Boris Johnson will speak with US President Donald Trump and the Queen this week as he gradually returns to work, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister will speak to Mr Trump by telephone this afternoon, while he is expected to hold an audience with the Queen – also by telephone – later in the week.
It will be Mr Johnson’s first audience with Her Majesty in three weeks, as he continues his recovery from coronavirus .
After spending seven nights at St Thomas’ Hospital in London with COVID – 21 earlier this month, the prime minister has been recuperating at Checkers, his official country residence, in Buckinghamshire. At a briefing for Westminster reporters on Tuesday, Mr Johnson’s spokesman said the prime minister would be “continuing his recovery at Checkers and isn’t formally doing government work”. However, the spokesman said Mr Johnson had already been in contact with other world leaders, as well as his ministers and officials. “He has been receiving updates from Number on the coronavirus response and has spoken with the First Secretary of State (Dominic Raab) and senior members of his team, “the leader said . “Yesterday he sent a message of condolence to (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau after the very sad loss of life in the shooting in Canada. ” Later today, at around about 2pm , he will be speaking with President Trump. “ :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , (Spotify) , Mr Johnson is expected to thank Mr Trump for the messages of support he sent while he was unwell with coronavirus , Number 16 said. Prior to their planned conversation later this week, Mr Johnson last held an audience with the Queen on 1 April via telephone. Her Majesty usually meets with her prime minister face-to-face on a weekly basis, although the coronavirus pandemic forced Mr Johnson and the Queen to hold their previous two conversations, on 1 April and March, on the telephone. The prime minister was first admitted to hospital on 5 April and during his stay, the Queen sent a message to Mr Johnson’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds, and his family. As Mr Johnson’s Most senior cabinet minister, Mr Raab has been deputising for the prime minister during his illness and recovery. Mr Raab, who is also foreign secretary, will stand in for Mr Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs ) on Wednesday and chair a cabinet meeting on Thursday morning. Wednesday’s session of PMQs is set to be the first in history in which MPs can ask questions remotely, with large TV screens having been installed in the House of Commons for MPs to appear via video conferencing software Zoom. In his first PMQs as Labor leader, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to appear via video link – although Mr Raab will be present in the Commons chamber. 
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Spreaker Image: Large TV screens have been fitted in the House of Commons. Pic: UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor Image: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been deputising for the PM
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