Sage warned Independent Sage its name would cause confusion, says Vallance

Chief scientist told former incumbent Sir David King the similarity would lead to mixed messaging

The government's chief scientist warned a former incumbent not to confuse the public during the Covid pandemic by naming an independent expert panel after the group convened to advise ministers on the crisis.

Sir Patrick Vallance revealed the clash in an interview at the Institute for Government on Friday, where he also said he would have told the former prime minister Boris Johnson that the Covid rules were meant to be followed by all.