THE Defence Secretary and six senior military figures are self-isolating following a visit to Oxfordshire last week.

A meeting was held by Chief of Defence, Nick Carter, at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham.

Mr Carter has since tested positive for Covid-19, with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and heads of the RAF, Royal Navy and Strategic Command alerted by the NHS Test and Trace app.

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They must stay at home for a 10-day period after coming into close contact with Mr Carter during the meeting on Thursday.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “The Chief of the Defence Staff has tested positive during routine Covid-19 checks.

“Colleagues who were in a senior meeting with him last week, including the Secretary of State, are self-isolating in line with Government guidelines.”