Former PM Boris Johnson to defend record and conduct at UK COVID inquiry

6/12/2023 13:46

                Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will make a much-anticipated appearance before an inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday with his personal reputation and that of the Conservative government at stake.
        
        The inquiry has already heard damaging testimony about Johnson's handling of the crisis, including claims of government incompetence, backstabbing and misogyny, his reluctance to lock down, and how he was confused by the science. He was said to have asked at one point if blowing a hair-dryer up his nose could kill the virus.
        
        Johnson will face two days of questioning in what are likely to be the most emotionally charged sessions of the official investigation so far into why Britain ended up with one of the world's highest death tolls during the pandemic.
        
        Families of some of those who died from COVID-19 plan to confront Johnson outside the inquiry building over claims that he told colleagues he would prefer to see people die in large numbers rather than order a second lockdown.