The government faces an 'uphill battle' with the public if they try to bring in new Covid restrictions, a doctor has warned.
Dr Amir Khan told Good Morning Britain presenters Adil Ray and Charlotte Hawkins that following the leak of a photo showing an alleged garden party at Downing Street in May 2020, the public had lost trust in the government.
The photo, first published by The Guardian, appears to show Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife socialising with wine and cheese.
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At the time households were not allowed to mix, only two people could meet outdoors and they had to be socially distanced by at least two metres.
But the photo appears to show groups of up to 17 Downing Street staffers “relaxing and drinking” together during lockdown in May. Number 10 has insisted it was a work meeting.
Dr Amir Khan appeared on GMB this morning, live from Leeds, to discuss the leaked photo and potential Christmas lockdown.
There are reports the PM is considering limits on household mixing as well as a full lockdown to stop the spread of Omicron.
He said: “I do think the government has an uphill battle ahead of them if they are going to impose new lockdown measures.
“I don’t think the public have any trust in them anymore and that’s what I’m hearing from my patients when I’m asked if lockdown is going to be imposed
“And what I think of these photographs - It’s all very embarrassing for the government.”
Adil asked: “Where do you stand with restrictions? If they were to restrict our movement and who we socialise with are you in favour of them?”
Dr Khan replied: “It’s really tricky. I do think people need to do lateral flow tests before they go anywhere.
"Masks wearing needs to be firmly put in place. I think they are going to struggle with lockdown.”
He continued: “What we do about restrictions and lockdown is the earlier you impose them the better the outcome of spreading the virus.
“However, that has to be balanced out at the other harms of lockdown.”
GMB viewers were quick to slam the government over the leaked photo.
@BethanyAnne1608 Tweeted: “I don’t have any trust in them anymore, why should they be allowed to do what they want and we are not. So for Christmas I will be going to see family lockdown or no lockdown.”
While @eddieparkes84 added: “You've got that right. I certainly don't trust them and millions of others the same.”
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