Overview

• The UK government's legal challenge to prevent the release of Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages and diaries related to the COVID-19 response was rejected in court.
• The High Court ruled that the requested documents were likely relevant to the public inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic.
• The Cabinet Office claimed the request was too broad but judges found it was lawful.
• The government has until Monday afternoon to provide the requested records to the inquiry chairwoman.
• Critics argue the government's challenge undermined public confidence in the inquiry and that access to evidence is necessary to learn from mistakes made during the pandemic.