Professor Dame Sally Davies expresses deep regret over the handling of the pandemic.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, the former Chief Medical Officer, became visibly emotional as she apologised during her testimony at the official Covid-19 inquiry on June 20, 2023. Close to tears, Davies expressed her sorrow over the high number of deaths and the devastating impact the pandemic had on individuals and families.

“It wasn’t just the deaths, it was the way they died. It was horrible,” she said, her voice breaking as she reflected on the lives lost during the pandemic. Davies, who played a key role in advising the government on health matters during the crisis, acknowledged the profound emotional and societal toll of the virus.

Her testimony is part of a broader inquiry into the UK’s response to the pandemic, which is examining the effectiveness of decisions made by health officials and the government. Davies’ apology highlights the deep personal and professional impact the crisis had on those involved in the public health response.