Boris Johnson has been warned by a senior minister that he should ensure he is using public funding for legal advice "appropriately" as he prepares to give evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry.
The former prime minister has been granted public funding for legal advice as he prepares to give evidence to the inquiry.
However, it has been reported that Cabinet Office lawyers have told
Johnson that he could lose the funding if he tries to "frustrate or undermine" the government's position on the inquiry.
Robert Jenrick, a senior minister, has said that
Johnson is "at liberty" to send his documents or WhatsApp messages to the inquiry and make whatever statements he wishes.
However, he added that there should be "reasonable parameters" around the use of public funding and that the government has the "highest regard" for the inquiry chair, Heather Hallett.
David Omand, a former director of the Governments Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), has called for rules over the use of WhatsApp in government and said ministers "should think twice before they express their views" on the platform.
Omand also said that the government "ought to make the material available" to Lady Hallett, adding that he does not "buy the argument that she shouldn't see material that the government simply says is not relevant."
Johnson has been at the center of a row as ministers launched a high court bid to challenge the inquiry's demand for his unredacted WhatsApp messages and contemporaneous notebooks.
He said he would send all his messages to the official investigation directly, circumventing the Cabinet Office.
The inquiry is examining the government's response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to look into
Johnson's actions during his time as prime minister.
It is expected to report in the summer.
In summary,
Boris Johnson has been granted public funding for legal advice as he prepares to give evidence to the
Covid-19 inquiry.
However, it has been reported that Cabinet Office lawyers have warned
Johnson that he could lose the funding if he tries to "frustrate or undermine" the government's position on the inquiry.
Robert Jenrick, a senior minister, has said that
Johnson is