UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 - Opening statement on behalf of Core Participants

Today marks the start of public hearings for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2: Core UK Decision-making and Political Governance.

Several Garden Court Barristers represent core participants at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Our Allison Munroe KC and Thalia Maragh represent Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, instructed by Elkan Abrahamson of Broudie Jackson Canter Solicitors, alongside associate tenant Pete Weatherby KC of Garden Court North Chambers.

Our Brenda Campbell KC delivered the opening statement on behalf of Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice. Our Peter Wilcock KC is part of the legal team and they are instructed by Conal McGarrity of P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors.

Our Bethan Harris and Kirsten Heaven represent Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, instructed by Craig Court of Harding Evans. 

Watch Brenda Campbell KC's opening statement below:

Brenda Campbell KC's statement was quoted in the Irish Times:

"Westminster was taking decisions which were not, or at least ought not to have been, just for England, but were of UK-wide significance.

“In the early stages of the pandemic and at many stages throughout, all eyes, including those of the devolved representatives, were on Westminster.

"...From the material received and considered to date, the Northern Ireland Covid bereaved fear that at almost every level there were failings in that communication.”

“Initially, eyes were strained waiting and willing the UK government to act, and to act with purpose. The purpose being, we hoped, to protect lives.

“Thereafter eyes were open in horror and distrust as stories of disarray at the heart of government and parties at the height of the pandemic gripped the headlines.”

See the full schedule for Module 2 hearings here.

Other Garden Court barristers acting for core participants in the inquiry include:

Sonali Naik KC and Maria Moodie represent Migrant Primary Care Access Group, instructed by Public Interest Law Centre (PILC).

Stephen Simblet KC and Stephen Clark represent Covid-19 Airborne Transmission Alliance (CATA) instructed by Cyrilia Knight of Saunders Law.

Rajiv Menon KC and Jennifer Twite represent Save the Children UK, Just for Kids Law and Children’s Rights Alliance England, instructed by Aika Stephenson of Just for Kids Law.

Liz Davies KC, Marina Sergides, Angharad Monk and Fatima Jichi represent Southall Black Sisters and Solace Women's Aid, instructed by Helen Mowatt of PILC.

Leslie Thomas KC and Una Morris represent Federation of Ethnic Minority Healthcare Organisations (FEMHO), instructed by Cyrilia Knight of Saunders Law.

Marc Willers KC represents Traveller Movement, instructed by Martin Howe of Howe & Co.

Joanne Cecil, Tessa Buchanan, Natasha Shotunde and Alia Akram are appointed as junior counsel to the Inquiry.