Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been unable to provide WhatsApp messages requested for a government Covid-19 probe due to forgetting the password to his old cell phone, according to a report by The Times. Sources state that Johnson cannot remember the passcode “with 100% confidence,” as he last used the device in 2021, during his time as prime minister. However, a spokesperson for Johnson has stated that he is eager to hand over the information and fully cooperate with the inquiry.
The UK Cabinet Office is currently searching for records of the password, but there are concerns that Johnson’s old iPhone could erase its contents if the wrong code is entered. This comes after the office was previously ordered by the High Court to hand over all of Johnson’s WhatsApp messages, diaries, and unredacted notebooks as part of a Covid-19 investigation.
Johnson’s records, dating back to the height of the pandemic, are believed to contain discussions about the lockdowns he imposed in 2020 and other Covid-related policies. The investigation is also interested in obtaining information on how he funded £200,000 ($262,000) in renovations at his Downing Street apartment while in office.
Initially, the Cabinet Office opposed the demand for Johnson’s communications, deeming them “unambiguously irrelevant” to the probe. However, they lost their legal challenge last week and have since provided the rest of the material sought for the inquiry, excluding the WhatsApp messages.
The excuse given by Johnson for his inability to provide the messages has been criticized by the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, a pressure group that advocated for a public investigation into the government’s pandemic response. They called Johnson’s excuse “a complete joke” and stated that no one seriously believes he cannot access his messages due to forgetting a passcode.
Johnson ceased using the iPhone in 2021 after it was discovered that its number had been publicly available for over 15 years. The device is currently in the possession of Johnson’s lawyers, who have allowed government security experts access to the phone in an attempt to preserve its data, in case the correct password cannot be retrieved.
In conclusion, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced difficulties in providing requested WhatsApp messages for a Covid-19 probe due to forgetting the password to his old cell phone. While efforts are being made to locate the passcode, concerns have been raised about the potential erasure of the phone’s contents. The investigation is interested in uncovering information about the lockdowns implemented by Johnson in 2020 and how he funded renovations to his Downing Street apartment. Despite criticism from a pressure group, Johnson has expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with the inquiry.
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