Boris Johnson visited the memorial late on Tuesday. Picture by Victoria Jones/PA Wire Sam Blewett, PA 29 April, 2021 12:56
Downing Street has said Boris Johnson went to the National Covid Memorial Wall for quiet reflection after campaigners for bereaved families criticised the visit under cover of darkness .
Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice accused the British prime minister of trying to dodge relatives of those who have died during the crisis by visiting the memorial late on Tuesday.
But No 10 defended Mr Johnson s private visit to the site opposite the Houses of Parliament as being for quiet reflection , and said he offers his deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one.
But Bereaved Families for Justice said the organisation was ânot and never had been in litigation with the governmentâ and had merely written a pre-action letter for a judicial review to help establish victimsâ rights to have a statutory public inquiry, along the lines of that in the Hillsborough disaster. Pressed on the matter, Johnsonâs spokesperson said he was ânot aware he [the PM] had legal advice on thisâ, suggesting it was a political choice not to meet the group.
Fowler said: âIf the prime minister hasnât received legal advice that he canât meet with us why does he keep saying he canât? It constantly feels like the prime minister views us as nothing more than an annoyance, an inconvenience on his doorstep. It hurts that he wonât even offer us the respect of engaging with us to learn the lessons from our lost loved one.
Boris Johnson slammed for dodging bereaved families on visit to Covid Wall
The Prime Minister crossed the Thames to the new memorial on Tuesday night having turned down an offer to meet grieving families there.
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