Rift grows between Boris Johnson and ‘rogue’ scientists as they oppose his back-to-work call

BORIS Johnson has had to go out on a limb amid growing rifts with “rogue” scientists, it was claimed.

He is said to be irked by expert advisers opposing his back-to-work call.

Boris Johnson is said to be irked by expert advisers opposing his back-to-work call

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance was accused of making a point when he ­arrived in a face mask to address a Commons committee

Allies suspect they are creating alibis after Boris announced an independent inquiry into handling of the Covid crisis.

Senior officials sent a flurry of emails in the past few days distancing themselves from efforts to ease restrictions.

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance was accused of making a point when he ­arrived in a face mask to address a Commons committee. One minister said: “It wasn’t so much a face covering as an a*se-covering exercise.

 

“They are playing it ultra-safe on every score because they don’t want to be held to account at a later date.”

Sir Patrick told MPs there was “absolutely no reason” to drop advice to work from home, despite the PM warning it is crippling towns and cities.

The Government rejected suggestions of a rift.