Johnson spoke of 'whisky and a revolver' at Covid meeting
The Herald|November 08, 2023
BORIS JOHNSON referred to “whisky and a revolver” during a meeting with officials in October 2020 and spoke about “medieval measures” to tackle the pandemic, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard.
Johnson spoke of 'whisky and a revolver' at Covid meeting

The remarks, detailed in the notebook of the then-chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance and shared with the inquiry, came as Mr Johnson’s government sought to avoid a second national lockdown heading into the winter.

Sir Patrick also complained that Mr Johnson and his then-chancellor Rishi Sunak were “clutching at straws”.

The disclosure came as Simon Ridley became the latest top official to appear before Lady Hallett’s inquiry this week.

The former head of the Cabinet Office Covid-19 taskforce faced detailed questions about the role and influence of the official body over the course of 2020.

Much of the hearing focused on the options presented to Mr Johnson and Cabinet ministers about how to suppress the virus heading into the winter, with Mr Johnson at one stage seeking out “alternative views” from Professor Carl Heneghan, director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at Oxford and others.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE HERALDView all
'SIGNIFICANT' RULES BREACH
The Herald

'SIGNIFICANT' RULES BREACH

FA REVEAL REASONS FOR 45,000 PITCH INVASION FINE

time-read
5 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Rooney explains lack of action for Rami AI Hajj
The Herald

Rooney explains lack of action for Rami AI Hajj

WAYNE Rooney has given his reasons why Rami AI Hajj has not featured much for Plymouth Argyle lately as they have found points hard to come by in the Championship.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024
Gyabi: We are going to need the Green Army by our side for the rest of the season’
The Herald

Gyabi: We are going to need the Green Army by our side for the rest of the season’

MIDFIELDER Darko Gyabi has spoken about the importance of the support of the Green Army to Plymouth Argyle's players ahead of the away game against Bristol City today.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 30, 2024
The Herald

FA Cup third round draw details

PLYMOUTH Argyle will find out their Emirates FA Cup third round opponents when the draw takes place on Monday, December 2.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024
Food banks should never be the norm
The Herald

Food banks should never be the norm

BUT FOR NOW, THEY REMAIN VITAL TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN BRITAIN

time-read
3 mins  |
November 30, 2024
MPs in historic vote for assisted dying Bill
The Herald

MPs in historic vote for assisted dying Bill

ASSISTED dying could be legalised in England and Wales after a historic vote saw proposed legislation clear its first hurdle in Parliament.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Haigh resigned after further info emerged’ No.10
The Herald

Haigh resigned after further info emerged’ No.10

DOWNING Street declined to say whether the Prime Minister knew about Louise Haigh's criminal conviction and said that \"further information\" had come to light before her resignation.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024
Gregg Wallace facing more accusations
The Herald

Gregg Wallace facing more accusations

GREGG Wallace has been accused of making \"lesbian jokes\" and \"highly inappropriate\" comments in the latest of a string of complaints made against the TV presenter by people who claim to have worked with him.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024
World gets first look at restored Notre-Dame
The Herald

World gets first look at restored Notre-Dame

THE restored interior of Notre Dame Cathedral has been unveiled for the first time after more than five years of reconstruction work.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024
David takes a rest after 37 years of shear effort
The Herald

David takes a rest after 37 years of shear effort

A GARDENER is hanging up his shears after almost 40 years helping to tend a beautiful ten-acre garden on the edge of Dartmoor. David Milburn has spent 37 years at The Garden House near Yelverton.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024