BORIS Johnson is facing further accusations of his anti-lockdown stance as it emerged he told aides he would rather let coronavirus “rip” than impose a second lockdown.
He was reported on Monday night to have argued during a government debate in September that lockdowns were “mad” as he raised concerns about harms to the economy.
The allegation surfaced after a growing number of sources were reported to have told how Johnson said he was prepared to let “bodies pile high” rather than order a third lockdown.
Robert Peston, the ITV News political editor, said on Monday that two witnesses backed up the claims that were originally revealed in the Daily Mail.
READ MORE: SNP say Boris Johnson must go if 'let the bodies pile high' claim is true
The journalist said the sources told him that Johnson "shouted it in his study just after he agreed to the second lockdown ‘in a rage’". The sources reportedly did not speak to the Mail, suggesting there were three witnesses to the rant.
The Prime Minister said that allegation was “total rubbish”, before further details surfaced of how he is said to have paid for expensive refurbishments to his Downing Street flat.
No 10 and the Tories declined to deny an ITV report stating that the Conservative Campaign Headquarters paid the Cabinet Office to cover initial costs of the refurbishments, with Johnson now repaying the party.
A Downing Street spokesperson said that the “costs of wider refurbishment have been met by the Prime Minister personally”, adding: “Gifts and benefits received in a ministerial capacity are, and will continue to be, declared in transparency returns.”
The SNP have called on Johnson to resign if the comments are true and the party is demanding a full independent inquiry into how Tory donors received lucrative Covid contracts, tax breaks and special access to government from Johnson's administration.
Describing the current government at Westminster as "corrupt to its very core" Alison Thewliss (below), the SNP's shadow chancellor, said: "With each day that passes, further details of the Tory sleaze engulfing Westminster come to light. Reports of Covid contracts for cronies, donations for decorating, and texts for tax breaks, simply cannot be brushed under the carpet.
"Meanwhile, there is mounting concern over the Tory leader's alleged remarks around lockdown measures needed to protect people's lives.
"We know only too well that Boris Johnson has a less than casual relationship with the truth and transparency. The public have a right to know what is going on, and how their money has been spent.
"It is beyond any doubt that we need a full independent public inquiry. Tory donors and friends have been handed lucrative contracts, special access, tax breaks and peerages by the Tory government, as well as Covid contracts being handed out like sweeties.
"Boris Johnson must also now come before Parliament to answer these very serious allegations for himself."
The decision on the second lockdown last autumn was leaked and is the subject of an inquiry to find the so-called “chatty rat” who tipped off the press.
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, the UK's most senior civil servant, declined to say whether Johnson's former top aide, Dominic Cummings, had been cleared over that leak, as the former ally has claimed when striking back at allegations from within No 10.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon attacks Tory sleaze after 'let the bodies pile high' comment
In the latest criticism of his handling of the coronavirus crisis, the Times reported that Johnson repeatedly said he would rather “let it rip” than impose the second lockdown because restrictions would close businesses and cause job losses.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “These are gross distortions of his position. Throughout this pandemic we’ve done everything we can to save lives and protect livelihoods.”
Johnson ultimately announced the second lockdown for England in October.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove (above) defended Johnson, telling the Commons it is “incredible” to think he would have made the remark.
Gove said that “I was in that room, I never heard language of that kind”, in a defence stopping short of a full denial that the comments had been made.
Johnson is expected to address his Cabinet today after having previously denied he made the comments.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel