Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PIT STOP ..BUT NO »
Boris admits failings in early stages of pandemic response
SORRY remained the hardest word for Boris Johnson yesterday as he finally admitted there were things the Government “could have done differently” in its handling of the pandemic.
Having previously insisted his regime “took the right decisions at the right time”, the Prime Minister conceded lessons can be learned from the early stages of the crisis.
But his U-turn fell well short of the apology many feel he owes the nation. And asked if he finds it hard to say “sorry”, Mr Johnson said: “I’m sorry if I don’t apologise. Put it that way.”
The PM spoke as it became compulsory to wear masks in shops yesterday after new rules took effect across England – a move coming into force in Northern Ireland on August 20.
Criticisms in the early weeks include failing to get enough personal protective equipment to health workers and to protect care homes.
Ministers have also been accused of being too late to put us in lockdown and set up the test and trace system. Communication on the easing of lockdown has also been slammed as confusing and the Government blasted for setting border quarantines too late.
Mr Johnson yesterday admitted they did not “understand [Covid-19] in the way we would have liked in the first few weeks and months”.
He said: “Maybe there were things we could have done differently and of course there will be time to understand what exactly we could have done, or done differently. When you listen to the scientists, the questions that you’ve asked are actually very o p e n questions as far as they are concerned. And there will be a time obviously to consider all those issues.” Challenged about apologising, he said: “I’m sorry if I don’t apologise. Put it that way. “But of course there are things we get wrong and we are learning the whole time. You’ve got to learn from your mistakes as fast as