The government is to launch a legal challenge over the Covid inquiry's demand for WhatsApp messages and documents.
Officials missed a 4pm deadline to disclose messages between Boris Johnson and his advisers during the pandemic, as well as his diaries and notebooks.
The government has refused to disclose some of the material, arguing it is not relevant to the inquiry's work.
But the inquiry's boss says deciding what is relevant should be her job.
Crossbench peer Baroness Hallett, the inquiry chairwoman, says she needs to see the messages to see if they are relevant to its remit.
The government, however, says disclosing the requested material would breach individuals' right to privacy and undermine the ability of ministers to discuss policy matters in the future.
It has said it will apply for a judicial review, where a judge would decide whether the inquiry had overreached its legal powers to demand evidence.
Whoever thought that an inquiry would require evidence?
Blundering about trying not to make too much of a hash of things.
Pirahna wrote: ↑Thu Jun 01, 2023 7:09 pm
Has Boris handed over his WhatsApp messages?
Officials missed a 16:00 deadline to disclose messages between Boris Johnson and his advisers during the pandemic, as well as his diaries and notebooks.
The government has refused to disclose some of the material, arguing it is not relevant to the inquiry's work.
Boris Johnson has said he is giving unredacted WhatsApp messages dating back to May 2021 directly to the Covid inquiry, bypassing the government which has refused to hand them over.
The Cabinet Office has launched a legal challenge to the inquiry's demand for texts from the former PM and officials.
It argues that many of the messages are irrelevant to the investigation.
However, the head of the inquiry, Baroness Hallett, has said it's her job to decide what is and is not relevant.
The saga continues...
Where's the popcorn smiley when you want it?
Blundering about trying not to make too much of a hash of things.
I wouldn't be surprised if it's being held back by others who may be dropped in it.......
But yes, the popcorn smiley was a good one.
Edit:
Just heard that he is going to hand over his entire phone......this either shows that he has nothing to hide, or he’s carrying an S Vest to blow up those who have crossed him. Hmmmm.....
Boris Johnson has been warned public funding for his legal representation to the Covid inquiry could be withdrawn if he tries to "undermine" the government.
Extracts of a Cabinet Office letter published in the Sunday Times tells the former PM to submit witness statements to officials for potential redactions.
It comes as the Cabinet Office fights the inquiry's demand to see unredacted messages from Mr Johnson and officials.
Mr Johnson has said he would give the material to the inquiry directly.
The Cabinet Office confirmed the letter to Mr Johnson had been sent last week. But it is understood it was not issued in response to any recent event and a government source said it had not been seen by ministers.
In the letter, the Cabinet Office said: "The funding offer will cease to be available to you if you knowingly seek to frustrate or undermine, either through your own actions or the actions of others, the government's position in relation to the inquiry unless there is a clear and irreconcilable conflict of interest on a particular point at issue."
It said funding would only be available if Mr Johnson complied with certain conditions.
So, just who are they protecting? 'Cos this is not being done for just shits 'n' giggles.
Blundering about trying not to make too much of a hash of things.
Mussels wrote: ↑Sun Jun 04, 2023 1:47 pm
Maybe they don't think this enquiry should see unlimited confidential government information, after Sue Gray who would trust a civil servant?
Confidential government information should not be on WhatsApp!
Rishi Sunak is facing a barrage of criticism in the run-up to the official Covid-19 inquiry as a leading scientist attacks his “spectacularly stupid” Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which is believed to have caused a sudden rise in cases of the virus.
Rishi Sunak is facing a barrage of criticism in the run-up to the official Covid-19 inquiry as a leading scientist attacks his “spectacularly stupid” Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which is believed to have caused a sudden rise in cases of the virus.
I'd also be interested to know who sponsored/paid for the aforementioned 'study'. Can't see that detail as the Torygraph paywall won't let me.
Their findings suggest that lockdowns in response to the first wave of the pandemic, when compared with less strict policies adopted by the likes of Sweden,
So not 'no lockdown or restrictions at all'.
Researchers for the Johns Hopkins study said the findings showed that lockdowns had been “a global policy failure of gigantic proportions”.
