Two of Boris Johnson’s Cabinet ministers have tested positive for Covid on what is already a bad day for the PM.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will miss a trip to Ukraine with the Tory leader after she tested positive this evening.

The pair were due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, amid warnings a war with Russia could be ‘imminent’.

Ms Truss announced she was isolating this evening – after she appeared in the Commons without a mask to show Mr Johnson support amid the partygate scandal.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who was wearing a mask, had sat beside her, while Home Secretary Priti Patel, who did not have a face covering, was the other side.

Earlier in the day, the foreign secretary announced plans for legislation with new powers to sanction individuals and businesses linked to the Russian state.

Later on, she attended a meeting open to all members of the parliamentary Conservative party where the PM addressed MPs and peers to rally support after what was described as a ‘difficult day’.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi – who was absent from parliamentary questions – announced this afternoon that he had found out he was infected last night.

Both politicians said on Twitter they were triple-jabbed and would be working from home.

Labour claimed the Prime Minister’s diplomatic initiative was in ‘disarray’ this afternoon amid claims a planned call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to attempt to defuse the Ukraine crisis had been cancelled.

The Russian Government was asked to shift the time amid the Sue Gray report fallout, but could not, it was claimed.

But Mr Johnson’s official spokesman insisted there had been no ‘settled time’ for the call and that officials were still hoping to arrange a time with the Kremlin.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Source: Read Full Article