Boris Johnson accused of 'outrageous' lack of concern about floods

PM chairs Cobra meeting after being criticised for not declaring national emergency

Boris Johnson has been accused of displaying an "utterly outrageous" lack of concern about the severe floods that have devastated hundreds of homes and caused more than 1,200 properties to be evacuated in northern England.

Under increasing pressure over the issue, the prime minister chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra on Tuesday after he was criticised by Jeremy Corbyn for not declaring a national emergency.