Experts from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) reportedly warned Boris Johnson over his Christmas plans and the threat to schools before the 'inevitable' lockdown.
Ministers were urged to shut down schools two weeks ago due to spiking coronavirus cases, according to minutes from a SAGE meeting.
On December 22, the advisory board told the Prime Minister it was 'highly unlikely' that allowing kids back to school would keep the R number below one.
This warning came after the emergence of the new highly infectious strain of Covid-19. However Mr Johnson was still defending reopening schools on Sunday, before he finally relented and announced a national lockdown the next evening.
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