The deadline for the government to hand over Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages has been delayed by the COVID inquiry.

The inquiry had ordered the government to hand over the messages – alongside diary entries and notes – by 4pm on Tuesday 30 May.

The deadline has now set been 4pm on Thursday 1 June. The Cabinet Office asked for an extension to 5 June as they do not have access to Mr Johnson’s messages or notebooks.

A spokesman for the former prime minister said he had “no objection” to sending the material to the inquiry.

But Mr Johnson has written to the Cabinet Office to demand the government requests in writing access to his messages and notes – which he says has not happened yet.

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