Furthermore, by allowing the Queen to do this, the Government has dragged the monarch into the political murk.
The view one takes of the PM and the Leader of the Opposition depends on whether one is by temperament a cavalier or a puritan.
Like it or not, there is a trade-off between maximal accountability and effective government decision-making.
His in-tray features: Covid, mental health, NHS reform…and social care. He’s set to be the most pressured Health Secretary since Lansley.
The Shadow Health Secretary adds that Hancock has always been “truly courteous with me”.
“Credit to Matt that his focus is not just on his family but on the wider country and the best interests of the UK.”
“There are serious issues here which need further investigation”, says the Shadow Housing Secretary.
His exit was coming. But there’s a risk for Johnson of a media ramp, with other Ministers vulnerable to a feeding frenzy.
“I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologise to my family and loved ones for putting them through this.”
The former Health Secretary uses Twitter to push the Government’s message on vaccines, the NHS and building back better as he goes.
A brief apology doesn’t justify him remaining in post. It’s now up to him to do so live. This is one for Andrew Neil, assuming he’s available.
The Labour leader for some reason declined to test fire the latest ammunition supplied by the former Downing Street adviser.
If vaccinating the most vulnerable won’t allow us to get back to life as normal, what will?
The decision on lifting the remainder of lockdown will be based on many factors. But that’s the question at the heart of it.