Two things happened on the 26th of May that showed exactly why a Covid-19 inquiry has to be statutory, and why it needs to start as soon as possible.
Among the many revelations made by Dominic Cummings was his opinion that the problems in decision-making, regardless of the Prime Minister’s faults, were inevitable because of systemic faults. Cummings also made it clear that it is a grave mistake to put the Inquiry off.
On the very same day, we heard from the Judge in the Hillsborough trial that it is alright to lie to an inquiry, so long as it isn’t a statutory inquiry. The same trial also saw police and a solicitor being charged with perverting the course of justice.
These two events are clear indicators of how vital a public inquiry is to ensure a truthful account of the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. You can read more about the necessity of getting answers for bereaved families through a public inquiry.
Covid Inquiry core participation for the bereaved family members is also a top priority here, so that you can be included in the inquiry process. This cannot happen unless the Inquiry is statutory. This will give you the right to full disclosure as well as the right to assign legal representation.
Why truth matters in a public inquiry
With Dominic Cummings’ claims casting fresh light on long-held concerns around accountability and candour, it’s worth examining a government lie that’s being told:
‘It’s too soon for an Inquiry because we’re too busy.’
Too busy doing what exactly?
None of the decisions we see taken by the government require much consideration. If Cummings is halfway correct, the decisions are made in the spur of the moment with little to no thought or debate. The people who were genuinely busy – namely the NHS staff and other keyworkers -, will certainly be more than happy to give some time now to help an inquiry into this government’s handling of the pandemic.
And let us be clear – if an inquiry were set up tomorrow, the hearings would not start for at least a year. For instance, the first hearing of evidence in the Manchester Arena Inquiry was on 7th September 2020, well over 2 years after the bombing. Equally, the opening statements in the Grenfell Towers Inquiry began on 4th June 2018, 10 days short of a year after the fire.
Who will be busy meanwhile?
As there is a great deal of information to process prior to hearings, it is the archivists who will be sorting out all the documents and the lawyers who will be reading these documents who will be exceedingly busy. This also means that it will be a long time before the inquiry will be ready to hear from the supposedly ‘busy’ people.
It is through the collective effort of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, through supporters and collaborators that the message has been heard clearly: a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic must start immediately.
The Labour party has finally and belatedly joined the call for the Inquiry process to start now.
The Government, however, is ignoring all my emails asking for them to meet with the Covid 19 Bereaved Families for Justice. The bereaved families should be involved in the process of the inquiry from the start.
If you share these views, contact your MP and ask them to push for the inquiry to be set up immediately.
In the meantime, I’d strongly advise anyone who has suffered a bereavement due to Covid-19 to join the group, as we know that pressure of numbers will be a significant factor in causing the Government to react in appropriate timescales.
If you have lost loved ones during the course of this pandemic, you do not have to find answers alone. You can reach me on 0151 227 1429.
The government has now agreed to a statutory inquiry, and there are clear 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.