A top government adviser claimed that “the example that Bolton worked” did not show that anti-Covid measures during the pandemic were enough.

The comments from Sir Patrick Vallance, who served as the government’s chief scientific advisor from 2018 to 2023, emerged during the ongoing independent inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sir Patrick described Cabinet ministers as “meek as mice” and accused them of an “abrogation of responsibility” for not imposing recommended restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the autumn of 2020.

The inquiry heard how in an entry in his personal notes dated October 11 2020 Sir Patrick welcomed being dropped from a press conference in favour of then chancellor Rishi Sunak.

His notes said: “Good. They need to understand and own the decisions they’re making … being asked to approve the measures, knowing that it’s not enough, gave the example that Bolton worked, but only because hospitality fully closed.

“This is a massive abrogation of responsibility.”

The Bolton News: Sir Patrick VallanceSir Patrick Vallance (Image: PA)

His notes then references various cabinet ministers at the time, with Grant Shapps and Ben Wallace described as having “got it” in backing tighter restrictions.

Sir Patrick’s notes said: “While waiting someone clearly not on mute – baby crying and then she starts singing ‘the wheels on the bus’ – somehow symbolic of the shambles.”

He then wrote that Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the current package of measures are unlikely to reduce infections.

He added: “Hancock says this is our last shot at avoiding national lockdown… meek as mice cabinet members.”

Bolton was subject to controversial local lockdown measures to stop the spread of Covid at the height of the pandemic after being hit particularly hard by infection rates.

In March 2020 Bolton News reported the borough’s first death relating to Covid 19, as a patient in their 70s who had underlying health issues succumbed to the virus at Royal Bolton Hospital.

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There were also several high-profile events due to take place in Bolton that had to be cancelled, including the first Bolton Marathon in over 30 years, as well as various concerts at Victoria Hall, and shows at The Albert Halls, with many people having to be refunded for their tickets.

Businesses were forced to close and people asked to work at home.

Queues formed out supermarkets as social distancing rules were introduced to contain the virus.

While frontline workers carried on working while everyone was else was confined to their homes.