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Boris Johnson has been accused of a “crazy and dangerous” reaction to the Covid pandemic in the face of Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis.
The exchanges between Simon Case, the government’s most level-headed official, and officials came to light on Monday as part of the investigation into how the government dealt with the worst health crisis in nearly a century.
When the government reopened after the first lockdown, Case said Johnson was looking to let the virus “tear itself apart” and his strategy resembled that of former U. S. and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
“It’s going to go crazy and damaging at the Trump-Bolsonaro level,” Case told colleagues.
It comes as newspaper snippets revealed that the chief clinical officer, Sir Patrick Vallance, accused Mr Vallance Johnson of “creating chaos” and being “completely inconsistent” with the pandemic.
Meanwhile, former senior adviser Martin Reynolds showed that his internal report on government culture in the spring of 2020 found that women were “discussed and ignored,” showing a “significant degree of misogyny. “
Dominic Cummings, who served as the former prime minister’s chief of staff, and Lee Cain, former communications lead to former prime minister Johnson, will be at the inquiry later this week, along with all of Mr Johnson’s former aides. Johnson.
Johnson’s Covid reaction is ‘crazy and dangerous’: senior official
Johnson ‘created the chaos’ of lockdown
‘Party Marty’ Apologizes for BYOB Party at End of Testing
The former prime minister is described as “crazy” by the cabinet secretary and Reynolds
Boris probably would have said, “Why destroy the economy for other people who will die anyway?”
I’m ejaculating at the end of this week.
19:03, Tara Cobham
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s approach to the Covid-19 pandemic was “crazy and dangerous” and his constant indecision made it “impossible” to fight the virus, the government’s most sensible official told officials.
Exchanges between Simon Case, the government’s most sensible official, and officials in which he also called Britain’s reaction in 2020 a “terrible and tragic joke,” were shown on Monday as part of the inquiry into how the government dealt with the worst health crisis in nearly a century.
In the fall of 2020, when the government was discussing how to suppress the virus, Case said of Johnson: “He can’t lead and we can’t lead him in those circumstances. The captain of the team can’t replace resolution on big plays. “each and every day. ” Then write in capital letters, “WE HAVE TO STOP. “
A few months earlier, when the government reopened after the first lockdown, Case said Johnson was looking to let the virus “tear itself apart” and Johnson’s technique on how U. S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, known for rejecting the threat of Covid, were handling the crisis.
“It’s going to go crazy and damaging at the Trump-Bolsonaro level,” Case told colleagues.
A spokesman for Johnson, who will eventually appear as a witness in the investigation, declined to comment.
04:14 , Shweta Sharma
An internal report on culture in the upper echelons of government during the early months of the pandemic found that female staff were “discussed and ignored” and that “bad behaviour” was tolerated by senior managers.
The report, written by former senior adviser Martin Reynolds and then-deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara, was written in May 2020 amid considerations of discipline, “sexist behaviour” and misogyny, the British Covid-19 inquiry learned yesterday.
Published as part of a batch of documents applicable to the investigation, the report asked more than forty-five people who have worked intensively with Number 10 what could be done to promote the prime minister in May 2020.
Women were ‘discussed and ignored’, according to UK Covid report
04:00 , Tara Cobham
03:00 , Tara Cobham
The Prime Minister’s former personal secretary for public services, Imran Shafi, said in the UK’s Covid-19 inquiry that there is a “high degree of dysfunction” in relations with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The lawyer in charge of the inquest, Hugo Keith KC, asked the witness: “The documents would probably suggest that there were a number of competing resources of force in Downing Street, personality conflicts, and we can see. . . a high degree of disorder in terms of managing relationships with key executives. Minister, do you agree? »
Mr. Shafi replied, “Yes. “
Keith continued, “None of this lent itself well to the decision-making type, right?”
Mr. Shafi replied, “No. “
02:00 , Tara Cobham
Nearly four years after the start of the coronavirus outbreak, you might think the pandemic is us, but for many, it’s far from over.
Nearly two million more people face debilitating symptoms of long Covid on a consistent basis (the lingering symptoms of the virus that persist once the infection has cleared), and some are now confined to their homes, unable to walk and even partially blind.
Alan Chambers, 49, and Allan Reeling, 76, are among those who have been battling the disease for years, having contracted the coronavirus in March 2020, two months after the first two British patients tested positive for the virus.
Read here:
Long Covid: the lives of the forgotten “destroyed”
01:00 , Tara Cobham
00:00 , Tara Cobham
The UK’s most level-headed official has said Boris Johnson “cannot lead” amid frustration over the prime minister’s leadership of the pandemic, according to WhatsApp messages shared with the Covid-19 inquiry.
Simon Case, who remains cabinet secretary, told Dominic Cummings, then Mr Johnson’s senior adviser, that the prime minister would make government “impossible”.
The personal correspondence, which took place as the government battled the spread of Covid, took place at the appearance of former senior aide Martin Reynolds in Lady Hallett’s investigation.
Case, who temporarily resigned from his post due to a “private medical matter,” told Cummings that the prime minister “can’t lead and we can’t lead him in that approach. “
In the message, released during the hearing, Case said: “I’m at the limit of my wits.
“He adjusts his strategic direction every day (on Monday we were all afraid of the return of the virus like in Europe, in March, etc. – today we are in ‘let it rip’ mode because (sic) the UK is pathetic, wants a cold shower, etc. ) Array
“The captain of the team cannot replace the summoning of the big plays every day. The team can’t offer anything in those circumstances. Decide and set the direction, comply and explain. Actually, the government is rarely that harsh. “
11:00 p. m. , Tara Cobham
A woman who lost her spouse to Covid has called out UK government officials who held illegal parties during lockdown, saying there was a “culture of contempt for ordinary people” during the pandemic.
Jane Morrison, from Scottish Covid Bereaved, told the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry on Friday about the difficulties she went through following the death of her partner, Jacky Morrison-Hart, in 2020.
Ms Morrison-Hart, 49, was admitted to hospital for another illness, Covid-19, while at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
After battling the disease, he passed away shortly after, in October 2020.
Ryan McDougall reports:
Partygate is the ‘latest insult’ for Covid afflicted, research finds
22:15, Tara Cobham
Scotland’s First Minister has said he has not deleted WhatsApp messages related to the Covid-19 pandemic, following press reports that his predecessor and senior officials may have had.
Last week, a memo addressed to the chairman of the UK’s Covid-19 inquiry through one of his lawyers said the inquiry believed the “majority” of casual messages, on WhatsApp, “had not been retained”.
Humza Yousaf said on Monday that she had kept her posts, but that there was a Scottish government policy on social media posts that called for them to be removed after 30 days.
Press reports have reported in recent days that former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch and Chief Medical Officer Dr Sir Gregor Smith may have possibly deleted messages manually or through the use of the app’s automatic delete feature.
The prime minister said on Monday: “I don’t know why there have been press reports suggesting I deleted my WhatsApp messages, that’s not true.
“I have kept my WhatsApp messages and of course whatever the Covid investigation requires, I will surely be in a position to hand them over to you as I would also for the Scottish investigation. “
9:00 p. m. , Tara Cobham
An internal report on culture in the upper echelons of government during the early months of the pandemic found that female staff were “discussed and ignored” and that “bad behaviour” was tolerated by senior managers.
The report, written through former senior adviser Martin Reynolds and then-deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara, was drafted in May 2020 amid considerations of discipline, “sexist behaviour” and misogyny, the British Covid-19 inquiry learned on Monday.
Published as part of a batch of documents applicable to the investigation, the report asked more than forty-five people who have worked intensively with Number 10 what could be done to promote the prime minister in May 2020.
Among the themes indexed in the report is the fact that culture fails to bring out the most productive in people.
“Many others commented that young women were being discussed or ignored,” the report summarizes. “We want a modern culture of concerted collaboration, not a superhero fight. “
The report also shows that “people are exhausted and stressed” and that “bad behavior by senior managers is tolerated. “Other themes included the fact that there were “too many meetings” that took up top executives’ time and that No. 10 was “always at war with someone. “
Reynolds was asked about the report of his testimony at Monday’s inquest. He agreed with the lawyer that the report showed “dysfunction, lack of discipline, chaos and a significant degree of misogyny. “
8:00 p. m. , Tara Cobham
Families have held a vigil for Covid-19 sufferers at the site of Dominic Cummings’ lockdown trip for eye tests, ahead of his appearance at Covid-19 research in the UK.
Activists on Monday projected the message “228,040 Covid deaths: is it transparent enough to read it?”on the walls of Barnard Castle.
The Durham County good-looking site made headlines during the pandemic when it was revealed that Cummings, then a senior adviser to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, took a day off there in April 2020, when the country was in lockdown.
Katie Dickinson reports:
Vigil at Barnard’s Castle ahead of Dominic Cummings’ in Covid research
19:45, Tara Cobham
Labour MP Andy McDonald had the party’s whip suspended over the debatable word “between the river and the sea” in a pro-Palestinian rally speech.
The Middlesbrough MP used the floor while calling for peace between Israelis and Palestinians on an occasion over the weekend.
Some pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” at recent protests in London, despite controversy over the meaning of the slogan.
Lydia Patrick reports:
Labour MP Andy McDonald suspended for his speech “between the river and the sea”
19:25, Tara Cobham
Rishi Sunak chats with tech mogul Elon Musk at the Prime Minister’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference at Bletchley Park this week.
Sunak would have a verbal exchange with the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, on his social media platform on Thursday night.
The No. 10 denied that Mr. Sunak’s big summit will be snubbed by world leaders, as US President Joe Biden is among those who will not attend. Technical officials are expected to register alongside ministers and government officials for the two-day event. .
Adam Forrest, political correspondent, reports:
Rishi Sunak to chat with Elon Musk at AI summit
18:48, Tara Cobham
Scathing WhatsApp messages sent between Boris Johnson’s most sensible groups accused the former prime minister of creating chaos in the Covid crisis, complaining that he had “changed” every day in his policies and made it “impossible” to fight the pandemic.
A number of startling new revelations have emerged from the Covid investigation, as messages shared between Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance and Senior Adviser Dominic Cummings revealed the contempt they felt for Sanchez Johnson.
It also emerged that Mr Johnson, Martin Reynolds, had made messages from a key Covid WhatsApp organisation “disappear” just weeks after the former minister promised Covid research.
Adam Forrest and Archie Mitchell report:
Boris’s about-face has made the fight against Covid “impossible”, advisers’ messages reveal
18:10, Tara Cobham
Dominic Cummings’ press conference about his holiday holed up at Barnard Castle was described as a “car accident” by the former scientific leader, who said the holiday was obviously against regulations at the time.
Sir Patrick Vallance, writing in his notebooks at the time in May 2020, also said that he and England’s chief physician at the time, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, felt that the number 10 officials should “weaponize” them to appear alongside Boris Johnson. Later, at a Downing. Street press conference.
At Monday’s hearing on the Covid-19 investigation in the UK, Mr Cummings, who became well known to the public when news broke of his visit to the good-looking site of Co Durham, was described as “the most empowered staff leader Downing Street has ever seen”. “.
He will testify at the inquest on Tuesday.
Aine Fox reports:
Patrick Vallance said Cummings at Durham was “clearly opposed to the blackout rules”
17:49, Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson’s former secretary, Imran Shafi, also said that Professor Chris Whitty, a leading medical officer, had criticised Rishi Sunak’s ‘Eat Out to Help’ plan in August 2020, calling it “Eat Out to Help the Virus”.
17:07, Tara Cobham
Rishi Sunak has sacked a senior Conservative official from his post as ministerial assistant for calling for a break in ranks and a call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hama conflict.
Paul Bristow, parliamentary private secretary (PPS) of the Department of Science, called for a “permanent” ceasefire in Gaza in a letter to Mr Sunak.
The Peterborough member said this would “save lives and allow a steady flow of humanitarian aid to reach those who want it most. “
Adam Forrest, political correspondent, reports:
Rishi Sunak fires the most sensible Conservative adviser for calling for a ceasefire in Gaza
17:05, Tara Cobham
A series of scathing WhatsApp messages sent between Boris Johnson’s leaders accused the former minister of making the fight against Covid “impossible”, creating chaos and replacing leadership “every day”.
The regular messages sent between Dominic Cummings, Lee Cain and Simon Case reveal the great fear among Mr. Cummings’ advisers. Johnson, Mr. Case, Cabinet secretary and senior official, point out at one point: “I’m at the end of my term. “
The former prime minister’s top officials also called him “weak and indecisive” and called him a “chariot. “Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said Dr Johnson was “everywhere” and was “totally incoherent”.
Archie Mitchell reports:
The current WhatsApps that reveal the ‘chaos’ of Boris Johnson’s government
16:50, Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent
Imran Shafi, the prime minister’s former personal secretary, also said at the inquiry that there was a “high degree of dysfunction” in relations with Johnson’s official, saying the then-prime minister “didn’t think Covid was a big deal” in the months leading up to it. until the first lockdown.
Shafi is also an excerpt from his paperback book from a March 2020 assembly in which Mr Shafi. Johnson and Rishi Sunak participated.
Someone in the assembly said, “Why are we destroying the economy of other people who will die soon anyway?”The former personal secretary said he believed Mr. Johnson had made those comments.
16:48, Tara Cobham
16:26, Tara Cobham
16:12, Matt Mathers
Shafi told the inquiry that the government did not have a proper plan for Covid and that by the time a plan was finally drawn up, it was too late.
Hugo Keith le KC if he accepted that the “control” of Covid had already been lost on March 3, 2020.
That’s when the government unveiled its plan. “When you look at the facts now, yes,” Shafi said.
He also said that Cobra needed to make plans and that the center of government — the Cabinet Office and No. 10 — could have done more to lead the response to the virus.
The Department of Health and Social Care, then led by Matt Hancock, took on most of the responsibility.
16:06, Matt Mathers
Shafi said in the inquiry that the government had sufficiently focused its efforts on prevention in the weeks before Covid first arrived in the UK.
He says officials were more concerned about “over-handling deaths” when Hugo Keith KC, the lawyer in charge of the investigation, noted that the virus was raging in Italy at the time.
“We’ve sounded the alarm: did we have the right plans if this were to happen in the UK on such a scale?”The lawyer asked.
Shafi responds: “I think too much work has been done on managing deaths too much and not enough on preventing them. “
15:40, Matt Mathers
15:35, Matt Mathers
It has been revealed that one of Boris Johnson’s most sensible aides made messages ‘disappear’ at a key Covid WhatsApp organisation just weeks before the Covid investigation was announced.
Martin Reynolds challenged replacing the then-prime minister’s removal from the post in the organization in April 2021, just before the investigation announced in May 2021, while testifying on Monday.
Adam Forrest reports:
Former Number 10 chief admits he “disappeared” from messages in Prime Minister’s WhatsApp chat group
15:26, Matt Mathers
Baroness Hallett confirms that Lee Cain will be called in the morning of the investigation.
He was due to testify this afternoon, but was delayed due to overtaking by Martin Reynolds.
He interrupted the process for a short break.
15:19, Matt Mathers
15:17, Matt Mathers
Shafi asked why the focus was on the repatriation of Britons from China, as opposed to the possible spread of the coronavirus in the UK.
He said: “A lot of attention was paid to how to make sure this doesn’t happen in the UK, or how to engage it, than to addressing the complicated steps you might have to take if you don’t make it. “
Hugo Keith KC said there was an assembly on 4 February 2020 where the coronavirus was discussed and that the overall objectives of the NHS were also on the agenda.
When asked to what extent the coronavirus “has come to the forefront of the government’s concerns,” Shaf replied, “Yes, but probably not to the extent that it has. “
He said that during the assembly Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock spoke about the promise to build 40 new hospitals and other commitments made as part of the manifesto.
15:10, Matt Mathers
Boris Johnson “didn’t think Covid was a big deal” in the months leading up to Britain’s first national lockdown, his former personal public services secretary Imran Shafi said, reports Archie Mitchell.
Speaking to the inquiry into the government’s Covid strategy in January and February 2020, M. Shafi said: “I don’t think I gave it much importance at the time. “
15:06, Matt Mathers
Shafi told the inquiry that there was a “high degree of dysfunction” in his relationship with Boris Johnson, then prime minister.
The solicitor in charge of the inquest, Hugo Keith KC, asked the witness: “The evidence would possibly suggest that there were a number of competing force resources in Downing Street, personality conflicts, and we can see. . . a high degree of disorder in relations with the Prime Minister, would you accept that?”
Mr. Shafi replied, “Yes. “
Keith continued, “None of this was well suited to the type of decision-making, right?
Mr. Shafi replied, “No. “
15:02, Matt Mathers
Sir Patrick Vallance said senior officials at Number 10 had tried to “arm themselves” and Professor Sir Chris Whitty to appear at a press conference at the time it emerged that Dominic Cummings had visited Barnard Castle during the first lockdown.
Sir Patrick described what Mr Cumming said in the Downing Street rose garden to the media as a “car accident” and a “rambling”, and said neither he nor Professor Sir Chris intended to hold a press conference with then-Prime Minister Boris. Johnson later.
An excerpt from the former scientific leader’s notebooks, dated May 25, 2020, read: “Chris and I have no desire to attend the press convention at all. We try to get away with implying that this is not the right day to announce new measures, and that it would damage our credibility.
“Bad: Simon Case tried, but to no avail. . . We went in and then spoke to Stuart G, who spoke to the Prime Minister. We interrupted listening to the D. C. Straiving and Car Crashes convention to communicate with the Prime Minister.
14:55, Matt Mathers
Covid research leader Hugo Keith KC Martin Reynolds asked if Boris Johnson had made any “derogatory comments about lifestyle or the severity of long Covid”, reports Archie Mitchell.
The former prime minister’s chief personal secretary said he has “no recollection” of Johnson having done so.
14:51, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds said the invitation to a collection at Garden No. 10 had less of an effect on public confidence because the main points came to light later, Mitchell reports.
“It really made headlines about 15 months later. Even if I accept it completely. . . I was completely wrong in the way I sent the email and at the event, I think it will have an effect on public acceptance as true, albeit in an obvious way. “”Now, in terms of public acceptance, it had a serious effect; In terms of the pandemic at the time, it was less, it had less effect. “
14:43, Matt Mathers
Imran Shafi is now testifying to the investigation.
Shafi served as Johnson’s personal secretary for public facilities during the Covid pandemic.
He talks about his previous employment and the role he played while running in Downing Street.
14:41, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds has been warned via Lee Cain, Downing Street’s communications chief, that plans to say goodbye to a colleague carry “substantial” risks, reports Archie Mitchell.
In an exchange about the Covid investigation between Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Cain, Mr. Reynolds asked if there will be “a bigger internal event and some other people will come out after. “
Cain said he’s “not at all sure it works” and “obviously comes with some pretty significant communication risks. “
14:40, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds has apologised “unreservedly” for sending an email to more than 100 Downing Street workers inviting them to a bring-your-own-drink party at the closing of the Downing Street lawn, reports Archie Mitchell.
When asked about the email via the lead lawyer for the Covid investigation, Hugo Keith KC, Reynolds said he was “totally wrong” in arranging the event.
14:40, Matt Mathers
Sir Patrick Vallance believed that Dominic Cummings’ journey to the closure of Barnard’s Castle “was clearly against the rules”, reports Archie Mitchell.
The former chief scientific adviser said he and Chris Whitty were “very reluctant” to hold a press conference following the revelation, which sparked public fury.
14:29, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds asked about a report he did with Helen McNamara, deputy secretary of the Cabinet Office, in the spring of 2020, which revealed that women had been talked about in meetings and other people yelling at each other, Adam Forrest reports.
Asked if the report contained “chaos” and a “significant degree of misogyny,” Mr. Reynolds replied, “I agree. “He said he had spoken to Mr Johnson about the report.
When asked if there had been significant relief in misogyny after the report, Reynolds said women’s remedy “remains a persistent cultural challenge that I think perhaps we’ve done more to address. “
14:27, Matt Mathers
Boris Johnson was “everywhere and absolutely inconsistent” with the pandemic, reports Sir Patrick Vallance, Archie Mitchell.
Sir Patrick Vallance has described Boris Johnson as “everywhere and incoherent” in newspaper clippings revealed through the Covid investigation.
The former chief scientific adviser harshly criticised Mr Johnson in notes that revealed the extent of his dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the pandemic.
14:19, Matt Mathers
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case sent a message to Dominic Cummings saying that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson “cannot lead and we cannot lead him in this approach,” according to the UK’s Covid-19 survey.
In the message, read through investigating attorney Hugo Keith KC, Mr. Case said: “I’m out of breath.
“He adjusts his strategic direction every day (on Monday we were all afraid of the return of the virus like in Europe, in March, etc. ; today we are in ‘let it rip’ mode because (sic) the UK is pathetic, wants a cold shower, etc. )
“He can’t lead and we can’t lead him with that approach.
“The captain of the team can’t replace solving big plays every day. The team can’t offer anything in those circumstances.
“A weak team (like ours: Hancock, Williamson, Dido, No10/CO, Perm Secs) can’t succeed in the circles of a few (sic). WE HAVE TO STOP!
“Decide and set the direction – comply – explain. Government is rarely that difficult, yet this guy makes things impossible.
14:14, Matt Mathers
Boris Johnson’s more sensible team laughed off his indecisiveness in the face of the pandemic, with WhatsApp messages between officials suggesting he had gone into “full-fledged mode”, reports Archie Mitchell.
In a panel conversation between communications leader Lee Cain, civil service leader Simon Case and his secretary Martin Reynolds, the trio also criticised Health Secretary Matt Hancock, calling him a “joker and a liar”, messages shared with Covid research reveal.
14:10, Tara Cobham
14:06, Matt Mathers
The investigation resumes, Lee Cain leaves, Archie Mitchell reports.
The testimony of Martin Reynolds, nicknamed “Party Marty” for his well-known “bring your own alcohol” blocking email, has become outdated.
Boris Johnson’s former communications chief, Lee Cain, was due to report ahead of the inquiry but was sent home and will return in the morning.
14:01, Matt Mathers
Lee Cain arrived at Dorland House in central London ahead of his arraignment at the inquest.
Former communications chief to Cain Johnson, who announced his departure from Downing Street in November 2020, following Cummings’ departure.
He is a former journalist for The Sun and the Daily Mirror.
14:00, Matt Mathers
As we reported, Martin Reynolds testified from the Covid investigation.
But who is he, what has been his role in governing the pandemic, and why has he been invited to appear before Baroness Hallett’s team?
David Hughes and Joe Sommerlad report:
Covid Research: Who Is ‘Party Marty’ Martin Reynolds And What Did He Do?
13:47, Matt Mathers
Reynolds told the inquiry that his former boss “was furious and bloodless on some issues. “
Before the inquest was interrupted for lunch, Hugo Keith KC said: “There is plenty of evidence from WhatsApps, from Mr Cummings, from Patrick Vallance’s diary, which shows that after his recovery from illness, the Prime Minister hesitated in his return. terms of what deserves to be done. When it was finished, he wondered if he deserved to be noticed as the ‘mayor of the movie Jaws’ (the final beaches).
Mr. Keith then asked Martin Reynolds, “Then in a few hours or a few days I would take a contrary position and this was noted through Mr. Cummings, M. Case, Sir Patrick Vallance and others.
Mr Reynolds replied: “I think it is fair to say that the Prime Minister, so to speak, has been passionate and cold on certain issues. “
13:32, Tara Cobham
It has been revealed that one of Boris Johnson’s most sensible aides made messages ‘disappear’ at a key Covid WhatsApp organisation just weeks before the Covid investigation was announced.
Martin Reynolds challenged replacing the then-prime minister’s removal from the post in the organization in April 2021, just before the investigation announced in May 2021, while testifying on Monday.
Reynolds, Johnson’s leader’s personal secretary, said at the inquest that he “doesn’t know exactly why I did it,” before adding that he didn’t believe it was to “prevent” the investigation from accessing the messages.
The Independent’s political correspondent, Adam Forrest, reports:
Former Number 10 chief admits he “disappeared” from messages in Prime Minister’s WhatsApp chat group
13:30, Matt Mathers
13:05, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds has called Boris Johnson’s grip “smoother” than that of former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, reports Archie Mitchell.
When asked about Raab’s style, the former No. 10 leader said he “liked highly structured personal offices” and having documents delivered to him at 6 a. m. every day.
“It was a very different operation to what I would describe as a smoother deal with the prime minister,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds’ testimonial marathon will take place in the afternoon, well beyond what was planned. The lead attorney for the investigation, Hugo Keith KC, said “we’re still at that point. “
13:01, Matt Mathers
In early March, Martin Reynolds was asked about the provisions at the head of the government, amid concerns about the effect of the pandemic on Italy.
He said: “I think this is the week where real unrest has erupted in Lombardy and other people have recognised that the nature of the pandemic is much greater than we had anticipated.
“I think later this week there will be a consultation in the Prime Minister’s Office without the Prime Minister, with Dominic Cummings and Helen McNamara. “
He continued: “I think in a sense, everyone is starting to see from memory what is happening in Italy, in the north of Italy. And everyone knows that the formula for fitness in northern Italy is very complicated and effective. And we “see in a very striking way their inability to respond to the crisis. “
12:54 p. m. , Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds said Covid represented a “full circle of crisis” and had “very serious contamination” of the Cabinet Office “machine”, reports Archie Mitchell.
“All the branches are basically in crisis, so coordination in the center is incredibly difficult,” the former head of No. 10 claimed at the official Covid inquiry.
He also told the inquiry that he said pandemic preparedness was “largely poor. “
The former Downing Street leader said officials were operating “without guidance”.
But after Hugo Keith KC, the chief representative of the investigation, argued to him that the plans were “very flawed,” Mr. Reynolds said, “I agree. “
12:41, Matt Mathers
Boris Johnson did not get any Covid data from the government between February 14 and 24, the school holidays, reports Archie Mitchell.
Hugo Keith KC, the lead lawyer for the Covid investigation, said there were no emergency Cobra meetings and no books or memos were sent to the then-prime minister at the time.
“Do you know that the February semester falls at this time, in February 2020?” Mr. Keith asked Mr. Reynolds.
“Why wasn’t anything done to keep the prime minister informed for those 10 days?” he added.
12:39, Matt Mathers
Downing Street claimed that ministers were allowed to “make their WhatsApp messages disappear”, reports Adam Forrest.
It comes as the Covid investigation found that Boris Johnson’s assistant, Martin Reynolds, had activated the “missed messages” feature in a WhatsApp organisation in April 2021, just weeks before the investigation was announced. Reynolds said he may not know why he did it.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The updated March guidance [states] that the use of disappearing messages is permitted, as public officials and private ministerial cabinets are required to record and record official decisions and reviews for recording where appropriate and appropriate. “.
When asked if idea number 10 of the existing rules was sufficient, the Minister’s spokesperson replied: “Yes. “
12:28 p. m. , Matt Mathers
Britain’s most sensible official said he was “deeply upset” after having to withdraw from the Partygate investigation amid reports that he attended a gathering for a drink in violation of lockdown, reports Archie Mitchell.
Simon Case said he was “dragged into the dust by association” for “something insignificant that I didn’t even get involved in. “
In messages revealed by the official Covid inquiry, he told Boris Johnson’s former personal secretary: “I just hope it all goes away quickly. “
12:21, Matt Mathers
The BBC had to apologise after Martin Reynolds cursed during the official Covid investigation, reports Archie Mitchell.
The television station cut off Mr. Reynolds’ testimony and apologized to the audience after describing this “unease in the public service around the so-called ‘*** list’ of other people who felt threatened in what was perceived to be a much more harmful environment. A heavy-handed technique for public service. “
Presenter Lukwesa Burak said: “We just have to apologise if they followed this, there is language there – he previously apologised – that refers to a term that was used and included as a component of this investigation. “
12:18, Matt Mathers
Reynolds told the inquiry that there is “unease” around so-called “public officials. “
This came amid a discussion about the inner workings of Downing Street and the Cabinet Office before the pandemic.
“I think there’s some unease in public service, and pardon my language, the so-called list of other people who are considered threatened in what is perceived as a potentially more powerful technique for public service. “
Reynolds said there had been an “unusual dynamic around Dominic Cummings. “
“In my opinion, he is the most powerful staff leader Downing Street has ever seen and the user with the predominant mandate, able to do things in a way that I suspect few other staff leaders have. “
12:09 p. m. , Matt Mathers
Reynolds told the inquiry he has “no recollection” of why Boris Johnson did not chair a Cobra committee meeting at the start of the pandemic.
A committee meeting held on January 23, 2020 and chaired by Matt Hancock, former Health Secretary.
Reynolds said he discussed the assembly with Johnson, but recalled why the former prime minister decided to lead it.
11:55, Matt Mathers
Reynolds said at the inquiry that the government’s “machine” suffers in the midst of a crisis.
He argues that individual departments are effective in dealing with a crisis.
But when the occasion took hold of the entire Whitehall structure, the Cabinet Office “struggled to function”.
11:45, Matt Mathers
Greater Manchester’s Labour mayor, Andy Burnham, warned Sir Keir Starmer that it is “simply not possible” to temporarily have a transparent position from his party on the crisis between Israel and Hamas.
In an article for The Independent, the senior Labour official called for those who, like him, challenged the party leader to call for a ceasefire in Gaza not to be labelled as “disloyal”.
Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest report:
Burnham Warns Starmer: Don’t Be Disloyal for Disagreeing with You on Israel
11:41, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds said the government was “not quick enough” to identify the extent of the Covid pandemic when it emerged, Mitchell reports.
Boris Johnson’s former personal secretary said: “It can be argued, and I think I agree that we were not quick enough to identify the scale of the problem, as well as the road tests, plans and arrangements that we had in place. “
He went on to say that the Cabinet Office had “put in place the plans and processes” to move from the initial level of the pandemic to the level of “crisis. “
11:32 a. m. , Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds has denounced Dominic Cummings’ willingness to rent “crackpots and misfits” while jogging in Downing Street, reports Archie Mitchell.
Reynolds highlighted the hiring of Andrew Sabisky, who resigned just days after learning that he had argued that the “very real” differences in intelligence between members of other racial teams can be explained simply through genetics.
Sabisky had “unusual perspectives on eugenics,” Sabisky added.
Reynolds also said in the inquiry that “much of the power and attention of senior leaders” was directed elsewhere in the run-up to the pandemic, adding a reshuffle of the civil service.
11:29, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds said Brexit was the “top priority” in the run-up to the pandemic, but that was replaced after Boris Johnson’s election victory in 2019, Mitchell reports.
“There is a very different atmosphere in Downing Street” after the Conservatives’ landslide victory.
Johnson’s former chief secretary said ministers and officials had begun to look at policy on a “five- to ten-year horizon”.
And there’s been “a very strong long-term agenda,” Reynolds said.
11:20 a. m. , Matt Mathers
Explaining his resolution to allow the disappearing messages feature on WhatsApp, Reynolds said at the inquiry that he would have possibly been concerned about the screenshot and leaks from his colleagues.
The investigation found that Reynolds had activated a “missed messages feature” in a WhatsApp organization’s “PM Updates” on April 15, 2021.
When asked why he activated the feature, Mr. Reynolds replied, “I can guess or speculate, but I don’t know exactly why I did it. “
11:17, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds responded to a suggestion from Dominic Cummings that he was “too deferential” to Boris Johnson as prime minister, reports Archie Mitchell.
Johnson’s former personal secretary said: “At the end of the day, on a number of occasions, when I felt it was necessary and had to intervene, I gave very transparent recommendations to the Prime Minister when I disagreed with him.
“These were issues where I felt my role as senior personal secretary was to step in and give advice. “
Boris Johnson has also been described by his former chief personal secretary as “instinctively optimistic”, after claiming there was a certain “optimism bias” in Downing Street during the pandemic.
11:12, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds chided the leader of the Covid investigation, Hugo Keith KC, who said: “That would worry you terribly, Mr Reynolds, what would happen if you just asked the questions?” reports Archie Mitchell.
This came after Boris Johnson’s former aide attempted to gain access to the workings of Downing Street with Mr Johnson, Keith.
11:10 a. m. , Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds asks why he triggered the disappearance of messages in a WhatsApp organisation with officials when Boris Johnson announced the public inquiry into Covid, reports Archie Mitchell.
Former personal secretary Martin Reynolds pressed the matter through the investigation’s lead attorney, Hugo Keith KC.
Mr Keith said: “Just a few weeks before Mr Johnson announced the public inquiry in Parliament.
“You’re in the disappearing messages feature”
Mr Reynolds said: “I haven’t put the disappear feature on any of my other WhatsApps and the explanation for why is not clear to me. “
10:51, Matt Mathers
Britain’s most sensible official has called Boris Johnson “crazy” for not realising that his WhatsApp messages would eventually be made public, reports Archie Mitchell.
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case sent the message to Mr. Johnson, Martin Reynolds, who “is doing well. “
The message, sent via Mr Case in December 2021, read: “The Prime Minister is crazy if he doesn’t believe his WhatsApps will be made public through the Covid investigation, but he’s obviously in no mood for this discussion tonight. We will have to fight this war in the new year.
Reynolds said, “Okay. Thank you for your help. “
10:45, Matt Mathers
The son of Partygate investigator Sue Gray is campaigning to be a Labor candidate in a winning seat in south-west London at the next general election.
Activist Liam Conlon announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he will stand as the party’s candidate in Beckenham and Penge, a new seat for the election scheduled for 2024.
Adam Forrest reports:
Sue Gray’s son running for Labour MP
10:39, Matt Mathers
Baroness Heather Hallett has opened the debate on what is shaping up to be an explosive day in Covid-19 research, writes Archie Mitchell.
The chairman of the inquiry began the day by warning the other people on whom the inquiry is based not to share their evidence with the press.
Now, Boris Johnson’s former chief personal secretary Martin Reynolds, nicknamed “Party Marty” after inviting staff to a boozy lawn party during the pandemic, attests today.
Former communications leader Lee Cain also appears before the inquiry, which reported that “the real user responsible” as Covid infuriated M’s wife. Johnson, Carrie.
10:36, Matt Mathers
The second component of the Covid survey is ongoing and will deal with decision-making and political governance during the pandemic.
Baroness Heath Hallet, chair of the inquiry, in her opening remarks reminded participants of their duty to maintain the confidentiality of the documents sent to them in connection with the hearings.
Baroness Hallet reiterates her commitment to making research as effective as possible.
10:30 a. m. , Matt Mathers
We’ll provide updates this morning when Johnson’s former aides testify as part of the investigation.
You can also watch the discussions on The Independent’s YouTube channel.
Follow the link below to see all the action as it unfolds.
10:26, Matt Mathers
Martin Reynolds will testify for the first time this morning between 10:30 a. m. and 1:00 p. m.
Imran Shafie will stay with Reynolds and make his observation at the same time interval.
Lee Cain is scheduled to testify between 2 p. m. and 4:30 p. m.
10:15, Matt Mathers
Imran Shafi, Boris Johnson’s former personal secretary, has arrived to appear at the Covid investigation.
Shafi was wearing a suit and tie when he arrived at Dorland House in London this morning.
He will testify about decision-making in government during the pandemic.
10:15, Matt Mathers
Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings have sent “disgusting and misogynistic” WhatsApp messages that will be published following the Covid investigation, George Osborne has claimed.
The former Conservative chancellor said he understood “astonishing” messages would be shared at next week’s hearings, when former No. 10 strategist Mr Cummings is expected to appear.
Johnson will testify at the public inquiry next month, following the long-running saga surrounding the publication of his WhatsApp messages with senior advisers and ministers.
Adam Forrest reports:
Boris and Cummings’ WhatsApp messages ‘disgusting and misogynistic’, says Osborne
10:00 a. m. , Matt Mathers
Dominic Cummings, a key figure in the Brexit crusade and victory in the 2019 general election, has the maximum use of toughness in Boris Johnson’s government.
He left Downing Street in November 2020 following reports of a bitter power struggle with M. ‘s wife, Johnson, Carrie. His friends and allies, he (and himself) is a maverick and a visionary.
However, the guy David Cameron once described as a “career psychopath” also amassed a growing number of detractors and foes while he was a senior adviser to Boris Johnson.
In this article, from the moment Cummings left the center of power, Adam Forrest takes a closer look at his and falls:
Dominic Cummings’ fall and what comes next in 10th place
09:46, Matt Mathers
Families are disappointed that the investigation may not report before next year’s general election, writes Andrew Grice, but next week we may only see political revelations.
Read Andrew’s full article here.
09:43, Matt Mathers
Lee Cain drove Boris Johnson’s government into a frenzy after sensationally resigning as communications director in November 2020 over failing to secure a promotion to staff leader.
The former prime minister convinced Cain that he was not a chief of staff and his fiancée Carrie Symonds insisted he was unfit.
Adam Forrest reports:
Who is Lee Cain? A Closer Look at the Advertising Doctor Who Sparked the 10th Protest
09:33, Matt Mathers
He was the UK’s ambassador to Libya before being appointed to the number 10 post in October 2019.
The Cambridge graduate had previously held Foreign Office posts in Whitehall, South Africa and Brussels.
Before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was a municipal lawyer.
David Hughes and Joe Sommerlad report:
Covid Research: Who Is ‘Party Marty’ Martin Reynolds And What Did He Do?
09:31, Matt Mathers
Recent hearings and the publication of Covid investigation documents have revealed embarrassing main points for M. Johnson, Rishi Sunak and senior government officials.
Last week it emerged that Chief Scientific Adviser Dame Angela McLean had referred to Mr Sunak from ‘Dr Death’ after launching Eat Out to Help Out, the restaurant scheme blamed for a surge in Covid cases in the summer of 2020.
Archie Mitchell has a full look ahead to next week:
Explosive week for Boris Johnson as his ex prepares for Covid investigation
9:30 a. m. , Matt Mathers
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s policy on Covid research.
Many of Boris Johnson’s former aides are due to testify this week.
Stay tuned for all updates.
22:29, Tara Cobham
22:24, Tara Cobham