• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • FAQ
  • Meet the Team
  • About The London Economic
  • Advertise
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
NEWSLETTER
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Film
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Film
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Johnson facing calls for transparency over handling of coronavirus outbreak

“I cannot say this strongly enough: Ministers need to stop anonymously briefing journalists and start speaking directly to the public", Lord Barwell said.

Jack Peat by Jack Peat
March 15, 2020
in Politics

Boris Johnson has been criticised over how the Government communicates plans to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak and faced calls for greater transparency.

The Prime Minister was under increased pressure to publish the data Downing Street was relying on to make decisions on how to counteract the spread of Covid-19.

There was criticism over how individual journalists and publications were learning Government plans before they are announced to the wider public.

Over-70s

Mr Johnson faced calls to increase press conferences to detail plans and face questioning as it emerged over-70s could be told “in the coming weeks” to stay at home for up to four months.

In a televised interview on Sunday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the proposal as well as another move to give police powers to arrest sick citizens who are not self-isolating.

However, both proposals had already been learned by individual reporters while Mr Hancock wrote an article on tackling the pandemic for the Telegraph, which initially published it online under a paywall.

Ministers need to start speaking directly to the public

Theresa May’s former chief of staff Lord Barwell said: “I cannot say this strongly enough: Ministers need to stop anonymously briefing journalists and start speaking directly to the public.

RelatedPosts

Ex-Brexit Party MEP says Johnson’s deal has left her fishing business ‘on its knees’

Angela Merkel is responsible for Brexit, The Telegraph reckons

Sir Keir Starmer is self-isolating – for the THIRD time

Sturgeon vows to hold indyref2 if SNP wins in May – whether Boris likes it or not

“Trust in government is going to be vital during the difficult months ahead and it is best fostered by transparency, not off-the-record briefing.”

Some in the scientific community have criticised Government plans not to quickly impose stringent restrictions to limit the disease’s spread.

Modelling

Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called for the Government to publish its modelling so a wider pool of experts can scrutinise the plans.

“I just need to understand better why the Government is taking a different approach, based on its science, from other countries and I think that’s why it is so important that all the scientific modelling, for example, is published,” he told Sky’s Ridge On Sunday.

“If things have changed since the Prime Minister’s press conference on Thursday, then the Prime Minister should be doing another press conference today and explaining why things have changed.”

Daily press conference

Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite to lead the Labour Party, called for a “daily press conference” over the virus to be hosted by the PM or a minister.

“I am deeply concerned that over the past 48 hours ministers have been failing in their responsibilities to provide consistent and transparent public health advice,” he said.

“To allow anonymous and speculative briefings to journalists about a significant step-change in the Government’s response to the outbreak is irresponsible.”

Shambles

Fellow leadership contender Lisa Nandy accused the Government of being in a “shambles” over its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is causing serious concern out in the public. People just don’t know what to do for the best,” she told the Andrew Marr Show on the BBC.

“This is a public health crisis and so the public must have confidence in the strategy the Government is following.”

Mr Hancock said ministers will publish modelling over the pandemic “in the coming days” but said scientists had been “extremely busy” when pressed on the delay.

“Of course there’s a lively debate about what’s the best course of action. The scientific evidence is absolutely critical in underpinning our response,” he told Ridge.

Related: Sainsbury’s chief: “If we shop just for food we and our families need, there will be enough”

Since you are here

Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.

Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.

Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.

If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.

To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.

The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.

The shop can be found here.

You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .

Support fearless, free, investigative journalism Support fearless, free, investigative journalism Support fearless, free, investigative journalism
Please login to join discussion

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending fromTLE

  • All
  • trending

Stress, fear and homelessness: The threat looming over families confronted with eviction

File photo dated 07/11/03 of a prison cell.

The other prison pandemic

Credit;PA

Repressionomics: Get ready for the new permanent austerity

Latest from TLE

Set For Life Results Monday 25th January 2021

Scandal-hit retailer Boohoo buys Debenhams, putting 12,000 jobs at risk

Ex-Brexit Party MEP says Johnson’s deal has left her fishing business ‘on its knees’

Workers with Covid ‘too scared’ to get tested due to lack of cash support, Dido Harding says

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

Address

The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE
Company number 09221879
International House,
24 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BN,
United Kingdom

Contact

Editorial enquiries, please contact: jack@thelondoneconomic.com

Commercial enquiries, please contact: advertise@thelondoneconomic.com

SUPPORT

We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall. If you can, please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real, independent, investigative journalism.

DONATE & SUPPORT

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Film
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech & Auto
  • About The London Economic
  • Meet the Team
  • Privacy policy

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.