We have a number of people, such as Professor Whitty, who were regarded as broadly apolitical when they first appeared. There was even an occasion when one of the scientific advisors basically contradicted what the government spokesman said and left no room for doubt that is what he was saying. He was not invited back to press conferences for some time.

But more recently, they have seen seen as too close to the politicians, rather than presenting the straight scientific advice.

Dr Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet, condemned the government’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. Horton stated, “The faux deference that you saw from both of them to the prime minister [at Monday’s Downing Street press conference] in trying to shore up his decision making, I thought, was an abdication of their independent role as government advisers.”

Referring to Whitty’s claim that there was “widespread agreement across the scientific community” with the government’s position, Horton commented, “I’m afraid you have to conclude that the chief medical officer is wilfully misrepresenting scientific opinion across the country, and that is extraordinary to observe.”