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Brunner 'invite analysis of the report' in response to BMA letter

Thu, 02 Nov 2023

Following the British Medical Association’s letter to the Chief Minister on the Covid review, Chair of the Independent Isle of Man’s Covid review, Kate Brunner KC has responded that she invites analysis of the report when its published.

In Brunner’s statement she reassures the people who have given their time and energy to assist with the Review that she has been able to “build up a full picture of what took place during the pandemic”.

She also states that she remains “satisfied that the Review process is an effective way to investigate the pandemic response, as Tynwald intended”.

Kate Brunner KC full statement below:

“A letter from the British Medical Association to the Chief Minister dated 28 October 2023 has been published today. The letter reports Dr Ranson’s and BMA’s view that the Review will not be able to uncover the truth. It is regrettable that the author of the letter did not seek to contact me to find out about the processes of the Review, which are robust and independent.

I invite analysis of the report when it is published in two months' time, rather than conjecture about the Review’s processes and findings at this stage.

I can reassure the hundreds of people who have given their time and energy to assist the Review that I have been able to build up a full picture of what took place during the pandemic, not just in relation to the decision-making around closing the borders, but in relation to many other areas including education, testing and the vaccination programme. That picture is built up not just by speaking to people, but also by a close analysis of contemporaneous documents such as emails, meeting minutes and notes of conversations. The Review is not publishing information about what evidence has been gathered or who has been spoken to until the report is finalised.

The Covid Review is a rigorous and independent investigation which has been given full access to Government material, and has obtained frank evidence from many current and previous Government employees and members of the public. The Review is in the final stages of evaluating the material which has been gathered, seeking further data where required, and will report at the end of the year as planned.

It is open to me to call for a Statutory Inquiry, and I would not hesitate to do so if I felt that I was unable to reach sound conclusions on a topic because of the absence of a witness or a document. I remain satisfied that the Review process is an effective way to investigate the pandemic response, as Tynwald intended.

Thank you to the Manx public who have provided me with their insight, useful information and material, and to all those who have participated. I recognise that it is a difficult process, and has been distressing for some people, but you have all assisted me to create a report which will explain what happened across Government, and assist any future Government dealing with a prolonged emergency situation.

KATE BRUNNER KC

CHAIR OF THE INDEPENDENT ISLE OF MAN COVID REVIEW”

 

 

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