Boris Johnson in 'very good spirits' amid coronavirus battle after leaving intensive care

The Prime Minister in “very good spirits” after being discharged from intensive care as he continues to fight coronavirus, his spokesman said.

Boris Johnson is said to be “enormously grateful” for the care he has received from NHS staff at St Thomas’ Hospital.

“I am told he was waving his thanks towards the nurses and doctors that he saw as he was being moved from the intensive care unit back to the ward,” the spokesman said.

“Hopefully it was clear to the staff that he was waving his gratitude.”

The spokesman said he was not aware of any contact between Mr Johnson and No 10, while it was too early to say how long he would need to remain in hospital.

“The Prime Minister is back on a ward and continuing his recovery which is at an early stage. He continues to be in very good spirits,” the spokesman said.

“Decisions such as this will be on the advice of his medical team. They have given him brilliant care.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is filling in for the PM "where necessary".

There is speculation that it could be weeks until Mr Johnson is fit enough to return to work.

His father Stanley Johnson today spoke of his son needing to rest as he shared his relief he had left intensive care.

It comes as lockdown measures look set to extend perhaps weeks beyond the initial three-week mark.

The UK has been warned not to "ruin" progress made from the lockdown by breaching it over the Bank Holiday weekend.