Covid Inquiry Reveals Fierce Criticism of Boris Johnson from Senior Officials

Strategic Insights -

Boris Johnson asked "why are we destroying the economy for people who will die anyway soon" shortly before announcing the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, according to contemporaneous notes from his private secretary. The remark was one of many behind-the-scenes insights revealed at the Covid Inquiry into how Johnson approached the pandemic. Senior officials, including Simon Case, the UK's most senior civil servant, expressed frustration with Johnson's leadership style, with Case saying Johnson "cannot lead" and that "this guy is really making it impossible" to tackle Covid. Case also described Johnson's approach as "ridiculous flip-flopping" and "completely inconsistent." Other officials, including Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain, also criticized Johnson's handling of the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

  • Boris Johnson asked "why are we destroying the economy for people who will die anyway soon" shortly before announcing the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, according to contemporaneous notes from his private secretary Imran Shafi.
  • Senior officials, including Simon Case and Dominic Cummings, expressed frustration with Johnson's leadership style, with Case saying Johnson "cannot lead" and that "this guy is really making it impossible" to tackle Covid.
  • Case described Johnson's approach as "ridiculous flip-flopping" and "completely inconsistent," citing examples of Johnson changing strategic direction every day.
  • Johnson met Rishi Sunak, his chancellor, in March 2020, just days before announcing the lockdown, with notes suggesting Johnson was struggling to set direction.
  • Case also criticized Johnson's Cabinet ministers, including Grant Shapps, Matt Hancock, and Sir Gavin Williamson, for pushing "bulls--- 'no surrender' ideas" about the pandemic.
  • Diary entries from Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government's chief scientific adviser, revealed similar frustrations, with dates including July 9 and 13, 2020, and Sept 19, 2020.
  • Johnson will give his own testimony to the Covid Inquiry later in the year.

Statistics:

  • The first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK was announced on March 23, 2020.
  • There were 2 meetings between Johnson and Sunak about Covid on March 19 and 20, 2020.
  • Johnson's lockdown announcement came 4 days after meeting with Lord Lebedev.
  • Simon Case's WhatsApp messages in evidence to the Covid Inquiry were dated between October 9 and 12, 2020.

Sources:

  • Handwritten notes from Imran Shafi, then private secretary for public services, as published in the Covid Inquiry evidence.
  • WhatsApp messages from Simon Case, Dominic Cummings, and Lee Cain, as published in the Covid Inquiry evidence.
  • Diary entries from Sir Patrick Vallance, as published in the Covid Inquiry evidence.
  • The Guardian newspaper, for the story.