wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister and a dear friend to so many people. she died 11 months ago tomorrow. her death has left an un—fillable hole in all of our lives. today, the coroners�*s conclusion validate what our family has known all along coroners�*s conclusion validate what ourfamily has known all along high say that ruth took her own life as the direct result of the process, outcome and consequences of an ofsted inspection of the school she led and loved. caversham primary school. the inquest into ruth's death has shown the brutal inhumanity of the system of the ofsted inspections. ofsted likes to judge people with a single word labels. we could judge the current ofsted system with our own labels. callous, perverse, inhumane. ruth's death and this inquest have laid bare the imbalance of power that exists in our education system. schools and teachers should be accountable to the families and communities they serve. ruth of all people understood this. she was let down by an ofsted system beset with glaring gaps, inconsistencies and blindspots, yet held the power to destroy her career and put an end to her school as she knew it. there are no urgent lessons that must be learned from ruth's death. ofsted has grudgingly made some changes. but these changes go nowhere near far enough. we have no confidence that ofsted, under its current leadership and management, is either willing or able to make the widespread root and branch reforms to its systems and culture that are so urgently needed. the new chief inspector of schools faces a massive challenge to put these failings right. challenge to put these failings ri . ht. j , challenge to put these failings riuht. j , , , challenge to put these failings riuht. ,, g ., right. ruth perry's sister, julia walters talking _ right. ruth perry's sister, julia walters talking in _ right. ruth perry's sister, julia walters talking in the - right. ruth perry's sister, julia walters talking in the last - right. ruth perry's sister, julia walters talking in the last half| right. ruth perry's sister, julia i walters talking in the last half an hour or so. the former prime minister boris johnson has been giving a second day of evidence to the inquiry into the covid pandemic. mrjohnson has been questioned about parties at downing street during the covid lockdowns. he was shown a whatsapp message in which he references behaviour at number 10 and how it might come across. it was put to him that he knew how the behaviour of his officials and advisers might look, but he didn't care that much. (sot idid i did here. decided not care as the complete opposite of the truth. yes i think we could have done more in number ten to insist people thought about the way their behaviour would be perceived. i made this point repeatedly to the various inquiries that have been held already into this matter. we should have thought about what it would like like to have people out in the garden when people were not allowed in the garden, even though the garden was being used as a place of work. but the idea that i did not... in your line of questioning which has been of course excellent throughout, you have... you have dwelt particularly on whatsapp exchanges and various things that i'm supposed to have said. which indicate that i did not care. i did care and i continue to care. i did care and i continue to care passionately about it. if you want, and i haven't talked about this before, in public, but... and it goes to what you were saying earlier about... elderly people and in what you claim to be my indifference to the pandemic. ijust want to remind you that when i went into intensive care, i saw around me a lot of people who were not actually elderly. and in fact, they were middle—aged men and they were quite like me. and some of us were going to make it and some of us were not. and what i'm trying to tell you in a nutshell, the nhs, thank god, did an amazingjob in a nutshell, the nhs, thank god, did an amazing job and helped me survive. but i knew from that experience what an appalling disease this is. i had absolutely no personal doubt about that from march onwards. to say that i didn't care about the suffering that was being inflicted on the country is simply not right. live now to our news correspondent ellie price. borisjohnson also questioned by the lawyer for the bereaved families who are there, many of them watching his evidence today. are there, many of them watching his evidence today-— evidence today. yes, i think the cli we evidence today. yes, i think the clip we just _ evidence today. yes, i think the clip we just heard _ evidence today. yes, i think the clip we just heard was _ evidence today. yes, i think the clip we just heard was really - evidence today. yes, i think the l clip we just heard was really quite a moment from this morning's evidence. you are obviously looking at this from a perspective of a bereaved family. what did you make of borisjohnson when he appeared to get quite emotional and said, insisted, i really did care? he seemed really rattled by the idea that people think he didn't care. for people like us, the bereaved famiiies— for people like us, the bereaved families and you could hear it in the room. — families and you could hear it in the room, people did not believe it and they— the room, people did not believe it and they don't diet. what he cares about_ and they don't diet. what he cares about is_ and they don't diet. what he cares about is his — and they don't diet. what he cares about is his reputation. when he talked _ about is his reputation. when he talked about being in itu and seeing middle—aged men, that was him relating, — middle—aged men, that was him relating, it— middle—aged men, that was him relating, it was related to him and it made _ relating, it was related to him and it made it — relating, it was related to him and it made it scary to him, but that does _ it made it scary to him, but that does not — it made it scary to him, but that does not mean that he cared about oider— does not mean that he cared about older people and when the evidence was put _ older people and when the evidence was put up — older people and when the evidence was put up on the screen of the number— was put up on the screen of the number of— was put up on the screen of the number of times eg use the phrase "let it— number of times eg use the phrase "let it rib" — number of times eg use the phrase "let it rip" and talking about expendable older people, it was horrifying. it expendable older people, it was horri inc. ., expendable older people, it was horri inc. . , . horrifying. it made difficult viewin: horrifying. it made difficult viewing for— horrifying. it made difficult viewing for you _ horrifying. it made difficult viewing for you today, - horrifying. it made difficult viewing for you today, is i horrifying. it made difficult - viewing for you today, is there anything he could see to make you feel better and dare i say receive any closure?— any closure? the only thing that would have _ any closure? the only thing that would have helped _ any closure? the only thing that would have helped and - any closure? the only thing that would have helped and it's - any closure? the only thing that. would have helped and it's probably too late _ would have helped and it's probably too late at— would have helped and it's probably too late at this point is that he actually— too late at this point is that he actually answer the questions that are being — actually answer the questions that are being put to him honestly instead — are being put to him honestly instead of trying to cover his behind — instead of trying to cover his behind which is what he seems to be d°iii9~ _ behind which is what he seems to be d°iii9~ he _ behind which is what he seems to be d°iii9~ he is— behind which is what he seems to be doing. he is more concerned about how he _ doing. he is more concerned about how he appears rather than going into the _ how he appears rather than going into the granular detail of what went— into the granular detail of what went wrong which is what an inquiry is all— went wrong which is what an inquiry is all about— went wrong which is what an inquiry is all about so we can learn lessons and that's— is all about so we can learn lessons and that's incredibly frustrating. this inquiry is a long time, we are getting towards this particular part of it, have you been generally happy with how it has gone? you might not have liked the testimony you heard but are we in the process of learning lessons? i but are we in the process of learning lessons?— but are we in the process of learning lessons? i think it is related to — learning lessons? i think it is related to know _ learning lessons? i think it is related to know at _ learning lessons? i think it is related to know at this - learning lessons? i think it is| related to know at this stage. learning lessons? i think it is - related to know at this stage. we are hearing a lot of shocking evidence _ are hearing a lot of shocking evidence confirming a lot of suspicions that people have had. untit— suspicions that people have had. until the — suspicions that people have had. until the reports start coming out from _ until the reports start coming out from the — until the reports start coming out from the inquiry, it is very hard to know_ from the inquiry, it is very hard to know how— from the inquiry, it is very hard to know how this evidence is being interpreted and what recommendations are being _ interpreted and what recommendations are being made then there's the to make _ are being made then there's the to make recommendations implemented so it is too— make recommendations implemented so it is too early to be honest. not much you _ it is too early to be honest. not much you connect _ it is too early to be honest. ijrrit much you connect like this afternoon, we will hear from lawyers but notjust afternoon, we will hear from lawyers but not just from afternoon, we will hear from lawyers but notjust from the lead council, was there any glaring omissions that you think over the last couple of days? you think over the last couple of da s? ., ,., you think over the last couple of da s? ., . ., ., days? not so much about collating emissions. — days? not so much about collating emissions. i'm _ days? not so much about collating emissions, i'm feeling _ days? not so much about collating emissions, i'm feeling hugo - days? not so much about collating emissions, i'm feeling hugo keith| days? not so much about collating l emissions, i'm feeling hugo keith is not pushing hard enough with his questioning. he is letting things go and carrying on. there was a marked difference _ and carrying on. there was a marked difference when pete weatherly was questioning johnson and really bushing — questioning johnson and really pushing him to look in detail and acknowledge and he got the answer is that he _ acknowledge and he got the answer is that he wanted. it was a different kind of— that he wanted. it was a different kind of feel and it's again very frustrating for us as court participants that we are not allowed to cross _ participants that we are not allowed to cross examine and question more and that— to cross examine and question more and that we — to cross examine and question more and that we are not up on the stand more _ and that we are not up on the stand more as— and that we are not up on the stand more as witnesses because we know what happened on the ground and actually— what happened on the ground and actually that matters and it should inform _ actually that matters and it should inform the inquiry. i�*m actually that matters and it should inform the inquiry.— actually that matters and it should inform the inquiry. i'm going to let ou no inform the inquiry. i'm going to let you go because — inform the inquiry. i'm going to let you go because the _ inform the inquiry. i'm going to let you go because the inquiry - inform the inquiry. i'm going to let you go because the inquiry is - inform the inquiry. i'm going to let| you go because the inquiry is under way and we will hear more evidence now from borisjohnson. way and we will hear more evidence now from boris johnson.— now from boris johnson. those questions _ now from boris johnson. those questions on — now from boris johnson. those questions on their— now from boris johnson. those questions on their behalf. - now from boris johnson. those questions on their behalf. to . now from boris johnson. those i questions on their behalf. to put now from boris johnson. those - questions on their behalf. to put it bluntly. _ questions on their behalf. to put it bluntly. a — questions on their behalf. to put it bluntly, a one—word answer is sufficient _ bluntly, a one—word answer is sufficient i _ bluntly, a one—word answer is sufficient i will take it. it is plain— sufficient i will take it. it is plain from your evidence today and yesterday — plain from your evidence today and yesterday that you have followed a great _ yesterday that you have followed a great deal of the evidence in this inquiry— great deal of the evidence in this inquiry that her ladyship has heard. you told _ inquiry that her ladyship has heard. you told us — inquiry that her ladyship has heard. you told us yesterday you have seen the impact _ you told us yesterday you have seen the impact video that was played at the impact video that was played at the start— the impact video that was played at the start of this module and the impact — the start of this module and the impact of— the start of this module and the impact of long covid was reflected powerfully in that. you will also recatt. — powerfully in that. you will also recall, having watched that, that it captured _ recall, having watched that, that it captured the experience of our client— captured the experience of our client martin ferguson who lost her mother— client martin ferguson who lost her mother on— client martin ferguson who lost her mother on the 4th ofjanuary 2021. but can— mother on the 4th ofjanuary 2021. but can i_ mother on the 4th ofjanuary 2021. but can i ask you have you also listens — but can i ask you have you also listens to — but can i ask you have you also listens to and watched the oral evidence — listens to and watched the oral evidence from the bereaved in this module _ evidence from the bereaved in this module and module one? no. well, module and module one? no- question module and module one? no. well, question might be why not? module and module one? no. well, | question might be why not? because i'm afraid i haven't _ question might be why not? because i'm afraid i haven't been _ question might be why not? because i'm afraid i haven't been able - question might be why not? because i'm afraid i haven't been able to - i'm afraid i haven't been able to watch _ i'm afraid i haven't been able to watch all— i'm afraid i haven't been able to watch all of— i'm afraid i haven't been able to watch all of the _ i'm afraid i haven't been able to watch all of the evidence - i'm afraid i haven't been able to watch all of the evidence in - i'm afraid i haven't been able to watch all of the evidence in this| watch all of the evidence in this inquiry — watch all of the evidence in this inuui . ., watch all of the evidence in this inuui . . , ., watch all of the evidence in this inuui . ., .,. inquiry. had you watched it, in module one. _ inquiry. had you watched it, in module one, you _ inquiry. had you watched it, in module one, you would - inquiry. had you watched it, in module one, you would have l inquiry. had you watched it, in - module one, you would have heard the evidence _ module one, you would have heard the evidence of— module one, you would have heard the evidence of brenda doherty about her mother— evidence of brenda doherty about her mother ruth. at the outset of this module _ mother ruth. at the outset of this module on — mother ruth. at the outset of this module on the 5th of october you would _ module on the 5th of october you would have heard the evidence of a woman _ would have heard the evidence of a woman who lost her father three years— woman who lost her father three years ago— woman who lost her father three years ago this month. if you continued _ years ago this month. if you continued to listen to for the modules— continued to listen to for the modules you would hear stories of further— modules you would hear stories of further bereavement that her ladyship has invited to be told, understanding the pain and distress that families feel. but one of miss miles's _ that families feel. but one of miss miles's points that she told us about— miles's points that she told us about was a galling juxtaposition of being _ about was a galling juxtaposition of being told on the 18th of december 2020. _ being told on the 18th of december 2020, aged 67, was going to die in the coming — 2020, aged 67, was going to die in the coming days from covid, and that he died _ the coming days from covid, and that he died alone, his time of death is not known. — he died alone, his time of death is not known, five days later on the 23rd _ not known, five days later on the 23rd of— not known, five days later on the 23rd of december. the juxtaposition that she _ 23rd of december. the juxtaposition that she told us about that in her words _ that she told us about that in her words was — that she told us about that in her words was sickening, was that on the 18th of— words was sickening, was that on the 18th of december, there were one of several— 18th of december, there were one of several christmas events in downing street _ several christmas events in downing street and _ several christmas events in downing street and around the area to have taken _ street and around the area to have taken place that month. this particular— taken place that month. this particular event was a wine and cheese — particular event was a wine and cheese party and a secret santa during _ cheese party and a secret santa during a — cheese party and a secret santa during a so—called business meeting. do you _ during a so—called business meeting. do you understand, and on behalf of the bereaved, really understand the idea that _ the bereaved, really understand the idea that many of those who were denied _ idea that many of those who were denied the — idea that many of those who were denied the possibility of saying goodbye to loved ones, whilst at the same _ goodbye to loved ones, whilst at the same time _ goodbye to loved ones, whilst at the same time those making the draconian rules. _ same time those making the draconian rules, were _ same time those making the draconian rules, were to be seen floating them is as miss— rules, were to be seen floating them is as miss miles told us galling and sickening? — is as miss miles told us galling and sickening? do you understand that? thank— sickening? do you understand that? thank you _ sickening? do you understand that? thank you and the short answer is, as i thank you and the short answer is, as i told _ thank you and the short answer is, as i told the — thank you and the short answer is, as i told the inquiry, _ thank you and the short answer is, as i told the inquiry, yes, - thank you and the short answer is, as i told the inquiry, yes, i- thank you and the short answer is, as i told the inquiry, yes, i do - as i told the inquiry, yes, i do understand _ as i told the inquiry, yes, i do understand people's - as i told the inquiry, yes, i do understand people's pain- as i told the inquiry, yes, i do understand people's pain of. as i told the inquiry, yes, i do - understand people's pain of course. you see, _ understand people's pa