'Covid guidance changes without an announcement is straight out of PM's playbook'

25 May 2021, 13:43 | Updated: 25 May 2021, 15:20

Bedford caller: Covid rule change is 'straight out of PM's playbook'

By Sam Sholli

After the Government issued official Covid advice in eight parts of England without making an official announcement, this caller from Bedford insisted it was a move "straight out of the Boris [Johnson] playbook".

Guidance changed on the Gov.uk website last week which told people to avoid travelling into and out of eight areas, which include Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and North Tyneside, amid concern over the Indian Covid variant.

However, despite the Government publishing this advice on Friday around half past five, it was the Manchester Evening News that alerted ministers and public officials last night.

Speaking to Ed in Bedford, James asked: "Do you know, in Bedford, you were in the middle of this story?"

Ed replied: "No, I only found out this morning listening to Nick Ferrari."

'PM deliberately changed Covid rules Friday to cover his back'

He added: "I don't know, I think this is straight out of the Boris [Johnson] playbook.

"I think that they can feign incompetence and we can start questioning whether this is incompetence or not [or] whether this is a clear plan."

Read more: James O'Brien reacts as Covid rules changed in his area without announcement

James O'Brien's monologue after discovering Covid guidance changed

"And, at the same time, what are we talking about now? We're talking about the fact that it was not delivered clearly.

"We're not talking about the fact that this is still the failure going back multiple weeks of not being able to manage the Indian variant from spreading through parts of the UK."

LBC's Nick Ferrari confronted work and pensions secretary Thérèse Coffey over the clarity of the Government's Covid guidance, and she insisted the message was "really clear."

She continued: "We've been in constant contact with councils, local communities, this is about formalising the guidance on the website."

However, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has publicly refuted this claim and said Government's decision to "slip out" the advice is "frankly not good enough."

Read more: Nick Ferrari challenges minister as Covid guidance changes without announcement

LBC caller warns that graduates risk becoming 'economic slaves'

LBC caller warns that graduates risk becoming 'economic slaves'

Fishing Industry Consultant debunks 'complete lies' about water pollution

Fishing industry consultant tells James O'Brien we were 'lied to' about water pollution

James O'Brien callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien's callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien is joined by Sadiq Khan to take your calls

Speak to Sadiq: Mayor of London joins James O'Brien to take your calls

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Vance saw Francis... we might be onto something'

LBC caller jokes that JD Vance's visit to the late pope might've paved the way for an American pope

"Things have to get a little bit dirty"

Caller Alexander thinks that "things have to get dirty" to stop Reform

'They've alienated every single subsection of society'

Caller Phil ruthlessly describes a Labour Party that 'doesn't appeal to anyone'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien and listeners with her analysis of the 'new world order'

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her analysis of the 'new world order'

Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

LBC callers: Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC callers give their reaction to findings that 20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel betrayed by America

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel 'betrayed' by America