The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved into intensive care at St Thomas' Hospital after his coronavirus condition worsened, Downing Street said this evening.

It is believed he was having difficulty breathing and was given oxygen before being moved into the IC unit but has not been placed on a ventilator.

Mr Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise "where necessary", a spokesman added.

Mr Rabb said this evening: "Since Sunday the Prime Minister has been under the medical care of the team at St Thomas’s hospital after he was admitted with persistent coronavirus symptoms.

"During the course of this afternoon, the Prime Minister’s condition worsened and, on the advice of the medical team, he’s moved to a critical care unit.

"So in light of those circumstances, the Prime Minister asked me as First Secretary to deputise for him where necessary in driving forward the Government’s plans to defeat coronavirus.

"And, as you’ll know, he’s been receiving excellent care at St Thomas’s hospital, and we’d like to take this opportunity as a Government to thank NHS staff up and down the country for all of their dedication, hard work and commitment in treating everyone who’s been affected by this awful virus."

The prime minister, 55, was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital on Sunday with what were described as 'persistent symptoms' from the virus.

The spokesman said he was moved on the advice of his medical team and is receiving 'excellent care'.

A statement read: "Since Sunday evening, the prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.

"Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital."

It continued: "The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."