Former PM Boris Johnson apologises for pain and suffering during pandemic

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on as he meets with British-Israeli soldiers during a visit to Jerusalem, November 5, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) -Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday he was deeply sorry for the loss of life during the COVID-19 pandemic and accepted he had made mistakes, but struggled to say specifically what he could have done differently.

Johnson said he took personal responsibility for all decisions that were made and he understood the public's anger after the inquiry heard testimony of government incompetence, backstabbing and misogyny as it battled the biggest health crisis in decades.