"Official disclosure for the period in February 2020 described by the Covid inquiry as a lost month in the country's crisis response reveal Johnson enjoyed an extended break during the half-term holidays at Chevening, a governmental estate in Kent, where he spent time walking his dog and taking motorcycle rides. The former prime minister was questioned on his activities between 14 and 24 February 2020 when he appeared at the inquiry in December 2023."
"But official activity logs appear to undermine evidence that Johnson gave under oath. The files suggest that Johnson did not conduct any official government business on 15, 16, 17 and 21 February. Instead, he appears to have spent time walking his jack russell dog, Dilyn, in Chevening's 1,416 hectare (3,500 acre) grounds, riding a motorbike given to him by his now wife, Carrie, and hosting friends and family for lunches, dinners and overnight stays."
Boris Johnson took multiple days away from official government business during mid-February 2020 while the NHS braced to be overwhelmed by Covid. Official logs show no recorded government activity on 15, 16, 17 and 21 February, with Johnson spending time at Chevening walking his dog, riding a motorbike and hosting guests. Johnson told the inquiry he was working throughout the period and that tempo increased, but the activity logs contradict that account. There were no cabinet meetings between 14 and 25 February, and Johnson received no significant briefings or daily updates on the virus. The Covid inquiry concluded the delayed response cost many lives and described a toxic culture in Downing Street.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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