Boris Johnson reportedly took a four-day holiday to ride his motorcycle and entertain guests as the UK faced the onset of the deadly pandemic. The former Prime Minister allegedly went on this mini-break during the half-term break in February 2020, as per leaked government records. The recent covid inquiry indicated that implementing a lockdown a week earlier could have potentially saved over 20,000 lives, labeling February 2020 as a missed opportunity.
Instead of attending to government matters during this critical time, Johnson spent most of his time walking his dogs and enjoying motorcycle rides. The inquiry highlighted a lapse in the government’s response to the virus during the half-term holidays when Johnson, aged 61, departed Westminster for Kent.
Documents indicate that from February 15 to 17 and the 21st, Johnson did not engage in official government activities. However, he did manage to make time to socialize, ride a motorcycle gifted by his spouse, and host gatherings for friends. Despite claims of discussing the virus with global leaders during that period, official reports show no evidence of Johnson working on Covid-related matters between February 12 and 24.
The inquiry’s chair recently criticized Johnson’s administration for being slow to act in response to the pandemic, suggesting that starting the lockdown just a week earlier could have significantly reduced casualties and potentially shortened the duration of lockdown measures. The inquiry also uncovered a dysfunctional environment within Downing Street during Johnson’s tenure, emphasizing the need for urgent prime ministerial leadership.
In a concluding remark, Baroness Hallett stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes and implementing fundamental changes to prevent the sacrifices made during the Covid-19 crisis from being in vain.