Coronavirus diary, Tuesday 7 April

Boris Johnson: worrying developments

The announcement that the prime minister is in intensive care in hospital is another dramatic development in this constant outpouring of bad, sad news. 

We heard  yesterday from Downing Street that Mr Johnson's condition had worsened during the afternoon and that he had been taken to St Thomas' hospital in London as a 'precautionary measure'. Later were told he had been put in in intensive care and was being given oxygen.This morning there was scant news from the hospital, heightening  the concern for the prime minister and how his government, his 'team', will rise to the task of guiding the nation through this unimaginable crisis. 

Messages of  concern and support have been flooding in from leaders around the world, including from U.S. president Donald Trump, referring to Boris as 'my friend'. Yesterday afternoon, just hours before the PM was take from his home in 10 Downing Street, Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, was putting on a brave front. He is 'in safe hands, receiving excellent care', he assured us. 

Churchill: great leader for historic times

It is the untried Mr Raab who as deputy prime minister (in all but name) has abruptly taken over the leader's role. It is dire, historic times like these that define leadership. Churchill emerged from an extraordinary, chequered political career to become a great leader while for Sir Anthony Eden, a seemingly ideal successor, it proved a personal and national disaster. Mr Raab and  the members of the cabinet  face a Herculean task.They must put an end to any disarray, forget their own personal hopes and ambitions for the sake of the country.