Boris Johnson tells Covid inquiry his job was to control ‘challenging characters’ — as it happened
Boris Johnson faced his first day of questioning at the Covid inquiry today. In his opening remarks, the former prime minister, who was at the helm throughout the pandemic, apologised “for the pain and the loss” that families experienced during the pandemic. He told the inquiry: “By your leave can I just say how glad […]
Boris Johnson accused of ‘the usual lies and bluster’ ahead of Covid inquiry appearance
Boris Johnson has been accused of “the usual lies and bluster” ahead of his appearance before the Covid inquiry as unions and campaign groups respond to the former prime minister’s alleged “briefings” to the media, which he denies. The former prime minister, who was at the helm throughout the pandemic, is facing a two-day […]
‘Highly unlikely’ Boris Johnson’s 40 new hospitals pledge will be met, MPs warn
It is “highly unlikely” that the government will deliver on its pledge to build 40 new hospitals, a cross-party group of MPs has warned. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it has “extreme concerns” about the “lack of progress” the government’s New Hospitals Programme (NHP) has made. Even though the target number of new hospitals […]
Dorries claims PM is being ‘played’ as party ‘grooming’ Kemi Badenoch to takeover
Boris Johnson has labelled the prime minister a “stooge” in an interview for Nadine Dorries’ new book The Plot, which is released today. Dorries has also suggested that the secretive cabal she has identified in her new book is “grooming” Kemi Badenoch to be a future party leader. Referring to Dougie Smith, a No 10 […]
Rishi Sunak’s Treasury was referred to as ‘the pro-death squad’, Covid inquiry hears
Boris Johnson called the Treasury “the pro-death squad” as the government sought to build support for a loosening of Covid restrictions, the Covid inquiry heard today. Citing a diary entry by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, Dermot Keating, a counsel to the official Covid inquiry, said Johnson referred to the Treasury, then helmed […]
‘Very partial’: Deputy PM dismisses claim Johnson saw Covid as ‘nature’s way of dealing with old people’
Oliver Dowden has dismissed the claim that former prime minister Boris Johnson saw Covid as “nature’s way of dealing with old people”. Dowden, who serves as deputy prime minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said that that account, which was revealed at the Covid inquiry yesterday, was “very partial”. He told Sky News: […]
Inside Boris Johnson’s No 10: Official dubbed ‘Party Marty’ and Dominic Cummings to face Covid inquiry this week
The Downing Street official dubbed “Party Marty” and former chief adviser to Boris Johnson Dominic Cummings are among those scheduled to give testimony to the Covid inquiry this week. After four months of hearings, the accounts given by Cummings, Martin Reynolds as well as Lee Cain, his ex-communications chief, will provide potentially damning insight into […]
Boris Johnson: The UK and allies are ‘dragging our feet’ on Ukraine support
Boris Johnson has accused the UK and its allies of “dragging their feet” over supplying weapons to Ukraine, calling on the West to “finish the job”. The former prime minister said that the UK had only contributed a “fraction” of what the United States had given to Ukraine. He added that the US has only […]
Conservative MP praises Harriet Harman’s ‘final act of service’ as privileges committee chair
A Conservative MP has labelled Harriett Harman’s tenure as chair as the privileges committee her “final act of service” in an emotional tribute to the long-serving Labour MP. Laura Farris, Conservative MP for Newbury, countered critics from her own party who had been accused of impugning the integrity of Ms Harman on the ground that […]
Chris Pincher faces eight week suspension after inquiry into groping incident concludes
The standards committee has published its report into the conduct of former Conservative whip Chris Pincher. Mr Pincher is now facing a suspension from the House of Commons for eight weeks after the committee concluded the MP had committed an “abuse of power”. Mr Pincher is accused of assaulting two fellow guests at the exclusive […]
