Johnson and Sunak U-turn on isolating after backlash
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have U-turned on not self-isolating after an overwhelming backlash that saw them accused of having “one rule for them and another rule for everyone else”.
The Prime Minister had been alerted by NHS Test and Trace along with Chancellor Rishi Sunak as a contact of health secretary Sajid Javid, who tested positive for Covid-19.
Yesterday morning Downing Street claimed they were taking part in a daily contact testing pilot and would not have to self-isolate, with a spokesman insisting they would only be conducting “essential government business”.
Then less than three hours later after an escalating backlash, Number 10 said Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak would selfisolate after all.
A No.10 spokesman said: “He was at Chequers when contacted by Test and Trace and will remain there to isolate. He will not be taking part in the testing pilot. He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely. The Chancellor has also been contacted and will also isolate as required and will not be taking part in the pilot.”
The Prime Minister later said: “We did look briefly at the idea of us taking part in the pilot scheme, which allows people to test daily, but I think it’s far more important that everybody sticks to the same rules.”mr Sunak added: “Whilst the test and trace pilot is fairly restrictive, allowing only essential government business, I recognise that even the sense that the rules aren’t the same for everyone is wrong.
“To that end I’ll be self isolating as normal and not taking part in the pilot.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford criticised the pair for trying to avoid self isolating.
He said: “Blundering Boris Johnson is guilty of yet another monumental and dangerous failure of leadership – a hallmark of his chaotic and corrupt government.
“He clearly labours under the mistaken belief that necessary rules which apply to everyone else do not affect him and his cabal of entitled chums like Chancellor Rishi Sunak.” The plan to avoid self-isolation had earlier prompted an angry response from opposition parties, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey claiming it was “one rule for them and another rule for everyone else”.
He continued: "I’m glad Johnson U-turned – right decision. But the fact he thought he could get away with it in the first place shows the utter contempt he has for the British people.
“How about the school teachers, transport workers and health workers getting a chance to be part of this test pilot or is it only for the privileged few?
“People have stuck to the
rules and done the right thing. Boris Johnson is taking them for granted.”
Sir Keir Starmer claimed the U-turn showed a government “in chaos”.
The Labour leader said:
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have been busted yet again for thinking the rules that we are all following don’t apply to them.”