A Covid-19 public inquiry that will look at the deaths of 533 Renfrewshire people will be set up before the end of the year.
The Scottish Government confirmed earlier today that the independent probe would examine ministers’ handling of the pandemic as campaigners demand to know how their loved came to be among the 10,421 Scots who died.
People living in Renfrewshire - one of the areas hardest hit by covid - are now being asked to put forward their ideas about what should be included within the remit of the investigation.
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The government has however already confirmed that its handling of the virus in care homes will be part of the process.
In excess of 200 elderly people lost their lives to Covid-19 after the virus ravaged Renfrewshire’s 22 care homes.
Their families have long asked if some of those deaths could have been avoided.
Today Covid Recovery Secretary John Swinney said all decisions taken by the government would be fully scrutinised.
Speaking on the day Renfrewshire recorded one of its highest ever numbers of new covid cases, Mr Swinney said: “Since the early stages of our pandemic response we have been committed to a public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic in Scotland, to ensure that lessons are learned for the future.
“We will continue to listen to those affected by Covid-19, including bereaved families, on what they wish the public inquiry to focus on.
“Their feedback will be fundamental in reviewing the suggested approach set out here, and setting the terms of reference for an independent Scottish inquiry.”
Work is underway to identify and appoint a judge to chair the inquiry, which will also look at the impact of the government’s decisions on education and the economy.
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Neil Bibby MSP, who called for the inquiry to get underway months ago, has welcomed the announcement.
He said: “We know from painful experience in Renfrewshire the human cost of covid.
“We have ranked among the hardest hit parts of Scotland and we are still living with the tragic consequences today.
“A full, public inquiry can ensure that any failures in government policy that drove the spread of covid, not least the failure to secure our care homes, are fully scrutinised.
“The lessons of this tragedy must be learned and tragic mistakes must never be repeated.”
Solicitor Aamer Anwar, acting on behalf of the Scottish branch of the UK group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said today marked “the first important step in establishing accountability for 10,421 lives lost to Covid-19 in Scotland”.
He said: “Any public inquiry must be truly independent and leave no stone unturned, that is the most fitting tribute that our country can pay to the victims of Covid-19.”
He added: “To be effective and meaningful, grieving families must be at the heart of the inquiry process to get to the truth of what happened.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also begun discussions with the governments in England, Northern Ireland and Wales about the terms of reference for a UK-wide inquiry.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnston has indicated this will nt take place until at least the spring of next year.
The public can email COVID-19publicinquirysetupteam@gov.scot with their ideas for the inquiry.
