18th March 2021

Today, families bereaved by Covid-19 have issued a last ditch appeal to the Government to see sense and announce a statutory public inquiry in order to avoid costly legal proceedings.

Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, which represents over 2,800 people who have lost loved ones to the virus, has issued a Letter Before Claim to the Government, clearing the way for a judicial review which the group still hopes can be avoided if the Government acts. The move follows the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s refusal to set a date for a public inquiry. Johnson has refused to meet the group of bereaved families six times over the past year, despite saying that he would. 

Jo Goodman, co-founder of the families’ group, who lost her dad Stuart, 72, to the virus, said:

With many of us approaching the anniversary of our loved ones’ passing, believe me we’d rather be with our families than standing in court. But if this Government won’t listen and act, then that’s where they’ll be seeing us. The loss of our loved ones will not be in vain, the Government must learn crucial lessons from this grim period if it’s to save lives now and in the event of future pandemics.

“PPE, care homes, lockdown timings, test and trace – there are so many questions that need answers. Only a proper inquiry can provide those answers: a statutory public inquiry that’s independent and led by a judge. The Prime Minister has promised an inquiry, but he seemed to miss it off his roadmap around pubs reopening.

She added,

It’s staggering to us that the Prime Minister has refused to meet with our group of bereaved families six times and still refuses to start a critical inquiry to learn lessons that can save lives. The biggest responsibility for any government is protecting its own citizens, but it’s hard not to feel like Mr Johnson would rather protect his own image. The least the Government can do is hear our plea and kickstart a statutory public inquiry, or else they can see us in court.

Elkan Abrahamson, Director at Broudie Jackson Canter, who is representing the group said:

Despite assurances about an inquiry taking place, Boris Johnson continues to refuse to set a date for the essential public inquiry that would provide the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group the answers they deserve.

In light of this, the group has had to make an absolute last ditch attempt to avoid costly and unnecessary legal proceedings and a direct plea to the Government to commit to a prompt statutory public inquiry. It’s with the Government to see sense and do the right thing.

The clock is ticking and, with the bereaved families making a final plea to the government to avoid the need of costly legal proceedings, this is the time to commit to the promised public inquiry.

The government has now agreed to open a statutory Public Inquiry, meaning anyone who has lost a loved one to Covid can be a core participant in the Inquiry. You can find out more about the next steps in the fight for justice for those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19. If you have any questions about the Inquiry, the next steps and what is involved, visit our Covid Inquiry Questions page. 

Elkan Abrahamson

Director & Head of Major Inquiries

Broudie Jackson Canter