How to ask a question at the Downing Street briefing as session opened up to the public

Members of the public will be able to quiz senior Ministers on the coronavirus crisis and what the Government’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic.
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The daily coronavirus briefing which takes place at 10 Downing Street each afternoon is being opened up for public questions.

Under the plans, one question a day from the public will be put to the minister holding the press conference.

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The questions will be chosen at random by an independent polling organisation, it has been confirmed on the Government’s official website.

Each day, one member of the public will be invited to record question to be played to Government ministers during the daily briefing. Photo: PA.Each day, one member of the public will be invited to record question to be played to Government ministers during the daily briefing. Photo: PA.
Each day, one member of the public will be invited to record question to be played to Government ministers during the daily briefing. Photo: PA.

The statement said: “The Government is not involved in choosing questions and ministers will not see the question before the press conference.”

All submitted questions will be reviewed at midday on the day of the press conference.

The selected questioner will then be informed by 3pm which is two hours ahead of the usual press conference time.

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It is yet to be confirmed but times may differ on a weekend as the briefing begins an hour earlier at 4pm.

If your question is selected, you will be given the choice of their filming yourself asking the question, with the footage being played during the press conference or someone can read the question out on your behalf.

You must be over 18-years-old to be eligible to use the online form to submit a question for consideration.

If you would like to get involved and submit a question, then you can click here for the Government’s online form.

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