Two of the world's most powerful couple strolled across the beachfront holding their spouse's hands. Joe Biden said that he was thrilled to meet Carrie Johnson who married Mr. Johnson at the end of last month.

Joe Biden tells Boris Johnson ‘we both married way above our stature'

The French president Emmanuel Macron has put pressure on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson after he said that 'nothing is renegotiable' regarding Northern Ireland as the G7 summit of world leaders risked being overshadowed by the bitter standoff over Brexit.

Macron warns Johnson 'no re-negotiation of protocol' over Northern Ireland

US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held their first in-person talks ahead of the G7 Summit in Cornwall in southwest England. After the meeting between the two leaders, Johnson said that the talks with Biden were a "big breath of fresh air".

Johnson plays down differences with Biden over Northern Ireland, ahead of G7 summit

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden are all set for their first one on one meeting in Cornwall. Watch this report to know more.

US President Joe Biden and UK PM Boris Johnson to hold first meeting

US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson are expected to agree to work to open up travel between the two countries "as soon as possible," the British government said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Biden, who arrived in England on Wednesday for his first overseas trip as president, will meet with Johnson in Cornwall on Thursday ahead of a meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven advanced economies that begins Friday, the statement said. 
Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Biden administration was forming expert working groups with Britain, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union to determine how best to safely restart travel after 15 months of pandemic restrictions.

US and UK airline officials said they do not expect Washington to lift restrictions until around July 4 at the earliest.

Airlines and others have pressed the administration to lift the restrictions on most non-US citizens who have been in Britain, the 26 Schengen nations in Europe without border controls, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran, and Brazil.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-us-to-end-trade-tariffs-call-for-new-study-into-covid-19-origins-says-summit-draft-390485">Also Read |&nbsp;EU, US to end trade tariffs, call for new study into COVID-19 origins, says summit draft</a>

The two leaders are expected to agree on an ambitious new "Atlantic Charter" modeled on the one signed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941 that set out their goals for the post-war world.

The new charter maps out plans for close cooperation in eight areas, including "defending democracy, building a fair and sustainable trading system, dealing with cyberattacks, combating climate change, and ending the coronavirus pandemic.

One key goal will be resuming safe travel, the UK statement said. Before the pandemic, more than 5 million Britons visited the United States and more than 4.5 million Americans visited Britain every year - more than any other country.

A new travel task force would make recommendations on safely reopening travel and ensuring that Britain and the United States work closely on international travel policy going forward.

"Links between the UK and US are not only crucial for our people, they create and sustain jobs across and throughout our two countries," the statement said.

US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson are expected to agree to work to open up travel between the two countries "as soon as possible," the British government said in a statement late on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson are expected to agree to work to open up travel between the two countries "as soon as possible," the British government said in a statement late on Wednesday. Biden, who arrived in England on Wednesday for his first overseas trip as president, will meet with Johnson in Cornwall on Thursday ahead of a meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven advanced economies that begins Friday, the statement said. Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Biden administration was forming expert working groups with Britain, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union to determine how best to safely restart travel after 15 months of pandemic restrictions. US and UK airline officials said they do not expect Washington to lift restrictions until around July 4 at the earliest. Airlines and others have pressed the administration to lift the restrictions on most non-US citizens who have been in Britain, the 26 Schengen nations in Europe without border controls, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran, and Brazil. Also Read | EU, US to end trade tariffs, call for new study into COVID-19 origins, says summit draft The two leaders are expected to agree on an ambitious new "Atlantic Charter" modeled on the one signed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941 that set out their goals for the post-war world. The new charter maps out plans for close cooperation in eight areas, including "defending democracy, building a fair and sustainable trading system, dealing with cyberattacks, combating climate change, and ending the coronavirus pandemic. One key goal will be resuming safe travel, the UK statement said. Before the pandemic, more than 5 million Britons visited the United States and more than 4.5 million Americans visited Britain every year - more than any other country. A new travel task force would make recommendations on safely reopening travel and ensuring that Britain and the United States work closely on international travel policy going forward. "Links between the UK and US are not only crucial for our people, they create and sustain jobs across and throughout our two countries," the statement said.

US, UK leaders expected to work to reopen travel

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed comments from his culture and sports secretary on Monday that English cricket's ruling body went "over the top" by suspending paceman Ollie Robinson over historical racist and sexist tweets.

Oliver Dowden on Monday urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to "think again" over the sanction for the 27-year-old.

Robinson -- who impressed with ball and bat in his debut Test against New Zealand, which finished in a draw on Sunday -- has been suspended from all international cricket pending the outcome of an investigation following tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013.

"Ollie Robinson's tweets were offensive and wrong," Dowden said. "They are also a decade old and written by a teenager.

"The teenager is now a man and has rightly apologised. The ECB has gone over the top by suspending him and should think again."

Johnson supported Dowden's position.

"As Oliver Dowden set out, these were comments made more than a decade ago written by someone as a teenager and for which they've rightly apologised," said a spokesman for the prime minister.

The paceman led England's attack with 4-75 in the first innings of the first Test at Lord's and followed up with 3-26 in the second innings while also making a useful 42 with the bat.

Robinson, in a statement issued after play on Wednesday, said he was "embarrassed" and "ashamed" by the posts.

The posts had emerged on the first day of his Test debut.&nbsp;

"I want to make it clear that I'm not racist and I'm not sexist," he added.

Former England captain David Gower also thought the penalty was harsh.

"The ECB should say 'let's learn from this' and make him do the equivalent of community service," Gower told the BBC on Monday.

"He should go out there among county cricketers and spread the word that social media shouldn't be abused."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed comments from his culture and sports secretary on Monday that English cricket's ruling body went "over the top" by suspending paceman Ollie Robinson over historical racist and sexist tweets.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed comments from his culture and sports secretary on Monday that English cricket's ruling body went "over the top" by suspending paceman Ollie Robinson over historical racist and sexist tweets. Oliver Dowden on Monday urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to "think again" over the sanction for the 27-year-old. Robinson -- who impressed with ball and bat in his debut Test against New Zealand, which finished in a draw on Sunday -- has been suspended from all international cricket pending the outcome of an investigation following tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013. "Ollie Robinson's tweets were offensive and wrong," Dowden said. "They are also a decade old and written by a teenager. "The teenager is now a man and has rightly apologised. The ECB has gone over the top by suspending him and should think again." Johnson supported Dowden's position. "As Oliver Dowden set out, these were comments made more than a decade ago written by someone as a teenager and for which they've rightly apologised," said a spokesman for the prime minister. The paceman led England's attack with 4-75 in the first innings of the first Test at Lord's and followed up with 3-26 in the second innings while also making a useful 42 with the bat. Robinson, in a statement issued after play on Wednesday, said he was "embarrassed" and "ashamed" by the posts. The posts had emerged on the first day of his Test debut. "I want to make it clear that I'm not racist and I'm not sexist," he added. Former England captain David Gower also thought the penalty was harsh. "The ECB should say 'let's learn from this' and make him do the equivalent of community service," Gower told the BBC on Monday. "He should go out there among county cricketers and spread the word that social media shouldn't be abused."

Cricket: Boris Johnson criticises suspension of England paceman Robinson over racist tweets

Ahead of his meeting with G7 leaders, United Kingdom PM Boris Johnson has called the rich country leaders to make a commitment to vaccinate the entire world against COVID-19 by the end of 2022.

UK PM: G7 must ensure full global vaccination by end of 2022

Boris Johnson said that he would be cautious of lifting the COVID-19 restrictions as it is still unclear how protected the British population is against the new surge of COVID-19 cases.

United Kingdom PM Boris Johnson cautious about lifting lockdown

Boris Johnson said that he would be cautious of lifting the Covid-19 restrictions as it is still unclear how protected the British population is against the new surge of Covid-19 cases.

UK reopening still uncertain: UK PM cautious about lifting lockdown

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out an agenda for the G7 meet in July, with a top focus on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Johnson wants the upcoming Group of Seven summit to reach an agreement on COVID-19 vaccine passports and to open talks on a world treaty to prepare for future pandemics.

British PM Boris Johnson urges G7 accord on COVID-19 'passports'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday.

UK PM Johnson marries fiancee in secret ceremony

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was found to have acted unwisely while refurbishing his downing street flat.

Downing Street Flat Row: Reports finds UK PM acted 'Unwisely'

Boris Johnson's former aide Dominic Cummings ripped into his former boss - blaming him for mishandling the pandemic. Cummings says the UK PM offered to get the virus injected on live TV to assure his citizens that it wasn't deadly. Why is Johnson's former right-hand man exposing him? How has the PM responded? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Did Boris Johnson ask to be injected with COVID on TV?

British health minister&nbsp;Matt&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;said on Thursday "unsubstantiated allegations" from the prime minister's former chief aide, that he had lied to colleagues and the public about the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic were untrue.

Dominic Cummings, who was Prime Minister Boris Johnson's right-hand man until late last year, delivered a withering attack on his former boss and&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;during seven hours of testimony before a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, saying their ineptitude led to tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pms-ineptitude-led-to-tens-of-thousands-of-covid-deaths-says-ex-aide-387648">UK PM's ineptitude led to tens of thousands of Covid deaths, says ex-aide</a>

Johnson, Cummings said, was unfit for his role, while his greatest criticism was reserved for&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;who he said had repeatedly lied to such an extent that the country's top civil servant lost confidence in his honesty.

"These allegations that were put yesterday ... are serious allegations and I welcome the opportunity ... to put formally on the record that these unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, and that I've been straight with people in public and in private throughout,"&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;told parliament.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-health-minister-hancock-to-face-questions-after-cummings-brands-him-a-liar-387788">UK's health minister Hancock to face questions after Cummings brands him a liar</a>

With almost 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth highest official COVID-19 toll, far higher than the government's initial worst-case estimates of 20,000.

One of the most damning allegations from Cummings was that&nbsp;Hancock's statement that the government had thrown a "protective ring around" care homes at the start of the pandemic was nonsense, and that instead people had been sent back from hospital who had contracted the coronavirus.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/matt-hancock-defends-uk-governments-handling-of-covid-variant-385419">Matt Hancock defends UK government's handling of covid variant</a>

The opposition Labour Party says if he had lied, he should lose his job.

"I've been straight with people in public and in private throughout,"&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;said. "Every day since I began working on the response to this pandemic last January, I've got up each morning and asked, 'what must I do to protect life'. That is the job of a health secretary in a pandemic."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-aide-brands-uks-johnson-unfit-to-be-pm-over-covid-failures-387601">Ex-aide brands UK's Johnson 'unfit' to be PM over Covid failures</a>

Lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party rallied around&nbsp;Hancock, while Jeremy Hunt, a co-chairman of the committee at which Cummings had appeared, said the allegations from the former aide should be treated as unproven until evidence was provided to back them up.

Hancock&nbsp;is also due to face questioning from media at a news conference later.

Johnson told parliament on Wednesday nobody could credibly accuse him or his government of complacency, and that the government had always sought to minimise loss of life.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-prime-minister-boris-johnson-rejects-ex-aides-criticism-over-coronavirus-response-387789">Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejects ex-aide's criticism over coronavirus response</a>

"I think it is (wrong)," housing minister Robert Jenrick told BBC radio when asked about the allegation from Cummings that tens of thousands of people had died unnecessarily.

"Nobody could doubt for one moment that the prime minister was doing anything other than acting with the best of motives with the information and the advice that was available to him."

British health minister Matt Hancock said on Thursday "unsubstantiated allegations" from the prime minister's former chief aide, that he had lied to colleagues and the public about the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic were untrue.

British health minister Matt Hancock said on Thursday "unsubstantiated allegations" from the prime minister's former chief aide, that he had lied to colleagues and the public about the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic were untrue. Dominic Cummings, who was Prime Minister Boris Johnson's right-hand man until late last year, delivered a withering attack on his former boss and Hancock during seven hours of testimony before a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, saying their ineptitude led to tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths. Also Read | UK PM's ineptitude led to tens of thousands of Covid deaths, says ex-aide Johnson, Cummings said, was unfit for his role, while his greatest criticism was reserved for Hancock who he said had repeatedly lied to such an extent that the country's top civil servant lost confidence in his honesty. "These allegations that were put yesterday ... are serious allegations and I welcome the opportunity ... to put formally on the record that these unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, and that I've been straight with people in public and in private throughout," Hancock told parliament. Also Read | UK's health minister Hancock to face questions after Cummings brands him a liar With almost 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth highest official COVID-19 toll, far higher than the government's initial worst-case estimates of 20,000. One of the most damning allegations from Cummings was that Hancock's statement that the government had thrown a "protective ring around" care homes at the start of the pandemic was nonsense, and that instead people had been sent back from hospital who had contracted the coronavirus. Also Read | Matt Hancock defends UK government's handling of covid variant The opposition Labour Party says if he had lied, he should lose his job. "I've been straight with people in public and in private throughout," Hancock said. "Every day since I began working on the response to this pandemic last January, I've got up each morning and asked, 'what must I do to protect life'. That is the job of a health secretary in a pandemic." Also Read | Ex-aide brands UK's Johnson 'unfit' to be PM over Covid failures Lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party rallied around Hancock, while Jeremy Hunt, a co-chairman of the committee at which Cummings had appeared, said the allegations from the former aide should be treated as unproven until evidence was provided to back them up. Hancock is also due to face questioning from media at a news conference later. Johnson told parliament on Wednesday nobody could credibly accuse him or his government of complacency, and that the government had always sought to minimise loss of life. Also Read | Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejects ex-aide's criticism over coronavirus response "I think it is (wrong)," housing minister Robert Jenrick told BBC radio when asked about the allegation from Cummings that tens of thousands of people had died unnecessarily. "Nobody could doubt for one moment that the prime minister was doing anything other than acting with the best of motives with the information and the advice that was available to him."

UK health minister says ex-PM aide's COVID-19 lies claim are untrue

Britain's health minister&nbsp;Matt&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;will face questions in the House of Commons on Thursday (May 27) after the prime minister's former top adviser Dominic Cummings said he should have been fired for lying in government meetings on COVID-19 .

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pms-ineptitude-led-to-tens-of-thousands-of-covid-deaths-says-ex-aide-387648">UK PM's ineptitude led to tens of thousands of Covid deaths, says ex-aide</a>

"I think that the Secretary of State for Health (Hancock), should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things including lying to everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the cabinet room and publicly," Cummings told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday (May 26).

Asked for an example, Cummings said&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;had said that all patients got the treatment they needed during the first peak of the virus. Cummings said that was contrary to briefings from the government's health experts, who had said some patients had not received necessary treatment.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-covid-disaster-to-be-laid-bare-by-pm-johnsons-ex-chief-adviser-dominic-cummings-387398">UK's Covid 'disaster' to be laid bare by PM Johnson's ex-chief adviser&nbsp;Dominic Cummings</a>

He also said&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;had told ministers that the supply of personal protective equipment was under control in April, but that had later proved not been the case. Cummings also said the country's top civil servant had told him he had lost confidence in&nbsp;Hancock's honesty.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-sceptic-boris-johnson-considered-injecting-himself-with-covid-says-former-aide-cummings-387473">Virus-sceptic Boris Johnson considered injecting himself with Covid, says former aide Cummings</a>

A spokesman for&nbsp;Hancock&nbsp;rejected the extensive criticism from Cummings, saying he will continue to work supporting the National Health Service (NHS).

"We absolutely reject Mr. Cummings' claims about the Health Secretary," the spokesman said. "The Health Secretary will continue to work closely with the prime minister to deliver the vaccine rollout, tackle the risks posed by variants and support the NHS."

Britain's health minister Matt Hancock will face questions in the House of Commons on Thursday (May 27) after the prime minister's former top adviser Dominic Cummings said he should have been fired for lying in government meetings on COVID-19 .

Britain's health minister Matt Hancock will face questions in the House of Commons on Thursday (May 27) after the prime minister's former top adviser Dominic Cummings said he should have been fired for lying in government meetings on COVID-19 . Also Read | UK PM's ineptitude led to tens of thousands of Covid deaths, says ex-aide "I think that the Secretary of State for Health (Hancock), should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things including lying to everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the cabinet room and publicly," Cummings told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday (May 26). Asked for an example, Cummings said Hancock had said that all patients got the treatment they needed during the first peak of the virus. Cummings said that was contrary to briefings from the government's health experts, who had said some patients had not received necessary treatment. Also Read | UK's Covid 'disaster' to be laid bare by PM Johnson's ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings He also said Hancock had told ministers that the supply of personal protective equipment was under control in April, but that had later proved not been the case. Cummings also said the country's top civil servant had told him he had lost confidence in Hancock's honesty. Also Read | Virus-sceptic Boris Johnson considered injecting himself with Covid, says former aide Cummings A spokesman for Hancock rejected the extensive criticism from Cummings, saying he will continue to work supporting the National Health Service (NHS). "We absolutely reject Mr. Cummings' claims about the Health Secretary," the spokesman said. "The Health Secretary will continue to work closely with the prime minister to deliver the vaccine rollout, tackle the risks posed by variants and support the NHS."

UK's health minister Hancock to face questions after Cummings brands him a liar

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday he disagreed with his former aide Dominic&nbsp;Cummings' claim that tens of thousands of people died unnecessarily because of the government's inaction on COVID-19.

Cummings had accused Johnson&nbsp;of being recklessly insouciant in the early days of the crisis in February 2020, even volunteering to get infected with coronavirus&nbsp;live on television to show there was nothing to fear.

But he said that even after nearly dying himself from the virus weeks later, the prime minister declined to learn from mistakes and ignored scientists' advice in September to introduce a second lockdown, leading to many more deaths over winter.

Asked if he agreed with&nbsp;Cummings' allegation, Johnson said: "No, I don't think so, but of course this has been an incredibly difficult series of decisions, none of which we've taken lightly."

"We've been governed by a determination to protect life to save life, to ensure that our NHS is not overwhelmed."

During a seven hour testimony to parliament&nbsp;Cummings&nbsp;made a series of allegations over Johnson's handling of the pandemic and said the prime minister had been unfit to lead the country.

Asked about that, Johnson said: "Some of the commentary I've heard doesn't bear any relation to reality and what people want us to get on with is delivering the road map, and trying cautiously, to take our country forward through what has been one of the most difficult periods that I think anybody can remember post war."

Speaking about current plans to remove lockdown restrictions on June 21 - a fourth and final step on the government's roadmap out of lockdown - Johnson said that cases of the virus were increasing, including those of a variant first identified in India.

"We take decisions as fast as we can but we have to weigh the data," he said.

"We're pretty satisfied that the stages, the steps, we've taken so far on the roadmap have been right ... I'm afraid we just have to wait a little bit longer to see what's happening post step three."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday he disagreed with his former aide Dominic Cummings' claim that tens of thousands of people died unnecessarily because of the government's inaction on COVID-19.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday he disagreed with his former aide Dominic Cummings' claim that tens of thousands of people died unnecessarily because of the government's inaction on COVID-19. Cummings had accused Johnson of being recklessly insouciant in the early days of the crisis in February 2020, even volunteering to get infected with coronavirus live on television to show there was nothing to fear. But he said that even after nearly dying himself from the virus weeks later, the prime minister declined to learn from mistakes and ignored scientists' advice in September to introduce a second lockdown, leading to many more deaths over winter. Asked if he agreed with Cummings' allegation, Johnson said: "No, I don't think so, but of course this has been an incredibly difficult series of decisions, none of which we've taken lightly." "We've been governed by a determination to protect life to save life, to ensure that our NHS is not overwhelmed." During a seven hour testimony to parliament Cummings made a series of allegations over Johnson's handling of the pandemic and said the prime minister had been unfit to lead the country. Asked about that, Johnson said: "Some of the commentary I've heard doesn't bear any relation to reality and what people want us to get on with is delivering the road map, and trying cautiously, to take our country forward through what has been one of the most difficult periods that I think anybody can remember post war." Speaking about current plans to remove lockdown restrictions on June 21 - a fourth and final step on the government's roadmap out of lockdown - Johnson said that cases of the virus were increasing, including those of a variant first identified in India. "We take decisions as fast as we can but we have to weigh the data," he said. "We're pretty satisfied that the stages, the steps, we've taken so far on the roadmap have been right ... I'm afraid we just have to wait a little bit longer to see what's happening post step three."

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejects ex-aide's criticism over coronavirus response

The British government "disastrously" failed people by repeatedly mishandling its response to the coronavirus pandemic, ultimately showing Prime Minister Boris Johnson is "unfit for the job", his former top adviser Dominic Cummings told lawmakers on Wednesday.

In an excoriating account of the government's response to the crisis, Cummings -- the arch strategist who masterminded Brexit -- said senior ministers and officials pursued the wrong policy at its outset. 
 
But instead of learning from mistakes, which he argued cost thousands of lives and worsened the economic toll, he said Johnson then ignored scientists' advice to introduce a second lockdown and instead lived "in hope".

Covid-19 has claimed nearly 128,000 lives in Britain -- the fifth-highest official death toll in the world -- while the virus is noted on more than 152,000 UK death certificates, in a sign of its true impact. 
 
"The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis," Cummings told a parliamentary committee. 
 
He described political leadership during the crisis as "lions led by donkeys over and over again".&nbsp; 
 
"When the public needed us most the government failed," he said, apologising "to all the families of those who died unnecessarily". 
 
In response, Johnson told parliament he took "full responsibility" but insisted decision-making during the pandemic had been "appallingly difficult".&nbsp;

"I maintain my point that the government acted throughout with the intention to save life... in accordance with the best scientific advice."

'No plan' 
The testimony of Cummings, the strategist behind the "Leave" campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum, was much anticipated after he began attacking Johnson's coronavirus policies and financial dealings in recent weeks.

During more than seven hours of testimony, he conceded "many, many institutions failed around the world" in their initial response to the crisis.

But he blasted senior UK officials and politicians for initially missing the seriousness of the situation, and once they did grasp it, of inept decision-making, comparing their handling of the pandemic to an out-of-control shopping trolley he was desperately trying to steer.&nbsp;

Cummings said Johnson initially branded coronavirus "a scare story", was consumed by issues in his private life and too reluctant to impose a lockdown in March 2020 because of the economic impact.

He said officials were guilty of "catastrophic" group-think, pursuing a haphazard strategy of so-called herd immunity before belatedly abandoning it when the likely death toll became clear.

Britain's top civil servant even suggested to Johnson in mid-March that he encourage gatherings to spread infections and build immunity, according to Cummings. 
 
Comparing officials' eventual realisation of the situation to a scene in the movie "Independence Day" after an alien invasion, Cummings said the deputy cabinet secretary conceded to him that "there is no plan, we're in huge trouble".

'Unfit' 
But instead of being humbled by early setbacks, Johnson failed to learn lessons from delays and indecisions, Cummings said, confirming BBC reports that the British leader said he would rather let "bodies pile high" than lock down again. 
 
"His argument was 'I should've been the mayor (in) 'Jaws' and kept the beaches open' -- that's what he said on many many occasions," he said.

By the time Johnson did order another lockdown in late October, Cummings said their relationship had broken down. "I regarded him as unfit for the job," he added.

Cummings repeatedly singled out Health Secretary Matt Hancock for criticism, alleging he lied to colleagues on numerous occasions and could have been fired for "at least 15 or 20 things", and claiming he wanted scientists to take the blame.

Cummings was appointed chief adviser by Johnson when he took power in July 2019, helping him to secure a thumping election victory that December. 
 
But his frequent clashes with colleagues are said to have led to persistent tensions and he left government a year later. 
 
The 49-year-old was criticised for undermining the government's lockdown message early in the pandemic when he went on a lengthy cross-country journey with his family.

During his evidence, Cummings said security concerns around his London home had been an additional, previously undisclosed, factor in the decision. 
 
Despite Johnson riding high after successful local election results in England this month, Cummings' testimony could refocus attention on his government's patchy performance responding to the pandemic.

But Johnson's government has also overseen a successful vaccination drive, having offered more than two-thirds of adults at least one dose.

The British government "disastrously" failed people by repeatedly mishandling its response to the coronavirus pandemic, ultimately showing Prime Minister Boris Johnson is "unfit for the job", his former top adviser Dominic Cummings told lawmakers on Wednesday.

The British government "disastrously" failed people by repeatedly mishandling its response to the coronavirus pandemic, ultimately showing Prime Minister Boris Johnson is "unfit for the job", his former top adviser Dominic Cummings told lawmakers on Wednesday. In an excoriating account of the government's response to the crisis, Cummings -- the arch strategist who masterminded Brexit -- said senior ministers and officials pursued the wrong policy at its outset. But instead of learning from mistakes, which he argued cost thousands of lives and worsened the economic toll, he said Johnson then ignored scientists' advice to introduce a second lockdown and instead lived "in hope". Covid-19 has claimed nearly 128,000 lives in Britain -- the fifth-highest official death toll in the world -- while the virus is noted on more than 152,000 UK death certificates, in a sign of its true impact. "The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis," Cummings told a parliamentary committee. He described political leadership during the crisis as "lions led by donkeys over and over again". "When the public needed us most the government failed," he said, apologising "to all the families of those who died unnecessarily". In response, Johnson told parliament he took "full responsibility" but insisted decision-making during the pandemic had been "appallingly difficult". "I maintain my point that the government acted throughout with the intention to save life... in accordance with the best scientific advice." 'No plan' The testimony of Cummings, the strategist behind the "Leave" campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum, was much anticipated after he began attacking Johnson's coronavirus policies and financial dealings in recent weeks. During more than seven hours of testimony, he conceded "many, many institutions failed around the world" in their initial response to the crisis. But he blasted senior UK officials and politicians for initially missing the seriousness of the situation, and once they did grasp it, of inept decision-making, comparing their handling of the pandemic to an out-of-control shopping trolley he was desperately trying to steer. Cummings said Johnson initially branded coronavirus "a scare story", was consumed by issues in his private life and too reluctant to impose a lockdown in March 2020 because of the economic impact. He said officials were guilty of "catastrophic" group-think, pursuing a haphazard strategy of so-called herd immunity before belatedly abandoning it when the likely death toll became clear. Britain's top civil servant even suggested to Johnson in mid-March that he encourage gatherings to spread infections and build immunity, according to Cummings. Comparing officials' eventual realisation of the situation to a scene in the movie "Independence Day" after an alien invasion, Cummings said the deputy cabinet secretary conceded to him that "there is no plan, we're in huge trouble". 'Unfit' But instead of being humbled by early setbacks, Johnson failed to learn lessons from delays and indecisions, Cummings said, confirming BBC reports that the British leader said he would rather let "bodies pile high" than lock down again. "His argument was 'I should've been the mayor (in) 'Jaws' and kept the beaches open' -- that's what he said on many many occasions," he said. By the time Johnson did order another lockdown in late October, Cummings said their relationship had broken down. "I regarded him as unfit for the job," he added. Cummings repeatedly singled out Health Secretary Matt Hancock for criticism, alleging he lied to colleagues on numerous occasions and could have been fired for "at least 15 or 20 things", and claiming he wanted scientists to take the blame. Cummings was appointed chief adviser by Johnson when he took power in July 2019, helping him to secure a thumping election victory that December. But his frequent clashes with colleagues are said to have led to persistent tensions and he left government a year later. The 49-year-old was criticised for undermining the government's lockdown message early in the pandemic when he went on a lengthy cross-country journey with his family. During his evidence, Cummings said security concerns around his London home had been an additional, previously undisclosed, factor in the decision. Despite Johnson riding high after successful local election results in England this month, Cummings' testimony could refocus attention on his government's patchy performance responding to the pandemic. But Johnson's government has also overseen a successful vaccination drive, having offered more than two-thirds of adults at least one dose.

Ex-aide brands UK's Johnson 'unfit' to be PM over Covid failures

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being accused by his former adviser Dominic Cummings of overseeing a chaotic government whose failure to act quickly against the coronavirus caused thousands of unnecessary deaths.

PM Boris Johnson's former ally slams UK response to Coronavirus pandemic

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was reportedly so sceptical of the risks posed by COVID-19 that he was willing to inject himself with the virus.

Dominic Cummings, his former top aide&nbsp;told parliament on Wednesday that Johnson simply wasn’t doing enough to limit the spread of the virus when the first wave hit.

He added that most officials in the country were worried that the Johnson administration would not be&nbsp;“constructive” in terms of virus mitigation strategies as the PM chaired emergency “COBR” meetings.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-boris-johnson-faces-pressure-over-alleged-let-bodies-pile-high-remark-380776/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The view of various officials inside Number 10 was, if we have Prime Minister chairing COBR meetings and he just tells everyone this is swine flu, don't worry about it and I'm going to get (Chief Medical Officer) Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus... that would not help," Cummings was quoted as telling lawmakers by news agency Reuters.

It appears that Johnson only understood the severity of coronavirus after contracting it himself, for which he required intensive care in April 2020.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/nurse-who-played-key-role-in-boris-johnsons-covid-recovery-has-quit-heres-what-happened-385889" hreflang="en">Nurse who played key role in Boris Johnson's Covid recovery has quit. Here's what happened</a>

With over&nbsp;128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official COVID-19 toll. Boris Johnson was accused of being slow in addressing the significance of the threat from the virus in early 2020 while it made its way from China to the rest of the world.

Dominic Cummings is responsible for strategising the 2016 Brexit campaign, followed by Johnson’s election win in 2019. Cummings was quizzed by British lawmakers on the lessons the country and its administration could learn from COVID-19.

After leaving the government in late 2020, Cummings has referred to the collective failures on the part of British government multiple times.&nbsp;He said that the British health ministry was a “smoking ruin” and claimed that Western governments had failed in responding actively to the crisis. Cummings also added that the UK was highly unprepared for the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/former-aide-accuses-uk-pm-boris-johnson-of-lying-over-covid-response-386901" hreflang="en">Former aide accuses UK PM Boris Johnson of lying over Covid response</a>

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was reportedly so sceptical of the risks posed by COVID-19 that he was willing to inject himself with the virus. Dominic Cummings, his former top aide told parliament on Wednesday that Johnson simply wasn’t doing enough to limit the spread of the virus when the first wave hit.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was reportedly so sceptical of the risks posed by COVID-19 that he was willing to inject himself with the virus. Dominic Cummings, his former top aide told parliament on Wednesday that Johnson simply wasn’t doing enough to limit the spread of the virus when the first wave hit. He added that most officials in the country were worried that the Johnson administration would not be “constructive” in terms of virus mitigation strategies as the PM chaired emergency “COBR” meetings. "The view of various officials inside Number 10 was, if we have Prime Minister chairing COBR meetings and he just tells everyone this is swine flu, don't worry about it and I'm going to get (Chief Medical Officer) Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus... that would not help," Cummings was quoted as telling lawmakers by news agency Reuters. It appears that Johnson only understood the severity of coronavirus after contracting it himself, for which he required intensive care in April 2020. Also read: Nurse who played key role in Boris Johnson's Covid recovery has quit. Here's what happened With over 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official COVID-19 toll. Boris Johnson was accused of being slow in addressing the significance of the threat from the virus in early 2020 while it made its way from China to the rest of the world. Dominic Cummings is responsible for strategising the 2016 Brexit campaign, followed by Johnson’s election win in 2019. Cummings was quizzed by British lawmakers on the lessons the country and its administration could learn from COVID-19. After leaving the government in late 2020, Cummings has referred to the collective failures on the part of British government multiple times. He said that the British health ministry was a “smoking ruin” and claimed that Western governments had failed in responding actively to the crisis. Cummings also added that the UK was highly unprepared for the pandemic. Also read: Former aide accuses UK PM Boris Johnson of lying over Covid response

Virus-sceptic Boris Johnson considered injecting himself with Covid, says former aide Cummings

Dominic Cummings, the former chief adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on Wednesday cast his former boss as a dithering leader surrounded by fools whose ineptitude led to a 'disastrous' response to the most devastating global pandemic in decades.

Watch: UK PM Boris Johnson's ex-adviser unveils PM's initial COVID-19 strategy to MPs

The report claimed that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds sent a wedding invitation to family and friends for the July 30, 2022. The details of the couple's wedding venue are secretly preserved.

Report: UK PM Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds next Summer

France's European affairs minister warned Britain not to play games with special post-Brexit trading rules for Northern Ireland, as fears rise of a summer of violence in the province.

Clement Beaune urged London to be "responsible" over the so-called "protocol" for Northern Ireland, which kept it in the EU single market and customs union despite the UK's departure from the bloc.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-mulls-next-steps-as-uk-responds-to-brexit-lawsuit-385280">EU mulls 'next steps' as UK responds to Brexit lawsuit</a>

"We cannot accept that there is political game with such a sensitive issue," Beaune said in an interview with a small group of media including AFP in The Hague on Saturday after talks with the Dutch foreign minister.

"This is a central piece of European stability, you cannot play with this. We will never play with that. But we cannot accept that the protocol is taken lightly by any part," he added.

"So I'm just saying, and we are discussing it of course with the British side, do not play with the protocol."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-withdraws-patrol-boats-from-jersey-after-french-brexit-row-383442/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Tensions have been mounting in Northern Ireland over the so-called "protocol" that came into effect at the start of 2021, with the worst rioting in years breaking out in April and First Minister Arlene Foster announcing her resignation.

Northern Ireland is still deeply divided between pro-UK mainly Protestant unionists and pro-Ireland largely Catholic nationalists, despite a 1998 peace deal that ended three decades of violence over British rule.

Unionists believe the protocol threatens Northern Ireland's status in the UK and the prospect of union with neighbouring Ireland.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/post-brexit-roadmap-key-takeaways-from-uk-india-trade-deal-382811">Post-Brexit roadmap: Key takeaways from UK-India trade deal</a>

British Brexit minister David Frost on Monday urged the EU to compromise over the protocol before Northern Ireland enters a tense summer of events marking the Protestant ascendancy over Catholics.

Fears have grown that tensions could soar again around July 12, when pro-UK unionists annually commemorate events in the late 17th century that entrenched Protestant rule over the northern part of Catholic Ireland.

But Beaune, who met Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney in Dublin earlier this week along with France' foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, said London should not try to argue in favour of scrapping the protocol.&nbsp;

"The protocol is not a problem. The protocol is the solution to border problems that were created by Brexit," Beaune said.

Ireland's Coveney on Thursday warned Britain that unilaterally overriding the rules would be a "disaster".

France's European affairs minister warned Britain not to play games with special post-Brexit trading rules for Northern Ireland, as fears rise of a summer of violence in the province.

France's European affairs minister warned Britain not to play games with special post-Brexit trading rules for Northern Ireland, as fears rise of a summer of violence in the province. Clement Beaune urged London to be "responsible" over the so-called "protocol" for Northern Ireland, which kept it in the EU single market and customs union despite the UK's departure from the bloc. Also Read | EU mulls 'next steps' as UK responds to Brexit lawsuit "We cannot accept that there is political game with such a sensitive issue," Beaune said in an interview with a small group of media including AFP in The Hague on Saturday after talks with the Dutch foreign minister. "This is a central piece of European stability, you cannot play with this. We will never play with that. But we cannot accept that the protocol is taken lightly by any part," he added. "So I'm just saying, and we are discussing it of course with the British side, do not play with the protocol." Tensions have been mounting in Northern Ireland over the so-called "protocol" that came into effect at the start of 2021, with the worst rioting in years breaking out in April and First Minister Arlene Foster announcing her resignation. Northern Ireland is still deeply divided between pro-UK mainly Protestant unionists and pro-Ireland largely Catholic nationalists, despite a 1998 peace deal that ended three decades of violence over British rule. Unionists believe the protocol threatens Northern Ireland's status in the UK and the prospect of union with neighbouring Ireland. Also Read | Post-Brexit roadmap: Key takeaways from UK-India trade deal British Brexit minister David Frost on Monday urged the EU to compromise over the protocol before Northern Ireland enters a tense summer of events marking the Protestant ascendancy over Catholics. Fears have grown that tensions could soar again around July 12, when pro-UK unionists annually commemorate events in the late 17th century that entrenched Protestant rule over the northern part of Catholic Ireland. But Beaune, who met Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney in Dublin earlier this week along with France' foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, said London should not try to argue in favour of scrapping the protocol. "The protocol is not a problem. The protocol is the solution to border problems that were created by Brexit," Beaune said. Ireland's Coveney on Thursday warned Britain that unilaterally overriding the rules would be a "disaster".

France warns UK not to 'play' with N.Ireland Brexit deal

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing allegations of lying over country's Covid pandemic response Former chief adviser Dominic Cummings has made the accusation ahead of a much-anticipated hearing into Britain's coronavirus response. The allegation is that Johnson lied about the strategy of herd immunity when the pandemic first hit Britain.

He is due to give evidence to House of Commons select committees on health and science on Wednesday. Cummings has already suggested that he has a crucial document that'll expose the government's handling of the pandemic.

The influential adviser was sacked at the end of last year, and has recently been involved in a war of words with Downing Street, which accused him of leaking internal conversations and documents to the media.

Cummings tweeted that the government initially intended to treat the virus-like the flu and pursue a strategy of herd immunity by building up natural defences, but Johnson has denied that was ever the official plan.

"No 10 decided to lie... V foolish, &amp; appalling ethics, to lie about it," Cummings tweeted late Saturday.&nbsp;

Herd immunity by September 2020 "was literally the official plan," he said.

"The right line wd have been what PM knows is true: our original plan was wrong &amp; we changed when we realised," he added.

The initial herd immunity strategy was abandoned less than two weeks before the first lockdown in March 2020 and "is a fundamental issue in the whole disaster", he also said.

"If we'd had the right preparations + competent people in charge, we wd probably have avoided lockdown1, *definitely* no need for lockdowns 2&amp;3," he wrote.

Chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance suggested in March 2021 that herd immunity was one of the goals, but Health Secretary Matt Hancock two days later said it was "not a goal or strategy".

The former adviser warned he will release a "crucial historical document from Covid decision-making" to the Commons committee ahead of his appearance before MPs on Wednesday.

Cummings is constrained by the Official Secrets Act, which limits his ability to release classified documents.

MPs can only release documents that relate to their "lessons learned inquiry" into the pandemic.

Johnson has ordered a full public inquiry into how the pandemic was handled.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing allegations of lying over country's Covid pandemic response Former chief adviser Dominic Cummings has made the accusation ahead of a much-anticipated hearing into Britain's coronavirus response.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing allegations of lying over country's Covid pandemic response Former chief adviser Dominic Cummings has made the accusation ahead of a much-anticipated hearing into Britain's coronavirus response. The allegation is that Johnson lied about the strategy of herd immunity when the pandemic first hit Britain. He is due to give evidence to House of Commons select committees on health and science on Wednesday. Cummings has already suggested that he has a crucial document that'll expose the government's handling of the pandemic. The influential adviser was sacked at the end of last year, and has recently been involved in a war of words with Downing Street, which accused him of leaking internal conversations and documents to the media. Cummings tweeted that the government initially intended to treat the virus-like the flu and pursue a strategy of herd immunity by building up natural defences, but Johnson has denied that was ever the official plan. "No 10 decided to lie... V foolish, & appalling ethics, to lie about it," Cummings tweeted late Saturday. Herd immunity by September 2020 "was literally the official plan," he said. "The right line wd have been what PM knows is true: our original plan was wrong & we changed when we realised," he added. The initial herd immunity strategy was abandoned less than two weeks before the first lockdown in March 2020 and "is a fundamental issue in the whole disaster", he also said. "If we'd had the right preparations + competent people in charge, we wd probably have avoided lockdown1, *definitely* no need for lockdowns 2&3," he wrote. Chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance suggested in March 2021 that herd immunity was one of the goals, but Health Secretary Matt Hancock two days later said it was "not a goal or strategy". The former adviser warned he will release a "crucial historical document from Covid decision-making" to the Commons committee ahead of his appearance before MPs on Wednesday. Cummings is constrained by the Official Secrets Act, which limits his ability to release classified documents. MPs can only release documents that relate to their "lessons learned inquiry" into the pandemic. Johnson has ordered a full public inquiry into how the pandemic was handled. (With inputs from agencies)

Former aide accuses UK PM Boris Johnson of lying over Covid response

U.K. has proposed a 1% pay hike for NHS workers. This is the Boris Johnson govt's pitiful token of appreciation for the frontline workers. The ICU nurse who cared for Johnson has quit in protest. WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: NHS pay hike: Nurse who cared for Boris Johnson quits

A nurse who looked after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a hospital intensive care ward as he battled Covid-19 is leaving her job.

Nurse who looked after Boris Johnson in hospital quits

Britain is increasingly confident that vaccines work against the coronavirus variant first found in India, Prime Minister&nbsp;Boris&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;said on Wednesday, with a leading epidemiologist saying it may be spreading less quickly than at first feared.

Johnson&nbsp;has warned that the emergence of the B.1.617.2 variant might derail his plans to lift England's lockdown fully on June 21, but on Wednesday he said the latest data had been encouraging.

"We have increasing confidence vaccines are effective against all variants, including the Indian variant," he told parliament.

Johnson&nbsp;last week said the extent to which the variant could disrupt the planned exit from lockdown would depend on how much more transmissible it was.

Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, said there was a "glimmer of hope" from the latest data that the transmissibility of the variant might be lower than first feared.

"The magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data," he told BBC radio, adding more data was needed.

He said that while there was a "good deal of confidence" that vaccines would continue to protect against severe disease, the variant might lead to reduced vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission.

Ferguson said the initial rapid growth of B.1.617.2 had been among people who had travelled and who had a higher chance of living in multi-generational households or in deprived areas, and the ease of transmission might not be replicated in other settings.

Graham Medley, a professor of disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said that while the variant was growing quickly in some places, "we haven't yet seen it take off and grow rapidly everywhere else".

"One of the key things we'll be looking for in the coming weeks will be: how far does it spread outside of those areas," he told Reuters.

&nbsp;

Britain is increasingly confident that vaccines work against the coronavirus variant first found in India, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday, with a leading epidemiologist saying it may be spreading less quickly than at first feared.

Britain is increasingly confident that vaccines work against the coronavirus variant first found in India, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday, with a leading epidemiologist saying it may be spreading less quickly than at first feared. Johnson has warned that the emergence of the B.1.617.2 variant might derail his plans to lift England's lockdown fully on June 21, but on Wednesday he said the latest data had been encouraging. "We have increasing confidence vaccines are effective against all variants, including the Indian variant," he told parliament. Johnson last week said the extent to which the variant could disrupt the planned exit from lockdown would depend on how much more transmissible it was. Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, said there was a "glimmer of hope" from the latest data that the transmissibility of the variant might be lower than first feared. "The magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data," he told BBC radio, adding more data was needed. He said that while there was a "good deal of confidence" that vaccines would continue to protect against severe disease, the variant might lead to reduced vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission. Ferguson said the initial rapid growth of B.1.617.2 had been among people who had travelled and who had a higher chance of living in multi-generational households or in deprived areas, and the ease of transmission might not be replicated in other settings. Graham Medley, a professor of disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said that while the variant was growing quickly in some places, "we haven't yet seen it take off and grow rapidly everywhere else". "One of the key things we'll be looking for in the coming weeks will be: how far does it spread outside of those areas," he told Reuters.

UK increasingly confident that vaccines work against variant first detected in India, says Boris Johnson

When United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris&nbsp;Johnson had freshly recovered from COVID-19 in April 2020, he praised the care he received courtesy of National Health Service (NHS) personnel.&nbsp;

At the time, many reports were pointing to the dire situation of the British PM&nbsp;and&nbsp;pinned his recovery on the care he received at the hands of medical staff at the treating hospital,&nbsp;including a nurse who is now leaving her job. According to the The Guardian, the nurse is frustrated over how the government has treated its healthcare workers during the course of the pandemic.

The situation in the United Kingdom has improved tremendously over the last few weeks due to the quick vaccination programme in force throughout the country.&nbsp;But Jenny McGee, a nurse of New Zealand paints another picture of how the world’s caretakers have been treated during the course of the pandemic.

Johnson had singled out two nurses including McGee for their instrumental role in his recovery. After recovering, he announced that the NHS was responsible for saving his life.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/boris-johnson-says-uk-anxious-about-coronavirus-variant-first-detected-in-india-384924" hreflang="en">Boris Johnson says UK anxious about coronavirus variant first detected in India</a>

However, things seem to taken a turn for the worse as McGee recently criticised the government for not doing enough to protect its healthcare workers. "We're not getting the respect and now pay that we deserve. I'm just sick of it. So I've handed in my resignation," The Guardian quoted her as saying during the filming of a Channel 4 TV documentary which will air on May 24.

After recovering, Johnson had thanked McGee and her colleague for staying by his side at St Thomas Hospital in London. He said that “things could have gone either way”.

The government had faced criticism for its recent proposal to increase wages of NHS staff by 1 per cent. Many critics of the government have referred to the hike as insulting to frontline workers. "Lots of nurses felt that the government hadn't led very effectively – the indecisiveness, so many mixed messages. It was just very upsetting," Reuters quoted McGee as saying of the government’s response.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/british-prime-minister-boris-johnson-has-unpaid-debt-worth-ps535-384587" hreflang="en">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unpaid debt worth £535</a>

When United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris Johnson had freshly recovered from COVID-19 in April 2020, he praised the care he received courtesy of National Health Service (NHS) personnel.

When United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris Johnson had freshly recovered from COVID-19 in April 2020, he praised the care he received courtesy of National Health Service (NHS) personnel. At the time, many reports were pointing to the dire situation of the British PM and pinned his recovery on the care he received at the hands of medical staff at the treating hospital, including a nurse who is now leaving her job. According to the The Guardian, the nurse is frustrated over how the government has treated its healthcare workers during the course of the pandemic. The situation in the United Kingdom has improved tremendously over the last few weeks due to the quick vaccination programme in force throughout the country. But Jenny McGee, a nurse of New Zealand paints another picture of how the world’s caretakers have been treated during the course of the pandemic. Johnson had singled out two nurses including McGee for their instrumental role in his recovery. After recovering, he announced that the NHS was responsible for saving his life. Also read: Boris Johnson says UK anxious about coronavirus variant first detected in India However, things seem to taken a turn for the worse as McGee recently criticised the government for not doing enough to protect its healthcare workers. "We're not getting the respect and now pay that we deserve. I'm just sick of it. So I've handed in my resignation," The Guardian quoted her as saying during the filming of a Channel 4 TV documentary which will air on May 24. After recovering, Johnson had thanked McGee and her colleague for staying by his side at St Thomas Hospital in London. He said that “things could have gone either way”. The government had faced criticism for its recent proposal to increase wages of NHS staff by 1 per cent. Many critics of the government have referred to the hike as insulting to frontline workers. "Lots of nurses felt that the government hadn't led very effectively – the indecisiveness, so many mixed messages. It was just very upsetting," Reuters quoted McGee as saying of the government’s response. Also read: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unpaid debt worth £535

Nurse who played key role in Boris Johnson's Covid recovery has quit. Here's what happened

The latest easing of lockdown, described by scientists as a very finely balanced political decision amid low overall coronavirus infection rates but the doubling of the case numbers of the B1.617.2 VOC to over 1,300 in a week

Boris Johnson urges 'heavy dose of caution' as lockdown eases in UK

The United Kingdom took a step forward towards some form of normalcy as COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country. Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Britons to to remain cautious as the UK continues to monitor rapidly rising cases of the B1.617.2 variant of COVID-19 first identified in India.

COVID-19 restrictions eased in UK, PM Johnson urges Britons to remain cautious

Britain's government is anxious about the spread of the COVID-19 variant first detected in India and rules nothing out to tackle a sharp rise in cases of it, Prime Minister&nbsp;Boris&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;said on Thursday.

Johnson&nbsp;has laid out what he describes as a "cautious but irreversible" route out of lockdown for England, with the next step planned for next week. He has warned that new mutants, such as the B.1.617.2 variant, pose a risk to that plan.

Government agency Public Health England (PHE) said the total number of confirmed cases of the variant had more than doubled in the past week to 1,313 across the United Kingdom.

Officials fear the variant, one of three first found in India, is at least as transmissible as the so-called Kent variant identified in southeast England last year, which fuelled Britain's second wave of infections.

"We are anxious about it - it has been spreading,"&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;said, adding that there would be meetings later on Thursday to discuss what to do. "We're ruling nothing out," he added.

There has been door-to-door testing in response to a surge in cases of the variant in north-west England, while extra vaccination facilities are being opened to boost uptake.

"Cases of this variant are rising in the community and we are continuously monitoring its spread," said Susan Hopkins, COVID-19 Strategic Response Director at PHE.

"We need to act collectively and responsibly to ensure that variants do not impact on the progress we have all made to drive down levels of COVID-19 and the increased freedom that brings."

After England's initial coronavirus lockdown,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;sought a regional approach to restrictions, which ultimately failed, and two further national lockdowns followed.

He wants a nationwide approach to the easing of restrictions this time, and reiterated that he hoped restrictions would end across the whole nation in June, despite the local surges in variant cases.

"At the moment I can see nothing that dissuades me from thinking we'll be able to go ahead on Monday and June 21 everywhere," he added, referring to further steps to ease lockdown.

Britain's government is anxious about the spread of the COVID-19 variant first detected in India and rules nothing out to tackle a sharp rise in cases of it, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.

Britain's government is anxious about the spread of the COVID-19 variant first detected in India and rules nothing out to tackle a sharp rise in cases of it, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday. Johnson has laid out what he describes as a "cautious but irreversible" route out of lockdown for England, with the next step planned for next week. He has warned that new mutants, such as the B.1.617.2 variant, pose a risk to that plan. Government agency Public Health England (PHE) said the total number of confirmed cases of the variant had more than doubled in the past week to 1,313 across the United Kingdom. Officials fear the variant, one of three first found in India, is at least as transmissible as the so-called Kent variant identified in southeast England last year, which fuelled Britain's second wave of infections. "We are anxious about it - it has been spreading," Johnson said, adding that there would be meetings later on Thursday to discuss what to do. "We're ruling nothing out," he added. There has been door-to-door testing in response to a surge in cases of the variant in north-west England, while extra vaccination facilities are being opened to boost uptake. "Cases of this variant are rising in the community and we are continuously monitoring its spread," said Susan Hopkins, COVID-19 Strategic Response Director at PHE. "We need to act collectively and responsibly to ensure that variants do not impact on the progress we have all made to drive down levels of COVID-19 and the increased freedom that brings." After England's initial coronavirus lockdown, Johnson sought a regional approach to restrictions, which ultimately failed, and two further national lockdowns followed. He wants a nationwide approach to the easing of restrictions this time, and reiterated that he hoped restrictions would end across the whole nation in June, despite the local surges in variant cases. "At the moment I can see nothing that dissuades me from thinking we'll be able to go ahead on Monday and June 21 everywhere," he added, referring to further steps to ease lockdown.

Boris Johnson says UK anxious about coronavirus variant first detected in India

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose personal finances have come under the spotlight over the renovation of his Downing Street apartment, has an unpaid debt of 535 pounds ($756.12) court records showed on Wednesday.

The court judgement seen by Reuters did not name the other party in the case, but listed Boris Johnson and the address of his 10 Downing Street office.

The record was dated October&nbsp;26 2020, and listed as 'Unsatisfied' meaning it was wholly or partly unpaid. It was first reported in the "Private Eye" magazine.

A spokesman for Johnson said his Downing Street office was "looking into this issue".

"I can confirm it is nothing to do with the refurbishment of the Downing Street estate where all such bills have been duly paid either by the government or by the prime minister personally," he said.

When asked whether there should be concerns over Johnson's finances, the prime minister's press secretary said: "You should not be concerned, no."

Johnson's finances have been the subject of extensive scrutiny in recent weeks, with electoral authorities investigating the funding of a refurbishment of his flat, and parliament investigating the declaration he made relating to a donor-funded foreign trip.

A county court judgement is issued when someone submits a claim and judges decide the money needs to be paid. The register of these judgements is used by banks and other financial institutions to determine an individual's credit rating.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose personal finances have come under the spotlight over the renovation of his Downing Street apartment, has an unpaid debt of 535 pounds ($756.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose personal finances have come under the spotlight over the renovation of his Downing Street apartment, has an unpaid debt of 535 pounds ($756.12) court records showed on Wednesday. The court judgement seen by Reuters did not name the other party in the case, but listed Boris Johnson and the address of his 10 Downing Street office. The record was dated October 26 2020, and listed as 'Unsatisfied' meaning it was wholly or partly unpaid. It was first reported in the "Private Eye" magazine. A spokesman for Johnson said his Downing Street office was "looking into this issue". "I can confirm it is nothing to do with the refurbishment of the Downing Street estate where all such bills have been duly paid either by the government or by the prime minister personally," he said. When asked whether there should be concerns over Johnson's finances, the prime minister's press secretary said: "You should not be concerned, no." Johnson's finances have been the subject of extensive scrutiny in recent weeks, with electoral authorities investigating the funding of a refurbishment of his flat, and parliament investigating the declaration he made relating to a donor-funded foreign trip. A county court judgement is issued when someone submits a claim and judges decide the money needs to be paid. The register of these judgements is used by banks and other financial institutions to determine an individual's credit rating.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unpaid debt worth £535

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