PM is in safe hands, says stand-in Raab

DOMINIC Raab said the Prime Minister was in safe hands last night as he was forced to take charge of the Government and its fight against coronavirus

Mr Raab – who stepped in after Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care – insisted there was a ‘strong team spirit’ behind the PM.

The Foreign Secretary, who is the First Secretary of State, added: ‘The Prime Minister asked me as First Secretary to deputise for him where necessary in driving forward the Government’s plans to defeat coronavirus.’

Asked if people should be worried about the PM’s health and who is in charge, he said: ‘The Government’s business will continue.

‘The Prime Minister is in safe hands with that brilliant team at St Thomas’ Hospital, and the focus of the Government will continue to be on making sure that the Prime Minister’s direction, all the plans for making sure that we can defeat coronavirus and can pull the country through this challenge will be taken forward.’

He added: ‘There’s an incredibly strong team spirit behind the Prime Minister.’

He said that team was ‘making sure that we get all of the plans the Prime Minister’s instructed us to deliver to get them implemented as soon as possible.’ Father- of-two Mr

Raab, 46, a former lawyer, will effectively run the country in Mr Johnson’s absence.

Number 10 sources said the PM asked Mr Raab to deputise before he was moved into intensive care at around 7pm last night after his condition worsened in the afternoon.

Mr Raab admitted earlier in the day he had not spoken to Boris Johnson since Saturday. His admission raised questions about unwell the Prime

Minister was. If Mr Johnson were to be ill for a prolonged period, Mr Raab could find other key ministers such as Michael Gove and Matt Hancock jockeying to take a more leading role.