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Boris Johnson is being grilled over the government’s response to the pandemic after he arrived three hours early to the UK Covid Inquiry to dodge protesters waiting outside.
The former prime minister’s apology to the nation was interrupted by four people who staged a protest in the hearing room and were ejected as he said he was sorry “for the loss, pain and suffering” of Covid victims.
In a much-anticipated evidence session, the former prime minister will be questioned about the UK’s late lockdown and respond to criticisms from some of his closest aides about his leadership style.
Lee Cain, his No 10 director of communications, said the pandemic was the “wrong crisis” for Mr Johnson’s “skill set”, describing dither and delay – a criticism made by multiple other witnesses to the inquiry.
Last week allies of Mr Johnson said that he would issue an “unreserved apology” and admit his government was “initially far too complacent” about the threats posed by the virus.
According to The Times, he will also give his backing to back Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, who has also been repeatedly criticised by other witnesses.
Mr Hancock appeared in front of the inquiry last week and was questioned over his handling of the Covid crisis.
Watch: Johnson presided over ‘orgy of narcissism’, bereaved families claim
Boris Johnson presided over ‘orgy of narcissism’ in pandemic, bereaved Covid families claim
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 10:15
Boris Johnson apology disrupted by protesters
Boris Johnson’s apology to the nation has been interrupted by four people who staged a protest in the hearing room.
The protesters were ejected from the Covid-19 inquiry as the former prime minister was saying he was sorry “for the loss, pain and suffering”.
He said: “I am deeply sorry for the pain and the loss and suffering of those victims and their families and grateful that I am to the hundreds of 1000s of healthcare workers and many other public servants, people in all walks of life who help to protect our country, throat critical pandemic.”
“I do hope that this inquiry will help to get the answers to the very difficult questions that those victims and those families are rightly asking,” Mr Johnson added.
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 10:12
Boris Johnson grilled over lockdowns after dodging protests
Boris Johnson is being grilled over the government’s response to the pandemic at the UK Covid Inquiry after he arrived three hours early to dodge protesters waiting outside.
The former prime minister has appeared at 10am today to face the first of two days of questioning over his handling of coronavirus.
The highly anticipated appearance by Mr Johnson is expected to see him admit that his government made mistakes in its response to the virus, but argue that its decisions ultimately saved lives.
Mr Johnson will also, according to reports, insist that he followed the advice of scientists and did not lock down the country more quickly because herd immunity was initially favoured.
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 10:06
Boris ‘open’ to admitting lockdown should have happened earlier, says ex-adviser
Boris Johnson is “open” to admitting lockdown should have happened earlier, an ex-adviser has said.
Guto Harri told Sky News the science advice was “torn” in the early days of the pandemic.
Asked whether lockdown should have happened earlier, Mr Harri admitted that maybe this is right, and “Boris is open on that”.
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 09:55
‘Grotesque distortion of truth’ to claim Johnson got big decisions right
Boris Johnson’s expected claim at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry that he got the big decisions right during the pandemic would be a “grotesque distortion of the truth”, a lawyer for bereaved families has said.
Aamer Anwar, lead solicitor for the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, told a press conference ahead of the former prime minister’s evidence in west London: “Boris Johnson is expected to issue an apology this morning.
“Yet he will claim he saved thousands of lives.
“For many of the bereaved that will be a grotesque distortion of the truth.
“In Boris Johnson’s words, instead of solving a national crisis, his government presided over a total disgusting orgy of narcissism.
“He did let the bodies pile up and the elderly were treated as toxic waste.
“As a result, over a quarter of a million people died from Covid. They cannot speak for themselves but their families, the bereaved and all those impacted by Covid deserve the truth today.”
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 09:53
Watch live: Johnson gives evidence to Covid Inquiry as he faces two-day grilling
It comes after the former prime minister denied deleting WhatsApp messages after it emerged he had not been able to provide the inquiry with any communications from February to June 2020.
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 09:50
Boris Johnson to face start of two-day grilling at Covid inquiry
Boris Johnson will face the first of two days of questioning over his handling of the pandemic when he appears before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry from 10am today.
It comes after the former prime minister denied deleting WhatsApp messages after it emerged he had not been able to provide the inquiry with any communications from February to June 2020.
The highly anticipated appearance by Mr Johnson is expected to see him admit that his government made mistakes in its response to the virus, but argue that its decisions ultimately saved lives.
Mr Johnson will also, according to reports, insist that he followed the advice of scientists and did not lock down the country more quickly because herd immunity was initially favoured.
His style of government at the height of the crisis has been criticised by former colleagues, while the atmosphere inside Downing Street has been described as “toxic”.
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 09:45
In pictures: People protest as Johnson set to give evidence at UK Covid Inquiry
People hold banners as they protest after the arrival of Boris Johnson, Britain’s former Prime Minister, at the Covid Inquiry on Wednesday
(Getty Images)
Protesters hold pictures and banners as they wait outside the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, where the former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is giving evidence in London on Wednesday
(REUTERS)
A vehicle transporting a placard is parked in front of the entrance of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry building, in west London, on Wednesday
(AFP via Getty Images)
Tara Cobham6 December 2023 09:36
Boris arrives under the cover of darkness
Boris Johnson snuck into the Covid Inquiry under the cover of early-morning darkness – managing to avoid the bereaved families by arriving about three hours before he is due to give evidence.
The public inquiry’s security has been stepped up for Mr Johnson’s appearance – with dozens of family members from all over Britain holding a defiant vigil outside.
Policing minister Chris Philp joked, “It’s the first time Boris has ever been early for anything”.
Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent6 December 2023 09:26
‘“It’s the first time Boris has ever been early for anything’ – Chris Philp
Policing minister Chris Philp joked “it’s the first time Boris has ever been early for anything” after the the former prime minister arrived at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry about three hours before he is due to give evidence.
Mr Philp told Sky News the inquiry should be about “dispassionately and forensically understanding what lessons can be learnt” but that he was “sure there are things we could have done better”.
(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain6 December 2023 08:58
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
