Why Boris Johnson cannot keep ducking the controversy over ‘vaccine passports’ to enter venues

Giving bosses a nod and a wink to press ahead, while leaving it to judges to decide, is a failure of leadership, writes Rob Merrick

The prime minister still appears to have his head in the sand (AP)

The priceless moment when Boris Johnson turned to Chris Whitty and asked “what do you think about vaccine passports” screamed volumes about his utter refusal to confront the controversy.

The chief medical officer could not have been more surprised if asked who should play up front for England with Harry Kane – no doubt thinking this was the ultimate decision for political, not scientific, leaders.

A few weeks on, the prime minister still appears to have his head in the sand – with that familiar procrastination that, fatally, delayed three lockdowns – but this is a big mistake, because the issue will not go away.