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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Alexander Butler and Archie Mitchell

Covid inquiry live: Dominic Cummings acted as ‘prime minister in all but name’, Sajid Javid says

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Covid inquiry: Michael Gove apologises for Government mistakes during pandemic

Dominic Cummings acted as prime minister in “all but name” during his time as chief adviser to Boris Johnson during the pandemic, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry heard.

Sajid Javid said he resigned as chancellor in February 2020 because Dominic Cummings made “many key decisions” on behalf of prime minister Boris Johnson.

“He tried to make all the key decisions within No10. I felt that the elected prime minister was not in charge of what was happening in his name and was largely content with Mr Cummings running the government,” he said.

At times, key budget policy recommendations came from Mr Cummings that Mr Johnson did not know about, Mr Javid added.

It comes after Jacob Rees-Mogg urged the UK Covid-19 inquiry to probe whether the virus was man made as former health secretary Sajid Javid is set to give evidence.

Mr Rees-Mogg said the controversial lab leak theory must be at the “forefront” of the inquiry to restore public trust throughout Britain.

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