COVID-19: PM suffers backlash over plans to ditch rules on wearing face masks

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also warned that lifting all restrictions in one go would be 'reckless' - and is calling for face coverings to remain mandatory on public transport. He said: 'To throw off all protections at the same time when the infection rate is still going up is reckless. 'We need a balanced approach, we need to keep key protections in place, including masks, including ventilation and crucially... proper payments to those who need to self-isolate.' Dr Chaand Nagpaul of the British Medical Association said it was 'increasingly concerning' for Mr Johnson to 'decide to go full steam' on easing measures - despite warnings over rising hospital cases and deaths