Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former aide, is set to deliver potentially damaging evidence against the former Prime Minister at the COVID public inquiry this week. Once an ally, Cummings now stands as a potent adversary to Johnson, leading a group of former Downing Street insiders who will be testifying this week. Cummings’ appearance is scheduled for Halloween, fuelling speculation that he will confront unsettling questions regarding issues from “partygate” to lockdown measures.
Among those set to be questioned, Martin Reynolds, the former private secretary, and Lee Cain, the former communications director, are significant. Reynolds, referred to as “party Marty” after penning a controversial “bring your own booze” email, will be the first to testify this week. Following him, Cain, a former tabloid journalist now professing expertise in crisis management, will take the stand.
The spotlight will turn onto Cummings on Tuesday. His testimony is anticipated to be as sensational as his extensive public appearance before a committee of MPs two years ago. During that session, Cummings alleged that Johnson initially dismissed the seriousness of COVID, frequently changing his position, and that Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, should have been dismissed for dishonesty. Cummings also confessed his infamous trip to Barnard Castle, County Durham, while infected with COVID in 2020 – and his dubious claim to have been testing his eyesight – was a grave error.
Cummings is expected to further criticise Johnson this week, as well as Johnson’s wife Carrie, Hancock, and cabinet secretary Simon Case. Case, notably missing from the current round of evidentiary sessions due to health reasons, is also likely to be a target of criticism.
This week’s sessions are also likely to reveal embarrassing WhatsApp messages exchanged between key Downing Street figures, including Cummings and Johnson. Several damaging messages have already been disclosed to the inquiry. Last week, it was revealed that scientific advisors had referred to Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor, as “Dr Death” following the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. George Osborne, the former Conservative chancellor, also claimed that this week will see the release of “disgusting and misogynistic” messages sent by Johnson and Cummings.
Sky News deputy political editor, Sam Coates, discussing the upcoming evidence on the Politics at Jack & Sam’s podcast, said: “What is going to happen this week really matters, not least because there are people who are at the heart of this inquiry who are still in government.” He expects Sunak and Johnson to appear before the COVID inquiry in December, with the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, being the hardest hit by the evidence presented over the next few days.
The week’s hearings will focus on a critical period for the country and reveal what transpired behind Downing Street’s closed doors. Subsequent revelations are likely to be exploited by the Labour party. It is understood that more examples of “laddish, football-style” banter between Case and Cain will surface this week, potentially damaging Case’s position. In preparation for his testimony, Cummings has reportedly chosen not to employ a lawyer, potentially leaving his evidence vulnerable to challenges from other witnesses.
