Government backed using 'herd immunity' to combat Covid-19, Dominic Cummings says

23 May 2021, 08:31 | Updated: 23 May 2021, 08:33

Dominic Cummings has claimed the Government originally wanted to use herd immunity
Dominic Cummings has claimed the Government originally wanted to use herd immunity. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

Dominic Cummings has said the Government originally intended to let Covid-19 spread in an attempt to build "herd immunity" - despite their claims to the contrary.

Boris Johnson's former top adviser said that when the disease emerged in early 2020, the plan had been to develop resistance in the population in the months leading up to September.

In a series of tweets he said that it was only abandoned in early March after Downing Street was warned that it would lead to a "catastrophe".

Mr Cummings' latest intervention comes as he prepares to give evidence on Wednesday to MPs on the Commons health and science committees who are investigating the Government's response to the pandemic.

READ MORE: More than 50 million doses of coronavirus vaccine now given in England

READ MORE: Surge testing in new London areas after Indian variant found

Downing Street is braced for a potentially highly damaging onslaught following his acrimonious departure from No 10 at the end of last year.

In a foretaste of what to expect, he said that there may have been no need for any lockdowns if the country had had the "the right preparations and competent people in charge".

Matt Hancock has previously denied claims
Matt Hancock has previously denied claims. Picture: PA

Instead he said that at the beginning of March last year, the plan had been "herd immunity" and that claims to the contrary by Health Secretary Matt Hancock were "bullshit".

He also strongly attacked the media for accepting the Government's denials.

"Media generally abysmal on Covid but even I've been surprised by one thing: how many hacks have parroted Hancock's line that 'herd immunity wasn't the plan' when 'herd immunity by September' was 'literally the official plan in all documents/graphs/meetings' until it was ditched," he tweeted

"Yes the media is often incompetent but something deeper is at work: much of SW1 (the Westminster postcode) was happy to believe Hancock's bullshit that 'it's not the plan' so they didn't have to face the shocking truth. Most political hacks believe in 'the system'...

"In week of March 9, No10 was made aware by various people that the official plan would lead to catastrophe. It was then replaced by Plan B. But how 'herd immunity by September' could have been the plan until that week is a fundamental issue in the whole disaster."

JCVI member urges caution over easing amid vaccine extension

At the time, the Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, had said that if they tried to suppress the disease "very, very hard" it would simply bounce back when restrictions were released.

Instead he suggested the aim was to "build up some kind of herd immunity" so more people were resistant to the disease and transmission was reduced.

In his tweets, Mr Cummings said there had been "so much lock down confusion".

"Obviously they're 'destructive'. But if you have to do it because alternative is 'hundreds of thousands choking to death and no NHS for months for everybody else and economy sunk because everybody hiding in terror' then earlier/harder is better for health AND economy," he said.

"If we'd had the right preparations and competent people in charge, we would probably have avoided lockdown 1, 'definitely' no need for lockdowns 2 and 3.

"Given the plan was AWOL/disaster and awful decisions delayed everything, lockdown 1 became necessary."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Scale of King Charles' earnings exposed as royals rake in 'millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS and military

Royal earnings exposed as King 'earns millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS, military and state schools

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks speaks for the first time

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks breaks silence 20 years on

Police Line Do Not Cross ribbon on a London street following a suspected bomb reported in the area.

Schoolgirl, 10, dies after being bitten by family dog in North Yorkshire as police launch launch investigation

WATCH: Three family members of Sara Sharif were arrested at Gatwick Airport for her muder

WATCH: Moment police board plane and arrest fugitive family of schoolgirl Sara Sharif on suspicion of murder

Craig pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual offences against a teenage pupil

Ex-teacher jailed after he 'groomed' and sexually assaulted pupil in classroom cupboard

A 22-year-old woman died from a stab injury at Spenlow House on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey

Boy, 17, jailed for stabbing woman, 22, to death in 'laughing gas-fuelled row' on Christmas Eve

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'people we want to bring back to Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn