Britain’s COVID inquiry launches with pledge to put bereaved at its heart

The chair of Britain’s COVID-19 inquiry pledged to put the bereaved and those who suffered at the heart of her work as she began main hearings on Tuesday into how the coronavirus pandemic was handled.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson had ordered the inquiry to look into the United Kingdom’s preparedness as well as the public health and economic response after Britain recorded one of the world’s highest death tolls from COVID.
More than 175,000 deaths from the virus had been reported by the time Johnson stood down in July last year.
“I have promised many times that those who have suffered hardship and loss are and will always be at the heart of the inquiry,” the chair, Heather Hallett, said at the start of the hearing. “I am listening to them. Their loss will be recognised.”