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# Lichfield and Burntwood MP feels “rather sorry” for top scientist caught breaking coronavirus lockdown rules
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-and-burntwood-mp-feels-rather-sorry-for-top-scientist-caught-breaking-coronavirus-lockdown-rules/
- Published: 2020-05-06T07:40:54.000Z
- Updated: 2020-05-06T07:41:10.000Z
- Description: The MP for Lichfield and Burntwood says he feels “rather sorry” for a scientist who resigned from a Government role after being caught flouting coronavirus lockdown rules.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:18, News

The MP for Lichfield and Burntwood says he feels “rather sorry” for a scientist who resigned from a Government role after being caught flouting coronavirus lockdown rules.

Prof Neil Ferguson was a key figure in the decision to place the UK under strict COVID-19 restrictions.

But he resigned from his Government advisory role after [a story in the Daily Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/05/exclusive-government-scientist-neil-ferguson-resigns-breaking/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) revealed he had flouted those same rules.

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said he had some sympathy for Prof Ferguson.

![Michael Fabricant](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/speaking-competition-2018-013-2.jpg)

Michael Fabricant

> “I do feel rather sorry for him as he always said lockdown rules would need to apply until we have the antibodies that give us immunity through a vaccine.  
>  
> “But having caught COVID-19, he was tested and so now has the antibodies and the immunity from the disease as if vaccinated.”  
>  
> Michael Fabricant MP

Prof Ferguson had been a key figure in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) which had helped direct the Government’s position on how best to tackle coronavirus.

> “I accept I made an error of judgement and took the wrong course of action. I have therefore stepped back from my involvement in SAGE.  
>  
> “I acted in the belief that I was immune, having tested positive for coronavirus and completely isolated myself for almost two weeks after developing symptoms.  
>  
> “I deeply regret any undermining of the clear messages around the continued need for social distancing.”  
>  
> Prof Neil Ferguson