Nicola Brook was back hosting the Covid Inquiry Podcast this week, with the help of Lorelei King, to discuss the goings on in court during week two of Module 2’s evidential hearings.
Joining them this week was Pete Weatherby KC, Fazilet Hadi, Marie-Claire McDermott and Barbara Herbert. Together they discussed evidence heard from expert witnesses and also explained why Module 2 had been split into submodules and what that meant for Broudie Jackson Canter and Covid Bereaved Families for Justice.
Module 2 aims to investigate all major decisions made by the UK Government relating to lockdowns, social distancing, and any other restrictions that were enforced, including the timeliness of those restrictions.
Within the Module 2 investigation, the Chair will also be investigating the decisions made by the Governments of the devolved nations and jurisdictions under sub-modules. Module 2A will scrutinise decisions made by the Scottish Government between January 2020 and April 2022, Module 2B will cover the same scope for Wales between January 2020 and May 2022, and Module 2C will cover the same scope for Northern Ireland between January 2020 and March 2022.
While the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group have been awarded Core Participant status in Module 2 of the Covid Inquiry, with Broudie Jackson Canter instructed as their Recognised Legal Representative, they have not been awarded Core Participant status for any of the submodules.
While appearing on the podcast, Pete Weatherby KC said he was "very surprised" to not have been granted Core Participant status. Explaining why having this status is so important, he said: "Core Participant status means that the families' legal team, first of all, get disclosure of the evidence. Secondly, they have representation rights in the hearings."
The KC explained that this meant they could have someone question witnesses on their behalf and also submit statements to the court. He added: "So it's really rather important."
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.