Boris Johnson’s cabinet are understood to be furious they have been excluded from key coronavirus planning meetings that will determine the message he delivers in his televised address to the nation this evening. The Prime Minister is set to chair an emergency COBRA meeting ahead of the 7pm speech, but Mr Johnson is believed to have finalised the plans with his inner “quad” – ahead of the crunch meeting.
Mr Johnson is understood to have already pre-recorded parts of his televised addressed to the nation, as well as formalising a 50-page document on the Government’s latest response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Mail on Sunday reports.
But the Prime Minister was meant to be discussing these matters with his cabinet later this afternoon.
Ministers were meant to finalise and approve the long report, which is due to be published on Monday.
Harry Cole, the Mail on Sunday’s deputy political editor, wrote on Twitter: “Cabinet are RAGING.
“On paper they’re meant to meet later to discuss 50 page doc and virus fight.
“But PM has already recorded his message, sent doc to the printers and seemingly made all the decisions with the so called quad… what’s the point of even dialling in, some asking.”
Mr Johnson’s “quad” is understood to include Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
All four cabinet ministers have been at the centre of the Government’s response to the pandemic.
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The decision has to pre-record some parts of the TV address was explained as a way to get the footage to broadcasters in good time – but some ministers are understood to be furious at the move.
The Telgraph’s Gordon Rayner wrote on Twitter: “Cabinet have been moaning for some time about all decisions being taken outside the Cabinet room, but this takes it to a new level.”
But it is understood that alterations could still be made after the COBRA meeting.
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