Sunak under fire as ‘stupid’ Eat Out to Help Out scheme to be focus of Covid inquiry

Leading scientist attacks prime minister as criticism mounts of government approach to science during the crisis

Rishi Sunak is facing a barrage of criticism in the run-up to the official Covid-19 inquiry as a leading scientist attacks his spectacularly stupid" Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which is believed to have caused a sudden rise in cases of the virus.

The prime minister's role as chancellor during the pandemic is under increasing scrutiny - as is that of his predecessor at No 10, Boris Johnson - in an escalating Covid blame game at Westminster as Lady Hallett prepares to open her investigation into the government's pandemic response later this month.