Dominic Raab ‘given 5 minutes’ discover’ to run nation when Boris Johnson had COVID, inquiry hears

Dominic Raab has stated he was successfully given “five minutes’ notice” that he could be main the UK when Boris Johnson was hospitalised with COVID in spring 2020.

The former first secretary of state was the most recent individual to present proof to the UK’s COVID inquiry.

Mr Raab deputised for Mr Johnson in April of the primary lockdown when the then-prime minister grew to become significantly ailing from coronavirus – together with needing a keep in intensive care.

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His written proof confirmed that, if Mr Johnson had died, Mr Raab would have taken over as caretaker prime minister whereas a successor was chosen from a management election.

The then-foreign secretary stated that, in his function as first secretary of state, it had been confirmed he would stand in for Mr Johnson if he was unable to function prime minister.

He stated this was mentioned extra within the context of a nationwide safety state of affairs, versus a pandemic.

Asked what the extent of preparation was for him to take over in an emergency, Mr Raab stated it was “sparse”.

He stated he was informed he would turn out to be the nation’s chief as he completed an tackle to the nation on 6 April 2020.

“I was effectively really told on five minutes’ notice,” he informed the inquiry.

He went on to say his precedence on the time was to “steady the ship” – including he “didn’t want anyone saying that Dom Raab’s enjoying this a bit too much, because [firstly], I wasn’t, and [secondly], I was there to do a job.”

Mr Raab informed the inquiry it could “probably be worth” guaranteeing there are correct contingency plans in place in case the prime minister of the day turns into indisposed in future.

He additionally stated he didn’t assume Dominic Cummings was appearing because the prime minister – in opposition to what former well being secretary Sajid Javid had earlier claimed.

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Earlier within the day, the inquiry heard proof from Professor Dame Jenny Harries – who was deputy chief medical officer from 2019 to 2021, and is now the top of the UK Health Security Agency. She additionally ran NHS Test and Trace.

Emails Professor Harries despatched within the early days of the pandemic have been examined.

In one despatched in March 2020, she explains to an official from the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) that individuals with COVID would must be discharged from hospitals to care properties to cease the NHS from overflowing.

This was in response to Rosamond Roughton, the director normal for grownup social care on the DHSC, who stated her “assumption” was that “we would have to allow discharge to happen” – in any other case the NHS may get “clogged up” with people who find themselves not significantly ailing.

This coverage – and whether or not it’s suitable with the federal government’s promise to place a “protective ring” round care properties – are among the most controversial components of the response to the pandemic.

Professor Harries informed the inquiry this was the “top line awful prospect” of what wanted to be achieved if hospitals have been overwhelmed.

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Deborah Doyle, spokesperson for COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, informed Sky News: “In the face of a virus that would go on to kill 230,000 people in this country, Jenny Harries was employed specifically to find a way to protect people and make the best of the situation.

“It’s clear that as an alternative she took the ‘best’ and cruellest possibility of sacrificing care residence residents, among the most weak individuals within the nation. It was households like ours that paid the terrible value for her failure, and it is completely disgraceful that she has since been promoted, made a Dame and is head of the UKHSA.”