[ad_1]
Eight other Conservative MPs are self-isolating themselves along with the prime minister after one of them tested positive for coronavirus.
Lee Anderson, the deputy from Ashfield, began to experiment coronavirus symptoms on Friday and both he and his wife, who is in the protected group, tested positive Sunday morning.
On Thursday morning, Mr. Anderson had attended a meeting with Boris johnson at 10 Downing Street along with five other Conservative MPs who are now isolating themselves as well.
They were Warrington South MP Andy Carter, Ribble South MP Katherine Fletcher, Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith, Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson and Great Grimsby MP Lia Nici.
Live updates on coronavirus from the UK and around the world
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The five, along with Anderson, were among the Conservative MPs elected to parliament for the first time in last year’s general election.
Two of the prime minister’s political advisers were also present and are also isolating themselves.
Jacob Young, Redcar and Cleveland MP and Basingstoke MP Maria Miller are also isolating themselves after being told Sunday that they had recently been in contact with someone who tested positive.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Miller was sitting next to Mr. Anderson in a House of Commons debate on Armistice Day.
Downing Street has insisted that social distancing measures were observed in the 35-minute meeting between the prime minister and Tory MPs.
“We take every possible step to ensure that hand sanitizer is available to people as soon as they arrive in the building and is available throughout the building as they walk through it,” Johnson’s official spokesman said Monday.
“But, as I say, factors like the length of the meeting meant that Test and Trace’s advice was that the prime minister should isolate himself and of course he will follow that instruction.”
When asked about a photograph that appeared to show Johnson and Anderson standing less than six feet apart at the meeting, the spokesperson said: “They are next to each other, rather than facing each other.”
The spokesperson also defended the prime minister’s decision to hold the meeting in person rather than virtually, saying such meetings are permitted under current coronavirus restrictions.
Maria Miller sat next to Lee Anderson at a House of Commons debate
Johnson, in a video posted to his Twitter account Monday, He said the NHS Test and Trace system had “pinned” him.
“It doesn’t matter that we were all doing social distancing, it doesn’t matter that I’m fit as a butcher dog, I feel great, a lot of people do it in my circumstances, and it doesn’t really matter that I ” have had the disease and I’m full of antibodies, “he added.
“We have to stop the spread of the disease and one of the ways we can do that now is by isolating ourselves for 14 days when NHS Test and Trace contacts you.”
The self-isolation of the prime minister has disrupted plans for a “restart” of his tenure as prime minister, following the departure of his controversial chief adviser Dominic Cummings, as well as his communications director, Lee Cain, last week.
Johnson had hoped to use the next few weeks to make a series of announcements, including coronavirus, education, the economy and climate issues, which Number 10 said would be a clear sign of his current ambitions for the country.
Number 10 stressed that the prime minister intended to continue speaking with the country.
