'If Boris was genuinely sorry he would try to own his mistakes not disown them'

06 December 2023 , 21:20

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Boris Johnson's selective memory will add to the hurt felt by those who lost loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic

Boris Johnson took the stand at the Covid Inquiry promising to tell the truth.

What followed was more than five hours of evasion and obfuscation. The former Prime Minister dodged questions and frequently claimed he could not remember key events. His selective memory will only add to the hurt felt by those who lost loved ones to Covid.

Mr Johnson’s appearance was a reminder of how ill-served the country was to have such a shambolic and incompetent person in charge. At a time when we needed responsible leadership, we had a Prime Minister who presided over a chaotic Downing Street and who flippantly dismissed long Covid and referred to elderly patients in hospital as “bed blockers”.

We learned that Mr Johnson failed to attend key meetings, did not read the scientific advice and went on holiday despite warnings the virus was about to swamp the whole country. If he was genuinely sorry he would admit to his mistakes, not try to disown them.

Boris Johnson giving evidence at the Covid Inquiry (AP)

Failed again

The families of the 97 people who died at Hillsborough were failed on the day of the disaster with appalling consequences. They were failed repeatedly by the police and authorities, by the initial report into the tragedy, and now they have been failed again.

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The Government has finally issued a response to the 2017 report calling for a “Hillsborough Law” to prevent future cover-ups. Instead of adopting this, ministers will bring in an inadequate substitute that lets authorities off the hook and does little for victims.

The refusal to give public funds for bereaved families at inquests is especially disgraceful as legal bills for Boris Johnson and ministers appearing at the Covid Inquiry are covered. The Hillsborough families have been betrayed yet again.

Northern chic

The cobbles will become a catwalk today for a Chanel fashion show in Manchester. With an A-list guest list, it shows that the city built on cotton can still weave its magic.

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