Covid inquiry is turning into a “soap opera”, Tory MPs warn
THE Covid inquiry is descending into an anti-Government whitewash that is failing to ask vital questions, Tory MPs say.
It has become a public slanging match among key figures in Boris Johnson’s Downing Street, they claim.
MPs are now accusing the inquiry of being too focused on personality rows rather than on the science behind the decisions taken in 2020.
Peterborough MP Paul Bristow said yesterday: “We are being subjected to a soap opera that would rival the best efforts of the writers of EastEnders.
“This is the most serious thing many of us will ever live through. But the public will get very bored very quickly of a liberal whitewash.”
Former top civil servant Helen MacNamara described Downing Street as misogynistic and macho in her evidence last week.
Ex-No10 aide Dominic Cummings was accused of being sexist as potty-mouthed texts he sent to colleagues were revealed.
Steve Brine, Tory chairman of the Health Select Committee, said: “My great fear is this long ago became a circus more interested in political titillation than a focused look at how we handled the pandemic and important lessons for the future.
“That is a renewed sadness for bereaved families who frankly deserve better.”
Former minister Mark Francois said: “It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Covid inquiry is developing an agenda of its own, which is essentially pro-lockdown and anti-Government.”
Sir John Redwood added: “There’s a whole series of things we could learn from the inquiry but I think they are more interested in the personality rows going on with the politicians.”
More ex-Downing Street aides are up at the inquiry this week.