Bereaved families have strongly criticized Nigel Farage for his push to terminate the ongoing Covid Inquiry. Farage, the Reform leader, expressed concerns over the inquiry’s escalating cost, which has surpassed £192 million over three years. Established in 2022, the comprehensive investigation is slated to release its final findings in 2027.
In the UK, approximately 227,000 individuals succumbed to Covid-19, as indicated on their death certificates. Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty warned of the inevitability of another global pandemic.
Following the release of the expenditure figures, Farage voiced his discontent to the Telegraph, labeling the cost as excessive and the timeline for conclusions as too protracted. He advocated for a swift and definitive closure of the inquiry.
A spokesperson for Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK denounced Farage’s remarks as a “disgraceful affront” to the deceased and their grieving families. The spokesperson emphasized the preventable nature of the deaths, citing issues such as PPE shortages, premature patient discharges, and delayed lockdown measures.
The spokesperson highlighted the minimal financial impact of the inquiry, representing only 0.01% of the government’s annual outlay. This fraction, they argued, is crucial for ensuring accountability, learning from past mistakes, and safeguarding future lives in the face of similar crises.
Farage’s skepticism towards the inquiry, along with other establishment figures like Ian Duncan Smith, was attributed to their reluctance to be held accountable by public inquiries. In contrast, the bereaved families vowed to persist in their pursuit of justice until accountability is achieved.
A representative from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry emphasized the unique scope and significance of this investigation, encompassing the entire population’s response to a two-year pandemic across the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The inquiry’s chair, Baroness Hallett, underlined the extensive nature of the task, requiring time and resources to conduct a thorough examination of the nation’s pandemic preparedness and response.
The inquiry is progressing rapidly, with the initial report already released. Subsequent reports, including one on political decision-making, are slated for publication in the coming months, leading up to Baroness Hallett’s final report in the first half of 2027.
