'You are a fighter, we need you back': How world reacted as Boris Johnson moved to intensive care with coronavirus

Politicians from across the spectrum and around the world have wished Boris Johnson well after the Prime Minister was placed in intensive care with severe coronavirus symptoms.

Mr Johnson is understood to be conscious and was moved to intensive care at about 7pm on Monday as a precaution should he require a ventilator.

The 55-year-old had been admitted to St Thomas' hospital in central London on Sunday evening after testing positive for Covid-19 10 days ago.

Having been in hospital for tests and observation, his doctors advised that he be admitted to intensive care on Monday evening.

He was later given oxygen after suffering breathing difficulty, No 10 confirmed.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who last spoke to Mr Johnson on Saturday, will deputise for the PM.

Here's how the world's leaders and newspapers reacted.

Britain

Newly elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer led messages of support from all the major party leaders, saying "all the country's thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time".

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was sending the PM "every good wish", while Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster said she was "praying for a full and speedy recovery".

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The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added his wishes for a "swift" return to health.

St Thomas' hospital, where Mr Johnson is being treated, "has some of the finest medical staff in the world, and he couldn't be in safer hands," he added.

A number of Conservative colleagues urged their "boss" to get back to full health, while also offering their support to his fiancee Carrie Symonds, who herself is overcoming the virus.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak posted: "My thoughts tonight are with BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds. I know he'll be getting the best care possible and will come out of this even stronger."

International trade minister Conor Burns, who previously served as Mr Johnson's parliamentary private secretary, tweeted: "You are a fighter and we need you back."

Former cabinet colleague Amber Rudd said she "received a characteristically ebullient, light-hearted, positive response from Boris over weekend when I wished him a speedy recovery".

"I now want to multiply those good wishes 100 fold and send him hopes and support for a healthy recovery."

And business minister Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: "Thoughts & prayers for @BorisJohnson & @carriesymonds and their family. I have known Boris for 20 years he is a fighter and will beat this virus."

Former chancellor Sajid Javid echoed the sentiment, responding: "Boris is one of the strongest people I know. Thinking of him, Carrie and his family tonight. Get well soon, the country needs you."

Friends and opponents of times past also offered their support, with former prime minister David Cameron tweeting: "Thinking of @BorisJohnson and his family tonight. Get well soon. You are in great hands and we all want you safe, well and back in @10DowningStreet."

And his previous Prime Minister's Questions opponent Jeremy Corbyn posted: "My thoughts are with Boris Johnson and his family tonight. Thanks to the £NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."

North America

In the US, US president Donald Trump said: "I also want to send best wishes to a very good friend of mine, and a friend to our nation, prime minister Boris Johnson.

"We're very saddened to hear he was taken into intensive care this afternoon, a little while ago.

"And Americans are all praying for his recovery. He's been a really good friend, he's been really something very special. Strong, resolute, doesn't quit, doesn't give up."

Mr Trump also said he had asked two "genius" companies working in therapeutics to contact London immediately. He said: "We'll see if we can be of help. We've contacted all of Boris's doctors and we'll see what is going to take place but they [the companies] are ready to go.

"But when you get taken into intensive care that gets very very serious with this disease. We are working with London with respect to Boris Johnson."

Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and senior adviser, also tweeted:

Across the border, Justin Trudeau said: "Sending my best wishes to Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a full and speedy recovery. My thoughts are with you and your family right now. Hope to see you back at Number 10 soon."

Europe Union

The European Union's top officials sent public messages wishing Mr Johnson a "full recovery".

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and the EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier fired off separate tweets saying their thoughts and wishes were with Johnson.

"My thoughts are with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his family this evening. I wish him a speedy and full recovery," von der Leyen tweeted.

The messages from the others used very similar words.

"Wishing Boris Johnson all the best and a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with you and your family," said Barnier, who himself is recovering from a positive COVID-19 test result he revealed March 19.

The EU's foreign policy supremo, Josep Borrell, also tweeted: "Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery, Boris! best wishes, Josep."

The speaker of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, tweeted a similar sentiment.

Europe

French president Emmanuel Macron was the first major leader to send his wishes, tweeting: "All my support to Boris Johnson, his family and the British people at this difficult time. I wish him well."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had earlier told BFMTV: "I know his strength, I am convinced he will draw from his resources, which are great, the capacity to overcome this ordeal. It's also symbolic of the seriousness of this crisis, which affects everyone."

Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, which has also suffered a high number of cases of coronavirus, tweeted: "My solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery for the Prime Minister  Boris Johnson.

"These are difficult days for our countries, but from strength and unity, we will be able to win this battle. A hug to all the British people."

In Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted in English that "the Italian people is with the UK in these difficult times. We are one for each other. Get well soon Boris Johnson!"

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz tweeted: "Get well soon, dear Boris Johnson! My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult moment."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that "on behalf of the Dutch cabinet, I wish Boris Johnson, his family and the British people lots of strength during this difficult time."

"I hope to be able to speak to him soon in good health," Rutte tweeted.

Ireland

Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, said: "Boris Johnson is in our thoughts tonight. We wish him a speedy recovery and a rapid return to health."

And Ireland's deputy leader Simon Coveney added: "Everyone in Ireland is tonight wishing  Boris Johnson well. This is a difficult time for the UK and it's Govt. We in Ireland wish the PM a speedy recovery."

Elsewhere in the world

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted: "Get well soon Boris Johnson. Thinking of you, your family and all our UK friends at this tough time."

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "and the People of Israel pray for the speedy and full recovery of our friend British Prime Minister," the Prime Minister's office tweeted.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sent a tweet saying his thoughts and prayers are with Mr Johnson.

He said: "To my dear friend @BorisJohnson , my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, as you fight for a swift recovery.

"The people of Japan stand with the British people at this difficult time."