Boris Johnson’s lockdown speech has been slammed by politicians of all stripes, as the Prime Minister was accused of putting ‘lives at risk’. Mr Johnson was ridiculed for raising ‘more questions than answers’, as he eased some of the coronavirus restrictions this evening – amid fears that the four nations of the UK could ‘pull in different directions’. Medical professionals, celebrities, union leaders and prominent members of political parties of all colours lined up to criticise the speech, which was labelled ‘vacuous’, ‘dangerous’ and confusing. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said: ‘This statement raises more questions than it answers, and we see the prospect of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions. The Prime Minister appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work without a clear plan for safety or clear guidance as to how to get there without using public transport. What the country wanted tonight was clarity and consensus, but we haven’t got either of those.’ ADVERTISEMENT In a speech to the nation this evening, Mr Johnson encouraged workers who cannot work from home to go in – and said the public could take ‘unlimited’ exercise from Wednesday. Coronavirus updates Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live He also outlined plans to open some hospitality venues by July, as he launched a ‘coronavirus alert level’, and said certain pupils could be sent back to school earlier than others. That followed Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon condemning a move to change the ‘stay at home’ messaging, as a rift opened up between the two leaders. Mr Johnson’s speech was also condemned in Wales. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaking at a coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh today (Picture: PA) Adam Price, the leader of Plaid Cymru, described the message as ‘confusing and dangerous’. He added: ’There is no clearer and simpler message than “stay at home”.’ Ed Davey, the acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, also called for more clarity and said he was worried that ‘people who watched tonight & may still not know if they should go back to work tomorrow’. Two MPs who have worked as healthcare workers during the pandemic expressed concerns about the loosening of the lockdown. Nadia Whittome, who claimed she was sacked as a temporary carer for speaking out against PPE shortages, tweeted: ‘Boris Johnson has just encouraged millions of people to go back to work, without agreement from unions or guidance on how workers will be kept safe. Boris Johnson reveals his end of lockdown plan, in-full Play Video Loaded: 0%Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time0:00 / Duration Time13:41 Fullscreen ‘This will risk lives. We simply do not have the PPE and testing in place to substantially loosen lockdown.’ Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, a Labour MP and A&E doctor, said she was ‘alarmed’ by the speech. She wrote on Twitter: ‘What we saw over the weekend worries me no-end. The future for our country is increased infections and more avoidable death. ‘The Government are forcing people back to work if they can’t work from home, but they “should” avoid public transport. This will put some of the lowest-paid workers at the mercy of bosses!’ MORE: CORONAVIRUS Arrivals at UK airports will be quarantined under new lockdown plans Coronavirus UK: Who can go back to work tomorrow? Piers Morgan rips into ‘disingenuous’ Boris Johnson lockdown speech Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth added: ‘Many tonight will be asking whether they are being asked to go back to work or not tomorrow, what safety measures will be in place, how will they get to work.’ Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage tweeted: ‘I think the big change from this much vaunted Presidential-style address is that I can sunbathe. Was that really it? ‘Never in the field of human statesmanship was so much said to such little effect.’ Green party MP, and former leader, Caroline Lucas added: ‘Boris blusters through his pre-recorded message, yet again avoiding scrutiny. And frankly I’m none the wiser.
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