The UK is currently investigating the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in over 220,000 deaths. During an inquiry into the UK’s handling of the crisis, it was reported that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made controversial statements about the government’s response at a meeting attended by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to a note written by Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser on the Covid-19 pandemic, in his diary on 25 October 2020, Sunak suggested that the government should “just let people die” instead of implementing a second national lockdown.
Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s top adviser during the pandemic, relayed what he heard at the meeting to Vallance. In response, Sunak’s spokesman stated that the British Prime Minister will present his position when he submits evidence to the inquiry instead of addressing each part individually. However, this revelation has sparked controversy and raised questions about the government’s decision-making process during the pandemic.
The investigation is expected to continue until the summer of 2026 and will likely shed more light on the UK’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
