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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Pippa Crerar Political editor

Sunak fails to hand WhatsApp messages from time as chancellor to Covid inquiry

Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson use their phones while sitting at a table outside
The inquiry has requested key government communications sent during the pandemic, including by Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images

Rishi Sunak has failed to hand over his WhatsApp messages from his time as chancellor to the Covid inquiry despite the high court ruling that ministers should disclose their communications for scrutiny.

In his witness statement to the public inquiry, seen by the Guardian, the prime minister claimed that he did “not have access” to the messages during the period running the Treasury because he had changed his phone several times and failed to back them up.

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