The scientific evidence that has underpinned No 10’s response to Covid-19 will not be made public until the pandemic ends, the government chief science adviser has told MPs.
Sir Patrick Vallance said that the minutes of meetings of the
Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage) — the government’s most senior team of expert advisers — would only be released “once Sage stops convening on this emergency”.
In a letter to Greg Clark, the science and technology select committee chairman, Sir Patrick said that when the outbreak was under control the names of the scientists taking part in the meetings could also be released, he added, but only if those involved gave their permission.
Since the letter was sent on April 4, the government has been urged to reveal the scientific experts advising it on the Covid-19 amid concerns that ministers are consulting too narrowly. The only members of Sage to have been officially acknowledged are Sir Patrick and Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, who co-chair the group.
The Conservative MP Mr Clark is among those calling for all members to be made public. “In order to have some visibility into what institutions and disciplines are represented, it would be extremely useful to have the membership known,” he said.
Other scientists have questioned the wisdom of making Sage membership secret. Dame Anne Glover, professor at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and a former chief scientific adviser to the European Commission, said: “My fear is that we are limiting ourselves when we need fresh thinking.”
Sir Patrick told Mr Clark that he is following the rules for Cobra meetings, to which Sage supplies advice. “This contributes towards safeguarding members’ personal security and protects them from lobbying and other forms of unwanted influence which may hinder their ability to give impartial advice,” Sir Patrick wrote.
