THE Prime Minister has been branded "ridiculous" and has prompted uproar after being spotted in a North East hospital without wearing a face covering, despite guidance.

Boris Johnson has suffered huge backlash after meeting staff at Hexham General without a face covering, despite the hospital's own guidance advising their use "at all times."

The PM had already suffered from an embarrassing backlash over his decision not to wear a mask while sat next to Sir David Attenborough at COP26, last week.

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However, defending his decision not to wear a covering at all times while in the hospital, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning. 

After being quizzed by Sally Nugent, Mr Raab said the PM had followed “all the protocols and procedures” while he was on the premises.

During the interview, Mr Raab was read the guidance from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital in Hexham.

He was then told that it stated: “Anyone attending our hospitals and community settings must continue to wear a face covering at all times to protect patients, visitors and staff.”

Mr Raab then responded: “I know the Prime Minister took the advice on the clinical setting that he was in and followed all the protocols and procedures that were applied there, and that’s what everyone should do.”

BBC presenter Sally Nugent then asked Raab whether he thought that it was the "best look" for a PM, when others had continued to follow the trust's guidance.

Appearing to disregard concerns, Raab added: "I think the right thing to do in all those settings is to take the advice that you've got, follow the guidance very carefully and I know thats what the PM did."

'Ridiculous'

However, ITV Good Morning Britain contributor Dr Hilary Jones said it was “ridiculous” that the PM had failed to set an example.

He said: “He should have been wearing a mask. He should have been setting an example, especially in a hospital when today’s headlines scream 11,000 people caught Covid in a hospital.

“It’s ridiculous. Nobody had the guts to say ‘Prime Minister, put a mask on or you can’t come in.’ That’s what should have happened.”

In a statement posted on social media, the trust said Mr Johnson had worn a face covering in each of the clinical areas he visited, despite its own guidance.

It said: “Please be assured that infection prevention and control remains an utmost priority for our trust.

“The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, followed strict measures, including wearing a mask, in each clinical area he visited.”

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