What Sir Patrick Vallance REALLY thought during Covid: Explosive extracts of No10’s ex-chief scientist, who kept diaries at ‘the end of immensely stressful days to protect his mental health’
New extracts from Sir Patrick Vallance’s explosive pandemic diaries have been revealed today as part of the Covid inquiry.
The notes of No10’s former chief scientific advisor are described as ‘a brain dump’, written ‘at the end of hugely stressful days to protect his mental health’.
In excerpts published today, Sir Patrick confirmed he had done so is clashing with England’s Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty, who he described as a ‘delayer’ when it came to introducing Covid curbs.
In the early days of the pandemic, he said then Prime Minister Boris Johnson was being “fooled” by scientific models.
And Rishi Sunak said it was ‘all about dealing with the scientists’ rather than managing the virus outbreak at a meeting when he was Chancellor, his notes show.
Here, MailOnline reveals some extracts…
The notes from No10’s former chief scientific adviser (pictured today) are described as ‘a brain dump’, written ‘at the end of hugely stressful days to protect his mental health’.
In excerpts published today, Sir Patrick confirmed he had clashed with England’s Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty, who he described as a “delayer” when it came to bringing in Covid curbs. In the early days of the pandemic, he said then Prime Minister Boris Johnson was being “fooled” by scientific models. And Rishi Sunak said it was ‘all about dealing with the scientists’ rather than managing the virus outbreak at a meeting when he was Chancellor, his notes show.
Sir Patrick also revealed he had clashed with England’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Sir Chris Whitty (left), who he described as a ‘slower’
Chris Whitty ‘I thought Covid would be under control’
In January 2020: ‘Chris thought it would be under control. PM “my feeling tells me this will be fine”. MH (Matt Hancock) — desperate to take ownership and lead. Prime Minister still optimistic. CW (Sir Chris) more cautious (about the knock-on effects of lockdown) than I am.’
Boris Johnson has been ‘clearly cheated’
On May 4, 2020, Sir Patrick wrote: ‘Late afternoon meeting with Prime Minister about schools. My God, this is complicated and models won’t provide the answer. PM has clearly been fooled.”
No.10 didn’t understand the science behind the 2m rule
On June 11, 2020: ‘No. 10. Chaos as usual. On Friday the two meter rule meeting made it abundantly clear that no one in Number 10 or the Cabinet has actually read the scientific advice on two meters or is taking the time to understand it. Very special.’
No10 ‘wants science to be changed’
On June 19, 2020: ‘No10 is pushing hard for the release of measures – including clubs and bars. They push very hard and want the science to be changed. We have to hold on to our hats. There will probably be a second peak.”
Rishi Sunak said: ‘It’s all about dealing with the scientists’
On July 2, 2020: ‘At the economic meeting earlier in the day they didn’t realize the CMO (Sir Chris) was there and Cx (then Chancellor Rishi Sunak) said ‘It’s all about dealing with the scientists, not dealing with the virus. They then became confused when the CMO later intervened and they realized he had been there all along. Premier bawled and waved for five minutes to hide his embarrassment.”
Nicola Sturgeon ‘breaks ranks’ with face mask guidance at school
On August 24, 2020: ‘Scotland breaking ranks on face coverings and schools, despite the CMO (Sir Chris) working hard to get all CMOs on the same page with a very good statement released the day before.’
Dominic Cummings said he does not want ‘unrealistic Hancockian timetables’
On September 7, 2020: ‘DC says “we don’t want unrealistic Hancockian timetables.”
Boris Johnson said: ‘we are too bad to get our act together’
On September 20, 2020: ‘5 hour meeting with the Prime Minister. He returned from the Battle of Britain memorial service and was saddened to see everyone separated and wearing masks – “contrived and creepy, we have to put an end to it.” Starts challenging numbers and questioning whether they actually translate into deaths. Says it’s not exponential etc. Looked broken – head in hands often. “Is it because of the great libertarian nation that we are that this is spreading so much.” “Maybe we’re being licked as a species.” “We have to do our best to get our affairs in order.” We were going around in circles.”
Boris Johnson said Covid is ‘nature’s way of dealing with old people’
On December 14, 2020, Sir Patrick wrote: ‘PM said he acted early and the public is behind him (but not his party). He says his party “thinks the whole thing is pathetic and that Covid is just nature’s way of dealing with old people – and I’m not entirely sure I disagree with them. Many moderate people find it a bit too much. about opinion polls.’
Chris Whitty was a ‘slower’
On February 7, 2021, Sir Patrick wrote: ‘CMO (Sir Chris) spoke afterwards about investigation – lockdown was too late in March, we should have known (he was a delay of course). Sorry for the re-press – “fatigue”, “herd immunity”, “20,000” and the graphs. We have learned a lot.’
Finance accused of ‘pure dogma’
On October 26, 2021: ‘Economic forecasts. HMT (the Treasury) says the economy is close to normal and that Plan B would cost £18 billion. No proof. No transparency. Pure dogma and wrong everywhere.’