No10 has slapped down Boris Johnson's plans to bring back "regular" Downing Street press conferences.
The outgoing Prime Minister announced the move as he was desperately trying to get back on track after a number of scandals.
Mr Johnson and other Cabinet ministers were expected to speak about the cost-of-living crisis in an echo of the 5pm briefings that happened during the Covid crisis.
But today, the PM's official spokesman told reporters: “I don’t believe there are plans for for those anymore.
“But that’s not to say there won’t be future press conferences”.
The spokesman said “the plan remains unchanged” on public sector pay reviews, with most pay review bodies now having reported back.
The press conferences were set to start next week and take place in Downing Street's £2.6m briefing room built during the pandemic.
Like during Covid, ministers could be accompanied by officials or experts to explain soaring inflation and measures the government is taking to help.
It comes as Mr Johnson refuses to step aside and allow Dominic Raab, the deputy Prime Minister to be the caretaker PM.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman was asked about calls by some Conservatives, including former prime minister Sir John Major, to install Mr Raab as a caretaker premier until a permanent successor is in place.
The official told reporters: “The Prime Minister is acting in line with convention.
“He remains Prime Minister until a new party leader is in place and the work of government will continue while that takes place”.
