Yahoo News Harriet Harman: 'If Boris Johnson is well enough to talk to Trump, he can take PMQs'
If Boris Johnson is well enough to talk with Donald Trump, he is well enough to take prime minister’s questions (PMQs), veteran MP Harriet Harman has said.
Johnson is not said to be doing any formal government work while he recuperates from coronavirus and did not take PMQs on Wednesday, but has spoken to US president Donald Trump and is reportedly set to have a telephone audience with the Queen.
“I don’t see why he shouldn’t be able to do prime minister’s questions from Chequers or No 10 Downing Street or wherever he is working from,” Harman told Sky News.
"I don't see why he shouldn't be able to do prime minister's questions from Chequers."
Labour's Harriet Harman suggests that if the PM is "well enough" to speak to the US President and instruct the government, he could answer MPs questions remotely.https://t.co/70TMZdMEUO pic.twitter.com/xyVWiMqoob— SkyNews (@SkyNews) April 23, 2020
She went on: “I think if he is well enough to be conducting discussions on behalf of this country with the president of the United States, if he’s well enough to be issuing instructions to all parts of government, then I think part of that is giving answers publicly to what he is doing.”
Dominic Raab, who is deputising for the PM while he recovers, stood in for Johnson at Wednesday’s PMQs.
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According to reports, the PM watched Raab’s clash with Labour leader Keir Starmer from Chequers, where he is being updated regularly and speaking to senior aides.
Harman, who has previously held several cabinet and shadow cabinet positions, said if Johnson was well enough to do some things, he should be taking questions in the interests of accountability.
She added: “I think accountability really is part of the job is what I’m saying and if he’s well enough to do the job then he must be accountable as well.
“We can’t have a situation where we’ve got a prime minister behind the scenes and we’ve got somebody else speaking on his behalf.”
