Technical experts have recovered all relevant messages from Boris Johnson’s old phone that he had been advised not to use on security grounds and he will hand them over “unredacted” to the coronavirus inquiry, a spokesman for the ex-prime minister has said.
The spokesman said: “Boris Johnson is pleased that technical experts have now successfully recovered all relevant messages from the device. As repeatedly stated, he will now deliver this material in unredacted form to the inquiry.
“The inquiry process requires that a security check of this material is now made by the Cabinet Office. The timing of any further progress on delivery to the inquiry is therefore under the Cabinet Office’s control.
“It was always the case that Boris Johnson would pass this material to the inquiry and do everything possible to help it be recovered. A careful process approved by the Inquiry has been followed to ensure that this was successful.”
The deadline for handing over the messages from the former prime minister’s previous device to the inquiry was missed earlier this month due to complications in gaining access to its contents.
It was reported by The Times Mr Johnson had forgotten the code used to unlock the iPhone, but the former PM’s allies suggested it was not correct to say he could not recall the digits, but instead he was not entirely sure of them.
He was advised not to access the phone again on security grounds while serving as Britain’s leader in May 2021, after it emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years.
The device likely contains messages relating to the ordering of lockdowns in 2020, along with his administration’s early response to the pandemic.
Ministers had fought a request from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett to release his uncensored messages, notebooks and diaries from his time in Downing Street, arguing they should not have to hand over material that was “unambiguously irrelevant”.
But the argument was dismissed by the High Court.
