Sir Chris Whitty to face questions at Covid inquiry

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Sir Chris Whitty will give evidence to the Covid-19 Inquiry later in a highly anticipated appearance. The chief medical officer, who became one of the most recognisable figures in the country during the pandemic, is expected to face questions all day today (Tuesday) and possibly into tomorrow.

His appearance comes a day after former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance gave evidence at the inquiry. Sir Patrick, a close colleague who frequently appeared alongside Sir Chris at coronavirus-era press conferences, offered his insights into former prime minister Boris Johnson and ministers’ handling of the pandemic.

His diary entries have so far offered extraordinary insights into his view of Mr Johnson, Rishi Sunak and the decisions taken by politicians as the crisis unfolded. READ MORE: Two teenagers appear in court via video link accused of murdering Brianna Ghey READ MORE: Man jailed after 'deliberately' wearing anti-Semitic t-shirt in Jewish area Lady Hallett’s inquiry heard on Monday that Mr Johnson was 'bamboozled' by the graphs and data presented to him during the pandemic and was sometimes a 'broken' man.

The inquiry heard how Mr Johnson sometimes struggled to retain scientific information, was 'clutching at straws' and at one point queried whether Covid was spreading 'because of the great libertarian nation we are'.