Rishi Sunak will today defend his pandemic record at the Covid Inquiry and explain whether he believed scientists were handed too much power and if insufficient consideration was given to the impact of lockdowns.
The Prime Minister is to be grilled by lead counsel Hugo Keith KC in west London in what will kick off a crucial week for Mr Sunak as he faces a crunch vote on his Rwanda legislation on Tuesday.
Messages have revealed that Government scientists referred to him as “Dr Death, the Chancellor” over concerns about his push to keep economic activity going while leading the Treasury during the pandemic.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove defended Mr Sunak on Sunday, arguing there was no “public critique” of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme before its launch in August 2020.
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KEY EVENTS
What time is Sunak due to appear?
The Prime Minister will begin giving evidence at the Covid inquiry at 10.30am.
He is expected to defend himself against allegations his Eat Out to Help Out scheme fuelled the spread of coronavirus.
He is also set to be grilled on whether he believed scientists were handed too much power and if insufficient consideration was given to the impact of lockdowns.
It comes on a crucial week for him as he faces a crunch vote on his Rwanda legislation tomorrow.
Rishi Sunak was branded ‘Dr Death’ by medics
WhatsApp messages revealed top scientists referred to Rishi Sunak as โDr Death, the Chancellorโ over concerns about his push to keep economic activity going while leading the Treasury during the pandemic.
When Mr Sunak appears before the Covid Inquiry he will hear allegations his Eat Out To Help Out scheme fuelled the spread of the virus.
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