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AN East Renfrewshire politician has hailed Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a "fighter" who will be incredibly frustrated during his time in hospital.

Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood and leader of the Scottish Conservatives, thanked those around the world who had sent their best wishes to Mr Johnson during his treatment for coronavirus.

The Prime Minister was moved to an intensive care unit yesterday after his symptoms worsened.

However, Mr Carlaw reiterated that Mr Johnson is in intensive care as a precaution.

He said: "It's an alarming moment. He is a strong, physical, robust man but, as we know, this virus is no respecter of anybody."

Mr Carlaw added that he has been in touch with Scottish Secretary Alister Jack but there were no further updates on Mr Johnson's condition.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will deputise for the Prime Minister where necessary while he is in hospital.

Asked how Mr Johnson would be coping with the situation, Mr Carlaw said: "I think he must be enormously frustrated.

"We all see him as a hugely ebullient and robust personality, somebody who will have been absolutely determined last week to lead from the front. In isolation, that will have been very difficult.

"I suspect for all of us who are in isolation there is a sense all the time that you should be doing something, that you're waiting for something to happen.

"It's very difficult just to rest and yet, impossibly, resting a little more might have been of benefit.

"But he's a fighter, so I fully expect that's exactly what he'll be doing just now."

Mr Carlaw said he is keeping in close contact with Mr Jack, who is involved in Cabinet decisions.

He added: "I would like to thank the messages of support that have come from across the whole world of politics.

"That has been hugely appreciated by everybody in the Conservative Party.

"We really are all in this together and that has made a huge difference."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those who sent a message to the Prime Minister, posting on Twitter: "My thoughts are with the PM and his family – sending him every good wish."