The Covid Inquiry's Emotional Finale: Unveiling the Truth, but at What Cost?
The Covid inquiry, a monumental undertaking, has reached its final day of witness testimony, leaving bereaved families with a mix of emotions. They believe the inquiry has exposed the government's 'incompetence, chaos, and callousness' in handling the pandemic, a sentiment echoed by Matt Fowler, co-founder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK (CBFFJ).
But here's where it gets controversial: the inquiry's cost has raised eyebrows, with a staggering £203.98 million spent so far. This makes it the most expensive public inquiry in history, surpassing the Bloody Sunday inquiry's £191.2 million. Critics argue that the inquiry's length and cost are excessive, while supporters emphasize its unprecedented scope and the importance of uncovering the truth.
The inquiry's scope was indeed vast, with 238 public hearing days, 381 witnesses, and over 600,000 evidence documents, totaling approximately 5 million pages. It covered ten crucial aspects of the pandemic response, from resilience and preparedness to the economic impact and the healthcare system. Yet, only two of the ten modules have seen final findings published by the inquiry chair, Lady Hallett.
Lady Hallett's initial reports were damning. The first revealed 'fatal strategic flaws' in the UK's pandemic planning, while the second accused Boris Johnson of leading a 'toxic and chaotic' government, claiming 20,000 lives could have been saved with an earlier lockdown. These findings were largely welcomed by CBFFJ, who represent over 7,000 families, as 'hard-hitting' and 'clear-sighted', but they also called for more comprehensive recommendations.
On the inquiry's final day, bereaved families gathered outside, holding photos of their loved ones and signs criticizing the government. They observed a minute's silence and vowed to continue their fight for justice. Naomi Fulop, who lost her mother to Covid, described the day as 'bittersweet', acknowledging the satisfaction of the inquiry's findings while expressing sadness and determination to keep going.
And this is the part most people miss: despite the inquiry's cost, Fulop and others believe it was worth it. They argue that the pandemic affected everyone, so the cost per person is justifiable, especially if it leads to real change. The inquiry's spokesperson echoed this sentiment, stating that even a fraction of the billions spent during the pandemic could be saved in the future if the inquiry's lessons are heeded.
Looking ahead, the group anticipates the results of Exercise Pegasus, a pandemic simulation, to highlight remaining challenges. They also advocate for the Hillsborough Law, which would mandate public authorities' transparency, potentially reducing future inquiry costs. Meanwhile, Fowler promises to pursue accountability for the deaths and remove those responsible from public office.
As the inquiry's remaining reports are published, the debate over its value and impact will continue. Was it a necessary and justifiable process, or could the resources have been better allocated? The answers may lie in the actions taken to prevent future tragedies. What do you think? Is the cost of seeking justice and accountability worth it, even if it's expensive?
