Yesterday, Professor Ferguson announced he had “made an error of judgement” and was stepping down from his government role and involvement in Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) after it was reported he had broken lockdown rules to meet with his girlfriend. Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid spoke to Jonathan Ashworth about the news and asked if the public could still trust the government’s advice but the politician wasn’t keen to comment on Professor Ferguson’s decision.
Reid began: “Jonathan Ashworth, we are constantly being told we should follow the science.
“But you have already mentioned on testing, we don’t seem to have followed the science, we’re not consistently up to the number of tests the Health Secretary promised, even though we got there by hook or by crook on one day at least, it has continued in that way.
“Let me take you to two other instances. Firstly we’ve got Professor Ferguson, Professor lockdown, the guy who urged the government to lockdown and said hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved if we go into lockdown.
“Undoubtedly lives have been saved but then that scientist himself is accused, and even admits to having broken those lockdown rules because the woman who is said to be his girlfriend made two visits to his home when those strict social distancing measures were in place.
READ MORE: Coronavirus adviser Neil Ferguson resigns for breaking lockdown rules
“But we also have the fact that the scientific committee that he has now stepped down from, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, on the sam day that the Prime Minister told a Number 10 press conference that he was still shaking the hands of people he met including at a hospital where there were Covid patients.
“The scientists on that committee had urged an end to handshaking.
“I mean, are the politicians not even following the science, and the scientists not even following the science?
“I think there is a real issue at the moment with public trust and what we are being told.”
Ashworth commented: “Well, I completely understand that, I just don’t want to get into the personal details of what goes on in that individual’s private life because it’s not for me.
“But you are right, we should be following the advice.”
Also in the interview, Reid asked for Ashworth’s opinion on Matt Hancock telling Dr Rosena Allin-Khan to “watch her tone” in a clash in the House of Commons yesterday.
“The politician who got the tone wrong was Matt Hancock and he should graciously apologise to Rosena,” Ashworth told the hosts.
“Rosena is not only a brilliant political and Shadow Health Minister, she’s also an A&E doctor on the frontline and what she was bringing to the House of Commons yesterday was her direct experience of NHS staff on the frontline as they are dealing with this horrific disease that is Covid-19.
“And, remember, the NHS staff on the frontline are putting themselves at risk to care for us and our loved ones.
“So yes, you know, putting tough questions to ministers is what we’re supposed to do and she shouldn’t be criticised or dismissed for that.
“Matt Hancock should be thanking her for all she is doing on the frontline and for the NHS.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am.
