As the @covidinquiryuk Test, Trace, and Isolate Module comes to a close today, here is a look at some of the shocking evidence we have heard so far.
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1/12
According to expert Professor Anthony Costello, 180,000 lives could have been saved with a fully functioning Test, Trace & Isolate system.
2/12
. @BorisJohnson knowingly and deliberately lied to the British public about the UK’s ability to Test & Trace.
3/12
@BorisJohnson The Government repeatedly ignored offers from the Crick Institute to provide mass testing on a national scale.
Instead, the Government spent billions on consultants who set up privately run labs that have now been scrapped.
4/12
@BorisJohnson The government delayed adding loss of smell & taste to the list of symptoms because data "came from an app"
Prof. Timothy Spector says this 'undoubtedly' led to preventable transmission.
5/12
@BorisJohnson Multi-millionaire Chancellor @RishiSunak repeatedly blocked any increase to the £95 per week support for people self-isolating because he felt it was "adequate".
The Inquiry heard how that lack of support cost lives.
6/12
@BorisJohnson @RishiSunak . @MattHancock dismissed evidence from the Crick Institute that the Government ignored its warnings about asymptomatic cases in April 2020 as 'bruised egos'.
The Government didn't start routine asymptomatic testing until November 2020.
7/12
The inquiry heard from Dido Harding that the Government ‘slowed down’ its Covid response in the summer of 2020, because "they wanted to believe that Covid was over"
80% of Covid deaths have occured after that slow down.
8/12
"This is how government works"
Asked about the Government's reliance on consultants during the pandemic, Lord Bethell gives a revealing answer.
Delloitte secured contracts worth £298 million for its role in Testing, with senior consultants earning up to £6,624 daily.
9/12
‘Oh dear’
The Government has done nothing to fix the UK’s pre-pandemic failings.
10/12
Not only that, but experts have also warned that the UK’s pandemic preparedness and resilience have deteriorated since January 2020.
We are "exactly where we were at the start of 2020"
11/12
Which is why our Member, Prof. Naomi Fulop, urged the Chair to call Minister @patmcfaddenmp in to give evidence.
The Inquiry must hear why the Government has so far failed to properly respond to Module 1 recommendations.
Warning lights are flashing.
12/12
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