PRESS RELEASE – ON THE EVE OF THE START OF THE UK COVID-19 PUBLIC INQUIRY-TUESDAY 13TH JUNE
Press statement by Aamer Anwar- Lead Solicitor on behalf the Scottish Covid Bereaved.
Tomorrow morning, Tuesday 13th June, the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry chaired by Baroness Hallett will begin at 10.30am Dorland House, 121-141, Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, W2 6JR.
My legal team and I, along with our clients the Covid Bereaved, will be arriving at 9am when the building is open. We will hold a press conference at 9.20am just outside the front entrance, the Inquiry will commence at 10.30am.
There will also be a wider press conference held by us and the bereaved, at the lunch break at around 1.05pm. There will be opportunities for one-to-one interviews.
“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.
On Tuesday it will be 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, as 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. It will come under sustained and repeated attacks.
It must, however, 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.”
