UK Covid-19 Management Investigation: Boris Johnson Should Have Delivered His Messages to the Government

BoJo is in turmoil again. In the United Kingdom, during a public inquiry into the management of the Covid-19 pandemic by the government of the former prime minister, an exchange of views was proposed between the latter and political and health officials. “All requested material,” including unredacted WhatsApp messages and notes, was turned over to the Cabinet on Wednesday, a spokesman for Boris Johnson told AFP.

He urged the cabinet to “urgently” bring them to a public inquiry, he added. The chairman of the public inquiry into the pandemic, former Justice of the Peace Heather Hallett, initially provided the cabinet with all the requested data by Tuesday afternoon before that period was extended by 48 hours. Through his representative, Boris Johnson assured that he cooperated “fully” with the investigation from the very beginning.

“Absolutely absurd” allegations

BoJo has returned to the background since he was ousted from power last summer after a string of scandals, including parties held on Downing Street in defiance of sanitary restrictions. The shadow of the “party” has returned to torment Boris Johnson after the cabinet told police about possible breaches of coronavirus regulations that law enforcement was unaware of.

At the same time, the ex-prime minister has already been fined for attending a surprise party on the occasion of his 56th birthday in June 2020. Boris Johnson called these new accusations “completely absurd”. His spokesman denounced “the last desperate attempt to extend the (parliamentary) inquiry as it drew to a close and weaken Boris Johnson.”

The former head of government is still under parliamentary investigation to determine whether he lied to MPs by repeatedly stating in the House of Commons that all the rules were followed in Downing Street. This investigation could go so far as to cost him his deputy position and frustrate any attempt to return.