Boris Johnson has been told to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus, Downing Street has said.
On Thursday morning the prime minister met with some MPs, including Ashfield and Eastwood MP, Lee Anderson, who posted a picture of himself with the PM – standing apart but not wearing masks – after their meeting.
Anderson later developed symptoms for Covid-19 and has now tested positive.
Johnson, who was admitted to intensive care with coronavirus in April, said he was notified by NHS Test and Trace on Sunday that he must self-isolate.
“I have no symptoms, but am following the rules and will be working from No10 as I continue to lead the government’s pandemic response,” he said.
In a video message posted to Twitter, the PM said he was as “fit as a butcher’s dog” and felt “great”, but would continue to follow the rules.
The news comes at a politically sensitive time for the Prime Minister after the sudden exit from Downing Street of his senior adviser Dominic Cummings and communications director Lee Cain.
On Sunday night Lee Anderson posted on his Facebook page, saying: “Isolating. On Friday I lost my sense of taste at the same time my wife had a bad headache. I had no cough, no fever and felt well.
“We both had a test on Saturday and the result came in Sunday morning.
My wife and I both tested positive.
“I feel absolutely fine and my biggest concern is my wife who is in the shielded group. But we are both feeling good.”
The two men were not wearing face coverings and did not appear to be two metres apart in a photo taken at Downing Street which Anderson posted on Facebook.
In a statement, a No. 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister has today been notified by NHS Test and Trace that he is required to self-isolate as a contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
“The prime minister will follow the rules and is self-isolating.
“He will carry on working from Downing Street, including on leading the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The PM is well and does not have any symptoms of Covid-19.”