PM Johnson taken to hospital for coronavirus testing

Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital last night after failing to shake off coronavirus for two weeks.

No 10 said the prime minister was taken to hospital by private car for tests after he continued to report a high temperature.

Aides insisted that he remained in charge of the Government.

The news was unexpected as Downing Street had briefed in the midafternoon that there was no change in his condition.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said yesterday morning that while Johnson was ‘‘OK’’ he was still running a mild temperature.

Previously, the Government had indicated that if the prime minister was incapacitated,

Dominic Raab, as the First Secretary of State, would take temporary charge. However, rather than hand over the reins to Raab, Johnson, pictured, has led the battle against the virus by video link from his self-isolation in the study of No 11 Downing Street. Johnson has chaired the daily Covid-19 war Cabinet briefing and posted regular video messages to voters on Facebook and Twitter. He was briefed on the Government’s approach to the virus again yesterday morning.

A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘‘On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests.

‘‘This is a precautionary step, as the prime minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus.

‘‘The prime minister thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.’’

No 10 stressed that Johnson had been admitted for tests ‘‘for purely precautionary reasons’’ after having coronavirus for 10 days and failing to shake off ‘‘persistent symptoms, including a high temperature’’..