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Revealed: the UK’s Covid passport plan

(Photo: Getty)

The government has gotten itself in a right muddle in recent weeks about its plans for ‘immunity passports’ for those who have received a vaccine – with ministers seemingly unable to agree whether passports will allow vaccinated members of the public to be free from restrictions.

On Monday, for instance, Mr S noted that minister James Cleverly would not say if immunity ‘cards’ or ‘passports’ were on the table, as he toured the broadcast studios in the morning.

Could the confusion lie in the plans the government has to issue ‘passports’ for those who have tested negative for the disease instead?

Mr S has obtained documents which show that the UK’s plans for negative Covid test ‘passports’ have progressed much further than previously thought.

While the Prime Minister merely hinted in late November that so-called ‘freedom passes’ could allow members of the public to be free from restrictions, the documents show that at the beginning of November, the Department for Health was asking businesses to build a ‘minimum viable product’ for the ‘Covid certification / passport’ scheme.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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