Boris Johnson concedes he should have acted sooner on Covid
By Paul Seddon
Politics reporter
6 December 2023, 16:54 GMT
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted on Wednesday that he should have acted more quickly to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. Johnson gave evidence to the Covid inquiry, acknowledging that he had “underestimated the scale and the pace of the challenge” posed by the virus.
Defending his record in office, Johnson defended the timing of the first lockdown, stating that modelling had been incorrect and he had been advised not to impose measures too early. He also expressed regret for the “pain and the loss and the suffering” people experienced during the pandemic.
However, Johnson’s testimony was interrupted by protesters, and he faced criticism for being slow to make decisions and for his failure to take more decisive action during the pandemic.
During the inquiry, Johnson was also challenged on his handling of the pandemic, including his decision to keep Matt Hancock as health secretary and his failure to retrieve around 5,000 WhatsApp messages from his old phone between January and June 2020.
The former prime minister defended his overall approach to the pandemic, stating that Covid had required “completely novel” measures. However, he admitted that he, along with the entire Whitehall establishment and scientific community, had underestimated the seriousness of the virus.
Johnson’s testimony has been closely watched, as it provides insights into his decision-making during the pandemic and sheds light on the challenges faced by the UK government. As the inquiry continues, the public and bereaved families will be eagerly awaiting answers and accountability.