Dilyn appears to now be out of the dog house as Boris Johnson was seen taking him for a run today just days after calling for someone to ‘please shoot that f****** dog’ after he gnawed his way through antiques at Chequers.
The PM – wearing a jumper, Adidas shorts and his favourite red beanie hat embossed with a Welsh flag – was seen puffing his way around St James’s Park followed by two protection officers.
Dilyn, a Jack Russell-cross beloved of Mr Johnson’s fiancée, Carrie Symonds, 32, recently landed him with a four-figure repair bill after chewing on antique furniture and books at the country residence in Buckinghamshire.
Mr Johnson, 56, has told friends he had to foot the bill for ‘making things good’.
It comes as the PM faces a major day in the Commons, with a speech this afternoon unveiling a ‘cautious’ route out of lockdown – with all schools reopening from March 8 but precious few other easings until Easter.
Boris Johnson – wearing a jumper, Adidas shorts and his favourite red beanie hat embossed with a Welsh flag – was seen puffing his way around St James’s Park today followed by two protection officers
The PM’s decision to take Dilyn with him on a run comes days after he called for someone to ‘please shoot that f****** dog’ after he gnawed through antiques at Chequers
News of the latest Dilyn-related drama emerged 24 hours after the Mail revealed that the dog sparked a row in Downing Street by cocking a leg over a senior aide’s handbag in the No 10 garden.
But Dilyn caused an even bigger stink at Chequers, where Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds spend many weekends, taking him for walks on the 1,000-acre estate.
One insider said: ‘I was at a meeting where Dilyn darted under the PM’s feet with an old book in its mouth. The PM shouted “for God’s sake, I’m going to get another £1,000 repair bill! Someone please shoot that f****** dog!”
‘Luckily, Carrie wasn’t around to hear him.’ They added: ‘I don’t think he meant it literally.’
Another witness described a ‘Laurel and Hardy-style farce’ as a kneeling Prime Minister attempted to reclaim the book from Dilyn’s clenched jaws.
A government source said: ‘Dilyn is not popular with staff at Chequers. He causes havoc, gnawing at the furniture and soiling the carpets which have to be cleared up.’
The 16th-century manor house in Buckinghamshire has served as the country residence of every prime minister for a century.
Given to the nation by Sir Arthur Lee, who set up a trust to pay for its upkeep, it is crammed with antiquities and art.
The property’s wood-panelled Great Hall contains a 40ft-by-40ft rug and a grand piano beloved by Winston Churchill.
Mr Johnson, 56, seen in St James’s Park on a run this morning, has told friends he had to foot the bill for ‘making things good’
Carrie Symonds holds Dilyn after arriving for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency count declaration at Brunel University in Uxbridge, London, in December 2019
Chequers, a 16th-century manor house in Buckinghamshire, has served as the country residence of every prime minister for a century
One visitor claims to have seen Dilyn ‘mount’ a stool made from the foot of an elephant shot by US president Teddy Roosevelt.
On another occasion, a minister was taken aback at a Chequers gathering when Dilyn relieved himself during a discussion on foreign affairs.
‘We ignored the pong at first,’ they said. ‘Then everyone burst out laughing.’
One senior Tory claimed a farmer had complained to Mr Johnson after Dilyn wandered into his field.
‘The PM said the farmer had threatened to shoot Dilyn if it happened again,’ the source said.
The comments came as further details emerged of what has become known as Dilyn’s Watergate, which saw him cock a leg over No 10 aide Katie Lam’s handbag.
Sources said Miss Symonds was ‘very angry’ with the ensuing reaction from Miss Lam, who has now left her post. ‘Katie did nothing wrong,’ a friend of Miss Lam said.
‘She did what any woman would have done when they saw a dog about to relieve itself on her handbag. She is brilliant and a massive loss to No 10.’
The PM regularly goes on runs with Dilyn around Chequers, and is seen with him in the countryside near the grand house last year
Mr Johnson with his pet dog Dilyn on a visit to Conservative Party HQ on day 28 of his General Election Campaign in 2019
A Downing Street spokesman said Miss Lam resigned ‘on friendly terms’.
There is no suggestion that her departure is linked to the incident in the garden, nor is there any criticism by the Daily Mail of Miss Symonds or Miss Lam.
Rumours swirling around Westminster that Dilyn could face an outright ban from Chequers were dismissed by No 10.
An official defended the dog, saying: ‘It’s not his fault. He is a lovely little fellow but does not appear to have got enough training when he was a puppy.
‘He has bundles of energy and constantly gets under your feet… he doesn’t know any better.’
Abandoned by a puppy farmer for having a misaligned jaw, Dilyn was rescued by the Friends of Animals Wales charity before being adopted by Mr Johnson and Miss Symonds.
Friends of the Prime Minister stressed that he loves Dilyn. Downing Street declined to comment.
‘A recipe for never unlocking’: Tories slam Boris’s four tests as he prepares to announce ALL schools will return on March 8 in new ‘roadmap’ and Rule of Six is back three weeks later – but shops, salons and pubs face waiting MONTHS
By James Tapsfield, Political Editor for MailOnline
Boris Johnson vowed to unveil a ‘cautious’ route of lockdown today despite a Tory backlash – with all schools reopening from March 8 but precious few other easings until Easter.
The PM is set to reveal his ‘roadmap’ in a statement to the Commons this afternoon once it is rubber-stamped by Cabinet, after scientists seemingly won the battle for a slow approach regardless of the surging vaccination drive.
The first steps to freedom will prioritise getting children fully back into classrooms in a fortnight’s time, while people will also be able meet one friend or family member in the park for a coffee or a picnic from March 8.
However, the next stage of loosening will not be until March 29, when the Rule of Six will make a comeback – and be extended to allow two households to gather, enabling relatives to meet properly for the first time in months.
That date will also see the reopening of tennis courts and golf courses and the return of grassroots football.
But people will not be allowed to take holidays over the Easter weekend. And shops, hairdressers and pubs are all likely to remain closed until mid-April at the earliest, regardless of mounting fears about the economic meltdown.
The roadmap, which runs to around 60 pages, is set to include modelling supporting the government’s tentative strategy.
It will be published alongside more positive news about the effectiveness of jabs in reducing transmission, with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi saying the evidence ‘looks good’.
But Mr Johnson will run the gauntlet of anger on his own benches this afternoon, as he sets four tests for continuing with any easing including no new concerns emerging about variant strains. The other criteria are the vaccine rollout going well, jabs being effective at reducing hospital admissions and deaths, and avoiding a surge in hospital cases.
Notably the rules do not mean that the loosening must stop if infections rise – as ministers believe they inevitably will when schools open. Instead the focus will be on serious illness that increases pressure on the NHS, with the goal of keeping the R number below one apparently downgraded.
Previous modelling has suggested that a third peak will happen when restrictions are eased, with the question whether it risks overwhelming capacity.
Mr Johnson tweeted this morning: ‘Our priority has always been getting children back into school which we know is crucial for their education and wellbeing. We’ll also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely.
‘Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step, and we will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.’
Former chief whip Mark Harper, chair of the 70-strong Tory Covid Recovery Group, said: ‘Keeping restrictions in place ”because a new variant may come along in the future” is a recipe for never unlocking. Ever.’
Children in Scotland and Wales are already returning to classrooms from today, although the move is being staggered.
Business chiefs are urging Mr Johnson to ‘be bold’ to save the economy.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said now was the time ‘to commit to reopening our pubs so that thousands of communities and businesses up and down the country can begin to emerge from this crisis’.
The latest development in the pandemic came as:
- Mr Zahawi said that the government was hoping this will be the last ‘severe’ coronavirus lockdown in England;
- One in three adults have received a Covid jab as the government brings forward its target for vaccinating the whole population to July;
- Scientists have hailed early data showing the vaccines reduce transmission of coronavirus as well as easing its effects;
- Surge testing was introduced in Brentwood, Essex, following the discovery of the South African variant in the area;
- Former Tory leader William Hague said he could not see ‘much justification’ for keeping restrictions in place once the over-50s have been vaccinated by April;
- Latest figures showed 215 Covid deaths were recorded yesterday, down 16.6 per cent week on week, while infections also dropped by 10 per cent to 9,834 cases.
The first steps to freedom from lockdown will prioritise reopening schools and reuniting families, Boris Johnson said last night. On March 8, all pupils will return to the classroom as part of the first of four steps towards getting the country back on its feet.
In two weeks, on March 8, you will be able to meet one friend or family member in the park for a coffee or a picnic for the first time in months (stock photo)
Mr Johnson’s plans for easing lockdown have been bolstered by the latest data whihc shows Covid-19 infection rates have continued to drop, with 9,834 more cases reported – a fall of 10 per cent on last week – while the 215 new daily deaths brought Britain’s total up to 120,580
Mr Johnson said the country’s ‘sacrifices’ during the coronavirus pandemic must not be in vain
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi stressed today that the relaxation of lockdown must be ‘gradual’
In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Zahawi said the lockdown easing will be a case of ‘steady as she goes’.
Asked if travelling distances to see family would be permitted from March 29, he said: ‘As long as it’s outdoors, and it is two families, or the rule of six, then that is what will be permitted if the four tests continue to be delivered upon.
‘That will be the national lockdown, of course Scotland, as you mentioned, Northern Ireland and Wales will be setting out their own road map towards reopening their economies as well.
‘So at the moment, the focus is very much on the steady as she goes. Outdoor versus indoor, priority being children in schools, second priority is obviously allowing two people on March 8 to meet outside for a coffee to address some of the issues around loneliness and of course mental health as well.
‘And then the 29th is two families or rule of six coming together and outdoor sporting activities as well.’
Mr Zahawi confirmed that the PM will also announce data on the effect of coronavirus jabs on hospital admissions and deaths alongside the road map.
‘Suffice to say the evidence looks good,’ he told Sky News.
‘The Oxford team demonstrated their own evidence of cutting transmission by two thirds.
‘We wouldn’t be in this place this morning to be able to say that we’re going to reopen schools on March 8, and of course, as the school holidays begin on March 29, we will look at the rule of six and two families being (able) to see each other outdoors, if we’re not confident that actually the vaccine programme is beginning to really bear fruit.’
Mr Zahawi did not deny that opening all schools could push the R number over one, but he insisted the government is being ‘careful’.
‘First of all, it’s no coincidence that the 8 March date has been chosen because the middle of February is when we offered the vaccine to the top four most vulnerable cohorts, and those who look after them,’ he said.
‘That is three weeks after that last person has had the first dose, when the protection really does kick in. And so we are being deliberately careful. And, of course, [we are] allowing teachers notice to be able to prepare.
‘So it’s ambitious, but it’s also careful, and it’s data driven.’
Mr Johnson will say today that further restrictions will be lifted in the weeks after March 8, as long as the four tests designed to keep the pressure off the NHS keep being met.
They are that: the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully; evidence shows the jabs are effective at reducing hospital admissions and deaths; infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital cases; and no risky new variants emerge.
He said last night the four tests were currently being passed, allowing the first step to go ahead from March 8.
The Prime Minister said he would bring the country out of lockdown ‘cautiously’.
‘Our priority has always been getting children back into school… and we will also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely,’ he said.
In another piece of positive news, researchers have suggested that both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines have a strong impact on reducing hospital cases.
A study examined hospital admissions in Scotland among people who have had their first jab and compared them with those who had not yet received a dose of the vaccine.
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh, the University of Strathclyde and Public Health Scotland found that by the fourth week after receiving the initial dose, the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines reduced the risk of going into hospital by up to 85 per cent and 94 per cent respectively.
But in a blow to many families, they will not be allowed to take holidays over the Easter weekend. And shops, hairdressers and pubs (pictured) are all likely to remain closed until mid-April at the earliest
Close contact services such as hairdressers and beauty parlours were among the last to open during the relaxation of restrictions last year due to the higher risk of infection
Mr Johnson’s roadmap was signed off by senior ministers at a special Covid-S meeting yesterday, and will be rubber-stamped by the Cabinet this morning.
The Prime Minister will make a statement to Parliament in the afternoon, and host a televised press conference in the evening.
Mr Johnson’s roadmap has four steps, with step one coming into force in two parts: March 8 and three weeks later on March 29. The first step focuses on education and providing for a sensible increase in social contact outdoors.
From March 29, as school holidays begin, more social contact will be permitted. Outdoor gatherings of either six people – the Rule of Six – or two households can take place.
Also from March 29, outdoor sports facilities such as tennis or basketball courts will reopen. Organised adult and children’s sport can also return. This will allow grassroots football for all ages to begin again.
Addressing MPs this afternoon, Mr Johnson will set out the latest data on infection rates, hospitalisations and deaths, as well as data showing the vaccines’ efficacy.
He will say that due to the relatively uniform spread of the virus across the country, restrictions will be eased step-by-step across the whole of England at the same time.
The long walk out of lockdown: People happily stroll along the Long Walk in Windsor, Berkshire today as calmer weather prevails across the south of England
An ice cream truck sees a huge queue of customers waiting to buy a treat earlier today in Hampstead Heath as the country enjoyed its hottest day of 2021
Sir Keir Starmer yesterday backed Mr Johnson’s demand that all children should be back in England’s classrooms on March 8, setting himself on a collision course with the unions.
The Labour leader’s stance comes after a coalition of unions and professional bodies warned that reopening schools to all pupils at the same time would be ‘reckless’ and could risk another spike in Covid-19 infections.
But yesterday the unions were accused of bringing the teaching profession ‘into disrepute’ through their hardline stance.
And it emerged that head teachers will be given hundreds of millions of pounds to open classes during the six-week summer break for youngsters who have fallen behind with their education.
The route out of lockdown – what happens when? From outdoor sports to a pint in the pub… and the potential road blocks that could STILL stand in the way
Today, Boris Johnson will take the first step on a ‘cautious – but irreversible’ journey towards bringing the country out of lockdown as he sets out his roadmap for the next few months.
Cautious because of what happened in December last year when a short period of loosening caused a huge spike in cases; irreversible because the Prime Minister knows the public appetite for a return of restrictions is gone, so he must tread carefully.
Mr Johnson’s blueprint sees a new series of relaxations on current restrictions in each month up to June, a four-phase plan to get Britain as close to normal as possible while the vaccine rollouts continues at pace.
It is understood the PM met with Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak to hammer out of the finer details last night, and will present his full plan to cabinet ahead of its unveiling.
At each stage the government has been urged to consider four ‘tests’ – infections, not overwhelming the NHS, vaccinations, and protection from new variants – on which to base their decision to move forward.
Under the mantra of ‘data not dates’, it is understood that there is wiggle room to delay a relaxation if at any point there are fears of moving too quickly or one of the tests is not met.
While the exact details will be made public later on, here is what is understood to be planned for Mr Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown:
PART 1 – MARCH 8
Schools reopen ++ care home visits return ++ meet a friend outdoors
SCHOOLS – All schools in England will welcome back pupils from both primary and secondary years on March 8. Boris Johnson previously said parents would be given two weeks’ notice of a return, which is a fortnight from today.
Sports will also return, meaning children will be able to take part in PE lessons and supervised after-school activities.
According to the Daily Telegraph there is no requirement that sports be outdoors only, meaning swimming pools and indoor courts could be used.
It is hoped that every child could be tested for coronavirus before their return, with schools given the freedom to choose whether to stagger the initial return.
Across the rest of the UK, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already confirmed that schools in Scotland will start to reopen from today.
In Wales, primary schools will begin the process of reopening next Monday and Mark Drakeford will announce a ‘review’ of the lockdown on Friday.
In Northern Ireland schools will remain closed to most pupils until at least March 8. Stormont is discussing what to do about general restrictions.
Sports will return meaning children will be able to take part in outdoor activities (file picture)
SOCIALISING OUTDOORS – Elsewhere, one person will be able to meet a relative or friend in an outdoor public space to socialise.
CARE HOMES – Care home residents will also be allowed a single designated visitor, meaning a child or loved one will be allowed to see their relative for the first time in months. The visitor will need to wear PPE and test negative for Covid before entering. Holding hands is allowed but kissing and hugging remain barred.
PART 1b – MARCH 29
Rule of six outdoors ++ Outdoor sports ++ ‘Stay at home’ removed
SOCIALISING OUTDOORS – It is understood that the blanket ‘stay at home’ rule will be removed by March 29, shortly before the Easter weekend begins on April 2.
Most significantly, the ‘rule of six’ for gatherings of friends and relatives will return. This allows six people from different households or more than six from two households to meet in an outdoor space.
OUTDOOR SPORTS – With the weather hopefully better, outdoor sports including those involving teams like football and basketball will return along with golf and tennis.
INDOOR SPORTS – Indoor sports will remain off the table, except in school. It is possible there could be advice urging team sports to minimise contact, for example touch rugby rather than rugby union.
TRAVELLING – The ‘stay local’ rule will also be removed here, so people will be allowed to drive to see a relative or friends, as long as any socialising remains outdoors.
WORKING FROM HOME – The removal of ‘stay at home’ orders however does not impact work, with no change to guidance on people work from home ‘where possible’.
Shoppers walk through Kingston town centre in South West London in November last year
PART 2 – APRIL
Non-essential shops reopen ++ Outdoor dining could return
SHOPS – Government sources have been reluctant to give details on plans further out than March, but it is believed the big one for April will be non-essential retail being allowed to return.
Many stores have chosen to stop click and collect services during the national lockdown, but this practice could be encouraged to avoid large numbers of people going into shops where it is avoidable.
The two-metre rule is likely to stay in place as shops make their initial return, it has been one of the government’s most effective pieces of guidance, with shops spending millions on signage telling customers to stay apart.
OUTDOOR DINING – At this point there could also be either a takeaway service allowed for pub and restaurants, or possibly even outdoor dining.
UNCERTAIN TIMING – The exact date of this is unclear, with the Sun putting it at around April 12 to 19, with hairdressers also allowed to reopen around the same time.
The Telegraph put it at April, but say hairdressers will take until May, while the Guardian claim a late April date. The Times claims shops could be open for Easter.
Business leaders and backbench Tories have been urging Mr Johnson to ‘be bold’ in his plans for reopening the economy, including allowing pubs to get a full summer (stock picture)
PART 3 – MAY
Indoor dining at pubs & restaurants ++ Hairdressers & salons reopen
INDOOR DINING – In March 2020, well over a year ago at this point, unrestricted revellers packed out pubs for the last time before the country jumped into full lockdown.
May could be a crucial moment in the easing of restrictions with the partial return of indoor gatherings, both in pubs and restaurants.
This is seen as one of the riskier areas of virus transmission for the government and will be looked at carefully much closer to the time before a decision is made.
By this stage, if the Government has hit its vaccine rollout plans, the most vulnerable groups to Covid-19 – those over 50 – will have all been offered their jab by now.
Tory MPs and the UK hospitality sector are lobbying for an even earlier opening and have stressed that many pubs and restaurants are facing a ‘cash crunch’.
They want to see serving inside happening as soon as it is safe, with table service and a requirement to wear masks when not eating or drinking likely to become the norm.
HAIRDRESSERS – Hairdressers and beauty salons could also open, although the Sun has reported this could actually take place by mid-April.
Part 4 – June
Holidays return ++ Indoor household mixing
HOLIDAYS – At this point the government is creeping towards every adult in Britain being offered their first Covid jab, and a level of immunity in society some believe to be adequate for the biggest loosening of all – holidays.
The tourism sector is one of the worst hit by the pandemic, with only hotels at airport filling their rooms – and most of them are not by choice.
It is also believed this loosening of restrictions is only for UK holidays rather than international travel which could require the development of a vaccine passport programme.
INDOOR SOCIALISING – Different households may also, finally, be able to meet indoors. But much of the changes in stage four will be dependent on how effective the vaccine rollout is by then.
The biggest, but most elusive, easing is likely to be holidays. Pictured: Lyme Regis last May
Time to be bold, Boris: Hospitality leaders and Tory MPs unite to demand return of pubs by Easter
ByDaniel Martin Policy Editorand Tom Witherow For The Daily Mail
Tory MPs lined up with business leaders last night to urge Boris Johnson to ‘be bold’ and accelerate the lifting of all lockdown restrictions.
Pubs and restaurant owners said they needed to see light at the end of the tunnel after a devastating year for the hospitality industry.
Former Conservative leader Lord Hague heaped further pressure on the Prime Minister by saying there would be little justification for keeping most Covid limits once the over-50s have been vaccinated in April.
This came as 40 Tory MPs joined with the hospitality industry to urge Mr Johnson to open pubs and restaurants in time for Easter.
Former Conservative leader Lord Hague heaped further pressure on the Prime Minister by saying there would be little justification for keeping most Covid limits once the over-50s have been vaccinated in April
Mark Harper, CRG chairman, said: ‘Britain’s hospitality industry has had one of the toughest years on record and it’s vital we do everything we can to get them open in a Covid-secure way that allows them to protect jobs and operate viably’
Some people are on the (tug-o-war) pitch… they think it’s all over!
As the old saying goes, if you give them enough rope… but this dozen-strong group didn’t even need that as they engaged in a tug-o-war just by linking arms and joining hands.
While the contestants in the park certainly put their own spin on the test-of-strength challenge, they may also have had their own interpretation of the Covid restrictions.
While it is unknown whether they are from the same household, exercise with only one other person from a different household is permitted. It is also against the law to leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with.
As well as the tug-o-war game on Hampstead Heath in north London, the unusually clement February weather saw crowds flock to Regent’s Park and Richmond Park. Many Britons decided to make the most of the sunshine as it was announced that Covid infection rates had fallen by 10 per cent on the previous week.
But the warm weather appeared to encourage some to neglect lockdown rules. According to current restrictions, outdoor gatherings must be limited to just two people from two households. Those found breaking the rules can be given a fixed penalty notice of £200.
With Boris Johnson outlining his roadmap for steering the nation out of its third national lockdown today, a relaxation of rules surrounding exercise and meeting people outdoors is expected to come on March 29.
Meanwhile Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, called on the Prime Minister to open up the tourism industry.
‘There is enormous demand for seeing friends and family, and taking a holiday,’ he said. ‘Passengers and airlines want to see a bold plan detailing how and when they will be able to take to the skies, safely, again.’
Lord Hague told Sky News: ‘I’m hoping to hear that before too long the great majority of restrictions can be lifted.
‘If we are going to reach the point where everybody over 50 has had the opportunity to be vaccinated and the number of cases is down to a very low level, the sort of level we last saw in the middle of summer last year.
‘If both of those things have happened by some time in April, then there wouldn’t be much justification for keeping most of the restrictions.
‘Coming in through 2021, we ought to be in a position with mass testing, a test and trace system and the huge success of the vaccination programme… then we do have the tools to prevent future lockdowns.’
Last night the UK’s leading hospitality trade associations joined forces with the Covid Recovery Group of 40 Tory MPs to call for the sector to open by Easter.
Mark Harper, CRG chairman, said: ‘Britain’s hospitality industry has had one of the toughest years on record and it’s vital we do everything we can to get them open in a Covid-secure way that allows them to protect jobs and operate viably.
‘As we get better and better news about the pace of the vaccination rollout, the public have got to see this success and their sacrifice translating into a return to normal life.’
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the CRG, said pubs and the rest of the hospitality industry had lost hundreds of thousands of jobs ‘and 40 per cent of its businesses are due to fail this year if we don’t start safely lifting restrictions’.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: ‘Pubs demonstrated last year that the trade was able to reopen safely.
‘The millions of pounds of investment in Covid-secure measures mean that we’re in a great position to do so again.’
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said ‘just one in five hospitality businesses’ have enough funds to survive the next month.
‘That is why we urge the Prime Minister to work with us on delivering a safe, swift and sustainable exit from lockdown for hospitality,’ she added. ‘The best way to support these businesses is to allow them to reopen.’
John Foster, of the Confederation of British Industry, said that companies are looking to Mr Johnson to ‘provide a pragmatic route out of lockdown and inject some real momentum back into the economy’.