A survey of 321 scientists found 15 per cent feared for their life after talking to the media or commenting on social media about the pandemic. More than one in five received threats of physical or sexual violence, some had their home address revealed online and six were physically attacked.
It prompted calls for the Government to take a no-tolerance approach to those who abuse scientists, amid concern that US-style intimidation from anti-vaxxers is becoming “embedded” in the UK.
The study, by the journal Nature, comes after the US President’s medical adviser Anthony Fauci was given security guards after receiving death threats and after Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty was assaulted in St James’s Park.
