Inside Politics – Coronavirus special: Boris Johnson moving ‘too quickly’ to ease lockdown, say experts

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Monday 01 June 2020 08:01 BST

Shielding guidance may need to be extended beyond June, Jenrick says

Before he came to power, Boris Johnson had a go-to after-dinner speech in which he claimed his political hero was the mayor from Jaws. Johnson would joke how much he admired Amity Island’s leader for “keeping the beaches open” despite the obvious risk to life and limb. The joke takes on a grim irony now that Britain’s beaches are crammed dangerously full of people. As more restrictions are eased in England today, some of the government’s own scientists have suggested the PM may be pushing us too far and too fast out of lockdown. I’m Adam Forrest, and welcome to The Independent’s daily Inside Politics briefing during the coronavirus crisis.

Inside the bubble

Our political correspondent Lizzy Buchan on what to look out for today:

The fourth round of post-Brexit trade talks gets under way. The UK side is said to be increasingly frustrated by the slow pace of discussions, while EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier spent the weekend complaining about the British taking “steps back” on its commitments. Elsewhere, parliament’s procedure committee meets to discuss plans for new arrangements in the Commons ahead of MPs’ return on Tuesday.

Daily briefing

RISKY BUSINESS: Many believe we went into lockdown too slowly. Are we now attempting to emerge from it too quickly? Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said 2.2 million people still shielding would be able to go outside from today, while foreign secretary Dominic Raab defended England’s easing measures which see people allowed to meet in groups of up to six and some primary school years return. Although the Association of Directors of Public Health said ministers were “misjudging” the decision, Raab said: “We can’t stay in lockdown forever.” Professor John Edmunds was among several Sage members warning how “risky” it all was at the weekend. Sir Jeremy Farrar said the NHS test and trace system should be “fully working” before we try to move from alert level 4 to 3. Another Sage member, Professor Calum Semple, said: “Essentially we’re lifting the lid on a boiling pan and it’s just going to bubble over.”

FIRST DAY BACK NERVES: Around one million children – only half the number officially expected to return to primary school in England today – will be kept at home by anxious parents, according to a survey by the National Foundation for Education Research. The National Education Union (NEU) said it was “too soon” and accused the government of “making it up as it goes along” – claiming that guidance to reopen has been tweaked more than 40 times since early May. Children’s commissioner Anne Longfield has suggested summer schools be set up to help pupils catch up on work missed during lockdown. Speaking of playing catch-up, more than 205,000 coronavirus tests were available on Saturday, with health secretary Matt Hancock boasting of “an important milestone”. A rush to carry out thousands of tests for antibodies over the weekend helped the government to surpass its 200,000 target, at least for one day.

LAST CHANCE SALOON? Is the scandal over Dominic Cummings’ adventures in Durham now over? A group of 26 senior academics and health officials sent a letter to No 10 warning that public faith in lockdown had been “badly damaged” by Cummings’s trip, while an Opinium poll showed 81 per cent of Britons believe he broke the rules. There were no further revelations about his wayfaring ways, but The Mail on Sunday did report on Johnson’s apparent anger over the saga. The PM is said to have told his consigliere to keep a low profile – warning he’s on his “last chance”. The same newspaper claimed former chemistry teacher Robin Lees – who reported Cummings’ movements to the police – allegedly broke the rules himself (Lees has insisted he did not). Labour MP Rosie Duffield, meanwhile, stood down as party whip and apologised after admitting she breached restrictions by meeting her partner for a long walk while they were living separately.

TESTING THE UNREST: Sunday night saw more unrest in cities across the US over the police killing of George Floyd. Officials have urged demonstrators who have taken part in recent days to get tested or self-isolate. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said: “If you were out protesting … you probably need to go get a Covid test this week.” Donald Trump has blamed left-wing activists for the violent protests and declared his administration will designate the association of militant left-wing activists known as “Antifa” a terrorist organisation. Joe Biden pleaded for end to violence. “Protesting such brutality is right and necessary. It’s an utterly American response. But burning down communities and needless destruction is not.”

THE LOST PRINCE: Prince Joachim of Belgium has apologised for attending a party in Spain during lockdown. “I deeply regret my actions,” said the 28-year-old, who is sixth in line to the Danish throne. He contracted coronavirus after going to the shindig in Cordoba at the end of May (one of 27 people reportedly at the party). Spain does have reason to celebrate (responsibly, of course). The country has seen its lowest number of new coronavirus infections in almost three months, with just 96 new cases – and only two Covid-19 deaths – reported on Sunday.

FROM MOSCOW TO MANILA: More cities around the world are easing lockdown restrictions measures from today. People in Moscow will be able to take part in sport and leave their homes for long walks three days a week, while bookshops, launderettes and car dealerships reopen today. In the Philippines’ capital of Manila, the authorities are easing one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, with shops re-opening, public transport starting back up again and many returning to work for the first time since mid-March.

On the record

“This is weak and wrong. The world must not look away … The foreign secretary’s refusal to unequivocally condemn the killing of George Floyd was wrong.”

Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy condemns Dominic Raab.

From the Twitterati

“What the hell does Dominic Raab mean by ‘transitioning’ from Alert Level 4 to 3. We’re either one or the other, surely? This is no time to be alert-fluid.”

Piers Morgan politely suggests the government’s messaging is unclear...

“Dominic Raab’s coronavirus traffic light system seem to be stuck on red, amber and green.”

…and The Guardian’s John Crace suggests the same.