Conservative MPs have criticized the government for challenging Baroness Hallett, the chair of the Covid investigation. Credit: PA Media/UK Parliament
Government ready to mediate with Covid Inquiry Chair as battle over Ministers' WhatsApps continues.
Jeremy Quinn, Cabinet Minister, said it would be “welcome” if the government could find a way to resolve the issue without going to court – indicating that a compromise with the request is being considered.
And he acknowledged that the ministers' decision to seek judicial review of what the government considers “inappropriate” WhatsApp access inquiry could lead to delays.
Module 2 of the inquiry will look at key decision-making and political governance processes in the UK . public hearings will begin in October. The investigation hopes to publish a report on this module in 2024.
Conservative MPs lined up to criticize the government for defying the head of the investigation, Baroness Hallett, with one sentence: “Let them get what they want and let's get to the bottom of the truth.”
Robert Buckland, former Attorney General, said it seemed clear that the government was going to lose the application, due on June 30 or shortly thereafter.
Mr Quinn said the case was “accelerating” and promised that all government correspondence relating to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic would be “transparently available” for investigation.
Delayed investigation
Responding to the Labor MP, Mr Quin suggested that the investigation could be delayed if a judicial review took place, but expressed the hope that this would not happen.
“We hope to take this matter to the courts. very quickly,” he said. “I hope there will be no delay. I sincerely hope that in the meantime the investigation can continue its work.
“And if there is a way to solve this without going to the courts, that is certainly welcome.”
Mr Quin said the government wanted to ensure that “definitely irrelevant” material was not sent, including messages of a personal nature.
However, veteran MP Sir Edward Lee indicated that Boris Johnson was pushed out due to personal behavior rather than political decisions.
He also praised the front page of The Telegraph on Monday, which reported that the lockdown saved just 1,700 lives in England and Wales in the spring of 2020.< /p>
Sir Edward said such stories demonstrate the need for all information to be made public and urged ministers to decline the challenge, saying they should “let it hang”, adding: “Let them get what they want and let's get to the bottom of the truth.
Mr Buckland said: “Isn't it a case where the courts will be very reluctant to meddle with the speculation about Baroness Hallett's decision and have to decide that she really was wrong before they want to intervene?
“Therefore, this question does not arise – the old wartime proverb – is your journey really necessary?” vaccine rollout due to nursing home disruptions.
Amid an ongoing dispute with the government over its refusal to hand over Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages, Monday's investigation came under fire after a decision was made not to hear some evidence who may be critical of ministers before the election.
The Inquiry decided to reschedule the evidence for the fourth module, which looked at 'vaccines, therapeutics and antivirals in the UK', to the summer of 2024.
Evidence from the care sector
However, hearings on its investigations into systems, procurement and the care sector will come later and care sector evidence will not be heard until Module 6 in 2025.
Barbara Herbert, Spokesperson for Covid-19 Bereated Families for Justice UK, asked why the investigation does not leave consideration of vaccine deployment until the end of the process .
Ms. Herbert, who lost her husband to Covid , said that the decision on the timing of the modules was made without consultation with the families and that the rationale for the decision was not explained during the investigation.
“Health systems and the sector care are undoubtedly the two most important areas where important lessons need to be learned before another pandemic breaks out,” she said.
“The appalling spread of Covid-19 in both hospitals and nursing homes has led to countless deaths that might otherwise have been avoided. It is clear that it makes sense to address these areas as quickly as possible within the investigation so that conclusions and recommendations can be made as soon as possible.
“It is very disappointing that the investigation suddenly decided to put the module on vaccines ahead of these issues, and that the care sector will not be considered until 2025. Baroness Hallet's team should be focused solely on saving lives and nothing else.”
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