Johnson plans tighter restrictions amid fears of new variant Covid-19

Boris Johnson is holding crisis talks with ministers amid fears over the spread of the new variant coronavirus (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Boris Johnson is holding emergency talks with Cabinet ministers as scientists confirmed that the new variant coronavirus was spreading more rapidly.

The move comes amid reports that the British prime minister is set to announce a new Tier 4, with tighter restrictions for London and the South East, while cutting back on the planned relaxation of the rules over Christmas.