Summary

  • The UK Covid-19 Inquiry, sitting in Belfast, is scrutinising the Northern Ireland Executive's handling of the pandemic

  • More than 4,000 people in Northern Ireland died with Covid since the pandemic was declared in March 2020

  • The opening day of the inquiry hears there was no government advice to cancel large gatherings at the start of the pandemic

  • It hears that the "precarious nature of local politics lead to a siloing of decision making"

  • Disabled people were the "most marginalised", the inquiry hears, while the pandemic was "devastating" for older people

  • There are also claims that WhatsApp messages from some top politicians were deleted

Live Reporting

Edited by Fiona Murray and Caroline McClatchey

  1. What will happen today at the Covid-19 inquiry?

    Baroness Heather HallettPiranha Photography

    Today’s proceedings are now under way.

    The chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has made her opening remarks and a short film showing the impact of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland is playing out.

    The counsel to the inquiry is expected to speak shortly.

    After a break for lunch the inquiry will return this afternoon to hear from Marion Reynolds from Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice and Nuala Toman from Disability Action Northern Ireland.

  2. Covid Inquiry begins

    The inquiry has started in Belfast - to follow press the play button at the top of this page.

  3. Bereaved families gather outside inquiry venue

    Families arrive at the Covid Inquiry in Belfast

    Bereaved families are gathering outside the Clayton Hotel in Belfast ahead of the first UK Covid-19 Inquiry sitting in Belfast.

    They are holding photographs of their loved ones and speaking to the media.

    Brenda Doherty, who lost her mother Ruth Burke, said: “This is a very, very important day for us here in Northern Ireland.

    “Over the next three weeks we hope all those who are here to give evidence do so with truth and honesty, and answer questions without any hesitation.

    “We want total transparency.”

    She added: “It is a very emotional day but it is also a day we are thankful for.

    Martina Ferguson, whose mother Ursula Derry died from Covid, said: “There are many questions remain unanswered for families.

    “There are many answers that need fact-checked.”

  4. What will the inquiry be looking at?

    Medic putting on PPEPA Media

    The UK Covid inquiry is divided into different sections called ‘modules’, each examining a different part of the country’s response to the pandemic.

    This current module will look at, and make recommendations about, the decision-making by the government in Northern Ireland in relation to the pandemic between early January 2020 until restrictions were lifted here in March 2022.

    It will examine the decision-making of key groups and individuals within the government in Northern Ireland including the first minister, deputy first minister and other ministers, in particular between early January and late March 2020 when the first national lockdown was imposed.

  5. What should we expect?

    Ambulance waiting areaPA

    Northern Ireland is the last of the UK’s devolved governments to have its response to Covid-19 examined.

    During previous hearings in Cardiff, the Welsh government was accused of a "sloth-like urgency" in its early response to the pandemic in early 2020.

    It said it gave a "reasonable response to the unprecedented challenge to civil society".

    There has also been a focus on the use of WhatsApp by both Welsh and Scottish ministers, and particularly the practice of ministers deleting messages that referred to government business.

    We should expect to see similar scrutiny of the methods of communication between Stormont’s ministers and their advisers.

  6. Welcome to our live coverage

    Covid-19 warning sign on door, medical staff in PPEPA Media

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

    This inquiry has been set up to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and learn lessons for the future.

    The inquiry will be sitting in Belfast for the next three weeks and will hear from the most senior politicians and health advisers in Northern Ireland about why decisions were taken and by whom.

    We’ll bring you live reports, background and analysis of the proceedings.

    You'll also be able watch live from about 10:00 BST by clicking on the play icon that will appear at the top of the page.