Boris Johnson ‘stable’ and not on a ventilator – No10

Police officers outside St Thomas' Hospital in Central London where Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in intensive care | PA (Press Association)

The Prime Minister is conscious and in “good spirits”, Number 10 and St Thomas’ Hospital said in a joint statement. Mr Johnson is being given oxygen, but is breathing without any other assistance.

Downing Street also confirmed that the Prime Minister has not been diagnosed with pneumonia.

He was transferred to intensive care at around 7pm on Monday, 24 hours after being admitted to hospital, so that a ventilator would be available if needed.

However, as the statement set out shortly after noon: “The Prime Minister has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits. He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and is breathing without any other assistance. He has not required mechanical ventilation or non-invasive breathing support.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been asked to stand in by the Prime Minister, chaired this morning’s daily coronavirus war cabinet of senior ministers and officials. The Number 10 spokesman said that if Mr Raab is incapacitated, under the ministerial order of succession, Chancellor Rishi Sunak would take over running of the government.