Fury as staggering cost to taxpayers of Covid inquiry revealed – making it most expensive probe in UK history

THE Covid Inquiry volition outgo taxpayers £208million — the astir for immoderate probe successful UK history.

Analysis reveals the hearing, which sits until 2026 and employs hundreds of civilian servants, costs £150,000 a day.

The bill — £124million by September — volition apical £200million if the complaint continues, it is reckoned.

Chair Baroness Hallett has been paid much than £500,000 and £37.7million volition spell connected ineligible bills, says the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

Chief John O’Connell said expenses were rising arsenic the enquiry “drags on . . . with nary signs of fiscal restraint”.

He said: “The outgo of the Covid enquiry has spiralled adjacent further retired of control, with taxpayers near footing an ever-growing bill.

“As the enquiry drags on, it’s wide that the expenses are lone climbing, with nary signs of fiscal restraint successful sight.

"The caller authorities should enforce a wide deadline and strict controls connected expenditure to guarantee taxpayers get the swift and decisive reply they deserve.”

An enquiry spokesperson claimed the “flawed” investigation was based connected hypothetical future expenditure and an imaginary extremity date.

Ex-Health Secretary Matt Hancock volition contiguous look astatine the enquiry — which has been blasted for focusing connected authorities dysfunction alternatively than lockdown costs and benefits.