‘Wish I’d acted earlier’: Matt Hancock’s defence at the COVID inquiry
Nov 30, 2023
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Matt Hancock, former health secretary and key figure in the COVID inquiry, defends his actions and COVID preparedness record. Contrasting evidence and criticism highlight his lack of effective planning and overconfidence during the early stages of the pandemic. His defense clashes with Dominic Cummings' account, revealing a toxic culture within the government and frustrations of families who lost loved ones. The government's unclear stance on lockdown and lack of evidence are discussed, emphasizing the consequences of delaying the lockdown.
Matt Hancock contradicted testimonies of other officials, claiming there was government preparedness for the pandemic, highlighting the lack of coordination and issues between different departments.
Hancock's previous stance on lockdown, accused of pushing for herd immunity instead of implementing an earlier lockdown, raises questions about his statements and actions.
Deep dives
Matt Hancock's testimony on preparedness contradicts other testimonies
During Matt Hancock's appearance at the COVID inquiry, he claimed that there was a level of preparedness in the government for the pandemic, contradicting the testimonies of other officials. While Hancock argued that he saw the threat early and tried to wake up Whitehall, others have stated that he overpromised and failed to follow through. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing issues between different government departments and the lack of coordination in response to the pandemic.
The controversy surrounding Hancock's position on lockdown
Hancock faced criticism regarding his stance on lockdown during the pandemic. While he now acknowledges that lockdown should have happened earlier and thousands of lives could have been saved, questions have been raised about his previous statements and actions. Dominic Cummings, among others, accused Hancock of pushing for herd immunity instead of implementing a timely lockdown. The inquiry is examining the conflicting accounts to establish the truth and understand the decision-making processes behind the government's response.
Personality clashes and dysfunction within the government
The COVID inquiry also shed light on the internal dynamics and clashes within the government during the pandemic. The testimonies revealed a toxic culture created by figures like Dominic Cummings, with claims of toxic masculinity and dysfunctional decision-making. While Hancock attempted to portray himself as pushing against the toxic culture, multiple witnesses have made similar criticisms of his over-promising and under-delivering. The revelations underscore the overall dysfunction within the government during a critical time when effective decision-making and coordination were crucial.
Matt Hancock took the stand at the COVID inquiry for the first of two days of giving evidence on Thursday.
In 2021, the then health secretary was forced to resign after he admitted he broke the government's own coronavirus guidance to pursue an affair with an aide.
On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson analyses what Mr Hancock said and the key questions he answered, with our political editor Beth Rigby.
Producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont
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