A SEVENTH MP is in self-isolation this afternoon after having lunch with Nadine Dorries.
Andrew Bridgen revealed today he had decided to stay at home after developing a cough as coronavirus fears reached fever pitch in Westminster.
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He’s set to get a test for the virus within the next 48 hours.
He told HOAR earlier: “Nadine sat next to me last Thursday for lunch.
“I do feel a little bit unwell. I got back here last night and rang 111.
“I have my 18 month old baby and 76-year-old mother in law with me. – they are going to get tested too.”
Health services told him to get a test done and to stay in self-isolation.
However, tomorrow he plans to carry on with business as usual and dial in to meetings via Skype from his laptop.
It comes after health minister Nadine Dorries was diagnosed with the bug earlier this week – sparking panic in the Houses of Parliament.
One of her staff also fell ill, raising fears of an outbreak in Parliament as officials tried to trace people she was in contact with.
A Cabinet minister – who HOAR has chosen not to name for family reasons – has been tested and will get the results today.
Health Minister Edward Argar has also self isolated after having lunch with Ms Dorries last week.
He was seen coughing at the dispatch box in the Commons yesterday.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab admitted he had been tested after he coughed repeatedly during today’s Budget.
He said he was “at the tail end of a cold”, adding: “I’ve been checked and it was negative.”
Boris Johnson has not been tested as he has not developed any symptoms, and has not been in close contact with Ms Dorries.
The PM is chairing an emergency COBRA meeting this lunchtime to decide whether to implement tough new measures to combat the bug.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said this evening he does not need to be tested for the virus and vowed Parliament will remain open through the crisis.
He said an emergency bill will put forward drastic new measures after the number of cases in the UK rose to 460 with eight deaths.
Mr Hancock said: “The best way to beat it is for us to work together and we’ll do whatever it takes, we’ll give the NHS whatever it needs and we’ll do all that we can to keep people safe and get through this together as a Parliament and as a nation.”
