Yahoo Sport 
William Hague criticises Boris Johnson for losing support of northern mayors over lockdowns
Former Conservative leader William Hague has criticised Boris Johnson for losing the support of northern mayors for the local lockdowns that are expected next week.
He said leaders like Manchester’s Andy Burnham were “right to be upset” when they were kept in the dark about plans to shut down their pubs and restaurants .
"Local mayors and regional leaders are right to be upset about reading this morning that there are new measures to be taken that they don't know about, because they really have to be able to say to people in their area that this is something they have been consulted on and are in favour of,” he told Politico.
His comments came as Mr Burnham threatened legal action. On Question Time last night , said he would challenge the closure of hospitality by “whatever means I can”.
“I will not accept the government just imposing restrictions these decisions upon us, briefing them to newspapers late at night,” he said. “They need to treat the people of the north of England with more respect.”
Sheffield mayor Dan Jarvis said the Government was "recklessly irresponsible” not to brief northern leaders on plans for their areas. Allies of London mayor Sadiq Khan complain that he has been kept off the Cobra emergency planning committee, despite the key importance of the capital to the economy.
Lord Hague said mayors should have “local ownership” of lockdowns and added: "We have a habit in this country of responding to crises in an over centralized-way."
In a broader critique, he called for “more Rishi Sunaks" in the Cabinet and added: "It needs to look in a couple of years like it's a team of brilliant ministers directing hard-working advisers, not the other way round with a team of brilliant advisers directing some hard-working ministers."
He called for a Minister for Testing and backed old rival Tony Blair’s calls for mass testing. Lord Hague said Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt should be given senior roles but ruled himself out of a comeback, saying: “I’ve really moved on and I’m excited about all the things I’m doing now.”
Read more
Covid curbs 'could last till April' as experts urge tougher rules-LIVE
Ministers facing revolt over leaked plans to shut northern pubs
Local lockdowns ‘not working,' northern leaders warn
More restrictions loom under 'three-tier local lockdown system'
