Boris Johnson Is Recovering After 'Routine Operation' In Hospital

Boris Johnson is recovering after undergoing a 'routine operation' today (Monday 20 June), having called on Dominic Raab to serve as acting prime minister as he recovers.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: "The Prime Minister this morning had a very minor routine operation related to his sinuses.

"He went to hospital around 6:00am and the operation was carried out first thing this morning.

"He was back in Downing Street shortly after 10:00am this morning."

The spokesperson said Johnson had been given general anaesthetic for the operation and would spend the day resting.

He is planning to chair Tuesday morning's Cabinet meeting, the spokesperson added.

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When asked who would be in charge of nuclear accounts while Johnson recovered, the spokesperson said Raab and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case had been made aware of his absence ahead of the operation.

They 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."

Earlier this month, Johnson survived a vote of confidence from Tory MPs, with 211 votes in favour and 148 votes against.

If he had lost, he would have been forced to stand down, but the result means he is safe from such a challenge for a year. 

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Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee, confirmed that rules can change, having told reporters at the time: “Technically it’s possible for rules to be changed but the rule at present is there would be a period of grace.” 

Others also pointed out that previous leaders have won confidence votes only to resign months later, including Theresa May.

Speaking after the outcome of the vote was announced, Johnson said he was ‘grateful’ to his colleagues who had supported him. 

He told the BBC: "What it means is as a government we can move on and focus on the stuff that I think really matters to people.

"I'm grateful to colleagues and the support they've given me.

"What we need to do now is come together as a government and a party."

He went on to say that this vote was an opportunity for his party to ‘put behind us’ arguments from within. 

He added: "What we have now is an opportunity to put behind us all the stuff people in the media like going on about.

"What we're going to do now is take the opportunity to unite and deliver."