09 December 2023 , 23:06
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If the Covid inquiry is to draw up a workable plan for tackling future pandemics, it must get to the truth of the last one. That is why the evidence Rishi Sunak gives tomorrow is so crucial.
Yet all we have heard so far is our two top scientists during Covid being at odds with the politicians who took the decisions.
Mr Sunak’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme was said to have been branded “Eat Out to Help the Virus” by Chris Whitty. And Sir Patrick Valance said it was obvious packing people into restaurants would spread the disease.
Yet last week, Boris Johnson claimed he received no such advice. Now, Mr Sunak must answer charges that he was reckless with the nation’s health while he was Chancellor.
WhatsApp messages sent and received by Mr Sunak and Mr Johnson are not available. And we are still no nearer to getting to the bottom of allegations they were prepared to “let rip” with the virus on economic grounds.
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Families who lost loved ones during the pandemic are looking for closure and need answers. The British people demand them.
Politicians cannot be allowed to throw a smokescreen over the inquiry to cover up their failures. Mistakes must be admitted so they can be avoided in future. We were ill-equipped and ill-served during the last pandemic. We must be better prepared if there is another.
A basic right
Wherever you stand on the migrant crisis, we should all agree that refugees should be treated with humanity, compassion and care.
Yet Rishi Sunak is so desperate to empty hotels he is prepared to put their health at risk. That is the only explanation for evicting asylum seekers with serious medical conditions from a hotel against doctors’ advice.
And it casts further doubt over the safety of the PM’s Rwanda plan, which is already alienating all wings of his party.
Moderate MPs think it goes too far while those on the right say it doesn’t go far enough. And the Rwandans will collapse the deal if it breaches international law – while pocketing £240million British taxpayers have handed them.
As the row over treatment of asylum seekers goes on, it must be remembered that proper and timely medical treatment is one of the most basic human rights of all.
Bin off the bar
German police chief Peter Both wants to ban alcohol inside the stadium where England will face Serbia in the Euros opener next year.
And that move could be extended to official fan zones. The message being sent to fans is clear. Cheer the Three Lions by all means. But no saying “cheers” to each other.