professor sir chris whitty was _ slide, please. professor sir chris whitty was the — slide, please.hris whitty was the chief _ slide, please. professor sir chris whitty was the chief medical - slide, please. professor sir chris - whitty was the chief medical advisor to the uk government during the pandemic, and still is. one half of the scientific double actually watched on the telly most nights for those covid press conferences. yesterday the inquiry heard he had been a delay in his approach to the first lockdown but there had been tensions in his relationship with the chief scientific officer sir patrick vallance was stop the day he said that he was too simple a stick. i think we should be very careful of the narcissism of small differences here. the differences were small stop i was probably further towards, let's think through the disadvantages before we act. he conceded that with the benefit of hindsight the first lockdown was a bit too late but there were reasons to be cautious. i bit too late but there were reasons to be cautious.— to be cautious. i would re'ect it and i cont

, the prime minister and chris whitty, the chief— the prime minister and chris whitty, the chief medical were _ we know, this was not a meeting that you were at — we know, this was not a meeting that you were at. you may not have heard anything _ you were at. you may not have heard anything about it. that was one of the questions i was going to ask you _ the questions i was going to ask you but — the questions i was going to ask you. but what we have heard is, first— you. but what we have heard is, first of— you. but what we have heard is, first of all. — you. but what we have heard is, first of all, this was the first time — first of all, this was the first time that— first of all, this was the first time that chris whitty briefed the prime _ time that chris whitty briefed the prime minister relating to covid, and in _ prime minister relating to covid, and in summary, what chris whitty told the _ and in summary, what chris whitty told the prime minister was that there _ told the prime minister was that there was— told the prime minister was that there was a reasonable chance that there

is that chris whitty?_ if we gel whitty? i presume so. if we go forward to _ whitty? i presume so.i presume so. if we go forward to page 11, _ whitty? i presume so. if we go forward to page 11, to - whitty? i presume so. if we go forward to page 11, to set - whitty? i presume so. if we go forward to page 11, to set the l forward to page 11, to set the context. we can see that in the middle of the page, mark said, i had a good session with the data people whilst in oxford. and then simon case says, this at 11:24am, we agreed with the prime minister the chance to set up a cell in the task force to draw up a plan for segmentation. they said they were up for it. and then, at 11:29am, at the end of your whatsapp having described the sort of process or system that might be considered: i don't buy the sage argument that it is all too difficult. simon case: neither does the prime minister or chancellor of the exchequer by the sage argument. i am just not sure this is a sage issue this is about political will implementation policy and then personal behaviour not science. mark sidwell: exact

this was me asking chris whitty, although i had read the phrase, global pandemic, chris whitty tellingal pandemic was shocking to hear. it was the first time i had met with him since we knew about this virus, he told me this is going to be a global pandemic. this is going to be a global pandemic— this is going to be a global andemic. ., ., , ., pandemic. could you go slower, there is a stenographer, _ pandemic. could you go slower, there is a stenographer, it _ pandemic. could you go slower, there is a stenographer, it is _ pandemic. could you go slower, there is a stenographer, it is easily - is a stenographer, it is easily done — is a stenographer, it is easily done i— is a stenographer, it is easily done. i understand.- is a stenographer, it is easily done. i understand. lets you scroll down a little _ done. i understand. lets you scroll down a little more... _ done. i understand. lets you scroll down a little more... can - done. i understand. lets you scroll down a little more... can you - done. i understand. lets you scroll down a little more... can you see l down a little more...

yes, as you say, chris whitty is one of - say, chris whitty is one of those who are — say, chris whittythe other ministers. in terms of the politicians, people work _ terms of the politicians, people work we — terms of the politicians, people work we are expecting to hear from is the _ work we are expecting to hear from is the former health secretary, man -- matt— is the former health secretary, man —— matt hancock, borisjohnson, and also rishi _ —— matt hancock, borisjohnson, and also rishi sunak, the then chancellor.— also rishi sunak, the then chancellor. . ., also rishi sunak, the then chancellor. ~ . ., chancellor. we can hand back to you now, we chancellor. we can hand back to you now. we will — chancellor. we can hand back to you now. we will be _ chancellor. we can hand back to you now, we will be hearing _ chancellor. we can hand back to you now, we will be hearing for - chancellor. we can hand back to you now, we will be hearing for the - now, we will be hearing for the ministers first before we had back. thank you to you both. king charles is hosting the president and first l

the inquiry heard evidence from sir chris whitty today . he said the plan whitty today. he said the plan had been drawn up by people who'd been through the swine flu , where the mortality rate was quite low . he also said policy quite low. he also said policy decisions regarding quarantining were . at lancashire were difficult. at lancashire police has been criticised for its handling of the disappearance of nicola billy . a disappearance of nicola billy. a review found failings in the way of personal information about ms billy's health struggles was disclosed to the press, which contributed to wild speculation. it said that non—reportable background information should have been provided to the media to help shape responses reporting without disclosing sensitive information. college of policing ceo chief constable andy marsh admitted the way the police released information was needless and the president of south korea says his country will work with the uk to bolster the political and economic security in the indo—pacific. dufing security in the indo—pacific. during an ad

the inquiry heard evidence from sir chris whitty today . he said the plan whitty today. he said the plan had been drawn up by people who'd been through the swine flu , where the mortality rate was quite low . he also said policy quite low. he also said policy decisions regarding quarantining were . at lancashire were difficult. at lancashire police has been criticised for its handling of the disappearance of nicola billy . a disappearance of nicola billy. a review found failings in the way of personal information about ms billy's health struggles was disclosed to the press, which contributed to wild speculation. it said that non—reportable background information should have been provided to the media to help shape responses reporting without disclosing sensitive information. college of policing ceo chief constable andy marsh admitted the way the police released information was needless and the president of south korea says his country will work with the uk to bolster the political and economic security in the indo—pacific. dufing security in the indo—pacific. during an ad

that was professor sir chris whitty and they | professor sir chris whitty and they will be continuing comments passed on the website today. king charles is hosting his first state visit since his coronation. the president and first lady of south korea have begun a three day trip to the uk — with trade and investment expected to be a key focus. north korea has also said it has launched a spy satellite and south korea has confirmed that. we will follow those developments. our correspondent is outside buckingham palace. bring us up to speed as to what has happened today. it palace. bring us up to speed as to what has happened today.- palace. bring us up to speed as to what has happened today. it has been the red carpet — what has happened today. it has been the red carpet royal _ what has happened today. it has been the red carpet royal roll-out - what has happened today. it has been the red carpet royal roll-out for - the red carpet royal roll—out for the red carpet royal roll—out for the president of south korea and the first lady, and it began this morning just up the road from here a

i think chris whitty is a ublic lock down. i think chris whitty is a public health _ lock down.is whitty is a i public health specialist and he was rightly in my opinion concerned about the adverse effects of the mpis. he was concerned there would be more than just the issue of the direct cause of death from the virus that there would be indirect causes of death due to effects on the nhs. that there would be indirect harms due to people isolating, mental health, loneliness, issues of health that come from that procedure. and that come from that procedure. and that there would be indirect long—term consequences due to the economic impacts creating poverty, which is a major driver of health. he was definitely of the view that the treatment and the result of that treatment needed to be considered together. and that pulling the trigger to do things too early could lead to adverse consequences. and that i think is a totally appropriate worry from the chief medical officers and a legitimate public health concern. and i didn't have the same worry. i was more on the side of we need to m

and chris whitty vallance?d , i did have a stronger replied, i did have a stronger concern , i would say, than some, concern, i would say, than some, that the biggest impacts of everything we did and i was confident we were going to have to do them. to be clear about that, i was very aware that we essentially had two different things. we were trying to balance, which was going in to early or going into late, in which case you get all the problems of the pandemic running away. sir chris whitty also said that with the benefit of hindsight, that first lockdown in march 2020 was a bit too late. he said. i was probably further towards let's think through the disadvantages here before we act and also in making sure that in giving my advice, ministers were aware of both sides of the equation. he also acknowledge that by mid—march it was clear that without action we were going to be in very deep trouble. now, there was also much talk about the work of sage, the scientific body that advised the government . he very advi

sir chris whitty continuing to give evidence...ovide levels of certainty rating, for example in relation to subject x is high confidence, subject y is low confidence, would you agree that in general terms dissenting opinions on changes of opinion, differences of opinion, were not as a general rule reflected in the minutes? yes. opinion, were not as a general rule reflected in the minutes?— reflected in the minutes? yes. i will make _ reflected in the minutes? yes. i will make one _ reflected in the minutes? yes. i will make one minor— reflected in the minutes? yes. i will make one minor gloss - reflected in the minutes? yes. i will make one minor gloss on i reflected in the minutes? yes. i. will make one minor gloss on what you said. _ will make one minor gloss on what you said. i— will make one minor gloss on what you said, i basically agree with the position _ you said, i basically agree with the uositiou in— you said, i basically agree with the position. in my view this was a central— position. in my view this was a central view

— is that chris whitty? i presume chris wormald _ is that chris whitty?ut _ is that chris whitty? i presume chris wormald but i _ is that chris whitty? i presume chris wormald but i don't - is that chris whitty? i presume chris wormald but i don't know is that chris whitty? i presume - chris wormald but i don't know why i would have said that.— would have said that. further down the page- -- — would have said that. further down the page-- l _ would have said that. further down the page... i mostly— would have said that. further down the page... i mostly blame - would have said that. further down i the page... i mostly blame hancock, deja vu, that was how we spent the early spring. and then, i only have just realised we have no senior officials anywhere near this, where was the lead dg? there is no one around driving the policy side of operational lockdown on matt's behalf. and you say, welcome to the last six months. two points, firstly, the process by which mr hancock's truthfulness or candour or lack of candour, however you describe it, and it is a matt

sir chris whitty was the other half— agenda today?really, we all became so used to here in the uk during the pandemic. they appeared together at a press conferences most nights, often next to the prime minister, and as i say, the chief medical officer for england and advising the uk government as a whole, we will get a little more into exactly what the government men when it said it would always follow the science in any decision made. we heard from patrick vallance, his colleague, who talked about how it had sometimes been difficult to communicate that science to the prime minister. he said he was bamboozled by certain data and graphs, but he qualified that by saying that was a problem many scientific advisers around the world found with their political leaders, so this was obviously taking hold across the world. i think we will get more drilling down into how the science might have been communicated. sir patrick vallance also said chris whitty had been a delay of lockdowns, a bit more reticent to advise for those stricter measures l

in officer, sir chief whitty.nuary 2020 and that scientists felt closing the borders would have had a very minimal effect. well his appearance comes a day after former chief scientific adviser sir patrick vallance accused bofis sir patrick vallance accused boris johnson of being bamboozled by science and the then chancellor, rishi sunak, of just being okay with just letting people die of covid. well, let's get the latest now with gb news presenter pip tomson. pip. another very dramatic day. what's all the latest ? good afternoon. latest? good afternoon. >> martin. well, the latest is , >> martin. well, the latest is, is that england's chief medical officer, sir chris whitty, or geekin officer, sir chris whitty, or geek in chief, as he's been described , he's still going. he described, he's still going. he started at 10:00 this morning. it's likely to finish in the next 20 minutes or so. and then he is going to be back tomorrow . he is going to be back tomorrow. so because there is so much to go through with him in

came from chris whitty this afternoon-— came from chris whitty this afternoon. �* ., ., ., ., afternoonafternoon. we've had a lot of evidence from professor sir | afternoon. we've had a lot of- evidence from professor sir chris whitty, the chief medical officer, he has had that role since before the pandemic so he was a leading voice throughout the pandemic providing advice to the prime minister and other ministers he covered, as you would imagine a lot of ground in his evidence today. he's coming back tomorrow to give more, he's not quite done. some of the things he covered, he addressed criticisms or suggestions that he had been more cautious and talking about lockdowns than other advisors. he said that he simply believed they needed to be transparent about the downside. he said he gave the example of someone who's going to have an operation, he said the doctor doesn't just tell you you need to have an operation, they tell you the rest involves as well. in that he felt was important. he also talked about the governments mantra throughout the pandemic of following the science. he said

dramatic whitty , accusing dramatic whitty, accusing vallance sorry, whitty accusing vallance. >> my evidence to the covid inquiry a book inquiry because he's got a book coming out. it's more coming out. it's a bit more serious wow. well, serious than that. wow. well, that would be a conflict that really would be a conflict of well, we'll have of interest. well, we'll have our guests in a little our guests in here in a little while. we'll have little chat while. we'll have a little chat about and also the about that. and also the president south korea president of south korea has arrived visit in the arrived for a state visit in the uk. we're going to go live to our correspondent, cameron our royal correspondent, cameron walker, a moment. this walker, in just a moment. this is newsroom on . and people that i knew had dewbs & co weeknights from . & co weeknights from. six >> it's 1040. you're with britain's newsroom with andrew pierce and bev turnerjust want pierce and bev turner just want to clarify what i was saying before the break. >> we heard this news, this break. we got the cov

_ without sage, with professor sir chris whitty who _ without sage, with professor sir chris whitty whitty who together with sir patrick vallance spoke to you - chris whitty who together with sir patrick vallance spoke to you and | patrick vallance spoke to you and your officiats _ patrick vallance spoke to you and your officials daily. _ patrick vallance spoke to you and your officials daily. why - patrick vallance spoke to you and your officials daily.— your officials daily. why did you not know this? _ your officials daily. why did you not know this? i _ your officials daily. why did you not know this? i knew - your officials daily. why did you not know this? i knew what - your officials daily. why did you | not know this? i knew what they your officials daily. why did you - not know this? i knew what they knew and i read this eight minutes and as you see, the sage minutes and various other things that i did see at the time clearly state that there may be or there is likely some or all sorts of formulations or in a fog of uncertainty, but it was all essentially unproven anecdotal

we will step away from chris whitty giving evidence at the | chris whitty giving evidence at the covid am here in westminster this morning and that's because the chancellor is due to deliver his mini budget, his autumn statement, a little bit later, laying out the government's tax and spending plans for the year ahead and we will have full coverage of that. another story we are following today, police in north wales are trying to establish the cause of a car accident in which four teenage boys died in dramatic. jevon hirst, harvey owen, wilf henderson and hugo morris from shrewsbury have been missing since sunday for was thought they were camping around the area known as snowdonia. their vehicle was found upside down and partially submerged in water. our reporter has the latest from shrewsbury now. here in shrewsbury the _ latest from shrewsbury now. here in shrewsbury the reaction _ shrewsbury the reaction understandably has been one of mourning and sadness. these were four young men aged between 16 and 18 and their lives four young men aged between 16 and i8 and their lives have trag

chris whitty is a public health specialist and he was rightly, in my opinion, _ specialist and he washe adverse effects— opinion, concerned about the adverse effects of— opinion, concerned about the adverse effects of the npis. he was concerned that there would be more thanjust_ concerned that there would be more thanjust the issue of concerned that there would be more than just the issue of the concerned that there would be more thanjust the issue of the direct cause _ thanjust the issue of the direct cause of— thanjust the issue of the direct cause of death from the virus, that there _ cause of death from the virus, that there would be indirect causes of death— there would be indirect causes of death due — there would be indirect causes of death due to effects on the nhs, that there would be indirect harm is due to _ that there would be indirect harm is due to people isolating, mental health. — due to people isolating, mental health, loneliness, issues of health to come _ health, loneliness, issues of health to come from that procedure, and that there — to come from that procedure,

later in _ whitty. did you not read the minutes? later in the - whitty.t at l took the minutes directly, but at this early stage, i was given a readout from professor whitty. did anybody know the secretary of state for help _ anybody know the secretary of state for help was — anybody know the secretary of state for help was not— anybody know the secretary of state for help was not reading _ anybody know the secretary of state for help was not reading the - anybody know the secretary of state | for help was not reading the minutes day in. _ for help was not reading the minutes day in. day— for help was not reading the minutes day in. day out — for help was not reading the minutes day in, day out from _ for help was not reading the minutes day in, day out from the _ for help was not reading the minutes day in, day out from the only- day in, day out from the only scientific— day in, day out from the only scientific advisory— day in, day out from the only scientific advisory committee day in, day out from the only. scientific advisory committee for emergencie

i think chris whitty is a ublic country down.hink chris whitty is a public health _ country down. i think chris whitty is a public health specialist, - country down. i think chris whitty is a public health specialist, and i is a public health specialist, and he was rightly, in my opinion, concerned about the adverse effects of the npis. he was concerned that they would be more than just the issue of the direct cause of death from the virus, that there would be indirect causes of death due to effects on the nhs, that there would be indirect harm is due to people isolating, mental health, loneliness, issues of health that come from that procedure, and that there would be indirect long term consequences due to the economic impacts creating poverty, which is a major driver of health. so he was definitely of the view that the treatment and the result of that treatment and the result of that treatment is needed to be considered together. and that pulling the trigger to do things too early could lead to adverse consequences. and that, i

whitty has described to the inquiry that he _ whitty has described to the inquiry that he had — whittyenges of a major pandemic. in part because — challenges of a major pandemic. in part because of— challenges of a major pandemic. in part because of the _ challenges of a major pandemic. in part because of the absence - challenges of a major pandemic. in part because of the absence of- challenges of a major pandemic. in part because of the absence of a i part because of the absence of a sophisticated _ part because of the absence of a sophisticated tti _ part because of the absence of a sophisticated tti system. - part because of the absence of a sophisticated tti system. he - part because of the absence of a . sophisticated tti system. he knew the investment— sophisticated tti system. he knew the investment in— sophisticated tti system. he knew the investment in public— sophisticated tti system. he knew the investment in public health - sophisticated tti system. he knew the investment in public health forj the investment in public health for the investment in public health for the purp

chris whitty on the stand.the like me who sees this as the argument is completely framed in entirely wrong way. so we'll entirely the wrong way. so we'll be discussing that and then looking autumn looking forward to this autumn statement tomorrow, which is huge. >> definitely getting tax cuts is are . is it >> definitely getting tax cuts is are. is it going is where they are. is it going to be national insurance income tax, direct cuts? are they going to unfreeze the allowances? 2 million people are million more people now are paying million more people now are paying £0.40 of tax. paying the £0.40 rate of tax. it's outrage. it's an outrage. >> ridiculous. >> it's ridiculous. >> it's ridiculous. >> really is. >> it really is. >> it really is. >> going to be talking >> we're going to be talking they whole farce they go through this whole farce only three weeks only two weeks ago, three weeks ago. talk tax ago. they can't talk about tax reform. can't talk about reform. they can't talk about alleviating or that al

i pushed him, that's professor chris whitty, about i professor chris whitty, about asymptomatic— professor asymptomatic transmission, he said the global scientific consensus i asymptomatic transmission, he said the global scientific consensus is i the global scientific consensus is that this — the global scientific consensus is that this is — the global scientific consensus is that this is unlikely, _ the global scientific consensus is that this is unlikely, it _ the global scientific consensus is that this is unlikely, it is - that this is unlikely, it is unlikely, _ that this is unlikely, it is unlikely, unlikely- that this is unlikely, it is i unlikely, unlikely enough. if that this is unlikely, it is - unlikely, unlikely enough. if you can get— unlikely, unlikely enough. if you can get it. — unlikely, unlikely enough. if you can get it. pass— unlikely, unlikely enough. if you can get it, pass it _ unlikely, unlikely enough. if you can get it, pass it on _ unlikely, unlikely enough. if you can get it, pass it on and - unlikely, unlikely enough. if you can get it, pass it on and show. un

_ particular areas where professor whitty took the lead to, as it were, between _ whitty took the leadetween the two of you in responding to the pandemic? can— to the pandemic? can i— to the pandemic? can i first make the point that operational delivery is outside the scope of gcsa, it is a science advice role, not a policy or operational role. cmo and many of the other experts from dhs c took the other experts from dhs c took the lead in things in the department and worked in the driving seat in the initial phase injanuary when this was a departmentally led response. at all times this cmo would take the lead in clinical matters, matters relating to medicine, nhs, otherthings which were outside my remit. he was deeply expert in this, when you see this, you mean epidemiology and epidemiology and spread of infections? yes. there is a press conference the families of two hostages currently being held in gaza. we have today with us, joining us,... he is 28 yea rs years old, and we have the father of one of the horse —— we have the father of a nine—year—old girl who was kidnapped from a kib

i'm pretty sure that that chris whitty would | sure that that chris whitty would have said this early have said this early on, but i don't have an exact date as to when that would have been said.— have an exact date as to when that would have been said. could we turn to one of your— would have been said. could we turn to one of your diary _ would have been said. could we turn to one of your diary entries - would have been said. could we turn to one of your diary entries of- would have been said. could we turn to one of your diary entries of 17th i to one of your diary entries of 17th april 2020 at 273, 901. in the interests of time i will read what it says. yvonne opened up the only two areas we agreed to steer clear of — ethnicity and in brackets, we don't have the answer yet. and she wasn't even asked the question. i will stop there. my question arising from that is, well, can you confirm that the reference from that is, well, can you confirm that the ref erence to yvonne is yvonne dail?— that the reference to yvonne is yvonne dail? , ~ ., , yvonne dail? yes i think he was the ublic

whitty saying was case. no whitty saying it was never policy. just some never a policy.e people is how people thought this is how it may was trying to may go. and he was trying to text hancock saying, text boris and hancock saying, don't about this publicly. don't talk about this publicly. but the annoying it but the annoying thing about it is, it just it is, as i've said, it just all it does back this. we need does is go back to this. we need to just shores up the lockdown pro lockdown narrative again, which about which is what's annoying about it immunity also, it because herd immunity also, it because herd immunity also, it using herd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a using herd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a policy using herd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a policy usi|alsoerd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a policy usi|also predicated:y as a policy was also predicated on infection immunity being on post infection immunity being permanent, which don't really permanent, which i don't really agree with. i thought herd im

whitty saying was case. no whitty saying it was never policy. just some never a policy.e people is how people thought this is how it may was trying to may go. and he was trying to text hancock saying, text boris and hancock saying, don't about this publicly. don't talk about this publicly. but the annoying it but the annoying thing about it is, it just it is, as i've said, it just all it does back this. we need does is go back to this. we need to just shores up the lockdown pro lockdown narrative again, which about which is what's annoying about it immunity also, it because herd immunity also, it because herd immunity also, it using herd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a using herd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a policy using herd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a policy usi|alsoerd immunity it because herd immunity also, it a policy usi|also predicated:y as a policy was also predicated on infection immunity being on post infection immunity being permanent, which don't really permanent, which i don't really agree with. i thought herd im

england's chief medical officer, sir chris whitty, is expected to be questioned about lockdowns whenlater. it comes after the government's former chief scientific advisor, sir patrick vallance, told the inquiry that borisjohnson was "clearly bamboozled" by some scientific concepts and advisors were not consulted in advance about the eat out to help 0ut scheme. our correspondent ellie price reports. he became a familiar face, night after night, on the covid press conferences, explaining to all of us what was happening with the virus. we to all of us what was happening with the virus.— with the virus. we will follow the signs- — with the virus. we will follow the signs. we _ with the virus. we will follow the signs. we will _ with the virus. we will follow the signs. we will be - with the virus. we will follow| the signs. we will be guarded with the science. _ the signs. we will be guarded with the science. and - the signs. we will be guarded with the science. and that. the signs. we will be guarded with the science. and that is. with the science. and that is wh we with the science. an

evidence being given by sir chris whitty and jonathan van tam later.g his autumn statement. he has just left westminster and is now on his way —— he hasjust just left westminster and is now on his way —— he has just left number 11 and is now on the way to the commons. he will layout is spending plans for a year and perhaps there will be some pre—election sweeteners, but how much wiggle room he has right now, we will talk about later. now i will hand you back to the studio. live from tel aviv, this is bbc news. israel and hamas agree a deal to pause fighting, allowing the release of 50 hostages from gaza. the deal will allow aid to be sent into gaza and see the release of 150 palestinian women and children from israeli jails. cuts to national insurance and business taxes are expected to be included in the uk chancellor's autumn statement, which he will deliver at lunchtime. artificial intelligence firm 0penai says its co—founder sam altman will return as ceo, days after his sacking triggered a revolt by staff. north korea launches a spy satellite into s

we talked already about the caution that chris whitty had in march, _ the caution that chris whitty hadn brackets is important, chris and i discussed the sort of thing often, i still think that he, as chief medical officer, with accountability, was right to raise the problems associated with the measures being taken, and that appropriate caution i think was useful, and it was very helpful for the two of us to be able to discuss that, understand why we were in positions of either greater or slower pace on some of those things. i think it is appropriate. one more of these references, btease — one more of these references, please. page 190. very much the same time, _ please. page 190. very much the same time, september2020, you record that the _ time, september2020, you record that the prime minister come back had from _ that the prime minister come back had from a — that the prime minister come back had from a battle of britain memorial service, starts challenging numbers, _ memorial service, starts challenging numbers, questioning whether they transtate _ numbers, questioning whether the

again, was that because you simply didn't wish patrick vallance and chris whitty to directly engage withmight prevail and win the precaution might prevail and win the day? i’m the precaution might prevail and win the da ? �* , , ., the precaution might prevail and win theda? , ., the day? i'm sure there is a fair question- _ the day? i'm sure there is a fair question. you _ the day? i'm sure there is a fair question. you tell— the day? i'm sure there is a fair question. you tell me, - the day? i'm sure there is a fair question. you tell me, lord - the day? i'm sure there is a fair- question. you tell me, lord sidwell is at a _ question. you tell me, lord sidwell is at a fair— question. you tell me, lord sidwell is at a fair question? let question. you tell me, lord sidwell is at a fair question?— is at a fair question? let me have a to is at a fair question? let me have a no at is at a fair question? let me have a go at answering _ is at a fair question? let me have a go at answering it _ is at a fair question? let me have a go at answering it within _ is at a fair question? let me have

england's chief medical officer, sir chris whitty, is expected to be questioned about lockdowns whens evidence to the covid inquiry later. it comes as the government's former chief scientific advisor, sir patrick vallance, told the inquiry that borisjohnson was "clearly bamboozled" by some scientific concepts. he also claimed that advisors were not consulted in advance about the eat out to help out scheme. our correspondent ellie price reports. he became a familiar face night after night on the covid press conferences, explaining to all of us what was happening with the virus. we will follow the science. we'll be guided by the science, i and that's why we are following the scientific advice in the way that we are _ the government said it would always follow the science, but sir patrick vallance — the uk's top scientific adviser during the pandemic — told the inquiry explaining the science to the prime minister could be...tough. the prime minister at the time gave up science when he was 15, and i think he'd be the first to admit it wasn't his forte, and that he did struggle with some

the other authors including sir chris whitty, the chief— including sir chris whitty, the chief medical others. the chapters were all— his deputies and others. 112 chapters were all written by different experts. sir chris and i and the other deputy medical officers and medical officers from the devolved administrations acted as an editorial team to try to make sure we ended up with the finished product we thought would be useful. we may go to certain passages within this document as we go through niatters — this document as we go through matters today. with that title in mind _ matters today. with that title in mind can — matters today. with that title in mind can you expand on that slightly and give _ mind can you expand on that slightly and give an— mind can you expand on that slightly and give an idea of what the purpose of the _ and give an idea of what the purpose of the document was. the and give an idea of what the purpose of the document was.— and give an idea of what the purpose of the document was. the purpose of the document — of the document was. the purpose of the document

whitty on a health level. all. you put into place that — not operated at all. you put into place that process by which you called _ place that process by which you called the das regularly, but that did not— called the das regularly, but that did not start until the late autumn. meanwhile, at covid o did not start until the late autumn. meanwhile, at covid 0 level, the first ministers were not invited untit— first ministers were not invited until october. that is from your witness — until october. that is from your witness statement. was there in fact hiatus _ witness statement. was there in fact hiatus between may and a late autumn in which _ hiatus between may and a late autumn in which the _ hiatus between may and a late autumn in which the das at this political tevet— in which the das at this political tevet did — in which the das at this political level did not get the same degree of access— level did not get the same degree of access to _ level did not get the same degree of access to the uk government t

sir patrick's evidence will be followed by england's chief medical officer, professor sir chris whittyhis former deputy, sirjonathan van—tam, will also speak to the enquiry later this week. live now to our corrrespondent ellie price for more on the inquiry. just bring us up to speed with what was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries _ was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries that _ was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries that sir— was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries that sir patrick - those diary entries that sir patrick vallance made would be part of it, they have been over the last few weeks and they were today. one entry was put to him that he said boris johnson seemed to be bamboozled by the data and by graphs and didn't have a great grasp on the science and it was difficult to explain scientific concepts to. that it is interesting, given how much was made interesting, given how much was made in the run—up to lockdown, where the government explained that decisions were being made based on the science. a lot of questi

has spoken— that and again, chris whitty has spoken about it in his statement, he unfortunately gave— that was a reason for delay which was not his intent i think. and of course _ was not his intent i think. and of course from _ was not his intent i think. and of course from the sage minutes wasn't what was _ course from the sage minutes wasn't what was being said in private. next toic, what was being said in private. next tepic. change _ what was being said in private. next tepic. change in _ what was being said in private. ilar topic, change in strategy and your experience of this. the timeline, we've dealt with the 10th of march and there was a view about covid being unstoppable. containing was no longer viable. you mentioned that you erased concerns on the 12th of march specifically regarding the limitations of sage modelling in an e—mail. you say this, we are at the limits of what modelling can tell us and then we see a pivotal meeting, my words not yours, on the 13th of march, a sage meeting. my terminology but would you agree that was a significant meeting? it felt that it was

sir chris l whitty has observed that having a reasonable — whitty has observed that having a reasonabletself somewhat - ludicrous because the reasonable first case — ludicrous because the reasonable first case scenario _ ludicrous because the reasonable first case scenario for _ ludicrous because the reasonable first case scenario for a _ ludicrous because the reasonablei first case scenario for a pandemic was predicated _ first case scenario for a pandemic was predicated on _ first case scenario for a pandemic was predicated on it— first case scenario for a pandemic was predicated on it being - was predicated on it being unmitigated, _ was predicated on it being unmitigated, and - was predicated on it being unmitigated, and other. was predicated on it being. unmitigated, and other ways was predicated on it being - unmitigated, and other ways as he described — unmitigated, and other ways as he described it — unmitigated, and other ways as he described it wholly _ unmitigated, and other ways as he described it wholly probable. - unmitigated, and other ways as he described it wholly proba

sir chris whitty, england's chief medical officer, says the british government could have "moved up aeaking at the covid inquiry today. he said ministers failed to act when "it was reasonable to think that we could be looking at maybe as many as 100,000 to 300,000 deaths. despite escalating these concerns to "the top of government", they were slow to take action. sir chris said the dangers posed by covid "had not in my view been seized in the way that a similar kind of level of existential threat would have been from another direction." this wasn't some maverick coming in and saying this. this is on the basis of sage meetings chaired by the chief scientific adviser, cobra had met, the world health organization has by now declared a public health emergency, there's international concern. this is all over the news. now, the point i would like to make on this, because i think this is actually something where we really do need to think very seriously in government, is that had, let us say, the director general of m15 or the chief of the general staff come in and said, "there is a possibil

professor sir chris whitty told the covid inquiry this morning.s more and all of our stories are available right now on our website, gbnews.com . for website, gb news.com. for exclusive website, gbnews.com. for exclusive limited edition and rare gold coins that are always newsworthy . newsworthy. >> rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report . and a quick look at the report. and a quick look at the markets today. >> the pound buys you $1.2532. ,1.1493. the price of gold. £1,597.9o ,1.1493. the price of gold. £1,597.90 per ounce. the ftse 100 is at 7480 points. rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report . news financial report. >> oh well, it's happening today. jeremy hunt is set to deliver his autumn statement at 1230. our reporter jeff moody is at a winter to market see what announcements are on their christmas wish list. this is britain's newsroom on . that i knew had dewbs& co weeknights from . weeknights from. six 1138 with britain's newsroom in gb news with andrew pearson, bev turner and we're talking about t

we had today from chris whitty that he felt that that mantra was a millstone around his neck, becauset it blurs the line between scientific advice and political decisions. at the end of the day, with the politicians who made the decision, the scientists simply tell them what was going on. i think we will drill down to a bit more of what that meant during the pandemic. the best way to get those answers as to cross live to the inquiry. ellie, thank you so much. it to the inquiry. ellie, thank you so much. ., , , , to the inquiry. ellie, thank you so much. , , . ., ., much. it was pretty clear that it was not going _ much. it was pretty clear that it was not going to give us - was not going to give us any particular help. my view was that we would have a plan is going to be useful from a prevention or management point. a large number of useful components were in it, but there was not necessary not anything helpful there, there was not necessary not anything helpfulthere, but there was not necessary not anything helpful there, but there was a respiratory pandemic plan for the kind of pand

as to what it means in practice _ chris whitty as to what it means in practice.he country is completely overwhelmed and the death, mortality rates are _ overwhelmed and the death, mortality rates are absolutely intolerable. but it _ rates are absolutely intolerable. but it is — rates are absolutely intolerable. but it is a — rates are absolutely intolerable. but it is a curve, it is a degree. why— but it is a curve, it is a degree. why was— but it is a curve, it is a degree. why was there not more debate about the alternative of waiting to see whether— the alternative of waiting to see whether or not this would work? because — whether or not this would work? because those of us who are taking decisions understood where we were in terms of the growth of the virus. the whole point about exponential growth is the famous analogy of a grain of rice on the first corner of a chest board —— chessboard. by the time you get to the final other corner of a chess board, you are talking in terms and in numbers literally unimaginable. therefore as you move from one, two, four,

sir patrick�*s evidence will be followed by england�*s chief medical officer, professor sir chris whittysir patrick vallance was up there at the downing street podium in some of the darkest days of the pandemic. we're also recommending increased social distancing. that's the phrase that you hear. already the inquiry has heard extracts from his private notes or diaries, written in what lawyers described as a brain dump at the end of a stressful day. sir patrick vallance notes in his evening notes, - "number 10 chaos as usual. "on friday, the two—metre rule meeting made it abundantly clear that no one in number 10 - or the cabinet office had really | read or taken time to understand| the science advice on two metres. "quite extraordinary." sir patrick starts what is a busy week of scientific evidence. tomorrow, his colleague at the podium, sir chris whitty, will give evidence, followed by the deputy chief medical officerfor england, sirjonathan van—tam, perhaps best known for his covid football analogies. it�*s a bit like being 3—0 up in a game and thinking, well, we can�*t possibly lose t

on the 29th of january, the chief medical officer, professor chris whitty, e—mailed professor edmondsith a request to model what could be done to delay the upswing of an epidemic. professor edmonds says in the course of a fairly lengthy e—mail given the apparent speed of spread, it seems unlikely that contact tracing and isolation will be effective in buying as much time. there was a basic system for contact tracing, the first few hundred cases system, a system by which travel and index cases could be tracked and the virus suppressed in those particular cases. did hugh as cabinet secretary no, were you told early —— late january, early feathery, that it was unlikely the system would buy any more than a short delay? i unlikely the system would buy any more than a short delay?— more than a short delay? i don't recall it in _ more than a short delay? i don't recall it in exactly _ more than a short delay? i don't recall it in exactly those - more than a short delay? i don't recall it in exactly those terms, | recall it in exactly those terms, although if that were contained for example i

in no 10 at the time they used to talk about how chris whitty was visible — everything he said struckinsta ntly forg etta ble. not any more. and today we heard sir patrick vallance say how scientists often had to work doubly hard to ensure unpalatable advice was heeded by politicians. he told us our advice was not loved. borisjohnson will be giving evidence in due course. rishi sunak appeared to be no fan of the scientists. vallance wrote that in a meeting injuly 2020 the then chancellor said, "it's all about handling the scientists not the virus." after this remark, borisjohnson blustered when he realised scientists were present. and a diary entry by sir patrick vallance quoted the former no 10 advisor dominic cummings as saying that rishi sunak "thought it was ok just to let people die." vallance also accepted that the then chancellor's eat out to help out scheme led to a higher death rate. no 10 said it cannot comment while a statutory inquiry is ongoing. all that expertise across government that was wasted and wasn't being used by no 10, because it was a small cabal of people with

please scroll back out or chris whitty, thanks. — scroll back out or chris whitty, thanks, neil, ithinklications of the united kingdoms seem to _ implications of the united kingdoms seem to be being the first country, professor. — seem to be being the first country, professor, presumably the first issue. — professor, presumably the first issue. and _ professor, presumably the first issue, and we have just debated the relevance. _ issue, and we have just debated the relevance, the 3rd of march, the contingency plan from then, had we lost control, had a big loss of containment, had they not, why did it matter— containment, had they not, why did it matter if— containment, had they not, why did it matter if we were the first country _ it matter if we were the first country to abandon containment? remembering at this point, we do not actually have evidence of domestic transmission. from memory, the number of cases was i think are still under ten, number of cases was i think are still underten, i number of cases was i think are still under ten, i could be wrong about those numbers. we had no

and it was not initially a whitty, whitty, a chris whitty, chris whitty, it just like. just look a biti thought you were going right? going for anyway, right? >> okay. he's not one whitty or whatever called paul whatever he's called today. paul the britain of the greatest britain is of course, right now course, nigel farage right now and , okay. and a new and oh, jackass, okay. and a new article has been created to make clear that both the use of the term white privilege and the way it is used is a contested area. that's from the bbc that was in relationship christine hamilton well, i'm glad they're listening. go. right. okay. so we all listen to you, christine. >> we're going to go to uni and jackass, the union jackass. >> this is sir matthew >> well, this is sir matthew ryecroft , who permanent ryecroft, who is the permanent secretary home office. secretary at the home office. and simon ridley not yet , sir. and simon ridley not yet, sir. yet. who's the interim second permanent secretary? they are the wally's couldn't the two wally's who couldn't supply answers to the home supply the

sir patrick's evidence will be followed by england's chief medical officer, professor sir chris whittyo speak to the enquiry later this week. live now to our corrrespondent ellie price for more on the inquiry. just bring us up to speed with what was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries _ was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries that _ was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries that sir— was discussed this morning. we knew those diary entries that sir patrick - those diary entries that sir patrick vallance made would be part of it, they have been over the last few weeks and they were today. one entry was put to him that he said boris johnson