‘Why are we destroying the financial system for individuals who will die anyway?’ throughout Covid
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Boris Johnson requested “why are we destroying [the] financial system for individuals who will die anyway quickly” shortly earlier than saying the primary Covid-19 lockdown, contemporaneous notes counsel.
The comment was captured in handwritten notes made by Imran Shafi, then the prime minister’s personal secretary for public companies, when Mr Johnson met , his chancellor, in March 2020.
One line learn: “We’re killing the affected person to deal with the tumour.”
One other states: “Massive ppl who will die – why are we destroying financial system for individuals who will die anyway quickly.”
Requested at the Covid Inquiry on Monday whether or not the feedback have been made by Mr Johnson, Mr Shafi mentioned: “I can’t say for positive, I feel it was the previous prime minister.”
Conferences between Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak about Covid happened on March 19-20 2020. Mr Johnson introduced a nationwide lockdown on March 23 2020.
The revelation was simply one of many behind-the-scenes insights at Monday’s Covid Inquiry into how Mr Johnson approached the coronavirus pandemic.
Each Mr Shafi and Martin Reynolds, who was Mr Johnson’s principal private secretary, gave public proof on the inquiry for the primary time.
New messages between different key figures in authorities have been additionally revealed.
Simon Case, the UK’s most senior civil servant, mentioned in a single WhatsApp message that Mr Johnson “can’t lead” and that “this man is absolutely making it unimaginable” to deal with Covid.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the Authorities’s chief scientific adviser throughout the pandemic, bemoaned Mr Johnson’s “ridiculous flip-flopping” and the way he was “fully inconsistent”.
The personal views of Mr Case – who was made Cupboard Secretary by Mr Johnson and stays within the function – are contained in a prolonged WhatsApp message he despatched to , Mr Johnson’s senior adviser on the time.
Mr Case wrote of Mr Johnson: “I’m on the finish of my tether.
“He alters strategic path on daily basis (Monday we have been all about worry of virus returning as per Europe, March and so forth – as we speak we’re in ‘let it rip’ mode cos the UK is pathetic, wants a chilly bathe and so forth).
“He can’t lead and we can’t assist him in main with this method.
“The staff captain can’t change the decision on the large performs on daily basis. The staff can’t ship something below these circumstances.
“A weak staff (as we’ve got acquired – Hancock, Williamson, Dido, No10/CO, Perm Secs), undoubtedly can’t reach these circs. IT HAS TO STOP!
“Determine and set path – ship – clarify. Gov’t isn’t truly that arduous however this man is absolutely making it unimaginable.”
Mr Cummings responded: “Completely agree. Am already getting a number of despairing messages from folks in mtngs with him. And he’s carrering round on WhatsApp as common creating chaos and undermining everyone.”
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In one other WhatsApp message with Mr Cummings and Lee Cain, then director of communications at No 10, Mr Case wrote: “This Gov’t doesn’t have the credibility wanted to be imposing stuff inside solely days of deciding not too.
“We appear to be a horrible, tragic joke. If we have been going laborious, that call was wanted weeks in the past. I can’t deal with this.”
Mr Cain responded by posting a picture of a buying trolley. It’s already identified that former No 10 insiders used to joke that Mr Johnson would wobble round on insurance policies like a trolley.
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In a 3rd message from one other set of exchanges, dated Sept 10 2020, Mr Case wrote: “Spectacular as we speak – we wish to open up the financial system ASAP, overlook the bloody virus.”
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This can be very uncommon for such fierce private criticism of the prime minister from the most senior civil servant within the nation to be seen within the public area.
Mr Case stays within the function of Cupboard Secretary below Mr Sunak. He’s at the moment off work for “private” medical reasons. It’s unclear when he’ll return to the function.
In one other WhatsApp message, he wrote: “We actually, actually need a reshuffle” and claimed that then Cupboard ministers Grant Shapps, Matt Hancock and Sir Gavin Williamson have been pushing “bulls— ‘no give up’ concepts” in regards to the pandemic.
Frustrations about Mr Johnson’s method are additionally present in diary entries from Sir Patrick, which have been learn out throughout Monday’s inquiry proof session.
One line written by Sir Patrick in his diary on July 9 2020 learn: “PM is just not constant (as he wasn’t initially).”
One other on July 13 learn: “The ridiculous flip-flopping is getting worse – perhaps as he recovers?”
And on Sept 19 2020, Sir Patrick wrote of Mr Johnson: “He’s everywhere and fully inconsistent.”
It additionally emerged that Mr Johnson met Lord Lebedev, a good friend since Mr Johnson was mayor of London, on March 19 2020 – simply 4 days earlier than the primary lockdown was introduced.
Mr Johnson will give his own testimony to the Covid Inquiry, along with his look anticipated later within the 12 months.
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