Covid inquiry
Examination of pandemic looks set to deliver a long wait and large bill
May 12, 2021
Boris Johnson announces launch of public inquiry into the UK’S response to Covid-19.
Dec 15, 2021
Baroness Hallett named as inquiry chairman.
March 11, 2022
Draft terms of reference are published, which do not include children or partygate scandal.
April 7, 2022
Public consultation on the terms of reference closes after receiving more than 20,000 responses.
June 28, 2022
Final terms of reference are published including pandemic preparedness, as well as public health, health and care sector and the economic response. Children are now included as a focus of the inquiry.
August 2022
Reports emerge that the cost of the inquiry has already hit £85 million, including a £500,000 deal for “strategic communications”.
Oct 4, 2022
Bereaved families express concern they are being “marginalised” from the inquiry, after it is revealed their experiences will be recorded by an outside company instead of directly during proceedings.
Oct 4, 2022
First preliminary hearing takes place for Module 1, examining the UK’S pandemic preparedness. Chief counsel for the inquiry, Hugo Keith KC, suggests the first public hearings will begin in May 2023.
Oct 31, 2022
First preliminary hearing takes place for Module 2, examining the UK’S core political and administrative decision-making in relation to the pandemic.
Feb 14, 2023
Secrecy row emerges following further preliminary hearing into Module 1. Lawyers for the bereaved families complain that names of civil servants are redacted from documents. Public hearings scheduled for May are delayed as a result.
Feb 28, 2023
First preliminary hearing for Module 3, looking at the impact of the pandemic on health care.
March 1, 2023
The Telegraph publishes the Lockdown Files, exposing details from more than 100,000 messages sent to and from Matt Hancock.
March 1, 2023
Further preliminary hearing held into Module 2 during which Lady Hallett insists the inquiry will not be a “whitewash” which drags on for decades.
June 13, 2023
Inquiry will begin hearing evidence for Module 1, a month later than originally expected. Evidence hearings will last six weeks, concluding on July 21.