Covid inquiry chairwoman to sit without panel in interests of pace, PM decides

Rishi Sunak said he is conscious of criticism over how long the investigation into the UK response to the pandemic may take.

Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Baroness Heather Hallett (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA) (PA Media)

Baroness Heather Hallett will not have a panel in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Rishi Sunak has decided in an attempt to speed it up.

In a written statement to Parliament, the Prime Minister said the investigation into the response to the pandemic will be “most efficient and swift” if its chairwoman sits without a panel.

Concerns have been raised over how long the inquiry may take.