The investigation into the UK’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has uncovered controversial comments made by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser on the pandemic, Sunak suggested that the government should “just let people die” instead of implementing a second national lockdown.

The revelation came from a note written by Vallance in his diary on October 25th, 2020, detailing the contents of the meeting. Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s top adviser during the pandemic, reportedly relayed what he heard at the meeting to Vallance. In response, Sunak’s spokesman stated that Johnson will present his position when he submits evidence to the inquiry rather than addressing each part individually.

The inquiry is investigating the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in over 220,000 deaths in the UK. The investigation is expected to continue until summer 2026.