Johnson faces Tory backlash as lockdown lifting put on hold

Boris Johnson is to announce that the ending of lockdown restrictions in England is being delayed (Peter Byrne/PA)

Boris Johnson is facing a furious backlash from Tory MPs as he prepares to put the final lifting of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England on hold.

The British prime minister is expected to announce the ending of social-distancing rules – which had been slated for June 21 – will be delayed for four weeks to July 19, with the BBC reporting early on Monday the decision had been signed off by senior ministers.