What we’ve learned so far from the Covid inquiry – podcast

The public inquiry into the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic launched earlier this year. So far, she has heard from politicians like David Cameron and George Osborne, who oversaw pandemic preparedness and set the conditions under which the health service would enter the crisis. It has listened to some scientists who advised the government, and to the Health Secretary who was in office when the pandemic broke out, Matt Hancock.

But as the Guardian’s deputy political editor: Peter Walker, tells Michael Safi, some of the most explosive moments come not from witnesses themselves, but from the mountain of material – much of it in the form of WhatsApp conversations – they handed over. In it we can see the dark humor, petty bickering and outright chaos that was the daily reality of the government’s response.

The hearings will resume this week after a short break with some of the most powerful former advisers in Downing Street being called to testify. Today, former communications director Lee Cain will face questions; Tomorrow it is the turn of former chief strategist Dominic Cummings.



Matt Hancock gives evidence.

Photo: UK Covid-19 Research/PA

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