Covid inquiry demands to see Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages – The Telegraph

The Covid-19 Inquiry has requested details of a No 10 WhatsApp group to be submitted as formal evidence. Thousands of documents have been requested to inform the inquiry, including from the Cabinet Office, it was revealed on Monday. The first preliminary hearing for Module 2 of the inquiry, which will examine political decision-making in Westminster during the pandemic, heard the list of core participants, which includes NHS England, the Health Secretary, and the Cabinet Office. Opening the hearing, Hugo Keith KC, counsel for the inquiry, also detailed the organisations and individuals which had been issued a Rule 9 request to submit evidence.  Rule 9 of the 2006 Inquiry Rules gives the inquiry powers to send written requests for evidence. If a person fails to comply they can be issued a Section 21 notice, which compels the recipient to hand over the materials. Mr Keith told the inquiry what documents had been requested from the Cabinet Office: “We have sought agendas, minutes and other documents associated with the core decision-making forums such as cabinet meetings, Cobra meetings and ministerial implementation groups.“We’ve asked for ministerial submissions, Number 10 daily briefing documents, records of written and oral advice to ministers, and details of…
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