JVT blows the final whistle on his time as medical chief
HE has gained cult status after livening up dreary Covid press conferences with humorous analogies on football, trains and camping.
But yesterday Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam abruptly quit as England’s deputy chief medical officer – with ministers describing him as a ‘national hero’.
Sir Jonathan, a model railway enthusiast and keen Boston United FC fan, will return to his job at the University of Nottingham.
Labour has suggested that his exit is linked to mounting fury over the Downing Street party scandal. But government sources insist the departure is unrelated.
Notably, however, Sir Jonathan failed to mention the Prime Minister or any other ministers in his resignation statement despite praising multiple other colleagues.
The scientist – affectionately known as JVT – said: ‘We all wish Covid had never happened. Notwithstanding, it has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to have served the people of the UK during this time. I want to pay tribute to Professor Chris Whitty, the CMO team, my fellow scientists, public health professionals and clinicians whose support, wisdom and energy has been inspiring.
‘There are countless numbers who work behind the scenes – all of whom have an unrelenting commitment to help and support the British public.’
The father of three, 57, was knighted in the New Year Honours. He will now return to his university post as pro vice-chancellor in Nottingham where he specialises in studying influenza.
Sir Jonathan, whose grandfather was the prime minister of Vietnam between 1952 and 1954, has held the post of deputy chief medical officer since 2017. He became hugely popular for avoiding dull and confusing jargon while explaining complex science to the public.
Sir Jonathan said the approval of the Pfizer jab in late 2020 was like ‘scoring a penalty at the end of a play-off final… you haven’t won the cup yet but it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten’.
He also likened the pandemic to waiting on a ‘wet, windy and horrible’ train platform, adding that the vaccine was ‘the train two miles down the tracks’.
And on booster jabs, he said: ‘I don’t know if many of you are used to crawling into small tents on mountainsides. But if you do so and you know there’s a storm blowing in the night, it’s better to put some extra guy ropes on there and... plan for the worst possibilities.’
Yesterday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘JVT’s unique and straightforward approach to communication has seen him rapidly become a national hero.
‘To use words I think he might particularly like, we’re grateful that we’ve had him on loan for so many years. He’s been a top signing and he’s blown the whistle on time.’
But Labour suggested Sir Jonathan may have left because he found it ‘hard to work with truth twisters’ after the Prime Minister failed to resign over Partygate.
Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said: ‘I am profoundly thankful for his steadfast support, advice, leadership and commitment.’
‘He’s been a top signing’