Why MPs must be held to account over virus response – Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Jim Buckley, Ackton, Pontefract.
Boris Johnson's handling of Covid-19 continues to be called into question.Boris Johnson's handling of Covid-19 continues to be called into question.
Boris Johnson's handling of Covid-19 continues to be called into question.

YOU were absolutely correct to publish an account of how MPs tried to browbeat and bully you (The Yorkshire Post, January 29).

Why do these MPs do it? Because they think they can. Why do they think this? Because we let them. Only by having a champion, who can focus our concerns, can we do something.

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MPs are subject to a Code of Conduct. This (it says) is to ensure public confidence. They must, at all times, remember that their first duty is to the Queen, and all she represents. As part of this, they uphold the law, and behave with honesty and integrity.

The vaccine rollout continues to prompt much debate.The vaccine rollout continues to prompt much debate.
The vaccine rollout continues to prompt much debate.

As holders of public office, and reflecting the public trust put in them, they are accountable to the public for what they do.

They should give reasons for their actions, and accept responsibility. They must (they have no choice in the matter) submit themselves to scrutiny. All this is in the Code. It is not a case of tracking them down, and dragging them into the limelight. They must submit themselves to scrutiny. I suggest you ask these MPs to explain why they acted as they did. They are accountable to the public in general. I assume you will be able to publish whatever they have to say. You will, presumably, be able to say you are doing this pursuant to the concerns as expressed to you by members of the public.

From: Ian Barnes, Salvin Road, FStamford Bridge

RON Firth’s letter (The Yorkshire Post, February 1) states he is appalled by reporting on the 100.000 deaths, why single out the BBC? He lumps everyone else as the media why not include the BBC in this general term? Or is it just another fashionable desire to blame the BBC for reporting the truth? I would ask why shouldn’t the media report the 100,000 plus deaths? The worst in Europe and one of the highest in the world based on per head of population. We should have an inquiry now while it is fresh in people’s minds.

Should there be an inquiry into the Covid pandemic?Should there be an inquiry into the Covid pandemic?
Should there be an inquiry into the Covid pandemic?

From: Tim Emmott, Coppice Drive, Harrogate.

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A RELATIVE tells me that their daughter, healthy and in her 20, and who is a social worker in Leeds, received her Covid jab, as a key worker. I am appalled at this latest example of the arrogance of the public sector hierarchy. What about instead prioritising those in the private sector, particularly shop workers and delivery drivers, who are daily working on the front-line meeting literally hundreds of people? Haven’t we just voted to leave the rule of self-serving civil servants?

From: Bernard Thornton, Menston, Ilkley.

I AM no fan of this Government and the whole handling of the crisis must, of course, be subject to review at an appropriate time. That time is not the present (The Yorkshire Post, January 30). We are still in a critical phase and there must be no distractions from the job in hand. Any investigation would mean all concerned having to set aside many hours for preparation, interviews and statements. It’s bad enough that they have to attend the daily press circus, without having to forego yet more vital working hours. Whilst sympathising with the victims and relatives and understanding their need for answers, defeating this virus must be the only priority. An immediate inquiry may serve the desires of the media, but cannot be in the best interests of the nation.

From: Jim Griffin, Redcar.

I’M not an academic or a qualified professional, but I am certainly aware of the problems associated with the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

It does not take an expert to be able to point out the deficiencies. The only point where I can agree with you is that it will need a substantial review.

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I can only say that to divert the time and the minds of the many professionals working hard on the immediate situation to keep the virus down to its present level could lead to substantial delays in their efficiencies affecting us all. So keep your campaign on ice until there is a clear end is in sight and all judgments can be made on the final evidence.

From: Michael J Robinson, Berry Brow, Huddersfield.

WHAT do you suppose will be the value of any such review? If its purpose would be to help the authorities to deal with any future similar outbreak, there already exists just such a review.

Your coverage made no reference to Exercise Cygnus which was conducted in October 2016 by NHS England. This simulation exercise was undertaken to predict what the effect would be on the UK of a hypothetical H2N2 influenza epidemic, with the aim that the country could thereby be prepared to deal with a pandemic such as the coronavirus. Astonishingly, the results of Exercise Cygnus were classified. Even more astonishingly, they remain classified to this day.

From: Michael Clarke, Kirkbymoorside.

IT was inevitable in today’s “blame culture” that the present Covid crisis was a wonderful opportunity to start looking at where we could apportion fault.

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This is inevitable when those we elect to make decisions on our behalf are seldom chosen for their ability, expertise or knowledge, but probably for their political allegiance or even Greek language skills. I am no supporter of the Government and, with hindsight it could have been handled better, but whenever we have the calibre of elected representatives that are now in positions of power, then it is inevitable that wrong judgments are made.

From: Barbara Honey, Halifax.

I AGREE that an independent review should be instigated as a matter of urgency.

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