7
Whilst we welcome the eventual disclosure of SAGE participants, the fact that the delay was...
Conclusion
Whilst we welcome the eventual disclosure of SAGE participants, the fact that the delay was attributed to advice from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) gives us cause for concern. As suggested by Professor Chris Whitty, the advice relates to emergencies relevant to national security rather than public health crises. We therefore conclude that it was not necessary for CPNI advice to have resulted in a delay in the public disclosure of SAGE participants of over three months. Within three months of this Report, the Cabinet Office should update SAGE guidance to stipulate the timeframes in which SAGE should receive advice from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, and other relevant bodies, regarding the public disclosure of expert SAGE participants.
Paragraph Reference
56
Government Response
Acknowledged
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
SAGE minutes published online already contain details of the Senior Civil Servants as well as special advisers present at meetings. Names of more junior observer government officials who attend the meetings are redacted. This is in line with long- 3 See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage- coronavirus-covid-19-response-membership/list-of-participants-of-sage-and-related-sub-groups 4 See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-sage-register-of-participants-interests standing data protection principles. The safety of civil servants and SAGE attendees will continue to be a priority. As stated above, the CO and GO-Science will, as part of the wider review of SAGE guidance in the future, consider where necessary the need for any revisions to this broad approach.
Source
Report
First Report - The UK response to covid-19: use of scientific advice
08 Jan 2021
HC 136
Addressee Bodies
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.4 yrs
Report published
08 Jan 2021