Coronavirus media briefings set to resume

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Tuesday, 18 August 2020 11:41

By Peter Moor @pfmoor

The last time Coronavirus media briefings were held was in June

By PA reporter

Coronavirus media briefings are set to resume at Stormont, fronted by Health Minister Robin Swann.

The press conferences were discontinued following a political row over the attendance of Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill at the funeral of IRA veteran Bobby Storey at the end of June.

Ms O’Neill denied she had breached Covid-19 regulations and guidelines by attending an event that saw hundreds gathered on the roadsides in west Belfast.

Michelle O'Neill attending the funeral of Bobby Storey

First Minister Arlene Foster and Ms O’Neill have not delivered a joint coronavirus briefing since.

While there continues to be no indication of an imminent return to the podiums by Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill, it is understood Mr Swann will face questions alongside chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride and chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young on Tuesday afternoon.