Michael Gove apologises Following Damning Covid Report Detailing ‘Toxic’ Downing Street Culture
LONDON – Michael Gove has apologised after a Covid-19 inquiry report detailed a “toxic” culture within Downing Street during the autumn of 2020, and criticised the decision-making of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The report alleges Johnson repeatedly changed his mind and failed to make decisions quickly enough during a critical period of the pandemic.
The inquiry also singled out Dominic Cummings, a senior aide at the time, for criticism, stating he displayed “destabilising behavior” and contributed to a “culture of fear” that “poisoned the atmosphere.” It further noted that the loudest voices in government frequently enough prevailed, while others were ignored “to the detriment of good decision-making.”
Responding to the report’s findings, Gove acknowledged the issues raised, stating Johnson’s style of decision-making “may not be to everyone’s taste” but defended his leadership, highlighting the vaccine rollout. “More than that, without his drive we would not have had his vaccine roll-out that ensured we were the first country to put jabs in arms,” he said.
Cummings rejected the inquiry’s conclusions, accusing it of enabling “a vast rewriting of history” and asserting that “on most of the big questions, the ‘experts’ including the senior scientists were fully wrong” in early 2020. Gove countered by stating Cummings was responsible for ensuring data was “accurately and thoroughly interrogated” and that his interventions were “critical to putting in place the measures necessary to suppress the virus.”
The report also criticised Sir Chris Wormald, the current cabinet secretary, for failing to address what Baroness Hallett described as an “overenthusiastic impression” given by then-health Secretary Matt Hancock regarding the health department’s pandemic preparedness. Science Secretary Liz Kendall defended Wormald, stating he was doing “excellent work across government including learning the lessons from this pandemic” and should remain in his position.
Rishi Sunak, who served as chancellor during the pandemic, acknowledged the “highly uncertain surroundings” in which decisions were made, but stressed the importance of learning lessons for future preparedness. Johnson has been contacted for comment.
