The prime minister’s spokesperson first said the departure was at “the start of the weekend”, then said it was on Friday morning – before correcting himself by stating it was at 3pm on Friday.
He did not answer directly whether Mr Johnson knew if his health secretary was feeling ill when he left London for Chequers – after a Friday meeting between the pair.
“The correct process has been followed,” the spokesperson said, stating Mr Johnson was at the country home when he was identified as a close contact of Mr Javid, by the test and trace system.
“Once contacted by NHS Test and Trace over the weekend, he has isolated and has not travelled subsequently because he did not want to travel across the country,” he added.
In a contradictory briefing, the spokesperson was unable to say when Mr Johnson learnt of Mr Javid’s positive test – or when he was identified as a close contact by test and trace.
At one point he stated he left for Chequers on Friday morning – before it was pointed out that there were photos of the health secretary leaving the pair’s meeting early on Friday afternoon.
After stating the departure was at 3pm, the spokesperson said: “The health secretary took his test on Saturday, so the correct process has been followed.”
He would not say whether Carrie Johnson, the prime minister’s wife was with him, but did state that the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is quarantining in his flat above No 10.