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“Unlike what Labour wanted to do, which was to lock down before Christmas”

Nadhim Zahawi, BBC Sunday Morning

9 January 2022

Facts

Speaking on BBC’ Sunday Morning, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi claimed that Labour wanted to “lock down before Christmas”. Host Sophie Raworth then challenged him on this, saying “Labour didn’t want a lockdown”. 

But Mr Zahawi doubled down on his claim, quoting Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting to support his point. Mr Zahawi said: ‘Wes Streeting on the 19th December said ‘if you act fast and hard you do better’, actually advocated for a stronger lockdown. Raworth then challenged him again. 

But Mr Zahawi had taken Mr Streeting’s comments out of context. In his interview with Trevor Philips on December 19th, he explicitly said: “I don’t think a lockdown would be necessary if the government takes action sooner rather than later..."

Verdict

Mr Zahawi was misrepresenting both Labour’s position and Mr Streeting’s comments. 

We approached Mr Zahawi’s office and the Department for Education for comment, but received no reply. 

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