Starmer in self-isolation after one of his children contracts coronavirus
Sir Keir Starmer has entered self-isolation after one of his children tested positive for coronavirus around the time he was in the Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Labour leader tested negative yesterday morning ahead of his appearance in Parliament where he grilled Boris Johnson over his isolation policy.
It will be the fourth time Sir Keir has had to enter quarantine since the pandemic began and will force him to alter plans to launch his “safer communities” campaign today .
Sir Keir said: “This lunchtime, one of my children tested positive for Covid. I know it’s my responsibility to follow the rules – my family and I are now self-isolating.”
Just after midday, Sir Keir accused the Prime Minister of ushering in a “summer of chaos”, criticising the confusion caused by his policy for self-isolation as Covid-19 cases soar.
Mr Johnson responded virtually via a screen in the House of Commons while in isolation at his country retreat, Chequers, following contact with Covid-positive Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
Sir Keir’s statement announcing that it is his “responsibility to follow the rules” will doubtless be contrasted with the Prime Minister’s own approach over the weekend.
Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak initially tried to get around quarantine after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace by saying they would join a daily workplace testing programme.
But they were forced to back down on the plans and enter isolation amid widespread public anger that they would be free while tens of thousands of people are forced to miss
work or school over coronavirus contacts.
Addressing the television screen in the chamber yesterday, Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson of having tried to “dodge” quarantine.
He also branded the Prime Minister a “super-spreader” of confusion and warned the country faces a “summer of chaos” as he highlighted policy changes over isolation exemptions
for people pinged by the NHS app and vaccine passports for nightclubs.
He added Mr Johnson’s new three-word slogan should be “get a grip”, amid reports it will be “keep life moving”.
Meanwhile, the SNP’S Westminster leader Ian Blackford accused Mr Johnson of “actively pushing to allow the virus to run rampant” following messages published by
Dominic Cummings. The former chief of staff to Mr Johnson produced texts to the BBC this week appearing to show the Prime Minister dismissing theideathenhscouldbeoverwhelmed.
Mr Blackford said: “The Prime Minister was willing, in his own words, to allow the bodies to pile high.”