SAGE scientist advising UK on Covid-19 resigns after lockdown breach

A British scientist advising the government on its coronavirus response resigned from his role on Tuesday, after UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph  (paywall) reported he had broken lockdown rules by meeting a female friend.

Epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, a professor at Imperial College in London, said he was standing down from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which plays a key role in shaping government policy.

The Telegraph said he had been visited by a 38-year old woman on two occasions. This would breach rules which say citizens must only leave their homes to shop for food, for exercise or medical needs, or if they cannot work from home.

“I accept I made an error of judgement and took the wrong course of action. I have therefore stepped back from my involvement in SAGE," Ferguson said in a statement.

'Government guidance is unequivocal'

Ferguson's academic team produced modelling on the likely spread of the virus which has been repeatedly cited by ministers, and is seen as a turning point in their response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The model showed that under a reasonable worst-case scenario as many as 500,000 people could die. 

It contributed to the decision to impose the most far-reaching restrictions on daily life in Britain's peacetime history to stop the spread of the virus.

"I acted in the belief that I was immune, having tested positive for coronavirus and completely isolated myself for almost two weeks after developing symptoms," Ferguson's statement said.

"I deeply regret any undermining of the clear messages around the continued need for social distancing to control this devastating epidemic. The government guidance is unequivocal, and is there to protect all of us."

PM to make appearance in parliament 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday make his first appearance in parliament since being hospitalised for coronavirus, the day after Britain became the European country worst hit by the global pandemic.

He faces a new adversary in Keir Starmer, who was elected leader of the main opposition Labour party on April 4 and has called for a "national consensus" on how Britain tackles the outbreak.

Health ministry figures show 29,427 people with Covid-19 have died in Britain, while broader official data put the toll above 32,000, making the country second only to the US in world rankings.