The Prime Minister made the new eyebrow-raising claim despite his previous pledges of a return to normality turning out not to be true

Boris Johnson today claimed Britain can “defeat” coronavirus “by the spring” of 2021.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons Covid-19 could be vanquished due to technical developments including drugs, testing and a vaccine.

His eyebrow-raising claim comes despite his past comments being littered with failed promises to defeat the virus. In March Mr Johnson said the nation could “turn the tide” within 12 weeks and in July he set out a plan for “significant normality” by Christmas.

It also comes despite the UK’s vaccine chief suggesting a vaccine, if approved, may only go to half of Brits. Current plans involve prioritising 10 groups for a vaccine – including over-50s, NHS staff and the vulnerable – with the rest of the public back of the queue.

And it comes despite the PM himself admitting the lockdown could have to be extended beyond December 2.

The Tory leader made the comments today as he updated Parliament on England’s four-week lockdown to begin on Thursday.