Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to issue an apology to the Covid Inquiry next week and admit that the UK government did not get everything right during the pandemic. Despite this, Johnson will argue that the government did make the correct decisions on many key issues and will highlight the success of the UK’s vaccination programme, as well as the country’s emergence from the final lockdown before other comparable economies.
In the lead up to his appearance before the inquiry, Johnson has faced criticism from those who worked with him closely throughout the pandemic. His former director of communications, Lee Cain, argued that the pandemic was not within Johnson’s “skillset,” and the former chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, stated that Johnson was overwhelmed by scientific data. Johnson’s former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, described the former prime minister as “the trolley” due to his tendency to constantly change his mind.
Johnson will reportedly take on his critics during his appearance, emphasising the volume of briefings he received throughout the pandemic and how quickly advice would change. He will also defend his use of colourful language and provocative positions, stating that this helped gain the best advice from his advisers. Johnson’s written statement, which is approximately 200 pages long, has already been submitted to the inquiry and is thought to barely mention Cummings.
The former health secretary, Matt Hancock, revealed in his written statement that Johnson had apologised for appointing his former chief adviser and for the damage he caused to the response to Covid-19. Johnson is expected to argue that there were always going to be elements of tension within government, particularly during periods of heightened stress, but will also express that he does not condone any unreasonable behaviour or language. Johnson has been advised in his preparations for the inquiry by Brian Altman KC, and his interrogation by Hugo Keith KC will begin at 10am on Wednesday
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