What's happened
WhatsApp messages from senior civil servants and advisers reveal criticism of government decision-making and the influence of Carrie Johnson during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why it matters
The revelations from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry shed light on the internal workings of the government during a national emergency and raise questions about decision-making and leadership.
What the papers say
The Times describes the drama and intrigue of the Covid inquiry's Module 2 on government decision-making. The Independent reports that Dominic Cummings will give evidence to the inquiry and reveals his criticism of Boris Johnson's response to Covid. The Guardian highlights the expected questioning of civil service chief Simon Case and the release of further correspondence. Metro focuses on the WhatsApp messages that describe the government as a 'terrible, tragic joke' and highlight the influence of Carrie Johnson. BBC News provides an overview of the WhatsApp messages and their significance in the Covid inquiry. The Independent also reports on eye-opening messages between Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings about the government's handling of the pandemic.
How we got here
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is investigating the government's response to the pandemic, including decision-making and political governance. The inquiry has revealed WhatsApp messages that provide insight into the internal dynamics and criticisms within the government during the crisis.
More on these topics
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Dominic Mckenzie Cummings is a British political strategist who has served as chief adviser to UK prime minister Boris Johnson since July 2019.
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Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson Hon FRIBA is a British politician, writer, and former journalist serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2019.
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Simon Case CVO is a British civil servant who is serving as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service since 9 September 2020, succeeding Sir Mark Sedwill.
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Lee Cain is a British former journalist who currently serves as Downing Street Director of Communications under Boris Johnson. Cain was appointed by Johnson on 24 July 2019, succeeding Robbie Gibb.
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The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.