Politics

Just 40 minutes after it finished, the prime minister’s office issued a tweet warning people not to attend gatherings of more than 30 people.

"We have visibility of the current state of preparedness which as it stands has significant gaps."

Opposition MPs were highly critical of the defence, with shadow minister Peter Kyle saying ministers “don’t even pretend not to embrace bigots any more”.

“There is now yet another person who has applied to the adverts for ‘weirdos and misfits’ who has now had to resign because of their extreme views."

The latest data also indicates that a total of 6,732 new people tested positive for Covid-19 in England in the week to August 26, an increase of 6% in positive cases on the previous week and the highest weekly number since the week to June 3.

A Number 10 spokesman told reporters during a briefing that the PM had made a “short drop-in” during talks at the Foreign Office between Raab and Kushner about the situation in the Middle East.

The Commons Leader held his mobile phone close to the microphone near the despatch box and pressed play, ensuring MPs heard the words: “When Britain first, at heaven’s command.”

A Labour MP was criticised for using the phrase ‘fat old racists’ in a tweet.

His use of the loophole is not illegal - but has nonetheless sparked criticism that he is undermining the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Politico reported. Shapps is a keen pilot who has often flown around the country on Government business.