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A leading epidemiologist who advised the UK government on its coronavirus response resigned from his government post on Tuesday, after the Telegraph reported he broke the lockdown rules he helped shape.
Professor Neil Ferguson, based at the Imperial College in London, is one of the architects of the UK government stay-at-home strategy and a prominent member of Britain's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which has been spearheading the coronavirus response.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said he was resigning his post on the government's SAGE over an "error of judgment."
The Telegraph revealed that Ferguson's friend had crossed London from her family home to visit him on at least two occasions, on 30 March and 8 April, since the lockdown measures were imposed.
"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," Ferguson said. "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."
"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."
The Guardian reported that a government spokesman confirmed Ferguson's resignation but did not comment further. A statement from Imperial College London said Ferguson "continues to focus on his important research."
Ferguson and his team at Imperial College London produced mathematical prediction models, which claimed coronavirus could cost more than 500,000 lives in the UK without lockdown measures. His research prompted the UK government to change its coronavirus strategy, according to British media.
(CGTN)
