Description

*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

A GUARDIAN AND SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

‘An astonishing book’ James O’Brien

‘A gripping, devastating read’ Sunday Times

The inside story of the UK’s response to the pandemic from the Insight investigations unit at The Sunday Times

Failures of State recounts the extraordinary political decisions taken at the heart of Boris Johnson’s government during the global pandemic.

Fully updated and corroborated by hundreds of sources, this is the insider’s account of how the government sleepwalked into disaster and tried to cover up its role in the tragedy. Thrillingly told, it exposes one of the most scandalous failures of political leadership in British history.

‘A damning indictment’ Alan Johnson, Observer

‘A devastating piece of journalism’ Andrew Marr

‘This is a scandal’ Piers Morgan

Publisher Review

Praise for The Sunday Times Insight team's Coronavirus investigation: 'A devastating piece of journalism' Andrew Marr 'Jonathan and George's investigative reporting has been beyond incredible and is truly historic. This is one of the most important books of our time.' Owen Jones 'The obituary of Boris Johnson's government. An absolutely extraordinary catalogue of complacency, error and long weekend holidays even as departments were sounding the alarm.' Caitlin Moran 'This is a scandal ... The Sunday Times Insight investigation into how Boris Johnson's dithering on lockdown cost thousands of lives is utterly devastating ... Shocking, shameful & deeply saddening. We "saved the NHS" by letting our elderly die agonising, lonely, terrible deaths. Disgraceful.' Piers Morgan 'Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott's reporting on Covid has been truly superb. It's been essential reading throughout the pandemic.' Rachel Clarke 'I am literally gobsmacked' Robert Peston