What is UK Covid testing and how does it work?

The Covid inquiry was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government’s actions would be put “under the microscope”.

The announcement came as the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign said it was considering launching a judicial review over the government’s “waste of time”.

Johnson said the inquiry would include decision-making during the pandemic by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The first public hearing took place in London in June 2023. Subsequent hearings took place in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

The public inquiry is set up and funded by the government and is led by an independent chair. They can compel witnesses to give evidence.

No one is found guilty or innocent, but the investigation publishes findings and recommendations, which the government is not bound to accept.