Weak Johnson left Cummings as PM ‘in all however identify’, Covid Inquiry informed

Boris Johnson was so weak that Dominic Cummings was Prime Minister “in all but name”, the Covid Inquiry heard.

Sajid Javid warned that Downing Street grew to become “toxic”, “dysfunctional” and “feral” throughout his time in energy. It got here as No10 yesterday repeatedly refused to disclaim claims that Rishi Sunak believed the Government ought to “just let people die” through the pandemic.

Mr Javid resigned as Chancellor in February 2020 after he was informed to sack all of his advisers following clashes with Mr Cummings. He later returned as Health Secretary in June 2021 when Matt Hancock was pressured to give up for breaking lockdown steerage.

Giving proof on the Covid Inquiry, Mr Javid mentioned Mr Cummings gained energy as Mr Johnson appointed an “inexperienced” Cabinet with ministers chosen solely to assist him in delivering Brexit. “Many times I felt like many of the key decisions were being made by Mr Cummings and not the Prime Minister in a way that I had not seen with any other Prime Minister.

“That is something I had to work with,” he added. Mr Javid informed the Inquiry that the senior No10 aide had “sought to act as a Prime Minister” and that he’d warned Mr Johnson he was “running rings around him”.

The Covid Inquiry was proven extra bombshell extracts from the diaries of Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. In one it was claimed Mr Johnson mentioned carrying masks was “b*****ks” as he argued the UK should be taught to “die” with coronavirus.

In an entry from Sir Patrick’s diaries, the highest scientist recalled a gathering with ministers in July 2021. After Mr Javid mentioned the nation must be taught to reside with the virus, Mr Johnson reportedly quipped “and die with it”.

The PM then ranted about carrying masks, apparently telling colleagues: “Are we going to encourage people to wear masks? Are we going to continue with this “b*****ks?” Mr Johnson then said he didn’t want to keep consulting trade unions, as people just needed to come back to work. Mr Javid suggested Mr Johnson often said things to “lighten the temper”.

The Covid Inquiry last week was shown an entry from Sir Patrick’s diary when he recorded that Mr Cummings had told a meeting in October 2020: “Rishi Sunak thinks simply let folks die and that’s okay”.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Sunak mentioned he had not mentioned these phrases himself, however didn’t dispute that’s what he thought. The Prime Minister’s spokesman additionally didn’t deny this was his view.

“He will set out his full evidence for the inquiry when they request it of him,” the spokesman mentioned. Pushed on whether or not that was Mr Sunak’s view, even when he didn’t say the phrases, the spokesman mentioned: “I am limited in what I can say but obviously the PM has clearly set out his position, you will hear from him in detail when he gives evidence.”

Former Deputy PM Dominic Raab, who additionally gave proof, admitted that he went on a snowboarding vacation along with his household within the February half time period in 2020, even after Covid had arrived within the UK. When Mr Johnson grew to become ailing, he mentioned he was given 5 minutes discover that he was having to take cost.

Mr Hancock is because of seem on the Inquiry on Thursday. Families who misplaced family members through the pandemic final night time demanded that he come clear about errors made.