A former health minister has disclosed that the government briefly considered ordering the extermination of all domestic cats in Britain due to fears they could transmit Covid-19. Lord Bethell, who served as Matt Hancock's deputy in the Department of Health and Social Care from 2020 to 2021, said the proposal reflected how little was understood about the disease at the start of the pandemic.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, Lord Bethell stated: 'There was a moment we were very unclear about whether domestic pets could transmit the disease. In fact, there was an idea at one moment that we might have to ask the public to exterminate all the cats in Britain.' He added that the idea was investigated but ultimately dismissed as evidence did not support it.
The revelation comes after The Daily Telegraph published excerpts from over 100,000 leaked WhatsApp messages between ministers, officials and scientists. The messages also showed that former Health Secretary Matt Hancock rejected Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty's advice to test all residents entering care homes for Covid. Mr Hancock argued that testing 'muddies the waters', despite Sir Chris's recommendation.
Further messages revealed that Jacob Rees-Mogg, then Leader of the House of Commons, received a personally delivered Covid test for his child during a national testing shortage. Matt Hancock's special adviser arranged the test, with a courier sent to the family home. A spokesman for Mr Rees-Mogg condemned the leaks as 'distorted' and part of an 'anti-lockdown agenda'.
