WhatsApp message revealed in Covid inquiry
A senior government scientist, Prof Dame Angela McClean, allegedly referred to former Chancellor Rishi Sunak as "Dr Death" in a WhatsApp message. The message, shown during the Covid inquiry, was sent to fellow expert Prof John Edmunds. The reference is believed to be related to Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which offered discounts to diners during the summer of 2020. Research suggests that the scheme may have contributed to the spread of the virus and led to a deadlier wave in the following winter.
Economy-boosting scheme
The Eat Out to Help Out scheme was introduced by Rishi Sunak in 2020 to boost the struggling restaurant industry after the first lockdown. Diners were offered discounts to eat in restaurants during the summer months. However, subsequent research has raised concerns that the scheme may have inadvertently fueled the spread of the virus.
Encouraging epidemiological risk
According to Prof John Edmunds, the scheme "encouraged people to take an epidemiological risk." It is believed that the discounts and increased social interactions contributed to a larger wave of infections during the winter months.
Rishi Sunak's tenure as Chancellor
Rishi Sunak became a prominent figure in the UK when he was appointed as Chancellor on February 13, 2020, just before the country entered its first lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. However, Sunak resigned from his position on July 5, 2022, citing the need for proper and competent governance.
