The investigation into the UK’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has uncovered controversial statements made by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to a note written by Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser on the pandemic, Sunak suggested that the government should “just let people die” instead of implementing a second national lockdown. This revelation comes from a diary entry made by Vallance on 25 October 2020, detailing the meeting attended by Johnson and Sunak.

Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s top adviser during the pandemic, reportedly relayed what he heard at the meeting to Vallance. In response, Sunak’s spokesman stated that the British Prime Minister will present his position when he submits evidence to the inquiry, rather than addressing each part individually.

The inquiry is investigating the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in over 220,000 deaths. The investigation is expected to continue until the summer of 2026.