Skip to content

MacNamara: 'Not a pleasant place to work' with Cummings

A day after Dominic Cummings was challenged about emails about a colleague in No 10 from 2020, she gave her reaction to the Covid inquiry.

Former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara described Boris Johnson's most senior adviser suggesting he would personally throw her out of Downing Street, calling her an expletive, was "violent and misogynistic language".

She was disappointed Mr Johnson did not pick up on the messages. She added the treatment of staff was “just miles from what is right or proper or decent” or what the country deserved.

Not one day when Covid rules followed in No 10 - top civil servant

1 November 2023

Coronavirus public inquiry

Dominic Cummings

Explore More

Boris Johnson wearing a suit and headphones speaking into a mic in a BBC radio studio

Watch: Fiery exchange as Boris Johnson asked if he is a 'liar'

Baroness Foster

'Claim we sleepwalked into pandemic is offensive'

Northern Ireland

Michelle O'Neill

'I am sorry for the hurt that’s been caused'

Northern Ireland

Robin Swann

CMO put in 'unfair' position over school closures

Northern Ireland

Robin Swann speaking to Covid Inquiry in Belfast

Leaks were 'one of my largest frustrations'- Swann

Northern Ireland

Robin Swann speaking to Covid Inquiry in Belfast

Leaks were one of my largest frustrations - Swann

Northern Ireland

Peter Weir

'I regret that closing schools was made political'

Northern Ireland

Sean Scullion

'We will never get over the way we were treated'

Northern Ireland

Mark Drakeford

Drakeford gets emotional during Covid inquiry

Mark Drakeford speaking into microphones at the Covid inquiry

Drakeford says he is 'infrequent' user of WhatsApp

Mark Drakeford at the Covid Inquiry

'I'm a believer in the United Kingdom' - Drakeford

Vaughan Gething

Gething admits missing WhatsApps 'embarrassing'

Kirsten Campbell rounds up the UK Covid inquiry in Edinburgh.

UK Covid inquiry in Scotland: Three weeks in 90 seconds

Keyframe #1

Sturgeon could 'cry from one eye if she wanted'

Nicola Sturgeon at the UK Covid Inquiry in Edinburgh

Sturgeon fights back tears: Key moments from Covid inquiry evidence

Nicola Sturgeon is giving evidence to the UK Covids Inquiry.

Emotional Sturgeon on being first minister in pandemic

Nicola Sturgeon

Sturgeon admits deleting Covid WhatsApp messages

Jeane Freeman

I will regret Covid care home deaths for 'rest of my life' - Freeman

John Swinney appears at the UK Covid inquiry in Edinburgh.

Covid texts to Sturgeon 'not available' - Swinney

Scotland politics

The Covid Inquiry hears its second week of evidence in Edinburgh.

The Covid Inquiry Podcast

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.