The wife of a Conservative MP has angrily berated a health minister who tested positive for coronavirus.

Nevena Bridgen, who is married to North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen, publicly criticised Nadine Dorries for not informing health officials of contact with her husband.

Earlier this week, Ms Dorries became the first MP to be diagnosed with COVID-19 - the disease that develops from coronavirus - and is now self-isolating at home.

But, as she recuperates, the Tory minister - who is in charge of patient safety - was forced to respond to a furious Mrs Bridgen.

Because, I did not sit next to your husband. He was in tea room when I walked in, on another table not close to me.

He text me andtold me he had sat next to me, I was too ill to discuss but not sick enough not to know, that wasn’t true. I told him if he was worried, to call 111. https://t.co/WDaRiOvI6Z — Nadine Dorries 🇬🇧 (@NadineDorries) March 13, 2020

In response to a tweet Ms Dorries sent praising "amazing" Public Health England staff, Mrs Bridgen asked: "Why you did not tell them that you set next to my husband Andrew Bridgen on Thursday in a tea room and that he can't get the test now!"


Mrs Bridgen, a Serbian opera singer, claimed her baby and 75-year-old mother had now been "jeopardised".

"You were treated but no one is coming to help us!," she added to Ms Dorries.

Mr Bridgen, who has said he has a "cough and a cold", is currently working from home via Skype and telephone as he himself self-isolates.

Ms Dorries dismissed Mrs Bridgen's accusations, posting on Twitter: "Because, I did not sit next to your husband.

"He was in tea room when I walked in, on another table not close to me.

"He text me and told me he had sat next to me, I was too ill to discuss but not sick enough not to know, that wasn't true.

"I told him if he was worried, to call 111."

How to contain a global pandemic

Ms Dorries has previously said she felt "weak and tired" on Thursday, but only showed the first symptoms of coronavirus - a cough - on Friday mid-morning.

She attended an event at 10 Downing Street, hosted by Boris Johnson, on Thursday.

It is understood the prime minister was not in close contact with Ms Dorries at the event and has no coronavirus symptoms.

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However, a growing number of MPs are now self-isolating after displaying some symptoms or having had contact with individuals who have subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

Home Office minister James Brokenshire is self-isolating after meeting with Australia's interior minister Peter Dutton in Washington last week, where they both attended the same White House event.

Mr Dutton has since tested positive for COVID-19.

The government has so far rejected suggestions that parliament could be shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.