Boris Johnson’s future in politics should not be terminated following the critical Covid Inquiry revelations, according to Michael Gove. The Conservative peer dismissed allegations of a toxic and sexist environment under Johnson’s leadership affecting the government’s chaotic pandemic response. However, Gove, a former cabinet member under Johnson, expressed regret on behalf of the Conservative Party for the mishandling of the crisis.
Gove acknowledged that families who lost loved ones during the crisis would understandably feel anger over the failures. While conceding that actions and words within No10 were far from perfect, Gove defended Johnson’s decision-making style during a crisis, emphasizing the challenging balance between liberty and healthcare access.
Regarding the inquiry’s assertion that quicker action by the then-PM could have saved lives, Gove disagreed with the notion that Johnson’s political career should be over. He credited Johnson’s determination for driving the successful vaccine rollout, despite acknowledging serious mistakes made by the government during the pandemic.
The Covid Inquiry report highlighted governmental chaos and a lack of seriousness towards the virus, resulting in a significant loss of lives during the initial pandemic wave. The report also criticized Johnson for maintaining an overly optimistic outlook early on and his advisor, Dominic Cummings, for creating a toxic environment in Downing Street.
Furthermore, the inquiry indicated that earlier implementation of measures like social distancing and household quarantine could have prevented the need for subsequent lockdowns. Failure to act promptly led to avoidable loss of life, with an earlier lockdown potentially reducing deaths significantly in the first wave.
In conclusion, the report underscored the lack of urgency and seriousness across the UK governments in responding to the pandemic, criticizing delays in recognizing the threat posed by the virus. Additionally, Health Secretary Matt Hancock was criticized for failing to meet expectations, gaining a reputation for overpromising and underdelivering during the crisis.