Covid-19: We demand a public inquiry • Public Interest Law Centre

Tragically over 65,000 people have died in the UK as a result of Coronavirus, and counting.

This figure represents one of the highest death rates from Covid-19 in Europe, and the second largest number of absolute excess deaths in the world. While large countries such as the USA and Brazil have experienced higher death tolls, per population the number falls far below that of the UK.

The record number of deaths in the UK is not a natural consequence of the virus, but a product of political choices. The UK Government has failed at every juncture; in controlling the infection both prior to and during its peak, as well as in its aftermath. Specifically, the Government failed to:

Impose stringent infection control measures;
Provide adequate personal protective equipment;
Protect care homes from the virus;
Test, trace and isolate;
Mitigate the disproportionate impact on BAME communities; and
Mitigate the disproportionate impact on disabled people.

The failures outlined above, while not exhaustive, should form the basis of a public inquiry into the way in which the UK has handled the crisis and in order to adequately investigate where the Government went so wrong and to learn lessons.

The Public Interest Law Centre alongside over 70 organisations from civil society, including charities, trade unions, and campaigning organisations have written a letter calling for a public inquiry into the failures of Government.

We demand that the Government utilises its powers under s1 Inquiries Act 2005 and convene an immediate public inquiry.

Fill in your details and send a letter to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and the current Home Secretary, Priti Patel to join our call and support a public inquiry into the litany of failures that have led to tens of thousands of unnecessary, and avoidable, deaths.

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Please fill in the form. When you press send it will be automatically forwarded to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel.

You may amend the text to include your own comments before pressing send.

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Dear Mr Johnson and Ms Patel,
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As you will be aware, between 43,000 and 65,000 people have died in the UK as a result of Coronavirus, and counting. The figure represents one of the highest death rates from Covid-19 in Europe, and the second largest number of absolute excess deaths in the world. While large countries such as China, Brazil and Russia have experienced higher death tolls, per population the number falls far below that of the UK. The record number of deaths in the UK is deeply concerning, and there are serious questions that need answering as to whether it is in part the product of political choices and / or serious failings. There must be a full public inquiry to investigate UK Government decision-making and its approach to controlling the infection both prior to and during its peak, as well as in its aftermath. Whilst not an exhaustive list, an inquiry is needed to investigate Government decision making in the following areas: 1. Imposing stringent infection control measures: Initially, the UK Government appears to have ignored the severity of the risk posed by Covid-19, admitting that the virus was likely to spread, but advising people to wash their hands and ‘go about business as usual.’ It wasn’t until 23 March 2020 that the UK Government imposed lockdown measures across the country. Countries that introduced lockdown early on have, on average, experienced far fewer excess deaths (deaths above the normal average). For example, Austria introduced lockdown after recording one Covid-19 death and experienced 14% excess deaths at its peak. The UK, in contrast, introduced lockdown when it reached 1,338 deaths, and has experienced a 109% increase in excess deaths. 2. Providing adequate personal protective equipment: The evident failure to provide proper PPE has increased exposure to infection for all health workers including doctors, nurses, cleaning staff and porters. The lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has led to the deaths of 219 healthcare workers , more than 60% of whom were from BAME backgrounds. 3. Protecting care homes from the virus: Over 22,000 care home residents have died as a result of Covid-19 in the UK. The Government has seemingly failed to control the outbreak of infection within care homes at an early stage. Later, in an effort to free up hospital beds, many NHS patients were discharged to care homes which seems to have led to the number of outbreaks spreading from 33 at the beginning of March, to 793 by the end of the month. It was not until 8 June 2020 that the Government announced to roll out home testing to all care homes, regardless of whether staff or residents have symptoms. 4. Test, trace and isolate: Despite advice from the World Health Organisation that the most effective way to tackle the virus was via testing and contact tracing, on 12 March 2020 the UK Government decided to halt community testing. Countries who have suffered relatively low death tolls seem to have had robust testing systems in place. 5. Mitigating the disproportionate impact on BAME communities: Those from BAME backgrounds are over represented among deaths by as many as 27%. A third of critically ill patients in hospital have been from BAME backgrounds, whilst making up only 13% of the population. It is clearly indicated that many of these deaths are caused by existing health, economic and social inequalities, underpinned by a deeply embedded system of structural racism and discrimination. On the 9th July 2020 the Law Centres Network and their lawyers from the Public Interest Law Centre wrote to you - supported by 70 organisations - demanding a public inquiry. We agree that such an Inquiry is now necessary. The issues outlined in this e-mail, while far from exhaustive, should be part of a comprehensive and independent public inquiry into the way in which the UK Government has handled the crisis. It should urgently be organised in order to adequately investigate what went wrong, learn the appropriate lessons and ensure accountability for all. Why is a public inquiry necessary? --- According to the Inquiries Act 2005, a public inquiry can be called when “particular events have caused, or are capable of causing, public concern, or… there is public concern that particular events may have occurred.” The handling of the Covid-19 crisis is clearly a matter of significant public interest and concern – it is hard to think of particular events of more import than the Government’s approach to a pandemic where the death toll has been so high. Any inquiry must be carried out by an independent body properly empowered and equipped to investigate decisions, actions and failures to act, so that the right lessons can be learned for future such crises, and accountability ensured, and deaths prevented. Urgent Aims --- Any public inquiry into the handling of the crisis must include an in-depth investigation into what went wrong and ensure retrospective accountability in respect of the same. This is of course likely to take some time. Therefore, in order to prevent further unnecessary deaths during a second wave of the virus, we endorse the urgent aims set out by the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Group in their petition dated 11 June 2020, as follows: i. To review the current situation and consider the scientific and other evidence as relevant to steps which must be taken without delay to minimise the ongoing effects of the virus (having due regard to and addressing the failings outlined in this letter where necessary); ii. To ensure relevant organisations, individuals and Government departments maintain records of their actions and the reasons for those actions and preserve those records for the Inquiry; and iii. To ensure no existing records relating to decisions taken go missing or are destroyed. The introduction of a public inquiry will ensure a thorough investigation into the handling of the crisis is carried out, with the aim of preventing such failures from occurring in the future. I trust you will use your powers in the above manner and facilitate an inquiry promptly. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
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Tragically over 65,000 people have died in the UK as a result of Coronavirus, and counting.

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