The former British prime minister, Boris Johnson, is expected to face the wrath of the public and the media for the blunders made during the covid pandemic. He will also attempt to defend his actions by claiming he did all he could in a very difficult circumstance. He is expected to say this at a long-awaited Inquiry that will be held today in London.
The Inquiry, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Lord Reed, will examine the government’s response to the covid crisis, which has claimed over 200,000 lives in the UK and left millions more suffering from long covid. The Inquiry will also look into the allegations of cronyism, corruption, and cover-ups that have plagued Johnson’s tenure.
Johnson, who himself contracted covid and was admitted to intensive care in April 2020, has been accused of being too slow to lock down, too quick to reopen, and too lax to enforce the rules. He has also been criticised for making contradictory and confusing statements, such as saying that people should “stay at home” and “go to work” at the same time, or that he would rather see “bodies pile high” than impose another lockdown.
Johnson’s critics have also pointed out his failure to protect the NHS, the care homes, and the vulnerable groups, as well as his mishandling of the test and trace system, the PPE supplies, and the vaccine rollout. They have also questioned his integrity and honesty, as he has been caught lying, breaking the law, and dodging accountability on numerous occasions.
Will Johnson be able to apologise sincerely and convincingly for his mistakes? Will he be able to justify his decisions and actions in the face of overwhelming evidence and public anger? Will he be able to salvage his reputation and legacy, or will he be remembered as the worst prime minister in British history? These are some of the questions that will be answered at the Inquiry, which is expected to last for several months and produce a final report by the end of 2024.
