PRESS RELEASE- START OF UK COVID-19 INQUIRY BEGINS
PRESS RELEASE
UK COVID-19 PUBLIC INQUIRY BEGINS-TUESDAY 13TH JUNE
Press statement by Aamer Anwar- Lead Solicitor on behalf the Scottish Covid Bereaved and Clients who spoke at the Press Conference
This morning the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry chaired by Baroness Hallett began at Dorland House, London. My legal team with our Senior Counsel Dr. Claire Mitchell along with our clients the Covid Bereaved, arrived at the Inquiry and legal submissions will be made to Inquiry Chair. The statement below incorporates some of our Senior Counsel’s submissions later before lunch.
“In the weeks and months ahead, the Inquiry will come to hear, that the UK was not prepared: that the capacity of the UK to cope with Covid was diminished by years of underfunding, cuts, and the impact of Brexit.
According to the National Records of Scotland, as of 4th June 2023, there were 17,646 deaths in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Each of those deaths not only represents an individual tragedy, but has affected the friends and family, the loved ones, of each of those who died.
Today it is over three years since the first death from Covid-19 took place in this country. In that time, nearly a quarter of a million people have died from Covid, whilst our leaders stand accused of presiding over a carousel of chaos.
Those who lost loved ones will no longer be invisible in their misery, and it is for this Inquiry to illuminate the truth. Over the coming months and years there may be times this inquiry may falter, but it cannot afford to fail.
We know this Inquiry will come under sustained and repeated attacks, some will be legal, others will be political, and some will be media generated. However, this Inquiry must never be afraid to raise its voice for the truth: that is the very least we owe to those who lost their lives, and to those, in the future, who may be saved by implementation of this Inquiry’s findings.
No person, no institution, no matter how powerful, whether it be in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, Westminster or Holyrood, can obstruct this search for the truth.”
At the press conference following Aamer Anwar’s statement, what followed was statements by bereaved relatives:-
Dr. Alan Wightman (DOB: 17.01.59/ age: 64 years) – lost his mother, Helen Wightman, who died 06.05.20, age: 88 years old)his mother was a resident in Scoonie house care home, Leven.
“The care home went into lockdown and visiting was restricted. Testing was only available to residents who were suspected to have covid. His mum became ill and a doctor was called for advice. His mum was tested for covid, but the results were inconclusive – the doctor was in no doubt that his mum had covid. After 48 hours the home wanted to withdraw treatment, but they didn’t agree. Treatment was eventually withdrawn, and she passed away a few days later.”
Margaret Waterton (DOB: 02.09.1956/ Age: 66 years old) – lost her husband (David Waterton – DOD: 02.01.21, Age: 71 years old) Followed by her mother (Margaret Simpson – DOD: 18.06.20, Age: 86 years old).
“My mother had severe asthma and COPD and was prone to chest infections. She was shielding. She became unwell in late May 2020 and was admitted to University Hospital Wishaw where the family believe she contracted covid (she had tested negative on admission). On admission my mother was required to sign a DNR despite being delirious and not knowing what she was signing. The hospital later apologised for this. My mother’s health deteriorated and she was readmitted to the Covid ward at Monklands Hospital. She tested positive for covid on admission. I witnessed breaches of infection control practice throughout the hospital and with ambulance staff.
My husband contracted covid in December 2020. He attended a covid assessment centre on Boxing Day and again on 28thDecember. He was sent home with antibiotics. He later became breathless and was taken to Hairmyres hospital in an ambulance and admitted to the HDU. He was put on CPAP. He had chronic fatigue syndrome and complex sleep disorder which affected his overall fitness but was otherwise healthy. It was decided that David was not a candidate for ventilation. The communication between family and hospital was very poor. There was a mix up with the DNR which David and my family never agreed to. The family had to fight to visit David in the hospital.”
Jan Gillan (DOB: 26.01.1965 / Age: 58 years old) – lost her husband, Mark McCarron Gillan (DOD: 27.04.20, Age: 53 years old)
“My husband was a Line Manager with Soapworks Ltd, Glasgow. He continued to work through lockdown as a key worker. He had underlying health conditions and was waiting on his shielding letter. They didn’t have any PPE, not even facemasks. There was no guidance on social distancing. Two colleagues who were told to isolate and went into work. Shortly afterwards my husband became ill. He isolated at home. His condition deteriorated and he was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He was given oxygen, which didn’t help, and he was taken to ICU. He continued to deteriorate so the decision was taken to turn the machines off and he died a few days later.”
Peter McMahon (DOB: 18.04.1968/ Age: 55 years old) – lost his wife (Debbie McMahon – DOD: 18.10.20, age: 53 years old)
“My wife was a domestic assistant in a local fire station. She died on 18 October 2020 in Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride. Debbie was shielding. She had previously had a kidney removed because of cancer. In July 2020 Debbie received a letter from Scot Government saying she could stop shielding and return to work in August 2020. Debbie was admitted to hospital with suspected covid on 22 September 2020.
She tested positive on admission, was given steroids and oxygen and discharged on 24 September 2022. On discharge Debbie was allowed to walk to the hotel lobby herself without a mask or PPE despite being covid positive. She was offered trial drugs but there was no pharmacist available to dispense them. Debbie went downhill rapidly at home. 111 was called and nurses came to visit and noted that her oxygen saturation was very low and that she should not have been discharged from hospital as doctors were aware that symptoms were at their worst between days 5-7. An ambulance took 1 hour to arrive and she was admitted to Hairmyres again and put on CPAP and ventilated. Her condition worsened. She had an adverse reaction to a drug she was given. which the family believe may have contributed to her death.
Alan Inglis (DOB: 02.06.1960 / Age: 63 years old) years old) & Frances Marr– lost their son / brother (Calum Inglis – DOD: 24.10.21, 34 years old)
“Callum was an inmate at Addiewell Prison. He became unwell & sought medical assistance. He was tested for covid and returned a positive result. He was isolated in his cell. He deteriorated and sought further medical assistance. He was given paracetamol. He deteriorated further and asked again for further assistance which wasn’t given – he asked for help but no one came. He was found unresponsive in his cell shortly after, 14 days after contracting Covid.”
Carolyn Murdoch (D.O.B: – 09.11.55/Age: 67 years old – lost her father (John Connelly D.O.D – 23.04.2020)
“My dad John Connelly went into a care home on the 27th of February 2020 where he contracted Covid-19 in April 2020 despite the government promising to throw a safety ring around them. He sadly passed away on the 23rd of April in Glasgow Royal Infirmary alone at the age of 104 as no one was allowed to be with him. Myself and the rest of the family have been left heartbroken by the circumstances of his death. We were unable to support or comfort each other as we grieved him. He was a kind, loving family man and was known affectionately as our Legend. I hope the inquiry’s findings ensure that the same mistakes don’t happen again.”
