Labour leader Keir Starmer goes into self-isolation as family member shows Covid-19 symptoms

The Labour leader has taken the precaution of self-isolating which means he will miss the Commons debate on controversial Brexit legislation.

Keir Starmer has gone into self-isolation after a member of his household started showing symptoms of Covid-19.

The Labour leader took part in a phone-in on LBC radio on Monday morning where said he Scotland does not need another independence referendum before discovering the news.

His office alerted the broadcaster about the situation and Starmer will work from home while the family await the results of the test.

In the meantime he will not be able to take part in the Commons debate on Boris Johnson’s controversial Brexit legislation and it is uncertain if he will be able to take part in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

His spokesman said: “This morning Keir Starmer was advised to self isolate after a member of his household showed possible symptoms of the coronavirus.

“The member of his household has now had a test. In line with NHS guidelines, Keir will self-isolate while awaiting the results of the test and further advice from medical professionals.”

It is understood that a member of Starmer’s family works for an NHS hospital, where the staff are entitled to prompt Covid-19 tests for themselves and their families.

During the phone-in, Starmer tore into the Prime Minister over his Brexit plans and told him to “get on with” getting a deal with the EU rather than re-treading old ground.

He said: “Boris Johnson is all over the place.

“Here he is, he’s signed a deal - he either knew what he was signing, in which case how has he got himself in this position? Or else he didn’t know, which I think is probably worse.

“I don’t think the outstanding issues can’t be resolved so my message to Boris Johnson is: get on with it and actually focus on what most people are speaking about this morning which is how on Earth do we defeat and deal with this pandemic?”

Asked about the Scottish referendum, Starmer said: “No one in his party wanted to see the UK broken up.

“I think it’s in all of our interests to hold together the UK - I think dealing with the pandemic has shown that.”

Boris Johnson's spokesman said the PM had spoken to the leader of the opposition this morning and given him his best wishes.