Elon Musk has branded the British scientist whose alarming report predicted two million coronavirus deaths without a lockdown a 'moron' and a 'tool' - after he was caught breaking his own social distancing rules to see his married lover.
The billionaire tech tycoon is among many Americans who oppose strict social distancing measures and are voicing their anger at Professor Neil Ferguson for his hypocrisy.
Musk also rubbished Prof Ferguson's 'fake science' which in March forecast apocalyptic death tolls in the UK and US if both governments did not enforce social distancing.
The Imperial College London scientist's worst-case scenarios of 2.2million victims in the US is credited with spurring the White House into action.
But the 51-year-old last night quit Britain's top scientific body after it was revealed his left-leaning American lover Antonia Staats left her husband's home and traveled across London to spend the night with him.
That is a blatant breach of the social distancing guidelines in force in Britain, which are similar to those in many parts of America.
Musk has now waded into the outcry echoing across both sides of the Atlantic after the hypocrisy was exposed. Responding to a tweet about Prof Ferguson's resignation, the billionaire SpaceX founder said: 'What a tool'.
Musk has now waded into the outcry echoing on both sides of the Atlantic after the hypocrisy was exposed
Prof Neil Ferguson (left) quit the group of scientists advising Boris Johnson after he was stung for urging his 38-year-old mistress Antonia Staats (right) to travel across London to his home
Labeling him 'a moron', Musk wrote: 'Something more should be done. This guy has caused massive strife to the world with his absurdly fake "science".'
Musk has been a vocal critic of the lockdown for infringing liberty and stymieing businesses.
In a sweary conference call with investors last week, he even branded the United States' social distancing measures 'fascist'.
But while curbs to everyday life are steadily being eased in some states across America, much of the population remains under strict lockdown.
There are also growing anti-lockdown protests taking place in states including Michigan and North Carolina - which have at times been encouraged by President Trump who is determined to get the US economy moving again.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson also seize on Ferguson's hypocrisy, saying he was 'obviously an appalling hypocrite'.
There is no indication that Downing Street is preparing to change tack after Prof Ferguson's breach of the rules came to light.
While the scientist has quit his role on the Prime Minister's scientific advisory group for emergencies, SAGE, Imperial appears to be standing by him and said today that he 'continues to focus on his important research'.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson also seized on Professor Ferguson's hypocrisy He said the British academic was 'obviously an appalling hypocrite'
Trump-supporting YouTubuer Joey Saladino was also quick to pounce on the Ferguson revelation
There are also growing anti-lockdown protests taking place in states including Michigan(pictured) and North Carolina - which have at times been encouraged by President Trump who is determined to get the US economy moving again
The tech tycoon, 48, also grabbed headlines this week after it was announced he and 32-year-old singer Grimes have named their baby son X Æ A-12
During the health crisis, Prof Ferguson has been a familiar face on television and has been nicknamed Professor Lockdown for his part in triggering the current measures.
The epidemiologist said in a statement: 'I accept I made an error of judgment and took the wrong course of action. I have therefore stepped back from my involvement in Sage [the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies].
'I acted in the belief that I was immune, having tested positive for coronavirus, and completely isolated myself for almost two weeks after developing symptoms.
'I deeply regret any undermining of the clear messages around the continued need for social distancing to control this devastating epidemic. The Government guidance is unequivocal, and is there to protect all of us.'
Musk was responding to an equally scathing tweet from former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson
Prof Ferguson's his humbled apology did not appear to resonate with Musk nor many Americans growing increasingly desperate for lockdown
Ms Staats visited Prof Ferguson just after he had finished two weeks of self-isolation after testing positive for the virus.
But his humbled apology did not appear to resonate with Musk nor many Americans growing increasingly desperate for lockdown to end.
One person lined up behind Musk in taking aim at the scientist, replying: 'Thanks for bringing down the entire world with grossly inaccurate modeling data.'
Another commented: 'So disgusted, meanwhile I haven't seen my family for 6 weeks because this man said so?'
Many believed the scientist's flouting of the rules as the smoking gun that the measures were never needed in the first place.
Musk, who has garnered a reputation as a prolific and often controversial tweeter, just last week sparked meltdown on the stock exchange after tweeting: 'Tesla stock is too high imo (in my opinion),' prompting the share price to tumble.
The entrepreneur, 48, also grabbed headlines this week after it was announced he and 32-year-old singer Grimes have named their baby son X Æ A-12.
Musk, 48, announced the birth of X Æ A-12 on Tuesday, sharing a photo of himself holding the newborn in his arms and writing: 'Mom and baby all good'.
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