consensus was that there is no documented asymptomatic transmission therefore policy was based on the assumption that covid transmitted as source. i had by this stage a significant amount of anecdotal evidence and hence i have gone over the sand over this and over this in my mind. if i had just said the science is different, that would not have carried the system with me because i m not representative of the people, if you like, as the secretary of state and the scientific advice was very clear to the contrary. what i could have done was said you know, that may be the formal scientific advice, i am overrunning it and say instead marvellous and asymptomatic transmission, that would have had risks on the other side of assuming spread for it may have been unlikely to happen and but with hindsight of course i wish i had done that hence it is my single biggest regret but what i am trying. mr it is my single biggest regret but what i am trying. . . what i am trying. mr hancock, er