LONDON — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied on Tuesday that his government failed to properly prepare for the “horror" of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, but he apologized for government mistakes.

Johnson told the U.K. Covid-19 Inquiry that officials were overwhelmed by the acceleration of the virus but he believed his Education Department was considering school closings. His education secretary, however, has testified that he was given one night to develop a plan to close schools in March 2020.

“I was very much hoping that we wouldn’t have to close schools," Johnson testified. "I thought it was a nightmare idea.”

It was the second time Johnson has appeared before the inquiry he agreed to establish after being pressured by bereaved families who were particu

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