A recent public inquiry report has criticized former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as “toxic,” “chaotic,” and indecisive. The report highlighted a delay in implementing lockdown measures, which resulted in approximately 23,000 additional deaths in the United Kingdom.
The inquiry, initiated by Johnson in May 2021, scrutinized the government’s response to the pandemic, particularly focusing on Johnson’s leadership style, violations of COVID rules by his Downing Street office, and the actions of his top adviser, Dominic Cummings. The report, headed by former judge Heather Hallett, condemned the government’s internal culture during the pandemic.
According to the report, Johnson underestimated the severity of the virus in early 2020, being preoccupied with Brexit negotiations at that time. The report suggested that Johnson should have demonstrated more urgency and leadership in responding to the emerging crisis.
Johnson admitted to a parliamentary committee in 2023 that his government had been complacent and had underestimated the risks posed by the virus. The report criticized the timing of the lockdown announcement on March 23, stating that an earlier lockdown on March 16 could have significantly reduced the death toll in the first wave of the pandemic.
The inquiry also pointed out that delays in decision-making led to subsequent national lockdowns as cases surged later in the year. While acknowledging the complexity of the decisions faced by Johnson, the report criticized his inconsistent decision-making and failure to act promptly despite a better understanding of the virus.