Government still committed to Covid passports

The government is standing firm on its decision to implement vaccine passports as a condition of entry to nightclubs, despite a huge backlash from some Conservative MPs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday (19 July) that they would be mandatory from the end of September, when he claims all 18-year-olds and older will have had the chance to be double-jabbed.

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the Commons yesterday that he was confident the government would win an expected vote on their introduction but suggested the vote may only be on the “concept” of their use, The Times has reported.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “You can never predict parliamentary votes, but we’ve got a majority of 80 and I’m very confident we can pass the legislation we require.

“It might just be a general vote on the concept, even, of vaccine passports; these votes can take any form that you can imagine. If the vote does occur, I’m confident the government will preserve a majority.”

However there are reports that Johnson could face a rebellion on the plans, with some MPs threatening to boycott the party conference.

Laying out the plans for the Covid pass yesterday, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi stated that some organisations may choose to adopt it if suitable for their venue, but for proprietors of venues and events where large numbers are likely to gather, “deploying the pass is the right thing to do”.

“The pass has an important role to play in slowing the spread of the virus and so we reserve the right to mandate its use in the future,” he added.