‘Who’s dead? I’m not’: Lord Alan Sugar says lockdown should end because nobody he knows has died

42,153 people are currently known to have died of Covid-19 in the UK

Lord Alan Sugar has been accused of making “tone deaf” comments about coronavirus after suggesting that lockdown should end in the UK because none of his friends had died.

Appearing on Jeremy Vine’s Channel 5 show via video link from his home in Florida, the Apprentice star shared his thoughts on Covid-19 lockdown measures being dialled back.

“Look, I’m not a doctor and I don’t want to be giving medical advice and all that stuff,” the former Labour peer began.

“The only thing I can say is that I have been here in Florida for six months and so I have lived through the crisis. The shortage of ventilators, the no masks available, the no body wear available, the hospital beds being full up, blah blah blah.”

Explaining how restaurants and recreation facilities were now open at 50 per cent capacity in Florida, Sugar continued: “This has been going on now for six weeks, so I just logically say, well hold on, six weeks, we’ve come out of this so called lockdown.

“Who’s dead? I’m not, I’m still alive. My wife, thank god, is still alive, so’s everybody else I know. No one else has caught anything.

“I suppose it’s a bit of a clue there that maybe we’ve reached a peak and maybe it’s time for us to follow the example of America or indeed France or Spain that have opened up. I think Prime Minister Johnson unfortunately had a problem himself and I think he’s being a little bit too cautious if you ask me.”

Sugar’s comments angered viewers at home, who accused the TV personality of disrespecting the 42,153 people who are known to have died of coronavirus in the UK, with that number rising by 184 on Wednesday (17 June).

Additionally, many restaurants in Florida have been forced to close this week after experiencing a second wave of infections, breaking records set when the pandemic began in March.

“Is there not a point where you think contributors just aren’t smart enough to appear, regardless of their fame/position,” one critic wrote. “Florida’s lost 3,000 people: ‘Nobody I know is dead, therefore we’ve peaked’ is dangerously stupid. This clip’s worse than worthless.”

Another social media user tweeted: “Who’s dead???? 42k plus people have died!! I’m sure their families are suffering enough without you dismissing their loved ones death! How absolutely tone deaf are you to the whole nation?!?”

“‘It’s inconveniencing me, and I’ve not lost anyone, so let’s get back to normal’, tells you everything you need to know about him,” another critic wrote.