Boris Johnson took four days off as NHS warned Covid could ‘overwhelm’ system

Files show then PM was walking dog, riding motorbike and hosting guests as pandemic planning stalled in lost month'

Boris Johnson took four days off from official government business during a key period in the UK's Covid preparation when the NHS was bracing to be overwhelmed" by the virus.

Official disclosure for the period in February 2020 - described by the Covid inquiry as a lost month" in the country's crisis response - reveal Johnson enjoyed an extended break during the half-term holidays at Chevening, a governmental estate in Kent, where he spent time walking his dog and taking motorcycle rides.