Enlarge image
Former British Government Adviser Dominic Cummings at the House of Commons hearing
Photo: UK PARLIAMENTARY RECORDING UNIT HANDOUT / EPA
Former British government advisor Dominic Cummings has massively criticized the corona management of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's cabinet.
In an hour-long questioning by the British House of Commons, Cummings recently raised serious allegations against the incumbent Health Minister Matt Hancock.
Hancock should have been fired for lying in government counseling on pandemic control, Cummings claimed.
"I think the health secretary should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things," said Johnson's ex-advisor.
Hancock lied publicly and "on several occasions and in cabinet after cabinet meeting," Cummings claimed.
There is "no good reason to keep him (Hancock)."
Hancock is said to have incorrectly stated that there is sufficient protective equipment against the corona virus available.
However, according to Cummings, there was a lack of protective equipment.
Even weeks after the outbreak of the pandemic, the procurement of the equipment should not have been sufficient, contrary to Hancock's statements.
Cummings had previously criticized an idea allegedly also coming from the Ministry.
In mid-March, for example, the top official at the time, Mark Sedwill, said Johnson should call on the population to coronavirus parties, similar to how parents organize chickenpox parties for their children.
That was official advice from the Department of Health, Cummings claimed.
Serious allegations against Johnson
Cummings had previously made allegations against Johnson.
According to Cummings, the prime minister initially underestimated the risk of Corona.
“In February (2020) Boris Johnson thought it was just a scary story.
He thought it was the new swine flu. "
He went on to claim that Johnson said, "I'm going to get (Chief Medical Advisor) Chris Whitty to inject me with the coronavirus live on TV so everyone can see it's nothing to be afraid of." Johnson became infected later actually with the virus and had to be treated in an intensive care unit for days.
Downing Street is said to have massively underestimated the pandemic
The government failed to see the signs of the spreading pandemic, said Cummings, who was Johnson's most important and influential advisor at the time.
It was only at the end of February 2020 that it was seen that the contingency plans were "hollow".
Cummings apologized to the relatives of the corona deaths.
The ex-adviser spoke to members of two lower house committees of the British Parliament.
He left the government in a dispute in November 2020 and, according to many observers, has since been on a campaign of revenge against Johnson.
Johnson rejects criticism
Johnson defended his actions while Cummings was being questioned.
"We tried to minimize the loss of life at every stage," said Johnson.
Dealing with the pandemic is "terribly difficult".
Johnson emphasized, “None of the decisions were easy.
It is traumatic for any region to go into lockdown. "
fek / Reuters
