Almost a year after the creation of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, the Prime Minister has finally announced that the Covid-19 inquiry will be statutory and is due to begin during this session of parliament.
I know that this decision comes as a relief for the group, but their search for answers is far from over, in fact this is really where it begins.
I have been supporting the Covid-19 Bereaved Families since June last year, so I know how vital it is that the families are front and centre of the process from here on in. They should be involved at every stage, including the discussions around
- The scope of the inquiry
- The members of the panel (such as the judge and experts)
- The evidence that should be called
- Interim reports on urgent matters
This inquiry should be guided by those most affected by the dangerous mishandling of this pandemic, namely the countless families who have lost loved ones.
While the Prime Minister’s commitment to a public, statutory inquiry is very welcome, we cannot lose sight of what matters most: getting answers for the bereaved families in the shortest practical timescale.
Why is a statutory inquiry into the Government’s handling of Covid 19 important?
A statutory inquiry, unlike other kinds of inquiry (including independent panels, Royal Commissions and parliamentary committee inquiries) is governed by the Inquiries Act. The Inquiries Act gives statutory inquiries the power to compel witnesses, including the Prime Minister, to attend and answer under oath. It also gives the inquiry the power to compel the production of documents, meaning that these must be seen by the inquiry, if they are requested.
Another reason that a statutory inquiry is necessary is because it allows for core participation. Being a core participant in the Covid Inquiry means that you will receive full disclosure and have the right to assign legal representation.
This type of inquiry is vital to getting answers and justice for the way this pandemic has been handled by the government and will be a massive undertaking. A great deal of thought needs to be given to the managing of it, which is why the families need to be guiding the process from the start.
Why should the Covid-19 inquiry begin immediately?
I know that the families are concerned that the Prime Minister said that the inquiry is due to start in Spring 2022. It is unclear whether this date refers to the beginning of the process, meaning that full evidential hearings may not start for another year, or whether it refers to evidence being taken from next spring.
We believe that the process should start now, with the disclosure of documents to begin in a month. This means that the hearings can start early next year, whilst the events of the last 14 months are still relatively fresh in the minds of all parties. Having been involved in a number of high profile public inquiries I know that delay will significantly affect the quality of the inquiry’s output as memories fade and with it the quality of key testimonies. So, I’m calling on the Government to start the process without delay.
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.
Join the ‘Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice’ group
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 0808 296 5839.
You can find out more about the 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.