Top UK Government Scientist Who Adviced Total Lockdown Quits After Revelations That He Violated It To Meet Mistress

Prof Neil Ferguson, a United Kingdom government scientist who advised Prime Minister Boris Johnson to implemenet complete lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus outbreak, resigned in ignominy following revelations that he violated social-distancing guidelines to meet his mistress, BBC reported.

Professor Neil Ferguson, 51, had his ‘married mistress’ over at his house just after he had spent two weeks in quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus, The Daily Telegraph revealed.

Prof Ferguson regretted "undermining" the messages on social distancing.

“I accept I made an error of judgment and took the wrong course of action. I have therefore stepped back from my involvement in Sage [the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies],” Prof.Ferguson told The Telegraph.

“I acted in the belief that I was immune, having tested positive for coronavirus, and completely isolated myself for almost two weeks after developing symptoms,” the epidemiologist added.

“I deeply regret any undermining of the clear messages around the continued need for social distancing to control this devastating epidemic. The Government guidance is unequivocal, and is there to protect all of us.” he further said.

After initially toying with idea of ‘her immunity’ approach, Prime Minister Boris Johnson to 23 March announced that he was imposing widespread restrictions on daily life aimed at stopping the spread of the virus. The decision was heavily influenced by a mathematical modelling of the virus's transmission done by Prof. Ferguson predicting 250,000 deaths without stringent measures.