Watch: Boris Johnson gives evidence to Covid inquiry as ex-prime minister faces two-day grilling

Watch as Boris Johnson gives evidence to Britain’s Covid inquiry on Wednesday (6 December) as the former prime minister faces the first session of a two-day grilling over the government’s response to the pandemic.

Mr Johnson, who arrived three hours early to the inquiry, was questioned about the UK’s late lockdown and responded to criticisms from some of his closest aides about his leadership style.

It came after the former prime minister denied deleting WhatsApp messages after it emerged he had not been able to provide the inquiry with any communications from February to June 2020.

Mr Johnson refused to criticise those working alongside him during the pandemic, and insisted he takes “personal responsibility for all the decisions” his government made.

He opened his evidence with an apology to those who lost loved ones during the pandemic, but as he was saying sorry he was interrupted by four protesters who were removed from the hearing room.