Lady Hallett, the woman who holds Boris Johnson’s political future in her hands

Lady Hallett: ‘a brilliant lawyer but also incredibly politically astute.’ Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Observer

When Boris Johnson finally agreed to hold a judge-led public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid pandemic, he showered praise on the eminent former judge he chose to lead it.

“She brings a wealth of experience to the role, and I know shares my determination that the inquiry examines in a forensic and thoroughgoing way the government’s response to the pandemic,” the former prime minister said of Heather Hallett and her future endeavours, back in December 2021.