Daniel McConnell: Varadkar's standing damaged by rejection of Nphet's recommendations

Varadkar’s criticisms now appear misguided, over the top, and ill-judged

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan. Picture: Julien Behal

The U-turn performed by Leo Varadkar on Monday, having flatly rejected the National Public Health Emergency Team's (Nphet) recommendations two weeks' ago, has done the Tánaiste’s standing considerable harm.

Politically, Mr Varadkar was the big loser out of the decision to move the country to level 5, given his earlier scathing remarks about his own government’s medical experts.