the bbc reveals that the united arab emirates planned to use the summit to discuss possible oil deals. hello, i'm lucy hockings. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. it's the final day of the four day truce between israel and hamas. this has been the scene in rafah, southern gaza today, with traffic and people moving about. israel has offered a further day's pause in the fighting in gaza for every ten captives released, and hamas says it seeks an extension. aid agencies have again been using the truce to transport more aid into the territory. nato chiefjens stoltenberg has joined us presidentjoe biden and the eu's head of diplomacy josep borrell in calling

for an extension in order to bring more hostages home. and in the last hour the palestinian foreign minister has warned that once the deal expires, it is important that innocent civilians are protected. hamas freed more hostages, including 14 israelis, in exchange for 39 palestinian prisoners on sunday. but both israel and hamas are reported to have raised concerns over the lists of hostages and prisoners set to be released today. qatari mediators are said to be working with both sides to resolve the problems. meanwhile tech billionaire elon musk is in israel to discuss tackling anti—semitism online with prime minister benjamin netanyahu after a rise of hate speech on his platform x. also in the past hour, israeli government spokesperson eylon levy has given a press conference. he was asked what happens when the current four—day pause ends. the campaign to end hamas and bring our hostages home

will resume immediately with the end of the hostage release pause. i'm not going to speculate, obviously, about the exact operational movements of our troops and the continuation of that strategy, but hamas is on notice that an option for an extension is open, we want to receive another additional 50 hostages beyond tonight on our way to bringing everyone home, as soon as that framework expires, israel will continue with full force towards those three objectives — eliminating hamas, making sure the gaza strip can never be a security threat to israel and releasing all the hostages. it is of course israel's military pressure that has bought hamas to bear to agree to release those hostages. we have had it begging for a breather because it has been clobbered over the last month and that pressure will continue until we get everyone home. now let's catch up with the rest of the day's developments, with this report from our middle east correspondent hugo bachega. free again. 14 israeli hostages released by hamas head home

after their long ordeal, along with three foreign nationals. among them were is—year—olds dafna and ela elyakim, eight, who were finally reunited with their mum, chen goldstein—almog, who was released along with her three children, and roni kriboy, released 51 days after being kidnapped from a festival where he was working as sound crew. it followed a weekend of happy reunions. avigail idan spent her fourth birthday in captivity. the israeli american was taken on october the seventh after hamas attacked and killed both of her parents. her family have spoken of their relief at finally being reunited. translation: it was wow. i couldn't believe until i saw her. i simply couldn't believe it. now i'm a bit more relieved. not relieved completely,

because there's happiness mixed a with missing roy and haider. and there were celebrations in the occupied west bank too. 39 palestinian prisoners in their teens were released by israel in exchange for the hostages. the green flag of hamas seen flying among the crowds. translation: we are very happy. thank god for this joy. and we hope that all prisoners will be released, god willing, release for all prisoners. today marks the final day of the temporary ceasefire deal between hamas and israel. so far, 5a hostages and 117 palestinian prisoners have been freed and much needed aid has been sent into gaza. now attention turns to whether this fragile truce could be extended. hamas says it wants to see an extension of the current pause in fighting in gaza. this could increase the number of hostages being freed.

president biden said the hostage release was the result of intensive us diplomacy. his administration, he said, would be working to extend the deal. more is needed, but this deal is delivering life saving results. critically needed aid is going in and hostages are coming out. and this deal is structured so that it can be extended to keep building on these results. that's my goal, that's our goal. the israeli prime minister reaffirmed his determination to continue the fighting once the temporary ceasefire ends. with about 180 people is still in captivity in gaza, the painful wait of their families continues. hugo bachega, bbc news, jerusalem. earlier the bbc spoke to gili roman, whose sister has been kidnapped by hamas. she was abducted with her husband, her in laws and her daughter. gili told the bbc about their chilling story and his optimism, despite her not being released yet.

they were put inside a vehicle towards gaza, and just before the border they decided they were going to jump out of the vehicle, and try to escape and run for their lives. so, my sister was holding her daughter in her arms, they were jumping out of the moving car, started to run away. obviously, soon after, the terrorists started to run after them, shooting at them and my sister did another motherly act and she decided to separate herself from the most precious thing that she has in her life which is her daughter and she gave her to her husband and he was able to run faster while my sister was holding her hands above her head, stalling the terrorists, allowing her husband to find a hiding spot. they were able to hide and after 2a hours without food or water, no communication, complete silence with a three—year—old,

they managed to reach out and save themselves back to the entrance of the kibbutz, the idf. but my sister is a mother, now separated from her child, and we are waiting for her to be released. we are talking in this deal about children and women and mothers, mostly. and my niece is waiting over 50 days to see her mother back, the mother who saved her life. let's speak to nomi bar—yaacov from the international affairs think tank chatham house. cani can i start with this growing international pressure we have seen from the eu, from nato and from president biden. mil from the eu, from nato and from president biden.— from the eu, from nato and from president biden. all talking about the need and _ president biden. all talking about the need and wish _ president biden. all talking about the need and wish to _ president biden. all talking about the need and wish to see - president biden. all talking about the need and wish to see this - the need and wish to see this current truce extended. in your mind, what needs to happen for that to take effect on both sides? i

think it is imperative that the truce is extended for maybe four days at a time, that is the current discussion. they are discussing an extension of four days, in terms of the agreement, for every day that the agreement, for every day that the truce is extended, i would call it a ceasefire, hamas will release ten hostages and israel will release 30 palestinian prisoners. in order for it to happen, the main stumbling block at the moment is there are around a0 hostages who are not held in the hands of hamas or hamas are claiming they are not holding a0 hostages and there is a lot of international pressure for them to find those hostages. some of them will be held by palestinian islamic jihad, some bike gangs and families. it is imperative to get a list of

all the hostages that are held by others, other than hamas. that is the main issue. in others, other than hamas. that is the main issue.— the main issue. in terms of the international _ the main issue. in terms of the international pressure, - the main issue. in terms of the international pressure, it - the main issue. in terms of the international pressure, it is - the main issue. in terms of the international pressure, it is it'sj international pressure, it is it's still the us that can exert the most influence on benjamin netanyahu and israel at the moment or do you see that weaning? ila. israel at the moment or do you see that weaning?— that weaning? no, i think the us is the country — that weaning? no, i think the us is the country that _ that weaning? no, i think the us is the country that has _ that weaning? no, i think the us is the country that has the _ that weaning? no, i think the us is the country that has the most - the country that has the most leveraged over israel and i think that president biden... leveraged over israel and i think that president biden. .. returning to the covid inquiry. _ that president biden. .. returning to the covid inquiry. the _ that president biden. .. returning to the covid inquiry. the mayor - that president biden. .. returning to the covid inquiry. the mayor of - the covid inquiry. the mayor of london is consuming to give his evidence. do we take it that this was an arrangement that predated the pandemic? yes was an arrangement that predated the andemic? , , , , pandemic? yes we used less frequently — pandemic? yes we used less frequently since _ pandemic? yes we used less frequently since the - pandemic? yes we used less l frequently since the pandemic pandemic? yes we used less - frequently since the pandemic but during the course of the pandemic a lot of regular meetings and our staff were on first name terms because of good collaborative

working. ii because of good collaborative workinu. ,. ., ., ., working. if we scroll down to the next paragraph. _ working. if we scroll down to the next paragraph, you _ working. if we scroll down to the next paragraph, you then - working. if we scroll down to the next paragraph, you then talk i working. if we scroll down to the i next paragraph, you then talk about calls with leaders of the devolved administrations. was this something that took place between you and individual leaders of the devolved administrations or was it linked in some way to the m ten meetings? you like these were separate meetings, it took place after my invitation to the first cobra, and when michael gove took over some of the work when borisjohnson was in hospital, we would meet with michael gove and others. what with the themes of the discussions, both between you and the other mayors and separately with your discussions of litres of devolved authorities? it your discussions of litres of devolved authorities? it was about what was working, _ devolved authorities? it was about

what was working, what _ devolved authorities? it was about what was working, what wasn't - what was working, what wasn't working, some of the papers presented at the cobra, our responses to those. the sort of conversations, sometimes with michael gove present at the time separately. michael gove present at the time se aratel . , michael gove present at the time separately-— michael gove present at the time separately. michael gove present at the time searatel . , ., ., , ,, separately. there is one example you aive, it is separately. there is one example you give. it is paragraph _ separately. there is one example you give, it is paragraph 236 _ separately. there is one example you give, it is paragraph 236 on _ separately. there is one example you give, it is paragraph 236 on page - give, it is paragraph 236 on page 51. this is an example of call with first ministers in may and you record their everyone apparently expressing concern that the government wasn't engaging sufficiently, a feeling there had been a coordinated, deliberate shift in the government's approach. could you expand on that, what sort of shift and in what direction? i think the last cobra _ shift and in what direction? i think the last cobra had _ shift and in what direction? i think the last cobra had happened - shift and in what direction? i think the last cobra had happened on i shift and in what direction? i think. the last cobra had happened on the 10th of may and there was a concern

of the mixed messages, on one hand a return to work and the other hand don't use public transport. there was a concern of mixed messages and our experiences on the coal face, i would argue that nicola sturgeon or other people know what is happening in their regions instead of a civil servant in whitehall and that is the frustration they would share with me. that was my frustration as well. as 2020 progressed, devolved leaders were writing leaders asking for more cobra meetings, is that correct? yes, the last cobra i attended was in may, i don't know if there were other meetings with the first ministers without me, it goes back to the usefulness of cobra meetings, we could discuss these things and there is a huge strength of being

cross there is a huge strength of being cros , ., . there is a huge strength of being cros . . . there is a huge strength of being cros ,, ., ., . ., cross you are watching the covid in . ui cross you are watching the covid inquiry with _ cross you are watching the covid inquiry with the _ cross you are watching the covid inquiry with the mayor _ cross you are watching the covid inquiry with the mayor of - cross you are watching the covid | inquiry with the mayor of london giving evidence. if you want to continue watching that you can go to the bbc live news page. cobra is best utilised as a short—term measure, it wasn't an appropriate forum to coordinate long—term pandemic management. what is your view on that?— view on that? whether it is held in cobra or elsewhere, _ view on that? whether it is held in cobra or elsewhere, it _ view on that? whether it is held in cobra or elsewhere, it needs - view on that? whether it is held in cobra or elsewhere, it needs to i view on that? whether it is held in cobra or elsewhere, it needs to be with the prime minister there, he has the gravitas, he can pull a lever and things will happen. everyone around the table, there was an absence of these meetings between may and september i would stay still things getting bad. in my view, had

there been better processes that had led to better decision making, in my view poor process leads to poor judgment, leads to poor decision—making. i judgment, leads to poor decision-making.- judgment, leads to poor decision-making. judgment, leads to poor decision-makinu. , ., ., ., decision-making. i 'ust want to ask ou a few decision-making. i just want to ask you a few questions _ decision-making. i just want to ask you a few questions on _ decision-making. i just want to ask you a few questions on the - decision-making. i just want to ask you a few questions on the subject| you a few questions on the subject of inequalities, there will be others who are asking more detailed questions shortly. you mentioned in the course of your evidence that one of the group of duties, responsible it is that you had as may is a duty to consider structural health inequalities and to prepare a strategy to address those inequalities, is that right? . yes. we know from a very early stage, it became apparent that the virus was having an unequal effect, in

particular on ethnic groups within london, that they had a more severe effect on them. is that something you became aware of at an early stage? it you became aware of at an early stare? ., , , , you became aware of at an early stage?_ how - you became aware of at an early stage?_ how did i you became aware of at an early stage?_ how did you j stage? it was, yes. how did you become aware? _ stage? it was, yes. how did you become aware? it _ stage? it was, yes. how did you become aware? it was - stage? it was, yes. how did you become aware? it was clear- stage? it was, yes. how did you | become aware? it was clear from stage? it was, yes. how did you i become aware? it was clear from a number of — become aware? it was clear from a number of metrics, _ become aware? it was clear from a number of metrics, if— become aware? it was clear from a number of metrics, if you - become aware? it was clear from a number of metrics, if you see i become aware? it was clear from a number of metrics, if you see the i number of metrics, if you see the photographs of the first ten doctors who lost their lives, as they are all people of colour. we knew in relation to transport workers, i'm afraid in london we lost 105 transport workers, i would write to every transport worker's families and the names i was writing were all ethnic minority names. we knew from conversation with health workers and transport workers, the issue of disproportionality, the phrase i used at the time was we all might be facing the same storm but people are in different sized boats. can i

facing the same storm but people are in different sized boats.— in different sized boats. can i ask ou to in different sized boats. can i ask you to look _ in different sized boats. can i ask you to look at — in different sized boats. can i ask you to look at a _ in different sized boats. can i ask you to look at a particular- you to look at a particular document, that is this... we mentioned the group, stack, your version of sage, this is a report prepared by that body. dealing with health inequalities. it is a early the 22nd of april, did you commission this or did someone else asked them to do this work? i commission this or did someone else asked them to do this work?- asked them to do this work? i asked them to look — asked them to do this work? i asked them to look into _ asked them to do this work? i asked them to look into it. _ asked them to do this work? i asked them to look into it. it _ asked them to do this work? i asked them to look into it. it is _ asked them to do this work? i asked them to look into it. it is drafted i them to look into it. it is drafted by professor _ them to look into it. it is drafted by professor kevin _ them to look into it. it is drafted by professor kevin fenton, i them to look into it. it is drafted by professor kevin fenton, if i them to look into it. it is drafted by professor kevin fenton, if we j by professor kevin fenton, if we look at page six, he was the chair of rafah,?—

look at page six, he was the chair of rafah,? ., ,,., ., ., .,, of rafah,? professor paul plante was there before. — of rafah,? professor paul plante was there before, kevin _ of rafah,? professor paul plante was there before, kevin became - of rafah,? professor paul plante was there before, kevin became my i there before, kevin became my statutory health advisor. i’m there before, kevin became my statutory health advisor. i'm not auoin to statutory health advisor. i'm not going to go _ statutory health advisor. i'm not going to go all — statutory health advisor. i'm not going to go all through - statutory health advisor. i'm not going to go all through the i statutory health advisor. i'm not l going to go all through the report, it is relatively detailed but would it is relatively detailed but would it be a fair summary to say that at this early stage it was flagging up the obvious signs of unequal impact and advocating more research, more data, more understanding of the problem? data, more understanding of the roblem? ~ , data, more understanding of the problem?_ we - data, more understanding of the problem?_ we knewl data, more understanding of the i problem?_ we knew that it problem? absolutely. we knew that it was professor — problem? absolutely. we knew that it was professor fenton _ problem? absolutely. we knew that it was professor fenton who _ problem? absolutely. we knew that it was professor fenton who went i problem? absolutely. we knew that it was professor fenton who went on i problem? absolutely. we knew that it was professor fenton who went on to | was professor fenton who went on to prepare an inequality report later in the year, did you have any involvement? i in the year, did you have any involvement?— in the year, did you have any involvement? , ., ., involvement? i spoke to kevin almost dail but at involvement? i spoke to kevin almost daily but at i — involvement? i spoke to kevin almost daily but at i can't _ involvement? i spoke to kevin almost daily but at i can't say _ involvement? i spoke to kevin almost daily but at i can't say what _ daily but at i can't say what specific influence i had. i would ask ou specific influence i had. i would ask you questions _ specific influence i had. i would ask you questions about - specific influence i had. i would ask you questions about later l specific influence i had. i would | ask you questions about later in 2020, and for these purposes, if we can start with paragraph 123 of your statement on page 28. you described

their attending in september of 2020 a summit meeting, described as a london covid meeting with representatives of the uk government. we see matt hancock, i think there was sir edward lister and on your side, london's political leadership. you say the meeting that had been requested by the government to agree the escalation process for london in response to any further outbreaks. i'm going to take you to slide in a moment so we can see in more detail what was being discussed, can you introduce it for us and tell us what the meeting was about? , ., , .,

us and tell us what the meeting was about? , . , . ., us and tell us what the meeting was about? , .,, ., ., . about? this was an of excellent initiative from _ about? this was an of excellent initiative from the _ about? this was an of excellentj initiative from the government, about? this was an of excellent i initiative from the government, the government said let's work together in relation to a process where central government, regional government, local government can work towards how we decide to escalate the process and de—escalate it as well. and also importantly, it means the centre knows what happened at the coalface. that is describing what this meeting was, i think it was an excellent initiative. let’s was an excellent initiative. let's look at 118- _ was an excellent initiative. let's look at 118. if _ was an excellent initiative. let's look at 118. if we _ was an excellent initiative. let's look at 118. if we start _ was an excellent initiative. let's look at 118. if we start off i was an excellent initiative. let's look at 118. if we start off on i was an excellent initiative. let's| look at 118. if we start off on the first page, if we go to page three. we can see the date, these were a series of slides that were used at the meeting. teri series of slides that were used at the meeting-—

the meeting. yes costs drew, a . reeinr the meeting. yes costs drew, agreeing the _ the meeting. yes costs drew, agreeing the metrics. - the meeting. yes costs drew, agreeing the metrics. i'm i the meeting. yes costs drew, agreeing the metrics. i'm not| the meeting. yes costs drew, i agreeing the metrics. i'm not going to invite us — agreeing the metrics. i'm not going to invite us to _ agreeing the metrics. i'm not going to invite us to go _ agreeing the metrics. i'm not going to invite us to go into _ agreeing the metrics. i'm not going to invite us to go into the _ agreeing the metrics. i'm not going to invite us to go into the details, l to invite us to go into the details, perhaps the diagram tells a fairly simple story, the phrase that was used was escalation. does this demonstrate the detailed thinking that was being done about how a process should take place from the consideration of enhanced measures in a pickle area, how the debate would take place starting at the bottom and ending with a decision made by the by mr? yes. bottom and ending with a decision made by the by mr?— made by the by mr? yes, that is riuht. i made by the by mr? yes, that is right- i want _ made by the by mr? yes, that is right. i want to _ made by the by mr? yes, that is right. i want to your witness i right. i want to your witness statement. _ right. i want to your witness statement, this _ right. i want to your witness statement, this meeting i right. i want to your witness | statement, this meeting was requested by the government, as you said you regarded it as being a very helpful initiative. we said you regarded it as being a very helpful initiative.— helpful initiative. we had done a lot of work _

helpful initiative. we had done a lot of work in _ helpful initiative. we had done a lot of work in advance _ helpful initiative. we had done a lot of work in advance but i helpful initiative. we had done a lot of work in advance but it i helpful initiative. we had done a lot of work in advance but it was j helpful initiative. we had done a i lot of work in advance but it was a good example of them recognising london is different to other parts of the country, also you need to have partnership between the centre and regions. this have partnership between the centre and reuions. , .,, have partnership between the centre and regions-— and regions. this was something a . reed and regions. this was something agreed prior— and regions. this was something agreed prior to _ and regions. this was something agreed prior to the _ and regions. this was something agreed prior to the introduction l and regions. this was something l agreed prior to the introduction of the system of tears which came later. was their discussion of a possible tier system or was this taking place completely independently of that plan to follow? it independently of that plan to follow? ., , independently of that plan to follow? . , , g, follow? it was independent. the tea s stem follow? it was independent. the tea system came _ follow? it was independent. the tea system came later. _ follow? it was independent. the tea system came later. do _ follow? it was independent. the tea system came later. do you - follow? it was independent. the tea system came later. do you know- follow? it was independent. the tea system came later. do you know if. follow? it was independent. the tea j system came later. do you know if a similar discussion _ system came later. do you know if a similar discussion was _ system came later. do you know if a similar discussion was taking - system came later. do you know if a similar discussion was taking place | similar discussion was taking place around the country? i similar discussion was taking place around the country?— similar discussion was taking place around the country? i don't know but i would around the country? i don't know but i would have — around the country? i don't know but i would have shared _ around the country? i don't know but i would have shared this _ around the country? i don't know but i would have shared this with - around the country? i don't know but i would have shared this with the i i would have shared this with the other metro mayor's, i am sure it would be shared with the metro this initiative. .,

would be shared with the metro this initiative. . ., , would be shared with the metro this initiative. . . , , ., would be shared with the metro this initiative. . ., , , ., ., initiative. that was the plan for escalation. _ initiative. that was the plan for escalation, you _ initiative. that was the plan for escalation, you said _ initiative. that was the plan for escalation, you said the - initiative. that was the plan for i escalation, you said the meeting was on the 11th of september, in fact as you also described and as we will come to see, shortly after that a letter dated the 18th of september, you were writing to borisjohnson advocating what this plan anticipated which was increased measures in london?— anticipated which was increased measures in london? that's right, in advance of any _ measures in london? that's right, in advance of any tiering _ measures in london? that's right, in advance of any tiering system. i measures in london? that's right, in advance of any tiering system. let's| advance of any tiering system. let's look at that — advance of any tiering system. let's look at that letter. _ a letter from you to the prime minister. about four paragraphs down, please. you say it is increasingly likely that additional measures will soon be required to

slow the spread of the virus, you were of the firm view that we should not wait for the virus to spiral out of control before taking action and the best thing for both public health and the economy is new restrictions imposed early rather than a full lockdown when it is to late. lockdown was too late, sorry london was too late into lockdown in march, you said the decision lost lives, we can't be slow to respond again. before i ask you to expand on those views, the inquiry has heard a lot of evidence from the government officials, also from scientists and so on who were analysing the position at that stage and reaching their own views on as it became known a circuit breaker at this time. did you have access to your

own independent scientific views which led to this advocacy for a lockdown?— which led to this advocacy for a lockdown? no, our information was from the partners _ lockdown? no, our information was from the partners we _ lockdown? no, our information was from the partners we had _ lockdown? no, our information was from the partners we had across i from the partners we had across london, we were seeing more admissions in hospitals, more use of the i see you in hospitals, in relation to prevalence. there was a problem with the lack of testing to assess how good or bad things were. we were also aware of some of the measures used in other parts of the country because of concerns they had. pail country because of concerns they had. �* ., ., , country because of concerns they had. �* ., , , country because of concerns they had. �* ., , ., ., had. all of those things would have been available _ had. all of those things would have been available to _ had. all of those things would have been available to the _ had. all of those things would have been available to the prime - had. all of those things would have | been available to the prime minister and cabinet. , been available to the prime minister and cabinet-— and cabinet. yes, it was all open source data. _ and cabinet. yes, it was all open source data, at _ and cabinet. yes, it was all open source data, at most _ and cabinet. yes, it was all open source data, at most the - and cabinet. yes, it was all open source data, at most the advice. and cabinet. yes, it was all open i source data, at most the advice from kevin fenton which was accessible to the government.— the government. there was a debate raauin at the government. there was a debate raging at this — the government. there was a debate raging at this time _ the government. there was a debate raging at this time as _ the government. there was a debate raging at this time as to _ the government. there was a debate raging at this time as to whether i the government. there was a debate raging at this time as to whether a i raging at this time as to whether a circuit breaker should be imposed.

you were expressing your view but not putting before the prime minister any new evidence on the subject. minister any new evidence on the sub'ect. ., minister any new evidence on the subject. ila. we mentioned the tier subject. ila we mentioned the tier system, subject. ila. we mentioned the tier system, it was in october that the tiering system was introduced, as i imagine we will hear later on, that was the subject of some controversy amongst other regions, critically in the north west. it is apparent from your statement that there wasn't the same degree of dispute about the tiering system in london, is that right? tiering system in london, is that riuht? �* . tiering system in london, is that riuht? , ., , right? because colleagues in the north-west _ right? because colleagues in the north-west went _ right? because colleagues in the north-west went into _ right? because colleagues in the north-west went into a - right? because colleagues in the north-west went into a higher i right? because colleagues in the i north-west went into a higher tier, north—west went into a higher tier, hospitality was affected and there was a lack of support, there wasn't that tension in london because we hadn't got there.— hadn't got there. when the tier s stem hadn't got there. when the tier system was _ hadn't got there. when the tier system was introduced - hadn't got there. when the tier system was introduced you i hadn't got there. when the tier| system was introduced you were hadn't got there. when the tier i system was introduced you were in tier 1 and you system was introduced you were in tier1 and you asked to go up to

tier1 and you asked to go up to tier 2, was that by means of the escalation process we were looking at? ., . , , escalation process we were looking at? ., . ., at? correct, because the metrics we had were showing _ at? correct, because the metrics we had were showing us _ at? correct, because the metrics we had were showing us things - at? correct, because the metrics we had were showing us things were i had were showing us things were getting worse, we said let's go into tier 2 to leapfrog a lockdown, that will hopefully address some of the concerns. that is a good example of partnership working. b5 concerns. that is a good example of partnership working.— partnership working. as you say, that debate _ partnership working. as you say, that debate was _ partnership working. as you say, that debate was taking _ partnership working. as you say, that debate was taking place i partnership working. as you say, that debate was taking place as i partnership working. as you say, l that debate was taking place as we now know in the run—up to what became the second lockdown. ta complete the story, in advance of the second lockdown in november, i had lobbied the prime ministerfor a circuit breaker, i had to sage advice but also half term at the end of was an opportunity for that circuit breaker, the government didn't listen to my lobbying. subsequently in november went into lockdown. x�*t�*au subsequently in november went into lockdown. ., ,. , lockdown. you describe in your statement _ lockdown. you describe in your statement your _ lockdown. you describe in your

statement your reaction i lockdown. you describe in your statement your reaction when i lockdown. you describe in your. statement your reaction when that lockdown was finally announced. that frustration but you also made a point about the degree of warning you received about that decision. before lockdown one we knew what was happening around the world, we delayed and dithered. lockdown two may not have been needed had the government taken the advice from sage for a circuit breaker, the lopping from people like me, so another example of the lateness 30 needing another lockdown, crippling the economy. had it been taken sooner, i would argue they wouldn't have needed to be a lockdown, less damage to the economy.— have needed to be a lockdown, less damage to the economy. thank you, that is all my — damage to the economy. thank you, that is all my questions, _ damage to the economy. thank you, that is all my questions, they - damage to the economy. thank you, that is all my questions, they will. that is all my questions, they will now be other questions. mr campbell.

the questions — now be other questions. mr campbell. the questions i _ now be other questions. mr campbell. the questions i ask _ now be other questions. mr campbell. the questions i ask are _ now be other questions. mr campbell. the questions i ask are only _ now be other questions. mr campbell. the questions i ask are only half- now be other questions. mr campbell. the questions i ask are only half of i the questions i ask are only half of families in northern ireland and the uk, i have been granted permission to ask about two topics, the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on certain sectors, as was alluded to earlier, there are additional questions on that. you said in your witness statement on a number of occasions it became clear as the pandemic progressed that the crisis had not only exposed but also increased deep—seated inequalities increased deep—seated inequalities in london and across the country. and it became clear that it disproportionately impacted on our black and minority ethnic communities. those on the lowest incomes, londoners in particular living in the most deprived areas for whom overcrowding and poverty may be an issue. you called this evidence of structural racism,

relatively early stage, would you agree? relatively early stage, would you a . ree? . relatively early stage, would you auree? . . relatively early stage, would you a . ree? ., , ., relatively early stage, would you a. ree? . , . ., relatively early stage, would you auree? . , ., ., ethnicity has not been recorded on death certificates, particularly in hospitals, and a disproportionate impact of covid on black and ethnic minority communities has not been properly understood and recorded. can you look at the document? this is a letter that you wrote to matt hancock on 7th of may 2020, urging him to take action, to introduce routine ethnic data collection with death registrations in england. can we focus on the top two paragraphs, perhaps top three paragraphs? the

date is the 7th of may 2020. you right to seek the governments urgent action to get routine ethnic information on deaths, and you say evidence is emerging that black and ethnic minority communities may be disproportionately affected by covid, including deaths, from this virus. in your third covid, including deaths, from this virus. in yourthird paragraph covid, including deaths, from this virus. in your third paragraph of your concerns were that lack of ethnic data recording in death registrations was holding us back from getting a full picture. it would seem, correct me if i am wrong, that you receive no immediate reply to that letter, is that right? a couple of weeks later, i wrote to the home secretary because of my concern about lack of response. it occurred to me that the government did not really understand issues that i was talking about. you mentioned the phrase structural inequality, structural racism. it