Simon Case will take leave for 'personal medical matters'

In Covid-era WhatsApp messages, Simon Case said Boris Johnson's government looked like a «horrible, tragic joke». Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Britain's most senior civil servant has taken several weeks off work for a “private medical matter.”

Simon Case, who was due to give evidence to the Covid inquiry in the coming weeks, will be absent for a «short period» for personal reasons, the Cabinet Office said.

Talks between government lawyers and the inquiry will take place Whether his speech is as planned continues.

It is clear that Rishi Sunak retains full confidence in the Cabinet Secretary. According to Politico, the prime minister will brief the cabinet on the situation this week.

A number of senior officials will be covering elements of Mr Case's role while he is on leave, rather than just one person. acting head of the civil service, it said.

It came days after posting Covid-era WhatsApp messages in which he said Boris Johnson's government looked like a «horrible, tragic joke».

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Speaking to former No 10 aides Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings: Revealed during the investigation and believed to have been sent sometime in the autumn of 2020, Mr Case also claimed that Mr Johnson's wife Carrie was the «real person in charge».

In messages seen at the Covid Inquiry on October 13, Case said he was “not sure I can cope with today”, apparently criticizing Johnson's handling of the crisis, saying: “I will scream…”

Earlier this month, Hugo Keith CC, the inquiry's lead lawyer, referred to a diary entry by Sir Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific adviser, in which Mr Case was quoted as saying that Downing Street was «at war with itself» .

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “The Cabinet Secretary is taking a short leave of absence for personal medical matters and is expected to return to work in a few days.” weeks.»

Mr Case has been involved in several controversies since taking up the post in September 2020. He was embroiled in a party scandal and had to recuse himself from investigating quarantine-breaking gatherings, eventually led by Sue Gray, due to his own involvement.

He was also involved in scandals surrounding the appointment of Richard Sharp as BBC chairman and separately admitted to an «informal conversation» about Mrs Johnson's potential roles in the royal charity following a tip from Number 10.

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Mr Case said it was «funny» that travelers had to be «locked up in hotels» upon returning to the UK, according to leaked WhatsApp messages reported by The Telegraph earlier this year.

G Mr Sunak reportedly told the inquiry he was unable to provide WhatsApp messages from his time as chancellor during the pandemic because he was unable to verify them.

In his witness statement, the prime minister wrote, that he «doesn't do it.» have access» to messages because he changed his phone number several times, The Guardian claims.