Under government guidelines, the UK Foreign Secretary will now have to self-isolate for 14 days after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for the deadly virus. This comes as the world watches America to await who will be the next President of the United States.
According to Mr Raab’s spokesperson, he will continue to work remotely as he self-isolates.
They said: “The Foreign Secretary was today informed that an individual with whom he has been in recent close contact with has tested positive for coronavirus.
“In line with Government regulations and NHS track and trace rules, the Foreign Secretary has taken immediate steps to self-isolate for the required period.
“He will continue to work remotely during this time.”
Dominic Raab forced to self-isolate (Image: Getty)
Boris’ right-hand man forced to self-isolate (Image: Mirror)
This comes after Mr Raab has been kept busy amid diplomatic challenges with the US over the election chaos.
After the Republican President falsely claimed victory and subsequently has launched numerous legal challenges, the UK’s relationship with the US is entering a tough phase.
Both Mr Raab and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have refused to criticise the Republican leader for his claims.
Mr Raab said the UK “needs to be patient” and await the outcome of the election and insisted “we have full confidence in the checks and balances of the UK system to produce a result”.
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Dominic Raab forced to self-isolate (Image: Getty)
Yesterday Mr Raab was asked if the UK government would condemn Mr Trump’s actions but the Foreign Secretary said: “You’re asking me to comment on the campaign commentary from both sides and indeed the pundits, which forgive me, I’ll refrain from doing.
“It’s a very close election, it’s uncertain, we may not know the definitive results for hours if not days.”
Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy called his response ‘shameful’.
She told the BBC: “In the last few months Dominic Raab has spoken out very clearly about attempts to undermine democracy by China and Hong Kong, attempts by Russia to undermine democracy in Belarus.
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UK coronavirus cases mapped (Image: Express)
“To not stand up for the rights of people in the world’s most powerful democracy to have their votes counted and to have their voices heard was a sign of how far this government has diminished Britain on the world stage.”
While the US election is still anyone’s game, Democrat hopeful Joe Biden’s hopes of becoming US President are looking increasingly promising.
The former Vice President could, however, pose difficulties for a post-Brexit Britain, as a US-UK trade deal hangs in the balance.
The Democrat criticised Mr Johnson’s Internal Market Bill, which risked undermining the Northern Ireland protocol, during Brexit talks with the EU, and insiders warn there could be ill-feeling towards the Prime Minister from Washington.
Dominic Raab with Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
This week, Downing Street confirmed that Mr Johnson had never personally met the Democrat contender.
But Mr Raab sought to play down the prospect of a strained relationship under a Biden administration and stressed that the US election was still too close to call.
He told Sky News: “I’m not worried about the relationship.
The contours of the opportunities and the risks always shift a little bit, but that needs to be set against the context of this bedrock and this wider set of interests which are so strong.”
Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden (Image: Getty)
Tory peer, Nicky Morgan, warned if Mr Biden is elected president it would add a “layer of complexity” to the UK’s future with the US.
Ms Morgan said: “I think it will add another layer of complexity because of course we are striking out on our own.
“We won’t be members of the EU from the first of January next year.
“Having said that I think the relationship between the UK and the US is so multi-layered.
“Particularly in relation to security and NATO that in other ways if there is a change in the White House that will make the UK’s life easier.”
