Paul Davies said the controversy had become a “distraction” and that he is standing down with “immediate effect”.

Life has largely returned to normal in the city of 11 million, as the rest of the world continues to grapple with the spread of the virus’s more contagious variants.

It comes as senior doctors in the UK voiced "serious concern" at the country's vaccine rollout.

Simon Spurrell said he would now have to switch a large part of his business to France.

Shockingly, doctors have said there is no scientific basis for the syrup, reportedly containing honey and nutmeg, as a remedy for coronavirus.

A wine wholesaler who imports two million bottles a year said Brexit bureaucracy would add up to £1.50 to the price of a £12 bottle of wine.

Residents, many of whom have crossed the English Channel in small boats, have described it as “unbearable” and say social distancing is impossible.

Nursing leaders have warned they feel like “lambs to the slaughter” in the face of the new variant.

Last year, UK subscriber numbers reached roughly 13 million - translating to revenues over £1.14 billion.