UK’s top civil servant said government looked like ‘tragic joke’ during pandemic

Expletive-laden messages between No 10 staff shown at Covid inquiry lament government decision-making and role of Carrie Johnson

The UK’s most senior civil servant, Simon Case, described the government as looking like a “terrible, tragic joke” in its handling of the Covid pandemic in expletive-laden WhatsApp messages handed to the Covid inquiry.

The messages – which are likely to prompt questions over Case’s professionalism – also lamented that Boris Johnson’s wife, Carrie, appeared to be “the real person in charge” at Downing Street.