Prime Minister Boris Johnson at risk of losing legal funding for coronavirus investigation, Whitehall warns
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been warned by Whitehall that he could lose public-funded legal support if he undermines the government’s position on the coronavirus investigation.
In a letter to Mr Johnson, the Cabinet Office said it could withdraw the legal advice it provided him if it undermined the government’s response to the investigation.
“If you, through your own actions or the actions of others, deliberately attempt to undermine or undermine the government’s position in connection with the investigation, unless there is a clear and irreconcilable conflict of interest, The offer will no longer be available.”It’s a specific issue,” the letter said.
The former UK prime minister evaded the Cabinet Office last week by submitting an unedited May 2021 WhatsApp message to direct investigative bodies, despite the government launching a legal challenge over the process.
The Cabinet Office said some of the materials requested in an investigation headed by Mrs. Heather Hallett were “clearly irrelevant” and that it was seeking to challenge the request through judicial review.
But Johnson said “Unwillingness” To make his material “a test case for others”, he submitted the material directly to the survey.
His allies believe the government will take legal action because incumbent ministers, including Prime Minister Rishi Snak, may be asked to hand over unedited messages in the future.
Cabinet Office letter (excerpt published) in the Sunday TimesThe legal aid fund will be subject to certain conditions, such as Prime Minister Johnson sending to the Cabinet Office “witness statements and evidence that he intends to provide to the investigation to enable security checks by appropriate officials.” It said it would be “available” only if
Johnson purchased a new phone in April 2021 following a security breach, and so far has not provided WhatsApp messages before May 2021. He offered to hand over the material on the device if security experts determined it was safe.
In a statement, the Cabinet Office said the letter did not prevent Johnson from cooperating fully with the investigation.
The Cabinet Office said, “This letter from officials merely reiterates that taxpayer-funded lawyers are to be used only to assist with COVID-19 investigations and not for any other purpose.” It is.”
“This letter makes it clear that Mr Johnson is obliged to disregard the views of the current government and to testify independently and in good faith in the investigation.
“This letter was intended to protect public funds.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been warned by Whitehall that he could lose public-funded legal support if he undermines the government’s position on the coronavirus investigation.In a letter to Mr Johnson, the Cabinet Office said it could withdraw the legal advice it provided him if it undermined the government’s response to the investigation.“If you, through your own actions or the actions of others, deliberately attempt to undermine or undermine the government’s position in connection with the investigation, unless there is a clear and irreconcilable conflict of interest, The offer will no longer be available.”It’s a specific issue,” the letter said.The former UK prime minister evaded the Cabinet Office last week by submitting an unedited May 2021 WhatsApp message to direct investigative bodies, despite the government launching a legal challenge over the process.The Cabinet Office said some of the materials requested in an investigation headed by Mrs. Heather Hallett were “clearly irrelevant” and that it was seeking to challenge the request through judicial review.But Johnson said “Unwillingness” To make his material “a test case for others”, he submitted the material directly to the survey. His allies believe the government will take legal action because incumbent ministers, including Prime Minister Rishi Snak, may be asked to hand over unedited messages in the future.Cabinet Office letter (excerpt published) in the Sunday TimesThe legal aid fund will be subject to certain conditions, such as Prime Minister Johnson sending to the Cabinet Office “witness statements and evidence that he intends to provide to the investigation to enable security checks by appropriate officials.” It said it would be “available” only ifJohnson purchased a new phone in April 2021 following a security breach, and so far has not provided WhatsApp messages before May 2021. He offered to hand over the material on the device if security experts determined it was safe.In a statement, the Cabinet Office said the letter did not prevent Johnson from cooperating fully with the investigation.The Cabinet Office said, “This letter from officials merely reiterates that taxpayer-funded lawyers are to be used only to assist with COVID-19 investigations and not for any other purpose.” It is.””This letter makes it clear that Mr Johnson is obliged to disregard the views of the current government and to testify independently and in good faith in the investigation.“This letter was intended to protect public funds.
https://www.ft.com/content/bb1764ca-293e-4484-9178-7a75cd03cb55 Prime Minister Boris Johnson at risk of losing legal funding for coronavirus investigation, Whitehall warns