The UK’s most senior civil servant, Simon Case, described the government as looking like a “terrible, tragic joke” in its handling of the Covid pandemic in expletive-laden WhatsApp messages handed to the Covid inquiry.
The messages – which are likely to prompt questions over Case’s professionalism – also lamented that Boris Johnson’s wife, Carrie, appeared to be “the real person in charge” at Downing Street.
Case, who had been permanent secretary at 10 Downing Street and was appointed as head of the civil service in September 2020, expressed frustration at the government’s handling of the pandemic, writing in one message: “not sure I can cope”.
In messages read to the inquiry on Friday, Case said: “The government doesn’t have the credibility needed to be imposing stuff within only days of deciding not too [sic]. We look like a terrible, tragic joke. If we were going hard, that decision was needed weeks ago. I cannot cope with this I cannot cope with this.”
Lee Cain, who was Johnson’s director of communications until November 2020, said Carrie “doesn’t know wtf she is talking about”.
The messages appeared on the screen during today’s session of the inquiry which is focusing on core UK decision-making and political governance. They are thought to have been from 14 October 2020.
A letter from Dominic Cummings contained an email dated 13 July 2020 about “the problems of the No 10/CabOff (Cabinet Office) set up that is relevant to the inquiry”.
He said it was copied to the PM “but he never engaged seriously”.
Case wrote: “Am not sure I can cope with today. Might just go home. Matt just called, having spoken to PM. According to Matt (so aim off, obvs), PM has asked Matt to work up regional circuit breakers for the North (as per Northern Ireland) today – and to bring recommendations. I am going to scream …”
Cain asked: “Wtf are we talking about.”
To which Case replied: “Whatever Carrie cares about, I guess.
“I was always told that Dom [Dominic Cummings] was the secret PM. How wrong they are. I look forward to telling select cttee tomorrow – ‘oh, fuck no, don’t worry about Dom, the real person in charge is Carrie’”, Case added.
A witness to the inquiry Alex Thomas, formerly at the Cabinet Office and now at the Institute for Government, described some of the language in the messages as “unfortunate”.
“It’s clear to me that the consistency of decision-making was something that could be criticised and be a cause for concern,” he said. “They are not comfortable to read. If you are a victim or related to someone who suffered or died from Covid this is appalling to read. It should be called out as regrettable.”
Prof Chris Brightling and Dr Rachael Evans, both experts in long Covid, also gave evidence to the inquiry, which was attended by members of various long Covid support groups.
In notes that appeared on the inquiry screen Johnson scribbled “bollocks” on one and on another said: “Do we really believe in long Covid. Why can’t we hedge it more. I bet it is complete Gulf War Syndrome.”
Brightling said: “I’m deeply saddened and extremely angry at the same time. I’m not even sure what he means – bollocks to the science or does he mean bollocks to the patients?”
Evans said of Johnson’s comments: “It’s just another unbelievable thing. It’s shocking and beyond disappointing. We have people here living through this absolutely dreadful illness and to see your own prime minister has written something like this …”
The inquiry continues.
