Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied that the public are now less likely to abide by restrictions because of the personal lockdown decisions by his chief aide, Dominic Cummings.

At the Commons Liaison Committee, Conservative MP for North Dorset, Simon Hoare told the PM the nation will be “far less energetic” about obeying future restrictions as “a direct result of the activities of your senior adviser”.

Mr Hoare asked what MPs should tell constituents who ask “if other people don’t abide by it why on earth should we” because “we know what your views are, frankly Prime Minister, I don’t think anybody understands why you hold those views”.

Mr Johnson replied: “I don’t think that’s true about how the British people will respond to the next phases, to how to work the test and trace system, I don’t think that’s how they responded at all throughout the crisis.

 

“If, just suppose for a second that you were right, which I don’t accept, all the more reason now for us to be consistent and clear in our message driving those key messages.”

Mr Johnson, who was questioned by the Commons Liaison Committee on Wednesday, said: “Quite frankly I’m not certain – right now – that an inquiry into that matter is a very good use of official time.

“We are working flat out on coronavirus.”

Asked whether the Government’s “moral authority” had been undermined by Mr Cummings’ actions and his own defence of them, Mr Johnson said: “I, of course, am deeply sorry for all the hurt and pain and anxiety that people have been going through throughout this period – this country has been going through a frankly most difficult time.

“We are asking people to do quite exceptionally tough things, separating them from their families.”

Mr Johnson said he would not be adding to his previous comments on Mr Cummings and said the public wanted politicians to focus on “uniting our message” and “focusing on their needs”.

The Prime Minister used his appearance at the committee – made up of the chairmen and women of Commons select committees – to announce that NHS England’s test and trace system would be up and running from Thursday.

The scheme will see people who have been in contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus ordered to self-isolate for 14 days.

Meanwhile the toll of deaths linked to the virus rose to almost 48,000.