Piers Morgan points out massive hole in Boris Johnson’s 10pm pub closing plan

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has rubbished the government’s 10pm pub closing plan.

From Thursday, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues must have a 10pm closing time in a renewed effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The full measures will be laid out by PM Boris Johnson later today in the Commons.

But Piers isn’t convinced, slamming the plans and pointing out a major flaw.

Taking to Twitter, Piers contested that the new rules will just make pub-goers sink pints quicker.

He wrote: “Hearing @BorisJohnson is going to order pubs to close at 10pm from tomorrow.

“What possible difference is that going to make? Does he think Covid respects opening hours?”

When a user challenged his views and suggested the tighter hours could help reduce drunkenness, Piers came back: “Speaking as someone who grew up in a pub, I imagine this will just make people drink more, faster.”

The new measures come as the UK’s Covid-19 alert level moved to four, meaning transmission is “high or rising exponentially.”

Dr Bharat Pankhania, an epidemiologist from the University of Exeter, last night echoed Piers’ concerns to the BBC as he told that the virus doesn’t respect timings.

Asked if he thought transmission would reduce, he replied: “No, not at all.

“Come on, the virus doesn’t understand the clock so if you’re going to close at 10pm, what about at 9pm, what about 8pm?

“We know human behaviours, we know our country’s pub behaviour.

“At 8.30pm, 9pm people will be buying extra drinks and alcohol, unfortunately allows you to drop your guard.”

Piers has long been critical of the government’s conduct amid the pandemic, often using his GMB platform to air his strong views.

His heated clash with Health Secretary Matt Hancock saw Ofcom swamped with complaints.

He also took on Care Minister Helen Whately, with a similar outcome.

Piers was cleared for his interviews after the regulator ruled he was fulfilling his journalistic duty.

The  coronavirus  crisis has even seen a friendship crumble for Piers after butting heads with Lord Alan Sugar.

In an interview with  The Sunday Times, he told: “It’s gone way beyond a joke, and for me it’s ruined our friendship.

“I think we’re done as friends. I can’t see through the behaviour.”