skynewspolitics--2020-07-15--Hancock 'worried' about long-term effect of coronavirus on patients

Health Secretary Matt Hancock admits he is `` worried '' about the long-term impacts of coronavirus on those who have been infected .
Mr Hancock said a `` significant minority '' of people had suffered `` quite debilitating '' conditions after contracting COVID-19 .
It comes after Sky News reported on how psychosis , insomnia , kidney disease , spinal infections , strokes , chronic tiredness and mobility issues are being identified in former coronavirus patients in northern Italy .
Asked about the long-term impact of the disease on patients , the health secretary - who contracted COVID-19 himself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burley @ Breakfast show : `` I am concerned .
Thankfully not for me , I 'm fine .
`` I am concerned there 's increasing evidence a minority of people - but a significant minority - have long-term impacts and it can be quite debilitating .
`` So we 've set up an NHS service to support those with long-term impacts of COVID-19 and , also , we 've put almost £10m into research into these long-term effects .
`` It is something that I 'm worried about , we 've taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and through the research activities .
`` It 's one of the consequences of this being a novel virus .
`` We 're constantly learning about the impact of it and it does appear that for some people there 's a pretty debilitating long-term impact , quite similar to a post-viral fatigue syndrome that you do get with many viruses .
`` It 's really important we support people who are in that situation and , also , that we do the research to find out what we can do about it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ region in Italy , have said COVID-19 is a systemic infection that affects all the organs of the body and not , as was previously thought , just a respiratory disease .
Mr Hancock admitted the fact that medical experts and governments around the world were `` constantly learning '' about the virus had been one of the hardest aspects of responding to the pandemic .
He said : `` The decisions have been extraordinary and very large , the issues that you balance are very , very significant on both sides .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ without doubt , the fact that , as we 've learnt more , so we 've had to change policy and then you have to come on and explain why your policy is different today to yesterday .
`` The truth is , because we 're constantly learning . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He pointed to the example of how scientists had previously thought those without coronavirus symptoms could not spread the disease .
`` Before this coronavirus there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them had asymptomatic transmission , '' Mr Hancock said .
`` So , understandably , the advice at the start was this one wo n't either .
`` But it does , and it 's one of the hardest things to deal with because it 's hard enough stopping a virus when people with symptoms have got it - but when people without symptoms are passing it on it makes it just so much harder .
`` The whole world is struggling with this problem . ''

Health Secretary Matt Hancock admits he is "worried" about the long-term impacts of coronavirus on those who have been infected.
Mr Hancock said a "significant minority" of people had suffered "quite debilitating" conditions after contracting COVID-19.
It comes after Sky News reported on how psychosis, insomnia, kidney disease, spinal infections, strokes, chronic tiredness and mobility issues are being identified in former coronavirus patients in northern Italy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:56 'This is a multi-organ killer,' warn doctors
Asked about the long-term impact of the disease on patients, the health secretary - who contracted COVID-19 himself in March - told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast show: "I am concerned. Thankfully not for me, I'm fine.
"I am concerned there's increasing evidence a minority of people - but a significant minority - have long-term impacts and it can be quite debilitating.
"So we've set up an NHS service to support those with long-term impacts of COVID-19 and, also, we've put almost £10m into research into these long-term effects.
"It is something that I'm worried about, we've taken action on - both through the NHS and through the research activities.
"It's one of the consequences of this being a novel virus.
"We're constantly learning about the impact of it and it does appear that for some people there's a pretty debilitating long-term impact, quite similar to a post-viral fatigue syndrome that you do get with many viruses.
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"It's really important we support people who are in that situation and, also, that we do the research to find out what we can do about it."
Doctors in Lombardy, the worst-affected region in Italy, have said COVID-19 is a systemic infection that affects all the organs of the body and not, as was previously thought, just a respiratory disease.
Mr Hancock admitted the fact that medical experts and governments around the world were "constantly learning" about the virus had been one of the hardest aspects of responding to the pandemic.
He said: "The decisions have been extraordinary and very large, the issues that you balance are very, very significant on both sides.
"The hardest part has been, without doubt, the fact that, as we've learnt more, so we've had to change policy and then you have to come on and explain why your policy is different today to yesterday.
"The truth is, because we're constantly learning."
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He pointed to the example of how scientists had previously thought those without coronavirus symptoms could not spread the disease.
"Before this coronavirus there were six previous coronaviruses and none of them had asymptomatic transmission," Mr Hancock said.
"So, understandably, the advice at the start was this one won't either.
"But it does, and it's one of the hardest things to deal with because it's hard enough stopping a virus when people with symptoms have got it - but when people without symptoms are passing it on it makes it just so much harder.
"The whole world is struggling with this problem."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-15--'I convinced many countries': Trump and China respond to UK's ban on Huawei

Donald Trump has welcomed Britain 's decision to block Huawei from its 5G network - while China 's ambassador to the UK said it was `` disappointing and wrong '' .
Yesterday , Boris Johnson also banned the purchase of any new 5G equipment from the Chinese tech giant from the end of this year .
The US president praised the UK 's decision , saying : `` We convinced many countries , many countries - and I did this myself for the most part - not to use Huawei , because we think it 's an unsafe security risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk and I talked many countries out of using it .
If they want to do business with us , they ca n't use it . ''
Asked about Mr Trump 's assertion that he `` convinced many countries '' to ban Huawei , Health Secretary Matt Hancock stressed the UK government had made a `` technical decision '' to block the Chinese company .
He told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast show : `` We all know Donald Trump , do n't we ? ''
`` All sorts of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , '' Mr Hancock added .
`` But this was based on a technical assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre about how we can have the highest-quality 5G systems in the future . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Condemning the UK 's ban on Huawei , Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming tweeted : `` Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on # Huawei .
`` It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open , fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries . ''
The US is continuing to increase pressure on China , with Mr Trump signing an executive order that ends the special status of Hong Kong , citing the `` oppressive actions '' of Beijing .
Mr Trump said that the order would mean `` no special privileges , no special economic treatment and no export of sensitive technologies '' for Hong Kong .
`` Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China , '' he said .
The president also signed a sanctions bill , approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalise banks doing business with Chinese officials implementing the controversial new security law in Hong Kong .
Supporters of the law say it is necessary to bring stability to Hong Kong but critics worry it is being used to crush Hong Kong 's traditional freedoms .
This week Hong Kong 's chief executive , Carrie Lam , said that primary elections held by pro-democratic parties last weekend , in which 600,000 people are estimated to have voted , could violate the new national security law .
According to state media , the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US actions and would apply its own sanctions to US individuals and entities in response .
US-China relations have sunk to new lows but this week there has been a flurry of formal measures announced by both sides .
On Monday , US secretary of state Mike Pompeo declared in an official statement that China 's claims to the South China Sea were `` completely unlawful '' .
The Chinese foreign ministry said the US was `` a troublemaker '' and also announced sanctions on US defence contractor Lockheed Martin , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile system .
It had earlier announced sanctions on US officials , including senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz , in response to previous sanctions applied by the US to senior Chinese officials because of China 's treatment of minorities in Xinjiang .
Analysis - Why sanctions will hurt China more than US Sanctions are flying back and forth across the Pacific but they will certainly hurt China more than the US .
Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz were unlikely to be planning a summer holiday to Xinjiang but many wealthy Chinese have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send their children there to be educated : Chinese President Xi Jinping 's daughter studied at Harvard .
And Mr Trump 's comments on the UK 's ban of Huawei show how all-encompassing the US approach is .
Yesterday a Huawei spokesperson said that the British decision was `` about US trade policy and not security '' .
Mr Trump added some substance to that , saying : `` If [ countries ] want to do business with us , they ca n't use it '' .
: : Listen to the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , Spreaker Trade and security , though , are now two sides of the same coin .
China itself has often been happy to conflate the two .
Mr Trump also said the US `` convinced '' other countries to ban Huawei .
In truth , he cajoled them .
Washington had long lobbied the British government to reject Huawei , a campaign which London successfully resisted .
But US sanctions on Huawei changed that calculation , both technically , as the UK government noted its new security concerns , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians another opportunity ( or cover ) to respond to a harder attitude from backbenchers and the public on China in 2020 , and to change its position .
The UK ban on Huawei is proof of the US 's enduring hard power .

Donald Trump has welcomed Britain's decision to block Huawei from its 5G network - while China's ambassador to the UK said it was "disappointing and wrong".
Yesterday, Boris Johnson also banned the purchase of any new 5G equipment from the Chinese tech giant from the end of this year.
The US president praised the UK's decision, saying: "We convinced many countries, many countries - and I did this myself for the most part - not to use Huawei, because we think it's an unsafe security risk.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:31 'We all know Donald Trump, don't we?'
"It's a big security risk and I talked many countries out of using it. If they want to do business with us, they can't use it."
Asked about Mr Trump's assertion that he "convinced many countries" to ban Huawei, Health Secretary Matt Hancock stressed the UK government had made a "technical decision" to block the Chinese company.
He told Sky News' Kay Burley @ Breakfast show: "We all know Donald Trump, don't we?"
"All sorts of people can try to claim credit for the decision," Mr Hancock added.
"But this was based on a technical assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre about how we can have the highest-quality 5G systems in the future."
Mr Johnson's spokesman said the UK "remains committed to a constructive relationship with China; yesterday's decision doesn't change that".
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Condemning the UK's ban on Huawei, Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming tweeted: "Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on #Huawei.
"It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries."
The US is continuing to increase pressure on China, with Mr Trump signing an executive order that ends the special status of Hong Kong, citing the "oppressive actions" of Beijing.
Image: China's ambassador says it was the 'wrong' decision
Mr Trump said that the order would mean "no special privileges, no special economic treatment and no export of sensitive technologies" for Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China," he said.
The president also signed a sanctions bill, approved by the US Congress, which could penalise banks doing business with Chinese officials implementing the controversial new security law in Hong Kong.
Image: China and the US agreed on Phase One of a trade deal earlier this year but Phase Two could be some way off now
Supporters of the law say it is necessary to bring stability to Hong Kong but critics worry it is being used to crush Hong Kong's traditional freedoms.
This week Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, said that primary elections held by pro-democratic parties last weekend, in which 600,000 people are estimated to have voted, could violate the new national security law.
According to state media, the Chinese government said it strongly opposed the latest US actions and would apply its own sanctions to US individuals and entities in response.
US-China relations have sunk to new lows but this week there has been a flurry of formal measures announced by both sides.
Image: Mike Pompeo has declared that China's claims to the South China Sea are 'completely unlawful'
On Monday, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo declared in an official statement that China's claims to the South China Sea were "completely unlawful".
The Chinese foreign ministry said the US was "a troublemaker" and also announced sanctions on US defence contractor Lockheed Martin, which is helping to upgrade Taiwan's Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
It had earlier announced sanctions on US officials, including senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, in response to previous sanctions applied by the US to senior Chinese officials because of China's treatment of minorities in Xinjiang.
Analysis - Why sanctions will hurt China more than US
Sanctions are flying back and forth across the Pacific but they will certainly hurt China more than the US.
Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz were unlikely to be planning a summer holiday to Xinjiang but many wealthy Chinese have substantial assets in the US and routinely send their children there to be educated: Chinese President Xi Jinping's daughter studied at Harvard.
And Mr Trump's comments on the UK's ban of Huawei show how all-encompassing the US approach is. Yesterday a Huawei spokesperson said that the British decision was "about US trade policy and not security".
Mr Trump added some substance to that, saying: "If [countries] want to do business with us, they can't use it".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Trade and security, though, are now two sides of the same coin. China itself has often been happy to conflate the two.
Mr Trump also said the US "convinced" other countries to ban Huawei. In truth, he cajoled them. Washington had long lobbied the British government to reject Huawei, a campaign which London successfully resisted.
But US sanctions on Huawei changed that calculation, both technically, as the UK government noted its new security concerns, but also politically: the sanctions gave British politicians another opportunity (or cover) to respond to a harder attitude from backbenchers and the public on China in 2020, and to change its position.
The UK ban on Huawei is proof of the US's enduring hard power.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-15--Workers won't be ordered to wear face masks in offices, health secretary confirms

Workers will not be ordered to wear face masks in offices , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed .
From 24 July , the wearing of a face covering will be mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England , with a fine of up to £100 for those who do not comply .
Blackburn with Darwen Council , which is teetering on the edge of a local lockdown due to a spike in coronavirus cases , has recommended people wear face coverings in all enclosed public spaces for the next month .
The council said this includes all shops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centres and hair and beauty salons .
But Mr Hancock said similar action would not be taken to compel people to wear masks in offices across England .
`` We will not be recommending masks in the office , but I respect what Blackburn have done , '' he told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast show .
`` In fact , Blackburn has taken action locally because their rates of positive cases are higher than many other places around the country . ''
The health secretary said the number of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high '' as Leicester , which has seen the UK 's first full local lockdown .
But he added they are still `` higher than the national average '' .
`` The council in Blackburn are doing a fantastic job at taking local action themselves to try to tackle the problems in Blackburn , '' he said .
On Tuesday , Mr Hancock 's cabinet colleagues Liz Truss and Michael Gove were both pictured entering the same branch of sandwich shop Pret A Manger in Westminster .
But while Ms Truss donned a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he entered just minutes later .
Asked which of the pair was correctly following government guidance , Mr Hancock replied : `` The advice until 24 July - giving businesses time to make sure they can get their processes in place and make sure we can implement this smoothly - the advice now is that face coverings are recommended in shops but not mandatory .
`` That 's been the position for some time and we are tightening that up to say that they are mandatory from 24 July . ''
: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker From 24 July , customers such as Mr Gove will need to wear a face mask in Pret branches because it is classed as a shop , Mr Hancock added .
`` In hospitality , in a restaurant , there needs to be table service , '' he said .
`` If there is table service , then it is not necessary to have a mask .
But in any shop you do need a mask .
`` So , if you 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy takeaway , that is a shop - that is Pret operating as a shop . ''

Workers will not be ordered to wear face masks in offices, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed.
From 24 July, the wearing of a face covering will be mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England, with a fine of up to £100 for those who do not comply.
Blackburn with Darwen Council, which is teetering on the edge of a local lockdown due to a spike in coronavirus cases, has recommended people wear face coverings in all enclosed public spaces for the next month.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Hancock 'worried' about COVID impacts
The council said this includes all shops, workplaces, libraries, museums, health centres and hair and beauty salons.
But Mr Hancock said similar action would not be taken to compel people to wear masks in offices across England.
"We will not be recommending masks in the office, but I respect what Blackburn have done," he told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast show.
"In fact, Blackburn has taken action locally because their rates of positive cases are higher than many other places around the country."
The health secretary said the number of coronavirus cases in Blackburn was "not as high" as Leicester, which has seen the UK's first full local lockdown.
But he added they are still "higher than the national average".
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"The council in Blackburn are doing a fantastic job at taking local action themselves to try to tackle the problems in Blackburn," he said.
On Tuesday, Mr Hancock's cabinet colleagues Liz Truss and Michael Gove were both pictured entering the same branch of sandwich shop Pret A Manger in Westminster.
But while Ms Truss donned a face mask, Mr Gove did not when he entered just minutes later.
Asked which of the pair was correctly following government guidance, Mr Hancock replied: "The advice until 24 July - giving businesses time to make sure they can get their processes in place and make sure we can implement this smoothly - the advice now is that face coverings are recommended in shops but not mandatory.
"That's been the position for some time and we are tightening that up to say that they are mandatory from 24 July."
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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From 24 July, customers such as Mr Gove will need to wear a face mask in Pret branches because it is classed as a shop, Mr Hancock added.
"In hospitality, in a restaurant, there needs to be table service," he said.
"If there is table service, then it is not necessary to have a mask. But in any shop you do need a mask.
"So, if you're going up to the counter in Pret to buy takeaway, that is a shop - that is Pret operating as a shop."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-16--SAGE urged government to lockdown earlier, UK's top scientific adviser says

The UK 's chief scientific adviser has said the government was urged to impose full lockdown measures around a week earlier than they were introduced , as he admitted the country 's coronavirus outcome has `` not been good '' .
Sir Patrick Vallance made the revelation around the timings of the guidance from the scientific advisory group for emergencies ( SAGE ) , as he suggested many factors would determine how well countries had responded to the COVID-19 outbreak .
He also told the House of Commons science and technology committee that the virus was likely to return `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years '' .
And he went on to offer resistance to Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's efforts to encourage more people to return to their workplaces , saying he saw `` absolutely no reason '' why official guidance to work from home should be changed .
Sir Patrick insisted the experts realised `` we were further ahead in the epidemic than had been thought '' in mid-March as soon as the data was available .
He said SAGE 's modelling sub-group saw at that point that the number of days over which COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three .
`` That 's when the advice that SAGE issued was the remainder of the [ lockdown ] measures should be introduced as soon as possible , '' he said .
`` That advice , I think , was given on the 18th of March or the 16th of March . ''
Full lockdown measures were not imposed in the UK until 23 March .
When asked about the UK 's response to the pandemic , Sir Patrick appeared to admit mistakes had been made .
`` As ( chief medical officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's very difficult to know where we stand at the moment , '' he said .
`` It 's clear that the outcome has not been good in the UK , I think you can be absolutely clear about that .
`` It is clear you can see a band of countries that have done less well in the temperate zone .
`` Countries that are very well connected internationally , countries that have got population structures of a certain type .
`` There are many factors that are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , 'what is it that makes some countries having done worse than others ? '
, and there will be decisions made that will turn out not to have been the right decisions at the time . ''
He had previously said 20,000 deaths would be a `` good result '' in the pandemic , but latest figures show the number of people who have died with the disease in the UK has risen to more than double that .
Sir Patrick said the country may soon see the `` reemergence '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could argue that is the tail end of the first wave still , '' he said .
`` And I think it is quite probable that we will see this virus coming back in different waves over a number of years .
`` All we have done is suppressed the first wave and when you take the brakes off you would expect it to come back . ''
He explained coronavirus could die down but then start `` going round the world and coming back again '' .
`` The classic way people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the whole thing ’ s gone away down to low levels , it comes back again next year .
`` That ’ s the seasonal thing that ’ s been seen with pandemic flu for example in 1918 .
`` We don ’ t yet know if this is a seasonal virus , but I think there are some pretty strong hints it may well be . ''
He warned the government to be braced for the `` tail end '' of a first wave which could surface again during the winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work of a recent report which warned there could be 120,00 more deaths in the `` reasonable worst-case scenario '' .
Sir Patrick also appeared to give a stark warning about the PM 's reported plan to change the guidance on people working from home on Friday .
`` My view on this , and I think this is a view shared by SAGE , is that we ’ re still at a time when distancing measures are important , '' he said .
`` Of the various distancing measures , working from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good option , because it ’ s easy to do .
`` A number of companies think it ’ s actually not detrimental to productivity , and in that situation there ’ s absolutely no reason I can see to change it . ''
Sir Patrick also sought to further distance the scientific advisers from blame around criticism the government moved too slowly at the start of the pandemic .
He said the risk of COVID-19 spreading into care homes was raised in February and that the big outbreaks seen in some were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how those policy choices are made - that 's not a decision for me '' .
And he also hinted that he thought the test and trace system abandoned in mid-March should have continued .
He said the programme `` was not one we did n't like - we wanted more of it , but it was very difficult to scale that on the basis of what Public Health England was able to do at the time '' .

The UK's chief scientific adviser has said the government was urged to impose full lockdown measures around a week earlier than they were introduced, as he admitted the country's coronavirus outcome has "not been good".
Sir Patrick Vallance made the revelation around the timings of the guidance from the scientific advisory group for emergencies (SAGE), as he suggested many factors would determine how well countries had responded to the COVID-19 outbreak.
He also told the House of Commons science and technology committee that the virus was likely to return "in different waves over a number of years".
Image: A report warned there could be 120,000 more COVID-19 deaths
And he went on to offer resistance to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's efforts to encourage more people to return to their workplaces, saying he saw "absolutely no reason" why official guidance to work from home should be changed.
Sir Patrick insisted the experts realised "we were further ahead in the epidemic than had been thought" in mid-March as soon as the data was available.
He said SAGE's modelling sub-group saw at that point that the number of days over which COVID-19 cases were doubling had gone down to three.
"That's when the advice that SAGE issued was the remainder of the [lockdown] measures should be introduced as soon as possible," he said.
"That advice, I think, was given on the 18th of March or the 16th of March."
Full lockdown measures were not imposed in the UK until 23 March.
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Image: The PM is reportedly going to change 'work from home' guidance
When asked about the UK's response to the pandemic, Sir Patrick appeared to admit mistakes had been made.
"As (chief medical officer Professor) Chris Whitty has said before, it's very difficult to know where we stand at the moment," he said.
"It's clear that the outcome has not been good in the UK, I think you can be absolutely clear about that.
"It is clear you can see a band of countries that have done less well in the temperate zone.
"Countries that are very well connected internationally, countries that have got population structures of a certain type.
"There are many factors that are going to play in this as we look and say, 'what is it that makes some countries having done worse than others?', and there will be decisions made that will turn out not to have been the right decisions at the time."
He had previously said 20,000 deaths would be a "good result" in the pandemic, but latest figures show the number of people who have died with the disease in the UK has risen to more than double that.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:00 Lancashire: Professor 'worried' by high cases
Sir Patrick said the country may soon see the "reemergence" of a coronavirus spike.
"You could argue that is the tail end of the first wave still," he said.
"And I think it is quite probable that we will see this virus coming back in different waves over a number of years.
"All we have done is suppressed the first wave and when you take the brakes off you would expect it to come back."
He explained coronavirus could die down but then start "going round the world and coming back again".
"The classic way people think of a second wave is, when the whole thing’s gone away down to low levels, it comes back again next year.
"That’s the seasonal thing that’s been seen with pandemic flu for example in 1918.
"We don’t yet know if this is a seasonal virus, but I think there are some pretty strong hints it may well be."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:09 The science behind face masks
He warned the government to be braced for the "tail end" of a first wave which could surface again during the winter, highlighting the "very effective" work of a recent report which warned there could be 120,00 more deaths in the "reasonable worst-case scenario".
Sir Patrick also appeared to give a stark warning about the PM's reported plan to change the guidance on people working from home on Friday.
"My view on this, and I think this is a view shared by SAGE, is that we’re still at a time when distancing measures are important," he said.
"Of the various distancing measures, working from home for many companies remains a perfectly good option, because it’s easy to do.
Image: Sir Patrick said working from home is 'a perfectly good option'
"A number of companies think it’s actually not detrimental to productivity, and in that situation there’s absolutely no reason I can see to change it."
Sir Patrick also sought to further distance the scientific advisers from blame around criticism the government moved too slowly at the start of the pandemic.
He said the risk of COVID-19 spreading into care homes was raised in February and that the big outbreaks seen in some were a result of "policy choices and how those policy choices are made - that's not a decision for me".
And he also hinted that he thought the test and trace system abandoned in mid-March should have continued.
He said the programme "was not one we didn't like - we wanted more of it, but it was very difficult to scale that on the basis of what Public Health England was able to do at the time".


skynewspolitics--2020-07-16--Russian spies try to steal COVID-19 vaccine research - as government claims election interference

Russian cyber spies are trying to steal research into coronavirus vaccines and treatments from Britain , the US and Canada , the three countries claimed on Thursday .
The attack is ongoing , with British cyber experts working to defend research institutes , laboratories and other targets in the UK , according to a branch of the spy agency GCHQ .
Organisations in other countries involved in the fight against COVID-19 are also allegedly being targeted .
It came as : • The government , in a separate development , revealed it had found Russian groups sought to interfere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotion of leaked documents on a potential US-UK trade deal ; • Members of parliament 's Intelligence and Security Committee agreed to publish a long-awaited report into alleged Russian interference in UK politics within the next week .
The National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC ) accused a group called APT29 - also known as `` the Dukes '' or `` Cozy Bear '' - for the attacks on coronavirus research facilities and said it `` almost certainly operates as part of Russian intelligence services '' .
The NCSC are understood to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest levels of the Russian state .
The NCSC , which has taken the lead on the Russian attribution , said this assessment is supported by its US and Canadian counterparts .
`` We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic , '' Paul Chichester , the NCSC 's director of operations , said in a statement .
`` Working with our allies , the NCSC is committed to protecting our most critical assets and our top priority at this time is to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisations to familiarise themselves with the advice we have published to help defend their networks . ''
The NCSC , which is the lead organisation in responding to cyber attacks on the UK , released an advisory that set out details of how the Russian cyber spies are allegedly attempting to steal highly valuable research into treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 .
Such information is regarded by all countries as an intelligence priority given the need to combat the pandemic .
The UK and the US warned in May that state-backed cyber attackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pharmaceuticals and research institutes involved in the coronavirus response .
On that occasion , a joint advisory published did not name any specific country involved in the `` malicious cyber campaigns '' , but culprits are understood to include hacking groups from China , Russia and Iran , as well as others .
Russia has always denied allegations of cyber attacks .
This time around , the NCSC accused Russian cyber spies of using a variety of different techniques to access information , including spear-phishing and custom malware known as `` WellMess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Boris Johnson 's official spokesman said : `` The attacks which are taking place against scientists and others doing vital work to combat coronavirus are despicable .
`` Working with our allies , we will call out those who seek to do us harm in cyber space and hold them to account . ''
But Leonid Slutsky , head of the international affairs committee in the lower house of the Russian parliament , branded the `` unfounded '' claims as `` another manifestation of Russophobia '' .
He told Sky News : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence .
Unfortunately , this is another example of the politicisation of the pandemic .
`` In Russia , its own trials of a vaccine against COVID-19 are quite successful , we have a strong virology , so there was no reason to steal 'secrets ' . ''
Just hours earlier on Thursday , in a separate development , the UK government revealed Russian groups sought to interfere in last year 's general election through the promotion of leaked documents on a potential US-UK trade deal .
In a written statement to parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an ongoing criminal investigation into the issue .
He vowed the UK would `` continue to call out and respond to malign activity , including any attempts to interfere in our democratic processes '' and suggested the government could `` respond with appropriate measures in the future '' .
Leaked documents on a potential US-UK trade deal became a major debating point in last year 's general election campaign .
Then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn used the official papers as evidence the NHS would be `` on the table '' in talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The documents were found on website Reddit , which said at the time it believed the leak was `` part of a campaign that has been reported as originating from Russia '' .
Labour did not , at the time , comment on how it obtained the leaked documents and Mr Corbyn did not comment when approached by reporters on Thursday .
He later put out a statement saying the files he revealed were `` genuine '' .
`` Today 's government claim is an attempt to divert attention from the threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ links to Russian oligarchs expected to be revealed in the long-buried parliamentary Russia report , '' he added .
A Labour Party spokesperson said : `` We condemn any attempt by Russia , or any foreign power , to interfere in our country 's democratic processes .
`` Labour stands ready to work cross-party to protect our nation 's security .
`` That includes in our response to the publication of the long-awaited report by the Intelligence Security Committee on the Russian threat to the UK . ''
Mr Raab , asked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything wrong or if there was any evidence of wrongdoing by the party , said : `` I think that 's for Labour to answer , both Jeremy Corbyn and Sir Keir Starmer . ''
He added `` we 're not entirely sure '' why hackers had targeted the coronavirus vaccine research but `` it 's pretty egregious behaviour and it should be called out in the way we 're doing today '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Earlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` On the basis of extensive analysis , the government has concluded that it is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked government documents .
`` Sensitive government documents relating to the UK-US Free Trade Agreement were illicitly acquired before the 2019 general election and disseminated online via the social media platform Reddit .
`` When these gained no traction , further attempts were made to promote the illicitly acquired material online in the run-up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the general election , any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable .
`` It is , and will always be , an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections . ''
The developments come ahead of the publication of a long-awaited report into alleged Russian interference in UK politics , which will be released by parliament 's Intelligence and Security Committee within the next week .
The prime minister 's spokesman said it was `` nonsense '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's statement on election interference were designed to deflect from the possible findings of the upcoming ISC report .
Former ISC chair Dominic Grieve told Sky News : `` It 's not the first time , in the immediate run-up to the announced publication of an Intelligence and Security Committee report , that the government has itself put out information which appears , in a sense , to either pre-empt the report or - alternatively - show the government is conscious of the issues the report might reveal . ''

Russian cyber spies are trying to steal research into coronavirus vaccines and treatments from Britain, the US and Canada, the three countries claimed on Thursday.
The attack is ongoing, with British cyber experts working to defend research institutes, laboratories and other targets in the UK, according to a branch of the spy agency GCHQ.
Organisations in other countries involved in the fight against COVID-19 are also allegedly being targeted.
Image: The NCSC is part of spy agency GCHQ
It came as:
The government, in a separate development, revealed it had found Russian groups sought to interfere in last year's general election through the promotion of leaked documents on a potential US-UK trade deal;
Members of parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee agreed to publish a long-awaited report into alleged Russian interference in UK politics within the next week.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) accused a group called APT29 - also known as "the Dukes" or "Cozy Bear" - for the attacks on coronavirus research facilities and said it "almost certainly operates as part of Russian intelligence services".
The NCSC are understood to believe that awareness of the activities extends to the highest levels of the Russian state.
APT stands for advanced persistent threats.
The NCSC, which has taken the lead on the Russian attribution, said this assessment is supported by its US and Canadian counterparts.
"We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic," Paul Chichester, the NCSC's director of operations, said in a statement.
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"Working with our allies, the NCSC is committed to protecting our most critical assets and our top priority at this time is to protect the health sector.
"We would urge organisations to familiarise themselves with the advice we have published to help defend their networks."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:19 'This is a big deal', says disinformation expert
The NCSC, which is the lead organisation in responding to cyber attacks on the UK, released an advisory that set out details of how the Russian cyber spies are allegedly attempting to steal highly valuable research into treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.
Such information is regarded by all countries as an intelligence priority given the need to combat the pandemic.
The UK and the US warned in May that state-backed cyber attackers are trying to steal data from universities, pharmaceuticals and research institutes involved in the coronavirus response.
On that occasion, a joint advisory published did not name any specific country involved in the "malicious cyber campaigns", but culprits are understood to include hacking groups from China, Russia and Iran, as well as others.
Russia has always denied allegations of cyber attacks.
This time around, the NCSC accused Russian cyber spies of using a variety of different techniques to access information, including spear phishing and custom malware known as "WellMess" and "WellMail".
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Security minister James Brokenshire described how APT29 had "got into certain networks and is effectively surveilling them to look at what is there".
But he told Sky News there was "no evidence or information of any damage or any sort of harm".
"That still is completely unacceptable for Russian intelligence officers to be acting in this fashion," he added.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: "The attacks which are taking place against scientists and others doing vital work to combat coronavirus are despicable.
"Working with our allies, we will call out those who seek to do us harm in cyber space and hold them to account."
But Leonid Slutsky, head of the international affairs committee in the lower house of the Russian parliament, branded the "unfounded" claims as "another manifestation of Russophobia".
He told Sky News: "Again, some speculation without any evidence. Unfortunately, this is another example of the politicisation of the pandemic.
"In Russia, its own trials of a vaccine against COVID-19 are quite successful, we have a strong virology, so there was no reason to steal 'secrets'."
Just hours earlier on Thursday, in a separate development, the UK government revealed Russian groups sought to interfere in last year's general election through the promotion of leaked documents on a potential US-UK trade deal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 Raab: 'Russian actors' targeted 2019 UK election
In a written statement to parliament, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab revealed there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the issue.
He vowed the UK would "continue to call out and respond to malign activity, including any attempts to interfere in our democratic processes" and suggested the government could "respond with appropriate measures in the future".
Leaked documents on a potential US-UK trade deal became a major debating point in last year's general election campaign.
Then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn used the official papers as evidence the NHS would be "on the table" in talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with America.
Image: Jeremy Corbyn used the leaked documents as evidence the NHS will be 'on the table' during trade talks
The documents were found on website Reddit, which said at the time it believed the leak was "part of a campaign that has been reported as originating from Russia".
Labour did not, at the time, comment on how it obtained the leaked documents and Mr Corbyn did not comment when approached by reporters on Thursday.
He later put out a statement saying the files he revealed were "genuine".
"Today's government claim is an attempt to divert attention from the threat to the NHS and the Tory Party links to Russian oligarchs expected to be revealed in the long-buried parliamentary Russia report," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 Corbyn pressed over Russian meddling
A Labour Party spokesperson said: "We condemn any attempt by Russia, or any foreign power, to interfere in our country's democratic processes.
"Labour stands ready to work cross-party to protect our nation's security.
"That includes in our response to the publication of the long-awaited report by the Intelligence Security Committee on the Russian threat to the UK."
Mr Raab, asked by a journalist if he thought Labour did anything wrong or if there was any evidence of wrongdoing by the party, said: "I think that's for Labour to answer, both Jeremy Corbyn and Sir Keir Starmer."
He added "we're not entirely sure" why hackers had targeted the coronavirus vaccine research but "it's pretty egregious behaviour and it should be called out in the way we're doing today".
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Earlier in his statement on Thursday, Mr Raab said: "On the basis of extensive analysis, the government has concluded that it is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked government documents.
"Sensitive government documents relating to the UK-US Free Trade Agreement were illicitly acquired before the 2019 general election and disseminated online via the social media platform Reddit.
"When these gained no traction, further attempts were made to promote the illicitly acquired material online in the run-up to the general election.
"Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the general election, any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable.
"It is, and will always be, an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:18 Former committee chair 'never understood' Russia report delay
The developments come ahead of the publication of a long-awaited report into alleged Russian interference in UK politics, which will be released by parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee within the next week.
The prime minister's spokesman said it was "nonsense" to suggest the NCSC accusations and Mr Raab's statement on election interference were designed to deflect from the possible findings of the upcoming ISC report.
Former ISC chair Dominic Grieve told Sky News: "It's not the first time, in the immediate run-up to the announced publication of an Intelligence and Security Committee report, that the government has itself put out information which appears, in a sense, to either pre-empt the report or - alternatively - show the government is conscious of the issues the report might reveal."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-16--Is Downing Street trying to draw sting out of Russia report?

Is Downing Street trying to draw the sting out of the Russia report with election interference admission ?
Is Downing Street trying to draw the sting out of the Russia report with election interference admission ?
A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Boris Johnson on the sidelines of a summit in January The foreign secretary has revealed that Russia `` almost certainly '' tried to influence the 2019 general election .
It comes after the Intelligence and Security Committee said it will publish the Russia report into alleged interference next week .
The government and Prime Minister Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for nine months .
The timing of these revelations is interesting , says Sky 's defence and security correspondent Alistair Bunkall .
Exactly a month ago , I reported the findings of an independent investigation that revealed , in great detail , the activity of a Russian cyber group called Secondary Infektion .
That group carried out a disinformation campaign over six years , in seven different languages and on more than 300 different platforms including Twitter , YouTube , Facebook and Reddit .
It was thought to be linked to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this report , and was largely in agreement with the findings .
Around the same time , ministers had been quietly told they could no longer claim there were no examples of Russian interference in British democracy .
That went largely unreported .
The day after we reported the findings on Secondary Infektion , Dominic Raab was asked on Sky News whether Russia had interfered in UK elections .
The foreign secretary chose his words very carefully : `` I do n't think it ( Russian interference ) had any outcome on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He 's right , it did n't - the Conservatives won a stonking majority , but that 's not to say Russia did n't try though .
So , why now ?
Why has Downing Street chosen today to come clean and finally admit what it 's known for some time : that Russia did try to interfere in British democracy ?
It is hard to look beyond events surrounding the Intelligence and Security Committee ( ISC ) over the past 24 hours and the successful coup by Julian Lewis who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Number 10 's chosen one , Chris Grayling .
Downing Street is fuming that Dr Lewis was elected chair , so much so they chucked him out of the Conservative Party .
Within a few hours of it convening for the first time , the ISC has announced it will publish the long-awaited , long-overdue Russia report next week , before Parliament breaks for its summer recess .
We do n't know what 's in the report .
Downing Street does , it 's signed it off and repeatedly said there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes the delay all the more perplexing ) .
It 's important to note the ISC Russia report pre-dates the recent election , and the COVID-19 pandemic .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But by revealing the news today , has Downing Street tried to gazump the Russia report ?
By getting us to go big on the news today , are they drawing the sting out of the Russia report when it is finally published next week ?
Perhaps it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manipulate the news agenda .

Why has Downing Street chosen today to admit what it's known for some time: that Russia did try to interfere in British democracy?
Is Downing Street trying to draw the sting out of the Russia report with election interference admission?
A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Boris Johnson on the sidelines of a summit in January
The foreign secretary has revealed that Russia "almost certainly" tried to influence the 2019 general election.
It comes after the Intelligence and Security Committee said it will publish the Russia report into alleged interference next week.
The government and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been accused of sitting on it for nine months.
The timing of these revelations is interesting, says Sky's defence and security correspondent Alistair Bunkall.
Exactly a month ago, I reported the findings of an independent investigation that revealed, in great detail, the activity of a Russian cyber group called Secondary Infektion.
That group carried out a disinformation campaign over six years, in seven different languages and on more than 300 different platforms including Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Reddit. It was thought to be linked to the Russian government.
British intelligence was aware of this report, and was largely in agreement with the findings.
Around the same time, ministers had been quietly told they could no longer claim there were no examples of Russian interference in British democracy. That went largely unreported.
The day after we reported the findings on Secondary Infektion, Dominic Raab was asked on Sky News whether Russia had interfered in UK elections.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 Russia 'sought to interfere in UK election'
The foreign secretary chose his words very carefully: "I don't think it (Russian interference) had any outcome on the electoral process in the UK."
He's right, it didn't - the Conservatives won a stonking majority, but that's not to say Russia didn't try though.
So, why now? Why has Downing Street chosen today to come clean and finally admit what it's known for some time: that Russia did try to interfere in British democracy?
It is hard to look beyond events surrounding the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) over the past 24 hours and the successful coup by Julian Lewis who was appointed chair of the ISC in preference to Number 10's chosen one, Chris Grayling.
Image: Tory MP Dr Julian Lewis. Pic: UK Parliament
Downing Street is fuming that Dr Lewis was elected chair, so much so they chucked him out of the Conservative Party.
Within a few hours of it convening for the first time, the ISC has announced it will publish the long-awaited, long-overdue Russia report next week, before Parliament breaks for its summer recess.
We don't know what's in the report.
Downing Street does, it's signed it off and repeatedly said there is nothing of great note (that just makes the delay all the more perplexing).
It's important to note the ISC Russia report pre-dates the recent election, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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But by revealing the news today, has Downing Street tried to gazump the Russia report?
By getting us to go big on the news today, are they drawing the sting out of the Russia report when it is finally published next week?
Perhaps it's not just the Russians trying to manipulate the news agenda.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-16--Restrictions to be lifted for Leicester schools - but city will stay in local lockdown

Leicester will remain in a local lockdown for at least two more weeks but with some measures relaxed , the health secretary has announced .
Matt Hancock said that from 24 July , restrictions will be lifted for schools and some shops .
There will be a `` local power '' to close non-essential retail where necessary , he added .
But restrictions on travel and only having socially-distanced gatherings of up to six people introduced on 29 June will remain in force .
And more freedoms already enjoyed by other parts of England such as pubs reopening will still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown - which had included large parts of the county - have also been shrunk on the advice of Leicestershire county council , so that it now only applies to Oadby and Wigston and the city of Leicester itself .
`` Some say the local lockdown is unnecessary - I wish this were true but sadly it remains vital , '' Mr Hancock told parliament on Thursday .
He explained the emergency measures were taken because the seven-day infection rate in Leicester was 135 cases per 100,000 people - three times higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rate has now fallen to 119 per 100,000 , he continued , with `` positive indicators '' it will carry on falling .
But the level of COVID-19 in the area `` still remains well above the national average '' , meaning the local lockdown will continue until it is reviewed again in 14 days .
Mr Hancock insisted the government was taking a `` more targeted approach '' to keeping restrictions in place .
Jon Ashworth , Labour 's shadow health secretary and a Leicester MP , said `` if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep people safe and hunt this virus down with the lockdown then so be it '' .
But he said there will be `` dismay '' amongst residents - particularly business owners who have been unable to open and left in the dark about if they will get any extra financial support .
Sir Peter Soulsby , the mayor of Leicester , told Sky News he was `` angry , frustrated and disappointed but frankly not surprised '' at the news .
He claimed Mr Hancock had chosen to `` release from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the city '' and `` keep locked down many parts of the city that have no greater prevalence of the virus than those he has released '' .
`` It has very little to do with focusing , as we ought to be , on where that virus really is , '' he added .
Top ten areas by new coronavirus cases per hundred thousand people Data is for the week up to 13 July , with previous seven day average in brackets

Leicester will remain in a local lockdown for at least two more weeks but with some measures relaxed, the health secretary has announced.
Matt Hancock said that from 24 July, restrictions will be lifted for schools and some shops.
There will be a "local power" to close non-essential retail where necessary, he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:29 Partial lifting of Leicester lockdown
But restrictions on travel and only having socially distanced gatherings of up to six people introduced on 29 June will remain in force.
And more freedoms already enjoyed by other parts of England such as pubs reopening will still not apply there.
The boundaries of the lockdown - which had included large parts of the county - have also been shrunk on the advice of Leicestershire county council, so that it now only applies to Oadby and Wigston and the city of Leicester itself.
"Some say the local lockdown is unnecessary - I wish this were true but sadly it remains vital," Mr Hancock told parliament on Thursday.
He explained the emergency measures were taken because the seven-day infection rate in Leicester was 135 cases per 100,000 people - three times higher than the next highest city.
The infection rate has now fallen to 119 per 100,000, he continued, with "positive indicators" it will carry on falling.
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Image: Restrictions will be relaxed on some non-essential shops
But the level of COVID-19 in the area "still remains well above the national average", meaning the local lockdown will continue until it is reviewed again in 14 days.
Mr Hancock insisted the government was taking a "more targeted approach" to keeping restrictions in place.
Jon Ashworth, Labour's shadow health secretary and a Leicester MP, said "if we still have to make further personal sacrifice to keep people safe and hunt this virus down with the lockdown then so be it".
But he said there will be "dismay" amongst residents - particularly business owners who have been unable to open and left in the dark about if they will get any extra financial support.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:20 COVID-19: How effective are local lockdowns?
Sir Peter Soulsby, the mayor of Leicester, told Sky News he was "angry, frustrated and disappointed but frankly not surprised" at the news.
He claimed Mr Hancock had chosen to "release from the lockdown all of the Tory-voting areas around the city" and "keep locked down many parts of the city that have no greater prevalence of the virus than those he has released".
"It has very little to do with focusing, as we ought to be, on where that virus really is," he added.
Top 10 areas by new coronavirus cases per hundred thousand people (data is for the week up to 13 July, with previous seven day average in brackets):


skynewspolitics--2020-07-16--Long-awaited Russia report to be published within next week

A long-awaited report into alleged Russian interference in UK politics will be released within the next week .
The Intelligence and Security Committee ( ISC ) unanimously agreed on Thursday morning to publish the report before parliament 's summer recess begins next Wednesday .
Critics have previously accused the government of sitting on the Russia report for nine months .
It comes after a furious row over the election of Dr Julian Lewis as the committee 's new chair .
Dr Lewis has had the Conservative whip removed by Number 10 after he secured the role ahead of former Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had wanted to chair the committee .
A senior government source said Dr Lewis 's punishment was for `` working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage '' .
Dr Lewis was surprisingly elected chair following a vote by the nine-strong committee on Wednesday .
The other eight committee members include Mr Grayling and three other Conservative MPs , two Labour MPs , one SNP MP and a Labour peer .
Prior to the vote , Dr Lewis was claimed to have told the Conservative chief whip he would support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement on Thursday : `` It was only yesterday afternoon that I received a text asking me to confirm that I would be voting for the prime minister 's preferred candidate for the ISC chair .
`` I did not reply as I considered it an improper request .
At no earlier stage did I give any undertaking to vote for any particular candidate .
`` In recent days , the official Number 10 spokesman explicitly denied that the government was seeking to 'parachute ' a preferred candidate in to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter for the senior parliamentarians on the committee to decide .
`` It is therefore strange to have the whip removed for failing to vote for the Government 's preferred candidate . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously been accused of attempting to engineer Mr Grayling 's election as the new `` patsy '' head of the ISC .
The government is responsible for nominating the members of the ISC before they are approved by the House of Commons .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Tory whip from Dr Lewis means the Conservatives no longer hold a majority on the committee .
The report into alleged Russian interference in the UK was compiled by the committee members ' predecessors .
Former ISC chair Dominic Grieve , the ex-Tory MP , said the report had been sent to Downing Street on 17 October and was ready for publication once it had been signed off , a process that usually takes up to 10 days .
However , the report was not released for publication by Mr Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which point the former members of the ISC relinquished their roles .
It subsequently took almost seven months for Downing Street to nominate new ISC members and so allow for the report to be published .

A long-awaited report into alleged Russian interference in UK politics will be released within the next week.
The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) unanimously agreed on Thursday morning to publish the report before parliament's summer recess begins next Wednesday.
Critics have previously accused the government of sitting on the Russia report for nine months.
Image: Dr Julian Lewis had the Tory whip removed following a row over his election as committee chair
It comes after a furious row over the election of Dr Julian Lewis as the committee's new chair.
Dr Lewis has had the Conservative whip removed by Number 10 after he secured the role ahead of former Cabinet minister Chris Grayling, who Downing Street had wanted to chair the committee.
A senior government source said Dr Lewis's punishment was for "working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage".
Dr Lewis was surprisingly elected chair following a vote by the nine-strong committee on Wednesday.
The other eight committee members include Mr Grayling and three other Conservative MPs, two Labour MPs, one SNP MP and a Labour peer.
Prior to the vote, Dr Lewis was claimed to have told the Conservative chief whip he would support Mr Grayling.
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Image: Number 10 had wanted Chris Grayling to chair the committee
But Dr Lewis said in a statement on Thursday: "It was only yesterday afternoon that I received a text asking me to confirm that I would be voting for the prime minister's preferred candidate for the ISC chair.
"I did not reply as I considered it an improper request. At no earlier stage did I give any undertaking to vote for any particular candidate.
"In recent days, the official Number 10 spokesman explicitly denied that the government was seeking to 'parachute' a preferred candidate in to the chair, stating that it was a matter for the senior parliamentarians on the committee to decide.
"It is therefore strange to have the whip removed for failing to vote for the Government's preferred candidate."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously been accused of attempting to engineer Mr Grayling's election as the new "patsy" head of the ISC.
The government is responsible for nominating the members of the ISC before they are approved by the House of Commons.
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The removal of the Tory whip from Dr Lewis means the Conservatives no longer hold a majority on the committee.
The report into alleged Russian interference in the UK was compiled by the committee members' predecessors.
Former ISC chair Dominic Grieve, the ex-Tory MP, said the report had been sent to Downing Street on 17 October and was ready for publication once it had been signed off, a process that usually takes up to 10 days.
However, the report was not released for publication by Mr Johnson before December's general election, at which point the former members of the ISC relinquished their roles.
It subsequently took almost seven months for Downing Street to nominate new ISC members and so allow for the report to be published.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-16--Boris Johnson proposes moving parliament to York

Boris Johnson has suggested moving parliament to York while the crumbling Palace of Westminster is refurbished .
In a letter to those overseeing parliament 's multi-billion pound restoration , the prime minister proposed the Yorkshire city as a temporary location for either or both the House of Commons and House of Lords .
MPs have previously voted in favour of a `` full decant '' from the Palace of Westminster while works , estimated to cost around £4bn , are carried out .
Under the proposal , Richmond House - less than a mile from the Palace of Westminster - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a temporary House of Commons chamber .
However , those plans are now under review `` to ensure value for money '' following the coronavirus crisis and its impact on public finances .
In his letter to Sarah Johnson and David Goldstone , the chief executives of the restoration and renewal programme , the prime minister welcomed the review .
`` The review should advise on the best model for delivery , '' Mr Johnson wrote .
`` As part of this , it should consider the case for both Houses remaining in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a full decant of both Houses or a partial decant of either or both Houses .
`` There are a number of possible locations within London , which could be considered , including Richmond House , the QEII Centre and City Hall .
`` However , the review should also consider a possible location outside London .
`` The government is considering establishing a government hub in York and it would therefore make sense to consider this as a potential location . ''
MPs were due to debate the restoration and renewal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that debate , former House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom urged MPs to support the existing plans as she highlighted parliament 's current problems of fire risks , asbestos , out-of-date pipes and cabling and falling stonemasonry .
`` On the vexed issue of what to do , it is not a case of whether we fancy moving out or staying here , it is that if we do n't move out , all the evidence points to a disaster that will force us out , '' she wrote in The Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A spokesperson for parliament 's restoration programme said : `` The Houses of Parliament are falling apart faster than they can be fixed .
`` As the prime minister has made clear , the current situation is unsustainable given the serious risk of a major fire and the need to upgrade the services throughout the building .
`` The restoration and renewal programme was set up in law to tackle this urgent work .
`` We are currently reviewing how the programme is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Parliament .
`` In line with best practice , we remain committed to developing a business case that will set out in detail the options for restoring Parliament including cost estimates and timescales . ''

Boris Johnson has suggested moving parliament to York while the crumbling Palace of Westminster is refurbished.
In a letter to those overseeing parliament's multi-billion pound restoration, the prime minister proposed the Yorkshire city as a temporary location for either or both the House of Commons and House of Lords.
MPs have previously voted in favour of a "full decant" from the Palace of Westminster while works, estimated to cost around £4bn, are carried out.
Image: The Palace of Westminster is in need of repair
Under the proposal, Richmond House - less than a mile from the Palace of Westminster - was set to be the location of a temporary House of Commons chamber.
However, those plans are now under review "to ensure value for money" following the coronavirus crisis and its impact on public finances.
In his letter to Sarah Johnson and David Goldstone, the chief executives of the restoration and renewal programme, the prime minister welcomed the review.
"The review should advise on the best model for delivery," Mr Johnson wrote.
"As part of this, it should consider the case for both Houses remaining in situ for the duration of the works, a full decant of both Houses or a partial decant of either or both Houses.
"There are a number of possible locations within London, which could be considered, including Richmond House, the QEII Centre and City Hall.
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"However, the review should also consider a possible location outside London.
"The government is considering establishing a government hub in York and it would therefore make sense to consider this as a potential location."
Image: Boris Johnson welcomed a review of existing plans
MPs were due to debate the restoration and renewal programme later on Thursday.
Ahead of that debate, former House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom urged MPs to support the existing plans as she highlighted parliament's current problems of fire risks, asbestos, out-of-date pipes and cabling and falling stonemasonry.
"On the vexed issue of what to do, it is not a case of whether we fancy moving out or staying here, it is that if we don't move out, all the evidence points to a disaster that will force us out," she wrote in The Times.
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A spokesperson for parliament's restoration programme said: "The Houses of Parliament are falling apart faster than they can be fixed.
"As the prime minister has made clear, the current situation is unsustainable given the serious risk of a major fire and the need to upgrade the services throughout the building.
"The restoration and renewal programme was set up in law to tackle this urgent work.
"We are currently reviewing how the programme is delivered before sharing findings with both Houses of Parliament.
"In line with best practice, we remain committed to developing a business case that will set out in detail the options for restoring Parliament including cost estimates and timescales."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-15--'Psychopath politics': PM removes whip from Tory MP who ran against his security pick

Boris Johnson has taken revenge against a Tory MP who defeated his pick to be the new Intelligence and Security Committee ( ISC ) chair - by removing the whip .
Dr Julian Lewis is no longer sitting as a Conservative in parliament after he ran against the government 's nominee for the top job , Chris Grayling , and won .
A senior government source said the punishment was for `` working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage '' .
Opposition politicians called it `` psychopath politics '' and branded those behind the decision a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been expected to become the ISC chair - putting him in charge of scrutinising the UK 's intelligence agencies MI5 , MI6 , and GCHQ - in a vote by other committee members on Wednesday .
Packed with a Tory majority for the first time in recent history , Number 10 was counting on other members to back their candidate .
: : Listen to The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts , Spotify , Google podcasts and Spreaker But at the last moment , Dr Lewis nominated himself - and with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining votes from Labour and the Scottish National Party , 5-4 .
The role is a highly controversial one as the ISC 's first job will be to publish the Russia report into alleged election interference , which critics have accused the government of sitting on for nine months .
Former chair Dominic Grieve said the report had been sent to Downing Street on 17 October and was ready for publication once it had been signed off , a process that usually takes up to 10 days .
But it was not released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election , at which point the former members of the committee relinquished their roles .
It has since taken almost seven months for the Conservatives to nominate their new committee members and so allow for the report to be published .
David Gauke , one of over a dozen politicians who had the whip removed last autumn for voting to avoid a no-deal Brexit , responded drily to Dr Lewis receiving the same fate , tweeting : `` Well , this takes me back . ''
Angela Rayner , Labour 's deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grubby shower they are . ''
Another Labour MP Jess Phillips added : `` I see Number 10 are lashing out after forgetting the first rule of politics - learn to count . ''
And the SNP 's Angus MacNeil commented : `` We are in the world of psychopath politics ...
This is utterly jawdropping ! ''

Boris Johnson has taken revenge against a Tory MP who defeated his pick to be the new Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) chair - by removing the whip.
Dr Julian Lewis is no longer sitting as a Conservative in parliament after he ran against the government's nominee for the top job, Chris Grayling, and won.
A senior government source said the punishment was for "working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage".
Image: Boris Johnson has withdrawn the whip from the backbencher
Opposition politicians called it "psychopath politics" and branded those behind the decision a "grubby shower".
Mr Grayling had been expected to become the ISC chair - putting him in charge of scrutinising the UK's intelligence agencies MI5, MI6, and GCHQ - in a vote by other committee members on Wednesday.
Packed with a Tory majority for the first time in recent history, Number 10 was counting on other members to back their candidate.
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But at the last moment, Dr Lewis nominated himself - and with the contest split - he won with the remaining votes from Labour and the Scottish National Party, 5-4.
The role is a highly controversial one as the ISC's first job will be to publish the Russia report into alleged election interference, which critics have accused the government of sitting on for nine months.
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Image: Chris Grayling failed to get a coronation
Former chair Dominic Grieve said the report had been sent to Downing Street on 17 October and was ready for publication once it had been signed off, a process that usually takes up to 10 days.
But it was not released by the prime minister before December's general election, at which point the former members of the committee relinquished their roles.
It has since taken almost seven months for the Conservatives to nominate their new committee members and so allow for the report to be published.
David Gauke, one of over a dozen politicians who had the whip removed last autumn for voting to avoid a no-deal Brexit, responded drily to Dr Lewis receiving the same fate, tweeting: "Well, this takes me back."
Image: The committee holds the UK's security agencies, including MI6, to account
Angela Rayner, Labour's deputy leader, also wrote: "What a grubby shower they are."
Another Labour MP Jess Phillips added: "I see Number 10 are lashing out after forgetting the first rule of politics - learn to count."
And the SNP's Angus MacNeil commented: "We are in the world of psychopath politics... This is utterly jawdropping!"


skynewspolitics--2020-07-15--Why Johnson's brutal revenge could make a bad situation much worse

When the nine members of the powerful Intelligence and Security Committee ( ISC ) of parliament filed into the Macmillan Room of Portcullis House at 5pm for the first meeting of the new committee , Chris Grayling thought he had the chairmanship in the bag .
After all , the former cabinet minister and Brexiteer was Boris Johnson 's choice - controversially , given his record in government and lack of expertise on intelligence and security - and he had already nominated himself the day before .
Nothing could go wrong , he must have thought , because the Tories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee .
But Mr Grayling and the government whips had both made a major blunder .
Neither had sounded out the senior Tory backbencher Dr Julian Lewis and made sure that he was going to vote for Mr Grayling .
And when the committee clerk asked at the start of the meeting if there were any more nominations for chairman , Dr Lewis nominated himself and was immediately backed by the three Labour and one Scottish National Party member .
Result : 5-4 to Dr Lewis , leaving Mr Grayling - cruelly lampooned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accident-prone cabinet career - and the prime minister humiliated , and the Number 10 machine who were so desperate to see their loyalist nomination elected absolutely furious .
`` Grayling is the only person ever to have lost a rigged election , '' said one Tory MP .
Mr Grayling had been ambushed .
It had been a bloodless coup .
But that was about to change .
Within an hour of the decisive vote in the Macmillan Room , it emerged that the committee would meet again at 10am the following morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee 's long-suppressed report on allegations of Russian meddling in UK politics .
But a crisis for the prime minister was then immediately turned into a drama by Number 10 , when Dr Lewis was informed by the government 's burly bruiser of a Chief Whip , Mark Spencer , that he had been kicked out of the Tory parliamentary party .
Dr Lewis had the whip withdrawn , government sources told Sky News , `` for working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage '' .
Another source said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duplicity . ''
: : Listen to The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts , Spotify , Google podcasts and Spreaker The decision sent shockwaves through Westminster .
`` This is gangster politics , '' one member of the committee was reported to have said .
The consensus among many MPs was that Number 10 was guilty of a massive overreaction which has made what was only a moderately bad situation much , much worse .
Dr Lewis has suffered the fate of the 21 pro-Remain Tory MPs who defied Mr Johnson in Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a delicious irony - the former chairman of the ISC , Dominic Grieve .
One senior MP told Sky News : `` This would have blown over in a few days .
Now there will be a huge row throughout the weekend and into next week .
`` Removing the whip from Julian also massively strengthens his authority and boosts his independence from the government .
`` He is also very popular with the Tory old guard on the backbenches , the old knights of the shires , the Thatcherites and the veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they wo n't like it . ''
Dr Lewis is indeed popular with MPs on both sides of the House .
He was a successful chairman of the Defence Select Committee for four years .
He is independent-minded and , despite being a Brexiteer , was a big defender of John Bercow during the former speaker 's battles with Mr Johnson last year .
MPs blame the prime minister 's controversial adviser , Dominic Cummings , for Number 10 's brutal revenge on Dr Lewis .
`` This is n't the Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP told Sky News .
`` It 's Cummings .
And it 's absolutely bonkers . ''
Number 10 's retribution against Dr Lewis may not be over , however .
The rules governing the ISC , in the Justice and Security Act of 2013 , state that the chairman is elected for the whole parliament , until the next election .
But there is already talk of the government tabling a Committee of Selection motion , which can be debated for up to 90 minutes and then voted on by MPs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacing him with another Tory MP .
That would cause a huge row .
But would the PM , in his current belligerent mood , care ?
And in the chamber , of course , Mr Johnson has a majority of 80 .
Well , he did .
It 's down to 78 now , with Dr Lewis presumably crossing the floor to sit with the opposition .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker One MP even suggested the PM could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Intelligence and Security Committee altogether .
Out of the question ?
Probably not while Mr Cummings is advising Mr Johnson .
Despite his humiliation , Mr Grayling remains a member of the committee and could yet - theoretically - still become chairman if Dr Lewis is kicked off the committee and replaced by a Johnson loyalist .
Besides Mr Grayling , the other outvoted Tories were another ex-cabinet minister Theresa Villiers , ex-minister Sir John Hayes and backbencher Mark Pritchard .
It was Labour MPs Dame Diane Johnson and Kevan Jones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steward Hosie who backed Dr Lewis .
When Dr Lewis walked into the Macmillan Room in Portcullis House at 5pm , he obviously knew he had the support of the opposition MPs on the committee .
But with Boris Johnson in vengeful mood , he may need the support of many other Tory MPs if he is to survive this fight to the death with the prime minister .

When the nine members of the powerful Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of parliament filed into the Macmillan Room of Portcullis House at 5pm for the first meeting of the new committee, Chris Grayling thought he had the chairmanship in the bag.
After all, the former cabinet minister and Brexiteer was Boris Johnson's choice - controversially, given his record in government and lack of expertise on intelligence and security - and he had already nominated himself the day before.
Nothing could go wrong, he must have thought, because the Tories had a five-four majority on the nine-member committee.
But Mr Grayling and the government whips had both made a major blunder. Neither had sounded out the senior Tory backbencher Dr Julian Lewis and made sure that he was going to vote for Mr Grayling.
And when the committee clerk asked at the start of the meeting if there were any more nominations for chairman, Dr Lewis nominated himself and was immediately backed by the three Labour and one Scottish National Party member.
Result: 5-4 to Dr Lewis, leaving Mr Grayling - cruelly lampooned as "failing Grayling" after his accident-prone cabinet career - and the prime minister humiliated, and the Number 10 machine who were so desperate to see their loyalist nomination elected absolutely furious.
"Grayling is the only person ever to have lost a rigged election," said one Tory MP.
Mr Grayling had been ambushed. It had been a bloodless coup. But that was about to change.
Within an hour of the decisive vote in the Macmillan Room, it emerged that the committee would meet again at 10am the following morning and almost certainly agree to publish the committee's long-suppressed report on allegations of Russian meddling in UK politics.
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Image: Chris Grayling had been expected to become the new ISC chair
But a crisis for the prime minister was then immediately turned into a drama by Number 10, when Dr Lewis was informed by the government's burly bruiser of a Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, that he had been kicked out of the Tory parliamentary party.
Dr Lewis had the whip withdrawn, government sources told Sky News, "for working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage".
Another source said: "There are consequences for that duplicity."
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The decision sent shockwaves through Westminster.
"This is gangster politics," one member of the committee was reported to have said.
The consensus among many MPs was that Number 10 was guilty of a massive overreaction which has made what was only a moderately bad situation much, much worse.
Dr Lewis has suffered the fate of the 21 pro-Remain Tory MPs who defied Mr Johnson in Brexit votes last year, including - in a delicious irony - the former chairman of the ISC, Dominic Grieve.
Image: Julian Lewis MP, pictured in 2005
One senior MP told Sky News: "This would have blown over in a few days. Now there will be a huge row throughout the weekend and into next week.
"Removing the whip from Julian also massively strengthens his authority and boosts his independence from the government.
"He is also very popular with the Tory old guard on the backbenches, the old knights of the shires, the Thatcherites and the veteran Brexiteers. He's one of them and they won't like it."
Dr Lewis is indeed popular with MPs on both sides of the House.
He was a successful chairman of the Defence Select Committee for four years. He is independent-minded and, despite being a Brexiteer, was a big defender of John Bercow during the former speaker's battles with Mr Johnson last year.
MPs blame the prime minister's controversial adviser, Dominic Cummings, for Number 10's brutal revenge on Dr Lewis.
"This isn't the Chief Whip's decision," one senior MP told Sky News.
"It's Cummings. And it's absolutely bonkers."
Number 10's retribution against Dr Lewis may not be over, however.
The rules governing the ISC, in the Justice and Security Act of 2013, state that the chairman is elected for the whole parliament, until the next election.
But there is already talk of the government tabling a Committee of Selection motion, which can be debated for up to 90 minutes and then voted on by MPs, removing Dr Lewis from the committee and replacing him with another Tory MP.
That would cause a huge row. But would the PM, in his current belligerent mood, care?
And in the chamber, of course, Mr Johnson has a majority of 80. Well, he did. It's down to 78 now, with Dr Lewis presumably crossing the floor to sit with the opposition.
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One MP even suggested the PM could go for the nuclear option of abolishing the Intelligence and Security Committee altogether.
Out of the question? Probably not while Mr Cummings is advising Mr Johnson.
Despite his humiliation, Mr Grayling remains a member of the committee and could yet - theoretically - still become chairman if Dr Lewis is kicked off the committee and replaced by a Johnson loyalist.
Besides Mr Grayling, the other outvoted Tories were another ex-cabinet minister Theresa Villiers, ex-minister Sir John Hayes and backbencher Mark Pritchard.
It was Labour MPs Dame Diane Johnson and Kevan Jones, Labour peer Lord West and SNP MP Steward Hosie who backed Dr Lewis.
When Dr Lewis walked into the Macmillan Room in Portcullis House at 5pm, he obviously knew he had the support of the opposition MPs on the committee.
But with Boris Johnson in vengeful mood, he may need the support of many other Tory MPs if he is to survive this fight to the death with the prime minister.