The Covid-19 inquiry held yesterday revealed that frequent changes to rules, guidance, and public health messaging during the pandemic led to confusion among the public and endangered public confidence in the police. This was compounded by politicians, advisors, and civil servants who disregarded lockdown rules, which further exacerbated mistrust and undermined the government’s efforts to protect people.
Parents felt compelled to keep their children indoors due to concerns that allowing them to play outside would result in trouble with the police, as stated in the inquiry. Rory Philips KC, the representative of the National Police Chiefs Council, highlighted the challenges faced by officers in dealing with constantly changing lockdown rules and the accusations of overreaching their enforcement powers. He emphasized the difficulties faced by police officers and their leaders in adjusting to novel conditions without any certainty regarding the duration of these conditions and the impact on police resources.
Frequent changes to rules, guidance and public health messaging during the pandemic ‘confused’ the public and risked public confidence in the police, the Covid-19 inquiry heard yesterday (Stock Image)
The constant changes to the legal framework within which the police operated were lamented by Mr. Philips, who highlighted the risk it posed to the perception of, and public trust in, policing. Brian Stanton, representing the British Medical Association, accused the UK Government of failing to provide clear, consistent, and visible public health messaging. He cited the Eat Out to Help Out initiative, which he claimed confused the public by suggesting it was safe to socialize before vaccines were available and when the risk of infection remained high. The government’s fluctuating approach to working from home also undermined public understanding and confidence in core public health messaging.
The failures of MPs, senior advisors, and civil servants to adhere to the rules, although not specifically mentioned, further eroded trust and spread misinformation among the public, according to Mr. Stanton. The inquiry also highlighted the negative impact of the pandemic on children, with their rights being neglected. Jennifer Twite, representing multiple children’s organizations, emphasized how lockdown rules prevented children from interacting with others and mentioned instances where police reprimanded children for engaging in outdoor activities.
Politicians, advisors and civil servants who flouted unprecedented lockdown rules also ‘fuelled mistrust’ and undermined the Government’s attempt to keep people safe, inquiry chairman Baroness Heather Hallett (pictured) was told
According to Joanna Goodman, co-founder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, the government’s lack of border restrictions and testing in the early days of the pandemic contributed to the death of her 72-year-old medically vulnerable father, Stuart. She expressed her disappointment in the government’s perceived inaction, emphasizing the need for meaningful and tangible measures to protect vulnerable individuals.
The inquiry is ongoing.
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