Facts

Johnson told the House of Commons that Covid-compliance in business would be enforced by “spot inspections”. However, when reporters from the i paper contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on May 17th 2020, they were told that no inspections were planned. 

HSE said: “In line with government guidance to cease all but essential work that cannot be done outside of the home, minimising contact between individuals, HSE has paused all proactive inspections at this time to reduce any risk posed to our own staff and to members of the public.”

The report continued: "Instead of spot inspections, the HSE is encouraging companies to self-police safety measures and workers can report concerns via the group’s website. Between 9 March and 7 May there were 4,813 concerns reported to HSE, with around 40 per cent triggering an investigation. Of the total number of complaints 390 were made in Scotland."

Verdict

Boris Johnson’s statement was not simply false - it was a fabrication. His full statement remains on the Commons record in defiance of the Ministerial Code.