Campaigners have called for legislation that would prevent individuals from being barred from visiting their dying relatives, as the first UK Covid-19 Inquiry is set to commence in Belfast. The inquiry for the entire UK, which starts on Tuesday and lasts three weeks, aims to delve into the decisions made in Northern Ireland in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak. The probe will scrutinise the preliminay response, central governmental choices, performance of political and civil servant sectors as well as the efficacy of relationships with local and voluntary sectors, along with devolved government administrations.
Furthermore, the rationale behind the enforcement of lockdowns and other non-pharmaceutical measures will be examined. Witnesses appearing before the inquiry are expected to include the former first minister, Arlene Foster, and current first minister, Michelle O’Neill, who served as deputy first minister during the pandemic, in addition to health minister Robin Swann. Key personalities from the health department in Stormont, like chief medical officer Michael McBride and chief scientific advisor Ian Young, are also due to testify.
On the day the Belfast hearings commence, a public assembly organised by a campaign group representing grieving Northern Ireland families will coincide with it. Those who have lost someone to the virus are requested to gather at the Clayton Hotel at 9.15am, donned in red and carrying photos of their deceased loved ones.
Campaign member Marion Reynolds will appear before the hearing on Tuesday. Her aunt, Marie Reynolds, tragically contracted Covid while in hospital and was then discharged to a care home where she unfortunately passed away. Marion Reynolds shares that in spite of guidelines from the Department of Health permitting care partner visits, she was prohibited from visiting her aunt in hospital and the care home.
The campaign group “Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice” is headed by Martina Ferguson and Brenda Doherty, both of whom have lost relatives to the Covid-19 virus. Martina Ferguson, who lost her mother Ursula Derry to the virus in a care home in January 2021, stressed the urgency for a comprehensive investigation.
The speaker commented, “It is crucial to investigate the decisions made specifically for Northern Ireland during the pandemic, including the factors and scientific advice that influenced them.” She further emphasised, “Legislative changes are necessary to ensure that no one is ever separated from their families or left to die alone again.”
Ms Doherty of Newtownabbey lost her mother, Ruth Burke, due to Covid-19 contracted in a hospital. Mrs Burke had the unfortunate distinction of being the first woman in Northern Ireland to succumb to the virus in March 2020.
“It’s essential for us to uncover who provided the advice and who in the administration received it, and how it guided the decisions taken,” Ms Doherty voiced.
“Rather than resorting to partisan politics, we need honesty and clarity concerning how the pandemic was managed on all fronts.”
During a trip to Belfast, the inquiry’s secretary, Ben Connah, put a spotlight on their online platform, Every Story Matters. He invited Northern Ireland residents to contribute their pandemic experiences. He confirmed that hearings have already been conducted in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Stressing the importance of a comprehensive examination of the UK’s pandemic response, Mr Connah stated: “Throughout the course of this inquiry, the chairperson’s probes will extend to Northern Ireland, in line with Scotland, Wales and England.
“However, we will be in Belfast for three intensive weeks of hearings to delve extensively into the key political decisions made from March 2020 throughout the pandemic, the nature of restrictions adopted for Northern Ireland residents, the evolution of these over time, and other significant decisions taken in the region.”
During an initial hearing in December, it was revealed that WhatsApp messages exchanged by former Stormont ministers during the pandemic were lost due to government-issued electronic devices being wiped. This included the devices of Ms Foster and Ms O’Neill.
In response to questions about the missing messages, Mr Connah expressed: “Substantial evidence has already been amassed in Edinburgh, London, and Cardiff, pertaining to various dimensions of decision-making, which incorporates the utilisation of WhatsApp.
“Thus, I have considerable assurance that the incoming hearings over the forthcoming three weeks will possess an abundance of the requisite evidence.” – PA