Boris Johnson goes under general anaesthetic for 'routine operation'

Boris Johnson goes under general anaesthetic for 'routine operation'
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 20/06/2022

- 12:41

Updated: 20/06/2022

- 12:55

Boris Johnson underwent a “very minor routine operation related to his sinuses” at a London hospital on Monday morning, Downing Street has said

The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said: “He went to hospital around 6am and the operation was carried out first thing this morning.

“He was back in Downing Street shortly after 10am.”


Asked how Mr Johnson was feeling, the spokesman said he had not spoken to him since his return to Downing Street but that he was resting at home.

GB News Political Editor Darren McCaffrey tweeted: "PM Boris Johnson had a 'minor routine operation related to his sinuses under general anaesthetic at a London hospital on Monday morning.

"He is currently resting and Dominic Raab is effectively stepping up today to cover should significant decisions need to be made."

The timing of Mr Johnson’s return to work depends on how he feels, but he is said to be planning to chair Tuesday morning’s Cabinet meeting.

Asked who was in charge of the UK nuclear accounts during the procedure, the spokesperson said Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case were aware in advance and that Mr Johnson was under for a “relatively brief time”.

He said: “Operationally, my understanding is there’s a 24-hour period from when the operation takes place … under which sort of significant decisions would be deferred to probably in the first instance the Deputy Prime Minister.

“Now we’re not anticipating any of that being required currently, but we do have that capability.”

The operation was on the NHS and was scheduled “for a while”, he said, without specifying at which hospital it took place.

Mr Johnson’s sinus issue was not understood to be related to his Covid illness in 2020.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
House of Commons

Dominic Raab was 'aware in advance'
Dominic Raab was 'aware in advance'
Joe Giddens

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