UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has denied saying he would rather “let the bodies pile high in their thousands” than order another lockdown.
The incendiary remark was allegedly made after Mr Johnson reluctantly imposed a second Covid-19 lockdown in England last October.
But the prime minister dismissed the claims as "total, total rubbish" and insisted voters were not interested in the claims.
"The important thing I think people want us to get on and do as a government is to make sure that the lockdowns work," he said.
Downing Street dismissed the claim as "just another lie".
The Daily Mail, citing unnamed sources, reported that the comment was made after Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove warned Mr Johnson that soldiers would be needed to guard hospitals overwhelmed by Covid patients.
The prime minister is said to have lost his temper after agreeing to a second lockdown, as he insisted there would not be a third.
He allegedly said: "No more … lockdowns – let the bodies pile high in their thousands."
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Monday the report was false.
"It's not true – it's been categorically denied by practically everyone," he told Sky News.
"We're getting into the sort of comedy chapter now of these gossip stories – you know, unnamed sources by unnamed advisers talking about unnamed events. None of this is serious.”
The main opposition Labour party said the allegation was "sickening".
“If this report is true, then these are truly shocking and sickening comments from Boris Johnson,” a spokesman said.
“It is hard to imagine how families who have lost loved ones to Covid will feel reading them. Boris Johnson must make a public statement as soon as possible in his response to this report.”
The reported comment comes amid a public war of words between Downing Street and former chief adviser Dominic Cummings.
In a blog post on Friday, Mr Cummings vowed to give damning evidence to MPs next month about the prime minister’s response to the pandemic after he was accused by Number 10 of a series of damaging leaks, including text message exchanges between Mr Johnson and billionaire businessman James Dyson.
An inquiry by the UK’s top civil servant is currently investigating Mr Cummings over the so-called “chatty rat” leak of plans for a second lockdown.
Appearing before the public administration and constitutional affairs committee of the House of Commons on Monday, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said that the inquiry was still ongoing but "given the time that has now passed I think it is probable that the team will not successfully identify the source or sources".
He refused to reveal any further information because he said he was "constrained in what I can say because it’s in the context of an ongoing investigation".
Asked about Mr Johnson's reported remark about the Covid death toll, he said it was not something he had looked into but he would discuss the matter with the prime minister.
The civil servant was also pressed on his knowledge of alleged plans by Mr Johnson to use a £58,000 ($80,438) loan from a Tory donor to pay for refurbishments of the Downing Street flat where he and his family live.
However, he said he didn't "have all the facts and details" of the flat refurbishment, and Mr Johnson had ordered him to conduct a review which will "take a matter of weeks".
The tit-for-tat accusations come at a highly sensitive time for Mr Johnson’s administration.
Rows have involved lobbying by former prime minister David Cameron on behalf of financial services company Greensill Capital, the revolving door between business and government and claims that lucrative contracts were awarded to firms during the pandemic without proper scrutiny.
These have deflected attention from the country’s vaccination progress.
The furore also threatens to dominate the final week of campaigning ahead of UK local and mayoral elections on May 6.
Trade Secretary Liz Truss defended Mr Johnson on Sunday, telling broadcasters that Cummings' claims were "tittle-tattle" and that the premier had always "acted in the interests of this country".
She said Mr Johnson had “personally” met the cost of the refurbishment to his apartment – but failed to answer questions on whether Johnson had asked Conservative Party donors to foot the bill.
Accusations from Mr Cummings, who resigned last November, are highly significant because he was at the heart of government.
He had a key strategic role in Britain's exit from the EU, which ultimately helped Mr Johnson to win a landslide general election victory in December 2019.
Mr Cummings's blog post capped a difficult few days for Mr Johnson, which included the resignation of junior defence minister Johnny Mercer, who said the government was “the most distrustful, awful environment I’ve ever worked in”.
Mr Johnson will attempt to ride out the controversy and renew focus on the UK’s vaccination program, which will include 44-year-olds from Monday.
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 1
Mata 11'
Chelsea 1
Alonso 43'
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Race card
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (Dirt), 1,900m
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB), Dh120,000 (D), 1,400m
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB), Dh92,500 (D)1,400m
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB), Dh95,000 (D), 2,000m
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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