Boris Johnson apologises for getting north-east England lockdown rules wrong

Prime minister says he ‘misspoke’ when he wrongly suggested ‘rule of six’ does not apply outdoors

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Boris Johnson has apologised and said he “misspoke” after wrongly suggesting the “rule of six” limiting public gatherings does not apply outdoors in north-east England, adding to confusion about the latest lockdown rules.

Answering media questions after a speech in Exeter, the prime minister had said: “Outside the areas such as the north-east where extra measures have been brought in, it’s six inside, six outside.”