The Covid Inquiry has been criticised by a children’s charity for failing to call Gavin Williamson, the former education secretary, to give evidence to its second module.

Jenniffer Twite, representing Save the Children, questioned why Baroness Hallett, the inquiry chair, was not going to question Mr Williamson over school closures during the pandemic.

“We know that Gavin Williamson was so incidental to decision making that it is the current position of this inquiry, not even to call him to give evidence in this module.”

Save the Children also criticised Downing Street for holding parties when children could not meet each other after reading out harrowing statements from parents about the impact of restrictions on young people.

“It is why for some Mr Johnson’s been ambushed by a birthday cake you lockdown touched a particular nerve. It reminded us of all the birthday parties missed by the nation’s children. There is something about missing your sixth birthday which frankly isn’t the same as missing your 57th.”

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