Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ‘bamboozled’ by science, COVID-19 inquiry told

By PAN PYLAS
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — A former chief scientific adviser says Boris Johnson struggled as British prime minister to come to grips with much of the science during the coronavirus pandemic. In keenly awaited testimony to the country’s public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrick Vallance said on Monday that he and others faced repeated problems getting Johnson to understand the science. But he noted that leaders in many countries had problems in understanding the scientific evidence and advice. Johnson was forced to step down as prime minister in 2022 following revelations of rule-breaking parties at his Downing Street residence during the pandemic. He is scheduled to address the inquiry before Christmas.