Boris Johnson WhatsApp drama - why it matters and the big problem it poses for Sunak

A nasty legal row has erupted between the government and the official Covid inquiry over a treasure trove of WhatsApp messages and notepads.

The Cabinet Office has ruled out handing over unredacted records to the respected judge, Baroness Heather Hallett, who is leading the inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.

Ministers are nervous about handing over documents that could be embarrassing for figures currently in office , while officials say much of it is "unambiguously irrelevant" and handing it over would be a breach of privacy.

In short, it's all become a complete mess for Rishi Sunak , under pressure, who said he was "confident" that the government's approach is correct.

Here we look at how the sad saga has unfolded so far.

< p>Baroness Hallett has presented the information she believes she needs to make a full assessment of the Government's response to the Covid crisis.

Unredacted messages sent and received by Boris Johnson between January 1, 2020 and February 24, 2022. Mr. Johnson's unredacted diaries between January 1, 2020 and February 24, 2022 Copies of 24 unredacted notebooks completed by Mr Johnson between January 1, 2020 and February 24, 2022 Unredacted messages sent and received by Councilor Henry Cook between January 1, 2020 and February 24, 2022. Messages on the government's response to Covid, and contact with a list of experts, ministers, officials and advisers. The list includes Rishi Sunak, Matt Hancock, Liz Truss, England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, then Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and former Principal Assistant Dominic Cummings.

Lady Hallett has demanded a witness statement from a senior official along with a statement of truth confirming that they do not have the documents if the Cabinet Office does not produce them within the new deadline.

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What is the legal situation?

This was all requested under section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 - making it a criminal offense to fail to comply.

But the Cabinet Office has none of it, saying it would not provide the requested documents and would instead seek a judicial review.

He wants to redact posts that aren't relevant to Covid, but Baroness Hallett says she wants to be the one to do it.

This means an independent judge will assess Baroness Hallett's claim and decide whether the government is justified in resisting.

Although no timetable has yet been set, this could be done relatively quickly with a decision within weeks.

But even members of the government are not optimistic.

Speaking on BBC Question Time, Science Minister George Freeman said he expected the courts to side with the chair of the inquiry, Baroness Hallett , but that he didn't think it was a "cynical" exercise and that it was a "point worth testing".< /p>

Baroness Heather Hallett leads the Covid-19 inquiry (

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PENNSYLVANIA) So how does Boris Johnson saying he will hand it over affect matters?

Well, that makes things a lot harder for the government, that's for sure.

Cabinet Office resists handing over Mr Johnson’s WhatsApps and pads –...