Rishi Sunak to face Covid-19 inquiry questions as probe into authorities’s response to pandemic continues: Latest | EUROtoday

Sunak denies calling poor mother and father ‘freeloaders’ at Covid inquiry

Rishi Sunak will face questions on the Covid-19 inquiry on Monday because the probe into the federal government’s response to the pandemic continues.

The former prime minister, who was chancellor on the top of the pandemic, was branded “Dr Death” by well being chiefs after his reported opposition to excessive lockdown measures, the inquiry beforehand heard.

He presided over the discounted eating Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which authorities scientists mentioned was “highly likely” to have elevated Covid infections and deaths. Giving proof to the inquiry beforehand, Sir Patrick Vallance, the federal government’s chief scientific adviser, mentioned it had “completely reversed” the federal government’s messaging that mixing was high-risk.

Mr Sunak defended the scheme, calling it a “micro-policy” throughout the authorities’s total plans to reopen after lockdown.

He was additionally quoted as saying the federal government ought to “just let people die” through the pandemic moderately than impose a second nationwide lockdown.

On Monday, he’s anticipated to reply additional questions over his insurance policies and studies of a “toxic” local weather in Downing Street.

The inquiry will look at the federal government’s response to the pandemic, which shut giant sections of the financial system and killed greater than 220,000 folks in Britain. It is because of run till the summer season of 2026.

Rishi Sunak set to present proof at Covid inquiry

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak is ready to present proof to the Covid-19 inquiry on Monday.

Mr Sunak, who was chancellor through the pandemic, beforehand spoke to the inquiry in 2023.

He was beforehand grilled over the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, his Whatsapp messages despatched throughout lockdown, and claims of a “toxic” setting in Downing Street.

He is anticipated to start giving proof at round 10:30am on Monday.

Former prime minister Sir Rishi Sunak (Jack Taylor/The Times) (PA Wire)

Nicole Wootton-Cane15 December 2025 08:14

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/covid-rishi-sunak-inquiry-live-updates-b2884471.html