MAYOR of London Sadiq Khan has urged residents in Croydon to “come forward” for a test after it was discovered that the person behind the mystery case of the Manaus variant of Covid-19 was found to live in the borough.

In a statement, Mr Khan said the Government’s delay in implementing a hotel quarantine system for international arrivals had been to blame for allowing the P1 variant, first identified in the Brazilian city of Manaus, into the country.

The capital’s Labour leader said: “It is good news that this person is now in touch with the authorities.

“To ensure we minimise the risk that this strain of the virus spreads further, public health officials in Croydon are now encouraging people to come forward for a test – and I urge residents to take one when offered, regardless of having symptoms or not.

“The Government’s delay in introducing robust quarantine hotel requirements, and the fact that ministers continue to drag their feet on strict measures at our borders, is evidence that they are failing to do all they can to stop new variants from being imported at a crucial stage in our fight against this virus.

“I urge Londoners to continue to follow the rules as we get this awful virus under control.”