Coronavirus: Dominic Raab will become acting prime minister if Boris Johnson is taken ill

Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions as Dominic Raab coughs beside him. Photograph: Parliament TV. - Credit: Archant

Dominic Raab has been named ‘designated survivor’ by Downing Street if Boris Johnson is taken ill during the coronavirus.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace, with foreign secretary Dominic Raab with home secretary Priti Patel, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove. Photograph: Matt Dunham/PA. – Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

The foreign secretary and former Brexit secretary would become the acting prime minister if anything happens to Johnson during the pandemic.

The decision has been divisive, with many ministers expecting Michael Gove, the chancellor of duchy of Lancaster, to step up to the role.

‘If Boris can’t do his job because he is incapacitated, a lot of people think that Michael [Gove] should be running the show, not Raab. One of these people is Michael, of course,’ said one speaking to the newspaper.

MORE: Boris Johnson declares ‘war’ on coronavirus by announcing ‘top team’

The plan would also see Lee Cain, director of communications, and Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s senior adviser, replaced by either Isaac Levido, Tory general election campaign manager, or Paul Stephenson, communications director for Vote Leave.

Raab has tested negatively twice for COVID-19, despite viewers of a recent Prime Minister’s Questions expressing concerns about his health after he had a coughing fit during the session.

Johnson recently announced his ‘top team’ for tackling the pandemic includes Raab, Gove, Matt Hancock and Rishi Sunak.


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