Fears that key adviser could quit amid back-to-work push

PROF CHRIS WHITTY is hampering the Government’s return to work message because ministers fear he could resign if too many people return to the workplace at once.

Cabinet sources have told The Daily Telegraph that ministers believe Prof Whitty could leave his post as Chief Medical Officer if they push too hard on their plans to reopen workplaces in an attempt to get the economy moving.

Prof Whitty fronted many of the Government’s first Covid-19 briefings, and is seen by the public as one of the most trustworthy voices in the debate over how to handle the pandemic.

He has recently urged caution in reopening offices and other workplaces too quickly. In July he said that social distancing measures would be necessary for “a long period of time”.

Ministers’ latest concerns come after reports in June that both Prof Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government’s

Chief Scientific Adviser, were considering resignation over the relaxation of the two-metre social distancing rule. They were said to be considering putting their opposition in the public minutes of Sage – the Government’s scientific advisory group.

The public has since been told to maintain a distance of “one metre plus” indoors when a two-metre bubble is not possible, and to return to work.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “The claim that the Chief Medical Officer has threatened to resign is not true and it would be wholly inaccurate to suggest otherwise... [he] has worked closely with government throughout the pandemic to provide the latest medical advice and will continue to do so.”

George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, yesterday said he wanted “as many people as possible” to return to work, but admitted the Government had not set a target for the number of people it would like in the workplace.