One of Britain’s top scientists has quit the government’s pandemic advisory body, warning the COVID crisis is “a long way from over” and that the situation in the UK is “concerning”.
Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, quit the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) at the end of October.
Sky News can reveal that Sir Jeremy was advocating for a “vaccine plus” strategy to curb the high levels of transmission seen in the UK.
His plan called for more mask wearing, ventilation and continued coronavirus testing to get the nation through what some experts predict will be a difficult winter.
But the government has so far declined to take this route and has not yet adopted a COVID Plan B – tougher measures designed to curb the spread of the virus.
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Chief scientist: ‘Difficult winter ahead’
In a statement to Sky News Sir Jeremy revealed the “huge pressure” that SAGE came under during the pandemic.
Experts have previously suggested that ministers have pushed back against scientific advice in a bid to prevent long-term damage to the UK economy, making the job of advisers difficult.
He said: “The COVID-19 crisis is a long way from over, with the global situation deeply troubling.
“The high levels of transmission seen in the UK remain concerning, but I stepped down as a participant of SAGE knowing ministers had been provided with most of the key science advice needed over the winter months.
“Throughout this crisis SAGE has provided vital evidence, and independent, expert, transparent advice to support the UK response, often under huge pressure.”
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He added: “My focus now must be on our work at Wellcome. This includes supporting the international research effort to end the pandemic, ensuring the world is better prepared for inevitable future infectious disease threats, and making the case so the full potential of science is realised to inform and drive change against all the urgent health threats we face globally.”
In July of this year, Sir Jeremy said he “seriously considered resigning from SAGE” nearly a year before, after the government chose not to introduce a lockdown in September 2020.
Today, the government has updated the list of SAGE and SAGE sub group participants but Sir Jeremy remains on the list.
Sky News has contacted the government for comment.
