The PM floundered as he was grilled on how the restrictions work, suggesting that households could still mix in groups of six indoors. In fact, it appears households will not be allowed to mix, regardless of numbers. The toe-curling moment came after skills minister Gillian Keegan suffered a series of car crash interviews this morning, admitting she was unable to answer key questions over new curbs that come into effect from midnight. Answering questions about the North East lockdown at Exeter College in Devon, Mr Johnson said: 'On the rule of six, outside the areas such as the North East where extra measures have been brought in, it is six inside, six outside. 'And in the North East and other areas where extra tight measures have been brought in you should follow the guidance of the local authorities. 'But it's six in a home or six in hospitality, but as I understand it not six outside. That is the situation there.' Ms Keegan was asked whether restrictions banning households in the region from meeting indoors from tomorrow applied to pubs and restaurant gardens. She said 'I don't know the answer to that question'.