BORIS Johnnson’s Covid self-isolation U-turn is a “monumental and dangerous failure of leadership”, the SNP have said.
The Prime Minister, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, had initially said they weren’t going to self-isolate after being alerted by NHS contact tracers.
The pair had intended to skip quarantine by taking part in a pilot testing scheme, but after a huge backlash the decision was reversed.
It followed the news that Health Secretary Savid Javid had tested positive for Covid-19, and as close contacts both Johnson and Sunak were both contacted by the NHS.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak U-turn on plan to skip self-isolation
The SNP have accused Johnson of “breath-taking arrogance” following the U-turn.
SNP Westminster Ian Blackford said: “Blundering Boris Johnson is guilty of yet another monumental and dangerous failure of leadership – a hallmark of his chaotic and corrupt Government.
“He clearly labours under the mistaken belief that necessary rules which apply to everyone else do not affect him and his cabal of entitled chums like chancellor Rishi Sunak.
"We know from the previous Dominic Cummings catastrophe at Barnard Castle that chaotic Covid messaging from Government results in a public breakdown in trust and understanding that, in turn, can ultimately cost lives.
“Johnson’s U-turn to self-isolate only happened because of the predictable and justified public backlash. Yet again, he is guilty of breath-taking arrogance and a cavalier disregard of public health.
“Meanwhile, as Covid infection rates continue to spiral, his decision to press ahead this week with the full removal of almost every Covid restriction increasingly looks reckless.”
On Twitter, Sunak suggested that the reversal was due to an angry public backlash.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak's isolation U-turn intensifies backlash
He said: “Whilst the test and trace pilot is fairly restrictive, allowing only essential government business, I recognise that even the sense that the rules aren’t the same for everyone is wrong.
“To that end I’ll be self-isolating as normal and not taking part in the pilot.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has been contacted to say he is a contact of someone with Covid.
“He was at Chequers when contacted by Test and Trace and will remain there to isolate. He will not be taking part in the testing pilot.
“He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely. The Chancellor has also been contacted and will also isolate as required and will not be taking part in the pilot.”
Johnson, Sunak and Javid will all now have to self-isolate during England’s so-called “freedom day” when Covid restrictions end.
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