Boris Johnson told to 'have a word' with Tory MPs who play down Covid risk

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been quoted the words of his own MPs who have played down the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic.

During Prime Minister’s Questions today, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said “one of the biggest threats” to the recovery from coronavirus was misinformation.

He said: “People say that Covid statistics appear to have been manipulated, that Monday's road map is based on dodgy assumptions and false modelling.”

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But when Mr Johnson did not respond when asked if he felt those comments were “irresponsible” Sir Keir asked whether this was because the words had come from his own MPs.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Photo: PALabour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Photo: PA
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Photo: PA

Mr Johnson said the road map will set the country on a “cautious but irreversible journey to freedom”, adding the data supporting it has been made available to MPs.

But Sir Keir said: “I think the Prime Minister dodged that question, no doubt because all those comments came from his own MPs – some of the 60 or so members of the Covid Recovery Group. Perhaps the Prime Minister should have a word with them.”

Sir Keir also asked why those in low-paid jobs appear to be at the bottom of the Government’s priorities.

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He told the Commons: “Three out of 10 people who should be self-isolating aren’t doing so. That matters to millions of people and it matters if we’re going to get the virus under control.

“The chair of Test and Trace said that people are scared to come forward for a Covid test because they can’t afford to isolate – that was the chair of Test and Trace – can’t afford it.

“The Government’s biosecurity centre concluded that unmet financial need was why some lower income areas are seeing stubbornly high infection rates. So why, after all the billions the Government has thrown around, is it still people in low-paid jobs who are at the bottom of this Government’s priorities?”

Mr Johnson responded: “Actually, I think most people looking at what we’ve done throughout this pandemic, looking at the support, the £280bn package of support, can see that it is the poorest and the neediest in society, those who are on the lowest income who have been the top of the Government’s priorities and that is quite right.”

Sir Keir added: “Here’s the difference – if you need £500 to isolate, you’re out of luck. If you’ve got the Health Secretary’s Whatsapp, you get a million-pound contract.”