New variant: 'Don't be unduly alarmed'

There are lots of variants and at this stage, I wouldn't interpret too much into it because it's what viruses do, they mutate a bit.

Certainly I've heard virologists talking about 40 or more variants

What's interesting about this one is the suggestion that it may be associated with faster spread in the south east.

Now initially you would say that's a bit worrying if the virus is spreading faster and that could be concerning.

But sometimes the variants that come through spread quicker but they become less deadly, less effective.

So what we don't know is whether it's associated in any way with more serious disease. And Matt Hancock said that there was no evidence of that at the moment.

And also the vaccines we have (and there are three that we now know have efficacy) - there's nothing to suggest that a variant would make the vaccine less effective.

Nothing to panic about now but absolutely right that the geneticists at Porton Down and elsewhere do all the due diligence and look at this.

It sounds immediately very scary but I don't think there's anything to be unduly alarmed about.