A Forfar man who lost his mum after she contracted coronavirus in a Fife care home says he has confidence in new Scottish Covid inquiry chief Lord Brailsford to get answers for bereaved families.
He replaced Lady Poole who stepped down as the chair of the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry shortly before it emerged four other lawyers had also resigned.
At the time she was heavily criticised by people who lost loved ones during the pandemic and for making little progress.
On Tuesday, Lord Brailsford met members of the Scottish Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, including Alan Wightman.
‘He was very compassionate’
Mr Wightman’s mum Helen died in May 2020 after she contracted coronavirus in her care home in Leven.
Originally from Methil, Ms Wightman had been staying in Scoonie House for a number of months when the coronavirus pandemic started in March 2020.
She started to feel unwell on April 20 and passed away on May 6.
She was one of four residents at the care home to die after being infected with the virus.
Mr Wightman, who previously launched a scathing attack on Lady Poole’s record as inquiry chair, now says he is encouraged by his first meeting with Lord Brailsford.
He said: “He met dozens of us and they told him their stories.
“I have to say, he listened quite intently and was very compassionate.
“He took note of what we were telling him and he came across as someone we can have confidence in.
“It was refreshing.”
‘Things appear to be moving forward’
Mr Wightman said Lord Brailsford is now due to make an announcement on who will replace the four lawyers who quit as early as next week.
He added the group will also find out if they will be given core participant status, which would entitle them to funding for legal representation, within the next week.
Mr Wightman added: “It is now down to making sure he delivers.
“But at the moment I myself have confidence in Lord Brailsford and I look forward to supporting his work in the inquiry.
“Things appear to be moving forward and that is good news for the bereaved families.”
Mammoth task ahead
The bereaved families are being represented by Glasgow lawyer Aamer Anwar.
He said he was “heartened” by the group’s first meeting with Lord Brailsford and praised him for “hitting the ground running”.
Mr Anwar said: “The families were always going to be anxious because they had lost faith in the Scottish inquiry.
“But Lord Brailsford has displayed genuine empathy with the families and was kind and considered while he listened to their heartbreaking stories.
“The families appreciate the mammoth task ahead of him but they have left the meeting believing he has pressed the reset button.”
The UK-wide Covid-19 inquiry, led by Lady Hallett, had earlier indicated the Scottish inquiry would not start to hear evidence until 2024, but Mr Anwar said Lord Brailsford has already brought this part of the inquiry forward to as early as next year.
He added: “The families feel he will work day and night for them so he has their confidence.”