SCOTTISH COVID-19 PUBLIC INQUIRY – 7TH DECEMBER 2023 – SCOTTISH COVID BEREAVED WILL GIVE FURTHER REACTION TO BORIS JOHNSON
Press Release – 7th December 2023
SCOTTISH COVID-19 PUBLIC INQUIRY
TO HEAR EVIDENCE FROM ‘SCOTTISH COVID BEREAVED’ MEMBERS
THEY WILL GIVE A REACTION TO THE EVIDENCE OF BORIS JOHNSON AT 1.10PM
PRESS CONFERENCE Thursday, 7th December 2023 at 1:10pm
George House, 126 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4HH
Statement by Aamer Anwar, Solicitor- on behalf of Scottish Covid Bereaved.
On the 24th of October 2023, the Scottish Covid-19 Public Inquiry began its substantial evidential hearings, which focuses on the health and social care impacts of the pandemic. On Thursday 7th December the Inquiry will hear further evidence from members of Scottish Covid Bereaved, starting with Jan Gillan, Elaine Johnston, Alan Inglis and Jackie Bartlett. (photographs will be sent separately to this email).
On the same day at 10am, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson will continue giving his evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry, our legal team are preparing to ask him questions later today.
Aamer Anwar stated:
“Across the United Kingdom many of the bereaved watched the evidence of Boris Johnson- who as prime minister presided over a chaotic and a dysfunctional number 10. His apology was not accepted by many of the bereaved, because he went onto claim his government saved thousands of lives, for many of the bereaved that was a grotesque distortion of the truth. Instead of solving a national crisis, Boris Johnson in his own words presided over a ‘total disgusting orgy of narcissism’.
Millions of front-line workers risked their lives without adequate PPE, Johnson’s Government turned our care homes into’ killing grounds’ for the elderly who were treated as ‘toxic waste’, he wasted £37 billion on a failed track and trace system, and all the while Johnson and his cabinet were living it up at parties, insulting the dead, the poor and the vulnerable. Mr. Johnson tried his very best to deny the evidence that his government’s failings meant that the UK had one of the highest covid deaths rates of all major economies. He was dismissive of WhatsApps, but he was accused by senior members of his own government of saying ‘let the bodies pile up’ rather than have another lockdown- He claims he got the ‘big calls’ right, however, on the biggest life-saving decision of lockdown, Boris Johnson delayed and sided with death. The Covid bereaved at the very least deserve the truth from Mr. Johnson.”
The following members of the Scottish Covid Bereaved who are present at today’s Scottish Inquiry in Edinburgh issued the following statements also:-
Jan Gillan, who lost her husband Mark McCarron Gillan (D.O.D – 27/04/2020, Age – 53 Years)
“I feel it’s extremely unjust for the bereaved family members not to be able to watch the ex prime minister give his evidence live as he is questioned. This directly impacts the bereaved families. It’s cruel and another blow for us all.
We have waited years for this moment to watch this person be questioned on his decision making and handling of the pandemic. And we are scheduled to give our loved one’s last moments in our statements at the exact same time.
This is insensitive and cruel.
How does this have us at the heart of the Inquiry.”
Elaine Johnston, who lost her brother Robert Dorrian (D.O.D – 06/02/2021, Age – 57 Years)
“First Boris took our freedom, then he took our loved ones. Now he should hang his head in shame and give us the respect by telling the truth.”
Alan Inglis, who lost his son Calum Inglis (D.O.D – 24/10/2021, Age – 34 Years)
“On the 12th of October 2021, my son Calum tested positive for Covid-19 whilst serving a short-term in Addiewell Prison, Lothian. Calum was unvaccinated and was asthmatic. Within the next 12 days, Calum’s health would deteriorate rapidly. Throughout this entire period, he was not seen by a nurse. He reported being breathless and coughing up significant amounts of blood. In the last four days of his life, he repeatedly requested the medical attention via his cell intercom to be promised by the prison officers that someone will see you in the morning, but nobody ever came. On the 24th of October 2021, two years today, my son was found unresponsive in his cell. He died alone, without help, without dignity.
I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to present my witness statement today. Together with all the other statements provided by core participants, it is hoped that lessons will be learned by the time this inquiry has concluded.
Lessons that will provide tools for governments in the future to deal with any pandemic that presents itself again. This can be achieved by listening to medical and scientific experts from the outset rather than the powers that be making up strategies as they go along.”
It seems the UK government, including Scotland, were not prepared for any major crisis in so many ways … as the public we just assume there will be plans in place & that crisis management scenarios will be rehearsed … it’s a real eye opener & shocking to find out the truth … myself & fellow members of Scottish covid bereaved (indeed, all core participants) are holding them to account on behalf of everyone who lost their lives to Covid and those suffering from long covid.”
Scottish Covid Bereaved members Jane Morrison, who lost her wife Jackie (D.O.D 24/10/2020, Age 49 Years) and Margaret Waterton, who lost her husband David Waterton (D.O.D – 02.01.2021, Age – 71 Years) and mother Margaret Simpson (D.O.D – 18.06.2021, Age – 71 Years) will also attend the press conference.
- The Scottish Press Conference will take place outside the Inquiry at 1:10pm to comment on some of the evidence given by Mr Johnson today.
The UK Inquiry can be watched live on https://www.youtube.com/@UKCovid-19Inquiry
The Scottish Inquiry can be viewed online via https://www.youtube.com/@covidinquirysco.
The hearing will take place at George House, 126 George Street, Edinburgh. There is also a viewing room in Regus, 83 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
For more information: https://www.covid19inquiry.scot/hearing/impact-hearing-health-social-care-day-16.
