Rishi Sunak urged to grip on Covid probe and prevent destruction of evidence

04 March 2023 , 22:30

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Rishi Sunak was urged to arrange for the Covid inquiry to publish interim findings by the end of the year (Image: Liam McBurney/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Rishi Sunak needs to “get a grip” over the Covid Inquiry and take “personal responsibility” to prevent destruction of evidence, Labour has warned.

Concern is mounting over the scale of WhatsApp use in government, after thousands of Matt Hancock ’s pandemic messages were leaked.

It’s prompted fears that ministers could avoid scrutiny by deleting or losing WhatsApps, or using “self-destructing” messages that delete themselves after 7 days.

Deputy Leader Angela Rayner urged the Prime Minister to order ministers to hand over their WhatsApps to the official probe - and lay out a timetable for when this would happen.

No10 this week insisted all relevant messages were archived according to Cabinet Office guidance.

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But the rules allow ministers to decide for themselves which messages count as government business.

“Rishi Sunak must get a grip and take steps to prevent the destruction of evidence by government Ministers,” Ms Rayner said.

“The public haven’t forgotten Tory Government’s mistakes and misconduct during the pandemic. As bereaved families continue to grieve their loved ones, it is only right that Ministers hand over every relevant message. If evidence is destroyed, justice may be denied.

Concern is growing over the scale of WhatsApp use by ministers following the leak of Matt Hancock's messages (AFP via Getty Images)

She added: “The Prime Minister must take personal responsibility to ensure the public have confidence that ministers will be held to account and families get the answers they deserve. If he fails to act, he risks being complicit in a cover-up.”

Ms Rayner also called for the Covid Inquiry to present an interim report of key findings by the end of this year.

No10 has so far distanced itself from the workings and timetable of the inquiry, insisting it is an independent probe and must be given time to do its job free of Government interference.

But Ms Rayner said: “While other countries’ Covid inquiries have already concluded, unforgivable delays caused by Tory ministers dragging their heels have stymied the already painfully slow process of getting to the truth.”

Mikey Smith