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An unresolved but fundamental ethical debate about a scenario in which a rising number of COVID patients overwhelmed the ability of hospitals to

look after them and other non-COVID patients. The Secretary of State, that's Mr Hancock,

took the position that in this situation he, rather than say the medical profession or the

public, should ultimately decide who should live and who should

die. That is the council for the COVID inquiry questioning Lord Stevens, who was the head of NHS England.

We've got used to Matt Hancock playing the role of jungle survivor, of being the person who survives the SAS.

Now we've got to get used to the idea of Matt Hancock playing God.

It's quite a leap, that one, isn't it?

And Simon Stevens said that he tried to discourage individual members of state from adopting that role, except

in the most extreme circumstances. It's the diplomat's response, quietly worded, which

tells you quite a lot. And he goes on to say, fortunately, this horrible dilemma never crystallised.

But imagine that for one moment, that your life or the life

of your loved one might be in the hands of Matt Hancock and his decision-making process.

Welcome to the newsagents.

The Newsagents

It's John.

It's Emily.

And it really has been fascinating,

listening to chunks of the COVID inquiry

and the decision-making processes that were in place or not in place

...