The former prime minister becomes the first politician questioned by the official Covid-19 inquiry.

David Cameron, the former prime minister, has stated that too much time was spent preparing for a potential flu pandemic rather than adequately planning for the coronavirus crisis. Speaking at the official Covid-19 inquiry on June 19, 2023, Cameron acknowledged that the government’s focus on flu preparedness may have contributed to the initial shortcomings in responding to the pandemic.

As the first politician to be questioned in the inquiry, Cameron defended the government’s overall response but admitted that certain areas, particularly in pandemic preparedness, were not as robust as they should have been. The inquiry is examining the UK’s handling of the pandemic, including the timing of lockdowns, testing strategies, and the availability of essential resources.

The former prime minister’s testimony is expected to shed light on the decision-making processes during the early stages of the pandemic and how the government adapted to the evolving crisis.