Rishi Sunak has criticised the government’s response to Covid – suggesting independent scientific advisers were given too much authority.
Sunak told the Spectator magazine there had not been enough discussion about the negative side-effects of lockdowns.
He said he had felt “emotional” when he argued to keep schools in England open.
Downing Street said the economy and education had been “central” considerations in decision-making.
Sunak also hit out at campaign posters showing Covid patients on ventilators, saying it was “wrong” to “scare people”.
Sunak insisted he did not want to blame individuals but said he believes a series of mistakes were made by ministers during the pandemic.
He said ministers were not given enough information to scrutinise analysis produced by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) – a group of independent experts advising the government.
“We shouldn’t have empowered the scientists in the way we did,” he is quoted as saying.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “Throughout the pandemic, public health, education, and the economy were central to the difficult decisions made on Covid restrictions to protect the British public from an unprecedented novel virus.
“At every point, ministers made collective decisions which considered a wide range of expert advice available at the time in order to protect public health.”
A public inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic has been set up, with public hearings to begin next year.
Lead Correspondent | David Clews is the Lead Correspondent for UNN, with over 20 years of political/campaigning experience and a wealth of social media and communication skills David gets to the heart of what is really important to the real people of the UK.
Keep up to date with all of David & UN’s work by linking up with us on our Social Media Channels by Clicking Here Now: https://unitynewsnetwork.co.uk/our-social-media-links/
