Boris Johnson warns pub-going public 'don't blow it' but refuses to condemn dad's trip to Greece

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the public to "not blow it" this weekend when pubs reopen in England and said he hopes people "behave responsibly" amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

In an interview with LBC's Nick Ferrari, Mr Johnson said Britain is in "good shape" in its fight against Covid-19, but said people must "enjoy summer sensibly" and continue sticking to guidelines.

But he has refused to condemn his father Stanley for apparently breaching lockdown rules with his recent trip to Greece.

Despite urging the public to be sensible ahead of the reopening of the hospitality industry this weekend, the prime minister, when prompted, refused to criticise his father for flying to Athens - a move described by many on social media as a "blatant" lockdown breach.

Credit: PA

The 79-year-old Johnson arrived in the capital city on Wednesday evening to visit his mountain villa after flying via Bulgaria in order to bypass Greece's ban on arrivals from the UK.

When asked by LBC's Nick Ferrari what he'd say to his dad, the prime minister said: "I think you really ought to raise that with him."

When pressed, he continued to dodge the question, instead saying he was "not going to get into details of family conversations".

Following the comment Twitter was littered with furious users writing: "One rule for us and another rule for them."

It follows the prime minister's stringent defence of his chief aide Dominic Cummings over his trip to Durham during the height of lockdown.

Mr Johnson said he "really" understands people's feelings regarding Mr Cummings' 260-mile journey, but would not go so far when speaking about his father.

When asked for "one comment" on his dad's trip, Mr Johnson said: "I think the overwhelming majority of the British people have understood what needs to be done and have been very prudent, and that is the right thing to do."

He says people should continue following the rules as lockdown eases.

The prime minister wants people to go out this weekend in order to help restart the UK's stalled economy.

Boris Johnson would not condemn his dad Stanley's trip to Greece. Credit: PA

With many businesses within the hospitality industry set to open on Saturday, the prime minister will tell a Downing Street press conference this evening that people should not "overdo it" when they hit pubs for the first time in months.

He will say later: "Anyone who flouts social distancing and Covid-secure rules is not only putting us all at risk but letting down those businesses and workers who have done so much to prepare for this new normal.

"Tomorrow (Saturday) is about supporting the livelihoods of business owners and their employees up and down the country - all of whom are opening their doors for the first time in more than three months."

But he will add: “We are not out of the woods yet”.

“All these businesses and their workers have put in a heroic effort to prepare their venues for this reopening, to work out a way to trade in a way that keeps their customers safe.

“But the success of these businesses, the livelihoods of those who rely on them, and ultimately the economic health of the whole country is dependent on every single one of us acting responsibly. We must not let them down.

“The virus is still with us and the spike in Leicester has shown that. If it starts running out of control again the Government will not hesitate in putting on the brakes and re-imposing restrictions."