A chilling note of a meeting between Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak before the UK's first lockdown questioned whether to destroy the economy for people who would "die anyway".
Former Downing Street aide Imran Shafi scribbled the note during a meeting between the then-PM and Chancellor in March 2020. He wrote in his diary: "Large numbers of people who will die - why are we destroying the economy for people who will die anyway soon."
Asked who said the words, Mr Shafi told the Inquiry: "I can't say for sure, I think it was the former Prime Minister."
In an explosive day at the inquiry, damning WhatsApp messages were shared showing officials thought Mr Johnson made dealing with the pandemic "impossible" and said he was Trump-level "mad and dangerous".
Screenshots shown to the Covid Inquiry reveal Cabinet Secretary Simon Case also believed the PM was turning the UK into a "tragic joke". The messages were part of a blistering series of WhatsApps lifting the lid on the chaos in the early days of the pandemic.
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In another Mr Case, the UK's most senior civil servant, said a series of blunders meant the Government "doesn't have the credibility needed to be imposing stuff".
It came as a top civil servant dubbed "Party Marty" was unable to explain why he'd enabled "disappearing" WhatsApps in a group which included the PM. Martin Reynolds, who was Boris Johnson's principal private secretary, claimed he "can't recall" why he did it as he was grilled over messages sent between top officials and the then-PM.
Follow the key developments in our liveblog below
Boris Johnson’s former top aide Dominic Cummings will give evidence to the Covid Inquiry. The ex-adviser is expected to share his brutal verdict on his old boss’s time in No10.
Lee Cain, who was Mr Johnson’s Director of Communications, will also appear as a witness.
Follow all the latest updates on our live blog of Tuesday's Covid Inquiry hearing.
Boris Johnson wanted to rush to scrap Covid restrictions as a distraction after it was revealed that Dominic Cummings had broken lockdown rules. The Mirror broke the story that the PM’s top aide had driven 264 miles from London to his parents’ property in Durham in March 2020 despite having coronavirus symptoms.
Diary notes written by Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, which were published by the Covid Inquiry today, reveal how Mr Johnson wanted to divert attention from the row. In an entry on May 25 - two days after the Mirror published its scoop - he warned that Mr Cummings’ trip was “clearly against the rules”.
He wrote: "PM seems very bullish and wants to have everything released sooner and more extremely than we would. Wants to divert from the DC (Dominic Cummings) fiasco. All very worrying. Cabinet all upbeat and 'breezy confidence' - incredibly alarming.”
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The head of the civil service secretly blasted “weak and indecisive” Boris Johnson for causing havoc during the pandemic. In explosive WhatsApp messages, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case accused the PM of making the Government look like a “tragic joke” with “bulls***” ideas.
The exasperated top official warned that Mr Johnson alternated between fearing the virus was getting worse and “let it rip” mode when he argued the country was “pathetic” and “needs a cold shower”. In one chat, Mr Case wrote: “He cannot lead… A weak team definitely cannot succeed in these [circumstances]. IT HAS TO STOP!" He added: "I am at the end of my tether… Gov't isn't actually that hard but this guy is really making it impossible."
On an explosive day at the Covid Inquiry, it was suggested that Mr Johnson had resisted the first lockdown as he asked why he would damage the economy in order to save “people who will die anyway soon”.
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It's been an eventful day at the Covid Inquiry.
In case you're catching up, here are some of the key things we learned:
England's chief medical officer referred to Rishi Sunak's 2020 scheme as “Eat out to help out the virus”, Mr Shafi said.
The controversial initiative, launched in August 2020 to keep restaurants afloat, was blamed for a spike in new Covid cases.
A Downing Street aide made a chilling note about a meeting between Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson - questioning whether to destroy the economy for people who would "die anyway".
Imran Shafi, who was Mr Johnson's principal private secretary in March 2020, scribbled: "We're killing the patient to tackle the tumour. Large numbers of people who will die - why are we destroying the economy for people who will die anyway soon."
Asked who said those words, Mr Shafi said: "I can't say for sure, I think it was the former Prime Minister."
Mr Shafi, who made the note during a meeting between the then-PM and Chancellor on March 19, 2020, said: "He (Boris Johnson) definitely didn't want a lockdown."
Michael Gove told Boris Johnson to bring in an immediate lockdown in London more than a week before he did so.
In a meeting on March 14, Mr Gove was recorded saying "go now" as he pushed for the measures while the PM dithered.
Notes by Mr Shafi said Dominic Cummings said such a lockdown needed to be in place within 72 hours to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.
The Government failed to act in spite of alarming projections showing the NHS would be overwhelmed by Covid, a former aide said.
Imran Shafi, former Principal Private Secretary to Boris Johnson, was shown a graph released on March 9, 2020 revealing the scale of the impending crisis.
Hugo Keith, counsel for the inquiry, asked: "Was any more needed to raise the alarm?"
Mr Shafi replied: "In hindsight, no."
Mr Keith continued: "Did the Government pull the alarm cord on March 9?"
The ex-No10 staffer said: "It did not."
He continued: "This was the time I became concerned about the approach we were taking."
Recounting what was happening at the end of February 2020, Mr Shafi admitted more should have been done on planning control measures.
He was asked what was happening to prepare measures such as quarantining, self isolation and identifying how far the virus had spread.
Mr Shafi said: "As I said earlier I think we should have been looking at these issues at the time, and we weren't."
(UK Covid-19 Inquiry Live Stream)Mr Shafi said alarm bells should have been ringing when scientists said Covid could cause 800,000 excess deaths in the UK.
Following a Cobra meeting on February 26, 2020, he said: "Alarm bells should have been ringing - did we have the detailed plans in place to respond to this if it were to come to the UK.
"That's what I was trying to push to get more detailed plans for the PM."
And he continued: "I think there was too much focus on the excess death management and not enough to prevent these deaths in the first place."
Boris Johnson and former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson resisted masks in schools because they didn't want to "give an inch" to unions, the UK's top civil servant claimed.
A message shown to the Inquiry from Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said the PM had been advised to release "permissive" guidance around masks.
The WhatsApp text said: "Because at this stage it was Unions pressing for masks (no science back-up), Gavin was in 'no surrender' mode and didn't want to give an inch to the unions, so said we should hold firm.
"PM gave him full support in this approach."
Evidence heard so far today lays bare the "unforgivable"culture of chaos in Downing Street - with warring factions and a complete inability to get to grips with the crisis, the Lib Dems have said.
The party's Health and Social Care spokeswoman, Daisy Cooper, said: "The culture of chaos in Number 10 has been laid bare.
"Time and again, the people charged with keeping the country safe, saw themselves as above the law, working to save their own skin whilst thousands of families could not see their loved ones or say goodbye.
"Warring factions, senior figures spinning in circles, and a complete inability to get to grips with any of the major issues facing our COVID response: bereaved families will feel sick to their stomachs hearing about this litany of failings which led to so much unnecessary suffering.
"Many will rightly be furious. Their actions have caused irreparable damage to trust in politics and put millions through unnecessary pain. It is unforgivable."
A WhatsApp group comprising of three top Downing Street figures - Dominic Cummings, Simon Case and Lee Cain - didn't hold back.
In September 2020 advisor Mr Cummings wrote: "As usual discussions with ministers is moronic." He followed this up saying: "They didn't even understand what they were talking about for most of this meeting."
Communications director Mr Cain said: "This is embarrassing."
And two days later he wrote: "Hancock has to go. Joker."
Former Private Secretary Imran Shafi has told the Covid Inquiry that there was a "disfunctionality" dealing with Boris Johnson.
He said that the hierarchy of responsibilities and authority wasn't always clear inside No10.
Inquiry counsel Hugo Keith KC asked: "There was a high degree of disfunctionality dealing with the Prime Minister. Would you agree?"
Mr Shafi responded: "Yes."
Mr Keith then went on: "None of that lends itself to the best sort of decision making, does it?"
Mr Shafi replied: "No".
Former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance described Dominic Cummings' Barnard Castle lockdown trip as a "fiasco" and something that was "clearly against the rules", the Covid inquiry has heard.
An extract from Sir Patrick's notebooks dated May 25 2020 read: "CW (Chris Whitty) and I very reluctant to do the press conference. It is highly political and will be focussed on DC (Cummings)."
Appearing to refer to an easing of lockdown, the note continues: "PM seems very bullish and wants to have everything released sooner and more extremely than we would. Wants to divert from the DC fiasco (caught have gone to Durham - clearly against the rules). All very worrying. Cabinet all upbeat and 'breezy confidence' - incredibly alarming.
"'Al fresco shopping all like a wonderful Middle East souk'...It was another rambling opening to Cabinet. Quite extraordinary. Did say not there yet on on outside hospitality."
(Getty Images,)Former Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill said Boris Johnson put "his own and the Government's credibility on the line" in his response to Dominic Cummings' trip to Barnard Castle.
In an exchange with Mr Johnson's then-principal private secretary Martin Reynolds ahead of a press conference on the matter, Mr Sedwill said: "Difficult for them if they're asked if he breached the guidance."
Mr Reynolds replied: "Seemed to go OK." Mr Sedwill then said: "Not sure how well outside the bubble. Let's see if it's still on the front pages tomorrow."
Mr Reynolds responded: "It's bound to be." Mr Sedwil continued: "Yes. But how? PM has put his own and Govt credibility on the line. People are genuinely angry. This isn't just a bubble story."
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.
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(AFP via Getty Images)Martin Reynolds was asked about a report he and deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara helped write in May 2020, amid concerns about "discipline", "macho behaviour" and "misogyny".
Counsel Hugo Keith KC said: "The report showed, did it not, dysfunctionality, lack of discipline, chaos and a significant degree of misogyny."
Mr Reynolds responded: "I agree."
Mr Keith continued: "Women were talked over. People shouted at each other. There were too many people in meetings. Did you talk the Prime Minister through this report?"
"Yes I believe I did," Mr Reynolds responded.
Mr Reynolds has been confronted over the infamous "bring your own booze" party in May 2020.
He sent an email to staff saying it would be a shame to waste good weather - despite lockdown being in place. Mr Reynolds said: "I would first like to say how deeply sorry I am for my part in these events and for the email message which went out that day.
"I'd like to apologise unreservedly to the families who suffered during Covid for distressed caused."
He was shown messages from Lee Cain appearing to advise against the gathering.
Another incredibly frank message from Mr Case here.
In July 2020 he wrote: "He does seem to just want to declare that we are over Covid and that it is going to just all be fine. He says he want to get everything open in the Autumn and end social distancing.
"This is in danger of becoming Trump/Bolsonaro level mad and dangerous".
In another damning message shown to the Inquiry, Mr Case wrote: "This Government doesn't have the credibility needed to be imposing stuff within only days of deciding not to.
"We look like a terrible, tragic joke. If we were going hard, that decsion was needed weeks ago. I cannot cope with this."
Communications director Lee Cain - who is due to appear later - responded with a picture of a shopping trolley, suggesting Mr Johnson was veering all over the place.
The Inquiry has just been shown a blistering message from the UK's top civil servant blasting Boris Johnson.
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said the then-PM was making it "impossible" to respond to the crisis and said he changes direction every day.
Mr Case wrote: "He changes strategic direction every day (Monday we were all about fear of virus returning as per Europe, March etc - today we were in "let it rip" mode cos the UK is pathetic, needs a cold shower etc).
"He cannot lead and we cannot support him in leading with this apporach. The team captain cannot change the call on the big plays every day. The team can't deliver anything under these circumstances.
"A weak team (as we have got - Hancock, Williamson, Dido, No10/CO, Perm Secs) definitely cannot succeed in these circs. IT HAS TO STOP!"
It continued: "Govt isn't actually that hard, but this guy is making it impossible."
Martin Reynolds said there had been a "systemic failure" on coronavirus and was asked by the inquiry's lead counsel if he was suggesting "it was other people's fault".
Referring to a meeting on March 13, 2020, Hugo Keith KC asked: "Did you say to your colleagues, 'how could we possibly have dropped the ball in this way? How could we possibly not have seen that, with an infection fatality rate of 1% and no means of controlling the virus, overwhelming of the NHS was inevitable?"'
Mr Reynolds said the scale of the issues at that time "looked enormous", adding: "I think everyone would have been thinking, 'how did we get to this position?"'
When suggested to him the capacity of the NHS had been known about "for days, if not weeks", Mr Reynolds said: "I mean, I agree that I could have identified the issues myself, but fundamentally, the fact we got into that position is a result of a systemic failure and a failure of the people who are really tracking the situation most closely."
Mr Keith: "Are you suggesting that it was other people's fault? Mr Reynolds said: "No, I'm suggesting that there are other people for who it was actually the focus of their efforts and energies."
Mr Reynolds told the inquiry that Mr Johnson "blew hot and cold" on key decisions.
He was asked about evidence from multiple sources including SIr Patrick Vallance and Dominic Cummings who said the PM was prone to "oscillate".
Mr Reynolds responded: "I think it's fair to say that the Prime Minister did as I'd say blow hot and cold on some issues."
At the height of unfolding crisis, Boris Johnson held a face-to-face meeting with Lord Evgeny Lebedev, the inquiry heard.
Accompanied by political aides, the PM met the Independent owner on March 19, less than a week before lockdown was imposed.
Mr Reynolds was asked whether this was appropriate. Mr Keith asked: "At the height of the crisis he goes for a private meeting with Lord Lebedev. Did you not asking him 'why are you spending time on this Prime Minister, we've got rather more urgent matters to deal with?'"
Mr Reynolds responded: "I can't recall whether I did or didn't. It's for the Prime Minister to decide his use of time."
Mr Reynolds admitted that plans in place in March 2020 were "grossly deficient".
The PM's former aide said: "It was very clear once the crisis started that the plans were inadequate." He continued: "Everyone was having to operate without a proper playbook."
Asked by Mr Keith if any plans in place were "grossly deficient", he said: "I agree."
Mr Reynolds admitted that a wasted month meant that the Government was "playing catch-up" when Covid reached the UK.
Asked if there was an "untoward delay of weeks" in February and March 2020 when little was done, he told the Inquiry: "I think the thing we didn't do and should have done if we had more notice was to properly test our plans. The challenge from my perspective would be that for a period of a month we'd been assuming a number of things including that the plans were in place.
"If we'd had a month to prepare it would have been possible to deal with the issues we were confronted with in a slightly more orderly way."
He said his impression was that departments weren't "crisis ready", saying: "They didn't have a playbook and they hadn't thought through how they would deliver that playbook."
Mr Reynolds said he "can't remember" whether Boris Johnson was most fearful of "talking the economy into a slump".
The former No10 aide , when asked if Mr Johnson didn't view Covid as a big deal, responded: "I can't remember words to that effect but I do believe he was concerned that if we reacted in a certain way we could generate a sense of panic and concern which would be counterproductive."
But he added that seeing the crisis unfold in Northern Italy raised the alarm.
The use of disappearing WhatsApp messages is permitted as civil servants and ministerial private offices are required to record and log official decisions for the official record, Downing Street has said.
Asked if Rishi Sunak thinks something should be done about the use of the feature by ministers and officials, the Prime Minister's spokesman told journalists: "There are rules set out for this already that were updated in the guidance from March that says the use of disappearing messages is permitted as civil servants and ministerial private offices are required to record and log official decisions and views for the record, where it is relevant and appropriate."
Asked if the PM continues to think that is sufficient, the spokesman responded affirmatively.
The inquiry has heard there was a 10 day period in February 2020 when no information about Covid seems to have been passed to the PM.
Mr Keith said there was no evidence of emails or messages about the unfolding crisis between February 14 and 24 - which coincided with half time.
Mr Reynolds told lead counsel Hugo Keith of the gap: "I can't recall why and whether there was any urgent business."
Mr Keith asked: "To what extent, as the principal private secretary, did you ask yourself - 'we've got Cobra meetings. We've got cabinet meetings. We've got emails about a viral pandemic coming our way. Why is nothing being done in terms of keeping the prime minister in the loop for those 10 days?"'
Mr Reynolds replied: "I probably should have done so. Equally, I think there are many others who would normally have said 'we need to just keep the prime minister updated, can we update them with X, Y or Z?"
Given that Italy went into lockdown during that period, Mr Keith asked Mr Reynolds: "Did you say 'we have a major problem here, we've got to get in touch with the prime minister, we must raise the issue of whether or not there are urgent steps we are required to take straight away'?"
Mr Reynolds replied: "No."
