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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson spends night in hospital UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson spends night in hospital
(32 minutes later)
Follow the latest coronavirus developments in the UK after the prime minister was admitted to hospital for further testsFollow the latest coronavirus developments in the UK after the prime minister was admitted to hospital for further tests
Second night in hospital not ruled out for Boris Johnson
The communities secretary Robert Jenrick has not ruled out the prime minister spending more nights in hospital but said he expects him to return to Number 10 “shortly”. Jenrick said he had heard Johnson is “doing well” and hope’s he’ll be back to Downing Street shortly. Asked if the PM will spend more nights in hospital, Jenrick said: “He will obviously take the advice of doctors and nurses who are doing those tests and act accordingly.” He insisted Johnson remains in day-to-day charge of the government.
Jenrick warns councils against park closures
The communities secretary warned councils to only close parks as a “last resort”. South London’s Brockwell Park was reopened after closing on Sunday a day after thousands appeared to ignore physical distancing measures in the park.
Surge in domestic abuse calls
There was a 25% surge in calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline in a five-day period during the coronavirus lockdown, according to the charity Refuge. There was also increase of around 150% in visits to nationaldahelpline.org.uk compared with the last week in February. The warning came after than 25 organisations helping domestic violence victims reported an increase in their caseload since the start of the UK’s outbreak.
Sturgeon defends initial decision not to sack Scotland’s CMO
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has defended her decision not to sack Catherine Calderwood as soon as it emerged that Scotland’s chief medical officer had twice visited her second home while fronting the stay at home campaign. But she said by Sunday evening it became clear the Calderwood’s behaviour was “undermining” the message that people should stay at home.
Debenhams set to go into administration
The department store chain Debenhams is on the brink of collapse after bosses confirmed it has filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators affecting around 22,000 workers. The majority of its employees in the UK are currently being paid under the government’s furlough scheme, after its stores closed following the shutdown of non-essential stores.
Keir Starmer’s reshuffle continues
Richard Burgon, the former shadow justice secretary, has been sacked by Labour’s new leader. Andrew Gwynne has stepped down as shadow communities secretary, complaining of being sidelined as election coordinator under Jeremy Corbyn.
The BBC’s senior news reader Huw Edwards has warned people to follow the guidelines for slowing the spread of Covid-19 as he revealed he has been in hospital with pneumonia.
Edwards, 58, expressed gratitude for the care he received and said he will return to BBC News At Ten this week.
He wrote on Twitter: “Big thanks to KingsCollegeNHS for superb care pneumonia.“I’ll be back at BBCNews this week - keep safe everyone and follow the guidelines StayHomeSaveLives.”
Brockwell Park in South London has been opened again after it was closed on Sunday after overcrowding on Saturday.Brockwell Park in South London has been opened again after it was closed on Sunday after overcrowding on Saturday.
Lambeth Council, said it hoped Sunday’s closure ensured the message was “crystal clear” to people who flouted social distancing measures.Lambeth Council, said it hoped Sunday’s closure ensured the message was “crystal clear” to people who flouted social distancing measures.
Councillor Sonia Winifred, cabinet member for equalities and culture, said they were “working hard” to keep parks open during the crisis but said people must follow the rules. She said:Councillor Sonia Winifred, cabinet member for equalities and culture, said they were “working hard” to keep parks open during the crisis but said people must follow the rules. She said:
Debenhams has confirmed it intends to appoint administrators for the second time in a year as it tries to protect its assets from creditors during the coronavirus lockdown.Debenhams has confirmed it intends to appoint administrators for the second time in a year as it tries to protect its assets from creditors during the coronavirus lockdown.
The struggling department store chain said the process will provide it with protection from the threat of legal action “that could have the effect of pushing the business into liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed”.The struggling department store chain said the process will provide it with protection from the threat of legal action “that could have the effect of pushing the business into liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed”.
The retailer’s creditors will be prevented from pursuing legal action for 10 working days while the company tries to secure a rescue deal.The retailer’s creditors will be prevented from pursuing legal action for 10 working days while the company tries to secure a rescue deal.
Andrew Gwynne, the shadow communities secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, has resigned from the shadow cabinet. In a letter to Labour’s new leader, Keir Starmer, Gywnne complained his role as election coordinator under Corbyn was “torturous” and that he “tired and bruised” about being sidelined.Andrew Gwynne, the shadow communities secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, has resigned from the shadow cabinet. In a letter to Labour’s new leader, Keir Starmer, Gywnne complained his role as election coordinator under Corbyn was “torturous” and that he “tired and bruised” about being sidelined.
Derbyshire police, the force that tried to shame walkers with drone footage, has a tried new tactic for enforcing physical distancing – (bad) rap music:Derbyshire police, the force that tried to shame walkers with drone footage, has a tried new tactic for enforcing physical distancing – (bad) rap music:
Richard Burgon has lost his role in the shadow cabinet, as the reshuffle by Labour’s new leader, Keir Starmer, continues.Richard Burgon has lost his role in the shadow cabinet, as the reshuffle by Labour’s new leader, Keir Starmer, continues.
Labour’Labour’
Consumers are being urged by a marine conservation charity to choose less popular seafood species – such as crab, hake, mackerel, dab and herring – in order to support the UK fishing suppliers struggling amid the coronavirus.Consumers are being urged by a marine conservation charity to choose less popular seafood species – such as crab, hake, mackerel, dab and herring – in order to support the UK fishing suppliers struggling amid the coronavirus.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is calling on people to support local, sustainable businesses by shopping for responsibly caught seafood from their doorsteps.The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is calling on people to support local, sustainable businesses by shopping for responsibly caught seafood from their doorsteps.
As the UK lockdown continues, many seafood suppliers and businesses have switched to offer door-to-door deliveries of local, sustainable, restaurant-standard seafood. The MCS is urging consumers to check online to find local businesses to support them and sustainable fisheries during this uncertain time.As the UK lockdown continues, many seafood suppliers and businesses have switched to offer door-to-door deliveries of local, sustainable, restaurant-standard seafood. The MCS is urging consumers to check online to find local businesses to support them and sustainable fisheries during this uncertain time.
Jack Clarke, sustainable seafood spokesman at MCS, said:Jack Clarke, sustainable seafood spokesman at MCS, said:
Three-quarters of the fish caught by the UK’s fishing fleet is exported, mainly to Europe and Asia. However, as the pandemic forces the closure of export and import markets, UK fishers are left with huge volumes of seafood which UK consumers might often overlook.Three-quarters of the fish caught by the UK’s fishing fleet is exported, mainly to Europe and Asia. However, as the pandemic forces the closure of export and import markets, UK fishers are left with huge volumes of seafood which UK consumers might often overlook.
Debenhams said it has the support of its lenders to enter administration and is engaging with employees and suppliers over the move.Debenhams said it has the support of its lenders to enter administration and is engaging with employees and suppliers over the move.
Business live has more:Business live has more:
A man has been arrested following threats to a police community support officer conducting social distancing enforcement patrols, PA reports.A man has been arrested following threats to a police community support officer conducting social distancing enforcement patrols, PA reports.
South Yorkshire Police said the arrest was made at the weekend as officers responded to reports of flouting of the regulations in the Fir Vale area of Sheffield.South Yorkshire Police said the arrest was made at the weekend as officers responded to reports of flouting of the regulations in the Fir Vale area of Sheffield.
Officers said they enlisted a university student to help them explain the regulations and the seriousness of situation to members of the Roma community in the area.Officers said they enlisted a university student to help them explain the regulations and the seriousness of situation to members of the Roma community in the area.
Pictures were posted on social media of apparently showing people congregating in groups on the terraced streets of that part of the city.Pictures were posted on social media of apparently showing people congregating in groups on the terraced streets of that part of the city.
Sheffield North-East Neighbourhood Policing Team said on Facebook on Sunday:Sheffield North-East Neighbourhood Policing Team said on Facebook on Sunday:
The Times says Johnson is being treated in the nearest NHS hospital to Downing Street – Guys and St Thomas’ on the south bank of the Thames.
Kate Hoey, the former Labour MP for Vauxhall, which includes St Thomas’s, tweets that he is in good hands.
Labour’s new shadow chancellor calmly handled her first big test in the role when her young daughter burst into a room during a live video call broadcast on Sky.
Anneliese Dodds argued on Monday that the coronavirus crisis had further exposed the need to properly fund public services and rebalance the economy.
She said she wanted to work “constructively” with the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, in improving the government’s emergency packages, warning against any “partisan knockabout” during the crisis.
However, she endured a tense moment when she was interrupted during her first round of broadcast appearances after being promoted by the new Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.
Appearing on Sky News on a video link from her home in Oxford, the mother-of-two coolly smiled and continued with barely any sign of disturbance when young Isabella burst into the room.
“I thought she was going to stay asleep, sorry ... so embarrassing,” Dodds said, when asked about the moment at the interview’s close. “She’s thankfully under the chair now.”
Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland’s chief medical officer quit because it became clear the crisis over her breaching the lockdown risked “crowding out and undermining” the urgent message to avoid non-essential journeys.
Catherine Calderwood resigned late on Sunday night after admitting she had twice travelled from Edinburgh to her second home in Earlsferry, Fife, during the lockdown she had ordered Scots to follow, once with her husband and then for an overnight stay and beach walks with her family.
At 2.30pm on Sunday Sturgeon had insisted during her daily virus briefing that Calderwood could not and should not quit because her expertise was essential; at 4.40pm Sturgeon announced via press release Calderwood would stand back from all public-facing work on the epidemic. Then at 9.54pm, the Scottish government announced she had quit.
The first minister told Good Morning Britain the extent of the damage Calderwood’s breaches had caused to public confidence had become clearer during the day.
Leading doctors have provided a guide to the kind of treatment and tests the prime minister is likely to be having.
Derek Hill, professor of medical imaging science at UCL, said:
Dr Rupert Beale, group leader of the Cell Biology of Infection Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute, said:
Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School, answered the following questions:
Why do some people need hospital care and others recover with mild symptoms?
Does this mean he has pneumonia or not necessarily?
What sort of care do people receive in hospital when admitted with Covid-19?
What proportion of people who have Covid-19 tend to need hospital treatment?
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has defended her decision not to sack Catherine Calderwood as soon as it emerged that Scotland’s chief medical officer had twice visited her second home while fronting the stay at home campaign.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sturgeon also denied trying to bury the story of Calderwood’s resignation last night under news about Boris Johnson being treated in hospital.
She said: “The normal rules of politics, or spin, or news management, couldn’t be further from my mind. I’m simply trying to do the best things.”
Sturgeon said she had initially hoped that Calderwood could remain in post.
She said:
Asked if it was her decision for Calderwood to go, Sturgeon said:
Sturgeon was earlier questioned on ITV’s Good Morning Britain about why Dr Calderwood was not sacked immediately. She said:
Scottish parks could be closed and people asked to stop exercising outside if the coronavirus epidemic worsens significantly, the country’s health secretary, Jeane Freeman, has confirmed.
Freeman was asked on BBC Scotland whether the Scottish government could ban outside exercise after warnings on Sunday from Matt Hancock, the UK government’s health secretary, that drastic measures could be imposed if people failed to observe social distancing laws.
Freeman also said that Scotland’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Gregor Smith, would take over temporarily after his boss Catherine Calderwood resigned late on Sunday after she admitted twice flouting her own advice against non-essential travel.
The health secretary said Calderwood had been right to resign.
Sturgeon would decide later whether to immediately start recruiting a new CMO; until then Smith would work with Prof Fiona McQueen, Scotland’s chief nursing officer, and Jason Leitch, national clinical. “That team carries on, and the focus remains on what we need to do to steer the country as successfully through the epidemic as we possibly can,” she said.
A union is demanding that London Underground drivers are provided with masks and gloves to help protect them from contracting Covid-19.
Aslef said its members working on the tube were risking their own safety to provide a service for essential workers.
The Aslef official Finn Brennan said:
Tube drivers must be provided with masks, gloves and instructions on how to use them safely, said Aslef. The call follows news over the weekend that five bus workers in London have died of the virus.
WH Smith is preparing to raise new equity to get it through the coronavirus crisis, and the publisher of the Daily Mirror, Reach, is putting a fifth of its staff on furlough.
Business Live has more details and all the latest on the market reaction to hopes of slowdown in infections.
Deliveroo is to offer emergency Passover kits to members of the Jewish community who are struggling to obtain special food for the Seder meal which marks the start of the week-long festival this Wednesday.
The home delivery service has partnered with the Jewish charity Chabad Lubavitch UK to provide the “Seder-to-go” kits.
Each box will contain six small containers containing the items needed for the seder plate and a roll up seder plate. Also available are a box of Matzah, a bottle of grape juice, a bottle of wine, a Kiddush cup and a Haggadah – the text recited at the Seder.
The move is aimed at people who are vulnerable or self-isolating, and are unable to go shopping to buy items for the Seder. Delivery will be free of charge and contact-free.
Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, chief executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK, said:
A senior minister has insisted Boris Johnson is fit enough to lead the country from his hospital bed after he was admitted with persistent coronavirus symptoms.