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Boris Johnson flooded with messages of support as he is moved to intensive care after coronavirus symptoms worsen

Politicians from all parties shared messages of support for Boris Johnson after he was moved into intensive care suffering from the coronavirus.

Johnson was admitted to hospital on Sunday which Downing Street said was a precautionary measure, with his symptoms not clearing after a week.

But this evening it has emerged he has been transferred to intensive care and Dominic Raab, the first secretary of state, is going to deputise as needed.

Newly elected Labour leader Keir Starmer said it was “terribly sad news” and he was thinking of the prime minister, while SNP House of Commons leader Ian Blackford also wrote of his concern.

His chancellor, Rishi Sunak, tweeted he was thinking of the prime minister and his pregnant fiancee, Carrie Symonds, who previously said she was on the mend after suffering from coronavirus symptoms.

Trade secretary Liz Truss said she was wishing for a speedy recovery.

Sajid Javid, who resigned as chancellor earlier this year, and former leadership rival Jeremy Hunt added to the messages of concern.

Labour stalwart Harriet Harman said she hoped for his full recovery and Jess Phillips immediately tweeted of her concern for the prime minister.

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Labour’s David Lammy said he was thinking of Johnson’s family and friends as well as the prime minister.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who has been vocal about the struggles of the NHS staff who are treating coronavirus patients, has wished him a quick and full recovery and thanked the medical staff taking care of him.

And away from Parliament, Labour mayor of London Sadiq Khan praised the St Thomas’ Hospital staff, where the Prime Minister is being treated, while Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, added to the outpouring of support.

Ex-prime minister David Cameron showed his support for the prime minister while Ursula von der Leyen the president of the EU’s European Commission, and Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who has recovered from coronavirus himself, tweeted.

A spokesperson for Downing Street said: “Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital.

“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.”

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