Families bereaved in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic are set to attend the first in-person hearing of the coronavirus inquiry, amid concerns that their testimonies may not be directly heard by the former judge heading the probe.
The independent inquiry will examine the response to the pandemic and its impact in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to provide a factual account of what happened, and identify lessons that can be learned.
A preliminary procedural hearing will take place today with those who lost loved ones during the pandemic hoping for reassurance they will be able to share their stories with the inquiry directly.
The hearing had been due to take place in September, but was postponed to respect the period of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.