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The prospects of an early end to the crippling coronavirus lockdown receded today as Boris Johnson is understood to be prioritising staving off a second wave of infections.

The Prime Minister has told colleagues his 'overriding concern' is to avoid a second peak in the pandemic that would plunge the country back into turmoil.

Mr Johnson is still recuperating from the disease at Chequers, but conveyed his views during a two-hour meeting on Friday with foreign secretary Dominic Raab, senior adviser Dominic Cummings, communications director Lee Cain, and cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill. 

In a round of interviews this morning, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: 'The PM is very concerned about a second peak if we lift the restrictions too soon.'