Research sources and evidence

Follow the evidence.

Sources support specific claims and dimensions. Reputation alone does not establish the truth of a claim.

Research source GC_BJ02

PM statement on coronavirus, 12 March 2020

Author / issuing institution: Boris Johnson
Publisher: Prime Minister’s Office
Original publication date: 2020-03-12
Type: speech
Date accessed: 2026-10-17
Language: en
Factual summary: Johnson warned that more families would lose loved ones, described the scientific advice and set out the measures then being taken.
Reliability, relevance and limitations: Compare with 23 March rather than treating a changed response as automatically inconsistent. Claims of scientific guidance remain the speaker’s account.
Passage reference: Opening risk warning and measures
Archival reference: Not available
Original publication: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-coronavirus-12-march-2020

Boris Johnson
Crisis · GC_BJ02-C1: Johnson warned that more families would lose loved ones, described the scientific advice and set out the measures then being taken. — Passage: Opening risk warning and measures