Boris Johnson's lockdown easing measures are 'dangerous'

A group of independent scientists has branded Boris Johnson’s lockdown-easing “dangerous” and warned further local Covid-19 epidemics are inevitable.

Its report accuses the prime minister of not “following the science” as work and society are gradually opened up – criticising the limited aim of flattening infections and ensuring the NHS is not “overwhelmed”.

“We find this attitude counter-productive and potentially dangerous,” the Independent Sage group, led by former chief scientific adviser David King, says.

“Without suppression, we shall inevitably see a more rapid return of local epidemics and face the prospect of further partial or national lockdowns.