Always be nice to your subordinates. Boris Johnson is learning this in the worst possible way. Dominic Cummings, former senior adviser to the British Prime Minister, resigned in November 2020. And since leaving Downing Street, he has decided to take a swipe at his former boss.
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In an interview with the BBC, Dominic Cummings made a shocking revelation, to say the least: Boris Johnson could have put Queen Elizabeth II in mortal danger.
A reckless risk
The story is said to date back to March 2020. At the time, Boris Jonson tested positive for COVID-19. His advisor said he had a crazy idea. The Prime Minister was quoted saying:
I'm going to see the Queen... That's what I do every Wednesday. I'm going to see her. I'm going to see her.
At 93, the age of Elizabeth II at the time, the Queen is one of the people most at risk of dying from the virus.
A terrible risk that Boris Johnson seemed prepared to take in order to attend his traditional weekly meeting with the monarch. A view with which his adviser did not seem to agree.
Phew, the Queen survived
Fortunately, Dominic Cummings stood between the Prime Minister and the irreparable act he was about to commit. Cummings reportedly told her:
You can't go to the Queen. What if you went to her and gave her the coronavirus? You obviously can't go.
Then he explained the terrible consequences of his suggestion:
If you infect her and she dies, what are you going to do? You can't risk that. It's crazy.
Fortunately, Boris Johnson eventually changed his mind. He cancelled his visit and the Queen did not catch COVID-19. It all worked out for the best.