Ex-No10 chief admits he ‘disappeared’ messages in PM’s WhatsApps group chat

Considered one of Boris Johnson’s key aides turned messages to “disappear” in a key Covid WhatsApp group solely weeks after the ex-PM promised a Covid public inquiry, it has been revealed.

Martin Reynolds was grilled about switching the perform to delete messages within the then-PM’s group April 2021 – simply after Mr Johnson introduced an inquiry – as he gave proof on Monday.

Mr Reynolds, Mr Johnson’s principal non-public secretary, instructed the inquiry he “can’t recall precisely why I did so” – earlier than including that he didn’t imagine it was to “stop” the inquiry getting access to the messages.

The previous No 10 official – dubbed “Social gathering Marty” for his notorious ‘convey your personal booze” drinks occasion electronic mail throughout Partygate – additionally stated he was “deeply sorry” for his function in organising the backyard social gathering and Mr Johnson’s birthday gathering at No 10.

He stated he was sorry for “my half in these occasions” and stated he wished to “apologise unreservedly to all of the households of all those that suffered throughout Covid for all of the misery triggered”.

It additionally emerged that chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance blasted Mr Johnson’s “ridiculous flip-flopping” on key Covid selections – calling the then-PM “weak and indecisive” and “everywhere and utterly inconsistent”.

And in scathing proof, the nation’s high civil servant Simon Case stated in September 2020 saying Mr Johnson’s inconsistent made it “unimaginable” to sort out the Covid disaster – saying the PM “can’t lead”.

The cupboard secretary stated: “I’m on the finish of my tether. The workforce captain can’t change the decision on the large performs day by day … IT HAS TO STOP!”

Mr Reynolds, grilled on why he had deleted messages, stated he might have been frightened about colleagues screenshotting the WhatsApp messages and leaking them to the media.

“I can speculate as to why I may need achieved it … It may, for instance, have been as a result of I used to be frightened of somebody screenshotting or utilizing among the exchanges and leaking them,” stated Mr Reynolds.

The reference to Mr Johnson being “mad” was made in WhatsApp messages between Mr Case and Mr Reynolds from December 2021. Mr Case stated: “PM is mad if he doesn’t suppose his WhatsApps will change into public through Covid inquiry – however he was clearly not within the temper for that dialogue tonight! We’ll have that battle within the new yr.”

Mr Reynolds was requested by Hugo Keith KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, what that “battle” over WhatsApp messages referenced within the messages was about.

Mr Reynolds stated: “I can’t recall, however I think about that the prime minster – I’m afraid I can solely speculate – however I think about he hadn’t realised that every one of his WhatApps would change into public through the Covid inquiry.”

Mr Keith added: “Due to course because the then prime minister, his WhatsApps would type a significant a part of a full, clear examination of the decision-making on the time, as yours would?” Mr Reynolds replied: “Sure.”

Mr Reynolds additionally advised he was frightened about leaks when he admitted deleting messages. The inquiry heard Mr Reynolds had turned on a “disappearing message perform” on a WhatsApp group titled “PM Updates” on 15 April 2021. Mr Johnson first promised a Covid inquiry on 24 March.

Downing Avenue stated on Monday that authorities officers are “permitted” to vanish their WhatsApp messages, amid concern it has change into frequent observe amongst ministers and their particular advisers.

Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman stated up to date steering from March permits the disppaearing perform – as long as civil servants “file and log official selections and views for his or her file the place it’s related and applicable”. Requested if No 10 thought present steering was ample, the PM’s spokesman stated: “Sure.”

Mr Reynolds stated Mr Cummings introduced an “uncommon dynamic” to No 10 and created “unease” amongst officers. He stated the strategist was “the particular person whose writ dominated” and referenced a so-called “s***record” reportedly drawn up by Mr Cummings on civil servants.

“There was, I believe, fairly a little bit of unease within the civil service round, and excuse my language, the so-called s***record of people that had been considered dangers in what was perceived to be a doubtlessly extra muscular strategy to the civil service.”

Mr Vallance additionally described Dominic Cummings’ Barnard Citadel lockdown journey as a “fiasco” and one thing that was “clearly towards the principles”.

Mr Reynolds additionally stated he couldn’t recall why Mr Johnson didn’t chair an emergency Cobra assembly on Covid in January 2020. Requested about a ten-day interval in February 2020, the half-term vacation when Mr Johnson was not given details about the pandemic, Mr Reynolds stated he “most likely ought to” have achieved extra to tell the PM.

He appeared to acknowledge the Cupboard Workplace was not adequately prepared for the dimensions of the Covid pandemic. “With the advantage of hindsight, it does seem that we should always have been much more vigorously wanting and testing out preparations for what was coming.”

A variety of senior officers, together with Mr Cummings, will seem earlier than Girl Hallet’s inquiry this week. Ex-No 10 director of communications Lee Cain will give proof later, in addition to former non-public secretary to the PM for public companies Imran Shafi.