Bereaved families are criticizing Nigel Farage for his recent call to shut down the ongoing Covid Inquiry. Farage, the leader of Reform, expressed concerns over the inquiry’s cost, which has surpassed £192 million over three years since its establishment in 2022. The inquiry is anticipated to release its final reports by 2027.
In the UK, approximately 227,000 individuals had Covid-19 listed as a cause of death on their certificates. Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty warned that another global pandemic is inevitable.
Following the release of expenditure figures, Farage voiced his disapproval to the Telegraph, stating that the inquiry’s cost is excessive and will lead to prolonged delays. This stance was met with strong criticism from a spokesperson for Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, who described Farage’s remarks as a disrespectful affront to the deceased and their mourning families.
The spokesperson emphasized that many deaths could have been prevented, attributing them to factors such as PPE shortages, premature discharge of Covid-positive patients into care facilities, and delayed lockdown measures. They condemned Farage’s push to end the inquiry, labeling it an attempt to obstruct justice and shield establishment figures.
The spokesperson highlighted that the inquiry’s expenses account for only 0.01% of the government’s annual budget, emphasizing the importance of holding those accountable for the deaths and learning from the crisis to prevent future loss of life.
Farage, along with other establishment figures like Ian Duncan Smith, has questioned the necessity of the inquiry, viewed as a mechanism for accountability by ordinary citizens. Despite opposition, families affected by the pandemic remain resolute in their pursuit of justice.
In response to criticisms, a spokesperson for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry defended the inquiry’s significance, stating that it is an unprecedented investigation due to its broad scope covering the entire UK population affected by the pandemic. The Inquiry chair, Baroness Hallett, outlined the extensive task of evaluating the pandemic response across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The spokesperson emphasized the need for a meticulous examination of the UK’s pandemic strategy, reassuring that reports are being published promptly to ensure transparency. The final report is scheduled for release in the first half of 2027, underlining the thoroughness and comprehensive nature of the inquiry process.