Among those to condemn the Prime Minister’s reported remarks was the family of three close relatives who all died of Covid-19 within a week.
Gladys Lewis, 74, from Pentre in South Wales, passed away after contracting the virus in late October.
A few days later, her sons Dean, 44, Darren, 42, also succumbed to the infection.
Relative and family spokesperson Tina Mountjoy said: “ The comments reportedly said by Boris Johnson are totally insensitive to every person that has passed away due to Covid and to the families left behind.
“Explaining to children, aged from two to 18, that their nan, dad, uncle have died and they won’t see them again while trying to deal with the grief of losing a partner and parent is the hardest thing we have ever had to do.
What is your view? Have your say in the comment section
(Image: PA)
“I honestly hope that if what has been reported is true that Mr Johnson is held accountable and never knows the pain we have felt every day since this awful tragedy befell us.
“If he said it, he should hang his head in shame and hand in his resignation.”
Tina added: “As a family, we never imagined how losing a loved one to Covid would affect us, but to lose three members within five days was horrific.
(Image: PA)
“The pain of losing a wife, mother and grandmother one morning then 24 hours later to lose a husband, dad, brother and uncle was bad enough.
“But to then be faced with the news that our other brother, son and uncle was fighting for his life on life-support was devastating.”
Mourners in masks lined the streets and clapped in November last year to celebrate the lives of the mum and her sons.
From coronavirus to Brexit, our daily politics newsletter is there to guide you these turbulent times.
The newsletter is sent out twice daily with the latest UK & world politics news, along with leading opinion and analysis.
You can sign up here.
So many wanted to pay their respects outside St Peter’s Church in Pentre the service was broadcast via loudspeakers.
Relatives, who mourned inside the church, had wanted the three funerals to be held at the same time.
Father Haydn England-Simon, who led the service, said no family “should ever go through” what the Lewises had suffered.
