Who’s responsible for the lockdown leak – and does it matter?

Information being let out unofficially is an occupational hazard for leaders, but Sean O’Grady argues that the more it happens, the more it reveals a government that is divided and confused about its future path

(L-R) Health secretary Matt Hancock, chancellor Rishi Sunak, prime minister Boris Johnson and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove  (AP/AFP/Getty/Reuters/PA)

According to Whitehall legend, Harold Wilson – one of the most wily of the many slippery characters to inhabit Downing Street – once ordered his cabinet secretary to conduct a leak inquiry into a titbit that he, Wilson, had himself fed to a compliant reporter. Wilson’s confected indignation and official investigations were, in other words, pure subterfuge. Leaks by No 10,  then as now, are regarded by No 10 as legitimate “media management”; those from elsewhere are grave breaches of confidentiality and of collective cabinet responsibility. They are certainly nothing new.  

Which brings us to the current prime minister’s reported “fury” that the fact and main details of the latest national (ie English) lockdown were leaked to the press before he had a chance to tell the public or, indeed, the full cabinet and parliament. This time Boris Johnson’s annoyance seems genuine, if only because it further disrupted his weekend and pre-empted any spin he might have wanted to put on his latest U-turn. The press conference had to be swiftly arranged, was postponed twice and disrupted the nation’s Saturday evening television viewing plans. Little Mix and Strictly fans may never forgive the Conservatives. Mr Johnson’s marginal reputation for competence was further eroded.