Scottish public inquiry into Covid-19 announced
- 3 years ago
Scottish public inquiry into Covid-19 announced
Statement by Solicitor Aamer Anwar instructed to act on behalf of members of the Scottish branch of the UK group ‘Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice’:-
“At 11am today, myself and members of the Scottish Branch of the UK group ‘Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice’ met with the Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
The families are grateful that the Scottish Government has listened to their demands and an independent Scottish Public Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent handling of the COVID pandemic will now take place.
We were told that at 11.30am the Scottish Government were writing to the UK Government, Welsh Government and Northern Irish Executive to notify them of the setting of the Scottish Public Inquiry.
Today is the first important step in establishing accountability for 10,421 lives lost to Covid-19 in Scotland. Mr. Swinney said that his core priority is to get the Public Inquiry up and running by the end of this calendar year.
Boris Johnson should take note that his Government can no longer be allowed to hold the process back from asking difficult questions. There were 154,811 Covid-19 deaths in the UK, every single death represents failure and Public Inquiries cannot be delayed any longer by a UK Government, whether it be in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
As for Scotland any public inquiry must be truly independent and leave no stone unturned, that is the most fitting tribute that our country can pay to the victims of Covid-19.
To be effective and meaningful, grieving families must be at the heart of the inquiry process to get to the truth of what happened. The key to any Public Inquiry is the Chairperson and expert panel, the families wish to see those with sufficient seniority and expertise appointed, with the ability to work closely with bereaved families and a proven track record of independence, robustness and willingness to ask difficult questions.
These are all important steps that will help build trust and confidence in what will be a long journey for the bereaved families.
The Inquiry must:
i) Recognise and address the pain and individual and community damage caused by the deaths and the lack of public trust and confidence in the state institutions involved;
ii) At all times ensure that bereaved people have a full and central role in the inquiry process;
iii) Ensure all those affected are treated with dignity and respect;
iv) Establish truth and accountability;
v) Ensure visi
Statement by Solicitor Aamer Anwar instructed to act on behalf of members of the Scottish branch of the UK group ‘Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice’:-
“At 11am today, myself and members of the Scottish Branch of the UK group ‘Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice’ met with the Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
The families are grateful that the Scottish Government has listened to their demands and an independent Scottish Public Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent handling of the COVID pandemic will now take place.
We were told that at 11.30am the Scottish Government were writing to the UK Government, Welsh Government and Northern Irish Executive to notify them of the setting of the Scottish Public Inquiry.
Today is the first important step in establishing accountability for 10,421 lives lost to Covid-19 in Scotland. Mr. Swinney said that his core priority is to get the Public Inquiry up and running by the end of this calendar year.
Boris Johnson should take note that his Government can no longer be allowed to hold the process back from asking difficult questions. There were 154,811 Covid-19 deaths in the UK, every single death represents failure and Public Inquiries cannot be delayed any longer by a UK Government, whether it be in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
As for Scotland any public inquiry must be truly independent and leave no stone unturned, that is the most fitting tribute that our country can pay to the victims of Covid-19.
To be effective and meaningful, grieving families must be at the heart of the inquiry process to get to the truth of what happened. The key to any Public Inquiry is the Chairperson and expert panel, the families wish to see those with sufficient seniority and expertise appointed, with the ability to work closely with bereaved families and a proven track record of independence, robustness and willingness to ask difficult questions.
These are all important steps that will help build trust and confidence in what will be a long journey for the bereaved families.
The Inquiry must:
i) Recognise and address the pain and individual and community damage caused by the deaths and the lack of public trust and confidence in the state institutions involved;
ii) At all times ensure that bereaved people have a full and central role in the inquiry process;
iii) Ensure all those affected are treated with dignity and respect;
iv) Establish truth and accountability;
v) Ensure visi