London, UK: Mr. Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has announced that he has provided the government with all the WhatsApp messages and notebooks requested by the COVID-19 inquiry. Mr.  Johnson urges the government to hand over the materials of the investigation without any redactions. The inquiry, set to commence public hearings in two weeks, aims to investigate the government’s handling of the pandemic.

However, the government has thus far refused to disclose information it deems irrelevant. The COVID inquiry has given the Cabinet Office, responsible for supporting the Prime Minister in governing the country, a deadline of 16:00 BST on 1st June 2023 to reveal all the requested information. The Cabinet Office argues that ministers should be able to discuss policies in private and is awaiting a decision from a leading lawyer regarding the relevance of the material.

Ms. Baroness Hallett, the chairwoman of the inquiry, asserts that it is her responsibility, not the government’s, to determine the relevance of the documents. This standoff may result in a legal battle between the Cabinet Office and the inquiry, with the courts ultimately deciding what information will be made available.

Several senior Conservative MPs have advised the government to comply with the inquiry’s requests to avoid a protracted legal confrontation. Mr. William Wragg, chairman of a parliamentary committee on constitutional affairs, stated that whoever is asked by the inquiry should comply with its demands.

Mr. Johnson’s spokesperson has indicated that the former Prime Minister would willingly hand over the material directly to the COVID inquiry if requested. Cabinet Office sources clarify that individuals are free to share any information with the inquiry team, including Mr. Johnson, who could choose to provide the documents directly. However, they note that certain documents, such as government diaries, may be withheld due to national security concerns.

While Mr. Johnson understands the government’s stance, his spokesperson has expressed his willingness for the inquiry to have access to the material in any form it requires. The Cabinet Office claims to have possessed unredacted documents for “months,” but Mr. Johnson submitted additional materials on Wednesday.

CURIOUS: Greenland’s ‘rock flour’ offers promising solution for capturing CO2; Study