Ministers and senior officials have joked about restricting travelers arriving in the UK to quarantined hotels during the Covid pandemic, text shows have been leaked.
Simon Case, the country’s top official, asked how many people were “locked up” and joked that new arrivals were being put in “shoebox” rooms.
In messages to former health secretary Matt Hancock, which were leaked to The Telegraph, Case said he wanted to see “some faces” from those moving from prime airline seats to cramped hotel rooms.
The exchange came at a time when passengers from countries suspected of having high levels of Covid had to be quarantined in a hotel for 10 days – at a cost of up to £2,285.
Simon Case, the country’s top civil servant, asked how many people were “locked up” and joked that those arriving were put in “shoebox” rooms.
The portion of more than 100,000 WhatsApps was shared with The Telegraph by journalist Isabel Oakeshott (right), who received the footage from former health secretary Matt Hancock (left) while working together on his book Pandemic Diaries
The then health secretary said on February 5, 2021 with the cabinet secretary case: “We give big families all the big suites and we put pop stars in the guest rooms.” Mr Case replied: “I just want to see some faces of people coming out of first class in a shoe box from a first class inn.”
A few days later, on February 16, Mr. Case asked how many people were “trapped” in hotels the previous day. Mr Hancock replied: “None. But 149 chose to enter the country voluntarily and are now in quarantine hotels!” to which Mr Case replied: “Hilarious”
The news was last released after a portion of more than 100,000 WhatsApps were sent to The Telegraph by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, who captured the footage of Mr. Hancock received while working together on his book Pandemic Diaries.
Mr Hancock introduced hotel quarantine rules in February 2021 when it was illegal to travel abroad, subject to limited exceptions.
Passengers reported chaotic organization, “prison-like” conditions and inedible food at the hotels, where guards escorted those leaving their rooms.
Arrivals have been fined up to £10,000 if they fail to quarantine themselves at a government-approved hotel.
The then health secretary said on February 5, 2021 with the cabinet secretary case: “We give big families all the big suites and we put pop stars in the guest rooms.”
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Mr Case replied: “I just want to see some faces of people coming out of first class in a shoe box at a first class inn.”
A few days later, on February 16, Mr. Case asked how many people were “trapped” in hotels the previous day.
Mr Hancock replied: “None. But 149 chose to enter the country voluntarily and are now in quarantine hotels!” to which Mr Case replied: “Funny.”
Messages between the couple on August 28, 2020 also suggested that Mr. Hancock wanted to “charge” the police for enforcing the lockdown rules.
This happened despite ministers at the time claiming that the police were operationally independent of the government.
After meeting Boris Johnson on 10 January 2021, he told Mr. Case said, “The troops have received their marching orders.”
The meeting was attended by Boris Johnson, then Home Secretary Priti Patel, and Mr. Case, who is now cabinet secretary.
Sir Peter Fahy, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said today that police “would not be surprised” by the tone of Mr Hancock’s messages.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I don’t think many people in the police force will be surprised by the tone of these comments.
“There was constant confusion between legislation and guidance. Often the ministers themselves did not seem to understand the implications of the legislation.’
It sparked “a lot of outrage within the police force” as cases of officers “trying to do their best” were “highlighted and misunderstood”, Sir Peter added.
Mr Hancock described Ms Oakeshott’s leak of tens of thousands of messages as “mass betrayal” used to “create a partial, biased account consistent with an anti-lockdown agenda”.
But Ms Oakeshott today stressed that releasing the messages was “in the overwhelming public interest”.
She told BBC Breakfast that the UK’s Covid inquiry, which examines the country’s preparedness for the pandemic, decision-making and the impact of the crisis on the NHS, may not provide answers for up to 10 years.
With this in mind, it is in the overwhelming public interest to release as much information as possible about what happened and why, as another pandemic could occur at any time and I do not believe the disasters of the lockdown will be repeated. must happen. ,’ she said.
When asked if she thought about publishing the news when she met Mr. Hancock’s book, Ms Oakeshott said: “If you ask me if I had secret intentions to do something completely different towards the end of the project, the answer is no.
“If you ask me if I, as a journalist, was intrigued by what is still lurking, the answer is yes.
“I don’t think any journalist, especially a political journalist, who cares about what happened to this country and what happened during the pandemic deserves his name as a journalist if he hasn’t looked through these reports.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
