Boris Johnson's former chief adviser has claimed that the Prime Minister tried to maintain his weekly face-to-face audiences with Queen Elizabeth during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the elderly monarch being vulnerable to the virus.

Dominic Cummings, who resigned late last year, said that he had to convince Johnson not to visit the Queen, who was then 93, at the outset of the pandemic in the UK in March 2020.

According to Cummings, Johnson said: "I'm going to see the Queen ... that's what I do every Wednesday. Sod this. I'm going to go and see her."

"You can't go and see the Queen. What if you go and see her and give the Queen coronavirus? You obviously can't go," Cummings responded. "I just said, 'If you give her coronavirus and she dies, what are you going to [do]? You can't do that. You can't risk that. That's completely insane.'"

"And [Johnson] said -- he basically just hadn't thought it through -- 'Yeah ... I can't go.'"

The Queen went into isolation with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, outside London, soon after the purported exchange described by Cummings. It has since emerged that both Prince Charles and Prince William, second and third in line to the throne, both had the virus in the early stages of the pandemic.

Russia unveils new 'Checkmate' fighter jet

Mali's interim president targeted in stabbing attempt during Eid prayers

A corona-infected man wears burqa to go home, but this small mistake opened pole!

Peru Presidential Election: Pedro Castillo declared President-elect winner