Boris Johnson failed to hand over his WhatsApp messages by the deadline and we’re shocked – shocked, we tell you
Not for the first time, there’s been some confusion over what’s going on with the WhatsApp messages on Boris Johnson‘s old phone after he missed the court-ordered deadline to give the device to the Covid Inquiry.
Boris Johnson fails to hand over mobile containing Covid WhatsApp messages as inquiry's deadline passes https://t.co/HcFUp2EgyF
— LBC (@LBC) July 10, 2023
Johnson claims that the phone in question has been switched off since 2021 on the advice of the security services because its number was available online, yet initial reports implied that it had been included in items passed on by the Cabinet Office.
🍿🍿🍿
Johnson’s messages handed to Covid-19 inquiry after Government court defeat https://t.co/kTzyWuwzZG
— Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) July 10, 2023
It quickly emerged that he had refused to part with it, claiming that the security experts were still trying to find a way to access its contents safely.
Johnson fails to hand over mobile 1 (up to May 2021) with Covid WhatsApps before inquiry deadline (surprised face)
Johnson says he and his security specialist are trying to work out how to switch it on safely. And I’ve got a bridge to sell you https://t.co/D8hiXrFJj3
— Fionna O'Leary, 🕯🇪🇺 (@fascinatorfun) July 10, 2023
The Cabinet Office had argued that handing over unredacted documents and messages would breach the privacy of some involved, but the court ruled against them on Thursday, giving Johnson a full five days to lovingly craft his highly credible excuse.
It’s no wonder he hasn’t finished the book on Shakespeare that caused him to miss the first five Covid COBRA meetings; he’s too busy writing about cheese, Rwanda, ULEZ and why he can’t let the Inquiry read his old messages.
I see Boris Johnson is attacking Sadiq Khan for introducing the ULEZ scheme that Boris Johnson introduced when he was Mayor pic.twitter.com/Wacy9H4BYt
— nazir afzal (@nazirafzal) July 7, 2023
Despite the media’s best attempts to keep people’s attention on George Osborne‘s confetti trauma and the Sun’s disputed story about an anonymous BBC presenter, people noticed the deadline and Johnson’s latest infringement.
1.
Just a reminder that in amongst the fuss surrounding the BBC scandal, Boris Johnson’s emails and WhatsApp messages are due to be handed over to the Covid inquiry by 4pm today.
— Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) July 10, 2023
2.
In the least surprising news of the year: “Boris Johnson fails to hand over mobile with crucial Covid
WhatsApps before inquiry deadline.” Sure what’s a high court order between friends? pic.twitter.com/plxmHHBeR9— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) July 10, 2023
3.
Oh – now this is interesting.
"I want to cooperate fully" says Johnson.
(Doesn't cooperate).
Legal action ahead? 🤞https://t.co/dkLv3WaQJS— Mike Holden 💙 (@MikeHolden42) July 10, 2023
4.
THIS is important.
Boris Johnson fails to hand over the mobile phone with his Covid WhatsApps before the inquiry deadline.Where does it go from here?
Is he arrested? I've no idea.https://t.co/OOqZuRsUO5— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) July 10, 2023
5.
“Hands up anyone who failed to hand over the Whatsapp messages from their old phone by the 4pm deadline” pic.twitter.com/RtQfyJuBkN
— Parody Rishi Sunak (@Parody_PM) July 10, 2023
6.
Should be leading every news running order: “Boris Johnson still in possession of his old mobile phone containing crucial WhatsApp messages despite strict deadline set by Covid inquiry. Sunak’s government unable to surrender phone by yesterday’s deadline.” https://t.co/AS41JvtYR4
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) July 11, 2023
7.
That thing he said he'd do but didn't, number four thousand and twenty sevenhttps://t.co/LaQfjJ8Cdt
— HappyToast★ (@IamHappyToast) July 10, 2023
8.
I'm confused. It was reported the government handed over the Whatsapp messages but now it is being reported Johnson didn't hand them over to the government. Surprise surprise.https://t.co/45HAGNKtQf
— 🇪🇺 Frank 🏳🌈 (@ChillaxBcn) July 10, 2023
9.
I doubt @metpoliceuk will do anything.
They didn’t send him questionnaires for every law breaking party in Downing Street, and have covered up the Abba party and gatherings in Chequers.
There’s so little protecting our democracy.
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) July 10, 2023
10.
Astonishment as Johnson delays handover of phone: There may be concerns that data has been corrupted – but then again that seems to happen to everything and everyone he touches. https://t.co/UYckuXeZYJ
— Peter Kay (@theonlypeterkay) July 10, 2023
11.
Dog ate your homework again Johnson? Can he like, go to prison for this? https://t.co/lYHk5reyp4
— Philip Lawrence 💙 (@Philip_Lawrence) July 10, 2023
12.
He’d better not be using taxpayers money to fight the legal action that should follow his failure to comply https://t.co/9qkk5scidI
— Justin Madders MP (@justinmadders) July 11, 2023
It all begs a pretty huge question – other than ‘Why hasn’t he been arrested?’
How bad could the data be that he's so terrified to hand it over?
Russian corruption evidence?
Proof he wasn't that ill in hospital?
More affairs that Carrie mustn't see? https://t.co/TB0tDWL7AY— HappyToast★ (@IamHappyToast) July 11, 2023
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