COVID inquiry: Families who misplaced family members throughout pandemic flip their backs on Matt Hancock as he tries to apologise

Families who misplaced family members in the course of the coronavirus pandemic have turned their backs on Matt Hancock as he tried to apologise to them on the COVID inquiry.

The former well being secretary approached the general public gallery after giving proof, and admitting that the UK’s strategy to planning for pandemics was “completely flawed”.

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But a few of those that had watched the proceedings rebuffed Mr Hancock, with one lady telling Sky News that she could not face him.

Amanda Herring Murrell’s brother Mark died in March 2020, which is when the then prime minister Boris Johnson introduced the UK’s first nationwide lockdown.

Describing her encounter with Mr Hancock, she advised Sky correspondent Ivor Bennett: “I wasn’t having any of it. I was like ‘No, don’t you even think about it’, and I turned my back on him.

“He was searching for forgiveness however I mentioned ‘You’ll be without end searching for forgiveness since you’re not going to get it off the bereaved’.”

Shaking with emotion outdoors the inquiry – half-hour after being approached by the MP – Ms Herring Murrell described him as “absolutely disgraceful”.

She added: “Our loved ones died on his watch. And he should be held accountable.”

Read extra: What is the COVID inquiry looking for?

Members of the COVID Bereaved Families for Justice group had additionally gathered on the inquiry’s steps as Mr Hancock arrived to provide proof.

They shared a silent embrace for a number of seconds after he walked in.

Lorelei King, whose husband Vincent Marzello was a care dwelling resident who died from COVID on 31 March 2020, broke down in tears.

She advised Sky News: “It was particularly difficult to see Matt Hancock because he came to my husband’s care home when he first took on the position [of health secretary] and he shook my husband’s hand.

“Two years later my husband was lifeless. I do not imagine he was protected.”

Ms King had held two images as Mr Hancock walked in – certainly one of that handshake, and one other of her husband’s coffin.

She additionally mentioned that she needed the MP to be held accountable for “his actions or inactions” – and warned “his apology would mean nothing”.

During his proof, Mr Hancock had mentioned he was “profoundly sorry” for each loss of life attributable to COVID-19, and defined the UK’s system was “geared towards how to clear up after a disaster, not prevent it”.

He additionally raised issues that programs to forestall future pandemics are “being dismantled as we speak”.

But reacting to his proof, Ms King claimed Mr Hancock “seemed to be largely blaming everyone else” for what occurred.

Mr Hancock left the inquiry to shouts of “murderer” by protesters, and was confronted by one bereaved member of the family dressed because the grim reaper.

Charles Persinger had misplaced his spouse and mom to COVID one month aside.

As Mr Hancock received into his automotive, Mr Persinger sarcastically shouted: “I’m a big fan of your work.”