Johnson below strain over Commons assertion on lockdown measures

Our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick, has an replace on the prime minister, who’s coming below strain over whether or not he’ll personally make a press release within the Commons on the doable easing of lockdown measures.

Rob reviews:

Boris Johnson is coming below robust strain to announce he, personally, will make the Commons assertion on Monday on doable lockdown easing – after hinting he would ship one other minister.

The prime minister has already angered the Speaker by planning to set out his roadmap on Sunday, solely agreeing to a press release the next day – by any individual – when quizzed by Keir Starmer.

After query time, the Labour chief’s spokesman mentioned he was “very clear the prime minister must be making the assertion to the Commons”.

“That is his plan, it’s his proposals and he must be within the Home on Monday, answering questions from MPs on what’s in it,” he instructed journalists.

The spokesman additionally vowed to make sure Mr Johnson is held to account over his shock announcement of a brand new virus testing goal – of 200,000 every day assessments by the tip of Could.

“We’ll maintain him to that dedication and ask him when expects to hit the earlier dedication of 250,000,” he mentioned. Mr Johnson has by no means put a deadline on that 250,000 aspiration.