THEY WERE NOT READY

Government unprepared to protect public, says top lawyer | Relatives tell of pain as probe hears lockdown impact 'failings'

- LIZZY BUCHAN | SOPHIE HUSKISSON

THE Government was not ready for the pandemic, the Covid inquiry heard yesterday.

Hugo Keith KC said No10 claimed in March 2020 that the UK was well prepared for the virus's onslaught.

But as the inquiry began its lead lawyer said Britain was taken by surprise by Covid that had caused "death, misery and incalculable loss".

As victims' families told of their pain, Mr Keith claimed the impact of lockdowns was not fully considered.

In his opening statement, he said the Department of Health and Social Care and devolved governments published a strategy on tackling Covid after the outbreak.

He added: "The plan stated the United Kingdom was well prepared to respond in a way that offered substantial protection to the public. It is apparent we might not have been very well prepared at all."

It was claimed pandemic planning before Covid had focused on a flu outbreak, leaving the UK unprepared for mass testing or non-flu medicines.

Mr Keith said it was extraordinary how little discussion had taken place about whether a national lockdown would be needed for a runaway virus.

He added there was a failure to think through the potentially massive impact of lockdowns on education and the economy.

Evidence revealed chaos after the outbreak, with health officials finding out guidance from TV conferences and medics making PPE from bin bags.