The Council of Ministers has decided not to launch a public inquiry into the island’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

That’s despite a recommendation in favour of one by the Public Accounts Committee in its annual report for 2020-21.

The report stated: ’The Covid story did not end at the conclusion of the last lockdown.

’The impact on public finances, health and our resilience as an island will be themes that echo for a long time to come.

’We believe that a public inquiry is required to review the handling of the pandemic to ensure lessons are identified and instilled into best practice.’

However, in a formal response from the Council of Ministers Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has suggested a ’review’ would be just as effective in assessing the previous administration’s choices.

He said: ’The Council of Ministers considers that the commissioning of an independent review into government’s handling of pandemic would be equally as effective in determining lessons learned.

’An independent review, which must be an open and transparent review, including inviting public input, can determine what has been learned by those who were, and still are, involved with dealing with the pandemic, and how this is influencing how we work currently.’

Going through the public inquiry process, as called for by the Public Accounts Committee, could cost taxpayers several millions of pounds and take up to three years, according to the chief minister.

He said: ’We are uncertain as to what benefits will be achieved for the island by conducting such a lengthy and potentially expensive inquiry that may not otherwise be achieved through an Independent Review.

He admitted that ’some matters could have been handled differently - certainly during the initial emergency response’, and that the government continues to ’learn, develop and enhance its response as time goes on’.