Michael Gove has denied reports that the Government has drawn up a graduated plan to start easing the coronavirus lockdown within weeks.

Asked if the claim about a so-called "traffic light" strategy was correct, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "No, it is not."

The Mail on Sunday reported ministers are finalising a three-stage "traffic light" plan that would see outlets like DIY stores and garden centres reopen, and some pupils go back to school in mid-May.

Mr Gove denied there was a 'traffic light' plan drawn up to lift restrictions.

The Sun also claimed the UK Government is planning to roll out a “top-secret” red/amber/green system that could see life gradually return back to normal in a series of phases between 11 May and 15 June.

Reports in the Sunday Times, meanwhile, that Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not attend a raft of Cobra meetings and claimed the Government missed a series of opportunities to try and lessen the impact of the outbreak in February and March drew a pointed response from Mr Gove.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster strongly defended Boris Johnson after reports the Prime Minister had not led from the front in the run-up to the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year.

He said: "The idea that the Prime Minister skipped meetings that were vital to our response to the coronavirus, I think is grotesque."Mr Gove strongly defended Boris Johnson after reports the Prime Minister had not led from the front in the run-up to the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: "The idea that the Prime Minister skipped meetings that were vital to our response to the coronavirus, I think is grotesque."

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Michael Gove denies 'top-secret' traffic light plan to lift Covid-19 restrictions by June

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