THE government came under attack from all sides today over the swift rise in Covid-19 infection cases, with scientists saying it was wrong to blame the public while Tory backbenchers wailed at “grotesque” new social distancing requirements.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced open revolt from some Tory MPs over the new rules, which include the ban of indoors and outdoors social gatherings of more than six people from Monday.

The rule is being implemented in response to almost 3,000 new cases of coronavirus being reported in Britain every day this week for the first time since May.