Boris Johnson Gives Bombshell Evidence to Covid Inquiry Today
Boris Johnson arrived at the Covid inquiry today, ready to face a rigorous two-day questioning about his decisions during the pandemic. The former prime minister was chauffeured to the central London venue nearly three hours before his scheduled appearance at 10 am.
During his testimony, Johnson is expected to offer a strong defense of his leadership throughout the crisis, acknowledging some mistakes but emphasizing the difficult choices faced by the government. He will also raise concerns about the inquiry’s lack of consideration for the downsides of restrictions on education, health, and the economy.
In his written evidence, Johnson highlighted his duty to weigh the harms caused by lockdowns against their benefits. He stated, We simply had no good choices, and it was necessary at all times to weigh up the harms that any choice would cause.
The former PM will also deny ever making the remark about letting the bodies pile high rather than imposing a third lockdown, an allegation that Downing Street vehemently denied in the past. Johnson’s former chief of staff, Lord Lister, previously claimed to have heard the comment during a meeting in September 2020.
Furthermore, Johnson is expected to face questions about Sir Patrick Vallance’s diary entries, which expressed frustration with the former prime minister’s approach to the pandemic. Vallance had mentioned Johnson’s preoccupation with allowing the younger demographic to continue with their lives and the economy’s functioning.
Critics of the inquiry have expressed concern that it has focused more on salacious WhatsApp messages than on truly learning from the crisis. They hope that Johnson will receive a fair hearing and avoid another repetition of biased treatment witnessed in previous inquiries.
Some supporters of the former prime minister have argued that the inquiry has predetermined its narrative, largely focusing on whether lockdowns should have been implemented sooner or for longer. They urge the inquiry to consider the challenging trade-offs and constantly evolving scientific advice prevalent during the early stages of the pandemic.
Johnson is expected to acknowledge the inevitability of the first lockdown in March 2020 due to the lack of a vaccine or effective treatments. Nevertheless, he will express concern for the economic harm caused and advocate for the inquiry to further investigate the origins of the virus.
Throughout his appearance, Johnson plans to apologize for government mistakes while maintaining that they made crucial correct decisions, such as the successful vaccine rollout, preventing the healthcare system from collapsing, and implementing innovative treatments.
As Boris Johnson faces the Covid inquiry today, he aims to provide robust answers and shed light on the difficult decisions made during the pandemic. The inquiry’s outcomes will undoubtedly impact future governmental responses to similar crises.
Refraining from promotional language, Johnson’s testimony will focus on factual information and addressing the needs of a global audience. By adhering to legal and ethical standards, the former prime minister will present a comprehensive account of his actions during the pandemic, offering a clearer understanding of the challenges faced by the UK government.
In total, Boris Johnson’s appearance at the Covid inquiry is expected to provide valuable insights into his decision-making process, while also highlighting the need for comprehensive consideration of the consequences and global lessons learned from the ongoing pandemic.
