Neil Ferguson

The scientist who led research that is reported to have influenced changes to the UK's coronavirus policy is self-isolating after developing symptoms of Covid-19.

Prof Neil Ferguson, from London's Imperial College, led a group of experts modelling the effect of policies introduced to curb the virus.

Their latest findings suggested that - without the adoption of harsh "suppresion" tactics that effectively shut down society - hundreds of thousands would die in the UK.

Prof Ferguson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he developed symptoms on Tuesday and a high fever overnight - hours after attending a Downing Street press conference.

"Central London is really the kind of hotspot in the UK at the moment... still in Westminster, there is a lot," he said. 

"It is becoming quite a widespread community infection especially in hotspots like London," he added.