Covid Inquiry live: PM to face claims Eat Out to Help Out scheme spread coronavirus – The Independent

Boris Johnson shown all the times he said 'let Covid rip' in uncomfortable inquiry moment

Rishi Sunak is next up to be questioned on his actions during the Covid-19 pandemic when he appears before the inquiry on Monday.

The prime minister, who was chancellor during the pandemic, will respond to claims that his Eat Out to Help Out scheme spread the disease.

The plan formed part of Mr Sunaks summer economic update in July 2020, and provided 50% off the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks.

WhatsApp messages shown to the Covid-19 Inquiry have revealed that government advisers referred to Mr Sunak as Dr Death during the pandemic, because of concerns about the impact of his push to keep economic activity going.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Englands chief medical officer, is said to have privately referred to the scheme to boost the restaurant industry as eat out to help out the virus.

The PM is the latest member of the Covid-19 cabinet to face the inquiry. Last week, former prime minister Boris Johnson defended his actions and hit out at dramatic representations of the Partygate revelations.

While the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is set to face the Covid-19 Inquiry on Monday, the former prime minister gave his evidence last week.

Boris Johnson delivered two days of highly-charged Covid testimony, forcing him to face up to his administrations failings during the crisis.

He stuck to his guns on lockdowns, describing the decision to impose a national lockdown in March 2020 as probably timely, adding: I do not believe it should have been made earlier.

However, he admitted the possibility that earlier interventions could have been introduced.

Mr Johnson did also admit in his statement that his tiered local lockdown system was a failure and admitted to not remember any specific consideration being given to the question of testing hospital patients before they were discharged to care homes in March 2020.

The former prime minister did however defend the decision for him to not chair the Cobra meetings held at the start of the pandemic.

Boris Johnson faced two days of questioning at Covid-19 inquiry (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA)

(PA Media)

Athena Stavrou10 December 2023 21:10

Rishi Sunak is set to face the Covid inquiry tomorrow, but he has been mentioned in the hearing multiple times since it began several weeks ago.

In one of the most explosive claims heard at the inquiry so far, the now prime minister, who was chancellor at the time, allegedly believed it was time to just let people die and thats okay in the autumn of 2020.

The accusation, made by former chief of staff Dominic Cummings, was documented in Sir Patrick Vallances diary and was heard by the inquiry on November 20.

WhatsApp messages shown to the Covid-19 Inquiry also revealed that government advisers referred to Mr Sunak as Dr Death during the pandemic, because of concerns about the impact of his push to keep economic activity going.

Athena Stavrou10 December 2023 20:10

The prime minister is due to face the Covid-19 Inquiry tomorrow and respond to claims that his economic policies spread the disease further.

These are some of the key questions he will most likely have to answer:

- Did he seek medical or expert advice on Eat Out to Help out?

- Why was 800m was spent on East Out to Help Out which lasted just over a month, but just 385m was spent on the self-isolation support scheme in total throughout its 18-month existence?

- Was there a trade-off between public health and the economy?

- Why wasnt more done for those required to self-isolate under government rules?

(PA Archive)

Athena Stavrou10 December 2023 19:10

Rishi Sunak is set to face the Covid-19 inquiry on Monday and respond to claims his Eat Out to Help Out scheme spread the disease.

The prime minister was chancellor at the time of the crisis and has been referred to as Dr Death in Whatsapp messages seen by the inquiry between government advisers.

The plan formed part of Mr Sunaks summer economic update in July 2020, and provided 50% off the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Englands chief medical officer, is said to have privately referred to the scheme to boost the restaurant industry as eat out to help out the virus.

(PA Archive)

Athena Stavrou10 December 2023 18:10

Prof Edmunds told the inquiry on Thursday the Dr Death reference could well be about the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which was devised by then-chancellor Mr Sunak and deployed a month earlier in a bid to kickstart the restaurant industry following lockdown.

The announcement that Mr Sunak will face a whole day of questioning on Monday came as former prime minister Boris Johnson began his second day of questioning.

Baroness Halletts inquiry has heard that scientists and then-health secretary Matt Hancock were left out of discussions around the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which offered discounted meals in summer 2020 to help the hospitality trade after lockdown measures were lifted.

Mr Hancock told the inquiry he was not told about the scheme until the day it was announced and argued very strongly against the possibility of extending it at the end of August 2020.

The inquiry has also heard that former Government chief scientific adviser Professor Sir Patrick Vallance, Englands chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty and their former deputies Dame Angela and Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam were also not told about the scheme.

Rishi Sunak during Thursdays emergency press press conference in Downing Street

(PA)

Sam Rkaina8 December 2023 07:00

Rishi Sunak will be questioned about his actions during the Covid-19 pandemic when he appears before the hearing on Monday.

The Prime Minister was chancellor during the crisis and is likely to be questioned about the impact of his policies such as the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Government advisers referred to Mr Sunak as Dr Death during the pandemic, WhatsApp messages shown to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry have revealed, because of concerns about the impact of his push to keep economic activity going.

The correspondence between epidemiologist Professor John Edmunds and Professor Dame Angela McLean now chief scientific adviser to the Government took place during a meeting in September 2020.

Dame Angela messaged Prof Edmunds, referring to Dr Death the Chancellor, the inquiry was told.

Sam Rkaina8 December 2023 06:00

Boris Johnson was jeered as he left the Covid-19 inquiry after two days of giving evidence.

Protesters outside shouted murderer and shame on you as he left Dorland House in west London to his awaiting car.

(Getty Images)

Sam Rkaina8 December 2023 05:00

Boris Johnson appears to talk down the clock on questions about Covids impact on minorities

Sam Rkaina8 December 2023 04:00

Boris Johnson referred to his own Governments facemask policy as f***** up in the summer of 2020, the Covid-19 Inquiry has heard.

It also emerged the former prime minister would bullshit no surrender ideas from his ministers and then come to regret it later.

Mr Johnson was being questioned on Thursday about his u-turn on policies around facemasks in secondary schools in August 2020.

At the time, then-education secretary Gavin Williamson had insisted measures being adopted by schools to limit the spread of coronavirus meant masks were not required.

However, the Government revised its recommendations following updated guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which said: Children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults.

A statement from the Department for Education on August 25 2020 said that nationwide, while the government is not recommending face coverings are necessary, schools will have the discretion to require face coverings in communal areas if they believe that is right in their particular circumstances.

Sam Rkaina8 December 2023 03:00

Gasps as Boris Johnson snaps at Covid inquiry lawyer over death toll figures

Sam Rkaina8 December 2023 02:02

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Covid Inquiry live: PM to face claims Eat Out to Help Out scheme spread coronavirus - The Independent