Covid Inquiry live: Matt Hancock to face questions over his record - watch live

Matt Hancock is being sworn into the Covid Inquiry.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson will give evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Various witnesses have expressed concern about Mr Hancock during his time as health secretary during the pandemic.

The inquiry heard the country’s most senior civil servant at the time, Lord Sedwill, wanted Mr Hancock sacked.

In one WhatsApp exchange with the permanent secretary at Number 10 Simon Case - who is the current Cabinet Secretary - Lord Sedwill joked it was necessary to remove Mr Hancock to “save lives and protect the NHS”.

WhatsApp messages shared with the inquiry also revealed that former top Number 10 adviser Dominic Cummings repeatedly pushed Boris Johnson to fire the former minister.

At one stage, Mr Cummings claimed Mr Hancock had “lied his way through this and killed people and dozens and dozens of people have seen it”.

Helen MacNamara, who served as deputy cabinet secretary, also claimed in her evidence that Mr Hancock displayed “nuclear levels” of overconfidence and a pattern of reassuring colleagues the pandemic was being dealt with in ways that were not true.

Earlier this week, Andy Burnham told the inquiry the former health secretary knew Tier 3 restrictions would not work when he imposed them on Greater Manchester.

Mr Hancock will have an opportunity to defend himself when he gives evidence.

A spokesperson for Mr Hancock said: “Mr Hancock has supported the inquiry throughout and will respond to all questions when he gives his evidence.”

The Telegraph will be providing live updates as former health secretary Matt Hancock gives evidence to the Covid Inquiry.

Mr Hancock is expected to contest accusations about his alleged poor performance during the pandemic following criticism by a number of witnesses.

The former Tory MP now sits as an independent after losing the party whip for appearing on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity reality TV show.