In a recent discussion on LBC Radio, Rachel Johnson addressed a report by judge Baroness Heather Hallett, criticizing the UK’s pandemic response as “too little, too late.” Johnson highlighted the extensive nature of the report, spanning 800 pages and costing £200 million, equating to £160,000 per day. The report attributed 23,000 deaths to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to implement a lockdown a week later than recommended, a conclusion based on data from Professor Neil Ferguson.
Describing the atmosphere within Johnson’s government as “toxic and chaotic” during the pandemic, the report noted a negative impact on decision-making and advice quality. Baroness Hallett emphasized the failure to promptly address rule-breaking, leading to non-compliance with lockdown measures. The report suggested that Johnson should have recognized the emergency sooner and provided stronger leadership.
Furthermore, the report revealed that government officials had been warned of the potential for significant loss of life in a worst-case scenario but underestimated the likelihood of it happening. In response to the report, Johnson defended her brother, Boris Johnson, criticizing the conclusions as overly critical and lacking foresight.
Baroness Hallett also criticized Johnson for his optimism and failure to grasp the urgency of the situation, attributing it to his belief that the situation would not escalate and his focus on other government priorities. Despite the criticisms, Johnson stood by her beliefs, arguing against the effectiveness of lockdown measures and labeling them as one of the worst policy decisions since World War II.