The Guardian view on the Covid-19 inquiry: the UK did too little, too late. Lessons must be learned | Editorial

"All four of the UK's governments are criticised in the latest report from the public inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-22. The Northern Ireland Executive's response is judged to have been marred by political divisions. In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon did not involve cabinet colleagues enough in decision-making (though she is also described as serious and diligent). In Wales, Mark Drakeford's government mirrored some of the errors made in London, particularly when it delayed the introduction of new restrictions in the autumn of 2020."

"Nothing in this report will damage the former prime minister's reputation as much as what is already known about lockdown-breaking social gatherings in 2020 or the fact that he misled parliament about them. The contribution of his adviser, Dominic Cummings, to a culture of fear in the civil service, is news to no one. But the portrait of an administration not only toxic and out of its depth, but disastrously complacent, is damning."

"To the bereaved families who campaigned for this inquiry, the events of February 2020 when the PM went away for half-term and did not receive daily briefings, or meet with his cabinet are unforgivable. The report calls this a lost month. Equally disturbing are conclusions about the Department for Health and Social Care. While Matt Hancock, the secretary of state during the worst period, has left parliament, his most senior official, Sir Chris Wormald, now heads the civil service. Mr Hancock gained a reputation among top advisers for misleading statements (before having to resign after breaking distancing guidelines by kissing an aide). Helen MacNamara, the deputy cabinet secretary, described his nuclear levels of confidence."

All four UK governments were criticised for their handling of the 2020-22 coronavirus pandemic. The Northern Ireland Executive's response was marred by political divisions. In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon did not involve cabinet colleagues sufficiently, though she was described as serious and diligent. In Wales, Mark Drakeford's government delayed new restrictions in autumn 2020 and mirrored some errors made in London. The UK government led by Boris Johnson attracted the greatest blame for complacency, lockdown-breaking gatherings, and misleading parliament. Senior figures in the Department for Health and Social Care faced criticism for misleading statements and conduct.

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