According to Sir Patrick Vallance's pandemic diaries, experts were allegedly used as "human shields" by the UK Government, and officials selectively interpreted scientific data to justify their

decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sir Patrick Vallance, the Chief Scientific Adviser, who frequently appeared alongside ministers during press conferences, claimed that Downing Street often used the phrase "following the science" to rationalize its actions. Additionally, he accused an unnamed government official of significantly altering scientific guidance related to social distancing, an action he found "extraordinary."

The diaries, which were presented at the Covid-19 Inquiry in London, provided insights into the internal dynamics and decision-making processes of the government. Sir Patrick Vallance described the situation within No 10 as being "at war with itself," with Prime Minister Boris Johnson caught in the middle.

One recurring theme in Sir Patrick's diaries was his concern that scientific advice was sometimes rewritten or cherry-picked by government officials. He expressed unease about how decisions were being made, with ministers seeking answers from the science rather than making informed decisions based on expert advice.

The diaries also revealed frictions within the government and raised questions about the role of scientific advisory bodies. In one entry, Sir Patrick mentioned a meeting where Prime Minister Johnson expressed optimism about returning to normalcy by September. He also noted that ministers attempted to make scientific data align with their desired outcomes.

Sir Patrick Vallance's concerns extended to the handling of social distancing measures. He mentioned that someone had rewritten the scientific advice, essentially cherry-picking elements to create a different narrative. This manipulation of scientific guidance raised eyebrows and added to the growing concerns about the government's decision-making process.

The revelations in the diaries were shared as part of the second module of the Covid-19 Inquiry, which is exploring the government's actions and decisions during the pandemic. The lead counsel to the Inquiry, Hugo Keith KC, highlighted the toxic atmosphere, factional infighting, and internecine attacks on colleagues within the government, as evidenced by WhatsApp messages between government officials, including Boris Johnson and former Downing Street senior adviser Dominic Cummings.

The inquiry is also investigating whether the government acted with sufficient urgency and effectiveness in early 2020 when Covid cases began to rise globally. Keith suggested that a more proactive response during that period might have prevented some of the extraordinary and far-reaching decisions that were eventually made.

The hearing began with a poignant film featuring testimonies from individuals who had lost loved ones to Covid-19. One bereaved widower, Alan Handley, criticized government officials for flouting restrictions on the same day when fewer than a dozen people were permitted to attend his wife's funeral.

In conclusion, Sir Patrick Vallance's pandemic diaries have provided valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of managing the Covid-19 pandemic at the government level. The inquiry aims to draw lessons from the past to ensure a more effective response in the event of future pandemics. Photo by British Government, Wikimedia commons.