The UK COVID-19 Public Inquiry: A Challenge and an Opportunity

1. On 12May 2021, PrimeMinister Boris Johnson announced an independent public inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK (the ‘Inquiry’). The Inquiry is a statutory public inquiry with full powers under the Inquiries Act 2005. On 15 December 2021, Baroness Hallett was announced as the Chair of the Inquiry panel. Her first major act was to run a four-week public consultation on the government’s draft terms of reference (set out by the Prime Minister to describe the Inquiry’s scope and purpose). On 12 May 2022, the Chair recommended changes to the draft terms of reference. It is now up to the PrimeMinister to finalise the topics to be covered. There is much to do before public hearings commence, potentially in 2023.