Boris In School U-Turn To Avoid Sturgeon Row

The policy was one of the most controversial of the pandemic and didn't end in England until January 2022, 16 months later.

- Martyn Brown

Boris Johnson agreed to compulsory face masks in schools after he was told it was "not worth an argument" with Nicola Sturgeon over the issue, it has been claimed.

He gave the green light despite England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty saying there were "no very strong reasons" to do so.

First Minister Ms Sturgeon had already announced the compulsory wearing of face masks in corridors and communal areas in Scottish secondary schools. It prompted Mr Johnson to ask for advice on whether they were necessary in England in August 2020.