UK: Boris accused of saying he would rather ‘bodies pile high’ than order 3rd COVID-19 lockdown
Boris Johnson has been accused of saying he would rather see “bodies pile high in their thousands” than order a third national lockdown. The report published in the Daily Mail quoted an anonymous source, who claims the comments were made shortly before the UK’s second lockdown in November. However Downing Street has denied the claims, calling them “just another lie”.
It was also reported that Michael Gove warned the prime minister in October soldiers would have to be deployed to guard hospitals if the country failed to lockdown.
The news comes after a public row between Boris Johnson and his former aide Dominic Cummings, who accused the PM last week of incompetence and attempting to stop an inquiry into a leak.
Cummings was blamed by Number 10 for leaking text messages between the prime minister and business tycoon James Dyson, however the former Downing Street advisor denies being the source of the story.
The Cabinet Office has launched several investigations into government leaks in recent months, including a story which appeared in October confirming a new national lockdown before it had been officially announced. It is unclear as to who may have been behind the leak, though Dominic Cummings has denied it was him.
According to newspaper reports officials around the prime minister are also concerned that Mr Cummings may have a series of emails, audio recordings and text messages which he could make public in a move to embarrass the government. It is believed the former aide could accuse the prime minister of blocking the closure of Britain’s borders at the start of the pandemic last year.
Dominic Cummings is due to be questioned by MPs on 26th May where he has promised to answer all questions put to him for as long as necessary.
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