news--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Jenny Harries criticised for 'patronising' remark about 'exemplar preparedness'

Dr Jenny Harries is facing criticism after praising the UK 's coronavirus preparation as `` exemplar '' and suggesting conversation could be `` more adult '' when discussing PPE supplies .
Speaking at the daily government press conference on Sunday , the deputy chief medical officer ( CMO ) said the existence of a `` pandemic stockpile '' was a `` very high quality mark '' of preparation .
The UK , she said : `` Has been an international exemplar in preparedness .
So the fact that there is a pandemic stockpile is considered a very high quality mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Turning to recent concerns about the widely reported lack of personal protective equipment for frontline staff , she suggested that a `` more adult '' conversation could be had about the supply .
She also defended the overall plan to tackle the illness , saying the containment phase was `` very successful '' .
But her comments on Sunday afternoon , which comes as the UK 's hospital death toll to COVID-19 topped 16,000 , were quick to draw criticism from figures working in health and social care , who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Professor Anthony Costello , from University College London 's Institute for Global Health , said he `` can not believe '' the comments he had heard , highlighting that Ms Harries `` still believed that the testing policy in the UK has been correct '' .
He added : `` And she does n't understand links between tests and COVID death rates .
Is this CMO policy ?
If so , they should resign . ''
Meanwhile , Birmingham-based GP Rizwanul Haq referred to the comments as a `` ridiculous and patronising statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't see her volunteering on being on the frontline without proper PPE . ''
Care worker Joy Parry , from Norfolk , said she found the same remark `` snide '' and `` patronising in the extreme . ''
She said : `` Come and do a shift alongside me , re-using single use PPE and show me how it 's done . ''
Responding generally to the press conference , Devi Sridhar , a professor and chair of Global Public Health at Edinburgh University , said `` some humility '' when looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better `` would be great to see '' .
She added : `` What I 'd love to hear : 'We made a mistake and did n't prepare .
We underestimated this virus and treated it like a flu that would run through the population .
`` We have not protected our front-line staff , and our most precious resource .
But we will try now to listen and improve our response . ''
The focus on PPE supply has been elevated in recent days after it was revealed some hospitals were down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gowns , and a shipment due in from Turkey on Sunday had been delayed .
It comes after an investigation by the Sunday Times said Prime Minister Boris Johnson had not attended the first five emergency COBRA meetings ahead of the outbreak in the UK , and further claimed the government had missed a number of opportunities to lessen the impact .
In response , a government spokesman said the article contained `` a series of falsehoods and errors and actively misrepresents the enormous amount of work which was going on in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak '' .
Commenting on the concerns about PPE , Ms Harries said conversations were `` quite rightly '' focused on gowns and that she `` was very aware '' of considerations for goggles and masks .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But , she assured that `` although there may be elements of distribution problems across the UK - at different times and in different places - this is a huge pull on services which we have never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually - despite signalling many potential shortfalls - to continue to supply going forward . ''
The management of current supplies had also been using a `` risk mitigation method , '' she said , which means looking to patients and workers at highest risk across the country .
`` We just need to think carefully through what has been achieved and the challenges - which are acknowledged - ahead , '' she said .
Downing Street and the Department of Health were both approached for comment .

Dr Jenny Harries is facing criticism after praising the UK's coronavirus preparation as "exemplar" and suggesting conversation could be "more adult" when discussing PPE supplies.
Speaking at the daily government press conference on Sunday, the deputy chief medical officer (CMO) said the existence of a "pandemic stockpile" was a "very high quality mark" of preparation.
The UK, she said: "Has been an international exemplar in preparedness. So the fact that there is a pandemic stockpile is considered a very high quality mark of a prepared country in international terms."
Turning to recent concerns about the widely reported lack of personal protective equipment for frontline staff, she suggested that a "more adult" conversation could be had about the supply.
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She also defended the overall plan to tackle the illness, saying the containment phase was "very successful".
But her comments on Sunday afternoon, which comes as the UK's hospital death toll to COVID-19 topped 16,000, were quick to draw criticism from figures working in health and social care, who said it had been "patronising".
Professor Anthony Costello, from University College London's Institute for Global Health, said he "cannot believe" the comments he had heard, highlighting that Ms Harries "still believed that the testing policy in the UK has been correct".
He added: "And she doesn't understand links between tests and COVID death rates. Is this CMO policy? If so, they should resign."
Meanwhile, Birmingham-based GP Rizwanul Haq referred to the comments as a "ridiculous and patronising statement", adding: "I don't see her volunteering on being on the frontline without proper PPE."
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Care worker Joy Parry, from Norfolk, said she found the same remark "snide" and "patronising in the extreme."
She said: "Come and do a shift alongside me, re-using single use PPE and show me how it's done."
Responding generally to the press conference, Devi Sridhar, a professor and chair of Global Public Health at Edinburgh University, said "some humility" when looking at how the UK could have performed better "would be great to see".
She added: "What I'd love to hear: 'We made a mistake and didn't prepare. We underestimated this virus and treated it like a flu that would run through the population.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 12:10 Minister 'can't put date on schools opening'
"We have not protected our front-line staff, and our most precious resource. But we will try now to listen and improve our response."
The focus on PPE supply has been elevated in recent days after it was revealed some hospitals were down to their last 24 hours-worth of protective gowns, and a shipment due in from Turkey on Sunday had been delayed.
It comes after an investigation by the Sunday Times said Prime Minister Boris Johnson had not attended the first five emergency COBRA meetings ahead of the outbreak in the UK, and further claimed the government had missed a number of opportunities to lessen the impact.
In response, a government spokesman said the article contained "a series of falsehoods and errors and actively misrepresents the enormous amount of work which was going on in government at the earliest stages of the coronavirus outbreak".
Commenting on the concerns about PPE, Ms Harries said conversations were "quite rightly" focused on gowns and that she "was very aware" of considerations for goggles and masks.
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But, she assured that "although there may be elements of distribution problems across the UK - at different times and in different places - this is a huge pull on services which we have never seen before.
"We have managed actually - despite signalling many potential shortfalls - to continue to supply going forward."
The management of current supplies had also been using a "risk mitigation method," she said, which means looking to patients and workers at highest risk across the country.
"We just need to think carefully through what has been achieved and the challenges - which are acknowledged - ahead," she said.
Downing Street and the Department of Health were both approached for comment.


news--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: New PPE 'tsar' hired as 84 tonnes of supplies flown from Turkey to UK

A delivery of desperately needed personal protective equipment for front line NHS staff is arriving in the UK , as the government faces growing criticism over shortages and its handling of the coronavirus crisis .
Amid claims that the lives of doctors , nurses and patients are at risk from coronavirus because some supplies are running out this weekend , 84 tonnes of PPE - including 400,000 surgical gowns - are arriving from Turkey .
Meanwhile , a plane carrying about 10 million face masks and other vital pieces of PPE has landed in Scotland after taking off from China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former London Olympics chief executive and Treasury minister Paul Deighton to lead a national effort to produce more essential PPE for front line health and social care staff treating those with COVID-19 .
Ministers are comparing his appointment to that of Daily Express proprietor Lord Beaverbrook as minister of aircraft production by Winston Churchill on the eve of the Battle of Britain in May 1940 to galvanise the output of fighter planes .
Announcing the PPE delivery from Turkey on Saturday , Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said : `` Demand is extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internationally but we will continue to work as hard as we can .
`` Those healthcare workers who are on the front line again should know that we completely understand their anxiety and we are doing all we can to try and get them the equipment that they need as quickly as possible . ''
Ministers accept that the PPE delivery from Turkey is only a short-term emergency measure - and Lord Deighton 's task will be to spearhead moves to accelerate the manufacture of PPE in the UK in the longer term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tory peer Lord Deighton was chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games ( LOCOG ) and was then a Treasury minister in David Cameron 's government from January 2013 to May 2015 .
According to the government , the new PPE `` tsar '' will coordinate design of equipment through to manufacture , including streamlining the approvals and procurement process to ensure supplies are rapidly approved and get to where they are needed .
The government claims this programme will start to deliver supplies in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the scaling up of engineering efforts for smaller companies capable of contributing to the wider supply chain .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Announcing Lord Deighton 's appointment , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` Our response to this global pandemic demands a national effort .
`` Manufacturers big and small are already responding to the challenge but we must go further and faster .
I am determined to do everything I can to get more protective equipment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus on the front line .
`` Just as Lord Beaverbrook spearheaded the wartime efforts on aircraft production , the appointment of Lord Deighton will bring renewed drive and focus to coordinate this unprecedented peacetime challenge .
`` Lord Deighton led the delivery of the Olympics .
Now he will lead a singular and relentless focus on PPE as the country 's top manufacturing priority , with the full weight of the government behind him . ''
Responding to his appointment , Lord Deighton said : `` Countries around the world face unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessitates an equally unprecedented domestic manufacturing response .
`` I look forward to bringing together new partners in the pursuit of this single goal : to get our dedicated front line workers the essential equipment they need .
`` This effort calls for exceptional teamwork and I am confident that we , together , will rise to this challenge . ''
As part of the national effort to focus the UK 's manufacturing industry on this immediate challenge , the government says it has issued a `` call to arms '' for industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the required technical specifications .
Companies such as Burberry , Rolls-Royce , McLaren , Ineos and Diageo have already started work to produce equipment including gowns , visors and hand hygiene products .
The government says it is working around the clock to give the social care sector and wider NHS the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak .
As of 16 April , it claims almost one billion pieces of PPE have been delivered nationwide .

A delivery of desperately needed personal protective equipment for front line NHS staff is arriving in the UK, as the government faces growing criticism over shortages and its handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Amid claims that the lives of doctors, nurses and patients are at risk from coronavirus because some supplies are running out this weekend, 84 tonnes of PPE - including 400,000 surgical gowns - are arriving from Turkey.
Meanwhile, a plane carrying about 10 million face masks and other vital pieces of PPE has landed in Scotland after taking off from China.
Image: Medical supplies and PPE have been delivered to the UK from Turkey before. File pic
The deliveries coincide with the appointment of former London Olympics chief executive and Treasury minister Paul Deighton to lead a national effort to produce more essential PPE for front line health and social care staff treating those with COVID-19.
Ministers are comparing his appointment to that of Daily Express proprietor Lord Beaverbrook as minister of aircraft production by Winston Churchill on the eve of the Battle of Britain in May 1940 to galvanise the output of fighter planes.
Announcing the PPE delivery from Turkey on Saturday, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "Demand is extremely high and quantities are in huge demand internationally but we will continue to work as hard as we can.
"Those healthcare workers who are on the front line again should know that we completely understand their anxiety and we are doing all we can to try and get them the equipment that they need as quickly as possible."
Ministers accept that the PPE delivery from Turkey is only a short-term emergency measure - and Lord Deighton's task will be to spearhead moves to accelerate the manufacture of PPE in the UK in the longer term.
Image: The government has faced criticism over PPE shortages in hospitals
A former banker with Goldman Sachs, Tory peer Lord Deighton was chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and was then a Treasury minister in David Cameron's government from January 2013 to May 2015.
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According to the government, the new PPE "tsar" will coordinate design of equipment through to manufacture, including streamlining the approvals and procurement process to ensure supplies are rapidly approved and get to where they are needed.
The government claims this programme will start to deliver supplies in the next week. Lord Deighton will also support the scaling up of engineering efforts for smaller companies capable of contributing to the wider supply chain.
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Announcing Lord Deighton's appointment, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Our response to this global pandemic demands a national effort.
"Manufacturers big and small are already responding to the challenge but we must go further and faster. I am determined to do everything I can to get more protective equipment to the NHS staff who are fighting this virus on the front line.
"Just as Lord Beaverbrook spearheaded the wartime efforts on aircraft production, the appointment of Lord Deighton will bring renewed drive and focus to coordinate this unprecedented peacetime challenge.
"Lord Deighton led the delivery of the Olympics. Now he will lead a singular and relentless focus on PPE as the country's top manufacturing priority, with the full weight of the government behind him."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:09 Crowds ignore 2m rule during Clap for Carers
Responding to his appointment, Lord Deighton said: "Countries around the world face unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment and this necessitates an equally unprecedented domestic manufacturing response.
"I look forward to bringing together new partners in the pursuit of this single goal: to get our dedicated front line workers the essential equipment they need.
"This effort calls for exceptional teamwork and I am confident that we, together, will rise to this challenge."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:17 Lockdown: The dos and don'ts
As part of the national effort to focus the UK's manufacturing industry on this immediate challenge, the government says it has issued a "call to arms" for industry partners to make essential PPE that meets the required technical specifications.
Companies such as Burberry, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Ineos and Diageo have already started work to produce equipment including gowns, visors and hand hygiene products.
The government says it is working around the clock to give the social care sector and wider NHS the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak. As of 16 April, it claims almost one billion pieces of PPE have been delivered nationwide.


news--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Govt 'lost a crucial five weeks' to tackle threat of COVID-19

The government missed a series of opportunities to lessen the impact of the coronavirus in February and March , it is being claimed .
According to an investigation by The Sunday Times , dire warnings were ignored from scientists - and the UK lost `` a crucial five weeks in the fight to tackle the dangerous threat of coronavirus despite being in a perilously poor state of preparation for a pandemic '' .
Government whistleblowers , scientists and emergency planners have alleged there was a complacency at the heart of government in late January and February when it should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Boris Johnson missed five of the government 's key COBRA meetings as the COVID-19 crisis gathered pace .
• `` Little progress '' was made in obtaining emergency supplies of masks and gowns in February , with the UK actually sending 279,000 PPE items to China • The country 's last rehearsal for a pandemic was in 2016 , and recommendations from that exercise to address a lack of PPE and intensive care ventilators were never implemented • Preparations for a no-deal Brexit `` sucked all the blood out of pandemic planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ready to help supply PPE in February , but its offer of help was only accepted on 1 April A Downing Street spokesman hit back at The Sunday Times report , saying : `` Our response has ensured that the NHS has been given all the support it needs to ensure everyone requiring treatment has received it , as well as providing protection to businesses and reassurance to workers .
`` The prime minister has been at the helm of the response to this , providing leadership during this hugely challenging period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The report comes as a delivery of 84 tonnes of desperately needed PPE for front line NHS staff was delayed .
The source of the delay is not yet known , but it is understood the RAF were ready to transport the equipment .
On Saturday , it was confirmed that another 888 patients have died in UK hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus .
This takes the total number of fatalities to 15,464 , the fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson himself recovers from COVID-19 at Chequers , his government is coming under mounting pressure over the crisis .
Sir Keir Starmer , the new leader of the opposition , has shattered the fragile truce between Labour and the Conservatives .
In a hard-hitting article for The Mail on Sunday , Sir Keir wrote : `` The government was too slow to enter the lockdown .
It has been too slow to increase the number of people being tested .
`` It has been too slow in getting NHS staff the critical equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to make sure these mistakes are not repeated .
`` And this week has exposed how the government has been too slow to respond to the growing emergency in our social care services . ''
Sir Keir also called for the UK to follow other countries in beginning to set out a roadmap on how and when restrictions in certain sectors of the economy will be lifted `` when the time is right '' .
He added : `` This of course must be done in a careful , considered way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safety of workers and families at its heart . ''
In fact , The Sunday Telegraph is reporting that Mr Johnson has already resumed giving directions to ministers in a series of phone calls , as well as a three-hour meeting with his stand-in Dominic Raab and key staff on Friday .

The government missed a series of opportunities to lessen the impact of the coronavirus in February and March, it is being claimed.
According to an investigation by The Sunday Times, dire warnings were ignored from scientists - and the UK lost "a crucial five weeks in the fight to tackle the dangerous threat of coronavirus despite being in a perilously poor state of preparation for a pandemic".
Government whistleblowers, scientists and emergency planners have alleged there was a complacency at the heart of government in late January and February when it should have been urgently replenishing stockpiles.
Image: A pandemic simulation in 2016 concluded the UK had a lack of PPE, it is claimed
The newspaper says Boris Johnson missed five of the government's key COBRA meetings as the COVID-19 crisis gathered pace.
It also claims:
"Little progress" was made in obtaining emergency supplies of masks and gowns in February, with the UK actually sending 279,000 PPE items to China
The country's last rehearsal for a pandemic was in 2016, and recommendations from that exercise to address a lack of PPE and intensive care ventilators were never implemented
Preparations for a no-deal Brexit "sucked all the blood out of pandemic planning"
The British Healthcare Trades Association was ready to help supply PPE in February, but its offer of help was only accepted on 1 April
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:09 Crowds ignore 2m rule during Clap for Carers
A Downing Street spokesman hit back at The Sunday Times report, saying: "Our response has ensured that the NHS has been given all the support it needs to ensure everyone requiring treatment has received it, as well as providing protection to businesses and reassurance to workers.
"The prime minister has been at the helm of the response to this, providing leadership during this hugely challenging period for the whole nation."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The report comes as a delivery of 84 tonnes of desperately needed PPE for front line NHS staff was delayed.
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The source of the delay is not yet known, but it is understood the RAF were ready to transport the equipment.
Image: Medical supplies and PPE have been delivered to the UK from Turkey before. File pic
On Saturday, it was confirmed that another 888 patients have died in UK hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.
This takes the total number of fatalities to 15,464, the fifth highest in the world.
As Mr Johnson himself recovers from COVID-19 at Chequers, his government is coming under mounting pressure over the crisis.
Sir Keir Starmer, the new leader of the opposition, has shattered the fragile truce between Labour and the Conservatives.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:04 10 April: Inside care homes struggling with COVID-19
In a hard-hitting article for The Mail on Sunday, Sir Keir wrote: "The government was too slow to enter the lockdown. It has been too slow to increase the number of people being tested.
"It has been too slow in getting NHS staff the critical equipment they need to keep them safe. We need to make sure these mistakes are not repeated.
"And this week has exposed how the government has been too slow to respond to the growing emergency in our social care services."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:32 12 April: Starmer - 'Exit strategy needed'
Sir Keir also called for the UK to follow other countries in beginning to set out a roadmap on how and when restrictions in certain sectors of the economy will be lifted "when the time is right".
He added: "This of course must be done in a careful, considered way with public health, scientific evidence and the safety of workers and families at its heart."
In fact, The Sunday Telegraph is reporting that Mr Johnson has already resumed giving directions to ministers in a series of phone calls, as well as a three-hour meeting with his stand-in Dominic Raab and key staff on Friday.


news--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Delivery of 84 tonnes of protective equipment for NHS delayed

A delivery of 84 tonnes of desperately needed personal protective equipment for front line NHS staff has been delayed and will not be arriving today .
The source of the delay is not yet known , but it is understood the RAF was ready to transport the PPE from Turkey , including 400,000 surgical gowns .
Ministers announced on Saturday the UK was due to get the vital gear today and the setback comes as the government faces growing criticism over shortages and its handling of the coronavirus crisis .
A Government spokesperson said : `` We are continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soon as possible . ''
There have been claims that the lives of doctors , nurses and patients are at risk from COVID-19 because some supplies are running out this weekend .
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Saturday the 84 tonnes of PPE was `` a very significant additional shipment '' but it is understood it would only be enough to last the NHS for three days .
Guidance from Public Health England says long-sleeved disposable fluid-repellent gowns should be worn when treating COVID-19 patients .
If the gowns are unavailable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Health to wear `` disposable , non-fluid repellent gowns or coveralls '' or `` washable surgical gowns '' , with aprons , and to wash their forearms afterwards .
It also says staff should consider reusing PPE where necessary if supplies are low .
But the changes to safety advice have sparked a storm of protest by healthcare workers .
Meanwhile , a plane carrying about 10 million face masks and other vital pieces of PPE has landed in Scotland after taking off from China .
Olympics chief executive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead a national effort to produce more essential PPE .
Ministers are comparing his appointment to that of Daily Express proprietor Lord Beaverbrook as minister of aircraft production by Winston Churchill on the eve of the Battle of Britain in May 1940 to galvanise the output of fighter planes .
The delayed delivery from Turkey is only a short-term emergency measure - and Lord Deighton 's task will be to spearhead moves to accelerate the manufacture of PPE in the UK in the longer term .
The government has also been accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessen the impact of the coronavirus in February and March .
According to an investigation by The Sunday Times , dire warnings were ignored from scientists - and the UK lost `` a crucial five weeks in the fight to tackle the dangerous threat of coronavirus despite being in a perilously poor state of preparation for a pandemic '' .

A delivery of 84 tonnes of desperately needed personal protective equipment for front line NHS staff has been delayed and will not be arriving today.
The source of the delay is not yet known, but it is understood the RAF was ready to transport the PPE from Turkey, including 400,000 surgical gowns.
Ministers announced on Saturday the UK was due to get the vital gear today and the setback comes as the government faces growing criticism over shortages and its handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Image: A protester demands more PPE outside St Thomas' Hospital in central London
A Government spokesperson said: "We are continuing to work to ensure the shipment is delivered as soon as possible."
There have been claims that the lives of doctors, nurses and patients are at risk from COVID-19 because some supplies are running out this weekend.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Saturday the 84 tonnes of PPE was "a very significant additional shipment" but it is understood it would only be enough to last the NHS for three days.
Guidance from Public Health England says long-sleeved disposable fluid-repellent gowns should be worn when treating COVID-19 patients.
If the gowns are unavailable, clinical staff have been advised by the Department of Health to wear "disposable, non-fluid repellent gowns or coveralls" or "washable surgical gowns", with aprons, and to wash their forearms afterwards.
It also says staff should consider reusing PPE where necessary if supplies are low.
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But the changes to safety advice have sparked a storm of protest by healthcare workers.
Meanwhile, a plane carrying about 10 million face masks and other vital pieces of PPE has landed in Scotland after taking off from China.
Olympics chief executive and Treasury minister Paul Deighton has been appointed to lead a national effort to produce more essential PPE.
Ministers are comparing his appointment to that of Daily Express proprietor Lord Beaverbrook as minister of aircraft production by Winston Churchill on the eve of the Battle of Britain in May 1940 to galvanise the output of fighter planes.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:25 Dr Chaand Nagpaul says the government has been warned of critical PPE shortages
The delayed delivery from Turkey is only a short-term emergency measure - and Lord Deighton's task will be to spearhead moves to accelerate the manufacture of PPE in the UK in the longer term.
The government has also been accused of missing a series of opportunities to lessen the impact of the coronavirus in February and March.
According to an investigation by The Sunday Times, dire warnings were ignored from scientists - and the UK lost "a crucial five weeks in the fight to tackle the dangerous threat of coronavirus despite being in a perilously poor state of preparation for a pandemic".


news--2020-05-21--Coronavirus cases worldwide top five million

More than five million people have been infected with coronavirus globally and over 328,100 have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Latin America has overtaken the United States and Europe in the past week to report the largest portion of new daily COVID-19 cases .
The United States has seen nearly 92,000 deaths and Europe has had nearly 165,000 .
It comes as the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) recorded 106,000 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday - the most in a single day yet .
`` We still have a long way to go in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghebreyesus told a news conference .
`` We are very concerned about rising cases in low and middle income countries . ''
Brazil 's outbreak worsened on Wednesday and the South American nation could soon have the second-highest number of cases in the world .
More than 291,000 cases have been confirmed , meaning it could soon overtake Russia .
Brazil issued new guidelines for wider use of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine in mild coronavirus cases , a treatment touted by President Jair Bolsonaro in defiance of public health experts ' warnings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoted treating COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine , a variant considered less toxic and more effective than chloroquine , and he announced on Monday he was taking the drug as a precaution .
No large , rigorous studies have found either drug safe or effective for preventing or treating the virus .
Mr Bolsonaro , a conservative populist and nationalist , has long expressed admiration for Mr Trump and enthusiasm for chloroquine .
Meanwhile some countries in Europe are reporting few signs of an increase in the number of people infected after ending their lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of patients arriving each day at hospitals is decreasing , along with people treated in intensive care units .
Meanwhile , China is preparing to open its National People 's Congress on Friday after the meetings in Beijing were delayed for two months .
The number of fresh coronavirus cases in China has dropped recently , though clusters of infections have popped up in some areas .
China reported two newly confirmed cases on Thursday .
An outbreak at the congress would be a potential public relations nightmare as President Xi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbing the coronavirus that emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year .

More than five million people have been infected with coronavirus globally and over 328,100 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Latin America has overtaken the United States and Europe in the past week to report the largest portion of new daily COVID-19 cases.
The United States has seen nearly 92,000 deaths and Europe has had nearly 165,000.
It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recorded 106,000 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday - the most in a single day yet.
"We still have a long way to go in this pandemic," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference.
"We are very concerned about rising cases in low and middle income countries."
Brazil's outbreak worsened on Wednesday and the South American nation could soon have the second-highest number of cases in the world.
More than 291,000 cases have been confirmed, meaning it could soon overtake Russia.
Brazil issued new guidelines for wider use of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine in mild coronavirus cases, a treatment touted by President Jair Bolsonaro in defiance of public health experts' warnings of possible health risks.
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Donald Trump has promoted treating COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine, a variant considered less toxic and more effective than chloroquine, and he announced on Monday he was taking the drug as a precaution.
No large, rigorous studies have found either drug safe or effective for preventing or treating the virus.
Mr Bolsonaro, a conservative populist and nationalist, has long expressed admiration for Mr Trump and enthusiasm for chloroquine.
Meanwhile some countries in Europe are reporting few signs of an increase in the number of people infected after ending their lockdowns.
French health minister Olivier Veran said the number of patients arriving each day at hospitals is decreasing, along with people treated in intensive care units.
Image: Delegates stand in silent tribute for victims of the COVID-19 during the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
Meanwhile, China is preparing to open its National People's Congress on Friday after the meetings in Beijing were delayed for two months.
The number of fresh coronavirus cases in China has dropped recently, though clusters of infections have popped up in some areas. China reported two newly confirmed cases on Thursday.
An outbreak at the congress would be a potential public relations nightmare as President Xi Jinping showcases Beijing's apparent success in curbing the coronavirus that emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year.


news--2020-05-21--Coronavirus: China begins key political event delayed by COVID-19 pandemic

China 's president Xi Jinping held a silent tribute to victims of coronavirus at the start of the country 's most important political event of the year .
The opening of the annual session of the Chinese People 's Political Consultative Conference ( CPPCC ) is a further sign of what the country 's government has said is its victory over COVID-19 , which originated in the central city of Wuhan late last year .
Rank-and-file members of the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) gathered in the vast auditorium inside the Great Hall of the People in the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks .
However , some top officials - including President Xi and Prime Minister Le Keqiang - did not .
CPPCC chair Wang Yang said in his report to the more than 2,000 delegates in attendance that they would `` tell the world about how China , as a responsible major country , has taken firm action and contributed to international cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic '' .
The session is to be followed on Friday by the opening of the National People 's Congress - the ceremonial parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a keynote speech outlining economic and social goals for the year .
It comes after a two month delay to the meeting , which was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic and has been shortened from two weeks to one as part of virus control measures .
Media access has also been largely reduced and only a limited number of reporters , diplomats and observers were permitted into the meeting hall on Thursday .
It also remains unclear whether Mr Li will issue the usual gross domestic product ( GDP ) annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
Given the economic devastation caused by the pandemic , the targeted GDP will likely be considerably lower than last year 's 6.0 % to 6.5 % .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Tens of millions of Chinese are now unemployed and it 's unclear how many jobs will return after the crisis passes , following a shrinkage in the country 's economy for the first time in decades .
Not only have domestic production and demand dropped , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US and Europe have also suffered massive job losses and drops in consumption .
Despite the impact of the crisis , massive state propaganda has helped see President Xi receive plaudits at home for having contained the virus , even while the US and others question China 's handling of the initial outbreak .

China's president Xi Jinping held a silent tribute to victims of coronavirus at the start of the country's most important political event of the year.
The opening of the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is a further sign of what the country's government has said is its victory over COVID-19, which originated in the central city of Wuhan late last year.
Rank-and-file members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gathered in the vast auditorium inside the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing, with most present wearing face masks.
However, some top officials - including President Xi and Prime Minister Le Keqiang - did not.
Image: Delegates stand in silent tribute for victims of the COVID-19 during the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
CPPCC chair Wang Yang said in his report to the more than 2,000 delegates in attendance that they would "tell the world about how China, as a responsible major country, has taken firm action and contributed to international cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic".
The session is to be followed on Friday by the opening of the National People's Congress - the ceremonial parliament where the prime minister is to deliver a keynote speech outlining economic and social goals for the year.
It comes after a two month delay to the meeting, which was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic and has been shortened from two weeks to one as part of virus control measures.
Media access has also been largely reduced and only a limited number of reporters, diplomats and observers were permitted into the meeting hall on Thursday.
It also remains unclear whether Mr Li will issue the usual gross domestic product (GDP) annual growth target for the world's second-largest economy.
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Given the economic devastation caused by the pandemic, the targeted GDP will likely be considerably lower than last year's 6.0% to 6.5%.
Image: Security guards wearing face masks walk inside the Great Hall of the People
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Tens of millions of Chinese are now unemployed and it's unclear how many jobs will return after the crisis passes, following a shrinkage in the country's economy for the first time in decades.
Not only have domestic production and demand dropped, but China's key export markets such as the US and Europe have also suffered massive job losses and drops in consumption.
Despite the impact of the crisis, massive state propaganda has helped see President Xi receive plaudits at home for having contained the virus, even while the US and others question China's handling of the initial outbreak.


news--2020-05-24--Woody Allen 'unconcerned' many have turned against him over sex abuse allegations

Woody Allen has said he is `` unconcerned '' that some in the film industry have turned their backs on him over sexual abuse allegations made by his adopted daughter .
The # MeToo movement shone a light on allegations he molested his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow when she was a child .
Allen , 84 , strongly denies her claims , which led to Amazon dropping his £52m four-film deal and Hachette refusing to publish his memoir .
But he told The Mail On Sunday he is unfazed by the fallout , because he has `` never been part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he `` does n't care about the box office or the awards '' .
He said : `` I do n't feel vindicated because that is to imply I was concerned and - I do n't wish to seem callous - but I am not .
`` Of course I am aware I am the subject of gossip and scandal , but I can not let it bother me ...
It was a false allegation but a great tabloid drama . ''
Despite being dropped by Amazon , his film A Rainy Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the global box office last week , even with most cinemas around the world closed due to the coronavirus outbreak .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But the director added : `` I do n't care about the box office or awards .
Winning an Oscar for me has very little meaning beyond the practical . ''
Most actors he has worked closely with have stuck by Allen , including Scarlett Johansson , Kate Winslet , Alec Baldwin and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all spoken out in his favour .
But others , including Little Women director Greta Gerwig , have publicly condemned him .
In 2018 , Ms Farrow said she felt she had been ignored over the sexual assault allegation against her adoptive father .
She told CBS show This Morning : `` All I can do is speak my truth and hope ... that someone will believe me instead of just hearing . ''
Allen and Amazon ended their legal battle last year after the filmmaker sued the online giant for ending his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .

Woody Allen has said he is "unconcerned" that some in the film industry have turned their backs on him over sexual abuse allegations made by his adopted daughter.
The #MeToo movement shone a light on allegations he molested his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow when she was a child.
Allen, 84, strongly denies her claims, which led to Amazon dropping his £52m four-film deal and Hachette refusing to publish his memoir.
Image: Woody Allen, 84, says he does not care about winning awards
But he told The Mail On Sunday he is unfazed by the fallout, because he has "never been part of the club in Hollywood" and he "doesn't care about the box office or the awards".
He said: "I don't feel vindicated because that is to imply I was concerned and - I don't wish to seem callous - but I am not.
"Of course I am aware I am the subject of gossip and scandal, but I cannot let it bother me ... It was a false allegation but a great tabloid drama."
Despite being dropped by Amazon, his film A Rainy Day In New York was the highest earner at the global box office last week, even with most cinemas around the world closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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But the director added: "I don't care about the box office or awards. Winning an Oscar for me has very little meaning beyond the practical."
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Most actors he has worked closely with have stuck by Allen, including Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Alec Baldwin and his former partner Diane Keaton, who have all spoken out in his favour.
But others, including Little Women director Greta Gerwig, have publicly condemned him.
In 2018, Ms Farrow said she felt she had been ignored over the sexual assault allegation against her adoptive father.
She told CBS show This Morning: "All I can do is speak my truth and hope ... that someone will believe me instead of just hearing."
Allen and Amazon ended their legal battle last year after the filmmaker sued the online giant for ending his contract without releasing A Rainy Day In New York.


news--2020-06-27--Coronavirus: Split three-day week proposed to get UK economy out of COVID-19 crisis

A split three-day week with workers separated into two different teams should be considered as part of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis , a report has urged .
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts , Manufactures and Commerce ( RSA ) has suggested firms arrange `` A teams '' and `` B teams '' , typically working Monday to Wednesday or Thursday to Saturday .
The idea is based on a similar arrangement in South Korea and would help enable social distancing at work and ease congestion on the roads , cycling infrastructure and public transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought workers would then have greater choice to combine their jobs with caring , learning , or volunteering and lead to a future of more flexible work for both employers and employees .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Matthew Taylor , chief executive of the RSA , said : `` The crisis can be an opportunity for positive change .
`` We need to get back to work , but there is no going back to normal , even if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a 12-month 'back to work ' strategy to help businesses plan , must contain the seeds of a better future - which creates a better future of work , builds our green infrastructure , and brings citizens and experts closer . ''
He added : `` Over time , the 'team A ' and 'team B ' working could develop into a more permanent three-day week , while the negative income tax could become a basic income floor for citizens .
`` These ideas and others will clearly be subject to debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new thinking to 'build back better ' and address the challenges we face , from the climate emergency to mass economic insecurity . ''
The RSA is an independent charity .

A split three-day week with workers separated into two different teams should be considered as part of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, a report has urged.
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has suggested firms arrange "A teams" and "B teams", typically working Monday to Wednesday or Thursday to Saturday.
The idea is based on a similar arrangement in South Korea and would help enable social distancing at work and ease congestion on the roads, cycling infrastructure and public transport, the report said.
It is thought workers would then have greater choice to combine their jobs with caring, learning, or volunteering and lead to a future of more flexible work for both employers and employees.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the RSA, said: "The crisis can be an opportunity for positive change.
"We need to get back to work, but there is no going back to normal, even if we wanted to.
"We are calling for a 12-month 'back to work' strategy to help businesses plan, must contain the seeds of a better future - which creates a better future of work, builds our green infrastructure, and brings citizens and experts closer."
He added: "Over time, the 'team A' and 'team B' working could develop into a more permanent three-day week, while the negative income tax could become a basic income floor for citizens.
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"These ideas and others will clearly be subject to debate, but it's vital we have new thinking to 'build back better' and address the challenges we face, from the climate emergency to mass economic insecurity."
The RSA is an independent charity.


news--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: British Steel's Chinese owner seeks £100m state loan

The new Chinese owner of British Steel is seeking another £100m of taxpayer support less than three months after completing its takeover of the insolvent Scunthorpe-based group .
Sky News has learnt that Jingye Group , which bought the steelmaker in March , has asked the government for a commercial loan as the industry struggles to find a way through the coronavirus pandemic .
The request from British Steel is understood to be under consideration in Whitehall .
It is the latest such appeal from a sector placed under extreme strain by the pandemic , with aggregate requests for support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News revealed last month that Tata Steel , owner of the Port Talbot steelworks in Wales , was seeking a £500m commercial loan .
Liberty Steel is said to have asked for roughly £250m , while Celsa , a Spanish-owned group , has requested a much smaller sum said to be in the low tens of millions of pounds .
The Scunthorpe-based group collapsed into compulsory liquidation almost exactly a year ago , putting roughly 4000 jobs at risk at the company and many thousands more in its supply chain .
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China , the Official Receiver struck a deal with Jingye .
A taxpayer indemnity covering the costs of running British Steel during the intervening nine months is understood to have cost in the region of £800m .
Jingye 's effort to secure new government support for the UK 's second-largest steelmaker could come in the form of a direct loan .
Alternatively , changes to one of the Treasury 's emergency lending programmes - the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme ( CLBILS ) - could provide an alternative solution .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were preparing to increase the maximum loan available under the scheme from £50m to £200m .
Steel industry sources cautioned , however , that such an amendment might not help Jingye , because its lack of a trading history in the UK would make it harder for a commercial bank to lend to the company using CLBILS .
British Steel was previously a subsidiary of the Indian conglomerate Tata , which remains the owner of the Port Talbot site .
The Scunthorpe-based group has flirted with insolvency on previous occasions as the economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become less attractive - and further complicated by the uncertainty over future trading relationships with the EU .
British Steel collapsed into insolvency last May after the government decided against providing £30m to the company under its then-owner , Greybull Capital .
That came just weeks after ministers did agree to provide an emergency £120m loan to cover the cost of an EU carbon credits scheme for industrial polluters .
A British Steel spokesman said : `` Like many businesses we 've been in contact with the UK government throughout the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect our people and our business and are grateful for the ongoing support of our employees , owners , customers , suppliers and government . ''
A request for aid from UK taxpayers from a Chinese-owned company could be controversial given escalating geopolitical tensions over the provenance of the COVID-19 crisis .
The proximity of the plea from British Steel to Jingye 's takeover completing might also be contentious , although people close to the situation pointed out that the Chinese negotiations about the deal had been underway for months before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steel 's turnaround plan has been derailed by the pandemic , with hundreds of its employees initially furloughed under the government 's wage subsidy scheme .
Many of them returned to the company 's Skinningrove plant late last month .
The fate of British Steel became intertwined with the Conservative Party 's pledge to `` level up '' the UK economy in the run-up to December 's general election .
Following the completion of Jingye 's takeover , hundreds of workers were made redundant , although 3,200 jobs were saved by the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive , Li Huiming , said at the time : `` It has not been an easy journey since we first announced our intentions in November but the longer I have spent in Scunthorpe , the more I have come to believe in the successful future of these steelworks and the employees that have made them famous throughout the world . ''
Together , we can forge a new partnership that will mark the beginning of a new illustrious chapter in the history of British steelmaking . ''
: : Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Jingye , which is headquartered in the country 's industrial heartland of Hebei province , also operates in the chemicals , hospitality and real estate sectors .
The company employs more than 22,000 people and exports its steel products to dozens of countries .
The Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy was contacted for comment .

The new Chinese owner of British Steel is seeking another £100m of taxpayer support less than three months after completing its takeover of the insolvent Scunthorpe-based group.
Sky News has learnt that Jingye Group, which bought the steelmaker in March, has asked the government for a commercial loan as the industry struggles to find a way through the coronavirus pandemic.
The request from British Steel is understood to be under consideration in Whitehall.
Image: Jingye Group bought the Scunthorpe steelmaker in March
It is the latest such appeal from a sector placed under extreme strain by the pandemic, with aggregate requests for support now understood to be approaching £1bn.
Sky News revealed last month that Tata Steel, owner of the Port Talbot steelworks in Wales, was seeking a £500m commercial loan.
Liberty Steel is said to have asked for roughly £250m, while Celsa, a Spanish-owned group, has requested a much smaller sum said to be in the low tens of millions of pounds.
The Scunthorpe-based group collapsed into compulsory liquidation almost exactly a year ago, putting roughly 4000 jobs at risk at the company and many thousands more in its supply chain.
Following months of talks with bidders from Turkey and China, the Official Receiver struck a deal with Jingye.
A taxpayer indemnity covering the costs of running British Steel during the intervening nine months is understood to have cost in the region of £800m.
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Jingye's effort to secure new government support for the UK's second-largest steelmaker could come in the form of a direct loan.
Alternatively, changes to one of the Treasury's emergency lending programmes - the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) - could provide an alternative solution.
The Financial Times reported this week that ministers were preparing to increase the maximum loan available under the scheme from £50m to £200m.
Steel industry sources cautioned, however, that such an amendment might not help Jingye, because its lack of a trading history in the UK would make it harder for a commercial bank to lend to the company using CLBILS.
Image: British Steel collapsed into insolvency last May
British Steel was previously a subsidiary of the Indian conglomerate Tata, which remains the owner of the Port Talbot site.
The Scunthorpe-based group has flirted with insolvency on previous occasions as the economics of steel production in the UK have become less attractive - and further complicated by the uncertainty over future trading relationships with the EU.
British Steel collapsed into insolvency last May after the government decided against providing £30m to the company under its then-owner, Greybull Capital.
That came just weeks after ministers did agree to provide an emergency £120m loan to cover the cost of an EU carbon credits scheme for industrial polluters.
A British Steel spokesman said: "Like many businesses we've been in contact with the UK government throughout the pandemic.
"We've robust measures in place to protect our people and our business and are grateful for the ongoing support of our employees, owners, customers, suppliers and government."
A request for aid from UK taxpayers from a Chinese-owned company could be controversial given escalating geopolitical tensions over the provenance of the COVID-19 crisis.
The proximity of the plea from British Steel to Jingye's takeover completing might also be contentious, although people close to the situation pointed out that the Chinese negotiations about the deal had been underway for months before the new strain of coronavirus emerged.
Image: British Steel is based in Scunthorpe
British Steel's turnaround plan has been derailed by the pandemic, with hundreds of its employees initially furloughed under the government's wage subsidy scheme.
Many of them returned to the company's Skinningrove plant late last month.
The fate of British Steel became intertwined with the Conservative Party's pledge to "level up" the UK economy in the run-up to December's general election.
Following the completion of Jingye's takeover, hundreds of workers were made redundant, although 3,200 jobs were saved by the new owners.
The Chinese group's chief executive, Li Huiming, said at the time: "It has not been an easy journey since we first announced our intentions in November but the longer I have spent in Scunthorpe, the more I have come to believe in the successful future of these steelworks and the employees that have made them famous throughout the world."
Together, we can forge a new partnership that will mark the beginning of a new illustrious chapter in the history of British steelmaking."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Jingye, which is headquartered in the country's industrial heartland of Hebei province, also operates in the chemicals, hospitality and real estate sectors.
The company employs more than 22,000 people and exports its steel products to dozens of countries.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy was contacted for comment.


news--2020-05-23--Coronavirus: New claims against Dominic Cummings force Downing Street to change tack

For most of Saturday , Downing Street tried to frame events as one individual 's private and difficult decision about what to do with a four-year-old when both parents potentially have coronavirus .
The opposition maintain this is a tale about hypocrisy : a story about one rule for those in the citadel of power and another for the masses .
Framing which is ironic , perhaps , given Dominic Cummings - the senior adviser to Boris Johnson , the man who directed Vote Leave and the person at the centre of this furore - has made a career of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the views of the wider population .
It is no doubt uncomfortable for him to switch sides so abruptly , as demonstrated by a YouGov poll that found 52 % saying he should resign as a senior adviser to the PM .
On Saturday night , Number 10 changed tack in the face of reports in the Mirror and Observer of a second trip to Durham during the lockdown .
Having defended Mr Cumming 's reasonableness , now the goal is to denigrate the messenger and all those that carry the claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have heard Transport Secretary Grant Shapps at the press conference confirm that Mr Cummings did indeed travel 260 miles at the height of the lockdown , now Number 10 's line is that Friday night 's reports are in some ways inaccurate .
And Number 10 maintain that fresh allegations about a second visit contain some falsehoods , although they will not stoop to point out what they are .
`` We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers , '' Number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cummings 's aides have judged they do not want to get tangled up in the detail of timelines , eyewitness accounts and an incriminating number plate , and instead are appealing to their natural allies in politics and the wider public to fight for their team .
In doing so , channelling the very essence of the culture wars .
One wonders about the private reflections of some members of the cabinet like Rishi Sunak or Matt Hancock who tweeted in support of Mr Cummings , before the fresh allegations surfaced .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference that Mr Cummings was `` staying put , in one place , with his family '' .
Or about the views of Mr Cummings among those brave cabinet ministers who did not take to Twitter to clear his name : Ben Wallace , the defence secretary , Therese Coffey , the work and pensions secretary , and Simon Hart , the Welsh secretary , to name three conspicuously absent from the loyalty test .
Fewest marks of all go to those cabinet ministers like Priti Patel and Gavin Williamson who chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but not put views in their own words , thereby sitting on the fence ready to come down on either side depending on events .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Or perhaps they are the swing voters in this drama , who could force Mr Johnson to sack Mr Cummings if new facts emerge that make his position less tenable .
At its heart of this story lies the mercurial figure of Mr Cummings , and his mystical power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful government , with its 80-strong mandate and programme for dramatic reform .
Is he unsackable ?
Does Mr Johnson depend on him too much ?
Does he wield more power than cabinet ministers ?
Can the PM cope without him ?
And separately , the baffling question alongside that seems to be dogging the coronavirus scandal : why do people who dial into meetings of the elite government scientific advisory group SAGE find it so hard to obey the government 's rules which they help set ?

For most of Saturday, Downing Street tried to frame events as one individual's private and difficult decision about what to do with a four-year-old when both parents potentially have coronavirus.
The opposition maintain this is a tale about hypocrisy: a story about one rule for those in the citadel of power and another for the masses.
Framing which is ironic, perhaps, given Dominic Cummings - the senior adviser to Boris Johnson, the man who directed Vote Leave and the person at the centre of this furore - has made a career of chiding the elite about their ignorance of the views of the wider population.
It is no doubt uncomfortable for him to switch sides so abruptly, as demonstrated by a YouGov poll that found 52% saying he should resign as a senior adviser to the PM.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Cummings 'obviously not' going to resign
On Saturday night, Number 10 changed tack in the face of reports in the Mirror and Observer of a second trip to Durham during the lockdown.
Having defended Mr Cumming's reasonableness, now the goal is to denigrate the messenger and all those that carry the claims of rule breaking.
Even though the nation will have heard Transport Secretary Grant Shapps at the press conference confirm that Mr Cummings did indeed travel 260 miles at the height of the lockdown, now Number 10's line is that Friday night's reports are in some ways inaccurate.
And Number 10 maintain that fresh allegations about a second visit contain some falsehoods, although they will not stoop to point out what they are.
"We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers," Number 10 said in a statement.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 Shapps: Cummings needed 'necessary support'
Mr Cummings's aides have judged they do not want to get tangled up in the detail of timelines, eyewitness accounts and an incriminating number plate, and instead are appealing to their natural allies in politics and the wider public to fight for their team.
In doing so, channelling the very essence of the culture wars.
One wonders about the private reflections of some members of the cabinet like Rishi Sunak or Matt Hancock who tweeted in support of Mr Cummings, before the fresh allegations surfaced.
Or Mr Shapps himself, who told the press conference that Mr Cummings was "staying put, in one place, with his family".
Or about the views of Mr Cummings among those brave cabinet ministers who did not take to Twitter to clear his name: Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, Therese Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, and Simon Hart, the Welsh secretary, to name three conspicuously absent from the loyalty test.
Fewest marks of all go to those cabinet ministers like Priti Patel and Gavin Williamson who chose to retweet the support voiced by others, but not put views in their own words, thereby sitting on the fence ready to come down on either side depending on events.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Or perhaps they are the swing voters in this drama, who could force Mr Johnson to sack Mr Cummings if new facts emerge that make his position less tenable.
At its heart of this story lies the mercurial figure of Mr Cummings, and his mystical power at the apex of Mr Johnson's powerful government, with its 80-strong mandate and programme for dramatic reform.
Is he unsackable? Does Mr Johnson depend on him too much? Does he wield more power than cabinet ministers? Can the PM cope without him?
And separately, the baffling question alongside that seems to be dogging the coronavirus scandal: why do people who dial into meetings of the elite government scientific advisory group SAGE find it so hard to obey the government's rules which they help set?


news--2020-04-11--Coronavirus: Prince Andrew packs hospice gift bags with Sarah Ferguson in rare public appearance

Prince Andrew has made a rare public appearance as he was pictured packing gift bags for a hospice during the coronavirus crisis .
The Duke of York , 60 , has hardly been seen since stepping back from public life over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
In a widely criticised TV interview , he was accused of being `` utterly lacking in compassion '' for the victims of Epstein , who killed himself last year .
Andrew was pictured with his ex-wife the Duchess of York putting cupcakes into gift bags and delivering them to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of images were posted by Sarah Ferguson 's assistant Antonia Marshall on Instagram .
Ms Marshall said the York family were a `` wonderful and steadfast unit and through ( the coronavirus ) crisis are continuously helping others '' .
She added : `` So proud of them all ... '' It was one of the first times the duke has been spotted in public following his disastrous interview last year .
The prince was previously seen with the Queen attending a church service near Sandringham back in January .
He also joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas Day .
Virginia Roberts Giuffre , who claims she was trafficked by Epstein , alleges the duke had sex with her .
Andrew strenuously denies the allegations and has faced calls to talk to the FBI and US prosecutors who are still investigating Epstein .

Prince Andrew has made a rare public appearance as he was pictured packing gift bags for a hospice during the coronavirus crisis.
The Duke of York, 60, has hardly been seen since stepping back from public life over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a widely criticised TV interview, he was accused of being "utterly lacking in compassion" for the victims of Epstein, who killed himself last year.
Image: The royal has rarely been seen in public this year. Pic: Instagram/Antonia Marshall
Image: Andrew delivered the cupcakes to a hospice in Windsor. Pic: Instagram/Antonia Marshall
Andrew was pictured with his ex-wife the Duchess of York putting cupcakes into gift bags and delivering them to the Thames Hospice in Windsor.
The series of images were posted by Sarah Ferguson's assistant Antonia Marshall on Instagram.
Ms Marshall said the York family were a "wonderful and steadfast unit and through (the coronavirus) crisis are continuously helping others".
She added: "So proud of them all..."
It was one of the first times the duke has been spotted in public following his disastrous interview last year.
The prince was previously seen with the Queen attending a church service near Sandringham back in January.
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He also joined the Royal Family for a service on Christmas Day.
Image: The duke withdrew from the public eye after giving a widely criticised TV interview. Pic: Instagram/Antonia Marshall
Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein, alleges the duke had sex with her.
Andrew strenuously denies the allegations and has faced calls to talk to the FBI and US prosecutors who are still investigating Epstein.


news--2020-04-10--Coronavirus: WWII veteran, 99, gets guard of honour after COVID-19 recovery

A 99-year-old Second World War veteran has thanked NHS staff after recovering from coronavirus .
Albert Chambers , who turns 100 in July , was given a guard of honour from nurses at Tickhill Road Hospital in Doncaster after overcoming COVID-19 .
NHS North East and Yorkshire posted a video of Mr Chambers - who spent three years as a prisoner in a war camp - saying it had `` lovely news '' that he had `` fought off coronavirus '' .
Asked if he had a message to the nurses who have cared for him , Mr Chambers replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
Thank you very much .
I appreciate every bit you 've done for me .
You could n't have been better . ''
Mr Chambers was a Cold Stream Guard who at one time helped to protect Buckingham Palace .
He suffered a leg wound in Germany during the Second World War and said : `` I survived that . ''
His grandson Stephen Gater said : `` My grandad is amazing .
He 's pretty incredible .
He 's not only survived the war and being in prison camp , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus . ''
Mr Chambers ' recovery comes after a 101-year-old man was discharged from hospital after being treated for COVID-19 .
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust shared a photo of Keith Watson and said he was returning home after `` beating coronavirus '' .
`` Well done to everyone on Ward 12 at the Alexandra Hospital for looking after Keith so well for the past two weeks , '' the trust said .
There have been several cases of elderly patients recovering from coronavirus in the UK in recent weeks .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 87-year-old Ewart Lockton who was pictured arm in arm with a smiling NHS worker after leaving North Manchester General Hospital .
Meanwhile in Italy , a 103-year-old woman who lived through the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 has recovered from COVID-19 .
Ada Zanusso , from the northern Italian town of Lessona , was conspicuously undramatic about her ordeal , saying she had `` some fever '' - despite drifting in and out of consciousness while confined to bed for a week with the illness .
She advised others who fall ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courage , have faith '' .
COVID-19 can cause mild or moderate symptoms and most of those who are infected recover , but the elderly and those with existing health problems can be at high risk for more serious illness .
The World Health Organisation says 95 % of those who have died in Europe were over 60 years old .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker There have been more than 1.5 million cases of coronavirus around the world , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University , which is tracking the pandemic .
In the UK , a total of 7,978 patients with COVID-19 are confirmed to have died , while 65,077 people have tested positive for the virus .

A 99-year-old Second World War veteran has thanked NHS staff after recovering from coronavirus.
Albert Chambers, who turns 100 in July, was given a guard of honour from nurses at Tickhill Road Hospital in Doncaster after overcoming COVID-19.
NHS North East and Yorkshire posted a video of Mr Chambers - who spent three years as a prisoner in a war camp - saying it had "lovely news" that he had "fought off coronavirus".
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Asked if he had a message to the nurses who have cared for him, Mr Chambers replied: "There's nothing I can say. Thank you very much. I appreciate every bit you've done for me. You couldn't have been better."
Mr Chambers was a Cold Stream Guard who at one time helped to protect Buckingham Palace.
He suffered a leg wound in Germany during the Second World War and said: "I survived that."
His grandson Stephen Gater said: "My grandad is amazing. He's pretty incredible. He's not only survived the war and being in prison camp, now he's won the battle with coronavirus."
Image: Mr Chambers spent three years as a prisoner in a war camp
Mr Chambers' recovery comes after a 101-year-old man was discharged from hospital after being treated for COVID-19.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust shared a photo of Keith Watson and said he was returning home after "beating coronavirus".
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"Well done to everyone on Ward 12 at the Alexandra Hospital for looking after Keith so well for the past two weeks," the trust said.
There have been several cases of elderly patients recovering from coronavirus in the UK in recent weeks.
They included 99-year-old great-grandmother Rita Reynolds from Stockport and 87-year-old Ewart Lockton who was pictured arm in arm with a smiling NHS worker after leaving North Manchester General Hospital.
Image: Ewart Lockton left hospital last month after recovering from coronavirus. Pic: Sophie Edwards/Facebook
Meanwhile in Italy, a 103-year-old woman who lived through the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 has recovered from COVID-19.
Ada Zanusso, from the northern Italian town of Lessona, was conspicuously undramatic about her ordeal, saying she had "some fever" - despite drifting in and out of consciousness while confined to bed for a week with the illness.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:41 Meet the 103-year-old COVID-19 survivor
She advised others who fall ill with the virus to "give yourself courage, have faith".
COVID-19 can cause mild or moderate symptoms and most of those who are infected recover, but the elderly and those with existing health problems can be at high risk for more serious illness.
The World Health Organisation says 95% of those who have died in Europe were over 60 years old.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
There have been more than 1.5 million cases of coronavirus around the world, with more than 95,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the pandemic.
In the UK, a total of 7,978 patients with COVID-19 are confirmed to have died, while 65,077 people have tested positive for the virus.


news--2020-04-10--Coronavirus: 'I might lose my life on placement' - Student nurses join frontline

A student nurse about to join the coronavirus frontline says she is risking her life `` and the life of my loved ones '' .
Gloria Sikapite , a mother of three from Luton , is one of 5,500 third-year nursing students who will now be helping the NHS battle COVID-19 .
She is in the final year of a nursing degree at the University of Hertfordshire and agonised over joining the health service when it is under unprecedented strain during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We had two options , '' she said .
`` Either stepping off our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduation , or going into an extended placement .
`` In my case I 'll go into placement 30 hours a week and have one day study time . ''
Gloria is among students from 35 universities who have signed up for a six-month placement and she starts next week .
`` It was an incredibly difficult decision , '' she said .
`` It 's always a challenge going on placement but this time round it 's going to be even more challenging . ''
She added : `` In the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving up my time , I 'm risking my life and the life of my loved ones .
`` It 's not so much the time , it 's that added risk factor of knowing I might lose my life on placement .
I 'm scared . ''
The student nurses will be paid a salary , which for those in the final six months of their undergraduate course begins at £21,892 .
`` The pay definitely helps but I 'm sure it 's not the main reason students chose to opt in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlook is that the nursing course taught me to be adaptable , flexible , and prepared .
`` When we get through this I know there 's nothing that I wo n't be able to handle .
I 'd like somebody somewhere to say : 'Oh I remember this nurse who helped me through this . '
`` I 'm not promising everyone will have a great outcome but I like to think that they 'd know they had a nurse who cared . ''
A student at Brunel University in west London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' after most people headed home when the lockdown began .
Few realistically expect students to be able to return until at least September and the sector has warned of losses of £790m by the end of the summer .
Those due to graduate this year are consumed by uncertainties about how and when they do so , how they will be graded and whether they can recoup money on the £9,250 a year tuition fees .
Chelsea Sowden , a third-year student studying animation at Nottingham Trent University , is currently one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in student accommodation which usually houses 550 .
`` It 's lonely , '' she said .
`` It 's weird not being able to hear people coming back at night or going out . ''
As a student from a low-income household , she also worries about employment prospects when she does eventually graduate .
`` A lot of the jobs I applied for have paused recruitment , '' she added .
`` It 's definitely thrown my plans out of whack and I 'm now expecting to be unemployed for at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't the case beforehand .
`` There are also the people who have been made redundant , so you 'll not only be competing with other graduates for jobs but also with them . ''

A student nurse about to join the coronavirus frontline says she is risking her life "and the life of my loved ones".
Gloria Sikapite, a mother of three from Luton, is one of 5,500 third-year nursing students who will now be helping the NHS battle COVID-19.
She is in the final year of a nursing degree at the University of Hertfordshire and agonised over joining the health service when it is under unprecedented strain during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We had two options," she said. "Either stepping off our course, which would mean a delayed graduation, or going into an extended placement.
"In my case I'll go into placement 30 hours a week and have one day study time."
Gloria is among students from 35 universities who have signed up for a six-month placement and she starts next week.
"It was an incredibly difficult decision," she said. "It's always a challenge going on placement but this time round it's going to be even more challenging."
She added: "In the COVID-19 period it means I'm not just giving up my time, I'm risking my life and the life of my loved ones.
"It's not so much the time, it's that added risk factor of knowing I might lose my life on placement. I'm scared."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 Hancock: 'Stay home however warm the weather'
The student nurses will be paid a salary, which for those in the final six months of their undergraduate course begins at £21,892.
"The pay definitely helps but I'm sure it's not the main reason students chose to opt in," Gloria said.
"My outlook is that the nursing course taught me to be adaptable, flexible, and prepared.
"When we get through this I know there's nothing that I won't be able to handle. I'd like somebody somewhere to say: 'Oh I remember this nurse who helped me through this.'
"I'm not promising everyone will have a great outcome but I like to think that they'd know they had a nurse who cared."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 99-year-old war vet survives COVID-19
A student at Brunel University in west London described university campuses as "ghost towns" after most people headed home when the lockdown began.
Few realistically expect students to be able to return until at least September and the sector has warned of losses of £790m by the end of the summer.
Those due to graduate this year are consumed by uncertainties about how and when they do so, how they will be graded and whether they can recoup money on the £9,250 a year tuition fees.
Chelsea Sowden, a third-year student studying animation at Nottingham Trent University, is currently one of only a handful of students remaining in student accommodation which usually houses 550.
"It's lonely," she said. "It's weird not being able to hear people coming back at night or going out."
Image: Chelsea Sowden worries about her employment prospects
As a student from a low-income household, she also worries about employment prospects when she does eventually graduate.
"A lot of the jobs I applied for have paused recruitment," she added.
"It's definitely thrown my plans out of whack and I'm now expecting to be unemployed for at least six months and that definitely wasn't the case beforehand.
"There are also the people who have been made redundant, so you'll not only be competing with other graduates for jobs but also with them."