Boris Johnson Addresses COVID School Closures in Inquiry Testimony

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced scrutiny during his testimony before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Tuesday, denying allegations that his government failed to properly prepare for school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he defended his administration’s actions, Johnson did acknowledge mistakes made during this challenging period.

During the inquiry, Johnson stated that officials were overwhelmed by the rapid spread of the virus. He mentioned that discussions regarding school closures had been ongoing since February 2020. Despite his optimism that schools would remain open, he ultimately conceded that his Education Department was considering these closures.

Johnson’s comments came as he responded to previous testimony from Gavin Williamson, the former Education Secretary, who described a chaotic 24-hour period in March 2020. Williamson testified that he had received only one night to devise a plan for school closures, which he said was not advised at the time. “It was an abrupt and discombobulating change,” he explained.

In contrast, Johnson maintained that he believed the possibility of school closures was understood among officials. “Everybody understood that school closures were part of the toolkit that we might sadly have to use,” he stated. He emphasized that the government was forced to act more quickly than anticipated due to the accelerating spread of the virus.

Johnson’s appearance at the inquiry marks the second time he has faced questions regarding the government’s pandemic response. In previous sessions, he defended himself against accusations of indifference and negligence, which some claimed led to thousands of preventable deaths in the UK. The inquiry, established following pressure from bereaved families, is expected to continue until 2027, with a current focus on the impact of the pandemic on children.

In denying claims of an “extraordinary dereliction of duty” made by Jon Coles, a former director-general at the Education Department, Johnson reiterated that he did not believe it was necessary to instruct the Education Department to prepare for school closures. He argued that the swift changes were dictated by the circumstances.

Johnson accepted responsibility for the government’s response and offered a heartfelt apology for the mistakes made. He acknowledged the profound impact on children, stating, “Was the disappointment, anger, the additional frustration of a large number of kids a disaster? Yes, it was.”

As he exited the inquiry session, he was met with protests from representatives of Save the Children UK, who expressed their outrage at the decisions made during the pandemic. Dan Paskins, a spokesperson for the organization, commented that the rushed decisions had severely affected a generation of children, asserting, “No amount of regret will undo the harm that has been done.”

The inquiry continues to explore the government’s actions during the pandemic, with a particular emphasis on the consequences faced by children during this unprecedented crisis.