No relation to reality: UK PM brushes off ex-aide' claims that govt delays caused huge Covid toll
3 years, 7 months ago

No relation to reality: UK PM brushes off ex-aide' claims that govt delays caused huge Covid toll

India Today  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday brushed aside allegations from his former chief aide that his failings had caused tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths from COVID-19, saying "some of the commentary" bore no relation to reality. "Some of the commentary I've heard doesn't bear any relation to reality," Johnson told reporters, saying the public wanted the government to focus on taking the country out of the pandemic lockdown. Asked about the allegation from Cummings that Johnson had said he would rather "let the bodies pile high" than impose a second lockdown, an accusation he has previously denied, the prime minister merely said: "I make no comment on it." Health minister Matt Hancock also hit back at Cummings on Thursday after the former aide accused him of repeatedly lying to colleagues and the public about the government's response.

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History of this topic

Whitty: UK faced ‘absolutely catastrophic situation’ before first Covid lockdown
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Whitty: UK faced ‘absolutely catastrophic situation’ before first Covid lockdown

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK faced an “absolutely catastrophic situation” as it headed …

Government’s ‘fatal strategic flaws’ in Covid planning led to avoidable deaths and economic pain
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Government’s ‘fatal strategic flaws’ in Covid planning led to avoidable deaths and economic pain

The Independent  

Mass deaths and economic pain during the Covid-19 pandemic were driven by “fatal flaws” in planning by the government, civil servants and scientists who prepared for the “wrong pandemic”, a public inquiry has found. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry, chaired by Heather Hallett, published its first report on Thursday, focusing on the UK’s pandemic “preparedness and resilience”. The 217-page report said …

Inquiry finds Britain was ill-prepared for COVID-19 pandemic and failed its citizens
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Inquiry finds Britain was ill-prepared for COVID-19 pandemic and failed its citizens

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K. government was ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic and serious errors in planning failed its citizens, an inquiry found Thursday. “In reality, the U.K. was ill-prepared for dealing with the whole-system civil emergency of a pandemic, let alone the coronavirus pandemic that actually struck.” The COVID-19 pandemic has been blamed for more than 235,000 deaths in the …

Covid Inquiry: State failings led to mass death and suffering, damning report concludes - Health Secretaries Hancock and Hunt did not prepare UK for 'catastrophic' pandemic that killed more than 230,0
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Covid Inquiry: State failings led to mass death and suffering, damning report concludes - Health Secretaries Hancock and Hunt did not prepare UK for 'catastrophic' pandemic that killed more than 230,0

Daily Mail  

The UK Government's failure to prepare for a 'forseeable' pandemic led to mass death, 'untold misery' and 'economic turmoil', the Covid-19 Inquiry has concluded. Baroness Heather Hallett, who chaired the Covid 19 Inquiry, highlighting the grave lack of preparedness and resilience that meant the virus tore through communities and overwhelmed the NHS The inquiry said it had 'no hesitation' in …

'Completely wrong': Ex-British PM Boris Johnson on allegations of letting COVID-19 'rip' through UK
1 year, 1 month ago

'Completely wrong': Ex-British PM Boris Johnson on allegations of letting COVID-19 'rip' through UK

India TV News  

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday rejected allegations that he wanted to let the COVID-19 pandemic "rip" through the UK population while defending his handling of the pandemic during a high-profile public inquiry into the crisis. Hugo Keith KC, the lead counsel to the inquiry, quizzed the former PM on whether his best approach was to "let the …

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says
1 year, 1 month ago

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s government was too late in taking action against the coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, the U.K.'s chief medical adviser said Tuesday in testimony to the independent COVID-19 inquiry. He said he had been concerned in particular about longer-term impacts on the poorest people and those living alone, and described the difficulties in …

‘Just let people die’: Sunak reportedly said ahead of national lockdown, COVID probe panel finds
1 year, 1 month ago

‘Just let people die’: Sunak reportedly said ahead of national lockdown, COVID probe panel finds

Firstpost  

The inquiry is examining the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic that shut large sections of the economy and killed more than 220,000 people in Britain. It is due to run until the summer of 2026 British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has allegedly been quoted as saying the government should “just let people die” during the COVID-19 pandemic rather than …

Covid inquiry live: Hancock ‘wanted to decide who should live or die if NHS became overwhelmed’
1 year, 2 months ago

Covid inquiry live: Hancock ‘wanted to decide who should live or die if NHS became overwhelmed’

The Independent  

✕ Close Covid inquiry roundup: Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings provide worrying insight into No 10 Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The …

What is the latest from Dominic Cummings on No 10’s handling of the Covid crisis?
1 year, 2 months ago

What is the latest from Dominic Cummings on No 10’s handling of the Covid crisis?

The Independent  

Dominic Cummings’s bravura performance at the Hallett inquiry has obviously attracted huge attention, and not just because of his potty-mouthed ways. As Cummings explains in paragraph 465 of his witness statement: “A low point was when he circulated a video of a guy blowing a special hair dryer up his nose ‘to kill Covid’ and asked the CSA and CMO …

What we have learned from the Covid inquiry so far this week
1 year, 2 months ago

What we have learned from the Covid inquiry so far this week

The Independent  

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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. – Downing Street and governmental …

Covid was ‘wrong crisis’ for Boris Johnson to handle, ex-Comms chief tells inquiry
1 year, 2 months ago

Covid was ‘wrong crisis’ for Boris Johnson to handle, ex-Comms chief tells inquiry

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Lee Cain, his long-term adviser who served as No 10’s communications director in the pandemic, …

Boris Johnson’s former top aide is withering about UK government during COVID-19 pandemic inquiry
1 year, 2 months ago

Boris Johnson’s former top aide is withering about UK government during COVID-19 pandemic inquiry

Associated Press  

LONDON — The former top aide to ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday painted a picture of widespread chaos and dysfunction in the U.K. government during the coronavirus pandemic. He went to work in Downing Street when Johnson became prime minister in 2019, filling a loosely defined but powerful role that saw him dubbed “Boris’ brain.” At one point …

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced
1 year, 6 months ago

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced

Associated Press  

LONDON — A mammoth three-year public inquiry into the U.K. government’s handling of the response to COVID-19 opened Tuesday by asking if some suffering and death could have been avoided with better planning — and whether Britain’s complex, protracted exit from the European Union distracted authorities from preparing for potential threats. Lawyer Hugo Keith, who is counsel to the inquiry, …

UKHSA plays down reports daily Covid death updates will be axed under plans to ‘live with virus’
2 years, 11 months ago

UKHSA plays down reports daily Covid death updates will be axed under plans to ‘live with virus’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In an ideal situation he will bring an end to them sooner if the …

Death toll due to Covid-19 since start of pandemic crosses 150,000 in UK
3 years ago

Death toll due to Covid-19 since start of pandemic crosses 150,000 in UK

India TV News  

Highlights UK crossed a huge number of 150,000 deaths due to Covid since the pandemic began. Amid rising Covid cases in the UK raising an alarm, the country crossed a huge number of 150,000 deaths due to the infection since the start of the pandemic. Johnson said the coronavirus pandemic has "taken a terrible toll on our country" as he …

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives

India Today  

Britain's failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country's worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation's first comprehensive report on the pandemic. "The report it's produced is laughable and more interested in political arguments about whether you can bring laptops to.meetings than …

UK's failure to impose lockdown in early days of COVID-19 cost thousands of lives, says report
3 years, 2 months ago

UK's failure to impose lockdown in early days of COVID-19 cost thousands of lives, says report

Firstpost  

Lawmakers said their inquiry was designed to uncover why the UK performed “significantly worse” than many other countries during the initial period of the pandemic. London: The British government’s failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic ranks among England’s worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded on Tuesday in the country’s first comprehensive report on …

Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country’s worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation’s first comprehensive report on the pandemic. “Decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic - and the advice that …

UK's health minister denies claim he lied amid the pandemic
3 years, 6 months ago

UK's health minister denies claim he lied amid the pandemic

The Independent  

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. Read our privacy policy British Health Secretary Matt Hancock …

Scientists warned 820,000 could die in UK from coronavirus, Matt Hancock reveals
3 years, 6 months ago

Scientists warned 820,000 could die in UK from coronavirus, Matt Hancock reveals

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The government was warned in January last year that as many …

COVID updates: Positive case attended Docklands Stadium AFL match between Essendon and North Melbourne — as it happened
3 years, 7 months ago

COVID updates: Positive case attended Docklands Stadium AFL match between Essendon and North Melbourne — as it happened

ABC  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would have been willing to inject himself with coronavirus as he was so sceptical COVID-19 was a threat, his former top aide Dominic Cummings told parliament on Wednesday. Mr Cummings said that officials worried Mr Johnson would not have been constructive in planning for the severity of the pandemic had he chaired emergency "COBR" meetings. …

British PM Boris Johnson believed COVID-19 was 'scare story', former chief adviser Dominic Cummings tells inquiry
3 years, 7 months ago

British PM Boris Johnson believed COVID-19 was 'scare story', former chief adviser Dominic Cummings tells inquiry

ABC  

Dominic Cummings, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser, says the government's response to COVID-19 has been a failure and fallen "disastrously short" of the standards the public has a right to expect. Key points: Dominic Cummings said the Western world was too slow to "see the smoke" when coronavirus began spreading in Asia Dominic Cummings said the Western …

Britain remembers 126,000 COVID-19 victims one year after coronavirus lockdown began
3 years, 9 months ago

Britain remembers 126,000 COVID-19 victims one year after coronavirus lockdown began

ABC  

It was a time for reflection, a minute to pause and remember the dead. Back then, Boris Johnson said the UK could "turn the tide" and "send the virus packing" within 12 weeks. A year on from the day he announced a national lockdown, and with the country still in a state of paralysis, the British leader thanked the public …

‘I’m deeply sorry’: UK surpasses 100,000 COVID deaths
3 years, 11 months ago

‘I’m deeply sorry’: UK surpasses 100,000 COVID deaths

Al Jazeera  

Prime Minister Boris Johnson under fire over his government’s response to the virus, which has now killed 100,162 people. “I am deeply sorry for every life that has been lost and, of course, as prime minister, I take full responsibility for everything that the government has done,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. Al Jazeera’s Andrew Simmons, reporting from Bradford, said …

Covid news: Latest updates as R number falls across UK
3 years, 11 months ago

Covid news: Latest updates as R number falls across UK

The Independent  

People with Covid could be paid £500 Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Boris Johnson has …

Johnson under fire as UK again faces onslaught of COVID-19
3 years, 11 months ago

Johnson under fire as UK again faces onslaught of COVID-19

The Independent  

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. “Whereas before, everyone went into a mode of, ‘We …

Johnson under fire as UK again faces onslaught of COVID-19
3 years, 11 months ago

Johnson under fire as UK again faces onslaught of COVID-19

Associated Press  

LONDON — The crisis facing Britain this winter is depressingly familiar: Stay-at-home orders and empty streets. Britain locked down on March 23, and Costello said if the decision had come a week or two sooner, “we would be back down at 30,000-40,000 deaths.. More like Germany.” “And the problem is, they’ve repeated these delays,” said Costello, a member of Independent …

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ‘reconciled’ to tougher Covid-19 restrictions as cases soar
4 years ago

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ‘reconciled’ to tougher Covid-19 restrictions as cases soar

CNN  

London CNN — Coronavirus restrictions in England are “alas probably about to get tougher,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday, as the country battles to rein in a deadly surge in coronavirus infections. “It may be that we need to do things in the next few weeks that will be tougher in many parts of the country, I’m fully …

Covid-19 learns from experience – unlike Boris Johnson and his crew. We are paying for their mistakes
4 years ago

Covid-19 learns from experience – unlike Boris Johnson and his crew. We are paying for their mistakes

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The unexpectedly high compliance with the …

Coronavirus | Boris Johnson locks down England as U.K. COVID-19 cases pass 1 million
4 years, 2 months ago

Coronavirus | Boris Johnson locks down England as U.K. COVID-19 cases pass 1 million

The Hindu  

Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered England back into a national lockdown after the United Kingdom passed the milestone of one million COVID-19 cases and a second wave of infections threatened to overwhelm the health service. The United Kingdom, which has the biggest official death toll in Europe from COVID-19, is grappling with more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day …

There’s a chance of a Covid vaccine but it cannot be taken for granted: UK PM
4 years, 2 months ago

There’s a chance of a Covid vaccine but it cannot be taken for granted: UK PM

Live Mint  

Amid the surging novel coronavirus cases in the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday there were some hopeful signs that a vaccine would be secured for COVID-19, but he warned that the country must be realistic because it could not be taken for granted. "I don't wish to depress him but we must be realistic about this, …

After months of over-promising and under-delivering, Number 10 has finally changed tack
4 years, 3 months ago

After months of over-promising and under-delivering, Number 10 has finally changed tack

The Telegraph  

Remember when Boris Johnson had to apologise for being "unnecessarily boosterish" about coronavirus? That was back on March 19, when an upbeat Prime Minister told the daily Downing Street press conference that the next 12 weeks could "turn the tide of this disease". Flanked by his chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and his chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, …

UK PM Johnson Ponders Second Coronavirus Lockdown as Outbreak Accelerates
4 years, 3 months ago

UK PM Johnson Ponders Second Coronavirus Lockdown as Outbreak Accelerates

News 18  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pondering a second national COVID-19 lockdown as the novel coronavirus outbreak accelerates. New COVID-19 cases are rising by at least 6,000 per day in Britain, according to week-old data, hospital admissions are doubling every eight days and the testing system is buckling. “We’re certainly at a very critical moment this morning,” Transport Secretary Grant …

'Major Incident' Declared in British City of Manchester to Tackle Surge in Coronavirus Cases
4 years, 5 months ago

'Major Incident' Declared in British City of Manchester to Tackle Surge in Coronavirus Cases

News 18  

A major incident has been declared in the Manchester area of Britain, allowing the creation of a “central command structure” to help tackle the rising number of coronavirus cases, a local official was quoted as saying on Sunday. Health minister Matt Hancock said on Thursday the COVID-19 lockdown in parts of northern England – including Greater Manchester, parts of West …

Coronavirus Australia news: Five more coronavirus deaths in Victoria and 357 new cases recorded
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus Australia news: Five more coronavirus deaths in Victoria and 357 new cases recorded

ABC  

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted his Government did not understand COVID-19 during its "first few weeks and months". Mr Johnson, who has been criticised for being too slow to react, told the BBC there were "very open questions" about whether the lockdown had started too late. "Maybe there were things we could have done differently, and, of course, …

Aide to U.K. leader took a road trip during lockdown, says he not resigning
4 years, 7 months ago

Aide to U.K. leader took a road trip during lockdown, says he not resigning

LA Times  

British leader Boris Johnson’s powerful chief aide insisted Monday that he wouldn’t resign for driving the length of England while the country was under strict lockdown — a trip he made without informing the prime minister first. Cummings insisted that “the rules … allowed me to exercise my judgment” and that his need to ensure childcare for his son was …

May 24, 2020 coronavirus news
4 years, 7 months ago

May 24, 2020 coronavirus news

CNN  

Cummings outside his London home on Saturday. The saga engulfing Downing Street dominates newspaper front pages in the UK, as anger grows over reports that Boris Johnson’s top aide ignored lockdown rules to make multiple trips across England. THE OBSERVER: Fresh claims that Cummings broke virus lockdown rules #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Dc3ry7Zkek — Neil Henderson May 23, 2020 Both papers, which worked …

May 24, 2020 coronavirus news
4 years, 7 months ago

May 24, 2020 coronavirus news

CNN  

Cummings outside his London home on Saturday. The saga engulfing Downing Street dominates newspaper front pages in the UK, as anger grows over reports that Boris Johnson’s top aide ignored lockdown rules to make multiple trips across England. THE OBSERVER: Fresh claims that Cummings broke virus lockdown rules #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Dc3ry7Zkek — Neil Henderson May 23, 2020 Both papers, which worked …

Coronavirus: Former Pizza Express boss angers Question Time audiences by referring to ‘government propaganda’
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus: Former Pizza Express boss angers Question Time audiences by referring to ‘government propaganda’

The Independent  

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. Read our privacy policy The former chairman of Pizza …

British virus death toll now world's third-worst
4 years, 8 months ago

British virus death toll now world's third-worst

India Today  

Britain's death toll from the coronavirus outbreak jumped to 26,097 on Wednesday -- the second-highest in Europe behind Italy and third-highest in the world -- as the government took into account fatalities outside hospital, including care homes, for the first time. The increase came after surprise news that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had become a father again at age 55, …

UK paid heavily for being late off the mark on coronavirus
4 years, 8 months ago

UK paid heavily for being late off the mark on coronavirus

Deccan Chronicle  

As the deaths from coronavirus reach 20,000 in the UK, it is a really sad moment for so many. While parts of India are now being opened up, very tentatively, in the UK there is still confusion and debate on how long the lockdown would last. One problem is that while people are still dying in large numbers — it …

Coronavirus Australia live news: Second death at NSW aged care home inside 24 hours as SA records zero new cases for second day running
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Australia live news: Second death at NSW aged care home inside 24 hours as SA records zero new cases for second day running

ABC  

Reuters Britain's government is not thinking about easing yet the lockdown enacted almost four weeks ago to help control the coronavirus outbreak, a senior minister said on Sunday. "The facts and the advice are clear at the moment that we should not be thinking of lifting of these restrictions yet," Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News. Gove also …

Coronavirus Outbreak: No plans to ease lockdown measures in the UK as total number of COVID-19 deaths reaches 11,329
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: No plans to ease lockdown measures in the UK as total number of COVID-19 deaths reaches 11,329

Firstpost  

The British death toll is the fifth highest globally and a senior scientific adviser to the government has said the country risks becoming the worst-hit in Europe London: The death toll from COVID-19 in British hospitals rose to 11,329 on Monday and the government, which is having to operate without its convalescing leader Boris Johnson, signalled that there would be …

Coronavirus in UK: COVID-19 death toll jumps to 9,875 in Britain; total 78,991 confirmed cases
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus in UK: COVID-19 death toll jumps to 9,875 in Britain; total 78,991 confirmed cases

India TV News  

The death toll of those hospitalized in Britain who tested positive for the novel coronavirus reached 9,875 as of Friday afternoon, marking a daily increase of 917, the Department of Health and Social Care said. Amid mounting pressure on the government over the lack of personal protective equipment for the frontline medical staff, Home Secretary Priti Patel said Saturday that …

Johnson ‘stable’ as UK records deadliest day since epidemic began
4 years, 9 months ago

Johnson ‘stable’ as UK records deadliest day since epidemic began

Al Jazeera  

As UK hospital deaths from COVID-19 rose by a record 938 in 24 hours, infected prime minister is said to be improving. While British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is improving in intensive care as he tries to recover from COVID-19, the situation for many others remains grave as the United Kingdom records its deadliest day since the epidemic began. In …

UK preparing for ‘delay’ stage of coronavirus: Boris Johnson
4 years, 9 months ago

UK preparing for ‘delay’ stage of coronavirus: Boris Johnson

India TV News  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held an emergency COBRA meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on Monday to assess the fight against coronavirus and announced that preparations will begin for the "delay" phase of the government's four-phase strategy. While the UK will stay at stage one of "containment" of the virus, Johnson revealed that given the rising number of …

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