Covid inquiry ‘should take in Partygate’
BARONESS Hallett is keen to include Partygate in the Covid public inquiry, sources have claimed.
The probe chairwoman wants Boris Johnson to change the terms of reference to let her look into the police investigation of No 10 lockdown parties.
A source on her team said she wants to determine if “actions influenced public behaviour”.
A consultation on the form the inquiry should take received 20,000 replies from individuals and organisations – with many expressing anger over the Downing Street incidents.
Baroness Hallett told the Prime Minister the consultation “revealed areas where the terms of reference could be improved”.
An inquiry spokesman added: “Once we start, people will be able to apply for core participant status and bereavement groups will be part of that.”
Baroness Hallett, who hopes to begin public hearings next spring, wants to find out if the police action at protests in lockdowns was proportionate.
Broadening the inquiry could also establish how different groups were hit, particularly children.