earlier. we are going to bring you another story. we will come back to events in nottingham shortly. you are watching bbc news. the other story we are following here in the uk today is the first day of a new phase of the covid inquiry. this inquiry is looking into how the government handled the covid pandemic. today marks the first day of public hearings, but they are expected to last for several years. today the inquiry has heard opening statements from counsel for the core participants, and that is what you are seeing on screen right now. let s hear from the bbc s ali are seeing on screen right now. let s hearfrom the bbc s ali price, and her report starts with some of the video testimonies from bereaved families that were played to the inquiry. families that were played to the in . ui . ~ families that were played to the inuui .~ families that were played to the in.ui . ., families that were played to the inuui . ~ ., ., inquiry. when we looked down at work, i inquiry. w
make this part of the inquiry will focus on the uk s preparedness on the pandemic. it will hearfrom experts like scientists and politicians. hugo keith qc said the uk was taken by surprise by significant aspects. even at this stage, before hearing the evidence, it is apparent that we might not have been very well prepared at all. it is absolutely clear, now, with hindsight, that the disease was spiralling out of control. but to what extent was that possibility foreseen, planned for, and guarded against? the foreseen, planned for, and guarded aaainst? , . against? the inquiry, which will take several against? the inquiry, which will take several years, against? the inquiry, which will take several years, will - against? the inquiry, which will take several years, will be - against? the inquiry, which will take several years, will be split| take several years, will be split into several modules. the first, pandemic preparedness, will hear from about 70 witnesses. then political decis