NUMBER 10 has rejected reports Boris Johnson missed emergency coronavirus meetings so he could fund divorce proceedings by penning a Shakespeare biography.
However, the Prime Minister's official spokesperson did not categorically deny that the Tory leader has worked on the book since he took office in July 2019.
Johnson did not chair the first five meetings of the Cobra emergency committee in January and February 2020, but Downing Street insisted this was not unusual and was nothing to do with any book.
No 10 faced questions after a Sunday Times report suggested officials fear Dominic Cummings will use an appearance before MPs to accuse the Prime Minister of skipping key meetings on the crisis to work on a biography of Shakespeare, because he needed the money to fund his divorce from Marina Wheeler, his second wife.
The book is due to be published in March 2022, according to its listing on Amazon.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson 'missed key Covid meetings to work on Shakespeare book'
Asked if the Tory leader had spent time on the book since July 2019, his official spokesman said: "No, not that I'm aware of."
The Prime Minister has been "ensuring the public are kept as protected as possible during this global pandemic", the spokesman added.
In response to the suggestion the book was responsible for him missing Cobra meetings, the spokesman said: "No, and I think there are a number of incidents I can run you through where Cobras have been chaired by relevant secretaries of state."
Cummings, who was the Prime Minister's senior aide in No 10 until last year, will give evidence to MPs examining the coronavirus response on Wednesday.
Ahead of his appearance, he has set out his criticisms of the Government's approach in a series of messages on Twitter, claiming the original response to the coronavirus outbreak was to pursue a strategy of "herd immunity".
In a series of explosive tweets, he said the policy was only dropped in March last year after a warning it would lead to a "catastrophe".
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson to meet this week at Covid recovery conference
The Prime Minister's official spokesperson told reporters: "Herd immunity from infection has never been government policy."
The spokesperson added: "At all times we have been guided by the data and the latest evidence we have had through this coronavirus pandemic.
"We set out our initial plan, which was published on March 3 and presented at press conferences.
"As our understanding of the virus progressed, more data became available, it was clear that a national lockdown was needed to suppress the curve, save lives and protect the NHS from being overwhelmed."
Asked if Johnson believed Cummings was a liar, the spokesperson said: "I haven't asked him that question."
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