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The two experts guiding the government’s response to the coronavirus were not asked to approve the controversial new “alert” message, The Guardian learned.
Neither Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, nor Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, were asked to sign off on the “stay home” advice before Boris Johnson unveiled the new strategy last night. .
His lack of a role amid criticism of the change in the key message has raised further questions about the government’s persistent claim that it is “following the science” in its response to the virus.
It comes when experts attending emergency scientific advisory group (Sage) meetings broke coverage to criticize the government for handling the change in messages, with some complaining that Downing Street had sidelined them on the process.
Speaking in a professional capacity, Professor John Drury, a social psychologist at the University of Sussex and a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Behavior Group (SPI-B), who feeds Sage on topics including the best ways to communicate strategy The government’s deal with the public said the group had “considerable experience” in health behavior and emergency communications that had hardly been requested by the government. Who is advising on current messaging? Unfortunately it’s not us, “he said.
And Professor Susan Michie, from University College London, tweeted: “Lack of clarity can cost lives. The Scottish government is a good example of clear and consistent messages. No twists, no self-congratulations, no defense, just honest communication, including uncertainties. Build trust and adherence; avoid confusion and anxiety. “
On Monday, Vallance said he and his fellow experts had “strongly supported conditionality” in the government’s approach. But Whitehall sources said that neither he nor Whitty had been formally approved of the closure measure because that role was left out of their reports. “It is not the role of the CMO or the CSA to approve the government’s strategy or brand,” said an official.
Liberal Democrats said the couple lacks a “beggar belief” of approval, given their high-profile role in advising ministers and appearing regularly at the daily press conference.
In addition to being the CMO of England, Whitty is also the government’s chief medical adviser and the head of the public health profession. Vallance, a professor of medicine and an expert in drug development, is the head of the Government’s Science and Engineering (GSE) profession.
Sources said Downing Street had received expert advice ahead of the prime minister’s televised speech on Sunday night. “The government has developed this roadmap and strategy to get out of the confinement using scientific and medical advice. The new campaign message is based on the guide developed as part of that roadmap, “added the official.
Munira Wilson, health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, said: “The government’s failure to secure the approval of the chief medical officer or chief scientific adviser for this significant change in belief in beggar public health messages. If the government follows the As science has repeatedly claimed to be, working closely with the CMO and CSA on all public messages should be a given. ”
Twickenham MP added: “The new ‘stay alert’ message is deeply confusing, out of step with other UK nations and it is unclear what scientific guidance, if any, informed this decision. Ministers must explain the basis of the new message and who exactly was asked about the change. “
The Guardian is investigating and responding to the UK government’s preparedness for the coronavirus pandemic. We want to learn more about the recent decisions made at the heart of the government. If you are a whistleblower or source and with new information, you can send an email to [email protected] or (using a non-working phone) send us a signal or WhatsApp to this number (United Kingdom) +44 7584 640566. (The number does not answer calls.) For the most secure communications, use SecureDrop and for general advice on how to confidentially contact The Guardian, see our guide.
Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said the experts’ non-participation was worrisome.
“Perhaps if they had asked for the participation of the CMO and the CSA, they might have received a message that people could understand. Staying alert is a pretty meaningless phrase that doesn’t mean much to most people or medical teachers.
“If you weren’t involved in this key decision, how can you go on to claim that you are following the science? Making such an observation that you follow the science and then don’t involve your two top scientists in a key decision like this would be troubling to me. It is a lot of mixed messages. “
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