Labour has called on Boris Johnson to “turn up for work” after the prime minister missed two COBRA meetings on the heatwave and is set to be absent from a third briefing today.
Shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy said the prime minister has “clearly clocked off” since announcing his resignation, adding: “And so have many of his ministers in his government.”
The Labour minister said all members of the government should “turn up for work” when asked what more ministers could be doing to assist people as the country is set to record ferocious temperatures over the next 48 hours.
She also suggested there should be a dedicated minister appointed to co-ordinate emergency responses to incidents like this.
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Her comments came after Mr Johnson missed the second COBRA meeting on the heatwave on Saturday, which was chaired by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse.
Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and avoid physical exertion
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
Close curtains in rooms that face the sun
Never leave anyone in a parked car – and check in on elderly and vulnerable neighbours
Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat
Check medicines can be stored according to instructions – and check that your fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
A source told Sky News Mr Johnson was holding his farewell party at the prime minister’s country estate this weekend.
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Boris Johnson holding farewell party at grace and favour country estate Chequers this weekend
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Formal invites went out earlier this week to the event being held at Chequers, the official country residence of prime ministers, which is based in Buckinghamshire.
A Tory source told Sky News: “The invitation comes from Mr and Mrs Johnson.
“It is their farewell bash at Chequers this weekend. Partners and children are all invited.”
Number 10 has confirmed the prime minister will also not be attending a COBRA meeting on the heatwave on Monday, which has been declared a national emergency.
A Number 10 source said Mr Johnson had been in contact with relevant ministers all weekend.
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Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner accused Mr Johnson of going “missing in action again” as he “prepares to party while Britain boils”.
Ms Rayner said: “Boris Johnson has gone missing in action again. He’s back to his old tricks of skipping important COBRA meetings.”
But probed on Mr Johnson’s absence this morning, Mr Malthouse defended the PM and said he is “right across” the situation.
“It’s my job to chair COBRA meetings. I briefed him yesterday morning at about 8am personally.”
Mr Malthouse was then shown aerial footage of Mr Johnson with his guests at Chequers on Sunday.
He replied that it was “completely unfair” to suggest that the PM was ducking important meetings because he would be leaving the job soon.
On Mr Johnson’s leaving do, a Number 10 spokesman said: “As this is not relevant to government business there is nothing to add.”
The event is understood to have been private and no taxpayer money was used to fund it at the grace and favour estate.
Chequers has been the official country residence of British prime ministers since 1921 after the estate was given to the nation by Sir Arthur Lee.
The Grade I 16th Century mansion is owned by the Chequers Trust and boasts an indoor swimming pool and hundreds of acres of gardens.
Mr Johnson’s farewell party took place as the Conservative leadership race continues, with five MPs still in the running.
They will be whittled down to two contestants by the end of this week and will then take part in hustings over the summer before Conservative Party members vote on who will replace Mr Johnson by 5 September.
