Lady Hallett, the woman who holds Boris Johnson’s political future in her hands

Chair of the Covid inquiry has threatened legal action if the former PM’s unredacted WhatsApp messages and diaries are not released

When Boris Johnson finally agreed to hold a judge-led public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid pandemic, he showered praise on the eminent former judge he chose to lead it.

“She brings a wealth of experience to the role, and I know shares my determination that the inquiry examines in a forensic and thoroughgoing way the government’s response to the pandemic,” the former prime minister said of Heather Hallett and her future endeavours, back in December 2021.