In defence of Dominic Cummings

Sometimes it’s tricky to be a friend of Dominic Cummings, especially if you’re also friends with Helen MacNamara. I worked with them both in government during the Covid pandemic and couldn’t have more admiration for either of them. I can remember with absolute clarity Dominic explaining in March 2020 how the NHS would crumble without a swift change of strategy. Helen was boundless in her support and sense. She was the most senior woman by a mile who, yes, had to argue for everything, from proper PPE for women to changing the rules on births and miscarriages to allow partners to attend, rather than open up pheasant shooting (incidentally Dominic agreed with her).

The last two days of watching the Covid inquiry have been grim, particularly if you care for both Dominic and Helen – so I can’t even imagine what it has been like for the bereaved families. Fundamental failures have been exposed, as Baroness Hallett looks into what went on in government during the early days of Covid, from the dismal Cabinet Office preparation plans to the suitability of certain ministers (prime, health or otherwise) to do their jobs.