Prime Minister’s press secretary Allegra Stratton is self-isolating after suspected coronavirus contact
- Ms Stratton has been in the Downing Street spokesperson role since November
- Earlier this week she was forced to deny claims PM enjoys a sleep during the day
- It comes days after it emerged Health Secretary Matt Hancock is also isolating
The Prime Minister’s press secretary is self-isolating after suspected coronavirus contact.
Sources say Allegra Stratton, who has been in the role as Downing Street spokesperson since November, is quarantining – just days after it emerged Matt Hancock is also isolating.
No10 appointed Ms Stratton, who has worked as a journalist and broadcaster, last year to host its new White House-style daily televised press briefings, though these have not emerged since she started work two months ago.
Ms Stratton was previously Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s top adviser having only joined the Government last year.
The Prime Minister’s press secretary is self-isolating after suspected coronavirus contact
In her most recent intervention earlier this week, she was forced to dismiss ‘untrue’ reports that the Prime Minister enjoys a ‘kip for half an hour or so’ during a tough day of running the country.
There is ‘no gap’ in his daily schedule for a short sleep, she said.
It comes after Health Secretary Mr Hancock announced earlier this week he was having to stay at home after being ‘pinged’ by the NHS app – days after he was spotted out twice in busy London parks.
Mr Hancock said he will be isolating until Sunday after receiving the notification. He had Covid last year, but even those who have been infected before must isolate.
He tweeted: ‘Last night I was alerted by the @NHSCovid19app to self isolate so I’ll be staying at home & not leaving at all until Sunday. We all have a part to play in getting this virus under control.’