Prime Minister pronounces COVID-19 Inquiry Chair

Immediately (Wednesday 15 December) the Prime Minister has appointed the Rt Hon Baroness Heather Hallett DBE as Chair of the forthcoming public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Inquiry, set to start its work in spring 2022, shall be established beneath the Inquiries Act 2005, with full powers, together with the facility to compel the manufacturing of paperwork and to summon witnesses to present proof on oath. Further panel members shall be appointed within the new 12 months to ensure the Inquiry has entry to the complete vary of experience wanted to finish its essential work.

The Inquiry will play a key position in analyzing the UK’s pandemic response and making certain that we study the suitable classes for the longer term. The Prime Minister will now seek the advice of Baroness Hallett and ministers from the devolved administrations on the phrases of reference for the Inquiry and can publish them in draft within the new 12 months.

These most affected by the pandemic – together with those that have sadly misplaced family members – should even have a chance to play their correct position within the course of. As soon as the phrases of reference have been revealed in draft, Baroness Hallett will take ahead a strategy of public engagement and session – together with with bereaved households and different affected teams – earlier than the phrases of reference are finalised.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned:

I need to thank Baroness Hallett for agreeing to tackle the place of Chair of the COVID-19 Inquiry.

She brings a wealth of expertise to the position and I do know shares my willpower that the inquiry examines in a forensic and thoroughgoing method the federal government’s response to the pandemic.

The Rt Hon Baroness Heather Hallett DBE, mentioned:

I’m honoured to be appointed to chair the COVID-19 Inquiry. The pandemic has affected us all, some a lot worse than others. I’m acutely aware of the struggling it has induced to so many.

Within the new 12 months I shall be searching for views from those that have misplaced family members and all different affected teams in regards to the Inquiry’s phrases of reference.

I need to guarantee the British public that, as soon as the phrases of reference are finalised, I shall do my utmost to make sure the Inquiry solutions as many questions as potential in regards to the UK’s response to the pandemic in order that we are able to all study classes for the longer term.

Baroness Hallett retired from the Court docket of Enchantment in 2019 and was made a crossbench life peer. She has beforehand performed a spread of high-profile and sophisticated inquests, inquiries and evaluations, together with performing as coroner for the inquests into the deaths of the 52 victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings; as chair of the Iraq Fatalities Investigations; and as chair of the 2014 Hallett Evaluation of the executive scheme to take care of ‘on the runs’ in Northern Eire.

Baroness Hallett is at present performing as coroner within the inquest into the demise of Daybreak Sturgess, who died in July 2018 following publicity to the nerve agent Novichok. A brand new chair for that inquiry shall be appointed early within the new 12 months.