Former UK leader Boris Johnson defends efforts to balance health and economy at COVID-19 inquiry
LONDON – Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended his actions in balancing the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic during his second day of testimony at Britain’s public inquiry. Johnson faced scrutiny over the government’s Eat Out to Help Out program, which subsidized restaurant meals to support the struggling hospitality industry. Leading scientists testified that they were not consulted on the program and expressed concerns about its potential to increase transmission risks. However, Johnson asserted that he had no reason to question the initiative at the time.
I must emphasize, it was not at the time presented to me as something that would add to the budget of risk, Johnson said.
Johnson, who is speaking under oath, acknowledged on Wednesday that he had made mistakes in assessing the severity of the pandemic. He also admitted that his advisors had failed to raise sufficient alarm about the virus.
These statements follow several weeks of testimony from other ministers, including former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who argued that prompt implementation of a lockdown could have saved thousands of lives. The UK eventually endured one of Europe’s lengthiest and strictest lockdown measures, resulting in a high death toll of over 232,000 people.
The public inquiry aims to uncover lessons from the pandemic to enhance future response strategies. However, the revelations emerging from the inquiry may further damage Johnson’s tainted reputation. The former prime minister, once celebrated for securing a landslide victory for his Conservative Party in 2019, was compelled to resign amid various scandals, including allegations of parties held at his Downing Street offices during the national lockdown.
As a seasoned journalist working for an esteemed news agency, it is crucial to inform our audience about these developments:
– Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared for his second day of testimony at the COVID-19 public inquiry.
– Johnson faced questions regarding the Eat Out to Help Out program, which subsidized restaurant meals to support the struggling hospitality industry.
– Leading scientists criticized the restaurant initiative, stating they were not consulted, and warned of increased transmission risks.
– Johnson defended his decision, stating that he had no reason to doubt the program’s efficacy at the time.
– The former prime minister admitted to making mistakes in gauging the severity of the pandemic and highlighted failures in his advisory team’s alertness.
– Testimonies from other ministers, including Matt Hancock, have suggested that thousands of lives could have been saved with an earlier lockdown implementation.
– The UK experienced an extensive and strict lockdown, resulting in one of Europe’s highest COVID-19 death tolls.
– The public inquiry’s goal is to learn from the pandemic for improved future responses.
– The revelations emerging from the inquiry may further damage Johnson’s already tarnished reputation following previous scandals.
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