‘It’s not a quiz show’: Cabinet minister blames media for Boris Johnson blunder on Covid rules

Business secretary accuses reporters of ‘gotcha’ journalism over latest coronavirus restrictions

Business secretary Alok Sharma has defended Boris Johnson after the prime minister forgot his own coronavirus rules – suggesting the media was trying to catch him and other government ministers out.  

It comes after Mr Johnson and a junior minister could not properly explain what the latest restrictions were for the northeast of England. Mr Sharma said the PM had done the right thing by apologising and “correcting” his mistake.  

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Sharma said: “There is an element of slightly ‘gotcha’ about this in terms of this line of questioning. You are a flagship programme when it comes to serious news and it’s not a quiz show.”

Asked whether he thought explaining vital Covid regulations was as “trivial as a quiz question”, he said: “No, absolutely not.  

“But what I’m saying to you is that what is important is if people want to understand the precise restrictions that they have in areas which are more restricted, then they should go on to the (local authority) websites.”

Mr Sharma rejected the idea the rules had become too complicated, arguing that people understood the reasons for localised restrictions. “We are doing this to keep people safe, to make sure we control this virus and to make sure we have some level of normality in our lives.”

Asked whether the government would consider national lockdown measures now that one in four people are living under tougher restrictions, the minister said: “Well, I think nobody wants to go back to what I think you’re suggesting, which is some kind of national lockdown.”

He added: “We had that in March, we had to shut down large parts of our economy, thankfully we are not in that position now.”

Mr Sharma also hinted that concessions could be on the way as the government looks to quell a backbench Tory rebellion over coronavirus laws.

Business secretary Alok Sharma hinted concessions may be on the way over coronavirus laws (AFP/Getty)

More than 50 Tory MPs have already publicly backed an amendment calling for a meaningful vote on any future curbs on people’s freedoms. Former Tory chief whip Mark Harper has said more than 100 Conservative MPs are ready to support the amendment.

“The reason we are sometimes having to bring these in pretty quickly is to actually keep people safe – and I know all parliamentarians, Steve [Baker] and others totally get that – and the issue is the scrutiny,” said Mr Sharma.

“It is the case that when we’ve introduced restrictions, we have to make sure there is a vote within 28 days or they lapse.

“But what colleagues are asking for is if there is some way, prior to decisions being made, whether they can be involved and I know that is something that we are looking at in government and we will come forward with some suggestions.”

Pressed on whether there were concessions coming, the minister said: “We are having a look, as I said – I don’t want to pre-empt anything that comes out.”