Bloomberg reveal that the Government look to wanting to restrict what information they are legally bound to disclose to the Covid Inquiry they themselves set up. Another thread to weave into our collection…
It seems extraordinary that no mainstream newspaper or media platform has made any mention of the fact. Even more extraordinary to find the details from the stockbroker/shareholder channel BLOOMBERG. With so much of our lives wrapped up in private finance these days – you would think the papers would make an effort!
Excerpt from Bloomberg: By Alex Wickham
13 July 2022, 12:39 BST
The UK government is trying to block disclosures to the inquiry investigating its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to people with knowledge of the discussions.
Officials have asked the government’s top lawyer, Sir James Eadie QC, to assess how much information the administration has to provide to the inquiry about its policy discussions during the pandemic, the people said.
The issue raises questions for Conservative leadership candidates including former chancellor, Rishi Sunak, who designed the controversial ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme and argued against stronger Covid measures. A spokeswoman for Sunak declined to comment on whether he would follow Eadie’s legal advice or permit full disclosures to the inquiry should he become prime minister. A spokeswoman for Eadie declined to comment on his behalf.
The Cabinet Office said it was that the government was not blocking disclosures because of concerns about payouts to victims. It declined to comment on the specifics or the existence of any legal advice.
The issue raises questions for Conservative leadership candidates including former chancellor, Rishi Sunak, who designed the controversial ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme and argued against stronger Covid measures. A spokeswoman for Sunak declined to comment on whether he would follow Eadie’s legal advice or permit full disclosures to the inquiry should he become prime minister. A spokeswoman for Eadie declined to comment on his behalf.
The Cabinet Office said it was that the government was not blocking disclosures because of concerns about payouts to victims. It declined to comment on the specifics or the existence of any legal advice.
The Covid inquiry is formally under way after Prime Minister Boris Johnson set its terms of reference at the end of June. It will investigate the government’s preparedness, public health and economic response to the pandemic, and take evidence in public next year from key witnesses including ministers, scientific advisers and officials. The inquiry is likely to become a major issue for any future prime minister ahead of the next general election.
Following the advice, the government is considering issuing a restriction notice that would block the release of information that could fall under the remit of Cabinet collective responsibility.
This would mean ministers could argue that some internal documents detailing private discussions on key decisions such as lockdown restrictions should not be disclosed, because ministers have a right to confidentiality when deliberating on government policy.
In preparation for the inquiry, ministers have ordered officials to use a traffic light code to grade the political sensitivity of potential Cabinet-level disclosures, according to a person familiar with the work. The most controversial information has been marked red and ministers will seek a restriction notice to prevent its release, the people said.
Ministers are also considering invoking their so-called legal professional privilege, that would mean government ministers and employees could not be compelled to release some sensitive documents.
Thus endeth the news that no mainstream media want to broadcast. We are because right now we are collecting quilt pieces that we hope to put towards our next National Quilt which we are creating uner the umbrella theme of “Under Cover of Covid”… this sort of information feeds the creative mind.
If you have an idea, would like to help create a textile piece or help promote the project in your area send us an email info@threadsofsurvival.org or use the contact form via the website. Feel free to share this blog too.
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