He was seen clutching documents as he walked into the inquiry (Picture: Rex)

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived three hours early before his scheduled grilling during the Covid inquiry.

His early arrival meant he avoided the families of those who died from Covid who convened to protest.

Many families wanted to confront Johnson over claims that he told colleagues he would prefer to see people die in large numbers than order a second lockdown.

The pandemic killed more than 230,000 people in Britain and infected many millions more.

Other senior advisers including Dominic Cummings and Eddie Lister claim Johnson also said ‘let the bodies pile high’ following a meeting about imposing another lockdown.

Johnson has denied making those comments and is likely to be questioned about the alleged comments when he gives evidence.

His former head of communications, Lee Cain, said in his evidence that the pandemic was the wrong crisis for Johnson’s ‘skillset’ in part because he would ‘take a decision from the last person in the room’.

In private messages seen by the inquiry, Simon Case, Britain’s most senior civil servant, claimed in private messages that his boss changed ‘strategic direction every day’ and was unable to lead.

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