'Despicable': UK's chief medical adviser harassed

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty attends a news conference on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in London, Britain April 5, 2021. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday condemned the "despicable" harassment of the government's top medical adviser, Chris Whitty, after footage emerged on social media of two men grabbing him around the head as he walked down the street.

Jeering loudly and grinning at the camera, the men are seen in the film, published on Twitter, manhandling Whitty, 55, who has become one of the nation's most prominent officials because of his regular appearances at coronavirus pandemic briefings.