Parliament off limits to tourists as 17 MPS self-isolate

TOURISTS will be banned from visiting the Houses of Parliament next week as 17 MPS, including five ministers, were last night in self-isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, announced that restrictions would be brought in from Monday, with parliamentarians and staff advised not to bring outsiders to the estate unless related to their work.

MPS have been advised against travel abroad and to consider the risks before inviting foreign officials.

It comes after sources close to Sir Lindsay told The Daily Telegraph he had been increasingly at odds with the Government over Parliament staying open to the public after Nadine Dorries, a health minister, tested positive.

Last night, Ms Dorries, who is recovering at home, revealed that her 84-year-old mother had been infected.

While the Speaker supports the need to keep Parliament open in order to pass pandemic legislation, he is said to have “hit the roof ” earlier this week on discovering that visitor assistants were inviting people “off the street” for impromptu tours of Parliament.

“The Speaker’s view is that visitors should not be coming in,” a source said.

However, members of the public will still be able to watch proceedings in the Commons from the public viewing galleries. School tours are not affected.

Meanwhile, the number of MPS selfisolating jumped from eight to 17 in 24 hours, with two more ministers staying at home after contact with infected people. Chloe Smith, a Cabinet Office minister, became the latest to self-isolate yesterday after being in contact with Ms Dorries in Parliament.

James Brokenshire, a Home Office minister, also self-isolated after meeting an Australian counterpart who has tested positive for the virus. Ivanka Trump, the US president’s daughter, was also present at that meeting.

Anne-marie Trevelyan, the International Development Secretary, said she had tested negative but was self-isolating as a precaution.

Two Tory backbenchers are staying at home after coming into contact with Ms Dorries, while William Wragg, the chairman of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, said he intended to “isolate myself ” for a week after developing symptoms.

Andrew Bridgen, a Tory MP forced to self-isolate after close contact with Ms Dorries, said: “We should have been closed to visitors two weeks ago.”

Mr Bridgen’s wife Nevena criticised Ms Dorries on social media for failing to alert the authorities to everyone she came into contact with. She wrote on Twitter: “Why did you not tell them you sat next to my husband on Thursday in a tea room ... he can’t get the test now.

“I have a baby and a 75-year-old mother jeopardised. You were treated but no one is coming to help us.”

Hitting back, Ms Dorries denied she had sat next to the MP, saying: “He was in tea room when I walked in, on another table not close to me.” She said she had told Mr Bridgen to call 111.

Announcing the new restrictions last night, Sir Lindsay said: “Now is the time to be pragmatic. Everyone in the country is being asked to strike a balance and it is right that we do the same.

“It is in this spirit that we have decided to implement a number of restrictions relating to overseas travel and visitor access.

“These steps have been developed in conjunction with Public Health England and reflect the Government’s current approach.”