Boris Johnson often appeared “confused” when faced with scientists explaining the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic to him and it was “horrifying” to see him trying to understand the statistics, according to the former scientific adviser Government.
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As part of the public inquiry into the handling of Covid-19, Patrick Vallance was forced to comment on extracts from his logbook written during the pandemic, in which he criticized the former prime minister’s scientific skills.
In one of his notes dated May 4, 2020, he wrote: “The Prime Minister is clearly confused.” Ten days later, he says he is “still confused about the different types of tests (he understands them in a meeting and then forgets them again). ).”
On June 11, 2020, Patrick Vallance wrote again that “watching the Prime Minister try to understand the statistics is terrible,” adding that he had put his head in his hands several times to express his anger show.
Addressing the commission, he made the point, recalling that Boris Johnson “gave up science when he was 15 and I think he would be the first to admit that this is not his strong suit”.
But he says his counterparts in other countries may have had the same difficulties with their own leaders.
Since the start of this public inquiry, other statements from Boris Johnson’s advisers have overwhelmed the ex-prime minister, describing him as overwhelmed by events with little concern for the victims, in a country reeling from the pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 people severely affected is 230,000 deaths.
Boris Johnson was finally forced to resign in the summer of 2022, rocked by the “Partygate” scandal, those parties organized in full lockdown in Downing Street during the pandemic.
After examining how the country was prepared for the health crisis, the Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Judge Heather Hallett and expected to last at least three years, is currently examining the governance and political handling of the emergence of the virus.
During his hearing, Patrick Vallance, who was privately reprimanded for defending London’s early lockdown at the start of the pandemic, explained the sometimes difficult relationships between scientists and the executive branch.
This is evidenced by another July 2020 note in which the government’s former scientific adviser claims that then-finance minister Rishi Sunak – now prime minister – blurted out: “It’s all about managing” during a July 2020 meeting with the scientists , not the virus.”