CARRIE Johnson was the “real person in charge” at No10, Britain’s most senior civil servant said during the pandemic.
A 2020 WhatsApp exchange released by the Covid inquiry shows Simon Case complaining about the influence of the PM’s now-wife.
AFPBoris Johnson and his wife Carrie leaving No10[/caption]
PACabinet Secretary Simon Case said Carrie was the “real person in charge”[/caption]
He also said the government was looking like a “terrible, tragic joke” in a conversation with Downing Street aides Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain.
The messages are embarrassing for Mr Case, who as Cabinet Secretary has survived a series of rows since taking the job.
A screenshot of the discussion about introducing regional lockdowns were shown to the Covid inquiry by lawyer Hugo Keith KC to highlight the “dysfunctionality” in No10.
In the messages Mr Case says: “”Am not sure I can cope with today. Might just go home.”
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Comms chief Mr Cain then asks what “are we talking about”, to which Mr Case replies: “Whatever Carrie cares about, I guess.”
He adds: “I was always told that Dom [Cummings] was the secret PM. How wrong they are. I look forward to telling select [committee] tomorrow… don’t worry about Dom, the real person in charge is Carrie.”
Mr Cummings – Boris’ then top aide – says “so true” with a laughing emoji.
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“So true,” Mr Cummings replies along with a laughing emoji.
Mr Cain then chimes in that”she doesn’t know [what] she is talking about either”.
And Mr Case then lets rip: “This government doesn’t have the credibility needed to be imposing stuff within only days of deciding not too [sic]. We look like a terrible, tragic joke.
“If we were going hard, that decision was needed weeks ago. I cannot cope with this.”
Mr Cummings and Mr Cain left No10 in 2020 after clashes with Carrie hit the headlines.
Close Boris ally Nadine Dorries last night slammed the trio for attacking Carrie, saying: “She couldn’t possibly have known anything about it.
“Nasty misogynist bullies who have always tried to get to Boris through his wife, who speaks to no one ever, have fired up their campaign of hate once more.”
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