Nadine Dorries sparks Twitter row after claiming 'no one' who knew anything about Covid-19 said it would be 'over by Christmas'

Health minister Nadine Dorries has been criticised after claiming that nobody "who knew anything" about coronavirus had said the pandemic would be over by Christmas.

Ms Dorries was responding to a tweet from PR executive and former journalist Steve Hawkes, who suggested people may be "too relaxed" about Covid-19 because they had been told by officials to "shop, take a summer holiday and that it would be over by Xmas".

Responding to Mr Hawkes' post, Ms Dorries wrote: "No one who knew anything about the pathology of #Covid19 ever said it would be over by Christmas."

But a number of Twitter users replied with comments made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July, when he said Britain could possibly “return to normality” by Christmas.

Commenting at the time on the Government's moves to ease lockdown restrictions, Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press briefing: "It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November, at the earliest, possibly in time for Christmas."

One Twtter user wrote: "Boris may have said it, but it doesn't contradict her statement."

Another added: "Nadine could be right: 'no one who knew anything about the pathology...'. excludes anybody in the cabinet."

Others simply replied to Ms Dorries' Tweet stating "your boss said it" and "your leader did".

It came as the Government moved to tighten lockdown restrictions in Bolton owing to a a rise in Covid-19 case there.

On Tuesday Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned the House of Commons of a possible second peak of coronavirus following a “concerning” rise in the number of infections nationwide.

The Government announced 2,948 new cases on Monday, only a fraction down on the 2,988 announced on Sunday, which was the highest figure since 22 May.

"We have seen a concerning rise in the number of positive cases, particularly among younger people, and these figures serve as a salutary reminder that this virus is still very much with us and remains a threat," Mr Hancock said.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that every reasonable measure should be taken to “utterly suppress” the virus.

He told the Commons: “There can be no question that the rise we have seen in recent days in case numbers is deeply worrying.

“I agree with (Matt Hancock) this is no time for complacency, that those who suggested this could be over by Christmas were foolish and that we should be doing everything we can, taking every reasonable measure possible to utterly suppress this virus.

“It is indeed a very dangerous virus and I am pleased that he and his department have recognised the condition of long-Covid, we probably need a better term for it, but have recognised that many people get long-term conditions as a result of this virus.”

Separately on Tuesday Mr Johnson told his Cabinet that ministers must ensure there is “no complacency” among the public, and particularly young people, after the reported rise in Covid-19 infections.

Read more

Rise in cases 'great concern' as true death toll hits 57k- LATEST