‘The blame game’: revelations from health officials at UK Covid inquiry

Asked whether Hancock and others had encouraged him to resign, the former NHS chief Simon Stevens said: ‘Not to my face, anyway.’ Photograph: UK Covid-19 Inquiry/AFP/Getty Images

The two most senior health officials at the time of the pandemic have revealed to the Covid inquiry more details on the government’s lack of planning, exasperation with the focus on blame, and ethical rows surrounding life-and-death decisions. Here are some of the key passages from their evidence.

Simon Stevens refused Boris Johnson’s offer to lead reform of social care after failing to get commitments on funding and ambition