In today’s newsletter: A sprawling inquiry into the handling of the pandemic begins – this is what’s at stake
Good morning. The first evidence session in a massive public inquiry into the UK’s handling of the Covid pandemic starts today. Lady Hallett, a retired judge and crossbench peer in the House of Lords, who also led the inquests into the 7/7 bombings, is the chair.
The scope of the investigation is staggering: it looks at every part of the pandemic, from the government’s preparedness, to political decisions that were made, and the impact on the health service and vaccine rollouts.
Health | A woman has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to procuring drugs to induce an abortion after the legal limit. The mother of three, 44, received the medication under the “pills by post” scheme, which was introduced during the Covid pandemic.
Italy | The former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has died aged 86. The media tycoon, who led three governments between 1994 and 2011, had been diagnosed with leukaemia some time ago.
Politics | Sources have told the Guardian that Rishi Sunak would block Boris Johnson from standing again as a Conservative MP before the next election. The prime minister clashed publicly with Johnson over his failed attempts to elevate several close allies to the House of Lords.
Scotland | The first minister, Humza Yousaf, has rejected growing calls from across the political spectrum to suspend Nicola Sturgeon from the Scottish National party after her arrest on Sunday. The former first minister has said she is innocent of any wrongdoing.
Economy | Britain has experienced the worst exports record of any member of the G7 besides Japan over the last decade, according to a new analysis that will raise pressure on the government to reconsider its post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
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