Inside Politics: AstraZeneca vaccine ‘safe and effective’, says Boris Johnson

The PM is urging the public to have confidence in the jab after the regulator find a possible link to rare blood clots, writes Adam Forrest

(PA)

There’s nothing like fear of the unknown. The theoretical physicist Michio Kaku thinks Nasa’s new super telescope could lead to contact with alien civilisation. The scientist thinks the aliens would probably be “friendly”, but can’t quite be sure. Both Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer are telling the public there’s no need to fear the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. But the unknowns around the jab are causing consternation. The government’s scientists can’t quite be sure of blood clot links, so have recommended that under-30s are offered an alternative jab.

Inside the bubble

Policy correspondent Jon Stone on what to look out for today:

Ministers and government scientists will take to the airwaves to assure the public that AstraZeneca vaccine is safe. The Northern Ireland Assembly has been recalled early to discuss recent violence in the province. And Labour leader Keir Starmer is paying a visit to Bristol to campaign for the local election with mayor Marvin Rees.

Daily briefing

DON’T PANIC: Boris Johnson is in reassurance mode, telling the public that the AstraZeneca vaccine remains safe and had “saved thousands of lives”. The government’s vaccine advisory body recommended that under-30s are offered an alternative jab, due to the evidence linking it to rare blood clots. The medicines regulator revealed that 79 people had suffered such clots after the AstraZeneca jab, 19 of whom had died. Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer, described the move as a “course correction”, while health secretary Matt Hancock said the vaccine is “safe, effective and that the benefits far outweigh the risks”. Labour Keir Starmer also urged everyone to “trust in our doctors and scientists” and said he was looking forward to getting his second AstraZeneca dose. Tory MP and health committee chair Jeremy Hunt claimed that being over cautious with the jab will “cost more lives than it saves” – but predicted people in line for the jab would “be sensibly British and keep calm and carry on”.

SUNSET SONG: Boris Johnson’s chances of getting vaccine passports through parliament has suffered another big blow, after the SNP announced it opposes the scheme as it stands. “The Tory position has been mired in confusion and contradiction,” said Westminster leader Ian Blackford. Keir Starmer branded the plans “a complete mess”, claiming the PM had failed to make clear certificates would be required to enter pubs or non-essential shops. Legislation now being considered by Downing Street would have “sunset” clauses to reassure rebel Tory MPs that the measures would be “explicitly temporary”, according to The Telegraph. Attention may switch to diplomatic drama today, after Myanmar’s ambassador in London spent the night in his car – claiming he had been locked out of his own embassy. Kyaw Zwar Minn, who has called for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, said he had been asked to leave. The Foreign Office said it was “seeking clarification” on his current status.

FUEL THE FIRE: Boris Johnson has expressed his “deep concern” after yet another night of violence in Northern Ireland. Police were attacked and a bus set on fire in in Belfast, where hundreds of youths from loyalist and nationalist areas threw petrol bombs at each other over a peace wall. “The way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality,” said the PM. The province’s executive will meet again today. Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill, the deputy FM, said: “Those involved in violence, criminal damage, manipulation of our young people and attacks on the police must stop.” Will the parties be able to stop blaming each other? It comes as the EU ambassador to the UK chucked in his tuppenceworth on the NI protocol. Joao Vale de Almeida said unionist politicians who have fumed against the Irish Sea trade border must focus on making arrangements work. He added that the EU would work with the UK to “make [the protocol] even more flexible” – but insisted its basic principles would have to stay.

THE CABLE GUY: A fresh lobbying scandal for the Tories? It has emerged that a cabinet minister expressed his support for a £1.2bn energy cable scheme after he was lobbied by the cable company’s co-owner – who just so happened to be a Tory donor. Correspondence between business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Alexander Temerko over Aquind’s plan to build a cable under the English Channel has been revealed by The Times. In one 2020 letter to Temerko, Kwarteng said “please be assured that our support for the project remains”. In another letter he signed off with the friendly message: “PS, excellent to see you at [the Conservative] conference this year!” Elsewhere, Labour has accused Boris Johnson of breaching the ministerial code over a political attack he made on Sadiq Khan at a Covid press conference. Deputy leader Angela Rayner has written to the Cabinet Office secretary Simon Case demanding an investigation into the incident, after the PM claimed the London mayor was “blowing” Transport for London’s finances.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: Gavin Williamson has been accused of “jumping to wild assumptions” and stirring up a moral panic after he said mobile phones should be banned from schools because lockdown has affected children’s “discipline and order”. Long periods at home have turned kids into rowdy little fiends, the education secretary suggested. He told The Telegraph phones should not be “used or seen during the school day”, adding that they distract from “good old-fashioned play”. The teaching unions are having absolutely none of it. Geoff Barton, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, said Williamson needs to “do his homework” (again). “Heads are reporting a sense of calm and co-operation from students that is deeply impressive.” Barton added: “There is much that the education secretary could be getting on with, rather than jumping to wild assumptions about school behaviour.” The Children’s Society said Williamson “completely misses the bigger issue, which is children’s well-being”.

CHAOS VIA CARDIFF? Plaid Cymru are obviously fed-up with the SNP getting all the attention. The party announced its plan to hold a Welsh independence referendum within five years if it wins power in May’s Senedd election. Plaid leader Adam Price said independence was the only sure way to “achieve social and economic progress”. Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies claimed a referendum “would plunge Wales into chaos”. Speaking of chaos agents, Alex Salmond was accused of “spinning” for Russia after he refused to say whether Putin’s regime was responsible for the novichok poisonings in Salisbury in 2018. Refusing to give a yes or no reply, Salmond said “evidence came forward [that was] contested”. Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael said Salmond “has been reduced to an apologist for the Putin regime”. The latest Savanta ComRes poll puts Nicola Sturgeon’s party one seat short of a majority – with Salmond’s Alba party said to be denying the SNP precious votes.

On the record

“We do not support the government’s plans in their current form – it’s as simple as that … It’s a complete mess.”

Keir Starmer on vaccine passport plans.

From the Twitterati

“This press conference is not highlighting how the AZ vaccine is dangerous to under 30s. It is highlighting how Covid is not dangerous to under 30s.”

Dan Hodges says under 30s are at very little risk…

“To be fair to the vaccine very few things in Britain work for the under 30s.”

…and singer Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly says young people get screwed every time.

Essential reading

Andrew Grice, the Independent:Tory MPs are realising the vaccine isn’t the ‘cavalry’ Boris Johnson promised

Tom Peck, The Independent:Would ‘more discipline’ make Gavin Williamson better at his job?

Ailbhe Rea, The Independent:Violence in Northern Ireland shows Brexit isn’t done

Mark Mellman, The Hill:The Republican party’s Trump problem isn’t going away

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