DUP leader criticises Covid Inquiry chair after damning report

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has criticised the chair of the Covid-19 inquiry

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has criticised the chair of the Covid-19 inquiry after her report found decision-making during the pandemic was "marred" by disputes between DUP and Sinn Féin ministers.

Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett also found there was "inappropriate instigation" of cross-community votes by the DUP when parties were at odds over how to manage restrictions.

Speaking on Monday, the DUP leader said Baroness Hallett did not put enough weight on how parties in Northern Ireland have to work within a mandatory power-sharing coalition.

Robinson said the inquiry had not given enough "credence" to that when finalising its report.

'Forced to work together'

"Nobody wants to be in a situation where one party blocks the aspiration of another community on either side, but it's an important mechanism to encourage people to work together," he said.

"Baroness Hallett does not live in Northern Ireland, Baroness Hallett did not give enough credence to the fact that in NI parties are forced to work together... in a way no other devolved or national government in the UK has to do."

Robinson also said the report largely regurgitated facts already in the public domain, citing the controversy of then-Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the funeral of Bobby Storey.

Baroness Heather Hallett found there was "inappropriate instigation" of cross-community votes by the DUP when parties were at odds over how to manage restrictions

His comments came as assembly members (MLAs) also debated the findings of the report.

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Timothy Gaston was also critical of Sinn Féin, saying some of its members had breached restrictions, calling them "rule-makers who in full view of TV cameras became rule-breakers".

Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan did not respond to that criticism, but said the report provided further "lessons from an extraordinary time" and would help the executive and all politicians to be better informed for the future.

Alliance and the SDLP have said the report's findings highlight the need for reform of the institutions, such as around use of the cross-community vote at executive meetings.

'Blurred lines'

The chair of Stormont's executive office committee, Paula Bradshaw, said parties needed to "rebuild public trust".

"Confusion in messaging, blurred lines between guidance and law, and the spectacle of leaks and political point-scoring damaged confidence at a time people needed it most," she added.

The SDLP, Stormont's official Opposition, said the report would make "painful" reading for families who lost a loved one to Covid".

Mark H Durkan told the assembly that while the pandemic had passed, there remains a "clear absence of leadership".

"The SDLP has consistently called for serious institutional reform... parties must accept responsibility and commit to change if we are to honour those who were lost."