Boris Johnson’s WhatsApps ‘can’t be retrieved’ ahead of Covid inquiry appearance

Boris Johnson is preparing to face the Covid-19 inquiry, but experts have been unable to retrieve his WhatsApp messages for nearly all of the first lockdown, it has been reported.

The former prime minister initially claimed to be unable to hand over WhatsApp messages from his old mobile phone because he had forgotten the password.

He began using a new phone in May 2021 after it emerged that his old mobile number had been online for 15 years.

Earlier this year experts helped him access the device but he later told the inquiry that they were still unable to retrieve his messages from 31 January to 7 June – a critical period from the run-up to the first lockdown to the easing of restrictions.

Regardless, Mr Johnson will face a grilling over his handling of the pandemic.

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