Cabinet ministers who want to read the Queen’s Speech have been told to do so remotely while being filmed to prevent leaks.
Ministers have not been entrusted with copies of the speech, the government’s legislative programme, which will be announced on May 11.
There is mounting distrust in Whitehall after the government’s plans for a second lockdown were leaked to The Times last year. It resulted in the “chatty rat” leak inquiry, which has yet to conclude.
Boris Johnson has signed off more than 25 bills to be presented in the speech next week as he seeks to flesh out his coronavirus recovery plan.
The legislative programme will feature planning reforms and details of the post-Brexit state aid regime.
The prime minister has told