A British commission of inquiry will investigate the mismanagement of the Johnson government regarding the corona virus. But a political dispute has now erupted over the passing of WhatsApp messages. The new government around Rishi Sunak is apparently concerned that the private texts could damage their own image.
In the dispute over passing on WhatsApp messages from Boris Johnson to the Corona Commission of Inquiry, the British government has warned the Conservative former Prime Minister not to go it alone.
Johnson was reminded in a letter to responsibly use public funds provided for his defense in the inquiry, Migration Minister Robert Jenrick said on Sky News on Sunday.
Government threatens Johnson with withdrawal of money
The Sunday Times had previously quoted from the letter. As a result, Johnson was warned about further “undermining” the government’s position on the corona investigation. Otherwise, support will be discontinued.
The background to this is that Johnson, against the will of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government, forwarded part of his WhatsApp correspondence with government employees and cabinet members from the pandemic era uncensored to the Corona Commission of Inquiry.
The commission had previously asked the government to pass on the news under threat of criminal sanctions. However, she first wanted the court to investigate whether she could be forced to do so and described the news as “undoubtedly irrelevant” to the investigation.
Worried about your own image?
It is speculated that Sunak fears Johnson’s WhatsApp correspondence could cast a bad light on his own role as Treasury Secretary in the pandemic. Johnson, on the other hand, would have ambitions to return to the top of the government. The dispute also highlights the extent to which important government matters are handled in the UK itself through the short message service.
The Corona Commission of Inquiry will examine the British government’s sometimes chaotic approach to the pandemic. According to death certificates, around 227,000 people died of Covid-19 in the UK – despite the smaller population, this is significantly more than in Germany, for example.
Source: Krone
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