"Devastating. Shocking. And in many ways appalling." 

These are the words used to describe week four of the Covid Inquiry evidential hearings.  

This week the court heard some difficult evidence including testimonials from Dominic Cummings, Martin Reynolds and Helen MacNamara. For those who have been following the Inquiry, especially people who lost loved ones or are still suffering the effects of covid, some of the evidence has been particularly hard to hear this week. 

Discussing the witnesses on this week's episode of The Covid Inquiry Podcast, Lorelei King, member of CBFFJ, said: “Testimony has been unbearably difficult to listen to.” 

Regarding Martin Reynolds’ testimony, she said: "One thing I found so upsetting was when he was hauled out on when the parties were discovered, and he was asked if he thought that helped to destroy confidence.  

"I found his answer extraordinary. He was unbelievably weaselly about it. He gave a kind of sad apology but didn't think there was any harm until Hugo Keith corrected him and said, 'the news actually broke in 2021 when we were still in the pandemic'. I just found that shocking." 

Broudie Jackson Canter solicitor, Nicola Brook, agreed as she said: "To that question in particular his answer was that he's deeply sorry for his part in those events, he apologises unreservedly for the message it sends, but because the story didn't break until 15 months later, he didn't think the damage it did was that significant. And that is just astounding because 15 months later people were still being asked to follow rules." 

Lorelei added: "Those of us who lost people and couldn't be with them when he was partying, our loved ones are still dead. And hearing the news 15 months later makes it worse. It just rips that scab off each time. I thought it was horrific." 

Speaking about some of the evidence heard in court this week, Anthony Metzer KC highlighted a key point as to why this difficult-to-hear evidence can also be so important.  

He said: "Nothing comes to the public and we know nothing until the Inquiry reveals it." 

Nathan Oswin added: "I think it'd be very easy to focus on all the negative and horrific stuff we've heard this week, but I think there is something that is relatively important to acknowledge.  

"All these things have come up because a group of people who are bereaved and suffering have come together to campaign for an Inquiry. And actually, while it's very easy to focus on the devastation and the hurt that's been heard this week, these things needed to come out into the public domain.  

"Without that campaign... we wouldn't have reached this point." 

What is the aim of the Covid Inquiry Podcast?

In the words of Nicola Brook, the podcast is about "giving real, honest and raw reflections on what evidence is being heard that week."

The Covid Inquiry Podcast will invite a number of guests on each week including members of other Core Participant groups and bereaved family members, who can share various perspectives of the Covid Inquiry, while giving them a chance to have their voices heard.

Get involved with the podcast

If you would like to get involved with the podcast, please email the team at covidinquiry@broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk

To listen to this episode and previous episodes, please check out our YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify pages.