Robert Peston claims Boris and Rishi Sunak were forced to turn around – “Simple conclusion” | United Kingdom | New UK News

The Prime Minister and Chancellor were contacted by Test and Trace after coming into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Originally, No10 announced that the two were exempt from quarantine as they were involved in a daily contact test pilot.

However, the two have now confirmed that they will in fact self-isolate.

After their U-turn, ITV political editor Robert Peston suggested they would isolate themselves, or “nobody would.”

He took to Twitter: “Wow. @BorisJohnson and @RishiSunak have now chosen to self-isolate and not participate in the exemption pilot.

“They clearly concluded that if they didn’t isolate, hardly anyone would.”

As part of the government’s pilot project, it enables those contacted to pursue an essential activity.

Downing Street said eligibility to participate in the pilot is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Earlier today, Mr Peston asked whether Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak had been chosen “at random”.

However, a government press release confirmed that they were part of a different pilot project from the general public.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson & Rishi Sunak Back Off After Igniting Fury

They said: “The Prime Minister has been contacted by NHS Test and Trace to say he is someone’s contact with Covid.

“He was at Checkers when contacted by Test and Trace and will stay there to self-isolate.

“He will not participate in the test pilot.

“He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely.

“The Chancellor has also been contacted and will also self-isolate if necessary and will not participate in the pilot.”

While it is not known who the Prime Minister and Chancellor came into contact with, it comes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed he tested positive for the virus.

Posting a video on Twitter, Mr Javid said: “Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I have tested positive for Covid.

“I was feeling a little groggy last night so I did a lateral flow test this morning and it came back positive.

“I am now self-isolating at home with my family until I get the results of a PCR test.”

A subsequent PCR test confirmed that he had tested positive for the virus.