Boris Johnson refuses to apologise for ‘gross incompetence’ leading to restrictions
Prime minister sidesteps question by reiterating plan to keep economy going while suppressing spread of virus
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has refused to apologise for the government’s “gross incompetence” as the prime minister announced new restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Speaking in the Commons, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Edward Davey, asked the prime minister to apologise for its failures in the Test & Trace system and its lack of clear communication.
He said: "There was one major omission from the prime minister’s statement: an apology.
“So will the government now apologise for gross incompetence over testing, over tracing, over clear communications that have led to these latest restrictions on people’s daily lives?”
The prime minister avoided addressing Mr Davey’s question by talking about the government’s plan to keep the economy going while suppressing the spread of the virus.
After asking the prime minister to apologise, Mr Davey asked how the government would support those who could imminently lose their jobs and businesses.
Mr Johnson replied by saying the plan was to “continue to keep the economy moving" while suppressing the R number, or rate of infection, through the government’s newly announced restrictions.
He asked: “That is our policy, does he support it?”
In his address to the Commons, Mr Johnson warned the UK was at a “perilous turning point” in the battle against the coronavirus.
He said the government was abandoning efforts to get more workers back into officers, ordered wider use of face masks and imposed a 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants.
He also warned the new curbs could last for six months, taking them well beyond Christmas and into next year, "unless we palpably make progress".
The prime minister also announced tougher enforcement measures, with businesses facing fines or closure for failing to comply with coronavirus rules and people facing £200 penalties for failing to wear masks where required or breaching the "rule of six".
More follows
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments