COVID inquiry: Authorities stands by refusal handy over Boris Johnson’s ‘personal’ WhatsApp messages following criticism

The Cabinet Office has reiterated its refusal handy over a few of Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages to the COVID inquiry, arguing a part of the fabric is of a “private” and “personal” nature.

In a recent assertion issued on Tuesday night, the Cabinet Office stated it was “fully committed to our obligations to the COVID-19 inquiry” however that it was “firmly of the view that the inquiry does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation”.

The division stated it has already supplied “upwards of 55,000 documents, 24 personal witness statements, eight corporate statements” and that “extensive time and effort” had gone into helping the inquiry over the past 11 months.

But it added: “However, we are firmly of the view that the inquiry does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation.

“This consists of the WhatsApp messages of presidency staff’ which aren’t about work however as a substitute are totally private and relate to their personal lives.”

The newest intervention suggests the federal government could possibly be prepared to go to courtroom to keep away from handing over the fabric requested by the inquiry chair, Lady Hallett, who had ordered the division to hand over the previous prime minister’s messages – alongside diary entries and notes – by 4pm on Tuesday 30 May.

‘A authorities with a lot to cover’ – politics newest

The deadline has now been set for 4pm on Thursday 1 June. The Cabinet Office requested for an extension to Monday 5 June as they don’t have entry to Mr Johnson‘s messages or notebooks, however this was rejected.

This is regardless of saying of their authentic attraction towards the order that there was “unambiguously irrelevant” materials within the redacted elements of messages despatched to the inquiry.

When the Cabinet Office lodged the attraction on 15 May, it stated Mr Johnson’s WhatsApp messages had not but been obtained by the federal government.

A spokesman for the previous prime minister stated in the present day that he had “no objection” to sending the fabric to the inquiry.

Mr Johnson has written to the Cabinet Office to demand the federal government requests in writing entry to his messages and notes – which he says has not occurred but.

Sources near Mr Johnson say Cabinet Office officers have visited his workplace in individual to look at notebooks throughout the previous few weeks.

If the federal government doesn’t abide by the brand new deadline on Thursday, Lady Hallett has ordered {that a} assertion be despatched by a “senior civil servant” confirming the Cabinet Office doesn’t have the requested info, in addition to a chronology of the federal government’s contacts with Mr Johnson in regards to the requests and whether or not the federal government has ever had the information.

Breaking a piece 21 order may see the federal government face prison proceedings, and there may be additionally potential for a courtroom battle over whether or not the knowledge ought to be handed to the inquiry.

Speaking shortly earlier than the inquiry’s announcement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated the “government is carefully considering its position, but it is confident in the approach that it’s taking”.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats have criticised Mr Sunak for hesitating over the order, with shadow well being secretary Wes Streeting accusing the prime minister of being “slippery”.

Mr Streeting stated Mr Sunak ought to “comply with the inquiry and do it today”.

“One minute the government says the messages they have are immaterial; the next minute they’re saying they don’t exist. Which is it?”

He stated the prime minister’s “slipperiness” gave “the impression of someone who is not fully committed to transparency, openness, accountability”.

Read extra:
Sunak accused of being ‘slippery’ over order
‘Don’t rule out’ COVID lab leak idea, Chinese scientist says

Lady Hallett made an order below part 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 for the fabric to be handed over by the Cabinet Office.

The part 21 discover below the Act permits an inquiry chair to require somebody to provide proof or produce paperwork.

In this case, it included unredacted WhatsApp messages, diary entries and notebooks belonging to the previous prime minister. Messages to and from Mr Johnson’s former adviser Henry Cook had been additionally included within the authorized motion.

It is that this order which has now been prolonged.

It is known the Cabinet Office believes handing over among the requested materials may have an hostile impression on future authorities coverage and the privateness of some people, and that doing so may set a precedent.

Cabinet Office sources are additionally involved that among the materials consists of purely private info that would jeopardise the fitting to personal life.