Boris tells Donald Trump he is ‘feeling better and on the road to recovery’

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BORIS Johnson has told Donald Trump he is “feeling better and on the road to recovery”.

The PM gave the US President an update on his health after his stint in intensive care while sick with coronavirus.

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Mr Johnson spoke to Mr Trump for the first time since he was admitted to hospital earlier this month, according to the Whitehouse.

The PM is still recovering at Chequers, but has started to ease his way into work as the coronavirus crisis continues to escalate.

But stand-in PM Dominic Raab is continuing to deputise for Mr Johnson, and will continue to chair the Cabinet and daily COVID-19 meetings.

Mr Raab will also be taking Prime Minister’s Questions later today.

A spokesman for the Whitehouse said: “President Trump and Prime Minister Johnson reaffirmed their close co-operation through the G7 and G20 to reopen global economies and ensure medical care and supplies reach all those in need.

“President Trump and Prime Minister Johnson also discussed bilateral and global issues, including our shared commitment to reaching a United States-United Kingdom free trade agreement.”

It comes after Tory MPs said the PM’s illness “hit him hard” and he has become “tentative” since being sick.

A spokesperson for No10 said: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump this afternoon, and thanked him for his good wishes while he was unwell.

“The leaders agreed on the importance of a co-ordinated international response to coronavirus, including through the G7 – which the US currently chairs.

“They also discussed continued UK-US co-operation in the fight against the pandemic.

“The leaders committed to continue working together to strengthen our bilateral relationship, including by signing a free trade agreement as soon as possible.”

Mr Johnson is expected to restart his regular audiences with the Queen, via telephone, later this week.

His spokesman said he has not yet started to “formally do Government work”.

He said: “He has been receiving updates from Number 10 on the coronavirus response and has spoken with the First Secretary of State [Dominic Raab] and with senior members of his team.”

Experts have warned that after being admitted to intensive care, the PM’s recovery could be a long road of weeks or months before he is back to full strength.

While Mr Johnson is away from the helm, the Government is under increasing pressure on multiple fronts – especially obtaining adequate personal protective equipment and meeting their daily testing target of 100,000 by the end of the month.