Matt Hancock has admitted that the UK was not properly prepared for the Covid pandemic - claiming officials were more concerned with counting bodybags than preventing the spread of the virus. Speaking at the Covid inquiry yesterday, the former health secretary described the failure to plan as an "absolute tragedy" and repeatedly insisted that the government's approach had been "completely wrong".
He conceded that pre-pandemic plans to protect care homes had been "terrible", saying the care sector was in "nowhere near good enough shape" when Covid struck. Mr Hancock also revealed that the UK came "within hours" of running out of vital medicines for intensive care units at the height of the pandemic but said that the planning that had been undertaken in preparation for a no-deal Brexit meant hospitals were able to cope.
It came as Mr Hancock:
• Attacked planning that revolved around finding "enough bodybags" and "burying the dead"
• Admitted he had not attended any National Security Committee meetings on emergency planning
• Said he "wasn't enthusiastic" about no-deal Brexit robbing resources from health planning
• Turned to victims' families in the gallery to tell them he was "profoundly sorry"
• Was heckled as he left the inquiry, with the bereaved shouting "Killer" and "How many have died?"
Mr Hancock apologised directly to the families of Covid victims, dramatically turning to address the bereaved in the public seating area. "I'm profoundly sorry for each death," he told them. "I understand why, for some, it will be hard to take that apology from me - I understand that. I get it. But it is honest and heartfelt."
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