PM Boris Johnson won't self-isolate despite aide tested positive for Covid
August 7, 2021, 1:51 am

Boris Johnson

According to BBC, Downing Street says PM Boris Johnson will not self-isolate, after a member of his staff tested positive for Covid during a trip to Scotland.

The BBC reported that no 10 said the visit was carried out in line with Covid protocols, and the prime minister has not been in close contact with a positive case.

But one source told the BBC that Mr Johnson had been close to the person who tested positive.

Labour accused the PM of "cooking up a reason to be above the rules".

Mr Johnson visited Scotland on Wednesday and Thursday, travelling to the central belt and the north east.

It's understood the member of staff accompanied him on a visit to the Police College in Fife on Wednesday.

It's also understood the person travelled with the prime minister on a plane on the same day.

The source told the BBC the prime minister and staff member were "side-by-side" at points during the visit to Scotland.

Anyone traced as close contact of a positive case currently have to self-isolate at home for 10 days under government rules.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister regularly visits communities across the UK and all aspects of visits are carried out in line with Covid guidance.

"The Prime Minister has not come into close contact with anyone who has tested positive."

Government guidance says someone "can be" a close contact if they have had a face-to-face conversation within one metre with someone testing positive.

Or, they can have been within one metre for one minute without face-to-face contact, or within two metres of the person for longer than 15 minutes.

The 15-minute period can count as a single contact, or multiple contacts over the course of one day.

The guidance says someone "may also" be a close contact if they have travelled in the same vehicle or plane as the person testing positive.

Labour party chair Anneliese Dodds said: "It's clear the prime minister hasn't learned anything from what happened last time he tried to cook up a reason to be above the rules everyone else has to follow."

"Senior Conservatives are really taking the public for fools. This is yet another example of one rule for them and another for everyone else."

Mr Johnson recently left a period of self-isolation, when he was identified as a contact of Health Secretary Sajid Javid, after he tested positive last month.

Along with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who was also identified as a contact, the PM initially tried to avoid quarantine through a workplace daily testing pilot Downing Street is taking part in.

However, in a rapid U-turn, both Mr Johnson and his chancellor decided to enter isolation after their plans to take part in the scheme prompted a furious political backlash.

Source: BBC
Image source: Reuters-BBC

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.