Steve Hedley, a senior trade union official, has been suspended after making disparaging comments about the prime minister's health.

The RMT's senior assistant general secretary - effectively its number two - is now subject to a "formal investgation".

The union said in a statement its national executive had decided to suspend him while inquiries are made "into his conduct".

Image: The PM was last seen in a self-shot video before he went into hospital

It comes after Mr Hedley reportedly said he would "throw a party" if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus.

RMT president Michelle Rodgers and general secretary Mick Cash said in a joint statement: "Steve Hedley's comments do not represent the views of this trade union and are wholly unacceptable."


Mr Johnson has been moved out of intensive care but is still being treated in hospital.

The latest update from Downing Street was that he "has been able to do short walks" between periods of rest.

Mr Johnson's spokesman said it was too early to speculate how long the prime minister would need to stay in hospital, adding he was not aware of any contact between Mr Johnson and Number 10.