Keir Starmer 'pleased' after his child tests negative for coronavirus

The Labour leader was advised to self-isolate on Monday
Keir Starmer
Getty Images
16 September 2020

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “pleased and relieved” that a coronavirus test result for one of his children had come back negative.

Sir Keir Starmer wrote on Twitter: “I’m very pleased and relieved that the test result for one of my children came back negative this morning.

“Thank you to the NHS hospital where my wife works for ensuring that their staff and family members have quick access to a test.

“However, I know the situation is desperate at the moment for thousands of families across the country who are struggling to get a test.

“They deserve answers and for this problem to be fixed.”

Sir Keir, who was advised to self-isolate on Monday, is out of self-isolation but it is understood he will not question Boris Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions later on Wednesday, with his deputy Angela Rayner taking his place as planned.

At last week’s PMQs, Sir Keir accused the Government of not being able to “get the basics right” following reports that people were being denied Covid-19 tests.

It is understood Boris Johnson will still take the session, despite the convention that the other faction nominates someone else to stand if the Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition is absent.

Mr Johnson’s de facto deputy Dominic Raab is currently on a visit to the US.