James Harrison

James Harrison is covering the UK's official Covid-19 inquiry for openDemocracy. He was previously a local democracy reporter in north-east England and assistant editor at the Sunderland Echo

Covid inquiry hears how Welsh councils were shut out of emergency planning

The Covid inquiry had a ‘deja vu’ moment, hearing calls for more focus on local government in the UK’s next emergency

By James Harrison

/ 6 Mar 2024

Covid inquiry hears how Welsh councils were shut out of emergency planning

‘Politics could trump public safety’: Welsh health chief’s Covid warning

The Covid-19 inquiry was shown warnings from a Public Health Wales boss sent before lockdown even began

By James Harrison

/ 6 Mar 2024

‘Politics could trump public safety’: Welsh health chief’s Covid warning

Wales’ top scientist implied Covid was ‘someone else’s problem’, inquiry hears

Peter Halligan ‘could and should have done more’, another scientist in devolved administration told Covid inquiry

By James Harrison

/ 29 Feb 2024

Wales’ top scientist implied Covid was ‘someone else’s problem’, inquiry hears

Covid inquiry: Top scientist defends ‘England-centric’ data

UK’s Covid-19 inquiry discusses whether Wales’s handling of the pandemic was affected by a focus on England

By James Harrison

/ 29 Feb 2024

Covid inquiry: Top scientist defends ‘England-centric’ data

Welsh government said more action on Covid in care homes wouldn’t ‘add value’

UK Covid inquiry heard of commissioner’s ‘anger’ after Welsh deputy health minister rejected call for more action

By James Harrison

/ 28 Feb 2024

Welsh government said more action on Covid in care homes wouldn’t ‘add value’

Welsh government to face questions over delay bringing in Covid restrictions

‘Confusion’ over pandemic rules either side of Anglo-Welsh border among issues raised as UK Covid inquiry restarts

By James Harrison

/ 28 Feb 2024

Welsh government to face questions over delay bringing in Covid restrictions

Were vital Covid WhatsApps deleted to avoid Freedom of Information rules?

Evidence seen by the inquiry shows senior Scottish figures reminding each other to delete communications

By James Harrison

/ 23 Jan 2024

Were vital Covid WhatsApps deleted to avoid Freedom of Information rules?

Medical chief who broke lockdown rules excused from Covid inquiry evidence

Catherine Calderwood won’t give evidence on the Scottish government’s Covid response ‘due to ill health’

By James Harrison

/ 22 Jan 2024

Medical chief who broke lockdown rules excused from Covid inquiry evidence

‘Hope this isn’t FOI-able?’ Scottish health chief defends deleting WhatsApps

Exchanges among Scotland’s top medical advisers have shed more light on controversial advice to clear chat logs

By James Harrison

/ 22 Jan 2024

‘Hope this isn’t FOI-able?’ Scottish health chief defends deleting WhatsApps

Domestic abuse survivors tell Covid inquiry of ‘nightmare’ lockdown

‘Misogyny at heart of government’ led to spike in domestic violence as women were trapped with abusers, inquiry told

By James Harrison

/ 13 Dec 2023

Domestic abuse survivors tell Covid inquiry of ‘nightmare’ lockdown

Johnson’s Covid claims dismantled as inquiry prepares for Christmas break

‘Awkward things called facts and evidence’ undermined evidence of former UK PM Boris Johnson, hearing told

By James Harrison

/ 13 Dec 2023

Johnson’s Covid claims dismantled as inquiry prepares for Christmas break

Government’s flagship Covid mass testing scheme was ‘never going to work’

Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s former deputy chief medical officer, said Operation Moonshot ‘didn’t make any sense’

By James Harrison

/ 22 Nov 2023

Government’s flagship Covid mass testing scheme was ‘never going to work’