Families Demand Accountability After Covid Inquiry Critiques Johnson

Families who lost loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic expressed outrage at the UK government’s response following the release of a critical inquiry report. In a poignant address at the National Covid Memorial Wall, Deborah Doyle, a representative of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, highlighted the findings of the inquiry, which attributed thousands of avoidable deaths to government mismanagement.

The report, published in early March 2024, revealed that missteps within the government led to the deaths of approximately 23,000 people during the first wave of the pandemic. It described a “chaotic” approach from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was criticized for prioritizing political considerations over public health. The inquiry also noted that key officials, including Health Secretary Matt Hancock, failed to act with the urgency required to mitigate the crisis.

Doyle, whose mother died from Covid-19, stated, “The evidence from the inquiry is clear. Boris Johnson is blamed in black and white for the catastrophic mishandling of the pandemic.” She emphasized that many lives could have been saved had the government heeded scientific advice and initiated lockdown measures sooner.

She further asserted, “If Johnson had listened to scientific advice and locked down even a week earlier, around 23,000 people could have been saved.” Doyle condemned Johnson’s approach, arguing that his decisions prolonged the crisis and led to further suffering for families across the UK.

The impact of Johnson’s leadership during the pandemic resonated with others who lost family members. Mandy Phillips, 64, from Surrey, remarked, “I think the report vindicated everything that I thought and lots of other people thought about what was actually going on at the time.” She expressed satisfaction with the inquiry’s findings regarding Johnson’s conduct.

Likewise, Larry Byrne, 65, from Windsor, voiced his disbelief at the government’s slow response. “I’m just gobsmacked because… it’s known they should have acted so much more quicker but they didn’t,” he said, highlighting the disconnect between government actions and the urgent needs of the public.

The inquiry also provided a platform for bereaved families to share their experiences. Joanna Goodman, co-founder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, described the emotional turmoil of grieving without traditional support systems. “I found it very hard emotionally to go through the natural emotional process of grieving,” she noted, indicating that many felt their losses were preventable.

A representative from the Scottish Covid Bereaved group expressed frustration over the perceived lack of consideration for the elderly during the pandemic. “It was a case of ‘keep away from the elderly and vulnerable to protect them’,” she said. This sentiment echoed a broader concern that vulnerable populations were inadequately supported amid government messaging.

As families continue to mourn their losses, they are calling for immediate action based on the inquiry’s recommendations. Doyle emphasized the importance of safeguarding measures to prevent future tragedies, stating, “We can’t just hope that we have better leaders in the future. The government must implement the safeguards recommended by the inquiry immediately.”

The inquiry’s findings underscore the need for reflection and accountability as the UK navigates the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. Families are left to grapple not only with their grief but also with the reality that many lives could have been saved with different decisions at the highest levels of government.