Boris leads masked-up ministers at PMQs: PM joins Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid in covering his face on Tory frontbenches but others including Jacob Rees-Mogg REFUSE – as Keir Starmer misses the Budget because he has COVID
- The Prime Minister wore a mask before getting up to speak at PMQs today
- Joined by Chancellor Rishi Sunak Health Secretary Sajid Javid among others
- But a minority of Tory frontbenchers refused, including Jacob Rees-Mogg
Boris Johnson led senior ministers in wearing a mask in the House of Commons today as senior Tories refused to cover up.
The Prime Minister was joined by ministers including Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab and Health Secretary Sajid Javid in covering his face in the Commons at Prime Ministers Questions.
But a minority of Tory frontbenchers including Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack were among those still declining to take action to prevent the spread of Covid in the chamber.
It came as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was forced to miss PMQs and the Budget after coming down with Covid this morning – the fifth time he has isolated.
The Prime Minister was joined by Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab and Sajid Javid in covering his face in the Commons at Prime Ministers Questions and the Budget
But other Tory frontbenchers including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Alistair Jack were among those still declining to take action to prevent the spread of Covid.
Mr Rees-Mogg last week claimed face masks were not necessary because Tory MPs ‘know each other’ and have a ‘convivial, fraternal spirit’
Frontbenchers in masks:
Boris Johnson – PM
Rishi Sunak – Chancellor
Sajid Javid – Heath Secretary
Priti Patel – Home Secretary
Grant Shapps – Transport Secretary
Dominic Raab – Justice Secretary
Therese Coffey – Pensions Secretary
Oliver Dowden – Tory Chairman
Simon Clarke – Treasury Chief Secretary
Frontbenchers without masks:
Jacob Rees-Mogg – Commons Leader
Alister Jack – Scotland Secretary
Suella Braverman – Attorney General
Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband stood in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions, as the Labour leader was isolating.
Mr Miliband, who led Labour between 2010 and 2015, joked: ‘Just like the old days… I just want to reassure both sides of the House it’s one time only that I’m back.’
The leader of the opposition normally responds to the Chancellor’s statement in the Commons but his place at the dispatch box will be taken by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Current guidance in England is to wear masks in crowded and enclosed spaces where individuals ‘come into contact with people you don’t normally meet’.
People working in the Houses of Parliament were yesterday told to wear masks on the Westminster estate. But the rule does not apply to MPs, and some, including Mr Rees-Mogg, have previously indicated they would not cover up in the Commons.
The Somerset MP last week claimed face masks were not necessary because Tory MPs ‘know each other’ and have a ‘convivial, fraternal spirit’.
On Monday Solicitor General Alex Chalk announced he was remaining at home, having tested positive without showing any symptoms of coronavirus.
The 45-year-old father of three was in the House of Commons last Wednesday for Prime Ministers Questions.
Television pictures show him standing at the bar of the packed chamber without his face covered. His diagnosis will reignite the debate over MPs covering their faces in the Chamber.
Solicitor General Alex Chalk announced he was remaining at home last night, having tested positive without showing any symptoms of coronavirus.
The 45-year-old father of three was in the House of Commons last Wednesday for Prime Ministers Questions.
Mr Javid last week urged his colleagues to wear coverings as he said MPs ‘have a role to play to set an example’.
But he later rowed back on the remarks, saying it was a ‘personal decision’, but that he would be personally be wearing a mask whenever the Commons chamber is ‘packed’.
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