Covid Inquiry: Rishi Sunak Heckled By Protestors On Arrival At Dorland House

COVID campaigners and families of those who died during the pandemic hold placards outside COVID Inquiry at Dorland House, where British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is giving evidence, in London, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was heckled by protestors as he entered Dorland House Monday morning for his scheduled appearance at the Covid-19 Inquiry.

Demonstrators waited with signs protesting Sunak’s policies during the pandemic, particularly his Eat Out To Help Out scheme which subsidised meals at restaurants in order to help the hospitality sector. As the prime minister exited his car, one woman shouted : “Lives are more important than money, Sunak”.

Sunak, who served chancellor under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the pandemic, was undeterred and swiftly made his way into the building, avoiding contact with the demonstrators. The Inquiry is set to grill Sunak on several key issues.

While the August 2020 Eat Out To Help Out scheme was intended to boost the struggling hospitality sector post-lockdown, the initiative has since been scrutinised for potentially exacerbating Covid-19 transmissions. Government scientist Sir Patrick Vallance, speaking at the inquiry, suggested that the scheme was “highly likely” to have increased Covid deaths. In fact, WhatsApp messages shown to the Covid-19 Inquiry have revealed that some government advisers nicknamed Sunak “Dr Death.”

Further complicating matters for the Prime Minister is the controversy over missing WhatsApp messages from his tenure as Chancellor. Sunak, in a witness statement, admitted his inability to produce these messages, citing multiple phone changes and a lack of backups.

This issue echoes similar concerns raised during Johnson’s cross-examination, highlighting transparency challenges within the government. Despite these controversies, a government spokesperson asserted the administration’s full cooperation with the inquiry, noting the submission of over 55,000 documents.