A BBC journalist has suggested that Boris Johnson used a pre-recorded address about Covid boosters to avoid scrutiny from journalists and MPs.
The Prime Minister was broadcast across the UK on Sunday night talking about the UK Government's plans to increase the number of booster jags given to all adults by the new year.
The BBC's chief political correspondent in Westminster Adam Fleming has suggested that Johnson used this format rather than a press conference or address to the Commons to avoid difficult questions about what it might mean and if it is achievable.
He was speaking following a report from political correspondent Chris Mason about the new booster plan.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson warns of deaths from 'tidal wave of Omicron'
Fleming said: "The Prime Minister does one of these national televised addresses, one-to-one between him and the audience, it feels very dramatic, they don't happen very often and they're saved for when they want to make a big impact.
"Although his critics would say it's also a way of evading scrutiny because if you don't do a press conference you don't get questions from journalists and if you don't do a statement in Parliament you don't get questions from hostile MPs.
"Sometimes those hostile MPs have been on the Prime Minister's own side."
Adam Fleming - When Boris Johnson does a national televised address... it's a way for him to evade scrutiny, because if you don't do a press conference or a statement in Parliament then you don't get questions from journalists or questions from hostile MPs. pic.twitter.com/Hr4ORHs2dJ
— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) December 13, 2021
On Sunday evening, Johnson announced that the UK Government was bringing forward booster jag plans to get everyone over the age of 18 a third vaccine dose to everyone in England by the new year.
He said the NHS could be overwhelmed by a "tidal wave of Omicron" cases that could cause "very many deaths".
In a statement released immediately after the PM's address, Nicola Sturgeon said that the Scottish Government aims to offer booster appointments to everyone in Scotland by the new year "if possible".
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon announces aim to offer Covid boosters to all adults by end of year
When Johnson announced Plan B measures for England last Wednesday after details of Downing Street Christmas parties emerged the day before, he and England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty were asked about parties.
At PMQs the same day, Johnson also faced calls to set the record straight on what happened with festive events in Downing Street as well as SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford calling for him to resign or be removed.
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