The inquiry into the UK government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic faces yet another setback as government minister Penny Mordaunt disclosed that two years’ worth of WhatsApp messages with Prime Minister Boris Johnson have mysteriously disappeared. This revelation comes in the wake of similar issues reported by several other key figures involved in the pandemic response, raising concerns about the transparency of the information provided to the inquiry.
Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons and former paymaster general, submitted her witness statement to the inquiry, revealing a startling absence of WhatsApp messages exchanged with Boris Johnson between March 20, 2018, and March 22, 2020. The missing messages span a critical period during the early stages of the pandemic when crucial decisions were being made regarding public health and safety measures.
The prime minister had previously informed the inquiry that he had lost around 5,000 WhatsApp messages, a statement that has raised eyebrows and intensified concerns about the potential loss of vital communication records. Despite the admission, Johnson’s spokesperson assured the public that he had fully complied with the inquiry’s requests, emphasizing that all relevant messages in his possession had been submitted.
Mordaunt’s revelation adds to a growing list of political figures who have encountered problems with missing WhatsApp messages during the pandemic. Former chancellor Rishi Sunak and various Stormont ministers have also reported difficulties in locating crucial communication records. The repeated occurrence of missing messages among key decision-makers raises questions about the security and preservation of official digital communication channels.
In her witness statement, Mordaunt expressed her frustration at the situation, detailing that she had requested a meeting with Boris Johnson’s chief of staff on 14 occasions to address the issue of the missing messages but received no response from the prime minister’s team. This lack of communication raises concerns not only about the disappearance of messages but also about the government’s responsiveness to inquiries seeking clarity on its actions during the pandemic.
The revelation of missing WhatsApp messages poses a significant challenge to the government’s Covid inquiry, as it seeks to uncover the decision-making processes and communication strategies employed during the crucial early phases of the pandemic. The repeated instances of missing messages suggest potential gaps in the historical record, hindering the inquiry’s ability to paint a comprehensive picture of the government’s actions and decisions.
As Penny Mordaunt becomes the latest figure to report missing WhatsApp messages related to the government’s Covid response, the inquiry faces yet another obstacle in its quest for transparency. The repeated loss of crucial communication records raises concerns about accountability and the preservation of digital evidence. The government must address these issues promptly to ensure a thorough and accurate examination of its actions during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
