The British Government Launches a Legal Battle Over Boris Johnson’s Covid-Era WhatsApp Messages

In the past, he was fined, along with dozens of aides and the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, for attending inebriated gatherings in Downing Street, in violation of the laws he enacted.

The government of the United Kingdom announced on Thursday that it will file a legal challenge against the publication of documents to a public inquiry investigating its management of the Covid pandemic.

Cabinet Office announced that it would seek a judicial review of inquiry chief judge Heather Hallett’s order that all correspondence be handed over.

Specifically, it opposes the publication of Boris Johnson’s unredacted WhatsApp messages, diaries, and personal journals from his tenure as prime minister.

In the early stages of the health crisis, Johnson was criticized for not taking the threat seriously enough. As the death toll climbed and new strains emerged, he was criticized once again.

Ministers have also been criticized for awarding contracts for protective equipment to acquaintances and allies in violation of government procurement regulations.

Cabinet Office, which works across the executive to coordinate government activity, had until 4:00 pm (1500 GMT) to submit the documents or face legal action.

In a letter to Hallett, however, it stated, “The Cabinet Office has applied for permission to bring a judicial review today.”

“We do so with regret and the assurance that we will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation before, during, and after the jurisdictional issue at hand is decided by the courts.”

If a review is granted, it will examine whether the inquiry “has the power to compel production of documents and messages that are unambiguously irrelevant to the inquiry’s work, including personal communications and matters unrelated to the government’s handling of Covid.”

“The request for unambiguously irrelevant material exceeds the scope of the investigation,” it asserted, adding that granting the request would constitute a “unwarranted intrusion into other aspects of the government’s work” as well as serving and former ministers and government employees.

According to Hallett, it is her responsibility to determine what is pertinent to the investigation. The principal opposition party, Labour, accused the government of attempting a cover-up.

Johnson, who initiated the investigation that will hold its first complete hearing later this month, declared on Thursday that he was prepared to provide the requested information directly.

Johnson wrote in a separate letter to Hallett, “I see no reason why the investigation should not be able to satisfy itself regarding the contents of my own Whatsapps and notebooks.”

“Please let me know where and how to send this material immediately if you wish to receive it,” he added.

Last week, he was outraged when it came to light that the Cabinet Office had provided two police forces with information regarding possible violations of pandemic regulations.

In the past, he was fined, along with dozens of aides and the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, for attending inebriated gatherings in Downing Street, in violation of the laws he enacted.