Boris Johnson has been accused of going back on his word after saying he would meet with a group of campaigners representing those bereaved by coronavirus – only to rule out any meeting a week later.
Speaking on Sky News last week the prime minister said he was unaware of a string of letters from Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, a group of those who lost loved ones to the virus who have been calling for an immediate public enquiry into the handling of the pandemic.
When pressed on whether he would meet with the group, the PM appeared willing to engage with the campaigners, telling a reporter: “I will write back to any letter we get … but of course I’ll meet anybody … the people who are bereaved, who suffer from Covid, of course I’ll do that.”
But just days later the PM has written to the group – making clear he will not engage with them face to face.
“It’s a U-turn followed by a U-turn,” said Bereaved Families for Justice’s co-founder Jo Goodman, who lost her father Stuart to the virus.
“The Prime Minister has done a 360: dodging five letters, then agreeing on live TV to meet with us, and now quietly telling us he’s too busy. It’s heartless.”
In his letter to campaigners, Mr Johnson said that while he was “acutely aware” a letter would offer little consolation, he would be unable to commit to a meeting with campaigners.
“As I work to manage the response to the pandemic, I will of course meet members of the public and key workers who have been bereaved as a result of Covid-19”, he said, adding: “As much as I would wish to be able to offer my condolences in person to all of those who have suffered loss, that is regrettably not possible and so I am unable to meet with you and members of Bereaved Families for Justice.”
The PM went on to note that an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic would be held “at the appropriate time”, and urged all further correspondence to be dealt with by their respective legal teams due to a current challenge being launched by the campaigners.
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Last month Mr Johnson was accused of “actively ignoring” the campaign by those behind it, who have now amassed more than 180,000 signatures as part of a petition to expedite Mr Johnson’s commitment to an inquiry.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves MP, shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, said Mr Johnson’s letter represented “a new low” for the PM.
“These revelations that bereaved families had to write to Boris Johnson five times asking to meet him – for him to privately go back on his public word and refuse are astounding, and upsetting for so many whose families and lives have been impacted by Covid in this way.”, she said.
“41,504 people have tragically lost their lives to this virus. The very least the Prime Minister could do is respond truthfully to their families, and have the heart to meet some of them and their representatives.”
“The Prime Minister has been going back on his word all summer – but to not even meet with grieving families hits a new low.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister has responded to Bereaved Families For Justice to express his sincere condolences to all families who have sadly lost loved ones to this terrible disease.
“He remains committed to meeting with members of the public and families of key workers who have been bereaved as a result of Covid-19.
“The Prime Minister is resolute in his determination to beat this virus and prevent further families from suffering such dreadful loss.”
