The Need for an Inquiry into the UK Government’s Handling of the Pandemic
The UK government has faced significant criticism for its handling of the pandemic, with many pointing out a lack of thorough planning to deal with such a major event.
One of the key issues raised is the decision to discharge elderly patients into care homes without testing them for COVID-19. Additionally, there are concerns about the timing of the initial lockdown in March 2020 and the failures of the NHS test and trace system, which cost billions.
In response to mounting pressure from families who lost loved ones to COVID-19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in May 2021 that an independent inquiry would be conducted to learn from the mistakes made.
Will Boris Johnson Face Questioning in the Inquiry?
It is uncertain whether Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister, will be questioned in the inquiry. A complete list of witnesses has not yet been published.
However, considering he was in charge during the majority of the pandemic, his insights would be crucial in understanding various aspects of the government’s response.
If summoned as a witness, he would be required to testify before the committee.
Topics to be Covered in the Inquiry
The inquiry will cover six broad topics, referred to as modules.
Module 1 will assess the UK’s preparedness and resilience for a coronavirus pandemic.
Module 2 will analyze the decision-making process of Boris Johnson and his team of ministers, considering advice from the civil service, senior political and scientific advisers, and relevant committees. The decisions made by the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will also be examined.
Module 3 will investigate the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems, including patients, hospitals, healthcare workers, and staff. Controversial measures such as the use of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation notices will be scrutinized.
Module 4 will focus on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, analyzing their development and the implementation of vaccination programs across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Modules 5 and 6, to be initiated later, will look into government procurement and the care sector.
The Inquiry’s Chairperson
Baroness Heather Hallett is leading the comprehensive inquiry. She has extensive experience in handling high-profile investigations.
The former Court of Appeal judge was entrusted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson with chairing this much-awaited public inquiry into the coronavirus crisis.
Given the magnitude of the task at hand, Baroness Hallett’s handling of the inquiry will face intense scrutiny.
Previously, she served as the coroner for the inquests into the deaths resulting from the 2005 London bombings and the inquiry into the Iraq Fatalities Investigations. She also chaired the 2014 Hallett Review of the administrative scheme for dealing with ‘on the runs’ in Northern Ireland.
Baroness Hallett, a married mother-of-two, was nominated for a life peerage in 2019 as part of Theresa May’s resignation honours.
Timeline and Duration of the Inquiry
When the terms of the inquiry were announced in May 2021, Prime Minister Johnson expressed his hope for its completion within a “reasonable timescale.”
However, it is realistic to expect that the inquiry could take several years.
Although there is no formal deadline, hearings are scheduled to take place across the UK until at least 2025. Interim reports are planned to be released before the conclusion of public hearings by summer 2026.
Similar high-profile inquiries, such as the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war and the Bloody Sunday inquiry, have taken several years to complete. A similar timescale for the COVID-19 inquiry would mitigate criticisms of any failings by a Tory government.
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