Boris Johnson has spoken to the Queen and Dominic Raab and is getting ‘regular’ updates from aides as he recuperates from coronavirus but Downing Street insists he is not doing ‘government work’ from Chequers

• He spoke to the monarch by telephone from Chequers last night 
• Officials insisted the PM was not working as he continues his recuperation 
• But he has spoken to Dominic Raab and US president Donald Trump this week 
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Boris Johnson was well enough to hold his regular audience with the Queen last night as he recovers from coronavirus, Downing Street confirmed today.

But officials insisted the PM was not working at Chequers as he continues his recuperation from his brush with the pandemic and has not set a date to return to No 10.

However they conceded he is getting ‘regular updates on government business’ while at the Buckinghamshire retreat. 

The admission follows the announcement that he spoke to US president Donald Trump earlier this week.

Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State, has been in charge of the Government since Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital at the start of the month, and he chaired a cabinet meeting remotely this morning.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters today: ‘The Prime minister spoke with the First Secretary of State yesterday and he had an audience with Her Majesty the Queen by telephone last night.

Foreign Secretary of State Dominic Raab leaving a Covid 19 meeting this morning in Westminster

Pressed on the PM’s condition, he added: ‘He has spoken with No 10 staff and with the First Secretary of State  and he has had a call with the US president and with Her Majesty the Queen.

‘He is being sent regular updates on government business but it is still the case that he is not doing government work.’

No date has been set for a return, which would be taken on medical advice, he added. 

Boris Johnson told Donald Trump on Tuesday that he is ‘feeling better and on the road to recovery’ during a phone call.

Despite Mr Johnson continuing to convalesce at Chequers with pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, the two leaders held talks on the coronavirus pandemic. 

It followed a G7 meeting last week chaired by Mr Trump, with Mr Raab representing the UK. 

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