Click here to read the 'Learn Lessons, Save Lives' report from the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group in full.

On Tuesday 30th November, Elkan Abrahamson, Director and Head of Major Inquests & Inquiries at Broudie Jackson Canter, attended the Trades Union Congress HQ in London to deliver a press conference to discuss the latest report to come out of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, ‘Learn Lessons, Save Lives’.

The harrowing report not only outlines in great detail everything that the upcoming Covid Inquiry must cover in its scope, but also features contributions from a range of major charities, trade unions, public health experts, and first-hand accounts from many of those in the Bereaved Families Group that have suffered immeasurable loss.

The report spotlights the very real, truly heart-breaking stories of loss and grief from those that have lost loved ones to Covid-19 to ensure that there is never a single moment that we forget the true impact that this pandemic has had on people across the United Kingdom. People must remain at the heart of this Inquiry.

Following the death of over 160,000 people in Britain, the Covid Inquiry will undoubtedly be one of the most significant and wide-ranging inquiries in British history.

Speaking of the work that has gone into securing a commitment from the Government, Elkan says:

“After over 18 months of tireless campaigning by Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, Boris Johnson has committed to a statutory inquiry into his government’s handling of Covid-19, and to appointing a Chair by Christmas.

“It is critical that the inquiry starts as soon as possible. The sooner the inquiry starts, the sooner the integrity of the evidence can be preserved, allowing Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice to ensure there has been no attempt to cover up any evidence.”

As has been the case over the past 18 months, the goal of this report and of the Inquiry is to learn lessons that can save lives in the future. The Government’s handling of this pandemic has rightly been brought into question, it is now time to scrutinise and carefully investigate the decisions that were made, so that important lessons can be learnt.

All eyes are now on the Government to see if they can fulfil their promise of appointing a Chair of the Inquiry before Christmas.