Johnson and Sunak challenge the demand to disclose unedited WhatsApp messages and diaries to pandemic inquiry.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are gearing up for a legal battle just hours before the deadline for handing over sensitive COVID-related material to the official pandemic inquiry. Mr. Johnson, who was in office during the pandemic, is fighting against the release of his unedited WhatsApp messages and diaries to Baroness Hallett, the chairwoman of the inquiry.
Clash Over Government Messages and Criminal Offense Claims
As the 4 pm deadline approaches, Baroness Hallett is insisting on access to all government messages, arguing their importance in the inquiry's examination of COVID decision-making. She has reportedly warned that the failure to release the material could constitute a criminal offense, a claim that the government disputes. Consequently, the government is poised to launch a legal challenge.
The government's position is based on the concern that providing all ministers' messages, including those of Mr. Johnson, would impede future open communication and that a significant portion of the material is irrelevant to the inquiry.
Support for Government Opposition and Legal Challenge
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has strongly backed the government's stance against the disclosure of WhatsApp messages and diaries in their entirety. He supports the argument that releasing such material could hinder open communication among ministers in the future.