DESPITE protestations to the contrary, Boris Johnson did say that he would “let the bodies pile high in their thousands”, Robert Peston has alleged.
The ITV News political editor made the claims on his channel’s news blog on Monday.
He said that two separate people had corroborated the claims made in the Daily Mail to him.
Peston said that neither of these two people had spoken to that newspaper, suggesting there are at least three sources who allegedly heard Johnson make the comment.
READ MORE: SNP demand Boris Johnson's resignation over 'let the bodies pile high' remark
The Daily Mail story makes reference to “those who heard" the comment and often refers to sources in the plural, suggesting as many as four people may be in agreement and in opposition to Downing Street’s denial.
The Prime Minister is alleged to have been frustrated at having had to order a second lockdown, having been pressured into it by other top Tories.
He reportedly shouted: “No more f***ing lockdowns – let the bodies pile high in their thousands.”
Writing on ITV's news blog, Peston (above) said: “I am told [Johnson] shouted it in his study just after he agreed to the second lockdown ‘in a rage’. The doors to the Cabinet room and outer office were allegedly open and supposedly a number of people heard.
“I am bothering to repeat this assertion about what the Prime Minister said because two eyewitnesses - or perhaps I should say ‘ear witnesses’ - have corroborated the Daily Mail's account to me.
“Also these sources insist they did not brief the Mail, so that suggests there are three sources.”
The ITV political editor goes on to claim that the “chatty rat” who leaked information of a new lockdown at the end of October 2020 was not Dominic Cummings. He says he is sure that the Cabinet Secretary is aware of this.
Peston also published the message he received on October 30 telling him of an impedning lockdown. It read: "I understand that a long Covid meeting between PM, Chancellor, Gove and Hancock was held this afternoon. 99% likely there will be a full national lockdown from next Wed or Thurs, currently expected to last until 1 Dec."
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon 'shocked' over PM's 'let bodies pile high' reported claim
Asked about the Prime Minister’s comment today, Nicola Sturgeon said: "I feel a combination of being shocked, profoundly shocked at any suggestion that was said, but also, on some level, not being that surprised.
"I don't know if he said it because I wasn't there, but based on my experiences of him I don't find it impossible to believe.
"On the contrary, it is all too believable."
Asked if he made the comments, Johnson told reporters: “No, but I think the important thing I think people want us to get on and do as a Government is to make sure that the lockdowns work.
“They have, and I really pay tribute to the people of this country, this whole country of ours, really pulled together and, working with the vaccination programme, we have got the disease under control.”
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