“Speaking in a video message just hours after leaving St Thomas’ hospital in south London, the prime minister expressed optimism the UK was “making progress in this incredible national battle against coronavirus”. Johnson said he had left hospital “after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question”. He said the country was mourning “every day those who are taken from us in such numbers, and the struggle is by no means over” but he argued progress was being made “because the British public formed a human shield around this country’s greatest national asset – our NHS”. – The Guardian
> Yesterday: WATCH: “The NHS has saved my life – no question.” The Prime Minister has left hospital. Here is his broadcast.
“The Health Secretary came under mounting pressure at the daily news conference this afternoon as he revealed that under-pressure units face on average a two-and-a-half-day wait to be restocked with personal protective equipment (PPE). He spoke after the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) advised its members to refuse to treat coronavirus patients as ‘a last resort’ amid claims vital items like masks, goggles and gowns are still not reaching the frontlines. A spokesman for the union admitted that with-holding treatment would ‘go against every instinct’, but added that ‘their safety must not be compromised’.” – Daily Mail
> Yesterday:
“Tory MPs are privately hopeful that the prime minister’s first steps on the road to recovery will help sharpen the government’s grip on the challenges it faces in the coming weeks. The next big decision to be taken by the government, which is due by this Thursday, is how long to formally extend the current lockdown before its next review. In the longer term, Johnson is very likely to be back in the driving seat for decisions on the different options for easing the lockdown, from letting certain sectors return to business, to reopening schools, bringing in a rolling programme of restrictions on certain days or allowing younger age groups to return to society.” – The Guardian
> Today:
> Yesterday: ToryDiary – Lockdown can’t last forever, but it is necessary
“Under normal circumstances the fact that the Prime Minister rose miraculously from his sickbed on Easter Sunday might have felt rather too much like the work of an overimaginative spin doctor. But given everything, I don’t think many people will begrudge Boris Johnson his Messiah moment. It was wonderful to see him addressing the nation via video yesterday afternoon – but he was as pale as a ghost and you could tell that the very act of speaking was tiring him out. Make no mistake, this is a man who has stood at death’s door. He – and those advising him – must respect that, and make sure he takes time to convalesce properly.” – Daily Mai
“The authorities are considering plans to hold sessions with about 100 MPs on a video link and a minister and shadow minister in the chamber alongside the Speaker and the clerks. MPs would use a messaging system to ask if they could intervene in the debate and they would be muted unless they were directly asking a question. One option being considered is for a large screen to be erected opposite the dispatch box. It would allow MPs to scrutinise government and ensure that social distancing was in place. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, has backed the idea of a virtual parliament and asked officials to use the technology that has allowed select committees to interview witnesses.”- The Times
> Yesterday: WATCH – “Parliament must be recalled as soon as possible”, says Starmer
“An extensive internal investigation carried out during the final month of Mr Corbyn’s reign concluded that antisemitism was not properly dealt with because of factional hostility towards the former Labour leader. Critics of Mr Corbyn have rubbished the dossier as “an attempt to imagine a vast anti-Corbyn conspiracy” and called for it to be sent to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which is investigating Labour for antisemitism. The report, leaked to Sky News, claims to have found “no evidence” of antisemitism complaints being treated differently to any other type of complaint, or of current or former staff being “motivated by antisemitic intent”.” – The Times