THE journalist Isabel Oakeshott has revealed some of the ‘WhatsApp’ messages of the former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, entrusted to her to facilitate his ‘Pandemic Diary’ apparently in defiance of a non-disclosure agreement.
Miss Oakeshott has stated that her actions were entirely driven by public interest. The disclosure appears to show that Mr Hancock took a conscious decision not to have people who were discharged from hospitals during the pandemic tested for the Covid 19 virus, before being admitted into care homes.
Many elderly and vulnerable people were to die in care homes, isolated without the comfort of relatives.
Clearly this revelation has caused anger to many people for different reasons.
Some of the British press has sought to discredit Miss Oakeshott by citing her previous ‘outing’ of sources leading to resignations.
Some members of our government have expressed surprise that Mr Hancock handed over the cache of messages at all.
Are we missing something here? We have ministers apparently using a media platform to conduct government business. Why? Would this particular communication have ever seen the light of day without the disclosure by Miss Oakeshott?
More, would the public enquiry headed by Baroness Heather Hallett have had access to this information?
It must be the case that we examine government and all associated offices charged with the response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
This can only be done if we accept that it is of overriding importance that all of the facts are made available and we are prepared to accept that where mistakes were made they are admitted.
The overwhelming number will have been made in good faith.
It is the rotten stench of cover up and self protection that the public despise.
MARTIN FOX
Castle Farm Road, Lytchett Matravers
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