One of Britain’s top health chiefs today admitted she was not consulted on No10’s decision to introduce vaccine passports.
Dr Susan Hopkins, the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) chief medical adviser, was asked nine times to say whether ministers discussed the scheme with her in a grilling with MPs.
The House of Commons voted to bring in No10’s Plan B measures — which include passes at large-scale events and clubs, as well as more widespread face mask-wearing and the return of the work-from-home guidance — this evening.
Boris Johnson faced the possibility of the biggest revolt of his leadership over the measures proposed to stem the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. MPs voted in favour of the passes by 369 to 126.
And asked by Tory MP and chair of the Science and Technology Committee Greg Clark whether the agency was consulted on the plans earlier today, Dr Hopkins refused to confirm the UKHSA’s involvement.
In the awkward exchange, she repeatedly avoided being asked where the idea for the passes originated before finally admitting she was not involved in discussions about the scheme.
Quizzed over whether she was consulted as the boss of the agency, she said: ‘No, not personally.’
Mr Johnson earlier today stressed he wants to keep the country ‘as free as possible’ with ‘sensible and balanced’ measures as he spoke to the Conservative 1922 Committee.
But he dodged calls from backbenchers to guarantee they will get another say if the government has to move to Plan C, which could mean more draconian limits, such as reimposing social distancing.
Dr Susan Hopkins (left), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chief medical adviser, refused to confirm being consulted on the scheme nine times in a grilling with MPs today. Asked by Tory MP and chair of the Science and Technology Committee Greg Clark (right) whether the agency was consulted on the plans earlier today, Dr Hopkins refused to confirm the UKHSA’s involvement
In the Science and Technology Committee, Mr Clark asked Dr Hopkins: ‘Have you advised on the regulation that is before Parliament today which requires either a negative lateral flow test or proof of two vaccines in order to access venues?’
Dr Hopkins said: ‘We have not been asked do we agree with the regulations proposed. That’s for Government to do.’
Mr Clark said: ‘But conceptually, who had the idea of giving an alternative of proof of vaccine or proof of a negative lateral flow test? If it didn’t come from UKHSA, where did it come from?’
The UKHSA boss paused, before saying: ‘I’m afraid we’ve continued to advise government that we recommend people take lateral flow tests before they go out, that is the current public health advice, is that they should use lateral flows before they socialize and we continue to advise people get vaccinated.
Mr Clark responded: ‘I understand that. But we have a debate and vote at the end of it and I think many members of Parliament will be looking to the UKHSA, which is there to give that expert assessment of what’s in front of them, if you haven’t caused the regulation to be put before parliament, have you, as an agency, been consulted on the regulation as to whether this does the job?’
Dr Hopkins responded with the same answer again before finally admitting she was not personally consulted after being questioned again.
He asked her a further four times whether the UKHSA was consulted as an organisation, but was rebuffed with the same answer.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson was reported to have told his MPs, dozens of whom have said they would vote against the Government, that ‘we have absolutely no choice’ to introduce the ‘sensible and balanced’ measures earlier today before the Commons voted in favour of the legislation.
He said that he wanted the country to be ‘as free as we can possibly be’.
The PM is reported to have said he believes the country can get through the current spike, when asked about the prospect of further measures being introduced.
And he reportedly was petitioned by MPs to allow them to have their say in Parliament if further measures were to be introduced over Christmas.
One former minister said his speech ‘calmed a lot of nerves’.
The rapid spread of Omicron was also a factor in winning over some Tories, the source said.
The former minister said: ‘What a lot of people are starting to see is how it is affecting their own constituencies and own families.
‘It’s not a theoretical thing, it’s become a real thing.’
With Tories particularly angered by the mandatory introduction of Covid health certificates for large venues, Mr Johnson was also believed to be holding talks with individuals who were preparing to vote against or abstain on the restrictions.
Mr Johnson also increased his warnings over the rapidly spreading new strain of Covid, telling a virtual Cabinet meeting a ‘huge spike of Omicron was coming’.
There were indications that his efforts may be succeeding, with one ringleader, Steve Baker, saying: ‘I’m told numbers are dwindling.’
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab argued the mandatory use of Covid passes for entry to nightclubs and large venues in England was not a ‘big step or a slippery slope’.
He rejected MPs’ concerns about so-called ‘vaccine passports’ because people would also be able to show a negative lateral flow test to gain entry to venues.
More than 70 Tories have expressed concerns about the Covid pass proposals – due to come into effect on Wednesday – with claims they are illogical and illiberal.
After talks with the Prime Minister on Tuesday morning, one ministerial aide among those on resignation watch as he considered voting against Plan B said he would support the measures despite ‘big misgivings’.
Danny Kruger, a parliamentary private secretary to Cabinet member Michael Gove, said he would only back the measures ‘thus far and no further’.