Since when did this lot have anything to fear from being caught out in a lie?
We think its no coincidence that there is a massive shortage of testing kits - its all of a piece with the apparent ignoring of the potential irruption of the virus here in the UK and the supposed absence of proper planning for it. The appearance of incompetence is a great cover for dirty work. Peston's job is to draw attention to the smokescreen without identifying it as such.
We're seeing the outcome of the actual planning in the trialling of police state powers in Scotland (The poll tax was tried out in Scotland first, remember?). To this end helping with the defenestration of Alex Salmond is a small price to pay for the collusion of the SNP and Scottish exec. leadership.
Of course it could all be perfectly innocent and everything is being done in good faith... that would be a first wouldn't it?