Business Secretary Alok Sharma has been tested for coronavirus after becoming visibly unwell in the House of Commons chamber.
He was travelling home to self-isolate after he struggled during a speech at the despatch box during the second reading of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill on Wednesday.
The suspected case of Covid-19 in the chamber came a day after MPs approved the Government’s plan to end virtual voting in the Commons, prompting renewed calls for the system to return.
A spokeswoman for Mr Sharma said: “Secretary of State Alok Sharma began feeling unwell when in the chamber delivering the second reading of the Corporate Governance and Insolvency Bill.
“In line with guidance he has been tested for coronavirus and is returning home to self-isolate.”
Wiping face
During the debate, he was seen wiping his face with a handkerchief several times and his opposite number in Labour’s shadow cabinet, Ed Miliband, passed him a glass of water at one point.
A House of Commons spokeswoman said “additional cleaning” had taken place following the suspected case of Covid-19.
Labour shadow minister Toby Perkins had raised concerns over Mr Sharma’s appearance in the Commons earlier in the day, and later doubled-down on his criticism after learning of the test.
“This is ridiculous. It was clear that Alok Sharma looked unwell,” he said.
“If there are now fears that he may have Covid-19 and he hadn’t already tested negative, it was the height of irresponsibility for him to be in Parliament sniffling, sweating and snorting from the despatch box.”
This is not ok.
— Toby Perkins (@tobyperkinsmp) June 3, 2020
If he has symptoms that could be COVID19, it's not up to him to soldier on, he is jeopardising the health of everyone who he comes across and everyone else who touches that despatch box and every door handle he touches etc. Maybe he's had a test 1/2 https://t.co/jmVRe1HRkl
Social distancing issues
The despatch box was being wiped down between exchanges, but the scheduled pause after the Bill’s reading went on for longer than expected and journalists were unusually asked to leave the press gallery.
The size of the chamber has made it difficult for some MPs to keep their distance as they try to swap seats or move around.
Earlier in the day, Boris Johnson ended PMQs by heading towards the chamber exit but stopping for a chat with a Conservative colleague, thereby walking over hazard tape on the floor designed to encourage MPs to keep two metres apart.
Labour’s shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The Government stopped MPs from working from home and asked us to return to a building where social distancing is impossible.
“MPs are travelling home to every part of the country tonight. Reckless doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
Digital voting
Digital voting in the Commons was ended on Tuesday when MPs approved a Government motion introduced by Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg despite widespread objections.
Senior Conservatives, opposition groups and the equalities watchdog raised concerns that the move would prevent many MPs, particularly the elderly and vulnerable ones who are shielding, from being able to vote.
Chaotic scenes unfolded in the Commons when MPs formed a long queue snaking through Parliament so they could maintain social distancing while voting on the motion.
Mr Johnson on Wednesday dismissed complaints over the system, saying: “I do not think it’s unreasonable that we should ask parliamentarians to come back to this place and do their job for the people of this country.”
“Shameful”
But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the scenes were “shameful” and pushed the Prime Minister to end the “completely unnecessary and unacceptable” process.
Mr Miliband, who could potentially be contacted by NHS contact tracers and asked to self-isolate if Mr Sharma was to test positive for Covid-19, sent his “best wishes” to the Business Secretary for a quick recovery, adding: “Hope he feels better soon.”
The SNP’s deputy leader in Westminster Kirsty Blackman said the suspected case demonstrates “just how ridiculous and irresponsible the Tory Government’s decision to end virtual participation in Parliament was”.
“They must now rectify this serious mistake and reintroduce hybrid proceedings without delay,” the MP added.
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