Dominic Raab struggled to say yesterday whether he had the authority to implement government policy changes as the coronavirus crisis unfolds.
The foreign secretary insisted that the cabinet was united behind delivering Mr Johnson’s instructions with “calm determination”, saying: “We can reassure the public that his team will not blink or flinch in the task ahead.”
Senior figures in No 10 accept that the prime minister will need a period of recuperation after recovery; one week for every day spent in intensive care is the rule of thumb. Mr Raab will have to oversee a series of decisions without the prime minister’s involvement and without his authority.
Asked who would make a decision if there was a disagreement among senior ministers, Mr Raab said: “Decision-making
