In his testimony to a public inquiry on Monday, former Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged that Britain erred by overly prioritizing preparations for a flu pandemic instead of considering the potential of other types of pandemics prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Cameron, who led the Conservative government from 2010 to 2016, became the first politician to face questioning in the comprehensive inquiry investigating the UK’s readiness for the coronavirus pandemic, the government’s response, and the lessons to be gleaned for the future.
With one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in Europe, recording nearly 227,000 deaths where the virus was cited as a cause, the UK faced significant challenges. While giving his testimony under oath, Cameron admitted that during his tenure, officials excessively focused on the risks posed by an influenza pandemic, failing to sufficiently explore the potential for outbreaks of other highly contagious respiratory diseases.
Cameron acknowledged that a significant amount of attention was devoted to preparing for a pandemic influenza, as it was perceived as the most significant threat. While his government did consider other pandemics such as MERS and SARS, Cameron recognized that they fell short in investigating asymptomatic transmission and highly infectious diseases, which ultimately characterized the pandemic they faced.
He argued that many countries were in a similar situation of uncertainty, but he believed that the UK performed comparatively better in terms of monitoring potential risks and planning for a pandemic.
Regarding accusations that his government’s austerity measures left the National Health Service (NHS) more vulnerable to the pandemic, Cameron rejected the claims. The British Medical Association had previously contended that his austerity policies resulted in long-term damage to public healthcare and a failure to prioritize the nation’s health.
Philip Banfield, chair of council at the doctors’ union, expressed concerns about the UK’s inadequate preparedness, stating that the country was caught off guard by COVID-19, leading to disastrous consequences.
The ongoing official inquiry, presided over by a retired judge, is anticipated to span three years before its completion. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was in office during the pandemic, agreed to initiate the probe in late 2021 under intense pressure from grieving families seeking answers.
Numerous other high-ranking politicians are expected to be summoned to provide testimony. On Wednesday, Jeremy Hunt, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer and former Secretary of State for Health, along with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, are scheduled to face questioning.
The pandemic and the government’s handling of it have once again become the focal point of news headlines. This follows a scathing report released last week by lawmakers, which concluded that Johnson deliberately misled Parliament regarding staff parties held at his office that violated lockdown restrictions.