Porton Down is assessing the new Covid variant from Brazil and officials expect to issue an update later today, No10 has said.
Downing Street said the variant "could pose a significant risk to the UK" and is believed to be more transmissible. Top scientists at the UK research facility in Wiltshire are examining the variant, as they did with other more transmissible mutations that began in Kent and South Africa.
An update will be given later today and Boris Johnson is expected to lead a Downing Street press conference at 5pm. But the Prime Minister's spokesman said there is currently "no evidence" it is more deadly or could resist a vaccine.