No. 10 refuses to say if Covid WhatsApp request was for Rishi Sunak

No 10 declined to say if Rishi Sunak was asked to deliver their Covid-era messages. Credit: POOL/via REUTERS

The government declined to say if the Covid investigation had solicited Rishi Sunak for his WhatsApp messages amid a row over a «cover-up».

An investigation led by Baroness Hallett has already requested Boris Johnson and a senior aide hand over their messages and notebooks.

But the Cabinet disputes the demand, saying the investigation has no right to receive «definitely irrelevant material» from any minister or official.

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Angela Rayner, Deputy Labor Leader, said the government's refusal to release evidence «smells like a cover-up.»

No. 10 declined to say whether the prime minister was asked to turn over his messages and notebooks from the Covid era when he was chancellor.

The spokesman said the government could not comment on what was or was not requested because this was to explain the Covid investigation.

A spokesman for the investigation said he would not say if they had asked Mr. Sunak for his reports.

Documents disclosed. 'where appropriate'

The investigation set a deadline for the transmission of Johnson's messages, notebooks and official diaries on Thursday at 4:00 pm, and a 48-hour extension was granted on Tuesday.

Lady Hallett also requested testimony from a senior civilian. accompanied by a statement that the Cabinet has no documents if it does not submit them by the new deadline.

The Cabinet Minister said this morning that the documents will only be disclosed by the Covid Request «where appropriate».< /p>

Mel Stride, secretary of labor and pensions, said the government was ready to be «totally transparent» where needed.

The cabinet said it had no access to Mr Johnson's WhatsApp messages and his personal notebooks. demanded by Lady Hallett, and that the government has broader objections to the publication of «definitely irrelevant» material.

Mr Stride told Sky News: «We absolutely intend to continue to be absolutely transparent and forthright,» adding that the government has already provided «55,000 documents, eight witness statements and corporate testimony» to the investigation.

He added : “I am absolutely confident and confident that the Cabinet will deal with this in exactly the right way and in the spirit that I have just outlined, and making sure that we are absolutely transparent where it is appropriate.

“I I think this is an important characteristic for the investigation to have all the necessary information.”

'Transparency and frankness'

Mr. Johnson's allies insist he has «no objection» to the release of evidence; and his successor, Mr. Sunak, said the government acted «in a spirit of transparency and frankness.»

Ms. Reiner said the evidence appeared to be «missing,» adding: «They must be found and transmitted as requested.» if the smell of the cover-up is to be avoided, and the families of the victims must get the answers they deserve.”

The prime minister's spokesman vehemently denied the charge of the cover-up, saying: “No. We want to learn from the state's actions during the pandemic, we want it to be done rigorously and frankly.»

A Cabinet spokesman said: «We are of the firm opinion that an investigation has no right to ask for unambiguously irrelevant information that is outside the scope of this investigation.

«This includes WhatsApp messages from government officials that are not related to work, but are completely personal and concern their private lives.»