Government chief scientist ‘was told off’ for proposing lockdown

Patrick Vallance reportedly said he received a ‘telling off’ by senior officials and Chris Whitty

The government’s chief scientific adviser claims he received a “telling off” by senior officials after arguing in favour of a full lockdown before ministers agreed to the restrictions.

In an email to fellow officials obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request, Patrick Vallance said he “argued stronger than anyone for action for lockdown” and received a “telling off” for this from the chief medical officer Chris Whitty and then-cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill.