A LEADING Covid expert has blasted the “fixed view” of a BBC interviewer on Boris Johnson’s plans to lift restrictions in England.
Professor Susan Michie, an adviser to the UK Government on pandemic behavioural science, was questioned by BBC Scotland’s Kaye Adams on Monday morning.
She was asked about the Prime Minister’s plans to end the legal requirement to self isolate in England amid reports Covid tests would no longer be free other than for the elderly and vulnerable.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson scraps ALL Covid restrictions in England as self-isolation ended
Prof Michie said she was “interrupted on several occasions” by the presenter.
The interview took place before it was announced all remaining Covid restrictions would be scrapped in England – including the legal requirement for those who test positive for the virus to self isolate.
Prof Michie said it was “not the right time” to be lifting restrictions and said the UK Government moving from legal restrictions to guidelines was “sending a strong message” to the public to be less cautious about Covid.
She told The National afterwards she had been on many programmes on BBC Scotland over the past two years and she was “always been treated with courtesy and asked intelligent questions”.
But she added: “Today, I was surprised to be interrupted on several occasions after having waited 25 minutes before being brought into the conversation. On Twitter, several listeners objected to the interruptions.
READ MORE: Ian Blackford jeered by Tory MPs for criticising Boris Johnson ending Covid rules
“It appeared that the interviewer had a fixed view and interrupted when public health arguments were given.”
One Twitter user remarked: “So much for the BBC’s impartiality.
“From the start of the programme it was obvious that Kaye Adams sides with Johnson on lifting Covid [rules].”
Adams later defended the interview.
She responded to Prof Michie on Twitter: "I am surprised-and disappointed Susan, that a woman of [your] standing would resort to such snarky condescension and furthermore try to drum up a Twitter pile-on.
"It was a [very] fair interview and you had ample time to present your view. I stand by it."
It comes as England prepares to end free Covid tests for most from April 1 and the lifting of all remaining restrictions on Thursday.
Johnson has been criticised by many public health experts for moving too quickly and for failing to publish the advice the Government has received from its public health experts.
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, told the Prime Minister on Monday the decisions were “bereft of science or consultation”.
He added: “It appears these dangerous choices are purely political and are being made up on the hoof, it is another symptom of a Government in turmoil.
"The illogical reality of UK finance means that these decisions made for England by a failing Prime Minister affect the money the devolved nations have to provide testing.”
A BBC spokesperson said: "We stand by our journalism. All guests are offered the opportunity to have their say.”
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