Government ignored Sage advice, despite claims it ‘follows’ science

Newly released documents reveal UK’s science advisers called for immediate lockdown three weeks ago

The UK government has disregarded advice from experts on its Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies after months of claiming it was “following the science” during the coronavirus crisis.

According to newly released documents from the group, scientists called for the immediate introduction of a short “circuit-breaker” lockdown three weeks ago as part of a package of interventions to prevent an “exponential rise in cases”.