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Keir Starmer to give a televised address to the UK on coronavirus in response to Boris Johnson's speech

AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

Sir Keir Starmer is set to make a televised speech to the nation in response to Boris Johnson’s coronavirus statement on Tuesday evening.

The Labour leader's “right of reply” to the Prime Minister’s address – in which he warned tougher restrictions could be imposed if the rate does not fall – will be aired on Wednesday evening.

Sir Keir’s speech will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm, the corporation said – the same prime time slot given to Mr Johnson a day earlier.

A Labour source said: “He will support what the Government’s announced but also state that another national lockdown isn’t inevitable and what we need to do is follow the rule of law and fix issues such as testing.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street)

The shortcomings of the UK's test and trace system have been a key focus for Labour for months.

Mr Johnson dismissed claims on Tuesday that the new restrictions are in part due to the floundering system and appeared to blame "freedom-loving" Brits , telling MPs that "There is a difference between our country and others.

"Ours is a freedom-loving country... It's very difficult to ask the British population uniformly to obey guidelines in the way that is necessary."

The new rules for England mean that office staff will once again be told to work from home, the use of masks will become more widespread and a 10pm curfew will be enforced on pubs and restaurants.

Labour has made a concerted effort recently to boost its media profile, with senior figures taking up radio slots and Sir Keir planning monthly press conferences.

It comes after experts warned on Tuesday that the latest measures do not go far enough to slow the rapid resurgence of the virus.

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said it was "doubtful" that the measures would be effective enough to reduce the R rate of infection "much before this side of Christmas".

The British Medical Association (BMA) said it was "encouraging" that the Government is facing up to the accelerating transmission rate, but urged that more needed to be done to stop it.

BMA Chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: "The BMA has consistently argued that it was illogical for staff not to be required to wear facemasks in shops, pubs and restaurants as customers are, so we're pleased to see this belatedly coming into force.

"However, given that the infection is equally like to spread in all indoor settings, these rules should also apply to offices and other workplaces.”

Scotland's devolved government imposed harsher measures on Tuesday, including banning household visits.

With additional reporting by PA

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