A top British health official today said she didn’t know about the decision of No10 to implement vaccine passports.
The chief medical advisor to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Dr Susan Hopkins refused to confirm that she had been consulted about the scheme nine times during an interview with MPs.
The House of Commons voted to bring in No10’s Plan B measures — which include passes at large-scale events and clubs, as well as more widespread face mask-wearing and the return of the work-from-home guidance — this evening.
Boris Johnson faced the possibility of the biggest revolt of his leadership over the measures proposed to stem the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The passes were approved by the MPs 369 to 269.
Greg Clark (Tory MP and chairman of Science and Technology Committee) asked Dr Hopkins whether the UKHSA was consulted over the plans. He refused.
After a long awkward conversation, she avoided repeatedly being asked about where she got the idea to create the passes before eventually admitting that she wasn’t involved in the discussions.
When asked if she had been consulted by the agency’s boss, she replied: “No, I don’t personally.”
Johnson spoke earlier today to the Conservative 1922 Committee and stressed that Johnson wants the country to be ‘as open as possible with sensible, balanced measures’.
Backbenchers urged him to ignore them and guarantee that they would get another chance if the government moved to Plan C. Plan C could mean more extreme limits such as social distancing.
In a questioning session with MPs, Dr Susan Hopkins (left), chief medical advisor to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), refused to confirm that she was consulted nine times on the scheme. Greg Clark, Tory MP and Chair of the Science and Technology Committee (right), asked Dr Hopkins if the UKHSA was involved in the planning.
M Clark, a member of the Science and Technology Committee asked Dr Hopkins: “Have your advice on the regulation before parliament today that requires either a positive lateral flow test (or proof of at least two vaccines) in order for access to venues?”
Dr Hopkins stated that he had not been asked if he agreed with the proposed regulations. That’s for Government to do.’
Clark explained that Clark had no idea about the concept of providing proof of vaccine, or negative lateral flow testing as an alternative. If it didn’t come from UKHSA, where did it come from?’
The UKHSA boss paused, before saying: ‘I’m afraid we’ve continued to advise government that we recommend people take lateral flow tests before they go out, that is the current public health advice, is that they should use lateral flows before they socialize and we continue to advise people get vaccinated.
Clark replied: “I get that. But we have a debate and vote at the end of it and I think many members of Parliament will be looking to the UKHSA, which is there to give that expert assessment of what’s in front of them, if you haven’t caused the regulation to be put before parliament, have you, as an agency, been consulted on the regulation as to whether this does the job?’
Doctor Hopkins answered the question again with the exact same answer, before eventually admitting that she wasn’t personally consulted.
She asked him four more times if the UKHSA had been consulted for an organization, and was again denied the same response.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson was reported to have told his MPs, dozens of whom have said they would vote against the Government, that ‘we have absolutely no choice’ to introduce the ‘sensible and balanced’ measures earlier today before the Commons voted in favour of the legislation.
He stated that he wants the country to be “as free and as happy as possible”.
According to reports, the PM said that he believed the country could weather the spike when asked about any future measures.
He was reportedly petitioned by MPs in order to let them have their say at Parliament, if any further Christmas measures were proposed.
An ex-minister said that his speech calmed a lot nerves.
Sources claim that Omicron spread quickly was also important in winning over Tories.
According to the former minister, “What many are seeing is how it affects their own constituents and family.”
“It is not theoretical, it has become real.”
Some believe that Johnson had been meeting with those who planned to either vote for the restriction or to stay away from it, particularly the Tories.
Johnson also warned of the fast-growing new strain of Covid. He told a virtual Cabinet meeting that an ‘huge rise in Omicron’ was imminent.
His efforts were showing signs of success, as Steve Baker (the ringleader) stated that he was told the numbers are declining.
Dominic Raab (Deputy Prime Minister) argued that the requirement to use Covid passes in order to enter large nightclubs or other venues in England is not a big step or slippery slope.
He dismissed MPs concerns over so-called vaccine passports because anyone could also show negative lateral flow tests to gain access to venues.
More than 70 Tories have expressed concerns about the Covid pass proposals – due to come into effect on Wednesday – with claims they are illogical and illiberal.
One ministerial assistant, who was on resignation watch after he thought about voting against Plan B on Tuesday morning, said that he supported the measure despite having ‘big doubts’.
Danny Kruger was a Cabinet private secretary and he said that he wouldn’t support the measures beyond what he saw fit.