Boris Johnson’s blatant avoidance of self isolation as a staffer who tested positive for Covid further undermines confidence in this Government.
I feel sorry for anyone who has to be around him over the next few days. He could pass a potentially deadly virus on to them or ultimately their vulnerable relatives. It is an anxious time for them.
The Guardian has the story and Ed Davey’s reacton:
The group were tested upon landing, and the official’s result was positive so they went into isolation. Some whose result came back negative were told to make their own way home, while others, including Johnson, finished the tour. The prime minister was then pictured meeting the business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, the Scottish Tory leader, Douglas Ross, and the Conservative MP Andrew Bowie.
Johnson and several members of the No 10 contingent are not isolating – but a government source said “the whole lot should be”. The Downing Street spokesperson also refused to say if he had been tested since the positive case was discovered.
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, also called on Johnson to confirm he had not been asked to isolate again. Referring to the excuse Dominic Cummings used for breaking lockdown rules last spring, Davey said of the prime minister: “If it turns out he has scorned his own government’s policy on self-isolation again, the public reaction will be Barnard Castle on steroids.”
This is the second time in 3 weeks that the PM has tried to get away with not isolating after being in contact with someone who has tested positive. It’s not acceptable. If anyone becomes ill as a result of his behaviour, then he will have to take responsibility.
This comes close on the heels of the story about Alok Sharma, our climate change minister, dotting back and forth around red list countries and not quarantining despite being in risky situations of indoor mixing.
Christine Jardine was unimpressed:
It is simply not good enough for Alok Sharma to set such a poor example when people in this county have sacrificed so much during the pandemic. https://t.co/p83nhMrPDi
— Christine Jardine (@cajardineMP) August 6, 2021
This lot may appear like nothing can get them, but the tide on these things can turn very quickly. We really shouldn’t be happy with a government that has as dodgy a record on ethical processes as this lot have, whether it’s awarding government contracts to friends and family of ministers to flouting rules that the rest of us have to deal with – and which are in place to keep us safe.
* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings