Covid Inquiry: Matt Hancock Suggests Earlier Lockdown Could Have Preserved School Openings
Matt Hancock believes earlier government action in autumn 2020 might have prevented school closures in January 2021. During the Covid inquiry, the ex-health secretary mentioned that delaying lockdown resulted in more stringent measures later.
He also claimed that Rishi Sunak, the then-Chancellor, influenced Boris Johnson to not take sufficient action, which was apparent in Hancock's October 2020 WhatsApp messages. Hancock also accused some local Manchester authorities, including Mayor Andy Burnham, of hindering efforts to implement local restrictions.
The Covid inquiry is scrutinizing decisions from September 2020 as cases rose post-summer. Another WhatsApp exchange showed Hancock being excluded from a meeting and expressing concerns that Johnson, being influenced by Sunak, would not act decisively. Simon Case replied with Sunak's openness to some restrictions, particularly in secondary schools.
Hancock, now a West Suffolk MP, had to resign in June 2021 after violating social distancing regulations. His resignation came after he was caught kissing aide Gina Coladangelo, an incident he admits may have eroded public trust.
He reminisced that taking action sooner in September 2020 could have averted later school closures. By January, the virus situation worsened to the extent that the government took several drastic steps, which were particularly detrimental to disadvantaged children.
In October 2020, a tier system was launched to manage the outbreak, with varying rules based on local case numbers. Hancock viewed the plan with skepticism, believing it wouldn't be effective due to insufficiently strict measures and delays caused by complex local negotiations.
He singled out Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson for commendation on their collaboration, despite causing confusion by mistakenly implying Anderson had passed away. Anderson humorously reassured everyone of his vitality via social media.
Hancock affirmed his criticisms were specific to local leadership in Manchester, not the city itself, following friction over financial support amid tier three restrictions.
Reflecting on the communication dynamics of the UK's devolved governments, Hancock found Nicola Sturgeon's premature announcements problematic and praised the collaborative spirit seen in discussions with other health ministers.
The inquiry will continue, expecting testimonies from prominent figures like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak by year's end. Nicola Sturgeon has testified but is slated for further appearances as public hearings advance until 2026.
The Covid inquiry is scrutinizing decisions from September 2020 as cases rose post-summer. Another WhatsApp exchange showed Hancock being excluded from a meeting and expressing concerns that Johnson, being influenced by Sunak, would not act decisively. Simon Case replied with Sunak's openness to some restrictions, particularly in secondary schools.
Hancock, now a West Suffolk MP, had to resign in June 2021 after violating social distancing regulations. His resignation came after he was caught kissing aide Gina Coladangelo, an incident he admits may have eroded public trust.
He reminisced that taking action sooner in September 2020 could have averted later school closures. By January, the virus situation worsened to the extent that the government took several drastic steps, which were particularly detrimental to disadvantaged children.
In October 2020, a tier system was launched to manage the outbreak, with varying rules based on local case numbers. Hancock viewed the plan with skepticism, believing it wouldn't be effective due to insufficiently strict measures and delays caused by complex local negotiations.
He singled out Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson for commendation on their collaboration, despite causing confusion by mistakenly implying Anderson had passed away. Anderson humorously reassured everyone of his vitality via social media.
Hancock affirmed his criticisms were specific to local leadership in Manchester, not the city itself, following friction over financial support amid tier three restrictions.
Reflecting on the communication dynamics of the UK's devolved governments, Hancock found Nicola Sturgeon's premature announcements problematic and praised the collaborative spirit seen in discussions with other health ministers.
The inquiry will continue, expecting testimonies from prominent figures like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak by year's end. Nicola Sturgeon has testified but is slated for further appearances as public hearings advance until 2026.