High Court upholds chairwoman’s demand for crucial documents, dismissing government’s legal challenge.
The government has lost its legal bid to withhold Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages and other documents from the ongoing Covid-19 inquiry. High Court judges ruled on Thursday that the inquiry chairwoman, Baroness Heather Hallett, acted rationally in her order to access the evidence.
The messages and notebooks, dating back to the pandemic, are expected to shed light on key decision-making during one of the most critical periods in recent history. The government had argued that some of the requested material was “irrelevant” and sought to challenge the chairwoman’s authority.
However, the High Court dismissed these claims, stating that the inquiry’s demand for transparency and accountability outweighed such concerns. Baroness Hallett’s inquiry will now move forward with a broader scope of evidence, promising a comprehensive examination of the UK’s pandemic response.
The ruling is a significant blow to the government, adding pressure to reveal internal communications during Johnson’s time as prime minister. It is also seen as a victory for those advocating for openness in scrutinising the handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
