In UK, Rishi Sunak refuses to hand over Johnson government’s WhatsApp messages to Covid-19 inquiry

Baroko’s condition is: Thursday 1^Eh In June, after a week of psychodrama, Rishi Sunak’s cabinet announced it would object to a public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic set up by the government in 2022. At issue are the tens of thousands of WhatsApp messages former prime minister Boris Johnson exchanged with forty of his ministers and officials, his notebooks and diaries, which the commission’s chairman, Judge Heather Hallett, is asking to enable them to do their jobs well.

“It seems that the cabinet misunderstood the scope of the investigation”The magistrate, known for his professionalism, emphasized. In autumn 2022, after months of campaigning by families of coronavirus victims, a commission of inquiry is expected to shed light on Boris Johnson’s government’s handling of the pandemic. In addition to the vaccine campaign, which was surprisingly effective, this administration was widely criticized for: lack of preparation, lack of protection of nursing homes, questionable procurement of government contracts and very high death toll, with more than 226,000 deaths. .

“Sunak” firm refused to give up communications and explained that this was not the case “absolutely inappropriate” Regarding the subject of the investigation. He also explained on Thursday evening, acting “Because some important principles are at stake” which are subject to ” individual rights” and “Good Government Behavior”. According to Downing Street, ministers also have the right to protect their private correspondence and have some discretion in their decision-making process.

Besides “It is up to the Commission of Inquiry to assess which documents are relevant in the context of its work.”insisted Lord Mark Savile at the Times Radio microphone, flies to save Judge Hallett. This magistrate knows what he’s talking about: he chaired the famous commission of inquiry into Bloody Sunday (the 1972 British Army massacre of civilians in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland) and had access to it. “Many documents related to national security”.

“hide”

Lord Savile is not the only one who has found Sunak’s cabinet position “Very doubtful.” Bob Kerslake, the former head of the British civil service, put his feet in the pot on the BBC microphone, even saying that“It’s a bit of a hide” the government’s refusal to hand over correspondence, “To avoid embarrassing ministers”.