Have been prince philips 100th birthday. I have been prince philips 100th birthda. ~ have been prince philips100th birthda. ~. ,. ,. ,. , birthday. I think we go ahead and celebrate what birthday. I think we go ahead and celebrate what might birthday. I think we go ahead and celebrate what might have birthday. I think we go ahead and celebrate what might have been l birthday. I think we go ahead and i celebrate what might have been and his life, and i think we try to turn it into something that is very positive. Good Morning And Welcome to Bbc News. President biden is to hold talks with borisjohnson in cornwall today, at the start of his first foreign tour since taking office six months ago. Mr biden flew into an Raf Base in suffolk with his wife, jill, on Air Force one last night, before going on to cornwall where the G7 Summit will begin tomorrow. The g7 is made up of the worlds seven largest so called advanced economies canada, france, germany, italy, japan, the uk and the us plus The Eu. The two leaders will agree a new Atlantic Charter modelled on the Statement Setting out american and british goals at the end of the second world war. But tensions over Post Brexit Trade arrangements for northern Ireland Risk overshadowing their discussions. Paul adams reports. Its not every day the american president comes calling. Joe biden, accompanied by his wife, touching down in newquay late last night. A warm welcome at the start of a complex, challenging week of diplomacy. Earlier at raf mildenhall, a chance to mingle with american troops and set out his stall. Im heading to the g7, then to the Nato Ministerial and then to meet with Mr Putin to let him know what i want him to know. America, he said, was back ready to work with allies to tackle coronavirus and climate change, and prove that democracies still work in the face of 21st century challenges. Mr biden sits down with Boris Johnson later today. The president says Americas Relationship with britain is still special. The Prime Minister says this is a big moment. Dont forget, this is the first time in six months in office almost thatJoe Biden, the us president , has been able to come overseas for a major trip. Its his first time on The European continent. Its the first time any of us really have been able to see each other Face To face since the pandemic began. And the pandemic, lets face it, was a pretty scratchy period for the world. Downing street is talking of a new Atlantic Charter, modelled on the 1941 Joint Statement in which Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt set out their vision of a post war world. It sounds lofty, but includes more immediate objectives like Opening Up Travel between the us and uk as soon as possible. Borisjohnson will also seek to reassure his guest that a row over sausages and the northern Ireland Protocol does not threaten the good Friday Agreement. American officials say their concern runs very deep. Paul adams, Bbc News. 0ne One of the main topics due to come up one of the main topics due to come up is brexit and the ongoing negotiations between the uk and The Eu over the northern Ireland Protocol. The president of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen said the protocol is the only solution that can stop a hardboard on the island of ireland. We solution that can stop a hardboard on the island of ireland. On the island of ireland. We have bent over backwards on the island of ireland. We have bent over backwards for on the island of ireland. We have bent over backwards for years. On the island of ireland. We have bent over backwards for years to | bent over backwards for years to find a solution on that. We agree with the united kingdom that the protocol was the only solution ensuring the absence of a hardboard in Northern Ireland. Weve been really debating that for years and weve found The One And Only solution the absence of a hard border in Northern Ireland. We have a treaty on that, its been signed by both sides, it is important we now implement the protocol. We have shown flexibility, we will show flexibility, but the protocol and the Withdrawal Agreement has to be implemented completely. 0ur Chief Political Correspondent Adam Fleming is at Tregenna Castle in st ives. Good morning. Some really big ambitions for this meeting of cause and how vital will it be forJoe Biden on his first official foreign trip . Hes been signalling that the us is back in a traditional way on the World Stage so how vital is this meeting to cement that . Hes the World Stage so how vital is this meeting to cement that . Hes already achieved one meeting to cement that . Hes already achieved one big meeting to cement that . Hes already achieved one big Thing Meeting to cement that . Hes already achieved one big thing just meeting to cement that . Hes already achieved one big thing just by meeting to cement that . Hes already achieved one big thing just by being. Achieved one big thing just by being not Donald Trump and winning the election to start with. The fact hes here and we arent sitting around, where the journalist, diplomat or Prime Minister, wondering what sort of stunt he might pull back and undermine the entire event so that in the bag already. The first big thing is, do other g7 countries match the us pledged to donate hundreds of millions of vaccines to poor countries . That is one of the objectives of this summit. Boris johnson says he wants the rest of the world vaccinated by 2022, Joe Biden has made a start with that by donating or saying hes going to buy and then donate 500 Million pfizer doses. What will be other six countries to stump up in terms of that . That will be a clear numerical indicator of how successful the summit is going to be. Regarding the relationship between summit is going to be. Regarding the relationship between Mr Summit is going to be. Regarding the relationship between Mr Biden summit is going to be. Regarding the relationship between Mr Biden and i summit is going to be. Regarding the| relationship between Mr Biden and Mr Johnson, a key difference is the Brexit Tension over the northern Ireland Protocol. The us apparently very angry at what they call the uks refusal to impose customs checks on goods signed up to. How much influence do you think the us and Mr Biden can bring to bear on Mr Johnson over this . Johnson over this . Well, we are auoin to johnson over this . Well, we are going to find johnson over this . Well, we are going to find out johnson over this . Well, we are going to find out and johnson over this . Well, we are going to find out and those johnson over this . Well, we are going to find out and those concerns from the White House are notjust apparent but very real. Weve heard on the record from the national Security Advisorjake Sullivan that the us has deep concern about whether the uk is implementing the northern Ireland Protocol which is the bit of the Brexit Deal that affects Northern Ireland and the effect that could have on the good Friday Belfast peace agreement. What will be really interesting is after borisjohnson and will be really interesting is after Boris Johnson and joe will be really interesting is after borisjohnson and Joe Biden have Theirfirst Borisjohnson and Joe Biden have their first Face To Face Meeting Borisjohnson and Joe Biden have theirfirst Face To Face Meeting in cornwall this afternoon, does the us Position Shift . The uk will be making the argument incredibly strongly that actually the protocol is Making Trade between great britain and Northern Ireland much more difficult which is upsetting the unionist community who have just as much right to be happy under the good Friday Agreement as the nationalist community. Do we end up by the end of today with joe nationalist community. Do we end up by the end of today withJoe Biden by the end of today with Joe Biden putting pressure on the uk and The Eu to smooth the edges of the protocol and come up with a tweaked version that can satisfy everyone . When Ursula Von Der Leyen, president of the European Commission who is also coming to cornwall tomorrow, was doing her Press Conference in brussels this morning, she said The Eu was determined to make the Protocol Work for everyone in Northern Ireland. Is that a hint that could be some flexibility on the side of The Eu that means we could reach a satisfactory outcome for everyone . We will find out because she will also be having a meeting with borisjohnson to talk about brexit. Meeting with Boris Johnson to talk about Brexit Meeting with Boris Johnson to talk about iomit about brexit. Thank you for that. I ho e our about brexit. Thank you for that. I hope your breathing about brexit. Thank you for that. I hope your breathing in about brexit. Thank you for that. I hope your breathing in that about brexit. Thank you for that. I hope your breathing in that view. | the Health Secretary Matt hancock faces questions from mps this morning over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Mps on the health and social care and the Science And Technology Committees are expected to quiz him over an accusation from the Prime Ministers former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, that he was Disastrously Incompetent. Mr hancock denies the claim and says he has been guided by the science throughout. When you summoned over a Care Home Negligence . When you summoned over a Care Home Negligence . Are when you summoned over a Care Home Negligence . Are you when you summoned over a Care Home Negligence . Are you worried when you summoned over a Care Home Negligence . Are you worried about negligence . Are you worried about Youriob Negligence . Are you worried about youriob as negligence . Are you worried about yourjob as Health Negligence . Are you worried about yourjob as Health Secretary . Negligence . Are you worried about yourjob as Health Secretary . Are. Yourjob as Health Secretary . Are yourjob as Health Secretary . Are you worried . We are going to have live coverage of that session that begins at 9 30am but before Thatjonathan Blake joins us from westminster. It is two weeks on since Dominic Cummings appeared before those Committees, what can we expect today from Matt Hancock . In Committees, what can we expect today from Matt Hancock . From Matt Hancock . In one way this is the followup from Matt Hancock . In one way this is the followup to from Matt Hancock . In one way this is the followup to that from Matt Hancock . In one way this is the followup to that explosive i is the follow up to that explosive session of evidence given by Dominic Cummings infront session of evidence given by Dominic Cummings in front of mps two weeks ago, when he accused the Health Secretary of being Disastrously Incompetent and said he should have been sacked for a string of mistakes including allowing people to be discharged from hospital into Care Homes without being tested for coronavirus. Im sure the Health Secretary will be questioned along similar lines and be given the opportunity to rebut those accusations and defend his actions. He has so far done that at every opportunity when he has been questioned at News Conferences and elsewhere in interviews, although he didnt have much to say this morning as he left his home. Im sure we will hear again a robust defence of the Health Secretarys own actions and more detail perhaps relating to those specific charges made by Mr Cummings. Beyond that, i think this will be a chance for mps to question the Health Secretary at length about the Health Secretary at length about the Government Response to coronavirus in general. The big questions that have been hanging over it ever since the early days of the pandemic, the procurement of personal protective equipment for those working in hospitals and other front Line Health Care roles. The Test And Trace system which in many stages has floundered and not necessarily done its job as it should have. And other aspects as well in terms of how tests were made available and how widely they were used in the early stages. 0ne available and how widely they were used in the early stages. One of those areas im sure will be covered by mps in their questions to the Health Secretary, and perhaps also some more pertinent questions about the increase in Covid 19 cases we are seeing across the uk and the third wave of infections which is now very much here. We third wave of infections which is now very much here. Third wave of infections which is now very much here. We are getting ve close now very much here. We are getting very close now now very much here. We are getting very close now to now very much here. We are getting very close now to the now very much here. We are getting very close now to the decision very close now to the Decision Points at least for england in terms of whether to ease final restrictions. The Prime Minister sounding pessimistic about that yesterday. What is your reading of where the thinking is on that . Listening to the Prime Minister yesterday, i think its clear that where up until now there has been an optimism in terms of the Government Approach to reaching step four out of lockdown on June Approach to reaching step four out of Lockdown Onjune the 21st, there is no more hesitancy. The Prime Minister has said so far up until yesterday that there was nothing in the data he sought to suggest the Road Map Couldnt proceed as planned, but he sounded far more downbeat saying everyone could see cases were going up, in some areas hospitalisations were going up as well and the key indicator of the effectiveness of the Vaccine Roll out programme and how much protection there is in general among the population that ministers will be looking at and going over the detail in the coming days. The Prime Minister acknowledged arguments on both sides that some have made to potentially slow down the easing of restrictions, and it is far from a foregone conclusion that will happen as had been hoped on gene the 21st in england. June the as had been hoped on gene the 21st in england. June the 21st. Lets speak now to matthew 0toole, Sdlp Member of the legislative assembly for Belfast South and a former adviser to number 10. Good morning and thank you for your time. How do you think Matt Hancock will be preparing all will have been preparing for today . Dominic cummings spoke for seven hours, we dont expect the Health Secretary will be speaking to the Committees for that long but it is going to be forensic, isnt it . Forensic, isnt it . Yes, it is. I imagine forensic, isnt it . Yes, it is. I imagine he forensic, isnt it . Yes, it is. I imagine he will forensic, isnt it . Yes, it is. I imagine he will have forensic, isnt it . Yes, it is. I imagine he will have been i forensic, isnt it . Yes, it is. I imagine he will have been preparing by trying to move the conversation onto what is happening now and away from what happened last march and april. Its really important that he is questioned intensely about what happened last march and april, Decisions he made and Decisions he didnt make and things that he said. A couple of weeks ago Dominic Cummings gave devastating evidence about the conduct of Matt Hancock. It should be said that Dominic Cummings is hardly the most reliable of witnesses, nor is he someone who we should place a great deal of trust or a steaming. However, he gave hours upon hours of detailed evidence and made specific allegations about Matt Hancock and his conduct. He said he should have been fired multiple times, he said effectively that he lied about Care Home Testing and he said that he was both incompetent and misled people. Legitimately, whoever you are, whatever your political perspective, obviously i am in profound political disagreement with this Uk Government but whoever you are there is a serious allegation is a need to be answered thoroughly by Matt Hancock. Yes and those were allegations made by Mr Cummings who is talking about a period where he was at the centre of power. You hope that the questions are going to be forensic and you say that you think Matt Hancock might try to move things on to where we are now but the whole point of this discussion in front of these Committees-today'>Committees Today is to talk about the handling of the pandemic, certainly more focused on the initial handling. Would you be looking to see the Committee is bringing the questioning back to that again and again if Mr Hancock tries to talk about the Here And Now . , , now . Yes, definitely. It is important now . Yes, definitely. It is important to now . Yes, definitely. It is important to find now . Yes, definitely. It is important to find out now . Yes, definitely. It is i important to find out exactly now . Yes, definitely. It is important to find out exactly what Decisions he made then and why, because it is one thing to say that for example in the early stages of the crisis people were having to make Decisions quickly and under great pressure, that is true, everyone across the world had to make Decisions quickly and under immense pressure and with limited information. But it is also true that the Uk Government was an outlier in terms of the Decisions it made around looking down, festival, but also taking action around Care Homes. It was clear that across europe governments were moving to lockdown. In the uk there was several weeks effectively where people could see ambulances queueing outside hospitals in northern italy, it was widely known that several hundred miles away in europe people were dying in their own homes. The Uk Government, when other European Governments including the irish governments including the irish government were making Decisions to lockdown in order to limit the spread, the Uk Government didnt do that. It delayed, and its clear that. It delayed, and its clear that that delay contributed to the deaths of Tens Of Thousands of people and Matt Hancock needs to be able to explain why that happened and what his role was in making those Decisions. And what his role was in making those Decisions. ,. ,. ,. Those Decisions. Lots of people have been calling those Decisions. Lots of people have been calling for those Decisions. Lots of people have been calling for a those Decisions. Lots of people have been calling for a major those Decisions. Lots of people have been calling for a major enquiry been calling for a major enquiry into all of this to happen sooner than next year which is when the government says it is going to hold an inquiry. Is it possible that what we hear from Matt Hancock today might potentially shift the timings . Possibly. I hope it does in that i hope people hear what he says and whatever he says, they decide its important to get the rest of the information and the rest of the story out to more quickly and it isntjust story out to more quickly and it isnt just about the history books, it isntjust isnt just about the history books, it isnt just about isnt just about the history books, it isntjust about holding individuals to account although individuals to account although individuals including Matt Hancock need to be held to account because in my view based on the evidence it is clear he didnt take the Decisions he should have done. But the reason a public inquiry is important sooner is that we are not at the end of this pandemic, we dont know when we will fully eradicate Covid 19 from our society and we may not ever fully eradicated. We may have to figure out how we manage it and we dont know how the mutations are going to work. Weve experienced Mass Pandemics happen and they are going to be a feature of life going forward, so we need to understand the lessons that have been learned. So we hope that inquiry happens sooner. There is also a political point, there is a point of stretching things out and pushing things to next year. Its really important and this is one of the biggest events that has happened in our lifetimes, and i think its pretty clear that the Uk Government made profound mistakes last spring when the pandemic started. I dont mean inadvertent mistakes caused by people acting at speed. I mean deliberate Decisions to delay, for example, looking down society, when other governments across europe when doing so. Indeed, other governments on these islands were doing it. People in Northern Ireland were deciding to lockdown themselves ahead of london. We deciding to lockdown themselves ahead of london. Deciding to lockdown themselves ahead of london. We are out of time but thank you ahead of london. We are out of time but thank you very ahead of london. We are out of time but thank you very much. Ahead of london. We are out of time but thank you very much. The ahead of london. We are out of time but thank you very much. The uk but thank you very much. The Uk Government says it was following the science at the time and we will see that evidence from Matt Hancock at 9 30am. Matthew 0toole, thank you. New research has found huge regional variations in the number of people waiting more than one year for Non Urgent surgery across england. For Non Urgent surgery the analysis by financial consultancy lane, Clark And Peacock found that Castle Point and rochford, in essex, had the highest proportion of people waiting more than 52 weeks for care followed by southend and blackpool. Nhs england says it has created a £1 billion fund to get services back to pre covid levels. Sexual harassment including Verbal Abuse and being sent unwanted explicit pictures has become normalised for schoolchildren in england, according to 0fsted. The Schools Watchdog carried out a review after thousands of reports were posted on the everyones invited website, where pupils can share their experiences. 0fsteds chief inspector, amanda spielman, said there needs to be a Culture Change in schools. In some of the schools we visited, the emphasis was more responsive. When something was reported the school kicked into action and often very effectively. But what we saw less frequently was a really good preventive model, lets really build the culture around this from the beginning, lets carry this through into the relationships and sex education, lets carry this through into the Behaviour Policy and sanctions. Lets make sure the whole package hangs together in sending very strong messages from the very beginning to create the best possible environment for young people to grow up in. Its about moving from the reactive to the preventive, i think, moving from the reactive to the preventive, ithink, is moving from the reactive to the preventive, i think, is the change in emphasis we would like to see throughout the system. Some lecturers at Oxford University are refusing to teach at 0riel college after it decided to keep a controversial statue of the british imperialist, cecil rhodes. The boycott, first reported by the daily telegraph, is said to include up to 150 academics. Campaigners say the Rhodes Statue represents white supremacy. The college says it would cost too much to remove it, and the Planning Process would be too complex. A russian court has outlawed groups linked to jailed Kremlin Critic Alexei navalny after declaring them extremist. Its a move that bans his allies from elections due to take place in september. And it will further strain us russia ties before a closely watched summit between President Biden and President Putin In Geneva next week. Aru na iyengar reports. The full might of the russian state is bearing down on associates of alexei navalny, President Putins most prominent critic. The case against three organisations in navalny� s network was brought by the office of moscows top prosecutor. He says navalny� s allies organised Illegal Street rallies that ended in Mass Unrest and that the Courts Decision is lawful and reasonable. The ruling effectively outlaws alexei navalny� s political movement, with parliamentary elections just over three months away. It targets his anti Corruption Foundation which produced a high Profile Investigation into alleged official corruption. And navalny� s regional Campaign Headquarters which have mobilised in the past to organise anti kremlin protests. Navalny himself is locked up, serving a 2. 5 Yearjail Term for violating the terms of parole in an embezzlement case, charges he says politically motivated. The legal offensive mirrors others against far right groups, islamist organisations and jehovahs witnesses, which were also declared extremists and banned. Mr navalny is expected to be the topic and an agenda of talks between the us and russian president s at their first summit on june the 16th. I think its clear that navalny� s Health And Welfare are very much directly the responsibility of the kremlin now and i think that biden needs to make clear that is how they see it and they will be following it very closely, navalny� s Health And Welfare and the entire crackdown. Observers say the crackdown on dissent reflects Fear And Paranoia in the kremlin there may be a testy exchange when the russian and american leaders meet next week. Today would have been the duke of edinburghs100th birthday. The duke of wessex described him as an extraordinary character and expressed sadness over the public rift between the family and the Duke And Duchess of sussex. Can i ask you aboutjune the 10th . It would have been your fathers100th Birthday Something of a bittersweet day for you . Yes, i think that. I think thats probably a fair thing to say. But i think that, from a selfish point of view, we would have loved it if he had been here and been with us. But then birthdays were not necessarily his. So he didnt really want all the fuss and bother. So we celebrate what might have been, and his life, and i think we try to turn it into something thats thats very positive. I think its very important to do that. You must miss him. Yes. Yes, and. But its been a very difficult year, 18 months, because, i mean, luckily. So last summer, we were able to spend a reasonable amount of time together. But, yes, its been very difficult during this period, not being able to spend. But then, like so many otherfamilies, you know, weve all been separated and parted. So it has been very difficult for so many people. And, you know, were no different in that sense. It has now been two months since he died. I wonder how you now reflect on that period of time and how the public responded afterwards. The funeral was. It was an extraordinary day, but its because it was also very strange. You know, what should have been an occasion for so many people and so many people that, you know, he had touched his life not being there. It was very strange, coming from the the outside with all the pageantry and the. And then coming into st georges chapel, especially into the nave, which was completely empty. It was a very moving, very sombre experience. But, gosh, we were blessed with a beautiful day, and im just so glad that, you know, that we were able to do that bit at least, and to do it as this country does it really, really well. And a lot of people were moved by seeing your mother, as well, in the chapel, sitting alone in her mask. It must have been very difficult for you to not be alongside her and able to comfort her that day. Yes, exactly that and the same for everybody, really, we were all sitting in our Family Groups but then thats no different to what so many other families have been experiencing up and down the country throughout this past year. We cant escape the fact that it has been a difficult few months for the Royal Family on a number of levels, but particularly around the situation with the Duke And Duchess of sussex and how that has played out so publicly that has been difficult. I wonder how you view that now, or how you look at that particular situation. I stay way out of it. Its much the safest place to be. And do you feel any sadness about how its played out . 0h, of course, you know, i mean, its. There are all sorts of issues and circumstances there. But, you know, weve all been through there. Weve all had that same spotlight shone on our lives. Weve been subjected to massive intrusion, all the rest of it, and we all deal with it in different ways. A new baby for Harry And Meghan this week baby lilibet, a name that will be very meaningful for your family. Well, wejust wish them all happiness thats fantastic news. And. Yeah, absolutely, i hope theyre very happy and. Yeah. How would you like your father to be remembered . Everybody will have their own memories. He was that sort of larger than life person. 0nce met, never forgotten. Im sure your royal highness, the earl of wessex, thank you very much. Thank you. The earl of wessex speaking to our royal correspondent. And the queen has been given a new rose named after the duke of edinburgh to mark the day that would have been his 100th birthday. The Hybrid Rose which is deep pink and Double Flowered was created by the Royal Horticultural Society and planted in the gardens at Windsor Castle last week. Proceeds from its sale will go to the duke of edinburgh award scheme. The queen described the flower as lovely and said it was a very kind tribute. If you look up to the skies later this morning using appropriate eye protection, of course you may see part of The Sun blocked out by the moon. Thats because an Annular Eclipse is due to take place. Thats when the moon passes directly in front of The Sun but doesnt completely block out its light. 0ur Science Correspondent Rebecca Morelle explains. Its one of natures most dazzling sights the Moon Casting its shadow across The Sun. The Northernmost Parts Of The World canada, Greenland And Siberia will be treated to the full eclipse, and its a special solar event, known as an Annular Eclipse. An Annular Eclipse happens when the Moon Isjust a little bit further away from the earth, so it looks smaller in the sky. And what youll be able to see is a sort of ring around the moon. And so this is why the annular solar eclipses are sometimes known as the ring of fire. Theyre incredibly beautiful eclipses to spot, as well. But across the uk, well get to see some of it a partial eclipse will be visible with about 20 of The Sun obscured in the south of england, to nearly 40 in the shetland islands. So how can you safely watch the eclipse . Well, you should never look at The Sun directly or through sunglasses, because you can seriously damage your eyes. Instead, you can use two pieces of card, one with a little hole in it, to make a projection of The Sun. Or if you can get hold of a pair of certified eclipse viewers, you can use these to watch the spectacle instead. It will look like The Sun is being eaten. Now, there may be some sunspots on The Sun these are dark features on the surface of The Sun and they might be visible, too, depending on the techniques that you use to view the partial eclipse. So there is a lot to see. The partial eclipse will start from about 10am across the uk, finishing two and a half hours later. The hope is the weather stays clear. Rebecca morelle, Bbc News. Hello, this is Bbc News with annita mcveigh. The headlines. President biden will hold talks with the prime Minister Borisjohnson Today ahead of the G7 Summit in cornwall. It is the president � s first foreign tour since taking office. The Health Secretary is about to appear in front of mps to answer questions over the government , s answer questions over the government � s handling of the pandemic. A review by the watchdog 0fsted once Sexual Harassment is becoming normalised in schools and colleges. And Amateur Astronomers across the uk will look up to the skies later to try and get a glimpse of a partial eclipse of The Sun. Prince edwards beats exclusively to the bbc about how his family will mark today which would have been prince philip � s100th birthday. Prince edward speaks exclusively. We will have live coverage of that session of Matt Hancock speaking to mps about the handling of the pandemic. That is set to get under way, i am just checking, any time now. We will be there in just a few minutes, but in the meantime, lets Speak Tojonathan minutes, but in the meantime, lets speak to jonathan blake, minutes, but in the meantime, lets Speak Tojonathan blake, At Westminster for us. Speak tojonathan blake, At Westminsterfor us. You Speak Tojonathan blake, At Westminster for us. You will be watching this closely, its two weeks since we saw Dominic Cummings appear before the same Committee to answer questions and he made some really serious allegations and accusations about Matt Hancock, around the handling of the pandemic with regards to Care Homes, ppe, around his general competency in the role so how do you expect Mr Hancock to respond because hes going to have to respond in a lot of detail today, isnt he . He have to respond in a lot of detail today, isnt he . Today, isnt he . He is, iwould exect today, isnt he . He is, iwould exoect a today, isnt he . He is, iwould expect a robust today, isnt he . He is, iwould expect a robust defence today, isnt he . He is, iwould expect a robust defence of today, isnt he . He is, iwould expect a robust defence of his| today, isnt he . He is, iwould expect a robust defence of his own actions and a rebuttal of the charges made against him by Dominic Cummings who appear before the same mps a couple of weeks ago. It should be noted this morning the chair of thisjoint be noted this morning the chair of this joint select Committee, the chairs have written to Dominic Cummings asking for him to provide Documentary Evidence to back up some of the claims he made against Matt Hancock and he has so far not done that. But when asked in News Conferences and elsewhere about these charges against him from Dominic Cummings, Matt Hancock has denied some of the accusations, and defended his actions and as I Say, i would expect him to do that again this morning. But i think beyond those questions raised and those accusations made by Dominic Cummings accusations made by Dominic Cummings a couple of weeks ago, this will be an opportunity for mps to question the Health Secretary in some detail and at some length, i would imagine, about the Government Response to coronavirus in general. Its coronavirus in general. Its obviously. Coronavirus in general. Its obviously. Jonathan, i am going to interrupt you, the hearing is getting under way. Lets cross live to it. The Secretary Of State for health, Matt Hancock, im pleased to welcome him. As in our last hearing, Jeremy Hunt and i will alternate in the chair covering four things, the first is the initial response to the pandemic. The second art the lockdown measures, the non pharmaceutical interventions are as they are so cold, and the test entry system. Third is the development of vaccines, the fourth, Decisions taken in the Autumn And Winter of 2020, 2021, and current policy issues. We will pause briefly between the sessions to change over in the chair. We took oral evidence from the Prime Minister � s former adviser Dominic Cummings on the 26th of may. Mr cummings agreed at the hearing to provide written evidence to substantiate various verbal claims that were made at that hearing. Mr cummings was asked to provide this evidence to the Committee by friday the 11th Ofjune in good time to inform our Questions Today to the Secretary Of State. We have not received that evidence, nor any explanation as to fight that has not been available. And asJeremy Hunt and i both said not been available. And asJeremy Huntand i both said in not been available. And asJeremy Hunt and i both said in our last hearing, its important that if serious allegations are made against an individual, they should be corroborated with evidence. And it must be counted as unproven without it. Now most of this hearing will be about Learning Lessons but i think its only fair to the Secretary Of State for him to be able to have his say about the allegations that have been made against him so im going to begin with some questions drawing on those accusations that have been made. And i would stress these are suggestions, allegations that Dominic Cummings has made, they are not the Committee � s charges to investigate. So the first is did you ever say anything to the Prime Minister that you viewed not to be true . , minister that you viewed not to be true . Ha. And specifically in terms true . No. And specifically in terms ofthe true . I157. And specifically in terms of the particular points that Dominic Cummings raised, first, did you say that everyone who needed treatment got the treatment that they required when you had been told by the Chief Scientific Adviser and the Chief Medical Officer that people did not get the treatment they deserve . I people did not get the treatment they deserve . People did not get the treatment the deserve . , , they deserve . I did, absolutely say both in private they deserve . I did, absolutely say both in private and they deserve . I did, absolutely say both in private and in they deserve . I did, absolutely say both in private and in public they deserve . I did, absolutely say both in private and in public that i both in private and in public that everybody got the Covid Treatment that they needed and im very proud of the fact that with the nhs we delivered an ad during the pandemic because it was critical. There was no point at which i was advised and i have taken the trouble to check with the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser, there was no point at which i was advised that people are not getting the treatment they need it. On the contrary, one of the things that we succeeded in doing through the entire response of this pandemic has been to protect the nhs so that people have always had access to treatment for covid. People have always had access to treatment for covid. Thank you. The second Allegation Treatment for covid. Thank you. The second allegation that treatment for covid. Thank you. The second allegation that was treatment for covid. Thank you. The second allegation that was made treatment for covid. Thank you. The | second allegation that was made was that on ppe, personal protective equipment, in april, did you ever say or brief that the shortages such as they were, where the fault of Simon Stephens, the fault of the chancellor of the exchequer, its not my fault, they blocked approvals . Thats what Mr Cummings told the Committee. Is approvals . Thats what Mr Cummings told the Committee. Told the Committee. Is that true . No, that is told the Committee. Is that true . No, that is not told the Committee. Is that true . No, that is not a told the Committee. Is that true . No, that is not a fair told the Committee. Is that true . No, that is not a Fair Recollection | no, that is not a Fair Recollection of the situation. Getting hold of ppe was always a huge challenge and as the national Audit Office have shown in the report into this when they went through all of the details, there was never a point at which nhs providers could not get access to ppe. But there were huge challenges. We first opened the stockpile of ppe that we had in the event of a pandemic, we opened that injanuary, we started buying new ppe in february, in march, china brought in Export Restrictions and you will remember at the time, there was a huge global demand for ppe, there were aeroplanes that were being turned around mid flight, the European Union put out demands for ppe, calls for ppe that went entirely unanswered. We had to remove a piece of bureaucracy that was in the way that put a limit on the price that could be paid for ppe and we took a Policy Decision that we should pay at the top of the market, that didnt require the treasury to make that change, the chancellor was incredibly helpful in driving that through. And we managed to get into this position where it despite local challenges and i dont deny adult there were challenges in individual areas, there was never a national shortage of ppe because of the action that we took. The action that we took. Thank you. We will come the action that we took. Thank you. We will come to the action that we took. Thank you. We will come to more the action that we took. Thank you. We will come to more detail the action that we took. Thank you. We will come to more detail on the action that we took. Thank you. | we will come to more detail on that. But let mejust check we will come to more detail on that. But let me just check that i have understood correctly what you have said, you said there were blockages to the procurement of ppe, you requested, you requested that they should be removed, and they were removed as a result of that . That is correct and removed as a result of that . That is correct and also, removed as a result of that . That is correct and also, i removed as a result of that . That is correct and also, i will removed as a result of that . That is correct and also, i will say removed as a result of that . That is correct and also, i will say this. Removed as a result of that . That is correct and also, i will say this. I i correct and also, i will say this. I take and took and have taken throughout, full responsibility for all of the areas that i am responsible for. So the chancellor played his part in resolving those blockages and getting them out of the way so we could buy ppe. Answer Simon Stephens has worked incredibly hard throughout this crisis. My whole approach has been that this is a team effort, you cannot respond to a team effort, you cannot respond to a pandemicjust by pointing fingers, you have to respond to a pandemic by bringing people together, trying to provide that leadership, by having a positive attitude to teamwork because that was the only way through it. Because that was the only way through it because that was the only way throu~h it. ~ ,. ,. ,. ,. , because that was the only way throu~h it. ~ i. ,. ,. , ~ through it. Were you aware that Mr Cumminus through it. Were you aware that Mr Cummings then through it. Were you aware that Mr Cummings then said through it. Were you aware that Mr Cummings then said there through it. Were you aware that Mr Cummings then said there was through it. Were you aware that Mr Cummings then said there was an L Cummings then said there was an investigation into whether there were blockages and he alleges that that investigation by the Cabinet Secretary concluded that there werent . I secretary concluded that there werent . , secretary concluded that there werent . ,. , werent . I cannot recall that but what i werent . I cannot recall that but what i can werent . I cannot recall that but what i can recall werent . I cannot recall that but what i can recall and werent . I cannot recall that but what i can recall and i werent . I cannot recall that but what i can recall and i know werent . I cannot recall that but what i can recall and i know for. Werent . I cannot recall that but| what i can recall and i know for a fact is that there was a cap on the price paid for ppe because the global price has shot up, we had to remove that cap. I requested its removal, it was removed, and after that, combined with bringing who did a brilliantjob in this area, we could buy ppe more easily, we are now in a happy position that we have huge amounts of ppe and 70 of it, other than gloves, 70 of it made unsure here in the uk. Who other than gloves, 70 of it made unsure here in the uk. Unsure here in the uk. Who was reaponsible unsure here in the uk. Who was responsible for unsure here in the uk. Who was responsible for that unsure here in the uk. Who was responsible for that cap . Unsure here in the uk. Who was responsible for that cap . You i unsure here in the uk. Who was. Responsible for that cap . You will have to go responsible for that cap . You will have to go through responsible for that cap . You will have to go through the responsible for that cap . You will have to go through the records i responsible for that cap . You willl have to go through the records but that was a condition on the budget that was a condition on the budget that we had for ppe so it was set somewhere within the machine, i think it was a Treasury Condition which is why i went to the chancellor but i am pretty sure that the chancellor was not aware of it until i raised it with him because the moment i raised it with him, with the Prime Minister, he got into action and he got it removed. It was action and he got it removed. It was action and he got it removed. It was a Treasury Condition, action and he got it removed. It was a Treasury Condition, Treasury I Action and he got it removed. It was a Treasury Condition, Treasury Blockj a Treasury Condition, Treasury Block on your department so you didnt have the unilateral Authority To Procure. Have the unilateral Authority To Procure procure. But its absolutely standard procure. But its absolutely standard practice procure. But its absolutely standard practice that procure. But its absolutely standard practice that the i procure. But its absolutely i standard practice that the treasury puts in place when youre given a big budget, multi billion Pound Budget for buying ppe, on the 11th of april, one of the conditions of that budget was that there was a Cap Put on the price that we paid. The problem is that cap was set in terms of the Market Price but the market moved upwards massively so we had to remove that particular piece of bureaucracy, i asked the chancellor to remove it and he did very rapidly. And then we could buy at the top of the market which was one of the reasons that we managed to resolve the challenges of getting ppe into the country. To resolve the challenges of getting ppe into the country. Resolve the challenges of getting ppe into the country. To be clear, im Ust Ppe into the country. To be clear, lm just trying ppe into the country. To be clear, lm just trying to ppe into the country. To be clear, im just trying to establish ppe into the country. To be clear, im just trying to establish the i im just trying to establish the facts given the allegation that was made and given this is a lessons learned inquiry, it may be that the fact you had to change Procurement Policy may be a lesson for a future emergency so its important. The third charge that Dominic Cummings specifically made orally, against you, was around testing in Care Homes. So specifically, did you tell the Prime Minister in march that people in hospitals would be tested before they went back into Care Homes . We before they went back into Care Homes . ~ ,. ,. , before they went back into Care Homes . ,. ,. ,. , homes . We set out a policy that eole homes . We set out a policy that people would homes . We set out a policy that people would be homes . We set out a policy that people would be tested homes . We set out a policy that people would be tested when i homes . We set out a policy that i people would be tested when tests were available and then i set about building the Testing Capacity to be able to deliver on that. We cant go through it in more detail and perhaps we will the reasons for the clinical advice. Perhaps we will the reasons for the clinicaladvice. So perhaps we will the reasons for the clinical advice. So the clinical advice set out three different reasons why we took the approach that we did and on Care Home Policy throughout, we followed the clinical advice. And the challenge was not just that we did not have the Testing Capacity, but also that the clinical advice was that a test on someone who did not have symptoms could easily return a false negative and therefore give a false assurance that that person did not have the disease, that was the clinical advice. At the same time, the clinicians were worried because it took four days to turn a test around, if you leave someone in hospital in those four days, they might catch covid and go back to a Care Home with a negative Test Result but having caught it and so the advice was the most important thing was infection Prevention And Control in Care Homes and the evidence has shown that the strongest route of the virus into Care Homes unfortunately is Community Transmission and so it was Staff Testing that was the most important thing for keeping people safe in Care Homes. And obviously, again, but that we needed the Testing Capacity. So those are the reasons for the Decisions were taken, thats the clinical advice that we received, we accepted this clinical advice but in relation to what i told the Prime Minister, of course, the relationship between the Secretary Of State and the Prime Minister is often that i make commitments to do things, i get on and do them, and then they are delivered, that is how the relationship works, as you probably know. ~. , relationship works, as you probably know. ~ ,. ,. , know. Indeed. We will come on, as ou know. Indeed. We will come on, as you anticipated. Know. Indeed. We will come on, as you anticipated, in know. Indeed. We will come on, as you anticipated, in some know. Indeed. We will come on, as you anticipated, in some more i know. Indeed. We will come on, as i you anticipated, in some more detail in the second section of this morning � s evidence. But you have been very clear in your answer that what you told the Prime Minister was that people would be tested on discharge from hospital when tests were available, that was always clear in terms of what you said and as far as you know, what was understood by the Prime Minister and others in Downing Street. N understood by the Prime Minister and others in Downing Street. I will others in Downing Street. I will ust take others in Downing Street. I will just take you. Others in Downing Street. I will just take you, actually, others in Downing Street. I will just take you, actually, its i others in Downing Street. In ll just take you, actually, its worth going to the precise language of the testimony that you are referring to because that is in fact what was said. That people will be tested and myjob said. That people will be tested and my job was to said. That people will be tested and myjob was to build a Testing Capacity and with the team, we absolutely did. I capacity and with the team, we absolutely did. Capacity and with the team, we absolutely did. I understand. As I Sa we absolutely did. I understand. As I Say we will absolutely did. I understand. As I Say we will come absolutely did. I understand. As I Say we will come into absolutely did. I understand. As I Say we will come into the absolutely did. I understand. As I Say we will come into the Policy L say we will come into the Policy Questions and lessons learned during the rest of this morning. I wanted to get your response to those charges that were made. Is there anything you want to add as a right of reply to the oral evidence that you heard from Dominic Cummings . Well, it is telling that no evidence has been provided yet but there is a reason for that, i think, which is that throughout this, i have got out of bed every morning with the view and the attitude that myjob is to do everything i could to protect lives and to get this country and of the pandemic. And i have approach that with a mission driven determination to make it happen. And ive tried to do that with an approach of honesty, and integrity and critically, answering questions both in public and in private to the best of my ability. Now sometimes you have to say you dont know because you are operating in a world where there is a huge judgment being made with very imperfect information, often at great pace. But from the approach ive taken, not least in public and to parliament and select Committees like this, and in private to the prime Minister And Everybody else, has been to beat direct, sometimes, yes, and i cant be quite forceful when im trying to get something through if it needs to happen. But thats what you have to do and crucially, you have to bring the team with you. You know . There are a lot of people operating, doing the biggestjob they had ever done in their lives and you have to build confidence that people can go ahead and do what needs to be done and then they are going to be supported in thejudgments they then they are going to be supported in the judgments they take. So we will go through, no doubt, lots of difficultjudgments that were made and its very important we learn the lessons of which of those judgments could have been improved and indeed, like on Care Homes we managed to improve the system over time. But the attitude and the approach was always to be direct and as straightforward and honest as possible so in a way, i welcome this opportunity to tell you the truth of what happened, given the discussion there has been over the past couple of weeks. ,. , there has been over the past couple ofweeks. ,. ,. ,. , of weeks. Given that discussion, why do ou of weeks. Given that discussion, why do you think of weeks. Given that discussion, why do you think it of weeks. Given that discussion, why do you think it was of weeks. Given that discussion, why do you think it was dominic of weeks. Given that discussion, why. Do you think it was Dominic Cummings chose to be quite so withering, did you have a bad personal engagement over the time, was it a sincere difference of policy . Whether or it were, operational Decisions, whats the origin of this dispute . I were, operational Decisions, whats the origin of this dispute . The origin of this dispute . I have No Idea. The origin of this dispute . I have No Idea i the origin of this dispute . I have No Idea. I mean, the origin of this dispute . I have No Idea. I mean, i the origin of this dispute . I have No Idea. I mean, ijust, the origin of this dispute . I have No Idea. I mean, ijust, i the origin of this dispute . I have No Idea. I mean, ijust, iworkedj No Idea. I mean, ijust, iworked directly with the Prime Minister from the start of this and of course, i worked with his aides and his team as well. And i have No Idea. ,. , his team as well. And i have No Idea. , ~. ,. ,. , idea. Did you know that he wanted the Prime Minister idea. Did you know that he wanted the Prime Minister to idea. Did you know that he wanted the Prime Minister to fire idea. Did you know that he wanted the Prime Minister to fire you . I idea. Did you know that he wanted i the Prime Minister to fire you . Yes, because he the Prime Minister to fire you . Yes, because he briefed the Prime Minister to fire you . Yes, because he briefed the the Prime Minister to fire you . Yes because he briefed the newspapers at the time. Or simply briefed the newspapers. I now have a better idea of who it was. find newspapers. I now have a better idea of who it was of who it was. And did you raise an obection of who it was. And did you raise an objection to of who it was. And did you raise an objection to that . Of who it was. And did you raise an objection to that . Yes, of who it was. And did you raise an objection to that . Yes, of of who it was. And did you raise an objection to that . Yes, of course, | of who it was. And did you raise an | objection to that . Yes, of course, i had the prime objection to that . Yes, of course, i had the prime Minister Objection to that . Yes, of course, i had the Prime Minister s objection to that . Yes, of course, i had the Prime Minister s folsom i had the Prime Minister � s Folsom Support all the way through. Mas support all the way through. Was that problematic support all the way through. Was that problematic in the discharge of your duties in whitehall . This was happening in the newspapers and in the public prints but also reflecting discussions that were Taking Place . In reflecting discussions that were Taking Place . Reflecting discussions that were Taking Place . Reflecting discussions that were takin lace . , Taking Place . In Downing Street . I think the best Taking Place . In Downing Street . I think the best thing Taking Place . In Downing Street . I think the best thing to Taking Place . In Downing Street . I think the best thing to say Taking Place . In Downing Street . I think the best thing to say about i think the best thing to say about this and this will be corroborated by lots of people in government, the best thing to say is that government has operated better over the past six months. Let has operated better over the past six months has operated better over the past six months. , six months. Let me turn to Jeremy Hunt for the six months. Let me turn to Jeremy Hunt for the first six months. Let me turn to Jeremy Hunt for the first of six months. Let me turn to Jeremy Hunt for the first of a six months. Let me turn to Jeremy Hunt for the first of a series i six months. Let me turn to Jeremy Hunt for the first of a series of i hunt for the first of a series of questions. Thank you, this inquiry is about lessons learned for the future. Ijust want is about lessons learned for the future. I just want to look is about lessons learned for the future. Ijust want to look in a bit of detail about the scientific advice you received at the early stages of the pandemic. Test and trace is a very established key plank of our response now. But the original four Point Plan that was announced on the 13th Of February Last year contain, delay, research, mitigate, said Community Testing should be stopped after stage one, thats what happened three weeks later on march the 9th. In South Korea and thailand, we now know, Test And Trace was used right the way through the pandemic and as it progressed they scaled up testing rather than scaling it down so my first question is when was the first time that you are Secretary Of State were advised that South Korean style Test And Trace was a potential option for controlling the pandemic in the uk . N option for controlling the pandemic in the uk . , option for controlling the pandemic in the uk . ,. , in the uk . I will answer that but ust in the uk . I will answer that but just before in the uk . I will answer that but just before i in the uk . I will answer that but just before i answer in the uk . I will answer that but just before i answer the in the uk . I will answer that but just before i answer the direct i just before i answer the direct question i want to correct something in the question which is that testing was at no point scaled down. On the contrary, we were driving up 0n the contrary, we were driving up Testing Capacity all the way through and if you look at the record of the testing numbers, we spentjanuary devising the test. I testing numbers, we spent january devising the test. Devising the test. I understand but community devising the test. I understand but Community Testing. , devising the test. I understand but Community Testing. , that i devising the test. I understand | but Community Testing. , that was devising the test. I understand i but Community Testing. , that was the but Community Testing. , that was the announcement that was made in Downing Street on march the 9th. There was still testing going on in hospitals and some in Care Homes but the Community Element which is what carried on in south Korea And Taiwan and other places, it was part of the strategy to stop that and im just wondering at what point you were advised that that different approach could be a Sensible Option for the uk . ~. ,. ,. , uk . Well i thought it could be a Sensible Option uk . Well i thought it could be a Sensible Option throughout i uk . Well i thought it could be a Sensible Option throughout and | uk . Well i thought it could be a I Sensible Option throughout and this is what i was explaining. We were ramping up Testing Capacity all the way through. And at first, in january, public Health England defines the test, we were one of the first countries in the world to devise an effective test and then in february, we got that test up and running in practice. And we got to about 2000 tests a day by the end of february and then we multiplied that by five times over march, and in the middle of march, i took personal authority over the driving up of testing because it wasnt going fast enough and what i would say is at the time, pag were brilliant at the science and that the development but simply did not have the experience of the capacity to scale. Public Health England. This is important because what happened is a growth in the demand for the test for people who were symptomatic happened exponentially, for as the growth in testing, although very rapid, was in a straight line and this meant that we had to prioritise the testing. I we had to prioritise the testing. I understand but im really trying to talk about the advice you received. Drjenny harries was very clear, she said Community Testing was not an appropriate intervention and she said that was the scientific advice that had been around for several weeks, lets look, because i really want to look at the exact evidence. The week before the big national lockdown was announced on the 23rd of march, imperial published a paper which was the modelling that they had done and they had two options, one was suppression, which was effectively a lockdown approach. And the other was what they called mitigation which is effectively allowing the virus to spread but protecting the most vulnerable people. So there was no South Korean Test And Trace option in that paper, it was either lockdown or let the Virus Spread. It was either lockdown or let the Virus Spread it was either lockdown or let the Virus Spread. It was either lockdown or let the virus sread. ,. , , Virus Spread. There is no country in the world that Virus Spread. There is no country in the world that uses Virus Spread. There is no country in the world that uses only Virus Spread. There is no country in the world that uses only testing i Virus Spread. There is no country in | the world that uses only testing and doesnt have some form of lockdown as well. And so, absolutely, what i was. ,. ,. , was. There is, South Korea, South Korea has was. There is, South Korea, South Korea has not was. There is, South Korea, South Korea has not had was. There is, South Korea, South Korea has not had a was. There is, South Korea, South Korea has not had a lockdown i was. There is, South Korea, South Korea has not had a lockdown and i korea has not had a lockdown and this is what i want to ask you. Why were you not advised that that middle way which would involve not stopping Community Testing as we announced on march the 9th, but actually expanding Community Testing, you warrant advised that in the Run Up to the first lockdown, as an option . I the runup to the first lockdown, as an otion . , � the runup to the first lockdown, as an otion . , � , � the runup to the first lockdown, as an option . An option . I wasnt, but im also t in to an option . I wasnt, but im also trying to explain an option . I wasnt, but im also trying to explain that an option . I wasnt, but im also trying to explain that i an option . Iwasnt, but im also trying to explain that i think trying to explain that i think theres a couple of points on the premise of your question that are wrong. So the first is about capacity. Unlike other countries, we did not go into this with a Testing Capacity. So one of the reasons that we had to reduce the Community Testing is because we didnt have a big enough capacity and we had to target the testing where it was clinically most needed. Hold on, the second point, which is really important is that the clinical advice i received was that testing people symptomatically would lead to false negatives and in fact, there is a Sage Decision on this, sage advice, on the 28th of january, saying it would not be useful to test asymptomatic individuals. That advice was later changed and in fact, maybe we can come a wider about asymptomatic transmission because that is a very significant part of what we have learned. So the problem was we were advised you should not test people without symptoms because you will get a set of false negative results and secondly, when you only have a relatively small Testing Capacity, compared to say, Germany Or South korea, you have to target it at the people for whom it might be life saving, thats the basis on which i. I lifesaving, thats the basis on which l lifesaving, thats the basis on whichl. ,. ,. ,. , which i. I understand you follow the which i. I understand you follow the clinical which i. I understand you follow the clinical and which i. I understand you follow the clinical and scientific which i. I understand you follow the clinical and scientific advice, l the clinical and scientific advice, i accept that but what i am trying to understand is what that advice was. And sage did not model South Korean Test And Trace until april, they did not actually discuss the impact until may so i cant see any evidence in the papers that you are the Prime Minister were offered that South Korean Style Approach as an option at that first stage before the first lockdown was announced and ijust the first lockdown was announced and i just want to check that is correct . I just want to check that is correct . , correct . That is my recollection, es. Correct . That is my recollection, yes thank correct . That is my recollection, yes thank you. Correct . That is my recollection, yes. Thank you, we correct . That is my recollection, yes. Thank you, we did correct . That is my recollection, yes. Thank you, we did not i correct . That is my recollection, j yes. Thank you, we did not know correct . That is my recollection, i yes. Thank you, we did not know at the time and yes. Thank you, we did not know at the time and a yes. Thank you, we did not know at the time and a lot yes. Thank you, we did not know at the time and a lot of yes. Thank you, we did not know at the time and a lot of this yes. Thank you, we did not know at the time and a lot of this is the time and a lot of this is Captain Hindsightand the time and a lot of this is Captain Hindsight and it important because we might have this in the future, south Korea And Taiwan had some of the lowest Death Rates in the world but we knew that taiwan had experience of sars and korea had experience of mirrors and being near china they both had the cases of the pandemic before we did. So why do you think it took until may for sage to discuss the approach taken in Korea And Taiwan . Mers. I dont know. Lets take a look at some are as closer to us, the World Health Organization, Doctor Tedros, as closer to us, the World Health Organization, doctortedros, he said 0rganization, doctortedros, he said Test Entries needed to be escalated. At that time, taiwan, australia, new zealand, korea, had already started closing their borders, they all kept their cases to below 2 of the population. Do you think we had a Blind Spot about what was happening in East Asia at that time because that doesnt seem to be any evidence it was fully considered . I that doesnt seem to be any evidence it was fully considered . It was fully considered . I think there are a it was fully considered . I think there are a significant it was fully considered . I think there are a significant number| it was fully considered . I think i there are a significant number of lessons from this. First, the need for a rapidly scalable Testing Operation must be part of Pandemic Preparedness in this country did not have one and if you think about the areas where we were strong in our response to the pandemic, they are areas where we had prior strengths so the Nhs Response was very strong, build new hospitals, deliver care to everyone who needed it. The Science Response was very strong, we have a centuries long science tradition. We did not have a major Diagnostics Industry or capability and the Tracing And Isolation system was essentially built for very important but very small outbreaks. You know, as Health Secretary, you are dealing with these sorts of fabrics over time, im currently dealing with a Monkeypox Outbreak and an outbreak, cases of drug resistant tb, that is absolutely standard. And the lack of that capability at the start meant that capability at the start meant that the options that we had were fewer. � � ,. ,. , ~ that the options that we had were fewer. � � ,. ,. , ~. ,. , that the options that we had were fewer. � � ,. ,. , i. Fewer. But lets look at what you did in april fewer. But lets look at what you did in april very fewer. But lets look at what you did in april very successfully i fewer. But lets look at what you i did in april very successfully which was ramp up Testing Capacity to 100,000 a day, that was a big change. If you had been advised in january or february, we are going to need more Testing Capacity if we want to go South Korea at. I need more Testing Capacity if we want to go South Korea at. I dont thinkthat want to go South Korea at. I dont thinkthat. In want to go South Korea at. I dont think that. In january, want to go South Korea at. I dont think that. In january, i want to go South Korea at. I dont think that. In january, i was i think that. Injanuary, i was driving the system to drive up Testing Capacity, in fact, in preparation for this meeting i was looking at the minutes of one of our internal meetings on the 27th Of January when i was calling for the driving up Testing Capacity and public Health England � s response was excellent on the science but there was simply not the experience to drive up the capacity and so when we got to 2000 a day by the end of february, and it was still rising but by the middle of march it was not rising fast enough, we were not doing enough to bring in the private Sector Capacity so i took personal charge of it and then a couple of weeks later, said the 100,000 target and that 100,000 target was essential in galvanising the whole system and building a Diagnostics Organisation and ecosystem in this country and now we do about 6 Million tests and im very proud of it. , million tests and im very proud of it. ,. , million tests and im very proud of it. That was a very important step in our pandemic it. That was a very important step in our Pandemic Response it. That was a very important step in our Pandemic Response but i in our Pandemic Response but strategy at the time was clear, when we got through stage one, Community Testing would stop and on the 16th of march, when Doctor Tedros said we need to test, test, the week after we had stopped Community Testing, did you challenge officials and say why do we appear to be doing something completely different to what the World Health Organization is advising