Johnson faces possible legal action over delay to Covid public inquiry

Boris Johnson could face legal action over a delay to the start of the Covid-19 public inquiry, which could lead to evidence being destroyed.

The statutory inquiry into the UK's handling of the Pandemic will begin in the spring according to the prime minister. The terms of reference are still being worked out by the government.

A judicial review of the delay will be sought by the Covid-19 bereaved families for justice group. The inquiry will look at everything from the impact of the virus in care homes to the government's application of lock downs.

"In the vast majority of inquiries a setting up date is given within days or weeks of the chair being appointed, so this delay of over six months is both unprecedented and completely inexplicable."

The hearings are expected to be embarrassing for the government, as they are likely to reignite debate about policies such as infection control in care homes, which the high court has already ruled was illegal.

The right time for the inquiry to begin will be in the spring of 2022.

He appointed Lady Hallett to chair the inquiry. According to the Inquiries Act, an inquiry must be set up in a "reasonable time" after the chair is appointed.

It is a crime to destroy or alter evidence after the inquiry's setting up date. The families are worried that the delay could have sinister ramifications.

The co- founder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice questioned why the prime minister was wasting time when he could have spent it learning from the Pandemic. With the stroke of a pen, he could set the inquiry up and move the process along.

The range seems to be a sticking point. Hallett called for the scope to be widened to consider the impact of the Pandemic on minorities, children, and mental health. She asked Johnson to accept the changes quickly to allow the inquiry to begin.

The original terms of reference were accused of being "bizarrely silent" on the impact on people's mental health and the draft terms would "brush the burden shouldered by children under the carpet".

The response to the Pandemic in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be covered in the inquiry but it is not intended to be a duplicate inquiry.

The consultation was described last week as ongoing.

The terms of reference for the inquiry have been finalised by the prime minister, according to a government spokesman. Soon, these will be published.

The consultation was responded to by the devolution administrations. The team didn't say anything.