Boris Johnson denies imposing ‘lockdown by stealth’ amid Tory anger

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Prime Minister urged people to be “cautious” about their activities during the festive period, but said the Government does not “want to make your choices for you about your social life”. Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, Conservative MP for Winchester Steve Brine said: “At a stroke the chief medical officer changed Government policy and put this country, certainly hospitality… into effective lockdown. “And on support, because advisers are now running the show – I bet none of them run a business facing complete ruin as a result of what was said last night – the Treasury is going to have to do more, because otherwise we risk ruining and wasting the amazing support that Her Majesty’s Treasury gave last year.” Greg Parmley, chief executive of industry body Live, said: “The current lockdown by stealth is quickly pushing the live music sector to the edge.” Prof Whitty told the Health and Social Care Committee on Thursday that he did not wish to dictate to people what they can and cannot do. And also to be clear, was a message the Prime Minister also said last night.” The committee heard from the UK Health Security Agency chief medical adviser, Dr Susan Hopkins, who said there were 15 people in hospital with the Omicron variant, but Prof Whitty said the “real number” will be “much bigger than that”.