At his two-day appearance, Mr Johnson will reject claims that he was not engaged in Covid policy during the 10-day period, according to an ally familiar with preparations.
He is expected to cite diary entries that show he returned to Downing Street on a number of occasions during the period. It will also be claimed that he had his ministerial red box with him during his time away from Number 10.
If asked, Mr Johnson will dismiss the idea that half-term was spent writing a book on Shakespeare rather than engaging with the emerging pandemic, an ally said.
A senior Tory source familiar with his preparations told The Telegraph the half-term criticism “was a red herring that was raised by malevolent critics”.
The source said: “The evidence shows, from the diary extracts, that he wasn’t away all the time. He came back into the office from Chevening. The records show he was working the whole time, he wasn’t writing a book… We think this one is quite easily dealt with.”
Mr Keith has focused on the 10-day period during previous witness appearances, including when questioning Martin Reynolds, the official who headed up Mr Johnson’s private office, in an oral session back in October.
He said then of the 10-day period: “There were no emails. There were no notes put in his red box. You don’t appear to have been in touch with him about coronavirus, or anybody else.
“To what extent did you think to yourself we’ve got… emails about a viral pandemic coming our way? Why was nothing done in terms of keeping the prime minister in the loop in those 10 days?”
Mr Reynolds said: “I cannot recall why and whether there was any urgent business to transact over that period with the PM.”
Laura Adams is a tech enthusiast residing in the UK. Her articles cover the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets, providing readers with a glimpse into the future of technology.
