Coronavirus inquiry: Bereaved families urge Government to launch probe into handling of the outbreak

Fleet Street veteran: Stuart Goodman was in hospital after a cancer diagnosis

At least 250 London families whose loved ones died with coronavirus today demanded an urgent probe into the handling of the epidemic.

They want an initial rapid phase of a public inquiry to identify shortcomings and any changes that are needed now.

Four members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice were today giving evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus.

One of them, Jo Goodman of Tottenham, is the group’s joint founder.

Her father Stuart, who had a heart condition, asthma and was receiving a diagnosis for cancer, died with coronavirus on April 2 at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

Mr Goodman, a former night picture editor for the Evening Standard, was sent a letter advising him to shield which arrived nine days after he died.

His daughter, 31, said: “The Government did far too little, far too late for him.”

Ministers say an independent inquiry will be held but the focus currently needs to be on fighting the disease, that they took the right decisions at the right time and followed scientific advice.