Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 7 public hearings begin on NHS ‘Test, Trace and Isolate’ programmes

12 May 2025

Garden Court North’s Pete Weatherby KC (pictured) delivers opening submissions for the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice for Module 7 of the Inquiry on 12 May, 2025. Credit: UK Covid-19 Inquiry / YouTube.

Earlier today (12 May 2025), public hearings began for Module 7 of the Covid-19 Inquiry, which investigates the different ‘Test, Trace and Isolate’ programmes implemented across the UK during the pandemic.

Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of the Inquiry, opened the hearings at Dorland House in London with a screening of the impact film, chronicling the distressing accounts of those affected.

Sophie Cartwright KC (Deans Court Chambers) opened the hearings earlier this morning. Garden Court North’s Pete Weatherby KC was allocated ten minutes to present opening submissions on behalf of the UK Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice (CBFFJ).

As put by Pete: “The important point for Module 7 is how did the UK, a high-income country, not have adequate testing capacity by March 2020?”

Later today, Brenda Campbell (Garden Court Chambers) will present submissions on behalf of Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice.

The first witness to give evidence will be Professor Naomi Fulop on behalf of CBFFJ.

This week, the Inquiry will also hear evidence from Will Garton, on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Matthew Gould, former CEO of NHSX, and Simon Thompson, former Managing Director of the NHS Covid-19 App, NHS Test and Trace.

Module 7 hearings will run until 30 May. It follows Module 5, which investigated PPE shortages throughout March.

It is worth noting that the Covid-19 Inquiry’s ten modules are scheduled in an achronological order, with Module 6 examining the care sector from 30 June 2025, after Module 7 concludes.

For Module 7, Garden Court North’s Covid Inquiry team comprises Pete Weatherby KC, Christian Weaver, Kate Stone, Mira Hammad and Hamish McCallum.

Our barristers were instructed by Nicola Brook from Broudie Jackson Canter.

Additional media

UK Covid-19 Inquiry – Covid-19 Inquiry Module 7 timetable

UK Covid-19 Inquiry – Inquiry opens Module 7 public hearings next week and confirms final Module 10 hearings dates for early-2026

Garden Court North Chambers – Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 5 hears how government failures led to PPE shortages during the pandemic

For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk