Boris Johnson 'has no moral compass' says Campbell

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The Prime Minister’s visit to Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland on Monday sparked fury among members of the public as he was pictured walking around the health centre without a face covering.

The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed members of staff told Mr Johnson on arrival and before the photo op that face coverings must be worn at the hospital.

Later on, he was told a third time, at which point he also had to be given one.

Trust officials said: “Our mask rules are very clear and everyone that was part of the official visit to Hexham General Hospital on Monday 8 November were formally advised and reminded of these rules on the day.”

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The Trust added: “After the Prime Minister left a welcome meeting, he walked along a mezzanine corridor, for a very short period of time, without a mask.

“This brief moment was captured on camera.

“As soon as this was identified he was given a mask and he put it on.

“The Prime Minister did wear a mask for the majority of the visit.”

In a tweet on Monday, the Trust wrote: “Please be assured that infection prevention and control remains an utmost priority for our trust.

“The Prime Minister Boris Johnson followed strict measures, including wearing a mask, in each clinical area he visited.”

But the Trust’s official coronavirus policy for visits, published on its website, does not mention people are exempt from wearing face coverings in non-clinical areas of the hospital.

It instructs visitors to “wear a face covering when you enter the hospital until you leave” and emphasises to “ensure that you wear your covering or mask throughout your visit”.

It adds: “You must not remove your face covering/mask or kiss your loved one.”

The Trust is receiving backlash for defending Mr Johnson.

Bill Kilvington said: “Don’t, just don’t.

“Better to have said nothing than to lie and try to excuse the inexcusable.

“Your staff and the rest of us in the NHS deserve better leadership.”

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Boris Johnson: Nabarro discusses PM's maskless hospital visit

Twitter user @exillior asked: “Why does he get special treatment?

“And also, do you think he becomes less infectious towards staff outside of clinical areas?”

Maria King added: “Please don’t make excuses for this awful example of how not to behave in a hospital.

“He’s right next to staff, bumping elbows with them.

“You must know it’s not right.”

David Nabarro, the WHO’s special COVID-19 envoy, said on Sky News: “Please, would every leader be wearing face masks?

“Particularly when in indoor settings.

“This virus is unforgiving and we need to do everything possible to prevent it getting in between us and infecting us.”

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab came out in defence of the prime minister, too. He said in a BBC Breakfast interview: “I know the Prime Minister took the advice on the clinical setting that he was in and followed all the protocols and procedures that were applied there, and that’s what everyone should do.”

A No 10 spokesman said in a statement: “The Prime Minister followed the Covid measures that were in place throughout his visit, including wearing a mask in all clinical areas.

“He also took a PCR test before the visit.

“The hospital trust has issued a statement making clear the PM followed its guidelines.”

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