{"id":24855,"date":"2025-01-16T08:58:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T09:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=24855"},"modified":"2025-03-27T17:24:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T17:24:28","slug":"how-does-the-covid-inquiry-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=24855","title":{"rendered":"How does the Covid inquiry work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><span data-testid=\"time-and-date:clock\" class=\"ssrcss-1mh4yp1-IconContainer e4wm5bw0\"><\/span>16 January<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oak0za\">\n<div data-testid=\"information-panel\" class=\"ssrcss-5tewi8-StyledInformationPanel eu74mg85\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"information-panel-button\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"ssrcss-44a2yh-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"actions:share\" class=\"ssrcss-1a1fy59-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Share<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div hidden role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"share-tools-panel\" data-testid=\"information-panel-content\" class=\"ssrcss-1ygg789-StyledPanelContent eu74mg84\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tt825r-CloseButtonWrapper eu74mg82\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"ssrcss-736yz0-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"actions:close\" class=\"ssrcss-1a1fy59-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">close panel<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-16sh5ob-PanelWrapper eu74mg83\">\n<div id=\"share-tools-panel\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ssrcss-1bh3963-StyledTitleArea eu74mg81\">Share page<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><button type=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"ssrcss-1195hht-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"actions:link\" class=\"ssrcss-1tz2bh9-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><\/span>Copy link<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/usingthebbc\/terms\/can-i-share-things-from-the-bbc\" class=\"ssrcss-18h2t1m-StyledLink ezys19s0\">About sharing<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-5zsoxt-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1hbb5i-BylineComponentWrapper e8mq1e90\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-qt5zqv-BylineWrapper e19uhciu17\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-h3c0s8-ContributorContainer e19uhciu16\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u2in0b-Container-ContributorDetails e19uhciu13\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-68pt20-Text-TextContributorName e19uhciu6\">By Jennifer Clarke<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-84ltp5-Text e19uhciu10\">BBC News<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-jlwt2c-Divider e19uhciu15\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">The Covid inquiry is taking evidence from politicians, civil servants and health experts about the roll-out of vaccines and anti-viral treatment across the UK.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In July 2024, the inquiry&#8217;s first report said the UK&#8217;s flawed pandemic preparations had led to more deaths and greater economic damage than there should have been.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Just under 227,000 people died in the UK from Covid between March 2020 and May 2023, when the World Health Organization said the &#8220;global health emergency&#8221; was over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"What-is-the-Covid-public-inquiry-and-when-did-it-start-\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">What is the Covid public inquiry and when did it start? <\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Covid inquiry <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-61970053\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022<\/a>, more than a year after he said the government&#8217;s actions would be put &#8220;under the microscope&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The announcement came after the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign said it was considering launching a judicial review over government &#8220;time-wasting&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Johnson said the inquiry would cover decision-making during the pandemic by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The first public hearings took place in London in June 2023. Subsequent hearings have been held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Public inquiries are established and funded by the government and are led by an independent chair. They can compel witnesses to give evidence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">No-one is found guilty or innocent, but the inquiry publishes conclusions and recommendations, which the government is not obliged to accept.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-51768274\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Covid inquiry: The UK pandemic in numbers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"Who-is-leading-the-Covid-inquiry\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Who is leading the Covid inquiry?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The inquiry is chaired by former judge and crossbench peer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-59671067\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Baroness Hallett<\/a>, who previously led <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-13308371\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the inquests into the 7 July London bombings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She said that loss and suffering would be at the heart of the inquiry, adding it would be &#8220;firmly independent&#8221;. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-5zsoxt-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Baroness Heather Hallett white shirt and a back jacket while sitting at a desk in front of the UK Covid-19 inquiry logo, which is made up of several concentric pink circles.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/130078620_6f8a20cd-0e8d-40ea-b46f-2c137d1b2147.jpg\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Piranha Photography<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Baroness Hallett said the inquiry would examine how decisions on limiting the spread of Covid were made and communicated; the use of lockdowns and face coverings; and the impact on children, health and care sector workers, and the clinically vulnerable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She will also consider the effect on bereaved families, and how the findings could be applied to other national emergencies. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-63080466\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Loss and suffering at heart of Covid inquiry<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"What-did-the-Covid-inquirys-first-report-say\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">What did the Covid inquiry&#8217;s first report say?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Several reports are expected, covering everything from political decision-making to vaccines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Publishing the first of these in July 2024, Baroness Hallett said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c6p2dng6z04o\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the UK was &#8220;ill-prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the coronavirus pandemic&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.public-inquiry.uk\/documents\/module-1-full-report\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">217-page report<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a> argued <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cy9472qxk1vo\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the UK planned for the wrong pandemic<\/a> &#8211; a mild one where spread of a new virus was inevitable &#8211; and this led to the &#8220;untested&#8221; policy of lockdown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It said the UK government and devolved nations &#8220;failed their citizens&#8221;, and that ministers did not sufficiently challenge scientific experts. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It made a series of recommendations for reforming the way the government approaches emergency planning across the four nations of the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Baroness Hallett said she wanted these to be acted on quickly, with changes in place within six months or a year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"What-else-is-the-inquiry-looking-at\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">What else is the inquiry looking at?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.public-inquiry.uk\/documents\/terms-of-reference\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">inquiry is split into different parts.<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Work on the first module, <a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.public-inquiry.uk\/modules\/resilience-and-preparedness\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">resilience and preparedness<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a>, has finished, but the inquiry is actively investigating several other aspects of Covid: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">decision-making and political governance in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">the impact on healthcare systems across the UK<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">vaccines, therapeutics and anti-viral treatment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">government procurement and PPE<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">the care sector<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">test-and-trace<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">the impact on children and young people<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">the government&#8217;s business and financial responses<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">the impact on society<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">There is no specific timescale for how long the inquiry will last, but Baroness Hallett aims to hold the final public hearings in 2026. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Scotland is holding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-67194617\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">a separate inquiry<\/a> into the pandemic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"Who-has-previously-given-evidence-to-the-inquiry\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Who has previously given evidence to the inquiry?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The inquiry has heard from hundreds of witnesses, including current and former politicians, civil servants, government advisers, public health experts and representatives of bereaved families. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Many were extremely critical of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was in No 10 throughout the pandemic. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He began his two-day evidence session in December 2023 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-67639813\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">by apologising for the &#8220;pain and the loss and the suffering&#8221; experienced during the pandemic<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"media-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo2\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\" class=\"ssrcss-dtyrnv-MediaPlayerWrapper e1h75hkw4\">\n<div data-testid=\"media-player-container-landscape\" class=\"ssrcss-aaorng-MediaContainer e1h75hkw3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-199fzb3-MediaInner e1h75hkw2\">\n<div data-testid=\"bbc-logo-wrapper\" class=\"ssrcss-1twt4cc-LogoIconWrapper e1h75hkw0\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1mm7qis-ErrorMessage eitf6462\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1b7cqa9-StyledInnerContainer eitf6461\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This video can not be played<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-ad2rmd-Heading e10rt3ze0\">To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Johnson admitted mistakes were made and that &#8220;there were unquestionably things we should have done differently&#8221;, but insisted that ministers had done their &#8220;level best&#8221; in difficult circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-67651883\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Five takeaways from Johnson at the Covid inquiry<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave evidence about his role as Chancellor during Covid. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He also apologised to &#8220;all those who suffered&#8230; as a result of the actions that were taken&#8221;, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-67681600\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">denied his Eat Out to Help Out Scheme had increased infections and deaths<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-5zsoxt-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/131982891_capture.png\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>HM Treasury<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The government&#8217;s chief medical officer, Prof Sir Chris Whitty, and former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, previously told the inquiry <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-67479548\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">they had not been consulted about the policy<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-67658106\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Did Sunak&#8217;s Eat Out scheme help to spread Covid?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Patrick, Sir Chris and his former deputy Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam also said they had received substantial abuse from the public while carrying out their roles. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-5zsoxt-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock looks pensive as he leaves the Covid Inquiry after giving evidence.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/131904795_matthancock.png\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has given evidence several times.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He told the inquiry that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-66029325\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the UK&#8217;s pandemic strategy had been completely wrong<\/a>, and later <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-67598867\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">denied that he lied to colleagues<\/a>, while admitting the UK should have locked down much sooner. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Hancock also criticised the &#8220;toxic culture&#8221; in government, for which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-67587763\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">he blamed Johnson&#8217;s former adviser Dominic Cummings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In his evidence, Mr Cummings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-67276394\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">described a &#8220;dysfunctional&#8221; government<\/a> and was very critical of Johnson&#8217;s approach. The hearing also discussed scathing text messages he sent, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-67275967\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">many of which contained offensive descriptions of ministers and officials<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Cummings said he regretted the handling of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-politics-52784290\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">his infamous trip to Barnard Castle during the first lockdown<\/a>, but denied that he had damaged public trust in the government. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-67269780\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Covid inquiry WhatsApps paint picture of chaos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-67514356\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">How inquiry is exposing deep flaws in Covid decision-making<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The inquiry also heard from Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish political leaders, including:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">former Scottish First Ministers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-68161268\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Nicola Sturgeon<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-68104494\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Humza Yousaf<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">former Welsh First Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-wales-68575563\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Mark Drakeford<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">current Northern Irish First Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c98zqn3d2yno\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Michelle O&#8217;Neill and former First Minister Baroness Foster<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"How-can-the-public-get-involved-in-the-Covid-inquiry\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">How can the public get involved in the Covid inquiry?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Groups representing bereaved families have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-64783753\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">urged the inquiry to ensure these voices are heard<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Anyone can share their experience through the inquiry&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.public-inquiry.uk\/every-story-matters\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Every Story Matters<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a> project, and <a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.public-inquiry.uk\/documents\/reserving-seats-at-the-uk-covid-19-inquiry-public-hearings\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">apply to attend public hearings in person.<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Public hearings are also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episodes\/p0ftvpkn\/uk-covid19-inquiry\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">streamed on the BBC News website<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@UKCovid-19Inquiry\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the inquiry&#8217;s YouTube channel<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In addition, <a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.public-inquiry.uk\/documents\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">witness transcripts are published on the inquiry website.<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"topic-list\" class=\"ssrcss-1qmkvfu-TopicListWrapper etw6iwl1\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-117nype-SectionHeaderWrapper e1nh2i2l1\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-ad2rmd-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-8745b4-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1djxueb-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1v1new6-PromoContent exn3ah913\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.public-inquiry.uk\/\" class=\"ssrcss-1ijo9ug-PromoLink exn3ah95\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah910\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Covid-19 Public Inquiry<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Published16 JanuaryShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Jennifer ClarkeBBC NewsThe Covid inquiry is taking evidence from politicians, civil servants and health experts about the roll-out of vaccines and anti-viral treatment across the UK.In July 2024, the inquiry&#8217;s first report said the UK&#8217;s flawed pandemic preparations had led to more deaths and greater economic damage than there should have been.Just under 227,000 people died in the UK from Covid between March 2020 and May 2023, when the World Health Organization said the &#8220;global health emergency&#8221; was over.What is the Covid public inquiry and when did it start? The Covid inquiry was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government&#8217;s actions would be put &#8220;under the microscope&#8221;.The announcement came after the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign said it was considering launching a judicial review over government &#8220;time-wasting&#8221;. Johnson said the inquiry would cover decision-making during the pandemic by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.The first public hearings took place in London in June 2023. Subsequent hearings have been held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.Public inquiries are established and funded by the government and are led by an independent chair. They can compel witnesses to give evidence.No-one is found guilty or innocent, but the inquiry publishes conclusions and recommendations, which the government is not obliged to accept.Covid inquiry: The UK pandemic in numbersWho is leading the Covid inquiry?The inquiry is chaired by former judge and crossbench peer Baroness Hallett, who previously led the inquests into the 7 July London bombings.She said that loss and suffering would be at the heart of the inquiry, adding it would be &#8220;firmly independent&#8221;. Image source, Piranha PhotographyBaroness Hallett said the inquiry would examine how decisions on limiting the spread of Covid were made and communicated; the use of lockdowns and face coverings; and the impact on children, health and care sector workers, and the clinically vulnerable.She will also consider the effect on bereaved families, and how the findings could be applied to other national emergencies. Loss and suffering at heart of Covid inquiryWhat did the Covid inquiry&#8217;s first report say?Several reports are expected, covering everything from political decision-making to vaccines.Publishing the first of these in July 2024, Baroness Hallett said the UK was &#8220;ill-prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the coronavirus pandemic&#8221;.&#8221;Never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering,&#8221; she added.The 217-page report,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24857,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24855"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24862,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24855\/revisions\/24862"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}