Boris Johnson told Donald Trump that he is ‘feeling better and on the road to recovery’ from coronavirus during a call with the US president today – as the Prime Minister increasingly appears to be back in the government driving seat.
Despite Mr Johnson continuing to convalesce at Chequers with pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, the two leaders held talks on the coronavirus pandemic this afternoon.
Downing Street also revealed the Prime Minister will hold his regular audience with the Queen later this week – remotely via telephone.
But his spokesman insists that the PM is not doing any ‘official work’, with his deputy Dominic Raab taking PMQs in the Commons tomorrow and chairing Cabinet on Thursday.
Mr Trump’s wife Melania called Ms Symonds last week, and a Downing Street spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump this afternoon, and thanked him for his good wishes while he was unwell.
‘The leaders agreed on the importance of a coordinated international response to coronavirus, including through the G7 – which the US currently chairs.
‘They also discussed continued UK-US cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.
‘The leaders committed to continue working together to strengthen our bilateral relationship, including by signing a free trade agreement as soon as possible.’
The White House added that the PM said he was ‘feeling better and on the road to recovery’.
Boris Johnson will speak to Donald Trump today and hold his regular audience with the Queen this week as he increasingly appears to be back in the government driving seat
First Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured in Whitehall today) will be taking PMQs in the Commons tomorrow despite Mr Johnson’s increasing engagement with work
The activity underlines the impression that Mr Johnson is desperate to take hold of the reins again, despite aides insisting he will follow the advice of doctors and rest.
It is barely a week since the PM was released from hospital after a spell in intensive care suffering from coronavirus.
In an emotional speech in No10 after his discharge, he thanked staff at St Thomas’ who watched over him and admitted that his condition could have ‘gone either way’.
However, PM has already intervened from Chequers to snuff out speculation of an imminent easing of lockdown, with No10 making clear his priority is avoiding a ‘second peak’ in the outbreak.
He has been getting ‘daily updates’ on the coronavirus response and held discussions with Mr Raab, chief aide Dominic Cummings, communications director Lee Cain and Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill on Friday.
The pressure is intensifying on ministers to plot a way out of the crisis, but divisions have emerged between cautious ‘doves’ and ‘hawks’ who believe the NHS has capacity and would prefer to loosen the draconian social distancing measures earlier.
Tories have suggested the PM is ‘frightened’ of taking chances with the deadly virus after his own close call, despite fears the economic havoc might prove even more damaging to public health.
There are reports Mr Johnson’s close circle has stopped using the phrase ‘exit strategy’ and instead wants to signal a ‘next phase’ of lockdown, with varying levels of restrictions set to continue for the rest of the year until the outbreak dwindles altogether or a vaccine is found.
The ‘doves’ have been supported by grim behind-the-scenes warnings from scientists, who have advised that control of the outbreak is still so uncertain that even slight changes to the curbs on normal life could result in a disastrous flare-up.
There is no prospect of lockdown measures being eased before the current period comes to an end on May 11.
However, some senior Tories have been pushing plans for an easing soon afterwards, pointing out that the NHS is still below surge capacity and could ‘run hot’ to limit the economic meltdown.
Before his illness there were rumours Mr Johnson was alarmed about the devastation being wrought on UK plc.
However, the premier, who was released from hospital a week ago, is now seen as aligned with the Cabinet ‘doves’ cautious about shifting too early.
According to the Times, Mr Johnson is thought to be leaning towards ‘a longer lockdown that aims to drive the virus close to eradication, allowing occasional flare-ups to be isolated and shut down through testing and contact tracing’.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who also contracted coronavirus, is also urging a safety-first approach, regarding a second wave of the virus as more dangerous than the impact of lockdown.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Trade Secretary Liz Truss, and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove are thought to be more hawkish about the need to ease restrictions sooner – although they have been toeing the line in public.
Downing Street has been furiously playing down hints that schools could partly reopen in the middle of next month, with June now looking the earliest timetable.
Government scientists have been warning that the situation is currently so finely balanced that even marginal loosenings could have disastrous effects,
One Cabinet source told the Guardian the government’s advisers on Sage had suggested any easing would push up the rate of transmission – known as R.
