Boris Johnson condemns harassment of top UK medic

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson today led condemnation of a group of men who harassed U.K. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.

Footage posted on social media showed two men pushing and pulling Whitty around on the edge of a park and by the side of a road.

Whitty has become a household name after appearing at numerous government press conferences during the coronavirus pandemic.

Johnson said on Twitter he was “shocked at seeing the despicable harassment.” He added: “I condemn the behaviour of these thugs. Our hard-working public servants should not have to face this kind of intimidation on our streets and we will not tolerate it.”

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the footage was “disgusting” and insisted “these thugs must be found and charged.”

New Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the behavior was “appalling and totally unacceptable” while Schools Minister Nick Gibb branded the perpetrators “yobbos” in an interview with LBC Radio.

Home Secretary Priti Patel suggested Whitty could be offered police protection in future, telling Times Radio: “It’s important we give him the right support.”