Boris Johnson’s deputy Dominic Raab says PM is ‘in safe hands’ & hails ‘strong spirit’ as he takes charge of government

DOMINIC Raab said last night that Boris Johnson was in "safe hands" and hailed the "incredibly strong spirit" in government as he took charge.

The foreign secretary is now deputising for the prime minister, who was moved to intensive care as coronavirus left him "struggling to breathe".

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The foreign secretary's additional title of First Secretary or State meant he was second-in-line to take over the prime minister's responsibilities.

Speaking last night, Mr Raab said: "The Prime Minister asked me to deputise for him, where necessary, in driving forward the Government's plans to defeat coronavirus.

"As you'll know he's been receiving excellent care at St Thomas’s hospital.

"And we'd like to take this opportunity as a government to thank NHS staff up and down the country for all of their dedication, hard work and commitment in treating everyone who's been affected by this awful virus.

"There's an incredibly strong team spirit behind the Prime Minister, and making sure that we get all of the plans the Prime Minister’s instructed us to deliver to get them implemented as soon as possible."

The prime minister, 55, announced that he had tested positive for the virus 10 days ago, but was admitted to hospital yesterday after his symptoms failed to clear.

A Number 10 statement earlier this evening said had been moved to intensive care "on the advice of his medical team" because his symptoms had worsened over the course of this afternoon.

This morning Raab step in to lead the government's daily Covid-19 meeting and update the rest of the Cabinet on the PM's health as well as the nation's efforts to combat the epidemic.

Cabinet is not set to take place tomorrow because Parliament is currently on recess.

Michael Gove and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are also next in line for the PM to delegate to if he's too sick.

PM URGED TO STEP BACK

The move comes after aides became increasingly worried about his health as Mr Johnson continued to show symptoms more than a week after he tested positive.

Government aides said Boris had been “coughing and spluttering” on video conference calls over the past few days.

Most people manage to shake off their symptoms after a week, with doctors saying patients are at risk of developing pneumonia if a temperature persists.

Tory colleagues today urged Boris to step down from leading the charge today and focus on getting better.

James Duddridge MP said: "Take care boss. Get well. Come back fighting. But for now rest, look after yourself and let the others do the heavy lift."

Meanwhile one Cabinet minister told the Financial Times: “This may be the jolt, the wake-up call that he realises he has to rest to recover.

“He will have been very reluctant to go to hospital.”