Residents in care homes 'treated like prisoners or exhibits in a reptile house'

Bereaved Scots seek truth as Covid inquiry hears devastating impact of virus on every man, woman and child in Scotland

- ANNA BURNSIDE

PEOPLE in Scotland who lost loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic have demanded "truth, justice and accountability" as a major probe into the pandemic began yesterday.

The Scottish Covid Inquiry, chaired by Lord Brailsford, will investigate the response of the Scottish Government to the Covid-19 pandemic, which claimed the lives of more than 17,000 in this country.

Grieving relatives yesterday spoke of their hell as their loved ones died - many alone because family were not allowed to be with them.

Margaret Waterton, 67, who lost her mum Margaret Simpson, 86, and her husband David Waterton, 71, during the pandemic, said: "Covid has been absolutely devastating for me and my family and every man, woman and child in Scotland has felt the impact of Covid.

"This is a landmark day for Scottish Covid bereaved, for the people of Scotland. We are looking now for the inquiry to deliver for us truth, justice and accountability so that the decision-makers can learn from our lived experience the impact that their decisions, or lack of decision-making, had upon us."

In a dramatic first day of evidence witnesses revealed how: 

Care home residents were treated like "prisoners or exhibits in a reptile house" as they were banned from contact with their families.

Jail prisoners were often denied basic treatment, with dad Alan Inglis's son Calum, 34, dying alone in his cell despite desperate pleas for help.

Care workers felt "abandoned" as they had to work to save lives during the pandemic, putting their own safety at risk.

Acting on behalf of the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, lawyer Aamer Anwar said relatives applauded the "long-awaited" beginning of the probe.

He said: "The Scottish Covid Bereaved welcome the long-awaited start of the Scottish inquiry.