Piers Morgan attacks the government after Boris Johnson announces third lockdown – branding it ‘scandalously bad’

PIERS Morgan has savaged the government after Boris Johnson introduced a third lockdown last night - branding it "scandalously bad".

Piers, 55, spoke today after the PM ordered the closure of all schools and non-essential shops for at least the next six weeks in a dramatic escalation of Tier rules.

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He tweeted: "So, just hours after Boris Johnson assured us schools are 'safe' and will stay open, he shuts them all. But only after allowing them to be open for one day so everyone could infect each other & take the virus home to their older relatives.

"This is scandalously bad government."

The presenter then raged at Boris and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Good Morning Britain, saying sarcastically: "Here we go, lockdown three.

"All the kids, who we know are the biggest spreaders of the virus, going back for a day. What a brilliant idea by the prime minister!

"My thoughts are with Gavin Williamson. This guy is the most clueless Education Secretary we've ever seen."

"Where is he? This is utter chronic appalling dereliction management of duty from the government."

He went on: "Why do you do this, why do you disrupt everyone's lives teachers parents kids? And then pull the plug, it is so insane."

Piers continued to mock the government and Boris, who he impersonated Boris using Little Britain character Vicky Pollard's famous phrase.

"'Yeah but no but, yeah but no but!' Just about sums up Boris Johnson," he said.

The host then called on Sir Captain Tom to help, begging: "Please can you come back from Barbados and start walking again?"

Piers has been an outspoken critic of the way the UK government has handled the coronvirus - but a longstanding champion of the NHS.

In April, Piers donated £10,000 to the war hero who was raising money for the health service by doing 100 laps of his garden.

The PM has urged Brits to follow the third nationwide lockdown immediately, and once again put Brits under effective house arrest - resurrecting the 'Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives slogan'.

He said it was the new variant of the coronavirus - which is between 50 and 70 per cent more transmissible - which has forced him to act.

Mr Johnson said people will only be allowed out of their homes to buy essential food and medicine supplies, attend medical appointments, exercise, work if it is critical and cannot be done from home and to provide care for a vulnerable person. 

Police will have legal powers to enforce the rules but fines will not be increased despite a drop in compliance. 

Free school meals will continue to go to those who need them as schools stay shut, and more laptops will be dished out to kids across the nation who haven't got the ability to learn online at home.

And holidays will effectively be cancelled as people have to legally remain at home.