'False negative' Covid test scandal: Newbury MP Laura Farris rules out local Covid spike after issues with PCR tests at Newbury Showground

Newbury MP Laura Farris has said there is no evidence of a Covid spike in the area, following a wave of 'false negative' test results.

It emerged last night that the Newbury Showground testing site was among those caught up in an issue at a laboratory.

Testing at the laboratory in Wolverhampton where false negative Covid tests from the town's showground were sent has now been suspended.

Mrs Farris urged anyone who had a test from the Newbury showground between October 3 and 13 to get re-tested as soon as possible.

She was unable to confirm how many people had passed through the centre in Chieveley in that time period.

But she added that, having spoken with council officials in West Berkshire, there is no evidence to suggest a Covid spike in the area.

"This is not an issue with the showground centre staff," she said. "I want to reassure you all that this is an isolated incident and there has been no issue with the way that staff at the showground have processed tests, or faults with PCR testing kits themselves.

"The showground testing site remains fully operational and tests are now being sent to other laboratories so please keep using this facility with confidence. It has also been confirmed that postal PCR testing kits are unaffected."