UK Covid inquiry urged to consider structural racism in every part of investigation

Almost all minority ethnic groups were more likely to die from virus than white British people

The Covid-19 public inquiry is facing calls to consider structural racism in every part of its investigation after it emerged almost all minority ethnic groups were more likely to die from the virus than white British people.

Earlier this month, the lead counsel to the government-commissioned inquiry said it was not planning to consider structural racism in the first module of the inquiry examining pandemic preparations. But bereaved families and race equality organisations have told the inquiry chair, Heather Hallett, that all 11 modules of the sprawling investigation must consider the phenomenon as a key issue.