Lord Sedwill's Controversial Remark
Lord Sedwill, the former Cabinet Secretary and national security adviser, has issued an apology for suggesting the idea of holding chickenpox-style parties at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Speaking during the Covid inquiry, Sedwill referred to his comment as "heartless" and explained that his intention was to develop herd immunity.
Ridiculing Matt Hancock
During his testimony to the inquiry, Lord Sedwill also criticized former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and stated that he should have been dismissed for his dishonesty in meetings. However, Sedwill faced backlash after claiming that these comments should have remained private, as they were disclosed by former Number 10 aide Dominic Cummings.
Private Exchanges Made Public
According to Cummings, Sedwill had advised then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in March 2020 to appear on television and promote the idea of chickenpox gatherings. In response to the revelations, Sedwill expressed regret, saying, "These were private exchanges and I certainly had not expected for this to become public. I understand the distress that must have caused and I apologize for that."
Urging the Removal of Matt Hancock
During his evidence, Sedwill outlined how he had recommended the dismissal of Matt Hancock in order to "save lives and protect the NHS" due to his lies. Sedwill even sent a joke WhatsApp message to Simon Case, the former permanent secretary at Number 10, suggesting that Hancock's removal would have these effects. Sedwill clarified that it was a play on the pandemic-era slogan and described it as "gallows humor."
Describing Aides as "Feral"
Lord Sedwill also referred to aides working for Boris Johnson as "feral" during his testimony. He likened the experience of dealing with them to taming wild animals and remarked, "The PM and the people he chooses to surround himself with are basically feral." Sedwill humorously added, "I have the bite marks."
