After all the hype, Boris Johnson’s much anticipated appearance at the Covid Inquiry was more a whimper than a bang. Big Dog looked like he’d had a wee trip to the vet – he looked subdued and neutered. His performance – of appearing cowed by the occasion and humbled – seemed to onlookers to be at best heavily prepared and at worst over rehearsed.
Johnson’s punchy pompous bluster at the Privileges Committee did him no favours and you could see the embarrassment etched on his brief’s face – appropriately called Lord Pannick KC.
The cross-party Privileges Committee established unanimously that Johnson had deliberately misled the House of Commons about parties and rule breaking at No 10 during the pandemic. It prompted him to resign as an MP. The Covid Inquiry, although completely independent and separate is the sequel to the story of Johnson’s downfall. What it has revealed so categorically is that the main person responsible for Boris Johnson’s spectacular demise is Boris Johnson.
There has been an attempt at an apology. There was a flash of anger at questions about “letting it rip.” There was also an element of astonished victimhood. He protested in an offended, wounded voice which would have had more salience if he hadn’t just been found guilty of deliberately misleading parliament by his own colleagues and is famed for his elastic relationship with the concept of honesty.
There are many who are grumbling about the Covid Inquiry. That it costs too much. That it’s not asking the questions they want to explore – it’s no coincidence that these people also happen to be lockdown sceptics. But the biggest criticism seems to be that this inquiry is focusing on the politics of what happened. This is the weakest, most desperate criticism of all.
Of course this was about the politics. The scientists didn’t just rock up and take these decisions. To govern is to choose (and party during a pandemic). The idea that the biggest crisis since the Second World War which resulted in thousands of deaths and draconian legislation has nothing to do with politics displays not just a staggering naivety, but an agenda.
Politics is everything. It affects almost every aspect of your everyday life. Your ability to see a doctor or report a crime or even park your car or do some work in your house is governed by a decision made by a politician somewhere up the food chain. Yes, there are other agencies which play a big part, but many of the key decisions which affect their ability to do their job are taken in Westminster – whether it’s money, resources or frameworks.
This was even more evident during the pandemic and what’s so fascinating and useful about the Covid Inquiry is that we have actual real time evidence and a unique timeline from all the WhatsApp messages and diary entries which reveal the culture, discussions, discipline and decision making at the heart of Downing Street and government. And it points to one thing – an utter sh*tshow.
The Covid Inquiry has shone a glaring light on just how bad Johnson was as our Prime Minister. Not only did he deliberately mislead parliament, but he infected the highest office in the land with a culture which was chaotic, toxic, misogynistic, grossly incompetent and completely out of control.
He brought all the worst people, behaviour and practices into the heart of Downing Street. He gave permission to all around him to be their worst self. He was the poster boy for the men behaving badly and it was all such a laugh until it wasn’t. Given his own track record it was hardly surprising we had a Health Secretary who was busy trying to get off with his adviser during the worst medical crisis in living memory. Why not? Follow the leader. He leaves a psychotic, corrupt, morally shattered Tory party which is about to get smashed at election. But perhaps worst of all, he has done so much to destroy people’s faith in politics as a force for good in any way. Long Boris is a real thing.
We live in a post-shame era where politicians like Johnson, Matt Hancock and others face no consequences for their actions. In fact, they get richly rewarded with lucrative speaking gigs, book deals and TV shows. They can ride off into the sunset with their mistresses, buy mansions in the country and have a jolly nice life.
So, the Covid Inquiry provides a slice of justice. An opportunity for us the lowly public to see these guilty men taking the stand and face tough questions. It may be really basic watching them squirm, but their momentary embarrassment and discomfort is all we have. Politicians don’t do long form interviews anymore. Many journalists can’t get the opportunity to ask a series of really probing questions. Many news outlets get threatened by party media advisers that if they go too hard, they won’t get access in the future. Many editors and proprietors have their own bias and affections for these men as well. That’s why it comes down to a highly articulate KC who has the space to question without fear or favour, I’m all for it.
The Covid Inquiry has already provided an enormous service to the families of the bereaved. It has been painful but at least questions have been asked and the truth about the human shambles in Downing Street has been exposed. It has busted Johnson for who he is, and let’s hope this is the last we see of him anywhere near power.
It has also proved incredibly helpful to the Labour Party. If you were them, wouldn’t you just play testimony from this inquiry with the question – Britain deserves better? And the truth is, we really, really do.
Ayesha Hazarika writes a fortnightly column for i on Scottish and Westminster politics. She was previously a senior Labour adviser to Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband
The Covid inquiry has given us some justice - Boris Johnson finally squirming
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07.12.2023
After all the hype, Boris Johnson’s much anticipated appearance at the Covid Inquiry was more a whimper than a bang. Big Dog looked like he’d had a wee trip to the vet – he looked subdued and neutered. His performance – of appearing cowed by the occasion and humbled – seemed to onlookers to be at best heavily prepared and at worst over rehearsed.
Johnson’s punchy pompous bluster at the Privileges Committee did him no favours and you could see the embarrassment etched on his brief’s face – appropriately called Lord Pannick KC.
The cross-party Privileges Committee established unanimously that Johnson had deliberately misled the House of Commons about parties and rule breaking at No 10 during the pandemic. It prompted him to resign as an MP. The Covid Inquiry, although completely independent and separate is the sequel to the story of Johnson’s downfall. What it has revealed so categorically is that the main person responsible for Boris Johnson’s spectacular demise is Boris Johnson.
There has been an attempt at an apology. There was a flash of anger at questions about “letting it rip.” There was also an element of astonished victimhood. He protested in an offended, wounded voice which would have had more salience if he hadn’t just been found guilty of deliberately misleading parliament by his own colleagues and is famed for his elastic relationship with the concept of honesty.........
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