COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice call for Public Inquiry
17 March 2021
A group of bereaved family members, supported by the COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice network, continue their campaign for a Public Inquiry into the Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as they send a further Letter Before Claim. A judicial review application will follow if the Government fails to meet their legal obligation under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to hold an independent official investigation into the deaths, with the effective participation of the bereaved.
The first Letter Before Claim, sent last Summer, was put on hold in light of the Government’s response. The families are seeking a statutory public inquiry into the lack of preparedness and the response to the pandemic which has led to one of the highest death rates in one of the wealthiest nations on earth.
In July 2020, the Prime Minister promised an “independent inquiry” at the appropriate time. There are 143,000 deceased persons with COVID-19 as a cause of death on their death certificates. Their families are still waiting to know when the inquiry will be established.
Read more here.
Pete Weatherby QC leads Kate Stone, Thalia Maragh of Garden Court Chambers, Jesse Nicholl and Oliver Lewis of Doughty Street Chambers. Instructed by Elkan Abrahamson and Samantha Aidoo of Broudie Jackson Canter solicitors.
