Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries had an awkward exchange during a morning media round, appearing reluctant to speak about her most recent contact with Boris Johnson

The Cabinet minister challenged BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt as to why he was asking her if she had spoken to the Prime Minister in the past 24 hours.

During the exchange, Stayt said he was “really confused”, asking Ms Dorries if his question was a “difficult” one.

The presenter asked: “Have you spoken to the Prime Minister recently, in the last 24 hours?”

After a brief pause, a smiling Ms Dorries replied: “Why? Why are you asking me that question?”

Stayt replied: “I’d like to know.”

Dorries simply said: “We’ve communicated.”

Appearing perplexed, Stayt went on to say: “I’m really confused. Is that a difficult question? I’m just asking if you’ve spoken to the Prime Minister, in the last 24 hours.”

Dorries repeated: “We have communicated.”

Stayt went on to ask what Mr Johnson had communicated to her, but Ms Dorries declined to go into detail.

She said: “I’m not going to tell you the extent of my communications with the Prime Minister. I mean, I’ve answered your question. We have communicated. What is your next question?”

When Stayt asked about the PM’s mood, Dorries described it as “very positive, extremely positive”.