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.
Words are easy but, as Johnson has proved so often, lies often come back to haunt you. Brexit is a red busload of wishful thinking, with no basis in reality.
The BBC previously said the pieces would feature without lyrics, following controversy over their perceived historical links with colonialism and slavery, but they will now be performed by a select group of vocalists.
Mr Blackford condemned the “violation” of Mr Johnson’s privacy but added a “senior Conservative source in Downing Street” was reported to have said the “finger of blame for all this getting out is being pointed at the SNP, particularly Ian Blackford who is local”.
The prime minister insisted his Government has not been blown off course by Covid-19 - but acknowledged that “sometimes it is necessary” to change direction in “response to the facts as they change”.
“We’d like to be in a Government that has the impression of being competent – rather than lurching from one issue to another and then after a short time doing a U-turn.”
Sir Charles Walker, deputy of the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers, said it was becoming increasingly difficult for MPs to defend the government - as policies can be quickly dropped by ministers.
Labour accused Johnson of trying to shirk responsibility for a “shambles” caused by the “incompetence” of his government.
The U-turn comes after it was announced that secondary students in Scotland will have to wear face coverings in school corridors and communal areas from Monday.