& #39;SAGE was unanimous that measures seeking to completely suppress spread of Covid19 will cause a second peak. SAGE advises that it is a near certainty that countries such as China, where heavy suppression is underway, will experience a second peak once measures are relaxed.& #39;

Re decision to allow Cheltenham (10/3-13/3) and Liverpool-Atletico (12/3)

5/3: & #39;SAGE agreed there is no evidence to suggest that banning very large gatherings would reduce transmission& #39;
10/3: & #39;SAGE noted that public gatherings pose a relatively low but not zero public risk& #39;

All of this appears to support the UK government& #39;s claim that during March, it was following the guidance of its scientific advisers. So while there *were* warnings that its approach would lead to disaster, there *were not* such warnings coming from the group advising ministers.