Facts

It was alleged that before the second lockdown, Johnson said:

“No more fucking lockdowns – let the bodies pile high in their thousands”. But Downing Street has issued a straight denial of this claim.

Johnson himself also said that claims he’d made the remark were “total, total rubbish”.

Two witnesses who claimed Boris Johnson said this are willing to go public. According to ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston, the sources have said they are willing to come forward and speak under oath, should the Prime Minister continue to deny the comment.

Peston added there is evidence of a third source backing the claim Mr Johnson made the comment "in a fit of rage".

Dominic Cummings, while giving evidence to a joint hearing of the Science and Technology and Health Select Committees, said that he heard the PM make the remarks.

Verdict

In normal circumstances, there is a strong disposition to believe any statement made by a British Prime Minister. Boris Johnson is a special case. Since his personal word has repeatedly been proved to carry zero weight, doubt must continue to surround his denial that he said “let the bodies pile high in their thousands.”