Related video: David Cameron heckled at Covid inquiry
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Boris Johnson’s former communications chief Lee Cain is now giving evidence at another bumper day at the Covid inquiry.
He will be followed by Dominic Cummings, the former prime minister’s chief of staff during the pandemic.
On Monday, Boris Johnson has been accused of a “mad and dangerous” response to the Covid pandemic comparable to Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis.
The exchanges between Simon Case, the government’s top civil servant, and officials were shown on Monday to the inquiry into how the government handled the worst health crisis in almost a century.
When the government was reopening after the first lockdown, Case said Mr Johnson wanted to let the virus “rip” and compared his approach to that of the former US President and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
“This is in danger of becoming Trump/Bolsonaro level mad and dangerous,” Case told other colleagues.
Rishi Sunak compared handling Covid to the film, Jaws
Rishi Sunak espoused “Jaws w**k” in communicating how the government should handle Covid, debating whether the mayor in the blockbuster shark attack movie was right to keep the beaches open, Archie Mitchell reports.
A message sent by Dominic Cummings during the early stages of the pandemic revealed the ex-Downing Street chief of staff’s frustration at Mr Sunak’s approach, as well as “stopping the trolley” - a reference to Boris Johnson.
“Rishi saying bond markets may not fund our debt etc, he’s back to Jaws mode w**k,” Mr Cummings said.
In a sweary tirade, he said: “I’ve literally said the same thing ten f****** times and he still won’t absorb it. I’m exhausted just talking to him and stopping the trolley.”
Covid was the ‘wrong crisis for Boris Johnson’s skillset,’ Cain
Lee Cain has said Covid was the “wrong crisis for this prime minister’s skill set”, adding that Boris Johnson would “would often delay making decisions” and “change his mind on issues”, Archie Mitchell reports.
“Sometimes in politics, that can be a great strength,” Mr Cain told the official Covid inquiry, citing Brexit as an example.
“If you look at something like Covid, you need quick decisions, and you need people to hold the course,” Mr Cain said.
“So I felt it was the wrong challenge for him,” he added.
Cain: Downing Street suffered from ‘lack of leadership’
Lee Cain, Boris Johnson’s former communications chief, said he agreed there was a "lack of leadership’’ and "chaos’’ in government, Archie Mitchell reports.
Counsel to the Covid inquiry Andrew O’Connor KC put it to him: "The general theme of lack of leadership, chaos, if you like, is one that you agree with?’’ The long-term aide replied: "Yes.’’
The Cabinet Office was ‘terrifyingly s***’ - Cummings
Lee Cain has been shown a WhatsApp message sent by Dominic Cummings during the pandemic which described the Cabinet Office as "terrifyingly s***", Archie Mitchell reports.
The former head of comms in Downing Street said he agreed but would "not quite use that language".
The message from Mr Cummings to Boris Johnson said: "We got big problems coming, Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***, no plans, totally behind pace."
Mr Johnson’s ex-chief of staff went on to say him, Mr Cain and other political aides were having to "drive and direct".
Covid inquiry: Watch evidence session live
As we are reporting, Lee Cain is giving evidence to the Covid inquiry.
Dominic Cumming is up later this morning.
We’ll bring you updates throughout the session. You can also watch proceedings live on The Independent’s YouTube channel.
Lee Cain: Johnson had no ‘clarity of purpose’ by March 2020
Boris Johnson had no "clarity of purpose" by March 2020 and no "serious plan" to deal with the pandemic, Lee Cain has said, Archie Mitchell reports.
Referring to an action plan published by the government on March 3, Mr Cain said: "Anyone who read the document will see that it’s not a it’s not a plan to deal with Covid.
“That is a very thin overview of how we may manage the virus if it progresses."
Boris Johnson compared Covid to Swine Flu
Lee Cain has said Boris Johnson stressed the importance of "not overreacting" to the emergence of the pandemic in January 2020, likening it to viruses such as swine flu, Archie Mitchell reports.
"He was worried about the government being swept up in a in a sort of media hysteria and overreacting and causing more harm than then he would otherwise," Mr Cain told the official Covid inquiry.
A message sent by Mr Cain in early March said: "He doesn’t think it’s a big deal and doesn’t think anything can be done and his focus is elsewhere, he thinks it’ll be like swine flu and he thinks his main danger is talking economy [sic] into a slump."
"Yes, the prime minister should have done more," Mr Cain told the inquiry.
Cain: Covid was a low priority in January 2020
Lee Cain has said Covid was seen in January 2020 as a “low priority” and just “one of many” issues being discussed inside Downing Street, Archie Mitchell reports.
The former head of communications said only “the most difficult” issues are dealt with in No10, but added it was being monitored closely by officials in the department of health.
But he added: “As we moved through January and February, it’s clear we got that assessment wrong, but I think you can probably see why we made the decisions that we did at the time.”
Cain begins evidence
Lee Cain has started giving evidence to the Covid inquiry.
He is asked about his role as communications chief and adviser to the prime minister.
He said he had a good working relationship with Johnson when asked if the pair were friends.
Below is a closer look at the spin doctor at the heart of Britain’s Covid response:
Sunak: King’s speech will focus on growing economy
Rishi Sunak said the King’s speech would focus on measures to “grow the economy, to strengthen society and to keep people safe”.
Opening a cabinet meeting in 10 Downing Street on Tuesday morning, the prime minister said the recently ended last session of parliament had been “historic” and would have a “big impact”.
“But we’re not stopping there, we will keep demonstrating to the country that we are ambitious for what we want to achieve.”
The King is expected to open the new session of parliament on 7 November.
Britain AI of the Future
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2023-10-31 11:00:16Z
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