An inquiry into the UK’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to light controversial statements made by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. According to reports, during a meeting with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 25 October 2020, Sunak suggested that the government should “just let people die” instead of implementing a second national lockdown. This revelation was detailed in a note written by Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser on the Covid-19 pandemic, in his diary.
The inquiry is investigating the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in the deaths of over 220,000 people. The investigation is expected to continue until the summer of 2026. Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s top adviser during the pandemic, reportedly relayed what he heard at the meeting to Vallance. In response to these allegations, Sunak’s spokesman stated that he will present his position when he submits evidence to the inquiry instead of addressing each part individually.