Households who misplaced family members throughout the coronavirus pandemic have turned their backs on Matt Hancock as he tried to apologise to them on the COVID inquiry.
The previous well being secretary approached the general public gallery after giving proof, and admitting that the UK’s method to planning for pandemics was « utterly improper ».
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However a few of those that had watched the proceedings rebuffed Mr Hancock, with one girl telling Sky Information that she could not face him.
Amanda Herring Murrell’s brother Mark died in March 2020, which is when the then prime minister Boris Johnson introduced the UK’s first nationwide lockdown.
Describing her encounter with Mr Hancock, she informed Sky correspondent Ivor Bennett: « I wasn’t having any of it. I used to be like ‘No, do not you even give it some thought’, and I turned my again on him.
« He was on the lookout for forgiveness however I stated ‘You will be endlessly on the lookout for forgiveness since you’re not going to get it off the bereaved’. »
Shaking with emotion exterior the inquiry – half-hour after being approached by the MP – Ms Herring Murrell described him as « completely disgraceful ».
She added: « Our family members died on his watch. And he needs to be held accountable. »
Learn extra: What’s the COVID inquiry looking for?
Members of the COVID Bereaved Households for Justice group had additionally gathered on the inquiry’s steps as Mr Hancock arrived to present proof.
They shared a silent embrace for a number of seconds after he walked in.
Lorelei King, whose husband Vincent Marzello was a care residence resident who died from COVID on 31 March 2020, broke down in tears.
She informed Sky Information: « It was notably tough to see Matt Hancock as a result of he got here to my husband’s care residence when he first took on the place [of health secretary] and he shook my husband’s hand.
« Two years later my husband was useless. I do not consider he was protected. »
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Ms King had held two pictures as Mr Hancock walked in – considered one of that handshake, and one other of her husband’s coffin.
She additionally stated that she wished the MP to be held accountable for « his actions or inactions » – and warned « his apology would imply nothing ».
Throughout his proof, Mr Hancock had stated he was « profoundly sorry » for each demise brought on by COVID-19, and defined the UK’s system was « geared in the direction of the best way to clear up after a catastrophe, not forestall it ».
He additionally raised issues that methods to stop future pandemics are « being dismantled as we communicate ».
However reacting to his proof, Ms King claimed Mr Hancock « appeared to be largely blaming everybody else » for what occurred.
Mr Hancock left the inquiry to shouts of « assassin » by protesters, and was confronted by one bereaved member of the family dressed because the grim reaper.
Charles Persinger had misplaced his spouse and mom to COVID one month aside.
As Mr Hancock acquired into his automotive, Mr Persinger sarcastically shouted: « I am an enormous fan of your work. »
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