Boris Johnson has been asked to offer Covid bereaved families "dignity" this Christmas by naming a public inquiry chair before parliament shuts down for 2021.
More than 1,200 families who lost a loved one to the virus have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to announce who will preside over the inquiry into the Government's handling of the pandemic.
The hearing is due to start in spring but families are increasingly worried it will be delayed and that the Government will pick a chair friendly to the Government.
Their letter calls on the PM to "show you respect bereaved families" by naming the chair before parliament enters recess on Thursday.
The Government has previously confirmed it would announce a chair by the festive break, but time is running out.
Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said: "It is an absolute insult for Boris Johnson to treat the families of those who have died from Covid like this.
"If he fails to appoint a chair by Christmas it will be the latest in a series of broken promises from a Prime Minister who undermined trust in his own government by partying while the rest of the country followed the rules to stay safe.
"It's one thing to lie about parties, it's quite another to let down the bereaved families who deserve to have confidence in the inquiry."
The open letter also hits out at Christmas parties last year at Downing Street's last year and videos of staff "laughing and joking at breaches of guidance designed to save others from our pain" and images of the PM at the Christmas quiz.
It says: "It feels like each day brings fresh pain and insult from you and your Government.
"Allow us the dignity of focusing on the difficult weeks ahead by getting on with your job and naming the chair."
Matt Fowler, co-founder of the campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, added: "Boris Johnson looked us in the eyes and promised us to name the chair of the UK wide inquiry by Christmas.
"But tomorrow Parliament breaks for the holidays and we've heard nothing, not even a reply from when we wrote to him.
"If he wants to show he cares even just a little about our losses he will name the Chair by the end of tomorrow and allow us to focus on the difficult Christmas that those of us who lost loved ones to the virus face"
