Boris Johnson calls on spooks to help turn on old mobile phone in bizarre twist to Covid inquiry row

BORIS Johnson has called on spooks to help turn on his old mobile — in a bizarre twist to the Covid WhatsApp row.

It emerged that he has given the Cabinet Office only a fraction of his messages as PM, required for the pandemic inquiry.

He had to change his phone in April 2021 when it was revealed that his number was available online.

Mr Johnson said he now cannot access the old phone which covers more than a year of the pandemic.

His spokesman said: “After a well-publicised security breach, Mr Johnson was given advice by security officials never to turn on the old device. The effect is that historic messages are no longer available to search and the phone is not active.

“He has written to the Cabinet Office asking whether security and technical support can be given so that content can be retrieved without compromising security.”

His allies insist any missing conversations requested by the inquiry would already have been disclosed by other participants in the conversations.

It came as ministers confirmed they will fight a legal battle on privacy grounds over the demand by Covid Inquiry chair Baroness Hallett that they release unredacted WhatsApp messages, involving more than 40 key figures.

The Government said it was not fair to include “references to personal and family information, including illness and disciplinary matters”.

Labour accused PM Rishi Sunak of being “hopelessly distracted with legal ploys to obstruct the Covid Inquiry in a desperate attempt to withhold evidence”.

The Lib Dems described it as “a kick in the teeth for bereaved families”.

However, Energy Secretary Grant Shapps told TalkTV the inquiry should be given “whatever they want” and that there was “nothing to be shy or embarrassed about”.