In a shocking revelation from Sir Patrick Vallance’s pandemic diaries, it was claimed that experts were used as ‘human shields’ by the government. The officials allegedly ‘cherry-picked’ scientific evidence to justify their decisions regarding Covid-19. Sir Patrick, the Chief Scientific Adviser, who frequently appeared alongside ministers during press conferences, wrote that Downing Street often claimed to be ‘following the science’ in order to defend their actions. He further accused an unidentified official of completely altering scientific advice on social distancing.
Sir Patrick’s private notes described this intervention as ‘extraordinary’ and revealed that No 10 was in turmoil, leaving then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson caught in the middle. The diaries also shed light on other controversies, including accusations of ‘flip-flopping’ and delayed decision-making by Mr Johnson. Additionally, former Downing Street senior adviser Dominic Cummings described the Cabinet Office as ‘terrifyingly shit’ during discussions about implementing lockdown measures in March 2020.
The opening day of the Covid-19 Inquiry in London presented evidence of a toxic atmosphere and factional infighting within the government. WhatsApp messages between Johnson, Cummings, and others portrayed a disturbing picture of internecine attacks on colleagues. Cummings even claimed that the Cabinet was not a suitable place for serious discussion or decision-making, suggesting that it served merely as political theater.
These revelations were supported by entries in Sir Patrick’s diaries, which highlighted tensions within the government. For instance, one entry mentioned Mr Johnson’s desire to return to normal by September 2020, while another noted that ministers wanted the science to provide answers rather than making independent decisions. Sir Patrick expressed concern about a growing divide between Sage and No 10, stating that scientific advice was being manipulated and cherry-picked.
The inquiry also touched upon Rishi Sunak’s “eat out to help out” scheme, which allegedly proceeded without the input of senior scientific advisers or consideration of its impact on infection transmission.
The lead counsel to the inquiry emphasized the need for swift and effective action, highlighting that earlier intervention in January and February 2020 could have prevented the need for drastic measures. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to prevent future pandemics from causing such widespread devastation and loss of life.
The emotional opening of the inquiry included a film featuring testimonials from those who had lost loved ones to Covid-19. Their stories added weight to the urgency of the inquiry’s conclusions and recommendations to mitigate suffering in future pandemics.
The inquiry, which commenced with module one examining the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic, is expected to conclude in 2026. Premier Boris Johnson, along with several other key figures such as Rishi Sunak, Dominic Cummings, and Matt Hancock, is set to give evidence during the second module in November.
The comprehensive investigation will cover various modules, including the decisions made by Mr Johnson and his team, the impact on healthcare systems and workers, and the development and rollout of vaccines and therapeutics for Covid-19.
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