With the COVID-19 pandemic crisis over—although the virus will become part of our normal lives—global leadership response is being reevaluated. Who got it right and who got it wrong? Blame is being assigned and questions are being asked.
Boris Johnson, the prime minister of the UK, faced harsh criticism for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic from various sources, including his own advisers, civil servants and the media. Some of the main points of criticism were his indecision and inconsistency in making and implementing policies, such as lockdowns, testing and travel bans. His lack of communication and coordination with the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. His disregard for scientific advice and evidence, often preferring to follow his own instincts or political calculations.
And perhaps not surprising given that Johnson was considered a Trump-like loose cannon, his inappropriate and unprofessional behavior, such as making sexist remarks, using foul language and throwing tantrums.
These criticisms damaged Johnson’s reputation and credibility, as well as the public trust and confidence in his government’s ability to manage the pandemic and its aftermath.
Now Boris Johnson apologized on Wednesday “for the pain and suffering and the loss” of those who died from the virus, as well as their families. The former prime minister was the most eagerly anticipated witness so far in the Covid-19 inquiry, an independent, public examination of Britain’s response to the pandemic, led by a former judge, Heather Hallett, that is expected to continue until 2026.
Speaking before an official inquiry into his government’s handling of the crisis, Boris Johnson said he hoped the investigation would “help get the answers to the very difficult questions that the families of the victims are rightfully asking.”
Johnson was facing hard questions about whether he waited too long to impose a lockdown as the virus engulfed Britain in March 2020. And he was likely to have to answer again for Downing Street social gatherings that violated lockdown rules — a scandal that forced him out of office after a parliamentary committee concluded that he had deliberately misled lawmakers about his attendance at some of those parties.
While the former prime minister was expected to confess mistakes, particularly in the early days of the pandemic, he is also expected to rebut many of the accusations, arguing instead that he got other things right, especially the rollout of a vaccine, which was among the fastest in any major country, as well as his decision to reopen Britain’s economy in the summer of 2021.
The “bad boy of politics” will have plenty of company, as many others in his administration will be asked to account for their actions. The current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who served as chancellor of the Exchequer under Mr. Johnson, and will also face questions about his performance during the crisis.
