‘This has cost lives’
LONDON MAYOR SADIQ KHAN – HITS OUT AT ‘DITHERING’ PM, SAYING A NATIONAL LOCKDOWN SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE WEEKS AGO
THE Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launched a furious attack on the government after it announced the new coronavirus lockdown – warning its “indecision” would have “unimaginable consequences”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Saturday that England would be put into lockdown again from Thursday, with people told to stay home for four weeks.
Mr Johnson rejected earlier calls from government scientists for a short, sharp shutdown last month.
Mr Khan blasted the delay, saying its “dithering” would cost both “lives and livelihoods”.
He said in a statement shared on Twitter: “Acting early and decisively is the best way to control this virus, which is why I and many others urged the government to listen to Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) and introduce a short, national, circuit breaker weeks ago, when it could have saved lives and done the least damage to our economy.
“Instead, the Prime Minister chose to completely ignore the expert, scientific advice.”
Mr Khan went on: “The government’s delay means that case numbers are now too high for a short, sharp, circuit breaker to be effective. This has left the Prime Minister with no choice but to introduce a longer national lockdown.
“It is absolutely imperative that the government does not repeat its dithering when it comes to the additional economic support that will now clearly be needed.
“Ministers have a once-in-a-generation responsibility to provide whatever public funding is needed to prop up our economy and support businesses and jobs through this period of much tighter restrictions.
“The Chancellor needs to stand up urgently and say that he will do whatever it takes for as long as is needed.”
The Mayor, however, said the Prime Minister had “done the right thing” by extending the furlough scheme, and in a direct appeal to the people of the city he pointed to the history of Londoners coming together in a crisis.
He added: “Government support must also include direct grants and loans for businesses in the sectors likely to be worst affected to be made available now.
“I would like to make a direct appeal to all Londoners as your
Mayor: Thank you for the enormous sacrifices you have made over the last seven months. You may not agree with or like the government’s latest restrictions, however we must all follow them.
“Please continue following the restrictions and public health guidance. We must act to protect each other. I know it won’t be easy, but history tells us that Londoners always pull together in times of crisis. We must once again make huge collective sacrifices now in order to prevent even greater suffering later.
“I will continue to lobby the government to finally sort out a fully functioning test and trace system and the financial support London needs.
“I promise you that our city will get through this together.”