This nonsensical concept has proved useful for responsibility-shirking politicians. But the myth of officially-approved scientific truth is not only cynical but dangerous.

It is the main reason why No 10 can’t ditch its most disastrous policy, the two-metre rule. As the Government has spent months pretending to prostrate to the wisdom of Sir Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty, who have both championed two metres, No 10 has found it impossible to quietly drop the moronic regulation: while it dithers over a time-wasting review of the decision, false rumours have even swirled that its two chief scientific advisers could resign in protest.