 Boris Johnson still hasn't handed over all of his WhatsApp messages to the Covid inquiry – because they are stuck on his phone. Some of the former PM's chats from before May 2021 are still not with the group – despite the government losing a legal battle forcing him to give them up. Westminster had until 4pm on Monday to hand over the relevant material to the inquiry after the Cabinet Office court loss. But it has been reported that neither the government nor Mr Johnson's team can access messages on the phone. The phone, which Mr Johnson used until May 2021, is with the ex-PM's lawyers. It has prompted Whitehall officials to formally notify the inquiry why they have not yet been able to send them the correspondence. Inquiry chair Baroness Hallett had requested access to WhatsApp messages on Mr Johnson's devices from a group chat set up to discuss the pandemic response. Boris claims they are stuck on his mobile (Picture: Getty) Baroness Heather Hallett requested his unredacted messages and notes were handed to the inquiry (Picture: PA) She also asked to see WhatsApp messages he exchanged with a host of politicians, including then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak, as well as various civil servants, including the UK's top civil servant Simon Case. But the mobile phone has been turned off and securely locked away since May 2021, due to a security breach. Mr Johnson was forced to change his mobile phone in 2021 after it emerged his number had been publicly available online for 15 years. The rest of the messages the High Court ruled should be shared with the inquiry were sent on Monday morning. BBC political editor Chris Mason says there is widespread irritation within government at the failure to comply with the inquiry's demand to be sent Mr Johnson's messages. Access to a mobile phone conventionally requires knowledge of a pass){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Boris Johnson still hasn’t handed over all of his WhatsApp messages to the Covid inquiry – because they are stuck on his phone.
Some of the former PM’s chats from before May 2021 are still not with the group – despite the government losing a legal battle forcing him to give them up.
Westminster had until 4pm on Monday to hand over the relevant material to the inquiry after the Cabinet Office court loss.
But it has been reported that neither the government nor Mr Johnson’s team can access messages on the phone.