In a WhatsApp message to the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, the then health secretary asked for details of a meeting on 30 October that he claimed he was "blocked" from attending.
"Rishi is in the room - contrary to the stupid rules - so the PM will be under enormous pressure to not do enough once again," Hancock wrote in the message, which is part of evidence Sunak could be questioned on when he appears at the inquiry.
The reply from Case, who was also not physically at the meeting, suggested that Sunak - who was then the chancellor - was in favour of tighter controls when it came to schools rather than the closure of all shops.
"He thinks better to do something in secondary schools (where we know transmission takes place) instead of closing all shops (where we know it doesn't seem to)," replied Case, who has yet to appear at the inquiry.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said Sunak would not be drawn on the claims because he did not want to get into "piecemeal evidence" to the inquiry.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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