UK COVID inquiry begins, vowing to expose any culpable conduct

A public inquiry into Britain’s response to and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic got underway on Tuesday, with a promise it would get to the truth, and expose any wrongdoing or culpable conduct.
Britain has recorded almost 20 million COVID infections and more than 166,000 deaths – the seventh highest fatality total globally – and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his ministers have faced criticism for their handling of the crisis.
Last year, Johnson ordered the inquiry to look into the preparedness of the country as well as the public health and economic response.
The investigation is being led by former judge Heather Hallett, who held a minute’s silence at the beginning of the hearing in memory of those who died.