A spokesman for Prime Minister Johnson has refused to deny reports he regrets the way coronavirus legislation was enacted to give significant powers to the devolved administrations.
The Welsh and Scottish Governments have been able to set their own rules throughout the pandemic, leading to major differences between the countries. There have also been clashes between Boris Johnson, Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon.
According to The Sun there was a row at the top of Government last March about which legislation should be used to enable the emergency response to coronavirus.
The Prime Minister was reportedly urged by some ministers and aides not to use health laws to deal with the pandemic as that would allow Scotland and Wales - where health matters are devolved - to set their own path.
Instead they wanted Mr Johnson to rely on the doomsday 2004 Civil Contingencies Act which gave Whitehall supreme authority for a “catastrophic emergency”.
The Civil Contingencies Act says that it "delivers a single framework for civil protection in the UK". It provides a role for the Welsh Government in ensuring UK policy "is tailored to Welsh needs" and creates a Welsh Resilience Forum chaired by the First Minister.
The Sun's report says the issue was raised multiple times at Cobra and around the Cabinet table.
Downing Street was said to be concerned that the Civil Contingencies powers would need to be approved by MPs every 30 days. Mr Johnson opted for the special Coronavirus Act 2020 instead that also gave the police massive powers, suspended elections and paved the way for the furlough scheme.
But using health legislation meant that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, would have significant discretion to set their own rules as health is a devolved policy area.
Scotland and Wales have been able to set their own lockdown measures and timetables of lockdown easing as a result - at times creating tension with Westminster.
The Scottish First Minister has been openly critical of the UK government's response for England, infuriating Whitehall.
A former aide who has now left government told The Sun: “At the time I think everyone just assumed there would be a joined up response across the whole country and we didn’t really think at the time it would splinter.
"But obviously that turned out to be wrong and was pretty naive.”
“I have no doubt that it will be done differently next time. The PM knows that."
A Cabinet Minister said: “I have no doubt that it will be done differently next time. The PM knows that."
Others around the Cabinet table agree, but another added that "hindsight is a wonderful thing."
They insisted: "It was bonkers back then so no one is to blame."
Asked if Mr Johnson had any regrets, Mr Johnson's spokesman told the Westminster lobby briefing: "As we have done throughout the pandemic we have worked closely with the devolved administrations as we move through different phases of the pandemic and as the PM said, we work best when we all work together.
"I would point to the vaccination programme and the fact we have been able to acquire a large number of vaccines and get them out across the UK which means we can tackle and reduce the cases of coronavirus in all four parts of the UK".
