The appearance at the Covid inquiry of Martin Reynolds has been a real eye-opener in some rather unexpected ways. Reynolds was one of the most senior civil servants in Downing Street in the lead-up to the 2020 pandemic, effectively acting as the prime minister’s eyes and ears. The former principal private secretary to Boris Johnson came to public attention for issuing invitations to a lockdown-breaking party in the garden of No. 10 during the first lockdown.
Reynolds’ cross examination by Hugo Keith KC, counsel for the inquiry, turned into a brutal affair. Keith referred to a message on 23 January 2020, saying two people were admitted to hospital with Covid in January. A Cobra meeting was proposed, but Boris Johnson did not chair it. Could Reynolds remember why Johnson did not chair it? No, he replied.
What appeared to be missing was even a scintilla of self-awareness of Reynolds’ own responsibilities
Keith pressed on.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in