The British government has denied media reports in the United Kingdom that two of the prime minister’s most influential political advisors are sitting on a key scientific committee advising it on Covid-19.

Membership of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has been kept a secret, though it is said to be made up of “leading experts” in order to provide “scientific and technical advice to support government decision-makers during emergencies,” the SAGE website says.

10 Downing Street described the scientists as being “among the most eminent” in their fields.

Some context: Boris Johnson’s chief political advisor Dominic Cummings and data scientist Ben Warner, both of whom had leading roles in the Vote leave campaign for Brexit, are named on a list of members leaked to the Guardian.

Neither Cummings or Warner have a scientific background and their inclusion has prompted fears of impartiality as they could be advising Johnson on coronavirus measures.

On Saturday, a government spokesman denied the two are on the committee but admitted they do attend some meetings and ask questions.

“It is not true that Mr Cummings or Dr Warner are ‘on’ or members of SAGE,” the spokesperson told CNN.

But, he said Cummings and Warner have attended “some” SAGE meetings and “listen to some meetings now they are all virtual,” though only in the capacity to “understand better the scientific debates concerning this emergency.”

The two “occasionally” ask questions or “offer help” to scientists on the committee on navigating the government, the statement said.