London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 13, 2026

Can Boris Johnson's COVID Inquiry Cement His Legacy?

This week in London, 1353 days since his initial COVID lockdown, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson testified at the nation’s pandemic investigation, which he initiated in hopes of bolstering his legacy. Despite his meticulous year-long preparation and a toned-down demeanor, many Westminster insiders seemed disinterested, amidst the party's new immigration crisis.
Johnson's testimony did unveil fresh insights, acknowledging "incoherence" in his government's response and refusing to refute negative remarks about vulnerable individuals. However, the current government's controversial Rwanda asylum seeker plan, unveiled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, overshadowed his appearance.

Supporters and media alike downplayed Johnson's inquiry presence with low audience ratings and attention diverted to internal party conflicts. Despite a desire for a thorough analysis of the state’s missteps, insiders criticized the inquiry's focus on sensational text message scandals of Johnson's tenure.

Simon Clarke, a former minister, and Guto Harri, ex-communications director, were among the few to publicly praise Johnson's handling of the crisis. However, discourse suggests little chance of a Johnson political comeback, as he's since turned to journalism, joining the Daily Mail and soon GB News.

Critics say the inquiry will not rehabilitate Johnson's image, marred by scandals, including illegal lockdown parties. They believe his legacy is permanently marked by a tumultuous term, despite Brexit achievements and a former electoral victory.

Even with speculation of Johnson’s intent behind his well-prepared testimony, critics and the bereaved see no justification for his return to power. Becky Kummer, representing COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, expressed the sentiment that Johnson’s mismanagement had significant human costs, concluding that personal ambition had trumped public welfare.
Comments

Oh ya 3 year ago
His legacy is well established just like every other world leader, they alk knew the clot shot was a de population weapon and has not helped 1 person. Texas is taking Pfizer to count because it was less that 1 % effective not the 90 percent they told everyone. And also it was Johnson who told Ukraine to keep fighting Russia and not sign the peace agreement. He should be standing in front of a block wall wearing a blindfold

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Bayeux Tapestry Draws Large Crowds at British Museum
Cuts to International Aid Raise Concerns Over Fragile Overseas Health Systems
UK Airlines and Logistics Operators Adjust Capacity as Fuel Costs Rise
UK Mortgage Arrears Edge Lower in Second Quarter
UK Government Advances New Devolution Offers for English Councils
UK Parliament Begins Debate on NHS Governance and Single Patient Record Reforms
Andy Burnham Launches Number 10 North Devolution Initiative
UK Parliament Rejects Assisted Dying Bill for Terminally Ill Adults
UK Bans Goods From Israeli Settlements in the Occupied West Bank
UK Economy Grows 0.4% in July as Technology Services Strengthen
Metropolitan Police Continue Investigation Into Reform UK Political Financing
Chinese Crypto Entrepreneur Leon Li Identified as Seller of £190 Million London Mansion
Trades Union Congress Proposes Social Energy Tariff Funded by Higher Bank Surcharge
British Chambers of Commerce Calls for State Pension Triple Lock to Be Scrapped
Anthropic Says Claude Helped Disrupt Biological Weapons and Cyber Espionage Threats
UK Imposes Sanctions Over Israeli Settlements and West Bank Violence
UK Reimposes Sectoral Sanctions on Iran’s Aviation, Shipping and Energy Networks
UK Economy Grows 0.4% in July as AI and Programming Services Lift Activity
UK House of Commons Rejects Assisted Dying Bill by 286 Votes to 270
UK Reviews Nationwide Emergency Alert Tests After Systems Meet Reliability Targets
UK Seeks Faster Rail Links Across Northern Industrial Corridors
British Business Bank Allocates £150 Million for High-Growth Companies in Northern England
BBC Warns Staff Strikes Are Possible Amid Pay Dispute and £500 Million Savings Drive
UK Backs Short Extension of UN Sudan Sanctions Regime
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Defends Early Prison Release Reforms and Growth Strategy
Reform UK Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Effort to Circumvent Foreign Donation Rules
UK Analysts Warn Tax Rises or Spending Cuts May Be Needed to Preserve Fiscal Headroom
Jaguar Land Rover Plans Up to 4,000 Job Cuts in £1.7 Billion Cost-Saving Drive
UK Chancellor Warns of Difficult October Budget as Borrowing Costs Rise
UK Declares Israeli Occupation of West Bank Unlawful and Expands Sanctions
UK House of Commons Rejects Assisted Dying Bill for England and Wales
English Councils to Gain Power to Introduce Tourist Taxes by 2028
Kemi Badenoch Reshuffles Conservative Shadow Cabinet
Firefighters Make Progress Containing Major Wildfires in South Wales
John Lewis Partnership Reports £124 Million Loss
Study Says UK AI Data Centres Will Create Only a Quarter of Forecast Jobs
UK Government Considers Higher Industrial Water Prices Amid Supply Pressures
Andy Burnham Holds First Call With Donald Trump as UK Prime Minister
NHS Records Busiest Summer on Record as Heatwaves Drive Hospital Admissions
Home Secretary Orders Police Crackdown on Far-Right Anti-Migrant Vigilantes
UK Supreme Court Rules Northern Ireland Religious Education Curriculum Breaches Human Rights Standards
Markets Price in Four Bank of England Rate Rises by Next Summer
House of Commons Prepares Free Vote on Assisted Dying Bill
UK Government Bans Trade With Israeli Settlements in Occupied Territories
UK Economy Grows 0.4% in July as Artificial Intelligence Investment Supports Expansion
Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister After Keir Starmer Resigns
John Lewis Partnership Loss Widens to £124 Million
UK Government to Put White Working-Class Social Mobility at Centre of Equality Policy
McLaren Plans £450 Million Technology Investment Creating 1,000 UK Jobs
UK Chancellor Faces Calls for Wealth Taxes and Public Ownership in Autumn Budget
×