UK COVID Inquiry: Johnson Aide Gives Evidence

Image copyright: UK Government [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

  • Dominic Cummings, the top adviser to former British PM Boris Johnson, told the official COVID inquiry on Tuesday that a "fatalistic" approach gripped the Cabinet Office during the first wave of the pandemic, obstructing attempts to create a "shielding plan" to protect vulnerable groups.

  • In addition, Cummings claimed that he had frequently warned Johnson about Health Secretary Matt Hancock's "incompetence" and "constant lies" and called for him to be sacked.


The Spin

Left narrative

Cummings could have taken this opportunity to ask the country for forgiveness — he was at the heart of a failing administration and did nothing while floundering policy making led to excess deaths. Instead, he opted to boast his ego with claims that his sexist comments against MacNamara and infamous lockdown-bursting trips were morally acceptable and within the rules.

Right narrative

That an inexperienced Cabinet would struggle to deal with an unprecedented threat to the UK's health was inevitable. Given that the country would likely still be under lockdown if Labour had won the 2019 election, Boris Johnson must be praised for his achievements in what was an impossible position.


Metaculus Prediction


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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