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Coronavirus: Boris Johnson's 'relaxed style could cost lives', says doctor MP

Emily Cleary
Updated ·4-min read
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in London, Britain March 22, 2020. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS
Boris Johnson’s 'relaxed' approach to coronavirus could cost lives, a doctor MP has warned. (Ian Vogler/Pool via Reuters)

Labour deputy leadership candidate Rosena Allin-Khan, a practising A&E doctor, has said Boris Johnson’s “relaxed” approach to coronavirus could cost lives.

The Tooting MP told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If we look at the fact that we are two weeks behind Italy, we are headed for a disaster if people do not heed the social distancing measures.

“The prime minister simply said yesterday he wants people to enjoy themselves outside while also saying that people should stay two metres apart outdoors.”

People enjoy the Spring sunshine on the seafront at Whitstable, east of London on Mother's Day, March 22, 2020. - Up to 1.5 million vulnerable people in Britain, identified as being most at risk from the coronavirus epidemic, should stay at home for at least 12 weeks, the government said Sunday. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Thousands of people visited the seaside town of Whitstable at the weekend despite the prime minister's advice on social distancing. (Ben Stansall/AFP)

The MP’s comments came as the number of confirmed UK coronavirus cases climbed to 5,683 on Sunday night, and the official death toll reached 281.

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DUDLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: L-R) Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting addresses the audience during the last Labour Party Deputy Leadership hustings at Dudley Town Hall on March 08, 2020 in Dudley, England. Ian Murray, Angela Rayner, Richard Burgon, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan and Dawn Butler are vying to become Labour's deputy leader following the departure of Tom Watson, who stood down in November last year. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting, said Boris Johnson's 'mixed messages could cost lives'. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Allin-Khan added: “This relaxed-style mixed messaging will cost lives and I believe people are struggling to follow guidelines because they are just not clear.”

She confirmed she would support a “full lockdown” if that was proven to be the way to save lives.

On Monday morning, Johnson called again for people to stay at home, tweeting: “If you don’t follow these instructions, you are putting people’s lives at risk: You must stay at home to protect our NHS and save lives. #StayHomeSaveLives”

Health secretary Matt Hancock rejected the suggestion current policy was risking lives in an interview on Monday morning.

He said: “If you’d seen how hard the prime minister is working, like I have, every day from first thing in the morning until last thing at night, we are doing everything we possibly can to keep people safe.

“And the actions that we have taken over the last week are unprecedented. And taking those decisions is a huge thing.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: People are seen walking on Clapham Common on March 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged that people don't visit their parents this Mothering Sunday to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has killed 233 people in the UK. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Crowds of people are pictured walking on Clapham Common on Saturday 22 March 22 after Boris Johnson urged people to stay at least two metres apart. (Peter Summers/Getty Images)
AYLESBURY VALE, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: A full car park at Coombe Hill which is owned by the National Trust on March 22, 2020 in Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire. - Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to at least 188 countries, claiming over 13,000 lives and infecting more than 300,000 people. There have now been 5,018 diagnosed cases in the UK and 240 deaths. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The National Trust has closed its parks after thousands of visitors descended upon its properties on Saturday. (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Allin-Khan’s comments come after she told the House of Commons last week about visiting her father in a care home during the outbreak, and called for Johnson to “scale up the response" to the epidemic.

She said: “Last night I visited my father in a care home and I'm acutely aware I may have fed him for the very last time. We are in unprecedented times.

“I would like to know where was the forward-planning for PPE [personal protective equipment] for our NHS and care staff? Where is the testing for medics? Why are we waiting so long for mass testing? And why are social distancing measures merely just suggestions?

“Prime minister, it is right that we have all put party loyalty aside to work together during this time of national crisis, but we must scale up the response. Without good leadership people in this country will start to panic. There must be no more time for delay – the time to act is now.”

After the speech, Johnson thanked Allin-Khan for her service in the NHS and said: “We have stockpiles of PPE equipment and we're proceeding in accordance with the best scientific advice.”

The Prime Minister has advised people in Britain to stay at home and avoid social contact, but has stopped short of enforcing a complete lockdown.

At the weekend people were pictured clustered together in parks and on beaches.