G7 leaders plan teleconference amid criticism at response
Boris Johnson will take part in a teleconference of G7 leaders on Monday in a bid to coordinate a global response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a post on twitter, the French President Emmanuel Macron said leaders would discuss efforts to “coordinate research efforts on a vaccine and treatments, and work on an economic and financial response”.
It follows criticism of the lack of cooperation on the pandemic, with US President Donald Trump blaming European leaders for their response while himself initially dismissing the virus as a “hoax”.
The Mr Johnson held talks by telephone with fellow G7 leaders yesterday, including the Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte, whose country has been one of the worst hit.
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minster expressed his solidarity and sympathy with Italy, in light of the scale of the coronavirus outbreak.
“He stressed that this was a hugely testing time for countries around the world and that the UK would support Italy in any way possible.
The spokeswoman added that Mr Johnson “thanked Prime Minister Conte for his help ensuring British tourists were able to depart Italy following the outbreak and for the support the Italian authorities continued to provide to British people who live in Italy.”
The Prime Minister also spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, amid concern over the UK’S decision not to follow European countries including Germany in shutting down schools and cancelling public events.
Mr Johnson explained his government’s “science-led approach”, Number 10 said.
“The leaders agreed on the importance of international coordination – particularly at G7 level – to ensure rapid progress to develop a vaccine, as well as the need for a joined up effort to minimise the economic impact of the outbreak.”
Earlier, shadow chancellor John Mcdonnell had accused Mr Johnson and Rishi Sunak of “self isolating” from responsibility for coordinating an international response.
Mr Mcdonnell claimed there had been “no leadership and no action from either the Prime Minister or the Chancellor”.
“It seems Number 10 is following Donald Trump’s lead yet again,” he said.
“We are saying to Boris Johnson, bluntly, get off your backside and show some international leadership.
“That is what UK Prime Ministers of all political colours have traditionally done.”
Mr Mcdonnell added: “So far Johnson seems to have selfisolated himself from his international responsibilities.
“We are facing the risk of a global recession so we need global economic co-ordination and a global economic strategy as Labour secured in the last major crisis of 2007/8.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will self-isolate for 14 days after his wife tested positive for coronavirus. Sophie Gregoire Trudeau began showing symptoms after returning from a trip to London.
She was described as feeling well, and will remain in isolation. In posts on twitter, Prime Minister Trudeau said he was “feeling fine” and told Canadians he was “staying focused on you”.
PARIS GOURTSOYANNIS