Thread by @paulwaugh

.@BorisJohnson suggesting mask wearing depends on different types of train, depending on crowds.
Says there is "a difference between traveling on an overcrowded [commuter] train and sitting late at night in a virtually empty carriage on the main line"

Clear that Chris Whitty thinks mask wearing STILL needed "particularly at this point when the epidemic is clearly significant and rising" + when made others uncomfortable..
Tension with PM on this one is obvious

huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/boris-jo…

That Whitty quote in full: “I would wear a mask under three situations, and I would do so, particularly at this point when the epidemic is clearly significant and rising.
1/4

"..And the first is in any situation which was indoors and crowded, or indoors with close proximity to other people and that is because masks help protect other people – this is a thing we do to protect other people, this is by far its principal aim...

2/4

“The second situation I’d do it is if I was required to by any competent authority. I would have no hesitation about doing that and I would consider that was a reasonable and sensible thing if they had good reason to do that...

3/4

"And the third reason is if someone else was uncomfortable if I did not wear a mask, as a point of common courtesy of course I would wear a mask so under all those circumstances I would do so.”

4/4

.@Keir_Starmer his punchiest yet in response to that Johnson press conference. Says it's 'reckless' to throw off all restrictions without seeing full data.
Says he would keep masks on transport: "At least until we are past the peak and the numbers are coming down"

I think that's the most specific he's ever been in response to a PM presser. Clearly more confident post-Batley.