UK's Johnson says COVID bereaved will have role in inquiry

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will appoint a chair this year to the planned public inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic and bereaved families will have a role in the proceedings

LONDON -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he will appoint a chair this year to the planned public inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic and that bereaved families will have a role in the proceedings.

Following a “very emotional” meeting with the COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, Johnson said the experiences of those who have suffered a loss during the pandemic would form a major part of the public inquiry.

“And obviously, there’s very little I could say to mitigate their own suffering," he said. “But what I did say was that we were determined to make sure that the experience of the bereaved was something we took account of.”

The event, which took place more than a year after the prime minister promised to meet the bereaved, lasted just over an hour and took place outside at the request of the families. Five members of the group, which included co-founder Jo Goodman, shared how their loved ones caught the virus and died.