This...isn’t right. https://twitter.com/breeallegretti/status/1356904251864330240

There’s an argument the UK got unlucky with the Kent variant. But the idea that no-one predicted it could happen is nonsense. It was widely speculated about from the pandemic’s earliest days.

Though even with this, scientists were also warning that high prevalence=more chance of a mutation.

There’s a second point for which Ms Harding has direct responsibility. If track and trace/self isolation regime were working properly, given any mutation’s initially tiny numbers we should have a good chance to contain without even realising they exist.

If that isn’t happening, Ms Harding will have to be able to explain why.

Full remarks from Ms Harding