By Ben Kerrigan-
Explosive allegations have emerged during the ongoing COVID inquiry, suggesting that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson(pictured) uttered the shocking words, “I would rather let the bodies pile high” than impose another lockdown in September 2020.
The revelation comes from Edward Udny-Lister, one of Johnson’s closest aides, who spoke before the inquiry, casting doubt on previous denials made by the former prime minister.
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Udny-Lister’s testimony also unveiled another eyebrow-raising incident from March 2020 when Johnson purportedly requested to be injected with COVID live on TV, intending to demonstrate that the virus posed no serious threat.
These revelations have reignited concerns over Johnson’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his reported reluctance to impose lockdown measures.
The alleged “bodies pile high” comment is consistent with previous reports in The Daily Mail and accusations made by former Downing Street aide Dominic Cummings in 2021.
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Johnson, who has denied making these remarks on numerous occasions, faced intense scrutiny, with misleading the House of Commons cited as a central factor in his resignation as a Member of Parliament.
Edward Udny-Lister, a long-standing ally of Johnson who had worked with him during his tenure as mayor of London and as foreign secretary, was among the most senior aides in Downing Street. He later succeeded Dominic Cummings as the chief of staff.
According to Udny-Lister’s statement to the inquiry, in September 2020, as the R number rose and the proposal for a circuit breaker lockdown was discussed, the health secretary pushed for stricter measures.
However, the opposition to lockdown was formidable, given the already significant economic and educational impact. In response, Johnson allegedly stated that he would rather “let the bodies pile high” than impose another lockdown.
While he referred to it as an “unfortunate turn of phrase,” Udny-Lister emphasized the government’s efforts to avoid further lockdowns at that point. The revelation has prompted calls for accountability and has reignited debates over Johnson’s leadership during the pandemic.
In response to these allegations, a spokesman for Boris Johnson announced that the former prime minister would be providing evidence to the COVID inquiry in due course.
Apart from the “bodies pile high” revelation, Udny-Lister also revealed the dysfunctionality of Downing Street during the early days of the pandemic.
He highlighted strained relationships and toxicity within the government, particularly with Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s former advisor.
The evidence offered further insight into the challenges and decision-making within the government at the height of the pandemic.
The ongoing COVID inquiry has continued to shed light on key moments, personalities, and decisions during the crisis.
The recent revelations have sparked discussions about leadership, transparency, and accountability in handling public health emergencies.
However, some have presented arguments that the former prime minister might have been trying to avoid a lockdown because of the potential economic and mental health consequences.
The Covid Inquiry continues.
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