Former UK health secretary Matt Hancock told aides he wanted to “scare everyone” to enforce Covid-19 restrictions, according to the latest leaks, which reveal discussions about when the UK government will announce new restrictions. writes The The. Guardian.

WhatsApp messages suggest that the then health minister and other officials discussed how to use messages about the Kent virus strain to scare the public into changing their behaviour.

“Fear is vital”

Reports in the Sunday Telegraph show that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case suggested in January 2021 that the “fear” factor would be “vital” in stopping the spread of the virus.

In December 2020, text messages revealed concerns among officials that London mayor Sadiq Khan could follow the example of Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, who fell out with the government over a decision to introduce strict isolation restrictions in the region.

A Hancock adviser said: “Instead of drawing more attention going forward, we can move forward with a new strain.”

• “We are scaring everyone with a new strain,” the Minister of Health replied at the time.
• “But the complications of Brexit come first,” he said, apparently referring to media coverage of Britain’s exit from the EU.
• “Yes, it will lead to appropriate behavioral changes,” the counselor said.
• “When we implement the new option,” Hancock replied.

The call, which took place on 13 December 2020, comes amid concerns about the rapid spread of the virus in the south-east of England. Hancock announced that a new variant of Covid-19 had been identified in the UK on 14 December.

Five days later it was announced that London and the south-east of England were to enter a new danger level 4, and then Prime Minister Boris Johnson also canceled the promised Christmas bubble policy, which allowed families to meet. On January 6, 2021, the whole of England introduced the third national quarantine.

Reports on January 10 show that Hancock and the cabinet secretary are discussing ways to ensure compliance.

Case wrote: “Perhaps the only thing worth considering is wearing more masks. It’s actually free and has a very noticeable impact. Do you wear masks everywhere outside the home and at work?”. “I’m not sure it got us much further, did it? Basically, we have to increase compliance.”

Hancock tells Case that “frankly, the little things aren’t going to move unless we move forward.” Case responded, “I think that’s for sure. Small things seem ridiculous. Increased messaging is a vital fear/guilt factor. I suspect the London Nightingale (hospital) will be used as a big public moment. Especially since I think it will be filled in a few days (according to current data).”

“Agenda Against Lockdown”

Journalist Isabelle Oakeshott first received the material from Hancock when they were collaborating on his memoirs. He condemned the leak as a “mass betrayal” aimed at supporting the “anti-lockdown agenda”.

In a statement this week, Hancock said all material for the book was submitted to the official Covid-19 investigation.

Oakeshott denied that disclosure was in the public interest. (Source: News.ro / Photo: Dreamstime.com)