Covid Inquiry Criticizes Cabinet Office for Attempted Cover-Up, Requests Unredacted Information from Johnson and Sunak

The government is resisting the Covid inquiry's request for unredacted information from Boris Johnson and his aide, fearing that giving in will mean all other evidence from ministers, including Rishi Sunak, will have to be submitted in an unredacted form.

The Cabinet Office is considering legal action to prevent disclosure.

The inquiry has requested unredacted notebooks, diaries, and WhatApp correspondence between Johnson and 40 senior government figures.

The government claims it wants to protect the privacy of ministers and officials, but the inquiry believes that the government is trying to cover up the actions of ministers.

The Covid inquiry led by Heather Hallett has the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of the investigation.

However, the government's most senior lawyer, Sir James Eadie, has leaked legal advice that suggests officials have been withholding evidence for the inquiry based on political sensitivity.

The government does not routinely retain WhatsApp messages between ministers and officials unless they contain government decisions.

The inquiry has given the government another two days to hand over the unredacted information in relation to Johnson and one of his senior aides, with the material due by 4pm on Thursday.

Refusing to comply with the inquiry's order is a potential criminal offense.

The Cabinet Office is facing criticism for its handling of an inquiry into the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with some suggesting there may be a cover-up to protect politicians from embarrassment.

The inquiry, led by former head of the Civil Service, Bob Kerslake, has the power to look into serious issues about the pandemic's handling, but the Cabinet Office is resisting handing over unredacted notebooks and WhatsApp messages from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The government has provided 55,000 documents and 24 personal witness statements to the inquiry, but the panel has requested proof from a senior official that the government does not hold any WhatsApp messages or notebooks from Johnson.

The inquiry is now two weeks away from its first public evidence sessions and some matters, such as vaccines and care homes, may not be concluded until after the next election.