BORIS Johnson has been urged to boost Britain’s morale with a TV address as he returns to lead the fight against Covid-19.
He heads back to No10 on Monday and has told aides: “I’m raring to go.”
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The PM was given the green light by doctors two weeks after his release from hospital following his life-or-death battle with the virus.
No10 said his swift comeback had given everyone a “huge lift” and last night top Tories called on him to raise the nation’s spirits, too.
With worrying signs that the lockdown is starting to fracture, they want him to deliver a personal message that the war is being won.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said: “Everyone will be glad he’s back for personal as well as public reasons. He is the only one who has clear executive control and his return will be incredibly welcome.
“When he gets back I hope he will address the nation directly and explain how well the British public have done so far and that his government will plan for the time when we can start to move out of lockdown.
The important thing for the Prime Minister is that he trusted the public because they have trusted him.”
RETURN’S TO THE DRIVING SEAT
Mr Johnson’s return to the driving seat — as revealed exclusively in The Sun on Sunday last week — comes with the backing of doctors monitoring his progress since he left St Thomas’ Hospital, London, after a seven-day stay, including three in intensive care.
The PM broke the news to close aides on Friday after a three-hour Covid-19 summit at Chequers, where he has been recovering.
One senior adviser said: “The Prime Minister has been doing all the right things and following his doctor’s advice to come back to work — and he is raring to go.
“He has told the team he will be back at his desk on Monday morning. It’s given everyone a huge lift.”
The moment he walks through the famous black door the PM will immerse himself in briefings with his team and set out his priorities for the week ahead.
Cabinet ministers will give one-to-one updates and he will grill them on their departments’ battles with the virus.
It comes as:
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers. The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM. No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here: www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal.
At Friday’s summit, the PM was updated on progress and the next phase of the strategy.
Also there were Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been Mr Johnson’s stand-in during his three-week absence, plus closest adviser Dominic Cummings and trusted communications chief Lee Cain.
Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill, chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and other key advisers joined via video conference.
3
3
3
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
