Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday rejected allegations that he wanted to let the COVID-19 pandemic “rip” through the UK population while defending his handling of the pandemic during a high-profile public inquiry into the crisis. Johnson’s dismal handling of the crisis was one of the major reasons for his ouster in 2022.Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday rejected allegations that he wanted to let the COVID-19 pandemic “rip” through the UK population while defending his handling of the pandemic during a high-profile public inquiry into the crisis. Johnson’s dismal handling of the crisis was one of the major reasons for his ouster in 2022.