UK: Ministers Given More Time to Turn in Messages From Boris Johnson to Public COVID Inquiry

British ministers were given more time to turn in messages from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson as part of the public inquiry into the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extra time comes amid a stand-off that may result in criminal sanctions.

The public inquiry into the British government’s response to the pandemic, chaired by former Judge Heather Hallett, gave ministers two more days to turn in unredacted messages from Johnson until Thursday as part of its investigation. Johnson’s government ordered an investigation in 2021 into the country’s preparedness and the public health and economic response after the United Kingdom was one of the countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths.

The Cabinet Office, which is responsible for overseeing the operation of the government, has refused to turn in messages and diaries from Johnson. The spokesperson for the Cabinet Office said in a statement that the investigation does not have the authority to request such records.

“We are firmly of the view that the inquiry does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation,” said the spokesperson. “This includes the WhatsApp messages of government employees which are not about work but instead are entirely personal and relate to their private lives.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the government wants to make sure that there are lessons to be learned from the matter.

“The government has cooperated with the inquiry – tens of thousands of documents have been handed over. The government’s carefully considering its position but is confident in the approach it’s taken,” Sunak told reporters.

Sunak is set to travel to the United States next week and meet with President Joe Biden in Washington, with both leaders expected to discuss improving economic ties between the two countries and how to continue supporting Ukraine militarily in the war. Sunak will be in Washington on Wednesday and Thursday next week and will also meet with members of Congress and US business leaders, according to Sunak’s spokesperson on Tuesday.

Sunak’s spokesperson added that there will not be any talks about a formal free trade deal

Photo: Andrew Parsons (No. 10 Downing Street)/Wikimedia Commons(CC by 2.0)