It’s another day of exciting testimony at the Covid Inquiry. Thus far, every viral-infected cough and spit has been poured over in endless detail by the assembled hacks, with the latest witnesses no exception. This week’s line-up has been full of familiar faces from the not-so-distant past, with Sir Patrick Vallance the star-turn at yesterday’s session. Today, he was followed by that other ray of sunshine, his fellow scientist, Sir Chris Whitty.
Much of the Chief Medical Officer’s testimony was to be expected: UK scientists were ‘absolutely dependent’ on advice from international colleagues, there were differences of opinion on the speed of lockdown and he feared some early interventions because of impact on deprived areas. But some levity was offered when Whitty was asked to slow down when providing his responses so that the stenographer for the Inquiry can keep up with proceedings while working remotely.
For unlike the hard-working Hansard scribes who dutifully record every word of parliamentarians at pace, the Covid Inquiry seems unable to compel its stenographers to actually attend proceedings in person – delaying proceedings and forcing witnesses to repeat their sentences.
Given such laxity, it’s hardly a surprise then that the Inquiry will not conclude until summer 2026. No rush eh chaps…
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