Downing Street has branded footage of a verbal attack on Professor Chris Whitty as “unacceptable”.
A video shared on TikTok showed a young man repeatedly accusing England’s chief medical officer of “lying” about Covid-19, while the scientist was out walking in central London.
The incident was condemned by politicians with Downing Street now stepping in.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “Chris Whitty is an outstanding public servant who has worked incredibly hard and tirelessly to help steer us through what has been a very, very challenging time over the past year.
READ MORE: Video showing Chris Whitty being berated in streets of London over Covid-19 condemned
“And it is clearly unacceptable that somebody who has done so much is being subject to this sort of behaviour.”
*Please share*
This is appalling, I really can't believe this footage.
Chris Whitty is doing all he can to help guide us through this crisis and should never be subjected to this abuse. pic.twitter.com/90wxuQZW0t
— Matt Vickers MP (@Matt_VickersMP) February 2, 2021
The catcaller who confronted Prof Whitty in the street was earlier labelled “pathetic” by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
In the footage, the young man, who is holding the camera, walks around Prof Whitty, telling him: “Liar. You’re a liar. Mandem is a liar. You’re a liar. You lie about the Covid-19 cases. Stop lying to the TV, man.”
READ MORE: Covid Scotland: Vaccinations rise to highest daily total since programme began
The video shows that Prof Whitty did not respond to the taunts and appeared to be waiting for food from a nearby market stall.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Hancock said: “I think the individual concerned is pathetic, I think it is ridiculous what he is doing.
“Chris Whitty is one of our greatest living scientists and his advice to the Government all the way through this, and his advice to all of us in the population, has been incredibly smart and thoughtful, and he is a great asset to this nation.
“The idea that someone would do something as silly as that is ridiculous.”
He added: “Chris Whitty is a scientist of great repute and, frankly, he should be respected by everybody.”
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