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This afternoon’s announcement will bring minor adjustments, such as the reopening of garden centers and guidance to employers so they can ensure a safe and strictly controlled work environment for returning staff.
Johnson will also reveal increased fines for breaking the rules and the 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in Britain.
The broadcast will reveal the second phase of the blockade and is expected to be seen by a large audience.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY KNOWN
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