Chris Whitty: UK CMO harassed and called a liar on the streets in Tik Tok video

A catcaller who confronted Professor Chris Whitty in the street has been branded "pathetic" by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Video footage shared on TikTok showed a young man repeatedly accusing England's chief medical officer of "lying" about Covid-19, while the scientist was out walking near Westminster in central London.

The young man, who is holding the camera, walks around Prof Whitty, telling him: "Liar. You're a liar. Mandem is a liar. You're a liar. You lie about the Covid-19 cases. Stop lying to the TV, man."

It is unclear when the video was taken, but Prof Whitty did not respond to the taunts, appearing to be waiting for food from a nearby market stall.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Hancock said: "I think the individual concerned is pathetic, I think it is ridiculous what he is doing.

"Chris Whitty is one of our greatest living scientists and his advice to the Government all the way through this, and his advice to all of us in the population, has been incredibly smart and thoughtful, and he is a great asset to this nation.

"The idea that someone would do something as silly as that is ridiculous."

Downing Street condemned the verbal attack on Professor Chris Whitty after footage showed England's chief medical officer being accused of "lying" about Covid-19 while out walking near Westminster.

He added: "Chris Whitty is a scientist of great repute and, frankly, he should be respected by everybody."

Downing Street also condemned attack with a spokesman adding: "Chris Whitty is an outstanding public servant who has worked incredibly hard and tirelessly to help steer us through what has been a very, very challenging time over the past year.

"And it is clearly unacceptable that somebody who has done so much is being subject to this sort of behaviour."

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