When will Simon Case appear before the Covid Inquiry?

It’s the question all Whitehall is asking. When will Simon Case appear before the Covid Inquiry? The Cabinet Secretary was due to give evidence prior to Christmas but was then signed off on sick leave in late October. Heather Hallett, the inquiry chair, allowed Case to skip his scheduled questioning after reviewing his medical records but promised that he would still be asked to give evidence before her at a later date.

More than five months on and, happily, Case is now better, having resumed his duties at the beginning of January. Yet despite his return to work seven weeks ago, there is still no news as to when he will be expected to give evidence. When asked, the Covid Inquiry – which has responsibility for the scheduling of future appearances – declined to provide a statement on when Case is likely to give evidence. Given the many uncomfortable questions that the Inquiry is expected to ask Case – such as about his embarrassingly