Government scientist resigns after 'breaking lockdown rules to meet married friend'

One of the UK's top scientists who advised Prime Minister Boris Johnson to lockdown the country has reportedly resigned from his position after he "broke social distancing rules to meet his married lover", it has been reported.

Professor Neil Ferguson allowed the woman to visit him at home during lockdown while lecturing the public on the need to maintain social distancing in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Professor Ferguson sat on the government's Sage committee, which provides advice to ministers on their response to the pandemic.

He also sat on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).

He is understood to have resigned from both bodies.

Professor Ferguson also leads the team that produced research claiming more than 500,000 people would die from coronavirus in the UK unless lockdown restrictions were introduced.

It is claimed his lover travelled across London on two occasions to spend time with him.

Mr Ferguson was visited twice by Antonia Staats, a campaigns manager for US-based non-profit organisation Avaaz, according to the Telegraph.

Ms Staats, 38, is thought to be married, but in an open relationship.