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Boris Johnson, the prime minister
throughout Covid, launched a public inquiry to look into the UK government’s
handling and decision-making during the pandemic.
Inquiries respond to “public
concern” about events and are established and funded by government – led
by an independent chair.
In this case former judge and
crossbench peer Baroness Hallett, who previously led the inquests into the 7
July London bombings, is in the chair.
Inquiries can demand evidence and
compel witnesses to attend. No-one is found guilty or innocent, but conclusions
are published. The government is not obliged to accept any recommendations.
When Johnson announced the
inquiry, the former PM said the government’s response would be “under the
microscope”.
Lady Hallett promised the
inquiry would be “thorough and fair”.
The Covid inquiry began on 28 June
2022. There is no specific timescale for how long it will last, but Lady Hallett
does not expect the public hearings to run beyond summer 2026.
Earlier this month the inquiry was
in Scotland, now it is in Wales before going to Northern Ireland in April.