Under-fire Matt Hancock is being grilled at the Covid Inquiry today after a string of high-profile witnesses criticised his performance during the pandemic.
The former Health Secretary, who resigned after breaching his own Covid rules in June 2021, is taking part in a mammoth evidence session, with his testimony expected to run until Friday lunchtime. Mr Hancock is expected to be asked about claims he lied to ministers and officials throughout his tenure.
Dominic Cummings, a long-time critic of Mr Hancock, claimed he "lied his way through this and killed people", while Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and top official Helen MacNamara both claimed he regularly said things that weren't true. One WhatsApp exchange showed Lord Sedwill - the most senior civil servant at the time - joked it was necessary to remove Mr Hancock to "save lives and protect the NHS".
However Michael Gove said he had a "high opinion" of Mr Hancock as a minister - and "too much was asked" of the Department of Health and Social Care at the start of the pandemic.
Follow the latest developments in our liveblog below
Boris Johnson's date confirmed for Covid Inquiry grilling
We've just had it confirmed by the Covid-19 Inquiry that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson wil give evidence over two days next week.
The ex-Conservative leader, who nearly died from coronavirus after ordering the UK into lockdown, is the only witness listed to appear in front of probe chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett next week.
He will give evidence on Wednesday and Thursday.
Hancock due for day-long grilling
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to appear at the Inquiry at 10am today.
His evidence session is due to last all day and could even run into tomorrow.
Counsel to the Inquiry and chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett are likely to have lots of questions for the former Cabinet Minister and ex-I'm A Celeb star.