Boris Johnson says Covid ‘indecision’ was him debating lockdown impact

Boris Johnson leaving 10 Downing Street in January 2022. No 10 staff called him the ‘trolley’ during the pandemic because of their perception that he couldn’t make up his mind. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Boris Johnson has defended himself against accusations of indecision during the pandemic, telling the Covid inquiry in evidence that it was his duty to consider whether lockdown did more harm than good.

In his written submission to the inquiry, Johnson explains how torn he was in March 2020 about forcing people to stay at home to save lives.