UK PM candidate Sunak says it was wrong to 'empower' scientists during Covid-19

UK PM candidate Rishi Sunak, on Thursday, said that it was wrong of the government to have 'empowered' scientists during the coronavirus pandemic. He also said that the downsides of the lockdown are suppressed. He said that his objection to closing schools was met with silence at one meeting. The Conservative party candidate said that it was a mistake to have allowed the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) to have so much influence over decision-making to close nurseries, schools and colleges in March 2020. 

After Boris Johnson was forced to step down as PM and leader of the party following scandals and missteps, the Conservative Party is now in the process of choosing a new leader. Sunak and Liz Truss are in the run for the final race. Sunak revealed that he was not a part of discussions of 'trade-offs' or the repercussions of the lockdown like missed doctors' appointments and lengthening health waiting lists at the National Health Service (NHS). 

“The script was: ‘oh there’s no trade-off, because doing this for our health is good for the economy’,.” Sunak said. He added that if the 'trade-offs had been acknowledged, different decisions would have been made on things like schools. Sunak's remark comes at the heels of his pledging to set up a multibillion-pound research programme for scientists if he became prime minister