Boris Johnson 'asked why he should destroy economy for people who would die anyway', Covid inquiry hears

Boris Johnson reportedly asked why he should 'destroy' the economy for 'people who will die anyway soon', days before the first lockdown. Startling details have emerged from the Covid inquiry today (October 30), following evidence from some of the staff closest to the Prime Minister in 2020.

They included Imran Shafi, the former private secretary to the prime minister for public services. The inquiry heard a note read from his diary, following meetings that took place between Mr Johnson and then-Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, on March 19 and 20.

Mr Shafi’s diary note stated: “We’re killing the patient to tackle the tumour. Large ppl (taken to mean large numbers of people) who will die - why are we destroying economy for people who will die anyway soon.”

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Asked by inquiry counsel Hugo Keith KC who said those words, Mr Shafi replied: “I can’t say for sure, I think it was the former prime minister." The UK began the first lockdown on March 23, 2020.

By that date, 6,650 people had tested positive for Covid, while 335 coronavirus patients had died. The inquiry also heard WhatsApp messages that revealed the frustration with Mr Johnson's leadership among senior staff working close to Number 10.

Simon Case, who remains Cabinet Secretary, told Mr Johnson’s then-chief adviser Dominic Cummings that the prime minister was making government 'impossible'. Mr Case, who has temporarily stepped back from his role due to a 'private medical matter', told Mr Cummings that the PM 'cannot lead and we cannot