By Tony O’Reilly-
Politicians questioned in relation to the Covid inquiry have been asked to answer questions directly, and not be evasive.
The UK Covid inquiry is now sitting in Edinburgh will take evidence for the next three weeks.
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The inquiry, which is chaired by former judge Baroness Hallett, began on 28 June 2022.
Baroness Hallett says the inquiry is for all four nations of the United Kingdom .The UK Covid inquiry is now sitting in Edinburgh, where it will take evidence for the next three weeks
Solicitor Aamer Anwar, representing the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, addressed the inquiry, revealing concerns about lost and allegedly deleted WhatsApp messages from politicians during lockdown.
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In a statement, he emphasized that the bereaved families “deserve better”, and urged politicians to prioritize answering questions directly, setting aside political considerations for the greater importance of the inquiry’s work.
Responding to Anwar’s remarks, a spokesperson for the UK Government reiterated the commitment to learning from the inquiry’s findings, and incorporating them into future planning and preparations.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Sam Jacobs, a lawyer representing the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), drew attention to a paper from the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR).
The paper outlined exceptionally high mortality rates among men working in various sectors, including waiters, kitchen assistants, HGV, and taxi drivers.
Similarly, women in roles such as industrial cleaning or as packers showed higher mortality rates.
Jacobs emphasized the social class gradient in health outcomes and occupational risks, pointing to a profound consequence of the pandemic. He stated that those who were generally less well-off, facing greater disadvantage and vulnerability, bore a higher price.
This trend, observed in Scotland and across the UK, underscored the sacrifices made by individuals in essential roles—delivering parcels, transporting key workers, processing food, stacking shelves, and caring for the sick and elderly.
The UK Covid inquiry will also investigate evidence that ministers in Scotland failed to properly fund social care and to fully protect those at greatest risk from the virus, it has emerged.
Heather Hallett, the chair of the independent inquiry, was told that Nicola Sturgeon’s decisions as first minister would come under detailed scrutiny during a three-week hearing in Edinburgh devoted to the Scottish government’s response to the pandemic.
Jamie Dawson KC, the Scottish counsel to the inquiry, said the key decisions taken by Sturgeon’s government would be tested, including whether it could have reacted faster to the first outbreaks, potentially saving thousands of lives in the process.
The inquiry continues to unveil critical insights into the societal impacts and disparities brought forth by the pandemic.
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