Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has come under severe criticism from top officials in the government. Simon Case, the government’s top civil servant, testified at the ongoing inquiry into the government’s response to the pandemic, describing Johnson’s approach as “mad and dangerous.” Case stated that Johnson’s constant indecision made it “impossible” to effectively tackle the virus.
Case expressed his frustration with Johnson’s leadership, emphasizing that it is crucial for a team captain to stick to decisions on important matters. He compared Johnson’s approach to handling the virus to the dismissive attitudes of U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, further reinforcing his criticism. Case called for an end to the constant changes in decisions.
Another key witness at the inquiry, Martin Reynolds, Johnson’s former principal private secretary, highlighted a culture of dysfunctionality and misogyny within the government during the crisis. Reynolds revealed that he and a colleague had written a report in May 2020 recommending reforms to address the government’s suboptimal handling of the initial phase of the pandemic. He agreed that the report illustrated the dysfunctionality, lack of discipline, chaos, and misogyny prevailing within the government.
Reynolds also brought attention to the ongoing issue of the treatment of women in decision-making processes, further emphasizing the need for reform. The testimony from these senior officials aims to shed light on how Johnson’s government operated during the pandemic.
Boris Johnson himself is expected to appear as a witness in the inquiry in the future. However, his spokesperson declined to comment on the allegations made by Case and Reynolds. As the inquiry continues, it remains to be seen how these testimonies will impact public perception of the former Prime Minister’s actions during the COVID-19 crisis.