A former triathlete whose terminal cancer was initially mistaken for long Covid has been given months to live. Olivia Knowles, from Blackpool, noticed something “wasn’t quite correct” in August 2023 while competing in the Half Ironman World Championship in Lahti, Finland. The two-mile swim and 56-mile cycle went smoothly but she added she “just wasn’t … Read more
Matt Hancock has defended government deals to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, saying the country was in a “desperate situation” at the time. In a bad-tempered session at the Covid inquiry, the former health secretary repeatedly criticised the line of questioning describing it as “naive”, “hostile” and “inappropriate”. He said he was … Read more
Nikki Fox Health correspondent, BBC East Nikki Fox/BBC Senior sister Lauren Jakes has worked in the critical care department of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for almost 14 years Five years on, Senior Sister Lauren Jakes still vividly remembers the moment she was told her ward was to expect the arrival of its very … Read more
Branwen Jeffreys Education editor Getty Images The poorest children are missing more school and falling further behind classmates, research shared with the BBC suggests. According to new analysis by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) – which looked at pupil performance after the Covid-19 pandemic – children from the lowest income families are now up to … Read more
Baroness Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman have accused the Covid inquiry of an “establishment cover-up” after their second attempt to be given an official role in the inquiry was rejected. The couple claimed they were the targets of a “politically motivated witch hunt” after the inquiry’s chairwoman, Baroness Hallett, refused their application to be … Read more
Jim Reed Health reporter, BBC News Getty Images Doug Barrowman, who led PPE Medpro, pictured alongside his wife Baroness Michelle Mone. The Covid inquiry has rejected a last-minute bid that would have allowed Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman to access documents and other evidence about PPE deals during the pandemic. Last week … Read more
Getty Images The Covid public inquiry will start four weeks of hearings on Monday, looking into the purchase and distribution of billions of pounds’ worth of medical equipment during the pandemic. In total, it’s thought £48bn was spent on personal protective equipment (PPE), the test-and-trace programme, hospital supplies and the vaccine rollout. Nearly 10% of … Read more
Getty Images Doug Barrowman, who led PPE Medpro, pictured alongside his wife Baroness Michelle Mone. The chair of the Covid inquiry has ruled that evidence related to PPE Medpro, the firm linked to Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, will be heard in a closed, private session next month. On 3 March, the … Read more
Sir Keir Starmer has denied lockdown rules were broken when he had voice coaching lessons during the Covid 19 lockdown. Leonie Miller was invited to coach the then-opposition leader on his response to Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, leading to accusations of a potential rule breach. Ms Miller qualified for keyworker status and also wore a … Read more
Family handout Jamie and Kate Scott on holiday before the pandemic Families of those harmed by Covid vaccines told the UK Covid Inquiry they were forced to support each other during the pandemic because there was no other help. Kate Scott, who represents the group Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK (VIBUK), said they felt they … Read more