Lord Brailsford pledges ‘robust investigation’ into dealing with of Covid pandemic
T
he chair of Scotland’s Covid-19 inquiry has promised a “robust investigation” into how Scottish ministers responded to the pandemic.
During a preliminary listening to of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry, Lord Brailsford paid tribute to those that had misplaced family members or had been severely impacted by the occasions between January 1 2020 and December 31 2022.
He stated: “The Covid-19 pandemic presented the most severe health crisis in living memory. It affected everyone.”
Those who misplaced family members to the virus had been among the many viewers at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, because the listening to opened with an 11-minute video that includes images of those that had died from Covid-19, and included quotes from frontline staff and impacted households.
I’ll conduct a sturdy investigation with out worry or favour that can arrive on the info, establish any classes that should be discovered and make suggestions for Scottish ministers
Lord Brailsford then set out how the inquiry will proceed, with formal hearings commencing from October 24 till December 18, with these adversely affected by the well being and social care response offering witness testimonies.
The Scottish inquiry will then pause public hearings till February 2024 to permit the UK inquiry to conduct its Scottish-based proof periods.
It will then proceed to listen to impression statements throughout the three themes of well being, schooling and finance for the rest of the yr earlier than transferring onto assessing decision-making.
Lord Brailsford advised the inquiry: “I will conduct a robust investigation without fear or favour that will arrive at the facts, identify any lessons that need to be learned and make recommendations for Scottish ministers so that we are better prepared in the event of any future pandemic.
“I will not take sides and I will act with fairness towards all parties involved in the inquiry process.”
However, the timeline of the inquiry has led to criticism from Aamer Anwar, the lead solicitor on behalf of the Scottish Covid Bereaved Group, who described the inquiry as “shambolic” forward of the primary listening to.
And throughout supplementary inquiries to Lord Brailsford, he stated: “It would appear that politicians, civil servants and public bodies are off the hook until 2025.
“If the Scottish inquiry continues in this manner, the bereaved have little confidence that it will hold any government, public body, or civil servant to account for the death of thousands from Covid-19 in Scotland.”
Stuart Gale, co-lead counsel of the inquiry, stated he and Lord Brailsford had heard “distressing accounts” from bereaved households, including: “We will not hold back in stating and considering anything we consider to have been mistakes in the strategic decision-making process.”
Speaking to the PA news company on a go to to the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, First Minister Humza Yousaf expressed his “sympathies” with those that had misplaced a beloved one to the virus.
Mr Yousaf stated additionally he would “co-operate fully” with the pandemic after serving as Health Secretary through the pandemic.
He stated: “The Government absolutely is right to be scrutinised for the decisions that we made.
“I’ll account for all of the decisions that were my responsibility and I know, of course, those that have been in government prior to me have also said they will fully co-operate.”
Lord Brailsford additionally issued “do not destroy” letters to organisations and related people, urging WhatsApp, texts and emails to be retained for proof.