No10 fails to deny Boris Johnson said he was ready to let Covid ‘rip’

Spokesperson insists reports ‘distort’ reality of PM’s efforts to save lives and livelihoods

Downing Street has failed to deny that Boris Johnson said he was ready to let coronavirus “rip” ahead of last year’s second lockdown.

Reports suggest that the prime minister repeatedly said last September that he would rather “let it rip” than implement another lockdown, because new restrictions would cost jobs and force businesses to close.

Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson today said that the reports, in The Times, “distort” the PM’s actions, which he insisted had been focused throughout on “saving lives and livelihoods”.

But asked three times whether he denied that the comment had been made, the spokesperson did not do so.

Downing Street’s failure to issue a denial stood in stark contrast to Monday’s firm rebuttal of reports that the PM said, after finally approving the second lockdown, that he would rather see “bodies pile up in their thousands” than impose another one later.

They came as the Scottish National Party dismissed Mr Johnson’s denials as “threadbare” and said he should resign if the “abhorrent” comments were proved to have been made.

Mr Johnson is reported to have said, during discussions of a possible second lockdown last autumn, that there was no evidence the restrictions worked. Scientists on his Sage advisory group were arguing around the same time for a two-week “circuit-breaker” to damp down a potential second wave of infections.

He is said to have expressed regret about the first lockdown, comparing himself to the mayor in the film Jaws who kept the beaches open despite the risk of shark attacks.

The PM’s spokesperson described the reports as speculation, telling a Westminster media briefing: “The reports put forward distort the actions which the prime minister has taken, which is to be focused on saving lives and livelihoods.”

The development came as Mr Johnson remained under intense pressure over his alleged comment that he was ready to see bodies pile up rather than accept a third lockdown.

Despite the PM’s denial, a number of “ear-witnesses” have come forward to say anonymously that they heard Mr Johnson’s comment through the open door of his private study, as he ranted angrily following a meeting at which he approved the second lockdown.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford described the alleged comments as “abhorrent” and called on the PM to make a statement to parliament and answer MPs’ questions.

“The evidence against Boris Johnson is now becoming overwhelming,” siad Mr Blackford. “His repeated and shifty denials are becoming threadbare.  

“To make comments about letting Covid ‘rip’ and allowing bodies to ‘pile up’ is utterly abhorrent, and if confirmed would show that Johnson is unfit to be prime minister.

“Now that witnesses are willing to swear on oath that the prime minister made these comments, is he willing to do the same? Johnson must come to parliament to make a statement, answer questions, and - if he did make these comments - accept responsibility and announce his resignation.”