FURIOUS Piers Morgan today slammed the UK care home coronavirus crisis as a “stain on the country and government”.
The Good Morning Britain host criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the “brazen lie” that care homes had been given a “protective shield” when no extra measures had been put in place.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Speaking during a debate with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Piers highlighted the more than 22,000 deaths in care homes amid the coronavirus crisis.
He said: “You can understand why people are angry and aghast when they see our leaders claim completely falsely that there was a lockdown in care homes before the public and claiming there was a protective shield put around care homes when in fact, it was the complete opposite.
“Thousands of elderly vulnerable people, many with Covid-19, were sent from hospitals into care homes at the direction of the UK government.
“As a result over 22,000 people have died.
“This is a stain on this country, it is a stain on this government.”
And he hit out at Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his “brazen lie” that care homes had been locked down earlier this year.
And when Mr Street pointed out Piers would have to speak to the PM about the claims, the GMB presenter said he would “love to” – but that the government was boycotting the programme.
It comes after Piers Morgan’s friend broke down in tears live on air as she spoke about her 68-year-old mum dying of coronavirus in a care home.
The emotional moment on today’s Good Morning Britain followed a sweet tribute to Susan Marston who lived in a specialist home after being diagnosed with Huntington’s disease seven years ago.
As Ruth struggled to continue speaking as she wiped away tears, host Susanna Reid told her: “You’ve done her proud, both of you. She was 68, she was no age. It shouldn’t have happened, I’m so so sorry.”
Piers added: “You were robbed of years with your mother because of negligence and it was deliberately done.
“I’m so sorry to both of you. You had such a powerful message for people. You’ve shown the human toll of this.
“These are not just statistics. These are 22,000 people. They have been thrown to the wolves and it is disgraceful.”
Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that between March 2 and May 1 care home deaths in England and Wales accounted for more than one in four coronavirus fatalities – 27.3 per cent.
Covid-19 was the leading cause of the death for male care home residents, accounting for 30.3 per cent of deaths.
It was the second leading cause of death in female care home residents, after dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 23.5 per cent of deaths.
Boris Johnson has previously said he “bitterly regrets” the huge number of fatalities in care homes.
This week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed all elderly care home residents and staff will finally be tested for coronavirus by the start of June.
He unveiled a £600million fresh package of help for struggling care homes who aren’t able to control the spread of the virus.
The Government has been criticised for being slow to address the problem as the virus ripped through care homes throughout the country.
Staff and managers called for protection and testing, hitting out at the delay from ministers.
Care workers will get mental health support with a workforce app – designed with Hospice UK and Samaritans.
