The courts will today make a decision over whether or not it is lawful to force the Cabinet Office to release Boris Johnson’s unredacted WhatsApp messages, notebooks and diaries.
The content is being requested by the UK COVID-19 inquiry.
But the Cabinet Office has so far refused to hand over the documents, arguing the request is too broad.
It has claimed that the request is “bound to catch” a large amount of material irrelevant to the inquiry.
High Court judges are expected to publish their decision at 2.30pm today.
Earlier this year, Mr Johnson broke ranks with Rishi Sunak, urging the Cabinet Office to release his WhatsApp messages and notebooks.
In May, the former PM handed all of his WhatsApps and notebooks to the Cabinet Office, urging them to “disclose it to the Inquiry”.
His spokesperson said: “All Boris Johnson’s material – including WhatsApps and notebooks – requested by the Covid Inquiry has been handed to the Cabinet Office in full and in unredacted form.
“Mr Johnson urges the Cabinet Office to urgently disclose it to the Inquiry.”
They added: “The Cabinet Office has had access to this material for several months.
“Mr Johnson would immediately disclose it directly to the Inquiry if asked.
“While Mr Johnson understands the government’s position, and does not seek to contradict it, he is perfectly happy for the Inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires.
“Mr Johnson cooperated with the Inquiry in full from the beginning of this process and continues to do so.
“Indeed, he established the Inquiry. He looks forward to continuing to assist the Inquiry with its important work.”
At the time, a Government source said it remained “confident” in its approach and has been “engaging closely with the inquiry” so far, handing over huge amounts of information.
Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett is demanding access to exchanges sent between January 2020 and February 2022.
