NEWS STORY : Covid Inquiry Gives Extension to Hand Over Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp Messages

NEWS STORY

The deadline for the UK government to hand over Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages has been extended by the Covid-19 inquiry. The inquiry had initially ordered the government to submit these messages but has now allowed for an extension. The deadline extension comes after a request was made to the inquiry, asking for more time to comply with the ruling. The inquiry rejected a further request to extend the deadline until June 5, but a short extension was granted. The Cabinet Office, which was tasked with providing the messages, now has until the extended deadline to hand them over to avoid facing action.

Some reports indicate that the Cabinet Office claimed not to possess Mr. Johnson’s WhatsApp messages or his notebooks, but the Covid-19 inquiry had threatened legal action against the government if the unredacted messages and diary entries were not released. Sources close to the Prime Minister have suggested that the messages aren’t relevant to the inquiry and shouldn’t need to be provided to them. The Cabinet Office said in a statement that it would meet its legal requirements in supplying the information requested.