First and Deputy First Minister send messages to Boris Johnson as he spends night in Intensive Care as Coronavirus symptoms worsen

Boris Johnston pictured in January at Stormont Castle with First Minister Arlene Foster,Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and the then Secretaty of State Julian Smith at the start of the new Power Sharing . Presseye/Stephen Hamilton

The leader of the Conservative Party had been diagnosed with COVID-19 over a week ago and spoke over recent days about how he was continuing to self-isolate because his temperature had still not returned to normal.

However it is understood his condition deteriorated on Monday, and he was admitted to a COVID-19 ward at St James Hospital close to Westminster in London.

On Monday night he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, and reports suggest he has been administered oxygen but was not on a ventilator by late last night.

In a Tweet, Arlene Foster said: “On behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive, I send our best wishes to the Prime Minister

@BorisJohnson. Praying for a full and speedy recovery.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill meanwhile Tweeted: “Wishing Boris Johnson and all those battling Covid 19 every best wish to a speedy recovery.”