A LEADING scientist has spoke of his concern at the government's move to ease the lockdown.

Professor John Baruch, who was head of cybernetics at the University of Bradford for 10 years, wants to protect the people of the city and feels the government's road-plan is flawed.

He said: "I'm very concerned - the people in Bradford deserve better.

"They shouldn't have death hanging over them like this."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Sunday evening.

Part of the exit plan was a shift from the rhetoric of "stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives" to "stay alert, control the virus, save lives".

Boris Johnson explained this means we must take the first steps towards bringing back society, while remaining vigilant.

The PM added that this is a conditional plan, and that any indication that the tide was turning negatively again would result in it being halted, or the country taking a step back.

But the new slogan has been heavily criticised and Mr Baruch says it gives the message that the government has opted out of its responsibility to protect people.

He added: "Why is the government now saying to stay alert?

"It implies, if you get ill, it's your fault and what we really need is for us all to be working together.

"It's just going to go through the roof and we're going to have more and more people ill.

"This stay alert, it's dangerous, it's just unbelievable really."

Other countries, such as Scotland, have stood firm with their lockdown measures, as well as maintaining the "stay at home" message.

Mr Baruch set-up the Bradford Science Collective, a group of people with a scientific background, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: "The advice from Public Health England (PHE) was along government policy and not the World Health Organisation's (WHO) policy.

"We felt we had to give the people of Bradford proper advice, better than what they were giving - we're talking about people's lives."

Their advice at this pivotal moment is similar to that of the Scottish minister.

Mr Baruch said: "Our message to the people of Bradford is what Nicola Sturgeon is saying - stay at home.

"There's no science to justify what Boris Johnson is saying, it's wishful thinking."

There is also much worry surrounding the PM's call for people in industries like construction to go back to work.

Mr Baruch said: "They're telling people to go to work, they don't give any recommendations, there's no guidance for how people should be protected at work.

"It's not like having two-metres distance outside and the weather blows it away.

"Like on the cruise ships - we saw what happened there.

Boris Johnson outlined on Monday evening that the government would be releasing specific safety guidelines for employers and workplaces over the coming days.

But, Mr Baruch wonders what will then happen when refuse to go to work due to safety concerns.

He said: "If people feel unsafe it's going to be difficult for an individual to challenge their employer."

The PM has also set out an ambitious target for schools to begin returning in limited forms from June 1 at the earliest.

Mr Baruch said: "Opening the schools is equally worrying without having a proper test in place and having the virus under control.

"The children don't show they've got the virus, but everything they touch, they touch the door handle.

"Day two you have five children with it, day three you have 25, and by day four most of the school gets it, then those children take it home."

He feels the biggest priority should be sorting out the personal protective equipment (PPE) crisis properly.

"It's absolutely clear that what we need is PPE (personal protective equipment).

"They keep talking about it and not dealing with it.

"Every person who is public facing should have PPE to stay safe.

"Until we get PPE, it means going out is dangerous because you could be infected."

Mr Baruch also thinks it is ludicrous people have to travel so far for tests and claims it is a major part of the overall problem.

"Every pharmacy should have tests - I'm very sorry if it can't be done instantly, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.

"It's the only way - there's not a magic button we can press, that's what we've got to do."