Dominic Cummings: No. 10 denies ‘let old people die’ claim
Boris Johnson’s advisor accused of having opposed measures to protect vulnerable during coronavirus outbreak
Reports that Dominic Cummings suggested it was just “too bad” if pensioners died as a result of the coronavirus outbreak are a “highly defamatory fabrication”, Downing Street has said.
An article in yesterday’s The Sunday Times claimed the prime minister’s chief adviser had argued against stricter social distancing measures at a “private event” at the end of February.
What is Cummings alleged to have said?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Some of those present at the event summarised Cummings’ take on the government’s strategy as “herd immunity, protect the economy, and if that means some pensioners die, too bad”, claims The Sunday Times.
Cummings was “convinced that Britain would be better able to resist a lethal second wave of the disease” next winter if the prediction by England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty that 60% to 80% of the population would become infected “was right” and that these people would develop immunity as a result, says the newspaper.
There have been wider criticisms of the government for its initially slow response to contain the virus owing to an alleged initial emphasis on this strategy. The phrase “herd immunity” was used by official figures including Patrick Vallance, England’s chief scientific adviser, and David Halpern, head of the government’s influential behavioural science unit.
Halpern told the BBC that the plan was to “cocoon” the elderly and other at-risk groups from the spread of the virus.
“Communities will become immune to it and that’s going to be an important part of controlling this longer term,” Vallance told Sky News earlier this month. “About 60% is the sort of figure you need to get herd immunity.”
However, ministers have since denied that herd immunity was ever part of the government’s plan.
Meanwhile, Cummings has now become “the most outspoken advocate” of tough social distancing measures, says The Sunday Times.
“Dominic himself had a conversion,” a senior Tory source is quoted by the newspaper as saying. “He’s gone from ‘herd immunity and let the old people die’, to ‘let’s shut down the country and the economy’.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What has Downing Street said?
No. 10 has been criticised for offering anonymous briefings to favoured journalists in recent times. But Downing Street officials have gone on the record to deny the claims about Cummings, saying the Times article had not been seen in advance and contained “invented” quotes.
“This is a highly defamatory fabrication which was not put to No. 10 by The Sunday Times before publication. The article also includes a series of apparent quotes from meetings which are invented,” said a government spokesperson.
Cummings has also personally denied the allegations. Asked by Reuters on Monday morning whether he had said the quote attributed to him and whether the report was accurate, the top advisor replied: “No. Of course not. No.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Less than total recall
Editor's Letter Why our brains want to forget the darkest days of the pandemic
By Theunis Bates Published
-
'A wonky bureaucratic tweak has dramatically changed how Americans drive'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
'Making Russia pay for its aggression with its own assets has undeniable moral and practical appeal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published