Covid inquiry exposes incompetence, backstabbing and misogyny

WhatsApp messages reveal Boris Johnson’s dismissive attitude to millions of old people at risk from the virus

A toxic culture of government incompetence, backstabbing and misogyny was laid bare at the Covid public inquiry on Tuesday with messages revealing Boris Johnson’s dismissive attitude to millions of old people at risk from the virus.

The former prime minister’s top aide Dominic Cummings was accused of “aggressive, foul-mouthed and misogynistic” abuse after messages showed he tried to sack top civil servant Helen MacNamara saying No 10 was “dodging stilettos from that cunt”.