TO FAST-TRACK JUSTICE
pinging around” saying, “we told you this on such and such a date”.
The source said: “There’s a lot of **** covering going on.”
It is understood Sir Patrick’s appearance with a mask in front of the health committee last week was described as “a deliberate snub” of the Prime Minister’s plans to unlock the country by Christmas.
Asked about the Government relationship with Sir Patrick, a government spokesman said: “We are extremely grateful to the Chief Scientific Adviser and all our scientific and medical experts for their contributions and hard work throughout this pandemic. We greatly value their expertise and their advice continues to inform government decision-making and the national strategic response to coronavirus.”
Meanwhile, there are worries that the chances of pubs and cafes recovering from the impact of the lockdown could be dealt a blow if councils are given the power to ban smoking at pavement seating.
On Monday, peers are due to vote on a Labour amendment that would allow local authorities to ban smoking in areas covered by pavement licences.
The Local Government Association supports the amendment and argues smokefree pavements will help high streets recover. But TV chef and restaurateur Antony Worrall Thompson said: “Why on earth would the Lords and the LGA want to discourage a substantial number of people from returning to pubs, cafes and restaurants? For smokers it is one of the few remaining pleasures, sitting enjoying a glass of wine or a pint of beer.”
In a further move, new public buildings will have to be equipped with “changing places” toilets for the disabled.
More than 250,000 people are expected to benefit from the new requirements at sites in England, including shopping centres and sports stadiums.
‘Unacceptably high backlog’