MPs have overwhelmingly backed sweeping new coronavirus lockdown laws as official figures showed a daily death toll from the disease of more than 1,000 for the first time since mass testing was introduced.
MPs voted by 524 to 16 in favour of the measures, a majority of 508.
The resounding result came despite Boris Johnson’s refusal give the House of Commons a vote on whether or not to lift the restrictions within weeks.
Anti-lockdown Tory backbenchers had demanded MPs consider the issue again at the end of January.
Some are angry the legislation gives ministers the power to keep the strict new controls in place until 31 March, days after the prime minister suggested they would be needed only until mid-February.
