Covid-19: Thousands died needlessly from UK pandemic response, says PM’s former aide

The government and senior officials fell “disastrously short” in their response to the covid-19 pandemic, prime minister’s former chief aide has said. In a lengthy session giving evidence parliamentary health science select committees’ inquiry into lessons learnt from pandemic on 26 May, Dominic Cummings acknowledged that thousands of people died needlessly as result government’s mistakes. Boris Johnson’s adviser told MPs had been too slow get onto “war footing” January February 2020, no initial plan beyond herd immunity, impose lockdowns March again autumn. “The truth is ministers, officials, advisers like me disastrously short standards public right expect its crisis this,” MPs. “When needed us most failed. I would say all families those who unnecessarily how sorry am for mistakes were made my own at that.” Cummings was highly critical minister, he said “unfit job.” claimed Johnson initially dismissed “scare story” later reluctant lock down September 2020 despite clear …