England’s chief medical officer and other public servants have become focus of abuse by anti-lockdown activistsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our
Coronavirus coverageSocial media companies have been accused of “taking their eye off the ball” over online death threats against public servants such as Prof Chris Whitty after he became the focus of violent language in channels set up by anti-lockdown activists and members of the far right.
Calls came for England’s chief medical officer to be given
police protection this week after footage surfaced of him being harassed in the street. Whitty’s home was targeted by anti-lockdown
protesters, while he and other senior government figures are being vilified on
Social Media channels as “traitors”.