Boris Johnson's aide turned on disappearing WhatsApp messages to hide PM's chats

30 October 2023 , 14:43

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Senior No10 officials used WhatsApp groups to communicate with Boris Johnson during the pandemic (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

One of Boris Johnson’s most senior aides turned on disappearing WhatsApp messages shortly before the Covid Inquiry was announced. Martin Reynolds, who was Mr Johnson’s Principal Private Secretary, admitted changing the settings of a No10 WhatsApp group he and the PM were in.

The top official became known as “Party Marty” after sending the infamous “bring your own booze” email to hundreds of Downing Street staff during lockdown.

As he gave evidence at the Covid Inquiry, Mr Reynolds suggested the Government was distracted as the pandemic hit by tensions in No10, including Dominic Cummings’ drive to recruit “misfits and weirdos” as aides. He admitted there had been a "systemic failure”. Asked if the plans in place in March 2020 were "grossly deficient", Mr Reynolds said: "I agree."

The inquiry heard that Mr Cummings had suggested that in February and March 2020 there was "an untoward degree of optimism bias on the part of the Prime Minister". Asked if there was any basis to that suggestion, Mr Reynolds said: "In terms of the Prime Minister's perspective, I think he is instinctively optimistic, but I also think that he instinctively believes that as a leader it's important to project confidence and ability to deal with things."

Mr Reynolds turned on the "disappearing message function" on a WhatsApp group titled "PM Updates" on April 15, 2021. Asked why he had turned the function on, Mr Reynolds said: "I can guess or I can speculate, but I cannot recall exactly why I did so."

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When it was pointed out that this was a few weeks before Mr Johnson announced the Covid Inquiry would take place, Mr Reynolds said: “I don't believe it was intended to prevent the inquiry from having sight of this. It could, for example, have been because I was worried of someone screenshotting or using some of the exchanges and leaking them."

During the pandemic, Mr Reynolds invited around 200 officials to a lockdown-busting gathering in the No10 garden. In the invitation he said that “'it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather” by having drinks in the No10 garden. The event was held on May 20, 2020 - when the UK was still covered by stringent restrictions and people were banned from meeting up outside in groups of more than two. Mr Reynolds also helped to organise the Cabinet Room gathering to celebrate Mr Johnson’s 56th birthday, which led to both the PM and Rishi Sunak getting fines.

The Covid Inquiry this week is hearing from top officials on how the Government responded to the pandemic.

John Stevens