What to look out for at the Covid Inquiry this week 

Welcome to Monday’s Early Edition from i.

“Factional infighting and internecine attacks on colleagues.” “A depressing picture of a toxic atmosphere.” Both of these scenarios, apparently summing up the climate inside the government in the early days of the pandemic, have been gleaned from messages between Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings and other officials at the time. That’s according to Hugo Keith KC, who opened the second module of the Covid Inquiry at the start of this month. So far, the evidence has been pretty explosive. There were the messages from Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, who described Boris Johnson’s government as a “tragic joke”. He later quips that “the real person in charge is Carrie,” referring to Mr Johnson’s wife. Matt Hancock is referred to as a “joker” who “must go”. The inquiry has also heard how Sir Patrick Vallace wrote in his personal diary that he and Professor Chris Whitty would have advised against the ‘Eat Out to Help Out Scheme’, designed by then-chancellor Rishi Sunak. Another of the government’s top scientists, also critical of the programme, called Sunak “Dr Death”. In a WhatsApp exchange between scientists, Dame Angela McLean also called a leading critic of government lockdowns a “f***wit”. But all this may pale to insignificance compared to what is expected this week. We’ll take a look at what’s on the cards, after the headlines.

Today’s news, and why it matters

 Government defence projects running over budget have cost taxpayers nearly £1bn in just one year, official statistics have revealed. Labour accused ministers of a “failure to fix the broken defence procurement system” in light of the data, which shows most of the biggest projects have had their cost upgraded at the most recent reassessment.

Another 27 licences for oil and gas production have been granted in the North Sea, prompting fury from environmental campaigners who said they would challenge the decision in court. The UK regulator said the areas chosen had the best potential for rapid production, with the aim of improving the country’s energy security.

Sir Keir Starmer faces a growing revolt over his Israel policy from shadow ministers after accepting he is unable to fire rebel frontbenchers. At least 11 members of Sir Keir’s team, and dozens of other Labour MPs, have called for a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel seeks to destroy Hamas.

“Meals on wheels” services which provide tens of thousands of vulnerable people with vital hot food are heading for UK-wide collapse without government intervention, experts have warned. The National Association of Care Catering found that only 29 per cent of services are still in operation across the UK, and fewer than 18 per cent in England, amid cuts to local services.

Rishi Sunak will seek to convince voters that artificial intelligence will help “save the NHS” and overhaul public services as he prepares for this week’s AI Safety Summit. The Prime Minister is expected to make a series of announcements about incorporating AI into the public sector, starting with using the technology to help teachers plan their lessons.

Two people have been arrested in connection with a suspected XL Bully attack in North Tyneside. Northumbria Police said it had responded after “received calls from residents” in Wallsend reporting that a woman and two dogs, had been injured.

Three things to look out for at the Covid inquiry this week:

‘Disgusting and misogynistic’ WhatsApp messages: George Osborne has claimed messages of this nature will be disclosed at this week’s hearings. Speaking on Political Currency, the podcast he hosts with Ed Balls, the former Tory chancellor said: “I think we are going to get some pretty astonishing and frankly shocking WhatsApp messages and the like being published from the Johnson period.” He added they would “show people just what a complete nightmare it was for many people working in No.10 and who worked the top of the government at the time.” Ed Balls suggests Mr Osborne “knows more than what you’re telling us”. Mr Osborne replies: “From what I understand there are some pretty staggering things that have been said in those WhatsApp messages… if you didn’t think very highly of that period of government you’re going to feel even less highly after you’ve heard those messages next week.”

Texts calling Boris Johnson ‘mad and dangerous’: Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, reportedly lashed out at Boris Johnson in messages as the- then PM pushed for an end to social distancing in July 2020. In the messages, reported by the Times, Mr Case apparently said that the idea of ending the pandemic rules when coronavirus infections were increasing was “Trump Bolsonaro level mad and dangerous” – a reference to the leaders of the US and Brazil, who both sought to downplay the danger posed by the pandemic. Read the full story here. More revelations on the former PM are also expected from Helen MacNamara, who was Deputy Cabinet Secretary. She is expected to tell the inquiry that Mr Johnson didn’t like attending Cobra meetings because he didn’t like leaving his study. The Mirror reported her witness statement to the hearing says: “Unusually in my experience of Prime Ministers, he clearly felt it was not his territory. As the Covid-19 situation became more immediately it was not working and definitely would not work as the crisis worsened.” 

The spectre of Dominic Cummings on Halloween: Ever since he left Downing St, the former top adviser has been a thorn in the side of Boris Johnson and his former government. Now he is expected to give sensational evidence when he appears at Dorland House in west London on Tuesday. Sky’s Sam Coates said witnesses can expected to see lots of “score settling”. “A lot of attacks on Boris Johnson, attacks on Matt Hancock, attacks on bits of the civil service, the Cabinet Office, that weren’t working.” Other notable appearances this week will include communications director Lee Cain and Mr Johnson’s former principal private secretary Martin Reynolds, who acquired the nickname “Party Marty” during the scandal. Mr Reynolds will appear on Monday morning followed by Mr Cain in the afternoon.

Around the world

 A Palestinian father has recalled the horror of the communications blackout in the Gaza Strip that lasted more than 36 hours during which his neighbours and their children were killed by an airstrike. “I have no idea what type of bombs were used, but they were really devastating,” Mahmoud Shalabi said in an audio message heard by i.

Hundreds of people stormed the main airport in Russia’s Dagestan region where a plane from Tel Aviv had arrived, chanting antisemitic slogans and seeking passengers from Israel. More than 20 people were injured in the demonstration, local health officials said, and authorities were forced to close the airport and divert flights.

Friends star Matthew Perry has died aged 54 in a shock drowning incident at his Los Angeles home. In a statement published by US magazine People, Perry’s family they been left “heartbroken by the tragic loss” of their “beloved son and brother”.

Bear attacks are rising at an unprecedented rate in Japan, according to experts who say the animals are struggling to find food. Bears have caused at least 158 injuries and two deaths since April, equalling a record set in 2020, media reports say.

A group of nuns stand accused of the “shameful theft” of sacred works from a central Spanish village. The ten remaining sisters of the Carmelite order in Piedráhita in Avila province have prompted outrage after closing their convent and “carrying off” more than 20 treasured paintings and sculptures, including a 17th century painting of Christ.

 Watch out for…

 Just Stop Oil activists, including a 76-year-old grandmother, who took part in M25 protests last year. Today they are expecting a High Court judge’s ruling after being accused of being in contempt. 

 Thoughts for the day

 Margaret Thatcher can teach Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak how to deal with a crisis in Israel. The former PM was a critical yet supporting friend, writes Ian Birrell.

I refuse to turn my clocks back, so live on a different time zone to you. My personal summer time rebellion has solved a lifelong problem for me, says Jessica Furseth.

Matthew Perry was a comedic genius who brought us all happiness, all while dealing with his own demons. His role on the era-defining Friends secured his place in TV history, remembers Caroline Frost.

 Culture Break

 Fantasy used to bore me – my kids changed my mind. The genre has always left me cold, but my children love it. A family half-term trip to a British Library exhibition made me think again, writes Susie Mesure.

The Big Read

 How the stressed under-40s became ‘generation sick note’. Absence from work reached a record high this year. This isn’t about lazy workers pulling sickies, say experts – it’s down to stress.

Sport

 Man Utd never stood a chance against Erling Haaland with Jonny Evans in defence. Sure, whose idea was it to play a 35-year-old centre-back against the best attack in the world in the first place?

Something to brighten your day

 ‘Dancing has stopped us fighting’: How peace came to one of the world’s biggest refugee camps. Around 200,000 refugees escaping from conflict in South Sudan have made their home in Bidi Bidi, Uganda. Now dance is bringing love and happiness, reports Amy Fallon.