Boris Johnson says he can’t remember his iPhone passcode. Should we believe him?

Our disgraced PM’s latest escapade began with Popbitch and ended at the Covid inquiry, as Sean O’Grady explains

Did Boris Johnson forget his iPhone passcode? (EPA)

Boris Johnson has been unable to give the Covid inquiry WhatsApp messages from his old iPhone because he has forgotten the passcode on his mobile. This is disappointing for the Hallett inquiry into Covid – and anyone hoping for political gossip – because these messages cover the early, panicky and vital first phase of the pandemic when big decisions on lockdowns, border closures and PPE were being considered.

There are concerns that unsuccessful attempts to unlock the iPhone could lead to it being disabled, possibly erasing data including key WhatsApp messages from the pandemic.

How did we get here?