LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
In a scandalous revelation at the COVID-19 inquiry, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under fire for an alleged remark that suggests a chilling indifference to human life during the pandemic
According to a diary entry from Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser at the time, Sunak, then the finance minister, was quoted as saying the government should "just let people die" instead of enforcing a second national lockdown.
21 November 2023 · 20:36 UTC
The source of this bombshell?
Dominic Cummings, Johnson's top adviser during the pandemic, who reportedly informed Vallance of Sunak's alarming stance.
As the inquiry unearths these unsettling details, a spokesman for Sunak has played the waiting game, stating that the Prime Minister will clarify his position when he personally testifies, rather than addressing every allegation as they emerge.
This inquiry, probing into the UK government's handling of a pandemic that claimed over 220,000 lives in Britain, is painting a grim picture of the crisis management.
It’s revealing a government that was not only unprepared but also plagued by a "toxic" and "macho" culture, severely impacting its response to the health emergency.
For Sunak, this inquiry is turning into a political minefield, threatening to shatter his image as a fresh alternative to Johnson's chaotic leadership, despite his key role in the same government.
Adding to his troubles is a previous label of "Dr. Death," slapped on him by a government scientific adviser over his controversial "Eat Out to Help Out" policy.
This policy, aimed at boosting the hospitality sector, has been slammed by health experts for exacerbating the spread of the virus.
As the inquiry continues, the spotlight on Sunak's decisions and alleged comments during the pandemic could cast a long shadow over his political future and leadership credibility – that is, if there's any left, or if there ever was any to begin with.