"It's all DIY": James O'Brien's reaction to the government's coronavirus response

9 March 2020, 14:23 | Updated: 9 March 2020, 14:42

By Fiona Jones

This was James O'Brien's reaction to the government's coronavirus response after the number of UK cases passes 300.

The UK will remain in the "contain" stage as the government accepts coronavirus will spread in a "significant" way, according to a No 10 spokesperson.

James asked whether the government are doing enough compared to Northern Italy where millions of people have been quarantined in a bid to curb the virus spreading.

"If you landed here in the last 48 hours from a part of the world that is now in quarantine, I don't think it is in anyway irresponsible or partisan to suggest that something should have happened here. And when you begin to wonder who's in charge of stuff, you can't really end up anywhere but government."

A No 10 spokesman has said that
A No 10 spokesman has said that. Picture: PA

James reflected, "As far as I can tell they haven't actually done anything yet - anything at all officially. It's all DIY. You refer yourself to the authorities."

President Trump has had quite a different reaction - he has said he has a 'natural ability' to understand coronavirus and 'loves that world', referring to the world of medicine.

"In the space of a fortnight, Donald Trump has gone from not being able to spell coronavirus to believing he might be able to cure it because he's a genius," said James, making the point that his 'alternative facts' are dangerous.

"Letting alternative facts become a thing is going to kill people," said James, reflecting that 'alternative facts' is a euphemism for lies.

"When you let liars into the mainstream, everybody suffers even the people that starting off liking the liars."

Brexiteer calls James O’Brien ‘to see how many times he’d be interrupted’

Brexiteer calls James O’Brien ‘to see how many times he’d be interrupted’

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