Boris Johnson has been grilled on his first day appearing at the Covid Inquiry.
The former prime minister’s apology to covid victims and their families at the beginning of the questioning was interrupted by protestors, who had to be escorted from the room.
The four women who were removed told reporters that they stood to hold up signs that read: “The Dead can’t hear your apologies.”
Mr Johnson answered questions relating to his and his government’s actions at the beginning of the pandemic, the advice he received in February 2020 about border controls and the reported “toxic” environment in Downing Street.
However, Mr Johnson appeared unable to explain what happened to the approximately 5,000 WhatsApp messages that went missing from his phone, from the period between January 30th to June 2020.
Ahead of the questioning on Wednesday, the Times newspaper reported that Mr Johnson told Lady Hallet’s probe that technical experts have not been able to retrieve the WhatsApp messages.
Decisions over lockdowns, social distancing measures and other government rules during the pandemic have been criticised in the years since, and it’s hoped the inquiry will help to determine how effective decision-making was at Number 10 over that period.
In this episode of The Standard podcast our health reporter Daniel Keane discusses how Boris Johnson’s first day at the Covid Inquiry has gone, and what to expect from day two.
Daniel also explains why the true lessons gained from the Covid Inquiry won’t necessarily make headlines, and how the former PM is unlikely to receive any punishments off the back of his comments during the inquiry.
Listen above, find us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you stream your podcasts.
